Books The Great Books! ( And What Are You Currently Reading? )

[Enola]

Animal Farm by George Orwell. I read earlier his another book "1984" and liked it. Very interesting to read how he describes the concept of totalitarism and how it destroys the personality. So I decided to know more about his fiction

 

[Riku]

I've read the two first books of Margaret Atwood's MaddAddam-trilogy (Onyx and Crake, Year of the Flood), and currently starting the final one that is actually named MaddAddam. It's series of speculative fiction that takes place on post-apocalyptic earth in a not-so-distant future.

Onyx and Crake starts with Snowman (formerly known as Jimmy). He lives in a tree and wears a worn-out sheet, baseball cap and a pair of one-lensed sunglasses. And he interacts with Children of Crake, mysterious beautiful human beings, who live in the forest and wonder around completly naked. Thorough flashback we learn Jimmy's story and his place as cog in the the clockwork that that lead to the end of the world. Year of the Flood broadens the picture, as we are introduced to other survivors, Toby and Ren, and their respective parts in the apocalypse. Their storylines meet and interwine witj Jimmys in the last part of the trilogy MaddAddam.

Even though I have finished only the two first parts, a high recommendation. Atwood paints a truly fascinating future, that both is imaginative yet doesn't feel very far-fetched from the state our current global society.

And she sure does some bold things in the books. So bold, that I'm not sure if they even dare to show it all in the upcoming HBO television series adaptation. And as you surely know, HBO isn't exactly shy. On top of that, set to be executive producer is Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream, Black Swan), the master of depressing movies.

But yeah, the books are definetly worth a read. Especially if you are up for some apocalypse.

 

[Enola]

The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion by Fannie Flagg

 

[z.5]

Poilu: The World War I Notebooks of Corporal Louis Barthas, Barrelmaker, 1914-1918
Great book if you enjoy ww1 history. Barthas, a pacifist, describes events with such dark satirical humour.

A nice change from the usual trash I have recently been reading.

 

[Naomi]

I'm reading Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, and I'm almost finished.

This book is so terrible. Meaningless pandering, extremely predictable, and boring, flat characters.

 

[Jammin]

I'm reading Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, and I'm almost finished.

This book is so terrible. Meaningless pandering, extremely predictable, and boring, flat characters.

Definitely know what you mean.

Though I could deal with the pandering, predictability, and flat characters. It was the soaring "80's nostalgia porn" factor that got to me. It was a hundred pages of story and two hundred pages of 80's trivia. Which is exactly one hundred and ninety nine pages too much for me.

--- Double Post Merged, Jun 14, 2016, Original Post Date: May 13, 2016 ---

I've been steadily chipping away at Warhammer 40k books for like a month now. Wasn't really too familiar with the universe or the lore before now since I've never been a big pen and paper role player. Not sure if anybody else here is familiar with Warhammer but it's kind of interesting. The universe it kind of cool as essentially futuristic high fantasy though I've had mixed feelings about the books.

My favorite so far is the Ciaphas Cain series by Sandy Mitchell about a kind of Zapp Brannigan type character. Those are pretty good. Formulaic, but good.

The series of three books I just finished was the Eisenhorn series by Dan Abnett, centering around an Inquisitor. Wasn't a fan of those.

 

[Faust]

Currently reading: The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents by Terry Pratchett.

 

[Styx]

Blood of Elves by Andrzej Sapkowski and Outlander (book 1) by Diana Gabaldon

--- Double Post Merged, Oct 17, 2016, Original Post Date: Oct 5, 2016 ---

Anyone pick up the Stars Wars Ahsoka novel? I just did and it is pretty great so far. It is nice knowing more about Ahsoka, especially with how the show left off and Rebels teasing us that Ahsoka has been extremely active since, even if she isn't a Jedi anymore.

