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Bourbon Street => Media - TV, Movies, Music, and Games => Books => Topic started by: Alina on March 25, 2014, 05:29:09 AM

Title: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: Alina on March 25, 2014, 05:29:09 AM
I know we're all busy with the day-to-day life, watching a movie or getting the latest X-Factor, but what about books?
Read any novel lately that made you rediscover the joy of reading, or made you want to strangle the author for lost time?

I'll start:
YA is sort of a guilty pleasure for me, I tried a lot of series, from terrible to great. Some of the ones that I enjoyed:
Barry Lyga - Jasper Dent series
https://www.goodreads.com/series/77924-jasper-dent
Some great characters (the son of a serial killer, his afro-american girfriend and hemophiliac best friend), mind-games and good mistery.
Two books are out and the last is coming in September.
Marie Lu - Legend series
My favourite out of all the distopian YA novels - two very lovable protagonists, good world-building, and almost no love triangle (there is one, sort-of, but there's no focus on it and it feels rather natural).
All three books are out.
https://www.goodreads.com/series/50673-legend

From time to time I like a good historical fiction, and I have a thing for all Alexander the Great stuff. I was in such a mood when I discovered Mary Renault's series on Alexander:
https://www.goodreads.com/series/42242-alexander-the-great
"Fire from Heaven" and "Funeral Games" are both fine books, but it was "The Persian Boy" that blew my mind.
I'd never before read a M/M book as the genre fell under my radar. So imagine my surprise when I read this and found myself walking in the shoes of Alexander's Persian boy, the eunuch Bagoas (it's first person story-telling). The book is brutal, heart-breaking, intimate and so, so beautiful, and as far as I understand, pretty accurate from a historical pov.
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: NicoPony on March 25, 2014, 06:46:37 AM
I love YA fiction, I don't see it as being a guilty pleasure at all.  I got my book club to start reading the genre.  We just read Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children.  It was interesting, but not enough for me to continue reading the series.  We are reading The Road To Wellville now, which if you've seen the movie with Anthony Hopkins, it's a real trip.  I doubt the YA book will include all of Mr. Lightbody's shenanigans, but we'll see.

Another YA series I liked is Daughter of Smoke and Bone.  The final part comes out next month.  Demons, angels, anthropomorphic creatures.  What's not to like?

Last novels I've read: The Husband's Secret. Didn't care for it.  The Golem and the Jinni, loved it.  The Enchanted Life of Adam Hope, very good but I cried most of the way through it. The Ocean at the End of the Lane, Neil Gaiman's writing in this book makes NO sense.  He's purposely obtuse and it's just is a mess.  I liked the flower-cat though.
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: Nekobaghira on March 25, 2014, 08:40:32 AM
I've tried YA. 

The Chronicles of Nick by Kenyon which is okay but I found I'm not as fond of the main character as Kenyon is so I only read one book and dropped the series.

The Arcana Chronicles by Kresley Cole.  Love the premise in general, not fond of angst.

At this point - I thought that maybe YA just isn't for me.  LOL

I have a book that I drag with me, and can't seem to get started with it.  It was a gift because one of the characters is a cat named neko and the cat talks.  You'd think that would at least get me started but it hasn't.  LOL

Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: cc008 on March 25, 2014, 10:05:34 AM
I'm actually in the process of reading through Harry Potter again just for the fun of it. Started in mid-December and I'm halfway through Half Blood Prince now. Goblet of Fire remains my favorite of the 7.
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: RomeoSvengali on March 25, 2014, 10:51:36 AM
Wilderness: The True Story of Simon Girty, The Renegade (Graphic Novel): Very well told and the artwork (black and white) is very well done. From what I've read from reviews, there have been other books written about Simon Girty, but this is the most accurate written account of his life.

Vampire Hunter D (Novels): When I got this I couldn't put it down even though I knew what was going to happen since I had seen the anime film before I read the novel. Although the novels were not translated into English at that time. The first anime film is a very close adaptation to the first novel. There are Manga versions... but they come across like typical Manga.

