Recommend me a good book

[javeryh]

I need something to read. I like sci-fi and action-type books. The last 3 books I read are Angels & Demons (loved it), The Da Vinci Code (liked it a lot) and The Sigma Protocol (meh). I prefer shorter books to longer ones - I lose interest quickly.

[The Gifuto]

Voice of the Whirlwind by Walter Jon Williams. An older book, but a decent read. Had a Total Recall feel about it.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0812557859/qid=1115230969/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-7533796-9148968?v=glance&s=books

[CheapyD]

I recommend Rainbow Six by Tom Clancy...definitely not a short book, but its almost all action, so it goes quick.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0425170349

Also the Zahn Star Wars Trilogy (takes place after Return of the Jedi) is pretty fantastic:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0553296124/
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0553560719/
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0553564927/ (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0553564927/qid=1115232091/sr=2-4/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_4/103-4492163-6979800)

[greendc27]

State of Fear by Michael Crichton.

[karsh]

I've gotta agree with Cheapy. Rainbow Six is by far one of my favorite Clancy books. Another awesome Clancy book is Without Remorse. As opposed to some of his other books, which get long winded with the politics of everything, WR is pure action. It's all about John Clark and his past, so it's all of his badassery. Clark is also the semi-main character of Rainbow Six, though he's less badass in that.

[karmapolice]

Enders Game or Enders Shadow

[jlarlee]

Hyperion by Dan Simmons the first of 4 books in the Hyperion series it is by a wide margin the best Sci Fi book I have ever read.

[KingSpike]

If you liked those two Dan Brown books you should check out Deception Point. It's not along the religious vein that the other two are, but it's good. It's more scientific.

And hey, if you like humorous mysteries, try the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. They're all numbered, like "Hot Six" and "To the Nines." They're mystery-types kind of like Dan Browns, but have a lot of humor in them.

[ryanbph]

If you are into star wars, like cheapy said the thrawn trilogy, and Shatterpoint, which is about mace windu...great book

[Tromack]

Dune

[SkyGheNe]

Richard Matheson - I Am Legend

Check it out. Cheap and awesome.

[Parathod]

"The Wanting Seed" by Anthony Burgess.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0393315088/qid=1115233063/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/103-5469690-3189435

[nwaugh]

The Time Traveler's Wife

[twiztidgear]

Behind the Paint

Might be hard to find but a good read.

[savestheday888]

Iam Legend by Richard Matheson is one of the best books I've ever read, and it's not too long. Main character is the only survivor of a virus that has turned everyone into vampires. He must fend them off at night, and hunt them down during the day. Great read!

[savestheday888]

"Richard Matheson - I Am Legend

Check it out. Cheap and awesome."

Sorry, I must've been typing up my post when you said this.

[nwaugh]

Enders Game or Enders Shadow
Rock on ... have you read the entire series? How about the new one?

[Dragoon_42]

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card (fantastic series)
Dune by Frank Herbert (favorite series ever)
The Dark Tower series by Stephen King
And the Star Wars Coreillian Trilogy, forget who wrote it though.

[lionheart4life]

I've heard from one of my proffessor's that "Black Hawk Down" was pretty decent.

[jaykrue]

Orson Scott Card:

Ender's Game
Ender's Shadow
Shadow of the Hegemon
Shadow Puppets

Tom Clancy (I'd recommend more but these are the shortest ones I could find):

Rainbow Six
Splinter Cell (not really by Clancy but it's based off the game which Tom Clancy was a consultant on)

Neal Stephenson

Cryptonomicon
Diamond Age
Snow Crash
Zodiac

Timothy Zahn:

Star Wars: Thrawn Trilogy
Star Wars: Hand Of Thrawn Duology
Star Wars: Outbound Flight (not out till Oct. 2005)
Star Wars: Tales from the Empire (anthology - short stories)
Star Wars: Tales from the Republic (anthology - short stories)

There are other writers (as well as works of the writers above) I'd recommend but they tend to go long: Robert Heinlein, Stephen Baxter, Kevin J. Anderson, Michael Crichton, etc. etc.

[RAMSTORIA]

Well, I love epic literature. The stuff is just facisnating, and very adventerous. If you want something epic, all of these are great.


http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0872203522/ref=sib_rdr_dp/102-5389403-6172169?%5Fencoding=UTF8&no=283155&me=ATVPDKIKX0DER&st=books
IMO, this is the greatest work of all time. I just love this book and can read it straight with no trouble. I love Achilles, Agamemnon, Odysseus, Hector, Ajax... I could go on...

