Support NeoGAF

[ItAintEasyBeinCheesy]

Gaf, I need a fantasy recommendation, I've just read in this order

Everything by Joe abercrombie
Both scott lynch books
both Patrick rothfuss books.

They were all gold in order of shinyness

1. Patrick rothfuss
2. Abercrombie
3. Scott lynch

now I need something Very similar to fill the void until the next patrick rothfuss book

Anyone got something similar? ASOIAF already read/pre-ordered.

EDIT: Almost done with Stephen King 'the dead zone' it's alright I guess, not one of kings best by any stretch.

Next I have a book by china meiville called 'the scar' and after that Dune (which I never read)



I don't remember this being the case at all. Stick with it. Yes Jezal is supposed to be a tosser.

Read Robin Hobb?.

I've read all the stuff from the other 3 authors you listed as well as ASOIAF if you like the personalised (first person) feel of Rothfuss and Lynch and the brutality of Abercrombie you pretty much cant go past her first three trilogies.

The Farseer Trilogy
Liveship Traders Trilogy
The Tawny Man Trilogy

 

[Witchfinder General]

Just started this:

On the Beach - Nevil Shute

 

[ymmv]

Finished reading:

"Stone's Fall" is about the death of a Victorian industrialist (John Stone) who fell to his death from a window in his house. His testament stipulated that a large portion of his fortune was to be given to an undisclosed, unknown child of his. His widow gives an inexperienced journalist the task of finding this child (and solving Stone's murder ).

The book is divided in three parts set at different times (London 1909, Paris 1890 and Venice 1869) and seen through different viewpoints. Each section is a short novel in itself, which sheds new light on events in the previous section in unexpected ways. The book is not only about the world of high finance in the late 19th century, it's also a crime novel, a spy novel and a great Victorian potboiler. The plotting is intricate and keeps throwing up surprises right until the final page. I absolutely loved a previous book by Iain Pears ("An Instance of the Fingerpost") and this one is just as good.

Absolutely recommended.

Currently reading:

 

[Salazar]

Iain Pears is a good dude. His blog's commentary on the government's policies regarding universities is just superb.

 

[HiroProtagonist]

A bit more than in those books, but still minimalistic.

Wut?

If a unicorn used his magic horn to penetrate Gandalf's ass, the resulting union would still be less magical the the Malazan books.

 

[tyguy20204]

Swamplandia, by Karen Russell

This book has been getting a lot of praise as late, and I can see why. The prose is fantastic, and the author's imagination is unlimited. The story focuses on the younger members of the Bigtree family as they cope with their mother's death and also the impending shut-down of their alligator-wrestling tourist stop. Most of the book is told from Ava Bigtree's young-girl, precocious-but-not-annoying perspective, via first-person narrative, detailing her coming-of-age.

The author jumps into third-person narrative when describing Kiwi Bigtree's journey to the mainland, where he takes employ at a rival tourist stop, The World of Darkness.

Russell has a deft touch for humor, and if anything, I would have liked a little more absurdity in this story, although I can see the reasons that she kept it more grounded. Namely, to keep the emotional resonance intact.

All in all the book is a solid read, although the narrative itself is unfocused in many aspects. Each character is finely, and even in this somewhat-fantastic-realm, realistically drawn. Still, the plot drags at points, and the ending is somewhat forced.

I can most definitely say, though, that Karen Russell is a promising new voice.

 

[SolarPowered]

I'm only about fifty or so pages in, but I'm pretty sure that I'm going to love this book and the characters. The first book of Dostoevsky's that I read was The Brothers Karamazov and it honestly rekindled my love for reading and quiet time.

 

[VistraNorrez]

Hyperion by Dan Simmons

Just finished the Priest's Tale. It's very good so far.

 

[Maklershed]

Greatest fantasy series ever

Could someone tell me what this is? Imgur is blocked here.

 

[Sleepy]

I'm only about fifty or so pages in, but I'm pretty sure that I'm going to love this book and the characters. The first book of Dostoevsky's that I read was The Brothers Karamazov and it honestly rekindled my love for reading and quiet time.

