What 📔book are you reading right now?

[e.Blackstar]

Just finished Orwell's 1984 for the second time, and am now plugging through The Rainmaker by John Grisham for my English class.

 

[Wolfshead]

Recently started reading Glory in the Name by James Nelson. It's set in the Confederate Navy in the American Civil War. My mum recommended them to me, knowing how much I like historical fiction, and given I'm studying that period just now anyway.

I'm also reading bits and pieces of various non-fiction books, generally about the Civil War too, particulary America: A Narrative History by George Brown Tindall. American history is fascinating me just now - seem to be doing a lot of reading about it and studying it at uni

I had the newest Wheel of Time out of the library as well, but by the time I'd finished Bernard Cornwell's Copperhead (another Civil War novel...) and done vast amounts of essay-writing (not about the Civil War ) the month was up and I couldn't renew it because someone else had requested it

 

[Elbereth]

I'm reading Ernest Hemmingway's famous novel "East of Eden"

and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. It is definately a page turner.

 

[gilgalad]

Paradise Lost by Milton.

 

[Morohtar]

Plato's Republic. Don't ask me why, I don't know. All in all, an interesting read though.

Im also reading through a book on the Mongol influence on the world during their Pax Mongolica. Quite amazing the impact that a small group of clans from the Steppes had on China, Europe, and the Middle East.

 

[Rhiannon]

I re-read Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede (favorite book from my childhood) and Howl's Moving Caslte by Diana Wynne Jones over spring break. I love those books--they're still extremely fun and entertaining, especially Howl.

I read Frank Miller's 300, about the 300 Spartans who fought a doomed battle with the Persians. It's an incredible volume, thoroughly researched, and perfectly suited to Millers art and writing styles.

I'm reading all of the volumes of Rurouni Kenshin that I missed--19-24.

I read the Serenity comic book miniseries. The writing is good, though it doesn't quite have the zing of the dialogue of the show without the delivery, and the art is 'pretty', but very very static. I guess I've gotten used to very dynamic comic book art--Frank Miller and Watsuki are both very dynamic artists, with a great sense of movement and design on their page. Their page layouts are incredible storytelling tools. The Serenity comic book (written by Joss Whedon and someone else--I can't say who or who did the art, because I gave it back to my brother already and while I'm not to lazy to tell you why I can't tell you, I am too lazy to look it up) has art that's technically good, in a technically good page layout, but it's just flat. It doesn't move at all. Not a lot of visual interest there. The coloring was pretty, though.

I'm still sort of re-reading Running with the Demon.

 

[Wolfshead]

Still reading Glory In The Name by James Nelson, but also reading At The Gate of Richmond by Stephen W. Spears. It's a non-fiction about the Peninsula Campaign of 1862 in the American Civil War. Very interesting.

 

[DGoeij]

I just finished Watership Down by Richard Adams, of which I found a pocket edition just by coincidence. I was actually looking for a present for my girlfriend when I stumbled upon it.

I've been looking for one ever since I found the sequel Tales From Watership Down about a year ago. I had never read it, but had seen the movie a few times and I really liked the story.

The Tales are pretty fun too, it's a collection of short stories, about El-ahrairrah and Rabscuttle and others about events which took place after Watership Down with Hazel and his friends.

 

[e.Blackstar]

Re-re-re-re-re-re-re-reading A Game of Thrones.

 

[Rhiannon]

The movie version of Watership Down gave me nightmares when I was litle, and I refused to read the book for a long time because of it.

 

[Barliman Butterbur]

Just finished reading HPs5 & 6. I must say upon re-reading 6 that I find the whole concept of the Horcruxes — splitting one's soul into seven parts and hiding 6 of the 7 parts in enchanted objects so as to ensure immortality — as one of the most original concepts I have ever read. Has anyone ever come across anything like that elsewhere?

Barley

 

[Rhiannon]

It seems like a familiar concept to me, but I can't think of a specific source. Hmmm...

 

[Lorien]

A short history of nearly everything- Bill Bryson (Its great, I recommend it for everyone).

Bad guys souls coming back after killing them (yes, I mean I don't have specific references but I'm pretty sure I've read it somewhere); the Horcrux angle is new though...I had this real shady idea, since Voldie AK'ed Harry and his spell rebounded and all, and his powers (some of them) transferred to Harry, does anyone feel Harry might be a Horcrux (like Nagini might be one?)...

 

[Ithrynluin]

Bryson's Short History is indeed an excellent read. I second Lorien's recommendation.

I have just started reading Bored of the Rings. Pretty hilarious. Next up: The Soddit and The Sellamillion by A. R. R. R. Roberts.

 

[Lorien]

Just finished A short History...it was the bestest...

How about Expecting Someone Taller- Tom Holt

 

[e.Blackstar]

Evil in Modern Thought: An Alternative History of Philosophy by Susan Naiman

 

[Lorien]

The Time Traveler's Wife- Audrey Niffenegger (AMAZING BOOK!!)
Who's Afraid of Beowulf?- Tom Holt

 

[Mike]

Who's Afraid of Beowulf?

I am. Wouldn't you be?

Currently, I am reading "Swords in the Mist" by Fritz Lieber. Every once in a while you need a break...

 

[Rhiannon]

I've been hiding from my horrible horrible academic life by re-reading Neil Gaiman's American Gods. I'd forgotten how incredibly brilliant it is. I also just finished watching the Neverwhere miniseries, and now I want to re-read the book again. I'm still re-reading Running with the Demon by Terry Brooks (I will never understand why his fantasy sucks so very much while his urban fantasy is pretty good). I'm about to be reading a lot of papers on Nathaniel Hawthorne for a paper.

Just finished reading HPs5 & 6. I must say upon re-reading 6 that I find the whole concept of the Horcruxes — splitting one's soul into seven parts and hiding 6 of the 7 parts in enchanted objects so as to ensure immortality — as one of the most original concepts I have ever read. Has anyone ever come across anything like that elsewhere?

Barley

Ah-ha, I found a specific example--the Marquis in Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere (first a BBC miniseries, then a remarkable novel, now adapted into a mediocre comicbook) hides his life (or one of them). Splitting up a soul I don't know if I've heard, but hiding bits or all of it isn't new. I'm sure there are plenty of fairy tales on the subject--for some reason I associate it with Baba Yaga.

 

[Starbrow]

Crown of Stars by Kate Elliot. The 7th and last book in the series. Finally!