Recommend a book?

[kurosaki7]

Not sure how many on here like extremely well written fantasy, but this is the best I have read to date. David Eddings is easily the best in the genre and i am currently coming to the conclusion of this series so i was wondering if anyone here has also read these.

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/0552554766.01._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_V37202738_.jpg
Amazon (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pawn-Prophecy-Belgariad-David-Eddings/dp/0552554766/sr=8-6/qid=1168213157/ref=pd_ka_6/203-1348084-5510302?ie=UTF8&s=books)

(Amazon currently have it for

[Razor]

http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/0007203306.01._AA180_SCLZZZZZZZ_V37864094_.jpg

Amazon Linkage (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Righteous-Men-Sam-Bourne/dp/0007203306/sr=1-1/qid=1168214249/ref=sr_1_1/026-5958122-8451614?ie=UTF8&s=books)


Synopsis
This work presents a blisteringly high-concept serial killer thriller combined with delicious religious conspiracy theory from a hot new British talent. It shows two murders at opposite ends of America, one in the backstreets of New York City, the other in the backwoods of Montana. It presents a series of killings in every corner of the globe, from the crowded slums of India to the pristine beaches of Cape Town. There can't possibly be a connection. That's the instinct of Will Monroe, a young, British-born reporter for "The New York Times" - until the morning his beautiful wife Beth is kidnapped. Holding her are men who seem ready to kill without hesitation. Desperate, Will follows a trail that leads to a mysterious sect right on his own doorstep - fervent followers of one of mankind's oldest faiths. He will have to break through multiple layers of mysticism and ancient prophecy, unearthing riddles buried deep in the Bible - until he finds the secret that is said to have animated the world for thousands of years, a secret on which the fate of humanity may depend. But with more murders by the hour, and each clue wrapped in layers of code, time is running out...

This is the first book I have read in a long time and I enjoyed it alot.
Its 'Da Vinci Code'esq but alot better in my opinion.
A must have for folks who like reading about random religious nutters etc.

[kurosaki7]

Sounds interesting I will try and raid my local library for it :p

[Retro]

Yes, yes finaly a thread about books!!

http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/0552153583.02._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg
And Macnab-Immediate Action
I have read this book so many times its stupid!


"Immediate Action" is a no-holds-barred account of an extraordinary life, from the day Andy McNab was found in a carrier bag on the steps of Guy's Hospital to the day he went to fight in the Gulf War. As a delinquent youth he kicked against society. As a young soldier he waged war against the IRA in the streets and fields of South Armagh. As a member of 22 SAS Regiment he was at the centre of covert operations for nine years - on five continents. Recounting with grim humour and in riveting, often horrifying, detail his activities in the world's most highly trained and efficient Special Forces unit, McNab sweeps us into a world of surveillance and intelligence gathering, counter-terrorism and hostage rescue. There are casualties: the best men are so often the first to be killed, because they are in front. By turns chilling, astonishing, violent, funny and moving, this blistering first-hand account of life at the forward edge of battle confirms Andy McNab's standing in the front rank of writers on modern war.

Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Immediate-Action-Andy-McNab/dp/0552153583/sr=1-11/qid=1168214529/ref=sr_1_11/203-6345829-4489530?ie=UTF8&s=books


Its not great writing but i love it!



------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Layer cake-J.J Connolly

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/071563335X.02._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU02_AA240_SH20_SCLZZZZZZZ_V58701370_.jpg

There is no other way to put it, this book is quite simply the BEST british crime novel that has been written in modern times. I had to pinch myself whilst reading due to the stark reality of the people, language and geography the book uses. The storyline is amazing and will make an excellent screenplay one day. This is as good as it gets in this genre - marvellous....


Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Layer-Cake-John-J-Connolly/dp/071563335X/sr=1-1/qid=1168214842/ref=sr_1_1/203-6345829-4489530?ie=UTF8&s=books


Another favourite of mine, again not great writing, and the language is very very strong! However a good read. Espically if you enjoyed the film.

