Recently Read..

No one is arguing that JKR has used original material. It's
pretty tough for any author to write without drawing on everything they
have ever read. At the risk of repeating myself my argument is simply
this: they are entertaining stories that are well put together. That's
really all I need to enjoy them. The characters are entertaining, the
language is interesting. If you ask me, she has done a service to
millions of children around the world by giving them books they can
read with joy. If nothing else it will open their eyes to other authors
in the future. I don't see how you can begrudge her the money. That is
after all how our society works. I don't think it is possible to write
600,000 + words unless you enjoy doing it. I'm sure she was hoping to
make money, but the sort of cynical plagiarism you are describing is
simply not feasible.

Maybe so, but i'm still entitled to my opinion, as is Leperous. I just object to being labelled as not "with the times"....

I don't like her books, I think she is playing the market for lots of
money (fair play to her, exploiting peoples stupidity is easy money)
and I think she shamelessly whores ideas from past authors, who are
much greater than her.

There's no point debating it, because without quoting passages of texts
and key ideas in the books, it's a moot point. I don't like her, or the
Harry Potter series. Everyone else does..

Now there's a question for the nonbelievers/unbelievers. Would you be comfortable with your children playing Harry Potter games, practicing spells etc, if you knew that some of the incantations/names that had been slipped into the books, were believed by practitioners of the black arts to invoke real demons. Particularly nasty ones, too.

fishy said:
Now there's a question for the nonbelievers/unbelievers. Would you be comfortable with your children playing Harry Potter games, practicing spells etc, if you knew that some of the incantations/names that had been slipped into the books, were believed by practitioners of the black arts to invoke real demons. Particularly nasty ones, too.

i don't particularly believe in magic, but my wife does, and has s**tloads of books on the subject, but one thing i do know about it is, the act of reading the spell doesn't make it function.. it takes a bit more than just saying the words.

also, i have to say it gwil, your outlook on the potter author is a bit OTT IMO.. i cannot think of one single author, whom doesn't in some way borrow material from another source, be it a previous fantasy writer or a book of history on the subject of magic.. the way i see it is this, magic and the books on the subject have been around so long, that coming up with an original idea is about as far fetched as coming up with water that contains no hydrogen and oxygen molecules..

successful authors are the ones who can take old tired subjects and make them entertaining enough to entice people to read them.. magic, and magical stories are old news.. potter works.. if you dislike them that fine, i dislike many books.. but please don't base your dislike on something as petty as "she steals her material" ..

She also makes tons of money off their work, though, she's the 2nd richest woman in England behind the queen. Oh well, nap time.

fishy said:
Now there's a question for the nonbelievers/unbelievers. Would you
be comfortable with your children playing Harry Potter games,
practicing spells etc, if you knew that some of the incantations/names
that had been slipped into the books, were believed by practitioners of
the black arts to invoke real demons. Particularly nasty ones, too.

i don't particularly believe in magic, but my wife does, and has
s**tloads of books on the subject, but one thing i do know about it is,
the act of reading the spell doesn't make it function.. it takes a bit
more than just saying the words.

also, i have to say it gwil, your outlook on the potter author is a
bit OTT IMO.. i cannot think of one single author, whom doesn't in some
way borrow material from another source, be it a previous fantasy
writer or a book of history on the subject of magic.. the way i see it
is this, magic and the books on the subject have been around so long,
that coming up with an original idea is about as far fetched as coming
up with water that contains no hydrogen and oxygen molecules..

successful authors are the ones who can take old tired subjects and
make them entertaining enough to entice people to read them.. magic,
and magical stories are old news.. potter works.. if you dislike them
that fine, i dislike many books.. but please don't base your dislike on
something as petty as "she steals her material" ..

its not petty, i've read the books - and, you openly admit you havent
read the reference material (ie Dahl) that im referring too. also,
nowhere did I say she plagiarised - that, is a different kettle of fish
entirely.

its my opinion, and i think it's just not on. but if people buy the
books, like i say - shes laughing all the way to bank by mish mashing
together, as i originally said, ideas already put down more skilfully
and in a more entertaining way than she can.

the whole backlash smacks of "he doesnt like the potter books,
infidel". its an opinion, and im entitled to it, as i repeatedly state.
i'll also point out im not alone in my ideas on rowling, i know several
people in "real life" beside Leperous here, who support my thoughts and
feelings on this big farce of a literary revolution.

like i say, watered down culture for a watered down society.

