Bond, Slash & Drood
I dont know what it is that gets me reading. Whether its movies, books, or lyrics, I really dont care about characters in a story, the underlying meaning (although its fun to discuss with other people), or the size of the book. What I do know is that paint will dry faster than I can read a book.
Its also not literary Prozac; I have no desire to escape the ills of my life, or live my life through a fictional character because Im too pathetic to live the life I want. It has to be entertaining in some way, and I love the life I have. So connecting with a character isnt that important.
Being an analytical person, it almost seems contradictory when I say I dont like having to use a dearth of scientific tools to get some value out of a tome. Before I start picking things apart, something pretty and shiny needs to flicker for my attention. It isnt until after Ive finished reading something before I like to talk about it. I prefer to use talk about it because sometimes it could just be about the story, other times it could be an underlying meaning. Regardless, I dont like feeling Im gearing up to find a cure for cancer when Im starting a book.
The only thing I hate about books is, I think, page density. When I read a thin book, pages usually stay in place as Im reading. With larger books I either have to put a finger in between pages, or lay something heavy on a book so ensure my page doesnt flip.
I also dont mind knowing the endings of stories. I know for some people its all about the build up, but if the ending doesnt go the way they want then they act like some entitled jackass. For me its more about the journey and how its presented. Sure, there have been some endings I wasnt happy with, but the last 20 pages dont ruin the 300 or more page journey I took.
After typing all of this, and reflecting on some of the books I enjoyed reading, I think I like books that have a voyeur-ish feel to me; they make me feel like I have a front row seat in their world. Anything matter-of-fact will lose me.
Im a 007 fan. However, I started with the movies when I was a child and am just now getting into the books. Ian Flemming writes in a matter-of-fact way, everything is because it is. The only things that are keeping me reading are the movie foundation that I have and the way he writes Bonds personality - which, for the most part, is portrayed rather well on the big screen.
With all of that being said, Im currently reading 3 books: Ian Flemmings The Man With The Golden Gun, Slash by Slash with Anthony Bozza, and Drood by Dan Simmons. Im almost finished with former 2, and I just started Drood about a week ago. My routine for reading is Slash on the toilet, Bond before bedtime, and Drood for the rest.
Slash was hard getting into because everything felt like it was being forced. Half-way into the book it started to feel more relaxed, with a pinch of uncertainty. At some points he says he doesnt understand some things, then takes a stab at understanding using that moment in the story to illustrate why, and then goes back to never understanding something. Its distracting, but the relaxed flow of the book gets me not to care by the next paragraph.
The Man With The Golden Gun is a perfect book to end a day with. The dialogue alone allows me to go to bed in a good mental state. Everyone knows Bond will get out of the situation hes in with some gadget or luck in his favor, so there isnt any heart pounding suspense to keep me up. Its his interaction with other characters and what he says in every instance that puts a smile on my face before bed time.
My book of the moment is Drood. I cant recall reading any other books by Dan Simmons, but I like the way the journey unfolds in this one. Im not good at explaining stories for many reasons, so I will give link 1 and link 2 to help. The story, however, is being told to you by a Dickens associate in almost a confiding manner. Great book so far.
I dont know what it is that gets me reading. Whether its movies, books, or lyrics, I really dont care about characters in a story, the underlying meaning (although its fun to discuss with other people), or the size of the book. What I do know is that paint will dry faster than I can read a book.
Its also not literary Prozac; I have no desire to escape the ills of my life, or live my life through a fictional character because Im too pathetic to live the life I want. It has to be entertaining in some way, and I love the life I have. So connecting with a character isnt that important.
Being an analytical person, it almost seems contradictory when I say I dont like having to use a dearth of scientific tools to get some value out of a tome. Before I start picking things apart, something pretty and shiny needs to flicker for my attention. It isnt until after Ive finished reading something before I like to talk about it. I prefer to use talk about it because sometimes it could just be about the story, other times it could be an underlying meaning. Regardless, I dont like feeling Im gearing up to find a cure for cancer when Im starting a book.
The only thing I hate about books is, I think, page density. When I read a thin book, pages usually stay in place as Im reading. With larger books I either have to put a finger in between pages, or lay something heavy on a book so ensure my page doesnt flip.
I also dont mind knowing the endings of stories. I know for some people its all about the build up, but if the ending doesnt go the way they want then they act like some entitled jackass. For me its more about the journey and how its presented. Sure, there have been some endings I wasnt happy with, but the last 20 pages dont ruin the 300 or more page journey I took.
After typing all of this, and reflecting on some of the books I enjoyed reading, I think I like books that have a voyeur-ish feel to me; they make me feel like I have a front row seat in their world. Anything matter-of-fact will lose me.
Im a 007 fan. However, I started with the movies when I was a child and am just now getting into the books. Ian Flemming writes in a matter-of-fact way, everything is because it is. The only things that are keeping me reading are the movie foundation that I have and the way he writes Bonds personality - which, for the most part, is portrayed rather well on the big screen.
With all of that being said, Im currently reading 3 books: Ian Flemmings The Man With The Golden Gun, Slash by Slash with Anthony Bozza, and Drood by Dan Simmons. Im almost finished with former 2, and I just started Drood about a week ago. My routine for reading is Slash on the toilet, Bond before bedtime, and Drood for the rest.
Slash was hard getting into because everything felt like it was being forced. Half-way into the book it started to feel more relaxed, with a pinch of uncertainty. At some points he says he doesnt understand some things, then takes a stab at understanding using that moment in the story to illustrate why, and then goes back to never understanding something. Its distracting, but the relaxed flow of the book gets me not to care by the next paragraph.
The Man With The Golden Gun is a perfect book to end a day with. The dialogue alone allows me to go to bed in a good mental state. Everyone knows Bond will get out of the situation hes in with some gadget or luck in his favor, so there isnt any heart pounding suspense to keep me up. Its his interaction with other characters and what he says in every instance that puts a smile on my face before bed time.
My book of the moment is Drood. I cant recall reading any other books by Dan Simmons, but I like the way the journey unfolds in this one. Im not good at explaining stories for many reasons, so I will give link 1 and link 2 to help. The story, however, is being told to you by a Dickens associate in almost a confiding manner. Great book so far.