Bookclub - what are you reading?
- Thread starter avid_reader
- Start date
Hi Goooogal, I actually had to count the number of 'o's before I typed your nick. I would suggest you start off with 'The Unbearable Lightness of Being'. Identity is actually my third book by him. The second book, 'Immortality', well, I can't decide whether I like it or not cos' some parts can be rather confusing.
BTW, would anyone be keen to swap books?
BTW, would anyone be keen to swap books?
Hi stepford, no wonder Milan Kundera's name is so familiar..he wrote the Unbearable Lightness of Being!
I'll be keen to swap books. I mainly read literature/serious fiction or non-fiction books on human behavior, psychology, politics, language, management, business, etc. Recently loaned Blink, the Ramses series and Vernon God Little to my friends.
I used to read tons of trashy romance and fantasy but feel that I've outgrown them now. I do indulge in comics (Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, or Japanese manga type) when I can borrow them from friends.
PS: you can type G-gal next time
I'll be keen to swap books. I mainly read literature/serious fiction or non-fiction books on human behavior, psychology, politics, language, management, business, etc. Recently loaned Blink, the Ramses series and Vernon God Little to my friends.
I used to read tons of trashy romance and fantasy but feel that I've outgrown them now. I do indulge in comics (Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, or Japanese manga type) when I can borrow them from friends.
PS: you can type G-gal next time
Hi all,
Stepford - you inspired by the Stepford Wives?
Congrats Alhana! Wow - you've been posting here since 2003? Guess this website really becomes a regular favourite huh?
I'm going on a working trip tomorrow, so have to read some work-related book so I don't appear totally stupid when I touch down. haha.
Also thinking of reading this Catherine Lim book The Bondmaid. Anyone read it before?
Stepford - you inspired by the Stepford Wives?
Congrats Alhana! Wow - you've been posting here since 2003? Guess this website really becomes a regular favourite huh?
I'm going on a working trip tomorrow, so have to read some work-related book so I don't appear totally stupid when I touch down. haha.
Also thinking of reading this Catherine Lim book The Bondmaid. Anyone read it before?
avid_reader
New Member
Hello all! It's been quite a while huh?
I'm reading Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. One of those "olden China" kind of books but I'm really starting to think that it's about lesbians...
Alhana, congratulations!!! When is your baby due?
I'm reading Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. One of those "olden China" kind of books but I'm really starting to think that it's about lesbians...
Alhana, congratulations!!! When is your baby due?
Hi all (yay, gang's all back)! Thanks for the congrats. Baby (seems we're having a girl) will be due in end Sep/early Oct. Every time I see my OB, her EDA (estimated date of arrival) gets bumped up a day 
So far so good. I had bad all-day sickness (morning sickness is SO not true..it's all bloody day) in the first trimester, but everything's going smoothly in the second. Only thing is I burp and fart (pardon me) alot..haha.
twinkle,
Yaaah...I've been posting earlier than that actually...only registered myself in 2003. Think i've been posting here since 2001 or 2002 It's always nice to be able to chat with like minded people. Even after getting married can still come here to talk about almost anything and everything.
Goooogal,
I used to read lotsa comics...X-Men, Superman, some Daredevil, Witchblade (tv series was crappy), Darkness. People always think comics are childish, but many of these hv adult themes and are highly entertaining. Expensive to collect tho. Spking of comics, can't wait for X3 and Superman to hit the theatres.
So far so good. I had bad all-day sickness (morning sickness is SO not true..it's all bloody day) in the first trimester, but everything's going smoothly in the second. Only thing is I burp and fart (pardon me) alot..haha. twinkle,
Yaaah...I've been posting earlier than that actually...only registered myself in 2003. Think i've been posting here since 2001 or 2002
It's always nice to be able to chat with like minded people. Even after getting married can still come here to talk about almost anything and everything. Goooogal,
I used to read lotsa comics...X-Men, Superman, some Daredevil, Witchblade (tv series was crappy), Darkness. People always think comics are childish, but many of these hv adult themes and are highly entertaining. Expensive to collect tho. Spking of comics, can't wait for X3 and Superman to hit the theatres.
