Novels for a Rainy Sunday Afternoon

Kaitsuburi · Post by **Kaitsuburi** » Fri May 21, 2004 9:37 pm

Harry Potter = speed-reading

IMHO, doesn't go well with Earl Grey. Maybe with tomato juice.

-kaitsuburi

The Z · Post by **The Z** » Fri May 21, 2004 11:04 pm

You could read Shakespeare out loud to yourself if you're into that sort of thing. The only play of his that I've liked (out of the ones I've read which isn't that many) is Macbeth.

Here's a few, which aren't too deep or hard to read (actually, they're pretty easy to read). Oh yeah, and they're all short too:
The Outsiders (Youth)
Of Mice and Men (American Depression)
Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde (Victorian era)
The Chrysalids (Sci-Fi)
Empire of the Sun (WW II)
But I bet most people have read those four.

Plus, there's the War of the Spider Queen series and the Star Wars "Expanded Universe" books as well (again, if you're into that sort of thing).

Oh, I forgot my personal favourite: Lord of the Flies

Georgi · Post by **Georgi** » Sat May 22, 2004 12:28 am

I like Lord of the Flies... but it brings back memories of school

I don't finish books all that quickly these days because I don't spend much time reading... When I actually have nothing better to do than sit around with a book for hours on end, I get through them like wildfire. All of which is just a roundabout excuse because I have been reading Harry Potter for ages.

Those books get bigger and bigger... I mean, when you're nearly halfway through, they haven't even got to the start of term yet!

I don't especially like reading Shakespeare, it's far more interesting to watch.

Chanak · Post by **Chanak** » Sat May 22, 2004 8:26 am

@Georgi: So whatcha reading these days? Still devouring those cheesy romance novels with Fabio on the cover?

Robnark · Post by **Robnark** » Sat May 22, 2004 4:04 pm

Originally posted by Georgi
I like Lord of the Flies... but it brings back memories of school

guh, same here. I really didn't like studying fiction at school, it tended to really put me off whatever we read. I loved Farenheit 451, and then we had to go and do some bloody coursework on it. ruined.

Taco Magus · Post by **Taco Magus** » Sat May 22, 2004 5:30 pm

Hitchhicker's guide to the galaxy -Douglas Adams

Moonbiter · Post by **Moonbiter** » Sat May 22, 2004 5:45 pm

Hiya, dear.

If ye need a good read on a rainy, disgustola crawly night, then I would suggest The Chronicles of The Black Company. If you aren't disposed for a trip down the Dark Road, you might want to consider Akiff Prinncicc: The Cat Murders'...

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Sat May 22, 2004 6:28 pm

@Moonbiter,
I just did a search for 'The Black Company' and it looks pretty good

I often tend to lean towards the "Dark Side"

p) so this appeals.

I did a search for the other title you mentioned but nothing came, you wouldn't have any links or details would you?

Lord of the Flies.... *shudder* Yes.. great book.. but unfortunately my experiences with it were also tainted by school....

At least though, my literature teacher at the time was a bit more enlightened than many so that did help. The same year we also read George Orwell's 1984.... Talk about a cheery term!

Bloodstalker · Post by **Bloodstalker** » Sat May 22, 2004 6:33 pm

Cracked Magazine.....only the classics for me

Moonbiter · Post by **Moonbiter** » Sun May 23, 2004 12:48 am

I just did a search for 'The Black Company' and it looks pretty good I often tend to lean towards the "Dark Side" () so this appeals.

I always push this one. It's become my mission in life. The coolest thing about it is that the heroes are the bad guys, and their enemies are a thousand times worse. You'll really enjoy this one.

The other one is an obscure crime caper seen through the eyes of a cat, written by a Turkish guy. I don't know if it's ever been released outside of Europe. It's great fun. Especially when the Chandler-esque main character refers to humans as "my can-opener."

Yeltsu · Post by **Yeltsu** » Sun May 23, 2004 1:20 am

My favorites are definetly

Dune (all of them) by Frank Herbert
The Hichhiker's Guide to The Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Shogun by James Clawell
His Dark Materials (a trilogy) by Phillip Pullman
1985 by George Orwell
Enders Game by Orson Scott Card
Lotr (but not so often though)
The Discworld Novels by Terry Pratchett
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling (I found the most hilarious parody of Harry Potter in a bookstore, it's called Barry Trotter and the unautherized parody, it's simply ingenius)

and of course some norvegian books, but i read books from all over the world, gives me a sense of variety.

EDIT: I meant 1984

Moonbiter · Post by **Moonbiter** » Sun May 23, 2004 2:51 am

@Wench...

I forgot, you have a countryman named Steven Erikson. Now, this guy is a real-life Archaeologist AND Anthropologist who decided to start writing a series of books called "The Malazan Book of The Fallen." We are talking 1200 page bricks here. Fun fact: While he's been a best-seller in Europe for over a decade, his books only came out in the US this year, complete with cheesy new covers and considerably shortened. The reason? (and this really is snickersome..) Bantam Books' marketing department issued a press release where they ADMITTED that "Erikson's scholarly approach and attention to detail is not suitable for the American fantasy market."

I am not even gonna start rolling on the floor laughing my... oh, you get the picture. I can say this: Read the 'Company first. That means the first 4 books. If you like them, try Erikson, but be warned; it's so mind numbing and epic that you will, if you get hooked, need to start taking notes! Now, how many books that ain't forced down your throat in High School will make you do that?

Xandax · Post by **Xandax** » Sun May 23, 2004 2:56 am

Originally posted by Asriel
<snip>
1985 by George Orwell
<snip>

Must be the sequel that one ..........
heheh - sorry, couldn't help myself

Am I, by the way, the only one here that haven't read LotR (yet)?

Guess I better buy it, although I want it on english instead of translated into danish. Makes it harder to find, unless I want to import it from the UK.

Gwalchmai · Post by **Gwalchmai** » Sun May 23, 2004 8:51 am

Originally posted by Xandax
Am I, by the way, the only one here that haven't read LotR (yet)?

No, you're not!

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Sun May 23, 2004 10:38 am

@BS, lmao! Now that sounds about right, 'like *does* attract like' after all !

@Moonbiter,
cheers!

I also like the sounds of Steven Erikson. Since my father is currently in Europe I may get him to check his books for me, I'd rather have the full length version....

@Asriel,
lol! How could I have forgotten the Discworld series in my original list... hours of fun...

I'm presently playing Morrowind and I was almost tempted to create an inept wizard called Rincewind!

The Z · Post by **The Z** » Mon May 24, 2004 1:18 am

Originally posted by Xandax

Am I, by the way, the only one here that haven't read LotR (yet)?
Guess I better buy it, although I want it on english instead of translated into danish. Makes it harder to find, unless I want to import it from the UK.

I read about a quarter of the first one then gave up. But I've read The Hobbit

Xandax · Post by **Xandax** » Mon May 24, 2004 1:26 am

Originally posted by Gwalchmai
No, you're not!

Originally posted by The Z
I read about a quarter of the first one then gave up. But I've read The Hobbit

Weeee - now I feel much better.

Still wanna buy it though, but still looking for it in an english version. Guess I gotta buy from Amazon or something though because I have problems finding it in danish bookstores.
Think it will look good on my shelves next to Shakespeare, Marchiavelli, Dante, Saxo ...

(okay, so I've got a diverse taste

)

Yeltsu · Post by **Yeltsu** » Mon May 24, 2004 7:55 am

I've read lotr two times and the Hobbit probably 5 times, but now I can't seem to be able to start reading lotr again, I just find that the beginning is SOOOO boring.

However I did read the Return of the King again befor I saw the movie, just to bring me up to date. (I had completly forgotten about the dead people)

Bloodmist · Post by **Bloodmist** » Mon May 24, 2004 8:46 am

It's not even a rainy sunday afternoon... Why take the sorrows in advance?

Rob-hin · Post by **Rob-hin** » Mon May 24, 2004 10:09 am

Originally posted by Asriel
I've read lotr two times and the Hobbit probably 5 times, but now I can't seem to be able to start reading lotr again, I just find that the beginning is SOOOO boring.

However I did read the Return of the King again befor I saw the movie, just to bring me up to date. (I had completly forgotten about the dead people)

I can't find myself to read a book twice... let alone five times.