What are you reading? - Page 41

Spink · 21st March 2012, 13:46

why are books I've never heard of suddenly books that everyone else already has heard of and read when their movie comes out.

e: and also why did nobody talk about them until they became movies.

Kryten · 21st March 2012, 15:42

With the power out yesterday I ripped through Hunger Games in a single day (bit a rarity for me, given electronic distractions and kids) and immediately moved onto the sequel (used some of my precious remaining phone battery to do so!). Absolutely loved the first one and can't wait for the movie, enjoying the second just as much so far.

I've been trying to read Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell and, well, it's hard work, isn't it?

Ab · 21st March 2012, 15:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kryten

I've been trying to read Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell and, well, it's hard work, isn't it?

U R SO RIGHT, TWILIGHT WAS WAY EASIER,

Kryten · 21st March 2012, 15:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ab

U R SO RIGHT, TWILIGHT WAS WAY EASIER,

That's just being mean

Meanie.

chiQ · 21st March 2012, 16:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kryten

I've been trying to read Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell and, well, it's hard work, isn't it?

No.

Sorry dude, I inhaled it in very short order, with no effort.

crocos · 21st March 2012, 16:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiQ

No.

Sorry dude, I inhaled it in very short order, with no effort.

Ditto

You'd better stick to Stephenie Meyer, Kryters

Kryten · 21st March 2012, 17:22

Sonofabitch. Ok, back to it after I get done with this Hunger Games trilogy.

crocos · 21st March 2012, 17:35

If you want something hard to read (despite having won two Philip K. Dick awards), try Rudy Rucker's The Ware Tetralogy. (4 books: Software, Wetware, Freeware, Realware)

Brilliantly plotted, but a lot of the terminology and "lingo" seems to have been done for the sake of it rather than because it adds to the story. I keep getting fucked off with it, so I'm only about 1/4 of the way through the 2nd book - 31% of the tetralogy according to the Kindle.

crocos · 21st March 2012, 17:50

Oh yeah... Currently reading the Tormay Trilogy, book 2 - The Shadow at the Gate.

For a light & fun take on the superhero genre in an original universe, I recommend James Maxey's "Nobody Gets the Girl", but don't bother with it's sequel "Burn Baby Burn" - not nearly as fun as the former, nor as well written. Plus Nobody is a complete tale anyway.

Spoon1 · 22nd March 2012, 01:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kryten

I've been trying to read Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell and, well, it's hard work, isn't it?

I kept waiting for the awesome but it never came.

Meh from me.

Ab · 22nd March 2012, 01:15

You're on drugs, that book is awesome.

The thing that blows my mind is that it was Clarke's first novel. She wasn't even a writer, she just read TLOTR and went "fuck yeah, let's write a fantasy novel" and WROTE THIS FUCKING BOOK.

Spoon1 · 22nd March 2012, 01:26

Took her 10 years to write apparently.

I enjoyed it but I certainly didn't go "OMG THAT'S THE Time's Best Novel of the Year RIGHT THAR!".

Ab · 22nd March 2012, 01:39

Jeez, I did. I read it and thought that it was like nothing I'd ever read before - or like lots of things I had read before but synthesised into an entirely new thing - and I've read a lot of fantasy and sci-fi over the years.

Ajax · 22nd March 2012, 10:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiQ

I just finished The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I enjoyed it. I'm sure the film won't compare to the book, so I won't see it unless I hear good things from people who've read it previously.

I'm about to read this. Going by the synopsis it sounds like the bastard progeny of Battle Royale and Stephen King's The Long Walk. Hope there's something original in there.

chiQ · 22nd March 2012, 11:37

I think Running Man is an apt comparison, though not the film.

Spoon1: Crazy! I was just wowed by it, and actually kept asking in book stores for years afterward, to see if she had written a sequel.

