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Talas posted:Oops, I didn't read exactly what you wanted the first time... anyway, those books are the closest I can think about it, they're not massive at all but they touch a lot of different cultures and stories. Thanks all the same, I actually picked up a copy of Hero the other day in a used bookstore but didn't really flip through it. I'll have to see if it's still there and give it a shot.
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Jan 2, 2010 17:20
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I need recommendations for a really awful topic. I've been interested in Japan's war crimes during WWII, and about North Korea and the DPRK. I've read The Sea and Poison by Shusaku Endo, and I'm currently reading the Aquariums of Pyongyang by Chol-hwan Kang. I enjoyed both of these books and would love to read more things like it. I'd recommend them, also, to anyone interested in similar subjects 
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Jan 3, 2010 02:45
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Does anyone have recommendations for some fast-paced or epic fantasy-setting books? I loved the first Drizzt Do'Urden trilogy (Salvatore) as well as the Dragonlance Chronicles trilogy (Weis and Hickman). I am going to continue those two series but I'm looking for some new ones as well. I've heard good things about the Erevis Cale books. Did anyone read those? They are supposed to be in a similar setting to the Drizzt books. Edit: I forgot to ask if anyone knew some books like Stephen King's The Stand. Any recommendations that share the setting and scale of that novel would be appreciated. In all those novels, I feel as if the characters themselves were much more compelling than the world itself, so I guess I am looking for novels with unique or lifelike characters. The Dragonlance trilogy had especially believable characters that seemed to make decisions like real people do. Sneakums fucked around with this message at 09:52 on Jan 3, 2010 |
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Jan 3, 2010 09:21
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Sneakums posted:Does anyone have recommendations for some fast-paced or epic fantasy-setting books? I loved the first Drizzt Do'Urden trilogy (Salvatore) as well as the Dragonlance Chronicles trilogy (Weis and Hickman). I am going to continue those two series but I'm looking for some new ones as well. I hate to do it, but you'll probably like Game of Thrones. You may also want to give pretty much anything by Guy Gavriel Kay a shot; he does "historical" fiction, and his characters are well fleshed out. Tigana is his most "fantasy" book, the others have a specific historical setting that they're based on (Vikings, Constantinople, Medieval Spain etc...).
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Jan 3, 2010 12:21
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I know this a probably a long shot, but I'm a huge fan of Quentin Tarantino and I was wondering if there were any good books that have the same kind of feel as his films, particularly Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction. I know Pulp Fiction is a homage to the old-school pulp tales, so suggestions from this genre would also be great.
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Jan 3, 2010 14:04
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Ghost Boner posted:I know this a probably a long shot, but I'm a huge fan of Quentin Tarantino and I was wondering if there were any good books that have the same kind of feel as his films, particularly Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction. I know Pulp Fiction is a homage to the old-school pulp tales, so suggestions from this genre would also be great. Try Elmore Leonard, particularly his mid-career stuff. I would recommend Swag, Gold Coast, Stick and Touch. He's sometimes variable, but there's a lot to enjoy in most of his books.
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Jan 3, 2010 19:09
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Ghost Boner posted:I know this a probably a long shot, but I'm a huge fan of Quentin Tarantino and I was wondering if there were any good books that have the same kind of feel as his films, particularly Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction. I know Pulp Fiction is a homage to the old-school pulp tales, so suggestions from this genre would also be great. Try Richard Stark. A pseudonym of Donald Westlake, he wrote a twenty novel series about a professional thief; one of the novels was adapted for film twice, once as Point Blank starring Lee Marvin, and a second time as Payback starring Mel Gibson. I like Westlake, but I loooove the poo poo he wrote under Stark. Jim Thompson was the king of the old-style caper story, particularly in terms of the aftermath. Reservoir Dogs owes a lot to him. Finally James Crumley. He's a little more country-fried than QT, but the poo poo that goes down in his novels makes QT's (early) films seem sedate. The Last Good Kiss is my very favorite crime novel, and is even on my short list for favorite novel period.