Serene..yeah, it's no fun at all. I didn't vomit much though. It was mostly all day nausea. The feeling of wanting to vomit, but nothing comes up. That was horrid. The ironic part was, I only felt ok when I was eating And I couldn't stand the taste of plain water. It made me sick. I felt pretty miserable those 12 wks! But now's the honeymoon period, so enjoying lah. Tummy getting bigger...waiting to feel that first kick
And I couldn't stand the taste of plain water. It made me sick. I felt pretty miserable those 12 wks! But now's the honeymoon period, so enjoying lah. Tummy getting bigger...waiting to feel that first kick
Now am mid-way thru my 5th month. 20wks already...so at the half way mark. Damn fast man. Didn't seem that long ago that we found out I was preggers. I spent most of CNY feeling sick
Yah...fantasy books hv some very nice names. Chinese name will be picked by my parents coz hubby n I are quite bad at mandarin
Yah...fantasy books hv some very nice names. Chinese name will be picked by my parents coz hubby n I are quite bad at mandarin
Hi Alhana, yeah i agree that the themes illustrated in comics are a lot more complex than people think. My hubby was the one who introduced me to X-men. I used to like reading fantasy manga by a group of artists called Clamp. Their drawings are excellent.
BTW, congrats on being a mum-to-be!
You must be so excited yeah? Funnily I thought of Chinese names for my future kids instead of English ones..haha..Actually, I think the important thing is the names must sound nice with the surname..
BTW, congrats on being a mum-to-be!
man_tou_bear
New Member
Ya Alhana, i tot u will name ur daughter as Alhana! pretty unique name mah.. heehee... congrats congrats.. i read abt ur pregnacy on ur thread but no time to say congrats! heehee...
Me no time to read much recently cos moved house now start to prepare for AD. but i finally got my hands on the new Lincoln Rhyme book and it was a big disappointment! haizzz... too convoluted liao...
Anybody looking forward to Da Vinci Code?
Me no time to read much recently cos moved house now start to prepare for AD. but i finally got my hands on the new Lincoln Rhyme book and it was a big disappointment! haizzz... too convoluted liao...
Anybody looking forward to Da Vinci Code?
Hi Serene
No lah..I knew I was pregnant very early in the pregnancy coz my menses cycle is always very regular. The symptoms only came on about 1 mth after..or rather 4 wks after conception. That happened to be CNY...very sad...cldnt enjoy the gatherings coz I was curled up in bed feeling sick most of the time. Coming back to work was even worse!!!
Goooogal,
I prefer watching animes to reading mangas coz my chinese sucks, and most jap mangas are translated into mandarin But I used to love reading English comics. we read quite alot of X-men, but stopped a few yrs back...didn't like the new writers and artists. They tried to draw in the manga style, and I didn't like that kinda style for ang moh comics
LOL..yeah, I heard of the nightmare names that some parents unwittingly gave their children. My folks ok lah..they picked nice names for sis and I...so have faith in them! In fact, we only go by our chinese names...nvr had or will have english names for ourselves.
No lah..I knew I was pregnant very early in the pregnancy coz my menses cycle is always very regular. The symptoms only came on about 1 mth after..or rather 4 wks after conception. That happened to be CNY...very sad...cldnt enjoy the gatherings coz I was curled up in bed feeling sick most of the time. Coming back to work was even worse!!!
Goooogal,
I prefer watching animes to reading mangas coz my chinese sucks, and most jap mangas are translated into mandarin
But I used to love reading English comics. we read quite alot of X-men, but stopped a few yrs back...didn't like the new writers and artists. They tried to draw in the manga style, and I didn't like that kinda style for ang moh comics LOL..yeah, I heard of the nightmare names that some parents unwittingly gave their children. My folks ok lah..they picked nice names for sis and I...so have faith in them! In fact, we only go by our chinese names...nvr had or will have english names for ourselves.
alhana...
my folks r like yours too... me n my sisters all dun have english names. we like our chinese names juz fine.
i think if it sounds good, dun need to have any english name at all.
bear...
which new Lincoln Rhyme book did u read? i'm waiting for the Da Vinci Code movie too...
my folks r like yours too... me n my sisters all dun have english names. we like our chinese names juz fine.
bear...
which new Lincoln Rhyme book did u read? i'm waiting for the Da Vinci Code movie too...
man_tou_bear
New Member
Levynn, i read the 12th Card.. won't recommend it... dunno where he squeeze the story out from. cos it was a very lame plot.. heehee.. u read it yet?
