Reading Books For Pleasure

[IrisAlthea]

Books are my stress-o-meter. Whenever I start feeling stressed out, for whatever reason, I start re-reading books that I have liked. I guess that way reading is even more relaxing for me, because I'm already familiar with the book. I don't have to concentrate so hard, the words just fly past and take me for a guaranteed pleasant ride.

This! It's like visiting old friends.
There are some that I revisit regularly and sometimes I'm just in the mood to reread, often because of stress, too much workrelated reading or just because.

 

[Endless_Night]

Books are my stress-o-meter. Whenever I start feeling stressed out, for whatever reason, I start re-reading books that I have liked. I guess that way reading is even more relaxing for me, because I'm already familiar with the book. I don't have to concentrate so hard, the words just fly past and take me for a guaranteed pleasant ride.

This also. I've lost count of the times I've re-read Heinlein. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress and Time Enough for Love are guaranteed relaxers. They're a haven from outside stressors.

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Do you by any chance have some type of index for the books in the thread, FurryFury? I've considered posting before but am hesitant for fear of re-booking books already listed.

 

[seela]

This also. I've lost count of the times I've re-read Heinlein. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress and Time Enough for Love are guaranteed relaxers. They're a haven from outside stressors.

****

Do you by any chance have some type of index for the books in the thread, FurryFury? I've considered posting before but am hesitant for fear of re-booking books already listed.

I really like Heinlein, too, but my all time favorite scifi book must be Clarke's Childhood's End. I can't even begin to describe how powerful the ending of the book was to me.

I'm not FF, but I'm sure no one will mind if you mention books other people have already read. It's always interesting to hear what others think about books, and it can spark some good discussion.

 

[FurryFury]

That's awesome!

Books are my stress-o-meter. Whenever I start feeling stressed out, for whatever reason, I start re-reading books that I have liked. I guess that way reading is even more relaxing for me, because I'm already familiar with the book. I don't have to concentrate so hard, the words just fly past and take me for a guaranteed pleasant ride.

I really have to thank you and many others who have contributed to this thread. I've read this whole through from the beginning and made a list of books that piqued my interest. That list has saved me in the library many times, when I haven't had any particular book in mind.

 

[FurryFury]

I do not have an index but you can always mention a book again even if it has been in this thread.

I recently re-read The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, it's one of my fav novels from one of my fav writers.

This also. I've lost count of the times I've re-read Heinlein. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress and Time Enough for Love are guaranteed relaxers. They're a haven from outside stressors.

****

Do you by any chance have some type of index for the books in the thread, FurryFury? I've considered posting before but am hesitant for fear of re-booking books already listed.

 

[FurryFury]

Sounds good to me!

This! It's like visiting old friends.
There are some that I revisit regularly and sometimes I'm just in the mood to reread, often because of stress, too much workrelated reading or just because.

 

[Endless_Night]

I really like Heinlein, too, but my all time favorite scifi book must be Clarke's Childhood's End. I can't even begin to describe how powerful the ending of the book was to me.

I'm not FF, but I'm sure no one will mind if you mention books other people have already read. It's always interesting to hear what others think about books, and it can spark some good discussion.

I didn't read Childhood's End until a couple of years ago. The ending was powerful, as was the part where Stormgren glimpsed the overlord.

I find Heinlein's character building really speaks to me. His situational pathos always enhances the storyline rather than feeling gratuitous. I cry ever single time I read the discorporation scene in Stranger in a Strange Land.

Hmm. Come to think of it, I always cry at the end of The Moon is a Harsh Mistress too.

Maybe I'm just a Heinlein crier.

 

[Endless_Night]

I do not have an index but you can always mention a book again even if it has been in this thread.

I recently re-read The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, it's one of my fav novels from one of my fav writers.

Alright, I will. Thanks for the thumbs up!

 

[seela]

Hmm. Come to think of it, I always cry at the end of The Moon is a Harsh Mistress too.

Maybe I'm just a Heinlein crier.

I don't remember how The Moon is a Harsh Mistress ends. Maybe it's time to re-read that next, it's sitting right there on the bookshelf as I write.

