Looking for different books. - Page 4

The Sevenshot Kid · 10-08-2010, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fifthfiend

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

More so than "Breakfast of Champions?" If so, then I might have to ransack my local bookstore to buy a copy.

walkertexasdruid · 10-09-2010, 06:25 PM

Good stuff, everyone. Terry Pratchett looks like a winner, and I thin Frank Herbert is good option as well. I have read Asimov, love the Foundation books. I have watched the old movies based the Count of Monte Cristo, and the Three Musketeers, and even Breakfast of Champions. Is Pullman's books better than the movie that I had to endure once? Like I said, good stuff, people, keep it coming.

bluestarultor · 10-09-2010, 06:46 PM

Three authors when you've done Pratchett:

Roger Zelazny - fantasy/comedy (although Dilvish is a masterful serious series)
Robert Asprin - fantasy/comedy
Keith Laumer (if you can find any from him) - sci-fi

Wigmund · 10-09-2010, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walkertexasdruid

Is Pullman's books better than the movie that I had to endure once? Like I said, good stuff, people, keep it coming.

Much better.

Magus · 10-09-2010, 09:44 PM

Yeah, didn't the movie leave out the end of the book besides? (I've never been able to sit through that thing)

I'll take a crack at talkin' 'bout some other genres here, and recommend historical fiction. However, I'm not sure about what you'd like to read in that vein. I mean, there is the Kent Family Chronicles, for example, which was an interesting series (even if somewhat silly--apparently if there is a famous American historical figure, a Kent will have met them at some point in their life). Also, this may be a bit of a spoiler, but I was kind of annoyed by the fact that every major female character is raped at least once, sometimes goes insane (especially Margaret, Gideon's wife, in a total turnabout that came out of the blue and seemed mainly to exist to create part of the plot), and otherwise comes to a bad end. Also, like George R. R. Martin (not on your list, but surely you've read such a major fantasy author), John Jakes is not afraid to kill off major characters. There are 8 books and they should keep you busy if you decide to read them. On Secret Service was a stand-alone one I enjoyed as well.

Also, I am a huge fan of John Steinbeck and basically everything by him is pure gold. Most of his books are fairly short and to the point as well so you shouldn't have trouble reading them, often novella length, but the longer ones (The Grapes of Wrath, East of Eden) are great reads too. They aren't really "historical fiction" in a way though because they were all written at the time, they were contemporary topical works at best only going a few decades into the past, but looking back at them they are like historical fiction.

Also, if you want to have your cake and eat it too, read fantasy books by Guy Gavriel Kay. Pretty much all of them are based on historical events in the real world that have been scrupulously researched and turned to Kay's advantage in writing thrilling novels that are some of my favorites. Tigana, A Song for Arbonne, The Lions of Al-Rassan, The Last Light of the Sun, etc. are all amazing books that you should definitely read if you're a fan of fantasy and historical fiction.

Locke cole · 10-09-2010, 11:50 PM

I'll have to seccond George R.R. Martin.

A Song Of Ice And Fire is really good fantasy. Very low-magic, but the politics and character interactions are great to read.

Magus · 10-09-2010, 11:55 PM

Get ready to join the rest of his frustrated fans waiting for the fifth book, though, if you decide to start reading them.

I have a brother who has actually not read past the second book on purpose so as to avoid this.

Locke cole · 10-10-2010, 12:07 AM

There's a TV series being made, though. So it may be nice to read it to prepare for that.

walkertexasdruid · 10-10-2010, 08:22 PM

I really liked the North and South trilogy by John Jakes, and the first two mini-series were great (I really miss Patrick Swayze), and the third one was ok. Surprisingly, I have missed out on George R. Martin, so I will have to look him up as well.

MuMu · 10-10-2010, 10:02 PM

Can't really give them a nice description(Mostly because I suck at it) since I haven't read them yet but I just ordered the aforementioned Slaughterhouse 5 and along with it The Time Traveler's Wife, Solaris, The Left Hand of Darkness, Fragile Things and Anansi Boys, see if any of them interest you.

10-09-2010, 06:25 PM	#32
walkertexasdruid I am the One Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Infinate Layers of the Abyss Posts: 533	Good stuff, everyone. Terry Pratchett looks like a winner, and I thin Frank Herbert is good option as well. I have read Asimov, love the Foundation books. I have watched the old movies based the Count of Monte Cristo, and the Three Musketeers, and even Breakfast of Champions. Is Pullman's books better than the movie that I had to endure once? Like I said, good stuff, people, keep it coming. __________________ Naive Optimist

10-09-2010, 09:44 PM	#35
Magus Archer and Armstrong vs. the World Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 7,164	Yeah, didn't the movie leave out the end of the book besides? (I've never been able to sit through that thing) I'll take a crack at talkin' 'bout some other genres here, and recommend historical fiction. However, I'm not sure about what you'd like to read in that vein. I mean, there is the Kent Family Chronicles, for example, which was an interesting series (even if somewhat silly--apparently if there is a famous American historical figure, a Kent will have met them at some point in their life). Also, this may be a bit of a spoiler, but I was kind of annoyed by the fact that every major female character is raped at least once, sometimes goes insane (especially Margaret, Gideon's wife, in a total turnabout that came out of the blue and seemed mainly to exist to create part of the plot), and otherwise comes to a bad end. Also, like George R. R. Martin (not on your list, but surely you've read such a major fantasy author), John Jakes is not afraid to kill off major characters. There are 8 books and they should keep you busy if you decide to read them. On Secret Service was a stand-alone one I enjoyed as well. Also, I am a huge fan of John Steinbeck and basically everything by him is pure gold. Most of his books are fairly short and to the point as well so you shouldn't have trouble reading them, often novella length, but the longer ones (The Grapes of Wrath, East of Eden) are great reads too. They aren't really "historical fiction" in a way though because they were all written at the time, they were contemporary topical works at best only going a few decades into the past, but looking back at them they are like historical fiction. Also, if you want to have your cake and eat it too, read fantasy books by Guy Gavriel Kay. Pretty much all of them are based on historical events in the real world that have been scrupulously researched and turned to Kay's advantage in writing thrilling novels that are some of my favorites. Tigana, A Song for Arbonne, The Lions of Al-Rassan, The Last Light of the Sun, etc. are all amazing books that you should definitely read if you're a fan of fantasy and historical fiction. Last edited by Magus; 10-09-2010 at 09:47 PM.

10-10-2010, 08:22 PM	#39
walkertexasdruid I am the One Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Infinate Layers of the Abyss Posts: 533	I really liked the North and South trilogy by John Jakes, and the first two mini-series were great (I really miss Patrick Swayze), and the third one was ok. Surprisingly, I have missed out on George R. Martin, so I will have to look him up as well. __________________ Naive Optimist

10-09-2010, 11:55 PM	#37
Magus Archer and Armstrong vs. the World Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 7,164	Get ready to join the rest of his frustrated fans waiting for the fifth book, though, if you decide to start reading them. I have a brother who has actually not read past the second book on purpose so as to avoid this.

10-10-2010, 10:02 PM	#40
MuMu Rocky Wrench Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Rio Posts: 1,197	Can't really give them a nice description(Mostly because I suck at it) since I haven't read them yet but I just ordered the aforementioned Slaughterhouse 5 and along with it The Time Traveler's Wife, Solaris, The Left Hand of Darkness, Fragile Things and Anansi Boys, see if any of them interest you.