Any Game of Thrones fans here?
Recently finished the first four books and now eagerly awaiting the author to release the next book.
To those that never read it, it's the first book of a medieval fantasy series called A Song of Ice and Fire.

Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_of_thrones

The author, George R.R. Martin, has been called the American Tolkien since the release of the fourth book and many still await the final three books that will conclude the series.

Plainly put, think HBO Rome set in Middle Earth. No one is seen as black and white, everyone has a flaw. For example, your most hated character in the first book can end up being your favorite as the character evolves and grows.

To me, it's the best fantasy series out there, on par with classic high fantasy like LOTR. I would even daresay it almost surpasses LOTR in terms of characterization and plot. I would warn the series gets pretty dark and gets descriptive in the political machination and other extremely questionable subjects as men and women fight to win the game of thrones.

Definitely a must read for lovers of historical/fantasy/political fiction, complex, interweaving plots, and interesting characters.

I finished Wintersmith last night. I was always reading about how good the author was on websites, until I finally go, 'Okay, I might as well read this Pratchett guy, because he sounds funny and I love a good laugh'. Well, now I've read four books of his, The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents, and the first three books about Tiffany Aching (The Wee Free Men, A Hat Full of Sky, and Wintersmith) Now I see what everyone was talking about. They are absolutely hilarious, but they're also more than that. There was a lot about what real power is, about not using it to show off, and about staying loyal to your friends.

Oh my goodness, Lady Haleth, I love that book! It's so sweet . . I really enjoyed it - though I've half forgotten it by now.
Re-reading Manalive, what a good book it is!

I'm still reading War and Peace, and taking it nice and slow.

Is this a reread? I thought that you had already read that book!

# Sorcery and Cecilia, or the Enchanted Chocolate Pot by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermeyer

That is a good one, I hope you like it. I thought it was a very fun, well done book except that the two girls were so similar, they both interacted similar characters and they both spoke (er, wrote) so similiarly, I found it hard to tell their letters apart.

The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents,

I am glad you liked that book! It is one of my favorite Pratchett books.

I am currently reading Lord of the Flies, of all the reviews I've ever heard of this book I have only heard one or two good ones. I am preparing myself to be appalled but trying to remain objective.

I am currently reading Lord of the Flies, of all the reviews I've ever heard of this book I have only heard one or two good ones. I am preparing myself to be appalled but trying to remain objective.

I really liked Lord of the Flies although it's been many years since I last read it. It's definitely not for everyone though.

Is this a reread? I thought that you had already read that book!

Oh yes! Never fear, it is a re-read! I knew it took a long time to read War and Peace, but I do kind of hope that it wouldn't take a year in my case. Sorry for the confusion!

I hated Lord of the Flies when it was assigned reading in high-school but I've grown to appreciate it more. The book is well-written, it says some important things about the nature of people. It's often an unpleasant read but it's not terrible, far from it.

I'm going to have to read Lord of the Flies next year for schoolwork I'm not really looking forward to it.

I'm having to read 1984 for schoolwork now and I'm not enjoying it. I'm hurrying through it, though, to get it over with as soon as possible.
So I'm re-reading The Lightning Thief as well to lighten my brain up a bit

That is a good one, I hope you like it. I thought it was a very fun, well done book except that the two girls were so similar, they both interacted similar characters and they both spoke (er, wrote) so similiarly, I found it hard to tell their letters apart.

Yay, so I wasn't the only one? I really enjoyed the first two books (haven't yet read the recent-er one...is it any good?), but had sooo much trouble telling the girls apart in my mind. I would star at the cover of The Grand Tour and think "ok...THAT girl, on the left, is so-and-so...and the OTHER girl, is what's-her-face". If you can't tell, that didn't really work.

I haven't really been doing a lot of reading. I keep getting sucked into the grand ol' internet. I've been reading one book though for a few weeks...I'm enjoying it, just it's nonfiction so I don't feel like I can read it all in one sitting. "The Uses of Enchantment: THe Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales" by Bruno Bettelheim. It's quite interesting and has lots of insights about how fairy tales can help a child in his mental development and with his relationships, and how he views his parents. Fascinating stuff!

We need to get wisewoman in here.

Ditto.

That book sounds fascinating, W4J!

TV tie-in editions usually come across as rather corny, don't they, Lady Haleth? But I think they sometimes develop into collector's items. I once picked up a copy of Alexandre Dumas' Camille with a super young Colin Firth and Greta Scaachi on the cover, simply because of novelty value. I also have a tie-in The Treasure Seekers featuring Camilla Power and a very young Felicity Jones.

To me, it's the best fantasy series out there, on par with classic high fantasy like LOTR. I would even daresay it almost surpasses LOTR in terms of characterization and plot.

Surpasses LOTR? Claims like tend to turn me defensive and suspicious. Seriously, though, I've been interested in that series for some time ... but as it seems that the author is taking forever to write the books, I don't want to start and then be left hanging for years and years.

I thought it was a very fun, well done book except that the two girls were so similar, they both interacted similar characters and they both spoke (er, wrote) so similiarly, I found it hard to tell their letters apart.

Huh. That's really odd, considering that each girl's letters were written by a different author.

"The Uses of Enchantment: THe Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales" by Bruno Bettelheim. It's quite interesting and has lots of insights about how fairy tales can help a child in his mental development and with his relationships, and how he views his parents. Fascinating stuff!

Is that the one that inspired Stephen Sondheim to write the musical Into the Woods? It sounds like it. *runs off to check* Anyway, keep us posted.

Any Game of Thrones fans here?
Recently finished the first four books and now eagerly awaiting the author to release the next book.
To those that never read it, it's the first book of a medieval fantasy series called A Song of Ice and Fire.