Favorite Book/Series

TheRaisin · #1 12-28-2004, 03:04 PM

Mine's the trilogy "His Dark Materials" by Philip Pullman (The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, The Amber Spyglass). Just a simple tale about a boy and a girl . . . and power-hungry scientists and theologists, multiple universes, magic, demons, legions of fanatical angels, and creatures with wheels, and a knife that can cut through the very fabric of space, and a WAR ON THE FORCES OF GOD. Truly.

What's yours?!

SeaRex · #2 12-28-2004, 06:44 PM

I don't read much.

I really liked "1984" by Orwell and "Heart of Darkness" by Conrad. Cliche choices, yes; but like I said, I don't read much.

However, I simply adore Poe. They way he uses syntax and imagery in his stories... God, it's just great. He just puts you right there in his own bizarre little world. His poetry is excellent, as well. It's always nice to talk to people who are familiar with Poe's poetry beyond "The Raven." The rhythm... to die for. "Israfel" and "The Bells" are two of my favorite poems ever. EVER, you fools!

Al the Glukkon · #3 12-28-2004, 08:35 PM

The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy series.

TheRaisin · #4 12-28-2004, 10:10 PM

I just read 1984. I enjoyed it, but it's a political allegory. It's written to make a point, it's not intended to be read as a regular science fiction novel. Hence, I didn't enjoy it as much as I would a purely fantastical novel. And the ending depressed me. An excellent book, though.

Poe was talented, indeed. The Raven remains, to this day, my favorite poem of all time. Even better than Jabberwocky. His short stories are quite good as well. A Cask of Amontillado, I think, was the first short story I read by him, and I loved it, even at the tender age of whatever age I was when I read it (10 or 11, I believe).

Heart of Darkness I have yet to read. I barely know anything about it other than that Daria read it in one episode of Daria. Hence, I have to read it! Sounds thoroughly dark and enjoyable.

The Hitchiker's Guide is a classic. What an incredible cult following it has (and rightly so). The number of references I've come across to the number 42 . . . mind-boggling. Definitely one of my favorites.

Rex, you should read Brave New World if you enjoy horrifying "civilization gone awry" type novels.

WiLL the Wander · #5 12-28-2004, 10:15 PM

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The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy series.

Me too, I have it all.

TheRaisin · #6 12-28-2004, 10:18 PM

Again, a depressing ending. I found it somewhat surprising considering how comedic the rest of the series is, but then again, what greater ultimate irony is there than at the end of Mostly Harmless? Adams, you bastard.

Facsimile · #7 12-29-2004, 12:59 AM

Discworld.
But I barely ever read these days.

Fez · #8 12-29-2004, 02:16 AM

Ricky Gervais - Flanimals.

****ing funny stuff!

Hobo · #9 12-29-2004, 06:55 AM

1984 is amazing as is the Dune series.

SeaRex · #10 12-29-2004, 08:21 AM

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I just read 1984. I enjoyed it, but it's a political allegory. It's written to make a point, it's not intended to be read as a regular science fiction novel. Hence, I didn't enjoy it as much as I would a purely fantastical novel. And the ending depressed me. An excellent book, though.

You can still get so much from it though. I mean, it can be transfered to any modern form of government. Sure, no government today is as extreme as the 'Big Brother' gov, but the implications are still there. More over, Winston's development as a character warranted a second reading.

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Heart of Darkness I have yet to read. I barely know anything about it other than that Daria read it in one episode of Daria. Hence, I have to read it! Sounds thoroughly dark and enjoyable.

Have you seen Apocolypse Now? That movie was loosely based on HoD. Different setting, but some of the messages in the film are the same as the ones in the book.

Great book, by the way. So many deep messages. Very short too... you could finish it in a couple of days.

Oddish · #11 12-29-2004, 08:57 AM

:

Ricky Gervais - Flanimals.

****ing funny stuff!

I wanted that book

I have only Starwars books.

AquaticAmbi · #12 12-29-2004, 09:40 AM

1984 sounds like such an amazing book. I wanted it for Christmas, but I didn't want to ask for anything else. I sure do wish someone would find his copy and let me borrow it. I also wanted A Clockwork Orange, but I hear the made-up slang vocabulary makes it a difficult read.

My favorite book, I guess, is one for novelty purposes: The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy and Other Stories, which has all sorts of weird and creepy little poems about children in some unfortunate situations. I haven't had time since school began to get into any novels, although in the past I've amazing enjoyed in-school reading, such as A Separate Peace and Lord of the Flies.

Fez · #13 12-29-2004, 09:42 AM

Muse have a song about the book 1984

mawk · #14 12-29-2004, 11:31 AM

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Mine's the trilogy "His Dark Materials" by Philip Pullman (The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, The Amber Spyglass). Just a simple tale about a boy and a girl . . . and power-hungry scientists and theologists, multiple universes, magic, demons, legions of fanatical angels, and creatures with wheels, and a knife that can cut through the very fabric of space, and a WAR ON THE FORCES OF GOD. Truly.

What's yours?!

Philip Pullman is an idiot. He's an idiot who finds dust erotic. He's also an untalented writer and has all the eloquence and meaning of a drunk choking on his own vomit when it comes to creating book titles.

Reading his books is like reading "The little bus that could - talentless wierd paranoid author edition". You can't help but think it's a load of inane shite.

Right, now that we've got that out of the way, on to the subject; My favorite book at the moment, is Hacking Windows XP by Steve Sinchak and Ziff Davis.It's such a good read if nothing else! And it's useful for overclockers like myself.

Rich · #15 12-29-2004, 12:29 PM

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The Golden Compass

I thought the first book was called "Northern lights". Or did they re-title it in America?
I've only read the first two.

Esus · #16 12-29-2004, 12:30 PM

:

Ricky Gervais - Flanimals.

****ing funny stuff!

You've just inspired me to buy it. Tomorrow. Thanks

:

I thought the first book was called "Northern lights". Or did they re-title it in America?
I've only read the first two.

Whoa, that's a point. It is definately called Northern Lights... Reminds me somewhat of the renaming of Harry Potter 1 for American audiences...

Statikk HDM · #17 12-29-2004, 01:35 PM

As a kid I liked Xanth books(please, keep the laughter down, you'll startle babies and small animals). The Uplift series by David Brinn is quality through and through. The characters rock, the idea behind the series is very interesting, and the sci fi is very hard and pretty accurate tech-wise. I also like the Recluse novels by Modessit(spelling). Fave books: The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, The Bible(Hell yeah, and not just because I'm a xtian, if this were a fiction novel it would be excellent, too.)

Necrum Miner · #18 12-29-2004, 01:54 PM

Prey, by Micheal Critchton.

TheRaisin · #19 12-29-2004, 10:27 PM

Prey kicks ass.

Mawk, I accept your opinion of Pullman but I thoroughly disagree with it. Granted, I haven't read the trilogy in over a year, but when I did read the books, they made an impression on me. If nothing else they're good for someone my age. Have you read the books of which I speak? And how old are you?

Anyway when I refer to age I'm not talking about the reading level here, to clarify. The Amber Spyglass most of all deals with the whole growing up deal in an incredibly insightful way, considering it was written by an adult.

Honestly, I don't remember at all the style of Pullman's writing. I remember the plot of the trilogy of books I read by him, though, and it's a great story if nothing else. Someone could read that trilogy, ignoring every single bit about God, sin, Dust, EVERYTHING those books were really about, and still enjoy them. I certainly didn't get half the stuff in there the first time through, but I loved the books anyway.

What else has been written by Pullman? I should like to look into his novels further.

What was the original Harry Potter title?

Northern Lights would have been a much more fitting title for the first installment of His Dark Materials, but oh well, que cera cera (however the fudge you spell that). I think by now it's become obvious that in America everything gets screwed up at least to some small degree, so I try to enjoy stuff as best I can anyway. Heh heh. A Clockwork Orange comes to mind.

The slang in that book, by the way, is brilliantly crafted. If you're an intelligent and linguistic person you'll have no trouble with it. It becomes so natural after a while. I've started using bits of it in everyday speech.

One final note: dammit, why did The Amber Spyglass have to end on such a bitter note?! Agh! There are no happy endings anymore! Okay so the real conflict got resolved, but who the hell cares? That's the problem with authors nowadays: they write a novel which is really a vehicle for some idea they'd like to present. They make you care about the characters to get you hooked, present their idea and opinion, make a suitably powerful point, wrap up their little lecture, then, realizing they're still a few chapters from the end of their novel, DASH THE LIVES OF THEIR CHARACTERS ON THE ROCKY SHORES OF HORRIBLE, CRUEL, TRAGIC REALITY! Agh!

And that's all he wrote.

***Alcar*** · #20 12-30-2004, 01:21 AM

Wow, you're all going to hate me for saying this. But I absolutely adore the Harry Potter series. I guess it is the sheer simplicity of the books, coupled with the fact that it is a fantasy novel (and I love fantasy). I also like Dan Brown's novels, as they use real-world scenarios in a most unlikely fashion.

Alcar...

Rich · #21 12-30-2004, 03:12 AM

Why should we hate you, you have a right to choose.
I like the Harry Potter series as well but it hardly qualifies as classic literature (compared to other stuff. eg: Lord of the Rings).

J.K Rowling has finished the 6th book and they are getting ready to release it over here.

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Originally posted by TheRaisin:
What was the original Harry Potter title?

In the UK: "Harry Potter and the Philosophers stone"

In the USA: "Harry Potter and the Sorcerors stone"

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Northern Lights would have been a much more fitting title for the first installment of His Dark Materials

As pointed out earlier, in the UK it is called Northern lights. It is fitting as the golden thing (alethiometer, I think) is not really a compass.

Rex Tirano · #22 12-30-2004, 08:32 AM

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Muse have a song about the book 1984

*cough*Obsessed*cough*

The cat in a hat series was really good. I would've never guessed about green eggs and ham....

We read Jane Eyre in English and I really like it.

The end.

SeaRex · #23 12-30-2004, 09:41 AM

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Agh! There are no happy endings anymore! Okay so the real conflict got resolved, but who the hell cares? That's the problem with authors nowadays: they write a novel which is really a vehicle for some idea they'd like to present. They make you care about the characters to get you hooked, present their idea and opinion, make a suitably powerful point, wrap up their little lecture, then, realizing they're still a few chapters from the end of their novel, DASH THE LIVES OF THEIR CHARACTERS ON THE ROCKY SHORES OF HORRIBLE, CRUEL, TRAGIC REALITY! Agh!

Because happy endings are usually sappy, deus-ex-machina scenes. Point in case: Lord of the Flies.

I know what you mean though.

mawk · #24 12-30-2004, 10:23 AM

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Mawk, I accept your opinion of Pullman but I thoroughly disagree with it. Granted, I haven't read the trilogy in over a year, but when I did read the books, they made an impression on me. If nothing else they're good for someone my age. Have you read the books of which I speak? And how old are you?

Anyway when I refer to age I'm not talking about the reading level here, to clarify. The Amber Spyglass most of all deals with the whole growing up deal in an incredibly insightful way, considering it was written by an adult.

I don't like the names of his books, I don't his mediocre grasp of space and time theory, I don't like his mediocre grasp of most other scientific theory, I don't like his made up terminology, and I don't like the format of his books.

I also don't like HIM. I don't like the way he talks, I don't like the way he forms sentences, and I don't like the way he is so freaking up himself. He'll start talking about his ideas and opinions, and then he'll totally lose himself in it, demonstrating in crystal clarity the blathering of one who knows not of which he speaks.

I have a picture of him on my dartboard.

TheRaisin · #25 12-30-2004, 11:09 AM

So he's a pedant. So am I. Big deal. He knows exactly what he talks about, because he makes up a great deal of it. If you can't understand it, that's your fault. Some people just can't get into the work of certain authors. That's not the author's fault though.

The world needs a few pedants, I think. I'm one, for sure.

Mawk, three questions: 1) have you read His Dark Materials?, 2) how old are you?, and 3) are you Christian?

SeaRex, I understand. I know that, in addition to sad endings being more believable, they have a stronger impact upon the reader. I can still hate it though.

The Golden Compass fits in better with the other titles though. "Northern Lights" followed by "The Something" and "The Something Else" seems odd. See what I'm getting at?

Harry Potter's okay. The movies have, of course, ruined the good name of the Potter franchise, and the latest book left something to be desired, but on the whole it's a purty good series.

Abeguy · #26 12-30-2004, 11:54 AM

I like The Series of Unfortunate Events, and the movie was awesome

I also like the Edge Chronicles

and about Hitch Hiker's Guide

hmm...

BLAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
love it

Rich · #27 12-30-2004, 02:29 PM

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Harry Potter's okay. The movies have, of course, ruined the good name of the Potter franchise, and the latest book left something to be desired, but on the whole it's a purty good series.

Killing Sirius Black was a terrible thing to do. He was my favourite character. Whilst he was alive there was always a little chance that one day Harry would have a loving Father figure to help him. But now all hope is lost.

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The Golden Compass fits in better with the other titles though

Good point. Although it isn't a compass. It's a future predicting device!
He could've thought of a title that would fit the series.

Silversnow · #28 12-30-2004, 02:59 PM

Discworld by Terry Pratchett, Otherland by Tad Williams, Bored of the Rings by some guys and Dragonlance by Weis and Hickman. Yes, I'm a geek.

mawk · #29 12-30-2004, 03:30 PM

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So he's a pedant. So am I. Big deal. He knows exactly what he talks about, because he makes up a great deal of it. If you can't understand it, that's your fault. Some people just can't get into the work of certain authors. That's not the author's fault though.

The world needs a few pedants, I think. I'm one, for sure.

Mawk, three questions: 1) have you read His Dark Materials?, 2) how old are you?, and 3) are you Christian?

1: I started, it sucked, I stopped.
2: That is of no consequence.
3: I'm an atheist.

I find his work uninspiring, uninteresting, overall boring, and I disagree with his beliefs. It has nothing to do with "not getting it". I'm allowed to dislike him if I want to.

TheRaisin · #30 12-30-2004, 04:57 PM

Of no consequence? The hell it isn't. The trilogy wouldn't have nearly as much meaning to an adult as it would a teenager. If you didn't read the whole trilogy, you might think age has nothing to do with it, but it does.

Agh. Okay. I will accept that you really don't like Pullman. But only grudgingly, by jorj. I still think it's a great series. Of course I really do need to reread it.