Currently Reading: Intellectual

[Raines]

Currently reading: A guide to Eastern Philosophy
Status - Just got it out from the library today
Why reading it - At college we only really study Western Philosophy, the study of language and that kind of thing.
I'm thinking of taking philosophy at University, so I want to expand my knowledge of the different types of philosphy, so I have an idea what modules I might take.

The Invisible Man - H.G. Wells
Status - Just got out today

Why - Classic sci-fi, one that I've been told is well worth reading at least once.
And also becuase it seems to be good to look at from a pyschlogical point of view, how someone reacts to being completely invisible, and what he would do, grow mad with power, be lost in dispair, use it for science as he intended to originaly do.

[DragonHeart]

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
Status: Completed
Rating: 5/5

In this stunning debut, Scott Lynch delivers the thrilling tale of an audacious criminal and his tightly knit band of tricksters. Set in a fantastic city pulsing with the lives of decadent nobles and daring thieves, here is a story of adventure, loyalty, and survival that is one part "Robin Hood," one part Ocean's Eleven, and entirely enthralling...

An orphan's life is harsh--and often short--in the mysterious island city of Camorr. But young Locke Lamora dodges death and slavery, becoming a thief under the tutelage of a gifted con artist. As leader of the band of light-fingered brothers known as the Gentleman Bastards, Locke is soon infamous, fooling even the underworld's most feared ruler. But in the shadows lurks someone still more ambitious and deadly.

Faced with a bloody coup that threatens to destroy everyone and everything that holds meaning in his mercenary life, Locke vows to beat the enemy at his own brutal game--or die trying...

This is an absolutely fantastic debut. I even softened my miserly ways and purchased the hardcover sequel as soon as I hit the last page. Do yourselves a favor and pick this one up; you won't regret it. Unless you dislike coarse language and graphic, occasionally colorful descriptions of violence and murder, that is. A wonderfully entertaining read.

~DragonHeart~

[DragonHeart]

Well, since no one else appears to be reading anything I suppose I'll have to take another turn.

Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch

Amazing. I am thoroughly awed by Mr. Lynch and his phenomenal series. Yes, this is the sequel to The Lies of Locke Lamora, and it's just as good, maybe even better than the first. Thieves and assassins, pirates and alchemists and a plot as carefully spun as any spider's web. This is an author no fantasy reader should miss out on. Heck, if you like Pirates of the Caribbean, Final Fantasy IX, or Fullmetal Alchemist, chances are you will enjoy these books.

I will be posting a full review on my blog sometime in the future, for those who haven't yet been swayed.

~DragonHeart~

[Momo Mastermind]

Well I'm taking a break from it right now because my reading mood has left me for the moment... I do that alot, I get into strange moods to read read read, then at some point it just flutters away and I feel no need to absorb any literature for a month or two.

Anyway, the book I'm stuck in the middle of is: God is Dead by someone or another, I forget.

It's his first book that has ever been published... and it's amazing. It's the EXACT type of book I lose myself in. The setting is Earth. God feels bad about a war going on over in Africa so he puts himself in the form of a little girl in the midst of the war to spread food around. Unfortunately for him, there is a sneak raid on the town he currently occupies, and the body he's in ends up dying, thus, causing God to perish along with her. The word of God's death spreads quickly. Strange things begin to occur around the world. Parents in the U.S., having nothing to worship anymore on Sunday, begin to worship their own children as gods. Dogs who feasted on the corpse of God begin to speak and they explain the new sensation of emotion. All of this and more in a world where there is no God any more. It's a fairly short book and it's strangely shaped, but it's very good so far. It's not set up like an average book however; every chapter is a sort of short story about the main event, just little glimpses into what is happening around the world. Read it, you'll like it.

[DragonHeart]

Assassin's Quest by Robin Hobb
Book 3 of The Farseer trilogy

The back cover contains spoilers, thus I will not post it. Same reason why I didn't for RSURS.

