Currently Reading: Intellectual

[Polk]

Empire of Illusion: The End of Literacy and the Triumph of Spectacle by Chris Hedges.

God damn that sounds interesting. I generally don't read a lot of non-fiction for fun, but I may have to look that up.

Anyway...

Currently Reading: The Road by Cormac McCarthy.

Here's the blurb on the back of the book because I'm unoriginal and I think this really explains the book best:

A father and his son walk alone through burned America. Nothing moves in the ravaged landscape save the ash on the wind. It is cold enough to crack stones, and when the snow falls it is gray. The sky is dark. Their destination is the coast, although they don't know what, if anything awaits them there. They have nothing; just a pistol to defend themselves against the lawless bands that stalk the road, the clothes they are wearing, a cart of scavenged food- and each other.

I'm reading it because McCarthy is the author of amazing novel/film No Country for Old Men. Some of the main contributors to a movie website that I frequent also raved about the book.

The Road is really good so far (I'm about a third of the way through). It's such an intriguing tale about a father and son, who literally only have each other to keep them going. I love the haunting atmosphere that McCarthy gives the post-apocalyptic world, where even collecting food and starting a fire are daunting tasks.

Edit: Finished it as of Friday (October 23). Fantastic the entire way through. I'm probably going to pick up Blood Meridian next.

[Zargabaath]

I have picked up the second book in the Ogre Titans Trilogy, The Fire Rose, this explains why I'm reading it since I have just finished the first book.

So far, a commander of a Hand (Ogre legion) has defected from Golgren, teaming up with the Minotaurs who are encroaching on ogre lands. The Solamnic Knight who could not be found after the climatic battle at the end of book one was rescued by some ogres. During his stay with them he receives a vision from whom I believe is the god, Kiri-Jolith to help out. The Nerakans (dark knights) have also began their march into ogre lands. I have found out that Ildaria, the elf servant, is a spy for the Nerakans; Tyranos found this out and has made sure that her letters via bird will not get to them anymore through his watchful gargoyles. Sauroth, the new leader of the Ogre Titans has revealed that they will search for the Fire Rose, a powerful artifact of the High Ogres supposedly; Dauroth had forbidden all mention of it cause he thought it too dangerous to use.

Edit: Well I've finished this book a few months ago and just haven't updated this post. In the end the Ogre Titans got the Fire Rose and Golgren has pretty much lost his kingdom. The Gargoyle King made his presence known in this book though he did not have a big role; he becomes the focus in the last book aptly named The Gargoyle King. I'm thinking that the Gargoyle King is an Ogre Titan of old - not sure. I haven't picked up the third book yet due to a lack of funds but I will as soon as I can.

Overall it was a pleasant book and another good addition to the Dragonlance series.

[DragonHeart]

I started and finished Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer. It's the true account of the Mount Everest tragedy that claimed 5 lives (12 by the end of the season) in 1996. I remember he came to my middle school back when the book was first published to talk about his experiences. I was too young to be interested in nonfiction at the time though and never read his book.

I finally picked it up cause it's one of those books I've always wanted to read, and because I'd already read his Into the Wild. I find with nonfiction the narrative voice makes or breaks the text. His is simple and honest.

Right now I'm reading New Tricks, sequel to Dog Days by John Levitt. Urban fantasy, short, fast-paced reads. They're very good books worth spending an afternoon on, imo. The use of magic in particular here is quite interesting.

~DragonHeart~

[Psiko]

Currently reading, and have been for a while: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. Its a slow reading book with an immense scope and strong philosophical views portrayed. It is 1090 pages long with the smallest font I've ever seen in a novel. I've been working on this one since July in spurts and have, since about the halfway point, made a ton of progress because its gotten to that point where its nearly impossible to put down. And I still have another 300 pages to go. Talk about a herculean undertaking, huh?

I still need to figure out a book to take to work with me and read on lunch there now that I am done with Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. I tried Milton's Paradise Lost but all the background noise there made it nearly impossible to read it as it should be...and enjoy the poetic style of it. So I'm back to pondering which book should be next.