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Jan 3, 2010 19:29
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Ghost Boner posted:I know this a probably a long shot, but I'm a huge fan of Quentin Tarantino and I was wondering if there were any good books that have the same kind of feel as his films, particularly Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction. I know Pulp Fiction is a homage to the old-school pulp tales, so suggestions from this genre would also be great. As the previous reply said, Elmore Leonard is pretty much exactly what you're looking for. Carl Hiassen and Donald Westlake also do crime novels with a comic edge. A couple of other writers who capture the grit of gangster noir (although without most of the humour of Tarantino): Ross Thomas's crime novels and Richard Stark's Parker books. And this one is kind of out there, but George V Higgins does for dialogue in novel form what Tarantino did for dialogue in movies. He's not for everyone, but if the back-and-forth between characters is what you really like about the movies, you may want to give Higgins's books a try.
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Jan 3, 2010 19:31
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Shnooks posted:I need recommendations for a really awful topic. Definitely not spot-on, but consider reading Haruki Murakami's The Wind-up Bird Cronicle. It has some really nasty descriptions of a few war crimes. And on top of that it's a great novel too.
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Jan 3, 2010 20:08
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Shnooks posted:I need recommendations for a really awful topic. You will probably need to acquaint yourself with the Nanking Massacre. There was a well known book written about it that I enjoyed, Iris Chang's "The Rape of Nanking". However, it has been widely criticised (and not only by Japanese!) as being full of inaccuracies and misguided interpretations of the facts. In any case, that book led me to "The Good Man of Nanking: The Diaries of John Rabe" which "contains the diaries that Rabe kept during the Nanking Massacre, writing from his personal experience and observation of the events that took place". Here is a review of that book and outlines some of the controversies surrounding it and the event itself.
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Jan 3, 2010 20:39
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I've recently become a major history nut. I am generally interested in learning the entirety of human history, just for the fun of it, and am looking for good, key historical works that can give me a general introduction to world history. I also have a few specific subjects I'm currently keenly interested in that I'd like some recommendations for, including: Napoleon Bonaparte The early, pre-imperial days of Rome London Vikings, and to a similar extent Nordic/Scandinavian peoples in general Russia, both Pre and Post Soviet Thailand Thanks in advance.
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Jan 3, 2010 21:16
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dokmo posted:In any case, that book led me to "The Good Man of Nanking: The Diaries of John Rabe" which "contains the diaries that Rabe kept during the Nanking Massacre, writing from his personal experience and observation of the events that took place". Here is a review of that book and outlines some of the controversies surrounding it and the event itself. Oh, I remember reading about that, but I forgot. Thank you for the recommendations I figured most of them would be about the Rape of Nanking anyways, but I'm down with that.
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Jan 3, 2010 21:47
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Warlocktopus posted:I've recently become a major history nut. I am generally interested in learning the entirety of human history, just for the fun of it, and am looking for good, key historical works that can give me a general introduction to world history. Norman Davies: Europe - a history covers all this and more
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Jan 3, 2010 22:11
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Warlocktopus posted:I've recently become a major history nut. I am generally interested in learning the entirety of human history, just for the fun of it, and am looking for good, key historical works that can give me a general introduction to world history. For Rome I suggest Polybius, with Livy to fill in the gaps, though the latter is a bit unreliable at times.
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Jan 3, 2010 22:20
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Hi folks. Everyone talks about Oscar Wilde, so I figure I should read me some. Any recommendations? Thanks, and sorry if this has been covered but I didn't want to wade through 18 pages.
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Jan 4, 2010 01:29
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Does anyone have recommendations for authors that have a writing style similar to Nelson Demille? I really enjoy the sarcastic humor.
