HBO - Song of Ice&Fire Series -Varsity Thread - no TV only whiners (4 Viewers)

[Marvin]

"The Wanderers" Richard Price

"Tapping the Source" Kem Nunn

"No Country for Old Men" Cormac McCarthy

"White Noise" Don DeLillo

"The Handmaid's Tale" Margaret Atwood

I have read those three. They were OK but I think the only one I have recommended is White Noise (and that was a long time ago). It seems you are more into the theme(s) that a book addresses and the story is somewhat secondary. I am more drawn to characters and world building. Out of curiosity - have you read Ender's Game? I have been trying to convince a friend of mine that teaches high school English to integrate it into her classes' reading list.

I haven't read "Ender's Game" yet. I'll see if I can get it on my Moon Man Electro-Book thingy.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

"The Wanderers" Richard Price

"Tapping the Source" Kem Nunn

"No Country for Old Men" Cormac McCarthy

"White Noise" Don DeLillo

"The Handmaid's Tale" Margaret Atwood

I have read those three. They were OK but I think the only one I have recommended is White Noise (and that was a long time ago). It seems you are more into the theme(s) that a book addresses and the story is somewhat secondary. I am more drawn to characters and world building. Out of curiosity - have you read Ender's Game? I have been trying to convince a friend of mine that teaches high school English to integrate it into her classes' reading list.

Our 6th grade teacher had us read it. He was awesome. Dunno if it holds up, but I loved it at the time.

 

[shuke]

Storm of Swords stuff I just read

Spoiler

Robb Stark is (or was) an idiot...how did he not see that coming? Arya is outside with the Hound...Off to the bathroom to see what happens with her

Spoiler

His mom warned him, but teenagers do what they want.

Spoiler

Just finished reading that chapter.

I'm glad it happened. Not because I didn't "like" Robb or Cat but because IT BROKE UP THE MONOTONY OF THE SEEMINGLY ENDLESS AND MULTIPLE STORY LINES OF PEOPLE TRAVELING! Good god. Bran's going here, Arya's going here (oops, no she's not), Jon's going here, Sam's going here etc. After a while they all just blended together into one long and bloody road trip.

Spoiler

I agree. And we only get a few moments of the really cool stuff.

Spoiler

Even the epilogue was great! From front to back this was the best book I've read. I'm still shocked of how conniving Petyr is and I hope he has a POV chapter in the next book!

No offense but if that is the best book you've ever read you need to branch out a little. And of the 3 Song of Ice and Fire books that I've read so far Storm of Swords is the weakest.You tell him, flysack.

 

[GroveDiesel]

Just finished SOS and:

Spoiler

Wow, so many dead. Loved watching the fall of House Lannister. Cersei has become even more boring by the end of this book. Have to believe that sending away Jorah is going to come back to haunt her. Sansa and Petyr are intensely boring. Arya is awesome. Probably my favorite character although Tyrion is close. And I'm shocked at how much I don't hate Jaime Lannister. And I have to say that I didn't see Stannis heading North so soon. The whole buildup between the Black Brothers and the wildlings seemed awfully anticlimatic though.

 

[Maelstrom]

"The Wanderers" Richard Price

"Tapping the Source" Kem Nunn

"No Country for Old Men" Cormac McCarthy

"White Noise" Don DeLillo

"The Handmaid's Tale" Margaret Atwood

I have read those three. They were OK but I think the only one I have recommended is White Noise (and that was a long time ago). It seems you are more into the theme(s) that a book addresses and the story is somewhat secondary. I am more drawn to characters and world building. Out of curiosity - have you read Ender's Game? I have been trying to convince a friend of mine that teaches high school English to integrate it into her classes' reading list.

Our 6th grade teacher had us read it. He was awesome. Dunno if it holds up, but I loved it at the time.

Ender's Game is one of my absolute all time favorite books. I've read it more than I like to admit. It would be a great book to put into a high school English class, if for no other reason than to introduce a few more people to reading books, particularly sci-fi/fantasy types, than might have ever picked it up on their own. Plus there are a number of moral dilemmas faced throughout the book, but both adults and the children. that could make for good in-class discussions.