[RamesesII]

Man i should have updated this thing ages ago but i have been to engrossed with one of the latest series from Robin Hobb i get goosebumps when i read or talk about her books she is an amazing writer and her style puts you in the shoes of the character, she is extremely detailed and every thought that her character thinks she writes but that never makes it boring.
Anyway i am almost finished one of her latest series called The Soldier Son trilogy and it is about a boy called Nevare who is the second son of a noble who is destined to be a soldier but when his father decides to leave him in the hands of a captured enemy to learn his ememy the plains people who are warrior nomads who emerse them selves in magic the two become friends and the plains man decides to introduce Nevare to the magic and help defeat an age old enemy the Specks who guard the bridge of the dead of his people and requests that he slay her but things turn around as Nevare is offered a life controlled by magic or death, and so controlled by the magic Nevare lives a life of two divided souls one devoted to the magic and one to his people but the magic doesn't like to be second to anything and will stop at nothing to stop Nevare's people from killing off the forests of the Speck people and will use Nevare as a weapon against his people at all costs.

[DragonHeart]

Finished New Tricks, started and finished Catching Fire last night. It's the sequel to The Hunger Games. No second book slump here; it's just as good, if not better than the first. There is one thing that's been nagging at me since the first book and was only amplified in the second: Katniss' naivete. In the first book it felt forced, now it's just heavy-handed. Hopefully Katniss will start maturing more in the next one or her character will start to stagnate.

Not sure what I'll read next. Plenty of choices but none of them are appealing at this particular moment in time. Hate it when that happens.

~DragonHeart~

[DragonHeart]

I'm now reading Academ's Fury by Jim Butcher, book two of the Codex Alera series. It's turning out to be a very good series so far. I'm not very far into it yet but there's already been some interesting developments and the return of several favorite characters from the first. There's not really much else I can say about it though since it would pretty much spoil most of the first book, Furies of Calderon.

~DragonHeart~

[Confession]

Just Finished: Mao, The Unkown Story - Chang And Halliday

This made me laugh, Although meant to be taken completely serious, I could not help and laugh and the complete distain the Authors have for Mao Zedong. There are soem rather ridiculous claims in this book and most of are simply propaganda/

I read this because I am a avid studier and follower of Revolutions through the world, and this brings a much controversy to the happenings during the Chinese Revolution.

What I'm reading now: The Picture of Dorian Grey - Oscar Wilde

A timeless classic, the most interesting stories ever produced.
If you ask many people these days abotu Dorian Grey, They wont tell you of his stunning beauty or the outlandish behaviour, but rather they will tell you of the Vampire killer off that Sean Connery movie. Which is quite sad really, that a book written back futher then 1908 is only reffered to as a hollywood story.
This novel shows so much detication to details, it brings out the Mise En Scene, a vivid picture of the background of their locations, where every precise detail is.

It is a breathtaking story and written in such a beautiful way, that even a Homophobe could appreciate it.

[Jin]

Just Finished: Mao, The Unkown Story - Chang And Halliday

This made me laugh, Although meant to be taken completely serious, I could not help and laugh and the complete distain the Authors have for Mao Zedong. There are soem rather ridiculous claims in this book and most of are simply propaganda/

I read this because I am a avid studier and follower of Revolutions through the world, and this brings a much controversy to the happenings during the Chinese Revolution.

Thank you so much for saying this. As a dabbler in modern Chinese history myself, I also found this book utterly ridiculous. It's actually depressing, given the sources they had at their disposal that they managed to make such ludicrous conclusions.

As for me, I'm currently reading Master of the House by Oleg Khlevniuk which is an account of Stalin's relationship with the "small group of friends" that the Politburo staffed and who assisted in consolidating his power. I'm only about 40 pages in, but it's been pretty good so far. The author seems to have a level head and is drawing reasonable conclusions from the evidence he puts forward. Plus it's a great read.

[DragonHeart]

Just finished Academ's Fury this morning, staying up way too late to do so. Excellent epic fantasy. I'm now anxiously awaiting the arrival of the next books in the series, which I have just ordered.

In the meantime I've got some standalone novels I can read. Think I'll start with Brandon Sanderson's Elantris. I read the first few pages of it before but I don't remember any of it so I might as well just start fresh. Tor's making him out to be their next Big Name Author, I've heard a lot contrary to that, though. I'll just find out for myself.

~DragonHeart~

[DragonHeart]

Finally, someone who's read a book that I have, lol.

I read Elantris last year and enjoyed it quite a bit. I thought the twist on why magic wasn't working anymore was both simple and brilliant. Hadn't heard about the possible sequel before, could be cool. I thought it all wrapped up quite well, though.

Have you looked at his Mistborn series? I thought it sounded pretty neat, though reviews are a bit mixed. I'll probably get to it eventually. The magic system is what really caught my interest.

