****official Book Club Thread****

Balki
Balki Posts: 50
edited February 2004 in Poetry, Prose, Music & Art
if you have read or have heard of a really good book, please post it and maybe a little background...i'm always looking for a good read...my recent recommendations are:

Sirens of Titan
Galapagos

Both Vonnegut, both excellent...lets try and keep this going for those of us who enjoy a good read....that way we can have something to reference to when we're looking for a book.
"Don't Be Ridiculous"
~Balki Bartokamous

"Some people have taken pure bullshit, and turned it into gold."
~Neil

"Call out the instigators, because there's something in the air..."
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments

  • nocode198
    nocode198 Posts: 125
    My two reccomendations at this moment are:

    The Celestine Prophecy - James Redfield
    The Alchemist - Paulo Ceolho

    Both very inspiring books. Make you think about where you are going in life and what it is all about. If you are unsure about your future or don't know what direction to take, then i think these two books may just help you.
    'Fox hunting is barbaric, the people who do it are a bunch of snobby tories with stupid posh accents. Oh damn, i didn't say that - damn, what a giveaway...'
  • A Meal
    A Meal Posts: 11
    Originally posted by nocode198
    My two reccomendations at this moment are:

    The Celestine Prophecy - James Redfield
    The Alchemist - Paulo Ceolho


    OMG my favourite two books, this is f*'in unbelievable!! How cool is this? Both books are an easy read and give you a sense of feeling better afterwords. Especially the Prophecy leaves a happy thought in the back of your head.

    I could add:
    Graham Hancock - Fingerprints of the gods
    A scientific book on a possible link between the piramyds of Egypt, the buildings of central and south america and Angkhor-Wat in Thailand. Groundbreaking stuff from the director of Lost Cicilisations (Discovery Channel).

    Arundmati Roy - The God of Small Things
    Read in an interview that this is also one of Eddie's books. About the life of a twin growing up in India. The difference between generations is wriiten down very illustrative (anglophile/ communists/ independant). The twins have a great way of rationalisation and making fun.
    to myself, i surrender
  • Brain of Jodie
    Brain of Jodie Posts: 200
    I havn't read any inspiring/life changing books or anything like that but i want to read something a bit creative and different so i'm hoping this thread will help me out with that. I'll just recommend some good adventure/crime books i like:

    The Hobbit: JRR Tolkien - a classic and a must read. Probably my favourite book

    A Time To Kill: John Grisham - crime/law fiction story about a young black girl who gets raped and then her father kills the men who raped her. The story follows her dads lawyer and the danger he is in as the the trial approaches for most of the book.

    The Testament: John Grisham - adventure story with elements of law involved.

    Also you may laugh but the Harry Potter stories really are quite a good read. They have a reputation of being a kids book but the language is more advanced and the books are interesting with lots of twists and mysteries. I know quite a few adults who enjoy them.
    I don't have to sell my soul, he's already in me

    If you've lost your faith in love and music the end won't be long
  • Restless Soul
    Restless Soul Posts: 805
    I love the Sirens of Titan. I totally associate Binaural and especially Sleight of Hand with it - for some reason the music just makes me think of the characters and themes of this book, maybe cos I was listening to it a lot at the time.

    We had a thread on Haven with lots of recommendations: Here's the link if you want to read about them:

    http://www.evkingdom.de/bbs/upload/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8404
    "We have to change the concept of patriotism to one of “matriotism” — love of humanity that transcends war. A matriarch would never send her own children off to wars that kill other people’s children." Cindy Sheehan
    ---
    London, Brixton, 14 July 1993
    London, Wembley, 1996
    London, Wembley, 18 June 2007
    London, O2, 18 August 2009
    London, Hammersmith Apollo (Ed solo), 31 July 2012
    Milton Keynes Bowl, 11 July 2014
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    London, O2, 18 June 2018
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    Amsterdam, Afas Live (Ed solo), 09 June 2019
    Amsterdam, Afas Live (Ed solo), 10 June 2019



  • Balki
    Balki Posts: 50
    honestly, sirens of titan moved me...its really very sad :(
    "Don't Be Ridiculous"
    ~Balki Bartokamous

    "Some people have taken pure bullshit, and turned it into gold."
    ~Neil

    "Call out the instigators, because there's something in the air..."
  • chuck taylor
    chuck taylor Posts: 12
    I found the end of Sirens of Titan to be sad, also.
    Mike


    I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
    Coming down is the hardest thing
  • Dostoyevsky
    Dostoyevsky Posts: 23
    I'd recommend crime and punishment and the brothers karamazov by dostoyevsky. Two amazing and classic books that everyone should read.


