Andrey K

says

Dave H says

Andrey, what a wonderful review of this extraordinary story. I totally agree with your analysis of this very special book. I think you would have the same appreciation for the "Planet of Adventure Collection," "The Last Castle," and "Big Planet," which are also Jack Vance at his best! READ ON...

posted 9 months ago. ( send a note )

Sara W says

Welcome to the group based on the book 1001 BOOKS YOU MUST READ BEFORE YOU DIE.

There is a general explanation of the group and some answers to FAQ under the discussion thread GROUP GUIDELINES. The past BOTM (books of the month) can be found pinned to the top for 2010 and 2009 if you want to search discussions you can join in anytime.

Our August BOTMS will be:
The Quiet American by Graham Greene
Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway

Please join us in reading one or all. The discussion questions are posted and pinned to the top of the discussions.

If you read another book from one of the official lists please post a review and rating in the discussion thread for other books.

Happy reading!

posted 9 months ago. ( send a note )

Dave H says

Andrey, thanks for your response, it's good to hear from you. As you can see from my recent readings I'm on a mission to try and read all of the Jack Vance's stories that I can get my hands on before the end of the year. I loved "Night Lamp" and am anxious t hear your comments about it. Vance is far and away my favorite sci/fi adventure author although I also love Asimov, H.G. Well, Burroughs, Aldus Huxley, and Jules Verne. Your reading project sounds interesting too, I've always been an aficionado of world history both non-fiction and fiction. My favorite historical fiction novel is "The Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett. Anyway, hope all is well with you and yours. READ ON...

posted 9 months ago. ( send a note )

Dave H says

Andrey, long time no talk. Have you read "The Barsoom Series" by Edgar Rice Burroughs? If not I highly recommend it. I just finished the first story "The Princess of Mars" and it's extraordinary, I think you will love it. Hope all is well with you and yours. Enjoy and READ ON!!!

posted 9 months ago. ( send a note )

Fifty-one says

Hi Andrey,
My local library has a small selection of books in foreign languages. Mostly, it's just novels by english authors that have been translated into russian, such as the harry potter series. But we also have a couple by Boris Akunin, Fyodor Dostoevsky, and Leo Tolstoy. Besides the library, I order books online at amazon.com or half.com, or just search for ebooks.

posted 12 months ago. ( send a note )

Fifty-one says

Hello Andrey,
I stumbled on your page by reading some of the books you recommended to Dave. I'm actually starting to read in Russian and was wondering if you know of any authors/titles in the fiction category - adventures, thrillers, mystery etc...

Great collection of books by the way!
-Fifty-one

posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )

Dave H says

Andrey, it sounds like you have a good life. When I was your age I travelled the world 4 times a year on business but I'm semi-retired now so spend more time around the house. If I named my favorite authors it would fill a book so I'll just highlight a few who are the top of my list:

Jack Higgins,
Jack Vance,
George R.R. Martin,
Greg Iles,
Lee Child,
Vince Flynn,
Joe Abercrombie,
Brent Weeks,
Robin Hobb,
Robert Ludlum,
James Patterson,
Jonathon Kellerman,
John Sanford,
David Hageberg,
Brad Thor,
Agatha Christie,
Michael Shea,
Edgar Allen Poe,
H.G. Wells,
Issac Asimov,
Jack London,
Nathaniel Hawthorne,
Robert Louis Stevenson,
Erskine Caldwell,
Earl Norman,
J.K. Rowling,
Ian Fleming,
Daniel Defoe,
and many more...

I enjoy almost all genres but am especially fond of mystery/thrillers, sci/fi, and fantasy/adventure stories as well as well written autobiographies. I guess that sums up most of my literary fetishes. READ ON...

posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )

Dave H says

Andrey, thank you so much for your detailed response to my recommendations as well as your comments about Jack Vance and George R.R. Martin as I am in total agreement with your analogy of both. I have pre-ordered "A Dance With Dragons" by Martin and am awaiting delivery of "The Cadwal Chronicles" and "Night Lamp" by Vance. Your comprehension and usage of English is amazing by the way! Do you have access to any type of eReaders, i.e. Kindle, Nook, or Kobo in Russia? How about accessing/ordering books internationally via computer? I would appreciate learning more about the genre's and styles of writing you enjoy and the types of books you are encouraging your children to read based on their langwuage skills and ages. Anyway, thanks again for your response, I am looking forward to exchanging more thoughts and ideas with you. READ ON...

posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )

Dave H says

Andrey, "Tales of the Dying Earth" by Jack Vance is perhaps the quintessential collection of sci/fi fantasy/adventure stories ever written by one of the most revered and awarded authors to write in this genre. The words that come to mind when trying to describe his incredible achievement are: wondrous, magnificent, epic, spellbinding, dazzling, exquisite, inventive, eclectic verbiage, magical, elegant, enthralling, engrossing, imaginative, original, mellifluous pacing, atmospheric backdrops, transformational, fantastical storylines! I read the first story in this collection when i was 11 years old and the others in the ensuing years. Over the years I have read the collection over 20 times, each time reflecting on the joy it brings me and its life changing impact on my reading addiction. Just imagine being able to transform written words from your minds eye into life-like visions and you will then understand the sensual impact of Jack Vance's brilliance! Ironically, because of its unique qualities I have always been protective and therefore reluctant to expose this truly fabulous literary experience to others for fear of diminishing its value to me...a misguided supposition I know, but true never-the-less. So, if you want to take a journey into the unknown and wander through the beautiful worlds as penned by a master scribe then you will want to read this incredible collection of stories and revel in their beatific perfection. Storytelling at its best; a masterpiece...

I believe you would also enjoy reading:
"The Demon Princes: Vol. I, by Jack Vance,
"The Demon Princes: Vol. II, by Jack Vance,
"The Grey Mane of Morning" and "Red Moon and Black Mountain" by Joy Chant,
"A Song of Ice and Fire Series" by George R.R. Martin,
"The First Law Trilogy" and "Best Served Cold" by Joe Abercrombie,
"The Night Angel Apprentice Trilogy" by Robin Hobb,
"The Kingkiller Chronicles Trilogy" by Patrick Rothfuss,
Enjoy and READ ON...

posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )

Bennnc63 says

Hello Andrey,
Welcome to the Bernard Cornwell group. Please introduce yourself in the member introduction thread and make yourself at home. Feel free to join in the group read and the discussions. Looking forward to seeing you in the group. Ben

posted 3 years ago. ( send a note )