Spoilers What Book Are You Reading?

[MacDawg]

While the books and the TV show share many of the same characters and general story lines, there is enough of a divergence in both to deem them alternate realities. There appears to be many more fans of the TV show who have never read the books (and hence don't know what all the fuss over characters and plot is about). I'm sure it is possible to be a fan of both realities, but any attempt to reconcile the two will ultimately prove to be frustrating and futile.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Here is what the author has to say... even before the season finale's upheaval > LINK

Mind you, - given the staggering success of the books and TV series - had he managed to write them a little faster, and stay ahead of the TV series, there would be little argument about narrative arcs and control of stories, plot or character.

J K Rowling managed to stay ahead of the movies, when she published her books, which, in turn, - while she acknowledged that screen and page have different needs and that changes of necessity are made - did allow her a considerable degree of editorial input by way of suggestion (such as allowing the axing of some characters, but reminding individuals that certain other characters, such a Kreacher, - who had a small enough part in HP5 - ought not to be axed because they were important to plot development in a later book).

Likewise, Hilary Mantel. Her Thomas Cromwell (Wolf Hall) series is not yet concluded (the third book has yet to be finished let alone published) but she had had a huge input into the stage adaptations, superbly interpreted by the RSC, working closely, collaboratively, (and enjoyably) with the productions

Now, granted, like J K Rowling, she recognised that TV and cinema are radically different media to books, requiring the story to be approached differently, thus, she stepped back from a close collaboration with the BBBC TV adaptations of 'Wolf Hall'. At the same time, I have no doubt that had she stressed the inclusion or exclusion of certain aspects of the story, that this would not have been over-looked.

 

[ElizSm]

Now I am reading Oscar Wilde - "The Portrait of Dorian Grey" Very good and Interesting Book!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Now I am reading Oscar Wilde - "The Portrait of Dorian Grey" Very good and Interesting Book!

A brilliant book, in fact.

 

[ucfgrad93]

No worries. I also believe that @ucfgrad93 and @MacDawg are fans of the Honor Harrington series as well.

I am a huge fan of the series. I am currently reading the series again, and am currently on the 10th book War of Honor.

 

[ucfgrad93]

Thanks a million for taking the time and trouble to write them out (in sequence, no less). I am guessing, or assuming, that - as with Harry Potter - this is one series you may need to read in the correct order, or sequence.

While it would be easier to do that, as there are references to earlier events and characters, each book is essentially a contained story.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

While it would be easier to do that, as there are references to earlier events and characters, each book is essentially a contained story.

Don't worry; I'm a big fan of reading books in sequence unless it has become impossible to do so - I have always found that it makes a lot more sense if done that way. When I do finally settle down to taking a look at Honor Harrington, I will most certainly take great care to read it in sequence.

 

[Huntn]

Here is what the author has to say... even before the season finale's upheaval > LINK

Very interesting. As an advisor, I thought he had some say in the show, thinking he did not want it completely off the rails, like he insisted on some artistic control. Maybe not. I've bashed this kind of thing recently. That would be True Blood which was a train wreck if the books mean anything to an enthusiastic reader. Waiting for my scolding about proper expectations.

 

[ardchoille50]

Element X, by B. V. Larson. I quite like it so far.

 

[Huntn]

This morning I started the 6th book in the Honor Harrington series, Honor Among Enemies.

View attachment 561957

I absolutely love the Holy Smokes!!! aspect of the big battles, the ambushes, the ranges along the lines of a million km for missile launches, Mantacor's consistent technical advantage, the nasty People's Republic, and more!

 

[ucfgrad93]

I absolutely love the Holy Smokes!!! aspect of the big battles, the ambushes, the ranges along the lines of a million km for missile launches, Mantacor's consistent technical advantage, the nasty People's Republic, and more!

One of the things I really like about the Honor Harrington series is that Weber tries to stay as close to science facts as possible.

 

[Huntn]

One of the things I really like about the Honor Harrington series is that Weber tries to stay as close to science facts as possible.

Yes, he works hard making his technology seem plausible.

 

[S.B.G]

I absolutely love the Holy Smokes!!! aspect of the big battles, the ambushes, the ranges along the lines of a million km for missile launches, Mantacor's consistent technical advantage, the nasty People's Republic, and more!

One of the things I really like about the Honor Harrington series is that Weber tries to stay as close to science facts as possible.

Yes, he works hard making his technology seem plausible.

I agree and love all that too about the books. However, for me, my favorite parts of the books relate to the character Honor herself and her interpersonal relationships with others and Nimitz, the Treecat of hers. I love reading about her thought processes and feelings on matters and people. I like the makeup and background of the character the most.

Sometimes when the books are dealing with other characters or the Peeps I get slightly bored (just barely) and look forward to getting back to the parts and chapters with Honor in them.

 

[Huntn]

I agree and love all that too about the books. However, for me, my favorite parts of the books relate to the character Honor herself and her interpersonal relationships with others and Nimitz, the Treecat of hers. I love reading about her thought processes and feelings on matters and people. I like the makeup and background of the character the most.

Sometimes when the books are dealing with other characters or the Peeps I get slightly bored (just barely) and look forward to getting back to the parts and chapters with Honor in them.

It could be easy to get a crush on her. Now you have me thinking about and fearful who they could pick to play her in the movie!

While it would be easier to do that, as there are references to earlier events and characters, each book is essentially a contained story.

Honor Harrington Series- This is like reading a scifi-military historical book, best in cronilogical order. Each book builds on political and strategic military events, Honor's personal and significant professional experiences from the previous book, including her strategies in battle, triumphs and tragedies. She starts as a junior Captain and works her way up the chain of command. For anyone starting this series, you don't want to miss this progression.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Sometimes, a quiet Sunday seems to suggest a combination of coffee, and reading. And sometimes, Sundays seem especially suited to some poetry.

Today, I have been looking at two classics, that I first came across at school.

They both read extraordinarily well: The first is the powerful and unsettling poem initially called "Ballad" and subsequently re-titled to the better known "O What Is That Sound" by W H Auden, while the second is the superlative "The Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock" by T S Eliot.

 

[Traverse]

"DSLR Photography for Beginners: Take 10 Times Better Pictures in 48 Hours or Less! Best Way to Learn Digital Photography, Master Your DSLR Camera & Improve Your Digital SLR Photography Skills"

*Whew* long title. I'm just getting into a photo hobby. You have to start somewhere.

 

[rhett7660]

Currently reading a few:

Novel: Dark Rivers of The Hear - Dean Koontz
Comic book - Manhattan Project TPB Vol 2 (really digging this)
Comic book - "Y" the last man Book 1

 

[spencers]

The Martian

 

[JamesMike]

Reading 'The Return of Sherlock Holmes'.

 

[ucfgrad93]

I am currently reading At All Costs, the 11th book of the Honor Harrington series.

 

[zmunkz]

The Martian

Yeah, that was good. Did you see they are doing a motion picture with Matt Damon?

I just completed the first two books of the Stormlight Archive by Sanderson... which were amazing. Also the first book of the Licanius Trilogy by Islington... also very good. They both recall the Coldfire Trilogy for me, and I recommend them to anyone into fantasy with a touch of sci-fi.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Yeah, that was good. Did you see they are doing a motion picture with Matt Damon?

I just completed the first two books of the Stormlight Archive by Sanderson... which were amazing. Also the first book of the Licanius Trilogy by Islington... also very good. They both recall the Coldfire Trilogy for me, and I recommend them to anyone into fantasy with a touch of sci-fi.

Some interesting choices.

Actually, I must say that I rather like Brandon Sanderson's stuff; he saved Robert Jordan's mega opus and brought it home & concluded it very well, and has written the excellent, - extremely good - 'Mistborn' series (which I highly recommend) in addition to the 'Stormlight Archive'. He also appears to have a prodigious work ethic.

 

[spencers]

Yeah, that was good. Did you see they are doing a motion picture with Matt Damon?

Yeah, that's why I'm reading it!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Reading 'The Seville Communion' by the Spanish writer Arturo Perez-Reverte.

 

[impulse462]

Just got this book 'A Concise History of Modern Painting' by Thames and Hudson. It will take me a while to read this I think, since I'm a slow reader+I'm pretty busy most of the week, but I love reading about styles of painting so I think it will be worthwhile.