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First of all: No, you can't join. You're stupid and you like shit books. Go away.

OK, now I shall begin. Only smart people who like good books, and can read good books too, are welcome to join. This probably excludes most of the frequent posters in this forum as I see threads such as 'Should Delta Quest become a piece of shit?' are enduringly popular...

This place isn't for the likes of you. Good bye, you f*ck-heads.

Anyway, for the rest of us, we may discuss and recommend good books that we have read with our eyes, or finger-tips - see, we're not racist here. Also, please feel free to post some nice-nice quotes from books you like. What I mean is what I mean is what I mean is that dontcha find that sometimes when you are reading a good book, you sometimes read a good quote within that good book? If you do, then you'll know that what I mean is what I means is what I mean is that dontcha find that sometimes when you are reading a good book, you sometimes read a good quote within that good book? If you do...Nah, you do it.

OK...Nice day. Here are some of my most special really-good-yes favourite authors who are currently authoring, ie. They are not dead.

Charles Dickins
Dave Eggers - AHWOSG is amazing, but YSKOV really tickled my funny bone.
Jonathan Safran Foer - Oh, boy. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is fantabulouso.
David Mitchell - Every mother-f*cking book he's written has been mother-f*cking incredible.
James Joyce
Tom Robbins - not all the time, but sometimes gold.

Eh, I can't think of any others at the moment. I would like to give a special mention to Stephen King of Stephen King-fame...Now, I wouldn't usually delve in such waters, but I'm currently on Book VI of The Dark Tower series, and I must say I pretty much love it. After bowing down to LOTR when I was a kid, I've steered clear of fantasy because I couldn't see how it could be matched - and I'm not saying The Dark Tower series does match it - but these books are fun.

Here's a quote from the book that I read (with my eyes) today:

"When the King comes and the Tower falls, all such pretty things as yours will be broken. Then there will be darkness and nothing but the howl of the Discordia and the cries of the can toi."

Nice, isn't it? Isn't it not nice, isn't it not?

Well, there we are and isn't it all there and we there are?

Good. Add me to your life.

But Floo, lol, Charles Dickens is dead, lol. What's a James choice though?

Anywho's...whose...whos...whobs...I am currently reading The Grapes of Wrath, them Americanos talk funny, it makes it totally complicated to like understand what they are saying..since they talk so funny, them Americanos I mean. Quite excellent...I also read some things in it I would like to quote if I wouldn't forget what and where and why it was a page later. Before that I mostly read Science Fiction. And 1984 which one would not necessarily say to be SF...which is excellent anyways. I like books. I sometimes smell books. But you can't know what's written in a book from the smell *sad smilie*.

Although, I already added you to my life. I wish I would find the block button already.

i read Ballard, Welsh, coupland, Ellis, Garland,

so if you dont then Uraguay...as homer would say

Everybody should read One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovitch. You'll be a better person for it if you do. You should also read The Diary of a Madman and and The Government Inspector, by Gogol.

And, since you went ahead and suggested a fantasy novel, I'll go ahead and suggest a mystery: The Read Widow Murders, by Carter Dickson/John Dickson Carr, one of the great writers of the golden age period.

(Countdown until somebody recommends a DragonLance book: 10...9...8...)

Originally posted by Gregory
Everybody should read One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovitch. You'll be a better person for it if you do. You should also read The Diary of a Madman and and The Government Inspector, by Gogol.

And, since you went ahead and suggested a fantasy novel, I'll go ahead and suggest a mystery: The Read Widow Murders, by Carter Dickson/John Dickson Carr, one of the great writers of the golden age period.

(Countdown until somebody recommends a DragonLance book: 10...9...8...)

Some nice recommendations there, Gregory...if that is your real name...I'm not much of a mystery fan, but I'll give it a dig.

I don't know what a 'DragonLance book' is, but I'm guessing it's some sort of sick and twisted dragon-related hardcore porn book with lots of thrusting, and the like...If so, then it sounds hot. Really hot.

Well, right now I'm reading 1984, and I absolutely adore it.
But my favorite book ever is White Fang, by Jack London. I've read it nine times at least. But my favorite part of it is the very first paragraph, it's what made me bring it home when i was skimming through books at the library and I had never heard of Jack London:

"Dark spruce forest frowned on either side the frozen waterway. The trees had been stripped by a recent wind of their white covering of frost, and they seemed to lean toward each other, black and ominous, in the fading light. A vast silence reigned over the land. The land itself was a desolation, lifeless, without movement, so lone and cold that the spirit of it was not even that of sadness. There was a hint in it of laughter, but of a laughter more terrible than any sadness - a laughter that was mirthless as the smile of the Sphinx, a laughter cold as the frost and partaking of the grimness of infallibility. It was the masterful and incommunicable wisdom of eternity laughing at the futility of life and the effort of life. It was the Wild, the savage, frozenhearted Northland Wild."

droolio

Originally posted by Bardock42
Of course you like 1984 Nazzy.


Haha, that must have been the best portrait of a Dubliner I've ever seen. Your creativity blooms today, doesn't it?


I do not destroy my books. I find it disrespectful to the author. But hey, whatever sick disgusting thing floats your pants. Haha, I know, I promised not to tell, but dude...haha, you are 27.