[Duke87]

I tend not to read many of the 'classics', normally sticking to the likes of Jack Higgins, Chris Ryan etc. One of my favourite books of all time, which is fairly appropriate given the nature of the site, is Rainbow Six. Tom Clancy is a genius, and it's well worth a read.

http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/0140274057.01._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpgAmazon (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rainbow-Six-Tom-Clancy/dp/0140274057/sr=8-4/qid=1168215004/ref=pd_ka_4/202-0400523-3932620?ie=UTF8&s=books)

Synopsis
John Clark is the man who conducts the secret missions President Ryan can have no part of. This time, the mission involves a group of terrorists the world has never encountered before, a band of men and women so extreme that their success could literally mean the end of life as we know it.

The synopsis makes it sound really bad actually, just ignore that and give it a go :P

[carocat]

Yes, yes finaly a thread about books!!
I completely agree, nice work, Tao. Or kurosaki.... :p

I'll post some of mine up soon.

[Retro]

I tend not to read many of the 'classics', normally sticking to the likes of Jack Higgins, Chris Ryan etc. One of my favourite books of all time, which is fairly appropriate given the nature of the site, is Rainbow Six. Tom Clancy is a genius, and it's well worth a read.

http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/0140274057.01._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpgAmazon (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rainbow-Six-Tom-Clancy/dp/0140274057/sr=8-4/qid=1168215004/ref=pd_ka_4/202-0400523-3932620?ie=UTF8&s=books)



The synopsis makes it sound really bad actually, just ignore that and give it a go :P

I have never read a tom clancey book in my life. I think i might pick this up though, is there a series or just the one?

[Duke87]

I think there's just the one Rainbow Six book, but he's written loads revolving around a guy called Jack Ryan that are pretty damn good too.

[carocat]

I agree and can only recommend the Jack Ryan ones. Has anyone ever read his Splinter Cell books?

[kurosaki7]

I have only ever 'attempted' to read a tom clancy book but couldnt get into it, it was called op-center:divide and conquer, i was given this by someone i used to know but found it quite slow and boring :/

[Retro]

I agree and can only recommend the Jack Ryan ones. Has anyone ever read his Splinter Cell books?

I didnt even know there were any. Just searched amazon, and brought the two i could find. I dont htink think they will be any good but, hey.

[Tugsy]

If you have some spare time pick up the Dark Tower Series by King.

Just read Hannibal Rising, Thomas Harris may not be the most expedient of writers, but it's wort the wait.

[kurosaki7]

If you have some spare time pick up the Dark Tower Series by King.


This is was on my list of things to get, then i heard some conflicting reviews of it, i still think i will be getting it but after the likes of Trudi Canavans new book. How high would you rate it as i may get this after the next David Eddings trilogy i will start to read shortly.

[bal]

kurosaki's book looks interesting, I love big saga's. I'm gonna try it out!

I've read loads of classics with meaning but there's a difference between study and entertainment. I'm not even going to mention feminism ...

I hope there's none of that in this book. ;)

[linkofhyrule]

I didnt even know there were any. Just searched amazon, and brought the two i could find. I dont htink think they will be any good but, hey.
There are three, I've read all of them. They're all actually very good even though they aren't actually written by Clancy. They managed to keep my attention the whole way through, with some big booms in the last 10 pages ;) .

As for Rainbow Six, there's only one but it's a monster at 900 pages.

[kurosaki7]

I thought i would post the other saga i read late last year:

This time it is Raymond E Feist

http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/0586217835.02._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

Amazon (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Magician-Riftwar-Saga-Raymond-Feist/dp/0586217835/sr=8-1/qid=1168217229/ref=pd_ka_1/203-1348084-5510302?ie=UTF8&s=books)

The Magician - At Crydee, a frontier outpost in the tranquil Kingdom of the Isles, an orphan boy, Pug, is apprenticed to a master magician - and the destinies of two worlds are changed forever. Suddenly the peace of a Kingdom is destroyed as mysterious alien invaders swarm through the land. Pug is swept up into the conflict but for him and his warrior friend, Tomas, an odyssey into the unknown has only just begun. Tomas wil inherit a legacy of savage power from an ancient civilisation. Pug's destiny is to lead him through a rift in the fabric of space and time to the mastery of the unimaginable powers of a strange new magic.