 

[Marvin]

Storm of Swords stuff I just read

Spoiler

Robb Stark is (or was) an idiot...how did he not see that coming? Arya is outside with the Hound...Off to the bathroom to see what happens with her

Spoiler

His mom warned him, but teenagers do what they want.

Spoiler

Just finished reading that chapter.

I'm glad it happened. Not because I didn't "like" Robb or Cat but because IT BROKE UP THE MONOTONY OF THE SEEMINGLY ENDLESS AND MULTIPLE STORY LINES OF PEOPLE TRAVELING! Good god. Bran's going here, Arya's going here (oops, no she's not), Jon's going here, Sam's going here etc. After a while they all just blended together into one long and bloody road trip.

Spoiler

I agree. And we only get a few moments of the really cool stuff.

Spoiler

Even the epilogue was great! From front to back this was the best book I've read. I'm still shocked of how conniving Petyr is and I hope he has a POV chapter in the next book!

No offense but if that is the best book you've ever read you need to branch out a little. And of the 3 Song of Ice and Fire books that I've read so far Storm of Swords is the weakest.You tell him, flysack.Looky here, Evelyn Wood. Some of us enjoy reading books other than sports "autobiographies" and the back of pretzel bags.

 

[Marvin]

"The Wanderers" Richard Price

"Tapping the Source" Kem Nunn

"No Country for Old Men" Cormac McCarthy

"White Noise" Don DeLillo

"The Handmaid's Tale" Margaret Atwood

I have read those three. They were OK but I think the only one I have recommended is White Noise (and that was a long time ago). It seems you are more into the theme(s) that a book addresses and the story is somewhat secondary. I am more drawn to characters and world building. Out of curiosity - have you read Ender's Game? I have been trying to convince a friend of mine that teaches high school English to integrate it into her classes' reading list.

I appreciate what Martin has done in creating this "universe" (or at least two continents). There are obviously certain obstacles that a writer must overcome in order to write a work of fantasy. I've said before that I'm not a big fan of the fantasy genre. My gripes about Martin's books do not lie within my distaste for fantasy.

1. He's repetitive to the point of near predictability. It seems like he's almost creating his own cliches. A character thinks of something slightly fearful? He/she touches the pommel of their sword. You can almost bank on this.

2. Waaaay too many dreams. Obviously there are times when a character's dreams are important to the plot (Bran). But Martin over uses dreams to the point where you can skip most of them and not miss a damn thing. Personally I think the overuse of dreams is a cheap shortcut that some authors use (hello, Stephen King).

3. The same thing goes for all of the stories the characters tell each other. Obviously Martin injects myths and legends and histories into his story to bring even more depth to the world that he has created but quite often they just bog things down. I believe it is in the third book where one character (the frog girl or whatever) tells Arya a story that takes up most of a chapter. After about 3 pages I skipped it and finished the book without missing a thing.

I will say that I am enjoying these books. They are fun to read and entertaining. However, I would hesitate to call them "great".

Martin reminds me a lot of Harry Turtledove the king of alternate history. They both know their audiences. They both are skilled at creating a realistic "world". And they both keep the reader interested. Yet, after reading one of their books, I've never felt the urge to gush about it.

 

[mad sweeney]

"The Wanderers" Richard Price

"Tapping the Source" Kem Nunn

"No Country for Old Men" Cormac McCarthy

"White Noise" Don DeLillo

"The Handmaid's Tale" Margaret Atwood

I have read those three. They were OK but I think the only one I have recommended is White Noise (and that was a long time ago). It seems you are more into the theme(s) that a book addresses and the story is somewhat secondary. I am more drawn to characters and world building. Out of curiosity - have you read Ender's Game? I have been trying to convince a friend of mine that teaches high school English to integrate it into her classes' reading list.

