What are you reading?

[PrincessZelda]

I'm reading the 5th book in the Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan right now... And Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis... Yep.

[Scribs]

The Lost World - Micheal Chrichton.

[Bobtheduck]

I'm reading Perelandra right now... I'm about 1/3 through it, and so far, um, there is no plot. I am, so far, thinking this isnt' a story as much as pure philosophy. Beautiful worlds, though. And, his philosophy is interesting...

[uc pseudonym]

I find your "no plot" statement interesting, and assume you must be using a very exclusive definition of "plot." While the plot is never what one would call complex (it stays about like it was for the first third, if I recall), once Ransom stops ambling about it is always moving in some direction.

However, I certainly wouldn't read it for the plot, either. The book interested me most when it dealt with the philiological aspects, and the angels, both of which you may not have gotten to yet.

[Tommy]

"Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian". I don`t feel like I need to explain. It`s my 500th time through it.

"Monster" by Frank Perretti. Really good survival horror. I would like franky to continue the Veritas series though.

[shadow_warrior]

"Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian". I don`t feel like I need to explain. It`s my 500th time through it.

"Monster" by Frank Perretti. Really good survival horror. I would like franky to continue the Veritas series though.

Ah, the Chronicles of Narnia, my favorite series. I have read those series soo many times.

The movie was good too. Disney didnt mess it up too much!

[DaughterOfZion]

i finished the singer of all songs.

[Scribs]

State of Fear by Micheal Chricton

[Bobtheduck]

I find your "no plot" statement interesting, and assume you must be using a very exclusive definition of "plot." While the plot is never what one would call complex (it stays about like it was for the first third, if I recall), once Ransom stops ambling about it is always moving in some direction.

However, I certainly wouldn't read it for the plot, either. The book interested me most when it dealt with the philiological aspects, and the angels, both of which you may not have gotten to yet.

My definition of Plot is this: Take these two examples:

"I walked around, observing the vaguely appetizing yellow flowers as they swayed calmly on the breeze. A man walked up to me wearing a blue raincoat and black pants. He seemed to be very busy, and wasn't much for conversation."

and this

"He lifted it up into the air, and studied it until he figured out what he was actually looking at... It was the will! His father's will, in plain sight during the whole argument! He brought the sword to the judge, who examined it carefully. It was clear, now, that Alex was the true heir."

The first one is setting a stage. The second is having something happen. There is a lot of stage setting in Perelandra. A lot... In the first 7 chapters, there's not a lot of stuff happening. There's "He went to Perelandra" there's "He almost drowned" and there's "He met someone" and that's about it. There is, however, a lot of discussion. Discussion of beliefs and the foundations of those beliefs. That is closer to "setting the stage" than it is to "something happening" That is what I mean by no plot.

Yeah, I just got to the point that [spoiler= Is this a spoiler?]Weston landed on the Planet, and they're discussing Weston's reason for coming[/spoiler] Still, nothing is really happening, but it feels like something is about to happen (I'm on page 93) There was so much urgency in his going there, I would think there would have to be something that happens.

It is interesting to look at this purely philisophically, as the realm of philisophical discussion has long been one that people consider outside of Christian thought... C.S. Lewis is definately someone who is able to get around certain Intelectual barriers... It does make it hard to read when you have lydexia, though (I read Ransom as saying "I am not a Christian.)

From what I hear, That Hideous Strength is even more deeply philisophical than Perelandra. Well, I'm gonna finish the books no matter what. I can hardly bear to read a story or watch a movie or TV show and not know how it ends... And, it's not like I don't like it. It's just not what I was expecting.

I am going to try to read as much as I can tonight. I've promised myself I was going to read every one of the novels I own... That means I'm going to have to try to stay awake through the "Council of Elrond" in Fellowship... *groan*

[uc pseudonym]

From what I hear, That Hideous Strength is even more deeply philisophical than Perelandra.

I realize only now that Perelandra is the name for Venus, not Mars... I had been thinking that you were reading Out of the Silent Planet. In that context, your comments make far more sense.

Just wait, the book will get even more extensive in this respect when a later event occurs. I think you'll know what I mean when you reach it. As for That Hideous Strength, I am not sure if I agree about the degree of philosophy within it. It is certainly a ponderous novel.

My definition of Plot is this [etc.]

That's fair. You are earlier in the plot than I had been thinking (as the setup material tends to consolidate itself in my mind), so you are correct that fairly little has happened.

[Shao Feng-Li]

The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Doulas Adams.

[Kaori]

Since the last time I posted:

Phillip K. Dick's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? I was warned that I probably would not like this book, but it was actually a very enjoyable read.

Jane Eyre. Charlotte Bronte isn't the best prose stylist, but she makes up for it in other aras.

Od Magic by Patricia McKillip. Her writing is marvelous.

I've also been reading some things by Longfellow, Shakespeare, and Oscar Wilde.

[CrimsonRyu17]

I'm currently reading,

Dragons in our midst: circles of seven by Bryan Davis.

this is the third one of the dragons in our midst series. the other two were awesome. it's really good, and it's even written by a christian author ^ ^. heres some info on the back,

Circles of seven is a contemporary fantasy novel, the third in the series of books for pre-teens and young adults. this series inspires people to pursue faith, courage, and love and to dig deep within to find their God-given strengths, no matter how difficult the circumstances. the first book, Raising Dragons, plunged two teenagers, Billy Bannister and Bonnie Silver, into mind-boggling mysteries, life or death pursuits, and deadly sword-to-sword battles.

