book recommendations please

[Hawkwind]

Story of the Clash was a great read for me.

 

[svartalf]

American Gods by Neil Gaiman(the newest biggest version ofc). Absolutely wonderful and magnificent.

I read this a few years ago. I loved the old myth stuff, and the idea of Odin being an old grifter was good. I wasn't much for that "sideways space" or something, you know, the bit that Terry Pratchett did for him.

 

[soze]

Aah, I didn't know Iggulden has released more written treasures! I'll have to read this ASAP!

May I also warmly recommend Igguldens The Emperor series which describes the rise and fall of Caesar in a very personal and engaging way - granted with some alterations for drama's sake - but they are all accounted for in the back of the books. The first book in that series is called The Gates of Rome (written 2003).

Even if you're only in the slightest interested in ancient times these books are must read! :worthy:

I just finished the Gates of Rome and though it was brilliant i got the other 3 for £8 and if they are anything like the first thats a steal

 

[Levin]

I just finished the Gates of Rome and though it was brilliant i got the other 3 for £8 and if they are anything like the first thats a steal

That's a steal indeed! I'll probably go out and buy them too even though I've already read them. I borrowed them from my bro-in-law who is a fellow history buff.

 

[Bahumat]

And the new darkwar saga is exellent.

Fuck me sideways with a spoon, it was awesome! Finished Wrath of a Mad God a few weeks back

 

[Helme]

If you want to read about 9000 pages of semi-bad fantasy you should check out R.A Salvatore's Drizzt books, if nothing else you could always use the books for a solo drinking game with the author using "perfect balance" 2-3 times on every single page.

 

[Lamp]

This book is an unbelievably addictive page-turner. Can't recommend it enough:

Amazon.com: The Sum of All Fears (Jack Ryan Novels) (9780425133545): Tom Clancy: Books

 

[kiliarien]

I might have to get this. Read a few reviews. Sounds most amusing.

And don't forget, there's a volume 2:

Is it Just Me or is Everything Shit?: Vol. 2.: Volume Two: Amazon.co.uk: Steve Lowe, Alan McArthur: Books

Both are quite, quite funny.

For some fantasy:

Legend - David Gemmell (follow it with 'The King Beyond the Gate' and if you like the style continue)
Orcs - Stan Nicholls (Orcs aren't all bad...it's a trilogy in one book)
Magic Kingdom For Sale/Sold! - Terry Brooks (If you like Harry Potter, you can't go wrong with this and the subsequent 4 books)

For humour:

Paint Your Dragon - Tom Holt (In fact any Tom Holt, but the early stuff is funnier)

I'm currently reading Attention Defecit Disorder by Brad Listl, interesting but easy read.

Hope this helps

 

[Thadius]

Hmm, a few wreslting biographies you might want to check out;

Mick Foley - Have a nice day
Chris Jericho - Around the world in Spandex
Ric Flair - To be the man
Shawn Michaels - heartbreak and Triumph
Bret Hart - Hitman, my life in the cartoon world of wrestling.

Try finding a copy of Rage, The Long march andRunning Man, three awesome books by Richard Bachman(Stephen King's pseudonym).

Terry Pratchett is always a good read too, especially Thud!

 

[Uara]

Vasc mentioned it back in April Last Year, but Malazan book of the fallen. Bloody Epic book series.....on book number 9 atm one more to go after that whenever it will be released.
The world he has created is epic in its entirety. Most of the characters have grey areas to them and the way he mixes politics/battles/plots/scheming and magic its just a joy to read.

NB The first book:Gardens of the Moon is a bit complicated at first but once you're into it, you'll be hooked!

 

[Madmaxx]

I really really have to say this book is great:


I, Lucifer: Finally, the Other Side of the Story. By Glen Duncan

I havent read a book like this before and its a good laugh tbh.

This is the description:

God is giving Satan a last shot at redemption: Satan must live out a blameless life as a human. Slick negotiator that he is, Lucifer negotiates a 'try before you buy' period. One month. London. He has no intention of taking God up on His offer. Lucifer simply wants to put a body through as much drugs, sex, and other vices as possible. But inhabiting a human body gives rise to feelings the Ol' Devil never thought possible. Could he want to take God up on the offer after all?

And this is the first paragraph of the book

I, Lucifer, Fallen Angel, Prince of Darkness, Bringer of Light, Ruler of Hell, Lord of the Flies, Father of Lies, Apostate Supreme, Tempter of Mankind, Old Serpent, Prince of this World, Seducer, Accuser, Tormentor, Blasphemer, and without a doubt Best Fuck in the Seen and Unseen Universe (ask Eve, that minx) have decided – oo-la-la! – to tell all.

EDIT: its being made into a movie in 2010 to apparently

 

[Ezteq]

awww I thought Haar had reappeared

Haar come back!!! I wubs you.

