[off topic]Book Suggestions

[ruff_hi]

I'm going to Sydney Australia for 2 weeks, leaving next Monday. If you've done that flight you know that it is a pretty long haul from LA to SYD. I'm looking for some book suggestions.

As a guide (some books that I enjoy), but don't be limited by this list, suggest anything that you've enjoyed ...

• dune series (except those stupid ones by the son)
• Robin Hobb
• Stephen Donaldson
• Tom Clancy
• Neal Stephenson
• Orson Scott Card
• Anne McCaffrey
• Hugh Cook

[Krill]

Peter F Hamilton. Padoras Revenge + Judas Unchained, that's a good 2k+ pages for you to read.

[ruff_hi]

Peter F Hamilton. Padoras Revenge + Judas Unchained, that's a good 2k+ pages for you to read.

Thanks Krill - just googled it and found Pandora's Star which sounds like the book you meant. I'll check my local library.

[mostly-harmless]

Hugh, my answer was eaten.
I was also suggesting Peter F. Hamilton.
If they don't have Pandora's Star, consider the Nights Dawn Trilogy, even more pages, 4.5K I believe. Been just through it again for the fifth time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Night%27s_Dawn_Trilogy

mh

[Krill]

Pandoras Revenge was a handle for an old MP player. Yeah, Pandoras star is the one.

[darrelljs]

For fantasy, there is nothing out there that compares with A Song of Fire and Ice by George R. R. Martin. The first book is called "A Game of Thrones".

For history, I just read and enjoyed "Civilization of Europe in the Renaissance" by John Hale. It is well written, really gives you a feel for life in 16th/17th century Europe.

For classic fiction, give "All Quiet on the Western Front" by Erich Remarque a try. It's a great book set in the trenches during WWI.

For contemporary fiction, you've probably already read "Anathem" by Stephenson, but if not go for it. Otherwise, give "A Fine Balance" by Rohinton Mistry a try. Its the story of various characters in India during The Emergency of the 1970s.

For contemporary non-fiction, give "Freakonomics" by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner. They apply economic theories to answer interesting social questions.

Darrell

[mostly-harmless]

Well there is always Terry Pratchett. I enjoyed the books with the City Watch most.

mh

[Iamjohn]

I really enjoyed Old Man's War, by John Scalzi. The sequels were also pretty good as well.

[Dreylin]

For fantasy, there is nothing out there that compares with A Song of Fire and Ice by George R. R. Martin. The first book is called "A Game of Thrones".

Can't agree more about this series!

Except for the fact that he's probably never actually going to finish the dratted thing.

Back to SciFi and you generally can't miss with Iain M. Banks - re-reading The Player of Games and The Use of Weapons is part of my summer holiday plan.

[MyOtherCar]

I've read mostly fantasy. Best of all those books are Tad Williams' series the Dragonbone chair. I just reread all 4 books last week (for the umpteenth time).
If you're into history and naval battles in Napoleontic times: the Hornblower series
If you're interested in Sulla's background: Colleen McCulloughs excellent series on Rome (' The first man in Rome' etc.)

Oh and there's this book I heard about: The terror of prism fading. Don't really know if its any good, but the writer on the back looked hot!

[Sullla]

If you're interested in Sulla's background: Colleen McCulloughs excellent series on Rome (' The first man in Rome' etc.)

Well, aside from her choosing to portray L. Cornelius Sulla as bisexual for some reason. One nice thing about historical fiction in a period with few records is that you can invent a lot of stuff to suit your narrative. But for the most part, those are indeed good books.

I can certainly give you plenty of history books recommendations if that's what you're into. Got dozens and dozens of them here in my house, and know hundreds more by reputation.

[ruff_hi]

Oh and there's this book I heard about: The terror of prism fading. Don't really know if its any good, but the writer on the back looked hot!

It is a great book. And Book #2 is even better. I'll pass on your 'hot' comment

[mostly-harmless]

I really enjoyed Old Man's War, by John Scalzi. The sequels were also pretty good as well.

Yes, I agree, some fresh ideas and humour there.

I would also recommend some of the classics:
Heinlein "Friday"
Orson Scott Card "Enders Game"
Clarke "Rama series"

And I really enjoyed Dan Simmons "Hyperion".

I took me some getting used to with Iain M. Banks, but now I really love his books.

For some depressing SciFi go for Alastair Reynolds.

mh

[sunrise089]

• dune series (except those stupid ones by the son)
  ...
• Tom Clancy

Since this is a trip where you'll be on the move a lot and might not be able to deeply concentrate, I recommend all of the collaborative hard sci-fi by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle. Specifically Footfall, The Mote in God's Eye, and Lucifer's Hammer.

[ruff_hi]

Some of these I have already read (but don't stop suggesting books). What about the series that was turned into 'Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World' film?