Read any good books lately?

I read a lot of Asimov, back in the day (Foundation series, I Robot, the robot detective series). Arthur C. Clarke, too. I revisited Clarke recently (Rama, Childhood's End), and it just didn't hold up. Way too much goo-gah about science and technology. I know, I know -- "It's hard SF, what do you expect." I just remember a lot more "sense of wonder" when I first read it. Of course, I was 13 at the time...

I wonder how Asimov would hold up. I'm guessing no better, but I might give Isaac another try someday, for old time's sake.

Yeah Clarke doesn't hold up as well. You have to put yourself in a different mindset to read that. Asimov usually holds up a lot better, much of his stuff deals with robots and AI and such, which is still a common theme today. Definitely a different vibe. I still like Asimov because even all these years later his stuff can still blow my mind. Obviously if you're looking for more action, something more contemporary is the way to go.

That's why I love the Expanse books so much, they kind of modernize that old feel.
 
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Only book I've read since high school is Shutter Island. Prior to the movie coming out the synopsis sounded great so decided it was a good book to read prior. I've thought about reading The Expanse but the show has spoiled me with the visuals. Saw an ad on Facebook for a new book called The Last War which is a sci-fi space book as well. On the realistic side Neil deGrasse Tyson has a new book out that I want to grab.

Since I have this ridiculously boring job as a truck driver, I got Tyson's Astrophysics For People in a Hurry on audible.
 
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Some of my recent favorites:

The Takeshi Kovacs series starting with Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan (soon to be a netflix series)
The Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss (only downside is book 3 is still not done yet)
I am reading American Gods now by Gaiman.
The Expanse series by James Corey (great show on sci-fi right now)

Older stuff - anything by Asimov, especially the Foundation Trilogy.

I read every day, even if it is just a chapter or two. I highly recommend getting a Kindle Paperwhite. Amazing for reading and better than a tablet. I read at least a few chapters before bed rather than watching TV.

The Takeshi Kovacs Series and the Expanse series are really really good. Check out Neal Asher (the polity series) if you want to seriously crazy sci-fi. It has everything, genoicdial aliens, AI, cyborgs, sentient machines, the works. Peter F Hamilton is another good author. The Nights Dawn series is a good read and Pandora star / Judas Unchained are excellent as well.
 
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I second the recommendation for "Night." I've heard good things about The Book Thief, too, but haven't read it. You like books about WWII, I see. Rather serious stuff, all of those (from what I know, anyhow).

I've never read a Stephen King novel, but I'll put that on my list to check out.
If you've never read a Stephen King I would recommend starting with The Stand. It's one of his best in my opinion. It's not usual horror stuff he does but it does have plenty of nasty stuff in it.
 
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Everyone_Poops.jpg


Critic quotes:

"So good I finished it in one sitting"
"If only books of this quality were more regular"
"This book is the s***"
 
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Sanderson was hand-picked by Robert Jordan's wife to finish the Wheel of Time (a Fantastic, Renowned fantasy series). He did a great job.
I love all of his work. Mistborn was my introduction to his writing, and the reason why I eventually discovered Wheel of Time.

I still haven't found an ending as amazing to a series, as the ones he crafted for both WoT and Mistborn.

Oh, and the Emperor's Soul is a great short read too. Very original. I hate waiting for the new books for the Light ringer books though. I love the lore system for those. I'd totally break the halo!
 
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I love all of his work. Mistborn was my introduction to his writing, and the reason why I eventually discovered Wheel of Time.

I still haven't found an ending as amazing to a series, as the ones he crafted for both WoT and Mistborn.

Oh, and the Emperor's Soul is a great short read too. Very original. I hate waiting for the new books for the Light ringer books though. I love the lore system for those. I'd totally break the halo!
Yep. Mistborn was the first I read of his. It was so original, it flipped my whole perception of how fantasy could be written.

If you like amazingly deep worlds, you should check out Steven Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen series.

Be warned- They are huge books, and there are a lot of them, and they can be pretty depressing, but they are deep and fascinating.
 
Yep. Mistborn was the first I read of his. It was so original, it flipped my whole perception of how fantasy could be written.

If you like amazingly deep worlds, you should check out Steven Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen series.

Be warned- They are huge books, and there are a lot of them, and they can be pretty depressing, but they are deep and fascinating.
LOOOOOVE them! I have two copies of the entire series, so I can keep them in prime condition. Lol

Did you ever get into Clive Barker? His work with The Great and Secret Show, and Weaveworld are amazing! In one of them, a guy gets turned down for sex by a striper, but he gets even, since he can reanimate the dead. So he forces her to get raped by a dog for ever. His work is seriously f***ed up, but super original in its lore. Even the good guys are rapey.

On the other side of his work, his young adult writing is really fun. I really enjoyed Abarat as a kid, which led me to his Undying stuff.

(Side note, his porn is rather stellar too. He also has written guides on the advantages of ejaculationless orgasms. I'm not a fan.)
 
If you've never read a Stephen King I would recommend starting with The Stand. It's one of his best in my opinion. It's not usual horror stuff he does but it does have plenty of nasty stuff in it.

I visited the library yesterday and looked for it. It's 1100+ pages! Gah. That would be the biggest novel I've ever read.

Can you recommend anything from King that's more normal-sized? Just want to get a feel for his style.
 
I visited the library yesterday and looked for it. It's 1100+ pages! Gah. That would be the biggest novel I've ever read.

Can you recommend anything from King that's more normal-sized? Just want to get a feel for his style.

Yeah, The Stand is epic in size. I think you can find it broken down in smaller books. I seem to remember having part one and part two years ago.

As for other recommendations, I'd stick with his older stuff. The Bachman Collection is a collection of short stories that is very good. The Running Man is one of the stories in it. IT is also another classic but that might be the size if The Stand. I remember it being a meaty read.
 
Yeah, The Stand is epic in size. I think you can find it broken down in smaller books. I seem to remember having part one and part two years ago.

As for other recommendations, I'd stick with his older stuff. The Bachman Collection is a collection of short stories that is very good. The Running Man is one of the stories in it. IT is also another classic but that might be the size if The Stand. I remember it being a meaty read.

Thanks, I'll check those out.
 
Yeah, The Stand is epic in size. I think you can find it broken down in smaller books. I seem to remember having part one and part two years ago.

As for other recommendations, I'd stick with his older stuff. The Bachman Collection is a collection of short stories that is very good. The Running Man is one of the stories in it. IT is also another classic but that might be the size if The Stand. I remember it being a meaty read.
Yeah I'm pretty sure I read it in two parts.

His Dark Tower Books are hit and miss imo. I think they're gonna be a movie soon too.

I still think he peaked early. Haven't enjoyed a lot of his newer stuff.

Oh, and as much as I love Kathy Bates, Misery is so much scarier in book form. The Shining I didn't care too much for. I can't remember if Tommyknockers was his though...

Edit. Frozpot did you read Sanderson's Rithmatist? He manages to make maths and chalk magical, with an amazing paring of unlikely kids. Brilliant!
 
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Yea but there is going to be a Dark Tower movie so why read? Plus it will have Idris Elba isn't he so dreamy?
 
LOOOOOVE them! I have two copies of the entire series, so I can keep them in prime condition. Lol

Did you ever get into Clive Barker? His work with The Great and Secret Show, and Weaveworld are amazing! In one of them, a guy gets turned down for sex by a striper, but he gets even, since he can reanimate the dead. So he forces her to get raped by a dog for ever. His work is seriously f***ed up, but super original in its lore. Even the good guys are rapey.

On the other side of his work, his young adult writing is really fun. I really enjoyed Abarat as a kid, which led me to his Undying stuff.

