What book are you reading right now?

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**ZergSmasher**

I've been reading some old Star Trek books from the 1980's. They are quite different from the Trek books of today, and much of the content has been rendered non-canon, but they are enjoyable nonetheless.

**KamikazeCanuck**

BobtheInquisitor wrote:
KamikazeCanuck wrote:
What do you guys recommend for a book series with a big, involved, in-depth Sci-Fi universe? Like I like the 40K universe but its stuck in the never-ending year of 40,999. I'm looking for something like that. Doesn't need to end per se but at least move forward.

How big and involved do you want? And how hard should the sci fi be?

For example, Niven's Known Space universe is fairly well developed, and many other authors have written stories in the setting, but it is pretty silly by today's standards. Keith Laumer's Bolo series has also found new life with another generation of writers. There were similar attempts at literary sandbox worlds throughout the 70's and 80's, but they've been completely superseded by media tie-in fiction, like Star Trek, Star Wars, Halo, 40k, etc. If you like tie-in fiction, I highly recommend the old Zahn Star Wars books or the post-Nemesis Star Trek novel continuity starting with the Destiny trilogy.

If you are looking for series of books, I would recommend the Culture series, Peter F. Hamilton's Commonwealth series, Jack Campbell's Dauntless series, the Dread Empire's Fall trilogy, the Conqueror's Heritage Trilogy by Zahn, etc. I have heard good things about the Pip and Flinx series, David Weber's ongoing epics, the Miles Verkosigan saga, etc. you might also check out classics like the Lensmen series, the Foundation series, and the Dune series.

Lots of good suggestions! Thanks.
I think I'm not looking for a "sandbox" as you put it but something by one great writer. There's some stuff there to look into.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

Manchu wrote:
Why not Dune?

I'm working on it! Read the first one. Was wondering what else is out there.

**AesSedai**

I just finshed Infinite Jest. Anyone familiar?

**Co'tor Shas**

A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin.
I pretty much always re-read the series during summer.

**ZergSmasher**

Co'tor Shas wrote:
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin.
I pretty much always re-read the series during summer.

I've heard of that series and was very intrigued. Is it something I should definitely track down and buy?

**Co'tor Shas**

ZergSmasher wrote:
Co'tor Shas wrote:
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin.
I pretty much always re-read the series during summer.

I've heard of that series and was very intrigued. Is it something I should definitely track down and buy?

Definitely. Not too sure about the availability nowadays though, the version I have are ancient paperbacks that my dad bought long before I was born. One of the best fantasy series I have ever read. And they have certainly had and effect on many fantasy books afterwards.

**BobtheInquisitor**

ZergSmasher wrote:
Co'tor Shas wrote:
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin.
I pretty much always re-read the series during summer.

I've heard of that series and was very intrigued. Is it something I should definitely track down and buy?

The first and third books are very good. The series itself was quite influential in later fantasy with it's 'names have power' approach.

**tneva82**

Currently working on sword arts online light novel volume #6 and folk tales of Chichibu(area in Japan near Tokyo).

**jreilly89**

Finished book #3 of the Dresden Files. Sister in law lost her copy of #4, so I gotta go buy that

**ZergSmasher**

Currently reading The Autobiography of James T. Kirk. It's a pretty good read, told as if it really was Captain Kirk writing it. Lots of references to TOS episodes and the movies, and it also tells how Kirk first met the members of the TOS bridge crew.

**kronk**

Ordered Old Man's War yesterday. I heard good things about it and I want to read it with my eye holes.

**KamikazeCanuck**

ZergSmasher wrote:
Currently reading The Autobiography of James T. Kirk. It's a pretty good read, told as if it really was Captain Kirk writing it. Lots of references to TOS episodes and the movies, and it also tells how Kirk first met the members of the TOS bridge crew.

Interesting, when was it written?

**Alpharius**

KamikazeCanuck wrote:

I'm working on it! Read the first one. Was wondering what else is out there.

Definitely Neal Asher's POLITY series!

Start with GRIDLINKED - you won't regret it!

**ZergSmasher**

KamikazeCanuck wrote:
ZergSmasher wrote:
Currently reading The Autobiography of James T. Kirk. It's a pretty good read, told as if it really was Captain Kirk writing it. Lots of references to TOS episodes and the movies, and it also tells how Kirk first met the members of the TOS bridge crew.

Interesting, when was it written?

Sometime in the 2280's, I think.

Seriously, I think it's brand new. Not entirely sure though.

**Benny Badmen**

I've mostly been reading fan fiction on this site while revisiting a favorite called Houses of Time by Jamal Nasir and pecking away at The Time Travelers Wife. I never finished it but it's pretty good even if it's a far stretch from my usual reads.

**jreilly89**

While waiting on more books to arrive, reading Salem's Lot. Pretty good atypical horror fiction.

**CptJake**

CptJake wrote:

Just started:

Just a couple chapters in but I like it. Gonna pass this one on to Son2 who deploys as a rifle platoon leader early next year, as the story is told through the eyes of a rifle platoon leader.

