GPA Book Club

Perhaps we could share what books we're reading, ask for suggestions and such?

I read mostly books in English/the original language of the book.
And genres fantasy, every now and then some sci-fi and when I'm bored of both then I go for some classic books or just about any bestseller Swedish.

Right now I'm reading City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett as it was a nominee for some award and I must say I like the world

Oooh, I just started reading all my European history textbook if that counts! They're actually a lot more interesting that I once would have thought. O.o

I'm in the middle of the Kushiel's Legacy series, which is good if you like long, politics-heavy historical fantasy.... which I do, but I don't think most people share my opinion lol!

On the other hand I really enjoy fluffy fantasy and sci fi as well as the harder stuff... so if anyone has rec's for books you can "eat" in a couple of days or less, I'm totally into that too

Just started reading the Mind Dimensions series by Dima Zales. Cant evaluate since Im only page 15 in the first book, but I'll tell you what I think soon.

I'm actually reading Green Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson and also Ringworld by Larry Niven.

Lots of good books in here.

I'm currently re-reading the Dune series right now and am almost done Dune Messiah. I've been thinking about getting back into the Forgotten Realms universe again, but it's been such a long time that I'll have a lot of catching up to do.

Animal Farm and Lord of the Flies are 2 of my all time favorite books. Right now, (My nerdyness is coming out) I am reading through all the StarCraft books. They are great because there are giving more story then the games ever could and it is tons of fun to picture everything in your head.

Another great book, but it is over 1000 pages, is Centennial by James A. Michener. If you want to make it shorter you can skip the first 3 chapters which is about 200-300 pages. All it is about is evolution about how the land and animals of Colorado were formed. I skipped them because that stuff bores me and I don't believe it either. But it is still a great book and if any of you ever want a fictional story of Colorado history you should read it.

I also suggest the Hobbit. There are a few other fantasy books I like.

Beside those books I have never been much of a reader. But I have grown my book collection more this year then I did through out highschool. But if you have any questions about the books I suggested just ask, I might be able to find somewhere you can find them like amazon or ebay or something haha.

I guess you guys like science fiction so I will recommend The Martian by Andy Weir. There's also a movie out based on it. It is not your typical science fiction book, however, all the science is rock solid. We could probably do almost everything described in the book today if we spent enough money.

The Eragon series is awesome, I highly recommend it.

I have an original copy of Oliver's Twist, I decided to delicately read that. I have a lot of really old copies of Charles Dickens' work actually in my basement. O.o They smell amazing...

Charles Dickens has some good books.

Nice with some "normal" fiction out here too! One of my favorites is Catch 22

The Pilgrim's Progress is another one of my favorites.

I suggest, in case some of you are into cyberpunk, to read neuromancer. It's !%#@% mind blowing, it as a good plot and a good pace. Also, a good classic is stranger in a strange land by Robert Heinlein, if you grok. The first chapter of Brave new world is incredible (I'm a student in behavioral sciences), although the story in itself kind'a sucks. The Forever War and the Forever Peace by Joe Haldeman are really good books too, I would recommend them to any of you who likes romance, military and futuristic tech.

I'm in the middle of reading A Wheel of Time right now (just picked up book 4). It's pretty great so far. If anyone likes fantasy, my favorite author is Brandon Sanderson and he has a lot of quality work (reading his books got me back into reading regularly after a 7 or 8 year hiatus).

Infinite Citadel wrote:I'm in the middle of reading A Wheel of Time right now (just picked up book 4). It's pretty great so far. If anyone likes fantasy, my favorite author is Brandon Sanderson and he has a lot of quality work (reading his books got me back into reading regularly after a 7 or 8 year hiatus).

Ahh yes! The wheel of time is an amazing series. I've only read the first few though. That's the one with the endowments and stuff right, with Raj Ahten right?

EDIT: Nvm that's The Runelords. (also amazing books)

Infinite Citadel wrote:I'm in the middle of reading A Wheel of Time right now (just picked up book 4). It's pretty great so far. If anyone likes fantasy, my favorite author is Brandon Sanderson and he has a lot of quality work (reading his books got me back into reading regularly after a 7 or 8 year hiatus).

Nice! Like 10 years ago I read the wheel of time series until the last book at the time. Still haven't read the finale - it's in queue but waiting for the mood and maybe I should re-read the previous book just in case.
Brandon Sanderson co-wrote the last in that series I believe, but I'm also a big fan of the Reckoners series by Brandon too.