The main Storyline follows these sets of books however there are otehres released that i need to read, as the world of midkemia is amazing.

The Riftwar-Series:
Magician (1982)
Silverthorn (1985)
A Darkness at Sethanon (1986)

Serpentwar-Series:
Prince of the Blood (1989)
The King's Buccaneer (1992)

The Empire-Sequence:
written with Janny Wurts
Daughter of the Empire (1987)
Servant of the Empire (1990)
Mistress of the Empire (1992)

The Serpentwar-Saga:
Shadow of a Dark Queen (1994)
Rise of a Merchant Prince (1995)
Rage of a Demon King (1997)
Shards of a Broken Crown (1998)

Now the first book does start out slowly, but bit after bit the world starts to drag you in, you want to follow the characters to the next step which will then eventually unfold into something that imo makes the likes of tolkien seem average.

[Tob3z]

I was going to say Artemis Fowl series. But I didn't know there were so many :O

[sub]

I think there's just the one Rainbow Six book, but he's written loads revolving around a guy called Jack Ryan that are pretty damn good too.

Yeah only one Rainbow book, although I think Rainbow Six is mentioned in The Bear and the Dragon briefly.

Cat: I don't think he actually wrote the Splinter Cell books, I think someone else did and he "co-wrote" it, ie. stuck his name on the thing so it would sell :P

[Duke87]

I have only ever 'attempted' to read a tom clancy book but couldnt get into it, it was called op-center:divide and conquer, i was given this by someone i used to know but found it quite slow and boring :/

That series is shockingly bad, I've read most of his books, but couldn't bring myself to read more than two of those.

[Pie In The Sky]

retro I think I am in love with you.:D
I actually bum Andy McNab, good and proper :cool:

[kurosaki7]

That series is shockingly bad, I've read most of his books, but couldn't bring myself to read more than two of those.

Thats good to know then, i may pick up that one you recommended at some point then.

[sub]

http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/0470838515.01._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_V37407087_.jpg

Amazon Link (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Brodeur-Beyond-Crease-Martin/dp/0470838515/sr=11-1/qid=1168277806/ref=sr_11_1/026-6863756-7904401)



Blurb:

Martin Brodeur is a giant in the world of hockey. He is the number-one goalie in the game today, and one of the greatest goaltenders of the modern age. He has been netminder for the New Jersey Devils for 13 years, leading them to three Stanley Cup victories and winning numerous individual awards in the process, including two Vezina trophies. A three-time Olympian for Canada, Brodeur was part of the gold-medal winning team at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. He was in goal when Team Canada captured the 2004 World Cup and has been a part of every major Canadian team since he broke into the NHL in 1992. He is rated as the fourth most popular and recognizable hockey player of all time (after Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr, and Mario Lemieux).
In Brodeur: Beyond the Crease, the game's best netminder takes a candid, personal look at his career, his sport, the business of hockey, the evolution of the sport, and his journey to the apex of the modern game. It is one man's detailed, unique view of the kaleidoscope of intrigue and competitive chaos that defines today's NHL, a rare opportunity to understand the sport through the eyes of one of the game's most insightful athletes at the height of his abilities.
Brodeur: Beyond the Crease traces Brodeur's career, revealing how he became the best, from minor hockey through junior to the NHL and Team Canada. It examines his rich national and personal hockey heritage, and the pivotal role his father and others played in his career, as well as his thoughts and insights on: being part of the effort that turned the New Jersey Devils around from being what Wayne Gretzky called "a Mickey Mouse organization" into one of the game's most powerful and successful franchises; being in the crease in 2002 when Canada ended a 50-year gold medal drought at the Olympics; being a Canadian and a Quebecer playing and living in the US; life as a husband and father of four, his love of motorcycles, and the lifestyle of the modern athlete; pursuing greatness and sporting records; the best goalies he's ever seen and the best NHL shooters; how he prepares for game day; what it's like to be the wealthiest man ever to play his position, and what it was like to watch $8 million in salary fly out the window during the NHL lockout of 2004-2005.
In association with award-winning sports journalist Damien Cox, the top goalie in the game takes us inside the game and beyond, to reveal the man behind the mask.

