Whatcha been reading lately?

[slgrieb]

I have not yet seen the movies, but I have Dragon Tatoo waiting to be watched. I've heard conflicting critiques. My doctor said it was bad, because of the content not the production. My hairdresser said it was bad production.

I'm still going to watch it.

If you liked the books, the content isn't going to put you off. There is less sex in the movie than the book, but Salander being raped by Bjurman is pretty brutal, though hardly pornographic. Bad production? I just don't get that at all. I watched the movies on Netflix Watch Instantly as soon as they were available, and I have to think that anyone who loved the books will like the films.

Anyway, I'm interested in your feedback when you see the movies. Of course, we're going to have an American version soon. Hopefully, it won't be FUBAR.

[Green_Eyed]

If you liked the books, the content isn't going to put you off. There is less sex in the movie than the book, but Salander being raped by Bjurman is pretty brutal, though hardly pornographic. Bad production? I just don't get that at all. I watched the movies on Netflix Watch Instantly as soon as they were available, and I have to think that anyone who loved the books will like the films.

Anyway, I'm interested in your feedback when you see the movies. Of course, we're going to have an American version soon. Hopefully, it won't be FUBAR.

So far I've watched the first 2 (I'm #4 in the hold queue for Hornet's Nest.) I think they were well done. And like most movies that started out as books, you just can't squeeze all that detail into 2-2.5 hours.

Some of the details that were lost: Bloomkvist is made out to be a sort of womanizer - the woman from Millenium, Harriet Vanger (who am I leaving out, besides Salander?) He had this 20 year affair with what's her name (the book makes her sound much better looking than the actress playing her in the film) yet in the film it's not apparent they are even attracted to each other. Bad acting or editorial decision? dunno

Some of the details they do bring out - Salander as a child throwing a match in to her father's car, which we don't even know at that point IS her father, doesn't come until the beginning of book 3, yet they show us in the 1st film her having a memory of it.

And that whole bit about her getting all that Weinerstrom money, we should have gotten more on that.

So I've started on Terry Goodkind. I listened to book one "Wizard's First Rule" and now I'm reading "Stone of Tears." What I don't understand is how you can say nothing much happens? Maybe it's comprehension...

[slgrieb]

Re: Goodkind. Perhaps it's a function of where I picked up on the series. I grabbed The Pillars of Creation and Naked Empire pretty much at random, and they were the dullest things I've tried to read in forever. Just because Goodkind espouses much of Ayn Rand's philosophy doesn't mean that his writing has to be as monotonous as much of her's is.

Other than being terminally cliched, Legend of the Seeker is kinda fun to watch, so perhaps the earlier books had a little more life. I remain dubious though. Anyway, there are too many good authors and too little time, so struggling through 2 Goodkinds is all of my time he gets.

Yep, all of Larson's novels were heavily edited for the screen plays, but I don't have much problem with the decisions made, especially in the case of The Girl With The Dragon Tatoo. I think much of Blomkvist's visit to the Vangers should have been cut from the novel.

With Hornet's Nest, I'm a little more ambivalent. The novel is frequently pedantic, but Larson has always seemed to realize that he was writing for an international audience, and he seemed to take lots of pains to explain Swedish Government and legal procedure. So, some of the legal maneuvering in the story makes more sense in the novel, but movies are a visual medium, and I think much of the exposition would have just gotten in the way. Biggest divergence is in the ending.

So, what have I been reading lately that I'd recommend? Well, that's difficult. He's been around a while now, but I'd still suggest a look at Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden novels. Number 13 in the series, Ghost Story, is due next month. Don't need to read them in order for them to be enjoyable, but it helps with understanding the relationships between characters, as well as some plot nuances that might be missed. For instance, if you start with Ghost Story, you might have a bit of trouble with the idea that the protagonist of the series is recently murdered. If you've never read Butcher and you're tempted to start with his Alera series, my advice is really, really don't.

[Green_Eyed]

...perhaps the earlier books had a little more life....

... So, some of the legal maneuvering in the story makes more sense in the novel, but movies are a visual medium, and I think much of the exposition would have just gotten in the way. Biggest divergence is in the ending.

....

