pabosher Posted June 25, 2011 So, now that I have some free time on my hands, I've decided to make a conscious effort and read as much as I used to (which is a lot), preferably books that are fantastic, and recommended. To start with, I picked up The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. First off: I was incredibly surprised at just how small it was! Having heard a lot about it, and obviously seeing of the movie adaptations and whatnot, I had an image of a decent-sized book - probably similar to the length of Frankenstein - that would take me a fair few hours to burn through. Nope, a short novella 88 pages long. That being said, I found it to be a pretty endearing read. I enjoyed the style, the narrative viewpoint, and the structure, although it did feel a little too short. I would've preferred more of the story to have been told from Dr Jekyll's point of view, and perhaps for more elements of the gothic to have been present. I think that was what really disappointed me about the novella: it didn't really scare/shock me. Perhaps it's because everybody knows the shocking twist by now, and apart from that, it doesn't really feel like there's anything too bad. Hyde kills like one dude, and then that's basically it. As much as Frankenstein disappointed me with its narrative style, I did enjoy the actual story being told there. Next, I'm finishing off Right Ho, Jeeves, which I started a long while ago and never finished. Then after that, on Chris's recommendation, I've picked up Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose, and plan on reading that! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ThunderPeel2001 Posted June 25, 2011 Cool. Wodehouse can be great when he's on form! I'd like to hear your thoughts on In the Name of the Rose when you finish it. I've heard good things, too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ben X Posted June 26, 2011 Ooh. I was tempted to pick this up. I hope it's as good as Bone. Swap you for Lost Girls? I'd say I'm definitely enjoying it as much as Bone, although it doesn't have that initial accessibility where he eases you into the story with cartoon antics. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Patters Posted June 26, 2011 Swap you for Lost Girls? I'd say I'm definitely enjoying it as much as Bone, although it doesn't have that initial accessibility where he eases you into the story with cartoon antics. Did you get the massive books or the small ones, the large ones are glorious. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ben X Posted June 26, 2011 Large ones. Just beautiful, I stared at the covers for a long time before actually starting to read. The colour scheme, design, paper/finish choice, lovely. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
syntheticgerbil Posted June 28, 2011 I just got the first two volumes of Rasl by Jeff Smith (Bone). Great to see him turning his talent to a contemporary, adult tale. I get the feeling I'll be waiting for ten years to get to the end of it, though... Ooo, I read the first four issues of this and should probably get back into it at some point. The universe was kind of thrilling for a comic book, and I'm curious to find out where the story goes. I imagine it will probably be better to wait until it's finished though. I hate reading comics issue by issue until they all come out to complete the story. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Patters Posted June 28, 2011 Ooo, I read the first four issues of this and should probably get back into it at some point. The universe was kind of thrilling for a comic book, and I'm curious to find out where the story goes. I imagine it will probably be better to wait until it's finished though. I hate reading comics issue by issue until they all come out to complete the story. Wait for the massive books, they are worth it over the comics, They are about 2 inches taller and wider than a traditional TPB, it makes so much difference. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ThunderPeel2001 Posted June 28, 2011 Swap you for Lost Girls? I'd say I'm definitely enjoying it as much as Bone, although it doesn't have that initial accessibility where he eases you into the story with cartoon antics. I would ordinarily say, "sure", but I have a slight reservation: I own a signed first edition... which is the three volume edition that isn't even in print anymore. I feel a bit scared a lending something so irreplaceable Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scrobbs Posted June 28, 2011 which is the three volume edition that isn't even in print anymore. I feel a bit scared a lending something so irreplaceable Is it not? Awesome Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sleepdance Posted June 29, 2011 There were around 1000 people there in a small bookstore. I'll post some pictures 'tomorrow'. 9gmAF0sbKT8 Not my video by the way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ben X Posted June 29, 2011 I would ordinarily say, "sure", but I have a slight reservation: I own a signed first edition... which is the three volume edition that isn't even in print anymore. I feel a bit scared a lending something so irreplaceable Bah, fair enough. You can have a borrow of Rasl anyway if you like. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
