Looking for different books. - Page 3

Professor Smarmiarty · 10-08-2010, 03:06 AM

Fuck Dumas, he's a tuppeny hack. Hugo has crazy adventure going but much better written, you just might need to skim some of his diversionary bits. Les Mis is the longest running musical of all time for a reason. And Notre Dame has some crazy shit going on, unlike the disney version.

Read Pratchett first though.

Toast · 10-08-2010, 05:51 AM

After reading Pratchett, you could maybe check out some of these.

The Firekeeper Saga by Jane Lindskold. It's pretty low magic fantasy, but very good.

Donnerjack by Roger Zelazny. It blends sci fi and fantasy quite literally.

The Lost Fleet series by Jack Campbell. Space based fleet action that is quite good.

The Last Legion series by Chris Bunch. Fairly average military sci fi, but still a fun read.

I noticed a lack of Frank Herbert and Isaac Asimov on your list. Asimov's robot anthologies and the robot detective series are quite good, as is the book Nightfall. Frank Herbert's Dune is, of course, supremely awesome.

If you're looking for more scholarly reading, you should try some Viktor Frankl (Man's Search for Meaning), Rollo May (The Discovery of Being), James P. Carse (Finite and Infinite Games), Richard Bach (Illusions), and Clarissa Pinkola Estes (Women who run with the Wolves).

BloodyMage · 10-08-2010, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toast

I noticed a lack of Frank Herbert and Isaac Asimov on your list. Asimov's robot anthologies and the robot detective series are quite good, as is the book Nightfall.

I'll second this. Asimov is pretty awesome. His stories about robotics and his careful manipulation of what seems like pretty firm set rules make for extremely engaging stories. His first short book collection 'I, Robot' is great too, and is absolutely a thousand times better than the film which only takes it's name.

Specterbane · 10-08-2010, 01:57 PM

I should add that Count of Monte Cristo take a little bit to get going at the start to get the characters established. And Dune is great once it gets the whole world established. But you made it through Tolkien so you should be fine.

I'm still whole heartedly recommending The Three Musketeers. I mean it (and Count of Monte Cristo for that matter) had the Red potion that Zelda uses before it ever used it. If you want to see what I mean then read it, and thank me later.

xj700t · 10-08-2010, 03:14 PM

you should try Jhon Scalzi's "Old Man's War", since it's his first novel, and 5 years old, I dont believe many will point it out first. however, it does contain exquisite story telling that reminds me a portion of the list of authors you provided (including terry pratchet for everyone else on this post.. might as well jump the wagon). it might lean more to science fiction genre rather than fantasy, but is still well worth the mention.

Tev · 10-08-2010, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickZarber

And Scott Lynch's story, In the Stacks, is worth the price of the book alone. It's about a living library, where the staff motto is RETRIEVE. RETURN. SURVIVE. And it's got monsters called vocabuvores!

I desperately want to own this book but Amazon doesn't think it exists. Help?

Fifthfiend · 10-08-2010, 03:55 PM

After you read every Terry Pratchett novel (Weatherwax books optional), you should read Lin Carter's Gondwane novels.

Basically full of zany ideas and lack of taking themselves seriously.

MuMu · 10-08-2010, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BloodyMage

I'll second this. Asimov is pretty awesome. His stories about robotics and his careful manipulation of what seems like pretty firm set rules make for extremely engaging stories. His first short book collection 'I, Robot' is great too, and is absolutely a thousand times better than the film which only takes it's name.

I'd take The Complete Robot over I, Robot, if possible. Machines That Think is also a nice sci-fi short story collection(Although I think that all Asimov's stories on this one are also in the Complete Robot, if you mind repeats).

Since you apparently enjoy fantasy so much, I read Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrel last month and it's one excellent novel, a rare gem from urban fantasy stories.

Snow Crash is cyberpunk but I think it might be up your alley, although it has a pretty nasty infodump it's a fun book that doesn't take itself too seriously.

I plan on ordering Slaughterhouse 5 this weekend, so I guess I can second that one. Probably going to get The Sirens of Titan and Cat's Cradle soon.

It has nothing to do with the above reccomendations, but I really enjoyed Catch-22. Give it a try.

Fifthfiend · 10-08-2010, 05:20 PM

Cat's Cradle is probably the best, most Vonnegutty Vonnegut book.