Tamer wrote:I suggest, in case some of you are into cyberpunk, to read neuromancer. It's !%#@% mind blowing, it as a good plot and a good pace. Also, a good classic is stranger in a strange land by Robert Heinlein, if you grok. The first chapter of Brave new world is incredible (I'm a student in behavioral sciences), although the story in itself kind'a sucks. The Forever War and the Forever Peace by Joe Haldeman are really good books too, I would recommend them to any of you who likes romance, military and futuristic tech.

I did enjoy Neuromancer quite a lot. Oh cool! Grok! I've only used it in the context of http://logstash.net/docs/1.4.1/filters/grok - I must read Stranger in a Strange land now ) Thanks!

Reading snow crash by neal Stephenson now. Good stuff

Just finished reading Patient Zero by Jonathan Maberry. It's a must read

Added to my to read list  Thanks!

Np, as note, that is the first book in the series. The series is amazing and a good read

Godfrey wrote:Lots of good books in here.

I'm currently re-reading the Dune series right now and am almost done Dune Messiah. I've been thinking about getting back into the Forgotten Realms universe again, but it's been such a long time that I'll have a lot of catching up to do.

How are you able to stay awake? I love the movie (I know its crappy in dialog and graphics) but can't stand the books.  The author had a good premise but his writing scheme is tedious and leaves much to be desired.

I'm currently enjoying the Lorien Legacies, specifically the first one, I am Number Four.  The movie has been met with bad reviews, but since I've never seen it, I decided to give the book a chance.  I'm now glad I did. I was so engrossed in the audio book version when I went riding last night, I did 10 miles without realizing it.

Yeah I understand that criticism, you're not wrong on that. I've been a big fan of Dune since I was a child so that certainly colors the way I see it and it's very nostalgic for me to reread them again. The sheer scope of the universe and the themes it plays with help to get past his writing, but it can be hard at times I agree. The idea that knowing the future and the outcome of every event leads to the paradox where you have no free will at all still blows my mind thinking about it.

The David Lynch movie has it's moments for sure despite it's shortcomings. The mini-series of Dune and Children of Dune I think are way better and capture the essence of the book despite a really low budget and some questionable acting. There's also some really great actors in them (William Hurt, James McAvoy) so it evens out.

What's the Lorien Legacies about? It sounds interesting.

Godfrey wrote:Yeah I understand that criticism, you're not wrong on that. I've been a big fan of Dune since I was a child so that certainly colors the way I see it and it's very nostalgic for me to reread them again. The sheer scope of the universe and the themes it plays with help to get past his writing, but it can be hard at times I agree. The idea that knowing the future and the outcome of every event leads to the paradox where you have no free will at all still blows my mind thinking about it.

The David Lynch movie has it's moments for sure despite it's shortcomings. The mini-series of Dune and Children of Dune I think are way better and capture the essence of the book despite a really low budget and some questionable acting.

What's the Lorien Legacies about? It sounds interesting.

"Nine of us came here. We look like you. We talk like you. We live among you. But we are not you. We can do things you dream of doing. We have powers you dream of having. We are stronger and faster than anything you have ever seen. We are the superheroes you worship in movies and comic books—but we are real.
Our plan was to grow, and train, and become strong, and become one, and fight them. But they found us and started hunting us first. Now all of us are running. Spending our lives in shadows, in places where no one would look, blending in. we have lived among you without you knowing.
But they know.
They caught Number One in Malaysia.
Number Two in England.
And Number Three in Kenya.
They killed them all.
I am Number Four.
I am next."

Its about a group of aliens who came to earth to save their race, but needed a place to hide until the last few of their kind could grow up and reclaim their world.  Their enemy has tracked them down and is now hunting them down one by one.  Nine is is reduced to six and then the story begins with the story of number four's past and how he came to his present situation.  Pick it up, its a fairly good read so far.

One warning.  The series isn't complete.  The last book is due next year.  I hate reading new series because I'm an impatient person and can blow through a great book in a day....I'm gonna hate myself when I get to the next to last book.

Cool, sounds like an interesting concept. I'll check it out.

I have read world War Z which was good, but is also one of these rare where the movie adaption was good too. Read that?