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Post by Sabre on Jul 15, 2009 21:29:41 GMT -5
...? Is this read a book from every letter of the alphabet by the end of the summer? I might be able to try that... *ponders* Ender's Game was absolutly amazing! The psychology in it is so fascinating, and I'm totally in awe of Orson Scott Card now. The whole story sounds very simple as a summary, but what goes in the minds of these kids makes the book absolutely amazing. You should read Ender's Shadow. It's the one that take's Bean's side of the story, I believe, and I was able to get into that one much easier than Ender's Game. I actually haven't finished the latter one yet.971
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Post by Tiger on Jul 15, 2009 21:39:34 GMT -5
...? Is this read a book from every letter of the alphabet by the end of the summer? I might be able to try that... *ponders* Ender's Game was absolutly amazing! The psychology in it is so fascinating, and I'm totally in awe of Orson Scott Card now. The whole story sounds very simple as a summary, but what goes in the minds of these kids makes the book absolutely amazing. You should read Ender's Shadow. It's the one that take's Bean's side of the story, I believe, and I was able to get into that one much easier than Ender's Game. I actually haven't finished the latter one yet.971 Not sure if my library has that one, but I'll look... And actually, you have until January 2010 to read all these books =D
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Post by Sabre on Jul 15, 2009 23:12:27 GMT -5
Sweet! Not sure I'll have that much time when I get to college, but I can certainly try. I'll try and finish 'I' tonight. :3 Inkspell.
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Post by M is for Morphine on Jul 16, 2009 2:19:44 GMT -5
Just finished Notes from Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky.
The first part, where the main character reflects on the capriciousness of human nature and man's self destructive tendencies vs the ideals of ethical egoism.
The second part is much easier to follow. It's where the narrative kicks in. It's a character study of a very unpleasant man wallowing in a pit of his own spitefulness and self-pity. Unable to achieve the real human connections that others do, he rages against normal pursuits like that as beneath him. It is the ultimate case of sour grapes.
I think this portrait of a totally withdrawn man is almost prescient; it sharply echos people you can see today almost anywhere on the internet. The main character is repulsive, but you cannot look away.
I certainly wouldn't recommend it to everyone. I liked it, though.
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Post by Tiger on Jul 17, 2009 17:56:47 GMT -5
=D Whoot! I went to the library today, and got a couple books for letters I don't have...somehow, I'm missing G, K, and L, which surprised me.
So now I have Limit of Vision, which sounds wonderfully Crichton-esque, and Xenocide, an Ender book that conveniently starts with "X"- and involves diseases, which're immense fun ^^
Uhm...oh! I couldn't find my library's copy of Bright Lights, Big City, which I wanted to read for the second-person POV, but I did find a sound-recording of John Grisham's The Street Lawyer. I wanna see (...hear?) if he's as good a writer as the press makes him out to be.
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Post by Jayeee on Jul 18, 2009 11:03:22 GMT -5
Right, so I finished Marley & Me last night. It was an amazing book, and a story that I really will treasure forever. It was a really emotional book for me. I'd already seen the film, so I knew what was coming, and was dreading when they got to Marley's death, but it really was worth the tears! It had me laughing so much! My favourite part was probably when John decided to go down the hill on the toboggan, and Marley jumped on there with him. They went hurtling down the hill, through the woods at the bottom, and straight, crash into a ditch. It was so funny, and endearing. I won't talk to much about this bit, or it'll set me off crying again But Marley's death really affected me. I'm glad that in the book when they actually got to the death, it was only a page long. Because any longer, and I would have been sobbing uncontrollably. I had a few tears rolling down my face at some earlier parts of the book, like when John told Marley to let him know when it was his time. That was really heartbreaking. But what really ot me crying, was their son's note that he put into Marley's grave. It was truly one of the most heartbreaking things I have ever /read/seen/experienced. I never thought i'd cry at a book, but this was one just really connected with me. After reading the book, I really feel like I know the Grogans. The book is such an emotional rollercoaster, and I loved every minute of it. Overall, this has to go down as one of my favourite books of all time. I would definitely recommend this to everyone! I really could talk about this book forever, but i'll leave it there. It's definitely a worthwhile read, and i'd recommend it to every single person. For animal lovers, it is an absolute must! Next up, i'm going to be reading Boy A by Jonathan Trigell. I have to read it for my starting university semester. From what i've read about it, it isn't a book that i'd usually pick to read, but I like trying out all different kinds of books.
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Post by ♥ Lulu on Jul 18, 2009 13:29:54 GMT -5
I just finished The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. It was a wonderful book, though some of it seemed rushed nearer the end? But it made me cry a darn lot XD The Ruth/Susie/Ray thing was weird, and hard to understand. I get that Ruth sees these spirits and stuff but I felt this was just....odd. Really, really odd. Another bit was when Ruth "feels something" while kissing Ray? I mean, being gay, she wouldn't and plus, it was one moment and never eleborated on again during the novel?