Ya i wanna see how outrageous the story get... i think a lot of Christians are calling to ban it but i think that mature Christians shd be able to separate facts and fiction. And also use this chance to tell non-Christian abt the 'correct' story. hee..
Ya i wanna see how outrageous the story get... i think a lot of Christians are calling to ban it but i think that mature Christians shd be able to separate facts and fiction. And also use this chance to tell non-Christian abt the 'correct' story. hee..
Yeah, I think the call to ban the Da Vinci Code movie is just gonna hv the opposite effect...it's just gonna make people more curious and drive them to see what the fuss is all about! Did they call to ban the book as well? Anyway, like Bear sez, it's fiction! If some Christians can't tell the difference between fiction and non-fiction, then they should really question the strength of their faith. I'm not a Christian, and I tot the story was baloney. I've read "Holy Blood, Holy Grail", which was where Dan Brown copied the bloodline theory from (that Mary & Jesus had a child), and even the writers of "HB, HG" have asserted that what they've written are theories, not historical facts. If it were facts, the Catholic Church would have to face much more serious problems now
man_tou_bear
New Member
Alhana, ya u got the point i m driving at... these are all theories mah, wat's there to hide? the more hoo-haa u have the more ppl wonder if there is something for u to hide... EVEN if they were really facts, the Catholic church have been 'brain-washing' us for the past 2000 yrs!
Levynn, think u were the one that told me abt the 12th Card.. very disappointing.. not as gd as his previous books... this one was just plain lame...
Hello Hapict... dun worry, i m one of those that dun read cheem books either.. heehee... Dean Koontz is pretty ok for me.. read a couple of his horror books... but i m past the horror phase now.
Levynn, think u were the one that told me abt the 12th Card.. very disappointing.. not as gd as his previous books... this one was just plain lame...
Hello Hapict... dun worry, i m one of those that dun read cheem books either.. heehee... Dean Koontz is pretty ok for me.. read a couple of his horror books... but i m past the horror phase now.
Hi gals... read any new books this weekend?? I'm still struggling with my German textbook No time to read other stuff. Soon will have to read more management books to prepare for my course. I miss being able to read horror, fantasy, sci-fi... I love Stephan King's novels. Haven't tried Dean Koontz. Ya.. me waiting for Da Vinci Code, X-Men III and Superman to screen!!
No time to read other stuff. Soon will have to read more management books to prepare for my course. I miss being able to read horror, fantasy, sci-fi... I love Stephan King's novels. Haven't tried Dean Koontz. Ya.. me waiting for Da Vinci Code, X-Men III and Superman to screen!!
Hi Bear
Well, won't be surprised if brain washing has been part of the agenda all these centuries We'll never know!
Goooogal
Also a Stephen King fan, although I don't read his latest works. Loved 'The Stand'...my favourite.
Anyone can recommend really good horror writers? I love good haunted house stories but can never find really good ones that make my hair stand and skin crawl So many critics said Shirley Jackson's 'The Haunting' is really good and creepy. Well, I've read it, and didn't find it all that creepy. Guess I hv a high tolerance for horror Btw, if you gals like horror themes, check out this new TV series called 'Supernatural' that airs on AXN every Thur nite at 10pm. The 2 lead actors are quite cute
Well, won't be surprised if brain washing has been part of the agenda all these centuries
We'll never know! Goooogal
Also a Stephen King fan, although I don't read his latest works. Loved 'The Stand'...my favourite.
