What are you reading?
- Thread starter Gavin
- Start date
Inverse said:
I read that a while ago! Same version and everything!
It was good, but I found it a little "dry". As in, it seemed to drag on for very long, and nothing really happened. Guess it's not really my favourite kind of genre.
Also, do you know why the old guy is named Wednesday?
If you're read a fair bit of the book, you'll discover that he's the norse god Odin. The Norwegian word for Wednesday is Onsdag - Odin's day.
Ollie
CF Legend
Well that's kinda what I meant as otherwise everyone would be going round making money dong it. listened to his audio books which is parts of a couple of chapters from he book so decided to get he book as well. He's got a really good writing style and is quite funny as well. It's more interesting than anything though.furie said:
LiveForTheLaunch
CF Legend
Finished Undomestic Goddess finally. I stick by my opinion that Sophie Kinsella is one of the funniest writers out there, and though nothing beats her Shopaholic series, this book was pretty good. Not my favourite of any of her books, but again, there were likeable characters, intriguing storylines, and a lot of very funny parts, like all of her novels. All of her novels have a lot of similarities, but they're still all really good.
8.5/10
8.5/10
LiveForTheLaunch
CF Legend
Oo I'm excited, I got My Sisters Keeper, Wicked, Rememebr Me?, and Twenties Girl for Christmas but I can't have them until then, darnit.
But, today I read Letters from a Nut. It was absolutely HILARIOUS, and though not in traditional novel form, it is a book that has hundreds of funny letters that this guy wrote to companies and hotels, and also shows what he response was from the places he wrote. Some of the things he wrote about were if he could gamble in his lucky shrimp suit, inquiries about an upcoming Elvis concert, if his 2200 colony of red ants could accompany him on his vacation trip as they calm him down, and if he would be able to attend a Lakers game despite having a condition where the back of his pants must be cut out and replaced with cellophane.
Very funny stuff. 9/10
But, today I read Letters from a Nut. It was absolutely HILARIOUS, and though not in traditional novel form, it is a book that has hundreds of funny letters that this guy wrote to companies and hotels, and also shows what he response was from the places he wrote. Some of the things he wrote about were if he could gamble in his lucky shrimp suit, inquiries about an upcoming Elvis concert, if his 2200 colony of red ants could accompany him on his vacation trip as they calm him down, and if he would be able to attend a Lakers game despite having a condition where the back of his pants must be cut out and replaced with cellophane.
Very funny stuff. 9/10
I was trying to find this topic but for some reason couldn't find it the other week.
Anyways, since working again in London I have started reading on the train into and from work. I've decided to read the James Bond books, something I've always wanted to do but haven't done anything about.
First I read Casino Royale. It was excellent, so detailed and interesting. I never thought reading a book would actually be this entertaining, was amazing. Also, the book is far superior to the film.
Then I read Moonraker. Yet another awesome book, very interesting and exciting read, I never wanted to put it down! The characters are so fascinating and the story develops at a nice speed. The main set piece is phenomenal but the best bit in the book was the card game which was so intense and detailed.
I did start reading For your eyes only which is the first of two collection of short Bond stories Fleming wrote. I read the first story which was ok but I've kinda given up on this book already, I prefer the main books, so much more interesting to read.
Anyways, since working again in London I have started reading on the train into and from work. I've decided to read the James Bond books, something I've always wanted to do but haven't done anything about.
First I read Casino Royale. It was excellent, so detailed and interesting. I never thought reading a book would actually be this entertaining, was amazing. Also, the book is far superior to the film.
Then I read Moonraker. Yet another awesome book, very interesting and exciting read, I never wanted to put it down! The characters are so fascinating and the story develops at a nice speed. The main set piece is phenomenal but the best bit in the book was the card game which was so intense and detailed.
I did start reading For your eyes only which is the first of two collection of short Bond stories Fleming wrote. I read the first story which was ok but I've kinda given up on this book already, I prefer the main books, so much more interesting to read.
A
Anonymous
Guest
THE TWILIGHT SAGA!! 
xx
I've been reading Twilight and all of its follow-on books (New Moon, Eclipse && Breaking Dawn) THE BEST BOOKS IN THE WORLD! x
xxI've been reading Twilight and all of its follow-on books (New Moon, Eclipse && Breaking Dawn) THE BEST BOOKS IN THE WORLD!
x
Ollie
CF Legend
Finally finished reading Derren Browns book a couple of nights ago.
So good. Really interesting to read and he actually teaches you some of the techniques he uses that actually work really well. The best section is easily memory imo as it worked in about 5 minutes and it's just great to learn how the mind works and how to learn lists of 100s of objects by just remembering the first one.
Really worth picking up if you're interested in what Derren does or just want to learn some cool techniques to impress people with at parties. I think the only downside was the last section where he just babbled on about scientists and psychics but that was still interesting to read as well.
So good. Really interesting to read and he actually teaches you some of the techniques he uses that actually work really well. The best section is easily memory imo as it worked in about 5 minutes and it's just great to learn how the mind works and how to learn lists of 100s of objects by just remembering the first one.
Really worth picking up if you're interested in what Derren does or just want to learn some cool techniques to impress people with at parties. I think the only downside was the last section where he just babbled on about scientists and psychics but that was still interesting to read as well.
Ollie
CF Legend
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows:
Finished this last night. Decided to read it again as I'd forgotten what happened and thought I'd remind myself before the last two films come out.
Much better than I remembered it to be. I think this time I enjoyed it much more as I wasn't in such a rush to finish it but it's definitely ended the books really well.
Some really good sections and the way JK writes is brilliant and really helps you visualise what's going on and pulls you into the story.
I forgot how many people died though so it was a shock all over again when people ended up dying that I thought never would but it made the story more deep and that anything could happen next.
The 'Nineteen years later' section at the end of the book was a bit silly but it answered the questions that everyone was asking.
But great book. Well written and a good ending to the Harry Potter series.
Finished this last night. Decided to read it again as I'd forgotten what happened and thought I'd remind myself before the last two films come out.
Much better than I remembered it to be. I think this time I enjoyed it much more as I wasn't in such a rush to finish it but it's definitely ended the books really well.
Some really good sections and the way JK writes is brilliant and really helps you visualise what's going on and pulls you into the story.
I forgot how many people died though so it was a shock all over again when people ended up dying that I thought never would but it made the story more deep and that anything could happen next.
The 'Nineteen years later' section at the end of the book was a bit silly but it answered the questions that everyone was asking.
But great book. Well written and a good ending to the Harry Potter series.
I've read Deathly Hallows about 4 or 5 times now. Rowling is piss poor at writing, but it's like reading a comic You do it to immerse yourself in a world, without having to really think about it.
I still hate all the faff in tents bit though (chapters 4 to 13 = skip ).
I'm on a bit of a Bernard Cornwell bender at the moment. Again, not a great author, but his history and "feel" of history is good. He also know how to knock together a decent enough action story, with some obligatory love/revenge sub plots.
So I started on Saturday with Azincourt. All about the English invasion of France in 1415 and Henry V's victory at the battle. It's what the whole Shakespeare's (you've heard of that guy I assume) Henry V was about. Though unlike Shakespeare, Cornwell has used historically researched facts :lol:
It's just a war tale. The story of an archer working as a professional soldier in the middle ages. Lots of blood, guts and killing. A bit of rape, murder and pillage thrown in too for good measure. Then half a book describing the way we slaughtered and humiliated the Frenchies - HUZZAH! (Cornwell doesn't appear to like the French much :lol: ).
So, good read for a couple of nights, mindless violent entertainment almost in a period of history I love (I'm waiting for him to do some Wars of the Roses stuff ).
So, on the back of that, I bought the latest two of his Saxon/Dane series. It's all about the son of a Danish lord from Northumbria, whose father is killed by his [the father's] brother. The son gets rescued from the battle by a Saxon Lord who raises him from the age of ten as a Saxon. If you don't know much about this period (late 9th Century) - it's a bit confusing really :lol:
Anyway, it's the tale of this boys hunt for revenge as he becomes one of the most feared warriors in Wessex, Sussex, Mercia, Cumberaland and Northumbria. He fights with Alfred the great (who lived in a marsh and burned the cakes) and it's all about that period of history where England was brought together under a single ruler. Essentially, the turning point from the dark ages to the middle ages.
Again, it's on (relatively) solid historical ground and it's an action/adventure involving lots of killing, maiming, rape, murder and bloodshed...
Reading it though so close on the tail of Stonehenge, the Crécy series and Azincourt - you realise that all Cornwell's novels have pretty much the same characters, the same kinds of revenge issues. It's like he has a computer program that runs out templates for him. It just mixes and matches the characters and plots (probably taken form the Sharpe books :lol: ).
Still, it's mindless, yet mildly worthy reading. I'd recommend Azincourt to anyone wanting to read about the French getting a whuppping. The Saxon series though is a bit more "boys own adventure" and if you don't like strange names - it's not for you :lol:
You do it to immerse yourself in a world, without having to really think about it.I still hate all the faff in tents bit though (chapters 4 to 13 = skip
).I'm on a bit of a Bernard Cornwell bender at the moment. Again, not a great author, but his history and "feel" of history is good. He also know how to knock together a decent enough action story, with some obligatory love/revenge sub plots.
So I started on Saturday with Azincourt. All about the English invasion of France in 1415 and Henry V's victory at the battle. It's what the whole Shakespeare's (you've heard of that guy I assume) Henry V was about. Though unlike Shakespeare, Cornwell has used historically researched facts :lol:
It's just a war tale. The story of an archer working as a professional soldier in the middle ages. Lots of blood, guts and killing. A bit of rape, murder and pillage thrown in too for good measure. Then half a book describing the way we slaughtered and humiliated the Frenchies - HUZZAH! (Cornwell doesn't appear to like the French much :lol: ).
So, good read for a couple of nights, mindless violent entertainment almost in a period of history I love (I'm waiting for him to do some Wars of the Roses stuff
).So, on the back of that, I bought the latest two of his Saxon/Dane series. It's all about the son of a Danish lord from Northumbria, whose father is killed by his [the father's] brother. The son gets rescued from the battle by a Saxon Lord who raises him from the age of ten as a Saxon. If you don't know much about this period (late 9th Century) - it's a bit confusing really :lol:
Anyway, it's the tale of this boys hunt for revenge as he becomes one of the most feared warriors in Wessex, Sussex, Mercia, Cumberaland and Northumbria. He fights with Alfred the great (who lived in a marsh and burned the cakes) and it's all about that period of history where England was brought together under a single ruler. Essentially, the turning point from the dark ages to the middle ages.
Again, it's on (relatively) solid historical ground and it's an action/adventure involving lots of killing, maiming, rape, murder and bloodshed...
Reading it though so close on the tail of Stonehenge, the Crécy series and Azincourt - you realise that all Cornwell's novels have pretty much the same characters, the same kinds of revenge issues. It's like he has a computer program that runs out templates for him. It just mixes and matches the characters and plots (probably taken form the Sharpe books :lol: ).
Still, it's mindless, yet mildly worthy reading. I'd recommend Azincourt to anyone wanting to read about the French getting a whuppping. The Saxon series though is a bit more "boys own adventure" and if you don't like strange names - it's not for you :lol:
nealbie
CF Legend
Just finishing off the Bartimaeus Trilogy with 'Ptolemy's Gate' at the moment.
For those of you that have outgrown JK's children's books (furie ), I'd recommend these as a read, very well written, with the main character being an exceptionally sarcastic djinn.
There are 3 books, 'The Amulet of Samarkand', 'The Golem's Eye' and 'Ptolemy's Gate' - all of which are bloody superb, this is my second time of reading after a few years and they're still just as fab as I remember them.
Still a "youth" book, but so much more advanced in terms of style and quality. Make me upset that Potter was the commercial success, but there is supposedly going to be a movie for this, but then again - there has been for 5 ****ing years! :lol:
For those of you that have outgrown JK's children's books (furie
), I'd recommend these as a read, very well written, with the main character being an exceptionally sarcastic djinn.There are 3 books, 'The Amulet of Samarkand', 'The Golem's Eye' and 'Ptolemy's Gate' - all of which are bloody superb, this is my second time of reading after a few years and they're still just as fab as I remember them.
Still a "youth" book, but so much more advanced in terms of style and quality. Make me upset that Potter was the commercial success, but there is supposedly going to be a movie for this, but then again - there has been for 5 ****ing years! :lol:
Ploddish
Hyper Poster
My, that's (one of) my favourite book series! I thought no-one else bar Peter (I asked- nay, begged him, to read them).
One of the only books I read with glee and giggle manically every page or so. Not sure the last one ends on the right note, but on the first readthrough (3 years ago?) it was all perfic.
Just finished a second readthrough perhaps 3 weeks ago, and I thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed it. Bartimeus sounds like he would be a superb djinn to have around.
On the topic of readthroughs, I'm going back through the Mortal Engines Quartet, just started the second one. Really easy to read, hugely adventurous (and apparently being developed into a film series by none other than Peter Jackson!) and enormously sad. Along with Bartimeus, read! Reeeaaad!
One of the only books I read with glee and giggle manically every page or so. Not sure the last one ends on the right note, but on the first readthrough (3 years ago?) it was all perfic.
Just finished a second readthrough perhaps 3 weeks ago, and I thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed it. Bartimeus sounds like he would be a superb djinn to have around.
On the topic of readthroughs, I'm going back through the Mortal Engines Quartet, just started the second one. Really easy to read, hugely adventurous (and apparently being developed into a film series by none other than Peter Jackson!) and enormously sad. Along with Bartimeus, read! Reeeaaad!
Ollie
CF Legend
Finished reading Ant and Dec: Ooh! What a Lovely Pair last night. It's a good book and I like the way it was written so one was in bold and the other was in italics.
It's interesting to read about everything they've done and how they've worked their way up from Byker Grove and are now famous TV presenters. There's some funny life stories in there to read and quite a few embarrassing stories from their career. It also talks about some of the things that go on behind the scenes of some of the shows which for a media student such as myself is interesting.
If you like them then definitely pick this book up and have a read. If you don't then you may still enjoy it but not as much.
It's interesting to read about everything they've done and how they've worked their way up from Byker Grove and are now famous TV presenters. There's some funny life stories in there to read and quite a few embarrassing stories from their career. It also talks about some of the things that go on behind the scenes of some of the shows which for a media student such as myself is interesting.
If you like them then definitely pick this book up and have a read. If you don't then you may still enjoy it but not as much.
I finished reading Percy Jackson & the lightning thief the other day.
Because I read it after the film I knew all the main events of the story (and the awesome twist at the end) which in a way is a shame. However I really enjoyed the film and I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book. The story is told so differently from the film and I'm still unsure what way I prefer. There are also a lot of other differences (the film seems to give more reasoning for everything, the book leaves you a tad puzzled as to why certain things happen the way they do etc). Hmm, still a great read (even if it is aimed at 12 year olds).
I've started reading the second book in the series (it was bogof so I thought "why not?") and so far it's quite intriguing and has gone straight into the action.
Because I read it after the film I knew all the main events of the story (and the awesome twist at the end) which in a way is a shame. However I really enjoyed the film and I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book. The story is told so differently from the film and I'm still unsure what way I prefer. There are also a lot of other differences (the film seems to give more reasoning for everything, the book leaves you a tad puzzled as to why certain things happen the way they do etc). Hmm, still a great read (even if it is aimed at 12 year olds).
I've started reading the second book in the series (it was bogof so I thought "why not?") and so far it's quite intriguing and has gone straight into the action.