Originally Posted By Jelena (10 MAR 2012 11:01am)

I'm reading the Norwegian author Jo Nesbo's latest novel Gengångare. He writes crime stories that imo are better than most other in the genre. And Sweden and Norway have lots of crime story authors! I really don't know why that is so. I gues they make money.

His latest book might not be translated into Engslish yet, but I believe he's made a name for himself outside of Scandinavia as well. I used to read mostly crime stories for several years until I got so tired of the 'crime-story-swamp' I had ended in. Nowadays I enjoy the genre again but keep it to no more than every third book or so. I've never gotten into the fantasy or horror genres when it comes to reading although I do enjoy games from those genres.

Hi.   Btw, I was going to read that Franzen book, but from some accounts I've heard, he seems to be a bit of a sexist piggie.  Remember where one of his characters size up a woman;  (Richard Katz) describing a woman :

"A solid B-plus that could be an A-minus if she would work for extra credit. "

  Fine, if it's just coming from the mouth of a chracter, but this seems to be Franzen's own view - looking at outher souces of how he thinks, he seems to look at a woman purely from a POV of her sexual desirability, and doesn't give women credit for any other strong points they might have, it would appear.

We had a little interaction about Franzen's article about Edith Wharton  who, although not particularly beautiful, doesn't seem

decidedly ugly to me.  (Taking into account that they didn't have plastic surgeons and fillers and Botox in those days...)

So when Franzen accuses her of "not being pretty"  one would expect he wants a female writer to look like a pin-up model or something.  What is with this man?

It's people like this who send women scuttling to plastic surgeons... who knows, perhaps some surgeons pay Franzen to keep them in business.

I was actually planning on reading Smilla's Sense of Snow soon.  Have you read it?

Originally Posted By Traveller (11 MAR 2012 5:52am)

Hi.   Btw, I was going to read that Franzen book, but from some accounts I've heard, he seems to be a bit of a sexist piggie.  Remember where one of his characters size up a woman;  (Richard Katz) describing a woman :

"A solid B-plus that could be an A-minus if she would work for extra credit. "

  Fine, if it's just coming from the mouth of a chracter,

Yeah, the Katz character is in many ways a 'sexist piggie'. But there's more to him than that.

but this seems to be Franzen's own view - looking at outher souces of how he thinks, he seems to look at a woman purely from a POV of her sexual desirability, and doesn't give women credit for any other strong points they might have, it would appear.

 

We had a little interaction about Franzen's article about Edith Wharton  who, although not particularly beautiful, doesn't seem decidedly ugly to me.  So when Franzen accuses her of "not being pretty"  one would expect he wants a female writer to look like a pin-up model or something.  What is with this man?

Ouch. Have not read anything about Franzen as a person before. Just about Freedom and his success with it. Will check your links out. I definitely understand if you don't want to support an author with a sexist point of view. I'll post my thoughts after having read your links. Perhaps it will shed some light over some of the chapters which indeed are thorough in the description of women.

I was actually planning on reading Smilla's Sense of Snow soon.  Have you read it?

Originally Posted By Jelena (11 MAR 2012 6:33am)

 

 

I was actually planning on reading Smilla's Sense of Snow soon.  Have you read it?

Yes I have and I love it. Except for it I'm not a fan of the author Peter Hoeg. He's just weird imo. Do not watch the movie they made from the book. It doen't give the story justice at all.

 

 

LOL.  It looks like we're better off reading books before we read more about the author, in case it puts us off their books.  Ok, will read the book as soon as I have a gap. 

Originally Posted By Traveller (11 MAR 2012 8:29am)

LOL.  It looks like we're better off reading books before we read more about the author, in case it puts us off their books.  Ok, will read the book as soon as I have a gap. 

Sorry, what I meant to say is that the other books by Peter Hoeg I've tried to finish are weird. I don't know much about Hoeg himslef other than he's Danish.

Originally Posted By Jelena (11 MAR 2012 10:12am)

Originally Posted By Traveller (11 MAR 2012 8:29am)

LOL.  It looks like we're better off reading books before we read more about the author, in case it puts us off their books.  Ok, will read the book as soon as I have a gap. 

Sorry, what I meant to say is that the other books by Peter Hoeg I've tried to finish are weird. I don't know much about Hoeg himslef other than he's Danish.

 

 

Ooooohh! Sorry for misunderstanding.

I loved Smilia's Sense of Snow and hightly recommend it, Trav.

I just finished Firebird by Jack McDevitt.  I've always liked the way he combines mystery with sci-fi, and I like his characters.  Although this one starts out a bit slow, it has a bang-up ending!

Ooh, just realized that Kate Mosse releases the third book in the Languedoc trilogy: Citadel in September 2012.

I've read Labyrinth and Selpulchre and loved the historical setting with the twist of present time and historical events merging.

I also enjoyed Winter Ghosts which was in the same spirit.

Originally Posted By Jelena (12 MAR 2012 2:04pm)

Ooh, just realized that Kate Mosse releases the third book in the Languedoc trilogy: Citadel in September 2012.

