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Could you recommend me some books?

Blogs > jjun212
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jjun212
Profile Joined December 2004
Canada2208 Posts
May 24 2009 17:28 GMT
#1
Hey guys~

lately i've been shifting from computer stuff towards basketball, exercise, studying languages and reading. (mainly for the sake of my body.. i've been feeling really tired on the computer and i don't know why)

anyway, i've started picking up the urge to read, hehe.

i was wondering if someone could recommend me some books that were similar or not similar but had a strong power'ness' to the harry potter series? or books like "A long way gone" or the stephen colbert book.

i wouldn't mind comedy, fantasy, biographies. no lord of the rings please;

*i think a series would be fun=)

Freyr
Profile Blog Joined July 2004
United States500 Posts
May 24 2009 17:32 GMT
#2
You may find this thread useful for some ideas: http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=93946

By "powerness" do you mean similar usage of magic abilities?

Also, why no LOTR? Have you already read it?
floor exercise
Profile Blog Joined August 2008
Canada5847 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-05-24 17:48:48
May 24 2009 17:43 GMT
#3
For fantasy I would recommend The First Law series by Joe Abercrombie. It's a 3 book series by a new writer that is actually finished and in my opinion a lot more accessible than the popular fantasy series right now. It's similar to Ice and Fire in a lot of respects, with the way it mixes gritty violence with dark humor, but it focuses a lot more on the latter. It also manages to make what sound like generic fantasy characters very compelling and anything but generic. If you read the first book and don't think Logen and Glokta (specifically him) are two of the better fantasy characters ever written there's something wrong with you.

It also has a sort of throwback vibe to Conan era fantasy. I would recommend the series to any Ice and Fire fan. And whether or not you are one yet it will invariably be praised in this thread by a lot of people

edit: actually don't read that review its basically a synopsis just check out amazon.com or something
Phrogs!
Profile Blog Joined August 2008
Japan521 Posts
May 24 2009 17:57 GMT
#4
On May 25 2009 02:28 jjun212 wrote:
i wouldn't mind comedy, fantasy, biographies. no lord of the rings please;


Oo haven't heard people ask for biography recommendations before.

May I suggest "Mortal Games" by Fred Waitzkin. I'm not gunna write a long book review cus I wanna get back to iccup but basically it deals with Garry Kasparov and his politcal life fighting for democracy in soviet russia around the time he has to defend the chess world championship against Karpov.

Also for fantasy I could recommend any series by Robin Hobb, particulary "The Farseer" trilogy.
emperorchampion
Profile Blog Joined December 2008
Canada9496 Posts
May 24 2009 18:11 GMT
#5
For fantasy I recomend: The Wheel of Time serie, by Robert Jordan- Really great series, it's long though. All the Drizzt Do'Urden books, by R.A Salvator aswell, they are really good and packed with a lot of action. For Comedy: Dave Barry's Guide to Guys, must read- I don't really know what else to say. There are lots of great series out there, you just have to find them.
TRUEESPORTS || your days as a respected member of team liquid are over
Wohmfg
Profile Blog Joined January 2009
United Kingdom1292 Posts
May 24 2009 18:20 GMT
#6
I dunno what you mean by powerness, but an excellent fantasy series is His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman. It's epic and accessible, it's set in a parallel universe that's really interesting, the characters are awesome, the story is awesome, I would seriously recommend it. Way better than Harry Potter in my opinion, although it's quite different.
BW4Life!
OmgIRok
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
Taiwan2699 Posts
May 24 2009 18:22 GMT
#7
artemis fowl, the only series that i've had the urge to read

otherwise, reading is boring and makes me fall asleep after 20 minutes
"Wanna join my [combo] clan?" "We play turret d competitively"
Motiva
Profile Joined November 2007
United States1774 Posts
May 24 2009 18:29 GMT
#8
There was a blog similar to this a few days ago, and I recommended this book, and I would reocmmend it again haha

The best book I've read thus far this year is easily The Name of the Wind and I would strongly recommend it to anyone.

stolen from the book's website (because i'm too lazy to type):

+ Show Spoiler +

My name is Kvothe, pronounced nearly the same as "quothe." Names are important as they tell you a great deal about a person. I've had more names than anyone has a right to. The Adem call me Maedre. Which, depending on how it's spoken, can mean The Flame, The Thunder, or The Broken Tree.

