You are browsing the forum as a guest. Please log in or register to access additional features.
Online reading group and book discussion forum
  FORUMS ABOUT BOOKS VIDEOS TRANSCRIPTS LINKS BLOGS DONATE CONTACT  

     Log in   Register 


BookTalk.org News
• Only 4 members are currently signed up to receive email digests. Click on the digests link on the right at the top of every page to learn more. This is a great feature for keeping updated on forum activity.
• Regular casual chats are back on the menu! Check out the calendar for the schedule.

Links & Resources

Community Rules & Tips
For Authors & Publishers
Link to our old forum
Our Amazon.com Statistics
Book Suggestions
Rationally Speaking
Donations to BookTalk.org
FACTS Book Selections
BookTalk Forum Statistics
Games 170 FREE Games


Chat Room

Enter the BookTalk.org Chat Room

Enter our Chat Room

Nov. 2008 Chat Schedule
Dec. 2008 Chat Schedule
Jan. 2009 Chat Schedule


Featured Videos

Dan Barker
author of "Godless"
talks about his deconversion


Dan Barker's Deconversion

Andrew Bacevich
"The Limits of Power"

Andrew Bacevich on The Limits of Power

More Videos

Author Interviews


Featured Member Blogs

Ophelia's Blog
Lawrence's Blog
Penelope's Blog
Frank 013's Blog

- View all member Blogs
- See the latest Blog posts


Amazon Honor System
Amazon Honor System Click Here to Pay Learn More

Donate to BookTalk.org

Please support BookTalk.org by making a small donation today!

Who supports us?


Related Links

Show us where you live!
BookTalk.org Member Map

Display Pagerank


What Books Do You Dislike?

Goto page Previous  1, 2, 3, 4  Next
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    BookTalk.org Forum Index -> Additional Fiction Book Discussions
Author Message
Audrey Audrey has been starred
I can enter The Chamber

Avatar

Usergroups: None


Joined: 05 Feb 2008

Posts: 50

Thanks
Given: 0
Received: 0 in 0 Posts

Gender: Female
Location: East Coast
us.gif



PostPosted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 9:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Penelope wrote:
I just thought how great it would be to live in a society where they had that 'Cafe Culture' - sat around drinking coffee and discussing what the hell it was all about...


Oh, Penelope you have no idea. You're not the only one being jealous. I envy the café discussions...
Back to top
  Facebook it
WildCityWoman WildCityWoman has been starred
Masters



Usergroups: None


Joined: 13 Jan 2008

Posts: 459

Thanks
Given: 0
Received: 0 in 0 Posts

Gender: None specified



PostPosted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 11:39 am    Post subject: About as crazy as Urantia? Reply with quote
Mr. Pessimistic wrote:
The Xtian Bible. I just dont get it...

Atlas Shrugged. Characters are so shallow and thin and so is the 'plot'.

Mr. P.


Ever try reading through Urantia Book? It's sort of an 'alien bible'.

Absolutely mind boggling to try and understand that.
Back to top
  Facebook it
WildCityWoman WildCityWoman has been starred
Masters



Usergroups: None


Joined: 13 Jan 2008

Posts: 459

Thanks
Given: 0
Received: 0 in 0 Posts

Gender: None specified



PostPosted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 11:42 am    Post subject: Re: don't make me read... Reply with quote
FannieB wrote:
Stephen King - I tried to read "It" when it came out and it just went on and on with too much detail about nothing. ick. Although I did read one of his latest, Cell, as a quick fluff read. Not my usual genre or storyline but fun for what it was. I've also gotten two copies of Liseys Story and can't get into it...again with the rambling detail...

I wish I could appreciate what others do about King.


I agree . . . IT is one of the few books by SK that I didn't like. CELL . . . I listened to that on an audio version - the story itself is intriguing but the way he wrote it in that long dragged out way of his - tedious.
Back to top
  Facebook it
WildCityWoman WildCityWoman has been starred
Masters



Usergroups: None


Joined: 13 Jan 2008

Posts: 459

Thanks
Given: 0
Received: 0 in 0 Posts

Gender: None specified



PostPosted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 11:48 am    Post subject: Heart of Darkness Reply with quote
One of the books on here right now . . . I am going to do a few more pages - not fair to give up this soon, I guess.

I don't like it much though - I find the wordiness makes it a tedious read. Too much crammed into one sentence in narrative makes it difficult.
Back to top
  Facebook it
Constance963 Constance963 has been starred
Intern

Avatar

Usergroups: None


Joined: 20 Nov 2007


Posts: 165

Thanks
Given: 0
Received: 0 in 0 Posts

Gender: Female

us.gif



PostPosted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 11:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
DWill wrote:
It could have been immaturity, but our great classic, Moby Dick, no way. I fell asleep many times over that. I was especially annoyed at the parts where Melville would talk about whaling, once "proving" that whales were so numerous in the oceans as to be inexhaustible. Should I go back and give the great albino another chance? Anyone out there admire this book?

