read any good books lately...

Vompatti wrote: Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick

I like that title much better than the one which was chosen for the movie, "Blade Runner" (which then became the name of the book too).

Vompatti wrote: The Cyberiad by Stanislaw Lem Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick

The Cyberiad has been one of my favourite books for the last 30 years - I generally re read it once a year or so and the sheer inventiveness and playfulness of those stories never ceases to amaze me. Lem is a genius, and has never written a dull sentence.

I also love Do Androids... , which got made into one of my all time favourite films (director's cut only). 

NutterAlert wrote: Syzygy wrote: Vompatti wrote: The Cyberiad by Stanislaw Lem Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick The Cyberiad has been one of my favourite books for the last 30 years - I generally re read it once a year or so and the sheer inventiveness and playfulness of those stories never ceases to amaze me. Lem is a genius, and has never written a dull sentence. I also love Do Androids... , which got made into one of my all time favourite films (director's cut only).  What is different about directors cut of Blade Runner? only ever seen the other cut.

There's no voice over, there's a different ending and there's about 3 minutes extra footage. It may not sound like much, but it makes all the difference and makes the film much more faithful to the sprirt of the original book.

I've read several good books lately and would like to share them with you.

A Feast for Crows by George RR Martin.

This is the fourth book easily the best fantasy series that I've ever read.  It's gritty and real with pleny of intrigue and great combat description.  Also, there's nary a magical sword in sight.  The magic is so uncommon as to be almost an alternative world historical fiction rather than fantasy but there's enough high fantasy in it to keep everbody interested.

The Dragon Queen by Alice Borschardt

This is the first book in what seems to be an excellent alt-Camelot series by the sister of Anne Rice ( I like Borschardt much better despite reading all of Rice's stuff)  The series is very very interesting and has a unique take on the Arthurian legend as well as an interesting view of fantsy (like drgaon all being Loch Ness Monster-esque being of great intelligence and wisdom.  Also highly reccomended.

The Art of War  by Sun Tsu

I don't think I need to really go into this.  It's a must-read for everybody, in my opinion.  Everythoing in it can be applied to life outside of war and success in general.  A true classic.

The last book I've just started but I like it already.

The Protector's War by S. M. Stirling

This is an alternative present/future book (the first chapter starts in August of this year and the second starts in March of 2007)  Something called the Change has rendered technology and explosives inoperable world-wide and has driven men back into a medieval-type mindset.  Like I said, I haven't read much into it but the writing style is awesome if a little dry at times but done well overall.

I also reccomend anything by HP Lovecraft as he's simply one of the best authors and scariest writers of all time.

-P
 

Friede, "The Portrait of Dorian Grey" is a great novel.  The only gripe I had was the talking about shells or something, that part was rather dull.

I must try some of these other "gothic" novels.

Try: "The Haunted and The Haunters" aka "The House and the Brain", as well as "The Haunters and the Haunted" and "A Strange Story", all by Edward Bulwer-Lytton.  All of the above are based on the same idea, Bulwer-Lytton extended "The Haunted and the Haunters" and made it into "A Strange Story".  One of them also has a different ending.

A good ghost story, for the 19th century.

How did you like Blue Moon Rising,Stonie?

stonebeard wrote: TheProgtologist wrote: How did you like Blue Moon Rising,Stonie? Very good, Jody. I love Simon's sense of humor. "Those damn minstrels..."

Glad you like it.When you are in the mood continue reading the series.

That sense of humor is prevelant in most of Green's books.

About a month ago I got the Barry Miles biography of Frank Zappa, simply titled Zappa. Finished it in less than a day (was around 400 pages).

Now I'm reading Traveling Music: The Soundtrack to My Life and Times by Neil Peart. It's a very well written book about Peart driving to Big Bend National Park in Texas and reminiscing about his life and the music he's listened to that have shaped his life.

stonebeard wrote: TheProgtologist wrote: stonebeard wrote: TheProgtologist wrote: How did you like Blue Moon Rising,Stonie? Very good, Jody. I love Simon's sense of humor. "Those damn minstrels..." Glad you like it.When you are in the mood continue reading the series. That sense of humor is prevelant in most of Green's books. What is the Nightside series like?

Very,very good.

They are different than his other stuff.

I have read all 5 that are out so far and am eagerly awaiting the sixth book in the series,Sharper than a Serpent's Tooth,due out on Feb. 28th.

Start with the first one,Something from the Nightside.If you liked Drinking Midnight Wine you should dig his Nightside series.

My only complaint is that they are too short.His Deathstalker books average 600 pages but most of the Nightside books are 200-300.

Finished:Ivan Chonkin by Vladimir Voynovich Excellent satyrical novel on the WWII era Sovietunion.

  Started:      &nbs p;  Seven Churches(maybe inaccurate translation) by Milos Urban

                         It takes place in Prague and the main character calls himself K., but it's not a Kafka

                        rip-off.