Pixie

Bones...

I read The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho yesterday and today, and it definitely was not for me.

"Do your neighbors burn one another alive?" was how Fraa Orolo began his conversation with Artisan Flec. Anathem by Neal Stephenson

I hope Brida won't hate me for this, but I just finished this book, and I agree with everything said in these posts. While some of the sentiments in the book were beautiful, too much of it was wishful thinking. Reality is just not that simple, unfortunately. I wish it were.

I agree with both of these. Both excellent, both made me cry. Another one I had to put down for a bit because one part made me cry so hard was Emotional Geology by Linda Gillard.

Brida, you will be happy to know that I have started The Alchemist.

Oh, I will probably get hate mail for this, but I think One Hundred Years of Solitude is the most highly over-rated book ever. It was all style, and no substance. I found the characters to be non-interesting at best, and loathsome at worst. The ending was depressing and not in a way that made me sorrow for humanity, but only for the author's view of humanity. It took me two tries to get through the book, it was so boring and pretentious, and I generally love magical realism. Now, would I burn this book? No. If other people want to read it, that is their business. But I would never recommend it.

Hmmm, thinking I may go with The Alchemist first and then tackle Anathem. I will wait a bit and see if more people give their input.

I finished Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood and I had mixed emotions about it. That doesn't mean I didn't like it. I just thought in some ways it could have been superior to what it was. Not sure what I am going to read next.

I already know I will enjoy Paul Auster. The other two choices are by authors I have not yet read. Anathem is a rather thick book that will probably be a challenging read, The Alchemist looks short but inspiring. Also, if I don't get responses within a couple of hours, I will have to choose one of the three myself, as I want to start reading my next book pretty soon. My reading mojo is being very cooperative lately.

Welcome.

Hello and welcome. Nice to meet you.

Almost done with Cat's Eye and I am really starting to get this story. It is excellent!

Excellent taste!

By the skin of my nose, too.

The only I have read was Lord of the Flies, and I thought it was excellent and plan to re-read it some day.

"100 idiots make idiotic plans, and carry them out. All but one justly fail. The hundredth idiot whose plans succeeded through pure luck, is immediately convinced he’s a genius.” -Iain Banks from Matter Welcome to the forum. I have to admit I cheated and looked it up, because I have never read anything by that author.

I have read 100 more pages of Cat's Eye and it's getting better.

I am not answering this question as it will provide unequivocal proof of my insanity.

I am about 60 pages in to Cat's Eye and I am not sure what I think yet. The writing seems a bit...clinical, I guess is the right word. I am finding it hard to feel and relate to the character's emotions. Something about the writing style is putting me off. I haven't given up on it yet, though.

Oh, my! No, I haven't had anything like that happen, probably because I am too protective of my books to bring them anywhere near water.