What are you nerds reading? :D

[Mimic]

Also, to you guys who read War and Peace, I finished it a few months ago also, and wow, definitely worth reading. It kind of struck me while reading it that, because it follows different characters and switches points of view every 5-20 pages, it's basically paced like a period cable show in book form - if HBO did it right, it would be a hell of a show.

Yes I thought it has a interesting miture of soirees and high society, vicious warfare, and historical facts and theory. I borowed a copy of the books which were published in the 70s and the cover is from a BBC TV series of the book. Not sure how good it is just that it has Anthony Hopkins in it. I agree that it would be awesome to get a new series though.

 

[Frozengale]

Dragon Age: The Masked Empire

I won't be able to play Dragon Age: Inquisition for a few years due to certain situations that will involve a lot of traveling and no time for games. So I figured I'd get my fix by reading the new book. Normally I don't go for books based on Video Games, but this one is all about Orlais, and I've always thought Orlais was one of the most interesting parts about the Dragon Age Universe, so I thought I'd give it a shot. Only a few chapters in so far, but I'm enjoying it.

 

[GalanDun]

Watchmen.

 

[Ten Foot Bunny]

I just started re-reading Pet Sematary, the scariest book I've ever read in my life. Seeing as I've been trying to find a good horror movie for many months now (and only finding two that delightfully disturbed me), it's time to a work of art that's completely brilliant.

 

[Johnny Impact]

Physics of the Impossible, by Michio Kaku. A nerd book if ever there was one.

didn't that guy have a discovery chanel show? and the conclusion was a light saber wuld basically have to be a kind of plasma sword?

Kaku is a celebrity scientist who has appeared on pretty much every show about space. Whether he ever had his own show I don't know.

And yes, he concluded that a lightsaber would have to be made of energized gas contained in a tubular magnetic field. Or something like that. Not worth the effort it would take. Probably better to use hyperalloy or carbon nanotubes, something with ridiculous strength that could hold a molecular edge.

 

[Suhi89]

I've just started reading Ulysses. It's very long so I imagine I'll be with it for some time. I recently finished reading Kane and Abel, which I found much more enjoyable than I expected.

 

[Sonicron]

I mostly read works of fiction, particularly science-fiction and science-fantasy; sometimes I do get tired of it, though, which is when I turn to fantasy and humorous stuff.

Right now I'm reading Graham McNeill's "Vengeful Spirit", the 29th major entry of the ongoing Horus Heresy series (Warhammer 40k). Not bad so far, but still lacking that certain something that marks McNeill's usual greatness.

I feel a short break from my beloved grimdark literature might be up soon, though. I still have Yahtzee's second novel, "Jam", sitting on my shelf somewhere, waiting to be read. As good a time for it as any, I guess.

 

[Spade Lead]

Wow, I am reading a book every three or four days. Then again, as a live-in care provider, I am sure I have a lot more free time than people who have to commute to and from their day jobs. Currently I am into book 6 of the Bolo series by Keith Laumer. I have the entire series in eBook format, and am reading it from beginning to end for the first time ever.

This may be my favorite Sci-fi series of all time.

http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/323/e/4/bolo___we_are_already_in_hell_by_shimmering_sword-d336pwn.jpg

 

[Vault101]

I just started re-reading Pet Sematary, the scariest book I've ever read in my life. Seeing as I've been trying to find a good horror movie for many months now (and only finding two that delightfully disturbed me), it's time to a work of art that's completely brilliant.

seen the movie?

I've never found King "scary" but Pet semtary and its musings on the nature of death is....disconcerting to say the least

my favourite book of his is Misery

 

[Ten Foot Bunny]

seen the movie?

I've never found King "scary" but Pet semtary and its musings on the nature of death is....disconcerting to say the least

my favourite book of his is Misery

Yeah, I saw the movie when it first came out and thought it was pretty boring. I decided to give it another chance last year to see if my opinion would change and it didn't -- I turned it off with about 15 minutes left because I couldn't take any more. There were other movies in my queue that I really wanted to see.

I've never read Misery though! Or The Stand. Those might be the next things I read if I can finish up Pet Sematary. ADHD has always made reading kind of tough, and yet I was an editor for 6.5 years. Go figure!

EDIT - have you ever read It? That's probably my favorite book of all time, ever since I read it in 6th grade.