Yeah, The Twits is a fantastic book. The ending is so deliciously evil it's wrong, considering it's aimed at children.

The contents of Mr Twits beard are also a constant source of amusement
as well, helped along greatly by Quentin Blakes superbly simple yet
beautiful illustrations. He is a literary great.

I'm only angry because of a) the initial reactions b) the apparent
ignorance to people have done this much better in the past c) her
whoring of writing styles from other authors, without even an inch for
change or modification d) the fact other literature gets ignored under
the blanket of "Potter mania".

Pet hate, but it's my opinion. So STFU :razz:

i was not aware that we were keeping tally gwil.. i don't care if you are the only person alive who hates the potter books, you have every right to do so.. constantly reminding me that you and lep are of like minds is not winning your case though, i feel you could do it on your own accord.

i say this though, if someone can write better than she does, then they should be the one laughing, not her.. course that is NOT always a true situation, i can think of many s**t maps right here that get played far to often so it sorta disproves that :wink:

anywhos.. its clear, you favor a different sort of book content.. no harm in that..

i like them, bordering on adore them, they are fine quality works.. so if there truly is better out there, i don't think i could stand it, so i reckon i will leave those, all to you.

Me and Leperous sharing an opinion has nothing to do with it, thats a
chip on a metaphorical shoulder, i'm just pointing out you guys are
trying to turn me into Satan incarnate for expressing I dislike Potter,
Rowling - and why I do.

I try to explain why and my opinions are rubbished - simply saying that
i'm not alone in my viewpoint is mostly irrelevant. Like I say, the
reactions to someone voicing an anti-Potter sentiment have been silly
at best, it's my opinion, as I repeat constantly..

The fact that people try and label my opinions as outdated or rubbish
without even consulting the material i'm referring to is a further kick
in the balls.

But yeah, discuss on with literature.

Moderators are entitled to their opinions and right to reply just as much as the next person.

Orpheus said:

fishy said:
some of the incantations/names that had been slipped into the books, were believed by practitioners of the black arts to invoke real demons.

i don't particularly believe in magic, but my wife does, and has s**tloads of books on the subject, but one thing i do know about it is, the act of reading the spell doesn't make it function..

Calling out the name of a demon is different to casting spells. Very different.

Recently read - not a lot. Still waiting for my copy of "Elements of
Style" to come from Amazon, should be here tomorrow (best be good,
Gollum).

Most of my reading revolves around the (good!) Sunday Papers - mostly
current affairs, business, culture and "human interest" stories. I
haven't clicked with a book (or tried, to tell the truth) for a long
time.

Literature just ain't my bag, baby. Absolutely sterling title
recommendations welcome. Last books I read were White Trash (John King,
socio political commentary based novel on UK youth/society) and James
Ellroy - White Jazz (of LA Confidential Fame).

Having said that, I am ploughing through "The Korean War" by Max
Hastings again, need to try again with that. Tended to skip quite a lot
at first, very in depth and heavy going. Not ideal pub reading! :smile:

gwil, go to sleep, get something to eat or take a breather.. you are not making sense..

you are talking to me, yet you keep saying things, other people has said, as if i said them.

if you hadn't noticed, i was on your side.. why you continue to debate about potter books is beyond me but its time to stop.

as i said, i have been told that many books i favor, are tripe.. its nothing new to me.. i also have read books that those same people adore.. so, whom actually has the wider experience.. i dunno either.

anywho's quit arguing with me, when i am beside you.. silly ass :wink:

Never mind, I was more riled by you commenting on my fictional constant affiliation with Leperous..

But, the point was missed, again. I give in.

fishy said:
Now there's a question for the nonbelievers/unbelievers. Would you be comfortable with your children playing Harry Potter games, practicing spells etc, if you knew that some of the incantations/names that had been slipped into the books, were believed by practitioners of the black arts to invoke real demons. Particularly nasty ones, too.

IMO you have to believe in magic/demons etc. before you can object to them being in a book. Imagination is harmless, but if it is thought of as being real... There are allot of fundamentalist Christians in the U.S. who think the Potter books are inherently evil because they feature magic, yet I've never heard one of them admit that they believe in it, which confuses me greatly. If it's all made up how can it be "evil"?

Anyway, I don't debate your right to dislike the Potter series gwil, it just seemed to me that the reasons you gave for your dislike were fallacious. I suppose, however, that on a subject like this there really is no such thing as objective fact.

\Edit

I just got my copy of Elements of Style today along with The Book of War, which consists of Sun-Tzu The Art of War and Karl Von Clausewitz On War in one volume.

