Book Recommendations? - Off-Topic

#1 Edited by Gambit1024 (9878 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

I've never been a reader of books or novels, but after finishing The Hunger Games (which was so-so) and almost through the whole Harry Potter series (which is REALLY GOOD), I've been enjoying it. Can anyone recommend something else for me? I was thinking about a Stephen King novel, but I'm open to other suggestions.

Edit: I AM NOT INTERESTED IN HEAVY SCIENCE FICTION.

Sorry. I was forced to read all that stuff in high school, and I couldn't stand it. Especially 1984. Couldn't stand it.

#2 Posted by cyberninja (10376 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

Pfft try 1984, Dune, Ender's game, Fahrenheit 451, The wheel of time, LOTR, Neuromancer, Do androids dream of electric sheep?, Consider Phlebas, Foundation, Hitchhiker’s guide to the galaxy, Stranger in a strange land, 2001 A space odyssey, The book of long sun, Tigana, The dying earth, Brave new world, The book of the new sun, The man in the high castle.

#3 Posted by HammerTron (353 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

The Dragon Lance series. Start with the Chronicles trilogy.

Actually anything by Margaret Weis (woman) and Tracey Hickman (man).

A song of Fire and Ice (first book is "A Game of Thrones") by George R. R. Martin.

Also try the original Sherlock Holmes stories.

#4 Posted by InnerVenom123 (27551 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

Fight Club.

If you haven't read Fight Club, you aren't allowed to read anything else until you read Fight Club.

#5 Posted by Docnick (10454 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

1984, Clockwork Orange, Dexter (the book series are amazing bro) the Godfather series.

#6 Posted by Docnick (10454 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

Try H.P. Lovecraft oo.

#7 Posted by jeanlucpicard (1820 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

To catch a mocking bird

catcher in the wry

catcher in the rye

of mice and men

Thats all I got lol i've only read 2 of those 4.

#8 Posted by Deadcool (6758 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

@nickthedevil said:

Try H.P. Lovecraft oo.

THIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSSSS

#9 Posted by Docnick (10454 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

@jeanlupicard: you like catching stuff don't you?

#10 Posted by Deranged Midget (13020 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

The Hobbit and LOTR.
Angels and Demons
If you like Halo or Gears, the novel tie-ins are brilliant.
Game of Thrones
Jack Daws (anything by Ken Follet is absolutely amazing)
Emperor series by Conn Iggulden
Star Wars (I'm biased)

Moderator

#11 Posted by jhazzroucher (12411 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

@Gambit1024 said:

I've never been a reader of books or novels, but after finishing The Hunger Games and almost through the whole Harry Potter series, I've been enjoying it. Can anyone recommend something else for me? I was thinking about a Stephen King novel, but I'm open to other suggestions.

I can recommend you one but it's not really someting like a long story novel. Each chapter/topic has like 2-3 (real stories i think) stories and the author gives you a lesson. Try it and i can say you'll definitely love it.

48 laws of power by robert greene.

#12 Posted by Gambit1024 (9878 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

Maybe I should've said this in the OP: I AM NOT INTERESTED IN HEAVY SCIENCE FICTION.

Sorry. I was forced to read all that stuff in high school, and I couldn't stand it. Especially 1984. Couldn't stand it.

#13 Posted by Docnick (10454 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

Then go H.P. Lovecraft. Science fiction sure... Bu i always felt H.P.>>> Edgar Allen Poe in Horror.

#14 Posted by jinxuandi (581 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

The first Dune book is not really that 'heavy.' The series does not get that complex until the sequels.

If you like the outdoors at all, Jon Krakauer's books are great.

#15 Posted by cyberninja (10376 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

@Gambit1024 said:

Maybe I should've said this in the OP: I AM NOT INTERESTED IN HEAVY SCIENCE FICTION.
Sorry. I was forced to read all that stuff in high school, and I couldn't stand it. Especially 1984. Couldn't stand it.

In that case since you already read Hunger Games and Harry Potter, try Twilight then.

#16 Posted by VictorGrey (12244 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

@cyberninja said:

@Gambit1024 said:
Maybe I should've said this in the OP: I AM NOT INTERESTED IN HEAVY SCIENCE FICTION.
Sorry. I was forced to read all that stuff in high school, and I couldn't stand it. Especially 1984. Couldn't stand it.
In that case since you already read Hunger Games and Harry Potter, ~~try Twilight then~~.

Fixed

#17 Posted by Lvenger (8228 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

Aw I was gonna suggest Childhood's End or Brave New World. Those are two brilliant sci fi novels but they are a bit heavy. In that case, I'll make the suggestions of Lord of the Flies, To Kill A Mockingbird, many Stephen King books and Animal Farm. Those are some very good reads. And nice to see you reading the Harry Potter series. They're one of my all time favourite book series. Also reading the source material is usually more informative than the film adaption and seeing the films doesn't mean the same as reading the books.

#18 Posted by Gambit1024 (9878 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

@Lvenger: Thanks for those recommendations. I was actually thinking of reading Lord of the Flies too. And that's why I started reading these books in the first place. I've never seen the Harry Potter movies before, so my friend told me to read them first. It's not bad so far. I just wish he had a villain who wasn't Voldemort all the time, lol.

@cyberninja: Yeah, no thanks. I can do poplar teenage books, but that's where I draw the line.

#19 Posted by Lvenger (8228 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

@Gambit1024: Just don't over analyse it. I had to do it for my English exam. I mean knowing the themes and meaning of a book is all well and good but when you revise it to death, as well as having to remember various quotes, it really puts a damper on enjoying it. I imagine that's why you don't enjoy heavy sci-fi novels.

#20 Posted by texasdeathmatch (12571 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

If you want something really trippy and Stephen King-y, go for the Dark Tower series. I read it a little too young, so I think there was a lot of things i missed, but its a really unique storyline with some pretty mindblowing moments.

#21 Edited by Kurrent (14037 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

Game of Thrones ( A Song of fire and Ice) series....you can't go wrong

#22 Edited by sesquipedalophobe (4464 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

Ender's Game isn't heavy science fiction. It's social science fiction. Try the Alvin Maker series by Orson Scott Card if fantasy is more your thing, but it deals mostly on alternate history and the appearance of witchcraft. If fantasy isn't your thing then any of John Irving's novels would be recommended. Although, if fiction isn't your thing in general then try Derrick Jensen's the Culture of Make Believe. It's an interesting take on racism and its roots. A Child Called It. I can go on and on. Harry Turtledove writes "light" science fiction (whatever that means) since it's essentially alternate history.

Still, read Ender's Game for all your fulfillment needs. I read it when I was eight and I haven't put it down since.

#23 Posted by Gambit1024 (9878 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

@Lvenger: I just want a good story. I could care less about inner meanings and "this represents this" kind of stuff. I'm not in high school anymore, ya know? That's partly the reason why I hated reading in general. And yeah, that's why I don't like the sci-fi stuff, although I do admit that I liked Ender's Game (from what I remember. I read it a long time ago.)

@texasdeathmatch: I was thinking about that one too. Did you read the comic?

#24 Posted by texasdeathmatch (12571 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

@Gambit1024: Yeah, I've been collecting the trades. Its pretty interesting where they went with it, because they've just recently started where the first novel begins.

#25 Posted by Lvenger (8228 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

@Gambit1024: Believe me I know the feeling. I am still in school but I'm so glad I don't do English anymore. I always just have a good read of my books and don't worry about analysing them anymore. There comes a point when you get sick of looking at a book if you look too deep into it and I don't want to be that kind of analytical reader anyway.

#26 Posted by Gambit1024 (9878 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

@texasdeathmatch: Oh, so it's much different then?

@Lvenger: Exactamundo. Just give me a hero I can root for, a bad guy I can hate, and a great story that I can remember.

#27 Posted by Gambit1024 (9878 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

@sesquipedalophobe: I read Ender's Game in 8th grade, and I liked it (from what I remember). Thanks for the other recommendations. I dig fantasy (Harry Potter rules) so I've got an open mind for that.

#28 Posted by texasdeathmatch (12571 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

@Gambit1024: Eh, the comics began with an origins story of the Gunslinger, which I don't think ever happened in the books, but I never finished the series. However, the latest story (based on the first book) was pretty damn accurate with the novel. It was really fun to see how they recreated the characters and bizarre world.

#29 Posted by Gambit1024 (9878 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

@texasdeathmatch: Nice, I'll have to check it out then

#30 Posted by ReVamp (22561 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

@texasdeathmatch said:

If you want something really trippy and Stephen King-y, go for the Dark Tower series. I read it a little too young, so I think there was a lot of things i missed, but its a really unique storyline with some pretty mindblowing moments.

I have this, but I haven't started it. More importantly read The Wheel of Time. And A Song of Fire and Ice too, if you haven't seen the TV Series

#31 Posted by texasdeathmatch (12571 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

@ReVamp: I'm trying to read Game of Thrones, but its so hard because its so similar to the show, so I've been stuck halfway for the past 6 months, haha.

@Gambit1024:
Yeah, I'd check out the first one and see if its your thing, even though the next few books take a wild turn.

#32 Posted by ReVamp (22561 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

@Gambit1024: READ THE WHEEL OF FCKIN' TIME. You can thank me after you feel the bliss. Its long though... Really fcking long.

#33 Posted by Gambit1024 (9878 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

@texasdeathmatch: Definitely will, thanks a lot.

@ReVamp: I heard that the TV Series is insanely close to the book. Should I just watch the show, or is there something in the book the makes it.... better?

#34 Posted by ReVamp (22561 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

@Gambit1024: I haven't watched the TV series, and honestly I'm only half way or so through the irst book. I'm too busy -- wait for it -- reading The Wheel of Time. That's the third recommend in the last 10 minutes I gave for that series. (I'mnotafanboyoranything)

#35 Posted by Gambit1024 (9878 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

@ReVamp said:

@Gambit1024: READ THE WHEEL OF FCKIN' TIME. You can thank me after you feel the bliss. Its long though... Really fcking long.

What's it about?

#36 Posted by ReVamp (22561 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

@Gambit1024 said:

@ReVamp said:
@Gambit1024: READ THE WHEEL OF FCKIN' TIME. You can thank me after you feel the bliss. Its long though... Really fcking long.
What's it about?

Its similar to Lord of the Rings (in its aspects, they're both classical fantasies).

Basically, it takes place in the world with the One Power (think 5 natural elements) which can be controlled as well as the Dark One. Who's the big bad one, sealed in the earth. Its prophecized that the Dragon will be Reborn and will either fight with or against the Dark One. Regardless, he'll "break" (ambiguous term, by the way) the world in the process. Moriane, an Aes Sedai (people who control the one power) arrives at a small village in the middle of pretty much nowhere and is looking for this "Dragon Reborn". She manages to narrow it down to three boys, but because they're all the same age and they're all Ta'Vaern (spelling is wrong, I believe) -- which means that they're basically all destined to be influential and important people -- she can't figure out which is which, so she takes all of them out of there, escaping the Dark One's troops.

Don't worry about the terminology, its quite simple once you're reading it. I'm oversimplifying it, but to be honest, I have trouble reading other books because its just so good. IMHO, anyway.

#37 Posted by jeanlucpicard (1820 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

@nickthedevil: Lol those are 2 different books.

#38 Posted by Illuminatus (9303 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

Anything by Brandon Sanderson. The man writes amazing epic fantasy novels.

#39 Posted by Funrush (1368 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit
Warriors (Series about Wildcats surviving in the wilderness. They're all separated into different clans, and it's pretty cool.)
Lord of the Flies

#40 Posted by ReVamp (22561 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

@Illuminatus said:

Anything by Brandon Sanderson. The man writes amazing epic fantasy novels.

He's writing the last of the Wheel of Time, just so y'know Gambit.

#41 Posted by Illuminatus (9303 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

@ReVamp said:

@Illuminatus said:
Anything by Brandon Sanderson. The man writes amazing epic fantasy novels.
He's writing the last of the Wheel of Time, just so y'know Gambit.

Yeah, that was how he made his way into the business, although his Mistborn series is great.

#42 Posted by ReVamp (22561 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

@Illuminatus said:

@ReVamp said:
@Illuminatus said:
Anything by Brandon Sanderson. The man writes amazing epic fantasy novels.
He's writing the last of the Wheel of Time, just so y'know Gambit.
Yeah, that was how he made his way into the business, although his Mistborn series is great.

He wrote most of his works before that he wrote his first Wheel of Time, actually, including the first three books from the Mistborn series.

#43 Posted by Illuminatus (9303 posts) - 1 year, 28 days ago - Show Bio

@ReVamp said:

@Illuminatus said:
@ReVamp said:
@Illuminatus said:
Anything by Brandon Sanderson. The man writes amazing epic fantasy novels.
He's writing the last of the Wheel of Time, just so y'know Gambit.
Yeah, that was how he made his way into the business, although his Mistborn series is great.
He wrote most of his works before that he wrote his first Wheel of Time, actually, including the first three books from the Mistborn series.

Oh, cool.