I need recommendations for books

[Screamarie]

Hello Escapians!

I am currently ill with a chest cold. In an effort to cheer my spirits, my mother has offered to take me to the bookstore once I am feeling better. The only problem is that I have very few books I want seeing as I just finished the final Artemis Fowl book and haven't found any other series I really want.

I'm up to date on my Larten Crepsley Saga, I only need The City of Snakes in the City series, and I've finished both Demonata and Cirque Du Freak.

Some other books I like is Harry Potter, Elric of Melnibone, Series of Unfortunate Events, The Cat series by Joan D. Vinge, and many of the Mercedes Lackey books.

So does anyone have any recommendations for me?

Also I've thought about reading some H.P. Lovecraft, but I don't know where to start, so any suggestions for a book of his to begin with would be appreciated.

Thanks to anyone who helps me.

*UPDATE* Well I got to go to the bookstore and in case anyone was curious I purchashed The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman and The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. And as extra special surprise my mother bought me Christmas gift early and got me Skyrim ^_^

And to those who wished me well on my health, I am feeling much better. I just have a lot of congestion to cough up and then I will be back to my old self.

 

[DugMachine]

I don't know if it's up your alley but I just read World War Z and it was pretty cool. Zombie apocalypse scenario but it takes itself very seriously and is an excellent read with tons of detail. I highly recommend it

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

I've been seriously enjoying the Game of Thrones series. Reading book 5 now, courtesy of the local library. I would recommend them.

 

[Screamarie]

I don't know if it's up your alley but I just read World War Z and it was pretty cool. Zombie apocalypse scenario but it takes itself very seriously and is an excellent read with tons of detail. I highly recommend it

I've actually heard of that book, at least vaguely. I'll check it out.

I've been seriously enjoying the Game of Thrones series. Reading book 5 now, courtesy of the local library. I would recommend them.

I actually have the first Game of Thrones and while I do find it good, I also can tell it's kind of a depressing read. I prefer things a little more upbeat and comedic, but thank you. ^_^

 

[Tallim]

Just pick a Robert Rankin novel, you'll have trouble putting it down.

Try:
Armageddon : The Musical
The Book Of Ultimate Truths
Website Story

 

[rebelscum]

Hello Escapians!


Also I've thought about reading some H.P. Lovecraft, but I don't know where to start, so any suggestions for a book of his to begin with would be appreciated.

http://www.dagonbytes.com/thelibrary/lovecraft/

Here's all his major works, if you're not averse to reading things online. In terms of recommendations, I'd start with The Shadow Over Innsmouth, The Call Of Cthulhu and The Dunwich Horror. At The Mountains Of Madness is also well worth a read, as is Dagon and The Colour Out Of Space. Those should keep you going awhile!

 

[Blunderboy]

I'd suggest looking into the following authors.

David Gemmell.
David (and Leigh) Eddings.
Tom Holt.
Terry Pratchett.

You (along with everyone else) should check out The Dark Tower series by Stephen King. It's a huge fantasy saga but a fantasy western/sci fi combo.

 

[Milanezi]

I was amazed with the "Strain" trilogy by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan. Currently I'm reading Charron's Claw, from the Neverwinter trilogy by Salvatore, it's good, but not the very best around.

If you want something good, dreadful and erotic, go for Clive Barker's Coldheart Canyon.

Bernard Cornwell has wonderful books, just pick any of his series if you wish. I'd start with his version of Excalibur, it was fatastic and it's a trilogy, the Civil War's series (Starbuck) and the "Viking" series are great but sorta endless hahah

Sci-fi, if you want something realistic go for William Gibson's "trilogy" that starts with Pattern Recognition, if you want something more "spacey", same writer the "sprawl trilogy" (Neuromancer, etc).

 

[Milanezi]

You (along with everyone else) should check out The Dark Tower series by Stephen King. It's a huge fantasy saga but a fantasy western/sci fi combo.

I really hate the fact I haven't gotten around to trying out The Dark Tower, every time I hear about it it seems like I'll love it: the whole fantasy thing with sci-fi elements and a western setting. Shit, I'm thinking of buying a copy just so i won't forget (again) to start this series.

 

[ScatterBen]

I can recommend some of Robin Hobb's books. The Farseer; Liveship Trader; and Tawny Man trilogies are all set in the same world with recurring characters and a continuing themes. I wouldn't say they're particularly cheerful, but neither are they depressing (at least much less so than A Song of Ice and Fire).

 

[Kiardras]

Game of Thrones
Wheel of Time
Mistborn Trilogy (picked this up as the author is finishing WoT, and its great - really interesting premise and unique magic system)

 

[dogenzakaminion]

The Wheel of Time series seems to play right into your wheelhouse...it's a pretty daunting series, but a very good one.

You can always try some classics too: Jules Verne, Phillip K. Dick or H.G. Wells. Maybe more science fantasy than fantasy, but some of the Jules Verne stuff is excellent.

 

[Blunderboy]

You (along with everyone else) should check out The Dark Tower series by Stephen King. It's a huge fantasy saga but a fantasy western/sci fi combo.

I really hate the fact I haven't gotten around to trying out The Dark Tower, every time I hear about it it seems like I'll love it: the whole fantasy thing with sci-fi elements and a western setting. Shit, I'm thinking of buying a copy just so i won't forget (again) to start this series.

You should do it. I wil warn you, some people find the first book (The Gunslinger) hard to get into, but it is by far the shortest of the eight books.
It also has the greatest opening line ever..."The Man in Black fled across the desert, and The Gunslinger followed."

Bernard Cornwell has wonderful books, just pick any of his series if you wish. I'd start with his version of Excalibur, it was fatastic and it's a trilogy, the Civil War's series (Starbuck) and the "Viking" series are great but sorta endless hahah.

