Books: a literary discussion

[Rather Dashing]

http://imgur.com/57ASs.jpg

So I've been eying and lusting after a nook (http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nook/index.asp?cm_mmc=Redirect-_-nook.com-_-Storefront-_-nook) and its fancy new 1.3 firmware even though I know I can't afford one. And all that looking at something meant to read books made me think about...BOOKS.

Let's talk about books. Anybody read anything recent that was really good? Have an obscure old favorite?

Where do you read books? When do you read them? What books do you read? How do you read books?

Etc and so forth.

If it involves books, say it. I'd like some good recommendations on recently published books and currently running ongoing series, too.

My favorite book of all time is Dumas's "Count of Monte Cristo"(or at least the unabridged English translation), though I of course love the geek standbys as well(Hitchhiker's Guide, Neuromancer, Slaughterhouse-Five, Snow Crash, et all). I also have Star Wars books as somewhat of a guilty pleasure.

Also, this isn't the thread about pictures of boobs. There shouldn't be pictures of boobs in this thread.

...unless it's a picture of a book that just HAPPENS to contain boobs. Because then it's absolutely on-topic and worthy of discussion.

...

SO.

BOOKS.

[JedExodus]

I think you'd really enjoy P.G. Wodehouse's Jeeves (& Wooster) stories. They're a joy to read and a good example of how one can have great fun with the English language

[Avistew]

My favourite contemporary French author is Bernard Werber. I think I've mentioned him before. My favourite books by him, The Thanatonauts (Les Thanatonautes), isn't available in English, but his first books, Empire of the Ants (Les Fourmis) is.

As far as classics go, I love Les Misérables. It's full of ridiculous coincidences, of completely off-topic rants and of un-needed descriptions, but I love it the way it is. I re-read it recently, and I was shocked to realise I remembered some parts word for word. (I had only read it once before, actually).

I also really like The Little Prince, By St-Ex (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry). We actually translated it into English in university, it was pretty neat (that wasn't published or anything, mind you, it was just an assignment). This one I've read countless times, I seem to find new things about it every time even though it's so short.

I guess that's my contribution for today. A fair amount of books that were originally written in English I've read in French as a kid, so I'm working my way up reading them in English now.

[Secret Fawful]

I completely misread the title of this topic at first.

Well, a full discussion can take a lot of typing so I'll wait and join in when a heated one pops up, but for now some of my favorites are:

The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky,
To Kill A Mockingbird by Lee,
The Hobbit by Tolkien,
The Last Battle by Lewis,
The Restaurant At The End of the Universe by Adams,
Shogun by Clavell,
Indiana Jones and the Philosopher's Stone by McCoy,
The Shadow: The Voodoo Master by Grant,
2001: A Space Odyssey and Rendezvous With Rama by Clarke,
Redwall by Jacques,
Schindler's List by Keneally,
The Strange Case of Charles Dexter Ward by Lovecraft,
The Truth and Making Money by Pratchett,
Murder On The Orient Express by Christie,
The Hound of the Baskervilles by Doyle,
Around the World in 80 Days by Verne,
Still Life With Crows by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child,
Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson,
Artemis Fowl by Colfer,
The Spell of the Sorcerer's Skull by Bellairs,
and The Maltese Falcon by Hammett.

Dang. That's a long list of just favorites. I must've spent ten minutes trying to think of them all.

[Alcoremortis]

My list of favorite books takes up about four bookshelves...currently. I'll try to trim it down.

Favorite of all time (so far): Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman.

Other favorites:
Pretty much everything Terry Pratchett has written
Three Musketeers by Alexander Dumas
Alice in Wonderland/Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
Gregor the Overlander Series by Suzanne Collins
Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathon Stroud
The Pseudolus by Plautus
Alex Rider Series by Anthony Horowitz
Songs of Innocence and Experience by William Blake
Stardust by Neil Gaiman
Redwall by Brian Jacques
Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling (unoriginal of me, I know, but they're good)
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkein
Bloody Jack series by L.A. Meyer
A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
Metamorphoses by Ovid
Hard Times and Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Villains by Necessity by Eve Forward (best unknown book I've read--a mint paperback copy of this went for six hundred dollars on amazon...luckily I had a very good library)

...That was a lot.

Since no one has mentioned it yet, least favorite books in descending order:

Twilight and all its irk by She Who Must Not Be Named

[Avistew]

I can't name my least favourite books, since when I immensely dislike a book I stop reading it and pretty much forget its existence, name and author.
And the very famous ones, I can easily tell if I won't enjoy them so I don't even try. Therefore I can't say I don't like Twilight, since I haven't even tried reading it.

Hey, wanna start a book club or something? We could decide on a book to read, that's readily available to everyone involved (for that reason I would suggest making it one available on Gutenberg or similar place), read it either in English or the original language if different than English (for those who can speak that language), and then talk about what we liked and disliked about it?

[Alcoremortis]

Oooh! Book Club! I love book suggestions!

Anything to take my mind off the fact that I've been grinding my way through Moby Dick for the past three years. >.>

...I get distracted easily. But yes. Book Club.

[GuruGuru214]

I always have the problem of wanting to read more, but never knowing what to read. If I don't go into a bookstore with a specific item in mind, I'll never know what to pick up.

So it's hardly surprising that I just finished reading the Harry Potter series for the third time. I have attempted to read The Lord of the Rings, but I only managed to get through The Hobbit and Fellowship before getting lost somewhere in The Two Towers, but I would like to give it another try sometime. Also, I somehow managed to make my way through The Chronicles of Narnia once, but I hardly remember much of it past the first two books and I'm not sure I want to revisit it.

Other than that, though, I'm pretty much underexposed to literature. There's a decent number of books to be found around my house, I just don't really tend to put forth the effort to find them and see what we have. At the very least, I know there's a copy of Moby Dick around here that my dad once managed to force his way through (and yet he can't get through the Harry Potter series). I did find a really old copy of Don Quixote around here once (c. 1930), but when I went to read it, I found the printing hard to read. I'd definitely love to get my hands on a newer copy, though.

So yeah, I think a Telltale Book Club would be awesome. It'd give me the direction I lack to discover new books.

[flesk]

Also, this isn't the thread about pictures of boobs. There shouldn't be pictures of boobs in this thread.

...unless it's a picture of a book that just HAPPENS to contain boobs. Because then it's absolutely on-topic and worthy of discussion.

There is this book (http://www.amazon.com/Big-Book-Boobs-Martin-Sigrist/dp/3037665556). My wife gave it to me for my birthday a couple of years ago. Some of the pictures are very nice, but there's also the less classy ones.

Can't think of any favorites books right now, but I do get to read quite a bit, since I have a 45 minute commute by subway to and from work every day, and I don't have a tv at home. My favourite authors are probably Gogol, Dostoyevsky, García and Murakami. I'm also pretty fond of fantasy, popular science and anything math related.

[taumel]

Too many good books but i name one i couldn't deal with at all. Ken Kesey's One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest rellay depressed me and i even gave the book away because i felt bad everytime i saw it in my lib.

Wasn't there a book thread already?

Now i have to name at least one good book as well. I would recommend reading Patrick Süskind's The Perfume. Different kind of story, at least for the time it was beeing released, and a wonderful well written prosa, dunno how good the translations are. Moreover i read it when i was in Saint-Germain in Paris which made it a very special experience.

[Alcoremortis]

Wasn't there a book thread already?

Maybe, but if there was, it wasn't similar enough to a certain absolutely-not-related-thread-also-in-the-general-forum for people to accidentally click on it.

[Will]

I'm totally just cut and pasting this from my guild forum, but it's still applicable:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d1/Haruki_murakami_hardboiled_9780679743460.jpg/200px-Haruki_murakami_hardboiled_9780679743460.jpg
Hardboiled Wonderland and the End of the World by Haruki Murakami (http://www.murakami.ch)
Surrealism without being overly pretentious or obtuse. The reality in Murakami's worlds all seem paper-thin: you can see shadows of things moving around on the other side, but you only ever get glimpses. I really cannot recommend his writing enough, though this is my favorite of his. I also heartily suggest A Wild Sheep Chase if you like the surreal, or Norwegian Wood if you want something a little more human.

On the completely other end of the spectrum:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/3/3a/Yotsuba_vol1_cover.jpg/200px-Yotsuba_vol1_cover.jpg (http://www.amazon.com/YOTSUBA-1-Azuma-Kiyohiko/dp/1413903177/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238808869&sr=8-4)
Yotsuba& by Azuma Kiyohiko
This is like the comic version of a pile of puppies. No matter how many times I read it, it always always makes my day better. By the same guy who did Azumanga Daioh, but it's actually better. I've gotten a couple of people in the office totally hooked on this.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d9/Fables.png/250px-Fables.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fables_(comics))
Fables written by Bill Willingham
Epic graphic novel series about various fables living in the modern day world in secret. I can't think of a way to describe this series that actually does it justice, but trust me it is worth the read. The first book is mostly just a neat story, but they get increasingly better from there.

Oh, and Discworld. Discworld, Discworld, Discworld. Have you read any Discworld yet? Because seriously, go read Discworld.

[Avistew]

On the completely other end of the spectrum:Yotsuba& by Azuma Kiyohiko
This is like the comic version of a pile of puppies. No matter how many times I read it, it always always makes my day better.

Does that mean reading Murakami will make my day worse? Is it sad?

[Will]

Some of Murakami's stuff is sad. All of it is enigmatic. Not sure if that clarifies thing, but he's hard to nail down.

[Avistew]

Some of Murakami's stuff is sad. All of it is enigmatic. Not sure if that clarifies thing, but he's hard to nail down.

I'm only asking because I followed your linked and read "The 100% Perfect Girl" online and it was sad. I was wondering if all of his stuff was.
While I can appreciate sad stories, I'd rather know what I'm getting into beforehand :p

[The Highway]

I'm surprised nobody's mentioned Surfin'the Highway. That counts as a book.

Also, I enjoy James Patterson novels. Quite exciting. But my bookshelf is mostly filled with young adult's literature, being 16 and all.

[Will]

Also, I suppose it's worth noting that I recently got a Kindle. I freakin' love it. Now if it's something by an author I really care about, I'll go and buy the physical copy. Terry Pratchett is an instabuy in the physical book category. But the kindle is amazing for everything else. I've probably read 10 new books since Christmas on it. Normally I will only read one or two new ones in this time period and the rest will just be re-reads. It is just so much easier to finish a book and then immediately buy the next one from bed.

[Will]

I'm only asking because I followed your linked and read "The 100% Perfect Girl" online and it was sad. I was wondering if all of his stuff was.
While I can appreciate sad stories, I'd rather know what I'm getting into beforehand :p

I'd give Wild Sheep's Chase a try then. That and it's sequel Dance, Dance, Dance are a really good place to start for getting into Murakami. They should give you a pretty good idea of his style.

[Avistew]

I'd give Wild Sheep's Chase a try then. That and it's sequel Dance, Dance, Dance are a really good place to start for getting into Murakami. They should give you a pretty good idea of his style.

Thanks, I'll make a note of that.

I adore my Sony Reader, too. I read so much more with it, and most importantly, I've been reading all these classics I never read. While you can't really buy 1,000 books and then read them when you feel like one or another, it's fairly easy to download them, put them on your book reader, and then just start whichever you feel like at that time.
I also find it handy for library books because I don't even have to go there, and more importantly, I don't have to take the trip to return them, they just expire.

[Alcoremortis]

Terry Pratchett is an instabuy in the physical book category.

You just described about 60% of my book-buying philosophy. The other 40% goes to authors that I've read previously and any book that has a skull or fire on the cover. Or a flaming skull.

[taumel]

I didn't like the discworld, not the prosa, not the humour, not the world.

But i can laugh about Thomas Bernhard. :O)

[Rather Dashing]

Also, I suppose it's worth noting that I recently got a Kindle. I freakin' love it. Now if it's something by an author I really care about, I'll go and buy the physical copy. Terry Pratchett is an instabuy in the physical book category. But the kindle is amazing for everything else. I've probably read 10 new books since Christmas on it. Normally I will only read one or two new ones in this time period and the rest will just be re-reads. It is just so much easier to finish a book and then immediately buy the next one from bed.
When it comes to e-readers, I'm 50/50 between the Kindle 2 and the Barnes and Noble nook for awhile now, though recently I've been leaning toward the nook. My main issue with the Amazon reader is formatting. I know I can take any non-DRM'd eBook and convert it for use on Kindle using Calibre, but I would prefer native support for ePub and PDF, and I'd like my in-device store to sell books in an open, widely supported format. I don't like feeling like my books are "chained" to a device.

The Kindle definitely has its pluses, though, enough to give me pause when thinking about grabbing an e-reader.

[Astro Gnocci]

Currently rereading some bukowski's poems. I just love that guy.

Another big favourite of mine is John Fante.
Only recently read the grapes of wrath and decided Steinbeck ruled too.

And there's a lot of other guys too that i'm too lazy to think of right now.

I also have Star Wars books as somewhat of a guilty pleasure.

Hehe, i used to love the x-wing series. Reread those a year ago during a bored period, they're actually not THAT bad compared to some others :eek:

[Little Writer]

A book thread?! Now you've done it ...

Where to start ... :confused:

This is what my collection looked like two years ago:

http://www.telltalegames.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1414&stc=1&d=1272623730

It has grown since.

Books I've read this year are:
"Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand
"Under the Dome" by Stephen King
"Dark Rivers of the Heart" and "Intensity" by Dean Koontz
"Pirate Latitudes" by Michael Crichton
"Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card

Currently I'm reading "Strange Highways" by Dean Koontz.

[Kroms]

Wasn't there a book thread already?

Yeah. Mine (http://wrapserver.telltalegames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13588). Rather Dashing is a baby stealer.


Now i have to name at least one good book as well. I would recommend reading Patrick Süskind's The Perfume. Different kind of story, at least for the time it was beeing released, and a wonderful well written prosa, dunno how good the translations are. Moreover i read it when i was in Saint-Germain in Paris which made it a very special experience.

