what are you reading right now?

[Garina]

I'm reading all my LOTR books, my David Eddings books, and I'm just starting to reread the Vampire Chronicles.

[BeardofPants]

Am starting on the Silmarillion now. Wish me luck! Have been having a bugger of a time trying to get through the first few chapters, it's like trying to transliterate hieroglyphics, for eru's sake! :D

[sun-star]

I've just started the first Book of Lost Tales, after waiting for months for it to get to my local library :rolleyes: . It's a bit hard going so far!

[viggosbeard]

half way through a George Best autobiography and just finnished Billy Connolly's biography anyone else read the Chung Kuo series by David Wyngrove ? well you should !

[Grey_Wolf]

Am halfway through KSR's Red Mars. The first time I read it I thought the latin/greek placenames a bit difficult to pronounce, but I 've gotten over that. It's a very good read.

Am in the beginning of Arthur Hailey's Hotel. Also very good.

[Andúril]

Oxford History of Early Medieval Philosophers (I think it's called...)
Fun in the sun.

[Earniel]

Starting on 'The rise and the fall of the dinosaur"

[Starr Polish]

Tolkien: A look behind The Lord of the Rings, by Lin Carter, and then I'm going to start Unfinished Tales: Of Numenor and Middle-Earth

[Eldanuumea]

Originally posted by BeardofPants
Am starting on the Silmarillion now. Wish me luck! Have been having a bugger of a time trying to get through the first few chapters, it's like trying to transliterate hieroglyphics, for eru's sake! :D

My first attempt to read the Sil was a bit discouraging. I couldn't keep all those similar-sounding names straight! But I still found the very beginning one of the loveliest things I'd ever read. The second time through, things made more sense and names started to come together with personalities. I'm on my third read right now, and the thing is actually making total sense! So, give it a chance.

[Andúril]

I read "Temperance" by Plato last night. The english translation.

[Arathorn]

I just started reading "American Gods by Neil Gaiman after it finally hit my country. Eruviel Greenleaf recommended it.

[Lady Midnight]

Just finished Geraldine Harris's Seven Citadels series,very good books but absolute murder to get hold of cos they're out of print.

Currently reading Jean M Auel's latest in the Earth Children's series, entitled "The Shelters Of Stone". I don't know if anyone ever saw the film "Clan Of the Cave Bear" but that is based on the first book in this set.

[Lizra]

I usually only read non fiction. I like Discover magazine, health related stuff, and the occasional cook book (especially if I'm hungry). How to books for whatever project or artistic endeavor I'm working on are good, and I do like biographys cause they are about real people and events. Whenever I look at some fiction or consider a movie I think, nah, I don't want to waste my precious time with somebody's make believe story designed to take me away from my life. Unless they're exceptional, like Tolkien (thank goodness I snuck that in!) you read them, you're done, and the real world's still there waiting for you to do something with it. I miss out on a lot I'm sure. Must come from my dad saying "Do something constructive!" at least once a day for my whole childhood.

[Starr Polish]

I'm kind of the opposite. I like to read some non-fiction, but I read to escape things, which is why I'm usually found reading in my room, with the doors locked, or with headphones on, so I don't have to listen to the 'real world'.

Only problem with reading is that when I go into a bookstore, I lose track of time, and end up late for things, like I did yesterday (but I got "A Guide to Middle-Earth"!)

[Durin]

I'm reading the Arabian Nights Entertainments (the 69 most popular tales, unabriged). I love it. I'm also reading War and Peace, but it's kinda hard to get into (those stupid russian names, they're so confusing!).

[Grey_Wolf]

Originally posted by BeardofPants
What's red mars like? It's a series right? I've been meaning to read them for ages...

Red Mars is a very good book, in fact the whole trilogi is a good read. I definitely recommend you to read it, if you haven't begun yet.

[XRogue]

Reading the Skolian Empire series by Catherine Asaro (look for it at the library, it's good) and Winter's Heart, 9th in the WoT. Robert Jordan needs to get the lead out and finish these books!

[Eldanuumea]

Originally posted by dmaul96
For school i am supposed to read the pearl, but i dont want to so i wont. I was quized on the first 4 ch i didnt read. I got a 95 on the quiz and a b on the essay. My teacher said it was good butit lacked examples from the story. I have to finish the book and do a 3 essay project thing. I dont intend on reading it.

A 3-essay project thing? No wonder students hate English!!
(By the way, I am an English teacher.):cool:

[Lizra]

English must be a weird subject to teach, so many different aspects to it. I hated English, made a big stink to be removed from gifted english. Now I write for a newspaper! I write like I'm painting a picture though, letting words flow off the brush. I think I developed my style through osmosis. All that reading pays off! I still hate spelling. Thank goodness for dictionaries. Love that edit!

[Garina]

Originally posted by Starr Polish
I'm kind of the opposite. I like to read some non-fiction, but I read to escape things, which is why I'm usually found reading in my room, with the doors locked, or with headphones on, so I don't have to listen to the 'real world'.

Only problem with reading is that when I go into a bookstore, I lose track of time, and end up late for things, like I did yesterday (but I got "A Guide to Middle-Earth"!)

I hate the real world!:D I read far too much fantasy!
The first time I went to Oxford, I went into Blackwells and didn't come out for 5 hours!:o

[Andúril]

Yesterday: Crito - Plato
Tonight: Critias - Plato

[Eldanuumea]

Originally posted by Lizra
English must be a weird subject to teach, so many different aspects to it. I hated English, made a big stink to be removed from gifted english. Now I write for a newspaper! I write like I'm painting a picture though, letting words flow off the brush. I think I developed my style through osmosis though. All that reading pays off! I still hate spelling. Thank goodness for dictionaries. Love that edit!

Reading, reading, and more reading is the only way to become a proficient writer and interpreter of literature! For everything else, there's Spell-check!
If you had been in my class, perhaps you would have enjoyed English more...at least, I'd like to think so.:cool:

[Starr Polish]

Ah yes, reading a lot is the only way to be a good writer. People say I'm good (don't believe it) and I read all the time. I was that kid that read during recess.

Currently reading "A Guide to Middle Earth". Plan on checking out the trilogy tomorrow.

[crickhollow]

A 3-essay project thing? No wonder students hate English!!
that's what I want to be if I can make it through university!:p

I finally finished Our Mutual Friend. Not the best Dickens, but close to it! Very, very good.

I also finished all my C.S.Lewis books, except for Surprised by Joy. That's next on my list--after I finish Les Miserables--which is shaping up to be pretty book, too.

I loved the movie version w/ Liam Neeson,

[Eldanuumea]

I'm fixing to read Enchantment by Orsen Scott Card and The Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler.

Liam Neeson's Jean Valjean was very good, as was Geoffrey Rush's Javert.

[TwirlingString]

Originally posted by Lady Midnight
Just finished Geraldine Harris's Seven Citadels series,very good books but absolute murder to get hold of cos they're out of print.

Currently reading Jean M Auel's latest in the Earth Children's series, entitled "The Shelters Of Stone". I don't know if anyone ever saw the film "Clan Of the Cave Bear" but that is based on the first book in this set.

What's that about anyway? Believe it or not, my GYM TEACHER has been begging me to read it along with 60 or so others.