Anyways, right now I'm reading Swords Against Death by Fritz Leiber, the second book of the Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser series. Each book is basically a collection of short stories about the (mis)adventures of the titular characters, Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser. The books were written ~40 years ago and it shows, but they're still great fun. Fritz Leiber is credited with coining the phrase Sword and Sorcery, the subgenre of fantasy he helped create.

~DragonHeart~

[Furore]

Book read: Legends of Marithia Book 1: Prophecies Awakening by Peter Koevari

I read this a while ago, but forgot about this little thread.
Essentially the author is a guy from another forums I visit and he posted the first chapter online for people to read. I was entertained by it and it made me want the whole thing, so I grabbed the hardcover online and wasn't disappointed.

It's in the fantasy genre and certainly not the longest novel, but the story flows quite well and it never seems to get boring in parts like I've found in several books of late. It takes races from other fantasy works, but reworks them so they become a distinctly unique flavour of the race everyone knows and loves and most importantly it has themes of death, change, betrayel and the like, all in the right quantities and used at the right times.

It's certainly not genre defining but it's a ****ing good read.

[Pete]

Right now I'm reading Moneyball: The Art of Winning An Unfair Game by Michael Lewis.

It's a baseball book, about how the Oakland A's general manager, Billy Beane, came to become the general manager, despite being one of the most highly touted baseball prospects in the history of the sport, and how he ultimately fizzled out as a player with an abysmal career.

The book goes into great detail about the foundations of baseball statistics, and how Beane totally disregards all but a few of them. The major theme around the book is how the A's, with a very tiny payroll, are still able to compete against teams with huge payrolls, and all of the superstars that they simply can't afford.

It goes into great detail about how Beane decides to pursue certain players that either: are beginning their decline, but are still efficient; totally disregarded by the baseball world, because they don't "look" like a baseball player; or a complete gamble. It's fascinating simply because he's able to do so much with so little.

I'd recommend it to any fan of the game.

[Zargabaath]

Well I started and finished Dragons of the Hourglass Mage within a few hours. This book was writtten by the duo: Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman, verterans of the Dragonalnce saga.

This was the third book in the Lost Chronicles Trilogy which revealed untold stories that happened during the Chronicles Trilogy. As anybody who is familiar with the Chronicles Trilogy of Dragonlance, the Hourglass Mage the title is referring to is Raistlin Majere one of the most powerful mages ever created. The book is pretty short compared to their other works - only 334 pages; this book had been in some development "hell" and because of this some had said that this book was rushed. The book did have a fast pace as it accounted for the last month before the War of the Lance ended, nevertheless, I was still enthralled by the book, signified by me not putting the book down to eat breakfast till I was finished.

Out of the three Lost Chronicles novels this is my favourite as it was about one of my more favourite characters in the Dragonlance universe. Dragons of the Highlord Skies was good when it dealt the Laurana's fight against Feal-Thas, leader of the White Dragonarmy, and for the most part Kitiara's tale. The biggest blemish of that book was how quick Kitiara's trial in Dargaard Keep - a bit unclimatic. In Dragons of the Hourglass Mage, Raistlin has many obstalces and adversaries that he must overcome, the most significant to his character - Fistandantilus. Here fans will learn exactly how Raistlin was the victor in his battle against Fistandantilus for control of his own identity, though the Dark Queen thinks differently on the matter.

[DragonHeart]

I am currently reading Ares Express by Ian McDonald. I have read his work before; he wrote Cyberabad Days, a collection of short stories set in India in the year 2047. He has a very distinct writing style, which I do enjoy. I had some problems with Cyberabad Days but not enough to put me off from reading this book. I'll admit I bought it mainly because it has an absolutely gorgeous trade paperback cover.

I am only on page 23 or around there, so I'm still getting a feel for the book. The first chapter was a bit strange and off-putting in the style but as I learned from reading Clockwork Heart, sticking with a story can be very rewarding. The next chapter is written in a more normal style, to my eternal relief. Right now it's all very surreal and I'm not entirely sure what to make of it. I had pretty much the same reaction with Cyberabad Days, too.

Ares Express is actually a sequel to a book written in the 80s, titled Desolation Road. Yeah I know, I should have bought that one first. I decided not to because I don't often feel a real urge to read a specific book, but Ares is one of those. Any half decent writer will make a sequel accessible to new readers anyways, and Ian McDonald is not a decent writer, he's a great one. So I don't expect to be too lost, though parts of the first book will undoubtedly be spoiled. It's not the first time I've read books out of order and probably won't be the last.

