The Book Thread (Official Thread)

[TheBaroness]

It's done. I spent my gift card and bought Oscar Wao, What is the What, and In Cold Blood. I'll keep the others in mind for my next trip.

good haul, quality reads

[AShannon04]

What Is The What was definitely my least favorite Dave Eggers book. Being one of my favorite authors, that's probably not saying much, haha.

[googirl8907]

I just got The Bro Code from my friend. I need to read it soon.

[MarsEatWorld]

I am reading Choke by Chuck Palahniuk ... it is amazing.

[anamericangod]

I am reading Choke by Chuck Palahniuk ... it is amazing.

I just watched the movie. It was not amazing.

[You Vandal]

Just read The Average American Male in one day. It was almost like porn...but had a story that pretty much any dude could relate to.

[TEAMRAMROD]

I just watched the movie. It was not amazing.

agreed. the book was much better

[Undue Noise]

It's been my go-to recommendation for about four months. Oscar's an overweight gaming nerd who wants very badly to fall in love. The story goes back and traces his family's immigration from the Dominican to the states, and then follows Oscar through his schooling and ham-fisted attempts at getting girls to like him. It's just tremendously endearing, and the author, Junot Diaz, has such a presence in his writing. You feel like the story's being told to you...it's never work to get through it. It's the best book I read this year.
You're good at recommending. I'll check out this book, sounds interesting.

[MarsEatWorld]

I just watched the movie. It was not amazing.
i heard the movie wasn't good...haven't seen it but the book is great

[stayillogical]

What Is The What was definitely my least favorite Dave Eggers book. Being one of my favorite authors, that's probably not saying much, haha.

It was the only one I didn't own so my Eggers collection is complete. One of my favorites too. :)

[AShannon04]

It was the only one I didn't own so my Eggers collection is complete. One of my favorites too. :)

I think the reason I didn't like it as much as his other books is because it's definitely not an "Eggers" book. In my opinion, all his books, whether it's AHWOSG or YSKOV, have a very unique voice and relatable character. In this one, it's more of a biography story with a very specific character. Definitely still good, but it was missing what I love about David Eggers.

I'm curious what you'll think of it. Be sure to post your thoughts. :-)

[billyboatkid]

Just recieved The Last Lecture for Christmas.

Anyone read it yet? Supposed to be really good.

[adam289]

I read Bob Dylan's Tarantula yesterday. It was pretty funny, but I had no idea about the symbolism 99% of the time.

[odizzle_word]

Just finished The Tales of Beedle the Bard, the short collection of fairy tales mentioned in the last Harry Potter book. Really easy, quick read. The commentary Rowling writes as Dumbledore is amusing.

Now I'm on to Everything is Illuminated. Good so far.

[hailthewarrior]

I'm reading Michael Chabon's The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay at the moment and it is fantastic.

[TheBaroness]

2666 is absolutely extraordinary. I think it will end up being one of the greatest books of this Century.

[scenopath]

Currently: The Great Gatsby (a second time, for a class)

Upcoming:
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Post Office by Charles Bukowski

[TEAMRAMROD]

I'm reading Michael Chabon's The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay at the moment and it is fantastic.

i heard it was really good. let me know your thoughts on it

[MarsEatWorld]

Currently: The Great Gatsby (a second time, for a class)

Upcoming:
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Post Office by Charles Bukowski
love the great gatsby

[scenopath]

I think it's very well-written, but the whole "American-Dream" motif is so played out and makes me want to vom. I've read too much of it.

But, I always love war books and anything Yoknapatawpha County, so what do I know.

[stayillogical]

I've wanted to read Kavalier and Clay for a long time but always forget to buy it.

[ForlrnPerplxity]

Over Christmas Break, I've finished All the Pretty Horses, The Card, and Middlesex. If anybody wants to read a Cormac McCarthy book, I'd rec All The Pretty Horses 100x more than Blood Meridian.

Middlesex was a really great book. I'd recommend that to everyone.

Also, I got a gift certificate for Borders. I purchased:

Sister Carrie - Theodore Dreiser
The People's History of the United States - Howard Zinn
The Zookeeper's Wife - Diane Ackerman
Shutter Island - Dennis Lehane
The Gashouse Gang - John Heidenry
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao - Junot Diaz

Has anybody read any of these? Thoughts?

[CubbyNick42]

If anybody wants to read a Cormac McCarthy book, I'd rec All The Pretty Horses 100x more than Blood Meridian.
Really? Weren't you big on Blood Meridian?

Also, Oscar Wao is awesome. And Shutter Island sounds great...at least the movie version.

[ForlrnPerplxity]

Really? Weren't you big on Blood Meridian?

Also, Oscar Wao is awesome. And Shutter Island sounds great...at least the movie version.
I'm one of the few who didn't like Blood Meridian. I didn't even finish it and that's pretty rare for me.

I looked at your rec for Oscar Wao and read up on it. Didn't realize it also won a Pulitzer. I got Shutter Island since Scorcese is directing the movie w/ Leonardo DiCaprio. I've never read a book from Lehane, so I'm pretty excited about it.

[stayillogical]

I've been reading up on Jonathan Safran Foer and now I'm really looking forward to reading both his books.

[TSLROCKS]

Just started reading Rock On. Great read so far. Absolutely hilarious. I have to admit though I have just started reading books for the first time so anyone have any good recs on books I should check out? I'm open to anything

[stayillogical]

Just started reading Rock On. Great read so far. Absolutely hilarious. I have to admit though I have just started reading books for the first time so anyone have any good recs on books I should check out? I'm open to anything

A Heartbreaking Work Of Staggering Genius. A must read.

[TSLROCKS]

A Heartbreaking Work Of Staggering Genius. A must read.

Amazoned. Thank for the rec. I'll let you know how I like it :-)

[lindZ629]

With Oscar Wao, I thought the story was great, but the flow for me sucked. I had a hard time understanding all of the Spanish expressions, which encompasses a good amount of the book. It was a very tedious/frustrating read for me. I was still able to understand the gist of what was going on, but I wish it was toned down. It just bothered me, I'm sure some of you didn't think twice about it.

[stayillogical]

I can't wait to read Oscar Wao. I flipped through the pages and all the spanish slang got me really excited. I think I'll probably get more out of it being able to understand. It's like George Lopez jokes, you really have to be spanish to fully appreciate his greatness.

[AShannon04]

I've been reading up on Jonathan Safran Foer and now I'm really looking forward to reading both his books.

I finished Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close about a month ago and loved it. I honestly can't say I've ever enjoyed an author's style as much as when I was reading that book.

[stayillogical]

I finished Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close about a month ago and loved it. I honestly can't say I've ever enjoyed an author's style as much as when I was reading that book.

Even more than Eggers? I read that they're friends and have similar a approach to writing and sense of humor. This got me even more excited.

[AShannon04]

Even more than Eggers? I read that they're friends and have similar a approach to writing and sense of humor. This got me even more excited.

I like Eggers more, but the way that Foer uses words is just awesome.

I think the reason I like Eggers so much is that AHWOSG hit me at just the right time in my life (just graduated high school) and really spoke to me in the way that he talked about his life. I loved the sense of freedom he portrayed. I can't really explain it, haha.

[Concrete&&Water]

just finished bright shiny morning. gotta love james frey.

[Robototron]

Foer annoys me to no end. His style in Everything Is Illuminated just seemed so forced and pretentious that I didn't bother with Extremely Loud. Plus 9/11 novels tend to suck anyway, except O'Neill's Netherland from earlier this year, but it doesn't really count anyway.

Eggers always struck me the same way based on his reputation (and what I saw in the few Believer issues I read), but he's constantly being recommended to me so I guess I'll give him a chance.

Right now I'm reading Dangerous Liaisons by Choderlos de Laclos. I don't know what to read next.

[AShannon04]

Foer annoys me to no end. His style in Everything Is Illuminated just seemed so forced and pretentious that I didn't bother with Extremely Loud. Plus 9/11 novels tend to suck anyway, except O'Neill's Netherland from earlier this year, but it doesn't really count anyway.

Eggers always struck me the same way based on his reputation (and what I saw in the few Believer issues I read), but he's constantly being recommended to me so I guess I'll give him a chance.

Right now I'm reading Dangerous Liaisons by Choderlos de Laclos. I don't know what to read next.

For what it's worth, Extremely Loud doesn't focus too much on 9/11. Yes, it's a major plot point, but it's pretty much just used as a backdrop to explain the story and put it in motion

Haven't read Everything Is Illuminated, so I can't comment on his pretentious-ness factor, haha.

[TheBaroness]

Over Christmas Break, I've finished All the Pretty Horses, The Card, and Middlesex. If anybody wants to read a Cormac McCarthy book, I'd rec All The Pretty Horses 100x more than Blood Meridian.

Middlesex was a really great book. I'd recommend that to everyone.

Also, I got a gift certificate for Borders. I purchased:

Sister Carrie - Theodore Dreiser
The People's History of the United States - Howard Zinn
The Zookeeper's Wife - Diane Ackerman
Shutter Island - Dennis Lehane
The Gashouse Gang - John Heidenry
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao - Junot Diaz

Has anybody read any of these? Thoughts?

Great book. I rec'd the shit out of it this time last year and it sort of slipped by unnoticed, glad more people are onto it now (it's amazing what a Pulitzer will do for credibility!)

[funtasticrich]

i love this thread! i use it to check out books on amazon and pick my next reads though my reading has severely decreased since getting a real full time editor job. but i'd like to rec Hallem Foe as its amazing and for any fellow editors out there i got In The Blink Of An Eye by Walter Murch for christmas and its a fascinating read.

[coryatlarge]

not sure who all is in here but i'm headed to the bookstore today.. i'm leaving fairly soon but i want some recs... whats a book that i need to read before i die?

[Sweep_the_Leg]

I just finished Fight Club. Quite good.

[googirl8907]

I just finished The Road. Such a good book.

[coryatlarge]

I just finished The Road. Such a good book.
just picked this up today along with in cold blood and the orphaned anythings.... pretty excited

[Oddpac87]

Finished Rant by Chuck Palahniuk last night and really excited to be starting e by Matt Beaumont right now.

[googirl8907]

just picked this up today along with in cold blood and the orphaned anythings.... pretty excited
The Orphaned Anything's is really good as well.

[B-Bones]

It was the only one I didn't own so my Eggers collection is complete. One of my favorites too. :)
I'm reading What is the What right now and it's incredible. Eggers can do no wrong. I can't wait for his novelization of Where the Wild Things Are.

[samsara]

Rising Sun by Michael Crichton looks interesting

[BigAl]

I'm finishing Tales of Beedle The Bard tonight, haha.

[Neo Cassady]

I'm currently reading Kerouac's Visions of Cody...liking it immensely. It's a collection of short vignettes and tape-recorded conversations that goes off in every which way, but it's great for anyone who likes Kerouac.

Also let me recommend The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas...great, great book (I haven't seen the movie yet).

[odizzle_word]

I'm finishing Tales of Beedle The Bard tonight, haha.

My favorite parts are the footnotes.

[Thriftstoresuit]

the last book i finished reading was The Time Travelers Wife. definitely worth the read.
I'm currently in the middle of A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius.
then its on to:
How We Are Hungry
Slaughterhouse Five
On The Road
Big Sur

[TheBaroness]

more people here need to read 2666!!

[Thomas Balkcom]

the rum diary - hunter s. thompson
secret window - steven king

I would like to re-read this.

[ThisIsSuchAPity]

Currently reading A Seperate Peace for class, and The Brief Wondrous Life Of Oscar Wao for myself.

[BigAl]

My favorite parts are the footnotes.

The footnotes are hilarious!

I loved when Albus called out Malfoy for being a death eater.

[doyouhas?]

just finished 'The Bell Jar' by Sylvia Plath. very good but also a little disturbing.

[Losthope182]

I'm currently reading Watchmen by Alan Moore/Dave Gibbons. I've never read a graphic novel before and I'm quite enjoying it...I haven't read anything with a 'comic' structure in a long time. I just got a nice stack of books for christmas which should last me quite awhile.

I think I'll read either Take the Canoli by Sarah Vowell or The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe next.....haven't fully decided yet.

[AShannon04]

just got the Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao from the library today.

[timbedinosaur]

I gotta stop reading this book. The dude just wrapped barbed wire around his cock and the girl pressed it in even more.

[immorehxcthanu]

I'm currently reading Lullaby by Chuck Palahniuk.

[hienz429]

I'm currently reading Lullaby by Chuck Palahniuk.

I just finished it yersterday, i thought it was good but not his best, i think my fav is still survivor

[immorehxcthanu]

I just finished it yersterday, i thought it was good but not his best, i think my fav is still survivor

Everyone keeps telling me to read that one, other than Lullaby I've read Invisible Monsters. I think I might read Snuff next.

[OnLettingGo]

just bought darkly dreaming dexter and helter skelter. looking forward to reading them. then i have to watch the show dexter.

[TJ Wells]

I just started reading Against the Day by Thomas Pynchon (my first foray into his work). Anyone else read it? Good bad?

[CubbyNick42]

just bought darkly dreaming dexter and helter skelter. looking forward to reading them. then i have to watch the show dexter.
Pretty meh. Far inferior to the show.

[Oddpac87]

Everyone keeps telling me to read that one, other than Lullaby I've read Invisible Monsters. I think I might read Snuff next.
Survivor is a must read, might be his best book.

[gnetophyta]

I just finished reading Nyphomation by Jeff Moon. It was truly bizarre, but really, really interesting.

[stayillogical]

I read A Thousand Splendid Suns over the weekend. It is now officially the book I've cried the most in. I fought hard but I could not hold back the tears, haha. And I finished it super fast. Both of Hosseini's novels, I just can't put down once I start. Such good story telling. I can't decide which I love more.

[lindZ629]

I just started High Fidelity yesterday and I'm already up to page 100. I didn't realize how quick it would be to read, but I'm enjoying it. I guess the shorter it takes the better. I need to read The World Is Flat for class and I know that's gonna take me awhile.

[Poe-tryGirl]

I read A Thousand Splendid Suns over the weekend. It is now officially the book I've cried the most in. I fought hard but I could not hold back the tears, haha. And I finished it super fast. Both of Hosseini's novels, I just can't put down once I start. Such good story telling. I can't decide which I love more.
I've always wanted to read that. Perhaps I'll check that out next.

[funtasticrich]

I gotta stop reading this book. The dude just wrapped barbed wire around his cock and the girl pressed it in even more.

what book is that??? just finished reading oscar wao as everyone on here seems to love that book. thought it was pretty cool. could have done without all the spanish but hey

[drudo182]

I read A Thousand Splendid Suns over the weekend. It is now officially the book I've cried the most in. I fought hard but I could not hold back the tears, haha. And I finished it super fast. Both of Hosseini's novels, I just can't put down once I start. Such good story telling. I can't decide which I love more.

I really want to read that one. My roommates girlfriend told me to read it so it's on my book list.

I am reading Shutter Island now. Got a ton of stuff I want to read next.

