What are you reading? - Page 14

Morlun · 01-13-2007, 09:19 AM

just finished fear and loathing in las vegas. Much much better than the film. Going to pick up the great shark hunt today.

Kimarhi Ronso · 01-13-2007, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Injektilo

If I was to be honest, I was expecting something better. After being talked up to it's total brilliance I found myself a tad underwhelmed.

Understandable, since he's speaking in 50+ year old tongues (the "threw some faggots on the fire" line made me chuckle inwardly), but I'll stick to the films I think.

Have to give it rrrrispeck though Kimmy, given all that it's spawned. Lord Of The Rings is my Metallica, I can appreciate it setting standards, but much prefer the contemporary media it's given birth to.

I was young then. I could probably go for it now without much problems. It's just remembering what it was like that is keeping me away now.

Still prefer the more realistic settings in SOIAF though.

SePhO_zO · 01-13-2007, 05:03 PM

Somehow, LotR was one of the first "grown-up" novels I ever read, and I got through it without too much trouble. Since then, I've come to realize that, while the world and history of Middle-earth might be interesting enough, the books themselves are kind of crap.

It's funny because I remember writing a long, corny post defending the books, in response to JA when he made the same assertion some years back. I'm so glad that post was lost.

Tolkien was a brilliant linguist, a trait that might have had an adverse influence on his idea of what made an engaging storytelling experience, though he wasn't necessarily unable to craft one--The Hobbit was far and away better than the work it birthed in terms of overall enjoyability and was much easier to read, even if the originality of the plot is a bit difficult to see in modern times with all of the fantasy Tolkien's work has influenced. Tolkien's idea of a "children's book" doesn't share its big brother's overbearing attention to detail and is much more accessible for the average adult. It also helps that Bilbo is a decidedly more likable character than his younger cousin.

My view on the quality of the LotR films differs a little from the consensus, but they are far more fun to watch than the books are to read.

Anyways.

Slowly working my way through the Alphabet of Manliness by Maddox. It's hard to put down, but it doesn't occupy a lot of shelf space and I want to enjoy it for a while. Following that, I might dive into Cell by Stephen King, or any other number of untouched King books that have been sitting on my shelf for ages. Or I might actually finish The Talisman

itsallgoodbabyGb · 02-05-2007, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morlun

just finished fear and loathing in las vegas. Much much better than the film. Going to pick up the great shark hunt today.

ive just finished that too! and im doing it in a module next semester! ACE!

MacCabbe · 02-14-2007, 08:08 AM

Finishing Gone for Good, an excellent thriller by Harlan Coben. Typically the sort of book that hooks you up from the very first pages and doesn't let you go. And am about to start Drowned Hopes, by Donald Westlake. I have heard only praises of that (yet another) thriller.

J A Eyers · 02-14-2007, 10:57 AM

I'm currently reading The Kiterunner by Khaled Hosseini. It's not often I dish out hyperbole, but I can't remember reading anything as good as this novel in the last five years. Seriously good stuff. It's about a boy who grows up in Afghanistan in the 1970s, flees to America with his family when the Soviets invade, then has to go back to redeem himself at the height of the Taliban's tyranny, just before 9/11. It's definitely got something of To Kill A Mockingbird about it, and not just thematically. Plus it's a really accessible, easy read, almost like a thriller. I can't recommend it enough. Everyone should read it, especially given the situation in Afghanistan now. It's hard to imagine a time when Kabul was a tourist destination and the only Americans there were hippies. It's not a partisan novel, however; it's the Afghans who come out of it looking the worst.

HighHopes · 02-17-2007, 11:08 PM

I'm re-reading American Gods by Neil Gaiman because my boyfriend gave me that book and I love it so much! Apart from the wierd dreams it inspires, about being in love with Mr. Wednesday and then I wake up and I'm all like... "Ahhh... dreamy Mr. Wednesday" and it's gross!! Because in my dreams he smells so heavily of alcohol and is so obviously too old but he charms me every time!!

I'm also re-reading Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte for about the 3rd or 4th time. All time favourite book. I just love how subtle everything of that era was, and I love how much emotion the characters have but you sometimes miss it because they were more subtle back then. I also like to imagine Heathcliff and Cathy making out all the time. I love Heathcliff and Cathy soooo much. I couldn't live without them!!