A really good autobiography if you are a hockey fan, if not leave it :P

[carocat]

Well, as promised, here are my book choices. It's really hard to recommend anything as I pretty much read any genre, although I haven't read much fantasy lately.

I've got books by Patricia Cornwell, Mary Higgins Clark, Val McDermid, Harlan Coben, John Grisham, Sidney Sheldon, Frederik Forsyth, Andy McNab, Chris Ryan, Kathy Reichs, JK Rowling (Yes, I like the Harry Potter books), Terry Pratchett, Dean Koontz, Amy Tan, James Patterson, Jeffrey Archer, PD James, Stephen King, Tom Clancy, HP Lovecraft, Dan Brown..... And that's only a little bit. ;)

My recommendations today is going to be....



The Firm by John Grisham
http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/8669/firm2op2.jpg
Amazon Linky (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Firm-John-Grisham/dp/0099830000/sr=1-1/qid=1168307462/ref=sr_1_1/026-3883733-1590005?ie=UTF8&s=books)
When Mitchell McDeere qualified third in his class at Harvard, offers poured in from every law firm in America. The firm he chose was small, but-well respected. They were prepared to match, and then exceed Mitch's wildest dreams: eighty thousand a year, a BMW and a low-interest mortgage. Now the house, the car and the job are his. Then the nightmares begin: the secret files, the bugs in the new bedroom, the mysterious deaths of colleagues, and the millions of dollars of mob money pouring through the office into the Cayman Islands, dollars that the FBI would do anything to trace. Now Mitch is in the place where dreams end and nightmares begin...
I love his books, although the last four are definitely lacking a bit. When his first few came out I used to not be able to sleep for 2 or 3 days, as I was just reading them all the time. I can only recommend them.



Someone Like Me: Tales from a Borrowed Childhood by Miles Kington
http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/831/075531357701bo220420320fg6.jpg
Amazon Linky (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Someone-Like-Me-Borrowed-Childhood/dp/0755313577/sr=1-2/qid=1168308065/ref=sr_1_2/026-3883733-1590005?ie=UTF8&s=books)
Read the first few pages here (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/0755313577/ref=sib_dp_pt/026-3883733-1590005#reader-page)
Beloved broadcaster and writer Miles Kington's account of an endearingly eccentric childhood has everything - a lovable narrator, a mother who is constantly on her deathbed, a gadget-obsessed father and a flamboyantly theatrical older brother. SOMEONE LIKE ME is a collection of enchanting musings on life from the fringes of a sometimes roundabout, often perplexing but always entertaining adult world in which the incidents and accidents of dog training, borrowed lawnmowers, badminton, figs and unlikely brushes with the Catholic Church combine in the most original and laugh-out-loud funny book you'll have read in decades.
I don't know how many of you have heard of Miles Kington. He is a daily columnist at the Independent and one of the funniest writers. First thing I do when buying the paper is to skip to his column, His columns are about everything, from the conference of the deities in which all the gods including Zeus and Allah discuss current events, to his cricket team and how he got bullied by his neighbours to take part in it, even though he pretended to have a broken leg. This is part of one of his columns:
I know I often stare at a note under someone else's column, saying that they are away, and I go into reveries of speculation about their absence.

Are they suffering from some memorably modern malady?

Are they making a television programme?

Are they even making a television programme about their memorably modern malady?

Have they suddenly noticed that they are due two weeks holiday before the end of the year, just at the time when their partner points out that the kitchen really really needs repainting?

Are they changing sex?

Are they on trial for weird satanic rites, and hoping to get off with a small fine?

