1632 by Eric Flint.
But only because someone linked to a page where I could read it free online.
I am SO cheap…
Robin Hobb’s Farseer Trilogy. Very good series. Also read some Pratchet for the first time. I need to get more of both. I just bookmark the book recommendation threads so I remember what to look for later.
“I read Neuromancer thanks to the SDMB, and I swear one day I’m going to read more of Gibson’s stuff.”
Same here, will be getting Mona Lisa Overdrive next week, is it worth it or should i go for another title?
I already mentioned in another thread, but I’ve bought the following because of Doper user names and/or mentions:
A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs
The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne
Triplanetary by E.E. Smith
A Peoples History of the Untied States
Lies my Teacher Told Me
Lies and the Lying Liars That Tell Them
I asked for a few conservate books to balance it in one thread and got no replies so I guess I’ll just have to keep reading Liberal books.
I think it was either a “books that freaked you out” or “books on your shelf that get the strangest looks” thread.
Fast Food Nation and Guns, Germs and Steel and the two that pop to mind first. I know there are a few more.
I read the Ice and Fire series based on the recommendation of a particular Doper, but not because of any particular thread.
I also read the first Discworld book because so many were raving about it here. Not for me, though.
The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress
CrankyAsAnOldMan sent me Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier as part of an SDMB book swap. I probably would not have picked it up on my own, but I did enjoy it.
On the other hand, I recommend books all the time. I don’t know if anyone reads a book based on the recommendations or not, but hey, advice is free.
Someone (sorry, can’t remember who) recommended Peter Tremayne’s Sister Fidelma series. I picked one up at my library because of their description, and I’ve been hooked since.
I recommend that anyone liking historical mysteries should check these books out.
Patrick O’Brian’s Master & Commander series.
I would’ve had no idea they existed if not for this group.
I don’t know how I forgot to include Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond- I swear, the SD must have sent lots of money Mr. Diamond’s way. That book is mentioned very frequently here.
And now that our esteemed moderator has checked in, I remembered that I never would have even heard of Ukelele Ike had it not been for him. So thanks for that.
Movies:
I have followed almost every horror thread that’s come up.
Ringu
**Assault on Precinct
The works of Lucio Fulci
Suspiria
Short Stories:
“The Yellow Wallpaper”, by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
“Grenville’s Planet”, by Michael Shaara
More Books:
The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman
Edward Gorey (I don’t know how I missed this stuff the first time around)
Slaughterhouse: The Shocking Story of Greed, Neglect, and Inhumane Treatment Inside the U.S. Meat Industry by Gail A. Eisnitz
Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal by Eric Schlosser
Measly Middle Ages (Horrible Histories) byTerry Deary
The Hiroshima Maidens: A Story of Courage, Compassion, and Survival by Rodney Barker
Ace High: The War in the Air over the Western Front 1914-18 by Alan, Clark
Really, Really, Really, Really Weird Stories by John Shirley
Music:
Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra, etc / Herbert von Karajan, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra by Richard Strauss
The Vintage Recordings of Cliff Edwards (Ukulele Ike) by Cliff “Ukulele Ike”
Holst: The Planets / Dutoit, Montreal Symphony Orchestra (Penguin Music Classics Series) by G. Holst
Strung Out On OK Computer: The String Quartet Tribute To Radiohead by Various Artists
Moussorgsky: Night on Bald Mountain/Pictures at an Exhibition by Modest Mussorgsky
That’s enough for now.
That should be Assault on Precinct 13
Delphica sent me a couple of amazing books that otherwise I would have passed over and continued reading my sappy romance novels. Which I am proud to say I read so there.
The Lemon Jelly Cake is a definate keeper.
On Stranger Tides by Tim Powers is a book I brought up in discussion asking opinions on and have since bought and read through 75% of it. Have gone on to buy The Anubis Gate based on same recommendation.
The Emperors of Chocolate: the secret war between Hersey and Mars ( or something close to that) is a fascinating read into the story behind the two biggest candy makers in the US and nearly the world. For those who like a good behind the scenes historical account of things, this one is nicely paced and never runs dry. Cannot recommend it enough and it has given me loads of useless trivia to amaze my friends with.
Far and large, my favorite recommendation is Lindsey Davis and her Falco Mystery Series of which there are 15 books out now and I am on book 3. The humor of the main character is just top notch and the heroine is no fluff herself. This series is my Winter 2004 Self Assigned Winter Reading Project. ( Along with the rest of 2003’s winter project writer readings of Barbara Metzger, whose older books I’ve had to scrounge around to find.)
I would like to recommend a book for those who like a well researched, well written book of non-fiction: Tobacco: a cultural history of how an exotic plant seduced civilization by Iain Gately. Just fascinating on the history behind the noxious little weed. Its been a bathroom read since June and though it can be a bit dry at points, it amazes me how tobacco has saved society and destroyed it all the same.
Tobacco: A cultural history of how an exotic plant seduced civilisation
The Emperors of Chocolate: inside the secret world of Hershey and Mars
Lindsey Davis 1st book of the series: The Silver Pigs
Lindsey Davis’ website so that you can figure out the order of novels
The lemon jelly cake [size- **Thanks Delphica! ** thats my review that comes in in the numero uno spot.
The Anubis Gates
and one I forgot and who mentioned it, an out of print book Sinbad & Me If you ever find it anywhere, buy it. Very hard to find. Going price is anywhere from $50 - 150. I found my copy for $3, so you can imagine how happy I was and even happier when I realllllly liked the book. Its a young adult book, about 8-12 years of age reading range.
Guns, Germs, and Steel for me too.
I don’t even have room for a book case in this tiny apt. All my books are in many boxes,so I can’t look at them and say which ones came from SD referrals, but I estimate at least 50% are.
I am very fortunate in that while I am low income,my sister is definitely not,and when I get near the end of a pile of books,I just send her my wish list for 10 or 15 tomes and vwalaatida, they appear on my doorstep in a few days. For free! Who amongst you are guilty of envy? Really,that many?
But I was introduced to PHILIP KINDRED DICK by a book thread here,and he fascinated me. I went crazy on my wish lists and I’ve read probably 3/4 of everything he’s written. I suppose you either like him or not. I love 'im.
I also decided to read “THE MOON IS A HARSH MISTRESS” because of the SD. I’m not too impressed. Some of his ideas are interesting,but his characters and dialogue,as far as I’m concerned,are cliche’d and too itsy-cutesy. So there! All you Heinlein worshipers are free to despise me. I much prefer A C CLARKE. And remember,I get free, new(ah,that smell)books. Nyah!
I only have a couple that I’ve read exclusively because of Dopers.
I read House of Leaves because a lot of people here claimed it was the scariest book they ever read. It’s one of the least scary horror novels I’ve ever read, so it makes me really wonder about those people.
I also read Good Omens because people said it was really funny. And it was. When it wasn’t deadly boring.
I think there’s a reason there’s only been a couple…
The Crimson Petal and the White–I saw the thread, then saw the title in the bookstore, so I snatched it up–unusual for me, as I don’t usually read 900-page books on a whim. Thanks so much!