I'm also re-reading The House of the Spirits, by Isabel Allende. There are so many characters in that book so it gets confusing but I love how its set in sort of a made-up South American country because it's really given me an interest in a part of the world that didn't really intrigue me much until now. It's just so wonderful and the characters are all fantastic. I also love how surreal it gets at times... magical realism is so awesome. I love that book, and it was my second favourite book until I finished reading American Gods. So now it's my third favourite but it's still awesome.

So they are pretty much the three books I read. I'm not a big reader, I just read my favourites over and over.

I wish I could say I was still reading Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman but I sort of read it all on the flight back to Australia. Fastest I've ever read a book. Although I get through the Harry Potter's pretty quick. Which reminds me, I need to find out that release date so I can get time off work......

I'd read Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte more if it didn't make start crying every time I get to the sad part.

Merkaal · 02-18-2007, 02:18 AM

I read some Albert Camus (The Fall, The Stranger) last night. Got some positive disintegration going on. I felt better afterwards.

Currently reading Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. I enjoy it so far.

Conner Macleod · 02-18-2007, 05:38 AM

Currently reading 'Good Omens' by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. Started off a bit slow, but it's starting to pick up the pace and it's definitely getting more interesting. Very much a Monty Pythonesque take on 'The Omen'. The only downside is that some of the references are intrinsically related to British culture, which most foreign readers will gloss over unless they're intimate with much of its quirky, unique traits, hence the footers complete with explanations, ala Shakespeare, and that breaks the continuity a little, bit of a distraction. Anywho, still an enjoyable read so far.

Injektilo · 02-18-2007, 09:17 AM

Try the Discworld series if Pratchett works out for you, unless you have already.

Conner Macleod · 02-18-2007, 08:26 PM

I've heard only good things about it, so I will definitely give it a shot one of these days

Injektilo · 02-18-2007, 11:25 PM

Well, 'it' is 30-odd books...have fun! ^^

Conner Macleod · 02-19-2007, 03:04 AM

Yikes! I thought it was just a handful....Well, I've got my reading cut out for me. So many books, so little time.

Bicest-80 · 02-19-2007, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conner Macleod

Currently reading 'Good Omens' by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. Started off a bit slow, but it's starting to pick up the pace and it's definitely getting more interesting. Very much a Monty Pythonesque take on 'The Omen'. The only downside is that some of the references are intrinsically related to British culture, which most foreign readers will gloss over unless they're intimate with much of its quirky, unique traits, hence the footers complete with explanations, ala Shakespeare, and that breaks the continuity a little, bit of a distraction. Anywho, still an enjoyable read so far.

Wow, we're reading the same book! I'm really liking it too, it's been a while since I read a funny book. It's made me laugh out lound a few times. I'd agree that it's very British, but being an Australian I think I get most of it. One thing I think is really clever about Good Omens is that it isn't set in any particular year. It seems to be written to take place whenever you're reading it.

Conner Macleod · 02-20-2007, 04:35 AM

Good point, Bicest, I noticed that too. I'll post a more complete impression once I'm done. After this I'm reading 'Anansi Boys', the sequel to 'American Gods', which I loved.

Fate's Destiny · 02-22-2007, 08:00 PM

I'm finally getting around to reading "Guns, Germs, and Steel" by Jared Diamond, as well as reading my new copies of the histories of Diodorus (Siculus).

BullpupDFWM · 02-23-2007, 05:32 PM

I finally finished Hannibal Rising.

Moved on to The Narrowback by Michael Ledwidge.
I've only read the first chapter, but I really dig his writing style and the way he describes things

Conner Macleod · 02-24-2007, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fate's Destiny

I'm finally getting around to reading "Guns, Germs, and Steel" by Jared Diamond, as well as reading my new copies of the histories of Diodorus (Siculus).

Let me know how 'Guns, Germs and Steel' is, FD, I've heard many good things about it.

Glennie · 02-25-2007, 05:50 AM

Its a play rather than a book but I'm reading Educating Rita by Willy Russell, so far so good. Its hilarious at times.

Renegade 2501 · 02-25-2007, 07:22 PM

I'm going to re-read both American Psycho and Blood Meridian (EXCELLENT book), but before I do that I'm considering reading either Hannibal Rising or Lunar Park. Haven't really decided yet.

MacCabbe · 04-03-2007, 06:01 AM

I'm back for the third time in the thousands of pages of Carrion Comfort, by Dan Simmons. It's unbelievable how good that book is.

