What book did you just read and how was it?

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Ultimate Geek

#987618 15-Feb-2014 09:51

I've been holding off on reading the GoT novels, but after the nasty surprise I received from watching that "Red Wedding" episode... hmm

Demeter

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#987693 15-Feb-2014 11:21

urban: I've been holding off on reading the GoT novels, but after the nasty surprise I received from watching that "Red Wedding" episode... hmm

Reading ahead makes it worse somehow. I spent the whole of season three waiting for the Red Wedding, not being able to talk to my partner about it because he hadn't read that far yet. By episode 5 of S3 he goes: 'What's wrong with you? You seem to be holding your breath through every episode and only relax when it's over.' After the Red Wedding he goes: 'Oh. Yeah, okay I get it now.'

Although I can say, reading ahead makes you look forward to seeing the look one someone's face when you know something that is yet to happen eventually happens.

Demeter

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#997605 2-Mar-2014 16:20

stevenz: In this vein, the Kingkiller chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss are some of the best books I've ever read. He's only published 2 books (Name of the wind & Wise mans fear) of the trilogy so far but they're pretty substantial.

Wanted to quote this for the 'best books I've ever read' bit because it is so very, very true. I am rabid for Doors of Stone, honestly, I can't wait.

Just finished 'Anansi Boys' by Neil Gaiman. Fat Charlie is possibly my favourite character in a book in 10 years. I like him more than Kvothe, which is a rather big statement coming from me. :P

geekrunnerdave

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#1009599 20-Mar-2014 09:27

Dale Carnegie's 'How to win friends and influence people'.

I recommend it to everybody. Very basic, but profound advice about interacting with people such that they feel good about the interaction. This is good for all aspects of life, from talking to service providers, working with coworkers, or dealing with your boss.

A must read for anyone, whether you see yourself as highly social or not.

It's very easy to read.

Geektastic

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#1013442 26-Mar-2014 21:49

Joe Abercrombie's First Law series.

Outstanding. Sand dan Glokta has to be the most entertaining character I have come across in ages!

Geektastic

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#1013445 26-Mar-2014 21:50

Demeter:
stevenz: In this vein, the Kingkiller chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss are some of the best books I've ever read. He's only published 2 books (Name of the wind & Wise mans fear) of the trilogy so far but they're pretty substantial.

Wanted to quote this for the 'best books I've ever read' bit because it is so very, very true. I am rabid for Doors of Stone, honestly, I can't wait.

Just finished 'Anansi Boys' by Neil Gaiman. Fat Charlie is possibly my favourite character in a book in 10 years. I like him more than Kvothe, which is a rather big statement coming from me. :P

+1 for Patrick Rothfuss.

I wish he would write faster and not die before he gets it done, which has happened before now.

Geektastic

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#1013447 26-Mar-2014 21:52

urban: I've been holding off on reading the GoT novels, but after the nasty surprise I received from watching that "Red Wedding" episode... hmm

I never had that option having read them ages before anyone thought of sticking it on TV.

I'd read them - much better than the TV version. I am amazed at the number of people who seem to think the TV version is the original!

If you thought the Red Wedding was a stunner, you ain't seen nowt yet.

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DarthKermit

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#1013574 27-Mar-2014 01:33

I've now read 12 of the 18 Jack Reacher Novels.

Whatifthespacekeyhadneverbeeninvented?

Dav4122

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#1018462 4-Apr-2014 12:35

I just finished reading Owners Share by Nathan Lowell which is the end of a 6 part series of ebooks that Nathan has published after adapting them from there original podcast format.

It is space opera sci-fi with a difference, the main characters are ordinary people improving there lives with hard work and talent. No aliens or space battles to be seen!

Great change of pace if you have felt a bit burnt out by the all fighting all the time of the space opera genre

shadowshaded

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#1027664 19-Apr-2014 10:27

Im reading the Game of thrones books now. im just into the first one.

Demeter

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#1027674 19-Apr-2014 10:49

shadowshaded: Im reading the Game of thrones books now. im just into the first one.

Good luck, you're in for a very long haul! :)

'The Disestablishment of Paradise' by Phillip Mann. 8/10 for this SciFi novel that very vaguely reminds me of Avatar. Paradise has been colonized by humans and the planet is filled with strange and exotic (and in this case sentient) plant life, much like Pandora. Great read.