Perfume is excellent.

The English prose is very good, though I have no idea how it compares to the original German.

It was one of those books I bought on a whim and ended-up loving completely. For the angry, isolated teen in you, this is a breath of nihilistic, pessimistic fresh air. It's one of the best books I've ever read.
I'd give Wild Sheep's Chase a try then. That and it's sequel Dance, Dance, Dance are a really good place to start for getting into Murakami. They should give you a pretty good idea of his style.

I should add that A Wild Sheep Chase is crazy, in both good and bad ways. I don't know if it's for everyone; probably not. It's weird and crazy and random; there's a character called The Rat, a girl with "erotic ears" (??) and an obsession with time that all relates to a sheep with a red star on it.

Needless to say I found it memorable, but I don't know if it's pleasant.

Edit: Heh, found a post of mine (http://wrapserver.telltalegames.com/forums/showpost.php?p=227656&postcount=4) discussing A Wild Sheep Chase on the other thread.

[S@bre]

I'm currently reading The Guns of Navarone, having sort of finished reading For Your Eyes Only. I just can't seem to get into the later Fleming books anymore, they just don't grab me in the same way the absolutely awesome classic that is From Russia With Love does. I've got Bernard Cornwell's The Winter King, Iain Gale's Four Days in June, Jack Whyte's Knights of the Black & White and Len Deighton's The IPCRESS File ready for when I'm done with that.

Well, that's what I would like to be reading at the moment. Its got a bookmark in it for about chapter 2. I'm kind of limited to reading textbooks at the moment, due to exams next week. Generally the works of Geoffrey Parker, Jeremy Black, Frank Stenton, Christopher Hibbert and David Carpenter.

Hehe, i used to love the x-wing series. Reread those a year ago during a bored period, they're actually not THAT bad compared to some others :eek:

I quite like the Republic Commando series actually, mainly because its not a very Star Wars-ish approach (I don't read Star Wars books usually), given its focus on the gritty warfare of a single squad. Alas Karen Traviss won't be writing any more in that series due to complications with Lucasfilm, so any further books are likely to just butcher the great approach she had to it.

[GuybrushWilco]

Im reading NEXT by Michael Crichton. It is his last published book before he died, although two more are being published posthumously. It is basically about genetic alterations and greedy villains. I read constantly, mostly scifi, thrillers and the occasional autobiography. You should read Ulysses S. Grants autobiography. It was published in two volumes and co-written by mark twain. I'm pretty sure it is public domain now and can be found on the net.

[corruptbiggins]

Choosing my favourite books is quite hard. At the moment, I'd have to say these are up there but this is by no means a definitive list (and I know some are series of books but I can't separate them all):

Red Storm Rising - Tom Clancy
Jack Ryan series - Tom Clancy
Odd Thomas series - Dean Koontz
From The Corner Of His Eye - Dean Koontz
The Stand - Stephen King
Dark Tower series - Stephen King
Chronicles of Narnia - C.S. Lewis (Voyage of the Dawn Treader is my favourite of the series)
Lord of the Rings series - J.R.R. Tolkien
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Millennium trilogy - Judith & Garfield Reeves-Stevens
Star Trek "Shatnerverse" series - William Shatner with Judith & Garfield Reeves-Stevens
K-Pax - Gene Brewer
Neither Here Nor There - Bill Bryson
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series - Douglas Adams
Discworld series - Terry Pratchett (though I've only just started the 15th book in the series)
Ubik - Philip K. Dick
High Fidelity - Nick Hornby
Jurassic Park - Michael Crichton
Lost World - Michael Crichton


That'll do I think. There's probably a load more, in fact probably most of the books I own could have been included because I don't own books I don't like. I'll do my top 3 authors as well:

1) Dean Koontz
2) Terry Pratchett
3) Nick Hornby or Bill Bryson (can't choose between them)

[ShaggE]

Im reading NEXT by Michael Crichton. It is his last published book before he died, although two more are being published posthumously. It is basically about genetic alterations and greedy villains.

NEXT is a great one. :D

I won't do a list of my favorite books, as I'd be making alterations to it constantly as I remember more and more, so I'll just leave it at my favorite book at the moment: John Dies At The End, by David Wong.

It's almost everything I could want in a novel: Horror, humor, surrealism, you name it. It can be a bit immature and simply written at times, but it's like Stephen King met HP Lovecraft and Dave Barry at a party (yes, I know King and Barry are friends in real life), and they sired an unholy offspring and named him David Wong.

[wefeelgroove]

I'm totally just cut and pasting this from my guild forum, but it's still applicable:
Hardboiled Wonderland and the End of the World by Haruki Murakami (http://www.murakami.ch)
Surrealism without being overly pretentious or obtuse. The reality in Murakami's worlds all seem paper-thin: you can see shadows of things moving around on the other side, but you only ever get glimpses. I really cannot recommend his writing enough, though this is my favorite of his. I also heartily suggest A Wild Sheep Chase if you like the surreal, or Norwegian Wood if you want something a little more human.

On the completely other end of the spectrum:
Yotsuba& by Azuma Kiyohiko
This is like the comic version of a pile of puppies. No matter how many times I read it, it always always makes my day better. By the same guy who did Azumanga Daioh, but it's actually better. I've gotten a couple of people in the office totally hooked on this.

Fables written by Bill Willingham
Epic graphic novel series about various fables living in the modern day world in secret. I can't think of a way to describe this series that actually does it justice, but trust me it is worth the read. The first book is mostly just a neat story, but they get increasingly better from there.

Oh, and Discworld. Discworld, Discworld, Discworld. Have you read any Discworld yet? Because seriously, go read Discworld.

Oh man, I love Yotsuba&! And Fables! AND Discworld! I've never heard of Hardboiled Wonderland but I might have to check that one out.

I just finished reading The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. I admit I'm a terrible person and laughed when she decided to quit school after trying to read Finnegans Wake, because really, what college student hasn't felt that way after reading that book?

[JedExodus]

I just realised that i've had the Unseen Academicals in my backpack for months and i'd forgotten all about it. That'll be me sorted for this evening :)

[Secret Fawful]

I want to add that the Yotsuba&! suggestion by Will is a great one. I also recommend it. I keep meaning to start a Murakami book but keep not wanting to put the money out to buy one. Because I spend too much money on manga and classical books.

Speaking of manga.

http://wednesdayshaul.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/pluto1_500.jpg
Pluto

and...

http://www.bpb-art.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/20th_century_boys_vol_01.jpg
20th Century Boys

...by Naoki Urasawa are must reads. Great characters, great plots that keep you guessing, great development, and great emotional impact are key in his stories.

[Avistew]

Oh, Urasawa has a new series? I liked Monster and I loved 20th/21st Century Boys (prefer the French covers though).
I'll take a look at that... Astro Boy spinoff/cover/thingie.

[Secret Fawful]

It's not a spinoff, but more of a mature retelling. Astro Boy/Atom isn't the main character, he's part of the supporting cast in this story. The main character is a European android detective named Gesicht.

[coolsome]

my fav mangas are Sailor Moon Ghost in the shell Death Note and verious Yaoi XD

[Leak]

Well, my mainstay of books are probably my 108 volumes of Perry Rhodan silver-cover issues, which are collections of the weekly novels - which are currently at issue #2541; yes, it's probably the world's most successful science fiction book series ever... :D

Then there's a lot (but not all) of Terry Pratchett's books, some novels by Greg Bear, William Gibson and Neal Stephenson (still haven't started reading Cryptonomicon - do I have to hand in my geek card now?). I've also read (and enjoyed) the first nine "Southern Vampire Mysteries" (aka "True Blood") books by Charlaine Harris and am waiting for the tenth to be released...

There's print versions of a few webcomics: Wapsi Square, Girls With Slingshots, Beaver & Steve, The Laugh-Out-Loud Cats and Simon's Cat (okay, not a webcomic...).

And to top it all off, there's oodles of manga: all 40 volumes of 3x3 Eyes, Fullmetal Alchemist, Tenjo Tenge, Battle Angel Alita/BAA Last Order, most of Masamune Shirow's works, Gunsmith Cats, Hyper Police (highly recommended), Hellsing, Gunslinger Girl, Mahoromatic, Read Or Die, Chobits, ...

That's where the DVDs start coming in and making the space on my shelves less and less by the week... :(

np: Murs & 9th Wonder - The Lick (ft. Verbs) (Fornever)

[jeeno0142]

Some great books that I've recently read are the Oracle Triology by Catherine Fisher, and the biggest book I've ever read in my life Pillars of the Earth by Ken Fowlett. That's a good book. A BIG good book! I also have the entire of the Jeeves and Wooster collection by Wodehouse. He's good.

I have wanted an E-book reader for ages now, and have been holding a secret hope that they'll release E-book reader software for the DS. All the E-readers I've ever looked at are just too big. I want it to be pocket size. Perhaps a bit bigger than an I-phone and for E-books only. I think I'm being to choosy.

[Avistew]

I have wanted an E-book reader for ages now, and have been holding a secret hope that they'll release E-book reader software for the DS. All the E-readers I've ever looked at are just too big. I want it to be pocket size. Perhaps a bit bigger than an I-phone and for E-books only. I think I'm being to choosy.

There are Palms and stuff with e-book readability. My mp3 player can read e-books too.
Of course they're not e-books only, but neither would be the DS.
There is a DS game that has classics on it, by the way. Of course you can't choose your own books and add them.

I've personally been hoping they're release a double-page ebook reader for a while. It would be much better for reading sequential art, and even some novels, and much easier to hold, I feel. Plus this way you can close it and protect the screens even if you don't have a "cover" for it.

[Alcoremortis]

I like E-books for the convenience of not having to go to the library or the bookstore, but I prefer to also own a hard copy of books that I enjoy, simply because I like turning actual pages. Kindle seems a bit impersonal that way. Also, your favorite author can't sign an E-book. They could sign whatever you read it on, but it just wouldn't be the same.

[Rather Dashing]

Oh, are we talking about Japanese comics, now? Because if we're going that route, Parasyte is my current love. It was published in the first half of the 90s, but until recently it hasn't had a decent English release in the US. Del-Rey's manga division, which otherwise is a HORRIBLE selection of series, has done an amazing job with Parasyte. The release is based off the excellent Kanzenban books, nice binding and paper all around, and they're larger volumes than Viz's usual tankobon-based releases. The translation notes in the back, talking about all "iffy" areas or just interesting aspects of the translation are an extremely nice touch, and I still like having my Japanese comics contain the original sound effects(especially since they're often a part of the art of the page itself).

Anyway, it's a really good sci-fi story. It was published in Afternoon, so none of the usual Shonen/Shojo nonsense. The series revolves around parasites that jump into people's bodies and can change the shape of the body part they take over. Generally they go for the head, to take control of the brain. The alien parasites then walk around like normal people, except, you know...they eat people. The art gets really creative (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_n5xC4ByBQAU/RrALFs2jqmI/AAAAAAAADbo/GMq525Llwq4/s1600/IMG_0005.jpg), especially for fights and such. It touches on some great and deep issues, and overall it's just a really good and well-realized story.

[Alcoremortis]

Hmmm.... my favorite manga would probably have to be FullMetal Alchemist. The art, the humor, the story are all so perfect. Also, I feel a special bond towards alchemy, what with being a biochemistry major and all.

[Secret Fawful]

Hmmm.... my favorite manga would probably have to be FullMetal Alchemist. The art, the humor, the story are all so perfect. Also, I feel a special bond towards alchemy, what with being a biochemistry major and all.

Yeah, this is the same for me. Plus the themes and actual character development is really really good. The series is criticized for being too melodramatic, but that tends to come with a complex character story. I'm just happy some idiot hasn't come in yet and said "durr manga has t3h dumbs manga is not t3h l33terary like Plato durr hurr".

[Rather Dashing]

I dunno, I was actually looking for...um, short stories and novels. Doesn't mean that I don't like them, or that I won't discuss them, but it's definitely not exactly what I was looking for. It's fine within the context of an overall book discussion, I guess, I just hope this doesn't become "Manga: A Japanophile Discussion", because honestly I don't get much enjoyment from the stuff that's popular these days.

[Alcoremortis]

I just hope this doesn't become "Manga: A Japanophile Discussion", because honestly I don't get much enjoyment from the stuff that's popular these days.

Manga isn't quite as popular as some really awful books--coughTwilightcough--

That's why there are anime nerds.

But yes, I agree with the sticking with books. Anyone read Apuleius' The Golden Ass? It's quite fantastic for a two thousand year old book.

[Avistew]

Yeah, I thought this was going to be a thread about... textual fiction? Or even non-fiction I guess, but I'd think sequential art would deserve its own separate thread.
Not that I have a problem with people sharing their favourites or anything, but if we do do a book club kinda-thing, I'm assuming it will have to be with text-only books, be it at least for copyright reasons.

Speaking of which, how many people were in, again?

[Alcoremortis]

Oooh! Pick me!

[Rather Dashing]

Speaking of which, how many people were in, again?
I dunno. Depends on what we'd be reading I guess?

[GuruGuru214]

I'm all for giving it a try.

[Avistew]

Okay. Now to decide how we select a book :p

[Rather Dashing]

Okay. Now to decide how we select a book :p
As a 10 year-old, I'd do this by finding the one with a spaceship on the cover. Or an explosion. Or an alien planet.

Incidentally, this is pathetically similar to my current criteria.

[Alcoremortis]

As a 10 year-old, I'd do this by finding the one with a spaceship on the cover. Or an explosion. Or an alien planet.

Incidentally, this is pathetically similar to my current criteria.

You forgot flaming skulls.

[Rather Dashing]

You forgot flaming skulls.
No I didn't.

[Avistew]

As a 10 year-old, I'd do this by finding the one with a spaceship on the cover. Or an explosion. Or an alien planet.

Incidentally, this is pathetically similar to my current criteria.

