mjollnir

Read a Book

This is prompted by a post from Da Fan in Japan on my MTV blog.  He was talking about,  "Video Killed the Radio Star" and likening that to TV killing radio serials.  Well I made the jump that radio killed the novel.  This is a stretch, but I think you can all see the point I'm trying to make.

I don't consider myself to be an intellectual, by any stretch of the imagination.  I love to read, but what I read cannot be considered literature by most standards.  I tend to find an author I like, and then read everything they've written.  The latest author's work I exhausted was Clive Cussler, who is most well known for his "Dirk Pitt" series.  Like I said, not highbrow stuff.  The thing I love about reading is creating a world in my mind.  When I get into a "zone" when I'm reading, I am totally unaware of looking at words on a piece of paper, I am absorbed in the story that's unfolding.  This can be to my detriment, as I sometimes sit down with a book and don't stop 'til I'm done. 

The books I read, for the most part, are no more intellectually stimulating than most movies, but I think that the act of reading is excercise for the mind, it makes you visualize in your head the tale that the author telling.  I am jealous of authors, those who can create a story in their mind, and then translate that story onto page.  I have a hard enough time trying to post on an internet message board...

Read a Book

I love to read as well.  Nothing of any real substance, mainly legal thrillers, murder mysteries, etc.   I've read everything by Koontz, Dan Brown, Clancy, etc.

Lately I've been reading a series by Vince Flynn,  about 6 books now that have the same characters and follow the same story line.  The main character is a CIA operative named Mitch Rapp and the books are about his missions around the world and such.  Again, not much substance but a truly entertaining read!!!

Read a Book

Herd, I read all the Dan Brown books, I really like the premise of his novels, but I find his character development to be lacking.  Some of my favorite authors are those who create great characters.  Stephen King is one of the best at this, in my opinion.

I've read a lot of Dean Koontz stuff, and I think he's good at character development.  My problem with some of his earlier stuff was, that although he had unique plots, the characters sometimes seemed like they could have been interchangeable from novel to novel.  The antagonist was always large, well muscled, and somehow abused by his parents.  I recently read the Odd Thomas books, I really enjoyed those.

The latest author I've been reading is Lee Child.  He has 12 books featuring Jack Reacher, a retired MP who is a loner, drifting around the country.  Of course, he seems to find someone who needs his help everywhere he goes.  I'll have to check out Vince Flynn, sounds to be right in my wheelhouse.

Read a Book

That there was well said mjoll. I have read my share of books. Cable TV is chewing gum for the eyes, as Marshall McLuhan rightly said. There was a bookstore near me called The Haunted Bookstore. I asked the owner about the name. Apparently it comes from some author who said that all the books you haven't read come to haunt you. That store went out of business when a Barnes and Noble opened up. I am haunted, but less and less each day. Favorite authors: Jack Kerouac, Albert Camu, Franz Kafka, and Wilbur Smith. I don't recommend any but Smith for those that are not yet damned.

Read a Book

Love Patricia Cornwell's crime novels.  And if you haven't read "Education of a Coach" by Habersham about Bill Belichick, it's a great book!

Read a Book

Thanks JD, of the authors you mentioned, I have only read Kerouac.  Of course it was "On the Road", that was about 24 years ago.  Does that mean I'm damned?  I have been known to spend an entire day in The Strand bookstore.  It is, far and away, the best bookstore I've ever been to.  I was fortunate enough to have a friend who lived about six blocks from it.

Dawnie, it seems as though I have read a Patricia Cornwell book or two, sometimes I can't even remember how to tie my shoes, let alone what books I've read.  I haven't read "Education of a Coach", but you are not the first to tell me that it's a great read, It's on my list.  The last sports book I read was "Faithful" by Stephen King and Stewart O'Nan, about the '04 Red Sox.  If you haven't read it, I highly reccomend it.

Read a Book

That depends mjoll.  Were you an adult 24 years ago, and did you read the book with deliberate intent, or did the the picture on the cover seduce you? You Boston people make me sick with all your bookstores, and football teams.  Here in San 'berdino, we have to write our own books, then read them.

Dawnie, I'm donating my sorry remains to the body farm so that they don't become fodder for some Da Vinci Code trash.

Read a Book

I was a mere child at 14. however, I did read it with deliberate intent, so maybe I'm half damned. I'm no Boston person, I'm from Western MA, and The Strand is on Manhattan.  And if I were ever to write a book, I would for damn sure be the last one to read it...

Read a Book

There was a point in my life where I'd always have a book in my hand and it wasn't until recently that I realized it had been a few years that I had actually picked up a book for the mere pleasure of reading it.  I guess after awhile, reading tech manuals and professional journals took the fun out of reading. 

I made it a point this year to read a chapter every night now.  Great writing btw mjollnir.

Read a Book

Thanks, mom, that means a lot coming from you.  My reading comes in spurts.  It's like I'll go on a reading bender.  As I said earlier, I'm not really capable of reading just a chapter.  If I go to bed with a book, chances are I will read until I finish the book, sleep be damned.  Last year I was out of work for about two months with a broken heel, and I read about sixty books.  "Hello, my name is Thor, and I'm a bookaholic..."