Current Events > I'm gonna spend a couple hours in a bookstore today, suggest books

(+) Yeah! (+)

Mostly horror and fantasy, I'm gonna be meeting one of my favorite authors

Dragons of Fate came out yesterday.

Black Leopard, Red Wolf - Marlon James
Sundial - Catriona Ward
River Woman, River Demon - Jennifer Givhan

I'm loving the Stormlight Archives by Brandon Sanderson too rn but they are BIIIIG.

Who are you meeting?

as far as fantasy goes, I really liked The Rage of Dragons (and its sequel), by Evan Winter.

it's like a straight up action movie, in book form, which I didn't know was possible until I read it.

I also really liked Black Leopard, Red Wolf, by Marlon James.

it's really well-written, IMO, and it has all of these elements that feel random, where you might ask why they were introduced, but they all come together in a meaningful way.

it's a dark fantasy, with a bunch of horror elements.

edit: lol, didn't see that someone already recommended BL, RW before me.

Waxitron_Gazer posted...

Black Leopard, Red Wolf - Marlon James
Sundial - Catriona Ward
River Woman, River Demon - Jennifer Givhan

I'm loving the Stormlight Archives by Brandon Sanderson too rn but they are BIIIIG.

Who are you meeting?

I've heard a lot of those first two, I read Last House on Needless Street and didn't really get into it but I was also in a bad headspace, so maybe I'll try them.

I'm obsessed with Sanderson and have actually met him several times at this bookstore lol, today I'm meeting Philip Fracassi :)

boxoto posted...

as far as fantasy goes, I really liked The Rage of Dragons (and its sequel), by Evan Winter.

it's like a straight up action movie, in book form, which I didn't know was possible until I read it.

Well that's a glowing review I'll definitely look for it

boxoto posted...

I also really liked Black Leopard, Red Wolf, by Marlon James.

it's really well-written, IMO, and it has all of these elements that feel random, where you might ask why they were introduced, but they all come together in a meaningful way.

it's a dark fantasy, with a bunch of horror elements.

edit: lol, didn't see that someone already recommended BL, RW before me.

Hey more suggestions are always welcome, repeat ones just tell me I really need to read it

I know I've heard a lot of mixed things about BL, RW before, but I've loved plenty of books with mixed responses(Imaginary Friend being one of my most recent favorites).

ALL the Dr. Seuss.

Just all of them. Make it the most Seuss day of your life.

Sephiroth_C_Ryu posted...

ALL the Dr. Seuss.

Just all of them. Make it the most Seuss day of your life.

Even the really racist ones?

Three Parts Dead by Max Gladstone - very cool first book in a fantasy series that mirrors modern Earth years after a massive war in which humans defeated the gods. Each book is a separate story in this world, good stuff.

MC_BatCommander posted...

Three Parts Dead by Max Gladstone - very cool first book in a fantasy series that mirrors modern Earth years after a massive war in which humans defeated the gods. Each book is a separate story in this world, good stuff.

Oh thank you for the reminder of this, I've read Three Parts Dead but need to get the sequels because the first was EXCELLENT.

I am just finishing the Green Bone Saga by Fonda Lee. The first book is Jade City. It was nominated for and won numerous awards a few years ago.

It is basically a Japanese version of The Godfather in a fantasy world that feels like a 1970s alternate history of Japan.

bsp77 posted...

I am just finishing the Green Bone Saga by Fonda Lee. The first book is Jade City. It was nominated for and won numerous awards a few years ago.

It is basically a Japanese version of The Godfather in a fantasy world that feels like a 1970s alternate history of Japan.

Even if this person passes on it, I just want to thank you because this definitely sounds like something I'd be interested in and I'm going to check it out.

As for the TC.

The Ghost Theatre by Mat Osman

bsp77 posted...

I am just finishing the Green Bone Saga by Fonda Lee. The first book is Jade City. It was nominated for and won numerous awards a few years ago.

It is basically a Japanese version of The Godfather in a fantasy world that feels like a 1970s alternate history of Japan.

I have tried so many times to get into Jade City but I bounce off every time. It's just too slow for me, and I don't really enjoy the characters enough to carry it :(

RuneterranSnap posted...

Oh thank you for the reminder of this, I've read Three Parts Dead but need to get the sequels because the first was EXCELLENT.

