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| 03:40pm 24/01/2007 |
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Well,
I am a little afraid of breaking the rules because i am new. But just let me know if i did anything wrong. :) thanks.
I am not sure if all the books your write in here are suppose to me educational and stuff.. but here it goes.
I read all the time.. like 2 books a day type thing and an absolutely amazing author is Sarah Dessen.
This Lullaby is a book about a girl who just doesnt belive in love and think its pointles sbecause her mother has had so many different husbands, she is sarcastic, and critical, and sometimes mean. But basically out of nowhere a boy named Dexter pops up out of the blue and they form a relationship. But the girl, Remy, has a rule that she will definitely NEVER date a musican because her father was a musican and he died after he left her mother when she was a baby but he wrote a song for her called this lullaby. i dont want o give away the book.. but just read it, i mean its just incrediable.
Infinite
xx's and oo's
Erin. |
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| Vonnegut |
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| 04:31pm 19/01/2007 |
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Wow. This place needs to liven up.
Welp. Any Kurt Vonnegut fans out there? There must be!
What more could you ask of a writer?
Kilgore Trout is hilarious.
The most recent of his books I finished is TimeQuake.
Amazing.
Hmmm. I also picked up the final of my Jhohen Vasquez collection which is the Squee series.
Not as good as JTHM, or even I Feel Sick.
But I def. learned where the premis of Invader Zim originated from!
Background information is a good thing. Try it.
Let's get to reading, blurtians! |
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| The Zahir by Paulo Coelho |
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| 02:41am 07/12/2005 |
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In Paulo Coelho’s books many questions about life are asked. Here’s a quote from this book that I like:
Suffering occurs when we want other people to love us in the way we imagine we want to be loved, and not in the way that love should manifest itself – free and untrammeled, guiding us with its force and driving us on.
* * * * *
Thank you, Paulo. |
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| Jungle Child by Sabine Kuegler |
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| 04:25am 18/11/2005 |
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Jungle Child by Sabine Kuegler is a nonfiction about a German born woman who grew up in the jungle somewhere in Indonesia among the primitive tribe called the Fayu.
If you have lived in more than one culture, you might enjoy this book.
If you are having difficulty assimilating to a culture, you are not alone.
If you are a cultural anthropologist, well, you probably have read this book already.
This book offers plenty of food for thought. Observing another culture is often a fascinating experience. This book also guides you through an inner struggle to integrate one’s different parts, the modern, Western European self and the primitive jungle self.
I have a hypothesis that having lived in a different culture helps you see your “home” culture from a more objective point of view.
People often feel discouraged to criticize other cultures. Who likes to be labeled a cultural imperialist? However, if you are, say, American, do you feel free to criticize American culture? Probably. You know how it is okay to criticize oneself but not so noble to criticize others. Well, I think it is more or less the same pattern.
The analogy breaks down when we take into account the fact that a culture consists of more than one individual. If some members of the culture are very unhappy about the way their culture is, is it still all good because it’s their culture? For example, if sex with children is prevalent in a culture that is not your own, is it right just because “it is their culture”? Is slavery right just because it is their culture? Is rape okay just because it is their culture? What about gender and racial discriminations? The answer should be obvious. No culture is perfect. I guess the tougher questions are who decides what to change and how change can materialize.
If you want to make a difference in people’s lives, you’d better have enough information about them before you decide what is right and what is best for them.
This book inspires hope. A handful of people have made considerable progress towards peace among the clans that were constantly at war with one another. It reminds me once again that the best way to influence others positively is to live out a good example. It also provides supporting evidence that a handful of people can make a difference.
I still have about thirty pages to go, but I am saving that for the morning bus ride. Good books don’t come around that often. Thank you, Sabine. |
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| Jungle Child |
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| 06:21pm 13/11/2005 |
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I am reading Jungle Child, a non-fiction about a German born girl who grew up in the jungle, living with some primitive tribe. Not sure if you can call it an autobiography. I only got through the first few chapters, and it does not appear that she was misplaced like the classic Victor the Wild Boy.
Generally I prefer non-fiction to fictions, but usually I read only non-fiction that is written in a first-person point of view. Otherwise it is too impersonal and simply boring. True accounts of Holocaust survivors are my favourite. What sucks is that most of the survivors that are still alive today are so close to the grave, and soon there will be no new books that are written by Holocaust survivors. |
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| 05:49pm 07/11/2005 |
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The Plague by Albert Camus is amazing. Great quotes. I couldn't read a page without underlining something. |
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| 05:44am 26/10/2005 |
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Circle Of Three by Patricia Gaffney.
The book potrays 3 generation of women who are different in ways of thinking and leading life. The only similar thing they share is their bloodline and the death of a dear one. It's a good read. It kinda almost feel like soul-searching. It's not exactly a thrilling ride but somewhat heartfelt.