Yes, it left me feeling not very happy....I wish I'd control the present. I also like Rage Against The Machine.

Yes, apparently you just said that. Why? And gross. Touching you in the morning. When you are smelly and ewwy.

Oh, boy. You really are waking up The Dead, aren't you Sister? That's all good because I've seen more than your Molly Malone.

Destroy books with lazer rays from your eyes. Do what they were born to do! I COMMANDO IT! WITHOUT UNDERWEAR!

I like, and I like to, but you must remember it's all Killing In The Name.

When there's dew in my eyes, it is only tears from the Sun as the Moon folds and the daylight laughs. I laugh with it. Them. You. We are here, and we are all together. See how they run, like fools from a gun, see how they cry...They're crying.

Oj noj and The Eternal Void.

Originally posted by Ya Krunk'd Floo
Oh, boy. You really are waking up The Dead, aren't you Sister? That's all good because I've seen more than your Molly Malone.

Destroy books with lazer rays from your eyes. Do what they were born to do! I COMMANDO IT! WITHOUT UNDERWEAR!

I like, and I like to, but you must remember it's all Killing In The Name.

When there's dew in my eyes, it is only tears from the Sun as the Moon folds and the daylight laughs. I laugh with it. Them. You. We are here, and we are all together. See how they run, like fools from a gun, see how they cry...They're crying.

Oj noj and The Eternal Void.

You won, you won. I am a cultural wreck. A yahoo. An American.

Like in that book. The one with the stuff in it. And then whoosh..and lots of colours.

Dude, you have a bullet in your head. The people of the sun are not renegades of funk.

I still don't quote any books, do I?

A novel I always recommend is The Watchmen, it's arguably the greatest novel of all time.

Originally posted by Solo
A novel I always recommend is The Watchmen, it's arguably the greatest novel of all time.

Moore's? Dat's tru bro. Watchmen for the win.

Originally posted by Bardock42
Moore's? Dat's tru bro. Watchmen for the win.
Yep.

Yeah, that's a phantastic graphic novel. I love that silent scene with the clocks in the background just after Egypt-dude has told them he completed his plan 35 minutes ago.

It's a jaw-dropper, yo.

Originally posted by Ya Krunk'd Floo
Yeah, that's a phantastic graphic novel. I love that silent scene with the clocks in the background just after Egypt-dude has told them he completed his plan 35 minutes ago.

It's a jaw-dropper, yo.

Yeah, the Egypt dude is pretty cool. My favourite is the strange black and white face dude though.

Oh, I know who you mean...I call him 'My Mum Having Sex With A Turtle'-face.

Good character, good character.

Originally posted by Ya Krunk'd Floo
Oh, I know who you mean...I call him 'My Mum Having Sex With A Turtle'-face.

Good character, good character.

I think he also has a name or one of the fancy things they give people nowadays.

Haha, I just realized you live in China...haha..and I in Germany...haha...I will go to bed.

Names are like newspapers you read, say, look and eat them.

I don't live in China, you stupid robot! Ilha Formosa is where I lay my hat.

Originally posted by Ya Krunk'd Floo
Names are like newspapers you read, say, look and eat them.

I don't live in China, you stupid robot! Ilha Formosa is where I lay my hat.

And I care? All ***** to me.

Originally posted by Bardock42
And I care? All ***** to me.

How do you know my language?

Originally posted by Ya Krunk'd Floo
How do you know my language?

Magic.

Originally posted by Solo
A novel I always recommend is The Watchmen, it's arguably the greatest novel of all time.

I love Watchmen. Though any novel is arguably the best, arguably.

Victor Von, as a fan of the genre, could you recommend another graphic novel?

I've only ever read Watchmen, Batman Year One, and The Dark Night Returns...

Originally posted by Ya Krunk'd Floo
Victor Von, as a fan of the genre, could you recommend another graphic novel?

I've only ever read Watchmen, Batman Year One, and The Dark Night Returns...
I am more important, listen to me, listen to me.

Read V for Vendetta, Hellblazer: Dangerous Habits, The League of Extraordinary Gentleman and Sin City (all).

And if you don't want to listen to me after all we've been through, most of those I only read because of VVD anyways.

Well, I've seen V for Vendetta and Sin City (some), so I'm not going to waste my cheese on those. The League of Extraordinary Gentleman was a shit movie, so I ain't goin' there either, which leaves only Hellblazer: Dangerous Habits. I'm guessing that one is about sticking pineapples up your ass, so that's definitely something I'm interested in.

Many thanks to your faces.

Originally posted by Ya Krunk'd Floo
Well, I've seen V for Vendetta and Sin City (some), so I'm not going to waste my cheese on those. The League of Extraordinary Gentleman was a shit movie, so I ain't goin' there either, which leaves only Hellblazer: Dangerous Habits. I'm guessing that one is about sticking pineapples up your ass, so that's definitely something I'm interested in.

Many thanks to your faces.

V for Vendetta is much better as Graphic Novel

If you don't want to read something you have seen get Sin City 7: Hell and Back. It is excellent. And not in movie form as of yet.

