What should I read next?

[Crash-Man]

Hey guys.

I'm sitting here wondering which novel I should read next. Choose a poll option and explain your choice if you want to.

Just some background:

Dan Simmons' Hyperion is easily the best book I read this year, and definitely the best sci-fi novel I've ever read. Thought-provoking, compelling, deeply imaginative...it was incredible.
I know nothing about Dune (other than its acclaim), but if it invokes anything like Hyperion...

On the other hand, after reading (and being underwhelmed by) Gaiman's American Gods this week, I'm looking for something different. A little more adventure, something more fantastic.

Which of these would you read first?

[Donald M.]

The Magic Compass? I believe you mean The Golden Compass.

Anyway, that and Game of Thrones are the ones on your list I've read and both are great. I'd recommend either one.

You might not want to get into Song of Ice and Fire until you can be sure it'll ever end though. Go with Golden Compass, that series is complete and a great read.

[Crash-Man]

Yeah...my bad with the Golden Compass. Can't seem to find the edit option for the polls.

[Ryan Day]

I've gotta say Dune - it's a classic. It's pretty dense and heavy, but still a great book. Many imitators (and inferior sequels), but you can't beat the original.

If you liked Hyperion, you should also check out Simmons' Illium and the sequel, Olympos. Very big, grandiose stuff about someone re-enacting the Trojan War on the surface of Mars several thousand years in the future.

[Buzz Dixon]

RINGWORLD is classic space opera and a fast, fun read.

It's also what HALO ripped off only to turn a great concept into a pointless background for your standard first person shooter.

[Crash-Man]

Well Dune it is then, by a nose. :)

[Expletive Deleted]

You know, as late as I am to this shindig, I figure I should toss in a plug for FALL OF HYPERION. It doesn't have the Chaucerisms of the original (Keats is substituted, with references to his poem "The Fall of Hyperion"), but it's of basically equal quality. I'd recommend it, if for no other reason than you get closure on stories of the various travelers.

I'd recommend skipping the ENDYMION parts of the series, though.

[UniqueFrequency]

i voted Martin. i'm not a fan of Dune (though i like the prequels).