Book recommendations

[ziggy]

I usually have one book going all the time that I read in my spare time. My last 4 or 5 books have all been in the sci-fi genre. For my next couple I think that I may switch it up and read something in the sports genre preferably basketball or football. Michael Strahan has a new book out that he was discussing on PTI last night that sounded interesting.
Are there any others in that genre that you guys would recommend?

[Edrow]

Two books that I have read in the past year or so that have been AWESOME:

1) Jimi Hendrix: The Man, The Magic, The Truth. It's written by his friend Sharon Lawrence. A really insightful book that shows just how cool of a person Hendrix really was. It also is startling just how many people used him for their own fortune. A great read if you like his music.

2) Confederacy of Dunces. One of the funniest and strangest books I've ever read. It deals with an introvert oddball who lives in the Big Easy and sleezes his way through life. This book was made famous after the guy who wrote it died, I think his grandma or mother sent it in and it got published.

As far as sports books goes. I bought the Pete Rose book a few years ago. It wasn't too bad. If you dig baseball, it's definitely worth the money to check it out. It shows just how hard he really worked to become the hit king. It's also (of course) about how he got started into gambling, and the antics and hardships that it brought him.

-Edrow

[Dunk]

Feinstein did a couple of very good basketball books so I'd recommend those. Especially the one about the Patriot league.

I'd probably be a lot more help on scifi and fantasy since that's about 80% of what I read. :)

[ziggy]

Feinstein did a couple of very good basketball books so I'd recommend those. Especially the one about the Patriot league.

I'd probably be a lot more help on scifi and fantasy since that's about 80% of what I read. :)
I love sci-fi, but I'm going to take a short break from it. Thanks for
Dunk and Edrow, Thanks for the recommendations.

[davcbow]

Still one of my favorite books is "2001 A Space Odyessey".... :g:

[ziggy]

I loved the movie, but never got around to reading the book.

[davcbow]

I loved the movie, but never got around to reading the book.


The book is at least twice as good as the movie. We are talking Arther C. Clarke one of the best sci-fi writters ever. Stanley Kubrick did the movie.... :g:

[Edrow]

Believe it or not (Don't kick me off the message board), I've never seen that movie or read the book. I've always wanted to though. I can never get past the monkey scene in the beginning for some reason.

How about Tron? Was Tron a book before a movie?

[davcbow]

2001 A Space Odessey was the first book.
2010 The Year We Make Contact was the second book.
3001 The Final Odessey was the 3rd book, but Ive never read that one yet....
Really good reading Edrow, Im not sure about Tron, Ive seen the Walt Disney movie of it though. I'm sure they would have a book to it.... :g:

[Edrow]

I need to read one or at least see the films. Fortunately there is no shortage of sci-fi films out there.

It makes for great late night tv. Does anyone recall the name of the film about the giant robots fighting? I'm not talking about the Robo Wars one, I'm talking about the more colorful one, where it's almost like a league or something like that. It's got a funny name. I miss that movie.

-Edrow

[dvdbumpus]

A great book is "Phantoms" by Dean Koontz. Horror/sci-fi/thriller. Very upbeat and exciting.

A book I want to read though is that new Will Smith movie "I am legend". It looks awesome!

[ziggy]

A great book is "Phantoms" by Dean Koontz. Horror/sci-fi/thriller. Very upbeat and exciting.

I actually have that one on my bookshelf, but haven't read it yet. I picked it up at a yard sale several months ago. I'm glad to hear that its a good read.

[Dunk]

Still one of my favorite books is "2001 A Space Odyessey".... :g:



The book was far superior to the movie given the fact that the book actually made sense.

I'm finishing up the Dark Tower series.

[ziggy]

Still one of my favorite books is "2001 A Space Odyessey".... :g:



The book was far superior to the movie given the fact that the book actually made sense.

I'm finishing up the Dark Tower series.

I've read about half of the Dark Tower series up to the beginning of Wolves of the Calla. Which book are you on?

[Jonathanmartin7]

I read up until Blane the Train? in the dark tower series. Anybody read Robert Jordan, or David Eddings? I've read everything they have written at least twice.

