Book Recommendations

[mcginnis]

Hi, I wanted to know if you guys have a specific place to try and find good books to read. I want to read a lot more this year and have no idea where to start. World War Z was the last thing I've read, to give you an idea of the type of stuff I want to read. I'm more into sci-fi stuff and other things like that but I'm open to anything just don't want it to be too on the girly side (i.e. Romance Novel) :rofl: Anything would be much appreciated.

[Will Gotti]

Barnes and Noble...Borders.

[SwmmrManShen]

i just ask my friends for suggestions on what to read.

If you haven't yet, i highly suggest American Gods by Neil Gaiman

[Z!M]

Isnt this like the 5th or 6th book thread so far in last 8 or 9 months? oh well, I recommend perdido street station, the scar and iron council all by China Mieville. The looking glass trilogy by Frank Beddor and anything by neal stephenson.

[mcginnis]

I really don't have many friends that actually read. That's why I decided to try here, figured some some of you guys may be book enthusiasts. And thanks for American Gods, I'll definitely try to check it out. :tup: I tried doing a search for a book thread but no hits. :sweat:

[goodm0urning]

I really don't have many friends that actually read. That's why I decided to try here, figured some some of you guys may be book enthusiasts. And thanks for American Gods, I'll definitely try to check it out. :tup: I tried doing a search for a book thread but no hits. :sweat:http://forums.shoryuken.com/showthread.php?t=145750

[mcginnis]

Thanks for that link. Will go through it once I get some time.

[Rooks4]

Maybe i'll be labeled uber-nerd for these, but they are by far my favorite.

Wheel of Time - Robert Jordan (R.I.P)
The last book is being completed by his wife - he died while working on it, but completed his notes and everything so apparently they need to put it into a book and it's done... But it's a spectacular fantasy series. The first book starts up kinda slow, but after that it's all win.

Enders Saga - Orson Scott Card
I got this for christmas... For being the huge computer nerd that I am, I had never gotten around to reading these... And so far its GREAT. I've already finished Ender's Game, which was the first, and am onto some of the other books. I highly recommend it, if you havn't read it yet.

A brief History of time - Stephen Hawking
I got this for christmas too - i've only read a chapter, but there's a reason he's considered "the next einstein" or whatever... The man is a genius and the contents of the book are extremely interesting.

meh - call me a dork, but it's what Im reading.

[mcginnis]

Dork or not I'll still check 'em out. :tup: Thanks, I hope I'm not considered one once I start reading a lot but what's wrong with wanting to be more edumacated?

[PaRt2]

I'm currently reading: "Infinite Jest" by David Foster Wallace.
and I'm re-reading: "Slaughterhouse Five" by Kurt Vonnegut.

I also read alotta comic books. Although it's a pretty short series (so far), I'm reading: Mouse Guard. (http://www.mouseguard.net/books.htm)

[zakky]

If you like sci-fi then you, like everyone, should read Stranger in a Strange Land.

As for other books, I'd suggest some Murakami. Wind Up Bird Chronicle, and Kafka on the Shore were both awesome.

[fjf314]

If you haven't yet, i highly suggest American Gods by Neil Gaiman

Neverwhere by Gaiman is also gdlk.

If you like sci-fi, I also have to recommend Neuromancer by William Gibson.

[Rooks4]

This is next on my list, after i finish with the ones above. I've heard good things.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_crash

[Fadedsun303]

i just ask my friends for suggestions on what to read.

If you haven't yet, i highly suggest American Gods by Neil Gaiman

Cool. I just picked it up on a whim for a Christmas present. So far it's holding my interest. I've never read anything by Gaiman before, so we'll see if this lives up to the hype.

[SwmmrManShen]

I'm currently reading: "Infinite Jest" by David Foster Wallace.

i read consider the lobster, one of DFW's collections of essays, and it was funny as shit

[fjf314]

This is next on my list, after i finish with the ones above. I've heard good things.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_crash

I have a copy of this sitting on my desk right now. I just got it, though, I haven't had the chance to read it yet. I've also heard that Diamond Age is a solid read, too.

[DarthTrey]

The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King is really enjoyable.

[TheSix]

If you're into sci-fi, I recommend "Dauntless".

[bear]

Some books I always recommend to people in the "sci-fi/fantasy" category are (author first, then some recommended books, then a brief description):

Neil Gaiman - American Gods, Neverwhere, Anansi Boys

-He writes what's usually tagged "Urban Fantasy." In that it takes place in modern times, but has some fantastic elements. Lots of focus on gods and their lives in society now. If you like comics, also read his Sandman series.

Orson Scott Card - Ender's Game, Enchantment

-Best known for his sci-fi work. Ender's Game is considered a sci-fi classic now, and rightfully so. It was excellent. But I also loved Enchantment, which is more fantasy.

Graham Joyce - The Facts of Life, The Tooth Fairy

-He writes what's usually labeled "magic realism." It has fantastic elements, but they are not what drive the story, and are often ambiguous. The Facts of Life was my favorite book I read this year, and I read a lot.

Corey Doctorow - Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom, Someone Comes to Town Someones Leaves Town

-One of the new sci-fi guys, and he really pushes some pretty new/bizarre ideas. His book are flawed, but I never mind. His ideas are so much fun that my nitpicks are easy to overlook.

Jeffrey Ford - The Portrait Of Mrs. Charbuque

-Another "Magic Realism" book about a painter hired to paint the portrait of a very rich woman, early 1900's New York. The catch is that he is not allowed to see her. She stays behind a screen at all times, and she tells stories. He must surmise her appearance from that alone. If he gets it right and the portrait is correct, she will make him rich. If he is wrong, she will destroy his career. I liked it a lot.

Jonathan Carroll - Bones of the Moon, White Apples, The Wooden Sea, The Land of Laughs

-Another Urban Fantasy guy, and his prose is fantastic. I love the way he writes, and I've enjoyed nearly every book he's written.

China Meiville - Perdido Street Station, The Scar

-One of my favorites from the "steampunk" and "cyberpunk" categories. His books are dark, his language is dense, and his ideas are incredible. They are not "easy" reads, and his characters can be despicable sometimes, and they're violent. But they're entirely memorable and awesome books.

George R. R. Martin - the "A Song of Ice and Fire" series

-Hailed by many as the best fantasy series ever. I wouldn't go that far, but the first three books were pretty damn good. Particularly Storm of Swords. And this guy has no problems whatsoever with killing off main characters.

Roger Zelazny - a Night in the Lonesome October

- A really odd/fun book that's written from the point of view of Jack the Ripper's dog. Can be tough to find, but I really enjoyed this one.

Robin Hobb - The Farseer Trilogy

- Her books are entirely character driven, and they are not fast paced. They are not driven by action, and they can be depressing and the characters are occasionally infuriating. But for all that, I really liked them. "The Fool" is one of my favorite characters in Fantasy.

Scott Lynch - The Lies of Locke Lamora

- This was released last year, and the book is a lot of fun. It's violent and over-the-top, revolving mostly around robbing people blind. Once it gets going it's tough to put down.

Kurt Vonnegut - Sirens of the Titan, Slaughterhouse Five

- He's a classic, and you can pretty much pick up anything he's written and enjoy it. Yes, he goes off on tangents, but he writes them so well that I never mind. I've only read about half his catalogue so far, but I haven't regretted any of them.

That's a pretty good start, I guess.

[gemdoom]

the sin eater. is pretty interesting its not really known though