What books are you reading?

[Nyx]

What book(s) is everybody reading right now? Any that are wonderful or absolutely terrible? Care to discuss?

[Andy]

The Hobbit, because it's for my tolkien class. Also Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte, for my literature class. Not much time for other books at the moment....

Taking two classes with lots of reading was, in retrospect, not the best idea. :)

[Rafael Domination]

I'm reading SCORPIA, (an Alex Rider adventure) in my spare time, and I'm forced to read the most depressing book ever: The Outsider, in English class...

Yay books!

[Ichigo]

I'm reading Crank, it's pretty good so far, but my friend and I are sortof trading it around so I haven't read it for a about a week.

And also Harry Potter 2.

[Nyx]

I have Crank on hold in the library; it’s been 3 weeks so I'm guessing it's quite popular!

[Ichigo]

Yeah, you must have a really cool library to have a book like that...
All we have is like little kiddies books.
Our library is TERRIBLE.

[Nyx]

Oh that sucks; I would have a tantrum if our library didn't have good books.

[Tncowgirl]

I just finished Orgeon Brides, and I'm now working on California Weddings I think its called, they are good books. I hate romances but the ones this company put out are good. But yea, you asked :P.

[Shaun]

What am I NOT reading...sheesh.

For fun:
Bright of the Sky by Kay Kenyon

For school (some of which I am not looking up the names of):
Opera's Second Death
Opera As Drama
Opera Course Reader (700 pages)
Literary Theory by Terry Eagleton
Cat and Mouse by Gunter Grass
The Immoralist by Andre Gide

I think that's all I'm reading at the moment...

[Nyx]

what is Bright of the Sky about?

[Shaun]

The short version is that mankind has discovered that alternate universes really do exist. Titus Quinn says he's been to this other universe, but when he appeared out of nowhere with his wife and child gone and everyone else on his ship missing everyone thinks he just went crazy, including the government. But now these need his experience in this other universe.

It's not half bad, the beginning chapter is terrible though. But after that it's pretty good.

[Nyx]

Sounds interesting. Maybe I'll put that on my “to read list”! Ah the list of books I want to read just keep getting longer and longer and I only have so little time to do free reading. I am already in the midst of reading New Moon, Jakeman and Ender's Shadow. I wish I had much less homework and much more free-time to sit and finish at least one book!

[Shaun]

Read all the reviews on my blog. There's 30 or so on my blog and 2 that are linked to another blog from mine. So, maybe you'll find some other stuff of interest in there too.

[jordanisonfire]

I'm currently reading three books: LotR, Armageddon's Children and Shaun's novel (my top priority, as I'm trying to contribute to the site and somewhat failing miserably).

[Carraka]

I'm currently reading Stardust by Neil Gaiman, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin (duh), Blink by Malcolm Gladwell. That third one there isn't really a novel. (:

[Shaun]

Updating my list:

For fun:
The Steam Magnate by Dana Copithorne

For school (some of which I am not looking up the names of):
Opera's Second Death
Opera As Drama
Opera Course Reader (700 pages)
Literary Theory by Terry Eagleton
Nothing But Ghosts by Judith Hermann
Jacob the Liar by Jurek Becker
The Maids by Jean Genet
Opera, the Undoing of Women by Catherine Clement

[Andy]

Fellowship of the Ring
Tales from Earthsea
Mrs. Dalloway

[The Grinning Man]

The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury*
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini*
A Gift Upon the Shore by M.K. Wren
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

* currently reading, rest are in the ol' queue

[Zuzy]

Grimm's Grimmest by, you guessed it, The Brothers Grimm. Nearly done with it, since it is rather short, but enjoyable..

We're also doing lots of short stories in my lit class, currently Hawthorne, who I am in love with. We'll be starting The Scarlet Letter soon! I'm excited.

[The Grinning Man]

We're also doing lots of short stories in my lit class, currently Hawthorne, who I am in love with. We'll be starting The Scarlet Letter soon! I'm excited.

A taste for ye olde writings, eh? While I commend you on your taste, I can't say I have enough patience to enjoy them...

On a similar note, finished Heart of Darkness a few weeks back. Anti-climactic as hell.

[Nyx]

The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury*
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini*
A Gift Upon the Shore by M.K. Wren
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

* currently reading, rest are in the ol' queue

Oh how are you enjoying the kite runner? I started it and well I am extremely disappointed to say that I couldn't finish it. I was lost in tears *literally* and I couldn't find it in myself to keep reading :blush:

Anyways I am reading few books right now:
Almost done rereading: Ender's Shadow
Just started: Jakeman
Also just started: Wuthering Heights
And will soon start: the recruit

[Shaun]

Don't we have a thread for this already? We do Andy! Shame on you :p. It's even on the front page for the Lit. Disc section!!! :P

[Andy]

A-heh-heh. :blush: That was embarassing.

I merged the threads. Problem solved.

[Nyx]

Oh! I knew the thread looked familiar!;)

[The Grinning Man]

Oh how are you enjoying the kite runner? I started it and well I am extremely disappointed to say that I couldn't finish it. I was lost in tears *literally* and I couldn't find it in myself to keep reading :blush:

Aww, that's way too bad. :( I can understand your problem though, it's a powerful book. Wonderfully written and I can't wait to read the sequel. I have to thank my AP English Lit course, because, as far as assigned read goes, this is one of the best books I've read.

[Crocolyle]

Finished recently:
Shadow of the Giant (Orson Scott Card)
The Moon is Down (Steinbeck)
The Memory of Earth (OSC)

Reading:
The Coming of Conan (It's just a collection of the Conan stories by Robert E. Howard. I read a story and then put it aside for a while)

Will start reading as soon as I get to the bookstore:
Tortilla Flat (Steinbeck)
The Call of Earth (OSC)

Mitch, the Kite Runner doesn't have a sequel (and even if it didn't it shouldn't. I mean, the story ends where it should). If you're talking about A Thousand Splendid Suns, it takes place is Afghanistan but it has nothing to do with a kite runner. Both are excellent though.

I can understand why someone could not get through the kite runner, I mean at some points the action is pretty brutal, and while the story is power and amazing, Hosseini does not have the best control of language (sometimes he sounds cliche or awkward, though he isn't a native speaker and the story is great, so this is excusable).

[Zuzy]

A taste for ye olde writings, eh? While I commend you on your taste, I can't say I have enough patience to enjoy them...

They're not too hard to enjoy... My professor says that The Scarlet Letter is hard to read, which is why we are reading his short stories first. He has an amazing talent for symbolism and morality, it's so beautiful. Try reading the Birthmark (you could probably find it online) it's incredibly beautiful.


I've been told to read The Kite Runner but I haven't... Should I?

[Nyx]

They're not too hard to enjoy... My professor says that The Scarlet Letter is hard to read, which is why we are reading his short stories first. He has an amazing talent for symbolism and morality, it's so beautiful. Try reading the Birthmark (you could probably find it online) it's incredibly beautiful.


I've been told to read The Kite Runner but I haven't... Should I?

Despite the fact that I couldn't manage to finish it I definetely recommend it. No other book has had such a great effect on me, and when I think I can handle it I am surely going to read the rest. Right now it is sitting in my bookshelf and staring!

