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Looking for a reading suggestion.


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18 replies to this topic

#1 whiteguy

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Posted 24 February 2012 - 09:59 PM

GoT on HBO along with a few of my friends recommending them got me on the books.  I read through the first 3 in about a month.  Spent about a month (well written just don't care for the characters in that book for the most part) on the 4th.  Flew through ADWD.  Loved 4 out of the 5 books and recommend them to people when asked.

I don't read a lot but probably should read more.  I'm thinking about The Malazan Book of the Fallen series.  Looking for opinions on the series.  If you love it let me know why, hate it let me know why.  Try not to spoil anything, incase I do get into it.  One of the big reasons I'm hooked on GRRM series is that the fantasy elements never outweigh the people's actions.  Let me know what you guys think. I appreciate it.

#2 The_Wolfbrother

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Posted 24 February 2012 - 10:11 PM

Since your already reading GRRM, why not try some of his stand alone books? I thoroughly enjoyed Fevre Dream and Windhaven. Both great character pieces, and easily as good as his latter books (in my opinion).

Authors like Erikson, Rothfuss and Abercrombie would be  natural next step in your reading.

#3 peterbound

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Posted 24 February 2012 - 10:18 PM

When i need book recommendations, there is a website I go to.  Seems to point me in the right direction most of the time.  You may have heard of it, if not i'll link it for you on the bottom:

http://asoiaf.wester...dations-series/

#4 Euphail

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Posted 24 February 2012 - 10:22 PM

The Wheel of Time series is by far my favorite outside of ASoIaF

#5 peterbound

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Posted 24 February 2012 - 10:33 PM

Also, just in case you may have missed it:
http://asoiaf.wester...ecommendations/

#6 The_Wolfbrother

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Posted 24 February 2012 - 10:55 PM

Haha, was seriously just going to call you a douche, when I saw your title. Kudos!

#7 Underfoot

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Posted 24 February 2012 - 11:04 PM

View PostThe_Wolfbrother, on 24 February 2012 - 10:55 PM, said:

Haha, was seriously just going to call you a douche, when I saw your title. Kudos!

Douche or no, he has a point. It gets tiresome when people always ask for the exact same recommendations. That's why there are stickied threads at the top of the lit forum and the search function.

#8 peterbound

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Posted 24 February 2012 - 11:05 PM

View PostThe_Wolfbrother, on 24 February 2012 - 10:55 PM, said:

Haha, was seriously just going to call you a douche, when I saw your title. Kudos!

All douchery aside.  Read the fucking stickies... it's why they are there.. and use the goddamn search function.  This thread has been rehashed at least 40 million times.

ETA: Fuck autocorrect.

Edited by peterbound, 24 February 2012 - 11:19 PM.


#9 whiteguy

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Posted 24 February 2012 - 11:12 PM

Those of you with suggestions it's appreciated.  To the guy who posted the link, thanks for the link. But as for the rest of your commentary I feel obligated to quote the immortal thugnificent "Eat a bag of baby dicks".


I hate king of the message board types.  You ain't special, just been here longer.  But the link is helpful.

#10 whiteguy

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Posted 24 February 2012 - 11:14 PM

Also from the link you gave:

- Keep things short. Anything longer than a paragraph - find/start a thread for it.

- Please don't ask for recommendations in this thread. If it doesn't deliver what you're looking for, have a look in the "What to do before starting a thread asking for recommendations" thread, and then - start a thread

so read the fucking stickies that's what they are there for.

#11 peterbound

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Posted 24 February 2012 - 11:17 PM

View Postwhiteguy, on 24 February 2012 - 11:14 PM, said:

Also from the link you gave:

- Keep things short. Anything longer than a paragraph - find/start a thread for it.

- Please don't ask for recommendations in this thread. If it doesn't deliver what you're looking for, have a look in the "What to do before starting a thread asking for recommendations" thread, and then - start a thread

so read the fucking stickies that's what they are there for.

No King am I, just a poster that is sick of this very same goddam thread. You're not winning this one.  Read the fucking 4 stuck threads, and use the search function.  They will answer all your silly little questions.  You are not an individual snowflake, nothing you are saying or sadly attempting to defend is new here.

ETA:  Every recommendation these people are going to give you are in the stickies.

Edited by peterbound, 24 February 2012 - 11:21 PM.


#12 Underfoot

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Posted 24 February 2012 - 11:21 PM

View Postwhiteguy, on 24 February 2012 - 11:14 PM, said:

Also from the link you gave:

- Keep things short. Anything longer than a paragraph - find/start a thread for it.

- Please don't ask for recommendations in this thread. If it doesn't deliver what you're looking for, have a look in the "What to do before starting a thread asking for recommendations" thread, and then - start a thread

so read the fucking stickies that's what they are there for.

What? Did you even look through the stickied recommendation threads? There are pages and pages full of good book recs. If you didn't find anything that answers your above question, you're not looking.

#13 whiteguy

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Posted 24 February 2012 - 11:22 PM

View Postpeterbound, on 24 February 2012 - 11:17 PM, said:

Fella, you're not winning this one.  Read the fucking 4 stuck threads, and use the search function.  They will answer all your silly little questions.  You are not an individual snowflake, nothing you are saying or sadly attempting to defend is new here.

ETA:  Every recommendation these people are going to give you are in the stickies.  You are not going to find that one gem you are looking for in a thread no one that knows anything has talked about a thousand times.

I have bothered the great Peterbound.  It's a message board.  That's what it's for.  You've expressed your opinion.  It's been taken into consideration.  I'm looking for feedback more specifcally on one series. Open to other suggestions though.  Not attemping anything.  Asking people for their thoughts.  Never said I was a snowflake.  Go fuck yourself.