Fantastic book. I last read it seven years ago, but some of the scenes are impossible to forget, and they pop up in my consciousness at the weirdest times. That book made me a lit major.

 

[Granger Danger]

Could someone tell me what this is? Imgur is blocked here.

Malazan Book of the Fallen

www.malazanempire.com

 

[snacknuts]

Just started the fourth book of the Dark Tower series. Not the best stuff I've ever read, but I guess it's keeping me interested enough to press on.

 

[Qwomo]

Greatest fantasy series ever

 

[PhoenixSFT]

Just picked this up on my Kindle, I can't recall the last time I laughed out loud at a book.

 

[Zalasta]

Midnight Tides, book 5 of Malazan.

 

[Fireye]

Just finished reading Containment, by Christian Cantrell. Was a decent book, nice twist towards the end, but I don't get why people are claiming that he write like Asimov. Don't see many similarities between the two of 'em.


Next up is the Fire and Ice shit everyone keeps talking about.

 

[SpacedCadette]

Just started Christopher Priest's "The Prestige".

Really liked his book "The Inverted World" so I'm looking forward to getting into it.

 

[BrokenFiction]

Just started:

And:

Because I can't just read one at a time.

 

[Ashes]

I just read Kate Chopin's classic short story: the story of an hour. Pretty good stuff. It's free, just google it, and can be read in a five minute spell. Recommended.

 

[Moppet13]

I'm reading books recommended from the poker thread.

Phil Gordons Little Green Book
Phil Gordons Little Blue Book
and just finishing Dan Harrington on Holdem

 

[Lafiel]

Finished

Great start, unique magic system, engaging and likeable characters, solid world-building, adult tone without feeling to gratuitous. The clear emphasis on characterization over plot also resonated with my tastes really well.

Now reading

60 pages in, and it seems every bit as intriguing as A Shadow in summer was, looking forward to reading more.

 

[ymmv]

Finished

Great start, unique magic system, engaging and likeable characters, solid world-building, adult tone without feeling to gratuitous. The clear emphasis on characterization over plot also resonated with my tastes really well.

Now reading

60 pages in, and it seems every bit as intriguing as A Shadow in summer was, looking forward to reading more.

There are four books in this series: the first three are out in mass market paperback, the fourth book is only available in hardcover and there won't be a cheap paperback edition. Ever.

Fuck that shit.

 

[8BitsAtATime]

About to finish

And starting A Visit from the Goon Squad and

 

[Ceebs]

Almost done with this, it's a fun read but not much more. Not sure I will bother with the sequels.

Up next will be Water for Elephants (I actually enjoyed the movie even though I was dreading it, so I wanted to see how the book compares)

Now for some help, my absolute favorite author is Christopher Moore and since his next book is still months away I need something to read now, does anyone have any suggestions for stuff in the same ballpark?

 

[Goody]

Swamplandia, by Karen Russell

This book has been getting a lot of praise as late, and I can see why. The prose is fantastic, and the author's imagination is unlimited. The story focuses on the younger members of the Bigtree family as they cope with their mother's death and also the impending shut-down of their alligator-wrestling tourist stop. Most of the book is told from Ava Bigtree's young-girl, precocious-but-not-annoying perspective, via first-person narrative, detailing her coming-of-age.

The author jumps into third-person narrative when describing Kiwi Bigtree's journey to the mainland, where he takes employ at a rival tourist stop, The World of Darkness.

Russell has a deft touch for humor, and if anything, I would have liked a little more absurdity in this story, although I can see the reasons that she kept it more grounded. Namely, to keep the emotional resonance intact.

All in all the book is a solid read, although the narrative itself is unfocused in many aspects. Each character is finely, and even in this somewhat-fantastic-realm, realistically drawn. Still, the plot drags at points, and the ending is somewhat forced.

I can most definitely say, though, that Karen Russell is a promising new voice.

I'm very glad to hear that reading this one. This and her book of short fiction is on my list of stuff to read this year.

