David Estes Fans and YA Book Lovers Unite! discussion
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Book Talk
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What are you reading right now?
I'm reading Ice Country hehe
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Well said Kay, I couldn't agree more!
Yzabel wrote: "Bieke wrote: "I know, same here, but I often see people reading books although they know they don't like it, just to write a negative review on it."I read FSoG and didn't like it. But I didn't re..."
Yeah and that's okay, but would you read the next book in the series?
Kayleigh {K-Books} wrote: "*butting in about the Fifty Shades thing* Now I hate when people keep reading a book they hate just to write a bad review I mean just WHY? You will see on my blog there is not a lot of 1 and 2 sta..."Exactly. Fifty Shades isn't a literary masterpiece (is that how you say it?), but it's a fun book for me. I won't be moved by it like with some other books. It won't make me cry or really emotional like some others, but I like it. It's a book I can read when I just want to have a good time and do a little, as I call it, brainless reading. Everyone has books like that. Books where you don't have to think and such while reading them. Every book has a few flaws, maybe really tiny, but they're there. For example: Les Miserables is a really famous book and it's a really touching story and all that, but there is one thing that I REALLY hate about it and that's the fact that Cosette and Marius just fall in love instantly without even having a conversation. They just look at each other and BAM. Everlasting true love. Seriously? xD
But back on the subject. You have books you like and love and I have too. Some are the same, some are not. That's the way it is. =)
I have a shelf here on GR titled "books I will not be reading" and 50 Shades is on it. I wouldn't waste any of my time reading something I know I would hate just to give it a bad review. Having said that I don't take issue with any readers because I am happy when people are reading in general but I do take issue with the fact that the authors of books like Fifty Shades that are poorly written make millions of dollars on books and movie deals while much better writers struggle to even get an agent or publisher.
Bieke wrote: "Yeah and that's okay, but would you read the next book in the series?"Probably not, but you never know. For instance, if someone were to lend it to me and it was a good moment for light reading (summer holiday on the beach, that kind of stuff), I may very well decide on reading it all the same. However, I will always prioritize books I *want* to read, rather than books from series whose first 1-2 volumes I didn't like. (Not only FSoG. That's my rule for every series I start.)
Reading is my favourite thing to do and I won't waste time reading something I don't like so I will read the stuff I like... Which is usually David's books ;)
Eve I am quite frankly disturbed by the amount of women who say they want their own "Christian Grey". Like I said I have not read the books but have talked to enough people who have to know that he is the opposite of any man I would ever want to be with. I took the same issue with everyone who said they wanted to be with Edward from Twilight and Travis from Beautiful Disaster (both of which I did regrettably read). They are all very unhealthy men IMO.
Eve wrote: "Fifty Shades promotes bullying, intimidation, threats, violence and stalking and E L James's latest comments to the media frankly stink and are causing so much upset. She as well as her publisher n..."I have to agree for sure about Fifty Shades which I too have not read and will not read. I know I have no interest in pain with my loving and have also heard it is very poorly written. That so many women relate to this makes me very sad, just when I thought women were getting smarter. I guess they never get smarter about men.
I enjoyed the Fifty Shades books as a bit of fun reading, but I did laugh at how badly written it was. Also, I didn't like Ana as a character because she was so willing to let somebody have control over her and punish her for doing something 'wrong'. So although I enjoyed the story, I do find it strange that some women want their own Christian, because I'm amazed at how they want to be treated like that to be honest.
Geesh xD It's okay if you don't like it, but you don't have to be so harsh about it... Seriously, you basically call women stupid and dumb for liking this book... You say it promotes all kinds of bad things and judge people because they like a character from a book. Talk about overreacting... It is a book. It's a work of fiction. Instead of ranting about a book you obviously don't like, you could just get on with your life. xD
iam currently reading
it is an awesome book.
Haraiah wrote: "Mara wrote: "@ David: I know; I hope I'm done with the bad string now.@ Haraiah: What's your impression of it so far?"
Slow and boring. That's why I decided to put it down for now."
Unfortunately, it doesn't get better. If anything, it gets worse.
Kayleigh makes a most excellent point; we're all unique, so it is only natural that we all have different tastes. That being said, I have to say my 50 cents about 50 shades (lol re: the use 50 twice in the sentence): EL James was not at all versed in the area she was writing about. She was an outsider looking into a foreign lifestyle that already has a preconceived stigma, deriving her research from mere websites. And that is why many people vehemently dismissed the book.
From a purely academic standpoint, it is interesting pattern to see that only these books have been the target for mass disdain, when there are many others that are the same way. So, how come only these books are being addressed? Why these one specifically? How about books like Sylvain Reynard's novels?
Interestingly enough, the base formula for all these types of books originate from renowned literature (critically and academically); take for example, Jane Eyre
and Wuthering Heights
. It is no surprise that these books are listed as inspiration for Twilight, 50 Shades, and so many novels. I should stop here before some hidden professor mode starts to develop (this requires a much larger discussion and closer examination). I will leave you with these quotes from critics who reviewed the work of Wuthering Heights from 1847; I think they may shed some light on how we (as a mass audience receive books dealing with fragile/strange/dark content).
H. F. Chorley, from Athenaeum said that it was a "disagreeable story" and that the 'Bells' (aka Brontës) "seem to affect painful and exceptional subjects". (source: Wikipedia)
The Atlas Review called it a "strange, inartistic story," but commented that every chapter seems to contain a "sort of rugged power." Summarising the novel: "We know nothing in the whole range of our fictitious literature which presents such shocking pictures of the worst forms of humanity. There is not in the entire dramatis persona, a single character which is not utterly hateful or thoroughly contemptible ... Even the female characters excite something of loathing and much of contempt. Beautiful and loveable in their childhood, they all, to use a vulgar expression, "turn out badly." (source: Wikipedia)
Graham's Lady Magazine "How a human being could have attempted such a book as the present without committing suicide before he had finished a dozen chapters, is a mystery. It is a compound of vulgar depravity and unnatural horrors." (source: Wikipedia)
Bieke wrote: "Geesh xD It's okay if you don't like it, but you don't have to be so harsh about it... Seriously, you basically call women stupid and dumb for liking this book... You say it promotes all kinds of b..."Not sure if you were talking to me but I hope not because I was just trying to have a discussion and would never call anyone names. Like I said - I am normally just happy when people are reading because too many people I know don't ever read (EVER!)
Ruby wrote: "Kayleigh makes a most excellent point; we're all unique, so it is only natural that we all have different tastes. That being said, I have to say my 50 cents about 50 shades (lol re: the use 50 twic..."The reason is because we have all heard of 50 Shades and not the other ones. So I will say that all books that seem to promote this life style of pain with love are not in my wheelhouse. Won't read them, don't care about them and wonder why women like this stuff. Just my opinion and we all are entitled to our own.
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. Yeah, I am in need of some Christian Grey. Sigh.To the ones that hate these books: Shut up, don't you dare judging me. A girl has the right t..."
I bought the whole set, but haven't read them yet. My best friend really wanted to read the first book, so I let her borrow it, and she still has it. She's a really slow reader!
I'm trying to keep an open mind until I read it!
Can't wait to get off work so I can go home and crack open 'Guardians of the Akasha' by Celia Stander (figuratively that is, seeing as it is a e-book version). Just finished 'Book One: Dragon' by Rustin Petrae and loved it - kind of reminds of a little bit of the movie Avatar [not in the super obvious ways that would be an automatic spoiler for the book though! Just puts me in the Avatar mind-set enough for me to notice].
Dnicole wrote: "Ruby wrote: "Kayleigh makes a most excellent point; we're all unique, so it is only natural that we all have different tastes. That being said, I have to say my 50 cents about 50 shades (lol re: th..."Agreed. I think if I understood the attraction more it would help. All I can guess is that people want someone rich to take care of them but I could be way off. Oh well! I will probably never get it so will stop trying!
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and also
. I also found out David's book is ready to buy, so I had to buy
! So now, I think I may have to drop everything to read Prodigy!!!
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a..."Aww thank you so much Jenny!! And I just bought those same two books and am partway through Prodigy already!
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Heidi (up to no good) wrote: "Bieke wrote: "Geesh xD It's okay if you don't like it, but you don't have to be so harsh about it... Seriously, you basically call women stupid and dumb for liking this book... You say it promotes ..."Same here. xD When I read a book everybody looks with a WTF-face. Annoying. xD Yeah sure 50 shades isn't the best book in the world and I have definitely read much better, but I just like them. Can't help it. I would like my own Christian but then without the whole BDSM/control/...-issue thingie he has. Basically I want someone who looks like him but has a much nicer character xD Lolz.
@Dnicole Sry, what I meant is why would the media only target this book. It was supposed to be thought provoking...guess it turns out I don't have the professory (I totally made that word up lol) skills I thought I had ;)
I finally finished
. Trying to process my thoughts before I write my review. Just started the hardcover of
. I returned the audiobook to Audible and got the audio of
and
Also reading The Star Dwellers finally! I feel so behind but I don't think it will take long to get to The Sun Dwellers since I am moving right along. Enjoying it even more than The Moon Dwellers! And now I hear There's a NEW Estes book I have to read!
