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Who reads books any more?

raptorfalcon
02/10/04 5:28 PM GMT
I have seen everything from bands to music and political opinions described on this site. One thing I haven't seen discussed is something so archaic that not even the TV sells.
Joking aside I wondered what kind of books people read for fun. I personally read fantasy books. Right now I'm reading the Wizard's First Rule of the Sword of Truth series.
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I have seen hell. Not of demons fire and brimstone but in the immorality of the dwellers of twisted cement and steel.

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::TRACYJTZ
02/10/04 5:41 PM GMT
I LOVE to read.
My favorite books in my library - The Godfather, Lord of the Ring trilogy, a forensics book about Jack the Ripper (cant remember the authors name....oh, yeah - Cornwell), I have a book with speeches and such from Albert Einstien that is a great read from time to time. I have tons of history books and science books that I like to pick up as well. I get inspired from music and such - but, I often can get inspired by something that I have read. Happens quite a bit. I have so many books...I haven't read them all...not sure when I'll find the time. Probably when the kids leave the house. :D
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::CaptainHero
02/10/04 8:45 PM GMT
I devour books. My mother once said of me that I would read a telephone directory if there was nothing else.

My house is filled with books & I used to work in a bookshop. I like most stuff and have practically everything in my house from fiction to history/religion/philosophy, but am very keen on sci fi/fantasy. Tolkien is a must. Coincidentally I am also reading the Sword of Truth series - am on the second book. I am also reading the Song of Ice & Fire series - excellent stuff. I have been wading through the Wheel of Time books, but got bogged down at book 6. Oh, love Iain Banks as well.

Recent authors I have come across include Alistair Reynolds (sci fi - very good) and China Mieville, a totally brilliant author with a dark and inventive imagination.
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"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts." Bertrand Russell
::Marideath
02/10/04 10:48 PM GMT
I've been a reading-addict since early childhood and couldn't break the habit even if I wanted to (which I don't...grin). Now that I'm so ancient and in the throes of incipient blindness I have a house full of dead-tree books I can no longer read, and have to settle for reading only those books that are published in e-book format. My favorites are (and have been since the 1950s) sci-fi and fantasy, although I've been known to consider reading even CaptainHero's phone book when there was nothing else available. :D

If anyone else is into e-books and SFF, I highly recommend this web site: www.baen.com
since it has a large free library of some of their best-selling books, as well as a Webscriptions library where you can purchase a month's worth of new publications (usually four to six books) for a total price of just $15. It's really kinda cool to get the March 2004 books in your hands (well, onto your computer) two weeks before the book stores receive their hardbacks to sell. Hehehe.

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Mary, the Caedes-addicted-BarGnat
+Samatar
02/11/04 12:15 AM GMT
Actually there have been a few chats about books on the discussion boards and even on some of the image discussions... just yesterday I was talking (well OK typing) about "Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy" on Klas' image "Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster". Also have talked about Sci Fi a couple of times, esp. Arthur C Clarke ( this is at least the third time I have mentioned my favourite "A Fall of Moondust") and Phillip K Dick, who wrote some of the weirdest stuff I have ever read, and was the inspiration behind "Bladerunner" and "Total Recall".

Actually I was thinking of doing a post about starting a book club, where we could all read the same book and then discuss it on the forum, but I wasn't sure if it was too ambitious. Anyone interested? Mary would you be able to get hold of most popular fiction in your format?
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-Everyone is entitled to my opinion-
::TRACYJTZ
02/11/04 12:22 AM GMT
Oooo - that is a GREAT idea Samatar! I'm in!
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::Marideath
02/11/04 12:41 AM GMT
I'll post a list of the Baen e-books that I have as soon as I get it coordinated. Right now, it's on my hard disk by month, rather than author, but won't take long to re-compile it. I'll also try to mark which ones are also available as freebie downloads from Baen's Free Library.
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Mary, the Caedes-addicted-BarGnat
raptorfalcon
02/11/04 5:19 PM GMT
I'd certainly join. I have way too much time on my hands anyway. I must say I was suprised by the number of quality responses.
I was expecting at least one guy or gal say "what's reading? :-)"
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I have seen hell. Not of demons fire and brimstone but in the immorality of the dwellers of twisted cement and steel.
=xentrik
02/11/04 6:39 PM GMT
I think we should all read Digital Control System Analysis and Design and then discuss the first 4 chapters. Better yet, someone can write me a short summary, preferrably in crib sheet format, for my exam next week. Gah. After this semester, I'll most likely be unemployed and indebted, and will have plenty of time for pleasure-reading.

Coincidentally, just last night a friend was excitedly saying how cool it was that so many books were available for free online now. I then related this amazing new development that many people seem to have taken to, called a "Library". No longer do you have to pay Borders for books! You can borrow them for free! All you have to do is promise to bring them back. :-)
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Crusader
02/11/04 7:15 PM GMT
I love reading. My favourites genres are SF and Fantasy. Anyone read Orson Scott Card books? Amazing stuff.
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- Space the final frontier, and the ultimate desktop! -
phoenixashes
02/11/04 8:20 PM GMT
Clive Barker, Dark Tower series, Barbra Kingsolver, Nancy Springer; i am mordred and i am morgan le fay.
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something inside of me has opened its eyes why did you put it there did you not realize this thing inside of me it screams the loudest sound sometimes i think i could -nin
Jessiac_3
02/11/04 8:46 PM GMT
My all time favorite books are the Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy series...I bought the fancy edition that came out a few years ago...the black hardcover with the gold trim on the pages..anyway, he only got through about two of the books, but I devoured the whole thing!
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There is one rule for happiness: Don't sweat the small stuff and all of it's small stuff.
151515
02/11/04 9:08 PM GMT
I LOVE to read! I like Steven King and Gary Pulson the best. I like fantasy books or books about surviving outdoors (like "the Hatchet" by Pulson). I also enjoy religous books, like "Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul". If I get a book, I'll have to force myself to stop reading or I'll just read for hours. Oh! I read this really good trilogy by Phillip Pullman- I think that was his name- the first book was "the Golden Compass", the second was "the Subtle Knife" and the third was "the Amber Spyglass" that was the best trilogy I've ever read...
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At times life is wicked and I just can't see the light, a silver lining sometimes isn't enough to make some wrongs seem right, whatever life brings, I've been through everything, and now I'm on my knees again but I know I must go on, although I hurt I must be strong, because inside I know that many feel this way... ~Creed~
+Samatar
02/12/04 6:56 AM GMT
The book club has been officially launched for those of you who missed it. Please see the post for a link to the first book chosen by Marideath. I have already finished the first short story... is anyone able to keep up with me? :-) ( and yes, that was a thinly disguised attempt to goad you into joining )
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-Everyone is entitled to my opinion-
raptorfalcon
02/12/04 5:40 PM GMT
I haven't been able to find the post containing the book.
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I have seen hell. Not of demons fire and brimstone but in the immorality of the dwellers of twisted cement and steel.
raptorfalcon
02/12/04 5:57 PM GMT
Never mind I found it. I was just being lazy and didn't look far enough down.
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I have seen hell. Not of demons fire and brimstone but in the immorality of the dwellers of twisted cement and steel.
::Piner
02/15/04 3:27 PM GMT
I read too much, I am often in the process of reading three of four books at any given time, I keeps books all over, one at work, one in the car, one downstairs in the living-room and one in my bedroom. I have an attic filled with boxes of books I have read. Every summer I clean out my desk's bookshelves and start filling it with new books as I read them, right now there are @ 90 books on the shelves that I have read since last July. A mix of Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Humor, History, and other nonfiction.
A good series to check out is Piers Anthony's "Incarnations of Imortality" Series. Most of Piers' stuff I don't get into, but after reading the first book "On a Pale Horse" about the Grim Reaper, I was hooked. There are seven books in all, each one covering a different Incarnation, such as War, Mother Nature, Time, and Evil... you can find them at any used-book store.
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The work of art may have a moral effect, but to demand moral purpose from an artist is to make him ruin his work. (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe - 1832)
::holleyk
02/20/04 12:56 AM GMT
ha ha ha, that sounds like me piner! i go to the library like once a week practically. i used to read alot of fantasy books, but mostly i read historical fiction. i can get so lost in a book that i don't even notice anything else. it is like watching a movie in my brain, haha.
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And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Rev 22:17b
CClemens
02/20/04 8:23 PM GMT
Ask me that and I'll give you a look
And return to my reading of a book.
For without these I cannot survive:
Books, pens and words so alive.
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-CClemens 8)
+Samatar
02/21/04 2:40 AM GMT
I must say, CC, that I am really enjoying these little poems of yours...
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-Everyone is entitled to my opinion-
raptorfalcon
02/21/04 3:11 AM GMT
Why aren't we the poetic type.
I can't rhyme if my life depended on it.
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I have seen hell. Not of demons fire and brimstone but in the immorality of the dwellers of twisted cement and steel.
CClemens
02/22/04 10:05 PM GMT
Creating a rhyme is simple, really,
Just make your words go smooth and pearly.

:D
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-CClemens 8)
2Eleven
02/23/04 3:34 AM GMT
ooh ooh i love Steven King books. I'm recently reading the Dark Tower Series. those books are great
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2Eleven
Jessiac_3
02/23/04 5:48 PM GMT
2E...that doesn't rhyme.. :P
I guess we just don't have the time...
Like CC does to make poems aplenty
Our brains aren't as squishy...more cementy...
Too sing-songy are mine...
So like I said I just don't have the time...
To come up with something clever
So I'll let CC be the lady of letters...
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There is one rule for happiness: Don't sweat the small stuff and all of it's small stuff.
raptorfalcon
02/23/04 6:35 PM GMT
Has anyone here read anything by Terry Goodkind?
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I have seen hell. Not of demons fire and brimstone but in the immorality of the dwellers of twisted cement and steel.
Jessiac_3
02/23/04 7:53 PM GMT
no...sorry...
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There is one rule for happiness: Don't sweat the small stuff and all of it's small stuff.
::CaptainHero
02/23/04 8:48 PM GMT
see above
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"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts." Bertrand Russell
Jessiac_3
02/23/04 8:49 PM GMT
lol
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There is one rule for happiness: Don't sweat the small stuff and all of it's small stuff.
::CaptainHero
02/23/04 8:49 PM GMT
lol?
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"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts." Bertrand Russell
Jessiac_3
02/23/04 8:51 PM GMT
laugh out loud...sorry for the internetspeak
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There is one rule for happiness: Don't sweat the small stuff and all of it's small stuff.
::CaptainHero
02/23/04 9:17 PM GMT
yeah, I know what it means. I just hadn't intended to be amusing, just lazy by referring to my post at the top. now look at the extra typing it has cost me!
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"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts." Bertrand Russell
Jessiac_3
02/23/04 10:03 PM GMT
I do apologize...but I found it amusing...
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There is one rule for happiness: Don't sweat the small stuff and all of it's small stuff.
kimcande
02/24/04 2:50 AM GMT
I do! It is informative, entertaining, educational and it's always best to read the book before you see the movie to that you can compare the differences.
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darkaliryn7_1
02/24/04 3:08 AM GMT
I love to read. I read science fiction, fantasy, and classics. Certain particular books I've read are:

The Lord of the Rings (how can you not?) . . . (and YES, there IS a book)
Star Wars (yes, I know they're literary value is zero, but I like the stories, OK?!)
The Bitterbynde Trilogy by Cecilia Dart-Thornton (not the type of thing usually in my tastes, but . . . )
His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman (why is this labeled a kids' book?)
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Star Trek: The Next Generation: I, Q by John deLancie and someone else I can't remember (Peter David, maybe?) --this one has some very interesting ideas
stuff by H.P.Lovecraft (. . . though I have to read it in the store . . . my mother again . . .)
Edgar Allan Poe (I'm related to this nut--explains a few things)

and many other things I can't think of right now . . .
suffice to say that I have a harder time yanking my nose out of a book than getting off the phone or the tv or whatever normal people do . . .
or maybe THEY are the weird ones and those of us who still read ought
to be snickering behind our collective hand at the brainwashed zombies.
Anyway, reading is good, as I think I've communicated, but I got off on a tangent, and I'm not sure what I was trying to say anymore.
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"May the soul of the emperor rain mousetraps on your head forever." --Daniel Stephens "Eagles may fly, but weasles don't get sucked into jet intakes." --Jonathan McDowell
::Marideath
02/24/04 7:28 AM GMT
Anyone who likes to read SFF should check out the BOOK CLUB thread on this board. :)
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Mary, the Caedes-addicted-BarGnat
Winnter
03/03/04 6:46 AM GMT
I love to read. I find myself reading CSI type books. Authors like Tami Hoag, Jonathan Kellerman, and Kay Hooper. My only problem is I get so caught up in my books that any one around me who tries to bother me gets snapped at. If I find a good book, it will only take me a couple of hours to read it, everything else around me stops.
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The first step to getting the things you want out of life is this...Decide what you want. (Ben Stein)
PuMa
03/03/04 9:57 AM GMT
I hate to read! Maybe it's my age? I don't know, but I just can't start at such a big book.. :S
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Nobody's Perfect, And I'm nobody :p
+Samatar
03/03/04 12:22 AM GMT
Pim: You should try the link Mary mentions in "Book club". This is a set of short stories so you don't have to start anything big and long... however it is in english so you may not want to...
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-Everyone is entitled to my opinion-
PuMa
03/03/04 12:42 AM GMT
hmm well, at one site, it's good for my english... but I'm learning enough english @ school and @ internet.... so..
well maybe i'll do....
thnx for the info :)
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Nobody's Perfect, And I'm nobody :p
::whozurdoggy
03/03/04 4:01 PM GMT
i read quite often, and usually have a few books going on at the same time. The last book i read was Catch-22 (WOW! LOVED IT!!!!) and right now i am reading 100 years of solitude, and for all of you out there that DO read books, i would HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend reading it, its a great book. beyond that, i loved the entire redwall series, and the harry potter books were fun, and the enders game series was amazing as well. also, anyone here read books by Robert Ludlum??????

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- Jest Mi 2 Sense
Aneirin
03/03/04 7:03 PM GMT
It really great to see so many people loving books, and shering this with others. I too am a book worm :) and just love it ! Here are a list of great books !!

Dune by Franc Herbert - a must read. Iv just finished it and moved on to the next in the sieries. I literraly could not put it down. The story is just fantastic, full of twists, and challenging for even the most sophisticated reader, and has been magnificently wrriten with a great plot !!

All of Terry Pratchets books (ohh my spelling! doh !) - These are great fun to read, and sorry for the cliche, but i just cant weight to turn the page and find out whats happening next. His best are all the ones with Samuel vimes - the "policeman"

Phillip pullmans Dark Materials - As someone mention above, how this has ever been classed as a childrens book is absured. The plots are just top notch, and his revalations on how the world work are stunning. Allthough his views on christianity on this book may disway some readers, this is easily a classic, and generations will enjoy it's complexity and story.

A really great read was William Nicholson's The wind on fire sieries - most enjoyable, and all fantasy adventure readers should have a look at his trillogy.

Arthur C Clark - none should be deprived of this mans incredible tallent at writing. A great one of his i found was Childhoods end, though everyone of his books are a must read. This is possible the greatest ever SF writer of all. If only he'd have written longer books !!!!!

I had better finish after this one, though there are so many great books out there.

Asimovs Foundation, Foundation and Empire and Second foundation - Increddible. The scope and concept behind these books are breathtaking. For me these could easily be the best of the bunch here. This mans writing is terrific, and these plots will have you amazed and in awe, for months after reading the books !!!!

For all who'v accrually bothered to read this, i hope this will inspire to read these great books, and i stongly recomend them all.

I do have one questino though, and that is that we all here seem to be SF reader, or similar. I disslike intensly the "classic books" out on the market, and am wondering weather anyone els agrees or dissagrees with me, and if so, what are your reasons.

Thanks.
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Will.
Inkblot_Tattoo
01/18/05 5:24 PM GMT
i'm completely obsessed with reading. my favorites list could go on forever.
harry potter
ender's game
eragon
artemis fowl
books by tamora pierce
lord of the rings
series of unfortunate events
tuck everlasting
holes
the work and the glory series
the chronicles of narnia
the supernaturalist
the giver
bloody jack

that's all that i can think of for now.
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If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, then it’s possible that you don’t fully understand the situation.
noobguy
01/18/05 7:36 PM GMT
I have read Wizards First Rule. Good choice
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"Then as it was, Then again it will be. An' though the course may change sometimes, Rivers always reach the sea."
Inkblot_Tattoo
01/18/05 8:18 PM GMT
i remembered some more:
witch of blackbird pond
ella enchanted
troy
the rope trick
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If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, then it’s possible that you don’t fully understand the situation.
::CaptainHero
01/18/05 8:52 PM GMT
Meg, I notice the excellent choice of books you have: Harry Potter, Artemis Fowl, Lemony Snickett, C S Lewis, Tolkien. I would like to take this oppurtunity to corrupt you further:

Might I suggest you read Philip Pullman's Dark Materials trilogy? Utterly brilliant! Technically an older children's book (like Potter or Narnia) but far superior and very intelligently written. He does his audience the favour of assuming they actually have a brain and want to be stretched in their reading.
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"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts." Bertrand Russell
Inkblot_Tattoo
01/18/05 9:01 PM GMT
thanx for the suggestion. i've heard of them over and over. i started the first once once, but i never finished it. i think that i got involved with another.
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If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, then it’s possible that you don’t fully understand the situation.
guitar_girl1000
01/18/05 11:12 PM GMT
Ok, I was wondering..... has anyone read the book "Winnetou" by Karl May?? Most people that I asked have never heard of it. I read it 3 times and I think it's an incredibly well written book and the story is amazing. (well, ok, the third time it got A BIT boring, but just a bit :p)

Another book that I will recommend until the end of my days to anyone listening is "Phantom" by Susan Kay. It made me cry... that says a lot because books and movies NEVER make me cry. I read that one twice....it was actually even more touching the second time through.

That's my input for the moment :)
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()~^í2005!^~() Visit Nationalities :).
nontoxicday
01/19/05 4:59 AM GMT
I don't know how many books I've read, but I haven't gotten to read for myself for a while. College takes that away from you sometimes. I've read things like The Secret Life of Bees and Pledged but like I said, it's been a while. I used to read so much more when I was little. I was reading at age 3, and my mom said I had reread every book in the house at least 3-4 times. I'd spend hours reading.

I belong to another website called www.bookcrossing.com. You can go there and check it out. It's about making the world a library and spread books around for anyone to read. Then you can also track where a book has been (either who has traded it or "released it into the wild") almost like wheresgeorge.
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"And [Adolf Hitler] was a – a vegetarian and a painter, so he must have been going, 'I can’t get the f***ing trees – d***! I will kill everyone in the world!'"
+Samatar
01/19/05 7:14 AM GMT
One of my new years resolutions is to read at least one book/novel a month this year. I have been neglecting that particular duty lately.
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-Everyone is entitled to my opinion-
raptorfalcon
01/21/05 4:48 PM GMT
One of MY new years resolutions is to read less. I burn through 800 pg novels in a couple days, and its ruining my health. But hey what is healh when you're happily reading a book.
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The first step to becoming an intellectual is admitting that you're stupid.
guitar_girl1000
01/21/05 5:02 PM GMT
true say. I love reading but I don't have a lot of time....
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()~^í2005!^~() Visit Nationalities :).
flames
01/21/05 8:33 PM GMT
I love reading too, but like raluca don't have the time. iread a lot of post when i do have the time though. (=D)
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~Elastica~ Smile God loves ya'll
Iggidy07
01/22/05 6:24 AM GMT
Nwo that you mention it, I really thought about it, I love reading. I just finished reading all of Dan Brown's books (auther of The Da Vinci Code) as well as the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Now I'm reading The Gunslinger by Stephen King.
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Theres no such thing as a stupid question, just stupid people asking questions
::dreamer100
01/22/05 1:08 PM GMT
I've got four going right now, Pompeii by Robert Harris, If Chins could talk; confessions of a B actor by Bruce Cambell, Digital Photography by Katrin Eisman, and The House of Medici it's rise and fall by Christopher Hibbert.
But what I'm rabbidly waiting for is the next in the Song of Ice and Fire by GEORGE MARTIN. I hate series books but I understand why Science fiction writers do it. By the time you've created an entire landscape, government, religon, races, and power strata you kinda want to use it for a while. Besides Martin is a masterful writer anyway and a 900 page book is very attractive to me.
I've thrown a ton of them away too. If you can catch me in the first fifty pages a standard four hundred pager will take three days, if not, trash it and try again
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dancenfool85
01/27/05 8:05 PM GMT
I wish I had more time to read. My favorite author would have to be Harlan Coben, his mysteries are awesome!
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morbid_massacre
01/31/05 2:30 AM GMT
I stopped reading for fun when I got into middle school, but I've finally started again just this year. I read "Cujo" by Stephen King and now I'm almost done with "Dreamcatcher" by him. When I'm done, I'd like to start on either "Fire Starter" or "The Shining" (I never did see that movie).
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I'm really into goth rock and new wave. My favorite band is The Birthday Massacre. The guy in my avatar is, in fact, a guy. His name is Mana from the band Malice Mizer.
+Samatar
01/31/05 3:06 AM GMT
I think "Firestarter" was better (the book is better than the movie too). Depends if you prefer action or "spooky wierd stuff" I guess.
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-Everyone is entitled to my opinion-
::philcUK
02/01/05 10:02 AM GMT
my favourite books are definitely Clive Barker's novels. Really got into them after reading Weaveworld and The Great & Secret Show. More recently I read all four Dan Brown novels whilst on holiday. I started with The DaVinci Code as I felt compelled to read it in order to avoid being the only person in the world not to have done so. I enjoyed all four of his books in a lightweight distraction kind of way.
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"Some mornings, it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps"
kim12345
02/01/05 6:27 PM GMT
I read books and listen to them on tape while I am working and I am not free to turn the pages. I read for work and pleasure. I even read manuals. Reading is goo dmental stimulation.
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Radjehuty
02/01/05 8:58 PM GMT
I honestly can't stand reading novels. I'm more into the encyclopedias and ancient civilization books and theory.
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"The person who says it cannot be done, should not interrupt the person doing it." -Chinese Proverb
_Miraculous__
02/02/05 4:57 AM GMT
Some of you into the real mathamatics of fractals might enjoy - and unlike me be able to understand - "Mathimatical Principles of Natural Philosophy" by Isaac Newton, I read a very very small part of it and it was interesting but way over my head so... all you fanatics have a blast! Also a few other interesting peeps and as far as I am concerned the two greatest minds ever are "Archemedes" and "Nikola Tesla" The former being a math genius, Tesla is electronic scientist ( http://www.uncletaz.com/library/scimath/tesla/index.html ) Enjoy, and keep making the cool fractals, I enjoy them a lot!
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Then as it was, Then again it will be Though the course may change sometimes Rivers always reach the sea.
gregwrld
02/05/05 8:30 PM GMT
I read books on history and science, esp. evolutionary biology.
Also culinary stuff. I love to hang about in libraries, but only to fondle the books.
Current read: Rivers of Gold by Hugh Thomas.
Recommended reading: Finding Darwin's God by Kenneth Miller.
Just bought the LOTR DVD box set, a fine companion to the books.
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Warrior_of_the_Eceni
02/06/05 4:34 PM GMT
I have a million books in my room that I have read. And most of them are on "extended lease" from various libraries. I must owe thousands of dollars by now no joke.
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Fine vapors escape whatever is doing the living. The night is cold and delicate and full of angels Pounding down on the living. The factories are all lit up, The chime goes unheard. We are together at last, though far apart. -from “The Ecclesiast” by John Ashbery
athros13
02/27/05 1:51 AM GMT
All I basically do is read and stare at my computer screen. Mostly read. Right now I'm reading The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbuck. It's sort of depressing, really...I like fiction, though. Nonfiction usually bores me out of my wits.
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J_D
02/27/05 8:45 AM GMT
Ditto on earlier non-fiction comment, with certain exceptions. Grapes of Wrath... not to bad a book I hear, never read it myself. Reading is however my greatest love, read several books of the bible when I was six; mostly Judges through to Estherish (loadsa action you see :D). Spent more than half my life reading (seriously... don't sleep much (check the time on this post, lol), less leisurely reading now with studies mounting. Currently consecutively reading, Excession, Iain M Banks, Two Towers, J.R Tolkien and Macroelectronic Circuits, A.S.Sedra and K.C.Smith(bleuuccch!)
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-Violence is a carnal urge which should be resisted at all times.
athros13
02/27/05 6:15 PM GMT
It doesn't seem too bad, but it seriously makes some terrible turns....they just knocked this poor guys handmade house down because the "Bank" pays this guy to do so.
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Please rate my images, even if you think they're terrible...
fierywonder
03/02/05 4:33 AM GMT
I used to be really hardcore into Stephen King..I think there's maybe four or five books I haven't read, excluding the Dark Tower series...never could get into those. I've read all nine of The Sword Of Truth series, good choice, I like Terry Goodkind. Lately I tried reading historical fiction, and Margaret George has written four wonderful(ly huge) novels that are interesting. Right now I'm reading Dragons of a Fallen Sun...Dragonlance has always kicked major arse. Ok I'll go now...
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"I like children--fried."-WC Fields
supriya2002
03/02/05 7:39 PM GMT
I used to be into Stephen King too, but then I sorta stopped...I got really into books by John Irving, like "the world according to garp" and stuff, mainly cuz i read it in high school...then i started reading books by john grisham, and mary higgins clark....currently i am reading a book called "bodega dreams" i like it cuz it takes place in New York...i read a lot of books that take place in NY and they are all so very interesting...hmm..i guess that is about it for now....
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---- He who goes to bed hungry dreams of pancakes. Rawwrr ----
Inkblot_Tattoo
03/19/05 2:18 PM GMT
i just finished a book called "maid marian: a novel" by elsa watson. it is definitely not my favorite, but it was interesting. . .
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If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, then it’s possible that you don’t fully understand the situation.
PrettyFae
03/19/05 8:35 PM GMT
I've read Harry Potter religiously all my life!!!
No i'm not obsessed :P
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PrettyFae x...Spread the Passion...
Grrr
03/20/05 1:49 AM GMT
I'm allergic to books :'(.

As a child I was permanentely ill. It turns out that I have an extreme allergy to dustmites; and my favourite things were making me sick. I start sneezing as soon as I come near a library; let alone into one.

If I want to read a book I have to get someone else to get it and freeze it for me. Once all the little dust mites are dead then I may have a chance; but it is just too much of a hassle.

I know read comparitively little; and what I do read I download off the internet.
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PrettyFae
03/20/05 9:21 PM GMT
Awww, poor you!!!
Books are my life...and I couldn't live without Harry Potter *grins*
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PrettyFae x...Spread the Passion...
Inkblot_Tattoo
03/20/05 9:38 PM GMT
i sure couldn't.
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If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, then it’s possible that you don’t fully understand the situation.
SaltyishLlamaMen
03/29/05 4:07 AM GMT
Wow, I LOVE books!! All I do on my free time is read...well, not excatly. But still, reading is my life. I don't understand people who don't like reading...hm.
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_myst_
03/29/05 8:15 PM GMT
i'm an old fashioned girl when it comes to reading ;) i don't like the modern books which are not worth of my attention.. all those crime and love novels bursting around.. personally, i love shakespeare.. ok, don't freak out ;)

i'm not very fond on fantasy either.. well, tolkien is certainly a great writer, but today, most of the people read him because it's "modern" to be a fantasy reader nowadays.. after the harry potter and lotr series, everyone suddenly became obsessed with it. fascinating. before the movies came out, the true fantasy bookworms and "real" lovers were very rare.. i would always prefer reading a good book than watching a movie. lotr move series is quite impressive, but, if i ever manage to read the books, i''m sure my imagination will make breathtaking scenes too ;)
no hard feelings.

oh.. besides shakespeare, i love e.a.poe, f.m.dostoyevsky and h.hesse.. quite an unusual taste, isn't it? ;) oh, and technical books, too ;) the first one i had read was the tcp/ip illustrated.. and then i went on with my unix studies.. so.. that's on of my passions too ;)
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~~~ all that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream... ~~~
::Radjehuty
03/29/05 8:26 PM GMT
Well I guess I've always been the visual and picture oriented learner. I really don't get too much from novels, my attention span for that is not too big! lol

I mostly read a LOT of reference books and articles. I also love reading about ancient myths, but not renditions of them. I have a HUGE respect for Shakespeare just because he practically immortalized his name through his writings. For me, a thousand words on paper doesn't communicate to me what a Picture itself would. Quite interesting how our brain works :)
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"The person who says it cannot be done, should not interrupt the person doing it." -Chinese Proverb
verenabloo
04/03/05 8:35 AM GMT
WEll, I love poetry books, I have some very very old ones. They inspire me to write more poetry...they use words and sentences we dont use much anymore, but that are still acceptable and wonderful to use. One person I enjoy very much is Mark Twain..his book called "Diaries of Adam and Eve" and the other one "Letters from the Earth" are amazing!! He was a very smart man..I adore Oscar Wildes writings...he uses so many colours...in his poetry...that I've picked up on that, not only in my writings but also in my paintings. I love true adventure stories...when I have time to read them...but I love to read, and always will...there is a great feeling i reading that cant be found anywhere else.
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You can do anything!! If you don't quit!!
xyccoc
04/03/05 9:33 AM GMT
in response to _myst_, ive been a fan of the LOTR books long before they were made into film.. ive always been a science fiction/fantasy fan.. some of my favs include, but arent limited to..

- War Of The Worlds - H. G. Wells
- The Enders Game / Enders Shadow series - Orson Scott Card
- Dune - Frank Hebert

Steven King and Anne Rice are others included in my favs.. i also like Oscar Wilde.. amazing poetry in there for anyone whos interested..

as far as a common book reading and discussion, i think its a great idea.. hopefully it hasnt been forgotten..
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And everytime I feel that my lifes a waste.. I just cant rid myself of your bitter taste.. - Me (Option21)
Crusader
04/03/05 10:11 AM GMT
Anyone read RA Salvatore books based in the D&D environment? They are definitely some of the best fantasy books I've read in a long time.
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- Let me show you the world through my eyes... Final Frontier
verenabloo
04/03/05 7:37 PM GMT
Anyone read "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintainance"? its a MOST fantastic book. Its not about motorcycle repair...its this man who travels across the USA on his cycle and tells you the things he sees and does..along with his "zen" thoughts on life. Its a great great book.
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You can do anything!! If you don't quit!!
Si
04/04/05 9:47 AM GMT
Verena - read it years ago, and again last year. I didn't learn much about Zen, but I did learn good workshop practices that still stand me in good stead today, if I'm working on anything that can be taken to bits more easily than it can be put back together.... But yes, it's a good book for more reasons than that :-)
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::CaptainHero
04/04/05 6:55 PM GMT
Robert M Pirsig (the author of 'Zen and the art of....' if memory serves) wrote another book called 'Lila'.
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"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts." Bertrand Russell
::ThisIsMOC
04/08/05 2:49 AM GMT
I just finished a book by Jon Stewart of The Daily Show, titled 'Naked Photos of Famous People'. Absolutly hillarious.
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I thought I had something clever to say.
::groo2k
04/08/05 11:25 AM GMT
"If Chins Could Kill" by Bruce Campbell
It's an autobiography and a confessional from a B-movie star. Very funny.
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Flurije
04/09/05 8:19 PM GMT
Ooooh! I found this and was like "Yes! This is my area!" I'm a graduate English Lit student (American Lit, actually) So I really can't tell you how many books I've read. I've been hopping this semester, so I've been reading about 2 novels a week plus various theory oriented books/essays for different classes. I haven't actually read anything for fun lately because I haven't had time (even though I do enjoy the books I read for class, its different when you have to read it for a certain thing). I have actually read the Terry Goodkind series all the way to "Soul of Fire," which is about 5 of the books in the series. I'm sorry to say that after the first two books, the series goes downhill (the writing gets sketchy, the plots become scattered and a bit contrived, not to mention the whole constant toturing and maiming obsession he has). I'm another one who will recommend the "His Dark Materials" series, especially if you have any experience in philosophy, in which case you will recognize Spinoza in the writing. Ok- I'm off to read "Native Speaker" (Chang-Rae Lee) for class. It's good, too!
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"Morals, like clothes, change with the fashions, or, perhaps the fashions change to adorn the morals." Florence Reed
rackald
04/10/05 2:59 AM GMT
when i used to get in trouble with my parents they would take away my reading time at night. i was always so upset. i have been reading since i was like 4, i used to get in trouble for staying up at night reading with a flash light....
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Inkblot_Tattoo
04/14/05 10:07 PM GMT
i just read two books called "milkweed: a novel" by jerry spinneli, and "the downsiders" by. . oh dang, i forgot! right now i'm reading "gifts" by ursula k. le guin. has anyone read any of those?
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If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, then it’s possible that you don’t fully understand the situation.

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