Books you just read discussion

The "movies you just watched" thread is really great, I thought it would be nice to have one for books.

I just read "The Godfather Legacy". Truly amazing. So much to know about the GF - I highly recommend it to all GF fans.

Just finishing up "The Black Book And The Mob" which is a must for any Mob/Las Vegas fan.


Don Cardi

Are you aware that Harlan Lebo is making a revised/updated version of the book?


Don Cardi

The last books I read was Fight Club and Death of a Salesman. I read parts of Howard Hughes: His Life and Madness every now and then, and it's an excellent book for The Aviator fans.

I have a lot of other books, including Puzo novels, although I have only read some of each, except The Family. Movie viewing takes up most of my reading time. :p

I was thinking of actually making this thread! Anyway, I really want to read Marlon Brando's Autobiography, "Brando: Songs My Mother Taught Me."

Are you aware that Harlan Lebo is making a revised/updated version of the book?


Don Cardi [/b][/quote]I heard about it some time ago, or maybe I've read about it in the Lebo chat transcript - anyway it sounds good, when is it coming out?

I just finished reading The Broker by John Grisham. It definitely wasn't his best novel, but it was still a great read nonetheless.

Now I'm finishing up reading Gangsters and Goodfellas, then I plan on reading Way of the Wiseguy, and then I'm gonna pick up The Family for another read.

I plan on getting the new Harry Potter book, but I wanna get the first 5 first and read them. I'm thinking about purchasing the hardcover boxset from Amazon.com, but the price is a little steep. I may just settle for the paperback set, and purchasing the new book along with it. Although I could just buy all the books at Wal-Mart, and use my discount card.

Check out this site for Harry Potter books :


http://dogbert.abebooks.com/servlet/Sear...Potter&x=19


Don Cardi

I read about half of The Hobbit 2 months ago but unfortunately I haven't picked it up since. I hope to get it finished before I go back to Texas next month on the 17th

I've posted a bunch of book reviews on our blog , though you might have to check the archives for some of the earlier ones. Currently, I'm reading the "9/11 Commission Report," "All The Presidents Men," and "Unlimited access : an FBI agent inside the Clinton White House," all of which seem to be good reads for your friendly neighborhood American history major, such as myself.

I'm just wrapping up Bob Woodward's excellent The Secret Man. Fascinating reading about Felt, the cover-up and the background of the main players in the breaking of the story.

I've recently finished Catch-22 and Beowulf (Seamus Heaney translation). Both were superb.

The last five books read "The Glass Castle" by Jeanette Walls, "Skinny Dip" by Carl Hiaasen, "The Sex Lives of Cannibals" by Maarten Troost, "The Millstone" by Margaret Drabble and "No Ordinary Matter" by Jenny McPhee.

Currently reading "The Motorcycle Diaries" by Ernesto "Che" Guevara.

I just finished "Henrietta Snow" by Ruth Doan MacDougall. Every summer, I give myself the treat of rereading "Beach Music" by Pat Conroy.

Check out this site for Harry Potter books :


Don Cardi [/b][/quote]I've purchased quite a few books from abebooks.com. They definitely have the best prices, and the best selection. I purchased what they called a brand new copy of Gangsters and Goodfellas from Abebooks for 3 bucks. I was scared it would be in sh*tty condition, but was surprised when it showed up. It was brand new.

I really want this version of The Half Blood Prince, but I may just settle for the regular copy.

Well, in the last two months I've read,

Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk, for the second time
Survivor by Chuck Palahniuk
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson
Choke by Chuck Palahniuk, this thing was fucking amazing!
And I am at chapter 6 of Lullaby by Palahniuk, which I just started yesterday.

LLC, is Palahniuk's Fight Club writing style in his other works? There are several books I would love to get, but any time I get money, it has to go into film. :p I also forgot to mention I finished Shakespeare's Julius Caesar a while back. Some may remember my public speaking problems with Antony's monologue. Thompson's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is probably on the top of my list as far as books go. I read all that Amazon.com let me, and I have to read more.

I don't read as much as I should, but this is a nice idea for a thread!

I have two favorite books that I didn't just read, but I feel I should mention them:

False Memory - Dean Koontz
I chose this for a school assignment in which we were supposed to read several books and gather points from each one for a final grade. It turned out to be one of my favorite books. Koontz is a real stickler for details, as my friend warned me, but I think it was worth it for the full effect. It really did "get to me," as the story progressed, and I truly did enjoy reading it.

A Tale of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
An assignment for my English class, or else I probably never would've laid eyes on it, but it really surprised me, as I ended up loving it. It took detailed explanations from my teacher, as well as cliff notes after I read the actual chapters, to understand it completely, but all of the "research" made it worthwhile. It even made me cry, probably the first time a book's ever done that, and I'm really glad I read it.

Hopefully I'll do some heavier reading when school starts back, but I've stuck to the sports section and my Uncle John's Bathroom Readers for my summer reading.

Yeah, it's all like that, for the most part. Choke had a few chapters where the main character discussed his childhood, and those were just slight variations of his writing style. but 90% of it was his famed style used in Fight Club.

I highly reccomend all of his books. Chuck has confirmed they're all going to be turned into movies eventually, and Choke, Lullaby, and Invisible Monsters all have finished scripts. I'm most excited about Choke. There are rumors of Darren Aronofsky directing it, which would kick ass--Requiem was simply amazing, the best film of 2002.

"The Da Vinci Code" is the last book I read.
I'm currently reading "The catcher in the rye" by Salinger and.......

S
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S
P
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C
E


THE GODFATHER by Mario Puzo!!!!! It seems to be a good book, they should make a film out of it!!!!!

I'm pretty sure the last book I read was a few months ago. It was Omerta by Mario Puzo. I liked it, and would recommend it to the people on this forum (but chances are, most of you have already read it). I'm reading the latest Harry Potter, Fools Die should be coming soon in the mail, and I'm trying to order a copy of Bill Maher's latest New Rules: Polite Musings of a Timid Observer. You can hear an audio sample by visiting this website .

I just finished Digital Fortress by Dan Brown, author of The Da Vinci Code. I'm deciding between reading Omerta, Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, Deception Point, or To The Lighthouse next.

Don Sicilia,


It's always nice to see you post. Go with Omerta my friend. Fast read and enjoyable.


Don Cardi

Don Sicilia, did you ever get around to reading that book about the Chicago World's Fair? It's been on the best seller list for months now.

Chicago's World Fair?? Haven't heard of it. What's it about (other than the obvious!)? :p

Yeah, DC, I was leaning towards Omerta. I still have The Godfather Returns on my queue, but I have a strange feeling Omerta will be better.

Yeah, it's all like that, for the most part. Choke had a few chapters where the main character discussed his childhood, and those were just slight variations of his writing style. but 90% of it was his famed style used in Fight Club.

I highly reccomend all of his books. Chuck has confirmed they're all going to be turned into movies eventually, and Choke, Lullaby, and Invisible Monsters all have finished scripts. I'm most excited about Choke. There are rumors of Darren Aronofsky directing it, which would kick ass--Requiem was simply amazing, the best film of 2002. [/b][/quote] Do you have the first version of Fight Club?

Ok, I just finished The Balck Book And The Mob. Great Book!

I am awaiting a book called "The Green Felt Jungle."

But while I am waiting for it to be delivered, I was toying with the idea of trying to finish GF Returns. I never finished it because I became disgusted with it about 1/4 of the way through it.

Maybe I'll give it another shot.

Don Cardi

I'll definitely finish reading The Godfather Returns, eventually. No matter how much Pepto Bismol I injest in the process, I paid 17 bucks for that book, and by God I'm gonna finish it!

Am I the only one who thinks books are overpriced? When I can get movies cheaper then a hardcover book, I feel there's something wrong.

How's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone coming along xxx? I just read another 4 chapters of The Hobbit today and only have 6 left. I should hopefully get it done by Monday. When I get my Potter books in I want to start reading them, which means that I won't be able to read The Godfather for a year or more

So far I haven't read anymore of it, because I was at work all day. I'll read another 3 or 4 chapters before I go to sleep tonight, so I'll tell you what I think.

As for whether or not it starts like the film...well...would you believe I'm one of the three people in the world who haven't seen the films?

Well you better hurry up and see it so there'll only be 2 people left who haven't seen it But seriously, I think you should see it after reading the book. I wanna watch the movie before I read the book so I can visualize the book better

The Hobbit

Well I finally finished it. I started it back in April and read 7 chapters in probably a weeks time and haven't picked it up again. I read 2 chapters Wednesday, 4 Thursday, 4 Friday and 2 today. I did enjoy this and I'm glad I read it after I read The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. SPOILERS! I was diappointed with the way Smaug died. I was expecting and hoping for sometype of fight between Bilbo and the dwarves against Smaug because it had seemed to have been built up for the entire book and was somewhat saddened when Bard killed him with an arrow to his left breast.END OF SPOILERS! Again I did enjoy this and although it's not nearly as well written as The Lord of the Rings, it's still a very fun and interesting book to pick up. I can't wait now until I begin reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone when I get it next week in the mail

Im working on Harry Potter and "The Half Blood Prince." Its hard for me to read, but I Do enjoy the harry Potter books and Iam enjoying this one so far. But I doubt it will surpass The Goblet of Fire as my favorite in the series.

1. Goblet of Fire
2. The Sorcerers Stone
3. The Prisoner of Azkaban
4. (Projected) The Half Blood Prince
5. The Order of the Phoenix
6. The Chamber of Secrets

What's so hard about reading it? Also, what's so great about Goblet of Fire (without giving away too much). So far The Sorcerer's Stone is my favorite movie so that's why I'm excited about reading it the most

The Goblet of Fire is so much more exciting then the first three. It also rounds the characters out as the story darkens a little. The sorcerers stone is very good, but it is mostly happy go lucky 10 year old Harry making friends and learning to be a wizard. The Goblet of Fire is the pivotal point in the story.

Just got this today. Can't wait to start reading it!

Just finished reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone today. I started it on Wednesday and am very proud that I finshed it in just 4 days. A very fun and exciting book that was hard to put down. The movie was pretty much dead on when you compare it with the book, except for a few minor changes here and there which is to be expected. I plan on starting Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets tomorrow

Just finished reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets today. I started it on Sunday and am very proud that I finshed it in just 4 days. A very fun and exciting book that wasn't as hard to put down as was The Sorcerer's Stone. The movie was a little bit different from the movie moreso than the first book/movie. In this movie, a lot of lines said by a particular person is said by a different person in the book. I at least somewhat understand the ending a little bit better. I plan on starting Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban tomorrow

These Harry Potter fans are insane! How do you guys wisk through five-hundred plus pages in less than a week!?

Well book 1 is only 309 pages and book 2 is only 341 pages. Trust me, they get longer with books 4 & 5

I just finished Sting's biography broken music.

Joseph Ellis's "Founding Brothers". Perhaps one of the greatest historial accounts of American History ever written. Entertaining, informitave, witty.

Just finished reading Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban today. I started it last Thursday and am very proud that I finshed it in just 7 days. This was probably my favorite Harry Potter book so far that I've read. The movie is the one out of the trilogy that's probably furthest away from the book. I plan on starting Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire sometime this weekend (I've been reading for 2 weeks straight and would like a couple of days off). I'm not going to try to read Goblet as fast and the first 3. I just want to read it before the movie comes out in November, which I should be able to do

Picked this up today:

I have to admit, Ive been lazy lately regarding reading books. I have so many unread books here...4 Mario Puzo books are still here waiting to be read. But the book I mostly look forward to is T.E. Lawrence's "Seven Pillars of Wisdom"

Finished Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix last night. Quickest 870 pages I've ever read.



I purchased the Potter books about a week after the latest one (Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince) came out. So I started reading them on July 23. It is now September 19 and I've read the first 5 books. That's how good they are. I'll be starting Half Blood Prince today.

Well, we're reading The Scarlet Letter in school, now.

Anyone read it?

I'm trying my best to understand it completely, and I think I'll really enjoy it if I do.

Also picked this up:

Actually found this lying around at the Doctor's office.

Been getting alot of books lately... :p

Just ordered this.

After seeing Don Jasani's thread on his John Lennon book, I wanted to share that I'm reading Belushi, the biography of John Belushi. My parents gave it to me - I've just read a couple of chapters in my free time, so far, but I love it. He was such an interesting person - perhaps it'd be more fitting to say, an interesting character - and I'm really enjoying learning more about his life. All I ever knew him as, growing up, was Jake Blues, but I'm finally exposing myself to the complete John Belushi.

It's an excellent book.

Speaking of Belushi biographies, I read the anti-"Belushi", Wired.

A complete character assasination and total abdomation of a book. Complete garbage portrayl. Bob Woodward never met Belushi, yet had his complete thoughts down in many situations that were never told to anyone.

Al Franken said it best when describing the book;

"Tom Davis said the best thing about Wired. He said it’s as if someone wrote a book about your college years and called it Puked. And all it was about was who puked, when they puked, what they ate before they puked and what they puked up. No one read Dostoevsky, no one studied math, no one fell in love and nothing happened but people puking."

Reading this for school:

I figured you'd either read, or were planning on reading it, DA.

Judy Belushi mentioned something in Belushi about how some of the information on John got in the hands of the wrong person and that she was writing this book to make it right - I assume what you've described is what she was referring to?

Tony Love, I read Of Mice and Men in school, as well. I enjoyed it, and I hope you do, too.

This thread is a good idea, I think. Well, I recently finished Hell's Angels by Hunter S. Thompson, Of Mice And Men by Steinbeck and Choke by Chuck Palahniuk. I loved all three.

Right now, I am halfway through Night by Elie Wiesel, and about a quarter of the way through Fear and Loathing on the Campaigne Trail: 72 by Hunter Thompson. And while I am at it, I will mention I am planning to re-read Chuck Palahniuk's Fight Club and my absolute favorite book, Hunter Thompson's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. I believe this will be my hundreth time reading Fear and Loathing, right on the mark (I am dead serious, too).

Once all this is done, I want to finish reading the remaining Hunter Thompson books, starting with Curse of Lono.

I'm reading The Family by Mario Puzo. He did some work!
And now I know from where all these Borgias and incests made their way to GF3.

Actually about to wrap up Stephen King's Dark Tower series. I'm early on in Song of Susannah (Book VI). Not a huge King fan, but this series has been quite intriguing.

Just finished A Million Little Pieces. Now I want to read the sequel, My Friend Leonard. Has anyone else read them?

I'm reading Samurai Widow by Judy Belushi Pisano now. So far it's been a great read.

You can wisk through them because they require very little thought.

It's pointless to start on a literary evaluation here because films are not books and books are not films. QED.

I have no real problem with films based on books but it is pretty rare that a book becomes a great film. In fact Philip K Dick's books have been bastardised continually in order that Hollywood producers can earn their dough:

Blade Runner - based on Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep by Philip K Dick. Now apparently that was only the basis. The film was more properly based on a book by Alan E Nourse called 'The Blade Runner'. Why wasn't that hyped? Possibly because Nourse's name wasn't as sellable as PK Dick's.

'Total Recall': Have you read the story this was based on? It's called 'We can Remember It for you Wholesale'. Yes, some idea in there got into the film but it's totally different.

'Minority Report' Come on! The film has no real bearing on the story. A vehicle for fast stunts and product placement. Absolute boolocks.

But to get back to the whole 'I have read a book' scenario the majority of you have picked books that are as hyped as films.

Why don't you read some real books. Books that require you to think. Books that may need a little more than a quick scan. Books that mean you go to bed worrying about what you've just read. Here is a list:

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

Piano Player by Kurt Vonnegut

Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut

The Man In The High Castle by P K Dick

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

Walking On Glass by Iain Banks

Nineteen Eighty Four by George Orwell

For Whom The Bell Tolls by Earnest Hemingway

Breakfast Of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut

Sirens Of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut

Filth by Irvine Welsh

I could go on. Apart from the travesty that was 1984 not one of these has been attempted (Sorry I remember that David Lean did a well respected and spooky version of Great Expectations - big deal). And too right. If you want to make a film of a book, fair play. But trying to pretend it's in some way a literary, intelligent exercise is crap.

Oh, yeah, Kubrick did a great attempt at Clockwork Orange and I'm sure someone's tried For Whom The Bell Tolls, but the point is that these books do not translate well. Most books don't.

I just get annoyed when all people say is that they've read The da Vinci Code or the entire Harry Potter series. Please, there are some great novels around. And we all have, I hope, an hour before we fall asleep. Read a good book.

You can get annoyed all you want, but fact is that Harry Potter succeeds very well in what it wants to do.
Those books are very underrated by literature lovers.

I SHOOR DO WISH I KOOD REED AS GOOD AS U!!1

Dang, bro., you're a deep one! Seriously, man, you make me ashamed to admit I'm reading King's Dark Tower series! But all kidding aside, I think you're absolutely right. It all boils down to what's "marketable" these days, not what touches the soul or prompts a positive reaction. Thanks for drivin' that point home.

Your entitled to your opinion, but you are wrong. Just because a book becomes a film doesn't mean it's crap. You are correct on the fact that maybe people do buy books because their watching of the films maybe made them want to read the book. I do agree that people should start reading books that aren't hyped by films, but it does NOT mean they are crap by any means. And it also does not mean it cannot be thought provoking. The Lord of The Flies anyone?

The Harry Potter books are pretty good, but overrated.

It looked intresting in teh libary so I thought id bringit home.

Just wraping up, Truman Capote's masterpiece, "In Cold Blood". An absobing, tense tale of the murder of a small, rural Kansas family and the subsiquent investigation and excecution of the murderes. Told from both sidesl the perpetraitors and the investigators.

Gripping and one of the greatest American books writen in the 20th Century.

I knew this would lead to a bit of misrepresentation but I stick with what I said.

If people want to read JK Rowling and Dan Brown... well fair enough. My problem is if that is all they read. People see that as being all it requires to be a reader. I am saying that if people actually were as adventurous in their reading habits as they maybe are in their film watching habits they might actually read something that meant more to them than what happens to Harry in the next volume. Do you see my point? I am saying read about something that has not been hyped. Be different. Find out what happens to Pip in Great Expectations. Be concerned about Winston Smith in Nineteen Eighty Four. Wonder how the human race can survive when you read The Kraken Wakes by John Wyndham.

Also, I love Stephen King. He is a proper writer. So don't presume that I think his stuff is crap. I don't.

No.

You don't just come waltzing in here belittling other people's reading choices just because you think you're OH-SO-MUCH-MORE-intellectual than them.

Puh-leeze.

Reading a book isn't what is required to be a reader? How's that work?

If you enjoy this book, I highly recomend oall of Steinbeck's other works. The most prominent are perhaps, "East of Eden" and "The Grapes of Wrath". "Eat of Eden" is an intimate and absorbing epic in the stricktest sesne of the word. The same description can be apllied for, "The Grapes of Wrath" except that I feel more humanity in "...Wrath". You understand and care and come to love these poor folks and Steinbeck doesn't hessitate to give you the truth about the ways of the world. Mind blowing stuff. Peraps the greatest writter of his time. Fuck Hemmingway or Faulkner or Fitzgerald. Steinbeck is easily the greater of the whole lot.

Well, I wasn't sure. I think SOME of his stuff is crap. Anyway, as I said, I think you're absolutely right, particularly when it comes to expanding the ol' cranium. I think each subsequent generation gets a little dumber and a little dumber. Most young'uns today couldn't even tell you who Dickens is, or Poe, or Melville, etc., etc., etc.

But you sure unintentionally opened a can of worms, dude!

mhm

Not that rare.

And just because someone on here listed that they read Harry Potter, or The Da Vinci Code.. doesn't mean that's the ONLY book they read... it just means that they DID read it.

Reading a book isn't what is required to be a reader? How's that work? [/QB][/quote]I think I understand where he is coming from. Some readers never look beyond the story. They just read a book and run along contentley, never thinking of the symbolisim or the statement the author is trying to make in his work.

Of course, we like tho think that this is a new development. Fact is that some people don't appeciate art for what it is or can be... A source of enlightement. That's the purpose of criticisim and analysis. To discover such things.

That said, it hurts to over-analyze. Then the work looses it's steem, and that whole sense of telling a story. SOmetimes, works don't need to be anylized. They are just cahreceter studies or just really good stories.

All variables shouldbe taken into consideration. Sorry for the rant.

Reminds me of the "disclaimer" Twain put in Huck Finn...or was it A CT. Yankee in King Arthur's Court??

No.

You don't just come waltzing in here belittling other people's reading choices just because you think you're OH-SO-MUCH-MORE-intellectual than them.

Puh-leeze.

Reading a book isn't what is required to be a reader? How's that work? [/b][/quote]So, what was the last book you read then? Are you the kind of person who thinks reading is attaching one word to the next? Thereby getting a sentence.

Now THAT I agree with. Maybe he just worded it wrong?

Although I still disagree about the part where he said that its rare that books make great films. I mean, just glancing at the list on the link I put:

2001: A Space Odyssey, Arsenic and Old Lace, Ben-Hur, Bridge on the River Kwai, Caine Mutiny, The Exorcist, Forrest Gump, Frankenstein, Gettysburg, THE GODFATHER, The Great Escape... All of which are EXCELLENT films (in my opinion anyway.. and obviously someone elses if they listed them on that site) And I'm only at the G's.

No. Definatley "Huck Finn". Great work, by the way. Read it earlier this year in Language Arts and it is one of the ddefinative American works. Twain's humour is evident and yet there is such a statement and a heart to this work that it really enders it and let's it's message last even today. Althoughin the backdrop of 1840's Southern U.S.A. , the fact is that it's more than just a tale about a boy and his slave. It's a boy, confronted with the worlds faults who comes of age and learns the most important things about friendship and life and being a man.

These are not news matters. These are matters that matter.

Although I still disagree about the part where he said that its rare that books make great films. I mean, just glancing at the list on the link I put:

2001: A Space Odyssey, Arsenic and Old Lace, Ben-Hur, Bridge on the River Kwai, Caine Mutiny, The Exorcist, Forrest Gump, Frankenstein, Gettysburg, THE GODFATHER, The Great Escape... All of which are EXCELLENT films (in my opinion anyway.. and obviously someone elses if they listed them on that site) And I'm only at the G's. [/QB][/QUOTE]

This bit above is a quote from the post. My editing has made it seem like it's my own writing. This line of asterisks divides my own from the quote... okay.

******************************************************

I really can't see anything here. None of these are original novels. Are they? Okay: Frankenstein. But seriously corrupted. I bet you still think that the monster was called Frankenstein. Space Odyssey? Okay, a novel. But extremely adapted to allow Kubrick to make the film. And do you really think that Forrest Gump was a novel? Let alone thinking it was a great film? Is there anyone else in the room? Is there anybody here who thinks that The Great Escape (a great film) was also once a novel?

Do you see the bit at the top of the page where it says "movies based on books"???

Actually the doctor's name was Frankenstein. The Monster wasn't given a name. I've read the book, and its sitting in my closet.

Did I stutter in my post where I said they were all excellent movies in my opinion?

You do know, that its BASED ON A TRUE STORY, don't you? Paul Brickhill took part in it, documented it, wrote a book on it, and it was made into a GREAT movie.
(Actually as a bit of a side note, my granddad was at the same POW Camp that it took place in )


I think I see what the problem is here. You think (very wrongly) that you and your opinion are better than everyone else.

The last book I read was Brave New World. And before that, Animal Farm, and before that I read the complete works of Edgar Allen Poe. I could go on, but I'll stop.

And stop sounding so fucking pompous.

You simply can't except that you are wrong here. Always a little bullshit tid-bit or little stupid excuse. Christ.

Do you see the bit at the top of the page where it says "movies [b]based on books"???

Actually the doctor's name was Frankenstein. The Monster wasn't given a name. I've read the book, and its sitting in my closet.

Did I stutter in my post where I said they were all excellent movies in my opinion?

You do know, that its BASED ON A TRUE STORY, don't you? Paul Brickhill took part in it, documented it, wrote a book on it, and it was made into a GREAT movie.
(Actually as a bit of a side note, my granddad was at the same POW Camp that it took place in )


I think I see what the problem is here. You think (very wrongly) that you and your opinion are better than everyone else.

The last book I read was Brave New World. And before that, Animal Farm, and before that I read the complete works of Edgar Allen Poe. I could go on, but I'll stop.

And stop sounding so fucking pompous. [/b][/quote]Quite simply the greatest post ever.

I think you're the one that should quit the "presuming."

I've read all of the Harry Potter books, and yet you "presume" that people who read the Harry Potter books, or any other book that has caught public interest, you think that's all we read.

I think we should change the word "presume" to "assume". And we all know what happens when we assume. Just read a post by kevon45uk.

Well, if you want to break reading down to it's most basic terms, that's exactly what reading is.

Webster's Dictionary says reading is "to learn from what one has seen or found in writing or printing."

Here's some advice, kevon. Lose the condescending, prissy "holier than thou" attitude that you've displayed throughout this thread. You aren't better than anybody, so don't you dare talk down to anybody on these boards.

Good day, sir.

YOU MAKE AN "ASS" OUT OF "U" AND "ME"!!!!!

Okay, so you know all that. But you are the kind of person who without thinking destroys the idea that a person should learn.

You think it's okay to attack a person for learning.

I want people to read things because it's important that they do so.

I am happy that you are au fait with Poe, Shelley, Byron et al.

You think I am pompous. I don't think that I am. I just want people (and I definitely mean kids) to read things other than Harry Potter stories. I was brought up to read all kinds of things. I read CS Lewis and Tolkien as a kid and I didn't need a big Hollywood movie to tell me about it.

Reading things like that gave me an introduction to grown up books. Lets face it, Tolkien didn't really write for nippers.

All I'm saying is that there is an infantilism about culture at the moment and if a few of us stood up for literature and bought a few books that were difficult but in the end rewarding maybe we could arrest that slide and we would be able to look at one another on the underground and think to ourselves: "Well he/she is reading 'Keep The Aspidistra Flying' by George Orwell or reading 'Cosmos' by Carl Sagan" and we would feel in ourselves that things aren't so bad.

No offence like.

Excuse me?

No, I know you are.

And I think you're scrapping for excuses because you just got PWN3D 293845 different times.

Winston Groom wrote the novel 1986.

Winston Groom wrote the novel 1986. [/QB][/quote]Ouch!

If I was at a place with you and you responded in that way I would think to myself:

This person is slightly unhinged

This needs to go no further

This person cannot have a real discussion with me

Best get a cab

Very sad

Aimed at Bogey

Whoever he is.

Last couple of posts are fine. I have no problem there

I'm a girl, Mr. Smartypants.

And if I was at a place talking to you, I probably would have punched you in the face and called a cab FOR YOU a long time ago.

I am losing friends rapidly on this site. I did not mean this to happen.

I had no idea that Forrest Gump was once a novel. Was it any good?

I suppose that most of my other bollocks was shit as well.

In future I will just say what everyone wants to hear.

"Munich" by Steven Spielberg is an accurate description of what happened at the Olympics in 1972.

Without "Pearl Harbour" (Dir. Michael Bay 2001) we would have no real understanding of what World War II was about.

And "The Interpreter" (Dir S Pollack 2005) is a classic example of the openness of US secret services. And fancy allowing well known subversive Sean Penn a starring role!

Thank you and goodnight

Kev

I was about to post a list of masterpieces and other great films based on books, but it seems Bogey already beat me to it. I looked over the list, which has most, though a few were missing. If you'll allow me to twist your knife, Bogey?

Le Samourai (Jean-Pierre Melville), the best suspense/crime film ever, based on "The Ronin."
Short Cuts (Robert Altman), one of the five best dramas ever, based on "Short Cuts."
Once Upon a Time in America (Sergio Leone), one of the ten greatest films ever, based on "The Hoods."
Raging Bull (Martin Scorsese), one of the best character studies, based on "Raging Bull."
Vertigo (Alfred Hitchcock), Hitchcock's masterpiece, based on "d'Entre les Morts"
The Birds (Alfrd Hitchcock), based on "The Birds."
Strangers on a Train (Alfred Hitchcock), based on "Strangers on a Train."
Plein soleil (René Clément), based on "The Talented Mr. Ripley."

And there are definitely many more I forgot.

Actually, Pearl Harbor was complete bullshit from a hack filmmaker. A token tragedy in the influence of Titanic to make money, though that's just IMO.

Anytime, Vercetti.. anytime. :p

That's not what people want to hear anyhow. You simply think people who read Harry Potter or etc, ONLY read Harry Potter, and you also believe that people only look to films to make up for reading books. You are wrong, very wrong. And a smug, elitist ass. (Just like RRA.

Actually, Pearl Harbor was complete bullshit from a hack filmmaker. A token tragedy in the influence of Titanic to make money, though that's just IMO. [/QB][/QUOTE]

Come on! I was taking the piss!

What is wrong with you lot?

Almost everyone here in dear ol' Blighty knew it was a crock from the start. No sense of humour?

You said you were going to say "what everyone wants to hear".

He was saying that thats NOT what everyone wants to hear.

You wouldn't be losing friends if you didn't generalize everything.

I don't really understand. (Some ammo for you). I'm going to bed now. Got to go to work in the AM.

Nice chat. You all need to find things funnier. That being said though, I hate a waste of reading ability. Try some Orwell or some Kurt Vonnegut. Total eye-openers.

Love

Kev

"Munich" was an accurate depiction of what happened at Munich. The re-enactments of the entire thing are impecable. I highly suggest you watch, "Balck September". One of the greatest documentaries I've ever seen.

As for, "Forest Gump", it did well enough with the critics and Wendy Finnerman picked up the rights and tweaked it all to create the 1994 film.

Your not loosing friends. Just watch your battles in the future.

Somebody get a fire extinguisher!! Too many...flamethrowers...c-can't...breathe!!

Come on, y'all! Cut the fella a lil' slack. I think we'd all agree that kids should read more than the backs of cereal boxes and strictly Harry Potter (in my best Seinfeld voice, "Not that there's anything wrong with that!"). And I've always found that if I read a book first and then saw its movie release, I was disappointed in the flick, and vice versa (The Godfather being the one wonderful exception). Granted, the gentleman's gutsy for a newer poster, but that doesn't have to be a liability, does it? I'll call a time-out for everybody to smoke the peace pipe. Here, I'll take the first toke, er, I mean, puff !

No, but he shouldn't be cut any slack solely on the basis of his lenghth of stay here either. kevon's taste in literature is high brow, and there's nothing wrong with that (dueling Snake with MY Seinfeld imitation) but he should be aware that not everyone has the same tastes.

FWIW - I agree that today's kids should try to read the "classics" to broaden their horizons, but looking down on one's nose at those who don't (read the "classics") is a little snooty.

Don't Bogart that pipe, Snake, pass it over to me.

Sounds like a song!

Point taken, SC.

Now, kevon4uk, I see your point, I really do. I fully agree people should read, and read something thought provoking, and I'm sure alot of people on here do. But the way you came on here and blasted everyone without knowing shit about what else they've read, that's what's making you lose friends.

I agree kids (us lot) should read the classics, whatever that means. I also agree (or argue) that the already-educated ones should keep up with Literature, instead of thinking it is a thing of the Past, dead and buried.

Not that anybody around here does that. Just giving two sides to the horizon-broadening coin.

Bogey; I borrowed Brave New World some time ago, and it's still on my shelf. Seen any films of it? I've got a TV movie adaptation, with that thick-eye-browed-guy from The OC and While You Were Sleeping in it.

As regards current reads, I'm still halfway through a re-read of The Magus. After that, I shall embark on Alain-Fournier's Le Grande Meaulnes, the novel which inspired Fowles'.

As an ex teacher, I think I've got enough "on ground" experience in this field. Well, I can honestly say the ignorance level in younger generations is going to be more and more alarming. We are facing a true "rebound illiteracy". TV, computer and other media have reduced the reading time and room to a minimum and school cannot cope it. This is scary. I'm sorry if I sound snobbish (I think I am anyway ), but I believe kids (and young adults and adults and everyone) ought to read the classics to develop a stronger cultural background. Parents should urge kids to read good books in order to trigger and support the reading interest. Reading the harrypotterish stuff doesn't do any harm, of course. But this kind of literature should be just an addition IMO. If people grow up without reading the classics, without a real cultural backbone, they are going to realize sooner or later how illiterate they are. This is the better hypothesis, of course. The worse one is they are NOT going to realize it.

if you mean making tons of money you're definitely right! :p

It depends on what you mean by literature. Once this word was used more cautiously. And pour cause , IMO.

Lav, while I agree people should read "classics", I don't think it should be forced on them. Education's outlook on Literature is abysmal; the academic approach to such an intricate artform tends to dissect it down in some kind of mathematical way, and makes it boring for those who aren't really interested, and too fussy for those who are.

Reading, I think, is the goal; to push people in set directions beyond that will maintain a sense of highbrow pretentiousness, lack of individual personality, and keeping things strictly in the box. Imposing "classic" Literature over anything is as restricting as religion; I would find it much more rewarding a subject if the students were allowed to read whatever book they liked, in the hope of conjuring some real passion for the work, and from that try to broaden their minds.

What do you think?

And, by the way, what did you teach? I never knew all this time that I had a crush on a teacher. :p

I don't like forcing either, yet it should be forced on kids. If you leave it to them, they would only read the trendy HPish stuff and never commit themselves to more demanding literature. Mind you, I'm not blaming kids for that, I'm blaming adults when they fail to have a guiding role and help kids and develop a taste for a deeper literature. This would be very important and rewarding in the long run.

I absolutely agree. Reading the HPish stuff is better than nothing, I presume....


I taught Italian literature, History and Geography. With your outstanding writing ability, I bet you would have been the teacher's pet if you were in my class, Capo!

Very true Lavs. Very true.

When my son started his fifth grade grade school year, we watched the movie "Renaissance Man" with Danny DeVito. I don't know if you are familiar with the movie. It's a story about a man (DeVito) who gets layed off from his job and eventually finds a job working for the United States Military as a teacher. To make a long story short, in the movie, he uses "Hamelet" to teach his military students. While the movie is a comedy, it also teaches several lessons in it's plot.

Well my son loved the movie and then decided that he wanted to read "Hamlet"!

Anyway several months later we were invited to his school to see a fifth grade opera that the students were putting on. Turns out that my son, wrote the whole opera himself, working with the Metropolitan Opera House, and at the end of the year received a special award upon graduation from 5th grade for his writing talents.

When he accepted his award he was asked what inspired him to write this opera for the school, and he told the story of how he watched the movie and from the movie was drawn to reading Hamlet, which inspired him to write the opera for the school.

So you never know.


Don Cardi

What an achievement!!! You and your wife must be very proud of your talented son!!! Congratulations!!

I agree 100%

Forcing school kids to read the "classics" is very much putting the cart before the horse.

Let them develop an interest in reading by reading what they choose.

Anyone developing such an interest will, on their own, move on to those classic works which appeal to them.

The young Cardi must've seen and read "Guys and Dolls" a few times. He's the best damned horse handicapper I've ever met.

"I gotta horse right here, his name is Paul Revere...."




Don Cardi

Using the word "forcing" I did not mean binding them to their desk with some Tolstoji's 2000 pages novels to be digested! I meant encouraging kids to develop a taste for good literature. Reading aloud with them. Commenting what they are reading. Help them understand. Help them make a habit out of reading. Sharing the pleasure of reading. If you let it to them, chances are they are going to read nothing but cellular manuals. Or, if you are lucky, the HPish stuff. This is, at least, my experience. Kids must be guided. That's what educators are for.

Harry Potter, or "the HPish stuff", is about as insightful, enlightening and enjoyable as King Lear, as long as there's an avid passion for it. Or, rather, King Lear is about as flat, ordinary and crap as Harry Potter if there isn't a passion for it.

If any novel is studied -- that is, not only read, but actually discussed by the reader (and it doesn't even have to be in an academic way) -- it immediately merits intellectual engagement of some sorts.

Lav, what would be "good Literature" to you, then?

Wow this thread's turned interesting. I completely agree with Capo here, though Lav's clarification makes a good point.

I recently read 1984. Well the first two pages. I still cannot read fiction and haven't been able to for 3, maybe 4, years. I struggle to read someone elses imagination and question everything. It's a shame because I used to enjoy fiction.

I completely agree.

so you believe that the only criterion for evaluating a work of literature (or, if we apply this concept to any form of art -- paintings, sculpture, music, whatever) is just the individual passion for it? No objective and absolute value, no intrinsic merit? :rolleyes: Are you telling me if some spotty teenagers tell me MichaelAngel's Pity is nothing but a crappy piece of marble, should I respect him simply because he doesn't have passion for it? Isn't the Pity a masterpiece per se , regardless of what you feel about it? How can you even think of comparing King Lear to Harry Potter with a sort of a neutral attitude? This is blasphemous!!! This is applied to arts relativism, something I consider not only wrong, but even dangerously flattening! :p

I totally agree, except that IMO it ALWAYS merits intellectual engagement, at least to some extent. Reading is not merely putting syllabs together. You read in order to understand and hopefully remember what you grasped precisely by means of an intellectual effort of some degree, depending on many variables. It's called learning. And you don't learn only when you study. On the contrary, this happens seldom. Unfortunately.


do you want a list? I basically consider good literature any work of literature which outlives fashions and time and (even if to a lesser degree) space, which gives me some deep intellectual emotions that I'm going to keep and hopefully share (if possible). An experience of pure beauty which develops my fantasy and broadens and deepens my thoughts and ultimately enriches me and makes a better person out of me. "Trendy" literature only enriches its authors and is likely to be blown away without leaving any significant trace.

I wish I could master English better. It's terribly hard to let myself completely understood.....

I think you do just fine, Lavinia. Better than some whose mother language is supposedly English!

thank you so much, Snake! But I still believe there are so many nuances in a language it is almost impossible to master them when you are speaking a language that is not your own. And sometimes it's just nuances you need to let yourself completely understood. I do hope I'll learn more. These BBs are of great help!

Ovation Lavinia! I rarely feel such pleasure as I do reading you in this thread.
Lavi, you have brilliant English. Better then I do, possibly.

If the reader approaches both texts with an open mind and Harry Potter engages more, and he gets more from it, then yes, it is a better book.

If no work of art evokes some kind of response inside of you, then it isn't good. It's impossible to rate something as a masterpiece and at the same time taking some objective stance and claim you have no passion for it. If you recognise it as a masterpiece, you must hold some passion for it. Lav, you hold The Pieta as a masterpiece because of your personal attachment to it; there's nothing wrong with that. So do I. You don't rate Harry Potter a masterpiece because of your personal detachment, or rejection of it.

Quote:

Are you telling me if some spotty teenagers tell me MichaelAngel's Pity is nothing but a crappy piece of marble, should I respect him simply because he doesn't have passion for it?

If anybody claims anything to be "crappy" without giving some kind of personal elaboration, then no, their opinion merits no respect. If the same teenager responds to Harry Potter by saying it's a "boring piece of shit", I'd feel the same way. What if I say The Pieta fails to evoke in me any sympathy for the figures it depicts? Does that mean I'm wrong, because the work of Art's objective greatness automatically overrides my own opinion? And, for the record, I admire the sculpture's accurate representation of the human figure, and because of that, I rate it a masterpiece of form.
If I said Michelangelo's figures were too accurate, and argued that if Art represents the world we see in a way so as to look real, then you may as well just take a photograph of it, then I'd be wrong? What if I said it was an overly manipulative piece, intended to evoke certain emotions in us, and failed in its goal, because I rejected those values? What if I think his sculpting abilities are far inferior to other artist's? Am I wrong?

Everything, I think, is a masterpiece in its own right. It's just a case of whether or not you connect with that. You don't connect with the masterpiece inside of Harry Potter; I don't connect with the masterpiece inside of Georgia O'Keefe's work.

Actually, it's quite the opposite. I'm comparing them with a personal attitude, judging their relative, intrinsic value upon me. You can't compare them in an objective way, I don't think. Or you could, but it defeats the purpose of Art appreciation, I think; these are literary texts, written by an artist and read by his/her audience. To value any work of art over another because it has stood the test of time more is unfair, I think (though I'm not saying you do). In fact, Harry Potter is part of my school's English syllabus now, and the year below me are studying it in comparison to Tom Brown's Schooldays as an academic subject.

Yeah, it always merits intellectual engagement, but as long as it's studied.

I don't mean studied in the sense of sitting down in class and answering questions on it. It can be done alone. Studying automatically implies some academic approach, and, actually, this approach is the one that is, for me, too fussy in trying to decode the meaning and messages of works of Art. There are more abstract, more pesonal, more rewarding ways to approach texts. Take this, for example: ever read when you're tired as hell, or with something distracting your mind, and you find yourself reading the same sentence over and over again, without it registering? This is, I think, reading without studying it. Thinking back to it after reading, you won't be able to respond in any way. But if you give everything to the text, then you're engaging in it, and that means you're studying it. In fact, I don't think things have to be studied post-reading, and that the actual reading of a text is good enough. The problem in some spotty teenager's rejection of Michelangelo lies not in his response, but in that he didn't give everything into his appreciation of it. This is why I always watch a film all the way through, or why I always insist on silence when watching a film with others, or why I wear headphones when watching them alone. So that, if I reject the piece, at least I've given everything into it.

So this automatically places a prejudice against newer authors and works. It basically says that, the novels we're reading today, whichi were also written today, we have no say in the matter whether they're good or not, and it'll be long after we die when they're judged as to their greatness. Do you agree with this? I don't. Who decides what is trendy and what is "deep"? History? Perhaps, but what if you're alive in 1606, and have just seen King Lear for the first time. Everybody's raving about it; its author wrote it for a quick buck. Is it, then, only trendy Literature, and not good? Or what of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde? Written by Stevenson, again, for a quick buck,and yet there are endless social, psychological and historical comments to be found in the piece.

I don't read a novel to understand it. I read it to understand myself. All texts (works of Art) are mirrors for humanity to gaze into it. Some argue that it's the most confrontational, challenging works that make that mirror the most rewarding, and therefore award Tragedies and Drama as the best kind of Literature. But what if some philospher reaches a stage in his life of total self-contentment, and decides one day, to sit down and read a Mills and Boon novel, and thinks it's the best book he's ever read?

Thanks for reading.

Mick, but you see any difference between, say, The Magus and Harry Potter? At least in their language? And how can you explain it?

Yeah.

The Magus explores far more interesting themes for me: Truth, facade, perception, love and obsession; whenever I read it it conjures up in me a zest for all the things Urfe goes through. I feel his betrayal every time I read it, and take relish in allowing myself to get lost in, and find new things in, Conchis' cryptic maze of Chinese boxes.

I've read Harry Potter, enjoyed it immensely, and therefore think its great. Approaching it with thoughtful analysis is the wrong way to judge it; of course, as a novel primarily intended for children (adults' love for it was a happy coincidence, I think), to reduct its quality due to it having no deep, inner meaning is like disclaiming The Magus because children can't understand it.

In case you reply before I edit, another paragraph:

If somebody said to me that they found Harry Potter far superior to The Magus because it spoke to them more, because they hold a personal love for fantasy fiction and how it inventively turns today's mundane education into some fantastical other world to which we can aspire and relate, then I have no problem with that.

If I said The Magus was better than Harry Potter because it had stood the test of time more, and was a more serious novel, I'd piss Potter-ites off; and in turn, I wouldn't respect anybody's opinion if they said The Magus was shit.

Of course they explore subjects of different depth. But still there's the level of language. You think Harry Potter as well written?

I find Rowling's language completely appropriate to the style and tone of the book. Do I find Fowles a better writer, though? Yes, because he engages me more. When I read Fowles' work, I suspend my disbelief emphatically, and embrace his characters and style as fictional embodiments of myself and my own world; I see many traits in Nicholas Urfe which I find in myself. When I read Harry Potter (which, ironically, was for school, about four years ago), I also suspended my disbelief. Which is, I think, good enough; especially for a fantasy novel.

Rowling is a far better writer than Puzo, I think.

To be fair, though, my thoughts on Rowling's language stems from my (vague) memory of it; if I revisited it today, I may well find it atrocious.

I know many girls who cried at the newest Harry Potter novel. If that doesn't merit praise for its use of language, I don't know what does. You need some kind of linguistic skill to evoke that kind of response in your readers when you're wanting to.

That must not lead you astray, girls often cry about sheer nothings.

I cannot agree here.
Puzo's writing can be at times very uneven, but at his best he's a genius. His prose is excellent, deep, and able to say many things between the lines, which I value most of all in good literature. But I won't start one more discussion on Puzo here, I've spent enough time analyzing the depth of his writing talent in other sections of these boards.

ok, there must be some generational gap here, Capo. I surrender! But you are still my fav BBs' spotless teenager. May I hope I'm still your fav BBs' teacher?

JM, this is extremely rewarding for me. No kidding!

This is plain lie. But I'll pretend I believe it anyway. I'm in a desperate need of flattering words at the moment...

Lavi, you are just the best. The best. You are like sunshine. We all love you. I suggest we write your nickname LOVEY.

WOW, that's some flattering stuff! I think I'm feeling better now. Thank you, JM. Anytime I need some outrageously flattering words I'll ask you!

I'm no good with words.

Would you allow flattering actions? (Please, allow me.)

And that was too much of an easy surrender; I'm disappointed. But yeah, I'll be your student any day.

you are more than good with words, Capo. Trust me.

You are legally an adult, right? I don't risk jail, do I?

I cannot compete with Harry Potter, Capo. He uses his tricks and I refuse using mine on you, dear!

Read The Camel Club this weekend. Typical potbopiler "thriller." Full of holes, cliches, and had an outcome I figured out halfway through the book. YAWN

Last semester I read this and enjoyed it the most out of the first 4 books. It was the longest up to that point but in some parts it felt like it wasn't long enough. I can't wait until I can read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix this summer.



I also got this for Christmas and read it while I was in New York. I enjoyed it but was very disappointed. I was hoping it would pick up right where For the Love of the Game left off but unfortunately it didn't. It was about his life but also about his Jordan Brand and business. Basically it was just about the qualities Michael Jordan possessed, how he's used them in the business world as well as the basketball court, and how he's been successful

Mmmm....2 questions, one for Capo, one for Lavinia...

Capo :

I know a dozen of girls who cry at "Armageddon" (there are at least 2 known tear-jerker scenes in this movie)and also at "Pearl Harbor" -(one of the last scenes)

Is Michael Bay a great director?

----
----

Lavinia :

Did you read any of the Harry Potter books?

-if you did, which one?

I am currently reading "Shine" by Star Jones (Reynolds). I'm a big fan of hers (sorry I know most people here probably don't like her). I didn't realize how appropo (sp?) this book would be for me. She was 41 when she decided to make a change and when she realized how unhappy (although very successful) she was. She decided to lose weight and find the man of her dreams. The subtitle is Shine: A Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Journey to Finding Love And what do you know? She did, right in the middle of all that changing. It's a great book and I recommend it for all middle-aged women looking to improve ~ whether it be to marry, remarry or just feel better about yourself and life. Here's a link at amazon.

I read some extracts of the first one (can't remember the title). I had to because my pupils were absolutely thrilled with it and I wanted to realize what it was all about. And I still think what I thought then. It's harmless. If you add some "real" literature.

Great autobiography! Very inspirational. I'm sure even non-wrestling fans would enjoy it.

I just finished up reading The Great Gatsby for school, and, despite the depressed mood it put me in (realistic and too much like life... ), I really enjoyed it. I've had great luck with school books, and this is probably one of my favorites, now. I couldn't believe how easy it was to read, compared to ones like A Tale of Two Cities, yet it also had the "deep" meanings to it.

Anyway, after finding out that a movie was made of it, I'm hoping to rent it.

Has anyone here read the book or seen the film?

I had to read the book and watch the movie for 11th grade English.

I really liked both, but maybe I'm weird. No one else in my class liked either.

Robert Redford was nice to look at anyway :p

Thanks, Bogey. Either you're not weird, or we're both weird. I always find myself getting much more into the books we read than most of my friends - English is my favorite subject, though, so maybe that's the reason.

I will definitely pay special attention to Robert Redford due to your recommendation...for character analysis, of course.

Gatsby's character was just so sad, though. I think I was just being greedy, and I wanted an idealistic story since it was just a story, and when it ended up reminding me so much of "real" life, it just left me feeling depressed. But it truly was a great book. Anyway, thanks for the input.

A friend of mine recommended I read this and the only reason I did was because she purchased me a copy. Not a bad book but it didn't have the affect on me that I think she was hoping it would.

"Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul" is certainly a tag line which would sell itself to me. You recommend it?

I've just finished, the other night, The French Lieutenant's Woman, by Fowles. A mesmerisingly seductive, always unpredictable, richly observed and brilliantly woven novel, layered, complex and utterly of its time. Perhaps a definitive dissection of Victorian society, sexual repression, social emancipation. I could almost read it again.

No I personally wouldn't recommend it

Im currently reading the book "REBECCA" i think the title is very catching and in your face. I first watched the film and thought it was good and now i am going to find out if the book is any better!

Rebecca (about the novel)

I just finished Steve Martin's The Pleasure of My Company, and I loved it.

Amazon Page

It was beautifully written and, though an easy read, captured and held my attention completely. I've enjoyed Martin as a comic for years now, but I never would've expected to find such sheer poetry in his literary work.

I found a lot of the character's OCD habits familiar, though to a less severe degree, thankfully. I've believed for a while now that many people possess at least a hint of OCD - in some way, we have our own distinct quirks that inhibit normalcy yet give us the sense of righteousness. Maybe I'm just crazy, but I truly felt for him and appreciated his feelings on love and life.

I was certain that someone in my family had a copy of Shopgirl, so I'll hopefully get my hands on that, next.

I'd be interested in reading John Fante's "Ask the dust". I read enthustiastic reviews of it. Anybody read it?

Great book! A recommended book about a great star.

I'm currently reading The Da Vinci Code I'd been meaning to read it for quite some time now. Then the film came out. I wanted to read the book before I saw the film...so I caved in and bought it. Excellent so far, I must say.

After that...I'm delving into this:

Iv read nearly al of the books funnily enough however i havnt read the first one im half way through! Harry potter that is!

Yes! Rasputin! I haven't read it, but he is, to me, one of the most interesting figures in history, next to maybe Hitler. Rasputin absolutely fascinates me... Such a bizarre man.

Iv read nearly al of the books funnily enough however i havnt read the first one im half way through! Harry potter that is! [/b][/quote]I read books 1, 2 and 3 after viewing the movies last summer. I read book 4 before the movie came out and currently I'm reading book 5. I want to try to read book 6 as well before I have to go back to Texas for school in August.

I agree, LLC. I watched a documentary on Rasputin a couple weeks ago, on the History Channel, I believe. Quite a fascinating character. This book was mentioned on the documentary, so I picked it up.

He was such a perplexing individual. His prediction of WWI, or the way he seemingly would alleviate the Czar's son's haemophilia, just through prayer. Some skeptics believed he achieved this through hypnosis, but no one has been able to figure out how he did the last time...all the way from his home in Syberia. And the way he died was remarkable as well. It seemed like no matter what they did to him...he just wouldn't go down.

I can't wait to read the book!

I've just started reading Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson; a change in pace and direction for me, and I'm enjoying it so far.

I'm gonna start reading The Godfather Returns tonight. I'm scared.

Be afraid...be very afraid. Actually...don't be. Pick it up and start reading if you're having trouble sleeping. Not only is The Godfather Returns a book...but it also doubles as a terrific sedative.

Just read The Long Goodbye by Raymond Chandler.

Chandler was a genius - superb plotting.

His books are far superior than the movies they became IMHO.

Not dismissing movies such as Hawks's version of The Big Sleep, just find the novels more stimulating.

I have nearly finished "Queen of the South" bt Arturo-Perez-Reverte. It is translated from Spanish and is about drug smuggling in Mexico,the Costa Del Sol & throws in the Sicilian & Russian Mafia's for good measure.
It is a good,thick book well worth a read by anyone.

Well, I'm very proud that I got this book done is only 26 days. The length of the book didn't bother me as much except I felt it didn't provide a lot of "suspensfulness" as the other books did. In book 1, they're looking for the Sorcerer's Stone, book 2 the Chamber of Secrets, book 3 trying to figure out who how Sirius broke out of Azkaban and why he's after Harry/fighting dementors, book 4 the Triwizard Tournament. What really disappointed me in this book was just not a real interesting "central theme" as the other books had. I plan on reading The Half-Blood Prince before I go back to school in August.

SPOILERS

I loved the whole Harry vs Umbridge feud and the fact that Ron, Herminone and Malfoy were made prefects. Also that Ron, Ginny, Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle are all playing Quiditch. And I was VERY surprised to hear that Sirius died (I had no idea that was coming). But what pissed me off most about this book is that it was like reading a journal of Harry. It was like, today I went to Defense Against the Dark Arts class, got detention from Umbridge, got kicked off the Quiditch team and that's it. Then when it got to the end I was TOTALLY pissed that the fight between Dumbledore and Voldemort was so short and that Voldemort just ran with Bellatrix. The last 2 chapters were good (The Lost Prophecy and The Second War Begins) but overall I was disappointed with this book.

END OF SPOILERS

Just finished "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote. Great work of nonfic, highly recommend.

Now reading "My Antonia" by Willa Cather.

Seen the film? Not Capote, but In Cold Blood. Recommended.

All I can say after reading the final Harry Potter book is WOW! and give me more! I finished this book in 17 days and it didn't go fast enough. The cliffhanger at the end of this book is the best and I couldn't put this book down. Easily my favorite book of the series and I eageraly anticipate both this movie and the final book. I don't want to have to wait another year to read book 7!

SPOILERS I was so happy to FINALLY see Harry and Ginny hook up but was pissed when he broke it off at the end (although I understood why). I'm still waiting for Ron and Hermione to get together. Plus, I can't wait to see what Harry does to Snape, Malfoy and Voldemort. I think the next book will have to be longer than The Order of the Phoenix. END OF SPOILERS



Updated rankings:

Books
1) The Half-Blood Prince
2) The Goblet of Fire
3) The Prisoner of Azkaban
4) The Sorcerer's Stone
5) The Order of the Phoenix
6) The Chamber of Secrets

Movies
1) The Sorcerer's Stone
2) The Goblet of Fire
3) The Prisoner of Azkaban
4) The Chamber of Secrets

Bogey, I havent checked "random post whoring" for a century now, but I guess that if I do, I'll be reading the following :

post 9875 : ARGGG, my stupid roommate is driving me crazy!

post 9911 : Fucking roommates!

post 9913 : I really have to kill my roommate!

etc

Am I right?

well if she's still a problem, heres my solution :

Take the book, "The Godfather Returns", wrap it up real nice, and give it to her. It will be the "perfect" gift.

(...tell her that you'd be very upset if she wont read it all )

I can also suggest other "gifts" if you have more than one roommate...PM me for instructions!

She'd probably read it and love it. But only if someone she liked said that it was the most amazing piece of literature ever to grace this Earth. Because that's just how she is. She bought The Godfather the game for the sole reason because our friend Gary said he liked the Godfather. I've been ranting and raving and quoting the movie for as long as she's known me, and she hasn't so much as bothered to rent the movie. Or hell, she doesn't have to spend a thing (even though daddy will pay for it ) I would have let her borrow it! But noooooo.

One time she told me she was going to make me 'play with the fishes'... I'm pretty sure that's what it was. At any rate, she completely butchered the "sleep with the fishes" reference.

Haha. But yeah, she's not so bad now.. but that's just because she started dating her old boyfriend again (my ex) so she's spending all her time with him and blowing me off. But I'm perfectly okay with that. The less time I spend with her the more I like her.

Haha, but I ended up not even reading so much as the first page of The Godfather Returns. I couldn't bring myself to do it. Instead I got a couple Palahniuk books.. infinately better, I'm sure.

Sounds like your roommate is in serious need of a personality.
and you want to tell me that you're living in the same house, you got the GF DVD lying there, and she never wanted to see it??? - she should be locked in prison for that! No parole!

(I wanted to say that she should be executed or something like that, but Im just gonna wait for DVC to show his face in this thread with his usual non-controversial comment: "I hope she'll die of cancer" )

"play with the fishes" ? AAAHHHHH my ears!!!
tell her to see the movie or shut the fuck up!
that reminds me of a stupid fella I met who told me "Im gonna make you an offer you cant deny"....he also told me that the name "Bada Bing" was invented by David Chase :rolleyes: ...but its getting worse, believe it or not, one time my friend was watching GF3 and this dumbass pops in asking if we got filtered water (of course we dont!and then he starts preaching to us about how unhealthy it is to drink from the tap...but thats another lame story about him)so anyway, he invited himself (as always) to watch the movie with my friend, and then when Michael said "Just when I thought I was out..." he got up screaming : "Hey, thats Sil's line! and this guy doesnt even know how to do it!" :rolleyes:

Palahniuk sounds much, much better -I've only read "Fight Club" and I loved it. Im gonna start reading "Survivor" soon.
Do u read Irvine Welsh as well? if not, u should, start with "Trainspotting" of course, neat stuff

Oh god, don't even get me started about her so-called personality. She made fun of me for I don't know HOW long because I loved the Beatles. Then we get to college, and we meet this boy Chris. She was all "omgz hez so0o0o0o hawt".. (Personally, I found the kid to be quite hideous. But I digress) Anyway, Chris loved the Beatles too, so we'd talk about them.. and she'd be completely lost. The next day, she was a regular Beatlemaniac. So fake.

We weren't just living in the same house - Oh no. We were dormmates. We were in the same room and she never bothered to watch the movie.

As for DVC, don't mind him. He's Asian.

And I think I would have punched your friend in the face, had he said that to me.

Palahniuk is infinitely better. I've read a couple of his books, I'm currently reading Lullaby and Diary. Well, that is when I have time. Sooomebody likes to keep me glued to the computer. And that same soooooomebody suggested Irvine Welsh to me also. I'll give you a hint. He's got a fanclub. Hah.

But yeah, Jocelyn's just one big ball of fake. I rarely hang out with her anymore. If only she could be as musically and cinematically elite as I am. Then again, if only the world could be as elite as I, it'd be a much better place.

Yeah, I totally went there.

Palahniuk is one of my favorite writers... I've read all of his work, except for his latest, Haunted. I would say Fight Club, Survivor, and Choke are his best. I really enjoyed Choke.

Anyways, while I am posting here I may as well put it to use. I just recently finished Curse of Lono by Hunter S. Thompson (another one of my favorites). This book was absolutely histerical... More comedic genius from the worlds greatest journalist. I went through hell to get this book. I finally tracked the thing down at a Borders, after it being out of print for years, and recently re-released. The thing cost me fifty bucks, and is fucking huge. I mean, this thing is HUGE. It's about 1.5 times the size of my foot... and I wear a size 12 shoe. If I wanted, I could kill a bear with it, and skin it using the corner of the hardcover. But I would never do that; not when this is such a lovely piece of literature. It's a quick and easy read, and very amusing. Ralph Steadman's illustrations are sick, twisted, and excellent. In color, and about 20 inches tall.

I also finished Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughter-House Five last night. Another astonishingly quick read. It was wonderful... Very well written.

I finally finished The Shining about a week ago - it was just incredible. I thought it might be silly to read the book after I'd already seen the movie, but the two ended up being quite different (if anyone else has read it, I'd love to discuss this). I was able to imagine Jack Nicholson the entire time, but also enjoy the many extra details and analysis of the characters. I especially loved the insight on Jack's character - the psychological aspect of it was wonderful.

I'm on a Stephen King kick, so I'm now working on Four Past Midnight , a collection of four novellas. I skipped to Secret Window, Secret Garden first, and I'm loving it. The best part is imagining Johnny Depp all throughout. The movie is a lot more true to this story, but I think it's always fun to experience the literary form, as well. I hope to read The Langoliers next. I remember watching the TV mini-series of this, actually - the story isn't so fresh in my mind, but I know I liked it.

I read The Shining too, although it was years ago. I don't remember much from it other than the fact, as you pointed out, how different it is from the movie. I also was imagining Jack Nicholson. I always do that when I watch a movie and then read the book (I did for The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter's and I'm sure I'll do the same if and when I get the Sin City graphic novels).

After finishing Secret Window, Secret Garden last night (and having a dream which involved me wearing Shooter's black felt hat and talking with a southern accent), I have to say that it also turned out to be way different from the movie.

I liked the book's ending a lot more - it just seemed more fitting - but I was so surprised by the contrast.

I love Stephen King!

I used to read all of King's books, but stopped after Desperation, although I did enjoy From a Buick 8. It seemed like good old fashioned King.

My two favorites are still The Stand and It. I also liked his non-fiction book about being a writer. Whenever I think of The Shining, it reminds me of the episode of Friends when Joey and Rachel agree to switch and read one another's favorite books. Joey reads Little Women, and Rachel reads The Shining. It was one of the funniest episodes ever.

Mr. Babe does NOT like to read, but when he travels to Europe on business, I try to give him a book for the plane. He started The Stand on a trip to Germany a few years ago, and never finished it. I asked him HOW could he not finish a book about a plague that destroys the majority of the human race and then pits the survivors in a classic good v. evil scenario. I said, "Don't you want to know who wins????". He watched the mini-series instead.

Good to hear. I`ve been planning to read it for months, and I hope to finally start in a while from now.
Together with Salem`s Lot, which is also Stephen King`s, isn`t it?

SB, I started It during this past school year, but things got busy, so I never finished. I really enjoyed it and read a good amount, but now that it's been so long, I'll probably have to read over a lot that I don't remember. I hate when I allow myself to take a "break" from a book, only to realize later that I've forgotten so much.

Yes, it is - I have it, as well, but haven't gotten to it. I also have Carrie (also half-read), Needful Things, Pet Sematary, and Misery to read. I guess I'm a slow reader - I think it's slight OCD, because I try to really take in all of the details - but I certainly do enjoy it.

Let me know how your reading comes along!

What is that thing? :p

I have a lot of Stephen King books at home, but I never read a single one.

They aren`t high on my priority list - I have like 6 feet of books to read - so I`ll just see how the Shining works out.
The Exorcist - which is somewhat the same genre - is also on my to-read list.

The Stand is definitely my favorite of all his books. I have to admire how King kept track all of the storylines and characters. He said that it was like tap-dancing on the grave of the world, to an extent. The mini-series was not bad. Rob Lowe and Gary Sinise did an excellent job, as did Bill Faggerbake (sorry if I spelled that wrong, but he was GREAT as Tom Cullen), but Molly Ringwald spoiled it for me. For me, trying to find her believable as the pregnant, heroic Fran was just TOO much of a stretch of the imagination.

I think that It was his scariest book, but maybe that's because I have clown-phobia as it is!! My nephew loves to call me up and say, "We all float down here!" because he knows it scares the bejeepers out of me. I also liked the one that King wrote with Peter Straub (the title escapes me), but the sequel was awful.

I have King's Hearts of Atlantis, but have been to lazy to read it. My daughter wants me to read Blackbird, but I just can't get motivated. She loved it, and the sequel, too. I bought my mother a book for Mother's Day called The Reluctant Tuscan, which is the true story of a man whose wife makes him move to Tuscany, and he hates it at first, but then falls in love with Italy. Been meaning to read that, too.

Maybe we should change this thread to "Books you HAVEN'T read" .

I enjoyed both of Steve Martin's books. I was suprised he wrote so well.

Finished this book recentley very good read,from Cyn Lennon's side 6/10

[IMG] [/IMG]

Just finished "The Places In Between" about a scottish guy who WALKED across Afghanistan after 9/11. Great book.

I finished Misery a while back and thoroughly enjoyed it - as sick and twisted as it was. I'm still hoping to catch the movie either on TV or as a rental.

I meant to start Salem's Lot - did, in fact - until I was assigned a book for English class. We were actually allowed to choose from a given set, but I'm joining a "literary criticism" club which requires that we read Tess of the d'Urbervilles, so I went with that one to kill two birds with one stone. It's one of those "sappy" romance stories, and I had very little hope from the start - consider going to this from Stephen King. However, in keeping up with the reading schedule, I've made it halfway through...and I love it. I'll admit it, now...apparently I like that kind of stuff. It's just sooooo romantic.

I don't know if anyone's heard of it, but if so, please don't mention how it turns out, because I've still got a ways to go...but I'd love to chat about the book itself, if you know of it.

Oh, You want to know what happens to Tess?? Just kidding, Gina. I did read it, but so very long ago.

Misery was so good, but I can't read it now without picturing Kathy Bates. Man, was she great in that movie. Scary, scary great. I recommend seeing it for her performance alone.

I just finished reading What Remains by Carol Radziwill (not sure about that spelling). Very well done, and heartbreaking. It's the true story of a girl who grew up in suburban NY (about 10 minutes from where I live) and ends up married to Jackie O's nephew. Her husband and John, Jr. were first cousins and best friends, and the two couples spent an enormous amount of time together. Her husband gets cancer, and while he was dying at John's house, John and Carolyn's plane crashes.

What I found interesting was that these people had all the money and conncections in the world, yet they were treated just as crappily by their doctors as everyone else!! She did write it beautifully and it was fascinating to see this "commoner" become a princess.

I just started Blood Meridian: Or The Evening Redness in the West

Currently reading these books great read so far!

I want to read this book!!! Who's the author, SB?

DE NIRO, can you recommend any good Beatles books perhaps written by one of the band members or someone very intimate with the band during their years together?



A very enjoyable read from my second favorite wrestler of all-time (Bret Hart is my #1). An in depth look at the Heartbreak Kid that was very informative at times (i.e. The Montreal Screw job). What surprised me about this book is Shawn seemed to paint Vince as such a great guy backstage and Bret as such a villain. However, there are 2 sides to every story and I eagerly anticipate reading Bret Hart's book(s) if and when they are ever made avaiable to the general public.

I FINALLY have the time to sit down and read the Sin City graphic novel series. Book 1 is Marv's story and a GREAT way to open the series. The movie is dead on and only minor additions are in the book (nothing of major significance).

Yeah sure i've got some great examples,ill post some later on today

Ok where to start,There millions of Beatles books around the world thats been written by strangles with no connection to the Fab Four what so-ever.

Of all the beatles book ive read and ive read dozens,the list below are the most reliable sources around,written by press people and close friends.

The Beatles Anthology 1996



There life story in there own words and quotes by John,very good book,packed with great photos.

The Beatles.The Bestselling Authorized Biography-Hunter Davies 1968



Nearly 40 years after it First Publication,and despite the millions of words published on the beatles since then,Hunter davies's intimate book is still the only authorized biograpghy of the worlds most succesful band ever.

Lennon-The Definitive Biography-Ray Coleman



Ray Coleman,who travelled with the beatles and interviewed Lennon Many times,draws on conversations with his friends and musicains and his family,from Aunt Mimi who raised him in Liverpool to his widow Yoko.

A Most Honest book-This is the book to read for any Lennon fan.

Paul McCartney-Many Years from now-Barry Miles 1997



The Only Avaliable biography for McCartney.

I me Mine-George Harrison



Out of the four beatles George is the only one to write an Autobiography..

These are the books you should read Irishman12 first,if you are interested in the other sides of there story,not just the music..

Let us know how you get on.Hope these help

Cool, thanks DE NIRO

No worries let us know what you are reading..What the best book for you on the beatles?

Don't have any and haven't read any (that's why I was asking)

You Should get a move on then.

I've got too much to read as it is and I won't have ANY time during the Spring semester for school

Not too bad of a story that includes characters from the first film such as Marv, Dwight, Gail and Miho among others. I hope they are able to get Angelina Jolie on board as Ava Lord as I think she'd do a GREAT job

Upon reading this book I thought Benicio Del Toro was a perfect Jackie-Boy (and most others were cast perfectly too). Book 4 is from the movie too and then the last 3 books should be new material.

Definitely my favorite book of the series thus far. The most interesting story so far and I love his use of color in this book. Bruce Willis was also a perfect Hartigan IMO.

The shortest and my least favorite book of the series thus far. I'm not saying it's a bad story (which it's not, it still has it's funny moments and great artwork) but compared to say book 4, That Yellow Bastard, it fails in comparison. It's a pretty straight forward revenge story without a lot of surprises and thus I felt it was kind of lackluster.

How many books are there,what genre are the book classed as.Not read the books or seen the film?

There's 7 book in the series and I would HIGHLY recommend watching the film.

Book 6 is 11 short stories bound together. One of the stories, "The Customer Is Always Right" was in the first Sin City film (Josh Hartnett & Marley Shelton). If I had to pick, I'd like to see either "Blue Eyes," "Daddy's Little Girl," or "The Babe Wore Red" in Sin City 2.

An enjoyable way to end the Sin City series. Rumor is is that Sin City 3 will be based off of this book and I'm picturing Jared Leto as Wallace and even a part for Uma Thurman as the women in orange/red.

I also received this today as an early Christmas present

I was rather disappointed in this as many have said this is one of, if not the best Batman story ever. I didn't like it that much. The Superman vs Batman fight towards the end interest me but other than that I was rather bored with the book. I didn't like the "mutants" gang that was in the book (I hated the way they talked and just thought they were stupid). Secondly, the book jumped around too much. For example, you'd read about Batman for half a page and then jump to Robin, then Commissioner Gordon, then Superman, then the mutants, etc. Finally, I just didn't like all of the "news" interaction (which kind of branches off from my second point, jumping around too much). If you want a great Batman story to read and my personal favorite, stick with The Long Halloween by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale.

A fantastic story about 300 Spartans who refuse to surrender their land and lives to the Persian army. Rather than be slaves for the rest of their days, they take a stand against one of the greatest army's assembled the world has ever seen. Not really that long of a book and I'm interested to see how they'll make it into a film, but I absolutely cannot wait now until March 9 when it comes out.

A FANTASTIC book that was very insightful and educational. What more could I ask for? Quite possibly my favorite movie villain in movie history, Mr. David Carradine, keeping a personal journal while shooting my favorite movie in recent years (and one of my favorite's of all-time!). The man is a poet and incredibly humble, passing all of the credit onto fellow castmates Uma Thurman, Michael Madsen and director Quentin Tarantino. If you liked the Kill Bill films, then READ this book!

Have you managed to check any of the beatles books yet?

Not yet. I won't be able to read another book until May at the earliest due to school and work However, the next one I plan on reading is the Alan Moore V for Vendetta comic book series.

Cool.Looks like you've read plenty just latley.

I had to stock up because I hadn't read a book since mid-July I believe and I knew I wouldn't be able to read again until this coming May at the earilest so I took advantage of the time I had.

I always go through stages of reading non stop to not reading at all.Should start agian.

I would like to read more but again, school just doesn't allow me to. But if I graduate in August like I'm planning on, than from then on I "should" be able to read whenever I want. I'm REALLY looking forward to July for the 7th and final Harry Potter book (as I'm sure your sister is too)

The books I have just finished are:
Donnie Brasco
The Way of the Wiseguy
Cosa Nostra: A History of the Sicilian Mafia
Wise-Guys
The Last Gangster (hated it, really)
The Godfather
Men of Honor

Picked these up at Barnes & Noble yesterday:





The Edgar Allan Poe book I picked up is different than the one pictured. But it is a complete and unabridged collection of his works.

I've heard mixed reviews of Harris' Hannibal Rising, but I enjoyed the other 3 books in the series, so I thought I'd give this one a go.

X, Let me know how Hannibal Rising is. I've wanted to try it, but was somewhat disappointed with the last one, so I didn't want to part with the $$.

I just finished The Pursuit of Happyness. What a marvelous story!

I'm exactly the same. I should definitely read more; I'm incredibly under-read. No excuse, really, since when I'm reading I feel very balanced out and logical.

Saying that, earlier this week I read Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, for the second time in total and the first time in ages.


It inspires me so much. A lot of my flatmates had to read it too, for our English unit, and it was their first time reading it. The general consensus is that everybody was waiting for it to begin then suddenly it was over.

That's why I love it; to me it's the entire point. Marlow gets to the core of the jungle, the mystery of the entire book, the heart of the darkness, and what we get are two words, each said twice, which kind of engulfs everything before and after it in a completely devastating, nihilistic disgust. It's as if writing for Conrad was a way of purging himself of his own burdens, and in doing so has passed the disease onto us.

It's a fascinating read, primarily because of its form, its narrative, its multi-layering of events, its bringing together of fragments of different stories of the same man, and accumulating a myth so profound, so extraordinary, so God-like, that when we find he's a human being dying of death, we don't pity him at all but feel incredibly disappointed. How selfish we are as readers. How selfish the Company was to expect of Kurtz anything less than conformism.

As a brief, slightly reductive comparison, the only real point in Apocalypse Now that really captures the intensity of Kurtz's enigma is when Brando first steps out of the shadows and his eyes stare into the camera, his face half in shadow... and there are numerous moments in the narration where Willard makes direct reference to the man up the river, the goal ahead, reminding us why we're even experiencing the film in the first place... having been momentarily distracted by napalm and surfing.

I'm currently reading a GREAT novel by Sheila O'Flanagan called "Connections." I bought it in Scotland a few weeks ago. It's set on a tropical island, and each chapter writes about someone in a different hotel room in one big hotel. It is so good!!! And the characters run into each other -the ones that you read about in other chapters. I've never read a book like that. Some chapters are written in first person, and others are written in 3rd person. It is just a great read. She is such a great author. And the characters are so real. They aren't cardboard cut-outs. It's great. I need to finish it! I haven't picked it up since I got home 2 weeks ago.

Very impressive insight and analysis.

I'm not quite finished yet...but so far it's pretty good. I'll save my judgment until I finish...but I'll be sure to let you know what I think of it!

I somewhat enjoyed Hannibal until its ridiculously stupid ending that defied belief.

Right now, my daughter is reading The Great Gatsby for English class, and I'm rereading it so that we can discuss it. I love rereading a favorite book. It's like visiting with an old friend.

A favorite of mine too. I think it's the finest American novel.

I love all of his books, klyd. Did you ever read Zelda? I knew that his novels were autobiographical, but until I read that book, I never knew to what extent.

I actually never read Zelda , but I will some day. I read This Side of Paradise and Tender is the Night about 20 years ago.

A line from Gatsby that I occasionally steal is "You're worth the whole damn bunch of them." Nick said it to Gatsby near the end of the novel.

Actually, there are also some gangster references in the novel that many here would find of interest, particularly references to the fixing of the 1919 World Series.

But I guess the next time I'll read it is, like yo, when my son has to read it for school.

Zelda was a fascinating woman. No wonder he wrote about her over and over again. She was also extremely crazy, so no wonder he drank. My favorite line: Her voice was full of money. How absolutely perfect is that line?? It's very funny, but Robert Redford, who played Gatsby in the film, actually uses it in another movie.

If I'm not mistaken, Zelda spent a good part of her married life in a mental institution. I'll have to read this novel sooner than later.

She actually died in a fire in a mental institution. Very, very sad. She was a very good writer herself. I forget the name of the book she had published, but the word Waltz was in the title. I did a paper in college, comparing Zelda to his characters, so I read her book, and it was actually very good.

Save me the Waltz was the book. I had heard of it, but never read it. In Tender is the Night, there was a characternamed Driver that I think was based on Zelda.

I believe she and F. Scott had children too, and he died young, early 40s I think.

A co-worker also told me that the computer/video game Legend of Zelda was named for her. I've heard of the game, but don't know anything about it.

My daughter has that video game, but I never knew that.

They had a daughter, and supposedly Daisy's line about her daughter, "I hope she's a fool, a beautiful, little fool," was based on what Zelda said when their daughter was born.

I think that the character Nicole Diver was from Tender is the Night, and was based on Zelda.

I just finished reading Hannibal Rising.

Without going into too much detail, I'll say this much: The book was good, not great, and definitely not as bad as most have said it is.

It's interesting to see the early life of Hannibal Lecter, but my biggest complaint is Thomas Harris' attempt to humanize Lecter. Reading and watching The Silence of the Lambs, the character of Hannibal Lecter is a complete psychopath, and he sends chills up your spine whenever he speaks.

Hannibal Rising effectively turns Lecter into a tragic figure, a victim of a traumatic childhood. It somewhat diminishes the mystery and legend of the character.

Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable read, albeit a tad disappointing. I don't know if I can fully recommend it, though. It was definitely better than Hannibal, so you may wanna give it a look, SB. Maybe check it out at the library?

Well, now that I have library privileges back, I may just do that. It doesn't seem the type of book that I'd want to own, so that's a good suggestion.

Factotum by Charles Bukowski...anyone read it..it shits all over the movie..i was dissapointed with that film as im a fan of the book and even the movie Barfly which was loosely based

MM, my old teacher's hero is Bukowski.

he's a great story teller may he rest in piece

I've just finished reading If on a winter's night a traveller, by Italo Calvino.

And what, a book. Astonishing; deeply self-consious, -reflexive and -obsessed. Goodness, Calvino is a fantastic linguist, all too aware that his writing is translated into English the world over so that people can read his novels; it's obsessed with who might be reading it, what kind of person might be reading his words, and what they make of them, what they bring to them, what they expect from them, and from him, as the author.

I love this kind of stuff. It switches from first person to third person to second person, from present tense to past tense, from one space to another, from one time to another still, all with one brush-stroke, with one turn, in the same sentence. It's so densely obsessed with its own literary fabrication, it's almost anti-imagery, as if to form images in the mind when reading a novel is to relate it to a possible cinematic or painterly adaptation, and he doesn't want that at all; he makes you conscious from the very start to the very finish that you are not only reading a novel, but you are reading his novel.

Questions of authorship, readership, reality, the text as a mirror, the text as written by one person, the text as written by everybody at the same time, the text as one chapter in a bookshop full of texts; how meaning is fabricated, how interpretation is formed. It's like a very creative, elongated essay of literary criticism, and a very convincing and thrilling one at that. I've never read anything quite like it.

You must read it soon, if this brief "synopsis" gets your juices flowing.

Try The Templars by Peirs Paul Read. It is timely considering that it deals with the crusades, Middle East, Muslims, etc. But it also provides alot of information not only about the Templars, but about the relationship between the Muslim peoples and Europeans. In fact, it describes alliances between the two when it served their repsective purposes, something that surprised me.

Picked this up while I was in California. I read (and enjoyed) Holy Blood, Holy Grail and The Da Vinci Code, so I thought I'd give this a go.

I consider myself a Christian, but I'm not afraid (or too proud) to look at things from both sides. I've always been fascinated with the history of Christianity (and religion in general.)

X, I just finished reading Hannibal Rising. I thought it was much better written than Hannibal, but too filled with easy reasons as to WHY he became Hannibal the Cannibal.

That was my main complaint with the story. You watch a film like Silence of the Lambs or Red Dragon...and you're chilled to the core at the mere sight of Hannibal (played brilliantly by Sir Anthony Hopkins.)

In Hannibal Rising...I don't get that feeling. I didn't feel as though he was becoming a monster by what he was doing. He was seeking revenge, and I actually found myself rooting him on when he tracked down these men. They deserved to die, and they died in very deservingly sadistic ways.

It was a very fascinating read, but I feel Thomas Harris did too much to try and humanize Lecter.

I was quite disappointed with this book as the movie was my favorite of 2006. As you can probably tell, I prefer the movie to the book. I really didn't get care much for the story until after the 100-page mark and by then, it was too late. Not the worst material I've ever read, but comic book adaptation wise, it is. If you loved the movie, stick with it and skip the novel! Although, I will give Senor Moore another shot as I'd like to read FROM HELL soon if I can get my hands on a cheap copy.

V was a very good movie.

Am reading Jay Winik's "April 1865" about the last weeks of the Civil War, Lee's surrender, and the aftermath. There's so much about all that of which we are not aware. It is quite interesting.

I'm trying to locate a copy of "The Jesus Dynasty". Tough to locate.

Correction, V was a GREAT movie!

I just finished reading Factotum by Charles Bukowski again.I had read it a few years ago but i picked it up last night and read it in about three hours.Its loosely based on the authors life but he calls the character Henry Chinaski.It was first made into the movie Barfly(1987) starring Mickey Rourke as Henry.Faye Dunnaway was also the second main lead.The they actually released a "slight" remake called Factotum with Matt Dillon which was a huge disappointment.But the book is a great funny read.Maybe a bit crude for some readers.

I just finished reading the Kurt Cobain journals.Its a book of photocopied pages taken from his diary's and journals.Now im not a Nirvana fan,but i loved this book.Screw a biography when you have his most private and intimate thoughts right there in front of you.Its a really great read and i recommend it to anyone who likes his music,or anyone who has interest in the guy.You even get to see how much he changes as time and success progress.

A great read.

A fantastic early story by my favorite comic book guy himself, Mr. Frank Miller. Although nothing of his I don't think will surpass his SIN CITY series, I'd put RONIN up there with 300. It's an action/sci-fi novel which blends the two beautifully. I'm definitely looking forward to the movie, although I think it might not be released until 2009. If you like Frank Miller, read the book before the movie.

Are those books or comic book/magazines you are reading?

1.21 gigawats.

Graphic novel. The series composed of 6 seperate comic books but what I was physically reading was a giant novel with all 6 books together as one.

Cool

I think this was a lot more interesting than BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS. Unfortunately, as was the case with 300, the book should have been longer. The story really could have delved into Batman's past and pyshe more. I guess that's where BATMAN BEGINS comes in. From reading this novel, I definitely have a new appreciation for the film. Again, this book was great.

At first I felt the book had too much fluff in it. I wanted it to stop beating around the bush and get to the meat of the problem. And even though I felt the end wasn't as explored as well as I would have liked it to have been, I did enjoy the ending probably more than I expected. I can definitely say I enjoy this series more than the Lord of the Rings trilogy and it's just sad now that it's over. If you've never read any of these books before, do yourself the favor, borrow, rent or buy them and begin reading!

Books
1) The Half-Blood Prince
2) The Deathly Hallows
3) The Goblet of Fire
4) The Prisoner of Azkaban
5) The Sorcerer's Stone
6) The Order of the Phoenix
7) The Chamber of Secrets

Movies
1) The Sorcerer's Stone
2) The Order of the Phoenix
3) The Goblet of Fire
4) The Prisoner of Azkaban
5) The Chamber of Secrets

These past two days I started and finished Nausea, by Jean-Paul Sartre. If anybody here's read it, I suppose it won't surprise that I absolutely loved it.

I'd recommend it, quite vainly (though self-consciously vainly), to anybody who wishes to understand one of my basic outlooks on life.

The definitive biography Just finished this book,a great insight to the early life of the King,where he grew up and his high school years and then his road to fame.This book is the first of two,this book end just as Elvis leaves for the army.







This book starts from the army up until his death and after..

Also finished this recently.

A true legend,not just for his music but for his contribution to many things over the course of his life..

I'm half-way through The Jesus Dynasty by James Tabor. It maintains that Jeus was actually a follower of John and that between them they had a plan to implement the Priest and Messiah predictions of the Old Testament.

How did you enjoy it? I've been thinking about reading Cash's autobiography. Does it mention or expand on anything from the movie? And yes, I realize the book was released first for those wishing to correct me

Sounds interesting. Very interesting. Worth checking out?

This biography is awesome,i would advise you to read this being a Johnny Cash fan.

Have you read this one DE NIRO?

I actully picked this one up first in the shop,but i choose the top book as it was more updated.i think yours in 97 mines is 2004.

I may get this,how is it?

I don't know, I haven't read it. I was thinking about it though.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms, written by Luo Guanzhong in the 14th century, is a Chinese historical novel based upon events in the turbulent years near the end of the Han Dynasty, and the Three Kingdoms period (220–280). It is acclaimed as one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romance_of_the_three_kingdoms

Ive just finished reading a book by Charlie Owen called Horses Arse,

its set in the 1970s and horses arse is the affectionate name for Handstead new town in a dump in Manchester,the police use it as a penal posting all the bad coppers end up there.Worst amongst the residents on the estate are the park royal mafia a gang of thugs who terroise there estate,this is a story about the group of police officers who work there,the grim brothers,psycho,pizza and piggy these guys are more thugs than the residents it is an excellent book which captures what england is really like and street crime in england, i really enjoyed the book and recommend it to anybody else.

heres a link for anyone interested

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Horses-Arse-Charlie-Owen/dp/0755336836

for the above post

Ok, now I see what the big deal with this novel is. It is one of the best I've read. While I wouldn't consider it the undisputed greatest ever (I'd have to put BATMAN: THE LONG HALLOWEEN up there as well), it's definitely unique. The story was absolutely fascinating and nothing like I've ever read before. It was fantastic to be able to see superhero's doubt themselves, not want to save people all the time, feel underappreciated. Basically this is the opposite of every other comic book out there. My favorite part, probably more towards the beginning, is when a character would be doing a voice over and the reader would be switching between two different panels at the same time. My biggest beef with the book was the stupid TALES OF THE FREIGHTER comic book within it. I really hated that story and found it a lazy way of telling the current story.

I'm reading two histories. One is world history by Susan Bauer; the other is Longest Night about the Civil War by David Eicher. The former is a great read because the author uses some humor to make her points. The latter is really detailed. Eicher devotes many words to the organization of north and south armies and it really goes int why things happened the way they did. It kind of demystifies certain battle outcomes and the decisions that preceded them.

By the way, I'm writing a novel that has a vampire theme. Any posters into vampires so that I could use you as an information source?

Notes from Underground- (Russian: Записки из подполья, Zapìski iz pòdpol'ja, also translated in English as Notes from the Underground or Letters from the Underworld, but meaning something more like Basement Memoirs in Russian) (1864) is a short novel by Fyodor Dostoevsky. It is considered the world's first existentialist novel. It presents itself as an excerpt from the rambling memoirs of a bitter, isolated, unnamed narrator (generally referred to by critics as the Underground Man) who is a retired civil servant living in St. Petersburg.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notes_from_Underground

Recent reads over the past couple of months:

Nausea by Jean-Paul Sartre (as posted briefly above). My kind of thing. If anybody's read it you'll know why. It's tremendously written. Nothing provokes me like existential angst, day-to-day inertia. It's the adolescent in me, I suppose. I've been flirting with that sort of stuff for years now, but you might say I'm courting full-on nihilism these days. It's liberating, it's refreshing. I am Antoine Roquentin.

A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce. I dived into the deep end of Joyce's dense waters a while back when I started Finnegans Wake, and, submitting to defeat, I met a similar end when I ventured into Ulysses a short time after. So this is the first Joyce I've got all the way through (Dubliners awaits, and to be fair I attempted the other two a while before I left high school). This is good stuff, though; craving out a character in a mixture of styles (according to his age; it begins in baby-talk and ends in quite dense lexis), but not only a character, but the whole notion of the "Artist" as a cultural concept, a historical figure which outlives the forgings of time. I loved it; I related to Stephen's transformation from inherited Catholic to self-aware sceptic.

To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf. Woolf's legacy hasn't really done her justice. She's a fantastic linguist, shrewd humanist and powerfully articulate intellectual. Her stream-of-consciousness writing darts from one character to another in the turn of a page, or even in the same sentence; it's in the same style as Mrs Dalloway (masterpiece), but remains somehow more difficult; it might also be more ambitious. A success on all accounts, at any rate. Fans of Robert Altman's cinematic aesthetic (roaming, flexible, casual though disciplined and always omniscent camera) would like Woolf's literariness.

Good Morning, Midnight by Jean Rhys. Little-known writer and seemingly little-known short novel, at least until fairly recent rediscovery by academics. It's brilliant; it's conducted mostly in present tense but unfolds as a sort of mirage of dreamy memoirs; what's being told has already happened. Beautiful, tragic, funny and perceptive. It is at once realistic in its depiction of poverty, but Rhys invokes in it a sort of attraction, one which I for one was seduced by.

Currently reading Death in Venice by Thomas Mann. Having seen the film (which needs a rewatch), it's telling of Mann's incredible evocation of time and place through detailed imagery that Dirk Bogarde with thin-rimmed specs sitting in a striped deck-chair on a lonely beach is a distant memory. Lovely stuff. I expect to finish it later tonight.

3rd book in a series. I'd highly recommend it to anyone. Hit Man is the first book.

That's a great series, Longneck. For a lighter read, you should check out his "Burglar" series, with Bernie Rhodenbarr as the main character. He's hysterical.

I've seen some of those books, there seems to be 20 or so with the same plot after reading the backs of them.

Well, any series is going to be repetetive. Check out the first one, BURGLARS CAN'T BE CHOOSERS, and take it from there.

I just picked up Jonathan Lethem's FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE. I loved MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN, so I'm hoping this one is up to par.

I just read Carl Hiaasen's Nature Girl, new in paperback. He didn't go overboard this time with his usual ecological and environmental rants, but his razor sharp wit is as good as it's ever been.

Recommend.

Fyodor Dostoevsky - The Brothers Karamazov

This was the book that inspired Puzo to become a writer.

Joesph Wambaugh-Hollywood Station

i enjoyed this book

Adrian Mole-The wilderness year

i loved the first books but this even better

I remember them from school,great books.

Are those his diarys.

Yeah i have them all just about now. I first read them at school then a couple of years ago, i saw the first one so i bought it and the diarys still made me laugh,so i have carried on buying them

Cool they are pretty funny from what i remember.

Yeah if you get chance to read them again then i would go for it

I love all of Charles Bukowski's books....

Funny,Gritty and honest stuff.

The Last word on frank sinatra by George Jacobs

excellent book written by his former servant and friend

The autobiography of the boxer Joe Calzaghe!
Good if a bit by the numbers. I am a big boxing fan and read as many of these as i can. I am hoping to get Roberto Durans in my Xmas stocking

"Lamb" by Chrostopher Moore...brilliant!

"Running the Table: The Legend of Kid Delicious, the Last Great American Pool Hustler " by Jon Wertheim of Sprts Illustrated.

A great bio of Danny Basavich. Extremly overweight, suicidal, bi-polar and an outcast goes on to be great poo hustler and pool professional. Pool literally saved this guys life.

Good read. Not just a pool book but a book on life.

I'm not even gonna ask what a poo hustler is...

I read Hustler Days, it was a good book. Talked about Jersey Red, Minnesota Fats, Mosconi, and others.

I have just started reading Lance Armstrongs Biography so far its pretty slow but i think it will get more interesting as times goes on

My g/fs best friend has read many armstong books and they are good apprentley

Thats good to know mate, ive got a feeling it will start to pick up soon

Ive never followed his carrer,but hes some insperation, considering what hes been through

I know to beat cancer and win the tour de france phew what a guy

Maximum security inside stories from the worlds toughest prisons by Karen Farrington

Great book for anyone interested in the prison system and what goes on inside,after reading this the US by far has the strictest and most violent prisons in the world

One of the most offensive, yet hysterical, books I've ever read.

I picked up two new novels at Borders this weekend, both just published. DUMA KEY, by Stephen King and THE APPEAL, by John Grisham. I'll let you know...

I saw that there's now a sequel to Follett's Pillars of the Earth. I read it many years ago when it first came out and really liked it. I've been meaning to pick up the sequel. Has anyone read it??

It's called WORLD WITHOUT END. I haven't read it yet, but it received generally strong reviews.

I was wondering why Pillars of the Earth was on all the best-seller lists again, and then I found out about the sequel. I got a B&N gift card for Christmas, so I just may pick it up.

The author, a professor of public policy at Harvard, gathers together dozens of studies that measure social engagement and involvement in various ways -- from voting and running for office to giving blood, having friends over for dinner, and doing volunteer work -- in order to chart the steady decline of what he calls "social capital" in the U.S. since it peaked in the early 1960s. Why do Americans give less to charity, play cards less often, fail to exercise their right to vote, and in so many ways fail to engage with the community and nation around them as much as they used to? Putnam charts the problem that so many of us have sensed vaguely but could not clearly identify, but has less to say about why it happened and what's to be done about it.

That looks like an absolutely fascinating sociological study. I'm going to order it from my library right now.

Welcome to the boards.

Thank you, pizzaboy!

Please go ahead. I'm pleased my review has inspired you, sir!

I hope you enjoy a good read, pizzaboy. Please share your feelings on Putnam's work with me once/if you do indeed have a look.

THE APPEAL, by John Grisham

John Grisham's first legal thriller since THE BROKER in 2005.

I have to admit, I was a bit leery, because his novels have become so formulaic. But this one was hard to put down. It's timely because it highlights today's election politics.

A small Mississippi law firm wins a big verdict over a chemical giant, Krane, that has spread cancer causing pollutants. Krane is fearful that this verdict, if not overturned, will ruin them. They file an appeal that finds it way to the State Supreme Court. They also hire a sleazy firm to help unseat an "unfriendly" sitting Justice. This turns out to be a viable strategy because Mississippi elects their own Supreme Court Justices.

This book is a very believable primer on how to rig an election:

1) Pick a victim.
2) Promote an unknown candidate with no visible record.
3) Ambush the victim by painting him an extreme idealogue (make the southern voters believe a liberal judge will destroy the family).

If done correctly, the judicial process can be subverted.

Not Grisham's best, but certainly one of his better novels this decade.

Next up: DUMA KEY, by Stephen King. I'll let you know.

Lawrence Block - Small Town

Ugh. Not his best work, but I did manage to finish the damn thing.

I am Currently reading this great book

The Wild West History , Myth and the Making of America by Frederick Nolan

I have always been interested in the wild west and this is a great book very well written and imformative

It's more of a short story within a book, but has anybody read "Guts" by Chuck Palahniuk? Somebody told me about it last night, and, intrigued, I've just read it now.

Read it if you haven't, and if you have, your thoughts? Is the rest of the novel (Haunted) worth reading?

Very disgusting but I still couldn't stop reading it.

Not his best. I finished it a few weeks ago and really didnt like it. Thought it was strange, even for him.

I just reread Shogun by James Clavell. If you are someone who really appreciates good writing, in-depth character development, historical epics, and one hell of a good story, read Shogun.

I am nearly finished Teddy Atlas' autobiography.

A great boxing character and a good read!

Its one of my favorite novels and I'll second that recommendation. Lord Toranaga, along with Vito Corleone, is one of my favorite fictional characters.

And now I really want to read that "Bowling Alone" book!

Ma, Ma, Where's my Pa?
He's going to the WhiteHouse. Ha Ha Ha.

Does a bias against "popular" fiction writers (such as Stephen King) exist anywhere in the world but the U.S.?

Literary snobs drive me fucking crazy, like these books write themselves.

MYSTIC RIVER, by Dennis Lehane (2001)

For some reason, I just now got around to this absolutely brilliant novel by Dennis Lehane. I guess that being that I enjoyed the film, I wanted enough time to pass so that I could see the novel in it's own light (the way all novels are meant to be interpreted).

While in and of itself the mystery of who killed the teenage girl is good, MYSTIC RIVER is much more than a murder/mystery. It is a dark, affecting moral drama.

The whole Boston/Irish/Catholic backdrop is very real and the characters are both complex and fascinating. This is a novel about loyalty, friendship and family. While the mystery of the novel is solved in the final pages, the ending is messy and complicated, just like real life (much like the ending to THE SOPRANOS).

Lehane is a brilliant novelist and MYSTIC RIVER is full of sharp dialogue, yet never seems contrived. Not for a single page. It is filled with raw emotion: the pain of losing a child, the horror of child abduction, revenge and madness.

Don't read this book if you're just looking for a "beach read" or a typical murder/mystery, this book is just so much more. It's human drama; an unflinching look at the dark side of human nature.

How do you like the film, PB? (I think it's rubbish.) I imagine the novel is richer than the film.

Currently reading A Maggot by my beloved Fowles. It's amazing. I love how the vast majority of it is written in the narrator-less form of a Q&A murder investigation, and yet the questioner's humanity and personality shines through from dialogue alone. Fowles is a fine linguist (my favourite, actually), but he also knows his history, too...

Any Fowles fans?

Love Fowles. THE EBONY TOWER is my favorite short story collection ever. Period. That's all she wrote.

Read Lehane's MYSTIC RIVER. It's MUCH richer in vision than the film.

Man, The Magus is my favourite novel period. Everytime I read it I shiver with delight. After A Maggot, I intend to read The Ebony Tower, Mantissa and Daniel Martin.

You might also want to read THE FRENCH LT'S WOMAN.

Fowles offering of three endings was brilliant, if not entirely unprecedented.

Another novel that wasn't done justice by the film.

Yeah, Reisz's film suffers from truncation, and so Sarah's mystery is lost; but I found the contemporary adaptation within the film a cool concept, and an acknowledgement in itself of the difficulty of adaptation (not only in script, but in interpreting and tuning actor performances). (It was scripted by Harold Pinter, who's no stranger to writing for actors.) The film's dual endings, one in the fiction and one outside, was clever too.

Streep's good as the actress having to play the eternal mystery, Sarah Woodruff, though as Fowles's fictional character herself she's a bit one-dimensional(... or is she? Note that at one point in the novel Fowles himself asks, "Who is Sarah? Out of what shadows does she come?" and then begins the next chapter (13), with "I do not know", and goes on to intrude upon his own narrative and dedicate a fair chunk to the notions of literary imagination).

Love the novel, though; I'd rank Fowles's top three as The Magus, The French Lieutenant's Woman and The Collector. All three have been adapted into films, of course. The Magus is far too short to be as rich as the novel, though Fowles's own script does well in securing the bare essentials: Michael Caine's a bit wooden, though, and Anthony Quinn's not my ideal Conchis. I'd love to see William Wyler's The Collector, though it's hard to find over here. Wyler's a fine director (he was nominated for more Oscars than any other director), and the novel, unlike The Magus and The French Lieutenant's Woman, is digestible enough in size and thematic fabric to merit a feature film.

If anybody would ever like to get the gist of my single philosophical outlook on life, check out Fowles's The Aristos.

Just finished "The Bush Tragedy" it shows Bsh as a far more complex man than his caricatures make him out to be, and his family is so dysfunctional it makes the Clintons look like the Cleavers.

Found an old copy of "THE HARDER THEY FALL" by Budd Schulberg!

Going to read it tonight at work

Finished A Maggot. Dazzling, frustrating, complex, rich, profound.

Next up: The Secret History by Donna Tartt.

The book I have in the bathroom for reading is The Brass Wall by David Kocieniewski.

Damn, why didn't he pick a friggin Pen Name?

It starts off with a firefighting part, then a detective trying to solve a case about it, then a cop trying to infiltrate a mafia family.

I'm not that far through it, but so far so good.

I got it at B & N for $5 in their bargain books.

I casually started reading The Secret History the other night after a film had finished. I literally couldn't put it down. Read the first 100 pages in one go. Absolutely amazing.

Just finished The Portable Nietzsche edited and translated by Walter Kaufmann. It's about 700 pages and can be grueling at times but is also very rewarding. The book contains most of Nietzche's most famous works including Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Twilight of the Idols, The Antichrist and Nietzsche contra Wagner. It also contains some of the philosopher's letters and aphorisms. If you're interested in existentialism and re-examining your views on the world it's definitely worth a look.

"MY DARK PLACES" by James Ellroy.

This man is a genius!

I picked this up the last time I was at Barnes & Noble. Very interesting read for Sopranos fans (akin to Harlan Lebo's THE GODFATHER LEGACY for GODFATHER fans).

The actor's insights into their characters were especially interesting to me. The book also goes into details on the production of each episode, as well as an inside look into the props department. There's even a 3 page spread on the infamous "Pine Barrens" episode, including insight from David Chase, Steve Buscemi (who directed the episode), Michael Imperioli, and Tony Sirico.

A very fascinating read that any Soprano's fan should check out.

Yes i have it!

Brilliant.

Word.

Just finished Jesse Venturas new book titled DONT START THE REVOLUTION WITHOUT ME. It was pretty good.

ds

LUSH LIFE, by Richard Price ****



There's something Dostoevskian about Richard Price's writing for his way of ensnaring a whole atmosphere and richly turning it into an authentic aesthetic environment. He captures Lower East Side New York just as Dostoevsky does for St. Petersburg, with a full set of tensions and passions, blazing and smoldering, all full of life. And while Price lacks Dostoevsky's all-too-Russian tendency to throw prose economy out the window, the effect is just the same: this writing may floor you, and you might not want it to end.

The plot centers on the shooting of bartender Ike Marcus and the investigation of restaurant manager Eric Cash. Ike is a twenty-something writer-to-be/waiter whose artistic and cultural ambition comes off as doggedly annoying to Cash, who is Ike 10 years crustier and later, struggling to accept the denouement of his writing career, which --- as for so many young, hip, New York pseudo-literati --- failed before it began. As the investigation trudges on, Price uproots the political and socio-economic history and tensions of the neighborhood, and expands his lens to include an impressive and exciting array of characters and subplots.

There are three characteristics in LUSH LIFE that make it an amazing accomplishment. The first, it goes without saying, is the dialogue, which may be the best you've ever read or heard. If one has heard anything about Price, it's his virtuosic capacity for dialogue. Cops, hipsters, recovering hipsters, ethnic populations and every other supporting cast member sound crystal clear, saying just as much with the style of their speech as their content.

The second is his flair for tension. On the most basic level, the neighborhood is experiencing the clash of young, white gentrification, which seeks to push out the local ethnic communities enough to feel safe at night but not so much as to feel like midtown (though for some that may not be far enough). This modern arrangement sharply clashes with the Jewish-tenement history of the area (one man has converted a de-sanctified synagogue into his house --- but has another house for sleeping in). The hipsters are at war with themselves in an arms race for authenticity, which only pantomimes their fakery.

On a formal level, Price uses many of the alluring conventions of typical crime fiction, complete with a male-female cop duo that is actually original and interesting, while resisting the pull of trite genre fiction. And on a more individual scale, the lush characters of this novel are full of interpersonal tensions, and most of them are conflicted souls themselves. Price shows both sides of these stories but is more or less unforgiving as he paints few truly admirable characters and fewer heroes. But this isn't take-no-prisoners vigilante writing. There is a supple humanity in each of these souls, and while there is little heroism here, there's also little villainy.

Price's third gift is his ability to construct a city in letters. When reading LUSH LIFE, one feels transported into the thick of the Lower East Side's ugliness and beauty. This novel is endlessly expansive, and for every major plot line, there is enough character complexity and hidden narratives that demand one turns back and explores the side streets. A third of the way through, the more poetic writing slips away, but before disappointment sets in, this plot sculpted into a whole world invites the reader into its clutches. Good luck letting go; you may not wish to.

The appeal of this book is the appeal of New York itself: its beauty, its ugliness, the beauty from that ugliness, the constant change and destruction, overturning of the present that conjures ghosts from the past. Price says it best: "what really drew him to the area wasn't its full-circle irony but its nowness, its right here and nowness, which spoke to the true engine of his being, a craving for it made many times worse by a complete ignorance of how this `it' would manifest itself." LUSH LIFE destroys temporality, meshing past, present and the hopes and fears of the future. In doing so, it stretches into an infinite complexity that vibrantly photographs the landscape of our contemporary urban cultural consciousness.

Are you Max?

I like Price's work. I have read Clockers,Freedomland & Samaritan. I will put this new one on my list!

I also just finished In Dubious Battle.

Started Mr. Blue by Edward Bunker.

Good read this. Tells of his early life in various prisons and on the wild streets of L.A. circa the 1950's.

He pulls no punches and gives no excuses for his life,he just tells it as it was. Very intriguing and well worth a read.

Reminds me of James Ellroy a lot which is always good in my opinion because i think he is awesome.

DUMA KEY, by Stephen King ****

I read this in Florida last month, which was very apropos, considering that most of the novel is set in southwest coastal Florida (the fictional town of Duma Key, hence the book's title).

Any northern "snowbird" can empathize with Edgar Freemantle's instant fascination with the west coast Florida sunset.

"As that light skied upward, orange faded to a breathless Maxfield Parrish blue-green that I had never seen before with my own eyes...and yet I had a sense of déjà vu, as if maybe I had seen it, in my dreams."

Whether it's the novelty of a sunset over water or being closer to the equator or further west in the time zone, there's no denying the light really is different in Florida and King perfectly captures the newcomer's wonder. It doesn't seem the least strange or foreboding that Edgar runs for his colored pencils and works feverishly to capture the color.

Edgar has come to Duma Key from Michigan to revitalize himself after a horrific accident in which he lost an arm, badly damaged a leg and suffered a head trauma which months later still causes aphasia, headaches and bouts of depression and anger. He had nearly died and often wishes he had. His marriage is over and he feels suicidal and out of control. A self-made man who is used to propelling the world in the direction he wants it to go, Edgar hates his new helplessness.

But Duma Key almost instantly works its magic. Every day Edgar walks the beach, growing stronger, and every evening he attempts to capture the sunset on paper, though it's a while before he succeeds as well as he did on his first night.

Although he hasn't done more than doodle in 20 years - too busy building the contracting business which has made him a wealthy man - Edgar's artistic ability grows in leaps and bounds, keeping pace with his insatiable drive.

But this is Stephen King and while the reader enjoys, even participates in Edgar's renewal, we know there's a bogeyman somewhere in paradise. The first inkling Edgar gets is after an email from his favorite daughter, Ilse. Seized by the drawing urge that grips his right arm (the missing one), Edgar draws the boyfriend he's never met and the heartache that awaits his daughter.

Other psychic pictures begin to come to him, scarier ones. The tension builds like a slow drumbeat in the distance, insistent but far away. Then Edgar learns that he's not the only one on the island with special gifts and the island itself may have secrets it doesn't intend to share. At least not until it's good and ready.

Bouts of drawing, and later painting, leave him insatiably hungry, as if he's been emptied of what fuels him. His productivity rockets in tandem with the talent that bowls over everyone who sees his work; from the local caretaker to the respected art critic and knowledgeable gallery owner.

Edgar is a bit bemused by the wow factor but he takes his new talent in stride. He is a powerful, determined character with a big, healthy ego. Edgar comes across as just the sort of driven, self-made man he's supposed to be, dropped in his tracks, but not out, more active than introspective, making a start on a whole new life.

The Duma setting, crucial to the plot's success, essential to the scare factor, is so vivid you can smell the brine and see those mesmerizing sunsets. It's beautiful, exotic, wild and sinister. "Overhead a heron glided across the darkening sky, a silent long-neck projectile."

It's a place with dark secrets and darker plans and Edgar may not be as in control of his gift as he thinks he is. King has another big winner; in my opinion, his best in years.

Clapton: The Autobiography by Eric Clapton 328 pgs. A truly fascinating look at Clapton's life from the man himself. Clapton starts with his childhood and what it was like growing up in Ripley, England. All the bands and projects that he was a part of, starting with the Yardbirds and moving on to Cream, Blind Faith and Derek and the Dominos are covered and given separate chapters. His struggles with drugs and alcohol and the tragedy of losing his son Conor are also explored with striking detail. I highly encourage Clapton fans to give this a read.

I'm borrowing this from my college's library and reading it basically until I leave. So far a great read and very detailed.

Since I've started watching A Clockwork Orange again, I went out and got the novel. I finished it in about 3 hours. It's a lot more brutal then the movie and a lot more descriptive as most novels are.

I loved it, but I hate it when you get a great book and you finish it in one sitting.

THE MISUNDERSTOOD JEW, by Amy-Jill Levine ****

Relations between Jews and Christians have improved significantly since Louis Brandeis was appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court by Woodrow Wilson in 1916, an action that sparked widespread hatred against Jews across the country. In fact, one of the sitting justices, a Christian, shunned Brandeis by not talking to him and even leaving the room whenever the new justice spoke.

Despite the overall decline in anti-Semitism in America, occasional incidents, including attempts to convert Jews to Christianity, still occur. However, they should remind us that we must continue to be vigilant against its reappearance. For example, two years ago, an inebriated Mel Gibson, surrounded by three adoring women at a bar in a California city, was quoted by a reporter mouthing angry attacks against Jews who, he claimed, were causing many geopolitical problems in the world. In the fall of 2007, the conservative author and political activist Ann Coulter, told a TV news reporter that Jews need to be "completed," a code word for being converted to Christianity. Similarly, on Martin Luther King's birthday in January of 2007, a conservative Republican state legislator to the Virginia legislature, after having nonchalantly told black Americans to "get over" slavery, repeated the erroneous view still held by some fundamentalist and bigoted Christians that Jews killed Jesus Christ. A few weeks after this unfortunate incident, the Richmond Times-Dispatch featured a story in which it showed a Jewish delegate giving the Republican legislator a warm birthday embrace after he entered the floor of the Virginia House of Delegates. So much for the oft-held belief that Jews lack the capacity to be forgiving and compassionate!

Fortunately, there are serious scholars in our midst who can help us challenge the lingering prejudices and hatreds against Jews and point the way to a possible dialogue to gain a better understanding between our two faiths. In her excellent book, THE MISUNDERSTOOD JEW, Dr. Amy-Jill Levine writes eloquently about the importance of Christians seeing Jesus as the Jew that he always was. She is concerned that some Christians view Jesus as a Jew only in a superficial sense. In fact, she writes, Jesus was a Jew from his birth to his death. Moreover, he ate, talked and dressed like a Jew and obeyed the laws faithfully during his entire lifetime.

Dr. Levine's book offers excellent advice to believers who are troubled by the gospel writer John's statement that "the only way to the Father is through his Son," a statement that clearly implies to me that Dante's circles of hell may lie ahead for those who do not accept Christ as their Savior. Importantly, she provides a view of the Good Samaritan that is historically at odds with the way in which most Christians see the story, but which offers, I believe, a credible and suitable ending for both faiths.

Some Christians may have forgotten that the ancient Hebrews gave them many gifts, including the idea of monotheism, the wisdom and learning of the great Hebrew prophets, the Psalms, the Ten Commandments and lastly, and very importantly, Jesus himself who became their Christ. Importantly, as evidence of his Jewishness, Dr. Levine writes that Jesus' reference to the two commandments cited in the gospel of Mark 12:28-34--love God with all your heart and soul and love your neighbor as yourself--are in the Old Testament books of Deuteronomy 6:4-5 and Leviticus 19:18. Thus, they were not original to Christians, but provide compelling evidence that Jesus embodied the teachings of the ancient Hebrew prophets which some Christians often forget or do not choose to acknowledge.

In fact, similar verses as these should help establish the basis for constructive dialogue between the two faiths. "If possible," she writes, Christians and Jews need to "read the Scriptures in an interfaith setting." Furthermore, Dr. Levine writes that the "elimination of anti-Jewish readings must come from theologians, from those members of the church who conclude that anti-Judaism is wrong and who insist on Christian sensitivity on the issue." Above all, she says that "we must make every effort to see through each other's eyes, hear through each other's ears, and interpret with a consciousness of each other's sensitivities." Perhaps if we can begin the serious dialogues such as Dr. Levine advocates, we can further eliminate more instances of anti-Jewish feelings that continue to lurk in the minds of some people.

As a lifelong Catholic, I highly recommend this book.

I have just read the autobiography of famous guitarist Slash. Whilst i am a big fan of him and his music this was just a by the numbers account really!

Next up is Bill Clintons auto "My Life"

Is anyone on the Board a vampires book fan?

I read a few Anne Rice books some years ago and have read Bram Stokers Dracula.

A decent update on the Dracula story that i read last year is The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova.Worth checking out!

Comic books don't count, Yogi.

HOLD TIGHT, by Harlan Coben ***

Harlan Coben is a master at writing novels with twists you didn't see coming and when they arrive, you never feel cheated. His current novel, HOLD TIGHT, is a page turner. My only criticisms are that there are so many sub plots that it is sometimes distracting and occasionally frustrating.

Coben starts fast and makes sure he's got you at the edge of your chair. A woman (Marianne) is sitting in a bar. Her internal dialogue is about her ability to screw up anything good in life. She's drawn into a conversation with a man and a woman sitting on either side of her, and the next thing you know, she's brutally murdered.

The novel switches to Dr. Mike Baye and his family; wife Tia and their two children. The Baye's teenage son, Adam, has become withdrawn, sullen and difficult, following the suicide of a friend. The Bayes are concerned and use a computer monitoring program to see what is going on in his life. While they are uncomfortable about spying, they believe it is their job as parents to keep Adam safe. The Bayes learn that Adam may be in some trouble.

The threads of the book begin fanning out as we meet Hester Crimstein, Tia's no-nonsense boss who demands work be number one in her employees' lives, The Lorimans have a critically ill son, Lucas, and it seems Susan Loriman has been keeping secrets from her husband.

Jill Baye is eleven and friends with Yasmin, who is being raised by a single father. Yasmin's been targeted by an unthinking teacher, and the result is devastating. We visit the local police and get involved in department struggles and whew! it is a lot to work with.

After Adam Baye disappears (he was supposed to see a hockey game with his father), his father Mike searches for him and is assaulted. Mike knows there is more going on than a missing son who is going through a troubling adolescence. It's his job as a parent to find out the truth. But the truth may cost some lives.

There is a lot of entertainment in HOLD TIGHT, but there is also much to think about.

Just finished a Penthouse mag ooohh yeah!!

Try to read the novel “[deleted]” at [deleted].com
Just go to website and click on Free Full Text Online.

I am about to start a John Grisham - The Innocent Man.

My wife bought it at the supermarket for me!

Yogi -

Let us know (or PM me) how you liked it. I had soured on Grisham since "The Partner." I read "The Street Lawyer," the one right after and hated it, not wanting to read anything else. But his first few were so good that the bar was set high.

Absolutely. "A Time to Kill" was an awesome novel. I read somewhere that he had written most of it while struggling with fianances, etc. The story was finished in a short time after he got an advance against the story, and you can clearly "see" the change of pace in the novel (at that point).

Still, his earlier works are much better than the later ones (IMO).

A Time to Kill is one of my favorites. I also liked The Street Lawyer. I just read about 85% of The Appeal, and when you don't even want to know how a book like that ends, that's fairly telling, isn't it?

I just read The Devil Wears Prada, and found it quite amusing - a fun summer read. I also finished World Without End, although I thought that physically holding the darned thing was going to give me permanent nerve damage in my wrists. It was an excellent follow-up to Pillars of the Earth, and if you're a Follett fan, I would recommend it.

I also got the latest Patricia Cornwell "Scarpetta" installment. Not great so far. I took a biography of Simon Wiesenthal out of the library as well, but haven't gotten to it yet.

Will do Goombah!

The extraordinary story of Colonel Tom Parker and Elvis-2003 (Alanna Nash)



I about half way through this and if anybody is interested in the legend Of Elvis and his management team them i recommend this book to read..

Finally read "Boys of Summer" by Roger Kahn.

One of the best sports books i have ever read. The simple act of catching up with the players after their careers are over gives the book that extra edge!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Cool. It IS a great book, but I'm somewhat biased because of my love of the Brooklyn Dodgers.

I'm glad you enjoyed it too.

I most certainly did SC.

I seem to remember you recommending it to me ages ago?

Well i finally got round to reading it and i'm glad i did.

I give ya credit, Yogi. I would think the game of baseball is SOMEWHAT foreign to you, just as soccer is somewhat foreign to me. If you recommended a book about some soccer stars to me, I really don't think I'd be interested in reading it (because the sport is "strange" to me).

I'll have to check this one out.

Thanks DE NIRO.

No probs, I finished this book and i thought it was a interesting story. Col Parker really was a legend in his own write..

I read that book a few years ago. If memory serves, the author alleges that Parker may have left the Netherlands one step ahead of a murder rap.

Peter Guralnick, author of a superb, two-volume bio of Elvis (highly recommended)says Parker got a bad rap for "giving away" Elvis's performances and cheating him on commisseions. Guralnick gives Parker a lot of credit for keeping Elvis's career alive when it should have been dead--mostly by rationing out his performances and recordings at just the right pace. He also gives Parker credit for creating incredibly lucrative movie deals for Elvis. Even though most of the movies sucked, Elvis made a fortune.

Ive also read and have the two books by Peter Guralnick, Excellant books

I know what you mean SC, but i like all sports and follow the US sports quite a lot.

I'll not bother sending you that David Beckham autobiography then?

Who???

Thats why you need to read it?

I know who he is, but probably only because he's here in the States now. I wish I wasn't so provincial, but soccer was never played here when I was a kid, and I never knew anything about the game while growing up. Sure, I know who Pele is, but that was about the limit of my soccer knowledge.

If i ever get across to the US i will bring you a soccer shirt and you can just wear it and pretend you know about the sport

I just finished rereading The Fountainhead. My husband got the audio book and has been listening to it on his drive to and from work. I haven't read it in about 15 years, so it was wonderful to revisit it. We would discuss it at night when he got home, and, since he hates to read, this was the first time we've ever done this. It was very nice.

Yeah, it's the same down here. Soccer isn't very big or popular. I don't mind watching the World Cup ever since Australia finished sixth.

I finally got ahold of and recently read the famed Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, then rewatched the movie. HST was one of a kind...and I'm looking forward to reading more.

For now, I'm working on Stephen King's "Desperation," and I really need to stop reading it late at night. Between that and the two Twilight Zone episodes on SciFi at midnight, along with my general paranoia, I often end up frightened by shadows and sounds - usually with only the company of my two cats who are awake to protect me from the imaginary dangers. haha

What's that about? The title sounds familiar.

Desperation is apparently an odd and twisted town in Nevada that you should avoid visiting. I'm only 100 pages in, but it's covering the separate stories of a couple, a family, and a writer on their respective journeys (traveling U.S. 50 - "The Loneliest Highway in America"), and how they are each troubled by a weird cop who's acting as the only form of law in the area. I'm really liking it so far!

Is that the one where the cop (a sheriff, I think) is like 6'9"?

It sounds REALLY familiar now.... I THINK I started it (but never finished it).

Yep, that's it. He's really tall and a big guy. He hasn't been given a name yet, but the inside flap of the bookcover says he's "Collie Entragian." And it describes Desperation as "a town that seems withered in the shade of a man-made mountain known as the China Pit." Peter and Mary Jackson are the names of the couple, the family is the Carvers, and the writer is Johnny Marinville, in case those ring a bell. Do you still have it to finish, or did you just borrow it?

I have several books that I've begun, and now if I ever go back, I won't know whether to restart and slightly remember everything I read, or skip to where I was and hope I understand everthing. haha

I have the book. I used to buy all of King's books when they came out in paperback and that was probably the last one I bought. I vaguely remember the book, and enjoying the beginning, but don't remember why I stopped reading it. (Another senior moment ).

I have about five books that I've started within the last year but have failed to finish any of them. Maybe I've developed some attention deficit disorder as I got older.

You read any of John Grisham's books?

I was worried the reason you stopped reading it was because you didn't like the story - you could always blame it on that if you're not sure what the reason was.

I think the only John Grisham book I read was "The Client," and that was unfortunately long enough ago where I don't remember much of it. Also, it was for school, so after procrastinating, I rushed through it. The thing I did like, and what should've inspired me to enjoy reading it, is that I got to pick it myself. In two (?) of my school years, we did a program for class where we were allowed to choose books on our own that we would read, then take a computer quiz on. I appreciated that it encouraged us to read, without forcing particular styles on us.

No.... the book ("Desperation") definitely held my interest. King is a master at setting up a story and did so in this story. I really don't know why I stopped reading it.

So, what kind of books do you generally read now?

I really like how, so far, he's spent a section on each group of people, almost reenacting the whole situation that the cop is a part of, by showing the individual perspectives as they each went through their encounter with him.

With school reading and other school assignments, I hardly ever take time to do free reading anymore, so I was glad to get back into it this summer. My friend gave me three King books for my birthday last year - "Desperation," "Bag of Bones," and "Hearts in Atlantis" - so I'm happy to finally start on those. Another friend gave me "The Tommyknockers," and my mom gave me "Cell"...so I've got a bunch of Stephen King to catch up on! I've always liked everything that I've read by him, and I generally enjoy spooky/suspense/horror. Is that the kind of style you like most?

Otherwise I hope to soon work on more by Hunter S. Thompson, and eventually get ahold of some titles that LLC recommended, by Chuck Palahniuk and Kurt Vonnegut once I get back to the lovely Half-Price Books.

I love King's stories. He really is genius in setting them up and simply just writing them. I especially love the ones in which he has a few stories going at once and then ties them all up into a neat bundle at the end ("The Green Mile" comes to mind now).

King is the Edgar Allan Poe of our day and times.

I used to enjoy sci-fi also. Arthur C. Clarke and Ray Bradbury are two authors I'd recommend.

The last book I read was a bio on Duke Snider given to me by a friend. I like bios.

I used to read all of Stephen King's books, and eagerly await the new ones. In the last few years, I have sort of lost interest. I didn't like Desperation, although I do have Cell and Hearts in Atlantis waiting for me to read. I did enjoy his non-fiction book On Writing. The Stand and It are two of my favorite books. I loved his commentary on The Stand. King said that writing that book was like tap-dancing on the grave of the world.

SC, I'll write down those sci-fi authors to look for at the bookstore whenever I go - thanks.

I don't have a copy of The Green Mile, but I've also never seen the movie! I really need to watch and read it.

SB, I think my friend said she has The Stand, so maybe I can someday borrow that from her, or otherwise just pick it up at the bookstore. And then it can be added in with the five or six other books of his that are waiting to be read!

ABSOLUTELY!!

A suggestion - if you're gonna try out the sci-fi authors, try getting one of their short story books first. It'll act as an "introduction" to their styles and a little easier to choose a few stories you might like. I'm fairly sure they both have a "Best of..." short story collection available.

I wish I knew how the hell anyone found the time to actually read a book...!

I've done it a few times ... but really, it takes quite a bit of time. I spend most of mine either online, with TV or DVDs, or with family/friends. I can't imagine taking away from any of those, so please tell me the secret!

Whilst i am a big fan of Stephen King i have lost the way with his work. I have "BLAZE" lying around waiting to be read but have nothing by him since then.

John Grisham's "AN INNOCENT MAN" is fairly recent and well worth a read. Unlike his other stuff it is based on a true story and i found it gripping,a bit of a return to form for him because his last few had been a bit ordinary!

Currently reading THE UNQUIET by John Connolly. He is worth checking out also. he does the Charlie Parker series,crime with a touch of gothic horror and a supernatural twist on top

Yogi, I just got An Innocent Man for my birthday, so I'm glad to hear the endorsement. A Time to Kill is still one of my favorite books.

You will enjoy it,i'm sure SB

His first half a dozen books were all superb,the rest have suffered due to their high standard i think?

I quite like his off beat stuff like A PAINTED HOUSE,BLEACHERS & SKIPPING CHRISTMAS.

He has a new one here in the UK still in hardback called PLAYING FOR PIZZA which looks good as well. I will be getting it as soon as it comes out in paperback.

A time to Kill! The one about the black guy who shoots 2 rascist whities dead? If its the same thing, excellent movie!!!!

It is yes!

Excellent book and movie!

I just loved Samuel L Jackson, Matthew McConaughey and Sandra Bullock!

It's John Grisham, is'nt it?

I ain't seen The Rainmaker, but have seen The Gingerbread Man(good), Runaway Jury(bad) and The Firm(okay).

SC, I went book shopping today!! Somehow I ended up with a lot more Stephen King books, even though I have quite a few already I still need to read. But they were cheap - some even a dollar each! - and I'd like to think I'll read them all "someday." I found both The Stand and The Green Mile, which I was mainly after, so that was good.

And what I was excited to tell you about, I also got "Shoeless Joe" by W.P. Kinsella! Once I read that, I'll probably have to watch Field of Dreams and cry again.

Taking your advice, I also found a collection of Ray Bradbury short stories, and the title of the book - "I Sing the Body Electric!" - popped out to me because I recognized it as a title for a Twilight Zone episode. That particular story, when I glanced at a few pages from it, looks like it's similar to the episode, about a robot grandmother.

Good for you, gina. That sounds like quite a haul!!

"Shoeless Joe" is different from the movie, but it's still a fun read.

I read Shoeless Joe not too long ago. It is quite different from the movie, but just as good in its own way.

Let me know when you start The Stand. Did you get the unedited version? King was upset with some of the stuff that they edited out of the original version and they did a re-release years after the original.

It's been over 30 years since I first read it, but I just reread Siege by Edwin Corley. It's about a military takeover of Manhattan by an army of black revolutionaries in exchange for a black nation in (get this) New Jersey.

I remember when the author was interviewed on a radio show about 1970 or so when it was published. Of course, the novel's storyline reflected the political/social times. It caught my attention again because I thought all you need do now is to substitute Muslim or Arab for black and you have a story with currency.

Some of it is quaint. It refers to IBM Executive typewriters, M-1 rifles, F-104s, TWA, and Whitey. Still, it's an interesting little novel and you might want to dredge it up and read it. For those of you who know New York city, you can probably navigate the geographical references better than I could.

SB, my copy of "The Stand" says that it is 'complete and uncut,' so that sounds like the right one. I think I'd read something about that, when I looked up the books before going to the store. You might have to wait quite a while on this slow reader, but I'll try to let you know when I get to it...someday.

I loaned The Stand to my husband for a flight to Germany once. He read it on the way there, read it on the way back, and then never picked it up again. I was like, "It's about the battle of good against evil and the world almost ends!! Don't you want to know who wins?" His reply, "I'll watch the miniseries."

The miniseries isn't bad, by the way. Jamie Sheridan who was on L&O was Flagg, and Gary Sinise was excellent as Stu. Rob Lowe, who had not been seen for a while before this because of a sex scandal, surprised everyone with some very good acting as Nick. Molly Ringwald was unbearably annoying, but the rest of the cast was very good.

Hey Sicilian Babe, The Stand is an ace book.

I agree SB! The book was one of the better books I've read (I think Stephen King has gone a little/lot crazy since his accident though) and the mini-series did a great job bringing the book to T.V. Although I think it might have been a little better if it didn't have the television restrictions, but it was still very good. I actually recorded it to my DVR a couple of months ago when it was on T.V. but haven't had time to watch it again.

It's definitely one of my favorites, although Ringwald as Fran almost ruins it for me. She's like the Sofia Coppola of The Stand.

One of my favorites? Bill Fagerbakke as Tom. M-O-O-N! That spells Tom Cullen.

Just finished Bugliosi's Reclaming History about the Kennedy assassination. 1,500 pages and enough footnotes to make a book themselves. He pretty well covers the earth when it comes to addressing the facts and fallacies about the assassination. His style of writing is a little sarcastic when it comes to criticizing the conspiracy authors, but he does a good job of dispelling conspiracy theories.

I just finished Michael Lewis's Moneyball. I found the book to be very interesting, well written and an easy read to boot. A must for baseball fans, the book is about the methods used by the Oakland A's management to statistically value baseball players in order to take advantage of the inefficiencies in the "baseball player ability" market.

JESUS OUT TO SEA by James Lee Burke.

A collection of short stories by one of the best crime writers alive today. Brilliant stuff! Thoroughly recommended to anyone.

The Last Lecture

Hihly overrated.

A crime book called HOLLYWOOD TOUGH by Stephen J. Cannell.

Not bad this. Mr. Cannell is a very successful TV executive by all accounts and he writes a fairly entertaining, fast paced tale, even if he does try to cram a bit to much into it.

I read this a couple of months ago and totally agree. I would go so far as to say that Moneyball is the best baseball book of the last 25 years. As Don Sicilia said, most definitely a must read for baseball fans.

I enthusiastically join in the endorsement.

T'other night I finished John Le Carré's The Night Manager (1993). Terrific. After a long adolescent hiatus, I'd forgotten how brilliant a writer Le Carré is.

I just finished one of Lee Strobel's books about Christ: The Case for the Real Jesus.

One error that he (and others) continually make is equating the accuracy of historical and geographical information in the Bible and related texts with the accuracy of alledged supernatural events like the Resurrection.

The leap from the historicity of natural to that of supernatural events is unwarranted by any measure of logic or polemic. But for some readers it is probably a slight of hand that they don't pick up on.

Just finished "American Son" by Oscar De La Hoya.

A by the numbers account of his mega successful life!

It's enough to make you sick,he is handsome,he can fight,he can sing,he has thousands of women chasing him,he is a kickass businessman and comes across as such a nice fella


I hate him

yeah you're right, he is a good singer... now, I'm goin into the kitchen to listen to some Tony Bennett records

Partagas is referring to Max Falkowitz:

http://www.amazon.com/review/RIK7DAY4FZDZG

http://www.amazon.com/review/R3SH4GBJVEQSO1

http://www.amazon.com/review/R1QG6P2S03D6CH

http://www.amazon.com/review/R36XV711R2GEG8

David Trimble:The Price of Peace!

The Ulster politician and Nobel prize winner talks about his life and career since the peace process was sorted!

Worth a read but slightly heavy going in places.

I've been reading absolute crap. When I had my surgery, someone brought me a Jeffrey Deaver book. He's a mystery/detective writer. He is not particularly good, but his books are quite addictive in an odd way. I sent my daughter to the library and she checked out every one of his books that she could get her hands on. I'm on my 9th. They only take a day or two to read, and I guess they're the literary equivalent of junk food. Oddly satisfying, empty nutritionally, yet essential every now and then.

I'm currently in the middle of about 5 books with maybe 10 I have that I haven't read yet.

The Westies by T.J. English. This is a book about Hell's Kitchen's Irish Mob.

The Outfit by Gus Russo. Chicago mafia history and how it has shaped America.

Dexter in the Dark by Jeff Lindsay. A book in the series that spawned the TV show Dexter on Shotime.

Positively 5th Street by James McManus. A journalist plays in the World Series of Poker and lives to write about it.

Scared Money by James L Hime. A Barnes and Nobles Bargain book, written in a disctintly Texas voice but the plot seems a little out there with the CIA and all that. The writing can be pretty good at times in the book, so I'll probably stick with it. It's my current bathroom book.


I want to read Hit and Run by Lawrence Block. It's the latest book in the Keller series but it's also $25 and I can't bring myself to pay it no matter how good it may be.

THE POET AND THE MUDERER by Simon Worrall!

Intriguing true life tale about the Mormon forger Mark Hofmann who resorted to murder to try and cover his tracks. The poet in question is Emily Dickinson who Hofmann tried to forge also when he ran out of Mormon documents to do.

A clever book, full of tips about forgery for anyone who is looking for a new career

Yogi, you scoundrel!

If there are any David Sedaris fans out there, you definitely need to pick up his latest book, When You Are Engulfed in Flames.

A collection of essays spanning his life, the subjects range from Sedaris' obsession with seeing a dingo while vacationing in Australia (not knowing its just a dog), to his obsession with a family of spiders in his home, to attempting to quit smoking in Tokyo. All rather mundane subjects, but made absolutely hilarious by Sedaris' expert timing and droll sense of humor.

FRACTURED by KARIN SLAUGHTER.

Found this lying around at work so i read it over the last 2 nights.

Not to bad,not to good i would say.

I understand she sells a lot of books and is very popular but i wouldn't want to buy one. Finding one on night shift and reading it for nothing is just right

THE BURGLAR WHO TRADED TED WILLIAMS by Lawrence Block.

I wouldn't say it's the best book I've ever read but once I started I didn't want to put it down. Clever and the characters feel familiar from Block's other books I've read.

Still waiting for the price to drop on HIT AND RUN, either at Barnes and Nobles or Ebay.

im currently reading.

The Blade Itself

I just finished the First Law Trilogy by first time British writer Joe Abercrombie. It's amazing to me that a debut writer can create something that fully deserves to be mentioned along with giants like George Martin, Simon Green, Moorcock and Tolkien. Best trilogy I've read in years.

The trilogy is in a fantasy setting in a world not dissimilar to our own. But that's where similarities to other writers stop. Abercrombie is one of the most shockingly original writers today. As one reviewer wrote "You could compare him to Dickens but Dickens was never this entertaining". Another reviewer talks about the "Scorsese like characters", which is also completely valid. There are characters who make Joe Pesci's Tommy look like a pussycat.

Abercrombie's interest is in real characters, not washed out worlds or magic systems. The closest comparison I can think to what George Martin has done in his "Song of Fire and Ice" series but frankly Abercrombie's writing flows better and is much better edited. And no one writes better action or battle scenes.

The first book of the Trilogy, "The Blade Itself" introduces most of the main characters. It takes place at a time when the world's oldest empire, the Union, is under attack by enemies from North and South and is rotting from the inside from corruption.

There is Inquisitor Glotka, a loyal servant of the Union who seeks to ferret out dissent or treachery and has few scruples at how he does this. Glotka himself was tortured years ago in a war. Glotka used to be quite the dashing hero and now looks so bad he makes children run and hide.

There is Colonel West, a Union Army officer, who is lowborn and has to deal with the contempt of noble officers who hate taking orders from him.

There is Captain Jezal, another officer who is West's friend but is more interested in West's sister. Jezal is totally lazy and only has his position because of noble birth.

There is Bayaz, a friendly but quick tempered old wizard (or con man) who claims to be the wizard who helped establish the Union centuries ago. Bayaz never seems to tell anyone the full story.

Finally there is Logen Ninefingers, a wild barbarian leader from the north who's famously killed more men than the plague. Having fallen out with his king, Logen and his merry band of killers head south to offer service to the Union. Like William Munny in "Unforgiven" Logen has done horrible things in the past and spends a lot of time denying them, playing them down or saying he's not like that any more. On the other hand you DON'T want to make him angry...

The book is full of sarcastic asides, black humor and irony.
Abercrombie is a master of misdirection. This is NOT a trilogy where things are nicely sewn up, the good guys all win or people behave in ways that don't make sense. People all behave in their own interest, just like real life.

If you are at all interested in fantasy or even just good stories, I strongly recommend starting the first book, "The Blade Itself". Truly incredible writer.

http://www.amazon.com/Blade-Itself-First-Law-Book/dp/159102594X

Game of Shadows Mark Fainaru-Wada & Lance Williams 298 pgs.

If after having read this book you have any doubt whatsoever that Barry Bonds not only used steroids but used them like no other player could, there is something seriously wrong with you. Other players of note to have used steroids according to this extremely well researched and well written book: Jose Canseco, Jason Giambi, Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro, Benito Santiago, Gary Sheffield and Sammy Sosa. Other minor stars and many track athletes including Marion Jones were implicated.

The book makes Victor Conte (the brain behind the Bay Area Laboratory Cooperative) out to be a very intelligent and charismatic man who through laziness and poor judgement made the wrong decision.

MLB, the Players Association and the players all knew exactly what time it was but nothing was done until political pressure was applied and the farce became too clearly apparent to even the most casual of fans.

If you're a fan of the game and are intrigued by Barry Bonds and what drove him to the height of irrationality then Game of Shadows is most definitely worth a read.

Shelby Foote's The Civil War: Red River to Appomattox.

The author tends to write run on sentences that have the reader trying to absorb a little too much information at one time. He should use more periods. However, the detail he supplies is welcome.

The War Within by Bob Woodward. This is his newest book about the Iraq War. It gave me a much deeper appreciation in understanding how much trouble this war is to manage, how half-cocked Bush's approach has been, and how misguided our trust was in the Iraqis ability to take things over. For me, the most culpable and misguided figure in the Iraq War (from the perspective of the book) was Don Rumsfeld.

Woodward gave great insight to many strategy sessions. I was surprised at how much Condi Rice opposed the surge and how vocal she was about it. My previous public perception of her was just another Bush "yes" puppet, who would tell the president what he wanted to hear. Another intersting point made by Woodward was the distance between Bush & Cheney. The VP was only told by Bush that Rumsfeld was being fired a few days before it happened.

THE INTERPRETATION OF MURDER by Jed Rubenfield!!

A clever psychological thriller set in early 19th century New York,all about fiendish murders and Clement Freud.

It is good and very clever, but it almost seems to be trying to hard to be clever which i find a little off-putting.

Still,it is worth a perusal!

CS, my good friend's birthday just passed, and since she's so into baseball now, I gave her a copy of this! And so I wouldn't have to borrow her gift, I bought a copy for myself that I'll hopefully read soon, when schoolwork lightens up. I told her that my statistic-loving fantasy-baseball friend recommended it.

Awesome Gina! I hope you both like it!

HAVANA by Stephen Hunter.

A pretty good action thriller set in the hot pot of Cuba in the '50s. The latest book in the series featuring the splendidly named Earl Swagger!

Life of Pi

This book was pretty good and is filled with a lot of discussion on different religions and science.

The Mutt: How To Skateboard And Not Kill Yourself

This is the true story about pro skateboarder Rodney Mullens early life and skateboarding career. I would reccomend it especially if you're a fan of skating.

FOUR KINGS by George Kimball.

A very good account of the heady days of the 80's when Hagler,Hearns,Leonard and Duran vied for supremacy and ruled the sporting world!

Highly recommended!

Rodney Mullen has always been my favorite skater. I might have to check this one out.

Currently reading Manchester United The Biography by Jim White

We just finished up reading "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole in my English class, and I was wondering if anyone else here has read it or heard of it? It's a really funny book, while also very weird. The main character, Ignatius Reilly, does nothing at all to appeal to anyone, yet I see him as one of the most loveable characters I've read. He's a disgusting and rude hypocrite, yet also hysterical.

Ignatius:

Going by the picture it looks like a childrens book. College teachings these days...

What is the book about Gina?

EDIT: Are you sure that isn't one of the Super Mario Bros. in the picture?

Haha, the picture is what's on the cover of the book, and since I thought he looked like an Italian, I kept expecting someone to tease me about being related to him.

Ignatius is in his thirties, but he still lives at home with his mom, doing writings about why the society he lives in is so horrible. He feels he should've been born in the medieval times, and he has this ongoing war with this girl he met in college, who is just as extreme as him, but has completely opposite views. Anyway, it's just about his adventures in trying to get (and hold) a job, living in New Orleans - and it's so funny because everything he complains about and insults other people on, is often what he himself is guilty of.

It's very odd, but I really liked it. I think it was more of a personal favorite for my professor, because it didn't really connect with anything else we've studied in the course. haha

You've sold me on it. I'm going to try and stop by the book store while I'm working sometime next week. It's been a while since I've read a good book and humorous ones are always rare!

In all seriousness, I just finished reading

Great!

As my teacher says, I think certain characters in it are funnier than others, depending on your view - but they all have quirky personalities. A few in my class hated it and just didn't find it humorous, while my friends and I were quoting parts of it like the nerds we are.

The story has an interesting background, too. The writer committed suicide, and it was only published because his mother made the effort to have it done.

Anyway, I hope you like it!

It sounds good Gina, I'll pick it up too

Deuce, are you a fan of Stephen King? I would recommend The Stand if you haven't read it already. Read the unabridged edition. It's long, but one of the best Good vs. Evil books I've ever read.

[Insert review stolen from Amazon.]

The Shining is the first Steven King book I have read, and it was GREAT... I will defiantly get The Stand, Blibble

Gina and I love King's IT, right, Gi? We all float down here!! I swear, that book scared the crap out of me.

King doesn't get enough credit as a good storyteller. I like him. I liked the older books better, and haven't read many of his newer ones. He has a "no BS" sort of way about him that appeals to me.

The reason I never read any Steven king books was because I watched the movie IT and is scared the Bejeebus outta me, I watched it when I was like... 8, because my mom was watching it

Glad you're getting into Stephen King, Santino! I have a bunch of books by him, many that I still need to read "someday," but that's only because I'm a slow reader and keep getting distracted by that silly schoolwork ( ).

SB, I don't think I told you, I finally read through The Green Mile! And of course, cried my eyes out. I watched the movie afterwards and cried some more.

Oh, I can well imagine, Gina. I did the exact same thing when I read it. Poor John Coffey.

I watched IT not to long ago and it scared the crap out of me.

Great story, isn't it?

That book reminds me of an old UK advert for the Yellow Pages!

Read Any Given Day by D. Lehane....AWFUL

also

Running For My Life by Warrick Dunn. Warrick is not going to win the nobel prize for literature, but it is a compelling autobiography.

I know, it was a Joke, Check out my post in the the Commercials that make you ROFL thread,


http://www.gangsterbb.net/threads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=520531#Post520531

Didn't Lehane write Mystic River? I saw that there was a new book. Glad I didn't pick it up.

He did, and I was so eager to get this one I pre ordered it from Amazon. Huge disapointment IMHO

Are any Board members into Vampire literature?

Why do I have a feeling this will end up in a Twilight discussion?

Never read any of the bloddy stuff.

I like Brian Lumley's works. I'm not an Anne Rice fan.

Read a few Anne Rice books,never read any Lumley books. Apparently he is from my neck of the woods.

The only vampire book I ever read was King's 'Salem's Lot. It was the first book of his I ever read, and it scared the bejesus out of me.

Me too!

He was at his best back then! Salems Lot,The Shining,Carrie,The Stand,Christine et al

Lumley is the KING as far as I'm concerned.
His writing is about a 180 degrees opposite from Anne Rice.

Don't get me wrong, I think Anne Rice is an excellent writer.
But Lumley is much more my cup of tea for vampire writing. His vampires are much more ..vibrant. for lack of a better word.

If Anne Rice's writing is like a romance novel, Lumley's writing is splatterpunk.

Lumley's one of those rare writers who builds on those that came before (King, Koontz, Lovecraft) and still creates something really original.

Oh, I just gotta read this.

EVERYTHINGS EVENTUAL by the master,Stephen King.

His last volume of short stories,i believe he has another one out so i thought i better read this one.

Spooky,scary,creative,haunting.

Any metaphor will do. The man is a bonafide genius!

I finished off Dexter In The Dark by Jeff Lindsay awhile ago. The TV show is based on these books. It wasn't too bad, kind of weird and inplausible at times, but I'd give the others in the series a shot.

Twilight XD

Wine Politics: How Governments, Environmentalists, Mobsters & Critics Influence the Wine Your Drink."

It is an amazing story about how and what gets into that glass of wine you have with dinner.

CATHEDRAL by Nelson DeMille.

A pretty decent thriller about the IRA. DeMille is good. I like his stuff.

Just blasted through THE MARINES OF AUTUMN by James Brady. All about the marines at the Chosin Reservoir in the Korean War. An awesome account of bravery and courage. I had never read anything about this particular campaign but i have now.

Very impressive and highly recommended.

Just picked up:

JUST AFTER SUNSET, Stephen King's latest short story collection.

WISHFUL DRINKING, by Carrie Fisher, about her life and addictions in Hollywood.

DECIDING THE NEXT DECIDER, which is more political satire by Calvin Trillin.

BORN TO RUN, by James Grippando, the latest in his series about Florida lawyer Jack Swyteck.

Ham on Rye - Charles Bukowski

PB, i have James Grippando on my to read list.What do you make of him?

I have two to read before Xmas comes.

North Dallas Forty by Peter Gent and Alistair Cooke's American Journey.

I think he's better than Grisham, Yogi. If you decide to take on his Jack Swyteck series of courtroom dramas, be sure to start at the beginning. The first book in the series is THE PARDON, and it's still very much in print in paperback.

Some series don't need to be read in order, but in my opinion, this one does. You get to know Jack's history and a lot about his father, who is a large presence in many of the novels.

They're all good, plus they take place in Florida, which is really cool on a freezing cold day like today!

Cheers,PB

Just finished The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz. Great book - funny and depressing at the same time.

funnily enough i saw a review of this at the week-end in some paper or other. Somebody was recommending it and had put it in their book of the year list.

ANOTHER one on the "to read list"

I just finaished Papa Hemingway and Kitchen Confidential. Before I get all the Anthony Bourdain people smelling my ass (he's good), can you really believe all that is true? He loves Hunter S. Thompson! He must lie.

Also read Jack Handey's "What I'd Say To The Martians" and Ian Frazier's "lamnations of the father". Both great. Anyone read them?

Ferro (Doc)

P.S. I've read way too many books. Will talk about more soon.

Kitchen Confidential was the first book that Plaw ever loaned me. I absolutely loved it, and the dust jacket notes are true - I've never looked at a restaurant or a menu the same way.

Absolutely true; take it from someone who grew up in that business, and it was a terrific book.

However, I can understand Bourdain's fellow restauranteurs getting angry with him. Because the bottom line is, he didn't write the book to make restaurant kitchens any more sanitary than they already were (they're not). He wrote it to sell books and to make money (he did).

I happen to think he's a great literary (if not culinary) talent. But he is a bit of a skeeve; an admitted "former" heroin junkie, too.

I just read Catch Me If You Can by Frank Abagnale, Jr. Pretty amusing. I can't believe how much this freaking kid got away with. Convinced people he was a pilot, a doctor, a lawyer, and a professor, all before he turned 21. He even managed to pass the bar!

His description of his time in a French prison made my skin crawl, though. Man, knowing that, why would anyone commit a crime in France???

I've been reading Fowles's Daniel Martin for months, with many breaks. It's verbose and contrived - the worst literary combination - which is a shame, considering he wrote my favourite ever novel.

After this (I've a hundred pages left), I have P.D. James's The Children of Men, which my girlfriend just bought me following a recent re-watch of the film. I hope and expect it will re-ignite my love for Cuarón's adaptation. I was surprised to realise James is a woman.

Life of Pi (belatedly) OUTSTANDING

I recently finished David Copperfield . It is one of the most enjoyable novels I have ever read.

My X Girlfriend Just bought me the Three Dexter novels rolled into one big fat book. Very keen to begin reading it. Massive fan of the show.

Cool, I read one and it was ...okay. But I would read another, so it must not have been that bad.

Well apparently, Only season 1 is from the books. The other seasons the shows writers took it in their own direction, so it will be nice to read up on some different shit Dexter gets up to etc.

Since it's winter break, I really wanted to do some reading on my own, rather than school stuff, so I started Stephen King's "Hearts in Atlantis."

Though I guess I should say I restarted it because everything so far sounds familiar...apparently I'd begun reading it once before and had since forgotten. My memory sucks!

I just got done watching VALKYRIE and I've wanted to read more about Germany during WWII. Can anybody recommend a good book either on the Third Reich or Hitler's rise to power/his time in office?

Time Life books has a wonderful series about Hitler's rise to power

also this is a informative book


as well as this

Great, thank you Santino. Between those 2, which would you go with?

Mein Kampf Irish?

The rantings of a lunatic by all accounts.

I have read a lot of military history books concerning WWII,nothing really about Germany itself.

A book i have just read in 2 days, that i got for Christmas is ALL SOULS;A FAMILY TALE FROM SOUTHIE by Michael Patrick Macdonald. A true life memoir about growing up in South Boston during the 70's and 80's. By turn tragic,heartwarming,sad and funny. A must read folks!

I have read some of it. It does seem to rant a lot and quite a bit of that is over my head (at least it was last time I skimmed over some of it a year or more ago)

Yeah Yogi, Hitler was a lunatic, one who got many people to kill millions. Then he tops himself. He killed and got away with it. One of historys most successful murderers.

I dont want to turn this in a Political discussion, but they lost the war so he wasn't succesful was he.. Did they ever find Hitlers body,, im sure they didn't so theres no definitive proof that he killed himself..

I didn't say he was successful in the war, but a successful murderer.

He far outdoes Saddamm, and we know that America all by itsself, as usual, hung him.

What have got against America.. Really, you tell people to get off your back but with these comments do you blame them..

Im ganna leave it at that as im dont want to say something which will get me me into trouble.. Think before you post these childish comments no one wants to see them..

Lompac, don't hijack another thread please. This one doesn't need to be closed.

The one I "hijacked" before was opened by me.

You hijack every thread you post in by being an imbecile.

I found a bunch of books on Barnes and Nobles that look interesting to spend my $25 gift card on.

Citizen Vince by Jess Walter
Gangster by Lorenzo Carcaterra
The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight by Jimmy Breslin
Something Borrowed, Something Black: A Peter Macklin Novel by Loren D. Estleman
Vinnie's Head by Marc Lecard
Blood of Our Fathers: A Novel of Love and the Mafia by Sonny Girard
Death by Rodrigo by Ron S. Liebman

Well in addition to the Time Life Series, I would choose the latter

Just finished reading the second Dexter book. Enjoyed it, but it does not compare to the show.

I've been reading a bunch of titles in the "Repairman Jack" series by F. Paul Wilson. Anyone familiar with those?

I'm reading Redemption by Stanley Tookie Williams.

Great book.

Just blasted through "Chris Coste:The 33 year Old Rookie",the Phillies'rags to riches versatile catcher!

A great feelgood sports book. He seems like a really decent fella who deserves all the success he is now getting.

I just read my first John Grisham book since The Brethern. It was The Appeal. Not bad - interesting premise. A jury awards a huge verdict against a company that had been polluting the water and causing a high rate of cancer in an area. Some corporate heavyweights conspire to buy a seat on the state of Mississippi's Supreme Court. They pluck an unknown candidate and use their corporate, hidden money to run an aggressive campaign, with the main agenda to end punitive jury awards and reverse the initial verdict.

I still have to read the 2008 Grisham book (name escapes me) that Yogi B. recommended.

Yeah, I read the second part in one sitting. Very moving; inspiring.

Just read MONTE CASSINO by Matthew Parker.

A fascinating account of one of WWII's most brutal battles. A must read for any devotees of military history. The courage and bravery both sides showed in this charnel house of a battle is humbling!

We took a rather long road trip recently, so we listened to the audio version of Bill Bryson's "In a Sunburned Country", which is all about Australia. I had read it before, but have found it worthy of another look (or listen, in this case). Bryson is an amusing and engaging writer, and this is a perfect blend of travelogue and history book. If you want to learn more about Australia, then this is the book for you.

Originally, this was loaned to me by Plaw, so I admit to a certain sentimental attachment to it, but that doesn't make it any less worthy.

On vacation, I read "The Memory-Keeper's Daughter" about a doctor who delivers his own twins in a snow storm, a boy and girl. Their daughter has Downs Syndrome, and, before his wife wakes from the anesthesia, he has his nurse bring the child to an institution and then tells his wife that their daughter has died. However, the nurse can't bring herself to leave the baby, and she runs away to raise her on her own. The book explores the consequences that occur from that one snowy night.

The story is beautifully told, and it is truly heartening to see how the attitudes towards Downs Syndrome have changed since the 1960s.

I have read a few of Bill Brysons books. He is a marvellously witty writer. The last one i read was an account of his childhood in Des Moines in the 50's "The Adventures of the Thunderbolt Kid" it was called (i think?)

Brilliant and well worth a read.


I read so many books,my head literally spins with them all.

Have started on BRUTAL;THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE WHITEY BULGER MOB by ex Bulger crony Kevin Weeks,today.

Shaping up well,if not a bit predictable.

I finished Hearts in Atlantis a while back, and was wondering if anyone's seen the movie and/or read the book? I read that the film is only over the first story of the several within the book, and I think also is only loosely based on it. Still, I think it'd be interesting to see, for a comparison.

Yogi, this caught my eye, thank you. I visited Monte Cassino in 2003 while on a pilgrimage to Italy. Monte Cassino was a stop on our third day. It is the site of the earliest recorded monastery founded by St. Benedict in 542 AD. Throughout history it suffered many invasions, but was resilient. During the war it was reduced to a pile of rubble and then rebuilt. It was a very inspirational and moving visit. I will have to read the book.

Monte Cassino and the abbey on top


The Polish soldier's cemetery on the adjacent hillside.


Inside the abbey grounds; statue of St. Scholastica, Benedict's sister.

CURRENTLY READING:

The Great Shark Hunt by Hunter S. Thompson
The Gun Seller by Hugh Laurie
The Complete Sherlock Holmes Vol. 1 by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Football for Dummies by Howie Long

and some book by Ian Rankin.

That makes 3 British writers at once!

Finished up my "bathroom book" by Lawrence Block, When The Sacred Gin Mill Closes or something. Don't bother with it.

MC,those are great pics,thanks for posting. It is an excellent book so keep a weather eye peeled for it.

A couple of things that caught my attention was the amount of Allied forces involved in the attack. After the US and Brits failed in the first wave we threw in the Indians,Ghurkas,New Zealanders,the Free French and finally the Poles and the Canadians. A truly allied effort.

The other thing was the bravery and determination of the German paratroopers who held on for days without food or medical aid in the face of constant carpet bombing and attacks!

Just read THE BIG BLOWDOWN by George Pelecanos.

This guy is great,i think i have read all his stuff now although i did it back to front!

EXPIRED!

That's incredible.

I'm currently reading Moses and Monotheism by Sigmund Freud,
The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins,
The Anarchist Writings of William Godwin by Peter Marshall and
Ulysses by James Joyce.