|
|
|
|
Author |
Topic: [OT] Recommended reading (Read 244 times) |
|
Pearce
Extreme Poster
Last On: 07/08/09
View Profile
Message Player
United States
Posts: 521
|
Well, I currently read mystery novels, most particularly culinary mysteries where the main character is a caterer or something and includes recipes in the book. I also like venue specific mysteries like museum mysteries or antique store mysteries.
I loved the Dragonlance series from many years ago. I think that's where I grew to love the half-elf ranger character.
My hubby loves alternate history fiction, you know, like what if Kennedy had not been assassinated or what if aliens had invaded the Earth during the American Colony years.
|
|
 I.P. Logged |
|
|
|
Quillmaster
Experienced User
Last On: 06/19/11
View Profile
Message Player
United Kingdom
Posts: 43
|
"The Wasp Factory" by Iain Banks - a very dark yet humerous book with some hilarious telephone conversations with a mad man so cleverly written that I'm convinced he must know someone who is genuinly mad. I genuinly couldn't put this book down, to the point that when I had 12 pages left while visiting my potential mother in law, I said "I'm sorry, I simply HAVE to finish this book!"
"Fluke" by James Herbert - the poor attempt at a movie has nothing on the book.
The Elric series by Michael Moorcock for all you fantasy fans.
Oh, and for science fiction fans, "The Stainless Steel Rat" are good for a giggle.
|
|
I.P. Logged |
|
|
|
Von Stalhein
Forum God
Last On: Today
View Profile
Message Player
United Kingdom
Posts: 808
|
Heart of Darkness - Conrad, 1899
The Black Magician (trilogy) - Canavan, 2001-2003
Anansi Boys - Gaiman, 2005
The Tragicall History of Dr Faustus - Marlowe, 1604
Tales of the Otori (trilogy) - Lian Hearn, 2002-2004
That's the reading list of what I've currently read in terms of worthwhile literature (as opposed to just 'enjoyable' reading - which can on occasion be as fun while reading it, but does not have the lasting satisfaction of more highly-crafted writing).
|
|
I.P. Logged |
|
|
|
GateCrash
Forum God
Last On: 11/28/11
View Profile
Message Player
United States
Posts: 750
|
Great call with Frankenstein. I think that's the only assigned reading I did in college that I couldn't put down.
If you want several giggles, I recommend the Myth Adventures series by Robert Lynn Aspirin. I haven't seen some of the most recent ones, but the first four or five books in the series are gosh darned funny. There's also a graphic novel version by Phil Foglio that is very entertaining.
If you want outright guffaws, check out The Wanderings of Wuntvor by Craig Shaw Gardner. Great job of managing a really goofy ensemble cast.
Both of these series have extensive casts of characters and personalities and are great if you ever run out of your own ideas (or if you're a DM in need of NPCs).
Edit: Man, Amazon has some excessively long links. They're there if you want to find them.
|
| « Last Edit: on: Jun 7, 2007, 4:49PM » |
I.P. Logged |
|
|
|
Gulfwulf
Forum God
Last On: Today
View Profile
Message Player
United States
Posts: 4798
|
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams. Great set of stories if you like science fiction and/or humor.
The Corean Chronicles & The Saga of Recluse, both by L. E. Modessitt, Jr. They're science fiction/fantasy with a strong humanisitc element to them. Great reads.
As for the "classics:"
The Great Gasby
Frankenstein
Dracula
For Whom the Bell Tolls.
|
|
I.P. Logged |
|
|
|
Lostnmaine
Experienced User
Last On: 05/31/09
View Profile
Message Player
United States
Posts: 49
|
Waiting for the galactic bus.
Mort
Any of the Foundation series
Any Ann MacCaffery
I will keep the fiction books for later.
|
|
I.P. Logged |
|
|
|
Purple Puppy
Forum God
Last On: 04/27/10
View Profile
Message Player
Australia
Posts: 1575
|
Ooh, lotsa suggestions people. 
I tend to enjoy a mixture of sci-fi/fantasy/adventures.
I would have expected most people here to like fantasy style the best for some reason.
on Jun 7, 2007, 2:54 PM, Pearce wrote:| Well, I currently read mystery novels, most particularly culinary mysteries where the main character is a caterer or something and includes recipes in the book. |
|
Diane Mott Davidson - my mother is reading those, plus she keeps wanting to try out the recipes. 
on Jun 7, 2007, 5:17 PM, Gulfwulf wrote:| The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams. Great set of stories if you like science fiction and/or humor. |
|
I've only seen the movie of that so far.
on Jun 7, 2007, 10:52 PM, J'Dai Voisin wrote:on Jun 7, 2007, 2:28 PM, Purple Puppy wrote:| And if you've read Harry Potter (who hasn't?)... |
|
*raises her hand*
I haven't, nor have a seen the movies. I know I am an anomaly.
|
|
*shock/horror* Who are you that can resist picking up the popular tale of the boy wizard?! 
