Finished this at work on Friday and thoroughly
enjoyed it. The interlude to all of this part of Roland's past during Wizard and Glass
was well loved (by me at least--I can't speak for other King fans). But,
I loved seeing it in another medium. It
actually seems to fit the tale better than the novel. I've only ever read
one other graphic novel, Frank Miller's 300. And I have the ability in
the near(ish) future to borrow Sin City from a friend, which I plan on doing. It isn't
really a medium I ever cared to read, and in fact I read 300 for an upper level
Classical Literature (in Interpretation) class.
So, now to hunt down the next one on Amazon!!
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Book Haul (6)
Since I'm suddenly a bit more flush in the pocket book, I did some book shopping during the previous week. I'm actually doing all sorts of shopping--apartments, clothes, video games and other electronics. But, first and foremost, BOOK HAUL!
So exciting, I went back to my brother's to pick up a few things, and I stopped by Hasting's. Oh boy. I also went to Half Price Books in Plano yesterday. So... I'm swimming in books.
The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien - Mind you, I've read this a couple times now. But, I haven't actually owned it in awhile. I think I lent a copy to someone many years ago and never got it back.
This Side of Paradise, F. Scott Fitzgerald - I somehow ended up with several quotes in my notebook, yet have never read anything but the Great Gatsby (and sadly, don't remember much of it). So, I'm excited about this one.
When We Were Orphans, Kazuo Ishiguro - I loved the Remains of the Day. Never Let Me Go was good, also. I love Ishiguro's writing--nothing is ever quite resolved in his novels. And, I am a girl who likes her happy endings. But, there is also the fact that his characters accept who they are, what's happened to them in the past. They move past whatever had hurt them, and that appeals to me.
Muriel Spark, Aiding and Abetting - Okay... The theme for today must be British... But, they have the best literature. So, don't blame me. Blame the University of Texas system for allowing me to take so many Brit Lit classes. Anyway, I read The Girls of Slender Means back in college. I fell in love with the book and have reread it once since then. I'm unclear as to why I loved it so much (as I was not overly keen on the particular class in which the book was required reading). I did, however love the poetry sprinkled throughout its pages. And it was around that time that I was developing a love for poetry. I'm looking forward to picking it up again.
Choke, Chuck Palahniuk - I repeatedly rave about Palahniuk, and Invisible Monsters. And Fight Club. I adore both books. I tried Rant, didn't like it. I've also read Lullaby and Diary and liked them. I've always wanted to read this one, plus there is a movie. So excited!
The Satanic Verses, Salman Rushdie - It's on the 1001 books to read before you die list. The premise is fascinating... Plus, controversial book? Yes, please.
The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born, Stephen King - So, I'm not sure if I am surprised at this selection or not. I'm not surprised at the Dark Tower/Stephen King aspect. But, the graphic novel part of it, that surprises me. I think I am finally succumbing to the truly nerd side. I mean, I do already like the Marvel movies... They're pretty awesome. And the book is always better. So, I guess it stands to reason that I am going to eventually gravitate towards comic books. I am searching for a couple that I'll only find online.
In other nerdiness, I played Star Wars: Force Unleashed and Little Big World last night. Must. Buy. Playstation 3. GAH! Damn those nerdy podcasts.
So exciting, I went back to my brother's to pick up a few things, and I stopped by Hasting's. Oh boy. I also went to Half Price Books in Plano yesterday. So... I'm swimming in books.
The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien - Mind you, I've read this a couple times now. But, I haven't actually owned it in awhile. I think I lent a copy to someone many years ago and never got it back.
This Side of Paradise, F. Scott Fitzgerald - I somehow ended up with several quotes in my notebook, yet have never read anything but the Great Gatsby (and sadly, don't remember much of it). So, I'm excited about this one.
When We Were Orphans, Kazuo Ishiguro - I loved the Remains of the Day. Never Let Me Go was good, also. I love Ishiguro's writing--nothing is ever quite resolved in his novels. And, I am a girl who likes her happy endings. But, there is also the fact that his characters accept who they are, what's happened to them in the past. They move past whatever had hurt them, and that appeals to me.
Muriel Spark, Aiding and Abetting - Okay... The theme for today must be British... But, they have the best literature. So, don't blame me. Blame the University of Texas system for allowing me to take so many Brit Lit classes. Anyway, I read The Girls of Slender Means back in college. I fell in love with the book and have reread it once since then. I'm unclear as to why I loved it so much (as I was not overly keen on the particular class in which the book was required reading). I did, however love the poetry sprinkled throughout its pages. And it was around that time that I was developing a love for poetry. I'm looking forward to picking it up again.
Choke, Chuck Palahniuk - I repeatedly rave about Palahniuk, and Invisible Monsters. And Fight Club. I adore both books. I tried Rant, didn't like it. I've also read Lullaby and Diary and liked them. I've always wanted to read this one, plus there is a movie. So excited!
The Satanic Verses, Salman Rushdie - It's on the 1001 books to read before you die list. The premise is fascinating... Plus, controversial book? Yes, please.
The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born, Stephen King - So, I'm not sure if I am surprised at this selection or not. I'm not surprised at the Dark Tower/Stephen King aspect. But, the graphic novel part of it, that surprises me. I think I am finally succumbing to the truly nerd side. I mean, I do already like the Marvel movies... They're pretty awesome. And the book is always better. So, I guess it stands to reason that I am going to eventually gravitate towards comic books. I am searching for a couple that I'll only find online.
In other nerdiness, I played Star Wars: Force Unleashed and Little Big World last night. Must. Buy. Playstation 3. GAH! Damn those nerdy podcasts.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Ender's Shadow, Orson Scott Card (spoilers)
There should be a party or something. This book took too long to finish. I didn't dislike it... I just happened to not enjoy it. I don't think I ever realized there could be a difference between absolutely disliking a book and not enjoying one. I have vehemently stated that I do not read books out of order. That's just ridiculous to do so. So, I was mildly irritated when the person who gave me Ender's Game recommended reading Ender's Shadow next. Ender's Shadow is really just Ender's Game retold. There are a few extra details and it clarified some situations that happened in Ender's Game, which is always nice.
Honestly, I did like Ender's Game. I also enjoyed reading it. Shadow, on the other hand... I like it, but did not enjoy it. The beginning and end were the best parts. Once Bean hit Battle School, I felt like I was just muddling through the book. Don't get me wrong, everything was written clearly. It's almost as if Card got off tempo in the middle of the book and didn't pick up the rhythm again until after the students that composed Ender's command had left Battle School. I wouldn't think that the difference in time between publishing dates would really make much difference, but I wonder if it does?
So, the parts I did like... The beginning was fantastic, actually. I do like the Bean character, quite a bit. Granted, his intelligence did not make much sense at the beginning of the book. It seemed a bit ludicrous until the explanation about Anton's Key. But, I don't fully appreciate the manipulation of Bean's genetics to unlock his intelligence and dexterity. Just feels a bit like deus ex machina to me... I know it isn't, but it has that same feeling of lameness. Felt sloppy in comparison to Ender's Game, where the fiction was believable. Ender's intellect is believable. I mean, science can be pretty incredible, I know. But, I still want it to be believable. I don't want to feel the urge to argue with the book, or feel like it is a tad ridiculous. No matter how advanced Bean's intelligence is, I still have trouble looking at him as a seven year old boy. I had trouble at the beginning of the book when he is age four.
Ender's Shadow was published in 1999. I really love the political and social implications within the end of the book. They feel so accurate, so reflective of so much of what is wrong with our world. Some quotes:
We are, when the cause is sufficient, insane.
And yet, we who command them, we children in these elaborate game machines, have no idea of their courage, their sacrifice. We cannot give them the honor they deserve, because we don't even know they exist.
Honestly, I did like Ender's Game. I also enjoyed reading it. Shadow, on the other hand... I like it, but did not enjoy it. The beginning and end were the best parts. Once Bean hit Battle School, I felt like I was just muddling through the book. Don't get me wrong, everything was written clearly. It's almost as if Card got off tempo in the middle of the book and didn't pick up the rhythm again until after the students that composed Ender's command had left Battle School. I wouldn't think that the difference in time between publishing dates would really make much difference, but I wonder if it does?
So, the parts I did like... The beginning was fantastic, actually. I do like the Bean character, quite a bit. Granted, his intelligence did not make much sense at the beginning of the book. It seemed a bit ludicrous until the explanation about Anton's Key. But, I don't fully appreciate the manipulation of Bean's genetics to unlock his intelligence and dexterity. Just feels a bit like deus ex machina to me... I know it isn't, but it has that same feeling of lameness. Felt sloppy in comparison to Ender's Game, where the fiction was believable. Ender's intellect is believable. I mean, science can be pretty incredible, I know. But, I still want it to be believable. I don't want to feel the urge to argue with the book, or feel like it is a tad ridiculous. No matter how advanced Bean's intelligence is, I still have trouble looking at him as a seven year old boy. I had trouble at the beginning of the book when he is age four.
Ender's Shadow was published in 1999. I really love the political and social implications within the end of the book. They feel so accurate, so reflective of so much of what is wrong with our world. Some quotes:
We are, when the cause is sufficient, insane.
And yet, we who command them, we children in these elaborate game machines, have no idea of their courage, their sacrifice. We cannot give them the honor they deserve, because we don't even know they exist.
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Quotes (1)
There
are few people whom I really love, and still fewer of whom I think well. The
more I see of the world, the more am I dissatisfied with it; and every day
confirms my belief of the inconsistency of all human characters, and of the
little dependence that can be placed on the appearance of merit or sense.
-Jane Austen
My good opinion once lost is lost forever. -Jane Austen
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