I appreciate what Martin has done in creating this "universe" (or at least two continents). There are obviously certain obstacles that a writer must overcome in order to write a work of fantasy. I've said before that I'm not a big fan of the fantasy genre. My gripes about Martin's books do not lie within my distaste for fantasy.

1. He's repetitive to the point of near predictability. It seems like he's almost creating his own cliches. A character thinks of something slightly fearful? He/she touches the pommel of their sword. You can almost bank on this.

2. Waaaay too many dreams. Obviously there are times when a character's dreams are important to the plot (Bran). But Martin over uses dreams to the point where you can skip most of them and not miss a damn thing. Personally I think the overuse of dreams is a cheap shortcut that some authors use (hello, Stephen King).

3. The same thing goes for all of the stories the characters tell each other. Obviously Martin injects myths and legends and histories into his story to bring even more depth to the world that he has created but quite often they just bog things down. I believe it is in the third book where one character (the frog girl or whatever) tells Arya a story that takes up most of a chapter. After about 3 pages I skipped it and finished the book without missing a thing.

I will say that I am enjoying these books. They are fun to read and entertaining. However, I would hesitate to call them "great".

Martin reminds me a lot of Harry Turtledove the king of alternate history. They both know their audiences. They both are skilled at creating a realistic "world". And they both keep the reader interested. Yet, after reading one of their books, I've never felt the urge to gush about it.

I think what's unique about Martin's work is that it greatly broadened his audience with his books.

 

[Bigboy10182000]

Just finished SOS and:

Spoiler

Wow, so many dead. Loved watching the fall of House Lannister. Cersei has become even more boring by the end of this book. Have to believe that sending away Jorah is going to come back to haunt her. Sansa and Petyr are intensely boring. Arya is awesome. Probably my favorite character although Tyrion is close. And I'm shocked at how much I don't hate Jaime Lannister. And I have to say that I didn't see Stannis heading North so soon. The whole buildup between the Black Brothers and the wildlings seemed awfully anticlimatic though.

Spoiler

Sansa is but I don't find Little Finger boring at all. The schemes he's pulling off make him interesting, to me anyway. I can see Dany letting go Jorah hurting her in the end too. I love Arya and Tyrion and I also enjoyed the Jon Snow chapters. I didnt really expect much about the Wilding and Black Brothers portion. They alluded to how unorganized the Wildlings were and I always thought that's what would bite them, and it did. I'm interested to see how Stannis takes Jon being the new Lord Commander and I'm even more interested in seeing what happens with Arya in Bravos and what happens with Tyrion. Speaking of Tyrion, I loved him killing Shae and Tywin!

 

[JerseyToughGuys]

Storm of Swords stuff I just read

Spoiler

Robb Stark is (or was) an idiot...how did he not see that coming? Arya is outside with the Hound...Off to the bathroom to see what happens with her

Spoiler

His mom warned him, but teenagers do what they want.

Spoiler

Just finished reading that chapter.

I'm glad it happened. Not because I didn't "like" Robb or Cat but because IT BROKE UP THE MONOTONY OF THE SEEMINGLY ENDLESS AND MULTIPLE STORY LINES OF PEOPLE TRAVELING! Good god. Bran's going here, Arya's going here (oops, no she's not), Jon's going here, Sam's going here etc. After a while they all just blended together into one long and bloody road trip.

Spoiler

I agree. And we only get a few moments of the really cool stuff.

Spoiler

Even the epilogue was great! From front to back this was the best book I've read. I'm still shocked of how conniving Petyr is and I hope he has a POV chapter in the next book!