[Starr Polish]

ah! ah! CHILDREN OF THE EARTH! I knew the next one had come out, but I couldn't remember the name.

::goes into a fit of spasms::

[TwirlingString]

The Phylosiphical Strangler by Eric Flint

[BeardofPants]

Tolkiens Letters & Unfinished tales.

[TwirlingString]

Originally posted by BeardofPants
Tolkiens Letters & Unfinished tales.

Letters?

[BeardofPants]

Originally posted by TwirlingString


Letters?

You surely do like your extraneous posts, don't you? :rolleyes:

If you look it up on Amazon, I'm sure you'll find the answer there. Oh, and refer to my sig. Fool. :p

[TwirlingString]

What happened to the box?

[Nienna Grey]

OK, I'm reading the following books at present:

Re-reading Silmarillion

A biography of Tolkien by Humphrey Carpenter

Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett

[TwirlingString]

Love wyrd sister, megaly mundoly cool! I think it might be my favorites of the books with the witches in them, but then again it might be Equal Rites

[Eldanuumea]

I am reading The Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler.

[BeardofPants]

As I said earlier, I'm reading Tolkiens unfinished tales. However, it is a library book, and some nasty bugger has ripped out the map! :mad: If anyone could scan and email it to me, I would be eternally grateful! (PM me for my 'mail)

[Andúril]

I read some of the newspaper tonight.

[BeardofPants]

Have just had a Tolkien splurge (Sil, UT, Letters, LOTR) I'm taking a break to re-read my Harry Potter books before I start HoME...

[Sylvee Estel]

Right now I am reading The Pearls of Lutra by Brian Jacques. Very good book!

[Eldanuumea]

I just started The Soul of Sex of Thomas Moore. After that....or during.....I'' read some more Star Trek novels.:cool:

[Arathorn]

I just finshed 6 Dune books (book 1 last yr before FOTR movie movie came out, books 2 to 5 three weeks ago, and book 6 last week.

I started to read Neil Gaiman's American Gods yesterday. I hope I can catch up on a lot of other things which are not related to reading fiction books. Hopefully I'd learn an instrument or 2 this year and scaled another Philippine peak. So many things to do...

[crickhollow]

_That Hideous Strength_ by C.S.Lewis. Excellent, excellent book. a little freaky, though! Jane's dream, the dead man who was only sleeping, and the head of the executed criminal kept alive separate from his body...wow! I couldn't sleep at night.

[Shadowfax]

Just starting The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan; it's for English at school. I'm finding it a little akward because it is written in the present tense (she sits down and watches...). Oh well. Anyone else read this book?

[Earniel]

At the moment I'm rereading 'The hobbit' this time in English. And 'Cat World' from Desmond Morris.

[Grey_Wolf]

At the moment I'm re-reading Dale Brown's Chains of Command (a very good techno-thriller). Taken a long pause in Harry Turtledove's WW: Upsetting the Balance and finishing off KSR's Green Mars. Have begun Edward Rutherfurd's Sarum (with the intent of reading London and The Forest)

[sun-star]

I've just finished 'Perelandra' by C.S. Lewis, as well as re-reading Sense and Sensibility, and I'm not sure what to start next. I'm sure I'll find something...

[Hasty Ent]

Just finished The History of Danish Dreams by Peter Hoeg. Working through Ulysses by Joyce and What is Art For? by Ellen Dissanayake. Also reading the Alexandria Quartet by Lawrence Durrell, -- finished Justine last week and 50 pages into Balthazar.

[Erawyn]

Catcher is the Rye

[osszie]

Mien Kampf (the holocaust both horrifies and amazes me....been trying to get my head around it, in an understanding sense, for about 2 years now, not there yet).

reading for pleasure?.................the belgariad, again, tis stereotypical.........and wonderful because of that

:)

oh and as many comics and small press as i can afford this month;)

[katya]

i am reading crime and punishment. its great. i am also rereading lotr. but mostly i am reading crime and punishment. gives me a lot to think about.

[silmälasi]

right now i am reading a book about ducati motorcycles.those beautiful v-twins

[crickhollow]

Originally posted by sun-star
I've just finished 'Perelandra' by C.S. Lewis, as well as re-reading Sense and Sensibility, and I'm not sure what to start next. I'm sure I'll find something...
ooo-- Perelandra is one of my favorites...try That Hideous Strength...it's the next one in the series.

right now I've finally started the Silmarillion for the first time!yay for me!

[tulc711]

"Going To Pieces: the rise and fall of the Slasher film 1978-1986"
great book so far!
tulc

[azalea]

I just finished reading The Nanny Diaries while I was on vacation. It was surprisingly good, a very easy read and a page turner. You just can't believe how people could actually be like that (although there is a disclaimer at the beginning that the book is pure fiction, it is based on the authors' actual experiences as nannies).

[BeardofPants]

I'm still waiting for lost tales (blimmin' amazon!) and the other volumes are sitting on my bookshelf, beckoning me to read them..... *Sigh* I'm reduced to re-reading some Terry Pratchett, to stave my urge to start reading HoME 3......

[Hemisphere Dancer]

Reading The Cell , by John Williams, et al.

[cassiopeia]

I'm currently reading The Book of Lost Tales part 2. I'm going to read them all in order. I think i've got about ten to go, so thats what I'll be reading for the next 6 monthes.

[BeardofPants]

Originally posted by cassiopeia
I'm currently reading The Book of Lost Tales part 2. I'm going to read them all in order. I think i've got about ten to go, so thats what I'll be reading for the next 6 monthes.

Yeah, I'm gonna be in the same situation, as soon as I get my copies of Lost Tales.

How did you find the first one? How hard is it to get into?

[cassiopeia]

Originally posted by BeardofPants
Yeah, I'm gonna be in the same situation, as soon as I get my copies of Lost Tales.

How did you find the first one? How hard is it to get into?

It was kind of hard to get into. I forced myself to keep reading and ended up enjoying it. It can confuse you, because Vanyar are the Teleri (I think) and Melkor is Melko (OK not to confusing) when he wrote it, so you have to be careful. It's very much like The Silmarillion in style. I'm enjoying the tale of Tinuviel in part 2.

[Hrothgar]

Personally, I am re-reading the Two Towers (nearly finished)

For University I am about to re-read The Golden Ass.

I have just finished Prometheus Bound, Antigone, Oedipus Rex and Oedipus at Collonus, the Epic of Gilgamesh, The Odyssey, and the Iliad (again).

Next year I have to read; The Nibelungenlied, Henry V (again), The Aenid, the Song of Roland, The twelve Caesars, The Jugurnthine war and the conspiracy of Catalline, and the History of the Franks.

and I plan to read The Silmarillion, time permitting.

Lots of reading, but extremely interesting

[elendili]

I'm reading Pride and Pedjudice but gave up halfway through the unfinished tales coz they were very repetitive but I plan on reading the Silmarillion again soon.

[crickhollow]

I'm reading the Pardoner's Tale (part of the Canterbury Tales) for my Major Authors class. Chaucer is excellent!

[Starr Polish]

Return of the King again, and A Clockwork Orange. I really am not liking the latter of the two. I think my opinion on the former is fairly obvious though.

I have a long list of what I want to read afterwards (I usually only read two books at a time, if that):
Wuthering Heights, Dracula, The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, Letters of JRR Tolkien, Catcher in the Rye, Good Omens, and Ender's Game, in no particular order.

[Erawyn]

I'm reading Pride and Pedjudice

I love that book!

I hated Cather In the Rye, but most people love it, at first I thought it was interesting, but it drags on and I thought that the style it is written in got irritating after awhile.

[sun-star]

I'm reading a sequel to Pride and Prejudice - it's terrible. Luckily it's short :)

[Beleg Strongbow]

isnt this a poll thread?

[Starr Polish]

This thread was started LONG before that ban, and it's actually an intelligent one where people can discuss and reccomend (or warn against) books.

I'm still reading ROTK...and my English notes. ::sigh::

[BeardofPants]

Half way through Lost Tales Vol I and impatient to start Vol II....

[Draken]

Half way through "Guns, Germs & Steel" (excellent examination of the driving forces behind the development of civilisations). Have just finished reading "The Mouse and his Child" to my two youngest. What a fantastic childrens' book that is. Anyone else read it?

[Khadrane]

I'm reading Book of Lost Tales 1. It's good.

[BeardofPants]

Lost Tales II is better. :p

[cassiopeia]

I just finished the Tale of Tinuviel (but not the commentary). I stopped reading for a while because I was busy. I have too much to read....the rest of HoMe and I want to read the Silmarillion again.:rolleyes:

[Sylvee Estel]

I am reading, rereading I guess, Antrax by Terry Brooks. It's part of the 3 book series, The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara. The third book, Morgawr just recently came out and I am rereading the first two becuase I forgot what happens... I really enjoy all of the Shannara books.

[Varda]

I am reading the third book in the Harry Potter series.

[crickhollow]

The importance of being earnest--Oscar Wilde...hehehehehe I highly recommend it.

[BeardofPants]

Originally posted by cassiopeia
I just finished the Tale of Tinuviel (but not the commentary). I stopped reading for a while because I was busy. I have too much to read....the rest of HoMe and I want to read the Silmarillion again.:rolleyes:

Oh I'm really looking forwards to that. :rolleyes: The only way I can read poetry is out loud.... :eek: :D

[sun-star]

Originally posted by crickhollow
The importance of being earnest--Oscar Wilde...hehehehehe I highly recommend it.

Must agree with that! Have you seen the newest film?

I'm currently reading the Problem of Pain, by C.S. Lewis. Slowly. There's a lot to think about.

[BeardofPants]

The lay of leithian (HoME 3) and "The Code Book." - I'm learning how to encipher stuff.

[crickhollow]

Originally posted by sun-star
Must agree with that! Have you seen the newest film?

I'm currently reading the Problem of Pain, by C.S. Lewis. Slowly. There's a lot to think about. haven't seen it yet, but after reading the play, I'm anxious to! I haven't read all of the problem of pain, but what i've gotten snatches of is really great, in spite of being slow going.

[Starr Polish]

"The Letters of JRR Tolkien"

[Erawyn]

1984, and after than Beowulf, and after that Grendel, and after that the disposessed, and after that the blue roan child, and then i don' t know!

[cassiopeia]

Originally posted by BeardofPants
The lay of leithian (HoME 3) and "The Code Book." - I'm learning how to encipher stuff.

Aww, BoP, your beating me, I'm still up to HoME 2. :) The Code Book - was that a documentary on TV, because I saw a documentary on that and wanted to read the book, it looks interesting.

[Diamond of Long Cleeve]

The Reader -- by Bernhard Schlink.

( It is very beautiful and moving)

[Earniel]

Originally posted by cassiopeia
Aww, BoP, your beating me, I'm still up to HoME 2. :) The Code Book - was that a documentary on TV, because I saw a documentary on that and wanted to read the book, it looks interesting.

Aww, Cassiopeia and you're beating me too.:D I'm still in HoME 1. ;)

[Treebeard's apprentice]

It, by Stephen King. I'm a little over halfway done.

[Eldanuumea]

I have just discovered a new sci-fi author.....just read Darwinia and Chronoliths by Robert Wilson

I will be starting the Confluence series by Paul McAuley.:p

I am trying to find the Lord of Melnibone books by Michael Moorcock.

[crickhollow]

Thanks to Rian, I'm re-reading Til We Have Faces. Hurrah for the campus library--I found the Lewis section, andthe Tolkien section last night...I need never again fear not being about to find any kind of Tolkien book. My campus library has them all!

[Eruviel Greenleaf]

Paradise Lost, The Silmarillion...and all sorts of stuff for classes, including Thomas Paine's Common Sense :D

[Eldanuumea]

Originally posted by crickhollow
Thanks to Rian, I'm re-reading Til We Have Faces. Hurrah for the campus library--I found the Lewis section, andthe Tolkien section last night...I need never again fear not being about to find any kind of Tolkien book. My campus library has them all!

I have been intending to reread Till We Have Faces for months now, but I keep going back to Tolkien!! It is high on my list again, thanks to your reminding me about it!:cool:

[BeardofPants]

STILL the lays, STILL the Code Book (just finished an interesting chapter on how they deciphered the hieroglyphs, and linear B! :)) AND The Dark Knight Returns - a batman comic. *sigh* Too much to read!

[Wayfarer]

What am I reading right now? Nothing, I can't find anything good. Normally I go through a 500 page novel every few days. the sheer volume is staggering.

Has anyone read alistair reynolds? Best new author I've seen in a long time.

[Radagast The Brown]

I read now David Edings, Belgeriad the first, and I read Adams, the forth in the hitchhicker thingy too. Unfotunately I read an english book too, I don't remeber its name, the author is Agatha Christy.

[Garina]

Wow, you have good taste in books. David Eddings, Douglas Adams, AND Agatha Christie!
*bows respectfully*

At the moment I am in between books! I have just retrieved my LOTR copies from my friend, after she borrowed them for 2 months!!!!!!! She wasn't even reading them!
I have just finished reading Magic's Price by Mercedes Lackey.

[Liviaine]

I'm currently reading The Once and Future King by T.H. White. It's wonderful. I'm also re-reading The Fellowship of the Ring .

[Aeryn]

well I am reading a number of books...sortof....
Schnoogle's (not really books but worth it)
Bio of Soujourner Truth
A book about abraham lincolns to almost gravestite robberys.

[BeardofPants]

STILL the Code Book, and HoME 4. Yep, that's right, I finished the lays. :p

[galadriel88]

Two books, Simple Gifts by June Sprigg (about the author's time living with the Shakers) for History Club, and Boy Meets Girl by Joshua Harris for myself. :) It's the sequel to his first book, I Kissed Dating Goodbye, on which I have started a thread about in this forum. I finished IKDG in a week, and it looks like I'm gonna finish this one in 2 or 3 days! They're really good books, I can't put them down :)

[Hanza]

I'm reading one book at the moment. i'm reading the second Artemis Fowl. Its really good and i recommend it to anyone. read the first one though first. It makes more sense that way. I started reading
Three men in a boat
A walk to .... something
The witches, roald dahl RULES!

