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Finished the last GOT novel this weekend. I loved the last book, not sure which I prefer, that or the 4th book. What a fucking cliffhanger to leave off on though.
After finishing all the books I definitely think they are superior to the TV series.
Can any of you GOT fans reccomend me a similar fantasy novel/series? I'm desperate to find something to read during my commute. I'm wishing I had slowed down a bit on the novels now.
Have you read the other stuff Martin has written in the GoT world? there are three short stories set about a hundred years before the books, they are just as good as the main books and fill in a lot of background and history.
audrey_k
09-07-2015, 10:27 AM
Amazon UK is telling me I have to pre order them for October 6th? Are thy definitely out?
Yeah, they've been out for years. I guess amazon is selling them as a group finally, they normally show up as part of short story collections. I just DLed them to be honest since i couldn't be bothered to hunt them down individually. They are called "the hedge knight" "the sworn sword" and "the mystery knight".
audrey_k
09-07-2015, 03:31 PM
^yeah, I did a search for them and found one on Amazon sold alone, starting at $50, no way am I spending that on a book. I might force myself to just wait for them to come out so I'll have some GOT in the next six month + wait for Winds of Winter is going to kill me. Having to read Jon Snow's death in the book was somehow so much worse than seeing it onscreen and I would kill to know if he's going to live. Has Martin done any other series besides GOT that are good?
There was a whole lot of hinting and foreshadowing about what's going to happen to Jon in the books, starting with the prologue.
R-209
09-07-2015, 05:30 PM
Can any of you GOT fans reccomend me a similar fantasy novel/series? I'm desperate to find something to read during my commute. I'm wishing I had slowed down a bit on the novels now.
You could always check out the GoT graphic novels. Haven't read them myself, but they're supposed to be very faithful to the books. The characters are even drawn completely different from the actors on the show. Amazon has a pretty good preview available on the product page (http://www.amazon.com/Game-Thrones-Graphic-Novel-One-ebook/dp/B007LB5MF4/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1441671234&sr=1-1&keywords=game+of+thrones+graphic+novel). There's also "The Hedge Knight (http://www.amazon.com/Hedge-Knight-Graphic-Novel-Thrones-ebook/dp/B00DH07FAS/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1441671234&sr=1-5&keywords=game+of+thrones+graphic+novel)" and "The Sworn Sword (http://www.amazon.com/The-Sworn-Sword-Graphic-Thrones-ebook/dp/B00DP5H0IC/ref=pd_sim_351_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0PCN95K5HJAG897XPYBZ&dpSrc=sims&dpST=_AC_UL320_SR208%2C320_)."
Raziel
09-08-2015, 10:54 AM
Can any of you GOT fans reccomend me a similar fantasy novel/series? I'm desperate to find something to read during my commute. I'm wishing I had slowed down a bit on the novels now.
The Gentlemen Bastards (http://www.amazon.com/Gentleman-Bastard-3-Book-Bundle-Republic-ebook/dp/B00Y6QEZZA/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1441733570&sr=1-6&keywords=gentleman+bastardswords=gentleman+bastard s) series, by Scott Lynch.
The Kingkiller Chronicle (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_10?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=kingkiller+chronicles&sprefix=kingkiller%2Cstripbooks%2C205), by Patrick Rothfuss.
The Wheel of Time (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=The+Wheel+of+Time&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3AThe+Wheel+of+Time), by Robert Jordan (finished by Brandon Sanderson).
As for the Dunk and Egg Westeros stories.
The Hedge Knight is published in "Legends anthology (http://www.amazon.com/Legends-Stories-Masters-Modern-Fantasy/dp/0765300354/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1441733937&sr=8-1&keywords=Legends+anthology), edited by Robert Silverberg.
The Sworn Sword is in "Legends II anthology (http://www.amazon.com/Legends-II-Novels-Masters-Fantasy-ebook/dp/B000FC0Y0Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1441734128&sr=8-1&keywords=Legends+II+anthology)", also edited by Robert Silverburg
The Mystery Knight is published in "Warriors anthology (http://www.amazon.com/Warriors-George-R-R-Martin/dp/0765320487/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1441734204&sr=8-1&keywords=Warriors%2C+edited+by+George+R.+R.+Martin )," edited by George R.R. Martin.
There's more, too. Some histories of Westeros called "The Princess and The Queen, or, The Blacks and The Greens", Published in "Dangerous Women (http://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Women-George-R-Martin/dp/0765368757/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1441734399&sr=8-2&keywords=Dangerous+Women)" and detailing events leading up to and surrounding the Dance of Dragons, a terrible Targaryan civil war where Dragons were used on both sides, pretty much leading to the Dragons extinction.
