dord (dôrd), n. density of mind; chiefly exhibited by one who attempts to demonstrate supposed knowledge --adj. dord'ish

12.11.2007

In Three Days. . .

. . . finals will be over. It's been months since I've read a good fiction book. Any suggestions?

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6 Comments:

Blogger Laedelas Greenleaf said...

O man, yes! Michael Crichton is an amazing author, and his writing will sharpen your mind (though his theology is absent or wack). He wrote "Jurassic Park," but don't let the movie guide your opinion of the book. He's good at making science in the story more than just interesting--it becomes vital.

I haven't read it yet, but "Under The Overpass" by Mike Yankoski seems to be promising. It's not fiction, but it's his story of (willingly) becoming homeless for 6 months and the people he met. Sounds good for developing compassion. It's written from a Christian perspective, too.

Or "Dune," or anything by Brian Jacques. Those are good standbys.

If I think of anything else, I'll be sure to let you know.

12/11/2007 10:58 PM

 
Blogger Brian Whalen said...

Ahhh... fiction, my first love. Michael Crichton isn't bad, if you enjoy modern fiction (Timeline is far better than Jurassic Park, however), but I have a few others I prefer.

If you enjoy the modern era, I'd go with something more like "The Bourne Identity" by Robert Ludlum. The movie was good, but it's nothing compared to the book. For sci-fi, I'd DEFINITELY go with "Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card, though "Dune" by Frank Herbert is also good.

If you prefer to go back in time a bit, "The Crystal Cave" by Mary Stewart is probably the best book I've read set in the Merlin/King Arthur world. Or in the true fantasy genre, the Fionavar Tapestry trilogy by Guy Gavriel Kay, beginning with "The Summer Tree."

I love to read. And how the heck have you been? I think I will try to write you an e-mail sometime soon. It's been too long.

12/11/2007 11:48 PM

 
Blogger Jason said...

That was fast. (If anyone else has any recommendations to add, please go ahead.)

Funny you should both mention Dune--I ordered it from the library just after making this post. Based on what I know, it sounds interesting, although I have heard mixed reviews. But now that you both have recommended it, I'll have to read it when it comes in.

Brian, yeah, we should catch up. (No reason to wait until Na.) I read Ender's Game a couple summers ago. Overall, I liked it quite a bit, although I wasn't sure what to make of the ending. I think one of my cousins originally told me of the book. From what I remember, he said the sequels aren't very good. Do you agree with this? I hate having a good book or movie ruined by a lame sequel, so I haven't read anything else in the series.

12/12/2007 6:54 PM

 
Blogger Brian Whalen said...

RE: Ender's Game Sequels:

Well, Orson Scott Card did a very interesting thing with his sequels. There is a series of books, including "Speaker for the Dead," "Xenocide," and "Children of the Mind" that follow the story of Ender Wiggin in post Ender's Game time period. I have not read any of these, but I have heard them to be considerably less... entertaining.

However, he wrote another series of books which follow the story of Bean, who remains on earth obviously, and these I thoroughly enjoy. The first one is called "Ender's Shadow" and it's actually the same exact story as Ender's Game, but as told through the eyes of Bean. I like it as much as Ender's Game. The subsequent books in that series continue to follow the post-war politics on earth through Bean and Peter Wiggin and all the rest of the crew.

12/13/2007 12:50 AM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Though I have nothing to add, thanks for posting this. I've been wanting to pick up some good fiction books and now I know what to look for!

12/17/2007 1:16 AM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I shall not fear. Fear is the mind killer, fear is the death that bring total obliteration. I will face my fear, I will let it pass through me, and when it has gone I will turn my inward Eye upon its path and see nothing. Only I shall remain.

Frank Herbert

12/18/2007 5:07 PM

 

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