I don't know enough about them yet for any recommendations but let me reiterate: The Odyssey It is absolutely great. I'm flying through it this time around.

I am also fed up of adults (read: people I know) reading it and commenting what great books they are and how they're for adults. The first two are clearly aimed at children aged 10 or younger, and really have quite terrible (and terribly written) plots! Though I'm sure the latter books are okay, given that she's learning and has probably had a lot of support from other writers by now.

But like we said, we have nothing again people reading it. It just doesn't pander to our literary ?ber-lord tastes :wink:

If I'm being totally honest, the reason I personally have an aversion to the Harry Potter series is that I suffer from a touch of the ol' inverted snobbery. I'm sure that I'm not alone. Unless a book was written by either a) Someone that died 100 years ago, or b) someone most people have probably never heard of, I generally have a hard time liking it, or even giving picking it up. I just have the feeling that totally mainstream writers have nothing to offer but clich? after clich?, given success by clever marketing making its own hype.

Off topic, but can anyone actually read a whole 'e-book'? It's quit a struggle but I did manage to get through Orwells 1984 as a text file. www.gutenberg.org is good for classics...not so good for eye-strain though. :smile:

Gwil said:
Never mind, I was more riled by you commenting on my fictional constant affiliation with Leperous..

But, the point was missed, again. I give in.

then?? stop doing it, points are seldom overlooked, but instead dismissed outright as "YOU ARE CURRENTLY DOING WITH ME!"

a major portion of this whole post supported the .. opposing view of the potter books, yet no one, not a single person used another member as a support base, IE "so and so says so i says and he says"

all opinions of books should be on an individual basis, if i found out that you dearly loved "Wheres Waldo" books, i would say "COOL".. i detest waldo books, but i care that you like them so its "COOL" nothing more, nothing less.

i think, you have enough capability to win or if not win, express your opinion in such a way as to establish your position in a topic, without saying "so and so" at all.. no one at this site does that, except you.

anywho's.. i have not read the 1st and second potter books, i started at #3.. perhaps thats the ONLY reason i favor them.. i skipped the kiddy portions and went straight to the highlighted stuff..

Actually, the Potter series is'nt quite so unique as you may think. There was a book released in the 60's called The Satanic Mill, I think, written by Otfried Preussler, you should look it up. In fact I think there has been some legal wrangling between his family and the Potter author due to similarities between the stories.

Juim said:
Actually, the Potter series is'nt quite so unique as you may think. There was a book released in the 60's called The Satanic Mill, I think, written by Otfried Preussler, you should look it up. In fact I think there has been some legal wrangling between his family and the Potter author due to similarities between the stories.

So? If people like the books is it hurting you? Why is everyone so anti on the subject of harry potter books. I thought this post was about a book you've read, does this thread really need more than one person saying a book is good or if a book is bad.

i don't mind the topic swaying, as long as it stays on books..

but i must say, if every time someone wrote something "unoriginal" it was persecuted, we would have so little to actuallyread..

there would be no sci-fi books, afterall the concept of space ships, aliens and battles, thats hardly original.. fantasy?? well guess what? magic is not new.. love stories.. how many ways are there to cheat on a spouse now?? lets not forget westerns.. a horse is a horse of course of course..

writing, is NOT about originality, and lack of originality is NOT plagiarism.. writing is the talent of taking KNOWN things and piecing them together in such a way as to entice someone to read it..

so what if the potter books are unoriginal, so what if 50% of the world hates them, so what???

unoriginal or unique, some people find them entertaining, some find them trash.. thats life people.. i wish those that like them to stop brow beating those that don't, and vise versa..

you are ruining my thread.. please stop.

Well, the thread rolls on...

My but we are defensive. I was'nt bashing the Potter books, I was merely making a referance to another similar story and quite frankly, a decent book to read. This is a thread about books . Also, btw, if only one person said a book is good or bad, it would'nt be much of a forum now would it.

My but we are defensive. I was'nt bashing the Potter books, I
was merely making a referance to another similar story and quite
frankly, a decent book to read. This is a thread about books . Also,
btw, if only one person said a book is good or bad, it would'nt be much
of a forum now would it.

Amen, brother!

Gwil said:
<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quote:</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>My but we are defensive. I was'nt bashing the Potter books, I was merely making a referance to another similar story and quite frankly, a decent book to read. This is a thread about books . Also, btw, if only one person said a book is good or bad, it would'nt be much of a forum now would it.</DIV></DIV>

Amen, brother!