Hamz · 04-03-2007, 01:50 PM

I'm reading Better Than Sex by Hunter S. Thompson. so far its a good read.

J A Eyers · 04-03-2007, 02:02 PM

I've almost finished The Sirens of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut. It wasn't as good as Slaughterhouse Five (but then, what is?).

Hamz · 04-03-2007, 04:01 PM

Slaughterhouse five is one of my favorite books, I never returned it to my highschool at the end of the year.

Hannibalien · 04-03-2007, 10:01 PM

The Monk by Matthew Lewis. Now THATS what a gothic novel should be.

noodle boy · 04-03-2007, 10:05 PM

Eh. Just finished up reading American Gods by Neil Gaiman, great book, reading through World war Z for the fourth time, also reading The Kite Runner, also a good book.

J A Eyers · 04-04-2007, 03:08 PM

The Kite Runner is amazing. The best book I've read in five years.

I'm currently reading Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin, mainly because the chapters are short (Dan Brown-short) and my attention span is weak at the moment.

Renegade 2501 · 04-04-2007, 03:15 PM

My school was trying to get us to read The Kite Runner last year, but I did not have the time nor the energy. I'm well into re-reading Blood Meridian. In case you couldn't tell, I love this book.

J A Eyers · 04-04-2007, 03:27 PM

The Kite Runner is really easy to read. It's not a foreign book, even though a lot of it is set in Afghanistan, and the writer is an Afghan. He was a kid when he came to America, so it reads very much like an American novel. It reminded me a lot of To Kill A Mockingbird. It's very dramatic, very powerful stuff, very quick paced. I'd make that effort of your own volition, if I was you.

Cutter Zane · 04-04-2007, 04:41 PM

At the moment, I'm reading through The Walking Dead (hardback volume 1, encompassing trade issues #1 to #12). Great series

02-18-2007, 05:38 AM	#399 (permalink)
Conner Macleod Highlander Hardcore Veteran Join Date: May 1999 Location: USA Posts: 8,205	Currently reading 'Good Omens' by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. Started off a bit slow, but it's starting to pick up the pace and it's definitely getting more interesting. Very much a Monty Pythonesque take on 'The Omen'. The only downside is that some of the references are intrinsically related to British culture, which most foreign readers will gloss over unless they're intimate with much of its quirky, unique traits, hence the footers complete with explanations, ala Shakespeare, and that breaks the continuity a little, bit of a distraction. Anywho, still an enjoyable read so far.
	"There can be only one"

02-22-2007, 08:00 PM	#406 (permalink)
Fate's Destiny Still a Mechwarrior Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Alone. Posts: 3,964	I'm finally getting around to reading "Guns, Germs, and Steel" by Jared Diamond, as well as reading my new copies of the histories of Diodorus (Siculus).
	Back after a jaunt.

04-03-2007, 10:01 PM	#415 (permalink)
Hannibalien Everything happens for a reason Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: New Berlin, WI, USA Posts: 1,896	The Monk by Matthew Lewis. Now THATS what a gothic novel should be.
	I can see for miles and miles...

04-03-2007, 10:05 PM	#416 (permalink)
noodle boy Ennui-licious. Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,847	Eh. Just finished up reading American Gods by Neil Gaiman, great book, reading through World war Z for the fourth time, also reading The Kite Runner, also a good book.
	I'll leave it to you to figure out how much of that was sarcasm.

01-13-2007, 09:19 AM	#391 (permalink)
Morlun F A N T A S T I C Veteran Join Date: May 2006 Location: belfast city Posts: 855	just finished fear and loathing in las vegas. Much much better than the film. Going to pick up the great shark hunt today.