Are they collaborating with Lynne Truss on a new West End musical about grammar?

Are they ghost-writing Hunter Davies's autobiography while Hunter Davies gets on with ghost-writing Wayne Rooney's?

Are they changing sex back again?

Who knows?
The above one (http://comment.independent.co.uk/columnists_a_l/miles_kington/article1886607.ece)

All of them (http://comment.independent.co.uk/columnists_a_l/miles_kington/)

Pure genius. :D

Anyway, the book, it is just a lot of short tales about nothing and everything. If you like his columns or like semi autobiographies told in short stories, then you will love this.

[quickshot89]

I love the halo books, great read and provide huge amounts of information to any halo fan

http://www.epinions.com/images/opti/bc/86/0345451325-books-resized200.jpg

http://www.gatecentral.com/halo/pic/book_2.jpg

http://www.galactium.com/books_FirstStrike.jpg

book 4 image to come

those are just the novels, there is plenty of other books that are a good read about halo

http://www.toysnjoys.com/halo/theartofhalo.jpg

http://www.loonyboi.com/blog/archives/HGNCOVER_WIP-thumb.jpg

[kurosaki7]

Has anyone else read any decent books? (not including the trashy Halo books!!) :p

Quoting myself!!

[quickshot89]

:p

Quoting myself!!

they arnt trashy :mad:

but, the JAmes Bond novels are a good read, i got them for xmas

[Pie In The Sky]

^^ That they are, much better than the films.

[quickshot89]

i also think the philip pullman books are a great read, infact, so is LOTR, even DAN brown books :eek:

[kurosaki7]

i also think the philip pullman books are a great read, infact, so is LOTR, even DAN brown books :eek:

Do you mean the northern lights trilogy?

[quickshot89]

both sets of his books, the northern lights and the set that the bbc turned into a drama

[Duke87]

I really enjoyed the northern lights trilogy, but wasn't to impressed with the ruby in the smoke series. A mate has tried to get me into R.A. Salvatore recently, which were ok, but I could really do with something decent to read, might have to find my local library and try out a few of these suggestions.

[kurosaki7]

I really enjoyed the northern lights trilogy, but wasn't to impressed with the ruby in the smoke series. A mate has tried to get me into R.A. Salvatore recently, which were ok, but I could really do with something decent to read, might have to find my local library and try out a few of these suggestions.

Same Northern Lights Trilogy is by far his best work, it would of also of made an exceptional TV Series or Film, but i suppose it would of cost alot more to produce something of that magnitude lol

Right now for my next suggestion:

The Magicians' Guild (Black Magician Trilogy) - Trudi Canavan

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/1841493139.02._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

Amazon (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Magicians-Guild-Black-Magician-Trilogy/dp/1841493139/sr=8-5/qid=1168358854/ref=pd_ka_5/203-7615965-2994367?ie=UTF8&s=books)

Synopsis

Each year the magicians of Imardin gather together to purge the city streets of vagrants, urchins and miscreants. Masters of the disciplines of magic, they know that no one can oppose them. But their protective shield is not as impenetrable as they believe. Sonea, angry, frustrated and outraged by the treatment of her family and friends, hurls a stone at the shield, putting all her rage behind it. To the amazement of all who bear witness, the stone passes unhindered through the barrier and renders a magician unconscious. The guild's worst fear has been realised ...There is an untrained magician loose on the streets. She must be found before her uncontrolled powers unleash forces that will destroy both her, and the city that is her home. THE MAGICIANS' GUILD is a blistering new fantasy adventure from a debut author skilled in both world-building and storytelling. The trilogy continues with THE NOVICE (Aug '04) and THE HIGH LORD (Feb '05).

These books were admittedly what got me back into reading, everything about it is very well put together.

[quickshot89]

well, if you really must know, ive heard that its in pre-production, or its gonna be a drama thing

[Pie In The Sky]

I heard that 'His Dark Materials' (northern lights trilogy) is going to be made into a film. That would be good, as I think it is a great set of books.

