Recruiting Forum Football Talk IV

[drvenner]

Couple of the best I've listened to if you're struggling to pick a new one. Not necessarily the best books, but the audio performances are stellar:

First Law by Joe Abercrombie
Hyperion by Dan Simmons

If you really want to settle in and plod through one of the more challenging but most satisfying series ever, give Malazan a try. The first 2 will have you feeling more lost than satisfied, but if you stick with it, the payoff is incredible. The Audiobooks are pretty well done, but it's a commitment.

Still not sure I am ready to take the plunge. I read the first Malazan and woo boy, was I lost. It was still entertaining, so might pick it back up again.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

I got into The Saga of Recluse series, still not finished it. One thing I really enjoyed though was that it's not a linear story.

You're essentially in the same universe but book 1 and book 7 aren't necessarily the same core characters or related.

 

[jave36]

True! Its one I did really enjoy, but not one I'd ever endeavour to devour a second time.

It's actually the only series I've ever enjoyed more on the reread. There's so much good stuff I missed the first time because I was in panic mode from feeling so lost lol

 

[gainesvol82]

But don't all the characters end up with your voice if you read it in your own head? Or do you assign them different voices in your head? lol

No, my imagination assigns them physical appearance, voices, mannerisms, etc. It's hard to explain because it's not anything audible(pun intended) but hearing an audio book keeps my imagination from creating a version of the character and I can't get attached to them or invested at all in the books.

I also read fast so the pace frustrates me. 500 page book usually is 3 days of reading on breaks at work and at night before bed or 1.5-2 days on the weekend when it's not football season. I read Robert Jordan's "The Fires of Heaven" in 2 days when I was 12 but I had a broken arm and nothing to do. That's about a 1200 page book.

 

[scienceteaching_vol]

It's actually the only series I've ever enjoyed more on the reread. There's so much good stuff I missed the first time because I was in panic mode from feeling so lost lol

I can see that. There's a lot going on. Just so much else on my list to read.

 

[gainesvol82]

Eh, after oathbringer and rhythm of war, I've soured on Sanderson. He's had some good ones, but his writing keeps getting in the way of his storytelling. If he could craft the stories and have someone else write them, might be the best series ever written.

You didn't like those 2 books? Man, I freaking love them. Warbreaker and Elantris are probably my least favorite of his.

 

[drvenner]

Couple of the best I've listened to if you're struggling to pick a new one. Not necessarily the best books, but the audio performances are stellar:

First Law by Joe Abercrombie
Hyperion by Dan Simmons

If you really want to settle in and plod through one of the more challenging but most satisfying series ever, give Malazan a try. The first 2 will have you feeling more lost than satisfied, but if you stick with it, the payoff is incredible. The Audiobooks are pretty well done, but it's a commitment.

Still not sure I am ready to take the plunge. I read the first Malazan and woo boy, was I lost. It was still entertaining, so might pick it back up again.

Eh, after oathbringer and rhythm of war, I've soured on Sanderson. He's had some good ones, but his writing keeps getting in the way of his storytelling. If he could craft the stories and have someone else write them, might be the best series ever written.

We have had this discussion already, so I will just leave it alone.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

I rarely get the ability to just sit and read, with a very loud/active kid it's even more of a challenge.

At work though I can toss on the headphones and as I mindlessly click away on the PC get to be entertained. Makes work more productive (somehow) while also keeping me happy.

Sometimes though I prefer music or podcast. But it all just depends, I'm pretty scattered. Rarely like repetition in most things though. Not reread many books/series and can still typically write a passing book report to this day lol. Rarely rewatch movies or TV shows and if I can't watch a game or sporting event live I don't really care to watch a DVR/recording of it. I'll go look up the box score and then catch the highlights and move on. Vols games are the only exception, especially if it's a win that I didn't see live I'll watch it once Freak puts it up on the YT.

 

[drvenner]

Favorite Sanderson character?

Kelsier, Kaladin, Dalanar, Vin, Vasher/Zahel, Sazed, Wayne, Sylphrena, Lift, Odium, Navani, Taravangian....there's so many to choose from. Probably Kaladin for me but it's really close.

I liked Sanderson before but Stormlight has put him on another level. I still consider Robert Jordan my favorite but by the time Sanderson is done with Stornlight, Silverlight and the other series he has planned then he will probably surpass Jordan based on quantity of quality content and how varied it is. The Cosmere is such an amazing concept and I can't think of any fantasy writer who has ever done anything close to as ambitious.

Kaladin, for sure. But so many good characters. I have not read second Mistborn trilogy and it's been quite a few since I read the first one. I like Shalon a lot also. Lift is very entertaining and Zeth, what a history.

 

[jave36]

You didn't like those 2 books? Man, I freaking love them. Warbreaker and Elantris are probably my least favorite of his.