With the strong exception of Huckleberry Finn, I don't much enjoy Mark Twain. Oh, also Ernest Hemmingway is a writer whose reputation as a great writer is a mystery to me. I'm always open to reconsidering any judgment.

Will


I have to agree. I was required to read Moby Dick in 11th grade and couldn't finish it. I just read the Cliffs Notes and aced my test - in fact, I got the highest grade in the class Laughing

I never got Hemmingway either. I only read a Farewell to Arms, but it was so depressing and the characters were so blah, I never wanted to read anything else by him.
Back to top
  Facebook it
Penelope Penelope has been starred
Stupendously Brilliant
Silver Contributor
Silver Contributor

Avatar

Usergroups: None


Joined: 02 Oct 2007


Posts: 737

Thanks
Given: 0
Received: 0 in 0 Posts

Gender: Female
Location: Cheshire, England
ee.gif



PostPosted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 4:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Dickens - Dickens - Dickens

I just typed the name of the man who wrote Oliver Twist - three times - just testing.

The thing about Moby Dick was.....it made a great film.

Has anyone ever watched the film. Educating Rita? From the play by Willie Russell:-

How would you stage an Ibsen play? Put it on the Radio, she said.
Back to top
  Facebook it
WildCityWoman WildCityWoman has been starred
Masters



Usergroups: None


Joined: 13 Jan 2008

Posts: 459

Thanks
Given: 0
Received: 0 in 0 Posts

Gender: None specified



PostPosted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 9:58 am    Post subject: Danielle Steele Reply with quote
I like the movies made from her books, but rarely read one of them.
Back to top
  Facebook it
veerwald
Newbie



Usergroups: None


Joined: 23 Feb 2008

Posts: 1

Thanks
Given: 0
Received: 0 in 0 Posts

Gender: None specified



PostPosted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 5:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
test
Back to top
  Facebook it
Penelope Penelope has been starred
Stupendously Brilliant
Silver Contributor
Silver Contributor

Avatar

Usergroups: None


Joined: 02 Oct 2007


Posts: 737

Thanks
Given: 0
Received: 0 in 0 Posts

Gender: Female
Location: Cheshire, England
ee.gif



PostPosted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 6:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Hello Veerwald -

Test positive - Do you want to join in?

What books/authors have had an effect on your life? Sad
Back to top
  Facebook it
Constance963 Constance963 has been starred
Intern

Avatar

Usergroups: None


Joined: 20 Nov 2007


Posts: 165

Thanks
Given: 0
Received: 0 in 0 Posts

Gender: Female

us.gif



PostPosted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 2:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I just recently finished reading "The Keep" by Jennifer Eagan and was disapointed with it. The premise was interesting and I had been excited to read it but I felt it was confusing and fell flat, but maybe I just expected too much. Has anyone else read this?
Back to top
  Facebook it
Penelope Penelope has been starred
Stupendously Brilliant
Silver Contributor
Silver Contributor

Avatar

Usergroups: None


Joined: 02 Oct 2007


Posts: 737

Thanks
Given: 0
Received: 0 in 0 Posts

Gender: Female
Location: Cheshire, England
ee.gif



PostPosted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 2:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I will look out for 'The Keep' and read it when I come upon it. I have been recommended 'The Island' by Victoria Hislop' - shall we read one of them together and discuss Constance? ......because I sure as hell don't fancy 'No Country for Old Men'. I am told it is a really good film.....but I just don't feel as though I want to read about drug dealers.....

I am going to miss out on this one and join in later.

Excuse me everyone..... Wink
Back to top
  Facebook it
Constance963 Constance963 has been starred
Intern

Avatar

Usergroups: None


Joined: 20 Nov 2007


Posts: 165

Thanks
Given: 0
Received: 0 in 0 Posts

Gender: Female

us.gif



PostPosted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 2:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Sure Penelope. I'd be willing to discuss "The Keep" with you if you would like to read it. I will check out "The Island" as well. I unfortunately had trouble getting into "Heart of Darkness" but I may give it another try.
Back to top
  Facebook it
Ophelia Ophelia has been starred
Embodiment of Reason
Silver Contributor
Silver Contributor

Avatar

Usergroups: None


Joined: 25 Nov 2007

Posts: 1381

Thanks
Given: 2
Received: 7 in 7 Posts

Gender: Female
Location: France
ee.gif



PostPosted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 5:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Constance wrote:

Quote:
I unfortunately had trouble getting into "Heart of Darkness" but I may give it another try


Constance, have you seen the reference Carly gave about the audio version at project Gutenberg?

