Forums · Recommend me some good books, please. • Page 2
I feel like books 4-7 worked largely because we were already in love with the characters, so fleshing out their stories was all Rowling really had to do to make readers happy. What I'm not sure about exactly is how the first three books became such a huge hit.
| QUOTE (tpx_vengeance @ Sep 16 2007, 12:14 AM) |
| I feel like books 4-7 worked largely because we were already in love with the characters, so fleshing out their stories was all Rowling really had to do to make readers happy. What I'm not sure about exactly is how the first three books became such a huge hit. |
That will be probably one the greatest mysteries ever.
My personal opinion is that Rowling just has a sense about her writing that allows people to easily connect with the characters, making it easy for ANYONE to get hooked and overlook the whole "fantasy" part.
I mean, I think it's obvious Rowling isn't the best manipulator of words, but the way she writes just hits a chord with most people.
| QUOTE (The Hammer @ Sep 15 2007, 07:31 PM) | ||
[/B]
I hope you honestly did not just say that. Harry Potter is not even in the same UNIVERSE as LOTR in terms of writing. Tolkien was an ACTUAL storyteller. It's true, LOTR may seem a bit boring to readers now-a-days who are more into Eragon than actual stories (btw Eragon was written by like a 15 year-old who stole the story for Star Wars and made it a fantasy book). LotR is not for ADD children, it's for people who enjoy reading stories filled with rich detail and character. I've read The Sword of Truth series, and while good, is nowhere near the same caliber as LOTR. Besides, most of the creatures/races/etc were borowed from LotR. Don't think so? Name me a bunch of things you think were created in The Sword of Truth that was created by Tolkien (or lore before him). |
Are you insinuating that 15 year olds cannot come up with their own intricate worlds, plots, and character? Because if you are, I'm going to have to disagree with you.
| QUOTE (The Hammer @ Sep 15 2007, 03:31 PM) | ||
[/B]
I hope you honestly did not just say that. Harry Potter is not even in the same UNIVERSE as LOTR in terms of writing. Tolkien was an ACTUAL storyteller. It's true, LOTR may seem a bit boring to readers now-a-days who are more into Eragon than actual stories (btw Eragon was written by like a 15 year-old who stole the story for Star Wars and made it a fantasy book). LotR is not for ADD children, it's for people who enjoy reading stories filled with rich detail and character. I've read The Sword of Truth series, and while good, is nowhere near the same caliber as LOTR. Besides, most of the creatures/races/etc were borowed from LotR. Don't think so? Name me a bunch of things you think were created in The Sword of Truth that was created by Tolkien (or lore before him). |
I'm sorry, but Tolkien is much more of a bard than anything else. His use of English isn't special, but luckily he created a world where he could define the language used in more ways than one. His extremely verbose tangents in his stories that give backstory that isn't relevant in any way, shape, or form makes a good bit of the content of his books less than adequate. He did some remarkable things as a writer, but it wasn't his writing that was revolutionary, it was his concepts. Rowling tells a good story, but the only reason she had such widespread fame and readership is because of how closely paralleled you could say Harry Potter's world is to ours. Who wouldn't want to dream about finding out they're a wizard and taking off into a magical world... et al.
The problem with storytelling and writing is that there's a big difference. Good stories are meant to be told through oral recitation. Transferring great stories to paper doesn't require the author to lose the content of the story, but command of language is a big deal. Assonance is one of the best things an author can use, and you see it a lot more in today's writing than in Tolkien's day. When a mere sentence can literally (lol) mesmerize you and just bring you into a story its a beautiful thing, but its not just the actual story that does it, its the language. Tolkien used a lot of chunky speech aside from the way some of his characters spoke. If he had written his books in pentameter I'd say he is the greatest writer ever, but he didn't.
I realize that the Sword of Truth and much of the fantasy genre as a whole borrows from Tolkien. Without him we wouldn't even have this genre published in bookstores; it wouldn't be popular. Like I said, what he created is what makes him so amazing. His writing isn't special.
Haha, I am glad someone brought up Eragon. I think it is a fun read just to enjoy how terrible it is. It really is the overall what not to do in a book I am not going to rant about it seeing as one just has to visit, Anti-Shurtugal.com or something like that for indepth stuff.
I agree with Watership Down. I read that awhile ago, but nice memories of reading it are stuck in my head.
Also that one work by Tolkein Silmarillion that someone else mentioned is a true work of art. It is really something to see so much work go into that book and create a new and beautiful working world. He mastered his own style of writing in that book, and is a fantastic read.
Just wondering, what are some of the people's views on The Golden Compass.
Heard all the hype about it and it seemed decent by the middle of the second book. It may just be me, but it really got out of hand by the third book.
Also recommend the Dragonbone Chair, something like that will look it up, was a neat read.
If you are looking for just a fun read, I usually do Michael Crighton(spelling?) books. He is the author of Jurrasic Park, Sphere, and such.
By the way J.K. Rowling's books are a very fun read.
But that's just me.
I agree with Watership Down. I read that awhile ago, but nice memories of reading it are stuck in my head.
