The "What are you reading?" / Book recommendation thread

[Thetis ♦]

I've read Les Miserables, which was really good (when it was focusing on Jean Val Jean.) In other words, I really didn't care one way or another for Marius or Cosette, and I found their romance was just so...typical and cliched. Bah.

I think bringing up other books that weren't originally in English is okay. I can only read in English, though, so I have to suffice with translations. Sigh.

Another awesome book is Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart. It was simply written, which is awesome in this case, because the starkness of the prose leaves indelible images in your mind. The story is so tragic, and even though the protagonist is very flawed, which adds to his humanity, instead of alienating you. (Okonkwo I think his name was?)

I wonder if we could add poetry?

[Choc ♦]

I've read Les Miserables, which was really good (when it was focusing on Jean Val Jean.) In other words, I really didn't care one way or another for Marius or Cosette, and I found their romance was just so...typical and cliched. Bah.

I pretty much agree with this on all counts, but I never thought that the relationship between Marius and Cosette was intended to be related in-depth. It's important to their characters and a means to an end in moving certain elements of the plot along.

It does kind of stand out amongst all the other elements of the story in how happy and naive they are though.

I wonder if we could add poetry?

I think that should probably be a seperate thread, but it would be a wonderful topic to discuss. I do like poetry.

[RUROUNI]

I´m reading the "Libro de Arena" (Book of Sand) by Jorge Luis Borges, he´s a writer from my country, and this is a book with some short stories. It´s a little old, but it´s pretty cool, i recommend it, for those who want something from another country (if you can find a translation into english).

[Choc ♦]

I just finished reading 'Empire' by Orson Scott Card (in anticipation of Chair's upcoming game 'Shadow Complex', of which both works are based off of each other in a sense). It's a story set in modern times (very literally 2006 or thereabouts) that's sort of a cautionary / what if tale of a possible civil war in America, what would cause it and what the reasons and fall out would be.

It's about on par with Card's other work, and definitely worth picking up.

[Black Hayabusa]

"Greetings! I am a sentient citizen of the League of
Peoples, and I beg... aw, fuck it."

That part was great. XD

Just finished 'Expendable' By James Gardner. It's a great read and I found it very satisfying.

Next up is 'Shutter Island' by Dennis Lehane and 'Cat's Cradle' by Vonnegut, in whatever order I manage to acquire them.

After that, probably 'The Good Earth' by Pearl S. Buck.

Edit:

Ok, i lied. I read a short story, 'Cal' by Isaac Asimov (sp?).
It was Awesome. If you are interested, I can get it to you. it's about a robot that wants to become a writer, like it's owner. I wont elaborate any further, just know that it is a really great story.

[Black Hayabusa]

Ok, i lied. I read a short story, 'Cal' by Isaac Asimov (sp?).
It was Awesome. If you are interested, I can get it to you. it's about a robot that wants to become a writer, like it's owner. I wont elaborate any further, just know that it is a really great story.

[Thetis ♦]

Would it be a okay to add manga/light novels, that sort of thing? Technically, you are reading them. In a fashion.

[Black Hayabusa]

Sure, I don't see why not.

On another note, can we bring up books names, not necessarily english by source (Or not even written in english)?

Yup. But I'd hope you'd bring up stuff that has at least been translated into English, otherwise there's not much chance other people can read it. (didn't notice your question before, sorry.)

[Nina Windia ♦]

But I'd hope you'd bring up stuff that has at least been translated into English, otherwise there's not much chance other people can read it.

amm... So I gather the answer is no. XD

[Black Hayabusa]

uhhh, I said yes. =P

While people that speak English exclusively might not, others might be able to read it. The idea is to get everyone to share books they have enjoyed with one another. Fan-fiction is alright too, so long as you aren't just pimping your own work, it has to be someone else's. It also doesn't have to be fiction, non-fiction's cool too. You can still talk about whatever, author's, their work's, different genres, anything that relates to narrative literature, just not poetry (sorry Thetis).

[Nina Windia ♦]

you should edit the notes to your first post of this thread, so everyone will see it right away

[Choc ♦]

"Greetings! I am a sentient citizen of the League of
Peoples, and I beg... aw, fuck it."

That part was great. XD

Just finished 'Expendable' By James Gardner. It's a great read and I found it very satisfying.

Ramos is an awesome lead, but Oar is still probably my favorite fictional character ever. If you liked her even a little, you should read 'Ascending' as it is all about her.

Stupid fucking explorers.

'Cat's Cradle' by Vonnegut, in whatever order I manage to acquire them.

YESSSSSSSS

Tiger got to hunt
bird got to fly
man got to sit and wonder
'why why why'

Ok, i lied. I read a short story, 'Cal' by Isaac Asimov (sp?).
It was Awesome. If you are interested, I can get it to you. it's about a robot that wants to become a writer, like it's owner. I wont elaborate any further, just know that it is a really great story.

I wish I still had my massive, awesome Asimov collection. I loved that story and how the robot evolves within it as a writer learning about writing (which was an interesting and probably challenging undertaking to pen), the bit he writes on satire is amusing.

[William]

Currently reading The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. Last book I read and think everyone should read: Snow Crash. Regarding "light reading," though, they seem to be re-releasing the first eleven issues of TMNT. I'm looking forward to that.

[shadowfox]

Currently reading The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. Last book I read and think everyone should read: Snow Crash. Regarding "light reading," though, they seem to be re-releasing the first eleven issues of TMNT. I'm looking forward to that.

Snow Crash is on my list of things to read. I've hear from a lot of people that its good. another by the same author that I've been meaning to read is Diamond Age

the "sort of" light reading book that I recommend is Why There's Antifreeze in Your Toothpaste. It tells what all those big words on ingredient listings on the back of the label are for. Its interesting but kinda dry.

I forgot to mention Cosmic Burrito. its about the misadventures of 2 college graduates traveling around the USA in search of the perfect burrito. Its a funny book and easy to read.

[Kenzo]

Well, I didn’t see any post about it so I figured I’d make my own for hopefully fellow bookworms to gather! So… Book, magazine, article, instructions of how to make ramen noodles, doesn't matter! Just post what the last thing you read was and a description if you think other users would be interested! I'll start:

The last thing I read was a fantasy novel called Drylor The First Artifact.

Description from amazon:

When a man wakes up inside a cage that is being carried through an underground city, he has no idea where he is or what has happened to him. As Von, a victim of amnesia, is taken to a jail cell to await his fate amongst elves, humans, dwarfs, gnomes, and halflings, he is told he is a member of the Royal Guard of Genisus. It is not long before he is transported to the palace where he meets an impatient king who eventually returns him to his jail cell while deciding his destiny. As Von's memory slowly returns, he discovers that he is the only one who can protect Drylor-a world that abandoned him-from its greatest evil, his own brother. Through his journey to the truth, Von meets an unlikely group of friends who are willing to sacrifice everything to help him stop his brother Scarlet from annihilating the only world they have ever known. As Von's past becomes clear and reveals his future, he soon realizes the only way he can end his brother's heartless massacres is to find him and kill him.