01-13-2007, 05:03 PM	#393 (permalink)
SePhO_zO Ain't no party like my nana's tea party Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Earth, arguably Posts: 2,819	Somehow, LotR was one of the first "grown-up" novels I ever read, and I got through it without too much trouble. Since then, I've come to realize that, while the world and history of Middle-earth might be interesting enough, the books themselves are kind of crap. It's funny because I remember writing a long, corny post defending the books, in response to JA when he made the same assertion some years back. I'm so glad that post was lost. Tolkien was a brilliant linguist, a trait that might have had an adverse influence on his idea of what made an engaging storytelling experience, though he wasn't necessarily unable to craft one--The Hobbit was far and away better than the work it birthed in terms of overall enjoyability and was much easier to read, even if the originality of the plot is a bit difficult to see in modern times with all of the fantasy Tolkien's work has influenced. Tolkien's idea of a "children's book" doesn't share its big brother's overbearing attention to detail and is much more accessible for the average adult. It also helps that Bilbo is a decidedly more likable character than his younger cousin. My view on the quality of the LotR films differs a little from the consensus, but they are far more fun to watch than the books are to read. Anyways. Slowly working my way through the Alphabet of Manliness by Maddox. It's hard to put down, but it doesn't occupy a lot of shelf space and I want to enjoy it for a while. Following that, I might dive into Cell by Stephen King, or any other number of untouched King books that have been sitting on my shelf for ages. Or I might actually finish The Talisman

02-14-2007, 08:08 AM	#395 (permalink)
MacCabbe Occasionally Wont ! Hardcore Veteran Join Date: May 2004 Location: Paris Posts: 6,958	Finishing Gone for Good, an excellent thriller by Harlan Coben. Typically the sort of book that hooks you up from the very first pages and doesn't let you go. And am about to start Drowned Hopes, by Donald Westlake. I have heard only praises of that (yet another) thriller.

02-14-2007, 10:57 AM	#396 (permalink)
J A Eyers Better ban'd than bland Godlike Poster Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Southend, England Posts: 24,315	I'm currently reading The Kiterunner by Khaled Hosseini. It's not often I dish out hyperbole, but I can't remember reading anything as good as this novel in the last five years. Seriously good stuff. It's about a boy who grows up in Afghanistan in the 1970s, flees to America with his family when the Soviets invade, then has to go back to redeem himself at the height of the Taliban's tyranny, just before 9/11. It's definitely got something of To Kill A Mockingbird about it, and not just thematically. Plus it's a really accessible, easy read, almost like a thriller. I can't recommend it enough. Everyone should read it, especially given the situation in Afghanistan now. It's hard to imagine a time when Kabul was a tourist destination and the only Americans there were hippies. It's not a partisan novel, however; it's the Afghans who come out of it looking the worst.

02-17-2007, 11:08 PM	#397 (permalink)
HighHopes Putting the Damage on. Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Victoria, Australia. Posts: 2,556	I'm re-reading American Gods by Neil Gaiman because my boyfriend gave me that book and I love it so much! Apart from the wierd dreams it inspires, about being in love with Mr. Wednesday and then I wake up and I'm all like... "Ahhh... dreamy Mr. Wednesday" and it's gross!! Because in my dreams he smells so heavily of alcohol and is so obviously too old but he charms me every time!! I'm also re-reading Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte for about the 3rd or 4th time. All time favourite book. I just love how subtle everything of that era was, and I love how much emotion the characters have but you sometimes miss it because they were more subtle back then. I also like to imagine Heathcliff and Cathy making out all the time. I love Heathcliff and Cathy soooo much. I couldn't live without them!! I'm also re-reading The House of the Spirits, by Isabel Allende. There are so many characters in that book so it gets confusing but I love how its set in sort of a made-up South American country because it's really given me an interest in a part of the world that didn't really intrigue me much until now. It's just so wonderful and the characters are all fantastic. I also love how surreal it gets at times... magical realism is so awesome. I love that book, and it was my second favourite book until I finished reading American Gods. So now it's my third favourite but it's still awesome. So they are pretty much the three books I read. I'm not a big reader, I just read my favourites over and over. I wish I could say I was still reading Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman but I sort of read it all on the flight back to Australia. Fastest I've ever read a book. Although I get through the Harry Potter's pretty quick. Which reminds me, I need to find out that release date so I can get time off work...... I'd read Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte more if it didn't make start crying every time I get to the sad part.

02-18-2007, 02:18 AM	#398 (permalink)
Merkaal heh Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Earth Posts: 3,144	I read some Albert Camus (The Fall, The Stranger) last night. Got some positive disintegration going on. I felt better afterwards. Currently reading Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. I enjoy it so far.

02-18-2007, 09:17 AM	#400 (permalink)
Injektilo bleep freak Godlike Poster Tournaments Won: 1 Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: northampton, UK Posts: 22,159	Try the Discworld series if Pratchett works out for you, unless you have already.