 

[Thorwyn]

My recommendation for the week:

Bad Monkeys - Matt Ruff

Very entertaining to read.

 

[Aph3x]

Best books I've read for a long time are both by the same person and are part 1 and 2 of a trilogy. The Traveller and The Dark River both by John Twelve Hawks. Cant wait for part 3 to come out. Fantastic books!

 

[pikeh]

Been reading The Silmarillion, excellent stuff for lotr n3rds.

Unfinished tales next methinks.

 

[Wonk]

I'm not much of a reader, however can anybody recommend me a fantasy book with nothern mythologi?

 

[Rulke]

Northern - vikings? Or Northern - newcastle?

If the former, Brian Ruckleys' Fall of Thanes series is pretty decent, starts with Winterbirth. Not really viking mythology though

Oh or Mickey Zucker Reichert's Renshai books have Thor, odin etc

Just remembered :The Broken Sword (Fantasy Masterworks): Amazon.co.uk: Poul Anderson: Books

Excellent book

 

[Lamp]

wreslting biographies you might want to check out

:lol:

 

[Wonk]

Cheers Rulke. I'll look into it

 

[Vasconcelos]

Vasc mentioned it back in April Last Year, but Malazan book of the fallen. Bloody Epic book series.....on book number 9 atm one more to go after that whenever it will be released.
The world he has created is epic in its entirety. Most of the characters have grey areas to them and the way he mixes politics/battles/plots/scheming and magic its just a joy to read.

NB The first book:Gardens of the Moon is a bit complicated at first but once you're into it, you'll be hooked!

Hehe yeah, reading the last book myself atm.

Must admit Im having problems recalling all the characters from the 8 previous books

Oh btw! Think I already recommeneded them in other thread, but Neil Gaimans "American Gods" and "Anansi" are also masterpieces of fantasy/fiction books, along with "Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell"

 

[Lakih]

Incase you managed to miss it...

The name of the wind by Patrick Rothfuss is pretty damn awesome (part 1 of possibly 3), one of the best books ive ever read.

Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson is really good aswell.

 

[leviathane]

dunno if they've been mentioned cos i cba to read through this thread but im currently reading;
The god delusion & chaos

 

[soze]

The books im reading now are the Dan Shepard novels by Stephen Leather they are good imo and are easy to read.

 

[Ezteq]

lol just read my blog if you want to know what i'm reading/have read....there's like over a years worth of books on there.

 

[Ch3tan]

Vasc mentioned it back in April Last Year, but Malazan book of the fallen. Bloody Epic book series.....on book number 9 atm one more to go after that whenever it will be released.
The world he has created is epic in its entirety. Most of the characters have grey areas to them and the way he mixes politics/battles/plots/scheming and magic its just a joy to read.

NB The first book:Gardens of the Moon is a bit complicated at first but once you're into it, you'll be hooked!

Book 10, 'Dust of Dreams' is out now. It's the final volume, but split over two books. I would go so far as to say that Steven Erikson has created the benchmark fantasy series. With a world more epic than tolkeins, characters that have more depth and a truly massive storyline. He also does not suffer like donaldson and Jordan did when carrying a single story arc over so many books.

It's worth reading the Malazan books written by Ian C Easlemont as well, they give a faster pace and a look into the history of the world not covered by Erikson.

 

[Uara]

Book 10, 'Dust of Dreams' is out now. It's the final volume, but split over two books. I would go so far as to say that Steven Erikson has created the benchmark fantasy series. With a world more epic than tolkeins, characters that have more depth and a truly massive storyline. He also does not suffer like donaldson and Jordan did when carrying a single story arc over so many books.

It's worth reading the Malazan books written by Ian C Easlemont as well, they give a faster pace and a look into the history of the world not covered by Erikson.

thats the one I'm referring to. Thought it was book no.9, could be wrong tho. I've read the first Ian C Esslemont one, when I finish Dust Of Dreams I'm going to read the Crimson Guard which should keep me occupied for some time.

Oh I agree wholeheartedly. I don't think he's going to be able to leave the world after the last book of the series is published (or at least I hope not). There's just so much more to come from that universe!

 

[Ch3tan]

I'd read Return of the Crimson Guard first if I were you, there is stuff in there that better helps you understand events in Dust of Dreams, or at least references. Also read Night of Knives: A Novel of the Malazan Empire: Amazon.co.uk: Ian C. Esslemont: Books for better understanding. Cross over characters etc.

Also this is amazing: Bauchelain and Korbal Broach: The Collected Stories: 1: Amazon.co.uk: Steven Erikson, James Barclay: Books

and available in paperback now as well. Very tempted to sell my hardback version considering the price they go for.

 

[old.Osy]

Anything by Serge Brussolo? Can't go wrong there.