Last Book Your Read?

[timdalton007]

Same as my Last Movie You Watched topic in the lounge. Simply list the last book you read and what you thought of it.

timdalton007

[Menchi]

Book,

book, whats a book

oh, now i remember, those things with pages

um.. bin a few years. i'll get back to you

[Kei]

The Novelization of Resident Evil 0.

Technically its Battle Royale but I skipped chapters to get to my favorite parts.

[Brad Tajiri]

Hmmm...either it was A Brief History of Everything or Stuwwelpeter.

[Clintykins]

The last full book I read was Reservation Blues, which was fabulous. I was supposed to read The Awakening last night, but I sparknotes'd it out of laziness. I'm *currently* reading "Raney" by Clyde Edgerton.

[Azure]

Are you Dave Gorman? hilarious! -it's a brilliantly written account of a man and his flatmate as they try to find the Dave Gorman's of the world.

[Jaela]

Last book I read all the way through was Peter Pan.

So nostalgic! I love it.

The next one's gonna be The Theif Lord.

[Chinomi]

Well, technically the last thing I read was Card Captor Sakura, the final manga... but as for actual novels I haven't had much time to actually sit down and read one.

However, the last book I read would have to be "The Amber Spy-Glass" in the His Dark Materials trilogy. Really great books.

[Matt Cowlrick]

The last book I read was Son of the Shadows from the Sevenwaters Trilogy by Juliet Marillier - what a fantastic story! I just got the 3rd book today - 'Child of the Prophecy' and I can't wait to get into it.

I'm also recommending the 'Ramses' series by Christian Jacq, which I read a while ago but recently finished again.

[Doki-Chan]

I last read the 2nd Book of a series Called "Samurai Girl" its very good about a girl named Heaven Kogo. When she was just a baby she was the only surviovor of JAL 999's Plain Crash. She was adopted to a rich family, the Kogos. She is forced to marry the son of their Rival Company, Teddy Yukemura in L.A. Just seconds before the ceramony was complete the wedding is crashed by a Ninja. I'm not going to say more of what happens, read it, its interesting. The Character Heaven Kogo is very interested in American Culture and loved watching American Movies and what not, so shes the oppisite of an overly obsessed English Speaking Anime Fan. Its a very interesting book.

[Ada]

I'm in the middle of this one book called "never count out the dead" which is really good, but the last book I finished was the novel for .Hack//AIbuster which was excellent. now that iM done school I hope to get more reading done.

[Morningstarfairy]

i'd say the last book i read was Ingo, or was it Part 4 of the Charlie bone series, well i read them both in the same month so one or the other.
i love to read ^ ^

Doki-Chan: that book sounds interesting is it called Samurai Girl or has it got another name?

[timdalton007]

Warday by Whitley Strieber and James Kunetka A ver realistic novel set five years after a "limited" nuclear war. Despite the fact that botht he date of the nuclear war (October 28, 1988 ) and the year the book is set in (1993, the novel was published in 1984) have passed, it still retains every bit of the realism is still there. It seemed so realistic I had to go make sure it didn't happen. It was saddening to the point of near-tears at time and at times it seemed optimistic about the aftermath. One of the best novels I've ever read and one I think everybody should read..just to be thankful it didn't happen.

timdalton007

[Doki-Chan]

Doki-Chan: that book sounds interesting is it called Samurai Girl or has it got another name?

It is in a series so each individual book has its own subtitle for example book one is called Samurai Girl, Book of the sword (I think) But in general the series is called Samurai Girl. Yes it is very good. I have read the first two books. My stupid school Library only has book 1,2 and 6 available and I don't wanna read 6 until I read 3 4 and 5 so I may never finish the series ugh. Actualky I'm not sure how many are in the series all together. I know that the Author is
Carrie Asai (Though I'm not sure if I'm spelling Carrie right) Its an interesting series, check it out!.

[Tom]

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
by Mark Haddon

[Pombar]

Reread Ursula Le Guin's Earthsea quintet. I hear Miyazaki's son is making an anime based around the first book, which should be neat. Great books they are.