I'll finish them sometime. But i love reading books you just bought sometimes they just seem more appealing.:D

[sun-star]

I just finished Tess of the d'Urbervilles (possibly the most pessimistic book ever written) and now I'm reading the Age of Innocence. I also have to read Enduring Love, by Ian McEwan, for English Lit. Fun :rolleyes:

[BeardofPants]

Originally posted by sun-star
I just finished Tess of the d'Urbervilles (possibly the most pessimistic book ever written)....

I couldn't finish that. It was too.... upseting. I got about 3/4 of the way through it before I got bogged down in that whole tragic/depressing thing.

[crickhollow]

Someone told me the ending, and I haven't had the heart to even begin it...

[Radagast The Brown]

I finished the first book in belgeriad, Edings, and finished my book report, so:
1. I have another book report.
2. I strat the second, Belgeriad, Ediings.
3. I haven't finished Adams yet.

[BeardofPants]

HoME 4, Chronicles of Narnia, and a Liz Berry book.

[Radagast The Brown]

I finished Adams and The third of Eddings. I love Eddings. :D :cool: :)

[Earniel]

BOLT 2 and Cats of the Pharao's: 4000 years of divine grace.

[BeardofPants]

Lets see.... I'm juggling HoME 4, Narnia chronicles and the Akira comics.

[FoolofaTook]

I am currently reading Unfinished Tales. I'm also reading Lord of the Flies for school, though I haven't read much of it yet.

[Jadera]

Right now I'm reading the fourth Harry Potter book. I read the first three, so I figured I might as well see how it goes, all though I nearly flipped when I saw how many pages it was. Holy cow. It's long, for a HP book.

I'm almost finished with The Poisonwood Bible. Sad, but very interesting.

Now I have to pick between The Great Gatsby and Dracula for a book report. Oi. :p

I read the Dark Knight returns (someone mentioned it....) a while ago. Strange, strange storyline if it's the one I'm thinking of, and a little bit dark. But a little morbid reading never hurt anything. ;)

[BeardofPants]

Originally posted by Jadera
I read the Dark Knight returns (someone mentioned it....) a while ago. Strange, strange storyline if it's the one I'm thinking of, and a little bit dark. But a little morbid reading never hurt anything. ;)

That would be me. :D

Have you read the sequel?

[Coney]

Frank Millers work on Batman was cool, but if you want dark (and insane) Batman, Jim Stalins Death in the Family is amazing (one of the best Graphic Novels I've ever read).

What I'm reading right now -

Steven Hawkins - A Brief History of Time (Bloody confusing as I've never had more than a cursory interest in science since finishing Comprehensive School).

The Beach - because someone left it at my house, it's a bit slow, promises a lot but is failing miserably to deliver, does the guy EVER find the guts to try to get off with the french bird?...somehow I doubt he will:rolleyes:


Tom O' Connor Autobiography - cos everone's reading should have a little humour content
;)

Old issues of 2000AD comic - cos I found them in my loft and I'd forgotten how good they were:D

[Treebeard's apprentice]

I finished IT (the Stephen King book), so now I'm working on The Letters of JRRT. It's very interesting, especially his views about love & marriage, religion, Hitler, Jews, and war in general. I had to borrow it from someone living here in the dorms with me because I can't seem to find it in any library or bookstore.
I just bought The Tommyknockers (I love Stphen King; can't you tell?) today, so that will get added onto my List of Books to Read After the One I'm Reading Now. The list never seems to get any shorter, but that's not a bad thing:).

[Silverstripe]

Jane Eyre, for the 12,747,543 time :D

[BeardofPants]

Originally posted by Coney
Frank Millers work on Batman was cool, but if you want dark (and insane) Batman, Jim Stalins Death in the Family is amazing (one of the best Graphic Novels I've ever read).

I'll have to check it out... once I finish Akira... only another 4 to go....

[Treebeard's apprentice]

Jane Eyre, for the 12,747,543 time
Yuck! I totally hated that book (or brick is more like it). I had enough trouble reading it just once.

[Starr Polish]

I agree, Treebeard's Apprentice. Yuck! Good for you, being able to read it so many times.

Out of Silent Planet, by C.S. Lewis.

[crickhollow]

ehhh...I'm not a big fan of any of the brontes, though I've been meaning to read The Tenant of Whitfield Hall...

right now I'm reading The Making of the English Working Cl--oh, you mean what am I reading for fun? what's fun?

[Rían]

Originally posted by Treebeard's apprentice
I finished IT (the Stephen King book), so now I'm working on The Letters of JRRT. It's very interesting, especially his views about love & marriage, religion, Hitler, Jews, and war in general. I had to borrow it from someone living here in the dorms with me because I can't seem to find it in any library or bookstore.

It's a fascinating book, isn't it?! (Letters) Several people at Entmoot have started on it recently. The letter to the German publishers about whether or not he has any Jewish blood in him is particularly well-written, I thought. And it's fun to read his lighter letters, too, and those written to very close friends. There's lots of good ME info to be picked up, too. I hope you can find it in a bookstore soon, because I think it's a real "keeper". I refer back to it often.

[Radagast The Brown]

I read Maloria (Edings) and another fantasy book. I can't remember its name, of its writer. I'll edit them next.

[cee2lee2]

The Silmarillion. Taking it nice and easy, and determined to get through it this time.

[Radagast The Brown]

cee2lee2, did you already try to read The Sil and you failed?

[cee2lee2]

Radagast the Brown, yes, I tried a long time ago and got bogged down in all of the names and the style of writing. I think part of my problem then was trying to get through it too quickly, as I had ploughed through the trilogy to find out what happened. Now I am taking each chapter slowly and letting it sink in before moving on. I'm reading it at lunchtime at work, so I have a time constraint anyway and am not able to get through too much at once. I must say I'm enjoying it more this time. And I anticipate I'll come back to it when I'm done, just as I do with The Hobbot and the trilogy.

[Sylvee Estel]

I just finished reading A Rose for Melinda by Lurlene McDaniel. Very sad, I cried. :(

[Radagast The Brown]

originally posted by c2l2
Radagast the Brown, yes, I tried a long time ago and got bogged down in all of the names and the style of writing. I think part of my problem then was trying to get through it too quickly, as I had ploughed through the trilogy to find out what happened. Now I am taking each chapter slowly and letting it sink in before moving on. I'm reading it at lunchtime at work, so I have a time constraint anyway and am not able to get through too much at once. I must say I'm enjoying it more this time. And I anticipate I'll come back to it when I'm done, just as I do with The Hobbot and the trilogy.ok.

I'm reading a book written by Piury something, and it called Orian. And the Malorian, Edings.

[Philia]

Shakespeare's A Midsummer nights eve

[sun-star]

Le Morte d'Arthur, by Thomas Malory. I've only just started it but I think I love it already...

[cassiopeia]

I've kind of given up reading BoLT 2 until my exams are finished and I can concentrate properly. I know this is probably very bad, but I'm currently reading this very good LOTR fanfiction story on the web. Ok, so it does contain some slash, but its all in good fun!

[Silverstripe]

Originally posted by Treebeard's apprentice
Yuck! I totally hated that book (or brick is more like it). I had enough trouble reading it just once.

Let me explain that one. See, I have a group of friends who were all really into romance novels (especially Jane Austen and the Brontes) and had never read LotR. So we came to an agreement that for every time they read a book by Tolkien, I would read a romance novel by one of their two favorite authors. As I have only been able to get through TWO Jane Austen books, one of Emily Bronte's, and Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre, I wind up reading the four books a lot. Half of those friends have now read and re-read LotR several times! Having to read just about anything is worth that. :)

[crickhollow]

next time they make you read Jane Austen, read _Lady Susan_. It's very short (especially for Austen), it has a much more interesting format.

[BeardofPants]

I'm taking a hiatus from Tolkien, and have just finished Asimov's first foundation book. I'm still formulating my opinion on it, and I think to get a feel for it, I'll have to read some more of the series. (I started on Foundation, not Prelude.) Now, I'm about to start on Heinlein's Starship Troopers.

[Silverstripe]

Originally posted by crickhollow
next time they make you read Jane Austen, read _Lady Susan_. It's very short (especially for Austen), it has a much more interesting format.

Thank you. I'll try that. :)

[Hanza]

I'm reading Artemis Fowl:The Artic incident. Iloved the first one and so was v.excited when i heard there was another one out. Its by Eoin Colfer.

[cassiopeia]

My exams are finished now, so I will be able to get some reading done. I'm going to get BoLT 2 (hopefully finish it this time) and Dune. Thanks BoP, for recommending it. :D

[Radagast The Brown]

The Duke Of Uranium - John Barnes and The forth in Malorien.

[Miranda]

Reading right now! Well there's the Silmarillion which I picked up this morning before going to school, Suetonius' Claudius, Tacitus Claudius, Rasputin the final word by Radivinsky, A people's tragedy by Orlando Figes, Therese Desqueyroux by Francios Mauriac, Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand. Oh to be a history and French student!!!!!! Mx

[crickhollow]

I just finished a bunch of Arthurian Romances for my Medieval Literature paper--Chretien de Troyes' Lancelot, or Knight of the Cart, Erec and Enid, and Perceval, or Knight of the Grail. And I got away with calling it studying--my life is great. :D

[BeardofPants]

I just bought Butlerian Jihad. Huzzah! :D

[Miranda]

The Fellowship of the Ring in FRENCH!!!!!!!!! I thought I'd see how good my language skills were and muddle my way through Tolkien in a foreign language not native to Middle Earth and I'm going ok. Just giggle all the time because Frodo has become Frodod and it amuses me for some reason. My french teacher will be proud. Mx

[Silverstripe]

The "A Wizard in Rhyme" series, and I've never found anyone else who has read it, other than my parents. Also am re-reading The Dragon and the George. That's my reading list for today.

Has anybody else ever suceeded in finishing "War and Peace"?

[Coney]

Originally posted by Silverstripe
Has anybody else ever suceeded in finishing "War and Peace"?

Yes, it's about russia;)

I'm reading Stephen King's The Green Mile...........with some trepidation because I thought every S.King book sucked.......except Misery and The Eye of the Dragon.

But the copy was free........so I might as well give it a go:)

[sun-star]

I'm reading a great little book of essays by AA Milne which were originally newspaper columns (I believe) - they're very trivial but funny and untaxing :)

[Andúril]

A Marginal Jew -- Rethinking the Historical Jesus: The Roots of the Problem and the Person. John P. Meier.

[Beleg Strongbow]

I'm reading Exodus (not the second book of the Bible but the novel). Anyone else read it?

[Beleg Strongbow]

I'm reading The Exodus (not the second book of the Bible but the novel). Anyone else read it?

[Eldanuumea]

I just started what promises to be a great new novel called The Crimson Petal and the White by Michael Faber.

[Elven Archer]

I'm reading Exodus (not the second book of the Bible but the novel). Anyone else read it? Haven't read the novel but i've read the book in the Bible.

[Aeryn]

A book I don't enjoy, Tick Tock by Dean Koontz. One of his lamer story lines. It makes me sad. :D

[BeardofPants]

Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game.

[Beleg Strongbow]

Originally posted by Elven Archer
Haven't read the novel but i've read the book in the Bible.

try it. I can't put it down.

[Starr Polish]

Originally posted by BeardofPants
Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game.

Good book, but a bit disturbing, in a sense. What disturbed me most is that it was in the children/young adult section in my library.

[Duddun]

I'm reading The Acts of King Arthur And His Noble Knights by John Steinbeck. It's ok but not great, its long. It's funny in how descriptive it is though.

[Hasty Ent]

Right now reading Lonely Planet guide books to St Petersburg (Russia) and Finland -- getting ready for a vacation, yeah:cool: -- and finally started on the Silmarillion.

Just finished Balthazar, Book 2 of Durrell's Alexandria Quartet -- I'm really looking forward to Book 3, Mountolive.

Also just finished Bill Bryson's A Walk in the Woods -- desperately funny, funny book!!!

Still struggling with Ernesto Sabato's Of Heroes and Tombs -- why is magic realism such a difficult form for me? Tolkien is certainly magical, and the world he writes about feels real...:confused:

[Coney]

Originally posted by Hasty Ent

Also just finished Bill Bryson's A Walk in the Woods -- desperately funny, funny book!!!:

Oh yes!.........if anyone had said to me two years ago that a travel writer would become one of my favourite authors I would have laughed at them:rolleyes: .................but BB is just brilliant:D ...............soo funny:D :cool:

Reading right now?.......nothing....supposed to be working:rolleyes:

[Sicirus]

I trying to read Ann Frank as well as The last od the wine and LOrd of the rings. Screwy yes. I like to start books but then I get interested in another book and start that one then I try to finish one book as well as the other. So I just read one then when I get bored of it read some more of the others.:D

[Hasty Ent]

Originally posted by Sicirus
I trying to read Ann Frank as well as The last od the wine and LOrd of the rings. Screwy yes. I like to start books but then I get interested in another book and start that one then I try to finish one book as well as the other. So I just read one then when I get bored of it read some more of the others.:D


You live dangerously, Sicirus!:D

I've been warned repeatedly that my book list is out of control and running (NOT ruining) my life...;)

[Duddun]

I have that problem too. Im always reading atleast 4 books at a time.

[cassiopeia]

I'm juggling three books at the moment: The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger, The Treason of Isengard (HoME book 7) and The Problem of Pain by CS Lewis (thanks to Rian for recommending it). Plus various fan fiction stories I am reading on the web.

[Aeryn]

A brief review of a book I just finished (not Tick-Tock)


Ports of Call by Amin Maalouf. (Originally in french)
Ossyane's father was the son of the mad daughter of a deposed Ottoman sovereign and an Adana physician; his mother was an Armenian. Raised in Beirut, he was given the name Ossyane ("Disobedience") and educated to be a revolutionary leader... Studying medicine in Montpellier at the outbreak of the Second World War, he joins the French Resistance, working first as a courier and then a forger. Returning home as a hero, he marries a Jewish woman met during the war. But then the 1948 Arab-Israeli War comes between them, fraternal enmity raises its head, and Ossyane's life is put on hold. Now, thirty years on, he awaits a meeting on a Paris bridge that will decide whether his tale is a tragedy or not... This is the story Ossyane pours out over three days to an unnamed narrator, who has recognised him from a photo in a history book.
With a sparse plot and lean prose, Ports of Call is a kind of fable, a fable of madness and family ties, of love and despair, of mixed and uncertain identities. Maalouf is able to touch lightly on grand themes and big topics without being either superficial or artificial. The historical background, for example, is fascinating - the Armenian genocide, the French Resistance, the breakdown of order in Beirut - but it remains background, never taking over the story. Ports of Call is masterly short novel, captivatingly readable and hauntingly memorable.

