The Book thread

Random bit of trivia about yours truly:

I once read most of Dostoyevsky's long novels during the course of one summer. But I've never managed to get through War and Peace.

Wow.

I have a problem with the Russians because their books are always so damn long and the characters' names too. I always get confused. "Oh, wait, who's that person?".

I remember reading the first 150 pages of Anna Karenina and there was just no sign of her yet. Crazy.

Heh, yeah, Russian names are long. Add to that the fact that nearly every character has a petname or two to add to what they are normally called.

But Dostoyevsky is a really good read! Just have to get past his viewpoint of extreme conservative Orthodox Christianity halo polishing, and you're set. It gets "kinda" preachy at times, but its not the worst case of author tracting I've ever seen.

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Since they are making a John Carter of Mars movie now, I'm thinking of re-reading those books before it gets released. Completely different sort of material from ol' Fyodor, but entertaining as hell. Dejah Thoris was an early literary crush lol.

I love reading. My preference is young adult novels though. Dystopian to be quite exact.
Can't really get into the heavy litterature, or classics.

I did however just order myself "1984" and "Animal Farm" by Orwell. They've been in my recommendation list for ages on Amazon, so I figured I'd go for it. A christmas present to myself

My very favorite book series is "The Hunger Games" trilogy though.
With the "Chaos Walking" trilogy as a close second, despite it's ending that sent me into a fit of rage :p

Currently I am reading "Winter's Bone", and waiting for "Insurgent" which is the second book in another trilogy I am reading.

And if anyone is interested in mental health, I can recommend a very interesting autobiography by Emilie Autumn. It is a very beautiful, sad and disturbing book about her illness and the state of mental health care in America, and the very capturing story she made up when she was locked up in a mental institution, as a way to survive.
"The Asylum For Wayward Victorian Girls". It really should be mandatory for every human to read that book at least once in their lives.

1984 is a tad... depressing for Christmas tho lol!

Its like the ultimate in dystopian lit tho, so if that's what you like its a book I think you'll appreciate. Lots of "genre" conventions got started there (or well, were widely introduced since 1984 itself is partly based in earlier dystopian lit).

I can recommend Orwell across the board in any case. His earlier, more "journalistic" type work is interesting as well. Homage to Catalonia and Down and Out in Paris and London are both good, and the latter is an interesting sort of window to life on the skids in 20's Paris and London. Gonzo before Gonzo (ie. Hunter Thompson), or something like that if you know what I mean. 8)

I really like Animal Farm.

I should go back to reading more fiction though. Lately I'm so involved with my studies the only thing I read is History, Politics, Law, Geography, etc. And sometimes it's painful.

My favorite books are from Latin American writers, especially Ernest Sabato and Julio Cortazar, both from Argentina. I love reading Spanish, btw. Beautiful language.

Oh, the more depressing the better IMO

I've heard lots of great things about Orwell, and especially those two books, so that is why I finally caved and ordered them. And if I like the books, I'll be guaranteed to read more of his work.

I have absolutely no idea what you mean by Gonzo before Gonzo / Hunter Thompson. Never heard of before.. Should I be ashamed?

I've also heard great things about Chuck Palahniuk, but never read any of his works. Anyone here read anything by him?

Blue Zeppelin wrote:

I really like Animal Farm.

I should go back to reading more fiction though. Lately I'm so involved with my studies the only thing I read is History, Politics, Law, Geography, etc. And sometimes it's painful.

My favorite books are from Latin American writers, especially Ernest Sabato and Julio Cortazar, both from Argentina. I love reading Spanish, btw. Beautiful language.

Fiction is great. I'm sad to say that history, politics and such doesn't really interest me enough to read about it. It's too dry for me. (I don't know if that saying works as good in english as it does in my language. But in any case, it means slow going, too heavy to enjoy and get lost in etc.)

Though books I read are applicable to society today and the workings of it, and what we may be heading towards (my inner conspiracy theorist coming out to play. Hello!). Just more interesting.

It's just that I need to read this. I really like History and stuff, but I don't read it for fun. I'm hoping next year I'll have more time to actually read for pleasure.

I want to read more Gabriel Garcia Marquez, a few classics, Virgina Woolf.

I need some book recommendations actually.

I like the sound of The Hunger Games, I don't really know what it's about, but I've only heard good things about it.

Quote :

Though books I read are applicable to society today and the workings of it, and what we may be heading towards (my inner conspiracy theorist coming out to play. Hello!). Just more interesting.

Sounds like my cup of tea. Any in particular you would recommend?

Span_ski wrote:

I need some book recommendations actually.

I like the sound of The Hunger Games, I don't really know what it's about, but I've only heard good things about it.

Quote :

Though books I read are applicable to society today and the workings of it, and what we may be heading towards (my inner conspiracy theorist coming out to play. Hello!). Just more interesting.

Sounds like my cup of tea. Any in particular you would recommend?

You should definitely read The Hunger Games. It's so captivating, I have read the books so many times over the last few years that they are falling apart. And the first movie comes out this March. It's going to be awesome!
The jist of the story is 24 kids being sent into an arena to fight to the death as punishment for an uprising, and the last one alive is the winner. It's sent on live TV, and is mandatory for the country to watch. So you follow this girl from a poor district who's sent in to fight to the death with careers, who have been training for this their whole lives, and her district partner, who once saved her life.
Don't want to tell you more, or else I'll probably ruin it. But definitely check it out.

The "Chaos Walking" trilogy is also very good. The first book of it is called "The Knife Of Never Letting Go".
It's about life on another planet, and war breaks out. Very good!
Authors name is Patrick Ness.

And the last one I'll recommend is "Divergent", which is the first book in a trilogy currently being written.
It's also dystopian, and where you have to choose which faction of society you want to live in and then forever be loyal to it, and cut contact with all other factions, which means leave your family if you don't choose the same faction as them. Very interesting. Second book comes out in May 2012 I think. By Veronica Roth.

Thanks I'll definitely check them out!

Blue Zeppelin wrote:

I really like Animal Farm.

My favorite books are from Latin American writers, especially Ernest Sabato and Julio Cortazar, both from Argentina. I love reading Spanish, btw. Beautiful language.

yesssssss
Rayuela is one of the most beautiful books I've ever read.
El Tunel is my Sabato favorite, red it a long long time ago.

House Carl wrote:

1984 is a tad... depressing for Christmas tho lol!

Its like the ultimate in dystopian lit tho, so if that's what you like its a book I think you'll appreciate. Lots of "genre" conventions got started there (or well, were widely introduced since 1984 itself is partly based in earlier dystopian lit).

I can recommend Orwell across the board in any case. His earlier, more "journalistic" type work is interesting as well. Homage to Catalonia and Down and Out in Paris and London are both good, and the latter is an interesting sort of window to life on the skids in 20's Paris and London. Gonzo before Gonzo (ie. Hunter Thompson), or something like that if you know what I mean. 8)

Amazing, didn't know about that Orwell phase but I really dig Hunter S. so I think I'll give it a try.

About dystopian literature, Farenheit 451 (Bradbury) is the one I choose. Then 1984. But the three of them, together with Animal Farm are the Holy Trinity of dystopian lit.
Bradbury also has amazing tales. The one I like the best is "The Fog Horn". Beautifull.
In the last few years I've got facinated by the Beat Generation. Specially Kerouac. I recommend everything he has written. The subterraneans is my fav.
Right now I'm also reading some Fitzgerald. A diamond as big as the Ritz is my favorite tale by him.
Loving this thread already.

mardou wrote:

yesssssss
Rayuela is one of the most beautiful books I've ever read.
El Tunel is my Sabato favorite, red it a long long time ago.

El Tunel is fantastic. My all-time favorite book is Sobre Heroes y Tumbas, and El Tunel is the perfect introduction. Probably two of the saddest books I've ever read too.

This guy is a genious.

Rayuela is beautiful too.

I'm a great fan of Argentina, btw.

And I love Brazil. Especially your beaches and Tom Jobim and Vinicius and the shameless hability of the people to be almost naked in the beach without giving a shit.

You know, I've tried reading the "Informes sobre ciegos" part and I couldnt finish it. Dont know why. Is that the right part to start reading Sobre Heroes y Tumbas?
For a more surreal experince, try Borges please. El Aleph is a good one to start. Amazing tales.

Dystopian literature: Have you read 'Brave new world' then? If you're a Shakespeare fan it's killing two birds with one stone.
I agree 1984 is some... heavy stuff *shudder* and of course Fahrenheit 451.
I think those three are the most famous pieces of literature when talking about dystopia. At least it's the three that I think of immediately.

The Hunger Games trilogy is sooo good - I ate that shit! I started reading Thursday evening through the whole night and was finished with the 3 Books on Sunday. It's crazy good I just couldn't put it away

ATM I'm into the philosophically stuff. Right now I'm reading Sophie's World

awww sophie's world is amazing. a really nice introduction to the wicked world of philosophy. enjoy it (I did)

I like how I actually learn things by reading it, you know? Like it's not only ladida 'What's the meaning?' ladida but actually very profound while wrapped into this nice little story.

I know what you mean. The book really does explain philosphy but is also brings it really close to reality. I don't remember a lot about it but I do remember a huge and nice metaphor about a rabbit and its hair and the work of the philosophers. I think the best thing about that book is that you feel you're "waking up" as the same time as Sophie does. I don't know if you know what I mean

MsFalange wrote:

Dystopian literature: Have you read 'Brave new world' then? If you're a Shakespeare fan it's killing two birds with one stone.

I haven't read it yet, but I did order it on Amazon when I ordered the other books, so I'm just waiting on it.
Gonna spend this christmas with my nose buried in a book

I don't think I've heard of Fahrenheit 451. Must google. All it does is give me associations to that guy that made that Bowling For Columbine documentary. Think he made one named Fahrenheit as well.
Anyway, I'll remember that one for my next book purchase

I loved 1984 and Fahrenheit 451. I need to get back into reading real books. I have a bunch of books sitting around my apartment that I've started but haven't finished.

Can we share some quotes and favorite excerpts?

Of course, go for it.

Here or in a new thread? To be or not be?

I think it could be here.