I recently finished Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar, which a close friend of mine recommended. I've liked Plath's poetry but found it a bit dense, so I was a little apprehensive to read an entire novel by her. Much to my surprise, I found The Bell Jar to be very readable and engaging. The writing is vivid yet down-to-earth. You really get a good sense for Plath's genius and conflict in a way that doesn't come across quite so directly from her poetry.
I've started on Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, which I borrowed from another friend (after he read it through three times). I voluntarily self-spoiled the ending, but I'm still looking forward to finishing the book.
I'm also planning to get started on Jonathan Franzen's The Corrections, which a number of folks have praised.
What are you currently reading, and what are some of your favorite books of all time?
Registered: Jul 2003
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I'm reading the newest IVR manual and going through Avaya texts while trying to teach myself database programming for specialized reports on our Avaya e-mail system. I just don't know why this stuff isn't a Top 10 best-seller.
From: Utah | Registered: Jul 2003
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I was trying to read "The Little Friend" by Donna Tartt. I loved her first book, "The Secret History". Unfortunately, "The Little Friend" was unreadable. I finished about 400 pages of the drivel and had to sadly admit that I was defeated. While attempting to read it, however, I did read 5 novels by a Canadian science fiction writer, Robert Sawyer. Talk about relief - this guy knows plot, pacing and science. I would wake up early each morning just to read some pages before getting up for work. The books I read were, "Hominids", "Humans", "Flash Forward", "Calculating God" and "The Terminal Experiment". This is all in the last two months. Very fun.
Recently, I've read, "Attonement" and "Life of Pi". I highly recommend "Life of Pi."
Registered: Aug 2003
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quote:Originally posted by Semi Transparent Fellow: I was trying to read "The Little Friend" by Donna Tartt. I loved her first book, "The Secret History". Unfortunately, "The Little Friend" was unreadable.
That's too bad. I also really enjoyed "The Secret History" when I read it -- wow, was it really nine years ago? I was thinking of picking up "The Little Friend," but I'll probably hold off on that now... there are too many other books that I'd rather get to first.
I haven't heard of Robert Sawyer, but his writing sounds interesting -- I'll keep an eye out for it the next time I'm at the bookstore.
Registered: Jul 2003
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I am currently reading "Masters of Midnight" which is a collection of short stories all based on vampirism. It is considered gay erotic fiction, and I've enjoyed it very much.
From: Utah (non-Mormon!!!) | Registered: Jul 2003
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I just saw the movie "Whale Rider" and now I want to read the book! I'm also interested in Nersesian's new one "Chinese Takeout". I'm in the middle of Tisbe Nissen's "Out of the Girl's Room and Into the Night" (we were in highschool together).
From: New York, NY | Registered: Jul 2003
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I liked The Corrections. If you come from a messed-up family and gotten over it, it's pretty funny.
I'm reading The Best Democracy Money Can Buy by Greg Palast, some short stories by Mercedes Lackey and Baudolino by Umberto Eco. I usually have a few books going at the same time.
posted
The last book I read was Lord of the Flies a few weeks ago, it's even more powerful than the film's.
From: UK | Registered: Jul 2003
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I just read "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix."
I'm not a Harry junkie, but I do enjoy the books. This one had its moments, but I think J.K. easily could have knocked 100 or so pages out. And I know a lot of teens go through the whole angst thing, and Harry had reason to more than a lot, but there were just too many times I wanted to slap him to truly enjoy the book. It's a must for "Potter" fans, though, and has some significant developments.
Eric
-------------------- Geek Watch
From: Standing beside you in Ferndale, MI | Registered: Aug 2003
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quote:Originally posted by Semi Transparent Fellow: I was trying to read "The Little Friend" by Donna Tartt. I loved her first book, "The Secret History". Unfortunately, "The Little Friend" was unreadable. I finished about 400 pages of the drivel
Recently, I've read, "Attonement" and "Life of Pi". I highly recommend "Life of Pi."
I too am struggling to get through The Little Friend . What a letdown after The Secret History which I highly enjoyed. I only got through 200 pages of it though. Life of Pi is a must read (a Booker Prize Winner and Canadian!). I've had so many people give mixed reviews, but the ending is brilliant. This is a book that is sure to generate discussion among anybody has read it.
I'm currently reading a work by another Canadian writer, Diane Schoemperlen and her Our Lady of the Lost and Found; so far, it's a witty story about the notion of Mary, mother of Jesus, finding refuge at a writer's home because she's, quite frankly, tired of pulling miracles and making appearances all over the world and she thought stopping someplace in Canada would be nice because we have a "reputation for being quiet, polite, decent, and rather reserved".
From: Canada | Registered: Jul 2003
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I'm always interested to see movie adaptations of books. The Harry Potter movies so far have been, I've thought, pretty good screen adaptations. I know I'm lagging behind in finishing the books (midway through Goblet and just barely started Order, despite not having finished the previous one), but at least it'll be a while before I'm in danger of having to watch the movie without first having read through the corresponding book...
In the meantime, I'm in danger of having to watch Cold Mountain, starring Jude Law, Nicole Kidman, and Renee Zellweger, before I finish the book... it's been OK, but just a bit slow in parts... I've had to put it down several times over the past year while I temporarily moved on to other books...
[ August 12, 2003, 05:38 PM: Message edited by: Stu ]
Registered: Jul 2003
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