Survey: What's the Last Book You Read?

[Handothrawn]

Hey this is basically brookie's last movie thread, only with books.

Last finished:
The Dark Tower V: Wolves of the Calla by Stephen King -A++

If you have read the other Tower books this one is just as good if not the best, if you haven't read any of the DT books I suggest you pick up the Gunslinger soon.

Reading Now:
The Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King

I'm nearly finished, and its very good, not written the way King usually writes, but good none the less.

[Leia]

Just read Return of the King a while back. erm, I'll give it an A for detail and for all the work that went into it, but only a B for enjoyability if even that

[Marbleman]

Last book I finished was Off With Their Heads by Dick Morris (C+, A for info) and before that The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan (B, B- for pleasure).

I don't have time to read for "enjoyability" right now though - reading "Withering" Heights, Lao Tzu, and a few others which take up my "reading" time more's the pity. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif

[Jjm3233]

Hidden Empire - KJA = A-

Interesting setting and build-up; empahsizes charcter over action.

[Lord Rocha]

Love in the time of Cholera- Gabriel Garcia Marquez (A)

Another typical novel by Marquez, heavy narrative, excessive sarcasm, evident satire and magical-realist effects. I love it.

The White Apron- S. Vodanovic (A-)

Actually written as a play, it is an example of the political and social differences between the proletariat and the high class. And at the end, the proletariat mocks the bourgeoisie.

[frootylupes]

the davinci code....good read.....A

[Handothrawn]

Just started a reread of Dark Tower IV, Wizard and Glass, I'll give in a B+ for enjoyability. Can you tell I read too much Stephen King?

[Spacehunter24]

Last novel I read was TIMELINE by Michael Crichton. Got distracted from it when it first came out, but decided to reread and finish it after I saw the movie. Overall, I'd give it about a 8/10. (I liked the movie more, though.)

[cj790]

South of the Border, West of the Sun - by Haruki Murakami. I'd give it an A-.

I really love Murakami.
I think this book wasn't his greateset. but was still a fanatstic read peppered with beautiful descriptions and touching philosophy. It starts off well and the ending is simply fantastic, though it loses itself slightly in the middle somewhere; the characters (having been separated) are older, mature, successful, and there is a feeling of them having added layers upon layers of lies and frivolities, as though the time lost between them has been filled with foolish gratifications which do not suit the true nature of the characters themselves. When they meet again, for a while they are still speaking as these unreal versions of themselves; it takes a while before they can connect again, and this becomes somewhat not as interesting as what has preceeded, and what will come next.
Top class, despite this minor flaw.

[Jjm3233]

Elizabeth: The Struggle for the Throne, by David Starkey - A.

An easy read detailing the first 25 years of Queen Elizabeth I life; fairly interesting.

[Brian]

The Dark Glory War by Michael A. Stackpole.

[Jjm3233]

I Sing the Body Electric! by Ray Bradbury - A-

A collection of Bradbury's short stories, some sci-fi, some not.

[brookie]

Originally posted by Jjm3233@Feb 4 2004, 09:24 AM
I Sing the Body Electric! by Ray Bradbury - A-

A collection of Bradbury's short stories, some sci-fi, some not.
ray bradbury kicks ass, one of the finest sci-fi authors ever!!!

[Jjm3233]

Originally posted by brookie+Feb 4 2004, 11:02 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(brookie @ Feb 4 2004, 11:02 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'> <!--QuoteBegin-Jjm3233@Feb 4 2004, 09:24 AM
I Sing the Body Electric! by Ray Bradbury - A-

A collection of Bradbury's short stories, some sci-fi, some not.
ray bradbury kicks ass, one of the finest sci-fi authors ever!!! [/b][/quote]
Absolutely!

[Greedo Boy]

The Elfstones of Shannara - A

By Terry Brooks

[Handothrawn]

About halfway through 'Salem's Lot, by Stephen King, B+

[Greedo Boy]

A little over half-way through The Wishsong of Shannara - A

By Terry Brooks

[Grim Jackal]

I finished reading Diamond Dogs, a novella by Alistair Reynolds, and set in his Revelation Space universe.

Grade: A

I thouroughly enjoyed it, but not so much the second novella in the book (Turquoise Days).

I've just started reading Into The Darkness, by Harry Turtledove. Frankly, I may never grade this book because I may not finish it. I'm just not enjoying it. If someone here has read Turledove's Darkness series, can you tell me if it's worth pressing ahead? It's all the abrupt introductions to characters all over the place that's bugging me.

[RollaFett]

An early draft of "Star Wars- The Rising Darkness- Part One- Lair of the Sith" by our very own Tovor.
I would give it a rating of 4 stars out of 5.

[Handothrawn]

Just started The Rising by Brian Keene, good read, I picked it up while looking for I Am Legend...

[Jjm3233]

HMS Surprise - Patrick O'Brian - A-

[Jjm3233]

The Mauritius Command by Patrick O'Brian - B+

[cj790]

Phillip Pullman: Northern Lights = C+

I wasn't really taken with this book for a long while - in fact I found the first half really tough going. I didn't like the character of Lyra at all; I found her to be too saccarine, too cool-kid, too unrealistic. And I'm really fed up of the romantic gypsy life in chuildren's fiction; maybe it's because I just lived in East Anglia for 6 years, but his interpretation of the lifestyle and area didn't hit home for me at all.
That said, I thought it did pick up when they finally went north. Not becasue there was more action, but because the characters seemed to become more fleshed out and the mysteries stared to become mysterious.
I did guess the end in advance, which was a little disappointing, and I thought the scene between Asriel and Mrs. Coulter to be quite poor; but overall the second half of the book just about outweighed the faults of the first.

I'm beginning the Subtle Knife, an I'm already enjoying that style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

[Handothrawn]

The Rising= b+

[bluemilk]

Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz = A++

It may not be his best novel ever but I loooooved it because I'm so much like the protagonist that I finally found a novel where I could relate to the main character (aside from his umm weird gift)

[one with many names]

Last book i read was The Invisible Man by H G Wells. And i can't think of any other books to read right now, anyone know any good victorian sci-fi stories to read?

[bluemilk]

no but how do you feel aboot ancient Egyptian murder mysteries? If it sounds cool then read the Lord Meren Mysteries by Lynda S. Robinson.

[Ripley the Warmaster]

half-way through a re-read of Dark Force Rising by Tim Zahn. B, good book, but by far the weak point of the trilogy.

[Leia]

Originally posted by bluemilk@Feb 22 2004, 07:52 PM
no but how do you feel aboot ancient Egyptian murder mysteries? If it sounds cool then read the Lord Meren Mysteries by Lynda S. Robinson.
I was just about to ask you about those! I remembered that you'd written a whole bunch in your list of favorite books and was going to ask you who they were by... I keep forcing myself to read whatsisname Doherty books and they suck. I hate them. But I was forcing myself to read them because they're about Ancient Egypt and I want to read something about Ancient Egypt!!! So I will see if any of those are at my library style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

I went on a reading spree this past week or so... style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

The Choice by um... Lynne Ewing? not sure if that's the right first name. I'd give that one a B+. The series is for young adults and it's really fun. It's pretty unrealistic, but it's a really neat read style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

The Shepherd Kings by Judith Tarr. Now there's an author who can right good Ancient Egypt historical fiction! This one is about the overthrow of the Hyksos. It's really awesome. It has part in Crete too! I'd give that one an A

The Alphabet of Thorn by Patricia A. McKillip. This started out really annoying... I really didn't like the author's style of writing, it was a bit too flowery. But it got better... I eventually got into it style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif so I'll give it a B- The plot is much to complicated to explain, but it's a fantasy...

Dreams of Gold by Maynard F. Thompson. Plain fiction. I just grabbed it off the shelf (it was near Judith Tarr's books... style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif ). It's about a figure skater in the leading pair's team in the US whose partner suffers a nerve injury to his hand (he can't do lifts anymore or anything). So she goes off to Tokyo to train with her childhood trainer for the 2004 olympics in singles. The book flip flops between her childhood in Japan, the present in Japan and other people back in Boston where she'd been skating before. It's a great story, I'd give it an A

[bulla]

Harry Potter and the Goblet of fire

Easily the best of the first 4 potter books. Need to read the first 3 really to appreciate it though.

[Jjm3233]

Tactics of Mistake by Gordon R. Dickson - A

[Soontir Solo]

You should read Order of the Phoenix balla, it wipes the floor with even the 4th one.

The Last Full Measure, by Jeff Shaara............A
Awesome book!

[Handothrawn]

It, by Stephen King. It was great, I recommend it to everyone.

[Soontir Solo]

Just started Gone for Soldiers by Jeff Shaara, so far its good. I'll have an official grade in a day or two.

[Dutch]

What are books?

[STar war spUNK]

The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks... it was pretty good

[flo fett]

I just finished 'Cuckoo' by Richard Wright. It wasn't bad, not great but not bad.
The blurb reads:

Greg Summers is an ordinary man in a mundane job with a contented wife and a future snug enough to struggle for. Until one day it changes. That day her returns home to discover that his wife no longer recognises him at all, that his wife is in fact married to another man called Greg Summers.
Perhaps it is an elaborate hoax, a conspiracy to unnerve and derange him.

Yet that wouldn't account for the extraordinarily vivid flashbacks to his early years, or the stray memories that come from nowhere and belong to an entirely separate man. A man called Jameson. One of these men is a lie, and neither wish it to be he. On the run from a creature that cannot exist, his comfortable truths irrevocably shattered.

It's better than the blurb makes it sound and it has lovely gore in it, so have a read. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif

[jedibrat]

The Space Trilogy (Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength) by C. S. Lewis. Actually, it's a re-read, but I always re-read my favorite books, so yeah. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

[Angel Starmaster]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>Phillip Pullman: Northern Lights = C+[/b][/quote]

Cj790, isn't the Title of that book, "The Golden Compass?" I'm reading that (The "His Dark Materials" Series) right now. I'm halfway through book three, "The Amber Spyglass."

And by the way stick with it. the story gets MUCH better. It took me until the middle of "The Subtle Knife" to realize that Will world was our own and Lyra actually lives in an alternate reality.

Best book series I've ever read however was;
The Sword Of Truth Saga, by Terry Goodkind
Here's the list for those interested, and my rating on them;
1) Wizards First Rule- A++++
2) The Stone Of Tears-A+
3) The Blood Of The Fold-B+
4) The Temple Of The Winds-A++++
5) The Soul Of The Fire- B- (It's a set-up for book six)
6) Faith Of The Fallen- A++++
7) The Pillars Of Creation- B+ (Also a set up for the following book)
8) Naked Empire- A+

and the short Novella, "A Debt Of Bones" which is a prequel to the series, but to be read at about...between books 4 and 5.
By the way, i consider this series to be better than LotR AND Wheel Of Time. Much faster pace, more realistic characters, MUCH less word, but just as epic a fantasy/adventure.

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/scratchchin.gif I so want a Mord Sith of my own... style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/w00t.gif

[bluemilk]

dang it I'm going to spell this wrong...

The Silmarillion by Tolkien

[cj790]

Angel Starmaster - I'm guessing you're in America? I think they must have changed the titles (a la Harry Potter) for you guys again.
I agree with you; it did get better when they moved north. I'm almost at the end of the Subtle Knife now and have much preferred this one.

Just finished The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy - C +

Some absolutely hilarious, laugh out load moments; and an entertaining romp throughout. Maybe a little dated now, with some of the uberBritish attitudes and language having eroded in the MTV age. Made it seem quite quaint at some times.

[Jjm3233]

The Commodore - By Patrick O'Brian - B

[Sluggo]

C. S. Lewis's The Abolition of Man
B+

Tricky to read, but it addresses an important topic, basically the need for religious belief in world that teaches otherwise. I liked it.

[Sluggo]

*bump*

nobody reads anymore?

[kopernikuz]

Originally posted by cj790@Mar 22 2004, 04:47 AM
Just finished The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy - C +

I loved HHGTG... I've read the whole series, but it's been some time...


I'm reading Insomnia by Stephen King. I'd been re-reading the whole Dark Tower series trying to catch up to the current one that's out, but decided to take a break and read something else by King that alludes to the Dark Tower world.

[cj790]

Just finished The Restraunt at the End of the Universe - C+
Same feelings for HHGTTG.

Which one's your favourite Kopernikuz?

[Handothrawn]

Just finished The Waste Lands by Stephen King and just started Wizard and Glass, trying to get ready for Song of Susannah.

[JediKeri]

Last book I read was Glorious Apearing by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. It was an awsome book, and I read it twice because it was so good.

[RollaFett]

"Q is for Quarry" by Sue Grafton. Private eye novel revolving around an 18 year old unsolved murder of an unidentified teenager.
2 1/2 stars out of 5. Just could never really get into this, hell, it took me about 3 months to finish it! Not as good as her usual work.

[Jjm3233]

Post Captain by Patrick O'Brian - B+

[Greedo Boy]

The Hobbit - A

Definitely the best of the Middle Earth books!

[Leia]

You haven't read all the middle earth books style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif Namely, ROTK and the Simarillion

[Soontir Solo]

The Book of Romans: I'd give it a A-, of course its good but there are some biblical books that I enjoy more.

[DarthAnakin]

I'm currently reading The Silmarillion by JRR Tolkien. So far, it's AMAZING!!!

[flo fett]

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix B *hangs her head in shame* yes I do like harry potter
A Short History of Everything- By Bill Bryson A+ Everyone should read this

[cj790]

Life, the Universe and Everything - Douglas Adams: C+

My favourite so far of the HHGTTG series, because it had the most scope and flair. Was also fiendishly surreal.

[Tenira]

I have just finished reading Assassin's Quest by Robin Hobb, of the Farseer Trilogy. SHE IS AWESOME! These books are absolutly great, anything by Robin Hobb I would recommend since I have read all nine of her books. I love them so much, it's a really great series and storyline, very unique and it's one of the best fantasy books i've read. It's got alot of action and alot of intrigue too. Please read, very very good!

[Jjm3233]

Dungeon, Fire & Sword: The Knights Templar in the Crusades by John J. Robinson - B - Robinson does a good job making an historical narrative out of the Templars story.

[Tenira]

I also read the first two books of Wheel Of Time. They were very disappointing, a virtual carbon-copy of Lord of The Rings. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/blink.gif

[Fluke Skywalker]

Best book (I've read) - Byzantium by Stephen Lawhead A+, closely followed by The Hobbit which I could read over and over especially the illustrated version.style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumbsup.gif

I've just finished Survivor's Quest which was interesting but I enjoyed Tatooine Ghost more.

Am half way through Spartan by Valerio Massimo Manfredi which is a bit of a drag and the book of Ezekial in the Bible which is very intersting (for want of a better word).

[cj790]

The Subtle Knife by Phillip Pullman - B

Better than Northern Lights. More tense, epic, and adventurous. Also not as patronising as the latter.

[Jjm3233]

Abandon Ship! - Richard F. Newcomb - B - Story of the Indianapolis and the mission that Robert Shaw riffs on in Jaws.

[Derek R.]

The Da Vinci Code.

[cj790]

...ummm...

was it any good then?

[Derek R.]

Yup, I give it a solid A. Its got some great Historical and Spiritual ideas in it, but it gets a bit slow in the middle. Still, a must read!

[kopernikuz]

Originally posted by Derek R.@Apr 29 2004, 11:54 AM
Yup, I give it a solid A. Its got some great Historical and Spiritual ideas in it, but it gets a bit slow in the middle. Still, a must read!
It's a little on the agenda-edge of fiction writing, flawed journalism... but interesting story... just sketchy research. I suggest doing some research of your own if you plan to read this book... don't take the book at face value. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

[blacksaber]

Wuthering Heights, by Emily Bronte B+ for story C- for too many flowery words and confusing phrases

Grapes of Wrath, by Steinbeck A++ very good read

[Derek R.]

I agree Koper, its one man's opinion. Don't freak out and base your new religeon on it. Davinchism.

[bluemilk]

Star by Star - byyyy I think Troy Denning and Return of the King by Tolkien style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/music.gif

[Sluggo]

Originally posted by kopernikuz+Apr 29 2004, 10:18 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kopernikuz @ Apr 29 2004, 10:18 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'> <!--QuoteBegin-Derek R.@Apr 29 2004, 11:54 AM
Yup, I give it a solid A. Its got some great Historical and Spiritual ideas in it, but it gets a bit slow in the middle. Still, a must read!
It's a little on the agenda-edge of fiction writing, flawed journalism... but interesting story... just sketchy research. I suggest doing some research of your own if you plan to read this book... don't take the book at face value. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif [/b][/quote]
Ah, the Divinci Code was a good read. I think his theology is flawed, but his history didn't seem that bad. Of course, history is so subjective anyway.

[Jjm3233]

Teeth of the Tiger by Tom Clancy - C

[blacksaber]

i am currently reading a tale of two cities and the turn of the screw

[Soontir Solo]

I think im going to read the Da Vinci Code, I keep hearing so much about it.

Anyways the last book I read was The Handmaidens Tale for AP Lit

I hated this book so I give it a D.

[The_Senator_from_Terra]

I recently finished a classic, All's Quiet on the Western Front. And no it wasn't required reading for any sort of class either lol I read it entirely on my own initiative.

The book is amazing. I can't say much about it without writing an essay in this post lol so all I can really say is check it out. It's techinically a war book (WWI) however that is not necesarily the central theme. It's more psychological. Disilusionment and quiet resignation are central themes. I highly reccomend this book. It's quite dated but it's amazing. And you can feel guilt free for rooting for the German soldier (the protagonist is a German infantryman) since it's the first world war and he's not fighting for a government that is founded on Nazism, just a country that was on the losing side of the time. The book is great stop reading my post, go to your local library, find a copy and take it home. You won't be dissapointed.

[The_Senator_from_Terra]

Jjm you're readning Teeth of the Tiger? The last Jack Ryan story! Bittersweet.

I love Clancy. Good choice.

Have you read Red Storm Rising? It's great to read in today's world. When it was written it was all very possible, and no one, even Clancy who was once investigated by the CIA for have an uncanny knack of making incredable predictions in his books and having great insight, foresaw the TOTAL collapse of the Soviet Union, so it's interesting to read that book and to take note of the date it was first published and then remember it wasn't too long after that communism ended in Russia. Sorry I'm rambling. I just love that book though.

[RollaFett]

"Valediction" by Robert B. Parker.
Susan moves across the country and leaves private eye, Spenser, a complete mess while he attempts to locate a missing dancer and avoid getting killed by assorted nasties.
4 stars out of 5.

[kopernikuz]

I am currently reading:

Cry the Beloved Country


I'll rate when I'm finished... good so far.

[Midknight]

I finished the hit book by Tom Clancy: Rainbow 6. Its the best book I ever read, after LOTR. I would recommend it to anyone who likes action and suspense. Its not a political book, its just action and takedowns.

[The_Senator_from_Terra]

I own a copy of Rainbow 6 but have yet to start it, good to know it sounds like I'm in for a treat. John Clark was always my secdond favor character after Jack Ryan.

[Jjm3233]

Originally posted by The_Senator_from_Terra@May 5 2004, 02:50 AM
Jjm you're readning Teeth of the Tiger? The last Jack Ryan story! Bittersweet.

I love Clancy. Good choice.

Have you read Red Storm Rising? It's great to read in today's world. When it was written it was all very possible, and no one, even Clancy who was once investigated by the CIA for have an uncanny knack of making incredable predictions in his books and having great insight, foresaw the TOTAL collapse of the Soviet Union, so it's interesting to read that book and to take note of the date it was first published and then remember it wasn't too long after that communism ended in Russia. Sorry I'm rambling. I just love that book though.
Yes, I enjoyed reading Red Storm Rising - it was actually the first Clancy I read. One of the best NATO vs. Warsaw Pact books, believable reason for starting the war, believable startegies, etc..

Rainbow 6 is a pretty good read, IMHO.

[The_Senator_from_Terra]

Yes you are right on the money when you say Red Storm Rising had perhaps the most realistic cause of a war used in a fictional story. And it's interesting to see that that particular reason is a real possiblity in today's world as well, perhaps maybe more so.

(for anyone who doesn't know, in Red Storm Rising the Soviet Union provokes a war with NATO and uses a first strike lightning war tactic in hopes of bogging down NATO right in the beggning, so in the turmoil they can send other forces into the oil rich countries of the middle east and control the oil there. The reason for that is because Islamic freedom fighters from a Soviet satellite state where the population is almost entirely muslim sabotage an oil production facility in Russia, the biggest and most productive one it has, and its loss will severly cripple the economy and war machine of the Soviet Union for years unless they make a quick and drastic move. However, things don't always work out the way they want them to lol...)

[cj790]

High Rise by J G Ballard - B+

Fantastic book of primal regression in a sophisticated neo-futuristic high rise of the 70s. Very emotive regressive language and themes that hit the right places. Sinister and revealing.

[Midknight]

Im thinking of reading The Bear and the Dragon, has anyone read it? Oh yeah, is there an actual book of Splinter Cell and if so, has anyone read it?

I finished the Red Fox, I forgot the author, if anyone has heard of it, its really good mystery.

[Marbleman]

I liked The Bear and the Dragon, even more detailed and political than Clancy usually is. (which is very detailed and political to the say the least) And Ding Chavez is in it, so it rules.

I just started Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass after having read the Gunslinger a few weeks ago (pretty good) and rereading Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in preparation for the movie.

[Midknight]

Ahhh yes the movie about to come out. I dont think ill be rereding it seeing how I all ready read it 3 times along with everyother Harry Potter book.

[Leia]

Just read A Giant Leap: Man Reaches for the Stars about interstellar travel. It was pretty fascination, although the author made some rather farfetched predictions...

[bluemilk]

<span style="color:purple">The Lord of the Rings: Weapons and Warfare</span> by Chris Smith

I give it 5 out of 5 stars ***** style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

[Leia]

I've got that, it's cool style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

[bluemilk]

very much style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif I have a fairly large LOTR collection and out of all the non-fiction books -- it's my favourite.

[darth bobo]

the last book i read was...

spot the dog

[Lord Rocha]

Dune, huge disappointment. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif

[Tane Kyja]

I read some stuff on the history of Troy style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

[Marbleman]

Originally posted by Lord Rocha@May 13 2004, 10:18 PM
Dune, huge disappointment. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif
style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/huh.gif

What were you expecting Rocha? At least it's better than watching the SciFi movie production.

[cj790]

What stuff Kane Tyja?

[Tane Kyja]

like the histroy about it...it was really wild stuff I know a little about greek Mythology but when I read about this God that God it was like wow style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif there are some books at the Library style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

[Ripley the Warmaster]

The Grand Crusade by Mike Stackpole. B+. It was good, but i thought it could have been a bit shorter.

[Javen]

The Endurance Expedition by Ernest Shackleton.

[cj790]

Sorry for misspelling your name, Tane!
If you like comics I'd recommend Age of Bronze; it's written by a PhD research student Eric Shanower, who is trying to visualize as accurate as possible a reconstruction of the events. It's really interesting!
Have you read Robert Graves' book on Greek Myths? It's quite a user-friendly acount style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

[Tane Kyja]

That's ok cj790 style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

I think I heard of the comics Age of Bronze but I never read any of them...I might have to check them out style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

no I haven't read Greek Myths either but I'll have to check it out. I really don't know to much about Greek Myths but I know a little and when I saw the trailer for Troy I wanted to know what the real histroy was so that's when started reading about it style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

[Lord Rocha]

Originally posted by Marbleman+May 13 2004, 09:04 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Marbleman @ May 13 2004, 09:04 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'> <!--QuoteBegin-Lord Rocha@May 13 2004, 10:18 PM
Dune, huge disappointment. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif
style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/huh.gif

What were you expecting Rocha? At least it's better than watching the SciFi movie production. [/b][/quote]
I am not really into Science Fiction, with the exception of Star Wars, heck my favorite authors are Gabriel Garcia Marquez and John Steinbeck !

And the protagonist, Paul, was too arrogant, you could predict the end of this book, and of course I am not going to bother to read the rest of the series.

[Lord Rocha]

Originally posted by The_Senator_from_Terra@May 6 2004, 10:27 AM
I own a copy of Rainbow 6 but have yet to start it, good to know it sounds like I'm in for a treat. John Clark was always my secdond favor character after Jack Ryan.
Rainbow Six is among Clancy worst, and that is something...

Has NO stoty, NO point, and it only present "liberal eco wackos" trying to purify Mother Earth, ah...and Clark and his trigger happy friends.

In the other hand, Red Storm Rising is easily among Clancy's best (my second favorite from him after "Cardinal of the Kremlin"), a way different story.

[Soontir Solo]

The Da Vinci Code

A very interesting read.

[RollaFett]

'Backstory' by Robert B. Parker. 4 stars out of 5. Another top notch Spenser mystery.

[Lord Rocha]

Cannery Row- John Steinbeck.

Beginning Sweet Thursday.

[Leia]

Queen of the Amazons by Judith Tarr. I really like that author style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif Book didn't seem to get to the part you were waiting for until 3/4's of the way through, but the beginning was good too, so I won't complain style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif I'd give it an A

[kopernikuz]

Cry the Beloved Country - Alan Paton

Fascinating book! Unusual style of writing, but a wonderful story and really interested me.

[kopernikuz]

The DaVinci Code - C-

Pretty bland, I was expecting better from all the raves... plus, the guy's research is suspect. He plays fast and loose with the truth, but presents it as fact... kinda off... and the thrills are less than thrilling... It's like he decided to write a thesis paper, and just threw in some fictional characters to spout it off for him... pretty lame.

I saw several of the twists coming way before they were revealed. I had no emotional connection to any of the characters. Really disappointing to say the least. The way it plays out is almost laughably cliche, and with the knowledge that they are making a movie from this (Ron Howard, what are you thinking?... Oh yea... $$$) it strikes me as one that will be criticized for unbelievability. What the characters do and accomplish without detection is almost humorous.

I've also done some research on some of the things he's proposed. A bit far-fetched to say the least... with outright holes in some areas, but it certainly makes for an interesting conspiracy, but it has as many holes as some of the JFK theories.

Dan should take some time away from studying the "intellectual" aspects in his novels, and learn to write characters that have some depth and meaning. Combine the two and he'd be more appealling to me. As it stands, he appeals to the masses, which isn't saying much.

[Soontir Solo]

I thought the book definitely lived up to all the fan fare and excitement kopernikuz. I found the book to be fascinating. The level of mystery and intrigue stayed high throughout the whole novel and I had a ton of trouble putting this book down. I saw some stuff coming, but most of it was truly genius stuff. I think Brown did a good job with this book. I thouroughly enjoyed it. I'll probably read "Breaking the Da Vinci Code" sometime.

[Josie Danger]

Confessions of a Mask by Yukio Mishima, translated of course, I'm not that good yet...

It really is an interesting book, very deep, and thoughtful if you read between the lines.

Josie D. at your service style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wub.gif

[cj790]

I love Mishima!

I've got 'Confessions...' but haven't read it yet; my favourite of his so far is The Temple of the Golden Pavilion - very disturbing account of desire, sexuality and violence (common themes, from what I've read).

Can you tell any more?

[Silmarillion]

I'm one of the last to get through the Da Vinci Code I think! It seems the whole of the world caught on long before me that this was a great book. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

[kopernikuz]

Originally posted by Silmarillion@May 21 2004, 10:49 AM
I'm one of the last to get through the Da Vinci Code I think! It seems the whole of the world caught on long before me that this was a great book. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif
Eh...

I thought it was terribly unthrilling and formulaic.... the subject matter was interesting, but the rest was no better than a Patterson novel.

If you liked DaVinci Code though... read Dan Brown's ANGELS & DEMONS... FAR more exciting... it's a roller coaster... he wrote it before DaVinci and it's the first adventure of cardboard man... er... sorry Robert Langdon. LOL. Actually it's much better written and certainly has a lot more excitement. Trust me. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif Okay the ending is a bit convoluted and far-fetched... but its more fun. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif

[Master Cephus]

I read Da Vinci and I have to agree with Kop... I thought at first it was cool but then I did some looking and he does take some theories and just used them as like "oh yeah you didn't know?"


I remember an old book series that I read that I really enjoyed.

Incarnations of Immortality by Piers Anthony. It's a 7 book series that deals with the 7 immortals (well sort of): Death, Time, Fate, Mother Nature, War, Satan, and God. Very interesting...I find it amazing how all the characters just kind of fit...

Anyone else read this?

[kopernikuz]

American Gods - Neil Gaiman

Yes, that Neil Gaiman... this book was weird as can be. But well-written. I enjoyed it.

[Silmarillion]

Originally posted by kopernikuz@May 22 2004, 02:48 AM
Eh...

I thought it was terribly unthrilling and formulaic.... the subject matter was interesting, but the rest was no better than a Patterson novel.

If you liked DaVinci Code though... read Dan Brown's ANGELS & DEMONS... FAR more exciting... it's a roller coaster... he wrote it before DaVinci and it's the first adventure of cardboard man... er... sorry Robert Langdon. LOL. Actually it's much better written and certainly has a lot more excitement. Trust me. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif Okay the ending is a bit convoluted and far-fetched... but its more fun. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif
I haven't read Patterson -- I don't get to read that many "current" novels, I go more for the classic stuff. You know, there's so many good books out there that I haven't got to read yet, it seems kind of cheating to pick up new ones!

I didn't read it for the intellectual games though - it was fun to read and that's why I liked it. I'm borrowing Angels & Demons from a colleague when he finishes it, so I'll let you know what I think of that one. I've heard they're both quite similar, so chances are I'll like it.

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

[Soontir Solo]

I've read Angels and Demons and thought both were really good. I thought the Da Vinci Code was just as much a roller coaster ride as well. What makes it better I think is the subject matter, all the theories and stuff. It really makes for an interesting read. And I love controversial books.

[Ripley the Warmaster]

<span style="color:orange">Aliens:Hive War. C. It was an ok read. Only 270 pages, plus it's not part of the timeline anymore.</span>

[DarthAnakin]

The Silmarillion. But I didn't get to finish it. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif From what I did read, it was amazing. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif

[Lord Rocha]

Done with Sweet Thursday.

[mazzy]

The temple of Optimism by James Fleming (brother of Bond creator), a slow read that comes good in the end. If you like historical dramas where nothing happens this is the one for you! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sleeping.gif

[Obi-Stu]

Originally posted by kopernikuz@May 17 2004, 03:20 PM
Cry the Beloved Country - Alan Paton

Fascinating book! Unusual style of writing, but a wonderful story and really interested me.
We had to study that at school.


I have just finished Clive Cussler's Valhalla Rising. Interesting concept.

[kopernikuz]

Originally posted by Obi-Stu+May 28 2004, 08:14 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Obi-Stu @ May 28 2004, 08:14 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'> <!--QuoteBegin-kopernikuz@May 17 2004, 03:20 PM
Cry the Beloved Country - Alan Paton

We had to study that at school.
[/b][/quote]
Living in South Africa, I guess I'm not surprised style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif What'd you think?

[Handothrawn]

I just started Dreamcathcer by Stephen King, and before that I finished I Am Legend by Richard Matheson, good stuff.

[bous]

Right now I'm reading Empire building by Garry Jenkins, it's actually the second time I read it.

Great book about the origins of Star Wars & George Lucas. After reading it you realize that it's almost unbelievable ANH ever made it to the theatres.

(ISBN is 0-8065-1941-x, for those of you who are interested)

[Blizzard]

I just finished reading The Giver, by Lois Lowry on Tueaday. It's still haunting me. Has anyone else read it and wants to talk about it?

[bous]

Just finished empire building, now I'm reading 'Lando Calrissian and the mindharp of sharu' byL. Neil Smith.
I know SW again but I have a lot of SW books that I still have to read.

[P-Ray]

Originally posted by bous@Jun 8 2004, 06:49 AM
I know SW again but I have a lot of SW books that I still have to read.
Me too! And on top of the bunch I already have to read, I found out that The Cestus Deception(a Clone Wars Novel) just came out. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/giveup.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

[bous]

Yeah, gotta have that one too.

But I guess a few years after EP III comes out they will not release as much as they do now, so it's a good idea to save some for those dark times!

[P-Ray]

Originally posted by bous@Jun 8 2004, 09:56 AM
Yeah, gotta have that one too.

But I guess a few years after EP III comes out they will not release as much as they do now, so it's a good idea to save some for those dark times!
I actually think that a ton of SW books will come out after EPIII to fill in the gap from EPIII to ANH. Plus there won't be any more SW movies so they might make the SW EU abundant to keep it alive.

[Ripley the Warmaster]

<span style="color:orange">Star Wars:The Cestus Deception by Steve Barnes. A+. A very good first entry into the SW universe. I felt he did a very good Obi-Wan, interesting to see how Kit Fisto is, and loved seeing the book debut of Asajj Ventress. Also the ARC trooper story line was very interesting. Overall the best SW book I've probably read in a year, and I would love to see Mr. Barnes return to the Star Wars universe.</span>

[P-Ray]

Originally posted by Sniper Wolf the Warmaster@Jun 8 2004, 11:27 AM
<span style="color:orange">Star Wars:The Cestus Deception by Steve Barnes. A+. A very good first entry into the SW universe. I felt he did a very good Obi-Wan, interesting to see how Kit Fisto is, and loved seeing the book debut of Asajj Ventress. Also the ARC trooper story line was very interesting. Overall the best SW book I've probably read in a year, and I would love to see Mr. Barnes return to the Star Wars universe.</span>
Thanks..That makes me want to go out and get it today.

[flo fett]

I've just finished 'Greely's Cove by John Gideon. My aunt bought it for me to pass the time in hospital. It's a trashy horror paperback but a good disconnect-your-brain-nonsense kinda book. Necrophilia, zombies, black magic, demons called 'the giver of dreams', and disappearing small town americans. Top notch fluff!

[RustyMuffler]

Just finished "Jaws" by Peter Benchley.

I had read it back when I was younger and after seeing the film on the big screen for the first time this past weekend (it has been one of my video only experiences for over twenty years) I was tempted to re-visit it again. Unbelievable how different the film is from the book. I can see why Spielberg made the changes he did. Though I think I still like the book's ending a bit better.

If you haven't read the book and enjoyed the film, I highly recommend giving it a spin just to see how different the two are.

-- Rusty

[Dark Skywalker 9]

I'm currently reading Watchmen, a graphic novel by Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons.

It's awesome so far. Still about half left to go.

[bous]

Just finished 'Lando Calrissian and the mindharp of sharu'

Started in 'Lando Calrissian and the flamewind of oseon'.

[Lord LeHack]

I just finished Ilium by Dan Simmons, its based about 1500 years in the future and is about the old greek gods replaying homers iliad (the battle of troy) and how one man trys to get both army to reconcile and fight the gods. Its mainly a sci fi book though, with humans or posts as they are in the book not having stories of there own and the voynix making sure they dont learn to much and protecting them against the calibani. an amazing book with a super cliff hanger, now ive 2 things to wait for next year Ep III and olympus style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif

[cj790]

^ I've got it but not read it yet - good to know it's enjoyable!

[Jjm3233]

Desolation Island - Patrick O'Brian - B

[Jjm3233]

Gem of the Wanderer by Bob Maddux - D

[Jjm3233]

The Cestus Deception - Steven Barnes - A

[Sluggo]

Levicitus. Some guy named Moses was supposed to have have written it.
Not a bad book, but I felt guilty about the ham sandwhich I was chowing on during the middle parts. B-

[Gavin Darklighter]

The Ultimate Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy! Greatest read ever!

[Greedo Boy]

Originally posted by Obi-Stu@May 28 2004, 08:14 AM
I have just finished Clive Cussler's Valhalla Rising. Interesting concept.
My dad read that book... style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/giveup.gif

[Tahiri]

I read this about Mace Windu,My sister got it from some where.It was called shatterpiont.Okay so I'm reading it and it was good at first till you got farther and father into the book.it was to farfetched.And any ways if anakin did that mission mace did,he would have done a lot better.It was boring too!

[James T. Skywalker]

Shatterpoint, for the record, is one of my favorite books.

Anyway, the book I most recently finished was The Cestus Deception, the second adult Clone Wars novel. Good stuff, I'd give it a 4 of 5 stars, or an 8.5 out of 10.

~JTS

[cj790]

So Long and Thanks for all the Fish - Douglas Adams: C
Some really hilarious parts (the Rain God, for example), but some of it seemed really weirdly written, as though it were a first draft.

[Leto Aldriss]

DA is one of my favorite writers.

The last thing I read was the eBook, Ylesia.

Not bad, I just hate reading the pdf format for long periods of time.

Outside of Star Wars, I just started reading Don Quixote by Cervantes, I'll let ya know how I like it as soon as i'm done,

[cj790]

I've heard the Dirk Gently series is quite good, Leto; would you recommend it? Would you say it's better or worse than HHGTTG?

[Jjm3233]

The Time Quartet - L'Engle - B

An omnibus edition of the four books in the Wrinkle in Time series.

[one with many names]

Has anyone else read 2001: A space Odessy? That was the last one i read.

I am comtemplating reading The World War series by Harry Turtledove. Has anyone else read it?

I would like some opinion on it if you don't mind.

[Ripley the Warmaster]

<span style="color:blue">I've read 2001. One of the best sci-fi novels, and better than the movie. I just finished The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris. 9 out of 10. Great novel. I'll have to rent the movie now.</span>

[Jjm3233]

Yes, I read 2001 - loved it, much better than the movie, but the series went down hill rapidly. The last book - real stinker.

Sorry, never read the World War series.

[cj790]

I missed reading 2001, but have read all the others. I thought 2061 was the worst - nothing happened! I actually enjoyed the last one, but it was quite a different beast from the others.

[Luminara Skye]

I just finished reading Stairway to Heaven: Book II in the Earth Chronicles by Zecaria Sitchin. I found it was really good, however, it was kind of farfetched at times. On a lot of things he has a valid point, on others...I'm wondering where he got this information.

I just started the novelization to King Arthur. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

[one with many names]

Originally posted by one with many names@Jul 2 2004, 03:03 AM
Has anyone else read 2001: A space Odessy? That was the last one i read.

I am comtemplating reading The World War series by Harry Turtledove. Has anyone else read it?

I would like some opinion on it if you don't mind.
Sorry i ment the Great Wars series, sorry i seem to get those mixed up.

[Blizzard]

Messenger by Lois Lowry. The third and final book in a (sorta) series, after The Giver and Gathering Blue.

I cried! A+

[Jjm3233]

Originally posted by cj790@Jul 2 2004, 04:36 AM
I missed reading 2001, but have read all the others. I thought 2061 was the worst - nothing happened! I actually enjoyed the last one, but it was quite a different beast from the others.
To each his own, but IMHO: by the time 3001 came out using computer viruses to save the world had already become passe.

[cj790]

^ I liked the utopianism of 3001; very old-school sf, and with genuinely interesting concepts. It's a shame we don't see more utopianism in sf, I get a little fed up of re-hasing the same dystopian ideas over and over (the Matrix...) because they are fashionable.

[Tahiri]

Last bookI read was rose in bloom.It was really good!

[frootylupes]

wolves of calla by stephen king

i liked it, but ive read all the other dark tower books also.

[bous]

I've read 2001, 2010, 2061 & 3001 I liked them all but 2001 is my favorite.

Zecharia Sitchin is a nice read as well but it is indeed farfetched for the most of it.
If you like Sitchin you can also try Graham Hancock.

Right now I'm reading book 3 of the Lando Calrissian adventures; the starcave of Thonboka.
So far it's ok but not that great.

[RollaFett]

'Batman- The Dark Knight Returns' trade paperback.

4 stars out of 5.

[Luminara Skye]

Originally posted by bous@Jul 7 2004, 02:58 AM
I've read 2001, 2010, 2061 & 3001 I liked them all but 2001 is my favorite.

Zecharia Sitchin is a nice read as well but it is indeed farfetched for the most of it.
If you like Sitchin you can also try Graham Hancock.

Right now I'm reading book 3 of the Lando Calrissian adventures; the starcave of Thonboka.
So far it's ok but not that great.
I love Graham Hancock's books. I have almost all of them. I cannot wait till Talisman comes out! I think it'll come out in in October. His theories are so much more plausible than some of Zecharia Sitchin's. I wonder where he comes up with some of this stuff. I like Sitchin's books, but some of it is so out there... I'm enjoying them but I enjoy Hancock's books so much more.

I suppose there could have been extraterrestrials in our past, but I think we are selling our ancestors short by jumping to the conclusions that man couldn't have built the pyramids, sphinx, etc, so aliens must have done it. Either that information has been lost or it was so simple they didn't think of writing it down. Who knows? There is evidence for a much older and sophisticated civilization that was possibly inundated at the end of the last ice age.

A few other good ones are John Anthony West and Robert Bauval.

[Jjm3233]

Originally posted by cj790@Jul 3 2004, 03:07 AM
^ I liked the utopianism of 3001; very old-school sf, and with genuinely interesting concepts. It's a shame we don't see more utopianism in sf, I get a little fed up of re-hasing the same dystopian ideas over and over (the Matrix...) because they are fashionable.
Yes, that part was interesting. But I think that these things come in cycles - since the 60's has anyone (outside of Gene Roddenberry) had much success with utopian visions? I don't think that, at least here in the States, there is a lot of optimism for human nature changing (without some forcible mean of change), ergo no sense of possible utopia.

[cj790]

^ Exactly - dystopians are fashionable at the moment. Many people don't want to see utopian visions of the future, because they are so upset about the present they cannot see a way out, as it were.
That's quite depressing...

[Darth Star]

I read 2001 many years ago, very good.

I've been reading Jack Whyte's "A Dream of Eagles" series (The Camulod Chronicles in the US). A good read for anyone interested in the Aurtur legend. I've just started "The Sourcerer - Volume II - Metamorphosis" to complete the series.
Technically "Uther" is the last book, but I've already read it and it covers events that are concurrent with previous books.

[Jjm3233]

Medstar I: Battle Surgeons - B+



cj - It is depressing, but these are the times we live in.

Technology is seen less as a means to help, and more as a menace - Crichton has made a killing telling people that technology will go horribly wrong. I mean look at the trailers for I, Robot for Pete's sake!

Eventually, it will swing the other way.

[Ripley the Warmaster]

<span style="color:blue">Dreamcatcher by Stephen King, A. First time I've read a King book. At 879 pages long, it is the longest book I've ever completed. Enjoyed it better than the movie.</span>

[jadeskywalker]

Victor Prime

[Ripley the Warmaster]

<span style="color:blue">Medstar 1:Battle Surgeons. A+.</span>

[Ripley the Warmaster]

<span style="color:blue">Postcards from the Edge, C+. I really enjoyed the first part where Suzanne is in rehab, and the last part where she hooks up with her man. The middle area dragged a bit though. So a great beginning and end, but an ok middle.</span>

[walong]

I just read jim lovell's "lost moon" which has been re-titled "apollo 13" to match the movie. fascinating book, I read thru it twice. those astonauts and ground controllers and everyone else involved were incredible heroes.

[STar war spUNK]

flowers in the attic by v.c. andrews



man that book disturbed me so much... made me really angry, really sad.... and now i want to read the other books to find out wtf happened, but I CAN'T FIND THEM ANYWHERE. (in the library that is). i will continue my search.

[JKRich]

The Glorious Appearing another great part to the LB series.

[Ripley the Warmaster]

<span style="color:blue">The Great War: American Front by Harry Turtledove, A+++. Very engaging alternate history, and was written very well. I didn't find a boring moment.</span>

[Col. Vefalu]

The Killer Angels, a Civil War novel by Michael Shaara upon which the film Gettysburg is based. A+

[Col. Vefalu]

Star Wars: Rogue Planet by Greg Bear. A

[Acaciah]

I'm currently reading The Faerie Queene, by Edmund Spencer.

Yes, I am geeky enough to read Elizabethan English for fun. *adjusts glasses*

[RollaFett]

'Bad Business' by Robert B. Parker.
3 1/2 stars out of 5.
Private eye Spenser digs into the corrupt innerworkings of a big corporation to discover infidelity, murder and general scumbagging.

[Jjm3233]

The Lone Drow - R. A. Salvatore - B-

[Obi-Stu]

Originally posted by STar war spUNK@Jul 24 2004, 07:50 PM
flowers in the attic by v.c. andrews



man that book disturbed me so much... made me really angry, really sad.... and now i want to read the other books to find out wtf happened, but I CAN'T FIND THEM ANYWHERE. (in the library that is). i will continue my search.
<div align="right">Quoted post</div>


I remember my sister reading that book. Isn't there a sequal or something?

[Obi-Stu]

I'm almost finished Trojan Oddessy by Clive Cussler.

Interesting change to the beliefs of the Trojan War...

[Greedo Boy]

Hiroshima by John Hersey.

[Soontir Solo]

Angels and Demons for the 2nd time.

Great book- A

[Ripley the Warmaster]

<span style="color:blue">The Great War: Walk in Hell by Harry Turtledove. A+. Turtledove is easily the second best author that is still writing.(first place goes to Stover)</span>

[Aurra Sing]

The Grapes of Wrath for school.

Good - B

[Jjm3233]

The Surgeon's Mate by Patrick O'Brian - B+

[jedi hunter]

The last book i read was the Shakespear Stealer and man i almost died trying to read that boring book.

[Jjm3233]

The Ionian Mission by Patrick O'Brian - A-

[Kapit]

medstar I: battle surgeons --A

i like how a lot of the clone wars novels are more psychological than all-out fighting

[Rowan]

Originally posted by Obi-Stu+Aug 31 2004, 06:12 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Obi-Stu @ Aug 31 2004, 06:12 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-STar war spUNK@Jul 24 2004, 07:50 PM
flowers in the attic by v.c. andrews



man that book disturbed me so much... made me really angry, really sad.... and now i want to read the other books to find out wtf happened, but I CAN'T FIND THEM ANYWHERE.* (in the library that is).* i will continue my search.
<div align="right">Quoted post</div>


I remember my sister reading that book. Isn't there a sequal or something?
<div align="right">Quoted post</div>
[/b][/quote]
yes there is a whole series of books after that one you can usually find them in second hand store they are quite popular and yes disturbing although I don't recall the others being quite as disturbing as that first one.
Petals on the wind
If There Be Thorns (Dollanganger)
Seeds of Yesterday (Dollanganger)
Garden of Shadows (Dollanganger)
My Sweet Audrina
Heaven (Casteel)

[mazzy]

I read 'The Other Bolyne Girl' by Phillipa Gregory. Good old fashioned historical fiction. Pulpy and good fun.