Alison wrote: "Also reading The Star Dwellers finally! I feel so behind but I don't think it will take long to get to The Sun Dwellers since I am moving right along. Enjoying it even more than The Moon Dwellers! ..."The Moon Dwellers is just sitting there in my Kindle App... along with Angel Evolution
Well... on the bright side, they're not alone. They got hundreds of company.
Still lonely though, lol.
Mod
I'm going to be starting Prodigy soon! Is it good?
Alison wrote: "Also reading The Star Dwellers finally! I feel so behind but I don't think it will take long to get to The Sun Dwellers since I am moving right along. Enjoying it even more than The Moon Dwellers! ..."Yay! I'm not alone. I need to read more tonight. All these crazy weather changes in IL this week have had me going to sleep by 9:00 every night!
David wrote: "Aw, thanks H to the E to the...well, you get the rest :)"You are welcome D to the A
Just finished Destined to Feel - Indigo Bloome. Now I am about to embark on Midnight Alley - Rachel Caine.
Starting
then i finally get to start
which I have been waiting to start but had to first get some other books out of the way for challenges and and review books. Hopefully Guardians of the Akasha is good and i can get lost in it and it will go fast.
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Jenny wrote: "So I was going over my end of the month stuff for my blog, and I just realized I read 40 books in January!!! I'm not sure how I did that...there were 4 or 5 that were short novellas..but still, I'..."Thats Great i wish i did that well in January but i only did 12
40? Whoa! I'm super impressed! I read 12 also, which is pretty good for me!
Jenny, What is your total goal for the year? I hope it wasn't 50 lol
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Aww thank you so much!!! You are so sweet and so glad you like the sequel!
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Pretty good, I'm at 75%. I think I liked the first book more, although now something VERY interesting is happening, there's a lot more world building so the end may make this book better than the first, we'll see :)
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You are welcome D to the A"
lol!
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is today and for TODAY ONLY, the ebook will be 25% off :) Here are links in case anyone's interested! I promise this will be the last of my cheerleading for it, I'll rely on all of you to get the word out ;) Thanks for all your INCREDIBLE support and I hope you enjoy the read!Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Fire-Country-Th...
Barnes & Noble Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fire-...
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/...
Amazon Print: http://www.amazon.com/Fire-Country-Vo...
Bieke wrote: "I'm reading . Yeah, I am in need of some Christian Grey. Sigh.To the ones that hate these books: Shut up, don't you dare judging me. A girl has the right t..."
I find it okay. I give it a chance on the second book. and.. I must say it's better till the last book. :)
David wrote: "Sorry I've been having internet issues (terrible timing!), but I'm grabbing a coffee at a cafe and just wanted to tell you that the official release of is today an..."Im planning on buying it tonight before Shabbat, but i have to catch up on
first. I have them already just havent had time to read them but i hear that Fire Country Characters will tie into the Dwellers series eventually. Hope to read them all this month.
I'm so tempted to buy it, even though I already ordered the paperback! lol
David wrote: "Sorry I've been having internet issues (terrible timing!), but I'm grabbing a coffee at a cafe and just wanted to tell you that the official release of is today an..."Good luck David!
Mod
Good question :) For the Dwellers Saga, I used the awesome copyeditor, Christine LePorte :) For Fire Country, however, unforunately I wasn't able to use a copyeditor, so I relied on me, my wife, and my awesome beta readers to help with typos and such :)
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LOL! So sorry it will be little while before you get the paperback since I have to get it first to sign it before sending to you! Hopefully mid-Feb you'll get it though! Thanks SO MUCH!
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Aww, thanks Heidi, I really appreciate it :)
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David Estes Fans and YA Book Lovers Unite!
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I personally hated Fifty Shades... with a passion. I just thought it was ridiculous and stupid and I did read the whole thing. I read it all because my friend was like Oh you have to it's amazing so I kepy going because of what she said... that's why I wrote a negative review but I didn't read the others. I personally just hated that book so much but I'm not one to go off on someone coz they like it. Everyone is different and just because I didn't like it doesn't mean anyone else can't. I hate people who are so small minded as to say that a book is terrible and have a go at people for liking it. For me Fifty Shades of Grey is the worst book I have ever read but that's my personal opinion just like I'm sure some people think that about books that I love. Reading is subjective and everyone just needs to let people like what they like.