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0872204847/ref=pd_bxgy_img_2/102-5389403-6172169?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
Not nearly as good as The Iliad, this is still excellent and reads fast. Most people have read it though.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0679729526/qid=1115233923/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/102-5389403-6172169?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
well, if youre going to read the first two, you just as well read the conclusion. However, I think Virgil is a crock compared to Homer. Still, it's nice to hear how the Romans viewed Homer, and its a wonderful piece of propaganda.


http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0802061656/qid=1115233752/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/102-5389403-6172169?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
This one is really interesting, its an Icelandic saga about Grettir, quite a rash and strong man. Follow his adventures of outlawry and fighting berzerkers and trolls. Set in Iceland after the Christian convesion, but still mingling with Icelandic tradition.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1565114272/qid=1115233829/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/102-5389403-6172169?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
Beowulf, what a guy, three times he slays foul fiends. Each time i read this book I appriciate it more and more. Like the Odyssey though, many have read it.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0393976580/qid=1115233972/sr=8-14/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i14_xgl14/102-5389403-6172169?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
Just one of my arthurian legends, sir gawain and the green knight is one of my favorites, though not as violent as previously mentioned books, the journey is still a fun one to follow

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0140440755/qid=1115234030/sr=8-2/ref=pd_csp_2/102-5389403-6172169?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
the song of roland, based off historical events and taken to a mythological level. follow king charlamagne and roland as they fight against the moslems.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0393320774/qid=1115234090/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/102-5389403-6172169?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
this is a wonderful new translation by robert atler of 1st and 2nd samuel and 1st kings from the old testament. It reads much easier than any other bible ive read and the footnotes are fantastic. I really enjoy this because its a part of the old testament that seems very unchristian to modern readers, a very contemporary story.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0140441379/qid=1115234148/sr=8-2/ref=pd_csp_2/102-5389403-6172169?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
sure it might seem hard to pronounce the nibelungenlied, but the book is fun, dragaon slaying is fun, and chivalry is fun. ive already named, greek, roman, icelandic, anglosaxon and french epics, why not through a german one into the mix

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0934211914/qid=1115234238/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/102-5389403-6172169?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
the legend of seyavash is fun, its an islamic story and part of the bigger book below. i singled it out because i like it, seyavash is a smooth noble god fearing man, follow his tragedy during the war of the persians

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0700716181/qid=1115234428/sr=8-2/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i2_xgl14/102-5389403-6172169?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
This is The Persian Book of Kings, a huge collection of stories, some mythological, some historical. I enjoy this a lot because its fun to contrast Islamic heroes with European heroes, its nice to take in some culture and see that we arent that different after all. This one has lots and lots of different adventures, so its a good read if you want a variety


wow, that was my longest post ever! 8-)
edit - fixed the double images

[Moxio]

Enders Game or Enders Shadow

The Ender's series is good. I'd also recommend most Michael Crichton, but his books are rather complex so you'd need a good feel on the topic.

[doraemonkerpal]

I've gotta agree with Cheapy. Rainbow Six is by far one of my favorite Clancy books. Another awesome Clancy book is Without Remorse. As opposed to some of his other books, which get long winded with the politics of everything, WR is pure action. It's all about John Clark and his past, so it's all of his badassery. Clark is also the semi-main character of Rainbow Six, though he's less badass in that.

wow, what a coincidence hehe. the first book i thought of when i saw the op's question was rainbow six by tom clancy. hmmm, if you want something with a lot of action but is on the short side, i'd recommend eaters of the dead by michael crichton. his books are always filled with interesting facts and lots of action. i'd recommend any of the books written by him except that some of his novels might be construed as "long" hehe.

[jaykrue]

And the Star Wars Coreillian Trilogy, forget who wrote it though.

Roger MacBride Allen. I didn't find this series too good since the characters are 'out of character'. They just don't seem to act like you would expect of Luke, Han and the rest of the gang. You could easily replace them with other names and no one would notice the difference. Luke is a bit dependent in this series and doesn't act like a venerated and experienced Jedi Master. Basically, he acts like the Luke from 'A New Hope' vs. the badass Jedi Knight from 'Return of the Jedi'. It's a step backwards. The Jedi children are seemingly God-like in the Jedi-ness. There's one scene in which the youngest, who has an affinity for mechanical/electronic things, picks up a computer chip, puts his finger on it and says 'fix'. I'm fairly familiar with Star Wars lore and I don't recall kids having full fledged Force powers which don't require any training to use. It doesn't fit into the believability of the Star Wars universe.

Another Star Wars book to avoid is 'The Crystal Star' by Vonda Mcintyre. It's just too ridiculous. How do you counter the Force? Why, let's use a thing called the Anti-Force and call it a day. Weak. At least Timothy Zahn had an interesting take on how to counter the Force using creatures called ysalamiri. As TCS was published after Zahn's books, you'd think they'd use something that was already there instead of a cliched and lazy concept as the 'anti-force'. This is as bad as the Star Wars Holiday Special.

[iamarhinoceros]

cat's cradle - kurt vonnegut

better than all the rest!

[karsh]

Three of my favorite Crichton novels that aren't too uber in depth are Timeline (amazing book, crappy movie), Prey, and State of Fear. His older novels are good too, but some get a bit too in depth.

