What are you currently reading?

[biomieg]

I finished Summer of Night and The Terror (both Dan Simmons) and I am currently reading American Gods (Neil Gaiman). I recently found out that we have at least sixty books on our shelves that I still need to read...

[DoctorDodge]

After finishing the classic series, had to start this:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/bb/Timewyrm_Genesys.jpg

Started a couple of days ago, already close to finishing. Even at just over 200 pages long, that's a fast pace by my standards. Think I'll try and squeeze the first 4 books in the next 2 weeks or so.

[fearless-freak]

the Babylon 5 novels

[DoctorDodge]

Ooh, never watched Babylon 5, not properly, anyway. Is it as good as they say? How are the novels, by the way?

[fearless-freak]

they're set during the series and most aren't considered cannon

[DoctorDodge]

Ah, kinda like the New Adventures, then, canonicity wise. I'll be honest though, in that case, curiosity has got the better of me, and they did keep the story going for a lot of fans while the show was off the air in the 90s.

[SystemCrashOverRide]

Finally got around to reading "It". Just under 200 pages in and quite enjoying it thus far.

[Dan]

Darwin's Blade by Dan Simmons and listening to Psycho II by Robert Bloch

[OchrisO]

This:

http://img1.imagesbn.com/p/9780804136570_p0_v2_s260x420.JPG

[Merlin1958]

Cast your votes!!!!


http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/showthread.php?17542-Top-100-Novels-of-All-Time-NOMINATIONS!!!!!!

[harrison ryan]

https://sphotos-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/p480x480/306421_392315327526037_1457100253_n.png

[thegunslinger41]

Finishign Lisey's Story,....going to start THE SHINING....then let me see some easy reads by Brad Thor... At some point I need to read the uncut version of the Stand.

-G

[fernandito]

http://scifiward.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/A-Scanner-Darkly-1.png

[WeDealInLead]

I really, really miss the trippy S.F. covers. They were original and looked so freaking cool. I bought a truckload (OK, more like six) paperbacks from Ace just based on artwork. Computers were still primitive and not everyone had access to them so artists had to draw. Imagine that! Drawing instead of photoshopping stuff? Crazy!

Anyways... I'm at exactly half-way mark of The Crook Factory and it's getting even better. The excruciating details Simmons gets into (not just what they eat, not just the seasonings they use but the order in which it was cooked) still bugs me (P.S. they eat a lot) and I can't for the life of me find the purpose to them, but the book is still great and I suggest it to everyone looking for a well-written story. It's historical fiction and you'll be thinking about what parts he made up and what parts are facts he dug up while researching.

[Jean]

Only a few pages in, but so far not so good; I don't like the Fred/George/Random Name thing.

<...> It's a heartbreakingly touching book; one of my all-time favorites<...>
Yes.



Cast your votes!!!!


http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/showthread.php?17542-Top-100-Novels-of-All-Time-NOMINATIONS!!!!!!

hear, hear!

[Bev Vincent]

http://aidanmoher.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/the-abominable-by-dan-simmons.jpg

[biomieg]

That's one I'm really looking forward to, Bev! I hope you enjoy it :)

[Stebbins]

Only a few pages in, but so far not so good; I don't like the Fred/George/Random Name thing.

Hopefully when you've read more than a few pages you'll see there's nothing random about the "Fred/George" thing. It's a heartbreakingly touching book; one of my all-time favorites. Most don't seem to like or appreciate it, alas.

I see it now. I'm in mid-December, and the story has grown on me, but I'm not sure I'd put it up there with the greats, at least not yet. One of the things the twenty-one year old hitchhiker said-- about how she stopped pretending her life didn't start yet, that it was already a quarter over with-- really rang true to me. I also like the bare-bones prose style of Bachman.

[OchrisO]

And now this:

http://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/ex_patriots_cover-FINAL.jpg

This Ex-Heroes series is turning out to be pretty good. Super Heroes and Zombies, but in a much different type of story than something like Marvel Zombies. It is definitely worth checking out if you are a fan of either genres.

[DoctorDodge]

I actually saw the first book in a shop yesterday and thought it looked really interesting. Once I'm done reading the first 4 NAs, I may check it out, sounds like a nice, easy read.

[OchrisO]

Yeah, it is a nice light read, but very entertaining, imo.

[SystemCrashOverRide]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/78/Saga1coverByFionaStaples.jpg/250px-Saga1coverByFionaStaples.jpg

[fearless-freak]

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mdy5cw4oWp1rkqc1bo1_500.jpg

[fernandito]

And now this:

http://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/ex_patriots_cover-FINAL.jpg

This Ex-Heroes series is turning out to be pretty good. Super Heroes and Zombies, but in a much different type of story than something like Marvel Zombies. It is definitely worth checking out if you are a fan of either genres.Woah, what is this beauty. Graphic novel?


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/78/Saga1coverByFionaStaples.jpg/250px-Saga1coverByFionaStaples.jpg

:thumbsup:

One of the best series of 2012. Gotta get my hands on Vol. 2

[OchrisO]

And now this:

http://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/ex_patriots_cover-FINAL.jpg

This Ex-Heroes series is turning out to be pretty good. Super Heroes and Zombies, but in a much different type of story than something like Marvel Zombies. It is definitely worth checking out if you are a fan of either genres.Woah, what is this beauty. Graphic novel?




Nope. They are actual novels, not comics. There are three of them out now(Ex-heroes, Ex-Patriots and Ex-Communication) and a fourth one called Ex-Purgatory on the way in January. I think you would enjoy them.

[TwistedNadine]

Finishign Lisey's Story,....going to start THE SHINING....then let me see some easy reads by Brad Thor... At some point I need to read the uncut version of the Stand.
-G

I used to go to all of Thor's book signings but have yet to read one. Want a signed Black List or Full Black?
Re-Reading The Shining getting ready for Dr Sleep...

[Stebbins]

Bears and Dive: I've spoken too soon, more than once, on this story. Into January, I believe it is a great one, I like it better than Rage. It's much more textured, and I think it's almost as funny (in a dark way).

That mescaline trip was nuts. When she first gave it to him I thought he was going to just pop it at home, until he agreed to go to the party. There's been some more timeless dialogue. And for some reason the old man who drove him home reminded me of the old man in The Great Gatsby.

[divemaster]

I'm glad you gave it a chance and are enjoying it. I look forward to your thoughts once you've finished it. There might be a thread somewhere dedicated to discussion of Roadwork; I know I've written a few thoughts about why the story affected me so much.

[Jean]

what dive said, except there's no Roadwork thread. I think you posted during the CRA events.

ETA: there is now:

http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/showthread.php?17577-Roadwork&p=795778

[Ruthful]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/99/Catch22.jpg/200px-Catch22.jpg

http://blog.oup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Black-and-Tans.jpg

[fearless-freak]

http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110811082642/darkhorse/images/2/27/3x3_Eyes_Vol_1_1-B.jpg

and this was one of the first ever OAV's i bought

[DoctorZaius]

I won't sound like much of a King fan, but I have finally gotten around to reading Joyland. About halfway done, and I am loving it. It's a very nostalgic piece so far.

[Dan]

I won't sound like much of a King fan, but I have finally gotten around to reading Joyland. About halfway done, and I am loving it. It's a very nostalgic piece so far.

No worries on when you read it, we all have busy schedules and lives. Also, sometimes the mood just isn't right yet. Glad you like it, it's one of his better novels. I VERY much enjoyed it and plan a reread before the end of the year.

[SystemCrashOverRide]

http://borgdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/rachel-rising-1.jpg?w=205&h=283

[SystemCrashOverRide]

:thumbsup:

One of the best series of 2012. Gotta get my hands on Vol. 2

I have the second one at home, I'll likely get around to reading it over the weekend. Love it so far.

[Stebbins]

http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1355720662l/11607.jpg

[DoctorZaius]

OK, just finished JOYLAND in four days - good for me. I loved it. One of King's best. I have always felt King works best in a shorter medium. I must confess that I am a sucker for coming-of-age stories. This is right up there with McCammon's Boys Life, Simmons's Summer of Night, King's own The Body, and dare I say, portions of King's IT. All the nostalgia brings memories of all my "firsts" in life. Makes me want to embrace my inner "Greenie" again! Bravo, Mr. King!

[fearless-freak]

http://www.abfar.co.uk/_images/40931.jpg

this battle's always interested me and it's also used as the basis of one of the tales that I'm writing

[Dan]

999 anthology

[OchrisO]

And now this one:
http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1369840092l/17229633.jpg

[Ruthful]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b3/Notes_from_underground_cover.jpg/250px-Notes_from_underground_cover.jpg

[harrison ryan]

I am in that weird non-space between books, and remain unconvinced and uncommitted. What am I currently not reading? Everything. Except a couple comic books.