I finally bought this book, years after reading Assassin's Apprentice and Royal Assassin. And then it sat, unread and forgotten, for months. I'm finally picking it up to read for the first time. Admittedly, I've been a bit weary of reading it - not because the series is bad, quite the opposite. Robin Hobb has a real talent for characters. It's just that...it's so damned depressing. Not unlike Scott Lynch and his books, actually. Influence, perhaps?

~DragonHeart~

[Ol' Fartsy]

Currently Reading: Angels & Demons by Dan Brown!

This is a good book so far. I rate this book a 10/10.

[DragonHeart]

Strands of Starlight by Gael Baudino

I spent most of my afternoon reading this. It's the first of a trilogy, and very good. Very emotional and graphic without being too detailed (there are scenes/implied scenes of things like rape and torture). Heart wrenching. However, it's also a story of healing and compassion. Some of the language is a bit dated, this being an older out-of-print novel, but it doesn't really detract from the story.

The depiction of elves in this particular story is also one of the best I've ever seen. Probably the best I've ever seen, simply because it doesn't portray them as perfect, immortal, invincible pretty boys. Well fine, they're still immortal and pretty. But this is the first time I've seen pacifist elves, and with a more than reasonable explanation for it. I'll take Varden and Terrill over Legolas any day.

It is a heavily character-driven story, so even though it's a fantasy and ultimately a quest of revenge, there is actually very little fighting involved.

I'll definitely look into the other books of the trilogy, and I highly recommend them to anyone who wants a less conventional view of elves. And a strong female lead. Not unlike Elizabeth Moon's Paksenarrion, actually.

~DragonHeart~

[DragonHeart]

Memories of Ice, Steven Erikson

Book 3 of Malazan, an epic fantasy series that reads like a mix of Dungeons and Dragons and Final Fantasy. While Deadhouse Gates focused primarily on its own cast of characters, Memories of Ice marks the return of many familiar faces in the midst of a new campaign. Most of the surviving cast from Gardens of the Moon are present, including Whiskeyjack, Dujek Onearm, Crone, Anomander Rake, Kruppe, and most of the Bridgeburners. There's also more than a few surprise appearances, which I won't spoil for you.

All in all, a fantastic yet horrifically dark tale.

~DragonHeart~

[Almasys]

I'm actually reading about 4 books right now...which is quite easy for me.

First one:
Resident Evil: Caliban Cove by S.D. Perry
Reason: Well, I'm a Resident Evil fan and I finished the previous one, The Umbrella Conspiracy which was Perry's own interpretation of the first Resident Evil game. This one is more of an original book of her's that she used to bridge the gap between the first game and the second one.
Thoughts: It's a bit fast paced, unlike the first that was a little more understanding, but I like the fact that here, the zombies and the other mutations are more humanized in the way that they run around using guns and such as well.

-Status: Finished. It was a bit short, but it does make for an interesting read, especially the epilogue. It also ties up some of the stuff from the next one...-

Second one:
Resident Evil: City of the Dead by S.D. Perry
Reason: Same as CC. Resi Fan, thus it deserves to be read. I just got it today, so I'm not that far in it, but so far, I like it. It's another one of Perry's views on the game, this time it being RE 2, so there's the whole Leon/Claire/Sherry thing going on.
Thoughts: None to really say since I just started reading it.

-Status: Finished. I prefer the game more sadly. But the book was quite interesting =] David, John and Rebecca show up again like way later [David and John are characters from Caliban Cove. Rebecca is a normal canon character from RE 1 and Zero.]-

Third:
twilight by Stephanie Meyer
Reason: Friends kinda talked me into it...and it has to deal with vampires and me being a vampire fan, I thought I'd give it a read.
Thoughts: I'm not that far in it seeing as I'm still in chapter one [then again I did just get it recently] but so far it seems alright.

