h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I liked the Codex because of what you got to know about how he had thought when creating the world. For instance, I found it interesting, although not vital, to know that the Drasnians would have had an extensive rein deer industry, if Mr. Eddings hadn't changed it. Litte funny things that you don't need to know, but is still fun to tuck away for moments where you could use it. Like this, for instance.

And apart from that, it's always nice to know a little bit of the background of certain people, countries etc.
Have any of you read Robert Jordan's The world of the wheel of time? It's a similar kind of book. Lots of background info about the story. A few maps of the world before and after the breaking, an extensive story about the Age of Legends and so on

Yes, well, that's all well and good, but Eddings was kind enough to show us his notes AFTER he finished writing the bleeding thing!!!

*The future Colonel Sellers, still anxious to see Jordan get on with it.

Which is not necessarily a good thing. It would've been nice to read some background on the world while working my way through the actual story

Kheldar (Who is also eagerly awaiting RJ's next book, which is now due for October 2000 )

No, I disagree. I think it's best to get that stuff at the end. If you need reference material for the guys world while you're still reading the novels, then the author hasn't done his job.Besides, as I said, Rivan Codex isn't for everybody... it is specifically for the diehard fans, the ones who really want to know how it all came about. It's really about Eddings getting personal with his readers.., something I've always approved of wholeheartedly. Ever read some of Piers Anthony's earlier works? He used to finish them all with copious author's notes, which told the story behind the books, and went on to tell tidbits in his personal life which may/may not have affected the book. It's no coincidence that I stopped readin Anthony's stuff shortly after I read the one that said he was going to discontinue the practice.

Ah, thank you all for reminding me to put the Lord of the Rings books on my readin list for the summer.

Okay, I admit it. I have nothing interesting to say here. Just thought I'd check in to see what's going on in the realms of the fantasy-readers out there.
Any new reading projects? New comments? Any new authors discovered?

I actually found a series by a new author that I'm reading now. The Farseer Trilogy, by Robin Hobb. Anyone read it? Comments?
I still haven't gotten through the first of the three books, but I'm getting there.

Well, to be honest, I've planning to start reading Hobb for a few years now, and I still haven't got to it. Shazz has been telling me to read it as well, so eventually I'll get to it .
Currently I'm reading the add-on books for the Riftwar books by Feist, Krondor: Betrayal and Krondor: Assasins. Also, I'm rereading the Discworld series again.
I heard that Jordan's new book is now scheduled for October/November ans will be called Winter's Heart (I think). That's the situation for me now. Good idea though, to ask for an update

I have to say that the Hobb book I'm reading at the moment "Assassin's Apprentice" is very good. It's a bit unusual, as it's told in first person as if someone is telling you his life's story instead of someone tellling someone elses life story.
I think I'll have to start with the Discworld series one of these days. Lots of people seem to like it.
Same with The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan. I actually started reading the first book a couple of years ago, but for some reason I abandoned it. Probably because I got a new Eddings book that I thought was more interesting at the time.

The update thing was just to get this thread going again.

IT'S ALIVE!
The thread has come back to life. YEs, read discworld. I read up through the most recent about 3 years ago, but there's still a couple I haven't read. They're funny, but you might want to read something else as well for a little more substance.

Is the Discworld books an actual series, or are they "just" several different books, more or less unrelated to each other, except fot the fact that they are all based in the same world?

They all can be read as different stories, but they're much more fun if yu read them in order (more or less). Lots of characters who are introduced in earlier books return later in other books. Rincewind the would-be magician, the witches, the city guard and the Librarian are a few of the people who star in the books regularly, so you'll understand the setting and the characters better if you read the introduction to them. Like I said though, theoraticilly you can read them in any order you like.

Sounds as if I'll have to get me some Terry Pratchett books after I'm done with the Robin Hobb ones, then.

By all means do . And if you could give me a review of the Hobb books if you've read them, I might even start with them this time

A review of the Farseer Trilogy will be presented when I'm done with them.
If you want a review before I get around to it, you could always check out www.amazon.com and look for her books. There's usually a couple of reviews from people who've read the books there.

But I willput together a review of the trilogy when I'm done with it.

Cool . I was looking for some new stuff to read, and since I've read a lot of fantasy already, I was kinda stuck on what to start next...

Finished the first of the Farseer books this weekend. Well worth reading.
Short review coming up soon. I'll get back to you with the URL for it.

THNX. Looking forward to it . btw, did any of you read the Terry Goodkind books about Richard and Kahlan (Sword of Truth series I think they're called)?

No prob. I haven't read those books you mentioned. I think the easiest way to let you know what books I've read is to guide you to the following thread: http://www.h2g2.com/F49706?thread=67244

OK, I've seen it, and I must say you do have a nose for good books. I've read almost all of them (the fantasy books that is), apart from the Hobb series. If we start from your list, here's what I've read
(hope I can remember all of it)

- Robert Jordan up to date
- Maggie Furey - The Aurian Chronicles
- Tolkien - LotR, Hobbit, Silmarillion
- Raymond E. feist - Riftwar Saga + add-on novels
- Bridget Wood - can't remember the names, but I'm taking about the stories about Ireland
- Terry Pratchett - up to date
- Terry Goodkind - up to date
- Tad Williams - Memory Sorrow & Thorn (I think it's called that way)
- Weiss & Hickman - The Death Gate series

Probably some others, but I can't think of any right now :-0