[hideko_dahlia]

"Dark Lord of Drekholm" by Diana Wynne Jones. One of my favs by her.

[Doki-Chan]

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
by Mark Haddon

oh, oh! Is that the one in which the author wrote it so that the narrator is 15 year old Autistic guy? And then in the first few pages he describes that there was a pitchfork stabbed into a dog his neighbour's yard? Or am I thinking of something completely diffrent. My creative writting teacher read us the first few pages and, I could not remember the title, I only remembered that the title was long and mentioned a dog. I really want to read it, and if that is the book I am thikning of, I know the title, yay!! Or if its not, then Ignore me cause I'm just crazy.

[Tom]

oh, oh! Is that the one in which the author wrote it so that the narrator is 15 year old Autistic guy? And then in the first few pages he describes that there was a pitchfork stabbed into a dog his neighbour's yard? Or am I thinking of something completely diffrent. My creative writting teacher read us the first few pages and, I could not remember the title, I only remembered that the title was long and mentioned a dog. I really want to read it, and if that is the book I am thikning of, I know the title, yay!! Or if its not, then Ignore me cause I'm just crazy.

Yes, that's the one. It's a very charming book. Quick read, enjoyable story, execution. Give it a try.

[adv_obsessor]

I finished two books last month..I read Memoirs of a Geisha [which is fantastic, really] and 'Mirror, Mirror' by Gregory MaGuire.

He's one of my favorite authors and at the moment I'm plodding through 'Lost'. It's not as great as his last works, but it's not awful either. ^^

[Menchi]

I read the Tales of eternia instruction book, it was a great read with interesting dialogue, that really captured me, you can find it in any local game shop around 40 pounds.

[Aysu Hilaria]

I've just finished reading Spindle's End by Robin McKinley for the 5th time. I love it massively. it is ana amazing interpretation of the Sleeping Beauty story and I'd reccomend you read it.

[Menchi]

guess i'm just not that kinda book reading kind of guy i was, i used to read books all the time wen i was at school, back in the day.

I guess TV and Computer Games have taken over my life, but there better in a way, because TV programmes and films are books/stories, just with audio, and games are even better, story with characters, dialogue and emotions but playable, can it get better.

[Pombar]

Well, usually Books can develop characters more. THough yes, usually emotional scenes are better conveyed through motion.
That's why I read and watch/play/listen to stuff :D
Reread Broken Sky(why isn't that a Graphic Novel yet... >_>)
Oh, and I suppose the Illiad too :P

[lionfayt]

I read Reading for Dummies......hehehe.......not rely.

the last book I read was a Series of Unfortunate Events book by:Lemony Snicket
I read that book about 1-2 years ago......I kno i'm rusty wen it comes ta readin'T_T_T_T

the only books I've read Recently was Manga books......Saiyuki was the last one I've read.^_^

[Pombar]

Oh, if we're counting manga, then Saiyuki since about October ^_^ Just one more volume to go...(and then Reload :P)

[lionfayt]

i jus sed Manga, so i dont end up sayin' nothin'......cuz, he nevr sed NO MANGA anyway.....^_^_^

and Manga is like, the only piece of literature i read anyway.

[Lioncourt]

The last book I read was Spirit Walker, the second book in The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series (first was called Wolf Brother) and I'm absolutely loving this series so far. It's kind of post ice age fantasy where magic is more subtle and understated and more along the lines of natural magic ala Princess Mononoke. The story focuses on a young boy named Torak and his adventures with a wolf cub called....well....Wolf, against an evil group of mages who are out to kill him.

The relationship between Torak and Wolf is what really draws me to this series, they come across as having this bond of brotherhood that is really beautiful to read. Some of the chapters are written from Wolf's perspective and they make good interesting reading (ever wondered how a wolf would describe laughing or fire?).

I'm really looking forward to the third book, but it's not due out until the end of the year...oh well, guess I'll just have to be patient. In the meantime I'm making my way through a book called Varjak Paw.