-Status: Finished. Though now I have books two and three to read and complete, then book four and then book five when it comes out...meh.-

And finally the last one:

Star Wars Dark Lord: Rise of Darth Vader by James Luceno
Reason: I actually just randomly pulled it out from my mom's bookshelf so I would have something to read during the week of finals last month and I just continued to read it.
Thoughts: It's pretty good [or at least it must be if I'm still reading it and I'm almost done]. It gives a backstory to the events between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. The whole thing about the book is that Jedi are being killed, and those who escaped the killings are now on the run or going into hiding to escape Vader and the others that serve under Palpatine.

[Govinda]

Letters From the Earth: Uncensored Writings by Mark Twain.

In a nutshell, the Archangel Satan has been expelled from God's realm for one day in immortal time - thousands of years in human times.

While he's expelled, he looks around space, and decides to investigate the Big One's latest experiment - planet Earth.

He lands on Earth and writes back to Gabriel and Micheal, other archangels, about what he sees. Just now, he's mostly systematically destroying the Bible, and laughing at this insane human creation - 'God', 'Heaven', 'Hell'. Now Twain's moving onto the idiosyncracies of humans themselves.

It's great. Quick, witty, funny, very smart. It's amazing to think that he wrote it at some point between 1900 and 1907. Really amazing; such thoughts in such a time.

I'm really enjoying it.

[Martin]

Currently Reading: Let History Judge by Roy Medvedev

It's a publication about the necessity of Joseph Stalin, and whether the atrocities that were carried out in Soviet Russia were all directly attributable to him.
Well it's an interesting read, but a little controversial in bits.

[Momo Mastermind]

I'm currently reading Heart of Darkness by Conrad. I love this... it's like a long short story. It's for class, of course, but I still love it. Next week I have to read Emma by Jane Austen... Emma is nearly 600 pages and I have 5 days to read it. This isn't due to my procrastination, it's just how the class is set up, we have to read every book in one week... it sort of causes me to cry late at night in desperation... not really, but the urge to do so is ever present

Anyway- Heart of Darkness is about a man in the 1800's... I think; or early 1900's who goes to the African Congo for work in steam boating with a company that trades ivory. It's a story so full of symbolism that his journey down the river is almost exactly how you would imagine Hell to be like. Tortured souls laying in the shadows of trees, dying slowly. Repetitive violent actions replaying over and over again for no cause and with no effect.

Read it, I bet you'll be highlighting a lot of paragraphs just for your own documentation

[Hjortkayre]

Currently Reading - The Haunter in the Dark by HP Lovecraft.

Why? Well, I love Stephen King's work, and Lovecraft is, according to him, a big influence. Also, his work is very interesting... and disturbing. I also wanted to expand into other genres, so sci-fi horror works well as I am already a fan of half of it. I have to admit, it's as good as I expected, better even. My favourite from it so far is Shadow over Innsmouth. Oh, did I not mention it was a short story collection? Well it is. So far, this book is good... but not my favourite. I'll update this later when I finsih it

[Shadow Of Darkness]

Im currently reading Garfield....hes funny and smart so thats a intelectual book

[Lithium]

I am currently reading the series Only The Ring Finger Knows.

This book is about two young High School boys Named Wataru Fuji and Yuichi Kazuki. I like this book because it is kind of like my life story at the moment. Minus the whole ring thing. The book shows how two of the different people can become best of friends and then progressing into a dating relationship. To appreciate the full beauty of this series you need to read it. It also brings in the softer side of what a book can be. Although I must tell you it is a Yaoi series. So if you know what that means than good. But it really is a great series and I give it a 10/10! ^_^

[Unknown Entity]

Currently reading "looking for JJ"

I've read this book before, but I really enjoyed it the first time around, I thought I'd give it another go. Its about three children who adventure to the lake by their home, but only two of them return home alive.

The main character is a woman called Alice Tully, who was there that day 6-7 years ago. She knows everything that happened. She is facinated with the story, and is always reading the newspaper articals about it. By the end of chapter two, you realise that Alice Tully is JJ and IS the cause of why only her and the other child came home without the other. No details of how, when and why, but she killed the other girl.

Throughout the book, Alice has flash-backs to her childhood before the murder. You learn she had a troubled time - being neglected my her mum who was always with different men, taking up "modelling" jobs, who and how her friends were/are, and a few other things that supposadly drive her to kill. In my opinion, its what happens when you keep anger locked up inside, and when you have to realse it, it become too much to control.

Anyway, Alice becomes worried about rummers of JJ living in her area, so she may be found out, and God knows what will happen to her. The rummers bring journalists and detectives looking for her. So there is a little bit about how the attension is taken away from the area and stuff.

Its a good book to read. The first time around it left me feeling a little sad, and angry about JJ's/Alice's life. I have yet to read the endding - forgot what happens, but I hope I feel the same way as before...

[DragonHeart]

Started and finished yesterday:

Dragon Avenger by E. E. Knight

Synopsis:

I am Wistala. Wistala the great dragon huntress, a silent green avenger, dropping from the clouds...

Such is the mettle of young Wistala, one of four dragons born high in the mountains, as she breaks free of her shell. The last of a dying breed, the siblings learn of their legacy from their devoted mother and protective father--until the fateful day when their dark sanctuary is invaded by a group of slave-trading dwarves.

Pushed to freedom by their mother as she battles for their lives, Wistala and her scaleless gray brother, Auron, find themselves alone in the Upper World. And when Auron sacrifices himself so that she may live, Wistala must overcome her grief and fear to find others of her kind--and bring her wrath to bear on those who would destroy them...

When I first opened Dragon Champion, the first book in this Age of Fire, I was admittedly wary of what I might find. To capture the perspective of a dragon's alien mind without making them too human, or too archaic, is a difficult task. Knight has done this admirably without feeling heavy-handed.

When I picked up Dragon Avenger, the second of the four, I knew what to expect in terms of writing and quality. The book is written simply, almost like YA, but is very clearly made for an adult audience. Even from the start the tale is a bloody one. Although it is about a dragon coming of age, it encompasses all aspects of living--and dying.

The story begins exactly where the first did, at the hatching. This time it's from Wistala's view, making it interesting enough to sit through a second time. Once they become separated, the journey is as hard as it was for Auron. Wistala eventually finds a new home with the elf named Rainfall, but as the years pass all is not well. She finds herself on the brink of losing it all again, and that is when her character truly begins to shine as the avenger.

The story may be about her many battles, but there is much more to this tale than that. If you've ever been curious about what the mind of such a powerful creature of legend might be like, this is the serious to read. They are strong but not invincible, intelligent but not without faults, have instincts tempered by wisdom and their own will, but aren't above raising hell when they feel it justified. These are dragons.

~DragonHeart~

[DragonHeart]

The High King's Tomb by Kristin Britain
Book 3 of Green Rider

Bought it on release, didn't read it until the other day. Loved it. The debut was shaky, the second was definitely picking up steam, and with this one, Britain really hits her stride. Well worth investing in and I can't wait for the next book. I stayed up till midnight to read all 688 pages in a single day, something that rarely happens anymore. Highly recommended if you like your fantasy with a hint of romance. And I do mean a hint, as the main character and her interest, who returns the sentiment, share an unrequited love due to their differences in social status. It's less angsty than it sounds, and is done realistically well.

I think I'll go back and reread all three books at some point in the near future.

~DragonHeart~

[lottiepop]

Thread revival?

Currently Reading "The Complete works of Marquis De Sade".

Give me neg, call me sick, whatever, but at the end of the day it's my choice.

Though it calls itself complete it is missing a few of his works. Contains:

"Justine" "Julliette" "120 days of sodom" and "Philosophy in the bedroom"

I suppose I had better try and justify myself seeing as this is the intellectual thread. To be honest I guess I just wanted to branch out. So me and a male friend decided to try it and see how it went. Of course we both knew what to expect (I don't think De Sade is generally someone you just pick up at waterstones, you kinda get to know about him first.)

So far he and I have read the preface and introduction, which was really interesting, a kind of psychoanalysis of sadism and De Sade plus a piece devoted to his life which was good, and the "Justine". Regardless of how much I liked the introduction I guess the best way to describe my feeling towards Justine would be ambivelent. See I like it, in that it is well written and it certainly keeps you reading! I do believe the amount of sex and violence was necessary but it was still extreme. Ahh it's hard to explain how I feel, I loved it and hated it at the same time.

You know what though, it was soul wrenching, I just wanted someone NOT to lust after justine, for someone to come and save her, but no-one ever did. Instead all the got was perverted mad men who did horrible unspeakable things to her. Because of this I find the book utterly depressing and it's one of the few books I've cried at.

It's hard to pin down De Sade. Sometimes I thought his writing was completely depraved and at other times I thought he was making a good point about society. I think people are awfully critical of him because his writing contains quite a lot of taboo subjects and they claim that it is the writings of a lunatic, after all he spent most of his life in and out of prisons before finally ending up in a mental assylum. But you know, just because his work happens to have a lot of violence and sex in, doesn't mean it's a bad book. People claim that he's awful just because of the amount of debauchery in his writings, but that's a really stupid reason. It's like saying American Psycho is a terrible piece of a literature because Ellis overuses violence. No he doesn't, he uses it to make a statement about society. You have to look past the sex and violence.

I think we're gona try Julliette next. And we'll try 120 days afterwards, though I think both of us are a little wary of that one. I'll edit this post or just repost when I've read Julliette to let you know what I thought.

[Furore]

Currently Just Finished Reading: Animal Farm by George Orwell

I hadn't read a full book in a while as I'm a lazy bastard who likes to play videogames, yeah? Well I landed myself in a bad predicament last week. I had an appointment at a place a train trip aways and later that day I had a job interview. I realised after getting to the suburb containing the job interview that I had a couple hours to kill. I then realised I had my library card in my wallet, a grubby old predominantly green laminated thing that hadn't seen the light of day in way too long. I went to the library, checked for any books I hadn't read by R.A. Salvatore (there were none) and then I saw it. Like a beacon amidst a sea of mediocrity, a finely disciplined warrior among barbarions, Animal Farm. A book I remembered reading and enjoying as a kid. And as a bonus it's pretty damn short.

After reading this book for the second time (it's been years between reads) I noticed more and more complexity to the ideas presented therein, something I found most compelling. It's a story presented in such a way that even a child can get some meaning from it, yet also suggests several other ideas within it's pages often taking jabs at some parts of human society as well as exposing some of the more stereotypical character profiles seen in many societies: the lazy people who slink away from work, the workaholics, the idealistic, those with a hidden agenda and a thirst for power etc...

And the ending is just amazing. Granted it's not the kind that wraps up all of the ends neatly for all the named characters as some love and are accustomed to, but it's very satisfying for some like me that don't mind a warped ending. I'd definetely recommend a read of it for those who haven't already given it a go.

[RamesesII]

Currently reading Tales of the Otori by Lian Hearn

Recommended by a friend who thought i would like well he was right so far its a brilliant book its set in a likeness of ancient japan its about a boy who is the son of an assassin who is from a tribe known only as the tribe.
They mainly consist of assassins they have extrodonary senses i.e hearing sight etc and do other tricks like create a double of themselves and be in two places at once in all they are the perfect assassin but he is raised at the complete opposite end of the chain by a tribe called the hidden who do not like killing or fighting or arguments and are very secretive anyway his village is destryed his mother and sisters killed and he is hunted by the Tohan who are a power hungry clan loe and behold he is rescued by lord otori the enemy of the tohan. Later he is visited by another member of the tribe and trained in the arts of the an assassin. Meanwhile Kaede a young head strong girl is to be married off to Lord otori but with two mens deaths to her history she is considered bad luck to any man that lusts her.

