Book Recommendations

[Matt H.O.W.L.]

This thread is for those who want to
A) recommend a book they've enjoyed to the rest of the group or
B) ask whether anyone in the group would recommend a particular title.

Details like RIYL (Recommended If You Like), genre types, etc., are appreciated!

[Dave A]

I would like to read some Jorge Luis Borges. Anybody know where I should start?

I was thinking of us doing Dreamtigers for the podcast, but thought it might be a little early to try tackling something like that... 

I haven't read any Borges, which is a great crime against myself since his stuff sounds really up my alley. I've seen that one highly recommended, though.

[Farrell]

I was thinking of us doing Dreamtigers for the podcast, but thought it might be a little early to try tackling something like that... 

Definitely the sort of thing I'd like to read.   

Unless you wanted to read it in Spanish. 

[Dave A]

Definitely the sort of thing I'd like to read.   

Let's bookmark it for a later date... we should prolly get our feet wet with something a little closer to traditional first. It's definitely on the short list for the future, though. 

Meanwhile, Matt can warm up for it by reading a bunch of Gilbert Hernandez comics... 

[Sean M.]

I would like to read some Jorge Luis Borges. Anybody know where I should start?

Labyrinths by Jorge Luis Borges
This is the only Borges I've read but I believe it features many of his most famous short stories including "The Garden of Forking Paths", "Tlön, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius" and "The Libray of Babel". Each story is a perfect jewel and while they don't take long to read, the thoughts and ideas linger on (they certainly did in Grant Morrison's mind). You have reminded me that I need to pick up the other book of his short pieces "Fictions". Cheers.

[Dave Faust]

Labyrinths by Jorge Luis Borges
the thoughts and ideas linger on (they certainly did in Grant Morrison's mind).

An important part of my thesis. 

[Alejandroh]

I'm looking to read this book, but I'm not sure if its right for me. So what are you alls opinions about the book, and what does it have similarities to? Thanks you guys

[LoadofBS]

i've neglected fantasy books but Name of the Wind was pretty damn good. haven't read the recently released sequel but definitely will.

[Lawrence]

I'm looking to read this book, but I'm not sure if its right for me. So what are you alls opinions about the book, and what does it have similarities to? Thanks you guys

I have read lots of sci-fi but not much fantasy, having said that I found Name Of The Wind to be a lot of fun. It is certainly a page turner as it drops you right into the middle of the world. If I could compare it to anything though it would be to a degree kinda like Harry Potter, its much more adult oriented but the bottom line is he is a poor kid who goes to magic school. Everything other than that though is very different. I would certainly recommend the book.

[horsekack]

Has anyone here ever read any of the books by Mark Haskell Smith? I started with his latest book "Baked" first. This was probably the first book that I have read in such a short period of time, about two days because of my horrible work schedule, kept me hooked from start to finish and he has such a great way with words. I bought his other three books and I hope to be able to let you know how they are in the coming weeks.

[Matt H.O.W.L.]

Has anyone read the Gormenghast series? I had never heard of them until I was reading about The Cure's Faith album on Wikipedia. I'm intrigued. The names of the characters and places sound like an Edward Gorey world. 

[JimN]

Has anyone read the Gormenghast series? I had never heard of them until I was reading about The Cure's Faith album on Wikipedia. I'm intrigued. The names of the characters and places sound like an Edward Gorey world. 

That's not far off the mark.

I read the first half of the first book, Titus Groan about 12 years ago. I was on vacation at the time and when I returned, I got very busy and didn't find time to get back to it. I concluded that I didn't want to read the trilogy until I really had a nice block of time to focus on it and I've been meaning to get back to it ever since. I need to do that this year!

Based on what I read, Titus Groan has a unique tone, unlike anything else I've read. It moves at a slow, deliberate pace and, as many descriptions of the work will probably tell you, the setting itself is practically the main character. I'd certainly recommend it based on my limited experience with it.

Jim

[Matt H.O.W.L.]

That's not far off the mark.

I read the first half of the first book, Titus Groan about 12 years ago. I was on vacation at the time and when I returned, I got very busy and didn't find time to get back to it. I concluded that I didn't want to read the trilogy until I really had a nice block of time to focus on it and I've been meaning to get back to it ever since. I need to do that this year!

Based on what I read, Titus Groan has a unique tone, unlike anything else I've read. It moves at a slow, deliberate pace and, as many descriptions of the work will probably tell you, the setting itself is practically the main character. I'd certainly recommend it based on my limited experience with it.

Jim

Thanks. I'll throw them on the pile! 

[the other mike]

i just put down the book a couple of minutes ago after blazing through it in only 3 days. holy crap this book was glorious. it totally wrecked my shit by the end. so fucking bittersweet, but beautiful too. i just wanna gush some more about the book, but i don't think anybody else has read it.

i hate to sound like a broken record, but READ THESE BOOKS. they are WONDERFUL. even though they are mosaic stories, written by multiple authors, the guiding hand is and has always been george r.r. martin. so you know its quality, top to bottom.

-mike

[Matt H.O.W.L.]

Has anyone read anything by Carol Emshwiller? I love John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats. He is one of the most literature- and classics-minded songwriters I've ever heard. When he quotes a work on an album sleeve, I almost always have to hunt it down. I just discovered that the vinyl version of The Coroner's Gambit (a superb album of ruminations on death) has the following quote on it:

"They have been talking about a journey into the interior. They know the dangers and yet they have already decided upon it. No one can talk them out of it. It is clear that their minds are made up. Their knapsacks are packed. Their guides have been chosen. They remain cool to suggestions. They smile enigmatic smiles. They no longer answer questions."
-- Carol Emshwiller, from "Being Mysterious Strangers from Distant Shores"

Anybody read her stuff before? 

[Jeppe]

Has anyone read anything by Carol Emshwiller? I love John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats. He is one of the most literature- and classics-minded songwriters I've ever heard. When he quotes a work on an album sleeve, I almost always have to hunt it down. I just discovered that the vinyl version of The Coroner's Gambit (a superb album of ruminations on death) has the following quote on it:

"They have been talking about a journey into the interior. They know the dangers and yet they have already decided upon it. No one can talk them out of it. It is clear that their minds are made up. Their knapsacks are packed. Their guides have been chosen. They remain cool to suggestions. They smile enigmatic smiles. They no longer answer questions."
-- Carol Emshwiller, from "Being Mysterious Strangers from Distant Shores"

Anybody read her stuff before? 

Darnielle is probably my favorite current songwriter! Thanks for the heads-up, I've never heard about Emshwiller before, but now I'll have to hunt her stuff down and check it out 

[the other mike]

just read monster hunter international by larry correia. LOVED this book. its pulpy, comicbook-y but in a good way. its got balls-to-the-wall action, not too deep, but all the characters are likable and is so fun to read.

MHI is about an accountant who has an encounter with the supernatural. emotionally and physically scarred from the encounter, he joins up with these ghostbusters-esque monster hunters. instead of traps and proton packs, he gets body armor and guns. instead of ghosts, he gets vampires, werewolves and cthulu. fun, fun fun! extremely satisfying.

-mike

[the other mike]

just finished beranrd cornwell's agincourt (or azincourt for british readers). pretty fucking good book. if you want to know the story behind shakespeare's henry v, this is the book to read.

its about a young archer who through a series of events, finds himself as a member of henry the fifth's army invading france. the english besiege a city but gets bogged down longer than expected. disease decimates the english, so by the time they win the city of harfleur, only half the army is left. the english decide to call off the invasion and return to england, but they need to get past the french army. it culminates at agincourt where the armies face off. 6,000 english and welsh versus 30,000 french.

anyway, cornwell's prose is so grand and epic. the action scenes are well written and visceral and bloody as hell. i enjoyed the dramatic parts with the archer and his woman. if you're familiar with cornwell, this will be old hat to you.

-mike   

[JimN]

just read monster hunter international by larry correia. LOVED this book. its pulpy, comicbook-y but in a good way. its got balls-to-the-wall action, not too deep, but all the characters are likable and is so fun to read.

MHI is about an accountant who has an encounter with the supernatural. emotionally and physically scarred from the encounter, he joins up with these ghostbusters-esque monster hunters. instead of traps and proton packs, he gets body armor and guns. instead of ghosts, he gets vampires, werewolves and cthulu. fun, fun fun! extremely satisfying.

That sounds like a fun summer read. I'm going to give it a shot. Thanks for the recommendation!

Jim

[Odyssey]

If your interested in a great biography check out- Endgame: Bobby Fischer's Remarkable Rise and Fall - from America's Brightest Prodigy to the Edge of Madness by Frank Brady

[the other mike]

That sounds like a fun summer read. I'm going to give it a shot. Thanks for the recommendation!

Jim

just read its sequel, monster hunter vendetta, and it was even better than the first one! very well constructed book. pacing is just right; a natural ebb and flow of action and character/plot stuff.

also read taylor anderson's distant thunders, the forth book in the destroyermen series. it was also very, very, good. just when you think the book would take a breather from closing the initial story arc with book 3 (and to be fair, it does), it goes and raises the stakes yet again. by the end, you're psyched up for the next book.

-mike