Author Topic: Good Books? (Read 19473 times)

Lecter · « **on:** July 01, 2003, 07:42:23 PM »

Hello everyone I'm new to these forums. Just wondering if anyone knows any really good books that will expand vocabulary, and keep me entertaining. At the moment I am reading Dreamcatcher by Steven King and I love it. Anyway what do you guys reccomend? I'm trying to stay away from getting into trouble, so I'm keeping myself busy by playing video games, lifting weights, learning to use my left hand, broaden my vocabulary and read.

Lecter · « **Reply #1 on:** July 01, 2003, 08:24:04 PM »

I'd also like to add get into anime. People say its awesome to watch, so what are some good anime shows, and what time and channel do they go on? I've seen a few things but they haven't appealed to me. I'm trying to catch Transformers since I used to watch the cartoon when I was a kid, but haven't gotten a chance.

Big_Pimp · « **Reply #2 on:** July 01, 2003, 09:18:41 PM »

Another good book Stephen King is IT, have you heard of it? It's one of the best books I've ever read, it's pretty long though. You should
also check out the StarCraft books if you're into it or even the Star Wars books, they're pretty good. I haven't read anything else for a while. As for anime, I suggest Evangelion, Escaflowne, Dragon Ball Z, and there are plenty of other good series/movies but I can't really think of them right now for "certain reasons".

Hope this helped.

nitsu niflheim · « **Reply #3 on:** July 02, 2003, 03:15:45 AM »

Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Peter Straub just to name a few authors, too many good books to list though.

GCNMasterX · « **Reply #4 on:** July 02, 2003, 08:42:54 AM »

For anime...watch Yu Yu Hakusho. You'll thank me after you watch it. Usually, you can see it on Toonami (Cartoon Network 5 pm.) or they're out on DVD and VHS. Also watch some Transformers: Armada.

For books...read all Harry Potters (if you havent yet), read Lord of the Rings Books, and...um...I can't think of anything else

Grey Ninja · « **Reply #5 on:** July 02, 2003, 12:03:12 PM »

Personally, I think that some of the best anime to start out with is Princess Mononoke or Spirited Away, or something along those lines. They are generic enough to appeal to the average American, and they don't have a lot of the "weirdness" that turns a lot of people away from anime when they first watch it.

Evangelion is very good, but be warned that it's twisted as hell, and it will mess with your head.

I actually started my roommate off with Kenshin a while back though. She really loved the Kenshin series. It's quite massive though, so if you watch it, and really like it, it will take you a LONG time to watch it.

My personal favorite animes at the moment include the Kenshin OVA's, which I am currently watching over and over repeatedly, and considering buying the real DVD... and of course Naruto, which you can get from Toriyama World. Naruto is a VERY cool anime, and I would advise watching it regardless of how long it takes you to download an episode.

For books, I would highly reccomend Stephen King's older books. Most notably, "IT", "The Dark Tower", "The Stand", and "The Tommyknockers". I generally don't like his newer stuff that much. I haven't read any books in years though. I have heard that a new Dark Tower book is on the way though, so I might just have to force myself to read that.

mouse_clicker · « **Reply #6 on:** July 02, 2003, 12:22:54 PM »

Obviously, if you haven't read Lord of the Rings or the Hobbit, I strongly urge you to do so- two greatest pieces of literary genius, if you ask me (and read my short story set in the world in this forum

). Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card is an incredibly good book as well. Dune by Frank Herbert, which I'm currently reading, is extraordinary. If you're a Star Wars fan I heavily recommend the New Jedi Order Series- the writing won't change your life but it has an extremely good story arc. H.P. Lovercraft is a master of surreal horror, as well.

For anime TV, I don't watch much but by far my favorite is Kikaider- I'd recommend it to anyone.

Ms.Pikmin · « **Reply #7 on:** July 02, 2003, 02:26:47 PM »

Big Pimp, OMG, IT was good, but scared the crap (can I say that on the forum?) out of me bad enough that I had to stop reading it. I had this horrible nightmare about a demented clown/monster looking thing that was holding a baby and smiling while he tortured the screaming baby. I had that dream right around the part where the kid is sitting on the pier at night and sees his brother in the water and IT chases him through the park or woods or whatever it was. I know I'm a total wimp. I have read several other Stephen King books without that reaction, but for some reason that book was just soooo creepy.

nitsu niflheim · « **Reply #8 on:** July 02, 2003, 03:39:47 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Grey Ninja
For books, I would highly reccomend Stephen King's older books. Most notably, "IT", "The Dark Tower", "The Stand", and "The Tommyknockers". I generally don't like his newer stuff that much. I haven't read any books in years though. I have heard that a new Dark Tower book is on the way though, so I might just have to force myself to read that.

