I've never read a book!

[vladcjelli]

Eighteeteewhy said:

Well I've bought some

Eric Mc said:

And the original novel of "Jurassic Park" (Michael Crichton) was much better than the movie.
.

vladcjelli said:

But if a fast paced action movie of a book is what's required, try out Matthew Reilly's Scarecrow series. Utter nonsense. If you could imagine the cheesiest b-movie plotted special effects ridden films, these are the book equivalent. They even have diagrams and maps so the reader requires no imagination at all.

Just waiting for them to arrive, who knows it could be the start of a long relationship.

Yay! Let us know how you get on.

And you will want a maghook

[anonymous-user]

Eric Mc said:

Exactly - whatever has been done in films, books have done it better - and usually first.

How about "The War of the Worlds" by HG Wells. A relatively short book, beautifully written and still scary despite being over 100 years old.

"The Time Machine" is not bad either - and short.

There's a subtlety of imagery in books that films (usually but not always blockbusters) almost always fudge. HG Wells is one of my favourites.

[Charlie Michael]

My personal favourites are the Harry Potter series. Grew up with them, have probably read them about 7 times each.

I also enjoy reading Clarksons books.

Lastly, i've recently gotten myself hooked on Mirakami books, my most recent is "After Dark". I'd heartily recommend any of the above.

[MorrisCRX]

In school, Romeo and Juliet among other tripe are shoved down your throat enough to put you off books for life.

A mere 1 and a half years ago I was wondering how to pass the time at work during a slow period. Decided to try audible, instantly went for sci-fi and "Dream park" by Larry Niven & Steven Barnes. Very easy read, simple sci-fi but enjoyable.

That was quickly followed by downloading 5 of the Commonwealth Universe. Listened to one after the other at work. I then stumbled upon Mr. Iain M Banks and downloaded Consider phlebas and player of games. At this point I still had no interest in reading.

It came to the next in the culture series and noticed it wasn't available on audible. I was about to buy the paperback until it came up in conversation with my dad who, as it happens owned most of Iain M Banks’ novels, culture or otherwise.

Since then I’ve read:

(banks)
Use of Weapons
Excession
Look to Windward
Matter
Surface Detail
Against a Dark Background
The Algebraist
The State of the Art

(E.E.Doc.Smith)
Triplanetary
First Lensman

(Robert A. Heinlein)
Have Space Suit Will Travel

(Frank Herbert)
Dune
Dune Messiah
Children of Dune
God Emperor of Dune

(Larry Niven)
The Integral Trees

I’m currently reading my first fantasy novel “The Way of Shadows” by Brent Weeks. Excellent so far.

I missed out on a lot of good reading and I pin the blame squarely on the bh of an English teacher who, in year 9, took the piss out me for reading “Magician” by Raymond E. Feist during silent reading lessons. Apparently, because it wasn’t a love story or some play write garbage, it wasn’t valid.

Edited by MorrisCRX on Monday 20th August 16:48

[mattnunn]

Steven King is good and easy to read, start on page 1 and read each page in order.

Carrie, Pet Cemetary, The Shining, Misery, Salem's Lot etc...

[Jakdaw]

MorrisCRX said:

That was quickly followed by downloading 5 of the Commonwealth Universe. Listened to one after the other at work. I then stumbled upon Mr. Iain M Banks and downloaded Consider phlebas and player of games. At this point I still had no interest in reading.

It came to the next in the culture series and noticed it wasn't available on audible. I was about to buy the paperback until it came up in conversation with my dad who, as it happens owned most of Iain M Banks’ novels, culture or otherwise.

Banks... great idea - however suggest leaving the science fiction until after you've read The Wasp Factory, cracking book.

[Eric Mc]

MorrisCRX said:

In school, Romeo and Juliet among other tripe are shoved down your throat enough to put you off books for life.

A mere 1 and a half years ago I was wondering how to pass the time at work during a slow period. Decided to try audible, instantly went for sci-fi and "Dream park" by Larry Niven & Steven Barnes. Very easy read, simple sci-fi but enjoyable.

That was quickly followed by downloading 5 of the Commonwealth Universe. Listened to one after the other at work. I then stumbled upon Mr. Iain M Banks and downloaded Consider phlebas and player of games. At this point I still had no interest in reading.

It came to the next in the culture series and noticed it wasn't available on audible. I was about to buy the paperback until it came up in conversation with my dad who, as it happens owned most of Iain M Banks’ novels, culture or otherwise.

Since then I’ve read:

(banks)
Use of Weapons
Excession
Look to Windward
Matter
Surface Detail
Against a Dark Background
The Algebraist
The State of the Art

(E.E.Doc.Smith)
Triplanetary
First Lensman

(Robert A. Heinlein)
Have Space Suit Will Travel

(Frank Herbert)
Dune
Dune Messiah
Children of Dune
God Emperor of Dune

(Larry Niven)
The Integral Trees

I’m currently reading my first fantasy novel “The Way of Shadows” by Brent Weeks. Excellent so far.

I missed out on a lot of good reading and I pin the blame squarely on the bh of an English teacher who, in year 9, took the piss out me for reading “Magician” by Raymond E. Feist during silent reading lessons. Apparently, because it wasn’t a love story or some play write garbage, it wasn’t valid.

Edited by MorrisCRX on Monday 20th August 16:48

"Romeo and Juliet" tripe?

Education wasted on you obviously.

I loved it - and have seen it quite a few times. But it's a play, not a book - and is best watched or listened to rather than read.

[MorrisCRX]

bit late on that front. The only one of Banks' SF books I haven't read is inversions. I'll add the wasp factory to the list.

[MorrisCRX]

Eric Mc said:

"Romeo and Juliet" tripe?

my opinion and it's valid.

Out of all of his works, that is the one that we where force fed and it is the one I can't stand.

[coppice]

It might be 'valid' in the sense that you firmly beleve it (and for reasons I can understand) but let's just say you are in a minority if you do not rate the Bard. Here's an idea- park your prejudice and go and see a good production of The Tempest, say. Apart from the fact that you'll realise how much of our everyday language uses Shakesperean metaphors and imagery you might also glean just what an astonishing talent he was. It's the same feeling I get when I hear ' Day in the Life '- where the HELL did that come from.. ?

[Eric Mc]

MorrisCRX said:

Eric Mc said:

"Romeo and Juliet" tripe?

my opinion and it's valid.

Out of all of his works, that is the one that we where force fed and it is the one I can't stand.

Of course you are entitled to your opinion - but I am pretty sure you will find it is a minority opinion.

Any play about inter-gang warfare is pretty relevant and interesting in any era. Perhaps you weren't taught to appreciate the finer points of Shakespeare. Did you study any other of his plays?
We studied Romeo and Juliet and later Hamlet - and I loved them both, particularly Hamlet.

But, as I said, Shakepeare wrote dramas and poetry, not books, so probably not a relevant discussion in this thread.

[vladcjelli]

How's the OP got on with his purchases?

Just read my first Jack Reacher (Nothing to Lose, two towns - Hope & Despair. Mentioned earlier I think).

Started straight away on the other one I got from the library (Worth Dying For).

Good fun, will probably go on and hunt some more down.

[Baron Greenback]

Jakdaw said:

Banks... great idea - however suggest leaving the science fiction until after you've read The Wasp Factory, cracking book.

I love Banks writing, my O level art teacher recommended Wasp factory when I was about 14!!!!! Cracking ending best end to a book of all I have read. Peter Hamilton I would also if you like Bank SciFi.

[Eighteeteewhy]

vladcjelli said:

How's the OP got on with his purchases?

Just read my first Jack Reacher (Nothing to Lose, two towns - Hope & Despair. Mentioned earlier I think).

Started straight away on the other one I got from the library (Worth Dying For).

Good fun, will probably go on and hunt some more down.

Well I'm halfway through my first book, Scarecrow and I'll be honest I'm really enjoying it.

I'm only reading a few pages at a time. The one thing I can't help thinking when I'm reading it though is 'this would make a great film' is this a bit wrong?

I've also picked up a few more books from car boots, Richard Hammonds biography, and a James May book as well.

[Baron Greenback]

Great glad you're enjoying it!

[aclivity]

Eighteeteewhy said:

Well I'm halfway through my first book, Scarecrow and I'll be honest I'm really enjoying it.

I'm only reading a few pages at a time. The one thing I can't help thinking when I'm reading it though is 'this would make a great film' is this a bit wrong?

IIRC Matthew Reilly has said that writes his books as though he were writing a film treatment, so you are picking up on that. I love his books - delightfully unbelievable, have very little to do with anything realistic but all the same lots of fun. The one set in the antarctic ice is hilarious, the 50 year old diving set used for about 7 deep dives without a refill and the riding of the overturning glacier being two high points. His best book, IMO, is his first - "Contest". That one SHOULD be made into a film.

I would always recommend "To Kill A Mockingbird" to any reader. It's an easy read, can be finished in a couple of hours, but it is a perfect combination of text, subtext, pastoral storyline and horrific undertones.

[renrut]

carlove said:

The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

+1

I've just bought that as a present for someone


For a serious answer try something in a similar vein to your favourite movie types.

Terry P is a good call though as its well written, funny, not too heavy and not too long. Reaper Man was the first of his I read and thoroughly enjoyed it but Mort is generally reckoned to be the best as a standalone book. His later ones are a bit weak and formulaic IMO compared to his earlier ones and definitely worth avoiding as a first.

[Futuramic]

Nyphur said:

I will get (seriously) slated for this.... but try some of the Dan Brown books.

The chapters are short, and usually end on a bit of a cliff hanger to keep you interested... "just one more chapter"...

That's what I found anyway, and I'm not a big reader.

We want him to read another book afterwards!

I'm not a literary snob by any means but Dan Brown is bilgewater. Terrible writing of the highest order and fit only to be pulped and used as guinea pig bedding.

On a serious note "Carrie" by Stephen King is extremely short and will probably inspire you to read more of his stuff. I tend towards classics and literary stuff usually but still turn to King for a bit of pure enjoyment in between.

[Eighteeteewhy]

Well I've done it, I finished my first book in a long time. Scarecrow, and I really enjoyed it. Thanks for the recommendation.
I've now started Jurasic Park but finding it a bit slow to be honest. I think I might move on to one of the others I've bought, Richard Hammonds autobiography possibly?

[Eric Mc]

Eighteeteewhy said:

Well I've done it, I finished my first book in a long time. Scarecrow, and I really enjoyed it. Thanks for the recommendation.
I've now started Jurasic Park but finding it a bit slow to be honest. I think I might move on to one of the others I've bought, Richard Hammonds autobiography possibly?

"Jurrasic Park" slow?

Blimey - I thought it raced along. Shows how different people's brains can be.