Trip to the bookstore [Archive] - Two Plus Two Older Archives

[censored]

10-19-2005, 07:58 PM

I decided last night that I spend entirely too much time watching TV without really watching and not enough time reading which I greately enjoy when ever I do so.

I kicked the TV out of my room and took a trip over to Borders where there was a buy 4 get 1 free promo.

I basically went by titles or authors I have heard of here.

Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palahniuk. I've read Survivor and Lullaby and loved both so hopefully this one will follow suit.

Hell's Angels and Songs of the Doomed by Hunter S. Thompson. I've never read any of his books but people made a big deal with he killed himself so I'm hoping I like him as well. I'm a little worried because it looks like he may have quite a different outlook on the world than me but we'll see.

The Gunslinger by Stephen King. I remember the thread here talking about favorite fictional series and this one got some good reviews by posters I like. I've always like King so this seems like a safe pick.

The Right Nation by John Mickethwait and Adrain Woolridge. Got a good review by George Will who I enjoy reading so I'm sure I'll like this one.

Any opinions on these very much appreciated.

Boris

10-19-2005, 08:10 PM

Hells Angels is a pretty kickass book. When I moved to Oakland I was riding my bike down the street and lo and behold I went right by the Hells Angels hangout that Thompson writes about in his book. It was pretty cool.

I tried to replicate the cool feeling of "I read about this place in a book" by going to Strawberry Canyon in Berkeley. This is referenced in Way of the Peaceful Warrior. Didn't have the same effect as riding by the Hells Angels hangout. I don't think I'm peaceful enough.

chuddo

10-19-2005, 08:12 PM

yeah great call on the gunslinger. i am jealous you have the entire dark tower series to read for the first time.

invisible monsters is the one paluhniak book i have yet to read. everything with him is pretty hit or miss with me and i have found his books to be pretty uneven.

i am currently reading "magical thinkng" by augusten burroughs. i enjoyed 'running with scissors', and moreso 'dry'. was hoping it would focus more on his advertising career, but it kind of jumps around throughout his life.

irishpint

10-19-2005, 08:12 PM

</font><blockquote><font class="small">En respuesta a:</font><hr />

Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palahniuk. I've read Survivor and Lullaby and loved both so hopefully this one will follow suit.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have not read it but I read the others and thoroughly enjoyed them. I have, however, heard good things about this book from those who introduced me to Lullaby.

VinceCall

10-19-2005, 10:05 PM

You might not have realized it, but there is a forum in existence for discussion of books. Surely the moderator will be moving your off-topic post soon.

razor

10-19-2005, 11:07 PM

[ QUOTE ]
You might not have realized it, but there is a forum in existence for discussion of books. Surely the moderator will be moving your off-topic post soon.

[/ QUOTE ]

The books [censored] mentioned are not GAMBLING books.

ScottyP431

10-19-2005, 11:15 PM

Invisible monsters is incredible despite a little to much work by the author to make the plot nice and round.
Flash
I doubt you'll give me dissapointment

jokerthief

10-19-2005, 11:33 PM

1984, Lord of The Rings, Great Expectations, Catcher in the Rye, Grisham novels, The Shining, Rogue Warrior, A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, All Quiet on the Western Front. I cant think of anymore fiction right now but these are some of my favorites and it wouldn't suprise me if you've read most of them.

Brain

10-19-2005, 11:35 PM

[ QUOTE ]
You might not have realized it, but there is a forum in existence for discussion of books. Surely the moderator will be moving your off-topic post soon.

[/ QUOTE ]

You do realize [censored] IS a moderator, right?

wall_st

10-20-2005, 12:40 AM

I like hunter S. however he seems to be one of those people either love to death or hate with a passion. I personally did not like the hells angels book when compared with something like Fear and Loathing in las vegas. They are a very different writing style.

VinceLepore + Smoothcall = VinceCall (the ultimate troll)?

man

10-20-2005, 12:49 AM

I guess this might not count as literature, but I feel that anyone who hasn't read the graphic novel series "preacher" is seriously missing out. it's phenomenal, and I can think of little else to articulate my affection for it.

as to a substantive contribution to the thread.. uh.. I guess I don't really like stephen king, so um.. he's bad. there.

ChipWrecked

10-20-2005, 01:24 AM

Hell's Angels = goot.

As a poster above mentioned though, this was written before he refined the 'gonzo' style.

diebitter

10-20-2005, 01:26 AM

Gunslinger - yah it's good, but 'different seasons' is the dog's bollocks for King, IMHO.

If you're interested in childhood and how we are as kids and how this changes as you grow, 'It' is also a tip-top read, but a bit of a brick.

Spladle Master

10-20-2005, 01:54 AM

[ QUOTE ]
as to a substantive contribution to the thread.. uh.. I guess I don't really like stephen king, so um.. he's bad. there.

[/ QUOTE ]

YSSCKY

Spladle Master

10-20-2005, 02:00 AM

Invisible Monsters is an amazing book, IMHO. Story's incredibly [censored] up the way Fight Club and Survivor were. Female narrator kinda like Diary. Basically I'm betting you'll dig it. One request. After you have finished the book, answer a question I'll ask. In the interest of science.

I'm amazed that you haven't read the Dark Tower series. You say that you generally enjoy King. Have you read many other recent Stephen King novels? If so you'll enjoy the series more, 'cause about half of his books are related to the Dark Tower in some way. But they're by no means required reading. A warning. The first book is by far the worst of the lot, so I would advise you to not get discouraged at the get-go. The later books are some of the most amazing bits of story-telling I've yet encountered in my admittedly short life.

4_2_it

10-20-2005, 09:30 AM

based on your avatar I assume you are familiar with Clive Barker. Great and Secret Show and Weaveworld are two of my favorites. The Thief of Always is fairly short and reads like a Tim Burton movie.

If you like a thinking man's sci fi than read the first 4 books of Frank Herbert's Dune series. Ignore anything you have see in the movies or on TV. The writing is what makes the series.

What genres do you prefer? I enjoyed Atlas Shrugged, but it is definitely not for everyone.

Bluffoon

10-20-2005, 09:33 AM

Nobody's Fool by Richard Russo. You really can't go very wrong with anything by him.

imported_The Vibesman

10-20-2005, 09:39 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I'm amazed that you haven't read the Dark Tower series. You say that you generally enjoy King. Have you read many other recent Stephen King novels? If so you'll enjoy the series more, 'cause about half of his books are related to the Dark Tower in some way. But they're by no means required reading. A warning. The first book is by far the worst of the lot, so I would advise you to not get discouraged at the get-go. The later books are some of the most amazing bits of story-telling I've yet encountered in my admittedly short life.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm gonna go ahead and disagree with this. The first book is the best of the series by far (caveat: I have not read the rewritten version he did recently after he got lazy with the story). The first four books as a collective may be King's best work. The 5th and 6th books read like he's racing to get to the 7th, and the 7th book...well, I think "huge disappointment" is an understatement. Just one guy's opinion, and I don't want to get deep into it. There are, I'm sure, fans that will disagree.

The first one is great, tho...romantic, poetic, strange and beautiful. And lots of people get shot.

MrTrik

10-20-2005, 09:47 AM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I'm amazed that you haven't read the Dark Tower series. You say that you generally enjoy King. Have you read many other recent Stephen King novels? If so you'll enjoy the series more, 'cause about half of his books are related to the Dark Tower in some way. But they're by no means required reading. A warning. The first book is by far the worst of the lot, so I would advise you to not get discouraged at the get-go. The later books are some of the most amazing bits of story-telling I've yet encountered in my admittedly short life.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm gonna go ahead and disagree with this. The first book is the best of the series by far (caveat: I have not read the rewritten version he did recently after he got lazy with the story). The first four books as a collective may be King's best work. The 5th and 6th books read like he's racing to get to the 7th, and the 7th book...well, I think "huge disappointment" is an understatement. Just one guy's opinion, and I don't want to get deep into it. There are, I'm sure, fans that will disagree.

The first one is great, tho...romantic, poetic, strange and beautiful. And lots of people get shot.

[/ QUOTE ]

My wife is a huge King fan and has read (and owns) everything he's written. I've probably read 10 or 12 of his books. I like them in a check the brain out of life sort of way. My favorite was the one's with Tak (sorry can't remember the names). Black House was good too. And I enjoyed Insomnia and Dreamcatcher quite a bit.

But I agree with the assessment of the Gunslinger series 100%. Only die-hard fans will enjoy all 7 installments and that's because they are die-hard fans. The first was the best by far.

Hamish McBagpipe

10-20-2005, 09:54 AM

[ QUOTE ]
The first book is the best of the series by far (caveat: I have not read the rewritten version he did recently after he got lazy with the story). The first four books as a collective may be King's best work.

