Author Topic: What are you reading, part 3  (Read 311116 times)

readerMom

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Re: What are you reading, part 3
« Reply #405 on: November 22, 2008, 04:46:24 AM »
I've been plowing through The Guns of August, a detailed look at the first month of WWI.  I don't think I've ever read of this many errors made by presumably capable people; except in the case of the Russians, they were pretty much incapable to begin with.  The author's premise that this month directly caused the next four years of misery is pretty well proven and I'm only half-way through.

Peter Ahlstrom

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Re: What are you reading, part 3
« Reply #406 on: November 22, 2008, 07:34:08 AM »
I just finished The City of Ember and The People of Sparks. I enjoyed them quite a bit, though there are a few stupid things in the way Ember was planned.

Are there other really good science fiction middle grade books out there? (Not fantasy; actual science fiction.)
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The Jade Knight

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Re: What are you reading, part 3
« Reply #407 on: November 22, 2008, 12:45:50 PM »
You've read The Stainless Steel Rat?
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readerMom

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Re: What are you reading, part 3
« Reply #408 on: November 22, 2008, 05:29:41 PM »
I enjoyed The Stainless Steel Rat, a bit dated, but fun.  The Retief books by Keith Laumer are elso good, in that same style.  I like David Weber and Robert Heinlein's The Moon is  a Harsh Mistress, as far as sci-fi goes. 

CthulhuKefka

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Re: What are you reading, part 3
« Reply #409 on: November 22, 2008, 06:58:02 PM »
I just finished re-reading Battle Royale by Koushun Takami. Pretty dark book, but none the less an interesting read again.

Peter Ahlstrom

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Re: What are you reading, part 3
« Reply #410 on: November 22, 2008, 07:06:59 PM »
I read all the Stainless Steel Rat books in 9th or 10th grade and thoroughly enjoyed them—they're the reason I learned Esperanto. They're not middle grade or even YA—they're books written for adults. A Stainless Steel Rat is Born and its immediate sequel may have tried for the older YA crowd, but it wasn't much of an effort.

I'm trying to think of books aimed at 9- to 12-year-olds that are serious science fiction like the Ember books are. (Not dumb stuff like "My Teacher is an Alien"—not that I know for sure that that is dumb, but it sounds dumb and the covers looked dumb.)
All Saiyuki fans should check out Dazzle! Emotionally wrenching action-adventure and quirky humor! (At least read chapter 6 and tell me if you're not hooked.) Volume 10 out now!

Elmandr

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Re: What are you reading, part 3
« Reply #411 on: November 22, 2008, 08:12:50 PM »
I'm reading a bunch of self-improvement books on writing. You know, the kind that helps you "Find your voice," "create unforgettable characters," and write "a damn good novel!"

Does anyone have any particular books in mind that focus on becoming a better writer and the like?

Thanks much.
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MrPaperCamel

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Re: What are you reading, part 3
« Reply #412 on: November 23, 2008, 05:29:51 AM »
I just finished re-reading Battle Royale by Koushun Takami. Pretty dark book, but none the less an interesting read again.

How was it in comparison with the movies?
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CthulhuKefka

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Re: What are you reading, part 3
« Reply #413 on: November 23, 2008, 06:03:43 PM »
I just finished re-reading Battle Royale by Koushun Takami. Pretty dark book, but none the less an interesting read again.

How was it in comparison with the movies?

Honestly, the movie was a terrible adaptation. Changed too many things. The manga on the other hand is much more in line with the original novel.

Loud_G

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Re: What are you reading, part 3
« Reply #414 on: December 01, 2008, 03:30:42 PM »
Finally reading Hero of Ages! WOO!
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Re: What are you reading, part 3
« Reply #415 on: December 01, 2008, 05:30:39 PM »
So, I just read significant chunks of the manual (Roleplaying Book) for Warhammer Quest (acquired online, though my friend owns the game).  Makes me very sad that there's little chance GW will reproduce it.
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Re: What are you reading, part 3
« Reply #416 on: December 01, 2008, 07:12:36 PM »
Currently re-reading A Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin and The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan. I'm slowly going through both of those series again so I feel "caught up" when their next books come out (hopefully next year).

Reading The Warlock in Spite of Himself by Christopher Stasheff and Warbreaker for the first time. Also reading The Dark Knight Returns (comic book) which is fun.

Sigyn

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Re: What are you reading, part 3
« Reply #417 on: December 01, 2008, 11:50:33 PM »
I'm reading Day Watch, or I would be if I hadn't misplaced it. I'm assuming it has to be in my house somewhere, but I don't know where.
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Re: What are you reading, part 3
« Reply #418 on: December 02, 2008, 12:36:27 AM »
I just finished reading The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. It was actually reviewed on this site quite some time back and while I was looking through the list of book reviews, it caught my eye. I didn't pick it up until quite some time later but I am very impressed, especially for a first book. In my opinion it could have used some editing but still I was impressed.
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Re: What are you reading, part 3
« Reply #419 on: December 02, 2008, 08:36:39 PM »
I have not read all the posts so I'm sure someone has put this on here but, I just finished the Twilight Series. Let me preface this by saying that I am not a teenage girl or a lonely single mother. I am a normal adult male who loved this series. I started this series with nothing in mind beside reading the book before the movie because I like a good vampire story, and to my amazement I loved it. In fact for three day's I could do nothing but read the series. I had my wife driving to get the next book while I was finishing another. I was blown away. Now there is a lot of overdone googly-eye love pages, and I was able to not just look past it but actually embrace it. I must say I was very surprised, and despite the fact that my father mocked me for having the series on the counter I will still recommend it to all my friends.  Look past the young adults section category, look past the droves of young ladies flocking to both read the book and see the movie, and just pick it up. I did it a walmart and when mixed in with groceries no one noticed it. Now I'm in a mad scramble to find a series that can compare to it in style and hopefully equal it writing ability. If anyone has any recommendations please drop me a line.
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