Book list

MaidMirawyn said:
As far as the two prequels: don't expect the same level of writing as the original books! Kevin J. Anderson is a good writer; I've read some of his other stuff. Brian Herbert, however, is...less than stellar, shall we say. I read them, but strictly for the background material. If not for Anderson, I doubt I could have made it through them. Paul couldn't.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info, I hadn't really looked at them very much, I only knew they existed. I dont think I'll waste my time/money on them then. I mean if the great Paul cant finish them then I doubt I could or would want to.
 
The book I'm currently reading is the first in a series called "The Thistle and the Cross"...the title is "Crown of Fire", by Craig and Janet Parshall.

It's a novel about the Scottish Protestant reformist rebellion during the reign of King Edward. So far it's a pretty interesting novel, with some romance thrown in (although not enough to make my wife happy).

I'm a huge fan of anything by Stephen Lawhead, in particular his version of the Arthur legend and a series called "The Song of Albion", which is a twist on Irish mythology.
 
janc said:
I'm a huge fan of anything by Stephen Lawhead, in particular his version of the Arthur legend and a series called "The Song of Albion", which is a twist on Irish mythology.
Click to expand...

In high school I read his Dragon Hall trilogy 4 times :) Don't try his atempts at scifi from his early days. He got better with practice. lol

Kel Queen of all Europe

PS its been fun playing with you the last couple of nights Janc
 
Oooooo, a book thread!!! I love to read! :D

I mostly only read Christian books and fiction. My favorites are...

The Mark of the Lion Trilogy, by Francine Rivers
This trilogy takes place in Israel and Rome in A.D. 70 after Rome attacked. Romans are in Israel taking women and children prisoner and taking them back to Rome to be slaves or entertainment (throwing them to the lions). In all of this there is one girl who is faithful to God and we read about her trials and struggles in this time.

The Lions of Judah Series, by Gilber Morris
I'm about to start the 3rd book in the series. There are 6 books in the series, and each one is a fictional story of bible characters. The first one is about Noah, the second one is about Abram & Sarai, the third is about Jacob, can't remember what the fourth one is about, the fifth one is about Moses, and the last one is about Rahab. Great way to put yourself in their shoes and feel what they went through, even though it's fictionalized

The Lineage of Grace Series, by Francine Rivers
Fictional novellas about women in the bible. Great books that help you to be able to see things through these characters eyes.

The Sons of Encouragement Series, by Francine Rivers
Same as above, ony about men in the bible who weren't so "well known" or had great influence. Helps you to learn that they had great influence as well.

Edge of Eternity, by Randy Alcorn
Excellent book about heaven and how the things we do here effect our spiritual life and our future in Heaven. Kinds "sci-fi" feeling, but written well. He uses a lot of symbolism to reflect things in the real world.

As you can see, I really enjoy Francine Rivers books. Haven't been reading much lately though... too busy playing Guild Wars :p
 
hey Ewan McGregor plays Ian Rider in Stormbreaker! WOOT!

Oh. Wait. He dies in the first five minutes. Darn.

hey, the housekeeper has redhair, not blonde! idiots at hollywood...
 
Manyik said:
You want to see the movie first! Why would you want to do that?:eek:
Click to expand...

Once I've read a book I often have a lot of difficulty enjoying the movie. Probably because I form all these mental images of what the characters look like, etc. This was a problem with "Master and Commander" that came out recently. I've read several books in Patrick O'Brien's awesome Aubrey/Maturin series (historical fiction, Aubrey is a captain in the British navy and Maturin is a doctor and philosopher who becomes a lifelong friend). When I saw the movie I was so intensely disappointed with the portrayal of Maturin that I almost couldn't enjoy it. That's why I always try to see the movie first. :)

I haven't read the dunes book yet but loved the scifi channels two mini-series. Have you seen them? Are they a good interpitation?
Click to expand...

I think they are passibly good, very true to the original story. They don't approach the books of course and I don't think they approach the Lynch movie in its perfection of casting, high-quality-epic flavor and sheer cool-weirdness that really suits the story well. But the Lynch movie becomes horribly ponderous and dull, so I think the miniseries wins out as an overall more watchable, if perhaps more shallow, experience.

Paul
 
I think that Dune is best if you watch the movie and the mini-series, AND read the book; the movies and mini-series give it a little something extra.

I think the Lynch movie had the most incredible worms, the most disgusting Baron Harkonnen and family (yes, even Sting is creepy and just a bit repulsive, as any Harkonnen should be), and the most impressive Third Stage Guild Navigator. And of course, the most awesome Gurney Halleck you could ever hope for! (Patrick Stewart captures the spirit of Gurney from the book perfectly-so poised and dignified, yet tough when necessary.) However, the mini-series is much better explained and easier to follow; the movie can be hard to follow if you haven't read the book.

