Author Topic: What books do you read? (Read 36292 times)

Strolen · « **Reply #275 on:** June 11, 2012, 02:31:41 PM »

(Intertwines fingers in a pattern)

Was looking for a new series. Tried to read Sasha (A Trial of Blood and Steel, Book I) and got through the first book just fine, kind of. It was described as similar to the Arya Story in GoT so I was sold at that. Kinda, but not really. Awesome chick swordswoman but without showing the growing up, which I like. She is already a master when we meet her. Story seemed to try and be complex and add all this political and racial complication that just annoys me. Probably why I wasn't a great fan of GoT either but that had some kickers to keep you going. I started on the second of the series and just couldn't get interested. I didn't care....and I generally don't quick books I start.

So reading the House on Haunted Hill because I didn't have anything else handy. Will finish that tonight and hopefully start on this series. Already loaded on the ebook!!

Thanks for posting about it!!

Kassy · « **Reply #276 on:** June 11, 2012, 02:43:29 PM »

Still persuing A Game of Thrones, I can only read so much before I need to put the book down.

There are parts where I feel the author is trying to drag it out a bit, which I find to be off putting.

I will finish it, one day, soon..

Dossta · « **Reply #277 on:** June 11, 2012, 03:01:09 PM »

Quote from: Kassy on June 11, 2012, 02:43:29 PM

Still persuing A Game of Thrones, I can only read so much before I need to put the book down.

There are parts where I feel the author is trying to drag it out a bit, which I find to be off putting.

I will finish it, one day, soon..

I have read a lot of fantasy in my life -- lots of epic series as well. A Game of Thrones is the first that I can remember feeling completely lukewarm towards. I like the world. I like some of the characters. I even like the plot, though it gets really bogged down (so much that it feels like nothing much happens in the first book). Yet all of this is derailed by a lot of pointless smut. The book reads like some sort of dirty old man's fantasy. It's so prevalent that it actually detracts from the good parts of the book, leaving me wondering what the point was at the end.

So, while I somewhat enjoyed the setting and characters, I don't think I'll be continuing with the series.

Silveressa · « **Reply #278 on:** June 11, 2012, 03:45:16 PM »

Quote from: Dossta on June 11, 2012, 03:01:09 PM

Yet all of this is derailed by a lot of pointless smut. The book reads like some sort of dirty old man's fantasy. It's so prevalent that it actually detracts from the good parts of the book, leaving me wondering what the point was at the end.

So, while I somewhat enjoyed the setting and characters, I don't think I'll be continuing with the series.

That is one of the main upsides to the tv series, the smut content is toned way down, and what there is is actually brief enough to be enjoyable without overriding plot development. (Although there is one scene with a brothel owner instructing two of his girls how to... please one another/receive pleasure that come pretty close to "fluff" but the scene itself is presented in such a fashion few watchers will mind the brief stray from more vital plot developments.

)

Murometz · « **Reply #279 on:** June 11, 2012, 08:30:24 PM »

50 Shades of Gray is the worst thing ever written. Take heart! We can ALL be published authors!

Chaosmark · « **Reply #280 on:** June 11, 2012, 09:14:34 PM »

At the moment, my Nook is sitting on "The $100 Startup" by Chris Guillebeau, though finding the time to read it is getting increasingly difficult.

Strolen · « **Reply #281 on:** June 11, 2012, 11:35:25 PM »

I follow that dude and his crazy world-wide travels. Let me know what you think of his book.

Dossta · « **Reply #282 on:** June 12, 2012, 05:46:20 PM »

More proof that Mistborn is awesome: http://store.inkwing.com/fear-the-llama-t-shirt

Strolen · « **Reply #283 on:** June 12, 2012, 11:25:43 PM »

That....is....awesome!

Strolen · « **Reply #284 on:** July 08, 2012, 02:23:57 AM »

Quote from: Dossta on June 11, 2012, 02:15:45 PM

My new favorite fantasy series of all time (yes, they're that good). Drumroll please . . .

The Mistborn Trilogy, by Brandon Sanderson.

Mistborn: The Final Empire: A band of thieves combine their unique powers to overthrow an empire that has stood for over 1000 years.
Mistborn: The Well of Ascension: The remnants of the thieving crew must keep the kingdom they have forged from falling apart, while their capital city is besieged by three separate armies.
Mistborn: The Hero of Ages: The world is ending in fire and ash, and it is up to our heroes to decipher the clues of a millenia-old puzzle, while helping the remnants of humanity survive.

The ending of the trilogy actually managed to surprise me as well. This is a really clever series, with tons of hidden clues -- stuff from the first and second books comes together and really delivers a punch in the third. I would definitely call this a character-driven trilogy. Additionally, the ending of the first book is extremely satisfying; enough so that it could have been a stand-alone book. And lastly, I'll say that the third book has some of the most beautiful character deaths I have ever read.

If you're looking for a believable and interesting cast of characters, a unique and versatile magic system, and a lot of subtle mysteries to solve, definitely give this trilogy a try.

Just finished this series and it, as a whole, is outstanding. The first book was great, second had me wondering but the third blew me out of the water. I was mesmerized by the ending and just blown away by how everything was wrapped together to make it just sooooo satisfying!! I don't get that feeling that often from books. It is when a bunch of plots and somewhat random things get pulled together and the rational behind them all is just brilliant and, in some cases, a bit unexpected but obvious once it is pointed out. Very fun read!

Never even heard of it till Dossta brought it up and I am so thankful for that!! Thanks Dossta!

Oh, yes. If you haven't read it. READ IT NOW!!!

