What are you currently reading?

[jhanic]

I just finished my reread of the Dark Tower series, and have started to reread The Lord of the Rings. After that, I think I'm going to get a copy of Puzo's The Godfather. I enjoy the movies, but have never read the book!

John

[Daghain]

Just got home from the appointment I had
with my new allergist, and as I was at the
chemist's collecting the new drugs for my
hives, I saw Joe Hills Heart Shaped Box.
I bought it on the spot (paperback) and
am 40 some-odd pages in...and I'm liking
it very much, it has a good pace to it.
Something tells me it wont be the last
book I ever buy with his name on it.

It's out in paperback? I need to pick that up!

[Heather19]

I'm currently reading Heart Shaped Box as well. I think I'm about half way thru, it's great so far. And alinda I would highly recommend checking out 20th Century Ghosts.


And CK don't listen to them, I think you'll quite enjoy Duma Key.

[obscurejude]

Seriously though. On Writing does sound like something I could really get into.

I read it twice and enjoyed it thoroughly. I realize that the fact that I like it may be enough in and of itself to pseude you that it isn't worth your time.

[Wuducynn]

I read it twice and enjoyed it thoroughly. I realize that the fact that I like it may be enough in and of itself to pseude you that it isn't worth your time.

Ummm The Matthew doesn't work like that.

[Darkthoughts]

"The Matthew" :rofl:

[Daghain]

Just finished Danse Macabre, about 3/4 through with The Bell Jar, and am starting Jane Austen's Letters.

[Wuducynn]

"The Matthew" :rofl:

Well its good to know someone appreciated that.. :harrier:

[John_and_Yoko]

Nearly 2/3 of the way through Wolves of the Calla--will either finish this week or very soon next week. After that I'll start Insomnia.

[Daghain]

"The Matthew" :rofl:

Well its good to know someone appreciated that.. :harrier:

I appreciated it as well, but I just laughed to myself. :lol:

[Ruthful]

http://www.blacklooks.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/brother_i_m_dying.jpg

[MonteGss]

Just finished Danse Macabre

Jeez, I'm sorry you felt you had to do that to yourself. :lol:
Weren't you one of the people, like me, that thought it was horrible and couldn't get through it? I refuse to pick that one up again. :D

[Daghain]

I was. But for some reason I decided I needed to finish it.

And I will never read it again. There was some good stuff in there, but it wasn't worth reading the whole book to find it. :lol:

[MonteGss]

:lol: Well at you least you can remember good parts...I don't remember even one. :D

[Daghain]

:lol:

[Wuducynn]

:rolleyes:

[Wuducynn]

All that heavy donkey cock sucking that Monte has been doing since the age of 5 must finally be going to his head.

[MonteGss]

Nope, it's had no effect at all actually. :)
I just know a good read from a horribly boring, kill-me-now read.

[Daghain]

That's why I kept the book in my desk drawer at work - I needed something to read on my lunch break so I was forced into it. :lol:

[John Blaze]

i started Danse and stopped within 5 pages.

i won't read the man's non-fiction.

[Daghain]

On Writing was 1,000 times better. :)

[John Blaze]

i'll take your word for it.

next you're gonna tell me that Faithful is as good as the Stand.

:P

[Daghain]

Never read Faithful.

[MonteGss]

I agree, On Writing was great! I don't care much about the Red Sox so I have no interest in Faithful.

On-topic:
Finishing the last 100 pages of From a Buick 8 today and then moving on to The Restaurant at the End of the Universe

[jayson]

... The Restaurant at the End of the Universe

i LOVE that whole series

[MonteGss]

I enjoyed the first one. I have the Ultimate Guide (all novels in one) but I am doing my best to break them up and read different things in between them all. :)

I'm doing the same with The Complete Sherlock Holmes.

[jayson]

I enjoyed the first one. I have the Ultimate Guide (all novels in one) but I am doing my best to break them up and read different things in between them all. :)

I'm doing the same with The Complete Sherlock Holmes.

They do work well as individual books. Glad you enjoyed the first one. I love doing my re-reads of it on audiobook [read by Douglas Adams].

By the way, if you like Douglas Adams, you might want to check out John Swartzwelder. He has been a writer for the Simpsons since day one [in fact, he's written more episodes than anyone]. I've read a couple of his novels and I think they are stylistically a lot like Adams' [intelligent and hilarious].

[Ricky]

Currently reading The Ruins by Scott Smith.

[Matt]

I'm listening to Dean Koontz--"The Taken", its pretty good so far.

[Heather19]

and am starting Jane Austen's Letters.

Let me know how this is. I've been reading most of her books lately, just have Sense & Sensibility, Emma, and Lady Susan left.



Currently reading The Ruins by Scott Smith.

How is this one? I just saw the movie and was kinda curious to pick up the book.

[Ricky]

Well, it looks like we can help each other out here! I've been searching for people who have seen the movie, and guess what? No one I know has seen it! :/ Did you like it?

I am only about 100 pages into the book so far, but right now I'm not enjoying it too much.

[Heather19]

Yeah I thought the movie was pretty good, I'd recommend it.
Let me know if the book gets any better.

[Ricky]

Alright, will do. I just can't get into it right now. There's hardly any dialogue.

[jemaher]

just finished the audiobook version of anna karinina. ..36 cds! No wonder i never finished the book

[John Blaze]

i loved that book.

Lenin was my favorite character.

[Mark]

Reading Cell now, it's okay i suppose, i just find it rather Bizzare to see SK writing about iPods and Mobile (cell) phones, 'cause i've only read The Stand and DT by him.

[Daghain]

and am starting Jane Austen's Letters.

Let me know how this is. I've been reading most of her books lately, just have Sense & Sensibility, Emma, and Lady Susan left.



