What are you reading right now?

neverasitseems · 11-24-2011, 01:54 PM

Currently reading "The Great Gatsby" by Fitzgerald for my english class.. not sure what I think of it yet, though I'm in chapter 6 of 9..

Also:

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoathsomePete

I haven't become this invested in a series after my first read since I got Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in '98.

Is that what it's called where you are? I've never heard of it called that, haha. It's "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" here.

LoathsomePete · 11-26-2011, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neverasitseems

Is that what it's called where you are? I've never heard of it called that, haha. It's "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" here.

That's what it's called everyone except for the US because Scholastic (the publisher for the US) thought that American kids would lose interest if they saw the word "philosopher" in the title.

tommycas · 11-26-2011, 05:22 PM

"We, The Arcturians" A True Experience.

ltoffee · 11-26-2011, 05:29 PM

Touching From A Distance by Deborah Curtis - for the 11th time, maybe 12th

Above · 11-28-2011, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoathsomePete

After finishing off The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker in a single sitting at the library, I started reading A Game of Thrones last night. I watched the HBO series first because I'm not that big on fantasy, but the universe intrigued me enough to grab a copy. So far I'm really enjoying it... like a lot. I haven't become this invested in a series after my first read since I got Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in '98.

I've heard a lot about Game of Thrones. I really need to check it out.

I'm currently reading Lair by James Herbert. The second book in a trilogy about giant man-eating rats in England. It's gory as hell, and a decent read. Good filler for someone who just needs something to read if it's the only interesting book lying around the house they haven't read.

LoathsomePete · 11-30-2011, 11:46 PM

A Clash of Kings.

My epub version of A Game of Thrones was 1200+ pages and managed to finish it in a week. Definitely one of the most engaging series' I've read in a very long time, I look forward to devouring this second installment.

MoonlitSunshine · 12-01-2011, 07:13 AM

When you said, after picking up the first in that series, that you aren't that big on Fantasy, can I ask what you had read? Fantasy is one of those pitfall genres, with a lot of people who think that they can write fantasy because it's easy to make things up, and relatively few authors who are actually utterly fantastic at doing it.

LoathsomePete · 12-01-2011, 09:44 AM

I will admit that I'm not well-versed enough in the genre to make any real distinctions. I tried to read The Hobbit when I was 11 and it just didn't click with me, same with the Lord of the Rings series when the movies started coming out. I absolutely adored the films but for whatever reason I had a real tough time getting into the books. I can't even really say what it was that made it difficult, but I also haven't tried since I was about 14 so perhaps it's time for a retread once I'm up-to-date with the A Song of Fire and Ice series. I was always more into contemporary fiction, science fiction, and horror as a child and teen, and those preferences carried on into my adult life. Once I have finished my current series and retry the Lord of the Rings series, I may give the Robert Jordan Wheel of Time series a chance, however that will probably not be for a few months at the earliest and it will take me some time to get caught up with my current series. By all means if you've got some recommendations I would love to hear them.

MoonlitSunshine · 12-01-2011, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoathsomePete

I will admit that I'm not well-versed enough in the genre to make any real distinctions. I tried to read The Hobbit when I was 11 and it just didn't click with me, same with the Lord of the Rings series when the movies started coming out. I absolutely adored the films but for whatever reason I had a real tough time getting into the books. I can't even really say what it was that made it difficult, but I also haven't tried since I was about 14 so perhaps it's time for a retread once I'm up-to-date with the A Song of Fire and Ice series. I was always more into contemporary fiction, science fiction, and horror as a child and teen, and those preferences carried on into my adult life. Once I have finished my current series and retry the Lord of the Rings series, I may give the Robert Jordan Wheel of Time series a chance, however that will probably not be for a few months at the earliest and it will take me some time to get caught up with my current series. By all means if you've got some recommendations I would love to hear them.

The Wheel of Time is a bit hit and miss in my opinion. It's a decent story, but there are at least two books that are basically filler, and it's not very... original. The thing about Fantasy is that it's a very broad genre - You might like the simple fact that it is set in a different time, a different universe, you might like the development of the characters, you might like the generally epic-form adventure storyline. For me personally, it's a bit of a mix: I can't stand books that don't have well thought out characters, I love it when the author has obviously put a lot of effort into the world they have created - it can take away hugely from my entertainment if there are big gaps or fuzziness.

I would certainly recommend giving The Lord of The Rings a second try, I personally love most of what Tolkein has written but I understand that is not universal. With some information about what it is that you enjoy about the Fantasy you have read, and what you didn't, I'd be happy to give more recommendations if you want them

Paedantic Basterd · 12-01-2011, 10:20 AM

Wheel of Time is sitting on my bookshelf waiting for me to start with.

But instead of tackling that, I've gone:

11-30-2011, 11:46 PM	#3786 (permalink)
LoathsomePete Cardboard Box Realtor Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hobb's End Posts: 7,648	A Clash of Kings. My epub version of A Game of Thrones was 1200+ pages and managed to finish it in a week. Definitely one of the most engaging series' I've read in a very long time, I look forward to devouring this second installment. __________________ Last.FM 101 Albums That May Not Change Your Life, But I Really Like And You Might Too

12-01-2011, 07:13 AM	#3787 (permalink)
MoonlitSunshine Dat's Der Bunny! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ireland Posts: 1,088	When you said, after picking up the first in that series, that you aren't that big on Fantasy, can I ask what you had read? Fantasy is one of those pitfall genres, with a lot of people who think that they can write fantasy because it's easy to make things up, and relatively few authors who are actually utterly fantastic at doing it. __________________ "I found it eventually, at the bottom of a locker in a disused laboratory, with a sign on the door saying "Beware of the Leopard". Ever thought of going into Advertising?" - Arthur Dent

12-01-2011, 09:44 AM	#3788 (permalink)
LoathsomePete Cardboard Box Realtor Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hobb's End Posts: 7,648	I will admit that I'm not well-versed enough in the genre to make any real distinctions. I tried to read The Hobbit when I was 11 and it just didn't click with me, same with the Lord of the Rings series when the movies started coming out. I absolutely adored the films but for whatever reason I had a real tough time getting into the books. I can't even really say what it was that made it difficult, but I also haven't tried since I was about 14 so perhaps it's time for a retread once I'm up-to-date with the A Song of Fire and Ice series. I was always more into contemporary fiction, science fiction, and horror as a child and teen, and those preferences carried on into my adult life. Once I have finished my current series and retry the Lord of the Rings series, I may give the Robert Jordan Wheel of Time series a chance, however that will probably not be for a few months at the earliest and it will take me some time to get caught up with my current series. By all means if you've got some recommendations I would love to hear them. __________________ Last.FM 101 Albums That May Not Change Your Life, But I Really Like And You Might Too

11-26-2011, 05:22 PM	#3783 (permalink)
tommycas Groupie Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 13	"We, The Arcturians" A True Experience.

11-26-2011, 05:29 PM	#3784 (permalink)
ltoffee Groupie Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 29	Touching From A Distance by Deborah Curtis - for the 11th time, maybe 12th

12-01-2011, 10:20 AM	#3790 (permalink)
Paedantic Basterd Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 5,184	Wheel of Time is sitting on my bookshelf waiting for me to start with. But instead of tackling that, I've gone: