This is topic Reading Advice. in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.


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Posted by Troubadour (Member # 83) on :
 
I'm kind of dry at the moment, since the whole Gunslinger series is done.

I'm looking for a weighty tome to get into while I'm on a business trip for a couple of weeks and I'd like some advice....

Just so you know where I'm coming from....

Loved Dan Simmon "Illium"
Hated Donaldson's "Thomas Covenant" stuff
Loved Donaldson's "Gap" series
Loved King's "Gunslinger" series
Couldn't be bothered with the wheel of time stuff - Not very into fantasy at the moment.

I'd love to read more stuff like Pastwatch and Illium. Or even some well-written Historical stuff that moves along nicely with a modern writing style.

Unless he does another "Name of the Rose" I'm going to avoid Umberto Eco - "Focult's Pendulm" and "The Island of the day before tomorrow's yesterday's past participle" was just excruciating.

So... suggestions?
 

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Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
 
I like Rutherford's books. London & Sarum especially.

Not alternate history. More like history seen through the eyes of fictional characters.

Hmm...what else...

Have you read Ender's Game?

Actually, I always think the early Foundation Novels are good for a re-read.

My favorite series of all time: The Riverworld Series by Philip Jose Farmer.

But, actually, World of Tiers is a great series too. It ends better.

Or...try Ringworld if you haven't already hit upon that.
 

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Posted by Theca (Member # 1629) on :
 
This is good historical-type fantasy by a wonderful sci fi author who has won Hugos and Nebulas:

The Curse of Chalion
Paladin of Souls

These are by Lois McMaster Bujold.

[ January 23, 2005, 11:10 PM: Message edited by: Theca ]
 

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Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
 
HAve you read any Turtledove?
 

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Posted by Troubadour (Member # 83) on :
 
I haven't touched on any of those - except, of course, Ender's Game - c'mon Bob, I've been around here how long?

I'm interested in the Rutherford's - and Ringworld... since it seems to be a staple in the reading world..

Theca - I'll check it out...

DKW - what's the story with TurtleDove?
 

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Posted by Kayla (Member # 2403) on :
 
For advice, I recommend Annie's Mailbox or Dear Abby.
 

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Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
 
Harry Turtledove writes alternate history. If you especially like Pastwatch, you might like his stuff.

[ January 23, 2005, 11:29 PM: Message edited by: dkw ]
 

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Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
 

quote:

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My favorite series of all time: The Riverworld Series by Philip Jose Farmer.

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Really??? I very much enjoyed the first two, but then it took him three books to tell a 1-book story.
 

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Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
 
I just read Pastwatch - it was great. Now, I'll have to check out Turtledove . . . I'd been avoiding him . . . dunno why.

Don't laugh, Troubs - but you might consider D. Gabaldon's Outlander - I was introduced to her by a guy - and even though it's sold in the "romance" section, it more accurately fits in the alternative history/fantasy/scifi genre - IMHO. Good author - well written, engaging, and there are at least 5 in the series - just rigt to keep you occupied . . .

[ January 23, 2005, 11:38 PM: Message edited by: Shan ]
 

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Posted by Troubadour (Member # 83) on :
 
The Turtledove stuff sounds interesting - Blood & Iron is the first one?
 

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Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
 
No. If you want to read that series, start with How Few Remain. (It's tricky because he's got multiple trilogies that follow each other chronologically in the same world.) There’s also the WorldWar series, which is completely separate and starts with WorldWar: In the Balance. That one’s got aliens. And he has other stand alone books.
 

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Posted by Troubadour (Member # 83) on :
 
Which series would you recommend?
 

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Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
 
Stephen Lawhead - (I'm sure these are out of order though) Taliesin, Merlin, Pendragon, Arthur, Grail, Avalon

Jeanne Kalogridis: Covenant with the Vampire (3 books)

Frank Hebert - Dune (had to LOL)
 

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Posted by Eaquae Legit (Member # 3063) on :
 
Arthur, then Pendragon.

Pendragon and Grail weren't as good anyways. But a great series, overall.
 

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Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
 
wow, I did that from memory and only one flip? I'm in shock!
 

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Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
 
The Marcus Didius Falco series-- modern-style mysteries set in ancient Rome (in the reign of Vespasian).
 

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Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
 
Personal preferences on Turtledove - I love his fantasy, and was pleasantly surprised how much I liked Guns of the South. On the strength of that I started reading his World War books as they came out and while I enjoy his writing, I finally lost interest somewhere in the middle of the second series. I'm just not a war buff or historian, and where Guns fascinated me with the interplay of the people and the integrity of Lee, the other series didn't do much for me.

However, Guns remains one of the books I reread every year.
 

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Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
 
I read part of the way through Guns of the South years ago and was very interested in the concept, but never went back and read it for some reason.

Kwea

[ January 25, 2005, 09:16 PM: Message edited by: Kwea ]
 

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Posted by jexx (Member # 3450) on :
 
I second the Gabaldon books. Clare's perspective of history (coming from WWII England) was fascinating.

Bob--Rutherford is coming to West Point this month and we have lots of his books at the Bookstore tempting me. I hope I get to meet him.

Troub, an author that the cadets like (but I have never read, so caveat whatever) is Stephen Pressfield ("Tides of War", "Gates of Fire"). Oh wait, I have read his book on artistic motivation ("The War of Art"), and I liked it very much. His "Gates of Fire" is set in the Pelopennesian War.
 

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Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
 
I have heard WONDErFUL thngs about Pressfield.
 

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Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
 

quote:

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My favorite series of all time: The Riverworld Series by Philip Jose Farmer.

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