It's all her actual letters, mostly to her sister. Heavily footnoted (so you can keep track of who's who) and so far not too bad - it's interesting if you're a big Austen fan and want a glimpse into her personality.

[Heather19]

thanks, I might have to check that out

[Ruthful]

http://www.blacklooks.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/brother_i_m_dying.jpg


http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51imfLQ1j2L._AA240_.jpg

[Wuducynn]

http://www.blacklooks.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/brother_i_m_dying.jpg

[obscurejude]

:lol:

[John_and_Yoko]

Finally finished Wolves of the Calla and have now started Insomnia.

[susie]

i just finished city of saints and madmen by jeff vandermeer, and have started on the etched city by kj bishop. i LOVED the vandermeer, and the other... well, i picked it up because it has mystical gunslingers. i hope it turns out to be enjoyable.

[MonteGss]

The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo
:)

[John Blaze]

Larry Mcmurtry's Lonesome Dove, and the Sin Killer.

I don't know what's up with me, but I've been on a western kick past couple of weeks.

[Ruthful]

Larry Mcmurtry's Lonesome Dove, and the Sin Killer.

I don't know what's up with me, but I've been on a western kick past couple of weeks.

I love Lonesome Dove; It took me a week, approximately, to get through it. I have the other three novels in that series on my bookshelf, but haven't gotten around to picking them up yet.

[turtlex]

Just finished "Forever On The Mountain" by James Tabor and "High Crimes" by Michael Kodas. I'm waiting on the release of "Dead Lucky" by Lincoln Hall and "Dark Summit" by Nick Heil. I'm on kind of a mountain climbing, adventurer kick right now.

Also, am listening to "Drawing Of The Three" on audio when I'm on my stationary bike.

[alinda]

I can't believe I'm saying this...
The Two Marys, Sylvia Brown.
Its a girl thing from my girls.:fairy:

[turtlex]

Just finished reading the 'The Watchmen', its the first time iv read a graphic novel. Iv had it recommended to me a few times so thought id give it a try.
I quite enjoyed it, i was reading another graphic novel at the same time 'The Walking Dead', im enjoiny that also.

Chrismart - If you enjoyed "The Watchmen", then you really should check out "V for Vendetta". Very good.

Regards,
turtlex

[fernandito]

As long as we're talking graphic novels - check out The Sandman - which is the king of graphic novel series, IMHO.

[turtlex]

As long as we're talking graphic novels - check out The Sandman - which is the king of graphic novel series, IMHO.

Sandman, V for Vendetta, and of course Maus are my top graphic novels of all time. All are excellent.

Regards,
turtlex ( proud owner of an autographed Maus book )

[Darkthoughts]

Dags - you were right about Coraline, I loved it.

Just finished Lord of the Flies and its amazing how many comparisons you can draw between its characters and Stephen King's characters.
I tried reading it when I was younger and couldn't get into it. Like Ted Brautigan (and by that rote SK, himself) my Dad is of the opinion that its one of the best books ever. I didn't get that at all, I enjoyed it, but I'm wondering - is it maybe more appealing to men who were children in/born in that era?

[Daghain]

I'm glad you liked Coraline - that's one of my favorites.

I feel the same way you do about Lord of the Flies - I liked it, but it wasn't the greatest book ever IMHO.

[Darkthoughts]

Coraline is the only Gaiman book I hadn't read...so glad I got it, one of my favs too now :thumbsup:

[fernandito]

Dags - you were right about Coraline, I loved it.


Anything by Neil is sure to be bad ass! :thumbsup:

[Daghain]

So far, that's the only Gaiman I've read. I think I may need to put him on my list. Suggestions?

[fernandito]

So far, that's the only Gaiman I've read. I think I may need to put him on my list. Suggestions?

American Gods! One of the most amazing books ever!

I'm sure OChris will second this notion...:cowboy:

[Ruthful]

http://eplteen.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/persepolis_cover_big1.jpg

[Wuducynn]

http://www.blacklooks.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/brother_i_m_dying.jpg


http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51imfLQ1j2L._AA240_.jpg

[turtlex]

Add to the "Greatest Books Ever" list : I re-read each of these at least once a year.

On The Road - by Jack Kerouac
To Kill A Mockingbird - by Harper Lee

[John Blaze]

So far, that's the only Gaiman I've read. I think I may need to put him on my list. Suggestions?

American Gods! One of the most amazing books ever!

I'm sure OChris will second this notion...:cowboy:

American Gods is one of his best, and Anansi Boys is good too!.

[Darkthoughts]

Mate, I'd second that motion any day too! American Gods rocks, Daggers.

I also loved Anansi Boys...and the short story collection Fragile Things, has a story about Shadow in it...which you'll be dying to hear once you've read American Gods.

I think you'd really love Stardust, though - I'd go with that next. Neverwhere is also an utterly fantastic book...and if you like Terry Pratchett too they co-wrote Good Omens...theres more, but read Stardust first ;)

[fernandito]

Neverwhere is another great read by Gaiman.

[Darkthoughts]

I reread it about a week ago...I'd forgotten how much I'd enjoyed it.

[Unfound One]

http://www.blacklooks.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/brother_i_m_dying.jpg


http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51imfLQ1j2L._AA240_.jpg

:lol: :rofl: :lol:
Am I the only one who thinks this is funny?

[John Blaze]

i guess so, if there's a joke I don't see it. ::confused::

i started a reread of Gerald's Game today, it's been a while since I read it.

I don't remember it sucking this bad before. But then again, I drank way more and did drugs when I first read it. I might have to revise my shittiest Sk book selection. At least Cell was readable.

[Wuducynn]

Wow, I loved Geralds Game.

[Odetta]

see? I liked it as well, but many on here have expressed a real dislike for the book. I need to reread.

[Daghain]

Me too. It's on the list.

[Ruthful]

I don't know. I thought Gerald's Game was a great psychological novel.

[John_and_Yoko]

I'm currently reading Insomnia, and I have to say I need to stop listening to what other people say about books before I read them myself.

I don't think any non-Dark Tower book by Stephen King has held my interest (and allowed me to "get into" it) as easily as this one is doing--and I've only just finished Chapter 3! :D

Hopefully I'll finish it soon, and then I can start Hearts in Atlantis.

[Wuducynn]

I have to say I need to stop listening to what other people say about books before I read them myself.

Thats a good call. Unless its me. You should always listen to me. For instance, I highly recommend Insomnia because its one of my favorite non-DT books. Glad you're loving it. :harrier:

[Unfound One]

Thats a good call. Unless its me. You should always listen to me. For instance, I highly recommend Insomnia because its one of my favorite non-DT books. Glad you're loving it. :harrier:

This is good to know.
I'll be sure to check with you for all my future book recommendation needs.

[John Blaze]

don't----- all he'll suggest is low grade japanese hentai manga's.

[Unfound One]

:lol:

[John_and_Yoko]

I have to say I need to stop listening to what other people say about books before I read them myself.

Thats a good call. Unless its me. You should always listen to me. For instance, I highly recommend Insomnia because its one of my favorite non-DT books. Glad you're loving it. :harrier:

Wow, I didn't expect to get a reply so quickly!

But yeah, I am enjoying it, and I expect to continue to do so. I haven't read through a Stephen King book so quickly since the Dark Tower books. I'm already in Chapter 5! I've barely started, but I feel like I know the characters, and I keep finding myself surprised and disappointed at the end of each chapter (disappointed that the chapters are ending--that's how much it's grabbing me!).

EDIT: Just finished it, and I don't want to have to stop for the night, that's how engrossed in it I am.

[Jean]

I don't know. I thought Gerald's Game was a great psychological novel.
it is

[John Blaze]

I started Flowers For Algernon about 4 hours ago, and I'll be done with it in about 4 hours.

God I can't believe I'd forgotten how great a book this is. If you haven't read it, do so immediately.

[Unfound One]

I've only seen the movie... Charlie, I believe it's called.
I DO need to read the book, I've had a friend on my case about it for a couple years now.

[John Blaze]

so read it then goddamnit! :P

[Jean]

I read it, too, some twenty years ago! I remember it impressed me greatly

[Unfound One]

:rolleyes: I will I will...
I have to finish DTVII and Insomnia first though - It can be next on my list.

[mia/susannah]

I am reading Wolves of the Calla and Parts of the Skeleton Crew

[Jean]

I am reading 13 books now - four in English, one in French, two in German and the rest in Russian. Now that I actually counted them, I was kinda shocked at first, and then realized that's how I've been reading all the last fourty years... I thought it was only five or six books at once...

[Brice]

I read the same way Jean....except all mine are English.

[Jean]

I'm glad I'm not alone! http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k291/mishemplushem/Facilitation/bear_original.gif

[turtlex]

I usually read two or three books at the same time. Never so meany as Jean though... and all in English :)

[Odetta]

I don't know how you guys read so many books at once... I can only read one at a time!

[Erin]

I'm currently reading Lucifer's Hammer by Larry Niven. It was a 25 cent paperback I saw at the used book store and the back sounded interesting so I picked it up.

Am I glad I did! It's a super good, end-of-the-world-survivor-story-because-Earth-is-hit-by-a-comet story, if you're into that stuff. I was surprised how good it is though, i'm eating it up. It's a lot like a Michael Crichton book.

[CPU]

I'm currently reading Lucifer's Hammer by Larry Niven. It was a 25 cent paperback I saw at the used book store and the back sounded interesting so I picked it up.

Am I glad I did! It's a super good, end-of-the-world-survivor-story-because-Earth-is-hit-by-a-comet story, if you're into that stuff. I was surprised how good it is though, i'm eating it up. It's a lot like a Michael Crichton book.


Lucifer's Hammer is one of my all-time favorite novels! It's soooo good. You may also want to read The Forge Of God (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Forge_of_God) by Greg Bear for even more end-of-the-world goodness :lol:

[Erin]

Awesome! Thanks for the recommendation. Lucifer's Hammer is kicking major ass. :thumbsup:

[John Blaze]

sounds interesting.

I read alot of books too, but i keep it down to at most 10 at a time, and I read in English and Spanish.

[Wuducynn]

Do you also read in Spanglish?

[ZoNeSeeK]

I'm reading On Writing at the moment, its interesting.

[Daghain]

I really enjoyed On Writing. Lots of good biographical stuff.

[ManOfWesternesse]

I'm currently reading Lucifer's Hammer by Larry Niven. It was a 25 cent paperback I saw at the used book store and the back sounded interesting so I picked it up.

Am I glad I did! It's a super good, end-of-the-world-survivor-story-because-Earth-is-hit-by-a-comet story, if you're into that stuff. I was surprised how good it is though, i'm eating it up. It's a lot like a Michael Crichton book.
I've never seen that one - will keep an eye out fro it.
Niven is a hell of a good writer.
Have you read 'The Mote in Gods Eye' - By Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle?
Or 'The Legacy of Heorot' by Niven,Pournelle and Barnes?

Currently (re)reading Stephen Donaldson 'Fatal Revenant' (Book2 of The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenent)

[obscurejude]

I'm reading Eric Clapton's autobiography. Really digging it so far.

[fernandito]

I read in English and Spanish.

I'm actually very picky about what I read in Spanish - mostly biographies about Zapata , Che Guevara etc.

[Daghain]

Why is that?

[Wuducynn]

Yeah why would you want to read about Che "I'm a commie fuck-wad" Guevara, anyway?

[fernandito]

Why is that?

I have a lot of trouble reading anything fiction in Spanish. I either can't seem to concentrate and/or grasp everything that's going on, or the stories simply don't interest me.

