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Good Authors Have I Read...
I'm a huge fan of Terry Pratchett's Discworld series.
Clearly, its humor is its biggest attribute, but its still a fantasy series, and has very clever and intelligent passages.
Of those writer's above, I've mostly read only Jordan - whose long-windedness is exhausting. Sad though - he's made a great world.
As far as my favorite writer's period, I could go on and on about them - but I'll just list Kurt Vonnegut, Graham Greene, Douglas Adams, Ursula Le Guin, Neil Gaiman, Warren Ellis, Alan Moore, Isaac Asimov.
Nothing new in that list at all - but if you need an interesting read, most any works by any of the above could fit the bill.
Comments
Other than some of the names you guys have said, James Patterson, Erma Bombeck... you know, I don't have many books by the same author.
Just browsing Stephs site, I am new here...*YELLS* GREAT SITE BY THE WAY *stops yelling*
Speaking of books, I just got into a new author, well, new to me at least, Terry Goodkind and the Sword of Truth. Absolutely outstanding! Luckily, I received the entire series to date from my boss and read all seven. I love not having to wait for the new release! But I devoured them. It was like a terrible addiction. Needless to say, I was impressed by this guys ability to really draw you into his world. Not quite as windedly descriptive as Tolkien but as good as Terry Brooks and the Sword of Shannara. Check'em out...
http//www.terrygoodkind.com/
"Besides a career in wildlife art, he has been a cabinet maker, violin maker, and he has done restoration work on rare and exotic artifacts from around the world — each with its own story to tell, he says. In 1983 Goodkind moved to the forested mountains he loves."
I copied that from his web site (probably fixin' to take a vacation at the gray bar hotel now) But not only has he written a couple of thousand pages of pretty good stuff he is a really interesting character in his own right. I think I heard the house he built is a serious tree house.
Raven- I totally agree about HP and J.K. I just finished re-reading the series and they just get better and better. Saturday, I took my niece (3) and she hasnt stopped talking about HAwee Pah-doe....2! It amazes me that she(J.K., not my niece) came up with that for her kids while homeless and living in her car. I guess it's true that you have to suffer for great art. I guess thats why my career in Fine Arts stalled out miserably. When I was having to fish for food in Dallas's White Rock Lake for Bass to eat so I could afford my efficiency and could not get to better lakes because I could not afford the gas, I decided that starving sucks and got a real job. OH the agony! Someday I will do it full time I just need to save some money....
Well, that was a nice tangent.....
cheers (the brits say that)
Delfin a go-go
--We have tamed the lightning and have used it to teach the sand to think.--
Erma Bombeck.......There is one page in her book, Life is a Bowl of Cherries, that tears me up to this day. She talks about her son that is different, the one the marches to the beat of a different drummer....
Tears me up on occasion..... ( you could pronounce that tears, cryin', or tears, paper....... they both fit.
Hey Steph- I have really enjoyed your site. Great views and attitude, love it!
Ciao (italians say that)
Delfin a go-go
--We have tamed the lightning and have used it to teach the sand to think.--
I can't believe I forgot Douglas Adams and Ursula K LeGuin...
LeGuin's science fiction is pretty damn good too. Ever read The Dispossessed? Great freaking novel.
Raven
Some people are like slinkies: Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Tom Robins "Still Life with Woodpecker".
Tom Robbins - Jitterbug Perfume
Neil Gaiman - American Gods, Neverwhere, Stardust
Leonard Cohen - The Favourite Game
Mark Helprin - Winter's Tale
Stephen King - The Dark Tower books (the last one had me crying...)
Robert Jordan can fall off the face of the earth. I hate him for what his series could have been. I actually heard several rumors about him, that it's not really him writing anymore, that it's a ghost writer, that he's dead and they're writing as him from his notes. I certainly hope that's true, because if he's making money writing the crap he's currently been churning out, I'm in the wrong goddam line of work.
(and I disagree Raven. I give it until books 5-6ish)
Now Terry Goodkind, that man can write. Barring his last book, his whole series has been superb, top-notch. His last book did NOT advance the plot, and could easily have been a novella, or a lost chapter, a la "Legends".
