your favourite book/ book series and why

[munkiejunkie]

Sorry if this has been already done but- what is your favourite book/ book series and why. Mine are a tie between Terry Pratchets Discworld and all of the J.R.R. Tolkien books. Tolkein because every thing is almost as detailed life it self (i.e. the timelines, the family tree's etc.) and Terry Pratchet because it is just so funny :D , combined with excellent writing.

[Athleng Nordic]

For a series I really love the Myth books by Asprin. They are funny and well written as well as the fact that they are ment for young readers but have things in them only an adult will get. Very well done. I also love the books that were spawned in the pulp fiction era crica 1930's through 50's or were inspired by them like: The Horselords by Robert Adams, any of the books by Robert E. Howard, Fafard and the Gray Mouser by Fritz Leiber, and let's not forget Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling, and so on and so forth. All of these books are based on strong recurring characters and I really enjoy well written characters.


Solo books: I have many I've enjoyed over the years and have enjoyed the all for different reasons. Coming to mind now is The Duel by Joseph Conrad, Starship Troopers and Time enough for Love by Robert A Heinlein, Beowolf, The Three Musketeers, The Scarlet Pimpernel, etc.

[piranha]

I like the Agatha Christie books. I've only read two though. I should buy them all hehe.

[YODA]

It's a head to head between...

Tolkein's Lord of the Rings (etc) - for pure depth.

and

Stephen King's "Dark Tower" series. Excellent tale over 7 books - and the way it ties most of his other books together is just wowza :p

[samuri-man]

the lord of the rings or van-helsing

[slig]

The Gap series by Stephen Donaldson is still my favourite read. Very, very dark sci fi. Explores human depravity in the extreme. There's no gratuitousness (is that evan a word?) with the stories, just a visceral, raw human experience. Excellent character development also, you feel a certain vindication for the bad guy at the end, but I won't spoil it.

Plus there's Aliens. Bad mutagenic ones. And you can't go wrong with Aliens, right? :D

To clarify, all five titles :

The Gap Into Conflict: The Real Story

The Gap Into Vision: Forbidden Knowledge

A Dark and Hungry God Arises: The Gap Into Power

Chaos and Order: The Gap Into Madness

This Day All Gods Die: The Gap Into Ruin

Can't recommend this series enough.

[evilkingston]

not really a certain series fan, but my favorite authors are:
- Friedrich Nietzsche (absolute favourite book = Alzo Sprach Zarathustra)
- Willem Frederik Hermans (absolute favo book of him = Paranoia)
- Robert Musil (absolute favo book = Der Mann ohne Eigenschaften)
- Hugo Claus (absolute favo play = Borgerocco)

- all time favourite biography = Janz -> Nietzsche Biography
- all time favo thriller = Donna Tart -> Verborgen Geschiedenis (~hidden history?)

[Humblebee]

Philip pullmans dark materials is one of the best stories out there.
you must read these books.

[Fish Of Doom]

My favourite writer is David Eddings, and my favourite book series is the Belgariad(from the Belgariad/Malloreon universe), followed by the Elenium and Tamuli(from the Elenium/Tamuli universe)

i can't judge the malloreon because i only read a part of it(most spanish translations after 1990 or so suck like a vacuum cleaner, and we didn't have two of the books)

After that it's The Mote in the Eye of God by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle, and it's follow up The Third Arm, which i'm currently reading(both one of the few worthwhile spanish translations i know, aside from the harry potter books which i also like)

Fish Of Doom

[Athleng Nordic]

My favourite writer is David Eddings, and my favourite book series is the Belgariad(from the Belgariad/Malloreon universe), followed by the Elenium and Tamuli(from the Elenium/Tamuli universe)

i can't judge the malloreon because i only read a part of it(most spanish translations after 1990 or so suck like a vacuum cleaner, and we didn't have two of the books)

After that it's The Mote in the Eye of God by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle, and it's follow up The Third Arm, which i'm currently reading(both one of the few worthwhile spanish translations i know, aside from the harry potter books which i also like)

Fish Of Doom
Eddings is really decent. I loved the Elenium and Tamuli series. Sparhawk kicked ass. The Belgariad was good but I've not read the Malloreon yet.

