Currently Reading: Intellectual

[Mistress Sheena]

This is an intellectual version of all the existing "Currently _____" threads.
In this particular thread, you're going to have to explain what it is you're reading, why you're reading it, and what you think of it as you go along.

When you finish your book, also explain your post thoughts about said book and also everyone only gets one post per book so that way it will look nice and neat. I don't want to see any one-line posts in here with just the Book name and author. If I do, you will be deemed the title of "Dee Dee Dee."

Just kidding. But seriously though, this is intellectual for a reason.

The "format" goes something like this:

Currently Reading: Book 2 of Indigo; Inferno by Louise Cooper

I started reading this book soon after I finished reading the first book, seeing as I have all eight books of the series. The plot and premise of the story easily draws you in with its dramatic and action packed adventures. The main character goes through so much turmoil. It also goes without saying that she has a very bad temper.

Oh! I almost forgot. The reason why I'm even reading this series is because it has been recommended to me by a very dear friend and long time member of TFF. Alisha aka Indigo.

Edit: I completed this book on Tuesday, and thought it was particularly anti-climactic at the end. The demon died pretty easily, but the main characters got beat up real bad, though. All in all, though, the book was very good.

I have yet to begin reading the third book, Infanta. I will soon enough.

[Psiko]

Currently Reading: The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman

Obviously, being book 3/3 in that trilogy I'm reading it because I read the first two.

Not good enough? Poo.

Fine, I'm reading this particular trilogy because my younger sister, who is tow years younger than me, recommended this trilogy. Not only that, she also let me borrow it from her. I had them in my car for about two months before deciding to read it. Actually, it was because they were in my car that I started reading them, because I was away from home, bored, and needed something to do. So I started reading, and have enjoyed it since. Not only are these good books, but they are making a movie trilogy, with the first set to come out this coming December! w00t! I'm reading a trilogy BEFORE it starts hitting theaters! Go me!

EDIT: Finished the book last week. I must say I enjoyed the trilogy. Not quite the ending I was expecting, but a very good ending. Lots of surprises along the way. Read these books!

[DragonHeart]

Currently reading: Storms of Destiny by A. C. Crispin
Volume I of The Exiles of Boq'urain
Page 103/547

As you can see, I'm just barely getting into the story. It's still in the introducing characters and getting everyone to one place stage of the plot, but so far I'm really enjoying it. The characters are a very interesting group of people, and the little bit of villainy that's been revealed is horrifying, yet fascinating.

The main reason why I picked up this particular book is because of the Absolute Write forums, of which this author is a member. She mainly writes science fiction; this is her first fantasy, and so far I like her style. I'll definitely be looking for the next chapter of this series.

As of right now my favorite character is Jezzil, but I can't say anything about him without spoiling something from the plot.

~DragonHeart~

[MiwaMiwa]

Currently Reading: Lolita by Vladmir Nabokov
For about the fifth time.
The reason being is that it is my favorite book of all time. It has a bad reputation, as people like to deem it full of incest and child exploitation, and what have you, which it is. But the beauty in the book is trying to dechipher why exactly the protagonist has such a longing for 7-10 year olds. It's unbelievably psychological, if you didn't figure that out for yourself already, and it's a classic. All of Nabokov's novels deal with similar comtroversial topics, and they are all amazing. He is a Russian author (again, if you didn't figure that out already.), so yes the books are translated, but they are very well done. The writing is amazing, the subject matter is intriguing, and all in all, Nabokov is my favorite author of all time.

[Govinda]

I am currently reading The Soul of Man Under Socialism and Selected Critical Prose by Oscar Wilde, and also Rome b Emilé Zola.

The latter I found in a charity shop for fifty pence; I've read some more of Zola's work, and he, along with Guy de Maupassant, represents the best in late 19th Century French literature. What they wrote then was far above anything else being produced at the time; and still today, Zola remains the master of in-politics, and de Maupassant the God of the short story. I have only read a few pages of Rome; I'm concentrating more on Wilde for the moment.

The Soul of Man Under Socialism and Selected Critical Prose was given to me by my mother for Christmas this year. It's wonderful. Wilde was a true commentator on the mode and implication of artistic aesthetics; colour especially seems to have been something of great interest to him. His wit is also immense; such a clever, clever man; it's hard to describe his subtlety, his charm, his strength and his overwhelming intelligence. Everyone should read Oscar Wilde. I've read a lot of his short stories too; the classics, The Happy Prince and The Remarkable Rocket, are among my favourites.

[Helter Skelter]

I'm currently reading Bob Dylan's Chronicles. Taking into consideration that he once stated he'd never write an autobiography, it's an interesting read so far. I'm about halfway through it, and his memoirs of the early 60s and early 70s are spectacularly detailed.

I didn't know much about Dylan to begin with, but I'd already owned several of his albums for a while. It's written in such down-to-earth, simple language, yet manages to portray any scenario in a straightforward poetic form. I wrote on another forum that it's almost like one long, chronological poem.

It leaps straight from the early 60s to the early 70s, and the next chapter to the mid-80s, so I suppose it's just a few selected memoirs of his 4-decade career. Describing his whole life in such detail as in Chronicles would take a hell of a lot of paper. It's also filling me in on a lot of music of the mid-20th century.

