What are you reading?

aishah · 02-21-2012, 03:59 PM

finished the hunger games trilogy. i can relate a lot to what katzchen wrote about it, being a survivor myself. i was kind of underwhelmed by the writing and found a lot of things frustrating (the ends of the books felt rushed, as though the author wanted to explain the plot tie-ups rather than actually writing them, the beginning of the last book is corny and boring, etc.). some of the violence wasn't written very believably. (some of it was.) i did really like the world creation and dystopian aspects, though, and i think by the middle of the final book the characters were all very realistic to me - especially the main character - not always likeable but very realistic. i enjoyed the last 2/3rds of the final book a lot. the rest was kind of meh.

think i'm going to read drag king dreams next.

aishah · 02-21-2012, 04:49 PM

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

Estella · 02-21-2012, 05:27 PM

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

justkim · 02-21-2012, 05:53 PM

I am going to upload The Hunger Games to my Nook...I am looking forward to reading them since 9 our of 10 people I have spoken with have loved them. I was also told about The Wheel (s) of time series going to look into this series. Has anyone read this series?

JustJo · 02-21-2012, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justkim

I am going to upload The Hunger Games to my Nook...I am looking forward to reading them since 9 our of 10 people I have spoken with have loved them. I was also told about The Wheel (s) of time series going to look into this series. Has anyone read this series?

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

aishah · 02-21-2012, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justkim

I am going to upload The Hunger Games to my Nook...I am looking forward to reading them since 9 our of 10 people I have spoken with have loved them. I was also told about The Wheel (s) of time series going to look into this series. Has anyone read this series?

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

Kätzchen · 02-21-2012, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aishah

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

"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?

aishah · 02-22-2012, 02:17 AM

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"?

02-22-2012, 05:17 AM

Memoirs of Munich by Jones.T, Cooper.D, and Butler.R.A.
The Origins of the Second World War by Taylor.A.J.P.
Munich, The Appeasement Crisis by Faber.D

foxyshaman · 02-22-2012, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kätzchen

"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?

I really like to re-read books. I make notes in mine and underline and star and heck I even bend pages. When I reread books I am often struck by what I skimmed over, and what I thought was important at that time. I like to learn something *again*.

I primarily read non-fiction, but I do confess a love for collections of short stories in the fantasy realm. My two favorite editors are Terri Windling and Ellen Datlow. If their names are on it, I am going to like it. I also like some of Jeffrey Ford's work. He has one short (I am sure it was him) called "Kate the Lion Tailed Girl" that I retold at a Pagan Festival in the fall... the audience loved it. I just wish I had a costume befitting it...

Like you Katzchen I meld with my books. If they are super good, and not on loan from the library, they will stay by my bedside for weeks. Sometimes they get covered by other books, but buried underneath, is a warm feeling wrapped up in pages and words.

Kätzchen · 02-22-2012, 01:20 PM

~>> 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).

Cuddles · 02-22-2012, 02:10 PM

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.

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.

foxyshaman · 02-22-2012, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kätzchen

~>> 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.
[/I](Tawse).

Saying that you inspire me Katzchen

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'.

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

. 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.

Kätzchen · 02-22-2012, 04:04 PM

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.

Tawse · 02-22-2012, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kätzchen

~>> 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).

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.

foxyshaman · 02-22-2012, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tawse

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)...

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 had to comment on this... when I was young, like a teenager into early adulthood, I used to read a good lot of fiction. BUT!!!!! I always had to read the last page BECAUSE I could not stand the anxiety of not knowing if it was all going to work out. It actually caused me physical anxiety. Once I read the last page I could relax and enjoy the story. I don't do that now, but sometimes I can feel that pit in my stomach start to grow and it feels horrible. Now that I do NOT want to analyze

I laughed... trauma in the pretend world.... bbwwwwaaaahhhhaaaaaa.

Tawse · 02-22-2012, 10:55 AM

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.

02-21-2012, 05:27 PM	#3
Estella Member How Do You Identify?: Straightforward Femme. What you see is what you get. Preferred Pronoun?: We Relationship Status: Sadie, Sadie ... married lady. Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Love that dirty water ... Posts: 355 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 94 Thanked 551 Times in 130 Posts Rep Power: 8279291	Gods Behaving Badly by Marie Phillips. Fluffy & funny ... __________________ Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too? -- Douglas Adams

02-21-2012, 05:53 PM	#4
justkim Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Me... Preferred Pronoun?: ... Relationship Status: <3 myself Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: ... Posts: 2,023 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 3,062 Thanked 6,799 Times in 1,553 Posts Rep Power: 21474855	I am going to upload The Hunger Games to my Nook...I am looking forward to reading them since 9 our of 10 people I have spoken with have loved them. I was also told about The Wheel (s) of time series going to look into this series. Has anyone read this series? __________________ Kim "A word of encouragement during a failure is worth more than an hour of praise after success." - Unknown -

02-22-2012, 05:17 AM	#9
Daktari Guest Tournaments Won: 1 Posts: n/a My Photo Gallery	Memoirs of Munich by Jones.T, Cooper.D, and Butler.R.A. The Origins of the Second World War by Taylor.A.J.P. Munich, The Appeasement Crisis by Faber.D

02-22-2012, 01:20 PM	#11
Kätzchen Member How Do You Identify?: As a Brick House (Femme) Relationship Status: Busy (involved with a special someone here at home) Join Date: May 2010 Location: In a small community Posts: 16,270 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 29,295 Thanked 33,634 Times in 10,726 Posts Rep Power: 21474868	* 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).

02-21-2012, 03:59 PM	#1
aishah Member How Do You Identify?: queer stone femme shark baby girl Preferred Pronoun?: she, her, little one Relationship Status: dating myself. Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: dallas, tx Posts: 1,495 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 13,823 Thanked 6,439 Times in 1,288 Posts Rep Power: 21474851	finished the hunger games trilogy. i can relate a lot to what katzchen wrote about it, being a survivor myself. i was kind of underwhelmed by the writing and found a lot of things frustrating (the ends of the books felt rushed, as though the author wanted to explain the plot tie-ups rather than actually writing them, the beginning of the last book is corny and boring, etc.). some of the violence wasn't written very believably. (some of it was.) i did really like the world creation and dystopian aspects, though, and i think by the middle of the final book the characters were all very realistic to me - especially the main character - not always likeable but very realistic. i enjoyed the last 2/3rds of the final book a lot. the rest was kind of meh. think i'm going to read drag king dreams next.

02-21-2012, 04:49 PM	#2
aishah Member How Do You Identify?: queer stone femme shark baby girl Preferred Pronoun?: she, her, little one Relationship Status: dating myself. Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: dallas, tx Posts: 1,495 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 13,823 Thanked 6,439 Times in 1,288 Posts Rep Power: 21474851	actually i lied, i promised my friend i'd read forty rules of love first, so that's next

02-22-2012, 02:17 AM	#8
aishah Member How Do You Identify?: queer stone femme shark baby girl Preferred Pronoun?: she, her, little one Relationship Status: dating myself. Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: dallas, tx Posts: 1,495 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 13,823 Thanked 6,439 Times in 1,288 Posts Rep Power: 21474851	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"?

02-22-2012, 02:10 PM	#12
Cuddles Junior Member How Do You Identify?: A romantic butch who loves to cuddle... and steal your french fry when you're not looking! Preferred Pronoun?: No preference. Relationship Status: Single, always looking to mingle and maybe be tamed one day Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Northern Florida Posts: 61 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 117 Thanked 191 Times in 36 Posts Rep Power: 1805812	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. 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.

02-22-2012, 04:04 PM	#14
Kätzchen Member How Do You Identify?: As a Brick House (Femme) Relationship Status: Busy (involved with a special someone here at home) Join Date: May 2010 Location: In a small community Posts: 16,270 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 29,295 Thanked 33,634 Times in 10,726 Posts Rep Power: 21474868	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.

02-22-2012, 10:55 AM	#17
Tawse Member How Do You Identify?: TG Gender Queer Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: Married Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Atlanta Posts: 730 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,973 Thanked 2,733 Times in 642 Posts Rep Power: 21474851	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.