books

My brother recently asked me if I had any good books that he could borrow. I got rid of a good chunk of my books when we moved, and only kept those I really enjoyed. Here’s the email I just sent him.

Here’s a list of the books that I have, grouped by author and with my comments in italics. I would recommend reading any (and all!) of the books presented here, and the order in which they are listed is not an indication of personal preference.

The Darksword Trilogy by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman
A fantasy series with some interesting twists. Includes a 4th, follow-up book that takes place about 20 years after the first three. Don’t let the apparently un-imaginative titles fool you. About 400 pages each.

Forging the Darksword
Doom of the Darksword
Triumph of the Darksword
Legacy of the Darksword

Star of the Guardians series by Margaret Weis
More sci-fi than fantasy, but a very fun read. Has some hints of Star Wars, about 500 pages each. If you like them, then I highly recommend the “spin-off” series about a group of mercenaries introduced in these books (see next category).

The Lost King
King’s Test
The King’s Sacrifice
Ghost Legion

‘Xris’ series by Margaret Weis and Don Perrin
Fun and hilarious. Stories about Xris and his crack team of mercenaries, as introduced in the Star of the Guardians series. About 400 pages each. You don’t have to read Star of the Guardians to “get” these ones, but I would recommend it, if only to be able to read more about Xris and his team.

Robot Blues
Hung Out
The Knights of the Black Earth

The Bloodwars Trilogy by J. Robert King
A series set in the Planescape setting. Does a really good job of showcasing all of the strange and wonderful stuff that’s in the multiverse. Worth reading if you liked Planescape: Torment. About 300 pages each.

Blood Hostages
Abyssal Warriors
Planar Powers

The Dune Series by Frank Herbert
This is hardcore science-fiction. It can be difficult at times to wrap your head around some of the concepts presented here, but it is really satisfying when it all comes together. About 500 pages each.

Dune
Children of Dune
Dune Messiah
Heretics of Dune
God Emperor of Dune
Chapterhouse Dune

Discworld books by Terry Pratchett
These are some of my favorite fantasy books. Interesting, engaging and funny, great satires on modern classics too. Highly recommended. About 450 pages each.

Guards! Guards!
Men at Arms
Feet of Clay
The Fifth Elephant
Jingo
Night Watch
THUD!
Going Postal
Making Money
The Truth
Monstrous Regiment
Hogfather

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
A satire on religion and the apocalypse, set in modern day. Hilarious. About 400 pages.

Star Wars: Death Star by Michael Reaves and Steve Perry
An interesting look at the construction (and destruction) of the Death Star. From the civilian and enslaved construction workers who built it, to the contractors who run the cantinas on board. Turns out Luke Skywalker mass-murdered over a million people when he blew it up. Huh. This is the only Star Wars book I’ve read. About 400 pages.

The Difference Engine by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling
Considered to be one of the first ‘Steampunk’ novels. An interesting look at an alternate Victorian England, where steam gurneys are raced instead of horses. About 400 pages.

The Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson
These books re-define the term ‘epic military fantasy’ if you ask me. An immensely gratifying read, they shun most of the usual fantasy tropes. These tomes clock in anywhere from 700 to 1000 pages, and the reading level is a bit more difficult than your standard fare, but every page is worth it. If you decide to tackle these babies, don’t give up if you feel lost during the first half of the first book. Intimidating, but highly, highly recommended.

Gardens of the Moon
Deadhouse Gates
Memories of Ice
House of Chains
Midnight Tides
The Bonehunters
Reaper’s Gale

Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Something about a wizard. *shrug*

So there you have it. Let me know which, if any you would like to borrow. When we moved into the house I did a clean-up of all the books I didn’t want to keep anymore. If I kept these ones, it’s because I personally felt they are worth keeping and reading, for whatever that’s worth.

I also have leatherbound copies of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings - but those aren’t for lending ;)

June 29, 2009, 6:23 pm permalink | general |

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