And "The Rogue Prince, or, The King's Brother" published in "Rogues (http://www.amazon.com/Rogues-George-R-Martin/dp/0345537262)" edited by GRRM, detailing the Dance of Dragons from the perspective of Daemon Targaryan, a fairly notorious character.
---------------------------
Those last two are written from the perspective of a Maester Gyldan, a historian from the Citadel. They resemble a historical text, in world, rather than a traditional narrative.
audrey_k
09-11-2015, 01:00 AM
There was a whole lot of hinting and foreshadowing about what's going to happen to Jon in the books, starting with the prologue.
Which prologue? The Winds of Winter prologue?
I love that he does the prologues/epilogues in the books, my favorite as the Varamyr Sixskins ones, I think that was one of the creepiest things I've ever read (in a very good way).
my favorite as the Varamyr Sixskins ones
That one. It basically tells you what can happen when someone like Varamyr (or Jon) dies. Also at one point Melissandre dreams about Jon as a man, then a wolf, then a man again.
Flickdreams
09-11-2015, 05:46 AM
Try Robin Hobb (so many great series) or Joe Abercrombie (except his YA books)
Raziel
09-11-2015, 05:39 PM
I love that he does the prologues/epilogues in the books, my favorite as the Varamyr Sixskins ones, I think that was one of the creepiest things I've ever read (in a very good way).
The cool thing about the Varamyr Sixskins prologue is that is supplies an answer to a great longing most any human being has, the desire to live beyond death, buuuuut... in this case, there is a hefty price... You not only aren't you anymore, you aren't even remotely like anything you ever were. That's a pretty hefty price. A far cry from haunting someone or someplace that meant something to you in life that is so common in fiction. That's a huge price that someone could only know they'd pay in the very last seconds before death. I agree with you audrey. How it is presented, as almost instinct, the guy just runs from death... Yeah, that's pretty haunting.
R-209
09-11-2015, 08:52 PM
You could always check out the GoT graphic novels. Haven't read them myself, but they're supposed to be very faithful to the books. The characters are even drawn completely different from the actors on the show. Amazon has a pretty good preview available on the product page (http://www.amazon.com/Game-Thrones-Graphic-Novel-One-ebook/dp/B007LB5MF4/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1441671234&sr=1-1&keywords=game+of+thrones+graphic+novel). There's also "The Hedge Knight (http://www.amazon.com/Hedge-Knight-Graphic-Novel-Thrones-ebook/dp/B00DH07FAS/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1441671234&sr=1-5&keywords=game+of+thrones+graphic+novel)" and "The Sworn Sword (http://www.amazon.com/The-Sworn-Sword-Graphic-Thrones-ebook/dp/B00DP5H0IC/ref=pd_sim_351_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0PCN95K5HJAG897XPYBZ&dpSrc=sims&dpST=_AC_UL320_SR208%2C320_)."
How could I have missed THIS? (http://www.amazon.com/Official-Game-Thrones-Coloring-Book/dp/1101965762)
Raziel
09-11-2015, 09:32 PM
Dynamite's doing a series starting with the wolf cubs, I think they have two or three trades out. Lets see how far they get. They at least started Wheel of Time, i don't even think they're out of the first book and that's been years. Because Superman sold since 1938 doesn't mean a comic-shop or mail-only series will last. Fun while it's around, but i doubt we'll see Ramsay Snow in it. The entire company is liable to go under by then.
Raziel
09-11-2015, 09:36 PM
R-209, a coloring book? I am floored. Jamie fucking Cersie must be more colorful that the boring way Ned must fuck Catlyn. But only one is onscreen or described. Do we need the entire crayon box?
audrey_k
09-12-2015, 05:12 PM
That one. It basically tells you what can happen when someone like Varamyr (or Jon) dies. Also at one point Melissandre dreams about Jon as a man, then a wolf, then a man again.
Yeah, there's lots of hints-- but unfortunately we won't know until it comes out. I think you're right though, unlikely we've seem the last of Jon (thank god because that would make me very sad).
audrey_k
09-12-2015, 05:21 PM
The cool thing about the Varamyr Sixskins prologue is that is supplies an answer to a great longing most any human being has, the desire to live beyond death, buuuuut... in this case, there is a hefty price... You not only aren't you anymore, you aren't even remotely like anything you ever were. That's a pretty hefty price. A far cry from haunting someone or someplace that meant something to you in life that is so common in fiction. That's a huge price that someone could only know they'd pay in the very last seconds before death. I agree with you audrey. How it is presented, as almost instinct, the guy just runs from death... Yeah, that's pretty haunting.