I'm sure you don't want to miss the discussion about Heart of Darkness.Smile

http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/9343

Have you seen the film "Apocalypse Now"?
At this stage we are still discussing the book and I am wondering whether people will want to discuss the film as well.
I'd like to.
Back to top
  Facebook it
Randy Kadish
Eligible to vote!



Usergroups: None


Joined: 11 Oct 2007


Posts: 22

Thanks
Given: 0
Received: 0 in 0 Posts

Gender: Male



PostPosted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 9:33 am    Post subject: Literary Fiction Reply with quote
This might ruffle some feathers, but I do not like so called literary fiction. I find most of it much ado about nothing, by that I mean I don't feel the authors have anything new to say, or even tell a good story. (I like intereting characters, but I also like interesting plots.)

I feel that good fiction isn't just accessible to the intellectual community. Good fiction deals with themes that are important and accessible to a wide audience.

Anyway, that's just my opinion,

Randy
Back to top
  Facebook it
Theomanic Theomanic has been starred
I can enter The Chamber
Bronze Contributor
Bronze Contributor

Avatar

Usergroups: None


Joined: 04 Jan 2008

Posts: 57

Thanks
Given: 0
Received: 0 in 0 Posts

Gender: Female
Location: Toronto, ON
ca.gif



PostPosted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 9:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Books I have the most trouble with are books that have characters that seem entirely irrational. This effect is magnified if the book has done well critically, such as Away and The True History of the Kelly Gang. The rants I've had about those books, especially the latter novel. Whew! Maybe it's because I am a rational person myself, but I really don't like it when people act in a crazy fashion... when supposedly they're normal. As I said about True History..., that entire country needs a good dose of mood stabilizers.

As to Stephen King, I think he's a big hit or miss writer. I cannot believe the same man who wrote the Dark Tower novels also wrote Gerald's Game. The former being some of the best books I have ever read, the latter being among the absolute worst. I read his book On Writing and he said he thinks part of his success is due to how common his characters are. That anyone can relate to the people in his books... I think sometimes they're a little too common.

Other books I hated:
The Last Battle by C S. Lewis (the last Narnia novel) -- talk about being hit over the head with a Jesus shovel.
The Trial by Franz Kafka -- I'm sure it was quite an eye-opener in its time, but I found it to be dense and repetitive. One of the most unfulfilling books I've ever read.
Digital Fortress by Dan Brown -- I cannot stand this man's writing. Usually I accept that people may have differing opinions from mine, but if you disagree with me on this, you are wrong! Wrong wrong wrong. I also read Angels and Demons, and it was terrible too, but this book was worse.

I'm reading Moby Dick in a couple months, for a book club. I think it's April or May's book. Wish me luck!
Back to top
  Facebook it
Display replies from:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    BookTalk.org Forum Index -> Additional Fiction Book Discussions  
Goto page Previous  1, 2, 3, 4  Next
Page 2 of 4


 
Recent Topics
» Is an agnostic a cowardly atheist?
by geo on Thu Nov 20, 2008 12:06 pm

» Love in the time of cholera
by lapdog on Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:39 am

» Casual Chat 9 pm Eastern Thursday 12/4/2008
by Chris OConnor on Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:36 am

» Casual Chat 11 am Eastern Thursday 12/7/2008
by Chris OConnor on Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:34 am

» Poem of the moment
by lapdog on Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:34 am

» Casual Chat 9 pm Eastern Thursday 12/11/2008
by Chris OConnor on Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:33 am

» Casual Chat 11 am Eastern Sunday 12/14/2008
by Chris OConnor on Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:29 am

» Casual Chat 9 pm Eastern Thursday 12/18/2008
by Chris OConnor on Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:28 am

» Casual Chat 11 am Eastern Sunday 12/21/2008
by Chris OConnor on Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:26 am

» Chapter 3: The Military Crisis
by DWill on Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:26 am




BookTalk.org Suggests


The Spirit Man by Sean Murphy

Stupid Reasons People Die: An Ingenious Plot for Defusing Deadly Diseases by John Corso, M.D.

Wife In The North by Judith O'Reilly

Coyote's Guide to Connecting with Nature: For Kids of All Ages and Their Mentors by Young, Haas, McGown

The Myth of the Oil Crisis: Overcoming The Challenges of Depletion, Geopolitics, And Global Warming by Robin M . Mills


Additional Book Suggestions


Related Links

Poll
How often do you visit the library?

I visit the library several times each week [2]
Oh, probably once per week [3]
Maybe a few times per month [0]