chrysalis_stage
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Posts posted by chrysalis_stage
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8 Simple Rules
I love that programme - both seasons
I'm watching something about Queen Elizabeth 1st - tis quite interesting, not sure which channel as i'm watching a dodgey telly with the channels muddled up, its one of BBC's I think.
Edit: twas an episode of the 'Seven Ages of Britain''
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Is noise allowed? The TV or the children?
I will absorb more detail from a book when it is silent around me. Although I have been known to read while others around me chat like at work during lunch break or on a bus to college like I used to do years ago, not so much now though. I think it depends on the type of book and the ease of the language to how much distraction I can take.
For me to zone into the book the noise if any has to be so loud it goes over me, if one or two people are speaking I find it hard to ignore them, it is so irritating especially when they are chatting about s**t and you can't help but listen and waste your time.
Indoors or out? Morning or Evening?
All of the above I guess but mostly indoors during the evening if i'm busy in the day working. Last friday I was found on a park bench (outdoors) reading in the day before midday so I guess that covers the other two.
Do you read on sofa or do you prefer to snuggle in bed with a good read?
I prefer to read snuggled in bed or on my bed because that is the quietest place in the house and if snuggled in bed its more than likely when everyone else is in bed and its quiet enough to concentrate. But I can read and be just as happy on the sofa or any olde chair or floor space if needs be.
Is a cuppa close to hand? Do you feast while you read?
Not always but a drink of green tea or just juice is nice to have beside so reading does not need to be disturbed if suddenly thirsty, I had a glass of red wine the other night while reading.
I don't usually eat while eating, unless you count eating M&Ms or similar things eating.Does everything have to be just so?
Nope, as long as I have not too much noise, a comfyish place to sit and my book, and ideally other books surrounding me then i'm happy.
I do tend to like reading when other people are reading around me - but thats just a random comment.
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Last two films I've seen at the cinema this year are 'Sherlock Holmes' and 'Wolf man'
Sherlock Holmes being the better one imo, Robert Downey Jr was brilliant in it - a definite dvd purchase for me when it is released.
Wolf man made most people jump in the cinema, most of the jumps/scares were just too obvious for me but the one and only bit I actually jumped at, (I use the excuse I was getting tired as it was a late viewing
) no one else seemed to, twas a dog coming out from behind the table in the dark...ah well -
Reading Challenges 2010
Global reading challenge
2 novels to be read from each continent/region, each from different countries or states within and different authorsExpert level - eek
Africa
None
Asia
Haruki Murakami - After Dark
Australasia
None
Europe
Michel Faber - The Apple
China Mieville - Perdido Street Station
etc
North America(inc Central America)
Stephen King - Salem's Lot
Jaqueline Kelly - The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate
etc
South America
Julio Cortazar - Blow up and other stories
Antarctica
(books set in, not author from)
None
*DIDN'T QUITE MANAGE THIS CHALLENGE THIS YEAR*
Books to buy for next years attempt: (Africa & Antarctica)
Antarctica - Kim Stanley Robinson
The Heart of Redness - Zakes Mda
Welcome to Our Hillbrow - Phaswane Mpe
1001 books you must read before you die (continued)
Already read: 10/1001
own: 27/1001
tbr:17/99110 down.....991 to go!
tbr/own from list
purple - need to start
blue - re-start or finish1700's
Robinson Crusoe � Daniel Defoe1800's
Jane Eyre � Charlotte Bront�
Northanger Abbey - Jane Austen
The Fall of the House of Usher - Edgar Allan Poe
R. L. Stevenson - Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde & The Merrymen & Other Tales and Fables
Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
Tess of the D'Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
The Death of Ivan Ilyich - Leo Tolstoy
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Walden and Other Writings - Henry David Thoreau1900's
J. R. R. Tolkien - The Lord of the Rings
The Trial - Franz Kafka
Tarka The Otter - Henry Williamson
Sons and Lovers - D. H. Lawrence
Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
The Master and Margarita - Mikhail Bulgakov
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle - Haruki Murakami
At The Mountains Of Madness - H. P. Lovecraft2000's
Mark Haddon - The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-TimeAlready read:
1800's
The Yellow Wallpaper - Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Frankenstein - Mary Shelley
Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
The Purloined Letter - Edgar Allan Poe
The Pit and the Pendulum - Edgar Allan Poe
1900's
Animal Farm - George Orwell
The Little Prince - Antoine de Saint-Exupery
The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy - Douglas Adams
2000's
Kafka on the shore - Haruki Murakami
Under the skin - Michel Faber
*ONLY 1 ADD TO MY ALEADY READ THIS YEAR* -
Where have you been hiding? Nice to see you back
Some great ones you have there on your TBR, happy reading 2010! 
