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

[queer-theory.livejournal.com]

I used to read 50+ books a year, but within the last three years, I haven't managed to get anywhere near that, so at this point, I'm just trying to find books that interest me enough to keep me reading. I've fallen into some kind of funk - where once I start reading a book, I generally get into it and I can finish it, but it's so hard for me to take that first step to just start reading. I hate this, because the joy I used to have for reading feels gone.

That said, I have actually been reading some things lately. I read a lot of non-fiction and topics are really varied there. The fiction I read skews toward dystopian. I've loved dystopian books since I was a kid. Some sci-fi, some fantasy, some historical fiction... Some of my all-time favorite books are Making History by Stephen Fry, Doomsday Book by Connie Willis, Radio On by Sarah Vowell, Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris, and Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. The last few books I've read:

ASOIAF - I'm reading Game of Thrones right now, so I'm not very far along. I'm really enjoying it so far and I fully intend to read everything. I've never seen the series, and I don't know that I want to watch it until I've read further. I think I'd at least like to get past where the show currently is, which I know because I've been spoiled like mad for all of this.

The Invention of Murder: How The Victorians Reveled in Death and Detection and Created Modern Crime by Judith Flanders - This book is both interesting and difficult to read for more than a few pages at the time, which is why I'm still reading it, even though I've been reading it for over a month now. I'm fascinated by the way the Victorians turned crime into an industry of entertainment, but the book is a little slow.

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman - I LOVED this book. I felt like it captured childhood incredibly well, within the context of mysterious and magical things, of course.

[erzsebet.livejournal.com]

I've fallen into some kind of funk - where once I start reading a book, I generally get into it and I can finish it, but it's so hard for me to take that first step to just start reading.

I KNOW THAT FEEL. It sucks. I feel like I was in a funk from after Deathly Hallows until recently, dragging my feet to pick up books only when multiple people began raving about them. Hopefully your will pass sooner than mine did. ♥

The Invention of Murder sounds interesting. I read a few books recently about specific crimes committed during that period and people really did seem to obsess over things like that to a point I wouldn't have thought possible without CNN, lol.

Liz | Gryffindor

[jamie-love13.livejournal.com]

I've been wanting to read ASOIAF for so long, but all of the books are on major hold and it's frustrating. So far, since I don't mind being completely spoiled, what do you like and dislike about the books? I watched the first season a long time ago but don't remember much. I know you said you didn't watch it, but how do you think it coincides with the book/show etc?

JAmie/gryff/22

[meredith44]

I still mean to read Doomsday Book. Because of mafia reasons. (Thanks for the reminder. I've added it to my Goodreads queue.) Even if I didn't like Kivrin from what I'd seen, the book sounds right up my alley. What with the speculative fiction kick I've been on recently.

Meredith // Hufflepuff

[queer-theory.livejournal.com]

I feel slightly protective of Kivrin and I'm, like, HOW DARE YOU NOT LIKE HER. Only not really, because I get what's unlikeable about her.

Have you read Making History?

Heather / Hufflepuff

[meredith44]

As someone who loves a lot of characters that fandom hates, I well understand that feeling. Very much so.

Nope. I've not generally been a Stephen Fry fan. I don't dislike him, but I don't love him and haven't sought out anything by him. I also tend to be more into mysteries/thrillers and fantasies than memoir/humor type books. I take it you'd recommend it?

Meredith // Hufflepuff

[queer-theory.livejournal.com]

It's speculative fiction, and one of my favorite books. I think it would be worth reading if you're currently interested in that genre, though if you're not into Stephen Fry, you may not like it as much as I do.

Heather / Hufflepuff

[meredith44]

It has an interesting premise. I've added it to my list of books to check out. My library has Doomsday Book, but it is checked out. Another local-ish library has it, but IDK that I can make it out there before it closes as it closes early. I might have to wait for it to be returned to the first one. The local library (where I'm going tomorrow) does have Making History. I might get it, although I have literally 101 books checked out at the moment. (In my defense, about a dozen of them I've finished reading and about 50 of them are for the kids in my class for our themes. :D ) So I have a lot of reading to do. :)

Meredith // Hufflepuff

[la-loony.livejournal.com]

I can only recommend to read as far as you can on ASOIF before starting the show. a) Because then nothing can spoiler you and b) I find it is more fun because you see some forshadowing which non readers don't.

That Neil Gaiman book sounds wonderful. Since hearing Neverwhere I always wanted to read something from him, but didn't find anything besides Neverwhere that made me go 'yes that's the one I want to read first'.

Martine|Gryffindor