Post by: funkyducky on November 30, 2011, 11:03:58 pm
I'll start off:
Never Let Me Go - Kazuo Ishiguro Sci Fi. I hesitate to call it dystopian because it's set in the 'real' world, with one catch that makes it all very eerie. Told through the eyes of a woman, Kathy who talks about her life and explains things to the reader through flashbacks. The secrets in this novel are let out slowly, like a puzzle being put together bit by bit. There's a feeling that something is not quite right, but like Kathy and her friends, we're "told but not told".
Post by: ShortBlackChick on November 30, 2011, 11:20:46 pm
He's an action/ adventure writer, with some sci-fi added in every now and then. He has some very Indiana Jones (but a younger and hotter version) novels in the Jack West series, and some military (but-lets-still-save-the-world) series, like the Scarecrow.
His new release is called Scarecrow and the Army of Thieves, its amazing!!
And then I read some weird shit, like romances, but no one cares about them, so I wont ramble on about the hundreds of books I've read by authors who can describe sex very...graphically?
Post by: Camo on November 30, 2011, 11:29:09 pm
Classic from George Orwell, explores the concept of a totalitarian Government, and quite an interesting read into rebellion, and ideas such as Big Brother, thoughtcrime, doublespeak, etc...
Z for Zachiriah.
Read from an early age, I love this book, simply for the fact it brought to my attention nuclear war, and is presented in a diary form. Interesting side note about the novel is its author died writing the final chapter, and his family finished it.
Noughts & Crosses (series).
Exploration into racism and could be shown as a comparison to the segregation's in America. Quite an interesting read, my girlfriend got me onto the series and she still nags about the fact her first copy is ruined today. Mostly a story of society, and how people may accept others, or reject them due to social norms. One of the most beautiful yet saddening novels I've ever read.
Also you may have noticed that these novels are based on dystopian societies, just my thing.
Post by: xdecay on December 01, 2011, 12:34:32 am
norwegian wood by haruki murakami.
a farewell to arms by ernest hemingway (yes, i did it as an english text this year and i learnt to appreciate it so much).
nausea by jean-paul sartre.
the beach by alex garland.
the plague by albert camus.
one flew over the cuckoo's nest by ken kesey.
breakfast of champions by kurt vonnegut.
the age of reason by jean-paul sartre.
cat's cradle by kurt vonnegut.
it's my goal this holiday to complete all novels by ernest hemingway. studying his work for vce esl has given me the chance to appreciate his unique writing style.
ps. i may give 'never let me go' a try as i've read 'a pale view of the hills' by the same author and enjoyed it!
Post by: cyrus_atlantis on December 02, 2011, 11:58:08 pm
Matthew Reilly: ALL OF HIS BOOKS!!!!
He's an action/ adventure writer, with some sci-fi added in every now and then. He has some very Indiana Jones (but a younger and hotter version) novels in the Jack West series, and some military (but-lets-still-save-the-world) series, like the Scarecrow.
His new release is called Scarecrow and the Army of Thieves, its amazing!!
And then I read some weird shit, like romances, but no one cares about them, so I wont ramble on about the hundreds of books I've read by authors who can describe sex very...graphically?
Like!
All his books will make sure that you're watching a movie filled with ongoing action and puzzles. The plot always turn completely unexpected and you will not be able to stop once you start. A must read! Suggest Hover Car Racer too!
Post by: ninwa on December 03, 2011, 01:29:41 am
read it or be square
also it's about 37289374839274839 times better than the TV series
Post by: funkyducky on December 03, 2011, 01:25:31 pm
Post by: paulsterio on December 03, 2011, 02:30:56 pm
It's an autobiography of Ben Carson, an American neurosurgeon (one of the best in the world) - it's an amazing book!
Post by: JSB on December 03, 2011, 04:03:16 pm
This book almost single-handedly screwed over my exam chances
(that's right, I stupidly read it during the exam period :o)
I think this review does it justice:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/85637389
Post by: ninwa on December 04, 2011, 12:03:44 pm
Noughts & Crosses (series).
Exploration into racism and could be shown as a comparison to the segregation's in America. Quite an interesting read, my girlfriend got me onto the series and she still nags about the fact her first copy is ruined today. Mostly a story of society, and how people may accept others, or reject them due to social norms. One of the most beautiful yet saddening novels I've ever read.
OMG I loved those books, but I could never find the third book in the series :(
Post by: Russ on December 04, 2011, 12:37:06 pm
"The Lies of Locke Lamora"
The problem with reading this is that you will inevitably read the sequel, which is subpar and then you'll wait for the third book and realise that Scott Lynch is never publishing anything, ever :(
Great book though.
Post by: Camo on December 04, 2011, 12:58:22 pm
Noughts & Crosses (series).
Exploration into racism and could be shown as a comparison to the segregation's in America. Quite an interesting read, my girlfriend got me onto the series and she still nags about the fact her first copy is ruined today. Mostly a story of society, and how people may accept others, or reject them due to social norms. One of the most beautiful yet saddening novels I've ever read.
OMG I loved those books, but I could never find the third book in the series :(
Its the only copy our school library had. :P
Post by: karenn on December 04, 2011, 01:35:16 pm
Looking for Alaska - John Green :)
Post by: transgression on December 04, 2011, 04:45:35 pm
I personally prefer books like:
Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
We - Yevgeny Zamyatin
Animal Farm - George Orwell
Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury
Post by: Ravit on December 04, 2011, 06:53:44 pm
Post by: Camo on December 04, 2011, 07:33:16 pm
;)
Anyone remember the books they read growing up?
I remember the first book I read was where the wild things are.
Post by: Readinya on December 04, 2011, 08:39:03 pm
Quote
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer is a 1985 literary historical cross-genre novel (originally published in German as Das Parfum) by German writer Patrick Süskind. The novel explores the sense of smell and its relationship with the emotional meaning that scents may carry. Above all this is a story of identity, communication and the morality of the human spirit.
I read this book when I was 10. It was gruesome.
Obernewtyn Chronicles - by Isobelle Carmody Sci-fi/fantasy
Quote
The Obernewtyn Chronicles is a series of science fiction and fantasy novels by Australian author Isobelle Carmody. The series has a post apocalyptic setting, and depict a world long after its destruction by a global nuclear holocaust.
The series' protagonist, Elspeth Gordie, is a young girl with mental powers condemned by the series' main antagonists, the governing body known as the Council, and the religious authority, the Herder Faction. The novels deal with themes of responsibility, duty, prejudice, discrimination, tolerance, and human and animal rights.
Books by Robin Hobb Fantasy
I absolutely love the Farseer Trilogy and the Tawny Man Trilogy. <3
Or if you're desperate, just grab any thick-ish looking book. That's how I discovered some of my favourite books in the library
Post by: JellyDonut on December 04, 2011, 08:39:30 pm
Post by: liuetenant on December 04, 2011, 09:27:26 pm
Night--Elie Wiesel<--awesome! So tense and suspenseful! it's a true story...set during WW2, nazi concentration camps, about a him and his father and their struggles....it was a really great read! :D
Water for Elephants--Sara Gruen<--this is surprisingly not bad. i haven't watched the movie, and probs will not intend to because books tend to turn out worse when transformed into their movie counterpart :P The prose is fantastic! Read it! :O
Post by: HERculina on December 04, 2011, 11:13:26 pm
Post by: funkyducky on December 04, 2011, 11:18:26 pm
Isobelle Carmody <3 = my childhood. (+ harry potter, etc.) She was my favourite author when I was little
Also, @hercules, Markus Zusak is awesome. The book thief is so good, but I've yet to read any of his other books.
Currently working my way through Italo Calvino's Cosmicomics (short story collection)
Post by: HERculina on December 04, 2011, 11:26:12 pm
we had to read The Gathering in year 8 by Isobelle Carmody, but i didnt really enjoy it ^^
OHHH
VAMPIRES ACADEMY IS GOOD TOO! BETTER THAN TWILIGHT HAHA ;)
Post by: ninwa on December 04, 2011, 11:45:35 pm
I had to read Perfume for uni and holy shit did it creep me out. We also watched the movie. Ugh.
Post by: Readinya on December 04, 2011, 11:50:58 pm
Farseer Trilogy. Still my favourite series by far.
+1! I love the Fool <3
I had to read Perfume for uni and holy shit did it creep me out. We also watched the movie. Ugh.
Imagine how I felt when i was reading it when I was 10 years old!!
Post by: Lasercookie on December 04, 2011, 11:51:34 pm
Alice's Adventure's in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, Mark Haddon
Boy and Going Solo, Roald Dahl
The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Stephen Chbosky
Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman, Richard Feynman
Post by: burbs on December 05, 2011, 01:37:50 am
Great Gatsby
Lolita
Perfume
A Fraction of the whole
The Beach
Harry Potter
The Finkler Question
Also: When reading Lolita in public spaces, keep a notebook handy and pretend to scribble stuff down and go 'interesting tactic.... must try that'
more later... tired.
Few more:
Wind up bird chronicle
finkler question
Post by: Menang on December 05, 2011, 02:05:16 am
My all time favourites are The Hobbit and Roald Dahl's short stories, they're pretty epic. :D
I also enjoyed Albert Camus when we read him in 1/2 lit, so props to the poster who suggested him.
A guilty pleasure would defs be the Hunger Games, soo pumped for the movie release coming up! :D
Post by: funkyducky on December 05, 2011, 02:28:35 am
I've wanted to read Camus' 'The Plague', but I'm trying to get a copy of the French...maybe I should get a french and an english version so I can translate properly rather than having to grab a dictionary every 10 seconds.
Also The hobbit <3 sparked my childhood (and ongoing) love with fantasy literature. I read it when I was 6 (to be fair, my copy had lots of pictures) after I'd just read Harry Potter and the philosopher's stone, and the two made me LOVE reading, fantasy books especially. I tried to read LOTR after that but it was too much. Finally got around to reading that when I was 10. I've also read the silmarillion, and I have a copy of the children of hurin, never got around to reading it...I'll add that to my waiting list.
Post by: ninwa on December 05, 2011, 09:02:09 am
Farseer Trilogy. Still my favourite series by far.
+1! I love the Fool <3I had to read Perfume for uni and holy shit did it creep me out. We also watched the movie. Ugh.
Imagine how I felt when i was reading it when I was 10 years old!!
I think I love Farseer so much because it's like the only book I've read that doesn't have a happy ending...
And what the hell were you doing reading Perfume at 10?!??!
Post by: aabattery on December 05, 2011, 09:09:54 am
Gifted Hands - The Ben Carson Story
It's an autobiography of Ben Carson, an American neurosurgeon (one of the best in the world) - it's an amazing book!
+1
Post by: Russ on December 05, 2011, 09:29:07 am
Post by: Readinya on December 05, 2011, 01:45:47 pm
And what the hell were you doing reading Perfume at 10?!??!
The book was lying around in my house.... I must say I started sniffing people after reading that book :P
John Marsden is pretty good for the younger readers;
"The Vintner's Luck" - by Elizabeth Knox
Books by Tracy Chevalier for historical fiction
I also heard that "Embedded" by Dan Abnett is pretty good - kind of like a Matthew Reilly with more depth book. Sci-fi, action
Quote
EMBEDDED sends a journalist into the frontline of a distant planetary war… chipped inside the head of a combat veteran. When the soldier is killed, the journo must use all his resourcefulness to get safely home again, reporting on a live feed all the way.
Post by: s... on December 07, 2011, 10:26:54 am
2. The Kite Runner-Khaled Hosseini
3. Anna Karenina-Leo Tolstoy
4. To Kill a Mockingbird-Harper Lee
5. Dr Seuss books :)
s.
Post by: Russ on December 07, 2011, 10:38:06 am
The House of God by Samuel Shem is pretty hilarious and might convince you that medicine is a bad career path
Joe Abercrombie's books are all very good. Read them in order though.
Science of the Discworld by Pratchett et al are awesome, whether you're good at science or not. They walk you through it :)
Anthem by Ayn Rand. You can get the exact same experience of Atlas Shrugged, only with about a billion per cent less pain
Post by: ninwa on December 07, 2011, 11:51:48 am
Post by: Lasercookie on December 07, 2011, 12:29:40 pm
I loved Flatland. Great if you don't have much time (it's quite short) and feel like getting your mind twisted a bit+1
Flatland is an awesome read. If you can't find a copy, it's out of copyright and is online. Just be sure to read a version with proper illustrations. (The one I found on Project Gutenburg had illustrations converted to ASCII)
e.g. this one isn't ideal, images are a bit low-quality: http://www.ibiblio.org/eldritch/eaa/FL.HTM
This one is probably the best copy (it's a digitised scan of the original book):
http://www.archive.org/details/flatlandromanceo00abbouoft
Post by: xdecay on December 07, 2011, 07:22:49 pm
Don't read the Hunger Games #2 and #3. Just. Don't.
i honestly don't understand the hype of this series. i thought the books were just average, in my opinion.
total rip off of 'battle royale' too (japanese).
Post by: nisha on January 08, 2012, 01:24:25 pm
Anyways, what books are you reading now, for FUN?
Me? Harlan Coben-Tell No One
Post by: fuzzylogic on January 08, 2012, 01:28:25 pm
The Beautiful and the Damned- F. Scott Fitzgerald :D
Post by: Zafaraaaa on January 08, 2012, 02:07:59 pm
Post by: funkyducky on January 08, 2012, 02:09:53 pm
On topic, I'm currently reading The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, and just read the Hunger Games.
Post by: EvangelionZeta on January 08, 2012, 02:16:20 pm
Post by: abd123 on January 08, 2012, 02:18:18 pm
Post by: fuzzylogic on January 08, 2012, 02:26:00 pm
Atonement, by Ian McEwan. Also, a variety of Batman graphic novels. (y)
omg how good is atonement *squee*
Post by: nemolala on January 08, 2012, 02:29:09 pm
Post by: EvangelionZeta on January 08, 2012, 02:31:03 pm
Atonement, by Ian McEwan. Also, a variety of Batman graphic novels. (y)
omg how good is atonement *squee*
I KNOW RIGHT
Post by: funkyducky on January 08, 2012, 02:34:29 pm
Post by: s.ay on January 08, 2012, 02:37:38 pm
Post by: trinh on January 08, 2012, 02:44:33 pm
This thread should be moved to OGD/water cooler. (or merged w/the good books thread?)
On topic, I'm currently reading The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, and just read the Hunger Games.
Eh how good is Sherlock Holmes.. Btw are you reading the thick as book with 9 books in one volume?
EDIT: I'm reading sherlock holmes atm; read 7 out of 9 books so far
EDIT 2: Does anyone know if the sherlock holmes tv series and/or movies are relatively accurate representations of the books?
Post by: aabattery on January 08, 2012, 02:45:35 pm
i must admit i only read something if it really interests me...
at the moment, its The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
can't wait for the movie coming out in march!!!
Post by: pi on January 08, 2012, 02:47:11 pm
This thread should be moved to OGD/water cooler. (or merged w/the good books thread?)
On topic, I'm currently reading The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, and just read the Hunger Games.
Eh how good is Sherlock Holmes.. Btw are you reading the thick as book with 9 books in one volume?
EDIT: I'm reading sherlock holmes atm; read 7 out of 9 books so far
Just finished all of them about a month ago :D
Great classic!
Post by: funkyducky on January 08, 2012, 02:47:19 pm
So good, but sometimes predictable (although I kind of like figuring things out before Sherlock explains to Watson) :D I'm reading the orange penguin one that's just "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" with 12 short stories/chapters in it. Not super-thick one.This thread should be moved to OGD/water cooler. (or merged w/the good books thread?)
On topic, I'm currently reading The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, and just read the Hunger Games.
Eh how good is Sherlock Holmes.. Btw are you reading the thick as book with 9 books in one volume?
Joining abd123 and trinh as the boys...My favourite recent kid's book. Such a good read. Can't wait for the movie either :D
i must admit i only read something if it really interests me...
at the moment, its The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
can't wait for the movie coming out in march!!!
Post by: acinod on January 08, 2012, 02:50:33 pm
Post by: EvangelionZeta on January 08, 2012, 02:53:37 pm
So good, but sometimes predictable (although I kind of like figuring things out before Sherlock explains to Watson) :D I'm reading the orange penguin one that's just "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" with 12 short stories/chapters in it. Not super-thick one.This thread should be moved to OGD/water cooler. (or merged w/the good books thread?)
On topic, I'm currently reading The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, and just read the Hunger Games.
Eh how good is Sherlock Holmes.. Btw are you reading the thick as book with 9 books in one volume?Joining abd123 and trinh as the boys...My favourite recent kid's book. Such a good read. Can't wait for the movie either :D
i must admit i only read something if it really interests me...
at the moment, its The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
can't wait for the movie coming out in march!!!
My favourite one is the Red-Headed League one. Can't remember the exact title, but it should be fairly obvious. :p
Post by: JellyDonut on January 08, 2012, 02:56:33 pm
Post by: nbhindi on January 08, 2012, 02:58:36 pm
Mud, Sweat and Tear - Bear Grylls :)
Anddddddddd some first year biomed textbooks for fun!! ;D
Post by: andy456 on January 08, 2012, 02:59:59 pm
Post by: pi on January 08, 2012, 03:01:34 pm
Post by: nbhindi on January 08, 2012, 03:04:00 pm
This thread should be moved to OGD/water cooler. (or merged w/the good books thread?)
On topic, I'm currently reading The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, and just read the Hunger Games.
Eh how good is Sherlock Holmes.. Btw are you reading the thick as book with 9 books in one volume?
EDIT: I'm reading sherlock holmes atm; read 7 out of 9 books so far
Just finished all of them about a month ago :D
Great classic!
Yeah finished Sherlock Holmes about 2 weeks ago....they were epic! Might start reading Agatha Christie next....not Miss Marple coz Poirot is the BOSS!!!!!
Moderator action: removed real name, sorry for the inconvenience
Post by: TrueTears on January 08, 2012, 03:04:57 pm
Since we are all on HOLIDAYS, we need to take advantage of it. Yes getting ahead is fine, but cool off now, so you can kick ass later.Business analysis and valuation using financial statements by Palepu. K
Anyways, what books are you reading now, for FUN?
Me? Harlan Coben-Tell No One
I've just started a Matthew Reilly book. I think it's the Six sacred stones or something like that.... Anything written by this man is just fantastic to readyeah he's a beast, love all his books, sadly his wife passed away just recently so he couldn't do the 6 scared stones book promotion tour :(
Post by: funkyducky on January 08, 2012, 03:08:29 pm
It's called "the Red-Headed League" ;) That one was nice, really clever.So good, but sometimes predictable (although I kind of like figuring things out before Sherlock explains to Watson) :D I'm reading the orange penguin one that's just "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" with 12 short stories/chapters in it. Not super-thick one.This thread should be moved to OGD/water cooler. (or merged w/the good books thread?)
On topic, I'm currently reading The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, and just read the Hunger Games.
Eh how good is Sherlock Holmes.. Btw are you reading the thick as book with 9 books in one volume?Joining abd123 and trinh as the boys...My favourite recent kid's book. Such a good read. Can't wait for the movie either :D
i must admit i only read something if it really interests me...
at the moment, its The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
can't wait for the movie coming out in march!!!
My favourite one is the Red-Headed League one. Can't remember the exact title, but it should be fairly obvious. :p
My mum has the HUGEST collection of Agatha Christie books. She loves that stuff. Poirot is awesome
Yeah finished Sherlock Holmes about 2 weeks ago....they were epic! Might start reading Agatha Christie next....not Miss Marple coz Poirot is the BOSS!!!!!
Post by: nacho on January 08, 2012, 03:14:19 pm
got half way through frankenstein and got bored
anyone know books similar to the power of one? drama, inspiration etc? perhaps some others by Bryce Courtenay
Post by: pi on January 08, 2012, 03:18:29 pm
got half way through frankenstein and got bored
+1, tried to read that once and failed miserably.
Other classics that bored me include To Kill a Mockingbird (maybe because we studied it in school) and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (urgh...)
Enjoyed The Three Musketeers though!
Post by: nacho on January 08, 2012, 03:26:20 pm
probably the school part, i thought mocking bird was a fantastic read (read it ages ago though, like yr9)got half way through frankenstein and got bored
+1, tried to read that once and failed miserably.
Other classics that bored me include To Kill a Mockingbird (maybe because we studied it in school) and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (urgh...)
Enjoyed The Three Musketeers though!
Moderator action: removed real name, sorry for the inconvenience
Post by: funkyducky on January 08, 2012, 03:27:07 pm
Post by: pi on January 08, 2012, 03:28:13 pm
Worst novel ever. I think ch4 is probably the worst literature I've ever read in my entire life. I despise the novel with a passion.
Post by: ShortBlackChick on January 08, 2012, 03:31:08 pm
I've just started a Matthew Reilly book. I think it's the Six sacred stones or something like that.... Anything written by this man is just fantastic to readyeah he's a beast, love all his books, sadly his wife passed away just recently so he couldn't do the 6 scared stones book promotion tour :(
WHAT. THE. FUCK. Are you serious? Natalie passed away? WHAT. I did not know this, but I knew the tours got cancelled because I checked on his site for when he was in my area. Poor guy! WTF
I cant believe that. WTF Holy shit. fsjdkfihasdklhf
Andy456 you should have read Seven Ancient Wonders because its the first in the series. I'm more of a Scarecrow fan than a Jack West so I was stoked when Army of Thieves came out though, but still WTF
I'm trying to get through Great Expectations and I'm struggling
Post by: aabattery on January 08, 2012, 03:40:12 pm
probably the school part, i thought mocking bird was a fantastic read (read it ages ago though, like yr9)got half way through frankenstein and got bored
+1, tried to read that once and failed miserably.
Other classics that bored me include To Kill a Mockingbird (maybe because we studied it in school) and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (urgh...)
Enjoyed The Three Musketeers though!
+1
TKAM is simply awesome... one of all time favorites...
I've just started a Matthew Reilly book. I think it's the Six sacred stones or something like that.... Anything written by this man is just fantastic to readyeah he's a beast, love all his books, sadly his wife passed away just recently so he couldn't do the 6 scared stones book promotion tour :(
WHAT. THE. FUCK. Are you serious? Natalie passed away? WHAT. I did not know this, but I knew the tours got cancelled because I checked on his site for when he was in my area. Poor guy! WTF
I cant believe that. WTF Holy shit. fsjdkfihasdklhf
Andy456 you should have read Seven Ancient Wonders because its the first in the series. I'm more of a Scarecrow fan than a Jack West so I was stoked when Army of Thieves came out though, but still WTF
I'm trying to get through Great Expectations and I'm struggling
Great Expectations isn't too bad... try 'Hard Times' - seriously the title is what you get...
David Copperfield, although biographical and monotonous, is one of the better dickens imo... anyone seen the bbc david copperfield series with Daniel Radcliffe as david?
Moderator action: removed real name, sorry for the inconvenience
Post by: nacho on January 08, 2012, 03:41:39 pm
I ALSO DESPISE BRAVE NEW WORLD.LOL!
Worst novel ever. I think ch4 is probably the worst literature I've ever read in my entire life. I despise the novel with a passion.
a bunch of stoners were debating with me as to whether marajuana should be legalised, and they told me to read it and i'd understand hahaha
Moderator action: removed real name, sorry for the inconvenience
Post by: TrueTears on January 08, 2012, 03:53:13 pm
yeah sigh, poor guy, feel so sorry for him, it was on his website:I've just started a Matthew Reilly book. I think it's the Six sacred stones or something like that.... Anything written by this man is just fantastic to readyeah he's a beast, love all his books, sadly his wife passed away just recently so he couldn't do the 6 scared stones book promotion tour :(
WHAT. THE. FUCK. Are you serious? Natalie passed away? WHAT. I did not know this, but I knew the tours got cancelled because I checked on his site for when he was in my area. Poor guy! WTF
I cant believe that. WTF Holy shit. fsjdkfihasdklhf
Andy456 you should have read Seven Ancient Wonders because its the first in the series. I'm more of a Scarecrow fan than a Jack West so I was stoked when Army of Thieves came out though, but still WTF
I'm trying to get through Great Expectations and I'm struggling
Quote
Dear all
A few of you have noticed that my website, Facebook and Twitter pages have all gone silent over the past month. I also cancelled the last eight signings of my Australian book tour.
The reason is that in early December, my beloved wife Natalie died. She was 36.
I am devastated and trying to come to terms with this awful event.
I am not sure when I will resume public book duties, but I am sure you will all understand if I take a break from online communications for a while.
Thank you.
Matthew Reilly
Sydney, Australia
Post by: ShortBlackChick on January 08, 2012, 04:09:15 pm
Post by: Reckoner on January 08, 2012, 04:24:21 pm
A very interesting read, although the geology section was a bit difficult to get through.
Bryson's travel books are also good, such as 'Down Under' and 'Notes From a Small Island'. They literally made me lol, which rarely happens with books.
Post by: Phy124 on January 08, 2012, 04:40:59 pm
(http://imgsrv.ktk985.com/image/wktk/UserFiles/Image/5Q_surprised_emoticon.jpg)
I don't think I've read a book for enjoyment since primary school so let's just go with where's wally - if that doesn't count then go with the "just series" :P
Post by: Menang on January 08, 2012, 04:52:24 pm
Currently reading "Never Let Me Go" - Kazuo Ishiguro, and it's really, really good.
Recently finished "Perfume", as recommended by another AN thread and that was also brilliant. I couldn't put it down, and read it for about 12 hours straight.
Post by: fuzzylogic on January 08, 2012, 05:04:54 pm
Bill Bryson - A Short History of Nearly Everything
A very interesting read, although the geology section was a bit difficult to get through.
Bryson's travel books are also good, such as 'Down Under' and 'Notes From a Small Island'. They literally made me lol, which rarely happens with books.
The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid is also a really good, entertaining Bill Bryson read!
Post by: ninwa on January 08, 2012, 06:13:58 pm
Post by: s... on January 08, 2012, 09:22:39 pm
2. A Chirstmas Carol-Dickens
3. The Finkler Question-Howard Jacobson
4. Minimum of Two-Tim Winton
5. The Book Theif-Marcus Zusak
Oh, and Winnie the Pooh.
Post by: aes_999 on January 08, 2012, 09:28:26 pm
It's a really good read if you can
stick through all 127 chapters.
Post by: s... on January 08, 2012, 09:38:28 pm
Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
It's a really good read if you can
stick through all 127 chapters.
yes!!!
Post by: Seems madam? on January 08, 2012, 10:07:03 pm
For those who admire a rich crime thriller and the mental ruminations of a half-insane yet truly insightful protagonist. Warning, it's 500+ pages long.
1984 - George Orwell
One thing you notice when you read this is just how crisp yet vivid Orwell's writing is. I try (but rarely succeed) to emulate his style. Great story too, though the ending drags on a little.
The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald
Love it.
This Boy's Life - Tobias Wolff
The dream versus the reality.
Post by: Reckoner on January 08, 2012, 10:11:04 pm
Bill Bryson - A Short History of Nearly Everything
A very interesting read, although the geology section was a bit difficult to get through.
Bryson's travel books are also good, such as 'Down Under' and 'Notes From a Small Island'. They literally made me lol, which rarely happens with books.
The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid is also a really good, entertaining Bill Bryson read!
I've heard of this, will hopefully get around to reading it eventually, but that could take a while. I'll have to finish ASHONE, then read my english texts over and over and over. *sigh* I'm gonna get soooo sick of 'Life of Pi'.
Post by: paulsterio on January 09, 2012, 12:05:11 am
Post by: funkyducky on January 09, 2012, 01:40:54 am
I just read Inheritance by Christopher Paolini, it's a really good book!My brother got me this (also, some awesome headphones, he's not THAT cheap to just get me a $20 book) for Christmas, but I can't read it until I've re-read Brsingr (sp?) which I can't do until my brother has finished with it. So far he's re-read chapter one -_-
Post by: Russ on January 09, 2012, 09:06:38 am
I just read Inheritance by Christopher Paolini, it's a really good book!
No, sorry, you're wrong. Normally I let opinions be opinions, but not with that man's writing. Ugh.
As for me, I've been reading Garth Nix recently and I have to read the Song of Ice and Fire novels for the TV show season
Post by: ninwa on January 09, 2012, 11:46:24 am
Just started Accelerando - really good if you're a sci-fi fan - and some book called Act of God but is really about Egyptian history... or something (am not very far into it >_<)
Post by: funkyducky on January 09, 2012, 11:57:33 am
Post by: paulsterio on January 09, 2012, 12:27:38 pm
My brother got me this (also, some awesome headphones, he's not THAT cheap to just get me a $20 book) for Christmas, but I can't read it until I've re-read Brsingr (sp?) which I can't do until my brother has finished with it. So far he's re-read chapter one -_-
LOL! if i were you, i'd just download brisingr and read it, i'm assuming you've read eragon and eldest? :P
hmm, btw, that reminds me, i always download my books cause i have a kindle (so nice to read on) and i'm also a cheapo :)
No, sorry, you're wrong. Normally I let opinions be opinions, but not with that man's writing. Ugh.
What's wrong with his writing? :P
also guys, i'm thinking of starting the twilight series? should i? :D
Post by: abd123 on January 09, 2012, 01:43:28 pm
I read all of them, there pretty good.
The harry potter books are a lot more detailed than the movies.
Post by: xdecay on January 09, 2012, 01:45:09 pm
Post by: pi on January 09, 2012, 01:45:59 pm
NO
also guys, i'm thinking of starting the twilight series? should i? :D
I think admins should reset your Respect after that comment.
Not a single book of 'Deltora Quest' and 'Harry Potter' wasn't mentioned in this thread.
I read all of them, there pretty good.
The harry potter books are a lot more detailed than the movies.
I loved both :)
Post by: paulsterio on January 09, 2012, 01:51:33 pm
NO
I think admins should reset your Respect after that comment.
There's a general hatred from guys regarding Twilight =.="
Moderator action: removed real name, sorry for the inconvenience
Post by: Reckoner on January 09, 2012, 01:52:34 pm
Not a single book of 'Deltora Quest' and 'Harry Potter' wasn't mentioned in this thread.
I read all of them, there pretty good.
The harry potter books are a lot more detailed than the movies.
Wow I LOVED Deltora Quest ;D I must have read each of the 3 series about 10 times.
HP, not so much.
Post by: monkeywantsabanana on January 09, 2012, 02:25:13 pm
I just read Inheritance by Christopher Paolini, it's a really good book!
No, sorry, you're wrong. Normally I let opinions be opinions, but not with that man's writing. Ugh.
+1... I don't understand all the hype for The Inheritance Cycle... oh well, that's just me.
- The Messenger (Markus Zusak)
- 13 Reasons Why (Jay Asher)
Currently reading "The Reader"- Bernhard Schlink
Post by: ninwa on January 09, 2012, 02:30:24 pm
There's a general hatred fromguysanyone with a modicum of intelligence regarding Twilight =.="
ftfy
Post by: Thu Thu Train on January 09, 2012, 02:43:47 pm
NO
I think admins should reset your Respect after that comment.
There's a general hatred from guys regarding Twilight =.="
There is a general hatred towards people who can't write for shit.
Moderator action: removed real name, sorry for the inconvenience
Post by: pi on January 09, 2012, 03:00:46 pm
Post by: Panicmode on January 09, 2012, 03:03:25 pm
NO
I think admins should reset your Respect after that comment.
There's a general hatred from guys regarding Twilight =.="
I read it, didn't think it was that bad. The story was good, it was just the whole, "MY LIFE IS SOOOO HARD EMO EMO EMO EMO EDWAAAAARRRRD" that put me off. That and the horrible use of grammar and syntax throughout the whole piece.
On the other hand, her other book, "The Host" I did actually really enjoy... like surprisingly so.
Here is a list of all the books I've managed to read in the past month of post VCE freedom =D. Some of them are obvious re-reads (see Harry Potter)
"The Mortal Instruments" series (Cassandra Clare) [City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass, City of Fallen Angels]
Enjoyed this series and quickly devoured it. Would definitely recommend it. WARNING: Cliff hanger of most recent book is QQ
it's like she enjoys torturing us.
Harry Potter series (J. K. Rowling) [Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]
My childhood in a nutshell. Every year I re-read the series and every year I realise how much I love the books and the nostalgia they bring.
Gone series (Michael Grant) [Gone, Hunger, Lies, Plague]
OMG AMAZING. Gripping read seriously. Couldn't put down. I went to Dymocks and bought the first in the series, read it and then first thing next day came back and bought the rest. It's like several levels of awesome-ness rolled into one big ball.
The Power of Five series (Anthony Horowitz) [Raven's Gate, Evil Star, Nightrise, Necropolis]
Another re-read, but still amazing. WHEN IS HE GOING TO BRING OUT THE LAST IN THE SERIES!!!?!?!? ARGHHHH
Alex Rider series (Anthony Horowitz) [Stormbreaker, Point Blanc, Skeleton Key, Eagle Strike, Scorpia, Ark Angel, Snakehead, Crocodile Tears]
Another re-read. Found that this time it appealed to me less... Still pretty awesome though I must admit.
A Series of Unfortunate Events (Lemony Snicket) [The Bad Beginning, The Reptile Room, The Wide Window, The Miserable Mill, The Austere Academy, The Ersatz Elevator, The Vile Village, The Hostile Hospital, The Slippery Slope, The Grim Grotto, The Penultimate Peril, The End]
The second half of my childhood. I re-read this just as frequently as I do Harry Potter and it never forgets to stir up the same childish whimsy I remember as a 9 year-old.
Uglies series (Scott Westerfeld) [Uglies, Pretties, Specials, Extras]
Excellent read. Can not recommend this more highly. I finished the entire series within 3 days. It was basically un-putdownable. Finishing it came before sleep; that's how good it was.
Inside Out (Maria V. Synder)
I loved this book. Reading over what I've already written, I've said that about a few books, but seriously... if you only read one of the books I recommend, it has to be this.
Outside In (Maria V. Synder)
The sequel to Inside Out definitely worth a read particularly if you liked the first one.