[Hybrid_Killer]

My favourite writer is David Eddings, and my favourite book series is the Belgariad(from the Belgariad/Malloreon universe), followed by the Elenium and Tamuli(from the Elenium/Tamuli universe)

i can't judge the malloreon because i only read a part of it(most spanish translations after 1990 or so suck like a vacuum cleaner, and we didn't have two of the books)

After that it's The Mote in the Eye of God by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle, and it's follow up The Third Arm, which i'm currently reading(both one of the few worthwhile spanish translations i know, aside from the harry potter books which i also like)

Fish Of Doom


Yeah Eddings is probably my favoruite author along with Joh Grisham, Bernard Cornwell and Sara Douglass.

[CobraMaximus]

The Wheel Of Time Series by Robert Jordan
10 books long, on number 2. Its brilliant, you get hints about the world then your questions are answered. Everything is so detailed and so cleverly done I love it. Also everything is possible in a way. Like the magic isn't some obscure power, you use elements and so on. Its veyr cleverly done and the things that are confusing and maybe not possible in RL the characters in the book dont understand. Its very nifty.

[Sgt_Major]

The Wheel Of Time Series by Robert Jordan
10 books long, on number 2. Its brilliant, you get hints about the world then your questions are answered. Everything is so detailed and so cleverly done I love it. Also everything is possible in a way. Like the magic isn't some obscure power, you use elements and so on. Its veyr cleverly done and the things that are confusing and maybe not possible in RL the characters in the book dont understand. Its very nifty.

Minor correction: its 10books long (at the minute) - its not finished, im waiting book 11......

But other than that yeah i totally agree, excellent read! wavers a little round books 7-8, but picks up very well in 9.

Other books i love:
Books of Blood - Clive Barker
The Rigante Series - David Gemmell

[Cownose]

The Little Prince...enough said.

[Athleng Nordic]

The Wheel Of Time Series by Robert Jordan
10 books long, on number 2. Its brilliant, you get hints about the world then your questions are answered. Everything is so detailed and so cleverly done I love it. Also everything is possible in a way. Like the magic isn't some obscure power, you use elements and so on. Its veyr cleverly done and the things that are confusing and maybe not possible in RL the characters in the book dont understand. Its very nifty.
There is another thread titles Wheel of Time where I express my opinion of Jordan. I like'd the idea and what I read was kewl but he just can not SHUT THE HELL UP!!!

[GeeniusAtWurk]

I second the dark tower series by stephen king.

[CobraMaximus]

The series currently is good, im only on number 2 but im expecting good things soon. The one thing I hate is Rand al'Thor. ------------------ He has all the power of saidin to himself so while an Aes Sedai is killing him in the dungeon he doesn't do anything...wtf? Also when hes trying to figure out how to sort out a lot of trollocs, he has all the power of the eye of the world in him yet he cant kill 3 trollocs...?

[reikislapper]

I've always loved White Fang by Jack London, I first read this book while I was at school quite a few years ago and it really made an impression on me and I've never got bored with it.
lisa xx

[Athleng Nordic]

Another good series is the Thieves World books. It's a compilation of short stories revolving around the same handful of characters. The various authors are allowed to use the characters as they want but are not allowed to kill them off unless they created it. The back drop for the books is the seedy Maze and the Vulgar Unicorn all within the city of Sanctuary.

[Peter Bradbury]

I like phillip pulmans dark matter series, as well as harry potter which im totaly addicted to.

[Sgt_Major]

The series currently is good, im only on number 2 but im expecting good things soon. The one thing I hate is Rand al'Thor. ------------------ He has all the power of saidin to himself so while an Aes Sedai is killing him in the dungeon he doesn't do anything...wtf? Also when hes trying to figure out how to sort out a lot of trollocs, he has all the power of the eye of the world in him yet he cant kill 3 trollocs...?

He was shielded. And inexperienced...he had no control over the Power.

[robertmap]

Hi All,

Series of books that I've read in the last 40 odd years - too many to list all... but a few in no particular order...

Biggles... Loads of them
The Saint... Nearly all
Chronicles of Gor... Lots of them
Dune...
Lensman...
The Executioner - Too many - mispent youth :)
Spellsinger - Alan Dean Foster
Modesty Blaize
Hobbit + Lord of the Rings + The Silmarillion
Witch World - Andre Norton
Chronicles of Pern

And OF COURSE, SAD BUT TRUE...
- THE DESTROYER - Probably all the Warren Murphy, Richard Sapir ones...