[Andy]

Ugh, I had to put Mrs. Dalloway down. Ten pages is all I could stand. Can you say long, monotonous, rambling descriptions? Absolutely nothing has happened. I'm sorry, but I'm gonna have to do cliff ntoes first. At least then I'll be able to find all the hidden symbolism and be able to enjoy the book a little more once I pick it back up.

[jordanisonfire]

Started reading His Dark Materials. Very good, so far. :)

[Imelda]

I am reading:

Wuthering Heights by ... a Bronte. Emily, I think.
The Outward Urge by John Wyndham
The Chrysalids by John Wyndham.

Yes, all at the same time. :s

[Crocolyle]

They're not too hard to enjoy... My professor says that The Scarlet Letter is hard to read, which is why we are reading his short stories first. He has an amazing talent for symbolism and morality, it's so beautiful. Try reading the Birthmark (you could probably find it online) it's incredibly beautiful.


I've been told to read The Kite Runner but I haven't... Should I?

I loved the Scarlet Letter. At some parts it is a little difficult to understand, but you just need to be really focused when you read it or you'll miss important details. Like it's not the thing to read when you're tired and about to go to bed.

I personally had more trouble reading the short story Ethan Brand than the Scarlet Letter.

[The Grinning Man]

Mitch, the Kite Runner doesn't have a sequel (and even if it didn't it shouldn't. I mean, the story ends where it should). If you're talking about A Thousand Splendid Suns, it takes place is Afghanistan but it has nothing to do with a kite runner. Both are excellent though.

Slip o' the ol' fingers on my part. :P Apologies.

They're not too hard to enjoy... My professor says that The Scarlet Letter is hard to read, which is why we are reading his short stories first. He has an amazing talent for symbolism and morality, it's so beautiful. Try reading the Birthmark (you could probably find it online) it's incredibly beautiful.

I really ought to give him a try. I haven't read anything of his other than the short story Dr. Heidegger's Experiment... Honestly can't say I remember much of it, though. :glare:

[Crocolyle]

Being the horror fan you are, you'd probably like Hawthorne. I personally recommend Young Goodman Brown.

[Nyx]

Started reading His Dark Materials. Very good, so far. :)

Yea that's a great series! Are you reading the golden compass?

[Imelda]

It's called Northern Lights. :glare:

[Nyx]

Yes it was originally titled Northern Lights but the North American publishers published it as the Golden Compass. :)

[Nyx]

I finally finished Ender's Shadow and Jakeman. -sigh-
The library's closed today though so now I have nothing to read.

[The Grinning Man]

Finished the Kite Runner. Excellent stuff.

*turns* It's your turn, Bradbury...

[Steak-Ums]

Just finished

The Big Sleep & Farewell my Lovely & The High Window by Raymond Chandler



That's it, cause I'm not exactly funded for books lately, and Detroit's libraries flat out suck from a young urban youth like myself. WORD LIFE SON.

[Zuzy]

The Big Sleep...like, the Humphrey Bogart movie? I know it was a book before, but I do not know who wrote it...

The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton (rhymes with frighten!) - Because I got kind of board? I've seen the movie, which was very cool, and had the book because my mother picked it up for me at a garage sale... this is kind of my way of avoiding school work, haha.

[GeorgeMichael]

Wow, don't I feel embarrased right now.

I'm not really reading anything (not including the stories here) except for this book I checked out of the library called Six of Seuss. It's six Dr. Seuss stories :)

I just love the Lorax and The Grinch :D

[Nyx]

I started reading a few new books this weekend:
Speaker for the dead- Orson Scott Card
The Recruit-(not sure who it's by)
Le petit prince

has anyone else start reading any new books?

[Carraka]

I'm about to start A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams.

My mom thought I had randomly picked it off the bookshelf and almost refused to buy it for me.

[Nyx]

Oh I love that book, it's really great.

[Shaun]

Well my non-school reading consists of:

The Longevity Thesis by Jennifer Rahn
The Complete Guide to Writing Science Fiction Volume One, edited by Dave A. Law

They're actually both books sent to me by Edge, a small sf & f publisher in Canada. I'm doing reviews for them, so yeah. The second book is proving to be amazing. The first starts off a bit slow, so we'll see how it ends up.

[Eve]

Oh, I've heard of them! Never actually went to read them though.

Right now, I'm reading Kane and Abel by Jeffery Archer.

[Shaun]

Random question Eve: Are you Canadian? I assume you are because you said you've heard of them, but who knows :P. I'm hoping to do some good in the small press world by doing reviews for places like Edge...

[Eve]

Well, actually, no. But somewhere.....Argh! I can't remember now. WOW! Pretty amazing. How old are you?

[Shaun]

24...I'm probably the oldest person on the site :P. But that's okay because I'm an admin :D.

[Eve]

Haha, that's pretty amazing. You're already WRITING books.

[Shaun]

Well, I'm trying to write books :P. It's not easy. Books are harder than short stories for me. Then again short stories have their problems too...grr

[Nyx]

24...I'm probably the oldest person on the site :P

...And I'm probably the youngest;)

[Eve]

Shaun: Oh, yeah. Books are almost beyond me. It took me a whole year to write and rewrite 30+ pages.

Nyx: Yeah, and I could be second youngest. Maybe. Hope so. Don't know. Forget it. :)

[Shaun]

Well some people don't write novels. I've only just started really doing novels. Mostly I've done short stories.

[Eve]

Really? WOW! :) That's really impressive!

[Shaun]

:P. Not really. It just takes a lot of time and effort for novels and I never really wanted to finish such projects.

[Guessed]

Might as well shake the dust off of this thread, seeing as I'm always looking for book reccomendations and this might be a promising place to keep an eye on.

Right now I'm ready the Odyssey for my english class (Fitzgerald translation). On the side I'm finishing up The Shining, attempting to read some of my dad's books on philosophy, and flitting through Hitchhiker's Guide just for kicks. My dad hates that book - I had to salvage it from the back of his Reject pile. x.0

[Imelda]

I loved Hitchhiker's it was fun.

I am reading:

Hood by Stephen Lawhead
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
The Chrysalids by John Wyndham

Yeah, I don't know why I'm reading three books at once ...

[Nyx]

I have a big book report due and so I'm rereading parts of Ender's Shadow (Orson Scott Card) for it. I'm also reading "Le neveu du magicien" (C.S. Lewis) for a french reading assignment. Since I don't have much time to read for anything other than the projects, I am reading the second book in the Cherub series (Class A) for light reading:D

[GeorgeMichael]

I'm only reading The Scarlet Letter as of now for English class... I should read more :)

[Rafael Domination]

Right now...we're on Taming of the Shrew...

Shakespeare *shivers*

[Carraka]

We're on Romeo and Juliet.

And I like this play. And Shakespeare is mostly good. Except for Taming of the Shrew. xD

But I like Romeo and Juliet just fine. There.

[The Grinning Man]

The Castle and The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
His Dark Materials
Almost done with the Martian Chronicles...
The Alchemist is still sitting on my desk.

[Dr_House_4ever]

I'm in the middle of "The Green Mile" - I got it for Xmas.

[Carraka]

Non-fiction! o.O

Life in a Medieval Castle by Joseph & Frances Gies
Life in a Medieval City by the same people

I figure I need to do some research some day.

[Rafael Domination]

Right now....the dictionary...

[Carraka]

You read the dictionary? I tried to do that once, but I never got past the fourth page. Plus, I forgot all the words the instant I learned their definitions.

[Rafael Domination]

I do too, but some of them pop up whevever I encounter them in the future! :D

[Crocolyle]

The Call of Earth by Orson Scott Card and I've been reading off and on The Coming of Conan, a collection of 13 of Robert E. Howard's Conan stories. Like I read a story, put it down for a while, then go back to it.

[Carraka]

Yes, but unless I'm reading word-for-word, I never notice words I don't understand. I don't think reading enhances my vocabulary. Except maybe subconsciously?

Take the word "chthonic". I've only ever seen it once in a book, (Perdido Street Station,) but if I hadn't known what it meant, then I wouldn't have seen it.

That was a very bad example. Never mind. But you know how you learn what a word means, and then you start seeing it everywhere?

[Imelda]

Timeline by Michael Crighton

I want to time travel so badly now ...

[Quietus]

Timeline by Michael Crighton

I want to time travel so badly now ...

I read that a few years ago...
Twas pretty good
It's a sham the movie knida sucked
Stupid Hollywood

[Imelda]

I won't see the film till the 5th of January, when it's conveniently on tv. Jurassic Park was much better on screen ... I'm hoping this will be too, but they'll probably ruin the historical aspect. It's more accurate in my head than any film studio can hope to be.

[Quietus]

You liked the JP movie better? I think each had their strong points, butI think they should've had the creator of JP (I forgot his name) get eaten by the raptors in the movie, that was cool

[Imelda]

Ooooh he got eaten by the compys in the book, didn't he? I guess they wanted to bring him back for JP2. The only thing I preferred about the book was the way the raptors were defeated. Poisoning the eggs just seemed really cool. The rest, however, was too full of description and maths, and it lacked the tension of the film.

[Shaun]

Timeline sucked...just so you know. It was just one of those "oh hehe, look at us change history for the convenience of the story" things...the book was probably more interesting because things made more sense...

I'm reading The Innocent Mage by Karen Miller and Seven Touches of Music by Zoran Zivkovic

[Alex]

The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams, its a pretty good play in alot of aspects, short though, I'm 1/2 way done after spending about 45 minutes on it, but all in all pretty good. I'm also almost done with 12 Angry Men ((I love the movie and I love the play)) After that I got All My Sons after I finish.

Don't know whats with me and plays lately but ehhhh lol what can I say

also reading from my short story book for school, finished The Destructors and The Swimmer which I loved

[Andy]

The Divine Comedy, by Dante! In English. Really unusual story, but I keep seeing references to it in all sorts of places, so it's about time.

A Wizard of Earthsea, by Ursula Le Guin. Or rather, that's what I'll start as soon as the above is finished. :)

And I also finished Orson Scott Card's book about writing science fiction and fantasy. He knows what he's talking about, and a bunch of the things he said were quite reassuring, regarding getting published.

[Imelda]

Earthsea is really, really boring, apart from Tehanu (sp?).

Still reading Timeline, but I'm nearly done. Next in line is Carbonel: King of the Cats, a book I've been searching for for well over a decade. I read it in primary school, adored it, and could never remember what it was called. :( Till LibraryThing allowed me to type in 'magic' and 'black cat' and brought it up! Yay!

[Shaun]

Did you buy that book from the store Andy? If you didn't I'm going to throw pencils at you...

[Crocolyle]

Earthsea is really, really boring, apart from Tehanu (sp?).


I think somewhere on this forum I said the exact opposite O_o

I really liked A Wizard of Earthsea, I loved The Tombs of Atuan, and I liked The Farthest Shore, but I thought Tehanu was long and didn't really have a point. I didn't finish The Otherwind, the next book in the series.

[Nyx]

I just finished reading:

Crank-really interesting book
Blue is for nightmare-not special but good for a quick read


and now I just started:
My swordhand is singing- I randomly picked it at Indigo because it had a nice cover:P

[Manon]

^I read My Swordhand is Singing a while back, it was pretty good. What's Crank like? I've been planning to read a book by Ellen Hopkins for a while now, but I never...well, I'm a bit of a procrastinator. XD

I'm currently reading Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult, really amazing story.

[jordanisonfire]

I've finally started reading Keys to the Kingdom. I'm about two thirds through Mister Monday, and it's awesome. :link:

[lango]

The book thief - Markus Zusak
kinda reminds me of Oliver Twist, in the sense that I had to force myself to read the first 50 pages before liking the book, but now its pretty neat. Different writing style :P
and am about to re-read bartimaeus trilogy when Im done with this book :P

edit: the ending of "the book thief" is just the style I like :D Loved the ending

[Pibs]

The Rivers of Zaada, book six in the Pendragon series. They're a little easy... but fun! ^^
I'm also in the middle of The Thirteenth Tale, Lord Foul's Bane (1st book of the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant), and Wild Magic.

So, yah, lotsa books here!

[Alex]

just read Catcher in the Rye.

Not a fan.... to colloquial IMO

[Midnight_Moon]

I'm reading "The Black Cauldron" the second book in the Prydain Chronicles. It's good so far.

[sXe_Jinxeh]

I just finished reading "Room Full of Mirrors" by Charles C. Cross, a biography of Jimi Hendrix, and now I'm waiting for the library to bring "Heavier then Heaven" by the same guy, about Kurt Cobain.

[lango]

"The talented Mr. Ripley"
Didnt watch the movie btw. Its good so far, but not quite the sort of Realistic story that grasps me

[Guessed]

Our English class is finishing up Frankenstein. I was amazed at how far the public eye has twisted the story - originally, the monster (who of course isn't named Frankenstein) is extremely literate and well-meaning, though despised by all of society save one blind man. The man's family assaults the monster when they find him, however. Eventually he does become murderous, but I can never stop pitying him.

Shelley's writing, however, is a real pain to get through. It's so horribly wordy, but not in a poetic way. I wish I could appreciate it as much as my wonderful teacher does. Another somewhat infuriating, somewhat amusing factor is that the story is ultimately a ship captain's letter to his sister in which he interviews Frankenstein for most of the book who quotes the monster for several long chapters. It's hard to remember that what you're hearing is a /letter/ by some captain the whole time - and that, of course, the captain is voiced by Shelley herself. Has anyone read it and, if so, what do you think of the plot/writing style?

[Carraka]

Shelley is telling the readers the story of a captain telling his sisters the story of what Frankenstein told him which consists mainly of what the monster told him which consists mainly of the story of what the monster did for two years.

It's the monster's story within the monster's story within Frankenstein's story within the captain's story within Shelley's story.

A story within a story within a story within a story within a story.

Shelley talks too much about the healing powers of nature. I can understand once or twice, but ... yeah, it happens every chapter, I swear.

We are reading the book too.

[Guessed]

I get more annoyed at Frankenstein. He's the very embodiment of emo kid - except he's not a kid. Get him some Prozac for the love of gods.