I finished Blindsight and it was pretty good. Certainly an interesting take in the first contact genre, and quite heavy on the sci, which is how i like my scifi.

The vampire in Blindsight is called Jukka Sarasti, which is a Finnish name to the core. It was a bit unnerving to read the book, because I have a friend called Jukka who even has a surname pretty similar to Sarasti. I couldn't get rid of imagining him as the vampire.

 

[FurryFury]

Sounds like a good find! I may check it out.

I don't remember how The Moon is a Harsh Mistress ends. Maybe it's time to re-read that next, it's sitting right there on the bookshelf as I write.

I finished Blindsight and it was pretty good. Certainly an interesting take in the first contact genre, and quite heavy on the sci, which is how i like my scifi.

The vampire in Blindsight is called Jukka Sarasti, which is a Finnish name to the core. It was a bit unnerving to read the book, because I have a friend called Jukka who even has a surname pretty similar to Sarasti. I couldn't get rid of imagining him as the vampire.

 

[missbovary]

Yes!

Hello everyone here! I"m to all this, but I love this thread and I've already spent too much time scrolling through it.

Clarke I loved, though I always felt like Childhood's End underestimated humans. Do we really need constant conflict to keep boredom at bay? Can't our purpose in life be something other than problem solving?

Anyway, love this, I'm going read everything in this post.

 

[seela]

Clarke I loved, though I always felt like Childhood's End underestimated humans. Do we really need constant conflict to keep boredom at bay? Can't our purpose in life be something other than problem solving?

Anyway, love this, I'm going read everything in this post.

That's an interesting thought! But I really think people feed on conflict. I mean, a lot of people can't even imagine being in a relationship that didn't involve conflict and if there's calm for too long, they go about creating a bit of conflict and drama. In human populations that's just amped up to a larger scale.

And most people, groups and entities define who/what they are by who/what they are not. Us vs. them is an age old thing.

Have you read LeGuin's The Lather of Heaven? It has an interesting take on what it takes to stop all wars and achieve world peace.

 

[missbovary]

That's an interesting thought! But I really think people feed on conflict. I mean, a lot of people can't even imagine being in a relationship that didn't involve conflict and if there's calm for too long, they go about creating a bit of conflict and drama. In human populations that's just amped up to a larger scale.

And most people, groups and entities define who/what they are by who/what they are not. Us vs. them is an age old thing.

Have you read LeGuin's The Lather of Heaven? It has an interesting take on what it takes to stop all wars and achieve world peace.

I definitely agree to a certain extent, and I think human nature means we constantly battle internally within ourselves, which evolves into an external battle with everyone else. But I always felt like Clarke sold us short, that he concentrated too much on external conflict being eliminated and decided that would mean that all internal conflict would also be eliminated too.
Which would, and in Childhood's End did, make humans boring and bored. So maybe you're right, people do feed on, and maybe even need conflict?

I haven't read The Lather of Heaven (love the title), though now it's at the top of my list. I've only ever read the Left Hand of Darkness by her -- such a phenomenal book.

 

[seela]

I haven't read The Lather of Heaven (love the title), though now it's at the top of my list. I've only ever read the Left Hand of Darkness by her -- such a phenomenal book.

Ha, funny typo from my part. It's The Lathe of Heaven. The Lather of Heaven brings very different kinds of images to my head.

Anyways, I enjoyed it. I read it on one sitting in a train once. I can't remember Left Hand of Darkness either, but I know I have read it. I must have a hole in my head that makes me forget books and movies.

 

[missbovary]

Ha, funny typo from my part. It's The Lathe of Heaven. The Lather of Heaven brings very different kinds of images to my head.

Anyways, I enjoyed it. I read it on one sitting in a train once. I can't remember Left Hand of Darkness either, but I know I have read it. I must have a hole in my head that makes me forget books and movies.

Ahhahah that's a pretty fantastic typo; so perfect for Lit. I must have the same hole in my head. I don't know how many times I've picked up a book or started watching a movie and about ten minutes in realized I'd already read/watched it years ago. Obviously it's because we're just too awesome for our own good.