[Daghain]

Interesting. Even if they were originally written in Spanish?

[Wuducynn]

The Daghain can't even accept your answers Feve. Better to just let the whole thing go and ignore any further questions from her.

[Daghain]

Oh bite me. I'm just curious. :lol:

[Wuducynn]

*Nip/sucks Daghain's delicious left ass cheek*

[Ruthful]

http://www.harpercollins.com/books/9780061556180/Chechen_Jihad/index.aspx

BODANSKY!

:excited:

[John Blaze]

*Nip/sucks Daghain's delicious left ass cheek*

::pulls out six-shooter and blasts AllHail to kingdom come::

"nip suck this, bitch."

[Daghain]

Oooh, I just love it when you boys fight over me. :lol:

[Ruthful]

For those of you who've read The Onion: Our Dumb World, and laughed at the reference to China's mobile capital punishment vans...

Well, that's not a joke. They really do have vans that drive around and gas prisoners, NSDAP-style.

[PedroPáramo]

"Alice adventures on wonderland"-Lewis Carrol
"El amante de Janis Joplin (Janis Joplin's lover)"-Élmer Mendoza

[PedroPáramo]

Why is that?

I have a lot of trouble reading anything fiction in Spanish. I either can't seem to concentrate and/or grasp everything that's going on, or the stories simply don't interest me.

I like to read more on spanish, I concentrate more. But for example, I use to read a lot on english too. Last month I bought, and read LOVE IN THE TIMES OF CHOLERA on english.
Of Course I bought it 'cause was cheaper than on spanish :lol:

[John Blaze]

:lol: and alot of times decisions ARE made easier by our wallet, i understand perfectly, compa.

I'm almost done with Duma Key, which I started this morning.

it had me from Hello.

[Brice]

I wonder why Spanish books would be more expensive. :orely:

[PedroPáramo]

I wonder why Spanish books would be more expensive. :orely:

....mm Good Question.


Finished "El amante de Janis"

And I bought:
-The Death of Ivan Ilyich, by León Tolstoi
-The Hound of the Baskervilles, Arthur Conan Doyle

[John Blaze]

well, in mexico? because more people read them.

[Brice]

huh?

[CPU]

More vowels and punctuation. :lol:

Same reason books written in American English are cheaper than those written in the Queen's English. We removed all the redundant u's in words like colour, and humour.



:rofl:

[Jean]

Why is that?

I have a lot of trouble reading anything fiction in Spanish. I either can't seem to concentrate and/or grasp everything that's going on, or the stories simply don't interest me.
Feverish, try Jorge Luis Borges, he is terrific

[Mark]

Does "Richard Bachman" have the same writing style as SK?

[Daghain]

Sort of, but different, IMHO. He's good, but usually not AS good.

[Fall of Gilead]

Started The Dark Glory War by Michael A. Stackpole. Thus far it seems to be a typical "young men coming of age stumble onto a plot to enslave the world" type of fantasy, but it's interesting enough, so I'll keep reading.

[Heather19]

Does "Richard Bachman" have the same writing style as SK?

I highly recommend The Long Walk, if you haven't read that already. It's my favorite Bachman story.

[fernandito]

Why is that?

I have a lot of trouble reading anything fiction in Spanish. I either can't seem to concentrate and/or grasp everything that's going on, or the stories simply don't interest me.
Feverish, try Jorge Luis Borges, he is terrific

Did you have a specific book in mind, Jean?

[PedroPáramo]

Why is that?

I have a lot of trouble reading anything fiction in Spanish. I either can't seem to concentrate and/or grasp everything that's going on, or the stories simply don't interest me.
Feverish, try Jorge Luis Borges, he is terrific
Quoted for true.


Did you have a specific book in mind, Jean?

The Aleph, or Fictions.
Borges never wrote a novel, but he wrote a lot of wonderful tales.

[Jean]

Feverish: no, not a specific book, but about a hundred of different stories and essays; I believe they all come from different collection. I would advise you to find a "Selected Stories", and leaf through it.

[John Blaze]

i finished Duma Key less than twenty-four hours after having started it, it's that good. I was working and there's about 8 hours sleep in the middle of it, but I pretty much couldn't do anything until I finished it. It was awesome, this is the King I love. and Fuck Cell, too.


I've been looking for this short story for a long time, but don't know who wrote it, or the title. I thought it might be Stephen Crane, but I went through his works and couldn't find it. It's about a boy who gets into an argument with his father, who's confederate, and joins the Union. Much later, while on sentry duty, his camp is discovered by a soldier, whom he has to then kill for the safety of regiment. Then it's discovered the soldier is his father.

[ZoNeSeeK]

I'm reading Eric Clapton's autobiography. Really digging it so far.

Whats it called ?

[John Blaze]

finished my reread of gerald's game, and it wasn't so bad, once I got like halfways in..... so Cell is still on top of my shitty SK list.

[obscurejude]

I'm reading Eric Clapton's autobiography. Really digging it so far.

Whats it called ?

:lol: Seriously.

Eric Clapton: The Autobiography

I just responded so I could give it another plug. :harrier:

[Brice]

I'm reading Eric Clapton's autobiography. Really digging it so far.

Whats it called ?

:lol: Seriously.

Eric Clapton: The Autobiography

I just responded so I could give it another plug. :harrier:


What's it about? :unsure:

[John Blaze]

:lol:

[obscurejude]

I'm reading Eric Clapton's autobiography. Really digging it so far.

Whats it called ?

:lol: Seriously.

Eric Clapton: The Autobiography

I just responded so I could give it another plug. :harrier:


What's it about? :unsure:

Its about Eric Clapton.

:plug:

[obscurejude]

:lol:

What's so funny about Eric Clapton: The Autobiography?

:plug:

[John Blaze]

shut up about it already

:plug up your ass:: :rofl:

[obscurejude]

:lol:

[jemaher]

i loved that book.

Lenin was my favorite character.

lenin was the most likable. Steva was interesting in his shallow affable way

[Jean]

Lenin is Vladimir Lenin, the leader of the infamous Russian Revolution. The character you both mean is Levin.

[John Blaze]

yeah, that!

thanks Jean, I have the book but haven't opened it in a couple of years.

I need to do a reread of my Tolstoy soon.

[what]

STILL finishing DTVII (accidentally left it at home during vacation) and halfway through Salems Lot... Really digging this one! Waiting to start on the Bachman Books. But I'm thinking Insomnia first.

[jhanic]

I interrupted my reading of The Lord of the Rings to read Mario Puzo's The Godfather. I've seen the movie so many times, but never read the book. I think I like the movie better.

John

[Matt]

:D

I felt the same way when I finally broke down and listened to it John. The movie was better.

[fernandito]

I haven't so much as picked up a book in the last 4 days. :(

[Girlystevedave]

Don't feel bad...me either.

[Ruthful]

http://collectedmiscellany.com/2007/10/noogies-time-to-shine-by-jim-k.html

[Mark]

Duma key or Salem's lot, both in hardback (not that it matters)?

[fernandito]

Duma key...

I'm sorry.

[Girlystevedave]

*snort
:lol:

(I almost posted something similar earlier)

[obscurejude]

Lenin is Vladimir Lenin, the leader of the infamous Russian Revolution. The character you both mean is Levin.

Jean, this post made my day. Thank you, sir.

[Ruthful]

Lenin is a pretty interesting character in fiction though. I think Martin Amis used him in one of his more recent novels.

[Girlystevedave]

The Action Hero's Handbook

I now know how to secure a room and dust for fingerprints with every day items:evil:

[John Blaze]

calm down there, Veronica Mars....

[Girlystevedave]

It also tells you how to break through a glass window, communicate with an extra-terrestrial, and...get this..."Dirty Dance":rofl:
The list goes on and on

[John Blaze]

dirty dancing is a super-power? awesome!

[Girlystevedave]

Apparently so!
Wait, not "Super Power"... "Action Hero" move.

[John Blaze]

what's the diff? :cool:

Nikki on Heroes was cool just because of her dancing :D

[Girlystevedave]

:lol:

Super Heroes have super powers......Action Heroes use skills

[fernandito]

I need to stock up on copious amounts of graphic novels next time I go to a comic shop, since it seems those are the only types of books that I care to read at the moment.

[John_and_Yoko]

Currently reading Hearts in Atlantis. Have just started "Low Men in Yellow Coats."

[Storyslinger]

Its a great story. You should really enjoy it.

[John_and_Yoko]

It's funny--I kind of had a "love-hate" relationship with "Low Men in Yellow Coats." It's hard to say I love it, but I can't say I hate it either (and indifferent is the opposite of how I feel about it).

Oh, geez, I'm talking about it as if it were an ex-girlfriend or something, something I've never had....

Anyway, I'm now starting "Hearts in Atlantis" proper.

[LadyHitchhiker]

I am reading Games of Command by Linnea Sinclair... It's good!! Two romances, action, sci-fi and telepathic cat-things!!!!

[John_and_Yoko]

Wow.

Just finished "Hearts in Atlantis," and I definitely enjoyed it. I hope to finish the whole volume today, so I can assess it as a whole....

[MonteGss]

:lol:

Super Heroes have super powers......Action Heroes use skills

:lol:
Wow, you just said beautifully what I've always argued about Batman and why he isn't as cool as Superman. :D

Batman is just a guy...not a super hero. Which is why, to me, Superman is better. :D

Ok, back on topic...slowly getting through The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

[Seymour_Glass]

I'm reading all of J.D. Salinger's stuff that I can find.
Also lots and lots of comics.

[turtlex]

super heroes have super powers, action heroes use skills

Though I love this, I think I might disagree.

Um, what about gadgets? Mentioned was Batman. He's a superhero. He has all these funky gadgets, that crazy utility belt, super bat mobile, etc.

I am not a Batman fan, per se, but I think he is a Superhero.

[John_and_Yoko]

Batman's too old to be a superhero--by which I mean he was created too early. In his time, even Superman was still a "comic book character," not a "superhero."

[MonteGss]

super heroes have super powers, action heroes use skills

Though I love this, I think I might disagree.

Um, what about gadgets? Mentioned was Batman. He's a superhero. He has all these funky gadgets, that crazy utility belt, super bat mobile, etc.

I am not a Batman fan, per se, but I think he is a Superhero.

So, is MacGyver a superhero too then? He had gadgets and stuff...
Batman is just a guy with cool toys and lots of money. Nothing super about that. :D

[blackrose22]

Matter by Iain M Banks, another brilliant book in the Culture series.

Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay. Its a good fast read with really dark humour but not pushed on the ending. Been watching the TV series and think its far better with the changes they've made to the storyline. Interesting to see how the show ends through.
Also just finished a reread of Everything's Eventual by SK.

[turtlex]

Maybe hidden identity has something to do with SuperHero-ness?

Yeah, this turtle does not thing macguyver is a superhero.

Though, Batman has been around a long time, so have X-Men, Superman, Hulk, etc.

I do see your points though, about the guy with gadgets.

First Appearances:
Superman - June 1938
Batman - May 1939
X-Men - Sept 1963
Captain America - march 1941
( turtlex is accepting any donations of the above :) )

[turtlex]

Oh, back on topic - currently reading/re-reading :

I usually re-read "Catcher In The Rye" every year or so. JD's "Nine Stories" is pretty great too. I loved "For Esme, with Love and Squalor".

[ladysai]

Yeah, this turtle does not thing macguyver is a superhero.