Interesting books get reread again and again - I recently reread one of my all time favorite yarns - The Valley of Creation by Edmond Hamilton

All the best.

Robert.

[mhyst]

i third stephen king's The Dark Tower series

[samuri-man]

tolkiens works (too good to be called books) and the gotrek and felix series of warhammer fantacy by william king

[Infrazael]

Dark Tower series, by Stephen King.

ABSOLUTELY INCOMPARABLE

[Lurch]

I'll go with the Dark Tower series, although the way he wrote himself into song of Susannah sucked for me.

Lord of the Rings also has my vote.

The Dune series is good - for the first three books. After that it falls apart a bit.

two others I've not seen here:

The Flashman Papers by George MacDonald Fraser - hilarious.

The Aubrey / Maturin Novels by Patrick O'Brian - absolutely fantastic.

[Hikage]

I love Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa.

[clemsontkd]

A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R R Martin. Brilliant so far and still in the works.

[chevelle2291]

A Song of Ice and Fire by: George R.R. Martin-Gritty with great storyline and action

the Drizzt Series by R.A. Salvatore-Amazing fight scenes, Halfling's Gem best!

Dark Tower Series by Stephen King-Amazing Plot, Great Characters

[Bloke]

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean Dominique Baupy - true story of a 44 year old french man who has a stroke and when he comes out of the coma he can only move his left eyelid. He dictated this book in that manner - they would call out the leeters and he would blink at the correct one. Read it - you wont be sorry.

[Taliar]

Oh there's so many

Fiest's Magician Series is good, as is Tad Williams Memory Sorrow and Thorn, and his new series on the future internet (can't remember its name)

[karatepig]

Terry Pratchett for me. Some people are put off by the idea that fantasy/comedy might be far too silly, but Pratchett's insights into human nature are quite extraordinary. If I was in charge he would be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.

What is it about martial artists and fantasy? Most (not all, but most) books on this list are fantasy (with a smattering of sci fi)?

[Anomandaris]

Steven Eriksons Malazan Book Of the Fallen Series.

its not finished yet only half way 5 books out of 10 released so far but with only these 5 books I can state truthfully (in my mind at least) that it is the greatest work of Epic story telling ever. Tolkien, terry goodkind, George R.R and a host of others are no match for Eriksons scope and ability to control the ebb and flow of an eceptionally detailed world filled with many differing characters, plots within plots, myths and legends of its own that determine future events, a ability to tell when a character is done and a willingness to create a complex, slowly building tale in each and every book. Finalised by an ability to keep thread of dozens of minor threads and story arcs within the same book, not just the series but in a single book with dozens of differing major characters each with a different personality that seems constant through the books, characters dont change without reason.

an example, in one of his books 'Deadhouse Gates' there are no less than 6 major story arcs each interacting with one another and blending in to create a tapestry worthy of any Fantasy readers attention. He also breaks the mould of most modern fantasy which seems very stagnant and similar in its premise.

I urge you to read his books without delay.

1. Gardens of the Moon
2. Deadhouse Gates
3. Memories of Ice
4. House of Chains(the weakest in the series so far but only because two of the characters are some of the least likable in the series not due to a loss of ability, he still has all the technical mastery and abilities as before)
5. Midnight Tides

heres the prologue for book 6 which is the only one I have found online as of yet.:
http://www.malazanempire.com/forums/showthread.php?t=315

[Sever]

Mark Z. Danielewski's 'House of Leaves' is my favourite book ever - I love it so much I wrote my university dissertation on it. It's does something that had never been done with the horror genre before (or never done competantly, anyway) and may have influenced the Blair Witch Project if the stories about the internet release are true. It's also one of the three books that convinced me to stop writing horror because I knew I'd never do anything that good. Other than that, I'll read anything by Caitlin Kiernan, Richard Morgan or Chuck Palahniuk. I'm currently working my way through the 'Bourne' series by Robert Ludlum and am enjoying them a lot - I got all three books in one huge doorstop volume :D

[Sheyja]

The book that changed my life was called The White Book.

I also love The Count of Monté Cristo and The Imajica!

[GeeniusAtWurk]

Forgot to add these two: Discworld by Terry Pratchett, and Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin.

