book recommendation

johnyccc · 25 Apr 2007 at 23:15

I have a voucher for a another site that I am planing on using on a paperback book (not much else is in the price range).

Can anyone suggest something?
I like sci-fi, although it doesn't have to be that.
I'm really looking for some escapism, a story focused on a situation or event rather than the people in it.

Thanks

Martins · 25 Apr 2007 at 23:16

The Diceman

Rebelius · 25 Apr 2007 at 23:19

any Diskworld book

theleg · 25 Apr 2007 at 23:21

Cell is pretty good...my current toilet read.

danoliver1 · 25 Apr 2007 at 23:22

Arthur c Clarkes stuff is good check out rama.

VaderDSL · 25 Apr 2007 at 23:22

Pandora's Star by Peter F Hamilton absolutely awesome book, although it's 1/2 will keep you entertained

PieEater · 25 Apr 2007 at 23:38

Jack Kerouac - On The Road, 1950's drug fueled road trip which is still poignoint for today, a classic which everyone should read to be inspired in some direction or other.

Velocity219e · 25 Apr 2007 at 23:43

I have just read Peter Hamilton - Mindstar rising, A Quantum Murder and The Nano Flower which are a pretty excellent trilogy imo

and I am currently reading William Gibson - All Tommorows Parties and Dan Simmons - Hyperion / Fall of Hyperion

Sonea Fifer · 25 Apr 2007 at 23:44

Enders Game by Orson Scott Card - best Sci-Fi book i've ever read

eddiemcgarrigle · 25 Apr 2007 at 23:51

I prefer factual history and anything to do with WWII always interests me. Stalingrad by Antony Beevor deserves to be among everyone's book collection and only just scrapes in ahead of Hell's Gate - The Battle Of The Cherkassy Pocket by Douglas Nash.

I also have a liking for crime stories and you could do worse than Mind Hunter and Anatomy Of Motive by John Douglas.

2bit · 26 Apr 2007 at 00:21

edited to say this is NOT a sci-fi recommendation....

Moby Dick - Herman Melville.

It is and isn't what you think. Yes it's a story about a whaling ship - but it will also take you by surprise!

NokkonWud · 26 Apr 2007 at 04:03

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand.

touch · 26 Apr 2007 at 04:08

If it was me, i'd flog the voucher on ebay and buy real things.
(I dont believe in books)

Shackley · 26 Apr 2007 at 06:17

Best of all - "The Foundation Series" by Isaac Asimov or his various books concerning the Three Laws of Robotics.

Or else, any one or more of:
o The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe
o The Diceman by Luke Rhinehart - NOT The search for The Diceman
o Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson
o The Gormenghast Trilogy by Mervyn Peake

V4NT0M · 26 Apr 2007 at 08:00

VaderDSL said:
Pandora's Star by Peter F Hamilton absolutely awesome book, although it's 1/2 will keep you entertained

But then he will have to go out and buy Judas unchained too... Love those two books, probably the best SF books i've ever read.

yozzer2001 · 26 Apr 2007 at 08:41

the brentford trilogy robert rankin (or any robert rankin books)

WIBSBOT · 26 Apr 2007 at 11:48

Papillion - not a sci fi book, but excellent read.

dustiestrat · 26 Apr 2007 at 11:58

the traveller excellent book .
link

gjrc · 26 Apr 2007 at 12:25

WIBSBOT said:
Papillion - not a sci fi book, but excellent read.

that is a quality book!! read it!

count of monte cristo
shogun
king rat
tai pan

his dark materials

LOTR

want more?

platypus · 26 Apr 2007 at 12:31

Any James Clavell novel.