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

[Naomi]

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.

Dark Tower is good so far, I'm on the third book. I heard the movie was atrocious, so I'll be avoiding that. Quite a shame, since I really like Idris Elba. Sort of like Southern Gothic/Wild Wild West meets Apocalypse meets scifi. Also, it features a character from Stephen King's The Stand, which was and interesting aspect of the book.

Several people have seen me reading Mistborn, and they've also recommended The Wheel of Time, so I'll definitely be giving that a shot. Thanks for the rec!

Read Pat's work and The Kingkiller books are among my very favorite novels. I own a couple Steven Erikson novels, but haven't made my way over to them yet. These all look like worthy suggestions, thanks! I don't like to waste my time on books that are going to be "meh", so recommendations mean a lot to me.

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

Well, this book wasn't recommended to me by a friend or someone I know exactly. It was the fruit of searching for a novel with the following stipulations:

1. A fantasy novel
2. A female protagonist
3. Not a romance novel

And this is the only book I could find fitting that criteria, so... That is certainly something to look forward to. And so far, it's very unique and well written. Highly recommend.

 

[Styx]

I feel the same way about books, though I'm willing to give anything a chance because you never know if it'll be gold. I'll check out your recommendations. As for Erikson, I've only finished one but (they are hard to come by where I live) but it was a really fun read. I hope you like some of the suggestions if or when you check them out, especially Wheel of Time. It's incredible and also my favorite book series (after Dragonriders of Pern by Anne McCaffrey).

If you don't mind, I personally wouldn't mind seeing your input of whatever you are reading as you progress through it. It would be really interesting. Like a weekly book chat or something.

 

[Organizized]

Rereading Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch (Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett). It's just as good, if not even better this time around than when I first read it eight years ago (might be more biased now since I've read and adored most of the authors's other works since then).

Also listening to an audio version of Doomsday Book by Connie Willis. I'm 12 hours in and I'd say a good 9 hours has been unnecessary repetition and dragging out boring story lines... don't wanna stop now that I've spent so much time on it, though. Gonna have to pull through. At the halfway point, I can already say I do NOT recommend this book.

 

[Spirit]

Some of the greats eh?

The Riftwar Saga by Raymond E Fiest is on another level altogether. One of the greatest fantasy series ever published.

As has been discussed above, Discworld books, a lot of Terry Pratchet novels, LotR and the Axis Trilogy (followed by the Wayfearer Redemption and the Infinity Trilogy) by Sarah Douglass.

 

[Styx]

I watched Stand By Me a few days ago and, haven't read it in a while, picked up The Body by Stephen King.

In my honest opinion, the movie greatly surpasses the source material. A lot of people like to say Stephen King is some fantastical writer, but eh...I disagree. Most of his books follow the same kind of direction and almost always ends in the same way. It's a boring kind of writing, to be honest, with practically the same kind of characters and turns. He's got his moments, to be sure, but I just don't get the praise he gets most of the time.

I'm also rereading the first book in the Earth's Children series by Jean M. Auel...before it went straight porn-o for old, lonely ladies post The Clan of the Cave Bear.

 

[Organizized]

The Body is one of four stories in a collection called Different Seasons. That collection really says a lot about King's qualities as a writer imo. Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption is great (just like the film based on it). The Body is good, not great. Apt Pupil is quite terrible imo. The Breathing Method is okay.

King has written some truly great books, and even those that aren't (of the ones I've read) are captivating, but most aren't much more than that. Super hit-and-miss.

 

[Styx]

I haven't read the book for Shawshank Redemption yet, but having seen and love the movie, I kinda doubt it could be anywhere near the greatness of the movie simply because imagining a higher quality than that seems impossible! lol

It is on my list of things to read though, but I'm just saying that the majority of his work isn't as incredible as people make them out to be and it really confuses me why he's regarded so highly when most of his work is barely memorable due to its "staleness". Sometimes I think most people just regard him as a top class author simply because he's written so many books. xD

*your avatar is more captivating to me than most of his books lol (yes now I'm just being harsh on him for some lolz).*

 

[Organizized]

Carl Barks' illustrations and writing over Stephen King any day!

Well Shawshank Redemption made such a good film thanks to the source material. They added some things to make it a better story for a film with more typical Hollywood dramaturgy, but I've gotta say it is one of those stories where King uses simplicity in both story, setting and characters to his greatest extent. He's always at his best when he actually has a good premise and doesn't try too hard to write witty dialogue or supernatural tension (Shawshank, Green Mile, Misery). Those three and The Shining are the ones I really liked from him.

 

[Imperium]

Just finished the Waking fire. The first book in Anthony Ryan's new series. I'm a fan of Ryan's work, especially Blood Song (the best self published fantasy book ive ever read) and I enjoyed this. Although some of plot was slight contrived, I think I will go ahead and buy the second book. His biggest failing in the blood song series was his difficulty in keeping the story engaging after the first book, hopefully this won't be a repeat of the same.

On a side note, his magic system seems slightly Sanderson-esque, ive been noticing similar things in other works too. I think Sandersons influence on the genre is going to continue to grow and grow (A few more months until the new stormlight archive book too!!).

 

[Jammin]

@Imperium
I just want you to know that at a glance I missread the first sentence in you post and thought you said "Just finished the Wanking Fire".

Which momentarily made me extremely confused and somewhat intrigued.

 

[Imperium]

@Imperium
I just want you to know that at a glance I missread the first sentence in you post and thought you said "Just finished the Wanking Fire".

Which momentarily made me extremely confused and somewhat intrigued.

The fire is released during climax?..
New magic system? I think we are onto something here.

 

[Jammin]

The fire is released during climax?..
New magic system? I think we are onto something here.

I had assumed it was biographical dramatic recounting of living with a rare skin condition.

 

[Faust]

Currently reading The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman.

 

[Ibafarshan]

Currently reading Terramare by Ursula Le Guin.
My favourite books are from the Eragon saga written by Christopher Paolini.

 

[Organizized]

Finished Nocturnes by Kazuo Ishiguro (not his best book...)
Also The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden - a nice folk lore-y fantasy tale. Beautiful language, and a nice theme and setting, but the last couple of chapters kind of disheartened me from immediately continuing the series. Dunno why really, since it clearly set up for a sequel (maybe that in itself was why).

As for what I’m starting now: it’s been on my to-read list for about 10 years, but I finally started reading The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. Only a few chapters in, but already in love with the language and world that’s starting to take shape.

And while working I’m listening to the audio version of My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She’s Sorry by Fredrick Backman (after going through all his other ones except his latest). I recommend the author overall for anyone who wants an easy, uplifting read (except for the two Beartown books which are much heavier - yet also his best work).

 

[WilliG]

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch. Wildly entertaining fantasy book about a gang of thieves. Definitely recommend to anyone.

 

[Faust]

Currently reading Feet of Clay and Maskerade by Terry Pratchett.

 

[TrienDarkform]

R.I.P. William Goldman (The Princess Bride)

 

[Organizized]

R.I.P. William Goldman (The Princess Bride)

That’s so sad. Just bought the book the other week because I haven’t read it in years, felt a reread was due. Now I bet I’ll have very mixed emotions while reading it.. :/

 

[tsubakikun]

I'm currently reading Haruki Murakami's 1Q89 and I'm loving it more and more as the story unfolds. This is the closest plot that has the potential to be an anime.