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Jan 4, 2010 03:24
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Hey goons, I was wondering if anyone had a recommendation for any books containing a mixture of mythology and science fiction. I hate to make the comparison but if anyone is a fan of the show "Lost", then that is what I'm interested in. Any books or novels(or even comic books)with a combination of sci-fi, random ancient mythology and maybe even time travel I'd be heavily interested in.
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Jan 4, 2010 08:06
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General Washington posted:Hey goons, I was wondering if anyone had a recommendation for any books containing a mixture of mythology and science fiction. I hate to make the comparison but if anyone is a fan of the show "Lost", then that is what I'm interested in. Any books or novels(or even comic books)with a combination of sci-fi, random ancient mythology and maybe even time travel I'd be heavily interested in. I don't watch Lost so I might be way off base, but Samuel Delaney's The Einstein Intersection is probably the ultimate in sf/mythology. It's set on Earth populated by aliens that came here long after we were gone and it's chock-full of Greek mythology, the Orpheus myth in particular.
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Jan 4, 2010 08:15
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General Washington posted:Hey goons, I was wondering if anyone had a recommendation for any books containing a mixture of mythology and science fiction. I hate to make the comparison but if anyone is a fan of the show "Lost", then that is what I'm interested in. Any books or novels(or even comic books)with a combination of sci-fi, random ancient mythology and maybe even time travel I'd be heavily interested in. Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson is sorta like that. It's mostly Sumerian/Assyrian/Babylonian mythology though. Another possibility is Ilium by Dan Simmons. It deals with (obviously) the Trojan War and additional sci fi things.
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Jan 4, 2010 08:21
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General Washington posted:Hey goons, I was wondering if anyone had a recommendation for any books containing a mixture of mythology and science fiction. I hate to make the comparison but if anyone is a fan of the show "Lost", then that is what I'm interested in. Any books or novels(or even comic books)with a combination of sci-fi, random ancient mythology and maybe even time travel I'd be heavily interested in. You could try Planetary by Warren Ellis. It's a comic about 'archaeologists of the impossible' investigating strange relics and mysteries. Has a bit of everything: steampunk sci-fi, giant monsters, superheroes and a little bit of time travel. Shnooks posted:I need recommendations for a really awful topic. Factories of Death. All you could ever want to know about Unit 731. it dont matter fucked around with this message at 13:03 on Jan 4, 2010 |
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Jan 4, 2010 12:57
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So how good/bad is "The reagan diaries"? - I mentioned that I was trying to find "Tear down this myth" to my father and he told me he'd buy it for me, even though I didn't really wanted him to. And today a package came with "the reagan diaries" instead...
LastCaress fucked around with this message at 16:33 on Jan 4, 2010 |
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Jan 4, 2010 15:06
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I'm looking for books like Fight Club. Sort of dealing with nihilism/post-modern angst sort of deal. People have recommended his other books but I'd like to branch out beyond that.
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Jan 5, 2010 00:22
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I feel like reading a Sci-Fi, Space Opera. Something with epic starship battles, gun fights or some cloak and dagger storytelling. And suggestions?
BigRed0427 fucked around with this message at 06:30 on Jan 5, 2010 |
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Jan 5, 2010 06:14
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BigRed0427 posted:I feel like reading a Sci-Fi, Space Opera. Something with epic starship battles, gun fights or some cloak and dagger storytelling. And suggestions?
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Jan 5, 2010 19:31
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BigRed0427 posted:I feel like reading a Sci-Fi, Space Opera. Something with epic starship battles, gun fights or some cloak and dagger storytelling. And suggestions? My perennial SF recommendation, Neal Asher, he's got all those things in spades, plus kick-rear end alien monsters and more. Gridlinked or Spatterjay would be the best places to start. Edit: I was just reminded that the name of the book is The Skinner, not Spatterjay (which is the name of the planet it is set on). Ballsworthy fucked around with this message at 02:41 on Jan 6, 2010 |
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Jan 5, 2010 19:40
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Ballsworthy posted:My perennial SF recommendation, Neal Asher, he's got all those things in spades, plus kick-rear end alien monsters and more. Gridlinked or Spatterjay would be the best places to start. I just bought Gridlinked to my Kindle due to this.. Will let you know - but thanks for the recommendation!
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Jan 5, 2010 21:13
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What's some great mature fantasy/sci-fi released in the last year or so? Let's say I love the Book of the New Sun, the Prince of Nothing, Ian M. Banks, George R.R. Martin (and yeah I read him back when he was Sandkings and Tuf Voyaging, assholes), Alfred Bester, China Mieville, the usual. I hate poo poo like Dragonlance and R.A. Salvatore. Thanks!
Team Black Zion fucked around with this message at 23:22 on Jan 5, 2010 |
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Jan 5, 2010 23:19
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I've decided to make an effort to mix some nonfiction into my reading list and figured the best way to start would be to try to learn more about current events and the history behind it. My history is rusty/inadequate so the following topics might be a little vague and all over the place so apologies in advance. 1. US/Latin American relations 2. US/Middle East relations 3. Books about US politics during JFK/LBJ's terms , or post-Cold War/Reagan politics (I've found a bunch of stuff about Nixon/Reagan and the Cold War earlier in this thread already) I guess basically I want a better idea of how some of our more disastrous current relations with a lot of countries came to be, and also how internally our country became so polarized. I really don't have any idea how to start looking for sources that are somewhat objective and hopefully provide an engaging read.
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Jan 6, 2010 08:21
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I've really liked A Canticle for Leibowitz, and The Name of the Rose. I'm interested in books along the same theme, mostly scholarly stuff concerning the preservation of literacy, and literature after Rome fell.
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Jan 6, 2010 08:22
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So, I'm thinking that I'd really like Hemingway, but I'm afraid of picking the wrong one to start and not getting hooked. What's the best first Hemingway book for a soon-to-be college graduate who loves to travel?
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Jan 6, 2010 10:05
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roffles posted:My history is rusty/inadequate so the following topics might be a little vague and all over the place so apologies in advance. Not sure if you are looking for anything really detailed or more of an introduction to US and Arab relations but a very good starting point/introduction is John Esposito's Unholy War: Terror In the Name of Islam . I was kind of turned off by the title when I first looked into it but it turned out to be a fascinating and great introduction to Islam as well as modern cultural and political developments of Islam in the Arab nations. Can't recommend it enough for anyone looking to get a better understanding of Islamic struggles with the west. Another good starting point is Bernard Lewis's What Went Wrong?: The Clash Between Islam and Modernity in the Middle East. This book was mainly an scholarly study written after the WTC attacks but is very insightful as to why America's (and the West in general) have infuriated and confused the Arab world for decades. Again a great introduction into Western policies with the Middle East. Hope that is along the lines of what you were looking for.
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Jan 6, 2010 12:46
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roffles posted:1. US/Latin American relations You should start with Open Veins of Latin America by Eduardo Galeano, written in 1971 and still in print. roffles posted:3. Books about US politics during JFK/LBJ's terms , or post-Cold War/Reagan politics (I've found a bunch of stuff about Nixon/Reagan and the Cold War earlier in this thread already) One place to start is The Best and the Brightest by David Halberstam, which focuses on the origins of the Vietnam war during the JFL and LBJ governments and how it grew exponentially, even though nobody particularly wanted it to. Because Halberstam is a journalist, he spends a lot of time on the personalities of the higher ups in power, and it is very well written. roffles posted:I guess basically I want a better idea of how some of our more disastrous current relations with a lot of countries came to be, and also how internally our country became so polarized. I really don't have any idea how to start looking for sources that are somewhat objective and hopefully provide an engaging read. Another book that may help you is Nixonland by Rick Perlstein, which really looks hard at the polarization part of your question. It is enormous but thorough, and a cheap paperback version came out a year ago.