[timbedinosaur]

what book is that??? just finished reading oscar wao as everyone on here seems to love that book. thought it was pretty cool. could have done without all the spanish but hey
The Rapture Of Canaan, actually turned out to be a good book

[zildjian]

I'm reading Danny Wallace's, Yes Man. The book Jim Carrey's movie is based on. I know it's hardly the literate of books, but it is rather interesting.

My favourite book yet, has to be, The Perks Of Being A Wallflower.

[symbiote28]

hey guys, got a question to ask .. is Stephen King's Duma Key good?

[3mpire]

Just finished Watchmen. Brilliant.

Which graphic novel shall I pick up next!? Watchmen was my first.

[Lueda Alia]

I read A Thousand Splendid Suns over the weekend. It is now officially the book I've cried the most in. I fought hard but I could not hold back the tears, haha. And I finished it super fast. Both of Hosseini's novels, I just can't put down once I start. Such good story telling. I can't decide which I love more.
That's my favourite book. I read it in 2 days. Amazing story. I would recommend it to everyone.

[Oddpac87]

Just finished Watchmen. Brilliant.

Which graphic novel shall I pick up next!? Watchmen was my first.

I highly rec The Killing Joke, V for Vendetta and 300.

[AShannon04]

hey guys, got a question to ask .. is Stephen King's Duma Key good?

I read a ton of Stephen King books when I was younger (I probably started reading them a bit too early, maybe 12 or 13), and picked up Duma Key after about 5 years of not touching any of his stuff, but I really liked it a lot.

[IAmNietzche]

Finished Pynchon's Crying of Lot 49 and thinking about tackling Comte de Lautréamont's Maldoror.

[drudo182]

Last King novel I read was Cell and I really enjoyed that one. Duma Key sounds interesting.

[Oddpac87]

Finished Pynchon's Crying of Lot 49 and thinking about tackling Comte de Lautréamont's Maldoror.

I was going to pick that up. How was it?

[ForlrnPerplxity]

Duma Key got pretty good reviews from a lot of people. I've read a ton of Stephen King books and thought Duma Key was okay. I wasn't really that impressed with it.

[chokemeout]

How can people rate The Perks Of Being A Wallflower? That book is terrible.
or am I missing the point?

Recently read
The Twits - Roald Dahl - classic kids stuff
Slouching Towards Nirvana - Bukowski - again. classic.
Cash - Johnny Cash - AWFUL!!!

torn between reading Mein Kampf or Tropic Of Cancer..

anyone know anything along the lines of American Psycho - violence, gore.. all that ?

[AShannon04]

How can people rate The Perks Of Being A Wallflower? That book is terrible.
or am I missing the point?

Recently read
The Twits - Roald Dahl - classic kids stuff
Slouching Towards Nirvana - Bukowski - again. classic.
Cash - Johnny Cash - AWFUL!!!

torn between reading Mein Kampf or Tropic Of Cancer..

anyone know anything along the lines of American Psycho - violence, gore.. all that ?

meh, for people in their early to mid teens, I can see it being an inspiring book. It's quick and easy to read, which also helps, no doubt.

[helikesit]

the world according to garp...

[Robototron]

meh, for people in their early to mid teens, I can see it being an inspiring book. It's quick and easy to read, which also helps, no doubt.

Yep. Once you've matured past adolescence it's basically worthless, though.

Right now I'm reading Energy Flash by Simon Reynold's, which is I guess a sort of history of Electronic music, generally speaking. So far the first few chapters have covered the origins of House & Techno and is moving into late 80s/early 90s UK Rave.

Also got Bertolt Brecht's Threepenny Opera from the library, but haven't read past the preface.

Plus some books for class: Machiavelli's The Prince, Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Gombrich's The Story of Art.

[s.t.e.v.e.n.]

Just finished Watchmen. Brilliant.

Which graphic novel shall I pick up next!? Watchmen was my first.

almost halfway done with it, absolutely loving it so far

[recomposed]

How can people rate The Perks Of Being A Wallflower? That book is terrible.
or am I missing the point?

Recently read
The Twits - Roald Dahl - classic kids stuff
Slouching Towards Nirvana - Bukowski - again. classic.
Cash - Johnny Cash - AWFUL!!!

torn between reading Mein Kampf or Tropic Of Cancer..

anyone know anything along the lines of American Psycho - violence, gore.. all that ?

THANK YOU
Everyone I know LOVES that book, but when I read it I was bored to tears.

[Kid B]

I am reading Catcher in the Rye. After that, 100 Years of Solitude.

[Kid B]

Also, Perks of Being A Wallflower is a fantastic book.

[stayillogical]

I remember loving Perks when I read it in high school. It had a lot of great thoughts and insight.

[lindZ629]

I started The World is Flat yesterday, only 20 pages in, it's interesting but long. I like posting when I first start a book, mostly for me so I can see how long they actually take to finish.

[Zeran]

I started The World is Flat yesterday, only 20 pages in, it's interesting but long. I like posting when I first start a book, mostly for me so I can see how long they actually take to finish.

is that good? my psych teacher kept telling everybody to read it.

[lindZ629]

is that good? my psych teacher kept telling everybody to read it.
I haven't really gotten into it that much, but so far so good. Right now the author's discussing his trip to India and how a lot of different industries are being outsourced there with the help of all this technology. I know he has another one out "Hot, Flat, and Crowded", I'm not sure how that compares to this one, it focuses more on global warming I think. I'm sure it'd be helpful to read either one of those to get a better idea of how the world works together.

[3mpire]

almost halfway done with it, absolutely loving it so far
I thought it was brilliant. Thought the character development and back stories were incredible.

[doyouhas?]

im about half way through with Hocus Pocus by Kurt Vonnegut. After that its either Naked Lunch by William Burroughs or Black Swan Green by David Mitchell.

[tomakebelieve]

I'm going to be on a 7hr bus ride next week, and I was wondering if anyone could reccomend me anything good?

Last book I read was Stiff. I can read almost anything--so your suggestions would be lovely!

[s.t.e.v.e.n.]

Finished Pynchon's Crying of Lot 49 and thinking about tackling Comte de Lautréamont's Maldoror.

Reading Crying right now. Interesting so far. Its my first Pynchon book.

[Thomas Balkcom]

reading Zen and Art of Motorcycle Maintenance and I'm loving so far, I am a really fast reader and I find myself reading about 20-25 pages and putting the book down and reflecting upon what I read.

[EndlessMike]

I just started Atonement by Ian McEwan. It's kind of slow right now, I'm hoping it will pick up a little. I finished The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz a couple days ago and it was excellent, I breezed through it in 3 days, which I haven't been able to do in a while.

[framebyframe]

I just started Atonement by Ian McEwan. It's kind of slow right now, I'm hoping it will pick up a little. I finished The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz a couple days ago and it was excellent, I breezed through it in 3 days, which I haven't been able to do in a while.

I was just going to post about this. It's an option at my school for a book to read/do all sorts of assignments on in my english class next semester. I was wondering whether or not I should pick it, I guess not?

[EndlessMike]

I was just going to post about this. It's an option at my school for a book to read/do all sorts of assignments on in my english class next semester. I was wondering whether or not I should pick it, I guess not?


It's not that it hasn't been good, just slow. Oscar Wao was such a quick read that switching to Atonement right after kind of threw me off.

[framebyframe]

It's not that it hasn't been good, just slow. Oscar Wao was such a quick read that switching to Atonement right after kind of threw me off.

Oh, I see. I try to finish all the books I read even if they start off slow. Let me know if it picks up.

