Need to get back into reading...

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Soldato
Joined
7 Jul 2009
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Newcastle/Aberdeen
I've not been reading properly for a while now, only got through about two books in over a year (last was the Ragged Trousered Philanthropists). So i've got some waterstones vouchers from a photography competition (which was a complete fluke by the way), i was wondering if you had any suggestions that could rekindle my passion for reading?

I think it's probably not a great idea for it to be non-fiction. I'm a huge fan of Douglas Adams and i've read about three discworld books which i loved, but they were just random (as in, they were put on my desk by my dad from the library), i'm sure there's a better order for doing them in. So... Sci-fi? Fantasy? Orwell (which i have read but it was years ago... and the extremely well thumbed compilation we have in the house just falls apart when you try to read it in bed :p )? Cheers.

That said, i may re-read Hitchhikers Guide now ;)
 
There are plenty of fan sites and guides to Discworld: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discworld#Novels & http://wiki.lspace.org/wiki/Main_Page You don't need to read them in order as the stories are self contained, but it's nice to get the characters' history and development in the right order.

Some useful sci fi and fantasy links for inspiration:These are actually far from definitive, and no doubt people will recommend many other great books not on those lists - especially the newer stuff.

My favourite sci fi stories are Dune (which is epic) and Roadside Picnic (a great novella) For a little sci-fi/fantasy with an element of humour, try the 'Laundry' series by Charles Stross, or Halting State (also by Stross)

For fantasy, I recently read the excellent Dark Tower series by Stephen King - I was reluctant to read anything by King, but the endless recommendations persuaded me and I'm very glad I gave these a chance.
 
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Ian M Banks - Matter
(Strange, old one) Robert Neil - Mist over Pendle (but you should still read it).
 
I started reading A Game Of Thrones after seeing a few people mention it in threads and seeing the thread about the TV show (which I have avoided as I want to read the books first). Well, I ordered the Kindle version and had finished it in just under two weeks and went and ordered the follow up A Clash Of Kings immediately. And I'm about 60% of the way through that now as well. Can't believe it's taken me so long to here about these books.
 
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card is always a decent starting point.
Dune by Frank Herbert as mentioned is a classic for a reason.
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley is also a classic although I prefer 1984.

Moving onto more fantasy type books Lanark: A Life In Four Books by Alasdair Gray is magnificent (I've recommended it a few times and I'll do it again) and American Gods by Neil Gaiman is another good option.

Other than that in sci-fi (and I know some hate the term) then you can do far worse than picking pretty much anything by Philip K. Dick, John Wyndham or Kurt Vonnegurt.
 
George R.R Martin - Game of Thrones

Seriously cannot recommend this book highly enough, currently reading it and i cant put it down. Very very well written and the story is one of the most gripping i have read.

Didn't notice brians post, but i cant wait to read the second now im about half way through the first.
 
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