Happy New Year. What are you reading before the world ends? January Book Thread.

Hey Derek! How the hell are you?

I'm trying to get through The Marriage Plot. I have a stack of books calling, and for some reason I can't get into this book (though the prose is really nice). I have to finish it though.

Hey Pete. Im good. I started 11.22.63 while on holiday and it was so good I decided to save it for the New Year.
I cant wait for the new Dark Tower in April.

Any recomendations pu them in my Im Back thread will you? I need to load up on my wishlist.

i'm still stuck reading the first book in game of thrones, not because i don't think it's good. there are a lot of other things occupying my attention.

That book took me forever to read. Then I gave to my sister and she read it in 2 days. Then she read the next one and the next one and then I killed her.

Just started Neuromancer today.

I'm finally almost done with The Marriage Plot. I've had a lot going on this month and not a lot of time for reading. Next I have to choose between The New York Trilogy, The Hunger Games,andThe Corrections I've been meaning to get to the former for a while, but I'm really tempted to dive into The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games are fantastic, and they're quick reads. Especially considering you won't wanna put them down.

So I'm told. That's probably what I'll end up doing.

I'm thinking the Irish have to wait longer.

Wrong. The Dark Tower is finished but hes bringing out a new book which takes place between Wizard and Glass an The Wolves of Calla. Its called The Wind Through The Keyhole and its out in April 2012.

11/22/63 is that good? I got it for Christmas. I really like the premise and it's in my to-read pile. And I read about the new Dark Tower book a few days ago. The only problem is that the first book is so boring I can't get through it. It has been a few years since I've tried though.

11.22.63 is a great read. I'm really enjoying it.

I recomend struggling through The Gunslinger because after that the series takes off. Probably the 2, 3 and 4th books are King on top form. Like 11.22.63 its a bit different than his usual stuff but well worth it. The guy is a great storyteller.

I was just now browsing newyorktimes.com and I see that 11/22/63 is on their list of 10 Best Books of 2011. I wouldn't have expected that.

Steve - the first Dark Tower book is so slow and boring, I almost gave up on it. But then the next couple are really good. I didn't like the one that was 2/3 back story - I don't remember which one that was. But for the most part, the story is awesome.

I really do want to read the series. I'll power through it some day.

I hated the first Hunger Games book but since people are saying good things about the series I might grab the second one soon. Whats it called?

Catching Fire. I'm pretty sure.

Catching Fire

I actually loved the first two and sort of didn't like the third one.

Years ago I read that King short story that took place in the Dark Tower universe (whatever it was called, I forget. I even forget which collection it was in. I'm lame.) and liked it so much that I've wanted to read the series ever since. I think that I'm going to put that on my Must Read In 2012 list.

I think the story was called Little Sister of Eurelia?

I started rereading The Dark Tower last year and enjoyed The Gunslinger a lot more than the first time because I could see where it was going. Im up till the third book now again so by the time the new one comes out it will slot in nicely (Insert thats what she said Frank Joke).

I have just started reading Warmed and Bound, which was a lovely gift from lovely Alecia.

The Little Sisters of Eluria*. That's the one.

*Thank you, Derek and Google.

The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner.

I'm expecting Arguably : The Essays of Christopher Hitchens form Amazon any day now.

Also, Full Dark, No Stars. Finally. And maybe I'll pick up King's newest, 11/23/63. Looks awesome.

Yesssssssssss.

I have to side with Hemmingway on this one.

"He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary." - William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway)

"Poor Faulkner. Does he really think big emotions come from big words?" - Ernest Hemingway (about William Faulkner)

Feh. Just use the right word.

I had to read Absolom Absolom for an American Lit paper. I did not like it, I couldn't really tell you if I even finished reading it or not. I might have another look at it at some point, I've still got it somewhere. That's the only Faulkner I know.

Faulkner never moved me.

"He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary." - William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway)

"Poor Faulkner. Does he really think big emotions come from big words?" - Ernest Hemingway (about William Faulkner)

"Feh. Just use the right word." - Tuffy (pwning Faulkner and Hemmingway)

Taking a break from this amazing anthology and re-reading Written On The Body by Jeanette Winterson.

Oh my gosh I loved all the Hunger Games books. I'm on my second round with them. I'm fiercely addicted to them, I'm kind of excited about the movie.
I'm starting off with God Is Not Great by Christopher Hitchens & The Demon Haunted World by Carl Sagan.

I have a lot of Need-To-Read books that were suggestions as well. Power reading for 2012!!
[I also, ashamed to say this, haven't picked up any Stephen King books, but everyone says I'd love them so I suppose I should pick some of those up as well.] Any first time King suggestions?

So I've heard, it [Demon Haunted World] was suggested by a friend of mind as a must read. [As I'm un-regrettably verbal with my love for Carl Sagan & the known observable universe.] I can't get over Christopher Hitchens. I just discovered him a number of months ago, I knew of him but finally got into everything head on and it's wonderful. Sucks he left earth just as I got to liking him. Bummer. Definite yes & me too on the Arguably.

I finished Island of Doctor Moreau in time and H.G. Wells is swell. Just wanted it to be known.

good job!

here's an alien for your hard work:

I'm not a fan of wells.

Started The Hunger Games.

It is a bummer. I've read almost nothing by him. I'd only seen him debate on youtube. I feel like I missed out on him while he was alive. So to make up for it I'm going to read many of his books this year. And I'm pretty excited about it.

Side note: Have you seen The Sagan Series on youtube? It's spectacular.

Yesyesyes. Lots and lots of Hitchens this year. AND YES!!! I love the Sagan series! But thank you for bringing it to my attention again - gives me something to listen to.
Side-side note, have you heard of Symphony of Science? This is the youtube channel. Amazing audio quotes from Carl Sagan, Morgan Freeman, Brian Cox and the likes with beautiful ear love.

Why are we not best mates ScubaSteve?

Get a room, you two.

And I haven't heard of Symphony of Science before but I'm checking it out right now. And it's fucking awesome.

Side-side-side note: I got Wonders of the Universe with Brian Cox on DVD for Christmas and I love him now too. He's been added to my list of who I want to be when I grow up.

Uh, yes. Of course.

It is fucking awesome!! My brother, knowing what a nerd I am, showed it to me. He's also a musician so he discovers interestingly infused things.

What a brilliant gift! Ohhh I'm so jealous. He is so so so so so amazing. I hope you're going to watch it tons of times. I hear he's making a new documentary.

On a lighter note, books I got for Christmas were East of Eden (figured I had to read it, seeing as I visited the Steinbeck Museum)

and The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Very light read but it was recommended to me by two different people and they are making a movie out of it starring the girl who played Hermione.

I'm surprised because I never read very quickly. I'm nearly done with Perks. It's written in the form of letters so it is easy to justify reading "one more letter".

How'd you know I wanted one?

I really enjoyed East of Eden when I read it a couple of years ago. One of my favorite quotes ever is in it, describing the california poppy, which is my most loved flower ever.

"...these too are of a burning color-not orange, not gold, but if pure gold were liquid and could raise a cream, that golden cream might be like the color of the poppies.

I haven't finished Girl Interrupted yet. Which is lame because it should have been about a one night read. I have felt apathetic about reading the past few nights. (paradox, how exactly does one feel apathy?)

I love Perks a lot, as well as Girl Interrupted. I've read both over a dozen times.
Girl Interrupted never gets old.. I feel as if Perks is more of a summer read.

I owned Perks until I lent it to a friend. I really enjoyed that book too.