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Books!
Feb 11, 2014 19:52:07 GMT -5
Post by xtjmac510x on Feb 11, 2014 19:52:07 GMT -5
My favorite author is Agatha Christie so anything by her is always recommended by me. Recently I've been catching up on the Odd Thomas series by Dean Koontz. Great series.
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Mar 27, 2014 13:26:28 GMT -5
Post by courtneyk on Mar 27, 2014 13:26:28 GMT -5
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Mar 27, 2014 13:58:55 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by joroak on Mar 27, 2014 13:58:55 GMT -5
[br I saw this. But I'm gonna wait. It's been so long I need to reread AFFC and ADWD again before this comes out
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Sept 3, 2014 17:09:40 GMT -5
Post by courtneyk on Sept 3, 2014 17:09:40 GMT -5
Excited to start reading The Bone Clocks tonight! Anyone else a David Mitchell (the author, not the U.K. comic actor/frequent quiz show guest) fan?
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Books!
Sept 3, 2014 18:06:52 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2014 18:06:52 GMT -5
On the topic of GRRM, I just finished reading Fevre Dream. Great book. Especially because, as someone who is put off by sprawling mythology in a never ending series in his sci-fi and fantasy books, this is a one-and-done story set in New Orleans about vampires. It feels like Interview with a Vampire but with less romance. Really good story for anyone who wants a good vampire story but can't sift through all the young adult Twilight-esque stuff.
Away from fantasy/horror/sci-fi, actor David Thewlis wrote one book a few years ago which is my favourite of all time. It's about a man who is an artist who slowly starts losing his mind pretty much. Its called The Late Hector Kipling. Hard to find but its worth it. The tone of it is in line with movies like In Bruges.
Also I'm currently making my way through Alexander Dumas classics. Halfway through Count of Monte Cristo and I couldn't recommend more. It may be a huge read, with a page count that nearly rivals the Bible, but its so well paced. And for somebody who has seen a couple of the movies, don't worry it doesnt feel like you're just reading that. It spends so much time with every character, big and small. Looking forward to finishing that so I can make my way to Three Muskateers and Man in the Iron Mask.
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michaelk
Fearless Defender
So many comics, so little time.
Posts: 41
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Books!
Sept 10, 2014 20:56:41 GMT -5
Post by michaelk on Sept 10, 2014 20:56:41 GMT -5
One of the things I like about the Talking Comics podcast is that everyone periodically talks about 'real' books. 2 weeks ago Bob mentioned a graphic novel 'retelling' of Madame Bovary called "Gemma Bovary". Both are fantastic books. Sometime ago I read the Alabaster: Wolves mini-series by Caitlin Kiernan. Neil Gaiman provided a blurb for the comic, which led me to seek out some of her novels. Now, I liked the comic a lot, but her novel The Drowning Girl was one of the scariest, smartest, most twisted and thoughtful, most heart-wrenching, and beautiful things I have ever read and I encourage all you novel readers out there to find a copy and get lost in it. I think Steve Seigh would dig it the most--from what I've heard from him on the podcast, this book is right in his wheelhouse. But what I really want to talk about it what you're reading besides comics? Any good novels, weird plays, great poetry? Share your literature love with me. Let's recommend books to each other! Michael, I should have scrolled down to here before going all "Gemma Bovery" in response to your intro! For anyone who's sampled and enjoyed that work by Posey Simmonds, I would suggest picking up her Tamara Drewe graphic novel! My "real" book habits tend to lean more toward non-fiction; right now I'm about to begin The Secret History of Marvel Comics, which documents the pulp magazine side of the company, and features tons of rare art by the full roster of their comics arm, and I recently finished Command and Control: Nuclear Weapons, the Damascus Accident and the Illusion of Safety, which was a very scary read! To fictional scares, my taste runs toward the classics such as Lovecraft and Poe, with whom you can't be let down. On the Science-Fiction front, Richard Matheson's I am Legend is a favorite, and I love Harlan Ellison's short stories, and would recommend Alone Against Tomorrow as a great primer to his work. A mostly-forgotten Science-Fiction minor classic that was made into a cult-classic film is about to get an un-necessary Hollywood re-make, so to get to the core of it, my recommendation would be to read D.F. Jones' Colossus, The Forbin Project before Ron Howard and Will Smith hack it apart. Written in 1966, it's the story of Dr. Charles Forbin, who creates a massive super-computer that handles the defense of the United States against enemy attack; Colossus is given control of all the nuclear arsenal, and is tied into the surveillance, radio and television systems. Needless to say, something goes wrong, and Colossus decides that it knows better than its creators how to make a better world for mankind! If this sounds sort of familiar, it is in most ways the story of "Skynet" from the "Terminator" films, and in fact, the set for the finale of "T3" looks very much like the "Colossus Control" set from Joe Sargent's 1970 film! (Highest recommendation for that film, by the way!) Bob, I finally read and watched Tamara Drewe this spring and both were amazing. The cast of the movie was great. The wife of the philandering novelist is one of my favorite actresses. She was the star of a BBC comedy called The Green Wing, and also a recurring character on another BBC series called Blacks Books. Both shows are hysterical and to my knowledge are streaming on netflix. The author of Command and Control was on Fresh Air a few weeks ago to promote the paperback release of the book. I haven't read it yet but it sound terrifying. Lastly, I rented Byzantium, the vampire movie, with Gemma Arterton in it. Can't wait to watch. I'll let you know how I like it. Have you seen it?
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Books!
Sept 10, 2014 21:21:47 GMT -5
Post by Bob Reyer on Sept 10, 2014 21:21:47 GMT -5
Michael,
It's great to 'talk' with you again!
I'm thrilled that you enjoyed "Tamara Drewe", although I had little doubt that you would! The book was fabulous, and the movie by Stephen Frears was a marvelous adaptation!
I discovered "Byzantium" some months back, and spoke about it on the show, as I thought it was a very well done film, with two great lead performances by Gemma Arterton and Saoirse Ronan; it's become one of my favorite recommendations for those looking for something a little different in a horror film!
On the book front, I'm just finishing up a recently-released book entitled "Hiroshima and Nagasaki" by Paul Ham; there are some interesting new personal stories within, but what it does best is provide context for those events that plunged the world head-long into the Atomic Age...and the Cold War!
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Books!
Sept 10, 2014 22:51:51 GMT -5
Post by goodeeveening on Sept 10, 2014 22:51:51 GMT -5
Yay, I love book talk!
I don't have as much disposable income to spend on 'real' books anymore but something I always make room for on my shelf is war history books. Specifically anything around WWII or the American Civil War. I also have a substantial collection of non-fiction books on the Titanic, currently sitting at 15 books plus posters, artefact replicas etc.
In terms of fiction my favourite author is - and always shall be - Terry Pratchett. I have been reading his work since my dad first handed me Equal Rites when I was 9 and he has been such a formative influence in my life. I would recommend his Discworld series to anyone who likes fantasy or satire. I could not speak high enough of him and his work.
Another book I recommend to everyone I come across is World War Z. I've re-read it several times and enjoy it just as much with each read. Do not judge it by the film, the book is so much more than just another 'zombie story'.
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Books!
Sept 11, 2014 20:01:50 GMT -5
Post by Bob Reyer on Sept 11, 2014 20:01:50 GMT -5
Yay, I love book talk! I don't have as much disposable income to spend on 'real' books anymore but something I always make room for on my shelf is war history books. Specifically anything around WWII or the American Civil War. I also have a substantial collection of non-fiction books on the Titanic, currently sitting at 15 books plus posters, artefact replicas etc. In terms of fiction my favourite author is - and always shall be - Terry Pratchett. I have been reading his work since my dad first handed me Equal Rites when I was 9 and he has been such a formative influence in my life. I would recommend his Discworld series to anyone who likes fantasy or satire. I could not speak high enough of him and his work. Another book I recommend to everyone I come across is World War Z. I've re-read it several times and enjoy it just as much with each read. Do not judge it by the film, the book is so much more than just another 'zombie story'. Amy, I was fortunate enough to get to meet Terry Pratchett at our first NYCC! Sarah Miles, one of our listeners from the UK, had come over to attend the con, and Sir Terry is her favorite author; even though it seemed she wasn't going to get the chance to actually speak to him, through perseverance, a little rule-breaking, the timely intervention of a wonderful lady who worked at the Spy Museum in Washington, as well as the insistence of the most gracious Sir Terry himself,Sarah was able to meet her literary hero, with tears flowing everywhere! Terry Pratchett's "Discworld" stories will also speak to fans of Douglas Adams and Monty Python, as they are witty, whimsical, silly, and biting in equal measure! Nicely Chosen! (I know that I'm saying this poorly, but I'm a big fan of the Titanic disaster as well, ever since seeing the 1958 "A Night to Remember" on TV back in the Sixties!)
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Books!
Sept 12, 2014 21:27:46 GMT -5
Post by sammiecassell on Sept 12, 2014 21:27:46 GMT -5
Does anybody read R.A. Salvatore, especially the Drizzt series. This is the only book I read as soon as they come out. He is the absolute master of writing a fight. Really wish somebody would pick this series for a movie (ahem Peter Jackson).
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Books!
Sept 18, 2014 6:16:29 GMT -5
Post by furordivinus on Sept 18, 2014 6:16:29 GMT -5
Has anyone read the Tyrion excerpt from the Winds of Winter on the "A World of Ice and Fire" app on the Apple Store?
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Books!
Sept 19, 2014 16:03:30 GMT -5
Post by supertaxnerd on Sept 19, 2014 16:03:30 GMT -5
Yay, I love book talk! I don't have as much disposable income to spend on 'real' books anymore but something I always make room for on my shelf is war history books. Specifically anything around WWII or the American Civil War. I also have a substantial collection of non-fiction books on the Titanic, currently sitting at 15 books plus posters, artefact replicas etc. In terms of fiction my favourite author is - and always shall be - Terry Pratchett. I have been reading his work since my dad first handed me Equal Rites when I was 9 and he has been such a formative influence in my life. I would recommend his Discworld series to anyone who likes fantasy or satire. I could not speak high enough of him and his work. Another book I recommend to everyone I come across is World War Z. I've re-read it several times and enjoy it just as much with each read. Do not judge it by the film, the book is so much more than just another 'zombie story'. Speaking of non-fiction and WWII, have you read A Good War by Studs Terkel? I think that WWZ has a lot of the same DNA. Max Brooks cemented himself as a writer to watch for me because he crafts moments in that book which hit, in my opinion, the same way as portions of Good War. Maybe it is because I have no frame of reference for the horror of war, other than horror fiction, either way, they are both great books. edit - Max Brooks actually said that he was inspired, in part, by the book. If only I did research before I spoke rather than after. . .
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Books!
Sept 19, 2014 16:56:04 GMT -5
Post by supertaxnerd on Sept 19, 2014 16:56:04 GMT -5
I used to read a lot more, now I read as much as possible but its never quite enough. . .
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern is an amazing book, the kind that you never want to leave in the same way that you want to stay at Hogwarts or Brakebills. Its well written, beautiful, and just talking about it makes me want to read it again. The Rook by Dan O'Malley. It has a wicked sense of humor, unique story, and the author went to the same university as I did so he must be awesome. Soon I will be Invincible by A. Grossman. Great read for any comic fan. The Magicians by Lev Grossman - (yes, they are brothers) to call it a love letter to Narnia and Harry Potter is accurate but does not begin to describe how good this book is. The writing is fantastic. I have not read the sequels yet . . . they are in the pile of shame.
There are a few authors I will usually just read whatever they write: A. Lee Martinez - Funny sci-fi and fantasy, Divine Misfortune is a great place to start. Christopher Moore - The only thing that ties his books together is a wicked sense of humor and great writing. check out A Dirty Job John Avjide Lindqvist - creepy horror. Clive Barker - Steve has talked about him on the podcast, Steve is right. Clive Barker can make you laugh, cry, or scream. Cabal is my favorite, but The Damnation Game is the one that still gives me nightmares. Tana French - The Dublin Murder Squad books are just tense enough to keep you on your toes but never push over the limit to the point they are no longer "fun" to read. John Connolly - The Samuel Johnson Stories - I have read the first two, both are fantastic. In the same vein as A. Lee Martinez, Good Omens, or the Hitchhikers Guide. Eoin Colfer - The Artemis Fowl books are top notch.
If you are an Audible user: The version of The Great Gatsby read by Jake Gyllenhaal is well worth a listen . . . makes you wish they cast him in the movie over Toby Maguire. Brendan Fraser reading books by Corneilia Funke is fun, though I think Lynne Redgrave reads the first Ink book. Anansi Boys, is a terrific audiobook, but I cannot remember who the reader is off the top of my head. The Harry Potter books read by Jim Dale are a fun way to revisit the series (he also reads The Night Circus).
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Books!
Oct 15, 2014 16:52:20 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2014 16:52:20 GMT -5
Has anyone picked up the new book by Cary Elwes about his experience making the Princess Bride? I'm about halfway through and its so much fun. Looking forward to finishing that and jumping onto Ron Perlmans autobiography which you just know will be good.
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Books!
Oct 15, 2014 18:12:26 GMT -5
Post by wamphari on Oct 15, 2014 18:12:26 GMT -5
I like lots of different stuff but at the end of the day Kurt Vonnegut far and away the best writer I've ever read. I think the way he writes.
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