"The Flame" is obvious if you've ever seen me. I have red hair, bright. If I had been born a couple of hundred years ago I would probably have been burned as a demon. I keep it short but it's unruly. When left to its own devices, it sticks up and makes me look as if I have been set afire.

"The Thunder" I attribute to a strong baritone and a great deal of stage training at an early age.

I've never thought of "The Broken Tree" as very significant. Although in retrospect, I suppose it could be considered at least partially prophetic.

My first mentor called me E'lir because I was clever and I knew it. My first real lover called me Dulator because she liked the sound of it. I have been called Shadicar, Lightfinger, and Six-String. I have been called Kvothe the Bloodless, Kvothe the Arcane, and Kvothe Kingkiller. I have earned those names. Bought and paid for them.

But I was brought up as Kvothe. My father once told me it meant "to know."

I have, of course, been called many other things. Most of them uncouth, although very few were unearned.

I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep.

You may have heard of me.


I'd really recommend it....
Ideas
Profile Blog Joined April 2008
United States8148 Posts
May 24 2009 18:37 GMT
#9
cat's cradle and slaughter-house five by Kurt Vonnegut are really funny (and also really really really good) novels.
Free Palestine
DrTJEckleburg
Profile Blog Joined February 2009
United States1080 Posts
May 24 2009 18:38 GMT
#10
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card is really good, one of my favorites.

[image loading]
Im pretty good at whistling with my hands, especially when Im holding a whistle.
Carnivorous Sheep
Profile Blog Joined November 2008
Baa?21244 Posts
May 24 2009 19:08 GMT
#11
Agree with Ender's Game; it's also part of a series, and has a parallel series starting with Ender's Shadow.
TranslatorBaa!
auto.
Profile Joined February 2008
Canada35 Posts
May 24 2009 20:02 GMT
#12
Life of Pi
samachking
Profile Blog Joined August 2007
Bahrain4949 Posts
May 24 2009 21:09 GMT
#13
The Ultimate Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams for satirical comedy that makes Colbert look newbie. Also its the complete series and its quite entertaining, its a must read.
"And then Earthlings discovered tools. Suddenly agreeing with friends could be a form of suicide or worse. But agreements went on, not for the sake of common sense, or decency, or self preservation, but for friendliness."
MTF
Profile Blog Joined January 2005
United States1739 Posts
May 24 2009 21:43 GMT
#14
On May 25 2009 06:09 samachking wrote:
The Ultimate Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams for satirical comedy that makes Colbert look newbie. Also its the complete series and its quite entertaining, its a must read.


This.

And for something similar to the Harry Potter series (but far better) try The Bartimaeus Trilogy.

It follows a smart (and thus powerful) magician boy named Nathaniel, a djinni (who is the true hero of the series) named Bartimaeus, and later on a rebellious "commoner" (someone who doesn't practice magic) named Kitty.
Think. :)
DrTJEckleburg
Profile Blog Joined February 2009
United States1080 Posts
May 24 2009 21:53 GMT
#15
My brother recently read Confederacy of Dunces and told me to and I really liked it, you should check that out also.

[image loading]
Im pretty good at whistling with my hands, especially when Im holding a whistle.
Chau
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
Canada408 Posts
May 24 2009 22:28 GMT
#16
I second the Wheel of Time series...but only if you're into thicker books, and...a more in-depth plot, shall we say? Robert Jordan is really good at weaving together multiple story arcs, although it get's a bit lengthy sometimes.

Also, the Sword of Truth series. It's a good series, going a bit into society and philosophy. Oh, and there are some...more graphic scenes, if you're underage?
QuanticHawk
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
United States32097 Posts
May 24 2009 22:31 GMT
#17
http://www.amazon.com/Gonzo-Life-Hunter-S-Thompson/dp/0316005274

his life story told through the many people that new him, including Johnny Depp and some other people. He wrote Fear & Loathing
PROFESSIONAL GAMER - SEND ME OFFERS TO JOIN YOUR TEAM - USA USA USA
Ninja[SiN]
Profile Joined August 2007
United States46 Posts
May 24 2009 22:36 GMT
#18
21 bringing down the house
Hundredth
Profile Joined November 2008
United Kingdom142 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-05-24 22:39:56
May 24 2009 22:39 GMT
#19
If you're into Harry Potter then as someone mentioned Artemis Fowl is probably a good idea..

From your post this mightn't be for you but Darkly Dreaming Dexter (among other Dexter books) is one of my favourites.. if you've seen the TV series when you'll know what it's about. While the TV series is fucking awesome, the books' storylines are a lot more interesting to me, and it contains A LOT of black comedy.