League of Extraordinary Gentleman is soo much unlike the movie. And soo much superior. You should just accept that Alan Moore is a God and read all his stuff. No, shut up, do it.

Wow, if you'd knew what movie came from Dangerous Habits, you'd be left with nothing to read from my recommendations.

Yeah, I know that, Bardock. I know that, but I've been corrupted by the shit movies. What can I do?

Is Hellblazer related in sperm to Hellboy? If yes, than that was a pretty decent movie.

Originally posted by Ya Krunk'd Floo
Yeah, I know that, Bardock. I know that, but I've been corrupted by the shit movies. What can I do?

Is Hellblazer related in sperm to Hellboy? If yes, than that was a pretty decent movie.

Read good Graphic Novels.

No, I did not enjoy Hellboy, but I heard the Comics are supposed to be decent as well. And I want you to read Hellblazer..so don't find out what movie is related to it.

Oh, shit. I just IMDBed it. Constantine, eh? I quite liked that one, but I remember reading about how the source material version has him as an Englishman with pink hair, am I right?

Someone said The Sandman series is good. Is it? Good? Is it good?

Originally posted by Ya Krunk'd Floo
Oh, shit. I just IMDBed it. Constantine, eh? I quite liked that one, but I remember reading about how the source material version has him as an Englishman with pink hair, am I right?

Someone said The Sandman series is good. Is it? Good? Is it good?

Englishman yes. Pink hair no. Comic book is better than the movie. And man I'd have sworn you'd have hated that movie.

I heard so too, I just assume it is.

Originally posted by Ya Krunk'd Floo
Victor Von, as a fan of the genre, could you recommend another graphic novel?

I've only ever read Watchmen, Batman Year One, and The Dark Night Returns... Originally posted by Bardock42
V for Vendetta is much better as Graphic Novel

If you don't want to read something you have seen get Sin City 7: Hell and Back. It is excellent. And not in movie form as of yet.

League of Extraordinary Gentleman is soo much unlike the movie. And soo much superior. You should just accept that Alan Moore is a God and read all his stuff. No, shut up, do it.

Wow, if you'd knew what movie came from Dangerous Habits, you'd be left with nothing to read from my recommendations.

All these are good. Especially The League of E.G: the GNs are excessively brilliant- moreso the first, probably. I've never seen the film and I intend to avoid it.

Sandman is good. The Lucifer GNs are very good.

The Filth by Grant Morrison is very odd, and good.

All the Sin Citys are worth reading, even the ones from which the film was made. Seven is my favourite.

Anything by Alan Moore, essentially. Prioritise The League, and From Hell, which is absolutely incredible, though it is responsible for another not so great film.

I'll give 'em a try, Von. I'll give 'em a try.

What are some of your favorite non-graphic novels?

Oh, and what's wrong with the poll? People don't seem to be voting...

Originally posted by Ya Krunk'd Floo
How do you know my language?

Well well Mr. Toilet. I thought you were in the Hamptons.

No, I'm right here under your furry ass.

So crude.

I would like to take this opportunity to say that Jon Ronsom has written a couple of interesting - and funny - books about real things. As opposed to 'not real' things.

'Them' and 'The Men Who Stare At Goats' being the couple.

Originally posted by Ya Krunk'd Floo
I would like to take this opportunity to say that Jon Ronsom has written a couple of interesting - and funny - books about real things. As opposed to 'not real' things.

'Them' and 'The Men Who Stare At Goats' being the couple.

For how long have they been going out?

Check out Maus. It's a great, great graphic novel.

Originally posted by Victor Von Doom
Though any novel is arguably the best, arguably.
Well, anything is arguably the best.

By the way, has anyone read The Good German? I'm a hundred pages or so in and I think it's pretty great.

Originally posted by Solo
Check out Maus. It's a great, great graphic novel.


Well, anything is arguably the best.

By the way, has anyone read The Good German? I'm a hundred pages or so in and I think it's pretty great.
I liked it. Barefoot Gen is supposed to be a really good Manga, I only read the first one though. I just thought of it cause they are often seen as well...similar due to the similar topic and bio(or autobio)graphic content.


And I think that was probably the point the Latverian wanted to make.

And no, but there's going to be a movie on it, isn't there? I think I read it in the movie forums.

I hate reading but I do listen to books at work. My favorite book has been Of Mice and Men Steinbeck rules.

Originally posted by dirkdirden
I hate reading but I do listen to books at work. My favorite book has been Of Mice and Men Steinbeck rules.

I told everyone about me reading The Grapes of Wrath, right? I like it..but it takes me long. I am lazy.

Originally posted by Bardock42
I told everyone about me reading The Grapes of Wrath, right? I like it..but it takes me long. I am lazy.

Yeah I'm very lazy and also reading makes me very sleepy. Grapes of Wrath is a good book but I still like Of mice and men better because it related to be more.

Another reason I hate reading is my wife made me read Pride and Prejudice and that book is long and boring, She said I was just like Marcy Darcy and by the end of the book I wanted to cry because it wasted so much of my time.

The last book I started listening to was a brave new world but as soon as they brought the savage to the city I lost interest and stopped it. Is the ending of the book good?