[/ QUOTE ]

For someone new to the series I would recommend picking up the first two books. I find that the original Gunslinger is a bit disjointed while King really gets going with The Drawing of the Three. If you can get through the 2nd book you will, IMO, be able to judge what this epic is like and where he's going with it.

Blarg

10-20-2005, 09:59 AM

Hells Angels by Thompson was a really good read. I still remember him talking about being with the Hells Angels as always having an effect of hollowing out social interaction and dragging it down, like dragging a party down to the lowest common denominator of who's going to get laid tonight.

imported_The Vibesman

10-20-2005, 10:07 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Hells Angels by Thompson was a really good read. I still remember him talking about being with the Hells Angels as always having an effect of hollowing out social interaction and dragging it down, like dragging a party down to the lowest common denominator of who's going to get laid tonight.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, that's a fantastic read. I liked the way he contrasted the way they treated their bikes with the way they treated everything else they owned (or didn't own.) His depiction of the rampant hypocrisy among the "straights" is also pretty funny.

I should really read this again, actually.

BoogerFace

10-20-2005, 11:00 AM

Spladle Master

10-20-2005, 05:29 PM

[ QUOTE ]
The first one is great, tho...romantic, poetic, strange and beautiful. And lots of people get shot.

[/ QUOTE ]

The book reads like it was written by a college kid trying to sound grown up and important. Which it was.

Blarg

10-20-2005, 05:33 PM

His talk about their political leanings really rang true; how they didn't understand that the arch conservatives they styled themselves were their worst enemies and would be the first ones to come down on them.

orange

10-20-2005, 08:05 PM

[ QUOTE ]
My favorite was the one's with Tak (sorry can't remember the names).

[/ QUOTE ]

Desperation I think. Good book.

The Dark Tower series is very very good. Very creative. The books get significantly better (although I didn't like the 4th as much), and the last few are excellent.

IT and The Stand are good books too, those are my other favorite SK books.

[censored]

10-21-2005, 09:53 PM

Just finished The Right Nation which was interesting but definently not for everyone. The book is part history part commentary of the conservatism is America and it's relationship with Europe. I think those who enjoy learning about history and politics without the bomb throwing of Ann Coulter, Michael Moore, Rush Limbaugh or Al Franklin will enjoy this book. It's takes a very fair look at the make up of conservatism without either bashing or celebrating it. It absolutely does not try to persuad the reader to take sides and I would not consider it to be a political book.

I especially found the parts on think tanks and the role that they play in politics to be fresh and interesting.

The Right Nation is a bit on the long side at 420+ pages of reading material and does tend to be a bit redundant at times.

Next up Hell's Angels.

private joker

10-21-2005, 10:00 PM

Invisible Monsters is, along with Diary, considered Palahniuk's worst. You should have gone with Choke, which is by far his best -- even better than the awesome Lullaby.

[censored]

10-21-2005, 10:04 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I like hunter S. however he seems to be one of those people either love to death or hate with a passion. I personally did not like the hells angels book when compared with something like Fear and Loathing in las vegas. They are a very different writing style.

VinceLepore + Smoothcall = VinceCall (the ultimate troll)?

[/ QUOTE ]

It was a small borders which actually didn't have a copy of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas which what I was originally looking for and will get next batch.

[censored]

10-21-2005, 10:06 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Invisible Monsters is an amazing book, IMHO. Story's incredibly [censored] up the way Fight Club and Survivor were. Female narrator kinda like Diary. Basically I'm betting you'll dig it. One request. After you have finished the book, answer a question I'll ask. In the interest of science.

I'm amazed that you haven't read the Dark Tower series. You say that you generally enjoy King. Have you read many other recent Stephen King novels? If so you'll enjoy the series more, 'cause about half of his books are related to the Dark Tower in some way. But they're by no means required reading. A warning. The first book is by far the worst of the lot, so I would advise you to not get discouraged at the get-go. The later books are some of the most amazing bits of story-telling I've yet encountered in my admittedly short life.

[/ QUOTE ]

I used to read Stephen King when I was in the Army which was almost 8-10 years ago now. I haven't him at all since but for a book of collected short stories. I actually haven't read much of anything to tell the truth but I'm looking to change that starting now.

Blarg

10-21-2005, 10:28 PM

Danse Macabre was a non-fiction work he did a long time ago, about horror in popular culture. It was a really good read, and clearly King is exactly the right guy to talk about it. He talks about the hows and whys of the way good horror works, older writing and its themes and echoes in the present day, and mentions some of the great horror in t.v. and movies. I've both loved and hated King, but he comes through big time in this book even if you're not particularly a King fan at all. It's well worth considering, if you're going to pick up some King.