I'm moving on to Flight Lessons by the same author. She's notable for writing about women and in this one (which i havent completed reading) is about an aunt-niece relationship that went wrong as a result of infidelity by the niece's father. |
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| Girl with a Pearl Earring - Tracy Chevalier |
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| 12:04pm 21/10/2005 |
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Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier is a historical fiction. My sister loves it, but I find it very boring; it does not offer that much food for thought. If you are into art or the Dutch painter Vermeer, you might enjoy it.
This book reminds me of the book Constance Ring. The voice of the author leaves me wonder if Chevalier is Amalie Skram reincarnated. |
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| Piers Anthony: On A Pale Horse |
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| 06:16pm 18/10/2005 |
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Almost finished with this book. I'm not a sci-fi fantasy fan, but I gave the book more than usual three chapter try-out. It's a good book and I plan to read the second. The main character of this book is Death. The main character of the next book is Time. It's been an enjoyable read! |
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| So many books...so little time |
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| 11:44pm 29/09/2005 |
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I may be biting off more than I can chew, but I have several books going at once. I actually prefer it that way, as I have a book for most any mood that hits me. Say Uncle, by Eric Shaw Quinn is a novel about a bachelor uncle raising his orphaned infant nephew. It's very touching and so funny! Touchwood, by Karin Kallmaker is a novel about a May-December romance. I've just started it. I love this author and the recipes she slips into her novels! I've been reading and savoring Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Meno, Gorgias, Menexenus: The Dialogues of Plato for about four years. it's not that I'm that slow, but I like to go back and highlight and re-read portions before proceeding on, as though I were studying it for a college course. I find it very thought provoking, as it was intended to be! The Second Ring of Power is a suspenseful recounting of an encounter between a sociologist/anthropologist, author Carlos Castaneda and a sorceress! Edge of your seat reading! I think this author tends to "go native." Does anyone else have an opinion about Castaneda? I'm attempting to branch out and try some sci-fi and I'm starting with Piers Anthony's On A Pale Horse. So far, it's not that bad as sci-fi goes. I told my partner I would give it three chapters to grip me. I've been persuaded to stick it out through this book and go into it's sequel. We'll see. It's been too long since I've read a good biography, so I've chosen Christopher Isherwood's autobiography, Christopher And His Kind. The way he keeps switching from first to third person keeps me on my toes. Hmm, I haven't run across the pronouns "he" and "I" both referring to Christopher in the same sentence, but I swear he comes close! And lastly, I'm reading Rowling's Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, which I'm sure most have at least heard of if you're not intimately familiar. I'm probably her only fan who takes more than a week to read through one of her books! Well, that's it! Seven at once is about my limit, so I won't be starting any new ones before I finish one of these. Although I have a James Lee Burke crime drama that's sitting here tempting me... |
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| the new girl |
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| 01:16pm 23/07/2005 |
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Hey everyone, I'm new to this community. I figured it would be a good place to discuss books and such, duh. Reading is all I do lately, aside from work, sleep, and eating. Anyway I just wanted to start out by posting a list of some of my favorite books, and then some that are on my "to read" list for the summer. If you have any suggestions for good books, let me know.
Favorites:
A Time of Angels
Choke
Diary
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood
Fight Club
Invisible Monsters
Little Altars Everywhere
Lullaby
A Million Little Pieces
The Princess Bride
Stranger Than Fiction
Survivor
The Westing Game
White Oleander
Vox
To read:
A Box of Matches (just started)
Double Fold
The Everlasting Story of Nory
The Fermata
Haunted
The Mezzanine
The Size of Thought
Room Temperature
U and I
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
The Unbearable Lightness of Being
Where the Heart is
We Thought You Would be Prettier |
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| 09:17pm 15/09/2004 |
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I'm currently about three quarters of the way through . It's a really great book but I'm having a little trouble expressing myself fully about it because I'm reading it for school and my best friend (and book buddy) is on vacation and I won't be able to talk to her for a while.
Anyone who has read this book, I would appreciate your feedback.
Do you get the feeling that Jack and Ralph are gay? In the beginning they "looked at each other in shy liking," they bicker like a married couple, and they're always trying to get back at each other. Jack goes out hunting and Ralph and Simon stay back to work on the shelters. When Jack comes back, Ralph yells at him in the "I stayed home and worked my ass off for you all day and you come back and have no respect for me at all" tone. Later, Jack goes hunting again and allows the fire to go out on top of the mountain. He comes back and gets bitched at (with good reason) again by who else but Ralph? Piggy (the jealous little tip of the triangle) pops in trying to stand up for Ralph and Jack punches him. Ralph calls it a "dirty trick" and Jack apologizes. It's like a vicious break up because from here on out they're basically rough around each other. Jack tries to make Ralph look like a wuss and seperates himself from "playing" with Ralph's group. And basically that's as far as I am but I mean, it's everywhere in the diction. The trees of same kind rubbing together, screaming in the night. One of the boys at one point in time says the words "suck it". Then there's Samneric constantly together and embracing each other (yes, they are brothers, but it's the imagery that matters here.) Not to mention that all of the "biguns" are around 12-14 years of age and there is not one mention of thoughts of women in the entire book. There's so much more that I am forgetting right now but if you know what I am talking about, I'm sure you caught it.