MERGED

Almost finished The Tales of the Otori.

Without giving away to much Takeo the main character was adopted by Shigeru Otori making him rightful heir to the Otori clan but Shigerus uncles have other plans, Takeo is than later abducted by the tribe so they could raise him to use his extraordinary gifts which turn out to be the most powerful out of the tribe, threatened with death if he tries to escape takeo has no choice but to stay with the tribe, when he hears news of Kaede this ignites his passion for her and his inheritance of the Otori name and land etc so escapes the Tribe to take his revenge and his inheritance.

MERGED

Ha ha i finished Tales of the Otori it was one of the best series i have read,

After Takeo ecapes the tribe and sets out to claim his inheritance and seek revenge for his Adopted father Shigeru he meets up with Kaede and they get married, Takeo stays in a temple and trains with a master swordsman as warriors and farmers gather at the base of the temple to serve the young man on his mission among them is his best friend Motoko who is also a monk at the temple.
Now married the pair go an claim Kaede's inheritance in Muruyama where the locals are happy to serve them. Then Takeo travels out to make alliances with pirates so he can attacks Shigeru's uncles (who plotted Shigeru's death and Takeo is seeking revenge on). While he is away Kaede travels to her home land and is kidnapped.
Mean while the Tribe is still hot on Takeos tail.
Later Takeo finds out and heads off to recover his wife only to be met by Arai (the current warlord) army where he retreats to the coast.
Instaed of ordering Takeo's death for insulting him several times, Arai decides he would be more usefull as an ally so Takeo travels by sea to take Hagi(the city where Shigeru's uncles live and where Kotaro the master of the Kikuta trtibe the tribe that has sentenced Takeo to death) by sea while Arai heads the attack by land.
Finally Takeo may get his revenge for his adopted father but what has Arai got in plan for him and will Takeo meet with his real fathers brother Kotaro in a final showdown.

Any way i am not going to give away any more if you want to find out just ask me or better buy the books.That series only includes the first three books I haven't read the fourth but it is not included in the book i was reading so i still have to buy it and read it

[Victoria]

Er... I'm just going to merge your triple posts because they're all about the same book.
Multiple posting isn't allowed. The only way you can multiple post in this thread is if it's about a different book.

[Govinda]

Just now I'm reading The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky.

This is Dostoyevsky as I love him. 900 pages of spiels and musings about God, guilt, Russia and everything inbetween illustrated through the lives and thoughts of compelling characters.

I'm not far enough into it to go into any more detail than the blurb on the back does - and I am on page 329. Anyone who's read Dostoyevsky before will know that it's easy to read the blurb before picking up the book, get really into the book, catch a glance at the blurb again and find that it contains what feels like a spoiler given the amount of time you've been reading.

Anyway. As the title suggests, the book is based around the three Karamazov brothers, the sons of Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov, a 'buffoon and voluptuary'. I, having read over 300 pages, had become quite attached to ol' Fyodor Pavlovich because he's insane, horrible, and funny. It was then that I happened to glance at the back of the book while at work, which begins with the sentence, 'The brutal muder of Fyodor Karamazov sets in motion...'. I sat there for a while thinking, 'Well, ****.' It reminded me of a conversation I'd had with my mother's boyfriend, who loves the book, about how much I hoped that Dmitry wasn't really going to kill Fyodor over Grushenka or the money, and that Ivan was going to keep his nose clean. Also, that twat Smerdyakov.

ANYWAY. The three brothers are: Dmitry, or Mitya, who is like his dad but nasty. Madly in love with the Hoe of Ages Grushenka. Dmitry is, for all intents and purposes, an asshole with a temper. He's the oldest.

In the middle is Ivan. Ivan is very clever, and spends a lot of time running circles round supposed intellectuals with 'an ironic smile'. I do not trust Ivan, and worry for what he is capable of. I really like his spiels about religion though, particularly the 'if the price we are to pay for eternal harmony is the tears and blood of but one murdered little child, then that price is too high, and so that is why I hasten to God to return my entry ticket!' idea. He mostly likes to explains these things when his little brother Alyosha, who is a monk, is around.

Speaking of which, the youngest of the three is Aleksey, known as Alyosha. Alyosha has trouble seeing the bad in people, and has so far spent the book running around trying to piece together just what is going on in between heading back to the monastery to tend to the dying Elder Zosima (whom he regards as being the centre of universe mostly because he's wise, benevolent, and not worthy of sectioning like the rest of the people Alyosha knows). Just now, little Alyosha seems to have gathered that Dmitry is planning something, but has been waylaid by Ivan who has decided that right now is the best time for them to get to know one another, as Ivan is leaving for Moscow tomorrow (apparently, anyway. Doubt he will. Suspect the machinations of that Khoklakova woman re. getting Ivan and Katerina Ivanovna (who is, by the way, Dmitry Karamazov's wife) together.

It's so very Dostoyevsky, you see? Excellent soap-opera of a plot which serves not only to entertain, but as a vehicle for far loftier ideas and what I suspect will become a thesis on the Russian character, if not one about the character of man (Ivan has recently spent a lot of Alyosha's time pondering the character of man, and I really don't have much interest in the general Russian character of the 16th century, so I'm hoping Dostoyevsky does begin to direct his hypothesis away from passages about ****ing muzhiks and their fondness for birch branch lashings and onto the timeless character of humanity itself).

This book, in short, is a cluster****. And I'm loving every page. It's better than Crime and Punishment, mostly because of the sweet, sweet lack of Raskolnikov frittering around the streets of St. Petersburg talking to himself. The ideas aren't as clear in The Brothers Karamozov as they were in C&P at this point, but they're completely different novels.

I will report back when dearest Dostoyevsky starts to unravel things properly, and begins to turn his hypothesis into theses, which will probably happen soon.

[Unknown Entity]

I'm currently reading Inconceivable by Ben Elton

About a couple called Sam and Lucy who want to have a baby, but can't for some reason or another. After 5 years of trying, they go through the process of going to doctors and specialists and what-not to see if they can finally conceive.

Sam has a job at the BBC, in Comedy which isn't going to well until he gets fired and put in radio, where he writes a comedy on his and Lucy's problemo's regarding the lack of baby news.

Lucy meets someone new at her work, who she gets a crush on, and then begins to feel bad about it because she is married.

So far, I'm half-way through, and have not really stopped laughing. Ben Elton really is a funny guy... Heh... "Hippies much have fannies like leather..."

[shinra_32]

I'm reading Extras, it's the fourth book in the Uglies series. The story takes place in a post-scarcity dystopian world in which everyone is turned "stunningly attractive and blissfully carefree" — a "pretty" — by comprehensive cosmetic surgery at the age of 16. The operation also creates lesions in the brain. These lesions prevent dispute, anger, creativity, and wanting to be different. The people who first founded New Pretty Town, Uglyville, etc. created the operation and the brain lesions to help prevent war.

[RamesesII]

I have completed a few books in my absence, i am currently enthralled by Matthew Reilly he is a brilliant Aussie author.

Currently i am reading Area 7 by Matthew Reilly it is the second book with his main character Shane Schofield from Ice Station but he has written it so you don't have to read Ice station to read Area 7 so far all i can say about it is that it set in Area 7 a remote special air force base where the latest air planes space craft etc are developed and the President is in the process of inspecting a break through in something i have paused that part of the book to hop on line but i will continue to read and update when necessary.

Since my absence i have also read Contest: It is set in the New York State Library and it has now become the battle ground for 7 contestants 6 of which are alien to earth. Seven contestants go in one comes out, unfortunately for Doctor Stephen swain and his daughter it is a contest he has to complete whether he likes it or not and unless you leave as the victor you do not leave at all.

