Hey!! Let's get some action going! What are we reading? - Page 477

Rumpelteazer · 11-15-2010, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kennyc

and your thoughts on Fall of Giants?

As I wrote earlier in this thread, when I hadn't finished the book yet, I do like it but I don't love it. There are 2 main problems: first, there are eight main characters and the story switches between them. Despite the length of the novel you do not get to know any of the character in depth. It would have been better if Follett would have focussed on two pairs of characters (upper and lower class Brits) and have the others serve as secondary characters to support the story.

Second, it seems Follett has done a lot of research and has used all of it. It's okay to mention what kind of weapons each side used in WW1, but I personally don't care how much amunition it can hold and how fast it fires. Other scenes are described in much detail but in fact aren't that important to the story or the development of the characters.

I am glad I read it, though. Before I knew very little of WW1 but now I feel at the very least a bit more informed about why it started and how it ended.

kennyc · 11-15-2010, 11:22 AM

Thanks for that Rumpelteazer!

columbus · 11-15-2010, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotbob

I fly (in a plane) up to Long Island this weekend for my brothers wedding so I had quite a bit of reading time.

I finished _The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo_... I really like this book. A good story that kept moving and kept me interested.

BOb

Then you will definitely enjoy the next two, they are much better right from the start.

IMHO the second was the best.

Rumpelteazer · 11-15-2010, 06:49 PM

Finished The Dracula Tapes by Fred Saberhagen tonight. I liked it, though not enough to get the next part of the series right away.

Don't know what to read next. I would love a feature on my reader that just chooses a book at random for you to read.

SeaBookGuy · 11-15-2010, 08:12 PM

With the new devices, you could close your eyes and touch somewhere on the Sony screen at random to open your next book.

Jcas · 11-16-2010, 02:00 AM

I just finished Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen.

A thoroughly enjoyable novel , when i first realized it was a story set in circus life i was slightly apprehensive, but don't let that put you off, it is a lovely story.

Not sure what i will read next, might go back to another of the Stiegg Larrson triology books, i have only read the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo in that series.

Steve Anderson · 11-16-2010, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helen Smith

Steve Anderson:

Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.

You're welcome, Helen. I did enjoy The Miracle Inspector, and I reviewed it on Amazon here. Hopefully potential readers will find it useful.

Steve

lene1949 · 11-16-2010, 05:39 PM

I'm now reading Trapped by Jack Kilborn...

GraceKrispy · 11-17-2010, 05:28 AM

Just finished "Six Clicks Away." I enjoyed it, but hoped for a bit more. My review is here.

Zyzomys · 11-17-2010, 08:52 AM

I took advantage of the latest Kobo 30% coupon to buy the Hunger Games Trilogy after reading several recommendations for this series in this thread.

I enjoyed Fall of Giants by Ken Follet but did find the last 20% of the book difficult to read as it mainly dealt with one character that I really disliked and kept hoping would be killed off. I particularly enjoyed the beginning where Mr. Follet was explaining how several nations just fell into a war, that most wanted to avoid, simply because of treaty obligations. (This is rather simplified, as this plot line was spread over several hundred pages.

)

Pookeysgirl · 11-17-2010, 11:10 AM

[QUOTE=Zyzomys;1220744]I took advantage of the latest Kobo 30% coupon to buy the Hunger Games Trilogy after reading several recommendations for this series in this thread.
QUOTE]

I used that coupon too for Interview with the Vampire. I can't wait to get started tonight!

Dr. Drib · 11-17-2010, 01:15 PM

I've always been a fan of Southern Literature and Southern Gothic, in particular.

William Styron's work is now available in ebook format, with extra added material.

I'm currently re-reading the National Book Award-winning novel (1980), "Sophie's Choice," an excellent book.

Don

kennyc · 11-17-2010, 01:32 PM

Thanks Don....will check out the availablity!

edbro · 11-17-2010, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

I've always been a fan of Southern Literature and Southern Gothic, in particular.

William Styron's work is now available in ebook format, with extra added material.

I'm currently re-reading the National Book Award-winning novel (1980), "Sophie's Choice," an excellent book.

I've always been afraid to approach that book or the movie. I know what the
"choice" is and the awfulness is so crushing that I'm not sure I would enjoy the story. It sounds too depressing. Am I wrong?

desertgrandma · 11-17-2010, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edbro

I've always been afraid to approach that book or the movie. I know what the
"choice" is and the awfulness is so crushing that I'm not sure I would enjoy the story. It sounds too depressing. Am I wrong?

No, you are not wrong.

I read that book when it first came out, and it has always stayed with me....in a bad way.

I cannot imagine, no one can imagine, the horror.

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11-15-2010, 11:22 AM	#7142
kennyc The Dank Side of the Moon Posts: 35,904 Karma: 119230421 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Kindle Fire	Thanks for that Rumpelteazer!

11-15-2010, 06:49 PM	#7144
Rumpelteazer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,335 Karma: 27919658 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Utrecht, the Netherlands Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition	Finished The Dracula Tapes by Fred Saberhagen tonight. I liked it, though not enough to get the next part of the series right away. Don't know what to read next. I would love a feature on my reader that just chooses a book at random for you to read.

11-15-2010, 08:12 PM	#7145
SeaBookGuy Can one read too much? Posts: 2,029 Karma: 2487799 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Naples, FL Device: Kindle PW 3, Sony 350 and 650	With the new devices, you could close your eyes and touch somewhere on the Sony screen at random to open your next book.

11-16-2010, 02:00 AM	#7146
Jcas Zealot Posts: 143 Karma: 9668 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Kellevie, Tas. Device: Kindle PW2,Kindle DXG,iPhone 4	I just finished Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen. A thoroughly enjoyable novel , when i first realized it was a story set in circus life i was slightly apprehensive, but don't let that put you off, it is a lovely story. Not sure what i will read next, might go back to another of the Stiegg Larrson triology books, i have only read the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo in that series.

11-16-2010, 05:39 PM	#7148
lene1949 Wizard Posts: 1,952 Karma: 213930 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Middelfart, Denmark Device: Kindle paper white	I'm now reading Trapped by Jack Kilborn...

11-17-2010, 05:28 AM	#7149
GraceKrispy It's Dr. Penguin now! Posts: 3,909 Karma: 4705733 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: (USA) Device: iPad mini, Samsung Note 3, Sony PRS-650 (rarely used now)	Just finished "Six Clicks Away." I enjoyed it, but hoped for a bit more. My review is here.

11-17-2010, 08:52 AM	#7150
Zyzomys Hooked on Phonics Posts: 122 Karma: 24 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Ottawa, Canada Device: Kindle	I took advantage of the latest Kobo 30% coupon to buy the Hunger Games Trilogy after reading several recommendations for this series in this thread. I enjoyed Fall of Giants by Ken Follet but did find the last 20% of the book difficult to read as it mainly dealt with one character that I really disliked and kept hoping would be killed off. I particularly enjoyed the beginning where Mr. Follet was explaining how several nations just fell into a war, that most wanted to avoid, simply because of treaty obligations. (This is rather simplified, as this plot line was spread over several hundred pages. )

11-17-2010, 11:10 AM	#7151
Pookeysgirl Wizard Posts: 1,705 Karma: 12696746 Join Date: May 2010 Device: K3, Kobo Mini	[QUOTE=Zyzomys;1220744]I took advantage of the latest Kobo 30% coupon to buy the Hunger Games Trilogy after reading several recommendations for this series in this thread. QUOTE] I used that coupon too for Interview with the Vampire. I can't wait to get started tonight!

11-17-2010, 01:15 PM	#7152
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 45,458 Karma: 59592133 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: KINDLE: Oasis 3, Scribe (1st), Matcha; KOBO: Libra 2, Libra Colour	I've always been a fan of Southern Literature and Southern Gothic, in particular. William Styron's work is now available in ebook format, with extra added material. I'm currently re-reading the National Book Award-winning novel (1980), "Sophie's Choice," an excellent book. Don

11-17-2010, 01:32 PM	#7153
kennyc The Dank Side of the Moon Posts: 35,904 Karma: 119230421 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Kindle Fire	Thanks Don....will check out the availablity!