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Post by stoneheartsrevenge on Jul 13, 2016 12:07:52 GMT
I'm looking for something a little lighter and more contemporary after all of the Hemingway and Kafka, I've heard that Joe Abercrombie has some books that might appeal to me as a fan of ASOIAF. I'm not really a fantasy guy so I'd like something Martinesque that kind of subverts the typical tropes and cliches of the genre. I was looking at his books at B&N the other day but I couldn't tell if they were part of a series or standalone or what. Is there a good place to start with his novels? Does he have a series/trilogy like ASOIAF? Joe Abercrombie starts with The First Law trilogy, the first book of which is The Blade Itself. That book is actually a bit slow but the trilogy as a whole is very good. And yes it subverts tropes and cliches. In fact, Abercrombie sometimes goes a bit too far in playing up stereotypes (the spoiled and pampered idiot nobles for example). If you have a dark sense of humour, you will very much enjoy Glokta's POV. After the First Law trilogy are three stand alone novels set in the same world. I would advise reading them after the trilogy as they are influenced by stuff that happens in TFL. The reading order of the six novels would go: The Blade Itself, Before They Are Hanged, Last Argument of Kings, Best Served Cold, The Heroes, Red Country. Then there is also Sharp Ends, which is a collection of short stories set in the same world and dealing with many of the same characters. Aside from that, he also has another series which is kind of Young Adult, but not really as its more explicit than a lot of YA. That is the Shattered Sea trilogy, which is also very good. If you are looking for more fantasy recs though feels free to ask since it's the genre I read most in
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Post by Basil on Jul 20, 2016 20:16:17 GMT
One of the first books I've ever read was The Brothers Lionheart by Astrid Lindgren, and it remains one of my favourites to this day. It tells a melancholic story that deals with themes like death, suicide and afterlife, it was the first time I really thought about these things as a child, and it will always have a special place in my heart.
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Post by kingeomer on Jul 21, 2016 18:30:47 GMT
I started reading Romeo and/or Juliet by Ryan North.
A Romeo and Juliet choose your own adventure.
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Post by DaveyJoe on Jul 22, 2016 22:51:13 GMT
I'm looking for something a little lighter and more contemporary after all of the Hemingway and Kafka, I've heard that Joe Abercrombie has some books that might appeal to me as a fan of ASOIAF. I'm not really a fantasy guy so I'd like something Martinesque that kind of subverts the typical tropes and cliches of the genre. I was looking at his books at B&N the other day but I couldn't tell if they were part of a series or standalone or what. Is there a good place to start with his novels? Does he have a series/trilogy like ASOIAF? Joe Abercrombie starts with The First Law trilogy, the first book of which is The Blade Itself. That book is actually a bit slow but the trilogy as a whole is very good. And yes it subverts tropes and cliches. In fact, Abercrombie sometimes goes a bit too far in playing up stereotypes (the spoiled and pampered idiot nobles for example). If you have a dark sense of humour, you will very much enjoy Glokta's POV. After the First Law trilogy are three stand alone novels set in the same world. I would advise reading them after the trilogy as they are influenced by stuff that happens in TFL. The reading order of the six novels would go: The Blade Itself, Before They Are Hanged, Last Argument of Kings, Best Served Cold, The Heroes, Red Country. Then there is also Sharp Ends, which is a collection of short stories set in the same world and dealing with many of the same characters. Aside from that, he also has another series which is kind of Young Adult, but not really as its more explicit than a lot of YA. That is the Shattered Sea trilogy, which is also very good. If you are looking for more fantasy recs though feels free to ask since it's the genre I read most in Thanks man, I appreciate the clarification. I'm going to order the First Law trilogy through Amazon. I'm not a big fantasy guy, I was drawn to ASOIAF because I was told that it was gritty, my friends actually described it as "The Wire in a fantasy setting." But I'm down to read any similar series.
