Uncommon Opinions

[mgoblue]

Re: Uncommon Opinions

Yes it does, but I think what made me power through that lull was the deterioration of Rand. I think that was done beautifully. It was this slow, agonizing wasting away of his morals and I loved every second of it. Even better was that you could see it from his perspective and Min's perspective. By the way, Min is the best female in that book hands down. 3rd favorite character with 2nd being Rand and 1st being the reincarnation of Odin himself Matrim Cauthon.

I'm glad I read it because it made me check out Brandon Sanderson's other works when he took over after Mr. Jordan's death. I'm glad I did because he's now my favorite author.

Top 3
1. Brandon Sanderson
2. Robert Jordan
3. Laurell K. Hamilton

On Topic: An uncommon opinion of mine. I find regency era romance novels to be a fun read. Half the fun is reading about the contrived plot that brings the two protagonists into interacting with one another.

That said, I find the realistic levels of bull**** that happen in relationships in Mrs. Hamilton's Anita Blake series fascinating. And even the female protagonist gets called out on her bull****. Often. It's wonderful.

I will say though that Anita Blake is at its best when the plot is at the forefront and the romance takes a backseat. The action is also really well paced and explained clearly. I'd heartily recommend it.

I read WoT for a while but it just got too dense for me. My dad gave up after a while too. My mom made it longer in the series than either of us, still stopped eventually. She may want to finish the series sometime though.

I really enjoy that style of book though, just prefer a bit lighter tone.

I enjoy David Eddings' series, and I know that people go either way on his stuff....I personally don't mind that they're all somewhat similar. I enjoy the writing style and characters. I can totally get why people may dislike them though.

I need to check out Terry Brooks' new stuff, my parents both like that a lot.

[jeremym480]

Re: Uncommon Opinions

I love both but

Curb Your Enthusiasm > Seinfeld

[SuperBowlNachos]

Re: Uncommon Opinions

I don't get the hate for Big Bang Theory...but that's why you're posting in Uncommon Opinions and that's all right.

I've seen every episode of TBBT and I don't have it in my top 10 shows currently airing. I think the hate comes from the fact it's one of the most watched shows on TV and how much people freak out about it. I also think it's cool to hate TBBT now.

[SuperBowlNachos]

Re: Uncommon Opinions

That is the crazy part, I hate all of them in the show and I fully realize it is fake...yet I can't stop watching when it is on.

The items are still real and the facts you learn about them which is what Pawn Stars is focused around. Hardcore pawn is people who are hired actors or just want to be on TV putting on a show. Then Les doing "research" by looking the item up on eBay and offering 1/10th of what it's worth.

[kingkilla56]

Re: Uncommon Opinions

I think prequels suck. Because no matter what happens, you know how it ends in the long run. So there isnt any real tension for characters you've seen in the original work. It doesnt really matter. I think sequels are always more worthwhile than prequels. Prequels should be like an episode or a scene, never a full length movie or full video game or something like that.

[AshamanCarnage]

Re: Uncommon Opinions

Yes it does, but I think what made me power through that lull was the deterioration of Rand. I think that was done beautifully. It was this slow, agonizing wasting away of his morals and I loved every second of it. Even better was that you could see it from his perspective and Min's perspective. By the way, Min is the best female in that book hands down. 3rd favorite character with 2nd being Rand and 1st being the reincarnation of Odin himself Matrim Cauthon.

I'm glad I read it because it made me check out Brandon Sanderson's other works when he took over after Mr. Jordan's death. I'm glad I did because he's now my favorite author.

Couldn't say it better. The only character I actually despised was probably Perrin. I thought everything about him was boring, like put me to sleep boring.

I believe this maybe an uncommon opinion but one of my other favorite book characters...Robert Langdon.

[DukeC]

Re: Uncommon Opinions

I think prequels suck. Because no matter what happens, you know how it ends in the long run. So there isnt any real tension for characters you've seen in the original work. It doesnt really matter. I think sequels are always more worthwhile than prequels. Prequels should be like an episode or a scene, never a full length movie or full video game or something like that.

Why is that?

I think there's equal value in a story of "How did this come to happen?" as much as "So what happens after?"

[DukeC]

Re: Uncommon Opinions

Couldn't say it better. The only character I actually despised was probably Perrin. I thought everything about him was boring, like put me to sleep boring.

I believe this maybe an uncommon opinion but one of my other favorite book characters...Robert Langdon.

I didn't dislike Perrin. His character was uninteresting aside from when he was forced to fight, and then I liked him. But the pacing Mr. Jordan used was un-freaking-bearable. I seriously started skipping 4-5 pages at a time until an interesting scene or conversation popped up, and then I'd backtrack to before said scene or conversation started.

Robert Langdon? Really? Man, that reminds me. Dan Brown gets no respect in the literature industry

But then again, one of my favorite male characters (Username is inspired by him) comes from a romance novel so who am I to be judging

[kingkilla56]

Re: Uncommon Opinions

Why is that?

I think there's equal value in a story of "How did this come to happen?" as much as "So what happens after?"

I dont mean to say that sequels are greater than or even necessary. But I'd take a sequel over a prequel almost every time.

[ubernoob]

Re: Uncommon Opinions

I enjoy Dan Brown's books quite a bit, for what they are.

They are quick-paced , good reads. Nothing life changing, but good. That reminds me I have Inferno sitting here and haven't busted it open yet.

I think my favorite author is probably Grisham though. In terms of novels. Fantasy wise, I'll go with RA Salvatore's older stuff, followed by the Wheel of Time series then the Dragonlance novels. Any 3 of those (for fantasy writing) you can't go wrong with.

[mgoblue]

Re: Uncommon Opinions

The items are still real and the facts you learn about them which is what Pawn Stars is focused around. Hardcore pawn is people who are hired actors or just want to be on TV putting on a show. Then Les doing "research" by looking the item up on eBay and offering 1/10th of what it's worth.

