What other fantasy books do YOU read? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

JennyHallu · 02-22-2006, 09:35 AM

I have a thing for long books, probably, at least in part, because I read very fast. I enjoyed Ender's sequels very very much. I found the philosophy he goes into in them really seemed to have a strong element of truth. But you can't look at them in the same light as you read Ender's Game. It's the same character, maybe, barely, but it's not the same story. It's about something else.

Encaitare · 02-22-2006, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alatar

Jules Verne. Cool. Can remember buying a copy as a youngster for a quarter (dollar), and possibly still have it. I'd add to the list "Journey to the Centre of the Earth." Another 'classic' author of note (at least to me) is H. G. Wells, and you'd do ahh...good..by reading his works such as The Time Machine, The Invisible Man and The War of the Worlds.

And need I mention Poe?

The copy I have belonged to one of my parents and cost 60 cents. If only you could still get lovely books for less than a dollar! Journey to the Center of the Earth was spiffy too. As for Wells... I've seen the movie versions of all those books! (Okay, so it was "Abbot and Costello Meet the Invisible Man...) Those books are on my "To-Read" list, though, and I'm pretty sure there's a copy of the Invisible Man floating around here somewhere.

Poe is just a given.

Eonwe · 02-22-2006, 02:53 PM

Lets see...Ursula Le Guen's Wizard of Earthsea, I have yet to finish...
What was that one...Silver on a Tree...Over Sea Under Earth...those? I can't remember the series title...something about Greenwitch...
I'm sorry to say...Dragonlance...

. Com'n they were good as a kid...
Bit of si-fi...my uncles seventies era Star Wars books...Star Trek (just a little), and various others on his shelf...

There's this one though, fellow by the name of Tolkien. I tell you what, he's the one to beat em all...yes sir...

Nogrod · 02-22-2006, 03:24 PM

Even though I don't like the basic philosophy of Dan Simmons (seems to be quite 9/11 panicked "we'll have to learn to fight once again" -kind of stuff). His new ones': "Ilium" and "Olympos" are surely worth reading... It's kind of sci-fi / Greek mythology poured together. Sounds terrible, reads great! He's very crafty in knitting the web together and making a story take you with it.

Well probably someone has already mentioned those in this thread, but read this then just as an affirmative yes-vote...

Valier · 02-22-2006, 04:03 PM

Has anyone read the Earth Children's series by Jean M Auel? She is an amazing writer, so descriptive and inspiring. I guess it is a little bit of a "girlie" series. If you haven't read them you should they are very informative in healing lore and practices, as well as fire starting, food collecting...pretty much stuff that would mostly work for Middle Earth stories.(Starts with Clan of the Cave Bear.) You may have heard of this one or seen the movie, but there are four more that come after. They are brilliant!

Nogrod · 02-22-2006, 04:34 PM

Just looked a bit backwards with this thread.

If you like sci-fi, do look at the books by Iain M. Banks (the same guy who writes "traditional" novels without the "M." in the middle). There sure is some fantasy!

I myself started with the "Use of weapons", but many think that the "Player of games" is the classic. His newer one's ("Look to windward" and "The Algebraist") are probably even better...

Lalwendë · 02-22-2006, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nogrod

If you like sci-fi, do look at the books by Iain M. Banks (the same guy who writes "traditional" novels without the "M." in the middle). There sure is some fantasy!

I wouldn't call The Wasp Factory traditional though!

That's got to be one of the strangest and most horrible books I've ever read, but it's one of my favourites too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valier

Has anyone read the Earth Children's series by Jean M Auel? She is an amazing writer, so descriptive and inspiring. I guess it is a little bit of a "girlie" series. If you haven't read them you should they are very informative in healing lore and practices, as well as fire starting, food collecting...pretty much stuff that would mostly work for Middle Earth stories.(Starts with Clan of the Cave Bear.) You may have heard of this one or seen the movie, but there are four more that come after. They are brilliant!

I bought these in a set, second hand for about £6. I enjoyed the first three but then I got to the fourth one and stopped, as it became a bit dull, it was mainly about travelling and without the plot of the other novels, which had been pretty gripping. But I might pick them up again and carry on from where I left off, as I hear a sixth book is planned. They are fascinating reading, and you do find yourself getting involved with the characters, but they can be very adult too, so be warned!