Rhythm of war was especially irritating to me. If I had to read the word "emulsifier" one more time... Do we really need half of a million page book acting as a science textbook for how light works? I'm just not a fan of his writing in general though, editorial inaction aside. Raboniel is the only character of SA I've ever thought was a properly complex, well-developed character, and he killed her off. The lore, world building, and overall plot is phenomenal, but the prose, dialog, and character writing is too shallow for me. I'll keep reading SA to see how the story ends, but I'll be grinding my teeth and rolling my eyes through it haha.

 

[jave36]

Still not sure I am ready to take the plunge. I read the first Malazan and woo boy, was I lost. It was still entertaining, so might pick it back up again.

We have had this discussion already, so I will just leave it alone.

Ya I need to stop chomping every time I see this topic lol. It's a flaw of mine, admittedly.

 

[OGbabyaviVol]

@Bassmaster_Vol, did you see who is on the mound to start tonight?

 

[Rizzo924]

I hate audio books. Every character ends up having the narrator's voice in my head and I end up not being able to visualize anything/anyone and I don't get connected to the story. It's like I'm listening to a podcast of someone reading a book.

Lots of people love them though. To each their own.

I love them, but never download one on Audible without sampling. A good narrator can make an average book good, a bad narrator can absolutely ruin a good book. The Boys in the Boat with Edward Herrmann & The Help read by a cast - both excellent!

 

[Cosmo Kramer]

 

[MoCo_Vol]

Brian Keene is an author I'd say to check out if ya dig horror. He does series and also fantasy stuff, but I've only read his non-series horror stuff. Some good stuff imo.

 

[gainesvol82]

Thank you to everyone mentioning series I've never read and reminding me about series I forgot about. Gonna start Malazan abdvthe Recluse series.

 

[UpstateVol613]

He was scouting Kentucky.

So you’re telling me Banks was at the entire Miss St/Kentucky game and didn’t get one personal foul? Not sure I’m buying that.

 

[gainesvol82]

Kaladin, for sure. But so many good characters. I have not read second Mistborn trilogy and it's been quite a few since I read the first one. I like Shalon a lot also. Lift is very entertaining and Zeth, what a history.

We have very similar taste. Szeth is such a complex character. Mistborn series 2 is good but nothing on the original. Kelsier(Thaidakar) being connected to Stormlight is very interesting.

I love Hoid's character and can't wait for Silverlight which will be about the people who brought down Adonalsium and either became Shards or rejected the powers like Hoid did.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

Thank you to everyone mentioning series I've never read and reminding me about series I forgot about. Gonna start Malazan abdvthe Recluse series.

Same I've added The Black Company & Malazan to my list of series to start, already have the Dresden Files & Wheel of Time on there.

Another one I have on my to-read list that I don't think I saw mentioned is The Legend of Drizzt by R.A. Salvatore. It's been one I've had recommended tons of times by friends of fantasy.

 

[gainesvol82]

Rhythm of war was especially irritating to me. If I had to read the word "emulsifier" one more time... Do we really need half of a million page book acting as a science textbook for how light works? I'm just not a fan of his writing in general though, editorial inaction aside. Raboniel is the only character of SA I've ever thought was a properly complex, well-developed character, and he killed her off. The lore, world building, and overall plot is phenomenal, but the prose, dialog, and character writing is too shallow for me. I'll keep reading SA to see how the story ends, but I'll be grinding my teeth and rolling my eyes through it haha.

I don't agree but respect your take. Raboniel is very interesting. I liked Eshonai too before she seemed to be killed off.

The Dawnshard Novella is interesting how it introduces the Sleepless who are trying to keep humans from discovering the power that essentially destroyed their home planet before they came over to Roshar and eventually defeated and enslaved the native Parshendi

 

[vol81]

Is this a book club now?

 

[gainesvol82]

Same I've added The Black Company & Malazan to my list of series to start, already have the Dresden Files & Wheel of Time on there.

Another one I have on my to-read list that I don't think I saw mentioned is The Legend of Drizzt by R.A. Salvatore. It's been one I've had recommended tons of times by friends of fantasy.

Black Company series has a lot of books but reads fast. I'm biased towards The Wheel of Time but it's elite. Very long series but each book has a conflict that gets resolved amidst multiple other over arching conflicts. It's the GOAT.

 

[gainesvol82]

Same I've added The Black Company & Malazan to my list of series to start, already have the Dresden Files & Wheel of Time on there.

Another one I have on my to-read list that I don't think I saw mentioned is The Legend of Drizzt by R.A. Salvatore. It's been one I've had recommended tons of times by friends of fantasy.

Black Company series has a lot of books but reads fast. I'm biased towards The Wheel of Time but it's elite. Very long series but each book has a conflict that gets resolved amidst multiple other over arching conflicts. It's the GOAT.

 

[Bassmaster_Vol]

This one aged well.

It did. He gave up a hit and 2 walks and got no outs before being pulled putting Wright in a tough spot and caused the Braves to be down 2 runs early. Thankfully Wright, who has barely pitched in the bigs this year, was awesome.

I was 100% correct here.

 

[Tri-CitiesVol]

Who would’ve guessed we have so many nerds in the RF?