The book thread...

[Abednigo]

Wasn't there a book thread here at one point? I don't remember, but I think we need one. If I'm missing it on this one page of Books, Comics Movies, Music, TV forum, let me know. :)

So I just finished Dune. It took me an almost miserable 2 months to get through it. Mind you I took a short break at the 200 page mark and flew through Gaiman's The Graveyard Book and Coraline (both awesome). After another 100 pages of Dune I took another break to read King's The Drawing of the Three (another great book). When I went back to finish the last 200 pages I flew through them pretty quick. It was by no means a bad book, but I didn't find it nearly as awesome as some people have said. At least I can say I read it.

After that I finished the last of the Sherlock Holmes novels, The Valley of Fear (my first time reading them all). It saddens me to think I missed so much great literature over the years. I'm officially a Sherlock Holmes fan. The new BBC series is fantastic (Martin Freeman is great as Watson).

Our 2 week family beach trip is coming up in less than 2 weeks and I've got some great reading on tap for that.

The Monster in the Hollows - Andrew Peterson (The Wingfeather Saga is a great series. Young adult fantasy. This is book 3 (just came out) of 4. Highly recommended.)
The Waste Lands and Wizard and Glass - Stephen King
A Game of Thrones book 1 - George R. R. Martin (I keep hearing so much about these books, I have to try it.)
The Kane Chronicles book 2: Throne of Fire - Rick Riordan (I gotta have some light young adult fiction (ie: a fluff book), and book 1 was a fun, easy read).
The Sorceress - Michael Scot (Another fluff book. I'm only reading it cause I read the first two and would like to know what happens next. They're kind of annoying but still a light, fun read half the time. I need something light mixed in with the heavier stuff.)
Speaker for the Dead - Orson Scott Card (Ender's Game was a surprise when my sister-in-law and her boyfriend recommended it to me. Loved that book.)
Neverwhere - Neil Gaiman (The Graveyard Book made me a fan.)
The Chosen - Chaim Potok (I actually just started this. Taking a break from my usual fantasy/sci-fi can be tough, but even after just 50 pages the writing is fantastic.)
The Illustrated Sherlock Holmes Treasury (I loved the novels so much I'll be bringing my huge hardcover that has all the short story collections in one volume. Can't wait for some Sherlock at the beach.)

So what are you reading? What have you read? Recommendations?

[Evil Avatar]

I'm reading The Zombie Autopsies (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0446564664/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=evilavatarcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=0446564664).

It is a cute idea to try to take the fantasy of zombism and make it seem scientific, but the way the book is formatted it is really an illustrated novella and not a full novel. It should only take me another hour or two to read the whole book. Kind of thin for $20 and I think it was done better in full color in Zombies: A Record of the Year of Infection (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0811871002/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=evilavatarcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=0811871002).

After that I'm going to dig into Brian Jacques Castaways of the Flying Dutchman (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/044100914X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=evilavatarcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=044100914X). I'm in a bit of a Pirate mood, even if Flying Dutchman does look like a Young Adult novel.

[That Guy]

Just finished two books by Don Safran (http://www.donsafran.com). I'm not unbiased as he's my father-in-law, but these are great thillers. "The Lies That Kill You" is a very good read, but "The Tenth Day" just blew me away. It's been a long time since a book would NOT let go of me, but that perfectly describes this one.

Also recently read "Sixkill", the last Spenser book by the late Robert Parker. Loved the series... hard to believe there won't be more.

[spdiscus]

I'll throw out a random selection. This is by no means the best book ever, but it never fails to grab me. I go back to it every 18 months or so, and it's tough to put down.
John M Ford's The Last Hot Time (http://www.amazon.com/Last-Hot-Time-John-Ford/dp/0312875789)

[Hydroeric]

I just finished the second Game of Thrones book: Clash of Kings (http://www.amazon.com/Clash-Kings-Song-Fire-ebook/dp/B000FC1HBY/ref=kinw_dp_ke?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2). I love these books. They are really good and definitely not a fairy tale fantasy.

In the middle of that I read The Yellow Wallpaper (http://www.amazon.com/The-Yellow-Wallpaper-ebook/dp/B002RKRX06/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1306433093&sr=8-2) (free book! Actually a short story) by Charlotte Gilman. It is a creepy little tale of despair and psychosis. You can finish this over a lunch break.

Before I jump in to the third GoT book I am going to delve into Lovecraft (http://www.amazon.com/Bloodcurdling-Tales-Horror-Macabre-ebook/dp/B000FBFMH0/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1306433352&sr=1-12). I only ever read part of Charles Dexter Ward and wanted to see what all the fuss was about.

[Anenome]

I'm starting on the Game of Thrones books asap, can't get that story out of my head, must know what happens! ;)

[Lind]

The words "you will shit bricks" has never been more true than when talking about what happens next in the Game of Thrones books - regardless of where you are in the series :) Hmm I just might have to reread the books again before the new one comes out :D

Anyway another of my favorite authors is Terry Pratchett, his Discworld series of books is serious fun.

[Agnostic Pope]

I just read Twilight. Shit is gonna be huge.

[Anenome]

I just read Twilight. Shit is gonna be huge.
Lies! ^_^
_____

[LoTECH]

Man. I forced my way through Dune a decade ago on my Dad's recommendation. I was a fan of the concepts, but it was dedfinitely an overly-complex mess.
The mini-series was pretty good from what I saw.

Gaiman is a god. Read Good Omens. One of my favorite books of all time.
Another book series I enjoyed thouroughly was the Pendragon Cycle by Stephen R. Lawhead. It's easily the greatest version of the Aurthurian Legend ever created. Check it out if that sort of thing intersts you at all. It's epic in scope, and without equal in quality.

[GBSOD]

Gaiman is a god. Read Good Omens.
...another of my favorite authors is Terry Pratchett, his Discworld series of books is serious fun

Yes Good omens was tons of fun. Pratchett and Gaiman working together: a match made in heaven, or hell - well wherever they draw their supreme powers.

[Virac]

just finished reading The Way of Kings (The Stormlight Archive) by Brandon Sanderson it was really good but is a slow starter. its supposed to be book 1 of 10.

I am now waiting on the next Dresden Files book (Ghost Story) by Jim Butcher