Yeah, there's a lot of great aspects to it. Him killing his brother after skin changing into a dog, stealing his mentor's chance to continue living by taking over his wolf, him attempting to take over the body of the woman who has saved him, the "abominations" of skinchanging-- the whole idea of it is so surreal but Martin describes in it a way that makes it seem plausible.
R-209
09-12-2015, 07:02 PM
Do we need the entire crayon box?
We may need some extra red crayons.
NatalieCentro
09-22-2015, 06:34 AM
Soo I finally started American Gods (now that I've devoured every last book of the Vorkosigan Saga). Cool so far, although a big contrast to the more reserved and epic-style Barrayar Series.
R-209
09-22-2015, 08:00 AM
"American Gods" may soon be required reading for this forum. :) I can't wait for the TV series, not to mention the sequel to the book.
MissJu
09-26-2015, 09:14 AM
I always wanted to read letters and diaries of ppl from 19 century or before finily found some http://www.oregonpioneers.com/diaries.htm
R-209
09-26-2015, 01:34 PM
I always wanted to read letters and diaries of ppl from 19 century or before finily found some
You might be interested in the letters between Vincent Van Gogh and his brother, Theo. The bio I've been reading contains excerpts, and Project Gutenberg has a collection (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/40393).
TheGoldenEmpress
09-28-2015, 04:37 PM
Gone girl
audrey_k
09-30-2015, 12:13 AM
I just read Broken Harbor. Mystery/thriller book about a family murder in a deserted coastal town near Dublin. Bleh.
I can't wait to get the GOT prequel. Pre-ordered it from Amazon and paid extra so it will arrive on the day it's released. :-) I couldn't find the novellas on the website I use to DL books but I'm ok waiting anyway.
Raziel
09-30-2015, 11:46 PM
not to mention the sequel to the book.
"Anansi Boys" is the sequel to American God's. Do you mean sequel with Shadow in it?
R-209
10-01-2015, 11:50 AM
"Anansi Boys" is the sequel to American God's. Do you mean sequel with Shadow in it?
A direct sequel to "American Gods" was confirmed by Gaiman and really should have been out some time ago, I think. I read the short story "Monarch of the Glen," which is about Shadow and has some neat hints about his identity. Haven't read "Anasazi Boys." I know one of the characters from AG is in it but I wonder how much it ties into the story.
Elektra Luxx
10-02-2015, 05:39 PM
"Anansi Boys" is the sequel to American God's. Do you mean sequel with Shadow in it?
A direct sequel to "American Gods" was confirmed by Gaiman and really should have been out some time ago, I think. I read the short story "Monarch of the Glen," which is about Shadow and has some neat hints about his identity. Haven't read "Anasazi Boys." I know one of the characters from AG is in it but I wonder how much it ties into the story.
I read "Anansi Boys" a couple of years back. Mr. Nancy is a main character, but it really doesn't have anything to do with "American Gods". I don't remember much about the book, but I know i didn't like it that much.
tuesdaymarie
10-02-2015, 05:44 PM
God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater by Vonnegut. Not his absolute best one, but I enjoy pretty much everything he wrote. It hit me that I am almost finished reading all of his work. I usually buy a new Vonnegut when I'm feeling down, so I'll need a new pick-me-up pattern.
R-209
10-02-2015, 09:14 PM
I usually buy a new Vonnegut when I'm feeling down, so I'll need a new pick-me-up pattern.
How about Steinbeck?
tuesdaymarie
10-03-2015, 06:28 PM
^I'm not much of a Steinbeck kind of gal. I forced myself to read The Grapes of Wrath when I was way too young to appreciate it because my teacher said I was incapable of getting through it. Ever since... *shrug*. Curse you, Mrs. Miller!
R-209
10-03-2015, 08:49 PM
^I'm not much of a Steinbeck kind of gal. I forced myself to read The Grapes of Wrath when I was way too young to appreciate it because my teacher said I was incapable of getting through it. Ever since... *shrug*. Curse you, Mrs. Miller!
I talked about "Grapes of Wrath" upthread. I prefer "Of Mice and Men" or "Cannery Row." Both are great reads and much shorter.