Edit: "A story within a story within a story within a story within a story." My lovely book Go:del, Escher, Bach has a little chapter like that - it's very amusing. Everyone here should try to read that book! It's great! I'm only halfway, though - I put it down a while ago. I shall conquer it one day...

[Imelda]

I'm reading A Storm Of Swords 2 and CAR IS EVIL AND SHOULD NEVER HAVE MADE ME READ IT! *sobs*

[Guessed]

:D Martin weaves quite a complex tapestry of words, doesn't he? Unfortunately that tapestry takes quiiiiite some time to thoroughly examine before you're finished with it, and I just learned that tapestries don't make for good analogy. I finished the first book and only began the second - I plan to finish it over the summer, along with the aforementioned G:,E,B which EVERYONE SHOULD TRY READING.

[Crocolyle]

I began Slaughterhouse 5 last night. Kurt Vonnegut.

[Guessed]

I read that recently, Croc. Very good - very different. I'd write a more comprehensive summary if this period wasn't ending. HSA tests have cut our class periods down to tiny little things.

I'm starting A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by the amazing Joyce. It's beautifully written - if you didn't know, he goes through the life of a boy and his style conveys the maturity and intelligence of the boy as he grows. The first sentence is rather famous: "Once upon a time and a very good time it was there was a moocow coming down along the road and this moocow that was coming down along the road met a nice little boy named baby tuckoo...."

As you can imagine, it gets a lot more adult.

[Shaun]

Slaughterhouse 5 is a strange read. Have you read Philip K. Dick, Croc? You might like his work if you like Vonnegut.
As for Frankenstein: I love the story, but the narrative structure is terrible. It's a long scene of telling. I got bored really fast and that's never a good sign. I understand its influence, being the first indisputable science fiction story ever written (I say indisputable because there are works that preceded it, but it is argued that those works are more fantasy than SF...so there's an argument among academics on that subject).

I'm reading a lot of stuff right now, but most of it will be done in a couple weeks when the quarter ends. Here is the list:
* 2x Lit. 101 Readers (filled with lovely articles and short stories)
* The Animals Reader by Kalof and Fitzgerald (Lit. 101)
* Beasts of No Nation by Uzodinma Iweala (Global Fiction)
* The Companion Species Manifesto by Haraway (Lit. 101)
* The Lives of Animals by Coetzee (Lit. 101)
* LTWL 115A Reader (Global Fiction)
* Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga (Global Fiction)
* Country of My Skull by Antjie Krog (Global Fiction)
* Houseboy by Ferdinand Oyono (Global Fiction)
* Ways of Dying by Zakes Mda (Global Fiction)
* Lies, Inc. by Philip K. Dick (PKD Course)
* Ubik by Philip K. Dick (PKD Course)
* Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick (PKD Course)
* The Shifting Realities of Philip K. Dick by Lawrence Sutin (PKD Course)
* The Philip K. Dick Reader by Philip K. Dick (PKD Course)

Yeah, long list don't you think? That's just my school reading. Granted, the last four are freaking awesome because they are for my independent study course and I got to select them.

[Guessed]

Ah yes, Philip K. Dick wrote DADoES. That's yet another one I've been meaning to read. -scribbles onto ream of paper that curls onto the floor-

[Starry]

Slaughterhouse 5 is a strange read. Have you read Philip K. Dick, Croc? You might like his work if you like Vonnegut.
As for Frankenstein: I love the story, but the narrative structure is terrible. It's a long scene of telling. I got bored really fast and that's never a good sign. I understand its influence, being the first indisputable science fiction story ever written (I say indisputable because there are works that preceded it, but it is argued that those works are more fantasy than SF...so there's an argument among academics on that subject).

I'm reading a lot of stuff right now, but most of it will be done in a couple weeks when the quarter ends. Here is the list:
* 2x Lit. 101 Readers (filled with lovely articles and short stories)
* The Animals Reader by Kalof and Fitzgerald (Lit. 101)
* Beasts of No Nation by Uzodinma Iweala (Global Fiction)
* The Companion Species Manifesto by Haraway (Lit. 101)
* The Lives of Animals by Coetzee (Lit. 101)
* LTWL 115A Reader (Global Fiction)
* Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga (Global Fiction)
* Country of My Skull by Antjie Krog (Global Fiction)
* Houseboy by Ferdinand Oyono (Global Fiction)
* Ways of Dying by Zakes Mda (Global Fiction)
* Lies, Inc. by Philip K. Dick (PKD Course)
* Ubik by Philip K. Dick (PKD Course)
* Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick (PKD Course)
* The Shifting Realities of Philip K. Dick by Lawrence Sutin (PKD Course)
* The Philip K. Dick Reader by Philip K. Dick (PKD Course)

Yeah, long list don't you think? That's just my school reading. Granted, the last four are freaking awesome because they are for my independent study course and I got to select them.

Shaun, that's enough to scare anyone away from being an English major. I would never be able to keep all those different books straight. I can barely keep two straight.

I'm reading the second book of The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan right now. It's actually a moderately irritating series, mostly because at the point I'm at in the story, four different women are in love with the main character, and apparently he eventually ends up sleeping with all of them. *sigh* Is it just me, or has this author never gotten any women? Ever?

But I'm reading the series because one of my friends got me the first three books for my birthday...in December. But now that AP and drama are over and no longer trying to eat me, I might actually finish the three books sometime soon and move on to my massive list of other stuff to read.

Oh, and I'm reading Death of a Salesman (Arthur Miller) in English. I also read it for school five years ago. There's got to be something wrong with that.

[Imelda]

I'm reading the second book of The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan right now. It's actually a moderately irritating series, mostly because at the point I'm at in the story, four different women are in love with the main character, and apparently he eventually ends up sleeping with all of them. *sigh* Is it just me, or has this author never gotten any women? Ever?

Ugh. I read the first three chapters of the first book and wanted to scream. I'm now glad I didn't press on. Four women? Yeesh.

[Guessed]

I heard of that series once - didn't the author die before it could be finished?

[Shaun]

Yup, but the last book is going to be written nonetheless by Brandon Sanderson. He has all of Jordan's notes and what not and he's an accomplished writer himself, so hopefully he does a good job for the fans.

[Carraka]

If you for some reason want to read the rest of the series, I have books 1-11 on my shelf. I've read them all. I can't claim to have enjoyed them much, especially with the way they dragged on but apparently his world-building/foreshadowing is good. I totally missed out on both of those, but that's what other people enjoy.

Meh. I'll stick with my Martin.

On the other hand, he did inspire Martin by proving that the epic series (as in the series that is longer than five books) could have success in the current market. And so there's a character/house/theory named after him in aSoIaF, I think in the third book.

[Guessed]

I think long adventure book series never really clicked with me because they are too good at building worlds - I prefer shorter work that leaves more to the imagination.

[Imelda]

I like the world-buliding, but the way he attempts to do it ... Ugh. I'm amazed you got through 11 books of it, Car. I'll stick with your Martin.

What's named for Jordan, though? :confused:

[Carraka]

James Rigney (his real name) of House Trebor (Robert backwards) or something like that. And Tor (the publisher) is somewhere in there too. He references the theory about time being a wheel. I don't really remember where it is, but I think it was a Dornish household, or something Southern and obscure.

[Shaun]

Robert Jordan is an acquired taste. Some people really like him, others do not.

[Imelda]

He isn't an acquired taste, he just sucks. His sentences are longer than most of Charles Dickens', and his prose is stodgier than the Brontes. And his plot is less original than Paolini's.

[Starry]

He isn't an acquired taste, he just sucks. His sentences are longer than most of Charles Dickens', and his prose is stodgier than the Brontes. And his plot is less original than Paolini's.

I'm going to disagree with you there. Sure, Wheel of Time doesn't have the most original plot, but no one has a plot less original than Paolini.

[Carraka]

Jordan's plot is definitely more original than Paolini's. We might disagree over how much better, but he's definitely better.

I don't know how much you've read, Imelda (oh wait, three chapters), but I've read eleven books, and I can say with complete confidence that his plot is better than Paolini's. He also has a few "original" ideas in there, and those few "original" ideas are enough to save him from my derision, in my mind.

[Chie'N'Kadath]

Currently reading One flew over the Cuckoo's nest. It's brilliant, and I'm amazed about all the stuff they left out of the movie, I know that's common, but the book is so much more surreal. I love the perspective it's told from, although it does reveal some information that did give the movie a bit more of a twist at the end right at the beginning. I love the metaphors, how everything is like a machine and McMurphy stands out so much more because he's like the only realistic thing happening. It's a great contrast. So far I'm loving it.

I'm also reading Fragile Things: Short fictions and Wonders. As with most short story compilations, there are some I love (A study in Emerald, Bad Grounds, Harlequin Valentine) some which are Okay (The facts in the case of *long name from here*, Going Wodwo) some which are bad (The faceless slaves of *Another huge name*) some which are just abysmal (I can't remember the name of the specific one that comes to mind right now, I'll edit it in later.) Neil Gaiman is my favourite author, so most of it is great, but there are always hits and misses. I haven't finished it yet, and I'm looking quite forward to Monarch of the Glen, especially since American Gods is my all time favourite novel.

I'm also reading The Soft Machine. So far, like most of Boroughs work, it's subversive, overtly sexual, saturated in drugs, and nearly impossible to comprehend. But it's brilliant. I can't believe I didn't pick it up earlier, as its 'sequel,' The Ticket that Exploded, is one of my favourite novels by him next to the classic The Naked Lunch, and after I finish it I will reread Ticket and then move on to Nova Express, which is apparently the finale of the 'trilogy.' As with The Soft Machine, I did not learn of Nova Express until recently.

I'm also rereading through my Phillip K. Dick library (One by one of course) and I am currently in to The Man in the High Castle. Still a brilliant, unique, and risk taking novel. Sadly the only piece of media I can find that even attempts to use a similar idea of the axis of evil defeating the Allies in WW2 was the failed video game Turning Point: Fall of Liberty.

[Guessed]

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest was abandoned on a desk in my history class. I fought an inward battle over whether I should pilfer it or not. I lost. The book stayed. I regret that.

And I guess the idea of the Nazis winning is just a wee bit unpopular in the market, though I agree it's fascinating stuff to work with.

[Zombified]

Reading my favorite author's latest book.

I am once again engrossed in another one of his novels....

Come on, whats not cooler than a satyr that kidnaps women for his own bizarre pleasures?

[Nyx]

I'm reading Scrambled eggs at midnight. It's a pretty good book, rather entertaining.:)

[Lykaios]

I'm reading The Dragonfly Pool by Eva Ibbotson.

[Squint]

I just finished "For One More Day" by Mitch Albom. It was really good, I think. :)

[Crocolyle]

Slaughterhouse 5 is a strange read. Have you read Philip K. Dick, Croc? You might like his work if you like Vonnegut.

I loved Slaughterhouse 5. It was brilliant. I particularly loved how the reality of the time travel was left ambiguous. And in general, I thought it was a masterly put together narrative. I couldn't put it down.

I haven't read any Philip K. Dick, but it looks interesting. I'll eventually get around to checking him out, though I have a couple books I'd like to read first.

Right now I'm reading The Regulators by Stephen King. Not his best work, but it's okay. I'm mainly reading it because it's the companion novel to Desperation, which I read before last semester began.

[Imelda]

I just finished A Feast For Crows. Now comes the waiting. DAMN YOU CAR!!!! Who is not here to answer that ...

I guess I'll move onto a collection of shorts by China Mieville next. I'm feeling a little better, but I don't think 'Castles In Medieval Society' is within my brain's grasp right now. :p

[Zombified]

Reading a "Monk" book.

You know, the tv show? Well there are books based off it.

Hilarious little stories.

[sXe_Jinxeh]

Heavier then Heaven: A Biography of Kurt Cobain by Charles C. Cross.

And some of the details of his adolescence have made me so annoyed by once favorite dead rockstar....that I took one of the buttons off of my bag.

[Nyx]

Ooh, that sounds interesting Jinxeh. I think I'll read that.
-dashes off to reading list-

[Ichigo]

The Dark Tower series by Stephen King.
I have to say they're (it's?) pretty good so far.

[ScottyMcGee]

"Confessions of an Economic Hit Man" by John Perkins

"American Gods" by Neil Gaiman

"The Eye of the World" by Robert Jordan

[Shaun]

Well, now that school is out I get to read stuff that I'm doing for review. (I have 45 books for review, actually).

Currently reading:

Marseguro by Edward Willett
Where Angels Fear by Ken Rand


I'm almost done with the first one and just started the second. I'm hoping to plow through pretty quick :P.

[Phantom]

I'm reading "A Child Called 'It"' by Dave Pelzer.
It is an amazing book! If you read it you will love it.
Also, I'm reading "The Phantom of the Opera" no suprise there.

[Nyx]

I just finished reading Twisted [by Laurie Halse Anderson].
It started out wierd but wow, it was very good. It wasn't very standout, or truely great, however it was far better than the beginning promised it to be.
Now I'm re-reading a Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy. ^^

[Starry]

I'm stuck with summer reading books I dislike. xP Right now I'm in the middle of Invisible Man (Ellison), by which I mean trying to force myself to get past like Chapter 4 because the entire book is creepy! After that, I've got to read As I Lay Dying (Faulkner) and Hamlet, which are better.

And I'm rereading Lord of the Rings for fun. :]

[Carraka]

I'm reading Tales of a Dying Earth by Jack Vance. I should be doing summer reading, but I haven't started yet, much less even bought the books I'm supposed to read.

[blue phoenix]

I'm waiting for the 8th Pendragon book 'Pilgrims of rane' or 'Pilgrims or rain' I don't know, but in the mean time I'm reading the Uglys trilogy of four books, I'm on the 2nd 'Prettys'

Pendragon are the BEST BOOKS EVER!!!!! :crazy:

[Sofiel]

Mm, I read the first two pendragon books and LOVED them. The library takes too long to send me the books I want, though, so I stopped reading them.

Right now, I'm reading the third in the 'Magic or Madness' series (Magic's Child), the first in Diana Gabaldon's series (Outlander), and rereading the first in the Pellinor series (The Naming). I start reading one book, then start another, and another. I went on a spree at Chapters. :) I'm also listening to Enchantment on my mp3 player. I recently discovered the library's online audio book thing.

