sounds like a decent list of books. Have fun :P

At 12/30/04 03:37 PM, Manic_streetpreacher wrote: sounds like a decent list of books. Have fun :P

I always do. Reading -although i honestly do not fancy so much- to me, is a learnign experience. Every book i read improves my writing style in some degree. Then i go and practice and apply. A good way to grow, i feel.
Although, i will admit, it is practice that makes the writer as it is practice that makes the athlete. However, writing is an art, so i feel reading other's art is alot like studying one's painting. It is a learning experience in many manners.

At 12/30/04 03:54 PM, Myst_Williams wrote: I always do. Reading -although i honestly do not fancy so much- to me, is a learnign experience. Every book i read improves my writing style in some degree. Then i go and practice and apply. A good way to grow, i feel.
Although, i will admit, it is practice that makes the writer as it is practice that makes the athlete. However, writing is an art, so i feel reading other's art is alot like studying one's painting. It is a learning experience in many manners.

errrrrr yeah? lol I read cause I enjoy it hats the only reason to read I think. its all veyr well to take techniques or whatever from a another persons writing style but that defeats the purpose of reading for me. I read to enjoy myself and analysing the techniques is soemthing that is best left for english lessons. If I pick up on somehting by accident along the way all the better but I read for the pleasure of it not to improve my writing :-)

btw has anyone ever heard of the lensman books? I think its called the lensman anyway I think the author is called E.E.Docksmith ot something like that.

At 12/30/04 03:59 PM, Manic_streetpreacher wrote: errrrrr yeah? lol I read cause I enjoy it hats the only reason to read I think. its all veyr well to take techniques or whatever from a another persons ...

lol, ya. Like i am not picking apart things as i go. However, after i finish reading a chapter, i will make a few notes of anything positive i took out of it. For me, reading is hard, partly because i cannot concentrate on one thing at a time, i dont have ADD, but i mind as well. I need to be doing many things at once. Plus, it is hard to fully grasp my attention. I have high standards. Some of the best books have had me dazing off thinking about other things... it takes alot to keep me interested.

At 12/30/04 04:08 PM, Myst_Williams wrote: lol, ya. Like i am not picking apart things as i go. However, after i finish reading a chapter, i will make a few notes of anything positive i took out of it. For me, reading is hard, partly because i cannot concentrate on one thing at a time, i dont have ADD, but i mind as well. I need to be doing many things at once. Plus, it is hard to fully grasp my attention. I have high standards. Some of the best books have had me dazing off thinking about other things... it takes alot to keep me interested.

Oh right I see. I kind of guessed you liek to have a load of thigns on the go at ocne from all your projects youve talked about in the writers guild.

and one of the thigns I find that helps me get interested in a book is if I imagien im the mian character(stupid I know) so if your reading something then just replace whateevr the main characters name is with yours every now and again that way you become wrapped in the book wodneirng whats gonna happen to you :P It works for me anyway I dunno if it'll work for you.

At 12/30/04 04:14 PM, Manic_streetpreacher wrote

and one of the thigns I find that helps me get interested in a book is if I imagien im the mian character(stupid I know) so if your reading something then ...

It does not sound stupid at all, i wil ltry that. You never know, it may help. Thanks for the idea.

At 12/30/04 05:55 PM, Myst_Williams wrote: It does not sound stupid at all, i wil ltry that. You never know, it may help. Thanks for the idea.

no problem I hope it helps!

i've just seen the movie "A Series of Unfortunate Events" and was hoping to start on the book series... has anyone else read these? are they any good?

Well, in my experience... Anything that you see a movie of first tends to translate better in your mind when reading it. Reading a book first and then seeing the movie only distorts the picture of events you have in your own head.

Okay, I'd like to present my next review.

Title : Going Postal
Author : Terry Pratchett
Date of Publication : 2004
ISBN : 0385 603428

"Moist von Lipwig is a con artist and a fraud and a man faced with a life choice: be hanged, or put Ankh-Morpork's ailing postal service back on its feet.

It's a tough decision

But he's got to see that the mail gets through, come rain, hail, sleet, dogs, the Post Office Workers' Friendly Benevolent Society, the evil chairman of the Grand Trunk Semaphore Company, and a midnight killer.

Getting a date with Adora Bell Dearheart would be nice, too.

Maybe it takes a criminal to succeed where honest men have failed, or maybe it's a death sentence either way.

Or perhaps there's a shot at redemption in the mad world of the mail, waiting for a man who's prepared to push the envelope..."

Writing style.

This book sees the introduction of Moist von Lipwig. He is a man of many guises and in the start of the book, we see him as Albert Spangler. Being a conman was something you could not give up so easily, but Vetinari, the Patrician of Ankh-Morpork has ways of making you do exactly what he wants you to. Terry Pratchett is a person who thinks along the same lines. He writes one thing and you think something completely different. Few people can actually pick up on what he intends to do during the plot, or how he intends to execute it. I did not, unfortunately, but that just makes it even more enjoyable to read, as you work ouyt just how Pratchett fooled you. I was thoroughly gripped throughout.

Plot.
Moving away from his more traditional stories about Death, the Unseen University, the Anhk-Morpork City Watch and the Witches of Lancre, Pratchett has developed another new character, who is well suited to the changing face of the Disc. Many familiar characters from his earlier works make cameos, which just bring a smile to your face and derails your train of thought expertly.

Would I reccomend it?
This works well as a stand alone novel, but some of the characters, particularly the Patrician may need a little background research, before attempting this installment.

Best bit (Non-Spoiler)
"...people were watching the University's biggest omniscope." (A device for seeing everything)
"Archchancellor Ridcully thumped the side of the thing with his hand, causing it to rock.
'It's still not working, Mr Stibbons!' He bellowed. 'Here's that damn enormous fiery eye again!'" It is nice to see Terry Pratchett take such a light hearted approach to some of the competition in his genre.

My Rating : 9/10
Personally, I am more of a fan of his classics, from the first twenty years. I can not say that I am overawed by the prospect of him bringing the Disc kicking and screaming into the century of the Anchovy. It will certainly be interesting, to watch it develop, but I don't know if I shall like it until we get to see the finished product. Pratchett himself has decided to 'push the envelope'.

Happy reading. My next book shall be 'The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse' by Robert Rankin.

If anybody else would like to review books on here, please feel free, because I am running out of inspiration on books to read. I'd like to read review, not just hear titles. Thank you in advance for anyone who can be bothered.

That soudns liek an interesting read....its pratchet so it sbound to be lol.

btw I hope you and the other Very English post regulars dont mind me voicing what I thought of Quikfox starting a flame war in the thread. The guy was irritating me and although I dont post in it I do read it every know and again when I want a good chuckle :P

Not at all. QuikFox decides to spout crap on any thread, it makes him fair game. How could I possibly object.

At 1/7/05 04:22 PM, Coop83 wrote: Not at all. QuikFox decides to spout crap on any thread, it makes him fair game. How could I possibly object.

Glad to hear it :P/

Might I inquire as why he keeps on saying you ratted him out or whatever about something do to with pictures?

At 1/8/05 02:16 PM, Manic_streetpreacher wrote: Might I inquire as why he keeps on saying you ratted him out or whatever about something do to with pictures?

My brother, Coldstream Cooper, (formerly known as chefcoop) said a few things maybe he shouldn't have and a thread in the C&C got shut down. A few members of NG think that it was him that got it closed. They set up a website of him, with MS paint penises all over pics of him. They are all a bunch of dickheads, to be honest.

At 1/9/05 03:50 PM, Coop83 wrote: My brother, Coldstream Cooper, (formerly known as chefcoop) said a few things maybe he shouldn't have and a thread in the C&C got shut down. A few members of NG think that it was him that got it closed. They set up a website of him, with MS paint penises all over pics of him. They are all a bunch of dickheads, to be honest.

well thats mature isn't it?

At 1/9/05 03:53 PM, Manic_streetpreacher wrote: well thats mature isn't it?

Mature, like a rather nasty block of cheddar when it's been left out of the fridge for a day or two. These kids will never learn.

Not the palce to ask but its better than anywhere. else If I were to report that Chroma kid to the mods for spamming up A very english post do you think he would get banned?

It all depends on which mod you ask. Try jonthompson, because he's English, so he may actually have a small bond to the thread itself.

I have started reading Robert Rankin's 'The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse.' So far, it is funny, but a very different style to what I am used. I think it will prove to be an enlightening read, from a mind, nearly as twisted as my own.

I just baught Beowulf, The Count of Monty Cristo, and uhh.. .what was it, Grapes of Wrath. So i got alot ahead of me. : P

At 1/16/05 04:47 PM, Myst_Williams wrote: I just baught Beowulf, The Count of Monty Cristo, and uhh.. .what was it, Grapes of Wrath. So i got alot ahead of me. : P

Beowulf, I wouldn't know about.