[MADSTA]

I'm currently Downtown Owl by Chuck Klosterman. Enjoying it so far, although nothing exciting has really happened yet.
I'm supposed to be reading Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turgenev... I'm dreading starting that one.

[Ailite]

Reading Out Stealing Horses, after that, American Gods

[Zeran]

Reading Crying right now. Interesting so far. Its my first Pynchon book.

pynchon is my favorite author. the man is brilliant.

[3eb23]

I've got a bunch of books on my shelf that I want to read. Yesterday I started Brave New World. If that goes well I'll probably move onto 1984.

[s.t.e.v.e.n.]

I did BNW and 1984 back to back this past fall. Talk about feeling paranoid.

[3eb23]

haha i can imagine

[Vanilla Bear]

i just ordered "Zen Wrapped in Karma Dipped in Chocolate: A Trip Through Death, Sex, Divorce, and Spiritual Celebrity in Search of the True Dharma" by Brad Warner, quite the title, haha.

i read his first two and they were great. not sure if anyone's interested in buddhism around here, but even if you're not "Hardcore Zen" by him is still a really interesting read.

[stayillogical]

Fact. I own Brave New World and 1984 but have never read them. I bought and added them to my collection of books. I just have such a long queue of books to read and so little time. Right now, Watchmen. Followed by Oscar Wao, The Road (lost, found, and starting again), and whatever next. I might save the classics to read back to back over the summer. I'm so busy now.

[Blakebear]

I just bought Kavalier and Clay today.

I hope I actually have time to read it,

and it better be good.

[coryatlarge]

i just picked up the lies my teacher told me by james w. loewen. its about how american history and how it is altered. its very interesting so far.

[funtasticrich]

just started the suspicions of mr whicher. about 100 pages in. fairly good so far. got the brutal art and slaughterhouse 5 to read after

[Poe-tryGirl]

I just got "Lullaby" by Chuck Palahniuk. It's pretty awesome so far.

[TheBaroness]

Reading Proust - In Search of Lost Time (all volumes, but currently on Swann's Way)

[B-Bones]

I got to the end of 1984 and can't bring myself to finish it cause it's so fucking depressing.

[3eb23]

I got to the end of 1984 and can't bring myself to finish it cause it's so fucking depressing.

Brutal dude. I still haven't started it, mainly because i'm having such a hard time getting through Brave New World. I'm still looking forward to 1984 though.

[Oddpac87]

I just got "Lullaby" by Chuck Palahniuk. It's pretty awesome so far.
One of my all-time favorites.

[doyouhas?]

Reading Proust - In Search of Lost Time (all volumes, but currently on Swann's Way)

how is this so far? it looks like it would be very interesting to read, but that would be a lot of wasted time if its no good.

[eyessewnshut]

I got to the end of 1984 and can't bring myself to finish it cause it's so fucking depressing.

I couldn't get past the 4th chapter of 1984. I just can't get into it. I wish I could, since everybody I know that's read it loved it.

[B-Bones]

I couldn't get past the 4th chapter of 1984. I just can't get into it. I wish I could, since everybody I know that's read it loved it.

Ya and the the whole interrogation is the same shit over and over and it seems pretty fucking hopeless.

[Poe-tryGirl]

One of my all-time favorites.
Yep. Same here, I think now. I just finished it and had a brainGASM. It was amazing.

[drudo182]

Reading Slaughterhouse-Five at the moment.

Also picked up Y: The Last Man 1.

[ForlrnPerplxity]

I finished All the King's Men by Robert Penn Warren last week. It started off really slow, and Warren had the tendency to go into waayy too much detail, but the book wound up being pretty good.

[Robototron]

I just bought Kavalier and Clay today.

I hope I actually have time to read it,

and it better be good.

It's awesome. One of my favorite books. It's long, but you'll finish it in no time.

To whoever said they couldn't get very far into 1984, a lot of people I know complain that it starts off really slow (I liked it from the beginning myself), but it does get good once you get into it.

Brave New World I liked when I first read it, but the second time it just struck me as being a little too simple. It's all very over-the-top.

Right now I'm reading Energy Flash by Simon Reynolds, which is about electronic music and raves from the 80s until I guess the late 90s. Also have a Bertolt Brecht play that I got from the library, but have yet to read.

[brittluvsmusic]

i just picked up the lies my teacher told me by james w. loewen. its about how american history and how it is altered. its very interesting so far.

i just checked that out of my school library today a friend of mine was reading it over the summer and said it was interesting. i just started and i am really liking it and its given me a paper topic for history lol

[TheBaroness]

how is this so far? it looks like it would be very interesting to read, but that would be a lot of wasted time if its no good.

it's an amazing work, but not without its difficulties. You can't read it for plot - there isn't really one to speak of - and be prepared to endure rambling, four-page unbroken paragraphs describing random senses. But it's so beautifully written and evocative, and so aware of the human experience that it's well worth the extra concentration required.

[Ripple]

Just read Animal Farm by George Orwell, and now I'm trying to decide whether to read Lies My Teacher Told Me, Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, or Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle. Suggestions anyone?

[Oddpac87]

Yep. Same here, I think now. I just finished it and had a brainGASM. It was amazing.
Have you read anything else by him? He has yet to write a book that I didn't enjoy.

[Blakebear]

It's awesome. One of my favorite books. It's long, but you'll finish it in no time.

To whoever said they couldn't get very far into 1984, a lot of people I know complain that it starts off really slow (I liked it from the beginning myself), but it does get good once you get into it.

Brave New World I liked when I first read it, but the second time it just struck me as being a little too simple. It's all very over-the-top.

Right now I'm reading Energy Flash by Simon Reynolds, which is about electronic music and raves from the 80s until I guess the late 90s. Also have a Bertolt Brecht play that I got from the library, but have yet to read.

Good to know.

I really didn't like Brave New World. Thought I would love it after reading and loving some other Huxley philosophy. Just didn't happen though.

[Undue Noise]

One of my all-time favorites.
Is it your favourite Palahniuk book?

[Poe-tryGirl]

Have you read anything else by him? He has yet to write a book that I didn't enjoy.
Yeah, of course. My first was Invisible Monsters. Then I read Diary and Survivor. But right now, I'm reading Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill. You read it?

[AShannon04]

Just picked up Lois Lowry's The Giver from the library today. It's been years since I read it, but I remember loving it way back in middle school and figured I'd see if it stood the test of time.

[Kyle Huntington]

Just started American Psycho - Breat Easton Ellis, literally first few pages at the moment though, just finished the Ian Curtis biography, Touching From A Distance written by his widow, Deborah Curtis.

[odizzle_word]

Just picked up Lois Lowry's The Giver from the library today. It's been years since I read it, but I remember loving it way back in middle school and figured I'd see if it stood the test of time.

I did the same thing last month. I loved it just as much, if not more, than the first time.

[Undue Noise]

Yeah, of course. My first was Invisible Monsters. Then I read Diary and Survivor. But right now, I'm reading Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill. You read it?
Sorry to butt in, but what were your favourite Palahniuk books?
Heart Shaped Box is an amazng book. I checked it out originally because I heard it was by Stephen King's son, but it turned out to be an great read.

[3eb23]

The other day I was tempted to pick up the best book ever from 3rd grade.... a.k.a.