Yes but once several people start bashing a book it starts getting boring and not much of a thread :arse:

Juim said:
My but we are defensive. I was'nt bashing the Potter books, I was merely making a referance to another similar story and quite frankly, a decent book to read. This is a thread about books . Also, btw, if only one person said a book is good or bad, it would'nt be much of a forum now would it.

i base most of my future reading on what other tell me about the books.. not so much their opinions, cause those are way to personal, but how the reader comments on its content..

say, you were to mention a new book by heinlein, not one of my favorite authors but he does have wonderful stuff, then i would ask about its content.. if you told me enough to decide, i would prolly go buy it solely on your sayso..

sometimes i just buy a book, because the author is my favorite..

the potter books, i picked up grudgingly, cause most here said it was trash.. i am glad i did now.. so, opinions are not everything :smile:

Quiet, you! :razz:

As for reading - I ordered Stalingrad and Berlin, The Downfall - 1945
(Anthony Beevor). Both fantastic books and worth a read by anyone with
a vague interest in the second world war.

Hopefully they'll arrive tomorrow with "The Elements Of Style" :smile:

I've just finished Douglas Adams' The Restaurant At The End Of The Universe.

It's brilliant.

overrated. When I first read Douglas Adams in seventh grade, I went absolutely apes**t (as they say) over it. Since then, it's failed to impress me.

I've been reading Youth Aggression and Violence by Joseph Moeller, the chapter on television/media violence was quite interesting as it listed studies that said that either there is minimal corellation between media and real life violence, or that it could increase aggression, but not violent tendencies or accepting violence as a way of life. So stop blaming Doom for school shootings, argh!

overrated. When I first read Douglas Adams in seventh grade,
I went absolutely apes**t (as they say) over it. Since then, it's
failed to impress me.

How come ? I know he's got books that aren't really that good. I don't really like Dirk Gentley's Holistic Detective Agency (I think that was the name). It had is funny parts (with the electronic monks), but the rest was pretty crap.

I've never been able to get through more than the first chapter or so of Hitch Hikers Guide. It is far to juvenile for my tastes. But then, I like the Potter books, so go figure.

Leperous said:
I am also fed up of adults (read: people I know) reading it and commenting what great books they are and how they're for adults.

Hear, hear!

Bah, I enjoyed all the Douglas Adams and Rowling books. I think the second Potter book is horrendously lazy though, since she just copied the plot from the first.

i am bout 3/4 finished with the 5th potter book.. anyone who thinks this is a "children's book" is full of s**t.. it has all the elements of any adult book up to and including killing people.

i'll grant you, i didn't read 1 and 2, but 3-5 have grown increasingly engrossing in their content..

i can see how this book would not appeal to everyone, no genre' hold that much power, but to dislike it because its branded a child's book is ridiculous.

anywho's, i am glad i did not listen to popular opinion on these books..

sorry for the revival, but I didn't think this needed a new thread.

I bought this book today (from much of my friend's testimony)

It's "The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection From The Living Dead".



It's a book by Max Brooks that will teach you how to survive a zombie attack. I suggest reading it, you'll need it.

So all we need is the M1 Carbine and a Machete?

:smile:

No.

There's actually an entire section listing off weapons and how to use them to destroy zombies.

the section is about 30 pages long and details: Close Combat, Slings and Arrows, Firearms, Explosives, Other Weapons, and Armor.

Chapters of the Book:

The Undead: Myths and Realities
Weapons and Combat Techniques
On the Defense
On the Run
On the Attack
Living in an Undead World
Recorded Attacks

and an Appendix which is a blank outbreak journal ....

Crono said:
sorry for the revival, but I didn't think this needed a new thread.

I bought this book today (from much of my friend's testimony)

It's "The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection From The Living Dead".



It's a book by Max Brooks that will teach you how to survive a zombie attack. I suggest reading it, you'll need it.

Dude, that guy came to my college last year for a lecture on zombie survival and I got to talk to him for a bit. He's rocking.

OMG MUST GET THAT BOOK

Cash Car Star said:
Dude, that guy came to my college last year for a lecture on zombie survival and I got to talk to him for a bit. He's rocking.

AWESOME!

By the way, this might make it easier to find, but I picked it up at Barnes & Noble.