Stebbins, I heartily approve of your Bachman kick.

[DoctorDodge]

http://textualdetails.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/the-hobbit-cover.jpg?w=474

This has always been one of my all-time favourite books, but I keep forgetting just how brilliant it is. In some ways, I prefer it to Lord of the Rings, and that's partially to do with how the story is told - the narration is absolutely hysterical to read sometimes.

[Jean]

are you ever going to nominate???

http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/showthread.php?17542-Top-100-Novels-of-All-Time-NOMINATIONS!!!!!!&p=796850

[DoctorDodge]

Your wish is my command! (Especially since I finally noticed that thread! :lol:)

[OchrisO]

Annnnnd now this:
http://static.geekbeat.tv/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/year-zero.jpg

[Merlin1958]

http://textualdetails.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/the-hobbit-cover.jpg?w=474

This has always been one of my all-time favourite books, but I keep forgetting just how brilliant it is. In some ways, I prefer it to Lord of the Rings, and that's partially to do with how the story is told - the narration is absolutely hysterical to read sometimes.


Ahhh, Then you may appreciate this...

http://imageshack.us/a/img543/505/hobbittentlabeldoc1.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img546/9954/hobbittentfrontleft1doc.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img825/6128/00075611.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img713/3639/00075621.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img69/153/00075631.jpg

[mae]

Beautiful. But I still enjoy my awesome deluxe editions of Tolkien books. Exceptionally done.

[Mattrick]

Last pages of Pride and Prejudice then onto A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce.

[Jean]

love the former, was bored to death by the latter

[pathoftheturtle]

love the former, was bored to death by the latterWait. Strike that. Reverse it.
lol

[Mattrick]

The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky. It was his best novel that I've read so far. He has such talent for capturing the many facets of humanity; it didn't have the verbal jousting of perspective that made The Idiot so great but it did a nice job of forcing many philosophies and ideologies against each other through love and law and faith.

The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway. A novel where the quiet tragedy of unrequited love falls against a backdrop of cafes and pubs where the booze and insults never stop flowing. Don't think Ive laughed as much reading a book as this one....though Catcher In The Rye is very funny as well. Will re-read this one often, I think.

[Ruthful]

http://media.npr.org/assets/bakertaylor/covers/g/going-clear/9780307700667_custom-651ebcadd1a8c06ca006fbcc3c4fa4c4edfcf933-s6-c30.jpg

[Stebbins]

Harrison Ryan, thankee-sai! So do I; I love me some Bachman. A dark(er) Stephen King, what's not to love?

[WeDealInLead]

China Mieville - The Tain
Poe's Children anthology (a story a day, it'll take a month)
Dan Simmons - The Crook Factory
Lucius Shepard - The Ends of the Earth

+

R. Crumb's America
Azzarello - 100 Bullets vol. 2
Brian Bendis - Torso

[jhanic]

I'll be starting this tonight:

http://i469.photobucket.com/albums/rr60/johnhanic/Other_Proofs/Abominable_zps2528f544.jpg (http://s469.photobucket.com/user/johnhanic/media/Other_Proofs/Abominable_zps2528f544.jpg.html)

John

[Jean]

http://www.csmonitor.com/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/content/2013/06-06joyland/15984367-1-eng-US/06-06joyland_full_600.jpg

[Stebbins]

Bears, so glad you're getting to it-- let me know what you think.

Just finished The Running Man. Loved it, too. I'm a Bachman boy, for sure. At first I was getting annoyed with how similar I found it to be to 1984, but then I was like, Wait a second, my favorite author paying homage to a book I thoroughly enjoyed, what's not to like?

I knew the Games building was going to be destroyed when Richards first brought it up, but I thought the part about him giving Killian the finger was a nice hilarious touch.

Trying to decide which I liked more, Roadwork or The Running Man...

[Mattrick]

Cannery Row by Steinbeck...which makes it good by default.

[Jean]

Bears, so glad you're getting to it-- let me know what you think. I will!
So far I am enjoying it quite a lot.

[fernandito]

I'll be starting this tonight:

http://i469.photobucket.com/albums/rr60/johnhanic/Other_Proofs/Abominable_zps2528f544.jpg (http://s469.photobucket.com/user/johnhanic/media/Other_Proofs/Abominable_zps2528f544.jpg.html)

John

I haven't read any Dan Simmons books, but I read the description of this on Amazon and it sounds great. Might have to use this book as my DS launching pad.

[thegunslinger41]

Interesting how NOS4A2 has many references to "IT" "THE STAND" ...as well as some of the midworld parallel worlds dark tower themes.

Almost finished listening to it and I think it's "okay" thus far. IMO the narrator for the audiobook is NOT a good fit. I came very close to putting NOS4a2 on the backburner and loading up Dan Brown's INFERNO which is next on my list.

Too many of the characters in NOS4A2 seemed too "dumbed down." I mean it was too much of a crazy mix of mentally challenged (Bing and Manx) along with a shallow personality in the main character. These two things made it hard to take the characters seriously. Juvenile fiction came to mind, but it definitely had some crazy adult (not for kids) sexual mentionings...

My fav character thus far (even though he is one of the least developed qualities) is the overweight husband. And it was touching how he really wishes he could tell his son how one time long ago he was "the hero" rescuing his mom from the ultimate evil.

At this point I am almost done with the book so we will see. I do appreciate how a lot of Hill's characters in his short stories and novels are very flawed and screwed up. :)

So..does anyone else out there have issues with the audiobook narrator??

Gabriel

[Dan]

I actually really liked the narrator for NOS4A2. I'm very picky on narrators. I've had books ruined because I couldn't understand them or they were just so drab that I couldn't differentiate the characters. I was not sure having a female narrator, but I thought she was great. Of course, that's one persons opinion. Some people love when King reads his books, some don't. I almost laughed the first time I started to listen to one of his after hearing Frank Muller do so great, but have grown to enjoy hearing King self narrate.

[Bryant Burnette]

I actually really liked the narrator for NOS4A2. I'm very picky on narrators. I've had books ruined because I couldn't understand them or they were just so drab that I couldn't differentiate the characters. I was not sure having a female narrator, but I thought she was great. Of course, that's one persons opinion.

Nope; it's at least two people's.

That's the great Kate Mulgrew, who spent seven seasons as the Captain on Star Trek: Voyager and is currently doing good work on Netflix's Orange Is the New Black.

[Bryant Burnette]

I'm currently reading Alan Moore's first (and, so far, only) novel, Voice of the Fire. It isn't for everybody (the first chapter takes place in 4000 BC and is written in an incredibly strange dialect that tries -- and succeeds -- to simulate what it might be like to be a Stone Age simpleton), but so far the first fifty pages are among the most imaginative things I've ever read.

[jhanic]

I'll be starting this tonight:

http://i469.photobucket.com/albums/rr60/johnhanic/Other_Proofs/Abominable_zps2528f544.jpg (http://s469.photobucket.com/user/johnhanic/media/Other_Proofs/Abominable_zps2528f544.jpg.html)

John

I haven't read any Dan Simmons books, but I read the description of this on Amazon and it sounds great. Might have to use this book as my DS launching pad.

You might also try The Terror and Drood. Be warned, though, that the amount of research that these books all reveal is sometimes daunting.

John

[fearless-freak]

http://jamesobarr.typepad.com/.a/6a010535c0890e970b014e8750d78d970d-800wi

[Stebbins]

http://pastoffences.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/hunter.jpg

Going back to where it all began. I'm interested to see how different, if he is, Westlake's Parker is before the almost quarter century hiatus.

Jean, glad to hear it! See, we have quite a bit of common ground within King's work. Differences just tend to stick out more than similarities.

[Jean]

Jean, glad to hear it! See, we have quite a bit of common ground within King's work. Differences just tend to stick out more than similarities.The Wolves difference sticks out a mile, Stebbins. A bloody mile.


Interesting how NOS4A2 has many references to "IT" "THE STAND" ...as well as some of the midworld parallel worlds dark tower themes.

Almost finished listening to it and I think it's "okay" thus far. IMO the narrator for the audiobook is NOT a good fit. I came very close to putting NOS4a2 on the backburner and loading up Dan Brown's INFERNO which is next on my list.

Too many of the characters in NOS4A2 seemed too "dumbed down." I mean it was too much of a crazy mix of mentally challenged (Bing and Manx) along with a shallow personality in the main character. These two things made it hard to take the characters seriously. Juvenile fiction came to mind, but it definitely had some crazy adult (not for kids) sexual mentionings...

My fav character thus far (even though he is one of the least developed qualities) is the overweight husband. And it was touching how he really wishes he could tell his son how one time long ago he was "the hero" rescuing his mom from the ultimate evil.

At this point I am almost done with the book so we will see. I do appreciate how a lot of Hill's characters in his short stories and novels are very flawed and screwed up. :)



Gabriel, can you please re-post it in this thread (http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/showthread.php?17410-NOS4A2-by-Joe-Hill-*spoilers*)?

[Steerpike]

I am listening to the DT series on audio in the car (it's a fantastic way to get in extra reading time, I am thoroughly addicted to audio books, much to my kid's disgust). I have listened to them all back-to-back (as I did with GRRM's Game of Thrones series) - I do miss Frank Muller, I must say. In paper, form, I'm reading the latest Jack Reacher book, "Never Go Back" utterly brilliant, his best in a long time, I think.............

[Stebbins]

Jean: :lol: Well we'll see if my opinion changes on my DT re-read (I was only fifteen or sixteen my first time with Wolves). I would very much enjoy seeing your list of ranking King's work.

[Jean]

I posted it somewhere at the beginning of that thread, but I'll update it soon. Got to finish Joyland first.

[frik]

The latest issue - with another great cover.
Only read one article so far: 70th Anniversary: Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man revisited - a great read on one of the classics.
Too bad there are only four more issues to go!

sk

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZIi8vcm2grw/UfWy65x-GPI/AAAAAAAAAzc/5Msqh8kWZoQ/s1600/MFTV32.jpg

[Stebbins]

http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1324202119l/170501.jpg

[Stebbins]

At the request of my Mother:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51D1CpfhqaL.jpg

I'm deciding which King book I own but have not read to start for my next fiction novel. It's between DESPERATION that is in the lead, BAG OF BONES, the middle man, and 11/22/63, the caboose. It's primarily based on length because I am simultaneously reading another book.

[divemaster]

The Celestine Prophesy was by far the most ridiculously stupid book I've ever read. The only way I got through it was to keep a running MST3K commentary in my head.

Perhaps you will enjoy it, however. If we don't hear back from you, we'll just assume you vibrated yourself into a higher plane of consciousness. LOL

[Ricky]

11/22/63, Stebbins!

[DoctorZaius]

I was very moved when I read 11/22/63 - I hope you enjoy it. One of my favorites.

[DoctorZaius]

I am listening to the DT series on audio in the car (it's a fantastic way to get in extra reading time, I am thoroughly addicted to audio books, much to my kid's disgust). I have listened to them all back-to-back (as I did with GRRM's Game of Thrones series) - I do miss Frank Muller, I must say. In paper, form, I'm reading the latest Jack Reacher book, "Never Go Back" utterly brilliant, his best in a long time, I think.............

Are you reading an ARC? I was disappointed with the last one - glad to hear this one is better.

[Mattrick]

Been finishing up books I started and moved onto something else, 1/5 through Villette by Charlotte Bronte, very good so far.

[Merlin1958]

Cast your votes!!!!


http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/showthread.php?17542-Top-100-Novels-of-All-Time-NOMINATIONS!!!!!!

This message has been "Approved by Pathoftheturtle" for all to view!!!

[WeDealInLead]

Peter Straub - Porkpie Hat

[Stockerlone]

Rona Walter - Gläsern
http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/742/medium/PICT2406.JPG

[Ruthful]

http://assets.fontsinuse.com/static/use-media-items/11/10456/full-424x600/5161df0a/braverevisit.jpeg

[ladysai]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a4/Ready_Player_One_cover.jpg/220px-Ready_Player_One_cover.jpg

[OchrisO]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a4/Ready_Player_One_cover.jpg/220px-Ready_Player_One_cover.jpg

That book is soooooo good. For an extra awesome experience, listen to the audio book narrated by Wil Wheaton.

[Jean]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/97/Geeklove_bookcover.jpg/200px-Geeklove_bookcover.jpg

[fernandito]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a4/Ready_Player_One_cover.jpg/220px-Ready_Player_One_cover.jpg

That book is soooooo good. For an extra awesome experience, listen to the audio book narrated by Wil Wheaton.

You know - while I thought it was a very solid read - I wasn't blown away by it as many seem to be. I guess I just expected ... more. I'm wondering if I should give it a reread.

[Ruthful]

http://www.reviewandreact.com/images/uploaded//up_1IFWjy.jpg

[ladysai]

For an extra awesome experience, listen to the audio book narrated by Wil Wheaton.

I did. ;)
It was fantastic!

[ladysai]

I'm wondering if I should give it a reread.

I highly recommend a listen.
Having the story of 80s pop culture-obsessed group of people read to you by an 80s pop culture icon makes for a random magic thats great fun to experience. :)

[OchrisO]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a4/Ready_Player_One_cover.jpg/220px-Ready_Player_One_cover.jpg

That book is soooooo good. For an extra awesome experience, listen to the audio book narrated by Wil Wheaton.

You know - while I thought it was a very solid read - I wasn't blown away by it as many seem to be. I guess I just expected ... more. I'm wondering if I should give it a reread.

I don't know. It just hits all of the proper geeky references for a guy my age, early pc gaming, D&D stuff and the like. I was way into it.

[Ruthful]

http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1350302679l/357.jpg

[DoctorZaius]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/97/Geeklove_bookcover.jpg/200px-Geeklove_bookcover.jpg

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Wonderful cover that is not seen very much.

[Jean]

I like it so far, but now (around the middle) it somehow started to lose momentum

[DoctorZaius]

I like it so far, but now (around the middle) it somehow started to lose momentum

My youngest daughter (9) was looking over my shoulder as I read your post and she asked me about the bear, which she loves. She is reading a series of books by Erin Hunter called The Seekers, which follows the wilderness adventures of a group of bears. She loves it. Needless to say, I had to make something up! Funny how life is.

I hope the book picks back up for you - the cult with Arturo usually brings things back to life.

[Jean]

I remember Lisa's daughter (Lisa = darkthoughts, unfortunately she hasn't been around lately), about 6 at the time, always insisted that Lisa showed her my posts, because of the bear.

I hope you told your daughter that this bear is your Russian friend? She must like it that there are bears among your friends! Give her my bearhugs, as in http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k291/mishemplushem/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif (http://s91.photobucket.com/user/mishemplushem/media/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif.html)http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k291/mishemplushem/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif (http://s91.photobucket.com/user/mishemplushem/media/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif.html)http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k291/mishemplushem/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif (http://s91.photobucket.com/user/mishemplushem/media/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif.html)http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k291/mishemplushem/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif (http://s91.photobucket.com/user/mishemplushem/media/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif.html)http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k291/mishemplushem/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif (http://s91.photobucket.com/user/mishemplushem/media/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif.html)http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k291/mishemplushem/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif (http://s91.photobucket.com/user/mishemplushem/media/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif.html)

[Merlin1958]

I like it so far, but now (around the middle) it somehow started to lose momentum

My youngest daughter (9) was looking over my shoulder as I read your post and she asked me about the bear, which she loves. She is reading a series of books by Erin Hunter called The Seekers, which follows the wilderness adventures of a group of bears. She loves it. Needless to say, I had to make something up! Funny how life is.

I hope the book picks back up for you - the cult with Arturo usually brings things back to life.


I remember Lisa's daughter (Lisa = darkthoughts, unfortunately she hasn't been around lately), about 6 at the time, always insisted that Lisa showed her my posts, because of the bear.

I hope you told your daughter that this bear is your Russian friend? She must like it that there are bears among your friends! Give her my bearhugs, as in http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k291/mishemplushem/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif (http://s91.photobucket.com/user/mishemplushem/media/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif.html)http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k291/mishemplushem/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif (http://s91.photobucket.com/user/mishemplushem/media/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif.html)http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k291/mishemplushem/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif (http://s91.photobucket.com/user/mishemplushem/media/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif.html)http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k291/mishemplushem/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif (http://s91.photobucket.com/user/mishemplushem/media/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif.html)http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k291/mishemplushem/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif (http://s91.photobucket.com/user/mishemplushem/media/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif.html)http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k291/mishemplushem/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif (http://s91.photobucket.com/user/mishemplushem/media/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif.html)


Gentlemen, back on topic, please!!!!


This post authorized by the "Thread Police"!!! LOL LOL LOL

[thegunslinger41]

Reading INFERNO by Dan Brown. It's decent.....after the symbol though i've kinda had my fill of crazy indiana jones super crazy genius intelligence puzzle history solving....my interest and motivation to finish reading it is being suffocated by all the details!!!!!!