[Tromack]

The Ender's series is good. I'd also recommend most Michael Crichton, but his books are rather complex so you'd need a good feel on the topic.

Crichton's books are complex? They are the epitome of an airport/vacation read. Crichton's books are some of the simplest reads ever.

[RaekwonThaChef]

Don't forget about the classics man, 2001: A Space Oddessey is one of my favorite sci-fi books of all time.

[jeffreyjrose]

Ender's Game

[cheapass Gundam]

Fight Club. Different enough from the movie to still be an enjoyable read even if you've seen the film already.

[bookishboy]

Crichton- Eaters of The Dead (became the movie The Thirteenth Warrior). What the movie doesn't go out of its way to say is that the story is that it's a re-telling of the Beowulf saga. If you ever had to read through (a translation of) Beowulf as part of a highschool english course, Crichton takes the story further. He attempts to take the epic and imagine a regression for it so that he could tell the story "as it really happened", before it became inflated by generations of storytelling. The monsters in here aren't supernatural, but they would certainly seem so to a superstitious people in the middle ages. Neither book nor movie was extraordinarily popular, but I was impressed by the idea of imagining the grain of truth in an epic saga.

Bradley, Marion Zimmer - The Firebrand. This one may be hard to find, but it too is a retelling of a saga. It's the story of the Iliad, the sack of Troy, except told through the eyes of Cassandra, princess of Troy and sister to Paris. Great story, and again it shows a believable series of events, including some that we know as super-human, like Achilles and Ajax, Odysseus, Agamemnon and Helen.

Cornwell, Bernard - Sharpe's Rifles. This is the first book of a great series. Each is a short read, but very succinct. The books follow the stories of Richard Sharpe, a low-ranking officer in the British army during the Napoleonic wars. Sharpe was promoted to Lieutenant in the past after a suicidal act of bravery; the only problem is that he serves in an army that doesn't usually promote from the enlisted ranks. Most officers are gentlemen, and Sharpe is low-born and grew up in the gutters of London. He's considered an outsider, trash, by most of the officers and viewed as "not a proper officer" by the enlisted men who he's supposed to command. This is the start of the story, when his rear-guard rifle company gets cut off behind enemy lines in the mountains of Spain, and the only other ranking officer, a captain, is killed. Sharpe has to survive, keep himself and his men alive, and the French are closing in.....Great stuff!

[The Gifuto]

Iam Legend by Richard Matheson is one of the best books I've ever read, and it's not too long. Main character is the only survivor of a virus that has turned everyone into vampires. He must fend them off at night, and hunt them down during the day. Great read!

I agree, great read. As a side point, it served as a basis for the movie Omega Man starring Mr. NRA.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0790742802/qid%3D1115238479/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/102-7533796-9148968

[Zman310]

Anything by Philip K. Dick or Robert J. Sawyer. Two of my absolute favorite sci-fi authors ever. Also, if you're looking for something a little more fantasy oriented, check out anything by Neil Gaiman, especially American Gods, one of my favorite books. And, to go along with iheartmetal's classics, I just finished Dante's Inferno, and I'd certainly recommend it. If you don't mind reading poems about hell all day ;)

[Grave_Addiction]

The Mick Foley autobiography is always a good read.

[sblymnlcrymnl]

Fight Club. Different enough from the movie to still be an enjoyable read even if you've seen the film already.

Short too, should be possible to read it over a few hours.

[rockhero]

Dark Tower series

[evilmax17]

Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card

[m1lesteg]

I very, very highly recommend A Drink Before The War, or anything by Dennis Lehane if you're at all into mystery or thriller novels. You could also read Mystic River, which was incredibly good. Same author, but A Drink Before The War is the first of a series involving two detectives who are pretty awesome characters.

I also insist you read Life of Pi, which was a superb novel.

[bowmanarmy]

If you like the Fight Club movie, i recomend the book, or choke by the same author

[sblymnlcrymnl]

If you like the Fight Club movie, i recomend the book, or choke by the same author

I think Survivor's the best, but it's a little longer than the others.

[HOTSHIET]

Try Dean Koontz, I've read quite a few of his books and none have dissapointed me.

[RAMSTORIA]

i think mine have been the least popular thus far, but i found another great one!

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0195073762/qid=1115243957/sr=8-2/ref=pd_csp_2/102-5389403-6172169?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
The Heliand! Its a 9th century version of the Gospel. It was written for those crazy pagan warriors in medieval Germany. Believe me, this is the most unique New Testament youll ever read , "No one else among the geroic sons of men was to attempt it, since these four had been picked by the power of God: Matthew and Mark, Luke an John were their names. They were dear to God, worthy of the work. The ruling God had placed the Holy Spirit firmly in those heroes' hearts, together with many a wise word, as well as a devout attitude and a powerful mind, so that they could life up their holy voices to chant God's spel. There is nothing like it in words anywhere in this world! Nothing can ever glorify the Ruler, our dear Chieftain, more! Nor is there anything that can better fell every evil creature or work of wickedness, nor better withstand the hatred and aggression of enemies. This is so, because the one who taught them God's Spell, though generous and good, had a powerful mind: the noble, the almight Creator Himself." ...... It's good stuff

[BigSpoonyBard]

i think mine have been the least popular thus far, but i found another great one!


