Favorite Books or Series!

Post by **Kymvir Raemiz** » Sun Jul 03, 2005 2:48 pm

I've been meaning to read Herbert's Dune books for a long time, since I hear the first couple were nothing short of magnificient. I also hear the rest were a mistake.

Watership Down was, indeed, an exceptional book that I read over and over until it fell apart. Ann loved Guns, Germs and Steel, but I haven't read it yet.

I will admit, that although I did enjoy parts of Tolkien's books, I never actually completed reading the series. Every time, I get into the first fifty pages of Return of the King, and some other book I really want to read falls into my lap.

Ender's Game is perhaps one of the best written books that touches all ages, that I've read. The later books were of a different flavor, and although enjoyable, not as good. Ender was at the edge of believable. Bean is ridiculous.

Cao Chao · Post by **Cao Chao** » Sun Jul 03, 2005 2:50 pm

The original series was great, except for the last two which get very confusing. Of the prequels, the better ones are the House series, which sets up the Dune universe. The Butlerian Jihad was just awful, especially with the "bravery" of the Atreides and the "cowardice" of the Harkonnen at the Battle of Corrin.

Post by **ann** » Sun Jul 03, 2005 2:54 pm

Xiasiwang wrote:- Luo Guanzhong's infamous novel
- Albert Camus' The Stranger
- Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness
- Douglas Adams' entire The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series
- F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby

Most of this stuff was actually recreational reading. I had to read Heart of Darkness for English this past year and just so happened to enjoy it. Also The Stranger; probably my favorite book that I'd read in a while.

I've never liked Fitzgerald that much but recently read a great bio of Zelda. Interestingly, Scott relied so much on her diaries and correspondence in writing his novels that they are actually kept with his papers instead of her own. When she attempted to write her own fiction, based on her own experiences, he did everything he could to stop her - claiming that her life was material he wanted to use himself.

Post by **ann** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 9:01 pm

Double Post

We forgot the Camber of Culdi series - Kurtz. I loved that one!

Purple Tiger · Post by **Purple Tiger** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 10:31 pm

Kymvir Raemiz wrote: Ender's Game is perhaps one of the best written books that touches all ages, that I've read. The later books were of a different flavor, and although enjoyable, not as good. Ender was at the edge of believable. Bean is ridiculous.

Has anybody read any of Card's Alvin Maker series? There's a MMORPG in development based on them; the developers are working with Card on it.

Energetic Lemur · Post by **Energetic Lemur** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 11:53 am

The discworld novels are generally worth a read. In some of them Prattchet gets a little too caught up in explaining various philosophies to write a good story, but the City Watch string (Guards! Guards!, Men at Arms, Feet of Clay) are great. Especially Men at Arms. If anybody else has read a good-un, please say.

Post by **Kymvir Raemiz** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 3:26 pm

No discworld for me yet. Ringworld, yes, but not Discworld.

Yes, yes! Camber of Culdi/King Kelson, ann.

Those were great!

And I am a bit ashamed to have left off the exceptional Raymond E. Feist from my list.

I read two of the Alvin Maker books by Card back about 12 years ago. I remember enjoying them, but I can't remember them that well.

Right now my teeth are hurting because I'm finally getting around to reading Mercedes Lackey's earlier books(I had read the later Griffon series about three years ago). They are so sickly sweet at times, I almost need to go to the dentist. But they are still good books, and really quick reads.

Somehow, while growing up, I had developed a distaste for American History, probably because it wasn't mideval enough for my fanciful mind, but I've been working my way through various books about the American Revolution, and have now moved on to Shelby Foote's Civil War: A Narrative.

Foote's work is amazing, and I am enjoying it no end.

fallen_saint · Post by **fallen_saint** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 6:17 pm

i forgot Robin hobb's series of liveship trader, tawny series...really good books
jack whytes camulod series about events before king arthur is great if i only could find the third book
David Gemmell's Rigante series is freaking rocks
David Coe's Winds of the Forelands Series is awesome

I would have to agree though Watership down is a really great book as well as Captain and Kings by Taylord Caldwell, Brian Jacques

Georgie · Post by **Georgie** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 5:32 am

Calvin and Hobbes - Bill Watterson - Collectively, they're more worthy literature than most of what I've seen.

Dragonlance - Assorted authors of TSR/Wizards of the Coast - My first fantasy series, still holds my interest.

Dune! - That guy! - That stuff!

Lincoln / Others - Gore Vidal - Just good reading on interesting topics.

Luo Youknowtherest

Lurking Tyranny · Post by **Lurking Tyranny** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 12:45 pm

I usually read histories, either primary sources or those written by Historians these days, with an occassional alternate history thrown in to lighten things up. Foote, I agree with the bossman here.. is amazing.

I used to read a lot of science fiction and fantasy and much of what has been listed I enjoyed in the past, though recently i've read few. Tolkien still holds a special place in my heart, but the wizards of the coast novels have lost their appeal for me. I've grown to distaste sword and sorcery fantasy that lacks realism.

I have however begun to read a Crown of Thrones by George R.R. Martin and I am thoroughly impressed. It's the first new fantasy I have enjoyed in some time.

Lastly, I agree whole-heartedly with georgie's comment.

Calvin and Hobbes - Bill Watterson - Collectively, they're more worthy literature than most of what I've seen.

Though likely that's no surprise coming from the person with a Calvin and Hobbes avatar and quote.