For the Goodkind series, since I know it's a series, I started at the beginning. I got interested in Patricia Cornwell and the Scarpetta series. I didn't start at the beginning of those. Fortunately, there wasn't a real need, each novel stood on its own. For the Legend of the Seeker, I knew I should start at the beginning. Mainly because I wanted to know what had been left out of the video series. You should give the early books a try. They really are entertaining.

On the Dragon Tattoo - I watched #2 again and #3 with my ball & chain (forever after known as B&C ) and he liked them. I thought that whole thing with the legal and governmental stuff at the end was kind of lost as to who all the players were, their role in the government, and why they were all involved. I felt it was glossed over in order to follow the book.

[slgrieb]

Most of Patricia Cornwell's stuff is very good, though I read so much of her for a while that I got a little burned out. Actually some of the most fun my wife and I had with the series was speculating on how much of Cornwell's personality was represented by Kay, and how much was Lucy. OK, it was pointless, but enjoyable.

And, any mention of a series as long running as the Kay Scarpetta novels begs the question; have you read Sue Grafton's Alphabet Mysteries? very consistent series with only a couple of clunkers, and she's up to U now. Go Sue!

[Green_Eyed]

I have not read any of Sue Grafton's novels, but I see them when they come out, working in a library and all.

So I fininshed the second Seeker book and I'm onto the third. Now I see what you mean. Although I'm caught up in the story and I'm accustomed to his style, I'm on chapter 10 and nothing has really happened. I don't mean nothing at all. I think it's probably all groundwork for what's ahead. I'm still completely absorbed though.

On the Cornwell/Scarpetta, I've wondered how much of Kay is really Patricia.

[slgrieb]

I have not read any of Sue Grafton's novels, but I see them when they come out, working in a library and all.

So I fininshed the second Seeker book and I'm onto the third. Now I see what you mean. Although I'm caught up in the story and I'm accustomed to his style, I'm on chapter 10 and nothing has really happened. I don't mean nothing at all. I think it's probably all groundwork for what's ahead. I'm still completely absorbed though.

On the Cornwell/Scarpetta, I've wondered how much of Kay is really Patricia.

I'm heavily on the side of Lucy being more Cornwell than Kay. But you can have a lot of fun doing some research and drawing your own conclusions. Few contemporary authors are more fun to subject to speculation than Patricia Cornwell.

You should add Grafton to your "must read" list. A first rate author and a classic character. Grafton hit a period where Kinsey Milhone (her protagonist) became too self indulgent and smart mouthed to be sympathetic. I think G is for Gumshoe is perhaps the worst of the series; but on either side of that divide, you've got some outstanding novels. I don't think you can find a strong, believable female lead in contemporary fiction that excels Kinsey Milhone.

So, that makes me think about the fantasy side of things. For better or worse, Laurel Hamilton, even more than Anne Rice, has set the pace for much of today's Urban Fantasy. Patricia Briggs has written several fantasy novels such as The Hob's Bargain and the Hurog novels that are first rate fantasy, but most readers these days know her Mercy Thompson novels. The series follows a story arc that begins with a somewhat conventional storyline that still reflects Briggs unique viewpoint. but ends in "girl screws vampire and werewolf." ala Hamilton.

Most of her novels continue Hamilton's formula , and it isn't until River Marked that Briggs distances herself from the legions of Hamilton clones

Briggs is clearly a better writer than Hamilton, and all of the Mercy Thompson novels are worth a read; if you can get past the trashy covers, and bear with Briggs when she sorta sells out. It gets better.

Edit: Also failed to mention Briggs excellent Raven novels. Oops!

[slgrieb]

Good month for reading, since between fires and unseasonable thunderstorms my electric power and Internet connection have been pretty undependable lately. Ah, the joys of life in the Texas Panhandle! At least we've missed out on massive hail and tornadoes this year.

This has been "State History Month" for me. What got me started on the history kick was "Empire of The Summer Moon", a history of the Comanche Nation. The story is told without romanticizing either the Comanche or the Texans (and Federal troops) who fought them. I live in what used to be the Comanche heartland, and significant battles were fought within a few miles of my home.