[Enraged Wang 07]

Angels & Demons by Dan Brown is immense, also im soon getting the book pete dohertys mum wrote about him. That should be good.

[Pie In The Sky]

Angels and demons is far better than the davinchi code

[carocat]

Angels and demons is far better than the davinchi code
Oh yeah, definitely. So are his other books infact.

[DayC]

http://img.tesco.com/pi/Books/L/20/0007203020.jpg
Amazon (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Old-Kingdom-Trilogy-Box-Set/dp/0007203020/sr=8-8/qid=1168706245/ref=pd_ka_8/202-2250046-7114262?ie=UTF8&s=books)

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/images/c0/c3819.jpg

Play.com (http://www.play.com/Books/Books/4-/371171/His_Dark_Materials_Trilogy/Product.html)


Two brilliant set's of books for anyone who hasn't read them yet.

I have yet to read any of David Eddings material but if it's anything like the 2 authors i've posted then i'll love it.

[Zyber]

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/0486425576.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg
Amazon (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Art-War-History-Warfare-Paperback/dp/081331951X/sr=8-13/qid=1168708086/ref=pd_ka_13/203-9366712-2900734?ie=UTF8&s=books)


Synopsis
}The Art of War is almost certainly the most famous study of strategy ever written and has had an extraordinary influence on the history of warfare. The principles Sun Tzu expounded were utilized brilliantly by such great Asian war leaders as Mao Tse-tung, Giap, and Yamamoto. First translated two hundred years ago by a French missionary, Sun Tzus Art of War has been credited with influencing Napoleon, the German General Staff, and even the planning for Desert Storm. Many Japanese companies make this book required reading for their key executives. And increasingly, Western businesspeople and others are turning to the Art of War for inspiration and advice on how to succeed in competitive situations of all kinds.Why has a two-thousand-year-old text proven so valuable in todays world? Because the Art of War embodies an Eastern tradition of strategy that emphasizes outwitting an opponent through speed, stealth, flexibility, and a minimum of effort. And these time-tested principles work. They have been proven on the battlefield and in the marketplace.Unlike most editions of Sun Tzu currently available (many simply retreads of older, flawed translations) this superb new translation makes Ralph Sawyer, an outstanding Western scholar of ancient Chinese warfare and a successful businessman in his own right, places this classic work of strategy in its proper historical context. Sawyer supplies a portrait of Sun Tzus era and outlines several battles of the period that may have either influenced Sun Tzu or been conducted by him. While appreciative of the philosophical richness of the Art of War, his edition stresses Sun Tzus practical origins and presents a translation that is both accurate and accessible. }

Also,

http://ec3.images-amazon.com/images/P/0140449159.01._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg
Amazon (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Prince-Penguin-Classics-Niccolo-Machiavelli/dp/0140449159/sr=1-2/qid=1168708241/ref=sr_1_2/203-9366712-2900734?ie=UTF8&s=books)


Synopsis
"The Prince" shocked Europe on publication with its ruthless tactics for gaining absolute power and its abdonment of conventional morality. Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527) came to be regarded by some as an agent of the devil and his name was taken for the intriguer "Machevill" of Jacobean tragedy. For his treatise on statecraft, Machiavelli drew upon his own experience of office under the turbulent Florentine republic, rejecting traditional values of political theory and recognizing the complicated, transient nature of political life. Concerned not with lofty ideals, but with a regime that would last, "The Prince" has become the bible of realpolitik and still retains its power to alarm and instruct.

I think both books are great but i haven't finished the prince yet.

[Cackhandedchimp]

At the moment, I have the following on the go:

http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/0141019018.02._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_V50400942_.jpg
Freakonomics - Steven Levitt and Steven Dubner

http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/014027409X.01._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg
A Clockwork Orange - Anthony Burgess

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/0593048156.02._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg
The Universe In A Nutshell - Steven Hawking

Would definitely recommend the first 2, especially Clockwork Orange. Only read the 3rd if you're into physics big time, yo.