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/images/n10/n53451.jpg

Followed by:

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/images/n17/n88965.jpg

And the best 2nd grade book:

http://cdn.harpercollins.com/harperimages/isbn/large/3/9780380709243.jpg

And finally...a book by possibly the best fictional book series author ever:

http://www.thebentkangaroo.com/Calendar/Homers.jpg

...one more. Best book from 7th grade:

http://www.eastchester.k12.ny.us/schools/Ms/teachers/burke/images/outsiders_000.jpg

i'm done

[Poe-tryGirl]

Sorry to butt in, but what were your favourite Palahniuk books?
Heart Shaped Box is an amazng book. I checked it out originally because I heard it was by Stephen King's son, but it turned out to be an great read.
I couldn't choose one really. I really like all of them. Survivor was really clever. Do you have a favorite one? I checked out Heart-Shaped Box because Gerard Way said he was reading it. Plus, it talks about a billion different bands in it. It's awesome. I'm almost done with it.

[lindZ629]

The other day I was tempted to pick up the best book ever from 3rd grade.... a.k.a.

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/images/n10/n53451.jpg

Followed by:

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/images/n17/n88965.jpg

And the best 2nd grade book:

http://cdn.harpercollins.com/harperimages/isbn/large/3/9780380709243.jpg

And finally...a book by possibly the best fictional book series author ever:

http://www.thebentkangaroo.com/Calendar/Homers.jpg

...one more. Best book from 7th grade:

http://www.eastchester.k12.ny.us/schools/Ms/teachers/burke/images/outsiders_000.jpg

i'm done
Haha I have a few Matt Christopher books, can't remember the titles, but I think one was about baseball, one about football, and the other either soccer or swimming. I was such a boy.

[chokeychicken]

oh man, used to be all about matt christopher.

[Colorblind!]

Anybody read Kurt Vonnegut?
I'm reading Slapstick right now and it's pretty interesting!

[HelpMeSleep]

The other day I was tempted to pick up the best book ever from 3rd grade.... a.k.a.

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/images/n10/n53451.jpg

Followed by:

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/images/n17/n88965.jpg

And the best 2nd grade book:

http://cdn.harpercollins.com/harperimages/isbn/large/3/9780380709243.jpg

And finally...a book by possibly the best fictional book series author ever:

http://www.thebentkangaroo.com/Calendar/Homers.jpg

...one more. Best book from 7th grade:

http://www.eastchester.k12.ny.us/schools/Ms/teachers/burke/images/outsiders_000.jpg

i'm done
haha, so awesome.

[Undue Noise]

I couldn't choose one really. I really like all of them. Survivor was really clever. Do you have a favorite one? I checked out Heart-Shaped Box because Gerard Way said he was reading it. Plus, it talks about a billion different bands in it. It's awesome. I'm almost done with it.
I thought the way Survivor was written was very clever as well. At the moment, I'd say my favourite is Invisible Monsters, because I re-read it recently. That's cool that Gerard's reading it, I had no idea. It is a good read.

[3eb23]

Anybody read Kurt Vonnegut?
I'm reading Slapstick right now and it's pretty interesting!

My roommate is a pretty big fan of his work. He says his favorite so far out of all the books he's read from him is Slaughterhouse-Five

[TEAMRAMROD]

My roommate is a pretty big fan of his work. He says his favorite so far out of all the books he's read from him is Slaughterhouse-Five

A friend of mine was reading it, but stopped about 100 pages through. Said he couldn't get into it

[Colorblind!]

My roommate is a pretty big fan of his work. He says his favorite so far out of all the books he's read from him is Slaughterhouse-Five

I'll have to check it out. I'm really enjoying Slapstick so far.

[Poe-tryGirl]

I thought the way Survivor was written was very clever as well. At the moment, I'd say my favourite is Invisible Monsters, because I re-read it recently. That's cool that Gerard's reading it, I had no idea. It is a good read.
I re-read Invisible Monsters recently too. I don't think it's my favorite though. Right now, I'm starting Haunted. I'm like on page one. You read that?

[Oddpac87]

Is it your favourite Palahniuk book?

Thats a tough question. I really don't know if I can pick a favorite.

Yeah, of course. My first was Invisible Monsters. Then I read Diary and Survivor. But right now, I'm reading Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill. You read it?
I was actually going to pick that up. Let me know how it is.

[Poe-tryGirl]

I was actually going to pick that up. Let me know how it is.
It's awesome!!! I loved how it all worked out. The plot was amazing.

[Oddpac87]

It's awesome!!! I loved how it all worked out. The plot was amazing.
Cool. Something new to add to my already massively backlogged "to read" list.

[Poe-tryGirl]

Cool. Something new to add to my already massively backlogged "to read" list.
Definately.

[doyouhas?]

Anybody read Kurt Vonnegut?
I'm reading Slapstick right now and it's pretty interesting!

ive read 15 vonnnegut books. he is by far my favorite author. slapstick was, however, my least favorite by far. still good, but nothing compared to his other work. my personal favorites are the sirens of titan, slaughterhouse five, god bless you mr. rosewater, and cats cradle. all completely incredible. ive yet to read a book of his that i didnt like at least some though.

[stendhal]

i just ordered "Zen Wrapped in Karma Dipped in Chocolate: A Trip Through Death, Sex, Divorce, and Spiritual Celebrity in Search of the True Dharma" by Brad Warner, quite the title, haha.

i read his first two and they were great. not sure if anyone's interested in buddhism around here, but even if you're not "Hardcore Zen" by him is still a really interesting read.


Hardcore Zen opened my eyes more so than any other book. About the point of when he dissects the Heart Sutra was when I couldn't put it down.

Currently reading Sit down, Shut up.... don't know what to think yet.

[doyouhas?]

Just started American Psycho - Breat Easton Ellis, literally first few pages at the moment though

Wonderful, wonderful book. Bret Easton Ellis is the best writer alive. Or ever. hahah.

The first time through, the book can seem a little long, but just stick with it. It's worth it. I wholly recommend reading all of Ellis' books if you like American Psycho. Just save Lunar Park for last. It builds upon all his other works, and I don't see how the casual reader could fully love the book w/o the background knowledge of the rest of his canon. That being said - the end of Lunar Park features the best writing I've seen in a long, long time. It took me about 10 minutes to read 3 pages I was crying so hard. I know - how lame. But trust me, it's worth it.

Note: Written by brother of writer of the post above, in case you were wondering about why it looks like we have different 'fav. authors of all time.'

[brittluvsmusic]

I thought someone would already have made one but i couldnt find it.

what's your favorite book, who is it by and why do you like it?

My favorite is My Sisters Keeper by Jodi Picoult because it dealt with a very important and sort of touchy subject if you know what im trying to say, and it really made you think about what would you do in that situation. Also the ending brought me to tears, it was such an amazing book and her novel Nineteen Minutes is also an amazing book. i recommend both to anyone.

[WakingTheMisery]

lol

[Ailite]

Cloud Atlas
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius

and this thead=bad

[brittluvsmusic]

Cloud Atlas
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius

and this thead=bad

why do u say that

[acfrue]

lol @ reading

but 1984

[Vanilla Bear]

Hardcore Zen opened my eyes more so than any other book. About the point of when he dissects the Heart Sutra was when I couldn't put it down.

Currently reading Sit down, Shut up.... don't know what to think yet.

definitely, same here. I just finished Moneyball (a baseball book) relatively fast so i could read his new one Zen Wrapped in Karma Dipped in Chocolate. I don't think i've ever been more excited to read a book, haha.

[drudo182]

On The Road and Y: The Last Man Book Two right now.

[Poe-tryGirl]

I finished Haunted and Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk. Fight Club was awesome. Haunted was awful. It's so gross!!

[Oddpac87]

I finished Haunted and Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk. Fight Club was awesome. Haunted was awful. It's so gross!!
Haha, yeah, I've never had any interest in reading Haunted.

[Poe-tryGirl]

Haha, yeah, I've never had any interest in reading Haunted.
Don't. 65 people have fainted when Chuck read the first story "Guts" out loud. I'm scarred.