I've read Labyrinth and Selpulchre and loved the historical setting with the twist of present time and historical events merging.

I also enjoyed Winter Ghosts which was inspirit.

I've put  Labyrinth  on to my to read list.   Thanks for mentioning it, Jelena!
 Oi, the formatting options on this new site certainly are meagre...- I have no idea how to change this bold font off. 

EDIT: Hopefully using Notepad has fixed it now... 

Why am i getting the impression no-one is doing any work on this site anymore?

I have just finished Snuff by Terry Pratchett and I'm feeling all mellow and satisfied.  TP is an expert at weaving lots of strands into a very pretty whole.  I have to say though, that when I started reading it I was disappointed.  Sam Vimes isn't my favourite character but I have come to appreciate him a lot more now.  The tempo of this book was like the river Old Treachery that features so violently in the story.  Slow and steady, until the damn breaks and all hell happens.  

As with all TP's books there are numerous allusions to modern social conundrums but none so clearly spelled out that they interfere with the enjoyment of reading.  And having watched a couple of really excellent TP movies lately, I shall now always see Charles Dance as Vetinari. 

I think TP fans will enjoy it but I wouldn't give it to a first time TP reader as it lacks the fire and fun of the other magical novels.  But it does a great job of character exposition.  Willikins is now my secret hero: the dark avenger.  Yep, I like him.

There are TP movies? Oh?  I didn't know..- I'd like to watch them!

Going Postal was on our TV earlier this year as a two-parter.  I really enjoyed it.  I didn't like the movie version of Hitchhiker's Guide - so often they cast the wrong actors but they had it spot on this time.

I assume you've googled it by now Trav and found out there are a couple of others available too.  Youtube has trailers. 

Hitchhiker's Guide is by Douglas Adams, Caroline, but I do love both authors.  I'll have to check to see if Going Postal is available here.  It was a fun book.

I just finished a short novel called When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka.  It tells about the Japanese detention camps here in the US from the perspective of a mother and her two children.  It's simply but powerfully written.

Oh, btw, I finally gave in and read The Hunger Games.  I thought it was awfully written.  Plus I cannot help thinking Collins just got on the bandwagon of Battle Royale.

Lady K,

Yep.  I know the difference between Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett but they both write in the same genre.  I started reading Adams back in the 1970s in UK.  My father was driving Mum bonkers with his habit of waking at 4am to tune into the radio broadcast of this cookie little story Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe.  He urged me to tune in but then the book came out and fame found Mr Adams, along with Ford Prefect, the Vogons, Slartibartfast, the Golgofrinchans and a host of other aliens all living in our backyard.  It was while I was looking for another Adams book that I found the Colour of Magic.   I read so few novels but I have everything these gentlemen have written. 

I wish I had more time for reading. I guess that will happen when the kids move out when grown so I'm not wishing too hard.

I have a slew of books waiting for me that my kids have managed to beat me to reading - Many Terry Pratchetts, Douglas Adams, Ray Bradbury, etc. And for years I've been trying to continue reading the collection of Anne McAffrey Pern series books I bought.

I always have have a lot on the reading pile - read more than I game by quite a margin. I'm bad with finishing a book before starting another so there is usually a nice stack going. Right now it's:

The Life of Super-Earths [examinatrion of the discovery/analysis of exo planetary systems and likelyhood of life]

The Other Brain [looks at the glia, 75-80% of the brain that until recently were considered 'filler' but may be far more important]

A Sight For Sore Eyes [90's Ruth Rendel - not liking it, too over-wrought]

Paleo Solution [Cordain's latest book on the science of the paleo diet, interesting]

Into The Silence [detailed account of Mallorie's 1920'sEverest expeditions, and his dissappearance], finished, great read

Originally Posted By Traveller (6 APR 2012 11:53am)

There are TP movies? Oh?  I didn't know..- I'd like to watch them!

As Caroline said, no doubt you've Googled a list of commercial productions by now, but there's a fun and free authorized short fan film that's worth watching that might not pop up on those lists:

http://www.snowgumfilms.com/runrincewindrun/

That was a lot of fun Andromus.  Thanks for the link.  I recognised all those locations in Melbourne and one of the buildings in Federation Square has just been voted the ugliest building in the world!  Nice to see TP himself enjoying the company of his fans.

I've started a re-read of one of my favorite fantasy series, Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson. There are 10 books, 8 of which I have already read twice. Ian Esslemont is a friend of Erikson's, and they made up the world and stories of Malazan by role playing (like D&D). Esslemont has 3 companion books to the core series. I've a good few months of reading ahead of me, and I can't wait to see what the last 2 books have in store.

Traveller wrote:

Oh, btw, I finally gave in and read The Hunger Games. I thought it was awfully written. Plus I cannot help thinking Collins just got on the bandwagon of Battle Royale.

I had thought about getting this series. Would you say it is still good enough for a 'lite read'?