Yeah I read the second book then took a long break reading other stuff before just recently starting the third. Dude's crafted such an interesting world that is a joy to read. If you loved Three Parts Dead the sequels will not disappoint

RuneterranSnap posted...

I have tried so many times to get into Jade City but I bounce off every time. It's just too slow for me, and I don't really enjoy the characters enough to carry it :(

It is a slow burn but I found it worth it

PeteyParker posted...

Even if this person passes on it, I just want to thank you because this definitely sounds like something I'd be interested in and I'm going to check it out.

As for the TC.

The Ghost Theatre by Mat Osman

Yeah don't go just off my tastes, I'm weird. I'll definitely look at Ghost Theatre though!

RuneterranSnap posted...

I know I've heard a lot of mixed things about BL, RW before

It is... not an easy book to read, nor is its companion Moon Witch, Spider King. I can easily see why many would be turned off to them. But if you can stomach some pretty fucked up shit, the world, lore, and story is incredible.

Waxitron_Gazer posted...

It is... not an easy book to read, nor is its companion Moon Witch, Spider King. I can easily see why many would be turned off to them. But if you can stomach some pretty fucked up shit, the world, lore, and story is incredible.

How fucked up we talking?

In fantasy I think Joe Abercrombie is about my limit

RuneterranSnap posted...

Joe Abercrombie

I read the first trilogy of his, finished it, and just kinda sat there for a while.

PeteyParker posted...

Even if this person passes on it, I just want to thank you because this definitely sounds like something I'd be interested in and I'm going to check it out.

Sweet! Hope you enjoy

Edit: I guess it is more Hong Kong than Japan, but the author has stated it is a mish mash of Asian cultures. Despite her Asian ancestry, she is Canadian and has black belts in both kung fu and karate, so she clearly doesn't adhere to one culture

DrizztLink posted...

I read the first trilogy of his, finished it, and just kinda sat there for a while.

It's so good, and the standalones are also amazing(one is now picked up for a movie). Need to finish the new trilogy

RuneterranSnap posted...

It's so good, and the standalones are also amazing(one is now picked up for a movie). Need to finish the new trilogy

Agree and the same.

The Heroes might be the best anti-war book I have ever read.

bsp77 posted...

Agree and the same.

The Heroes might be the best anti-war book I have ever read.

Absolutely, and the bits with swapping perspectives between soldiers as they get killed was one of the best written scenes I've ever found.

RuneterranSnap posted...

Absolutely, and the bits with swapping perspectives between soldiers as they get killed was one of the best written scenes I've ever found.

I remember when I first read The Blade Itself thinking it was interesting but just very basic writing. And then being shocked by some of the writing in The Heroes. I was like, "when did Joe become such a good writer?" and I wanted to go back and see if I had missed the obvious progression.

He also writes good videogame reviews on his website blog sometimes.

RuneterranSnap posted...

How fucked up we talking?

In fantasy I think Joe Abercrombie is about my limit

I haven't read anything by him, so I don't have a lot to compare to.

But there are many rather extreme and graphic depictions of rape, mutilation, torture, etc.

That being said, it's not gore porn or anything of that nature.

I Am a Saurian - Life on Cassiopeia

Elric

The Southern Reach trilogy

wanderingshade posted...

Elric

This is such a classic I need to read it but I'm hesitant for some reason

wanderingshade posted...

The Southern Reach trilogy

I've tried this but it feels so dry, makes me really sad when Annihilation is one of my favorite movies

Waxitron_Gazer posted...

I haven't read anything by him, so I don't have a lot to compare to.

But there are many rather extreme and graphic depictions of rape, mutilation, torture, etc.

I think I'll just have to give it a try :)

RuneterranSnap posted...

This is such a classic I need to read it but I'm hesitant for some reason

They're rather easy reads.

I've tried this but it feels so dry, makes me really sad when Annihilation is one of my favorite movies

I still need to read the third book but the second one was quite dry. I liked most elements of the first, I can see why he's kind of categorized as subgenre of fictional horror ('Weird Fiction') in a literary movement called "New Weird". The tunnel (or Tower) and the luminescent fungus, spell out what sounds like the ramblings of an insane cultist. The description near the end of the book describing the interaction of The Botanist and the Crawler.

Control was kind of similar and I liked it for similar reasons.

wanderingshade posted...

Control was kind of similar and I liked it for similar reasons.

If you mean the game, then Control was amazing and I kicked myself for not playing it sooner, I need to go back and finish it

RuneterranSnap posted...

