Hard Light Productions Forums
Off-Topic Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: Stunaep on December 29, 2003, 03:09:42 pm
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Yes! Book-nerds (whom I consider to be *a lot* more fun than some of the other types, no offense meant for anyone) rejoice! Share your experience, tell us about what you're reading now.
Just to start off:
I'm currently half-way through Franc McLynn's "Napoleon" and on the last pages of Edvard Radzinski's "Stalin". As for fiction, currently I'm not reading anything, since I've got about 8 historical books lined up for the winter holidays. Last ones I finished were Lothar-Günther Buckheim's "Das Boot" and Tolkien's "The Silmarillion" (just to refresh my memory)
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Halo - The Fall of Reach (90 - 120 pages into it)
LOTR - FOTR (250 something pages into it IIRC)
Julius Caeser (The play) - Act 1, Scene 5
Night - need to read it before next monday, but haven't started yet.
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just started Dude wheres my country.
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Just about to finish Children of the Mind by Orson Scott Card (last book in the Ender Series) which I'm rereading because I decided to reread the Bean series before buying Shadow Puppets and then I ended up wanting to reread the Ender series too.
After that I have the 5th Honor Harrington book lined up next followed by the third Darwin Awards book (A well guessed Chrimbo present from my sister).
After that I have a list of books I want to read including
Lord of the Rings - (About time for it's annual reading)
The Prince by Machiavelli (I've been meaning to read this one for years and it's not like it's a long book!)
There's a Hair in my Dirt by Gary Larson (Found it on sale for a couple of pounds and I'm a big Far Side fan so I thought why not :D )
Once I've done all that I'll go buy Shadow Puppets.
Originally posted by Krackers87
just started Dude wheres my country.
I bought my mum that for Christmas. I'll probably get a look at it after she's read it (Only fair considering I introduced her to Micheal Moore by giving her my copy of Stupid White Men and lending her my copy of Bowling for Columbine)
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"Dude Where's My Country" rocks. I don't agree with Michael Moore completely, but he does raise a few good points.
Currently reading "Crossroads of Twilight" by Robert Jordan, rereading Code Complete, and studying a few books on number theory, encryption and discrete maths.
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Right now I'm reading "It" by Stephen King. I never saw the mini-series that was done, but I usually never see a movie or mini series first if there was a book done. Especially if it's a writer who I enjoy. I didn't rent it either when I saw it at blockbuster a month ago, and that's only because they usually crap Stephen King books in movies or mini series.
I must say, this book is incredible. To be one of his first books, it has to be one of best written. I only have about 60 pages left which I'll probably finish tonight or leave it for the next time I go do laundry. I always hate the feeling when I get near the end of a good book, not wanting it to finish.
After this book, I don't know what I'll be reading next. Maybe I'll read "Damnation Game" by Clive Barker again.
Yes, I'm a horror nut. If u can suggest a good horror book, do so :D
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Right now? "La Dernière Colline" ( The Last Hill ) by Régines Deforges.
It's the 6th book of a series ( that count 7, I think ). It follows a french chick through WW2 ( the 3 first books ), then she goes with her soon-to-be-husband in Argentina where he's gonna help a jewish friend who hunts down the nazi female doctor who tortured her ( book 4 ), then it's in Indochina ( Vietnam ) with her ( now ) husband ( book 5 ). Still in Indochina right now ( book 6 ). The 4th one wasn't as good, but all in all the series is excellent, but not for kids.
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I'm reading War of the Worlds again.
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[color=66ff00]I started reading State of the Art by Iain M. Banks last night, I'm sick (again :blah: ) so I didn't get much sleep and ended up reading about 3/4 of the book. Funny, horrific, unsettling, mind warping and beautiful all in one package.
Banks kicks ass. :nod:
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In progress:
Tatarkiewicz (polish author , some say one of the best) "History of philosophy" or smg like that....
Plato "The State" awesome.....
Anatolij Rybakov "Arbat's Children" that is A Book....
Just finished:
Author (can't remember) "Stalin's people"
Author (can't remember) "The Barbarossa Plan"
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Well, in the middle of reading Brian Bates 'The Real Middle-Earth'. (About Europes dark ages)
After that I got a whole slew of books waiting to be graced by my eyes. Among others two ambrose books (D-Day and Citizen Soldier), The Brigade (About a brigade of jewish soldiers formed by Churchill in WW2), and alot of fiction. And ofcourse after I've finnished all that. I might start reading all those star wars books everyones screaming about. Then get around to reading LOTR once again (I wuv my battered copy)...
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Morgoth's Ring (aka The History Of Middle-earth Part X)
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Originally posted by Petrarch of the VBB
I'm reading War of the Worlds again.
