Books The BOOK thread

[celia]

Duly noted. I'm not the target demographic for YA stuff. But I thought I'd check a few really popular books. I didn't learn anything of value.

A court series would actually be more a NA book if the NA has managed to be popular. Instead they just put it in YA without changing anything to the books. That's why some bloggers and readers can be quite bitter to see it win awards in YA since it shouldn't be here. There is also the problem of the graphic sex descriptions that belong more to erotica or the non clean romance than YA. I don't mean there is no sex in YA, but it is usually short and not that graphic.

I actually think Maas has improved a lot her writing. We can see a clear difference between her first book and any other (well maybe not the prequel). Don't think ToG is the best among YA, well the first book isn't at all.
When I start reading ToG, I knew I had to read too the 2nd book, because many reviewers that hated or disliked the first book really liked the second.

I would advise more to read Six of Crows from Bardugo (not her first series because she has improved a lot and it is more for female readers), Strange the Dreamer from Laini Taylor or The Lie Tree from Hardinge for YA fantasy.

--

Finished reading The Wicked King by Holly Black. It was good but I like better the first book even if except the first pages, the beginning was quite boring.

Started reading a novella In an Absent Dream (Wayward Children #4) by Seanan McGuire.

 

[Luffy]

Thanks for the detailed reply. I don't write much online as I don't talk much in real life. I just wanted to say that I'm confident of finding ToG2 good enough. But I'm participating in a yearly challenge and books from that list takes precedence. The YA books I liked most were the Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa. It's a bummer that she has stopped writing that series to give it a definite end. I've been read the Moon is A Harsh Mistress, a classic SCI FI book. It's for the challenge.

 

[Luffy]

I've been reading Pure, White and Deadly, by John Yudkin. I'll finish it today.

 

[GBBQ]

Finally getting a chance to read some of my Christmas books.

Sabrina by Nick Drnaso - Graphic novel (is that cheating?) that depicts the reaction, fake news and internet conspiracies that surround a missing woman and how it impacts her boyfriend and his connections. Its well done, there's a whole malaise around the characters like they are subdued into inaction.

The 7 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle - Half way through reading this and its a good page turner. A man wakes up in a body he does not recognise and slowly learns that he will relive the same day over 8 times to try solve the murder of the titular Evelyn (think Agatha Christie meets Quantum Leap). The clever part is that this is all happening in the same day so he starts to realise that he is interacting with his future and past selves as they try to figure out the murder in various bodies of guests at the manor.

 

[Robbo's Shoulder]

Just about to start "The Book of Night Women" by Marlon James. It's written in Patrois which should be interesting. Anyone read it?

 

[Nickosaur]

Sabrina by Nick Drnaso - Graphic novel (is that cheating?) that depicts the reaction, fake news and internet conspiracies that surround a missing woman and how it impacts her boyfriend and his connections. Its well done, there's a whole malaise around the characters like they are subdued into inaction.

Definitely not.

Read Sabrina last year. It’s a strange and unique work, I really liked it.

 

[Luffy]

The 7 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle - Half way through reading this and its a good page turner. A man wakes up in a body he does not recognise and slowly learns that he will relive the same day over 8 times to try solve the murder of the titular Evelyn (think Agatha Christie meets Quantum Leap). The clever part is that this is all happening in the same day so he starts to realise that he is interacting with his future and past selves as they try to figure out the murder in various bodies of guests at the manor.

It's been a possible read, and I could've fit it in my Popsugar challenge, but I changed my mind. The book has a lot of hype though.

 

[Luffy]

I've been reading The Moon is A Harsh Mistress. Not enjoying it.

 

[Melville Red]

Thanks for the reply.

Yeah, the first 3 or so just totally gripped me like no other book ever had, I couldn’t wait for each subsequent release.

I must have missed out on a few of his over the last 3 years or so, hoping I get the bug and pick one of these 2 up in the next few days.

I know of Grisham but I’d like a few pointers if anyone reads his stuff, thanks.

I’ve read a lot of his books, and they are good for reading on a plane, or by a pool on holiday. If you like American law and courtroom dramas he’s your man. He was a lawyer so knows a bit or two about the subject.
However he did one called A Painted House which I thought was marvellous, set in mid USA in the cotton fields in the forties, tells of a small boy growing up on the cotton farm with his big brother away in the army. I read it quite a few years ago now and it’s totaly different to any other book he has written. Not a lawyer in site and you can really get the feeling of what it was like to live and work in those conditions.

 

[Suv666]

Reading Darkness at noon. Brilliant stuff

 

[Luffy]

Ditched that Heinelen book. Not for me.

 

[Luffy]

I'm reading Gone with the wind so slowly, yet I appreciate the book a lot. I'll finish it by March.

 

[celia]

I am fond of the Iron Fey series. I really like Gone with the wind, even the descriptions are so alive. I thought The Moon is A Harsh Mistress was a good book to dislike/despise its main characters.

