actually i lied, i promised my friend i'd read forty rules of love first, so that's next :)

Gods Behaving Badly by Marie Phillips. Fluffy & funny ...

The Wheel of Time series starts out really well, but was dragged out far too long. Probably should have ended after about 3 books....

i agree with justjo - wheel of time is one of my favorite fantasy series but it's very long and sometimes boring/frustrating in parts. a song of ice and fire by george r.r. martin is another great epic series though. and if you're looking for something more along the lines of the hunger games (shorter ya fantasy) check out the wolves of mercy falls trilogy by maggie stiefvater :)

"Forty Rules of Love First" has got to be the next book I get at Powells
(for summer reading).

Thank you, aishah.

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I am about a quarter of the way into the newest book I've been reading lately.

Boo, Catherine (Jan 2012). Behind the beautiful forevers. New York, NY: Random House Publishers. NYTs review (LINK).

When I'm through reading this book, I'm taking a break from reading books that are new to me. I like to sit and meld with them. I record notes in mine (thoughts I have while reading certain passages)... What about any of you here: do you find yourself doing that too?

it's just called "forty rules of love" and it's by turkish author elif shafak :) (i said 'first' because i meant i have to read it first before i read drag king dreams...hehe!) i started it earlier this evening though and it's really wonderful! and you're welcome.
http://www.elifshafak.com/kitaplar/the_frol.asp

how do you like "behind the beautiful forevers"? :)

here's my take on The Hunger Games...


I start with a disclaimer. I like stuff that makes other people roll their eyes. I LIKE Keanue Reeves acting. I can easily get immersed into moves and books and even if I notice problems - as long as you don't assault me - I'll work with you. Heck even if you do assault me, if like the way you write - I'll still work with you.

What I really liked about The Hunger Games is the IMO more realistic portrayal of someone who is put into traumatic experiences - particularly the end of the book. I don't want to spoil it for anyone so I'll just leave it at that and the ones who have read it will hopefully understand what I'm talking about. If not, rep or pm me and I'll explain :)

I enjoyed falling in love with Katniss. She was young, she was fallible, she wasn't the uber hero - she was a girl who just so happened to do the right thing under pressure. The more time she had to think - the worse off she was. lol I can relate to that.

For me, THG is the series to beat in regards to YA Dystopian Fiction.

* Good Morning *
 

~>> aishah & foxyshaman: when reading any particular book or article, I generally set aside my internal wiring (biases, etc) and read what is before me; as neutrally as possible with the eyes of a child (a child like wonder - Rachel Carson). After I have read the entire book or article, I then go back and re-read with whatever particular application of lens is necessary to help me understand the authors' particular views or other pertinent issues within that particular context of writing (genre, style of writing, method of claim delivery, etc).

When I finish my first reading of Catherine Boo's book on life in a Dubai slum, I'll go back and re-read in a critical fashion as I examine issues set forth in her text and make notes on things that may share sets of interests I study at an academic level. Usually by the time I have read a book for the fourth or fifth time, it's for pleasure - which by then, I've almost memorized the entire contents of said book or article.


~>> Tawse: I could identify with Katniss (re: the more time she had to think about things, the worse off she was. That is soOoOOOooo me, at times). I don't read enough dystopian material to know if THG is the series to top; but if THG is the series to top, then this might explain why I don't read material in this particular genre.

Best Lines Ever (in your post): "as long as you don't assault me - I'll work with you. Heck even if you do assault me, if like the way you write - I'll still work with you" (Tawse).

Personally... I'm addicted to the comic strips! Not the marvel, capcom, DC ones... I mean the funny pages comic strips.

Calvin and Hobbes is my absolute favorite, hands down. I grew up reading Bill Watterson's epic comic strip and own the whole set. I've reread them a dozen times and I love to draw C&H comics.

I also have the entire libraries of Zits, Baby Blues, For Better or For Worse, Mutts, and some underground/unknown ones.

I do read actual books too... I think I'm still reading "We Need To Talk About Kevin", but I'd have to check my Kindle to see what else is on there.

I'm also a sucker for a good romance book, be it lesbian or not. Romance books taught me a lot about how to please a woman growing up. :reader: There was a girl, who was just a friend in HS; we'd skip gym class and sit on the bleachers reading our romance books then when we were done with them we'd trade.

:deepthoughts:

Saying that you inspire me Katzchen :bunchflowers: would be an understatement. We read differently, but similar. I am a skimmer, always have been. I think that is why I don't read fiction, cause I always just want to 'get to the end'. :nerd:

I re-read quite a bit because I am a skimmer. I used to be quite different, but I suffered a stroke years ago which completely changed how I process, retain and recall information. I have to re-read something to get it into my brain :hammer:. I have to take notes, or I cannot retain the information nearly as well. (Yeah kinesthetic learning) I used to have exceptional retention and recall.... alas not anymore. Anyway... I digress. The way that I remember information best is to teach it. I am constantly reading because I am constantly building 'that next workshop' or 'that next lecture' or 'that next ritual', or.... fill in the blank.

Reading this thread is important to me. Not because I am interested in fiction per se, rather I am reminded that reading can be done "just because". I enjoy the different titles. The different authors. The agreement between posters regarding titles, themes, storylines.... this thread is a good human story for me.

I'm on my second cup of coffee now: I'm a kinesthetic learner too, foxyshaman. Well, practically kinesthetic in much of all that is a part of me.

I just realised I mispelled Boo's first name (should be with a K, not a C) and *cough* misplacement of location (not Dubai, but Mumbai).

That's amazing about the stroke you suffered and how you compensate now as a learner in any medium you delve into. My mothers' mom suffered a tremedous stroke before she passed away. Her stroke left her a prisoner in her own body. Seeing her held prisoner was heartbreaking for me - we almost always knew how to communicate with each other via our eyes and a collective memory of everything between us during the time she was imprisoned by her stroke. I miss my grandmother and thank you for conjuring precious memories of her today.

I am not an expert on the genre.. I don't think. lol I've read THG, The Hollowland books (2 so far), Under the Never Sky, and I'm currently reading Enclave. Edited to add: OH yeah and Divergent.. guess the fact that I forgot about it says something. ;) lol

THG was my FIRST - and we all know that we compare everything to our first and that we always remember our first. Ok maybe not - work with me here. Sunshine and rose and all that pukey stuff.

My point is THG was my first time experiencing certain traits for the genre. All stories have Protagonists, Fairy Godmothers, and Antagonists - but I hadn't experienced how these characters would be portrayed in this genre so it was cool watching it unfold. Certain things have proven to be typical of the genre, and certain things have proven to be unique, but THG was the first time I experienced them.

For me - I really like the way the author writes. There was a certain urgency to her writing - I personally felt like I had to keep reading - Katniss was in peril! I needed to read so I could see her happy ending! (no porn smirks please lol)...

Under the Never Sky is second - but it's a far second as far as character attachment - but a very close second as far as plot... there's only been one book so I can't comment on the endings.

Oh something else that may be of note - I HATE reading nonfiction... lol I want my trauma to be all in the pretend world.

I used to do that as well.. but then I learned something about me. Once I know the ending - I stop reading / watching.

I haven't and won't go see Secretariat or Titanic for that reason. The horse wins and the boat sinks. No point.

I even do that with my own stories - if I figure out the endings too fast - hey I'm good, no point in writing the rest out. Oh yeah - seriously. lol

SO - now I refuse to let myself skip to the end. That being said - in my excitement / anxiety I will skim during the dull bits. I seriously do NOT need to read about how you fold your clothes or what fabric they're made of - or how many friggen veins are in that leaf over there. O.o (good grief Anne Rice - stop it!)

Uhm.. I've digressed. Or maybe not...

Ok I'll step away from the mic now :) lol

my stories... usually start with a character. A feel... a smell.. a motive or incentive.

OR

It's like my brain turns off and starts watching a movie and I either write what I see down - or I drown in it. :) characters have conversations in my head - talk to me, each other etc. I've entertained my therapist but she hasn't sent me away yet so I can't be that bad off.. lol


I can't throw my books across the room - that'd break my kindle! My precious... lol

Inspiration hits us in so many wonderful ways. Spiritually, emotionally, physically, mentally. Each a different entry into the world we view as reality.

Kindle eh... well one day I will be all grown up and have books that I like available from said ebook stores. I have run across very few titles I read on their lists. Kind of a shame in the big scheme of things.

<shoulder shrug> I will have to content myself with the sound of disappointing books splatting the wall...

The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz. Not as funny as she means it to be. But it is keeping my attention.

Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair~Pablo Neruda
 

The Merlot Murders
A Wine Country Mystery

Ellen Crosby

Not too thrilled with this book. The writing is flat and uninspired. Not even sure I'll finish it, but it's in my list for a library assignment.

Speaking of the assignment, I'm looking for any recommendations of books related to fitness, health, nutrition, or organic living. Fiction or nonfiction... :)

Finished reading "enclave" (by ann aguirre) last night. Middle of the road as far as YA Dystopian goes... Had to research to find out if it were the first book of a series or a stand alone. It had that weird of an ending. They finished the story line (I thought) but there were a lot of loose ends that I wasn't sure if we were supposed to find out in a later book - or just build our own...

Yeah I guess what I'm saying is that it's not really even a middle of the road. I'd give it a 2 outta 5. And I think that may be me being nice.


But of course I'll give the second book a read - if I remember the series when the second book comes out.

Have you read Skinny Bitch, by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin?
Sounds like a diet book I know, but it's so much more. It's not a simple solution to weight loss, it's about eating for optimal health. It mostly promotes going vegan, but if that is not something you're interested in, you will still learn all kinds of things you (probably) didn't know about the food industry in North America (or at least I did).

It's a great read for anyone concerned about what we put in our mouths.

the portable nietzsche :|

http://photo.goodreads.com/books/132...4l/2761171.jpg

i just finished this one
even with cliche characters and the wheels falling off at the end - i think this book is worth a read while on the library wait list for the book you want

it held my interest and given the time period of the story - the language used was easy to follow without being too modern and distracting

rating: borrow it

Just finished two this weekend, both are starts of new dystopic trilogies. The first was Angelfall by self published author Susan Ee and it was amazing, finished it in less than a day. The second is Divergent by Jasmine by Veronica Roth, which I thought may be frustrating but turned out pretty good. I'm a little bummed that I went through them so quickly; both are scheduled to launch the second book in Summer, I guess, right in time for pool and beach weather. Now I'm starting Unwind by Neil Shusterman this evening; so excited!

Sister Queens~Katherine of Aragon and Juana, Queen of Castile
 

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...SH20_OU01_.jpg



Daughters of the formidable Isabella and Ferdinand of Spain, Katherine and Juana were born in to a world of privilege and luxury that came at a devastating personal price. They were trained from an early age to understand European diplomacy and to revere their position as defenders of Catholicism against any threat to their religion. In an age of familiy politics, the sisters were useful only as a way to secure new alliances through marriage; both at the mercy of the men they were to marry. Katherine's marriage to Prnice Arthur apeared to go well until he died suddenly after ten months. Marriage to King Henry VIII did not result in the vital heir, and soon Henry was displaying his despotic nature, with the execution of 'traitors' and high-handed affairs. Juana fared no better with Philip of Burgundy, whose naked amibition and cruelty made her life equally difficult. Julia Fox's new biography vividly portrays the harsh realities of being a queen within a world dominated and run by men. She provides a fresh take on the sisters' characters and interior worlds by setting them within their family and Spanish contexts. In the case of both women, this vibrant biography graphically illustrates the dangers of being a royal commodity at such a perilous time, and gives a highly revealing portrait of two forceful female personaliites thrwarted by the men around them - including the men closest to them who sould have cared for them the most.

The Complete Works of Guy De Maupassant.

"The Huntress" by Nicole Hamlett. It's 2.99 book that Gillian downloaded into our Archives and I decided to give it a whirl.

I'm about 16% done and I've gotten a good chuckle outta it thus far - problem is I don't believe it's a comedy. The writer utilizes cliches like a Shotgun during a Zombie Apocalypse. Despite the protagonist being 30 years old - her first person narrative was spoken more like a whiny 14 year old.

But it's amusing me - so I shall push through it.

Oh Plot: From what I can gather so far - the Greek (and thus Roman I would assume) gods were really Anaceans (I think that's how you spell it, basically the people who occupied Atlantis) who have an extremely long life and can walk through different planes of existence.

The protagonist is supposedly the first "pure breed" of their kind in 3000 years and is the daughter of the one we knew as Diana. You know, The Huntress. You know, The VIRGIN Huntress... who killed someone just for looking at her..

Did I mention the story is amusing? Yes - so I'm not sure about what else, but I'm going to keep reading just because dammit this author's got some mad skills when it comes to working cliches into a sentence.

I read it once.. and it was amazing at the time but it was equally disappointing. The blatant anti butch/butch relationships in that book - at a time where I was with a butch... meh. Left a very bad taste in my mouth since everyone DOES consider this a "must read" for Butch/TG/Stone/hellanyone...

Leslie has since apologized for some of the thoughts expressed - but I won't recommend it nor read it again. :/

Gave up trying to read The Huntress. Made it 62% of the way through it before I just couldn't handle it anymore.


Last night I started reading Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman... so far so good - even if his writing style has taken a minute to get used to. I keep picturing the bad guys as being "The Gentlemen" from Buffy... not sure if this is accurate or not. We'll see.

I just read "Pets to the rescue, Brave Norman". It was a book sitting on the desk in the 4th grade class room I work in. It was about a dog who was adopted from the pound and went blind. He rescued a little girl who was drownding at the beach despite his blindness. It's a quick 30 page read with mostly pictures and large font, lol. It was a feel good little story and my eyes got a little misty. Hahaha! :-D

just finished drag king dreams by leslie feinberg :) now i'm reading where the streets had a name by randa abdel-fattah.

http://www.crackingthecover.com/wp-c...cholastic1.jpg
Thirteen-year-old Hayaat is on a mission. She believes a handful of soil from her grandmother's ancestral home in Jerusalem will save her beloved Sitti Zeynab's life. The only problem is the impenetrable wall that divides the West Bank, as well as the checkpoints, the curfews, and Hayaat's best friend Samy, who is always a troublemaker. But luck is on their side. Hayaat and Samy have a curfew-free day to travel to Jerusalem. However, while their journey is only a few kilometres long, it may take a lifetime to complete.

FINALLY finished book 4 of the Game of Thrones series, now I'm a few chapters into book 5. I see the light at the end of the tunnel!