Actually, I liked your recommendations. Enough of this bestseller pap. Give us the classics, I say!

[brendandwc]

I would further recommend Dune by Frank Herbert, it may take a little bit to get into but is very good. Dune Messiah is also very good and a fast read, its the second in the dune trilogy.

Micheal Crichton is a good recomendation, I would suggest the two Jurassic Park books Jurassic park and Lost world. Both were good, his books often feel a little shallow to me though but definately entertaining.

Stephen King may be write longer books than you are looking for but everything I have read of his I have enjoyed. I can again second the dark tower series.

John Connolly The killing kind, dark hollow, and every dead thing are good suspense detective novels.

And one of my personal favorites Clive Barker, he is great Imajica, Galilee, Coldheart Canyon, I would thouroghly recommend picking up one of his books. On a side note he also worked on the Hellraiser series of movies and lord of illusions.

oh and not sci fi but thomas harris is good too author of Hannibal, red dragon, and silence of the lambs

[brendandwc]

I was really excited to read fight club and it was ok and a very fast read. Fight club is the only book in which I liked the movie more than the book.

[Moxio]

Crichton's books are complex? They are the epitome of an airport/vacation read. Crichton's books are some of the simplest reads ever.

Haha, wow, I must be really dumb than :rofl:

[BigSpoonyBard]

Haha, wow, I must be really dumb than :rofl:

Well, considering you used "than" as opposed to the correct "then"...

[Mr. Anderson]

It's not really action or sci-fi, but if you want a well-written, fast moving novel, get Life of Pi.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0156027321/qid=1115246903/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/102-5985639-4607306

[karmapolice]

Rock on ... have you read the entire series? How about the new one?

Ive read: Enders Game, Enders Shadow, Speaker For The Dead, and am currently reading Xenocide. When did this "new" one come out?

[jaykrue]

Ive read: Enders Game, Enders Shadow, Speaker For The Dead, and am currently reading Xenocide. When did this "new" one come out?

Speaker for the Dead and Xenocide deal more with Ender's story while the one he' probably referring to is the story of Ender's brother taking over the Earth (Shadow of the Hegemon, Shadow Puppets and Shadow of the Giant *coming in August*)

[PenguinMaster]

I reccomend Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, the whole 5-book trilogy (if you like comedy).

[omegaweapon7]

Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy.

house of leaves.

life of pi.

[JSweeney]

Well, I love epic literature. The stuff is just facisnating, and very adventerous. If you want something epic, all of these are great.


http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0872203522/ref=sib_rdr_dp/102-5389403-6172169?%5Fencoding=UTF8&no=283155&me=ATVPDKIKX0DER&st=books
IMO, this is the greatest work of all time. I just love this book and can read it straight with no trouble. I love Achilles, Agamemnon, Odysseus, Hector, Ajax... I could go on...

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0872204847/ref=pd_bxgy_img_2/102-5389403-6172169?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
Not nearly as good as The Iliad, this is still excellent and reads fast. Most people have read it though.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0679729526/qid=1115233923/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/102-5389403-6172169?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
well, if youre going to read the first two, you just as well read the conclusion. However, I think Virgil is a crock compared to Homer. Still, it's nice to hear how the Romans viewed Homer, and its a wonderful piece of propaganda.


http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0802061656/qid=1115233752/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/102-5389403-6172169?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
This one is really interesting, its an Icelandic saga about Grettir, quite a rash and strong man. Follow his adventures of outlawry and fighting berzerkers and trolls. Set in Iceland after the Christian convesion, but still mingling with Icelandic tradition.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1565114272/qid=1115233829/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/102-5389403-6172169?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
Beowulf, what a guy, three times he slays foul fiends. Each time i read this book I appriciate it more and more. Like the Odyssey though, many have read it.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0393976580/qid=1115233972/sr=8-14/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i14_xgl14/102-5389403-6172169?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
Just one of my arthurian legends, sir gawain and the green knight is one of my favorites, though not as violent as previously mentioned books, the journey is still a fun one to follow

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0140440755/qid=1115234030/sr=8-2/ref=pd_csp_2/102-5389403-6172169?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
the song of roland, based off historical events and taken to a mythological level. follow king charlamagne and roland as they fight against the moslems.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0393320774/qid=1115234090/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/102-5389403-6172169?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
this is a wonderful new translation by robert atler of 1st and 2nd samuel and 1st kings from the old testament. It reads much easier than any other bible ive read and the footnotes are fantastic. I really enjoy this because its a part of the old testament that seems very unchristian to modern readers, a very contemporary story.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0140441379/qid=1115234148/sr=8-2/ref=pd_csp_2/102-5389403-6172169?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
sure it might seem hard to pronounce the nibelungenlied, but the book is fun, dragaon slaying is fun, and chivalry is fun. ive already named, greek, roman, icelandic, anglosaxon and french epics, why not through a german one into the mix

