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Post by Japan on Jan 17, 2013 13:21:16 GMT -5
This is something that I tend to see on a few forums and thought it might be a nice idea if we had it too. So what you're meant to do is talk about what you've just read and give it a short (or long) review. This is mostly just to share your love of books, but it can also be nice for other forum users who are looking for a good read! When you've finished that review you should either say that you've started a new book, or are looking for recommendations! I'm sure we can all think of something that will tickle your fancy! I'll start. American Gods - Neil Gaiman.The book was amazing, and something I really struggled to put down. You're almost immediately endeared to the main character from the start, and you can understand why, as a result, the rest of the cast is so endeared to Shadow. It's simply believable. You are also eased rather easily into the premise, that gods, dwarfs, and modern phenomenon are personified and exist here on Earth. The story focuses on the struggle between modern vices - such as television, the internet and money - and the gods of the past... who are gradually disappearing. The struggle is centred in America, where you're taking on a trip across the country as you follow the exploits of Shadow and his employer, Mr.Wednesday. The book is a collection of different myths and cultures, whom are meant to stand out and clash with the American scenery. The book makes you question assimilation of immigrants into any country in a new light. It makes you question exactly what you're losing, and what you've already lost to science and modernisation. It's at times gruesome in its realism, heart wrenching in its sorrow and hilarious in its dry humour. I would recommend it to anyone who likes myths, and a believable mix of reality and the extraordinary. I rarely see a novel that comes together quite as well as this one does.
I'm reading the first novel in the 'Game of Thrones' series. So far I'm enjoying it, and have found the world construction easy to buy into! I'm also looking forward to seeing more of Jon Snow!
I look forward to hearing about what everyone has just read!
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Post by Germany on Jan 19, 2013 16:12:35 GMT -5
On The Natural History of Destruction I guess first thing to say is that you'll notice my selection of books that I read can be considered boring. : ( But I assure you if you have any interest in any of these topics I highly recommend the books I put up here. Okay, now for the actual review. This book, honestly, is brilliant. There are four essays in total, my favourite being the very first one in the book called Air War and Literature. Essentially, what the essay talks about is the state of Germany after the ally bombings near the end of WWII and what kind of state was left and also why no one really talks about it or why there is no literature of any sort on such a devastating phenomenon. There are parts that are emotionally painful to read but I think that's why I was so drawn to the book because it's hard to find things written by Germans concerning this event. It touches base on why do the people of Germany think it was fair/deserving that their cities were bombed so heavily killing a fairly high amount of civilians. Anyway, as you can tell I have a biased on the essays in the book. I'd say the last three are not as memorable and one of the essays, I believe it was either the second or third, were not to my taste because I was looking for something specific in the book. But, if you're curious about this topic, I definitely recommend it. |
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Post by Germany on Feb 23, 2013 23:56:14 GMT -5
Op JB Words cannot begin to describe how I enjoyed and felt while I was reading this book. I guess I should start by saying that this is not suppose to be fiction and yet, as the author says at the beginning, is very hard to believe. I want to say that I believe it but I can't be too sure. I would need more facts but if anything it is an interesting story to read and one that sends you on a possible journey through WWII as a British spy. Op JB stands for Operation James Bond and if any of you are familiar with the author of the 007 books, well he's one of the main characters. You get to find out how Martin Bormann, Hitler's right hand man or rather his secretary got whisked out of Berlin at the end of the war. The characters are realistic and if you're not familiar with the British side of things or the British army at all, well, you'll soon learn more. I couldn't recommend this book more. If you have interest in history than you won't be losing anything by reading this. |
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