Speakin o books...

[soulforged]

Been following the show for a while... er.. 1 year.

Great show guys. I love to talk about games, movies, comics with my friends too but most of them (except 2 or 3) dont 'get' it like me. Not many people out there treat said media more than junk food. They dont know it is culture in development or how important it is.

That said, knowing Jeff thru the show, I am surprised he hasnt had any books by Bernard Cornwell yet. Try 'The Last Kingdom' and 'Lords of the North' Jeff. Or 'Azincourt' too.

I 'read' them as audiobooks and I thought they are so well read that I cannot imagine experiencing them in any other way.

Great show, thank you guys.

[trsjeff]

Thanks for the recommendation!

-Jeff

[ojimaru]

Jeff, by all means, get "The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents" by Terry Pratchett. Heck, get it for your nephew if you think it's too kiddy.

[dh_jin]

terry pratchett is pretty funny. but i like neil gaiman more so i'd say american gods. pretty awesome.

[soulforged]

Ah ya, I agree with Anasi Boys and American Gods, although Gaiman hasnt got any more books with that kind of shine lately.

For funny stuff check out Christopher Moore's 'Fool' and his other works.

But top of me list is still Bernard Cornwell's Saxon series. I really dont think I read better books than those.

[kilroyperrywinkle]

Moore's "Lamb" is the most perfect telling of the life of Jesus ever...

I'm a big listener to Pratchett. The themes and metaphors all wrapped in lovely King's English is the best way to pass mowing the lawn or getting groceries.

[ojimaru]

Ah ya, I agree with Anasi Boys and American Gods, although Gaiman hasnt got any more books with that kind of shine lately.

"The Graveyard Book" is the latest one I've read, although it's a re-publication. Good book for old and young.

And there's also his collaboration with Pratchett in "Good Omens", way back.

Oh, and if you're looking for writing finesse, get yourself a copy of David Mitchell's "Cloud Atlas".

[lavahot]

You know a book that I haven't heard Jeff mention that I think he'd really like is "Time Traveller's Wife." It's about this guy who leaps from time to time, setting right what once went wrong, and hoping that the next leap will be the leap home. OH, and he occasionally gets to bang strange women he hasn't met yet.

[soulforged]

"The Graveyard Book" is the latest one I've read, although it's a re-publication. Good book for old and young.

And there's also his collaboration with Pratchett in "Good Omens", way back.

Oh, and if you're looking for writing finesse, get yourself a copy of David Mitchell's "Cloud Atlas".

I tried 'Good Omens' but I couldnt really get into it. Unless I got mixed up, the way the story starts is very similiar to all the other books Gaiman wrote on parallel worlds like 'Coraline', 'Neverwhere' and all ther other short stories. It just too much of the same and there wasnt any hook to draw me on.

I got 'The Graveyard Book' as an audiobook and Gaiman read it himself and I just (no offense) dont prefer that and grew bored and I returned it. I would really have liked a professional narrator with some voice acting.

How does 'The Graveyard Book' stack up to 'Sandman', 'Stardust', 'Anasi Boys' and 'American Gods'? If it is up there I might just buy the book. But ultimately, other than 'Sandman', his other books are not really that good compared to other authors I read. I thought 'American Gods' is just ok... I will try David Mitchell the next time I visit the bookstore.

[ojimaru]

I tried 'Good Omens' but I couldnt really get into it. Unless I got mixed up, the way the story starts is very similiar to all the other books Gaiman wrote on parallel worlds like 'Coraline', 'Neverwhere' and all ther other short stories. It just too much of the same and there wasnt any hook to draw me on.
Good Omens (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Omens), for me, was a blast because it features two of my favourite authors: the razor wit of Terry Pratchett and the engaging characters of Neil Gaiman. I've never read Gaiman books back-to-back, so I'm not entirely sure what you meant about "similar starts".

I got 'The Graveyard Book' as an audiobook and Gaiman read it himself and I just (no offense) dont prefer that and grew bored and I returned it. I would really have liked a professional narrator with some voice acting.

