What Are You Reading Right Now?

[GypsySorcerer]

Well, it's been three months since I bumped this, so I figured it was time again!

I noticed in my last post I mentioned 100 Years of Solitude, which unfortunately, I never really got into and then stopped reading. I'll revisit it eventually.

I finally read Her Fearful Symmetry, by Audrey Niffennegger. The Time Traveler's Wife is one of my favorite books ever, so I knew I would probably be underwhelmed by her follow-up. It was a disappointing read, but not because of comparisons to her debut. Her Fearful Symmetry started out really promising for me (I enjoy a good ghost story), and just fell completely flat at the end. The final resolution was a freaking single paragraph! I will say I appreciated the prominent role of the Highgate Cemetery in the book -- some great historical information.

I also read We Need to Talk About Kevin, by Lionel Shriver. Wow - has anyone else read this? Basically, it's the story of teenager who commits a mass school murder, written in the form of letters from his mother to her estranged husband. The form sounded gimmicky to me at first, but it really fits the "confessional" nature of the story. It's easily one of the most disturbing books I've ever read. I can't really say I "liked" it, nor could I ever deem it a "favorite" book. However, I won't soon forget it. Overall, a very bold contemplation on motherhood and personal responsibility.

Just finished up The Help by Kathryn Stockett, based on recommendations by several people. It was enjoyable enough, and I can understand its popularity. The richness of a few of the characters, especially Aibeleen, was the book's strongest aspect.

[jannieC]

Originally Posted by GypsySorcerer

I also read We Need to Talk About Kevin, by Lionel Shriver. Wow - has anyone else read this? Basically, it's the story of teenager who commits a mass school murder, written in the form of letters from his mother to her estranged husband. The form sounded gimmicky to me at first, but it really fits the "confessional" nature of the story. It's easily one of the most disturbing books I've ever read. I can't really say I "liked" it, nor could I ever deem it a "favorite" book. However, I won't soon forget it. Overall, a very bold contemplation on motherhood and personal responsibility.

Oh boy, yes I read this book several years ago. The story is disturbing, but the writing is outstanding. The ending was actually a complete shock to me, which is unusual. I tend to figure things out early and then read along thinking I know the ending already. Very dark book but riveting.

[gldstwmn]

My Appetite for Destruction - Steven Adler
Cuba - Steven Coonts
Fifth Avenue 5 AM - Sam Wasson
Sliding Into Home - Kendra Wilkinson
9 Dragons - Michael Connelly
I Am Ozzy - Ozzy Osbourne
Skinny Italian - Teresa Giudice

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by GypsySorcerer

Just finished up The Help by Kathryn Stockett, based on recommendations by several people. It was enjoyable enough, and I can understand its popularity. The richness of a few of the characters, especially Aibeleen, was the book's strongest aspect.

Loved this book!

[Zombie]

Originally Posted by jannieC

Oh boy, yes I read this book several years ago. The story is disturbing, but the writing is outstanding. The ending was actually a complete shock to me, which is unusual. I tend to figure things out early and then read along thinking I know the ending already. Very dark book but riveting.

I read it, too, right about when it came out. Excellent book, and the ending was a total shock to me, too. Like you, I usually can spot out the twist a mile away, but that one was so cleverly plotted and crafted, I did not see it. I remember going, "OH ****!" out loud when it hit me. I think I need to figure out which box that's in and revisit it.

I'm currently re-reading The Executioner's Song by Norman Mailer. Mailer's writing style has always intrigued me.

Other books I've finished recently:

The Red Tree by Caitlin R. Kiernan - I love her.

My yearly re-read of Stephen King's Dark Tower series - I love those books so hard. I usually do the re-read during the winter, but I found an awesome china cabinet on CraigsList for 20 bucks that I'm refinishing, and I plan to replace the current glass in the doors with Dark Tower themed stained glass, so it was more research than anything this time around. Yes, I am a dork, but all things serve the Beam. Bite me.

[GypsySorcerer]

^^^ I love Norman Mailer, too.

I'm with you guys about We Need to Talk About Kevin; didn't see the ending coming, either. Such a gripping read.

[CreepingDeath]

The Burning Land - Bernard Cornwell
A Favorite of the Queen - Jean Plaidy
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson
Ice Cold - Tess Gerritsen
I Am Ozzy - Ozzy Osbourne

[tilthefirefades]

[GypsySorcerer]

Originally Posted by CreepingDeath

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson

What did you think of this? I've heard a wide range of opinions.

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by CreepingDeath

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson

Loved it. Thought the whole trilogy was great.

[Meowi]

I am reading Pirate Latitues by Michael Chricton. I can honestly say it is a great read. If you are into historical fiction, I highly think you should read it.

[louielouie2000]

I am currently reading the Witching Hour series by Anne Rice. I have read this series at least twice a year since college... they're just my favorite books to get lost in. And with nearly 3,000 pages between 3 books, I pick up new facts and layers to the story every single time I read them. I'm currently on book #2, Lasher. It's such a wonderful series, so many taboo topics... hard to imagine such subjects being broached 20 years ago when these books were written. I'd be the happiest person in the world if this series were ever made into good movies. Personally, I think the subject matter for Anne's witch series is far more intriguing, intelligent, and scandalous than her vampire books, which she's famous for.

[Zombie]

Originally Posted by louielouie2000

I am currently reading the Witching Hour series by Anne Rice. I have read this series at least twice a year since college... they're just my favorite books to get lost in. And with nearly 3,000 pages between 3 books, I pick up new facts and layers to the story every single time I read them. I'm currently on book #2, Lasher. It's such a wonderful series, so many taboo topics... hard to imagine such subjects being broached 20 years ago when these books were written. I'd be the happiest person in the world if this series were ever made into good movies. Personally, I think the subject matter for Anne's witch series is far more intriguing, intelligent, and scandalous than her vampire books, which she's famous for.

Oh man, Anne Rice. Back in the day, she was one of my favorite authors. I always loved her amazing poet of a husband more, but I was crazy about her, too. Particularly the Mayfair books, but also Cry to Heaven (which, if you haven't read, you should - particularly in light of your comment re: addressing taboo topics 20 years ago, because Cry does the same thing, but was written even earlier than the Mayfair books, in like 1982) and her erotica.

Alas, while I still love those books, I can't take her seriously AT ALL anymore. Because she's bat**** insane. Now whenever I hear her name or hear that she's got another book coming out, all I can do is giggle, because some people should not be allowed on the Internet, and Anne Rice is one of them.

She's been involved in a few kerfluffles on various subjects, but my favorite has got to be the incident over Blood Canticle (since that's a Mayfair crossover, you may have read it. If so, I am sorry for your loss. If not, you have dodged a bullet, can I get an amen?) - it got several much-deserved bad reviews on Amazon, and she went berzerk and posted a long, often incoherent, rambling reply to the haterz, informing them that they were "straining her Dickensian principles to the max" by "interrogating the text from the wrong perspective."

No, really. She said that. Roughly translated, it means, "You only didn't like the book because you read it wrong, fishbulb." And it was beautiful.

Oh, and one time in 1997, she took out a full page ad in the local paper, protesting a restaurant that had been opened in the building where she'd set much of Memnoch. Why? Because the decor was not classy enough for her. In the ad, she called it a monstrosity, and cites some examples of local establishments that ARE classy and should be the standard all new restaurants strive for, one of which is, y'know, the Shoney's.

When the owner of the building took out his own reply and most of the community backed him up, did she shut up? Oh no, she did not! She took out ANOTHER ad, except this time she didn't write it.

Lestat did.

And now I'm giggling uncontrollably again. That just never gets old.

[louielouie2000]

Originally Posted by Zombie

Oh man, Anne Rice. Back in the day, she was one of my favorite authors. I always loved her amazing poet of a husband more, but I was crazy about her, too. Particularly the Mayfair books, but also Cry to Heaven (which, if you haven't read, you should - particularly in light of your comment re: addressing taboo topics 20 years ago, because Cry does the same thing, but was written even earlier than the Mayfair books, in like 1982) and her erotica.

Alas, while I still love those books, I can't take her seriously AT ALL anymore. Because she's bat**** insane. Now whenever I hear her name or hear that she's got another book coming out, all I can do is giggle, because some people should not be allowed on the Internet, and Anne Rice is one of them.

She's been involved in a few kerfluffles on various subjects, but my favorite has got to be the incident over Blood Canticle (since that's a Mayfair crossover, you may have read it. If so, I am sorry for your loss. If not, you have dodged a bullet, can I get an amen?) - it got several much-deserved bad reviews on Amazon, and she went berzerk and posted a long, often incoherent, rambling reply to the haterz, informing them that they were "straining her Dickensian principles to the max" by "interrogating the text from the wrong perspective."

No, really. She said that. Roughly translated, it means, "You only didn't like the book because you read it wrong, fishbulb." And it was beautiful.

Oh, and one time in 1997, she took out a full page ad in the local paper, protesting a restaurant that had been opened in the building where she'd set much of Memnoch. Why? Because the decor was not classy enough for her. In the ad, she called it a monstrosity, and cites some examples of local establishments that ARE classy and should be the standard all new restaurants strive for, one of which is, y'know, the Shoney's.

When the owner of the building took out his own reply and most of the community backed him up, did she shut up? Oh no, she did not! She took out ANOTHER ad, except this time she didn't write it.

Lestat did.

And now I'm giggling uncontrollably again. That just never gets old.

I knew about the Amazon thing, but wasn't aware of the whole restaurant incident. I can't say I care about either of those things. I do have to admit, Anne's reconversion to Catholicism, and subsequent books on Christianity have always bothered me, though. Reading all her books, it's clear she never stopped being a spiritual person, but battled with what the Catholic Church said she had to be. It just seemed stupid for her to try to make the shoe fit again, if it didn't the first time around. To make myself clear, I have no issues with religion... I'm a very spiritual person myself. I've been on Anne's Facebook fan group since she recently came out as a follower of Christ who rejected Christianity. She's very active on there, and has a lot of intelligent observations about what's going on in the world.

Anyway, my whole point is I don't really put a whole lot of stock into celebrity misbehavior. I know Stevie Nicks is a completely clueless imbecile, but I still adore her music. John DeLorean was a crooked, ruthless business man... but I still love the cars he made. Anne Rice is a bit manic to say the least, but her books still bring me immense joy. We're all a bit crazy... and I like that!

[Zombie]

^^^^^

Fair enough. I'd enjoy the Christ the Lord books more if they were written better, but that's just me. I don't mind her converting or whatever she did, but preachy bothers me, and I know she's capable of better writing than all of that.

Celebrity misbehavior doesn't faze me unless it's either extra funny or extra WTF, and Rice falls under extra WTF too often for me to remain comfortable with her - the ad in the paper thing is just amusing (the Shoney's, Anne? Really?), but her temper tantrum on Amazon was way too arrogant and condescending for me to ignore. I didn't like Blood Canticle, either, because it was a subpar book, and again, I know what she's capable of writing, because she's written above-par books in the past. So her getting online to spaz about how those that didn't like it are clearly just idiots is pretty insulting - I'm no idiot. And I see no reason to give my hard-earned pennies to someone that thinks I am an idiot/thinks it's a good idea to say publically that I'm an idiot if I do not love everything she does, no matter how crappy it might have been.

It's like how Laurell K. Hamilton lost me completely in much the same way - I LOVED the first few Anita Blake books, and still do, but as time went on, they went downhill faster than a flaming child on a greased sled. But instead of blame her bad writing for the books being bad, she blames everything else, and then says she pointedly ignores any criticism/reviews anyone has written, no matter how constructive, because she does what she wants. Well, okay - you can certainly do what you want - they are your books, your characters, etc - but if you don't think reader opinion is important at all, then I guess you don't think my money is important at all, either. So you can't have it.

For all Stevie is goofy, though, I can't see her getting online to start screaming that we only didn't like the new album because we listened to it wrong.