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0934211914/qid=1115234238/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/102-5389403-6172169?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
the legend of seyavash is fun, its an islamic story and part of the bigger book below. i singled it out because i like it, seyavash is a smooth noble god fearing man, follow his tragedy during the war of the persians

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0700716181/qid=1115234428/sr=8-2/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i2_xgl14/102-5389403-6172169?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
This is The Persian Book of Kings, a huge collection of stories, some mythological, some historical. I enjoy this a lot because its fun to contrast Islamic heroes with European heroes, its nice to take in some culture and see that we arent that different after all. This one has lots and lots of different adventures, so its a good read if you want a variety


wow, that was my longest post ever! 8-)
edit - fixed the double images

Just as an aside, there's a thread around on the boards where-in I started a parody of "The song of Roland" entitled "The Song of CheapyD".
I think I only got through the first few stanzas...
I really should look it up and continue in on it.

Ah, here it is.
http://cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31165&highlight=Song+Roland

[thehuskerfan]

With any of the Dr. Seuss books, you can't go wrong.

[JSweeney]

With any of the Dr. Seuss books, you can't go wrong.

Yes. Particularly moving is the Butter Battle book.

[jaykrue]

Yes. Particularly moving is the Butter Battle book.

I prefer Green Eggs and Ham.

[JSweeney]

I prefer Green Eggs and Ham.

But what about Yertle the Turtle?
Horton hears a who?

[jovherye]

If you're into zombie stuff there's Reign of the Dead or Apocalypse of the Dead, The Rising is pretty good too.

[jaykrue]

But what about Yertle the Turtle?
Horton hears a who?

How can I resist?
and have it with a limon twist?

On a tower in Japan
with Godzilla and Rodan?

Would I, could I
How can not have green eggs and ham?

[epobirs]

I agree, great read. As a side point, it served as a basis for the movie Omega Man starring Mr. NRA.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0790742802/qid%3D1115238479/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/102-7533796-9148968


Actually, the Heston movie was the second film version of the novel. The first was 'The Last Man on Earth' starring vincent Price and much closer to the source material.
http://imdb.com/title/tt0058700/

There has recently been attempts to sell yet another version of this property but it seems to be in limbo.

[rodeojones903]

I recommend anything by Arthur Nersesian. My two favorites of his are The Fuck-Up and Manhattan Loverboy. I just finished Kevin Smiths "Silent Bob Speaks" and it was good too.

[epobirs]

In recent years SF writers have been pressed to produce longer works that lend themselves to multi-volume series, so finding good short novels has become difficult. But there are lots of works from decades ago that stand up well if you can ignore some of the anachronisms. Many of them merit reading just as sort of reverse historical novels of great influence.

One writer who isn't nearly as famous as he deserves is Alfred Bester. Two of his novels from the 50's are still regarded as some of the greatest SF works published, 'The Demolished Man' and 'The Stars My Destination.' The former was the first winner of the Hugo award. Bester also created the Green Lantern's Oath, which they recite when charging up their rings.

[CoffeeEdge]

If you like Sci-fi and are looking for a shorter read, then I'll reccomend Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, the book on which Blade Runner is based. It's quite possibly still my favorite sci-fi novel.

[JSweeney]

In recent years SF writers have been pressed to produce longer works that lend themselves to multi-volume series, so finding good short novels has become difficult. But there are lots of works from decades ago that stand up well if you can ignore some of the anachronisms. Many of them merit reading just as sort of reverse historical novels of great influence.

One writer who isn't nearly as famous as he deserves is Alfred Bester. Two of his novels from the 50's are still regarded as some of the greatest SF works published, 'The Demolished Man' and 'The Stars My Destination.' The former was the first winner of the Hugo award. Bester also created the Green Lantern's Oath, which they recite when charging up their rings.

In brightst day.
In blackest night.
No evil shall escape my sight.
Let those who worship evils might.
Beware my power.
GREEN LANTERNS LIGHT.

[epobirs]

Now, if you don't something longer, check the Night's Dawn series from Peter Hamilton. This was a trilogy in the UK but the sheer size of the volumes was seen as possibly scaring off readers here so each volume was split into two parts. A story Hamilton tells about how this came to be was that he was producing mainly short stories and novellas when his editor pressed him to do something heftier. He went off for a couple weeks and came back with a 500 pages outline for the series along with a note on top that said, "Be careful what you wish for."

The three divided volumes are:
The Reality Dysfunction - Emergence and Expansion
The Neutronium Alchemist - Consolidation and Conflict
The Naked God - Flight and Faith.

The series is set about 800 years in the future where humanity has settled a large number of star systems and is divided between two major groups based on how each defines what it is to be human. The setting is incredibly detailed with considerable history given to almost every location and character. In the midst of this pure science fiction setting Hamilton introsuces an element that would normally be found in a horror novel but makes it work here. Starting on a swampy colony world named Lalonde, the souls of the dead are appearing to take control of the bodies of the living and seeking to make every living person the vessel for a disembodied spirit. There is no shortage of souls waiting to gain bodies since this includes nearly everyone who ever lived going back thousands of years. (The people who aren't in evidence among the malicious spirits are a plot element.) As more of the living become emslaved the dead gain in their ability to manifest remarkable powers that challenge the best that 28th Century weaponry can produce.

Although the ending can seem a bit abrupt after spending so long with the story it is an amazing read if you can handle the length. Myself, I'm fine with a long book so long as the author really has something to say and not just a lot of padding.

[greydemise]

the things they carried by tim o brian

[spoo]

House of Leaves
by Mark Z. Danielewski (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0375703764/103-6406064-4534229?v=glance)

[tyecko]

I prefer Green Eggs and Ham.

No, The Lorax.

Anyways, I highly recommend Catcher In The Rye- J.D. Salinger

[nwaugh]

Speaker for the Dead and Xenocide deal more with Ender's story while the one he' probably referring to is the story of Ender's brother taking over the Earth (Shadow of the Hegemon, Shadow Puppets and Shadow of the Giant *coming in August*)
Shadow of the Giant is out now, athough it's in hardback. OSC is like crack for me; I know that his writings are heavily influenced by his LDS background and that most of his later stuff is even more derivative than Ender's Game, but I love it all anyway. When I saw Shadow of the Giant in Barnes it was all over for me.

And I'm actually referring to the entire Enderverse. I do prefer Bean's saga, but I've read all of Ender's books and enjoyed them.

[nwaugh]

Ive read: Enders Game, Enders Shadow, Speaker For The Dead, and am currently reading Xenocide. When did this "new" one come out?
Children of the Mind (and by extension the Ender Quadrilogy) had a wacky ending I thought, though if you can accept talking pigs then you can probably accept everything that went down there.

My big qualm with the Bean saga toward the later books is it seems like he is extending the story for money's sake. While I like reading more about the characters involved, each book seems to leave less resolved than the previous one did. I may not have fully liked Ender's "ending," at least there was one.

[zionoverfire]

If you like Sci-fi and are looking for a shorter read, then I'll reccomend Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, the book on which Blade Runner is based. It's quite possibly still my favorite sci-fi novel.

Good movie, mediocre book.

[jaykrue]

Shadow of the Giant is out now, athough it's in hardback. OSC is like crack for me; I know that his writings are heavily influenced by his LDS background and that most of his later stuff is even more derivative than Ender's Game, but I love it all anyway. When I saw Shadow of the Giant in Barnes it was all over for me.

And I'm actually referring to the entire Enderverse. I do prefer Bean's saga, but I've read all of Ender's books and enjoyed them.

Ya, I'm not a big fan of the hardback. It looks nice on the shelf and all but it's still pricey. I'll wait for the paperback edition. I'm not just a cheapassgamer. I'm just a plain ol' cheapass. ;)

[Over easy]

Battle Royale!!! Many people saw the movies, but go read the original book. It's an easy-to-read action-oriented book.

Cryptonomicon is good too, but it might be a long read compared to many other books. I just wish the book has an extended ending...

I would also recommend the short stories collections from Philip K. Dick and the Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (it has 5 books plus an extra story).

[ph33r m3]

i must recommend Digital Fortress by Dan Brown grrreat book

[jlarlee]

Hyperion by Dan Simmons the first of 4 books in the Hyperion series it is by a wide margin the best Sci Fi book I have ever read.
Forgot to mention it won the Hugo award. Seriously this is the cream of the sci fi crop

[epobirs]

Children of the Mind (and by extension the Ender Quadrilogy) had a wacky ending I thought, though if you can accept talking pigs then you can probably accept everything that went down there.

My big qualm with the Bean saga toward the later books is it seems like he is extending the story for money's sake. While I like reading more about the characters involved, each book seems to leave less resolved than the previous one did. I may not have fully liked Ender's "ending," at least there was one.

Ender's Game originally appeared as a novella that was a much more satisfying read because it didn't meander around in dull fluff and got to the point. It is at heart a shaggy dog story. Kid thinks he's playing a game but is really controlling a genuine battle. It had been done before but this take resonated with some folks and the novella was nominated for a Hugo but lost. When the novel, written mainly to set up the sequels, was nominated there was some controversy as to whether a longer version of an existing work should be allowed to be up tot he vote again. But it won and a little empire was born. For some reason this series is like crack to teenagers but at that age I hated kid genius stories.

[epobirs]

Some other short SF classics to look at are the early novels from Heinlein, Fred Pohl, Theodore Sturgeon.