02-18-2007, 08:26 PM	#401 (permalink)
Conner Macleod Highlander Hardcore Veteran Join Date: May 1999 Location: USA Posts: 8,205	I've heard only good things about it, so I will definitely give it a shot one of these days

02-18-2007, 11:25 PM	#402 (permalink)
Injektilo bleep freak Godlike Poster Tournaments Won: 1 Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: northampton, UK Posts: 22,159	Well, 'it' is 30-odd books...have fun! ^^

02-19-2007, 03:04 AM	#403 (permalink)
Conner Macleod Highlander Hardcore Veteran Join Date: May 1999 Location: USA Posts: 8,205	Yikes! I thought it was just a handful....Well, I've got my reading cut out for me. So many books, so little time.

02-20-2007, 04:35 AM	#405 (permalink)
Conner Macleod Highlander Hardcore Veteran Join Date: May 1999 Location: USA Posts: 8,205	Good point, Bicest, I noticed that too. I'll post a more complete impression once I'm done. After this I'm reading 'Anansi Boys', the sequel to 'American Gods', which I loved.

02-23-2007, 05:32 PM	#407 (permalink)
BullpupDFWM I've had my shit PUSHED IN Hardcore Veteran Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 9,794	I finally finished Hannibal Rising. Moved on to The Narrowback by Michael Ledwidge. I've only read the first chapter, but I really dig his writing style and the way he describes things

02-25-2007, 05:50 AM	#409 (permalink)
Glennie Registered User Forum Fledgling Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 139	Its a play rather than a book but I'm reading Educating Rita by Willy Russell, so far so good. Its hilarious at times.

02-25-2007, 07:22 PM	#410 (permalink)
Renegade 2501 Caveat Emptor Hardcore Veteran Join Date: May 2001 Location: "Kahlifoania" Posts: 9,333	I'm going to re-read both American Psycho and Blood Meridian (EXCELLENT book), but before I do that I'm considering reading either Hannibal Rising or Lunar Park. Haven't really decided yet.

04-03-2007, 06:01 AM	#411 (permalink)
MacCabbe Occasionally Wont ! Hardcore Veteran Join Date: May 2004 Location: Paris Posts: 6,958	I'm back for the third time in the thousands of pages of Carrion Comfort, by Dan Simmons. It's unbelievable how good that book is.

04-03-2007, 01:50 PM	#412 (permalink)
Hamz I said get your ass the hell off of my boat! Hardcore Veteran Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 8,647	I'm reading Better Than Sex by Hunter S. Thompson. so far its a good read.

04-03-2007, 02:02 PM	#413 (permalink)
J A Eyers Better ban'd than bland Godlike Poster Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Southend, England Posts: 24,315	I've almost finished The Sirens of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut. It wasn't as good as Slaughterhouse Five (but then, what is?).

04-03-2007, 04:01 PM	#414 (permalink)
Hamz I said get your ass the hell off of my boat! Hardcore Veteran Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 8,647	Slaughterhouse five is one of my favorite books, I never returned it to my highschool at the end of the year.

04-04-2007, 03:08 PM	#417 (permalink)
J A Eyers Better ban'd than bland Godlike Poster Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Southend, England Posts: 24,315	The Kite Runner is amazing. The best book I've read in five years. I'm currently reading Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin, mainly because the chapters are short (Dan Brown-short) and my attention span is weak at the moment.

04-04-2007, 03:15 PM	#418 (permalink)
Renegade 2501 Caveat Emptor Hardcore Veteran Join Date: May 2001 Location: "Kahlifoania" Posts: 9,333	My school was trying to get us to read The Kite Runner last year, but I did not have the time nor the energy. I'm well into re-reading Blood Meridian. In case you couldn't tell, I love this book.

04-04-2007, 03:27 PM	#419 (permalink)
J A Eyers Better ban'd than bland Godlike Poster Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Southend, England Posts: 24,315	The Kite Runner is really easy to read. It's not a foreign book, even though a lot of it is set in Afghanistan, and the writer is an Afghan. He was a kid when he came to America, so it reads very much like an American novel. It reminded me a lot of To Kill A Mockingbird. It's very dramatic, very powerful stuff, very quick paced. I'd make that effort of your own volition, if I was you.

04-04-2007, 04:41 PM	#420 (permalink)
Cutter Zane Execute Order 666 Administrator Godlike Poster Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Mont Clare, PA Posts: 20,775	At the moment, I'm reading through The Walking Dead (hardback volume 1, encompassing trade issues #1 to #12). Great series