Seeing as Dave, DD and myself are avid readers, I though I'd post what I'm reading and see what happens.
Just finished Jeremy Clarkson's 'how hard can it be?'. A book of his Sunday Times articles. Lots of ranting at the world.
Just started a SciFi novel called 'the departure' by Neal Asher. I think this is his 12th novel; all good. If you've not heard of him then get 'gridlinked', his 1st novel.
Feel free to put recommendations.
Since the birth of Miss DD junior reading time is hard to come by but I'm currently reading "The Crippled God" which is the 10th (and final!!) novel of the fantasy epic "The Malazan Book of the Fallen" by Stephen Erikson.
The first book in the series is "Gardens of the Moon". It's a big long read, but I canm report that 10 books in we seem to finally be getting to the polint :D
I admit fantasy is more my genre, but do like sci-fi too and would defibnately agree with snowy in recommending Neal Asher, I'm somewhat behind on his books though.
For myself, I've been re-visiting the Inheritance Cycle, by Christopher Paolini (http://www.alagaesia.com/). For a first work from such a young author, I found it to be interesting, compelling, and vastly entertaining. But it's not SciFi, is it? The most recent work in that genre that I've been reading is the Foundation Trilogy, by good old Uncle Issac. I've probably read the Foundation series more than a dozen times, and never tire of it. It's like taking a trip to visit old friends. I think that Salvor Hardin and I would either be fast friends, or mortal enemies. :)
Which brings up a question that's (mostly) off topic, and not related to any books so far mentioned: Is Anne McCaffery's Dragonriders of Pern series SciFi or Fantasy? Just curious aboout your collective takes on the matter. :)
H.P.Lovecraft, The Haunted House.
I don't read as much as I used to but I got this free for Kindle and this one of his I have not read yet. Genre is supernatural horror.
I would class the Anne McAffrey Pern series as Sci-fantasy Dave, it's a mixture of both.
It started out as almost pure fantasy but as the series went on got more sci-fi.
In fact the pre-quel book Dragondawn is almost pure sci-fi.
I have to agree, DD. I've read the entire series (again, several times... I do a LOT of that, actually), and Anne is still on my list of all time favorites, of ANY genre. Yet another day of crying when she passed away, a few months back. Of course, I also cried like a baby when Robinton died in the book, so maybe I cry too easily? Nah. I don't think so. :)
Quote from: DaveMorton on June 08, 2012, 20:36:03 PM
The most recent work in that genre that I've been reading is the Foundation Trilogy, by good old Uncle Issac. I've probably read the Foundation series more than a dozen times, and never tire of it. It's like taking a trip to visit old friends.
I've read all 10 books in the foundation series!
Original trilogy. Plus 4 more by Asimov. Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foundation_series). And the second trilogy written by 3 different authors and authorised by the Asimov estate. Link to books. (http://www.scifi-review.net/category/books/robot-and-foundation/second-foundation-trilogy)
Forward the Foundation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forward_the_Foundation) was the last book written by Asimov in the series but second in the time line.
This book deals with Hari Seldon's death and the parallels between that character and Asimov all the more poignant as Asimov died when it was released.
It also amuses me that the first (self contained) walking robot is called Asimo.
I'm another who reads books over and over again Dave :thumbsup:
Another auther who bridged the sci-fi and fantasy genres was Chris Bunch (who also sadly has passed away).
On Sci-fi there was the Shadow Warrior trilogy which I found to be a blast, and the Sten series which I haven't read. In fantasy there was the Seer King trilogy and the dragon master trilogy, these two series use history as their basis despite being based in fantasy worlds. I found them a really enjoyable read.
Quote from: Snowcrash on June 08, 2012, 22:47:57 PM
It also amuses me that the first (self contained) walking robot is called Asimo.
That's no accident, Snowy. The developers at Honda chose that name as a tribute to one of the greatest pioneers of Robotics (even if it WAS only in fiction).
The best SciFi/Fantasy crossover series I've read was 'Otherland' by Tad Williams. Main plot set in virtual reality so you can do anything really.
I've also read his Fantasy series 'The dragonbone chair'. This maybe a title of a book in that series, not sure.
All good.
Tad Williams doesn't writes books. He writes BOOKS!!! :) Love his work, though.
Does reading a chilton auto repair manual count, I been reading and rereading this darn manual for days now rrrrrrr :(
I'm with you Syber, there's nothing like a good Destruction Manual for a little light reading before bed. :P
Quotethere's nothing like a good Destruction Manual for a little light reading before bed. Tongue
Now that was funny :)
But this ignition problem is not funny :( but that is another story.
Start another thread, Syber, and we'll discuss it. Maybe between you, me and Diesel, we can figure it out. :)
Thought I'd put this book in, seeing as it's where I get my pseudonym/avatar from.
Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson. Not the best written book in the world. I feel Tad Williams and Ian M Banks are better writers.
But for all it's faults, I still love the book. It has an all encompassing plot and a thinly veiled stab at scientology. L Bob Rife is the character.
From my perspective one of the best fantasy authors out there right now is Robin Hobb
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Hobb (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Hobb)
I find her stories well crafted, very well written and a damn good read.
She sounds like a fascinating author. I do believe I'll have a go when I get to a point where I can. :)
I have read the following of her books:
The Farseer Trilogy
The Liveship traders Trilogy
The Tawny Man trilogy
And currently part way through the the Rain Wild Chronicles.
These 4 series are related and need to be read in that order, Hobb brings something a little different to the whole magic thing, making it somewhat more realistic in that there are rules and you can't just do anything you want with it.
I've also read an unrelated series, The Soldier Son which although in a completly different world to the above books was an equally fun read.
Quote from: DD1975 on June 17, 2012, 09:47:45 AM
And currently part way through the the Rain Wild Chronicles.
In fact i have today purchased book two of this series, hurrah!!!
No...Funny was when my redneck co-worker, Dave, was working on his lawnmower one weekend, having some trouble starting it with that pull rope.
His nagging wife came out to ask when he was going to start cutting the grass. Then the idea entered his rattled mind.
"Honey, here, hold the end of this wire about a half an inch from the tip of this sparkplug 'cause I need to see if it's getting a spark!"
She grabbed ahold of the sparkplug wire and held it close to the tip of the sparkplug.
Dave smiled evily to himself as he gave a mighty tug on that rope...TIC-A-TIC-A-TIC-A-TIC...as the blue spark arched back and forth from plug wire to plug tip. His wife screamed so loud she scared the forest animals for miles as she proceeded to pee herself and staggered back with a wild look in her eyes!
Dave is said to be making a full recovery from the emergency room!
Except for the last sentence, the above story IS true as told to me by Dave...and he wasn't one to lie about a good prank like that! It's just that his wife failed to see the humor in it!
At least he knew without a doubt or a Chilton's Manual that the engine was getting a spark!! ;D