No.1192037[View All]
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I've been feeling nostalgic, and I was hoping to dip in and chat for a day or two.
This is a typical icebreaker thread. I might not check in for a little while, because it's pretty late here, but I've got the day off tomorrow.
Post your top 5 books, and maybe a reason why they're in your top 5. And if you'd like, just stop in and say hi.
1. Okay wow this is actually a hard decision. I'm gonna put here: The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents. My all time favorite children's book. Dark, gritty, uplifting and intelligent. I cried, I yelled in disbelief, I felt sad when it was over. A group of newly sapient rats have to deal with the realities of a world in which they can suddenly plan ahead and foresse consequences. Where death used to mean very little, even losing a single member of the group becomes a cause for concern. Pratchett explores themes of anger, grief and the meaning of life from the beautiful lens of rat society. Which is very cute, but also so sad.
2. Happiness by Matthieu Ricard - A lovely look at what makes humans happy, with practical guides to try and increase happiness. No single book has contributed more to my wellbeing.
3. With each and Every Breath by Thanissaro Bhikkhu - A really interesting collection of buddhist meditation techniques and explanations for how they work. Both this book and Happiness are written from a relatively western perspective. I use these techniques all the time when stretching or meditating.
4. A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers. A fun and queer science fiction novel about an artificial ship intelligence that is transplanted against her will into a body and has to adjust to life on the surface of a planet, instead of life in a ship's computer. A heartrending tale that tackles themes of neurodivergence and queer love. I find it to be unbelievably poignant and accessible. It shocked me when what I thought was a frivolous and lighthearted book spoke to such a deep part of me.
5. I thought I had to include one book that wasn't frivolous, so I'm going to say The Sage Handbook of Counselling Psychology. Contributed to by my favorite professor at Uni, Mr. Colin Feltham. It's a handy guide that I use all the time. It's very well written, and gives a good overview of the various types of therapy that can be found in modern psychotherapy and pschology practices.
Bonus - what I'm reading right now.
Right now I'm reading Life and Death, the genderswapped version of the first twilight book by stephanie Meyers, and Unsouled, a progression fantasy book in the Cradle series (by Will Wight) (does anyone know what progression fantasy is? I just learned of this the other week).
Super curious how many people I know are still around, and would be up for a chat. Also to see what any of you have been reading, or what you like.
No.1197262
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>>1197138Oh wow, long time no see!
I never even heard of that story to be honest. I think Pratchett was never that big a thing here.
No.1197706
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I finished reading "Five Weeks in a Balloon." Those old 19th century books are partially pretty hard to read.
Moby Dick was the worst offender for me so far.
No.1197876
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>>1194222>>1194268I finally ordered the series at a local book store. Should get them in two or three weeks.
No.1197892
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>>1197886I remember his comic relief in the Disney movie.
No.1198681
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Finally got my books, time for some light fantasy.
No.1198815
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>>1197886Gurgi is an annoying dolt. So is Taran honestly. You read the book and want to bonk their heads together constantly.
Admittedly I'm early in the first one still.
No.1198876
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>>1198871Yeah, Gurgi's like a lanky dog creature (at least he smells like one) who constantly wants 'crunchings and munchings'.
And Taran is the kind of lad who constantly overestimates his abilities. Well, he's 13 or something.
No.1199397
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Wrapped up the first of the five Prydian books today. It's really very light reading. Black Cauldron is next.
I heard at some point that Disney will make a live-action remake of their movie which bombed back in the 80s.
No.1199399
>>1199397>>1199397Huh. Weird. They love pretending Black Cauldron never existed.
The one time a remake might be a good idea, but I hardly trust em.
No.1199400
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>>1199399Yeah, maybe it's just a rumour. But I think for that movie it would really make sense.
No.1199580
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I got to thye library at last and finally got myself House of Leaves.
So I'm up for the ride.
Have been looking for weeks to see when the book would be available
No.1199600
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>>1199580What's that book about?
No.1199602
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>>1199600You got to ask Noelle probably.
But apparently something about a house that has non-Euclidean properties and things get weird.
A couple years ago, my_house.wad got popular as a doom mod and I have heard people refer to House of Leaves as an inspiration.
No.1202084
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Time to read the Silmarillion again.
No.1202086
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>>1202085Sounds like a good idea. And we certainly should bring up cartoons.
No.1202088
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>>1202087I was never much a fan of superhero comics myself. I usually just read Asterix or some Disney comics.
No.1202306
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Done with the Silmarillion. Now what shall we read next?
No.1202404
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I've been slowly working my way through Revolt of the Masses by José Ortega y Gasset. I haven't finished it yet so I can't pass judgement, but the perspectives and ideas are interesting enough.
No.1202516
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I bought 'It' by Stephen King, but first I'll continue with the fourth Prydain book. I have to wrap up that series.
>>1202404Are you ready to revolt just yet?
No.1202523
>>1202521>>1202521There are a few segments in it that still stick with me, and it still is quite a different experience tjan watcjing either movie version.
I'm sure youre also already aware lf this, but be mindful of a particular scene close to the end. Its quite an i famous one.
No.1202525
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>>1202523Oh yeah, I heard about it. I guess King had snorted some cocaine again when he wrote it.
No.1202534
>>1202525>>1202525Theres a good chance. But I wouldn't know.
I am also in the camp that (as I remember it) didnt find it very graphic, definitely not written to be titilating, and intended more symbolically than it comes across. Plus I keep fiction and reality very bery seperate in general.
Aint saying I am a staunch defender or I want it in movies - I dont. Just saying that as far as I recall, there is a bit of an anthill and mountain thing going on.
No.1202541
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>>1202534It definitely should never make it to any movies.
No.1202817
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Finally done with the last Prydain book. I'm glad the 4th and 5th clearly improved over the previous ones. Taran Wanderer (the 4th) was my favorite.
I guess it's time for "It" next.
No.1203225
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Wrapped up "It". A very good book indeed, it was well worth reading.
Really don't know what to read next though...
No.1203243
>>1203225>>1203225Whatcha in the mood for? Not that I go through enough novels to have propwr suggestions.
Lately, I am listening to Richard Mathesons "Hell House" for some clasic horror. It's a dang good one too, definiteæt cery upsetting.
No.1203245
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>>1203243I consider getting Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill House"; I saw it at the book store last week.
That sounds quite similar to your "Hell House" book.
I always want to read Treasure Island at some point.
No.1203246
>>1203245>>1203245They're both pivotal Haunted House stories, at least. Might as well add Amityville Horror to that list then. Though be aware that book is, quite deliberately, basically a series of exaggerated (or made up) anecdotes that the writer tries to fit into a coherent timeline.
Hell House is interesting. Every character already believes in ghostly activity in some shape or form unlike most of these stories.
It gets criticized nowadays for a lot of sexual violence, and I can see why one would have that as a Kneejerk reaction, but it seems to me it's a theme, and not just for titilation. I see a lot od "Unregulated lust VS repressed desire" in it.
No.1203248
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>>1203246I recall the first Amity Horror movie, and afterwards read up on it. It's all just a bunch of bahooey. So I won't bother with the book.
No.1203251
>>1203248>>1203248Well yeah. That was never a question.
It's still an interesting approach to writing a book - taking all the anecdotes and trying to put them in a timeline with added events to give it some coherence.
Amityville Horror is not GREAT per se, book or movie, but haunted house stories would not look quite the same today without it.
No.1203252
>>1203251I guess so.
I mean, collecting such stories and stuff and putting them into a time-line can be enjoyable if you do it in games.
