Books to Read?

[nodrew]

I feel like I've become illiterate as of late. I need to find new books to satiate my need for imaginative cognition, so I'm calling out for help. Any suggetions on good books to read?

Preferably of the fantasy or science fiction genres.

[phee]

Abarat by Clive Barker is my current book de jur.

[nodrew]

I'm thinking about picking up some Neil Gaimen... haven't really read anything he's done (including Sandman) except for Good Omens.

I've heard American Gods is a good one.

[phee]

Right now I am on (yet another of many) H.P. Lovecraft kicks.

[nodrew]

Any books you can recommend from him, as he's another that I always meant to read, but haven't.

[Shade Everdark]

I don't know if you're ready to get into what is shaping up to be another long series (I well remember our Robert Jordan conversations), but George R. R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series is quite good, if kinda depressing. It starts with A Game of Thrones, then moves to A Clash of Kings and A Storm of Swords.

I've read a couple of Asimov's Foundation series, and they're pretty good as well, if you've not read them.

I keep harping on this one: Orson Scott Card's Ender series is quite thought-provoking, even if the end of the first series leaves one disappointed. All of Card's series seems to do that. (For reference, the first series, and the only one I've bothered to read, is Ender's Game, Speaker for the Dead, Xenocide, and Children of the Mind.)

[phee]

As far as any H.P. Lovecraft, he only published a few what would be considered "novels." There are many short stories out in collected works. Some of my favorite stories by him include: Shadow out of Time, Call of Cthulu, Colour Out Of Space, Whisper in The Dark, and my current favorite, The Rats in the Walls.

[gothicmom]

I read The DaVinci Code a few weeks ago...not sci fi or fantasy but a very good read.

[TheLordShaper]

I'm thinking about picking up some Neil Gaimen... haven't really read anything he's done (including Sandman) except for Good Omes.

I've heard American Gods is a good one.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nodrew,

Neil Gaimen is by far my favorite author, hence my screen name. American gods is an amazing book and a very easy and engaging read. If you never have read the Sandman series you really must. I really think they are the defining comic book series of the 90's especially for adult targeted graphic novels. The writing is incredible; the story line is very deep and broad spanning all forums of influence. I have read all of his work and have yet to find anything he has had a hand in that I have been unsatisfied with.

~TLS

[mallochai]

I have to agree with TheLordShaper on that one. American Gods was a very engaging read. Full of wicked and sweet things. I haven't read any of his other stuff yet, but look forward to it in the future.

By the way, how was Good Omens? That's the collaboration with Terry Pratchett, right?

[TheLordShaper]

Good Omens was a great read. Full of beautiful satire and religious references made fun of in ways that make you think about things. I mean c’mon satanic nuns accidentally misplacing the antichrist at birth? Complacent demons and angels working together... Great stuff. Neil and Terry's creative energy runs wild in the book and you can really tell the collaborative effort if you’re a fan of either authors other works.

Also another quick read for Gaimen is Stardust. I finished it in 2.5 hours and I'm usually a slow reader but the book flowed so nicely and was just a great break from reality for a bit.

~TLS

[phee]

Incidently, Gaimen has written a few "Lovecraftien" stories as well, one of which appears in his short story anthology Smoke and Mirrors

[LuthienTheFallen]

R.A. Salvatore is a good auther, also clive cussler has some good stuff