[Hui Lai]

By far:
Chronicles of Amber - Roger Zelazny
World of Tiers - Jose Philip Farmer

[CrowZer0]

I have read LOTR, I have read Harry Potter (ALll of them) I have read Terry Pratchetts Discworld Series and Robert Jordans Wheel Of Time, but nothing compares to Terry Goodkinds Sword of Truth series, all of you go get his first book! I will list the series so far! Excellent books! In a 100 years time they will be a movie liek LOTR and be a lot better!

Wizards First Rule
Stone of Tears
Blood of the Fold
Temple of the Wind
Soul of the Fire
Faith of the Fallen
Pillars of Creation
Naked Empire
Chainfire

Trust me go out rent or buy Wizards First Rule by terry goodkind awesome books check out the website also, they have a massive forum, www.terrygoodkind.com (http://www.terrygoodkind.com)

[seiki juku kid]

the gormenghast trilogy by mervyn peake because the prose is so dense! :bang: *tries to decipher 1st page of 'titus groan'*

[CraigLeeJKD]

The Nicholas Linnear series by Eric Van Lustbader. Very kool martial arts novels, and great insights into Japanese culture. I'm only up to the fourth book but so far they have all ruled.
The series is as follows:

The Ninja
The Miko
White Ninja
The Kaisho
Floating City
Second Skin

On Lustbader's website it say's that "The Ninja" has a director attached to it for the movie adaption, but they are just awaiting a script writer. Can't wait!

[Bil Gee]

The unbearable lightness of being
why - amazing insight into the human condition and relationships


How mumbo jumbo conquered the world.
why - because he points out very eloquently how many emperors are wearing no clothes.

Fight club
why - Book and film, covers a side to human nature that we often like to pretend doesn't exist.

Games People Play
why - More very good insights into human behaviour.

Anything by Terry Pratchet
Why - funny as hell.

[Anomandaris]

The unbearable lightness of being
why - amazing insight into the human condition and relationships


How mumbo jumbo conquered the world.
why - because he points out very eloquently how many emperors are wearing no clothes.

Fight club
why - Book and film, covers a side to human nature that we often like to pretend doesn't exist.

Games People Play
why - More very good insights into human behaviour.

Anything by Terry Pratchet
Why - funny as hell.


why must we read books about insights into human life?

If I want to know these things or experience them I'll do it myself.

why read a book about normal life and such when there are just so many better things to read that take you away from life and provide the escapsim that many people desire?

Steven Erikson, read him if you know whats good for you!

dark(not gothic though) Fantasy at its best.

who else can create such a rich and important history and know how to develop people than an archeologist?

especially one who expresses great interest in peoples development through time.

Gardens of the moon
Deadhouse Gates
Memories of Ice
House of Chains
Midnight Tides

pick one up and read it!

[lemon77]

My favorite collection of books is those of Louis Sachar's Wayside School. They're just so funny and incredibly quirky.

The only other series or collection I've read is Harry Potter and well, I'm not too entirely fond of it but will finish the series anyway. :o

[Koryo]

I consider it a crime against literature that Douglas Adams has yet to be mentioned. All of his published work is fantastic. He combines humour with a form of surreal but strangely logical poignancy. He also provides some of the best quotations ever. "In the beginning the Universe was created. This made a lot of people very angry and has since been widely recognised as a bad move." [paraphrased]

I second the His Dark Materials trilogy. Who cares if it's for kids. It's good.

[Bil Gee]

why must we read books about insights into human life?


Because one of the most satisfying things I can experience is having someone change my view of the world, in any way.

[Falcore]

Yeah, Hitch Hikers Guide was great, and I enjoyed Dirk Gently. I like the way Adams reinvented the story for each medium that it was presented in, making it a whole new experience, instead of trying to convey things directly from one to the other.
Almost finished the original Dune series, definitely going to go back and read them again. Anyone offer some comments on the Dune prequel series?
(Also, apparently Herbert Jnr has found some "secret long lost" drafts of Frank Herberts Dune conlusion, and plans to pump them out. Sounds suss to me)

Has anyone here actually read all of the Discworld books? Cos there is a damn lot of them. I like the Watch arcs, Vimes is a great character. My fav is probably Last Continent for giggles, or Montrous Regiment from some great writing. I've always wanted to see more of Cohen the Barbarian and The Silver Horde.

The Space Odyssy (sp) started out so good. Sadly, it was all downhill from there...

Will I get lynched if I say I don't like Tolkeins stuff?

[BlackDragon]

For me I guess it would be Sho Gun
For the most part, I like the way it was written. And I like to read things about Asia, even if it is not real.

[Jesh]

I'd have to go for the Tolkien saga... although the best book in my opinion was the Silmarillion. I hope they'll eventually make it into a movie. Can't wait to see an army of balrogs... :D

[Lilika]

Favorite Series - The Jack Ryan Novels.

Favorite Book - Without Remorse.

Why? - I like intense books/characters.

[ocianain]

karatepig, Terry Pratchett rules! I'm with you, his insight into the human condition is quite perceptive. I think he's one of the best writers in English today. Writing comedy is difficult, it very easily breaks down into farce. The man can write (I'm reading Thud now).

[fugepilot]

For those into SF.

David Brin: Uplift Series
Alastair Reynolds: Redemption Series
Ian M. Banks: Culture Series
Neal Asher: Gridlink Series
Richard Morgan: Altered Carbon Series

[Tyranith]

R.A. Salvatore's War of the Spider Queen series.
Philip Pullman - The Butterfly Tattoo.
John Christopher's The Tripods Trilogy.
Michael Moorcock's History of the Runestaff.

Those are the ones that stand out in my mind.

[Nick K]

For those into SF.

David Brin: Uplift Series
Alastair Reynolds: Redemption Series
Ian M. Banks: Culture Series
Neal Asher: Gridlink Series
Richard Morgan: Altered Carbon Series

A man of taste - Takeshi Kovacs rocks and the Culture series is a superb creation

Can I also mention:

The Scar/Perdido St Station/ the Oron Council by China Mieville
Neutronium Alchemist series from Philip Hamilton

and - from the golden age of pulp s.f.
The Lensman series by E.E. 'Doc' Smith

[thepunisher]

My favorite book series includes:

=The "Aliens", "Predator" and "Aliens vs. Predator" series that encompasses a total of 13 books and various authors including Steve Perry.

=The "Sten" series by Chris Bunch & Allan Cole. Sci fi.

=The german "Perry Rhodan" series, which now includes +90 books and also is by various authors. Sci fi.

=The "RAMA" series by Arthur C.Clarke and Gentry Lee. Sci fi.

and...

=The "Sunset Warrior" series by Eric van Lustbader.Mix of MA's and action and romance.



Christian

[fugepilot]

A man of taste

Recognition at last! :love:

Agreed, Kovacs-san is the man. :D

Lensman series - definately a golden oldie.

My I presume to suggest another oldie 'doublet':

'Whipping Star' followed by the amazing 'Dorsadi Experiment' - Frank Herbert.

[Giver]

Hm...hard one. I don't really know if it's my favorite, but I love the 'Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' series. And the book 'Catalyst' was really awesome for me, as was 'Speak' by the same author.

[GuruPain]

I've gotta say by far the greatest story I've ever read/heard are George Martin's 'A song of ice and fire'. He sets the story up in such a way that you are sucked in at the very begining and form an emotional bond with these characters. My job requires me to drive alot (i sell drugs...legally! Im a drug rep) so I get the books off of Audible. The guy that reads these books is amazing. His name is Roy Dotrice. I am chomping at the bits for the next book to release on 11/8.
Running in a close second to Martin is Terry Goodkind. I'm working on book 5 right now and the story just keeps getting better. Wizard's First Rule was an absolutly amazing book.

gurupain

[Atharel]

A Song of Ice and Fire. I can't get over the gritty reality of this fantasy series. Feels more real than any "regular" fiction I've ever encountered.

Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn had a lot of poignancy. I kinda thought of it as LotR improved. (Silmarillion's still great though!)

I didn't particularly care for His Dark Materials. It seemed to rely too much on controversy and otherwise built on overused, standard fantasy.

Discworld never disappoints. Night Watch was a particular favorite.

[Rochambo83]

One great series I don't see mentioned is the Dragonlance Chronicles by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman.