Remind me how you ended up reading The Count of Monte-Cristo? Are you sure it's an accurate translation? :p

[Alcoremortis]

Remind me how you ended up reading The Count of Monte-Cristo? Are you sure it's an accurate translation? :p

It probably had a flaming skull on the cover.

[GuruGuru214]

Here's (http://bestsellers.about.com/od/bookclubresources/ht/start_book_club.htm) what a quick trip to Google turned up:

How to Choose Books:

Some groups vote on what books they are going to read at the beginning of the year. Some let the host for the month choose. Some use the bestsellers lists or a national book club--such as Oprah's Book Club--as a guide. No matter how your book club chooses books, you also need to decide if there will be any restrictions on the choices (ie, just fiction, just paperbacks, etc.). Try this book club reading list (http://bestsellers.about.com/od/bookclubresources/a/bookclublist.htm) for a year of suggestions.

Of course, I have no idea whether or not that's useful advice, and I'm equally uncertain about the list it links to. Somehow I just can't see the Telltale Book Club using the Oprah's Book Club list...

Edit: This one looks like much better advice. (http://www.book-clubs-resource.com/running/choosing-books.php)

[Avistew]

I wish Gutenberg had a "random book" feature. We could all do that, post what we ended up with, and choose whichever we prefer or something.

EDIT: @ Guru: considering how we come from different places and might have different budgets, I really think we should restrict this to public domain stuff. Most book clubs would read books that are not public domain, so they're less practical for us.

Also, I think I'd prefer sticking with fiction but I guess I could be convinced.

[Rather Dashing]

I can't say I speak for everyone, but I'm pretty sure Oprah shouldn't run the Telltale Forumites Book Club.

Remind me how you ended up reading The Count of Monte-Cristo? Are you sure it's an accurate translation? :p
Wait, Dantes is a space captain that is detained in a prison that is made up of an entire planet, right? At the end, he disables the AI of the planet-sized spherical robot that imprisoned him? Also, if I remember correctly, there's a disco competition on the moon, with limb-severing lasers.

[GuruGuru214]

Yeah, using an established list might not be the best idea, but the advice on how to choose amongst ourselves seems pretty sound. Going with one of the classics and a book that one of our members has thoroughly enjoyed in the past seems like a good idea to me. Anyone else in favor of starting with The Count of Monte Cristo?

[Avistew]

Anyone else in favor of starting with The Count of Monte Cristo?

I'm fine with that. I guess we could each in turn suggest a book we've previously read and everyone would read it (and we'd re-read it). Kinda "leaves out" the one person who has read it already, except if they enjoyed it they should be fine with reading it again I guess.

[GuruGuru214]

Yeah, I figure if it's something that the person is happy to read again, the rest of us will hopefully really enjoy it as well.

[Rather Dashing]

Yeah, using an established list might not be the best idea, but the advice on how to choose amongst ourselves seems pretty sound. Going with one of the classics and a book that one of our members has thoroughly enjoyed in the past seems like a good idea to me. Anyone else in favor of starting with The Count of Monte Cristo?
I hope you're aware that The Count of Monte Cristo hovers around 1,500 pages and any printed copy, if dropped from waist-level, could kill a small cat. I may be exaggerating, I don't know, I've never actually tried to kill a cat with a copy of The Count of Monte Cristo. I don't like getting my books messy.

[Avistew]

Yeah, it's big, but people have been mentioning Don Quixote, which is big too.

I wanted to suggest Scarlet and Black by Stendhal, because I've heard it's good and I've been wanting to read it, but Gutenberg doesn't have it in English...
Here, I found a list of classics (http://www.listsofbests.com/list/11632-101-best-books-ever-written). They're probably not all public domain, but that should give us ideas. Let's make a list so we don't have to have that talk every time :p

[Rather Dashing]

We could also look through Gutenburg's Top 100 (http://www.gutenberg.org/browse/scores/top) list.

[Avistew]

We could also look through Gutenburg's Top 100 (http://www.gutenberg.org/browse/scores/top) list.

The first one is Alice (my name), the second is the Kama Sutra...
I feel that list was made for me.

[Rather Dashing]

The first one is Alice (my name), the second is the Kama Sutra...
I feel that list was made for me.
Obviously it's a SIGN. A sign that we should use Gutenburg's list. OK everybody, book club book #1: the Karma Sutra!

...

Maybe that's a bad idea.

[Avistew]

Okay, things immediately catching my interest in Gutenberg's list:

- The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde (http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/844)
- The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/174)
- The Magic Skin by Honoré de Balzac (http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/1307)

(Okay, I added the last one)

[GuruGuru214]

Why do I get the feeling that this club is going to drive us all to buy e-readers?

[Avistew]

Why do I get the feeling that this club is going to drive us all to buy e-readers?

Well, if it's classics, they should also be available in your library, right?
And at worst you can read on the computer. I wouldn't say owning an e-reader is a requirement.
Of course it can help :p

[Rather Dashing]

Things immediately catching my interest in Gutenberg's list:

-Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/11)(Sorry, Avistew)
-The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/1661)
-Dracula (http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/345)
-Treasure Island (http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/120)

(Okay, I added the last one, but Treasure Island should have been on the top 100 list. I regret nothing!)

[Avistew]

I'd be fine with Dracula too. And Treasure Island I guess, it's been a while.

[Iryon]

Treasure Island or Sherlock Holmes ... I can't decide.

[Alcoremortis]

Everything on that list looks good to me...except possibly Kama Sutra because my roommates would give me funny looks.

Having said that, I'm really interested in reading The Picture of Dorian Grey, The Importance of Being Earnest, or Dracula. Since I haven't read any of those yet.

[ShaggE]

+1 for Dorian Grey. One of my favorite horror stories ever written.

[jeeno0142]

I haven't seen the 100 top books list, but I hope Lord of the Rings is in there. The books are way better than the films. (Not implying that the films are bad, just saying the books are better).

[Avistew]

I finished The Importance of Being Earnest and am reading some of Wilde's other plays because I liked it.

I'm still up for Dorian Gray, Monte-Cristo, Dracula or Treasure Island.

@Will: I looked into A Wild Sheep's Chase, they didn't have it in my library, so I looked elsewhere and found out it's the third book in a series, after Hear the Wind Sing and Pinball, 1973.
I don't like starting series in the middle (or the end) but they also say the first two are much harder to find. What would you advise? Have you read the first two, and if so do you think it might be better to read them first? Or do you think I should start there even if it's the third book?

[Kroms]

You can read A Wild Sheep Chase fine, Avistew, without having checked the others. I didn't know it was a sequel to anything till I read your post.

[Will]

Yeah, the other two are short stories, not full books. You can pick up with Wild Sheep's Chase just fine. I actually read the books in reverse order, starting with Dance, Dance, Dance, and even that wasn't a problem.

[Secret Fawful]

If you guys pick Dracula I'll join in. A friend of mine has been bugging me to read it on Gutenberg since I praise the Bela Lugosi film and he wants to convince me all of the Dracula films are travesties against the book.

[guitarsareboring]

Some books I enjoyed so much my brain almost melted...

George Saunders - In Persuasion Nation
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51q95Na%2BHkL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Jasper Fforde - Lost in a Good Book
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51xX8VWMOyL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Shalom Auslander - Beware of God
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51HgEZzXIcL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Terry Pratchett - Guards! Guards!
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51KE6G60XNL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

George Orwell - Down and Out in Paris and London
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51XV6jdFAVL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU02_.jpg

Douglas Coupland - Microserfs
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41JdTKhPq3L._AA300_.jpg

Andrew Holmes - Sleb
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41C45WN4WFL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Sylvia Plath - The Bell Jar
http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/ciu/e2/d9/da21012912a0aea7e2062210.L._AA300_.jpg

Malcolm Pryce - Aberystwyth Mon Amour
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ACMMZP44L._SL500_AA300_.jpg

[VeronicanPlay]

I like to read, and I mostly read when travelling or in bed before sleep.
Sometimes I can sit and read for hours if the plot is really getting exciting.

I have a lot of favorites so far, but it continues to expand.

Skulduggery Pleasant.
Night Angel Trilogy
Shadow of the Apt series
Artemis Fowl series
Anything with Eoin Colfer (That man is a genius)

Soon I will start on The Painted Man.

I am also reading a Danish book translated The Devils Apprentice, in the book line called The Great Devil War, so far there is 3 books and I am waiting for number. 4 :)

[Alcoremortis]

Skulduggery Pleasant.

Ah, yes... One of the few books that I picked up simply because of its cover. I have low resistance to books with a skull or flames on the cover and this had both...

Pretty good book too:D

[Kroms]

I've mentioned it a couple of times before, but I will say it again: read the Hoke Moseley series. They are four crime novels by the unbelievably underrated Charles Willeford, and without a doubt up there with the best ever written. Should you ever trust an anonymous stranger off the internet, make it now. Read these books.

This is the cover of the first one, Miami Blues. Do yourself a favor and buy it. Thank me later.
http://image.absoluteastronomy.com/images/encyclopediaimages/m/mi/miamibluesbook.jpg

[Alcoremortis]

Soooo.... Dracula?

[Little Writer]

I just finished "Strange Highways" by Dean Koontz. This was the first Koontz book I read in English, bought on the Dover ferry, and thus it will always have a special place in my heart.

Since it’s not one complete novel, but instead one novella followed by 12 short stories (this is the UK Headline edition, which doesn’t include the novella “Chase”) it’s not so easy to review. That’s why I’ll concentrate mostly on the titular story and only give a few words about each other tale.

“Strange Highways” is one of the more supernatural stories by Koontz. A man suddenly finds himself back again at the most important crossroads of his life, where he made one wrong decision which influenced the rest of his life – twenty years ago! It’s time to make things right and take full advantage of this second chance.

It’s a very religious story, full of divine intervention (a variety of which will also return in his later book “The Face”), and reminded me several times of “Hideaway”. The villain is somewhat similar, only a bit toned down, and he remains more in the shadows which makes him also similar to Judge in “Chase”.

The setting also speaks to the imagination: a semi-abandoned coal town slowly being devoured by a subterranean fire. It adds to the apocalyptic feel and almost makes you believe it’s an alien world. The town is almost a character on its own.

“The Black Pumpkin” is a straight up horror story about a pumpkin coming to life and eating a little boy’s family. This is the first story of several in which revenge against people who’ve wronged the main character is a huge theme.

“Miss Atilla the Hun” always reminds me of “Winter Moon” and is a cute little invasion story with a twist.

“Down in the Darkness” is another horror story basically about revenge.

“Ollie’s Hands” always succeeds in slipping from memory. It’s the story about a guy with several special powers, who finds a girl with the potential to change his life.

“Snatcher” is yet another scary horror story about someone getting what he deserves.

“Trapped” is a terror story in the vain of “Watchers” and “Darkness Comes”, which reminds me of that old animated movie “The Secret of N.I.M.H.”, but the ending is way too fast.

“Bruno” is a humorous detective story with similarities to “Men in Black”.

“We Three” is my first favorite, a very short story, mostly dialogue, about three kids with special powers.

“Hardshell” is a more action packed variety of the “Bruno” story with a good twist.

“Kittens” is a second favorite, combining a bit of religion with the revenge theme, and a shocking ending.

“The Night of the Storm” is a science fiction story that doesn’t really touch me. It’s kind of like a bigfoot story only with robots in the role of humans. But since the main characters are robots, for me it’s as good as impossible to sympathize with them, which lessens the impact.

“Twilight of the Dawn” is the last favorite. Heavy on religion, it’s like a battle between atheism and religious faith. Kind of like the story of Job but with a life-altering twist.

[corruptbiggins]

Good review. It is a good collection of stories, couldn't really pick a favourite right now as it's been a while since I've read it but I do remember liking "We Three" a lot.

[Little Writer]

Thanks.

I hope to read his latest "Breathless" soon. None of our stores are carrying it; I guess they're waiting for the UK paperback to come out, but that's only on July 8.

I could order it in a store, but then it's double the price. Tried ordering through Amazon but that's been giving me trouble as well with credit cards and such. I'm so living in the wrong country for this.

Just noticed our library has a copy, so I'll try to check it out this weekend.

[Avistew]

A friend recommended Robert Merle's books, has anyone read his stuff? It seems really interesting.

[MusicallyInspired]

I don't read...



...besides games and the internet, anyway. And copy protection manuals...

[Jenny]

I practically grew up on the old Bela Lugosi films from Universal, because my grandfather worked on them. But it is true that they are nothing like their book counterparts. I kind of think of them as spoofs.

Dracula is an incredible read. The way it is written makes you feel like every word is something that actually happened, and it can definitely get to you. I remember an old classmate of mine who is an atheist, telling me that she started carrying a cross around with her for months after she read it in high school. Shows how much you can get into a book when you read it, I guess.

The Picture of Dorian Grey is a favorite of mine, the 1945 film was very good as well. Although I like the book a little better, I read the book first. The film changed the mood of the end slightly and it wasn't as powerful for me as the book's ending.

Also, very obscure, but a great read. The Uninvited, by Dorothy Macardle. This was also made into a film in 1944 (I saw the film first in this case). Many refer to it as the stepping stone for all future hollywood ghost stories. The book is very difficult to find, but I managed to get my library to order it. They also have it on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Uninvited-Dorothy-Macardle/dp/B000NZDM5W/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273699978&sr=1-2) Used, but it's kind of pricey. The screen play for the film is also available, oddly enough, but I wouldn't recommend reading the script, read the novel instead, or watch the film. Dorothy Macardle has a very unique writing style. I don't think I've ever read anything that sounded quite like it. Possibly because it is written in the style of its time (1940's England) with all the cultural references to boot. But it is worth checking out, especially if you like ghost stories.

The last book I can think of (without repeating more of what others have recommended already) would be Ombria in Shadow, by Patricia McKillip. A lot of people criticize her because she leaves a lot unexplained at the end and her plots aren't always that easy to follow. But I don't really find that a problem, because any healthy imagination can fill in the gaps and it leaves you with a mysterious "I just woke up from a dream" type feeling. And the cover art is beautiful, not that that should matter, but it makes my bookshelf look pretty. :p

[allaboardfilms]

I read quite a bit, and often find myself reading books that many people don't understand or are simply not bothered enough about to try to understand.

For instance, my current favorite book is Faulkner's As I Lay Dying. :D

[Ignatius]

For instance, my current favorite book is Faulkner's As I Lay Dying. :D

That and "Under the volcano" by Malcom Lowry were my two last adquisitions. But i will start with them as soon as i finish "In search of lost time" in a couple of months i presume.

[Secret Fawful]

If you guys aren't doing a group book read, I'm reading Dracula anyway. I'm tired of putting it off.

[Alcoremortis]

If you guys aren't doing a group book read, I'm reading Dracula anyway. I'm tired of putting it off.

I'll read Dracula too! I had to put it off due to finals, but now... I'm free!:D

[taumel]

Every human beeing wih a heart beating in her/his chest should at least have read one book from Jack Vance.

I suggest getting Alastor for example. I can't remember how many people i bought this book already, i once got it as a present as well. Trust me, this is awesome and i rarely use this word!

http://www.jackvance.com/vance/covers/english/jpg/alastor-tor1995.jpg

[Little Writer]

Taking place over a single night, “Ticktock” by Dean Koontz is a story that puts your brain on standby and simply pulls you along for the ride.

Vietnamese-American Tommy Phan drives his mother crazy by forsaking the old Asian traditions. When he finds a peculiar doll at his doorstep, however, the tables are turned and the craziness he has to face never stops.

In his own afterword, Koontz calls “Ticktock” a screwball comedy and indeed, the tale is filled with humour, though sometimes a particular comedic line seems a little forced or overdone. Nevertheless, the book is a very good prelude to future stories like “Life Expectancy” and “Relentless”. While “Ticktock” might seem a very simple and somewhat silly story about which many people say it’s not really worthy of the Koontz byline, there’s more to it than meets the eye.

Even though the main character has Vietnamese origins, Koontz never goes overboard with the Asian references as he does with the pastry analogies in “Life Expectancy”. Though constantly comparing the character’s life with his own fictional child, detective Chip Nguyen, does get old after a while. After all the military or law inforcement trained heroes, being a regular guy makes Tommy Phan a real breath of fresh air.

Straying even more from the formula, the heroine of the story this time is the one to call the shots. Deliverance Payne is to me personally one of the more memorable Koontz characters and I’ve always felt there’s so much more story to her than is told in these few pages.

The villain of the piece is a supernatural monster straight out of a horror movie, very similar to the golem in “Dragon Tears”. In this very lighthearted story, the creature at first comes over more as some kind of gremlin, but when our heroes witness the screams of a pair of innocent victims, the reader is hit with the seriousness of the situation and for me personally, that scene immediately puts the story in a completely different mood.

“Ticktock” is a rather quick read, with great dialogue and no real long paragraphs judging some aspect of society. It’ll resonate with some people, but not everyone will find it memorable.

[Kroms]

So I just wanted to recommend the book I'm reading right now, Haruki Murakami's South of the Border, West of the Sun. It taps into a feeling anyone who's been in love will be familiar with: a forbidden yearning for the past you can't grab onto, because you'll hurt and maybe harm someone else in the process. It captures the essence of a past life of mine, but it somehow feels global and not personal. It's really quite lovely.

http://bittergrace.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/southoftheborder.jpg

Read it, everyone, especially if you've loved and lost.

[Will]

And if you like that one, you should give Sputnik Sweethearts and Norwegian Wood a read as well.

[Captain Mickey]

Oh wow, let's see... I have a whole range of books I read, and it didn't help that I was a complete and total bookworm for most of Middle School. Let's see what books I loved that I can remember at the moment

-"The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" (entire series) by Douglas Adams. Kudos to my Math Teacher in middle school who suggested that book to me, read that book 5 times in a row for two years.

-"Eat. Pray. Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert. Ok, so it's a girly book, sue me! That book put me in such a good mood throughout Senior Year. I should read it again.

-A lot of Tracy Chevalier's books like "Girl With A Pearl Earring", "Falling Angels". Basically, they were books taking place back in the early days. I don't remember much, but I remember loving the books. My English teacher tested me on her books while the rest of my class read books like "The Pearl" or "Of Mice and Men" (both books that I wasn't a fan of. Can't remember it for the life of me).

-"Catcher in the Rye" and "To Kill a Mocking Bird" were the only two books I actually took the time to sit down and read. I really enjoyed those books.

-I also loved Dan Brown's work (The Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons, The Lost Symbol, Deception Point etc.) I'm a sucker for mystery and suspense.

-I also like reading books from comedians and film directors, so I have Kevin Smith's "My Boring Ass Life" (great book to read when traveling) and I love George Carlin's work. I have all of his stand up routine books: "When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?" "Napalm and Silly Putty", "Brain Droppings" and I also have the newest (and unfortunately last) book "Last Words" which is more of his biography (or "sortabiography" as he called it) then a stand up routine.

-Currently, I'm reading a book called "The Bronze Horseman" which takes place in Soviet Russia during World War II. Finally found time to sit down and read it.

Now, there are plenty of other books I've read, but I just can't remember (and too damn lazy) to type the rest.

[Chyron8472]

Kindle firmware update, version 2.5.3 is finally out.

Amazon's site lists the following as what was changed:

Kindle Version 2.5 Overview

We're excited to announce that a new, free software update is now available for Kindle and will be automatically delivered to your device. The features included in this update are:


Collections: Organize your books and documents into one or more collections.
PDF Pan and Zoom: Zoom into PDFs and pan around to easily view small print and detailed tables or graphics.
Password Protection: Password protect your Kindle when you're not using it.
More Font Sizes & Improved Clarity: Enjoy two new larger font sizes and sharper fonts for an even more comfortable reading experience.
Facebook & Twitter Posts: Share meaningful book passages with friends on Facebook and Twitter directly from your Kindle.
Popular Highlights: See what the Kindle community thinks are the most interesting passages in the books you're reading.




My wife and I aren't going to use the "popular highlights" or Twitter/Facebook update. However, I have already started creating collections, and they're quite useful.

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/8763/62174194.png



Also, the update doesn't mention it, but I'm almost sure that the Kindle didn't used to have a way of displaying book titles that were too long to fit. But now they do display when highlighted (as shown below.) If a title is still too long when highlighted, the text will wrap to a smaller font just below the progress bar.

http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/2918/67855531.png


Also, I'm not going to use them, but now the Kindle has 2 more (huge) font sizes.

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/3975/85094977.png


Nevermind the skin on the border of the device. It is my wife's after all.

[Chyron8472]

My wife and I like listening to music, but we find that often times we instead listen to audio books, most commonly the Stephen Fry (UK) version of the Harry Potter series. The whole series.

I didn't used to read very often, but since I got back into reading after I got introduced to Harry Potter (about the time book 4 came out,) I find that I read a lot now.



"Weasley can save anything,
He never leaves a single ring,
That's why Gryffindors all sing:
Weasley is our King."

[banishingseraph]

While I rather enjoy reading I have been rather inactive on it until recently. A friend suggested me to read The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. It's a fantasy book and it's simply amazing. It's helped me start reading on a regular basis again because the writing makes me feel like I'm there and it's so well written that I'm already excited that the second book will be out later this year and I'm not even done with the book yet.

As for how we're listing our favorites I would have to say: Harry Potter series, Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes, Oracle Night by Paul Auster, The Dark Tower series, Firestarter by Stephen King, The Regulators by Richard Bachman, Brave New World, Icarus Hunt by Timothy Zahn, and The Tempest by Shakespeare.

[Avistew]

I like the Collections feature (on my PRS 505. Don't have a Kindle). It's handy, I use it both for series (ex, Les Rougon-Macquart) and for genre (ex, Theatre, Comedy, Réalisme, Sci-Fi...) It's very practical that each book can have as many tags as you want, also you need to be careful about ending with collections that have only one book in them because you added too many tags :p

[Little Writer]

"Sole Survivor" by Dean Koontz

One year after a plane crash took away his wife and two daughters, Joe Carpenter meets a woman who was supposed to have died in that accident as well, holding the secret of what really happened.

The title “Sole Survivor” doesn’t only point at this woman, but also at Joe himself. He’s the one left behind, the only one of his family still alive. The book is about loss, about grieving, accepting death, and about faith, believing that the human soul doesn’t just vanish into nothingness when shed of its mortal coils.

All this makes it quite heavy to swallow. It’s a dark story, a sad story, a depressing story even. Joe is a man who has basically given up on life and is just waiting to die, too scared to take care of it himself. And if it weren’t for a chance encounter on a public beach at the beginning of the novel, he might have gotten his wish. There’s almost no signature Koontz humor in this novel. It’s a very serious story.

“Sole Survivor” is mostly a mystery story, a conspiracy story, of the sort where the answers stay away until the final act. When they are delivered, the style changes very much and it’s like we’ve suddenly been transported into a science fiction story. Until we reach that conclusion, however, we’re pulled along with Joe into a very compelling investigation. But Joe isn’t just riding shotgun; he sets things in motion as well, even though he has no clue what’s going on.

Even though the novel features an enigmatic woman, there’s no trace of a love story here. The book vows to transcend material and physical love and instead concentrates on the bigger picture.

While not necessarily religious in nature, it does discuss some of the building blocks of religious groups, combined with some radical sciences – which is in fact the only thing that makes it recognizably a Koontz novel. It’s a first taste of things to come in “From the Corner of His Eye”, but also the Chris Snow books, as if Koontz is testing the waters with some variety of his theories, to see whether his audience is open enough for them.

Plotwise, “Sole Survivor” always reminds me of “The Eyes of Darkness”, while the ending comes closer to “Dark Rivers of the Heart”. It’s a story that doesn’t really end, because it creates some kind of alternate universe of our world where the villains have become too large to be dismissed.

[Chyron8472]

What books are you all currently reading?

I got a Kindle2 for Christmas, and find that it encourages me to read a lot more.



I recently read The Hunger Games trilogy, and though it was compelling in that there are no lulls or stopping places in the story, it really wasn't my thing.

I'm currently reading The Restaurant at the End of the Universe; second book in The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy anthology.

[Ribs]

I've been reading Lord of the Rings because I realized I had to at one point or another.

[GuruGuru214]

I have got to take another try at that one. I had to read along with an audiobook of The Hobbit in middle school (long story short, the tech arts class I was signed up for was canceled when the teacher quit and they had to scramble to make up a new class for us to take), and when that was done with, I started Lord of the Rings on my own. I made it through Fellowship and about a quarter of the way into The Two Towers before I somehow got lost.

[JedExodus]

I read all of the Lord of the Rings books. They're a challenging read and in some parts badly paced. But they were great

The Hobbit was best though :)

[Ribs]

Fellowship is really really slow paced and Tolkien clearly wasn't able to tell what would be interesting to read about from Tom Bombadil, but from what I've read of The Two Towers, it gets much, much better.

I also watched the film of Fellowship but that's another discussion.

[JedExodus]

Fellowship is really really slow paced and Tolkien clearly wasn't able to tell what would be interesting to read about from Tom Bombadil, but from what I've read of The Two Towers, it gets much, much better.

I also watched the film of Fellowship but that's another discussion.

Yeah, some serious shit goes down in Two Towers, it's def my fave, though a lot like Return of the King.

Didn't they spend a fortnight at Bombadils house stuffing their faces, singing songs and getting polexed while Middle Earth fate was hanging uncertainly in the balance? :rolleyes:

[corruptbiggins]

I'm currently rereading the Jack Ryan novels - you can see my progress in my sig.

I also plan to reread the Lord of the Rings when I've done that, along with The Hobbit, The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales.

[ShaggE]

I keep hearing about how great House of Leaves is, so I'm finally going to give that a read when I can get a copy.

[Ribs]

I'm currently rereading the Jack Ryan novels - you can see my progress in my sig.

They get a bit rubbish after Cardinal of the Kremlin. Tom Clancy has a way about writing about nothing that leads to a climax 900 pages later. Patriot Games is the best though.

I also reread Goldfinger, and once I'm done with LOTR, I intend to dig into Raymond Benson's "Choice of Weapons" Anthology.

[corruptbiggins]

They get a bit rubbish after Cardinal of the Kremlin. Tom Clancy has a way about writing about nothing that leads to a climax 900 pages later. Patriot Games is the best though.

I dunno, I like most of them. I love Rainbow Six (I know not strictly a Jack Ryan novel but still part of the same universe, as is Without Remorse), and I really like The Sum of All Fears. Interestingly though my favourite Clancy novel isn't any of the Ryanverse books, it's Red Storm Rising.

[Ribs]

I dunno, I like most of them. I love Rainbow Six (I know not strictly a Jack Ryan novel but still part of the same universe, as is Without Remorse), and I really like The Sum of All Fears. Interestingly though my favourite Clancy novel isn't any of the Ryanverse books, it's Red Storm Rising.

I've read 4 (I believe) Ryanverse books, and Patriot Games is the last of those chronologically that I enjoyed. Debt of Honor was truly boring and was incredibly confusing and had an insanely unbelievable twist ending.

[Chyron8472]

When reading The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, the story describes the Guide itself as essentially an ebook reader in a plastic case; which only has one (albeit incredibly large) ebook on it, uses color ink and has respectable text-to-speech. :)

It even has a keypad with real buttons.

[corruptbiggins]

I've read 4 (I believe) Ryanverse books, and Patriot Games is the last of those chronologically that I enjoyed. Debt of Honor was truly boring and was incredibly confusing and had an insanely unbelievable twist ending.