 

[Storm Dragon]

I've recently gotten into a book series called "The Vorkosigan Saga" by Lois McMaster Bujold, which caught my interest because the main character, Miles Vorkosigan, sounded a lot like Tyrion Lannister IN SPAAAAAAAAAAAACE!

So far, I have not been disappointed.

 

[tippy2k2]

Yeah, I saw the movie when it first came out and thought it was pretty boring. I decided to give it another chance last year to see if my opinion would change and it didn't -- I turned it off with about 15 minutes left because I couldn't take any more. There were other movies in my queue that I really wanted to see.

I've never read Misery though! Or The Stand. Those might be the next things I read if I can finish up Pet Sematary. ADHD has always made reading kind of tough, and yet I was an editor for 6.5 years. Go figure!

EDIT - have you ever read It? That's probably my favorite book of all time, ever since I read it in 6th grade.

I'm going to jump into this conversation (my thread my rules!!!)

Spoiler

Anyway...

I didn't read Misery (or Pet Cemetery....or IT) either but I would strongly recommend The Stand. I read the "Director's Cut" (or whatever you would call it for books) and I thought it was excellent. However, as I stated earlier in the thread, I thought the ending was really kind of bad...however, you may think differently and even if you agree, the book is well worth the read. From what I've been told, the "Director's Cut" has a lot more traveling in it, which I really liked.

My favorite King book though is still 11/22/63. A fictional story about a man who goes back in time a year before JFK's murder (hence the title) and decides to stick around for the full year to try to stop it. A fascinating read that is well worth checking out.

 

[Vault101]

I've never read Misery though! Or The Stand. Those might be the next things I read if I can finish up Pet Sematary. ADHD has always made reading kind of tough, and yet I was an editor for 6.5 years. Go figure!

EDIT - have you ever read It? That's probably my favorite book of all time, ever since I read it in 6th grade.

Misery, the stand or pet semetary?

never read the stand, don't remember much of pet sem (though I did read it) I just rember being rather unsettled by it

Misery was one of my all time favourite books, so much I've read It multiple times I read it when I was pretty young and didn't think books actually "go there" I definitely like King better when he's not being supernatural. I think that's also what got me reading more at that age (more King mostly...stick to what you like) I haven't really seen another Author which such a distinctive style that resonated to strongly with me, so much so that it just works even when he's at his most ridiculous (hence why most of his stuff doesn't translate well to screen)...I think either people Love King or they can't stand him

my other favourite is actually one of his lesser known books "Delores Claiborne" the story of a no nonsense house keeper, I really liked it...even enough to rival Misery

another funny thing was I flicked through TV once and caught a thing on late night...it had Kathy Bates in it....they got talking and I heard some character names, and realised HOLY SHIT this is an adaptation of that book I like! its uncanny when that happens....Kathy Bates was definitely a good casting choice in that regard

My favorite King book though is still 11/22/63. A fictional story about a man who goes back in time a year before JFK's murder (hence the title) and decides to stick around for the full year to try to stop it. A fascinating read that is well worth checking out.

I haven't read all of kings work but I've read quite a bit and I think I've just about had all the King one person can handle

 

[Blow_Pop]

Currently reading:

Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond

I have that book sitting by my bed and am borrowing it from my best friend. I've been trying to read it for a few months now but I can only do a few pages at a time.

OT: I forgot to mention the other book I'm reading right now which is Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis

Because Sophie's Choice is making me want to hurt something. So I've temporarily put it down and started reading that though at least it's stopped reading like erotica with smatterings of the holocaust written in.....Finally.

 

[Caostotale]

EDIT - have you ever read It? That's probably my favorite book of all time, ever since I read it in 6th grade.

It was an excellent book and one that I'm really looking forward to rereading someday.

He's one of my favorite storytellers, but I don't really have a favorite book. One that really stands out in my memory is Insomnia, the first of his novels that I ever read (the hardcover was being sold on remainder when I was in 7th or 8th grade and the minimal red/white cover design piqued my interest) and a great way to be dumped head-first into his odd and compelling imagination.

Not long after that, I remember buying Desperation and The Regulators when they were released on the same day, the first under his name and the second under the Richard Bachman pseudonym. I don't remember them too well now, but remember both being feverishly readable. If I recall, the Bachman volume was true to that pseudonym's style and erred on the dismal side.