Children of the Red King series (Jenny Nimmo) [Midnight for Charlie Bone, Charlie Bone and the Time Twister, Charlie Bone and the Blue Boa, Charlie Bone and the Castle of Mirrors, Charlie Bone and the Hidden King, Charlie Bone and the Wilderness Wolf, Charlie Bone and the Shadows of Badlock, Charlie Bone and the Red Knight]
Re-read to relive childhood. I found the writing this time around to be quite childish. I mean, the story is excellent, but the way the book is written isn't for my age group anymore. :c Ahh well, it's still a good read but probably wouldn't recommend it for anyone above 15.
Starcrossed (Josephine Angelini)
This book surprised me and I must say I loved it. It was gripping, and fast paced and incredibly captivating. Near the end I was like NOOOOOO!!! but still really good. Can't wait for the sequel.
The Rosie Black Chronicles series (Lara Morgan) [Genesis, Equinox]
Set in futuristic Australia by an Australian author! Seriously good read and I was hooked from the first few paragraphs. I'll definitely be downloading the next version to my com or otherwise buy the plaspaper version :) Second book made me wish she did something different but ahh well. I was slightly crestfallen.
Divergent (Diane Roth)
Weird ending but still a very captivating read. Would once again recommend.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (Mark Haddon)
I cried. I couldn't help it. It was just so sad. Excellently woven piece of literature which I'm sure will someday become a classic the likes of which are studied in English and Literature. It really is a great though provoking piece and would recommend to anyone and everyone.
The House of the Scorpion (Nancy Farmer)
A thought provoking piece which evokes many moral questions soon to come up in our future. I loved it I must say and it deserves all the awards it has received.
Moderator action: removed real name, sorry for the inconvenience
Post by: pi on January 09, 2012, 03:06:58 pm
The Power of Five series (Anthony Horowitz) [Raven's Gate, Evil Star, Nightrise, Necropolis]
Another re-read, but still amazing. WHEN IS HE GOING TO BRING OUT THE LAST IN THE SERIES!!!?!?!? ARGHHHH
LOL, I completely forgot about this series! Got to re-read this now!
Another couple of fiction series I like (whilst we're on the topic) are the Septimus Heap series and the Percy Jackson books :)
edit: and of course LOTR ;D
Post by: Panicmode on January 09, 2012, 03:09:39 pm
The Power of Five series (Anthony Horowitz) [Raven's Gate, Evil Star, Nightrise, Necropolis]
Another re-read, but still amazing. WHEN IS HE GOING TO BRING OUT THE LAST IN THE SERIES!!!?!?!? ARGHHHH
LOL, I completely forgot about this series! Got to re-read this now!
Another couple of fiction series I like (whilst we're on the topic) are the Septimus Heap series and the Percy Jackson books :)
Septimus Heap? Is that the Magyk, Flyte, Physik? I enjoyed them but I haven't read past Physik. Does it get really good or is it much the same? (not that it wasn't good in the beginning, just wondering if it gets OMG later in the series or not)
Moderator action: removed real name, sorry for the inconvenience
Post by: pi on January 09, 2012, 03:11:04 pm
The Power of Five series (Anthony Horowitz) [Raven's Gate, Evil Star, Nightrise, Necropolis]
Another re-read, but still amazing. WHEN IS HE GOING TO BRING OUT THE LAST IN THE SERIES!!!?!?!? ARGHHHH
LOL, I completely forgot about this series! Got to re-read this now!
Another couple of fiction series I like (whilst we're on the topic) are the Septimus Heap series and the Percy Jackson books :)
Septimus Heap? Is that the Magyk, Flyte, Physik? I enjoyed them but I haven't read past Physik. Does it get really good or is it much the same? (not that it wasn't good in the beginning, just wondering if it gets OMG later in the series or not)
Yeah that's the one. It stays at around the same tempo for the whole series, if that helps ;)
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Post by: Russ on January 09, 2012, 03:47:02 pm
No, sorry, you're wrong. Normally I let opinions be opinions, but not with that man's writing. Ugh.What's wrong with his writing? :P
In a word, everything. Seriously, what do you like about it?
As for twilight, I read them all. They're pretty average in all respects, but they're not the satanic evil that most people make them out to be. Just do yourself a favour, skip books 2 and 3 (skipping book 1 is also plausible).
Post by: monkeywantsabanana on January 09, 2012, 04:28:49 pm
Post by: paulsterio on January 09, 2012, 04:32:25 pm
Oh alright then, I guess I'll see what Twilight is like :)
Anyways, are there any love stories anyone can recommend, I've been reading too much fantasy and biographies lately, I want something to cry over! LOL! :D
Post by: Panicmode on January 09, 2012, 04:34:09 pm
Why does everyone hate the Twilight series? I haven't read it but is it because it's the book equivalent to Justin Bieber in the respect that people (guys) just hate it because girls go crazy over it?
It's worth reading if not only so you understand what all the fuss is about. I don't hate it... I just think it's poorly written is all. The story line isn't all that bad, you just need to read past the complete and utter disregard for the standard grammatical and syntactical conventions of English.
EDIT:
Quote from: paulsterio
Anyways, are there any love stories anyone can recommend, I've been reading too much fantasy and biographies lately, I want something to cry over! LOL! :D
You wanna cry? Read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon. Not a love story but will certainly induce tears (well, it did for me)
Post by: paulsterio on January 09, 2012, 04:38:48 pm
Post by: Lasercookie on January 09, 2012, 04:49:38 pm
Russ, in regards to Paolini's Inheritance Cycle, I like the storyline, I do tend to skim a little because he is overly descriptive of scenery at times, which helps me get through his books faster, but I think it's quite amazing, like the world he's created and the made up languages and I guess I like a little bit of action here and there, I understand that it's not literature, like it's not something that will stand the test of time, but as a passing fantasy series I think it's pretty good :)
Paul, have you read The Hobbit and/or The Lord of the Rings? I'm guessing you'd probably also like Tolkein's work (which, without question, heavily inspired Paolini).
Post by: JellyDonut on January 09, 2012, 04:51:36 pm
Skip twilight. You'd probably find something more worthwhile doing such as determining whether a bear shits in the woods. Alternatively, Interview With the Vampire if you're into that stuff.
I also liked "The Catcher in the Rye" (I'm not a mass murderer btw). I think its one of those books that either you really hate or really like, not sure why though ???I'm pretty sure he killed just one guy ie. John Lennon
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Post by: nisha on January 09, 2012, 04:52:03 pm
Tell No one by Harlan Coben
Deltora Quest by Emily Rodda
Warriors by Erin Hunter
Staying Alive in year 5 (it was cool back then ok?)
A thousand Spendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
1984 by George Orwell
Terrorist by John Updike
HARRY POTTER by You-Know-Who
Inkheart Series (Inkheart,Inkspell, Inkdeath) by Cornelia Funke
Post by: paulsterio on January 09, 2012, 04:54:43 pm
Post by: Panicmode on January 09, 2012, 05:02:08 pm
Quote from: nisha
1984 by George Orwell
I agree, excellent. Also loved Animal Farm as well.
On a completely unrelated sidetrack Brave New World was really good too.
Post by: JSB on January 09, 2012, 05:10:47 pm
I think I'll start Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson soon, and perhaps Perfume - it's been recommended too many times to pass up!
Post by: chocolatedaddy on January 09, 2012, 06:47:23 pm
Post by: pi on January 09, 2012, 07:03:52 pm
I also liked "The Catcher in the Rye" (I'm not a mass murderer btw). I think its one of those books that either you really hate or really like, not sure why though ???I'm pretty sure he killed just one guy ie. John Lennon
I thought there were other murderers too... Either way, one murder is one too many!
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Post by: Lasercookie on January 09, 2012, 07:07:58 pm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_references_to_the_novel_The_Catcher_in_the_Rye#ShootingsI also liked "The Catcher in the Rye" (I'm not a mass murderer btw). I think its one of those books that either you really hate or really like, not sure why though ???I'm pretty sure he killed just one guy ie. John Lennon
I thought there were other murderers too... Either way, one murder is one too many!
Still, I don't think the fact that a few murderers also appreciated the book changes the fact that it's a great book and worth reading.
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Post by: nisha on January 09, 2012, 07:16:33 pm
Quote from: nisha1984 by George Orwell
I agree, excellent. Also loved Animal Farm as well.
On a completely unrelated sidetrack Brave New World was really good too.
Yea. I completely agree with you. Ever realized that the Korean dictator (the one that died), Kim-Jong-something, was probably a fan of 1984? Never stops amazing me how much that book corresponds to the way that country is lead out.
Post by: WhoTookMyUsername on January 09, 2012, 07:20:37 pm
Post by: nisha on January 09, 2012, 07:25:32 pm
Post by: s... on January 09, 2012, 09:01:33 pm
Quote from: nisha1984 by George Orwell
I agree, excellent. Also loved Animal Farm as well.
On a completely unrelated sidetrack Brave New World was really good too.
Yea. I completely agree with you. Ever realized that the Korean dictator (the one that died), Kim-Jong-something, was probably a fan of 1984? Never stops amazing me how much that book corresponds to the way that country is lead out.
yes: amazing pieces of work.
Lord of The Ring trilogy: 2 days in yr 6. I wish I had the time to do that again.
I think my reading taste's are maturing.
same: used to be Meg Cabot.
now: Albert Camus
another good book: Girl with A Pearl Earring-Tracy Chevailer
Post by: JellyDonut on January 09, 2012, 10:04:59 pm
Post by: xdecay on January 09, 2012, 10:17:02 pm
i read it after doing vce english (the book was on my to-read list for about 2 years because it was mentioned in an episode of 'how i met your mother') so i had the tendency to analyze the themes and symbols etc which made me enjoy the novel even more.
a plus is that due to the complex language used (well to me anyway), my vocab = ^1000. :)
Post by: monkeywantsabanana on January 09, 2012, 10:54:43 pm
Everyone loves murder^^^
SO TRUE! Does anyone know any good murder novels? I was hesitating about Perfume when I saw it in the book store the other day... What other ones are there?
Post by: JellyDonut on January 09, 2012, 10:58:02 pm
Post by: nisha on January 09, 2012, 11:06:34 pm
Everyone loves murder^^^
SO TRUE! Does anyone know any good murder novels? I was hesitating about Perfume when I saw it in the book store the other day... What other ones are there?
Harlan Coben- Tell No one
Linwood Barclay-No time for Goodbye (and all his other novels)
I'm a crime fanatic:)
Post by: s... on January 10, 2012, 11:27:31 am
Post by: xdecay on January 10, 2012, 11:31:58 am
the boat-nam le
i second this. also, 'growing up asian in australia'. some of these short stories are so compelling and moving.
Post by: xdecay on January 10, 2012, 11:33:21 am
^^Have you read One Hundred Years of Solitude? It's Marquez's more acclaimed book and one of my favourite reads ever. If you haven't, you should. Don't bother with Memories of My Melancholy Whores, it wasn't as engaging as I remembered it to be.
yes, that book is definitely on my to-read list.
what's even better is that it's printed as one of those orange penguin books. i love those, they don't burn your wallet and look great on bookshelves.
Post by: nisha on January 10, 2012, 07:41:40 pm
Post by: Panicmode on January 12, 2012, 12:05:53 pm
It had such a deep story-line and so many socio-political undercurrents; the novel would definitely be worthy of some further study. It really was a gripping read.
Post by: JellyDonut on January 14, 2012, 04:26:16 pm
Post by: Planck's constant on January 14, 2012, 05:18:26 pm
ET Bell : Men of Mathematics
(Warning! for non-fiction and maths freaks only)
Post by: Panicmode on January 15, 2012, 01:19:02 am
(http://i.imgur.com/l91pW.jpg)
Well, I must admit I lol'd.
Just finished Unearthly and Hallowed by Cynthia Hand
Not a bad read I must admit.
Also read Halo - Alexandra Ardonetto (another Australian author!!!) and looking forward to the sequel which I shall soon buy :)
Post by: funkyducky on January 15, 2012, 02:37:32 pm
^^Have you read One Hundred Years of Solitude? It's Marquez's more acclaimed book and one of my favourite reads ever. If you haven't, you should.Part-way into it, is good :D
On topic, The Shipping News by Annie Proulx is really good IMO
Post by: s... on January 16, 2012, 10:33:10 am
Post by: nacho on January 18, 2012, 05:41:28 pm
My teacher in year 11 told me he didn't like it and only got half way through it because it was irregular/confusing
but the name is so awesome and i always see cool quotes that have been pulled out of there
Post by: JellyDonut on January 18, 2012, 07:44:26 pm
Post by: Russ on January 18, 2012, 09:04:47 pm
Also read Halo - Alexandra Ardonetto (another Australian author!!!) and looking forward to the sequel which I shall soon buy :)
Get the fuck out, she's so terrible. Ugh.
I started reading Feist last night, good memories of reading him as a kid but I'm not liking it as much any more :(
Post by: pi on January 18, 2012, 09:10:20 pm
Post by: abd123 on January 18, 2012, 09:24:18 pm
"The Alchemist"Finally someone has my flavor of a good book!
Awesume book, everybody should read this book, seriously :D.
Moderator action: removed real name, sorry for the inconvenience
Post by: JellyDonut on January 18, 2012, 09:28:39 pm
Also read Halo - Alexandra Ardonetto (another Australian author!!!) and looking forward to the sequel which I shall soon buy :)
Get the fuck out, she's so terrible. Ugh.
I started reading Feist last night, good memories of reading him as a kid but I'm not liking it as much any more :(
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/guard-your-virginity-once-lost-its-its--gone-forever-20100130-n5g9.html
Quote
We teens tend to use the word sex as a verb. After a date or hooking up at a party, friends are likely to ask: ''Did you sex him?''
Post by: s... on January 18, 2012, 10:52:10 pm
Also read Halo - Alexandra Ardonetto (another Australian author!!!) and looking forward to the sequel which I shall soon buy :)
Get the fuck out, she's so terrible. Ugh.
I started reading Feist last night, good memories of reading him as a kid but I'm not liking it as much any more :(
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/guard-your-virginity-once-lost-its-its--gone-forever-20100130-n5g9.htmlQuoteWe teens tend to use the word sex as a verb. After a date or hooking up at a party, friends are likely to ask: ''Did you sex him?''
please, guys, this is a book thread, I don't want to read about losing one's "V-plates" , okay?
tnx
Dunno if someone's already said this, but:
Butterfly-Sonya Hartnett.
Post by: nacho on January 18, 2012, 10:57:17 pm
I've read As I Lay Dying by Faulkner and your teacher is not alone in his confusion. It took me two reads IIRC to internalise his writing style as his 'stream of consciousness' style confused meoh, if u read it twice, im assuming you were really into it? im up for a challenge :}
Post by: DisaFear on January 18, 2012, 10:57:23 pm
Post by: JellyDonut on January 18, 2012, 11:03:32 pm
I've read As I Lay Dying by Faulkner and your teacher is not alone in his confusion. It took me two reads IIRC to internalise his writing style as his 'stream of consciousness' style confused meoh, if u read it twice, im assuming you were really into it? im up for a challenge :}
Well, it was actually one an a half. If I can't finish it the first time, I try again another time. I did that with Kerouac's On the Road as well, though I can say for certain I can't stand his writing.
Post by: aes_999 on January 18, 2012, 11:04:03 pm
Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan is my favourite. Last book coming out this year sometime, I hear
Where's your love for LOTR man?
Post by: xdecay on January 18, 2012, 11:25:44 pm
I've read As I Lay Dying by Faulkner and your teacher is not alone in his confusion. It took me two reads IIRC to internalise his writing style as his 'stream of consciousness' style confused meoh, if u read it twice, im assuming you were really into it? im up for a challenge :}
Well, it was actually one an a half. If I can't finish it the first time, I try again another time. I did that with Kerouac's On the Road as well, though I can say for certain I can't stand his writing.
challenge accepted too. :) i couldn't get through it the first two times i tried. as for 'on the road', i loved it.
Post by: ninwa on January 19, 2012, 12:58:19 am
"The Alchemist" Paulo Coelho :) Loved it!
Fantastic author. Have you read Veronika Decides to Die?
Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan is my favourite. Last book coming out this year sometime, I hear
How the fuck did you get through it? I gave up in book 4. It was just so slow. Too much braid tugging and not enough THINGS HAPPENING
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Post by: icecream on January 28, 2012, 05:40:21 pm
Post by: Russ on January 29, 2012, 11:44:00 am
How the fuck did you get through it? I gave up in book 4. It was just so slow. Too much braid tugging and not enough THINGS HAPPENING
Here's what you missed
Post by: chanlt94 on February 02, 2012, 11:22:51 pm
THE HUNGER GAMES TRILOGY :)
I SECOND THIS! :D
Post by: DisaFear on February 04, 2012, 06:22:21 pm
Scarecrow: Army of Thieves was a decent read for anything into Matthew Reilly thrillers. It doesn't compare to the original Scarecrow, but after you get through the first half of the book, it gets really tense, epic even. Lots of room left to continue, great book. If Scarecrow was a 9/10, this would be an 8.5/10
Scorpia Rising, continuing and concluding (I think) the Alex Rider series, this book was much better than I expected it to be. The previous two books were sort of dull (imo) but this book was fantastic.
Definitely recommend both books to anyone who has a slight fancy for thrillers (and the book series' in general)
Hopefully, I can get my hands on Inheritance sometime soon :)
Post by: DisaFear on March 07, 2012, 07:35:27 pm
Definitely pick it up if you enjoy a good fantasy series. 9/10 8)
Post by: nisha on March 15, 2012, 09:11:21 pm
Post by: brenden on June 16, 2012, 12:43:01 pm
With the aim of reinvigorating this Topic I've chosen three books from memory that were brilliant reads and many may enjoy regardless of genre preference.
1. The Power of One - Bryce Courtenay. This book and it's sequel are on my favourite's list.
2. The Secret History - Donna Tartt. I read this a while ago and I remember it being brilliant. I'm not sure if my memory is making it better than it is though (a bad habit of mine)
3. The Talisman - Stephen King and Peter Straub.
Also, has any one read the Iliad or Atonement? These two books are at the top of my list now that the Psych exam's done.
Edit: Who's up for a sort of "Book Reading Challenge" over the holidays? Year 12's are soon and I'm sure uni students have coinciding holidays? I'm not even sure how it would work. Maybe a read as much as fast as you can type thing. We could flesh it out when we know who's interested.
Post by: DisaFear on June 16, 2012, 12:53:21 pm
Also, has any one read the Iliad or Atonement? These two books are at the top of my list now that the Psych exam's done.
I tried reading The Iliad last year, died 20 pages in :)
Currently been reading my way through the Star Wars novels, having complete around 15-20 of them in the past 3 months. Never having watched any of them, the novels are pretty awesome, I understand why Star Wars has such a nice fan base
Favourites: Episode I, II, III, Han Solo Trilogy
Books to avoid: Red Harvest, Death Star
Next on reading list: X-Wing Series
Post by: Russ on June 16, 2012, 01:02:51 pm
Quote
Also, has any one read the Iliad or Atonement? These two books are at the top of my list now that the Psych exam's done.
Atonement is fantastic, read it. It got a lot of love earlier in the thread from memory. The iliad...well...if you get a good translation it's pretty good (I had Fagles) but unless you're really into that story it's kinda dry. I read a bit of it for year 12 classics and enjoyed it what we did do, but I wouldn't want to set myself the task of reading the whole thing for fun.
If you want to do a book club style thing, give people a book to read and then allow them to post about it up to certain chapters (eg first day, only post about first chapter etc.)
Post by: brenden on June 16, 2012, 01:07:18 pm
Funnily enough the Star Wars novels are ones I've never read despite being a huge fans of the movies. Does anyone knows whether or not the movies are based on the novels or vice versa?
Yeah I might go get my hands on Atonement later today.
If you want to do a book club style thing, give people a book to read and then allow them to post about it up to certain chapters (eg first day, only post about first chapter etc.)How would that work with a large book? I generally pick a book and finish in 3 days max.
Post by: Russ on June 16, 2012, 01:33:58 pm
Post by: Lasercookie on June 16, 2012, 01:44:09 pm
Funnily enough the Star Wars novels are ones I've never read despite being a huge fans of the movies. Does anyone knows whether or not the movies are based on the novels or vice versa?http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars_canon
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars_Expanded_Universe
Quote
When it comes to absolute canon, the real story of Star Wars, you must turn to the films themselves—and only the films. Even novelizations are interpretations of the film, and while they are largely true to George Lucas' vision (he works quite closely with the novel authors), the method in which they are written does allow for some minor differences. The novelizations are written concurrently with the film's production, so variations in detail do creep in from time to time. Nonetheless, they should be regarded as very accurate depictions of the fictional Star Wars movies.
For episodes I to VI, the films are considered the 'canon'/the core. Most of the other stuff can be considered to be spin-off works / apart of the 'expanded universe'.
Post by: WhoTookMyUsername on June 16, 2012, 02:55:01 pm
Is fagles the penguin one?QuoteAlso, has any one read the Iliad or Atonement? These two books are at the top of my list now that the Psych exam's done.
Atonement is fantastic, read it. It got a lot of love earlier in the thread from memory. The iliad...well...if you get a good translation it's pretty good (I had Fagles) but unless you're really into that story it's kinda dry. I read a bit of it for year 12 classics and enjoyed it what we did do, but I wouldn't want to set myself the task of reading the whole thing for fun.
If you want to do a book club style thing, give people a book to read and then allow them to post about it up to certain chapters (eg first day, only post about first chapter etc.)
I read it last summer holidays and i quite enjoyed it (for ransom in year 12)
far easier to comprehend than shakespearer IMO
Post by: charmanderp on June 16, 2012, 03:17:02 pm
Post by: JellyDonut on June 16, 2012, 04:38:44 pm
From experience, book clubs always fail. But hey, I'll jump in if the chosen book is good. Also, don't do a long book, since people tend to have varying reading speeds and time they are willing to put in. Furthermore, you don't want a situation where the gaps between readers are too large
Post by: DisaFear on June 26, 2012, 09:05:55 pm
Gosh.
What a ride it was.
I haven't read fantasy for a while, but this was fantastic. Solid plot line, characters with depth, some good philosophical content, romance that isn't awkward, and the magic used was completely different to any book I've ever read ^-^
Started second book, pace doesn't drop, good to see 8)
Definitely recommend, 10/10
EDIT: I also read the first book in the X-Wing series, Rouge Squadron. Awesome book, wish the other books in the series were available. 9/10
Post by: Russ on June 26, 2012, 09:27:08 pm
Nina also has a love affair with mistborn (I take credit for that)
Post by: duhherro on June 26, 2012, 10:45:13 pm
Post by: MonsieurHulot on June 26, 2012, 10:59:38 pm
Post by: DisaFear on June 26, 2012, 11:15:09 pm
Deltora quest , Goosebumps , Choose your own adventure when I was a kid . I miss them :(
Deltora Quest is so cute :3 Ah good times
Post by: sam.utute on June 26, 2012, 11:41:55 pm
Have you read Timothy Zahn's Thrawn trilogy? Definitely my favourite Star Wars series.Also, has any one read the Iliad or Atonement? These two books are at the top of my list now that the Psych exam's done.
I tried reading The Iliad last year, died 20 pages in :)
Currently been reading my way through the Star Wars novels, having complete around 15-20 of them in the past 3 months. Never having watched any of them, the novels are pretty awesome, I understand why Star Wars has such a nice fan base
Favourites: Episode I, II, III, Han Solo Trilogy
Books to avoid: Red Harvest, Death Star
Next on reading list: X-Wing Series
Post by: Russ on June 27, 2012, 08:52:55 am
Atlas Shrugged. Seriously.
Did you read the entire radio speech monologue?
Post by: DisaFear on June 27, 2012, 03:49:08 pm
Have you read Timothy Zahn's Thrawn trilogy? Definitely my favourite Star Wars series.
Nope, not yet. I'm going in chronological order, as much as I can. I'll keep your suggestion in mind :)
Post by: DisaFear on July 02, 2012, 11:25:18 am
Did someone need books to read these holidays? Here you go ^-^
Original Image for zooming
(http://cdn.bitrebels.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/sci-fi-book-flow-chart.jpg)
Surprised at how many of them I've read
Post by: ninwa on July 02, 2012, 06:29:33 pm
my Kindle broke in the middle of book 2 :'( now I have to read it off a computer screen :'( firstworldproblems
Post by: datfatcat on July 02, 2012, 06:44:35 pm
Post by: MonsieurHulot on July 02, 2012, 06:54:27 pm
I did. I thought it was one of the best parts of the book. It felt like a summary of the subtly (and not-so-subtly) expressed views of Ayn Rand.Atlas Shrugged. Seriously.
Did you read the entire radio speech monologue?
Post by: Russ on July 02, 2012, 08:55:44 pm
Post by: charmanderp on July 02, 2012, 09:06:10 pm
Post by: Russ on July 02, 2012, 09:11:18 pm
Post by: datfatcat on July 02, 2012, 09:31:14 pm
*cough*50 Shades of Grey*cough*
I only finished half of the first book :P
Post by: MonsieurHulot on July 02, 2012, 11:07:56 pm
That speech is terrible. The whole book is pretty average, since it's just a thinly veiled rant, but I can't understand how you could actually read that speech and think it's good >.<Maybe it was just standing out from the insipid plot and characters, but I didn't mind it. Instead of trying to weave the philosophy and the story, it was a clear outline of her beliefs. But I can definitely see how one could hate it.
Also, to keep the thread on topic, The Little Prince is a beautiful story.
Post by: DisaFear on July 28, 2012, 08:30:15 pm
- Assassin's Apprentice
- Royal Assassin
- Assassin's Quest
Wonderful series! I did read the first book once long ago, when I was 13-14, I hated it, seemed so boring and bland. But now that I am more mature ( 8) ), it all made sense, definitely recommend if you like fantasy. Favourite character was The Fool, so strange and mystical ^-^
Now onto Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
EDIT: I never knew Robin Hobb was a pen-name and the author is actually female!
Post by: ninwa on July 28, 2012, 09:51:57 pm
Post by: charmanderp on July 29, 2012, 03:29:42 pm
Also, has anyone read Life of Pi? Amazing novel which won the Man Booker prize, totally psyched for the film.
Post by: DisaFear on July 29, 2012, 08:50:39 pm
Ender's Game is fab, you'll love it! Have you read the Robin Hobb's Ship of Magic and Fool's Errand?
Yep, heard of them, haven't read those ones yet, are the 'Fool's Errand' books about The Fool from Farseer Trilogy? That'd be epic ^-^
I've head nothing by praise for Ender's Game. Are the other books any good though?
(Wow, I just looked up the series, much bigger than I expected! D: )
Post by: charmanderp on July 29, 2012, 09:45:24 pm
It is indeed! Yeah the Ender's Game universe is just that, there's like 30 novels/novellas plus comics.Ender's Game is fab, you'll love it! Have you read Robin Hobb's Ship of Magic and Fool's Errand?
Yep, heard of them, haven't read those ones yet, are the 'Fool's Errand' books about The Fool from Farseer Trilogy? That'd be epic ^-^
I've head nothing by praise for Ender's Game. Are the other books any good though?
(Wow, I just looked up the series, much bigger than I expected! D: )
Post by: DisaFear on July 29, 2012, 10:46:46 pm
Anyone know why 50 Shades of Grey is suddenly so famous? See it everywhere, people on the trains reading it D:
Post by: Charmz on July 30, 2012, 07:35:42 am
^Seems just like Star Wars then XD50 Shades of grey is one of the most stupid books I have ever read and I can't understand why it is so popular having read it. There is literally nothing good about it, maybe people read it to find out what all the fuss is about. That's why I read it.
Anyone know why 50 Shades of Grey is suddenly so famous? See it everywhere, people on the trains reading it D:
Post by: Russ on July 30, 2012, 07:42:33 am
Post by: ninwa on July 30, 2012, 10:19:47 am
I still haven't read it... I'd like to, just out of curiosity, but I just got a new kindle and do not want to taint my new baby with that rubbish :(
someone at my work was selling it last week... need to find a new job, obviously
Post by: Russ on July 30, 2012, 01:17:06 pm
Post by: JellyDonut on July 31, 2012, 09:49:37 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5K1RcKJVbHA
Post by: DisaFear on July 31, 2012, 09:53:08 pm
Ender's Game was fantastic. No other way to describe it. Reminds me so much of Whose Reality
Post by: paulsterio on July 31, 2012, 09:59:32 pm
Post by: DisaFear on August 10, 2012, 07:30:52 pm
If you like Ender's Game you have to read Ender's Shadow - it's not a sequel, but a parallel, told from Bean's point of view.
It! Is! Amazing!!
2/3 of the way through it, gosh, so much fun!
Post by: DisaFear on August 13, 2012, 07:40:44 pm
Sense of humour, top-notch as usual
Definitely recommend if you follow Artemis Fowl. And if you don't, get on it, best decision you'll make in your life ^-^
(http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1330969364l/9307674.jpg)
Post by: charmanderp on August 14, 2012, 06:50:57 pm
On that note, is/was anyone else an Animorphs fan?
Post by: VivaTequila on September 15, 2012, 09:02:42 pm
Peter Carey - Collected Stories [I've heard so many whack things. "I wanted to fuck her until the pool was full of horses"
Watership Down - Richard Adams
Farenheit 451
Anybody know what book was written from the perspective of a bat, which has a really funny one-liner in it that goes something along the lines of "But of course you wouldn't be able to speculate any of this because you would be a bat"? It's pretty famous, I just don't know the author / name of the book
Post by: charmanderp on September 15, 2012, 09:06:25 pm
Post by: datfatcat on September 17, 2012, 06:59:42 pm
Post by: DisaFear on September 29, 2012, 04:46:45 pm
Fahrenheit 451 is a really good choice.
Reading that right now, its bloody brilliant
Post by: VivaTequila on September 29, 2012, 07:39:26 pm
If you could never be fucked reading up on Philosophy on Wikipedia, but found the whole idea of it interesting, then this book pretty much covers it.
It's an introductory course to Philosophy, but not as you know it. It's not as boring as "This was Democritus. He lived here. He thought this." Which, in my opinion is the pitfall of the pedagogy surrounding philosophy and why I'm not studying it at university.
This book is pretty good - the author is canny as.
Highly endorse it, it's a great read. I'm like 20 pages in and it's already made me change my opinions completely on what I'm doing with my life currently on the terms of studying a science degree, and it's made me realise how trivial everyday stuff is.
Post by: brenden on September 29, 2012, 08:57:52 pm
Post by: JellyDonut on September 29, 2012, 10:27:16 pm
http://booko.com.au/books/search?q=sophie's+world
My dad has a signed copy whoo
Post by: brenden on September 29, 2012, 10:48:27 pm
It's a really popular book but I'm not too sure whether QBD stocks them.Thanks a lot for that! =]
http://booko.com.au/books/search?q=sophie's+world
My dad has a signed copy whoo
Post by: Zidane on September 30, 2012, 12:58:24 am
Post by: sam.utute on September 30, 2012, 11:35:04 am
I don't mind his other books (e.g. Blink, Tipping Point), but I'm not a huge fan.
It was just lying around the house so I thought I'd give it a go.
Post by: charmanderp on September 30, 2012, 03:30:31 pm
The Alchemist By Paulo Coelho, without a doubt one of the best books i have ever read. Actually i read it twice, i highly recommend it.YES one of my all-time favourites. Got my mum to read it a couple of years ago when she kinda had no idea what she wanted to do next with her career and it really inspired her. It's that kind of novel.
Another few novels that my mum enjoyed; Shantaram and The White Tiger. Prolly because they both relate to India but regardless, amazing texts.
Post by: VivaTequila on September 30, 2012, 04:49:22 pm
I highly recommend anyone doing 'The Imaginative Landscape' and planning on writing an imaginative piece to read it because the way it's narrated and the imagery content in the book is amazing.
You do need to understand a little bit about 20th Century German history for it to be fully accessible though, but anyone can read it and get along.
Post by: DisaFear on September 30, 2012, 06:30:17 pm
I hear it is beyond fantastic, can't find a copy anywhere
Post by: nisha on September 30, 2012, 11:40:08 pm
The Alchemist By Paulo Coelho, without a doubt one of the best books i have ever read. Actually i read it twice, i highly recommend it.The White Tiger.
Highly endorse this book. Really opens your eyes to what the world is like, outside our first-world problems.
Post by: Charmz on October 02, 2012, 06:26:10 pm
Post by: charmanderp on October 02, 2012, 07:04:51 pm
Post by: JellyDonut on October 02, 2012, 09:27:37 pm
Has anyone read Neuromancer by William Gibson?Yeah, it's not that great but it remains a hallmark of the cyberpunk genre
I hear it is beyond fantastic, can't find a copy anywhere
Post by: brenden on October 02, 2012, 11:10:32 pm
Post by: Felicity Wishes on October 03, 2012, 08:10:10 pm
Post by: Yendall on October 04, 2012, 07:39:20 pm
Jasper Jones - Craig Silvey
Great novel :)
Post by: VivaTequila on October 04, 2012, 11:53:58 pm
Do Uni libraries buy novels like this or is it all just for strictly academic purposes?
Post by: Russ on October 07, 2012, 08:28:19 am
Post by: VivaTequila on October 07, 2012, 09:31:52 am
The rowden white should have it, but there will probably be a million reservations
Is the Rowden White library/uni libraries open during the holidays / out of semester?
Post by: Charmz on October 07, 2012, 08:23:52 pm
Hoh no shit, that J.K. Rowling book got released?You can find it on the internet. I'm not endorsing anything illegal just stating it is available.
Do Uni libraries buy novels like this or is it all just for strictly academic purposes?
Post by: pyro-53 on October 07, 2012, 08:34:33 pm
The Book Thief is also a really entertaining read.Love, love it so much. Sad story but moving story telling.
I highly recommend anyone doing 'The Imaginative Landscape' and planning on writing an imaginative piece to read it because the way it's narrated and the imagery content in the book is amazing.
You do need to understand a little bit about 20th Century German history for it to be fully accessible though, but anyone can read it and get along.