There is no doubt that the quality of his works dropped in later years but I can still enjoy them at some level. Even The Teeth of the Tiger. And now he's getting someone else to do the hard work for him (I'm talking about the most recent Ryan novel, which was released last month that was ghostwritten/co-authored). But putting his name on something he hasn't done much with isn't new for Clancy (see Op-Center, Net Force, et al).

[VeronicanPlay]

So yeah since last time I have posted here I have read a few books, and a lot more books have entered my wish list since then.

I have just finished all 12 books with Jack Sparrow as a kid, although kids books they are still a funny read and I enjoyed them a lot.
Thinking about getting the books that comes after.

Read The Painted Man, that book was great and I can't wait to get started on The Desert Spear, I have to find out what happens next.
I can only highly recommend that book.

Hoping to get Ghosts of Ascalon as I am a Guild Wars fan.

Hoping to get The Black Prism written by Brent Weeks, I enjoyed his Night Angel Trilogy so I can't wait to see what the next series is about.

Waiting for the two latest books in the Skulduggery Series.

Can't wait to get started on Discworld, so I hope I will get a few of those books.

Finished the Devil Wars (Danish Books), and it was really good, although the ending was a little meh.

Right now I am on the Shadow of the Apt series, but it's kinda dull at the moment so it's put on hold until I have all the other books on the list.

[mgrant]

I've been working through translating the Skaldskarparmal and various Old English texts (this week it's Wulfstan's Sermo Lupi Ad Anglos) and between that and academic article readings for class I don't really have much time for free reading. If I get the chance though, I'd like to get my hands on Wil Wheaton's Memories From the Future. It's basically his reviews of every episode from the first season, half of which was posted on TVsquad before he put in this book. I've read the stuff online and it's pretty damn funny.

..Is it sad that I realized while typing this that I haven't read anything for fun since I re-read Mona Lisa Complex in June?

[corruptbiggins]

If I get the chance though, I'd like to get my hands on Wil Wheaton's Memories From the Future. It's basically his reviews of every episode from the first season, half of which was posted on TVsquad before he put in this book. I've read the stuff online and it's pretty damn funny.

'tis a good book. Should also listen to the podcast he created to go along with the book. Though it should be said the book only covers the first half of season one, up to Datalore. Hopefully he'll do more volumes soon.

[jeeno0142]

I absolutely adored Lord of the Rings. Haven't read the Hobbit though... ought to do that.

I need to buy myself a copy of Hitchhickers. I've read it, and loved it, but my brother saw my copy, started reading it, loved it, took it with him and now I have no copy. So I need to get another.

My sister-in-law-to-be wanted me to read the Twilight series. She lent me book 1 and it was fine. Nothing overly wow about it, but it did alright. She then lent me book 2. I've only recently finished it. Gawd. It was as boring as could be. NOTHING HAPPENS. So don't read it.

Now I'm reading 'Bored of the Rings' which is a strange little spoof ofLord of the Rings. Not brilliant, certainly nothing compared to LoTR itself, but it passes time and is funny in areas.

[PainDealer]

I'll just die of boredom if I try to read any book that is completely fiction. But I love comics (fiction yeah but stories are short enough) and science magazines.

[Chyron8472]

I'll just die of boredom if I try to read any book that is completely fiction. But I love comics (fiction yeah but stories are short enough) and science magazines.

As opposed to what? historical fiction? fiction based on a true story? non-fiction?



I like to read escapist fiction (high fantasy and/or science fiction.)

I read The Hunger Games trilogy, and I really didn't like it that much. My parents say that it, in part is a social commentary about the effects of war on the human pyche; and how corrupt government is in general despite who is in charge... but I don't care about any of that. I want to be entertained, not bummed out by efforts to teach a lesson on the human condition.

[Rather Dashing]

Science Fiction's roots are hardly in "escapism". The core of the genre is rooted deeply in the ability to reflect on real, contemporary social issues through the lens of science fantasy.

[PainDealer]

As opposed to what? historical fiction? fiction based on a true story? non-fiction?

If it's fiction, it's fiction, as opposed to a cold hard fact.

[Chyron8472]

Science Fiction's roots are hardly in "escapism". The core of the genre is rooted deeply in the ability to reflect on real, contemporary social issues through the lens of science fantasy.

blah blah... lol.

fine I'll reiterate. I like mostly science fiction, science fantasy, and high fantasy which are most commonly escapist (though there are exceptions.)

My favorite books/series are

Ender's Game (first book)
Harry Potter
Lord of the Rings/Hobbit
Narnia
Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide
Star Wars: Darth Maul series
and various Star Trek books written by Peter David

I haven't read the Discworld books yet, but my wife's brother recommended them.


My wife's family used to like The Wheel of Time, but they say it hasn't been any good at all since book 5, (there are now 14 or so books, with more to come) so I refuse to read it.

[Chyron8472]

If it's fiction, it's fiction, as opposed to a cold hard fact.

You said you bore of "completely fiction," which suggests you may enjoy or tolerate fiction intermingled with/based on fact, which is why I asked you to elaborate. My mom likes to read historical fiction, wherein a fiction is created surrounding factually known historical events. That qualifies as not-completely-fiction, doesn't it?

There are various types of fiction, so to say fiction is fiction is fiction barely qualifies as saying any-fiction-at-all-is-completely-fiction and therefore bores you to death.

[Rather Dashing]

...Okay, you have to be pulling my leg now. The Ender books aren't escapist in any sense of the word. Hell, Ender's Shadow opens on the beautiful scene of CHILD RAPE IN A SLUM.

[Chyron8472]

I said Ender's Game. The first book, not the whole series. And I also said there are exceptions.


I didn't like The Hunger Games trilogy because it's really very dark, the "muttations" are gruesome, and it doesn't have a happy ending at all really. When someone says of the dark nature and the ending "well, it's a sort of social commentary about..." I really don't care. It wasn't my thing. By the same token, I would have been disappointed if Tales of Monkey Island had ended with Guybrush stuck in the Crossroads.

I like Ender's Game because it has a lot of action, and despite all the strife that Ender goes through psychologically, he's brilliant in how he overcomes all adversity to achieve victory. Plus, the Buggers remind me of the Borg. The Locke/Demosthenes stuff was interesting, but I liked reading about Ender more. Speaker for the Dead was okay, with the mystery surrounding what the heck was going on concerning the Piggies, but I really lost interest in Xenocide the more it talked about Qing-jao and not about Ender.

[Jen Kollic]

I'm getting back into the Horus Heresy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horus_Heresy_%28novels%29) series at the moment. Although I've been immersed in Games Workshop products and settings since approximately 1990, I never liked Space Marines. Up until I read Horus Rising. In the Horus Heresy books Space Marines are actually people, not (just) zealots in power armour, which isn't something I was expecting. Except for the sixth book in the series (Descent of Angels) which was SO BAD that it was the reason I stopped reading the series in the first place.

Also, you can go into the series knowing little to nothing about the setting, and still enjoy the books. There's lots of little nods and references that make the fanboys/girls go squee, but that's just a bonus. A lot of of them are standalone as well, the first three are a trilogy, the terrible sixth one is followed by a (supposedly less terrible) sequel in the eleventh one, and number fifteen is a sequel/prequel to number 12. The rest can be read alone, only the ones that are linked are in chronological order.

I wouldn't call myself a big fan of sci-fi by any stretch of the imagination, I've always been a big fantasy fan. BUT I LOVE THESE BOOKS. (except for number 6)

[swedish_jedi]

I’m interested to read some classic noir detective/crime stories. But I don’t know where to start. Anyone here got any suggestions or some tips?

[mgrant]

For a good murder mystery I'd recommend Wilkie Collins' Woman in White or The Moonstone. Plus you can never go wrong with a little Arthur Conan Doyle.

[Chyron8472]

I’m interested to read some classic noir detective/crime stories. But I don’t know where to start. Anyone here got any suggestions or some tips?
My Dad says he likes the Harry Bosch Novels alot:

The Black Echo (1992)
The Black Ice (1993)
The Concrete Blonde (1994)
The Last Coyote (1995)
Trunk Music (1997)
Angels Flight (1999)
A Darkness More Than Night (2001)
City Of Bones (2002)
Lost Light (2003)
The Narrows (2004)
The Closers (2005)
Echo Park (2006)
The Overlook (2007)
The Brass Verdict (2008)
Nine Dragons (2009)
The Reversal (2010)

[taumel]

I recommend Lewis Trondheim's fantastic Herr Hase comic serie (humour, depth, touching).
http://tdb.carlsen.de/carl2_resources/uploads/cover/amazon/9783551733177.jpg

Oh and just because i recently lend it to a friend, you might also enjoy David Gerrold's and Larry Niven's Die fliegenden Zauberer if you're into more intelligent humorous SF.
http://www.harrys-world.de/pimages/heyne_b_8.jpg

And also Stanislaw Lem with his own kind of humour (he has written so many great stories).
http://www.harrys-world.de/pimages/suhrkamp_phant_534.jpg

[Woodsyblue]

I just finished reading Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby. Like Hornby's other works it has great humor and really draws you into the characters. It also has great insights into the kind of people who dwell in forums :p

I just ordered a hardback of Jurassic Park to re-read before the series comes out. While I'm waiting for it to be delivered I think I'll read George Orwell's Animal Farm. It's short and I've meaning to get around to reading it for quite a while now.

I’m interested to read some classic noir detective/crime stories. But I don’t know where to start. Anyone here got any suggestions or some tips?

I'm agree with mgrant, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is a great place to start. Try A Study in Scarlett, the original Sherlock Holmes novel.

[adventureaddict]

For those who like fantasy, I would recommend the Symphony of Ages series by Elizabeth Haydon.
I'm looking for more mystery type novels, sort of in the same league as the Dan Brown books. Any suggestions?

[puzzlebox]

I just finished Her Fearful Symmetry, the second novel from Audrey Niffenegger. A bit disappointing to be honest - I loved The Time Traveler's Wife and even cried at the end like a pansy little girl, but this one failed to make me feel much for the characters and I didn't find the whole ghost premise particularly inspiring.

[mgrant]

Been reading short stories from Jorge Luis Borges Ficciones while I've been making dinner lately. I love how dense these stories are. I mean, The South is seven pages long and I can remember my world lit class at Junior college debating about it for a weeks worth of class time.

[skeeter]

For those who like fantasy, I would recommend the Symphony of Ages series by Elizabeth Haydon.
I'm looking for more mystery type novels, sort of in the same league as the Dan Brown books. Any suggestions?

The Confessor by Daniel Silva was quite good... I went on to get his other books - I haven't read the latest ones although I own them.

Recently I read the Nikki Heat books that go with The Castle TV series. I thought they were great, so if you're a fan of the show I recommend them!

Another mystery/crime series of books I like are by David Hewson. They are set in Italy, and I can't wait for each one. Also Scott Mariani does a good series too, I found the Mozart Conspiracy on sale and it really drew me in.

My favourite books are Terry Pratchett's Discworld, I like to reread them, especially the Night Watch ones.

I recently picked up a Hal Spacejock book on sale, and thought it might be good, a bit like Space Quest in a book. I've only read a few pages, but quite liked it so far. The clincher was in the recommendations at the front which mentioned it was a bit like Discworld, so I hope it lives up to those standards.

[taumel]

Marc-Antoine Mathieu's Julius Corentin Acquefacques serie.
http://www.reprodukt.com/images/products/large/3931377288.jpg6

Hermann Hesse's Das Glasperlenspiel.
http://www.nutt.ch/hansueli/wp-content/gallery/literatur/Das%20Glasperlenspiel.JPG

And Piers Anthony's Aton serie.
http://cache1.willhaben.apa.net/mmo/0/228/249/10_-1395267822.jpg

[Boeuf Bourguignon]

These days i'm reading 1984 by George Orwell.

If you like good SF, i recommend you to read Isaac Asimov's Robot and Foundation series that are great, and all Philip José Farmer's stuff, starting by the Riverworld series that is just so awesome.

[rubygloommel]

Personally I love anything by Terry Pratchett - my favourite being 'Unseen Academicals.' I also love The Hitchhiker's Series by Douglas Adams, but I couldn't really get into his other books. Other books I like would be:

Dracula - Bram Stoker
Angela's Ashes - Frank McCourt
Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
Interview with the Vampire - Anne Rice
Toast - Nigel Slater
The Divine Comedy - Dante Alighieri

[mgrant]

Guys the old irish group here in york is reading the Tain Bo Cuailnge. This makes me a very, very happy nerd.

[Chyron8472]

Finished reading the first 3 books (of 5) of the Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Hitchhikers-Guide-Galaxy-ebook/dp/B0043M4ZH0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1296106254&sr=1-1).

Am now going to start reading Boycotts & Barflies (http://www.amazon.com/Boycotts-Barflies-ebook/dp/B00394DSDA/), which was originally an AU (alternate universe) fanfiction based on characters from the Twilight series, but was so popular that the author pulled it from fanfiction.net, changed the characters' names and physical appearance, then had it officially published. (btw, being AU, it has nothing at all to do with vampires or any of that.)

My wife read it and said it was good/funny, so I'm going to.

[coolsome]

I want to read Agatha Christie's Poirot. Which are the best ones (not Murder on the Orental since everyone knows the end).

[Secret Fawful]

I want to read Agatha Christie's Poirot. Which are the best ones (not Murder on the Orental since everyone knows the end).

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. The Mysterious Affair At Styles (available on Project Gutenberg). Death on the Nile. Start with those, especially Ackroyd, and then read all of them.

[coolsome]

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. The Mysterious Affair At Styles (available on Project Gutenberg). Death on the Nile. Start with those, especially Ackroyd, and then read all of them.

I plan to but since theres so many I wanted to start with the rly gd ones.

[Avistew]

I want to read Agatha Christie's Poirot. Which are the best ones (not Murder on the Orental since everyone knows the end).

I second Death on the Nile, I really liked that one. I would suggest you read some of the short stories, too.
The Mysterious Affair at Styles is the first one, but you don't need to read them in order, and I wouldn't personally say it's among the best.
Five little pigs aka Murder in Retrospect is one I liked too.