let me know what you think. I'm eager and bursting with this. |
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| Letters From The Inside |
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| 04:04pm 26/08/2004 |
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I recently read letters from the inside by John Marsden and although i found it enjoyable i was rather confused by the ending. It was almost as if John couldn't be bothered to continue writing as it just sort of stopped without really telling you what Mandy and Tracey did. In my opinion Mandy was killed by her brother and Tracey was put in prison for killing someone...has anyone else read this book? What do you think happened to the girls?
Book Description (from amazon)
Through the mail, Mandy and Tracey become fast friends. They share news
about their boyfriends, their siblings, and their pets. They trade stories
about school and home. They confide their every hope and fear. Or do they?
What are the secrets hidden between the lines of their cheerful letters? |
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| Don't fear the monster. |
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| 01:17am 14/08/2004 |
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music: Thanks for the Ether// Rasputina
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I'm having to read Frankenstein by Mary Shelly for summer reading. I was dreading it, Hollywood screwed my view of the story horribly.
I'm well passed the hundreth page and I've enjoyed it, [skipping the forward and planning on skipping the afterward.] The language usage is one I really like. Of course, even if prior knowing how it was written, it would never be something I'd pick up to read for pleasure.
Relate the book nothing to the movies! And, Frankenstein's monster speaks! But he's not a big 'physical' character in the novel. He really only exists, so to speak, within the narrator's mind. After creating the monster, it completely robs him of happiness and the ability to live normaly. He's disturbed at the fact he created a 'man' so hidieous and let it into the world.cIt only makes matters worse for Frankenstein's condition when he accuses the monster of killing his youngest brother, [if he really did, I do not know- I haven't gotten that far yet.]
I suppose my point is if you have to read for school- don't fear it. It's not such a horrible book- really a nice read to entertain the brain.
It's humurous that the narrator refuses to give the formula for the elixer of life to the reader. I wonder why! |
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| Recent Reads |
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| 10:53pm 11/08/2004 |
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The Bean Trees (Barbara Kingsolver) was enjoyable. I do find it very hard to recommend. If you like books that just seem to slip into life and slip out. . . without anything remarkable or suspenseful happen, then this book would probably be one you'd find enjoyable (man, did that sentence sound like a third grade book report or what? "if you like lizards, then you'll like this book. . ." lol) There's a moral or two to learn about unconditional love and relationships. Fairly obvious. And there is quite a bit of symbology intertwined. Probably so much you don't catch it all the first time through. Wouldn't know yet, though. Only made it through once so far.
Also, just finished Amy Tan's The Bonesetter's Daughter. Exceptional look at cultural and generational differences. A tad of history and I cried in some spots. Or rather, burnt my throat and eyes trying to hold it back. A lot of symbology, of course. . . that seems to come with the Chinese culture. I found Part I a bit slow to get through. A little too unsympathetic of a character and everyone seemed unattached. Cleaned up by the end. . . and I think it was meant to make the change in the characters more apparent. Definately recommended, women may find it more enjoyable than most men since it does follow the females of each generation. But honestly it is a really great read.
Currently reading Nathaniel's Nutmeg by Giles. . . something. (I think, yipes!) More on that later. . . with the correct and complete author info. |
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| 12:28pm 10/08/2004 |
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please dont die community. |
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| .:Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury:. |
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| 04:06pm 23/07/2004 |
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I read Fahrenheit 451 within twenty-four hours, which in my book (no pun intended) is quite a task. Obviously I enjoyed it and I can already add it to my list of favorites, although I thought one issue was left a bit unresolved. I thought that Captain Beatty was actually as confused and dissatisfied with the current society as Montag himself. The comment Montag made about Beatty "wanting to die" indicated, in my mind, that he [Beatty] was actually as much a fan of books as the old woman whom the fireman burned with her books. Not to mention, Beatty knew so many quotes that it became quite evident that he read more then his share of the one book a fireman was excused for taking home with him. These details together seemed to show that Beatty conformed to the society around him and was amongst the enemies of books, but in reality, was not "happy" with the situation. Perhaps he was looking to die and not be tormented by the world any longer, and that is why he didn't protest or move away when Montag killed him. |
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| .:Newbie:. |
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| 12:20am 21/07/2004 |
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Hey everyone. I'm a new member to this community and I'm looking for a bit of advice. I'm just beginning my real summer vacation and now I have some serious time for reading, so now the only question is what I should read. ( Got any advice? ) |
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