Books

[roorooroo]

I'm not, its just that 90% of the stuff in it I knew already, it is very well written, and entertaining, but I'm not overly into reading something I already know. I think its fair to point out given that a sizeable number of people on here are going to be educated to a fairly high level, and likely did sciences to A-level, which is about as in depth as it got (just look at the job thread)

I must admit I sometimes lose interest in reading any books with information or ideas I already know about..the really interesting non-fiction books include material that's new or take a different slant on things.
But each to their own..on that note..i still read those Asterix books.

[Whiternoise]

Ooh Neil Gaiman - American Gods (seconded), Stardust, etc.

http://amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_w_h_...0&Go.y=0&Go=Go

Ratings speak for themselves

oh, and @Herulach:

While i do agree that it may not appeal to all science buffs, i still think it's a good book if you want a quick stroll through the history of the universe without too much of the equations and "hard stuff". I would consider myself fairly well versed in science literature, but i don't think ASHONE was written to be in depth - the title does kinda give it away .

[Whiternoise]

Bugger. double post.

[craigtrap]

Hmmm...All these books that people have said, how long is it going to take me to read all these?

I think i will read the ones that have been mentioned a few times first!!

Thanks People!!

[schmunk]

If you like Sci-Fi, Rendezvous With Rama et seq. (4 in total) is a brilliant series.

Another two thumbs up for Terry Pratchett.

Robert Rankin's books are OK, but I've never really got into them. They're a little too self-concsiously 'odd' for my liking.

I've recently got into John Grisham novels - mainly legal dramas, but written at a rollercoaster pace (see the various film adaptations...)

[craigtrap]

Another two thumbs up for Terry Pratchett.

Another thumbs up

I dont think i will get all the terry pratchett books, so which ones do you personally think are the best of his lot?

[Steve B]

i'll second herulachs suggestion of Raymond Feist and Magician.
I also propose Redwall by Brian Jacques.
Its like the animals of farthing wood, but i cant get enough of the stuff!

[g8ina]

"The Importance of Living" by Dr Lin Yutang is an absolute gem. Saved my life in 1993.

I've collected his works ever since and have almost all of his English published works now.

I'm a bit of a fan..... see http://www.g8ina.enta.net/lin.htm for more.

[zulander]

A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1) George RR Martin
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Game-Thrones...3455551&sr=8-1

Brilliant book so are the rest in the series, its can be a bit heavy going because there so many characters but you will really hate the bad guys and be rooting for the good ones at the end and Tyrion is written superbly really funny and sarky. Can reccmonded them highly enough they have everything and are defo not for kids! The Amazon synopsis doesnt do it justice.

Dean Koontz writes some good storys as well - sole survior was one i used to enjoy

Robert Ludlum I like as well - page turners if nothing else

[Dareos]

aye.....but can you tell who the good ones and the bad ones are?

[CMC]

currently reading...

The Book of General Ignorace - QI, by stephen fry
The Radical Reformission - Mark Driscoll

[pollaxe]

Bernard Cornwell - The Sharpe series (as in the Sean Bean adaptations which never come near any of the novels IMHO) and particularly his King Arthur series (The Winter King, Enemy of God and Excalibur) which are brilliant books.

Mary Gentle - Ash: A Secret History. Loses its way a bit in the second half but oozes atmosphere in an alternate 15th-century Europe. Also 1610: A Sundial in a Grave by her, follows Rochefort in his career before joining-up with Richelieu; a really good book.

Peter Morwood (see www.petermorwood.com) - His Horse Lords saga (a fantasy mix of feudal Europe and Japan) are amongst my favourites. He also wrote an alternate History in the Prince Ivan series this is a guy who knows his weapons and has good theories on fantasy warfare and magic.

I didn't like Pratchett for a long time but I've come round to him in recent years.

I don't tend to like many American fantasy novels.

Sharon Penman also writes excellent Historical fiction (faction in places). The Sunne In Splendour is a great one (though I've never read a bad Penman yet!)