Yes, read the Dark Tower Series. The next book will be out this November, Grey Ninja. It's called Wolves of the Calla The sixth book is called Song of Susannah and the final volume is called The Darl Tower Volume 6 and 7 are finished according to the new forward in the new release of the books and Stephen King is doing the revisions now. The first book in the series, The Gunslinger has benn revised and expanded throughout, which means about 35 more pages have been added.

If you like the Dark Tower, then you should read Hearts in Atlantis, Black House, both have major refrences to The Dark Tower world. Black House is the sequel to The Talisman if you didn't know.

His other books that tie in with The Dark Tower world are: The Stand, The Eyes of the Dragon, Insomnia, The Talisman, Black House, Hearts in Atlantis (The first story belongs), Everything's Eventual (contain the short novel, The Dark Tower: The Little Sister of Eluria -which I think if memory serves me correct takes place before the first book in the series-)

nitsu niflheim · « **Reply #9 on:** July 02, 2003, 03:45:26 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Ms.Pikmin
Big Pimp, OMG, IT was good, but scared the crap (can I say that on the forum?) out of me bad enough that I had to stop reading it. I had this horrible nightmare about a demented clown/monster looking thing that was holding a baby and smiling while he tortured the screaming baby. I had that dream right around the part where the kid is sitting on the pier at night and sees his brother in the water and IT chases him through the park or woods or whatever it was. I know I'm a total wimp. I have read several other Stephen King books without that reaction, but for some reason that book was just soooo creepy.

Stephen King is my all time favorite writer. I personally have never been scared by his books but that's just me. I know what you mean though, he has a way of taking the most mundane thing and making it scary and real, like Cujo, or Misery.

Grey Ninja · « **Reply #10 on:** July 02, 2003, 03:51:50 PM »

Nitsu, I saw the movie for Hearts in Atlantis, and I really didn't like it. I'm sure that the book is a lot better, but I think I know Stephen King well enough by now to pretty much predict where the movie went astray, and I still don't think I would like the book. I have been meaning to read Black House sometime though, as The Talisman was long one of my favorites. The problem is that I really don't like to read anymore. When I do, it reminds me of my childhood, which is enough to cause me to tear my eyes out.

KnowsNothing · « **Reply #11 on:** July 02, 2003, 04:08:17 PM »

As said by mouseclicker, Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card is among one of my favorites, as well as the compainion Ender's Shadow and the sequal Shadow of the Hegemon. All quality titles.

It's summer right now, so books to expand my vocab are off my list. So far, I've read all Dave Barry. He's a humor columnest for the Miami Hereld who has written a few books. I just read Dave Barry Does Japan and Dave Barry in Cyberspace, which were both really funny. But i must warn you, his style gets old rather quickly and he has a tendency to repeat joke. Well at least they're funny jokes. Most of them anyway.

I don't know how old any of you really are, but I'm only thirteen so these books might be under your level (or above, who knows?) But I also enjoyed The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spygalss and by some author i can't think of right now. Yeah, those were good.

As for anime, I tried to get into it, but I just couldn't. Dragonball and Dragonball Z seemed like crap to me, and Transformers Armada was poopy. The only one I started to like was, as mention earlier, Yu Yu Hakasho. Some of the body designs are weird though.

uh.. Grey Ninja...Spirited Away was plenty weird, but also extrmely good. Recommended.

mouse_clicker · « **Reply #12 on:** July 02, 2003, 04:24:45 PM »

KnowsNothing: Have you read any more of the Ender Quartet (Ender's Game, Speaker for the Dead, Xenocide, and Children of the Mind)? Speaker for the Dead is almost as good as Ender's Game in my opinion, although in a different way. Xenocide and Children of the Mind complete the story, but both are rather boring, if you ask me. I own Ender's Shadow but personally have not read it although I've heard it's extremely good. There's another 3 books in that series, as well- Shadow of the Hegemon, Shadow Puppet, and The Giant's Shadow.

Big_Pimp · « **Reply #13 on:** July 02, 2003, 08:21:24 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Ms.Pikmin
Big Pimp, OMG, IT was good, but scared the crap (can I say that on the forum?) out of me bad enough that I had to stop reading it. I had this horrible nightmare about a demented clown/monster looking thing that was holding a baby and smiling while he tortured the screaming baby. I had that dream right around the part where the kid is sitting on the pier at night and sees his brother in the water and IT chases him through the park or woods or whatever it was. I know I'm a total wimp. I have read several other Stephen King books without that reaction, but for some reason that book was just soooo creepy.

Best book I've ever read (and yes I read), it's pretty long too, so it'll provide you weeks of entertainment.

enigma487 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 02, 2003, 08:41:46 PM »

On the top of my book list...
I haven't seen them in a brick and mortar store in a long time, but you should be able to get them online. Who remembers the game Myst? i believe it was about the time it's sequel--Riven--was released. three books were released under the same title. they covered the rise and fall of D'ni. and the final of the three is an attempt at rebuilding the empire. They were the first books that i was really able to sit down and read for any length of time. i'd recommend reading them in this order: The Book of Atrus, The Book of Ti'ana, The Book of D'ni. they are titled as Myst: (title here). that is the biggest recommendation i can make. especially if you have any interest in the games at all.

