*~Can't Stop Reading~* discussion

I warn you though that this will have a lot of books on it...

Recently finished:
The Invention of Hugo Cabret
The Spook's Nightmare
The Spook's Destiny. by Joseph Delaney
I Am Grimalkin
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Fahrenheit 451
Tarzan of the Apes
Silas Marner
Ready Player One
The Monstrumologist
1984
Watchmen
The Handmaid's Tale
The Scorch Trials
Neuromancer
The Stone Key
Theft of Swords
The Sending
Factotum
The Indigo King

I too want to read 1984, Fahrenheit 451, A Game of thrones (it's a tv series isn't it), Tarzan, Dune, The Handmaid's Tale and Silas Marner.
They all look great...you have a holistic taste in books.

I try and vary the books I read to give myself a chance at exploring different views, opinions, ideas and styles. But I generally fall back on the classics, YA series and sci-fi/fantasy novels.

I too tend to fall back on the classics, YA and also romance. I think despite reading all kinds of books, you can't help having your favourites and sometimes I just want an easy read like YA and other times I want something more (classics).

My personal favourites I think are more inspired by what I read as a six to ten year old child. I read a fair amount of fairytales, children's classics and other interesting children's books. So now as an adult I tend to fall back to those novel forms I loved years ago.

I agree, what we do in childhood often shapes our adult likes/dislikes and personality.

I am gutted that I missed out on all those year of reading in childhood.

And that is one reason I want to teach secondary students - to help awaken any possible love of reading before it is completely removed.

I've been a huge fan of reading since grade school, but I struggle with getting all of my kids to read. My 9 year old is a HUGE fan of reading, and is currently reading Hunger Games (now that I've pre-screened it myself for him.) My 17 year old doesn't read much, but I occasionally pick up books that I think he might enjoy just to see, and I'm getting pretty good at it. I put Divergent in his Easter basket, and he seems to be enjoying it. My 20 year old, however, has no interest at all.

My mum home-schooled my three siblings and me and tried to provide us with a love of reading and writing. Out of us though only myself and my younger sister really like books. Although she doesn't admit she likes to read. The interesting thing however is that while my two younger brothers may not like reading fiction so much they still appreciate films and powerful stories. So on the whole we have a family of story lovers.

My family are like that, they love films but not books. I tell them when they say things like 'Harry Potter is an amazing film' that the book is tons better, but they just give me funny looks.

Sunny wrote: "I've been a huge fan of reading since grade school, but I struggle with getting all of my kids to read. My 9 year old is a HUGE fan of reading, and is currently reading Hunger Games (now that I've..."

3 sons! What a handful.

Do you often find you have to screen books for your youngest? Do you enjoy reading these??

Nicolle wrote: "Sunny wrote: "I've been a huge fan of reading since grade school, but I struggle with getting all of my kids to read. My 9 year old is a HUGE fan of reading, and is currently reading Hunger Games ..."

Only for the last year or so. He will be 10 years old this month, but is reading at the level of a 15 year old. Unfortunately, although he can comprehend the words that he is reading, sometimes the context is over his maturity level OR I just think it's plain inappropriate (read sex and drugs, etc.) So, when he finds a book in the young adult section, I find myself reading it first just to make sure it's OK. Hunger Games has kissing (which he finds "gross") but the arrows through the neck stuff - "totally makes up for it." This is where I roll my eyes. It's not all bad - I actually enjoy most of the YA books he reads. :)

Haha, typical 10 year old boy.

That sounds a lot like me at his age. I've always had the reading comprehension of someone five years older although not always the proper context back then.

We have to do compulsory state tests at our schools for reading comprehension, mathematics and writing ability. The mathematics I always failed at but when it came to the writing and reading I was literally off the scale system they had. Mind you it wasn't really that hard the comprehension they set us up with. I was surprised that they considered it year 9 standard.

Updated

Finished Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and Fahrenheit 451 just recently.

Just finished Tarzan.

Finished Ready Player One and Silas Marner

Finished The Monstrumologist

Finished 1984

Finished Watchmen

Finished The Handmaid's Tale

Finished The Scorch Trials

Finished Neuromancer. Did not like it.

But I'm reading some books that I'm really liking currently which make up for the disappointing sour taste of neuromancer

Theft of Swords was really great. I'm glad I read it.

Finished The Indigo King which was the last book on that list to read in the near future. I also finished Blood Meridian which I did not care for.

Currently reading Warbreaker, Stardust, Conditioned Response and Persuasion.

Wow Jonathan good going there. I loved (from your list) Fahrenheit 451 and Handmaids Tale also didnt take to Neuromancer.

I found The Handmaid's Tale okay - wasn't my type of dystopian. Loved the idea and the info at the end but the middle was just okay to me and I kind of lost track of what her major point was.

Finished Stardust it was quite good I thought. Quite a clever modern fairytale.

Is that the one made into a film? I liked the handmaidS tale as I read it years ago during my feminist faze!

Ah yeah that makes sense - while I'm completely for women's rights the feminist movement is something I cannot fully relate to. The idea of the book was therefore interesting and the thought of a society ever like that was rather sickening but not completely relate-able for me.

And yes Stardust is the Gaiman book that was turned into a film. Not that I've seen the film. Right now though I'm so tempted by the university library to next year read loads of the old classic books that are hard to find elsewhere but easy here...

I am not a feminist tho I am an equalist! Haha. I saw the film which was Ok but nothing special maybe I will try the book. Are you at uni now?

I totally agree on that. I'm for all people having the same rights if possible. I mean obviously full equality in some things is naturally not possible due to biological inequality but I think we should make things as equal as we can.

Well I was before when I was writing those eight hours ago. Now I'm at home and it's getting dark. And I'm on holidays :D

Enjoy your hols ands don't worry about any biological inequalities. Maybe men will be able to give birth in centuries to come.......

Well that would be creepy so I think that biological inequality can stay as it wants.

Chuckle you are so right

Finished pride and prejudice last, currently reading a selection of books so I can have them back at the library on time. I'll post when I've finished them.

I had to do Pride and Prejudice at school decades ago and I hated it then. Now I love it.

Sorry whoops meant persuasion. I had Pride and Prejudice on the brain from another discussion. Pride and Prejudice is a good book when you can detach all the educational side of things.

Finished The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time and The Fault in Our Stars. Both enjoyable YA target audience novels.

Finished The Lies of Locke Lamora and Insurgent

Jonathan wrote: "Finished The Lies of Locke Lamora and Insurgent"

What did you think to Locke Lamora then?

Three and a half stars. First half was slower and the second half a lot faster. I had a few things I don't like in most novels but on the whole it was quite entertaining if not completely enthralling.

I saw you comment about the morality of it and I admit that it is based on the premise that a bad man can be a good man. I did find it fun though if you just ignore that side of it and I think the series will grow.

It was interesting yes but I'm someone who's a bit more of an idealist. I do see that there are nuances but I like to also look at the black and white more than some people do...I did like the characterisation and writing but the whole thing of stealing for selfish reasons made the first half mediocre. Then the second half was strong because Locke became a heroic figure - well apart from cutting fingers off and a tongue out.

If you havent read the next book do try it. It may help to back my theory that the series and characters expand.

I plan to try it in the future but I think I need a slight break from Locke and Jean right now.

Finished Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch. It was okay but not great... Also re-read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for uni and I had this rush of childhood memories.

Jonathan-Did you like Silas Marner? That was one we were forced to read in school that almost no one enjoyed.