Outlander and The Naming are really, really good. Magic's Child isn't as good, but it's still okay. I just finished reading Far From Xanadu and Flipped. Both were amazing, although they were both some form of chick lit. Enchantment is interesting, a play on the Sleeping Beauty story, but very long. There's something like 18 parts to it and it has to go back tomorrow :(.

[Sofiel]

Oh, my god. You read them too?
I love all of them, but I must say The Riddle is my favourite so far. I pre-ordered The Crow about a year before it was released, and I liked it. It was just weird to have a book from Hem/Cai's point of view.

I can't wait until The Singing comes out, it's going to be fantastic. I'm just sad that it actually has to end :(.

Cadvan is most definitely hot, but at the beginning his personality was seriously lacking. He's gotten better. :D

I still cry when I get to the part about Dernhill. He had to die, didn't he?

[Carraka]

Wait, his personality gets better?

Maybe I should read the rest of the series ... I mean, Cadvan will never be Jaime, but ...

[Carraka]

-gasp-

Okay, okay, I'll move it up in priority. The next Pellinor book is now second in priority, which means that unless I don't find a bookstore in time, I'll read it right after Dying Earth. Or perhaps while I'm reading Dying Earth.

Oh, wait. "Yeah, right?"

-moves it back down the priority list-

I'm kidding, I'm kidding. The promise of a better personality is enough. As long as she doesn't go all orphan-->heroine-->Chosen One! on me. Oh wait, she already did. x.x

[Carraka]

-sigh-

Are there other POVs?

[Lykaios]

I, Coriander - by Sally Gardener.

[ScottyMcGee]

Celtic Myths and Legends - TW Rollenston

American Gods - Neil Gaiman

Next - Michael Crichton

And Carr wants me to read A Game of Thrones or else I die or something like that. -_-

I'll read it after I finish either American Gods or Next.

[Carraka]

.... AFTER YOU FINISH AMERICAN GODS!?

NO. START IT NOW! START IT NOW! OR ELSE!

Well, I won't kill you, but I'll find some other way to make your life miserable. Somehow.

It's okay if you read Gaiman at the same time, though. I like Gaiman.

BUT I LOVE GRRM, SO START IT NOW!

---

Errrrrrrrrrr. I don't think there are in the Riddle, but she isn't even in The Crow.
Excellent! Now I just need to go find a copy of the next book.

[Carraka]

Really? Because I was planning on reading AG some day. (After the Pellinor series, now.)

[ScottyMcGee]

Haha.

It's amusing to see you so annoyed that I'm not reading A Game of Thrones, Carr. :)

[Carraka]

...

That's it. Time to make your life a living hell.

Although I don't now how to do that yet. We'll start by the classic I'm-not-talking-to-you, and then progress to the all-my-friends-will-spam-your-cellphone.

[ScottyMcGee]

Why would I want to talk to you anyway? :P

And I like getting cellphone calls/texts. Makes me feel socially useful.

[Carraka]

Oh.

Well -- then we can progress to spamming archive-of-conversations-with-ScottyMcGee- all over YWO.

x.x

[ScottyMcGee]

At least my number of posts will finally go up. :P

[Carraka]

... you don't know what I'm talking about, do you?

That's probably good. I'm not going to do it, even if you never, ever read GRRM in your life. That's a promise. I know -- what good are promises made over the Internet? When you can't tell if I'm crossing my fingers behind my back?

[ScottyMcGee]

Wait.


What are you talking about? :confused:


I told you I'd finished A Game of Thrones at least by the end of this summer. A knight's word! :sword:

[Carraka]

If I were to tell you what I were talking about, you would be quite mad.

Anyway, at least I know it's finite.

I'll talk to you at the end of summer.

[ScottyMcGee]

I dunno, it takes a lot for me to be mad.

I'm usually chill about things.


And it technically depends on who's summer ends first. For me it ends August 28th.

Doesn't really give me a lot of time. :mellow:

[Sofiel]

Mmm, you better start soon then!

Has anyone here read Diana Gabaldon's books? Holy crapola she's an amazing author.

[Nyx]

I just started the Host-Stephanie Meyer
and am still dragging myself through: The God Delusion-Richard Dawkins

What's everyone else readin'?

[Carraka]

Well, I just finished The Lies of Locke Lamora and Red Seas Under Red Skies, both by Scott Lynch, both with the same main characters, and they were BRILLIANT.

Yes, I have complaints with the end pacing at the end of LLL (xD I love that abbreviation) and although the characterization was always good, at some times it became a bit archetypal, but the plot twists, the world-building, the action, and that damn Locke guy, aaaah ... -sigh-

How the hell can I write now?

[jordanisonfire]

I just starting reading some John Connolly short stories for kicks. Nocturnes is a good book I keep revisiting when I'm bored. Connolly is so much better than Stephen King with horror. King just drags it on and on and leaves you dozing, but Connolly actually gets to the point but still does it creatively. And I'll be reading GRRM soon, the books have finally been delivered, only to an alternative address.

[Shaun]

Shadow, have you read The Book of Lost Things by Connelly?

[jordanisonfire]

Nope, only Nocturnes.

[Shaun]

Read the Book of Lost Things. Trust me.

[jordanisonfire]

I suppose I will if I ever come across it. Right now, I've gotta read GRRM, or Carraka will attempt to injure me further.

[SweeneyLovesLovett]

"Breaking Dawn" By Stephanie Meyer

[Simmi]

Well... just re-reading some parts of Breaking Dawn, then planning on re-reading some parts of Reflex by Steven Gould, THEN most likely going to the school library and just living there for the rest of the school year :D So lots of books, gonna try finding a good book series. I've read most of the good ones... middle school books aren't so great I read like high school level soo might live at the public library instead

[mrfusspot]

I'm reading The Fear Principle by B.A. Chepaitis.
I'm not very far in, but so far it is pretty good.

[Phantom]

I'm reading Breaking Dawn, again.

[Double A]

I'm reading New Moon. It's much better than Twilight!

[Phantom]

I'm reading The Host, City of Ashes and Breaking Dawn (for the forth time)

[Nyx]

I'm still reading God Delusion. [OMG!]
Finished Catcher in the Rye.

[Phantom]

Is Catcher in the Rye good?

[Nyx]

Not in my opinion, but Alex will come hatch my head off soon for that.

[Phantom]

Hmmm... That is scary...

/end spam

[random_writer]

I just read Tithe, by Holly Black, and the first two books from "The Keys to the Kingdom" series by Garth Nix. Right now, I'm reading "Tweak: Growing Up on Methamphetamines", written by Nic Sheff. It's fricking awesome. And the most amazing part is that it's non-fiction.

[Zombified]

Finished Bob Dylan's autobiography and now I am reading Ghost Walk by Brian Keene.

My favorite author always delivers the goods.
:D

[Double A]

I'm finished reading New Moon. Way better than Twilight.

[Mercy]

I'm reading On the Bhagavad-Gita: A New Translation and Commentary, Chapters 1-6 by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Then I'm moving on to Catch 22 by Joseph Heller.

[Midnight_Moon]

I'm reading The Fellowship of the Ring. I've watched all the movies and the books sounded really good to me. Has anyone else read them?

[Mercy]

I've read the first book. It's very dull, in my opinion. But you'll have to find out for yourself. ^^;

[Lykaios]

The Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey SomebodywhosenameIforgot.

[Quietus]

I'm reading The Fellowship of the Ring. I've watched all the movies and the books sounded really good to me. Has anyone else read them?

All three :) As I recall, there were parts in each one that seemed to drag on, esp in the second, and possibly beginning of the third; it's been a few years since I read them. They are rather enjoyable, and the movies did them great justice, esp the extended editions.

Btw, read my sig.:P

[Nyx]

The Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey SomebodywhosenameIforgot.
^ Awesome, such a good book.

I'm reading the Steam Magnate and it's starting off pretty slowly...-yawn-

[jordanisonfire]

I'm reading The Fellowship of the Ring. I've watched all the movies and the books sounded really good to me. Has anyone else read them?

Fellowship, and got half way through Two Towers and stopped, can't remember why. I liked the books, though the excessive detail got a tad annoying in places. But overall, I can see why it is viewed as in the "Epic" status of books. :3

[Simmi]

I haven't really started the book yet, I just got it from the library it's:
At First Sight by Jodie Larsen

[sXe_Jinxeh]

I'm finally reading The Shining by Stephen King.
I figured after reading books 1-7 of the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich, and then the entire Undead series by MaryJanice Davidson I needed something with some substance. >.<

[Jellybelly]

I've really enjoyed the first book in what will some become a series called "The Hunger Games." It has an interesting storyline as well as a writer who can keep you on the edge of your seat.

[Lykaios]

Ooh, The Hunger Gmes is next on my reading list. I read the first chapter online and had to buy the book. I wouldn't say it's brilliant writing, but from what I've read, the plot's good and it's very fast-paced. :)

[OynxFire]

The Hunger Games was a decent read. The writing was okay, but it still kept me on the edge of my seat. ^^

I am curently reading 'Pucker' by Melanie Gideon. I'm about halfway through it and I love it. Oh and just so you know, it is NOT those girly books about girls kissing everyone and their brother. ^^ And it is definetly not about vampires.

Has anyone else read it?

[miss_smiley]

AHHHH!!! The "Undead" series, by Mary-Janice Davidson is so awesome!!! Love it to pieces! (Although I agree that it has very little substance - it's good for procrastination, because it means I don't have to think at all! Yay!)
And I'm still (!) reading "Sorceress" by Michael Hall - I go away from it, and then find in a couple of days time, I can read it again without getting annoyed at the author... :/

[hanzy911]

I am reading Jacqueline Wilson's 'Jacky Daydream' at the moment and am about to read 'The Crystal Keeper' :D

[jcsk88]

Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson. Just started the first chapter. Looks promising.

[Rowenny]

"Golems eye" by Johtathan Stroud and "The song of Dragons" by Laura Dreiže.

[random_writer]

I'm reading "The Kite Runner"... again.
I'm also reading a collection of short stories about equal rights from Amnesty International. It's called "Free".
Also, my cousin got this sweet internship reading screenplays, and he sends me some very good and some very bad ones.

[Twilight Crack]

Bridge to Terrabithia and Milkweed, both for English class.

[Shaun]

That's really interesting. Never seen Bridge to Terrabithia used in an English class. I'm assuming it's a college course?

[Rouge]

That's really interesting. Never seen Bridge to Terrabithia used in an English class. I'm assuming it's a college course?

We read it in sixth grade for my LA class.

The Shining by King. God it's good. Almost finished.

Then, I'll be reading my signed copy of Tell-All by Chuck Palahniuk. :3 <3

[Bowie20049]

We read it in sixth grade for my LA class.


Same here :\

[hanzy911]

'Tell me why mummy' by David Thomas :(

[Spacepirate]

Point Counter Point...


.... yet again.

[Alice Glitterhorn]

The Queen's Fool by Philippa Gregory

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld (again :P)

The Affinity Bridge by George Mann

Boneshaker by Cherie Priest

....I read a lot of books at the same time. And hurrah for steampunk <3

[Iridescence]

Yesh! My first visit to my new library (since my old one closed down) paid off! I walked in the YA section and drooled all over myself. :P
Incarceron by Catherine Fisher. (FINALLY. So happy I got it.)
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness. (I'm reading this one first. It's...wow. Damn me for not nominating this for the YWO Book Club. Prepare for a review on this one, if there isn't one already.)
The Key to Rondo by Emily Rodda. (Okay. Indulging my inner kid on this one. It looked interesting, geesh.)
Sabriel by Garth Nix. (Has been recommended by me to others, and by others to me, yet I haven't read it...till now. :D Did I mention I love my new library?)
I looked for Kraken for the Book Club, but couldn't find it. I know they have it, though, so I'll ask around next time.

[Jaraix]

Currently reading The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. I was sold on it by the section "The Grand Inquisitor", but it's quite a thick book, and the initial parts are concerned largely with setting the stage, characters and plot for the subsequent events. It's slow reading for now, maybe I'll take a break after Part 1 and read something else before continuing.

[Alice Glitterhorn]

Going Postal by Terry Pratchett. The nominations inspired me :) I've only read the first chapter (I'm feeling a bit lazy) but so far it's pretty good.

[Rowenny]

"Angel empire" by Bernar Vebher. Love this work. It is called a sci-fi novel, but I don't really think so. It is very interesting and tells about a man, who dies and goes to haven and becomes an angel and then about his life as an angel. :)

[peepingthesmurf]

I'm almost done Necropolis, the fourth book in the Power of Five (Gatekeepers in America) series by Anthony Horowitz. It's a great series.

[Spacepirate]

This is the first book that I have really got into since my exams, a couple months ago.

Perdido Street Station by China Mieville,

and even though I'm only 50 or so pages in it's a fantastic book so far. It's actually fantastic writing, description wise. Words. Some words that I needed to check up because they were new. Don't remember the last book that made me do that.

Awesome so far.

[PJN]

My library's YA section is probably about 12x12 feet. (it's small.) And that makes me kind of angry...

[Alice Glitterhorn]

I just finished House of Leaves. READ IT. O.O

But I've just started Johannes Cabal the Necromancer (the cover made me buy it), The City and The City (well, I'll be starting it soon), and Water for Elephants (I have a weakness for the circus...).

YAY.

[FortunesFool]

I just started Tolstoy's Anna Karenina yesterday. It's pretty good so far, much to my surprise. I'm wondering if it was a good idea to undertake such a heavy book right now though 'cause summer reading for school is still looming on the horizon... :-/

[FortunesFool]

I just finished House of Leaves. READ IT. O.O

But I've just started Johannes Cabal the Necromancer (the cover made me buy it), The City and The City (well, I'll be starting it soon), and Water for Elephants (I have a weakness for the circus...).

YAY.

Was Water for Elephants any good? I've always wanted to read that book.

[Alice Glitterhorn]

Was Water for Elephants any good? I've always wanted to read that book.

I haven't started it yet, actually, :P but I've been dying to get it.

[Devika_globejotter]

First among Equals
Jeffrey Archer

[Zombified]

I'm readin' a bunch of spaghetti western novels.

Love it!

[shaden93]

I am reading The Mephisto Club by Tess Gerritsen
I like Tess Gerritsen... she knows hot to keep the reader busy all the time...

