I was reading the other day and I realised we've never had a thread on books here as far as I know. I've put this in this section as it's semi-cultural hehe. Don't troll me because I like to read. This is a long post, just to warn you.

Basically I'm just wondering what people's favourite genres/authors/books are?

My favourite sorts of books are mainly sci-fi and fantasy, but I'll read anything I can get my hands on. I get through books so quickly it's ridiculous, but here's a rundown of my favourite authors.

Peter F. Hamilton - In my opinion he is one of the best science fiction writers of recent times. I haven't ever been disappointed with any of his books, but his Night's Dawn Trilogy is absolutely amazing. Some of the concepts in his books are very imaginative - if you've never read any of his books and like sci-fi I would SERIOUSLY recommend him.

Michael Moorcock - This guy is totally whacked out. I think half of his books were written while he was on a cocktail of psychedelics, but he is an absolutely amazing author in my opinion. I've read a lot of his stuff, but haven't yet read any of his most famous works, namely the books which form parts of the Elric of Melnibone series (should be on the way though, ordered this weekend). His writing style is very energetic, his descriptions are amazing, just a very good all-round author. Read both his sci-fi and non-sci-fi stuff and both are very good. Favourite books I've read of his so far are The Dancers at The End of Time and the Between The Wars series (consisting of Byzantium Endures, The Laughter of Carthage, Jerusalem Commands, The Vengeance of Rome, quite good titles really - these books are very interesting, following the life of a very bigoted young russian engineer with high hopes between the wars).

Bernard Cornwell - Another very good author, not really along my usual lines of sci-fi and fantasy, more like semi-historical fiction. I'm currently re-reading his grail quest series following the life of an English longbowman around the time of the hundred years war. Also wrote the Sharpe series. Good writing style and good story-telling.

Robin Hobb - Fantasy, very good fantasy. I started off with the farseer trilogy and have read everything she's written since. It's just good, pure and simple. Imaginative stuff, from dragons made of stone and brought to life by magic and memories, to ships made of real dragon cocoons that become cognizant over time and turn into Liveships.

Neal Stephenson - Again an amazing author. The Baroque Cycle is an absolute MUST-read - It has one of my favourite characters ever running throughout it, Half-Cocked Jack (yes, he's called that for the reason you think). Not gonna tell you more, just read it. *edit* - forgot to mention that some of the characters are very famous scientific figures such as Isaac Newton and the book contains a lot of detail about him, and the controversy surrounding the invention of calculus. His latest book Anathem is also VERY good. Seriously good author.

Tom Sharpe - My dad's recently gotten me into some of his books - only read a couple, but they're very witty and good easy reading.

Ok that's it for now because this post is getting stupidly long - I could reel off a ton more but that would be silly. Currently working my way through the SF masterworks collection, with tons of classic sci-fi from authors such as Arthur C Clarke etc. When I run out of books I'm reading my Dad's penguin classics such as Nana by Zola, etc etc - he has hundreds.

Good initiative.

Aravind Adiga. Indian writer whom i think is very realistic (without ever having been in India). He writes in a very subjective way which tends to wrap itself around you. Check out his debut "The White Tiger".

Jostein Gaarder. Norwegian writer who wrote "Sophies World". A book about the history of western philosophy from ancient Greece up until now.

EDIT: Hunter S. Thompson. Dancing on the border between manical and genius. Invented Gonzo Journalism.

I like books about IT security (in the widest sense) such as Secrets & Lies and The Art of Deception.

Also, Terry Pratchett, how could I forget. Mea culpa.

I've read Sophie's World and remember it being very very good, need to re-read it though as I read it when I was quite long and there's a lot of smoke and booze between then and now hehe

You really should. Check out Adiga while you're at it.

I definately have to read some Moorcock.

I have the entire discworld series bar a few books. I love fantasy and love terry pratchetts humour. I can reccomend a few but if you like that kind of thing there all brilliant

Same, Terry Pratchett is an awesome satirical writer, I have a shelf or two full of discworld novels, all very very good, forgot to mention him in the first post hehe. Favourite books out of these are probably the ones involving the guards, especially Sam Vimes (I think that's the name, been a while since I read them).

Ive just finised the night watch, which like most of them has vimes in. I think the shortest one is Mort and one i would reccomend to anyone that hasnt read any of his work before. Life and the wintersmith are awesome aswell!

Stephen E Ambrose
Learned about him in the Band of Brothers series, was probably my first book I read in english a few years back hehe. he did a couple more books, definetly recommend them, they're pretty awesome.

Edit:
oh also Mario Puzzo for the sake of the Godfather book lying next to my bed.
Fucking loved it

My favourite sci fi authors are:

Alfred Bester
The Stars My Destination (or Tiger, Tiger as it is also known) is the best sci fi story ever.
I don't care what any of you say.
Read it, then judge me.
It is perfect.

Alaistair Reynolds
This guy is pretty amazing at creating insanely wide ranging universes.
I particularly enjoyed his book Pushing Ice, which starts off with this in a really confined setting and expands in the most incredible way.

Philip K Dick
Apart from writing some of the craziest drug influenced novels ever, he also wrote some cracking sci fi.
Personal faves include Flow My Tears The Policeman Said and Songs of the Distant Earth.

Larry Niven
Really old school sci fi. Particular mention to the Gil Hamilton series of books, which is about a futuristic cop who has a psychic arm he can kill people with.
Ringworld was Niven's epic.

Frank Herbet
The Dune universe is the most richly detailed in the whole of sci fi.

Orson Scott Card
The Enders series was fascinating from many angles, and the idea of the Ender/Bean story was pretty cool.

And obligatory mention to George Orwell and Aldous Huxley for 1984 and Brave New World in that order, both absolutely fantastic and affecting books.

In terms of other authors/genres:

China Mievelle
Steampunk Adult Sci Fi Fiction, these books are fucking awesome. So. Freaking. Awesome.
The ideas contained within and the way he tells them... Just. Wow.
Talk to me in person if you want to know more, but I'll leave you with the knowledge that it has floating pirate cities, mechanical philosophy mosquitos and a trans-dimensional poetry spider.

Terry Pratchett
It will be a sad, sad day when this man finally passes away.
In my opinion, he is THE pre-eminent English author since Dahl and Tolkien.
The Discworld series is pretty much gold, alllll the way through.

I'll speak to anyone who wants to know more about these books, just force me onto Mumble.