ISBN: 1-4000-4962-8

Recently acquired that Raising The Bar book on Half-Life 2. There's
some interesting stuff in there, a lot of the original artwork for some
of the locales in City 17 portrayed it as a lot darker, more alien
environment. The envrionment was originally going to be uninhabitable,
because the combine were making the air unbreathable, so all the
citizens were to wear these large gas masks and protective suits. Breen
looked like a Nazi propagandist or general at one point as well.
There's also a nice little bit hwere they show reference photgraphs for
the character's faces, and some of them are uncanny. Apparently, Eli's
model was a bum on the street outside Valve's offices. :smile: I recommned
getting it if you're interested in how the game once looked, and how
that developed into what we all know and love.

He made it into the credits, I'm sure they bought him a nice lunch or something :smile:

a friend of mine has that zombie book. i only read the "recorded
attacks" section, and i intended on borrowing it until i forgot. now i
will definitely get it from him. it looks like an interesting read. i
also finished 1984 not too long ago, and that book made me paranoid in
a way, yet complacent in another. i think i may stop reading altogether
and crawl into a dark closet with a saucepan on my head, i take some
things way too seriously.

I've been reading Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, huge book, well-written though.

And then I actually read a book the other day, something like No Easy Answers: The Truth Behind Columbine. Finding 10 sources for a research paper's a bitch. :razz:

im reading the bourne suprmacy, the second one from the bourne series from robert ludlum, his books are brilliant

<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting Orpheus</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>i am finishing up the 3rd book in the latest terry brooks "Shannara" series..

"The voyage of the Jerle Shannara"

more brooks goodliness..

</DIV></DIV>
BROOKS ROCKS!!! Also i just finished "War of the Flowers" by Tad Williams It's a fantasy book VERY good.

I'm going to get around to actually reading all of Dark Tower (once 5-7 come out in mass distro. paperback). I bought an old ass copy of The Bourne Identity, which I'll read once I find copies of Supremacy and Ultimatum. I also picked up Hannibal, I'll probably borrow Red Dragon and Silence of the Lambs from a friend.

On that list I have to finish Confessions of a B-Movie Actor, the Zahn Star Wars books, and the slew of Crichton books I have (He's got a new one coming out on the 7th :smile: )

Not that anyone here needed to know any of that information whatsoever.

Just finished book 4 of 5 of Stephen Donaldson's "Gap" series, and I must say this is easily the best sci-fi series I have ever read, the characters and story lines are just incredible...

i have listened to a whole plethora of audio books recently. if you are into that sort of thing, or just want to read them instead, its all good.

most notably, i suggest "Darwin's Children, by Greg Bear"

I just discovered this thread (thanks for reviving it, Orpheus).
I didn't know there are so many fellow book lovers at the
SnarkPit. I thought I was the only one who finds time outside of
mapping.

I've never been able to get through more than the first chapter or so of Hitch Hikers Guide. . .

:smile: I think you have to be British to appreciate the humor.
When I first read it, I felt I got transported to England. I
could even hear the British accent ringing in my ear even after
finishing the book.

I am in the middle of "Middlesex" by Jeffrey Eugenides. In case you haven't
heard of this book (you probably have, if you're into reading), it's
the 2003 Pulitzer Prize winner for fiction.

So far, I just can't find any flaw in this book. I am usually
quite critical of bad fiction, and I am a very selective reader.
I've aborted plenty of books for not being able to enthrall me.
Some stories are just too dark for my taste (i.e. "Non ti muovere"
or "Don't Move", translated from Italian), and some are too
flippant. But "Middlesex" has just the perfect combination of
somber and levity. Eugenides is magnificent as a writer. I
am constantly in awe of his skills when I devour his sentences.

I can easily say that it's the best book I've read, ever. I read
another Pulitzer winner before ("Empire Fall"), but that wasn't nearly
as good and satisfying as "Middlesex".

Anyways, grab it from the nearest library at the soonest opportunity. You won't regret it.

<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting G.Ballblue</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>Just finished reading, and doing a synthesis on The Grey King... I have to say, it was really.... slow. </DIV></DIV>

SLOW, you want an example of slow..

most cases, i won't read a book series, unless i can locate them all first. the only time i break this rule, is if the series is in progress, yet to be published or some such reason.

well i discovered fantasy adventure about 20 years ago. till then i was 100% science fiction only.. well everyone told me, that anyone who is anyone reads "Elric of Melnibone "

i search far and wide, and about 3 years later i obtain the last of them. i begin my adventure on the most dryly written books i have ever had the displeasure of experiencing.

i read them all, constantly telling myself "its got to get better"

i highly recommend avoiding this series like the plague.