Anyone can recommend really good horror writers? I love good haunted house stories but can never find really good ones that make my hair stand and skin crawl
So many critics said Shirley Jackson's 'The Haunting' is really good and creepy. Well, I've read it, and didn't find it all that creepy. Guess I hv a high tolerance for horror Btw, if you gals like horror themes, check out this new TV series called 'Supernatural' that airs on AXN every Thur nite at 10pm. The 2 lead actors are quite cute
Hi alhana, I dun have any favourite horror writers. I just like Stephen King for his cheesy fiction eg Necessary Things, Fire Starter... pretty old stuff. Haven't read The Stand..it's more like fantasy isn't it? In my teenage years, I used to like Clive Barker..hehe... B grade stuff... full of blood, gore, sex...all the good stuff 
Not too long ago, I read Margaret Atwood's Oryx and Crake. I haven't read such good fiction for a long time.... very poignant and thought provoking. It's not a horror story, but the scenarios in the books are pretty horrifying...
BTW, anyone enjoy Somerset Maugham, Gabriel Garcia Marquez?
Not too long ago, I read Margaret Atwood's Oryx and Crake. I haven't read such good fiction for a long time.... very poignant and thought provoking. It's not a horror story, but the scenarios in the books are pretty horrifying...
BTW, anyone enjoy Somerset Maugham, Gabriel Garcia Marquez?
Hi Goooogal
'The Stand' is quite different from his standard horror fare. It's actually about how this plague practically wipes out most of the USA, and there's this final show down between Good & Evil. Something like Armaggedon (sp). I have the DVD of the mini series as well..quite alot of famous actors in it. The book 'The Amityville Horror' by Jay Anson was actually pretty scary (I read it when in Pri 6), until I found out the story was a hoax! Still, it did make me scared..but that was many yrs ago. Not sure if it'd hv the same effect if I read it now The movie(s) kinda sucked.
'The Stand' is quite different from his standard horror fare. It's actually about how this plague practically wipes out most of the USA, and there's this final show down between Good & Evil. Something like Armaggedon (sp). I have the DVD of the mini series as well..quite alot of famous actors in it. The book 'The Amityville Horror' by Jay Anson was actually pretty scary (I read it when in Pri 6), until I found out the story was a hoax! Still, it did make me scared..but that was many yrs ago. Not sure if it'd hv the same effect if I read it now
The movie(s) kinda sucked.I thought Amityville was pretty scary!! LIke Exorcist. So The Stand is more like an apocalyptic kinda story... If you like this, then have you watched 28 Days Later? It's also an apocalyptic film about a virus turning people into zombies (and this plot was copied by Resident Evil) and a small group of survivors trying to find a safe haven, only to be "saved" by a rag tag group of soldiers who have gone cuckoo...
Hi Goooogal
Yup, I watched 28 Days Later. Quite enjoyed it. Hubby and I like zombie flicks Dawn of the Dead was pretty fun too. Dun really find them scary tho. The stories that creep me out most are hauntings. Think the last creepy show I watched was 'Shutter' (the Thai ghost flick). The rest just failed to give me goosebumps.
Yup, I watched 28 Days Later. Quite enjoyed it. Hubby and I like zombie flicks
Dawn of the Dead was pretty fun too. Dun really find them scary tho. The stories that creep me out most are hauntings. Think the last creepy show I watched was 'Shutter' (the Thai ghost flick). The rest just failed to give me goosebumps.Oh yes, Shutter was quite scary... actually more sad than scary. The twist was good although my hubby figured out the ending before the show was over. Quite a good flick... generally foreign horror films are better than HK or ang mo ones I feel... Ang mo ones tend to rely on gore a lot. HK ones are quite predictable.
Ang mo ones tend to rely on gore a lot. HK ones are quite predictable.hello ladies!
juz finished reading dat biography When Broken Glass Floats...i like it very much..tho its written from a child's point of view...the author tries 2 educate the world by bringing 2 light the suffering of the cambodian ppl during the Khmer Rouge reign n oso the brutality n horror by a violent revolution...very sad lor..
juz finished reading dat biography When Broken Glass Floats...i like it very much..tho its written from a child's point of view...the author tries 2 educate the world by bringing 2 light the suffering of the cambodian ppl during the Khmer Rouge reign n oso the brutality n horror by a violent revolution...very sad lor..
man_tou_bear
New Member
Hey more hoohaa on the DVC! gonna be showing at the Cannes Fest tmr!! looking forward to it...