[Taiji Butterfly]

"Meditations in Green" by Stephen Wright :cool:
It's about the Vietnam War, but it's got so much more going on in it. I read it over and over and every time I'm just blown away by it... (sic :woo: lol)
:Angel:

[wonk]

Given the common interests of this community, I'll confine myself to recommending three martial arts related science fiction adventure series....

As mentioned on another thread, Steve Perry's Matador Trilogy is about a group of highly skilled martial artists, generally loners, who are brought together when they are swept up a galaxy-wide rebellion against a corrupt, declining central authority. I like to think of the series as fulfilling the potential as a great martial arts saga hinted at in Lucas' second Star Wars film, Empire Strikes Back, something I don't think was ever fully (or at least effectively) realized.

Perry's prose is pretty lean, verging on the schematic at times. However he somehow manages to squeeze a lot of characterization into his fast paced stories. Perry's characters are first and foremost martial artists, and the evolution of thier skills and personaltiies through thier practice (and it's application) is central to at least half of the books in the series. I found myself caring about the main characters and looking forward to "seeing" them in each installment. It's just light fantasy, but it's also tailor made for people who are fascinated with martials arts. The trilogy includes the titles: The Man Who Never Missed, Matadora, and The Machivelli Interface. The prequels and sequels include The Albino Knife, The 97th Step and The recently published Mushashi Flex.

Steven Barnes wrote three novels Street Lethal, Gorgon Child and Firedance, about the life and adventures of Aubrey Knight, a streetfighter and hired assassin who evolves into a heroic community leader in a dystopian future America, that just happens to be dotted with colonies of advanced martial artists. Loony as it sounds, the books are pretty well written and have a surprising degree of depth to them. And like Perry in the the Matador series described above, Barnes writes great fight scenes - better than Perry's, thought the Knight books don't quite have the epic sweep of Perry's story of intergalactic rebellion. The second book in the series, Gorgon Child is probably the best of the three, so far.

David Wingrove's Chung Kuo books are the densest of the three series, and to be honest, however much I liked this epic tale of a future Earth that's been taken over by a literal dynasty of Chinese rulers, I never finished the series due to the increasing length of time between installments (we're talking years here). I have no idea if Wingrove ever finished the story, but if you have any interest in what a world dominated by Chinese culture, their Northern European Mercanary Armies, and competing power blocs comprised of the decendents of major American and European corporations, lethal Chinese Triad/Tong organizations, and a nascent resistance movement, I can strongly recommend giving this series a try.

One of the great things about the series is that it's def. not simplistic. A complex web of political, social and economic ties connects the large cast. No character (well, maybe the triad leaders) are utterly evil, or unspeakably noble or saintly. And though there are wars and hand-to-hand duels a plenty, you really get a sense of a global society inexorably evolving, despite it's leaderships' at times desperate attempts to maintain social stasis. It's fascinating stuff.

Titles include: Chung Kuo: the Middle Kingdom, The Stone Within, Days of Bitter Strength, The White Mountain, The Broken Wheel. White Moon-Red Dragon and Beneath the Tree of Heaven.

[samuri-man]

go anything published by black library you can tell it'll be good.

[freak]

i really like the dark tower series form stephen king...theres 7 books and i am just about to start the fifth book...long books, good story lines, stephen king is a great author

[MusashiUeshiba]

really like
1.stranger from a strange land
2.1984
3.musashi
4.diet for a new america
5.47 ronin story

[Taiji Butterfly]

Just want to add - "Chronicles of Tao" by Deng Ming Dao...
Top book imho :cool:

[stefthewise]

Like many of you, I couldn't possibly pick just one series, so I'll recommend a few:

- JRR Tolkien's 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy
- Raymond E Feist's 'Riftwar' and 'Serpentwar' sagas (I hope to read more of his stuff soon)
- 'The Spiderwick Chronicles' by Holly Black & Tony DiTerlizzi
- James Ellroy's 'LA Quartet'
- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's 'Sherlock Holmes' series
- Anything by Enid Blyton (I loved these in my youth)
- Stephen King's 'The Green Mile' (originally released as a series)

I'm sure there are more but I can't remember them at the moment :D

[CinMike]

I have a few favorite series.

A Song of Ice and Fire - Geore R. R. Martin

Sano Ichiro series - Laura Joh Rowland

Merlin series - T A Baron

[SuperSanity]

I'm shocked. No one's mentioned the Redwall series by Brian Jacques.

