So I'm halfway through The Book Thief and so far I hate it. I hate the way it's written, feels like I could have wrote it when I was 15. It's far too simple in my opinion. I like books that are slightly difficult but very magical to read. I have no choice but to continue reading this book since I'm already halfway through. Hopefully it gives a redeeming ending to an otherwise mediocre story. I also bought both Middlesex and Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Klay. Read the first chapter of each and I love it... didn't expect Amazing Adventures to be written in that style... reminds me of 100 Years of Solitude. Which by the way, I've been meaning to ask, if you have read that book, Scribo? If you have, how would you compare it to The Shadow of the Wind? So after I read all of these fiction books, I think I'm gonna start reading nonfiction books. Or more specifically, books that make me a more intelligent individual. Can anyone make any suggestions? Books that give me wisdom or help me in life such as the 50th law of Power. Thank you!!!!!!!!
Oh in case I didn't clarify which book to compare to Shadow of the Wind, I meant 100 Years of Solitude. THanks Scribo!
Sorry you're not enjoying The Book Thief. Everyone's tastes are different. It is written in an odd style, but I loved the story itself and Liselle's relationship with her father and Rudy, which are the heart of the story. That and the depiction of life in WWII Germany. I have not read 100 Years of Solitude, but I have read Love in the Time of Cholera by Marquez. I've heard Carlos Ruiz Zafon compared to Gabriel Garcia Marquez, which I don't get. Other than the fact they're both Spanish, their writing styles are very different. Marquez has a rambling style that meanders from various points before eventually resuming the original topic. I'm basing this off one of his novels, but it's my understanding this is prevalent in all of his writing. His style is descriptive and lovely writing, but I found it hard to get through the book. Chabon who wrote Kavalier and Klay, and Eugenides who wrote Middlesex also have a florid styles of writing. I find both of their works to be a lot more accessible than Marquez. Eugenides tends to tackle weird subject material (incest, hermaphrodites, 5 sisters all committing suicide). Chabon seems to have fun writing realistic stories that have panache and quirky characters. Both writers also write in a more linear fashion with looping around on tangents. Zafon has a gift with words and is able to sketch out vivid depictions of people and places with a paucity of words. I compare him frequently to an artist who can zip out a minimalist picture in pencil that captures the essence of the subject. For me personally, Zafon is probably the most talented writer I've encountered. Shadow of the Wind is a masterpiece both from a writing standpoint as well as a compelling story. The sequel\prequel, The Angel's Game, has just as eloquent writing, but the story itself is a bit marred by a confused, muddled ending. I feel like that's kind of a long-winded meandering answer. I will say that if you really are put off by The Book Thief, you don't have to worry about Shadow of the Wind, which is written in a much more mature manner. I don't know if it reading it would make you a smarter individual, but it is a hell of a book.
Unfortunately, a self-help depression book. It's helping, though, it's something I never thought I would be reading.
Well I can't wait to read Shadow of the Wind... after so much praise from you about it.. though it keeps being sold out at my local book store. I appreciate your response! Thanks
Been on a sci-fi kick recently. Finished Pastwatch Redemption which I enjoyed and then followed that up with Dune. I can now say the movie was a POS. Now I'm onto Pillars of the Earth. I've got World Without End up next and I think I'll grab Kane and Abel as well as Three Cups of Tee for some variety. Also read the Magician by Lev Grossman. I really enjoyed that.
Read the Magicians by Lev Grossman a month or so ago, I just finished the Hunger Games Trilogy, and then I read The Rum Diary. Am currently reading The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler. If you've read Chronicles of Narnia and Harry Potter, you'll like seeing what happens when modern day and more realistic characters find themselves in those types of worlds: Pretty good, should make for an interesting movie franchise. People will point out how similar it is to Battle Royale, but the series seems to be a lot about how people are affected by media. If you have a teenage daughter, I hope she reads this instead of Twilight. Not sure how I feel about the last book, Spoiler I think the thing that annoyed me the most is that nobody but Katniss really knew that she was totally justified in killing the President of D13 and that she gets off on an "insanity" or whatever charge. Can't go wrong with the good Doctor:
Just finished What is the What by Dave Eggers, which is the fictionalized biography of a Sudanese lost boy (refugee). It was one of the best books I've read in a long time, and I would highly recommend.
I don't normally read. If a book is that good, they'll make a movie out of it soon enough, so I'd rather wait.
Kane and Lynch reminded me thematically of Pillars of the Earth. If you like Three Cups of Tea, you should also check out the sequel Stones into Schools. For some excellent Afghanistan fiction, read Kite Runner (good) or A Thousand Splendid Suns (superb).
Welcome to the club. I always have a few if you need to borrow one. We have Feeling Good by David Burns, Rational Living by Albert Ellis, and the list goes on
They're both downers, but I guess life in Afghanistan is not too rosy. I found the depiction of female life there to be fascinating. The Mortensen books are a lot more uplifting.
Reading a couple of selections from Dr. Elaine Pagels. Finished The Origin of Satan and almost done with Adam, Eve and the Serpent. After that I still have Reading Judas. I really enjoy her style - extremely scholarly but still readable providing you're in the "mood". Obviously, the topics are fascinating as well, most of it dealing with how early Christianity morphed and developed various ideologies.
Read "Animal Farm" by George Orwell . good stuff! I read somewhere that this book in DM's top ten list of must-read books. true eh?
I am on the lookout for thrillers that are as good as or better than "The Day of the Jackal" by Forsyth (ok. I found the book very intriguing) . any suggestions?
Daemon and the sequel Freedom TM by Daniel Suarez are super entertaining techno thrillers. They read like a one thousand page book split in two. I'm about 300 pages from the end. Others on the board have raved about them as well. The Millenium Trilolgy (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, etc.) is thriller\mystery at top notch. There's a reason they're so popular. Once you get going on this series, they are hard to put down. Lisbeth Salander is a bad ass, and Mikael Blomqvist is a really cool lead as well.
