Books to become well read by
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Soldato
Just wanted to bump this and say I'm about 1/3 of the way through this at the moment and really enjoying it. Dawkins is a fantastic writer and the book is very interesting and he presents a strong argument for atheism.
Planning to get a copy of 'Guns, Germs and Steel' next, looks quite interesting. I also want to read Dawkins' other stuff like 'The Selfish Gene' and 'The Greatest Show on Earth'.
Oh, and I read Life of Pi, from the recommendation in here. I'm not sure what to make of it. I enjoyed it, it was a brilliant read, but it didn't really make me think differently about anything or change my perspective.
Man of Honour
I quite enjoyed it but I couldn't help feeling it was somewhat lightweight, there was the potential to explore some heavier themes in relation to social class and status but it was the merest dalliance with the topic rather than anything else.
Robbie G: How's the quest going - have you found any books you particularly enjoyed so far?
i found The Great Gatsby a little lightweight too. I put it down to it just being dated a bit.
Last night i finished 'The Long Voyage' by Jorge Semprun. I really enjoyed it and found it very well writtenl. It's based on Semprun's experiences of the holocaust, as he is being transported to a concentration camp in a cattle car. It flashes back and forth in time as the main character recounts his childhood to his fighting in the war. The time shifts are handled perfectly in this novel. I found it very powerful and would definitely recommend it.
I am aslo half way through 'The Secret History' by Donna Tartt. Massively enjoyed the first half, but i am finding it a little slow now. The whole plot is pretty much revealed in the first page, which is imo, a mistake tbh. I really enjoyed the portrayal of the group dynamics in the first half, but it has fallen away a bit, now that the deed is done
This week, i am planning to start 'Tree of Smoke' by Denis Johnson, as i'm up for a bit of an odyssey
Last night i finished 'The Long Voyage' by Jorge Semprun. I really enjoyed it and found it very well writtenl. It's based on Semprun's experiences of the holocaust, as he is being transported to a concentration camp in a cattle car. It flashes back and forth in time as the main character recounts his childhood to his fighting in the war. The time shifts are handled perfectly in this novel. I found it very powerful and would definitely recommend it.
I am aslo half way through 'The Secret History' by Donna Tartt. Massively enjoyed the first half, but i am finding it a little slow now. The whole plot is pretty much revealed in the first page, which is imo, a mistake tbh. I really enjoyed the portrayal of the group dynamics in the first half, but it has fallen away a bit, now that the deed is done
This week, i am planning to start 'Tree of Smoke' by Denis Johnson, as i'm up for a bit of an odyssey
Soldato
Bumping this!
I finished Do Androids Dream of Electronic Sheep a few days ago, fantastic book. I didn't fully understand the Mercer subplot, but other than that it was great. I've seen Bladerunner, but I thought the book gave me a better picture of the androids and the philosophical side of things.
I will most likely pick up a copy of Ubik soon as well.
I'm reading this at the moment, it's quite sad but a very engrossing read.
Does anyone else prefer shorter books (like 200 pages...) to longer ones? I tend to have quite a short attention span and it's better to get a book over with in a week or so than spend ages on it, imo. I know this is no excuse to miss some great books...but I'm just putting them off for the time being in favour of shorter ones.
Edit: I think this is also why I struggle with fantasy books (and why I got lost about halfway through LOTR: The Two Towers...) as well, it's just too much to take in.
I finished Do Androids Dream of Electronic Sheep a few days ago, fantastic book. I didn't fully understand the Mercer subplot, but other than that it was great. I've seen Bladerunner, but I thought the book gave me a better picture of the androids and the philosophical side of things.
I will most likely pick up a copy of Ubik soon as well.
I'm reading this at the moment, it's quite sad but a very engrossing read.
Does anyone else prefer shorter books (like 200 pages...) to longer ones? I tend to have quite a short attention span and it's better to get a book over with in a week or so than spend ages on it, imo. I know this is no excuse to miss some great books...but I'm just putting them off for the time being in favour of shorter ones.
Edit: I think this is also why I struggle with fantasy books (and why I got lost about halfway through LOTR: The Two Towers...) as well, it's just too much to take in.
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Soldato
I agree with this too. I love the language used in it, but the story has little substance imo.
Agree with this as well, but it is a short novel after all.
Soldato
Most people are getting very deep here so i'll try suggesting some great reads which you might not find as daunting;
Sherlock Holmes - you cab get the complete collection in 1 book for about £10 these days. Absolute classic by Doyle, despite the slightly older language it is an engrossing and engaging page turner.
The Winter Queen - first in the Erast Fandorin series by Boris Akunin. Marvellously well written, clever plots with brilliant characterisation. Extremely witty and across the series the authors variety of styles are truly impressive.
The Book Thief/I am Messanger - both by Marcus Zusak and both, in their own ways, classics.
Game of Thrones - currently on tv and despite how well adapted it is it truly does no justice to, what I personally believe, to be THE best fantasy series EVER written. Perfect in almost every way.
Feast of the Goat - beautiful book written by Mario Vargas Llosa. Gives some great insight into the political situation in the Dominican Republic back during its revolution (something I previously wasnt even aware of) I found it filled with great characters and an interesting look at societies ran by dictators.
On another note, great thread, saw a few books in here I will be picking up myself next.
Sherlock Holmes - you cab get the complete collection in 1 book for about £10 these days. Absolute classic by Doyle, despite the slightly older language it is an engrossing and engaging page turner.
The Winter Queen - first in the Erast Fandorin series by Boris Akunin. Marvellously well written, clever plots with brilliant characterisation. Extremely witty and across the series the authors variety of styles are truly impressive.
The Book Thief/I am Messanger - both by Marcus Zusak and both, in their own ways, classics.
Game of Thrones - currently on tv and despite how well adapted it is it truly does no justice to, what I personally believe, to be THE best fantasy series EVER written. Perfect in almost every way.
Feast of the Goat - beautiful book written by Mario Vargas Llosa. Gives some great insight into the political situation in the Dominican Republic back during its revolution (something I previously wasnt even aware of) I found it filled with great characters and an interesting look at societies ran by dictators.
On another note, great thread, saw a few books in here I will be picking up myself next.