Also that one work by Tolkein Silmarillion that someone else mentioned is a true work of art. It is really something to see so much work go into that book and create a new and beautiful working world. He mastered his own style of writing in that book, and is a fantastic read.
Just wondering, what are some of the people's views on The Golden Compass.
Heard all the hype about it and it seemed decent by the middle of the second book. It may just be me, but it really got out of hand by the third book.
Also recommend the Dragonbone Chair, something like that will look it up, was a neat read.
If you are looking for just a fun read, I usually do Michael Crighton(spelling?) books. He is the author of Jurrasic Park, Sphere, and such.
By the way J.K. Rowling's books are a very fun read.
But that's just me.
| QUOTE (demigodxyz @ Sep 16 2007, 05:15 AM) |
| Why are you arguing about freaking books, just let everybody read what they want. P.S. Harry Potter 4-7 rule. ALL 7 Hitchhikers rule. Lord of the Rings rules. And the Hobbit rules. |
I'm not argueing per say, but Eragon really pisses me off.
I'm not saying 15 year old's can't come up with their own ideas, I'm saying this one didn't. Not only that, but his writing style isn't anything special.
The only reason he ever gained ANY critical claim is because everyone was like, "Ohh, how could a 15 year come up with such an amazing, intrigueing story?"
They didn't realize until a little that, oh, it's Star Wars, fantasy style. Even Fantasy wise, it's nothing special. So this kid took Star Wars' story and set in a Tolkien-esk world, big whoop. Eragon is probably the only book that actually gets me angry, because I'm sick of kids running saying, "Omg, Eragon is soooo cool, it has dragons and stuff and a neat twist, zomg!" and then saying Lotr and SW are boring/old/whatever.
If you're going to read any fantasy at all, let it be A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin. IMO better than Tolkien. Harry Potter is overrated, but at the same time, its a fun and easy read with enough humour and emotion to make it easily relatable to. I think that's what let it become so popular, when the sea of fantasy books is filled with stuff that is just too stiff or high-and-mighty. You said you don't read fantasy, so I'll leave it at that, but let me say Eragon was more or less a piece of crap, and a hilariously badly written one at that. Kind of helped me to become a better writer in that way.
Snow Crash and Cryptonomicon are awesome sci-fi/cyberpunk. So is the Ender's Game series by Orson Scott Card. Also anything by Phillip K. Dick or Isaac Asimov for this genre. Hitchhiker's is pretty good stuff too, and if you like his writing, I also recommend his two Dirk Gently books, sort of weird and insane detective novels.
If you liked 1984 and Animal Farm, check out Brave New World and We.
What else, what else? The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal is great, though if you're religious you might be offended. The Forgotten Planet by Murray Leinster is another of my recent favourites, about a world of regressed humans where gigantic insects and fungi dominate (well, the first part is, anywho). Soon I Will Be Invincible is a fun and oft funny book about superheroes. Gulliver's Travels is a recognisable classic. And finally, while not actually 'books', The Sandman series of comic books by Neil Gaiman is some of the best literature ever.
I'll leave it at that, but if you do actually read any of this and find something of particular merit I can recommend you books along the same line (I read a lot <__<).
Snow Crash and Cryptonomicon are awesome sci-fi/cyberpunk. So is the Ender's Game series by Orson Scott Card. Also anything by Phillip K. Dick or Isaac Asimov for this genre. Hitchhiker's is pretty good stuff too, and if you like his writing, I also recommend his two Dirk Gently books, sort of weird and insane detective novels.
If you liked 1984 and Animal Farm, check out Brave New World and We.
What else, what else? The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal is great, though if you're religious you might be offended. The Forgotten Planet by Murray Leinster is another of my recent favourites, about a world of regressed humans where gigantic insects and fungi dominate (well, the first part is, anywho). Soon I Will Be Invincible is a fun and oft funny book about superheroes. Gulliver's Travels is a recognisable classic. And finally, while not actually 'books', The Sandman series of comic books by Neil Gaiman is some of the best literature ever.
I'll leave it at that, but if you do actually read any of this and find something of particular merit I can recommend you books along the same line (I read a lot <__<).
| QUOTE (Forte Dante @ Sep 16 2007, 01:17 AM) |
| If you're going to read any fantasy at all, let it be A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin. IMO better than Tolkien. Harry Potter is overrated, but at the same time, its a fun and easy read with enough humour and emotion to make it easily relatable to. I think that's what let it become so popular, when the sea of fantasy books is filled with stuff that is just too stiff or high-and-mighty. You said you don't read fantasy, so I'll leave it at that, but let me say Eragon was more or less a piece of crap, and a hilariously badly written one at that. Kind of helped me to become a better writer in that way. Snow Crash and Cryptonomicon are awesome sci-fi/cyberpunk. So is the Ender's Game series by Orson Scott Card. Also anything by Phillip K. Dick or Isaac Asimov for this genre. Hitchhiker's is pretty good stuff too, and if you like his writing, I also recommend his two Dirk Gently books, sort of weird and insane detective novels. If you liked 1984 and Animal Farm, check out Brave New World and We. What else, what else? The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal is great, though if you're religious you might be offended. The Forgotten Planet by Murray Leinster is another of my recent favourites, about a world of regressed humans where gigantic insects and fungi dominate (well, the first part is, anywho). Soon I Will Be Invincible is a fun and oft funny book about superheroes. Gulliver's Travels is a recognisable classic. And finally, while not actually 'books', The Sandman series of comic books by Neil Gaiman is some of the best literature ever. I'll leave it at that, but if you do actually read any of this and find something of particular merit I can recommend you books along the same line (I read a lot <__<). |
Ender's Game freaked me out the first time I read it. It is great though.
