World of Blue - Archived Forum 2007-2022

The Dark Tower by Stephen King (book 7)

Ka is a wheel.

What an amazing journey these Dark Tower books have been. Throughout most of this seventh instalment I felt that this was the weakest book in the series, however, the end rectified this notion. I don't think I'll be able to allow another new story to entice me for quite a while, for the In-World, Mid-World and End-World are swirling around me way too fast to step out of just yet.

These books have really given The Stand a run for it's money for being my favourite King story, if not my favourite story ever. And that's saying a lot.

The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick

A pretty cool story about how it is 15 years after Germany and Japan won WWII.

My wife's fave PKD and a good one.
I also like Valis and its comic book adaptation by R. Crumb.

The Death of Bunny Munro: A Novel , by Nick Cave

I really enjoyed this read, mostly because it was set in Brighton, England, my beloved university town.

2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke

A brilliant work of science fiction. Now I have to get the film (still haven't seen it )

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

A must read for all King fans and inspiring writers. I couldn't agree more when he says that in order to become a writer, you must constantly read. Makes perfect sense, how can people expect to write their best work when they don't read?!
The second part of the book deals with the craft of writing, and the way he presents everything and addressed the reader really sticks, I love how he's very direct and even swears at you for attempting to write too many adverbs and drivel.

Under the Dome by Stephen King

The overall story was entertaining, I liked the characters mostly, and at times I could almost feel the stale air in the dome. The reason for the dome was a let down though, I really hope they'll change it in the show coming out in June.

East of Eden - John Steinbeck
An enjoyable read that covers a lot of people and generations. I really enjoy his work.

The Girl Who Played with Fire - Stieg Larsson
A great sequel to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Hopefully they'll make a movie about this one too.

Reading Goethe Faust, pt.1 in a bilingual edition. In German, it rhymes and is frequently genuinely comic; not surprising, as it apparently started life as a puppet-show.
Speaking of which: the streaming Netflix has the old Fritz Lang adaptation from the 1920s.
*They also have the Girl With The Dragon... trilogy.
Happy Mother's Day!

Thomas Harris - The Silence of the Lambs

A fine thriller and a quick read. I'm starting Hannibal tomorrow.

Nathaniel West Miss Lonelyhearts
Dunno how I missed this one for so long. This collection of sketches is about the most perfectly realized work of fiction that I have read by a 20th Century American writer. The prose is cut and lapped with all the skill of a jeweler.

Atlas Shrugged
Read this book in less than a month, which I'm happy about.

Reading this book wasn't as difficult as I expected, though some of her characters' philosophy was highly annoying. There's no middle aground; either you're for extreme capitalism or extreme socialism (i.e. wanting equality but refusing to take any lead). Some of the monologues were long winded and repetitive, but when there was action it was entertaining. Overall an enjoyable read that is at least fodder for the mind.

Indifferent43 wrote:Atlas Shrugged
... Overall an enjoyable read that is at least fodder for the mind.

More like a substitute for toilet paper.

I normally enjoy watching film adaptions after finishing a book, but I'm not sure about the Atlas Shrugged films that came out in 2011 and 2012, only seen terrible reviews, and annoying how the second installment has an entirely new cast.

And as for the book itself, I'd still say it's worth a read to see what the "hype" is about.

I think you have to live in the US to understand the polarities as presented by Ayn Rand. She predicted what's happening over here now.

As for the movies, only diehard Ayn Rand fans gave the great reviews. I loved them; especially the second one and can't wait for the third installment. You have to admit it's a monumental task to even attempt to make a movie from the book and impossible to include everything.

JMHO...