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I've just been to see the excellent Let The Right One In at the cinema, which reminded me - I have to recommend to everyone both the film, and the book by John Ajvide Lindqvist on which it's based. I read it a month or so ago, and was totally engrossed. I'm normally not a big fan of vampire/horror subjects, but this manages to be a touching, involving tale with a chilling undercurrent. The story is set in a poor, alcohol-sodden suburb in Sweden, the 11-year old main characters are a mix of sweet and vicious, and the vampiric character is both beguiling and unsettling.
The film manages an almost-perfect realisation of the book; while you inevitably lose depth and some plot branches, the soul of the story is captured. As Guillermo del Toro says of it: "As delicate, haunting and poetic a film as you're ever bound to see. A chilling fairy tale." I'd recommend reading the book first, then seeing the film - you won't be disappointed. (Oh, and there's a remake on the way - so read the book and see the film before they ruin it!)
I thought Snow Crash was a good suggestion, it's been awhile since I read that one and it's one of the best cyberpunk books I've read. I think Altered Carbon is great too, an ultra dark detective noir story in a world where few people ever really die. People get their brains backed up on little hard drives in their skulls, so when you get shot you just get downloaded into a new body - if you can afford it. The second book in the series is pretty good too, I haven't gotten to the third yet.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40...
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So apparently Guillermo Del Toro, the guy who made Pan's Labryinth and the Hellboy movies, collaborated with an author to make vampires scary again instead of sparkly. It's called The Strain, and there's a pretty positive review up at i09:http://io9.com/5273561/guillermo-del-...
I mentioned in the Sookie Stackhouse thread that those books are the main reason I haven't been keeping up with the group reading here. And two days ago I just got A Game of Thrones from Amazon. But I'm blaming Denise ahead of time for my absence due to her recommendation of the Song of Ice and Fire series!
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@Sean-I second Denise's recommendation of the Song of Ice and Fire series...and yes, you will neglect everything once you get into them.
Doesn't a book series seem like a bit much? Even if we work through it a book a month for awhile, I think I'd prefer a bit more variety. I really enjoyed switching from World War Z to a graphic novel to Kurt Vonnegut.
@Misterworld-I don't think this thread is for recommendations for the book club, just other stuff we're reading/have read and enjoyed.
I wish I were in Sean's position. All those GRR Martin books still to read..if I could, I'd wipe my memory of them, just so I could read them for the first time again. I'm reading Hunter's Run at the moment - a collaboration between Martin and 2 other authors - it's pretty good so far.
@Nikki - You're right, I wasn't paying attention. I kneel in subservience.
@Misterworld-Oooh! That could go to my head! Lol.
I'm reading the series for a third time now, and there are still details I'm just now picking up on.
Ainulindale wrote: "I'm reading the series for a third time now, and there are still details I'm just now picking up on."Ditto! I must say though, with everything else I want to read, ASoIaF has certainly been kept on the back burner the last few months. Isn't A Dance With Dragons out this year?
It's supposed to be out by September.
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Hunter's Run (other topics)Let the Right One In (other topics)
Enjoy!