Some other authors
Stephen R. Donaldson - "The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever", "The Gap Series"
Clive Barker - anything he's written, more specifically "Imajica", "Weaveworld", "The Great and Secret Show"
Chuck Palahniuk - "Lullaby", "Fight Club"
Frank Herbert - I'm iffy on this one, because while the first book is absolutely amazing, and his vision and scope were great for the series, his zen posturing and pontifications in books 2-6 REALLY take away from them. Now his kid? He can write, and those prequels are absolutely amazing. Give them a shot if you're a "Dune" fan.
Orson Scott Card - Only read the "Ender's Game" series (7 books and counting), but if they're any indication, the man has a talent of drawing you in and making you want to keep reading. He's got a way of creating these nicely complicated plots, but he makes them easy to follow, unlike Clancy, whose work I like, but it's sometimes TOO detailed.
I'm sure there's ones I'm forgetting, but we'll get to those later. =)
Oh yeah, and let's not forget Tolkien.
[/blatant sarcasm]
Edited by - Spazholio on Dec 12 2002 35056 PM
If we're all chum, I'm definitely one of the chunky bits.
Woohoo we just raised the average intelligence of the net up a notch!
)
Raven
Some people are like slinkies: Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
You know, I just realized that I think I'm more of a non-fiction fan. You'll most often catch me reading books on the history of corsets, or medical reports from the 16th century, or behind the scenes of Star Trek, or a book of essays on consumerism.
I totally agree about that last book, The Pillars of Creation, by Goodkind. It was one of those books that you keep waiting for what you expect and it never does. This one fell far to the south of expectation. Hopefully, he'll spend more time on Richard, Kahlan, and Zeddicus!
I could imagine a book on Corsets you could really get into the whole whalebone issue........
And what is the scoop on Nemesis? I saw Patrick Stewart talking about the prototype lander vehicle that he got to drive in the movie and wanted to take it home and the production people said no dice.
I actually got to have lunch with Patrick Stewart in Plano, Texas (suburb of Dallas) and 20 other treknoids during a Convention. Yes I actually have been and it was a blast! He is a stud.
Delfin a go-go
--We have tamed the lightning and have used it to teach the sand to think.--
I've been lurking in Steph's site for a couple of days and wanted to chime in.
Currently I'm reading "Zen in the Art of Writing" by Ray Bradbury. The last fiction I read that was worth mentioning was "The Mask of the Sorcerer" by Darrell Shweitzer, an excellent book with a very unique magic system. Non-fiction would be "Aliens and Alien Societies" by Ben Bova and "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Zen Living."
I don't read as much fiction as I used to though, lack of time mainly.
I think the site is great Steph.
And yet not one word in honor of William Gibson, Robert Heinlein or Neil Stephenson? Shame on all of you. And also, if you want a raspberry mindjob of a book, check out "House of Leaves" by Mark Z. Danielewski. Fabulous, heavy duty mind job, great stuff.
As for fantasy, I loved Roger Zelazny's Amber Chronicles up until book 9-10, when it was kinda like, OK, dude chill. Him and Weiss-Hickamn witht he Dragonlace and Deathgate Cycle. Fabulous as well.
My dos bits.
D
It is out of the dakrness, that Heros are born.
Stitched out of fabric, that cannot be torn.
-Me
It is out of the dakrness, that Heros are born.
Stitched out of fabric, that cannot be torn.
-Me
I was really disappointed by the deathgate cycle.
It started out so freaking wonderful! but faded significantly towards the end.
Anyone read the spellsong cycle? by, um, that author whose name always eludes me?
I'm reading the Silmarillion right now. I admit, I skipped the "regions of beleriand" section. I've never been really interested in the actual geography, just the characters.
As to non-fiction I've read, it's really quite little. Even the philosophy textbooks I read are more metaphysical and therefore non-real. I enjoy reading books on the occult, and the history of certain things. I enjoy non-fiction about WWI and II although I haven't read one in a while.