[Azure]

We have the same tastes Tao.

I finished the magicians guild trilogy a while back, not crap not great. I read a big set of books from David eddings it was...

"The tamuli"

Set of 3 books.

Domes of fire, The shining ones, The hidden city.

I advise anyone to steer clea of it, it was all a rather boring anti-clamctic piece of **** to be honest. There is one part of the last book where a whole world crushing army is destroyed by these random aliens from hell [think oblivion] type stuff and it covers none of it. You are just informed that general blah blah has lost about a million soldiers in combat. Utterly garbage.

I read david eddings "redemption of althalus"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:DavidEddings_TheRedemptionOfAlthalus.jpg

And enjoyed it. Fairly interesting plot as well.

As the title suggests, the book's story revolves around Althalus, a professional thief with a gift for storytelling and a reputation for uncanny luck. One year his luck turns sour, and after a disastrous expedition to the southern 'civilised' lands, Althalus returns to the more savage lands of the north, where he grew up. Another unsuccessful venture at the fort of a clan-chief in Arum leads him to accept a commission from a man named Ghend.

Ghend hires Althalus to travel to the House at the End of the World to steal a Book. Although he suspects something is amiss, Althalus accepts the job and goes there, only to find that the House is occupied by a talking cat, later revealed to be the Goddess Dweia. The Book is the Book of Deiwos, the God who created the world, and the cat (named Emerald by Althalus, and frequently called 'Emmy') teaches Althalus to read it. After some two and a half thousand years, Emmy teaches Althalus that some words in the Book, which is written in the original language of the Gods, can be used to accomplish feats of what in another book might be called magic.

The intervening two millennia have seen many changes in the world, including the initial stages of an ice age triggered by the evil God Daeva. Emmy tells Althalus that Ghend is Daeva's agent, and is working to deliver the world into his master's hands. Emmy and Althalus set out to gather a party of people who are destined to save the world from Daeva's dominion. Each of the party has a special gift or talent, and they return to the House at the End of the World to learn how to use them. Each of the party has an opposite in Ghend's group, who they must eliminate or neutralise. Some of these conflicts take place amidst open warfare, while others are more personal conflicts, or purely supernatural in nature. Ultimately, Ghend and Althalus face off in the House at the End of the World, with the destruction of the Book of Deiwos or the Book of Daeva—the ultimate forces of Good and Evil—as the prize.

I read a while back "Eragon" and it's sequel "Eldest" soon to be released as a movie. They are ok and are written by some 19 year old portugese ****er. AY Panini or something. Boy grows up on farm, finds dragon egg, egg hatches and remarkably the dragon picks him to be his dragon rider, there's an evil king and demons etc - you know the drill.

The only thing I could every really wholly recommend would have been "Magician" by R.E. Feist which Tao has already put up and the later books it is a brilliant tale. Here is my favourite quote from the protagonist cook's assistant turned master mage...

Tremble and despair for I am power!

@ Tao.

The later books aren't all that, but the **** of the empire books ARE and are on par with magician and are more intelligent in their structure.

I think it is daughter of the empire, servant of the empire and mistress of the empire.

Brilliant books.

[kurosaki7]

hmmm i will have to see about that then, dont think i will by the tamuli series by eddings either now!! Oh and good quote lol

Ok this is how i am doing spoiler tags from now on white text:

$ Although he says that he is a bit dumb when he does not know about the counter-measure spell woven into the ship, sends a huge firebll at it only to get hit back with his own magic, lol $

Have not heard of the eddings book you just posted so i will find out about it. Also i am definately buying the Robert Jordan series next, whih starts with 'The Wheel of Time', meant to be a very good set of books.

As for Eragon there are two versios of it now, but i read part of the childrens version to my niece and it didnt seem all that good.

[Corthag]

Zyper the prince is an awesome book read it many many times although its interesting to look at the backround of why it was written.

For crime/conspiracy type books i love David Baldacci and Michael Connelly the latters Bosch books being awesome!!!

Does everyone think the Da Vinci code is that good?

