Hatrack River Forum: HELP! I've run out of books ... GASP

This is topic HELP! I've run out of books ... GASP in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by firebird (Member # 1971) on :

Well OK I haven't really run out of books, but I could do with some help.

I tend to not sleep very well, and when I can't sleep what works best for me is to read kids books / fantasy / sci fi. I'm not saying these books are boring, I love the books too, but they are help my overactive brain can let go of whatever is preoccuping it!

I can happily send myself to sleep with our beloved host, Tamora Pierce, David Gemmell, JK Rowling . . . but having now read all their works at least three times each I beginning to get a little bored.

Any suggesting for other authors to try?

Thanks!

Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :

Lois McMaster Bujold and Octavia Butler.

Posted by advice for robots (Member # 2544) on :

Sherwood Smith.

Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :

Garth Nix's Abhorsen series.

Posted by Mike (Member # 55) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Belle:
Garth Nix's Abhorsen series.

Yup.

-----

Also, I've been reading a lot of Murakami lately. It's not fantasy per se, but there are definitely fantastical elements in most of his stuff.

Posted by Nick (Member # 4311) on :

If you're going to read Octavia Butler as mr_porteiro_head recommended, I would specifically recommend Kindred. Wonderful book.

Posted by firebird (Member # 1971) on :

Thanks everyone, that should keep me going for a bit!

Posted by Starsnuffer (Member # 8116) on :

George R. R. Martin

Posted by aragorn64 (Member # 4204) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Belle:
Garth Nix's Abhorsen series.

This is the only correct answer.

Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :

I'm actually writing an essay on the Nix series right now. I wrote a 10 page research paper on the character of Sameth already...and for my take-home final I have to write another short essay and get to pick which young adult book I use so I chose Nix again. [Smile]

I love this class I'm taking - I wrote my first essay in the class on Ender's Game. [Big Grin]

At any rate, this is one of those cases where close reading and study of a work has made me appreciate and enjoy it even more - so I'm on a big Garth Nix kick right now and recommending him to everyone.

Posted by aragorn64 (Member # 4204) on :

I recently reread the Abhorsen series, and was absolutely blown away. Again. One of those series that's even better the second time around. I also passed them on to my dad, who hasn't been able to put them down. He doesn't read much, but when he finds a book he likes, he becomes completely engrossed and spends all of his free time reading.

Did you hear that he's writing a prequel to the series? It's going to be about Chlorr of the Mask.

I've read Shade's Children (which was really good) but haven't read any of his other series. Do you know if they're any good?

Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :

I have not read any of the others, though I have read some of his short stories. I recommend "Charlie Rabbit" and "Hansel's Eyes."

Nix is amazing. My understanding is that his "Keys to the Kingdom" series is for younger children...so I guess that's why I haven't picked it up.

Posted by manji (Member # 11600) on :

quote:
Originally posted by aragorn64:
Did you hear that he's writing a prequel to the series? It's going to be about Chlorr of the Mask.

I think his website mentioned two more Old Kingdom books, including the Chlorr of the Mask prequel, titled Clariel: the Lost Abhorsen. There's also going to be a sequel to Abhorsen.

Some authors I've been reading lately are Sherwood Smith, Patrick Rothfuss, and John C. Wright. I recommend Orphans of Chaos.

[ August 06, 2008, 12:19 PM: Message edited by: manji ]

Posted by aragorn64 (Member # 4204) on :

I have nothing against books written for younger children by principle or anything, so I might check out the Seventh Tower or Keys to the Kingdom series. I'm positive they won't have the same impact that the Abhorsen series has, but still. Also, I highly suggest Shade's Children.

Where can you find those two short stories? Are they in his "Across the Wall" collection (which I'm definitely going to pick up)?

Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :

Yes, they are. [Smile]

I borrowed that book from the library, and read them. Then, when my young adult lit class started up, she began the first night by passing out Garth Nix short stories. [Smile]

Both "Hansel's Eyes" and "Charlie Rabbit" had appeared in other anthologies previously, but were reprinted in the Across the Wall volume.

I've read Shade's Children - it's okay, definitely not as good as the Abhorsen series.

Posted by MightyCow (Member # 9253) on :

I'm currently reading the 5th book of the Keys to the Kingdom series. They're very enjoyable. Not as serious or beautiful as the Abhorsen series, but good, lighter reading.

I also read the Seventh Tower series, which was also very good, but also a little on the younger side. I would say that the writing is as good, the characters are interesting, but the subject matter is handled in a more child-friendly manner, and the plots aren't as complex.

Both sets are great reads though.

Posted by JennaDean (Member # 8816) on :

Something annoyed me about the Keys to the Kingdom series, I can't remember what ... maybe I just didn't enjoy the first one enough to justify buying the others. I'll have to check out that other one.

Two suggestions: Shannon Hale's Goose Girl. Hubby and I both loved that one.

And Jane Austen.

<ducks and runs>

Posted by Trent Destian (Member # 11653) on :

Second for George Martin, I'm almost done with Clash of Kings.

Try out:
Lawrence Watt-Evans
Jim Butcher (Codex of Alera series or Dresden)

Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :

Butcher is very enjoyable. I love Harry Dresden, but the Alera series is excellent as well.

I love Butcher for his "OMG he did NOT just write that!" moments - there are several in each series, where you as a reader just go "wow, he really went there!"

So, I'll second the Butcher recommendation, as well as George R.R. Martin.

Posted by Cashew (Member # 6023) on :

Julian May's Many Coloured Land series and its interconnecting Intervention and Galactic Milieu series. FANTASTIC reads.

Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :

Daniel Abraham's The Long Price series is fantastic; I recommend it as heartily as I recommend Martin's Song of Ice and Fire.

Posted by dean (Member # 167) on :

Give Wen Spencer a try. It won't take you long to get through all her books as she only has eight or nine, but they're all fantastic light reads.