 

[FurryFury]

39.) The Killer Wore Leather by Laura Antoniou 3.75/5

I really enjoyed this one. I've been to role playing conventions though no kinky ones, still I could relate and laugh even though there was the tired kinky people kill people crap in it. Much better for me than The Marketplace novels of which I've read two.

From Amazon:

Mr. Global Leather has been murdered!

In the Grand Sterling Hotel of Midtown Manhattan, home of the huge annual leather/BDSM/fetish ball and contest, Mr. & Ms. Global Leather, last year's male winner lies dead on the floor of his suite, wearing only very frilly, bright yellow panties. Cormac "Mack" Steel made a lot of enemies in his year wearing the studded leather sash, not the least being his co-winner Mistress Ravenfyre. But she is not alone – there are over three thousand attendees at this year's fetish-festooned event from all over the world, some of whom might have had some very personal issues with the corpse.

Enter Detective Rebecca Feldblum of the Midtown East Precinct. Assigned to this doozy of a case because, as one of NYC's only out lesbian detectives, her Lieutenant seems to believe these are "her people." Shocked, amazed and alternately puzzled and amused, Detective Feldblum must navigate a world of doms and subs, masters and mistresses, pups and trainers, leather, latex and lingerie, and discover who murdered the late Mack Steel – and hopefully do it before the weekend is over and everyone goes home. In the process, she will discover more about the sexual underworld than she ever really wanted to know, and more about her own past than she could have ever imagined.
Written in the classic spirit of Sharyn McCrumb's Bimbos of the Death Sun, The Killer Wore Leather is both an engaging mystery and a humorous glimpse into the world of modern, pansexual international leather/BDSM contests and conferences.

Only Laura Antoniou could write The Killer Wore Leather. In addition to being the author of the best-selling Marketplace series of erotic novels, she has over 20 years of experience teaching, speaking to and occasionally skewering the alt-sex communities around the world. With a wicked sense of humor, insider information and a twisted imagination, she crafts a spicy mélange of mystery and mayhem!

The Killer Wore Leather is a deliciously tongue-in-cheek murder mystery set at a leather convention, allowing readers into this private world of personalities and peccadiloes. The kinkiest game of clue ever with a sex toy as the murder weapon and every leather man and woman lacks an alibi. Cleverly crafted and highly humorous, Antoniou is at her wicked best in this pageturning fetish fest.

Laura is the best-selling author of the classic BDSM series, THE MARKETPLACE, which has sold more than 400,000 copies and been translated into 5 languages.

40.) Monsters by Ilsa J. Bick 4/5

Monsters the third book in The Ashes Trilogy was pretty good. However, I think the author set it up for another trilogy.

From Amazon:

The Changed are on the move. The Spared are out of time. The End...is now.

When her parents died, Alex thought things couldn't get much worse--until the doctors found the monster in her head.

She headed into the wilderness as a good-bye, to leave everything behind. But then the end of the world happened, and Alex took the first step down a treacherous road of betrayal and terror and death.

Now, with no hope of rescue--on the brink of starvation in a winter that just won't quit--she discovers a new and horrifying truth.

The Change isn't over.
The Changed are still evolving.
And...they've had help.

With this final volume of The Ashes Trilogy, Ilsa J. Bick delivers a riveting, blockbuster finish, returning readers to a brutal, post-apocalyptic world where no one is safe and hope is in short supply.

A world where, from these ashes, the monsters may rise.

 

[FurryFury]

41.) The Familiars by Adam Jay Epstein and Andrew Jacobson 4/5

This children's fantasy novel was fun for me. It's about a "tuxedo" kitty who is an street cat being mistaken for a familiar cat with magical powers. Soon she is being fed regularly, totally bonded with his human "loyal" and having to rescue him along with two other familiars. Loved it!

When Aldwyn, a young alley cat on the run, ducks into a mysterious pet shop, he doesn’t expect his life to change. But that’s exactly what happens when Jack, a young wizard, picks Aldwyn to be his magical familiar.

Finally off the tough streets, Aldwyn thinks he’s got it made. He just has to convince the other familiars—the know-it-all blue jay Skylar and the friendly tree frog Gilbert—that he’s the telekinetic cat he claims to be. But when Jack and two other wizards in training are captured by a terrible evil, it will take all of Aldwyn’s street smarts, a few good friends, and a nose for adventure to save the day!

 

[FurryFury]

Stork by Wendy Delsol 3.75/5

Interesting take on Norwegian legends. Way better book than I expected. I would read another one if there was one!

From Goodreads where it, (bombdigity!) sez Stork # 1

Family secrets. Lost memories. And the arrival of an ancient magical ability that will reveal everything.

Sixteen-year-old Katla LeBlanc has just moved from Los Angeles to Minnesota. As if it weren’t enough that her trendy fashion sense draws stares, Katla soon finds out that she’s a Stork, a member of a mysterious order of women tasked with a very unique duty. But Katla’s biggest challenge may be finding her flock at a new school. Between being ignored by Wade, the arrogant jock she stupidly fooled around with, and constantly arguing with gorgeous farm boy and editor-in-chief Jack, Katla is relieved when her assignment as the school paper’s fashion columnist brings with it some much-needed friendship. But as Homecoming approaches, Katla uncovers a shocking secret about her past — a secret that binds her fate to Jack’s in a way neither could have ever anticipated. With a nod to Hans Christian Andersen and inspired by Norse lore, Wendy Delsol’s debut novel introduces a hip and witty heroine who finds herself tail-feathers deep in small-town life

Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman 4/5

I enjoyed this one and was sad when it ended. It surprised me that a TV show was based on it and it was non fiction. Spending more money on social issues so we had less crowding in prison and less of a revolving door from poor neighborhoods to prison would, IMO, be useful as Piper suggests. Also making prisons more of a rehabilitative experience for low violence crimes would be good. And in Piper's case, if it's been YEARS since the non violent crime and they are good citizens, then why put them in jail!?! Wow! Great book though.

Here is what Amazon sez:

NOW A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES • #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

With a career, a boyfriend, and a loving family, Piper Kerman barely resembles the reckless young woman who delivered a suitcase of drug money ten years before. But that past has caught up with her. Convicted and sentenced to fifteen months at the infamous federal correctional facility in Danbury, Connecticut, the well-heeled Smith College alumna is now inmate #11187–424—one of the millions of people who disappear “down the rabbit hole” of the American penal system. From her first strip search to her final release, Kerman learns to navigate this strange world with its strictly enforced codes of behavior and arbitrary rules. She meets women from all walks of life, who surprise her with small tokens of generosity, hard words of wisdom, and simple acts of acceptance. Heartbreaking, hilarious, and at times enraging, Kerman’s story offers a rare look into the lives of women in prison—why it is we lock so many away and what happens to them when they’re there.

Praise for Orange Is the New Black

“Fascinating . . . The true subject of this unforgettable book is female bonding and the ties that even bars can’t unbind.”—People (four stars)

“I loved this book. It’s a story rich with humor, pathos, and redemption. What I did not expect from this memoir was the affection, compassion, and even reverence that Piper Kerman demonstrates for all the women she encountered while she was locked away in jail. I will never forget it.”—Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love

“This book is impossible to put down because [Kerman] could be you. Or your best friend. Or your daughter.”—Los Angeles Times

“Moving . . . transcends the memoir genre’s usual self-centeredness to explore how human beings can always surprise you.”—USA Today

“It’s a compelling awakening, and a harrowing one—both for the reader and for Kerman.”—Newsweek.com

Look for special features inside. Join the Random House Reader’s Circle for author chats and more.

 

[seela]

Last night I finished reading Stieg Larsson's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (I don't like the English name of it, though). I loved the book, although I haven't enjoyed detective fiction for years. And I read it in Swedish! That's a huge accomplishment for me, so I feel good.

I already started the next book, The Girl who Played with Fire, and I have the third book waiting for me as well. In Swedish. I still can't believe I read in Swedish and find it relaxing and enjoyable!

Now I'm thinking about whether to watch the movies or not. The Swedish movies I'll probably watch, because a friend has them all, but I'm not sure about the American remake of the first part.

 

[IrisAlthea]

Last night I finished reading Stieg Larsson's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (I don't like the English name of it, though). I loved the book, although I haven't enjoyed detective fiction for years. And I read it in Swedish! That's a huge accomplishment for me, so I feel good.

I already started the next book, The Girl who Played with Fire, and I have the third book waiting for me as well. In Swedish. I still can't believe I read in Swedish and find it relaxing and enjoyable!

Now I'm thinking about whether to watch the movies or not. The Swedish movies I'll probably watch, because a friend has them all, but I'm not sure about the American remake of the first part.

I've seen both the Swedish movies and the US remake.
I liked both versions and I think the American version is actually closer to book in certain parts and very well made.
Watching both versions makes for interesting comparisons and discussions.

 

[seela]

I've seen both the Swedish movies and the US remake.
I liked both versions and I think the American version is actually closer to book in certain parts and very well made.
Watching both versions makes for interesting comparisons and discussions.

I generally have a crappy attitude towards remakes. I've been trying to shake it, but no luck so far. I've heard other people who have watched both versions say the remake is good, too, so it probably is. If I come across someone who has the American version, I'll probably watch it too, but I don't know if I'll start to look for it specificly.

Although the comparisons would no doubt be interesting, seeing the Swedish society through American eyes so to speak.

 

[IrisAlthea]

I generally have a crappy attitude towards remakes. I've been trying to shake it, but no luck so far. I've heard other people who have watched both versions say the remake is good, too, so it probably is. If I come across someone who has the American version, I'll probably watch it too, but I don't know if I'll start to look for it specificly.

Although the comparisons would no doubt be interesting, seeing the Swedish society through American eyes so to speak.

Me too.
I wasn't going to see it but when we got it into our heads that we were going to the movies, both the theatres showing Tinker, tailor, soldier, spy and Drive were full.

 

[ShyGuy68]

I generally have a crappy attitude towards remakes. I've been trying to shake it, but no luck so far. I've heard other people who have watched both versions say the remake is good, too, so it probably is. If I come across someone who has the American version, I'll probably watch it too, but I don't know if I'll start to look for it specificly.

Although the comparisons would no doubt be interesting, seeing the Swedish society through American eyes so to speak.

I have watched all three Swedish movies, and the US remake as well. And I think they did a good job with the first of the Swedish movies and the US movie as well. I do like that the US movie also was filmed on location in Sweden, and not relocated it to the US.

In fact now I have the urge to rewatch the movies, I will suggest that you watch the tv/extented versions of the Swedish versions if you can.

I was also sucked in by the books, and had a very hard time putting them down once I had started reading them. I can remember that the third book hadn't been released when I had read them, so I went and read the first chapter of the third book on the swedish publishers website, to find out what happened

I'm currently reading Diana Gabaldon's Written in My Own Heart’s Blood.

 

[IrisAlthea]

I have watched all three Swedish movies, and the US remake as well. And I think they did a good job with the first of the Swedish movies and the US movie as well. I do like that the US movie also was filmed on location in Sweden, and not relocated it to the US.

In fact now I have the urge to rewatch the movies, I will suggest that you watch the tv/extented versions of the Swedish versions if you can.

I was also sucked in by the books, and had a very hard time putting them down once I had started reading them. I can remember that the third book hadn't been released when I had read them, so I went and read the first chapter of the third book on the swedish publishers website, to find out what happened

I'm currently reading Diana Gabaldon's Written in My Own Heart’s Blood.

I often read books in Danish, if they haven't been translated (yet). It does take a while to get into it, but not too long I think.

 

[ShyGuy68]

I often read books in Danish, if they haven't been translated (yet). It does take a while to get into it, but not too long I think.

It's often a pain to have to wait for books to get translated, and many of the books I like to read, won't get translated, which is why about 75% of the books I read are in English. I have also read some books in Swedish, again because I didn't want to wait for the translation.

Just because I'm curious. have you read any books by Jussi Adler Olsen?