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Seeing as this is the music, tv, movies AND books forum, and seeing as there's very little in the way of book-related topics, what's everyone reading at the mo?
I'm reading Origin by Stephen Baxter, good hard sci-fi, and is the third in a trilogy.
I'm reading Origin by Stephen Baxter, good hard sci-fi, and is the third in a trilogy.
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1984 and Animal Farm, both by Orwell, are two of the greatest books of the 20th century, in my opinion.
Lord of the Rings is still THE greatest though :o)
Lord of the Rings is still THE greatest though :o)
Insane Bartender wrote:
> From feedback value, yes. The two draw remarkable similarities, which
> cannot be ignored.
I can't say that I've ever read any of thr Worst Witch books, so I'm forced to concede this point.
> Never read "animal farm", the only animal farm I heard of is
> a Swedish made video, and it isn't for kids.
Surprising, especially as you say you've read more books than most people here. Animal Farm is an utterly fantastic, extremely famous book about the Russian Reveloution. Go and read it.
Don't take me for the fickle child you
> seem to think I am, I've likely read more books than many people here,
> more than 30 in the last year or so, and I don't need people like you
> to tell me what my tastes are, and get it magnificently wrong.
I wasn't telling you what your tastes are. Not intentionaly, at least.
>
> I will never read them, I will never watch the movie, I will never buy
> the video game. I'm not interested in it at all. Their success is owed
> to a simple writing style, and a young child lead character. Both of
> which I avoid in anything I read.
Again - you say you'll never read them, yet you manage to pass judgement by calling the writing style 'simple'. I suggest that you at least skim through the opening chapters of one of the books before you decide wheather you like it or not.
What you're doing, it's like saying you don't like (say) The Offspring for the sole reason that they're punk, or that you don't like beer because you don't like alcohol.
> From feedback value, yes. The two draw remarkable similarities, which
> cannot be ignored.
I can't say that I've ever read any of thr Worst Witch books, so I'm forced to concede this point.
> Never read "animal farm", the only animal farm I heard of is
> a Swedish made video, and it isn't for kids.
Surprising, especially as you say you've read more books than most people here. Animal Farm is an utterly fantastic, extremely famous book about the Russian Reveloution. Go and read it.
Don't take me for the fickle child you
> seem to think I am, I've likely read more books than many people here,
> more than 30 in the last year or so, and I don't need people like you
> to tell me what my tastes are, and get it magnificently wrong.
I wasn't telling you what your tastes are. Not intentionaly, at least.
>
> I will never read them, I will never watch the movie, I will never buy
> the video game. I'm not interested in it at all. Their success is owed
> to a simple writing style, and a young child lead character. Both of
> which I avoid in anything I read.
Again - you say you'll never read them, yet you manage to pass judgement by calling the writing style 'simple'. I suggest that you at least skim through the opening chapters of one of the books before you decide wheather you like it or not.
What you're doing, it's like saying you don't like (say) The Offspring for the sole reason that they're punk, or that you don't like beer because you don't like alcohol.
Insane Bartender wrote:
> Rosalind wrote:
> If you had actually read my post instead of jumping on the bit that
> says Harry Potter you would have noticed that I in no way say that I
> like Harry Potter.
>
> If you read MY post properly, you would notice that at no point do I
> say anything about YOU liking Harry Potter. My attack was at Harry
> Potter fans in general, not you.
Since you responded to my post quoting what I had said about Harry Potter I don't think I was wrong to assume that your attack was aimed at me.
Did you think that you would get such comment from people about the comment that you made?
>
> I was just expresing my thankfulness that it has
> cause the books of my favorite auther (which have been out of print
> for years) to get re-released. As for lack of complexity in her
> books, she does not dumb down her books and belives that it is
> better
> for children or teens not to understand everything than to be
> patronised.
>
> Her books are written for a younger audience, ipso facto they are less
> complicated both plot wise and in writing style. This doesn't make
> them dummy books by any stretch of the imagination, it just makes them
> easy to read. While I do like to read an easier to read book from time
> to time, I won't jump up and down about it. If a book is going to be
> good, it is going to be much more complex.