 

[Ten Foot Bunny]

I didn't read Misery (or Pet Cemetery....or IT) either but I would strongly recommend The Stand. I read the "Director's Cut" (or whatever you would call it for books) and I thought it was excellent. However, as I stated earlier in the thread, I thought the ending was really kind of bad...however, you may think differently and even if you agree, the book is well worth the read. From what I've been told, the "Director's Cut" has a lot more traveling in it, which I really liked.

My favorite King book though is still 11/22/63. A fictional story about a man who goes back in time a year before JFK's murder (hence the title) and decides to stick around for the full year to try to stop it. A fascinating read that is well worth checking out.

I actually own that longer version of The Stand, but just haven't read it. Never heard of the other one either so I'll have to track that down. Thanks for the recommendation!

EDIT - have you ever read It? That's probably my favorite book of all time, ever since I read it in 6th grade.

Misery, the stand or pet semetary?

Oh, I'm talking about King's book, It. It's his most epic piece of writing (IMO, anyway). I've read it three times, which is more than I've read any other book.

I definitely like King better when he's not being supernatural. I think that's also what got me reading more at that age (more King mostly...stick to what you like) I haven't really seen another Author which such a distinctive style that resonated to strongly with me, so much so that it just works even when he's at his most ridiculous (hence why most of his stuff doesn't translate well to screen)...I think either people Love King or they can't stand him

SO very true. Except for The Shining, I've never liked any screen adaptations of any of his books. And even with The Shining, King himself said that it was a good Stanley Kubrick movie, but it wasn't HIS book. If you read The Shining, you can see how many liberties Kubrick took with the story, almost to the point where a good 50% of the movie had nothing but King's characters and that was all. Not to mention how the endings are TOTALLY different. I've never been able to wrap my brain around Kubrick's final scene.

another funny thing was I flicked through TV once and caught a thing on late night...it had Kathy Bates in it....they got talking and I heard some character names, and realised HOLY SHIT this is an adaptation of that book I like! its uncanny when that happens....Kathy Bates was definitely a good casting choice in that regard

Aw shit! I forgot all about that movie, which I really did enjoy. Allow me to retract what I said above about none of his books making for good movies. I'm too lazy to go back and re-type it. And I totally agree with your comment about Kathy Bates. Everything about her was perfect for the role.

EDIT - OMG, I forgot about the first Creepshow movie!!! That was also Stephen King and it's one of the best horror movies ever made. King is actually the main character in one of the segments. He says one of my favorite movie quotes ever: "Eaugh! Meteor shit!"

 

[Caostotale]

OT: I forgot to mention the other book I'm reading right now which is Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis

That's one of the best novels I've ever read and the movie with Anthony Quinn is excellent as well. I was fortunate enough to take a really well-taught college course on Kazantzakis' books and would strongly recommend checking out the autobiographical Report to Greco if you like Zorba (to be sure, all of his books and plays are really good, but reading about his life and its spiritual journey was really interesting and sometimes inspiring). One of these years, I'm planning on pushing myself to read his massive 'modern sequel' to Homer's Odyssey, a work that's considered his magnum opus. It'll be a big commitment, as (a.) I've not read either of Homer's big poetic works (which my OCD will most certainly require if I want to read the 'sequel') and (b.) I've always had trouble reading poetic writing.

 

[Blow_Pop]

I've never read Misery though! Or The Stand. Those might be the next things I read if I can finish up Pet Sematary. ADHD has always made reading kind of tough, and yet I was an editor for 6.5 years. Go figure!

EDIT - have you ever read It? That's probably my favorite book of all time, ever since I read it in 6th grade.

Misery, the stand or pet semetary?

never read the stand, don't remember much of pet sem (though I did read it) I just rember being rather unsettled by it

Misery was one of my all time favourite books, so much I've read It multiple times I read it when I was pretty young and didn't think books actually "go there" I definitely like King better when he's not being supernatural. I think that's also what got me reading more at that age (more King mostly...stick to what you like) I haven't really seen another Author which such a distinctive style that resonated to strongly with me, so much so that it just works even when he's at his most ridiculous (hence why most of his stuff doesn't translate well to screen)...I think either people Love King or they can't stand him

my other favourite is actually one of his lesser known books "Delores Claiborne" the story of a no nonsense house keeper, I really liked it...even enough to rival Misery

another funny thing was I flicked through TV once and caught a thing on late night...it had Kathy Bates in it....they got talking and I heard some character names, and realised HOLY SHIT this is an adaptation of that book I like! its uncanny when that happens....Kathy Bates was definitely a good casting choice in that regard

My favorite King book though is still 11/22/63. A fictional story about a man who goes back in time a year before JFK's murder (hence the title) and decides to stick around for the full year to try to stop it. A fascinating read that is well worth checking out.

