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Post by Vanye on Apr 30, 2006 17:23:56 GMT -6
Well, I may be the only one of this group, but right now I'm reading The Da Vinci Code! I'm in a B&N University Online Reading Group. I find the real-life locations to be very fascinating & the book to be very riveting. However, a lot of the people in the group tend to get hung up on the religious controversy & do not discuss the story as much as I would like to. I'm not usually a big fan of conspiracy theories but this one is so outrageously unlikely to have been kept secret for 2000+ years that I'm having no trouble w/the suspencion of disbelief & able to just go along for the ride & enjoy the 'scenery'. I'm pretty sure at my age that I'm unlikely to make it to Europe in person but this book gives me the vicarious thrill that I got out of 'The Bourne Identity '& others of that series have provided. Naturally I'm going to see the DVC movie too:soon after it comes out! Vanye  |
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Post by Desi Baggins on May 1, 2006 3:33:30 GMT -6
I have not read the book yet, but I might end up seeing the movie before I can read it. I think the story should be great and the religious stuff should be interesting too.
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Post by Magpie on May 1, 2006 10:51:18 GMT -6
I read it a few months back. I liked it well enough... not the best book I've read and not the worst. I have very little Christian religious knowledge and read the book strictly as fiction. Not being Christian, I could take no offense and I agree with Vanye in that it seems clearly fiction (no matter what the set up of the book my hint at otherwise) and I am puzzled at the brouhaha that has been kicked up. I'm hoping it's a good movie (for some reason, I'm a little fearful). But regardless, I will probably wait till it comes to my second run neighborhood theater and see it for $3.00.
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Post by Stormrider on May 2, 2006 7:25:22 GMT -6
I read The DaVinci Code about a year ago. The book kept my interest throughout so I would have to say it was pretty good. Dan Brown has another book titled Angels and Demons and that is along the same lines of suspence as The DaVinci Code and worth reading, too.
I agree...The hidden societies and secrets kept by the Catholics was rather far fetched. They would really have to be a very good secret society to have kept the secrets hidden for so long! Many of our leaders and influencial people have belonged to (boy...I can't remember the name of that society!)
I was a big fan of The X Files on television, so I do like conspiracy stories and intrigue and Dan Brown's books are filled with plenty of that!
Right now, I am discovering many of the other fantasy writers and have been reading some of their books. I've read some of Tad Williams, Christopher Paolini (now waiting for his 3rd book in the Inheritance series), and am starting Terry Brooks The Sword of Shannara.
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Post by Vanye on Jun 7, 2006 10:26:33 GMT -6
Boy! Are we a lively bunch? Well I finished DVC,saw the movie & now reading Pullman's His Dark Materials in a B&NU reading group. Have any of your read this Trilogy? I'm enjoying it but have only just started it. Will tell you more later. Vanye
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Post by Androga Erindalant on Jun 26, 2006 14:38:02 GMT -6
I have heard of His Dark Materials, though didn't get the chance to read it myself. Right now, I'm trying to get my hands on that last book of the Dark Tower saga, by Stephen King. Meanwhile, I'm reading Bridget Wood. Fantasy with Irish mythology in it, though I don't know for sure where the real mythology lies, and which is the fantasy lol.
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Post by Desi Baggins on Jun 29, 2006 5:45:48 GMT -6
I have not had much time to read this month because I have been working. I only have two more days left then I can start enjoying the summer!
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Post by Vanye on Dec 9, 2006 20:54:22 GMT -6
More non -Tolkien reading! What are all of you reading now days? I'm reading Terry Pratchett's 'The Color Of Magic'-having read 'Good Omens' by Pratchett & Neil Gaiman -real hilarious. Color of Magic is the first of his Discworld series & his humor is a lot like that of Monty Python. Also read 'His Dark Materials' a trilogy by Philip Pullman which is being made a movie of right now but, if they do a number on it like they did to the 'Earthsea' trilogy I will trash it ! Planning to read 'The Gormenghast saga'. It is not really a trilogy but the author Mervyn Peake died before he could finish even the fourth volume of the series which he had estimated to reach 5 or 6 or more books. I guess you'd say I'm really hooked on fantasy fiction. However I am selective about it though as much of the varied types within the genre hold no appeal for me whatsoever! Well I'll shut up now so someone else can tell what they've been up to OK? Vanye  |
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Post by Desi Baggins on Dec 10, 2006 7:17:48 GMT -6
I am reading a trilogy by Tad Williams called Memory, Sorrow and Thorn. I am on book two which is Stone of Farewell. They are thick books and read slow, but there are some exciting parts too. I like them becuase the trolls in the books remind me of Tolkien's dwarves. Lots of names of people and places it is hard to keep it straight as to who knows who and who is on which side and where everyone is from.
When I get done with that trilogy I want to finish the Bartimaeous Trilogy. I have already read the first book and I have the second book. I loved the first book, lots of action and humor!
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Post by Andorinha on Dec 10, 2006 23:55:06 GMT -6
Vanye: The Gormenghast series is one of my favorites, dark, forbidding, a tale that has layer after layer of complexities, and has produced in my mind some of the most vivid character images I've ever read. I usually re-read Peake's books every two or three years. Disturbing, and provoking.
On the otherhand, Niel Hancock has a lighter touch in his two tetrologies, "Circle of Light," and "The Wilderness of Four." Partly Tolkien inspired, partly "Watership Down." Well written, easy reads.
Desi, I like Tadd Williams quite a bit too, though he does get confusing with so many characters.
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Post by Androga Erindalant on Dec 23, 2006 7:01:30 GMT -6
The Shannara Series are very good. Half a year ago I finished the Voyage of the Jerle Shannara, the third sub-series in that series. The two series before I had read years and years ago. I should reread them lol. The one after the Voyage I haven't read yet. But I will.  I enjoyed Gormenghast as well. Pity Peake couldn't continue them. I would have liked to know what happened after the heir to the count's throne had turned back from the castle once again. Incredible characters and an incredible building, at least in the first two books.
I've read Tad Williams' Memory, Sorrow and Thorn books. I began on Otherland as well, but only got to the second book so far.
The DaVinci Code is still on my list to read. I don't feel like buying it, but haven't seen it in the library yet.
My latest read is Arthur by Terrance White. It had been since my childhood since I read the tale of the famous king of Camelot. And I hadn't read White's version before.
Maybe I should get my hands on Eragon first now. Though there isn't much chance I read it before I see the movie.
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- 'It's an ill wind as blows nobody no good, as I always say. And All's well as ends Better!'
I enjoyed Gormenghast as well. Pity Peake couldn't continue them. I would have liked to know what happened after the heir to the count's throne had turned back from the castle once again. Incredible characters and an incredible building, at least in the first two books.