Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Challenges, books being read and addicted to blogs?

Last night I joined two challenges, anything to get me reading different books! First up I joined Lisa's Dystopian Challenge and then I joined the Something about Me Challenge . I already am formulating lists of what I want to read!

I am currently reading A Brief History of the Dead and am loving it! I was so absorbed this evening on the bus I nearly missed my stop.

I am also finding looking at peoples lit blogs quite addictive. I have built up a list of favourites I frequent and check back regularly to look for updates. Is it just me, am I sad? It's just so nice to talk about books without someone smiling sweetly and going 'OK...' and changing the subject.

Anyway the sunshine is / was bright, I have a lovely evening ahead of marking tests, reading and ahem...just checking if so and so's blog has been updated.

15 comments:

kookie said...

It is nice to find a place where people are interested in books, isn't it?

I adored 'Brief History of the Dead'. I am just a huge fan of post-apocalyptic stories and stories from Antarctica, so this one was almost custom made for me. This one just doesn't get read as much as it deserves. I can't wait to read what you thought of it when you are all done.

Anonymous said...

Book blogs are addictive indeed :) It feels great to be able to share the love of reading with so many people. My only warning to you is that your list of books you want to read will grow by the miles. ha,ha.
Regarding challenges, I agree, they are a great way to introduce us to books we would normally not read. Good luck on your reading challenges!

a.book.in.the.life said...

kookiejar- If you have any other recommendations of this genre please feel free to let me know!
iliana- I agree, I already had a huge wish list but already it has grown by enormous amounts!

J.S. Peyton said...

I agree with Iliana - blogs are addictive. My friends are like yours: when I begin to talk extensively about books their eyes begin to glaze over. : ) Reading is such a solitary experience that before I began blogging I doubted that there would be very many reading blogs on the internet. I have never been happier to be proven wrong! : )

a.book.in.the.life said...

Well I promise not to glaze over!

kookie said...

Recommendations? You got it...If you enjoy the post-apocalyptic theme try these:

'The Stand' by Stephen King

'Earth Abides' by George Stewart

'The Road' by Cormac McCarthy

'Alas Babylon' by Pat Frank

'The Slynx' by Tatyana Tolstaya--(more science fiction-y than the others)

or if it's Antarctica you're interested in try:
'The Cage' by Audrey Schulman or
'Antarctic Navigation' by Elizabeth Arthur

a.book.in.the.life said...

Oh my goodness The Stand I have read like a million times and I have it on Video as well (not that I have a video player anymore of course!)
The Road is on my wishlist I think but the others are new to me and def ones I will look out for, thanks so much.

Have you seen the movie/ series made of The Stand?

kookie said...

Sure, I have it on DVD. I thought Gary Sinise was just about perfect as Stu and although, at first, I was hesitant about Rob Lowe playing Nick (because he was my favorite character in the book), I thought he did an excellent job.

Be sure and let me know if you decide to read any of the books I recommended, I'd love to hear what you thought.

kookie said...

Oh poop, I forgot to recommend 'The Day of the Triffids' by John Wyndham. Excellent book (forget any movie version you may have seen). Killer plants from outer space first blind, then eat most of the population. It sounds far-fetched and cheesy, but it is totally believable from page one.

a.book.in.the.life said...

I thought Gary Sinise was brilliant, and yes I have read Day of the Triffids- loved it! Hated the film though.
xx
p.x The Stand is out on DVD? Off to Amazon!

Stephanie said...

Yes, the Stand is on video! I have it!! It was on Sci-Fi channel this weekend. Since I've done nothing but sleep and watch tv, I went through the entire mini-series!! Actually, I thought that the guy that played Tom Cullen (Bill Fagerbakke) was casting genius!! I loved it! (Except for Molly Ringwald. She was too pouty to play Fran).

The one thing I've found out about these blogs is that there are ALWAYS challenges!! I think I've joined more than I can handle. But it's fun to try!!

a.book.in.the.life said...

I was going to say something similar about Molly, although I liked her in other things I didn't in this. I also loved the guy who played Larry but have not seen him in anything else. I also find it strange to see the grls who plays Nadine in that magazine sitcom, so shoot me or something?

kookie said...

If you liked 'The Day of the Triffids' and 'The Stand' then the other books I recommended should be right up your alley!

I also thought Bill Fagerbaake was AMAZING in 'The Stand' (he also plays my favorite character on 'SpongeBob SquarePants) and to this day I will blurt out (for no good reason) 'M-O-O-N that spells Moon'. People think I'm nuts.

a.book.in.the.life said...

Thank you for making me spurt wine out of my nostrils!
But on a more serious note that bit always wrenches me, I am too soppy.

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