 

[tino]

Greatest fantasy series ever

Well since I don't have ANYTHING to read I will take up on your recommendation.

 

[Chorazin]

Absolutely fascinating. I wish I could leave work just to go home and do nothing but read more of this!

 

[nakedsushi]

Absolutely fascinating. I wish I could leave work just to go home and do nothing but read more of this!

Wow that book got a pretty bad rating on gr. Is it true the "scientists" based their research off of Livejournal?

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9551126-a-billion-wicked-thoughts

 

[Auron_Kale]

Currently reading this:

 

[Chorazin]

Wow that book got a pretty bad rating on gr. Is it true the "scientists" based their research off of Livejournal?

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9551126-a-billion-wicked-thoughts

Now, they may have for the chapter on Fan Fiction and Women's Sexuality, but I haven't gotten there. There is an awful lot of fanfiction on Livejournal, after all. EDIT: and reading further about this "SurveyFail", yes, it was for the Fan Fic chapter. Not going to Livejournal for that would be like not going to DeviantArt for furry pics or 4Chan for memes.

The bulk of their discussion so far into the book is internet search aggregation and search data from porn sites.

ONE person "reviewed" it with a whopping paragraph explaining that she hasn't read it, and three people left ratings.

 

[kinn]

Finishing up Hyperion.

Finished that and started on the Fall of Hyperion.

 

[kinn]

Question: Does anyone look at the past month threads section of the OP? Should I continue to include those links or is it a waste of space?

I would like to have a link to the new months thread in the last thread. Saves me having to look for it.

 

[TestMonkey]

I also enjoy this series very much. It's a great time to be a fantasy reader. Several epic series wrapping up and several promising writers carving places for themselves.

 

[Qwomo]

Question: Does anyone look at the past month threads section of the OP? Should I continue to include those links or is it a waste of space?

I find it an immensely useful tool for book-browsing, I'd recommend not getting rid of it.

 

[JeTmAn81]

I've recently started reading through the Foundation series. The first three are fantastic, the fourth was interesting but the fifth started to lose me a bit so I've skipped over to this prequel. So far, so good.

 

[Tim the Wiz]

I also enjoy this series very much. It's a great time to be a fantasy reader. Several epic series wrapping up and several promising writers carving places for themselves.

Wish I could go back in a time machine and read DG again. Early Malazan is best Malazan.

 

[B_Rik_Schitthaus]

Just about 1200 of 1300 and something pages through. Makes most other 'long' books look like a cakewalk. Then again, I'm not complaining, the book is well written and for the most part it reads smoothly and quickly. It seems to get much better near the end as well.

Next up, Lies of Locke Lamora.

Have you seen the Tv show, if so how do the ends compare (If you've got to that point)

 

[charsace]

Gaf, I need a fantasy recommendation, I've just read in this order

Everything by Joe abercrombie
Both scott lynch books
both Patrick rothfuss books.

They were all gold in order of shinyness

1. Patrick rothfuss
2. Abercrombie
3. Scott lynch

now I need something Very similar to fill the void until the next patrick rothfuss book

Anyone got something similar? ASOIAF already read/pre-ordered.

EDIT: Almost done with Stephen King 'the dead zone' it's alright I guess, not one of kings best by any stretch.

Next I have a book by china meiville called 'the scar' and after that Dune (which I never read)



I don't remember this being the case at all. Stick with it. Yes Jezal is supposed to be a tosser.

I going to recommend two that people here don't seem to know about, but I love and always bring them up.

Hammer and Cross series by Harry Harrison
About a boy that goes from slave to great Viking. Has a little magic. Also has great large scale battles.

Deeds of Paksenarrion by Elizabeth Moon(My favorite fantasy Series)
About a sheepherder's daughter that runs away from home to join a mercenary group. Just fucking great. Don't want to say anymore and spoil it.

Recently I've read JR Rain's self published Vampire for Hire books. They are way better than a lot of the paranormal urban books that are being pumped out.

