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Spoilers What Book Are You Reading?
- Thread starter Huntn
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I haven't gotten that far yet. I'm still wondering, after reading the prologues, what I did to myself. I generally like satire, and loved Tolkien, so we'll see how it goes. I've joked about how over the top some scenes in the books are, and never thought anyone actually did a satire send up of it all. Looking forward to the journey...
Anything by Sanderson is my type of book.
Currently reading Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie
And, yeah, I may dump this book. Wish users could delete books they regret buying. THAT would be a great idea for the future...
As far as I’ve gotten, I like the palace intrigue/possible romance so to speak between Vin and the heir to one of the great houses, but I’m not that far into it so be careful what you let slip.
Okay: I must say that I love the magic system - it works exceptionally well in the context of that world. And Vin rocks.As far as I’ve gotten, I like the palace intrigue/possible romance so to speak between Vin and the heir to one of the great houses, but I’m not that far into it so be careful what you let slip.
Moreover, I loved the scenes where Vin was being trained (not just by Kelsier, but by Sazad), and, yes, the ball scenes are wonderful - atmospheric, full of tension, and political intrigue.
Plus, Sanderson does fight scenes really, really well.
As far as I’ve gotten, I like the palace intrigue/possible romance so to speak between Vin and the heir to one of the great houses, but I’m not that far into it so be careful what you let slip.
Have you read Asimov's Galactic Empire Series? He wrote a few love scenes in them, and they are really well done, for a sci-fi author. I don't know why I was surprised, but he never seemed to do that genre very much at all. I can't remember now which book in the series has the best, but they are all well done.
I have not, but will look at those. Because of the upcoming tv series, I decided to read Foundation, but got bored with it. Apologies to any Foundation fans.
Of note one of my most favorite reads for that time frame is Ray Bradbury’s The Martian Chronicles. An anthology (correct term?) of stories surrounding the colonization of Mars that I found to be fantastic, sad, and at times emotional.
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I have not, but will look at those. Because of the upcoming tv series, I decided to read Foundation, but got bored with it. Apologies to any Foundation fans.
I was in elementary school, and the project was to write to your favorite author, and I had just read Dandelion Wine, and wrote Mr Bradbury. He responded by sending his note on a coaster for his co-owned restaurant in New York. I was so sure to never hear from him, and so overjoyed to get *anything* from him. And... My parents kept it, and it disappeared in their hording mess of crap when they died. Sad, but thanks, Ray, for sending a response to a kid who liked your book, and read it as an elementary school kid. I think people were kind of shocked that a 4th grader would read such a book, but I was reading so many 'higher books' by that time. I was famously busted for reading Frank Slaughter's book 'Countdown' in 6th grade. Too soon?
Revisiting Atlas Shrugged for the first time since college. Just began chapter 2 this morning before work so a long way to go. I've been on a "rereading" kick lately.
I always have a copy of Leaves of Grass hanging around and have dipped in and out of that since I was in high school, which feels like it was circa 1855 itself now that I have school-age kids of my own.
I always have a copy of Leaves of Grass hanging around and have dipped in and out of that since I was in high school, which feels like it was circa 1855 itself now that I have school-age kids of my own.
That is one book I couldn't get through. I started AS, and just lost it. Same with the L Ron Hubbard books. I read 3 (maybe 4) of the, what 15 book series, and started having nightmares and dropped them. My wife had to read AS, and write an extensive book report on it, and ended up getting one of her lowest grades for it. The prof was a huge fan. The next year (same prof), they had to do Fountain Head, and again she got a low grade. *shrug*
I have laughed at the quote: “There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old’s life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs." Sounds like a brutal quote from someone with a closed mind.
It was funny though that I got ripped by my high school best friend's dad for reading Lord of the Rings. He was a minister, and apparently had a massive dislike of Tolkien. We had a very long and deeply philosophical discussion on the books, which was actually fascinating. He didn't like the whole 'magic' part of them, and I explained that it was more allegorical about the wars and other social issues going on at the time. He wasn't aware of that possibility. In the end, I think he opened his mind about the series. *shrug* We are what we read, to a point, but also what we see and hear. I was kind of into the Hubbard books, until they took a turn my psyche apparently found unpalatable. *shrug*
Shows that just because someone doesn't like a book, doesn't mean that book needs to disappear. It's too easy to be closed minded.