Alhana, i like this creepy book by Graham Masterton called Dark Angel... i cried aft reading it cos i was all alone in the bedroom and was paralysed with fear. Quite gruelsome too... Read it when i was 12...
Stephen King's short stories were the best other than the few gd books like The Shining. heehee.. i try not to read horror cos they give me nightmares for weeks!
Serene, u read ur Legends books yet?
Alhana, i like this creepy book by Graham Masterton called Dark Angel... i cried aft reading it cos i was all alone in the bedroom and was paralysed with fear. Quite gruelsome too... Read it when i was 12...
Stephen King's short stories were the best other than the few gd books like The Shining. heehee.. i try not to read horror cos they give me nightmares for weeks!
Serene, u read ur Legends books yet?
man_tou_bear
New Member
Levynn, dun worry i m also a fiction fan.. i can't seem to read past 4 pages of non fiction books before i knock off... except for cookery books.. heehee... i picked up the new chick flick by Chris Mamby.. not too bad... heehee.. very airhead right?
Serene, aiyoh... we have been talking abt this since last yr, u still have the books in the wrapping? heehee... wah asian war and slavery? i prefer the European/ American Wars types of stories, those princess/prince story heehee... me still small gal mah.. like to read fairytales.
Serene, aiyoh... we have been talking abt this since last yr, u still have the books in the wrapping? heehee... wah asian war and slavery? i prefer the European/ American Wars types of stories, those princess/prince story heehee... me still small gal mah.. like to read fairytales.
Hi Goooogal
Hollywood and HKG used to hv pretty good horror flicks. Like you said, they tend to rely on gore and shock now, so it's not so scary. I prefer stories with creepy atmosphere. And the story is very important too!
I like reading books with historical elements too, esp those set in the medieval period.
Bear,
What's 'Dark Angel' about? Can give a short synopsis?
Serene,
My god, you still hv not read Legends??? Actually, I think Legends is nicer than Chronicles. It's focused more on Raistlin & Caramon. Alot of time travelling, so can be confusing at times
Hollywood and HKG used to hv pretty good horror flicks. Like you said, they tend to rely on gore and shock now, so it's not so scary. I prefer stories with creepy atmosphere. And the story is very important too!
I like reading books with historical elements too, esp those set in the medieval period.
Bear,
What's 'Dark Angel' about? Can give a short synopsis?
Serene,
My god, you still hv not read Legends??? Actually, I think Legends is nicer than Chronicles. It's focused more on Raistlin & Caramon. Alot of time travelling, so can be confusing at times
Morning Readers!
Alhana, yup actually I prefer suspenseful, psychological thrillers instead of those full-blown horror. I thought Identity was a pretty interesting show...about a schizophrenic who believed that people were being killed one by one at a motel.
If you like medieval stories, you'll probably like Tristan and Isolde. Caught the movie? I've not watched the movie but read the story as a kid. I used to love stories about Merlin, King Arthur and the knights of the round table too
Serene, you like Dragonlance too??? Keke... I was a fan during sec sch days. So's my hubby. He's a D&D fan too. Agree that Legends is the best series. I also read books from the Forgotten Realm series, esp those about Drizzt and the Underdark. BTW, anyone likes Pierce Anthony here?? I love his Incarnate series...
Levynn, which authors do you like for fictions/thrillers?
Alhana, yup actually I prefer suspenseful, psychological thrillers instead of those full-blown horror. I thought Identity was a pretty interesting show...about a schizophrenic who believed that people were being killed one by one at a motel.
If you like medieval stories, you'll probably like Tristan and Isolde. Caught the movie? I've not watched the movie but read the story as a kid. I used to love stories about Merlin, King Arthur and the knights of the round table too
Serene, you like Dragonlance too??? Keke... I was a fan during sec sch days. So's my hubby. He's a D&D fan too. Agree that Legends is the best series. I also read books from the Forgotten Realm series, esp those about Drizzt and the Underdark. BTW, anyone likes Pierce Anthony here?? I love his Incarnate series...
Levynn, which authors do you like for fictions/thrillers?
man_tou_bear
New Member
Hello gals!