How does 'The Graveyard Book' stack up to 'Sandman', 'Stardust', 'Anasi Boys' and 'American Gods'? If it is up there I might just buy the book. But ultimately, other than 'Sandman', his other books are not really that good compared to other authors I read. I thought 'American Gods' is just ok... I will try David Mitchell the next time I visit the bookstore.
By all means, read the book. Good writers aren't necessarily good speakers. "The Graveyard Book" is a novella, hence its lack of length. While the narration is simplistic, there is the depth of storytelling unique to Neil Gaiman; it's a children's book after all.

You know a book that I haven't heard Jeff mention that I think he'd really like is "Time Traveller's Wife." It's about this guy who leaps from time to time, setting right what once went wrong, and hoping that the next leap will be the leap home. OH, and he occasionally gets to bang strange women he hasn't met yet.
Incidentally, the movie adaptation (http://www.apple.com/trailers/newline/thetimetravelerswife/) is due next month.

[dolson]

I don't read much, but if I did, it'd be only Pratchett.

Terry Pratchett, at least. Rhianna made a mess of Mirror's Edge, though Heavenly Sword wasn't too bad.

So, I'm glad to see Pratchett mentioned in here.. I had expected something of his to show up on Jeff's shelf, but I didn't catch it if anything was there.

[trsjeff]

You know a book that I haven't heard Jeff mention that I think he'd really like is "Time Traveller's Wife." It's about this guy who leaps from time to time, setting right what once went wrong, and hoping that the next leap will be the leap home. OH, and he occasionally gets to bang strange women he hasn't met yet.

You... are joking, right Lava?

-Jeff

[trsjeff]

I had expected something of his to show up on Jeff's shelf, but I didn't catch it if anything was there.

I am a big library guy - take advantage of it quite often - so I'd say most of the things I read I don't actually own.

-Jeff

[dolson]

I am a big library guy - take advantage of it quite often - so I'd say most of the things I read I don't actually own.

-Jeff

Ah, gotcha. So, have you read anything by Terry? :) I'd recommend The Carpet People for a shorter read (I read it as a kid - it's about people... who live in a carpet), or jump into the Discworld series with Colour of Magic.

[lavahot]

You... are joking, right Lava?

-Jeff

Yup, sarcasm rules. :)

I mean, it's not like it's your second most mentioned thing ever next to the greatest show ever, NYPD Blue.

[lavahot]

I am a big library guy - take advantage of it quite often - so I'd say most of the things I read I don't actually own.

-Jeff

Oooo! You should put your two favorite things together, spending a day at the library, and geocaching. I bet LA has some huge libraries that would be fun to geocache in.

[hcolyn]

You... are joking, right Lava?

-Jeff

I am almost done with The Time Traveler's Wife - such an awesome book! After hearing Jeff talk about it, I added it to my ever growing "To Read" list and the next day I spotted it at a book sale.

Amazing amazing book, thanks Jeff!

[gglynn00]

Yup, sarcasm rules. :)

I mean, it's not like it's your second most mentioned thing ever next to the greatest show ever, NYPD Blue.

Ha!!! I just about shot milk out of my nose and got all choked up and started coughing. Some folks in my office peeked in my door to see what the fuss was all about:) Thanks for making my day!!!

[lavahot]

Ha!!! I just about shot milk out of my nose and got all choked up and started coughing. Some folks in my office peeked in my door to see what the fuss was all about:) Thanks for making my day!!!

It's all in a day's work, citizen. Sarcasm man, AWAY! WOOSH!

[mavtrav]

My favorite Science Fiction books would have to be Ender Series by Orson Scott Card. The first one i loved as a kid (Ender's Game), but reading it as adult was also great.

Dan Brown is also an author I am addicted to, Deception Point is about a meteorite discovered in the Arctic ice that may contain extraterrestrial life. Its about NASA, secret plots, and a murder mystery. It's awesome.

[hudson252]

A series that has kept me going for a long time is The Riftwar Saga by Raymond E. Feist. I have read it a million times. It is a coming or age tale about a peasant boy becoming the worlds greatest mage. You will love it Jeff!!! I guarantee it!:D

James
AKA Hudson

[dh_jin]

i thought good omens was pretty good, anansi boy is up there as one of my favs too.

just started time traveller's wife :P