Originally posted by dirkdirden
Yeah I'm very lazy and also reading makes me very sleepy. Grapes of Wrath is a good book but I still like Of mice and men better because it related to be more.

Another reason I hate reading is my wife made me read Pride and Prejudice and that book is long and boring, She said I was just like Marcy Darcy and by the end of the book I wanted to cry because it wasted so much of my time.

The last book I started listening to was a brave new world but as soon as they brought the savage to the city I lost interest and stopped it. Is the ending of the book good?

The book on the whole is excellent. (To me). I like it more than 1984 actually. if you would say that the ending of the book is "good" as such I do not know., Depends. Do you like endings that make you sad and make you want to never be born? Nah, just kidding. it is good. Read it. Now.

Originally posted by Bardock42
The book on the whole is excellent. (To me). I like it more than 1984 actually. if you would say that the ending of the book is "good" as such I do not know., Depends. Do you like endings that make you sad and make you want to never be born? Nah, just kidding. it is good. Read it. Now.

Yeah the savage annoyed me so bad. I got to the part ware the hot girl puts the moves on the savage and he freaks out and pushes her down and locks her out of the room. After that I stopped because he was annoying me. But the first parts of the book were it explains the way life is in the future is one of the best futuristic descriptions of life I have witnessed.

Originally posted by dirkdirden
Yeah the savage annoyed me so bad. I got to the part ware the hot girl puts the moves on the savage and he freaks out and pushes her down and locks her out of the room. After that I stopped because he was annoying me. But the first parts of the book were it explains the way life is in the future is one of the best futuristic descriptions of life I have witnessed.

Well, you might like the end in that case.

Originally posted by Bardock42
there's going to be a movie on it, isn't there? I think I read it in the movie forums.
Yeah, that's pretty much why I'm reading it. The trailer caught my interest.

Originally posted by Solo
By the way, has anyone read The Good German? I'm a hundred pages or so in and I think it's pretty great.

Sounds interesting. Is the title intentionally oxymoronic?

Originally posted by Bardock42
For how long have they been going out?

Good one.

Originally posted by Ya Krunk'd Floo
Sounds interesting. Is the title intentionally oxymoronic?

Good one.

Originally posted by Ya Krunk'd Floo
Good one.

'twas, wasn't it?

Originally posted by Bardock42
Good one.

'twit, wardle top?

Originally posted by Bardock42
'twas, wasn't it?

Good one.

(PS. I knew you were going to say "Good one"...Foresight.)

Originally posted by Ya Krunk'd Floo
'twit, wardle top?



Good one.

(PS. I knew you were going to say "Good one"...Foresight.)

We just know each other sooo well. Or, we are both just stupid to such a degree that we have only one way to reply to things. Thingful things even. Oh..sparkly stuff. bbl lolz.

Originally posted by Bardock42
We just know each other sooo well. Or, we are both just stupid to such a degree that we have only one way to reply to things. Thingful things even. Oh..sparkly stuff. bbl lolz.

Shmarkle it down as doogle doig, then I'll catch a fillip and call you "Ten". Deal down in drago, disco? Brillital flornin fla.

Originally posted by Ya Krunk'd Floo
Shmarkle it down as doogle doig, then I'll catch a fillip and call you "Ten". Deal down in drago, disco? Brillital flornin fla.

I like "Ten". Is a good album. The rest of the words I did not understand. Cause I'm stupid. Get it? Get it?

I don't believe it. You're not stupid. You're just intelligently-challenged.

Originally posted by Ya Krunk'd Floo
I don't believe it. You're not stupid. You're just intelligently-challenged.

Chall...who?

Yes, you got it right: Challwho. Like the tablecloth.

Originally posted by Ya Krunk'd Floo
The League of Extraordinary Gentleman was a shit movie, so I ain't goin'
Shit movie but great graphic novels.

Well, it's your loss.

Not really, seeing as I corrected myself and said I'd give them a try.

David Mitchell, anyone? Come on! One of you fools must have read one his excellent novels? Ghostwritten, Number 9 Dream, Cloud Atlas, Black Swan Green; they're all excellent.

This David Mitchell sounds interesting, looked his books up. So recommend a starter Floo.

Also need to read Foer's second book, enjoyed Everything Is Illuminated a lot. There was a stage play made from the book, wonder how that turned out...

Currently reading The Contortionist's Handbook by Craig Clevenger after a recommendation, and it's suppose to be fantastic.

Apparently it's getting made into a film soon, and his second book also, so have to get reading.

Originally posted by MildPossession
This David Mitchell sounds interesting, looked his books up. So recommend a starter Floo.

Also need to read Foer's second book, enjoyed Everything Is Illuminated a lot. There was a stage play made from the book, wonder how that turned out...

Currently reading The Contortionist's Handbook by Craig Clevenger after a recommendation, and it's suppose to be fantastic.

Apparently it's getting made into a film soon, and his second book also, so have to get reading.

Mild, David Mitchell is a fantastic author, I'm sure you'll like him a lot. The characters in his stories over-lap and interlink, but he's not limited to this one trick. He writes great prose, and sustains interest.