Hatchet: I heard this on audio back in high school and it wasn't until recently that I was able to get them. It's read by Peter Coyote.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DfyIaNgKBU

How Six Men Got On in the World: A short story that comes very close to Baron von Münchhausen's famous tale. The title to this has changed several times.
http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/lfb/ye/yefb17.htm (http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/lfb/ye/yefb17.htm)
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: RomeoSvengali on April 10, 2014, 02:42:27 AM
Choose Your Own Adventure: Long before KOTOR, Dragon Age and Mass Effect, this was my RPG. I haven't read all of them but there are so many to chose from, I can't just pick one or a few. But I what I loved about these books is the fact that you got to deiced what happen.
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: RomeoSvengali on September 26, 2014, 05:20:46 PM
Star Wars The Old Republic - Revan: I haven't read all of it, but I already have mixed feelings about it. The scenes between Revan and Bastila are very sweet, it shows that they were a very loving couple. But so far, that's all I like about it, I tried listening to the audio version... but it's pretty bad. It only has one voice actor and he has to do female voices... was Jennifer Hale, the voice of Bastila, too busy? Did they not have enough money to even hire her or even one female voice actress?? Devices and digital enhancements that can change a male's voice to sound more female have been around for awhile. Audio books with only one voice actor is a mix bag for me, sometimes depending on the story and characters it can work, other times it doesn't.
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: Nekobaghira on September 26, 2014, 06:24:36 PM
I had heard the Thrawn Trilogy was really good, but I haven't tried it yet.
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: RomeoSvengali on December 10, 2014, 06:06:40 PM
The Hobbit: I have an illustrated version and the regular book version with audio but I like both far more than the film version.

Resident Evil: City of The Dead and Underworld: I wish S. D. Perry was writing the storylines, scenes, lines and dialog for the games, she's far better than the so-called writers that Capcom have.
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: Miss Misery on December 10, 2014, 06:43:34 PM
The last few books have been:

The Poisonwood Bible--Barbara Kingsolver
It was an interesting novel--about a missionary and his family in the Congo during the '60s-- but I couldn't connect with the characters

Stick-Figure--Lori Gottlieb
This was the memoir based on Gottlieb's diaries in the late '70s chronicling her struggle with anorexia. It was somewhat shocking to hear how ignorant people were about the disease then, and Lori's situation wasn't helped by her parents, especially her mother, who I found infuriating.

The Day Donny Herbert Woke Up--Rich Blake
This is about a firefighter who woke up from a decade-long coma, but the author really padded it out for length.

Currently reading:
My Sister's Keeper--Jodi Picoult
I'm enjoying this one so far.
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: RomeoSvengali on March 29, 2015, 12:51:45 AM
The Dark Crystal: A novelization of the film, writer A.C.H. Smith does a good job translating the film into fiction which couldn't have been easily. The novel contains portions from the script that never made it into the film. Like with most novels and books, there able to give more of backstory to the characters and the world they live in (but not too much) that films just don't have time for. It's not a long novel and the pace of the story has to keep moving since the storyline is of course a race against time. I found an audiobook fan reading.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3tbFa_Z4t4
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: Nekobaghira on March 29, 2015, 08:59:48 AM
Heir To The Empire by Timothy Zahn.  It was a Christmas gift.  I have the whole trilogy.  It's good.  It's Star Wars, and the only reason it was given to me is the bad guy is Chiss. The writer created the Chiss ... added to the lore of SW.  Though, none of the Chiss have been shown on screen.  I hope the new films because I like them (they are in SWTOR).
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: Dantay on March 29, 2015, 09:29:51 AM
Berserk Vol. 1 -14 , seriously guys if you can get your hands on this Manga , do, it is amazing, there is a tv series from early 00s and WB brought out the golden arc trilogy in 3 movies
thety can also be watched on youtube here's a trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zwP0qIuX7g
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: RomeoSvengali on May 04, 2015, 08:47:46 AM
I Am Legend: Listening to the audiobook, this was quite good. I've seen all 3 film adaptations and The Last Man on Earth (1964) is not only the better film, it's the most accurate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUMWR5zT4CI

Return of the Jedi: At first I thought this was going to be an audio book of Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, The Illustrated Edition but it's The Star Wars Radio Dramas: Special Edition - Return of the Jedi from 1996.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvT7xS21-xo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvT7xS21-xo)

I of course have The Illustrated Edition but it's old, falling part, a lot of pages are missing and it's been a long time since I've read it.

Contact: I've started listening to the audiobook... and it's much better than the film.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMudkxogI8E (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMudkxogI8E)
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: Miss Misery on May 13, 2015, 07:20:00 AM
Currently reading the Founding of New Acadia: The Beginning of the Acadians in Louisiana, 1765-1803, , by Carl Brasseaud. A bit repetitive and pretty dry, but it's still interesting, even if I know pretty much what happened. It has me smiling in parts, because I see so many things that mirror Remy--his fierce independence, history of abandonment and exile, optimism amidst extreme hardships and familial loyalty.
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: RomeoSvengali on January 31, 2016, 10:01:48 AM
Four Past Midnight: The Langoliers: I first saw the TV movie years ago and it had a TV budget, even for back then, but it was OK. I'm listening to an audio book, read by actor Willem Dafoe. It's one of Stephen King's short stories, it has the usual type of characters that are in King's stories but the plot, mainly a time travel story, was interesting enough to keep me listening. The idea is that you can't do anything or interact with anyone in the past because it doesn't exist anymore, you can't really do anything in the future because it hasn't happen yet but you don't have to worry about Pac-Man's evil counterpart coming after you.
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: cc008 on January 31, 2016, 07:26:42 PM
As soon as I saw the first trailer for The Martian last spring, I immediately ordered the book from Amazon.. I was that intrigued by it. I wanted to read the book before the movie came out. I ended up reading it 3 times before the movie. I have no trouble at all saying it's my favorite book of all time.

I also just finished reading Alpha by Greg Rucka a few months ago. One of the guys at my LCS had mentioned his novels were even better than his comics so I bought Alpha and loved it. Eventually I'll get around to reading Bravo (the sequel, obviously) and then anxiously awaiting Charlie (confirmed by Rucka).
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: thjan on February 21, 2016, 08:40:33 PM
I recently finished reading all the Robert E. Howard Conan stories.  I had read a couple Howard Conan short stories before, but this was the first time that I set out to read them all, and I'm really glad I did.  They are some really good reads.  Howard is an absolute master of mood and atmosphere, and I've really enjoyed reading about the world Conan inhabits.  In fact, while I've really come to appreciate the character of Conan and think he's pretty awesome, I often found that it was the characters and settings surrounding him that I enjoyed the most when reading these stories. My favorite of the stories were-

Beyond the Black River- Really enjoyed the frontier aspects of this story and I really liked the character Balthus and the dog Slasher.
The Hour of the Dragon- Longest of the Howard Conan stories and the last story I read. It has a bit of everything and is a great read.
The Tower of the Elephant- Such a weird and interesting read.  Very different from all the other Conan stories.
The Scarlet Citadel- I really enjoyed the scenes in the underground dungeon.
Shadows in Zamboula- Shows how cunning and intelligent Conan can be.  I also really enjoyed the ending.
The God in the Bowl- Fun little story.  I liked the lawman, Demetrio, and the ending was really creepy.
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: RomeoSvengali on March 12, 2016, 08:47:26 AM
War of the Worlds: I first saw the 1953 film version at school when I was in the 5th grade. Years later, I found a short illustrated version around the house from Now Ages Books. The black and white artwork is pretty good, it sets the mood of the story pretty well. I wouldn't call it the best version, but I thought it was ok. It wasn't until recently that I read or listen (audio book) to the actual book version.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2_M1Tp-QR8

There were a few places where I thought it was dragging on a bit and getting boring, but it didn't last too long.
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: RomeoSvengali on May 02, 2016, 07:15:50 AM
"Skinwalker" Creepypasta | Let's Read!: I've only read or listen to a few Creepypasta stories on Youtube and there's only two that I like. The narrator really brings this story alive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hpmxW9qUSc
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: RomeoSvengali on June 15, 2016, 11:13:46 AM
The Old Man and the Sea: The story is mainly just an old man fishing, trying to get a large marlin, but the main character is interesting, although some of the dialog is a little cheesy at times. An audio version, read by Charlton Heston, is pretty good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eB2l3DENCMQ

I've seen a few scenes from the film versions, a short animated version from 1999 has beautiful artwork and I love the music.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5ih1IRIRxI
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: RomeoSvengali on August 20, 2016, 06:07:40 AM
Star Wars: Dark Empire I: An audio adaption of the Dark Horse comic book series. The audio reads more like a comic book than an audio book or novel, only dialogue and no narration, except the beginning. But I think it does a good job at not needing any, which couldn't have been easy for John Whitman to adapt and Arthur G. Insana to direct. It follows the comic very well but it adds more from the EU/Legends, with mentions of Thrawn, Exar Kun, Ulic Qel Droma, and so on. They actually got Billy Dee Williams to voice Lando Calrissian.
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: RomeoSvengali on October 31, 2016, 12:10:39 PM
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow: I've seen and read many different versions of this story, the most famous is the one from Disney, but the only thing I like about that one is the chase scene with the Headless Horseman. I haven't seen the Tim Burton version and I never plan to. There's one from 1999 called The Night of the Headless Horseman, the CGI is horrible, but I like the idea that Brom actually made a deal with the Headless Horseman to take his place to get Ichabod out of the way. My favorite is the one told by Glenn Close, the music, the artwork and the way the story is told is very well done.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4U2EnW02xKI
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: RomeoSvengali on May 07, 2017, 10:00:03 AM
The Thing Read-Along Record Book: A fan made read-along, it's not bad, and this takes me back to other real read-along books on tape like Star Wars: ESB, ROTJ, Dick Tracy and TMNT, although that was a TPB comic book on tape.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ifxq7ItckXM
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: Dantay on May 07, 2017, 11:59:04 AM
Began Reading The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher, im nearly finished the 7th Book now its awesome, about Wizards, Fairies, Vampires, Wearwolves, Mob bosses and so on
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: cc008 on May 07, 2017, 12:29:05 PM
New comic series I just picked up: Kill or Be Killed (Image) by Ed Brubaker. Basically his spin on a Punisher comic.

Novels.. I'm about to start reading Ready Player One. I also have Tom DeLonge's Secret Machines books on my shelf ready to be read.
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: Meliorist on May 09, 2017, 12:48:52 AM
The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson
It is a fun couple of books with a third coming out in November. The view point characters are different enough that nearly everyone seems to be able to relate to atleast one of them. Unlike many fantasy epics that focus on a literal journey to symbolize the metaphorical on for the characters, these books have each character stay in their own area. It helps make the war and politics constant background presence.
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: RomeoSvengali on May 10, 2017, 01:26:49 PM
Somnium (The Dream): Said to be the first science-fiction novel, or one of them, by Johannes Kepler (written in 1608 but not published until 1634).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFCQCsS75BQ

Kepler describes his dream world of traveling and landing on the moon, four hundred years before the actual moon landing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1QdHfAn-lY
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: cc008 on May 30, 2017, 07:17:11 PM
If anyone here can't get enough of pop culture references from the 70s and 80s from all things music, movies, video games, etc... do yourselves a favor and read Ready Player One as soon as you can. Its chapters are all grouped together in levels 1,2 and 3. Got up the level 3 before work this morning. Came home and read all of Level 3... which is about 15 chapters. Very enjoyable read and a worthy follow up book to The Martian, which is my favorite book ever.
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: Meliorist on July 24, 2017, 12:12:01 PM
An Audiobook, The Creative Thinkers Toolkit
It is a fascinating book that talks about how creative/critical thinking can be taught and gives exercises top help. The author talks about how, if it takes 10,000 hours to master something, 'genius' takes far longer. It took Mozart 16 years before his first masterpiece, though he did start composing at age 5.


Dynamic Story Creation by Maxwell Alexander Drake
It goes in depth about how important it is to have a theme in a story because that is what people connect with. It is the human element that draws people in, it is the hard choices the hero makes. It also explains the Hero's Journey, which helped me understand why so many tv shows become less appealing in season 2 for me.


Better Writing Through Stronger Narrative by Maxwell Alexander Drake
I am only 40 pages into it but it seems like in will be as good and helpful as the prior book. One of the interesting things about it, so many books are written in the same narrative style because it is the way a favorite author wrote.
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: Nekobaghira on July 24, 2017, 03:55:43 PM
Wrath and Ruin by C.W. Briar .... its a collection of short stories. I liked it.

Blood Betrayal by Tessa Dawn (Blood Curse series, book 9). It was also good but I'm totally biased because she has yet to let me down in her series. :)
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: RomeoSvengali on August 15, 2017, 05:33:03 AM
The World of the Dark Crystal: An audio book fan reading, I think it's read by the same person who voiced the fan reading of the Dark Crystal novelization. Most of the story is told from Aughra's point of view, the one and only of her race, the prophet born of rock and stone. She explains the history of Thra, of the first and second great conjunction, the great divide of the Urskeks, the creation of the uUru and the Skeksis. When the Crystal creaked, the extermination of the Gelfling race, when she retreated to her observatory, of Jen and Kira's journey, the healing of the Crystal and Aughra reflecting on her life, or as she puts her it, her song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3g5iM-UYqi0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3g5iM-UYqi0)
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: RomeoSvengali on January 18, 2018, 05:44:39 AM
No Country For Old Men: The book is pretty actuate to the film, there are a few things different here and there. But some scenes were actually better in the film, while in the book, some scenes are kind of confusing.

Deep Space Nine: Fallen Heroes: An interesting story where Odo and Quark are sent three days into the future, but during those days, just about everyone on the station has been killed and they must try to find a way to be sent back before that happens. It's both tragic and a uplifting story, the nameless (at first) alien race comes across as frightening, it manages to have major character deaths and not just new or nameless characters and brings them all back by the end. But there not meaningless deaths, each character gets there moment to shine. Actor Rene Auberjonois, who of course played Odo, does a wonderful job in the audio book version.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEFl1nXXGQE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEFl1nXXGQE)
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: bark_no_byte on January 18, 2018, 09:32:39 AM
Have you read Blood Meridian? Only McCarthy work I've read other than The Road and it's fantastic but super depressing (well, both are).
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: RomeoSvengali on February 23, 2018, 01:13:48 PM
Second Variety: It's a short story, but an interesting one, although, nearing the end it seems as if it just wants to wrap up the storyline, and while the ending is a bit bleak, it's satisfying from the last line. I remember watching the film Screamers back in the mid 90s, it was ok, it's not a 100% accurate to the story, but it's not as inaccurate as one might think.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vi-72hCvm4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vi-72hCvm4)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnqYjKkyGZs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnqYjKkyGZs)
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: RomeoSvengali on May 10, 2018, 05:17:34 PM
The Eugenics Wars, Vol.2: A wasted opportunity and contradicts everything we know about Kahn in TOS and ST-II: TWOK. You would think that since it's about The Eugenics War that it would star Kahn... but no, he's hardly in it... instead the characters Gary Seven and Roberta Licoln are the main characters even though they should not be in this story at all. Apparently the Augments and everyone else are so stupid that only these two can save the world. TOS and the 2nd film very well stated that Khan had an empire, took over one-quarter of Earth's population, other nations combined their efforts to defeat them and while a ruthless tyrant, Kirk and the others reluctantly admit to having a degree of respect for what Kahn accomplished, despite his many faults and crimes.

In the book, Khan has no empire at all, he wins no battles, Khan and the Augments are just dumb and weak, in fact the book pretty much states that The Eugenics War wasn't really a big deal. Why? Because since it didn't happen in real life (there are so many references to the 90s), therefore it's just some small conflict that hardly anyone hears about... someone should have told the politically-correct left-wing writer, Greg Cox, that the ST universe is NOT OUR universe.

Years later when Kirk and the others are deciding on what to do with a planet that wants to become a member of the Federation, but this planet's population has genetic engineering and since the Federation outlawed that because of The Eugenics War, that lead to WWIII, the planet will be put under quarantine... but if the book made it seem that The Eugenics War wasn't that important, just skirmishes among minor warlords and Khan wasn't even known and forgotten... then the quarantine and the outlaw of genetic engineering is meaningless. One has to wonder how the Federation and Kirk even know anything about that war or Khan himself and the book in no way states that it's an alternate reality, this is supposed to be in the canon ST universe.
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: RomeoSvengali on August 03, 2018, 02:46:51 AM
The Outsiders: I never read the book in school, I guess I didn't take any classes that did. I watched the film before I was in my teens, I didn't finally read it until a few years ago and recently I decided to listen to a fan audio reading. There's a few things that the book does better, but there's also a few things that the movie does better as well, but there's too much to list.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPk1Tz3DGg99rYJjEKT7SaLZ9gr7M-L1N (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPk1Tz3DGg99rYJjEKT7SaLZ9gr7M-L1N)
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: RomeoSvengali on September 29, 2018, 09:31:52 AM
Persephone: A fan made graphic novel of the Greek mythology gods Hades and Persephone. Most versions people are familiar with is the one where Hades kidnaps Persephone, he takes her to the underworld, not because he's cruel and he doesn't harm her. They come to love each other, marry, Persephone becomes queen of the underworld, she spends the spring and summer time with her mother and the fall and winter with her husband. Most modern versions have been pretty awful, Hades is depicted as the devil and having a loveless marriage with Persephone.

In this version, as the website states, is different, the artwork has a cartoon look to it which helps with the humor, but it's not a kid's book as there is some nudity and two sex scenes, but it doesn't show too much.
https://hivemill.com/products/persephone (https://hivemill.com/products/persephone)

There's a few other versions that are pretty good.
http://asphodelon.com/post/88185785462/bringer-of-spring (http://asphodelon.com/post/88185785462/bringer-of-spring)

https://tapas.io/episode/209758 (https://tapas.io/episode/209758)

Animated Tales of the World - The Myth of Persephone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrmQYsMnl14 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrmQYsMnl14)
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: RomeoSvengali on October 28, 2018, 12:20:52 AM
"The Pacific Pearl" Original Creepypasta: Based on one of the Heavy Metal animated shorts, B-17, that takes place during WWII in a B-17 bomber and the Locknar makes the dead come alive. This is a pretty good reading of that animated short.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKNQB9yZ9_Q (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKNQB9yZ9_Q)
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: RomeoSvengali on January 05, 2019, 05:32:39 PM
Jabberwocky: Not a book, but a poem, I came across these two videos on Youtube by accident.

The Jabberwocky
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tr4GH61VStM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tr4GH61VStM)

Jabberwocky By Lewis Carroll - Read by Benedict Cumberbatch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_Um3787fSY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_Um3787fSY)
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: Dantay on January 05, 2019, 10:53:24 PM
Ghost - Dance Macabre
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Gr63DiEUxw
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: RomeoSvengali on January 11, 2019, 09:53:43 PM
The Raven: Another poem, a lot of kids from my generation first heard this from the Simpsons and to quote a Youtube comment
Amazing that Sith Lords read this poem better than anyone else.
1.) James Eal Jones/ aka Darth Vader
2.) Christopher Lee/ aka Darth Tyranus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BefliMlEzZ8 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BefliMlEzZ8)
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: RomeoSvengali on January 18, 2019, 12:21:45 AM
Marianne Dreams: Marianne, a 10 year old, is able to create a dream world by drawing it and meets another person in it who also dreams the same dream. Normally I don't read books about kids since there usually annoying and dumb. But I can make an exception and I'm a sucker for stories about dreams, I can still remember dreams I had years ago and I'm not talking about nightmares. There have been two adaptations of this book, Escape Into Night, a 1972 black & white British TV mini-series and Paperhouse, a 1988 British film. While the mini series is more accurate to the book, the two main leads in the film are more likable, but I like both versions.
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: RomeoSvengali on February 07, 2019, 02:36:50 AM
When it comes to mythologies, it's usually Greek and American Indian mythologies that interest me, but then there's Norse mythology. I already knew some of it, but thankfully there's audio books and Youtube videos to explain it in detail.

Feature History - Norse Mythology
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0Br9bfvN7g (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0Br9bfvN7g)

Norse Legends [Audio]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PVhFy4cmS8 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PVhFy4cmS8)
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: bark_no_byte on February 07, 2019, 11:48:05 AM
Currently reading: Dune by Frank Herbert. Amazing so far.


Just finished: A Study in Emerald graphic novel by Neil Gaiman and Rafael Albuquerque. Also great. Actually had to re-read the ending bc I didn't get it at first and then it hit me like a brick wall.
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: Meliorist on February 07, 2019, 12:50:33 PM
Skyward by Brandon Sanderson
It was an engaging book that I ended up reading in one sitting despite having to wake up at 4:00 am for work. Felt entirely worth it. Might take a nap now though >.>
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: RomeoSvengali on October 12, 2019, 11:30:42 PM
When comes to vampires, the only stories that I've liked are Interview with the Vampire film, Vampire Hunter D books and anime, the Legacy of Kain video games, the first Blade film and a few others here and there, but that's about it. I remember watching the 1992 Bram Stoker's Dracula film, I thought it was OK, but very overrated, they should have gotten someone else instead of Keanu Reeves, I hated the whole Dracula and Mina thing and I have to agree with Homer about his hair.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxLstSRlJEo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxLstSRlJEo)

I came across a Dracula graphic novel (because I need pictures) read by the late Christopher Lee.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqlwpQIODYs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqlwpQIODYs)

I've heard that the book is pretty boring and I can't completely disagree with that, it's not a bad book but it didn't live up to the hype or the legacy it's been given.
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: Nekobaghira on October 13, 2019, 09:45:18 AM
Keanu didn't bother me as much as Gary Oldman as Drac.

Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: Dantay on October 13, 2019, 06:06:05 PM
Keanu didn't bother me as much as Gary Oldman as Drac.
Really? I loved Oldman as Drac
also probably stated before but i am continually re reading The Dresden Files ....alllll of them & Berserk (manga) its so good, extremely dark 
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: Nekobaghira on October 13, 2019, 06:25:56 PM
Really? I loved Oldman as Drac
also probably stated before but i am continually re reading The Dresden Files ....alllll of them & Berserk (manga) its so good, extremely dark
I like Oldman, his acting is fine, he just wasn't Drac for me. LOL
I'm waiting for Blood Echo by Tessa Dawn. It's out next month. It's a vampire book.
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: Dantay on October 13, 2019, 06:34:54 PM
I like Oldman, his acting is fine, he just wasn't Drac for me. LOL
I'm waiting for Blood Echo by Tessa Dawn. It's out next month. It's a vampire book.
What was your favorite portrayal of Dracula?

also anyone interested here is a vid about Berserk, you get a massive spoiler warning around the 7 minute mark, stop there if its something you would be interested in reading, there also a 1997 series and 3 films which were released more recently 2012-2014 i thing, they cover the Golden Age Arc both ended on the biggest downer in the history of...well ever, after the 97 series luckily i found the manga and was able to see what happened after
on the Dresden Files , James Masters ( Spike from Buffy) does the audio books
on Buffy & Angel the boom studios reboot/re-imagining of the characters is awesome 
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: Nekobaghira on October 13, 2019, 06:44:34 PM
What was your favorite portrayal of Dracula?
I liked Luke Evans as Dracula, despite the fact the film wasn't that good.
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: RomeoSvengali on January 12, 2020, 02:04:47 AM
Dick Tracy - Audio Adventure - Big Boy Turns up the Heat & Everything Comes up Blank! REMASTERED: I remember listening to this in middle school, it was published in 1990, the same year when the film came out and it's much better. The narrator, William Woodward, and the voice actors really gives it that police detective and gangster type setting and radio drama of the 1930s.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHGzasD3-28 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHGzasD3-28)
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: RomeoSvengali on January 18, 2020, 01:20:42 AM
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures - Heroes in a Half Shell (1988) audio: I have a TPB of this that came with a yellow cassette tape, I've had this since 1989 and I must have listen to it a dozen or so times, I'm surprised that the tape still plays. It's basically an adaptation of the first 5 episodes of the 1987 series, they got different voice actors for the characters, but there pretty good and the artwork matches Fred Wolf's artwork style.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=We24xBC-Dzs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=We24xBC-Dzs)
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: RomeoSvengali on February 12, 2020, 11:44:10 AM
Flowers in the Attic: Another book in which I saw the adaptation first, the one from 1987, before I ever read the book and I found the adaptation to be better, at least in some places, particularly the ending. The book has several sequels, which are all pretty awful, but so is the first book, it's overrated. It seems as if this was written for shallow teens and 20 year olds, most of the story is boring, the characters are one-dimensional, idiotic, annoying and unlikable, the only thing I have for them is sympathy because of what an evil cardboard cutout mother and grandmother they have. The author seemed to have had an obsession with incest... and trying to make it come across as romantic...

The ending in the 87 adaptation actually makes those sequels, especially the second book, difficult to happen, or at least some of it, and that's a good thing. In the first book they escape from the mansion, but they don't comfort their mother, she doesn't die and the narration only mentions a few things that happen in the other books. But I've heard that they were going to make a sequel to the 87 adaptation, but it never got off the ground and Kristy Swanson described it as "all sex"...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bsROw49A9s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bsROw49A9s)
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: RomeoSvengali on March 19, 2020, 03:03:44 AM
The only comics that I've been reading for free have been...

Punisher: Soviet: Garth Ennis proves once again that the Punisher doesn't need War Machine's armor or Ghost Rider's powers, he doesn't need to dress up as a stereotype Viking to be interesting and putting him around spandex super powered characters has never suited him. Keep him in the real world.
Hawkman (2018): Carter may finally be getting back together with Shayera (Hawkwoman).

Aquaman (2016): I've tried reading this, but it's another comic being destroyed by a feminist.
G.I. Joe: Sierra Muerte: The artwork was not the best, but it at least felt somewhat like classic G.I. Joe.
G.I. Joe (2019): IDW proves that they can be just as bad as Marvel and DC.
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: Nekobaghira on March 19, 2020, 10:42:58 PM
I read a book about the TV industry. Specifically show-runners and their experience in the Television medium.

It was interesting because I didn't realize how much goes into producing and putting a show together.
This book also benefits the Trevor Project, and another charity but can't find it right now. If I do, I'll update this post.

"My Life In The Shadow World" by Todd Slavkin.
He was a show-runner for Smallville too.


Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: RomeoSvengali on April 26, 2020, 08:00:54 AM
"Why You Can't Talk to the Dead" creepypasta: I could see an ending like this in The Twilight Zone or The Outer Limits.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RGRM2eFiB0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RGRM2eFiB0)
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: RomeoSvengali on August 26, 2020, 07:47:13 PM
Aquaman (2016): I've heard that due to low sales, it's being cancelled with issue #65... I can't say I'm shocked, when Kelly Sue DeConnick took over, this series was doomed. This is what happens you hire feminist.

Hawkman (2018): The only DC comic worth reading.

The Crow (1989): It's both cathartic in the most violent, bloodthirsty sense and yet heartbreaking with the worst monsters and the most pitiful people, all in one comic and the black & white ink really adds to that.

The Crow: Dead Time: The second best Crow comic, like the first one it doesn't shy away from the violence to show just how evil the villains are and as much as I like the artwork from the first one, this art in this comic is top-notch.
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: Varia on August 27, 2020, 12:58:13 AM
The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman: It was inevitable I'd read this eventually, but I'd been putting it off. So glad I finally jumped in, though! It's a wonderful read. I appreciate writers who are cognizant that being a child =/= fragile or in need of coddling. It's a respect I miss in a lot of children's books and tv shows today.


Betty and Veronica: The Leading Ladies of Riverdale by Tim Hanley: The closest I've ever come to an Archie comic is in the supermarket check-out line, but I love Tim Hanley's writing style and thorough treatment of the histories of such comic book icons as Lois Lane, Catwoman, and Wonder Woman. It's fascinating to see how their evolution has affected--and been affected by--the larger historical context and social upheavals. As with his previous works, I'm gaining a broader respect for the characters.
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: RomeoSvengali on December 21, 2020, 12:59:02 AM
The Soldier's Christmas Poem: Another poem, I can't summaries it, one has to listen to it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F73TrMcdaCk
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: RomeoSvengali on January 15, 2021, 03:49:50 AM
Hawkman (2018): Like I said it was the only DC comic book worth reading and Hawkman&Hawkwoman finally got a happy ending.

Snake Eyes: Deadgame: It's bad enough that Rob Liefeld is drawing it, but to make matters worse, he's also writing it... which would explain the lame title. Liefeld can't draw and he sure as hell can't write.
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: RomeoSvengali on March 26, 2021, 05:04:03 AM
Punisher: The Tyger: Ennis is the only one can write about this part of Frank's past when he was 10 years old, most hacks at Marvel wouldn't have a clue.
Punisher MAX: The Platoon: I prefer this part of Frank's Vietnam tour (his first one) to Born and once again Ennis is the only writer who can write about this part of his life.

I've been thinking of getting this, the guy doing the narration in the audio sample isn't too bad and his Gambit... I've heard worse.

Ultimate X-Men Paperback – October 1, 1996
https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-X-Men-Stan-Lee/dp/1572972173 (https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-X-Men-Stan-Lee/dp/1572972173)
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: Nekobaghira on March 26, 2021, 08:40:37 PM
Blood Harvest: by Tessa Dawn. Book 12 of the Blood Curse series. It was okay, its in the paranormal romance genre. (no judging, don't knock til you try it. LOL)

I liked the epilogue best for the next book. Though, it feels like it will be the last in the series. The epilogues are preludes to the next book. It's the next book that feels like it might be the end of the series.

What is fun about these books besides Vamps, Weres and other beings not being evil though some are ... is the author used the constellations of the stars for her gods and goddesses. Neat twist. I do know its not everyone's cup of coffee or tea.


I have not bought a comic book in quite some time. Comic books can have all of these elements if not more when it comes to sci-fi and other elements. No visual is all. :)
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: RomeoSvengali on April 26, 2021, 05:45:06 PM
The Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Comic (2014): This was one of those free comics that you could get at comic books stores back in 2014. This is an action, drama, and parody comic based more off the 80s cartoon of G.I. Joe than the comics and I was never a huge fan of the animated series, it pales in comparison to the comic, at least during the 80s and 90s. The artwork may look like it's poorly written, but it's very funny, crazy as hell and has some touching scenes. Being a Snake-Eyes/Scarlett fan, it had the perfect ending for them.
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: RomeoSvengali on June 03, 2021, 06:06:59 AM
The Silmarillion - Dagor Dagorath: The Last Battle in which Morgoth will return and a second music of the Ainur will remake the world. It's pretty much Judgement Day with a little bit of Ragnarok. I don't think this is canon anymore, but it should be, it gives Middle-earth a second chance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2f3J_hAczh4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRfrAokhP9E
Title: Re: What have you read lately, and was it any good?
Post by: Nekobaghira on June 13, 2023, 06:47:55 PM
This book is hilarious.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/441716915598000210/1118306128032448542/murder-your-employer-9781451648218_lg.jpg)
Fun fact: Rupert Holmes is the musical artist of "Escape - The Pina Colada Song", used in Guardians of the Galaxy v1. It's an older song (1979). It was Peter Quill's thing for older songs.


The vocabulary in this book is amazing; (hi google: help me out - that's me, not him). I haven't seen punctuation used so well in years. LOL.

Video of the song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXG_I_tf_i4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXG_I_tf_i4)

edit: fixed link because of stupidity.