Alhana mummy (see, Serene influenced us liao), Dark Angel is abt resurrection of a demon or the Devil (not sure which is which) and how it started off as a ritualistic murder that lead to the demon/devil being resurrection.. in the middle is this really scary thing that ppl who are chosen by this devil will have the image of the devil appearing on their palms and talking to them... also there is something abt the ectoplasm and such... can't rem much liao.. it has been yrs since i read it...
Serene, start reading Legends by the end of this yr!! wah u really can tu leh...
Levynn currently reading this thriller. can't rem the name.. will post it tmr.. so far very engaging.. may be u can walk into some 2nd hand book store and ask them to recommend. that's what i normally do lor...
Goooogal, i read Pierce Anthony when i was younger. only the first book abt this boy who had no magic and had to be exiled. but in actual fact, his magic was that he can't be harmed by magic..
Alhana mummy (see, Serene influenced us liao), Dark Angel is abt resurrection of a demon or the Devil (not sure which is which) and how it started off as a ritualistic murder that lead to the demon/devil being resurrection.. in the middle is this really scary thing that ppl who are chosen by this devil will have the image of the devil appearing on their palms and talking to them... also there is something abt the ectoplasm and such... can't rem much liao.. it has been yrs since i read it...
Serene, start reading Legends by the end of this yr!! wah u really can tu leh...
Levynn currently reading this thriller. can't rem the name.. will post it tmr.. so far very engaging.. may be u can walk into some 2nd hand book store and ask them to recommend. that's what i normally do lor...
Goooogal, i read Pierce Anthony when i was younger. only the first book abt this boy who had no magic and had to be exiled. but in actual fact, his magic was that he can't be harmed by magic..
Hi Goooogal
No, I didn't watch Tristan & Isolde coz I heard it sucked But the story is very sad. Am a fan of Arthurian legends too! Hv you read Bernard Cornwall's Warlord trilogy? It's based on King Arthur. It's a different take from the Thomas Mallory version. It's really good. Alot of fight scenes and the plot is well paced. Hardly a dull moment.
Ooh..another Dragonlance fan. Bear & I were the ones who recommended the books to Serene But my fave fantasy series now is by George R R Martin. It's also a medieval setting, and more realistic and 'mature' compared to Dragonlance. Hubby trying to get me to read his other fave fantasy author's series...Steven Erikson.
Serene,
Alhana mummy..heh..must get used to hearing that.
Levynn,
Only trashy stuff I've read recently are VC Andrews books Only read the Casteel series. Actually read them back in Sec school, but decided to rent them again coz I was also itching to read trashy stuff I've not read any of the new VC Andrews stuff, since it's not really her writing. Hv not read any of the new Sidney Sheldon books either. Used to love them so much when I was younger!
No, I didn't watch Tristan & Isolde coz I heard it sucked
But the story is very sad. Am a fan of Arthurian legends too! Hv you read Bernard Cornwall's Warlord trilogy? It's based on King Arthur. It's a different take from the Thomas Mallory version. It's really good. Alot of fight scenes and the plot is well paced. Hardly a dull moment. Ooh..another Dragonlance fan. Bear & I were the ones who recommended the books to Serene
But my fave fantasy series now is by George R R Martin. It's also a medieval setting, and more realistic and 'mature' compared to Dragonlance. Hubby trying to get me to read his other fave fantasy author's series...Steven Erikson. Serene,
Alhana mummy..heh..must get used to hearing that.
Levynn,
Only trashy stuff I've read recently are VC Andrews books
Only read the Casteel series. Actually read them back in Sec school, but decided to rent them again coz I was also itching to read trashy stuff I've not read any of the new VC Andrews stuff, since it's not really her writing. Hv not read any of the new Sidney Sheldon books either. Used to love them so much when I was younger!Bear, have you read the Incarnate series? It's quite cool about mortals who take on the roles of Fate, Time, Death and the other "offices" that govern peoples' lives. Pearce Anthony also infuses his stories with humour so they are quite enjoyable to read.
Alhana, ok will check out Bernard Cornwall when I hit the library next time.
Serene, once you read DL, you can't put it down till you complete the whole series...
Alhana, ok will check out Bernard Cornwall when I hit the library next time.
Serene, once you read DL, you can't put it down till you complete the whole series...