Ab · 22nd March 2012, 13:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ajax

I'm about to read this. Going by the synopsis it sounds like the bastard progeny of Battle Royale and Stephen King's The Long Walk. Hope there's something original in there.

yeah that was my reaction, with "The Handmaid's Tale" thrown in.

Kryten · 23rd March 2012, 07:53

Finished Catching Fire at an absurdly early hour this morning. Never has the "Buy Now" button for a sequel been pressed so hard or so quickly, but I refrained from staying up even later because at some point I have to be a grown up.

My wife is a terribly slow reader and is *finally* about to finish Dance with Dragons (yes, she started it way back on release day) and the Hunger Games series is going to be the first thing I recommend she starts once she's done, despite a years backlog of Kindle bargains and other purchases I've loaded onto her Kindle.

chiquelet · 27th March 2012, 14:24

Ok, so I seem to have developed a furry-like love for Bartimaeus. Is The Ring of Solomon as strong as the other three?

Btw, LOVED the trilogy so much

Yoda · 27th March 2012, 17:47

How did I miss Dune? O_o

First book down on ipad3. I seem to remember comments along the lines of "read only the Frank Herbert Dune books and nothing after"?

LordP · 27th March 2012, 17:53

How does the iPad3 do as a book reader? What app do you use?

Yoda · 27th March 2012, 18:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by LordP

How does the iPad3 do as a book reader? What app do you use?

It's fantastic. I often read late when the wife finds a light annoying, so I wanted a backlit reader. New screen is excellent to read off.

Use the Kindle app - since then it syncs my position with my android reader on my phone. Amazing how often that's handy - means I've always got my current book in my pocket.

crocos · 27th March 2012, 18:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yoda

"read only the Frank Herbert Dune books and nothing after"?

Yes. Brian Herbert isn't a writer, merely a writer's untalented progeny.

Ab · 27th March 2012, 18:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yoda

How did I miss Dune? O_o

First book down on ipad3. I seem to remember comments along the lines of "read only the Frank Herbert Dune books and nothing after"?

Read only Dune and nothing after. It's all downhill after Dune, and anything else you read from there on - including Herbert's own sequels - will only taint your memory of the awesome.

Deadmeat · 27th March 2012, 20:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yoda

Use the Kindle app - since then it syncs my position with my android reader on my phone. Amazing how often that's handy - means I've always got my current book in my pocket.

Didn't know about that, that busts my main reason for not having bought a kindle.

chiQ · 27th March 2012, 20:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ab

Read only Dune and nothing after. It's all downhill after Dune, and anything else you read from there on - including Herbert's own sequels - will only taint your memory of the awesome.

This.

Also, Kindle reader FTW. My Kindle and phone are always on the same page, so to speak, and when I eventually get an iPad that will be too.

tor · 27th March 2012, 21:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ab

Read only Dune and nothing after. It's all downhill after Dune, and anything else you read from there on - including Herbert's own sequels - will only taint your memory of the awesome.

An ex girlfriend insisted she had read the first three dune books and they were _awesome_.

I quibbled.

Turns out she meant the way that the first physical book of dune is 3 "books".

Hilarity ensued. Maybe even some make up sex.

chiquelet · 27th March 2012, 21:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ab

Read only Dune and nothing after. It's all downhill after Dune, and anything else you read from there on - including Herbert's own sequels - will only taint your memory of the awesome.

This. Dune Messiah isn't awful, it's not even bad, but it doesn't compare to Dune.

chiQ · 28th March 2012, 00:06

After recent discussion I am re-reading Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell. Awesome, but I had forgotten so much. I read it when it was first published, and I feel like I'm reading a book I've never read, to some extent.

Ajax · 28th March 2012, 10:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ab

Read only Dune and nothing after. It's all downhill after Dune, and anything else you read from there on - including Herbert's own sequels - will only taint your memory of the awesome.

Agreed, however I submit to you, sir, that the Dune Encyclopedia is also expertly written (not by Frank) and worth a read.

Brian's novels are best suited to propping up wobbly tables.

Deadmeat · 31st March 2012, 15:00

The hunger games trilogy felt like it should have been 1 book, it sort of feels like some editor or publisher or someone got hold of it and suggested splitting it into 3 to make more money.

Kryten · 31st March 2012, 22:00

It makes sense once it's filed under "Young Adult" though.

Saladin · 16th April 2012, 10:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kryten

I've been trying to read Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell and, well, it's hard work, isn't it?

Just started this one - the copious amount of footnotes do make it a pain on a Kindle keyboard

creamcheese · 16th April 2012, 11:37

Just started Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell myself after reading this thread. I'm enjoying it so far.

chiQ · 16th April 2012, 12:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saladin

Just started this one - the copious amount of footnotes do make it a pain on a Kindle keyboard

Needs more Touch. I'm so glad I got mine now. Terry Pratchett on a non-Touch would suck!

Recently read Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day. Awesome book. It's chicklit, but a feelgood book for anyone really.

TD · 16th April 2012, 12:24

Re-reading Wheel of Time. Just started book 5...

crocos · 16th April 2012, 12:35

Just starting book 3 of the Bartimaeus Trilogy

ChaosWulf · 16th April 2012, 13:43

Reading book 2 of The Aeons’ Gate series by Sam Sykes. Rather enjoying it, the series is nothing special so far but his writing style makes it good fun.

Ajax · 16th April 2012, 14:09

Getting cracking on Ad Infinitum: Book 13 of the Cynical Publishing saga.

rubberchicken · 16th April 2012, 20:13

Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Noticed I owned a copy, thought I might as well read it.

ilk · 17th April 2012, 14:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiquelet

This. Dune Messiah isn't awful, it's not even bad, but it doesn't compare to Dune.

Read Dune then skip ahead to God emperor, the books in between are a bit dull.

After that hunt down the dosadi experiment, his most unsung book imo.

22nd March 2012, 11:37	#1615
chiQ Frag-muff	I think Running Man is an apt comparison, though not the film. Spoon1: Crazy! I was just wowed by it, and actually kept asking in book stores for years afterward, to see if she had written a sequel. __________________ Gaming/phone/computing platforms are not indicative of groinal/physical/cognitive impressiveness.

28th March 2012, 00:06	#1628
chiQ Frag-muff	After recent discussion I am re-reading Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell. Awesome, but I had forgotten so much. I read it when it was first published, and I feel like I'm reading a book I've never read, to some extent. __________________ Gaming/phone/computing platforms are not indicative of groinal/physical/cognitive impressiveness.

21st March 2012, 13:46	#1601
Spink	why are books I've never heard of suddenly books that everyone else already has heard of and read when their movie comes out. e: and also why did nobody talk about them until they became movies. __________________ Weak hearts I rip. Last edited by Spink : 21st March 2012 at 13:48.

21st March 2012, 15:42	#1602
Kryten	With the power out yesterday I ripped through Hunger Games in a single day (bit a rarity for me, given electronic distractions and kids) and immediately moved onto the sequel (used some of my precious remaining phone battery to do so!). Absolutely loved the first one and can't wait for the movie, enjoying the second just as much so far. I've been trying to read Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell and, well, it's hard work, isn't it?

21st March 2012, 17:22	#1607
Kryten	Sonofabitch. Ok, back to it after I get done with this Hunger Games trilogy.