[avettica]

I'm reading Marked, yes I am on a vampire kick. I'm also reading A World Lit only by Fire for AP European history next year.

[Squint]

50 Years of American Poetry

AI's "Ice" is amazing.

[Silver_Poet]

Currently, Wake by Robert J. Sawyer, but I hope to get me to a library so I can finally finish the Codex Trilogy with God of Clocks by Alan Campbell...

[LittleMissTiff]

Right now I am happily trudging through R A Salvatore's Icewind Dale trilogy, after recently having finished his Dark Elf trilogy. I am slightly disappointed in this series so far, but I am hoping that his writing style will improve as the books progress. The first book in the series, The Crystal Shard, was his first published work, and it is not up to par with the rest of his novels, I think.

[Spacepirate]

Work of lite-fucking-rary genius. Up there with Ulysses, War and Peace, Harry Potter, the Bible and all that. (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0099510200/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_i1?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=0CT58G23SBJ6EG943DDQ&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=467198433&pf_rd_i=468294)

[Schooner]

Angels and Demons by Dan Brown. It's a good book that gets you thinking.

[Spacepirate]

Reading Cat's Cradle for leisure

but studying A Portrait of The Artist as a Young Man in between.

[Weirdside]

I've been reading far too much SF and I"ve never read epic fantasy so I'm currently reading Rothfuss' The Name of the Wind (incredibly excellent so far). Next I"m reading The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson.

[Devika_globejotter]

Austen's Mansfield Park

[Valencian]

King Arthur: Dragon's Child by M.K Hume
Outlaw by Angus Donald
Brethren by Robyn Young

Yeah, I read historical fiction a lot :)

[Rowenny]

Just read Need by Carrie Jones and I am continuing the sieres in Captivate. Not bad at all.

[Valencian]

And I went down the library earlier today and got:

Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Paths of Glory by Jeffery Archer

I wanted to read David Copperfield but they didn't have it. Stupid library

[Anira]

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green
The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

[lostbookworm]

The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Best.Book.Ever.
"If there's something more important than my ego around here, I want it caught and shot now."

[Alice Glitterhorn]

The Iliad. By some dude who lived a long time ago. :sarcasm:

[Peppermental]

Enough impressionist/cubist poetry to make a frenchman ill

[Hemlock]

Indian Killer by Sherman Alexie

[Majyk]

Numbers, by Rachel Ward.

[Dew]

For fun I'm reading a book called Tangerine by Edward Bloor. It's an okay book, but people over the age of 13 would probably not like it. Then for a school book report I have to read White Fang by Jack London.

[-SC-katkat13]

The 39 clues series :)
and at the same time I read.....
Resident Evil Novels(e-book)

[Clarissa]

Black Dogs - Ian McEwan. Overly political for my tastes.
Dubliners - James Joyce.
La Peste - Albert Camus.
Haroun and the Sea of Stories - Salman Rushdie. It's amazing, by the way.

Oh and: Lord of the Flies by William Golding. It's for my English Lit, and I'd already read it four times, so it barely counts.

[Jack]

A Street Car Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Dracula by Bram Stoker
Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep? by Philip K Dick

[Alice Glitterhorn]

The Picture of Dorian Gray, Notes From Underground, Crime and Punishment, Phantoms in the Brain (heehee neuroscience yay)

[lostbookworm]

1984 (George Orwell) , Great Expectations (Charles Dickens), Pride and Predijuice (Jane Austen), and The Idiot (Fyodor Dostoyevsky). I also need to read Romeo and Juiliet again, and a collection of peoms for my English Lit.

[ManyIdeas]

If only I could find a book to read that sounds interesting! Ahahah!

[SapphireSeaBird]

I'm re-reading the Harry Potter books right now... it's a summer tradition, but I started late so I'm still not finished. Near the end of the sixth. Kinda looking forward to finishing so I can read something where I don't practically know every page off by heart xD

[Majyk]

Worldshaker, by Richard Harland
Salt, by Maurice Gee
Magic Under Glass, by Jaclyn Dolamore (though I'm hardly read this one--I ordered it from the library when I was desperate for anything to come in)

[Clarissa]

Crime and Punishment, in addition to those previously stated...

[Weirdside]

Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace. It's very good to begin with, but starts to drag. This is a huge problem since the book is over 1000 pages.
Stories ed by Neil Gaiman. Solid, all-original anthology.
The Pen/O. Henry Prize Stories 2010. Shite. Complete shite. The stories are in the anthology for purely political reasons, with over half from The New Yorker magazine.

[Alice Glitterhorn]

King Lear.

I don't know why so may people dislike Shakespeare. I enjoy it.

[Anira]

I really liked King Lear!

Anyway.
An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

[Rowenny]

I have a bad habit of reading many books at the same time. So right now I'm reading:

3 mangas : book 3 and 4 of Drug-on and book 2 of Ghost eaters

And I'm reading Mokingjay. Well, this I read more then those manga. I've put them in the shelf to finish Mokingjay finally.

[Rage]

King Lear.

I don't know why so may people dislike Shakespeare. I enjoy it.

Cuz of the out dated language, no one's arsed with all this 'thou' shit. :sarcasm:

[Clarissa]

Talking of all this 'thou' shit...

Book four and nine of Paradise Lost.

[Rouge]

Textbooks + Scott Pilgrim Vol. 1

[sayuri]

Just finished the Great Gatsby why oh why couldn't Daisy just die? Dumb biotch. Watching the movie in class was hilarious though, worst acting ever. Porn stars would put those actors to shame, lol.
The Count of Monte Cristo
And term paper books... :glare:

[Rouge]

I hope you don't mean the movie with Robert Redford. He's a fantastic actor.

[Amour]

I loved The Great Gatsby. I read the entire book in the waiting room of a Hospital. That, for some reason, made it better for me.

I've read four novels in four weeks. Wuthering Heights was the last, reading The Woman in White by Collins now. It's really good so far, but I'm not too many pages in.

[Peppermental]

Clarissa I love Milton, Shakespeare, and Dostoevsky. You. Are. Amazing.

Reading A Season in Hell & Illuminations by Rimbaud. Fucking amazing this boy is.

[Weirdside]

Deathbird Stories by Harlan Ellison. Wonderful. Subterranean is doing a special edition at $500 that I need. So if anyone has an extra half g lying around...
Stories ed by Neil Gaiman. Also wonderful. Eclectic too.

[Thomas Freestone]

i dislike jordan too. Right now I am reading...
Troubled Waters~Sharon Shinn
Pendragon:the soldiers of Halla~MacHale (He's all into new agey stuff kinda regret starting this)
The Name of the Wind~Patrick Rothfuss (Best I have ever read, this must be my 5th time reading it)
All the dragon lance i haven't read
Death Gate Cycle~Weice and Hickman or however you spell their names
All the stuff by C.S. Lewis I haven't read (Screwtape letters and the like)

and that's all i can think of

[Clawfire]

Right now I am reading…
Class A in the CHERUB series. And enjoying it.
The Named in the guardians of time series… Okaying it…
Harry Potter and the Philosophers stone in hebrew. Loving it, obviously…
Quidditch through the ages in Portuguese. Loving it, I guess...