 

[Organizized]

I'm rereading the Narnia books for the first time in like 14 years (I believe I was 10 when I last read them). It's interesting to read them from an adult perspective. I still like them, mostly, but seeing as they were written in the 50's there's a lot of stereotypes about certain cultures, women, etc. that are hard to turn a blind eye on (and one shouldn't in today's society). Still, I'm starting the sixth book now, which was one of my favorites when I was little and I'm super nostalgic.

Also reading a fantasy heist-novel called Six of Crows which so far is brilliant. Great characters with good back stories and development, a solid plot and most of all a consistent gritty vibe of suspense throughout the thing. Got about 100 pages left, but I don't see it getting anything but better.

 

[Static]

A Song Of Ice and Fire : Clash Of Kings

A really fascinating book for any medieval-type themes lover. It has great plot, setting, a really immersing style of writing and good characterization (though I do admit the characters are weaker than the rest of the elements in the novel). Unlike the previous part (Game of Thrones) which was more plot-heavy, this one is more action-heavy. Pretty sure most people have heard of this series though lel.

 

[Styx]

A Song Of Ice and Fire : Clash Of Kings

A really fascinating book for any medieval-type themes lover. It has great plot, setting, a really immersing style of writing and good characterization (though I do admit the characters are weaker than the rest of the elements in the novel). Unlike the previous part (Game of Thrones) which was more plot-heavy, this one is more action-heavy. Pretty sure most people have heard of this series though lel.

One of the best in the series, for sure! If you enjoy the immersive storytelling, thick plot and good characters, you should check out Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time, Patrick Rothfuss' The Kingkiller Chronicle, Brandon Anderson's Mistborn series, Robin Hobb's work (George R.R. Martin praises her work too), Steven Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen, and any of Terry Goodkind's or Terry Pratchett's work. And if you ain't against new things, Andre Norton's work.

I highly suggest WoT and The Kingkiller Chronicle though, at least at first. WoT has a really rich world, with characters that have a lot of depth. If you don't mind slow (as it gets a bit slow around the middle of 14 books) it is an incredible read. Rand's character is also very refreshing.

 

[SleipnirX]

Sadly haven't had the time to have a good read recently :-( am still mid 'Clash of Kings' on the ASoIaF front, and technically I've never finished reading 'Inheritance' the last book of the Eragon series all the way through (just skipped to the (disappointing) ending) so that's still an 'in progress' sitting on my desk too. Whether I will actually end up finishing that remains to be seen, I'm still quite disgusted over the whole plagiarism thing. I'd also like to start 'his dark materials' again, before I was reading it and thinking 'why so serious' kek I suppose I have to read it without taking it too seriously even if it takes itself a bit too seriously

I'm rereading the Narnia books for the first time in like 14 years (I believe I was 10 when I last read them). It's interesting to read them from an adult perspective. I still like them, mostly, but seeing as they were written in the 50's there's a lot of stereotypes about certain cultures, women, etc. that are hard to turn a blind eye on (and one shouldn't in today's society). Still, I'm starting the sixth book now, which was one of my favorites when I was little and I'm super nostalgic.
.

I'm heavily considering having another crack at these, after ASoIaF, I'm quite fatigued of the 'gritty, realistic' fantasy and feel like I need a dose of the fairy tale style proper high fantasy. Just a shame I've not got a lot of time at the moment as there's a lot I want to get into again. Whilst it's a product of its time, I wouldn't judge the series too harshly over it, I think people really go overboard on the hatred for the series on the basis that it promotes, shall we say traditional? values - realistically there's nothing in them that I've found out and out unacceptable.

So I guess overall I have a lot of reading intentions with too little time and staying power to actually get through much of it, such is modern life I suppose!

 

[Faust]

Finishing Terry Pratchett's Mort

 

[Jammin]

Finishing Terry Pratchett's Mort

What did you think? It's always been a favorite prachett book for me.

 

[Organizized]

Mort is the first really good book (going chronologically) of Discworld, imo. I'm not sure I'd say it's a favorite... I'd say when it comes the Death books, both Reaper Man and Hogfather are better. Still if Mort hadn't been as good as it was I'm not sure I would've kept reading the series (I thought the first three books had some really funny scenes and scenarios, but kind of lacking in overall story and execution).

