Books and stuff

SuperMonkey · 04-23-2012, 03:53 AM

Haven't been reading much lately, but I have a whole stack of stuff that I've been hoarding for the past few months and will hopefully get around to eventually. I think I mentioned this before, but 11/22/63 by Stephen King was a fantastic read, even though the third act kind of falls apart toward the end. If you like anything involving time travel, you should totally read it.

I'm also reading Anne Rice's The Mummy, which I recently realized is one of her few pre-crap books that I have yet to read. It's interesting so far, but certainly a lot different than most of her stuff because it's all third-person. Good, though.

I'm also a few chapters into a non-fiction book called "The Fourth of Part of the World" that was written by a friend of a friend. It's about a map or something.

Yeah, I'm boring.

I think the most surprising thing I've read in recent months has been the Hunger Games series (yes, based on the movie). I was sort of obligated to read the first one before seeing the film, but afterward I was actually interested in carrying on with the rest of the series. I expected Twilight-y teen angst crap, and there are sprinklings of that here and there, but overall I've found the books to be really, really good. I'm not sure they fit into the "Children's book" (or even "young adult") category very well at all. I'm about a quarter of the way through the third book now, and suckage has been minimal so far. (Now go ahead -- judge me!

)

What'choo readin'?

jedipencil · 04-23-2012, 08:48 AM

The Hunger Games are pretty good, eh? Just to be picky, I found Katniss a difficult protagonist to really like, but like you say, SuperMonkey, there was none of that sparkly teen angst. Well not much. I really enjoyed the second book, but the third one is really my least favorite of the bunch.

I'm waiting for J. K. Rowlings new book called The Casual Vacancy. I'm not expecting much from it, but want to read it anyway. Have not been reading anything serious because I'm trying to write something, but I've been re-reading Susan Cooper's Dark is Rising series - no idea why, just felt like it.

I might read Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco (translated), though... heard on a podcast that it was very good.

By the way, if anyone is interested, my Goodreads page is here if you would like to friend me (I adore Goodreads)

http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/6765317-k-v-hardy

AthenaRose · 04-23-2012, 09:25 AM

Just finished 'Catch 22' - first time I'd ever read it. I found it interesting from a writing pov (the treatment of each character in a separate chapter, the intertwining of story lines), not sure I really engaged as a reader, though.

I'm now onto 'Planet Narnia' which presents an underlying theme for the Chronicles. Once you get past how impressed the author is with his own cleverness at his discovery, it's really interesting. It's almost more about CS Lewis himself than the Chronicles. Anyway, having read the chapter on Jupiter, I'm about to launch into LWW for the umpteenth time

I'm hoping for The Hobbit for my birthday (don't know what happened to my copy...

) and enough money to pick up the 4 books of the Otherland series by Tad Williams cheap on ebay.

Allegory Comics · 05-06-2012, 10:10 AM

Been reading the Stephen King's DARK TOWER series for a while. Last month I fnished book 4 ("Wizard and Glass") and the short TOWER story ("Little Sisters of Eluria)", and then I read the new TOWER novel, "Wind Through the Keyhole."

It has very little to do with Roland and his ka-tet, directly, but it's a very good story and clearly an allegorical story as Tim (nee: Roland) goes on a journey searching for the Wizard's House (Tower) and his dealings with the evil Covenant Man (The Man in Black). If you're a fan of the series, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

There are 3 more books to go, but I'm taking a break from the series for a moment to read something else.

Now I've picked up "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" because I want to read it before the movie comes out.

jedipencil · 05-07-2012, 07:02 AM

Will be cuirous to see how the Vampire Hunter book turns out...! I started reading The Witches of East End (Beauchamp Family #1), and it is pretty good. A bit too soap opera-like, but now, halfway through, things are picking up.

I wanted to read and started Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco, but good golly it is really hard to sludge through the very sludgy translation. Not sure I'll be able to stick with it, unfortunately.

**Buckyrig** · 05-07-2012, 10:22 AM

Just started Chronic City by Jonathan Lethem.

I also just picked up a collection of Dashiell Hammett's Continental Op short stories.

Ulf Imwiehe · 05-18-2012, 02:56 PM

I just finished The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes and I'm positively blown away. For a plot that basically covers teenage relationships and the protagonist's memories thereof, it's as nailbitingly exciting as any thriller I've ever read. Beautiful use of language, too.

Next up: The Raw Shark Texts by Steven Hall. 50 pages in I must say, so far so intriguing.

Ulf Imwiehe · 05-18-2012, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jedipencil

I wanted to read and started Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco, but good golly it is really hard to sludge through the very sludgy translation. Not sure I'll be able to stick with it, unfortunately.

One of my favorite books ever! I do agree though, it's pretty challenging and can get downright tiresome at times.

Bishop · 05-18-2012, 04:25 PM

I've been reading Ready Player One. If you are a movie/game geek from the 80's you definitely should read this book.

jedipencil · 05-19-2012, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ulf Imwiehe

One of my favorite books ever! I do agree though, it's pretty challenging and can get downright tiresome at times.

It is worth the effort? Well I'll keep trying then.

Ulf Imwiehe · 05-19-2012, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jedipencil

It is worth the effort? Well I'll keep trying then.

If you're even in the slightest bit interested in the Kabbalah, occultism and conspiracy theories and enjoy watching a great (and pretty damn funny...!) thinker's mind at work, I'd say it's well worth the effort. Are you reading the French or the English version if you don't mind me asking?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bishop

I've been reading Ready Player One. If you are a movie/game geek from the 80's you definitely should read this book.

Thanks for the recommendation! Just read the synopsis – should be right up my alley.

jedipencil · 05-20-2012, 07:15 AM

English. Maybe the french version is easier? It's more difficult for me to read in French, but I can do it if I have to.

Ulf Imwiehe · 05-22-2012, 01:33 PM

Yeah, I'm the same with French. I can read it ok but I miss a lot of subtext and subtleties. The reason I'm asking is because a friend of mine complained about the French translation being a bit lackluster.

In other news, ¾ through The Raw Shark Texts and it's freaking awesome!

04-23-2012, 08:48 AM	#2
jedipencil Rabid Horse Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: East of Montreal Posts: 3,105	The Hunger Games are pretty good, eh? Just to be picky, I found Katniss a difficult protagonist to really like, but like you say, SuperMonkey, there was none of that sparkly teen angst. Well not much. I really enjoyed the second book, but the third one is really my least favorite of the bunch. I'm waiting for J. K. Rowlings new book called The Casual Vacancy. I'm not expecting much from it, but want to read it anyway. Have not been reading anything serious because I'm trying to write something, but I've been re-reading Susan Cooper's Dark is Rising series - no idea why, just felt like it. I might read Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco (translated), though... heard on a podcast that it was very good. By the way, if anyone is interested, my Goodreads page is here if you would like to friend me (I adore Goodreads) http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/6765317-k-v-hardy __________________ Rabid Horse l My Etsy Store l Goodreads Allons-y!

05-07-2012, 07:02 AM	#5
jedipencil Rabid Horse Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: East of Montreal Posts: 3,105	Will be cuirous to see how the Vampire Hunter book turns out...! I started reading The Witches of East End (Beauchamp Family #1), and it is pretty good. A bit too soap opera-like, but now, halfway through, things are picking up. I wanted to read and started Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco, but good golly it is really hard to sludge through the very sludgy translation. Not sure I'll be able to stick with it, unfortunately. __________________ Rabid Horse l My Etsy Store l Goodreads Allons-y!

05-20-2012, 07:15 AM	#12
jedipencil Rabid Horse Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: East of Montreal Posts: 3,105	English. Maybe the french version is easier? It's more difficult for me to read in French, but I can do it if I have to. __________________ Rabid Horse l My Etsy Store l Goodreads Allons-y!

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04-23-2012, 03:53 AM	#1
SuperMonkey The Killah Chinchillah Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Insert pithy witticism here Posts: 2,782	Books and stuff Haven't been reading much lately, but I have a whole stack of stuff that I've been hoarding for the past few months and will hopefully get around to eventually. I think I mentioned this before, but 11/22/63 by Stephen King was a fantastic read, even though the third act kind of falls apart toward the end. If you like anything involving time travel, you should totally read it. I'm also reading Anne Rice's The Mummy, which I recently realized is one of her few pre-crap books that I have yet to read. It's interesting so far, but certainly a lot different than most of her stuff because it's all third-person. Good, though. I'm also a few chapters into a non-fiction book called "The Fourth of Part of the World" that was written by a friend of a friend. It's about a map or something. Yeah, I'm boring. I think the most surprising thing I've read in recent months has been the Hunger Games series (yes, based on the movie). I was sort of obligated to read the first one before seeing the film, but afterward I was actually interested in carrying on with the rest of the series. I expected Twilight-y teen angst crap, and there are sprinklings of that here and there, but overall I've found the books to be really, really good. I'm not sure they fit into the "Children's book" (or even "young adult") category very well at all. I'm about a quarter of the way through the third book now, and suckage has been minimal so far. (Now go ahead -- judge me! ) What'choo readin'?

04-23-2012, 09:25 AM	#3
AthenaRose 12.9.12...? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: European Capital of Culture 2008 Posts: 8,768	Just finished 'Catch 22' - first time I'd ever read it. I found it interesting from a writing pov (the treatment of each character in a separate chapter, the intertwining of story lines), not sure I really engaged as a reader, though. I'm now onto 'Planet Narnia' which presents an underlying theme for the Chronicles. Once you get past how impressed the author is with his own cleverness at his discovery, it's really interesting. It's almost more about CS Lewis himself than the Chronicles. Anyway, having read the chapter on Jupiter, I'm about to launch into LWW for the umpteenth time I'm hoping for The Hobbit for my birthday (don't know what happened to my copy... ) and enough money to pick up the 4 books of the Otherland series by Tad Williams cheap on ebay.

05-06-2012, 10:10 AM	#4
Allegory Comics Master Marlovian Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,633	Been reading the Stephen King's DARK TOWER series for a while. Last month I fnished book 4 ("Wizard and Glass") and the short TOWER story ("Little Sisters of Eluria)", and then I read the new TOWER novel, "Wind Through the Keyhole." It has very little to do with Roland and his ka-tet, directly, but it's a very good story and clearly an allegorical story as Tim (nee: Roland) goes on a journey searching for the Wizard's House (Tower) and his dealings with the evil Covenant Man (The Man in Black). If you're a fan of the series, I don't think you'll be disappointed. There are 3 more books to go, but I'm taking a break from the series for a moment to read something else. Now I've picked up "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" because I want to read it before the movie comes out.

05-07-2012, 10:22 AM	#6
Buckyrig I Coulda Had a VH Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Steve Buscemi's Couch Posts: 11,460	Just started Chronic City by Jonathan Lethem. I also just picked up a collection of Dashiell Hammett's Continental Op short stories.

05-18-2012, 02:56 PM	#7
Ulf Imwiehe Scarecrow Impersonator Join Date: May 2012 Location: North of Here Posts: 41	I just finished The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes and I'm positively blown away. For a plot that basically covers teenage relationships and the protagonist's memories thereof, it's as nailbitingly exciting as any thriller I've ever read. Beautiful use of language, too. Next up: The Raw Shark Texts by Steven Hall. 50 pages in I must say, so far so intriguing.

05-18-2012, 04:25 PM	#9
Bishop Keeper of random thoughts Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: In your head. Posts: 4,112	I've been reading Ready Player One. If you are a movie/game geek from the 80's you definitely should read this book.

05-22-2012, 01:33 PM	#13
Ulf Imwiehe Scarecrow Impersonator Join Date: May 2012 Location: North of Here Posts: 41	Yeah, I'm the same with French. I can read it ok but I miss a lot of subtext and subtleties. The reason I'm asking is because a friend of mine complained about the French translation being a bit lackluster. In other news, ¾ through The Raw Shark Texts and it's freaking awesome!