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Post by stoneheartsrevenge on Jul 22, 2016 23:03:34 GMT
Joe Abercrombie starts with The First Law trilogy, the first book of which is The Blade Itself. That book is actually a bit slow but the trilogy as a whole is very good. And yes it subverts tropes and cliches. In fact, Abercrombie sometimes goes a bit too far in playing up stereotypes (the spoiled and pampered idiot nobles for example). If you have a dark sense of humour, you will very much enjoy Glokta's POV. After the First Law trilogy are three stand alone novels set in the same world. I would advise reading them after the trilogy as they are influenced by stuff that happens in TFL. The reading order of the six novels would go: The Blade Itself, Before They Are Hanged, Last Argument of Kings, Best Served Cold, The Heroes, Red Country. Then there is also Sharp Ends, which is a collection of short stories set in the same world and dealing with many of the same characters. Aside from that, he also has another series which is kind of Young Adult, but not really as its more explicit than a lot of YA. That is the Shattered Sea trilogy, which is also very good. If you are looking for more fantasy recs though feels free to ask since it's the genre I read most in Thanks man, I appreciate the clarification. I'm going to order the First Law trilogy through Amazon. I'm not a big fantasy guy, I was drawn to ASOIAF because I was told that it was gritty, my friends actually described it as "The Wire in a fantasy setting." But I'm down to read any similar series. No problem. A couple of heads up though, some of the earlier chapters may read like standard "80's Tolkein ripoff" but that's intentional so bear with it. The political side of things in the First Law is also not so focused on as ASOIAF, and is more of a caricature, but still very entertaining. In terms of magic, I'd say it contains about the same amount as ASOIAF, but it's a very different kind of magic. For something with lots of politics, which is a big emotional hard hitter and rather gritty at times, I recommend some of Robin Hobb's works. They are all connected but technically the Liveship Traders trilogy can be read on its own, and is probably her best work, and contains the most politics. Hobb is also great with characterisation, perhaps more so than Martin (and IMO that is Martin's biggest strength, his characters, so saying Hobb is better is big praise from me). She doesn't shy away from some fairly gruesome and unpleasant events either. The magic in that series is quite a lot, but it's done in such a way that it feels natural/a part of every day life. I've not watched the Wire before but I see it is to do with a criminal underworld. In that case you may also enjoy the Lies of Locke Lamora. It's very enjoyable and revolves around several gangs and crime in a fantasy setting. The sequels aren't so good, but it stands well on its own. I realise you didn't actually ask for more recommendations so I'll shut up now
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Post by DaveyJoe on Jul 23, 2016 2:28:52 GMT
Thanks man, I appreciate the clarification. I'm going to order the First Law trilogy through Amazon. I'm not a big fantasy guy, I was drawn to ASOIAF because I was told that it was gritty, my friends actually described it as "The Wire in a fantasy setting." But I'm down to read any similar series. No problem. A couple of heads up though, some of the earlier chapters may read like standard "80's Tolkein ripoff" but that's intentional so bear with it. The political side of things in the First Law is also not so focused on as ASOIAF, and is more of a caricature, but still very entertaining. In terms of magic, I'd say it contains about the same amount as ASOIAF, but it's a very different kind of magic. For something with lots of politics, which is a big emotional hard hitter and rather gritty at times, I recommend some of Robin Hobb's works. They are all connected but technically the Liveship Traders trilogy can be read on its own, and is probably her best work, and contains the most politics. Hobb is also great with characterisation, perhaps more so than Martin (and IMO that is Martin's biggest strength, his characters, so saying Hobb is better is big praise from me). She doesn't shy away from some fairly gruesome and unpleasant events either. The magic in that series is quite a lot, but it's done in such a way that it feels natural/a part of every day life. I've not watched the Wire before but I see it is to do with a criminal underworld. In that case you may also enjoy the Lies of Locke Lamora. It's very enjoyable and revolves around several gangs and crime in a fantasy setting. The sequels aren't so good, but it stands well on its own. I realise you didn't actually ask for more recommendations so I'll shut up now No worries, I appreciate the recommendations. I like to read, but I am not tuned into what is popular/well regarded in the literature world like I am with cinema. So I really need some guidance. I went out and bought Assassin's Apprentice based on your recommendation of Robin Hobb.
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Post by day dreamer on Jul 25, 2016 5:59:16 GMT
When a Fan Hits the Shit - Jeanine Renne
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Post by day dreamer on Aug 4, 2016 3:25:57 GMT
Started Goat by Brad Land, but I don't know if I can finish. I hate to say this about a memior but it's written so poorly. It's distracting.
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Post by kingeomer on Aug 4, 2016 12:06:23 GMT
Started Goat by Brad Land, but I don't know if I can finish. I hate to say this about a memior but it's written so poorly. It's distracting. What's the memoir about? It stinks it's poorly written. I am mostly the way through The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. I've been meaning to read it for years but never got around to it. Kind of scary how in 1986 she predicted a cashless society, murder of government officials being falsely blamed on Islamic terrorists and a society that almost seems like the Taliban. After this book it's my very late read of The Girl on the Train.
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Post by day dreamer on Aug 4, 2016 13:13:29 GMT
Started Goat by Brad Land, but I don't know if I can finish. I hate to say this about a memior but it's written so poorly. It's distracting. What's the memoir about? It stinks it's poorly written. I am mostly the way through The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. I've been meaning to read it for years but never got around to it. Kind of scary how in 1986 she predicted a cashless society, murder of government officials being falsely blamed on Islamic terrorists and a society that almost seems like the Taliban. After this book it's my very late read of The Girl on the Train. It's about a guy who goes through an apparently bad hazing during his time in a fraternity. It's just so stilted though, and he uses no punctuation. I loved Girl on the Train!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2016 20:15:52 GMT
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Post by meeraoftarth on Aug 21, 2016 22:05:30 GMT
I am currtently reading "The Pillars of The Earth"
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Post by kingeomer on Aug 22, 2016 12:31:06 GMT
That sounds good! I will put it on my list! I finished Girl on the Train. It's pretty good, a fast read. Even though I guessed the culprit about mid-way through. I started Dead Wake by Erik Larson, about the Lusitania sinking. It's really good so far.