[uc pseudonym]

The Sacred Romance: Drawing Closer to the Heart of God by John Eldredge and Brent Curtis

I began this book knowing full well that it would probably annoy me to no end. This was the case, but I'd rather not talk about that extensively on the forums in case there are others fond of the book or its writers.

[Sammy Boy]

Superheroes and Philosophy (ed. Tom Morris & Matt Morris).

Yep, finally gotten around to buying a copy and reading through it. Some interesting nuggets inside. Makes me want to read my comic collection and go back to drawing superheroes.

[chimera189]

Robotech: Battlehymn by Jack McKinney
Forgotten Realms: The Thousand Orcs by R.A. Salvatore

[TurkishMonky]

Conquerors Pride by Timothy Zahn. so far excellent, and Timothy Zahn is still my favorite sci fi writer.

[Scribs]

Conquerors Pride by Timothy Zahn. so far excellent, and Timothy Zahn is still my favorite sci fi writer.

The only sci fi books I have read much of are the Star Wars ones, but his are definatly the best ones.

[righteous_slave]

Re-reading 1984, and still getting the socks scared off by it's uncanny accuracy.

[Anti-me]

Monster by Frank Peretti
His first two books, This Present Darkness is one, are by far his best, though

[Puritan]

I'm working on the Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant by Steven Donaldson. The Thomas Covenant books are interesting, the main character is a leper anti-hero, and the author brings the problem of sin out to the fore. Not to spoil plot points, but the actions of the characters keep having repercussions throughout the books, with the main character even making a mistake he immediately greatly regrets, but which continue to have extremely negative consequences throughout the series.

[Technomancer]

Yurij Baryshev & Pekka Teerikorpi- "Discovery of Cosmic Fractals"

Fractal geometry is a novel way to comprehend nature. Fractals, phenomena displaying self-similarity, are being uncovered in the solar system, in our home galaxy- the Milky Way- and, most tellingly the largest structures of the Universe.

[the_lizardqueen]

I just finished "The Life of Pi", it was..interesting. It was definitely a one of a kind, and the author had a very distinct writing voice. But the middle section got a little too graphic in spots, and then at the end I ended up getting all confused as to whether or not it had been a metaphor of some kind (?).

The meerkats were cute.

[Technomancer]

That was a pretty cool book. The point though is that it is left up to the reader to decide whether the narrator is telling an actual story, or whether the animals represent a different set of events. The alternate explanation is developed a little at the end of the book. Of course, the story as a whole could be taken as a metaphor for religion itself (which is a theme that permeates the novel).

[uc pseudonym]

I'm working on the Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant by Steven Donaldson. The Thomas Covenant books are interesting, the main character is a leper anti-hero, and the author brings the problem of sin out to the fore. Not to spoil plot points, but the actions of the characters keep having repercussions throughout the books, with the main character even making a mistake he immediately greatly regrets, but which continue to have extremely negative consequences throughout the series.

That was an interesting series overall. As far as fantasy goes, it is relatively original.

I just finished "The Life of Pi", it was..interesting.

A friend recommended this book to me. It is possible I may pursue it. However, I should probably convince myself to finish Chapterhouse: Dune first. Though I want to finish the series, the writing fails to interest me enough to read often.

[the_lizardqueen]

That was a pretty cool book. The point though is that it is left up to the reader to decide whether the narrator is telling an actual story, or whether the animals represent a different set of events. The alternate explanation is developed a little at the end of the book. Of course, the story as a whole could be taken as a metaphor for religion itself (which is a theme that permeates the novel).

I see, thanks for the explanation ^_^
[spoiler]I guess my only issue with the book is the fact that I'm extremely cynical and I had already been disbelieving enough when I had first read the summary about a boy and a tiger in a raft together. I had immediately catogorized it as a fantasy, but I was very surprised when the author almost made it believable. Unfortunately, as soon as the alternate, animal-free version was told, I decided that Pi must have been so traumatized by the awful events that he dreamed up the crazy tiger tale to block out the memories. I really need to cut back on the negativity.

It does make an excellent point about faith. Really, why should it matter if the first or second tale was for real? I can't believe a fictional tale within a tale has gotten me so befuddled. Wow...[/spoiler]

[LostChild]

I'm reading LOTR again for the 5 or 6 time since my second year Jr. High (i'm now a Senior in Highschool). I read it at least once a year every year, always begining on the First of January. >.< I LOVE this book!!!

[TurkishMonky]

i'm reading conquerors Heritage, by timothy zahn. book two in the series, and awesome read so far.

[uc pseudonym]

I reread both Right and Wrong as Clues to the Meaning of the Universe and What Christians Believe (by CS Lewis) because of a (Christian) friend who disliked both books quite a bit and because it had been too long since I had read them for me to consider his comments fairly. My conclusion is that we simply read in a different manner: if you are looking for a convincing, thorough argument, the book is not such; I, however, considered it merely a collection of ideas, many of them worth considering.

At this point I have finished a major portion of Life of Pi, by Yann Martel. I will reserve judgement on it until I finish the book, but so far I find the combination of the claim that the story will make you believe in God, random philosphical musings, and a sea survival story rather odd. What I didn't expect was monotony, but it looks as though that will soon be over.

[Locke]

I'm almost done with Grisham's The Partner.
Good writer, just needs to write about something other than lawyers and money.