Nollaig Posted July 6, 2015 Author Share Posted July 6, 2015 Hey Steve - haha no worries, I hate when people dig at my favourite books too so I'll say nothing! Well... I'll say things in here coz it's a book blog, but I won't come knocking on the door in your thread going HEY YOU I'll check out those titles, though I probably won't read the doorstop ones simply because I'm not really in the mood for big books this year. Thanks for the recommendations Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolf woolf Posted July 6, 2015 Share Posted July 6, 2015 I never felt that way, and it happened quite often. Other people became angry when I did the same, but I never understood why. It's good for a book to lose its favourite status, it means you're streamlining your tastes and it opens new perspectives on what to read next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted July 6, 2015 Author Share Posted July 6, 2015 Well... if one's favourites constantly change it doesn't say much for one's integrity Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolf woolf Posted July 6, 2015 Share Posted July 6, 2015 (edited) By knowing what people dislike about what you like, you can make a critical judgement yourself. In time, the books you want to read will be completely different from the ones you read before, and you get better by the experience. The best is when, no matter how much you read, some old favourites never lose their status, because when you read them again you notice new things you weren't capable of noticing before. As a bonus, you may interpret the narrative in a different perspective as you change through life experiences. Edited July 6, 2015 by Sousa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobblybear Posted July 6, 2015 Share Posted July 6, 2015 You've read some good books recently, Noll. Someone else read I Let You Go recently, so I've already added it to my wishlist, and I'm intrigued by the twist. I love a good, well-written twist!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted July 6, 2015 Share Posted July 6, 2015 Hey Steve - haha no worries, I hate when people dig at my favourite books too so I'll say nothing! Well... I'll say things in here coz it's a book blog, but I won't come knocking on the door in your thread going HEY YOU I'll check out those titles, though I probably won't read the doorstop ones simply because I'm not really in the mood for big books this year. Thanks for the recommendations No probs In all cases I'd highly recommend trying the samples on Amazon first. I think/hope you might like Barrayar and/or Replay, though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted July 6, 2015 Author Share Posted July 6, 2015 By knowing what people dislike about what you like, you can make a critical judgement yourself. In time, the books you want to read will be completely different from the ones you read before, and you get better by the experience. The best is when, no matter how much you read, some old favourites never lose their status, because when you read them again you notice new things you weren't capable of noticing before. As a bonus, you may interpret the narrative in a different perspective as you change through life experiences. Probably worth me pointing out I happily read and enjoyed all four Twilight books. I don't read for the sake of critical assessment or personal development, I read for funsies. Things don't have to be good or flawless for me to love them. You've read some good books recently, Noll. Someone else read I Let You Go recently, so I've already added it to my wishlist, and I'm intrigued by the twist. I love a good, well-written twist!! You'll love it so, read it read it read it! No probs In all cases I'd highly recommend trying the samples on Amazon first. I think/hope you might like Barrayar and/or Replay, though Replay sounds really interesting, I definitely love the concept anyway! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolf woolf Posted July 6, 2015 Share Posted July 6, 2015 Probably worth me pointing out I happily read and enjoyed all four Twilight books. I don't read for the sake of critical assessment or personal development, I read for funsies. Things don't have to be good or flawless for me to love them. And I enjoyed the seven Harry Potter books when I read them. It's not so much about critical assessment or personal development as it is about respecting others differing opinions to the point of trying to understand why do they have a different opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted July 6, 2015 Share Posted July 6, 2015 And I enjoyed the seven Harry Potter books when I read them. It's not so much about critical assessment or personal development as it is about respecting others differing opinions to the point of trying to understand why do they have a different opinion. You do realise I was joking in my post up-thread, don't you? I thought I put enough smileys to make it clear . . . Replay sounds really interesting, I definitely love the concept anyway! It's full of surprises, too Hee, I just recommended Patrick Lee to someone on another forum - I'm going to get someone else to read his books if it's the last thing I do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Pixie Posted July 6, 2015 Share Posted July 6, 2015 Probably worth me pointing out I happily read and enjoyed all four Twilight books. I don't read for the sake of critical assessment or personal development, I read for funsies. `Funsies` sounds so much better than `reading for entertainment`. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted July 6, 2015 Author Share Posted July 6, 2015 And I enjoyed the seven Harry Potter books when I read them. It's not so much about critical assessment or personal development as it is about respecting others differing opinions to the point of trying to understand why do they have a different opinion. Well I don't think that just applies to reading, that should apply to all aspects of life, and is a fairly broad/serious point to extract from a joke-y comment about favourite books. It's full of surprises, too Hee, I just recommended Patrick Lee to someone on another forum - I'm going to get someone else to read his books if it's the last thing I do Is the breach kinda horror/monster-y too, or pure sci-fi? The synopsis on Goodreads makes it sound like it could go either way! `Funsies` sounds so much better than `reading for entertainment`. 'Reading for entertainment' does sound rather serious doesn't it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted July 6, 2015 Share Posted July 6, 2015 `Funsies` sounds so much better than `reading for entertainment`. Do you have a funzee onesie to complete the image? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted July 6, 2015 Share Posted July 6, 2015 Is the breach kinda horror/monster-y too, or pure sci-fi? The synopsis on Goodreads makes it sound like it could go either way! It's a thriller with an SF idea at its core, no monsters. Basically, it's about an artefact that's come through a doorway to another dimension that a bunch of scientists have opened in an Area 51-type facility deep beneath some place in Wyoming. It's completely bonkers but so much fun (well, I thought it was anyway! ). It's the first in a trilogy, if that makes any difference. Runner is the first in a series but it can be read on its own. No monsters in that one, either (just the human kind). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted July 6, 2015 Author Share Posted July 6, 2015 Do you have a funzee onesie to complete the image? I... I do have a onesie It's the Care Bear, Grumpy. I wear it when I'm in a bad mood and want to curl up in bed with tea and a book It's a thriller with an SF idea at its core, no monsters. Basically, it's about an artefact that's come through a doorway to another dimension that a bunch of scientists have opened in an Area 51-type facility deep beneath some place in Wyoming. It's completely bonkers but so much fun (well, I thought it was anyway! ). It's the first in a trilogy, if that makes any difference. Runner is the first in a series but it can be read on its own. No monsters in that one, either (just the human kind). Okay that's fine, I don't mind either way, just wanted an idea what to expect. I'll probably stagger my Sci-Fi reading, with a few others between each one, so I don't overload my brain. The Breach and Replay seem like good starting places, given that they're not 700-800 pages or the second in series. I might read I Am Legend.. I've seen the film and liked it, but I've read another Matheson (What Dreams May Come) and thought it was pretty awful - more like a thesis, going by the extensive bibliography! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted July 6, 2015 Author Share Posted July 6, 2015 #68 The Last Leaves Falling - Sarah Benwell Synopsis: And these are they. My final moments. They say a warrior must always be mindful of death, but I never imagined that it would find me like this . . .Japanese teenager, Sora, is diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). Lonely and isolated, Sora turns to the ancient wisdom of the samurai for guidance and comfort. But he also finds hope in the present; through the internet he finds friends that see him, not just his illness. This is a story of friendship and acceptance, and testing strength in an uncertain future.*** Review: What a beautiful little book. I loved everything that was in this book; I think my only problem was what it was lacking. Set in Japan, and told from the perspective of the fairly-likeable Sora, the reader is given snapshot insights into the gradual deterioration of the narrator as his body is consumed by a terrifying, terminal illness. Snapshots include parts of his daily routine with his mother - getting up in the morning, cooking dinner - writing to his grandfather, visiting the doctor, and talking to friends online - and as each thing becomes increasingly difficult - and ultimately impossible - the heartwrenching reality of something so terrible is portrayed incredibly gently. At times, it is the utter softness with which the sad things happen that make them so hard to read.During the final months of his condition, Sora finds new friends online. His conversations with these friends break up the monologue of narration by including