    I would also highly recommend "The Trial" by Kafka.
    this is the terrifying tale of Joseph K. a bank officer who is suddenly arrested and must defend himself against a charge about which he can get no information. Amazing book.
  • stupid human being
    stupid human being Posts: 4
    I just started the brothers karamazov--I appreciate Dostoevsky's extreme attention to detail and human emotion. I just read A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius. It's an autobiography of a pretty random guy, but a deeply clarifying and inspirational book. Plus his style and cynical humor make it a fun read. Also, anything by Hunter S. Thompson. What a character that guy is.
    He who forgets will be destined to remember. -ev
    -My favorite Bushisms:
    "I've coined new words like misunderstanding and Hispanically."
    "Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning?"
    "These people don't have tanks. They don't have ships. They hide in caves. They send suiciders out." -of terrorists
    "They misunderestimated me."
    "They want the federal government controlling Social Security like it's some kind of federal program."
    "You teach a child to read and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test."
    "You might want to comment on that, Honorable." -to NJ's sec. of state the Honorable DeForest Soaries Jr.
    "The most important job is not to be governer, or first lady in my case."
    "My pro-life position is I believe there's life. It's not necessarily based in religion. I think there's a life there, therefore the notion of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
    "If the terriers and barrifs are torn down, this economy will grow."
    "If this were a dictatorship, it would be a heck of a lot easier. Just so long as I'm the dictator."
  • sadprofessor
    sadprofessor Posts: 1,034
    Its always been a favorite of mine, but given the current state of the world everyone should read Catch-22 by Joseph Heller.

    Good call on the Vonnegut stuff, im a huge Vonnegut fan, I've read damn near everything he ever wrote. May I also suggest Slaughterhouse-5 and Cat's Cradle... probably his two most well known works but without a doubt his best.
    The Man has a branch office in each of our brains, his corporate emblem is a white albatross, each local rep has a cover known as the Ego, and their mission in this world is Bad Shit.
  • Dostoyevsky
    Dostoyevsky Posts: 23
    Brothers K in my opinion is the greatest book ever written. I've read a lot including most of the books mentioned in this thread and none have come close to this book or dostoyevsky. Although a lot of people get turned off by Russian literature, everyone should give it a try.


    On Vonnegut, I just don't get his work. I read Slaughterhouse five and it left no mark whatsoever. Now that I think about it, I can't even recall anyting from the book. Catch 22 is head a shoulders above it in terms of an anti war novel.
  • cinnamoneyes27
    cinnamoneyes27 Posts: 18
    my most recent read isn't going to solve the world's problems, or shed light on our inner selves or anything like that....but everyone needs their Papa fix now and again...I just finished Hemingway's Garden of Eden.....it was very intriguing, and though it was considered smutty for its time, I didn't find it particulrly pornographic or anything. It certainly wasn't "the life of catherine M"
    "Me oh my oh, lost in Ohio ... I'm in Ohio high oh ... just making my way through Ohio where the sky is and the roads are long ... went back to Ohio and my city was gone..."

    E.V., 6/24/03
  • keven 33
    keven 33 Posts: 259
    the stranger beside me by ann rule


    a very good lesson for ones who trust everyone
    convicted
  • Luv2rok
    Luv2rok Posts: 10
    Oprah? Is that you?
    "You go to cry without weeping, talk without speaking,
    scream without raising your voice....
    You know I took the poison from the poison stream,
    then I floated outta here" - U2


    "Love is a sensation, that is caused by temptation, where a guy sticks his location, in a ladies destination, to i
  • Dostoyevsky
    Dostoyevsky Posts: 23
    It's me child...Oprah! Now go read Toni Morrison.
  • savannah66
    savannah66 Posts: 65
    I've been on a cyberpunk tear for the last month, so I'd reccommend Neal Stephenson.
    Cryptonomicon, Snow Crash...just finished The Big U, it was complete entertainment.
  • a leash
    a leash Posts: 13
    i've read Sirens of Titan. i loved that book. i'm reading Vonnegut's Hocus Pocus now.
    my attention span has shortened over the years and Vonnegut's about the only author that can keep it anymore.

    someone mentioned Catch-22, that was brillant. i couldn't get in to the sequel, though.

    Vonnegut's Welcome to the Monkey House is a good one for short stories.

    sorry, all i can think of is Vonnegut at the moment.
    www.SATANSBEDBBS.com
    cheers
  • Balki
    Balki Posts: 50
    a leash...funny...i just finished hocus pocus...didn't really like it as much as his others...but oh well
    "Don't Be Ridiculous"
    ~Balki Bartokamous

    "Some people have taken pure bullshit, and turned it into gold."
    ~Neil

    "Call out the instigators, because there's something in the air..."
  • Balki
    Balki Posts: 50
    i'm pissed...i'm out of books and amazon hasn't delivered my new vonnegut books yet....HELP
    "Don't Be Ridiculous"
    ~Balki Bartokamous

    "Some people have taken pure bullshit, and turned it into gold."
    ~Neil

    "Call out the instigators, because there's something in the air..."
  • BorisTheSpider
    BorisTheSpider Posts: 16
    How about some of that Daniel Quinn prose? Ishmael should keep you tided over dear.
  • Balki
    Balki Posts: 50
    just starting Vonnegut's Bluebeard...anyone read it yet?
    "Don't Be Ridiculous"
    ~Balki Bartokamous

    "Some people have taken pure bullshit, and turned it into gold."
    ~Neil

    "Call out the instigators, because there's something in the air..."

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