I just tried "The demolished man" and "The Stars my destination" By Alfred. My ideas of good Science Fiction were Demolished after reading these. My next book is probably a rpize winning one off snatched off the shelf whilst on the way work. P.S. One book that really stuck me was "This blinding absence of light". I can't remeber the author . . .
I've started reading one of Yahtzee's books on his web site, Fog Juice. Found it entertaining so far.
Arg!!! Yahtzee does my skull in! If I get any time to read between work, training, and work at home, it'll be Discworld in nature, and most likely to either involve the City Watch, or Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg. Joe
Atm, Origin of Species, although it'll just be course texts in time for the resits when I've finished that Got a George Perec book to get through a few other non-fictions that I'd like to get through as well, but it's just a matter of finding the time.
The Road to Middle-earth, by Tom Shippey J. R. R. Tolkien: Author of the Century, by Tom Shippey Tree and Leaf, by Tolkien The Monsters and the Critics (selected essays from Tolkien's academic career), by Tolkien, of course Obsession? I have no idea what you're talking about. That's what I have planned for the near future; but, I read slow so it might take me past the summer. -monkey
I read from Wizards First Rule (#1) until Naked Empire (#8) back in 2003, then when Chainfire (#9) came out I re-read the first 8, then read each of the Chainfire Trilogy (#9-#11) books as soon as they came out. Best. Series. Ever. Like, you just get into them. I can't tell you how many times I've stayed up until 5am on a day when I've had school or work at 8am, forsaking sleep because I just couldn't put Terry Goodkind down. Right now I'm re-reading Stephen King's Dark Tower. Also highly recommended. If Sword of Truth is my favorite series, Dark Tower is my second favorite. I really like the science twist and the sorta post-apocalyptic Wild West theme. I know King has something of a mixed reputation, but the Dark Tower is really great. I also particularly liked "From a Buick 8", "Desperation", and "Salem's Lot" I'm planning on tackling The Stand and The Shining later this summer. I respect Robert Jordan, but I can't say I like his books that much. I read through the first 8 or 9 books of Wheel of Time, and I got confused with all of the subplots and side characters. I felt like I lost touch with Rand, the main character. He just kinda fades out and the book just becomes spread out over too many characters with conflicting interests that there's no longer a central protagonist. I'd also recommend The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet. His other books are pretty good in general, but Pillars really sticks out. It's much more realistic and historic than your typical fantasy novel, but it's very exciting. Michael Crichton is another winner. I like Andromeda Strain, Sphere, Jurrasic Park, Prey, and The Great Train Robbery the best. I got my girlfriend started on Andromeda strain, and she loved it (although I suppose it helps that she does research in biochemistry, and knew exactly what the scientists in the book were talking about) Computerking: Being well-read makes you smarter. It expands your creativity. It makes you more knowledgeable. And it makes you a very eloquent speaker or writer, all of which are beneficial traits. Anyone else notice that the posts in this thread are, for the most part, considerably better written than those in the average thread?
I want to finally finish Elegant Universe by Brian Greene. (read 3/4 last time and left it to collect dust for quite some time now) Although here in Malaysia, there's no summer. Only less rain or more rain and a whole boatload of sunshine that the heat will make you cry.
Two books on Kanban, Gemba Kaizen: A Commonsense, Low-Cost Approach to Management, and The Goal: A Process of On-Going Improvement. How drab..
Have you seen the new Andromeda Strain miniseries? You'll cry. Believe me. It's amazing how they managed to add so much nonsense and ruin the whole premise of the book.
If it is good science-fiction you're after I will highly recommend any book by Iain M. Banks, and in particular his Culture series. They're fantastic!
I'm just about to finish The Road, by Cormac McCarthy. It's so good I might just have to get a load more of his work to keep me occupied this summer.
Alfred Bester, y'mean. I had a copy of The Stars My Destination (originally published as Tiger, Tiger), which I lent to a bloke in a pub on the promise of a subsequent borrow of his not-inconsiderable Orwell collection. And then never saw him again, damnit.
Good man. The Demolished Man is one of the most finely paced, plotted and crafted books I've ever had the pleasure to read. Plus, I have a signed first edition of it.
Slowly working my way through the works of Irvine Welsh... Trainspotting, Porno, Glue and the like...
Most of the books from this list. Got quite a bit of poetry to read along with some renaissance plays as I've finally got around to starting my OU courses.
"Midwake" by Jerry Ahern and when I only have a few minutes "the book of bunny suicides" by Andy Riley
I borrowed Sphere a while back, really enjoyed it (much better than the film). I remember starting it around 9am on a sunday mornig and had finished it by 6pm. First time I've read a whole novel in one go (but not the last). I just remembered that I need to get hold of the rest of The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher (I've read the first two ("Storm Front" and "Fool Moon") and found them to be very entertaining).
I love the Dresden files, Jim Butcher is now one of the few authors I preorder and buy in hardback. Terry Pratchett, David Gemmel and Richard Morgan being the others, and it's going to be quite tricky for David Gemmel to release any more books. Just started The Atrocity Archives by Charles Stross
I've just finished "Veronika decides to Die" by Paolo Coelho. Fantastic book, if a little melancholy and depressing at parts. After that, i'm looking forward to re-reading "The Illuminatus! Trilogy", which is one of my favourite books, and more than satisfies my inner conspiracy theorist. They're everywhere I tell you.... EVERYWHERE!
