Faye’s Comments (group member since Nov 05, 2013)

Faye’s comments from the The Reading Challenge Group group.

I've been firmly planted in The Writing Zone lately (outlining a rather complex apocalyptic trilogy that is eating my brain alive), which is why I haven't been able to read much. My poor little brain can't handle another author's world while it's so busy trying to create its own! Unfortunately, that means I am currently 8 BOOKS BEHIND SCHEDULE, which must be rectified!

So, November is going to be my month of Books That Inspire, Inform, and Ignite My Urge To Write, which will include nonfiction about writing and religion, and some science fiction. *nods* And some ancient-epic type of stuff that could fall under either of those last two categories, depending on who you ask. ;)

Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life
Out of the Silent Planet
Mere Christianity
Words to Live By: A Guide for the Merely Christian
Creating Character: Bringing Your Story to Life (Red Sneaker Writers Books)
Story Structure: The Key to Successful Fiction
Perfecting Plot: Charting the Hero's Journey (Red Sneaker Writers Book Series)
Exodus
The Serpent's Teeth
The Fall of Jerusalem

I shall conquer!

Camille wrote: "I would totally throw The Time Traveller's Wife out the window myself but I'm not in charge of the list!"

Maybe we should compile a list of our own! :)

Iasa wrote: "Obviously Psyche, not psycho. That's an altogether different book."

LOL Definitely a different book! And one that I would probably read!

I'll be reading his autobiography first, then Out of the Silent Planet. I'll save Mere Christianity and the selections book for later in November. I'll be glad to have the company! :)

Hmm... rather than The Time Traveller's Wife, I would have added something by Elizabeth Gaskell, but what do I know? :P

I've read 10 of these.

Most people know The Chronicles of Narnia, which is a fantastic series, but has anyone else here read more of C.S. Lewis' work?

I've read and loved The Screwtape Letters and The Great Divorce, and I've read The Abolition of Man and found it boring but agreed with what he was trying to say. I've always felt as though I think a lot like he thought, and believe a lot of what he believed, so I've always wanted to read more of what he wrote.

Well, today I raided our library's C.S. Lewis section, heh! I've got his first adult sci-fi novel Out of the Silent Planet, his autobiography Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life, Mere Christianity, and Words to Live By: A Guide for the Merely Christian which is a collection of his quotes and selections from his books. I'm really excited to get started!

I've always wanted to be a writer who blends science fiction with theology in the way that he did, and I've been working hard these last few months on becoming just that, so I feel as though this is the right time to really study his work. This might just get me excited about reading again!

Has anyone else read any of these books? Is anyone else a huge C.S. Lewis fan? Would anyone be interested in a buddy read?

Hellooooo! How's everybody doing?

Welcome Sandra and all of our other newbies! :)

I don't know if I can! I just can't seem to focus on a book these days. :(

I've hardly read anything in the past 2 months, so I'm currently 7 books behind. *sigh*

Cindy wrote: "Iasa wrote: "Dracula is a very popular read in all the groups; I must admit I'm taken aback by how many people were surprised they liked the book. If it's not being nosy, what were people expectin..."

LOL That one actually made me squee... and put Music of the Night in my head for the rest of the week. ;)

Melissa wrote: "So at the end of Chapter 13, in a newspaper article it refers to 'Bloofer Lady', I've read three different ideas on what this means, does anyone have an definite thoughts?"

It's supposed to be a child's mispronunciation of "beautiful", I think.

Iasa wrote: "Haha Faye, no no that would be soo wrong. I would never abuse my books, but I did use pages for wallpaper in the first apartment I had. I found a stack of books in the wood behind the complex, w..."

Okay, phew! That sounds less abusive, more creative. :)

Holly wrote: "You do realise how ironic that is, Faye? After all, Raskolnikov is a murder! :P"

Noooo, he's my woobie! *pets him*

Iasa wrote: "Or you can tear out the pages and use them as wallpaper in the bathroom..."

*gasp* Iasa!! Surely you aren't condoning book abuse??? Just back away from Raskolnikov nice and slow, nobody needs to get hurt here...

Renee wrote: "I can understand someone not living the Brontës, in spite of the fact that I loved Jane Eyre. These are women with some seriously screwed up ideas about affection. However, missing out on C&P seems..."

Well, now I understand why you can't read this, Renee! Your preconceptions are waaaaay off base, so you subconsciously feel like you picked up the wrong book. ;)

Iasa wrote: "Dracula is a very popular read in all the groups; I must admit I'm taken aback by how many people were surprised they liked the book. If it's not being nosy, what were people expecting?"

Speaking personally - "I vahnt to sahk your blahd!" And "Miiiinaaaaaaa!" And swooning. And general cheesiness. And, you know... vampires. ;)

Holly wrote: "Especially since it is considered the most typical vampire novel of all time."

It's certainly the most important! I wish more vampire writers emulated Bram Stoker rather than... well, absolutely any other vampire writer, heh.

Holly wrote: "Was anyone else surprised by how little Dracula was actually in the novel? I expected him to be far more padded out and defined as a character, rather than it being more focused on Helsing's analysis of the species."

That was what surprised me the most. It's not your typical vampire novel, that's for sure.

Renee wrote: "I'd be up for a nice slow BuddyRead in 2915 with you guys"

I really wouldn't put it off for 900 years, Renee! It's a great book! :P

What kept me going? I couldn't put it down! It was my first Russian novel, and I was completely spellbound by it. If multiple tries with it haven't given you that feeling, I doubt I can change your mind, but this was my review of it at the time -

Absolutely amazing. I finally have a new addition to my Top 5 Books of All Time list! It was just mind-blowingly awesome at every turn. It was like you were watching Russia slowly falling apart along with Raskolnikov, and wow, could Dostoevsky ever get inside the mind of a murderer. Profilers to this day are still only learning the things he already knew 150 years ago. Amazing. And Dounia had me literally cheering out loud when Svidrigailov finally got her alone. Girl power! And Sonia!! She was so lovely! I loved every single character in this book, even the creepy shady ones, but I think Sonia was my favourite, and her relationship with Raskolnikov was just gorgeous.