It's a shame that George Harvey died in such a disappointing way, too. Or not, actually, since, like Susie's body, it's was left undiscovered (though eventually his was found, but whatever).
I loved her father, and Len, both of whom I felt Ms. Sebold made me feel a lot of empathy for, which was odd in the case of Len, I think? I don't know. And when her mother comes back, the reactions were very real and believable, if heart breaking on the part of Buckley.
I was confused as to why Hal was so involved with the family, but I liked him, and his brother, of course, and can only dream of discovering such a house in the woods XD Overall, very much enjoyed this. ^_^
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Post by insanepurpleone on Jul 18, 2009 16:01:39 GMT -5
I just finished The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. It was a wonderful book, though some of it seemed rushed nearer the end? But it made me cry a darn lot XD The Ruth/Susie/Ray thing was weird, and hard to understand. I get that Ruth sees these spirits and stuff but I felt this was just....odd. Really, really odd. Another bit was when Ruth "feels something" while kissing Ray? I mean, being gay, she wouldn't and plus, it was one moment and never eleborated on again during the novel?
It's a shame that George Harvey died in such a disappointing way, too. Or not, actually, since, like Susie's body, it's was left undiscovered (though eventually his was found, but whatever).
I loved her father, and Len, both of whom I felt Ms. Sebold made me feel a lot of empathy for, which was odd in the case of Len, I think? I don't know. And when her mother comes back, the reactions were very real and believable, if heart breaking on the part of Buckley.
I was confused as to why Hal was so involved with the family, but I liked him, and his brother, of course, and can only dream of discovering such a house in the woods XD Overall, very much enjoyed this. ^_^ Oh, I really liked The Lovely Bones, although it is really sad. It's been a while since I read it, though, so I've gotten a bit fuzzy on the details. The movie version is supposed to be coming out in December, which I'm somewhat interested to see. It's got Peter Jackson producing/writing/directing, which I'm hoping is a good sign.
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Post by Bianca <3 on Jul 19, 2009 15:39:44 GMT -5
Jinx - Meg CabotI don't think I've ever read a Meg Cabot book before, but I have to say I really enjoyed this one. The plot was a tad predictable, but it really was an enjoyable read about a girl who has horrible bad luck and whose great-great-great-great-grandmother was a witch. The characters were nice, there was a real feel to the conversation, and overall it was really enjoyable.
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Post by Jayeee on Aug 12, 2009 18:07:23 GMT -5
Finished Boy A, By Jonathan Trigell last night... I had to read it for university in september, because the author is coming in to talk about the book with us. It's definitely not something I would have willing chosen to read, and it's not something that i'd read again. I really didn't like it. It portrayed young adults in England as really rude and horrible, which I didn't appreciate too much. I get that there are some people like that, but of the 4-5 main characters, they were all drug-taking drunks who get into fights, and not everybody is like that. Other than that, I think it was unnecessarily crude sometimes, and name dropped far too many brands, which wasn't needed in my opinion. Every other line had McDonalds or Nokia, or some kind of real life branding, and it got on my nerves really. I hate that kind of thing, and I don't think it added to the story at all. As for the story itself... rather predictable at some parts, and for the majority it was very uneventful. Plus I didn't like the main character, so that didn't help. Overall, it just wasn't very good! Next up, i'm reading Dead Until Dark, By Charlaine Harris. I've been watching the series; True Blood, and I noticed that it was based off of a series of novels, so I decided to buy the first one and give it a try.
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Post by insanepurpleone on Aug 12, 2009 19:20:39 GMT -5
Two to add since last time (that I can remember, anyway): The Door Into Summer by Robert A. Heinlein, and I reread John Scalzi's The Android's Dream.Scalzi's style is actually something similar to Heinlein. Not in a bad, unoriginal way, but in a if-you-like-one-you'll-probably-like-the-other sort of way. And I do like both of them. I've read most of Scalzi's books, and liked all that I've read. However, this was only my second encounter with Heinlein, the first being Starship Troopers. I liked both, but I prefer Door, partially due to the fact that Starship Troopers had a lot of military stuff that I was/am not familiar with, and I would get confused about ranks and other things on a regular basis. Right now I'm reading Elantris by Brandon Sanderson. I got it cheap at a used bookstore. It's the first book of his I've read, although I listen to him regularly on a podcast which I really enjoy, so I figured it was about time I try reading something of his. And so far I really like it. You kind of get thrown into the story without a ton of explanation, but it's done in a way that you can gather up what you need from context, so it's not that confusing, and I really like that about this book. I'm also very intrigued to see where the story goes.