Post by: MonsieurHulot on October 10, 2012, 04:11:22 pm
Post by: JellyDonut on October 10, 2012, 10:17:56 pm
I heard that it's not the easiest book to get into and sometimes the references might just go above you
Post by: MonsieurHulot on October 11, 2012, 09:22:48 am
Post by: JellyDonut on October 11, 2012, 02:37:52 pm
Post by: pyro-53 on October 11, 2012, 05:52:18 pm
Has anyone read Gravity's Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon? I'm considering reading it after my current book, but I don't want to spend $20 on 760 pages of something not recommended by you good folks.
Just a small guess, is this book mentioned in American Gods by Neil Gailmans?
Post by: MonsieurHulot on October 11, 2012, 07:56:29 pm
Haven't read it, so I'm not sure sorry.Has anyone read Gravity's Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon? I'm considering reading it after my current book, but I don't want to spend $20 on 760 pages of something not recommended by you good folks.
Just a small guess, is this book mentioned in American Gods by Neil Gailmans?
Post by: VivaTequila on October 11, 2012, 09:33:33 pm
Post by: saheh on October 11, 2012, 09:58:56 pm
I am going to read like I've never read before these holidays. It's about time I started reading for enjoyment, again.
Oh my goodness this is what I've been planning for the last two years
After my last exam I am picking up a book and not stopping all summer
It is almost ridiculous the amount of books I've collected over the last couple months in anticipation for 33 days time
Post by: betruetoyou22 on October 19, 2012, 10:56:24 pm
1. In the lake of the woods (Tim O'brien)
(about love, war, life. Absolute perfection imo)
2. The outsiders S.e. hinton
3. Great expectations - charles dickens
4. pride & prejudice - jane austen
5. Holes: Louis thatcher
6. looking for allibrandi - melina merchetta
7. The prophet (more so poetry ) - by khalil gibran <3
Post by: Hannah_Banana on November 04, 2012, 11:10:15 am
Some of my favourite books include:
- The Lovely Bones
- To Kill a Mockingbird
- Pride and Prejudice
- The Help
- Anything by Kate Morton (Australian!)
- Anything by John Green!
- Picnic at Hanging Rock
- The Great Gatsby
- War and Peace
Can't think of them all now though! :)
Post by: charmanderp on November 04, 2012, 03:24:44 pm
Need to get some Tim Winton up in this thread.
Post by: pyro-53 on November 04, 2012, 03:34:54 pm
Can't believe the Gatsby film got pushed back ):
Need to get some Tim Winton up in this thread.
Planning to read Cloudstreet after exam :)
Post by: charmanderp on November 04, 2012, 03:37:26 pm
Cloudstreet is very good - also The Turning, Dirt Music and Breath, to name a few.Can't believe the Gatsby film got pushed back ):
Need to get some Tim Winton up in this thread.
Planning to read Cloudstreet after exam :)
Post by: pyro-53 on November 04, 2012, 03:39:50 pm
Post by: Soul_Khan on November 05, 2012, 08:11:12 pm
Post by: pyro-53 on November 07, 2012, 08:20:18 pm
I'm starting with:
- One Day by David Nicholls
- Tinkers by Paul Harding
Post by: pi on November 08, 2012, 09:27:19 pm
Gonna start it tonight! :)
Post by: michak on November 08, 2012, 09:32:13 pm
Has anyone read The Casual Vacancy?
Gonna start it tonight! :)
Yeah have started, its ok so far
Defs don't think you are going to read anything like Harry Potter :)
Post by: pi on November 08, 2012, 09:33:57 pm
Post by: Yendall on November 08, 2012, 09:38:21 pm
Has anyone read The Casual Vacancy?I've started it also, it's definitely a change! I like it though, it's still the same brilliant writing style of J.K's that we've come to know and love :)
Gonna start it tonight! :)
Post by: VivaTequila on November 18, 2012, 11:22:27 pm
If I'm successful, I'll finish by like March because it's that fucking long.
But it's good though <3
Post by: Hannah_Banana on November 19, 2012, 11:03:54 am
Post by: DisaFear on November 25, 2012, 11:47:53 pm
I still can't get over his unique and amazing writing style. Love him so much.
Anyone got any good thrillers to recommend? I've read lots of Ludlum, anyone else?
Post by: nisha on November 25, 2012, 11:52:15 pm
I just re-read Scarecrow by Matthew Reilly for like the 10th time (bought it for $6 from Monash)Oh man. I read that after midyears. It completely scared the shit out of me. Now I look at Iron-bars differently as well as plastic bags. *shivers*
I still can't get over his unique and amazing writing style. Love him so much.
Anyone got any good thrillers to recommend? I've read lots of Ludlum, anyone else?
Definitely try Agatha Christie (she writes more...memorably scary and terrifying), whilst Linwood Barclay is actually my personal favourite. Harlan Coben is alright, but his plots are somewhat skewed in flow.
Post by: paulsterio on November 25, 2012, 11:57:09 pm
Post by: nisha on November 26, 2012, 12:01:56 am
What's with all the thriller stuff? No romance fans here? :(What is there to go upon? 50 Shades of Grey? Or better yet, Twilight? :P
Post by: DisaFear on November 26, 2012, 12:07:38 am
Definitely try Agatha Christie (she writes more...memorably scary and terrifying), whilst Linwood Barclay is actually my personal favourite. Harlan Coben is alright, but his plots are somewhat skewed in flow.
Agatha Christie, does she write crime or horror?
I'm not too good with horror in general, skip those. And I think I wouldn't cope with crime either. Hm
Also, what's this about Scarecrow and scary? D:
Post by: Furbob on November 26, 2012, 12:09:30 am
decided to read Warm Bodies after seeing the trailer.
bought it off the book depository for $11 since the book is on loan til mid-dec at my local library + there's only one copy :(
after seeing the trailer I became really curious about the book more than the movie itself
really unfortunate that anything romance + zombies/vampires/wolves/fantasy gets associated with Twilight these days :(
Will give thoughts on the book once it arrives in the mail :D
Post by: DisaFear on November 26, 2012, 12:19:47 am
I dont know, I never saw it that way. Saw it as action, global conspiracies and funnn
Scarecrow and The Army of Thieves...had some gruesome bits in it though
Will check out Linwood Barclay
Post by: DisaFear on November 26, 2012, 02:49:14 pm
Danny the Champion of the World is so cute :)
Post by: Russ on November 26, 2012, 03:22:05 pm
Post by: brenden on November 27, 2012, 01:54:14 am
Post by: CaiTheHuman on November 27, 2012, 06:34:44 am
Post by: Lasercookie on November 27, 2012, 01:43:20 pm
Perks of Being a Wallflower... should I?YES! Go read it! (it's great)
Post by: Lolly on November 27, 2012, 01:57:08 pm
Perks of Being a Wallflower... should I?YES! Go read it! (it's great)
Yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
Post by: charmanderp on November 27, 2012, 06:00:20 pm
Perks of Being a Wallflower... should I?Hellz yeah! One of my all time favourites, you will not regret it. It will change your life.
Post by: DisaFear on December 05, 2012, 12:26:31 pm
Also found a book 'The Night of Broken Glass' - first-hand tales of the suffering of Jewish people on that night, good read, you find out how lucky you are after reading stuff like that
Anyone got any short non-fiction books that they recommend?
'The Mortal Instruments' series is next on my reading list, after the Hunger Games books, anyone read that?
Post by: Lolly on December 05, 2012, 05:20:38 pm
I recommend them if you loved The Perks of Being a Wallflower!!
I also read "The Great Gatsby" and "The Reader" ( I want to see both of these movies)
And at the moment I'm halfway through a Tim Winton, "Breath".
Post by: charmanderp on December 05, 2012, 10:25:17 pm
Post by: Lolly on December 05, 2012, 10:38:03 pm
TFIOS is one of the most perfect novels I've ever read, I think. Amazing.
I KNOW RIGHT!!!!!!ARGH!
Actually just the other day the Times named it the best novel of 2012.
Post by: bluehorizon on December 05, 2012, 10:39:19 pm
Post by: IndefatigableLover on December 05, 2012, 10:40:48 pm
Actually just the other day the Times named it the best novel of 2012.It's also the best novel for 2012 on Goodreads :)
Post by: bluehorizon on December 05, 2012, 10:42:29 pm
Post by: bluehorizon on December 05, 2012, 10:49:08 pm
the first few ones :)
Post by: IndefatigableLover on December 05, 2012, 10:50:50 pm
indefatigable! we're both locked out of the 3word game :(Yeah we are :(
But let's try to keep this on-topic so this thread doesn't get locked too :S
Back on-topic: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher.. :"(
Deals with teen suicide and is a pretty good read (though a bit hard to follow between dialogue) but a good book nevertheless.
Post by: brenden on December 07, 2012, 08:53:21 pm
Post by: charmanderp on December 07, 2012, 09:08:06 pm
Just to follow through, I read the Perks of Being a Wallflower and it is now at the swirly top of my 'favourite book' list:')
Post by: brenden on December 07, 2012, 09:12:05 pm
:')I just can't stop thinking about the book. Seriously, it won't leave my head.
Post by: charmanderp on December 07, 2012, 09:21:15 pm
Post by: charmanderp on December 07, 2012, 09:22:07 pm
Post by: brenden on December 07, 2012, 09:27:20 pm
That's so understandable, it's very pervasive. I feel like it's because there's so much of Charlie in each of us, his journey really is exactly our own as adolescents, just not involving the same sequence of events. It's just such honest writing from Chbosky. He cut a few of my favourite parts out of the film though :(Yeah definitely, it's one of my favourites because I identify so heavily with Charlie (and same for Peekay in the Power of One)
I haven't seen the film yet. I want to read the book a few more times first haha.
Interestingly one of my friends just posted this on Facebook: "What messes us up most in life is that silly little picture in our heads of how it's supposed to be." One of the major themes of the novel.Certainly. And sort of irrelevant but connected in my head to what your friend said was the line "We find the love we think we deserve" or something close to that. That one hit me, haha. I think the explanation to his 'friend' on the first page is also powerful re; you're the type of person that doesn't sleep with someone when they could etc.
Post by: ggxoxo on December 07, 2012, 10:04:07 pm
Perks of Being a Wallflower... should I?
'Welcome to the island of misfit toys'--> I love Sam so much!!! Read it!!! Then watch the movie!!! Emma Watson + Logan Lerman were perfect!!!
I also like the Gone series and, for aspiring lawyers, I recommend John Grisham's novels...
Post by: brenden on December 07, 2012, 10:09:48 pm
'Welcome to the island of misfit toys'--> I love Sam so much!!! Read it!!! Then watch the movie!!! Emma Watson + Logan Lerman were perfect!!!Read up a few posts :P
I also like the Gone series and, for aspiring lawyers, I recommend John Grisham's novels...
Post by: DisaFear on December 17, 2012, 06:40:34 pm
Was pretty good, seemed like Harry Potter, but more urban and up-to-date
Definitely suggest for the ordinary teenagers. Forget about love triangles, we deal with pentagons here
(There's a film adaption of this in the works?)
Post by: DisaFear on December 28, 2012, 06:06:24 pm
Currently reading Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke, apparently this book won quite a number of awards. So far, so good, it really puts the 'sci' back in 'sci-fi'
EDIT: Just finished it, pretty good! Recommend it to anyone interested in space and science :D
Post by: BigAl on January 27, 2013, 11:37:26 pm
Post by: DisaFear on January 28, 2013, 10:26:56 pm
Given that you are tutoring maths, I assume you like maths...so you must read Einstein's heroes :)
Was that directed at me? :P I don't tutor, too dumb for that
I finished Perks of being a Wallflower, it was okay, I liked the narration style. I wonder how they adapted it to film
Nearly finished re-reading The View from the Mirror quartet by Australian author Ian Irvine, love every single page of it <3
Post by: BigAl on January 28, 2013, 10:30:42 pm
Was that directed at me? :P I don't tutor, too dumb for thatNope :p it was directed to the user who started this thread
I finished Perks of being a Wallflower, it was okay, I liked the narration style. I wonder how they adapted it to film
Nearly finished re-reading The View from the Mirror quartet by Australian author Ian Irvine, love every single page of it <3
Edit: I thought the person who started this thread was seeking some books to read. It turns out all the users post comments about their books. My bad
Post by: alondouek on January 28, 2013, 10:46:21 pm
I didn't get to do too much reading over VCE, so I've been catching up since. Recently I've read:
- George R. R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" series (Game of Thrones, etc)
- Arthur Conan Doyle's "A Study in Scarlet"
- Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein'
And I'm currently reading:
- Marx and Engel's 'The Communist Manifesto"
- Robert Louis Stevenson's "Treasure Island"
- Joseph Heller's "Catch-22"
And I'm planning to buy and read these, despite being dirt-poor:
http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/wishlist/GVPMX/Alon
Post by: DisaFear on January 28, 2013, 10:55:13 pm
Last book of the Wheel of Time series is finally out!!
23 years in the making and the original author dead, the 14th book, A Memory of Light is finally out ^-^
Post by: slothpomba on January 29, 2013, 05:18:16 am
And I'm planning to buy and read these, despite being dirt-poor:
http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/wishlist/GVPMX/Alon
So many penguin classics...
If you're reading the communist manifesto i highly recommend you read one with notes and/or commentary. Its a historical text, you really need to understand a lot of the basis behind it otherwise you'll miss so much.
I have this version and i think it's excellent. I also recommend "An Appeal to the Young" by Peter Kropotkin, you can have this version here that i lovingly ripped off the internet and formatted to match the book for a friend of mine.
It's a great piece of political literature (and chillingly appropriate for this forum):
Quote
It is to the young that I wish to address myself today. Let the old - I mean of course the old in heart and mind - lay the pamphlet down therefore without tiring their eyes in reading what will tell them nothing.
I assume that you are about eighteen or twenty years of age; that you have finished your apprenticeship or your studies; that you are just entering into life. I take it for granted that you have a mind free from the superstition which your teachers have sought to force upon you; that you don't fear the devil, and that you do not go to hear parsons and ministers rant. More, that you are not one of the fops, sad products of a society in decay, who display their well-cut trousers and their monkey faces in the park, and who even at their early age have only an insatiable longing for pleasure at any price...I assume on the contrary that you have a warm heart, and for this reason I talk to you.
A first question, I know, occurs to you - you have often asked yourself: "What am I going to be?" In fact when a man is young he understands that after having studied a trade or a science for several years - at the cost of society, mark - he has not done this in order that he should make use of his acquirements as instruments of plunder for his own gain, and he must be depraved indeed and utterly cankered by vice who has not dreamed that one day he would apply his intelligence, his abilities, his knowledge to help on the enfranchisement of those who today grovel in misery and in ignorance.
You are one of those who has had such a vision, are you not? Very well, let us see what you must do to make your dream a reality.
Post by: alondouek on January 29, 2013, 09:17:35 am
The Jew inside me is torn..
The Jew who is me can sympathise; I think my only motivation to try to find some form of employment during uni is to pay for these books...
If you're reading the communist manifesto i highly recommend you read one with notes and/or commentary. Its a historical text, you really need to understand a lot of the basis behind it otherwise you'll miss so much.
I have this version and i think it's excellent.
Yeah, that's the one I bought (penguin classics lol) - I love how 2/3 of the book is under 'Part 1: Introduction', while the minute remainder is the actual text. Also, $6.50 from book depository what what
Post by: Butterscotch on January 31, 2013, 09:51:28 pm
Post by: Tomw2 on February 04, 2013, 10:28:39 pm
The prose is challenging and the content often grim, but it's amazing.
Post by: alondouek on February 04, 2013, 10:53:50 pm
Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian, just finished re-reading The Road, also by McCarthy.
The prose is challenging and the content often grim, but it's amazing.
I saw the film adaptation of The Road recently. If the book is anything like the film, then it's getting bumped up to the top of the reading list :P
Post by: nacho on February 06, 2013, 01:00:35 am
you should know what you're getting into before you read it, or it might bore you, but basically you will think to yourself 'What? I am allowed to do that? I CAN do that?"
Says a lot about social conditioning. Try and look past the architecture (lol pun intended).
inb4 demonised for recommending Ayn Rand literature.
moving on to atlas shrugged now.
Post by: brenden on February 06, 2013, 03:01:09 am
Post by: slothpomba on February 06, 2013, 11:35:05 am
Uuuuarrhh, why would you be demonised? :S
Because it's one of the worst, most self-centered pieces of philosophy to ever be put down on paper. The TL;DR version is that one of the highest virtues is to be selfish and altruism (caring and giving for others) is almost immoral. Putting aside its merits as literature anyway.
Here are a few gems:
Quote
“A castaway in the sea was going down for the third time when he caught sight of a passing ship. Gathering his last strength, he waved frantically and called for help. Someone on board peered at him scornfully and shouted back, "Get a boat!” - Daniel Quinn
Quote
“I have always found it quaint and rather touching that there is a movement [Libertarians] in the US that thinks Americans are not yet selfish enough.” - Christopher Hitchens
And if you feel like more...
Post by: nacho on February 06, 2013, 02:48:41 pm
Because it's one of the worst, most self-centered pieces of philosophy to ever be put down on paper. The TL;DR version is that one of the highest virtues is to be selfish and altruism (caring and giving for others) is almost immoral. Putting aside its merits as literature anyway.Not exactly true. Here are a few beautiful excerpt that I was reading yesterday.
The context is a man, Peter Keating, is asking someone (howard Roark) to do his work for him and let him have the credit. Howard is a quintessential objectivist.
Quote
"Howard--anything you ask. Anything. I’d sell my soul..."
"That’s the sort of thing I want you to understand. To sell your soul is the
easiest thing in the world. That’s what everybody does every hour of his life.
If I asked you to keep your soul--would you understand why that’s much harder?"
Quote
Howard: "Can you think of any reason why I should want to save your life?"there's more to this excerpt which i won't copy down because you should really read it yourself, but essentially Ayn Rand says it's okay to be selfish and we should live for our passions and ourselves.
"No."
"Well?"
"It’s a great public project, Howard. A humanitarian undertaking. Think of the
poor people who live in slums. If you can give them decent comfort within their
means, you’ll have the satisfaction of performing a noble deed."
"Peter, you were more honest than that yesterday."
His eyes dropped, his voice low, Keating said:
"You will love designing it."
"Yes, Peter. Now you’re speaking my language."
A lot of people assume that being selfish automatically means fucking other people over in the process. Rand didn't advocate that, but she didn't agree with necessarily helping others either. She believed in cooperation but rejected the idea that we were obligated to the less fortunate, or more specifically, that they were entitled to us in any way.
It's easy to interpret that a couple different ways, and it tends to leave a bitter taste in some peoples' mouths. While it can be said that everyone should ideally take care of themselves and never mooch off others, the reality is sometimes we all need a hand up. Rand understood this, but was wary of the tendency for a hand up to become a hand out.
At its core, Objectivism has a lot of very solid principles: equal opportunity without forcing everyone to operate on the same level, trading value for value, self-reliance and self-determination. There is a lot of solid stuff in the Objectivist philosophy, but it has its fallacies. Its biggest failing was Rand herself, who preached free thinking and rational analysis of the world around her, yet removed her own philosophy from criticism.
I do find it very ironic that the people who plug Ayn Rand the most are the people she would personally find detestable (she thought Reagan was a joke).
anywho, I STRONGLY urge people to read it, regardless of the fact that Ayn Rand is hated with so much passion. Even if you come out of it disliking her and her ideas, you should do so on your own accord, not because people told you to do so and you believed them.
Post by: datfatcat on February 06, 2013, 02:54:45 pm
Post by: Lolly on February 06, 2013, 08:22:05 pm
I'm up to part four. WHY WON'T IT END??????
Post by: slothpomba on February 07, 2013, 08:59:30 am
There's more to this excerpt which i won't copy down because you should really read it yourself, but essentially Ayn Rand says it's okay to be selfish and we should live for our passions and ourselves.
....
A lot of people assume that being selfish automatically means fucking other people over in the process.
That only matters if you're some kind of consequentialist ethics. An act can still be wrong regardless of the outcome.
Rand didn't advocate that, but she didn't agree with necessarily helping others either. She believed in cooperation but rejected the idea that we were obligated to the less fortunate, or more specifically, that they were entitled to us in any way.
I think most people would find the idea contained in the last sentence abhorrent. I think we ought to help the less fortunate, in-fact, i can probably prove that ethically too.
Our entire society is built around that principal. Taking it to its logical extension of selfishness (and Rand did, she was a laissez faire capitalist) we would dismantle Medicare, Public Schools, Social Welfare and innumerable other things. Usually, it's taboo in philosophy to attack the person you're arguing against but i think it's important if the person is pretty much the originator of an ethical system. She was vehemently against any public institution and yet in the end, she needed ending up their help:
Quote
A heavy smoker who refused to believe that smoking causes cancer brings to mind those today who are equally certain there is no such thing as global warming. Unfortunately, Miss Rand was a fatal victim of lung cancer.
However, it was revealed in the recent "Oral History of Ayn Rand" by Scott McConnell (founder of the media department at the Ayn Rand Institute) that in the end Ayn was a vip-dipper as well. An interview with Evva Pryror, a social worker and consultant to Miss Rand's law firm of Ernst, Cane, Gitlin and Winick verified that on Miss Rand's behalf she secured Rand's Social Security and Medicare payments which Ayn received under the name of Ann O'Connor (husband Frank O'Connor).
As Pryor said, "Doctors cost a lot more money than books earn and she could be totally wiped out" without the aid of these two government programs. Ayn took the bail out even though Ayn "despised government interference and felt that people should and could live independently... She didn't feel that an individual should take help."
But alas she did and said it was wrong for everyone else to do so. Apart from the strong implication that those who take the help are morally weak, it is also a philosophic point that such help dulls the will to work, to save and government assistance is said to dull the entrepreneurial spirit.
In the end, Miss Rand was a hypocrite but she could never be faulted for failing to act in her own self-interest. - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-ford/ayn-rand-and-the-vip-dipe_b_792184.html
At its core, Objectivism has a lot of very solid principles: equal opportunity without forcing everyone to operate on the same level, trading value for value, self-reliance and self-determination.
To have a truly equal opportunity, we need the social welfare systems Rand would have us dismantle. I know it's your interpretation (isn't everything though) but she either had a really weird definition of equal opportunity or her philosophy is contradictory. It's only through centrelink payments that many students and families wouldn't otherwise go bankrupt. It's through the government paying the large majority of our fees and us paying a small contribution (which we can put on an interest free loan anyway) that we have a truly (debatable) equal opportunity of rich and poor kids to be able to get into uni if they work hard enough without crippling debt like the USA. I could bash on and on but i think most people will get my point.
It's good you were moderate about it and acknowledged it has some flaws but i believe it's a totally inadequate and flawed system, which explains my response. I think i have a good grasp of the ideas from second-hand sources and it basically boils down to ethical egoism but i will chuck it on ye-olde reading list..again.
----
Gaaaahhhh I need to finish Nietzsche's Thus Spoke Zarathustra already....
I'm up to part four. WHY WON'T IT END??????
Wow, are you reading that for school or just on your own? It's a really hard text to start out with, hell anything Nietzsche is but this is wrapped in a narrative too.
As for the actual "what are you reading" part of this thread, i hope to knock off the Pensees within a week (someone hold me to that).
Post by: nacho on February 07, 2013, 03:05:16 pm
That only matters if you're some kind of consequentialist ethics. An act can still be wrong regardless of the outcome.
I think most people would find the idea contained in the last sentence abhorrent. I think we ought to help the less fortunate, in-fact, i can probably prove that ethically too.
Our entire society is built around that principal. Taking it to its logical extension of selfishness (and Rand did, she was a laissez faire capitalist) we would dismantle Medicare, Public Schools, Social Welfare and innumerable other things. Usually, it's taboo in philosophy to attack the person you're arguing against but i think it's important if the person is pretty much the originator of an ethical system. She was vehemently against any public institution and yet in the end, she needed ending up their help:
To have a truly equal opportunity, we need the social welfare systems Rand would have us dismantle. I know it's your interpretation (isn't everything though) but she either had a really weird definition of equal opportunity or her philosophy is contradictory. It's only through centrelink payments that many students and families wouldn't otherwise go bankrupt. It's through the government paying the large majority of our fees and us paying a small contribution (which we can put on an interest free loan anyway) that we have a truly (debatable) equal opportunity of rich and poor kids to be able to get into uni if they work hard enough without crippling debt like the USA. I could bash on and on but i think most people will get my point.
It's good you were moderate about it and acknowledged it has some flaws but i believe it's a totally inadequate and flawed system, which explains my response. I think i have a good grasp of the ideas from second-hand sources and it basically boils down to ethical egoism but i will chuck it on ye-olde reading list..again.
That only matters if you're some kind of consequentialist ethics. An act can still be wrong regardless of the outcome.My take on Rand is that some of the things she said were entirely genius, and others not so.
I think most people would find the idea contained in the last sentence abhorrent. I think we ought to help the less fortunate, in-fact, i can probably prove that ethically too.
Our entire society is built around that principal. Taking it to its logical extension of selfishness (and Rand did, she was a laissez faire capitalist) we would dismantle Medicare, Public Schools, Social Welfare and innumerable other things. Usually, it's taboo in philosophy to attack the person you're arguing against but i think it's important if the person is pretty much the originator of an ethical system. She was vehemently against any public institution and yet in the end, she needed ending up their help:
To have a truly equal opportunity, we need the social welfare systems Rand would have us dismantle. I know it's your interpretation (isn't everything though) but she either had a really weird definition of equal opportunity or her philosophy is contradictory. It's only through centrelink payments that many students and families wouldn't otherwise go bankrupt. It's through the government paying the large majority of our fees and us paying a small contribution (which we can put on an interest free loan anyway) that we have a truly (debatable) equal opportunity of rich and poor kids to be able to get into uni if they work hard enough without crippling debt like the USA. I could bash on and on but i think most people will get my point.
It's good you were moderate about it and acknowledged it has some flaws but i believe it's a totally inadequate and flawed system, which explains my response. I think i have a good grasp of the ideas from second-hand sources and it basically boils down to ethical egoism but i will chuck it on ye-olde reading list..again.
We didn't get here as a species by being kind to other species (as a matter of fact, even our own). Australia was land taken away from natives, much like America. Humans have advanced when they have acted in their self-interest. Whatever, drop the idea of abolishing social welfare for one second. Eradicating it is first of all, taking Rand too literally, and secondly highlighting one of the biggest flaws in her ideology, which she may have preached but clearly didn't believe in (as she herself took on welfare benefits).
Actual selflessness does not exist in the way most people imagine. People have no self, they live second-hand, within others.
You see people aspiring to be great. Greatness - in the eyes of other's. Fame, admiration, envy, this all comes from the eyes of others. People don't want to be great, they want to be THOUGHT great. "I want to be the best xxx the world has ever seen". We borrow from others to make an impression on others.
What %age of people undertake tertiary studies because they want to learn more about a field that interests them, as opposed to just taking it on because society tells you to? Isn't this what causes depression? Some guy has a fine family, great big house but at 40 years old he stops, thinks to himself: "What the hell am I doing with my life" and faces an identity crisis. Heck people get these thoughts all the time, "Who am I really?". We can shun it out and seek substitutes for competence, with charity, love, charm, kindness, being 'busy' with work. But in reality, there is no real substitute.
There's an insane amount of people here on vcenotes that want to be doctors or lawyers, because their parents have dictated so. Their parents do it to impress OTHER people. That's selflessness. Doing things for others.
Now you'd say, aren't these people acting out of selfishness? To be admired, noticed, liked?
But it's by others, at the cost of their own self-respect.
It’s easier to donate a few thousand to charity and think oneself noble than to base self-respect on personal standards of personal achievement.
The fountainhead's greatest message was to retain a self-sufficient ego.
Quote
Roark smiled. "Gail, if this boat were sinking, I’d give my life to save you.That is selfishness.
Not because it’s any kind of duty. Only because I like you, for reasons and
standards of my own. I could die for you. But I couldn’t and wouldn’t live for
you."
Post by: Dallas45 on February 08, 2013, 01:17:45 pm
Historical fiction
- Any Valerio Massimo Manfredi books, the Alexander the Great series is the best
- Emperor and Conqueror series by Conn Iggulden, based on the campaigns of Julius Caesar and the Mongols respectively
- Nefertiti and The Heretic Queen, both by Michelle Moran
Paranormal
- The Watch Series (The Night Watch, The Day Watch, The Twilight Watch and The Last Watch) by Sergei Lukyanenko
- Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead
- THe Mortal Instruments series and the Infernal devices by Cassandra Clare
The Dragonlinks trilogy by Paul Collins
The Tales of the Otori Series and Prequel Heaven's Net is Wide by Lian Hearn
The Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit
The Lumatere Chronicles (beginning with Finnikin of the Rock) by Melina Marchetta
Anything by James Patterson, Daniel Silva, most of Donna Leon's books and I'd definitely second earlier opinions about Matthew Reilly, all of his books are amazing and will have you eagerly flipping the pages![/font][/font][/font][/font]
Post by: DisaFear on February 08, 2013, 01:32:39 pm
THe Mortal Instruments series and the Infernal devices by Cassandra Clare
The Tales of the Otori Series and Prequel Heaven's Net is Wide by Lian Hearn
Just finishing the 4th book for The Mortal Instruments series :D It's pretty good, got a friend hooked onto it too. Can't wait for the film!
And Tales of Otori is pretty slick too ^-^
Post by: Dallas45 on February 08, 2013, 01:35:30 pm
Just finishing the 4th book for The Mortal Instruments series :D It's pretty good, got a friend hooked onto it too. Can't wait for the film!
And Tales of Otori is pretty slick too ^-^
Yeah, there aren't many series which are so easy to power through like these :)
The movie should be great looking at the trailer, casting looks perfect!
If you're interested, she is releasing a series of e-books based on Magnus Bane called the Bane Chronicles :)
Post by: Lolly on February 08, 2013, 11:13:04 pm
Quote
Wow, are you reading that for school or just on your own? It's a really hard text to start out with, hell anything Nietzsche is but this is wrapped in a narrative too.
I read it because my lit teacher from last year lent it to me and also because it interests me.
I FINISHED IT TODAY!!!
Post by: Starlight on February 25, 2013, 02:17:22 pm
Post by: brenden on February 25, 2013, 02:18:09 pm
Post by: Russ on February 25, 2013, 04:34:16 pm
Post by: alondouek on February 25, 2013, 07:10:46 pm
Also, reading Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes series and I'm amazed at how accessible the language and the story is for a modern audience.
Post by: Art Vandelay on February 25, 2013, 07:12:51 pm
Just read Shelley's Frankenstein for the first time - the beauty of the writing style blows me away.
Also, reading Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes series and I'm amazed at how accessible the language and the story is for a modern audience.
2 of my favourites!
Reading Norwegian Wood by Murakami - really liking it so far!
Post by: Lolly on February 28, 2013, 06:59:14 pm
Also, I'm a quarter through Paper Towns by John Green :)
And I gave a copy of The Fault in our Stars to a friend for her birthday and she bawled her eyes out and I accidentally gave her a spoiler and that's bad and I should feel bad. :P :P Muhahahahaha.
Post by: MonsieurHulot on February 28, 2013, 10:08:19 pm
Has anybody read Sophie's World by Joseph Gaardner? I finished it last week.I read Sophie's World a little while ago; how did you find it?
Also, I'm a quarter through Paper Towns by John Green :)
And I gave a copy of The Fault in our Stars to a friend for her birthday and she bawled her eyes out and I accidentally gave her a spoiler and that's bad and I should feel bad. :P :P Muhahahahaha.
Post by: Lolly on March 01, 2013, 11:51:32 am
Long.
I mentioned Hegel and Kierkegaard in my context piece after reading it. XD
But the ending..... wuuuuutttttt XD
Post by: Russ on March 01, 2013, 12:44:32 pm
Quote from: kingpomba
I think we ought to help the less fortunate, in-fact, i can probably prove that ethically too.
What? Of course you can't.
Post by: slothpomba on March 01, 2013, 04:09:50 pm
What? Of course you can't.
"Prove" and "Ought" in a philosophy sense, not in a scientific sense or anything like that. Also meaning why we "should".
Start here - http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/original-position/
If anyone is actually going to click that (which i doubt), actually read the whole thing, it's all important, rather than skipping to the criticism section or reading a paragraph.
Also, reading Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes series and I'm amazed at how accessible the language and the story is for a modern audience.
Which edition do you use? Does it have notes?
It's definitely mostly accessible but there are some outdated language or concepts that would probably be helped to be explained. I know you already got yours but for those looking at buying, try get one with footnotes, don't try save a few bucks, it'll make it so much better.
Post by: alondouek on March 01, 2013, 06:08:37 pm
Which edition do you use? Does it have notes?
It's definitely mostly accessible but there are some outdated language or concepts that would probably be helped to be explained. I know you already got yours but for those looking at buying, try get one with footnotes, don't try save a few bucks, it'll make it so much better.
I use the Penguin Classics edition, it has a really in-depth section in the back to explain certain concepts in the book, as well as broader English society during Doyle's time. I got it off bookdepository for about $8.
I read The Hound of the Baskervilles, and it's so damn good. Not too many books really get me caught up in the suspense, but Doyle's atmospheric descriptions, which kind of have a hint of totality to them, really draw you into the story.
Has anyone here read any Edgar Allan Poe? On a whim last week, I read 'The Fall of the House of Usher' and 'Murders in the Rue Morgue', and they were magnificent in their storytelling, especially the former. Highly, highly recommended.
Post by: ferrsal on March 01, 2013, 06:11:19 pm
Also Dan Brown's stuff is undeniably cool
Post by: monkeywantsabanana on March 02, 2013, 11:07:11 am
Has anybody read Sophie's World by Joseph Gaardner? I finished it last week.
I read Sophie's World a little while ago; how did you find it?
I read half way then stopped. It started to sound like I was reading a philosophy textbook. I found it pretty bland and dry. Should I keep reading? :-S
Post by: Russ on March 02, 2013, 11:18:32 am
"Prove" and "Ought" in a philosophy sense, not in a scientific sense or anything like that. Also meaning why we "should".