I really enjoyed "I Claudius" and "Claudius the God" I read them many years ago and also watched the mini series on PBS. If you liked those you may like "The 12 Ceasars". I dont remember the author, ( Im never good about authors names :\ ) Sometimes when I go to the library I get so angry with myself because I cant remember the names so I was starting to write them down before I would go. Now I have my Nook so dont go to the library as often.

It was nice when my son worked at the local library that we go to because he would be familiar with what I was reading and would tell me who the author was.

  Believe it or not I  have never read any of the Terry Prachett books, but I think I might look for one tonight, anyone have any suggestions?

 Colpet, Im just finishing up the 3rd in the Hunger games series and though I think the first was the best I still think they are worth a read. But then again I read pretty much anything.

Val, I do most of my reading nowadays in bed. I find it relaxing and quiet and rarely go to sleep without reading. Maybe that might work for you.

 My neice has a strange quirk and cant read books in 1st. person. Odd......

Originally Posted By colpet (8 APR 2012 5:25pm)

I've started a re-read of one of my favorite fantasy series, Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson. There are 10 books, 8 of which I have already read twice. Ian Esslemont is a friend of Erikson's, and they made up the world and stories of Malazan by role playing (like D&D). Esslemont has 3 companion books to the core series. I've a good few months of reading ahead of me, and I can't wait to see what the last 2 books have in store.

 

Traveller wrote:

Oh, btw, I finally gave in and read The Hunger Games. I thought it was awfully written. Plus I cannot help thinking Collins just got on the bandwagon of Battle Royale.

I had thought about getting this series. Would you say it is still good enough for a 'lite read'?

Yes, since you read a lot and fast, you might not mind the style as much as I did.  JKing seems to have enjoyed it, he gave it quite a good rating over at GR.  But then so did many people.  I might just be too over-analytical and critical, especially when it comes to the writer's style and to the constuction of a novel.

I'm not too sure what the author intended with this, maybe she saw how popular Battle Royale was over in Japan, and decided to climb on the bandwagon?  I do like that she used a strong female character, but the character feels callous and seems to lack depth for me. ..but then I'm an adult and this is very obviously YA fare.  Also, her love-interest Peeta character seems badly constructed because the character acts inconsistently.  (Don't want to give an example yet, because of spoilers)

I don't know, all the character just seem badly made to me - paper-thin, with no depth at all.

Also, I think this would have worked better in an imaginary world, it would have given her more scope.  I've only read the first book though, fans say the book should be read as a set.

Personally I just cannot handle how clumsily she used the 1st person present tense, and I kept rolling my eyes when she made plot twists obvious and /or inserted badly thought out plot devices that just seemed to... I don't know... make the whole thing feel like  one of those Star gate Atlantis TV shows or something.   ...or like episodes out of Lost, LOL.  Sort of:  "I Know!  I'll stick this in!  That will just make the whole show   novel seem cooler.

I was a huge fan of Edgar Rice Burrough's Martian series when I was a kid, still am in fact as I've re-read the lot a few times. Just picked up a neat compliation of recent short stories by people witing "in the style of" or dealving into on or another aspect of Barsoomian lore. Interesting. Anyone read A Princess of Mars or any of the other dozen? Great Sci-Fi, and I'm enjoying jumping back in.

Ah Trav,

You are doomed now to forever read critically as a consequence of your studies I'm afraid.  I find novels difficult because I constantly question dialogue and often wish I could edit out superfluous scenes and rewrite the endings.  And yes, I look for padding... lol

Helen

http://www.voidspace.org.uk/cyberpunk/pratchett_order.shtml

This link takes you to the recommended reading order for Terry Pratchett books which surprisingly isn't the order they were written in which is the order I read them.  Underneath the diagrams which show the books that have linked storylines, well, not plots but characters, there is a small list of 'starter' books.  I have often given TP books as gifts to people who've never read him before - with positive results.  Quite frankly, if his narrative style doesn't have you chuckling in the first three pages you need to see a doctor - your sense of humour isn't working. 

Thanks Caroline,

 I will look at the link as I really didnt know where to start. Just before I checked in here I bought "Maskerade"

Originally Posted By tincup2 (9 APR 2012 6:25pm)

I was a huge fan of Edgar Rice Burrough's Martian series when I was a kid, still am in fact as I've re-read the lot a few times. Just picked up a neat compliation of recent short stories by people witing "in the style of" or dealving into on or another aspect of Barsoomian lore. Interesting. Anyone read A Princess of Mars or any of the other dozen? Great Sci-Fi, and I'm enjoying jumping back in.

Oh, yes! I read through the first 6 books some years ago, and found them to be rollicking good adventures. You remind me that I've never read the entire series, I'll have to dig up the rest.

On the subject of pulp sci-fi, and having read through them relatively recently, I'll put in a plug for E.E. "Doc" Smith's Lensman series (the original books, from Galactic Patrol up to and including Children of the Lens). Pulp fiction on the grandest scale, with truly epic heroes and villians, and titanic space battles.