[ember]

Tolkien of course.

But I'm surprised nobody's mentioned:

Mercedes Lackey, esp. the Velgarth / Valdemar series. But also her urban fantasy

Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders

Tamora Pierce (written for children, but also good for adults

[Cait]

dittos on Tolkein, & on McCaffrey's Pern Books

Also David Weber's Honor Harrington books

Connie Willis To Say Nothing of the Dog. funniest book ever.

Diana Wynn Jones is good too

[Hapuka]

A series of unfortunate events; Its funny, sad and weird.
Harry Potter; A great sense of adventure and humor.
The Hobbit; Another great adventure book.

I have to post again when Ive read more good books.

[jujitsuka07]

I don't read much, but one book that I like was one that I read when I was a kid: "Water Buffalo Days", supposedly a true story about one Vietnamese boy's adventures taking place during a war. Cute, sad, moving, and informative. Not terribly deep or exciting, but something to read to get a look into a life very different than our own.

[Johnno]

To pick one single book as my favourite is impossible. I could probably shortlist about twenty contenders, but I'd never be able to settle for just one!

But for a favourite book series I'd have to say the 'Flashman' series by George MacDonald Fraser. They are not only highly entertaining, but very educational too.

[ap Oweyn]

I've been reading a lot of RE Howard's stuff lately. Conan, Solomon Kane, Kull, Bran Mak Morn, and his random "weird tales" submissions. I've been a big fan of HP Lovecraft since college. And now that I've reread the Conan stories, having been aware of the connection between the two authors AND the difference between Howard's work and the works of various other Conan pastiche authors, I love this stuff.

So, if you can call them a series, I'd go with the Conan stories certainly. Then various other Howard stories. Some of his "weird west" stuff (set in Texas, mostly) is really entertaining too.

The one disclaimer I'd add is the same I'd probably add for Lovecraft. It was a different time. And even within that time, Howard and Lovecraft may have been in dire need of some cultural sensitivity training. There are certainly elements of each that could be taken as racist. And a big part of me reacts against that on a molecular level. In my experience, the Solomon Kane stories are the most egregious examples. But then, oddly, Howard seems to be of two minds, simultaneously giving a description that borders on offensive and then another that seems very deeply respectful.

Long story short: Very entertaining. And I'd be interested in hearing others' thoughts on the "issues" with those writers.


Stuart

[LovesSticks]

For those into SF.

David Brin: Uplift Series
Alastair Reynolds: Redemption Series
Ian M. Banks: Culture Series
Neal Asher: Gridlink Series
Richard Morgan: Altered Carbon Series

Well said that man!

I am going to have to get me some of 1,2 and 4 because 3 and 5 are my two favorite sci fi series of all time. I was introduced recently to Morgan and I chomped my way through the entire Altered Carbon series in about three weeks. It was just too good: a blend of sci fi dystopia, unmitigated violence and dark brooding detective-noir.

In an attempt to add something original I would add Haruki Murakami (pretty much anything but Wild Sheep Chase is a good start). I guess he probably wouldn't suit everyone but I love most of the stuff he's written.

[southern jester]

although i really like stephen king books (reading 'the cell' right now) the dark tower series lost my intrest after second book. most anything stephen king has written appeals to me although i perfer some of his more recent works. the short story collections like 'everythings eventual' or '1408' are my favorites.

anther writer that i have always liked is dean koontz. his material varies from science fiction to horror to mystery. and koontz has a descriptive ability like i have seen nowhere else. just finished 'brother odd' a couple of weeks ago. as with stephen king the movie adaptations of dean koontz books are far inferior to books themselves.

[Emil]

I love so many. Currently I'm reading two - Don Quixote, and The Colour Purple.

[Emil]

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime has to be way up the list though, just for it's sheer genius.

[springhammer]

So many fantasy themes among everyones' favourites.

There's plenty that I want to read after having seen the same titles cropping up more than once and reading your recommendations.

I drive a lot and hire audio books on CD as well as read.

A free copy with GQ magazine started me reading Dave Lee Burke's detective series about Dave Robicheaux - absolutely great writing and the description of Louisiana make you want to go there and see those skies.

Having finished that series I discovered Michael Connolly's Harry Bosch detective series which I have really enjoyed.