Manque

10-22-2005, 12:37 AM

If you haven't read it The Conservative Mind by Russell Kirk should be up your alley.

WildDan

10-22-2005, 02:08 AM

[ QUOTE ]

I'll have to give Invisible Monsters another try. I gave up after the first 30 pages or so.

I couldn't get enough of Choke or Diary. I wished those books never ended.

Stranger than Fiction was really good too.

[/ QUOTE ]

Invisible Monsters took me until about page 70 or so to really get into. Palahniuk's female (not sure this one counts..) perspective books seem weaker to me, but they're all good. Choke is hands down the best piece of fiction he's written.

Started Haunted yesterday, almost wanted to throw up after the first few chapters.. not sure if that counts as an endorsement.

Anyone here read Bret Easton Ellis? I'm curious as to how Lunar Park is being received.

scott8

10-22-2005, 02:18 AM

I just finished the Dark Tower Series, been reading the books for the last year, and it is certainly one of the all-time best stories I have ever read.

Bradyams

10-22-2005, 03:59 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Invisible Monsters took me until about page 70 or so to really get into.

[/ QUOTE ]

Just picked this book up tonight, and I'm at about page 70. So far I find the narrator to have a strange sense of humor that makes me giggle out loud from time to time. I'm looking forward to the rest of it.

I also picked up Sellevision by Augusten Burroughs. I'm looking forward to it since I really enjoyed Running with Scissors.

chuddo

10-22-2005, 04:05 AM

quick headsup about sellevision. it isn't biographical; a good friend of mine said it wasn't too great.

i would read Dry and Magical Thinking if you enjoyed running with scissors.

as an aside, i just finished reading Fraud by david rakoff. not great, bit of a jackoff.

[censored]

10-22-2005, 04:06 AM

[ QUOTE ]
If you haven't read it The Conservative Mind by Russell Kirk should be up your alley.

[/ QUOTE ]

This was referrenced several time in The Right Nation so I probably should check it out. It is hard for me to really enjoy many political type books as I don't at all go for the TV pundit type BS at all.

If anyone has some recommendations for books about past presidents done is a non attacking but non biased way I'd love to see them.

Spladle Master

10-22-2005, 05:12 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I used to read Stephen King when I was in the Army which was almost 8-10 years ago now. I haven't him at all since but for a book of collected short stories. I actually haven't read much of anything to tell the truth but I'm looking to change that starting now.

[/ QUOTE ]
If that is the case then I would definitely suggest that you read some of his other works before starting on the Dark Tower. I recommend Salem's Lot but obviously there are several good choices. And reading the Dark Tower before any of the other related works can't be far wrong if it even is at all.

SittinOnDubsWGW

10-22-2005, 12:50 PM

The past book that I read was "A Confederacy of Dunces" and it was pretty good. I think the dialogue is what makes it so good.

Blarg

10-22-2005, 02:04 PM

His first book of short stories, Night Shift, still stands out as a career highlight for me. Many of those stories were excellent, like Quitters, Inc. about an evil agency that promises to help you quit smoking, and The Rats in the Walls, a great one in the vein of Lovecraft. Even the absurd ones have something of the sublime in them.

321Mike

10-22-2005, 02:48 PM

[ QUOTE ]
But I agree with the assessment of the Gunslinger series 100%. Only die-hard fans will enjoy all 7 installments and that's because they are die-hard fans. The first was the best by far.

[/ QUOTE ]
Stephen King books always get me totally sucked into the story. I can't put them down. But I have been disappointed by the ending of every one. I'm always left saying "Really? That's it? That's how it ends?" That's why I love the Dark Tower books. The story telling is great and they don't have a disappointing ending because they are just continued in the next book. I refuse to read the last book because I know the ending will suck and will ruin the whole series for me.

scott8

10-22-2005, 03:11 PM

It's the journey, not the destination.

Eric Draven

11-01-2005, 11:15 PM

Chuck Palahniuk is the man. I haven't read Invisible Monsters yet, but considering who it's by, it can't be bad, however I loved Choke (more than Lullaby, about as much as Fight Club). Get Choke and Fight Club if you haven't yet.

King is good too. Need to read more King.

Also this is kind of out there, but when ever I mention books, I reccommend David Sedaris. He's hillarious IMO, try getting Me Talk Pretty One Day - that's my favorite (although Six to Eight Black Men from Dress Your Family is my favorite story).