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randar23rhenn · Old school JRPG Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 2098

i just finished "The Algebraist" by Iain M. Banks

seriously, if any of you want to read what is easily one of the best Sci-Fi novels ever (in my opinion), pick this up and read it cover to cover. it takes a while to fully understand what's happening, but it is amazing. the story is superb, the characters genuine, the action intense, and the message is just great. i love this guy's books.
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LiQuid! · fasta dan a muddafucka! Joined: 07 Oct 2005 Posts: 8964

VsPluckyDuck · Duckslit Joined: 19 Jan 2006 Posts: 1268

I can't find my copy of Rhetorical Grammar whenever I want to read it. Some people would argue that that's a good thing.

Continuing with the linguistics theme, though, I did dig up my awesome encyclopedia of 60,000 world languages. I used gift certificates to buy that thing at 20% off with the educational discount, and thus got a cool book I wouldn't have paid $60 cash for.

randar23rhenn · Old school JRPG Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 2098

LiQuid! · fasta dan a muddafucka! Joined: 07 Oct 2005 Posts: 8964

Well I more than likely won't indulge you in that, but could you waste a little bit more of your time trying to explain to me what an Archimandrite Luseferous of the Starveling Cult is? Honest to god it sounds like something from a Douglas Adams book...
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randar23rhenn · Old school JRPG Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 2098

whoa, sorry, i didn't see your reply Liquid, so first i'll answer, then i'll write what i was gonna post anyway

so: the Archimandrite Luciferous of the Starveling Cult

Archimandrite is his political title- it's borrowed by Iain Banks from the title given to a sort of superior abbot (wikipedia, thank you). Here, it's sort of the supreme ruler of a faction

anyway, he took the name Luciferous, which (in the book) references the "ancient god of evil" Lucifer (satan), because he liked how it is

the Starveling Cult is basically just a faction of people conquering their region of the galaxy

and the man himself is actually quite insane, giving the name a very real, and true feeling to it, if you read the book. it makes sense (hes crazy)

anyway, i just finished "Prentice Alvin" by Orson Scott Card.. the 3rd book in the Alvin Maker series (3 of 6)

every time I start to read a book in this series its mainly because i feel bad for neglecting it. yet each time i start, i cant put the book down. after the first book it took me a long time to start the second, then i flew through it. same with this one. Card's writing style is so amazing, you can truly FEEL as though you are the characters, and understand all of their actions, even the evil ones.. and you start to really get distaste for the bad guys, but you can at least understand the "why"

the series is truly amazing, ill be starting the next one... when i feel like it. its easy to pick up the next one and know what's going on.

right now i'm reading "Consider Phlebas" by Iain M. Banks (same guy that wrote The Algebraist). he's truly an amazing author. easily tied for my favorite (with orson scott card and Clive Barker)
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RagePirate · Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 1:27 pm Post subject:

This thread needs a good kick in the pants. Since I'm going back home in a week and this time it's for good, I'm going to be digging up all my old books and finding a new bookshelf for the new apartment in June. Figure I'll toss out a great quote from one of the all time great autobiographies.

Not long ago, an English writer telephoned me, asking questions. One was, "What's your alma mater?" I told him, "Books."

Malcolm X
The Autobiography of Malcolm X

If you haven't read the Autobiography of Malcolm X, do so. White, black, man, woman, no matter who you are, it is excellent.
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Strategos · Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 2:16 pm Post subject:

Been reading 'The Birdman of Alcatraz,' which, while moving, could have been better written - too bad this wasn't local or Columbian enough for Marquez.

At the same time, reading "John Dies at the End," which is both hilarious and at some points actually frightening after a measure.
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H-E-S-T-E-R is a long, convoluted joke.

Acend · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 6:10 am Post subject:

Animal Farm, Orwell
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Phil · Bloody persistant Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 2523

I got a shiny new library card a few days ago, so recommend some fiction for me to check out.

VsPluckyDuck · Duckslit Joined: 19 Jan 2006 Posts: 1268

Phil · Bloody persistant Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 2523

NR · Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 3:12 pm Post subject:

Time for my token recommendation of Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa.

Super Megaman X · Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 8:30 am Post subject:

If we're talking Neil Stephenson, pick up "Snow Crash". Great book, read it in high school. Nothing like a cybernetic future where the mafia owns everything, have gone pretty legit, and their main source of income is Pizza delivery guys who have to outrun robotic dogs. Yum yum.
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As can be seen, witty is not my strong suit.

randar23rhenn · Old school JRPG Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 2098

stephenson, did he write the golden compass

speaking of that, was it good (even if he didn't write it)

and whatcha all thinking of the movie (wrong thread, but book related) thats going to come out, will it be lame?

finished Consider Phlebas by Iain M. Banks, now I'm reading "Alvin Journeyman" by Orson Scott Card- book 4 in the Alvin Maker series

anyway, Iain M. Banks never ceases to amaze me with his ability to write science fiction. i now own some of his normal fiction as well and will read it ASAP

also, Orson Scott Card's Alvin Maker series is simply amazing, if you're a fan of alternate history get it.. if you dislike alternate history, get it anyway because its a great fantasy series
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Strategos · Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 5:39 am Post subject:

I'm pretty sure Golden Compass was Pullman, and when I read that series when I was little (ten, tops, more likely nine) it was good, but a lot escaped me and went over my head. I need to reread it now that I will understand the political overtones better (Like, at all).
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H-E-S-T-E-R is a long, convoluted joke.

RagePirate · Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 8:32 am Post subject:

I recently bought a few books worth checking out. A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole is a must read. It takes the best parts of Don Quixote and Catch 22 and blends them into a real masterpiece. Toole killed himself before this book was ever published, but his mother eventually convinced a publisher to look at it. They immediately published it and Toole eventually was awarded a posthumous Pulitzer Prize for the book. Any and all can appreciate that book.

And if you're into a denser, Faulknerian read try Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian. It can get dense at times, but the language is excellent and it's one of those books you read and realize you can never be as good at anything as this guy is at writing. Try it out. It's a really good, bloody Western.
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Strategos · Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 8:39 am Post subject:

Dogland. That book is just good. Read it.
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H-E-S-T-E-R is a long, convoluted joke.

randar23rhenn · Old school JRPG Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 2098

just finished "The Player of Games" by Iain Banks

his style of sci-fi continues to amaze me, this is the 4th book i've read by him and each one has been absolutely superb

now reading "Ravenor Rogue" from the Warhammer 40k universe by Dan Abnett
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RagePirate · Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 12:21 pm Post subject: