Just finished;
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthurs Court
The Resident Evil Series
Maybe i'll post reviews of them later (this is more of a bump than anything)...
At 12/17/05 12:25 AM, -Superman- wrote: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Good book.
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthurs Court
The Resident Evil Series
I've never read these two. Vend us with some reviews.
I am just starting to read Fight Club...
I know, I know... I am years behind, but I had so many books I wanted to get out of the way, and since I have the movie... my Fight Club tastes were easily satisfied.
But the time has come to indulge in Chuck's genious.
finally.
At 12/17/05 06:29 AM, Myst_Williams wrote: I am just starting to read Fight Club...
You know the drill, Myst. When it's all done and dusted, a review would be most appreciated.
At 12/17/05 06:34 AM, Coop83 wrote: You know the drill, Myst. When it's all done and dusted, a review would be most appreciated.
I most deff will... as I havnt reviewed a novel ages. Just movies lately.
At 12/17/05 06:48 AM, Myst_Williams wrote: I most deff will... as I havnt reviewed a novel ages. Just movies lately.
Speaking of reviews, I'll try to post a review of 'The Wee Free Men' later on. My memory is shot to hell, so don't go expecting miracles though.
I'm heading off to Ohio for x-mas, when i get back i'll post review of the books i read...
Title : The Wee Free Men
Author : Terry Pratchett
Date of Publication : 2003
ISBN : 0-552-54905-3
"'Crivens! Whut aboot us, ye daftie!'
There's trouble on the Aching farm - nightmares spreading down from the hills. And Tiffany Aching's little brother has been stolen away. To get him back, Tiffany has a weapon (a frying pan), her granny's magic book (well, Diseases of the Sheep) - and the Nac Mac Feegle, the Wee Free Men, the Fightin', thievin', tiny blue-skinned pictsies who were thrown out of Fairyland for being Drunk and Disorderly..."
Writing style.
The land of Discworld now has elements designed for children. Pratchett has written into the fine weave of his novels, a nice little creche for the younger readers. I love the marketting ploy, but I believe it is more than that. He wants as many people as possible to read his work and enjoy it. I agree, since he is the master of comedy and indeed the Scottish accent that the Nac Mac Feegle use incessantly.
Would I reccomend it?
Any Discworld fan should already have read this. If you haven't, do it now. It is funny and a decent way into the 'Witches' progression of novels. You can learn a bit about witchcraft and then move onto books like 'Equal Rites' or 'Witches Abroad'
My Rating : 9/10
I can't give it the full 10, because it's not a proper Discworld Novel. I liked it and I won't hear anything bad said about it (or the sequel, 'A Hat Full of Sky') give me some feedback, tell me what you all think of it.
Title : THUD!
Author : Terry Pratchett
Date of Publication : 2005
ISBN : 0-385-60867-5
"Koom Valley? That was where the trolls ambushed the dwarfs, or the dwarfs ambushed the trolls. It was far away, it was a long time ago.
But if he doesn't solve the murder of just one dwarf, Commander Sam Vimes of Ankh-Morpork City Watch is going to see it fought again, right outside his office.
With his beloved Watch crumbling around him and war drums sounding, he must unravel every clue, outwit every assassin and brave any darkness to find the solution. And darkness is following him.
Oh... and at six o'clock every day, without fail, with no excuses, he must go home to read Where's My Cow?, with all the right farmyard noises to his little boy.
There are some things you have to do.
Writing style.
30 novels and still going strong, the Discworld is more of a series than Lord of the Rings, an instant classic, funnier than its peers and packed with more scathing satire than Gulliver's Travels (you only have to know where to look.)
This episode features Pratchett's take on racially motivated hatred. The dwarfs have some hate-preachers turn up and start shouting abouse at the trolls. The trolls are too stupid just to let it ride and all hell almost breaks loose. Fortunately for commander Vimes, he is the sole thing keeping the sides apart.
Would I reccomend it?
Not just for the laughs, for the serious side of the novel. In the end, the trolls and dwarfs make peace. Why can't we do something like that over a nice game of chess?
My Rating : 9/10
I like it how Pratchett sends the reader along, as a detective. You have all the clues, can you piece together the jigsaw before Vimes does?
He is very subtle, as most people won't notice the similarities between the Disc and Earth. that is just one face of his diamond-like genius. Flawless.
Wow, I haven't dropped by in two months and we haven't even gained a whole page. I guess us readers are few and far between. I never did get a response to my query about Dickens though, so instead of waiting, I just jumped right into it. And now, "A Tale of Two Cities" may very well be my favourite book. Seeing as how I didn't have much information about the context of the times, not only of Victorian life in 1859 when the novel was written, but also of the French Revolution around which the novel was set, I took to the Net and found some interesting facts about the book. For one, many seem to agree that "A Tale of Two Cities" is probably one of the least, um, Dickensian of his novels in that his need to write within a historical fiction framework kind of mutes his usually outlandish and exaggerated characters. See, I didn't know that. Nor did I know that this novel was also considered a departure from Dickens' usual style of characterization through long passages of dialogue. Instead, in "A Tale of Two Cities", Dickens chooses to establish the character of Sydney Carton when he is in deep thought within himself, wandering the streets alone with no one to talk to.
Now that we're all on the same page, I have to say I very much prefer this style of characterization. Dickens writes like a painter really, with broad strokes, yet covering the most intricate details. I have had many friends who have tried to get through "Two Cities", but just about all of them fell off before the end of the novel because the writing style is so adverse to contemporary literature. Yet, I found the writing to have a certain elegance to it that I was never able to find in either dialogue-driven books ("Tuesdays with Morrie") or stream-of-consciousness literature ("Hey Nostradamus!", "The Catcher in the Rye"). Rather, the Victorian style of writing lends a certain aspect of poetry to the novel which I appreciate greatly, mostly thanks to my days of English Literature 12. Take this excerpt, for example: "In the fair city of [Carton's] vision, there were airy galleries from which the loves and graces looked upon him, gardens in which the fruits of life hung ripening, waters of Hope that sparkled in his sight. A moment, and it was gone. Climbing to a high chamber in a well of houses, he threw himself down in his clothes on a neglected bed, and its pillow was wet with wasted tears." (p. 82). Never before have I read anything that so captured the essence of hopelessness. And if you know the ending, passages like this one early on in the novel make it resonate that much more when you finally put the book down at the end. Now, I could go on, laying quote after quote in front of you, but seeing as how I only have about 3,746 characters remaining at this point before I run out of room in this post, I'll keep this short and sweet. Yes, the characterization is beautiful in this novel for Sydney Carton but many of the other characters seem very shallowly developed by comparison. However, this is a necessity, especially when it comes to dealing with Carton's semi-heroic doppelgänger, Charles Darnay. Dickens has always been one to play his characters to extremes, so how do you accentuate a complex, emotionally-conflicted man with nothing to live for? Give him a character foil who looks exactly like him with a wife, a child and Victorian sophistication to the point of cliché. Dickens knew exactly what he was doing. One of the other things that I also found particularly wonderful about Dickens' writing was how he was able to swap between -- sorry, I couldn't resist -- the best of times to the worst of times so effortlessly. One moment, Darnay is professing his undying love to Lucie Manette and before you know it, the French Revolution is in full swing, Darnay is facing the guillotine for no crime of his own and as bloodthirsty peasant-warriors stop to "dance about Lucie, some ghastly apparition of a dance-figure gone raving mad arose among them." (p. 259-60). From tranquility to madness in a few short chapters. Read it. It's a classic and quite possibly the best book I've ever had the joy of reading.
Look at that. Still 2,325 characters left. All right, that's enough room. In addition to finishing "A Tale of Two Cities" over the past two months, I also finished a small book of plays written by French absurdist playwright Eugène Ionesco. "Rhinoceros and Other Plays" contained three short plays of his: 'Rhinoceros' naturally, 'The Chairs' and 'The Lesson'. All three of these plays, as can only be expected from the Theater of the Absurd, have to do with isolation, 'Rhinoceros' even more so for its commentary on political isolationism. (It was Ionesco's response to the rise of Fascism.) But even more than that, all three plays force us to ask ourselves what logic really is, what defines faulty logic and whether or not the individual is even capable of making that distinction. In 'Rhinoceros', the character of Daisy warns us "[t]here's no such thing as absolute right. It's the world that's right" (p. 119), but Dudard tells us that "[e]verything is logical. To understand is to justify." (p. 97). Yet all around them, everyone seems to be turning into rhinoceroses and one man, Berenger, is determined to stand his ground. Obviously a ridiculous phenomenon, all the characters aside from Berenger are so indifferent to what is going on that we can't help but notice that Berenger is fighting a losing battle throughout the entire play. Berenger's actions seem to be the only logical ones in this absurdist world, but what happens when something wholly illogical becomes the status quo? Ionesco's answer? New (so-called) logic. 'The Chairs', on the other hand, has to do with the futility of trying to explain oneself. One of the darkest plays I've ever read, as a matter of fact. About an elderly couple stranded on an island waiting for the arrival of a Godot-like Orator to explain to a host of invisible guests the meaning of life as they see it, this play makes the actual "Waiting For Godot" seem positively cheerful. Thinking about killing yourself but don't think you can go through with it? Read some stuff from the absurdists and you'll have no problem. I had a few problems interpreting 'The Lesson' though, but from what I could tell, it's about the breakdown of communication à la Harold Pinter. About the destructive relationship between a well-meaning Pupil and a predatory Professor, it's every bit as grim.
At 1/20/06 02:56 PM, biteme2514 wrote: Wow, I haven't dropped by in two months and we haven't even gained a whole page. I guess us readers are few and far between.
Yes, this club is the slowest of the slow.
I'm currently about 450 pages into Dragons of a Fallens Sun of the DragonLance: War of Souls series. If anyone is interested in fantasy novels, Dragonlance is definitely the way to go, but who doesn't already know that?
At 1/22/06 08:26 AM, milinko959 wrote: I'm currently about 450 pages into Dragons of a Fallens Sun of the DragonLance: War of Souls series. If anyone is interested in fantasy novels, Dragonlance is definitely the way to go, but who doesn't already know that?
I was never really a fan of reading the D&D novels. I tend to stick to pure fantasy, where the story was never governed by a rulebook, unless you count the laws of physics as a rulebook, that is.
Dragonlance really isn't the same as D&D, and doesn't seem to be governed by a rulebook, though I'm not sure exactly what you mean.
Anyway, finished up that book and now I'm on to the second installment of the series.
Title: The Bean Trees
Author: Barbara Kingsolver
Well this book was a love it or hate it type of book. I hate it. The storyline was meh, and the ending crap, the beggining didn't make the reader want to turn the page.
Writing Style
I swear to God, I think the author is perverted. She twists things into a sick sense of humor.
When talking about an amputated limb, the author calls it, "Smooth and defensless like a penis." She refers to twins (one boy, and one girl) copulating in the womb, among other things.
She tries way to hard to be funny, she might as well put in big bold print "PRETEND TO LAUGH HERE".
She uses a lot of similes and metaphors, half of which may no sense.
The story can be summed up in one sentence, a girl with an attitude problem (*coughPMS*cough) finds a girl, whe meets someone to live with and they become lesbians (although not really, though it does seem like it).
You expect a nice twist or some sort of drama or interest in the book, but you get none of it. A potentially exciting side-story line, ends in the blandest way possible. The main story is crap. It feels like the author ripped out random pages of the book, including the ending and sent it to the publisher.
Would I reccomend it?
Heeeeeeeeeeeellllllllllllllll no. Only read this book if you have a gun pointed to your head or like stories about nothing.
My rating: 1/10
A potential exciting ending gives it 1
I just learnt that next year im gonna need to read "To kill a mockingbird" In my english class. So im gonna buy it right away so im more prepared for next year. mwahaha.
I've seen the movie a few times and really like it.
Has anyone else read this book?
At 1/29/06 11:45 PM, Xilef wrote: Has anyone else read this book?
Yeah, its pretty much the norm set book in most all public schools in America. A lot of people don't like it, but I thought it was very good book.
Taste the rainbow.
anybody read the 3 Starcraft Books? how bout the Magic series?
Oh Snype, you're such a fag.
At 1/28/06 09:43 PM, milinko959 wrote: Dragonlance really isn't the same as D&D, and doesn't seem to be governed by a rulebook, though I'm not sure exactly what you mean.
I know what I'm talking about with D&D. Dragonlance is a campaign setting (world) designed for D&D. it wasn't as rulebook intensive as the other worlds, but it was popular.
Anyway, finished up that book and now I'm on to the second installment of the series.
Give us a review then.
Hey, is anyone reading or has anyone read the books Eragon or Eldest?? Just wondering what you thought of those; personally, I love them.
At 1/29/06 11:46 PM, Xilef wrote: Oh and by the way... Are there any Eragon Fans here?
Sorry... just read this. Yes I am an Eragon fan... I love the series and I can't wait for book 3 of Inheritance to come out.
I'm reading across the nightingale floor By lian hearn it great it about assains, stleath, alot of blood, with a killer story to go with it u have to check it out it's worth the look.
I also read alot of Manga i have a huge collection my Favorite is Berserk
At 1/21/06 12:30 PM, Coop83 wrote: Yes, this club is the slowest of the slow.
I keep meaning to stop by but i havent really had the chance lately... I'm gonna go get some of the books i've read recently and maybe i'll write some reviews...
Woah, you guys are the kings of double posting. Reading may improve grammar, spelling and punctuation but it doesn't tidy your post order one bit.
At 2/26/06 10:36 AM, -Superman- wrote: I keep meaning to stop by but i havent really had the chance lately... I'm gonna go get some of the books i've read recently and maybe i'll write some reviews...
Please do, we always welcome a shot in the arm.
Well, I finished the Bourne Ident ity series, and am thoroughly impressed. I think the 4th installment, writen by some one else since Ludlum died, was pretty good at maintaining the originality of the characters, but he didnt do the series enough justice. In the 3rd installment, The Bourne Ultimatum, David Webb, aka Jason Bourne, was really feeling the efects of his old age such as the great lag on his speed and reflexes. In The bourne legacy however, he was as fit as he was in the Vietnam war. that picked at me for a while. I'll make a full review on the series later.