Just a note, I got the Google Books copy, and while every other book I've purchased there was flawless this digital copy seems to be missing a lot of the speech punctuation eg. quotation marks, etc. It is readable and I became used to it very quickly but picking up a print copy of this book made me realise what a difference correct punctuation makes to the flow of text.

JayADee

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#1028453 21-Apr-2014 07:53

Dav4122: I just finished reading Owners Share by Nathan Lowell which is the end of a 6 part series of ebooks that Nathan has published after adapting them from there original podcast format.

It is space opera sci-fi with a difference, the main characters are ordinary people improving there lives with hard work and talent. No aliens or space battles to be seen!

Great change of pace if you have felt a bit burnt out by the all fighting all the time of the space opera genre

I listened to the podcasts and enjoyed them. Are the books much different?

DarthKermit

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#1056062 29-May-2014 16:30

I just finished reading the 18th Jack Reacher book, Never Go Back. I didn't like the ending very much (no spoilers though). Out of the 18 books, only this last one and one called Persuader weren't that great IMO.

Whatifthespacekeyhadneverbeeninvented?

TLD

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Ultimate Geek

#1204398 27-Dec-2014 10:03

I requested that this thread be unlocked because, like the movie and TV threads, it seems like something that should be ongoing. I generally have two books on the go at any one time. One on the Kindle, and an Audiobook on my iPhone. I've been a fan of audiobooks for as long as I can remember, using an iPod Touch before the iPhone, and a tape player before that. I used to welcome the occasional mindless job at work, so I could follow a book at the same time. I did have to rewind a wee bit at times though.

Some interesting content in the previous pages. The Amtrack Wars take me 'way' back, and that poster said they'd read the series multiple times. I often find that those sort of series don't always stand the test of time. I can also remember loving L Ron Hubbard's Battlefield Earth series until I discovered the Scientology link, and subsequently never read another word written by L Ron. Was I scared of being indoctrinated? Hmmm... Probably not, as I knew that I lacked the prerequisite gullible, American gene.

Someone asked about alternatives to William Gibson. They should look at Neal Stephenson's Snow Crash which is right up there WG's best titles. Neal did some later titles leaning more towards Science Fantasy that was unable to finish.

My favourite books are spy/thriller/action. I have read and listened to the entire Rack Reacher series several times. I also enjoy Vince Flynn's Mich Rapp books [/url], Most of Tom Clancy's work, and Jo Nesbo's Harry Hole books.

As others have said, I was very sad indeed to read that Iain Banks was crook and died. It seemed to come out of nowhere, and his was a rare talent indeed!

In a similar vein, and authors I did not see mentioned back up this thread:

Barry Eisler's 'Rain' books.

John Connolly's Charlie Parker books. These are well written and fast paced, and have a touch a dark and surreal underworld about them. The sort of thing Stephen Leather tended towards with his later Spider Shepard books, but please don't be put off — the series is pure gold.

Randy Wayne White's 'Doc Ford' books. Spy thrillers with a Florida Keys boating angle.

Someone recently discovered and immediately read out, is Tom Wood and his 'Victor the Assassin' books. Only four (and a half) so far. but as good as anything in my list above.

John LeCarre for his wonderful use of language and and the most beautifully crafted stories. John reads for his audiobooks which adds a special touch to them.

That'll do me for now. If you want to expand your audiobook collection check out the Audiobook Bay.

Trevor Dennis
Rapaura (near Blenheim)

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#1204463 27-Dec-2014 12:24

Demeter:
urban: I've been holding off on reading the GoT novels, but after the nasty surprise I received from watching that "Red Wedding" episode... hmm

Reading ahead makes it worse somehow. I spent the whole of season three waiting for the Red Wedding, not being able to talk to my partner about it because he hadn't read that far yet. By episode 5 of S3 he goes: 'What's wrong with you? You seem to be holding your breath through every episode and only relax when it's over.' After the Red Wedding he goes: 'Oh. Yeah, okay I get it now.'

Although I can say, reading ahead makes you look forward to seeing the look one someone's face when you know something that is yet to happen eventually happens.

I'd read it years before the TV attempt came along. However, I dislike surprises at all levels so I always read the full plots etc before reading books and watching films.

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