Books!

Well, I love to read and I love to write, so why not make a topic relating to it?

Out of curiosity, do any of you read books? My personal favorite genre is Science Fiction / Fantasy, and I would be quite surprised if no one else here regularly reads.

The first "series" of Fantasy books I got into was the Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind. I really enjoyed the books and remember waiting for each one to come out because I already finished the previous. His writing style isn't exactly "great" but I love the universe and many of the characters.


Just recently I started reading the Wheel of Time books by Robert Jordan (later continued/finished by Brandon Sanderson) and am thoroughly enjoying it, despite Jordan's tendency to be little long winded.

Interestingly enough, I never tried reading the WoT books previously. They are very well received but didn't catch my eye until I was working at Amazon last winter. When Towers of Midnight came out it was a hot seller (thousands being shipped from my warehouse) which caused me to make a mental note for it. Looked it up and read the general idea behind it and then bought the first one.


I guess I'll say that I read the Hobbit, and the Lord of the Rings trilogy, though it wasn't really something that got my attention at the time (was back in high school when I read them all)




.:: Books I've Really Enjoyed ::.

Sword of Truth series (12 Novels, 1 Prequel):
First Book: Wizard's First Rule
(Debt of Bones if you want to count the prequel)

Wheel of Time series (14 Novels, 1 Prequel):
First Book: The Eye of the World
(New Spring if you want to count the prequel)

The Colour of Magic
And anything Discworld related, really.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Read it. Seriously.

I've read quite a few more over the years, but these are some that are at the top of my head. I'll add more if I think of them.




.:: Random Thoughts ::.

The Chocolate War was a pretty good one that I read back in high school and would suggest to people of that age or anyone who would find it interesting.

Slaughterhouse-Five, A Clockwork Orange, and Fahrenheit 451 were all really good as well.

Some people really enjoy the Harry Potter books, but I must admit I've only read a few and lost interest. Seen the movies though, and am pretty determined not to read those books anymore.

I suggest reading at least the first Narnia book (The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe) as it is an interesting world.

Read Hatchet back in elementary school and loved it, but can't say much for how I would feel about it now-a-days.




.:: Final Words ::.

Any books that you guys/gals seriously suggest/enjoyed?

I'm currently reading Tom Clany's Jack Ryan novels. I've read about 5 of his books so far.

I highly suggest Red Storm Rising and Without Remorse. Both are fictional war books. Without Remorse has more of a story away from the wars though. Probably the best book I've ever read.

I've been on a non-fiction kick for the past 10 years or so, pop-sci books being my staple. Anything by Carl Sagan is fantastic, but The Demon-Haunted World is one of the best, might be one of my favorite books of all time. Innumeracy is an awesome older book in a similar vein. Richard Dawkins is great, even if you're not an athiest/disliked The God Delusion, The Selfish Gene is fantastic science writing.

I tend to stick to science fiction or humor for fiction. I've kinda stopped reading fiction over the past several years, and it's bothering me, I've gotta read more of it.

One of my favorite books is 'The Road' by Cormac McCarthy.
It isn't written like any book you might have read before so it won't appeal to everyone.
It's a great read.

I'll have to look into some of those.

Was taking a look at my bookcase and saw a book I read *somewhat* recently called The Sheriff of Yrnameer, by Michael Rubens.

It was pretty entertaining, and had a certain charm to it (Space fantasy).




Also, if any of you are into graphic novels, I've got Demo and Black Hole.

They were both pretty screwed up, if you get the meaning, but good. Black Hole is actually decently long compared to Demo, and was definitely good.

My experience with graphic novels is pretty slim, though.

"As I Lay Dying" by William Faulkner.....took me a long time to appreciate that book but just re read it recentley...

A bit more than half of Infinite Jest down and loving it. David Foster Wallace drops you into his world and expects you to swim, though.

OP, you're dead on with the Sword of Truth -- picked up the 4th in 8th grade and was dancing with glee when the 5th was released, ad nauseum :P

I am reading "A Song of Ice and Fire", a medieval (dark?) fantasy, from George R. R. Martin. The Tv show is also fairly good.

They still make those?

Joking aside the only books I read are the ones assigned for classes (i.e Pride and Prejudice, Hamlet).

Now I'm reading textbooks on my computer.

It wasn't until recently I started reading really, and since my education makes me read alot, I rarely read books on my own. The last couple of books I've read has been fantasy books:

The Painted Man
Takes place in a world where demons control the night, and people only have wards to defend themselves, you follow a young lad in this world, and watch as he evolves throughout the book. Good read.

The Desert Spear
The follow up to The Painted Man

The Black Prism
A universe where eyes are used to extract colors from the world, these colors each posses a unique ability, kind of like magic. The whole world is build apon these colors. It is a really intrigueing book, with a great story.