Home » Discussion Forums » Pollyanna's Booklist » What are you reading right now? (the original!)
| Re: What are you reading right now? [message #3007 is a reply to message #722 ] |
Thu, 30 October 2008 23:45   |
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 Akai
Messages: 76
Registered: October 2008
Location: Seattle, WA |
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Okay, I just had to share: My boyfriend made me something recently... but he said I had to help, which was cool. I went over to his place, and he handed me a really nice combined hardcover copy of Homer's Illiad and Odyssey and an exacto knife. He had measured out a rectangle on the pages about a quarter of the way down and told me to start cutting (insert picture of me, lip quivering and saying "You want me to cut up Homer?") and he started cutting some wood, to which he attached a bracket. The wood fit into the bit I (unwillingly) cut out of the book...And he made me a FLOATING bookshelf out of a BOOK!!! When you stack books on it, you can't see the bracket at all. **swoon**
Had to share, cause it ROCKS.
[Updated on: Thu, 30 October 2008 23:51]
self respect: the secure feeling that no one, as yet, is suspicious.
--H.L. Mencken
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| Re: What are you reading right now? [message #3055 is a reply to message #3007 ] |
Fri, 31 October 2008 10:44 |
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I think I'm equal parts jealous and horrified! On the one hand, I want one, on the other hand - Homer. All I can say is I hope it was a bad translation...
"The center of every man's existence is a dream. Death, disease, insanity, are merely material accidents, like a toothache or a twisted ankle. That these brutal forces always besiege and often capture the citadel does not prove that they are the citadel."
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| Re: What are you reading right now? [message #3080 is a reply to message #2834 ] |
Fri, 31 October 2008 15:50 |
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| Mori-neko wrote on Wed, 29 October 2008 17:58 |
| holmes44 wrote on Tue, 28 October 2008 15:22 |
| Mori-neko wrote on Tue, 28 October 2008 00:48 |
| holmes44 wrote on Mon, 27 October 2008 22:10 |
i know you won't but i still want my book [waaaaaaaaaa]*head desk*
lol you have lifted my spirits tonight, thank you:d
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Heheh I -did- manage to go pick it up. I'm only a few chapters in, but oh it's good to be back in Valdemar. NEW Valdemar, I mean. My boyfriend has a bunch of Lackey in hardcover, he inherited them from a relative that had been getting scifi/fantasy book of the month clubs forever.
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i know, it has been so long since the last book was out that i am drooling over finally getting the new one[wipes face]
have fun reading it.
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I finished it the day after I got it (would've done so that night, but silly me decided to be 'responsible' and go to bed sometime before 3am). It's fantastic. I've started it again. ^_^ Lackey's books are ones I can always read over and over (and over...), I was grinning like a loon while I was reading, too.
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yes! it came in today,the new valemar book finally arrived. unfortunately it is Halloween and i have to take my 11 year out trick or treatingso i won't be able to read it untill tonight or tomorrow [weeps] but at least i have it in my greedy little hands.[hahahahahaha]
Bonnie Holmes the faster ahead I go, the more behind I get
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| Re: What are you reading right now? [message #3083 is a reply to message #3080 ] |
Fri, 31 October 2008 17:11 |
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| holmes44 wrote on Fri, 31 October 2008 15:50 |
| Mori-neko wrote on Wed, 29 October 2008 17:58 |
| holmes44 wrote on Tue, 28 October 2008 15:22 |
| Mori-neko wrote on Tue, 28 October 2008 00:48 |
| holmes44 wrote on Mon, 27 October 2008 22:10 |
i know you won't but i still want my book [waaaaaaaaaa]*head desk*
lol you have lifted my spirits tonight, thank you:d
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Heheh I -did- manage to go pick it up. I'm only a few chapters in, but oh it's good to be back in Valdemar. NEW Valdemar, I mean. My boyfriend has a bunch of Lackey in hardcover, he inherited them from a relative that had been getting scifi/fantasy book of the month clubs forever.
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i know, it has been so long since the last book was out that i am drooling over finally getting the new one[wipes face]
have fun reading it.
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I finished it the day after I got it (would've done so that night, but silly me decided to be 'responsible' and go to bed sometime before 3am). It's fantastic. I've started it again. ^_^ Lackey's books are ones I can always read over and over (and over...), I was grinning like a loon while I was reading, too.
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yes! it came in today,the new valemar book finally arrived. unfortunately it is Halloween and i have to take my 11 year out trick or treatingso i won't be able to read it untill tonight or tomorrow [weeps] but at least i have it in my greedy little hands.[hahahahahaha]
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*cheer* Enjoy it! I've certainly taunted you long enough 
I'm a big fan of the cover too, it's all pretty and shiny and suits the character really well.
Also, I want more books from this period! (in an amusing note, I have read every Valdemar book, as listed in the front of that. Along with 99% of everything else she's written. Multiple times.) ^_^
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| Re: What are you reading right now? [message #3089 is a reply to message #722 ] |
Fri, 31 October 2008 19:25 |
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I still can't believe her name is real. But it is.
"And by the way you look fantastic in your boots of Chinese plastic."
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| Re: What are you reading right now? [message #3108 is a reply to message #3083 ] |
Fri, 31 October 2008 21:36 |
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| Mori-neko wrote on Fri, 31 October 2008 17:11 |
| holmes44 wrote on Fri, 31 October 2008 15:50 |
| Mori-neko wrote on Wed, 29 October 2008 17:58 |
| holmes44 wrote on Tue, 28 October 2008 15:22 |
| Mori-neko wrote on Tue, 28 October 2008 00:48 |
| holmes44 wrote on Mon, 27 October 2008 22:10 |
i know you won't but i still want my book [waaaaaaaaaa]*head desk*
lol you have lifted my spirits tonight, thank you:d
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Heheh I -did- manage to go pick it up. I'm only a few chapters in, but oh it's good to be back in Valdemar. NEW Valdemar, I mean. My boyfriend has a bunch of Lackey in hardcover, he inherited them from a relative that had been getting scifi/fantasy book of the month clubs forever.
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i know, it has been so long since the last book was out that i am drooling over finally getting the new one[wipes face]
have fun reading it.
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I finished it the day after I got it (would've done so that night, but silly me decided to be 'responsible' and go to bed sometime before 3am). It's fantastic. I've started it again. ^_^ Lackey's books are ones I can always read over and over (and over...), I was grinning like a loon while I was reading, too.
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yes! it came in today,the new valemar book finally arrived. unfortunately it is Halloween and i have to take my 11 year out trick or treatingso i won't be able to read it untill tonight or tomorrow [weeps] but at least i have it in my greedy little hands.[hahahahahaha]
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*cheer* Enjoy it! I've certainly taunted you long enough
I'm a big fan of the cover too, it's all pretty and shiny and suits the character really well.
Also, I want more books from this period! (in an amusing note, I have read every Valdemar book, as listed in the front of that. Along with 99% of everything else she's written. Multiple times.) ^_^
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i think after the valdemar series i love the elemental master series the best. i also love the covers on her books.
Bonnie Holmes the faster ahead I go, the more behind I get
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| Re: What are you reading right now? [message #3114 is a reply to message #3108 ] |
Fri, 31 October 2008 22:01 |
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I didn't read the Diana Tregarde books until fairly recently, but I absolutely adore them (and the other ones in that universe... the elves and racecars and bards).
I do very much love the Elemental Masters books, including Fire Rose (which isn't generally listed as being part of the series, but is quite obviously in that universe). I've always enjoyed fairy tale retellings, and she puts such wonderful twists on them, too. The ones she's been writing for Luna, the 500 Kingdoms universe is also really neat.
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| Re: What are you reading right now? [message #3117 is a reply to message #3114 ] |
Fri, 31 October 2008 22:31 |
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| Mori-neko wrote on Fri, 31 October 2008 22:01 |
I didn't read the Diana Tregarde books until fairly recently, but I absolutely adore them (and the other ones in that universe... the elves and racecars and bards).
I do very much love the Elemental Masters books, including Fire Rose (which isn't generally listed as being part of the series, but is quite obviously in that universe). I've always enjoyed fairy tale retellings, and she puts such wonderful twists on them, too. The ones she's been writing for Luna, the 500 Kingdoms universe is also really neat.
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firerose was the first of the elemental books that i read and i loved it.she was such a strong character and i loved the ending.
Bonnie Holmes the faster ahead I go, the more behind I get
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| Re: What are you reading right now? [message #3285 is a reply to message #722 ] |
Sun, 02 November 2008 17:31 |
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i finished the new mercedes lackey book this morning.i loved it and now we have to wait for the next one[oh no] *headdesk*.lol
Bonnie Holmes the faster ahead I go, the more behind I get
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| Re: What are you reading right now? [message #3442 is a reply to message #722 ] |
Mon, 03 November 2008 12:35 |
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Right now I am reading this blog.