G

[DoctorZaius]

I like it so far, but now (around the middle) it somehow started to lose momentum

My youngest daughter (9) was looking over my shoulder as I read your post and she asked me about the bear, which she loves. She is reading a series of books by Erin Hunter called The Seekers, which follows the wilderness adventures of a group of bears. She loves it. Needless to say, I had to make something up! Funny how life is.

I hope the book picks back up for you - the cult with Arturo usually brings things back to life.


I remember Lisa's daughter (Lisa = darkthoughts, unfortunately she hasn't been around lately), about 6 at the time, always insisted that Lisa showed her my posts, because of the bear.

I hope you told your daughter that this bear is your Russian friend? She must like it that there are bears among your friends! Give her my bearhugs, as in http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k291/mishemplushem/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif (http://s91.photobucket.com/user/mishemplushem/media/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif.html)http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k291/mishemplushem/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif (http://s91.photobucket.com/user/mishemplushem/media/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif.html)http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k291/mishemplushem/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif (http://s91.photobucket.com/user/mishemplushem/media/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif.html)http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k291/mishemplushem/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif (http://s91.photobucket.com/user/mishemplushem/media/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif.html)http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k291/mishemplushem/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif (http://s91.photobucket.com/user/mishemplushem/media/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif.html)http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k291/mishemplushem/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif (http://s91.photobucket.com/user/mishemplushem/media/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif.html)


Gentlemen, back on topic, please!!!!


This post authorized by the "Thread Police"!!! LOL LOL LOL

Back off copper! It's OK to be human once in a while. Nice to know we are not just a bunch of crazy fanatics! Yes Jean, she is very happy with my new bear friend. Dasvidaniya - a new word I taught her today.

[Merlin1958]

I like it so far, but now (around the middle) it somehow started to lose momentum

My youngest daughter (9) was looking over my shoulder as I read your post and she asked me about the bear, which she loves. She is reading a series of books by Erin Hunter called The Seekers, which follows the wilderness adventures of a group of bears. She loves it. Needless to say, I had to make something up! Funny how life is.

I hope the book picks back up for you - the cult with Arturo usually brings things back to life.


I remember Lisa's daughter (Lisa = darkthoughts, unfortunately she hasn't been around lately), about 6 at the time, always insisted that Lisa showed her my posts, because of the bear.

I hope you told your daughter that this bear is your Russian friend? She must like it that there are bears among your friends! Give her my bearhugs, as in http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k291/mishemplushem/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif (http://s91.photobucket.com/user/mishemplushem/media/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif.html)http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k291/mishemplushem/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif (http://s91.photobucket.com/user/mishemplushem/media/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif.html)http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k291/mishemplushem/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif (http://s91.photobucket.com/user/mishemplushem/media/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif.html)http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k291/mishemplushem/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif (http://s91.photobucket.com/user/mishemplushem/media/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif.html)http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k291/mishemplushem/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif (http://s91.photobucket.com/user/mishemplushem/media/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif.html)http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k291/mishemplushem/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif (http://s91.photobucket.com/user/mishemplushem/media/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif.html)


Gentlemen, back on topic, please!!!!


This post authorized by the "Thread Police"!!! LOL LOL LOL

Back off copper! It's OK to be human once in a while. Nice to know we are not just a bunch of crazy fanatics! Yes Jean, she is very happy with my new bear friend. Dasvidaniya - a new word I taught her today.

Hey, Boston. I am a self-appointed "Officer of the Law"!!! LOL LOL LOL

[Ruthful]

http://www.sophisticateddorkiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/the-blind-side-book.jpg

[Dan]

Darkness, Tell Us - Richard Layman
The Martian Chronicles - Ray Bradbury (audiobook)

[Stebbins]

http://charnelhouse.tripod.com/desperationhc.jpg

Sorry, Ricky! That will definitely be my next King novel; I know a lot of people here hold it in high regard.

[Ricky]

Aw, man. :lol:

Well Desperation is good, too (then are you going to read The Regulators?).

[Stebbins]

This is the one connected, using same characters different story, to Regulators? I guess I'll have to in that case :frown1:

God willing, I'm going to read them all anyway. I have been lagging the past week or so, so I need to kick it into gear. I'm liking Desperation okay so far; not sure when it was written in relation to Cell but the layout and voice of the book seem similar to me, which is the part I enjoy.

[Jean]

[
Yes Jean, she is very happy with my new bear friend. Dasvidaniya - a new word I taught her today.
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k291/mishemplushem/Facilitation/bear_thumb.gif (http://s91.photobucket.com/user/mishemplushem/media/Facilitation/bear_thumb.gif.html)http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k291/mishemplushem/Facilitation/bear_thumb.gif (http://s91.photobucket.com/user/mishemplushem/media/Facilitation/bear_thumb.gif.html)http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k291/mishemplushem/Facilitation/bear_thumb.gif (http://s91.photobucket.com/user/mishemplushem/media/Facilitation/bear_thumb.gif.html)

... and now, as the Thread Police vigilante suggested, back to topic...


This is the one connected, using same characters different story, to Regulators? I guess I'll have to in that case :frown1:
No. It uses the same names, reshuffled. All those years I've been unable to discover any meaning to this.

[jhanic]

This is the one connected, using same characters different story, to Regulators? I guess I'll have to in that case :frown1:

God willing, I'm going to read them all anyway. I have been lagging the past week or so, so I need to kick it into gear. I'm liking Desperation okay so far; not sure when it was written in relation to Cell but the layout and voice of the book seem similar to me, which is the part I enjoy.

They're not all really the same characters, but they have some similar characteristics along with the same names.

John

[Ricky]

This is the one connected, using same characters different story, to Regulators? I guess I'll have to in that case :frown1:

Yeah. I liked Desperation better, personally, so I'll be interested to hear what you think.

[Jean]

I liked Desperation imcomparably better

[Stebbins]

I have been having a good run with Bachman, but I do like this one a lot already. I'll keep you guys posted. Jean, thanks for re-posting your list. I'm glad you enjoyed Joyland.

[Merlin1958]

This is the one connected, using same characters different story, to Regulators? I guess I'll have to in that case :frown1:
No. It uses the same names, reshuffled. All those years I've been unable to discover any meaning to this.

Jean, surely you understood the concept of "The Mulyi-verse"?? Regulators and Desperation are alternate universe's. They are listed as "Dark Tower related" books.

[Dan]

Congo - Michael Crichton

[Merlin1958]

The Woman, by Jack Ketchum

[Jean]

This is the one connected, using same characters different story, to Regulators? I guess I'll have to in that case :frown1:
No. It uses the same names, reshuffled. All those years I've been unable to discover any meaning to this.

Jean, surely you understood the concept of "The Mulyi-verse"?? Regulators and Desperation are alternate universe's. They are listed as "Dark Tower related" books.Yes, maybe... I still fail to see any meaning of this particular implementation of multiverse

[fernandito]

http://charnelhouse.tripod.com/desperationhc.jpg

Sorry, Ricky! That will definitely be my next King novel; I know a lot of people here hold it in high regard.
My favorite (non DT) Stephen King novel. Fucking love that book.

[Jean]

hear, hear

[OchrisO]

This is the one connected, using same characters different story, to Regulators? I guess I'll have to in that case :frown1:
No. It uses the same names, reshuffled. All those years I've been unable to discover any meaning to this.

Jean, surely you understood the concept of "The Mulyi-verse"?? Regulators and Desperation are alternate universe's. They are listed as "Dark Tower related" books.Yes, maybe... I still fail to see any meaning of this particular implementation of multiverse

In an infinite multiverse, because of it's very nature, not all of them can have meaning. In fact, by its nature, an infinite number of them will not have meaning. :)

[Jean]

Yes. I thought as much. I wish I had figured it out earlier: would have spared me the trouble of matching the characters, which I tried to do for about fifty pages of Regulators.

[pathoftheturtle]

In an infinite multiverse, because of it's very nature, not all of them can have meaning. In fact, by its nature, and infinite number of them will not have meaning. :)Very poor metaphysics. How did you reach that conclusion? Just learn it from comic books?

[WeDealInLead]

William Gibson & Bruce Sterling - The Difference Engine
GRRM - The Armageddon Rag

[Merlin1958]

I have always wished that I had read "The Regulators" before reading "Desperation". "Desperation" is the better book IMHO and I think it would have been even better if set-up by "The Regulators". No tangible reason just my gut I suppose.

[OchrisO]

In an infinite multiverse, because of it's very nature, not all of them can have meaning. In fact, by its nature, and infinite number of them will not have meaning. :)Very poor metaphysics. How did you reach that conclusion? Just learn it from comic books?

The Man in Black tells Roland that the multiverse extends infinitely in both directions, implying an infinite number of worlds in King's interpretation of what a multiverse is. If there are an infinite number of them, each of them is different in some way from all the others, eventually, in the concept of infinity, you have to get to worlds where meaning breaks down in an infinite number of ways and infinite levels of degree. Even if every world isn't different, even if the potential for difference exists, infinity eventually encompasses every possible level of meaning at the core of the worlds. There is a world where Poplar Street is paved in gold. There is one where it only has 2 feet paved in gold and no one ever finished it. There's a world where Cary is a pink anthropomorphic elephant. There's one where he's blue instead. There's one where he's still human but has one elephant ear. There is one where you are the major of the town. Infinity. The very nature of it means that every possible combination of the makeup of a universe exists with in a multiverse with an infinite number of universes. Every possible combination and each atom in each of those worlds has a universe in it that is also different in the smallest of ways or the largest of ways or both. I did not get that from comic books, but anything that did come from a comic book is equally as valid a story mechanic as anything King writes and it is a gigantic dick head of a statement to imply that if I had taken my idea of a multiverse from comics that it would be a somehow invalid concept in discussing King's multiverse just because it came form picture books. So, nice dick move, dick.



It's offense you maybe can't live with because it opens up a crack inside your thinking, and if you look down into it you see there are evil things down there, and they have little yellow eyes that don't blink, and there's a stink down there in that dark and after a while you think maybe there's a whole other universe where a square moon rises in the sky, and the stars laugh in cold voices, and some of the triangles have four sides, and some have five, and some have five raised to the fifth power of sides. In this universe there might grow roses which sing. Everything leads to everything, he would have told them if he could. --Stephen King, It


“The universe (he said) offers a paradox too great for the finite mind to grasp. As the living brain cannot conceive of a nonliving brain — although it may think it can — the finite mind cannot grasp the infinite.”
― Stephen King, The Gunslinger


“If you fell outward to the limit of the universe, would you find a board fence and signs reading DEAD END? No. You might find something hard and rounded, as the chick must see the egg from the inside. And if you should peck through that shell (or find a door), what great and torrential light might shine through your opening at the end of space? Might you look through and discover our entire universe is but part of one atom on a blade of grass? Might you be forced to think that by burning a twig you incinerate an eternity of eternities? That existence rises not to one infinite but to an infinity of them?”
― Stephen King, The Gunslinger


"Imagine the sand of the Mohaine Desert, which you crossed to find me, and imagine a trillion universes - not worlds by universes - encapsulated in each grain of that desert; and within each universe an infinity of others. We tower over these universes from our pitiful grass vantage point; with one swing of your boot you may knock a billion billion worlds flying off into darkness, a chain never to be completed. --Stephen King, The Gunslinger

[pathoftheturtle]

I have always wished that I had read "The Regulators" before reading "Desperation". "Desperation" is the better book IMHO and I think it would have been even better if set-up by "The Regulators". No tangible reason just my gut I suppose.I did. And I'm glad I did. I think you're right. I felt, reading Desperation, great delight that it was so much better than the other.


I did not get that from comic books, but anything that did come from a comic book is equally as valid a story mechanic as anything King writes and it is a gigantic dick head of a statement to imply that if I had taken my idea of a multiverse from comics that it would be a somehow invalid concept in discussing King's multiverse just because it came form picture books. So, nice dick move, dick.You're inferring too much from what I said, and even if I did imply some part of that, this would be an overreaction. I think it was a civil question, and none of my objections were so heated.




"The universe (he said) offers a paradox too great for the finite mind to grasp. As the living brain cannot conceive of a nonliving brain -- although it may think it can -- the finite mind cannot grasp the infinite."
-- Stephen King, The Gunslinger


"If you fell outward to the limit of the universe, would you find a board fence and signs reading DEAD END? No. You might find something hard and rounded, as the chick must see the egg from the inside. And if you should peck through that shell (or find a door), what great and torrential light might shine through your opening at the end of space? Might you look through and discover our entire universe is but part of one atom on a blade of grass? Might you be forced to think that by burning a twig you incinerate an eternity of eternities? That existence rises not to one infinite but to an infinity of them"
-- Stephen King, The Gunslinger


"Imagine the sand of the Mohaine Desert, which you crossed to find me, and imagine a trillion universes - not worlds by universes - encapsulated in each grain of that desert; and within each universe an infinity of others. We tower over these universes from our pitiful grass vantage point; with one swing of your boot you may knock a billion billion worlds flying off into darkness, a chain never to be completed."
--Stephen King, The Gunslinger
My first thought was, he lied in every word...

And besides...
"People who know me understand that I am not an intellectual ball of fire, and people who have read my work with some critical approval (there are a few; I bribe them) would probably agree that the best of my stuff has come more from the heart than from the head ..."
-- Stephen King, (writing as himself) The Gunslinger (Afterword)


Infinity. The very nature of it means that every possible combination of the makeup of a universe exists with in a multiverse with an infinite number of universes.I used to believe that. Then I went on a trip once with some Native Americans who I had made friends with and I got talking about it somehow. I remember one of them said to me, "You're underestimating infinity."

Please check out this thread: There-are-others-worlds-than-these (http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/showthread.php?777-There-are-others-worlds-than-these.). I would like to hear your thoughts on it.

[Stockerlone]

Diabolos - German Horror Antho.

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/742/medium/PICT2254.JPG

[Bethany]

Working on the Ender Quartet. HELL YEAH!

[Ka-mai]

John Dies at the End.

This is... not what I expected. I'm still trying to decide how I feel about it. Part of me is just so happy to be reading a new book it doesn't even matter. :)

[Stebbins]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51q3tYpGjnL.jpg

[OchrisO]

John Dies at the End.

This is... not what I expected. I'm still trying to decide how I feel about it. Part of me is just so happy to be reading a new book it doesn't even matter. :)

I LOVE that book. The sequel is great as well........but sort of more of the same, so I guess it is only great if you decide you like that one./

[fearless-freak]

JDaTE is part of what i consider to be a rarely seen genre nowadays, weird fiction

Magician by Raymond E Feist

[Ka-mai]

So, I'm still not sure how I feel about it, but it's pretty funny. I actually laughed a little when the ammo fell out of the deer.

That said, the writing is a little clunky. Also, I think part of what's putting me off here is this reminds me A LOT of someone I already know. It sounds like he wrote it. So it's sounding a little less original to me than I think it should... or maybe everyone knows "that guy" and that's why they like it. Thoughts, anyone?

[Ka-mai]

Well, shit. That got really dark, really fast. :beat: The attempt to return to humor with a gorilla-crab is not working for me at all.

[fearless-freak]

wait till you read Spiders

[Ka-mai]

Yeah, maybe I won't be reading Spiders, then. :ninja:

[Ka-mai]

Finally finished JDatE. Still don't really know how I feel about it. Parts of it were really funny and clever. The whole "I was gang raped in the locker room and carved out my rapist's eyes with a knife" thing was a little too much for me. I'm just really sick of sexual assault in my media in general. I feel like pretty much every book, show, movie, has some sort of violation, and I'm just over it. It's not specific to this book, just a pet peeve of mine that this is somehow the go-to way to make your story "edgy" or give someone a tragic back story.

That said, the next book I got out of the library is Horns. :doh: So I'm deciding if I want to read it, or just take it back and get something else instead.

[Patrick]

Recently completed, in order:

NOS4A2, by Joe Hill
WHILE MORTALS SLEEP, by Kurt Vonnegut
THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE, by Neil Gaiman.
SMOKE AND MIRRORS, by Neil Gaiman.
GONE GIRL, by Gillian Flynn. Fantastic book.
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, by Roald Dahl (re-read from my childhood to my kids)L
DOUBLE FEATURE, by Own King. Really enjoyed it.

Current reading: EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE, by Jonathan Safran Foer.

[OchrisO]

Finally finished JDatE. Still don't really know how I feel about it. Parts of it were really funny and clever. The whole "I was gang raped in the locker room and carved out my rapist's eyes with a knife" thing was a little too much for me. I'm just really sick of sexual assault in my media in general. I feel like pretty much every book, show, movie, has some sort of violation, and I'm just over it. It's not specific to this book, just a pet peeve of mine that this is somehow the go-to way to make your story "edgy" or give someone a tragic back story.