If you haven't seen it then I recommend you to check the TV series out (as long as blood/murder doesn't freak you out :p)
jjun212
Profile Joined December 2004
Canada2208 Posts
May 24 2009 23:45 GMT
#20
thanks so much for the recommendation guys!!1

my summer is going to be filled now haha

oh and i don't want lord of the rings because i wanted to have a read where i can really let my imagination build along with the story. lord of the rings books reminds me so much of orlando bloom and what not. i know harry potter is also really big but i guess i personally haven't been surrounded too much by that series.

plus i didn't really like "Children of Hurin" too much. i know the main writer didn't write it but still; it wasn't a page turner for me and i dont think LOTR series will be either;

but thanks again!
jjun212
Profile Joined December 2004
Canada2208 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-05-31 01:43:46
May 31 2009 01:43 GMT
#21
Just finished reading Ender's Game..

Overall the story was well written... but there were so many points throughout the book, I just wanted to throw the damn thing away. It was like blah blah blah... (I can't believe how many books are in this series and the fact that some of the later books return to the Battle School made me want to hang myself)

Sigh... I don't know whether I like this book or not. Well.. I do but fuck.... I don't know how it got such legendary status, that's all.

But thanks for recommending it to me. It was my first read in Sci-Fi and got me into reading after so many months.
Flow.of.soul
Profile Blog Joined July 2007
United States210 Posts
May 31 2009 02:01 GMT
#22
Since you read Ishmael Beah's memoir I'm guessing you may like Confessions of an Economic Hit Man. Has some to do with developing nations however it is no where near as violent. It covers more of a global scale and US dominance compared to A Long Way Gone were it focuses on one boy in one messed up country.
Indreide
Profile Joined July 2008
United States23 Posts
July 24 2009 18:42 GMT
#23
Try some of Darren Shan's series books:

Cirque du Freak series

or

The Demonata series.
Jaedong/Zero/Fantasy fan. ICCup ID: Indreide/VandLize: looking for friends to play/practice with!
shotz
Profile Blog Joined July 2009
United States122 Posts
July 24 2009 18:46 GMT
#24
Ed Park - Personal Days

Author's an acquaintance of mine. Great nerd.

Chronicles of office life within a company that is destined to fail. HILARIOUS shit. Like "The Office," but in print. And better.

Read read read.
the cat within
jello_biafra
Profile Blog Joined September 2004
United Kingdom6639 Posts
July 24 2009 18:50 GMT
#25
Joseph Heller - Catch 22

Definitely worth a read in my view.
The road to hell is paved with good intentions | aka Probert[PaiN] @ iccup / godlikeparagon @ twitch | my BW stream: http://www.teamliquid.net/video/streams/jello_biafra
lac29
Profile Blog Joined December 2008
United States1485 Posts
July 24 2009 18:58 GMT
#26
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving ... my fav book.
Sky
Profile Blog Joined July 2004
Jordan812 Posts
July 24 2009 19:13 GMT
#27
Umberto Eco's Foucalt's Pendulum
-Friends attempt to make a conspiracy theory for fun.

Stephen King's Dark Tower Series
-Considered his magnum opus. It tells a story of a asshole of a protagonist, Roland, who travels across worlds.

+ Show Spoiler +
Possibly Khaled Hosseini's Kite Runner
...jumping into cold water whenever I get the chance.
deverlight
Profile Blog Joined April 2006
Korea (South)463 Posts
July 25 2009 16:23 GMT
#28
I really enjoyed my most recent read which was American Gods by Neil Gaiman. I'd give it a shot
fOrQQ
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
Hong Kong321 Posts
July 25 2009 17:01 GMT
#29
Some stuff I recommend:
Stephen King's Cell and The Running Man
Also, Koushun Takami's Battle Royale
anderoo
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
Canada1876 Posts
July 25 2009 17:14 GMT
#30
Cockroach and De Niro's game by Rawi Hage are both sweet. That guy has really unique way of describing scenes
vRoOk
Profile Blog Joined January 2009
United States1024 Posts
July 26 2009 06:21 GMT
#31
Listen man is you want some good books.. and not most of this crap listen up.. and check out..

The Brothers Karamazov
Wuthering Heights
The Modern Prometheus
The Counte of Monte Cristo
Sense and Sensible
Breaking Bad
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