Good stuff.

Finished it last night. Fantastic book.

Probably start on this next:

**KamikazeCanuck**

Alpharius wrote:
KamikazeCanuck wrote:

I'm working on it! Read the first one. Was wondering what else is out there.

Definitely Neal Asher's POLITY series!

Start with GRIDLINKED - you won't regret it!

Interesting, that may be just what i'm looking for. It kind of looks like that "The Expanse" show on Sy Fy.

**tneva82**

For a change I'm actually reading in English

Spoiler:

Kuukai, major works plus his life history(in fairly mundane style trimming down craploads of legends surrounding him and trying to stick for actual facts that are known of him) and explanation of his thoughts.

Not super detailed since translation of bunch of his works takes up quite a bit of space so space for himself was bit limited but good start.

**Trondheim**

KamikazeCanuck wrote:
Alpharius wrote:
KamikazeCanuck wrote:

I'm working on it! Read the first one. Was wondering what else is out there.

Definitely Neal Asher's POLITY series!

Start with GRIDLINKED - you won't regret it!

Interesting, that may be just what i'm looking for. It kind of looks like that "The Expanse" show on Sy Fy.

You can never regrett reading Polity books, amazing works all around

If I where to recomend any particular book by Neal Asher set in that setting it would be The Tecnichian, Gridlinked and Shadow of the Scorpion

**BobtheInquisitor**

I started reading the Star Trek Vanguard series after watching Beyond. Pretty good.

I've also been reading Robert B. Parker's Spenser novels, which are well worth a read for anyone. I'm not much of a mystery/thriller reader, having given up halfway through most of the genre's classics, but the Spenser books have me hooked.

One of these days, I'll really go outside my comfort zone and read one of those romance books by Zane. Maybe.

**jreilly89**

Picked up book 4 of Dresden Files after finishing Salem's Lot. I'd highly recommend Salem's to any classic horror fan, it's very traditional vampire stuff

**toasteroven**

Re-reading the Dalemark Quartet by Diana Wynne Jones. Still enjoyable.

**ZergSmasher**

BobtheInquisitor wrote:
I started reading the Star Trek Vanguard series after watching Beyond. Pretty good.

Star Trek: Vanguard is possibly my favorite Star Trek novel series ever! You will enjoy them!

I'm now reading Bombs Away, by Harry Turtledove. Basically it's the story of what might have happened if the US had dropped atomic bombs on China during the Korean War in order to stop Chinese troops from entering North Korea. Let's just say the Cold War gets very hot... Anyway, good alternate history by an author who has written many good alternate history stories, notably the United States of Atlantis stories.

**Yautja Ancient**

Arthur C Clarke, Of time and stars and Re-reading A Clockwork Orange because, why not

**Col. Dash**

John Ringo's Grunge set in the Monster Hunter International universe.

**kronk**

Dark Duets. It's a collection of short stories, mostly horror. Each story is a collaboration between 2 authors, but I've never heard of any of them.

Some are decent, some are lame.

**KamikazeCanuck**

Dune Messiah

**Silent Puffin?**

jreilly89 wrote:
Picked up book 4 of Dresden Files after finishing Salem's Lot. I'd highly recommend Salem's to any classic horror fan, it's very traditional vampire stuff

I eventually lost interest in the Dresden Files but I did enjoy the earlier ones. The Codex Aleria books are also good (although a little bit Teens save the world!)

I should probably start reading Steven King again, I still haven't read some of this famous stuff like Pet cemetary or The Stand.

I have just spent a week on exercise so I had plenty of time to read, including:

Perdido Street Station by China Mieville. A very unusual fantasy novel but very inventive and certainly worth reading. I don't think that I would like living in New Corbuzon....

The Hobbit-not much to day there

Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaimen. I read this years ago and it hasn't aged particularly well due to its quite heavy use of popular culture references but Crowley and Aziraphal make a good duo.

**jreilly89**

Silent Puffin? wrote:
jreilly89 wrote:
Picked up book 4 of Dresden Files after finishing Salem's Lot. I'd highly recommend Salem's to any classic horror fan, it's very traditional vampire stuff

I eventually lost interest in the Dresden Files but I did enjoy the earlier ones. The Codex Aleria books are also good (although a little bit Teens save the world!)

I should probably start reading Steven King again, I still haven't read some of this famous stuff like Pet cemetary or The Stand.

I have just spent a week on exercise so I had plenty of time to read, including:

Perdido Street Station by China Mieville. A very unusual fantasy novel but very inventive and certainly worth reading. I don't think that I would like living in New Corbuzon....

The Hobbit-not much to day there

Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaimen. I read this years ago and it hasn't aged particularly well due to its quite heavy use of popular culture references but Crowley and Aziraphal make a good duo.

Yeah, Dresden Files are fun just as a light read. I highly recommend The Stand, It, and Hearts in Atlantis. All great books.