>
Unless you have read her books don't comment on the complexity of her plots. I have had to read several of her kids books more than once in order to fully grasp the plots. Something I have not had to do with any other author.
>
> Oh yeah, although I haven't read any of Iain Banks Sci Fi books i
> have
> read most of his other books and I think they are fantastic.the Wasp
> factory was one of my Favorites.
>
> Iain Banks is great, Duplicity is fantastic, shame about the film they
> made of it... As Iain M. Banks, he is incredibly imaginative.
>
>
I Have recently bought one of his books actually and I am just about to start reading it, so I am pleased with the recommendation
> Don't think because I like an injection of niceness in my life
> sometimes that I am not an intelligent person.
>
> I never said you weren't. I jumped on the Harry Potter reference, not
> you. You, in contrast, jumped on me instead of the Harry Potter
> reference.
Okay well I'll let you of then ;-P
> Rosalind wrote:
> If you had actually read my post instead of jumping on the bit that
> says Harry Potter you would have noticed that I in no way say that I
> like Harry Potter.
>
> If you read MY post properly, you would notice that at no point do I
> say anything about YOU liking Harry Potter. My attack was at Harry
> Potter fans in general, not you.
Since you responded to my post quoting what I had said about Harry Potter I don't think I was wrong to assume that your attack was aimed at me.
Did you think that you would get such comment from people about the comment that you made?
>
> I was just expresing my thankfulness that it has
> cause the books of my favorite auther (which have been out of print
> for years) to get re-released. As for lack of complexity in her
> books, she does not dumb down her books and belives that it is
> better
> for children or teens not to understand everything than to be
> patronised.
>
> Her books are written for a younger audience, ipso facto they are less
> complicated both plot wise and in writing style. This doesn't make
> them dummy books by any stretch of the imagination, it just makes them
> easy to read. While I do like to read an easier to read book from time
> to time, I won't jump up and down about it. If a book is going to be
> good, it is going to be much more complex.
>
Unless you have read her books don't comment on the complexity of her plots. I have had to read several of her kids books more than once in order to fully grasp the plots. Something I have not had to do with any other author.
>
> Oh yeah, although I haven't read any of Iain Banks Sci Fi books i
> have
> read most of his other books and I think they are fantastic.the Wasp
> factory was one of my Favorites.
>
> Iain Banks is great, Duplicity is fantastic, shame about the film they
> made of it... As Iain M. Banks, he is incredibly imaginative.
>
>
I Have recently bought one of his books actually and I am just about to start reading it, so I am pleased with the recommendation
> Don't think because I like an injection of niceness in my life
> sometimes that I am not an intelligent person.
>
> I never said you weren't. I jumped on the Harry Potter reference, not
> you. You, in contrast, jumped on me instead of the Harry Potter
> reference.
Okay well I'll let you of then ;-P
Insane Bartender wrote:
> I will never read them, I will never watch the movie, I will never buy
> the video game. I'm not interested in it at all. Their success is owed
> to a simple writing style, and a young child lead character. Both of
> which I avoid in anything I read.
Am I in the understanding that you read Iain Banks? If so... Wasp Factory's lead chracter was an Adolescent, and the lead chracter in Fersum Endjin was and adolecent both focusing around their childhood etc... Which leads me to assume that you have read books with young lead chracters...
With regards to the great HP... Never been too keen on the books myself, have yet to actually read one, but can't see the differences between HP and the Worst Witch? Did finally give in and watch the film (to keep the wife happy) and was pleasantly surprised though not enthralled...
Oddly enough HP is just as popular with people of my age group (25-30) as it is witht he younger audience... Will never beat the God like Terry Pratchett though!:-)
> I will never read them, I will never watch the movie, I will never buy
> the video game. I'm not interested in it at all. Their success is owed
> to a simple writing style, and a young child lead character. Both of
> which I avoid in anything I read.
Am I in the understanding that you read Iain Banks? If so... Wasp Factory's lead chracter was an Adolescent, and the lead chracter in Fersum Endjin was and adolecent both focusing around their childhood etc... Which leads me to assume that you have read books with young lead chracters...