I'd start with his first book, 'Ghostwritten'. I don't want to give too much away about it because I think it's best if you just experience it, but it introduces some of the themes he's interested in. This edition also has a beautifully evocative cover:

http://www.whiteleys.com/pictures/books_etc/Books%20Etc%20Ghostwritten.jpg

i would like to remove from my chest the weight of the following statement: tom robbins is the single most masturbatory waste of time, tree, ink, and coffeeshop banter.

ever.

onto more positive things, i just finished eugene ionesco's "the bald soprano" and paul auster's "city of glass". the former is a hilarious bit of playwriting from one of beckett's contemporaries, truly the most absurd thing i've ever read, but also consistantly funny. the latter is a bizarre detective story that reads like vachss+cervantes or somesuch. flawed, but very interesting and expertly paced.

oh, and nobody REALLY likes james joyce, unless it's the dubliners, and even that's suspect. anyone who says otherwise his either attempting to violate you or get money from you.

Weird, that's what a friend of mine says as well...

I agree in part with the ol' Tom Robbins thing, but I did love 'The Jitterbug Perfume'.

As for ol' Joyce, you're wrong, dear boy. You're wrong. It's true, I can't swallow a whole Joyce in one go, but selective morsels are delicious. Anyone who says otherwise either hasn't read enough books to appreciate why he's good, or has testicles for ear-lobes. Fact.

pierce my earlobes and call me sexually liberated...though to be fair, i did enjoy some of the stories in dubliners.


Originally posted by Bardock42
Weird, that's what a friend of mine says as well...

which piece?

The one about Joyce.

Originally posted by manorastroman
pierce my earlobes and call me sexually liberated...though to be fair, i did enjoy some of the stories in dubliners.

Dubliners is definitely his most accessable novel, but his other ones are incredible if you take the time to appreciate what he's doing and what he's writing about. I was fortunate enough to have weekly lectures accompanying me the first time I read Ulysses, which helped immensely. Don't sniff at it just because it appears snooty, knowhaImean?

Dubliners isn't really a novel, is it, you bastard?

I only really like 'An Encounter', and 'The Dead'.

Well, there is an internal narrative wheel connecting all the stories, but if you want to view them as seperate entities, then fine. You are an idiot, after all.

Also, it's interesting - though not entirely surprising - to find out that you liked 'An Encounter', you dirty old shit.

As for me, 'Eveline', 'Araby', 'Two Gallants', 'Little Cloud', and 'The Dead' were my favorites, although I was able to see the importance of the collection as a whole.

*Mmmmm-wehhhhhs...*

Nerd.

You are.

two gallants is very good. there's quite a difference between being impressed by joyce and enjoying him, though. i imagine having some smelly old professor telling you why you should like things helped, though

has anybody else read jorge borges?

Originally posted by manorastroman
two gallants is very good. there's quite a difference between being impressed by joyce and enjoying him, though. i imagine having some smelly old professor telling you why you should like things helped, though

Oh, what a silly web you weave! Do you not enjoy getting your brain massaged and urged to think and puzzle the pieces? I guess not, for that would require a brain in the first place...*toot-toot*

Indeed, I jest...I jest...

The thing with studying something like literature means that as long as you can substantiate your perspective then the need for mollycoddling is nil. Unless you are a weak-minded fool...Hello?

I haven't read any Jorge Borges...Is he incredibly shit?

bah! he's one of the towering giants in the south american literary canon, along with garcia-marquez and puig. fantastic (in the literal sense), mathematical, very thought provoking.

Originally posted by Ya Krunk'd Floo
nil

A word that describes a ridiculously little amount that is so ridiculously little that it is non existent. Yes.

Originally posted by Bardock42
A word that describes a ridiculously little amount that is so ridiculously little that it is non existent. Yes.

(dog)

Originally posted by Ya Krunk'd Floo
(dog)

A word to describe an animal. A dog to be exact. Oftenused. Maybe even in Ulysses. Though I wouldn't know.

Originally posted by Bardock42
A word to describe an animal. A dog to be exact. Oftenused. Maybe even in Ulysses. Though I wouldn't know.

You are a man who uses his fingers to type letters that eventually form words on the computer-screen infront of your face.

Originally posted by Ya Krunk'd Floo
You are a man who uses his fingers to type letters that eventually form words on the computer-screen infront of your face. Truth

Originally posted by Ya Krunk'd Floo
You are a man who uses his fingers to type letters that eventually form words on the computer-screen infront of your face.

you are just SO real, ya know?

Originally posted by manorastroman
you are just SO real, ya know?

Yes, I know I am SO real. How do I know? Well, I know because...I know because...because...BECAUSE I NEVER LOVED HIM THE WAY I LOVE YOU!

Originally posted by manorastroman
bah! he's one of the towering giants in the south american literary canon, along with garcia-marquez and puig. fantastic (in the literal sense), mathematical, very thought provoking.

Recommend me a starter for 3 points and a dance.

"labyrinths", it's a collection of short stories, parables, essays. very good translation.

I always find it fascinating when a book that was originally written in a different language is translated into English. I've read a couple of Paulo Coelho's novels (I only really liked The Alchemist), Marquez's Love In The Time Of Cholera and 100 Years Of Solitude, and Kundera's The Unbearable Lightness of Being - to name the most prominent examples - and I'm always surprised that the prose is still excellent. I think word choice and sentence structure are two extremely important ingredients in a novel, so to see that they can cope with a translation and remain so rich always surprises me.

