I had no plans to read The Hunger Games. I harbored no secret desire to crack open a novel that could be located in the “young adult” section of the local book store. Truth be told, I usually avoid such pop fiction, treating it was as much regard as I do to steamed cauliflower, concert ticket surcharges, and my neighbor’s yipping dogs.
But then the movie came out, and soon started breaking box office records. And this little movie, based on a book that can be found in the backpacks of middle schoolers everywhere, was suddenly the topic of the day in newspapers, on TV, and on the internet. Scholars were debating the finer points of the plot, and the media were contemplating “what if” scenarios should fiction ever turn into reality.
“Shoot,” I thought, “I’m going to have to see what all of the fuss is about.” And so off to nook.com I went, downloaded the novel, and found myself greedily consuming the story is just over two days.
I hate to admit it, but I must. It pains me to think it, but I’ll be damned if I didn’t thoroughly enjoy this book. Rare is the book that I break down and purchase a physical copy for Karin to read, but The Hunger Games was pure mind candy reduced to it’s most primitive, agreeable, and diabetic-inducing form. And as I read it, I could see in my mind’s eye how easy it would be to translate this story on to film. Short of the “fire dress” and the wolves, everything seemed “movie ready”.
And as soon as Karin wraps up reading The Hunger Games, we’re off to the theater to see how Katniss handles the rush to the cornucopia on the big screen…
Last week I order a first edition of Chuck Palahniuk’s latest novel, Damned.
I’m a huge Palahnuik fan (it’s an unhealthy obsession), and have first editions of all of his books. That is, all except for Damned.
Checking out prices online I stumbled across an independent bookseller called Ziesings who had a first edition for sale. I placed my order, and a few minutes later received the following email from Cindy Ziesing:
Really? A signed copy?! ”There’s no way,” I thought.
This past Friday my book arrived, and the good folks at Ziesings were good on their word. I now own a signed copy of Chuck’s latest!
I have to admit that this is one of the classiest signatures that I've ever seen
Being a big Palahniuk fan this was a huge surprise, and one that I won’t forget. Many thanks, Cindy! I really can’t thank you enough! And thanks for including the limited postcards from Hell. It’s things like this that makes for a loyal customer. You can bet that I’ll be visiting your store again.
I think I’ve officially sold my soul to the electronic word.
Over the Christmas holiday I was gifted with two book. Physical media. Ya know, paper and ink? Guess what I did before I even cracked open the spines. Yep, that’s right, I downloaded electronic versions to put on my Nook.
I couldn’t bring myself to lug around this ancient form of leisure. I couldn’t easily store them in the glove compartment of my car. And it would be impossible stealthily sneak a quick peek at a few lines during long, drawn out business meetings or during random downtime while code compiles, installs, or configures.
I fear I’ve officially given up on the printed word. I used to be a huge book collector, but now I feel that books are merely taking up space in my home that could otherwise be put to better use. Why keep dusting shelves full of books when I have literally thousands of novels on one slim device? And switching between novels is ridiculously easy. Today I finished The Player Of Games by Iain Banks, pressed three virtual buttons, and instantly began reading Robopocalypse by Daniel Wilson. This, my friends, is convenience personified.
Sure, war could break out, an EMP burst could destroy all electronics, or the electrical grid could simply go dark for any number of nefarious reasons, but I think I’ll take my chances for now and dedicate myself to the goal of never buying a novel in physical form again….
….that is until the next Chuck Palahniuk book comes out, because I just have to have the first printing.
I just finished reading Stephen King’s latest novel 11/22/63, and was once again reminded why reading a King book is much like spending time with an old friend.
in 11/22/63, high school teacher Jake Epping is shown a gateway to the past, and is asked by a dying acquaintance to correct a tragic wrong; prevent the assassination of President Kennedy. The only caveat: What you change in the past can be undone (or “reset” as Al best describes) by once again stepping back in time.
At first a non-believing Jake Epping derides any such notion as time travel, but soon becomes a believer and begins the task of changing history, unaware of the inherent dangers of changing events from the “Land of Ago”. The past, it seems, does not want to change (the book often chimes with the motto “the past is obdurate”), and the more you try to change it the more it puts up a fight.
Even though 11/23/63 clocks in at 849 pages (a typically sized King novel as of late), this novel goes by way too fast. And unlike the abrupt ending to The Dome (which was very unsatisfying, but man the bad guys in that were bad), King nicely closes out this novel in a way that seems natural, human, and very touching.
Whether you’re a hard core King fan, or simply enjoy reading the odd King book, you can’t go wrong with 11/22/63. King is back to old form with a tale about love, morality, and paradoxes that “Einstein could love”. Just make sure you have a fifty cent piece for the Yellow Card Man before stepping down through the portal…
Next book up: I, Sniper by Stephen Hunter
Just wrapped up Stieg Larsson’s The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest, and I have to admit that it was a satisfying ending to the three-part Millennium series.
In this third and final installment we find Lisbeth Salander in hospital, recovering from the brutal events that closed out The Girl Who Played With Fire, and Mikael Blomkvist is hot on the story of the year that will not only implicate an unofficial police organization called “The Section” in crimes against the state, but will also play a key role in Lizbeth’s upcoming court case.
Oh, and Lisbeth’s brother, Niedermann, is on the loose and out for revenge.
Fill with crime, intrigue, espionage, and plain old investigative journalism, TGWKtHN is a satisfying finale to this engrossing trilogy, and is a fitting wrap-up to the enigma that is Lisbeth Salander.
I’ve heard good things about original Swedish Millennium film trilogy, and after having wrapped up all three books, I now feel free to watch these films.
And now that Hollywood has finally gotten into the act, here’s looking forward to their take on The Girl Who Played With Fire. With Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails fame providing the soundtrack, I can’t wait for this film to hit the theaters. It promises to be a good, disturbing ride.
Next book up: The Day Of The Triffids by John Wyndham