Sorry Bonnie, I hope all goes well. Bad hand! Why can't you be like your sister!
"And by the way you look fantastic in your boots of Chinese plastic."
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| Re: What are you reading right now? [message #3476 is a reply to message #722 ] |
Mon, 03 November 2008 17:08 |
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Kathy_S
Messages: 313
Registered: October 2008
Location: Indiana |
Senior Member |
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Don't assume it'll be surgery! I thought so too, in the throes of the dropping-things-because-hand-goes-numb syndrome, but at least in my case, after various MRIs, lumbar puncture, etc., it came down to nerves pinched on their way out of the vertebrae in the neck. ("You've abused your neck hunching over books, haven't you.") Fortunately, though they originally said 50:50 chance of surgery, physical therapy was very effective, at least when you consider I started at the point of "hand goes numb if I brush teeth or wash dishes with that arm."
Actually things eventually improved well beyond the point the therapist thought they could -- after I broke a leg on the way home from therapy and had to take 2 months off in bed/wheelchair. Somehow I doubt a reputable doctor would recommend that treatment, though!
[Updated on: Mon, 03 November 2008 17:10]
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| Re: What are you reading right now? [message #3525 is a reply to message #722 ] |
Mon, 03 November 2008 21:19 |
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my sister suggested acupuncture.she did a real number on the nerves in her shoulders and it was the only thing she found that worked.
Bonnie Holmes the faster ahead I go, the more behind I get
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| Re: What are you reading right now? [message #3708 is a reply to message #3684 ] |
Wed, 05 November 2008 15:31 |
b_twin_1
Messages: 2597
Registered: September 2008
Location: Victoria, Australia |
Senior Member
[Moderator] |
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| Laura wrote on Wed, 05 November 2008 07:49 |
Now I can focus my attention fully on Daughter of the Forest...
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Oh! I picked that up from the library and started reading it yesterday!
I was surprised to find the author lives in Australia.
I've got a plan so cunning you could put a tail on it and call it a weasel ~ Blackadder
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| Re: What are you reading right now? [message #3720 is a reply to message #3713 ] |
Wed, 05 November 2008 18:31 |
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| Susan from Athens wrote on Thu, 06 November 2008 11:55 |
It has some very harsh moments, but is very good. So is the sequel. I haven't liked all her books, however. She occasionally is one of those authors who suffers from what I regard as the overwhelming depressingness of fantasy. Sometimes the payoff is oh so worth it; at other times you wish for the occasional ray of sunshine.
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*overwhelming depressingness of fantasy* - I think I might know what you mean, but I would be interested in hearing your thoughts on the subject.
I just finished reading The Black Ship - the latest book by Diana Pharoah Francis, and I think it had elements of the above, and would be interested in hearing others thoughts on the subject before I write my review on it
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| Re: What are you reading right now? [message #3725 is a reply to message #3720 ] |
Wed, 05 November 2008 18:54 |
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Susan from Athens
Messages: 817
Registered: October 2008
Location: Athens, Greece |
Senior Member |
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| BlueRose wrote on Thu, 06 November 2008 01:31 |
| Susan from Athens wrote on Thu, 06 November 2008 11:55 |
It has some very harsh moments, but is very good. So is the sequel. I haven't liked all her books, however. She occasionally is one of those authors who suffers from what I regard as the overwhelming depressingness of fantasy. Sometimes the payoff is oh so worth it; at other times you wish for the occasional ray of sunshine.
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*overwhelming depressingness of fantasy* - I think I might know what you mean, but I would be interested in hearing your thoughts on the subject.
I just finished reading The Black Ship - the latest book by Diana Pharoah Francis, and I think it had elements of the above, and would be interested in hearing others thoughts on the subject before I write my review on it
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Well look, I'm one of those people who like their happy ending. Or their semi-decent ending. However, I don't REQUIRE it; i.e. I have loved books whose endings have been anything but happy, or have been ambiguous or open-ended. However, I almost gave up reading fantasy, because it seemed to me for the longest time, that all the books I read were mired in misery. I mean unrelenting, endless, unmitigated misery-for-misery's sake. Where nothing ever lightens, where there is no light at the end of the tunnel, no hope at all, nor enough - in my humble and I am happy to concede one-sided opinion - justificaiton for that misery in the evolution of the story.
Yes, I know life can and often is harsh. But when I want to wallow in the harshness of life, I watch a documentary about death camps, or the news, or starving children in Africa, or child brothels in Bangkok. I don't want to struggle through six hundred odd pages of misery to gain nothing more than additional misery (and it seems to me these sagas are always way longer than average).
I am not an English literature type person. I love books, but much less do I like talking about why I like things in books specifically or over-analysing them. Which is why I have participated so little in the book discussion on this forum. I find sometimes if I overanalyse (and I can) I lose some of the magic of the book.
But I know that most of us have things in life that make our lives worth living. Things we work hard to build up. Nobody's life is honey and roses; but most lives are not unmitigated pain and dreariness either - so I don't see why I have to trudge through that in fiction. I can't express it any better than this. I don't need characters to have a fake "pink bows and happy sunsets" finish - heck, I wouldn't be a Robin McKinley fan if I did - none of her endings are of that kind. But neither do I want to feel like I'm back in the deep maw of depression again when I read a book and that there is nothing to redeem me. I guess that is a feature I want in a book, when there is darkness everywhere: a hope of redemption.
“I have always imagined heaven to be a kind of library.” –Jorge Luis Borges
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| Re: What are you reading right now? [message #3752 is a reply to message #722 ] |
Wed, 05 November 2008 22:14 |
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L.R.K.
Messages: 1081
Registered: October 2008
Location: Sweden |
Senior Member |
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Hear, hear!
Oh, I so agree, Susan! If life were as miserable as some would have us think, then why bother at all? I call them "Why don't we all just go and hang ourselves"-books. No laughter, no kindness, no humour... Then, really, what's the point?
And sad things - I can take tragedy, but not depression. (I can manage depression on my own with no help from anybody, thank you very much!) It's more a feeling, than reasoning with me and hard to explain, but some sad things happen because they really happened, they are somehow true; but I resent it - yes, resent, angrily and bitterly - when I feel the misery is being inflicted on me by the author. (I'm sorry if this is making no sense whatsoever - it's very clear in my head, but I don't seem to be able to find the proper words to explain it.)
And I don't like over-analysing either. Some thoughts naturally leap into one's mind, but I rarely seek them out. I've always felt it's like picking the book apart. Like picking apart a flower. I'm sure there are good, botanical reasons to do such a thing - but I personally prefer my flower in one piece! 
(But I often find other people's thoughts very interesting. )
[Updated on: Wed, 05 November 2008 22:16]
Why, I feel all thin, sort of stretched, if you know what I mean, like butter that has been scraped over too much bread.
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| Re: What are you reading right now? [message #3774 is a reply to message #722 ] |
Thu, 06 November 2008 00:49 |
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Just finished Ironside (Holly Black) and it was OK. I liked Tithe better. Not too sure what to read next. I'm tired.
"And by the way you look fantastic in your boots of Chinese plastic."
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| Re: What are you reading right now? [message #3776 is a reply to message #3770 ] |
Thu, 06 November 2008 00:51 |
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Great comments Susan and LRK!
Yes I agree with you, I see no point in reading dreary grey miserable stories.
My personal view is that type of writing for some reason seems to be considered more 'literature - high brow cognoscenti' type writing. I have no idea, but the impression I get is you arent supposed to *enjoy* reading literature type novels, you are supposed to suffer through them.
Novels are a lesser class of writing (again the impression I get) so some fantasy writers perhaps aim to capture that other market?
In my world the term we use to refer to those kind of books when it applies is *wangst* - a combintion of "whining and angsting" which the characters in those kind of books seem to do a lot of.
Mostly I get bored with it, but if its heavy handed enough to annoy me then I just stop reading.
I guess thats the joy of Robins books, yes the characters might suffer from occasional self doubt (Chalice certainly does) but she doesnt sit around moaning constantly about it, her characters forge ahead in any direction, so long as they are attempting to DO Something to either cope or improve where they are at.
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| Re: What are you reading right now? [message #3783 is a reply to message #3776 ] |
Thu, 06 November 2008 03:29 |
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L.R.K.
Messages: 1081
Registered: October 2008
Location: Sweden |
Senior Member |
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| BlueRose wrote on Thu, 06 November 2008 06:51 |
My personal view is that type of writing for some reason seems to be considered more 'literature - high brow cognoscenti' type writing. I have no idea, but the impression I get is you arent supposed to *enjoy* reading literature type novels, you are supposed to suffer through them.
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It's the same with films, you know. And books and films that win prizes can rarely be described as "a barrel of laughs". Reading short synopses of them is generally sufficient for me - if the word "idyll" is mentioned, for example, it will always turn out to be false! (Behind the false suburban idyll - bla bla bla - it's nearly always suburban, have you noticed? )
Fantasy is considered low-brow, automatically. Except in children's literature, of course. Children are allowed make-believe. But we are supposed to know better!