(Side note, his porn is rather stellar too. He also has written guides on the advantages of ejaculationless orgasms. I'm not a fan.)

He wrote about an amputee beating off with his phantom limb hand.
 
Yeah I'm pretty sure I read it in two parts.

His Dark Tower Books are hit and miss imo. I think they're gonna be a movie soon too.

I still think he peaked early. Haven't enjoyed a lot of his newer stuff.

Oh, and as much as I love Kathy Bates, Misery is so much scarier in book form. The Shining I didn't care too much for. I can't remember if Tommyknockers was his though...

Edit. Frozpot did you read Sanderson's Rithmatist? He manages to make maths and chalk magical, with an amazing paring of unlikely kids. Brilliant!
No, but I will check it out. Sanderson is a writing machine :)
 
Did you ever get into Clive Barker? His work with The Great and Secret Show, and Weaveworld are amazing! In one of them, a guy gets turned down for sex by a striper, but he gets even, since he can reanimate the dead. So he forces her to get raped by a dog for ever. His work is seriously f***ed up, but super original in its lore. Even the good guys are rapey.

On the other side of his work, his young adult writing is really fun. I really enjoyed Abarat as a kid, which led me to his Undying stuff.


Clive is like a more extreme Neil Gaiman

He writes amazing epic horror or fantasy. He makes many author's imaginations seem bland or inhibited.

I think you'd like IMAJICA if enjoyed Weaveworld and you haven't read it already. It is really long though.

567704.jpg


imajicapb-min.jpeg
 
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I visited the library yesterday and looked for it. It's 1100+ pages! Gah. That would be the biggest novel I've ever read.

Can you recommend anything from King that's more normal-sized? Just want to get a feel for his style.

"The Stand" was totally f*#ked up in all the right ways... the battle between good and evil has never been so twisted.

I mentioned "11-22-63" earlier...it was the first book of King's that I listened to, the second was the new unabridged version of "The Stand". After reading both novels I couldn't believe they were written by the same author. They are so different in terms of writing style that it showed to me, at least, that Stephen King has really polished and refined his craft. Although the two books can't really be compared due to the subject matter, "11-22-63" for me was far and away the better experience...I was utterly consumed by it. When I wasn't listening to it, I was thinking and dreaming about the incredible cast of characters that I had became so emotionally invested in...very few novels have had this type if effect on me. PLEASE, give it a chance....you won't be disappointed.
 
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Clive is like a more extreme Neil Gaiman

He writes amazing epic horror or fantasy. He makes many author's imaginations seem bland or inhibited.

I think you'd like IMAJICA if enjoyed Weaveworld and you haven't read it already. It is really long though.

567704.jpg


imajicapb-min.jpeg
I have all of his stuff! :D I loved Imajica! I loved the Undying video games too!

Have you seen his Tumblr? I'd link to it, but i'd end up banned. Lol he makes me look like a prude... He inspires me.
 
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"The Stand" was totally f*#ked up in all the right ways... the battle between good and evil has never been so twisted.

I mentioned "11-22-63" earlier...it was the first book of King's that I listened to, the second was the new unabridged version of "The Stand". After reading both novels I couldn't believe they were written by the same author. They are so different in terms of writing style that it showed to me, at least, that Stephen King has really polished and refined his craft. Although the two books can't really be compared due to the subject matter, "11-22-63" for me was far and away the better experience...I was utterly consumed by it. When I wasn't listening to it, I was thinking and dreaming about the incredible cast of characters that I had became so emotionally invested in...very few novels have had this type if effect on me. PLEASE, give it a chance....you won't be disappointed.

Yeah. The Stand really is an out there story. So many great characters in it. I haven't tried 11-22-63. Is that one about time travel to the Sixites ?
 
"The Stand" was totally f*#ked up in all the right ways... the battle between good and evil has never been so twisted.