Also, I FINALLY finished the Van Gogh bio (http://www.amazon.com/Van-Gogh-Life-Steven-Naifeh/dp/0375758976/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1443925158&sr=1-1). I really enjoyed it, overall. At times I felt the author was padding in an effort to get to a thousand pages, but when the focus is on Vincent's torment, it is fascinating and heartbreaking. He went through unbelievable suffering his entire life. What surprised me is that the evidence points strongly to him NOT taking his own life.
Vincent died when he was exactly my age, and his birthday is the day before mine. I'm going to put seeing "Starry Night" in person on my bucket list. There's a whole chapter in the book about its creation, which made me look at it in a completely different light. I thought it was displayed at the Louvre, but it's actually at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Anyone ever been there?
What to read next? Vincent was a voracious reader and the bio lists many of the books he read. A lot of them probably aren't available in English, but he was a huge Hans Christian Anderson fanboy and also liked Dickens and Victor Hugo. "Uncle Tom's Cabin" and "Robinson Crusoe" were also cited as favorites. I think I'm in the mood for something quick and light.
NatalieCentro
10-05-2015, 09:00 AM
I finished American Gods, which was good, although I'm not totally in love with it to be honest. Just to be fair to the author, I also read Anansi Boys, which was, again, cool, but not something to fall in love with.
Now I started "Way of the Wizard", which is a set of some 30+ short stories, by Gaiman, Martin and a bunch of other authors. I am not too big on short stories, but I thought it'd be useful to choose my next big endeavor. The stories are pretty good. Any advice on what I should read next? I really want to unread Vorkosigan series to start reading it again, really wish I could. Still miss Miles :)
I finished American Gods, which was good, although I'm not totally in love with it to be honest. Just to be fair to the author, I also read Anansi Boys, which was, again, cool, but not something to fall in love with.
Now I started "Way of the Wizard", which is a set of some 30+ short stories, by Gaiman, Martin and a bunch of other authors. I am not too big on short stories, but I thought it'd be useful to choose my next big endeavor. The stories are pretty good. Any advice on what I should read next? I really want to unread Vorkosigan series to start reading it again, really wish I could. Still miss Miles :)
Well it's not about Miles but there is a Cordelia Vorkosigan book coming out supposedly next year. I certainly hope there are more Miles books though, they sorta ended in a pretty down note.
NatalieCentro
10-06-2015, 01:49 PM
Yep, @Trem, I'd like to read anything Vorkosigan-y to be honest - so addictive!
In my search for the next big thing, I came across this article: http://io9.com/5972411/10-book-series-so-addictive-you-never-want-them-to-end
And it says about the Vorkosigan Saga "We've lost count of how many times we've had friends claimed by Vorkosigan addiction. The symptoms are easy to recognize: an obsession with Barrayaran politics, a tendency to quote Miles Vorkosigan's highly quotable lines, and a tendency to bail on social events with a muttered, "Can't come. There are still Vorkosigan books I haven't read yet."" - I was like "SO IT'S NOT JUST ME!" :)
Anyone read any of the ones in that article besides Night Watch? (latter's great btw, but Lukyanenko has even better stuff if you can find it in a decent translation)
NatalieCentro
10-06-2015, 01:52 PM
Well it's not about Miles but there is a Cordelia Vorkosigan book coming out supposedly next year. I certainly hope there are more Miles books though, they sorta ended in a pretty down note.
I've heard that the one coming out is on Cordelia and Aral's viceroyship on Sergyar, but don't quote me on it.
Cordelia is great btw, but with time she started freaking me out a bit - Louis makes her way too wise for a human being :)
Anyone read any of the ones in that article besides Night Watch? (latter's great btw, but Lukyanenko has even better stuff if you can find it in a decent translation)
I've read the company books by Kage Baker, highly recommended. Specially for someone who enjoys sci-fi books written by women. About half way through the culture books, also very interesting and a much more optimistic take on the future than most sci-fi.
JoJoX
10-07-2015, 10:17 PM
The Silent Wife , A.S.A. Harrison
It's an amazing thriller about a "good" wife who has been betrayed by her husband... I read the whole book in 1.5 days.
R-209
10-11-2015, 08:17 PM
Read "Through the Looking Glass" because I wanted a classic I could finish in a day. :) Didn't like it as much as the first book. Now I'm starting "Uncle Tom's Cabin," from Vincent's list. After getting to know him so well from the bio, it will be fascinating to read the same books he read.
Jay12
10-12-2015, 12:19 PM
These three:
Ben Franklin's autobiography.
It's amazing knowing that many people in the 18th century did live as much as people these days live. His autobiography was a big eye opener.
"Common Sense" by Thomas Paine
As someone who is getting more into politics, Paine is a great political philosopher. Not to mention, he's a Founding Father as well.
"Think and Grow Rich"
A bit too late, but I need it so bad right now that my hustle is not so hot. I regret not reading it sooner.
audrey_k
10-14-2015, 01:07 AM
I've had my GOT prequel for a week now and haven't started it. I'm a little put off by the fact it has pictures in it, I'm not a child.
I knock once I get into it I'll love it, but his books always start of sort of slow for me and then I can't put them down and an using the torch on my iPhone to read them on my walk home and bumping into people. I'm just so exhausted after work lately I can't bring myself to read things unless I have to.
NoRegrets
10-14-2015, 04:51 AM
Capital in the Twenty-First Century. It's an interesting perspective on income and wealth inequality.
Elektra Luxx
10-14-2015, 06:29 AM
I've had my GOT prequel for a week now and haven't started it. I'm a little put off by the fact it has pictures in it, I'm not a child.
I knock once I get into it I'll love it, but his books always start of sort of slow for me and then I can't put them down and an using the torch on my iPhone to read them on my walk home and bumping into people. I'm just so exhausted after work lately I can't bring myself to read things unless I have to.
Audrey, I can't remember if I mentioned this to you before, but audiobooks are great way to listen to while doing walking or exercising, cleaning house etc. Just a thought.
audrey_k
10-16-2015, 06:25 PM
^yeah I don't mind listening on tape, I'm just being lazy as hell right now. I'm working long days without taking a break most of the time and I just want to sit back and watch a screen when I'm on the tube. My boyfriend downloaded an app for me that lets me watch tv episodes/films and it's totally destroyed my motivation to read or even listen to podcasts. I'm not even watching quality content, just crap that passes the time and doesn't make me think.}:D
buttonpop
10-20-2015, 03:51 PM
The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen. I've never read a book that was so detailed (and spot on) about people's thought processes before. This guy has some definite insight into human nature and superhuman perceptive abilities.
Elektra Luxx
11-03-2015, 10:07 PM
I downloaded the "The Exorcist" by William Peter Blatty from Audible for Halloween. Excellent book. So much more detail and understanding you get from the book than from the movie. (of course, just like all book to movie comparisons) The author narrates the book and he does a fantastic job with the different character voices. The conversations between the Father Karras and the demon are so creepy good. I highly recommend either the book or the audio-book.
I've been hearing some strange noises in my apartment since I got the book. Two nights ago, I was getting ready for bed, everything was quiet and I hear the toilet cover slam close by itself. That scared the s**t out of me!!! I been having to sleep with the lights on in the bathroom, in the hallway and I have the TV on for background noise the last few nights.
Raziel
11-06-2015, 09:49 PM
Recently watched 300 again. That movie KILLS me, it's sooo inaccurate (Among other things, wtf is up with Frank Miller?). Actually got me re-reading Pressfield's Gates of Fire (http://www.amazon.com/Gates-Fire-Novel-Battle-Thermopylae/dp/055338368X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1446871693&sr=8-1&keywords=Gates+of+Fire).
NatalieCentro
11-12-2015, 08:18 AM
Recently watched 300 again. That movie KILLS me, it's sooo inaccurate (Among other things, wtf is up with Frank Miller?). Actually got me re-reading Pressfield's Gates of Fire (http://www.amazon.com/Gates-Fire-Novel-Battle-Thermopylae/dp/055338368X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1446871693&sr=8-1&keywords=Gates+of+Fire).
You want hollywood to start being accurate? :)
The only thing that amazed me in that movie was - how did they find so many muscled men who agreed to wax/shave their chests. :)
Elektra Luxx
11-12-2015, 08:01 PM
I downloaded Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson from Audible. I've listened to several hours and it's okay, but it's slow going. Someone please tell me to stick with this with this book because I just don't know.
Raziel
11-12-2015, 08:51 PM
I downloaded Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson from Audible. I've listened to several hours and it's okay, but it's slow going. Someone please tell me to stick with this with this book because I just don't know.
I didn't like it. At all.
Elektra Luxx
11-12-2015, 08:59 PM
I didn't like it. At all.
Damn, I blew a freaking credit on that book!!! What about all the great reviews? Do like anything by Neal Stephenson?
Elektra Luxx
11-12-2015, 09:11 PM
I also downloaded The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton (unabridged) from Audible. I listened to an abridged version a while back and it was so good. So I'm just going to just switch over and leave Cryptonomicon for later.