Book Club!

[BoltBait]

I just finished up reading the third book in the Interdependancy Series by John Scalzi called The Last Emperox.  It was a wonderful ending to a great series.  This series includes The Collapsing Empire, The Consuming Fire, and The Last Emperox.

 

I love Sci-Fi, so Scalzi is one of my favorite authors.  If you're curious about him, try reading Old Man's War.  That's the first book in a series of, like, 6 or 7 books.  Amazing.  Or, you could try Redshirts a kind of humorous take on Star Trek.

 

Another sci-fi book I read recently is called Sea of Rust by C. Robert Cargill. 

 

Of course, I've read TONS of old sci-fi classic authors, like Heinlein, Asimov, and Bradbury.

 

And, some newer series, like The Hunger Games, Ender's Game, and Artemis Fowl.

 

It got me wondering what books you're reading and how do you consume them?  Are you a fan of e-Readers (Kindle, etc.), actual paper books, or audio books?

 

I have a Kindle Paperwhite and share an account with my daughter so that we can share books.

 

If you have book suggestions, post away!

[toe_head2001]

I've been trying to read more of the classics. I'm currently reading 20,000 Leagues under the Sea by Jules Verne.

 

During the past month, I read Call of the Wild by Jack London, and an abridge version of The Odyssey.

 

I read paper books. You can get a lot used books for a dollar or less at second-hand stores.

 

If I'm reading on some sort of electronic device, I get distracted too easily. That probably wouldn't be a issue with a Kindle, but I've never owned or used one for an extended amount of time.

 

I rarely listen to audio books. In total, I've probably listened to 5 in my life. I do like them though. It just seems like it's never a convenient time to listen to one.

[BoltBait]

On 6/16/2020 at 1:33 AM, toe_head2001 said:

I've been trying to read more of the classics...

 

I decided to type up my list of Top 10 Favorite Books.  So, here it is in no particular order.

I could fill my entire list with Sci-Fi books, but I decided to try and mix things up a bit.

Hopefully, you'll find something on this list that you like. Enjoy.

The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury

Ray Bradbury is probably the greatest writer alive today. (Oops! He died.  ) His books read more like poetry than prose. This collection of sci-fi short stories are very accessible—they are more about people and situations than technobabble. My two favorite stories are No Particular Night or Morning and Kaleidoscope. I also like his books Fahrenheit 451 and The Martian Chronicles.

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

What would happen if all the giants of business and industry got tired of the constant interference from the government and simply left? This book tells that story. Don't be afraid by the length of this one; it's over 1000 pages but it reads quickly (except for the big speech near the end, that kinda drags on). Also, check out her other works The Fountainhead, We The Living, and Anthem.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

This is the first book in a 5 book sci-fi "trilogy". It is Amazing and funny. It sets out to answer the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything. Just don't watch the movie of the same name--it's awful. However, you may want to look for the BBC miniseries as it is VERY well done... and won't spoil the book if you watch it first. Also, check out his Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency series.

Animal Farm by George Orwell

There is a reason that books like this are considered "classics"—they're good. It tells the story of revolt on a farm and the dangers of corrupt leadership. Just as relevant today as in 1945 when it was first published. Other classics you might try are Nineteen Eighty-Four, Brave New World, Catch-22, The Catcher in the Rye, and Lord of the Flies. If you're like me, you were assigned all of these in school and skipped them. Go back and give them another read. You'll be glad you did.

Battlefield Earth by L. Ron Hubbard

Another monster of a book (over 1000 pages) that is a fast, easy read. This book was L. Ron Hubbard's return to sci-fi after a long hiatus. It tells the story of Jonnie Goodboy Tyler and the Psychlos that rule his world. Just stay away from the movie with the same name. Read the book instead. It is incredible. Every page is action packed. I didn't want to put it down.

I, Robot by Isaac Asimov

This is nothing like the movie. (I found the movie to be good but it doesn't really relate to the book much at all.) It is a book of loosely related sci-fi short stories. These are stories to make you think logically. Also, check out his Foundation trilogy (Foundation, Foundation and Empire, and Second Foundation). Other authors of classic Sci-Fi I would recommend are Robert A. Heinlein (The Moon is a Harsh Mistress and Orphans of the Sky) and C.S. Lewis (The Chronicles of Narnia and Out of the Silent Planet).

