I need recommendations for books

[COMaestro]

Right when I saw this thread, especially when I saw more of an interest in lighthearted works, I immediately thought of Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. That that just leads into the Discworld series of Pratchetts, and I would strongly recommend American Gods, Anansi Boys, Neverwhere, and Stardust by Gaiman. All every good reads.

Also I have to back what other people said about Jim Butcher's Dresden Files series. It is currently my favorite series of novels and I typically re-read many of them each and every year. Harry Dresden is one of the few characters that will make me laugh out loud while I am reading. I will say that Storm Front (the first novel) is probably the worst one, but if you try it and enjoy it at all, you'll love the rest of the series.

For a more fantasy bent, try Goblin Quest by Jim C. Hines. Especially for anyone who as ever played Dungeons and Dragons, it is hilarious to see a typical dungeon crawl from the POV of a goblin who lives there. It has a lot of role-playing tropes, but not so bad as to turn off a non-RPG reader, in my opinion. And if you enjoy it, you can read Goblin Hero and Goblin War to finish off the series, though the first one stands alone quite well.

 

[Amethyst Wind]

Ender's Game is amazing, the pages can't turn quick enough. I heartily recommend you get a hold of a copy of that.

Also, this'll be controversial but hear me out, read the first 100 pages of Fifty Shades of Grey. Seriously. From Chapter 8 onwards the book is worthless but up to that point it's unintentionally hilarious.

 

[Shemming]

Brandon sanderson (The mistborn books, elantris, way of kings) and anything by Terry Pratchett.

 

[Xanthious]

Wheel of Time series is great and there are more than enough books to keep you occupied for a while plus the final one is coming out soon to wrap everything up.

Ender's Game/Ender's Shadow are both good books. If you really like those there are quite a few more in that series. Those two are probably the best though.

American Gods, Anansi Boys, and Good Omens are all really good reads if you like Neil Gaiman.

Game of Thrones series is probably the best thing out there right now in the Fantasy genre. I know you said it seems kind of depressing (and it is) but it's a REALLY REALLY good series.

The Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson is also pretty good and the new book Alloy of Law is out too and it's really good though it's not really connected all that much to the other three books.

 

[Ashadowpie]

if you like horror mystery you'll love Craig Russell's books. he has 6 too so lots of reading.

Dan Brown's Angels and Demons is a good book as well, to me it was a non stop action movie. XD

if you like the cute and whimsical Redwall series of books are fantastic. its nice to have a break from all the dark and cruel worlds and read somthing incredibly cute but still exciting to read.

 

[hermes]

I recently finished House of Leaves, by Danielewski... I would easily recommend this book to anyone wanting something in the vein of Lovecraft, but a whole lot more messed up.

I know it sounds like marketing, but I must warn you: its not an easy read, but if you try it, its an experience like no other.

 

[Sigmund Av Volsung]

Metro 2033 is pretty awesome; bought it this summer as something to do whilst on holiday, and I couldn't stop reading it; it is a brilliant book regardless if you like scary/horror books

 

[Screamarie]

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

I'm well-aware that most, if not all, of his books end in either death or insanity, but he's a horror writer. I don't mind death and insanity in my horror. In my fantasy or just about any other type of fiction, I prefer something more upbeat.

 

[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.

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.

I was actually enjoying every single one of them, but then again I'm easy to please lol. I really enjoyed the last book, though extremely disappointed that the books were over. It felt a little off that Artemis' Atlantis Complex was just gone, but that's only a minor complaint, I suppose Colfer wanted it to be an obstacle in book 7 but not necessarily in 8. And I would have liked an epilogue, who went on to do what, if Fairies and Humans ever really united, but it was a good ending either way.

 

[wolf thing]

well my favorite book of all time is "women of wonder" it is a collection of short stories by female science fiction authors, such as Ursula Le Guin, Marion Zimmer Bradley and others. the story are all different set in different world, time and with different styles of writing. it is a great book and worth a read. my favorite story is "the wind people" just encase anyone was wondering.