[Peterodl]

Last books were Casino Royal and Goldfinger (007 novels)

[Tali]

Well, usually Books can develop characters more. THough yes, usually emotional scenes are better conveyed through motion.
That's why I read and watch/play/listen to stuff :D
Reread Broken Sky(why isn't that a Graphic Novel yet... >_>)
Oh, and I suppose the Illiad too :P

I've heard they may be making broken sky into a cartoon but I'm not sure how true this rumour is.

Last book i read was the Dalemark Quartet (for the second time) and I am currently reading Wizard at Large which is the third in a series and i've high hopes for as the first two were good.

[Taryn]

Last one was The Rainbow by D.H. Lawrence, which was absolutely, utterly amazing. My first work of Lawrence read for a class of mine. Now I'm flying through James Joyce's A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. Not quite as good, but rather interesting.

I'm an English major who loves reading, so saying that movies and TV are just books with audio kind've ruffles my feathers. They're entirely different mediums with entirely different capabilities.

[Cefaclor]

Last one was The Rainbow by D.H. Lawrence, which was absolutely, utterly amazing. My first work of Lawrence read for a class of mine. Now I'm flying through James Joyce's A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. Not quite as good, but rather interesting.

I'm an English major who loves reading, so saying that movies and TV are just books with audio kind've ruffles my feathers. They're entirely different mediums with entirely different capabilities.

Wasnt James Joyce also the one that wrote Mrs. Dalloway? The concepts are amazing but sometimes its sooo boring. This lady just keeps bitching about her past and alll the wrong choices shes made. But once you see past the bitching its reaally rather good.

[Kirran]

The last book I read was To Crush the Moon by Wil McCarthy. It's the last in the Queendom of Sol series. Pretty good, I would say, if you like good sci fi. Personally, I've become a big fan of hard sci fi, and cyberpunk especially. Alistar Reynolds is currently one of my favorite authors. The book I'm working through right now is Pandora's Star by Peter F. Hamilton. I guess it starts a new series, but I haven't seen any of the others yet, so I'm not sure if they're out.

Oh, and I'm waiting for the next of the Parrish Pleasis books to hit the US. Nylon Angel was the first, and Code Noir will be here in July. Not sure if I'll wait though, I may just order it and Crash Deluxe off Amazon and be done with it. They're written by Marriane de Pierrse if anyone is interested. Pretty cool books, very good cyberpunk.

[Taryn]

Wasnt James Joyce also the one that wrote Mrs. Dalloway? The concepts are amazing but sometimes its sooo boring. This lady just keeps bitching about her past and alll the wrong choices shes made. But once you see past the bitching its reaally rather good.

No, you're thinking of Virginia Woolfe. Joyce wrote Ulysses.

[Pombar]

I read Don Quixote by Cervantes and Shogun by James Clavell. I need new books :'(

[Rysen]

The last book I read was the third in the "Malloreon" series by David Eddings. I can't remember it's title, but I'm on the fourth now. I'm definately not enjoying it as much as the Belgariad, but it's still pretty good.

I also recently picked up the fifth book in Stephen King's Dark Tower series, and I'm *really* looking forward to starting that. I'm not a *huge* King fan, but that series is awesome. The fourth, "Wizard and Glass" is the only book I've ever read that I ended up throwing at the wall out of disgust because of something that happens to a character. :P

In general I'm a big fan of series', mostly because I love how characters develop and change over the course of their respective "journey's".

[Cefaclor]

No, you're thinking of Virginia Woolfe. Joyce wrote Ulysses.

hmm.. but I know I've read her. Let see.. Oh yes. DUBLINERS. Awesome book by the way. The whole stream of consiousness idea rocks.

[Pombar]

Recommended series' for ya then - Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth, Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time, and ANYTHING by Ian Irvine.
Oh, and all of Robin Hobbs' series' are good too, she's an amazing author.

[Rysen]

Recommended series' for ya then - Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth, Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time, and ANYTHING by Ian Irvine.
Oh, and all of Robin Hobbs' series' are good too, she's an amazing author.

I read the first Sword of Truth recently actually, it was really good, kinda graphic at a point or two (And I've heard it gets worse later on...:P), and really my only complaint was the ending. Too..."Disney", when you compare the rest of the novel to it. But I plan on continuing that one some day for sure.

