NT Book Club Vol. WDYRTD

Finished 'Gone Girl' in just over a day. Fairly easy read. Wish I had read the book prior to watching the film. Foils much of the suspense, obviously.

I like how Flynn explores romantic relationships, particularly marriage. The chess game control for power and compromise, or lack thereof. Also, the concept of parental influence. How Amy's parents shaped her to be a perfectionist. How Nick's father and relationship with his mother may have damned him long-term.

I can relate and feel guilty in one sense. When dealing with women, the courtship is fun and adventurous. Pull out all the stops to charm and win over that special girl you have your eye on. But once she's entrapped in your web, the luster begins to wear off. Men often lose the motivation to maintain the relationship because it requires so much effort, mind power, and compromise. Some would say a facade during the courtship period, both man and woman are at their respective best and not truly acting as themselves in the purest form.

Edit: Old-fashioned, still use the library and prefer hard copy books to reading on a tablet.
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I agree. Physical books are way better. Put a book in my bag when I was going to have a break between classes. Didn't have to worry about dropping and breaking it like a tablet or getting it stolen if I had to leave my table for a few minutes.
 
I also prefer hard copies over digital books.  I really think the publishers need to do something like they did with bluerays, where if you buy the hardcopy you get a code for a free digital download of the book or something.  That would be great.  My biggest gripe about digital books is that my whole life whenever i am reading a book i always use my right hand to preflip to the next page while im still reading the current page (if that makes sense); and due to muscle memory i guess i do the same thing with digital books but it just ends up skipping to the next page when im not ready to yet. 
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 Digital books do make navigation much easier with all the bookmark and search functionality, i also love that when i see a word i am unfamiliar with i can just tap it and get a definition.
 
One thing I do like about tablets is if you drop your book and don't have the bookmark in >:

I really liked Gone Girl. The going back and forth between the two. The freaking twist in the middle totally caught me by surprise. I was really starting to hate dude halfway through :lol

Anyone that has read The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo, if you've read any of his other work, what would you recommend?
 
Bookmark feature and readily available dictionary are definitely appreciated on tablets.

Delving into the 'Fifty Shades' trilogy. I'm prepared to get clowned. Curious about the hype.

Edit: Clown away.
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Anyone that has read The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo, if you've read any of his other work, what would you recommend?
'Brida.'
 
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On the verge of finishing "Fresh Off the Boat" and thoroughly enjoyed it. Highly recommended if you're an Asian American, grew up around hip hop, sports, and had a tiger mother.
 
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new pickups got that walter isaacson book on the way as well The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution
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new pickups got that walter isaacson book on the way as well The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution
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Let us know how those books are; they seem interesting. And that Jobs bio is so dope, assuming that's what you're waiting for.
 
Two books complete in the 'Fifty Shades' trilogy. The second book was honestly better than the first, but E.L. James is not a very good writer. Supposedly she's clashing with the director over artistic creativity and accurate adherence to her books.

Problems I have with 'Fifty Shades':
Even for a fictional character, Christian Grey is ridiculously unrealistic. A perfect human being by all accounts. Successful, handsome, well-practiced sexually, and an intellect. For female readers, it creates an impossible expectation for those who can't separate a work of fiction from real-life dating.

James reuses the same words repeatedly. I often question the depth of her vocabulary. "Carnal," for example. Over and over. I like to see freshness in the utilization of language.

Grey's mercurial temperament. He must be the moodiest person on the planet. Changing gears at an alarming pace. It makes the book(s) choppy. One moment he's focused on business, the next arguing with Ana, and even later stoking his passion for her.

Lastly, I know not every work of fiction can explore the mind like Flynn did with the female mind (Amy) in 'Gone Girl,' but Ana comes off as basic at times. Pouty, uncertain overthinker.
 
^^^ Hit the nail on the head on the Fifty Shades series

Still haven't read Gone Girl (chick is crazy in the movie)
 
Sticking with the "Light" motif as I take breaks from studying up for my FE exam. Finished the Stedman and will begin Doerr's novel tonight.
The ending could have been written better and I was a little underwhelmed once I finished. Overall, there were some good themes that he detailed pretty well, isolation, the thin line between right and wrong, reality vs. dreams. I just wish the ending didn't leave more to be desired. Looking forward to "All the Light We Cannot See"
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Still haven't read Gone Girl (chick is crazy in the movie)
Flynn's book is even better than the film, offers a different perspective. I wish I had read the book prior to watching Fincher's movie.

It was hard for me to pick between Pike and Moore for Best Actress, very close race this year.
 
I want to read up on Socrates and his philosphies and just more about him in general. Any books you guys would recommend?
 
Completed the 'Child 44' trilogy this weekend. Highly recommended for anyone who appreciates suspense and/or history (particularly Russian).

Next on the list is probably 'The Farm' (same author as 'Child 44') or Flynn's 'Dark Places.'

Edit: Just returned from the library. Rented 'The Farm' and the librarian recommended Ken Follett. Starting with 'Fall of Giants' which is a trilogy.
 
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2015 so far...

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Love the lightning thief series but I've found as I've gotten older I can't really do Riordan's newer books anymore which is slightly sad to me. I'm genuinely curious to see what's happen with Percy and the gang.

When I was still in high school I read a whole lot because it was something to do in class and the teachers wouldn't bother me for not paying attention. Fast forward to sophomore year of college and I'm picking the habit back up because of the bus to class.
In the last month or so I've read:

The Stand, by Stephen King
11/23/63, by Stephen King
It, by Stephen King
The Humans, by Matt Haig
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
And i read Catcher in the Rye today.

Not quite sure where I'm gonna go next about to search around online for something.

Anyone read 2666 by Bolano?
 
Just finished reading the Foundation Series by Isaac Asimov. Really enjoyed them, I'll probably start the I, Robot series next

My uncle recommended that to me but when I was googling around I saw a lot of different opinions on the order the books should be read. Care to share some insight with me?
 
Completed the 'Child 44' trilogy this weekend. Highly recommended for anyone who appreciates suspense and/or history (particularly Russian).

Next on the list is probably 'The Farm' (same author as 'Child 44') or Flynn's 'Dark Places.'

Edit: Just returned from the library. Rented 'The Farm' and the librarian recommended Ken Follett. Starting with 'Fall of Giants' which is a trilogy.

fall of giants was pretty good. A little cheesey at times, but overall I enjoyed it. I love first half 20th century history though too.
 
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