[PenThrive]

Jar City by Arnaldur Indridason

Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan

[Markus1186]

Wonderful, wonderful book. Bret Easton Ellis is the best writer alive. Or ever. hahah.

The first time through, the book can seem a little long, but just stick with it. It's worth it. I wholly recommend reading all of Ellis' books if you like American Psycho. Just save Lunar Park for last. It builds upon all his other works, and I don't see how the casual reader could fully love the book w/o the background knowledge of the rest of his canon. That being said - the end of Lunar Park features the best writing I've seen in a long, long time. It took me about 10 minutes to read 3 pages I was crying so hard. I know - how lame. But trust me, it's worth it.

Note: Written by brother of writer of the post above, in case you were wondering about why it looks like we have different 'fav. authors of all time.'

I actually just finished Less than Zero the other day and the Rules of Attraction just before that. I enjoyed both of them... Glamorama doesn't really intrest me, so I was thinking of moving onto American Psycho or Lunar park.

[s.t.e.v.e.n.]

Brutal dude. I still haven't started it, mainly because i'm having such a hard time getting through Brave New World. I'm still looking forward to 1984 though.

I personally liked 1984 more than BNW, but I like Orwell in general so take that with a grain of salt. The dystopia thing seems to be a guilty pleasure of mine.

Ya and the the whole interrogation is the same shit over and over and it seems pretty fucking hopeless.

rats!

I just bought On the Road: The Original Scroll by Jack Kerouac and Beethoven Was One-Sixteenth Black by Nadine Gordimer. Very excited about both.

[PenThrive]

I actually just finished Less than Zero the other day and the Rules of Attraction just before that. I enjoyed both of them... Glamorama doesn't really intrest me, so I was thinking of moving onto American Psycho or Lunar park.

The Informers is really good as well. I read all six of his books and The Informers definitely comes in at #2 or #3.

[&IllBeTheReason]

I read Ender's Game again. Soooo awesome.

[Robototron]

Just finished the newest Scott Pilgrim. Kind of disappointing. :(

Also just starting a collection of Ezra Pound's poems and Henry Miller's letters to Anais Nin.

[Markus1186]

The Informers is really good as well. I read all six of his books and The Informers definitely comes in at #2 or #3.

I actually just got back from the store where I picked up The Informers. Im going on a long flight next week so I figured a book of short stories would be good.. Im trying to branch out alittle bit more so I also picked up a Chuck Palahniuk book, Survivor was my first choice but since they didn't have it I got Choke instead.

[Oddpac87]

Just curious, is anyone from here on Goodreads.com? We need to start a book club or something.

[beyondthelonely]

anyone else ever read anything by r. gary patterson?

[stayillogical]

Just curious, is anyone from here on Goodreads.com? We need to start a book club or something.

I am, and I recommend that everyone else check it out!

[muenginerd]

ive read 15 vonnnegut books. he is by far my favorite author. slapstick was, however, my least favorite by far. still good, but nothing compared to his other work. my personal favorites are the sirens of titan, slaughterhouse five, god bless you mr. rosewater, and cats cradle. all completely incredible. ive yet to read a book of his that i didnt like at least some though.

I second Cat's Cradle. A really really good book and one my favorites.

[Oddpac87]

I am, and I recommend that everyone else check it out!
Yeah, I have not been on it long, but I really do like it a lot so far. I was looking into the book clubs section, which is what got me thinking about the idea of an AP.net book club.

[SLOWPOKE LOPEZ]

i typically like historical fiction, usually drawn to WWII era stuff. any recommendations?

[Bruised26]

My teacher wants all of his students to find a book that is not written by an American, Canadian or British author that will be suitable for 10th graders to read. I am having no luck whatsoever on finding a book that fits this criteria. He says it needs to be challenging, and thought provoking. Any suggestions?

[eraserhead]

something by Khaled Hosseini, maybe? Like The Kite Runner perhaps. Not sure if it's suitable for 10th graders as I've never read it myself.

Other than that, Night or Dawn by Elie Wiesel are very good, and I'm pretty sure Elie Wiesel is Polish.

[TJ Wells]

Suite Francaise by Irène Némirovsky.

An absolute masterpiece of WWII. Planned as a series of five books, but the author was murdered in a concentration camp before she had the chance to finish them.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/52/Suitefran%C3%A7aiseIr%C3%A8neN%C3%A 9mirovsky2004.jpg

[bdil]

something by Khaled Hosseini, maybe? Like The Kite Runner perhaps. Not sure if it's suitable for 10th graders as I've never read it myself.

Other than that, Night or Dawn by Elie Wiesel are very good, and I'm pretty sure Elie Wiesel is Polish.

I read both The Kite Runner and Night in 11th grade and they were both good reads. I would recommend either of them as well. Both are indeed very thought provoking, though The Kite Runner is fictitious and Night is not, so it depends on what you're looking for.

[AshesAshes]

I just finished Water For Elephants I enjoyed that a lot.

[stayillogical]

Yeah. Night by Elie Wiesel is perfect for what you want.

[lindZ629]

I second everything in this thread, especially Water for Elephants.

[LaDiabla]

Try Bernhard Schlink - The Reader

He is a German author. And also that's the movie for which Kate Winslet got the Oscar. I had to read the book for school and it was ok. It's about Nazi Germany. And it's quite a quick read.

[NickLopez]

Yeah. Night by Elie Wiesel is perfect for what you want.
Yeah, Night is a great fit.

[itsjustadrian]

Tolstoy's Anna Karenina
Achebe's Things Fall Apart

[allroysez]

The Master and Margarita (http://www.amazon.com/Master-Margarita-Mikhail-Bulgakov/dp/0679760806) by Mikhail Bulgakov

"Classic fiction woven around the premise visit by the Devil to fervently atheistic Soviet Union. Many critics consider the book to be one of the greatest novels of the 20th century, as well as one of the foremost Soviet satires, directed against a suffocatingly bureaucratic social order"

Your teacher will probably want to blow you.

[eraserhead]

Oh also, Lolita by Nabokov, hahahaha

[Robototron]

Isn't Night read in 10th grade at most schools already? We read it in my HS in 10th grade, at least. Good pick.

I'd also recommend The Stranger by Camus. Personal favorite of mine, and it introduces a rather challenging subject (existentialism) under the guise of a fairly straightforward, quick read.

[spriltsc]

I recommend And Still We Rise. It's about teenagers living up in Compton or gang ridden streets of LA, but they are gifted with intelligence and are in a gifted class in high school

[boysandbulletsx]

Tolstoy's Anna Karenina
Achebe's Things Fall Apart
No way - Things Fall Apart is terrible.

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Nausea by Jean Paul Sartre
The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende
Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga

I read these in high school, except for a few that I've read in college (but those were relatively easy reads).

[TheBaroness]

anything by Roberto Bolano - particularly some of his shorter novels like By Night in Chile

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?%5Fencoding=UT F8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Roberto%20Bolano

[NickLopez]

Oh also, Lolita by Nabokov, hahahaha
hahahaha

[NickLopez]

anything by Roberto Bolano - particularly some of his shorter novels like By Night in Chile

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?%5Fencoding=UT F8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Roberto%20Bolano
Don't waste your time with By Night In Chile, just go straight to the meat of Bolano: 2666. Woo!

Seriously, though, I was going to suggest that--I just read By Night In Chile last week. But really, in 10th grade, how much are you going to take away from it?

[NickLopez]

No way - Things Fall Apart is terrible.

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Nausea by Jean Paul Sartre
The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende
Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga

I read these in high school, except for a few that I've read in college (but those were relatively easy reads).

Heart of Darkness is so dull, though.

Read One Hundred Years of Solitude in 10th grade, and then read it again in 12th grade, and then read it about five more times. That's a pretty dense book--I get something new out of it each time I read it.

[Vanilla Bear]

Hardcore Zen opened my eyes more so than any other book. About the point of when he dissects the Heart Sutra was when I couldn't put it down.

Currently reading Sit down, Shut up.... don't know what to think yet.

I'm just quoting you again to see what other buddhism books you've read. I've read Brad Warner's books, Dharma Punx, Razor-Wire Dharma, and Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind.

Just wondering what book you've read that sort of sets up the history of Buddhism and what Buddha himself did. I have the main ideas of it kind of scattered all over and want something in one book that gives a good explanation overall. Thanks for any recommendations.

[NickLopez]

Roberto Bolano. Anything by Roberto Bolano.

[t_ashley]

Last book I read was Perks of Being a Wallflower. And I like it a lot.

My literature teacher is giving us a thick book for us to read and I don't have time to read Da Vinci Code yet.

Loooooove Perks. goes in the all time favs.

anyway.
Currently... I Just finished BOY TOY by Barry Lyga (soo fucked up), Im About to start Wicked.. but i read a lot so im excepting to be done tomorrow or tonight sometime.

[Fluke13]

I actually just finished Less than Zero the other day and the Rules of Attraction just before that. I enjoyed both of them... Glamorama doesn't really intrest me, so I was thinking of moving onto American Psycho or Lunar park.


I just finished rereading Less than Zero recently and am currently reading the Rules of Attraction. I'd just like to second the recommendation of Ellis. American Psycho is good as well....I read that a while back.

[Robototron]

Heart of Darkness is so dull, though.

+1

I have yet to meet anyone who read it in high school and enjoyed it.

[TEAMRAMROD]

I just finished rereading Less than Zero recently and am currently reading the Rules of Attraction. I'd just like to second the recommendation of Ellis. American Psycho is good as well....I read that a while back.

Have you read Glamorama and/or Lunar Park?

[NickLopez]

+1

I have yet to meet anyone who read it in high school and enjoyed it.
I mean, I might have to read it again in a year or so, but I just could not get interested in it at all. Luckily it was short.

[itsjustadrian]

No way - Things Fall Apart is terrible.

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Nausea by Jean Paul Sartre
The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende
Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga

I read these in high school, except for a few that I've read in college (but those were relatively easy reads).

Things Fall Apart is terrible? I loved Things Fall Apart because it was the story of the manliest man that ever lived who got fucked over by Christian missionaries. It's structure closely follows the Greek tragic hero and most of those stories are just filled with awesomeness.

[Fluke13]

I have Lunar Park, but I haven't started it yet. Not too interested in Glamorama

[stendhal]

I'm just quoting you again to see what other buddhism books you've read. I've read Brad Warner's books, Dharma Punx, Razor-Wire Dharma, and Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind.

Just wondering what book you've read that sort of sets up the history of Buddhism and what Buddha himself did. I have the main ideas of it kind of scattered all over and want something in one book that gives a good explanation overall. Thanks for any recommendations.


As far as the history of Buddhism, I've not read too much into it. You might wanna check out Awakening the Buddha... it's pretty good.

[s.t.e.v.e.n.]

Just picked up Dirty Work by Larry Brown for a dollar. Anyone read it?

[Vanilla Bear]

As far as the history of Buddhism, I've not read too much into it. You might wanna check out Awakening the Buddha... it's pretty good.

that's pretty much exactly what i was looking for...thanks a lot!

[Vanilla Bear]

No way - Things Fall Apart is terrible.

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Nausea by Jean Paul Sartre
The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende
Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga

I read these in high school, except for a few that I've read in college (but those were relatively easy reads).


Persepolis is awesome, had to read that for a college class. I read the 2nd one and Maus too after that.

[acfrue]

Brutal dude. I still haven't started it, mainly because i'm having such a hard time getting through Brave New World. I'm still looking forward to 1984 though.

Although I liked BNW, 1984 is much better (probably my favorite book). Huxley is a great writer, but I personally like his essays better.

[TEAMRAMROD]

I have Lunar Park, but I haven't started it yet. Not too interested in Glamorama

Any specific reason?

[Fluke13]

I just don't think it sounds as appealing as his other novels.

[Poe-tryGirl]

I just started Jane Eyre. I'm re-reading it.

[ForlrnPerplxity]

I'm reading The World According to Garp by John Irving. It's the first Irving book I've ever read.

[TEAMRAMROD]

I just don't think it sounds as appealing as his other novels.

I loved it for the most part. But that's just me.

[xashkox]

I'm currently re-reading "The Irresistible Revolution" by Shane Claiborne.

I'm looking for some good, light fiction to read over my spring break if anyone has any suggestions.

[TEAMRAMROD]

I'm currently re-reading "The Irresistible Revolution" by Shane Claiborne.

I'm looking for some good, light fiction to read over my spring break if anyone has any suggestions.

"Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" by Jonathan Safran Foer is great.

[s.t.e.v.e.n.]

I'm currently re-reading "The Irresistible Revolution" by Shane Claiborne.



Great, incredibly challenging book. Have you read Jesus for President?

[DEAD VEGGIE]

Finishing up Watchmen so I'm ready for opening night.

[TheBaroness]

Don't waste your time with By Night In Chile, just go straight to the meat of Bolano: 2666. Woo!

Seriously, though, I was going to suggest that--I just read By Night In Chile last week. But really, in 10th grade, how much are you going to take away from it?

I think 2666 is incredible personally, but maybe a bit heavy as an intro to Bolano, so I generally suggest starting with By Night, moving to The Savage Detectives, then tackling 2666 (esp for a 10th grader)

[Skadrist]

Mariano Azuela- The Underdogs.

[chokemeout]

The Acid House - Irvine Welsh - I think his short stories are incredible. love his stuff.

Residue - Andrew Hook - Local english writer. I suppose we need to support the underground writers. A collection of his short stories. Really good stuff. www.andrew-hook.com

Jitterbug Perfume - Tom Robbins - Loving this. Not my typical read.. a little too fantasy for me - I like my fiction slightly realistic.
but really funny and an easy read.. long though!

[EndlessMike]

I've been reading The Stand by Stephen King for a couple weeks. It's been great so far but it's made me paranoid, every time I hear someone cough or sniffle or sneeze I have a mini panic attack.

[Poe-tryGirl]

I started Flowers for Algernon this morning. It's amazing.

[Robototron]

Just finished the 33 1/3 series' "greatest hits" volumes. Got me interested in reading the one about Loveless.

Also reading the Pevear translation of The Three Musketeers, the Pevear & Volohonsky translation of War & Peace, Beyond Subculture (which, based on the first chapter and a half, appears to be an interesting sociological analysis of contemporary youth cultures), and some Foucault essays.

[MattRM]

I just read The Sunset Limited by Cormac McCarthy in one sitting... I absolutely loved The Road, and this was an interesting read, but I'm not really sure about it yet. It was such a quick read, I'll probably have to read it again.

I'm reading The World According to Garp by John Irving. It's the first Irving book I've ever read.
Is it any good? The only Irving book I've ever read is A Prayer for Owen Meany, but it's easily my favorite book, I just haven't gotten around to checking out anything else by him.

[BigAl]

Too Fat To Fish - Artie Lange

Funny at times, but sad at others. A lot of addiction. Yeah.

[ForlrnPerplxity]

Finished The World According to Garp last night. Definitely worth reading.

