Poll: BOOKS!!!

[GonzoGamer]

I always have a book on me.
It's the one thing I can find even more engrossing than a really compelling game.
Actually, I just got Mogworld.
Any good?

 

[Jabberwock xeno]

My normal reading speed is 754 wpm.

I have to many books I am forbidden from buying any more because I finish them too fast XD

 

[bpm195]

Nine times out of ten when you put some 200 page book in front of me and say it's the greatest thing in the world, I'll complain that it's unnecessarily long then read it and berate the friend that gave it to me. It's not to say that they're inherently bad as a medium, but people really dramatically overstate how good every book is. At least when somebody makes me watch a movie I can go to sleep if I don't give a crap, but I have to put the effort into these damn books when I could expend just as much effort doing something constructive.

Why not read a book about something that interests you instead of your friend?

Peer pressure

The general situation is that if I say that I haven't read some series I have no interest in reading, the only way to get people to shut up about how much I should read it is to read it. So I take the book, read it, and give it back, and they're offended if I don't ask for the second book. Surely if I don't want the second book I didn't read the first, then I have to pass whatever litmus test to prove that I read the book, and I just sincerely don't care about the next one. Then they have to assemble a team of nerds for an impromptu intervention, and they won't leave me alone until I agree to read the next book.

I just want to fit in with the nerd crowd, but bibliophiles are the pushiest hobbyists EVER!

 

[Koroviev]

Nine times out of ten when you put some 200 page book in front of me and say it's the greatest thing in the world, I'll complain that it's unnecessarily long then read it and berate the friend that gave it to me. It's not to say that they're inherently bad as a medium, but people really dramatically overstate how good every book is. At least when somebody makes me watch a movie I can go to sleep if I don't give a crap, but I have to put the effort into these damn books when I could expend just as much effort doing something constructive.

Why not read a book about something that interests you instead of your friend?

Peer pressure

The general situation is that if I say that I haven't read some series I have no interest in reading, the only way to get people to shut up about how much I should read it is to read it. So I take the book, read it, and give it back, and they're offended if I don't ask for the second book. Surely if I don't want the second book I didn't read the first, then I have to pass whatever litmus test to prove that I read the book, and I just sincerely don't care about the next one. Then they have to assemble a team of nerds for an impromptu intervention, and they won't leave me alone until I agree to read the next book.

I just want to fit in with the nerd crowd, but bibliophiles are the pushiest hobbyists EVER!

You should try reading something that interests you and recommending it to your friends.

 

[gl1koz3]

Holy shit. I am the only one who has never really read a book all the way through. O.O

But, come to think of it, I remember one book I forced myself into reading back in the 3rd/4th grade or something. Some 100 pages or so in bigger-than-small letters. I think my mark depended on it, and internet wasn't yet much available in our country. But that was such a long time ago. Almost feel like I swore to never read again, haha.

Well, that's an unfortunately dubious distinction. What have you tried to read?

Mostly programming and some science books. Interesting stuff catches my attention regarding a related subject and I buy the book. Usually it's a chapter or two; never read any of the books here entirely. Use them in case I need info on particular subject and off they go again.

Regarding books that contain a story... there was that 100 page book during childhood, and there was another in 10th grade again. Just with 150 pages. I read somewhere around half of the book and read a summary of the rest somewhere on the net. The stuff just wasn't interesting enough, to be honest. All of some local authors... not that they're bad, but the historical farmer settings are not particularly filled with secrets to unfold. Anyway, these were assignments in literature class. Since then I have substituted book reading with games containing (at least halfway) well done stories. The way of presentation does the trick - it is a lot more involving. Yet again, there's probably two or three games I enjoy story- and otherwise. I can name C&C (love the "serious humor" of originals) and Mass Effect 1 (for (arguably) probably the best sci-fi atmosphere so far). These are pretty much the only games I play for the feel of story.

People say books are interesting, but I don't see why. Especially, when some games successfully substituted them for me.

 

[Koroviev]

Holy shit. I am the only one who has never really read a book all the way through. O.O

But, come to think of it, I remember one book I forced myself into reading back in the 3rd/4th grade or something. Some 100 pages or so in bigger-than-small letters. I think my mark depended on it, and internet wasn't yet much available in our country. But that was such a long time ago. Almost feel like I swore to never read again, haha.

Well, that's an unfortunately dubious distinction. What have you tried to read?

Mostly programming and some science books. Interesting stuff catches my attention regarding a related subject and I buy the book. Usually it's a chapter or two; never read any of the books here entirely. Use them in case I need info on particular subject and off they go again.

Regarding books that contain a story... there was that 100 page book during childhood, and there was another in 10th grade again. Just with 150 pages. I read somewhere around half of the book and read a summary of the rest somewhere on the net. The stuff just wasn't interesting enough, to be honest. All of some local authors... not that they're bad, but the historical farmer settings are not particularly filled with secrets to unfold. Anyway, these were assignments in literature class. Since then I have substituted book reading with games containing (at least halfway) well done stories. The way of presentation does the trick - it is a lot more involving. Yet again, there's probably two or three games I enjoy story- and otherwise. I can name C&C (love the "serious humor" of originals) and Mass Effect 1 (for (arguably) probably the best sci-fi atmosphere so far). These are pretty much the only games I play for the feel of story.

People say books are interesting, but I don't see why. Especially, when some games successfully substituted them for me.

There's nothing wrong with not enjoying books as much as other mediums. It really depends on which experience you are looking for. Furthermore, whether you prefer fiction or non-fiction is a matter of interest. I like both. The only problem that can arise from not reading books all that often is composition issues. This has actually been documented when it comes to blind people, who often rely on audiobooks for "reading" material. When asked to compose for themselves, it has been found that such persons do not seem to have as firm an understanding of language structure as those who are fortunate enough to have sight. Nevertheless, I do not think that applies to you. Even if you don't finish books, that fact is that you still read them. I forget the subject of the article, but I read one not too long ago that questioned developed society's austere approach to books. For example, it challenged the notion that a book needs to be finished in order to fend of guilt. Why should the person feel guilty? If the book is not interesting, it is not interesting. So, read what you like and don't bother with the stuff that bores you. You have the right idea.

 

[Alexander Cron]

H.P. Lovecraft is a dark genius. Anything by him is amazing and very evil and scary.

 

[Koroviev]

H.P. Lovecraft is a dark genius. Anything by him is amazing and very evil and scary.

Eh, I like his stories, but it has been my experience that you have to wrench the matted purple prose off first.

 

[Hosker]

My most recent read was "Guards! Guards!" by Terry Pratchet. Finished yesterday, simultaneously frustrating and hilarious.

I just finished that not long ago. What is it you found frustrating about it?

 

[lacktheknack]

My most recent read was "Guards! Guards!" by Terry Pratchet. Finished yesterday, simultaneously frustrating and hilarious.

I just finished that not long ago. What is it you found frustrating about it?

For the first two thirds of the book, absolutely nothing was going right for the protagonists, and if they were, the protagonists all came out as complete and utter cowards (except Carrot and the Patrician). Plus, the mob psychology of the citizens of Ankh-Morpork was a bit too accurate.

For this reason, I found the sequence where the Patrician "accidentally" stalks the antagonist through the castle and traumatizes him to be VERY satisfying.

 

[Lord Doomhammer]

not as much anymore, but like Michel Crichton books (prey, sphere, etc.) i really enjoyed. On the other hand, i have a very hard time getting into books like harry potter or the like because there is always the niggling question at the back of my head... "why don't they just use a shotgun?"

 

[Flamezdudes]

I have a ton of books to read at the moment and once Christmas comes, I'l have even more. I'd really like to be able to get some more books though... I need recommendations!

I'm currently reading some books to do with Philosophy which my R.E. teacher gave me but once those are finished i'm gonna be reading George Orwell's 1984 which I got for my birthday!

 

[Koroviev]

I have a ton of books to read at the moment and once Christmas comes, I'l have even more. I'd really like to be able to get some more books though... I need recommendations!

I'm currently reading some books to do with Philosophy which my R.E. teacher gave me but once those are finished i'm gonna be reading George Orwell's 1984 which I got for my birthday!

1984 is a terrific novel. What interests you?

 

[Flamezdudes]

I have a ton of books to read at the moment and once Christmas comes, I'l have even more. I'd really like to be able to get some more books though... I need recommendations!

I'm currently reading some books to do with Philosophy which my R.E. teacher gave me but once those are finished i'm gonna be reading George Orwell's 1984 which I got for my birthday!

1984 is a terrific novel. What interests you?

Well, I really enjoy books like Simon Scarrow's work which involves History but with a hint of fiction, like what people say and the actions of minor characters. I also like Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror. I'm not a fan of romance novels or autobiographies really. I'm gonna try and get involved in Terry Pratchett's work and i'm getting his most recent book I Shall Wear Midnight for Christmas.