~DragonHeart~

[Zargabaath]

Started [and read a lot of] Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson. I got the book for the same reasons I got his debut novel - Elantris: he was chosen to succeed Robert Jordan in writing the end of the Wheel of Time series, I've heard good things about each book [Elantris & Warbreaker], & I wanted to see his own original work. Warbreaker does have one thing that made me a bit more interested in it than Elantris - it was chosen as a "Sci-Fi essential book" for the month it was released; it may not mean much (lack of competition), but I still held that recognition in some regard.

The world is quite unique with its "color" magic. There is magic in color which is used through "Breath"; each person as one "breath" though they may gain more through other means. If a person has no "breath" they become drab, becoming dull. Accumulating a certain amount of "breaths" can result in achieving a "heightening" - the more breaths the higher the "heightening". There are 10 levels and each one grants the holder of the accumulated breaths a new ability. To be of the first heightening a person must hold 50 breaths while for the fifth heightening requires 2,000 (reaching the fifth heightening grants the user immortality. A person loses their breaths by performing awakenings that bring inanimate objects to life; though metal is the toughest inanimate object to bring to life and is an ability that the higher echelons of the heightenings know.

Most of the characters are pretty good and in each story arc in this tale there is a or some mysterious that have got me intrigued and wanted to find out their answers. I love Lightsong, a god of bravery, who tries everything to be seen as useless and has some very funny dialogue. But the humour is not limited to him because there is the very mysterious Vasher, whom has lived for a long time (and from the front flap is trying to correct the mistakes he made hundreds of years ago; it would be also worth mentioning that the front flap calls him Vasher the Warbreaker), has a mysterious sword that is able to drain the color out of people - I forsee this as a way to kill the gods but that is my theory - called Nightblood which is pretty fun as well. The last bit of comedy comes from the mercenary group led by Denth - who has a mysterious past as well ( I'm thinking he too as well has lived for a very long time along with Vasher). Denth has sworn to kill Vasher because Vasher killed one of his mates some time ago.

I've been revealed some secrets but Vasher and Denth are still in the dark and am eager to find out their past.

Edit July 12th 2010:

After writing this post I picked the book up and finished it - I had around 200 pages left. I noticed some similiarities between the plot and characters of Elantris, Sanderson's debut novel, and this novel (won't get into detail); though there may have been some similiaritities Warbreaker was still unique on its own. Good news is I found out all the secrets that I wanted to know. The ending was generally good though there were some sad moments; the ending also leaves an opening for a sequel. I wouldn't mind reading more into the Warbreaker universe as BioChroma magic is very interesting though I still do have some questions about it. With completing my second novel of Sanderson's original work I will say that I have been thoroughly impressed - along with his handling of book 12 of the Wheel of Time - and he probably will be an author I keep track of in the future.

[DragonHeart]

Haven't finished Ares Express yet. No real reason, it's just sitting on my shelf waiting for me to get back to it.

In the meantime I started and finished The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen yesterday. If you've seen the previews or the episodes for the show Rizzoli and Isles, it's based on the series that begins with this book. I was a bit surprised when reading; Rizzoli isn't the main character of the first book and Isles isn't in it at all. I haven't seen the show (on purpose) so I don't know how closely it follows the books. I'm guessing not that closely, considering the subject matter.

The Surgeon is, first and foremost, not for the squeamish. It is for people who like crime thrillers, particularly ones that really get into the suspects' mind. Literally; there are several passages written in the villian's POV. I would give it five stars, but for one small but irritating blemish; the constant feminist thoughts on how much harder it is to be a woman cop, how the male cops don't respect them, blah blah blah. Show don't tell, and don't be bringing it up every other chapter. It may be part of the character(s) but it was just too overdone. If she'd just tone that part down it would easily be one of my favorite books of the year.

After I finished The Surgeon, I went ahead and picked up The Apprentice, the second book in the series. Unfortunately I can't really say anything about this book without spoiling the first. So far it's as compelling, with the same darkness as the first.

~DragonHeart~

[Sinister]

Currently Reading: Let Me In(Originally Lat den Ratte Komma in or 'Let the right one in') by John Ajvide Lindqvist.

This is a Swedish horror novel about a child vampire and a small deranged boy that she befriends. Once called the "Swedish Stephen King", Lindqvist has a rough hewn and philosophically blue style and atmosphere. The setting is so well established that you get a definite sense of this arctic dark wild west-esque town.

