Natty Knights discussion

Hey, since this is more of a slow group and some of us read faster than others, I created this thread to recommend short (like 100 pages) novels that can be read quickly. They don't have to be fit related, just good books, and why you liked them. Lets try with one post per message.

The Pigeon by Patrick Süskind

A short novel which in which we follow a bank guard through one of the worst days of his life. The guard is used to his routine and adores his day to day life without any surprises, he doesn't like to talk to people, doesn't like to draw attention, is awkward in social situations (kinda like the most aspie /fitizens actually!). One day, a pigeon changes his life... I Won't give you anymore details though, you'll have to read.

The old man and the sea by Ernest Hemingway.

A classic that tells the story of an old man who spends a few days at sea trying to fight and finally fish a great marlin. A story about success and failure, and facing adversity with resilience. A definite must read because Hemingway.

Things: a story of the sixties by Georges Perec
(Note: I'm still reading it as I'm writing this)

The sad truth about materialism and the middle class. The story follows the two main characters, the things they want (to reflect a perceived social status they believe they belong to), and the things they have (closer to their actual social status and income). The story basically tells the plight of the lower bourgeoisie who lack the ability to buy things that always cost a bit more than their means, which in the end will never bring them happiness.

If you believe you suffer from materialism, then this book could be your cure.

The old man and the sea is one of my favourite books ever :) Thanks for the other recommendations.

My recommendation for a short book is going to be The Stranger from Albert Camus, really really liked it. Can't really give a summary about the book without giving spoilers, but it's a good read.

Excellent suggestions so far!
My picks: Sunset Limited by Cormac McCarthy, The Legend of the Holy Drinker by Joseph Roth and Homo Faber by Max Frisch. The books are not long, writing a summary here would probably take longer than reading them.

Just finished reading 1984, pretty good, just started Friends Like These - Danny Wallace, although I'm not so sure I'll actually get into it, looking for some sci-fi or something.

I think most people just lost interest or have very different reading speeds. Which is a shame really, there were some good discussions and nice suggestions.

I think most lost interest too, ah well, I'm reading almost every night since that first thread so th-thanks fit.

Fuark, I'm still reading. It's just that I have too much to read and none of them are short.

Yup same and mirin your choice of books guys. I guess th-thanks /fit/

Hi guys!
Maybe we should just give up on group readings, and simply read what we want then comment here?
Personally I have been doing a lot of reading, just not lit related... University texts are usually dense and don't make want to read more for pleasure...

Also, this thread has been going off topic, so start posting short books you've read, along with a small description.

I recently read Brave New World by Aldous Huxley and wow, what a chore.

I didn't like any of the characters, the setting was pointless, nothing happened and I wasted a couple weeks of my night time reading.

Currently on Friends Like These by Danny Wallace. Not too bad so far. I normally stick to Fiction but this book is actually pretty good so far.

Skippy wrote: "I recently read Brave New World by Aldous Huxley and wow, what a chore.

I didn't like any of the characters, the setting was pointless, nothing happened and I wasted a couple weeks of my night tim..."

Wut?
Maybe you read it expecting an adventure or pure fiction? It should rather be seen (or read) as a critic on society, keep also in mind that it was written in 1931 and that it is still quite an actual subject.

Kwyjibo wrote: "Hi guys!
Maybe we should just give up on group readings, and simply read what we want then comment here?"
I think this is the best idea so far.
If anyone reads a book they want to discuss, feel free to open a thread about it - I think it's best if we keep such threads in the Book Discussions folder, but if you think the book is too short, you can post here.

Maybe you read it expecting an adventure or pure fiction?

Definitely did, not in to all the airy fairy let me tell you what I think books. I need action to keep me reading and there was 0 in Brave New World. Ubik, Old Man's War and 1984 were awesome so I guess I was expecting similar. Just wasn't the right book for me personally.

Also, I encourage all of you to read Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad (the last book the group choose).

It's only about 100 pages and I thought it was very well written and interesting- especially if you like colonial history, as it gives a day-to-day perspective on that era .

Just finished Friends Like These by Danny Wallace.

Pretty entertaining read. Didn't know if I'd find that sort of book enjoyable but I did. I did find a lot of what he was saying relatable so maybe that helped.

Not sure what to read atm, probably Metro 2033 for now.

Just want to say thanks guys for getting me into reading. 30 mins every night calms me down, chills me out. Thanks!

Finished Metro 2033.
As you may have figured out I can't write useful reviews so I'll just say I enjoyed it thoroughly, though there were a couple of small bits that dragged but the vast majority was entertaining and at some parts they were too exciting to put down meaning I missed some sleep and lost gains.

Read Ghost Brigades.
Sequel to Old Man's War that we all read.
Liked it. Wasn't quite as good as original but very close.
Story is pretty different in a good way. I think John Perry (main char in OMW) is mentioned briefly twice.
Instead of being about an adventure like OMW, it's about the main char, Jared Dirac, being created and developing. Shit review is shit.

Wow, activity!
Tried reading Neuromancer, but I can't 'cause it's too hard for me lol.
Going to be finishing off Hitchhiker's Guide series, we all know how good it is.