USMB Book Club

[American Horse]

I own Fear and Loathing, great book. I should read it again...
I have been reading all of the Sookie Stakehouse novels, and just finished the 10th book. They are more for chicks, though.

That's okay.

I'm currently working my way through the James Bond (the ones by Ian Fleming) and Dresden Files. I'm on the 7th book of the Bond Series and 8th book of Dresden.

Ian Fleming's James Bond novels were recommended to me when they were first published back in '64. Once I read the first I had to read them all. IMO the movies do not begin to compare with the books. The books had the advantage of being much more true to real life than the movies, which difference comes a lot from the lack of respect the film-makers have for the audience versus the author for the reader.
How do you think the films compare with the books Mod?

Fleming's Bond books were mostly taken from Cold War Scenarios. Today's equivalent is Mitch Rapp by Vince Flynn

 

[Modbert]

Ian Fleming's James Bond novels were recommended to me when they were first published back in '64. Once I read the first I had to read them all. IMO the movies do not begin to compare with the books. The books had the advantage of being much more true to real life than the movies, which difference comes a lot from the lack of respect the film-makers have for the audience versus the author for the reader.
How do you think the films compare with the books Mod?

Fleming's Bond books were mostly taken from Cold War Scenarios. Today's equivalent is Mitch Rapp by Vince Flynn

I'm working my way through The Spy Who Loved Me now. Only have that, and three other books left for the series.

I think the films are entertaining and are a product of their time. If they were made today, they'd probably be similar to Casino Royale. I don't think it's so much a lack of respect for the audiences, but rather how they could make it the most marketable. They definitely wanted to make Bond a more likable character than he was in the first couple of books, which is why I assume they didn't film Casino Royale.

I think of the films as merely a different kind of version of Bond stories, a bit less serious to say the least. I enjoy both the films and the novels for different reasons, but I know I'm glad I picked up the Fleming novels.

Also, yeah, the books were a lot more realistic than the movies. That's one of the first and main things I noticed when I began reading them.

My favorite book in the series so far is a tossup between Goldfinger and From Russia With Love. Though I do consider Casino Royale to be a favorite as well.

 

[Woyzeck]

Some recommendations for future books of the month"

Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury. Some people have already mentioned Dandelion Wine and Fahrenheit 451 which are good as well. I would say Something Wicked This Way Comes is one of Bradbury's best works.

Ubik by Philip K. Dick. One of his better novels, which messes with your head a bit. Also by him, I would recommend The Man In The High Castle.

East of Eden, Of Mice and Men, Cannery Row, Tortilla Flat by John Steinbeck. I love all of Steinbeck's stuff, and I've got his Travels with Charley sitting in my bookcase waiting to be read. East of Eden, while his most epic, I find to be one of his weaker works. On the whole it and the rest of the suggestions are very good. The last two in particular are more fun reads than anything of grandeur.

Everything That Rises Must Converge or A Good Man Is Hard to find by Flannery O'Connor. They're short story collections, and I've only read the first, but O'Connor is most skilled at writing short stories and characters that are simply horrible people. A lot of them are incredibly depressing, so her work is not for the faint of heart.

Lastly, I would recommend A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. One of the only books in high school I really loved, it's a long one, but a really good one. I hear Irving's other stuff is good as well, but I've yet to read anything else by him.

 

[random3434]

Some recommendations for future books of the month"

Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury. Some people have already mentioned Dandelion Wine and Fahrenheit 451 which are good as well. I would say Something Wicked This Way Comes is one of Bradbury's best works.

Ubik by Philip K. Dick. One of his better novels, which messes with your head a bit. Also by him, I would recommend The Man In The High Castle.

East of Eden, Of Mice and Men, Cannery Row, Tortilla Flat by John Steinbeck. I love all of Steinbeck's stuff, and I've got his Travels with Charley sitting in my bookcase waiting to be read. East of Eden, while his most epic, I find to be one of his weaker works. On the whole it and the rest of the suggestions are very good. The last two in particular are more fun reads than anything of grandeur.

Everything That Rises Must Converge or A Good Man Is Hard to find by Flannery O'Connor. They're short story collections, and I've only read the first, but O'Connor is most skilled at writing short stories and characters that are simply horrible people. A lot of them are incredibly depressing, so her work is not for the faint of heart.

Lastly, I would recommend A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. One of the only books in high school I really loved, it's a long one, but a really good one. I hear Irving's other stuff is good as well, but I've yet to read anything else by him.

I must say I am digging all of your choices. I LOVE Flannery O'Conner, good to see another 'fan' of hers. Yes, read more John Irving, he has a way to make you so involved in the characters you actually weep when one of them dies.

 

[Foxfyre]

I must say I am digging all of your choices. I LOVE Flannery O'Conner, good to see another 'fan' of hers. Yes, read more John Irving, he has a way to make you so involved in the characters you actually weep when one of them dies.

I love O'Conner too. Another who did great character development was/is Arthur Hailey. I could get totally immersed in one of his novels which would be fascinating not only for the way he made his characters larger than life, but the novels were so well researched you got a good glimpse into the industries that were the setting for the storylines.

 

[Ringel05]

May I suggest this book for some of our less "experienced" posters.

 

[Woyzeck]

I must say I am digging all of your choices. I LOVE Flannery O'Conner, good to see another 'fan' of hers. Yes, read more John Irving, he has a way to make you so involved in the characters you actually weep when one of them dies.

Why thank you. I've got The Hotel New Hampshire and The World According to Garp on my bookshelf waiting to be read. I'm looking forward to reading them.

I'd also recommend now that I think of it, one of Irving's influences, Thomas Hardy. I read Jude the Obscure not too long ago and really liked it. Hardy is excellent in his prose, at times it got a little too purple, but it was otherwise a most excellent novel, if a little Victorian melodramatic.

Another author to recommend to the thread would be Jonathan Lethem. I read Gun, With Occasional Music last week, it was like Raymond Chandler mixed with Philip K. Dick, with some of the funniest narration since Holden Caulfield. It's literally a hard-boiled detective novel set in a sci-fi near future. One of the most entertaining books I've read and I hear its one of the better pastiches of hard boiled detective fiction.

 

[Modbert]

Still trying to figure what other book would be best for this month.

As for my own reading at the moment, finished up the Bond series and onwards to reading the rest of Dresden that is out at the moment.

For that series:

Favorites: From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, and Casino Royale

Solid Reads: Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, Moonraker, The Man With The Golden Gun, Doctor No

Did not care for: Live and Let Die, and my personal least favorite of the series is The Spy Who Loved Me.

The short story books For Your Eyes Only & Octopussy/The Living Daylights were enjoyable reads for the most part although were some boring ones here or there. My favorite short story was Quantum of Solace.

 

[Shogun]

I almost finished this book over the weekend. almost.

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Willie-Nelson-Joe-Nick-Patoski/dp/0316017787]Amazon.com: Willie Nelson: An Epic Life (9780316017787): Joe Nick Patoski: Books[/ame]

 

[Samson]

I almost finished this book over the weekend. almost.

Amazon.com: Willie Nelson: An Epic Life (9780316017787): Joe Nick Patoski: Books

First one?

 

[Samson]

Why thank you. I've got The Hotel New Hampshire and The World According to Garp on my bookshelf waiting to be read. I'm looking forward to reading them.

Both great choices: Also Cider House Rules

All have also been made into good films.

 

[Foxfyre]

Somebody may have mentioned it already and I missed it, but I've been noting here and there that this summer marks the 50th Anniversary of the publishing of "To Kill a Mockingbird". Of course that has created a flurry of re-reading and discussions and is prompting many younger people to read it for the first time.

That really illustrates the staying power of some literary works.

 

[PatekPhilippe]

Hello there fellow USMB members! Modbert here, with a idea to liven up the board a bit without it involving politics. What I'm proposing naturally is something I know that has been tried here before. But hey, figure I'd give it the old college try. (See what I did there? )

That's right, a book club here at USMB! All members are welcome to join in for a discussion on books in general. However, what I also want to try and get off the ground is a biweekly or monthly discussion of least one book specifically. I figured those who are really interested can sound off, and we can see what we get going.

To make it clear though, this thread is also a discussion about various books in general, not just discussion of one book. My recommendations (feel free to sound off and it's good if you mention the page # as we all read at different speeds and have different amounts of free time):

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. (Pages vary by copy but mine is 376 pages.)

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey. (325 Pages)

The Gun Seller by Hugh Laurie. (368 Pages)

The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck. (416 Pages)

I already know that plenty of people have already read a number of those books, which is good since that means discussing them will be easier.

If you're interested, feel free to state your recommendations. Also feel free to start posting about any book you enjoyed. Who knows, might find someone you totally disagree with enjoyed it as well.

You little trickster!!!! Are these the required reading for one of your courses this semester???!!!

 

[Modbert]

You little trickster!!!! Are these the required reading for one of your courses this semester???!!!

Nope, read them already.

I just got done with Western Literature last semester.

As for me lately, I read the 8th through 12th books in the Dresden Files series. I'd recommend anyone who loves a mix of mystery and supernatural to pick it up. Butcher is easily one of the best authors writing today. Each book is a very easy well as well.

Also reread Watchmen, definitely one of those books that not only redefine superheroes but comics in general.

Now I'm reading The Hunchback of Notre Dame. About 78 pages into it. Excellent read so far.

 

[PatekPhilippe]

I read "The Good Earth" about...(scratches head)...30 years ago?

 

[Modbert]

I read "The Good Earth" about...(scratches head)...30 years ago?

Certainly longer than I've been roaming the earth.

 

[Foxfyre]

I read "The Good Earth" about...(scratches head)...30 years ago?

Certainly longer than I've been roaming the earth.

It was and is still a good read. She stayed true to the setting and character of a distant China. She was one of my favorite authors as a youth and I still appreciate the intricate detail she built into her novels without ever getting tedious. I visited her home, now a museum in her honor, in West Virginia. A very modest place though probably was quite elegant in her day.

 

[PatekPhilippe]

I read "The Good Earth" about...(scratches head)...30 years ago?

Certainly longer than I've been roaming the earth.

It was and is still a good read. She stayed true to the setting and character of a distant China. She was one of my favorite authors as a youth and I still appreciate the intricate detail she built into her novels without ever getting tedious. I visited her home, now a museum in her honor, in West Virginia. A very modest place though probably was quite elegant in her day.

Probably one of the best books I ever read...As a kid I was always facinated with the Orient. Most of my reading material pertained to that in one way or another....Lustbader's adventure novels provided a lot of good reading as well.