Of the Sturgeon the most important is 'More THan Human.' One of those books that are hugely influential because many of the people who reuse it's ideas don't know about it. They think they're lifting from more recent works but those were written by those stole directly from Sturgeon. Kind of like Todd McFarlane. The guy by his own admission has never read anything other than comics, so when he make an allusion to Moby Dick it's accidental because he thinks he actually lifting from another comics writer who was more well read.

Also, look for short story anthologies. A few writers like Harlan Ellison have worked almost exclusively in that form.

[zionoverfire]

For some reason this series is like crack to teenagers but at that age I hated kid genius stories.

I share your sentiments, Orson Scott Card and a few others I can think of always felt more like fantasy writers than scifi authors. They spend their time focusing on how amazing their characters are and all these incredible things they do while neglecting to put more than a tokan effort into an underlying meaning or purpose.

[OutlawJT]

I must say that I am greatly disapointed in the CAG community after reading through this thread. Someone asks for recomendations for sci-fi books to read and not a single person mentions a single Isaac Asimov novel? Come on people!!!! He is one of the greatest and most prolific sci-fi authors of all time!!!!!

Well, here's my list of suggestions for you. I apologize for not listing authors but I don't remember all of them off the top of my head so I decided not to list any of them.

Foundation series (original trilogy only)
I, Robot
Caves of Steel
Nightfall
Sleeping Planet
Mote in God's Eye
The Gripping Hand
Anvil of the Stars
Artifact
Rama series (except for the last book)
Legacy of Heorot (this movie screams movie adaptation..... wish someone would pick up the rights to it)
Beowulf's Children
Sundiver (also the rest of the 'Uprise' series of books)
The Trial
Catch-22
The Hobbit
Timescape (think this is the title........ story is about a scientist that discovers a way to send a message into the past to warn of an ecological disaster)
most books done by the Nivens/Pournelle pairing!
Hitchhiker's Guide series (what the heck was the 5th book someone mentioned? Hitchiker, Restaurant, Everything, Fish.......only 4 books I know of + the Zaphod short)
Eon
The Unbearable Lightness of Being




I could recomend a few more but this should be plenty to get started.

[ArthurDigbySellers]

Hitchhiker's Guide series (what the heck was the 5th book someone mentioned? Hitchiker, Restaurant, Everything, Fish.......only 4 books I know of + the Zaphod short)

Mostly Harmless would be the 5th.

Everyone has mentioned enough Sci-Fi books. If you like crime fiction/detective novels, I would recommend George Pelecanos. I've read every one of his books and they are fantastic. He has a gritty, terse writing style and his characters (Nick Stefanos and in later novels, Derek Strange) are written very well.

You also can't go wrong with Michael Connelly. Especially the Harry Bosch novels.

[vherub]

The complete Calvin and Hobbes collection streets October 5th

This is one of the pinnacles of modern civilization: if you never read the entirety of the catalogue, God Himself meets you on your death bed, shakes His head and states "You have wasted your life."

[Quackzilla]

Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy (5 books)

Cowboy Bebop (comic book)

Family Guy (TV show)

Spoon (utensil)

Ball (object)

[jlarlee]

Mostly Harmless would be the 5th.

Everyone has mentioned enough Sci-Fi books. If you like crime fiction/detective novels, I would recommend George Pelecanos. I've read every one of his books and they are fantastic. He has a gritty, terse writing style and his characters (Nick Stefanos and in later novels, Derek Strange) are written very well.

You also can't go wrong with Michael Connelly. Especially the Harry Bosch novels.
if you want an action packed detective try hard case the first in the series of Joe Kurtz novels this is done by Dan Simmons yep the same Dan Simmons who wrote the Sci FI book i recommended. he writes in just about every genre

[Quackzilla]

Dirk Pitt novels by Clive Cussler are good.

[nevposey]

Have you read any of the Dan Brown novels? they're all pretty good. The writing is cheesey but the historical fact is awesome

[tinskat]

Good Omens - Neil Gaiman/Terry Pratchett
Watership Down - Richard Adams

[kaji7p56]

Billy Budd.

[chief928]

Check out John Ridley. Particularly Everybody Smokes in Hell, The Drift and Stray Dogs.

[peteloaf]

Cryptonomicon is good too, but it might be a long read compared to many other books. I just wish the book has an extended ending...


Neal Stephenson's kinda notorius for rushed endings. It's my understanding that Cryptonomicon was originaly about double the size.

Anything by Stephenson is recommended, my favorite is Snow Crash. On the surface the book is a cyberpunk/dark future story. Buried beneath is a discussion on the origins of both language and religion...

[ArthurDigbySellers]

if you want an action packed detective try hard case the first in the series of Joe Kurtz novels this is done by Dan Simmons yep the same Dan Simmons who wrote the Sci FI book i recommended. he writes in just about every genre

Cool, I'll check his stuff out. Thanks!

[smalien1]

With any of the Dr. Seuss books, you can't go wrong.