That said, the next book I got out of the library is Horns. :doh: So I'm deciding if I want to read it, or just take it back and get something else instead.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja06DJrFe5E

[Jean]

http://ruthlessculture.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/gs.jpg

[Stebbins]

Recently completed, in order:

NOS4A2, by Joe Hill
WHILE MORTALS SLEEP, by Kurt Vonnegut
THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE, by Neil Gaiman.
SMOKE AND MIRRORS, by Neil Gaiman.
GONE GIRL, by Gillian Flynn. Fantastic book.
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, by Roald Dahl (re-read from my childhood to my kids)L
DOUBLE FEATURE, by Own King. Really enjoyed it.

Current reading: EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE, by Jonathan Safran Foer.

You should start keeping a list in the 2013 Read Book List (if you want), I find it very convenient.

[Stebbins]

Recently completed, in order:

NOS4A2, by Joe Hill
WHILE MORTALS SLEEP, by Kurt Vonnegut
THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE, by Neil Gaiman.
SMOKE AND MIRRORS, by Neil Gaiman.
GONE GIRL, by Gillian Flynn. Fantastic book.
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, by Roald Dahl (re-read from my childhood to my kids)L
DOUBLE FEATURE, by Own King. Really enjoyed it.

Current reading: EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE, by Jonathan Safran Foer.

You should start keeping a list in the 2013 Read Book List (if you want), I find it very convenient.

[frik]

http://ruthlessculture.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/gs.jpg

Awesome book! One of Straub's best! (pretty poor movie adaptation, though!)

sk

[Ka-mai]

Finally finished JDatE. Still don't really know how I feel about it. Parts of it were really funny and clever. The whole "I was gang raped in the locker room and carved out my rapist's eyes with a knife" thing was a little too much for me. I'm just really sick of sexual assault in my media in general. I feel like pretty much every book, show, movie, has some sort of violation, and I'm just over it. It's not specific to this book, just a pet peeve of mine that this is somehow the go-to way to make your story "edgy" or give someone a tragic back story.

That said, the next book I got out of the library is Horns. :doh: So I'm deciding if I want to read it, or just take it back and get something else instead.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja06DJrFe5E

:lol: Care to elaborate?

I decided to continue with reading Horns. I love it.

When he confronts Lee and Lee's immune to his horns, I was just like GOD DAMN IT! :rofl: I don't know why I expected the story to resolve that quickly.

[SirFolio16]

Just finished reading King's Joyland and am now re-reading The Shining in order to get ready for Doctor Sleep.

And just like the first time I read it I am loving it.

[OchrisO]

Finally finished JDatE. Still don't really know how I feel about it. Parts of it were really funny and clever. The whole "I was gang raped in the locker room and carved out my rapist's eyes with a knife" thing was a little too much for me. I'm just really sick of sexual assault in my media in general. I feel like pretty much every book, show, movie, has some sort of violation, and I'm just over it. It's not specific to this book, just a pet peeve of mine that this is somehow the go-to way to make your story "edgy" or give someone a tragic back story.

That said, the next book I got out of the library is Horns. :doh: So I'm deciding if I want to read it, or just take it back and get something else instead.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja06DJrFe5E

:lol: Care to elaborate?

I decided to continue with reading Horns. I love it.

When he confronts Lee and Lee's immune to his horns, I was just like GOD DAMN IT! :rofl: I don't know why I expected the story to resolve that quickly.


Oh, just that you didn't love the book unequivocally.

[Jean]

http://ruthlessculture.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/gs.jpg

Awesome book! One of Straub's best! (pretty poor movie adaptation, though!)

sk

yes, so far it's the only Straub book I really love

[frik]

Try Shadowland, Jean - or maybe you have.
After more than 30 years, it's still my favorite Straub.

sk

[Stebbins]

http://violentworldofparker.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/getaway1963.jpg

A quarter of the way through, and it's my favorite Parker novel-- every word is so good. After the last one I read, The Hunter, the first of the Parker novels, I was glad I started with Comeback. Hunter was still incredible prose, but I felt Stark was still finding the voice a bit (but that could be from starting with Comeback). The way Stark seamlessly interjects the surroundings of his story is masterful.

[Jean]

Try Shadowland, Jean - or maybe you have.
After more than 30 years, it's still my favorite Straub.

skI will, thank you!

[Ka-mai]

The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides. I definitely prefer his other book, Middlesex. This one isn't holding my attention.

[Merlin1958]

http://ruthlessculture.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/gs.jpg


Now, that is a good book!!! Enjoy!!

[Empath of the White]

A Dance with Dragons. Having read only two Reek chapters, I can tell you book Ramsay is more terrifying and capable than show Ramsay. He's less a joker and more a sadist, what with lady Waynwood (or was it Hornwood?) and all.

[Ruthful]

http://expressmilwaukee.com/imgs/hed/art7064widea.jpg

http://masteradmissions.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Moneyball.jpg

[Ruthful]

A Dance with Dragons. Having read only two Reek chapters, I can tell you book Ramsay is more terrifying and capable than show Ramsay. He's less a joker and more a sadist, what with lady Waynwood (or was it Hornwood?) and all.

I've only watched one episode of GOT, but I get the impression that George R.R. Martin took a lot of liberties adapting his work to television. Right now I'm about three hundred pages into the fourth book of ASOIAF, which I've been assured is awful. So far, I disagree with that assessment.

[fearless-freak]

finally managed to find a copy of Eyes of The Dragon by Stephen King

[fernandito]

Right now I'm about three hundred pages into the fourth book of ASOIAF, which I've been assured is awful. So far, I disagree with that assessment.

It's not awful, it just catches a lot of flak because it doesn't feature any of the three central characters.

[Ka-mai]

What Feev said. I had to read it twice because the first time I was so ticked Tyrion wasn't in it. But the second time around I got really attached to some of the new characters. At this point I kind of think ADWD is the weak point... but that may be because it's a transition point between the set up of 1-4 and the conclusion of 6-7.

I love Eyes of the Dragon, I feel like people don't pay enough attention to it.

[fearless-freak]

i've never read Eyes or Cycle of The Werewolf before and about books 4&5 of ASoIAF they're set during the same period, book 4 is set in kings landing and dance is set in the north and across the narrow sea

[Patrick]

Recently completed, in order:

NOS4A2, by Joe Hill
WHILE MORTALS SLEEP, by Kurt Vonnegut
THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE, by Neil Gaiman.
SMOKE AND MIRRORS, by Neil Gaiman.
GONE GIRL, by Gillian Flynn. Fantastic book.
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, by Roald Dahl (re-read from my childhood to my kids)L
DOUBLE FEATURE, by Own King. Really enjoyed it.

Current reading: EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE, by Jonathan Safran Foer.

You should start keeping a list in the 2013 Read Book List (if you want), I find it very convenient.
Thanks. I often start keeping a list, then flake out on updating it. I kept a full one in 2012 for the first time. I need to go back and figure out what I have read in 2013 (prior to those above) before I forget completely.

Thanks again for prodding me!

[Patrick]

... about books 4&5 of ASoIAF they're set during the same period, book 4 is set in kings landing and dance is set in the north and across the narrow sea

Quoting this as it is good to know going in. I learned this concurrent timeline concept about Books 4 & 5 just before I launched into Book 4. It helped me a lot as I didn't spend the whole story going, "Yeah, but what about everyone else?!"

[WeDealInLead]

I just finished Speaks the Nightbird by Robert McCammon. I devoured it. The ending killed me. Not many books get to me that way (Simmons and King almost always do) but the ending to this one left me with a heavy heart. It's easily in my top 10 reads this year.

I felt I needed more McCammon after Speaks so I picked up The Nightboat, read a single (yes, one) page and put it down. It's very rough. And, come on... "Nazi ghost ship?" Life's too short for that.

Reading: Last Call by Tim Powers.

[Lurker]

WELL, for some reason it tells me I cannot post in the thread about the Vanity Fair interview in the new issue. So I'll put it here and maybe someone can explain that little glich to me.
I subscribe to VF and just got my issue and there is an interview with Stephen King at the back. It's the "Proust Interview" they have every month. Maybe someone can move this to there...

[Empath of the White]

On A Feast for Crows: I enjoyed Aeron, Euron, Victarion, and Asha's chapters the most. Marwyn was cool, despite the fact that he was in it for a very short while. Brienne's last chapter got more of an emotional reaction from me than the Red Wedding (book version, that is). :rock:

[Yaksha]

Dust & Decay the second book in the Rot & Ruin series. man do I love a good zombie novel

[Ka-mai]

On A Feast for Crows: I enjoyed Aeron, Euron, Victarion, and Asha's chapters the most. Marwyn was cool, despite the fact that he was in it for a very short while. Brienne's last chapter got more of an emotional reaction from me than the Red Wedding (book version, that is). :rock:

Victarion and Asha are my favorites. :wub: Aeron and Euron, while not exactly endearing, are interesting characters as well. I feel like he could write an entire series on the Iron Islands. As for Marwyn... I feel interesting things are in store for both Daenerys and Sam. I can't wait to see where that goes.