I'm currently reading Monstrous Regiment (also Discworld, #31) and it's pretty darn good so far. Some hilarious spoof scenes of classic war films, but overall also a great story in its own right.
Anxious to get to the Moist van Lipwig books.

 

[Styx]

Is Discworld really that good? I've been looking for more series to put in with Wheel of Time but I haven't really found anything that clicks with me.

 

[Organizized]

I've read (soon) 32 Discworld books and so far haven't truly disliked a single one yet. Some are definitely weaker than the rest but all are enjoyable to some degree.

Most seem to recommend not reading the series chronologically like I do, but read all the Night Watch books in one go, or the Witches books, or the Death books. The good thing about that is that you sort of skip over the kind of mediocre early books, and read those later when you've been introduced to the "good Pratchett" and are already hooked. But I personally think chronologically is the way to go since you'll miss a lot of little details and developments otherwise.

Either way, it's a good series. It's clever while not being too serious; many of the books have ingenius stories while being laugh-out-loud funny most of the way through. And the characters are great. Particularly in the Witch books and the Night Watch books. Granny Weatherwax and Sam Vimes are both on my 'favorite characters ever' list.

 

[Naomi]

Reading Mistborn and The Dark Tower series right now and they're both pretty damn good so far.

 

[Static]

Reading Mistborn and The Dark Tower series right now and they're both pretty damn good so far.

I've been looking to getting into Mistborn. Any specific things I should be looking forward to?

 

[Styx]

I've read (soon) 32 Discworld books and so far haven't truly disliked a single one yet. Some are definitely weaker than the rest but all are enjoyable to some degree.

Most seem to recommend not reading the series chronologically like I do, but read all the Night Watch books in one go, or the Witches books, or the Death books. The good thing about that is that you sort of skip over the kind of mediocre early books, and read those later when you've been introduced to the "good Pratchett" and are already hooked. But I personally think chronologically is the way to go since you'll miss a lot of little details and developments otherwise.

Either way, it's a good series. It's clever while not being too serious; many of the books have ingenius stories while being laugh-out-loud funny most of the way through. And the characters are great. Particularly in the Witch books and the Night Watch books. Granny Weatherwax and Sam Vimes are both on my 'favorite characters ever' list.

Sorry this is late, hadn't known I got a reply!

Oh, definitely I'll go chronological. People recommended I shouldn't for Wheel of Time but I am glad I ignored that. I think I still have a few in my closest, but I'll have to pick up the first few books off Amazon or Booksamillion. Can't stand reading a super aged book.

Reading Mistborn and The Dark Tower series right now and they're both pretty damn good so far.

I haven't had the chance to read The Dark Tower (it is insanely recommended though) however for the Mistborn....what a ride, am I right? Brandon Sanderson is one HELL of an author. He makes magical systems that are truly unique and makes engaging characters and plotlines for them to follow.

If or when you finish the Mistborn series and you find yourself looking for something quite as beautiful and depth-y and amazing, I recommend The Wheel of Time. Brandon Sanderson took over the series after Robert Jordan's death in '07 so he's written some of the last books (three or four), so you'll be reading an amazing story written by two of the best authors on the planet.

Beyond that, I'd also recommend Patrick Rothfuss, Steven Erikson, Andrzej Sapkowski and if you enjoy the kind of thing for its "action and adventure", Bernard Cornwell. I don't think his stuff is very historical, but it's a pretty good read. Also, as I like to call her the "baby steps", Robin Hobb.

I've been looking to getting into Mistborn. Any specific things I should be looking forward to?

It is hard to sum up Sanderson's work without making no sense (for me at least) or revealing something that might spoiler it but I would say...look forward to one of the or the best read in some time. Sanderson knows how to write out a plot, throw in good characters and naturally evolve it to the conclusion without losing the magic that draws in so many of his readers.