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Post by Tiger on Aug 13, 2009 8:42:40 GMT -5
Hm...I've read a couple since I last posted, I think there're only two I want to comment on, though =P
I just finished Bright Lights, Big City. I was really excited to get the book, because it was written in second-person, which I thought might be very neat. Long story short, it wasn't; I'm so different from the main character, I found myself mentally inserting "I" over all the "you"s. And maybe it's just because the "main character" is a very, very distinct person; he's hard to think of as anyone but himself.
Plus, the book seemed really scattered on any sort of plot. There didn't really seem to be a point to the whole story, unless it was to critisize a la Great Gatsby.
On a better note, Relentless by Dean Koontz is very, very good ^^ Not for children or anyone who doesn't like suspense or violence, but it's a really exciting story. And lots of author jokes and stuff, which amused me to no end XP
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2009 13:47:39 GMT -5
Relentless by Robin Parrish is another great book. It's almost very Christian in nature, which may deter some, but I still enjoyed it very much. For his first book, it was very fast-paced and incredibly engaging.
While in Israel, I got the chance to read Dawn by Elie Wiesel. The book's very short, easily readable in a couple days if not faster, and focuses on a young man's struggles when faced with the task of killing their prisoner. It's a very deep but equally as engaging read, though I must admit, the end came upon me rather abruptly and I was left with the feeling I has missed something along the way, that to truly understand it I'd need to read the book again. Still, however, I recommend it to anyone.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2009 12:36:53 GMT -5
I just finished Ursula K. Le Guin's science-fiction novel The Left Hand of Darkness. After an almost enlightening introduction talking about the nature of science-fiction, I had been eager to read the first chapter, but disappointed when I found myself in the midst of a heavy-worded soliloquy on politics of an Ekumenical age. No, disappointed is not the word: Surprised is more suitable. I found the entire discourse very enjoyable, but I felt at times things had begun a touch too in medias res and were written a touch too deeply to be at first impression engaging. Nevertheless, I kept reading with much interest in the story; I simply felt no steady compulsion to return to it whenever I took a break.
The political nature of the book took a great turn about a fourth into when the culture of Gethen, the planet upon which the Terran main character is staying to promote interplanetary alliances, is more apparent and things said sooner now make noticeable sense: It's a process that continues throughout the book, the slow revelation of many layers of meaning and interpretation. At the same time, and closer to the half-way mark as well, the story takes on a much grander social element that made it much more compelling and interesting to read. With new characters and new interaction, the liveliness of the book increased tenfold.
About two-thirds into the book the story took the most drastic change of all, when for reasons I shall not go into the interpersonal politics becomes a life-endangering epic across days and weeks of travel: The newfound vividness to this part of the story was what I found most compelling of all, and at this point I found myself eagerly returning to the story multiple times daily, day after day. The level of culture and personal depth that arises at this point was incredible, and for me it is truly what made the story shine.
In the very end, all three elements of the book--the politics, the people, the places--come full-circle to a most extraordinary ending, the perfect conclusion to this exceptional novel. I won't say, as a whole, The Left Hand of Darkness has been one of my favorite novels, but it has certainly left a noticeable effect upon the way I see many things, from the functions of politics and culture on a man's life to, most importantly, the very distinctions between genders that we see so much today without ever giving it a second thought. There is one passage, near the end of the book, that so perfectly captures this shift of viewpoint that if not for the effect it would have upon the story for those who've yet to read it but will, I would post it here myself. Most-definitely, a will keep a copy of it as well.
If you like science-fiction and fantasy, or politics or adventure, there is something for you in this book. At first it may seem confusing and heavy, but in time all of that will be explained and lightened to the perfect degree. I definitely recommend reading this book.
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Post by Dice on Aug 18, 2009 9:14:25 GMT -5
I'm pretty terrible at updating my list of books here, especially because all the books I read seem to have titles beginning with the same letters! xD
This summer, my favorite book I've read so far was Brideshead Revisited, by Evelyn Waugh. My summer reading list has been a luck-of-the-draw deal for me, because some books on it I really adored and some I thought were a waste of time. Brideshead, though, was fantastic. Waugh's prose is beautiful and very accessible. His ideas and what he is trying to say about the characters come across without purple prose, high-flown vocabulary or descriptions, or cryptic statements. He shows and doesn't tell, but you always know what he's showing. There's humour, satire in parts, and observations about human nature that really struck home for me.
The story itself will rip your heart out in the best way - the kind that makes you think (and, if you're me, cry a little). I fell in love with the characters in the first half of the novel, and the way the novel progresses inexorably brings tragedy into these characters' lives. Reading Brideshead makes me feel sad and somber, but most of all thoughtful. There are so many different messages one can take from this book - observations about love, faith, charm, beauty, and a dying era. Highly, HIGHLY recommended to ANYONE. [Also, the BBC miniseries is fantastic.]
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