The Wheel of Time Series

[AlainDaishar]

So I thought i'd start this sucker, just to see how many people have read it, what books they like the most. Do you like the newest one? that sort of thing.

And as Xebulon already knows, my name is indeed from the series.
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Alain Daishar Profile: http://forums.pleasurebonbon.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8174&highlight=

[Xebulon]

Well, I haven't managed to finish the series. Shocking, I know, given how voraciously I tend to read. While I do thoroughly enjoy the late Robert Jordan's writing, I often find it difficult to read. Not because of the concepts or complexity but the sheer density of information. It's like reading Stephen king, or Tolkien, for me. I also find it rather tiresome to constantly have so much of the story from the previous books re-iterated and repeated in every subsequent book. All told though, it is a well written series and, despite my own personal difficulties in doing so, is well worth reading.

One solution I've found is to purchase the unabridged audio recordings and listen to those instead. I find that this method does have some advantages, such as being great for long car trips or being able to do something else at the same time. I personally like to sit and play Dynasty Warriors while listening to the books.
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I like old jokes. With them I know when to laugh.

[AlainDaishar]

HAHA, I do the exact same thing. I've got copies of all the books, both in hardcopy and as audio tapes. I have to read the new books on paper first. It is a lot like Tolkien. I don't know if you noticed, but there was a lot of nods to the LotR series in the first book. yea, he does tend to lay down a lot of details. So what book are you on? I've ordered the 12th one, but Barnes and Nobles keeps delaying the shipment of it.
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[Samuel Blackwing]

I'm a big fan of the series, though I've only made it to the third or fourth book. I own all of them, but I've been busy with getting source material for a Shadowrun game in my spare time, so I haven't had much of a chance to read much.

Audio books could work, but I just don't want to spend money on something I already own.

[Xebulon]

I think was on "Path of Daggers" but it's been a while, I'd have to check. Also, a quick question. For those here who've played the new game "Dragon Age: Origins" is it just me or does it seem heavily, and I mean heavily, influenced by the WoT?
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I like old jokes. With them I know when to laugh.

[AlainDaishar]

Blackwig, I know what you mean. The books are huge, with tiny type, it just takes a while to go through them. Also, the audiobooks are insanely expensive, not to mention the fact that they're like 26 hours in length or so. The one thing that is slightly annoying is that if you spend a while away from the series, you tend to lose details and characters and when you come back to it, you're like "I don't know this person. When did they show up in the book?"

Xeb (if I may call you such) I've never played Dragon Age, so I'll take your word for it.
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[Caroline]

((I used to be a huge Robert Jordan fan. My favorite character being Matrim Cauthon. But... after reading book 8, and realizing that the story went no where during the entire book... I kinda lost interest. I had even read the first six, twice, up to that point.

Robert Jordan just... kinda became like he was milking his story for all it was worth. I mean, I've seen comic books and manga that ended way better than Mr. J did. Don't get me wrong. I enjoyed the first six... just seven and eight lost their way, and it was too much for me to get back into it.))

[Xebulon]

I feel much the same way, Caroline. I suppose the only reason I keep on reading, a little here and there, is to get to the end. It's a bit of a shame, too, since Jordan created such a rich and vibrant world. Though they have started a series of comics based on the books, if I recall correctly. Might be easier to read it that way.

And Xeb is fine, Alain. I'm not big on formalities, myself. I would like to point out though, being a fan of audio books for many years, that the WoT ones aren't priced very differently from any others of similar size. Also, being on CD as opposed to cassette adds a couple of dollars to the price. As to the length it takes to listen to one unabrigged, is it really that different from the time it takes to read one of the books? Unless you read like Speedy Gonzales, that is.
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I like old jokes. With them I know when to laugh.

[AlainDaishar]

Well, I've always been kinda proud of my reading skills fast and through. I agree completely with you two. The story definitely lost its way in books 7 and 8. Originally he was planning on ending it at ten, but then decided he couldn't close it satisfactorily and so on.
These are the only books I've gotten on audio, so I really had no idea that most other books along the same length were as expensive. I had just figured that they were trying to milk the series a little more. I'm still following the series, at this point cause I just want to see the end of it. You guys should see some of my friends talk about this subject. One of my Jewish friends says he reads this series like the Torah. When he finishes it he parties and gets drunk, and starts it again the next day. so.... suppose I'll just keep chugging away.
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[Xebulon]

[Samuel Blackwing]

[Symphony]

I tried to read this series some years ago, but I had to stop in the middle of the fourth or fifth book. I simply couldn't stand the characters, especially how they were all behaving around members of the opposite sex.