Ziggy are you a Tarheel fan, if so Dean has a few old books out that are good reads.

I'll have to check out that book "phantoms".

[ziggy]

JonathanMartin7,
I'm not a Tarheel fan, but I'll still add those Dean Smith books to my list.

[Jonathanmartin7]

That's ok Ziggy. Don't worry about not being a Tarheel fan, I mean nobody is perfect!

Except for me, I thought I was wrong once, but I was mistaken.

[Muttley]

Except for me, I thought I was wrong once, but I was mistaken.

That's awesome! Too bad you're a tarheel fan...

[Jonathanmartin7]

I've rooted for the heel's in every sport since I new what sports were. So I'm not a band wagon jumper. Most Duke fans I know just pull for them in basketball, when they win I hear it big time. But in football they never say a word. UNLESS they win, then they have a riot. lol.

Still at least we agree on this....BOBCATS RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Muttley]

All that may be true.
I'm a State fan, thick and thin (lately mostly thin).

I just liked that line. It was hilarious.

[Jonathanmartin7]

My oldest Daughter goes to State. She hates all sports though, took after her mother. Wasn't trying to make any suggestions there. Just typing. I root for the ACC in college sports, and any team in the Carolina's.

[Dunk]

Still one of my favorite books is "2001 A Space Odyessey".... :g:



The book was far superior to the movie given the fact that the book actually made sense.

I'm finishing up the Dark Tower series.

I've read about half of the Dark Tower series up to the beginning of Wolves of the Calla. Which book are you on?



I plan on starting the last one today.



I read up until Blane the Train? in the dark tower series. Anybody read Robert Jordan, or David Eddings? I've read everything they have written at least twice.



I've read the Wheel of Time by Jordan countless times. Especially the first four books. I have no clue what will happen now that he's dead. I enjoyed Eddings Belgariad and Mallorean series as well although they became kind of formulaic as they progressed. His works afterwards....not good.

I'd STRONGLY recommend George RR Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series. It's like the Sopranos in a medieval setting. Tons of sex, violence, and politics.

[Jonathanmartin7]

I didn't know he had died. Sorry to hear that.

[Edrow]

Go Heels!

Sorry guys. I'm a nerd.

[davcbow]

LOL, thats alright. Go UVA! Im a geek from Virginia Beach originally.... :g:

[qchoops]

I highly recommend both of Malcolm Gladwell's books: The Tipping Point and Blink. Very interesting and thought provoking works. Another favorite of mine is "The Robe", by Lloyd C. Douglas. A sports book - The Miracle of St. Anthony, by Adrian Wojnarowski, about a season with Bob Hurley (the high school basketball coach, and father of Bobby).

[dnbman]

Phil Jackson's books are pretty interesting. "Sacred Hoops" is by far the better book. It's a mixture of biography, basketball, and philosophy. Good stuff.

I second Feinstein's book on the Patriot League: great book! I don't care for college basketball and still loved it.

I've had "The Punch" and "Big O" on my shelf for a while and have yet to read either. I hear they're both great though.

I've got lots of recommendations for other genres if you're interested.

[ziggy]

These are all great recommendations, I think that I'm going to order Sacred Hoops off of Amazon, it sounds like a real good read.

Currently I'm reading (mostly on my lunch hour) Phantoms, by Dean Koontz. Its really, really good f you like that genre.

[dvdbumpus]

Currently I'm reading (mostly on my lunch hour) Phantoms, by Dean Koontz. Its really, really good f you like that genre.


Told ya! How far along are you?

[ziggy]

Currently I'm reading (mostly on my lunch hour) Phantoms, by Dean Koontz. Its really, really good f you like that genre.


Told ya! How far along are you?
I just got past the point where the moth-like creature attacked Wargle. Right now I'm not sure what the creatures are, my guess is Aliens .

[dvdbumpus]

Currently I'm reading (mostly on my lunch hour) Phantoms, by Dean Koontz. Its really, really good f you like that genre.


Told ya! How far along are you?
I just got past the point where the moth-like creature attacked Wargle. Right now I'm not sure what the creatures are, my guess is Aliens .


Ah yes, the part where the moth eats off his face and consumes his brain? That part was sweeeet.

[davcbow]

John A. Keel’s book "The Mothman Prophecies" this is also a movie....
Good book and also a good movie....:g:

[Edrow]

Ziggy,

I forgot to mention that I'm getting ready to read "Money Ball", the story about one of the greatest owners in all of sports, Billy Beane.

Beane has gotten the A's to at least be competitive with the other American League powerhouses, with a small payroll. He has even got the area to build a baseball only stadium for his team (Which to my knowledge, isn't actually going to be directly in Oakland unfortunately, their current location rocks!).

If you like baseball I'll let you know how it is after I read it.

-Edrow

[ziggy]

Currently I'm reading (mostly on my lunch hour) Phantoms, by Dean Koontz. Its really, really good f you like that genre.


Told ya! How far along are you?
I just got past the point where the moth-like creature attacked Wargle. Right now I'm not sure what the creatures are, my guess is Aliens .


Ah yes, the part where the moth eats off his face and consumes his brain? That part was sweeeet.

Hey Bumpus,
I finished Phantoms today at lunch. That was a damned good book. Is there anything else by Koontz that you would recommend?

[Jonathanmartin7]

Koontz has written NOTHING bad, all his books are very,very good.

[dvdbumpus]

Hey Bumpus,
I finished Phantoms today at lunch. That was a damned good book. Is there anything else by Koontz that you would recommend?



Go with "The Face of Fear" next. Here's the synopsis on Barnes and Noble:


To stop a brutal killer, the NYPD enlists the help of clairvoyant Graham Harris. He sees the murders in his mind--sometimes at the moment they are happening. Then he sees the most terrifying vision of all--his own murder...



It's pretty awesome. Another book you should try is "Meg" by Steve Alten. That book is really good. I've got plenty of others.

[Edrow]

I have an idea,

Ziggy how about you stop reading and get your butt on Halo 3 there guy? Where have you been man?!?! It's getting crazy out there in alien land! We need you!

On a serious note, what about those old Stephen King books? I always heard that the books were far superior to the movies, is that true? I'd love to read Tommyknockers or It.

-Edrow

[ziggy]

I have an idea,

Ziggy how about you stop reading and get your butt on Halo 3 there guy? Where have you been man?!?! It's getting crazy out there in alien land! We need you!
-Edrow
LOL, for the past week or two, I've been playing the Orange Box. Portal is a blast for those that haven't tried it yet. I did play a little Halo 3 last night and I was very rusty. I got my butt handed to me on an engraved silver platter :biggrin: but it was still a lot of fun.

[Edrow]

Update: "Moneyball" was pretty good. It got dry at times though. It reminded me of the Pete Rose book.

If you like soccer, then you should definitely read "Fever Pitch", by Nick Hornby. This is the novel that started it all. It's Hornby's account of his fanaticism with North London club Arsenal. An awesome book. Easy to read, and short.

I'm in the middle of Tom Brokaw's new book "Boom!". It's basically a bunch of people's accounts of how the Sixties went down. It's a great book, but it's really long.

-Edrow

[ziggy]

I'm currently reading "The Coyote Kings of the Space Age bachelor pad" (I have about 40 pages left) by Minister Faust. Its part science fiction, part fantasy, part comedy... Its a bizarre read.

[dvdbumpus]

I'd love to read, but I have absolutely no time....

[ziggy]

I'd love to read, but I have absolutely no time....

I'm kind of in the same boat, I usually just read 15 or 20 pages during my lunch hour.

[dnbman]

I'm reading Brian Greene's The Elegant Universe.

It's a head trip if you don't know much about physics (which I don't.)

He basically explains what we know about the physics of big things (theory of relativity) like planets and stars and what we know about small things (quantum mechanics) like electrons and quirks, and how these two things might work together via Superstring Theory.

He writes in a very clear way that explains things pretty nicely. Although, he was making an argument for the relativity of time that was really doing my head in.

Still, very good so far.