That's different to demonstrating a moral imperative though.
Post by: Lolly on March 02, 2013, 03:59:11 pm
I read half way then stopped. It started to sound like I was reading a philosophy textbook. I found it pretty bland and dry. Should I keep reading? :-S
If you're interested in philosophy - yes.
I felt like I actually knew very little about the general history of philosophy before I read it, so I'm glad I have more knowledge now :P
If you're not too intrigued though, don't bother. :P
The author ironically refers to himself later on and admits that it's meant to be a philosophical textbook for young people and it's really only in the guise of a fictional novel. XD
HOWEVER there IS an extremely mindboggling plot twist about three quarters of the way through the book so....if you want to wait out for that.... :P
Post by: JellyDonut on March 05, 2013, 10:39:15 pm
I read half way then stopped. It started to sound like I was reading a philosophy textbook. I found it pretty bland and dry. Should I keep reading? :-SYou'd probably get more from an actual philosophy textbook. Actually, I've got a signed copy of the book around the house
/bragging
Post by: VivaTequila on March 07, 2013, 12:59:25 pm
Post by: alondouek on May 22, 2013, 01:31:22 am
Currently reading Dracula and the Art of War; they're both incredibly engaging in very different ways. Stoker's narrative style is immersing (as I found out reading Dracula fervently throughout the night last Friday night :)), while Sun Tzu's simplistic, logical reasoning and pseudo-mnemonic, almost lyrical statements really inspire.
Also recently reread Conan Doyle's 'Hound of the Baskervilles', and I'm astounded as to how well it's written. Very engaging stuff.
What have others been reading recently? Surely I'm not the only one who finds the time for a good book :P
Post by: brenden on May 22, 2013, 02:11:05 am
Post by: MonsieurHulot on May 22, 2013, 09:04:33 am
Post by: Lolly on May 22, 2013, 04:50:05 pm
I read Sun Tzu after seeing Paul Robinson read it on Neighbours when I was eleven or twelve. I promptly read the book in order to formulate an effective strategy to dealing with bullies. Good ol' War.
:D You go get 'em.
I'm reading The Stranger (L'Étranger) by Camus pour améliorer mon français as well as Against the Day by Pynchon. I like these two so much that I find myself neglecting studying. :D
Ditto when I was reading The Book Thief.
ATM I'm reading the Communist Manifesto, just 'cause. Next up is Fahrenheit 451.
Post by: brenden on May 22, 2013, 04:52:17 pm
Post by: Lolly on May 22, 2013, 04:53:43 pm
Recently read Mrs. Dalloway and quite liked it, although it was very different to anything I'd read before.
You can say that again.
Post by: brenden on May 22, 2013, 04:58:02 pm
Post by: Lolly on May 22, 2013, 05:09:05 pm
Post by: Lolly on May 22, 2013, 05:11:46 pm
Post by: dilks on May 22, 2013, 05:23:08 pm
Post by: alondouek on May 22, 2013, 09:01:56 pm
I'm reading The Stranger (L'Étranger) by Camus pour améliorer mon français
Vraiment une bonne choix! L'Étranger était l'un de livres les plus inspirants que j'ai lu pour Français; c'était formidable. Peut-être que vous pouvez également essayer de lire Dumas et Hugo? Un peu difficile, mais certainement bon pour apprendre la phraséologie française.
ATM I'm reading the Communist Manifesto, just 'cause. Next up is Fahrenheit 451.
HAHA I thought I was the only person who read Marx and Engels for kicks :P I found the politics in the Manifesto to be fairly contrary to my own opinions, but it gave a really, really good insight into historical social and academic thought of the time. It's also interesting to see how a fair bit of the political and social rhetoric has remained pretty much the same in certain political domains as it was in the Manifesto...
Fahrenheit 451 is a beautiful novel. I read it the night before last year's English exam, and it definitely influenced the subtle sense of dystopia that I tried to introduce into my context piece. (NOTE to all English students reading this: Read books throughout VCE, and not just the ones you have to. You pick up expression and style that is really well reflected in the pieces you create).
And Ulysses. Don't even ask. No I haven't finished it yet.
Thinking about giving it a go after exams. Is it worth it?
Post by: charmanderp on May 23, 2013, 12:40:37 am
Post by: brenden on May 23, 2013, 01:43:38 pm
Post by: JellyDonut on May 24, 2013, 11:05:29 am
I'm reading The Stranger (L'Étranger) by Camus pour améliorer mon français as well as Against the Day by Pynchon. I like these two so much that I find myself neglecting studying. :Dhipster
that's okay though. the book person gave me the biggest dirties when i bought what is literature by satre and travels in hyperreality by umberto eco.
ive been reading maldorors by lautreamont.
Post by: Lolly on May 24, 2013, 06:08:25 pm
Vraiment une bonne choix! L'Étranger était l'un de livres les plus inspirants que j'ai lu pour Français; c'était formidable. Peut-être que vous pouvez également essayer de lire Dumas et Hugo? Un peu difficile, mais certainement bon pour apprendre la phraséologie française.
HAHA I thought I was the only person who read Marx and Engels for kicks :P I found the politics in the Manifesto to be fairly contrary to my own opinions, but it gave a really, really good insight into historical social and academic thought of the time. It's also interesting to see how a fair bit of the political and social rhetoric has remained pretty much the same in certain political domains as it was in the Manifesto...
Fahrenheit 451 is a beautiful novel. I read it the night before last year's English exam, and it definitely influenced the subtle sense of dystopia that I tried to introduce into my context piece. (NOTE to all English students reading this: Read books throughout VCE, and not just the ones you have to. You pick up expression and style that is really well reflected in the pieces you create).
Thinking about giving it a go after exams. Is it worth it?
I'm also doing Revs concurrently, so I figured that reading the Communist Manifesto was a necessary supplement to my education. And maybe I can quote it in my essays.
Yeah , it's really interesting. I write in my books so I was scribbling like crazy about how THIS ARGUMENT IS LOGICALLY FLAWED and THE BOLSHEVIKS DIDN'T EVEN DO THIS. :P It didn't take long to read so now I'm going through all of this extra commentary which makes up like 3/4 of the edition ( I'm still trying to figure out the link between Hegel and Marx but I haven't read very far yet.)
Oh, and incidentally my friends are having a joint "Communist" party this weekend. ( Get it...Communist"? ;) ) I'm going to buy them both copies of CM and come dressed as Alexandra Kollontai. NERDS LIKE TO DO NERDY THINGS ^______^
I'm the same as you guys in absorbing what I read and the way it comes out in my writing. I guess that's how language works. Yes, please do read books apart from the English texts, it's an extremely excellent pastime and boosts your vocabulary and your imagination and your ability to think logically and critically overall. :P
Reading Ulysses? You have to be really committed. :D Prepare to get your brain fried, but it's still well worth it. I got about a quarter of the way through and it actually took forever even to get that far and I haven't picked it up since. I do have the full intention of doing so, probably also after exams. I was new to existentialist-stream-of-consciousness-type-writing ( I think I was reading Mrs Dalloway around the same time). You'll miss a lot of the allusions to Greek myth and classic literature he pulls out, ( Joyce likes being a smart arse and writing things that will go waaaaaay over the head of the average reader) but don't worry about it. Just enjoy the writing. The prose is truly beautiful. If you can, get your hands on an audio copy because Joyce wrote with an ear for language. Hearing the sound and tone of words and the pacing of the sentences is half the enjoyment, although I suppose you could get a similar effect by hearing the sound in your head. Also be aware that Joyce doesn't discriminate about what he documents about the human thought process. ie: The main character is introduced while sitting on the toilet, (...) and there are countless explicit references, and I think the last chapter ( the really really really long one with absolutely no punctuation which ends in Molly saying "yes") is basically depicting Molly's thoughts and memories while engaging in intercourse. I guess what I'm trying to say is that Joyce takes the most high and noble human thoughts and then balances them with human carnality and crudeness. He's trying to tell the truth about every single aspect of the human condition and consciousness and...let's just say he doesn't miss a lot. ;) If you want to read it, anticipate a challenge in the way the text is written as well as the subject matter itself. Yet also expect it to be really invigorating read and insightful about human nature.
( A side note: Have you ever read the letters Joyce wrote to his mistress?....0__________0 ).
Post by: Professor Polonsky on May 24, 2013, 08:21:18 pm
Oh, and incidentally my friends are having a joint "Communist" party this weekend. ( Get it...Communist"? ;) ) I'm going to buy them both copies of CM and come dressed as Alexandra Kollontai. NERDS LIKE TO DO NERDY THINGS ^______^That's pretty fucking awesome.
Post by: brenden on May 24, 2013, 08:22:55 pm
I can see it now.
"The partiers looked from sober people, to drunk people. And from sober people to drunk people again... But already it was impossible to tell which was which."
Post by: Lolly on May 24, 2013, 08:45:18 pm
I guess at that party, all guests will be equal, but some will be more equal than others?
I can see it now.
"The partiers looked from sober people, to drunk people. And from sober people to drunk people again... But already it was impossible to tell which was which."
LOLOLOLOL OF COURSE
Post by: Professor Polonsky on May 24, 2013, 10:06:20 pm
Post by: JellyDonut on May 24, 2013, 10:52:47 pm
@lollymatron: You'd probably already guessed this but the part where Marx touches upon Hegelian Dialetics is in Das Kapital (don't ask me where). The CM is really non-technical in what Marx espoused. Don't even think surplus value was even mentioned
Post by: DisaFear on June 03, 2013, 08:14:25 pm
Post by: ealam2 on June 17, 2013, 09:13:41 pm
Post by: brenden on June 17, 2013, 09:17:10 pm
I have learned more about the world from this than I would have from class.Ugh, my whole life in a sentence. (Too bad I decided to learn about the world via novels during class)
Post by: spectroscopy on June 17, 2013, 09:19:52 pm
bear Grylls autobiography is nice too if you like that sort of stuff
and if you dont mind crude humor, and have never experienced laughing out loud literally from a book before, read - "dont tell my mum i work on the rigs, she thinks im a piano player in a whorehouse" by Paul Carter
good insight into the petroleum industry
Post by: DisaFear on July 13, 2013, 12:15:28 am
Going to move onto The Tawny Man trilogy, after I finish Guns, germs and steel by Jared Diamond (we watched the doco in astro lectures, quite interesting)
Post by: pi on July 13, 2013, 12:23:03 am
Dan Brown is releasing Inferno soon and I am sure it is going to be a great book.
I just finished it and I loved it!
Now to start the A Song of Ice and Fire series :D
Post by: Lolly on July 13, 2013, 12:18:18 pm
Post by: brenden on July 13, 2013, 01:51:54 pm
Post by: Lolly on July 13, 2013, 02:43:20 pm
To continue the John Green books - I've read Looking For Alaska and Paper Towns these holidays and both were provoking in a good way. Have also sort of started reading Walden (two pages) and need to get going on that lol.
Both are beautiful books. Next up, my friend, you must read TFioS. Get on it. :P
I think I'm going to make a John and Hank Green appreciation thread.
Also, I haven't read Walden, but it's definitely on my list of things to read.
Post by: brenden on July 13, 2013, 03:09:35 pm
Post by: Lolly on July 13, 2013, 03:18:57 pm
Just called Mum (she's at the shops) and told her to pick up WG, WG and TFioS ;)
Awwww yisssssss
Post by: Professor Polonsky on July 13, 2013, 07:37:01 pm
Post by: Lolly on July 13, 2013, 07:42:30 pm
I've heard very different opinions about TFioS. Might have to read it myself (*gasp*) at some point.
No regrets will be had.
Post by: ninwa on July 13, 2013, 07:46:27 pm
Post by: xdecay on July 14, 2013, 02:13:12 am
Whoever recommended Haruki Murakami... I'm struggling through 1Q84 and just finding it really dull. What am I missing?
Didn't recommend it but anyway I'm quite a fan of Murkami and honestly, 1Q84 was my least favourite one. I found it dull as well and didn't want to force myself to finish it. I enjoy his other novels a lot more but I think his best works are in the form of short stories. My favourite compilation would be The Elephant Vanishes.
Also, I'm sure I've mentioned this somewhere before, but I really rate A Series of Unfortunate Events. I don't think I'll ever outgrow the series and am actually in the middle of it currently. :)
Post by: charmanderp on July 14, 2013, 09:17:04 pm
Also, I'm sure I've mentioned this somewhere before, but I really rate A Series of Unfortunate Events. I don't think I'll ever outgrow the series and am actually in the middle of it currently. :)Absolutely adored it! One of my favourite children's series growing up, along with Harry Potter, Animorphs, Artemis Fowl and everything Enid Blyton wrote, off the top of my head. Those books were so expensive as well, because they were only in hardcover, so I've always cherished the copies I have haha.
I hope that they do eventually adapt the entire series to film (it'd have to be a reboot, you'd think)! Loved the film that they did release - Jim Carrey was a perfect Olaf and John Cleese as Uncle Monty was fantastic.
Post by: ShortBlackChick on July 16, 2013, 04:45:46 pm
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialMatthewReilly/posts/10151484039026339
BTW anyone read the most recent Dan Brown? TBH I kinda lost interest from The Lost Symbol
Post by: alondouek on July 16, 2013, 05:05:20 pm
Post by: brenden on July 27, 2013, 01:17:06 pm
Post by: Russ on July 27, 2013, 01:35:57 pm
IM SOOOOOO EXCITED!
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialMatthewReilly/posts/10151484039026339
BTW anyone read the most recent Dan Brown? TBH I kinda lost interest from The Lost Symbol
I'm glad he's back in public, he was incredibly crushed after his wife's death :(
Inferno was pretty good until the conclusion which was a) terrible b) cliched c) terrible
Post by: Lolly on August 10, 2013, 03:15:32 pm
And I finished Fahrenheit 451 a week ago. Very, very interesting. And I wish I had more time to read books. And now I'm starting to sound like Charlie...
Post by: DisaFear on August 11, 2013, 12:05:02 am
Started the Otherland series by Tad Williams, good so far
Yay new Matthew Reilly book :D
Post by: ninwa on August 11, 2013, 12:18:26 am
Post by: alondouek on August 11, 2013, 01:15:56 am
I've dumped John Steinbeck for Stephen King. How did I go this long without discovering him?!
No idea! Please read (i.e. throw yourself into) his Dark Tower series - it ties together a lot of his other stuff thematically speaking.
Also it's amazing.
Post by: ninwa on August 11, 2013, 01:59:45 am
Finished The Tawny Man trilogy by Robin Hobb, was great as expected. However, I think Farseers was the best trilogy (Farseers > Tawny Man > Liveship)
I loved Farseers, will I be disappointed if I read The Tawny Man because my expectations are so high? :P
Post by: slothpomba on August 11, 2013, 08:43:06 am
Just finished Sunzi's The Art of War with commentary - absolutely brilliant. The stratagems presented are both brilliant and logical. Strongly recommended.
Which edition did you use?
Anyone read the Dresden Files? What did you guys think? I might buy a few books
Post by: alondouek on August 11, 2013, 10:30:11 am
Which edition did you use?
Penguin Classics of course :P. Such a well-constructed edition; it goes through the text twice, once as the original text and then once more with line-by-line commentary.
Good read
Post by: DisaFear on August 11, 2013, 12:56:14 pm
I loved Farseers, will I be disappointed if I read The Tawny Man because my expectations are so high? :P
Well, the same characters that were in Farseers return in Tawny Man, except much older. That's maybe why I like Farseers more, it deals with when Fitz and the Fool were young, it's more rewarding to read when the young underdogs succeed. But The Tawny Man is definitely a good addition to the story of Fitz and the Fool
Post by: pyro-53 on August 14, 2013, 02:13:53 pm
On another note, every time I do sth "unhealthy" like skipping meals, I felt like Gus and Hazel are watching me LOL and that I should be responsible for having a healthy body (weird much?)
Planning to read Will Grayson next but still on the waiting-list :(
Post by: brenden on August 14, 2013, 06:14:59 pm
Post by: pyro-53 on August 14, 2013, 10:31:49 pm
Anyway, WG is the only book left on my JG list.
Post by: datfatcat on September 20, 2013, 12:14:33 am
Post by: DisaFear on September 30, 2013, 08:18:27 pm
I kept going back to the date when it was published and thinking "Whoa...our society is so much like that now...how could he foretell it so many years ago, when technology was in its infancy???"
Good read for those into virtual reality and rouge AI's and the quest for immortality
Post by: Lolly on October 01, 2013, 09:01:45 pm
I'm 'dipping' into books at the moment which I don't have time to read ( I know it really doesn't do them justice...)
I'm reading bits of Walt Whitman's poetry and pieces of G.K Chesterton's biography and a little more Ulysses.
I'm also trying to read this book my brother lent me - " The Fabric of the Cosmos. We've had this deal going for like a year that if I read it he'll read 1984. I think I got the sore end of the deal there...haha. It's like...
________________________________ this thick. Although it's also very interesting.
Post by: ealam2 on October 10, 2013, 06:07:47 pm
The Fault In Our Stars by John Green movie is going to be released next year! :)
And The Book Thief by Markus Zusak movie is coming out this November! :)
Has anyone read The Maze Runner by James Dashner? Is it really good?
Post by: Lolly on October 10, 2013, 06:09:06 pm
The Fault In Our Stars by John Green movie is going to be released next year! :)
And The Book Thief by Markus Zusak movie is coming out this November! :)
SO MUCH EXCITE...WHAT IS AIR....
Post by: Robert243 on October 13, 2013, 08:37:55 pm
green mile stephen king (best book ever)
Post by: ninwa on October 13, 2013, 08:44:13 pm
green mile stephen king (best book ever)
I cried like a baby reading this book
Post by: charmanderp on October 13, 2013, 08:45:33 pm
Post by: brenden on October 13, 2013, 09:14:11 pm
I cried like a baby reading this bookGreen Mile was fantastic. Stephen King is great
Post by: alondouek on October 13, 2013, 09:17:11 pm
I cried like a baby reading this book
I love Stephen King, every book of his that I've read (except for Dreamcatcher, that was meh), I've loved.
But, the only book that's ever made my tear up a bit was weirdly Frankenstein - the "monster"'s striving for an identity of its own really got to me for some reason haha
Post by: DisaFear on October 13, 2013, 09:36:41 pm
I'm not too good with horror so I avoid those
Post by: alondouek on October 13, 2013, 09:39:41 pm
Also, not all of Stephen King's books are horror/suspense/thriller/supernatural etc. Have a read of "The Body" (then watch the film, Stand By Me :D), one of his best imo
Post by: charmanderp on October 13, 2013, 10:07:36 pm
Are all of Stephen King's books horror-themed? The Dark Tower series isn't, right?Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption (which the film is an adaptation of) is an example of one that isn't. There's quite a few.
I'm not too good with horror so I avoid those
Post by: Robert243 on October 14, 2013, 04:30:48 pm
some other good books
lord of the flies
1984 by george orwell
insomnia by steven king
Post by: ninwa on October 14, 2013, 07:30:44 pm
Green Mile was fantastic. Stephen King is great
the weirdest part was, i have this memory of when i was like 8 and saw a scene on TV of a screaming guy in an electric chair with his head on fire and it gave me nightmares for months, and then i read this book and i was like HOLY SHIT THAT'S THE SCENE
Post by: DisaFear on October 20, 2013, 06:23:33 pm
Post by: datfatcat on October 20, 2013, 09:01:54 pm
By the way, do any of you use goodreads?
Post by: charmanderp on October 21, 2013, 12:58:15 am
I am now half way thru Motorworld by Jeremy Clarkson (yea the guy in top gear :) ) I will finish it after my exam 8) I think the book is interesting. You don't need to be a car enthusiast. He also talks about his time in some countries (with some very lame jokes :P)Good reads!
By the way, do any of you use goodreads?
Post by: slothpomba on October 27, 2013, 05:22:09 am
Post by: Lolly on October 27, 2013, 08:19:14 am
Since i have the attention span of table salt right now, i'm listening to an audiobook. It's the screwtape letters by C.S Lewis. It's a quite interesting text for one making a theological point in itself but its 100x more entertaining when read by John Motherfucking Cleese.
Hahahahah oh the irony
Post by: Professor Polonsky on November 02, 2013, 12:07:45 pm
I just read Ender's Shadow by Orson Scott Card, the parallel book to Ender's Game, omg, it was gooooooood :D Just makes me appreciate Ender's Game even more...can't wait till the movie comes out :)Honestly, the Shadow series never appealed to me much. Ender's Shadow was still good, but I definitely did not get excited about any of the rest. The masterpiece of the series is, undoubtedly, Speaker.
Post by: datfatcat on November 07, 2013, 08:08:56 pm
I am going to read Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane soon.
Post by: alondouek on November 07, 2013, 08:20:49 pm
I finished Motorworld by Jeremy Clarkson and it is based upon the 1995 BBC television series of the same name. I am a Top Gear fan and all I can say about this book is WOW!! I would give this a 6 out of 5 (yea 6/5 :P)
I am going to read Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane soon.
Shutter Island is amazing; the movie was good but the book is something else
Post by: charmanderp on November 07, 2013, 08:40:24 pm
WOWwow
Think I mentioned this a page or so back, but y'all should read The God of Small Things. Brilliant novel.
Fave novel for 2013 is either Jhumpa Lahiri's The Lowland or And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini.
Post by: Vermilliona on November 07, 2013, 09:55:13 pm
wow
Think I mentioned this a page or so back, but y'all should read The God of Small Things. Brilliant novel.
Fave novel for 2013 is either Jhumpa Lahiri's The Lowland or And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini.
Much yes to The God Of Small Things, overflowing with richness.
Can I just say early Ian McEwan (First Love/Last Rites, Amsterdam, Black Dogs), the man grabs you by the throat. His most recent, Sweet Tooth, isn't my favourite though, too cold and calculated. Anyone else read it?
Post by: alondouek on November 07, 2013, 09:57:08 pm
Post by: ninwa on November 08, 2013, 02:34:38 pm
Has anyone read House of Leaves? Can't decide if it's a horror story or a love story, messed with my head.
I bought it like 2 years ago and never got around to it because I was so obsessed with my Kindle
Might dive into it after exams. Recommend or no?
Post by: alondouek on November 08, 2013, 02:38:17 pm
I bought it like 2 years ago and never got around to it because I was so obsessed with my Kindle
Might dive into it after exams. Recommend or no?
It's very... Different. The format is pretty unconventional, and it's very footnote-dense which I found a bit distracting. But, the story itself was very engaging and that more than made up for any other complaints I had.
Recommended!
Post by: charmanderp on November 08, 2013, 03:00:20 pm
Much yes to The God Of Small Things, overflowing with richness.Ian McEwan is a genius! Have you read Enduring Love? Spine tingling novel. I liked Sweet Tooth. Apparently a lot of it is 'true' or based on his own personal experiences.
Can I just say early Ian McEwan (First Love/Last Rites, Amsterdam, Black Dogs), the man grabs you by the throat. His most recent, Sweet Tooth, isn't my favourite though, too cold and calculated. Anyone else read it?
Anyone here read Murakami?
Post by: Vermilliona on November 08, 2013, 08:51:34 pm
Ian McEwan is a genius! Have you read Enduring Love? Spine tingling novel. I liked Sweet Tooth. Apparently a lot of it is 'true' or based on his own personal experiences.
Anyone hear read Murakami?
I haven't (but will once exams are over), Sweet Tooth was the last one I read and it put me off too much... It didn't feel like the end lived up to the story, a bit gimmicky. My favourite Murakami is Sputnik Sweetheart, didn't even finish 1Q84 though - very intriguing for quite some time, but it ran out of steam halfway (or maybe I just didn't have the patience to follow through with the complex storyline :/). Been meaning to read Kafka on the Shore for ages, I think Murakami is one of the most careful and precise crafters of stories out there, but maybe 1Q84 was a bit too ambitious? Have you read it/what did you think of it?
Post by: ninwa on November 12, 2013, 11:23:00 am
Post by: --whiteskies on November 12, 2013, 12:01:55 pm
1Q84 was my first taste of Murakami and it turned me off him. It just felt like he was writing for the sake of writing and half the time nothing was happening (he sat on the slide. She sat in the house. Everyone brooded excessively) But judging from reviews from Murakami lovers, it probably wasn't his best work?
i've read only one by murakami and my god, it was so good. it was norwegian wood, i think.
has anyone read 'let the right one in' - it's a translated swedish horror but i'm pretty sure no one has.
guess only i go to readings at state and pick the first novel i see.
Post by: charmanderp on November 12, 2013, 12:08:47 pm
1Q84 was my first taste of Murakami and it turned me off him. It just felt like he was writing for the sake of writing and half the time nothing was happening (he sat on the slide. She sat in the house. Everyone brooded excessively) But judging from reviews from Murakami lovers, it probably wasn't his best work?Yeah that is really the Murakami style, almost clinical exposition. I think the translation also affects this. Norwegian Wood is pretty great, as is after the quake. The latter is pretty short and pretty interesting/disturbing, so I'd give it a go if you find the time. Only 6 short stories that are about 20 pages each.
Post by: JellyDonut on November 12, 2013, 04:46:30 pm
has anyone read 'let the right one in' - it's a translated swedish horror but i'm pretty sure no one has.watch tha movie
Post by: --whiteskies on November 12, 2013, 09:59:51 pm
watch tha movie
i google imaged it and omg no way i'll have nightmares for two weeks.
Post by: jeanweasley on November 14, 2013, 01:43:45 pm
Post by: charmanderp on November 14, 2013, 07:38:52 pm
I know most of the books here are fiction but since the thread title doesn't specify that, I'd recommend reading 'How to Win Friends & Influence People' by Dale Carnegie. It's a light read and the examples are enjoyable. Carnegie also seems like a really nice guy. :DI only read this because my uncle suggested it to me, and I felt like most of the things in there are things any decent human being would do already. I guess it does sort of reinforce them, or at least make you more self-aware in a good way. A good one to go through with a pencil or some tabs though, in case there's something you like.
But yeah I totally know what you mean, you feel like you know him really well after having read it haha.
Post by: achre on November 19, 2013, 04:39:28 pm
Has anyone read House of Leaves? Can't decide if it's a horror story or a love story, messed with my head.It's both and neither. I didn't find it that scary, honestly, the creepy and mysterious elements felt a lot more like modern fantasy.
Anyone here read Murakami?Had to read after the quake for lit this year, collection of short stories by Murakami. I think a lot of people underestimate the skill it takes to be really expressive with simple language, and he's got that in spades.
Post by: brenden on November 19, 2013, 04:49:29 pm
Post by: alondouek on November 19, 2013, 05:04:57 pm
Translated works bother me. I wish I read 234 different languages. Particularly German, so I could read Kafka without stupid translators sticking their beak in. Looking at different variations of Metamorphosis made me realise how much they could change the original meaning of the story, even unintentionally.
The upside is that you get so many different variations on a theme. For example, i own a copy of the art of war where the translator has a huge rip on another one hahahahaha, but they both have very different interpretations.
Well worth reading different translations, even if the translators are misconstruing the original point; it often speaks volumes about the texts relevance in the period in which the translator lives.
Post by: JellyDonut on November 19, 2013, 07:17:25 pm
Translated works bother me. I wish I read 234 different languages. Particularly German, so I could read Kafka without stupid translators sticking their beak in. Looking at different variations of Metamorphosis made me realise how much they could change the original meaning of the story, even unintentionally.hes a big beetle
translated novels arent even that big of a problem its only prose/poetry where each individual word actually matters. theres bigger problems at hand. kafka writes comedy and i still havent found out how!!!~!
Post by: brenden on November 19, 2013, 07:46:14 pm
Post by: ninwa on November 19, 2013, 10:11:50 pm
Translated works bother me. I wish I read 234 different languages. Particularly German, so I could read Kafka without stupid translators sticking their beak in. Looking at different variations of Metamorphosis made me realise how much they could change the original meaning of the story, even unintentionally.
Ugh you'd have to be quite fluent in the language though. Otherwise you end up looking up words every page and it ruins the flow a lot.
Source: had to read novels in both French and German for uni. Still get PTSD flashbacks about reading Nietzsche untranslated
Post by: Lolly on November 19, 2013, 10:57:26 pm
Quote
Still get PTSD flashbacks about reading Nietzsche untranslated
0_0
Post by: ealam2 on November 25, 2013, 12:33:41 pm
And I might have mentioned this before, Chaos Walking trilogy by Patrick Ness is amazing too! And his 3 short stories in between the books. Great author!
The New World (Chaos Walking, #0.5)
The Knife of Never Letting Go (Chaos Walking, #1)
The Ask and the Answer (Chaos Walking, #2)
The Wide Wide Sea (Chaos Walking, #2.5)
Monsters of Men (Chaos Walking, #3)
Snowscape (Chaos Walking, #3.5)
Post by: ninwa on November 25, 2013, 12:40:23 pm
Post by: charmanderp on November 25, 2013, 05:39:06 pm
Just finished The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy. Ughhh my heart aches. Definitely recommendYaaaay! Was this based off my recommendation? Finally my spamming of this thread about TGoST was successful haha. One of my favourite works ever.
Post by: brenden on November 25, 2013, 07:47:18 pm
Yaaaay! Was this based off my recommendation? Finally my spamming of this thread about TGoST was successful haha. One of my favourite works ever.ok will read. Right after The Republic and Fight Club (again)
Post by: ninwa on November 26, 2013, 10:03:02 am
Yaaaay! Was this based off my recommendation? Finally my spamming of this thread about TGoST was successful haha. One of my favourite works ever.
Oooh, for some reason I thought I got the recommendation off r/books hah. Thanks for the rec! Loved it
Post by: charmanderp on November 26, 2013, 11:53:41 am
Oooh, for some reason I thought I got the recommendation off r/books hah. Thanks for the rec! Loved itYou use reddit? /r/books is pretty awesome. No problem, glad someone else enjoyed it! It's one of those novels that you feel like if everyone read, the world would be a better place.
Post by: ninwa on November 26, 2013, 03:30:50 pm
You use reddit? /r/books is pretty awesome.
YAY REDDIT
I blame r/books for my 4gb ebooks folder that I'm never going to get through, ever
Post by: BigAl on November 29, 2013, 09:35:38 pm
Post by: b^3 on November 29, 2013, 09:45:38 pm
Has anyone read the Simpsons and their mathematical secrets? It's bloody amazing..I need to watch the first episode :)Apparently that book annoyed a few academics in mathematics because it has taken a lot from http://mathsci2.appstate.edu/~sjg/simpsonsmath/ , which those who run that site have dedicated a lot of time and effort into finding all those references. I guess it's still possible to go through and find them yourself, but a few academics that were fans of Simon Singh apparently dislike him now for do it and making money off of it.
Post by: BigAl on November 29, 2013, 10:06:41 pm
Apparently that book annoyed a few academics in mathematics because it has taken a lot from http://mathsci2.appstate.edu/~sjg/simpsonsmath/ , which those who run that site have dedicated a lot of time and effort into finding all those references. I guess it's still possible to go through and find them yourself, but a few academics that were fans of Simon Singh apparently dislike him now for do it and making money off of it.Oh really? I didn't know that...thanks for that
Post by: Robert243 on November 29, 2013, 11:42:36 pm
Post by: DisaFear on December 08, 2013, 12:38:29 pm
Post by: Dallas45 on December 10, 2013, 07:32:43 pm
Matthew Reilly's new book, The Tournament is out :) read some reviews, seems decent
I read it as soon as it was released. It's definitely worth the read with an interesting take on a possible history. Very different from his past books - no military based theme with a male protagonist. It instead is narrated by a teenage Queen Elizabeth I. It's still very good though :)
Post by: Lolly on December 11, 2013, 12:12:46 am
#unoriginal
Post by: saradom136 on December 11, 2013, 05:31:51 am
Post by: Dallas45 on December 11, 2013, 11:34:51 pm
Post by: DisaFear on December 18, 2013, 09:23:15 pm
Starting the Discworld books by Terry Pratchett! They are hilarious :D
Post by: alondouek on December 18, 2013, 09:36:15 pm
Starting the Discworld books by Terry Pratchett! They are hilarious :D
Haha Pratchett is brilliant, Going Postal is one of my favourites :)
Post by: charmanderp on December 19, 2013, 12:19:41 am
Rereading Harry Potter.I've never heard of it. Is it any good?
#unoriginal
Post by: Lolly on December 19, 2013, 01:12:13 am
I've never heard of it. Is it any good?
Nah it's pretty av. ;) You're not missing out on much.
Except for your childhood and wizarding education
Post by: charmanderp on December 19, 2013, 08:01:05 am
Nah it's pretty av. ;) You're not missing out on much.Don't be silly, magic isn't real. Are you one of those Socialist Alternative people?
Except for your childhood and wizarding education
Post by: DisaFear on December 20, 2013, 06:28:27 pm
Haha Pratchett is brilliant, Going Postal is one of my favourites :)
Are all the books standalone? As in, the first book is about two certain characters. Do they reappear in future books?
Post by: alondouek on December 20, 2013, 06:44:16 pm
Are all the books standalone? As in, the first book is about two certain characters. Do they reappear in future books?
Kinda sorta, if I recall correctly the characters in some books like Guards! Guards! recur. You can definitely read them as standalone novels. They're all bloody brilliant though, also make sure you watch some of the movies that were made based on the books :)
Post by: ShortBlackChick on December 25, 2013, 05:04:56 pm
Matthew Reilly's new book, The Tournament is out :) read some reviews, seems decent
I read it as soon as it was released. It's definitely worth the read with an interesting take on a possible history. Very different from his past books - no military based theme with a male protagonist. It instead is narrated by a teenage Queen Elizabeth I. It's still very good though :)
OMG You guys! Was just about to post about this! Just got the book, well my dad got it for me anyway, after I bumped into him in Kmart on a random shopping trip of mine and told him to get it for me LOL
I'm really excited to read it coz its so different! I'm really curious as to how I'll find this book/concept, especially on the scale of Scarecrow to Jack West. Not saying one is a zero and the other is a ten, coz I love them all but that said I'm a sucker for the Scarecrow series so we'll see.
And the free prequel is out too!!! He says its unrelated, or that it doesnt spoil The Tournament so you can read it even if you havent read The Tournament, but screw that I'm still gonna read the book first.
http://www.matthewreilly.com/resources/roger-ascham-and-the-kings-lost-girl
Post by: Russ on December 25, 2013, 05:18:09 pm
Post by: pi on December 30, 2013, 09:42:47 pm
Hope the movies about it are better!
Post by: Robert243 on December 30, 2013, 09:45:08 pm
Just finished reading the Hunger Games series in light of the film success. I found Mockingjay to be terrible and such a disappointment, everything seemed really rushed and crammed and the style seemed different to the first two :/Lol , it's going to be split in two parts .
Hope the movies about it are better!
Has anyone read the new Steven King book
Post by: Only Cheating Yourself on December 30, 2013, 10:33:58 pm
Post by: Robert243 on December 30, 2013, 10:37:22 pm
Post by: Eugenet17 on December 30, 2013, 11:04:57 pm
Just finished reading the Hunger Games series in light of the film success. I found Mockingjay to be terrible and such a disappointment, everything seemed really rushed and crammed and the style seemed different to the first two :/
Hope the movies about it are better!
I've read many books in my lifetime and I have to say Mockingjay has to be one of the worst, if not the absolute worst books I've read right next to New Moon (lol)
Post by: Only Cheating Yourself on December 30, 2013, 11:08:04 pm
Post by: Robert243 on December 30, 2013, 11:24:17 pm
Post by: charmanderp on December 31, 2013, 01:15:10 am
The Messenger.This is also the name of an excellent book by Markus Zusak.
Post by: brenden on December 31, 2013, 01:56:24 pm
Don't want to turn this into a hate thread , but The Hunger Games series is a bit overrated . Compared to other Utopian novels I've read , the Hunger Games is probably the worst one . It's just to unrealistic in my opinion , but that is just my opinion. There is another Utopian book which i just read called Divergent , in my opinion i think it is much better than the Hunger Games .Hahaha, so I'm assuming you dislike essentially all fantasy stories because they're unrealistic? :P
Post by: Robert243 on December 31, 2013, 02:06:43 pm
Hahaha, so I'm assuming you dislike essentially all fantasy stories because they're unrealistic? :PNo, but The Hunger Games is a Utopian novel , Utopian novels have to have some realism . I mean kids killing each other in an arena for entertainment just seems to unrealistic IMO , but that's just my opinion .
Post by: Russ on December 31, 2013, 02:08:38 pm
No, but The Hunger Games is a Utopian novel
Oh really?
e; i'm not sure whether you're calling it utopian or you just confused it with dystopia
Post by: pi on December 31, 2013, 02:15:13 pm
No, but The Hunger Games is a Utopian novel , Utopian novels have to have some realism . I mean kids killing each other in an arena for entertainment just seems to unrealistic IMO , but that's just my opinion .
Oh I didn't mind how realistic/unrealistic it was, I just didn't like how it was written. Everything was seemed so forced and rushed, and there were some pages I had to read a couple of times because they didn't make much sense the first time (eg. SPOILER when Prim dies and Katniss sounds like she's on magic mushrooms).
I've read many books in my lifetime and I have to say Mockingjay has to be one of the worst, if not the absolute worst books I've read right next to New Moon (lol)
Yeah I'd have to agree, a massive let-down.
Post by: brenden on December 31, 2013, 02:54:24 pm
Post by: charmanderp on December 31, 2013, 04:16:15 pm
Hahaha, so I'm assuming you dislike essentially all fantasy stories because they're unrealistic? :P#HermioneGranger
On the topic of The Hunger Games, I personally couldn't stand any of the books. This might be because I read them all consecutively between the hours of 2am and 9am one Friday morning, but I echo that they go from bad to worse as the series progresses. Suzanne Collins took a pretty awesome, mature idea and then conveyed it through a rather irritating protagonist. Her writing style/authorial voice is IMHO much worse than Stephanie Meyer's - Katniss is so emotionally distanced and robotic and angsty and not in a way that might make you think it's a realistic affectation of her disposition.
The films on the other hand are great adaptations. Film Katniss is awesome.
Post by: brenden on December 31, 2013, 04:18:25 pm
Post by: Lolly on December 31, 2013, 04:57:24 pm
I think that's the first time I've said that about any book to film adaptation, ever.
Post by: alondouek on December 31, 2013, 05:06:29 pm
The Hunger Games films are better than the books. The story is great but the writing style is a let-down. Everything from the costumes to the action scenes better suit a visual medium.
I think that's the first time I've said that about any book to film adaptation, ever.
Did you ever read/see The Prestige? The film was better than the book imo
Post by: charmanderp on December 31, 2013, 05:30:15 pm
Ah but if you read them all consecutively between 2am-9am, they can't be that bad ;)More to do with a promise I made to a friend :P I was drowning in self-loathing when forcing myself to read Mockingjay haha.
Baz Luhrmann's Gatsby is another film I preferred to the novel. I don't really like comparing adaptations to their source material - different mediums, different intentions. Most people seem to have their heart set on disparaging films sourced from novels, it's so irritatingly pretentious. There's this overarching perceptions that books are somehow more sophisticated or worthy than films which is rather ridiculous.
Post by: brenden on December 31, 2013, 05:38:38 pm
Post by: charmanderp on December 31, 2013, 06:35:39 pm
Imo Hunger Games (film) did a horrendous job, but they probably had a pretty low budget. Catching Fire was impeccable, though. Still not as good as the book because they've basically reduced Haymitch to a historyless drunk. They robbed film audiences of a brilliant character imo.Yeah that's true - I wonder if they're saving Haymitch's backstory for the next two films. Definitely should have come up earlier though, he's possibly my favourite character in the novels.
Post by: Robert243 on December 31, 2013, 06:37:24 pm
Yeah that's true - I wonder if they're saving Haymitch's backstory for the next two films. Definitely should have come up earlier though, he's possibly my favourite character in the novels.Next two films ?
There is three books ?
Post by: ealam2 on December 31, 2013, 06:44:12 pm
Cassandra Clare's books are really good: The Infernal Devices (prequel series) and The Mortal Instruments. What did everyone think of City of Bones the movie?
Post by: achre on December 31, 2013, 07:48:16 pm
If I was a fan of the series I'd be upset by that.
Post by: brenden on December 31, 2013, 08:30:21 pm
They split a 390 page book into two films?Yeah, you would. Especially with how bad the third book is LOL
If I was a fan of the series I'd be upset by that.
Post by: Robert243 on December 31, 2013, 08:34:22 pm
Spoiler
The ending is so obvious
Post by: Only Cheating Yourself on January 03, 2014, 05:43:50 pm
This is also the name of an excellent book by Markus Zusak.
It was actually pretty funny!
Post by: Lolly on January 03, 2014, 08:17:07 pm
This is also the name of an excellent book by Markus Zusak.
I saw 'The Messenger" performed as a play! I loved it and I've been meaning to read the book for ageeees. :)
Just finished "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" which is essentially an entire play centred around drunk people yelling at each other at 3 in the morning and probably some other deep and meaningful things.
As well I'm at the end of re-reading Wuthering Heights and halfway through Henrik Ibsen's " A Doll's House." Henrik Ibsen is way cool. 8)
Oh and I need to finish Fight club....THERE ARE TOO MANY BOOKS :( :) :( :)
Post by: Only Cheating Yourself on January 03, 2014, 08:40:34 pm
I saw 'The Messenger" performed as a play! I loved it and I've been meaning to read the book for ageeees. :)I recommend reading it!
Just finished "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" which is essentially an entire play centred around drunk people yelling at each other at 3 in the morning and probably some other deep and meaningful things.
As well I'm at the end of re-reading Wuthering Heights and halfway through Henrik Ibsen's " A Doll's House." Henrik Ibsen is way cool. 8)
Oh and I need to finish Fight club....THERE ARE TOO MANY BOOKS :( :) :( :)
Post by: Lolly on January 03, 2014, 10:11:23 pm
I recommend reading it!
Which one? Haha
Post by: Only Cheating Yourself on January 03, 2014, 11:09:52 pm
Which one? Haha
The messenger.
Post by: nisha on January 09, 2014, 12:56:37 pm
Post by: datfatcat on January 09, 2014, 01:13:21 pm
Post by: Shenz0r on January 09, 2014, 01:58:43 pm
- The House of God by Samuel Shem (not reaaally a classic but it's a pretty good satire of medicine!)
- Pride and Prejudice (Austen's language is so eloquent)
- The Great Gatsby (of course)
- Candide by Voltaire - one of the funniest and most satirical books I've ever read
- The Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde - so freaky and gothic lol
Going to start Bleak House by Dickens after I finish Dorian Grey lol
Post by: brenden on January 20, 2014, 01:07:34 am
Quote
Going to start Bleak House by Dickens after I finish Dorian Grey lol
Why would you do this to yourself?
Post by: charmanderp on January 20, 2014, 11:01:04 am
Why would you do this to yourself?I actually like Bleak House.
Post by: slothpomba on January 29, 2014, 06:43:26 am
The cool thing about humble bundles is you can pay what you want (yes, even $0.02). Part of the money goes to the company offering up the books for sale, part goes to charity and part goes to the humble bundle organisers. You can choose what % of your money goes to each of these three splits.
Haven't yet bought for them so i can't vouch for them personally (my paypal is playing up) but i do plan to buy them a bit later today or tomorrow if i can. Be quick though since it only has about 48 hours left!
Post by: ninwa on January 29, 2014, 09:28:31 am
Post by: ninwa on February 07, 2014, 03:07:41 pm
Just finished last book of the girl w/dragon tattoo series, and this incredible book, the storyline of which becomes increasingly more depressing the more I think about it
Post by: DisaFear on February 07, 2014, 08:08:43 pm
The main character suffers a lot of hardship throughout the series, was a bit disheartening :O but the end was very good, satisfying read
Post by: saradom136 on February 14, 2014, 07:41:53 pm
Post by: pi on December 19, 2014, 10:41:09 pm
Finished the Maze Runner series a few days ago, admittedly after first watching the film. Great series!
Post by: aqple on December 20, 2014, 01:53:37 am
Post by: Bruzzix on January 04, 2015, 04:42:22 pm
- A Universe from Nothing - Lawrence Krauss
- Cosmos - Carl Sagan
- The Demon-Haunted World - Carl Sagan
- The Elegant Universe - Brian Greene
- The Fabric of the Cosmos - Briane Greene
- A Brief History of Time - Stephen Hawking
- A Short History of Nearly Everything - Bill Bryson
- The Selfish Gene - Richard Dawkins
- The Magic of Reality - Richard Dawkins
- The Organized Mind - Daniel J. Levitin
Post by: SilverTail on February 11, 2015, 12:18:05 pm
Post by: DisaFear on February 14, 2015, 02:44:44 pm
Just read Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson and wow, I haven't read too many sci-fi books but this was amazing. It's a story about viruses and the line between computer and human viruses, essentially, not to spoil much. Written in a form that is relevant to people today, also very very funny. Would recommend!
Post by: InNeedForHelp on April 03, 2015, 10:48:43 am
One of the best holocaust memoirs that I've read. It was pretty hard to finish because of how sad it was.
Post by: IndefatigableLover on April 03, 2015, 12:11:24 pm
"Night" - Elie WieselAh yes "Night by Elie Wiesel is definitely one of the best holocaust memoirs I've read as well (the first holocaust memoir I ever read as well back in Year 7 considering there was Morris Gleitzmen's novel "Once" back in the day).
One of the best holocaust memoirs that I've read. It was pretty hard to finish because of how sad it was.
My favourite quote from "Night" was funnily enough in the preface (which doesn't happen often) but it was this:
"Those who kept silent yesterday will remain silent tomorrow."
Post by: heids on June 27, 2015, 11:16:07 am
I'm in a mood for laughter right now, so here are some of my favourite funny ones. Note, my taste in books tends to be pre-1930s (not least because they're public domain :P).
- P.G. Wodehouse - Psmith series (unfortunately 'Leave it to Psmith' - a story mostly occupied with flowerpots - isn't in the public domain yet), school stories (Head of Kay's, Prefect's Uncle, White Feather, Gold Bat, Pothunters, Mike at Wrykyn).
- Stephen Leacock - start here, you just get to the end of each page in utter stitches. Each story is a parody on a melodramatic genre of the 1800s - his ridiculous style takes a bit of getting used to, but once you've got it, hilarious.
- Dr Seuss - especially 'Those Pale Green Pants With Nobody Inside Them'. An intellectual read, only for if you're not too exhausted by a hard term.
- Our Mutual Friend - okay, while there's a sly piece of humour tucked into every single paragraph, I suppose it's sad not funny. This is far and away Dickens' masterpiece. Bleak House, Great Expectations, all rubbish compared with this.
Post by: HYPS on June 27, 2015, 11:19:12 pm
Cheers :)
Post by: geminii on June 27, 2015, 11:45:00 pm
Could someone recommend me a WW2 novel or something of that sort?
Cheers :)
Funny you should mention, on one of my other posts someone mentioned a book named 'Sadako and the thousand paper cranes' which is about a girl who has an illness, and is set in Japan during World War II. Seems interesting, I'm going to go check it out myself!!
Link to first three chapters (other chapters can be found on YouTube as well):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKZLyCck8Nk
Post by: MonsieurHulot on June 27, 2015, 11:50:44 pm
Could someone recommend me a WW2 novel or something of that sort?
Cheers :)
Atonement. It's a great novel, one third set in about 1933, one third leading up to the evacuation of Dunkerque, and the other third the aftermath of the evacuation in a London hospital.
Post by: Reus on June 28, 2015, 12:47:24 am
Post by: Coffee on July 01, 2015, 10:12:55 am
(https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1417083993l/19488665.jpg)
The Flywheel by Erin Gough
"Is it possible to feel the loss of somebody you've never even been with?"
Let me start out by saying I'm not a huge fan of YA novels. I find myself cringing all the time and this was no exception. But nonetheless I thoroughly enjoyed this one. So much so I couldn't put it down. The Flywheel is about two teens who fall hopelessly in love - but not with each other. Delilah and Charlie are best friends and while she's in love with the girl across the street, Rosa, Charlie's falling in love with every girl he meets. But there's more to this tale. Delilah's father has taken off overseas and she is left to run the family cafe, The Flywheel and balance school (Her HSCs - the most important year!). But she's bullied relentlessly, so how will she cope? And what about Charlie? Well he's facing school suspension and police charges over a love interest gone wrong.
This book deals with diverse characters, flawed characters, heartbreak, and friendship; and hopefully puts some misconceptions to rest (the good ol' "well how do you know if you've never tried?" ::)) I loved this book and it rang true in many aspects. Anyone who's been in love (reciprocated or not) will relate to this book which is why it's so good. Because it's relatable. Overall I'm going to rate this 5 out of 5 stars and while this book is for anyone, I'm going to put it in the 16-19 age bracket simply due to the trials and tribulations of Year 11/12 expressed in the novel.
Post by: DisaFear on December 13, 2015, 09:53:01 pm
- Ancillary Justice
- Ancillary Sword
- Ancillary Mercy
The books are sci-fi/space opera style and are definitely within my top 3 sci-fi things read. Ancillary Justice needs no explanation, it won every major sci-fi award and was nominated for many others. The following books definitely lived up to the standard set by the first one. Loved the ending, will be keeping tabs on this author.
Post by: Coffee on November 19, 2016, 06:59:19 pm
Now that Year 12/exams are over, what are we reading?
A few books I've finished reading recently that I would recommend:
- The Girls by Emma Cline - I still don't know how much I liked this one or how I feel about it but I couldn't put it down either.
- Something in Between by Melissa de la Cruz - A YA novel that I actually really enjoyed. Definitely an interesting read also what with the current immigration/refugee crisis we see in Australia.
- Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte - What can I say? I love the Bronte sisters.
- Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey - Loved, loved, loved this novel! Good for those interested in exploring some more Australian literature too.
- Skylarking by Kate Mildenhall - Another Australian novel; this one is set in the 1880s. This one follows two girls, Kate and Harriet, and their friendship which is haunted by obsession, jealousy, and isolation. It was really captivating and definitely well worth a read; I finished this in one sitting!
- Mansfield Park by Jane Austen - It's Jane Austen. That's a good enough reason to read it, right?
What I'm reading at the moment:
- North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
- A Room with a View by E.M. Forster
And I'm also re-reading Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
What about everyone else? Tell me what you're reading and any book recommendations you might have!
Post by: clarke54321 on November 19, 2016, 07:10:50 pm
I'm reviving this thread ;D
Now that Year 12/exams are over, what are we reading?
A few books I've finished reading recently that I would recommend:
- The Girls by Emma Cline - I still don't know how much I liked this one or how I feel about it but I couldn't put it down either.
- Something in Between by Melissa de la Cruz - A YA novel that I actually really enjoyed. Definitely an interesting read also what with the current immigration/refugee crisis we see in Australia.
- Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte - What can I say? I love the Bronte sisters.
- Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey - Loved, loved, loved this novel! Good for those interested in exploring some more Australian literature too.
- Skylarking by Kate Mildenhall - Another Australian novel; this one is set in the 1880s. This one follows two girls, Kate and Harriet, and their friendship which is haunted by obsession, jealousy, and isolation. It was really captivating and definitely well worth a read; I finished this in one sitting!
- Mansfield Park by Jane Austen - It's Jane Austen. That's a good enough reason to read it, right?
What I'm reading at the moment:
- North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
- A Room with a View by E.M. Forster
And I'm also re-reading Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
What about everyone else? Tell me what you're reading and any book recommendations you might have!
Are you enjoying North and South thus far? This is my year 12 Lit book next year! :D
Post by: Coffee on November 19, 2016, 07:17:55 pm
Are you enjoying North and South thus far? This is my year 12 Lit book next year! :D
YES! I'm loving it! Hoping I might get the chance to study this one at uni because it definitely has a lot of opportunity for discussion about religion and classism/class disparity.
I hope you enjoy it! :)
Post by: Paulrus on November 19, 2016, 08:20:29 pm
Some stuff I've read recently:
- The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath: Really depressing, really good. It felt a lot more contemporary than I expected given its status as a 'classic', but that's sort of a testament to her writing. Her background in poetry definitely comes through in the way she writes cos some of her descriptions and metaphors are pretty breathtaking, and she sorta drags you down along with the main character as she starts to spiral. Would recommend.
- Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami: His writing is fucking beautiful but the stuff he writes about is boring. All about quirky damaged girls he used to know with a bunch of awkward sex scenes interspersed. If you've read one Murakami you've pretty much read them all, which is a shame, cos like I said, his prose is really really nice.
- Effi Briest by Theodor Fontane: Pretty solid, about a girl who gets married off to a baron who's 20 years older than her and takes a place in high society, before shit goes massively pear-shaped. I read this in German though so I dunno what the English translation would be like.
- Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by Jack Thorne: Legit do not even bother lol. Save yourself the trouble.
I have a terrible attention span so I sorta suck at sticking to a single book but atm I'm actively reading:
- Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell: A memoir reflecting on his own experiences living in poverty in Paris and London. I'm not that far into it but it's bleak in a good way, if that makes sense. I like his writing style anyway though so I'd probably enjoy most things he writes lol.
- The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks: Really interesting stuff - written by a neurologist who details a bunch of bizarre cases he's faced over the years like the titular one, where a man lost the ability to recognise other people, thought his wife was a hatrack, and went to lift her head off.
Post by: sweetiepi on November 19, 2016, 08:41:02 pm
However I recently bought its sequel and Stephanie Meyer's new book (which I hope isn't as sucky as Twilight, haha) and I realised that my to read list is growing at a too-fast rate, as I didn't read as much as I intended too this year! :P
I'm currently reading The One by Kiera Cass. :)
Post by: geminii on November 19, 2016, 08:58:21 pm
Here's the blurb I found online.
"Nineteen minutes and eleven seconds separated us at birth. On the official documentation, he is older . . . Although it really has nothing to do with age. What it really means is that I am, and have always been, second.
Ben and Grace Walker are twins. Growing up in a sleepy coastal town it was inevitable they'd surf. Always close, they hung out more than most brothers and sisters, surfing together for hours as the sun melted into the sea. At seventeen, Ben is a rising surf star, the golden son and the boy all the girls fall in love with. Beside him, Grace feels like she is a mere reflection of his light. In their last year of school, the world beckons, full of possibility. For Grace, finishing exams and kissing Harley Matthews is just the beginning.
Then, one day, the unthinkable. The sun sets at noon and suddenly everything that was safe and predictable is lost. And everything unravels."
10/10 recommend this book! An absolute gem.
Post by: Coffee on November 19, 2016, 09:22:11 pm
I have a terrible attention span so I sorta suck at sticking to a single book but atm I'm actively reading:I love George Orwell but I haven't picked up this one yet- do you recommend it? I keep seeing it around the bookstores I frequent so I'm wondering if it's worth picking up. ::)
- Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell: A memoir reflecting on his own experiences living in poverty in Paris and London. I'm not that far into it but it's bleak in a good way, if that makes sense. I like his writing style anyway though so I'd probably enjoy most things he writes lol.
- The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks: Really interesting stuff - written by a neurologist who details a bunch of bizarre cases he's faced over the years like the titular one, where a man lost the ability to recognise other people, thought his wife was a hatrack, and went to lift her head off.
Post by: Joseph41 on November 19, 2016, 09:57:49 pm
I love George Orwell but I haven't picked up this one yet- do you recommend it? I keep seeing it around the bookstores I frequent so I'm wondering if it's worth picking up. ::)
I recommend it. It's a little different but I still enjoyed it. What other Orwell have you read?
Post by: Coffee on November 19, 2016, 10:14:18 pm
I recommend it. It's a little different but I still enjoyed it. What other Orwell have you read?Great! I might pick it up then and add it to the never-ending 'to be read' pile. ::)
I've read 'Nineteen Eighty-Four', 'Animal Farm', and 'Keep the Aspidistra Flying'. :)
Post by: Joseph41 on November 19, 2016, 10:17:51 pm
Great! I might pick it up then and add it to the never-ending 'to be read' pile. ::)
I've read 'Nineteen Eighty-Four', 'Animal Farm', and 'Keep the Aspidistra Flying'. :)
Which was your favourite, out of interest? :)
Post by: Coffee on November 19, 2016, 10:39:26 pm
Which was your favourite, out of interest? :)Definitely Nineteen Eighty-Four and Keep the Aspidistra Flying. The concept of the former was just captivating from beginning to end but I also love Orwell's commentary on the position that money plays within our lives in the latter.
Post by: Paulrus on November 19, 2016, 10:50:42 pm
Post by: elysepopplewell on March 08, 2017, 02:59:26 am
I'm reading a novel at the moment, it's called "Us" by David Nicholls. It was long listed for the Man Booker Prize in 2014.
Synopsis
Douglas and his wife, Connie, have a 17 year old son named Albie. Connie is artistic and a free spirit. Douglas is a scientist. They've been in love and married for 20 years nonetheless. Now, Connie doesn't want to be in the marriage anymore. Don't worry, it's not sad. It's quite a frank and real discussion, and very acute to emotions without being dramatic. They have a European holiday planned, so it goes ahead. Then the plot realllly begins.
Why I like it
It deals with romance, and the inevitability of marriage "downs' in a really frank, level-minded, never dramatic and idiotic, way. It's not soppy or mournful of love, it's active and present and really nice. It also looks at the relationship between parents, and then the relationship between parents and children. I think it's really interesting. Also, I think this might be the first time ever that I've read a novel with a first-person narration, male protagonist. I've loved it! It's been great. But last of all, the descriptions of European cities are quaint and intriguing, never romanticised without it being due.
Has anyone got any recommendations for me?
My hot topics at the moment are romance, gender, non-scientific dystopian, and travel. Also self-identity. Without input, I'm going to move through the Man Booker winners. But I'd love to know if anyone has read something recently that's marvellous or inspiring.
Post by: vcestressed on March 08, 2017, 08:02:26 am
I'm reading a novel at the moment, it's called "Us" by David Nicholls. It was long listed for the Man Booker Prize in 2014.
I like that book too!! Have you read 'The Alchemist'? I mean, i'm pretty sure you have read it since its so popular and amazing, but i'm still going to ask.
Post by: sweetiepi on March 08, 2017, 08:06:12 am
Post by: elysepopplewell on March 08, 2017, 08:37:12 am
I like that book too!! Have you read 'The Alchemist'? I mean, i'm pretty sure you have read it since its so popular and amazing, but i'm still going to ask.
I haven't read it! I'm going to see if I can get my hands on it though, I feel like it's one I should be able to say I've read. I'm in Italy at the moment so English books are hard to come by, but I'm going to see if I can get it ordered. Thanks friend! Good suggestion :)
Post by: elysepopplewell on August 01, 2017, 01:51:28 pm
I like that book too!! Have you read 'The Alchemist'? I mean, i'm pretty sure you have read it since its so popular and amazing, but i'm still going to ask.
To update on my recent book reading (I've set myself a goal to read a little everyday and try get through a book every fortnight - but give or take for diversity in length)...
I did read The Alchemist! It's been hailed as one of the best books from the 20th Century - in the top ten even! But, I didn't LOVE it. Perhaps it was because it was translated into English, or perhaps the appeal is the dry writing style. But, I can only really read that dry writing style and fable format for so long, and not quite to the length of a novel as I could a short novella or a short story. So, as much as I still recommend it because it has good lessons on moral compass, journeys to your own interior, and experiences of working for success through peace, it wasn't one that had me jumping for joy. BUT, my copy of the book had wonderfully frayed pages and I loved that. I bought this book in an English book store in Paris - it was the first book I saw when I walked in so I decided it was fate :P
In that same book store, I sat for an entire day with a cat on my lap and read Bonjour Tristesse. It is thoroughly French and somewhat amusing in that same manner. I enjoyed it, but I didn't buy it because I didn't have the room in my bag. I walked passed a closing down book store the other day (talk about hello sadness/bonjour tristesse!) and I bought it for $3. So I now have a copy :)
I also read Clementine Ford's Fight Like a Girl. The author's voice was far more gentle and accessible than I first expected. She spoke of her own experiences rawly and I loved and appreciated it. It was more autobiographical than I expected but I loved that nonetheless, it really set things in a new light for me. I think Clementine Ford is a brilliant writer - I always have. Her ability to put forward solid and well thought out arguments time and time again has always pleased me.
I, today, finished Essays in love by Alain de Botton. I enjoyed the first part more than I did the end, but that's because falling in love is always the most exciting time. de Botton managed to respect the reader's intelligence but also teach the reader something new. There are few dull sentences - everything is somehow wonderfully creative but also matter of fact. It was easy to digest, but also very very thought provoking.
What's next? I've got a pile of books on the to-read pile, higher than I ever wanted. But next I will read "Eat Pray Love Made Me Do It" - a collection of stories, essays, and memoirs, written by people who changed the course of their life in search of an Eat Pray Love moment. As much as I like Elizabeth Gilbert and respect her work, I didn't love her famous memoir Eat Pray Love. But I'm thirsty for some wanderlust and dreaming at the moment, so hopefully this book can take me there!
But if you have any suggestions.. I'm thinking about how I actively searched for God during my time in Europe but failed to see God. No biggie, but I'm going to write down some of my experiences. If you have any suggestions for books you've read about spiritual quests, religious or not, please recommend them to me! I read the Alchemist after it was suggested here, so very keen to know if AN has anything more for me! :)
Post by: Joseph41 on August 01, 2017, 02:30:15 pm
Post by: K888 on August 01, 2017, 02:48:44 pm
Has anybody read Burmese Days?Nah. That's one of Orwell's books, isn't it?
I regretfully must admit that I'm yet to get into his books...I feel like they're something I'll take more out of now that I'm a bit older, though. :) Definitely on my to-read list.
I've really struggled to find the time to read with uni this year. I think part of the reason is also that I struggle to find series that I love, so I don't read as much as I'd like to.
Relatively recently (aka during SWOTVAC :P) read the newest Skulduggery Pleasant book (Resurrection), which was cool.
Also read Lord of Shadows, the second instalment in Cassandra Clare's "The Dark Artifices" series - it was a bit meh, tbh - not what I was expecting, usually I have no problem reading her books quickly, but this one took me a couple of extra days to get through.
Also special mention to the Assassin's Creed books. Different to the usual sort of fiction you get, and I love the somewhat historical factor to them :)
I think I'm gonna switch to reading some autobiographies for the moment. Top of the list is Julia Gillard's thanks to a certain admin's insistence haha
I've also been meaning to finish the Wardstone Chronicles (some may recognise this as the Spook's Apprentice) but just haven't gotten around to it.
Post by: Joseph41 on August 01, 2017, 07:11:04 pm
Nah. That's one of Orwell's books, isn't it?
I regretfully must admit that I'm yet to get into his books...I feel like they're something I'll take more out of now that I'm a bit older, though. :) Definitely on my to-read list.
Yeah. Pretty much the only one I haven't read. It's currently next to my bed - just need some pushing to encourage me to take the plunge haha.
(Context: partially through like six books simultaneously.)
And GREAT call on Gillard's autobiography. 10/10 recommendation. ;)
Post by: K888 on August 01, 2017, 07:26:56 pm
Quote from: Joseph41
(Context: partially through like six books simultaneously.)I do this ALL the time.
Get bored of a book for a bit, so will go start reading another one, etc. etc.
Or else, I'll be in the middle of a book, but I'll have just bought a new book, and will want to read that one, because I suck at delayed gratification. ::)
Post by: Joseph41 on August 01, 2017, 07:28:25 pm
I do this ALL the time.
Get bored of a book for a bit, so will go start reading another one, etc. etc.
Or else, I'll be in the middle of a book, but I'll have just bought a new book, and will want to read that one, because I suck at delayed gratification. ::)
I actually think there's a word for this, but it slips my mind.
Somebody help me, please?
Post by: sweetiepi on August 01, 2017, 07:32:53 pm
I do this ALL the time.Same. I feel this all the time :P
Get bored of a book for a bit, so will go start reading another one, etc. etc.
Or else, I'll be in the middle of a book, but I'll have just bought a new book, and will want to read that one, because I suck at delayed gratification. ::)
(Actually in my dp- I actually haven't finished that book yet :p )
I currently have 7 books I've started (and haven't finished yet haha. :) )
Post by: Shadowxo on August 01, 2017, 07:59:53 pm
My problem is I have trouble finding a good book, I'm picky and not many books in the genre and style I like :P
I've really struggled to find the time to read with uni this year. I think part of the reason is also that I struggle to find series that I love, so I don't read as much as I'd like to.I'm in the same boat haha. Been a while since I had enough time and was able to get completely immersed in a book.
The book I'm currently reading is The Thousandth Floor (I'll edit in the author later), it's a dystopia cross gossip girl style book. Just putting it here if anyone's interested. :)P.S. It's been 5 months and author still missing ;)
Post by: sweetiepi on August 01, 2017, 08:01:44 pm
P.S. It's been 5 months and author still missing ;)Oops! It's Katherine McGee :P
Post by: Coffee on August 01, 2017, 08:07:01 pm
Quote
Oliver Marks has just served ten years for the murder of one of his closest friends - a murder he may or may not have committed. On the day he's released, he's greeted by the detective who put him in prison. Detective Colborne is retiring, but before he does, he wants to know what really happened ten years ago. As a young actor studying Shakespeare at an elite arts conservatory, Oliver noticed that his talented classmates seem to play the same roles onstage and off - villain, hero, tyrant, temptress - though Oliver felt doomed to always be a secondary character in someone else's story. But when the teachers change up the casting, a good-natured rivalry turns ugly, and the plays spill dangerously over into life. When tragedy strikes, one of the seven friends is found dead. The rest face their greatest acting challenge yet: convincing the police, and themselves, that they are blameless.
Post by: Quantum44 on August 01, 2017, 08:26:28 pm
I'm reading If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio and I'm so in love, I can't put it down. A must-read for any fans of Shakespeare and/or The Secret History. Synopsis below:
Oooh, that sounds very interesting. Loved the secret history I'll definitely give that a look.
This has probably been mentioned before, but 'All the light we cannot see' is absolutely fantastic. I was genuinely moved by the story. I'm usually more of a sci-fi person but historical fiction seems to be awesome as well.
Post by: tashhhaaa on August 02, 2017, 12:35:21 pm
Is it any good???
Post by: lm21074 on August 03, 2017, 08:26:09 pm
- To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee: a very suspenseful novel. I particularly liked the climax :)
The story is set in the point of view of Scout, a young precocious girl. She tells the story of the events leading up to the trial of a man in which her father, a lawyer, has to defend. This is proven to be difficult, as the town of Maycomb's residents are full of prejudice.
Rating: 9/10
- The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo - Millennium Series - Steig Larsson.
The first book of this series follows a journalist in a legal battle, a computer hacker/private investigator and an industrialist with a missing niece who ultimately expose a corrupt financier. It was a little slow at times.
Rating: 8.5/10
- Harry Potter - J.K Rowling - every book in the series - no need to comment on this one!
Rating: generally a 10/10
- Everything, Everything - Nicola Yoon
I found this one to be a little cheesy and predictable but also a little nice. Madeline Whittier is trapped inside her house, and has been for her whole life. She has a rare disease called severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and cannot go outside. However, her life turns around when a boy moves in next door.
Rating: 7/10
- Green Valentine - Lili Wilkinson - if you like (predictable) romantic novels, this one's for you! A girl meets a boy. They have opposite personalities. They fight for a cause; to make their city sustainable and full of plants. Of course, they fall in love.
Rating: 6.5/10
Stay cool! 8)
Post by: Coffee on August 03, 2017, 09:23:53 pm
- Everything, Everything - Nicola YoonGlad to see you enjoyed this one! I'm seconding this recommendation, I recently finished reading it as well.
I found this one to be a little cheesy and predictable but also a little nice. Madeline Whittier is trapped inside her house, and has been for her whole life. She has a rare disease called severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and cannot go outside. However, her life turns around when a boy moves in next door.
Rating: 7/10
I didn't find it as cheesy or cringe-worthy as most YA novels, so I enjoyed it a lot, and IIRC I finished it in one sitting. There are issues with it, like its quite ableist when you think about it (Trying not give spoilers here :P) but I'd encourage anyone who's even remotely interested in the premise to pick it up! You won't be disappointed. The movie adaptation is also coming out this month which is exciting! ;D
Post by: elysepopplewell on August 07, 2017, 09:45:15 pm
Some good stories in there, I actually see Heidi really liking it.
But, I just don't like short soppy stories, or sometimes sad stories. Couldn't get into it.
Now onto: The Course of Love. by Alain de Botton. Novel.
Edit: Brenden just told me to read Cloudstreet. Maybe that will be next. Has anyone read Cloudstreet?
Post by: quinn_03 on August 08, 2017, 10:46:17 am
Post by: elysepopplewell on August 10, 2017, 06:40:09 pm
What's your favourite book?
Post by: Calebark on August 10, 2017, 06:47:58 pm
It's #bookloversday!
What's your favourite book?
A Storm of Swords from the A Song of Ice and Fire series! Had me at the edge of my seat (...my bed? I was lying down) the entire time! There were so many great twists that I had to reread the page to make sure I didn't miss anything because it was such a holy shit moment. I also loved that after getting up to these twists, I had realised that there had been hints towards it right in front of me for the past few books, which blew my mind.
If we're talking about my favourite book not in a series, well, I have no idea -- I'll give it a think and get back to you! :)
Post by: katie,rinos on August 10, 2017, 06:54:17 pm
It's #bookloversday!I don't have a favourite book, more like favourite series.
What's your favourite book?
I'm still obsessed with Harry Potter (first read them when I was in year 2 :) )
I really like Cassandra Claire's Infernal Devices :) (although mortal instruments and Dark Artifices are pretty good too).
A couple of years back, I was in love with all of John Green's books.
I like quite a few more, but can't think of them at the moment.
Although, I haven't read in ages :'(
Post by: Natasha.97 on August 10, 2017, 09:06:55 pm
- Partials series (Dan Wells)
- Holes/Small Steps (Louis Sachar)
- A Series of Unfortunate Events (Lemony Snicket)
- The Faraway Tree - Enid Blyton
- Malory Towers - Enid Blyton
Agatha Christie. I can still vividly remember the plot of the A.B.C. murders (the first book I have read that was written by her)
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (Mark Haddon). Even though I've had to study it for English, I still really enjoy it :)
Post by: peterpiper on August 11, 2017, 03:06:30 pm
I'd really recommend 1984 as well and Ray Bradbury's short stories, especially Fahrenheit 451 which was *amazing*
Haven't read Fahrenheit 451 but what I do know is that it's definitely not a short story haha ;)
Post by: elysepopplewell on August 11, 2017, 09:13:41 pm
Most of these are from my childhood :) Unfortunately, I haven't been reading as much as I would have liked :/
- Partials series (Dan Wells)
- Holes/Small Steps (Louis Sachar)
- A Series of Unfortunate Events (Lemony Snicket)
- The Faraway Tree - Enid Blyton
- Malory Towers - Enid Blyton
Agatha Christie. I can still vividly remember the plot of the A.B.C. murders (the first book I have read that was written by her)
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (Mark Haddon). Even though I've had to study it for English, I still really enjoy it :)
A Series of Unfortunate Events was my first love, that I had read independently! Roald Dahl was my first love, but dad used to read them to me. I vividly remember reading The Witches, which is odd because I think I'd say my favourite is Matilda, but I can hardly remember reading that. I think I might need to come back to it!
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time - I realllllly wanted to see this on stage in London but I could only get the ridiculous expensive tickets and that's just not in my budget! I definitely will read the book, I've heard too many good things not to!
Post by: Natasha.97 on August 11, 2017, 09:28:49 pm
A Series of Unfortunate Events was my first love, that I had read independently! Roald Dahl was my first love, but dad used to read them to me. I vividly remember reading The Witches, which is odd because I think I'd say my favourite is Matilda, but I can hardly remember reading that. I think I might need to come back to it!
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time - I realllllly wanted to see this on stage in London but I could only get the ridiculous expensive tickets and that's just not in my budget! I definitely will read the book, I've heard too many good things not to!
I can't believe I forgot about Roald Dahl! Definitely a huge presence in my childhood :)
Definitely a must read! It's been an eye opener, and I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy it!
Note: I bought this book around 4 years ago at a book fair because my friend said it had swear words in it >< Admittedly, I also didn't fully understand and appreciate the novel until this year :P
Post by: elysepopplewell on August 11, 2017, 10:13:22 pm
I can't believe I forgot about Roald Dahl! Definitely a huge presence in my childhood :)
Definitely a must read! It's been an eye opener, and I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy it!
Note: I bought this book around 4 years ago at a book fair because my friend said it had swear words in it >< Admittedly, I also didn't fully understand and appreciate the novel until this year :P
Because it had swear words! Hahahaha.
The Tomorrow Series by John Marsden circled around my friends too because of a steamy scene. I actually read the whole series, though, and the Ellie Chronicles. Really great Australian writing :)
Post by: K888 on August 11, 2017, 10:47:07 pm
The Tomorrow Series by John Marsden circled around my friends too because of a steamy scene. I actually read the whole series, though, and the Ellie Chronicles. Really great Australian writing :)Ahh I read this in high school! Studied Tomorrow When the War Began in Year 8 English, decided to keep on reading. But I think I gave up a few books in haha. Stupidly read the first book in the Ellie Chronicles while reading the series, and just sort of lost interest from there because I sort of knew what happened in the long run or something.
Some series, I really don't mind the fact that there's heaps of books, but others - my interest just fades a few books in. Happened with the Cherub series, the Tomorrow series, and the Wardstone Chronicles (looking to get back into this last one though at the end of the year).
Has anyone read "Milk and Honey"? Trying to expand the types of books I read and was considering giving this a shot. Essays in Love is on the 'to read' list Elyse haha :)
Also would be interested in people's opinions of "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer. I studied it for Context in English last year and wasn't a huge fan, but did find some decent parts. Thinking I'll re-read it now it's not for study purposes, and I reckon I might actually like it this time around haha
Post by: peterpiper on August 12, 2017, 01:31:20 pm
Ahh I read this in high school! Studied Tomorrow When the War Began in Year 8 English, decided to keep on reading. But I think I gave up a few books in haha. Stupidly read the first book in the Ellie Chronicles while reading the series, and just sort of lost interest from there because I sort of knew what happened in the long run or something.
Some series, I really don't mind the fact that there's heaps of books, but others - my interest just fades a few books in. Happened with the Cherub series, the Tomorrow series, and the Wardstone Chronicles (looking to get back into this last one though at the end of the year).
Has anyone read "Milk and Honey"? Trying to expand the types of books I read and was considering giving this a shot. Essays in Love is on the 'to read' list Elyse haha :)
Also would be interested in people's opinions of "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer. I studied it for Context in English last year and wasn't a huge fan, but did find some decent parts. Thinking I'll re-read it now it's not for study purposes, and I reckon I might actually like it this time around haha
Didn't read 'Into the Wild', but I watched the movie. It wasn't good.
Post by: lilyrosee on August 12, 2017, 01:34:57 pm
Post by: Calebark on August 12, 2017, 01:42:49 pm
If anyone likes dystopian novels read 'The Handmaid's Tale' by Margaret Atwood, the TV series is also AMAZING!! In my opinion, the best TV series of 2017 :)
You may be interested in this thread :)
Post by: lilyrosee on August 12, 2017, 03:17:13 pm
You may be interested in this thread :)
Ahhh thank-you so much!
Post by: appleandbee on August 12, 2017, 04:07:29 pm
Some other books I really like:
Classics: Frankenstein (Mary Shelley), The Plague (Albert Camus), Love in the Time of Cholera and One Hundred Years of Solitude (Gabriel García Márquez), Wuthering Heights (Emily Bronte), The Trial and The Metamorphosis (Franz Kafka), A Farewell to Arms (Ernest Hemingway), Tale of two cities (Charles Dickens), Anna Karenina (Leo Tolstoy), The Picture of Dorian Gray (Oscar Wilde), Brave New World (Aldous Huxley)
Historical Fiction (all written in the 21st Century): The Book Thief (Markus Zusak), All the Light We Cannot See (Anthony Doerr), Atonement (Ian Mcewan), Burial Rites (Hannah Kent), The Sympathizer (Viet Thanh Nguyen), The Patriots (Sana Krasikov)
Modern Fiction: Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins), Harry Potter (J.K Rowling), Millennium Trilogy (Stieg Larsson), A Song of Fire and Ice (George R. R. Martin), The Boat (Nam Le), Fight Club (Chuck Palahniuk), The Reluctant Fundamentalist (Mohsin Hamid), Never Let Me Go (Kazuo Ishiguro), The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao (Junot Diaz), Secret History and The Goldfinch (both by Donna Tartt), White Tiger (Aravind Adiga), The Time Traveler's Wife (Audrey Niffenegger)
Non-fiction: Poor Economics (Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo), Capital in the Twenty-First Century (Thomas Piketty), Thinking, Fast and Slow (Daniel Kahneman), Mao's Last Dancer (Li Cunxin), The Second Sex (Simone de Beauvoir), The History of Sexuality (Michel Foucault), Modern Romance: An Investigation (Aziz Ansari and Eric Klinenberg), Bad Science and Bad Pharma (both by Ben Goldacre), Beyond Good and Evil (Friedrich Nietzsche and anything else by him)
Post by: elysepopplewell on August 12, 2017, 04:51:56 pm
Ahh I read this in high school! Studied Tomorrow When the War Began in Year 8 English, decided to keep on reading. But I think I gave up a few books in haha. Stupidly read the first book in the Ellie Chronicles while reading the series, and just sort of lost interest from there because I sort of knew what happened in the long run or something.
Some series, I really don't mind the fact that there's heaps of books, but others - my interest just fades a few books in. Happened with the Cherub series, the Tomorrow series, and the Wardstone Chronicles (looking to get back into this last one though at the end of the year).
Has anyone read "Milk and Honey"? Trying to expand the types of books I read and was considering giving this a shot. Essays in Love is on the 'to read' list Elyse haha :)
Also would be interested in people's opinions of "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer. I studied it for Context in English last year and wasn't a huge fan, but did find some decent parts. Thinking I'll re-read it now it's not for study purposes, and I reckon I might actually like it this time around haha
Okay. I have a lot to say about Milk and Honey. I'm about to write an instagram post about it (I give tiny book reviews and act like people care).
So basically - there's a lot of criticism for her work. She's sold over a million copies of Milk & Honey and it's been translated heaps. The criticism I see mostly is "she just writes sentences without punctuation and splits them up over a few lines and calls it poetry." Ok, so I won't lie - sometimes, true. Some pages I think are reasonably uninspiring. In saying this, I read the entire book back to front the other night and some pages actually stung a bit, I thought wow, that was deep, and then it's that more average stage, and then "shit, she just went there. How raw."
I think Rupi Kaur, based on what she puts on social media, is a wonderful soul. I do want to know more about her and her mind, she no doubt thinks a lot and she comes from a world very different to mine.
Some of the poems, though, are really great. I found this one particularly pertinent - maybe you know my thoughts on finding yourself before committing to a relationship, so this was timely (also the first time EVER that I've embedded an image in an AN post)
(http://i.imgur.com/Y3vDNzA.jpg)
So, don't expect incredibly inspiring writing in terms of the manipulation of language and grammar. You'd probably find yourself unimpressed by that, but sometimes the ideas are nice, and, the language is nice.
I'm excited for her next book, it comes out in October and I've already pre-ordered it. I don't LOVE Milk and Honey but I enjoyed it, and occasionally I get it back off the shelf to thumb through again.
Post by: elysepopplewell on August 12, 2017, 04:53:39 pm
My favourite book is The Idiot by Dostoyevsky, although I love Notes from the Underground and Brothers Karamazov, also by him. He conveys the spectrum of human emotions and experience in a raw and unique way. I don't really have a specific genre, but I somewhat enjoy dystopian fiction (I enjoy tv shows like Orphan Black and Black Mirror more than sci-fi/dys fiction books through), creative non-fiction (especially historical fiction) and books set in exotic places (Central Asia and Latin America). I've been trying to read more modern fiction in the last few years.
Some other books I really like:
Classics: Frankenstein (Mary Shelley), The Plague (Albert Camus), Love in the Time of Cholera and One Hundred Years of Solitude (Gabriel García Márquez), Wuthering Heights (Emily Bronte), The Trial and The Metamorphosis (Franz Kafka), A Farewell to Arms (Ernest Hemingway), Tale of two cities (Charles Dickens), Anna Karenina (Leo Tolstoy), The Picture of Dorian Gray (Oscar Wilde), Brave New World (Aldous Huxley)
Historical Fiction (all written in the 21st Century): The Book Thief (Markus Zusak), All the Light We Cannot See (Anthony Doerr), Atonement (Ian Mcewan), Burial Rites (Hannah Kent), The Sympathizer (Viet Thanh Nguyen), The Patriots (Sana Krasikov)
Modern Fiction: Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins), Harry Potter (J.K Rowling), Millennium Trilogy (Stieg Larsson), A Song of Fire and Ice (George R. R. Martin), The Boat (Nam Le), Fight Club (Chuck Palahniuk), The Reluctant Fundamentalist (Mohsin Hamid), Never Let Me Go (Kazuo Ishiguro), The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao (Junot Diaz), Secret History and The Goldfinch (both by Donna Tartt), White Tiger (Aravind Adiga), The Time Traveler's Wife (Audrey Niffenegger)
Non-fiction: Poor Economics (Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo), Capital in the Twenty-First Century (Thomas Piketty), Thinking, Fast and Slow (Daniel Kahneman), Mao's Last Dancer (Li Cunxin), The Second Sex (Simone de Beauvoir), The History of Sexuality (Michel Foucault), Modern Romance: An Investigation (Aziz Ansari and Eric Klinenberg), Bad Science and Bad Pharma (both by Ben Goldacre), Beyond Good and Evil (Friedrich Nietzsche and anything else by him)
Goodness gracious you read a lot!
How do you usually go about reading? A little bit each day or are you a binger?
Post by: geminii on August 13, 2017, 05:23:44 pm
I also loved Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. I read that one in India too, in about a week or five days. The way she writes is beautiful!
Some of the books on my 'to read' list are:
- blueeyedboy, Joanne Harris (read this when I was younger, around 10 or 11, did not understand a word, now I realise it was a YA novel so I'm going to go back and properly read it!)
- Rule of Thoughts, James Dashner (I've read the first book, Eye Of Minds, now I want to read the second. This series is amazing!)
- Dangerous, Milo Yiannopoulos (all the controversy around this book intrigues me...Barnes & Noble have been purposely keeping this book 'out of stock' - despite it being the Amazon #1 bestseller - because they dislike the content.)
- No Campus For White Men, Scott Greer (sounds pretty interesting from the synopsis/blurb online!)
Post by: heids on August 14, 2017, 10:58:30 am
Some favourites in fiction would be:
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Stephen Chboosky)
- Lord of the Rings (Tolkien)
- Our Mutual Friend (Dickens)
- Madness: A Memoir (Kate Richards)
- Nonsense Novels (Stephen Leacock, 1800s parody humour)
- Psmith series (PG Wodehouse)
@Elyse: the only Liz Gilbert book I've read is Big Magic, and I found it brilliant - ubbbber encouraging and beautifully written. I might look into EPL and related ones, though I'm not a short story person.
I really liked the Austen books, as well as Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, etc... (can you tell I'm a classical literature nut??) I also kinda liked Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky (read: crazy Russian guy) which is kinda weird and disturbing but very interesting. I'd really recommend 1984 as well and Ray Bradbury's short stories, especially Fahrenheit 451 which was *amazing*
Just listened to Jane Eyre again (twice in a row because I love it so much). So good - so thoughtful and moving. I'm also a classical literature nut - I like Dostoevsky and Austen and Tolstoy and Dickens and Gaskell and so on. :P
My favourite book is The Idiot by Dostoyevsky, although I love Notes from the Underground and Brothers Karamazov, also by him.
I've read The Idiot and Brothers Karamazov; both solid books.
Post by: elysepopplewell on August 14, 2017, 12:25:08 pm
@Elyse: the only Liz Gilbert book I've read is Big Magic, and I found it brilliant - ubbbber encouraging and beautifully written. I might look into EPL and related ones, though I'm not a short story person.
I have a copy of Big Magic but I'm yet to read it. I'll give it a shot!
Post by: K888 on August 15, 2017, 12:59:23 am
Will let you know when it arrives and I start reading it ;D
Also decided to order Milk and Honey and give it a shot. :)
Post by: heids on August 15, 2017, 10:10:26 am
Elyse, I have ordered Essays in Love, purely because you speak so highly of it!
Will let you know when it arrives and I start reading it ;D
Also decided to order Milk and Honey and give it a shot. :)
I trust you're going to read Perks of Being a Wallflower first, or it'll be a betrayal of the deepest order >:(
Post by: EEEEEEP on August 15, 2017, 11:10:19 am
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Post by: elysepopplewell on August 15, 2017, 04:22:58 pm
Good books... where did I start! (I am a bit of an alain de botton fan)
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You certainly are! Have you read Essays in Love or The Course of Love?
I'm reading the latter now.
Post by: geminii on August 15, 2017, 06:38:59 pm
Here's the synopsis:
When Saroo Brierley used Google Earth to find his long-lost home town half a world away, he made global headlines.
Saroo had become lost on a train in India at the age of five. Not knowing the name of his family or where he was from, he survived for weeks on the streets of Kolkata, before being taken into an orphanage and adopted by a couple in Australia.
Despite being happy in his new family, Saroo always wondered about his origins. He spent hours staring at the map of India on his bedroom wall. When he was a young man the advent of Google Earth led him to pore over satellite images of the country for landmarks he recognised. And one day, after years of searching, he miraculously found what he was looking for.
Then he set off on a journey to find his mother.
It's such an amazing book! Reading the words from the little boy (now a man) himself who became lost as a FIVE-YEAR OLD, survived for two/three weeks alone - defying kidnapping, death, or worse - and then somehow managed to luck out and become adopted by a couple in Australia, is truly harrowing. When I was reading I could barely believe that I was reading the words of a person who had survived all this. His seemingly inconsequential decision to accompany his older brother Guddu to the train station one night to beg for money ended up changing his life...he fell asleep in the station, boarded a train looking for his brother, and was lost. He spent 25 years looking for his home in India.
The movie was brilliant and so is the book, however unlike most books that become movies, I'd recommend you watch the movie before you read the book, which is luckily what I did. I say this because if you read the book, you can't really 'feel' the ending as much as you can in the movie. The ending of the movie is much more emotional if you go into it not knowing what will happen! I took one day to read this book because it was just that good!
I've also recently read a book called 'If He Had Been With Me' by Laura Nowlin. Here's the synopsis:
I wasn't with Finn on that August night. But I should've been. It was raining, of course. And he and Sylvie were arguing as he drove down the slick road. No one ever says what they were arguing about. Other people think it's not important. They do not know there is another story. The story that lurks between the facts. What they do not know—the cause of the argument—is crucial.
So let me tell you...
This one...was a SOUL CRUSHER. How can a book be this good? So many emotions! Laura Nowlin is such a great writer, and this was pretty evident since I couldn't tear my eyes away from the book until it was done (with the exception of sleep of course). I took two days to read it because I literally could not stop. It's a very realistic view of teen life, particularly of the main character, Autumn. I wish there was a part 2... Seriously, you should see the reviews on Goodreads.com. Everyone over there is sobbing.
Post by: howey on August 15, 2017, 06:42:44 pm
Oooh I've just read 'A Long Way Home' by Saroo Brierley. The movie 'Lion' (2016) was based on this true story.
Saroo was a guest speaker at an event I was at and he seemed like a pretty amazing person - and his story was fascinating to hear first-hand!
Post by: elysepopplewell on August 16, 2017, 09:16:25 am
I've just read 'A Long Way Home' by Saroo Brierley. The movie 'Lion' (2016) was based on this true story.
My friends were all talking about this the other night. Sounds like it's a must-read!
Post by: geminii on August 16, 2017, 01:51:18 pm
Saroo was a guest speaker at an event I was at and he seemed like a pretty amazing person - and his story was fascinating to hear first-hand!
Aaahhh so lucky!! I hope I can hear him speak someday!
My friends were all talking about this the other night. Sounds like it's a must-read!They're right, it is! Absolutely amazing :)
Post by: peterpiper on August 17, 2017, 10:50:24 pm
Post by: elysepopplewell on August 18, 2017, 10:19:28 am
I've recently taken it upon myself to read Ibsen -- and surprisingly, I found myself really enjoying Hedda Gabler and A Doll's House. I love the fact that you could hear the character's voices so clearly and the ideas are really compelling or interesting (to me - at least). I also read a few plays from Stoppard a few months ago which I found them all to be really hilarious and interesting in their own funky way.
What made you pick these books up?
Post by: sweetiepi on August 18, 2017, 10:50:25 am
Post by: peterpiper on August 18, 2017, 12:11:12 pm
What made you pick these books up?
It was on my bookshelf and I hadn't gotten around to reading it until a few days ago :P
Post by: K888 on August 24, 2017, 12:43:58 pm
Super keen to read these!
Post by: elysepopplewell on August 25, 2017, 04:42:31 pm
Milk and Honey and Essays in Love have arrived in the mail today :D
Super keen to read these!
Yay! Which one first? :)
Post by: heids on August 25, 2017, 04:57:47 pm
"That's weird, we have a sudden spike in Aussies buying this book"
"Yeah it was just that influencer Elyse rec'ing it"
Post by: K888 on August 25, 2017, 05:49:51 pm
Yay! Which one first? :)Mm, well, I'm kinda reading both concurrently haha.
I started Milk and Honey first, and read the first chapter of it, but feel like I went through too fast and need to start again - I read really fast, because I'm used to reading long novels, so I need to force myself to slow down and take it all in. :) Liking it so far, even though there's some really dark stuff! Gonna be putting sticky notes on my favourite pages.
And I've read like, 10 pages of Essays in Love. I'm already hooked haha. Really like the writing style, and like, even 10 pages in I'm having a profound experience. So I think I'm gonna prioritise reading this, and then when things aren't so busy with uni and I have some time to sit back and chill, I'll dig into Milk and Honey and properly appreciate it, just because I think reading it while distracted won't do it justice (though I imagine this could also be said for Essays in Love). :)
Post by: elysepopplewell on August 26, 2017, 04:35:57 pm
Mm, well, I'm kinda reading both concurrently haha.
I started Milk and Honey first, and read the first chapter of it, but feel like I went through too fast and need to start again - I read really fast, because I'm used to reading long novels, so I need to force myself to slow down and take it all in. :) Liking it so far, even though there's some really dark stuff! Gonna be putting sticky notes on my favourite pages.
And I've read like, 10 pages of Essays in Love. I'm already hooked haha. Really like the writing style, and like, even 10 pages in I'm having a profound experience. So I think I'm gonna prioritise reading this, and then when things aren't so busy with uni and I have some time to sit back and chill, I'll dig into Milk and Honey and properly appreciate it, just because I think reading it while distracted won't do it justice (though I imagine this could also be said for Essays in Love). :)
I read the entire of Milk & Honey for the second time the other day in about an hour. One's that left me with a pang I hung onto for a bit, but the poetry isn't dense, so it is easy to read quickly. I have a lot of thoughts on Milk & Honey, some shared already, and would be keen to hear what you think when you've given it a good shot.
And your experience of Essays In Love sounds exactly as I was when I first got into it! Happy reading ahead :)
Post by: elysepopplewell on September 03, 2017, 06:50:53 pm
"Everybody writes {your go-to guide on creating ridiculously good content}" by Ann Handley. I really like this book, mainly because it's hardcover (just kidding), it has a lot of really useful pieces of information on writing. Simple mistakes people make when writing, things people too often get confused, and for the first time I think the active voice has been explained to me in a way I understand. I too often talk in the passive voice.
If anyone is interested in writing for audiences of brands/companies, or being a blogger, or any of the above, this book is very practical and has lots of great advice.
Post by: peterpiper on September 04, 2017, 01:54:22 pm
Post by: prickles on September 04, 2017, 02:12:18 pm
Post by: elysepopplewell on September 04, 2017, 05:36:08 pm
So I read Milk and Honey. The poems weren't as great as it was made out to be, and I was really disappointed :( (and I sort of felt I wasted my 13$ when I could've bought some Proust). I guess it was because I heard it was really good from sources I trusted (which I sort of now question the authority of). It was too confessional for my liking, and the choice of words didn't resonate with me particularly well, which means the poetry failed me. I mean, I really liked some of Sylvia Plath's poetry, which are also confessional by style, but Milk and Honey felt really repetitive and sort of superficial with the way it tried to make me feel things, which I didn't. I found myself drawn away from themes which I would personally relate to. There was an honesty to it which I found pleasurable to read at times, but I just became really bored with it by the end, which I think is more of a reflection on me than the book itself (haha but what review isn't a reflection on the person writing it tbh). Anyway, perhaps, it was due to a lack of variation, or something. But that isn't to say, the next person reading it won't enjoy it. It's great if you do enjoy it and connect/engage with the poems on a deeper level. I just didn't and I don't think I'll be the one recommending it to anyone soon.
I understand, Peter. When I read little bits and bobs in isolation I thought it was okay, and a few were really quite good. But when I sat to read start to finish I was very let down considering the hype.
Post by: EEEEEEP on September 04, 2017, 05:53:23 pm
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This book was published in 1953, but the title was changed due to political times. After world war 2, the Americans investigated people who were deemed to be linked to communists. 10 screen writers and directors were blacklisted. This annoyed Ray.
This book touches the theme of mass media (You'll know when you read about a certain lady), censorship and the lessons in books (you'll know when you read up to the end).
Post by: zofromuxo on September 04, 2017, 06:14:02 pm
Farenheit 451 - Ray bradburyI remember reading this book and what struck me wasn't the censorship (which wasn't the main point Bradbury was conveying). Spoilers below kinda of
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This book was published in 1953, but the title was changed due to political times. After world war 2, the Americans investigated people who were deemed to be linked to communists. 10 screen writers and directors were blacklisted. This annoyed Ray.
This book touches the theme of mass media (You'll know when you read about a certain lady), censorship and the lessons in books (you'll know when you read up to the end).
But rather how mass media influenced individuals on a such a level that literature become a danger and was irrelevant to the populace.This really shook me completely and made me ultimately leave social media (it's been 3 years, if your curious). I'm actually surprised, how many people who read this book, don't make the connection on how social media has made such subtle and drastic change to an individual such as their attention span.
In fact research is now showing this correlation in lots of research literature now. So essentially, read good books because your going to get "superpowers" compared to everyone else in the near future.
Post by: Phoenix11 on September 06, 2017, 07:24:54 pm
I found the book 'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens' really engaging and worth it as it taught me a lot of lessons in life ans especially how to react to unusual situations.
I learnt about being proactive and reactive which really shaped my thinking about how I should act in situations where I just let loose like a cannonball with no control at all.
It includes real short stories of how teens reacted to different situations or just their experiences.
By the way, the author's writing in the book is as if he is talking to you so no formalities or whatsoever.
:)
Post by: vox nihili on September 07, 2017, 10:33:55 am
He wrote an article for the ABC that is effectively a taster for the book: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-12/australians-we-shouldnt-have-forgotten/8798072
Post by: elysepopplewell on September 08, 2017, 01:03:57 pm
I'm reading Aussie, Aussie, Aussie-Ben Pobjie at the moment. It is basically a series of short biographies of people who have been influential in Australia's history. Ben's hilariously funny though, so although you learn a thing or two along the way, the book itself is just hilarious.
He wrote an article for the ABC that is effectively a taster for the book: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-12/australians-we-shouldnt-have-forgotten/8798072
This looks great! How did you come across it? Through the article?
Post by: heids on September 08, 2017, 01:34:10 pm
Knew it was my style from the moment of the "existentially fraught free throws" - can relate so much. An existential, funny and positive tearjerker (if all those can exist at once).
Post by: K888 on September 08, 2017, 05:16:37 pm
I finally read The Fault in our Stars, my first John Green. So my type of book, and fair to say I'll be reading all the John Green I can get my hands on haha.You need to read Looking For Alaska next!
Knew it was my style from the moment of the "existentially fraught free throws" - can relate so much. An existential, funny and positive tearjerker (if all those can exist at once).
Been a while since I read John Green's stuff, but reckon I thought Looking For Alaska was better than TFIOS.
Post by: katie,rinos on September 08, 2017, 05:33:40 pm
I finally read The Fault in our Stars, my first John Green. So my type of book, and fair to say I'll be reading all the John Green I can get my hands on haha.I read all of John Greens books and was obsessed with Fault in our Stars in year 9. I'm really excited for his next book, Turtles all the way down, which comes out in October. He reads the first chapter of it here .
Knew it was my style from the moment of the "existentially fraught free throws" - can relate so much. An existential, funny and positive tearjerker (if all those can exist at once).
I would also recommend reading Looking for Alaska! It was one of my favourites of his. :)
Post by: vox nihili on September 10, 2017, 04:20:17 pm
This looks great! How did you come across it? Through the article?
Through another article of his I think. I've read his stuff on the drum (RIP) for years, so was pretty excited to see he'd published a book on a topic that interests me.
Other good reads are Girt and True Girt by David Hunt. They effectively work through Australia's early colonial history and some of the crazy shit that went down. Both are outrageously funny.
Funnily enough, Ben Pobjie and David Hunt actually make the same joke about 7/11 in their books. They talked about how early land owners started to import workers from overseas and paid them fuck all, a model now championed by 7/11.
Post by: sweetiepi on September 10, 2017, 04:28:21 pm
I would also recommend reading Looking for Alaska! It was one of my favourites of his. :)Looking for Alaska is amazing! It was actually the first John Green book I've read! ;D
For those who
Post by: zofromuxo on September 10, 2017, 06:28:36 pm
I read it after Paper Towns, also by John Green and couldn’t notice the similarities between them.
Post by: Ashjames on September 10, 2017, 07:05:33 pm
I would like to read, but I don't know what I should be reading..Its very hard for me to pick out a novel..I'm sorta afraid it'd turn out boring and I just wasted my time reading it
Reading is never a waste of time!!!!! I'm pretty sure you'll come across a book that you'll enjoy, it's very rare that you come across a book that is boring!
Books are suppose to be entertaining- you can literally travel to world and go on adventures while sitting in the comfort of your own home. If you're stuck on book choice, have you ever read The book thief?? One of my personal favs.
Post by: Phoenix11 on September 14, 2017, 03:55:34 pm
Reading is never a waste of time!!!!! I'm pretty sure you'll come across a book that you'll enjoy, it's very rare that you come across a book that is boring!
Books are suppose to be entertaining- you can literally travel to world and go on adventures while sitting in the comfort of your own home. If you're stuck on book choice, have you ever read The book thief?? One of my personal favs.
Oh yes!
The Book Thief is an amazing book. It's from the perspective of d—.
Yeah I won't spoil it but it's a great book.
I watched the book and movie both and it's a unique story.
Post by: Coffee on September 14, 2017, 04:53:20 pm
Put simply, it’s about an English nurse who goes to a small Irish village to observe a young girl who has been said to survive without food for months. She insists she doesn’t need, nor want food, and survives on manna from heaven. Her family is convinced she’s a miracle, but Lib, who has been hired to watch over is, isn’t convinced, and suspects the child is being fed in secret.
I haven’t finished it so I obviously can’t comment on the ending, but from what I’ve read so far, I’d recommend it!
Post by: elysepopplewell on September 15, 2017, 02:00:14 pm
I tend to spot them on Instagram when I see other people have read them, or I find out about them on AN!
Post by: Coffee on September 15, 2017, 02:29:09 pm
Is anyone signed up to a book newsletter, or a part of a book group online, or something? Where do you all hear about the books you read?Goodreads tends to be the main one. I use it for logging books, as well as searching for new ones.
I tend to spot them on Instagram when I see other people have read them, or I find out about them on AN!
Like you, I tend to spot quite a few of them on Instagram ('#Bookstagram'), as well as Tumblr ('Booklr'), and Youtube ('BookTube').
If all else fails, spending an hour or so in a bookshop is never a waste of time. ;)
Post by: vox nihili on September 15, 2017, 02:36:49 pm
Is anyone signed up to a book newsletter, or a part of a book group online, or something? Where do you all hear about the books you read?
I tend to spot them on Instagram when I see other people have read them, or I find out about them on AN!
Usually I just walk into a bookshop and look to see what's good on the shelf, or even in the suggested books on book depository, or rarely because a friend has recommended it (reading A Man Who Mistook His Wife For a Hat on a recommendation).
As an aside, I was really excited to read Kevin Rudd's upcoming autobiogaphy until I learned today that he's writing it in two parts and the first doesn't even deal with his PM'ship. All I want is the juicy bantz so wish he'd hurry up
Post by: heids on September 15, 2017, 02:37:13 pm
Post by: Calebark on September 15, 2017, 02:45:36 pm
Usually I just walk into a bookshop and look to see what's good on the shelf, or even in the suggested books on book depository, or rarely because a friend has recommended it (reading A Man Who Mistook His Wife For a Hat on a recommendation).Your friend has a good taste in books. I recommend this too
On a phone right now, so can't write too much haha, but I highly recommend 'Flowers for Algernon'. It's essentially a series of reports written by a mentally handicapped man as he progressively finds learning easier due to a treatment designed to make people smarter. Highly recommend.
Post by: vox nihili on September 15, 2017, 02:55:06 pm
Your friend has a good taste in books. I recommend this too
On a phone right now, so can't write too much haha, but I highly recommend 'Flowers for Algernon'. It's essentially a series of reports written by a mentally handicapped man as he progressively finds learning easier due to a treatment designed to make people smarter. Highly recommend.
Not sure I can really get around A Man Who Mistook His Wife For a Hat. I just can't handle the pomposity with which he writes and that all of his patients seem to be abnormally intelligent. Feels a bit unreal at times.
Post by: Calebark on September 15, 2017, 02:58:59 pm
Not sure I can really get around A Man Who Mistook His Wife For a Hat. I just can't handle the pomposity with which he writes and that all of his patients seem to be abnormally intelligent. Feels a bit unreal at times.I felt that with the pomposity too -- was an issue. I didn't really mind the intelligence though. The cases are pretty cherry-picked, so it didn't seem unreasonable to me that he'd pick such people.
altho hyperbole is always a possibility too
Post by: appleandbee on September 15, 2017, 03:25:24 pm
Not sure I can really get around A Man Who Mistook His Wife For a Hat. I just can't handle the pomposity with which he writes and that all of his patients seem to be abnormally intelligent. Feels a bit unreal at times.
Haven't got around it yet, but I would recommend The Brain's Way of Healing and The Brain That Changes Itself both by Norman Doidge, I enjoyed the genuine tone, depth and interesting stories (there are about 6-8 cases in each book).
EDIT: Just wondering, to what extent do people take ratings and reviews into account when considering whether to read a book?
Post by: zofromuxo on September 15, 2017, 03:49:07 pm
I'm currently going through Jordan Peterson's list for influential books people should read.
Post by: S200 on September 15, 2017, 05:06:13 pm
I currently take my book recommendations from specific forums dedicated on a subject and reading off their book list or doing the same thing but for people I look up to.I am currently taking my book recommendations from this forum!!
I'm currently going through Jordan Peterson's list for influential books people should read.
Already got several John Green books, and some P.G.Wodehouse (Yippee for public domain!!)...
Post by: heids on September 15, 2017, 10:51:50 pm
I am currently taking my book recommendations from this forum!!
Already got several John Green books, and some P.G.Wodehouse (Yippee for public domain!!)...
Omigosh what PG Wodehouse?! While I dislike most of his plots and many of his characters (ewww bertie wooster you yucky person), his turn of phrase is hilariously beautiful. I should select a few quotes sometime to give people an idea :P
I love his Psmith series (highly recommend, excellent plots - lots of shoes and flowerpots! - great characters and much hilarity) and his school stories (head of kay's, a prefect's uncle, the white feather, etc). Much more genius than Jeeves and his stupid romances imo. lol.
Post by: EEEEEEP on September 15, 2017, 10:59:51 pm
YOu may know some of these books, from the TV series and movies that have used his work for material.
(https://i.imgur.com/Xje0kEr.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/TiSTAPO.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/xWQt7Vk.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/tZ6480c.jpg)
Post by: Calebark on September 15, 2017, 11:04:56 pm
Stephen king =). I love love love his books :D
YOu may know some of these books, from the TV series and movies that have used his work for material.
(https://i.imgur.com/Xje0kEr.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/TiSTAPO.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/xWQt7Vk.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/tZ6480c.jpg)
I'm starting The Dark Tower series on the weekend! One of my favourite bands made a song titled 'The Gunslinger', and whenever they make a song about a book, it's always a book I enjoy, so high expectations
Post by: LifeisaConstantStruggle on September 15, 2017, 11:31:00 pm
Stephen king =). I love love love his books :D
YOu may know some of these books, from the TV series and movies that have used his work for material.
Joyland by him was actually a fantastic read! I'm actually surprised that it's quite an underrepresented and underrated book, probably cuz it doesn't really fit Stephen King's usual style of storytelling, but that guy's versatile as fuck he's amazing. King's characterisations are actually close to perfect imo, his writing gives a frightening sense of humanity, his characters and their subtle changes (Devin Jones, specifically) seem so well planned out.
Post by: elysepopplewell on September 17, 2017, 03:50:30 pm
EDIT: Just wondering, to what extent do people take ratings and reviews into account when considering whether to read a book?
If they've won a prize, or have been listed for one, I take that pretty seriously. I don't even know what the criteria is for many of these prizes, but knowing a book was nominated for the Man Booker puts it in my sights! I go onto Goodreads to look at reviews sometimes but I don't take the reviews very seriously. I'm far more inclined to take the review of someone on this forum and take it into consideration, then a person on Goodreads. Simply - the people on this forum are alike to me in a lot of ways so I trust their judgement as to what interests them, or disinterests, what they struggled with, and what they liked. People reviewing on goodreads are likely to come from every outpost of the world, which is super cool, except it doesn't guide me in choosing a book. The same way as when a friend recommends a book to me, I'll happily take on their recommendation because it's for me, I guess. And if my friend enjoyed it, and I'm in some ways similar to my friend, perhaps I will too.
As I say this, I'm reading Cloudstreet on the recommendation of Brenden nearly two years ago (and several times since lol). And I'm also reading "Fighting Hislam" by Susan Carland for an assignment (but also for pleasure). The goodreads reviews, in my opinion, don't truly reflect the nature of this book so far. It's more academic than what I first imagined, and to me it seems like the people reviewing it online aren't interested in the academics behind it, whereas for me, it's the reason I'm reading it. So, viewpoint is everything. :)
Post by: zofromuxo on November 07, 2017, 08:41:27 am
You know a book is a good when you finished it in 3 days.
This book is actually something that I wouldn't blanket recommend to people despite it being an excellent book.
Why?
Mental Health & Mental Illness.
As someone who suffers with mental illness and will for their whole life, I find this book extrememly confronting and at times scary That hospital and hand santiser scene with all those thoughts..... Oh and spirals. That just circle and trap you with no way out
In summary, this is an excellent book to read in terms on how mental illness is really like.
It isn't nice, rainbow and sunshine. It is scary and confronting and the worst part is in some cases, you can't express how much pain it causes you to those who care about you.
Oh and also the characters are great. But the thing that stood out was Aza's struggles with her mental illness.
Don't read this if you mental health is in the bin or you suffer from anxiety really easily. This book can and dare I say will trigger off those nasty things => No like seriously, please don't read this if you aren't 100% yourself. This book really can do a number on you. I mean that 100%.
I'll write a better summary of the book at a later date, but right now I'm going to go off and process what I have just read.
Post by: heids on November 07, 2017, 04:12:19 pm
Mental Health & Mental Illness.
As someone who suffers with mental illness and will for their whole life, I find this book extrememly confronting and at times scary That hospital and hand santiser scene with all those thoughts..... Oh and spirals. That just circle and trap you with no way out
In summary, this is an excellent book to read in terms on how mental illness is really like.
It isn't nice, rainbow and sunshine. It is scary and confronting and the worst part is in some cases, you can't express how much pain it causes you to those who care about you.
Oh and also the characters are great. But the thing that stood out was Aza's struggles with her mental illness.
Don't read this if you mental health is in the bin or you suffer from anxiety really easily. This book can and dare I say will trigger off those nasty things => No like seriously, please don't read this if you aren't 100% yourself. This book really can do a number on you. I mean that 100%.
Quite honestly, as someone whose mental health has long been in the bin, I far prefer reading dark/deep/confronting stuff than happy and light stuff haha. Probably because of my experience, I don't actually find almost anything confronting or triggering anymore (images of self-harm cuts and food/weight discussion excepted). The most violent depiction of mental illness, the most intense discussion of suicide, seem as normal to me as breathing lol. I'm talking about things that aren't personal to me - obviously if someone says they hate me, that'll trigger me haha
The darker you paint it, the more likely I am to read it haha, I genuinely find myself uplifted in some weird way from dark shit. ::)
Post by: zofromuxo on November 07, 2017, 04:20:28 pm
Quite honestly, as someone whose mental health has long been in the bin, I far prefer reading dark/deep/confronting stuff than happy and light stuff haha. Probably because of my experience, I don't actually find almost anything confronting or triggering anymore (images of self-harm cuts and food/weight discussion excepted). The most violent depiction of mental illness, the most intense discussion of suicide, seem as normal to me as breathing lol. I'm talking about things that aren't personal to me - obviously if someone says they hate me, that'll trigger me hahaFair enough. I guess I didn't expect it to be about mental health though :).
The darker you paint it, the more likely I am to read it haha, I genuinely find myself uplifted in some weird way from dark shit. ::)
Post by: peterpiper on November 09, 2017, 09:41:55 pm
I've also been reading at a very slow pace through another history book on something like 'history in 100 objects' or something lol (I can't even remember the title)....Will update on this. Soon after I finish everything.
Post by: sweetiepi on November 09, 2017, 10:02:53 pm
Also my long af list of my ever growing pile of books to read after I finish my exams
All that I am- Anna Funder (currently reading)
Speak- Laurie Halse Anderson (currently reading)
Poison Study- Maria V. Snyder
Noughts and Crosses- Malorie Blackman
Delirium- Lauren Oliver
The Wonder- Emma Donoghue
The Namesake- Jhumpa Lahiri
The Handmaid's Tale- Margaret Atwood
Agent Nomad- Skye Melki-Wegner
A Court of Wings and Ruin- Sarah J. Maas (half-finished)
The Da Vinci Code- Dan Brown
Oliver Twist- Charles Dickens
Turtles all the Way Down- John Green
Crash Landing- Robert Muchamore
Mindwalker- AJ Steiger
Knife Edge- Malorie Blackman
Hate List- Jennifer Brown
November 9- Colleen Hoover
Stasiland- Anna Funder
Shatter Me- Tahereh Mafi
Pretty Girls- Karin Slaughter
Red Rising- Pierce Brown
The Hate U Give- Angie Thomas
13 Reasons Why- Jay Asher
Dark Matter- Blake Crouc
Milk and Honey- Rupi Kaur
Bourne Identity- Jason Bourne
Speak- Laurie Halse Anderson (currently reading)
Poison Study- Maria V. Snyder
Noughts and Crosses- Malorie Blackman
Delirium- Lauren Oliver
The Wonder- Emma Donoghue
The Namesake- Jhumpa Lahiri
The Handmaid's Tale- Margaret Atwood
Agent Nomad- Skye Melki-Wegner
A Court of Wings and Ruin- Sarah J. Maas (half-finished)
The Da Vinci Code- Dan Brown
Oliver Twist- Charles Dickens
Turtles all the Way Down- John Green
Crash Landing- Robert Muchamore
Mindwalker- AJ Steiger
Knife Edge- Malorie Blackman
Hate List- Jennifer Brown
November 9- Colleen Hoover
Stasiland- Anna Funder
Shatter Me- Tahereh Mafi
Pretty Girls- Karin Slaughter
Red Rising- Pierce Brown
The Hate U Give- Angie Thomas
13 Reasons Why- Jay Asher
Dark Matter- Blake Crouc
Milk and Honey- Rupi Kaur
Bourne Identity- Jason Bourne
Post by: tashhhaaa on November 10, 2017, 03:27:23 pm
Post by: K888 on November 10, 2017, 04:21:01 pm
if you guys could recommend one book to someone who doesn't read much/would only read something if it's interesting, what would you recommend?Hard question to answer, do you know what sort of novel you think you'd find interesting, or at least the sort that you wouldn't find interesting?
I bought the Handmaid's Tale yesterday. 100 pages in, really liking it! Hadn't read in months so I think this is going to help get me back into the swing of things.
Post by: tashhhaaa on November 10, 2017, 04:59:27 pm
Hard question to answer, do you know what sort of novel you think you'd find interesting, or at least the sort that you wouldn't find interesting?
I bought the Handmaid's Tale yesterday. 100 pages in, really liking it! Hadn't read in months so I think this is going to help get me back into the swing of things.
Open to reading whatever probably not some fluffy romance tho
Post by: K888 on November 10, 2017, 05:34:33 pm
Open to reading whatever probably not some fluffy romance thoRight, well, varied recommendations here:
- When Breath Becomes Air - not fiction, but by far the best book I've read this year!
- Looking for Alaska
- I've started the Handmaid's Tale, which I'd recommend!
- If you like action, Gone (this one's a bit gory as well), Assassin's Creed or Ranger's Apprentice
- If you want magic stuff and action, Skulduggery Pleasant
- The Chronicles of Narnia - maybe a bit long, but really good for reliving some fond childhood memories
Post by: tashhhaaa on November 10, 2017, 06:12:17 pm
Right, well, varied recommendations here:
- When Breath Becomes Air - not fiction, but by far the best book I've read this year!
- Looking for Alaska
- I've started the Handmaid's Tale, which I'd recommend!
- If you like action, Gone (this one's a bit gory as well), Assassin's Creed or Ranger's Apprentice
- If you want magic stuff and action, Skulduggery Pleasant
- The Chronicles of Narnia - maybe a bit long, but really good for reliving some fond childhood memories
thank you! :)
I've actually read Narnia, should probably revisit though
Post by: lovelyperson on November 10, 2017, 06:23:49 pm
Post by: elysepopplewell on November 10, 2017, 06:27:05 pm
Hello peoples! Currently looking for some recommendations - exams are almost over and I desperately need something to kill the 1 month worth of free time that I'm going to have! Generally, I like non-fiction, particularly those like When Breath Becomes Air, but non-fiction will also do provided that it isn't too unrealistic (such as philosophical fiction stuff, like Infinite Jest for those who've read it).
Do you recommend When Breath Becomes Air? I've heard a little about it, and would be keen to here who you recommend it for?
By the sounds of things, you'd dislike the Alchemist which consistently comes up in the best books ever lists but I don't rate it too highly. If you like romantic non-fiction, you might like de Botton's Essays in Love.
Post by: Coffee on November 10, 2017, 08:17:21 pm
if you guys could recommend one book to someone who doesn't read much/would only read something if it's interesting, what would you recommend?Hard to say without knowing what genres you like, but some of these books I've read in the past few months definitely stand out as gripping:
- Turtles All the Way Down - John Green
- Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine - Gail Honeyman
- If We Were Villains - M. L. Rio (Similar to The Secret History, if you like that.)
I also want to recommend The Wonder by Emma Donoghue, although I know some people who found this slow to begin with. Personally, I loved it though, and was enthralled from beginning to end.
Post by: sweetiepi on November 10, 2017, 08:29:45 pm
if you guys could recommend one book to someone who doesn't read much/would only read something if it's interesting, what would you recommend?Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie is #1 book that comes to mind! (But maybe that's because I love Agatha Christie 😍)
Post by: tashhhaaa on November 10, 2017, 09:16:23 pm
Hard to say without knowing what genres you like, but some of these books I've read in the past few months definitely stand out as gripping:
- Turtles All the Way Down - John Green
- Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine - Gail Honeyman
- If We Were Villains - M. L. Rio (Similar to The Secret History, if you like that.)
I also want to recommend The Wonder by Emma Donoghue, although I know some people who found this slow to begin with. Personally, I loved it though, and was enthralled from beginning to end.
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie is #1 book that comes to mind! (But maybe that's because I love Agatha Christie 😍)
Thanks so much for this!!
Think I'll try one from each of your lists to start with
So probably When Breath Becomes Air, Turtles All the Way Down & Murder on the Orient Express
Post by: zofromuxo on November 10, 2017, 09:56:11 pm
if you guys could recommend one book to someone who doesn't read much/would only read something if it's interesting, what would you recommend?We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver
The NYPD Red Series by James Patterson
These fit your criteria quite well.
Young Adult books could work as well like the Artemis Fowl Series
Post by: tashhhaaa on November 11, 2017, 07:29:19 pm
Tbh, I didn't really like When Breath Becomes Air that much, but rather its concept. It just didn't live up to my expectations of it. There were so many rave reviews of it with people "omg, this book changed my life", so I kinda expected a sincere, heart-felt recount of his life with some deep, interesting revelation about life and death. But I didn't get any of that and I felt like his writing was a bit emotionally cold (I know, harsh, but I was so disappointed lol) - there wasn't any of the sincerity and emotion I was expecting from a book written by a doctor in his 30s dying from cancer. Maybe it's because of his writing style that is very poetic and flow-y, or the fact that he had to rush the book because his cancer progressed too quickly. Dunno, :(. Only real sincerity I did get was with his wife's part at the end. It was clear and straightforward, and it conveyed the frank display of emotion that illustrates the profound impacts of loss I was looking for.
And I've never read romantic non-fiction before but am willing to give it a try! I'll keep on a lookout for that book. Thanks for the recommendation!!
Some reviews I read said the exact same thing but I'm still going to give it a go
Post by: Floatzel98 on November 11, 2017, 09:48:14 pm
Post by: Mariamnourine on November 12, 2017, 11:54:30 am
Post by: daniel.hu3 on November 12, 2017, 12:01:55 pm
if you guys could recommend one book to someone who doesn't read much/would only read something if it's interesting, what would you recommend?
Would highly recommend the Matthew Reilly Books (assuming you haven't read them), they are incredibly fast-paced, sense of high urgency throughout and full of action.
Post by: sweetiepi on November 17, 2017, 09:50:03 pm
Post by: K888 on November 17, 2017, 09:53:01 pm
The TV series definitely did the book justice. :)
Post by: Yertle the Turtle on December 02, 2017, 04:30:46 pm
I also have great respect for Dr. Seuss, though such stories as the Cat in the Hat are not as good as some as his more philosophical works.
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card is another book I really like, also the Rigg saga by the same author.
Post by: sweetiepi on December 02, 2017, 04:36:11 pm
It is also a fairly recent book too, and I think I saw a facebook post earlier today about how it is now banned in a Texas school district.
Post by: Yertle the Turtle on December 02, 2017, 04:39:44 pm
I think I saw a facebook post earlier today about how it is now banned in a Texas school district.Always a sign of a good book ;P
Post by: elysepopplewell on December 03, 2017, 10:24:12 am
Post by: sweetiepi on December 03, 2017, 11:56:20 am
I don't know whether to stare blankly at a wall, cry, or both after that. :)
Post by: Mada438 on December 03, 2017, 01:01:54 pm
And i also really recconmend the "tommorrow when the war began" series by john marsden!
Post by: peterpiper on December 03, 2017, 08:09:11 pm
So I just finished 'When Breath Becomes Air' by Paul Kalanithi.
I don't know whether to stare blankly at a wall, cry, or both after that. :)
I don't know if it was just me but I got really stressed at several points in the book when he described all the decisions he had to make/his residency/his dying. Eek so many feels though :'(
Post by: Coffee on December 03, 2017, 08:48:44 pm
Also finished Essays in Love by Alain de Botton on Friday. Wow, just wow. Brilliant, thought-provoking, an absolute must-read if it at all tickles your fancy.
Does anyone have a Christmas TBR? I’m waiting to re-read A Christmas Carol again (probably on Christmas Eve), and Let it Snow. Any other Christmassy reads I should pick up?
Post by: Yertle the Turtle on December 03, 2017, 09:09:37 pm
Any other Christmassy reads I should pick up?How about "When the Grinch stole Christmas"?
Post by: sweetiepi on December 20, 2017, 10:11:58 am
I also recently finished All The Bright Places- which was indeed very interesting indeed. 😊
Post by: Yertle the Turtle on December 20, 2017, 01:12:31 pm
Post by: domjamriska on December 20, 2017, 01:31:04 pm
If you're interested in sci-fi, i would highly recommend The Three Body Problem; Liu Cuxin is a genius ... highly intriguing tale.
Post by: snowisawesome on December 20, 2017, 04:54:52 pm
Post by: TheSapaInca on December 21, 2017, 01:03:54 am
Thanks :)
I had a read of the CHERUB stories and it was quite boring for me.
Post by: Coffee on December 21, 2017, 08:10:05 am
I actually hate reading, I don't know what I don't like about it but it's just I don't get the point of reading if you do not know what a word means in the novel. But eventually, I will have to get into reading.. The genres I like are adventure, suspense and mysteries. Any books you'll recommend for a fourteen year old to read?If you’re interested in Classics, you really can’t go past Sherlock Holmes. I think a lot of people interested in crime and mystery start with this one.
Thanks :)
I had a read of the CHERUB stories and it was quite boring for me.
If you want something more modern, The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss, and Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch are my go to recommendations. These have elements of adventure and suspense, but belong mostly to the fantasy genre.
Other books that might fit the bill:
- Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey
- The Secret History by Donna Tartt
- If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio (Very similar to TSH but with a focus on Shakespeare)
- The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan (This is a Young Adult novel with a focus on Norse mythology. This might be a good one to start with if you’re not that into reading, as the language is quite accessible).
- The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
- Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (I just finished this one recently. It’s a science fiction novel, so, obviously there’s quite a bit of suspense thrown in there).
Post by: TheSapaInca on December 21, 2017, 11:28:46 am
If you’re interested in Classics, you really can’t go past Sherlock Holmes. I think a lot of people interested in crime and mystery start with this one.ok thnx, will definitely try and borrow these books once I return to Australia :)
If you want something more modern, The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss, and Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch are my go to recommendations. These have elements of adventure and suspense, but belong mostly to the fantasy genre.
Other books that might fit the bill:
- Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey
- The Secret History by Donna Tartt
- If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio (Very similar to TSH but with a focus on Shakespeare)
- The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan (This is a Young Adult novel with a focus on Norse mythology. This might be a good one to start with if you’re not that into reading, as the language is quite accessible).
- The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
- Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (I just finished this one recently. It’s a science fiction novel, so, obviously there’s quite a bit of suspense thrown in there).
Post by: Yertle the Turtle on December 21, 2017, 01:26:01 pm
If you’re interested in Classics, you really can’t go past Sherlock Holmes. I think a lot of people interested in crime and mystery start with this one.100% agree about Sherlock Holmes, absolute classics. Anyone who likes even darker mystery stories should try G.K. Chesterton's Father Brown stories. Love them!
If you want something more modern, The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss, and Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch are my go to recommendations. These have elements of adventure and suspense, but belong mostly to the fantasy genre.
Other books that might fit the bill:
- Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey
- The Secret History by Donna Tartt
- If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio (Very similar to TSH but with a focus on Shakespeare)
- The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan (This is a Young Adult novel with a focus on Norse mythology. This might be a good one to start with if you’re not that into reading, as the language is quite accessible).
- The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
- Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (I just finished this one recently. It’s a science fiction novel, so, obviously there’s quite a bit of suspense thrown in there).
Post by: elysepopplewell on December 21, 2017, 02:36:42 pm
For my mum I got a book by Marian Keyes - The break up.
For my sister I got the Life Changing Magic of Not Giving a F***
For my niece I got Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls (She's 5)
For my nephew I got No one Likes a Fart (He's 2)
And for my friend I got The Freedom Riders - which is actually a whooooole lot longer than what I thought it would be (he's definitely not going to read it).
Anyone else buy books for Christmas?
Post by: sweetiepi on December 21, 2017, 02:43:15 pm
Anyone else buy books for Christmas?Yup!
For my 16yo sister- The Hate Race (Maxine Beneba Clarke)
For my 6yo brother- The 13 Storey Treehouse (Andy Griffiths)
For my 5yo sister- Dear Zoo (Rod Campbell)
For myself (because why not)- Almost Midnight (Rainbow Rowell) :)
Post by: elysepopplewell on December 21, 2017, 02:49:56 pm
Finished Home is Nearby by Magdalena McGuire a few days ago. Highly recommend if you’re interested in Polish history, or like historical fiction in general. It actually reminded me a bit of Anna Funder, so, if you’re a fan of Funder, give McGuire a go. :)
Also finished Essays in Love by Alain de Botton on Friday. Wow, just wow. Brilliant, thought-provoking, an absolute must-read if it at all tickles your fancy.
Does anyone have a Christmas TBR? I’m waiting to re-read A Christmas Carol again (probably on Christmas Eve), and Let it Snow. Any other Christmassy reads I should pick up?
I can't believe I missed that you read Essays in Love!! SO fantastic you loved it. I really enjoyed it too.
Post by: elysepopplewell on December 27, 2017, 05:22:09 pm
I was told if I liked the Handmaid’s Tale that I’d like this too!
Post by: bimberfairy on December 28, 2017, 12:13:42 pm
"The Truth About Alice" by Jennifer Mathieu: Multiple perspectives. Deals with some heavy topics but is so eye-opening + the narrators' voices are really honest and personal. I felt like I was reading a diary at some parts.
"This Song Will Save Your Life" by Leila Sales: Covers high school bullying and finding that one place that is your own
"The Rest of Us Just Live Here" by Patrick Ness: Really interesting concept! It explores the "background" characters in your typical hero stories. The ones who just want to continue on with their life and walk to their next class instead of having to deal with the hero battling a monster. Think Colin Creevey from Harry Potter lmao.
I’m 30 pages in to “The Power” by Naomi Alderman. It’s a 2016 dystopian book. It seems to have the main premise as women developing some kind of electrical ability through their bones, thus making them the dominant gender. Will keep you all updated! Has anyone read it?
I was told if I liked the Handmaid’s Tale that I’d like this too!
I really liked The Handmaid's Tale (That ending though!!!!!) and am trying to find other books similar to it. Will definitely check this one out!
Post by: abbeyrose on January 03, 2018, 10:59:16 pm
Post by: Coffee on January 04, 2018, 07:09:00 am
I love finding people who love Classics as much as I do! Thinking off the top of my head, I’d recommend:
- Pride and Prejudice, Emma, or Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
- Nineteen Eighty-Four or Keep the Aspidistra Flying by George Orwell
- Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (And while you’re at it, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall and Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte, and Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte)
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
- Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh
- A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle
- Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
- The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James
:)
Post by: falalalala on January 04, 2018, 10:18:47 am
It's been a while since I've read this, but it has a special place in my heart. Its just so refreshing to have a female protagonist that is mentally tough, verbally crude (I remember quite a lot of swearing -really unfiltered!) but has her own set of values she sticks to. I don't think there's much of a plot to this book, but you see how Lucia tackles day-to-day obstacles and just get a feel of how she thinks. Jesse Ball writes in such an easy to read, poetic style that you feel like you're Lucia's best friend while reading. You just gotta check out the book to see what I mean.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak:
The Messenger by Markus Zusak:
This man is God's gift to humanity. I don't even know where to start. I love his writing style; it's simple, it flows and the imagery he uses -I JUST CAN'T. Don't even know if I can directly reference some of his writings but there's a line in The Book Thief that stuck with me where he describes roads 'like ruptured veins' or something like that. He has such control over words. Just ... JUST READ ALL HIS BOOKS.
Post by: prickles on January 04, 2018, 10:25:38 am
am currently reading Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray.How are you finding this? I don't know if to read it or not!
Post by: hegihugo on January 04, 2018, 10:33:30 am
Post by: bimberfairy on January 04, 2018, 11:22:48 am
I’m currently reading the inferno by Dante Alleghri (I think that’s how you spell it) and the Prince By Machiavelli
I've had a copy of Inferno sitting on my bookshelf and burning a hole through the wood for months! I'd love to hear your current thoughts on it?
Post by: rosecookiie on January 04, 2018, 03:57:29 pm
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak:
The Messenger by Markus Zusak:
This man is God's gift to humanity. I don't even know where to start. I love his writing style; it's simple, it flows and the imagery he uses -I JUST CAN'T. Don't even know if I can directly reference some of his writings but there's a line in The Book Thief that stuck with me where he describes roads 'like ruptured veins' or something like that. He has such control over words. Just ... JUST READ ALL HIS BOOKS.
I love Markus Zusak's The Book thief, he is an exceptional writer and storyteller!
I'm currently reading Sapiens: A history of humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
I was never one for lengthy non fiction science books, but in my opinion this is a must read.
Post by: itssona on January 04, 2018, 04:05:19 pm
To those who enjoy reading Classics, what are your favourites? I finished Thomas Hardy's Tess of the D'Urbervilles not too long ago (which I absolutely loved) and am currently reading Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray. I'm always looking to expand my TBR list! ;Dlove that! Frankenstein is a must, and Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
also Virginia Woolf is amazing - read Mrs Dalloway and To the lighthouse
Post by: Aearator on January 04, 2018, 05:03:11 pm
Post by: clarke54321 on January 04, 2018, 05:50:36 pm
Post by: beatroot on January 04, 2018, 07:02:56 pm
Post by: sweetiepi on January 04, 2018, 07:08:30 pm
Post by: abbeyrose on January 04, 2018, 08:29:54 pm
How are you finding this? I don't know if to read it or not!I actually quite like it. It's certainly different to what I was expecting, however I'm really enjoying Wilde's writing style. Having just read something from Thomas Hardy, whose writing style is rather beautiful and poetic despite a depressing plot, it is a pleasant change. Due to Christmas and New Years, I've been having trouble committing to reading though so I feel like I'm not enjoying it as much as I could. I'd recommend you read it nonetheless. :)
Post by: prickles on January 05, 2018, 11:55:38 am
I actually quite like it. It's certainly different to what I was expecting, however I'm really enjoying Wilde's writing style. Having just read something from Thomas Hardy, whose writing style is rather beautiful and poetic despite a depressing plot, it is a pleasant change. Due to Christmas and New Years, I've been having trouble committing to reading though so I feel like I'm not enjoying it as much as I could. I'd recommend you read it nonetheless. :)Ok, thanks. Might have a look!
Post by: elysepopplewell on January 05, 2018, 05:16:11 pm
Although a little confronting at times, I’d really recommend The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. Atwood’s writing style is truly astonishing. A very thought provoking read.
I'm about 100 pages into The Power by Naomi Alderman, and it's similar in style to The Handmaid's Tale. Although I'm not finished yet, I think you should look into it if you'd like to keep reading! :)
Post by: clarke54321 on January 05, 2018, 05:43:37 pm
I'm about 100 pages into The Power by Naomi Alderman, and it's similar in style to The Handmaid's Tale. Although I'm not finished yet, I think you should look into it if you'd like to keep reading! :)
Ooh....fantastic! It'll be the next on my list :D
Post by: falalalala on January 05, 2018, 10:01:08 pm
I love Markus Zusak's The Book thief, he is an exceptional writer and storyteller!
I'm currently reading Sapiens: A history of humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
I was never one for lengthy non fiction science books, but in my opinion this is a must read.
JESUS YES ^^ I just got the second book from a recent Dymocks sale (my credit card is gonna decline from excessive book hoarding haha) Homo Deus: Brief History of Tomorrow. So hyped to gain some insight about how the world is going to end >:D
I don’t know if this has already been said or not, but I would highly recommend reading 1984 and Brave New World. They were both really good though personally I liked the concept of Brave New World better.
I found Brave New World quite dry of a book. It literally took me 5 tries to get through, but the concept is very fascinating. Gave me an existential crisis -and that's always fun! It reminds me of that Black Mirror episode Fifteen Million Merits but that's another story for another forum hahaha
Post by: peterpiper on January 05, 2018, 11:05:18 pm
Finished Proust's Swann's way: golly it was good, but took me longer than I had originally planned. Will definitely get into the next volumes maybe next year hahahah just being realistic :P
Re-read Between the Acts and that was fun. Just to reiterate how much I identify with Lucy Swithin - I identify with her like as in - I believe I'll be something like her when I'm old and eccentric af
Tried reading The Rainbow, but I found myself getting bored and stopped midway. I'll get back to it, but after I finish what I'm reading.
I've recently gone through Didion's Political Fictions and her memoir on the death of her husband (which sadly is shortly followed up with a memoir/eulogy about the death of her daughter) The Year of Magical Thinking, 'magical thinking' referring to that wishful and superstitious belief that if you do the right things, the right events will follow and disaster will naturally be averted. Throughout the latter book she talks about this experience in her grieving; and it's just great - I cbf talking about it right now, but it's good. When I say it's good, it's good. The book is incredibly incisive like a knife, it cuts you up and the language is just phenomenal (this seems to be something recurring with her works). The former was about american politics or collection of essays about American politics, specifically George HW Bush to George Bush and Al Gore. And uh we know how much of a mess American politics is, so I'll just leave that for you to peruse in your spare time.
I'm currently reading Joan Didion's South and West (I'm going through a phase with her); I've just borrowed Clarice Lispector's Agua Viva, and I'm also trying to finish off Middlemarch WHICH I AM STRUGGLING WITH but will do so in probably five months since I'm always getting distracted with other fucking books hahaha. I keep forgetting characters because I read it and then I forget and have to reread passages I've already read, and I just get bored because I've been reading things I've read five weeks ago and it's starting to get repetitive lol. Been thinking I should take a break and reread it from the start but I'm just going to persist for now...
Post by: bimberfairy on January 06, 2018, 12:19:21 pm
I'm only up to page 100 right now so there's plenty more of the novel to go + the book goes beyond what's covered in the film too (:
Post by: Yertle the Turtle on January 09, 2018, 04:59:18 pm
Also recommend "The Mill on the Floss". Similarly a bit dark, but pretty interesting at the same time.
Post by: sweetiepi on January 09, 2018, 05:06:58 pm
Anyone tried "The Picture of Dorian Grey"? Absolute masterpiece, also quite dark, but definitely recommend.Funny that you mention this, I went to the State Library yesterday and then went to Readings (bookshop in the library) and bought Dorian Gray! ;D
Also I also borrowed Persuasion (Jane Austen) from the city library this morning! :)
Post by: abbeyrose on January 18, 2018, 08:59:00 pm
Quote
...noted barrister and human-rights advocate Julian Burnside explains the origins of our legal system, looks at the way it operates in practice, and points out ways in which does and doesn't run true to its ultimate purposes.
He examines fundamental legal principles, such as the presumption of innocence, explains why good barristers defend bad people, and sets out legal remedies for wrongs done to individuals and groups...
Considering Burnside's immense knowledge of the law (although he insists that his book isn't to be regarded as a textbook or such), reading his discussions and insights into the subject is incredibly fascinating and provokes one to consider the way in which we (I use this pronoun in reference to the general population and not so much individually) are led to perceive the legal system, particularly through the media and such. Whilst Burnside does touch on this in some parts, I say the latter too from having read the comment sections on newspaper articles regarding law and order and seeing individuals' current views on the legal system and principles
Post by: owidjaja on January 18, 2018, 09:49:53 pm
Here are the books that I've read:
Jane Austen- Persuasion, Sense and Sensibility, Emma, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park
Elizabeth Gaskell- North and South
Victor Hugo- Les Miserables
George Orwell- 1984, Animal Farm
Harper Lee- To Kill A Mockingbird (set text for Year 10 English but I loved it!)
