willoyd Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 (edited) It is if those people were to give that money to charity instead of wasting it on apps! I'd love to argue the toss on that one - I suspect it's partly your perception of apps - but I'll respect your desire to get the thread back on track (a subject of spending on which people 'waste' far more money!) Edited January 13, 2014 by willoyd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted January 14, 2014 Author Share Posted January 14, 2014 What a nice friend He sounds very confident that you'll like it .. so let's hope you do. The reviews for it look good Is this a writer you've read before Steve? Yeah, I have read one of his before, although again it was a present from someone, and it was a sequel to Gone Baby Gone, which I hadn't read, so I didn't get the most out of it But yes, it was very kind of him. It's another doorstopper. I think I'm going to have to try and read one doorstopper per month, as I've got quite a few and I'll never get through them, otherwise Great review of Dead Beat, Steve - I really must try this series! I wish I'd bought this when I saw it in the Works, because then it would have prompted me to buy the earlier ones and get started. And zombies! That's just awesome. Thanks Laura Maybe The Works would still have it if you went back? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Pixie Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 Yeah, I have read one of his before, although again it was a present from someone, and it was a sequel to Gone Baby Gone, which I hadn't read, so I didn't get the most out of it But yes, it was very kind of him. It's another doorstopper. I think I'm going to have to try and read one doorstopper per month, as I've got quite a few and I'll never get through them, otherwise That`s what I`m trying to do with my Mighty Tomes ; it`s going well atm ( up to page 90-ish, at 8 or so pages a day ), but that`s a dip-in-and-out English Lit guide book. Perhaps tackling a big book at the end of the month would work for you, once you`ve already got some books read and don`t feel like you`re being slowed down by one book ? But that`s my quantity over quality thing atm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted January 14, 2014 Author Share Posted January 14, 2014 That`s what I`m trying to do with my Mighty Tomes ; it`s going well atm ( up to page 90-ish, at 8 or so pages a day ), but that`s a dip-in-and-out English Lit guide book. Perhaps tackling a big book at the end of the month would work for you, once you`ve already got some books read and don`t feel like you`re being slowed down by one book ? But that`s my quantity over quality thing atm. Yes, I'd definitely want to read a few shorter books in between each doorstopper. I'll see how it goes. I'm not going to plan, as such, cos it'll very much depend upon what kind of book I'm in the mood for at the time. I think I really have to be in the right frame of mind to take on one of these Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Pixie Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 Yes, I'd definitely want to read a few shorter books in between each doorstopper. I'll see how it goes. I'm not going to plan, as such, cos it'll very much depend upon what kind of book I'm in the mood for at the time. I think I really have to be in the right frame of mind to take on one of these I find I have to force myself to tackle a Big Book, then end up enjoying it, generally. I think it`s Pillars of the Earth Syndrome ; I`m concerned about getting stuck for months on one book, so don`t pick one up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted January 15, 2014 Author Share Posted January 15, 2014 (edited) I think it`s Pillars of the Earth Syndrome ; I`m concerned about getting stuck for months on one book, so don`t pick one up. How long did that one take? ETA: I'm not surprised if it took ages - it overstayed it's welcome by about 300 pages. I remember enjoying it to start off with, but time hasn't been kind to my memories of it, and the tv series didn't help either. Awful. Edited January 15, 2014 by Karsa Orlong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted January 15, 2014 Author Share Posted January 15, 2014 Joe Abercrombie's review of The Desolation of Smaug I love the way he says it's better than the first film and then proceeds to rip it to shreds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 Personally I usually get on just as well with longer books as with shorter, though I do find bigger books daunting sometimes. But on the other hand I also like them, because you get a lot of content for your money and, hopefully, a lot of great story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Pixie Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 How long did that one take? ETA: I'm not surprised if it took ages - it overstayed it's welcome by about 300 pages. I remember enjoying it to start off with, but time hasn't been kind to my memories of it, and the tv series didn't help either. Awful. Five months. Five loooong months. I couldn`t even watch the TV series, and usually I`ll watch anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted January 15, 2014 Author Share Posted January 15, 2014 Five months. Five loooong months. I couldn`t even watch the TV series, and usually I`ll watch anything. Really? I hadn't noticed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Pixie Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 Really? I hadn't noticed The sheer cheek of it. Though atm, it`s more a case of `tape everything`. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted January 15, 2014 Author Share Posted January 15, 2014 Tape? What the hell's a tape?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Pixie Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 Tape? What the hell's a tape?? Something you can find on the Antique`s Roadshow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted January 15, 2014 Author Share Posted January 15, 2014 I bet you tape that as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Pixie Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 I bet you tape that as well That`s about the only show I`m not taping. Curse these televisual treats ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Signor Finzione Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 I still call it 'taping' too! Loved the Applecrumble's review of The Desolation of Smaug! He basically summed up a lot of the gripes we had about it, and while I didn't mind all the CGI and action I do agree that it lost a lot of its 'Hobbitness' in the adaptation. CGI Cumberbatch-Smaug is still the best thing I've ever seen on the big screen, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Signor Finzione Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 'Rough draft' of the UK cover art for Prince of Fools! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Pixie Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 I still call it 'taping' too! Sadly, my video tape piles are going to get in the way of my book piles, if I don`t stop taping things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted January 16, 2014 Author Share Posted January 16, 2014 'Rough draft' of the UK cover art for Prince of Fools! It's better than the other version! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted January 19, 2014 Author Share Posted January 19, 2014 # 4 Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke 2004 - Tor paperback - 1,006 pages From Amazon: At the dawn of the nineteenth century, two very different magicians emerge to change England's history. In the year 1806, with the Napoleonic Wars raging on land and sea, most people believe magic to be long dead in England--until the reclusive Mr Norrell reveals his powers, and becomes a celebrity overnight. Soon, another practicing magician comes forth: the young, handsome, and daring Jonathan Strange. He becomes Norrell's student, and they join forces in the war against France. But Strange is increasingly drawn to the wildest, most perilous forms of magic, straining his partnership with Norrell, and putting at risk everything else he holds dear. Thoughts: This book does so much that I don't like. It has no plot as such, but instead meanders along from episode to episode at its own leisurely pace; it insists on telling rather than showing, meaning I felt like I was at a distance from the events, rather than immersed in them; it never really gets inside the characters's heads, so I'm not sure that they actually develop at all from beginning to end; it addresses the reader directly at various stages (which always kicks me out of the experience); it uses exclamation marks like there's no tomorrow, giving me the impression that everyone is constantly shouting(!); and it has footnotes coming out of its backside. Footnotes! (<-- yes, I shouted that ). Clarke was obviously trying to write an homage to 19th century authors (there's a distinct whiff of Austen about certain aspects of the book) and yet she fuses it with a quaint fantasy and re-writing history at the same time. I should hate this book. But you know what? I'm damned if it doesn't work. Somehow. I mean, I'm not a fast reader, but I've just read a 1,000 page book in eight days. That's not something that would happen if it hadn't grabbed me. A lot of this has to do with Clarke's writing. For a debut novel, her use of language and the confidence and consistency of her tone is something that some writers who've written far more never seem to achieve. It is incredibly easy to read and I never once felt confused or bored (okay, there was one section when Norrell first got to London that had me wondering if I was going to survive another 900 pages, but it didn't last long, fortunately) and, for all its leisurely pacing, there was never a time where I didn't want to pick it up and read it. Clarke also has a wonderfully dry sense of humour. I've seen this called 'smug' in some reviews, but I don't agree with that. It's almost like she's poking fun at her own story at times, in a self-deprecating and enjoyable manner. And the footnotes . . . Well, colour me stunned if the footnotes don't provide some of the best parts of the book. Generally, there will be a reference to someone or something magical from history, or maybe even just a throwaway comment, which the footnote then elaborates on with clarity and wit. Sometimes these footnotes become short stories in themselves, and spread over pages and pages. And the thing that really surprised me was that I'd finish reading these footnotes, jump back into the main text, and I don't think I lost the thread of what was going on, even once. I don't know how long she worked on this book, but Clarke's inventiveness leaps from almost every page, and this is possibly the most entertaining and exciting aspect of the book for me. Of course, maybe she pushes it a bit far when she starts referencing her own work ("See Chapter 21, footnote 3" etc ) but, by and large, this aspect was a revelation. What of the characters, though? Well, I have to admit that, whilst I found them likeable and enjoyed the shades of grey, I never really felt involved with them to a degree where I either loved or hated them (apart from a couple of Norrell's associates, perhaps). I think this may be down to the nature of Clarke's chosen style. As mentioned at the start, I felt like I was at a remove from them, rather than in there with them. It's not a dealbreaker, in this case, for all the other reasons mentioned above. If I had to pick a favourite, it would probably be Childermass, but the proof of what I've said is that I probably couldn't tell you why. Certainly, for all the life-changing events that happen during the novel, I don't think even one of the characters has changed by the end from how they were at the beginning. Ultimately, I think this book is more about the style than it is about the story, which seems odd in such a long novel. What, ultimately, was the point of it all? I don't think there was one, other than for it to be an entertaining and absorbing read. I didn't note anything down whilst I was reading, so this is coming straight off the top of my head. But one thing I mustn't forget is that this was a Christmas present from Sari, so I must repeat my thanks - thank you, Sari - I loved it 9/10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 Great review! It's been on my shelf for ages. /mutter, mutter, curse, curse!/ At first I thought you were going to say you actually hated the book, but love the segue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Great review ! I've had this on my shelf for a long time (the boxset is still in plastic, in fact ). I'm glad you enjoyed it . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timstar Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 (edited) Glad you liked it, it's been on my radar a while, and I almost bought it at the weekend but the only edition they hand was huge (in height not just depth) Edited January 20, 2014 by Timstar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted January 20, 2014 Author Share Posted January 20, 2014 Great review! It's been on my shelf for ages. /mutter, mutter, curse, curse!/ At first I thought you were going to say you actually hated the book, but love the segue. Thanks All those things I mentioned in the first paragraph are stylistic aspects which have really irritated me in other books I've mentioned in the past, but they didn't with this one, thankfully Glad you liked it, it's been on my radar a while, and I almost bought it at the weekend but the only edition they hand was huge (in height not just depth) The edition Sari got me is the US Tor version and it's nice and small, so it's worth a look if your radar can find it: http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Jonathan-Strange-%26-Mr-Norrell-Susanna-Clarke/9780765356154?b=-3&t=-26#Bibliographicdata-26 The cover's actually red Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marie H Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Great review , but my heart sank a bit when the first paragraph was negative-ishe . Worth it though. I'm having to re-read the first chapters, it's hard to follow what is a going on, or non-going-on, so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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