I'll check that shit you said out. Better be good, yo.

Yes, it is rather excellent.

I haven't read anything by him.

Originally posted by Ya Krunk'd Floo
I'll check that shit you said out. Better be good, yo.

eh? EH?

translation is the reason i still haven't read too much garcia marquez; i've yet to find any appealing translation. any suggestions for the suggestion box?

Are you asking me for a suggestion as to which translation you should read? If so, I didn't know they did different translations in English. From checking Amazon, it looks like Edith Grossman is his regular translator, and those editions are the ones I've read.

In a totally different time and place, perhaps you are asking for any kind of suggestion; in which case I recommend you read all of David Mitchell's books. Start with Ghostwritten and go on from there...

Also, I loved Jonathan Safran Foer's Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, and anything by Dave Eggers is gold, especially A Heart-breaking Work Of Staggering Genius and You Shall Know Our Velocity. Read them, or die.

i'm a little unsure about safran-foer. i really liked extremely loud, but i'm not sure why exactly. and the chapters from the grandmother's perspective are kinda useless.

i enjoyed heartbreaking work of staggering genius.

Yeah, but I loved some of the ideas the boy was coming out with. His idiosyncratic language also tickled my toes.

I'm currently reading some of Egger's short stories in How We Are Hungry, and I look forward to getting my hands on a copy of What Is The What just as soon as I can.

How about giving up a list of some of your favourite books? If you do it, others will follow.

waiting for godot-beckett
labyrinths-borges
one flew over the cuckoo's nest-kesey
miss lonelyhearts-west
four plays-ionesco

that's my top five, i think. when i've thought about it more i'll have a top ten.

i forgot some big ones.

picture of dorian gray-wilde
please kill me- mcneal
confederacy of dunces - toole
an eternal curse on the reader of these pages - puig
naked/me talk pretty one day-sedaris
tied with
sex drugs and cocoa puffs-klosterman.

honorable mentions include kafka, calvino, sartre, lethem, auster...meh.

You forgot Brown.

A Confederacy of Dunces is brilliant. The dude reminded me of ol' VD.

Tell me a book to read and why I should read it...

Originally posted by Ya Krunk'd Floo
Tell me a book to read and why I should read it...

Are you talking to me?

Originally posted by Ya Krunk'd Floo
Are you talking to me?

No, other people.

Idiot.

Originally posted by manorastroman
oh, and nobody REALLY likes james joyce, unless it's the dubliners, and even that's suspect. anyone who says otherwise his either attempting to violate you or get money from you.
Joyce... overrated

Boring as hell and pretentious too. Oh no, I'm too stupid to "get it", that'll be it.

Whatever.

he's not pretentious. he's just not very fun to read.

You're both fools. He's difficult to read, but if you're enlightened then he's fun. riverrun...

I like James Joyce.

Finnegan's Wake is a bit bastardy though.

All about Ulysses.

One of the most fun-to-read books ever.

I like to read it out-loud with no shoes on. You?

I just read it.

Whilst watching bukkake.

Originally posted by Victor Von Doom
I just read it.

Whilst watching bukkake.

Gross

Originally posted by Victor Von Doom
I just read it.

Whilst watching bukkake.

Sweet.

*face like a deflated bowling ball*

Oh I adore Kundera's The Unbearable Lightness of Being, but that is the only book I have read from the man, if you have read any of his other books, do you have any recommendations?

I also put the Mitchell books down on my book list, not going to buy any just yet because I have piles of books to get through.

Originally posted by Sanctuary
Gross

W-what's your point?

Originally posted by manorastroman
"labyrinths", it's a collection of short stories, parables, essays. very good translation.

Based on your recommendation, I got myself a copy of Borges' Labyrinths today. I'll let you know what I think when I'm done with it.

Hold your breath.

Originally posted by Victor Von Doom
W-what's your point?

M-my point is that it is degrading to women and also a despicable sexual practice. You sick, sick boy. What would you do if that's done to your mother or sister? Just gross.

You can continue now

How is it degrading? Most women love it because it's so good for their skin.

Originally posted by Ya Krunk'd Floo
How is it degrading? Most women love it because it's so good for their skin.

Is that true? hmm

Tell me more, oh wise one. I beg you.


Why is the poll so random? dancing

It's better if I just show you, and let you experience it for yourself.

Actions speak louder than words, don'tcha know?

Originally posted by Ya Krunk'd Floo
It's better if I just show you, and let you experience it for yourself.

Actions speak louder than words, don'tcha know?

That seems too complicated

Why don't you and Victor do it to each other and send me samples of your skin?

But why do you guys not talk about books anymore? faint

Oh, it's not complicated at all, my dear. You just lie back and smile...

As for demonstrating it with Victor, I'm afraid this won't work. He has neither delcious boobs, nor beautiful, soulful, intelligent, exquisite eyes like a sunrise...Sunrise, felt like morning in your eyes.