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Post by lordcarson on Aug 22, 2016 15:00:41 GMT
I'm reading a baseball book called The Only Rule is it Has to Work and it's pretty boring so far. I'm really only reading it so I won't be tempted to read Dragonfly in Amber yet. I have it sitting right here, but I don't want to read Voyager until after the next season and I would have to wait sooooo long.
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Post by stoneheartsrevenge on Aug 22, 2016 19:40:44 GMT
I am currtently reading "The Pillars of The Earth" I find Ken Follet a very hit and miss author. I did not enjoy The Pillars of the Earth. But "Fall of Giants" really interested me and I thought it was pretty well written. I was going through a "WWI" phase then though, so not sure how it would hold up if I reread it! I'm currently reading The Obelisk Gate, sequel to the Hugo winning "The Fifth Season" by N.K Jemisin. Yes, I did post this partly because I am smug she won the Hugo after the "half-savage" comments about her by a certain tit who doesn't even deserve to be named. No, I am not her agent trying to push her books, and I am not on commission. But you should all go read The Fifth Season anyway because it's damned awesome. Think you know brutal emotional scenes? Read the first chapter of The Fifth Season. I actually cried...
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Post by meeraoftarth on Aug 22, 2016 20:55:50 GMT
I am currtently reading "The Pillars of The Earth" I find Ken Follet a very hit and miss author. I did not enjoy The Pillars of the Earth. But "Fall of Giants" really interested me and I thought it was pretty well written. I was going through a "WWI" phase then though, so not sure how it would hold up if I reread it! I'm currently reading The Obelisk Gate, sequel to the Hugo winning "The Fifth Season" by N.K Jemisin. Yes, I did post this partly because I am smug she won the Hugo after the "half-savage" comments about her by a certain tit who doesn't even deserve to be named. No, I am not her agent trying to push her books, and I am not on commission. But you should all go read The Fifth Season anyway because it's damned awesome. Think you know brutal emotional scenes? Read the first chapter of The Fifth Season. I actually cried... I am planning to read this Trilogy too when I finish Pillars and World without End. Good to know it's interesting!! I enjoy Mediaeval stories so I'm enjoying Pillars because of it, but I like history in general so any period of time is good for me
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Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2016 1:52:17 GMT
I'm reading a baseball book called The Only Rule is it Has to Work and it's pretty boring so far. I'm really only reading it so I won't be tempted to read Dragonfly in Amber yet. I have it sitting right here, but I don't want to read Voyager until after the next season and I would have to wait sooooo long. Ya ever heard of this book? www.amazon.com/Universal-Baseball-Association-Robert-Coover/dp/1590203119It's kind of a mind-fuck. I loved it for the character stuff, and I don't care about baseball or fantasy baseball.
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Post by lordcarson on Aug 23, 2016 3:38:25 GMT
I'm reading a baseball book called The Only Rule is it Has to Work and it's pretty boring so far. I'm really only reading it so I won't be tempted to read Dragonfly in Amber yet. I have it sitting right here, but I don't want to read Voyager until after the next season and I would have to wait sooooo long. Ya ever heard of this book? www.amazon.com/Universal-Baseball-Association-Robert-Coover/dp/1590203119It's kind of a mind-fuck. I loved it for the character stuff, and I don't care about baseball or fantasy baseball. I have not but I'll look into it! It's funny though, the one I'm reading now is about a couple writers who were allowed to build their own independent league team based only on advanced statistics, so it's like real life fantasy
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Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2016 11:57:04 GMT
I have not but I'll look into it! It's funny though, the one I'm reading now is about a couple writers who were allowed to build their own independent league team based only on advanced statistics, so it's like real life fantasy Robert Coover was my major author in grad school. I highly recommend everyone read him, but I definitely think that book is a good one for you. Just don't expect to understand WTF is going on at all times. Keeping you wondering is part of his thing. But save Spanking the Maid for last. It is formally inventive, and an acquired taste.
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Post by TheMadQueen on Sept 3, 2016 2:00:31 GMT
Just finished "Citizen" by Claudia Rankine. Required for school.
Good message. Terrible execution. One of the most bizarrely assembled, trying-to-be-artsy, pointlessly confusing books I've ever read. Almost unreadable as far as I'm concerned. It's kind of a commentary on racism/blacklivesmatter/type of thing, but the message was lost in the rambling paragraphs, blank pages, and weird artwork.
Glad it was short.
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