I mean its ok but its an easy read and i found the plot a bit predictable and easy to work out, guess thats why its so popular. Have not read any of his other books though, probably should but got a big backlog of books to read.

The ahlo books suck really the only reason they are slightly good is because i like and played the video game otherwise i think i would of burnt!

[carocat]

I quite liked some of the Baldacci books, haven't read anything lately though. As for Michael connelly, his books are decent, but imo not amazing.

DaVinci code is good, but I much more prefer Angels and Demons which is his firts book using the Robert Langdon character. The storyline is more solid and the character more believable.

Dan Browns other books aren't too bad either. Definitely worth a read.

[Cackhandedchimp]

Is there anything else in this thread except airport novels and military books by Andy McNab/Chris Ryan?

[Duke87]

Is there anything else in this thread except airport novels and military books by Andy McNab/Chris Ryan?

Try reading it, maybe you'll find out

[Cackhandedchimp]

I'd rather have it all summed up in one tidy post with no grammatical errors.

[carocat]

Just thought I'd bring this thread back to life. I've finished reading this earlier today:

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/0552150193.02._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg
Amazon Link (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Deep-Black-Andy-McNab/dp/0552150193/sr=8-1/qid=1171946650/ref=pd_ka_1/202-1478917-9640618?ie=UTF8&s=books)

Summary:
Nick Stone's future has never looked as bleak. The only person he's ever loved is dead. The only people who might give him a reason not to join her have turned their backs. Until a chance encounter with a man he saved ten years ago appears to throw him a lifeline...But on the bullet- and bomb-scarred streets of Baghdad, second chances are in short supply. A simple quest becomes a journey to the heart of a chilling conspiracy; too late, he realizes that he is being used as bait - to lure into the open a man he believes can offer some salvation, but whom the darker forces of the West will stop at nothing to destroy...From its violent and shocking opening in the Muslim enclaves of Bosnia, through vivid, lightning-paced action in war-torn Iraq, this unforgettable story proves Andy McNab yet again to be the master of the modern thriller, a writer at the very top of his game.

The summary doesn't sound too good, but the book is actually one of the better McNabs and I quite enjoyed it. Well worth a read if you like McNab's books.

[Chet Webley]

nice pick, zyber. the art of war rules!

anything by alastair reynolds - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alastair_Reynolds
anything by iain m banks - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iain_M._Banks

they both write very good, hard-tech sci-fi. w00t!

[Retro]

Just thought I'd bring this thread back to life. I've finished reading this earlier today:

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/0552150193.02._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg
Amazon Link (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Deep-Black-Andy-McNab/dp/0552150193/sr=8-1/qid=1171946650/ref=pd_ka_1/202-1478917-9640618?ie=UTF8&s=books)

Summary:


The summary doesn't sound too good, but the book is actually one of the better McNabs and I quite enjoyed it. Well worth a read if you like McNab's books.


Yea that's the better one out of the series.


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At the moment im two pages in to:http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/0007151268.01._AA180_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

[Spindryer]

I would suggest Jarhead http://www.iloveaudiobooks.com/Jarhead_A_Marines_Chronicle_of_the%20_Gulf_War_and _other_Battles_Anthony_Swofford_Audio_Book_on_CD.j pg


the best book i have read in a long time.

[carocat]

Retro: Have you read Aggressor by Andy McNab? I've just started reading it and I'm not impressed. Does it get any better?

[Pirate Balloon]

I've read the entire series. Aggressor starts with the 1993 Waco seige, which i find complelety ****ing awesome. The rest is alright. His newest book is "Recoil", which is a good comeback. If you like the film Blood Diamond, you'll like it, becuase as i found after i read it, they're very similar. Only McNab tells us how it really is.

Firewall was the first one i read, and i still think it's the best.

[Liam]

Pirate Balloon, do you still have your '**** You Dictionary'?

[Pirate Balloon]

How about i just check my **** You Dictionary, eh DayC?


*Makes a wooshing nosie and moves hand up and over head*