I mentioned "11-22-63" earlier...it was the first book of King's that I listened to, the second was the new unabridged version of "The Stand". After reading both novels I couldn't believe they were written by the same author. They are so different in terms of writing style that it showed to me, at least, that Stephen King has really polished and refined his craft. Although the two books can't really be compared due to the subject matter, "11-22-63" for me was far and away the better experience...I was utterly consumed by it. When I wasn't listening to it, I was thinking and dreaming about the incredible cast of characters that I had became so emotionally invested in...very few novels have had this type if effect on me. PLEASE, give it a chance....you won't be disappointed.

That does sound pretty good. I had taken a look at it, but I was put off when I learned it had to do with JFK's killing. Maybe that's a minor element in the book -- background rather than foreground, I don't know. But I have heard way too much about who killed JFK in my life; I'm sort of bored with the topic. So that put me off. How much of the focus is on JFK's assassination?

I think you listened to the audiobook, right? Would you recommend that, or reading it? Do think it would make a difference?
 
How much of the focus is on JFK's assassination?

I think you listened to the audiobook, right? Would you recommend that, or reading it? Do think it would make a difference?

The thrill/enjoyment found in this book has nothing to do with the JFK assassination, despite the title. The meat of the book is more about the journey of lead character Jake Epping, the world he steps into, and the consequences of altering the past.

Without question get the audible version with narrator Craig Wasson. He was hand picked by Stephen King and does a phenomenal job. Right now audible is offering their standard free one month trial, but for a limited time they're giving you 2 bonus credits. You have nothing to lose...sign up, pick any 2 audiobooks, and cancel before your month is up.

A little nugget of insight: If you've read or watched the film adaption of Stephen King's "It", remember the name of the town the kids and their friendly clown Pennywise call home... it makes a special appearance.

That's it, I'm done pushing this book down your throats! Later.
 
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The thrill/enjoyment found in this book has nothing to do with the JFK assassination, despite the title. The meat of the book is more about the journey of lead character Jake Epping, the world he steps into, and the consequences of altering the past.

Without question get the audible version with narrator Craig Wasson. He was hand picked by Stephen King and does a phenomenal job. Right now audible is offering their standard free one month trial, but for a limited time they're giving you 2 bonus credits. You have nothing to lose...sign up, pick any 2 audiobooks, and cancel before your month is up.

A little nugget of insight: If you've read or watched the film adaption of Stephen King's "It", remember the name of the town the kids and their friendly clown Pennywise call home... it makes a special appearance.

That's it, I'm done pushing this book down your throats! Later.

Thanks, man. I'll put it on my list. It does sound interesting. Glad to hear it's not all about JFK.
 
Have you ever been on a drip and catheter?

No pooping! And the weight just melts off you.

It's a great diet.


No catheter, but I.V. drip from surgery and just had to keep getting up to piss. Felt like I lost 10 pounds in 2 days.

Some weight loss includes taking my gall bladder out to I guess.
 
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The Expanse series by James Corey

... I still like Asimov because even all these years later his stuff can still blow my mind. Obviously if you're looking for more action, something more contemporary is the way to go.

That's why I love the Expanse books so much, they kind of modernize that old feel.

The Takeshi Kovacs Series and the Expanse series are really really good. Peter F Hamilton is another good author.

Thanks, guys. I picked up Leviathan Wakes by James Corey from the library, and I'm liking it so far. I'm 130 pages in. Like you said, Kerosene, it's got a little of that old fashioned style, but with more action. The characters aren't particularly interesting or deep, but that's okay -- sometimes I'm just in the mood for a good yarn. Corey keeps the plot moving, which I like. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens.

I picked up one of Peter Hamilton's, too, A Night Without Stars, Book #2 of the Commonwealth series (#1 wasn't available). I liked what I read -- seemed very imaginative -- but after about 30 pages, I decided I'd better put it away and try to find Book #1 instead, because I was missing too much of the backstory.
 
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