kala_way
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Posts posted by kala_way
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It's definitely one of those books that you have to go into with a certain perspective and expectation. If you accept it for what it is, and especially if you're a Christian yourself, it really is a beautifully written book in it's original form. How it came about and it's history in the church add another dimension to it.
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I rarely read non-fiction. I have quite a few fiction books with prefaces and forewards written by the author for a later printing or by the translator or publisher or by another author talking about the book/author. I've never found them very useful, but that's just me.In my experience, prefaces and forewords occur in non-fiction and, as such, it's always a good idea to read them. They generally impart information that will aid in more fully understanding what the book is about. -
That's exactly the book I was thinking of, and I completely agree. That's a case where it was used correctly and to good effect!As a counter to that, certain books do require a prologue, where it's genuinely not a chapter one. A good example in my recent reading is Brideshead Revisited, where the substance of the book explains the feelings the narrator has for Brideshead, starting from his arrival at Oxford in the 1920s; but it only works because the scene had been set in "present day" war-time and he finds himself arriving to be barracked at Brideshead which brings on the reminiscence.
It would be ludicrous to not read that Prologue; or to ask Waugh to rewrite the book without. It would ruin the purpose and structure of the book, and the prologue is clearly not a "chapter one".
I read prologues if they are actually part of the story and important to it's opening, otherwise, no. Prefaces and forewards and such like that I never read, let the book speak for itself
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Very true! I think you just have to approach fanfiction with a different mindset than a normal book. It's like Youtube vs. regular television. Most YouTube videos are boring and stupidI've read a lot of HP fanfiction over the years, way too much. It's true that there are a lot of great stories in there, equally true that most of it is rubbish. But mostly, I've found it pathetically addictive. But I'm over it now, haven't thought of it for months.
but if you find good people and follow good recommendations you can find some great, entertaining stuff. I think maybe 3 or 4 times ever I've thought, "Wow, this is good enough to be published if the HP references were removed." 99% of the time fanfiction doesn't warrant serious consideration, but it's a fun distraction if you have the time for it
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http://www.mysisterskeepermovie.com/
Here's the trailer for the movie coming out soon, just in case anyone hasn't seen it yet.
This trailer ran before The Soloist! I think it will be one of the few that might be better as a movie than as a book. The way the book flows and the simple story I think will really lend itself to the movie format.
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I came to the end of several all at once:
20. The City of Ember - The writing style was more childish than I usually read. It was definitely meant for maybe 8-10 not young adult, but it was good story. I don't know that I buy that there would be so little crime in such a place but whatever.
I must have not really been paying attention because I didn't 'get' the point until almost the very end. I think a little more could have been done with the story because the bones were very good yet it ended rather abruptly, but then it wouldn't have been a children's book I guess if it went into a great amount of detail about heavier things. - 6/10
21. Lolita - Well written and interesting. I found the way his opinions were so clearly reflected in his descriptions to be very unique. I've never read an author who did this more effectively. Thinking back on all he said about her, she seems like a twiggy little brat without any natural grace of character, yet his love for her is all consuming. It was perfectly voiced, but he was almost too logical for his lack of logic if that makes sense. But I guess smart people do stupid things all the time, and hindsight is more sensible. The shape of his guilt is rather sickening though. - 7/10
22. The Charioteer - This book was just too lovely. I cried at the end. I underlined all kinds of stuff. It was just one of those books where I was always saying, "Yes, it's exactly like that!" The only thing I could have wished was that it was a tad more descriptive, and maybe less timid in places. But it was just so completely lovely
The love triangle was well setup and really exemplified Laurie's main weaknesses. It's a side of the war you don't really think about, and a side of that generation that you never hear about. Overall I was very impressed with it, and plan to pick up more of Renault's books.- 9/10
23. The Inheritance - Well, I read this book because I've seen the movie and I thought it was a cute sappy romantic movie and that the book was probably better and more detailed and exciting. It wasn't. The movie I think was actually better than the book in some ways. The book was like a sugar overload. She was only 17 when she wrote it though so I can understand it to a degree, but whew, it really needed some balance. It was almost like it was written as a penance to be given to a priest in order to show how the 'righteous will overcome'
It was blessedly short at least. - 5/10 -
Urine, really?!I sometimes skip my least favourite bits, I barely ever read the first few chapters of philosopher's stone, I start in the hut on the rock, or maybe when the letters really start coming
Well that's just what it sounded like on the audio book.
HP's actually one of the few I have read more than once-especially the later books. I skip a bit, but it's such a fun read
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I've been meaning to read those ones (possibly on some of the same recommendations).
I tend to often re-read, it's a bad habit really I could read so many good new books in that time!
probably!I like the idea of re-reading but whenever I try to do it I'm reading and then start thinking "Oh this part was boring" *flip**flip**flip* "Where did they do such & such" *flip**flip**flip*
So it just ends up being me re-reading the handful of scenes that I really liked and skipping the rest--which isn't really re-reading 
Oh and I found the paper with the irritating bits from SoIaF =
"island of light in a sea of mist" *gag*
A character named Urine?
"It takes a man to make a woman" ??
They all punched him to welcome him.
"wield your cudgel proudly" ...
The only character I remotely liked was Leo, at least he was different!
And I only read the first chapter.
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I read Empress Orchird a few years ago, but I actually prefered the second half, can't really remember it that well though, only that I didn't like it enough to want to read it again I think I've read maybe 15 books my whole life that I'd like to read again. I'm really not a multiple reads person.
I'm well into Lolita at the moment. It's making me feel dirty. It's written very well though, but...eugh...he's freaky. Like 'Silence of the Lambs'.
I'm absolutely adoring The Charioteer though. I've underlined several things
Renault might not be Austen but she definitely has a way with words and an observant style. Very smooth.The Inheritance is rather dull, though for a 17 year old it's pretty awesome! I'm embarrassed by how much I liked such a sappy movie, but it's fun to see the differences between it and the book.
At the recommendation of several people I tried one of the Song of Ice and Fire books again....
just not good. I really don't like books with "fantasy name generator" names! I actually wrote down a few of the lines that made me laugh out loud because they were lame, but I can't find the paper now. That'll probably be my last try for that series. -
I got so sick of reading only non-fiction in college that for the last few years I haven't read much at all. It's definitely a very different feel than fiction so I have to prepare my mind for it
I just mooched Blank Slate by Steven Pinker, but it's well down on my list
I read the occasional autobiography but I prefer the pace and style of fiction personally.
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Yep, I have. When I was a teenager I read through a One Year Bible. It separates the whole thing into small sections, a couple paragraphs of the boring stuff and a paragraph of interesting stuff everydayHas anyone read all the bible? to get you through it in a year. I've read through the New Testament many times, but books like Chronicles and Kings are quite a slog!
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wow lucky, i'd love to see her in concert! was she performing with anyone else? and Sugarcane, Nightminds, They Weren't There, and The Sound of White are probably my favs are the moment
The guy who opened for her wasn't very good, I don't even remember his name.
Sound of White is one of my faves as well.
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another missy higgins?! really? i didn't think she was this popular!
whats your fav song by her?yea, I saw her live in December. She was great!
Probably 'Going North' or 'Peachy'. I haven't heard a song of hers yet that I didn't like!
What about you?
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okay, top 6 because I can't follow directions/can't decide which I'd take off
Rufus Wainwright
The Decemberists
Jason Mraz
The Killers
Missy Higgins
Panic! at the Disco
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His, by the way. Evelyn was a man, surprisingly. Oh really?!? Never woulda guessed. Thanks for letting me know.
I thought Rainer Maria Rilke was a woman for years so it's nothing new for me
Must be the feminist in me -
I just read Brideshead Revisited about a month ago and I absolutely fell in love with it. The subtlety and dry humor was just magnificent. I can't say enough good things about it. I liked every single character.
I watched the first part of the more recent movie made of it, and I just couldn't finish it. The subtlety was completely lacking and while the casting was good, the dialogue felt heavy handed and forced.
I generally do like the 'novel of manners' type of books, but you're right that this was nothing like that. Very unexpected and thoughtful.
I definitely want to get some of her other books. I'll look into Scoop and Vile Bodies
Cheers! -
19. Empress Orchid by Anchee Min
Synopsis (from Amazon)
A poor girl from rural China auditions for a job as royal concubine, winds up as emperor's wife number four, gives birth to the "last Emperor," rules China as regent for 46 years. The fascinating, implausible life of Tsu Hsi, or "Orchid," was reviled by the revolutionary Chinese, but here it receives a sympathetic treatment from Min (Red Azalea; Becoming Madame Mao). Sexually assertive, intellectually ambitious, socially striving, Min's Orchid is also "isolated, tense, and in some vague but very real way, dissatisfied." Even after giving birth to the emperor's only son, Orchid feels trapped by the stultifying imperial rituals and persecuted by the other residents of the Forbidden City: six other royal wives, 3,000 invisible concubines and 2,000 scheming eunuchs. In addition to these powerful distractions, she has to discipline her overindulged son, outmaneuver the ruthless politician Su Shun (who wants her buried alive when the emperor dies) and advise the ailing emperor how to fend off both the Boxers and the Western "barbarians."
Review
I knew next to nothing about this period in history previously and it was definitely enlightening. I appreciated how strong a woman Orchid was, that even though she was constrained by so many rules and rituals and prejudices that she was able to take action and kick against the goads so to speak. Nuharoo was excessively banal, and it's hard to believe their society succeeded for so many generations with the counterproductive way they brought up Emperors. It makes me want to look into the actions of the English at that time. It seems terribly unfair but the opinions were from the mouth of accused.
The writing itself was nothing special, to the point and fact filled, a bit bland at times if you take out the flowery names given to every room and hall
. Unusually, the first half was far better than the second--mainly because the story was more interesting. Less gossipy court intrigue and more rise of the underdog. If you're already interested in China or royalty or that period of time I'd definitely recommend it. If not, then it's quite a slog.6/10
Next I'm picking up Lolita
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State of Fear - Michael Crichton
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I'm one of those that can't really get into audio books.. For some reason, my mind just wanders. Either that, or if I really focus, I end up being a terrible driver and almost hitting things and people. It does take a certain kind of mindset. You have to train yourself not to hear it as background music, but at the same time not to zone out into the book and forget what you're doing!
I think it helped me that I took a lot of music classes throughout school where every week I had to listen really attentively to different pieces and take notes and answer questions--trained my brain to not zone out.
It's not everybody's cup of tea though.
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I loved the book, but I think your comments about the rebellious teenager are hilarious, kala! It's so true! I grew up with one of those rebellious teenagers so it just read as a bit ridiculous to me. If she had made him a kinda dorky social outcast I could have bought all the other stuff *shrug*
I did like what she did with Anna's catch 22 type of decision and I was really interested to see how she'd resolve it. I think if she had found an honest way to do that then things like the weird guardian/lawyer relationship and evil (step)mother bits I could have overlooked.Yes, I loved My Sister's Keeper too. But I agree about the end, it was a cop out
Well I'm all in favour of good abridgments for books like this. To me it's just like the author having a better editor who knows their audience. It's not like the unabridged copy are his unedited words anyway. I have a copy of the full book and it's over 1400 pages!! the abridgment was about 400I've been putting off Les Miserables for years! Might be the size of the book that scares me
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The Dark Tower & Other Stories by C.S. Lewis
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I'm glad I'm not the only one who didn't think much to My Sister's Keeper
I did learn a lot about cancer and firefighting! And I think it would be really awesome to be a guardian ad litem, but as a book....not my favorite! -
April
16. Les Miserables by Victor Hugo - I've been meaning to read this for years and finally got to it. I admit I read an abridged version, and am glad I did as even the abridgment had some long digressions. Overall I enjoyed it, it really is a great book, but Hugo's style just isn't my cup of tea and I found myself feeling that same discomfort of culture when things just didn't make sense to my 21st century mind--like why such a good man would feel so much shame at having, 40 years ago, been in prison (and wrongfully). I actually liked Marius more and Cosette even less than I did previously after being a fan of the musical for years. - 7/10
17. Life of Pi by Yann Martel - I did not think I would like this book. But I really loved it! The descriptions were amazing and interesting, the story fantastical if at times brutal, the ending thought provoking. His religion is odd and illogical, but his character is great. All his little facts about zoos and animals made me want to visit the zoo. - 9/10
18. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky - This book was what I wanted Catcher in the Rye to be. I loved it's rawness and the straightforward unfolding of the story. I guess it's completely cliche but he reminded me of myself in high school in some ways. I liked the format as well, and I found the ending very satisfying.- 9/10
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March
11. The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson Mccullers - I really liked the way this story was woven together. It took me a long time to finish because it was rather slow, but the concepts were great and the story wasn't bad. It felt very true to life, not the depths of despair where everyone dies like Dickens, but not a beautiful happy ending either. Such an interesting view of passion--how the things you feel strongly about can burn you inside and out and how they can lead to your greatest triumphs and your greatest despairs. It's the type of book I'd like to read again sometime years from now and see what else I see in it.- 8/10
12. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult- A pretty simple book really. The characters were quite thin and one dimensional. All of the 'surprises' weren't surprising at all. The topic was very interesting, but I felt like she copped out in the end by not really tackling the issue. The rebellious teenage son was the most irritating though! A hot, smart, 18 year old rebel doesn't call a 40 year old woman bodacious, have no visible friends aside from a homeless man, love to truck his sister around at any time of day or night, and fall sobbing into his father's arms when confronted!
- 4/1013. Brick Lane by Monica Ali - Well, I put it down saying 'Thank God that's over!'
It could have easily been 200 pages shorter. I kept trying to think of a word to describe it and the best I can come up with is hesitant, very hesitant. Which I suppose is in keeping with the main character, but the whole time I felt like it could have been brighter, it could have been louder, it should have been more saturated and sharp. The ending was nice though. I'm glad to see that she had some guts and acted!- 5/1014. Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh- This book was so lovely! So subtle and funny and dry and well woven. I loved every character--major and minor, irritating and awesome! It masterfully says without saying. So much and so little. I just adore it! Yet it ends so sadly, but you know it will from the beginning. Am I being too subtle here?
Definitely making my top favorites of all time and I'm going to look for others from her! - 10/1015. The Princess Bride by William Goldman - A good read, but there's not really much more to it than is in the movie. The bit right at the beginning, Inigo and Fezzik's backstories, and the cute parentheses with witty stuff is all fun. It also goes very fast since it's so familiar and has the feel of an abridgment. Worth the read, especially if you liked the movie! - 7/10
A Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan
in The Classics
Posted
That's because CS Lewis was an apologist, Bunyan was a preacher. CSL thought you converted people by going for their logic, getting under their skin with appeals to nature and root moral sense, rather than fire and brimstone.