Although not a Poirot story, Ten Little Indians aka And Then There Were None might be my favourite Christie book.

[taumel]

Dupy's and Berberian's comic serie about Monsieur Jean.
http://www.reprodukt.com/images/products/large/3938511028.jpg

Stefan Zweig's Schachnovelle.
http://community.daswortreich.de/joomla/images/stories/feuilleton/aktuelles/zweig-stefan-schachnovelle.jpg

If there is one book/serie you need to read from Philip Jose Farmer then it's The World of Tiers serie.
http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/03/ciu/f4/de/900f36c622a08c6b9d943110.L.jpg

[Boeuf Bourguignon]

If there is one book/serie you need to read from Philip Jose Farmer then it's The World of Tiers serie.
http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/03/ciu/f4/de/900f36c622a08c6b9d943110.L.jpg


Is it the one with Robert Wolff and Kickaha? I only know the french title of those books.:/
If yes, i agree to say that it's a great serie, but i prefer Riverworld, more catchy and easy to read in my opinion.
Whatever, every single book from Farmer is just awesome. :D

[taumel]

Yep that's the one. I only liked the first book of the Riverworld. The idea was good but i always had the impression that he couldn't deal with all the possibilities properly. World of Tiers in comparison is more round and a lot more fascinating. He also has written some bad books imo.

[Lennie Melvin]

I think my love of Russian literature is getting somewhat out of hand...

[Chyron8472]

Having a Kindle really has re-ignited my interest in books. I mean really, by leaps and bounds.

Maybe because it's a new toy/gadget. Maybe because it feels Star Trek-ish to me.


...and you know what, I really don't understand for someone to say they'd want this ebook reader instead of that ebook reader because of native support for certain file types. I mean, all you'd have to do is break the drm and then get Calibre to convert it to whatever other file type. No big deal.

[Avistew]

...and you know what, I really don't understand for someone to say they'd want this ebook reader instead of that ebook reader because of native support for certain file types. I mean, all you'd have to do is break the drm and then get Calibre to convert it to whatever other file type. No big deal.

They probably don't want to have to. For simplicity's sake, they want to buy a book and read it right away. And maybe they can't be bothered to actually install the thing and learn to use it.
Not to mention breaking DRM is technically illegal and they might have a problem with that, too.

[Rather Dashing]

If I can break Amazon's DRM, why would I want to buy one device and then have to break the DRM of several different stores? Can't I buy one device that can read the books from most stores, and then only break the DRM of the ONE proprietary store that I don't have support for? Also, you can't just go and break the DRM of, say, digital library books(which use protected ePub) while still honoring the deal you made with the library. Also, I hate proprietary standards. Also, I think Amazon is a big bully in this market and they want to ensnare their customers, which I don't like. Even if I can get around the shackles, why put them on in the first place?

[GuruGuru214]

So you don't like the Kindle. Fair enough. Which one do you prefer?

[Rather Dashing]

I'm okay with any device that natively accepts most modern standard file formats. I personally use a Barnes & Noble Nook(e-ink, not Color), though many others work as well. The key features that mattered to me at the time were the price, 3G, supported file formats, and in-store features such as being able to read any ebook for free as long as you were in a B&N store(!), coupons, and product support in B&N stores(they got my device fixed and returned in an hour when something happened to the battery, no having to ship it somewhere).

Also, I thought the touch LCD was neat.

Chyron is right about Calibre, though. Nobody with an ereader should go without that program. Using an ereader without Calibre is like writing with your dominant hand cut off.

[GuruGuru214]

I think you've sold me. I probably should've figured that there might be something to the Nook when my sister, who works at Borders, was convinced to buy one. She's going to school to be an elementary school teacher right now, and she thinks a Nook could be a useful tool for her. What's funny is that until last night, she was okay with me taking interest in any e-reader as long as it wasn't "the competition", and now she wants one.

[Rather Dashing]

One thing to note is that the battery is significantly shorter than the Kindle's. With all the bells and whistles and constant use, the device gets about a waking day's worth of battery life, which is fine by me, but I've heard of the Kindle getting up to a month(I've been able to get a week with wireless off, usage fairly often). The thing is slightly bulkier and heavier too(you can see them at retail locations), but I personally prefer the feel of the thing. More than that, I use a cover (http://goo.gl/LBeGc)(mine) that makes it even bulkier, but it feels more "like a book"). I think ereaders are in a class where thinner and lighter really isn't all that important or necessary, and the Kindle in comparison feels weird to me. Mileage may vary.

Some reviews you find may refer to the page-turning being slow or the responsiveness being low, but those are based off older firmware. The thing is pretty speedy now. I find the LCD to be nice because it can change what "buttons" you have to press contextually based on what you're doing.

[Chyron8472]

I got my Mom's old Kindle 2 for Christmas. I don't remember the details, but there was something about that something was wrong with her Kindle 2 so she called Amazon to have them fix it, but she didn't want to wait for it or maybe she is so addicted to her Kindle that she wanted a backup device in case one broke... or something like that. I don't know.

But anyway, she gave me her Kindle 2 for Christmas now that she has a Kindle 3, to which I promptly affixed a "Solid State Black" DecalGirl skin.

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/4760/hpim0878.jpg


Truth be told, I like the idea of having numerical buttons on my K2 keypad. for the K3 to have numbers only on the SYM key menu is a bit odd.



I have watched quite a few comparison reviews of Kindle vs. other devices and I was struck by how slow the touch-screen's directional pad was for the Nook, or how they guy said there was no way to search an ebook for previously highlighted text; but if RD says that those sorts of things were on older firmware then maybe so.

Some reviews I watched have said that the Kindle supports Audible books where Nook and Sony does not. I don't know, I don't have an Audible account nor will I spend the money for one (I might sooner buy it in MP3 format or on disc and rip it, depending on price, and listen from my mp3 player or PC.)

All I know is that I'm very very happy with my Kindle, and given the fact that the Tulsa County Library doesn't support azw/mobi books (they use Overdrive,) I'm not convinced to have to blame Amazon any more than blaming the Library itself (or Overdrive) instead.


It does surprise me the number of people who complain so loudly about not wanting a Kindle because of the lack of access to library ebooks. tbh, the last time I visited the public library I was likely a Sophomore in high school, which would mean at least 15 years ago.

[Rather Dashing]

I have watched quite a few comparison reviews of Kindle vs. other devices and I was struck by how slow the touch-screen's directional pad was for the Nook, or how they guy said there was no way to search an ebook for previously highlighted text; but if RD says that those sorts of things were on older firmware then maybe so.
Yeah, a lot of features like more robust searching and sorting, along with far faster refresh times(the Kindle and Nook are very close in terms of response now) are a lot better than they were when I got it. I was really amazed actually, I had no idea that much could be done with firmware changes. You can see a sample of the last two iterations of the Nook firmware running side-by-side here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds4XQZLSI_c). The speed increase also came with some better responsiveness on the LCD and between the two screens when they worked together. It's very nice.

Some reviews I watched have said that the Kindle supports Audible books where Nook and Sony does not. I don't know, I don't have an Audible account nor will I spend the money for one (I might sooner buy it in MP3 format or on disc and rip it, depending on price, and listen from my mp3 player or PC.)
Yeah, this is what I do for audiobooks as well, except I place them on my Nook(which has a headphone jack and an MP3 playback ability). Sometimes I put them on my phone too...I don't have a dedicated audio player. Heh. It's true, Nook does not support the proprietary Audible audio book format.

All I know is that I'm very very happy with my Kindle, and given the fact that the Tulsa County Library doesn't support azw/mobi books (they use Overdrive,) I'm not convinced to have to blame Amazon any more than blaming the Library itself (or Overdrive) instead.
It seems to me that if everyone else in the industry is using a format, and you refuse to support it across various hardware iterations, it's at least partially your fault for stubbornness. "You" being Amazon in this case, I have no personal beef with you. I'm just rounding out the reader opinion and supplying my personal experience and hoping it's helpful. :P

It does surprise me the number of people who complain so loudly about not wanting a Kindle because of the lack of access to library ebooks. tbh, the last time I visited the public library I was likely a Sophomore in high school, which would mean at least 15 years ago.
Depending on your library, it's actually possible to have library books lent to you from a browser without ever leaving your house. Very convenient.

[Avistew]

Here in -40 weather, I borrow ebook way more than real books. Downloading it directly from home and not having to return it is worth a LOT. And they're compatible with pretty much all ebook readers (except for Kindle).

[Chyron8472]

It seems to me that if everyone else in the industry is using a format, and you refuse to support it across various hardware iterations, it's at least partially your fault for stubbornness. "You" being Amazon in this case, I have no personal beef with you. I'm just rounding out the reader opinion and supplying my personal experience and hoping it's helpful. :P

I hear you and am forced to agree (and I knew the word "you" meant someone, in this case Amazon.)

I wonder though if Amazon is going to be about Kindle like Apple is about iPod/iTunes; which is to say "we have the largest market share, so we do w/e the heck we want."

I imagine that no matter how many people complain, at the end of the day Amazon may only go out of their way to resolve the library issue if it's deemed to have made a significant enough dent in their sales figures.

[coolsome]

I got 3 Poirot books. "the murder of roger ackroyd" "cards on the table" "curtain Poirot's last case".

[Avistew]

They're pretty good choices, all three of them, I would say. Curtain is the last of the Poirot stories, as the title says, but I guess there is no reason why you'd have to read them in order.

[coolsome]

They're pretty good choices, all three of them, I would say. Curtain is the last of the Poirot stories, as the title says, but I guess there is no reason why you'd have to read them in order.

I guessed as much since I can watch any ep of the TV series and not be confused. And there was a 3 for 2 sale. XD

[Rather Dashing]

Barnes & Noble is discontinuing the 3G model of the Nook (http://goo.gl/iA3JO), apparently. This doesn't apply to the WiFi-only model or the Nook Color(which never had 3G). The 3G model is $50 more and comes with free 3G for life for the purposes of shopping for and downloading books. This has been my model that I've been using, and it's been nice particularly for titles that I purchased but neglected to download or hadn't realized I hadn't downloaded. If you're planning on getting a WiFi-only device though, you're still perfectly fine.

[taumel]

André Franquin's Schwarze Gedanken.
http://www.chilibook.de/pictures/small/978/355/176/4775.JPG

Patrick Süskind's Das Parfüm.
http://www.hescomshop.de/mustershop3/images/articles/17AB.jpg

Jack Vance's Demon Princes serie.
http://www.vectordirector.com/img_sci_fi_cover/Jack_vance-02.jpg

[Chyron8472]

Barnes & Noble is discontinuing the 3G model of the Nook (http://goo.gl/iA3JO),

I don't understand this. First, they create the Nook Color to compete with the iPad more than the Kindle, and now they are even further distancing themselves from direct competition with Amazon by dropping cell access.

I don't get it.

[Avistew]

It's possible that they think people who buy the Kindle would buy the Kindle either way, so they want to compete with other devices because they think they have a better chance of making a difference there.

[Chyron8472]

Maybe they can't afford the cost of providing free 3G access for the life of their devices, or perhaps whomever they have contracts with to provide said access wants too much money for it and B&N didn't want to pay it.

For whatever reason, I say it doesn't bode well for Amazon. It doesn't help Dish Network to drop the YES Network (NY Yankees Sports) when they wanted too much money to let Dish broadcast it.

[taumel]

Olivier Pond's and Georges Abolin's Jenseits der Zeit.
http://www.graphic-novel.info/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/9783551783714-212x300.jpg

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's Faust (I+II).
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uAiBxJetz-o/TQ58Mn-9j3I/AAAAAAAAAKg/IzXeoqX8Z5g/s1600/faust_1_johann_wolfgang_goethe.jpg

Bedenke Phlebas from Ian Banks.
http://img3.imagebanana.com/img/nva4wi2x/BedenkePhlebas.jpg

[taumel]

The Watchmen serie by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons.
http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/0/4/24683-3622-27458-1-watchmen_super.jpg

Thomas Bernhard's Elisabeth II. – Keine Komödie (and many others).
http://static.letsbuyit.com/filer/images/de/products/original/114/41/elisabeth-ii-thomas-bernhard-11441979.jpeg

Jack Vance's Dying Earth serie.
http://www.jackvance.com/vance/covers/german/jpg/augen.jpg

[Ribs]

Finished the two towers. Some ending there. I look at the table of contents, so Fellowship's ending wasn't as much as a surprise as this one. Onto the film and then ROTK.

And edit after spending the several hours watching The Two Towers: Film was slow, but last hour was completely excellent in every possible way. The new Fall of Saruman didn't bother me either, as I thought it might.

[mrpineapplehead]

i've finished a book just now, quite good and would read it again

(also the book was 'an idoit aborad, the travel daires of karl pilkiton')

[skeeter]

Finished the two towers. Some ending there. I look at the table of contents, so Fellowship's ending wasn't as much as a surprise as this one. Onto the film and then ROTK.

And edit after spending the several hours watching The Two Towers: Film was slow, but last hour was completely excellent in every possible way. The new Fall of Saruman didn't bother me either, as I thought it might.

Oh cool, are you reading each book, then watching each movie? I've been meaning to read the books and watch the movies again, I've only seen/read them once. It actually took me years to get through the books on and off - strange, since I've read the Hobbit so many times...

[taumel]

Katsuhiro Otomo's Akira serie in black&white.
http://tdb.carlsen.de/carl2_resources/uploads/cover/amazon/9783551745231.jpg

Hans Magnus Enzensberger's Der Zahlenteufel.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51G6J5DRWZL._SS500_.jpg

Piers Anthony's Doppelwelt serie (the first books).
http://media.preisvergleich.de/media/200/200/images/products/24/0e/50/preisvergleich-Die_Doppelwelt__Anthony_Piers.jpg

[Ribs]

Oh cool, are you reading each book, then watching each movie? I've been meaning to read the books and watch the movies again, I've only seen/read them once. It actually took me years to get through the books on and off - strange, since I've read the Hobbit so many times...