[frik]

http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0131/4012/products/Frazetta-Special_1024x1024.jpg?1754

sk

[fearless-freak]

Elves War-Fighting Manual by Den Patrick

[Ruthful]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikisource/en/thumb/1/15/1917_Dubliners_by_James_Joyce.djvu/page1-360px-1917_Dubliners_by_James_Joyce.djvu.jpg

[jhanic]

Can't make out the title.

John

[DoctorZaius]

http://ruthlessculture.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/gs.jpg

Awesome book! One of Straub's best! (pretty poor movie adaptation, though!)

sk

yes, so far it's the only Straub book I really love

Jean (and others), you should try Koko - phenominal read (American bias again since it's about how Vietnam haunts a group of soldiers). Brilliant! Floating Dragon is pretty good too.

[Jean]

the only other Straub I have at the moment is Dark Matter; reading it now.

[DoctorZaius]

the only other Straub I have at the moment is Dark Matter; reading it now.

I'd be interested in your take on Dark Matter - it didn't work for me.

[Jean]

no Straub I've read so far really worked for me. I'll try to elaborate on it when I'm back

[divemaster]

For Straub, I've read Ghost Story, Koko, Floating Dragon, and the two books he did with King. The only one I really cared for was Black House, which I loved. The others...meh. Not a big Straub fan, obviously.

[Dan]

I really liked Dark Matter.

[mae]

Just got my John Updike: The Collected Stories two-volume set:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51OSap%2ByBfL.jpg

[jhanic]

http://ruthlessculture.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/gs.jpg

Awesome book! One of Straub's best! (pretty poor movie adaptation, though!)

sk

yes, so far it's the only Straub book I really love

Jean (and others), you should try Koko - phenominal read (American bias again since it's about how Vietnam haunts a group of soldiers). Brilliant! Floating Dragon is pretty good too.

I read Koko and ended up having some nightmares--I served on the ground in Vietnam and have a bit of PTSD. I won't read it again.

John

[fearless-freak]

okay, i've got a number of books for my next choice but i'm not sure which one to read first

Stephen King:
The Stand: Complet & Uncut
The Eyes Of The Dragon
From A Buick 8

Clive Barker:
Imajica

James Herbert:
Sepulchre

[mae]

Definitely The Stand.

[Stebbins]

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LNFrSRGamOA/Thfq2ESpJ7I/AAAAAAAAAtI/RQYXeywbj-M/s1600/The+Outfit.jpg

[Jean]

Definitely The Stand.without any doubt

[jhanic]

Definitely The Stand.without any doubt

I agree completely!

John

[SirFolio16]

I'll add another vote for The Stand... it's incredible.

[mattgreenbean]

Imajica is completely different from The Stand, but is just as awesome. Flip a coin on those two.

[DoctorZaius]

As much as I loved The Stand, I would go with Imajica. Everyone eventually gets around to The Stand, while the other is often overlooked.

[fernandito]

Imajica is completely different from The Stand, but is just as awesome. Flip a coin on those two.I love Imajica. That doesn't get nearly the amount of love it deserves.

[pathoftheturtle]

Oh, come on! It's probably the second best book on that list, and "probably the second best book on that list" is pretty precisely the amount of love it deserves.

[Stebbins]

http://www.elmoreleonard.com/images/uploads/stick150.jpg

[Ka-mai]

I just read The Fault in Our Stars. It had parts that seemed contrived and cliche, not to mention the writing style was definitely for younger audiences (yes, I realize it's a young adult novel, that doesn't mean your writing has to be at a lower level). That said, there were some parts that were legitimately funny, brilliant, and real, and I'm still thinking about it.

[Ruthful]

http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1320527957l/208205.jpg

http://gaffigan.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/img/share_image.jpg?1370395712

[Merlin1958]

Mostly Harmless, Douglas Adams


Not sure how the heck I managed to miss this one!! LOL LOL

[Ruthful]

It's better than people give it credit for.

Still, I wish Adams had a chance to write another novel before his death-I'm not counting Starship Titanic.

I just got finished with the Dirk Gently books and was amazed. I might actually like them more than The Hitchhiker's Guide, which is saying a lot.

[ladysai]

The Baroque Cycle by Neal Stephenson

Im on the second book, King of the Vagabonds, and Im really enjoying the series. :)

[DoctorZaius]

It's better than people give it credit for.

Still, I wish Adams had a chance to write another novel before his death-I'm not counting Starship Titanic.

I just got finished with the Dirk Gently books and was amazed. I might actually like them more than The Hitchhiker's Guide, which is saying a lot.

Nice Call! I love the Dirk Gently books - really fun!

[frik]

http://www.marvelmasterworks.com/marvel/hcs/omniboo/images/omni_asm01_reg_b.jpg

sk

[pathoftheturtle]

http://www.marvelmasterworks.com/marvel/hcs/omniboo/images/omni_asm01_reg_b.jpg

skOne of the great scenes from this, which really makes you think:
http://comiclists.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/jameson-asm10.jpg

[pathoftheturtle]

Mostly Harmless, Douglas Adams


Not sure how the heck I managed to miss this one!! LOL LOLIt's better than people give it credit for. Can we compromise on that? It is not all bad, but I still think not as good as the others.

And another +1 here for the Dirk Gently books.

[Bev Vincent]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51voQIRl7iL.jpg

[Merlin1958]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51voQIRl7iL.jpg

I have seen these books before and passed. Any recommendations, thoughts to share?

[fearless-freak]

i've got the omnibus editions of the first two Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, The Unbeliever

[DoctorDodge]

Tried reading the first chronicles once. Wasn't really my cup of tea, tbh. A really cool idea, but the fantasy world itself didn't interest me as much as I hoped it would.

[frik]

I adore the first Thomas Covenant trilogy, and really like the second as well. I've heard really good things about this third series, but just as many negative comments. I have no idea, as I haven't read The Final Chronicles yet.
Donaldson's a wonderful author -i really love his The Gap science fiction series- but seems to be an acquired taste.

sk

[fearless-freak]

i'm surprised that they haven't been optioned for tv of film

[Bev Vincent]

They are difficult books. You think Roland is a hard guy to like! Thomas Covenant is so pig-headed and obstinate in his refusal to believe that he's in another land that he does terrible things. However, it's a marvelous, inventive series. It owes only a little to Tolkien. I started reading them when The One Tree came out and have been reading each of the four final books as they were published. That's been a long slog, too, but the end is near.

[dnemec]

I read The Black Train by Edward Lee over the last two days and really enjoyed it. Any Edward Lee fans on here that could recommend some of his other books?

[Ruthful]

Mostly Harmless, Douglas Adams


Not sure how the heck I managed to miss this one!! LOL LOLIt's better than people give it credit for. Can we compromise on that? It is not all bad, but I still think not as good as the others.

And another +1 here for the Dirk Gently books.

Oh, I agree. It's not nearly as good as some of the other Hitchhiker books. I just think it comes in for an undeserved amount of criticism. Eoin Colfer's book is also better than I think people are willing to admit. Still, I miss Douglas Adams.

[fearless-freak]

i must be one of the few here to have never read any Douglas Adams

[mattgreenbean]

Really been wanting to read the Thomas Covenant books, but right now I'm working on Ghost Story by Straub.

[Jean]

i must be one of the few here to have never read any Douglas Adams
bears too. I am going to remedy it as soon as possible

matt: how do you like Ghost Story?

[mikeC]

Hi, I was wondering if you guys could help me decide on whether I should listen to Hell House by Matheson or Hill House by Jackson next month. I'll probably read one this year and the other next year. I love the b/w Hill house movie and a lot of people say it's a scary book but I do like Matheson's short stories a lot. It's kind of a toss up.
I listened to Ghost Story last October, that was pretty great.

[Odetta]

Just finished World War Z... Haven't seen the movie yet but I can't imagine that the movie follows the book at all! The book is more like a series of reports or short stories.

[fernandito]

Loved the book.
Movie was average.

[Ka-mai]

Bag of Bones. :) I needed a reread.

[jhanic]

Hi, I was wondering if you guys could help me decide on whether I should listen to Hell House by Matheson or Hill House by Jackson next month. I'll probably read one this year and the other next year. I love the b/w Hill house movie and a lot of people say it's a scary book but I do like Matheson's short stories a lot. It's kind of a toss up.
I listened to Ghost Story last October, that was pretty great.