21st March 2012, 17:35	#1608
crocos	If you want something hard to read (despite having won two Philip K. Dick awards), try Rudy Rucker's The Ware Tetralogy. (4 books: Software, Wetware, Freeware, Realware) Brilliantly plotted, but a lot of the terminology and "lingo" seems to have been done for the sake of it rather than because it adds to the story. I keep getting fucked off with it, so I'm only about 1/4 of the way through the 2nd book - 31% of the tetralogy according to the Kindle. __________________ Ξ √ Ω L U T ↑ ☼ N وكل يوم كنت تعيش في العبودية

21st March 2012, 17:50	#1609
crocos	Oh yeah... Currently reading the Tormay Trilogy, book 2 - The Shadow at the Gate. For a light & fun take on the superhero genre in an original universe, I recommend James Maxey's "Nobody Gets the Girl", but don't bother with it's sequel "Burn Baby Burn" - not nearly as fun as the former, nor as well written. Plus Nobody is a complete tale anyway. __________________ Ξ √ Ω L U T ↑ ☼ N وكل يوم كنت تعيش في العبودية

22nd March 2012, 01:15	#1611
Ab A mariachi ogre snorkel	You're on drugs, that book is awesome. The thing that blows my mind is that it was Clarke's first novel. She wasn't even a writer, she just read TLOTR and went "fuck yeah, let's write a fantasy novel" and WROTE THIS FUCKING BOOK.

22nd March 2012, 01:26	#1612
Spoon1 Mmm... Sacrilicious	Took her 10 years to write apparently. I enjoyed it but I certainly didn't go "OMG THAT'S THE Time's Best Novel of the Year RIGHT THAR!".

22nd March 2012, 01:39	#1613
Ab A mariachi ogre snorkel	Jeez, I did. I read it and thought that it was like nothing I'd ever read before - or like lots of things I had read before but synthesised into an entirely new thing - and I've read a lot of fantasy and sci-fi over the years.

23rd March 2012, 07:53	#1617
Kryten	Finished Catching Fire at an absurdly early hour this morning. Never has the "Buy Now" button for a sequel been pressed so hard or so quickly, but I refrained from staying up even later because at some point I have to be a grown up. My wife is a terribly slow reader and is finally about to finish Dance with Dragons (yes, she started it way back on release day) and the Hunger Games series is going to be the first thing I recommend she starts once she's done, despite a years backlog of Kindle bargains and other purchases I've loaded onto her Kindle.

27th March 2012, 14:24	#1618
chiquelet Mrs Colin Farrell	Ok, so I seem to have developed a furry-like love for Bartimaeus. Is The Ring of Solomon as strong as the other three? Btw, LOVED the trilogy so much

27th March 2012, 17:47	#1619
Yoda	How did I miss Dune? O_o First book down on ipad3. I seem to remember comments along the lines of "read only the Frank Herbert Dune books and nothing after"?

27th March 2012, 17:53	#1620
LordP	How does the iPad3 do as a book reader? What app do you use? __________________ "Nothing is so smiple that it can't be screwed up."

31st March 2012, 15:00	#1630
Deadmeat	The hunger games trilogy felt like it should have been 1 book, it sort of feels like some editor or publisher or someone got hold of it and suggested splitting it into 3 to make more money.

31st March 2012, 22:00	#1631
Kryten	It makes sense once it's filed under "Young Adult" though.

16th April 2012, 11:37	#1633
creamcheese	Just started Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell myself after reading this thread. I'm enjoying it so far. __________________ wtf. cheeser

16th April 2012, 12:24	#1635
TD Anas Latrina	Re-reading Wheel of Time. Just started book 5...

16th April 2012, 12:35	#1636
crocos	Just starting book 3 of the Bartimaeus Trilogy __________________ Ξ √ Ω L U T ↑ ☼ N وكل يوم كنت تعيش في العبودية

16th April 2012, 13:43	#1637
ChaosWulf Don't worry, be harpy	Reading book 2 of The Aeons’ Gate series by Sam Sykes. Rather enjoying it, the series is nothing special so far but his writing style makes it good fun.

16th April 2012, 14:09	#1638
Ajax Architeuthis	Getting cracking on Ad Infinitum: Book 13 of the Cynical Publishing saga.

16th April 2012, 20:13	#1639
rubberchicken	Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson. Noticed I owned a copy, thought I might as well read it.