No offense but if that is the best book you've ever read you need to branch out a little. And of the 3 Song of Ice and Fire books that I've read so far Storm of Swords is the weakest.You tell him, flysack.:sizzle:

 

[sn0mm1s]

I appreciate what Martin has done in creating this "universe" (or at least two continents). There are obviously certain obstacles that a writer must overcome in order to write a work of fantasy. I've said before that I'm not a big fan of the fantasy genre. My gripes about Martin's books do not lie within my distaste for fantasy. 1. He's repetitive to the point of near predictability. It seems like he's almost creating his own cliches. A character thinks of something slightly fearful? He/she touches the pommel of their sword. You can almost bank on this.2. Waaaay too many dreams. Obviously there are times when a character's dreams are important to the plot (Bran). But Martin over uses dreams to the point where you can skip most of them and not miss a damn thing. Personally I think the overuse of dreams is a cheap shortcut that some authors use (hello, Stephen King).3. The same thing goes for all of the stories the characters tell each other. Obviously Martin injects myths and legends and histories into his story to bring even more depth to the world that he has created but quite often they just bog things down. I believe it is in the third book where one character (the frog girl or whatever) tells Arya a story that takes up most of a chapter. After about 3 pages I skipped it and finished the book without missing a thing.I will say that I am enjoying these books. They are fun to read and entertaining. However, I would hesitate to call them "great". Martin reminds me a lot of Harry Turtledove the king of alternate history. They both know their audiences. They both are skilled at creating a realistic "world". And they both keep the reader interested. Yet, after reading one of their books, I've never felt the urge to gush about it.

Spoiler

In regards to #1:I agree to some extent, but I also think that it adds to the realism of the world. I am not sure how many times characters say, "Words are wind", "Black wings, black words", "Leal service", "nuncle", "A Lannister always pays his debts" etc. etc. but it is a lot. I do think the phrases are overused but that is generally how cliches become cliches. I don't find the hand on the pommel bothersome though.#2 and #3 I think can be combined into one complaint - and I definitely understand why people don't like dreams and stories because they generally don't affect the present ongoing story. However, for me, the dreams and stories illuminate bits and pieces (often unreliable) of past and future events. They add a depth to world not only in just a history and mythology but also add puzzles for the reader to figure out. For me, one of the reasons I enjoy good fantasy, is attempting to ferret out and decipher all the clues clever authors leave sprinkled throughout their books.Characters such as Jojen Reed, Patchface, and Bran, who have had close brushes with death, gain a minor prophetic ability. You pay much more attention to what they say. I am not sure which story you are referring to with the frog girl (presumably Meera Reed) talking to Arya. The two never meet. Meera tells Bran a long story about a tournament and Arya hears about the dreams of a dwarf women. I suppose they both fit into the mold you dislike. Meera's story is one more potential piece of Jon's parentage and another view of the seeds that started Robert's Rebellion. I don't recall all of what the dwarf woman said to Arya but I believe she mentioned Balon Greyjoy getting killed by a Faceless Man, the results of the death of Catalyn, the death of Vargo Hoat, how Joffrey gets poisoned, Robb's ill fated wedding and probably one or two more things I am forgetting about. They aren't necessary for the story but I find trying to solve the riddle fun when it is presented to me.

 

[kentric]

Did I just miss it in the book or was the man-on-man aspect between the Knight of Flowers and Renly only specific to the TV series.

 

[sn0mm1s]

Did I just miss it in the book or was the man-on-man aspect between the Knight of Flowers and Renly only specific to the TV series.

There were many hints - but never explicitly stated.

 

[kentric]

Did I just miss it in the book or was the man-on-man aspect between the Knight of Flowers and Renly only specific to the TV series.

There were many hints - but never explicitly stated.

Ok thanks. I was just a bit surprised that I'd have completely missed that aspect of the story.

 

[JerseyToughGuys]

Did I just miss it in the book or was the man-on-man aspect between the Knight of Flowers and Renly only specific to the TV series.

ya, here are some of the book references:http://www.angelfire.com/ma4/mlarchives/faq/lorasrenly.html

 

[JerseyToughGuys]

This one from Jamie is the most Storm of Swords mini-spoiler:

Spoiler

“Now sheathe your bloody sword, or I’ll take it from you and shove it up some place even Renly never found.”

