Reading Club Reviews Here
Post em' here when you're done reading the book you signed up for. There aren't really any rules for a review; just keep in mind that we will be voting to choose one of these books for everyone to read and discuss. Your opinion is our most valuable resource in deciding which book to vote for :).
I know we said the 20th for the reviews, but I'm going to go ahead and say I'll post the poll on the 24th, which is this Sunday, to give people another weekend if they need it. Fair enough?
Guest
21 years ago
Cool cause I've only had time to read the first chapter so far... :( But it was a good first chapter!
ROzbeans
21 years ago
FINISHED MY BOOK YOU PAGANS!!! =D I'll get down to reviewing it in a bit. The kiddo is dragging me into the living room to watch Heathcliff.
Enders Game-
By Orson Scott Card
I got 40 pages into the book and stopped, but I kept thinking about it. Its about a boy named Ender, who is part of 'the worlds master plan'. His place in the world is a sad one and is subject to humilating taunts every day, especially now that his 'monitor' was off. The monitor literally reported back everything he saw and thought. He becomes a target for the larger boys who think they can fuck with him since no one is watching.
Little Ender is quite the man at the tender age of 6. More of man than most I know. He is chosen for greater things, saving the earth in fact. The book chronicles the experiences of being 'the new kid', 'the new special kid', to 'THE KID'. He rises thru the ranks of 'Battle School' quicker than anyone and has his own school commands by the time he's 11. He's innovative, extremely smart and an amazing leader. His only wish is to have friends who care for him. That's Ender's folly, he is the master strategist and unbelievably compassionate.
Ender also grapples with the memories of his tormenting older brother and the love of his more compassionate sister. On a side plot, both siblings (again extremely smart and mature) realizes that the end of their world society is hanging on a thread. They make up fake internet personalities to change the world AND SUCCEED at the ripe old age of 12 and 14.
Ender's plight? He is to be the commander of the 3rd invasion of the Bugs. A bee like race that came to earth to colonize it but were defeated. I wont say how and I wont give away the ending, but I seriously recommend this book, as did Vulash who loved it to pieces he kept giving his book away so that his friends could enjoy it as much as he did.
This is the first book in a series. I've heard good and bad, but I picked up book 2, Speaker for the Dead. Very very good read and the 2nd time i picked it up, I finished it.
Enders Game-
By Orson Scott Card
I got 40 pages into the book and stopped, but I kept thinking about it. Its about a boy named Ender, who is part of 'the worlds master plan'. His place in the world is a sad one and is subject to humilating taunts every day, especially now that his 'monitor' was off. The monitor literally reported back everything he saw and thought. He becomes a target for the larger boys who think they can fuck with him since no one is watching.
Little Ender is quite the man at the tender age of 6. More of man than most I know. He is chosen for greater things, saving the earth in fact. The book chronicles the experiences of being 'the new kid', 'the new special kid', to 'THE KID'. He rises thru the ranks of 'Battle School' quicker than anyone and has his own school commands by the time he's 11. He's innovative, extremely smart and an amazing leader. His only wish is to have friends who care for him. That's Ender's folly, he is the master strategist and unbelievably compassionate.
Ender also grapples with the memories of his tormenting older brother and the love of his more compassionate sister. On a side plot, both siblings (again extremely smart and mature) realizes that the end of their world society is hanging on a thread. They make up fake internet personalities to change the world AND SUCCEED at the ripe old age of 12 and 14.
Ender's plight? He is to be the commander of the 3rd invasion of the Bugs. A bee like race that came to earth to colonize it but were defeated. I wont say how and I wont give away the ending, but I seriously recommend this book, as did Vulash who loved it to pieces he kept giving his book away so that his friends could enjoy it as much as he did.
This is the first book in a series. I've heard good and bad, but I picked up book 2, Speaker for the Dead. Very very good read and the 2nd time i picked it up, I finished it.
Verileah
21 years ago
Candide
Voltaire
I had of course heard of Candide before I picked it up; the little novella is, after all, the subject of much allusion and discussion. I’d be surprised if anyone hadn’t heard the phrase “we must cultivate our garden†or some equivalent, depending on the translation, uttered in some conversation or another. I had heard of the book’s biting wit and was prepared for a work of satire and dry humor.
While Candide is certainly rich in both, what no one told me was that this book is a true delight. Yes, Voltaire is sarcastic and takes a lot of issues head on, and while he displays a contempt for organized religion, government, and humanity as a whole (among other things, only scratching the surface here), and lashes out against the follies of optimism, he does so with a grace that seems to be lost on so many writers and thinkers. It is my suspicion that hidden behind Voltaire’s snide remarks regarding “this, the best of all possible worlds,†there is a sort of affection for the very optimism he seems to condemn as foolish. While disillusioned, Candide had a feeling of passion rather than an angry tirade, though I’m sure part of his intent was to push buttons. Overall, there was a feeling of sincerity in Candide; the issues he spoke about really seemed to have great meaning for Voltaire. It didn't feel as though Voltaire was speaking academically. For me, this made the book much more accessible and easy to relate to than a self indulgent rant, designed to show off the intelligence of the author and make the readers feel like fools, would have been.
Candide is indeed accessible, which is another reason I enjoyed it. The issues Voltaire touches on, War, Government, Religion, Sex, Education, Parenting, have significant relevance in our time even though (I think) Voltaire was satirizing specific people and events in his story. The writing is smooth and well paced, though you do have to pay close attention as things move fairly quickly. And while I was expecting the dry chuckles, what came as a pleasant surprise was the genuine connection I felt with the characters as they struggled through their lives. I don’t think you can help liking these people in spite of their failings.
I personally would love to see others here read Candide and hear other perspectives on the book. Even if you don’t vote for this one to be discussed (and for such a short work there is plenty to talk about), if you’re not persuaded to at least give it a read, consider this; it’s free! Legally, wonderfully, free on the internet :D. It isn’t a long read, and not only does it provide good context, it should give you a little grin once in a while; it did for me.
Voltaire
I had of course heard of Candide before I picked it up; the little novella is, after all, the subject of much allusion and discussion. I’d be surprised if anyone hadn’t heard the phrase “we must cultivate our garden†or some equivalent, depending on the translation, uttered in some conversation or another. I had heard of the book’s biting wit and was prepared for a work of satire and dry humor.
While Candide is certainly rich in both, what no one told me was that this book is a true delight. Yes, Voltaire is sarcastic and takes a lot of issues head on, and while he displays a contempt for organized religion, government, and humanity as a whole (among other things, only scratching the surface here), and lashes out against the follies of optimism, he does so with a grace that seems to be lost on so many writers and thinkers. It is my suspicion that hidden behind Voltaire’s snide remarks regarding “this, the best of all possible worlds,†there is a sort of affection for the very optimism he seems to condemn as foolish. While disillusioned, Candide had a feeling of passion rather than an angry tirade, though I’m sure part of his intent was to push buttons. Overall, there was a feeling of sincerity in Candide; the issues he spoke about really seemed to have great meaning for Voltaire. It didn't feel as though Voltaire was speaking academically. For me, this made the book much more accessible and easy to relate to than a self indulgent rant, designed to show off the intelligence of the author and make the readers feel like fools, would have been.
Candide is indeed accessible, which is another reason I enjoyed it. The issues Voltaire touches on, War, Government, Religion, Sex, Education, Parenting, have significant relevance in our time even though (I think) Voltaire was satirizing specific people and events in his story. The writing is smooth and well paced, though you do have to pay close attention as things move fairly quickly. And while I was expecting the dry chuckles, what came as a pleasant surprise was the genuine connection I felt with the characters as they struggled through their lives. I don’t think you can help liking these people in spite of their failings.
I personally would love to see others here read Candide and hear other perspectives on the book. Even if you don’t vote for this one to be discussed (and for such a short work there is plenty to talk about), if you’re not persuaded to at least give it a read, consider this; it’s free! Legally, wonderfully, free on the internet :D. It isn’t a long read, and not only does it provide good context, it should give you a little grin once in a while; it did for me.
Dia
21 years ago
your review is intimidating! (gets a c- on book report)
well! 13 crimes of science fiction has proven to be a great read for bathroom trips! Not having a lot of time to fully sit down and read is not a bad thing with this book. 13 short stories by various authors and edited by greats like isaac asminov, gives you the flexibility to read a little and feel good for finishing what you started. Each story is a different type of mystery. Each story is also labeled with what type of mystery it is. In the mood for a who-dun-it? it's got you covered, how about a wtf-how-did-that-happen? yup got that too! I could go on about each story but being as short as they are it would give away to much! In conclusion, 13 crimes of science fiction mixes the both of the detective world and the odd and unexplained. It is very much like a book of X-files.
So, if you dont have alot of time, except for those lovely bathroom visits, and you enjoyed the X-files, 13 crimes of science fiction is for you!
(a light hearted book report, in no way am i saying the book is only worth your time to read while you shit! its good to read while you aint shittin too!)
well! 13 crimes of science fiction has proven to be a great read for bathroom trips! Not having a lot of time to fully sit down and read is not a bad thing with this book. 13 short stories by various authors and edited by greats like isaac asminov, gives you the flexibility to read a little and feel good for finishing what you started. Each story is a different type of mystery. Each story is also labeled with what type of mystery it is. In the mood for a who-dun-it? it's got you covered, how about a wtf-how-did-that-happen? yup got that too! I could go on about each story but being as short as they are it would give away to much! In conclusion, 13 crimes of science fiction mixes the both of the detective world and the odd and unexplained. It is very much like a book of X-files.
So, if you dont have alot of time, except for those lovely bathroom visits, and you enjoyed the X-files, 13 crimes of science fiction is for you!
(a light hearted book report, in no way am i saying the book is only worth your time to read while you shit! its good to read while you aint shittin too!)