The more miserable something makes you feel, the better it is. It's like medicine - if it doesn't taste bad, it can't be good for you...
Oh, and love the word "wangst" - it's lovely and says it all!
[Updated on: Thu, 06 November 2008 03:33]
Why, I feel all thin, sort of stretched, if you know what I mean, like butter that has been scraped over too much bread.
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| Re: What are you reading right now? [message #3784 is a reply to message #3777 ] |
Thu, 06 November 2008 04:25 |
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Susan from Athens
Messages: 817
Registered: October 2008
Location: Athens, Greece |
Senior Member |
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| Akai wrote on Thu, 06 November 2008 07:55 |
I had the same problem with some of Marillier's books, but I really enjoyed the Sevenwaters trilogy (soon to be quartet, since apparently, the release date was pushed back... ah well, any trip to the book store is fun)... I thought she had some really good, strong and enjoyable lady characters in Sevenwaters.
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I thought Daughter of the Forest magnificent and the next two books on Sevenwaters had much to offer as well. She writes some beautiful characters, complex and interesting, both men and wome. And I highly recommend these books. Some of her other books I haven't managed to finish. (Does saying that exceed Polyanna principles?)But again, that's me: I'm always happy to note that other people have different tastes and are perfectly entitled to them. I would never want to impose my judgement on anyone else (of course I am always right  ).
[Updated on: Thu, 06 November 2008 04:29]
“I have always imagined heaven to be a kind of library.” –Jorge Luis Borges
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| Re: What are you reading right now? [message #3861 is a reply to message #722 ] |
Thu, 06 November 2008 19:59 |
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I'm just so picky, I don't know what to read next. Wah.
"And by the way you look fantastic in your boots of Chinese plastic."
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| Re: What are you reading right now? [message #3885 is a reply to message #3776 ] |
Thu, 06 November 2008 23:11 |
Megan
Messages: 57
Registered: October 2008 |
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| BlueRose wrote on Thu, 06 November 2008 00:51 |
Great comments Susan and LRK!
Yes I agree with you, I see no point in reading dreary grey miserable stories.
My personal view is that type of writing for some reason seems to be considered more 'literature - high brow cognoscenti' type writing. I have no idea, but the impression I get is you arent supposed to *enjoy* reading literature type novels, you are supposed to suffer through them. . . .
I guess thats the joy of Robins books, yes the characters might suffer from occasional self doubt (Chalice certainly does) but she doesnt sit around moaning constantly about it, her characters forge ahead in any direction, so long as they are attempting to DO Something to either cope or improve where they are at.
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I love your opinion of "high-brow literature." I'm an English major and I still get sick of those books sometimes. I have two brains for reading and my pleasure reading brain hates that sort of book! I've learned to appreciate and sometimes enjoy the critical aspects of such books, but rarely do I love them. My professors would probably hate that statement.
Again, I agree with you about Robin's books. For pleasure, I read usually fantasy and frequently it's rereads. They get me through the literature I have to read for class and remind me why I love books despite the stuff my teachers assign. Now I just need to find a class that teaches Tolkien and I'll be set
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| Re: What are you reading right now? [message #3888 is a reply to message #722 ] |
Fri, 07 November 2008 00:01 |
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Shelley, are none of your McK's tempting you for a reread? How about Forgotten Beasts of Eld? Or Beauty? Or somesuch?
"The center of every man's existence is a dream. Death, disease, insanity, are merely material accidents, like a toothache or a twisted ankle. That these brutal forces always besiege and often capture the citadel does not prove that they are the citadel."
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| Re: What are you reading right now? [message #3891 is a reply to message #722 ] |
Fri, 07 November 2008 01:16 |
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Thanks, LRK, Angel. Yeah, I'll check out the booklist, and Angel--maybe I do need another McK read...
Will get back to you. Thanks.
"And by the way you look fantastic in your boots of Chinese plastic."
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| Re: What are you reading right now? [message #3999 is a reply to message #722 ] |
Fri, 07 November 2008 14:50 |
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i just got sunshine and dragonhaven in, yea...i know what i'll be doing tonight.
Bonnie Holmes the faster ahead I go, the more behind I get
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| Re: What are you reading right now? [message #4001 is a reply to message #722 ] |
Fri, 07 November 2008 14:53 |
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I just got the Sunshine with the new cover. Yay!
"And by the way you look fantastic in your boots of Chinese plastic."
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