But the Lady Jessica is really cool from the mini-series (more like the book Jessica). Other than that, I prefer the Bene Gesserit from the movie. Their attire in the mini-series is just plain ridiculous; Frank Herbert would be appalled!
 
I mentioned before Shivering World by Kathy Tyer. The crux of the story is the struggle of the protagonist to find a cure for her genetic disease; there's a possible cure, but is it ethical? It's a very interesting, thought-provoking exploration of the dangers of legalism and rewriting Scripture.
 
I recently picked up a copy of one of Salvatore's fantasy books about Drizzt Do'Urden, The Crystal Shard. I can totally see why so many characters in RPGs are named after him. I'm sure that you can also see, if you've read at least one of the books, why I'm not going to bother with another. It seems like the same story gets told about Drizzt like seven times in the book, as if we need to be constantly reminded about his past.

Regardless, the action sequences were very well written, and the characters were developed fairly well.

Warnings: GRAPHIC descriptions of battle, some questionable language, passing mention of sex/sexual themes
 
One of our friends is a big Forgotten Realms and Salvatore fan, so Paul picked up The Demon Spirit for me to read. I'll let you know what I think of it.
 
I do not read as much as I used to :(. But I still love reading. If you have never checkout out The Scottish Chiefs it is a Fictional Book about Willian Wallace. Much better than the Braveheart movie. This book was written in the early 1800's. There is a little romance (ala Princess Bride) lots of Action!! Is awesome!. Last books I read were the entire Chronicles of Narnia Series.
 
Here's a site you fellow readers may find interesting:
Story Code

Basically, you read a story, use sliders to code information about the story, and you get back recommendations of other stories you may like. It's fun.

Typical questions include stuff like, "Is the story more dependent upon plot or characters?" "Does the story primarily focus on one character or multiple characters?" "How much is the setting like something you would encounter in real life?" At the end, you enter your age group when you read it, gender, and how likely you are to reccomend it. It only takes a few minutes per book.

And would you believe the original Dune is the ONLY one of the series to be coded? :eek:
 
Last edited:
I have just started reading "This Present Darkness" by Frank Peritti. It seems real good, but very deep. It deals with spiritual warfare, and I was told you should be prayed up when reading it due to a number of events that are not all sunshine and glory. I am interested if anyone has read any other Frank Peritti books and their thoughts on them. I really enjoy his fiction so far.


ps
Also Max Lucado is a very enjoyable writer if anyone is looking for books that minister to people.
 
Oh, I like Peretti. I've read This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness, The Oath, Prophet, and The Visitation. All are great.

The Darkness books are intriguing because, although the representation of demonic activity is fictional, it really brings home one important truth: Satan and the demons are intelligent and conniving; they aren't at all passive, and they certainly aren't a mere "force." They are actual beings who would like nothing better to destroy all who love God.

I've also read the first book in the Veritas Project series, Hangman's Curse. It's very different, because the truth behind the events is NOT what you expect, considering that it's from Peretti.
 
Last edited:
aka Ash said:
I have just started reading "This Present Darkness" by Frank Peritti. It seems real good, but very deep. It deals with spiritual warfare, and I was told you should be prayed up when reading it due to a number of events that are not all sunshine and glory. I am interested if anyone has read any other Frank Peritti books and their thoughts on them. I really enjoy his fiction so far.


ps
Also Max Lucado is a very enjoyable writer if anyone is looking for books that minister to people.
Click to expand...

This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness are pioneering works of modern Christian fiction, real classics. I read them many, many years ago but can't say I remember a thing about them now, except that they were very cool and quite scary to me at the time because of the focus on spiritual warfare. I also remember that my elementary school teacher was extremely pleased when I told her I'd read them, and she had me give a mini-review in class. In retrospect I think my teacher was a Christian who was delighted to have one of her students endorse a work of Christian fiction which she would have been fired on the spot for endorsing herself.

I was doing some online research today for school and came across a reference to a book that I really really want to find and read. It is called "Book" and the author is Robert Grudin. Its a murder mystery but apparently the book itself is somehow involved. At one point it supposedly rebels and shuts down the footnotes. :eek:
 
Last edited:
Stc95 said:
I like Raymond E. Feists books. And the Ender's Game series.
Click to expand...


Both very good writers although there was 1 book "Treasure Box" by Orson Scott Card that I thought was to wierd. Anyone else read it?

One of my favorit writers is Robin McKinley. If you are a guy I would start with "The Outlaws of Sherwood"
Review from http://www.mindstalk.net/mckinley/
"Everyone knows the story of Robin Hood, outlaw in Sherwood forest. The tale has been told and retold countless times, but Robin McKinley adds texture and characterization to the story that other authors have not. In her story, the characters become real people with real struggles and personalities, and the story becomes richer and more detailed"

WarningDon't Ever Read her book "Deerskin" Warning

Kel Queen of all Europe
 
I've only read two Frank Peretti books, Monster and The Visitation. My favorite out of those two would be Monster. I also really like the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top