I haven't read all of kings work but I've read quite a bit and I think I've just about had all the King one person can handle

*jumps into the Stephen King conversation*

I can't read Stephen King with the exception of Pet Semetary, Salem's Lot, and From a Buick 8 (I don't know why those 3 don't infuriate me writing wise but some reason they don't and everything else does) but I can listen to the audiobooks of his books. I remember trying to read Misery and wanting to tear the book up and burn it. I forced myself through half the book before I permanently put it down. I love the movie though. However, I think my favourite Stephen King "book" (technically it's only an audiobook but still counts right?) is Blood and Smoke. Particularly the short story 1408. Which also had a decent movie adaptation. Followed by Carrie (which I still haven't seen The Rage: Carrie 2 or the newer Carrie that came out a few years ago but I've seen and own the original), Doctor Sleep, and The Shining. Christine was.....ok but even with my love of possessed cars trying to kill people and possessing the owners it just didn't do it for me. Also, those are all fun to listen to while playing Diablo 3. I'm still trying to figure out what, from what I own, that I want to listen to next after I finish The Canterbury Tales.

Just purchased the unedited version of The Two Towers as well as Bram Stoker's Dracula (sceptical against the latter). Got Njal's Saga, a book on the history of the Balcans (spelling?) and some of Nietches works laying around.

Was fairly surpised by Machiavelli's The Prince. Now I want Achtung Panzer! and something by Voltaire.

Candide's pretty good. I got to read it in high school the first time and it's a really short book (short meaning 113 pages in small print so it's really thin too). Haven't read The Prince yet but I have a copy of it somewhere (I think backed up from my old computer cause it was digital). Dracula was pretty good and I loved the LOTR trilogy when I first read it and still love it as well as The Hobbit (the current trilogy of that movie doesn't exist to me either). But The Hobbit/LOTR got me into fantasy back in 7th or 8th grade when I first read them

 

[Blow_Pop]

OT: I forgot to mention the other book I'm reading right now which is Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis

That's one of the best novels I've ever read and the movie with Anthony Quinn is excellent as well. I was fortunate enough to take a really well-taught college course on Kazantzakis' books and would strongly recommend checking out the autobiographical Report to Greco if you like Zorba (to be sure, all of his books and plays are really good, but reading about his life and its spiritual journey was really interesting and sometimes inspiring). One of these years, I'm planning on pushing myself to read his massive 'modern sequel' to Homer's Odyssey, a work that's considered his magnum opus. It'll be a big commitment, as (a.) I've not read either of Homer's big poetic works (which my OCD will most certainly require if I want to read the 'sequel') and (b.) I've always had trouble reading poetic writing.

Loved the Odyssey currently working my way through the Iliad on the topic of Homer. After I finish the book I plan on looking up the movie to watch it. And I'll keep that in mind. To be fair, the reason I'm reading it is because one of the Greek songs I like is in the movie and spurred a discussion between me and a friend from Greece about it and that's how I found out about the movie and subsequently the book.

 

[Caostotale]

Allow me to retract what I said above about none of his books making for good movies.

There really are only a King movies that are good. The Frank Darabont films (Shawshank Redemption, Green Mile) are obvious standouts (I haven't yet seen The Mist, but I can imagine it's pretty good). Rob Reiner's Stand By Me (based on the novella The Body) is also great. The original Carrie, Kubrick's The Shining, Misery, and Dolores Claiborne (also starring Ms. Bates) are all good. Aside from that, most of the movies I remember seeing (and I haven't seen them all) are either campy 'good bad movies' (e.g. Creepshow, Creepshow 2, Sleepwalkers, Needful Things, which might be worth it if only to see Amanda Plummer's performance), forgettable movies (e.g. The Dark Half), or horrible made-for-TV horseshit. All of those mini-series films based on his books (It, The Stand, The Langoliers, Stephen King's The Shining) are absolutely terrible and all-the-worse because they give people a horrible impression of King as a storyteller. I'd rather watch the made-for-TV adaptation of Dean Koontz's Intensity (with John C. McGinley playing a serial killer) than any of those.