Hah, I just remembered reading Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, again in high school, and actually losing friends over it. Many said that it wasn't 'quality literature', but I disagreed.
Now, onto 'Bored of the Rings'. Hmm... Maybe I should start rereading the Foundation Series...
I have wanted for many years to read Ayn Rand simply to have an awareness of what the books are all about since they are considered so important to a certain segment of our society today. I should give them a try.
LOTR (and the Hobbit), on the other hand, I've read several times. Anyone remember the paperback editions back in the '70's that had the quote from Tolkien on the back cover imploring readers to buy those authorized editions? There must have been bootleg or fraudulent editions being sold at the time. I still have those well worn paperbacks, practically falling apart.
edit: I have Bored of the Rings too, I think I did read it once and kind of enjoyed it, stupid as it is. OK, it's a parody, I know.
LOTR (and the Hobbit), on the other hand, I've read several times. Anyone remember the paperback editions back in the '70's that had the quote from Tolkien on the back cover imploring readers to buy those authorized editions? There must have been bootleg or fraudulent editions being sold at the time. I still have those well worn paperbacks, practically falling apart.
edit: I have Bored of the Rings too, I think I did read it once and kind of enjoyed it, stupid as it is. OK, it's a parody, I know.
Actually the LOTR set I had was from the friend with the minister father. He got the books from another friend at school, and knew his dad would have a fit. The slip box has long since fallen apart, but I still have toe books. I think I read them in a couple of weeks. I'd often read ahead to complete a complex thread, and back track to hook up with the other thread. But loved them. I think I still have the AS copy I bought. I think I donated the LRH books I had bought. I was so sure I'd like them, I think I had already bought the next 4 or 5 books. Oops... *shrug* Yes, AS is very popular for some people. The wife got a copy from a local politician. Weird, but... Enough on this book from me...
I’ve never read Hitchhiker’s Guide, but it’s been recommended to me by so many people that it’s certainly on my list. I’ve read LOTR multiple times. That all started with a dusty hard cover read of The Hobbit that I pulled off of one of my grandmother’s bookshelves as an early teen.
The ironic thing about my second foray into Atlas Shrugged is that I just finished Slaughterhouse Five and Breakfast of Champions, which I first read in freshman English class in high school. Quite the dichotomy between those two authors.
I’ve never read L. Ron Hubbard nor had an interest for some reason - my FIL is a huge fan.
Also, I love the AS/LOTR quote (although AS doesn’t seem like it would be a fitting read for your average 14 year old - unless part of the joke was lost on me). Definitely taking it along with me in my travels and dropping it on another book fan at some point.
Cheers, happy reading and thanks for your reply. - ZLM
Had to take a break since I was sick... but I am back at "Two Kinds of Truth" and already three quarters of the way through it!!!!
Reading book 9 of the Wheel of Time. Trying to finish the series this year but also toying with the idea of having a break and reading the latest trilogy of Joe Abercrombie for a change.
HG is fun stuff. I appreciate it even more since Douglas Adams has passed away.
Slaughterhouse Five and Breakfast of Champions are two of my all time faves from Vonnegut.
@PinkyMacGodess, @zachlegomaniac: The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy is an absolute classic; I first read it as an undergrad and loved it.
That is one series that could have done with the services of a supremely dedicated sub-editor, savagely wielding the implements of his or her trade.
Actually, to my mind, Brandon Sanderson did an excellent job with bringing the series to a (much needed) close.
I applaud your endurance.
That is one series that could have done with the services of a supremely dedicated sub-editor, savagely wielding the implements of his or her trade.
Actually, to my mind, Brandon Sanderson did an excellent job with bringing the series to a (much needed) close.
In fairness the main editor was Jordan’s wife and probably a bit too taken by the material and author. The Sanderson books are heavily based on Jordan’s notes and are equally very long. I do hope that the material and story gets thicker by then.
Anyone into Neal Stephenson? I read Snow Crash, and loved it. People describe his books as 'tough reads'. Never understood why. Odd...
I’ve read Seveneves and liked it. It had some more lengthy passages but in general it was an entertaining read.