[BeardofPants]

Juggling the next Ender book (speaker for the dead), HoME 5, and Mammoth: Silverhair. Plus someone at work has lent me a flakey Egyptian/Aliens type book that I promised I'd read....

[TwirlingString]

I made the mistake of glancing at the children's mystery section of my library and am currently rereading all 34 of the trixie beldens

[TwirlingString]

Originally posted by BeardofPants
Juggling the next Ender book (speaker for the dead), HoME 5, and Mammoth: Silverhair. Plus someone at work has lent me a flakey Egyptian/Aliens type book that I promised I'd read....
Oh no, Speaker for the dead is mega ool but after that the series gets depressive, it's the same if you try reading it from Beans point of view too

[BeardofPants]

I don't mind depressing stuff. I like my sci fi (and fiction in general) to be heavy going.

[TwirlingString]

Do you like on the floor crying depressing cuz that's what it is

[Aeryn]

Is it bad that I don't have the slightest clue about what the heck your talking about? 'cause I don't. :D

BoP and TS: I really like your Avatars. BoP- Mega scary. TS- Gotta love Anime type stuff.

[TwirlingString]

Recap: the Enders game series starts off happy but the ending is downright depressing. BoP said she didn't mind, and I asked if she liked crying

[BeardofPants]

The only time I've cried when reading a book was the end of LOTR - Grey Havens. I don't make a habit of crying if I can help it.

Thanks Aeryn. :D

[cee2lee2]

Twirling String, you must be having great fun! I grew up on Trixie Belden and she was my all-time favorite girl sleuth. Loved her much better than Nancy Drew. Still have about a dozen of the books that I've saved since I was little. Loaned the first book in the series to a young girl I was counseling, but she never returned it. :( :mad:

[BeardofPants]

No way is Trixie better than Nancy. :mad: ;)

Starr: Ender's Game was in the children's section of the book chain I visited as well. (8-12 years no less!)

[Earniel]

Originally posted by BeardofPants
Juggling the next Ender book (speaker for the dead), HoME 5, and Mammoth: Silverhair. Plus someone at work has lent me a flakey Egyptian/Aliens type book that I promised I'd read....

Do tell me afterwards if Mammoth Silverhair is good. I was thinking about buying it and Longtusk for my dad's christmas.

[TwirlingString]

Originally posted by cee2lee2
Twirling String, you must be having great fun! I grew up on Trixie Belden and she was my all-time favorite girl sleuth. Loved her much better than Nancy Drew. Still have about a dozen of the books that I've saved since I was little. Loaned the first book in the series to a young girl I was counseling, but she never returned it. :( :mad:
Ouch killer, book 1 and two are some of the best of the entire series.

[BeardofPants]

I'm so happy, cos I just found the next two foundation books - some ignorant bastard from Borders told me they were OOP. But now I've got like five books on! :eek:

[Coney]

Happy reading! Hope you enjoy them:) (I certainly enjoyed the first three).

*Sigh* I put it off for years but I'm about to start ACC's 2001, just hope it's not as boring as the Rama books:rolleyes:

[BeardofPants]

Well, this will inspire you to read 'em: I zoned out in the first 50 pages of 2001. :rolleyes:

[Coney]

Originally posted by BeardofPants
Well, this will inspire you to read 'em: I zoned out in the first 50 pages of 2001. :rolleyes:

Oh........I think I'll have to postpone reading it untill Sunday morining then (Sunday being the dullest day of my week):(

[cassiopeia]

Originally posted by Coney
*Sigh* I put it off for years but I'm about to start ACC's 2001, just hope it's not as boring as the Rama books:rolleyes:

Hey, I loved those Rama books! Did you read all of them?, I can't remember how many there are, about 3 or 4. ACC is one of my favorite authors. My advice: keep reading, it gets better.

[Coney]

Originally posted by cassiopeia
Hey, I loved those Rama books! Did you read all of them?, I can't remember how many there are, about 3 or 4. ACC is one of my favorite authors. My advice: keep reading, it gets better.

There are 4 that I know of..............maybe I'll go back to them when I've had an attempt at 2001

[Elven Archer]

i've never heard of those books before.

I jsut finished reading the first book of the Sackett series, i guess that's wht you'd call it. "Sackett's Land" i've only read 3 of 'em so far and they were all really good. the one i just read had a bunch of sword fighting and all kinds of other stuff in it. Anyway it was a really good book and i'm gonna start reading the next one soon.

[Duddun]

What's the "Sackett series about?

[Elven Archer]

I'm really bad at exlaining stuff but i can try.
I've only read 3 and the 3 i read were Ride the River,Jubal Sackett, and Sackett's Land. I'm not sure what all the others are about cause there's about 15 or 20 i think.But I think each one is kinda the story of one of the Sacketts but each one mentions other Sacketts in it. they're really interesting if you read them in order because a couple books will be about one Sackett and all about his exciting life and then 2 books later it's about his son and then there' books about that guys life untill he dies or something. The first one is about Barnabas Sackett and how he's trying to get to the New World and stuff.It takes place in the 1500's. the ones i read had sword fighting and all kinds of other adventures in 'em. (i guess that's the word for it). in the one i just read Barnabas humiliates the Earl's nephew so then the nephew wants to kill him. then while he's escaping and trying to sell some gold coins and get maps of the New World he makes friends who help him fight all the people off to kill him and stuff. and he gets kidnapped by someone hired by the nephew and all kinds of other stuff. If it still doesn't sound that interesting but you like books full of adventure and excitement and whatnot then you should try reading them because they're alot more interesting than i can type them out to be. sorry if i didn't do a good job telling you what they're about

[Sicirus]

i amstarting to tired of Ann Frank and went to Borders for a wrapping book thing and found two new books that look extremely good. "Never trust a Dead man" Vivian Vande Velde
and "The riddle of Penncroft Farm." by Dorothea Jensen.

[Varda Oiolosseo]

I've just finished reading LOTR The Two Towers which is really good and i've just started reading Northern Lights!!
i recently read Harry Potter again for the millionth time!
:D :D

[Blackboar]

Me?
LORD OF THE RINGS!
For the 5th time without reading other books inbetween it!
In total I've read it 15 times!! :D :D
I never get bored of it!

[Radagast The Brown]

I'm reading:
LOTR again, this time just the appendixes
Marry Higgins Clark/ All Through the Night.
just finished Edings.
another book, whitch I can't remeber its name right now.

[Shadowfax]

Right now I'm reading Saints and Villains by Denise Giardina. It's about Deitrich Bonhoeffer. It's quite good so far (I'm about a quarter of the way through).