Good book that. H.G Wells wrote very good books for long journeys. You can start reading them and finish just about the time you reach your destination :D Last time I read WotW I did it in only a few hours and IIRC The Time Machine is even shorter.
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Finished Orson Scott Card's "Pastwatch: The Redemption of Christopher Colombus" a few weeks ago. That was nice and different. :yes:
Now I'm reading Michael Chrichton's "Prey" - just started, though.
I can highly, highly recommend an on-going series (soon-to-be-trilogy, dunno if it'll continue beyond that) by Peter David:
Sir Apropos of Nothing, The Woad to Wuin, and (forthcoming) Tong Lashing. :D They rock.
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Michael Palin - Sahara (travel book). Xmas pressy.
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I'm currently reading Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. It's pretty damn good.
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[color=cc9900]Currently, "Moo", by Jane Smiley. I picked it up in the School Library as an afterthought because of the weird title, but it's actually an 'adult' book satiring University life. Which is rather good. It has the 'jump from character to character in very different places on a regular basis' quality, which is one of the numerous things I like about Ian Banks' novels, and he just happens to be my favourite author.[/color]
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Vinge - A Deepness in the Sky
Melville - Moby Dick
Dennett - Consciousness Explained
Damn, been reading those for some time already.. ah, the times I had no net conn nor a TV (or a job, for that matter ;) )
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Quest of The Absolute - Balzac
Crime and Punishment - Dostoevsky
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I just finished The Elder Gods by David Eddings, and was fairly disappointed. I'm getting the first three X Wing books on Saturday - in the interim I may have a look at History of Britain - Mum's got all three books.
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Im reading absolutly nothing. Its winter break. suckas
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Freedom At Midnight
Isaac Asimov: Robot Dreams
That's about it actually. Only 2 books i've read recently (Freedom At Midnight I'm reading again).
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*surfs the information super-highway over to Amazon.com*
Man, that's gotta be the most retarded action I have ever participated in. Someone, please, shoot me.
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Originally posted by Kalfireth
I'm currently reading Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. It's pretty damn good.
Truly excellent. Don't forget to read American Gods. :D
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my list for the last few days... :p
A Treatise on the Theory of Bessel Functions (G.N. Watson)
A Course of Modern Analysis (E.T. Whittaker and G.N. Watson)
The Psychology of Invention in the Mathematical Field (J. Hadamard)
Asymptotic Methods in Analysis (N.G. de Bruijn)
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Yep, that's CP alright. :p
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Lotr trilogy and morgoth's ring
Simarlion
Ian M. banks books
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Right, someone fill me in, what the hell is "Dude, where's my country?" and why the hell is it so great?
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Latest Michael Moore book. The guy who won an oscar for Bowling for Columbine. Basically he explains all about Bush's corruption amongst other things.
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Bah, I don't think I could read him. He's too one sided, bias, and enjoys skewing information and reality in whatever way will fit with what he's whining about this time around. Yeah he's funny, hilarious even. But I don't think I'd read a book of his. I'd get the feeling my mind was cluttered with filth.
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Currently, The Naked God by Peter F. Hamilton.
Space Opera at it finest.
Next, The Ultimate Weight Solution: The 7 Keys to Weight Loss Freedom by Phil McGraw.
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Tank Lords by David Drake.
Starliner by same.
Lord Valentine's Castle by Robert Silverberg.
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The Lair of Bones - David Farland
4th book of an absolutely awesome series called 'Runelords' well recommended :)
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Currently re-reading The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy, though not in any order, just a bit here and there. Utterly, utterly, uterrly, utterly brilliant book.
next up, Fight Club.
edit: And here's a question to all you Douglas Adams fans out there. I loved THHGTTG, so would I enjoy any of Adams' other books?
Oh and, wasn't Crimes and Punishment by Cesare Beccaria, a criminal-law philosopher during the Enlightenment period? In case you're wondering, I did a project on him, thats how I know.
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Just finished 'Nightwatch' by Terry Pratchett, currently reading 'Fleet action' a Wing Commander novel.
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Originally posted by Rictor
edit: And here's a question to all you Douglas Adams fans out there. I loved THHGTTG, so would I enjoy any of Adams' other books?
The first three in the Hitchhikers Series were hilarious. The last two were funny but not as good (still worth reading though).
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Originally posted by J3Vr6
Bah, I don't think I could read him. He's too one sided, bias, and enjoys skewing information and reality in whatever way will fit with what he's whining about this time around. Yeah he's funny, hilarious even. But I don't think I'd read a book of his. I'd get the feeling my mind was cluttered with filth.
Depends on your opinions beforeheand.... I'm not a big(!) fan of Bush, so I agreed with a lot of stuff he said in the 2 books I've got (for Xmas) - although there was some stuff I felt was a bit overdone. He does raise a lot of good points, though.
