So now its June and my thoughts start to stray towards building a stockpile of books to take on holiday. I've got an especially long holiday this year so i'll need a few. Currently the list in my head looks like

2 or 3 of the Bernard Cornwell Saxon Series
The Fort (Cornwell)
Maybe a classic sci fi. I'm thinking Gateway perhaps
Some modern sci fi - Neal Asher is a strong possibility
Something Zombie-ish
The new China Mieville Book - Embassytown

I'll post again when the list is refined. What are other people taking for the poolside ?

Lots of Sci Fi, and Roman Historical fiction...

IanS

Can't recommend Asher enough (until the next Ian M Banks comes out, 'Surface Detail' just reminded me how great he is)

My wife hates the first week of the holidays, as I just read, to the exense of marrage/daughter/eating/bodily functions/life...
Durng that time i will knock off two to three books, great way to chill instead of being a teacher.

In the pile:
Ackroyds: Thames.
Micheal Howard's: Franco-Prussian War
Latest Trudie Canavan: Mage Ambassador fantasy tripe series
Latest Neal Asher (as soon as Amazon ship it)
History of 1866 conflict.

Then, just to REALLY annoy her: Whatever rom/com my wife leaves around, usually finishing it before she does, whilst eating all the Easter eggs I've had saved up, to annoy her...


Before anyone gets the wrong idea, I really do love my dear lady dearly and would fall apart without her, just these traditional games keep you going.


Also looking for a new 'Space Captain Smith' replacement...Anyone else got any good recommendations?

The Civil War in Yorkshire by David Cooke, ECW Flags and Colours - Peachey & Prince, are 2 of my current reads. No hols for a while for me unfortunately though.

If you're into modern sci-fi try Alastair Reynolds. Slower and deeper than Asher but great space-opera.

If you're interested in ancient history - Tom Holland Rubicon and/or Persian Fire. Finally, one of the great studies of eighteenth centiry battle tactics, The Anatomy of Victory by Brent Nosworthy.

Neal Asher ?  Which series ?

Quote from: Hertsblue on 06 June 2011, 06:38:44 PM
If you're into modern sci-fi try Alastair Reynolds. Slower and deeper than Asher but great space-opera.

If you're interested in ancient history - Tom Holland Rubicon and/or Persian Fire. Finally, one of the great studies of eighteenth centiry battle tactics, The Anatomy of Victory by Brent Nosworthy.

I've read quite a few by Reynolds - i forget the name of the series but the one with the psycho universe eating aliens..... great stuff

Re Anatomy of Victory - i've been looking to read this in prep for my LOA project but its £40-£50 a pop . urk! Just finished Chandler's  Art of Warfare in the Age of Marlborough though which was pretty good

Quote from: zaapark on 06 June 2011, 10:47:21 PM
Neal Asher ?  Which series ?

Not sure yet - a long time ago i read a few set in the Polity (?) and enjoyed them. What would you recommend ?

Quote from: goat major on 07 June 2011, 12:15:37 PM

Re Anatomy of Victory - i've been looking to read this in prep for my LOA project but its £40-£50 a pop . urk!

Hippocrene Books of New York brought out a paperback version in 1992. I got my copy from, if memory serves, Partisan in Southend. You might find the odd copy around the second-hand market.

Quote from: goat major on 07 June 2011, 12:16:51 PM
Not sure yet - a long time ago i read a few set in the Polity (?) and enjoyed them. What would you recommend ?

Spatterjay series, Cormac Series or anything that includes a Gabbleduck!

Right so the stack of books is now on the shelf ready for the holidays....

1st 3 of Cornwell's Saxon books
The Fort (Cornwell)
Horus Rising & Dead Men Walking (both 40k)
Gateway (Frederik Pohl) - bit of classic retro sci fi
Prador Moon (Neil Asher)
Against a Dark Background (Iain M Banks)
Homage to Catalonia (Orwell) - token non trash book

Finished Surface Detail, the latest Ian M Banks, on holiday at the beginning of July. Probably his best yet.  

razzle 

Quote from: Jim Ando on 02 August 2011, 09:21:44 PM
razzle 

LOL

Anything non-military for me - this year a couple of biographies but not yet sure who yet

Just finished all of the Lost Fleet series by Jack Campbell aka John Hemry, which were excellent as I couldn't put them down.