Raven
Some people are like slinkies: Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Let me narrow down the field.....
If you could only read one book or series of books only, what would it be?
Delfin
--We have tamed the lightning and have used it to teach the sand to think.--
I think it's a toss-up between Tolkien and Steven Brust *gasp* Tolkien has competition?? You're damn right he does.
Raven
Some people are like slinkies: Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy series by Douglas Adams.
I've read the whole series every summer since I was twelve.
Grayman, you bastard. You took my answer. =) But since that is taken, I'll say Stephen R. Donaldson'd "Chronicles of THomas Covenant", all 6 books. Absolutely masterful.
If we're all chum, I'm definitely one of the chunky bits.
Phantom, by Susan Kay.
I read it at least once a year.
Nice. And thanks! Now I have a reason to make a visit to SuperB&N for some reading material for my upcoming trip. Yall rock!!!!
Delfin
--We have tamed the lightning and have used it to teach the sand to think.--
Everytime I go to the book store, I inevitably look in the Fantasy section to see if Steven Brust has released a new hard cover. Imagine my surprise when one day, I go and see nothing, and the next I go and find a new *paperback* on the shelves! I almost orgasmed on the spot, I swear.
I'm not the type of guy who gets overly excited about much of ANYTHING really--but Steven Brust released a new book!!!!
BOOYA
I should be done it in about 3 hours, and then it's back to waiting ANOTHER year and a half for another....and it's kinda frightening, because I predicted what the plot of this book would be--frightening because it was really the only untied end in the storyline, which means that he might end the series with this book! *shivers and shudders*
Hopefully, this great great author will keep writing.
In other news, I've began to really get into Tanya Huff's books, and I'm very interested in the books by a guy named Tom Holt, who sits next to the esteemed Ms. Huff. )
Anyway, off to socialize *yuck*
Raven
Some people are like slinkies: Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
I have a theory that you read books when you feel in peace with yourself... So I haven't read many in my life... But the ones that always grabbed my attention from start to finish and mainly the only ones I buy are those by belgian writer Amelie Nothomb...
She has such a weird universe... I tried to translate a small excerpt from my preferred book but it doesn't do her justice!
Highly recommended in french... I don't know what's the result in english though...
"I'm attracted by extreme beauty and extreme ugliness, but it's easier to describe extreme ugliness."
"I think all human relationships are driven by sado-masochism. I don't think it's me personally. It's just how I see the world."
Edited by - plop on Dec 22 2002 052705 AM
I read mostly sci-fi. Got hooked at 12 and haven't been able to let go.
Iian M. Banks writes great sci-fi and excellent non-genre (as plain Iian Banks)
The Dune Trilogy (after the first three it goes very downhill)
Michael Moorcock - puerile swords&sorcery good for late night or wet afternoon, or wierd alternative sf
Books about the JFK assassination - never could accept the conspiracy theories and the more I read them the less I believe. But it's an obsession now, I just keep reading 'em. The movie is a horrible distortion of truth so is really sci-fi (it's still a good film - the acting is excellent)
A personal bible is Carl Sagan's "The Demon-Haunted World Science as a Candle in the Dark". He promotes skepticism, meaning take nothing for granted, do research, find out the other side of the coin, weigh up as many different opinions as you can find before forming your own and always be ready to change in the face of new data.
a man with three buttocks
I'm only a month late...
Frank Herbert wrote some excellent books that had nothing to do with the Dune universe. Check out "White Plague" and you'll think twice next time "bio terror" is mentioned on the news. "The Jesus Incident" is a good one too. Well, they're all good.
One of my favorite writers (that hasn't already been mentioned) is David Brin. Yeah, the guy that wrote "The Postman," which Costner tried so hard to mess up. He also has written the second Foundation trilogy, (which I have not read yet).
He's got a ton of stuff and some marvelous ideas that are very much rooted in reality. Read some of his essays on privacy, internet security and such. The first book of his that I read was "Startide Rising" and I was hooked. "Glory Season" explores a world dominated by women, with men kept basically as objects that provide sperm. (a lot more than that happens, of course)
One of my current favorite authors is James Clavell and his Asia series of books.
They are all a bit of a maraton read..
Shogun 1100 Pages
Taipan 768 pages
Gai-Jin 1234 pages
And each page has the equiv of about 2 maybe 2.5 pages from a regular book...
So far I've finished Shogun and Taipai, both AMAZING books I suggest anyone who enjoys fiction should read.
My staples though are basically Sci-Fi.
I love
William Gibson! I've read all of his books and loved everyone!
Aurthur C. Clark The Rama series ROCKED
Larry Niven Known universe is an amazinglt detailed and intricate universe which he has built up through several equally well written novels.
Douglas Adams DON'T PANIC ;)
Philip K. Dick He wrote a LOT of sci-fi, and it's fairly well known he wasn't quite "all there" most of the time. You may not know who HE is, but a lot of movies have been based on his novels/short stories. Two that quickly come to mind are Blade Runner (do androids dream of electric sheep), and Minority Report.
---
On the `net in 1993 at the tender age of.. more than 10, less than 15 )
---
On the `net in 1993 at the tender age of.. more than 10, less than 15 )
Right, NewGuy, I can't believe I didn't mention David Brin! Intelligent SciFi from a guy who personally answers his e-mail!
n0carri3r is right too. Any mention of SciFi has to include the classics Asimov, Clark, Dick and Niven have to be there. Gibson as the new generation and Adams as light relief are also essential reads.
a man with three buttocks
I've had some very interesting "conversations" with David via e-mail over the years. He has very interesting views on privacy issues, the internet, the role of government, etc.
Since I now have a couple of toddlers at home, I don't have nearly as much time to read as I would like. That's gotta change.
Dude! I totally forgot about SHO-GUN!!!!! Can't believe I forgot that. One of the ealry scenes where one of the higher-ups falls off the cliff and the tide is risinig and one of his warriors jumps to his death landing right next to the higher-up to break his meditation prep so he can save himself really stuck with me!
And did I mention Armour by John Steakley. Kinda pulpy but I thought it was a great book about fighting a pointless war on a poisonous planet far away from Earth and we are fighting giant ants using self contained body armour! Many good story lines going on at once!
sweet!
Delfin
--We have tamed the lightning and have used it to teach the sand to think.--
I just found out that Wheel of Time IX is out.
Jeez, now I have to read ALL of those books again, cause it's been SO long since I've read them...
I really like the magickal slave aspect of it, though, though Robert Jordan obviously doesn't get the ideology. He portrays it as some kind of "bad thing" that those prissy and pompous Aes Sedai (sp? it's been a while) become slaves. Actually, that's kind of interesting.
When you have such blatant overtones of control and submission, especially over heretofore powerful people, can one really long avoid the sexual aspect? Yes, Jordan did delay it by making only women able to handle them, due to men's inability to handle Saidin, but that's only delaying the question until a lesbian slave handler (whatever they're called) comes along. And besides, now that Rand's cleansed Saidin, the question becomes more pressing. I imagine that Jordan will resolve the slave issue, calling it some cultural perversity that stems from the need to control magick-users because they had this tendency to go mad and destroy everything...and now that the True Source is cleansed and without danger, there is no longer any need to keep them thus controlled. Pity.
What do you guys think?
Raven, the almost-a-geek.
Some people are like slinkies: Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
I think there are many reasons someone would want to have or want to become a slave. And then there are those that DON'T want to be a slave but end up one anyway. So your idea of the ideology doesn't neccesarily apply to his novels..
Not that yours is wrong, but it's just one of those things where it can be applied in so many ways to so many things that no two interpretations are the same and no two situations are either.
Obviously with your situation with Ambrosia you'll take a different view of what has been written then say someone else who doesn't have a slave. Or someone who has a slave but that slave is not one of their own free will.. (heh slave of thier own free will.. )
---
On the `net in 1993 at the tender age of.. more than 10, less than 15 )
---
On the `net in 1993 at the tender age of.. more than 10, less than 15 )
I think I've got some reading to do. Eight or nine books worth
It has been a long time.