OT: Read a book!

sachmo · #1 January 3rd, 2003, 12:56 AM

Definately give Jordan a try, but I would recommend George Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series over it, and that's saying a lot! Martin is a master of fantasy, and spins a heck of a good yarn. Just don't go in expecting the same old fare, and if you don't like to read about main characters failing, then avoid his books!

Also, if you have never read Eddings, I would suggest reading the Belgariad. These books were incredible.

David Weber's Honor Harrington series is very good for sci-fi.

DavidG · #2 January 3rd, 2003, 02:40 AM

If you like Niven and Zahn you should check out Robert J. Sawyer http://www.sfwriter.com . He's one of those guys like Niven and Zahn who IMO just can't write anything that isn't fantastic.

DirectorTsaarx · #3 January 3rd, 2003, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hank:
Two realtively unknown books that should be mandatory sci-fi reading:

1. Armor -- John Steakley. This book is in the running for my #1 favorite sci-fi novel of all time.

YES! I found that one a long time ago, and read it a couple of times. He also wrote the book "Vampires" that was used as the basis for the vampire movie with James Woods. I never watched the movie, but it's probably nowhere near as good as the book.

In that same "vein", I'd recommend the "Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter" series written by Laurell K. Hamilton. Lots of violence & eroticism, plus all manner of beasties running around. She's also started another series in the same setting, but focusing on the world of faery...

Edit: I forgot to mention - one of my former co-workers claimed to have been a friend of Mr. Steakley, and said that most of Steakley's characters were based on his friends...

[ January 03, 2003, 14:42: Message edited by: DirectorTsaarx ]

tesco samoa · #4 March 5th, 2003, 01:52 AM

anyone read Steven Erikson ???

Deathstalker · #5 March 5th, 2003, 02:15 AM

Hamilton, love her stuff. (sort of an adult Version of Buffy

)

Best 'sci-fi' novel I've read in ages though would be 'Altered Carbon' by Richard Morgan (his first novel). Absolutely incredible. There is a new Deathstalker Novel out by Green but I have yet to get ahold of it

Stone Mill · #6 March 5th, 2003, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David: The 'Myth Advanture' series by Robert Asprin

Shoot, now that rang a bell. I totally forgot about that series... was a lot of fun!

My goodness, if none of you have read The Annals of the Black Company by Glen Cook(first 3 novels in the series), run like mad and sign it out! Absolutely terrific!

Hotfoot · #7 March 5th, 2003, 06:30 AM

I recently read the Night's Dawn Trilogy, by Peter F. Hamilton. Wonderful, wonderful books (though the subject matter is somewhat adult in nature at times). The books in the series are, in order:

The Reality Dysfunction
The Neutronium Alchemist
The Naked God

Each book is 1000+ pages in paperback format, and each book is progressively longer than the one before it (which is good, IMO).

Also, there is a book of short stories taking place prior to the events in Night's Dawn, collected in a book called "A Second Chance at Eden". Plus, there's a handy little reference guide to the universe he set it all in, called "The Confederation Handbook". All of the books are available in eBook format, too. So those of you with PDAs can read it anywhere.

I personally like the eBook style now a lot. Having an entire library on a CD-ROM frees up my shelf space for other things.