I'm about to start on The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay.

[AShannon04]

Just finished The Giver, which I absolute loved. Next up is The End of Faith by Sam Harris

[TEAMRAMROD]

I just read The Sunset Limited by Cormac McCarthy in one sitting... I absolutely loved The Road, and this was an interesting read, but I'm not really sure about it yet. It was such a quick read, I'll probably have to read it again.


Is it any good? The only Irving book I've ever read is A Prayer for Owen Meany, but it's easily my favorite book, I just haven't gotten around to checking out anything else by him.

How long is it? Amazon has it at 61 pages, while Borders has it at 160.

[MattRM]

How long is it? Amazon has it at 61 pages, while Borders has it at 160.
I got the paperback version from the library, and it's 143 pages. Although the entire book's written in the style of a play, so there's a bunch of really short lines and spaces between lines, which means there's not very many words on a page. It's a quick read, I managed it in a little less than two hours I think.

[funtasticrich]

just picked up duma key and the dead zone by stephen king. which shall i read first?

[TEAMRAMROD]

I got the paperback version from the library, and it's 143 pages. Although the entire book's written in the style of a play, so there's a bunch of really short lines and spaces between lines, which means there's not very many words on a page. It's a quick read, I managed it in a little less than two hours I think.

I'll have to check it out.

[jawstheme]

I just got done reading The Iliad, The Odyssey, and then Cold Mountain. Loved the first 2 but was not impressed or entertained with Cold Mountain.

I'm thinking of moving on to Ulysses by Joyce, anyone read it?

[Poe-tryGirl]

I just got done reading The Iliad, The Odyssey, and then Cold Mountain. Loved the first 2 but was not impressed or entertained with Cold Mountain.

I'm thinking of moving on to Ulysses by Joyce, anyone read it?
I loved The Odyssey!

[takingbackrufio]

In the last few weeks I've read:

DeLillo, White Noise.
Pynchon, The Crying of Lot 49.
---, V.
Franzen, The Discomfort Zone.
Rushdie, The Satanic Verses.

All of these are excellent works, except perhaps Franzen's, though it's definitely an interesting work to dip into after The Corrections.

[TheBaroness]

I just got done reading The Iliad, The Odyssey, and then Cold Mountain. Loved the first 2 but was not impressed or entertained with Cold Mountain.

I'm thinking of moving on to Ulysses by Joyce, anyone read it?

Yes! It is challenging at times but amazing, and you'll have an even greater appreciation of the story being a fan of Homer.

[Pat k]

In the last few weeks I've read:

DeLillo, White Noise.
Pynchon, The Crying of Lot 49.
---, V.
Franzen, The Discomfort Zone.
Rushdie, The Satanic Verses.

All of these are excellent works, except perhaps Franzen's, though it's definitely an interesting work to dip into after The Corrections.

haha, I don't believe you - but if you're not lying, then you must have a very powerful brain indeed

[takingbackrufio]

haha, I don't believe you - but if you're not lying, then you must have a very powerful brain indeed
How so? I read a lot, and the novels I listed are all fairly accessible. Pynchon's work and The Satanic Verses take a bit of patience but the pay-off is worth it. The Discomfort Zone is a breeze of a read -- took me two days. White Noise is a fairly straightforward narrative, especially for a postmodern text.

Besides, I said that I read them -- it's debatable whether or not I absorbed anything. Ha.

[hailthewarrior]

I'm reading three books at once, which is incredibly odd for me. I usually go one at a time... but it really depends on my mood for what I pick up. I'm also taking two lit courses and two other courses with a ton of reading so leisure reading went way down...

Michael Chabon - The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay
Nicole Krauss - The History of Love
Harvard Lampoon - Bored of the Rings (Best $.50 purchase ever. Such a great relief read after a busy day of midterms.)

[TEAMRAMROD]

I'm reading three books at once, which is incredibly odd for me. I usually go one at a time... but it really depends on my mood for what I pick up. I'm also taking two lit courses and two other courses with a ton of reading so leisure reading went way down...

Michael Chabon - The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay
Nicole Krauss - The History of Love
Harvard Lampoon - Bored of the Rings (Best $.50 purchase ever. Such a great relief read after a busy day of midterms.)

I bought this last week. Starting it as soon as I finish my current book. How are you liking it?

[Pat k]

How so? I read a lot, and the novels I listed are all fairly accessible. Pynchon's work and The Satanic Verses take a bit of patience but the pay-off is worth it. The Discomfort Zone is a breeze of a read -- took me two days. White Noise is a fairly straightforward narrative, especially for a postmodern text.

Besides, I said that I read them -- it's debatable whether or not I absorbed anything. Ha.

I have no reason not to believe you, I was fucking around. According to my estimates, that's 2-3k pages of reading! I couldn't read more than 10 pages of Crying before I put it down. White Noise is easy, but like you said, impossible to fully understand the first time around.

Come to think of it, I also read about 50 pages of Satanic Verses a couple years ago before I put that one away too. I'm a failure.

[takingbackrufio]

I have no reason not to believe you, I was fucking around. According to my estimates, that's 2-3k pages of reading! I couldn't read more than 10 pages of Crying before I put it down. White Noise is easy, but like you said, impossible to fully understand the first time around.

Come to think of it, I also read about 50 pages of Satanic Verses a couple years ago before I put that one away too. I'm a failure.
I probably would have given up on The Satanic Verses after the first fifty pages too but I had to read it for school. But I'm glad I kept going -- getting past the first third of the book is the most difficult part. After that it's a lot easier to read, and a fan-fucking-tastic novel. And going back through "The Angel Gibreel" section is a joy after you know the rest of the story.

I see you have listed in your favourite books "The New York trilogy". What are those like? Sounds like something I might like.

[Pat k]

I probably would have given up on The Satanic Verses after the first fifty pages too but I had to read it for school. But I'm glad I kept going -- getting past the first third of the book is the most difficult part. After that it's a lot easier to read, and a fan-fucking-tastic novel. And going back through "The Angel Gibreel" section is a joy after you know the rest of the story.

I see you have listed in your favourite books "The New York trilogy". What are those like? Sounds like something I might like.

The next time I read Salman Rushdie, I'll probably read Midnight's Children. Satanic Verses always attracted me for obvious reasons. I didn't know how acclaimed MC was until after my first crack at SV.

Given your interest in academic lit., I totally recommend The New York Trilogy. Auster plays around with structure and form a lot, and still the characters rule. They're page turners too. You could finish it in a week.

[hailthewarrior]

I bought this last week. Starting it as soon as I finish my current book. How are you liking it?

I read the first two hundred pages before going back to school from Christmas break, and it was great, but it was really heavy.

[TheBaroness]

reading this book 'Night Train to Lisbon' now. Had a brief go at Infinite Jest, but I just don't have the time to devote to it right now, alas

[chokeychicken]

i am reading this right now, and it is fantastic. highly recommended, especially for those who enjoy karaoke:

http://www.austinchronicle.com/binary/efa2/books_readings1.jpg

[WakingTheMisery]

Not sure if you guys care but some bad news.

The American book retailer Borders Group announced that it laid off 742 employees on Thursday. The 679 jobs in Borders Superstores and 63 jobs at Waldenbooks Specialty Retail segment represent "less than 3% of its entire workforce. While Borders emphasized that the top manager in each store was unaffected, other "leadership positions, such as sales managers, inventory managers, training supervisors, and merchandise supervisors, were eliminated."

[NickLopez]

This week I started Milan Kundera's The Joke. After two straight Roberto Bolano books, it'll be nice to get away from Chilean revolutionaries for a bit.