Rhoda Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 "What Are You Reading Now?"Official Book Discussion Thread After much consideration, I've decided to start a thread dedicated to books. Be it classical literature, fiction novels or even comic books, here is the place to discuss them. Have you read a particularly gripping book recently? Want to share it with us? More interestingly, is there a book we should avoid for any reason? However, to avoid this becoming a "one-hit wonder" reply topic which can become habitual with topics like this, I want to say now there are rules, informal as this is intended to be. 1) This is the "Book Discussion" thread, which means we discuss, not just state what we're reading and leave. Sure, that's what the title says but I want something more in-depth. Don't go nuts, but at least state enough points to get us talking. 2) I wouldn't put this past any of you, but please be tolerant of other people's tastes. Not everyone's going to like the same reading material; some may read comic books and graphic novels, some may be fans of 19th century masterworks. This topic is for it all, so please respect the tastes of others. Like I said, I wouldn't put that on any of you, but it's worth mentioning. If I catch any of that going on, I'll warn you and if any intolerant behaviour persists, I'll ban you from the topic. I'd hate to do that, but if it comes down to it, I will. That's about it. Told you it was informal. Discuss away! Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/395179-what-are-you-reading-now/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 I just now finished Michael Chrichton's Next. It mostly revolves around transgenic species. Very good book. Like State of Fear, he found a way to turn an educational story into an action-y one. Now I'm back to re-reading books. I don't have anything else that I haven't read. I think I'll re-read Stephen King's Lisey's Story. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/395179-what-are-you-reading-now/?do=findComment&comment=1058925423 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lochie_old Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 The Family by Mario Puzo, its the last book he wrote before he died (Someone else had to finish the book for him). It's about a corrupt Pope who is trying to make his family name (Borgia) one of the most feared names during the Crusade's. It's full of corruption and interesting things about the church. If you enjoyed the Godfather I would recommend reading this. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/395179-what-are-you-reading-now/?do=findComment&comment=1058925626 Share on other sites More sharing options...
makeshyft Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 I'm currently reading The Book Thief. It's a story about a young girl's trials and triumphs growing up in Nazi Germany. It's a strange piece of literature, and reads more like a freeform poem than a work of fiction. It wafts and glides a lot like Shantaram, which is weird because both books were written by Australian authors. I suppose it has to seem a little otherworldly, as it is apparent from the first few pages that it is narrated by the Grim Reaper. Interesting stuff. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/395179-what-are-you-reading-now/?do=findComment&comment=1058925785 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oxidizer Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 Martina Cole's Goodnight Lady. It sounds gayer than it is but this woman is brutal; it's starts in Victorian London up until the 60's and focuses on the early stages of the pornography scene, it's got everything; cut-throats, pimps, gangland killings, mutilated prostitutes. What's not to love? I'd definitely recommend reading her stuff if you can stomache some pretty raw and hardcore subjects (mostly paedophilia and murder). Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/395179-what-are-you-reading-now/?do=findComment&comment=1058925798 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Garcia aka NjNakedSnake Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 Thanks for the effort on your part MK to make the topic. I'm really trying to get my hands on Watchmen, to read it before seeing the movie so it isn't so alien to me. Anyone actually read it? Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/395179-what-are-you-reading-now/?do=findComment&comment=1058925826 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhoda Posted January 30, 2009 Author Share Posted January 30, 2009 I'm really trying to get my hands on Watchmen, to read it before seeing the movie so it isn't so alien to me. Anyone actually read it? Watchmen is a graphic novel you'll have to try to set apart from the film; if you've ever read V For Vendetta and then see the film, you'll see some similarities and a lot of differences too, particularly in appearance which can confuse you. It's a good read though, I must admit I only read it after hearing of the film. At the moment I'm reading a lot of Sci-Fi. As you may have read in Writers' Ideas, I got a few of Iain M. Banks' books for Christmas, namely Matter. It's a deep book, realistic in it's approach (as realistic as a future novel can be, anyway) and you'll find it makes references to itself, skipping in and out of the same time-line, much like Pulp Fiction. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/395179-what-are-you-reading-now/?do=findComment&comment=1058925911 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GammaRaptor Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 I am currently reading Dexter By Design the latest installment into the dexter series . The book is really good and this time it's set in paris and he get's caught up in modern art. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/395179-what-are-you-reading-now/?do=findComment&comment=1058925920 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omnia sunt Communia Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 (edited) I am currently reading Dexter By Design the latest installment into the dexter series . The book is really good and this time it's set in paris and he get's caught up in modern art. Is that the series the television show is based off? How does it compare to the series (if you've seen it)? I hear it stays quite true to the source material, though I haven't seen either, so I wouldn't be able to tell. I'm currently in the process of reading George Orwell's classic "1984." I rarely get the motivation to read, so I don't do it that often. I'm also half-way through The Looking Glass Wars; can't remember who it's by. Watchmen is a graphic novel you'll have to try to set apart from the film; if you've ever read V For Vendetta and then see the film, you'll see some similarities and a lot of differences too, particularly in appearance which can confuse you. It's a good read though, I must admit I only read it after hearing of the film. I haven't read Watchmen, but I spend a lot of my time on comic book forums. Apparently the film seems to be staying very true to the novel. Though I'd recommend reading the comic first because it will make everything a lot easier to understand when it comes to the film. Edited January 30, 2009 by Jacky Fiend Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/395179-what-are-you-reading-now/?do=findComment&comment=1058926035 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToyMachine Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 I'm currently rereading Of Mice and Men by Steinbeck and The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger as well as finishing Antichrist by Nietzsche. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/395179-what-are-you-reading-now/?do=findComment&comment=1058926321 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark-2007 Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 The last thing I read was California Fire & Life, by Don Winslow. I've also read Power of the Dog and The Winter of Frankie Machine by him too. All three of these stories are great, fast-paced crime stories. California Fire & Life has a well-executed narrative. It's in third person but sort of gets in the people's head and you can distinguish the main character particularly. It's hard to describe unless you read it. I also wanna try and read some more well-known books. The only one I've read so far is Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. I might check around in the library for 1984 and Animal Farm by Orwell. I'll also look into Franz Kafka, Jack Kerouac, and a few others, since I've read good things about them. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/395179-what-are-you-reading-now/?do=findComment&comment=1058926815 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vercetti21 Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 Thanks for the effort on your part MK to make the topic. I'm really trying to get my hands on Watchmen, to read it before seeing the movie so it isn't so alien to me. Anyone actually read it? Borrowed it from my girlfriend and I'm in the process of reading it now. Pretty interesting so far, though at times it can get hard to follow. Can't wait to see the movie adaptation. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/395179-what-are-you-reading-now/?do=findComment&comment=1058927022 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Garcia aka NjNakedSnake Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 I've actually just started reading Watchmen #1. I'm on page 5. Gots a long way to go. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/395179-what-are-you-reading-now/?do=findComment&comment=1058927046 Share on other sites More sharing options...
sam33 Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 I've currently got two things I'm reading at the moment. The first is the Preacher Graphic novels (yes, yes a comic) but man it's so freaking awesome. The artwork in it is unique and stylistic just as you'd expect from a graphic novel and the writing has a nice flow. Best part though is definately the characters. They all are to a degree f*cked up (Especially "animal lovin" J.C... or is it T.C) but in a good way if that makes any sense. Definately worth a read even if you don't buy it. Secondly is Rum Punch by Elmore Leonard. I decided to read it as that is what the film Jackie Brown is based off and it's preety cool however like most crime thrillers it failed to hold much of my attention. . Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/395179-what-are-you-reading-now/?do=findComment&comment=1058927479 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Garcia aka NjNakedSnake Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 Just finished reading Watchmen #1. Whoa dudes, this is f*cking great. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/395179-what-are-you-reading-now/?do=findComment&comment=1058927561 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canofceleri Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 Currently about 150 pages into Ayn Rand's monstrous Atlas Shrugged. Enjoying it thus far, good sh*t. I can't wait to get through it so I can get to Infinite Jest. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/395179-what-are-you-reading-now/?do=findComment&comment=1058927783 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan. Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 Ironically enough, I'm about to start reading Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, much like ToyMachine. I'm re-reading in order to get back into the swing of things (I read about twice since we studied it in English language class last year at school), since I haven't willfully read a novel by myself in a few years. f*ck. Nice idea with this Craig, I think it will go very well. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/395179-what-are-you-reading-now/?do=findComment&comment=1058927787 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark-2007 Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 Just a quick side question: do you buy books or lend them from the local library? See, there's a good few books I'd like to read, but I'm such a cheapskate (and I prefer to spend money on CDs) that I always think "Ah, I'll get it out the library someday". I remember reading Of Mice and Men in English a while back now. It might've just been the way the teacher read it, but I was never too fond of it. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/395179-what-are-you-reading-now/?do=findComment&comment=1058928003 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan. Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 Just a quick side question: do you buy books or lend them from the local library? We have an extensive range of fiction and non-fiction books at home, so there's always something to read here, however if I'm looking for something to read just for the sake of reading, then I would head to the library. If there's something that I'm desperate to read, as in, a particular book I'd like, then I would go out and buy it. I remember reading Of Mice and Men in English a while back now. It might've just been the way the teacher read it, but I was never too fond of it. At first, I wasn't too fond of the novel myself, however after studying it and re-reading it a few times, I grew to respect the themes of the novel, and developed a greater understanding of the relationship between George and Lennie. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/395179-what-are-you-reading-now/?do=findComment&comment=1058928041 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToyMachine Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 Of Mice and Men is and forever will be one of my favorite novels. I think Lennie is just one of those fantastic characters that's hard to create. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/395179-what-are-you-reading-now/?do=findComment&comment=1058928188 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GammaRaptor Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 @ Jacky The Rest of the dexter books follows the series. I dont know about this one. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/395179-what-are-you-reading-now/?do=findComment&comment=1058928203 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Playstation_Loyalist Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 I just finished Niccolo Machiavelli's "The Prince". It had sense. It was a fascinating book which brings up politics and precursor drama in one book. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/395179-what-are-you-reading-now/?do=findComment&comment=1058928219 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oxidizer Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 Of Mice and Men is and forever will be one of my favorite novels. We were only ever shown the film at school. It wasn't as bad or as boring as I thought it'd be. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/395179-what-are-you-reading-now/?do=findComment&comment=1058928684 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan. Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 Of Mice and Men is and forever will be one of my favorite novels. I think Lennie is just one of those fantastic characters that's hard to create. Quoted for truth. In my opinion, it wasn't so much the characters themselves that were iconic, it was the relationships between Lennie and George, Candy and his dog, etc. which stood out for me. It was the first, and to this day, the only novel I've read set in that period of time, so it was interesting to learn about the anti-feministic attitudes of the men in the novel, particularily towards Curley's wife, and about the hardships faced by many men of the time (during the Great Depression). Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/395179-what-are-you-reading-now/?do=findComment&comment=1058930399 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyZimmzy Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 I'm currently reading three books. My actual book I'm reading is "Apaches", by Lorenzo Carcaterra. A book I read when I'm bored, is "I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell", by Tucker Max. Hilarious. And I'm reading the Battle Royale Vol. II manga. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/395179-what-are-you-reading-now/?do=findComment&comment=1058930442 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordy. Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 ''Amara'' - Richard Laymon About this mummy that gets stolen from a museum by a pair of egyptians, who intend to bring her back to life... Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/395179-what-are-you-reading-now/?do=findComment&comment=1058930460 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Struff Bunstridge Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 I've spent most of the last three months being pretty obsessed with House of Leaves by Mark Z Danielewski. It's astonishing how it worms its way into your head and won't go away. It's bloody hard going though - the formatting is a nightmare, whilst also being incredibly well thought-out; it actually forms part of the subtext of the book. I've just finished the last Harry Potter book, which is unashamedly good fun, and I just bought and read World War Z by Max Brooks, the same guy who did The Zombie Survival Guide. It's set in the aftermath of a global zombie uprising, describing it through fictional accounts from loads of different people from all walks of life; awesome. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/395179-what-are-you-reading-now/?do=findComment&comment=1058933175 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oxidizer Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 House of Leaves reminds me of the song Haunted by Poe, though I'm unclear as to whether she's really his sister or not. But back on topic: I just skimmed Faceless by Martina Cole, and I'm pleased to report there are snuff films in this beauty. And more paedophila and gangland killings. SRSly, check her stuff out. You won't be disappointed. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/395179-what-are-you-reading-now/?do=findComment&comment=1058933193 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abel. Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 I finished ''To kill a mocking bird'' by Harper Lee a few weeks ago, amazing, classic novel. I have also recently read Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World'', highly thought provoking and ahead of its time. I am currently reading Nick Taussig's "Love and Mayhem", great so far. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/395179-what-are-you-reading-now/?do=findComment&comment=1058938446 Share on other sites More sharing options...
greebo-man Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 A book about the cold war. Pretty damn intresting. And I couldnt help shed a little tear when the USSR disbanded... Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/395179-what-are-you-reading-now/?do=findComment&comment=1058938498 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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