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Lynx, Nightwatch is brilliant, but if you get the chance, read 'Wee Free Men' it's his best in years ;)
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Originally posted by karajorma
The first three in the Hitchhikers Series were hilarious. The last two were funny but not as good (still worth reading though).
I agree. Its very segmented that way, the first 3 books being as one, and the last 2 books as another. I think that the last 2 books were less about wacky, random events and all that, and more about actual human emotions and interactions. I liked the first 3 better, but it was all very good. Though some bits during the last 2 books were a bit on the sad side.
I meant any of Adams' book other than the HHGTTG series, since I have the omnibus edition of it (A Trilogy in Five Parts). Stuff like *goes to find book* Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, The Meaning of Liff (as well as The Deeper Meaning of Liff), Starship Titanic and so forth.
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As for Michael Moore, though I agree with his politics (ends), I do not *always* agree with his arguements (means). Funny guy though, and very persuasive.
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Originally posted by Holy Imperial Gloriano
Lotr trilogy and morgoth's ring
Simarlion
Ian M. banks books
Funny you should mention Morgoth's Ring. Today, I picked up a book at random from a small pile in my room, and guess what: Morgoth's Ring. I've read (well, read some, skimmed the rest) of the extended Hsitory of Middle-Earth, and one particular chapter in Morgoth's Ring has really captivated me.
Athrabeth Finrod Ah Andreth.
A conversation held between Finrod and Andreth, a human woman. Its very thought-out and very deep, and does an excellent job on answering (or atleast clarifying for further study) some of the finer point of Tolkien's mythology. Such things as hope, the destiny of Elves and Men in Ea, the division of body and spirit and so forth. I very much recommend that you read it. For the die-hard Tolkienite only, as its by no means an easy read. But if you are interested in some of the deeper questions in Tolkien's universe; by all means: read it.
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I just finished reading Force Heretic I-III and The Final Prophecy in the star wars NJO series. Anybody got a copy of TuF that I can borrow?
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Children of Dune - Frank Herbert
Call of Ctulhu - H.P. Lovecraft
The Long Dark Tea Time of the Soul - Douglas Adams
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Originally posted by Thorn
The Long Dark Tea Time of the Soul - Douglas Adams
Any good? And what's the general gist of it? It's pretty strange, since I was just asking for people's opinion on Adams' other books.
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Tom Clancey's Rainbow Six
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Originally posted by Lynx
Just finished 'Nightwatch' by Terry Pratchett.
I stopped reading Pratchett after Reaper Man. He just ceased being that funny (I think I actually laughed twice while reading Hogfather).
It's a real pity as sometimes when reading his earlier books I'd laugh so hard I cried.
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I'm conservative but not a Bush fan...I wouldn't mind if Michael Moore would go throw himself in front of traffic, honestly. IMO, of course :P
Currently reading Prey by Crichton, The Fellowship of the Ring, and The Wolves of the Calla by King. Nothing deep but all quality :D
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Originally posted by Rictor
Any good? And what's the general gist of it? It's pretty strange, since I was just asking for people's opinion on Adams' other books.
[color=cc9900]Yup, it's good. The general gist? Exploding airports, Dirk Gently, Norse gods, and fundamental interconnectedness. You really have to read it to understand ^_^[/color]
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Yeah.. its pretty wonky...
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karajorma, dn't give up on Pratchett, Hogfather was crap, even he admitted that, but he's back on form now, Nightwatch was great, Wee Free Men was brilliant, though Monstrous Regiment, his new one, left me a bt cold :(
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I'm reading Inside Truespace 4 at the mo. by Frank Riviera.
I'm not kidding.
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I've got that but I've not read much of it (looked pretty good though).
As for Pratchett I did read Men at Arms too based on a reccomendation of a friend and I found it equally unfunny. I think he went too far in trying to be serious and in going from comedy to comedy-drama all the best jokes got left behind. I might go to the library and borrow Nightwatch but there's no way I'm paying for anything of his again unless I've already read it once and enjoyed it.
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Ender's Shadow
Shadow of the Hegemon
both by Orson Scott Card
Posted by CP5670 A Treatise on the Theory of Bessel Functions (G.N. Watson) A Course of Modern Analysis (E.T. Whittaker and G.N. Watson) The Psychology of Invention in the Mathematical Field (J. Hadamard Asymptotic Methods in Analysis (N.G. de Bruijn)
Seriously CP, i'm not surprised.
and don't top it off with one of your famous crazy complex equations.
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Dragons of the Fallen Sun by Hickmann and Weiss
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Frank Herbert's Dune full edition.
The books (8), not the game.
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Picked up Moo for the same reasons as Odyssey, and in the same place no less. So that's what I do when I'm bored in between classes.