I have been a recluse of some sort but now i'm back. Thanks, so many great books out there to read - tis exciting! -
Some great titles on there Sarah! I also have some Lovecraft and more Poe on my reading list. You must post your thoughts on 'Salem's Lot when done, I like that book I am actually reading Cabal by Barker right now and also Johnathan Strange is soon to be read I think.
Thanks, I will try and post some of my thoughts on Salems Lot when finished, nearly finished
I read a couple pages of Cabal when I got it and it was very intriguing. Hope you are enjoying it! A Midsummer Nights Dream is one of the favourites! It was the first performance that I saw by the RSC, it is so magical. That sounds lovely, it does seem like a fantastic performance to see, hopefully one day I will see it. It was interesting to read in the introduction of this book the various adaptations the play has gone through, through the ages, at one point with live rabbits on stage, robot birds in the trees and mud wrestling on stage .I didn't do much Shakespeare at school and have always felt an interest in reading some more of his works in my own time so I do not feel pressured to think of it in a particular way. I just got the penguin shakespeare text which is apparently used and recommended by the National Theatre. Its taken me a day to get through the introduction which was about 80 pages but I am glad for it so now I will understand some aspects to the dialogue and layout I would not have even contemplated if going straight into reading the play.
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Douglas Adams - The Hitchiker's Guide To The Galaxy - 180 pgs
Waterstones synopsis
One Thursday lunchtime the Earth gets demolished to make way for a hyperspace bypass. For Arthur, who has just had his house demolished, this is too much. Sadly, the weekend's just begun.
My random thoughts
A very enjoyable, humourous book. If you have a sense of humour, as well as understand and pick up on dry wit you will love this. I had heard so many good reviews of this book as well as the other four books in the 'trilogy in five parts' but this being the most famous with almost classic status. Happy to say I was not disappointed and now I can understand some comments said in todays culture which normally people giggle at with knowledge I did not have, kind of like an inside joke. I used to sit there thinking, did I miss something?, well yes I did, I had not read this brilliant book! Must read again.
Douglas Adams - The Restaurant At The End Of The Universe - 200 pgs
Waterstones synopsis
When all issues of space, time, matter and the nature of being are resolved, only one question remains: Where shall we have dinner? The Restaurant at the End of the Universe provides the ultimate gastronomic experience and, for once, there is no morning after
My random thoughts
The second book in the 'trilogy in five parts' which is equally as enjoyable as the first. Many laugh out loud moments especially when they got to meet 'the main dish of the day' and Arthur's attempts to get a cup of tea.
Even if you do not read Sci-fi, do not be put off by the titles because it is not really sci-fi imo, you could read these without being a fan of said genre, the witty diagloue between characters is enjoyable enough. Must read again.
Marvin
Haruki Murakami - After Dark - 201 pgs
Waterstones synopsis
The midnight hour approaches in an almost empty all-night diner. Mari sips her coffee and glances up from a book as a young man, a musician, intrudes on her solitude. Both have missed the last train home. The musician has plans to rehearse with his jazz band all night, Mari is equally unconcerned and content to read, smoke and drink coffee until dawn. They realise they've been acquainted through Eri, Mari's beautiful sister. The musician soon leaves with a promise to return. Shortly afterwards Mari will be interrupted a second time by a girl from the Alphaville Hotel; a Chinese prostitute has been hurt by a client, the girl has heard Mari speaks fluent Chinese and requests her help.Meanwhile Eri is at home and sleeps a deep, heavy sleep that is 'too perfect, too pure' to be normal; pulse and respiration at the lowest required level. She has been in this soporific state for two months; Eri has become the classic myth - a sleeping beauty. But tonight as the digital clock displays 00:00 a faint electrical crackle is perceptible, a hint of life flickers across the TV screen, though the television's plug has been pulled. Murakami, acclaimed master of the surreal, returns with a stunning new novel, where the familiar can become unfamiliar after midnight, even to those that thrive in small hours. With "After Dark" we journey beyond the twilight. Strange nocturnal happenings, or a trick of the night?
