The Sword and Laser discussion

Douglas Adams for me. I've seen his books on shelves over the years, everyone speaks so well of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and I heard an interesting interview of Robbie Stamp on a podcast and had to check out The Hitcher's Guide. The humor didn't do it for me, I prefer subtle humor as opposed to books that make a concerted effort to be funny.

Hitchhikers - like Discworld - a is a joke fest - nothing subtle at all

One of my all time favourites

Paul

Yes, Adams and Pratchett both are making concerted efforts to be funny, the way P.G. Wodehouse would. While they usually tell compelling stories as well, their main goal is to make you smile. I go into those authors with that in mind, not serious science fiction or fantasy, and while they ARE obvious, the clever way in which they usually tell their jokes is worth it for me.

After reading Jurassic Park, I thought I was in love with Michael Crichton. I couldn't bring myself to read through The Lost World, Timeline, or The Andromeda Strain though. Something about his other books just don't flow right for me.

Scott Westerfeld writes some seriously winy characters. Uglies frustrated me to no end. Though I will say that he writes a pretty good action scene.

Douglas Adams wrote some pretty funny stuff, but his books never go very far. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is pretty much what I imagine "Monty Python: In Space!" would be like. That's good for those who like that kind of thing, but I like story to take the front seat in the books I read.