subbes Posted June 29, 2011 I just pre-ordered the latest League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Q looking forwards to seeing a psychedelic Mina. (Woah, the 3-vol is out of print? I should take better care of mine.) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pabosher Posted June 29, 2011 So, having finished Wodehouse's Right Ho, Jeeves, I can definitely see why he has such a fanbase. Although its humour wasn't always consistent (I assume it is more/less so in other texts, such is the nature of writing), I thought the peaks were astronomical, and even the troughs were reasonably amusing. The actual story itself was well-constructed, well thought-out, and its conclusion was amusing as a concept, so that was good. I am tempted to buy more of Wodehouse, should any of you have any recommendations? Having finished RH,J I felt in the mood for another easy-going comedy, and so started Hugh Laurie's The Gun Seller. Only a chapter in so far, but it definitely doesn't seem to be anything special. The premise seems interesting enough, and it is mildly amusing at times, but I fear that he's trying too hard to be something he's not. A great fan of Wodehouse, it seems like he attempts to insert similar writing styles, asides etc, and it doesn't quite read as well as it should. A shame, really. Still, I plan on finishing it, so here's hoping it gets better! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ben X Posted June 29, 2011 The Gun Seller gets a little better then a little worse, but if you're not really enjoying the first chapter that much, your enjoyment levels are unlikely to radically change. You got hardback or paper, and what is the cover design? Subbes, I'll swap you your LoG v3 for Thunder's Lost Girls set. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pabosher Posted June 29, 2011 The Gun Seller gets a little better then a little worse, but if you're not really enjoying the first chapter that much, your enjoyment levels are unlikely to radically change. You got hardback or paper, and what is the cover design? Paperback. It's not like I'm specifically disliking it. It's an ok read, but it's not setting me on fire yet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ben X Posted June 29, 2011 Cheers. I had the hardback with a photo of some guy being the lead character on the cover. Very distracting for the imagination, like those horrible Harry Potter cover illos. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pabosher Posted June 29, 2011 Because I think I'll get through TGS pretty quickly, I've also decided to take For Whom The Bell Tolls while on my European travels. Hoping it lives up to its hype! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
subbes Posted June 29, 2011 There's some Wodehouse on Gutenberg, if you're cheap. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pabosher Posted June 29, 2011 There's some Wodehouse on Gutenberg, if you're cheap. I am cheap, I am! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ThunderPeel2001 Posted June 29, 2011 Bah, fair enough. You can have a borrow of Rasl anyway if you like. Sorry If I hadn't had it signed... Probably not what you want to hear, but: I have a feeling you really won't like it, as there isn't much of a story. It really is just a very deliberate attempt at doing "good" porn. Literally. Like you're supposed to read it when you're feeling horny. When I say "good" porn, I mean something that could titillate a woman, too. I enjoyed it, but I'm one of the few people I know who did. Everyone else I know was expecting a typical Alan Moore head trip/intellectual stimulation. Of course you should read it at some point, though. In better news, I really do have a pretty nifty collection of other stuff, which you're welcome to borrow. Lots of Alan Moore. I would love to read Rasl. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thyroid Posted July 1, 2011 I'm trying to read A Storm of Swords but my brother keeps playing atmosphere-destroying anime music and now I'm grumpy, sleepy and posting about it on Idle Thumbs. Just to make this post less pointless, umm...Peter Straub is an underrated novelist; his lost boy lost girl is a great horror quick read. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thyroid Posted July 5, 2011 Amazon is buying the Book Depository. Ugh. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gwardinen Posted July 6, 2011 Does anyone have any comics/graphic novels to recommend right now? I just finished reading a bunch of Warren Ellis stuff (Doktor Sleepless being the main one that I loved) and I'm kind of jonesing for more comics that have actual characterisation and interesting concepts. I'm not necessarily averse to reading a good storyline in an established brand like Superman or X-Men, but it does worry me that I won't fully understand it because I'll be jumping in at a random point in a huge series. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Patters Posted July 6, 2011 Does anyone have any comics/graphic novels to recommend right now? I just finished reading a bunch of Warren Ellis stuff (Doktor Sleepless being the main one that I loved) and I'm kind of jonesing for more comics that have actual characterisation and interesting concepts.I'm not necessarily averse to reading a good storyline in an established brand like Superman or X-Men, but it does worry me that I won't fully understand it because I'll be jumping in at a random point in a huge series. Short stuff: All Star Superman, A great 12 issue set which leads up to Superman's death. Kingdom Come, Story of the long future in the DC universe, showing a conflict between traditional heroes and newer vigilantes. Pride of Baghdad, a story of the 4 lions which escaped Baghdad zoo when it was bombed in 2003(?). It's short but really very good. Phonogram, a charming series written by Kieron Gillen, which is about indie music and people and stuff. Longer stuff: Geoff John's Green Lantern arc, Johns is a great writer, and has lead to the best continuing series I've bothered with. It's essentially a tale of redemption for Hal Jordan, at least at the start. If you want to try this I have a reading list I can send you. Daredevil Ultimate Collection, aka man without fear, I haven't read much of this yet, but from the guy who ran the my old local shop has been described as one of the best things to come out of Marvel for a long time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scrobbs Posted July 7, 2011 Does anyone have any comics/graphic novels to recommend right now? I just finished reading a bunch of Warren Ellis stuff (Doktor Sleepless being the main one that I loved) and I'm kind of jonesing for more comics that have actual characterisation and interesting concepts.I'm not necessarily averse to reading a good storyline in an established brand like Superman or X-Men, but it does worry me that I won't fully understand it because I'll be jumping in at a random point in a huge series. I'm enjoying Transmetropolitan right now (even though it's more Warren Ellis Stuff). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites