Signor Finzione Posted September 7, 2013 Share Posted September 7, 2013 Good afternoon fellow bookers! Prepare to meet this newly qualified (and recently disenchanted) teacher of English from Manchester, UK. Actually, I'm from Rochdale, but those familiar with Rochdale will understand why people rarely admit to living there. As a child I was always scolded for having my nose in a book (apparently this is unforgivably ignorant behaviour). This continued into adulthood when I studied for my Masters degree in literature. I wrote my dissertation on Byron's satire and the relationship between metaphor, language and humour. (I told you that so you'll think I'm smart - clever, eh? ) My real specialist subject is fantasy fiction, which unfortunately was never on the university syllabus. Steven Erikson, Joe Abercrombie and Mark Lawrence are the current top dogs on my list, though there are so many others I admire (Feist, GRRM, Pratchett, Tolkien) that's it's impossible to pick a favourite. That's probably way more than you wanted to know about little ol' me, so I'll call it a day. You'll probably catch me lurking in the fantasy section in the near future . . .P.S. I am not Italian. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted September 7, 2013 Share Posted September 7, 2013 Steven Erikson, Joe Abercrombie and Mark Lawrence are the current top dogs on my list Welcome Erikson and Abercrombie are my faves I've just got the first 'Thorns' book, looking forward to it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted September 7, 2013 Share Posted September 7, 2013 Hello and welcome to the forum, signor! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Signor Finzione Posted September 7, 2013 Author Share Posted September 7, 2013 Mille grazie, Frankie! Karsa Orlong, I never would have guessed you were an Erikson fan . I wasn't too sure about the first 'Thorns' instalment when I read it, but stick with it - the second one is much more enjoyable. Not a patch on Erikson or Abercrombie, but something different and fun. And just a little bit dark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted September 7, 2013 Share Posted September 7, 2013 Karsa Orlong, I never would have guessed you were an Erikson fan I wasn't too sure about the first 'Thorns' instalment when I read it, but stick with it - the second one is much more enjoyable. Not a patch on Erikson or Abercrombie, but something different and fun. And just a little bit dark. So I've heard - can't wait. Mark Lawrence has been having an ongoing argument discussion with the denizens of SFF Chronicles about the content of his books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Signor Finzione Posted September 8, 2013 Author Share Posted September 8, 2013 So I've heard - can't wait. Mark Lawrence has been having an ongoing argument discussion with the denizens of SFF Chronicles about the content of his books. Cheers, I'll be sure to check that out. I've read a bunch of crazy rants comments from people in other forums saying how "disgusted" they are with the first book, though they usually then go on to say that they never made it past the first few pages before writing it off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chesilbeach Posted September 8, 2013 Share Posted September 8, 2013 Hello! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted September 8, 2013 Share Posted September 8, 2013 they usually then go on to say that they never made it past the first few pages before writing it off. I love it when people criticise from a position of ignorance I think Prince of Thorns will be my next fantasy read, although I'm in 'historical fiction mode' at the moment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Many8 Posted September 8, 2013 Share Posted September 8, 2013 I read your nickname and the title of topic, and I thought you are italian! ahahah However, welcome to the forum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 Welcome here ! I love fantasy too, it's one of my favourite genres. You named some great authors, I look forward to see you around on the forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Signor Finzione Posted September 9, 2013 Author Share Posted September 9, 2013 @chesilbeach: Many thanks for the welcome! @Athena: Thank you - it's good to be in a place where people don't give you "the look" after announcing yourself as a fantasy fan . I look forward to participating here. @Many8: Thanks! I honeymooned in Sorrento recently and loved it. I like how the language sounds, so now I use the few basic Italian words I learned at every opportunity! @Karsa Orlong: The closest I've ever got to historical fiction is Alchemist of Souls by Anne Lyle, though I do own a few (unread) by Scarrow and Iggulden (bought when I worked in a bargain bookstore, a job which is responsible for many a book-buying binge and also my current book-hoarding complex). Any recommendations would be appreciated - I'm sure I'll come across you when checking out the HF pages on here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 it's good to be in a place where people don't give you "the look" after announcing yourself as a fantasy fan Oh I know that "look". I bet frankie gave you "the look". She's been giving me "the look" ever since I got here @Karsa Orlong: The closest I've ever got to historical fiction is Alchemist of Souls by Anne Lyle, though I do own a few (unread) by Scarrow and Iggulden (bought when I worked in a bargain bookstore, a job which is responsible for many a book-buying binge and also my current book-hoarding complex). Any recommendations would be appreciated - I'm sure I'll come across you when checking out the HF pages on here. Iggulden's as good a place as any to start, I would think. He's not big on historical accuracy - so his books are probably closer to fantasy than he might like to admit - but he tells a rattling good story. He writes a bit like David Gemmell, which is no bad thing, imo. Bernard Cornwell's well worth a look, too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Signor Finzione Posted September 9, 2013 Author Share Posted September 9, 2013 Oh I know that "look". I bet frankie gave you "the look". She's been giving me "the look" ever since I got here You get used to wearing dark glasses and hooded tops every time you go to the bookshop. Just kidding - I've perfected a "look" of my own in response (sort of a cross between Severus Snape and the owl from Winnie the Pooh). David Gemmell is another one on my huuuuuge TBR pile. I bought Waylander recently (again from a good ol' bargain bookstore) and am hoping to get the ones that come before it for my birthday. I will probably get around to him (and Iggulden) in about 2 years time, after I've read through the pile of Sullivan, Weeks, Rothfuss, Brett, Feist, etc., etc. . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 Aaaagh! Too many series, too little time I haven't read any of Sullivan's 'Ryria' books yet (assuming that's the author you mean), or Weeks. And I've had Rothfuss's first book sitting in my TBR pile for over three years and not read it yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Signor Finzione Posted September 9, 2013 Author Share Posted September 9, 2013 Aaaagh! Too many series, too little time I haven't read any of Sullivan's 'Ryria' books yet (assuming that's the author you mean), or Weeks. And I've had Rothfuss's first book sitting in my TBR pile for over three years and not read it yet Same here - I've had the Ryria books for about a year and not touched them yet, and I've only just started Rothfuss' book myself after having it for ages. I've read the first two in Brent Weeks' 'Night Angel' Trilogy (they weren't amazing but got better as they went on), and keep meaning to get hold of the third. I have so many odd ones in my Raymond E Feist collection that I need to get hold of them all before I can knuckle down properly, and there are so many others that are on my Amazon wishlist that I hardly know where to start. It's harder when you've been waiting for sequels; I personally like to re-read the original book(s) in order to really enjoy the new ones. For example, I had a bit of a hiatus from Erikson (and all 'fun' reading) during university, and then tried to read Toll the Hounds - about 4 years after it was published. I was appalled by how many characters/events I'd forgotten about, and was completely lost. It was, however, a good excuse to just wait for The Crippled God and then re-read the whole series knowing that I wouldn't have to wait for any more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vimes Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 (edited) Welcome and I just have to say two things, 1. Yay! There is someone else out there that reads fantasy! And here I was thinking that I was the only one lol. Would love to see the Game of Thrones series but it doesn't show were I am . Have you read any of David Eddings books? From the list of authors that you gave, just thought you might like them 2. Love you signature. Cats! You have just gotta love them, even when your computer go's beep and flashes a warning after their paws have pressed something that they shouldn't have. V. Edited September 9, 2013 by Vimes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuppycakes Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 I'm not an avid fantasy book reader, however I once co-wrote a short story/fan-fiction based on fantasy and it was great fun! I would love to read some Fantasy books any recommendations? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Signor Finzione Posted September 9, 2013 Author Share Posted September 9, 2013 @cuppycakes: (Love the name by the way.) The first books that got me hooked on fantasy were The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings by Tolkien. After this it was the Empire trilogy (beginning with Daughter of the Empire) by Raymond E Feist, as well as the original Magician trilogy by the same author. Also, maybe try Hogfather, Going Postal, Night Watch or The Truth - these were the books that got me hooked on Terry Pratchett, even though they're not in anything even remotely resembling reading order. @Vimes: You have my deepest sympathies for not being able to access Game of Thrones . Where are you from? I think we need to have words with whoever's in charge about the GoT situation. I've never read anything by Eddings, but I do love getting recommendations - I will add him to my TBR pile (which is seriously mounting up now!) We got the cats a few weeks ago - they are 4 months old and LOVE doing things they're not supposed to (walking on the keyboard, using their claws to climb up your leg, jumping up and latching onto the curtains, drinking from your glass, chewing cables, licking your feet when you get out of the shower . . .). They are awesome and I love them to bits (despite their dubious computer skills, which yours obviously have too!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 I'd like to second the Terry Pratchett books, I've read the first three but not yet The Truth. He's written many great books. Books by Raymond E. Feist are on my TBR as is The Lord of the Rings trilogy. I liked The Hobbit but didn't love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 Same here - I've had the Ryria books for about a year and not touched them yet, and I've only just started Rothfuss' book myself after having it for ages. I've read the first two in Brent Weeks' 'Night Angel' Trilogy (they weren't amazing but got better as they went on), and keep meaning to get hold of the third. I have so many odd ones in my Raymond E Feist collection that I need to get hold of them all before I can knuckle down properly, and there are so many others that are on my Amazon wishlist that I hardly know where to start. Yeah, I keep vowing that I'll finish the series I've already started before buying any others, then stuff like the 'Thorns' series comes along, which become 'musts' At the moment, I'm halfway through Glen Cook's 'Black Company' books, have recently finished R. Scott Bakker's 'Prince of Nothing' trilogy and want to read the next, about halfway through all of David Gemmell's books, got three of Ian C. Esslemont's 'Malazan Empire' books still to read, am five books into The Dresden Files,and so on. If only more fantasy authors were like Gemmell and Guy Gavriel Kay and wrote standalone books It's harder when you've been waiting for sequels; I personally like to re-read the original book(s) in order to really enjoy the new ones. For example, I had a bit of a hiatus from Erikson (and all 'fun' reading) during university, and then tried to read Toll the Hounds - about 4 years after it was published. I was appalled by how many characters/events I'd forgotten about, and was completely lost. It was, however, a good excuse to just wait for The Crippled God and then re-read the whole series knowing that I wouldn't have to wait for any more. I re-read them all (apart from Reaper's Gale) in the lead up to The Crippled God, too. But that was nearly three years ago and now I want to re-read them again, although this time I'm going to insert the Esslemont novels at the appropriate places. But I need to get my TBR pile down to 50 first! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 I've never read anything by Eddings, but I do love getting recommendations - I will add him to my TBR pile (which is seriously mounting up now!) I blame David Eddings for my love of fantasy - he was the one who got me started on it all about 30 years ago. It's all his fault Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Signor Finzione Posted September 9, 2013 Author Share Posted September 9, 2013 (edited) I'd like to second the Terry Pratchett books, I've read the first three but not yet The Truth. He's written many great books. Books by Raymond E. Feist are on my TBR as is The Lord of the Rings trilogy. I liked The Hobbit but didn't love it. The funny thing is, I re-read The Hobbit last year when the film came out and was really underwhelmed by it. I hadn't read it for years and I think that, while it's a great story, the writing just doesn't stand up against a lot of the great books I've read since. You should definitely read the two Feist trilogies I mentioned, though. I re-read them every couple of years and they are amazing every time (especially the Empire series). Edited September 9, 2013 by Signor Finzione Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Signor Finzione Posted September 9, 2013 Author Share Posted September 9, 2013 @Karsa Orlong: I do exactly the same thing and get carried away with new books that come out. Like a magpie, but with new books instead of shiny things. I'm also planning the big re-read with every instalment of the Malazan series, except that for some reason I sort of struggle to engage with Esslemont's novels. I've read Night of Knives and Return of the Crimson Guard, but they didn't take over my life in the way that Erikson's do. Speaking of SE (as we seem to always end up doing!) I've recently bought Forge of Darkness and am really looking forward to it because, well, Silchas Ruin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 @Karsa Orlong: I do exactly the same thing and get carried away with new books that come out. Like a magpie, but with new books instead of shiny things. I'm also planning the big re-read with every instalment of the Malazan series, except that for some reason I sort of struggle to engage with Esslemont's novels. I've read Night of Knives and Return of the Crimson Guard, but they didn't take over my life in the way that Erikson's do. No, I agree, his writing's not of the same quality as SE's. Speaking of SE (as we seem to always end up doing!) I've recently bought Forge of Darkness and am really looking forward to it because, well, Silchas Ruin. Yeah, we're having this conversation in the wrong thread I'll be interested to see what you think of FoD. Only about nine months until Fall of Light arrives . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vimes Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 @Signor Finzione, lol were I am is my secret ( I am very privacy conscious online). And yes words need to be said . And yes I know about Kittens, don't worry they do grow out of it...eventually! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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