Papasmurfer
Private Tester
Thought it might be helpful to start book thread so people can get the word out about books they've enjoyed reading.
I really dig scifi/fantasy, so that's how I'm going to start this off. Feel free to recommend books in other genres, of course!
1. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss - I've said it before, and I'll say it over and over again: this is my favorite book of all time. It's difficult for me to describe just how amazing I think this book is. Rothfuss's prose is concise, eloquent, and damn near perfect. The story is narrated by a man named Kvothe, a mysterious hero in hiding. It's an autobiography of sorts, with everything you'd expect in a good fantasy novel.
- My #1 pick. Read it if you've not yet done so.
-It's the first book of a trilogy that hasn't been finished yet (the next book comes out in early March).
2. The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson (Book One of The Stormlight Archive)-
Coming in at just over one thousand pages, this book is a beast. It's a thoroughly entertaining read, with a large cast of characters and a really interesting setting. Sanderson's writing has really improved over time, and I feel that the methods he uses to develop this story are superior to those in his other works. This is probably going to be Sanderson's magnum opus, or whatever, as he plans to write at least ten books in the series. So... read it!
3. Codex Alera (series) by Jim Butcher *starting with The Furies of Calderon-
This series was a pleasant surprise for me. While I hadn't really enjoyed what I'd read of the Dresden Files (Butcher's other, more popular series), I found myself hooked only a few pages into the first Codex book. These books have a lot of action, and the magic system is really quite interesting and unique. The "boy shepherd becomes world hero" trope may be getting old for some, but I feel that Butcher pulls it off nicely and makes it feel fresh.
The books are definitely quick reads, and very enjoyable.
4. The Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe- This is actually not one book, but four (now in an omnibus edition, I think... so it may be one), and starts with Shadow and Claw. I'll admit that this book is not for everyone, as the language used in the books may misdirect the reader (this is the author's intention). An AMAZING story, though. Definitely worth the effort it takes to really understand what is going on. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Book_of_the_New_Sun
5. The Prince of Nothing Series by R. Scott Bakker - Not for the faint of heart, to be true. This is a cerebral dark fantasy with plenty of action and violence. It takes a little while to dive into it, but once you do, you're faced with a bleak world with protagonists that could just as easily be antagonists (well, not all of them). The story revolves around a man named Anasurimbor Kellhus, a warrior monk and the last of an ancient royal blood line, and a holy war that he just happens to pop into the middle of. The writing is among the best I've laid my eyes on.
I'll pop in and recommend a few more books later on!
Post yours!
I really dig scifi/fantasy, so that's how I'm going to start this off. Feel free to recommend books in other genres, of course!
1. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss - I've said it before, and I'll say it over and over again: this is my favorite book of all time. It's difficult for me to describe just how amazing I think this book is. Rothfuss's prose is concise, eloquent, and damn near perfect. The story is narrated by a man named Kvothe, a mysterious hero in hiding. It's an autobiography of sorts, with everything you'd expect in a good fantasy novel.
- My #1 pick. Read it if you've not yet done so.
-It's the first book of a trilogy that hasn't been finished yet (the next book comes out in early March).
2. The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson (Book One of The Stormlight Archive)-
Coming in at just over one thousand pages, this book is a beast. It's a thoroughly entertaining read, with a large cast of characters and a really interesting setting. Sanderson's writing has really improved over time, and I feel that the methods he uses to develop this story are superior to those in his other works. This is probably going to be Sanderson's magnum opus, or whatever, as he plans to write at least ten books in the series. So... read it!
3. Codex Alera (series) by Jim Butcher *starting with The Furies of Calderon-
This series was a pleasant surprise for me. While I hadn't really enjoyed what I'd read of the Dresden Files (Butcher's other, more popular series), I found myself hooked only a few pages into the first Codex book. These books have a lot of action, and the magic system is really quite interesting and unique. The "boy shepherd becomes world hero" trope may be getting old for some, but I feel that Butcher pulls it off nicely and makes it feel fresh.
The books are definitely quick reads, and very enjoyable.
4. The Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe- This is actually not one book, but four (now in an omnibus edition, I think... so it may be one), and starts with Shadow and Claw. I'll admit that this book is not for everyone, as the language used in the books may misdirect the reader (this is the author's intention). An AMAZING story, though. Definitely worth the effort it takes to really understand what is going on. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Book_of_the_New_Sun
5. The Prince of Nothing Series by R. Scott Bakker - Not for the faint of heart, to be true. This is a cerebral dark fantasy with plenty of action and violence. It takes a little while to dive into it, but once you do, you're faced with a bleak world with protagonists that could just as easily be antagonists (well, not all of them). The story revolves around a man named Anasurimbor Kellhus, a warrior monk and the last of an ancient royal blood line, and a holy war that he just happens to pop into the middle of. The writing is among the best I've laid my eyes on.
I'll pop in and recommend a few more books later on!
Post yours!