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

3. The same thing goes for all of the stories the characters tell each other. Obviously Martin injects myths and legends and histories into his story to bring even more depth to the world that he has created but quite often they just bog things down. I believe it is in the third book where one character (the frog girl or whatever) tells Arya a story that takes up most of a chapter. After about 3 pages I skipped it and finished the book without missing a thing.

Except that all those stories, and that one in particular, are important pieces to the puzzle he's scattered throughout the 5000 pages. They aren't throwaways IMO.Not to say you missed anything in terms of the main plot, just that the stories are definitely bread crumbs.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

I believe it is in the third book where one character (the frog girl or whatever) tells Arya a story that takes up most of a chapter. After about 3 pages I skipped it and finished the book without missing a thing.

If you had missed something, how would you know?

 

[Charlie Frown]

This one from Jamie is the most Storm of Swords mini-spoiler:

Spoiler

“Now sheathe your bloody sword, or I’ll take it from you and shove it up some place even Renly never found.”

The line in the show was pretty good too. The Stark men that stopped Brienne and Jaime. Something along the lines of "How good (of a swordsman) can Loras be? He has been stabbing Renly for years and he isn't dead yet." Or something like that.

 

[Sabertooth]

I believe it is in the third book where one character (the frog girl or whatever) tells Arya a story that takes up most of a chapter. After about 3 pages I skipped it and finished the book without missing a thing.

If you had missed something, how would you know?

 

[hotdogcollars]

having now read book 1 and obviously seen season 1 on HBO, I'm still missing a detail: Baelish obviously lied to the Starks about losing the knife to Tyrion in a bet. So then A) who sent the assassin? B) if it was Jaime or Cersei, how did they get the knife, and C) probably a post book 1 spoiler answers this, but has Baelish been conspiring with the Lannisters fro the get go?

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

having now read book 1 and obviously seen season 1 on HBO, I'm still missing a detail: Baelish obviously lied to the Starks about losing the knife to Tyrion in a bet. So then A) who sent the assassin? B) if it was Jaime or Cersei, how did they get the knife, and C) probably a post book 1 spoiler answers this, but has Baelish been conspiring with the Lannisters fro the get go?

Keep reading.

 

[Sabertooth]

having now read book 1 and obviously seen season 1 on HBO, I'm still missing a detail: Baelish obviously lied to the Starks about losing the knife to Tyrion in a bet. So then A) who sent the assassin? B) if it was Jaime or Cersei, how did they get the knife, and C) probably a post book 1 spoiler answers this, but has Baelish been conspiring with the Lannisters fro the get go?

I'll just say that your question is answered later.

 

[Chaka]

I believe it is in the third book where one character (the frog girl or whatever) tells Arya a story that takes up most of a chapter. After about 3 pages I skipped it and finished the book without missing a thing.

If you had missed something, how would you know?

Was wondering that myself but I find it is best not to engage Marvin on sci-fi or fantasy topics.

 

[Mjolnirs]

I searched this thread for "northwest" and came up empty. I saw this Northwest Mutual commercial last night and was floored as to how much it looked and sounded like the GOT intro.

After finding the youtube version I see by its posted date that it evidently predates the HBO show.

 

[Bigboy10182000]

I'm about 150 pages into Crows and

Spoiler

Brienne is boring as all hell

 

[Kraft...]

I'm about 150 pages into Crows and

Spoiler

Brienne is boring as all hell

Crows is a slow read, especially compared to Swords. The end is solid though, hang in there.

 

[Marvin]

3. The same thing goes for all of the stories the characters tell each other. Obviously Martin injects myths and legends and histories into his story to bring even more depth to the world that he has created but quite often they just bog things down. I believe it is in the third book where one character (the frog girl or whatever) tells Arya a story that takes up most of a chapter. After about 3 pages I skipped it and finished the book without missing a thing.

Except that all those stories, and that one in particular, are important pieces to the puzzle he's scattered throughout the 5000 pages. They aren't throwaways IMO.Not to say you missed anything in terms of the main plot, just that the stories are definitely bread crumbs.

