I'm currently reading Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. It's one of the most amazing books I've ever read. I'd put it up with Tolkein for quality of writing. It's not normally the type of book I read, but my son loves it so much he asked me to read it, and I'm so glad I am. Patrick Rothfuss is just an amazing storyteller. The book is really long, which put me off starting it for a while, but I keep wanting to read more and more. The book is long and so heavy, so even though I have the hardback, I bought it for Kindle.
I get what you mean, Steve. I get annoyed with twaddle. The biggest annoyance is the Christian Romance Fiction. While it lacks the raciness that Harlequin Romances have, I see no difference at all between them. I guess I should. I've tried to be the good christian woman and get into them. The Left Behind books left me behind. The Movies too. Ick. Now. I do like Frank Peretti....a couple of them.... Sigh. I do love C. S. Lewis. You mentioned Thomas Hardy. Yep. Love him. Dickens, about anything he's written. Bronte. Austin. Keep them coming!!! Hugo! My daughter and I are reading Les Miserables this summer because she really wants to watch the newer version of the movie (I'm actually going to have her watch the Masterpiece Theater production first, then the Liam Neeson version, and then the new one. Of course, I'm partial to the BBC's Royal Shakespeare Stage to screen production, the 12 minutes that Anne Hathaway was on screen as Fontaine was mesmerizing to me! Of course, I would have chosen differently for Marius....and probably Javier as well. I digress....I do see what you mean about certain Christian Fiction.
Currently reading The Wise Mans Fear by Patrick R lol. The Magician by Raymond Feist was a favorite growing up.
As a Celt, I can relate to the earlier writings of WB Yeats, which are wonderfully descriptive. Also, Dylan Thomas had a real skill with words. I can still remember by heart words from the introduction to 'Under Milk Wood': It is spring, moonless night in the small town, starless and bible-black, the cobble streets silent and the hunched, courters'-and-rabbits' wood limping invisible down to the sloe-black, slow, black, crow-black, fishingboat-bobbing sea. I see it's now available as a free e-book. You can hear these words here - from the classic recording by Richard Burton. We had to study this play as teenagers, and everyone simply loved it. Each of us can still quote large sections from it. PS - Thomas explained what there is for people to do in rural Wales when choosing the name of his fictitious village: Llareggub. It looks very Welsh - but it's something else spelled backwards (beware: a peculiarly British phrase).
There are very few 5-star adult books on my Shelfari. Here they are: The Grapes of Wrath To Killa Mockingbird A Tree Grows in Brooklyn Angela's Ashes Beloved Snow Falling on Cedars Gone with the Wind The Crucible
I will admit I did not read all of the replies, but as a Christian reader/consumer, I love everything by Jane Austen! All of her novels are good!
Angela's Ashes is a really good book! Honestly, most of the time when I read, I prefer it to be somewhat "twaddle-ish".. but honestly, I don't believe in "twaddle". Reading is reading and makes your mind work. If my brain has to work overtime to get a book, forget it, I'm not going to enjoy it. I really enjoy Janet Evanovich books... they are a riot. I laugh out loud while reading.
YEAH!!! Sometimes I want to think and work, other times I just want to enjoy. It's like seeing an really old, corny movie. It's so BAD, you really enjoy it, but you wouldn't want that all the time.
Steve, I am somewhat like you, but not totally. I have found myself veering away from christian fiction with the occasional exception. I do, however, still enjoy those occasional exceptions. I find myself reading more non-fiction. I wonder if you are like me in this aspect- I have a hard time with meaningless conversations a lot of the time. I LOVE debating with people who won't get outraged. I love having conversations about deep things and hearing other peoples' thoughts on those topics. Of course, if I am not familiar with someone, I will sometimes just talk about the weather or other surface topics. What about movies like "Blindside?" I found this movie to be WAY unemotional and almost detached in a way that bothered me. I like it when a movies makes me really feel the emotions that should accompany what is going on.
I'm with you on this. Indeed, since these days I am in sales, I've had to learn how to initiate and participate in surface conversations. It takes real effort and doesn't come naturally to me at all. I much prefer a deep conversation and am surprised at how many people take offense at that. It seems that many don't like their views to be questioned, whereas I enjoy nothing better.
Well, I have to admit that it depends on who and how they question my views. I sometimes enjoy it and sometimes I just don't want to speak with them any more. I don't get offended in conversations as easily as before. It may be partly because I am not as judgmental as before. I don't always agree with others, but now I can at least see where they are coming from in many cases.
I think part of it is their attitude. Do they listen to what I say and question/refute it, or do they just argue without hearing a thing I say?