I personally love translated novels; as a general rule it says something about, if not the quality, the popularity. The prose is well-tempered and even though I can't find any info on the translator(It may well be Mr. Lindqvist) I am envious of their talent.

I am considering boycotting the American release movie coming out this October. After all, it's insulting to suggest either that the original movie needed a retelling or that the American public need a different version. And from what I can tell it is a carbon copy with two or three major plot detail omitted. Even so much as to copy certain scenes.

Those of you who are wanting to watch it this Halloween, you may want to stay home and watch the movie "Let the Right One In" instead.


I just finished Dearly Devoted Dexter by Jeff Lindsey. What can I say other than it's brilliance is awe inspiring. The character of Dexter is so sarcastic and witty, that it's a real treat. He's like a serial murderer version of Archie Goodwin or Hawkeye Pierce. The experience is not for the sensitive or easily disturbed at all. It's hardcore.

-Sin

[Howling Wind]

I feel awkward because I am reading an eBook. It's actually by someone I kinda met once or twice. It sells for 99 cents and its actually good. I mean, it is a young adult book so I guess I can relate but I think even older people would like it. Its new. Like modern literature so it isn't classical stuff like Little Women (love that book) but this is really good in its own way. Its not a really long book. I'm at Chapter 6 right now and its getting exciting =D

Since its a eBook I can probably actually post a link to it. I downloaded the 50% sample first but wanted to read the rest so I had to bug my mom to let me spend my own money on it (only 99 cents after all). Its the first eBook I have read (besides Little Women of course) but I would really like to read it on a eReader like Sony or iPad over my computer screen. Kinda gets to my eyes after a bit >.<

Smashwords - Dangerous Drop - A book by Christopher Gibbon

Link if anyone is interested. You can laugh if you want but I am a kid after all

[DragonHeart]

There's nothing wrong with liking YA literature. One of the best books I've read this year is YA. Being written to appeal to a younger audience (or being modern, for that matter) does not inherently make a book lesser in status than say, a classic adult novel.

Also, the iPad won't be any easier to read on than a computer because it has a backlit screen. You'll want one that uses eInk like the Sony reader, nook or the Kindle. (The latter I don't recommend for various reasons, but it is a very popular eReader.)

Anyways, I'm reading A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest Gaines. Yes, it is for class but unlike most books I've been forced to read, I actually do find it interesting. Alas, I can't really read ahead so I'm stuck reading only a few chapters at a time. Only just started but so far I find myself both engrossed and repulsed at the same time. I really can't comprehend the attitude of the whites in the time period of the book.

~DragonHeart~

[Howling Wind]

Yeah you're right. Its not the backlit part that is giving me the eye hurts though its that the screen is so big and bright I can't really turn it down. I read on a iPad once and the screen is small enough and you can turn it down really low and it helps a lot. Still... e-ink is better.

Anyway... I remember when I was 9 and 10 I used to read a bunch of Nancy Drew books =D

[Assassin]

Currently reading: Angel Of Death by Jack Higgins
M reading the book coz my mom told me about the writer so i thought to search for some of his books and I saw this one.


30 January 1972. Thirteen die in Londonderry in an incident that will paralyse Northern Ireland for nearly a quarter of a century.
30 January 1994. A sinister organization named after bloody Sunday begins all-out war across two continents. Its objective: to create chaos and anarchy. Its average - the Angel Of Death ...
The series of professionally executed killings shock government agencies and terrorist organizations alike. The targets appear to be everyone: the KGB. the CIA, the IRA ... even a famous East End gangster.
Who are January 30? And where will they strike next?
As the Northern Ireland peace process gathers momentum, Whitehall and Washington decide to act swiftly to annihilate the threat. A job for Sean Dillon, the most ruthless enforcer of them all.

[RamesesII]

Currently reading and almost finished 'Hunger Games' by Suzanne Collins.

I'm not sure if it is a post apocalyptic world or just in the distant future but the references to our current time are few and far between.
What I do know is the author came up with the idea of the hunger games when watching news stories, she was flicking through and saw people fighting and kids fighting hunger to survive and a spark lit up about a grisly idea about kids fighting in a gladiator like arena controlled by a dictatorship city to make an example of surrounding towns that are forced to supply resources to this said city so they can live a lavish life without having to rely on un-reliable politics.