You do realize that some Dr. Seuss is actually deep philosophical shit and political metophors guised as childrens books

[eurenix]

Zodiac, by Neal stephenson

Ecoterrorist attempting to stop the release of evil bacteria into the ocean. The science definaitely extends into the realm of scifi.

[javeryh]

OK, I finally finished Ender's Game and I loved it. What's the next book in the series? I'm not quite clear on the order to read them all...

[ArthurDigbySellers]

OK, I finally finished Ender's Game and I loved it. What's the next book in the series? I'm not quite clear on the order to read them all...

Ender's Game
Speaker for the Dead
Xenocide
Children of the Mind

Ender's Shadow
Shadow of the Hegemon
Shadow Puppets
Shadow of the Giant

I could not finish Speaker for the Dead for some reason and never went on. I did read Ender's Shadow, however. It was great.

[jaykrue]

Just a bit of clarification:

All of the 'Shadow' books are not about Ender himself. Rather they are about his polar opposite - Bean. While Ender was a strategist by nature, Bean was one by necessity. I find the Shadow series more fun to read than the 'official' Ender's Game sequels (Speaker of the Dead, etc.) as there is more political intrigue in the Shadow series while the Ender sequels are overly contrived philosophical parables with a scifi setting.

[psiufoxx2]

Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy (5 books)

Cowboy Bebop (comic book)

Family Guy (TV show)

Spoon (utensil)

Ball (object)

Zil (poop)
No need to insult yourself my man :(



Oh and check out the Exalted trilogy by Richard E. Dansky - short, fast read based upon the tabletop game, Exalted.

[mookiemeister]

The Balgariad 5 book series by David Edding is a pretty fast read.

[mykevermin]

You do realize that some Dr. Seuss is actually deep philosophical shit and political metophors guised as childrens books
Yes. Without you, I would have never pondered deep into the nuclear implications behind "The Butter Battle Book." I thought it was a cute story about a practical side item until you came along.

You remind me of my mother, who had recorded the "Scientology" episode of South Park; she asked my wife and I if I understood the joke of Tom Cruise being "in the closet."

[trytej]

Just finished reading Angels and Demons. Magnificent book.

[javeryh]

Just finished reading Angels and Demons. Magnificent book.

IMO, better than The Da Vinci Code (although they are almost exactly the same story). I don't understand why Angels and Demons didn't catch on like The Da Vinci Code did when it is like twice as anti-catholic...

[mykevermin]

Whatever you do, don't read Christopher Moore's Lamb. Excellent premise (humor novel about Christ's adolescent and teenage years), poor execution (little time spent on character development in the second half of the book, too much focus on men wanting to fuck, and pretty disappointing in general).

I just started David McCullough's 1776. I'll let you know.

[docvinh]

Just finished Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. I thought it was pretty good.

[wubb]

-A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller Jr. Really good sci fi novel.

-I'm currently reading Journey to the Center of the Earth. It's a classic for a reason, good stuff.

-Breakfast of Champions
-Lots of stuff by Vonnegut. Cat's Cradle is one of my favorites. (It's the one with Ice-9 right?)
-Adventures of Huck Finn

Some of the ones already mentioned that I would also highly reccomend to anyone:
-Hitchhiker's Guide series
-I, Robot
-Dune
-Andromeda Strain and The Great Train Robbery (I'm not as in to Chrichton currently, but I have read every novel he's authored outside of maybe his most recent or two.) I'd imagine moxio mentioned them as being complex because Chrichton tends to really lay down a lot of technospeak.
-For King stuff The Long Walk and Running Man are both on the short side and fun reads.
-For an extremely guilty pleasure check the Rogue Warrior series. Basically Rambo-esque action stuff. (Okay this wasn't already mentioned :) )
-Another guilty pleasure of mine are Salvatore books (fantasy stuff) although I haven't read anything by him in several years.
-And if you do like fantasy at all definitely read the LOTR books (Hobbit, plus the 3 made into movies.) The Harry Potter novels are also fun light reads. Some of them are very long, but they go very quickly.

[browneyedgal68]

Pest Control, by (I think Bill) Fitzhugh. Action comedy, very quick read, should be available at the library. Men and women I've loaned it to laughed and liked the action.

[browneyedgal68]

But what about Yertle the Turtle?
Horton hears a who?

No, no, no, it must be I've Got a Wocket in My Pocket for me!

I almost forgot, if you like pretty gory detective novels, GM Ford is a great writer. He has two character series: Leo Waterman and Frank Corso. Leo Waterman is the son of a now deceased mover and shaker in Seattle, which alternately helps and hurts Waterman's p.i. endeavors. Comic and gruesome. I think there are four in the series, very easy to pick up mid series and understand. His other character is Frank Corso, who's a journalist now writing true crime novels, so he gets roped into figuring things out. Has a vast legion of nefarious contacts who help him out of sticky situations with the law. Again, comic, slightly less gruesome and sarcastic.