Reading List...

Started by Bison, January 30, 2012, 04:19:35 PM

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Bison

Time to purchase a couple of new books for the Kindle.  I'm continuing with the stories of Gordanius the Finder and pick up the second set of short stories. A Gladiator Only Dies Once http://www.amazon.com/Gladiator-Dies-Only-Once-ebook/dp/B003J48C1S/ref=pd_sim_kstore_6?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2 and perhaps the forth book in the series Arms of Nemisis http://www.amazon.com/Arms-Nemesis-Ancient-Novels-ebook/dp/B0046H9UEA/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2. (I have what my wife calls a "weird obsession" to read the books of a series in order.  Even though I got 3 other books in the series for Christmas; I just cannot read them yet.  There are five books to read before the first of the Christmas gifts should be read.)

Now here is where I'm torn.  I cannot decide if I want to stay in the past and start Bernard Corwell's Arthurian Series with The Winter King http://www.amazon.com/Winter-King-Arthur-Books/dp/0312156960/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I3W0TP3JXH0VVD&colid=2FKFYHODI459L or move into the future and read Joe Haldman's The Forever War http://www.amazon.com/Forever-War-Joe-Haldeman/dp/0312536631/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1UHXTN58EWLUW&colid=2FKFYHODI459L or re-read one of my favorite books of all time Frank Herbert's Dune http://www.amazon.com/Dune-40th-Anniversary-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B001F0WXY0/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1ZDDPODI8OLTP&colid=2FKFYHODI459L

The Kindle was without question my best purchase in 2011.  I love it so much.  Now if I could only decide which books to read next.  ;D

LongBlade

I'm not really familiar with any of those but there's good buzz around Forever War.

I got a Kindle Fire for Christmas and it's proving to be useful. I nearly burned up the entire battery yesterday using it to check in on the forums here. It's the right size for picking up and doing a quick flip through email and forums. And I've nearly completed a comparison of it versus the iPad which I'll get around to publishing here pretty soon.
All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

Bison

The Kindle Fire's are nice, but I prefer the e-ink on the standard Kindle for book reading.  Two reasons really.  1.) The battery without using my Kindle cover light lasts weeks.  2.) I found reading books with backlight using my Ipad makes my eyes tired and sore.

Bison

Trust me the Roma Sub Rosa books are awesome if you like a. mysteries and b. ancient Rome.  Gordanius the Finder is the Sherlock Holmes of Ancient Rome.  Good, quick, interesting reads.

LongBlade

That sounds interesting. I'm looking for some new material for the Kindle and that gladiator mystery may be the thing.

I've got my eye on a bunch of military history books, but none are available to on the Kindle. I like adding physical books to my library, but I'm amazed at how easily I seem to have let go of them. Not sure that's a good thing, but that's another discussion.
All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

Bison

The first book in the series is Roman Blood http://www.amazon.com/Roman-Blood-Ancient-Novels-ebook/dp/B003J5652U/ref=pd_sim_kstore_2?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2.  Gordinius goes to work for Cicero. The second books is The House of Vestials http://www.amazon.com/House-Vestals-Investigations-Gordianus-ebook/dp/B0033UT1YK/ref=pd_sim_kstore_4?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2, which a series of short stories.  Really just flesh out the characters and develop their history.  I like it, but some folks don't care for the short story any more. 

Staggerwing

Forever War is a very powerful novel. I remember reading it back in the 80's. It came out of Haldeman's sevice in Vietnam
and subsequent return to 'the World' and the resulting sense of disconnect between the Soldier and the society that sends him off to war.
Also, you'll never look at DADT the same way...
Vituð ér enn - eða hvat?  -Voluspa

Nothing really rocks and nothing really rolls and nothing's ever worth the cost...

"Don't you look at me that way..." -the Abyss
 
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... this will go down on your permanent record... -the Violent Femmes, 'Kiss Off'-

"I'm not just anyone, I'm not just anyone-
I got my time machine, got my 'electronic dream!"
-Sonic Reducer, -Dead Boys

Grim.Reaper

I just picked up the entire series of Song of Ice and Fire.....my lord, it is going to take me a decade to read the entire seasons based on the size of these books....maybe I should have just watched the first book on HBO.

Bison

Well I opted for A Gladiator Only Dies Once and The Winter King.  I downloaded and read the preview chapter for The Winter King last night.  It drew me in immediately.  I have a feeling this will be an Arthur tale unlike any other.

LongBlade

I bought Roman Blood on the Fire to check it out. Probably will be a few days before I get to it.
All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

Bison


TheCommandTent

Quote from: Bison on January 31, 2012, 03:15:53 PM
Well I opted for A Gladiator Only Dies Once and The Winter King.  I downloaded and read the preview chapter for The Winter King last night.  It drew me in immediately.  I have a feeling this will be an Arthur tale unlike any other.

I've heard good things about Bernard Cornwell's Arthurian series.  I have read all his 'The Saxon Stories' except for the latest to come out and really enjoyed them so I am going to have to look into his other books.  Here is a link to 'The Saxons Stories'  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Saxon_Stories
"No wants, no needs, we weren't meant for that, none of us.  Man stagnates if he has no ambition, no desire to be more than he is."

spelk

I'm pushing on through E.B.Sledge's With The Old Breed at the moment, and it's about the first book thats made me enjoy a Squad Battles game  - namely The Proud and the Few!

Martok

Have begun reading The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss.  Looks to be more "standard" fantasy (as compared to Sanderson's different yet brilliant Mistborn trilogy), but it's too early to judge whether I like it or not. 




Quote from: SCDJ on January 31, 2012, 05:53:02 PM

I've heard good things about Bernard Cornwell's Arthurian series.  I have read all his 'The Saxon Stories' except for the latest to come out and really enjoyed them so I am going to have to look into his other books.  Here is a link to 'The Saxons Stories'  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Saxon_Stories
Just to give you fair warning: 

I'm a fan of Cornwell too, but his Arthuian trilogy didn't particularly grab me.  You might very well enjoy it (obviously others do!), but for me, I found an "historical" Arthurian tale -- stripped of the usual magic, lore, & myth -- to not be very compelling. 

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LongBlade

Quote from: Bison on January 31, 2012, 03:52:27 PM
I hope you enjoy it.

I read a few pages and was very impressed. He is a talented writer.
All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.