The movies are okay, but the books are way better, doesn't stop me from liking both though.
|
|
I.P. Logged |
|
|
|
Ayram
Extreme Poster
Last On: 02/08/12
View Profile
Message Player
United States
Posts: 490
|
I can only read books with alot of action, violence, and intrigue. All must be present in some degree or I get bored to tears. Some awesome books off the top of my head:
I'd go with Terry Goodkinds entire series of The Sword of Truth. This series had affected me greatly, and for the better I think.
I also of course like the Dragonlance books, although I havent read any in awhile, probably because it seems to me that its sadly fading away.
Recently I was given a sci fi book from the Warhammer 40k universe called Gaunts Ghosts. Now I havent ever really been a sci fi book reader, but Gaunts Ghosts is excellent and I cant wait to get the next one.
Finally, A series that is quickly becoming a favorite of mine, The Codex Alera by Jim Butcher.
|
|
I.P. Logged |
|
|
|
Dellaster
Expert Poster
Last On: 02/19/08
View Profile
Message Player
United States
Posts: 152
|
Considering the focus of this forum, I think it only fair to give Naomi Novik a mention. She worked at BioWare on NWN:SOU. Her novels, His Majesty's Dragon, Throne of Jade, and Black Powder War are historical fantasies. What would the Napoleonic wars have been like if intelligent dragons existed? I found them well-written, interesting, and enjoyable.
|
|
I.P. Logged |
|
|
|
GM_ODA
Extreme Poster
Last On: 02/08/12
View Profile
Message Player
Unknown
Posts: 459
|
Jack Vance - flat out, master of the genre; well neigh creator of such. Much plagarized for content and style in the original DnD. Creator of Ioun Stones (and much more).
Read, The Dying Earth series to see where it began.
Be well. Game on.
GM_ODA
web -
http://members.fortunecity.com/dragonizer
server -
66.232.100.90:5121
|
|
I.P. Logged |
|
|
|
Smart Alec
Forum God
Last On: 02/07/12
View Profile
Message Player
United Kingdom
Posts: 1204
|
What would I recommend?
A Song of Ice and Fire series, by George R.R. Martin, starting with A Game of Thrones. A dynastic struggle with a cast of thousands, and very enjoyable. Four books out of the proposed seven have been released, with the fifth promised sometime this year.
The Warlord Trilogy, by Bernard Cornwell, starting with The Winter King; a story of Dark-age Britain, an intriguing and well-told version of the story of Arthur (King Arthur, though he's not referred to as King in the trilogy). These are the only books by Cornwell that I really enjoyed reading.
The Eisenhorn Trilogy, by Dan Abnett, usually published in one volume these days, and the only books in the whole Games Workshop canon that I actually like to re-read. And that's coming from a guy who worked for the company, and read 'em all.
|
| « Last Edit: on: Jun 11, 2007, 9:27PM » |
I.P. Logged |
|
|
|
Festivus
Extreme Poster
Last On: 08/16/07
View Profile
Message Player
United States
Posts: 501
|
on Jun 8, 2007, 2:20 AM, J'Dai Voisin wrote:on Jun 8, 2007, 2:05 AM, Purple Puppy wrote:*shock/horror* Who are you that can resist picking up the popular tale of the boy wizard?!
|
|
As a Moderator, we struggle EVERY DAY against the weight of popular culture.
To be honest, my husband has been trying to get me to read the Hitchhiker's Series for years, but I've resisted so far. For being an IT Consultant, I really am rather low tech.  |
|
Hitchhikers is a fantastically funny book. Give it a read, it goes very quickly. Be sure to put yourself in a silly mood before reading or you will think it sophmoric.
|
|
I.P. Logged |
|
|
|
hoyasaxa
Forum God
Last On: 01/14/12
View Profile
Message Player
United States
Posts: 2470
|
Old School Fantasy- Fritz Leiber wrote some good ones.., Gygax's Gord the Rogue series enjoyable too....
|
|
I.P. Logged |
|
|
|
Zevon
Newbie Poster
Last On: 06/24/07
View Profile
Message Player
United States
Posts: 4
|
Maybe I missed a post as I read and skimmed but for fans of sci-fi Jack Vance's Tales of a Dying Earth series is a dandy.
Much of the magic from D&D was inspired by this series and I believe it even pre-dates LOTR as the original high fantasy setting (Though I suppose whether or not Dying Earth is 'High' fantasy is certainly debatable).
|
|
I.P. Logged |
|
|
|
|
|
|