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Jan 6, 2010 16:11
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Barracuda Bang! posted:So, I'm thinking that I'd really like Hemingway, but I'm afraid of picking the wrong one to start and not getting hooked. What's the best first Hemingway book for a soon-to-be college graduate who loves to travel? My favorite is The Sun Also Rises, and I'd guess it's what you're looking for. My high school was fairly big on Hemingway, and this was the last piece of his that we read and the first one I really out and out LOVED. At some point I plan on going back and reading more of his, but I think it's a good place to start for someone new to him.
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Jan 6, 2010 16:17
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Barracuda Bang! posted:So, I'm thinking that I'd really like Hemingway, but I'm afraid of picking the wrong one to start and not getting hooked. What's the best first Hemingway book for a soon-to-be college graduate who loves to travel? Just look at a couple short stories of his. Hills like White Elephants is available free online. I'm sure you can find The Killers and Old Man at the Bridge as well. They're free and if you enjoy them then you should take a look at For Whom the Bell Tolls or The Sun Also Rises.
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Jan 6, 2010 16:21
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Thanks!
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Jan 6, 2010 19:35
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colonelsandy posted:Not sure if you are looking for anything really detailed or more of an introduction to US and Arab relations but a very good starting point/introduction is John Esposito's Unholy War: Terror In the Name of Islam . I was kind of turned off by the title when I first looked into it but it turned out to be a fascinating and great introduction to Islam as well as modern cultural and political developments of Islam in the Arab nations. Can't recommend it enough for anyone looking to get a better understanding of Islamic struggles with the west. Thanks, decent starting points/introductions to these topics is exactly what I'm looking for. dokmo posted:You should start with Open Veins of Latin America by Eduardo Galeano, written in 1971 and still in print. Thanks for these! Besides Nixonland (which is already on my list from recommendations to previous posters), I'm definitely going to pick up Open Veins of Latin America.
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Jan 6, 2010 20:43
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I'm a huge Diana Wynne Jones fan and have been looking for more books in that same category. Mainly, YA fantasy fiction, but really well written so that it appeals to adults. Her books are like Harry Potter (except BETTER, believe me). I enjoy her Chrestomanci series and Howl's Moving Castle set as well. Recently I just finished up Inkheart and Inkspell, which is the same genre. I've been finding that the British authors have more to offer. Any suggestions? Well written YA fantasy. No sci fi please, I hate reading about aliens/space/mecha type stuff. I was leaning towards trying some Terry Pratchett...
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Jan 7, 2010 01:22
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anaaki posted:I'm a huge Diana Wynne Jones fan and have been looking for more books in that same category. Mainly, YA fantasy fiction, but really well written so that it appeals to adults. Her books are like Harry Potter (except BETTER, believe me). I enjoy her Chrestomanci series and Howl's Moving Castle set as well. His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman. Atheist response to the spirit of Chronicles of Narnia, like steampunk + eugenics + alternate earths + dark fantasy that gets put in the YA section because it has kids as protagonists but's miles darker than most other stuff. Kind of an obvious answer, I know his books are well known around here, but it sounds like you'd like him if you haven't checked him out already.
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Jan 7, 2010 02:09
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I just read the Earthsea trilogy by Ursula K. LeGuin, which is really good as well. Aimed at young adults but very well-written.
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Jan 7, 2010 02:19
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Team Black Zion posted:His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman. Atheist response to the spirit of Chronicles of Narnia, like steampunk + eugenics + alternate earths + dark fantasy that gets put in the YA section because it has kids as protagonists but's miles darker than most other stuff. Kind of an obvious answer, I know his books are well known around here, but it sounds like you'd like him if you haven't checked him out already. I read the first one, but I really had to keep at it. Took me a while to get into it. Then I picked up the second and had the same problem with the beginning. It's a bit hard for me to follow, not sure quite what it is. Maybe I should pick up the second book again. Thanks
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Jan 7, 2010 02:32
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