Geminex · 10-08-2010, 05:21 PM

To contribute some more, I recently read a collection of short stories called The Locus Awards. These are 30 years worth of awesome fantasy and sci-fi short stories, and they're all really worth reading.

Also, this isn't a book, but Homestuck is as good a story as you will find in any book (far, far better than you will find in most), and if you haven't yet, you should really, really read it. I mean, really.
REALLY.

Also, if you wanna get started on Pratchett, I'd suggest 'Guards Guards'. Or if you want something more recent, 'Going Postal', but I think his earlier stuff is better, if a bit harder to get into.

10-08-2010, 05:51 AM	#22
Toast Existential Toast Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Georgia Posts: 440	After reading Pratchett, you could maybe check out some of these. The Firekeeper Saga by Jane Lindskold. It's pretty low magic fantasy, but very good. Donnerjack by Roger Zelazny. It blends sci fi and fantasy quite literally. The Lost Fleet series by Jack Campbell. Space based fleet action that is quite good. The Last Legion series by Chris Bunch. Fairly average military sci fi, but still a fun read. I noticed a lack of Frank Herbert and Isaac Asimov on your list. Asimov's robot anthologies and the robot detective series are quite good, as is the book Nightfall. Frank Herbert's Dune is, of course, supremely awesome. If you're looking for more scholarly reading, you should try some Viktor Frankl (Man's Search for Meaning), Rollo May (The Discovery of Being), James P. Carse (Finite and Infinite Games), Richard Bach (Illusions), and Clarissa Pinkola Estes (Women who run with the Wolves). __________________ “How dare you! How dare you stand there acting like your brand of suffering is worse than anybody else’s. Well, I guess that’s the only way you can justify treating the rest of us like dirt.” ~ Major Margaret Houlihan (Mash) “If we’re going to be damned, let’s be damned for what we really are.” ~ Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Star Trek: The Next Generation)

10-08-2010, 01:57 PM	#24
Specterbane Safety First Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Land of Gumdrops and Ice-cream Posts: 746	I should add that Count of Monte Cristo take a little bit to get going at the start to get the characters established. And Dune is great once it gets the whole world established. But you made it through Tolkien so you should be fine. I'm still whole heartedly recommending The Three Musketeers. I mean it (and Count of Monte Cristo for that matter) had the Red potion that Zelda uses before it ever used it. If you want to see what I mean then read it, and thank me later. __________________ http://www.nuklearforums.com/showpos...ostcount=10436

10-08-2010, 03:55 PM	#27
Fifthfiend for all seasons Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 19,409	After you read every Terry Pratchett novel (Weatherwax books optional), you should read Lin Carter's Gondwane novels. Basically full of zany ideas and lack of taking themselves seriously. __________________ check out my buttspresso

10-08-2010, 05:20 PM	#29
Fifthfiend for all seasons Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 19,409	Cat's Cradle is probably the best, most Vonnegutty Vonnegut book. __________________ check out my buttspresso

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10-08-2010, 03:06 AM	#21
Professor Smarmiarty Sent to the cornfield Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: K-space Posts: 9,758	Fuck Dumas, he's a tuppeny hack. Hugo has crazy adventure going but much better written, you just might need to skim some of his diversionary bits. Les Mis is the longest running musical of all time for a reason. And Notre Dame has some crazy shit going on, unlike the disney version. Read Pratchett first though.

10-08-2010, 03:14 PM	#25
xj700t next lvl: 234876 exp. Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: israel Posts: 10	you should try Jhon Scalzi's "Old Man's War", since it's his first novel, and 5 years old, I dont believe many will point it out first. however, it does contain exquisite story telling that reminds me a portion of the list of authors you provided (including terry pratchet for everyone else on this post.. might as well jump the wagon). it might lean more to science fiction genre rather than fantasy, but is still well worth the mention.

10-08-2010, 05:21 PM	#30
Geminex SOM3WH3R3 Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 4,606	To contribute some more, I recently read a collection of short stories called The Locus Awards. These are 30 years worth of awesome fantasy and sci-fi short stories, and they're all really worth reading. Also, this isn't a book, but Homestuck is as good a story as you will find in any book (far, far better than you will find in most), and if you haven't yet, you should really, really read it. I mean, really. REALLY. Also, if you wanna get started on Pratchett, I'd suggest 'Guards Guards'. Or if you want something more recent, 'Going Postal', but I think his earlier stuff is better, if a bit harder to get into.