Restricted Section: Term XXVI - Read, Reading, To Read

[sanalith.livejournal.com]

Activity: Read, Reading, To Read
Points: 10 points for your initial comment, 2 points for every substantial response, max 30 points
Deadline: August 30 @ 11:59PM UTC (Timezone Converter)

Details: Since this will be my only activity of Term XXVI, I wanted to both do something relatively simple AND take the opportunity to get to know you guy, so we're going to have a discussion post about our recent reading habits. For your initial comment, write at least 150 words talking about books you've recently read, are currently reading, and/or what you plan to read next. You can talk about any aspect of the books you wish, but some ideas would be why you selected the books, what you liked/didn't like about them, whether you'd recommend them to others, etc. For your responses, you'll need to write at least 50 words. Make sure you're saying something more than, "I read that book and liked/hated it!" Try to open a dialogue about what was good or bad, or even why you chose NOT to read it. Anything goes, as long as there's substance to it.

If you have any questions, direct them to the appropriate thread. As always, don't forget to sign each comment with your name/house or a sigtag.

Also, do remember that I wiped the roster clean, so if you have bonus items, make sure you register them HERE as soon as possible to earn your extra points. I won't be giving grace periods, so please double-check that you're good to go!

Comments

[wasureneba.livejournal.com]

Things that I've read recently: Most of this summer has been very lazy on the book-book front---I've read so damn much fanfiction that it's kind of shameful-hilarious. (And I enjoyed all that fanfiction, but still.) August, at least, represented a Return to Books. I've read Silver by Rhiannon Held, which is some werewolf fiction that I would definitely recommend. It's missing a lot of the tropes about werewolf fiction that make me very uncomfortable, it's got a really fun take on modern packs and pack hierarchy, and I loved the way the book dealt with religion; it was really fun. The writing's not the best---this is a quick romp of a book, not something deep, that makes you want to really delve into the prose---but still, it's fun.

There's also E.B. Hudspeth's The Resurrectionist, which has a meh story but OH MY GOD THE ILLUSTRATIONS YOU GUYS. The illustrations are freaking fantastic. Read it for the illustrations, you won't go wrong.

I've also read some Emily Dickinson, mostly for sentimental reasons, as I've got a volume that used to belong to my great aunt; I actually don't like Dickinson that much. (I know, for shame.) The last of the August books was an academic book on runes, which was half for fun and half for research for Ancient Runes, lols. It was a genuinely enjoyable read.

Currently reading is A.S. Byatt's Ragnarok. I'm a few chapters in and totally digging it. I have a love-hate relationship with her work (loved The Djinn in the Nightingale's Eye, it was just plain gorgeous, but couldn't even finish Possession).

Planning to read is, oh god, anything off the veeeeery long list of books that I own and haven't read yet. It's a shameful list, really. :(

Anieclaw

[lukecanwaltz88.livejournal.com]

One of the books I've read recently is Bossypants by Tina Fey. I love the books that have come out by women in comedy lately. They give such a great picture of what it's like to be a part of a cast like SNL. It's also really fascinating to see where their creative outlets led them. For example, Tina Fey worked in the theatre, then she did improv comedy... it's so awesome. Mindy Kaling's Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? And Other Concerns is also awesome. It gives more of an insight on the writing process than Tina's book, but is equally fascinating. I loved reading about Mindy's cultural upbringing and how that influenced her. I also loved reading about how some of her interests have leaked into characters she's played or created. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is a fan of one of them. has an interest in feminists/awesome ladies, or even just really like television.

Basically, any books with information about TV behind the scenes, especially women in comedy? Totally up for it.

Jessica//Hufflepuff//183 words

[flipflop-diva.livejournal.com]

Well, I’ll start off saying that as I’ve gotten older, I’ve become a really slow reader. I used to read really fast and breeze through books, but now it takes me a really long time to finish anything. So people who can read 50+ books in a month? I can’t even. If I finish one, I consider that a success. But anyway, that is totally not the point of this.

Currently reading: I just started Game of Thrones, and am about 100 pages in. I’ve watched the show, and I love love love it, but I was afraid to start the books, mostly because I’ve heard they can be hard to get through (and I hated The Hobbit and that style of writing, so I was worried this would be similar). But so far, I am really enjoying it. I think it helps that I’ve watched the show so I already know and understand who these characters are, and now I am seeing a different, newer side to them. And so far, the writing is not so dense as to slow down the plot, although I’ve heard that comes later!

Recently and future readings: Before Game of Thrones, I read the entire Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olympus series (although when I started Percy Jackson, I totally didn’t realize the Heroes of Olympus was a sequel series. I thought it was all new characters). I started it based on a friend’s recommendation and also because the premise reminded me a little of HP. But the more I read, the more I fell in love with the series, and I think I like it more after each book. I’m excited for October when House of Hades comes out so I can read that.