This lady thinks MacGuyver was more superhero than Batman. Geez, take away Batman's fancy belt and he's in deep shit, but that MacGuyver could save his own ass with a paperclip left nearby.

~on topic

Doing a reread (re-listen) to the last 3 DT books. Susannah is more sympathetic this time around, somehow. And, I enjoy Pere Callahan more with each journey through the story.

[turtlex]

I'm re-listening to the first books right now. Kind of funny. I'm on Drawing of the Three.

re: MacGuyver... a hero, yeah, but not a superhero.

[John_and_Yoko]

Finished Hearts in Atlantis and next on my reading list is Black House.

[Wuducynn]

Finished Hearts in Atlantis and next on my reading list is Black House.

Have you read The Talisman? Because if not you might want to read that before Black House. Not that its needed but it does help to get a background to part of whats going on and the characters.

[John_and_Yoko]

Have you read The Talisman? Because if not you might want to read that before Black House. Not that its needed but it does help to get a background to part of whats going on and the characters.

Heh--I wish I'd seen this before I replied to your other post....

Yes, I have, but I didn't particularly care for it....

Hopefully I'll still enjoy Black House, though....

[Wuducynn]

Have you read The Talisman? Because if not you might want to read that before Black House. Not that its needed but it does help to get a background to part of whats going on and the characters.

Heh--I wish I'd seen this before I replied to your other post....

Yes, I have, but I didn't particularly care for it....

Hopefully I'll still enjoy Black House, though....


Black House is REALLY connected to the Dark Tower series, as much as Insomnia. I've known quite a few folk, Jayson "R_of_G" is one of them, that like Black House more than The Talisman, as I do.
Some parts of Black House are just downright scary. Great stuff.

[Odetta]

I am currently reading "Twinkie, Deconstructed" which basically goes through the list of ingredients on a Twinkie and says how these things are generated... it's pretty grim, in a lot of cases.

[John_and_Yoko]

Black House is REALLY connected to the Dark Tower series, as much as Insomnia. I've known quite a few folk, Jayson "R_of_G" is one of them, that like Black House more than The Talisman, as I do.
Some parts of Black House are just downright scary. Great stuff.

Neat! :) I should enjoy it, then!

[jayson]

Black House is REALLY connected to the Dark Tower series, as much as Insomnia. I've known quite a few folk, Jayson "R_of_G" is one of them, that like Black House more than The Talisman, as I do.
Some parts of Black House are just downright scary. Great stuff.

Neat! :) I should enjoy it, then!

hope you enjoy it Jonh_and_Yoko [great name btw]. i enjoyed Talisman a lot, but i like BH even more, not the least of reasons the many tie-ins to the DT series. some of my favorite King characters are in that book. obviously Jack, but also Beezer St. Pierre and Henry Leyden are two of my fav King characters. as matthew mentioned, many of the parts that are supposed to be scary parts are actually scary, something that i rarely find to be the case in other than a "creepy scary" way. this one has both the creepy and the terrifying kinds. great for re-reads too i have found.

[John_and_Yoko]

Can you define the difference between "terrifying" scary and "creepy" scary?

[jayson]

creepy is stuff that is just creepy. if it were happening to you it wouldn't necessarily scare you so much as it would just creep you out [like a shitload of bugs that couldn't harm you for example]. extremely unpleasant but not particularly threatenning. the other kind of scary i meant would be that which if it were happening to you would literally scare you because it could do you serious harm.

[Wuducynn]

Good analogy.

[obscurejude]

I'm on my way to the bookstore. You guys have convinced me to pick up another copy of Black House, its been a while since I read it and I didn't bring my copy with me when I moved.

[Merlin1958]

Just finished Duma Key and it was great !!!!!!!

[William50]

I am reading Pet Sematary by SK for the secong time. I love that book.:thumbsup:

[John_and_Yoko]

Just started Black House. I've only read one chapter, but I really hope it picks up soon, because so far it's boring--even worse than The Talisman was....

[jayson]

Just started Black House. I've only read one chapter, but I really hope it picks up soon, because so far it's boring--even worse than The Talisman was....

just keep going. it takes a long time to set up bc there's a lot coming together in one place, but it does get going.

[John_and_Yoko]

just keep going. it takes a long time to set up bc there's a lot coming together in one place, but it does get going.

I'll take your word for it--and I definitely will finish the book. But for awhile there I wondered whether I'd accidentally taken the wrong text....

[Wuducynn]

You've only read one chapter and you expect mind-blowing stuff to happen? :rolleyes:

[Girlystevedave]

:lol:

Super Heroes have super powers......Action Heroes use skills

:lol:
Wow, you just said beautifully what I've always argued about Batman and why he isn't as cool as Superman. :D

Batman is just a guy...not a super hero. Which is why, to me, Superman is better. :D



See now, I've always wondered why Batman was classified as a superhero, just cause he has gadgets and a butler.


Currently reading: Nothing except Volume 2 of Fables. I just finished "1001 Nights Of Snowfall" which I enjoyed very much.

[John_and_Yoko]

You've only read one chapter and you expect mind-blowing stuff to happen? :rolleyes:

Of course not. :P But a boring first chapter isn't exactly the way to hook me in.

Having read Chapter 2, though, I will say it's already starting to pick up, and I'm starting to get some suspicions....

[jhanic]

I'm almost finished with the Lord of the Rings trilogy. You all have convinced me to reread Black House. I DO enjoy that book.

John

[HanzouNorak]

i have now moved on to It

[Wuducynn]

I'm almost finished with the Lord of the Rings trilogy. You all have convinced me to reread Black House. I DO enjoy that book.

John

Fellow demon of the Prim :thumbsup: :harrier:

[John Blaze]

I'm reading Manchu, Lonesome Dove, and Cujo right now.

