Can't even remember the last book I read, nor when I last sat down to read a book. Probably summer 2006. I tend to read whilst on holiday (no holiday since 2006) and can't remember ever sitting down in the house to read a book. Sure I "read" periodicals (New Scientist) and newspapers, but a book? Got more enjoyable things to do at home rather than purgatory with a book reading! I reckon it's the dyslexia in me: more able to absorb the visual stuff than the written word.
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett, and A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin. Recently finished World Without End, the sequel to The Pillars of the Earth - excellent book. I didn't realise it had a prequel until halfway through, but I had to buy Pillars because I enjoyed World Without End so much.
A Game of Thrones was given to me for Christmas by a mate - not the type of thing I would normally pick up (fantasy - sort of a more graphic/adult-themed LOTR) but I must admit I'm really enjoying it.
Unreservedly the worst book I have ever read. The events may be shocking but I was beyond caring with his writing style, the meandering pace and no sense of structure. Dross
This aside, I've been reading and enjoying lots of books recently Just read the following over the last few weeks:
A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseini
Azincourt - Bernard Cornwell
After Midnight - Robert Ryan
Wolf of The Plains - Conn Iggulden
Lords of The Bow - Conn Iggulden
Bones of The Hills - Conn Iggulden
All good reads, especially Splendid Suns which is almost as good as The Kite Runner, and Iggulden's Genghis trilogy is a fabulous read
Now reading "A Pair of Silver Wings" by James Holland, for a change of pace
I'm currently reading 'Seven Ancient Wonders' by Matthew Reilly.
Matthew Reilly has got to be one of my favourite authors. I've fund that all of his books are very fast paced and keep you on the edge of your seat, with multiple things happening at once.
If you love fast paced action books, than you can't go wrong with a Matthew Reilly book.
George R R Martin's epic shouldn't ever be mentioned in the same breath as LOTR - By todays standards LOTR is badly written with cardboard characters and stilted dialogue, and such a meandering pace that I don't think it would be considered publishable.
GRRM's trilogy is the opposite, but readers be warned - it's graphic, unflinching and he has the habit of ripping the rug from beneath your feet when you least expect it, by way of killing off main characters in one sentence. It's brutal! - but assuredly the best "fantasy" epic ever created imho (I caveat that with Hobb's two Fool trilogies which are so very different, but rank alongside GRRM). Oh and he'll probably die before he finishes it!