It is Matthew's first book and is self published. It is a very fast paced book as are all of his books if you like adventure and a fast book this is the one for you.

Temple also by Matthew Reilly is about a New York linguist who is approached by a retired army officer who asks him to translate a Spanish manuscript that may lead to the location to an ancient Incan idol that may be the breakthrough to a terrifying new weapon. What they find is an ancient temple closed tight and what they soon learn is that some doors are meant to remain unopened.

Once again a very, very fast paced, action thrilled book. I couldn't put it down once i started reading it its like watching a movie only better with the details of a book lol. You know when something major happens and you sit there and go this will happen or this will happen etc this is nothing like this, it has a lot of twists and turns but does not get predictable and it does not wreck the book it would easily have to be one of the best books i have ever ever read.

Ice Station again by Matthew Reilly, we see the introduction Of US Marine Lieutenant Shane Schofield who leads his Reconnaissance team to an American Ice Station after receiving a disturbing SOS message over the radio about a Alien space ship burried in the ice while stationed in Sydney. So his team goes to the rescue only to find out that they are about to walk into hell.
Other than his team two other radios recieved the same message and both parties want this discovery at all costs.
So it is up to Shane to defend the station against supposed allies and Killer whales as welll as mutated Elephant seals.

Its not as silly as it sounds it is once again a very riveting book its has Matthew's trade mark fast pace and plenty of action not once slowing down.

[Unknown Entity]

I finished Inconceiveable, and cried and laughed all the way through. Not too happy with the endding, but all is ok/good.

I'm now reading Falling by Sharon Dogar.

I saw the cover in Borders, which is beautifully decorated. I made me pick it up. I opened it and found my favourite poem!

"Through nothing can bring back the hour
Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower;
We will grieve not, rather find
Strength in what remains behind...

Thanks to the human heart by which we live,
Thanks to its tenderness, its joy and fears,
To me the meanest flower that blows can give
Thoughts that do often lie too deep for tears."

William Wordsworth

So I had to buy it! =O

Anyway, I've only got to page 54, and I'm actually getting into it. It's about this girl called Neesha who is haunted by this dream/image she has in her head. There is a boy called Sammy, who for some reason has tis effect on her, make sher feel... complete could be the word. When he is around, things make sence.

Sammy is the only boy/person at the school who wants to know her - Neesha is bullied and teased by everyone else because she doesn't talk, or remove her coat (reasons why are in the book, so go get a copy! ).

Is it love that brings them together, or is it something much deeper which threatens to pull them into a past that endded in blood? Can Neesha allow herself to love him knowing what she may be (again, reasons why are in the book, so go get a copy! ), and can Sammy understand why she is the way she is?

As her world falls in, can love save her?

[Shadow Of Darkness]

I just finished "It" by Stephen King ! It was fantastic ! Pennywise rules !

Now Im reading Jurassic Park hehe..

[Kilala]

Currently the book I'm reading is "Airframe" by Michael Crichton.
Now, this book is about the mystery of how a flight goes wrong. The main gist of this book is about a team of people trying to investigate what happened and why - while trying to escape the press and other issues. What happens on the flight is a total mystery and you follow the book mainly through the character Casey Singleton. The book is filled with suspense and authentic information on aircrafts and maintenance etc... which is great for me as I really love anything to do with mechanics.
The reason why I first picked up this book was because I read the Jurassic Park and Lost World books by the same other...
Having not finished the book yet I can't give a full rating - but I'm thoroughly enjoying it! If you like mechanics... planes... action... mystery... I seriously recommend this book! ^_^

[KeybladerXIII]

I'm currently reading Othello by the one and only Shakespeare!

Wow, this book is deep. No, not Twilight or Harry Potter deep, DEEP deep! The nuances of the villian Iago's plot is quite enjoyable to read. I know I'm supposed to support Othello, but seeing how Iago can twist Othello's mind into thinking his wife and friend are betraying him is too cool. Iago is now way up there on my favorite villian's list