chat logs of both the forum he finds them on, and the private messaging system where they make contact and ultimately become friends. Both Mai and Kai are extremely likeable characters (particularly Kai, he is what we call in Ireland 'a lad' - an affectionate term for a cheeky but charismatic young fella). Both Mai and Kai are struggling with discovering and following their dreams, and it is in light of Sora's own inability to follow his that they find the courage to follow theirs. The combination of knowing they will go on to live their lives, and that they brightened the final days of Sora's, make this book uplifting and hopeful.While I loved the beautiful writing, the clever use of chat logs, the characters, and the occasional oriental twist - I was very much taken in by the beauty - the more I think about it now, the more I feel it lacked. It was too short, it needed more character development. It didn't feel like it took place in Japan, it felt like it could have taken place in any western country. And ultimately, I found the ending very problematic. It was sweet at the time, but I feel like in reality about an hour after the ending things would go rapidly downhill for everyone. I would definitely recommend reading this book, it's definitely worth the experience of drifting through the brief intersection of these kids' lives, but it's not quite perfect. Will definitely read more by this author. Rating: 4/5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted July 6, 2015 Share Posted July 6, 2015 I might read I Am Legend.. I've seen the film and liked it, but I've read another Matheson (What Dreams May Come) and thought it was pretty awful - more like a thesis, going by the extensive bibliography! Oh dear I haven't read that one, and I don't think I will now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Begins Posted July 6, 2015 Share Posted July 6, 2015 (edited) For what its worth (and from me in this genre, next to nothing but...), Gaia recommended Phillip K. Dick and I would second that. I read A Scanner Darkly this year and it ended up on my top 10 of all time. I only read "soft" sci fi like Heinlein's Starship Troopers or Brandon Sanderson's Steelheart... but both of those have an apocalyptic thing goin' on too, so. Edit- I would not consider A Scanner Darkly "soft" though. Edited July 6, 2015 by Anna Begins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted July 6, 2015 Author Share Posted July 6, 2015 I actually have Electric Sheep on my tablet, I must get around to giving it a go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 Noll, I've read I Am Legend, didn't much care for it. Just ok, IMO. But, interestingly enough, although I haven't seen it, I've read that the film of it is nothing like the book.....go figure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 Great review of The Last Leaves Falling! It sounds very interesting . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Begins Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 (edited) I actually have Electric Sheep on my tablet, I must get around to giving it a go! I've heard good things, but it sounds too complicated for me . I'd describe his work like Chuck Palahniuk meets Hunter Thompson. Then he has some waaaay out there stuff like...Ubik. Spell check does not like 'Ubik' Edited July 7, 2015 by Anna Begins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 I actually have Electric Sheep on my tablet, I must get around to giving it a go! I really enjoyed that one. Please don't expect it to be Blade Runner in book form, though Noll, I've read I Am Legend, didn't much care for it. Just ok, IMO. Heathen If it's the Will Smith film you mean, it's the worst book to screen adaptation I've seen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted July 7, 2015 Author Share Posted July 7, 2015 Noll, I've read I Am Legend, didn't much care for it. Just ok, IMO. But, interestingly enough, although I haven't seen it, I've read that the film of it is nothing like the book.....go figure! Hmmm... I'm not in any hurry to read it anyway. Great review of The Last Leaves Falling! It sounds very interesting . Thanks! I've heard good things, but it sounds too complicated for me . I'd describe his work like Chuck Palahniuk meets Hunter Thompson. Then he has some waaaay out there stuff like...Ubik. Spell check does not like 'Ubik' I don't really know much about it to be honest! Also dunno who Hunter Thompson is! I really enjoyed that one. Please don't expect it to be Blade Runner in book form, though Heathen If it's the Will Smith film you mean, it's the worst book to screen adaptation I've seen I've never seen Blade Runner, so my opinion will be as unbiased as is possible! It was the Will Smith one I kinda liked Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 Reply is pretty good Noll, and not a heavy read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted July 7, 2015 Author Share Posted July 7, 2015 Reply is pretty good Noll, and not a heavy read. Woo! If you liked it then there's a pretty good chance I will Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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