View Full Version : What's the title of the last good book you've read?
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R-209
11-04-2017, 09:02 PM
"Oliver Twist." Took me a while to get through this one. And was Charles Dickens a horrible anti-Semite? I can't believe Disney made a musical version with Billy Joel as the Artful Dodger. I just learned that, right this moment.
danep
11-05-2017, 01:18 AM
He wasn't more of an Antisemitic than anyone else in the UK at the time, and that's hardly the main characteristic of Fagin, or Shakespeare's Shylock for instance if you go earlier in culture. The Jew in there is not a positive character per-ce, however Fagin is not the monster like Bill Sikes. I try to think of Fagin as the magician instead.
Dickens was not unaware of the allegation of Antisemitism and he later published an apologetic novel with a positive Jewish protagonist. I always try to think of dickens as the very first mass blogger who compiled his novels from day day today according to his crowd's reactions. By the way, Roman Polansky's adaptation is refreshing and still interesting .
tempest666
11-05-2017, 04:15 AM
The Art of the Deal. ::)
Raziel
11-05-2017, 06:51 AM
49107
The Art of the Deal. ::)
Elektra Luxx
01-09-2018, 01:59 AM
Just re-read The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. I've read it several times, but I had forgotten how much I like it.
I'm listening to a really good audiobook version of Hamlet, read by Frank Muller. So good. And it explains the uncommon words and phrases Shakespeare uses.
Raziel
01-09-2018, 07:39 PM
By the way, Roman Polansky's adaptation is refreshing and still interesting .
Anything related to Roman Polanski turns my stomach.
Raziel
01-09-2018, 07:39 PM
Just re-read The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. I've read it several times, but I had forgotten how much I like it.
I'm listening to a really good audiobook version of Hamlet, read by Frank Muller. So good. And it explains the uncommon words and phrases Shakespeare uses.
I'm actually rereading Gaiman's Sandman run in Graphic Novel format.
tempest666
01-10-2018, 05:04 PM
Fire and Fury by Michael Wolff. ::)
R-209
01-10-2018, 06:35 PM
"Elmer Gantry" by Sinclair Lewis. I think my high school English teacher recommended it to me. It's a little long, but is still pretty relevant despite being written in 1926.
After that, I wanted a quick read so I picked "Rage" by Richard Bachman/Stephen King. I already had "The Bachman Books" and was curious given the book's reputation and King's insistence that it never be published again. I was surprised that the book isn't very physically violent at all, but mostly psychological. Makes sense, really.
danep
01-11-2018, 12:29 PM
I'm going through a Dark Horse winter readings of graphic novels, Harrow County is definitely worth waiting for a trade paper back.
whirlerz
01-12-2018, 12:49 AM
The 4: The Hidden DNA of Amazon, Apple, Facebook & Google by Scott Galloway
NatalieCentro
01-12-2018, 03:03 PM
Dresden Files
11th book of the Dresden Files :) I'm going to knock them all off together. My favorites are the books that involve the fairy queens. Thanks sooo much for recommending it.
DorienG
01-19-2018, 12:12 AM
"Molly's Game" by Molly Bloom. I was in Hollywood and knew some of the poker players who attended her games. Not ground breaking, but a fun read
Titus23
01-19-2018, 05:11 PM
Do Comic Books count? I read a bunch of those each week. Just finished Justice League International. That was alright. Reading Injustice Year Three right now (amazing!), and have Black Science and Astro City waiting in the pen. Otherwise, last solid book I read was the entire Sword of Truth series when I was in Iraq. Loved that series.
Elektra Luxx
01-19-2018, 09:41 PM
Do Comic Books count? I read a bunch of those each week. Just finished Justice League International. That was alright. Reading Injustice Year Three right now (amazing!), and have Black Science and Astro City waiting in the pen. Otherwise, last solid book I read was the entire Sword of Truth series when I was in Iraq. Loved that series.
Yes, comics count. I like reading comics. The last series I read was Catwoman. I really like her.
Titus23
01-20-2018, 06:59 AM
Yes, comics count. I like reading comics. The last series I read was Catwoman. I really like her.
Brubaker's Catwoman from the early 2000s, or was it something more modern. I love Brubaker's run. Catwoman gets out of the male fantasy costume and into a rugged, more realistic costume (still sexy though), while she transitions to anti-hero for real. Great stuff.
thatgingercamgirl
01-26-2018, 03:43 PM
The ones with the fairy queens are so good! Glad you're enjoying it :)
lynn2009
01-26-2018, 06:58 PM
I'm only about half-way through but I LOVE The Jungle by Upton Sinclair. It's so historically relevant, and poetically written but also easy to follow and a great story. Has anyone else ever read it?
BarbieNYC
01-26-2018, 07:02 PM
^^I love that book! Thanks for reminding me. I'm gonna go check it out at my school's library on Monday. I've been dying to start reading again. Love this thread.
I love Tell Me How It Ends and Faces in the Crowd by Valeria Luiselli. Short, quick reads, but very eye opening.
R-209
01-26-2018, 09:42 PM
"The Jungle" is on my bookshelf right now. I had been thinking of making it my next book to read. I'm almost finished with "Breakfast of Champions."
