recommended readings?

I got two new books up for RECOMMENDED READINGS here...
Kwang... When you get around to seeing this, pay attention.

Yea.
I know you can probably tell that I like Sci-Fi and Fantasy.
Alright... I'll confess.

I AM A GEEK !!!

But!
I have a few saving graces...
I do not have a pencil thin neck or a pocket protector.
Never will you also see me wear anoraks (What are they?).





Wheel of Time Book 11 - Knife of Dreams



I was back in Kuala Lumpur for an internship in 2003.
That year I was really bored, just working and yum~ing cha with Kwang and Ming.
So for the first six months of frustration and total boredom outside of work I picked up the adventures of Rand al'Thor in the Wheel of Time saga.
Understand that Leanne (my girlfriend at that time) was still in Melb and had not made it down to Malaysia yet.
The story is your standard fantasy fare with the earlier books mirroring the Lord of the Rings.
But after a bit, the story comes to develop on it's own with much manipulation and politics between the many varied characters.
I believe that Robert Jordan is one of our generation's contemporary greats.
He is a world builder... crafts stories that illustrates a completely new existance for your imagination to play in.
Knife of Dreams is the 11th book in the series (and it is has been a pretty long series).

On a sidenote, I got Kwang hooked on this series...
I bet he hates me for it. Right?





Judas Unchained



Peter Hamilton holds a special place in my heart.
I've read his earlier books and have enjoyed both Fallen Dragon and his Night's Dawn trilogy.
This man here writes engaging sci-fi stories with many varied characters.
What intrigues me is how he puppeteers all of his characters and develops the characters of ALL OF THEM.
This is his second book in a two part with the first being Pandora's Star.
I think this series is known as the Commonwealth Saga.
I've basically forgotten most of the first book, so I'd have to do a reread over the summer break.





It is unfortunate that both books are out in large print only.
The TPB or trade paperbacks (the smaller books you are used to Kwang) are only released later.
I've checked with Borders here in Melb and they have dates for both books in TPB in about 4 or 6 months.

My copy of Pandora's Star is a large print so I got that tonight.
But, I'm gonna sit and wait for the TPB of Knife of Dreams.
Why?
I got the earlier books of the Wheel of Time in TPBs.
And, I'm really buying them and collecting them.
I wouldn't want my shelf to look wierd with the motley collection of tall and short books.

Take care guys...