Any way the story revolves and evolves around Katniss Everdeen a young teenager who has been drawn along with a boy from her district of which there are 12 districts in total to compete in the publicly televised Hunger Games.
Towards the end she realises that in order to save the future generations of district children something needs to be done she can't stand by and watch children slaughtered every year for the entertainment of eccentric population.

[DragonHeart]

A Game of Thrones is a great series, but I warn you in advance not to get too attached to anyone. Also, the TV show is fantastic and follows the books quite closely, from what I've seen so far anyways.

I'm just starting The Complete Sherlock Holmes, Volume I by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I don't read much of the classics because I find older writing styles off-putting, but considering how consumed I've been with Sherlock Holmes in various incarnations recently it seemed a natural progression. I just finished the very first Holmes story ever published, A Study in Scarlet. Interesting enough, though I'm a bit surprised at how little happens throughout the story. I'm already starting to think that visual media, like the fantastic BBC series Sherlock, is a much better medium for this sort of character. But we'll see.

[Bleachfangirl]

I'm currently reading The Awakening by Kate Chopin because it was one of my English teacher's suggested titles when I asked for things to read. She ended up giving me a list of feminist works, and after enjoying My Antonia and A Doll's House, I figured it was safe for me to keep working my way down the list.

By no means is it a difficult read, but there's so much packed into it that I end up scribbling notes all over everything (I take notes in my books when I read because I feel like I have to in order to analyze properly). I'm nearly done, so I should come back to edit this sometime soon with my conclusion. What I will say now is that they don't hand out the title "classic" for nothing. Reading this book is like walking through a lazy summer day in a dream (and that's a good thing).

[fierytempest]

I'm currently reading The Lost Hero which is the first book in the Heroes of Olympus series, which is the sister series to the Percy Jackson series.

Reading this because I just needed something fun and not too deep (although these series definitely have some adult themes, even if they're children's books.) I find the characters in these books fun and relatable, even if they are 5 or 6 years younger than I am.

After I finish this book, and the second book in the series, I'm thinking of reading Love in the Time of Cholera. I haven't read "serious" literature in awhile, and mostly because I've seen the movie several times, but I've never read the book. Although the reviews on GoodReads for that books are so bad. I guess I'm just a masochist.

[Sean]

*points to my sig*

I read G.R.R.'s song of ice and fire, then read a bunch of random nonfiction books here and there (mostly arguements for atheism, philosophical ideals, etc) and then picked up Asimov and didn't stop until I finished from I, Robot to Foundation and Earth, then read Sagan's Contact (which was okay-ish) then Clark's 2001 through 3001 odysseys.

Now I'm reading Wheel of Time. I'm 40 pages in (according to my nook) the first book and haven't really decided what I think of it yet.

[DragonHeart]

Is that book what the movie of the same name is based on? Movie was great up until the last what, fifteen minutes or so. Bah.

I'm between books right now, just can't decided what I want to read. I hate it when that happens. I did sort of start Turing's Cathderal, a nonfiction book about the history of the computer. I'm just not sure if I really want to read it right now. If I don't I'll come back to it later. I'm just wondering if maybe I would be better served learning more about Turing himself first.

[Taco-Calamitous]

I'm currently reading The Stand for the first time. Also, it's the extended cut version. So it's like 1100+ pages. But it's really good so far, and I kinda like that there's no end in sight. I've been reading for about 280 pages. For the first 150 or so, things just seemed like random events and characters that were connected by a deadly flu virus. Now, things are starting to come together, shit is starting to get real. I'm not sure if it's a horror book or just a general disaster book, but then again, I'm not that far into the book. I really like the characters of Larry Underwood, Stu Redman, Frannie Goldsmith and Peter Goldsmith

SPOILER!!:

RIP

the deaf/mute kid, and I'm fascinated by the Walkin Dude, Trashcan Man, and Lloyd (forget his last name). Lots of horrible things the characters are doing to each other.

Before that, I read Forbidden by Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee. I guess there's a sequel out called "Mortal," but the BX isn't carrying that one *shrug* It's a kind of post apocalytpic medieval world where the only emotion that exists anymore is fear, and a group of characters (the main ones) are drawn into a plot to bring the other emotions back. There were really vivid descriptions of emotions in this book. and a person feeling them for the first time. Also, there's some good suspense and action, and to me, a fairly unique world. Feels like a fairly unique idea anyway (aside from the movie Equilibrium-shutup). Anyhoo...

Wuv, Yer Mom