 

[CrazyGirl17]

If you like fantasy (and don't mind a few young adult novels), then I recommend the following series:

"So You Want to be a Wizard" by Diane Duane
"Percy Jackson and the Olympians" by Rick Riordan
"Redwall" by Brian Jacques
And
"Discworld" by Terry Pratchet

Happy reading!

 

[blackrave]

I will skip few obvious ones and go straight for rarely heard ones
"Myth Adventures" series by Robert Asprin
(comedy+fantasy+sci-fi+anything else author wanted to put in)
"Darkover" books by Marion Zimmer Bradley
(psy-fi- book revolves around branch of humanity stranded on distant planet in the past. Psionic abilities, Laran, also plays important role in these books)
Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold
(First book "Falling Free" isn't directly related to other books, so you can skip it if you want)

Metro 2033 is pretty awesome; bought it this summer as something to do whilst on holiday, and I couldn't stop reading it; it is a brilliant book regardless if you like scary/horror books

[brofist]
Metro2033 was pretty good

Metro2034 was disappointment though
Stopped in the middle, haven't returned to it

 

[Guffe]

If you haven't read Mogworld or Jam by now... Well you better!!!

 

[Lt._nefarious]

Well I'd try Darkly Dreaming Dexter but it is fairly short and very gruesome, seriously, fucked up shit goes down in this book or try some Neil Gaimen short story collection, they're always a laugh...

 

[mrjoe94]

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.)

Oh god, this. The Dresden Files are spectacular with the 12th book Changes being one of the best books I've ever read (or heard in this case, audiobooks don't flame me ).

 

[Grospoliner]

Lovecraft is very dry and plodding, though there are some great stories. Shadow of Innsmouth, At the Mountains of Madness, The Color out of Space to name a few. Try picking up a cheaper compilation book, there are many, including one with cover art by Mike Mingola.

I personally would recommend the following:

I Am Legend and other works by Richard Matheson. (Mix of horror, action, and drama)

Snow Crash, Anathem and other works of Niel Stephenson. (Speculative Fiction, big concept stuff)

The Night Watch series by Sergi Lukyanenko (Supernatural action/drama)

Metro 2033 by Dimitry Glukhovsky (Horror, especially this)

The Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde (especially if you like books and comedy)

Anything and everything by the late Michael Chrichton

 

[Furbyz]

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.

If you want some Lovecraft, any of the collections should do. He wrote a lot of short stories and they range from not so great to just plain wonderful in my opinion. Also, in case you weren't aware, Lovecraft is pretty racist, so if that's a problem for you, I'd avoid him. I've just started At the Mountains of Madness and thus far it's pretty good.

Anyways, it is now that time where I recommend Rock Zombie by J.S. Connor like I always do in the recommend me books threads. It's a little known book that probably wouldn't be at your local store, but it is absolutely worth your time if you are looking for an upbeat, comedic, story that is just plain fun.

I love this story so much, that I even recorded the first chapter of it and put it on youtube for just this occasion.

Spoiler: synopsis and first chapter

Rock Zombie by J.S Conner
Tom Savery never asks for trouble, because he usually gets it anyway. All he really wants is to bring back classic rock in the year 2018, but when a shady government task force begins to stalk his every move, he has to put his career on hold for his country, whether he wants to or not. The neurotic new director of the FBI has evidence that the Soviet Union is making a comeback, and they are about to reignite a conflict as old as Tom's musical influences. In order to stop a second Cold War, he must survive heavily-armed secretaries, singing bi-lingual gangsters, weapons-grade moose, and, of course, mind-controlling the recently deceased with his guitar. For most, beating those odds would be impossible. For a man who can faithfully cover any song in the Rush discography, it's only very unlikely.

This book is awesome. If you're intrigued, you can buy the book at http://www.amazon.com/Rock-Zombie-J-S-Conner/dp/1466399317/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8

 

[Ignatz_Zwakh]

The Johannes Cabal series, by Jonathan L. Howard. The books follow the misadventures of a surly German Necromancer in the early 20th century. They're quite funny, sometimes vicious and always entertaining.