I see what you did there
Books The BOOK thread
- Thread starter Livvie
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I've been reading a fair bit recently. I finished 100 years of solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez which i found interesting but couldnt really get into. I think i spent too long reading it but it never captured me. It was very fantastical and i think the lack of any real character depth left me a bit cold. You got depth... but you never felt for any of the characters, at least i didn't. It was like reading a history book.
Currently reading Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami. Really interesting book. Seriously weird but very captivating, a book you cant wait to read, i have little idea how it will turn out, a few theories but with this book nothing would surprise me. Basically you should read it if you havent already.
Currently reading Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami. Really interesting book. Seriously weird but very captivating, a book you cant wait to read, i have little idea how it will turn out, a few theories but with this book nothing would surprise me. Basically you should read it if you havent already.
I thought much the same about that book, FV (100 Years of Solitude, that is). I erroneously chose it for some English assignment in HS, so I HAD to fully understand it, which as you would have found out, is no mean feat. Still, was an overall great read.
I'm currently reading Defiance by Nechama Tec, the novel on which the movie of the same name (starring Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber) is based. Really good read, imo. Goes far beyond the movie in exploring their story.
i actually think i just read it too slowly. I tend to read books quickly and therefore get really into them and not want to do much but read. In this case it captivated me at parts but then the mundane historical aspect of it (although a complete work of fiction) would drain on me and i'd find myself only managing to read a couple of pages.
Now with Kafka on the Shore i'm anticipating that all too familiar feeling of disappointment, the disappointment of finishing a good book
Not a review but in the news today is being reported that Borders, one of the UK's largest bookshop chains could be going into administration, how many of you buy your books off the high street?
Borders is a cracking shop, i got my dad a signed copy of Nick Caves new book Bunny Munro.
Brent Weeks is very strange TBH I didn't like the first book, some elements of it are just unnesecary imo.
I've just started the Brent Weeks book. Bit disturbing at the beginning, but it helps to build the picture and atmosphere i feel.
There were parts of the book I really enjoyed, but, I just found the beginning devoid of taste really. Have you read much fantasy previously mate?
Yeah, fantasy is all i read really, bar a few odd books once in a while for a bit of a change.
Cool, fantasy is my favourite genre to but lately I've found myself only reading course related books. I think the Night Angel trilogy treads dangerously close to Assassin's apprentice, especially concerning the main character.
I've not actually read any Brent Weeks before this, so can't comment. Who are your favourite authors in the genre?
J.R.R Tolkien
David and Leigh Eddings
Terry Pratchett
Robin Hobb
Tad Williams
Phillip K. Dick (However he's more sci-fi orientated)
Pretty much high fantasy writers / comedy fantasy writers.
Got piles of Erikson and Gemmell books I've yet to get through.
I've read all of the Eddings books. Didn't really fancy Robin Hobb or Tad Williams to be honest. I've also got some Erikson books but they aren't the first in the series so waiting to get my hands on that first. I also read the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings when i was younger, but may read them again at some point because i can't have been old enough to properly appreciate them.
The Belgarion is such a great series, very relaxing I find, as opposed to say, Lord Of The Rings which is a roller-coaster at times. I often feel that David Eddings didn't work so well without his Wife working with him on the books. They've both passed away now however which is a great shame.
Tad Williams is ok, but very very long-winded. Robin Hobb is either you love her or hate her, me being the exception as I enjoy her, but feel very annoyed by her. People rave over her writing style, but it's nothing very special IMHO. 1st person narrative I find is one of the easier forms of writing for fantasy. Definitely give her a go though, you might be surprised.
Tolkien still shits the lot of them for breakfast like.
It was a little too 'metaphysical' for me but it still is one weird and fascinating book to read. I love Murakamis style of prose. He can keep you turning pages even though not much happens most of the time.
I've only read Kafka on the shore from him even though others have recommened his other works as well. I've got too much on my list for now, but will definitely be going back into his twisted world sooner rather than later.
Just finished The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks. Thought it was fantastic! Couldn't put it down and read most of it in the last 24 hours. Need to get down to a bookstore and get the next 2 books in the series now.
yeah finished it a while ago. it is nuts, a book you dont want to think too much about because it was seriously wierd but i really enjoyed it. Even all the wierdness.
Reading A Simple Act of Violence now by R.J Ellroy. I think i'll get into it and finish it in a matter of weeks.
All you fans of Sci-fi and fantasy - has anyone read Gene Wolfe's Book of the New Sun series. Just finished the first one - Shadow of the Torturer. It was probably the most difficult book that I've read in this genre yet. His style of writing, mixing in all those archaic words and the slow pacing really made it difficult to enjoy.
Now, I've heard from other that this is supposed to be one of the best series that blends fantasy/sci-fi in terms of literary value, and I have an inkling of how that might be so, with the untrustworthy narration and the symbolism thrown in here and there, but isn't a fantasy book supposed to be fun to read. None of the characters besides Severian had me even mildly interested. Reading this was like reading Umberto Eco on acid writing high fantasy. I'm going to settle for something lighter to read next - probably Neil Gaiman's 'Anansi Boys'.