At home I'm reading Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein. And it's A-1. :nod:
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Noam Chomksy's Hegemony or Survival.
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I have no idea how this surfaced, but anyhow:
Kafka's "The Castle" and Allan Massie's "Claudius"
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Seriously CP, i'm not surprised.
and don't top it off with one of your famous crazy complex equations.
This is my brother; just ignore him. :p
I have no idea how this surfaced
It looks like he did it. :p
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well i just finished The Butlerian Jihad and i'm going to start reading the Machine Crusade later on in the week.
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Well, since I've been reading some new stuff....
"****eki ****eki Jyakku; Jack The Poetical Private" by Hiroshi Mori
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[color=66ff00]I finished both 'The state of the art' and 'Use of Weapons' by Mr. Banks.
The former was quite good, a new perspective on something I thought I'd figured out. The latter is probably brilliant but it just seemed to wash over me until the end when it hit me like a ton of bricks. I still rate consider phlebas and the player of games above both.
Started reading dead air, very witty stuff, hard to get into but I think that's mostly due to my almost religious sway towards Sci-fi, it's growing on me.
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I've just finished Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, which was excellent. Amazingly.. understated, too. You can't really understand unless you read.
I'm now reading Neverwhere by Gaiman. Pretty good so far, but it hasn't grabbed me like Good Omens did.. yet.
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Currently, nothing. But I just finished Stephen King's 'The Regulators'. Very good book, too bad its too gruesome to be a movie.
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Star Trek Deep Space Nine
Mission Gamma - Twilight (Book 1 of 4)
Upto Pg326... Not as interesting as I presumed it would be. :sigh: still gotta finish the other 3 books though
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Originally posted by neo_hermes
well i just finished The Butlerian Jihad and i'm going to start reading the Machine Crusade later on in the week.
Bah! BAH!
If its not written by Frank, its not Dune.
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I'm reading Isaac Asimov's foundation books, just finished Foundations Edge and am reading Foundation and Earth.
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Just finished Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and am now on the lookout for more Hunter S Thompson books.
Everyone should read this book, it's hillarious.
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i just finished Lindsey Davis: Two for The Lions, part 10 of the Falco series. i read all of the forgoing too, and i finished the dutch translation of Zen Computer. i read Artemis Fowl, The Etnernity Code by Eoin Colfer last, but i read it when i was really, really ill, it was a childrens book and i read it before, and i needed some entertainment, can;t remember half of it though. twas nice i geuss.
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and now I'am reading Use of Weapons by Banks
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Originally posted by demon442
Currently, nothing. But I just finished Stephen King's 'The Regulators'. Very good book, too bad its too gruesome to be a movie.
Read it's sisterbook, 'Desperation' by Richard Bachman (King's pen name). It's the same characters, same antagonist, but completely different story line. Desperation is a better book than Regulators...
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Originally posted by Thorn
Bah! BAH!
If its not written by Frank, its not Dune.
:blah: it exists and i must read it.
Edit: man i've got to slow down... I meant the Machine Crusade Exist and i must read it... later.
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Originally posted by J3Vr6
Read it's sisterbook, 'Desperation' by Richard Bachman (King's pen name). It's the same characters, same antagonist, but completely different story line. Desperation is a better book than Regulators...
I need to find it, the school library doesnt have it and the public library just plain sucks. I felt that Regulators was a bit repeditive at times and the sections in the chapters got a little confusing. The character's personalities all seem to blend together, leaving me to try to figure out just who is who. But the detail was amazing and contributed a lot to the size of the book, and the sheer joy of reading the 'power wagon' scenes made it all worth-while.
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Books, eh? I got about a third into Robotech: Doomsday, but that was a few months back...
Working my way through On Basilisk Station (first foray into the Honor Harrington universe, so far I like what I've read).
And I've been trying to scrounge up copies of the other Culture novels (only been through Excession)...looks like online ordering for me.
And for coursework reading, Homer's Illiad and Odyssey :)
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"The Fundamentals of Theory, Design, and Operation of Jet Engines".
Only book i've really read more than once. Its great for reference, being an Aerospace Engineering student.
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Dynamic Strength by Harry Wong
Eishin-Ryu Swordsmanship by Some Japanese Dude (can't remember his name off-hand)
Just finished The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks (man, this book is f***ed up)
Before that, the "Dark Materials" trilogy by Philip Pullman - supposed to be kiddies books, but they're fantastic. Third time in six months...
Good Omens is brilliant - the best jointly authored book I've read.
Iain M Banks-wise, the best ones are Consider Phlebas, Player of Games and Against A Dark Background. AADB is his most "normally" written book (hardly any of the jumping between timelines and places in no particular order), but it's so, so good. Very moving, and rather morbid, but great. Read it. :nod: