Baron von Snickers, it's funny you mention reading Dune, I just picked up the first book yesterday for some beach reading next week.

Crono, I agree, Empire Strikes Back is my favorite. At the risk of sounding like a huge nerd, I remember having a debate about it with my roommate two years ago... he favored Return of the Jedi. Even though I think it's cool that the Ewok's are speaking Tagalog (I lived in the Philippines for a while, so this appealed to me), it just can't top the 2nd movie.

The first 3 are better than the new 3. I don't care how you look at it, they're better. And I hated Sam Jacksons involvement. The new ones were f**king political movies. That was lame.

I just finished rereading "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien.

It was my third time rereading the book I think. The first time I read it I was 12.

It remains the best anti-war novel I've ever read. And like I said earlier in this thread, its one of my top two choices.

Very rarely does O'Brien's writing come across as hokey, and he does a great job of reflecting and introducing ideas and metaphors into the normally stale and trite war genre.

There's a raw honesty to his work that makes you feel like you know him as a person, or at least makes you wish you knew him :smile:

Check it out from the local library if you haven't read it, I swear you won't be disappointed.

Crono said:
Zahn is the king of Star Wars books.

[Quoted for emphasis]

I was,and am a SW fan as far as the written works are concerned. However, I was in such a funk about the death of Chewie that I haven't been able to read once since.

IMO, he was killed of just as stupidly as Data was in the last ST movie.

/crying softly

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The best things in life, aren't things.

I just finished reading the book "Lab 257". It's both very informative and exciting. I highly recommend it if you like to read about the government's dirty little secrets. It covers many many years of Plum Island's activity all the way, from it's founding to the control of the facility being handed over from the USDA to Homeland Security.

Not only does the book account for documents and interviews, but there are also a few pictures that the author managed to obtain from anonymous sources that worked at the facility.

You won't find very much on the web about Plum Island, so I highly recommend you pick this one up. It's a great read.

he was killed of just as stupidly as Data was in the last ST movie.

Did you know Brent Spiner wrote that?

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Blame it on Microsoft, God does.

Crono said:
Did you know Brent Spiner wrote that?

Do you know that Brent Spiner hasn't played any decent character excepting Data?

To answer your question, no sir, I didn't but... figures.

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The best things in life, aren't things.

I read a few of these famous autobiographical comic books. They're all excellent in a very unusual way. It almost feels like reading an incredibly well-written (and drawn) diary.

First I forced myself to read Art Spiegelman's "Maus" (part 1 and 2). Like all stories about Jews during the Nazi regime it's disturbing to a point it's hardly bearable. It's also a very unusual take and won a Pulitzer Prize for good reason. I'm glad I read it although it wasn't a very pleasing experience.

Next was David B's "Epileptic" where the autor tells the story of his youth, especially about growing up with an epileptic brother and his parent's desperate efforts to heal him. The book gets pretty weird at places with psychodelic drawings of dream sequences and some insane stories about vodoo doctors and macrobiotic cooks who all claimed to be able to heal his brother's sickness - and all fail.

Third is "Persepolis" (part 1 and two) by Marjane Satrapi. Again a L' Association book. It's about a girl growing up in the Iran and later moving to Vienna at a very young age and dealing with the sense of alienation that comes with it. It's once again a very personal story and an interesting point of view. I look at the Iran with different eyes now.

I remember reading Maus. I felt the same way you did. The whole mice, cats, pigs, frogs thing was done really well. Even with the animal parable feel to the books, it was, like you said, very disturbing.

Recently read: The Descent by Jeff Long

Very good book about how mankind discovers Hell right beneath their feet.

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''Everyone wades in s**t until they're competent enough to walk on it. Jesus style.''
Dystopia - Empires

Well, I read "Dune", and liked it. It ended rather abruptly but it was still a really impressive universe. I don't think I'll end up reading the other books in the series, but it was definitely worth the read.

