I've been having such a hard time focusing on novels lately, I don't know what's wrong! But I've been getting through Uhura's Song, a Star Trek novel by Janet Kagan. Which is basically published fanfic but listen. Kagan's pinned down the characters' voices and personalities so well that I can see it playing as an old episode in my head. It takes place on a newly-discovered planet with a race of aliens, and the Enterprise crew is learning their ways and culture while going on their adventure. The worldbuilding and new characters are really unique and a lot of fun to read about. And Uhura is a central character and she rules.
Just finished reading Shutter Island by Dennis LeHane. I saw the film when it first came out and thought it was good, but thankfully I couldn't remember all the details. Great read. LeHane's a very skilled writer and manages to keep the twists coming and the action fast-paced. It never gets boring and at 400 pages it's about the right size. Really explores some interesting themes in psychiatry and keeps you guessing. I'm definitely going to read more of him now -- think my next one on the list is to give his 'Mystic River' a try. Before that, though, going to finally read 'To Kill a Mockingbird.' Can't believe I haven't read it yet. Since leaving Uni I don't tend to read the classics much.
I'm currently reading The Betrayal by M. Kenan. For those who consider themselves Christians/Believers and even Muslims or Jews- What would you like to see more in "spiritual" or faith-inspired fiction? I'm a Believer myself and am currently writing a story that's Young Adult/Fantasy-Dystopian, but with faith interweaved in it. For example, I have a culture that's heavily inspired by Judaism and Christianity and so a couple of my characters are "believers," but I also have a few Muslim characters as well. My goal is to represent them in a good light rather than crazy-out-to-change-people or whatever. I personally wish there were more and more stories inspired by faith and spiritual warfare or characters who "walked with God" in the world but I guess that's something we writers just have to keep at it with the help of God.
Complete Poems and Selected Essays ~ Edgar Allan Poe Not reading as such, but dipping in and out of, and I can't say I share others appreciation. Also, Hemingway's To Have and Have Not. I like Hemingway, but at the moment my concentration will only stretch to half a dozen pages over the course of the week, so it may take a while, if I bother finishing it at all.
Really? It's been said that it is one of the most obscure, and difficult books to read there is. I've read quite a few of Tolkien's works but that one I left alone. Back on to the second book in the Commonwealth Saga, Judas Unchained. I'm dipping in to the Ted Chiang shorts as and when.
Dark Matter (a ghost story) ~ Michelle Paver A diary novel, an easy on the brain read, set in Spitsbergen and beyond.
It can be difficult to read at times due to scarcity of dialogue, most of it is in narration format. But if you are interested in the lore and want to discover how everything was made; Middle earth, Vala, Sauron, Elves, Dwarves, Men etc. Then this is a must read. The stories contained in The Silmarillion are also extremely epic. I'd say more epic than what you find in The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. There are so many awesome characters and tragedies. Of note, these are just some of the epic sub plots within the book: - The tragedy of the Silmarils and the doom of Noldor. (If you are unsure who the Noldor are, Galadriel is of their ancient bloodline) - The epic love story of Beren and Luthien. - The tragedy of the house of Hurin. (this includes one epic battle between his son and a dragon) - The fall of Middle Earth.
I thought I'd try something new, so I picked up an Amish romance. twas pretty good actually! I'm still reading Beneath the Tamarind Tree (had to put a pause on it to catch up with my book club on another book). I've added Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress to my "reading now" list. I'm reading How To Be A Good Creature next. What i'm really craving is a good adventure novel.... but im not ready to commit to another series yet !
its interesting because what we never knew (or at least what i didnt know) was that a good portion of the girls escaped on their own. after the girls were taken, Boko Haram hadnt planned on taking them and literally had to get rid of half their cargo just to have somewhere to put the girls. they told the girls if they tried to run, they would shoot them. But on their journey, the girls started jumping out of the truck one by one and Boko Haram didnt bother to go after them, thus, a lot of the girls escaped this way. the author, a CNN news anchor at the time, received death threats while in Nigeria because people in lower Nigeria though the kidnapping was a political hoax and that CNN was just trying to disenfranchise an up-in-coming wealthy country with lies. Its very informative on all aspects from politics, to sub cultures, to muslim/christian relations in Nigeria, etc. I recommend it!
Sounds interesting, Tolkien's world is so vast that you could easily fill a few books with the intervening years. I'd say I was going to put it on my to read list but that is similarly vast. I'll tentitively say if I get the chance.
I don't blame you, I had it on hold for a number of years until I finally decided to give it a chance. (as well as "Do androids dream of electric sheep" and "Neuromancer") Both "The Silmarillion" and "Do androids dream of electric sheep" were unforgettable. I will read them again some time. Although, I can't say the same about "Neuromancer", that one I put back on the shelf, I will try it another day.
Neuromancer, yes, I did start that too. Not an easy book to read as he dives in head first without much preamble or setting up, and it's pretty hard sci-fi. Andriod's Dream I read a long time ago, very good. I didn't get on with Man in the High Castle though.
I’ve read both DADoES and Neuro. I didn’t finish the latter as I found the whole thing impossible to visualise. DADoES was okay, but so much lighter than the film.
Yeah, Neuro is hard to visualize, very different kind of tech in there, some straightforward, some very odd. I can't remember enough about Android's to comment about the film adaption, that's the first film I take it?
Yes, the first. I went film then book, but if I’d gone the other way I’d probably be saying the film is much darker than the book... which is of course the same thing essentially.
I actually preferred the book to the film to be honest. The encounters make a lot more sense. I also enjoyed the book's philosophy with Mercerism, Buster Friendly and empathy boxes, all unfortunately absent from the movie.
I normally prefer to go to a film without reading the book, to be honest. If not I always find myself judging it by the former and wishing I'd done it the other way around. I saw Arrival after reading Chiang's The Story of Your Life and wishing I hadn't (although as it was it would have been nigh on impossible to adapt). You guys are making me want to go read Android's again, such is my lack of memory on the subject.
I hope you like To Kill a Mockingbird. I read it many many years ago, back when it was a bestseller and hadn't been out very long. Long before it turned into a 'textbook.' I thought it was fantastic. And very VERY readable, as well as worthwhile. It left a lasting impression.