I have read Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman, ok reading but in a way full of good feelings and caricatural, I wish though the not-really-a-mystery - because the clues are more big signs - was subtle.

I have started reading The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo to make my own opinion though I didn't have a bad opinion of her since I heard first about her thanks to blogs that gave the big lines of her book, and not through books social media.

I have also started The Name of the Rose and the number of pages tempt me to watch the movie. Moreover, I got spoiled the explanation of the mystery thanks to non-fiction books. But at least I find the beginning more interesting than Foucault's Pendulum.

 

[Luffy]

The Name of the Rose is a peculiar book for me. I liked it enough but gave it 2/5 stars because of a personal and irrational preference.

 

[Cheesy]

The Name of the Rose is a peculiar book for me. I liked it enough but gave it 2/5 stars because of a personal and irrational preference.

Eco's a weird one. Just finished Foucault's Pendulum. Thought it was brilliantly written and witty for the most part but the immense labyrinth of historical details sometimes did feel like it was getting a bit much. Albeit that's sort of the point, I suppose.

 

[Luffy]

Eco's a weird one. Just finished Foucault's Pendulum. Thought it was brilliantly written and witty for the most part but the immense labyrinth of historical details sometimes did feel like it was getting a bit much. Albeit that's sort of the point, I suppose.

Foucault's Pendulum is one book I'll never read. I've been trying to read some old timers' books, legal thrillers and dramas but I don't have the time.

 

[Luffy]

I've read and finished Death by Darjeeling by Laura Childs. Good book.

 

[Twigg]

Reading Children of Blood and Bone, not far in but I think it's utter dross. The opening chapters were full of cliches, nothing refreshing or new, but that's acceptable since most things aren't refreshing or new. But then you just get shitty writing, like (chapter 2 spoiler) when something has happened to Zélie's father and she fears he might be dead or dying, she sets off running home and in one scene is hopping between boats "relishing in the sensation of my feet pounding against the wooden planks," bit of a weird thing to relish in these circumstances don't you think? Or am I being a pedantic fecker? I feel like these two gripes in combination set my mood for the rest of the book.

Has anyone read this and do you think it's worth continuing?

 

[celia]

I read Children of Blood and Bone because it had great reviews in the YA blogosphere and it was optioned to be a movie. The setting is original but it seems more to me the author made sure to cross a list of things found in western YA. I was kind of skeptic because lot of things don't really make sense or are just happy coincidences.

Well if you enjoy plot-holes and weird behaviors, you can go on but I guess the book will just annoy you more.

-

Read more than one third of The name of the Rose, I wonder if I should just skim the theology conversations because they may be believable, they aren't enjoyable.

Finished The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. I suppose her method makes sense if you care enough for possessions and if you have enough money to rebuy things if you discard them and need them later. But she writes in her book that it is up to the people to know what they want to keep, there is no hard number rule like 30 books by example (it is the number for her books but she never says everyone should keep the same number).

 

[Freak]

Just finished Carrick’s Between the Lines. It’s a good read that gives you an insightful perspective of what footballers have to go through. Starts off slightly slow as he talks about Wallsend, West Ham and Spurs but it picks up when he enters his United Phase. Wish he described more about the negativity during Moyes and LVG’s management though.

Overall a good 8/10 book.

 

[Luffy]

I've been reading The Wedding Guest by Jonathan Kellerman, 34th book in the series. It's good so far. If the 34th book is so good then book 1 warrants a look.

I've also been reading Five on a Hike Together, by Enid Blyton.

 

[Stick]

I finished Dune there. I enjoyed it as it hit all the right notes for me being syfy and a good read also. I'm gonna watch the film this weekend too. I just read it's a David Lynch film which has upped my interest.

 

[Luffy]

I've completed my reading of The Wedding Guest (4 stars) and ditched the Enid Blyton book. Now I'm hovering over what to read next.

 

[pierrethesnack]

I finished Dune there. I enjoyed it as it hit all the right notes for me being syfy and a good read also. I'm gonna watch the film this weekend too. I just read it's a David Lynch film which has upped my interest.

I did the opposite, watched the movie a few months ago and am now planning to read the books. I hear people who read the book first are usually disappointed by the movie though. Lynch was severely creatively restricted due to pressure from the studio, so the film is in no way a realization of his vision, just so you don't go into it hoping for a full on Lynch experience.

Have you seen they're making a new one?

https://www.popularmechanics.com/culture/movies/a25889196/dune-rumors-news/

Same director as Blade Runner 2049, looking good so far!

 

[Stick]

I did the opposite, watched the movie a few months ago and am now planning to read the books. I hear people who read the book first are usually disappointed by the movie though. Lynch was severely creatively restricted due to pressure from the studio, so the film is in no way a realization of his vision, just so you don't go into it hoping for a full on Lynch experience.

Have you seen they're making a new one?

https://www.popularmechanics.com/culture/movies/a25889196/dune-rumors-news/

Same director as Blade Runner 2049, looking good so far!

I did see it was being remade but I heard it was put on hold. I liked BR 2049 as I thought it did really well capturing the feel of the original. I will see what to make of the original but I hear that Sting is in his underpants in it which does not bode well!!

 

[pierrethesnack]

I did see it was being remade but I heard it was put on hold. I liked BR 2049 as I thought it did really well capturing the feel of the original. I will see what to make of the original but I hear that Sting is in his underpants in it which does not bode well!!

I don't think it's on hold as of today, luckily. I agree, I feel like BR 2049 is one of the sequels which manages the rare feat of making the original look even better by expanding and adding to it in a meaningful way.

Oh God, yeah it has some ridiculous moments, to be sure I reccommend having a few beers (or other stimulants of your choosing) while you watch it.

 

[Stick]

A few beers and I'll be ok. I'd say my missus will love it. Personally I think seeing Al out of Quantum Leap again will be great!

 

[pierrethesnack]

A few beers and I'll be ok. I'd say my missus will love it. Personally I think seeing Al out of Quantum Leap again will be great!

Great, have fun! I also watched Das Boot recently after really liking Jürgen Prochnow in Dune. What a charisma he has, wish he har a bigger role in Dune.

 

[celia]

I finished The name of the Rose, it was ok though there were lengthy moments.

Now reading Creatures of Will and Temper, a kind of retelling of The Picture of Dorian Gray, I find it quite dissatisfying, I have no clue why they first think the younger sister has to have a chaperone to when they let her go alone with with an unconventional female that the uncle. I am not sure there are conventions to be followed by the society since every character doesn't seem to care.

 

[Archie Leach]

I'm on the second book of Edward St.Aubyn's Patrick Melrose series and Christ, they're hilariously dark.

 

[Snow]

Currently reading Pimp: The Story of My Life by Iceberg Slim. A guy who started pimping in the 40's, went to jail and came out a reformed man. Wrote the book sort of to warn people about the disgusting nature of the business and in doing so wrote it as unbiased and as truthfully as he could. Keeps real life names in it and everything. It reads like finished story for a movie script.

I like to here about this other world that I hadn't heard about in nearly such detail before. The lingo they used is interesting. The nature of the business is cut-throat and disgusting. Absolutely vile. "Funnily" enough it has it's parallel in business and politics still. Makes for a unique reading if not anything else.

 

[celia]

Forgot to say I am probably not the reader for The name of the Rose even if I have completed it since I was thinking sometimes the author was more trying to impress the readers. Or maybe I have just too basic tastes to appreciate it even if I would say there were some melodramatic moments.

I probably should read some classics to see if I can still read challenging books. So probably a rereading of The Plague or any story I haven't read yet of Balzac.

The best thing in The name of the Rose since I read it in french was the amount of unknown or barely seen before french words. Going through the notes mostly for the latin translations doesn't really help the immersion though.

Finished Creatures of Will and Temper, I feel kind of cheated.

Started Foundryside, it isn't a bad beginning but I am disappointed because I was expecting to love it like City of Stairs.

 

[pierrethesnack]

I'm on the second book of Edward St.Aubyn's Patrick Melrose series and Christ, they're hilariously dark.

Really enjoyed the show. How does it compare?

 

[Archie Leach]

Really enjoyed the show. How does it compare?

The show was a very good adaptation. The books are darker; his father is even more loathsome than Hugo Weaving played it, which is something else.

 

[Luffy]

I'm reading When the Bough breaks, by Jonathan Kellerman. First book in the series. Also one cozy mystery.

 

[ChrisNelson]

Just finished reading The President Is Missing by Steven Patterson and Bill Clinton.

Really enjoyed it although if you are a complete technophobe then a lot of the content will go over your head due to the plot!

Because of the involvement of a former President it is very interesting and feels like it's Clinton relaying a story directly to you.

8/10.

 

[Thunderhead]

just read the 'Station Series' by David Downing based around an British reporter living in Germany with a German ex wife and child, the books are pre, during and after WW2 all based around train stations in Berlin, there not taxing, easy to read and (IMO) pretty good, if you like Jack Reacher type books I think you'd enjoy these, perfect for a quick chapter every night before bed or for taking on holiday.

 

[Luffy]

just read the 'Station Series' by David Downing based around an British reporter living in Germany with a German ex wife and child, the books are pre, during and after WW2 all based around train stations in Berlin, there not taxing, easy to read and (IMO) pretty good, if you like Jack Reacher type books I think you'd enjoy these, perfect for a quick chapter every night before bed or for taking on holiday.

Sounds quite original, and intriguing. Thanks for mentioning it.

 

[dumbo]

Returning to the books of your childhood, piecing together the fragments of that shattered innocence:

Spoiler

Oh.

Edit: Now they have bundled up Shadow the sheepdog in a sack. I'll keep you posted.
Update: Johnny has saved his dog from the wretched gypsies, all is well in the world.

 

[Nickosaur]

Just finished The Castle by Kafka.

I love the unsettling, futile, haunting worlds and characters he creates.