Now, I've heard from other that this is supposed to be one of the best series that blends fantasy/sci-fi in terms of literary value, and I have an inkling of how that might be so, with the untrustworthy narration and the symbolism thrown in here and there, but isn't a fantasy book supposed to be fun to read. None of the characters besides Severian had me even mildly interested. Reading this was like reading Umberto Eco on acid writing high fantasy. I'm going to settle for something lighter to read next - probably Neil Gaiman's 'Anansi Boys'.
Because I'm in it!
Just outa interest how are you in that book? I haven't read it or anything just wondering.Because I'm in it!
my mate wrote it, asked me to contribute to it. The gist of it is Manc and other British lads sharing tales of their travels overseas. I've got about 5 pages worth maybe, bit more bit less.
Its a very good read, as is his, Perry Boys, check it out mate.
Its a very good read, as is his, Perry Boys, check it out mate.
Agree, I thought it would be a great read, but it left me wondering if I was imaginatively impaired or something. It never took hold of me, and consequently all of the similar named characters became intertwined. Currently reading the Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe, there's fantasy enough all right
Still, I'm a bit dejected about the Garcia Marques book, it's so highly recommended. Did I miss something? Or is levitating priests just dull?I don't know, might pick it up again later.
Does anyone have historical fiction recommendations?
Pillars of the Earth and World Without End by Ken Follett.
Depending on what you're actually looking for.
Any era in particular? Any preferences in terms of style?
Yeah, both are enjoyable, especially Pillars of the Earth. And I have to say that the books Iggulden wrote about Caesar has probably been one of the most interesting I've read the latest years. I tried to not rush through them, but they were hard to leave alone. And as I understand quite a lot of the content is historically correct.
Reading Kafka's The castle at the moment. The idea is obviously the same as The Trial, one of alienation, but not quite as extreme. Not yet anyway. Still have half the book left. I think I'm liking this one more despite it probably being a lesser work. Probably because when I read The Trial I didnt know what to expect and at times found it very frustrating.
That was a tough one to get through, America was his most enjoyable IMO.
More geared towards conflict and war. Any books on the Troubles for example would be nice.
I just finished reading the Iggulden books (Both on Julius Caesar and Genghis Khan), brilliant. Anything in that type of vein.
You read David Gemmel's Troy series?
I haven't anything in regard to the Troubles but as for Rome and in the area of war and conflict as opposed to detective based as some of them are...
Look up a book called Eagle in the Snow by Wallace Breem
It focuses particularly on Roman Britain in the latter half of the 4th century and then Gaul, Belgica and Germania in the early 5the century right up to when the Rhine froze [and we all know what happened after that].
Also consider the series by Simon Scarrow. That is set during the reign of Claudius.
There are others i would recommend but they are not so predominantly set around a war setting.
I could offer up a suggestion or two for the dark ages, medieval period, and parts of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries if you're interested.
EDIT: If Ancient Greece takes your fancy, Steven Pressfield is a rare talent in his quality in that time period. Start there.
I have all of Steven Pressfield's books, either in pdf or in print. Thanks for the heads up
"The Terror" by Dan Simmons, yes its a big read 700+ pages, the historical fact part is the Franklin Expedition that gets stuck in the arctic ice for 4 years, all the characters are real and most of what happens is real, the author weaves an inuit legend into the story to offer a fictional explanation of what "might" have happened to them all, I challenge you to find a book of this ilk that has as many positive 5 star reviews as this, its one of the best History/fiction books I've read 10/10
Amazon.com: The Terror (9781596062344): Dan Simmons: Books if you click on this link, just go straight to the bottom to read readers reviews, you don't even need to read the whole thing, just read the first word for each review and you'll see what I mean
Just finished the Night Angel trilogy by Brent Weeks. Absolutely fantastic, with the ending suggesting there could well be a follow up series to it. Brilliant debut by Weeks though.
Anyone read the Signature Series by CS Lewis?
Might be a posthumous release, I don't know. But some of the books in there, like Miracles and The Four Loves are incredible.
Might be a posthumous release, I don't know. But some of the books in there, like Miracles and The Four Loves are incredible.
Any recommends for someone who has read Sword of Shanara and its subsequent followups, LOTR, Forgotten Realms n Harry Potter etc?
Just read Richard Llewellyn's How Green Was My Valley. Fantastic, elegaic and thoughtful novel set in a Welsh mining community in the late 19th and turn of the 20th century. Beautiful poetic language, great characterisation and plot and some superb uses of symbolism and clever social subtext.
Would reccomend to all. Even better than I'd expected.
Would reccomend to all. Even better than I'd expected.
Just about to start book 9 of the Wheel of Time series to catch up so i can read book 12 which i got from girlfriend as a present. Also got latest Pratchett waiting to be read after the Wheel of Time mega read is over, 8 books down 4 to go.
Wilbur Smith usually produces very well researched historical fiction. Read his book based around the seige of Khartoum c.1884 entitled "The Triumph of the Sun". Brilliant read.