I like books. I was told to read 'The Lovely Bones', so I am currently complying, although I find it rather too melancholy for my liking. Also, I don't usually read books written by girls, but I made an exception in this case.

Originally posted by Ya Krunk'd Floo
Oh, it's not complicated at all, my dear. You just lie back and smile...

As for demonstrating it with Victor, I'm afraid this won't work. He has neither delcious boobs, nor beautiful, soulful, intelligent, exquisite eyes like a sunrise...Sunrise, felt like morning in your eyes.

I like books. I was told to read 'The Lovely Bones', so I am currently complying, although I find it rather too melancholy for my liking. Also, I don't usually read books written by girls, but I made an exception in this case.

Hmm, I think I have to ask my parents first. And the police. I really should ask the police

You are soo cute eyes surprise, surprise...but the clock's held 9:15 for hours

What is it about dancing And why don't you read books by girls? Are you a chauvinist?

Oh, golf shoes...Are you ridiculously young? I feel dirty. Forgive me.

It's about a 14 year old girl who is murdered by her neighbour. She then retells the story of the events that followed her death as she looks down from her heaven. It sounds sentimental, and I guess it is, but it's also well written. Albeit a little 'girly'.

I generally don't read books by girls because...I don't know...probably the same reason why I don't really listen to music by girls...it just doesn't seem to relate to me, so I leave it for those that it does. Relate. To.

Hahahahahahaha, you are a pedo.

You are.

Originally posted by Ya Krunk'd Floo
You are.

So what? She is cute. Hater.

Originally posted by Bardock42
So what? She is cute. Hater.

Thanks kisses

Originally posted by Ya Krunk'd Floo
Oh, golf shoes...Are you ridiculously young? I feel dirty. Forgive me.

It's about a 14 year old girl who is murdered by her neighbour. She then retells the story of the events that followed her death as she looks down from her heaven. It sounds sentimental, and I guess it is, but it's also well written. Albeit a little 'girly'.

I generally don't read books by girls because...I don't know...probably the same reason why I don't really listen to music by girls...it just doesn't seem to relate to me, so I leave it for those that it does. Relate. To.

hmm I wouldn't say ridiculously. No.

Silly 14 year old dead girls can't tell a story. Pretty weird that you'd think that relates to your life. Since you are neither 14 years old. Dead. Or a girl. Also not dead dancing

And don't you find that a bit ironic considering who you just quoted?

Originally posted by Sanctuary
hmm I wouldn't say ridiculously. No.

Silly 14 year old dead girls can't tell a story. Pretty weird that you'd think that relates to your life. Since you are neither 14 years old. Dead. Or a girl. Also not dead dancing

And don't you find that a bit ironic considering who you just quoted?
Eh, do you know that if I use the phrase "I generally don't read books by girls" it kind of means I generally don't read books by girls, right? The key word is 'generally', and did you notice that I didn't use the word 'never' in place of it?
Lovely.

Originally posted by Ya Krunk'd Floo
Eh, do you know that if I use the phrase "I generally don't read books by girls" it kind of means I generally don't read books by girls, right? The key word is 'generally', and did you notice that I didn't use the word 'never' in place of it?
Lovely.

I was referring to listening to music by girls. Obviously ermm

good girls: joyce carol oates, virginia woolf, flannery o connor...

help me out here.

Originally posted by Sanctuary
I was referring to listening to music by girls. Obviously ermm

Oh, that makes all the difference seeing as I said this about girly music:

Originally posted by Ya Krunk'd Floo
...probably the same reason why I don't really listen to music by girls...it just doesn't seem to relate to me, so I leave it for those that it does. Relate. To.

Let's get back to talking about bukkake...I mean Bardock and I, obviously, because you're too young.

monorastroman...JK Rowling? ARGHHHHHHHHHHahahahahahahahahahhaha!

(I still read Harry Potter, though...)

everytime i see pictures of harry potter going buff for that new play, i just burst out in laughter. rubbers me every time.

i really don't have a terrible issue with her writing, except that she suffers from limited vocabulary, especially with the "said syndrome", ie harry said ron said hagrid said ron said harry said etc.

I want you to make comics with those two heads talking things. Make a thread, and the rest will follow.

Have you ever been called a bobbyburns?

Originally posted by Sanctuary
M-my point is that it is degrading to women and also a despicable sexual practice. You sick, sick boy.

All good points.

Which is why we all love it.

bobbyburns? is that a porno?

i already have a comic based on my two little head fellas. mustache is humbert and unibrow is harold.

Set them free and share them with the world!

Originally posted by Ya Krunk'd Floo
Based on your recommendation, I got myself a copy of Borges' Labyrinths today. I'll let you know what I think when I'm done with it.

Can't get into it. Any suggestions to help me swallow it?

(By the way, I'm not asking myself that question).

In other news, I just picked up a copy of Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs by Chuck Klosterman; so far, I've only read a little bit, but it's fun.

use your imagination. his writing style is very spare, to the point of being mathematical, but the concepts presented are brilliant. good stories...garden of the forking paths, library of babel, the secret miracle, three versions of judas, and pierre menard author of don quixote. off the top of my head.

sex, drugs, and cocoa puffs is very funny, and stands up to repeated readings. i've probably read it...maybe twelve times, and i enjoy it every bit as much as the first read through.