Yeah, it took me a few months to get through fellowship, but just less then a month for the Two Towers. And I'm watching each movie sort of as a back up in the oft chance I didn't understand something correctly.

[Chyron8472]

I suggest that you watch Kerr's fanedit of LOTR (http://fanedit.org/kerr/). Kerr has fixed the movies so that they are much more like the books (eg. Faramir never takes Frodo to Osigliath)

The fan edit, like the book, spends more time with each part of the fellowship before switching to another. Also, it has been split up into six movies instead of three to reflect the way that each book is organized into two parts.

I really do like it a lot better.

[Ribs]

I suggest that you watch Kerr's fanedit of LOTR (http://fanedit.org/kerr/). Kerr has fixed the movies so that they are much more like the books (eg. Faramir never takes Frodo to Osigliath)

The fan edit, like the book, spends more time with each part of the fellowship before switching to another. Also, it has been split up into six movies instead of three to reflect the way that each book is organized into two parts.

I really do like it a lot better.

I'm not a firm believer of 'They Changed It So It Sucks', as the Lord of the Rings films do things that I don't particularly mind, as it didn't make much of an impact on the endgame. Now, if you pull a Watchmen, and change the ending, that's not cool.

[Rather Dashing]

Ribs: The ending is the only part that matters. Change anything else, and as long as it leads to the same place, the overall structure really is of absolutely no consequence.

[taumel]

Wilhelm Busch's Max und Moritz.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/4260278440_1fddfae967.jpg

Many poems from Rainer Maria Rilke.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51uFJSZCFuL._SS500_.jpg

Larry Niven's Ringwelt.
http://1.2.3.9/bmi/home.arcor.de/michael.baumgartner/sfcbw/literatur/bilder/ringwelt1.jpg

[taumel]

Hergé's Tim und Struppi.
http://static.letsbuyit.com/filer/images/de/products/original/134/13/tim-struppi-15-mini-reiseziel-mond-13413647.jpeg

Paul Klee's Pädagogisches Skizzenbuch from his Bauhaus years.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71M53SVG22L._SS500_.gif

Arthur C. Clarke's Rendezvous mit Rama.
http://lib.ololo.cc/i/71/207371/cover.jpg

[taumel]

Gary Larson's The Far Side.
http://1.2.3.10/bmi/images.andrewsmcmeel.com/media/2730/large.jpg

Erich Kästner's Die Konferenz der Tiere.
http://www.erichkaestnergesellschaft.de/Bilder/LebenWerk/1946-1974/Konfernz_der_Tiere.jpg

Ursula K. Le Guin's Die Enteigneten/Planet der Habenichtse.
http://www.rheinberg-buch.de/pictures/small/978/393/789/7202.JPG

[Chyron8472]

Taumel, are you really reading two or three books per day?

[Rather Dashing]

I don't know if he is either, but when I was a kid I'd read at least 150 pages per day. I'm far less of a reader than I used to be(though more than most americans), some of these could be read in a day(Die Konferenz der Tiere, for example, is only 99 pages). It's more than average, but if I was on a particularly strong reading binge it would probably be fairly manageable.

[taumel]

Nope, i sadly don't have the time to read this much anymore but i had my years when i was reading a lot and read tons of books. Currently i just enjoy making suggestions of very good comics and books i think people could enjoy a lot if they are interested in the genres. There often is a big difference between books which are available in a bookstore and those which are really good.

[Avistew]

I used to read LOTS. Then I decided to read a book per week (on average. You can't expect to take the same amount of time for, say, Les Misérables or The Little Prince) and did that for a while, and on summer break I'd pretty much read one book per day (here again, on average, so some days I'd read like five, and sometimes I'd take days to read one).

Now... I barely read at all O.O I have reading phases and stuff but they're few and far between. I think it's because I used to spend a lot of forced time around people (my family, school, work, etc) and reading was a way to be alone and away from everyone. Now I spend most of my time alone so I prefer activities that feel more social (IMs, Skype, forums).

I'd like to go back into reading though. Maybe I'll join a book club of some sort (we never ended up starting ours, did we guys?).

[doodinthemood]

Currently reading:
http://www.bookhills.com/images/Sacred-Cows-and-Golden-Geese-The-Human-Cost-of-Experiments-on-Animals-0826414028-L.jpg
http://static.letsbuyit.com/filer/images/uk/products/original/130/27/madness-and-civilization-routledge-classics-13027000.jpeg
and
http://img.amazon.ca/images/I/41D1B9mvZcL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

[GeorgeC]

I recently read Chuck Yeager's autobiography, it was one of the best biographies I've read! If you like badass american war hero test pilots, you'll love this

[Ignatius]

Uncollected Stories of William Faulkner.

[Chyron8472]

I was reading a book called Boycotts & Barflies that my mom recommended to my wife and me. Turns out it's just a "chick flick" in book form, so I'm going to start reading the first book of The O'Malley Series (http://www.amazon.com/The-Negotiator-ebook/dp/B004BA54C4/) instead. It's a mystery series that my wife likes.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51GR6AQJyiL._SL500_AA266_PIkin3,BottomRight,-21,34_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg

[taumel]

Frank Le Gall's Theodor Pussel serie.
http://www.phantastische-zeiten-shop.de/images/theodor.pussel.03.jpg

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's Der kleine Prinz.
http://www.schanigoarten.com/Der%20kleine%20Prinz/der_kleine_prinz.jpg

Per Anhalter durch die Galaxis from Douglas Adams (not because it's written well but because of the ideas).
http://meine.literatur-couch.de/covers/72/3453146972_l.jpg

[DoctorCello]

I'm reading this:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/519FG3MB7JL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

It's from the 10th century, and supposedly, teaches how to achieve immortality. 3/4ths of it is the translator explaining what it all means. The text itself is pretty short, but man is it esoteric. Here's a verse:

Just when the white tiger on the west mountain goes wild, the blue dragon in the east sea cannot handle it. Catching them both, have them fight to the death, and they will turn into a mass of violet gold frost.

[puzzlebox]

Just when the white tiger on the west mountain goes wild, the blue dragon in the east sea cannot handle it. Catching them both, have them fight to the death, and they will turn into a mass of violet gold frost.

I love that this comes from a book titled Understanding Reality. :D

[DoctorCello]

I love that this comes from a book titled Understanding Reality. :D

To be fair, the entire thing is written in metaphors. Or at least, I think it is.

[Comrade Pants]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51lpDzVcW9L._SL500_AA300_.jpg

I'm reading this. Can we talk about how great it is?

Also reading:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51J0SQP8H1L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg

[taumel]

Bill Watterson's Calvin und Hobbes.
http://static.letsbuyit.com/filer/images/de/products/original/134/13/calvin-und-hobbes-08-bd-8-13413995.jpeg

Hans Saler's Zwischen Licht und Schatten.
http://media2.libri.de/shop/coverscans/836/8367448_8367448_xl.jpg

David Gerrold's Die biologische Invasion serie.
http://meine.literatur-couch.de/covers/62/3453312562_l.jpg

[Chyron8472]

I really enjoy listening to the Harry Potter audiobooks as read by Stephen Fry. I have the whole set on mp3. :)


It had been a while since I last heard Jim Dale's reading of the books, so I decided to listen to it for a bit, just to see if I'm not being fair in my preference of Fry over Dale.

...but it turns out that I just confirmed for myself that Stephen Fry is indeed far superior.

I mean, seriously. compare these two:

Jim Dale: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeAzVwGdhNw&t=6m50s

Stephen Fry: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mIjBuu5L58&t=4m03s

Hands down, Fry is better. The twins mocking Percy isn't even funny at all in the Dale version.

[taumel]

I dedicate this recommendation to Avistew:

Jean-Philippe Peyraud's Schönheitsflecken.
http://1.2.3.13/bmi/www.fatamorgana.ch/comics/bild/schoenheitsflecken.jpg

[Alcoremortis]

I really enjoy listening to the Harry Potter audiobooks as read by Stephen Fry. I have the whole set on mp3. :)


It had been a while since I last heard Jim Dale's reading of the books, so I decided to listen to it for a bit, just to see if I'm not being fair in my preference of Fry over Dale.

...but it turns out that I just confirmed for myself that Stephen Fry is indeed far superior.

I mean, seriously. compare these two:

Jim Dale: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeAzVwGdhNw&t=6m50s

Stephen Fry: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mIjBuu5L58&t=4m03s

Hands down, Fry is better. The twins mocking Percy isn't even funny at all in the Dale version.

That was absolutely fantastic! Stephen Fry is one of my favorite actors ever. And not much beats having Jeeves read Harry Potter. :D

[taumel]

Ulf K.'s Der Exlibris.
http://1.2.3.10/bmi/www.reprodukt.com/images/products/large/3931377547.jpg

Detlef Kersten's Kommissar Kniepel riddle books.
http://1.2.3.13/bmi/ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51SSWVDHQHL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Richard Morgan's Das Unsterblichkeitsprogramm.
http://meine.literatur-couch.de/covers/11/3453879511_l.jpg

[VeronicanPlay]

Just got these books when I was in England. So now I have something to read again.

2360
2361
2362
2363

[taumel]

I'm not sure how many of those who enjoy BTTF actually also get the analogies with Jules Verne but nevertheless i got reminded of him so here is one suggestion. Jules Verne's shortstory "Ein Tag aus dem Leben eines amerikanischen Journalisten im Jahre 2889", part of this or that anthology.

http://1.2.3.11/bmi/upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/98/Verne-29-stoleti.JPG/220px-Verne-29-stoleti.JPG

[Alcoremortis]

2360

I did not know there was another one of these. I need to get myself to a bookstore, that is, if there are any left by tomorrow.

[Chyron8472]

If anyone is interested, Amazon announced yesterday that they are working with Overdrive.com to, by the end of the year, allow people to borrow Kindle-supported ebooks from your local library. As far as I know, being able to borrow ebooks from the library is a primary concern people have when deciding whether or not to buy a Kindle versus another ebook reader.

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=176060&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1552678


Amazon today announced Kindle Library Lending, a new feature launching later this year that will allow Kindle customers to borrow Kindle books from over 11,000 libraries in the United States. Kindle Library Lending will be available for all generations of Kindle devices and free Kindle reading apps.
"We're excited that millions of Kindle customers will be able to borrow Kindle books from their local libraries," said Jay Marine, Director, Amazon Kindle. [...]

Customers will be able to check out a Kindle book from their local library and start reading on any Kindle device or free Kindle app for Android, iPad, iPod touch, iPhone, PC, Mac, BlackBerry, or Windows Phone. If a Kindle book is checked out again or that book is purchased from Amazon, all of a customer's annotations and bookmarks will be preserved.

"We're doing a little something extra here," Marine continued. "Normally, making margin notes in library books is a big no-no. But we're extending our Whispersync technology so that you can highlight and add margin notes to Kindle books you check out from your local library. Your notes will not show up when the next patron checks out the book. But if you check out the book again, or subsequently buy it, your notes will be there just as you left them, perfectly Whispersynced."
[...]

Amazon is working with OverDrive, the leading provider of digital content solutions for over 11,000 public and educational libraries in the United States, to bring a seamless library borrowing experience to Kindle customers. "We are excited to be working with Amazon to offer Kindle Library Lending to the millions of customers who read on Kindle and Kindle apps," said Steve Potash, CEO, OverDrive. "We hear librarians and patrons rave about Kindle, so we are thrilled that we can be part of bringing library books to the unparalleled experience of reading on Kindle."

[Avistew]

That's good for them. Borrowing library books is probably what I've used my ebook reader for the most, so I can imagine why it would increase their sales.

[dumpling321]

some of my favorites ^_^

The wizard if oz (series) There are 40 books in all I own the first 14 in hardcover, and the next 19 in paperback, the final 7 I don't own, cuz they suck

anything by david eddings (except "the dreamers") His first 2 series' were epic works of fantasy fiction on the scope of lord of the rings (which was a series I couldn't get involved in)

anything by diana wynne jones (the howl's moving castle books, the chrestomancy series)

anything by agatha christie (there are 80+ books)

sherlock holmes

anything that has to do with fairy tales (grimms, anderson, 1001 arabian nights) I'm currently reading the 1001 nights, theyre amazing!

anything that has to do with ancient mythology

the neverending story (i'm sad that theres only 1 book, there need to be more)

the enchanted forest chronicles (look them up, theyre great) humorous tales of a princess who goes looking for a dragon to capture her

anything by rick riordan (tweenage books, about greek/roman/egyptian mythology) I'm dieing to find out what mythology he writes about next ^_^

the xanth books (by piers anthony) they often get a little pervy, but they're amazing books, if you like puns...

I also try to read the classics, but if I can't get involved in the story I don't read it, I don't see the point in forcing yourself to read through a book, even if it's a classic...

[Chyron8472]

I've been checking repeatedly for months to see if Drew Karpyshyn(lead writer of Mass Effect)'s Star Wars: Darth Bane book series had been released on ebook, to no avail. After having clicked the "Request this for Kindle from the publisher" link on Amazon at least 3 times with no word as to the effect, on May 6th I emailed Drew to ask him about it:

Drew,

I've read Darth Bane: Path of Destruction in the past and I like it very much. Yesterday, I completed Mass Effect for the first time and during the credits it says "Lead Writer - Drew Karpyshyn." "Ooh, I know that name," I said. It got me thinking and I then went to look into buying the next book in the Darth Bane series. The problem is that I now have a Kindle and I genuinely do enjoy reading books on it whenever possible. However, none of the Darth Bane books have been released on Kindle.

I was hoping you could get with your publisher in an effort to remedy that. I really do like your work and would like to see your novels in ebook format.

Thank you,

David TroutmanWell, not 15 minutes ago, I got a reply back from Drew Karpyshyn himself:

Hey, David.

I'm happy to report that the Darth Bane books are finally being relesed on
Kindle... but not until June 28.

Until then you could check out my Mass Effect novels (if you haven't
already) - they're on Kindle right now.

The first novel, Mass Effect: Revelation, is a prequel set 18 years before
the game. The second book, Mass Effect: Ascension, takes place a few
months after the events of the first game and introduces characters and
locations featured in the second game, but it's still a stand alone story.
The third novel, Mass Effect: Retribution continues the story from the
first two books.

DrewYay!

[VeronicanPlay]

Just started on the first book in the Hellgate: London trilogy, and I really like it.

[Rather Dashing]

Yay!
Let's hope that means other stores, too, considering the first Google result for "Darth Bane ePub" is a torrent link.

[Silverwolfpet]

I'm currently trying to read "Tunnels"... but I don't have the time unfortunately. And I kind of hit a dull moment in the story. Is it a good book? Or should I move on?
http://books.google.com/books?id=wHmuNwAACAAJ&printsec=frontcover&img=1&zoom=1&l=220

[jeeno0142]

I'm currently trying to read "Tunnels"... but I don't have the time unfortunately. And I kind of hit a dull moment in the story. Is it a good book? Or should I move on?

I've read that. I'm the type of person to read a book I've started all the way through no matter if I like it or not, so I can tell you that I thought it was generally quite dull all the way through. Slow paced and not too much happening. Then all of a sudden it seems to kick off (not much, but more than the rest of the story at least) at the end where it stops at a cliff hanger meaning you need to get the next one to find out what happens. Overall, my opinion is skip it. I certainly don't plan to read my copy again, and I won't be getting myself the sequal.

[Rather Dashing]

On the e-reader front, B&N's new Nook has been announced with a longer battery life than that of the Kindle 3, and they seem to be backing it up with pretty good testing criteria (http://goo.gl/PHuOf). Amazon, in response, changed how they measure battery life by halving the daily read time they used to reach the "1 month" measurement. (http://goo.gl/Tqu09)

[Avistew]

A single charge lasts up to two months with wireless off based upon a half-hour of daily reading time. If you read for one hour a day, you will get battery life of up to one month.

And if you use it for fifteen minutes a day you'll get three months, etc.

Shouldn't that be four months?

[Rather Dashing]

It should be, but they went with the simple logical fallacy "halving it added a month, halving it again should add ANOTHER month" because, I dunno, they didn't drink enough coffee or actually think that one through.

------

I've read through about half of The Last Wish(the first piece of the main Witcher canon) over the past few days, and so far it's pretty excellent. It hits all the right tones for me, stark and gritty, witty and sarcastic, realistic and fantastical. The prose of the english translation is excellent, and I've found myself entirely drawn in by this world crafted around Geralt the mutant monster-hunter.

Also, I just figured out that free samples of books in the Nook ebook store are based on the relative size of the rest of the book. As a result, an ebook that is a collection of the entire Song of Ice and fire series has a free ample of 375 pages!

[Avistew]

Wow, that's a pretty cool free sample. It's what, the first book in the series?

[Johro]

I bought this when it came out. (http://notbadforahuman.com/?page_id=295) Still waiting for it to show up in the mail. It should arrive this week or next. I can't wait.

Bruce Campbell's autobiography is still the best I've ever read. Hilarious.

[Silverwolfpet]

I've read that. it was generally quite dull

Ah, I see... Thanks!
I'll try to see if it goes anywhere interesting. More likely, I may drop it.

[Friar]

I've decided to start getting into books again. I've started reading "American Gods", bought a book light and Pre-ordered the final book of the inheritance cycle "Inheritance". When I finish American gods, I shall be re-reading Eragon/Eldest/Brisingr in preparation.
http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1258417001l/4407.jpg
http://booktales.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/416m-ilnz8l-_sl500_aa300_.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qG2x3CsOiMA/TYo8PiBiMVI/AAAAAAAAAUs/7g_GGFPlrSA/Inheritance%2BBook%2BCover.jpg

[Alcoremortis]

So many books...so little time...

My floor already has a mountain of unread books on it, and yet I find myself constantly compelled to buy more as well as visit the library as often as possible. Hopefully, I will be able to complete all my literary obligations by the end of the summer...

[Friar]

I really enjoy listening to the Harry Potter audiobooks as read by Stephen Fry. I have the whole set on mp3. :)


It had been a while since I last heard Jim Dale's reading of the books, so I decided to listen to it for a bit, just to see if I'm not being fair in my preference of Fry over Dale.

...but it turns out that I just confirmed for myself that Stephen Fry is indeed far superior.

I mean, seriously. compare these two:

Jim Dale: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeAzVwGdhNw&t=6m50s

Stephen Fry: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mIjBuu5L58&t=4m03s

Hands down, Fry is better. The twins mocking Percy isn't even funny at all in the Dale version.
Do a search for on youtube for "Cassetteboy VS. Harry Potter", and that notion will change. Not safe for work or children.

[Chyron8472]

So many books...so little time...

My floor already has a mountain of unread books on it, and yet I find myself constantly compelled to buy more as well as visit the library as often as possible. Hopefully, I will be able to complete all my literary obligations by the end of the summer...

Literary obligations?

Also, if your floor is filled with books, wouldn't it be tidier to own an ebook reader?

[Alcoremortis]

Literary obligations?

Also, if your floor is filled with books, wouldn't it be tidier to own an ebook reader?

I have promised both myself and a number of people to read certain books and the summer is the best time to do this. And yes, an ebook reader would be tidier, but it would also be more expensive. Right now, I am utilizing the library, which is free!

But I really don't mind clutter, it's just an expressive way of showing how many books I have to get through!

[bobber56]

My favorites:

Every Agatha Christie novel
The Sherlockian by Graham Moore
Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton
The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammet
The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler
World War Z by Max Brooks
Every Sherlock Holmes story
From Russia With Love by Ian Fleming

[JedExodus]

Reading the Steve Jobs autobiography. Man was a bit of a bratty crybaby spoilsport wanker.

[VeronicanPlay]

Just finished the Hellgate London Trilogy and it was quite good, the only thing I can say that was bad about it was that the ending was rushed.

Not really reading at the moment, but I have started on The Innocent Mage.
But I need to get my reading drive back, as I just don't feel like reading. :)

[Comrade Pants]

How has no one brought this up yet?
http://boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/images_mm117399671_that-is-all-john-hodgman-hardcover-cover-art.jpg

[Secret Fawful]

How has no one brought this up yet?
http://boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/images_mm117399671_that-is-all-john-hodgman-hardcover-cover-art.jpg

BORING.

Now here's a great book. A masterpiece even.

http://i.imgur.com/wOgGx.jpg

[Comrade Pants]

ಠ_ಠ

[Alcoremortis]

I remember Frog and Toad. That just brings back memories...

My brother always preferred Jog Frog Jog, though.

[RingmasterJ5]

Oh, I remember Frog and Toad from when I was a kid. My grandma had a VHS of it, which had, among two normal animated shorts...this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6K9zCQxgMVw

[JedExodus]

You're all reading the wrong book about talking toads.

http://www.screenhead.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/thewindinthewillows.jpg

Sort it out.

[Chyron8472]

I just realized that Pottermore.com is now open, and subsequently Harry Potter is officially available to buy on ebook!

Now, there is one thing I need to mention: The Pottermore website does sell different versions (translations) of Harry Potter, but you can only buy the ebook and audiobook versions made for your country of residence. This means that if you want the Stephen Fry version of the HP audiobooks (as Stephen Fry is far superior to Jim Dale) you have to set your country of residence to the UK.

[Comrade Pants]

I'm reading this:


http://i.imgur.com/Gf2Nl.jpg

[Friar]

Fear and loathing in las vegas?

I'm reading "The Last of the Templars" as my final book in the six book challenge. The blurb gave me the distinct impression it was similar to the first Broken sword game, in that the cult is rising again and they travel across the world to stop them. Or something.

[Comrade Pants]

Fear and loathing in las vegas?

Correct.

[Friar]

Yay!

I have no idea what that book was, by the way. I just asked google. :p

[Comrade Pants]

Read it, if you're into counter culture insanity and dangerously mind bending chemicals.

[JedExodus]

http://images.pricerunner.com/product/image/106484641/Stephen-Fry-s-Incomplete-and-Utter-History-of-Classical-Music.jpg

S'alright, much like books about food, drink and travel, you'd rather just experience the subject matter than listen to somebody prattle on about it. Even if they are as eloquent witty and charming as Stephen Fry.

[Jennifer]

I've been reading books on my iPad lately and have been downloading free epubs for public domain books that I have always wanted to read (or read when I was a kid or a teenager and mostly have forgotten). Project Gutenberg is great for getting epubs for popular public domain books, like Sherlock Holmes, or A Connecticut Yankee in King Author's Court, or A Christmas Carol. It's not so great for less popular books though.

I've been scouring the internet looking for an epub for A Blazing World by Margaret Cavendish, and the only one I could find was one for sale on iTunes for $0.99. The story is available all over the internet in HTML format, so paying $1 seemed kind of silly.

That was until I decided to make an ePub of it myself. Egads, what a pain in the neck that turned out to be (probably because I went the route of doing all the HTML by hand in Wordpad rather than using an HTML editor). After two days of sorting out all the errors in my HTML code, it's done now though. So I can finally read the story with iBooks, but now I kind of wish I wasn't so cheap and paid the dollar to save myself the aggravation.

[DAISHI]

I'm reading this:

AHA Presidential Addresses
Everyman His Own Historian

By Carl Becker,
President of the American Historical Association, 1931

[JordyLicht]

I love reading and I'm trying to get through Bertrand Russel's Why I Am Not A Christian, but it's pretty difficult concentrating on a book with a 4 year old running around.

[Chyron8472]

I've been reading books on my iPad lately and have been downloading free epubs for public domain books that I have always wanted to read (or read when I was a kid or a teenager and mostly have forgotten). Project Gutenberg is great for getting epubs for popular public domain books, like Sherlock Holmes, or A Connecticut Yankee in King Author's Court, or A Christmas Carol. It's not so great for less popular books though.

I've been scouring the internet looking for an epub for A Blazing World by Margaret Cavendish, and the only one I could find was one for sale on iTunes for $0.99. The story is available all over the internet in HTML format, so paying $1 seemed kind of silly.

That was until I decided to make an ePub of it myself. Egads, what a pain in the neck that turned out to be (probably because I went the route of doing all the HTML by hand in Wordpad rather than using an HTML editor). After two days of sorting out all the errors in my HTML code, it's done now though. So I can finally read the story with iBooks, but now I kind of wish I wasn't so cheap and paid the dollar to save myself the aggravation.

The reason why there are ebook versions of public domain books being sold for money (however cheap) on Amazon and such is because often the free public domain versions have poor formatting; a table of contents which is either missing or simple link-less text (which makes such TOCs completely useless); or missing NCX code, such that chapter-skipping shortcut keys don't work.

I can say from personal experience that having to repair ebooks with bad TOCs and NCXs is a pain in the neck, and even worse if chapter headings are wonky.

[Avistew]

I worked on a version of Les Misérables. 2.5k pages to reformat, special characters to fix, indentations to add... it was a big pain. But not as much as the time I just retyped a whole novel because I bought the paper version and wanted to be able to read the ebook (not 2.5K pages that times, fortunately. I'd still be halfway :p)

[DAISHI]

And this, kids, Is why you don't pirate. Someone actually has to do all that work.

[watertommyz]

Let's talk about books. Anybody read anything recent that was really good? Have an obscure old favorite?

I am Legend by Richard Matheson. Well, it's not so obscure anymore due to the Will Smith movie, but it's still worth checking out considering none of the adaptations really stick to the point save for The Last Man on Earth, and even that somehow manages to beat around the bush.

It is my absolute favorite story, without question.

Where do you read books? When do you read them? What books do you read? How do you read books?

I don't read as often as I'd like to, so I made a reading list in order to give myself some incentive this year as I have quite a backlog of stories just waiting to be read, and I generally read Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, and or Mystery books when I am able to. Ideally, I'd like to read in my room anywhere I'm comfortable when it's quiet. Unfortunately there is little peace-and-quiet at the house these days, and it makes it hard for me to concentrate and focus on reading whatever book is available to me.

I do want to have a go at the A Song of Ice and Fire series at some point since that looks like good heavy reading. Despite some of the bad things I hear about it, I'd still like to see if I can finish books with that grand of scale.

Since I want to get into heavier reading, I thought I'd simply start light with a series based on one of my favorite video game franchises. I figure starting with a familiar world would ease me into better reading habits, since I don't have to think too much on descriptions and characters, and won't want to stop every minute to look up how to pronounce a character's name or anything like that.

Can't wait to read them.

[corruptbiggins]

I'm happy to have found a new author that I like, Neal Stephenson. Nearly finished Reamde which I've enjoyed a lot and so I'll have to look for other books he's done. Heard good things about Snow Crash, which actually was what I was looking for initially when I got Reamde - it (Snow Crash) was recommended to me so when I was next in a good bookshop I looked for it but couldn't find a copy but saw this other book by the same author (Reamde) so I got that and haven't regretted it.

[Avistew]

I've read Snow Crash, I enjoyed it a lot. It has a few info dumps, which are a bit overwhelming, but it's part of the point so I guess it still works.

[Marsbergen]

I've got some new Stephen King books I want to read, but first, I need to finish my Harry Potter reread. I've been planning this for too long to not finish-- also, I want to read the James Potter super-fan free-books.

[Haggis]

The reason why there are ebook versions of public domain books being sold for money (however cheap) on Amazon and such is because often the free public domain versions have poor formatting; a table of contents which is either missing or simple link-less text (which makes such TOCs completely useless); or missing NCX code, such that chapter-skipping shortcut keys don't work.
I find that the Project Gutenberg e-books are of a high standard. Plenty of gems to be found there, enough to last you a life time... of course, people should still buy books by living writers as well, otherwise they won't be living writers for very long. :D