So... read any good books lately (FICTION)?

[PretAllez]

I only specify fiction because I would really prefer not to have this drift into the Politics forum

Bonus points for any sword-fighting references

So I'll start ...
I am currently reading (again) the Flashman series by George MacDonald Fraser. The thirteen-book series relates the fictional memoirs of a ne'er-do-well British cavalry officer, a self-admitted coward and toady who somehow finds himself involved in every 19th century uprising, mutiny, or military exercise of note (post-Napoleon), including the American civil war, the charge of the light brigade, the Indian Mutiny, the Opium wars, Custer's last stand, etc. etc. His three greatest (only) talents are seducing women, riding horses, and learning languages.

IT IS HILARIOUS!!! Seriously, I mean laugh out loud funny (If you read it on the bus people will look at you strangely, but you will be so engrossed you won't notice). And meticulously researched, with copious end-notes. Very un-politically correct, yet historically accurate and enlightening just the same.

Highly recommended for anyone who liked the Sharpe series, or Hornblower, or even Jane Austen. Also recommended for anyone interested in 19th century history in general. Not recommended for those of a Victorian sensibility (or rather, what we imagine to be a Victorian sensibility: the series proves otherwise)

[Guided by Wire]

Hmm. I generally like picaresque novels and this sounds similar. I'll add it to my list.


Currently reading (just started): Bridge of Birds: A Novel of an Ancient China That Never Was by Barry Hughart
Just finished: Perdido Street Station by China Miéville
Before that: As Birds Bring Forth the Sun and Other Stories by Alistair MacLeod, and
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon
On Deck: Warlock by Oakley Hall

I'd give PSS 3 stars, ABBFTS 4 stars and K&C 5 stars. No sword fighting in any (potential for some in Bridge of Birds).


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[melensdad]

How about Ayn Rand's ATLAS SHRUGGED.

Its not a recent read for me but its a classic read that is very timely right now given the world and national events. Currently I'm reading her book WE THE LIVING, which, if you'd like a peek at the inside of the Russian revolution and life during the formation of the USSR is a great book. But as it leans strongly on history of a one nation it may not appeal to all. That is why I'd suggest ATLAS SHRUGGED, it has a much broader appeal and everyone I've ever given a copy of it to, or suggested it to who has picked it up has raved about it. Very long at nearly 1200 pages, its a bit daunting, but very engaging once you get into the story.

[SpiralGalaxy]

I review books for a few venues, mostly science fiction & fantasy. A few that I'd recommend recently:

-Far future updated space opera: Alastair Reynold's "Revelation Space."

-Amazingly weird & incisive fantasy: China Mieville's "Perdido Street Station."

-The best collection of sf/f short stories *ever*: Ted Chiang's "Stories of Your Life, and Others."

I've also been reading some classics lately, and both of these are available through Project Gutenberg:

-Lord Dunsany's collection of fantastic short stories "The Sword of Welleran and Others" (1908)

-G. K. Chesterton's amazing & odd & philosophical short novel "The Man Who Was Thursday."

I've got reviews of most of those up on my website, www.SpiralGalaxyReviews.com (I wouldn't have posted that normally, but it's actually on topic here! ) Right now I'm reading "The Shipping News" by Annie Proulx for a non-genre change of pace. So far I like it quite a bit. Her style is spare without being monotonous or tedious.

[Gav]

I was disappointed I didn't like Perdido Street Station. I had the good fortune to see China at the Book Festival (and was even in a quiz against him) and I had high hopes.

I might give one of his other novels a go. Thanks for reminding me.

I recently read the collected stories of Brigadier Gerrard by Conan Doyle. Excellent collection.

[foibles]

Kavalier & Clay's a good read. And I'll second the Alastair Reynold's Rev space trilogy.
There's a audiobook version of Atlas Shrugged read by Scott Brick that's quite good if you don't mind a couple 1 hour rants about objective rationalism. Brick also read the Ender's Game series as well as several Philip Dick novels and such, and I've always liked those.

I really enjoyed listening to Water for Elephants, by Sara Gruen; And The Witches Boy, by Michael Gruber.

I'm currently reading By the Sword by Richard Cohen, The Unfettered Mind, by Takuan Soho, and am listening to Palace of Illusions, by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni (which is kinda like a Hindu version of "Wicked").

[Palisadeur]

Currently reading 'The Spy Who Came In From The Cold' by John Le Carre which is proving to be quite compelling.

Just finished 'Prey' by Michael Crichton - typical MC; cool idea, cracking pace, TERRIBLE writing. Like, seriously offensively bad, catering to the lowest common standard of reader.
Makes good hollywood pseudo-science action blockbusters. Say no more.

Highly Recommended 'Cloud Atlas' by David Mitchell. A novel in nearly every genre, nested and interferential. Superb.

d.

p.s. Annie Proulx - Monotonous AND Tedious. Thumbs down. Sorry SpiralG.
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[telkanuru]

It's considered a YA by most, but Ender's Game is still my favorite book ever.

Also try Good Omens by Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchet. Or anything by Neil Gaiman.

[TBean]

I went on a Christopher Moore kick recently - the books are amusements.

Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
The Stupidest Angel: A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror
A Dirty Job: A Novel

Not fiction but David Sedaris is always a favorite of mine; Me Talk Pretty One Day and Naked are terrific books.

[SpiralGalaxy]

I was disappointed I didn't like Perdido Street Station. I had the good fortune to see China at the Book Festival (and was even in a quiz against him) and I had high hopes.