[Ricky]

I just finished reading The Plant. By just finished, I mean 12 minutes ago. :lol:

Now I am going to move on to The Dark Tower series. I'm pretty excited to get into them.

[Wuducynn]

I just started a re-read of the Dark Tower series. I liken it to going back home after being away for years, only difference is with this home there are nooks I discover each time I go back to it. :harrier:

[Daghain]

Amen, brother. :)

[Patrick]

Currently reading ALL THE PRETTY HORSES by Cormac McCarthy.

McCarthy rocks.

[Daghain]

I couldn't finish Blood Meridian. I have a serious aversion to Cormac McCarthy. :angry:

[boq]

Just finished my 4th (maybe even 5th) reread of Vernor Vinge's "A Fire Upon the Deep" followed by a browse through a collection of his short stories. Science fiction. Delighted to stumble across some familiar (delightful) characters from the novel appearing in the short story "The Blabber".
Must get around to rereading "A Deepness in the Sky".
I just went on a Vinge binge :doh:

Picking my way through DT6 (again) just now. Thinking about getting involved in "His Dark Materials" after seeing the recent movie. Pullman seems like an interesting guy.

[Brice]

His Dark Materials is wondrous. I have yet to see the movie.

[Patrick]

... I have a serious aversion to Cormac McCarthy. :angry:I'm just glad you have so many other wonderful qualities to offset this defect.

[ManOfWesternesse]

... I have a serious aversion to Cormac McCarthy. :angry:I'm just glad you have so many other wonderful qualities to offset this defect.

:lol:
Are you planning on reading all 3 of the 'Border Trilogy' Patrick? (ie 'The Crossing' + 'Cities of the Plain' to follow 'Pretty Horses').

[Patrick]

...Are you planning on reading all 3 of the 'Border Trilogy' Patrick? (ie 'The Crossing' + 'Cities of the Plain' to follow 'Pretty Horses').If this story continues to hold up as well as it is going, I don't know that I'd have much choice but to continue on. :)

[Daghain]

... I have a serious aversion to Cormac McCarthy. :angry:I'm just glad you have so many other wonderful qualities to offset this defect.

Thanks! :lol:

To me he writes like he has a serious case of ADD or something, I just can't get into it.

[John_and_Yoko]

I'm over 1/3 of the way through Black House now.

I definitely will finish it, but man, I hope it picks up and soon.... :(

I didn't care for The Talisman, but at least that didn't bore me....

[Wuducynn]

I'm over 1/3 of the way through Black House now.

I definitely will finish it, but man, I hope it picks up and soon.... :(

I didn't care for The Talisman, but at least that didn't bore me....


Hey, you may not like this one and that is okay. I've known folk who didn't like the Dark Tower series...yes, she read the whole series and didn't like it, don't ask me...

[John_and_Yoko]

I know it's okay not to like it, and if I don't, I don't....

But I do want to get through it, since I started it--besides, next on my reading list is Song of Susannah, which I'm really looking forward to....

Anyway, maybe I'll change my mind--maybe there'll be a big payoff that'll make me feel it's worth plowing through these hundreds of pages to get to it.... :)

[Wuducynn]

For me the whole book is the pay-off, but yes there are some big payoffs. Have you finished the Dark Tower series?

[John_and_Yoko]

For me the whole book is the pay-off, but yes there are some big payoffs. Have you finished the Dark Tower series?

No.... I thought I made that clear, maybe I didn't....

So far I've only read the first five volumes--plus The Eyes of the Dragon, The Stand, The Talisman, "The Little Sisters of Eluria," 'Salem's Lot, Insomnia, and Hearts in Atlantis.

Still have to finish Black House, then read the remaining two Dark Tower volumes and "Everything's Eventual."

[Wuducynn]

For me the whole book is the pay-off, but yes there are some big payoffs. Have you finished the Dark Tower series?

No.... I thought I made that clear, maybe I didn't....

So far I've only read the first five volumes--plus The Eyes of the Dragon, The Stand, The Talisman, "The Little Sisters of Eluria," 'Salem's Lot, Insomnia, and Hearts in Atlantis.

Still have to finish Black House, then read the remaining two Dark Tower volumes and "Everything's Eventual."

You've probably said at some point but I'm not going to keep track of who has said what.. Black House covers some events that happen in the background of the Dark Tower series, and the reason why I asked was because I was going to post a spoiler, but you'll find out.

[John_and_Yoko]

Heh.... I'm not expecting anyone (except myself) to keep exact track of everything I read, especially since I'm relatively new here.... :P

I just mentioned that after Black House I was going into Song of Susannah, and I thought that implied that I hadn't read the latter yet (or the last volume).

But yeah, I'm sure I will find out, and I want to. :)

[John Blaze]

don't mind CK, he's got no manners. :P

Honestly, the best thing I liked about Black House was that it was a continuance of Jack Sawyer's life.

[Telynn]

But the whole bird thing was REALLY annoying.

[Wuducynn]

I loved "the whole bird thing".

[obscurejude]

I was so glad when Jack finally shot that fucking bird.

[Wuducynn]

And I was so glad when that bird drove that chic into madness, I just wish the bird had eaten Jack's eyes out of his head for breakfast

[Daghain]

Man, I need to reread that book. :lol:

[Patrick]

Was there a bird in that story?

[Telynn]

The first 200 or so pages is all the bird.

[Patrick]

No, no recollection of any bird. I sorta remember a pterodactyl though. Or was that a different book?

[John_and_Yoko]

No, no recollection of any bird. I sorta remember a pterodactyl though. Or was that a different book?

I haven't seen anything like that in Black House, and I'm over halfway through it now....

I think you're thinking of something else....

On the upside, the book seems to be picking up now (finally). I don't want to jinx it, as I've just finished Chapter 17, but I finally think I know where it's going....