I think time will be kind to Harry Potter(at least books 5-7). Rowling has a distinctly crisp style of writing, and also conveys a sense of reality and a feeling of these events having been in motion for a very long time, and they are just now playing out. The best stream of consciousness I've ever read was in Harry Potter. I give her a lot of credit
I would hesitate to compare it to LotR, merely because they are written so differently with much different goals. Anything LotR is good...I was very fond of the Silmarillion, but, then again, I am a history major, and the Silmarillion is pretty much the history of Arda...
Wheel of Time is also great. Very lengthy, but its sheer complexity and scope are astounding, and it still manages to flesh out the characters expertly. My own bone of contention is that Jordan sometimes leaves us in the lurch about certain characters and events for entire books! I know I didn't enjoy one of them as much as I normally would because I read it wanting to find out what happened to no less than TWO main characters, and they weren't even mentioned!
I hate you Robert Jordan, making me squirm like that. On the other hand, you have opened my eyes to a a unique and devastating way to torture readers 
I'm also very much into historical stuff, but that's difficult to recommend without knowing your interests...
I would hesitate to compare it to LotR, merely because they are written so differently with much different goals. Anything LotR is good...I was very fond of the Silmarillion, but, then again, I am a history major, and the Silmarillion is pretty much the history of Arda...
Wheel of Time is also great. Very lengthy, but its sheer complexity and scope are astounding, and it still manages to flesh out the characters expertly. My own bone of contention is that Jordan sometimes leaves us in the lurch about certain characters and events for entire books! I know I didn't enjoy one of them as much as I normally would because I read it wanting to find out what happened to no less than TWO main characters, and they weren't even mentioned!
I hate you Robert Jordan, making me squirm like that. On the other hand, you have opened my eyes to a a unique and devastating way to torture readers I'm also very much into historical stuff, but that's difficult to recommend without knowing your interests...
Wow, this went much better than I expected. Give me a minute to get a list together of all the books suggested...
Okay, so I've got this so far:
A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
the harry potter series
The Count of Monte Cristo
Sword of Truth series
LotR
The Silmarillion
The Hobbit
The Dark Tower series
Stranger
The Three Musketeers
everything by Neil Gaiman
everything by George Orwell
everything by Markus Zusak
EVERYTHING BY L RON HUBBARD
Wheel of Time
Lolita
every book by Chuck Palahniuk
Everworld series
All Things Bright and Beautiful
Dragonbone Chair
A Song of Ice and Fire
Snow Crash
Cryptonomicon
anything by Phillip K. Dick or Isaac Asimov
We
The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
Forgotten Planet
Soon I Will Be Invincible
I left off Brave New World, Ender's Game[/E], and [U]Gulliver's Travels because I've already read them, but they're great books, nonetheless.
Also, what do you guys think of the books In Cold Blood, The Scarlet Letter, and The Devil in the White City? I had to read them over the summer, and I loved them, with the exception of The Scarlet Letter. I know it's not a bad book--it's really well written and all--I just found it boring as hell.
Also, how can I explain to my Eragon-obsessed friend that it's not the greatest book in the world? I already tried the plagiarism angle.
Okay, so I've got this so far:
A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
the harry potter series
The Count of Monte Cristo
Sword of Truth series
LotR
The Silmarillion
The Hobbit
The Dark Tower series
Stranger
The Three Musketeers
everything by Neil Gaiman
everything by George Orwell
everything by Markus Zusak
EVERYTHING BY L RON HUBBARD
Wheel of Time
Lolita
every book by Chuck Palahniuk
Everworld series
All Things Bright and Beautiful
Dragonbone Chair
A Song of Ice and Fire
Snow Crash
Cryptonomicon
anything by Phillip K. Dick or Isaac Asimov
We
The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
Forgotten Planet
Soon I Will Be Invincible
I left off Brave New World, Ender's Game[/E], and [U]Gulliver's Travels because I've already read them, but they're great books, nonetheless.
Also, what do you guys think of the books In Cold Blood, The Scarlet Letter, and The Devil in the White City? I had to read them over the summer, and I loved them, with the exception of The Scarlet Letter. I know it's not a bad book--it's really well written and all--I just found it boring as hell.
Also, how can I explain to my Eragon-obsessed friend that it's not the greatest book in the world? I already tried the plagiarism angle.
Darren Shan. He is the best fantasy author of our generation, IMO. Check out his Vampires and Demonta series (Two different series BTW).
Oh and read, Battle Royale by Koushon Takami. It's translated from Japanese but it is still pure awesomeness.
Oh and read, Battle Royale by Koushon Takami. It's translated from Japanese but it is still pure awesomeness.
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