[Hanza]

Originally posted by Varda Oiolosseo
i've just started reading Northern Lights!!
I love northern lights. i hope you do to. It can just take you away so you want to be there with the characters.
I have got to read that book again. Its great.

[Varda Oiolosseo]

Thanx Hanza!!
Have u read the other two? The Amber Spyglass and The Subtle Knife?
Which one did u think was the best?

[Hanza]

Thats OK
I have tried reading Subtle knife but cant get into it. Its harder than Northern Lights. Keep reading Northern Lights and then tell me what you think of it. K? :D

[Miranda]

Embarrassingly I've actually just picked up a really soppy romance I used to read a few years ago called My secret love. Its a real teeny piece of rubbish but for some reason I've just been drawn to it again. Maybe its an omen!!! Mx

[Radagast The Brown]

now I'm reading the appendixes of lotr in the first time. That's all... I finished Edings and this Mary Higgins Clark boring book.

[Blackboar]

I'm reading the Hobbit. I've just finished reading LotR for the millionth time so I just felt like it!

[cassiopeia]

I'm reading The Two Towers before I am corrupted by the movie. :D

[Miranda]

Still got my head in soppy romantic novels! I never knew I had so many! Oh well, live vicariously through the characters! Love-hah- ain't coming this way at the moment. Hoping I will bump into a very sexy, dedicated Tolkien fan at the cinema tonight and be swept off my feet- well, its nice to dream isn't it! Mx

[Beleg Strongbow]

In London? :rolleyes:


I just read 2001. OK, I guess, but not exciting.

[Treebeard's apprentice]

I just finished Tolkien's Letters and now I'm working on Stephen King's The Tommyknockers.

[BeardofPants]

Originally posted by Beleg Strongbow
I just read 2001. OK, I guess, but not exciting.

At least you finished it. I only got half way through. :rolleyes:

I'm on the fourth foundation novel by Asimov. I finally finished that flaky book my co-worker leant me. Ergh.

[Jadera]

Right now I'm reading a book called Dead Irish by John. T. Lescroart. It's okay, it has a lot of unecessary language in it, and a couple of scenes that aren't graphic, but you get the point. It bugs me when people write books with great plots, but muddy it by putting too much language or sex scenes in it.

[Radagast The Brown]

I'm going to read Prachet. My sister told me he has very good books.

[sun-star]

I'm reading Under the Greenwood Tree - it's Thomas Hardy, but surprisingly it isn't about the horrible inevitability of fate. It's actually quite sweet :)

[BeardofPants]

Really? :eek: I only made it about 3/4 of the way through Tess of the D'Urbervilles before I gave up in depression...

PG Wodehouse is very funny. :D

[Eruviel Greenleaf]

Just finished Vol. 5 of HoME (The Lost Road and other writings) and now am on to Unfinished Tales. Am eyeing calculus textbook suspiciously, wondering if i should try to re-learn calc over break.

oh, and "Bloody Irish!" a book about irish vampires...*toothy grin*

[Elfmaster XK]

Nah! No one needs calculus.

I'm reading Vanity Fair, W.M.Thackeray . I only got to chapter two though, when i had some sudden ideas for writing grab my mind and make me strat to write instead.:rolleyes: I want to read this book, when i have the time i will finish it.

[Diaxion]

By The Sword its a book about the history of Fencing by this famous British fencer its really good and intresting:p

[Eruviel Greenleaf]

Originally posted by Elfmaster XK
Nah! No one needs calculus.


It's generally a good thing to know. . .and useful in--*evil grin*--physics.

Must read Invisible Man for school. Looks good though.

[Elfmaster XK]

Originally posted by Eruviel Greenleaf
It's generally a good thing to know. . .and useful in--*evil grin*--physics.

NOOOOO!!!!How canst thou mention such evil in my presense!

*collapses*

[Eruviel Greenleaf]

Originally posted by Elfmaster XK
NOOOOO!!!!How canst thou mention such evil in my presense!

*collapses*

and guess who happens to be a--er, you-know-what major? *evil grin*

[Elfmaster XK]

AHHHHHHHH!!! You're trying to convert me! Trying to convert me! Stay back i tell thee! STAY BACK!!!

Aww, damn. Twin, can't stay back. Hmm. I shall get you back.

Er..i'm reading...this post right now :D

[Eruviel Greenleaf]

hey, it's not my fault. . .:D and i'm not trying to convert you, not at all...:D

[Arathorn]

Um, actually I am THE ONE trying to convert you two (EG and E XK). Study calculus and physics, you must. For it is in those fields that thou can defeat the magics of the Eldar and other Maiar and bring down, er defend the walls of Helm's Deep....

--Saruman ooops! Arathorn

[Eruviel Greenleaf]

I was thinking more so we could protect Helm's Deep. But of course it will be quite useful for taking over the world!

I am easily swayed. . .I wish to study physics. . .:D
(don't worry, E XK--this is merely proving how we are twins, as opposed to the same person which would be rather scary, no? fear not, you will never have to do physics if you don't want to. . .)

[Blackboar]

I am now reading The Silmarillion:D :D

Its very confusing!

[Sicirus]

I am also rereading Silmarillion and two new books "Just Ella" and "Dogland".

[Eruviel Greenleaf]

Dracula, by Bram Stoker. :D <---teeth! vampires!

[Hasty Ent]

In Siberia by Colin Thubron
Mountolive (still...almost done, though!) by Lawrence Durrell
The Silmarillion (very slow going -- the discussion groups on the moot are helping to keep me interested)
Neuromancer by William Gibson (re-reading it for fun and break from the above:D )
The Nero Wolfe Cookbook by Rex Stout

[Blackboar]

I am now reading my Tolkien Enclopedia. At the moment I'm reading all about the Creation of Arda.

[Radagast The Brown]

I'm reading Meggie Fiury and Chocker something.

[Khamûl]

Currently I'm working through Everything's Eventual by Stephen King. I've been sidetracked lately by TTT, though. I should get back to Everything's Eventual soon.

[BeardofPants]

I'm reading Terry Pratchet's Death Omnibus... feel like reading something light before I start on the sixth (7th if you count Prelude) and last Foundation book.

[Shadowfax]

I'm now currently reading The Awakening: A Solitary Soul by Kate Chopin; it was written in the 1800s. I have to read it for English Honours. Not sure if I like it or not.

[Duddun]

I'm reading The Rift War series. Good books. I finished the second one yesterday. Now I'm trying to find a copy of the third. I found a copy of the fourth. The sad thing is they are out of print for right now.

[cee2lee2]

Read Artemis Fowl last night. Really enjoyed it and am looking forward to getting the 2nd book.

Also reading LeGuin's The Dispossessed for an online discussion group.

[Duddun]

I've been meaning to read Artemis Fowl. I've seen a lot of people at my school reading it and figured I should try it.

[cee2lee2]

Give it a try. It's very amusing and I found it to be a quick read. :)

[BeardofPants]

Originally posted by cee2lee2
Also reading LeGuin's The Dispossessed for an online discussion group.

I haven't read any of Le Guin, so the other day I went to the book store with my xmas book voucher, and couldn't decide between a Wizard of Earthsea collection, or the Dispossessed. I ended up going with the Earthsea decision. Now this is where you tell me that I chose wrong...

I'm just starting HoME 5.

[cee2lee2]

The Earthsea books are very different, IMHO, from the books she wrote in the Hainish universe. So you did not chose wrongly. :) I read the Earthsea books long ago and remember enjoying them a great deal.

But you'll have to try her other books once you've finished Earthsea to see which YOU like best.

[Earniel]

Earthsea is good, IMO.

I'm rereading LoTR. Christmas 1996 was the very first time I read it so it looked like a nice way to celebrate.

I'm also reading 'The making of mankind' by Richard Leakey, inspired by the ever-ongoing evolution-creation debate here on the 'moot. :p

[Eruviel Greenleaf]

Originally posted by BeardofPants

I'm just starting HoME 5.

That one's good! I wish he had finished The Lost Road. . .:D

[Hanza]

I finished Artemis Fowl (artic) a couple of weeks ago. Thought it was really good. I hope he does another one.

I think I might try finishing his Dark Materials. Heard the first one on the radio yesterday.

[Eruviel Greenleaf]

His Dark Materials are some of my favorite books! Yay! you should read them! :D *worships Phillip Pullman* :)

[Sicirus]

I am starting on The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson.
And then Tamsin by Peter.s. Beagle.

[BeardofPants]

Originally posted by Eruviel Greenleaf
I wish he had finished The Lost Road. . .:D

I just finished it earlier on today. It is good. :D Very different from his usual style though.

[Eruviel Greenleaf]

It is good! It inspired an interest in old english, and Germanic and Celtic legends. I think I'll be researching that some, now. . .

[BeardofPants]

I liked the bit where Alboin gave Rosamunda the skull of her dead father, filled with wine. :D

[Eruviel Greenleaf]

Originally posted by BeardofPants
I liked the bit where Alboin gave Rosamunda the skull of her dead father, filled with wine. :D

Yes, I liked that story too :D I wonder where I could find it. . .I think I'll start looking :)

[BeardofPants]

Well, if you *do* manage to track them down, let me know. :)

[Eruviel Greenleaf]

I'll be sure to. Perhaps this means a trip to the library. . .yay! :D

[Hanza]

Going to the library is a nice idea. i wonder if they will let me go in my PJ's!:D

[Grey_Wolf]

I am reading Harry Turtledove's WW: Upsetting the Balance and finishing off KSR's Green Mars. Have begun Edward Rutherfurd's Sarum (with the intent of reading London and The Forest). Have also begun reading Michael Baigant's Ancient Traces, about mysteries in mankind's past.

[Blackboar]

I'm reading the Silmarillion and Morgoth's ring (Yes, at the same time) I always do that, read books at the same time.:rolleyes:

[Grey_Wolf]

Are The History of Middle-Earth-series more for people who want to study Tolkien's works or could one read them as a really good series of books about ME?

[Eruviel Greenleaf]

Originally posted by Grey_Wolf
Are The History of Middle-Earth-series more for people who want to study Tolkien's works or could one read them as a really good series of books about ME?

I think they're more for studying Tolkien's works. . .They are the earlier drafts of the Silmarillion and Lord of the Rings, with C. Tolkien's notes, explaining differences and so on. I really enjoy them, because I find it interesting to see the evolution of the books. Perhaps someone who has read more of them could explain better, though. . .

[crickhollow]

I've just come in from buying books, and I still cannot believe that my university is letting me read these books for credit! I can't get over it. Anyway, here is my book list for English 392:

the Fellowship of the Rings
That Hideous Strength (Lewis)
Lilith (MacDonald)
A Wizard of Earthsea (Ursula LeGuin)
Beowulf
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
War in Heaven (Charles Williams)

I'm just so excited!

[Huan]

Whoa! What is the course title of English 392? My Joyce professor stomped all over a guy for saying that something Joyce did in Finnegans Wake was akin to what Tolkien was up to. The prof exploded: "You are NOT going to bring up Tolkien in an academic environment. There is NO redeeming literary value." To the understandable question of whether he'd actually read them: "Yes, I've read them several times to each of my children as they were growing up, and I know that there is NOTHING there." I personally believe it's because of those end-of-the-millennium polls for author of the century: Joyce won most of them for Ulysses, but every one he didn't win, Tolkien did. I love Joyce, but if you're going to insist that we must choose sides, I know whose side I'm on.
Anyway, as to the question, I am always juggling about ten books at a time. Right now I'm rereading The Two Towers and Othello, and reading Michael J. Fox's autobiography, Peter Brown's bio of The Beatles, Kurt Cobain's journals, several Daredevil graphic novels, and a biography of George Harrison.

[Grey_Wolf]

Originally posted by Eruviel Greenleaf
I think they're more for studying Tolkien's works. . .They are the earlier drafts of the Silmarillion and Lord of the Rings, with C. Tolkien's notes, explaining differences and so on. I really enjoy them, because I find it interesting to see the evolution of the books. Perhaps someone who has read more of them could explain better, though. . .

Thank you.

[Earniel]

Originally posted by crickhollow
the Fellowship of the Rings
That Hideous Strength (Lewis)
Lilith (MacDonald)
A Wizard of Earthsea (Ursula LeGuin)
Beowulf
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
War in Heaven (Charles Williams)

Sounds like a very interesting list. I wish I could have read such books at school. But nooooo, they had to be those aweful aweful boring tearjerking nasty..... erm. Sorry, I'm still traumatised.:rolleyes:

Beowulf.... That reminds me of the news I heard a week ago that they've found a lost manuscript of Tolkien, 1000 pages or so. Also a translation of Beowulf. They said it would be published in a month or two.:cool:

[crickhollow]

Originally posted by Huan
Whoa! What is the course title of English 392? Fantasy Literature. Ain't I lucky? :D :D :D

[Eruviel Greenleaf]

Originally posted by crickhollow
Fantasy Literature. Ain't I lucky? :D :D :D

Very, very, very lucky :D

Just finished a book of Celtic vampire legends called Bloody Irish, by Bob Curran. Was pretty good :D

[Starr Polish]

My AP Bio textbook. Better get back to studying...though, back implies I"ve already done some. Eep.

[Huan]

Crickhollow wrote: Fantasy Literature.

May I ask what school? Are you reading Beowulf in Old English? I'm sure you're not, but do yourself a favor and seek it out. If you want to see Lord of the Rings AND The Hobbit on a whole new level, read Beowulf in Old English. My favorite couple lines (describing Grendel):
com on wanre niht scrithan sceadugenga
which is: came in the wan night the slithering shadow-walker.
Oh it's some good stuff.

[Eruviel Greenleaf]

I want to read Beowulf in Old English. I don't know Old English. Hmm. Must learn it!

[Miranda]

At the moment I'm stuck reading Rasputin books for my history coursework- okay so the scandals good but the politics...BORING!!!!!!!!! Mx

[crickhollow]

You're right, we're using a translation, but I'm also taking a course in Chaucer, so that ought to help me brush up on Middle English. No modern translations allowed in there! I attend Trinity Western University in BC, Canada :)

So, adding Canturybury Tales and Parliament of Fowls (Sounds like a good book for IP, doesn't it?) to my book list for the semester.