Originally posted by manorastroman
use your imagination. his writing style is very spare, to the point of being mathematical, but the concepts presented are brilliant. good stories...garden of the forking paths, library of babel, the secret miracle, three versions of judas, and pierre menard author of don quixote. off the top of my head.

Did you study it at university? It seems like the kind of book that would be more interesting if you you studied it in greater depth, a la Ulysses, Finnegan's Wake, etc. Also, I was a little put off when I read in the preface that Borges was a big fan of HG Wells' writing. Now there's a guy who makes me want to kill baby rabbits.

Originally posted by manorastroman
sex, drugs, and cocoa puffs is very funny, and stands up to repeated readings. i've probably read it...maybe twelve times, and i enjoy it every bit as much as the first read through.

I can see how it could do that. It's superbly accessible, amusing and well-written.

I also picked up a copy of Preludes & Nocturnes (Sandman Vol. 1) by Neil Gaiman. I haven't read many graphic novels - only Watchmen, Batman Year One, and The Dark Knight Returns - but I was recommended this series. Is it worth the investment? I see there are 10 others to buy, and they're not cheap.

i never formally studied borges at a university, but i did a rough equivilent. my dad is a life-long literati, and did multiple term papers in graduate school on borges. he introduced me to borges, and guided me through it a bit.

i find it very impressive that borges was influenced by hg wells. that borges took a relatively unsophisticated pulp idea-man--and from him extract the elements of borges' own unquestioned genius--is fascinating. he saw a diamond in the rough, so to speak.

my favorite thing about klosterman is his density. if you pay close attention, nearly every page contains an offhand remark that can keep you thinking for hours. a trait he shares with borges, incidentally.

i've never enjoyed sandman, certainly not as much as the watchen, the invisibles, arkham asylum et al, but there are several people (whos opinion i respect) that recognize it as genius.

Anyways, enough about random books, does anyone else hate prefaces or even more, forewords? And if not, what makes you cling to an incorrect opinion?

I find that Prefaces often slow down the pace of books, but I usually enjoy Forewords since they often give a much deeper glimpse into the mind of the author.

Yes, I did mean it the other way 'round....I'm having a very stupid day today....

chair

Touché.

Originally posted by manorastroman
my favorite thing about klosterman is his density. if you pay close attention, nearly every page contains an offhand remark that can keep you thinking for hours. a trait he shares with borges, incidentally.

i've never enjoyed sandman, certainly not as much as the watchen, the invisibles, arkham asylum et al, but there are several people (whos opinion i respect) that recognize it as genius.

I really enjoyed Klosterman's Sex, Drugs And Cocoa Puffs; he has a wry eye for the obscurely pertinent.

As for Sandman, I admire its vision, but I found it too utterly depressing, so I won't be going back there.

One of you idiots should recommend me a happy, funny book to read with my eyes. Please...

Originally posted by Ya Krunk'd Floo
I really enjoyed Klosterman's Sex, Drugs And Cocoa Puffs; he has a wry eye for the obscurely pertinent.

As for Sandman, I admire its vision, but I found it too utterly depressing, so I won't be going back there.

One of you idiots should recommend me a happy, funny book to read with my eyes. Please...

1984
Gulliver's Travels
The Trial
Diary of Anne Frank

Has anyone here read the book Ball Four? Its the one sports book Ive ever enjoyed. Its also a hilarious book, if thats what youre after.

Originally posted by Bardock42
1984
Gulliver's Travels
The Trial
Diary of Anne Frank

Read.
Read.
Depressing.
Idiot.

Originally posted by Ya Krunk'd Floo
Read.
Read.
Depressing.
Idiot.

Oh right, I forgot your anti-semitism.

The Trial is excellent.

I liked Anne Frank but her sense of setting was a bit limited. Few more locations next time.

Originally posted by Victor Von Doom
The Trial is excellent.

I liked Anne Frank but her sense of setting was a bit limited. Few more locations next time. Also, what's wrong with Happy Ends? Should be rewritten. Wish Douglas Adams was still alive, he'd polish that one up.

Originally posted by Victor Von Doom


I liked Anne Frank but her sense of setting was a bit limited. Few more locations next time.

it worked for the lion, the witch and the wardrobe...so what she really missed was lions and witches...evidently

Originally posted by Victor Von Doom
I liked Anne Frank but her sense of setting was a bit limited. Few more locations next time.

I hear the sequel is set on the moon. Sounds promising...Like she lives in space, or something.

Originally posted by jaden101
it worked for the lion, the witch and the wardrobe...so what she really missed was lions and witches...evidently

Oh, you card, you!

Originally posted by jaden101
it worked for the lion, the witch and the wardrobe...so what she really missed was lions and witches...evidently




Classic

since this is for really smart people and all, i've been delving through the many corridors of existentialism and it's predecessors. from what i've come across:

the stranger - albert camus
the trial, various short stories - franz kafka
notes from underground - fyodor dostoevsky
and
nausea - jean-paul sartre

are all excellent. less so for nausea and notes from underground, even though those are the most dense of the texts...they're not very fun to read.