Gia2608
01-26-2018, 10:27 PM
I want to read Fire and Fury (or do I need any more affirmation of what I already know???). I also am interested in the book about the Dresden files.
I have a stack of like 7 or 8 books on my nightstand. I keep opening them and not finishing. I read really fast so I tend to skim a lot. I need to get through at least one of them!!
I bought a book called "Cooking for Madam" on Amazon. It was written by Jackie O's former family chef. It is a cook book and has recipes but also anecdotal stories about the Kennedys. Being from New England; my mother was pretty enamored with "america's Camelot". TBH I think it came up because I was trying to figure out how to make some old timey dish and it was like 3.00.. but I actually like the personal photos and allegorical accounts of someone who lived with them. I love Summer and also Christmas in New England and it takes me back.
The other day I was in a City Building and they had one of those book exchange boxes. I saw "Go Down, Moses" in the box so I grabbed it because a free Faulker for my book collection! It has all of these hand written notes from the book's previous owner, Linda S. I did start it but was appalled by the number of times n***er is in the book. I know it was written in 1st person and the opening part was pre-war, and also the whole context of the book is about race relations; or rather interactions between blacks and whites over a few generations in a set of separate but intertwined vignettes. I just need to be in a different frame of mind when I open it again.
I also have "The Power" by Rhonda Byrne (author of 'The Secret") in the pile; which I like alot.
I should get through all of them n the next 2 weeks and maybe go back and pilfer the book exchange box.
HarleyEzell
01-26-2018, 10:41 PM
I'm reading Lolita right now and OH MY GOD. It's so beautiful and well written, The first sentence is permanently stuck in my head. It does such a fantastic job of making you absolutely loathe Humburt, while also getting where he's coming from and how fucked up he is. You really just feel like you're inside his head.
I also just finished Salt Houses and it really got me into reading again. It was pure prose and the stories and glimpses into a families life over 4 generations was so fantastic.
Theres always Discworld too! Thats my go to whenever I cant think of the next book to read or I just want something silly, witty, and relaxing.
Elektra Luxx
01-26-2018, 10:50 PM
Discworld. So you recommend it?
danep
01-27-2018, 06:15 AM
“A People’s History of The United States” by Howard Zinn. I’m not a fan of academic reading and I have a love hate, emphasis on hate relationship with the university, however this book was very engaging and fun to read.
I have 19 hour flight in each direction in a few weeks, so I’d better visit this thread more often:)
HarleyEzell
01-27-2018, 04:27 PM
Discworld. So you recommend it?
Absolutely!
I'd start with color of magic, then follow this chart and just start on whatever series sounds best. theyre all very loosely connected so publication matter dosent matter much.
http://i.imgur.com/NZudyea.jpg
WendiStarr
01-30-2018, 04:57 PM
The Late Show- Michael Connelly. It's more of a crime and mystery type fiction though, if you're into that sort of thing. I liked it.
VIDEOx
02-02-2018, 03:56 PM
Ouragan - Laurent Gaudé , but i don't know if it available in english :)
SnuffleUffleGrass
02-02-2018, 07:21 PM
I'm only about half-way through but I LOVE The Jungle by Upton Sinclair. It's so historically relevant, and poetically written but also easy to follow and a great story. Has anyone else ever read it?
Studied that in high school.
Titus23
02-02-2018, 07:52 PM
Finally started reading the Infinite Crisis Omnibus. I've been looking forward to this read for a LONG time!
Titus23
03-27-2018, 04:42 PM
Finished it a while back, and all the tie ins. I'm currently reading the 52 Omnibus. IC was awesome. I've been on a crazy DC kick lately. Maybe I should share my book cases if there's any other comics fans out there.
danep
03-28-2018, 12:23 AM
Did anyone say Comics, or Graphic Novels?
I seriously recommend "Kill or Be Killed" issued by Image comics. It's worthwhile to wait for a trade paperback though, as the series is still ongoing.
As for Upton Sinclair, I recommend to read a later work with tributes and influences, "Nature's Metropolis: Chicago and the Great West" by William Cronon, it was an eye opener for me to learn that there's a field called environmental history, and that you can read it without falling asleep :)
Titus23
03-28-2018, 03:09 AM
Did anyone say Comics, or Graphic Novels?
I seriously recommend "Kill or Be Killed" issued by Image comics. It's worthwhile to wait for a trade paperback though, as the series is still ongoing.
As for Upton Sinclair, I recommend to read a later work with tributes and influences, "Nature's Metropolis: Chicago and the Great West" by William Cronon, it was an eye opener for me to learn that there's a field called environmental history, and that you can read it without falling asleep :)
I'm totally a trade waiter. Usually for deluxe editions. Kill or be killed looks amazing, and as soon as they release the hardcover, I'm grabbing it
Ifyouseekamy
03-31-2018, 09:45 PM
I’m fine and other lies. It’s personal development book by a comedian overcoming family dysfunction. It’s really funny
Raziel
03-31-2018, 11:11 PM
Currently reading Tides of War (https://www.amazon.com/Tides-War-Novel-Steven-Pressfield/dp/0553381393/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1522563081&sr=8-2&keywords=tides+of+war), by Stephen Pressfield.
WendiStarr
04-07-2018, 06:19 PM
White Oleander- Janet Fitch
danep
04-08-2018, 01:30 AM
"The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy & Other Stories" by Tim Burton, this book and the drawings in it always cheer me up.
Luckyguy09
04-08-2018, 04:17 PM
I like rare and obscure books. The last book that I read cover to cover that kept me on the edge of my seat was a book called Tears of My Soul by Kim Huyn Hee.
The book was written by Kim who was born in N Korea and was handed picked and trained to be a spy for N Korea. She described life in N Korea and all the training she had to go through to be a spy which was very interesting if your into military history and espionage.
Kim along with another agent was later responsible for the bombing of KAL 858 that killed 115 people.
SnuffleUffleGrass
04-09-2018, 08:21 AM
White Oleander- Janet Fitch
I loved that book.
R-209
04-29-2018, 01:52 PM
Currently reading "Insomnia" by Stephen King. It's taking about 200 pages to get interesting.
Nyla19
04-29-2018, 02:35 PM
Summer by Edith Wharton. And I just finished, Madame Bovary by Flaubert. I'm catching up on the classics.
danep
04-30-2018, 12:01 AM
I'm reading "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison again, one of my all time favorite books, and one of the only few I can read more than once.
Elektra Luxx
06-09-2018, 10:47 PM
I've been reading Revelation Space by Alastair Reynolds. I'm almost halfway through the stupid book and I still don't know what's going on.
Also just read Darwin's Radio by Greg Bear and Manifold: Time by Stephen Baxter, they were okay.
danep
06-09-2018, 11:34 PM
One of these days I'm gonna give sci-fi a second chance.
So far I only liked Phillip K.Dick, and the short stories by Asimov. Any good recommendations?
Elektra Luxx
06-10-2018, 02:36 AM
I liked Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep. I've never read an Asimov book.
My recommendations
Dune by Frank Herbert is one of my favorites.
2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke is a really good book and will explain the movie.
Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke another good one.
I've read a lot of books by recent authors and they were good, but maybe only if you're a sci fi person.
danep
06-10-2018, 02:46 AM
I tried Dune a few times back in the 90's, it didn't loop me in.
I will definitely give C.Clarke a chance soon.
As for Asimov, his short stories are great as a mini film noir. Sparse details, great characters, and interesting questions, like what it means to be human, and why would an AI, want to be a human to begin with.
Nyla19
06-12-2018, 03:23 PM
Expensive People by Joyce Carol Oates. And I have about 70 pages left of her book, THEM. I have another book out the library of hers I'm reading after THEM. I'm lately addicted to her writing.
lynn2009
06-17-2018, 08:17 AM
It is taking me a very long time to get through but I am reading The Woman Who Smashed Codes. It's about Elizabeth Smith, later Friedman, and her husband and how they created departments of cryptology in the federal government and the roles they each played in WWII.
NatalieCentro
06-20-2018, 01:17 PM
So after I got done with Dresden Files (BTW, THANK YOU TO WHOEVER RECOMMENDED IT, THAT WAS AN AWESOME RIDE)
I have swooped up everything that Bujold has ever written hoping it was as good as Vorkosigan Saga (which nothing really was so far)... and am now done. Her Sharing Knife is a bit cheesy but not bad towards the second half of the series, and the Five Gods series is great but too short and needs more books IMO, "acquel" Spirit Ring a good one too but a bit too blood-and-guts-ish.
So, I'm here for advice again. What's the next must-read? I was looking at Andre Norton, David Brin, Ursula Le Guin, Scott Orson, Naomi Novik, there are quite a few series I haven't read of Roger Zelazny, Lawrence Watt-Evans and Ian Banks. But where do I start? Ian Banks's Culture Series looks very compelling but I messed up and got the translated Russian version, which I'm fine with except I loathe reading tranlsations and if I can help it try to get the original. Should I suck it up, get it in English and keep going or read something else for now? Which of the above is an author you've read and like? Are there others that are better and you'd recommend them instead?
Elektra Luxx
06-20-2018, 01:49 PM
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold by John le Carré is an excellent book, I highly recommend it. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy also by John le Carré is a really good book too. The Honourable Schoolboy again by John le Carré is the second book in the Karla series after Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. I'm still reading it and it was a little slow to begin so I put it aside for now. I just started Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer. I just read a couple of chapters so I will update later. I haven't seen the movie yet, but I heard it's nothing like the book.
BTW, Revelation Space by Alastair Reynolds turned out okay.
Also, I've been using a app called Overdrive. With it you can borrow e-books, audiobooks, the latest magazines from your local library using just your mobile number as your library card. It's saved me a tons of money so far.
Nyla19
06-20-2018, 10:20 PM
I'm more than halfway through The Garden of Earthly Delights by Joyce Carol Oates. I don't want it to end. I think besides Madame Bovary, ir's maybe one of the best books I've ever read. So deep, bittersweet and heart wrenching.