Yeah, that's why I like Pawn Stars but can't stand Hardcore Pawn

I've seen every episode of TBBT and I don't have it in my top 10 shows currently airing. I think the hate comes from the fact it's one of the most watched shows on TV and how much people freak out about it. I also think it's cool to hate TBBT now.

I totally get that...I like TBBT and look forward to watching it, but don't think I'd put it on my top 10 either. Just don't think it's as terrible as some say, but I get your point.

[DukeC]

Re: Uncommon Opinions

I dont mean to say that sequels are greater than or even necessary. But I'd take a sequel over a prequel almost every time.

Ah ok. Gotcha. If it's a world I'm heavily invested in I wouldn't mind either. I like seeing or reading history unfolding right before my eyes. Stuff that was only vaguely hinted at getting fully explained etc etc.

I enjoy Dan Brown's books quite a bit, for what they are.

They are quick-paced , good reads. Nothing life changing, but good. That reminds me I have Inferno sitting here and haven't busted it open yet.

I think my favorite author is probably Grisham though. In terms of novels. Fantasy wise, I'll go with RA Salvatore's older stuff, followed by the Wheel of Time series then the Dragonlance novels. Any 3 of those (for fantasy writing) you can't go wrong with.

I'd actually have to go James Patterson > Dan Brown. Alex Cross novels beats anything Dan Brown has put out IMO. But, different strokes for different folks.

I've been meaning to read some more RA Salvatore stuff. The covers looks awesome and everything and I just...look at the back, read the synopsis, hold it in my hands for several minutes weighing my opinions, then find some reason to put it back on the shelf

Oh, have you read Saga of the Seven Suns? It's a pretty good series. Objectively speaking it's badly written (from my perspective) ,but the plot, once it gets rolling, is very engrossing. I'd suggest giving it a try. It isnt badly written per say, but he did a whole lot of telling instead of showing.

[mgoblue]

Re: Uncommon Opinions

Ah ok. Gotcha. If it's a world I'm heavily invested in I wouldn't mind either. I like seeing or reading history unfolding right before my eyes. Stuff that was only vaguely hinted at getting fully explained etc etc.



I'd actually have to go James Patterson > Dan Brown. Alex Cross novels beats anything Dan Brown has put out IMO. But, different strokes for different folks.

I've been meaning to read some more RA Salvatore stuff. The covers looks awesome and everything and I just...look at the back, read the synopsis, hold it in my hands for several minutes weighing my opinions, then find some reason to put it back on the shelf

Oh, have you read Saga of the Seven Suns? It's a pretty good series. Objectively speaking it's badly written (from my perspective) ,but the plot, once it gets rolling, is very engrossing. I'd suggest giving it a try. It isnt badly written per say, but he did a whole lot of telling instead of showing.

Does James Patterson even write his own books anymore? He puts out so many novels it makes me wonder....My wife and I used to like his stuff but now that he writes so many each year we've noticed a decline in quality a bit.

[ubernoob]

Re: Uncommon Opinions

Ah ok. Gotcha. If it's a world I'm heavily invested in I wouldn't mind either. I like seeing or reading history unfolding right before my eyes. Stuff that was only vaguely hinted at getting fully explained etc etc.



I'd actually have to go James Patterson > Dan Brown. Alex Cross novels beats anything Dan Brown has put out IMO. But, different strokes for different folks.

I've been meaning to read some more RA Salvatore stuff. The covers looks awesome and everything and I just...look at the back, read the synopsis, hold it in my hands for several minutes weighing my opinions, then find some reason to put it back on the shelf

Oh, have you read Saga of the Seven Suns? It's a pretty good series. Objectively speaking it's badly written (from my perspective) ,but the plot, once it gets rolling, is very engrossing. I'd suggest giving it a try. It isnt badly written per say, but he did a whole lot of telling instead of showing.

I haven't ever read James Patterson. I could thoroughly enjoy it for all I know. I've been lazy picking up books lately. I have a kindle, I'll have to check it out.

In terms of Salvatore, I highly suggest reading the Icewind Dale trilogy first. The order is The Crystal Shard, Streams of Silver and then The Halfling's Gem. If you get through them, and enjoy them, then read The Dark Elf Trilogy (Homeworld, Exile and then Sojourn.)

Technically, the Dark Elf Trilogy is a prequel but I think reading the Icewind Dale trilogy first adds a bit more to the book.

[DukeC]

Re: Uncommon Opinions

Does James Patterson even write his own books anymore? He puts out so many novels it makes me wonder....My wife and I used to like his stuff but now that he writes so many each year we've noticed a decline in quality a bit.

I was going to mention that. Still, for the most part he probably just does overall guidelines and his "Co-Authors" write the book/fill in the details.

The only series I really like from him are Alex Cross, Women's Murder Club, and the Maximum Ride series (which jumped the shark at like the last two books. They were going so well ).

I haven't ever read James Patterson. I could thoroughly enjoy it for all I know. I've been lazy picking up books lately. I have a kindle, I'll have to check it out.

In terms of Salvatore, I highly suggest reading the Icewind Dale trilogy first. The order is The Crystal Shard, Streams of Silver and then The Halfling's Gem. If you get through them, and enjoy them, then read The Dark Elf Trilogy (Homeworld, Exile and then Sojourn.)

Technically, the Dark Elf Trilogy is a prequel but I think reading the Icewind Dale trilogy first adds a bit more to the book.

I would highly recommend the Alex Cross series. At least the first 2 books. Absolute masterpieces.

I'll probably find a couple of ebooks of RA and check them out. Lord knows when I'll actually get around to it. Been a while since I actually set foot in an actual library.