If you mean the game, then Control was amazing and I kicked myself for not playing it sooner, I need to go back and finish it

Yes, I mean the game. They're very similar in how they depict a strange concept of science fiction and horror together.

Gardens of the Moon - Book 1 of the Malazan Book of the Fallen.

Sandalorn posted...

Gardens of the Moon - Book 1 of the Malazan Book of the Fallen.

I actually just finished book 4, this series is a pain to get through but, so far, proving to be worth it

RuneterranSnap posted...

I actually just finished book 4, this series is a pain to get through but, so far, proving to be worth it

Book 5 - Midnight Tides can be a toughy. It introduces entire new characters, empires, and the Tiste Edur. It is awesome of course but can be pretty confusing.

Book 6 - Bonehunters is one of the best in the series IMO. Just pure magic.

Hope you continue it. Best series ever IMO.

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

Another one that's on my list to finish. I remember going in and thinking there's no way they could ever justify the use of second person, and being horribly wrong. Amazing book that makes me want to read her entire catalogue.

Sandalorn posted...

Book 5 - Midnight Tides can be a toughy. It introduces entire new characters, empires, and the Tiste Edur. It is awesome of course but can be pretty confusing.

Book 6 - Bonehunters is one of the best in the series IMO. Just pure magic.

Hope you continue it. Best series ever IMO.

I absolutely will, I have book 5 just haven't picked it up yet

Non Fiction is better.

Verdekal posted...

Non Fiction is better.

I disagree and this is kinda a rude statement.

Sandalorn posted...

Book 5 - Midnight Tides can be a toughy. It introduces entire new characters, empires, and the Tiste Edur. It is awesome of course but can be pretty confusing.

Book 6 - Bonehunters is one of the best in the series IMO. Just pure magic.

Hope you continue it. Best series ever IMO.

I just looked up my scores. And I peppered Esslemont in as well. Not quite as good, but fills in gaps.

Gardens of the Moon 3.5
Deadhouse Gates 5
Memories of Ice 4.5
House of Chains 4
Midnight Tides 5
Night of Knives (Esslemont) 3.5
The Bonehunters 5
Reaper's Gale 3.5
Return of the Crimson Guard (Esslemont) 3
Toll the Hounds 4.5
Stonewielder (Esslemont) 4
Orb, Scepter, Throne (Esslemont) 4
Dust of Dreams 4
The Crippled God 5
Blood and Bone (Esslemont) 3.5
Assail (Esslemont) 4.5

RuneterranSnap posted...

I disagree and this is kinda a rude statement.

Nothing wrong with fiction (depending on the book) and it's cool you're meeting an author but non fiction is better for understanding the world.

Verdekal posted...

Nothing wrong with fiction (depending on the book) and it's cool you're meeting an author but non fiction is better for understanding the world.

Thank you for your very important "well ackshually."

Verdekal posted...

Nothing wrong with fiction (depending on the book) and it's cool you're meeting an author but non fiction is better for understanding the world.

I don't read to understand the world. I read to relax and enjoy myself. Coming into a topic where someone lays out their preferences and you just say something completely different is exceptionally rude.

bsp77 posted...

I just looked up my scores. And I peppered Esslemont in as well. Not quite as good, but fills in gaps.

Gardens of the Moon 3.5
Deadhouse Gates 5
Memories of Ice 4.5
House of Chains 4
Midnight Tides 5
Night of Knives (Esslemont) 3.5
The Bonehunters 5
Reaper's Gale 3.5
Return of the Crimson Guard (Esslemont) 3
Toll the Hounds 4.5
Stonewielder (Esslemont) 4
Orb, Scepter, Throne (Esslemont) 4
Dust of Dreams 4
The Crippled God 5
Blood and Bone (Esslemont) 3.5
Assail (Esslemont) 4.5

Solid. My favorite is Memories of Ice so I would bump that to a 5 but this is a really solid ranking list IMO. I love finding others that love this series. It is just so epic in scale. It's like the Ben Hur of fantasy series IMO.

Sandalorn posted...

My favorite is Memories of Ice

I hear that a lot, and I don't remember why it isn't a 5 but others are

So I'm down to Sundial. Black Leopard Red Wolf, and This is How You Lose the Time War(because they didn't have any of the other Gladstone booms)

Went with BLRW, though interestingly Catriona ward is gonna be here next week with Caitlin Stirling who is also awesome