Book recommendations....

drac · 23-01-2008, 2:21 PM

Hi everyone,

I'm off on my hols next week and always have a good book or two to read. Unfortunately, this time I haven't got one and am struggling for inspiration. I've always tended towards Sci-fi and fantasy along the lines of Wheel of Time, Magician (personal fave) etc etc. I've also recently enjoyed a couple of the Dan Brown books - Da Vinci Code (ok) and Angels & Demons (alot better).

What can you guys recommend for me to read?

I appreciate any advice given

sim667 · 23-01-2008, 2:23 PM

Was gonna suggest some, but then you said sci fi and fantasy....

harry potter?

drac · 23-01-2008, 2:26 PM

I'm quite happy to look towards other genres - infact I feel that the SCi Fi fanstasy genre has limited me a little over the years.

I've thought about Harry Potter, but having seen a couple of the films, I'm not too sure.

daniel_owen_uk · 23-01-2008, 2:26 PM

Dark Materials Trilogy?

CTT · 23-01-2008, 2:36 PM

You've probably read these but Thomas Covenant Chronicles, betther than LoTR, are well worth a read.

Other later stuff include Martin (ASOIAF) and Erikson (Malazan). As good as if not better, in my opinion, than wheel of time.

kendoll · 23-01-2008, 2:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drac

Hi everyone,

I'm off on my hols next week and always have a good book or two to read. Unfortunately, this time I haven't got one and am struggling for inspiration. I've always tended towards Sci-fi and fantasy along the lines of Wheel of Time, Magician (personal fave) etc etc. I've also recently enjoyed a couple of the Dan Brown books - Da Vinci Code (ok) and Angels & Demons (alot better).

What can you guys recommend for me to read?

I appreciate any advice given

I would suggest any of Terry Brooks Shannara books (Sword of Shannara, ect). I would also recommend The Death Gate Cycle by Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman. David Edding series (Belgariad (5), Mallorean (5), Elenium (3), and Tamuli (3)).

Have you tired any of Terry Pratchetts books, Fantasy, and great humour too.

drac · 23-01-2008, 2:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTT

You've probably read these but Thomas Covenant Chronicles, betther than LoTR, are well worth a read.

Other later stuff include Martin (ASOIAF) and Erikson (Malazan). As good as if not better, in my opinion, than wheel of time.

I read the Thomas Covenant Chronicles many years ago and found them to be superb, if a little heavy going. I've considered the more recent 'Last Chronicles though...

I'll have a look at the other two you have mentioned though, thanks

drac · 23-01-2008, 2:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daniel_owen_uk

Dark Materials Trilogy?

Cheers, I'll have a look - what would you compare it to?

drac · 23-01-2008, 2:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kendoll

I would suggest any of Terry Brooks Shannara books (Sword of Shannara, ect). I would also recommend The Death Gate Cycle by Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman. David Edding series (Belgariad (5), Mallorean (5), Elenium (3), and Tamuli (3)).

Have you tired any of Terry Pratchetts books, Fantasy, and great humour too.

It's funny - the Sword of Shannara series was the 2nd fantasy series I ever read - I started it immediately after I finished LOTR and The Hobbit at school. Really enjoyed them too! Belgariad and Mallorean are also favorites of mine. I'll have a look at the Death Gate Cycle - sounds interesting

I've also always wanted to read a Terry Pratchett book - any in particular - he's done a lot!

daniel_owen_uk · 23-01-2008, 3:08 PM

It's somewhere inbetween harry potter and lord of the rings. Maybe a slightly more adult HP with a few religious connotations.

JackM · 23-01-2008, 3:12 PM

Hmm, don't read much sci-fi, so can't help you in that regard.

But I'll throw in some others for you to think about.

Chickenhawk - Robert Mason.
Moab Is My Washpot - Stephen Fry.
God Delusion - Richard Dawkins.

*edit*

Soldiers Of Light - Daniel Bergner.

Also, don't even consider Dan Brown. If your after that kind of thing, just sit up off the toilet once your done having a poop and observe your creation. Much better.

kendoll · 23-01-2008, 3:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drac

It's funny - the Sword of Shannara series was the 2nd fantasy series I ever read - I started it immediately after I finished LOTR and The Hobbit at school. Really enjoyed them too! Belgariad and Mallorean are also favorites of mine. I'll have a look at the Death Gate Cycle - sounds interesting

I've also always wanted to read a Terry Pratchett book - any in particular - he's done a lot!

I only read Pratchett because my uncle left 'The Colour Of Magic' at our house when he came over from the UK (to Aus) for a visit. As he had left it I thought I would give it a try. As it turns out he is now probably my favourite author.

I would recommend starting with Colour Of Magic, and trying to read them (Discworld Novels) in the order they were released.

Have you read the latest Shannara books?

Yandros · 23-01-2008, 3:23 PM

HUGE fan of Magician here too

Tad Williams - the Otherland series.

Actually a sci-fi/fantasy crossover, so if you like both, you'll be onto a winner!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Otherland-Ci...1101682&sr=8-1

Squiffy · 23-01-2008, 3:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drac

I read the Thomas Covenant Chronicles many years ago and found them to be superb, if a little heavy going. I've considered the more recent 'Last Chronicles though...

The Last Chronicles are fantastic. Only two books so far, but both are fantastic.

Especially the second one, Fatal Revenant.

drac · 23-01-2008, 3:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kendoll

I only read Pratchett because my uncle left 'The Colour Of Magic' at our house when he came over from the UK (to Aus) for a visit. As he had left it I thought I would give it a try. As it turns out he is now probably my favourite author.

I would recommend starting with Colour Of Magic, and trying to read them (Discworld Novels) in the order they were released.

Have you read the latest Shannara books?

I'll look at the Discworld Novels as a start - I nearly started this series some years back but got distracted by Wheel of Time (I think)...

drac · 23-01-2008, 3:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackM

Hmm, don't read much sci-fi, so can't help you in that regard.

But I'll throw in some others for you to think about.

Chickenhawk - Robert Mason.
Moab Is My Washpot - Stephen Fry.
God Delusion - Richard Dawkins.

*edit*

Soldiers Of Light - Daniel Bergner.

Also, don't even consider Dan Brown. If your after that kind of thing, just sit up off the toilet once your done having a poop and observe your creation. Much better.

Dan Brown does get a bad wrap on the whole and to a point I agree - his plotlines have a few holes in them but it's easy reading if you like that sort of thing....

I'll have a look at the others though, cheers

drac · 23-01-2008, 3:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yandros

HUGE fan of Magician here too

Tad Williams - the Otherland series.

Actually a sci-fi/fantasy crossover, so if you like both, you'll be onto a winner!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Otherland-Ci...1101682&sr=8-1

I've read Magician THREE times I like it so much - I've even considered taking Silverthorn and Darkness at Sethanon on my hols, but I'm determined to tread new ground!

The Tad Williams Otherland series is one that has stared back at me from the shelves of Waterstones for some time now and the reviews seem pretty good - I'll have a look, cheers

drac · 23-01-2008, 3:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squiffy

The Last Chronicles are fantastic. Only two books so far, but both are fantastic.

Especially the second one, Fatal Revenant.

I'll defo have a look, cheers

I assume it's along the same lines as the original two series?

Kwman · 23-01-2008, 4:10 PM

Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind. If I remember correctly first 3 are great !

L E Modesitt - His Recluse series except the first book, Corean series

Trudi Canavan - Black Magician Series

JackM · 23-01-2008, 4:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drac

Dan Brown does get a bad wrap on the whole and to a point I agree - his plotlines have a few holes in them but it's easy reading if you like that sort of thing....

I'll have a look at the others though, cheers

Each to their own matey.

Although, 'The God Delusion' is probably a bit heavy for a holiday, so I retract that idea.

Chickenhawk is a good option I think, fairly short, but engrossing.

Moab Is My Washpot is good if you like Stephen Fry (who doesn't?!) rather moving, and a very funny bloke.

Squiffy · 23-01-2008, 4:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drac

I'll defo have a look, cheers

I assume it's along the same lines as the original two series?

Yes. As per the other two sets of chronicles, it draws on the rich history of the Land.

But with a nice twist in the second one.

**Kieron** · 23-01-2008, 4:51 PM

Last book I read was "Long Way Round" - Ewan and Charlie etc. Really enjoyed it. I know it's not sci-fi but it was an incredibly enjoyable read....

Adam Shaw · 23-01-2008, 5:05 PM

Sword of truth series by terry Goodkind does start off great, but by book 6-7 you start to get pretty angry and just want him to wrap it up.

I have finally finished the lot, and cant rememebr if it was 10 or 12 books, but really he could have squashed the last 6 into just 2.

Possibly my best read of last year was G H Dahlquist, The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters, simply beacuse it is so bonkers

drac · 23-01-2008, 5:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kieron

Last book I read was "Long Way Round" - Ewan and Charlie etc. Really enjoyed it. I know it's not sci-fi but it was an incredibly enjoyable read....

Saw the 'Long Way Down' and enjoyed it - might give it a go as an alternative - I usually take 2/3 with me

drac · 23-01-2008, 5:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Shaw

Sword of truth series by terry Goodkind does start off great, but by book 6-7 you start to get pretty angry and just want him to wrap it up.

I have finally finished the lot, and cant rememebr if it was 10 or 12 books, but really he could have squashed the last 6 into just 2.

Possibly my best read of last year was G H Dahlquist, The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters, simply beacuse it is so bonkers

That's the problme with the longer series - you do get a little annoyed sometimes - I'm sick of waiting for Wheel of Time to finish - it's up to 11 now....

Kwman · 23-01-2008, 5:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Shaw

Sword of truth series by terry Goodkind does start off great, but by book 6-7 you start to get pretty angry and just want him to wrap it up.

I have finally finished the lot, and cant rememebr if it was 10 or 12 books, but really he could have squashed the last 6 into just 2.

Possibly my best read of last year was G H Dahlquist, The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters, simply beacuse it is so bonkers

It was 10 books

drac · 23-01-2008, 5:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squiffy

Yes. As per the other two sets of chronicles, it draws on the rich history of the Land.

But with a nice twist in the second one.

Cheers Squiffy, I'll bear it in mind and have a look

TopMeTom · 23-01-2008, 5:54 PM

Gates of fire-Steven pressfield(i tink) 300 in book form really good read!

I did enjoy the terry brooks shannara series, plus the new shannara books.

sim667 · 23-01-2008, 6:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drac

I'm quite happy to look towards other genres - infact I feel that the SCi Fi fanstasy genre has limited me a little over the years.

The kite runner..... that book is beyond good!

a fortunate life

Gormenghast (fantasy) its a series.... start with titus groan i think.

FazerThou · 23-01-2008, 6:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kendoll

I would suggest any of Terry Brooks Shannara books (Sword of Shannara, ect). I would also recommend The Death Gate Cycle by Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman. David Edding series (Belgariad (5), Mallorean (5), Elenium (3), and Tamuli (3)).

Have you tired any of Terry Pratchetts books, Fantasy, and great humour too.

Seconding the Pratchett and Edding series