I also felt that it lacked tension and that the good guys had it too easy.

I still think that it's great that the series will be finished, though, as it's so popular.
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[AlainDaishar]

Samuel, you work in a comic shop??!! That's awesome. I don't personally go out and buy comics, but I've always thought that it would be a great experience to work in one.

Symphony, I agree, the interactions between the sexes left something to be desired. ( not in that way) And yea, I'm glad that they're going to finish the series, but I'm skeptical as to how well it'll be since Brandon Sanderson has taken over. Of course I haven't actually read any of his work.... but still.
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Alain Daishar Profile: http://forums.pleasurebonbon.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8174&highlight=

[Samuel Blackwing]

[Xebulon]

I understand only too well. I work the front desk at a hotel and before that, at a Blockbuster. One thing I've found to be a constant: If you were to take a representative percentage of the retail shopping population and get them to take an IQ test, you'd find that the average customer is slightly less intelligent than the chair.
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I like old jokes. With them I know when to laugh.

[Samuel Blackwing]

Yes, it's just... I dunno. I'd expect comic book customers to be more intelligent, but every time I do, I'm reminded that I live ad work in the ghetto, where intelligence isn't as necessary for survival as the ability to steal your neighbor's car.

[AlainDaishar]

wow, and he's an average customer? Well, I shouldn't be too shocked, after all, this is the country where frivolous lawsuits are common. For instance, a lady sued the makers of Cap'n Crunch after she found out that there weren't real berries in Crunch Berries...... who does that?
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Alain Daishar Profile: http://forums.pleasurebonbon.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8174&highlight=

[relentless]

[AlainDaishar]

well thats a trump. So they sued the former owners? didn't they sell off the deed when they left the place? sheesh. Well in ANY case, I have a new question for people:

What book or series would you recommend? it can be from any genre, fiction or nonfiction.

For instance, I would recommend "This Thing of Darkness." Its about the captain of "The Beagle", Fitzroy. The Beagle is famous, because Darwin collected all of his specimens on it. Its an amazing read.
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Alain Daishar Profile: http://forums.pleasurebonbon.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8174&highlight=

[The Adept]

[Xebulon]

For an individual novel, "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman.

For a series, either the "Chronicles of Amber" by Roger Zelazny if you want fantasy or the "Honor harrington" series by David Weber if you want sci-fi. If you're more of a history buff however I highly recommend either the "1632" seies by Eric Flint or the "Belisaruis" series by both Eric Flint and David Drake.

Actually, anything by David Weber, John Ringo, David Drake or Eric FLint I will read (and recommend) without any reservations.
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I like old jokes. With them I know when to laugh.

[henkcobra]

I have them all, some in english but most in dutch.

the last one is great, only a shame the 1 person has been left away.

but the story is still good. specialy with some music and some cool drink.

look forward to the next 2 and then the sage is over.


too bad
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[AlainDaishar]

I just remembered another book: House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski

American Gods and A painted house will be the next books on my list.

Henk, so you've read the 12th book? Dang, I'm still waiting for Barnes and Nobles to send me my copy.
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[Symphony]

If you're looking for a good fantasy series, I'd recommend George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire. They are the best fantasy novels I've ever read. They are quite different from Wheel of Time though, but if you're into amazingly well-written characters, a story that's brutal and sad at times, and where the main characters can and do die, then it might be something for you.
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[Samuel Blackwing]

[AlainDaishar]

Lovecraft? can't say I've heard of that series. Though I can infer that they must be a step above.

Symphony, I'm always down for a well written book. I'll add that series to the ever growing list of must reads.
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Alain Daishar Profile: http://forums.pleasurebonbon.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8174&highlight=

[Samuel Blackwing]

Lovecraft is an author, one of the first "cosmic horror" authors. I managed to find one of those great big books with all of his works, meaning that I now own all of the works of Lovecraft, Poe, Shakespeare, Lewis Carrol, and the Brothers Grimm, in addition to all of the Sherlock Holmes stories, the entirety of the Chronicles of Narnia, and all the Wheel of Time books.

Of course I have other series, but those are the largest ones in my collection, and the ones I'm the most proud of.

[AlainDaishar]

huh, Shows how much I know. Very nice, I'll have to add him to the list.

Here's another question for everybody. Do you prefer to read your books in hardcopy (on a page with ink) or as an e-book (like on the Kindle)?

I personally prefer hardcopy, although I've read anything on the kindle or something like that. I just like the feel of pages.
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[henkcobra]

[Xebulon]