book-rambling

[emothy]

Anyone feel like rambling about the last book they read? Or their favourite book(s)? I just read A Wizard of Earthsea and considering how damn short it was, it was really hard-going to get through. So instead of moving onto the next Earthsea story, I am rereading The Lion of Senet, which is such an easy, plot-filled read (no these things aren't contradictory I swear!).

You get bonus points if the book(s) you ramble about is/are fantasy ;) I just want to book-ramble sometimes!

Comments

[vacivity.livejournal.com]

I just finished The Sandman, volume 3 and am halfway through Brief Lives (actually - almost done!) and I'm in the process of reading The Dark Knight Returns, too. Since I'm not exactly finished with those (and you've read Dream Country before) I won't ramble about those.

The book I will ramble about is The Diamond Age. I need to reread it, again. I haven't yet this year. Did you ever read it? I left you that copy for a reason. ;) I still love the book, so much. It's got plot and the growth of characters and just the way so many things fall into place. It's awesome. It reminded me of a puzzle. Makes me wish I could write like that. Or find other books like it! Watchmen did come close, with the puzzle pieces and all, everything weaving together in an amazing way.

The other day, I found one of the Second Sons books at the library and it made me want to reread the trilogy and then more of Fallon's stuff! It is nice and easy and not complicated, even if the plots are twisted. Makes it fun!

[emothy]

I've read all of Sandman before ;) It's one of those series I'm going to have to stop myself reading too often just in case they stop having that profound impact on me after (and during) each reading.

I think the thing with Neal Stephenson (sci-fi/blah-blah-whatever-genres) in general is the amount of... you know, made-up words. If my brain starts to ache or I have to go get a dictionary to understand a sentence, I'm out. The reason I picked up The Diamond Age when you bought it again was that the first couple of pages were easy enough to understand that they drew me in ;) But if that doesn't stick I'll only skim read and miss all the important bits. And sometimes I just need to put it down until the right time. Sometimes you want to pick up something you've never read before, even if it's been sitting there for months.

I thought you'd said, after reading the Second Sons trilogy that the plot was a bit much for you? Something about the plot, anyway :x I still have to pick up this other series she has started, if only it would come out HERE and in PAPERBACK and CHEAPER!

[vacivity.livejournal.com]

I know, which is why I didn't ramble! :P Those books, god. I'd be devastated if they ever stopped having that profound impact on me. But you know, even discussing volume 8, which wasn't as profound as the others, made me appreciate it even more. I think The Sandman is just one of those series, for me at least, that will always have such an impact on me.

Yeah, there are lots of words in there that you need to get used to and try to puzzle out on your own, because there's really no dictionary definition of them. I do hope you pick it up eventually; I think there are aspects of it you'd like! I've actually got a few books I've read a few pages of then set aside for when the time was right. I think one of them I might pick up soon, too. :)

I remember the plot being a little too melodramatic for my tastes, usually. And kind of overly twisted. I have to be in the mood to read stuff like that. It didn't help that I'd read it right after reading the Tamir Triad, which was wonderfulamazingawesome. It would be nice if they would market her books in other places. :/ I think my library only has like, one other series of hers!

[aliaspiral.livejournal.com]

ive been rereading the Protector of the Small series by Tamora Pierce and just finished Squire. I love the difference between Kel and Alanna, but what hits me the most is that Kel had a nemesis as a page, just like Alanna did. But Kel, aside from the daily skirmishes as a kid, never had to face him down and defeat him in ultimate combat. the Chamber took care of that for her. I really like that main difference - you dont always fight and win against your ultimate foe. Sometimes it's something else that takes them out.

[emothy]

I've never read those; when I read your post looking for recs I discovered you've read a LOT I haven't! XD

[inkquillandhope.livejournal.com]

The book I am reading right now (and haven't found the time to finish yet) Is John Lennon; The Life by Philip Norman. I LOVE biographical stories. Really, it depends on how they are written and whom by because you can completely destroy the story of a life if you don't write it properly. This one, however, I am enjoying thus far.

The biggest thing I have taken from it is Norman's attention to detail. No one can say he didn't cover every tiny aspect he could learn on Lennon's life because there are details about John that really should have remained a private part of him.

It's because of this that I am having trouble finishing this book. I feel like people also deserve a private life and I would HATE for details of my more personal nature being thrown out for the world to read even after I died.

For example, Norman shares that as a child, John Lennon and his male friends often had masturbation parties in which they would sit on furniture in the same room, often a bedroom and masturbate together. They'd take turns yelling out names of models and actresses they all found to be attractive and before climax, John was known to yell out things like WINSTON CHURCHHILL! and the like which would ruin the moment and everyone would wind up in a fit of giggles.

That sort of thing just seems like it should remain private. People who pick this book up more often are looking to find out more about John Lennon, the Musician and Humanitarian... not the child who was a chronic masturbater!

On a more positive note, the attention to detail also helps paint a picture of how Lennon came to be the person he was. A look at his parents, how they came together, the lives they both led, the character of each. What amazes me most is how he grew to be the person he was, taking traits from both parent's personas without really being raised by them much at all.

I'm more than half way through this book and I must say, I am quite impressed by Philip Norman as a biographer.

I am also thinking of making a book list of things I want to read this year. It is late in the year I know but I was just thinking recently, actually, of how many books I have always wanted to read that I haven't. Your entry just reminded me of that.

Oh and I am completely willing to book ramble with you, lovey! (P.s. I don't know if you ever noticed the name change by I am formerly Sweetangela20 :D

[emothy]

Okay before I start I apologize for giving such a short comment back to this; I did read it and enjoy, but I'm not big on biographies and I do NOT want to go and try and comment on something I don't know about XD I've only ever read one (auto)biography. I know a biography isn't the same, but I just don't GET why people have to talk about themselves for a whole book or more, lol.

If you do make a list of books you'd like to read, do post it! It'll be interesting :D

And I knew it was you; I think I just recognised your way of writing when I came back to my friendspage :)

[inkquillandhope.livejournal.com]

haha YAY I AM RECOGNIZED haha. I am actually not big on biographies either. Normally, I prefer a good fiction, preferably science fiction, story more than anything else. However, I've always enjoyed learning more about Lennon and the amazing person he was and obviously he didn't write it about himself. I tend to find that if I am going to read a biography, I would rather it be about someone that has done something significant, or lived their life the way Lennon did... Than someone writing about themselves, I agree.

Anyhow, I feel like I am rambling. I am going to go watch a hockey game now.

Oh, and dear, really, there is no reason to apologize for a short comment. I don't require long comment responses from my friends or anything, haha, you silly woman!