I'm enjoying it so far.

[Jin]

Currently readings: The Phantom Of The Opera by Gaston Leroux

Now, I haven't been under a rock for 20 years, so obviously I've heard of the title prior to now, but I never actually did watch any of the movies or musicals. I'm glad that I'm starting with the book because movies always get it wrong. I received this as a "I'm seeing you for the first time" present from my girlfriend and am currently reading it because she recommended it as "the best love story ever". Frankly, I have to completely agree with her; I love it. I finally understand what all the fuss is about as it really is a fantastic story. Raoul's such a fool.

[Taco]

I'm currently reading Wild at Heart by John Eldredge. In my group of friends, several people have already read it, and they strongly suggested that I should read it myself. It's a heavily Christian-themed book, about the heart of men in today's society, and I'm a little more than halfway through it now.

The basic concept is that men are meant to be dangerous. That doesn't mean we are meant to be dangerous in a bad way, however. An analogy he uses in the book is that of a gun; it could be used to either harm or protect. He also uses the analogy of a lion being kept in a small cage in a zoo in the city that he lives in, and how it seems incredibly sad, and has lost its luster in life to be kept there. Basically, many men are living similar to these lions; society wants us to act in a more feminine manner than we are meant to live.

He has also been discussing the wound, how every man has one, and how it often times is inflicted on us by our father. Our father, he says, is who we ask the question to: whether we are men or not. If our father says no, or something more damaging, or is not even present to lead us there, then we may have no way to tell whether we are a man or not. The wound is usually something that you're afraid of confronting, so he suggests you confront that wound head on. He also suggests that you invite the Lord there to help you heal that wound.

This book has been a bit inspiring to me. I do not know that I am doing it proper justice with my description of it; it might best be approached by reading it yourself, if you are curious. Even if you are not Christian, I think many of these messages can be utilized in your life. I'm only halfway through, so maybe I'll edit this post and add my final thoughts to it later. Anyhoo...

Wuv, Yer Mom

[Angantyr]

120 Days of Sodom by Marquis de Sade

I recently attained the e-book as it was suggested through ToroMor as being one of the most disgusting books ever, so much so it had been banned in many countries for a very long time and thus I decided to look at it.

From what I read (being the introduction) it was not exactly something I would get into but interesting never the less. Basically it has started by introducing the story of which is set in France and has these four rich men who luster in acts of Sodomy and Rape in the most vile ways. Each of these men have their own traits, normally willing to kill to get anything they want.

I have not really read anything in over a year from when I was reading Thus Spake Zarathustra when events happened interupting it. I dunno if I will read this book or not, as it is kind of one of those things you do not like yet that is kind of why it interests you. I highly suggest it however if vile acts tickle your fancy.

[Psiko]

Previously read: The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. This book lasted all of three days, so I never got the chance to put it in here as my currently reading. I must say, despite some negative reviews I'd seen from members at a writing forum, I enjoyed this book a lot. Enough that I couldn't put it down once I got into it. I still have not seen the movie, which I intend to change as soon as I get around to renting it. Highly recommend this to anyone!

Currently reading: The Two Jungle Books by Rudyard Kipling. Did you know that The Jungle Book is really a bunch of short stories published back in the late 1800's? Or that he published two collections of said short stories involving Mowgli and his adventures in the jungle? Or that these short stories are nothing like the Disney movie? Or that, as always, these stories are 100 times better than the movie version? I've decided this at the 1/3 point in the book. And, of course, the one I have is a complete compilation of the two books in one volume. Bravo, Kipling. You write very entertaining stories!

[Georg Prime]

@Psiko, Amber Spyglass was great I thought. That whole series is one of my favorites, It's been so long since I've read them but I can't wait for the movies to come out! And I really enjoyed the Da Vinci Code, if you like Dan Brown you should read some his other novels. Angels and Demons in particular, since it is also a story revolving around Robert Langdon.

Previously read: Laurel Canyon: The Inside Story of Rock & Roll's Legendary Neighborhood by: Michael Walker. This was a really good and interesting read for me because I've always been fascinated with the 60's, not only the music, but the whole culture as well. The book traces the canyon's humble beginnings when bands like the Byrds called it home, to the Charles Manson murders later on, and when cocaine, disco, punk, and glam took over the hippie folk rock beginnings and greed and corruption sank in. The canyon made LA the music center of the US at the time, and it was home to many of rock's greats including Frank Zappa, Jim Morrison, Brian Wilson, John Mayall, The Eagles, The Byrds, and Joni Mitchell (many of which provided some good interviews and incites). Not only did I learn a lot about some of my favorite bands, but it really gave a great incite to what a magical time that era was.
Now Reading: The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by: Tom Wolfe. A book by famous american author Tom Wolfe, once again this caters to my taste in literature. Most of my reading is either science fiction/fantasy, books about drugs, the counterculture, or I love reading books about my favorite musicians. This book tells the story of Ken Kesey and his band of Merry Pranksters as they drive all around the country in an old painted school bus experimenting with LSD and other psychedelic drugs. A really good read if you are into book about drugs and hippies. Not too far into it as of now though.

after this, I want to continue reading all of Huxley's books, I have Island and Brave New World under my belt but i hope to read Crome Yellow soon.