Thinlómien · 03-21-2006, 06:07 AM

I just rememberd Guy Gavriel Kay's (the same guy who helped Christopher Tolkien to collect and organise Silmarillion) Tigana. It's a very good book, which I can warmly recommend. Has anyone read it?

I also just finished Abhorsen by Garth Nix. I enjoyed it quite a lot and I wonder if anyone has read it...

02-22-2006, 09:35 AM	#1
JennyHallu The Pearl, The Lily Maid Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In my luxury Barrow, snuggled up in a pile of satin pillows, eating fresh fruit. Posts: 1,628	I have a thing for long books, probably, at least in part, because I read very fast. I enjoyed Ender's sequels very very much. I found the philosophy he goes into in them really seemed to have a strong element of truth. But you can't look at them in the same light as you read Ender's Game. It's the same character, maybe, barely, but it's not the same story. It's about something else. __________________ <=== Lookee, lookee, lots of IM handles!

02-22-2006, 02:53 PM	#3
Eonwe Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: In a world grown ever smaller. Posts: 678	Lets see...Ursula Le Guen's Wizard of Earthsea, I have yet to finish... What was that one...Silver on a Tree...Over Sea Under Earth...those? I can't remember the series title...something about Greenwitch... I'm sorry to say...Dragonlance... . Com'n they were good as a kid... Bit of si-fi...my uncles seventies era Star Wars books...Star Trek (just a little), and various others on his shelf... There's this one though, fellow by the name of Tolkien. I tell you what, he's the one to beat em all...yes sir... __________________ I've got bridge club on Wednesday, Archery on Thursday, Dancing on a Friday night!

02-22-2006, 03:24 PM	#4
Nogrod Flame of the Ainulindalë Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wearing rat's coat, crowskin, crossed staves in a field behaving as the wind behaves Posts: 9,308	Even though I don't like the basic philosophy of Dan Simmons (seems to be quite 9/11 panicked "we'll have to learn to fight once again" -kind of stuff). His new ones': "Ilium" and "Olympos" are surely worth reading... It's kind of sci-fi / Greek mythology poured together. Sounds terrible, reads great! He's very crafty in knitting the web together and making a story take you with it. Well probably someone has already mentioned those in this thread, but read this then just as an affirmative yes-vote... __________________ Upon the hearth the fire is red Beneath the roof there is a bed; But not yet weary are our feet...

02-22-2006, 04:34 PM	#6
Nogrod Flame of the Ainulindalë Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wearing rat's coat, crowskin, crossed staves in a field behaving as the wind behaves Posts: 9,308	Just looked a bit backwards with this thread. If you like sci-fi, do look at the books by Iain M. Banks (the same guy who writes "traditional" novels without the "M." in the middle). There sure is some fantasy! I myself started with the "Use of weapons", but many think that the "Player of games" is the classic. His newer one's ("Look to windward" and "The Algebraist") are probably even better... __________________ Upon the hearth the fire is red Beneath the roof there is a bed; But not yet weary are our feet...

03-21-2006, 06:07 AM	#8
Thinlómien Shady She-Penguin Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: In a far land beyond the Sea Posts: 8,093	I just rememberd Guy Gavriel Kay's (the same guy who helped Christopher Tolkien to collect and organise Silmarillion) Tigana. It's a very good book, which I can warmly recommend. Has anyone read it? I also just finished Abhorsen by Garth Nix. I enjoyed it quite a lot and I wonder if anyone has read it... __________________ Like the stars chase the sun, over the glowing hill I will conquer Blood is running deep, some things never sleep Double Fenris

02-22-2006, 04:03 PM	#5
Valier Twisted Taleswapper Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: somewhere between sanity and insanity Posts: 1,706	Has anyone read the Earth Children's series by Jean M Auel? She is an amazing writer, so descriptive and inspiring. I guess it is a little bit of a "girlie" series. If you haven't read them you should they are very informative in healing lore and practices, as well as fire starting, food collecting...pretty much stuff that would mostly work for Middle Earth stories.(Starts with Clan of the Cave Bear.) You may have heard of this one or seen the movie, but there are four more that come after. They are brilliant!