Moros, it all depends on the series. One of my favorite series (the one my name comes from) can be read as standalones with minimal loss of comprehension or understanding.
|> Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series (I'm reading it in English right now :D);
If at all possible, always read books in their original language ("if at all possible" ~= "don't learn a language just to read one book, but do wait with reading a book if you're planning to learn the language anyway").
The same goes for films: read the book instead (there's nothing wrong with watching the films too, but in nearly every case, the book is better; possible exception being H2G2 where every incarnation deliberately contradicts every other incarnation, so reading the book, listening to the radio shows and watching the film all complement each other).
Vapor, I disagree with you a bit about Turtledove. I was always a big fan of his, and I still read any new alt-history books he comes out with (cannot stand fantasy books in any way, dragons and mages just don't get my rocks off). I am not sure if it is because I am getting older, but to me the quality of Turtledove's writing has plumetted. I am leaning towards it being his writing, because my father agrees with this, and he was the one who introduced me to the author.
There are just so many stupid (to me) things he focuses on, such as one side in a war having worse tobacco. Is it a cool detail that should be added a couple of times? Sure. Is it something I want to hear about every 5 pages? Not at all. Also, any time a "heroic" male character meets any woman character ("character" meaning someone who has their own storyline in the book), they will INEVITABLY have sex. I know, pressures of war/alien invasion, but come on!
All that being said, Guns of the South will always rank pretty highly on my all-time favorites list.
The Dark Tower series, is one of the most compelling series of books, i ever read. It is excellent and is wonderfully written. Look at it, if you ever have the chance. If you have already them all, Im only on Book 3, so dont spoil the ending :D
Cristopher Paolini's Inheritance:
Book 1 promising and was a great book
Book 2/3 wait why was there two books, filler central
Book 4 was not as good as book 1 but still was a pretty awesome book
2/4 books though is pretty bad.
Harry potter:
Yes
Ursula Le Guin's Wizard of earth sea
Book 1 AMAZING
book 2/3 meh
The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica
IS A BRILLIANT SERIES
Young wizards by Diane Duane
great series though I have not read the recent ones,
Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy
<3
Snow crash, Neal Stephenson's
Great Sci-Fi
Of course Isaac Asimov
The Big U by Neal Stephenson
Working on the Hunger games atm
I have more but this is long already.
The Hunger Games is eh, I don't see what all the hype is about. It's like the Twilight Saga. Unlike Harry Potter, it's not that impressive. Harry Potter on the other hand and depth and it's story made sense at least.
[Insert Male Here]: Hey [Insert Female Here] I watch you every night.
[Insert Female Here]: OMFG I Love You!!!!!!
If you want booktips I should say lordoftherings trilogy, Tolkiens other books, or maybe the wardstone chronicles. But WL isn't made for discussion books, is it? Can't get why people start to discuss things outside WL on WL. Start a blog instead! :)