My random thoughts
One of Murakami's short novels. I love night time and am interested in the nocturnal habits of humans. The dead of night has such a freeing vibe and reading about something set in such a time was intriguing to me as it is so unnatural to us naturally diurnal creatures. Anyway I enjoyed the book and like many of Murakami's other books there are sections which are useful to use as quotes or that make you stop and think things over in relation to your own life. I could relate to feelings from both sisters Mari and Eri at times. The dialogue between Korogi and Mari about 'memory drawers' reminded me of one of my favourite pieces of Salvador Dali called The Anthropomorphic Cabinet (painting) or The City of Drawers (sketch)
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2010 Finished
Douglas Adams - The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy
Douglas Adams - The Restaurant At The End Of The Universe
Haruki Murakami - After Dark
Stephen King - Salems Lot
Mark Haddon - The Curious Incident of The Dog in The Night-Time
Cormac McCarthy - The Road
Michel Faber - The Crimson Petal and the White
Michel Faber - The Apple: New Crimson Petal Stories
Richard Fortey - The Secret life of the Natural History Museum: Dry Store Room No.1
Jacqueline Kelly - The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate
China Mieville - Perdido Street Station
Richard Dawkins - The Greatest Show on Earth: Evidence for Evolution
Clive Barker - Abarat (1)
China Mieville - The Scar
Currently reading two handfuls and started but paused many
*been a hard year*
ON A POSITIVE NOTE I COMPLETED A READING CHALLENGE
Chunkster reading challenge
To read books with 450 pages and more.
'Chubby chunkster' is the lowest level asking for 3 chunksters to be read in 12 monthsPerdido Street Station - China Mieville - 867 pgs
The Crimson Petal and the White - Michel Faber - 835 pgs
The Scar - China Mieville - 795 pgs
Clive Barker - Abarat - 496 pgs
Richard Dawkins - The Greatest Show On Earth - 470 pgs
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Found it!
Thought I'd share in case anyone was interested.Author - Jennifer Roberson
Chronicles of the Cheysuli - (Shapechangers are called Cheysuli)
They were the Cheysuli, a race of magical warriors gifted with the ability to assume animal shape at will. For centuries they had been allies to the King of Homana, treasured champions of the realm. Until a king
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Thoreau's Walden.
I ordered this the other day. Have wanted to read it for a long time.
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Started The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen today. I'm in the mood for some good old modern-day suspense, but mixed with historical 1830's Boston!
Oh thats a fantastic read peacefield, hope you enjoy it!
Just making my way through the immoral tales of Christopher Fowler in The devil in me.
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I'm interested in how this turns out. Read the books as a teenager and have forgotton details but i'm intrigued.
Does anyone know if it is being shown/going to be shown on UK tv at any point? I think this might help cover the gap of True Blood. I have nearly a full series of Moonlight to watch too. I don't know if that's any good, looks kind of along the lines of Angel.I watched Moonlight online before it came out in the UK and adored it
I was glad to see it being shown here on telly eventually so others could appreciate it. It was a shame it got cancelled
Must buy dvd. -
Sorry Gyre and Susanne, it doesn't seem to be what you suggested either. I still haven't come across it.
I live in Cambridge and will go have a look if you want? Let me know as any excuse is good to go in a book shop!Oh, Library Nook, that would be fantastic if you don't mind. There probably isn't much point me saying which shelf I remember seeing it on because they have more than likely rearranged things but I will anyway
I remember seeing it on the shelf downstairs nearest the stairs but opposite the comics if I remember rightly. It is next to the crime books and if I was standing looking at the book shelf and looking over the top I could see the paperchase things or the comics. Ah anyway, at least this gives you an excuse like you said 
Thank you! -
I went to the library this morning and took out Inkheart, The End of Mr. Y by Scarlette Thomas and After Dark by Haruki Murakami
Great three there Kate
I have only read Mr. Y so far which I enjoyed but the other two are on my wishlist and look equally enjoyable, hope you enjoy them all....alot of enjoys -
Just finished Kafka on the shore - Haruki Murakami! I loved reading it and am missing it already, I wish it went on and on. It is absolutely a book I need to read again...soon.
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Born reader I guess because I cannot remember a time I was not in love with reading and any type of book.
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Thanks for the replies, I'm going to get a copy of 'Michael Marshall Smith - What you make it' and see how I get on with it
thank you.
Hope you enjoy it Simon. Happy reading! -
Michael Marshall Smith - What you make it sounds like a good read, and I was just about to ask for suggestions for a book. Looks like I've found my next one.
Thanks Chrysalis_stage.
Oh thats great to hear Pablo, I hope you enjoy it!
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If you like weird things with good twists the first thing that comes to my mind is a book I recently read of short stories and as you are not a big reader, short stories may be ideal for now. The book is by Michael Marshall Smith - What you make it. The stories have sudden twists and some are very bizarre but very enjoyable! Seeing as you like Saw too I reckon you will most likely enjoy some of the stories in the book too!
Blurb from the back of the book: Welcome to a late-night flip across channels you've never seen before. Lovers, killers, ordinary people - in worlds where the ordinary has been left far behind. A pavement artist with remarkable powers, and a medium whose ability could bring about the end of the world. A father whose skills with wrapping paper may hold the key to a triumph over death...and a diet plan you'd be well advided not to follow. What you make it showcases Michael Marshall Smith's rare imagination with a collection of extraordinary, unsettling short stories. Some examine things you think you already know, snatches of life that seem familiar yet warp under close scrutinity. Others tell you things you don't want to know, but you're forced to find out. This book contains seventeen worlds, seventeeen lives, seventeen dorrs, left slightly ajar. You're invited in as you are. But you'll have changed by the time you come out.The author also does futuristic books from what I have read for example Only Forward and Spares, Mac knows more on the guy and his books though I have yet to read more of this fantastic author.
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Rude people in supermarkets, I probably deserved it due to the fact I am slightly on the larger size, I was in asda with my sister and this woman rather than said 'excuse me' (I am not totally oblivious and very courteous) but I honestly did not know she was there, she rammed her trolley into me, causing me to fall into the display I was standing in front, it did not topple thankfully but it did hurt, the woman just kept walking, my sister went after her and demanded an apology, the reply was 'she was in my way'
Nice.
Good manners cost nothing
That is disgraceful!
I know how annoying it is when someone is in your way but to knock someone over and then not apologise is so rude. Nobody deserves that treatment! -
*mumbles*
"That's what people told me about the Black Magician books . . ."
...sorry I think I'll give Elfstones a shot after I have finished Kafka on the Shore (150 pages left).
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I have only read one of his books so far, 'The Sword of Shannara' and have 'The Elfstones' ready to read. I read the first few pages of elfstones and it sounds great, more gripping than the sword, but I will have to see.
Have you got a favourite Brooks book?
I have seen the Landover books and they are on my wishlist, they look like fun reads.
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'Switchers' by Kate Thompson? Here's the link. They are great books.
The other two books in the series are 'Midnight's Choice' and 'Wild Blood'.
Doesn't seem to be Thompson either, thanks though Chrissy, I like the sound of these books though.
I don't think the books I'm looking for were YA fiction either, definitely got the adult feel from them from what I remember. I hate not remembering
Could also be one of LJ Smith's Nightworld books?These are YA books about humans and members of the Nightworld falling in love and the rules against it. The Nightworld is made up of vampires, shapeshifters, werewolves, witches and so on. Each book is about a particular couple's struggle to be together.
The rules are that if you're Nightworld, you can't fall in love with a human. And also you can't fall in love with a member from another Nightworld Race.
The titles are Secret Vampire, Daughters of Darkness, Enchantress, Dark Angel, The Chosen, Soulmate, Huntress, Black Dawn, and Witchlight.
Hi Vanwa, thanks for the help but it isn't Smith either, I have previously read books by her and it was definitely an author I had not come across before that instant. I normally write a memo in my mobile of good authors or books but for some reason I never did this time and live to regret it, it seems
Could it be Michelle Paver? She has a series that starts with Wolf BrotherThanks for the help lexiepiper, it's sadly not Paver either. I have previously read the first three books of Pavers series starting with Wolf Brother. If you haven't read them yourself, I recommend them, they are brilliant!
I found them to be great escapism books and a very easy read. I read them shortly after my uncle died and they helped, in a weird way. I still need to read the next three though.
Maybe I should just go look in the bookshop in Cambridge when I'm next back in November for graduation and hope they haven't reorganised things too much, and see if I come across the book cover, it has got to be there still, it is a borders I saw it in after all not a small independent store. I remember the book cover being yellow or gold....not that that helps much with books having multiple covers.
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Welcome to the forum Jessi!
Hope uni goes well for you, it is exciting stuff!
I'm reading Wuthering Heights myself, I agree it is a very enjoyable read!
Do you read magazines often?
in General Book Discussions
Posted
I used to read alot of magazines on various topics but now I only read BBC Wildlife (subscribed for 5 years now), the odd Metal Hammer, National Geographic & New Scientist when the content takes my fancy.
I have a few Bite Me (vampire mag) and Orkus (Goth mag) that I keep.
I just threw a load of my old music and spirituality magazines out that were collecting dust.
If there is another magazine laying beside me and i'm bored enough I will flick through it but I tend to steer clear of gossip mags although my grandma gets loads and keeps them for me when I visit - I flick through when bored.