Ranald Slidell Mackenzie was the American commander who finally broke the back of Comanche power at the Battle of Palo Duro Canyon.
So, I spent some time re-reading Bad Hand: A Biography of General Ranald S. Mackenzie

So, in turn I picked up [I]The Gates of The Alamo[/I] and read it again. Great book! Historically accurate, even the parts that Texans would prefer to be shaded a bit, and every character in the novel is a fully drawn person; even the supporting characters.

I still found time to read Tim Dorsey's Gator A Go Go. If you don't know Dorsey, his work centers on a character named Serge A. Storms who is a loveable serial killer. Yes, I know that's a difficult concept, but read one of the novels before you bail. Just don't start with Atomic Lobster, which is Dorsey's worst novel and a guaranteed turnoff for his work.

[Green_Eyed]

I have FINALLY completed the entire Legend of the Seeker/Sword of Truth series, including the final (so far) chapter of Richard Rahl and Kahlan Amnell The Omen Machine. One of my favorite lines is when Cara says "If he lives, I'm going to kill him." She's said it more than once in the series and it always makes me laugh.

I am trying to finish Red Mist, the latest installment from Patricia Cornwell.

My brother got me on Clive Cussler and The Oregon Files, so now I have a whole new genre to explore. My first was Corsair, which was highly entertaining, full of high-tech weaponry and stuff and lost of bang-bang shoot-em-up action.

[Mayet]

in the last months I have been re reading all of cusslers books, reading all the james patterson books I have missed along with Nelson demille

[slgrieb]

I have FINALLY completed the entire Legend of the Seeker/Sword of Truth series, including the final (so far) chapter of Richard Rahl and Kahlan Amnell The Omen Machine. One of my favorite lines is when Cara says "If he lives, I'm going to kill him." She's said it more than once in the series and it always makes me laugh.

I am trying to finish Red Mist, the latest installment from Patricia Cornwell.

My brother got me on Clive Cussler and The Oregon Files, so now I have a whole new genre to explore. My first was Corsair, which was highly entertaining, full of high-tech weaponry and stuff and lost of bang-bang shoot-em-up action.

My wife hadn't read any Cussler until just a few years ago. Her response was, "I get it! These are the male equivalent of Romance Novels!" The Isaac Bell series is a lot of fun, and The Chase and The Race are the best of the series.

[slgrieb]

in the last months I have been re reading all of cusslers books, reading all the james patterson books I have missed along with Nelson demille

Hard to believe that Patterson is writing novels for kids these days, isn't it? I like most everything of his, but I'm more than somewhat burned out on all novels about Invincible Psychopaths, which means that some of Patterson is currently off the menu.

For the same reason, as much as I like DeMille, that put me off the Lion books. However, Up Country remains one of my favorite books, and most of the John Corey books are excellent; just didn't like the Lion books.

Anyone who enjoys Cussler, or Flashman should read William Dietrich's Nathan Gage novels; Napoleon's Pyramids, The Rosetta Key, The Dakota Cipher, and The Barbary Pirates. It's best to read the series in order, and whatever you do don't start with Dakota Cipher. It's a little lame.

Let me quote the opening of The Barbary Pirates:

"Chapter One

After I trapped three scientists in a fire I set in a brothel, enlisted them in the theft of a stampeding wagon, got them arrested by the French secret police, and then mired them in a mystic mission for Bonaparte, they began to question my judgment.

So allow me to point out that our tumultuous night was as much their idea as mine. Tourists come to Paris to be naughty."

[slgrieb]

Should have also mentioned I'm currently reading through Laurie King's bibliography.

[Guts3d]

Just finished the last of the "Orphan" quadrology from Robert Buettner. Great rollicking sci-fi. I am in the middle of the Sam Gunn Omnibus by Ben Bova. But now that spring has sprung, I plan on starting my yearly "Wild Cards" read of all the novels, even the crappy latest ones.

[Niclo Iste]

... Guts3d hides his comic books under the sofa hoping no one saw them...

Don't feel bad, at least you haven't acquired your own library of books that you haven't started reading. The library does look nice though as long as you like old pre-1960s prints of books on literature and military history.

At first I thought I should delete my comment but now, I think I'll just leave it. I find it odd though. Opera has this affinity for ignoring that there are further pages on a thread. I had this happen a handful times over the years. Not sure what to make of it.