[cj790]

The Iliad, possibly by Homer style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif
I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would; even though I usually am more pro-Achaen in sentiment, I found the bias toward the Achaens far too strong in this book and ended up disliking them. It annoyed me. I also expected more poetic language rather than beauty in pathos; and was caught off-guard by the lack of formality in style (though I'm sure the Greek is formally written).
Still heads and shoulders above the farce of the recent film though...

[cj790]

Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life - Jon lee Anderson - A
Very detailed biography. Always interesting, full of info about the time and world events, as well as the man and his comrades. Exciting too.

[Soontir Solo]

The Black Fleet Crisis (All 3 books): B-, ok but could have had more action.

[MXCABRINI]

Baldur's gate

[Soontir Solo]

Grant Comes East: A

It is a good what if novel.

[BobPalpatine]

The Taking - Dean Koontz

(Waiting for my copy of Dark Tower 7 to come, it is next on my list.)

[jedi hunter]

Jade Green-A+ a book that will send chills down your back.

[kevin31]

not counting Star Wars...

The Great Gatsby (for school)...B-, and that's only cause i kinda liked the movie

[Revan]

I currently read Chapterhouse:Dune,the last of the 6 volumes.It's the best book series(my opinion)and I think it's not the last time I'll read them.I strongly recommend the Dune series to you all.Because you are,as me,Star Wars fans,you will soon be a very big Dune fan.Basically,SW and Dune are very similar,and you will see what I'm talking about.
After I'll read this last Dune volume,I will begin some Star Wars books I,ve recenly bought;can't wait!

[Kapit]

The Cestus Deception--A
i love the fact that the two clone wars hardcovers have been more psychological-oriented rather than battle-oriented
and the fact that an ARC trooper sees what it's like to be human, amazing

[bluemilk]

Cabinet of Curiousities by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child - B
The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell - B-

[Darth_Rageaholic]

i just finished reading The Dark Elf trilogy I give it an A. one it is fantasy to it is written by R. A. Salvatore author of the new jedi order.

[cj790]

Mostly Harmless, by Douglas Adams - C+
Funny, and a good addition to the series. The end was a little quick in coming though.

[Jjm3233]

A Confederacy of Dunces - A

Finally got around to reading it; amusing book.

[Ripley the Warmaster]

<span style="color:blue">Talion: Revenant, A+. This is by far Stackpole's best book, and also his first. All of the staples of Stackpole's work, which becomes cliches of him IMO, are here, but they're new and fresh. Nolan is the best of the Stackpole Corran-esque characters(Nolan, Corran, Tarrant and Will from Dragon Crown War books are nearly the same character) because he has the most tragic life, and is the first. I highly recommend this to all readers, and is a good starting point for people who want to start reading Stackpole's fantasy novels, or his novels in general.</span>

[bluemilk]

Brimstone by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child - a solid A!

[Jjm3233]

The Reverse of the Medal - Patrick O'Brian - A

[KarvoZem]

Dragon and Thief and Dragon and Soldier by Zahn.

I'd give 'em an A. Pretty Cool, he has some very interesting ideas and the action is pretty good, even if they are sort of a Young Adultish book, I still thought they were cool.

[Spacehunter24]

Just finished CSI: BODY OF EVIDENCE. Made up for the lackluster third book, COLD BURN. Up next, CSI: GRAVE MATTER. Max Allan Collins really needs to write some actual episodes.

[cj790]

Dance Dance Dance by Haruki Murakami - A*
I love the author. This one is my second favourite if his, and in my top ten books of all time list. Maybe the top five...
It's a postmodern journey through advanced capitalist society, which ultimately becomes a poetic metaphysical travel through loneliness and finding love. Brilliant. It's a sequel to A Wild Sheep Chase, which probably needs to be read first.

[Jjm3233]

Medstar II: Jedi Healer - B

[isabelle]

I've just finished reading "Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf" by Edward Albee. Such an amazing book! I recommend it to anyone.

[Jjm3233]

The Letter of Marque by Patrick O'Brian - A+

[Ripley the Warmaster]

<span style="color:blue">Shatterpoint, A+. Best Star Wars novel period.</span>

[Soontir Solo]

Actually no it isn't, but thats ok.

Anyways just finished Destiny's Way for the 3rd or 4th time. B

[flo fett]

Going Postal- Terry Pratchett A
(continues to please me, one bit even made me laugh my tea down my nose. Classy eh? Brought the Patrician back to his nasty twisted best. Grand)

[Ripley the Warmaster]

<span style="color:blue">X-Wing: Isard's Revenge, F. I was doing a re-read, but I could only go through 130 pages of it. This is not the romantic fantasy that Star Wars is. It is a third-rate generic sci-fi novel with the name Star Wars on its cover. Isard returning ruins the ending of Bacta War. Also do to the fact this came out after I,Jedi, you knew who was going to live. No suspense of any kind. This is nothing more than an attempt to milk more money from an overall bad series. I can't believe I liked this novel at one time.</span>

[Soontir Solo]

You seem to feeling more Anti post-ROTJ EU everyday.

Well I thought Isards Revenge was pretty good. It was a fun read. I didn't much like the thought of a clone Isard but I thought Stackpole did it really well. Showing what the Rogues did at Bilbringi was really good and having Bel Iblis come in at Ciutric to finish off Krennel was a good add on. It had good space battles and stuff so I enjoyed it. It wasn't as good as the other books in the series but it was still good. I'd give it a B

I finished Cestus Deception yesterday, I'd have to give it a B.

[Jjm3233]

^I actually agree with Soontir, the horror, the HORROR! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

Anyway,

A Forest of Stars - KJA - B-

This book brought out some interesting plot points, but felt padded; like it was expanded to make a trilogy.

[Soontir Solo]

Rebel Dream

A

[Jjm3233]

Eragon - Paoli - B

Nice comfortable fantasy, nicely written.

[DarthSolo]

For a class i read "Adam: God's Beloved" by Henri J.M. Neouwen
all in one sitting today! give it a B

Last gook i read for pleasure was X-Wing: Krytos Trap, Michael Stackpole. Rating: A

[Ripley the Warmaster]

<span style="color:blue">Alien Woman: The Making of Lt. Ellen Ripley, A+++++</span>

[Soontir Solo]

Breaking the Da Vinci Code

C

[BobaBen]

Still working Through Lemony Snicket and changing for good by Jerry prochaska.

Ben

[Soontir Solo]

Touched with Fire A

Definitely a good book for anybody interested in the Civil War.

[cj790]

The Templars - Piers Paul Read: B
A good history, that focuses in more detail on the crusades and the involvement of the military orders than actual Templar lifestyle. Dramatic and intriguing. Also manages to bypass the many myths and present what I imagine must be a fairly accurate account.

[Sabrina Fried]

Wertham Was Right! By Mark Evanier - A+

I am going nuts trying to get the other two books he has now. These are collections of some of his best POV columns, about the history and such of comicdom (mostly mainstream DC and Marvel, ie superheroes), but hey, it's Mark Evanier, so it's funny AND educational B)!

As for fiction: um...lessee, have to go back a few books for that, unless Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maitenance counts (A- not long enough)


Sabrina

[mazzy]

The Six Wives of Henry VIII - Antonia Fraser.

Good book, I always like her historical bios. Man that guy was a big ol' style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/censored.gif

[Jjm3233]

The Thirteen Gun Salute - Patrick O'Brian - A

[Soontir Solo]

9/11 Commission Report.

I am about half way through but so far its a good read, lots of stuff I didn't know.

[Siri Ruane]

Robota by whoever that guy is who did TPM and AOTC art -- A+

It was like reading a movie there were so many pictures! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/chortle.gif

[Ripley the Warmaster]

<span style="color:blue">I,Jedi by Michael A. Stackpole, D+. This books can basically be cut in half. The first half being the events of the Jedi Academy Trilogy from Corran's POV. It was the best part of the novel, but all Stackpole was doing is inserting Corran in trilogy that was three years old when I,Jedi came out. I also found Corran to be very irritating at times, and too Gary Sue like, especially when talking to Luke about his training methods. However, it did have a good Star Wars feel, and I was able to get through it.

The second half. This is when Stackpole is finally doing original work. With the exception of the last 100 pages, this felt like a X-Wing novel. I didn't like reading another boring X-Wing fest. Corran also came to close to cheating on his wife, and he deserved to have something bad happen to him. The last 100 pages made up a little.

Another major thing I had is the fact Corran is still a rehash of Nolan from Talion: Revenant. I would love to see Stackpole do a novel without a Nolan rehash for once.

Overall, you have an average first half, a horrid middle section, and a medicore last 100 pages. The only other thing to it's credit is it's a lot better than his X-Wing novels, which isn't that hard, but suffers from the fact you have to read X-Wing to get this novel. So only read if you have time to waste, but it's not worth slugging through at least four X-Wing novels to get.</span>

[bluemilk]

The Intelligencer by Leslie Silbert = B

For a first novel she did an excellent job and I'm sure her work will continue to improve. Currently I'm reading Quicksilver (The Baroque Cycle, Book 1) by Neal Stephenson and it's rich and delicious much like chocolate cake! I remember reading SnowCrash by Stephenson about 5 years ago and it was a good read but forgettable and a bit disjointed. But Quicksilver is amazing and worlds apart from his earlier writing style.

It shows that some author's just need a patient and loyal audience that encourages the author to improve.

[cj790]

I'm desperate to read Quicksilver, but thought it best to read Cryptonomicron first, so I'm holding off. Keep us posted!

[The Bandit]

I thought Quicksilver kind of sucked.

Loved Snow Crash, loved Cryptonomicon, really liked the Diamond Age, thought Zodiac was pretty good...

But Quicksilver... Quicksilver kinda sucked.

last book completed -- Job: A Comedy of Justice by Robert Heinlein (author of my all-time favorite novel, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress) -- A-

-- 2bq

[bluemilk]

Originally posted by cj790@Nov 5 2004, 03:12 AM
I'm desperate to read Quicksilver, but thought it best to read Cryptonomicron first, so I'm holding off. Keep us posted!
<div align="right">Quoted post</div>


will do style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/happy.gif I have the entire Baroque trilogy at home so it's enough to keep me going for awhile.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>But Quicksilver... Quicksilver kinda sucked.[/b][/quote]

Well I used to study anthropology in university and I also took Lit. so I tend to enjoy books that put a twist on history, religion and science such as:

The Intelligencer (http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/0743432924/qid=1099683887/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl/701-4748989-2525135)

Da Vinci Code (http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/0385504209/qid=1099683984/sr=1-6/ref=sr_1_2_6/701-4748989-2525135)

Angels & Demons (http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/037543318X/qid=1099684012/sr=1-8/ref=sr_1_2_8/701-4748989-2525135)

Rule of Four (http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/0385337116/qid=1099684057/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_2_3/701-4748989-2525135)

Brimstone (http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/044653143X/qid=1099684114/sr=1-9/ref=sr_1_2_9/701-4748989-2525135)


Are they accurate? Perhaps not, but they sure are hella fun to read and a lot of these books are based on fact so it's also a cool way to learn. Read them with an open mind, don't take them too seriously and just enjoy the escapism. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/satisfied.gif

[The Bandit]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>Are they accurate? Perhaps not, but they sure are hella fun to read and a lot of these books are based on fact so it's also a cool way to learn. Read them with an open mind, don't take them too seriously and just enjoy the escapism.[/b][/quote]

I wasn't bothered by the historical accuracy or anything.

What bothered me was that I spent a third of the novel getting introduced to these characters, I finally started getting into it and ten pages later I'm off in a different part of the world with all-new characters (granted, they had familiar last names having read Cryptonomicon). Wasn't a fan of that. Continued reading the book only because I had invested so much time in the first third, don't plan on finishing the trilogy.

-- 2bq

[bluemilk]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>... I spent a third of the novel getting introduced to these characters, I finally started getting into it and ten pages later I'm off in a different part of the world with all-new characters...[/b][/quote]

When an author is writing a series of books like a trilogy they really have to keep the story strong throughout so often a character's involvment will appear to stop then resume later in the series when it's relevant. I had a real tough time finishing XWing Rogue Squandron and I stopped and started at least 3 times but once finished I really enjoyed the rest of the series and read through them quickly.

Give the second book of the Baroque cycle a try and maybe you'll find you enjoy it. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/happy.gif

[The Bandit]

^ I'll consider it.. but I'm not gonna shell out thirty bucks for the second book like I did for the first one... is the 2nd out in paperback yet? style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

[bluemilk]

^hun, try the library style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif

[Angel Starmaster]

I just finished "Golden Fool" by Robin Hobb and am now reading "Fool's Fate." They're books 2 and 3 of the Tawney Man Trilogy, which is a sequel to her original "Farseer Trilogy of "Assasin's Apperentice, Royal Assasin, and Assasin's Quest."

Robin Hobb also wrote the Liveship Traders Trilogy which constists of "Ship of Magic, Mad Ship, and Ship of Destiny." All three books take place in the same world as the other two trilogies, and occur in between.

If you intend on reading them, I reccomend reading them in this order;
1) Assasin's Apprentice
2) Royal Assasin
3) Assasin's Quest
4) Ship Of Magic
5) Mad Ship
6) Ship Of Destiny
7) Fool's Errand
8) Golden Fool
9) Fool's Fate

Robin Hobb is a fantastic author. One of the best I've ever read. All of her books except the last are currently availible in Paperback.

[Rojo]

I just finished Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley. I thought it was good, although she seems to run out of steam in places and she has characters popping up out of nowhere and then dissapearing again (Frankenstein's brothers).

I give it a B+

[Soontir Solo]

Unconditional Surrender

A-

[cj790]

Originally posted by 2 Butterflies Quarrleing@Nov 5 2004, 10:04 PM
^ I'll consider it.. but I'm not gonna shell out thirty bucks for the second book like I did for the first one... is the 2nd out in paperback yet? style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif
<div align="right">Quoted post</div>



The entire cycle is in paperback now.

[Ripley the Warmaster]

<span style="color:blue">The Year of Living Dangerously, B+. I read this book do to seeing and likeing the movie. The overall plot is the same(author help write the screen play), but there are a few major differences. The book takes place over seven months when the book has the same events condensed into three weeks. The book is written in first person of a character named Cookie, who is a fellow journalist looking back at the events. This character is not in the movie. Also Jill Bryant, Sigourney Weaver's character, gets pregnant by Hamilton, Mel Gibson's character. The characters of Wally O'Sulivan and Kumar get a lot more backstory, changing Kumar from an regular indonesian to a rather intelligent person. Plus there are a few minor characters add to Billy wanting to wreck the relationship with Jill and Hamilton. So while the book's events is more logical and seems more realistic, the movie has great acting and a great director. So I say they are both equal.</span>

[Soontir Solo]

I am reading a book for my religouis studies class, called World Divinity. Don't anybody ever read that book. It has lots of good information but I have never seen a book so dense.

D

[Justin]

How to Make Love Like a Porn Star by Jenna Jameson - B

I give it a B because it was fascinating and entertaining, but it's not Hemingway.

Definitely worth reading though.

By the way, it's her autobiography, not a how-to manual.