Books (and hopefully some discussion)

[Hero]

1. Just Finished: The Great Hunt in The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. Good stuff - much shorter than the first book, and gets a lot more done in those fewer pages to boot. My only complaint is too many characters who were supporting characters in the first book get thrust into full-fledged characters in the Hunt, but without much warning. No biggie really.

2. Currently Reading: The Dragon Reborn in the WoT series. Not even a hundred pages in it yet, but already it's interesting. Especially how there's a focus on Perrin this time around. I dunno if it'll keep through, but it's nice to see another main character get the 'main character' treatment.

3. Planning on Reading: Either the next book in The Wheel of Time, Naruto (though that's manga so I dunno if it counts), or The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. It's been so long since I read the last, and with the movie on DVD, I can't help but want to read it again.

[The Ampersand]

1. The last book I read was The Color of Magic by Mr. Prachett. I will definitely continue reading this series. What a great book.

2. Right now I'm reading Lord of Light by Rodger Zelazny. It's awesome in how he has successfully combined fantasy and sci-fi into one story. It's also confusing in some aspects. The story is basically that our (I'm assuming) descendents have traveled to another planet where a group of men have taken control of technology, made themselves immortal, and they now rule the planet as Hindu gods. The main character, Siddhartha (Mahasamatman, Buddha) opposes the gods and tries to free their grip on the technology. I'm not quite finished with it, but I'd recommend it to anyone.

3. Next, I tackle the The Ultimate Hitchiker's Guide collection, and finally complete that series. Hopefully by then the new WoT book should be out.

[Stone]

The last book I read, was, eh, Tom Jones, although that does't really count, since I've read it a few times already. Evelyn Waugh's Scoop maybe? I read Fast Food Nation a week ago or so, and that was pretty interesting. A few of the Hornblower naval historical novel books, and a lot of Wodehouse.


I've been reading Finnegan's Wake for about 3 years, so I guess that counts. Beyond that, not much currently, it's sad. I want to read more of Waugh's funny stuff, like Black Magic.

[Prince Planet]

Originally posted by The Ampersand
2. Right now I'm reading Lord of Light by Rodger Zelazny. It's awesome in how he has successfully combined fantasy and sci-fi into one story. It's also confusing in some aspects. The story is basically that our (I'm assuming) descendents have traveled to another planet where a group of men have taken control of technology, made themselves immortal, and they now rule the planet as Hindu gods. The main character, Siddhartha (Mahasamatman, Buddha) opposes the gods and tries to free their grip on the technology. I'm not quite finished with it, but I'd recommend it to anyone.

Amazing that you would mention Lord of Light, given that it's an old SF book, and not generally well known. It also happens to be one of my favorite books of all time, one that I have read cover to cover probably more than 20 times. Zelazny routinely reveals more great ideas (and great dialogue) in 100 pages than many authors do in their entire careers. Great, great stuff.

Originally posted by Hero
3. Planning on Reading: Either the next book in The Wheel of Time,

Not a bad idea. I\'ve read all of them to date, but Vols. I-V are the best by far. We\'ll see how Jordan winds up the story this year.

Originally posted by Rich
Just finished : All Quit on the Western Front

That must be the French version...

Oh yeah, I never unpacked my books from when I moved 2 years ago, so I\'m relegated to re-reading the few books I have scattered about. Fortunately, my mother left me Body & Soul by Frank Conroy. Should be good.

[Deus13]

1) The last book I read was 'Good Omens' by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. I loved it, thought it was hilarious.

2)Right now I'm looking at a couple of books, but I'm not reading anything right now.

3) I plan on going back and re-reading 'Pastwatch: The Redemption of Christopher Columbus' I read it a few years ago and stopped close to the end, I remember loving it, so I figure I might as well refresh my self.

[JM]

Have any of you ever read any Gene Wolfe? Next to noone has ever heard of him. He is IMO the greatest SF writer I have ever read. Please do yourselves a favor & track down the Books Of the New Sun series.

Last book I read - Imajica by C. Barker
I hadn't read it since my 90 or so, so I when through it again. Pretty enjoyable, & not as long as I remembered.

Now Reading - browsing through some Gene Wolfe short stories at the moment (Caste of the Otter). I guess this is like Stone, I have been reading Thomas Pynchnon's Gravity's Rainbow for about a year & a half. I just have to put it away every now & then. I also have found that it is so disjointed that I can step back into it with & not reall miss anything. A truly odd book, If you ever read it, be on the lookout for the scene the trainspotting film lifted from this book.

Next - I don't know. I'll figure it out soon.

JM

[Prince Planet]

Originally posted by JM
Have any of you ever read any Gene Wolfe? Next to noone has ever heard of him. He is IMO the greatest SF writer I have ever read. Please do yourselves a favor & track down the Books Of the New Sun series.

JM

I have 10 or 12 Gene Wolfe books, including the entire Severian arc ("the New Sun" stuff, which is great), his follow-up (the "Long Sun" stuff, also great), and several of his other novels and novellas (still great). Heady stuff, especially The Fifth Head of Cerberus which you may want to track down if you're a big Wolfe fan. He's a smart guy, but I still think Zelazny tells a better story.

[JM]

Hey

I have (if I remember correctly)

Books of the New Sun I-IV
Books Of the Long Sun I-IV
Books Of the Short Sun I-III
Free Live Free
Castle Of The Otter
Castle Of Days
Soldier Of the Mist
Soldier Of Artee
Island Of Dr Death & Other Stories & Other Stories
Pandora by Holly Hollander (or something like that)
There Are Doors
Fifth Head Of Cerebus
Castleview

Um, that may be it, but I'll check when I get home.
I truly love all of his stuff, the only SF arthur I'd put ahead of or equal to is Frank Hebert.

JM

[Prince Planet]

Cripes, JM, what did you do, steal my collection? Looks like we're reading the same stuff. Good taste on your part.

[icarusfall]

I didn't read the thread, so I may be interrupting the flow...

The last book I read was Michael Moores' Downsize This. http://michaelmoore.com

Right now, I'm catching up on a lot of Manga, so I don't have any 'real' literature going on at the moment.

My favorite book is 'The Thief of Always', by Clive Barker. The same guy that made the Hellraiser movies, and a slew of other books. It's nothing like Hellraiser, and I recommend that everyone give it a chance. It's written like a fairly dark childrens book. It's also a fable...

Check it out!

And I'm sure somone has mentioned Chuck Palahniuk, so I'll second (or 6th) that.