#14 nickg

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Posted 24 February 2012 - 11:25 PM

<p>Read the monthly reading threads, people usually put summaries of what they are reading. Check out the numerous blogs, tons of reviews and most are good with no spoilers.

and know that Malazan is a love it or hate it series ( I love it ) that is not at all like ASoIaF. Tons of sorcery, dragons, weird races/species. Saying it's epic might be an understatement. Characterization as a whole is weaker than ASoIaF ( though it's not bad at all and there are a few gems ). If you can get past the philosophical ramblings ( didn't bother me ) you're in for a treat. Probably my favorite series. DO NOT expect it to be like ASoIaF.Also, you're probably not going to get many constructive responses, these threads are by no means rare. I'm simply stuck at work bored out of my fucking mind.

Edited by nickg, 24 February 2012 - 11:29 PM.


#15 peterbound

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Posted 24 February 2012 - 11:25 PM

View Postwhiteguy, on 24 February 2012 - 11:22 PM, said:

I have bothered the great Peterbound.  It's a message board.  That's what it's for.  You've expressed your opinion.  It's been taken into consideration.  I'm looking for feedback more specifcally on one series. Open to other suggestions though.  Not attemping anything.  Asking people for their thoughts.  Never said I was a snowflake.  Go fuck yourself.

Wholly original sir.  Here's a thought.  Read the fucking stickies.  Search for the books posted there.  I guarantee we've talked about them.  If you really want to get crazy, type in the very same title you have as the search string, you'll get a shit ton of the very same dumb ass questions, and possibly some dumb ass answers.

#16 peterbound

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Posted 24 February 2012 - 11:25 PM

View Postnickg, on 24 February 2012 - 11:25 PM, said:

Read the monthly reading threads, people usually put summaries of what they are reading. Check out the numerous blogs, tons of reviews and most are good with no spoilers.

and know that Malazan is a love it or hate it series ( I love it ) that is not at all like ASoIaF. Tons of sorcery, dragons, weird races/species. Saying it's epic might be an understatement.

Not trying to talk him into the Black Library or Dragonlance Nick?  You've let me down sir.  Where's Grack when i need him?

Edited by peterbound, 24 February 2012 - 11:26 PM.


#17 Underfoot

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Posted 24 February 2012 - 11:26 PM

View Postwhiteguy, on 24 February 2012 - 11:22 PM, said:

I have bothered the great Peterbound.  It's a message board.  That's what it's for.  You've expressed your opinion.  It's been taken into consideration.  I'm looking for feedback more specifcally on one series. Open to other suggestions though.  Not attemping anything.  Asking people for their thoughts.  Never said I was a snowflake.  Go fuck yourself.

This is taken directly from SkynJay's first post in the Fantasy/Sci-Fi: Series recommendation sticky:

Quote

The First Law- Joe Abercrombie - Dark and gritty. Epic. Some of the most popular characters on the board. Some black humor. Two front war. Magic is present, but not common.

The Prince of Nothing- R. Scott Bakker -Dark and philosophical. Follows a core group of people through a holy war. Probably the most recommended series on the board. Not an easy read, but very epic.

The Long Price Quartet- Daniel Abraham - Completely unique. The core characters are taken through an entire lifetime through the four books. A very specific style of magic meeting actual technological advances. A rare series that is truly "finished," no worries about never ending follow ups.

The Gentlemen Bastard- Scott Lynch -Lovable rouges/con-men in a fantasy setting. Dark (seeing a pattern?), but also humorous at times. Truly focuses on only a few characters.

Diskworld- Terry Pratchett - The premium fantasy satirist. If you don't like a book, go to the next one. Almost none of his books need to be read in order, so pick whichever one looks interesting.

Bas Lag- China Mieville -Call it new weird, steampunk, or whatever, just know its highly recommended by all. A completely unique world, with creatures unlike any others in fantasy. Perdido Street Station in particular is considered a modern day classic.

The Engineer Trilogy -KJ Parker- A man starts a war to get back home. Parker writes great military fantasy, with highly entertaining characters.


The Clockwork Century- Cherie Priest - Steampunk meets zombies in a alternative American Civil War.

The Black Company- Glen Cook- A great military fantasy series in a gritty world. Mostly written in the first person from the front lines. The Ten who are Taken are some of the most interesting villains I have personally read about as a group.

Hope that helps.

#18 The_Wolfbrother

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Posted 24 February 2012 - 11:29 PM

whiteguy, make your malazan inquiry http://asoiaf.wester...n/page__st__160 here.

Peterbound; your an asshole, we get it. Your allowed to be one on this board, great. I personally love when people spread negativity around them. Makes me happy.

Edited by The_Wolfbrother, 24 February 2012 - 11:29 PM.


#19 whiteguy

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Posted 24 February 2012 - 11:30 PM

View Postpeterbound, on 24 February 2012 - 11:25 PM, said:

Wholly original sir.  Here's a thought.  Read the fucking stickies.  Search for the books posted there.  I guarantee we've talked about them.  If you really want to get crazy, type in the very same title you have as the search string, you'll get a shit ton of the very same dumb ass questions, and possibly some dumb ass answers.

They could probably close the forum all together then.  Because I'd imagine most topics being discussed have been discussed before.

How is asking for a reading recommendation on a literature board a dumb question?

I mean if I was asking how you guys cook crab legs on here that would be dumb.  But asking is a book is good.  Not really dumb.  Not original.  But not dumb.  No one is forcing you to reply.