Termin8Anakin · « **Reply #15 on:** July 02, 2003, 09:02:16 PM »

The Star Wars expanded universe novels are great.
I like Timothy Zahn's 5 books (Heir to the Empire, The Last COmmand, forgot what the third one was, Spectre of the Past, and Vision of the Future).

I suggest Terry Brooks' Shannara series.
Start off with the 4-part series:
1) The Scions of Shannara
2) The Druid of Shannara
3) The Elf Queen of Shannara
4) The Talisman of Shannara

Trust me. THEN go back and read the original trilogy:
1) The Sword of Shannara
2) The Elfstones of Shannara
3) The Wishsong of Shannara.
This trilogy has sooo many similarites to LoTR, it's not funny, even though this spans 5 generations of one family.

It is reading that is more satisfying than the way Star Wars was set out.
I didn't enjoy the trilogy as much as the four part series, but read it like that.
These only took me a month to finish, but only because I spent all my school time and study time readin them. And once you start reading this, you just can't stop.
I haven't read any other Shannara books (there's like heaps more), but I will soon.

Another good fantasy author I read was JV Jones. She did the 'Book of Word' trilogy, which consist of 'The Baker's Boy', 'A Man Betrayed' and 'Master and Fool'.
She also did 'The Barbed Coil', which is also a good read.

Hostile Creation · « **Reply #16 on:** July 03, 2003, 02:57:51 AM »

Books? Definitely Terry Pratchett (Discworld: hilarious, and interesting plots; I suggest you start with the first one, The Color of Magic), Stephen King, and Neil Gaiman are good. I read a ton of stuff, but usually by a bunch of different writers. Right now I'm reading required stuff for school and a four (large) book series called Otherland.

I'm not too fond of anime, but Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, and Akira are all good movies (I particularly enjoyed the first one), and my favorite anime series (favorite series of all, actually, despite my usual indifference toward anime) is Cowboy Bebop. Awesome show. Naruto is okay if you can find it, and Trigun isn't bad, either.

KnowsNothing · « **Reply #17 on:** July 03, 2003, 06:51:44 AM »

mouse-clicker, there are that many books in the series? I wasn't aware...which means I haven't read them. I've been looking for a good book and Speaker for the Dead might be it. Thanks!

mouse_clicker · « **Reply #18 on:** July 03, 2003, 07:00:11 AM »

Speaker for the Dead technically takes place several thousand years after Ender's Game (you'll figure out why), but Speaker for the Dead, Xenocide, and Children of the Mind all take place immediatly after each other.

HolyPaladin · « **Reply #19 on:** July 03, 2003, 07:10:12 AM »

I always liked the writings of David Eddings. I hate Harry Potter so bad that I can't put it into words. (Guess I just through out my polar opposites, there.)

Berny · « **Reply #20 on:** July 03, 2003, 07:31:29 AM »

I tried to post this once before but my computer crapped out on me. (Stupid Apple leftovers) anyways, the only anime I've ever enjoyed is Gundam Wing. The other Gundam series really didn't interest me. Now for some good books. Someone mentioned Tolkien's works but I didn't see the Silmarillion; my personal fav(o/ou)rite. I recently finished Dracula. Great read. Let's see, I also read the Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon (sp?). I liked it. You will to if you're looking to expand your vocabulary.

Gamer Donkey · « **Reply #21 on:** July 03, 2003, 10:04:48 AM »

My personal favorite writer would prbably be Micheal Chrichton. He wrote Jurassic Park (better than the movie if you ask me), I would suggest his newer books like Prey and especially Timeline, but the older ones are definately worth a look. I haven't finished it yet , but if you're into theoretical physics check out The Elegant Universe. If nothing else, at least try Timeline, it's probably the best book I've read.

Grey Ninja · « **Reply #22 on:** July 03, 2003, 10:25:59 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: HolyPaladin
I always liked the writings of David Eddings. I hate Harry Potter so bad that I can't put it into words. (Guess I just through out my polar opposites, there.)

I LOATHE David Eddings.

Regarding Michael Crichton, yes he is a very good writer, and I can safely recommend almost anything by him.

nitsu niflheim · « **Reply #23 on:** July 03, 2003, 12:24:37 PM »

I love Michael Crichton's books. Jurassic Park, Prey, Disclosure Timeline, Airframe just to name a few, didn't care for The Eaters of the Dead though. The Lost Wolrd the book was good, but the movie version was a joke, hardly anything actually made it into the movie. My favorite Crichton book is Disclosure, the movie was good too, I guess it's because Demi Moore was in it.

HolyPaladin · « **Reply #24 on:** July 03, 2003, 07:29:24 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Grey Ninja

I LOATHE David Eddings.

That's a shame. His books rule too much.

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Author Topic: Good Books? (Read 19473 times)