With regards to the great HP... Never been too keen on the books myself, have yet to actually read one, but can't see the differences between HP and the Worst Witch? Did finally give in and watch the film (to keep the wife happy) and was pleasantly surprised though not enthralled...
Oddly enough HP is just as popular with people of my age group (25-30) as it is witht he younger audience... Will never beat the God like Terry Pratchett though!:-)
Mouldy Cheese wrote:
> Insane Bartender - you're literally judgeing a book by its cover.
Not at all, many of my friends have read the series, and from their comments, I have decided it is nothing I would enjoy.
> Despite having not read the things, you know that they're similer to
> The Worst Witch?
From feedback value, yes. The two draw remarkable similarities, which cannot be ignored.
> And you say it's a kids book...Animal Farm was a kids book. So what if
> it doesn't have blood, sex, and swearing? It's good fun light reading,
> something that should be part of anyones reading habits.
Never read "animal farm", the only animal farm I heard of is a Swedish made video, and it isn't for kids. I don't need blood, sex and swearing. particularly the latter two. If I want sex and swearing, I'll jump in bed with my girlfriend. As for blood, it depends on the book. If it's a war book, then of course, blood is given. But I've read plenty of novels, fiction and otherwise with no bloodshed whatsoever, and enjoyed them. Don't take me for the fickle child you seem to think I am, I've likely read more books than many people here, more than 30 in the last year or so, and I don't need people like you to tell me what my tastes are, and get it magnificently wrong.
> I can appriciate that you dislike the 'phenomenon' being pushed down
> your throat, but really, go and actually read the damn things before
> you call them crap.
I will never read them, I will never watch the movie, I will never buy the video game. I'm not interested in it at all. Their success is owed to a simple writing style, and a young child lead character. Both of which I avoid in anything I read.
> Insane Bartender - you're literally judgeing a book by its cover.
Not at all, many of my friends have read the series, and from their comments, I have decided it is nothing I would enjoy.
> Despite having not read the things, you know that they're similer to
> The Worst Witch?
From feedback value, yes. The two draw remarkable similarities, which cannot be ignored.
> And you say it's a kids book...Animal Farm was a kids book. So what if
> it doesn't have blood, sex, and swearing? It's good fun light reading,
> something that should be part of anyones reading habits.
Never read "animal farm", the only animal farm I heard of is a Swedish made video, and it isn't for kids. I don't need blood, sex and swearing. particularly the latter two. If I want sex and swearing, I'll jump in bed with my girlfriend. As for blood, it depends on the book. If it's a war book, then of course, blood is given. But I've read plenty of novels, fiction and otherwise with no bloodshed whatsoever, and enjoyed them. Don't take me for the fickle child you seem to think I am, I've likely read more books than many people here, more than 30 in the last year or so, and I don't need people like you to tell me what my tastes are, and get it magnificently wrong.
> I can appriciate that you dislike the 'phenomenon' being pushed down
> your throat, but really, go and actually read the damn things before
> you call them crap.
I will never read them, I will never watch the movie, I will never buy the video game. I'm not interested in it at all. Their success is owed to a simple writing style, and a young child lead character. Both of which I avoid in anything I read.
Stryke wrote:
> First, I'm read Iain M Banks sci-fi and his fiction, and I can
> honestly say the Harry Potter books are a better read. They're just
> more fun. Think of this - The books gained nationwide popularity
> through the books alone. No commericalised crap. They are a phenomenon
> because they are brilliantly written. Stop being close-minded because
> adults "don't read" Harry Potter.
I'm not at all close minded. Harry Potter is offensive to me because a) it has a child lead character and b) it's a rip-off of another series!
I have no doubt that it's well written, as many of my friends (aged 22-23) have read the series, with mixed reactions. None have said they are poorly written, but some do agree that it lacks originality, and the whole child lead is just boring.
And they are a phenomenon because of the target audience. Pokemon was aimed at kids - it was a hit. nintendo consoles are aimed at kids - they are invariably a success. Aim anything at kids and it guarantees dollar value. Don't think for a second that its success is owed to anything else.