 

[Velinos]

Greatest fantasy series ever

Just got this in the mail yesterday. It was highly recommended by a friend at work and I wanted something a bit more challenging to read over the summer than my usual Star Wars and Dragonlance novels.

 

[Maklershed]

Just finished Inferno. Very good. So good I read it in less than 24 hours.


Inferno by Larry Niven

 

[HiroProtagonist]

Just got this in the mail yesterday. It was highly recommended by a friend at work and I wanted something a bit more challenging to read over the summer than my usual Star Wars and Dragonlance novels.

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

Ta ta Dragonlance!

Spoiler

Raistlin is still bad-ass

 

[slider]

Work's been a bit quieter and having read this

a while back I thought I'd give the Jeffery book a spin.

It's good but from early reading doesn't seem as well researched/detailed as the former. It helps that I've met Andrew. Of course it may have coloured my view.

 

[BosSin]

Spoiler

am i doin it rite?

 

[elrechazado]

Lots of fellow malazan readers in here. I just finished book 7, about to start toll the hounds.

 

[senahorse]

Just finished:

So now I am reading:

Needless to say, I am hooked .

 

[phisheep]

Finished The Man Without Qualities at long last. It is quite an extraordinary book and despite the time it took to get through it I could have done with about another two volumes.

If you're going to tackle it, I suggest you keep a stack of post-it notes handy, because there are so many bits of it that I would like to reread but the thing is so big it is hard to find them again - it's easy enough finding whole chapters, but I've lost a whole lot of really striking paragraphs/sentences.

Next up is this:

About half way through now.

Oh, and since I'm on forgery let's pick a book off my 'books I most often reread' pile. If you can lay your hands on this it is well worth a go.

It's a thoughtful and delightful history of art forgery. Full of interesting little details and how-tos as well as stories of the better-known forgers, with fascinating philosophical digressions on the nature of forgery v reality. It keeps drawing me back.

 

[adamsappel]

Can anyone recommend me a good book for someone that loves mystery novels? Trying to get a book for a mother's day gift but all I ever see her reading are the Stieg Larsson novels so something similar would be great.

A little late I guess, but get her started on the Travis McGee series by John D. MacDonald: http://www.amazon.com/John-D.-MacDonald/e/B000AQ52CK

I'm about 3/4 of the way through The Passage by Justin Cronin. Great literary horror novel. Nice to see vampires get taken back to where they belong.

 

[Salazar]

Listening to Alan Bennett's memoirs, Untold Stories, on iPod.

Splendid. His account of working with Thora Hird almost made me tear up. So goddamn good.

 

[Mdeezy]

Picked both of these up at the library on Saturday

 

[keeblerdrow]

I'm about 200 pages into Gardens of the Moon and it's a disjointed mess with unlikable characters and no basis for investment in any of these nations that are getting fucked in the ass. Is this a normal reaction to have at this point? If it improves from here, I'll keep going, but I'm ready to put this book down and walk away.

Spoiler complaints up to page 200 or so:

Spoiler

Paran is needlessly a fuck to anyone he meets. I was so happy when he was shivved and so sad when that was retconned.

Tattersail is how old? 293? And she can do anything but barely keep ahold of her emotions in any situation. She probably is brought to the edge of tears by an exceptionally expressive bowel movement.

Hairlock is fun insane. But he's also not-fun insane.

Whiskeyjack is a blank slate so far. The rest of his crew just screams "Hey, we're a patchy group of misfits that compliment each other well!" Kinda boring to now.

I guess I'm also a big fan of logical magic systems and so far the book's magic is just a mystical combination of Geordi Leforge, Chief O'Brien and Wesley Crusher. If you need it, it can happen. I was told going in that it would be this way and I've sort of steeled myself for this, but is there at least a rhyme and reason to it all? I come from a perspective of loving Brandon Sanderson books for their magic systems. They don't need to be well thought out and organized like those, but at least try to get halfway explained.

If anyone wants to respond to any of these concerns or assure me I've got it all wrong because I haven't read far enough, I'm willing to listen.