Yes, I love Bernard Cornwall, and not just for Sharpe.

I can recommend some of Robin Hobb's books. The Farseer; Liveship Trader; and Tawny Man trilogies are all set in the same world with recurring characters and a continuing themes. I wouldn't say they're particularly cheerful, but neither are they depressing (at least much less so than A Song of Ice and Fire).

I'd forgotten about Robin Hobb, I might have to dig out The Liveship Traders once I've finished the Dark Tower (again).

 

[Gizmo1990]

Hello Escapians!

I am currently ill with a chest cold. In an effort to cheer my spirits, my mother has offered to take me to the bookstore once I am feeling better. The only problem is that I have very few books I want seeing as I just finished the final Artemis Fowl book and haven't found any other series I really want.

I'm up to date on my Larten Crepsley Saga, I only need The City of Snakes in the City series, and I've finished both Demonata and Cirque Du Freak.

Some other books I like is Harry Potter, Elric of Melnibone, Series of Unfortunate Events, The Cat series by Joan D. Vinge, and many of the Mercedes Lackey books.

So does anyone have any recommendations for me?

Also I've thought about reading some H.P. Lovecraft, but I don't know where to start, so any suggestions for a book of his to begin with would be appreciated.

Thanks to anyone who helps me.

Way to hijack my thred! (Just kidding)

I saw your post about A Game of Thrones an I completely agree. I could not continue with it because it was so depresing.

Based on what you have said you like I think you would like The Dresden Files. It follows a wizard PI called Harry Dresden and while it has some serious moments there is alot of comedy as well. Despite normaly facing far more powerful than himself, Harry always has a funny and insulting comeback for the bad guys which always makes things worse. He also has a talking skull named Bob, who enjoys bad romance novels, women and making smart arse commemnts at the worst times that have me laughing every time.

Also you might like the Secret Histories series. The first book is called The Man with the Golden Torc. It is basicly James Bond with both magic and super science. It follows Eddie Drood (codename Shaman Bond) who is a field agent for the Drood family, protectors of humanity, who work behind the scenes to keep both the supernatural and Super science (villans with super tec they either made themselves or got from aliens/ the future) in check. They do this with magic golden armor that makes them strong, quick and near invincible. Has fun moments and grate action as well as charcters.

Also bit off topic but what did you think of the last Artemis Fowl? I have been disapointed with the last 3 or 4 (since a commander that shall remain nameless was killed off) but that the last was a return to form.

 

[jurnag12]

I'd recommend both of Jim Butcher's series, the Codex Alera and the Dresden Files.
Although that would be quite a few books in total (Codex Alera is 6 and finished, Dresden Files 13 with the 14th coming out in about 3 weeks.)

 

[Mister K]

You should read Neil Gaiman's novels, if you like myths and other folklore.
Or you can read Terry Pratchett, if you wish for high quality humoristic fantasy.

Or you can read Bad Omens, which was writtenn by both of them. Although I cannot give my recomendation, because I hadn't had a chance to read it.

 

[MetalDooley]

I prefer things a little more upbeat and comedic

Also I've thought about reading some H.P. Lovecraft, but I don't know where to start, so any suggestions for a book of his to begin with would be appreciated.

Lovecraft isn't exactly noted for being upbeat and comedic.The exact opposite in fact

If you're still interested then most(if not all)of his stuff is public domain now meaning you can legally read it online or download it for free.This site http://www.hplovecraft.com/ has pretty much all his writings I think

 

[Discon]

The Dark Tower and Game of Thrones deserve being repeated. How do you feel about Stephen King? The Dark Half is a really good read about an author in Maine who has written under a pseudonym for years, but then suddenly stops, and the pseudonym literally comes to life and haunts him. I also found Cell to be really good. Cellphones turn people into zombies. I guess you have to like this type of books to enjoy them.

Upbeat books, you say? Look no further than to Terry Pratchett's Discworld! Witty, easily read and fast-paced books set in a fantasy universe where the world is a disc sitting on the back of four elephants, who stand on top of a giant turtle swimming through space. Oh, and did I mention that there are THIRTY NINE of the damn things? I've read 10-15, and I have not experienced Pratchett repeating himself at all. They usually follow different characters from book to book. Every time I read these books, the 300-500 pages just seem to have been turned in no time at all.

If you've played any of the Witcher games, there are two books in English that follow Geralt before the first game. One consists of four or five short stories, while the second is the start of a series of seven books leading up to the first game. They are decently written, and if you're a fan, you'll enjoy learning more about the people from the games.

The Inheritance Cycle, that starts with the book called Eragon, is actually a very nice fantasy universe. I wouldn't go as far as calling the first book horrible, but it certainly isn't good. It does, how ever, set up the plot for the next books, which get better and better.

 

[TIMESWORDSMAN]

So does anyone have any recommendations for me?

If you haven't read Lord of The Rings and The Hobbit, they are unnecessary material for anyone even hoping to enjoy literature.
Don't be daunted by the size and length of them, or think they will be boring. I assure you, they will keep you on the edge of your seat from doorstep to volcano to awesome fight-scene.

Also, "But I've seen the movie!" doesn't apply to any book ever written.



I'd also like to recommend the works of Douglas Adams, but it takes a certain caliber of person to fully come to grips with the levels of comedy therein.

 

[necromanzer52]

Have you ever read any Terry Pratchett books? If not then I highly recommend just about anything in the discworld series. There's some continuity but you could really just pick up and start reading any of the 20+ books and be able to follow it ok.

Also if you haven't read the hobbit, pick that up, and join me in bitching about Peter Jackson next month.