It bogs things down IMO. The interjecting of these "puzzles" weakens the narrative.

 

[Marvin]

I believe it is in the third book where one character (the frog girl or whatever) tells Arya a story that takes up most of a chapter. After about 3 pages I skipped it and finished the book without missing a thing.

If you had missed something, how would you know?

Who do you think you're talking to here? MoP?

 

[Marvin]

I believe it is in the third book where one character (the frog girl or whatever) tells Arya a story that takes up most of a chapter. After about 3 pages I skipped it and finished the book without missing a thing.

If you had missed something, how would you know?

Was wondering that myself but I find it is best not to engage Marvin on sci-fi or fantasy topics.

Sci-Fi?

 

[Instinctive]

having now read book 1 and obviously seen season 1 on HBO, I'm still missing a detail: Baelish obviously lied to the Starks about losing the knife to Tyrion in a bet. So then A) who sent the assassin? B) if it was Jaime or Cersei, how did they get the knife, and C) probably a post book 1 spoiler answers this, but has Baelish been conspiring with the Lannisters fro the get go?

I'll just say that your question is answered later.

Much later.To those discussing Crows - just finished it yesterday, agree that it's definitely a bit slower, but I think a lot of very important things happen as well. Hoping to pick up ADWD tomorrow!

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

The thing about Crows is that is shouldnt have taken an entire book to move the plot as mich as it does. I did enjoy reading from new perspectives at that point though. I feel like the show will greatly combine crowd and dragons into one season really.

 

[the moops]

Anyone else plan on reading these books sometime soon, yet still keep clicking on the spoilers? I can't help myself.

 

[Chaka]

I believe it is in the third book where one character (the frog girl or whatever) tells Arya a story that takes up most of a chapter. After about 3 pages I skipped it and finished the book without missing a thing.

If you had missed something, how would you know?

Was wondering that myself but I find it is best not to engage Marvin on sci-fi or fantasy topics.

Sci-Fi?

Or fantasy.

 

[Chadstroma]

Game of Thrones Season 3 will start production in early July. Locations include Belfast, Northern Ireland, Croatia, Iceland and Morocco.

 

[Marvin]

I believe it is in the third book where one character (the frog girl or whatever) tells Arya a story that takes up most of a chapter. After about 3 pages I skipped it and finished the book without missing a thing.

If you had missed something, how would you know?

Was wondering that myself but I find it is best not to engage Marvin on sci-fi or fantasy topics.

Sci-Fi?

Or fantasy.

What is my reputation when it comes to sci-fi?

 

[Gr00vus]

What is my reputation when it comes to sci-fi?

Depending on who you talk to it ranges from Jar Jar Binks to Sexbot6000.

 

[EYLive]

Game of Thrones Season 3 will start production in early July. Locations include Belfast, Northern Ireland, Croatia, Iceland and Morocco.

Hopefully they will be on pace to air season 3 in April 2013.

 

[kentric]

Just saw the season one (9th) HBO episode where the Lannisters first meet up in fights with Robb Stark. Was rather disappointed that they left out the fighting scenes with Tyrion. Also would have been nice to see Jaime fighting it out (although that wasn't detailed in the book). Guess they didn't want the expense such scenes would cost.

 

[Urlacher54]

"The Wanderers" Richard Price

"Tapping the Source" Kem Nunn

"No Country for Old Men" Cormac McCarthy

"White Noise" Don DeLillo

"The Handmaid's Tale" Margaret Atwood

I have read those three. They were OK but I think the only one I have recommended is White Noise (and that was a long time ago). It seems you are more into the theme(s) that a book addresses and the story is somewhat secondary. I am more drawn to characters and world building. Out of curiosity - have you read Ender's Game? I have been trying to convince a friend of mine that teaches high school English to integrate it into her classes' reading list.

Our 6th grade teacher had us read it. He was awesome. Dunno if it holds up, but I loved it at the time.

Ender's Game is one of my absolute all time favorite books. I've read it more than I like to admit. It would be a great book to put into a high school English class, if for no other reason than to introduce a few more people to reading books, particularly sci-fi/fantasy types, than might have ever picked it up on their own. Plus there are a number of moral dilemmas faced throughout the book, but both adults and the children. that could make for good in-class discussions.

Are you guys talking about the series of books by Orson Scott Card? If so, are all of them that good, or just the first one? I just finished Fire and Ice and I am looking for a new series.

 

[Chaka]

I believe it is in the third book where one character (the frog girl or whatever) tells Arya a story that takes up most of a chapter. After about 3 pages I skipped it and finished the book without missing a thing.

If you had missed something, how would you know?

Was wondering that myself but I find it is best not to engage Marvin on sci-fi or fantasy topics.

Sci-Fi?

Or fantasy.

What is my reputation when it comes to sci-fi?

And fantasy. You seem to have less than an open mind and come off as being more interested in being funny (denigrating even) than actually talking about it.Although that might be unfair because previously I never would have pegged you as someone who would even consider starting the GoT books.

 

[Sinn Fein]

Question for book readers:

Spoiler

When Cat's father was dying he kept saying something about "Tansy" I skimmed a bit - but was this ever explained? I just finished reading about Lysa's death and she alluded to some potion that included "tansy" that caused a miscarriage/abortion? Is that what he was alluding to?

 

[sn0mm1s]

Question for book readers:

Spoiler

When Cat's father was dying he kept saying something about "Tansy" I skimmed a bit - but was this ever explained? I just finished reading about Lysa's death and she alluded to some potion that included "tansy" that caused a miscarriage/abortion? Is that what he was alluding to?

Spoiler

Yes, Littlefinger got Lysa pregnant. Her father gave her a tea that would cause her to miscarriage without Lysa's knowledge.

 

[Maelstrom]

"The Wanderers" Richard Price

"Tapping the Source" Kem Nunn

"No Country for Old Men" Cormac McCarthy

"White Noise" Don DeLillo

"The Handmaid's Tale" Margaret Atwood

I have read those three. They were OK but I think the only one I have recommended is White Noise (and that was a long time ago). It seems you are more into the theme(s) that a book addresses and the story is somewhat secondary. I am more drawn to characters and world building. Out of curiosity - have you read Ender's Game? I have been trying to convince a friend of mine that teaches high school English to integrate it into her classes' reading list.

Our 6th grade teacher had us read it. He was awesome. Dunno if it holds up, but I loved it at the time.

Ender's Game is one of my absolute all time favorite books. I've read it more than I like to admit. It would be a great book to put into a high school English class, if for no other reason than to introduce a few more people to reading books, particularly sci-fi/fantasy types, than might have ever picked it up on their own. Plus there are a number of moral dilemmas faced throughout the book, but both adults and the children. that could make for good in-class discussions.

Are you guys talking about the series of books by Orson Scott Card? If so, are all of them that good, or just the first one? I just finished Fire and Ice and I am looking for a new series.

The others (specifically, Speaker for the Dead, Xenocide and Children of the Mind) are decent in their own right, but people who finish Ender's Game and love it are often disappointed by the following books, because they are a big diversion from the original storyline, picking up almost hundreds or thousands of years later, if I recall. Card tries to delve deeper into the morality of the events in Ender's Game and beyond, and there are definitely times where you stop and go..."what the ...?" Slower paced, different story, but I enjoyed them. Just don't go in thinking they are a sequel, cause they really aren't except that they follow some of the same characters.Some of the more recently written books, the "Shadow" series, like Ender's Shadow and Shadow of the Hedgemon, which follow Bean, one of the other characters in Ender's Game, are pretty good. They actually take place before and during Ender's Game, even narrating some of the same scenes, but from Bean's point of view. I thought that was pretty cool; others thought it was just Card ripping off the success of Ender's Game. I thought it actually took some skill as an author to write a set of different books that overlap in the timeline of his original in that universe.

Here is a decent "chronology" map of the books (blue = books, pink = short stories) that shouldn't really have any spoilers: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ender%27s_Game_Chronology_Updated.png

 

[Marvin]

I believe it is in the third book where one character (the frog girl or whatever) tells Arya a story that takes up most of a chapter. After about 3 pages I skipped it and finished the book without missing a thing.

If you had missed something, how would you know?

Was wondering that myself but I find it is best not to engage Marvin on sci-fi or fantasy topics.

Sci-Fi?

Or fantasy.

What is my reputation when it comes to sci-fi?

And fantasy. You seem to have less than an open mind and come off as being more interested in being funny (denigrating even) than actually talking about it.Although that might be unfair because previously I never would have pegged you as someone who would even consider starting the GoT books.

Once again, Mr. Darrow, what is my reputation when it comes to Sci-Fi?I'll give you fantasy...because most of it is #### (yep, denigrating)....but I have no idea why I've given the impression that I feel the same way about Sci-Fi.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

I hope the budget is increased big time. Im tired of them using that as an excuse.

 

[Chaka]

I believe it is in the third book where one character (the frog girl or whatever) tells Arya a story that takes up most of a chapter. After about 3 pages I skipped it and finished the book without missing a thing.

If you had missed something, how would you know?

Was wondering that myself but I find it is best not to engage Marvin on sci-fi or fantasy topics.

Sci-Fi?

Or fantasy.

What is my reputation when it comes to sci-fi?

And fantasy. You seem to have less than an open mind and come off as being more interested in being funny (denigrating even) than actually talking about it.Although that might be unfair because previously I never would have pegged you as someone who would even consider starting the GoT books.

Once again, Mr. Darrow, what is my reputation when it comes to Sci-Fi?I'll give you fantasy...because most of it is #### (yep, denigrating)....but I have no idea why I've given the impression that I feel the same way about Sci-Fi.

Not to be adversarial but what about my previous post unclear? In the past you seemed to hold a negative opinion of those who are fans of sci-fi and fantasy. I was very surprised that you picked up GoT and your first post on it was more subdued that I would have expected. I have no problem acknowledging if I read you wrong.

I'm about 1/2 through the first book having never read any part of this series. So glad I started watching the TV series first. So far the books aren't that great. If I started reading them 10 years ago I would never have finished book 1.

 

[Marvin]

I believe it is in the third book where one character (the frog girl or whatever) tells Arya a story that takes up most of a chapter. After about 3 pages I skipped it and finished the book without missing a thing.

If you had missed something, how would you know?

Was wondering that myself but I find it is best not to engage Marvin on sci-fi or fantasy topics.

Sci-Fi?

Or fantasy.

What is my reputation when it comes to sci-fi?

And fantasy. You seem to have less than an open mind and come off as being more interested in being funny (denigrating even) than actually talking about it.Although that might be unfair because previously I never would have pegged you as someone who would even consider starting the GoT books.

Once again, Mr. Darrow, what is my reputation when it comes to Sci-Fi?I'll give you fantasy...because most of it is #### (yep, denigrating)....but I have no idea why I've given the impression that I feel the same way about Sci-Fi.

Not to be adversarial but what about my previous post unclear? In the past you seemed to hold a negative opinion of those who are fans of sci-fi and fantasy. I was very surprised that you picked up GoT and your first post on it was more subdued that I would have expected. I have no problem acknowledging if I read you wrong.

I'm about 1/2 through the first book having never read any part of this series. So glad I started watching the TV series first. So far the books aren't that great. If I started reading them 10 years ago I would never have finished book 1.

Still waiting for the link to where it shows I dislike Sci-Fi, Mr. Woodward.

 

[Chaka]

Still waiting for the link to where it shows I dislike Sci-Fi, Mr. Woodward.

I hope you have a comfortable chair.

 

[Frostillicus]

Still waiting for the link to where it shows I dislike Sci-Fi, Mr. Woodward.

[QUOTE='RudiStein]Star Wars is for the gays.
[/QUOTE]Face