I managed to get through the first book and half of the "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" series before I got bored and put it down. Some of it's funny, but overall it just couldn't hold my attention.

I read "Diary" by Chuck Palahniuk. While I remember enjoying "Fight Club," "Choke," and "Survivor" when I read them a few years ago, I haven't liked his stuff recently. Either I've outgrown his shocking ways, or this book and "Haunted" weren't that good.

I'm about 5 chapters into my rereading of "Catch 22" and while the wordplay, contradictions, and irony are pretty amusing, I'm having a hard time turning the pages.

Barefoot Gen

The fact that in Japan comics are used for a much greater variety of topics isn't big news anymore. But "Barefoot Gen" is an exception as it is a book about one of the darkest events in Japanese history, the drop of the atom bomb on Hiroshima.

Instead of just blaming the "American devils" the book heavily criticizes Japan's insane militarism during WW2 and the first quater of the book is solely about the state of the country before the atom bomb was dropped. How everyone who didn't participate in the brain-washing ceremonies was called a traitor, causing him and his whole family to be punished. How mothers poisoned their children for the "honor" of Japan. Young boys being trained to become kamikaze pilots.

And on top of that the atom bomb. People with their skin melting, horses running through the streets in flames, little girls having their whole faces pierced with splinters. Gen loosing his father, sister and little brother, seeng them burn in the debris of his house while his mother starts laughing desperately.

I found this book to be more disturbing and enlightening than Spiegelman's Maus. While the central character has a different name it is clear that it is the autor himself who is telling his memories in this strange, wooden drawing style. But it all actually happened.

You should read this book.

Catch 22 is one of those books you really need to be in the mood for when you read it. Definately a good book, just more than a little crazy.

I just finished reading a couple of Wilbur Smith novels, 'The Leopard Hunts in Darkness' and 'When the Lion Feeds'.

'The Leopard Hunts in Darkness' is an excellent book, with action, adventure, romance, intrigue, betrayal and all the other goodness usually found in a Wilbur Smith novel. A fantastic read. Here is the Amazon.com synopsis:

"Exiled author, Craig Mellow returns to Zimbabwe when he is given a spying mission for the World Bank. Accompanied by photographer, Sally-Anne Jay, he stumbles upon an ivory-poaching operation which masks the treacherous plot to sell the country he once fought for into slavery."

'When the Lion Feeds' is also a good book, however tragedy dampens the adventure significantly. A good read, but by the end I felt like there should have been another few chapters.

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Ham and Jam Contributor
http://www.hamandjam.org

'Get your stinking paws off me, you damned dirty ape!'

Of Love and Other Damons by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

A great book written in beautiful, Nobel-Prize approved language. I read it translated in my language which means I missed a lot, but still enjoyed it very much.

Understanding Power - Noam ChomskyInterestingly enough, the actual footnotes to this
book are longer than the book itself.

UN Flareups = Booklist Addendums.

Just finished The Heat of the Day. It was an interesting read... mostly because it was a war novel that dealt with the lives of those left behind when the soldiers depart for parts unknown.

But, ultimately, it's a book that you need to read in the context of a classroom to really enjoy.

Last night I finished up Robinson Crusoe which, as far as assigned books go, was fairly accessable and enjoyable. If you can excuse the racism and religous preachings that really mark this as a product of the 18th century, it can be a fun read... which a couple startling and vivid moments.

I might end up writing a critical senior thesis about this book and Heart of Darkness. I'm not sure yet.

After centuries, Robinson Crusoe is still the best adventure book ever written.

Just finished 'Atheism: A Reader'.

Basically a compilation of essays written by famous atheists since the 1700's, all explaining their beliefs and completely destroying religion and the arguments for their beliefs.

Good fun.

If I had free time for pleasure reading I'd check it out. Maybe come thanksgiving I'll check it out of the library.

If you have free time for reading, I'd recommend Hyperion. Best novel I have ever read, it's absolutely incredible.

Unless you don't like sci-fi at all. Then you'll hate it.

I like sci-fi enough to read (and enjoy) Dune this summer. I'll try to get my hands on Hyperion.

If you have free time for reading, I'd recommend Hyperion. Best novel I have ever read, it's absolutely incredible.

Unless you don't like sci-fi at all. Then you'll hate it.

I recommend the whole series. :smile: Hyperion is just one book of the series. Extremely good sci-fi.

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''Everyone wades in s**t until they're competent enough to walk on it. Jesus style.''
Dystopia - Empires

If you care about the state of media in the US today, this book is a must read.

This book was a good read. It won the Booker Prize. Short and easy to get through, but with some deep commentaries on England.

I'm 1/3rd of the way through England, England by Julian Barnes, and so far it's fantastic. Best book I've read for class in a long time. Poignant. Check it out please!

Recently listened to these audiobooks.

http://www.annemccaffrey.net/books/series/tower/the-rowan.html
http://www.annemccaffrey.net/books/series/tower/damia.html
http://www.annemccaffrey.net/books/series/tower/damiaschildren.html
http://www.annemccaffrey.net/books/series/tower/lyons-pride.html
http://www.annemccaffrey.net/books/series/tower/tower-and-the-hive.html

http://www.annemccaffrey.net/books/series/talent/peg-in-space.html

http://www.michaelcrichton.net/fear/

http://www.bradmeltzer.com/zero.php

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The best things in life, aren't things.

just read eragon, it was acceptable, there were too many referances to other fantasy fiction books, including The Wheel of Time, David Edding's series, Lord of the Rings, there are more but i can't think of any at the moment
currently on the second book and even considering they aren't that bad of reads

Listened to:

New Spring and Eye of the World on my last run to California. Robert Jordan is a bit dry in the beginning of his stories, but he makes up for it as the books progress.

I have always avoided his books, but am glad that I finally tried them.

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The best things in life, aren't things.

"Eye of the world" is fantastic, as are the following six or seven volumes, but the series has definitely degraded over time. The last two books were pretty terrible, and I can't say I cared for "New Spring" very much either.

My recomendations: (first books in excelent fantasy/Scifi sagas)

"A Game of Thrones" - George RR Martin (all-time favorite)

"The Gunslinger" - Stephen King

"Rhapsody" - Elizebeth Haydon

"On Basilisk Station" - David Weber

"Oath of Swords" - David Weber

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Some people are like slinkys...

They aren?t really good for anything, but you can't help but laugh when one tumbles down the stairs.

New spring was dry, pretty much through and through, but I wanted to listen to it first, since it was a prequel. It did have its moments. I pissed myself at least twice.

Of the two, Eye of the world was definitely the best.

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The best things in life, aren't things.

/Selfless bump (we all should read more)

A book id recomend you all pick up and read is Bill O'rilley's book
"Culture Warrior". If you agree with him, then this is the book for you
to read and enjoy. If you disagree with him, then you'll get enjoyment
from how much you disagree with him.

This wasn't meant for a debate, but it is a good read for both sides of the political spectrum.

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Posting And You

I recently read "Converstions from the universe" which was included in the... Halo2 Game case. What a read. I never new that the Elites are acturely considering Leaving the covenet and joining the humans.

And the covernet accidently released the flood. Wow.

And nobody call me a halo fanboy. I prefer the term halo freak. fanboy sounds a little nerdy

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Aaron's Stuff

/Selfless bump (we all should read more)

A book id recomend you all pick up and read is Bill O'rilley's book
"Culture Warrior". If you agree with him, then this is the book for you
to read and enjoy. If you disagree with him, then you'll get enjoyment
from how much you disagree with him.

This wasn't meant for a debate, but it is a good read for both sides of the political spectrum.

Is he asshole off Fox who takes it upon himself to select bigger assholes than him to interview? Could be interesting.

Currently reading "The Twelfth Card" by Jeffrey Deaver, a crime
thriller set in New York. I do love my generic CSI-esque american cop
stories, easy, light yet full of depth and definate page turners.

I tell you whats not to bad. The original bond books by Ian fleming. I have read moonraker and live and let die and i am half way through another one.

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Aaron's Stuff

If you're into horror/fantasy and have a decent vocabulary you may want to read some stories by H.P. Lovecraft, if you haven't heard of him. Also, in the same genre, there's Richard Matheson. Check wikipedia for info on him.. and HP Lovecraft.

Hyperion.

I want to read 'Areas of my Expertise' by John Hodgman. Anyone read it?

Is he asshole off Fox

Yes. And to someone of your calibur Gwil i think youd get a good laugh
out of it from how rediculous a lot of his ideas are about SP (secular
porgressives).

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Posting And You

Listened to both Eragon and Eldest this trip. Nothing new with the story plots. A little bit of Star Wars and a little bit LotR, with a tiny bit of Terry Brooks too perhaps.

The books were well worth the listen, in spite of its unoriginality and I look forward to seeing the movie versions. Hopefully, they will retain enough of the books to keep faithful to the content contained within the story. Book 2 was much better than book 1 was, but without the groundwork contained within book 1, there'd be no reason for book 2.

If you haven't read or listened to these books, do so.

Eragon 7/10. A point off for unoriginality.
Eldest 9/10. A point off too.

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The best things in life, aren't things.

I recently read "The fourth Protocol".
Good book.

I want to read 'Areas of my Expertise' by John Hodgman. Anyone read it?

Well, I saw it for 15 bucks at Chapters and went for it. It is possibly the funniest thing I have ever read. His style is hard to describe, but he has a way of making very stupid stories sound like comic genius.

In the end, he's really just listing 700 hobo names, but it's quite hilarious if you're in the right mood.

if you liked the wheel of time series, which i consider to be equal to if not slightly superior to Tolkien's writings, mainly for his ability in making incredible characters, then you should read the Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind

Dunno if its been mentioned yet so here goes. Listened to Cell this trip.

Very,very excellent book. I don't read King, but this book was good enough that I'd consider it.

I'd rate it in his top five books.

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The best things in life, aren't things.

Recently discovered Terry Goodkind.

Listened to the first two books.. Debt of bones and Wizards first rule. I am VERY impressed.

If you get a chance, read/listen to them.

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The best things in life, aren't things.

Terry Goodkind is one of the absolute worst authors I've ever had the mis-pleasure of reading. For starters, the man doesn't know how to use a comma. He creates flat uninteresting characters and expects obscure actions to fill in the gaps of his poor character development skills.

The reason why this guy has so many published works and is so revered in the realm of fantasy writing will always elude me. His stuff sounds like something that would come out of a sophomore level high school creative writing course than a full time profession.

Man I really hate that guy's books. His book's only saving grace is that his writing style is so bad that they're often humorous to read.

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Blame it on Microsoft, God does.

Take THAT, Terry Goodkind!

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o

Someday I am gonna find something you like, that someone else in the world likes too Adam. :razz:

Footnote: Except for the comma statement, you almost described your posts here.

/giggles

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The best things in life, aren't things.

I recently started reading:

The National Army Museum Book of the Zulu War (Ian Knight)
The State of Africa: 50 Years of Independence (Martin Meredith)

and I recently purchased but am yet to read:

The God Delusion (Richard Dawkins)
Hard Work: Life in Low Pay Britain (Polly Toynbee)
Tescopoly: How One Shop Came Out On Top And Why It Matters (Andrew Simms)
Silk Dreams, Troubled Road (travel account) (Johnny Bealby)

let's bring this thread back to daylight...

Just read Palestine by Joe Sacco. A comic book about the author's visit to the West Bank and Gaza Strip in 1991-1992.

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Why snark works.

Fall of Hyperion by Dan Simmons
Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.