>> ^Chaucer:

That's odd. The guy that I know from Chicago always told me they called it the Windy City because they talk non-stop


Actually the reasoning behind "Windy City" is unknown:
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/244/why-cant-cecil-get-his-facts-straight-about-the-origin-of-big-apple-and-mention-john-j-fitz-gerald

I find this hard as i read so much, and dont consider books "good" in the general sence of others liking them and worthy of recomendation. which is odd considering how many things mentioned i like.

Anyway, basing this on books that have been profund reading moments, id say:

Dune series.

Robin Hobbs 3 trilogies involving the fool and Fitz.

Origin by stephen baxter.

Day after tomorrow and Stranger in a strange land by RH (MiaHM and ST both great too)

Loan wolf and Cub 1-28

The ender series is good, as is Weal of time, and alvin maker.

Sword of shanonara i expected to like but was utterly dire. didnt get past about 1st 100 oages of book 1. ugh.

Deadhouse gates is on my shelves to read.

HHGttG is too depressed. Which i understand is herasy.

peter F hamilton is great, adn i like john meaney too.

the dark tower had its moments. but im unsure about where its going and ahevnt finished it yet.

Ian m banks is interesting.

At some point i might list my favs of the clasic SF era, discounting all the RH i have.

One of my favorites also. I remember when this happened back in 75 and being that I live in Minnesota we had alot of coverage about this at that time. Was 6 and a 1/2 at the time.
Some more information about the ship and the sinking.
http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/wxwise/fitz.html