> First, I'm read Iain M Banks sci-fi and his fiction, and I can
> honestly say the Harry Potter books are a better read. They're just
> more fun. Think of this - The books gained nationwide popularity
> through the books alone. No commericalised crap. They are a phenomenon
> because they are brilliantly written. Stop being close-minded because
> adults "don't read" Harry Potter.
I'm not at all close minded. Harry Potter is offensive to me because a) it has a child lead character and b) it's a rip-off of another series!
I have no doubt that it's well written, as many of my friends (aged 22-23) have read the series, with mixed reactions. None have said they are poorly written, but some do agree that it lacks originality, and the whole child lead is just boring.
And they are a phenomenon because of the target audience. Pokemon was aimed at kids - it was a hit. nintendo consoles are aimed at kids - they are invariably a success. Aim anything at kids and it guarantees dollar value. Don't think for a second that its success is owed to anything else.
Rosalind wrote:
> If you had actually read my post instead of jumping on the bit that
> says Harry Potter you would have noticed that I in no way say that I
> like Harry Potter.
If you read MY post properly, you would notice that at no point do I say anything about YOU liking Harry Potter. My attack was at Harry Potter fans in general, not you.
> I was just expresing my thankfulness that it has
> cause the books of my favorite auther (which have been out of print
> for years) to get re-released. As for lack of complexity in her
> books, she does not dumb down her books and belives that it is better
> for children or teens not to understand everything than to be
> patronised.
Her books are written for a younger audience, ipso facto they are less complicated both plot wise and in writing style. This doesn't make them dummy books by any stretch of the imagination, it just makes them easy to read. While I do like to read an easier to read book from time to time, I won't jump up and down about it. If a book is going to be good, it is going to be much more complex.
> Oh yeah, although I haven't read any of Iain Banks Sci Fi books i have
> read most of his other books and I think they are fantastic.the Wasp
> factory was one of my Favorites.
Iain Banks is great, Duplicity is fantastic, shame about the film they made of it... As Iain M. Banks, he is incredibly imaginative.
> Don't think because I like an injection of niceness in my life
> sometimes that I am not an intelligent person.
I never said you weren't. I jumped on the Harry Potter reference, not you. You, in contrast, jumped on me instead of the Harry Potter reference.
> If you had actually read my post instead of jumping on the bit that
> says Harry Potter you would have noticed that I in no way say that I
> like Harry Potter.
If you read MY post properly, you would notice that at no point do I say anything about YOU liking Harry Potter. My attack was at Harry Potter fans in general, not you.
> I was just expresing my thankfulness that it has
> cause the books of my favorite auther (which have been out of print
> for years) to get re-released. As for lack of complexity in her
> books, she does not dumb down her books and belives that it is better
> for children or teens not to understand everything than to be
> patronised.
Her books are written for a younger audience, ipso facto they are less complicated both plot wise and in writing style. This doesn't make them dummy books by any stretch of the imagination, it just makes them easy to read. While I do like to read an easier to read book from time to time, I won't jump up and down about it. If a book is going to be good, it is going to be much more complex.
> Oh yeah, although I haven't read any of Iain Banks Sci Fi books i have
> read most of his other books and I think they are fantastic.the Wasp
> factory was one of my Favorites.
Iain Banks is great, Duplicity is fantastic, shame about the film they made of it... As Iain M. Banks, he is incredibly imaginative.
> Don't think because I like an injection of niceness in my life
> sometimes that I am not an intelligent person.
I never said you weren't. I jumped on the Harry Potter reference, not you. You, in contrast, jumped on me instead of the Harry Potter reference.
Insane Bartender wrote:
> Rosalind wrote:
> I am reading Homeward Bounders by Diana Wynne Jones. I really like
> her books and I have got all of them .Thanks to the Harry Potter
> Phenomenon all of her kids books have been re-released.
>
> I'm sorry, but Harry Potter is just a rehash of the Worst Witch
> series, with a male lead, and some more action. It seems horribly
> unoriginal, and since I've attained a hatred of child heroes and lead
> roles over the years (which also caused me to dislike Star Wars: Ep 1)
> I can't bear the thought of reading the Harry Pooper books, and
> certainly will never allow my eyes to witness the film.