I also read the first Wheel of Time, I felt the first book moved really slow, and it sort of turned me off of reading the rest. Again, though, I hear it gets really good in the later books, so I might pick up the next and give it another go.

The Shannara series by Terry Brooks is also a great read. I've read just about every one of them, and I've always really enjoyed them.

I'll look into the Irvine and Hobbs series' as I've never heard of them. Thanks! :)

[Trowa]

geez the last book i read was The Sapphire Rose by David Eddings, and that was so long ago, i need to actually finish the next one.

[Dagita]

The Vampire Lestat - Anne Rice 10/10 GREAT
Fight Club - Chuck Palahniuk 10/10 GREAT

Fight Club is awesome. The book is a lot more sick than the movie.
It's awesome my favorite book done by Anne Rice.

[Peterodl]

Moonraker by Ian Fleming

A Lot different from the film version but still a fun read.

[timdalton007]

Moonraker by Ian Fleming

A Lot different from the film version but still a fun read.

Yes a great novel. My favorite Bond novel as a matter of fact. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Back to the last book I read...

Storming Intrepid by Payne Harrison

An out of date Cold War techno thriller invloving the Star Wars missile defense syestem, a hijacked space shuttle called the Intrepid, the KGB, and everything one expects from a good Cold War techno thriller. A good read, if a little out of date both technology and plot wise (since the Soviet Union is gone.)

timdalton007

[Azure]

Sir Thursday by Garth Nix - Book four in Keys to the Kingdom. Arthus gets drafted into the Army inside The House. Leaf meanwhile goes back to Earth and has to face yet more odd events caused by the House.
It was really good, I sat there and HAD to read it, very enjoyable stuff. Nix writes so vividly with such an original voice. I can't wait for #5!

[Cordelia LeFay]

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls-memoir, all about her crazy childhood, being poor yet having a particular, loyal family....whose parents chose to live on the streets. Can't put it down!

Foreign Babes in Beijing by Rachel DeWoskin-memoir, I'm currently student teaching under her mother. Great book to read if you are a senior in college and a foreign language student. Yay for cheesy chinese soap operas!

[Peterodl]

"You Only Live Twice" by Ian Fleming

yes, I've been on a bit of a 007 binge lately but the books are entertaining

[fukkatsu]

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

What a wonderful book. Still have not seen both movies though. I am sure they would not compare anyway.

[Stephee]

OMG, I read a lot of books lately, but the most recent was the fourth book in the Artemis Fowl series, the Opal Deception. VERY good, I liked it a lot. Also reread my two favorites, Tithe and Valiant, both by Holly Black. Uber wonderfuls if you enjoy faeries being set in a modern day gothic style setting... 'n stuff.

[Maverick]

Well, I read Mary Shelly's Frankenstein recently. Not too shabby. Very different than any movie conception you'd ever think of. And a little slow for my tastes. I didn't really like the main character that much, but I could understand him. But it presents some interesting ideas about the role of society in monsters. An interesting read, if you have the attention span.

[Peterodl]

I read Frankenstein in my freshman year in high school for a bit of fun reading.
I enjoyed it once I got into the language.
Another book that's slow to get into is Bram Stoker's Dracula. It's an interesting way of telling a story.
I used to read a bunch of the "classics" while in elementary and high school for fun reading on the side.

[Taryn]

Just finished A Passage to India by E.M. Forster for class. Excellent novel, and surprisingly easy to read. I zipped through that thing like nobody's business.

Fukkatsu, I think you really ought to give the new movie and the A&E miniseries from the 90's a chance in terms of Pride and Prejudice adaptations. Both really are excellent, even for fans of the book.

[MyrrhLynn]

Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by ... the same guy that wrote Wicked (can't remember his name) I didn't really like it that much, it was a pretty cynical book. Or maybe I've just watched the Disney Cinderella movie too many times and this was so different. :XD

[HyperFaerie]

Wicked, Red Dragon, Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal. Great combination huh? :D

[Josh Miller]

Blink by Malcom Gladwell.

I really need to get back to reading fiction, for those who don't know this is a nonfiction book on the idea that your subconscience knows more than you do.

[Spamilla]

The last book I read was "The Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown.. I haven't looked through here to see if anyone else has read it, but I thought it was a great book, really well written.

I'm currently reading "Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister" by Gregory Maguire

[Azure]

The Midwich Cuckoos
~John Wyndham
XD awesome ( it's the book village of the damned is based on)

[Josh Miller]

Teany by Moby...YES IT IS A COOKBOOK/MEMOIR DANGIT.

I have no life and someday want to own a cafe. ^^

[Bjorn]

Umm. I'm not sure I start and finish books very inconsistantly, It was probably The Half Blood Prince for the 5th time (It's real good) or So long and thanks for all the Fish, Its the 4th or 3ed or something of a sequal in the Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy series, It broke my brain (CONFUSING TA BOOT):shock:

[KITA]

The last book I finished was Firesong from William Nicholson's Wind on Fire Triology.

I'm currently reading The Far Side of the World by Patrick O'Brian.

[kt_rocks]

Party Monster... I'm still reading it, though...

[Steven Mane]

Hm. I thought mine posted.

The DaVinci Code and The Moose That Roared. The former is just a phenomenal book, but people tend to take it way too seriously.

The latter is also an enjoyable read, but doesn't really make you think like The DaVinci Code does.

[hideko_dahlia]

Well, I'm reading the unabridged version of The Tale of Genji at the moment. >_> I enjoy being weird. Last book I finished was.... something I had read before, I think. Can't remember.

[Azure]

American Gods by Neil Gaiman - Found it really hard to get into, but once I did I really enjoyed it. Gaiman writes with really amazing language, not suprising it's got so many awards.

[Zangya]

The DaVinci Code,and Shakespear's Secret.

[enchantma]

I read the Wasp Factory by Iain Banks and I recommend it to EVERYONE <3 if you like dark humor...It's really awesome, in my opinion...
Awesome=sarcasm+controversy

[Azure]

Just read the Da Vinci code hillarious :3

[Kathryn]

So long and thanks for all the Fish, Its the 4th or 3ed or something of a sequal in the Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy series, It broke my brain (CONFUSING TA BOOT):shock:

I've been wanting to read that!! Sadly I've been too caught up reading Harry Potter for the 2837498324598th time. -__- I really need to branch out and read OTHER stuff. (But do you blame me?)

[katt]

The Great Hunt (41st book this summer!) by Robert Jordan. I just started The Dragon Reborn today.

[Kevin Gillis]

I think the last book I read was Winter's Heart by Robert Jordan... I'm waiting for Knife of Dreams.

Wait... No... I last read Black Powder War from the Temeraire series... Forgot who wrote it tho... Good series tho if you like Dragons and are also a big history buff

[Azure]

I want to see the end of WoT please....*cries*
Just read Pyramids by Terry Pratchett. Moving on to the Chinese classic Monkey!

[artxxisxxbang]

To Kill A Mockingbird. Actually I'm still reading it. XD

[Azure]

.hack/AI Buster actually quite good set right before the start of .Hack/Sign. <-- is falling for Bandai's marketing.

[x0Michellex0]

I think my Easter Break english project The Life and Times of Charlotte Doyle. But if its manga, Fruits Basket #13. x3

[subtle_s]

The last book I read was about one month ago called "The Time Traveller's Wife" which was alright. Currently on Oryx and Crake by Margret Atwood which I am hoping to be better.

[JamaicanPolarBear]

My Heartbeat by Forgotten Author.

[Kagome]

Absolute Boyfriend (volume 2)

~Kagome

[Fruit Chew]

However, the last book I read would have to be "The Amber Spy-Glass" in the His Dark Materials trilogy. Really great books.

Ah~ Much love for Philip Pullman, I remember reading the Amber Spyglass a few years ago, and crying at the end because I was a pansy. XD;;

Anyway- I just finished reading The Tale of the Body Theif from Anne Rice's vampire chronicles~ >D (I've been on a vampire binge as of late). I just really love Anne Rice's ability to write a second person novel that doesn't suck, and of course, who could not like Lestat? <33 (And the whole "body theif" thing reminded me of FMA the anime, and Hohenheim's deal. 8D)

I'd highly recommend reading it, and of course all of the other books in the chronicles as well~

[panzerzanaku]

the king of fighters kyo manga
it was cool but it was never finished

[Okuro]

Ouran Highschool Host club Vol. 1
Great manga! I fell in love with the story when I watched the anime. ^^

[subtle_s]

Just finished Oryx and Crake by Margret Atwood today. (about 3 weeks later than I hoped) Fairly good overall even if the ending isn't OMG. The book is split into two parts mainly switching between them. Jimmy's childhood and growing up, full of sex, betrayal and rakunks (mix of racoon and skunks) and after when he is basically the last living survivor of the world looking after a new breed of humans called Crakers.
If you like ominous warnings of the future as most modern books have then give it a go although I must warn it does deal with many serious subjects like child pornography and slavery. Enjoy.

[Redtear]

It is suspect that I have yet to post in this section. Inquisitively strange in fact for to me, reading is life. I own four large bookshelves and still I have boxes upon boxes of books in storage. One day when I own my own house, a must will be a library. (Right next to the game haven/LAN party/10TB server room.) Ah yes, we Americans sure do like our territory, and as animals mark it with waste.


That brings me to the book I read yesterday.


Life of Pi


I give this book a 9.2/10. What a truly arbitrary concept. It may be more helpful to say it was very good and I highly recommend it for any reader. You must be mature enough to have handled Where the Red Fern Grows, or “Harry Potter”. There is death and tears may be shed. I found this book soul food no matter what genre’s one tends to venture or what religious or personal background or philosophy on life one may have. I would recommend this to all, other than Nihilist however, I assume not too many practitioners of Nihilism read.

This is a quick read, 401 pages to be exact. However it reads like a 200 page novel. (Hints the fact I read it yesterday, I only do a full book over a day once in a Blue Moon.)

Life of Pi is a life story, not of ones full life but one of an experience that made someone alive. This is key is it not? Many of us read to enrich and many of us read to escape from our common reality. Most people read motivated by a mix of both. Starting around puberty, continuing through life (until our spirits are broken) we all dream of prospering our selves out of common, through special and into spectacular beings. Or as us Americans put it, being made of all the “right stuff.”

The market for such books set in the forum of “How to” span annual sales witch boggle my mind. Trump, telling you how to make millions by being an egotist, playing a constant good-cop bad-cop mind game through life will land you your dreams my be the way for some people. His writings are plump with truths for achieving status so high, it is true, for the most part, dedication is the key. Trump fails at some simple life logic, proven by his recent trip to Louisiana where he literally walked over the dead and left with out extending a helping hand. I personally feel stories of simple and sadly uncommon truths such as Life of Pi provide far more enrichment to our souls.

There are a few things in this book that are interesting. Author, Yamm Martel, proclaims in early pages, the story has a happy ending. Martel is missing some of his own lessons. Life is not full of happy endings. Existence is a maddening swirl of fear and love, the two most powerful emotional forces. All motivation boils down one or the other and many times are unrepeatable. Lessons are learned at a cost. Pi pays dearly in his on his journey; the reality of this truth is not lessened with a mature and healthy outlook at the end of a road traveled.

A humorous boast Martel takes is at the end of the story you will believe in God. Yes, there is some heavy religious content in this novel. Now personally my cackles raise at many religious stories. For me there are many reasons this aversive religious reaction occurs. Saying I was raised Catholic in unhealthy ways should be enough said.

Life of Pi did not give me this negative reaction. There is a very core and deep lesson with in the book. The top five religions witch cover a vast majority of the world’s population, profess God is Love. It is amazing that almost every human can agree and worship under this pretence and still live daily ignoring their proclaimed belief.

I took to Martel’s absurd boast with curiosity and was not surprised upon turning the last page knowing none of my beliefs were altered. He did happen to reinforce truths I all ready hold.

[subtle_s]

Oh yay I just read LIfe of Pi a few months ago, it rawked. I loved the whole religion in the mix thing and how each of the things that helped Pi survive represented a different religion. Especially liked the multiple choice ending so yay.

[timdalton007]

Star Trek: The Ashes Of Eden By William Shatner

A pretty good Star Trek novel. Shatner is a pretty darn good witer, though his writing is bette rduring action sequences then in dialouge. This novel is an intresting bridge between Star Trek VI and the vents at the beginning of Star Trek Generations.

timdalton007

[Mallie]

I actually just finished The Gaurdian by Nicholas Sparks. Like every girl in America, I'm a sucker for his books. :P

[Seibei Mifune]

Calculus with analytical geometry by Thurman S. Peterson

i need this...

[Sirius]

I just finished Deception Point. *sighs* After a While Dan Brown's works are getting predictable. I hope his new book will be twistier..

[Seibei Mifune]

i just finished reading Ragnarok manga again for 29th time...

[timdalton007]

The Once And Future King By T.H. White

King Arthur and his famous Knights of the Round Table are among the most famous characters of any mythology. This novel, entitled “The Once And Future King, is the re-telling of the legend published some four decades ago and written by a man who was fascinated by the medieval time period. This novel is a good novel, but it lacks greatness and is at times lacking.

The novel’s plot is well known. It starts with a young boy called Wart who pulls the sword from the stone and becomes the King of England. He marries Guinevere, sets up the famous Round Table, and creates an ideal society in the form of Camelot. But in the end this perfect could not last forever and eventually Camelot falls. Pretty much the basics of the Arthurian legend are retold here.

The main problem of the novel is in its characterization. King Arthur is the protagonist of the novel, but yet he seems to be lacking in the wisdom we have come to associate with the legendary king. But he is a three-decisional character and he does suffers one tragic flaw: he is too trusting and this will lead to the fall of Camelot. The same lacking of characterization can be found in the other two characters of the novel: Guinevere and the brave knight Lancelot. White doesn’t seem to be able to handle their characterization very well. This is especially true of the romance between them. The highlights in terms of characters are the bumbling knight King Pellinore and, of course, the sorcerer Merlyn. It is through Merlyn that Arthur learns many of the lessons and also that we get the social commentary of the novel. Yet the weak characterization of the main characters hurts the overall effect of the novel.

White is at his best doing the descriptions rather then dialogue and it is this that makes the novel worth reading. There is an area where White doesn’t keep this together as well. The novel’s ending seems to be too awkwardly written and White seems to rush past many of the novels’ revelations. It would have been nice if some of these had been closed since they do leave a few too many loose threads hanging at the end.

In the final analysis, “The Once And Future King” is a novel of great intentions done written with mixed results. White managed to take the classic legend of old and infuse it with some freshness. Despite its lack of proper characterization and some loose threads at the end, the novel is still a good re-telling of the King Arthur story. If you are interested in the King Arthur legend this is a good choice to read.

7/10

timdalton007

[Cheshire]

Cell by Stephen King.

Definitely one of my favorite books to date. The novel reads like you're watching a movie, giving tons of detail, while still leaving plenty to the imagination. I love how it grabs you right from the beginning, starting off with a rather mundane city day, and then switching almost imperceptibly to the world going to hell in a hand basket.

Also, I like how it makes you think about how much we depend on technology in our daily lives, and raises the point of that being as much of a weakness as a strength. If you can stomach a few scenes of violence, I would most definitely recommend this. <3

[Yahikochan]

Lessee... The last book I read was "Without You: A memoir of love, loss and the musical Rent" by Anthony Rapp, an original cast member of the broadway musical and the movie too. It was needless to say... HEARTWRENCHING!!! It made me cry or at least tear up so many times, I couldn't even tell you how many... It's a beautiful story about his life, and normally I'm not into non-fiction, but you can really feel what he's writing.

The story is a fantastic one, but not for the closed-minded. Anthony Rapp is bi-sexual with his eyes on more boys than girls, and he makes sure to talk about that too. Good for the yaoi fangirls though ;) :P. You don't have to see the play or the movie to understand it, but it would probably help with understanding the heart behind it. ^^ I definitely recommend it.