[ves_ka_Gan]

Lately I've picked up the Sandman Library again, and I can tell you that after finally ordering the last few books I needed, it is awesome to read the series without having to borrow book copies from anybody

[John_and_Yoko]

Oh wow....

I just finished Chapter 21 of Black House, and I have to say....

I have NEVER so thoroughly changed my mind about a book (certainly a Stephen King book) in my recollection. It used to be a chore just to get a single chapter read, but now I don't want to put it down! :D

I still think it's a shame that the first half of the book was so boring, but at least it's going somewhere now....

[MonteGss]

:thumbsup:
It really is a great book, I can't wait to read it again! :)

[John Blaze]

glad. Once he hooks up with beezer and his crew, it gets good and it moves along fast.

[Unfound One]

Just started Insomnia...

[John Blaze]

you'll love that! I did.

[Unfound One]

If you love them I will too?
I'll be sure to check with you before starting books from now on. :lol:

[Wuducynn]

Oh wow....

I just finished Chapter 21 of Black House, and I have to say....

I have NEVER so thoroughly changed my mind about a book (certainly a Stephen King book) in my recollection. It used to be a chore just to get a single chapter read, but now I don't want to put it down! :D

I still think it's a shame that the first half of the book was so boring, but at least it's going somewhere now....


Great to see! :harrier:

[MonteGss]

Unfound, just be prepared for a very slow, long start....
I'll let you decide whether it is "good" or not. :)

[Wuducynn]

Just started Insomnia...


Another awesome book.

[Wuducynn]

Unfound both Black House and Insomnia are the most closely connected to the Dark Tower Saga of all of King's books, also Low Men in Yellow Coats too. They really bring some insights into the series and are just great as stand-alone books. Like Monte said Insomnia does start slow, so be prepared for that.

[Unfound One]

Yeah that's what I've been told. I'm excited to see how. :)

[John Blaze]

If you love them I will too?
I'll be sure to check with you before starting books from now on. :lol:

damn skippy. since you are (almost) as cool as me, it's only natural we love the same books.

[Unfound One]

I'll keep that in mind.

[jayson]

I still think it's a shame that the first half of the book was so boring, but at least it's going somewhere now....

i blame it on straub. the later it gets in the book, the more it feels like king.

[MonteGss]

I still think it's a shame that the first half of the book was so boring, but at least it's going somewhere now....

i blame it on straub. the later it gets in the book, the more it feels like king.

It's funny....I never even thought of that.
Hmph. I like this line of thinking....it was his fault.



Now...who can I blame the boring 3/4 of Insomnia on? :lol:

[jayson]

I still think it's a shame that the first half of the book was so boring, but at least it's going somewhere now....

i blame it on straub. the later it gets in the book, the more it feels like king.

It's funny....I never even thought of that.
Hmph. I like this line of thinking....it was his fault.



Now...who can I blame the boring 3/4 of Insomnia on? :lol:

:lol:

i still love insomnia, but it does start off pretty slowly.

[Girlystevedave]

I just started The Hobbit a little while ago.

[John_and_Yoko]

I don't know what anyone's talking about, with Insomnia--I got into it FAST!

Black House took over half the book to pick up, that I saw, but Insomnia--I went into that expecting NOT to like it (at least at first) and being wrong.

Must be just that subjective, I guess, then, huh?



EDIT: As for Peter Straub, I haven't read anything of his that wasn't co-written with Stephen King, so I hate to prejudge him as an author--unfortunately, though, the low points in the Stephen King books I've been reading so far have mostly been in The Talisman and Black House, so it's hard not to....

[pathoftheturtle]

Peter Straub is a great author. Not to everyone's taste, sure, but you might well enjoy some of his work. You're right to avoid developing a bias, if you can, before giving some a try.

Of course, I may just have a different view of things than you do: I was into Black House from the very start. (I'm mad about linguistics & I'd already read about Albert Fish.)

[Brice]

Black House took me a little longer than The Talisman to get into the first time I read it. I'm not reallt sure why.

I agree Path, Straub is great.

[Daghain]

I hated both Insomnia and Black House on my first read. Black House was especially disappointing, since I LOVED The Talisman so much.

I am going to reread both this year. We'll see if I change my opinion. :orely:

[John_and_Yoko]

Yeah, I don't want to boycott an author just because what little I know of him doesn't impress me much. I won't buy out my local bookstore's whole selection of him and force myself to read each one, but if I see something of his that looks like it might be my thing, I can try it out, see what I think. As I said before, it's subjective--what some love, others don't, and vice versa.

I've been wanting to reread The Dark Tower series at some point (probably next year at the soonest), but now I'm thinking of possibly also rereading Insomnia, "Low Men in Yellow Coats," and Black House at the same time, just to see if my opinion of them changes with time (and to refresh my memory of everything, as well as pick up on things I might be missing this first time, since I don't know everything about it yet).

Just something to think about, especially since I don't reread whole novels as a rule (though I'm thinking of rereading The Shining at some point).

[Daghain]

I read Straub's Lost Boy Lost Girl not too long ago, and let's just say I was less than impressed.

Not a bad story, but totally predictable, IMHO. Trust me, if I can figure it out, the plot's too easy. :lol:

[John_and_Yoko]

Yeah, as I said, I haven't read anything of his that he didn't co-write with Stephen King, but I did read about some motifs that he keeps bringing back, which sound an awful lot like Black House to me....

They may be all right as stories, but I don't want to keep reading the same story over and over with different names....

[Brice]

If you're gonna' read Straub at some point his earlier stuff is best IMO. Try, Ghost Story, Floating Dragon, Julia, Shadowlands, or If You Could See Me Now. Or if you prefer short stories Houses Without Doors is good.

[Daghain]

I've heard Ghost Story was good. I'm not sold yet, however. He seems very John Saul-ish to me - too easy to figure out.

But, for mindless entertainment, I'd go there. :lol: