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Genia wrote: "I finished Octavia Butler's Kindred which was excellent. I am a complete sucker for time travel. I also finished Ghost Story which was... good, barring some significant ..."

Loved Kindred! Can't wait to read more by this author.

Jim wrote: "David wrote: "Percy Jackson and the Titan's Curse. It's the third book in the series. Light, fun adventure so far..."

I loved these books, my wife went to the movie with me and now won't read the..."

The movie was a travesty that removed most of the major parts of what made the book so good. I really wanted to see the entrance to hell made up like a TSA checkpoint. Sadly, no.

I took a short break from reading as I was getting a little burned out. Then got into the second Discworld book, The Light Fantastic.

Next up will be Infidel by Kameron Hurley.

David wrote: "Directly from the author. But here is a link on his blog where he talks about what's coming out: 4 more books!

... "

Thanks for the link! Looking forward to reading more. :)

Jim wrote: "David wrote: "Percy Jackson and the Titan's Curse. It's the third book in the series. Light, fun adventure so far..."

I loved these books, my wife went to the movie with me and now won't read the..."

Oh no! I haven't seen the movie, but the books are a lot of fun. I highly recommend them. If I had written them, they would have been darker and more serious. And that's usually the kind of stuff I read, but I'm enjoying the humorous, slightly silly tone in these. Great books. Not perfect, especially the first.

Mach wrote: "I understand why Jim, the movie was bad. I don't want to read the books either because of the movie."

All these comments are making me glad I haven't seen the movie. I planned on giving it a shot after I finished the series. But now I'm thinking maybe I should just avoid the movie.

Yeah, I heard the movie changed a lot - it even cut out Ares. I was floored when I heard that, considering he was one of the most important (and colorful) characters...

I just looked up the The Lightning Thief movie. Wow, they made major plot changes. And they made Percy 17 years old instead of 12!!! That changes relationships, meaning. Why? A hydra! No Ares?

The actress they cast for Annabeth, wow, her eyes are perfect. Exactly how I pictured Annabeth's eyes. But the hair color is wrong. The age is wrong. And while I pictured Annabeth as pretty, the actress has a sort of sultry look going on.

I understand movies have to change things, but changes that big are an insult to the source material.

Apparently the sequel comes out next year.

John wrote: "Trike:

Quote: "That's why our system of capitalism + socialism works best."

The valid purposes of government can be divided into two functions: protective and productive. Protective functions are..."

Spot on, John! No system is perfect, but capitalism definitely outshines whatever is in 2nd place and is heads and tails above anything run by ANY government.

In all systems, there will be some misery (for a variety of reasons), but under monarchies, socialism, or communism, the misery is greater and more widespread.

The "nay sayers" will point out ancient wrongs and claim that their tried-and-failed snake oil solutions are better ("we just didn't go far enough"), but anyone with more than a room-temperature IQ can see that they're full of hot air, plotting something underhanded, or just plain stupid.

@Ayn Rand - I have become more and more liberal over the decades, probably because I have spent so much time caring for the poor, the disabled, the sick, the screwed. But, I still like Rand. The Fountainhead is a brilliant novel. I've read Atlas shrugged several times and am looking forward to the coming movies. Though the politics are obvious, I saw it as Science Fiction and dystopian. At this time it seems rather naive from the political point of view. But, she is not completely wrong or naive. There can be virtue in selfishness. IMO, society must be structured so an individual can self-actualize. Otherwise, what's the point.

@On topic - I am currently in the middle of Weber's How Firm a Foundation. I'm finding this book of Safehold much better than the last. It seems a combination of Janny Wurts and CJ Cherryh. Read it slowly...

Al wrote: There will be some misery (for a variety of reasons), but under monarchies, socialism, or communism, the misery is greater and more widespread. ..."

I live in Norway a socialist monarchy ( the royal family have no power), the UN has rated Norway to be the best place in the world to live in several times. By the way i am not a socialist.

Aloiamoa wrote: "Jim wrote: "David wrote: "Percy Jackson and the Titan's Curse. It's the third book in the series. Light, fun adventure so far..."

I loved these books, my wife went to the movie with me and now wo..."

I agree, I could not believe how terrible the movie was. It took out everything that was good about the book and added a whole bunch of stupid.

I would warn against watching it, my problem with seeing bad movie adaptations is that they then spoil the book for me, too much bleed over.

I just realized that all she said was "I'm reading Atlas Shrugged" and we all piled on and turned it into a political argument, rather than a "what are you reading" thing.

Makes anyone else who's reading something controversial afraid to participate?

Shame on me, for one.

Maybe someone who enjoys arguing would like to start a separate thread on Atlas Shrugged with the aim of arguing the politics of the book???? That might take the heat off this thread.

What Al said ;)




As for me, I read The River Runes yesterday. It was ok.

Still trying to decide on a good scary story to read though...

Al wrote: "I just realized that all she said was "I'm reading Atlas Shrugged" and we all piled on and turned it into a political argument, rather than a "what are you reading" thing.

Makes anyone else who's ..."

Yeah, I'm definitely afraid to post anything else I'm reading. Just joking- you people don't scare me. Too much.

Finished The Left Hand of Darkness and am onto The Diamond Age: Or, a Young Lady's Illustrated Primer. I have no opinions yet, but if I did I would keep them quiet so I don't start a riot or something. And now I'm a poet.

Al wrote: "I just realized that all she said was "I'm reading Atlas Shrugged" and we all piled on and turned it into a political argument, rather than a "what are you reading" thing.

Makes anyone else who's ..."

I agree!

Does this belong here? ;-)

Margaret Atwood: the road to Ustopia

Margaret Atwood comes very highly recommended to me by a few people - I've just picked up one of her books and am looking forward to digging into it.

Al wrote: "I just realized that all she said was "I'm reading Atlas Shrugged" and we all piled on and turned it into a political argument, rather than a "what are you reading" thing.

Makes anyone else who's ..."

I might have stirred up controversy with Percy Jackson book vs Percy Jackson movie ... you know, if anyone actually liked the movie. :)

Seriously, controversy doesn't scare me off. I can ignore it if I don't like it. And as for the recent Rand discussion, we really should, as a society, be discussing the bigger issues beyond the catchphrase, news media, politician-driven versions of capitalism and socialism and what we want our governments to be. Just maybe not too much of it on a "what are you reading now" thread.

I've read the first Percy book and the World book day one and enjoyed them. I do have the second to read. I enjoyed the movie, okay it was different but that didn't bother me.

I've started Downward to the Earth by Robert Silverberg. I'm about 1/3 through (it's a short read, 176 pages).

Just finished The Catcher in the Rye, now reading The Oracle's Queen by Lynn Flewelling and A Painted House by John Grisham.

While on the subject of Rick Riordan, I was just at my local Barnes and Nobles, and they were sold out of the his latest book, which just came out on Tuesday. So he is popular among the tweens.

While I was at the Barnes and Nobles, I stopped by and picked up the new Drizzt book, Neverwinter, which I am always waiting and dying to read this time of the year, which I am starting tonight.

I read the first 9 Drizzt books as they came out and enjoyed them. Just never got back into the series. Got distracted by a lot of other things around the time the 10th book came out.

Peggy wrote: "Rachael, I know I've said it before, but The Dresden Files is one of the few series that gets progressively better as you go. I'm jealous of you getting to read some of them (especia..."

Oh so very true! This is one of the more current series that I consistently enjoy and wait impatiently for the next book. (the other being Simon R Green's Nightside series)

Butcher never fails to improve on the series and keep me interested in the characters.

Jim wrote: "David wrote: "Percy Jackson and the Titan's Curse. It's the third book in the series. Light, fun adventure so far..."

I loved these books, my wife went to the movie with me and now won't read the..."

Don't get mad, but I just don't understand that. The movie is NEVER the same as the book (or very rarely) and is usually much, much less than the book.

Things have to be changed to make it easier to film, to sell to the producers and to the public. It has to be 'Hollywoodized' in other words.

Then it is rare for a director to like the book enough to make the movie as close as possible. Although Peter Jackson does a hell of a job.

I will always read the book before seeing the movie, if I ever see it at all. I find my imagination to be a lot better than all the CGI in the world!

Really though, you are only hurting yourself by not reading. Books last forever while film is transitory.

Trike wrote: "Just found out that the latest installment of Taylor Anderson's Destroyermen series and Peter Clines' sequel to Ex-Heroes, Ex-Patriots, came out recently, so I've ordered them both up.

The Destroy..."

Great books! I really liked The Destroyermen series. Wish there were more.

I must have missed Ex-Heroes, Ex-Patriots and will have to go find it now.
Thanks for the tip!

Kevin wrote: "While I was at the Barnes and Nobles, I stopped by and picked up the new Drizzt book, Neverwinter, which I am always waiting and dying to read this time of the year, which I am starting tonight."

It's great to see that you're still enjoying the series Kevin! I'm only on the second one right now. I've heard some people say that the story get repititive, have you found that?

Not scared off the discussion, but as someone who lives in a monarchy (it has no political power) that's been predominantly social democrat the last 100 years (and happens to rank above the US in all livability indexes I've ever seen), I am somewhat insulted and annoyed by some comments.

Anyway, I just finished The Windup Girl, which I quite liked, even if I don't really think Bacigalupi is the next coming of William Gibson. I've now moved on to Starwater Strains, a short story collection (SF stories) by Gene Wolfe, and I'm very curious since I've never actually read Wolfe before (shame on me!).

Read Howl's Moving Castle, trying to decide which book to pick up next.

Deanne wrote: "Read Howl's Moving Castle, trying to decide which book to pick up next."

I enjoyed Howl's but the movie was "so different" then the book that it didn't work for me - although it has many fans so I may be in the minority there.

Kevin wrote: "While on the subject of Rick Riordan, I was just at my local Barnes and Nobles, and they were sold out of the his latest book, which just came out on Tuesday. So he is popular among the tweens."

Riordan's series is what got my teenage son interested in reading...he's even reading my books now...never thought I'd see the day. They are very popular among his friends as well so I'm not surprised they are flying off the shelves.

It was a boy in my classs that got me reading the first one! It was entertaining.

They're just plain fun reads. If they had existed ten or so years ago, they probably would've been my favorites. :)

Jenny wrote: "Kevin wrote: "While I was at the Barnes and Nobles, I stopped by and picked up the new Drizzt book, Neverwinter, which I am always waiting and dying to read this time of the year, which I am starti..."

I don't really care about the plot as more of the character development of Drizzt. After all this time, he is still learning in the new book.

Michael wrote: "Kevin wrote: "While on the subject of Rick Riordan, I was just at my local Barnes and Nobles, and they were sold out of the his latest book, which just came out on Tuesday. So he is popular among t..."

That's fantastic!

A teacher I know reports that a lot of the kids in her classroom read the Percy books voraciously and when they're done they want books about Greek myths. I think that's a good thing.

Brett wrote: "Things have to be changed to make it easier to film, to sell to the producers and to the public. It has to be 'Hollywoodized' in other words...."

I understand when changes must be made for a film. I'm totally okay with that. But there are films that respect the source material while making necessary changes (LotR, Harry Potter), and there are films that don't. I don't like the ones that try to do something very different with the source, essentially capitalizing on the basic premise and the name brand.

Kevin wrote: "Jenny wrote: "Kevin wrote: "While I was at the Barnes and Nobles, I stopped by and picked up the new Drizzt book, Neverwinter, which I am always waiting and dying to read this time of the year, whi..."

I know what you mean. I was bummed when I realized that Drizzt's family is still in the second book. I like the parts that focus on Drizzt the best, although I know that the conflict with his family in necessary for his character development.

Jenny wrote: "Kevin wrote: "Jenny wrote: "Kevin wrote: "While I was at the Barnes and Nobles, I stopped by and picked up the new Drizzt book, Neverwinter, which I am always waiting and dying to read this time of..."

I don't think so. You would get that if you read the Icewind Dale first. Also R.A. Salvatore, has not written about his family for about 18 years.

Kevin wrote: "Jenny wrote: "Kevin wrote: "Jenny wrote: "Kevin wrote: "While I was at the Barnes and Nobles, I stopped by and picked up the new Drizzt book, Neverwinter, which I am always waiting and dying to rea..."

Well I'm happy to hear that his family isn't featured in all of the books.

David wrote: "Brett wrote: "Things have to be changed to make it easier to film, to sell to the producers and to the public. It has to be 'Hollywoodized' in other words...."

I understand when changes must be ma..."

That's what I was trying to say in my long-winded and clumsy way!

While I can understand some changes made in order to make a (possibly) salable film, some changes are simply dumb.

IE. Poor movie, but good example. The Punisher. Another comic based film. The producer thought the image of a skull on Frank Castle's chest was dumb and so they didn't use it. The skull emblem is the (one of the) main marks of the punisher character. It's like deleting the Nike Swoosh from their advertising.

Those kinds of changes, this example is small compared to some, ruins the film. If they are going to make changes, it needs to be done by people familiar with the original story and not out to just make a buck.

Okay. All done.

Back to the topic.

I've just started reading Bioshock: Rapture. It's the prelude to the game Bioshock which I enjoyed immensely.

Finished The Strain, which I really enjoyed.

Then I started Dead Man's Song.

I'm such a slow reader...It's great seeing everyone coming ing here and saying what they've "finished". I'm still reading Jon Sprunk's Shadow's Son and really enjoying. I'd like to have something else between this and the sequel any suggestions? If you are familiar with Sprunk (or my own writing) you'll know what I prefer.

Classic adventure...Good characters...but most importantly well "plotted" stories.

Jenny wrote: "Kevin wrote: "Jenny wrote: "Kevin wrote: "Jenny wrote: "Kevin wrote: "While I was at the Barnes and Nobles, I stopped by and picked up the new Drizzt book, Neverwinter, which I am always waiting an..."

You find that out in the next book.

I'm reading multiple books at the moment but the one that I've been getting into mostly right at the moment is the sequel to a prequel of a series...yeah it's kind of confusing. The book is Scrivener's Moon and it's the continuation of the prequel series to a YA series that I love called: Mortal Engines. It's a really interesting and gritty science fiction read with the decidedly British narration that I'm fond of...

Brett wrote: "Don't get mad, but I just don't understand that. The movie is NEVER the same as the book (or very rarely) and is usually much, much less than the book. "

You make a decent point, although in this particular case it was particularly grievous. For me a counter example are the first several Harry Potter books / movies. No one could replace the experience of reading these books with that of the movies. For me the movies were reasonable and entertaining representations of the books.

My current concern is how will The Hunger Games convert to a movie? It seems like it is a reasonable fit and could almost be "made for tv" in production quality as nothing in it is terribly complex.

Jim wrote: "My current concern is how will The Hunger Games convert to a movie? It seems like it is a reasonable fit and could almost be "made for tv" in production quality as nothing in it is terribly complex."

I agree. It was a really good read and the right "amount" of information that could be condensed relatively well to the big screen. But I could also see it as a several episode TV production.

Jim wrote: "Brett wrote: "Don't get mad, but I just don't understand that. The movie is NEVER the same as the book (or very rarely) and is usually much, much less than the book. "

You make a decent point, alt..."

You're right Jim. I tore through the Harry Potter books. The wait between novels was torture but well worth it as the story was so good.
When the films came out, I went with as open a mind as possible and thoroughly enjoyed the films. They did a pretty good job considering how much material they had to work in.

Same with the Lord of the Rings. Sure there are some differences and a lot left out, but overall I feel they are some of the best adaptations ever made.

If they can get a director/producer combo like they did with the LOTRs for The Hunger Games, it will be fantastic! We'll have to wait and see, and hope!

When I fist saw LOTR I was a bit upset. Mainly because some of the changes were typical Hollywood trying to make it appeal to a larger audience...and I think we all know what I'm talking about. But now with prospective and time I've really come to like them. Overall I think they did the series justice.

As for Harry Potter...All the books are among my favorites although I think I peaked at Prisoner of Akazaban. The movies were very good representations but the different directors really gave each a distinctive style and I would have preferred more of a "single vision" like LOTR.

I'm cautiously optimistic about the Hunger Games Production.

The good thing about The Hunger Games is that the author was writing the same script. So I think it can work. But there's always doubt with such big movies that anything can go wrong...

I don't know if Lord of the Rings was trying to appeal to a larger audience because it already had a large audience. But it was adapted for a more modern audience and as such excluded the less relevant things in my opinion.