I might give one of his other novels a go. Thanks for reminding me.

I recently read the collected stories of Brigadier Gerrard by Conan Doyle. Excellent collection.

Actually, I preferred "The Scar" to "Perdido Street Station," so you might give that one a try. Same universe, second book.

Also try Good Omens by Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchet. Or anything by Neil Gaiman.

Totally second both "Good Omens" and all Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman! "American Gods" by Gaiman and "Small Gods" by Pratchett being two particular favorites.

[Gav]

I properly didn't like Perdido St Stn. It just didn't hinge together that well.

To those who recommend Alistair Reynolds, I'd second that. Though I always come away from his books feeling a little depressed...

In a similar vein, just before Christmas, I read The Night Sessions and I would highly recommend that.

And Brasyl by Ian McDonald. Which I read after Night Sessions.

[fencerchica]

Sidebar: I just got into a website called Paperback Swap where (despite the name) you can post your paperbacks and hardcovers into a large pool of available books. When someone requests one of yours, you mail it to them at your cost (typically ~$2.80) and receive a credit in the system, which you can then spend in turn to ask someone else to send you one of theirs out of the pool. If you join, tell 'em "fencerchica" sent you -- I'll get a bonus credit!

[jeff]

Just finished rereading Stephenson's Cryptonomicon and am working through one of Glen Cook's sword and sorcery books in the Black Company series (PretAllez: it has some sword fighting scenes for ya), and a revisionist collection of Sherlock Holmes short stories by other authors (eg: a Gaiman story A Study In Emerald as an reference to the original A Study In Scarlet) . Just before that, Iain M. Bank's Matter. Most of my current reading is nonfiction, but it's nice to mix a few in.

[crquack]

Dan Fesperman. Loved his "Prisoner of Guantanamo". Liked the "Amateur spy" a little less.

Was very disappointed with the "Arms maker of Berlin".

[Fencergrl]

Dave Duncan is a fencer & fantasy fiction writer. He's got a "King's Blade" series that's mainly about fencing. http://www.daveduncan.com/books.html

For women... Jo Walton has some great fantasy fiction that puts women in the battlefield as warriors rather than just damsels in distress. I recommend The King's Peace, The King's Name & The Prize in the Game. They run as a series of sorts. http://us.macmillan.com/author/jowalton

[Gav]

Just finished rereading Stephenson's Cryptonomicon and am working through one of Glen Cook's sword and sorcery books in the Black Company series (PretAllez: it has some sword fighting scenes for ya), and a revisionist collection of Sherlock Holmes short stories by other authors (eg: a Gaiman story A Study In Emerald as an reference to the original A Study In Scarlet) . Just before that, Iain M. Bank's Matter. Most of my current reading is nonfiction, but it's nice to mix a few in.

I don't think you can say that a study in Emerald is much to do a Study in Scarlet. Though it is an excellent short story. And I mean really excellent.

If you liked the Cryptonomicon I recommend you read The Barqoque Cycle. weighty tomes but well worth it.

[jeff]

Gaiman's title, at least, refers to the original. I didn't go back to that to see if the plots were similar. Gaiman is quite the stylist, isn't he, though I liked his American Gods best (I see in this thread other fans). Actually, I was pointed to that book here on f.net.

Already read The Baroque Cycle, and also Anathem. Both very heavy, but excellent reads. Stephenson is a little like Pynchon, but funnier and less work to read.

Next on deck is The Kite Runner. Anyone read it and have comments?

[pacer]

I started a year of Shakespeare reading program for myself - then work picked up. I'm about half way through Hamlet. It's overdue back at the library so I'd better wrap it up and move onto Twelfth Night!

[migopod]

Gaiman's title, at least, refers to the original. I didn't go back to that to see if the plots were similar. Gaiman is quite the stylist, isn't he, though I liked his American Gods best (I see in this thread other fans). Actually, I was pointed to that book here on f.net.

Already read The Baroque Cycle, and also Anathem. Both very heavy, but excellent reads. Stephenson is a little like Pynchon, but funnier and less work to read.

Next on deck is The Kite Runner. Anyone read it and have comments?

I generally don't care that much for Stephenson, at least his cyberpunk stuff and the annoyingly smug In the Beginning There Was the Command Line, but I greatly enjoyed Diamond Age. I'm a much bigger fan of Gibson's sprawl and bridge stuff, and Pattern Recognition and Spook Country were fantastic IMHO.

[telkanuru]

Gaiman's title, at least, refers to the original. I didn't go back to that to see if the plots were similar. Gaiman is quite the stylist, isn't he, though I liked his American Gods best (I see in this thread other fans). Actually, I was pointed to that book here on f.net.

You should really check out both his short story collections (Fragile Things, Smoke and Mirrors)


An example out of Smoke and Mirrors, 100 words long, entitled "Nicholas Was..."

older than sin, and his beard could grow no whiter. He wanted to die.
The dwarfish natives of the Arctic caverns did not speak his language, but conversed in their own, twittering tongue, conducted incomprehensible rituals, when they were not actually working in their factories.
Once every year they forced him, sobbing and protesting, into Endless Night. During the journey he would stand near every child in the world, leave one of the dwarves' invisible gifts by its bedside. The children slept, frozen in time.
He envied Prometheus and Loki, Sisyphus and Judas. His punishment was far harsher.
Ho.
Ho.
Ho.