Casual Readers discussion
Books
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What are you currently reading?
Yes. The first is Game of Thrones. Did you read that one? Or do they stand alone?
Just to about to finish up
and direct my attention to
.
Have to admit, I've never read The Picture of Dorian Gray, but I thought it would be fun to read. I'm bummed you aren't enjoying it. Is it slow paced?
I loved The Picture of Dorian Gray when I read it as a teenager! I don't remember much about it now, but I know I really enjoyed it.
The Picture of Dorian Gray is easily in my top five favorite stories of all time. I'm sorry you're not liking it Michelle.
@Rick: My problem arises from a character named Harry, who is a douchebag and loves the sound of his own voice; he has a huge influence on Dorian, making Dorian a cretin in turn. I get the moral of this story, I really do (being beautiful on the outside and rotten to the core inside). But as the MC, I don't find Dorian remotely sympathetic, not since I, as a reader, don't really have a chance to know him as innocent (know him as anything but vain and villianous). The level of deparavity Dorian descends to, just because he can and no other reason, is a downer, IMO. But I guess I see why so many do like it, since it is philsophical w/ a touch of the supernatural. I would still encourage you to read it, because I'm in the minority lol :) As for me, I think I'll stick with Dickens ;)
*I'm sorry if my word choice offends, but the android app doesn't allow editing. Sorry :(
If you like your books to have a strong protagonist, Dorian is definitely not the book for you. I like a good villain more than a strong hero, plus Wilde's wit - mostly through Harry - is perfect. I've written tons of articles on the story, but I agree, it's not for everyone. I'm curious, Michelle. Did you like Catcher in the Rye? It's probably the most popular book with an unlikable protagonist, but there aren't many it seems
I've never read Catcher in the Rye, though I've wanted too. As you said, though, that's exactly why I dislike Dorian. I mean, I like characters with gray (no pun intended! lol) areas, but there seems to be more black here... :) I'd be happy to hear some of your thoughts, what you wrote about though, if you don't mind sharing. It's so rare to find some with whom to discuss classics, opposing opinions or not =)
Okay, now I'm going to have to add Dorian Gray to my reading list, I'm intrigued. It sounds like the book can be interesting, but you can't feel sympathy for the lead character. That's pretty tricky to pull off. Don't apologize for your word choice Michelle, your comments make a lot of sense. In fact, you've made me all the more interested in reading it.
Patrick wrote: "How was it, Chuck?"It was pretty damn disappointing. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
Kate wrote: "
"This one sounds really interesting. I actually got really into studying those Gnostic writings.
Just finished World War Z, just listened to an audiobook of Louis L'Amour's "The Ferguson Rifle" on a car trip, and am currently reading the Lovecraft tribute anthology "Book Of Cthulhu II" that I got from the giveaways section. It's got Neil Gaiman and Kim Newman, plus some other legendary figures I have yet to sample.....
Rick wrote: "Okay, now I'm going to have to add Dorian Gray to my reading list, I'm intrigued. It sounds like the book can be interesting, but you can't feel sympathy for the lead character. That's pretty trick..."That's a fair assessment. Michelle is right: both Dorian and Lord Henry are scumbags, but Lord Henry does it so well, with quotes like:
It is perfectly monstrous the way people go about nowadays saying things against one behind one's back that are absolutely and entirely true.
I compiled some of his best quotes at the bottom of this article, written a while back, so...
http://suite101.com/article/lord-henr...
Chuck wrote: "Kate wrote: ""This one sounds really interesting. I actually got really into studying those Gnostic writings."
Hi Chuck, it's a great idea for a story however I've found it difficult to get finished. It's bogged down by too much inner dialogue and it's too wordy, if that makes sense.
I finished Extinction Machine and Bite Me. Now I'm reading Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.
Kate wrote: "Chuck wrote: "Kate wrote: ""This one sounds really interesting. I actually got really into studying those Gnostic writings."
Hi Chuck, it's a great idea for a ..."
Oh yeah, that makes sense. I've read a lot of scholarship about the actual writings. I think I would really enjoy it.
Traci L. wrote: "Definitely a series."Thank you, Traci.
Chuck wrote: "Kate wrote: "Chuck wrote: "Kate wrote: ""This one sounds really interesting. I actually got really into studying those Gnostic writings."
Hi Chuck, it's a grea..."
I've only got a couple of chapters to go so if you'd like to borrow it through kindle, PM me your details and I can send it to you. :)
Gonna finish up Four Past Midnight, reading The Stand, Game of Thrones, and soon will be reading Warm Bodies for a buddy read.
I plan on catching up on the many books I'm currently reading and then back off a little. I think the monthly group read and then maybe a couple of buddy reads a month will be good for me right now. Too much other stuff going on.
I'm still reading The Great Gatsby. I've had so much on my mind, I haven't been able to finish it.
Lina wrote: "I'm still reading The Great Gatsby. I've had so much on my mind, I haven't been able to finish it."
So glad I'm not the only one who has struggled with reading lately. Not that I'm happy you have had trouble. Not at all. It's just nice to not feel alone sometimes. I hope things get better for you soon.
So glad I'm not the only one who has struggled with reading lately. Not that I'm happy you have had trouble. Not at all. It's just nice to not feel alone sometimes. I hope things get better for you soon.
I have two big books that I'm juggling with a work-related read. Plus I got a freebie that I can't wait to start on. It's my summer vacation so I need to get my enjoyment in now. But I feel such an urge to finish the books ASAP. When Sept. comes, it's downhill from there. As a teacher, dad, husband, and aspiring writer, it is a challenge. Not to to mention the 20+ books I have "on-hold" from my trips to used bookstores this summer. But I'm not complaining. ;)
I'm truly not complaining. I can relate to Cindy however. I'm having such great adventures in reading, but my eyes bigger than my stomach. That's why a lot of books I want to read go into my maybe category even if I first mark them as "to-read". I never expected to have such a fire lit by a "casual readers" group. Kudos to Cindy and all the friends I've made here.
Cindy wrote: "Lina wrote: "I'm still reading The Great Gatsby. I've had so much on my mind, I haven't been able to finish it."So glad I'm not the only one who has struggled with reading lately. Not that I'm ha..."
Thank you! I hope you will get better soon, too :) It's always sad when you can't read.
Patrick wrote: "I have two big books that I'm juggling with a work-related read. Plus I got a freebie that I can't wait to start on. It's my summer vacation so I need to get my enjoyment in now. But I feel such an..."I hear what you're saying about so many books, and so little time, but I also have another, less stressful way of looking at it. I have a small bedroom, but it's surrounded by bookcases filled with books I've read or plan on reading. Sometimes after a stressful day, I can just sit down and look at them, and think of all the great stuff I haven't had a chance to read yet, and it's relaxing and exciting at the same time. Kind of a "me" time with the books. Course, then I think "I need to go out and get some more books", but before that, it can be very relaxing!
Rick wrote: "Patrick wrote: "I have two big books that I'm juggling with a work-related read. Plus I got a freebie that I can't wait to start on. It's my summer vacation so I need to get my enjoyment in now. Bu..."I can't think of a more perfect way to look at it. The only thing is I need another bookshelf for all the new books I have bought and will buy. I just figure that at the rate I'm adding books, I'll never catch up. So I'm just keeping my list more realistic and manageable.
Chuck wrote: "Patrick wrote: "How was it, Chuck?"It was pretty damn disappointing. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone."
Sorry to hear that Chuck. There's still a lot of good books out there!
Kate wrote: "Chuck wrote: "Kate wrote: "Chuck wrote: "Kate wrote: ""This one sounds really interesting. I actually got really into studying those Gnostic writings."
Hi Chuc..."
Alright! That's really awesome!
I read two shorts yesterday - Twittering from the Circus of the Dead by Joe Hill, and CRAWLSPACE by Evans Light. I enjoyed both. Now I'm re-reading The Shining in anticipation of Doctor Sleep. And I'm still listening to The Golden Compass, which I'm enjoying immensely.
Courtney wrote: "I read two shorts yesterday - Twittering from the Circus of the Dead by Joe Hill, and CRAWLSPACE by Evans Light. I enjoyed both. Now I'm re-reading The Shining in anticipation of Doctor Sleep. An..."
Yay! I knew you would!
Right now I'm mainly focusing on:
,
, and I'm about to start
. Kate lent me
through Kindle--AWESOME!-- so I need to finish that pretty soon, too.
I'm reading
and I'm almost finished
. Both books are very good!
just finished
and finishing
. Thinking about finally starting
Is the Dark Tower series worth the time it's gonna take me?
Heck yeah! I read 5 of TDT books about this time last year and had a lot of fun doing it. I only wish I could get into another series like that. I should have rated them all higher.
Jason wrote: "just finished and finishing . Thinking about finally starting Is the Dark Tower series worth the tim..."I read them twice, Jason. I thought it paid off big time both times.
Thanks Adam and Chris. It does look like something I'd love and I've pretty much read everything else King pre-2005ish, but I am a dreadfully slow reader. But I will give it a shot. The series has one of my favorite covers
That's a great one, but I prefer the close up one of the tiger.
Jason wrote: "Thanks Adam and Chris. It does look like something I'd love and I've pretty much read everything else King pre-2005ish, but I am a dreadfully slow reader. But I will give it a shot. The series has ..."I loved that book. I read it right where King suggested and it was awesome. My copy has the first chapter of DR. SLEEP, too.
Joycedale wrote: "Twisted Fairy Tales"How is that one, Joycedale? I like the name, and I think it has an interesting concept.
Casual Readers
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Are you referring to GRRM's A Song of Ice and Fire books, Patrick?