Now I am reading the Jack Reacher series by Lee Childs. About an itinerant ex-military policeman who gets into conflict with organised crime etc.

These are all pretty short novels and in a particular genre but I have enjoyed them.

Also I really loved Paranoia by Joseph Finder - really great story of corporate espionage and a thriller.

For a UK recommendation - Dead Air by Iain Banks is a great thriller.

Hope someone will enjoy some of these.

Regards

[progdan]

A few of these have been mentioned, but I'd have to go with:

David Eddings- The Elenium/The Tamuli
David Eddings- The Belgariad/The Mallorean
Robert Jordan- The Wheel Of Time series
George RR Martin- A Song Of Fire And Ice series
Robert Ludlum- The Bourne Trilogy
Robert Ludlum- Covert One series


What is it about martial artists and fantasy? Most (not all, but most) books on this list are fantasy (with a smattering of sci fi)?

haha, its the same on heavy metal (and all of its associated sub-genres) forums, everyone loves their epic fantasy, I guess it must just be the sheer epicness of martial arts.

The Nicholas Linnear series by Eric Van Lustbader. Very kool martial arts novels, and great insights into Japanese culture. I'm only up to the fourth book but so far they have all ruled.
The series is as follows:

The Ninja
The Miko
White Ninja
The Kaisho
Floating City
Second Skin

On Lustbader's website it say's that "The Ninja" has a director attached to it for the movie adaption, but they are just awaiting a script writer. Can't wait!

I've read some of his other books, I'll definately have to check those out! :)

[CrowZer0]

Ooh, haven't noticed this before.

Robert Greene - The 48 laws of power http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_48_Laws_of_Power

Joe Abercrombie - The first law trilogy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_First_Law

Patrick Rothfuss - The name of the wind, and The Wise mans fear. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Rothfuss

Scott Lynch - The Gentlemen Bastards, The Lies of Locke Lamora, Red seas under red skies. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Lynch

George R.R. Martin - A song of ice and fire (Game of thrones on HBO is based on this)

Peter V Brett - The Painted Man and Desert Spear http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Painted_Man

Brandon Sanderson - Mistborn Trilogy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mistborn:_The_Final_Empire

Brent Weeks - The Night Angel trilogy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brent_Weeks

Hm, that's all I can think of for now. :)

[CrowZer0]

Ooh, haven't noticed this before.

:bang: Turns out I posted on this in 2005 :bang:

[Fish Of Doom]

holy crap this thread is old!

updated answer:

sci-fi: favourite's julian may's saga of pliocene exile, followed by dune, followed by niven and pournelle's mote in god's eye.

fantasy: favourite's r. scott bakker's prince of nothing and aspect emperor trilogies (the latter on its second book, with at least two more incoming), followed by martin's song of ice and fire, followed by edding's the elenium and tamuli.

don't read much that isn't sci-fi/fantasy, though :p

[CrowZer0]

holy crap this thread is old!

updated answer:

sci-fi: favourite's julian may's saga of pliocene exile, followed by dune, followed by niven and pournelle's mote in god's eye.

fantasy: favourite's r. scott bakker's prince of nothing and aspect emperor trilogies (the latter on its second book, with at least two more incoming), followed by martin's song of ice and fire, followed by edding's the elenium and tamuli.

don't read much that isn't sci-fi/fantasy, though :p

Prince of nothing, I believe I read that one, the one where his power is logic or something? I don't think I finished it, yes it's old, I was going to start a "your favourite books" thread but stumbled upon this one. :)

[Fish Of Doom]

also i just remembered a really good series by christian jacq called the stone of light, which deals with the workers that built the pharaoh's tombs in the valley of the kings in ancient egypt. recommended to anyone who likes historical fiction (he also has a few other egypt based series as well).

[Fish Of Doom]

Prince of nothing, I believe I read that one, the one where his power is logic or something? I don't think I finished it, yes it's old, I was going to start a "your favourite books" thread but stumbled upon this one. :)

sort of, yes. first book is the darkness that came before, second is the warrior prophet, and the third is the thousandfold thought.

aspect emperor is also pretty good. the first one, judging eye, is quite interesting, and the second one, the white-luck warrior, is seven thousand shades of magnificent :D

[kurokuma]

tsun tsu's the art of war