Hi everyone! My name is Nickie, and I'm new to booktalk. Currently, I'm finishing up my first semester of college. I've never found it easy to make friends, and COVID certainly hasn't helped. I have been dying to find friends I can talk to about books (or anything really) so when I found this website I knew I had to sign up immediately!

A little about me - I love to listen to Taylor Swift, Starcrawler, and Lana Del Rey. I used to bowl competitively and I am really looking forward to the day the alleys reopen. I love movies, and some of my faves are Good Will Hunting, the Prince of Egypt, Midsommar, Juno, Teeth, Pride and Prejudice, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. My favorite authors are Carl Hiaasen and George R.R. Martin.

If you're into anything I'm into let me know so we can geek out together.

<3

Welcome to the community! In my area of Florida the bowling alleys have been open for several months. They just alternate lanes so that there is always an empty lane on either side of every active lane.

Hi Nickie,
Glad you found us. Welcome!

I have read a couple of Hiaasen books, and he is a hoot (sorry, inside joke). I also like George R R Martin, or at least Game of Thrones. Someone I know, much younger than me, finds GOT to be too negative, what with killing off any character who seems admirable, but I found myself pulled in anyway. And of course Tyrion Lannister is worth any frustration a person has to put up with. Such a great character - so human.

Harry Marks wrote:Hi Nickie,
Glad you found us. Welcome!

I have read a couple of Hiaasen books, and he is a hoot (sorry, inside joke). I also like George R R Martin, or at least Game of Thrones. Someone I know, much younger than me, finds GOT to be too negative, what with killing off any character who seems admirable, but I found myself pulled in anyway. And of course Tyrion Lannister is worth any frustration a person has to put up with. Such a great character - so human.

I actually just recently finished A Dance with Dragons, and now am not-so-patiently awaiting The Winds of Winter! A lot of people I talk to about the books say the same thing about the violence. Tyrion is my absolute favorite as well. I can't wait to see how the story continues!

nickiejcrome wrote:
I actually just recently finished A Dance with Dragons, and now am not-so-patiently awaiting The Winds of Winter! A lot of people I talk to about the books say the same thing about the violence. Tyrion is my absolute favorite as well. I can't wait to see how the story continues!

I have heard that Martin allowed the television series to introduce several twists that were not in the books. Since I was living overseas I did not have access to the television series except on rare visits outside the country. I am not one of those purists who objects to the live version making changes, though there are a few cases where it has really betrayed a book the way it was treated in film. (Actually none of them come to mind right now as I try to think of an example.) But anyway, I am also hoping the next book (The Winds of Winter, you say?) will be out before long and I can still read it with mind unpolluted by the alternate version.

Why is Tyrion such an appealing character, I wonder? He is mean to women, although supposedly he has an excuse. His mordant sarcasm and occasionally real bravery are part of the appeal, I suppose. He is a real victim, and so I back him as an underdog and feel some of the sting myself when his father will not appreciate even his excellent planning for the invasion. But I also don't like the side of me that treats a person as admirable just for holding up under victimization, and I don't like the side of me that relished his vengeful treatment of his father.

I suppose there is a lot of that in the fascination of Game of Thrones. Even though I am disgusted with myself for being fascinated by the horrible events and the suspense that is partly just wondering if Martin can stoop any lower, I also crave the next installment. I guess it's the embodiment of the saying these days, "You can't look away." I also feel that way watching a heavyweight boxing match.

I heard there is an actual word for the way TV wresting matches have to keep pretending that the action is real, (even though everyone in the audience knows it isn't). "Kayfabe" according to Jamelle Bouie. (Almost seems like that might be where "covfefe" came from.) I feel that way about GOT sometimes. Like I'm torn between, "And then? What happened next?" and "Come on, you can't be serious."

Harry Marks wrote:

nickiejcrome wrote:
I actually just recently finished A Dance with Dragons, and now am not-so-patiently awaiting The Winds of Winter! A lot of people I talk to about the books say the same thing about the violence. Tyrion is my absolute favorite as well. I can't wait to see how the story continues!

I have heard that Martin allowed the television series to introduce several twists that were not in the books. Since I was living overseas I did not have access to the television series except on rare visits outside the country. I am not one of those purists who objects to the live version making changes, though there are a few cases where it has really betrayed a book the way it was treated in film. (Actually none of them come to mind right now as I try to think of an example.) But anyway, I am also hoping the next book (The Winds of Winter, you say?) will be out before long and I can still read it with mind unpolluted by the alternate version.

Why is Tyrion such an appealing character, I wonder? He is mean to women, although supposedly he has an excuse. His mordant sarcasm and occasionally real bravery are part of the appeal, I suppose. He is a real victim, and so I back him as an underdog and feel some of the sting myself when his father will not appreciate even his excellent planning for the invasion. But I also don't like the side of me that treats a person as admirable just for holding up under victimization, and I don't like the side of me that relished his vengeful treatment of his father.

I suppose there is a lot of that in the fascination of Game of Thrones. Even though I am disgusted with myself for being fascinated by the horrible events and the suspense that is partly just wondering if Martin can stoop any lower, I also crave the next installment. I guess it's the embodiment of the saying these days, "You can't look away." I also feel that way watching a heavyweight boxing match.

I heard there is an actual word for the way TV wresting matches have to keep pretending that the action is real, (even though everyone in the audience knows it isn't). "Kayfabe" according to Jamelle Bouie. (Almost seems like that might be where "covfefe" came from.) I feel that way about GOT sometimes. Like I'm torn between, "And then? What happened next?" and "Come on, you can't be serious."

I haven't seen the TV series yet, I was waiting until I finished the books first. I guess I'll have to get started on that! I don't hate when TV changes things from the book, but I always make sure I've read the book first because of how often this happens.

Personally, I love Tyrion because his voice is so distinct and different from the other characters. With all the perspective switches, it can be difficult to connect with the characters or find consistencies throughout their chapters. (Reek, reek, it rhymes with freak, anyone?) Tyrion is so funny and he really is a victim who finds a way to take control, which makes it so easy to like and sympathize with him. I laughed out loud many, many times during his chapters.

I think the reason I love this series so much is because I have to justify the hours upon hours I put into reading these books! It wouldn't make much sense for me to log what must be close to 100 hours on reading these books and then give up.