The Godfather by Mario Puzo

This is a great story and very well written. Better than the movie? You be the judge. It tells the story of a Sicilian Mafia family based in New York headed by Don Vito Corleone. Also, check out his books The Fourth K and The Last Don.

Einstein's Dreams by Alan Lightman

The novel fictionalizes Albert Einstein as a young scientist working on his theory of relativity. Each chapter explores one dream about a conception of time. Lightman's writing style reminds me of Ray Bradbury.

Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess by Bobby Fischer

Some claim that the book is written by him, others claim that it is not—doesn't matter. It is the best book on the subject. Period. Basically, Fischer "skips to the end" and teaches you how to recognize a situation where you can mate your opponent... after all, that is how games are won. After reading this book, you WILL be a better chess player. It is a quick read that you won't be able to put down.

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

Really? A kids book on your list? Sure. I have 4 kids and have read a TON of kids books over the years. This is the only one that really stuck with me. It is a kids book on the surface, but the meaning goes much deeper. Take a few minutes to read this, it is well worth your time. If you enjoy it, you might want to check out his wonderful collection of poems and drawings called Where the Sidewalk Ends.

 

[Seerose]

❤️ Sir @BoltBait!

 

I enjoy reading and listening to books by David Baldacci. 

[xod]

I think I'm at the age where I have to start taking care of my soul, because I've taken care of my body all my life.
In fact, the spiritual life can begin much earlier because no one guarantees that you will reach old age.

„The Soul After Death” by Fr. Seraphim Rose.

„Genesis, Creation and Early Man. The Orthodox Christian Vision” by Fr. Seraphim Rose.

„Truth: What Every Roman Catholic Should Know About the Orthodox Church” by Clark Carlton.

[AndrewDavid]

Many years ago, while serving in the military, I read a lot due to all the time spent on watch. One day, I ran out of books to read. Hard to believe, but when you are in isolation, there is nowhere to go to buy books. So, I started collecting them. When in port or on return back to Canada, I searched the bookstores for my favorite authors. Only Hardcover would do. I began to realize it is better to have a book waiting to be read than to stare at all the books already enjoyed. I have now about 40 books that sit on the shelf just waiting for me to turn the pages. I know they will be good when I finally do. Fortunately, I can count my favorite authors on one hand.

 

Tom Clancy

Stephen King

Clive Cussler

Robert Ludlum

Michael Slade

 

Other stories I have enjoyed, but never made an effort to collect all their works. Heinlein, Asimov, Tolkien, Edgar Rice Burroughs, and Ian Fleming all come to mind.

[Red ochre]

A useful thread for reading ideas now the shops are starting to re-open here.
However I do like re-reading favourite books and often get more from them the second time.

 

Fiction:
Currently re-reading The lost World and other stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I love the Holmes stories too.
The call of Cthulhu by H.P.Lovecraft - very dark - he obviously influenced Stephen King.
Dracula by Bram Stoker - I've never seen a film/movie that does the book justice.
Rogue Male by Geoffrey Household - brilliant.
The Hobbit & Lord of the rings by J.R.R Tolkien - again film directors don't seem able to stick to the original story!

 

Science:
The book of nothing by John D Barrow. From the role of zero in mathematics to quantum vacuum energy. Fascinating and well written.
A history of Ancient Britain by Neil Oliver
The elegant universe by Brian Greene. Layman's explanation of string theory...enjoyed what I understood!
Periodic Tales by Hugh Aldersey Williams. Blend of science history and travelogue.
MCAD/MCSD Windows based applications with Visual basic.NET and Visual C#.Net (2002) - £2.99 in a charity shop! - bought it to help with insomnia!🤪

[Ego Eram Reputo]

I'm currently 'into' the Malazan series by Steven Erikson. First book is Gardens of the Moon https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gardens_of_the_Moon

 

The series  rivals anything I've read (Orson Scott Card, David Wingrove, Tolkien, Raymond E Feist....). The scope is absolutely HUGE, but then the author does have 10 large books to fill out. Think of an epic two or three GoT in size.

 

I read for leisure on an ancient Kindle. For all reference books I prefer the dead-tree variety.

 

 

[Seerose]

❤️ @Red ochre!

 

I've read all Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's books and seen all the films.

With every film or book I also discover something new, whether you have not read or heard before.  
 

[Pixey]

 

For me, I’ve gone through stages of liking one author or another.

When I was little, it was Beano and Rupert manuals.

The next stage was Enid Blyton; The Famous Five & The Secret Seven.

As a teenager one book that really moved me was, The Snow Goose by Paul Gallico.

Then onto years of reading Wilbur Smith, when I was living in Africa.  I met him once, with my parents at a safari resort.  He was there to hunt crocodiles in the night!

The next stage would be thrillers and mysteries, mainly everything by Agatha Christie and more recently, a Swede named Stieg Larsson. And I’m also a Sir Arthur Conan Doyle fan as well.

My absolute best reads of all time were Anna Karenina by Tolstoy and Night in Lisbon by Erich Maria Remarque.

Also, over the years I’ve enjoyed Neville Shute – especially ‘On the Beach’ – and Graham Greene like Travels with My Aunt, The End of the Affair, The Quiet American, Our Man in Havana and The Third Man, to name a few.

Then a period of Evelyn Waugh books, such as Brideshead Revisited, Scoop, The Loved One, Black Mischief and A Tourist in Africa.

We have an author living here in our building, called Michael Jordon (no relation to the ball player) who recently wrote a thriller called The Company of Demons.  A bit on the gory side for me, but very well written and he’s had rave reviews.

Presently, I am reading The Man who never was by Ewen Montagu.

 

[LionsDragon]

Well, I finally found my dead-tree copy of my favorite book (accidentally crammed it into storage when we moved). I have it on my tablet, but there's something about the smell of a book.... *happy sigh*

 

Precious Bane by Mary Webb is the book in question. It's an unusual retelling of Cinderella, which happens to be my favorite fairy tale.

It's also a good time of year to re-read Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, or Ellery Queen. If anyone can recommend more deductive-style mysteries like Conan Doyle or Queen, I would be forever grateful. I just can't handle all the melodrama in some of the modern authors. (Note: Bee Keeper's Apprentice series is a hard pass.)

 

Still trying to read Brian May's doctoral thesis, and then I have some archaeological bits to catch up on.

 

And yes, I'm re-reading my favorite cookbooks.

 

[TrevorOutlaw]

Speaking of classic books, one series I enjoyed was John Carter's adventures on Mars written by Edgar Rice Burroughs.  Disney's film, Carter, was not too terrible in spite of film critics, I think that trying to squeeze a novel into an hour or so long isn't practical whereas a mini-series would make the most sense as it would allow exploration of Carter's adapting and growing in Martian various cultures.

[AndrewDavid]

@TrevorOutlaw

Found this on the web;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE9mQRffai0&list=PLYz1nmrUPFyHPQ2kk5lXJ6R3hym87KZIA&index=27&t=0s

 

[BoltBait]

Just finished up a series of 3 books called:

 

Scythe

 

by Neal Shusterman

 

(Scythe, Thunderhead, and The Toll)

 

I really enjoy YA science fiction.  YA novels are similar to Adult targeted novels, having complex characters with varied motivations, without delving too deep into the details of sexual relationships--something I find unnecessary.

 

[BlastOfBN]

I’m trying to reread the entire Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. I’ve been a fan since I was eight years old, and I pretty much have all the books in the series (except for The Third Wheel, haha).

[TrevorOutlaw]

On 6/16/2020 at 10:09 AM, Seerose said:

❤️ Sir @BoltBait!

 

I enjoy reading and listening to books by David Baldacci. 

+1 for David Baldacci. His novel, The Whole Truth, really opened my eyes and I have never looked at the world the same since. 

 

Mysterious Island was a fantastic read. 
 

Christian horror genre written by Ted Dekker and Frank Perreti have been enjoyable read as well. I haven’t read a novel in several years.