F. Scott. Fitzgerald- The Great Gatsby
Mary Wollstonecraft- Frankenstein
Emily Bronte- Wuthering Heights
Anne Bronte- The Tenant of Wildfell Hall
Charlotte Bronte- Jane Eyre
Thomas Hardy- Far From the Madding Crowd
Leo Tolstoy- War and Peace
And this is just a small portion of Classic books that I've read so anyone who wants to chat with me about them or suggest some more books to read (reading four books simultaneously at the moment), I'm up for a discussion!
Post by: sweetiepi on January 18, 2018, 10:06:44 pm
Jane Austen- Persuasion, Sense and Sensibility, Emma, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield ParkI just finished Persuasion the other day! It wasn't my favourite book in the world, but it was an okay book. :D
F. Scott. Fitzgerald- The Great Gatsby
I also read The Great Gatsby ages ago, and I really liked it! :)
I'm also aiming to a fair few Penguin Classics this year! ;D
Post by: owidjaja on January 18, 2018, 10:17:48 pm
I just finished Persuasion the other day! It wasn't my favourite book in the world, but it was an okay book. :DThe Great Gatsby was amazing (kinda felt bad for Gatsby because he hosted those extravagant parties for Daisy... who ran away with another man in the end and left him dead ;-;)
I also read The Great Gatsby ages ago, and I really liked it! :)
I'm also aiming to a fair few Penguin Classics this year! ;D
I loved Persuasion because I'm Jane Austen biased and I adored Captain Wentworth (not as much as Mr Darcy from Pride and Prejudice and Mr Thornton from North and South)!
Post by: abbeyrose on January 18, 2018, 10:31:24 pm
(only because I have a strong dislike towards YA fiction).I'm relieved to know that I'm not alone here haha
Here are the books that I've read:How did you find this? I read Tess of the D'Urbervilles not too long ago and fell in love with Hardy's writing style, and now I aim to read more of his works. Although, I am torn between The Mayor of Casterbridge or Far From the Madding Crowd when deciding what Hardy novel to read next.
Thomas Hardy- Far From the Madding Crowd
Post by: owidjaja on January 18, 2018, 10:48:28 pm
I'm relieved to know that I'm not alone here hahaWhen I first read this novel, I was glad that the female protagonist didn't have a flimsy character arc. What I usually find is that female authors tend to do well in fleshing out female characters, vice versa. What amazed me the most was Hardy's ability to flesh out her character. For a woman from her time, I'd think she's an amazing, empowering woman (fun fact: Katniss Everdeen's surname came from this book since the protagonist's name is Bathsheba Everdeen!)- and when I mean empowering, I don't mean your typical YA girl who has her peers claiming she is 'strong' but then becomes annoying. When Bathsheba says she's untameable, she really means it! It's her character arc that I thoroughly enjoyed. Plus, I kinda fangirled over the three men who were pining for her- sounds like your typical YA love triangle on steroids but it's this situation that allowed Bathsheba to learn her mistakes.
How did you find this? I read Tess of the D'Urbervilles not too long ago and fell in love with Hardy's writing style, and now I aim to read more of his works. Although, I am torn between The Mayor of Casterbridge or Far From the Madding Crowd when deciding what Hardy novel to read next.
I'm probably biased because I haven't read The Mayor of Casterbridge but I really liked Far From the Madding Crowd!
On a side note: Thank god I'm not alone! I get so triggered when I see the 'best-selling' sticker on the front cover of a YA novel.
Hope this helps you decide! (If not, there's no such thing as too many books and buy them all!)
Post by: Aearator on January 18, 2018, 10:52:41 pm
Post by: Yertle the Turtle on January 19, 2018, 12:41:00 am
Why did I just find out about this post just now?! I am the (self-proclaimed) queen of Classics (only because I have a strong dislike towards YA fiction).Have you read The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas? It's a great book and I really love it having read it twice. Also suggest Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens.
Here are the books that I've read:
Jane Austen- Persuasion, Sense and Sensibility, Emma, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park
Elizabeth Gaskell- North and South
Victor Hugo- Les Miserables
George Orwell- 1984, Animal Farm
Harper Lee- To Kill A Mockingbird (set text for Year 10 English but I loved it!)
F. Scott. Fitzgerald- The Great Gatsby
Mary Wollstonecraft- Frankenstein
Emily Bronte- Wuthering Heights
Anne Bronte- The Tenant of Wildfell Hall
Charlotte Bronte- Jane Eyre
Thomas Hardy- Far From the Madding Crowd
Leo Tolstoy- War and Peace
And this is just a small portion of Classic books that I've read so anyone who wants to chat with me about them or suggest some more books to read (reading four books simultaneously at the moment), I'm up for a discussion!
Post by: owidjaja on January 19, 2018, 11:16:19 am
Have you read The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas? It's a great book and I really love it having read it twice. Also suggest Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens.No I've been meaning to read The Count of Monte Cristo! Without giving any spoilers, could you give a quick overview on what it's about?
Post by: sweetiepi on January 19, 2018, 01:24:22 pm
I'm still weary of them, but I'd love to hear someone else's opinion! ;D
Post by: Coffee on January 19, 2018, 01:38:07 pm
What do y'all think of audiobooks?Never tried them but I would like to. I know a lot of people listen to them while getting ready in the morning, which I’d like to do too. There’s also times when I want to read but I’m so exhausted I can’t focus. At times like these, I think audiobooks can be rather handy.
I'm still weary of them, but I'd love to hear someone else's opinion! ;D
I’m good at tuning things out though, and my mind often wanders, so I’d be a bit worried I wouldn’t be fully focused on the story.
I’m not against them though. Audiobooks are an incredible resource, especially for people with dyslexia. Anything that makes reading a little less daunting for those who don’t generally enjoy it, or struggle with it, is, surely, a good thing. :)
Post by: owidjaja on January 19, 2018, 06:17:01 pm
What do y'all think of audiobooks?I don't usually listen to audiobooks because Audible wants me to include credit card information even though there's a free trial (I don't have a credit card or anything like that lol). I do sometimes use Cast Box to listen to some books but I rarely use it for audiobooks. I usually tune out whenever I listen to any form of audio on my phone so it would be pointless for me to listen to an audiobook when I'm not paying attention. However, I do think that audiobooks are great for people who don't have time to pick up a physical copy- my Modern History teacher promotes podcasts and audiobooks because she connects her phone to her car stereo (idk if that's the right term lol) and listens to it when she drives to school.
I'm still weary of them, but I'd love to hear someone else's opinion! ;D
Post by: Yertle the Turtle on January 19, 2018, 08:29:43 pm
No I've been meaning to read The Count of Monte Cristo! Without giving any spoilers, could you give a quick overview on what it's about?
Spoiler Alert :P
The Count of Monte Cristo is a story about a sailor who is framed by some people jealous about his position and is sent to a prison island. He then escapes with the aid of a prisoner called the Abbe Faria, and on getting out he finds a magnificent treasure, and with its aid he sets out to avenge himself on those who framed him...
What do y'all think of audiobooks?I personally love audiobooks, since I have a very sound-focussed memory, and once I've listened to an audiobook a couple of times I can recite most of it without too much trouble. This was great doing A Christmas Carol last year in English because I'd listened to the audiobook often before, and didn't even need a quotes sheet in the exam.
I'm still weary of them, but I'd love to hear someone else's opinion! ;D
I don't usually listen to audiobooks because Audible wants me to include credit card information even though there's a free trial (I don't have a credit card or anything like that lol). I do sometimes use Cast Box to listen to some books but I rarely use it for audiobooks. I usually tune out whenever I listen to any form of audio on my phone so it would be pointless for me to listen to an audiobook when I'm not paying attention. However, I do think that audiobooks are great for people who don't have time to pick up a physical copy- my Modern History teacher promotes podcasts and audiobooks because she connects her phone to her car stereo (idk if that's the right term lol) and listens to it when she drives to school.If you like Classics, maybe try Librivox, since they are totally free, and mostly Classics, and some of the readers are very good.
Post by: Yertle the Turtle on January 25, 2018, 09:25:06 am
Post by: peterpiper on January 26, 2018, 07:53:23 am
Been reading and loving The Warden and sequel Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope. I would definitely recommend them if you don't mind obscure classical references and 1850s language! :P
Admittedly have never read any Trollope. Glad you're enjoying him! He's my cousin's favourite too.
Post by: K888 on January 26, 2018, 09:05:56 am
The series is still so special and I'm absolutely loving it even though I read it so much as a kid that some of the books started falling apart haha
Post by: appleandbee on January 26, 2018, 02:08:45 pm
Post by: tashhhaaa on January 26, 2018, 09:47:04 pm
However, an issue I have with older texts like this is that I sometimes tune out since it takes more effort for me to understand and interpret the language. Does anyone else have this problem? O.o
Post by: owidjaja on January 26, 2018, 10:04:59 pm
Started reading Dante's Inferno & Homer's The Odyssey and I'm enjoying the contrast (ie. Hell vs divinity/gods/the like)I have the same problem with older texts and understanding them! That's why they're really good at enhancing your vocabulary. Sure, the syntax of most of these sentences are difficult to understand but the more you read, the better it is to understand them. The best part about this is that you will get used to the formalities of the novels and can be applied into everyday use, such as sending emails to academics. Obviously, it is almost impossible to fully understand a text and know the definition of every single word so I would absorb as much of the plot as best as possible and discuss with other bibliophiles about their interpretation of the novel.
However, an issue I have with older texts like this is that I sometimes tune out since it takes more effort for me to understand and interpret the language. Does anyone else have this problem? O.o
Remember, literature is a form of art so if there are gaps in your understanding, your interpretation of the novel may be different to others. The great thing about art is that it provokes discussion.
Good luck with those two books!
Post by: sweetiepi on April 04, 2018, 11:45:39 am
Post by: elysepopplewell on April 04, 2018, 01:02:04 pm
I want to tell you that now I'm reading Holy Cow! as inspired by my trip to India. But in reality, I have not read it in two weeks because I have LOST it. But the first 50 pages were grand.
So I've now started reading an essay series called Why Women Will Save the Planet. It's dense and honestly, three essays in, repetitive and inaccessible. But I'll see how we go.
Post by: dcesaona on April 18, 2018, 12:17:16 am
I expected it to be the scariest thing I would ever read but I guess what was scary in the late 1800's isn't so scary in today's modern society (especially with the many renderings of vampires we have available to us now).
Post by: Yertle the Turtle on April 18, 2018, 06:58:57 am
Anyone here read Dracula by Bram Stoker? ;)I loved it. You're right, it wasn't anywhere near as scary as I expected, but still pretty good, and an all time classic. Much recommended.
I expected it to be the scariest thing I would ever read but I guess what was scary in the late 1800's isn't so scary in today's modern society (especially with the many renderings of vampires we have available to us now).
Post by: S200 on April 20, 2018, 10:27:26 am
Russian classics are prolly not what I'd go in for... It really took me a long time to get through.
Post by: peterpiper on April 24, 2018, 06:11:59 pm
Post by: elysepopplewell on April 27, 2018, 12:56:13 pm
I can't remember who recommended 'Conversations with friends' but I read it, and wow. It was great. I loved all the characters, and the descriptions were lucid and impactful. I highly recommend this for anyone who likes good current books (and is a lefty :P), and I have to say I severely judged it from its cover, but I'm glad I opened and read through the first page.
Hey! What kind of book is this? I'm keen to know more :)
Post by: peterpiper on April 29, 2018, 03:57:14 pm
Hey! What kind of book is this? I'm keen to know more :)
It's about a college student named Frances who gets into an affair with an actor (Nick), after befriending a photographer or journalist or something (I can't remember) who happens also to be the actor's wife. The actor is not mediocre but his career never took off -- he's a little miserable and his marriage isn't going so well. Frances as a character feels very similar to most protagonists in novels I've read (I feel like I'm stereotyping the temperament of a typical author, but it's true). What made it really different, however, were the range of characters we got from Frances' interactions with the world of people around her etc.
The thing about this book is that the characters seem very real, which means - I suspect - that while the author has denied that the book is an 'auto-fiction', I can't help but feel that the characters themselves are very much based on people she has known in her life. The acute judgments seem almost too perfect, unless they were inspired by other characters from other books. So there's that added sense of realism. Like the problem I have with most contemporary books is that all the characters feel pretty much the 'same' as the narrator/author. In this book, it's not the case at all -- there were many reactions that the characters showed that made them feel like they were disparate or different from one another (how they see things, how they respond), which made it so good.
Also there were a lot of discussion on power structures and interpretations of cultural theory floating around as well, which, some of it - if my memory serves me right - I semi-disagreed with, but it was nevertheless really empowering to read lmao. Like the kind of feeling when you read about someone liking the same thing as you and you have this moment of 'ahhh it's so good to be alive'.
Post by: elysepopplewell on May 01, 2018, 12:55:55 pm
It's about a college student named Frances who gets into an affair with an actor (Nick), after befriending a photographer or journalist or something (I can't remember) who happens also to be the actor's wife. The actor is not mediocre but his career never took off -- he's a little miserable and his marriage isn't going so well. Frances as a character feels very similar to most protagonists in novels I've read (I feel like I'm stereotyping the temperament of a typical author, but it's true). What made it really different, however, were the range of characters we got from Frances' interactions with the world of people around her etc.
The thing about this book is that the characters seem very real, which means - I suspect - that while the author has denied that the book is an 'auto-fiction', I can't help but feel that the characters themselves are very much based on people she has known in her life. The acute judgments seem almost too perfect, unless they were inspired by other characters from other books. So there's that added sense of realism. Like the problem I have with most contemporary books is that all the characters feel pretty much the 'same' as the narrator/author. In this book, it's not the case at all -- there were many reactions that the characters showed that made them feel like they were disparate or different from one another (how they see things, how they respond), which made it so good.
Also there were a lot of discussion on power structures and interpretations of cultural theory floating around as well, which, some of it - if my memory serves me right - I semi-disagreed with, but it was nevertheless really empowering to read lmao. Like the kind of feeling when you read about someone liking the same thing as you and you have this moment of 'ahhh it's so good to be alive'.
Oh wow! This sounds like it's a really fulfilling read? I'll definitely give it a go at some stage!
Post by: hums_student on May 01, 2018, 08:51:01 pm
Anyway, some good books I've read and would 100% recommend:
Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury - Absolute masterpiece. I'm not usually a fan of dystopian novels since most of the well known ones are YA, and 1984 is too *mainstream* ;D But this book is amazing. Unlike other dystopian classics it doesn't really criticise a political viewpoint / party. Instead it paints the perfect (and horrifying) representation of 'ignorance is bliss'. Would definitely recommend if anyone's looking for a book that's not too long to read.
11/22/63 - Stephen King - Warning, this is a *long* book, but definitely worth a read. I'm a big fan of Stephen King, and this is definitely my favourite book by him. Kind of different from his usual horror style, but I absolutely adore the combination of science fiction and politics.
The 3 Body Problem - Liu Cixin - Not many people know this book, since it wasn't originally written in English. Kind of like 11/22/63 but taken to a whole new level, it perfectly combines science fiction, history, politics, and philosophy, though the 'science' elements are pretty hardcore and took me a lot of googling to understand the book. Would 100% recommend to anyone interested in science and politics.
Dead Souls - Nikolay Gogol - Another translated work, it was a bit difficult to read at first but once you get into it it's hard to put down. It's an interesting portrayal of pre-revolution Russia. I also thoroughly enjoyed Gogol's short story collection,
Flatland - Edwin Abbot - Yet another book that combines science fiction with politics / history / social issues. Part one talks about the world of 'Flatland' (a 2D world) which bears a resemblance to Victorian society, part two talks about a square's experience travelling to a one dimensional and three dimensional world. Very interesting (and short) book.
The Book Thief - Marcus Zusak - One of the few YA novels I've enjoyed. Absolutely loved the fact that the narrator was Death himself, you don't see a lot of that in YA novels.
Someday I'm gonna make a post ranting about everything wrong with some of the most popular YA novels out there, starting with
Post by: Joseph41 on May 02, 2018, 10:26:41 am
The strength of this thread has led to a brand new board called Books and Reading, which you're in right now! :)
Post by: prickles on May 02, 2018, 01:58:15 pm
Hi friends!I wonder why insanipi is moderating it? ;D
The strength of this thread has led to a brand new board called Books and Reading, which you're in right now! :)
Post by: sweetiepi on May 02, 2018, 02:06:10 pm
I wonder why insanipi is moderating it? ;DI live and breathe books, that's why ;)
(Truth be told I was at home in the massive Dymocks in Sydney, nearly a month ago :D )
Post by: Joseph41 on May 02, 2018, 02:07:02 pm
I wonder why insanipi is moderating it? ;D
We put the usernames of all 220,969 ATAR Notes users into a hat; hers was randomly selected!
;)
Post by: prickles on May 02, 2018, 02:11:58 pm
We put the usernames of all 220,969 ATAR Notes users into a hat; hers was randomly selected!Ahh yes, that makes so much more sense now :) :P
;)
I was kidding, there is absolutely no one else in the world of AN that could have possibly taken the role
Post by: zofromuxo on June 06, 2018, 08:31:22 pm
Don't let the title put you off from reading this.
Yes, it sounds like a scam, but the content is interesting for the most part, if you can stomach the clique of a title.
If you ever wondered what lifestyle design is, this is the book that started it all.
I was put off reading this as many said the ideas/concepts Tim pitch are outdated and know to the masses. I will agree to an extent, but I think Tim does explain things in a way that is more interesting and I enjoy the examples incorporated for some of the more 'technical' ideas such as how to negotiate remote working conditions and away from the company office (When this book was published in 2007, remote working wasn't a huge thing like now).
I don't advocate nor agree with everything this book says like the Muse creation section wasn't interesting to me at all nor the Dreamlining section.
But the Elimination and Delegation section of the book had some interesting tools and concepts that I incorporate in my life and have improved my life significantly.
Overall, I think if you want to get into freelancing or want to build a more 'fulfilling' life, this could be the book for you.
Post by: eliseeeeee_m on June 09, 2018, 08:54:32 pm
Post by: Owlbird83 on August 03, 2018, 08:49:22 pm
A Court of Thorns and Roses- Sarah J Maas
The Infernal Devices- Cassandra Clare
Vampire Academy- Richelle Mead
Percy Jackson- Rick Riordian
Post by: S200 on August 03, 2018, 08:52:39 pm
My favourite book series ever are:I actually really like this! ACOTAR's latest (ACOFAS) is a bit of a let down, but the third in the series (ACOWAR) is really gnarly!
A Court of Thorns and Roses- Sarah J Maas
Post by: sweetiepi on August 03, 2018, 08:59:30 pm
My favourite book series ever are:
A Court of Thorns and Roses- Sarah J Maas
I actually really like this! ACOTAR's latest (ACOFAS) is a bit of a let down, but the third in the series (ACOWAR) is really gnarly!I've had actually the third ACOTAR book half-read for almost a year, I seemingly haven't been able to properly get into that book!
The first two however are great! ;D
Post by: Owlbird83 on August 03, 2018, 09:01:06 pm
I actually really like this! ACOTAR's latest (ACOFAS) is a bit of a let down, but the third in the series (ACOWAR) is really gnarly!
Ah that's a shame. I haven't read ACOFAS yet because I have a hold on it at the library and it's taking forever.
I've had actually the third ACOTAR book half-read for almost a year, I seemingly haven't been able to properly get into that book!
The first two however are great! ;D
I have been the same with The Tower of Dawn (ToG series) I have the page I got up to written on my some paper on my desk because I had to return it to the library. I wasn't into it enough to make the effort to reborrow it again stragiht away, but I should finish reading it because the final book (Kindom of Ash) is coming out soon.
Mod edit: merged posts! :)
Post by: S200 on August 03, 2018, 09:18:28 pm
But yeah. ACOFAS may be right up your alley, idk, but something just didn't tick for me...
Spoiler
They decide to have the kid... :D
Post by: Owlbird83 on August 03, 2018, 09:25:58 pm
Weirdly, it's literally only the ACOTAR books that I have got into. I just really don't like SJM's other series..
But yeah. ACOFAS may be right up your alley, idk, but something just didn't tick for me...SpoilerThey decide to have the kid... :D
:o :o :o ahhh!!! (excited fangirling noise) :) :)
Catwoman: Soulstealer by SJM is coming out soon too, I hope that will be good. She writes badass female characters well.
Post by: S200 on August 03, 2018, 09:47:31 pm
She writes badass female characters well.That's what got me hooked from the start - The fact that Feyre was out hunting... Like who does that? Maybe I should give the other series another chance???
Post by: Owlbird83 on August 03, 2018, 10:07:32 pm
That's what got me hooked from the start - The fact that Feyre was out hunting... Like who does that? Maybe I should give the other series another chance???
Yeah! With the ToG series I was really enjoying it, but I think I got slightly less engaged in it as the series went on, but I do intend on finishing it. I have to admit that I definitely like the ACOTAR series better though. I think triologies are the ideal length for a series and sometimes having too many books in a series can make the story too drawn out or contain a lot of stuff in the middle that you forget about.
Post by: S200 on August 03, 2018, 10:12:28 pm
Yeah! With the ToG series I was really enjoying it, but I think I got slightly less engaged in it as the series went on, but I do intend on finishing it. I have to admit that I definitely like the ACOTAR series better though. I think triologies are the ideal length for a series and sometimes having too many books in a series can make the story too drawn out or contain a lot of stuff in the middle that you forget about.The best is where the Author intends a trilogy, but it ends up more (I'm looking at YOU Christopher Paolini!)
Post by: hums_student on August 03, 2018, 10:48:15 pm
It's quite a dense read but it's an extremely unique book. I found out about it through a video (can't remember title) where a guy interviewed Ivy League / Stanford professors on books you must read before you die, and this book came up twice.
But basically (without too much spoilers), it's loosely based on the story of bioartist Steve Kurtz. The protagonist is a 70-year-old man, Peter Els, who recounts his life story from his birth in 1941 until 2011, when he was arrested on charges of bioterrorism.
here comes the spoilers
Els is a classical music prodigy but also extremely talented in maths and science. He meets and falls in love with a cellist called Clara, who persuades him to study music instead of chemistry, only to dump him soon after. Working as an avant-garde composer, he marries the girl who sang his songs, has a daugher, and meets a choreographer called Bonner.
While working with Bonner, Els becomes too engrossed in his work and eventually he and his wife divorce. In 1993 his avant-garde opera was about to premier when the Waco Siege broke out, killing 76 people. Els severs ties with Bonner, and began working as a teacher at a small college until 2008, when he was let go due to the GFC.
Trying not to succumb to boredom, he began doing experiments in his home-made lab - his goal was to biohack musical compositions in bacterial DNA. Three years later, his golden retriever dies, and Els called 911 by mistake. The police was alarmed by his DIY lab, and after investigations, issued an arrest on charges of bioterrorism. Els was thus dubbed 'Bioterrorist Bach' by the press. While on the run, Els revisits his daugher, ex wife, and Bonner, who shares his story to the world.
While working with Bonner, Els becomes too engrossed in his work and eventually he and his wife divorce. In 1993 his avant-garde opera was about to premier when the Waco Siege broke out, killing 76 people. Els severs ties with Bonner, and began working as a teacher at a small college until 2008, when he was let go due to the GFC.
Trying not to succumb to boredom, he began doing experiments in his home-made lab - his goal was to biohack musical compositions in bacterial DNA. Three years later, his golden retriever dies, and Els called 911 by mistake. The police was alarmed by his DIY lab, and after investigations, issued an arrest on charges of bioterrorism. Els was thus dubbed 'Bioterrorist Bach' by the press. While on the run, Els revisits his daugher, ex wife, and Bonner, who shares his story to the world.
Six out of five.
Post by: sdfg on September 19, 2018, 04:59:27 pm
Post by: sweetiepi on September 20, 2018, 09:42:42 am
Who's planning to read a bit today?! :))
Post by: Poet on September 20, 2018, 01:37:07 pm
Today's Australian Reading Hour day!1984 by George Orwell, here I come! :))
Who's planning to read a bit today?! :))
Post by: jazcstuart on September 20, 2018, 02:25:23 pm
1984 by George Orwell, here I come! :))I am studying this book for HSC, so I expected I would hate it by now, but it's by far my favourite text. It's kind of scary how relavant it is with some world events happening at the moment...
Post by: S200 on September 20, 2018, 03:26:01 pm
Post by: Yertle the Turtle on September 20, 2018, 04:41:31 pm
Post by: jazcstuart on September 21, 2018, 05:43:38 pm
It's kind of hard to explain without spoiling Ender's Game, but it has a very interesting and intricate premise and plot, the world and all the characters are extremely well developed, the alien races (yes there are aliens) are unique and also well developed, and it cleverly deals with emotional/philosophical issues.
Usually I'm not a huge sci-fi fan, but I absolutely love this book and felt I should share :)
Post by: sweetiepi on October 11, 2018, 02:48:37 pm
(I finally got a copy today 😍)
Post by: sweetiepi on November 01, 2018, 08:56:24 pm
Post by: EllingtonFeint on November 01, 2018, 09:12:59 pm
You might find some good ones here: Recommend me a good book to read
I personally prefer books like:
Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
We - Yevgeny Zamyatin
Animal Farm - George Orwell
Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury
Hello. Okay, I realise this is utterly ancient, but YOU READ WE BY YAMYATIN!!
How is it?!
Has anyone else read it?? I really want to start as soon as my exams are over. If anyone else has read please let me know!! :)
Post by: sweetiepi on November 29, 2018, 07:58:25 pm
For fans of Rainbow Rowell: A sequel to Carry On should be out sometime next year also! ^-^
Post by: aspiringantelope on November 29, 2018, 09:19:29 pm
Thanks in advance.
Post by: S200 on November 29, 2018, 10:03:03 pm
Does anyone have a book that they can recommend to me with great vocabulary and just writing styles in general? I want to improve my English so if anyone has any books that may be able to assist essay writings, I'd appreciate it. (Year 10 student)Depends what genre your looking for.
Thanks in advance.
For the best English, I'd have to recommend Dickens.
"A Christmas Carol" or "Oliver Twist" is probably the easiest read, but "Hard Times" would be my next suggestion.
Basically any classic would do though, and I would personally recommend any of L. M Alcott's work (Little women, Good Wives, Little Men, Jo's Boys), because the series has a good story line and is infinitely re-readable. :D
Also, for vocab I would try the Russian classics... Crime and Punishment being my personal suggestion.
Post by: aspiringantelope on November 29, 2018, 10:41:58 pm
Depends what genre your looking for.Ok thanks, I preferably like horror and adventures genres.But thanks, I will definitely have a read of Crime and Punishment!
For the best English, I'd have to recommend Dickens.
"A Christmas Carol" or "Oliver Twist" is probably the easiest read, but "Hard Times" would be my next suggestion.
Basically any classic would do though, and I would personally recommend any of L. M Alcott's work (Little women, Good Wives, Little Men, Jo's Boys), because the series has a good story line and is infinitely re-readable. :D
Also, for vocab I would try the Russian classics... Crime and Punishment being my personal suggestion.
Post by: S200 on November 29, 2018, 11:08:05 pm
Ok thanks, I preferably like horror and adventures genres.But thanks, I will definitely have a read of Crime and Punishment!Yeah, ok. I personally don't read a lot of horror books, but the best suspense/adventure author I know is Alistair MacLean. Would recommend any of his books. ;D
(ask my about any title and I should be able to give a decent syopsis/spoiler)
Post by: angewina_naguen on November 30, 2018, 02:13:16 pm
For fans of Rainbow Rowell: A sequel to Carry On should be out sometime next year also! ^-^
Huge fan of Rainbow Rowell! I have a section of my shelf dedicated to her 8) Looking forward to the sequel and seeing my babies again ;D
Colleen Hoover's It ends with us is one of the best novels I have ever read and I have read a LOT of books. I was introduced to the book by a friend of mine in Year 10 and it absolutely raised my standards on romance fiction. I can't provide much of a synopsis without spoiling the book; it's one of those where you have to go in completely blind. All I will say is that it does a fantastic job at portraying contemporary romance and its complexities with characters that you really become attached to :) Would recommend to any romance readers or those who want to try getting into the genre if they haven't already been into it.
Post by: sweetiepi on November 30, 2018, 02:27:11 pm
Huge fan of Rainbow Rowell! I have a section of my shelf dedicated to her 8) Looking forward to the sequel and seeing my babies again ;DI too have a whole section dedicated to her works! 😍
(I also have sections for Robert Muchamore, John Green, and Sarah J Maas 😍)
Post by: S200 on December 04, 2018, 11:16:53 pm
Third , 12th and 18th with ACOMAF, TOGQOS and ACOWAR in Best of the Best, and winner of YA Fantasy and Science Fiction with TOGKOA
Post by: Owlbird83 on December 05, 2018, 05:04:04 pm
Speaking of SJM.... Who ripped it up at the Goodreads Choice awards?
Third , 12th and 18th with ACOMAF, TOGQOS and ACOWAR in Best of the Best, and winner of YA Fantasy and Science Fiction with TOGKOA
I finally read ACOFAS this weekend which wasn't as good as the others but it was nice to go back to that world. I'm excited that she's continuing the series though, I thought that it would be the final book!
Post by: S200 on December 06, 2018, 01:01:41 am
I finally read ACOFAS this weekend which wasn't as good as the others but it was nice to go back to that world. I'm excited that she's continuing the series though, I thought that it would be the final book!I think it'll be really hard for her to surpass ACOWAR.
I guess theres a reason that ACOFAS is listed as “Book 3.1” rather than book 4... :-\
High Hope's for the future
Post by: sw3glord on December 30, 2018, 09:03:46 pm
Post by: sweetiepi on February 01, 2019, 11:14:15 am
The cover Penguin Aus has shown on insta is this:
(https://i.imgur.com/msQu8SR.png)
Post by: r1ckworthy on February 01, 2019, 07:10:21 pm
-Stoner, by John Williams (very distanced yet beautiful at the same time; gives you an appreciation for the ordinary moments in life)
-Sapiens, by Yuval Noah Harrari ( Will expand your perspective on life and humanity; the last chapter will give you chills!!)
-Down and out in Paris and London, by George Orwell (semi autobiographical, a favourite book: certain chapters will set you off thinking!!)
-When breath becomes air, by Paul Kalanithi (most influential book I have ever read; truly inspirational)
Obviously, I have not written ALL of my favourite books, but these are, for now, some of my favourites. Give them a read, and you won't regret it!
Post by: sweetiepi on August 27, 2019, 07:46:49 pm
Synopsis from the publisher (CW: burns, scars, bullying)
16-year-old Ava Gardener is heading back to school one year after a house fire left her severely disfigured. She’s used to the names, the stares, the discomfort, but there’s one name she hates most of all: Survivor. What do you call someone who didn’t mean to survive? Who sometimes wishes she hadn’t?
When she meets a fellow survivor named Piper at therapy, Ava begins to feel like she’s not facing the nightmare alone. Piper helps Ava reclaim the pieces of Ava Before the Fire, a normal girl who kissed boys and sang on stage. But Piper is fighting her own battle for survival, and when Ava almost loses her best friend, she must decide if the new normal she’s chasing has more to do with the girl in the glass—or the people by her side.
Post by: The Cat In The Hat on January 04, 2021, 12:14:28 pm
I cannot recommend the Narnia books enough; they're brilliant. :) If you've never heard of them, they are about the great Lion, Aslan, who created the magical land of Narnia. Children from our world are brought to assist Narnia in its darkest times. The main friends of Narnia are Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy, who are siblings and royals: High King Peter the Magnificent, Queen Susan the Gentle, King Edmund the Just and Queen Lucy the Valiant. I would advise starting with the first written, 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe', which deals with the Kings and Queens, Aslan, and the self-proclaimed 'Queen of Narnia', Jadis the White Witch. Also Beavers. And Snow. And dwarves. And a faun. And, of course, a lamppost.
If you're a fan of romance, Christian romance (or don't mind the Christian aspects of it), I would advise 'The Healer's Apprentice' by Melanie Dickerson. It is the first book in an eleven-book series 'Hagenheim/Fairy Tale Romance' which is about connected characters (or who end up connected, I'm pretty sure). The books are reworkings of fairy tales. I've only read #1 and #4 (which had rather large spoilers for #3; best read in order) but now own copies of #2, #3 and #5, and am very eager to read them! It's impressive in that you can read a book based on a fairy tale and pick the fairy tale in the first page, yet still enjoy the book as a unique book in itself. A rough synopsis of 'The Healer's Apprentice' would be that:
There's a girl named Rose, the healer's apprentice, who is focused on avoiding matrimony with older men (this is set in ~1300s?) by being the healer's apprentice. She happens to be squeamish around blood. But when Lord Hamlin, son and heir to the Duke of Hagenheim and betrothed since five years old to a girl he's never seen (who is hidden away from the evil Moncore), is gored by a boar and she has to sew up his leg, they get to know each other. Increasingly, their attraction becomes noticeable, but they cannot be together, since he's betrothed. Believing his rascally brother Lord Rupert really cares for her, Lord Hamlin ignores his own longing and encourages the match, but, well, Rupert wasn't exactly looking for marriage. The main focus of the book is the real conflict that Wilhelm (Lord Hamlin) wants to marry Rose but is betrothed to the Lady Salomea Godehard. Also, Moncore is being annoying.
I only meant to recommend one book at this point in time, but the others presented themselves to me as I described, so I recommend them too. All skilfully written.
Post by: sweetiepi on January 04, 2021, 02:18:21 pm
Post by: sweetiepi on February 18, 2021, 12:16:58 am
10/10 insightful read :)
Post by: mabajas76 on February 18, 2021, 10:34:20 pm
I also have 2 physics books I loved:
We have no idea by Jorge Cham: It is funny, insightful and while it is not like some of the more real world application physics it covers the very movie/interesting aspects like quantum mechanics, dimensions, time etc. It is all framed in jokes and funny examples and has illustrations by PHD Comics (check them out they are sooo funny)
Last but certainly not least is the road to reality a complete guide to the laws of the universe. It is such an insightful book that includes more main physics WITH some easy to understand mathematics which is very interesting. It is a thiccc book with 3 c's tho.
Good luck and happy reading!
Post by: sweetiepi on May 06, 2021, 11:36:32 pm