I've got H.P. Lovecraft's Necronomicon book which holds a ton of his stories in which I really enjoyed if that's some sort of hint of what I like.

 

[Koroviev]

I have a ton of books to read at the moment and once Christmas comes, I'l have even more. I'd really like to be able to get some more books though... I need recommendations!

I'm currently reading some books to do with Philosophy which my R.E. teacher gave me but once those are finished i'm gonna be reading George Orwell's 1984 which I got for my birthday!

1984 is a terrific novel. What interests you?

Well, I really enjoy books like Simon Scarrow's work which involves History but with a hint of fiction, like what people say and the actions of minor characters. I also like Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror. I'm not a fan of romance novels or autobiographies really. I'm gonna try and get involved in Terry Pratchett's work and i'm getting his most recent book I Shall Wear Midnight for Christmas.

I've got H.P. Lovecraft's Necronomicon book which holds a ton of his stories in which I really enjoyed if that's some sort of hint of what I like.

Here's a few that come to mind:

Helter Skelter
The Monster of Florence
From Hell
In Cold Blood
Franz Kafka's short stories (nightmares, essentially)
2001: a Space Odyssey
City of Thieves
Crime and Punishment
All Quiet on the Western Front
The Devil in the White City

 

[moretimethansense]

I don't read that often anymore, I used to read quite a bit but latley I've been finding it hard to get in to books, even the ones I like I have trouble starting.

Though I'm having the same problems regardless of media latley, if it takes more than a few minuites to get in to I get bored and wander off, I never used to be like this, I blame the internet!

 

[Koroviev]

I don't read that often anymore, I used to read quite a bit but latley I've been finding it hard to get in to books, even the ones I like I have trouble starting.

Though I'm having the same problems regardless of media latley, if it takes more than a few minuites to get in to I get bored and wander off, I never used to be like this, I blame the internet!

I have the same problem. When it comes to reading, I find that listening to instrumental music on low volume helps. I like to use ear buds as they also block out external distractions. I guess you could use other music, but lyrics distract me.

 

[moretimethansense]

I don't read that often anymore, I used to read quite a bit but latley I've been finding it hard to get in to books, even the ones I like I have trouble starting.

Though I'm having the same problems regardless of media latley, if it takes more than a few minuites to get in to I get bored and wander off, I never used to be like this, I blame the internet!

I have the same problem. When it comes to reading, I find that listening to instrumental music on low volume helps. I like to use ear buds as they also block out external distractions. I guess you could use other music, but lyrics distract me.

I'd try that but latley any noise at all pulls me right out of what I'm doing, that is if I'm reading even gentle instrumental music drwas my attention away from my book, also on the rare occasion I actually get in to it someone always bothors me, I know I can't be the only one but I can spend the whole day bored out of my skull doing nothing then the moment I start reading, playing a story heavey game or anything else for that matter, The phone rings, my mate comes over, the dog wants out, some bastard's at the door, the idiot two doors down starts blasting music, the chavs start blasting shitty music right outside my fucking house, the annoying kid from the other next door wants to go on one of my consoles or any number of other distractions.

At this point I think I've developed an aversion to doing things that require attention, It never goes well.

 

[KDBTV]

If you count games such as Hotel Dusk Room 215,Another Code and any other game that has a fuck ton of reading eg TWEWY
Then yes I read "books"

 

[Koroviev]

I don't read that often anymore, I used to read quite a bit but latley I've been finding it hard to get in to books, even the ones I like I have trouble starting.

Though I'm having the same problems regardless of media latley, if it takes more than a few minuites to get in to I get bored and wander off, I never used to be like this, I blame the internet!

I have the same problem. When it comes to reading, I find that listening to instrumental music on low volume helps. I like to use ear buds as they also block out external distractions. I guess you could use other music, but lyrics distract me.

I'd try that but latley any noise at all pulls me right out of what I'm doing, that is if I'm reading even gentle instrumental music drwas my attention away from my book, also on the rare occasion I actually get in to it someone always bothors me, I know I can't be the only one but I can spend the whole day bored out of my skull doing nothing then the moment I start reading, playing a story heavey game or anything else for that matter, The phone rings, my mate comes over, the dog wants out, some bastard's at the door, the idiot two doors down starts blasting music, the chavs start blasting shitty music right outside my fucking house, the annoying kid from the other next door wants to go on one of my consoles or any number of other distractions.

At this point I think I've developed an aversion to doing things that require attention, It never goes well.

Have you tried hiding away at the library for a couple of hours?