Dossta · « **Reply #285 on:** July 09, 2012, 11:16:49 AM »

Ah hahaha! Yes! Revel in the Mistborn goodness!

Dossta · « **Reply #286 on:** July 16, 2012, 01:32:44 PM »

Just finished I Am Not a Serial Killer by Dan Wells. It's YA, technically, but is beautifully written and features one of the most interesting protagonists I've seen in a long time. Give it a try if you want a quick break from your normal Fantasy/Sci-Fi.

Kassy · « **Reply #287 on:** July 19, 2012, 05:29:10 AM »

Halfway through 'A Game of Thrones', it's a lot better than I'd originally thought. A slow start but now I'm hooked!

MoonHunter · « **Reply #288 on:** July 21, 2012, 11:07:48 PM »

Quote from: Kassy on July 19, 2012, 05:29:10 AM

Halfway through 'A Game of Thrones', it's a lot better than I'd originally thought. A slow start but now I'm hooked!

The book (and each book in the series) has that freight train appeal. It starts off verrrry slow and interesting and eventually takes off.

valadaar · « **Reply #289 on:** July 22, 2012, 08:55:03 AM »

Indeed. I bought the 1st 4 books for my Ipad, and burned through them in very short order.

Scrasamax · « **Reply #290 on:** July 24, 2012, 07:04:50 AM »

Just finished Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. Now I really want to go see the movie

Currently reading: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Kassy · « **Reply #291 on:** July 26, 2012, 06:56:00 AM »

Quote from: Scrasamax on July 24, 2012, 07:04:50 AM

Just finished Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. Now I really want to go see the movie

Currently reading: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Who is the author of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo?

I've only seen the film (the new one) so far, but want to read the book at some point too.

Dossta · « **Reply #292 on:** August 28, 2012, 12:46:23 PM »

I'm probably late to the bandwagon, but I love The Dresden Files. I just finished book nine (White Night) and am impatiently waiting for the bastard who has the next book to check it back into the library

MoonHunter · « **Reply #293 on:** August 30, 2012, 02:41:36 PM »

Quote from: Dossta on August 28, 2012, 12:46:23 PM

I'm probably late to the bandwagon, but I love The Dresden Files. I just finished book nine (White Night) and am impatiently waiting for the bastard who has the next book to check it back into the library

If you are late to the party, then you probably don't know about this either:

http://www.dresdenfilesrpg.com/

Yep. It is a great game. Powered by the Fate System. It is one of the best iterations of Fate out there (and for completeness FATE is an expansion of Fudge). The Setting material is top knotch and the system works pretty darn well (compellingly well, if you don't mind the pun).

Chaosmark · « **Reply #294 on:** August 30, 2012, 10:49:22 PM »

Quote from: MoonHunter on August 30, 2012, 02:41:36 PM

The Setting material is top knotch and the system works pretty darn well (compellingly well, if you don't mind the pun).

We don't mind the pun, but the Wardens might take some issue with your flouting of the 4th Law. Hope you've brushed up on your teleport magic!

Dossta · « **Reply #295 on:** September 20, 2012, 11:30:24 AM »

Quote from: MoonHunter on August 30, 2012, 02:41:36 PM

If you are late to the party, then you probably don't know about this either:

http://www.dresdenfilesrpg.com/

I actually almost bought that game in .PDF a few weeks ago, but was stopped by the realization that I have no one to play it with. My normal group doesn't really get together anymore, and even if they did, none of them know the Dresden Files. Still, the game looks fantastic and I would jump at the chance to play a forum game in the Dresden universe.

Chaosmark · « **Reply #296 on:** January 20, 2013, 03:50:08 AM »

Well, a chapter of my life just came to an end. Mere moments ago, I finished A Memory of Light, the 14th and final book in the Wheel of Time. I have a few minor quibbles with some of the resolution, but I am content with it as an ending to a series that has literally been a companion to me my entire life. I've been reading voraciously since I was a small child, but the Wheel of Time was the first major series of books that I started reading, and has probably influenced my life and mindset far more than is readily apparent.

Strolen · « **Reply #297 on:** January 20, 2013, 08:03:18 AM »

I started them in 1991 when I saw a friend carrying it in class. Reread the first few books probably 4+ times as new ones came out. Loved the first ones. A few of the middle ones really sucked...really. Then Sanderson took over, thank the moons, and it turned awesome again. All the crap that was flapping in the wind started to get gathered in and was spectacular (comparatively speaking anyway). (PS, Mistborn is probably one of my all time favorite trilogies).

I am SUPER excited for this final book. I'll probably reread some synopsis and then last two full books that he wrote in in the series before I hit this one. I want to stream through to the finale in a slow rehashed buildup...one long blaze of glory to cap almost a lifetime of reading as Chaos discussed.

Shadoweagle · « **Reply #298 on:** January 20, 2013, 04:42:51 PM »

I used to read wheel of time. Great series, but it did drag on a fair bit, and I lost interest when I had to wait forever for the next book to come out. Another book I found great was 'the name of the wind' by Patrick rothfuss. The 2nd book, 'a wise mans fear' wadbalso good, but not quite as good as the first.

Scrasamax · « **Reply #299 on:** January 20, 2013, 10:34:34 PM »

So I stumbled across bizarro lit, specifically a book called The Haunted Vagina, by Carlton Melleck III. The concept is among the most unique I've heard of. The woman has a vagina that also happens to be a hyperdimensional space/pocket dimension and the main character/author avatar goes on adventures inside to find the source of the whispers that come from his girlfriend's crotch.

And IMHO my above summary has a distinctly higher quality of writing than The Haunted Vagina.

It reads like a bag blog. Thank goodness I only was reading a free sample chapter and actually didn't pay money for it