The Count of Monte Cristo is an excellent read, though I haven't read it for a few years.

I've never read the Grapes of Wrath. I really should broaden my horizons

At 1/16/05 05:02 PM, Coop83 wrote: Beowulf, I wouldn't know about.

It is an epic based on theory and myth and stuff. Basically it is a huge poem, there are many versions, because it wasn't written in english originally. It is like a hundreds of years old. And each version has a different translator trying to depict how they read it, but satill keep it in verse.

The Count of Monte Cristo is an excellent read...

So i have heard. I saw the movie when it first came out.

I've never read the Grapes of Wrath. I really should broaden my horizons

Ya, neither of i. Manic sugessted it. It is last on my 'To Read' List, but by end of summer i will get to it.

At 1/16/05 05:07 PM, Myst_Williams wrote: It is an epic based on theory and myth and stuff. Basically it is a huge poem, there are many versions, because it wasn't written in english originally. It is like a hundreds of years old. And each version has a different translator trying to depict how they read it, but satill keep it in verse.

I'd heard of it, but it has been through so many translations, that in my opinion, it's getting like a game of Chinese whispers. Seamus Heaney was the last to translate it and my English Teacher was raving about it. She demanede that we read it and tell her what we thought.

I said to her, that I would, so long as she did the same, with Hogfather (Discworld) so far, I haven't had any reply to that. I set her this challenge in 1999. I haven't been to the school since 2003, and then it was only as a visit. (I left, as a pupil in 2001)

At 1/16/05 05:11 PM, Coop83 wrote: I'd heard of it, but it has been through so many translations, that in my opinion, it's getting like a game of Chinese whispers. Seamus Heaney was the last to translate it and my English Teacher was raving about it. She demanede that we read it and tell her what we thought.

Beowulf hasn't been through more then one translation at a time. All english versions that i know have been translated fro mthe original text. Just be different people, thus creating different versions. The one i have has won awards and is a few years old, but supposedly the most recognized version out there. In english though, i don't there there are more then 5 main stream versions.

I said to her, that I would, so long as she did the same, with Hogfather (Discworld) so far, I haven't had any reply to that. I set her this challenge in 1999. I haven't been to the school since 2003, and then it was only as a visit. (I left, as a pupil in 2001)

Well obviously, that deals off. lol.

At 1/16/05 05:16 PM, Myst_Williams wrote: Beowulf hasn't been through more then one translation at a time. All english versions that i know have been translated fro mthe original text. Just be different people, thus creating different versions. The one i have has won awards and is a few years old, but supposedly the most recognized version out there. In english though, i don't there there are more then 5 main stream versions.

Well, in that case, maybe I'd better read it. Though not ht eSeamus Heaney version, because it's apparently done in his own poetic style, which I LOATHE

At 1/16/05 05:30 PM, Coop83 wrote: Well, in that case, maybe I'd better read it. Though not ht eSeamus Heaney version, because it's apparently done in his own poetic style, which I LOATHE

Ya, i got the Frederick Rebsamen version. It is good.

At 1/16/05 05:33 PM, Myst_Williams wrote: Ya, i got the Frederick Rebsamen version. It is good.

Now I'm going to have to read it... Once you post a review.

At 1/16/05 05:37 PM, Coop83 wrote:

At 1/16/05 05:33 PM, Myst_Williams wrote: Ya, i got the Frederick Rebsamen version. It is good.

Now I'm going to have to read it... Once you post a review.

Well, i don;t expect it soon. I got exams in a week, but i will eventually post one. It isn't a long book. Should be able to read it in less then a week if i sit down and just go at it.

That's okay, I've got a lot to read, myself at the moment. Rankin,. Gemmell, McCaffrey and there's going to be a new Pratchett out before I've ploughed through all that. Thie list goes on, which is how I like it.

At 1/17/05 05:31 PM, Coop83 wrote: That's okay, I've got a lot to read, myself at the moment. Rankin,. Gemmell, McCaffrey and there's going to be a new Pratchett out before I've ploughed through all that. Thie list goes on, which is how I like it.

I got a list of 25 books i want to read, but only a list of 8 that i have marked down as 'A MUST READ'. lol.

LordSkeletor professed his leave of NG in the writer's guild. Says he won't be on much more anymore. *tear*