They both have their advantages. I personally would do Matheson first, but that's just me. Jackson's Hill House is great too.

John

[Dan]

Reading....Doctor Sleep. Actually started yesterday.

[WeDealInLead]

H.G. Wells - The Invisible Man
Stephen King - Doctor Sleep
Christopher Golden - Tell My Sorrows to the Stones
Tim Powers - Last Call

[Ruthful]

i must be one of the few here to have never read any Douglas Adams

It's never too late to start.

:)

[Jean]

Hi, I was wondering if you guys could help me decide on whether I should listen to Hell House by Matheson or Hill House by Jackson next month. I'll probably read one this year and the other next year. I love the b/w Hill house movie and a lot of people say it's a scary book but I do like Matheson's short stories a lot. It's kind of a toss up.
I listened to Ghost Story last October, that was pretty great.

They both have their advantages. I personally would do Matheson first, but that's just me. Jackson's Hill House is great too.

John

Jackson's is one of my favorite books ever

[Odetta]

Loved the book.
Movie was average.

Yes, I enjoyed the book as well. I'll watch the movie at some point but I won't expect too much!

[fearless-freak]

yet the movie's getting a sequel

[Mattrick]

Blindness by Jose Saramago.

[Stebbins]

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cM9WajkAdys/SygyQQVbT4I/AAAAAAAAAqk/O3r_2hUMBQE/s400/TheMourner.jpg

[Merlin1958]

i must be one of the few here to have never read any Douglas Adams

It's never too late to start.

:)

Sad, but "Ruthful" is spot on!! Get busy!! You will thank all of us, afterwards!!!


Of course, reading "Dr. Sleep"!!!

[needfulthings]

A GOOD PLACE TO START.
http://imageshack.us/a/img5/2883/q5gf.jpg

[Mattrick]

Never read Douglas Adams. Hitchhikers Guide doesn't really interest me.

[Merlin1958]

Never read Douglas Adams. Hitchhikers Guide doesn't really interest me.

Your profound loss.

[mattgreenbean]

i must be one of the few here to have never read any Douglas Adams
bears too. I am going to remedy it as soon as possible

matt: how do you like Ghost Story?

I'm enjoying it, but for some reason I keep thinking that it's set in early america instead of the seventies. I guess its just the way he wrote it that it fells like a classic horror story.

[Jean]

Never read Douglas Adams. Hitchhikers Guide doesn't really interest me.

Your profound loss.
Evidently, mine too. I know I have to get around to trying it again some day.




i must be one of the few here to have never read any Douglas Adams
bears too. I am going to remedy it as soon as possible

matt: how do you like Ghost Story?

I'm enjoying it, but for some reason I keep thinking that it's set in early america instead of the seventies. I guess its just the way he wrote it that it fells like a classic horror story.
Yes. This old-fashioned flavor is something I enjoyed most about the novel.

[Merlin1958]

Never read Douglas Adams. Hitchhikers Guide doesn't really interest me.

Your profound loss.
Evidently, mine too. I know I have to get around to trying it again some day.




i must be one of the few here to have never read any Douglas Adams
bears too. I am going to remedy it as soon as possible

matt: how do you like Ghost Story?

I'm enjoying it, but for some reason I keep thinking that it's set in early america instead of the seventies. I guess its just the way he wrote it that it fells like a classic horror story.
Yes. This old-fashioned flavor is something I enjoyed most about the novel.


Jean, if you can appreciate droll English humor you must read this book and RATEOTU!!! Classic Sci-Fi fun!!! I can't tell you how many times that I actually "LOL" whilst reading it!!!

[Garrell]

The Shining - finally!!!

[Jean]

Never read Douglas Adams. Hitchhikers Guide doesn't really interest me.

Your profound loss.
Evidently, mine too. I know I have to get around to trying it again some day.




i must be one of the few here to have never read any Douglas Adams
bears too. I am going to remedy it as soon as possible

matt: how do you like Ghost Story?

I'm enjoying it, but for some reason I keep thinking that it's set in early america instead of the seventies. I guess its just the way he wrote it that it fells like a classic horror story.
Yes. This old-fashioned flavor is something I enjoyed most about the novel.


Jean, if you can appreciate droll English humor you must read this book and RATEOTU!!! Classic Sci-Fi fun!!! I can't tell you how many times that I actually "LOL" whilst reading it!!!

This does it. Will read as soon as I finish the ones currently on the "to read NOW" list

[Merlin1958]

I put "Mostly Harmless" on hold to read "Dr. Sleep". As a big fan of "the Shining" I am enjoying this book very much!!! Love the tie-ins and references not to mention the sort of, similarities/ironies between the two books.

[ladysai]

Finished The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman, and Joyland by SK. I enjoyed Joyland more than I expected!

Now about halfway through The Terror by Dan Simmons.

[Ruthful]

The last story in that collection is online:

http://www.lib.ru/ADAMS/dayz1_.txt

[noal]

http://imageshack.com/a/img14/1967/mkj2.jpg

This is my third read through but this man was so incredibly complex that I sometimes refuse to believe that one man alone could have lived that life.

[Jean]

Now about halfway through The Terror by Dan Simmons.post in Simmons thread when you've finished! I am totally crazy about this book, and would love to talk about it again and again.

currently reading: Doctor Sleep (at last)

[Ruthful]

The Origins of the Koran: Classic Essays on Islam's Holy Book, edited by Ibn Warraq

[SirFolio16]

Finished Doctor Sleep, and now I am doing a re-read of Night Shift.

And then I think its time for a re-read of IT

[Merlin1958]

Finished Doctor Sleep, and now I am doing a re-read of Night Shift.

And then I think its time for a re-read of IT

As did I, just now. I really, really enjoyed this book!!!! Back to "Mostly Harmless".



The "Oh Shit" moment (The Torrance family tree) toward the end really got me hook, line and sinker!! I'm slipping these days. I usually figure those out in advance. Also, to be fair, in advance I swore that Danny would not make it. I was dead wrong!! Which, if King is up to it, leaves room for all kinds of possibilities in the future.

[Patrick]

Finished The Handmaid's Tale, by Margaret Atwood.

Now reading, Doctor Sleep, by SK.

[mae]

Finished The Handmaid's Tale, by Margaret Atwood.


Hope you voted for it in the Top 100 poll up now.

[Ruthful]

http://microcerpt.com/josephconrad/wp-content/blogs.dir/159/files/2013/04/lord-jim.jpg

[Ka-mai]

I'm rereading The Catcher in the Rye because everyone says how great it is and I'm trying very hard to like it, but... I can't.

[Jean]

I'm rereading The Catcher in the Rye because everyone says how great it is and I'm trying very hard to like it, but... I can't.Yes love, and I never could, either; we've already discussed it here (http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/showthread.php?8455-The-Catcher-in-the-Rye), remember? If you have something to add after the reread (whether or not your opinion changes), just post there.

[ladysai]

Just started Doctor Sleep...and its fantastic so far!

[Ka-mai]

I'm rereading The Catcher in the Rye because everyone says how great it is and I'm trying very hard to like it, but... I can't.Yes love, and I never could, either; we've already discussed it here (http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/showthread.php?8455-The-Catcher-in-the-Rye), remember? If you have something to add after the reread (whether or not your opinion changes), just post there.

I vaguely remember, I'll have to go back and find what I said so I don't repeat myself. But right now, this book is bringing me down so hard it's insane. It's sooooo depressing. He hates everything, and is obviously some sort of mentally ill (even if it's just being a teenager, which I fully believe can be a form of mental illness brought on by hormonal changes). But I tried twice, which is more than I give a lot of books, so at least when people disagree with me I'll have full conviction in my opinion. Sometimes when that happens I think, "wow, I must not have read it right, I'm such an idiot." But this... I'm pretty sure on this.

[Jean]

: nods :

[fearless-freak]

just started Lisey's Story last night

[Jean]

just started Lisey's Story last nighthttp://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g84RRJAG7dI/Tg1e5fGiYBI/AAAAAAAAAlc/uRZ6boGsPjI/s200/preethy.1.gif

[Ka-mai]

:rofl: Another book we agree on completely....

Is Doctor Sleep worth it? I haven't liked a lot of King's most recent work, but I'm curious. If enough people tell me it's decent I'll start rereading The Shining in preparation.

[Jean]

Sarah, frankly, I didn't like anything about it. But if it is one of the rare books we disagree about, I'll be only happy for both you and Sai King...