>
> If reading kids books turns you on, fair enough, but if I'm going to
> get excited about a book, it has to be written with a little more
> complexity.
>
> Any fans of Iain M. Banks will know what I'm talking about.
>
> I hate the Harry Potter "phenomenon". What a load of
> commercialised crap.
If you had actually read my post instead of jumping on the bit that says Harry Potter you would have noticed that I in no way say that I like Harry Potter. I was just expresing my thankfulness that it has cause the books of my favorite auther (which have been out of print for years) to get re-released. As for lack of complexity in her books, she does not dumb down her books and belives that it is better for children or teens not to understand everything than to be patronised.
Oh yeah, although I haven't read any of Iain Banks Sci Fi books i have read most of his other books and I think they are fantastic.the Wasp factory was one of my Favorites.
Don't think because I like an injection of niceness in my life sometimes that I am not an intelligent person.
> Rosalind wrote:
> I am reading Homeward Bounders by Diana Wynne Jones. I really like
> her books and I have got all of them .Thanks to the Harry Potter
> Phenomenon all of her kids books have been re-released.
>
> I'm sorry, but Harry Potter is just a rehash of the Worst Witch
> series, with a male lead, and some more action. It seems horribly
> unoriginal, and since I've attained a hatred of child heroes and lead
> roles over the years (which also caused me to dislike Star Wars: Ep 1)
> I can't bear the thought of reading the Harry Pooper books, and
> certainly will never allow my eyes to witness the film.
>
> If reading kids books turns you on, fair enough, but if I'm going to
> get excited about a book, it has to be written with a little more
> complexity.
>
> Any fans of Iain M. Banks will know what I'm talking about.
>
> I hate the Harry Potter "phenomenon". What a load of
> commercialised crap.
If you had actually read my post instead of jumping on the bit that says Harry Potter you would have noticed that I in no way say that I like Harry Potter. I was just expresing my thankfulness that it has cause the books of my favorite auther (which have been out of print for years) to get re-released. As for lack of complexity in her books, she does not dumb down her books and belives that it is better for children or teens not to understand everything than to be patronised.
Oh yeah, although I haven't read any of Iain Banks Sci Fi books i have read most of his other books and I think they are fantastic.the Wasp factory was one of my Favorites.
Don't think because I like an injection of niceness in my life sometimes that I am not an intelligent person.
Currently Reading:
Flash Studio 5 - Friends of ED
Human Computer Interaction - ?
The Wasp Factory (again for the 7th time) - Iain Banks
Fersum Endjin - Iain M Banks
Necroscope - Brian Lumley
The Truth - Terry Peatchett
Flash Studio 5 - Friends of ED
Human Computer Interaction - ?
The Wasp Factory (again for the 7th time) - Iain Banks
Fersum Endjin - Iain M Banks
Necroscope - Brian Lumley
The Truth - Terry Peatchett
Insane Bartender wrote:
> if I'm going to
> get excited about a book, it has to be written with a little more
> complexity.
>
> Any fans of Iain M. Banks will know what I'm talking about.
>
> I hate the Harry Potter "phenomenon". What a load of
> commercialised crap.
--
First, I'm read Iain M Banks sci-fi and his fiction, and I can honestly say the Harry Potter books are a better read. They're just more fun. Think of this - The books gained nationwide popularity through the books alone. No commericalised crap. They are a phenomenon because they are brilliantly written. Stop being close-minded because adults "don't read" Harry Potter.
> if I'm going to
> get excited about a book, it has to be written with a little more
> complexity.
>
> Any fans of Iain M. Banks will know what I'm talking about.
>
> I hate the Harry Potter "phenomenon". What a load of
> commercialised crap.
--
First, I'm read Iain M Banks sci-fi and his fiction, and I can honestly say the Harry Potter books are a better read. They're just more fun. Think of this - The books gained nationwide popularity through the books alone. No commericalised crap. They are a phenomenon because they are brilliantly written. Stop being close-minded because adults "don't read" Harry Potter.
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