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read any good books lately...

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Equality 7-2521 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Equality 7-2521 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: read any good books lately...
    Posted: May 14 2012 at 10:55


I didn't care for the first book in the series, but I actually enjoyed this one. It's poorly written (even for a young adult novel in my opinion), but I think she makes up for that deficiency with the strength of the story. I'm kind of a sucker for anti-government stuff, so that probably plays into it as well.
"One had to be a Newton to notice that the moon is falling, when everyone sees that it doesn't fall. "
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Post Options Post Options   Quote smartpatrol Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 14 2012 at 12:18
Originally posted by Equality 7-2521



I didn't care for the first book in the series, but I actually enjoyed this one. It's poorly written (even for a young adult novel in my opinion), but I think she makes up for that deficiency with the strength of the story. I'm kind of a sucker for anti-government stuff, so that probably plays into it as well.
 
POORLY WRITTEN? f**k, MAN! THESE NOVELS ARE AMAZING! EVEN FOR A YOUNG ADULT NOVEL? SO ARE YOUNG ADULT NOVELS NOT AS GOOD AS OTHER NOVELS? READ JOHN GREEN'S THE FAULT IN OUR STARS AND TELL ME YOUNG ADULT NOVELS ARE AT A LOWER STANDARD! Angry
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Equality 7-2521 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 14 2012 at 12:52
What? Didn't I just praise the book?

Yes. I'm sorry it's poorly written. Dialogue is one dimensional. She describes things in short declarative sentences. When a plot arc needs to be described she switches from dialogue to Katniss' inner monologue where she can develop the plot in a wikipedia entry style fashion. I didn't call it inferior; I told you its flaws.

And yes, young adult novels are generally written at a lower reading level and generally more simplistically than novels targeting an older audience. That shouldn't exactly be a controversial statement.

By contrast, I find Herman Hesse to write stunningly. However, I feel the raw story ideas he has to be underwhelming. (Preparing for a flame storm from this comment)


Edited by Equality 7-2521 - May 14 2012 at 12:55
"One had to be a Newton to notice that the moon is falling, when everyone sees that it doesn't fall. "
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Post Options Post Options   Quote smartpatrol Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 14 2012 at 13:07
Ok, well you have a point. But read John Green's The Fault in Our Stars and then tell me if Young Adult novels are written at a lower standard. Best book of the 21st century.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Dean Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 14 2012 at 13:18

Young-Adult novels are written within a notional set of limitations otherwise they would not be Young-Adult novels - that does not imply a lower standard (and Pat never said they did), but a different standard - most Young-Adult novels are written by adults, and some of them fall into the trap of writing-down to their audience or by over simplfying or over explaining a situation. Sometimes those differences are more obvious to a mature reader - as a Geriatric-Adult I can't cope with JK Rowling's style of writing but my daughter loves her books.



Edited by Dean - May 14 2012 at 13:19


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Post Options Post Options   Quote Equality 7-2521 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 14 2012 at 14:17
Originally posted by smartpatrol

Ok, well you have a point. But read John Green's The Fault in Our Stars and then tell me if Young Adult novels are written at a lower standard. Best book of the 21st century.


That book could be the best thing ever written and it wouldn't change what I've said. It's like I said diet sodas are generally less sweet than regular colas. You can show me one super sweet diet soda, but that doesn't change the macro behavior of the population nor does it change the general philosophy encompassed by the word diet.
"One had to be a Newton to notice that the moon is falling, when everyone sees that it doesn't fall. "
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Post Options Post Options   Quote smartpatrol Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 14 2012 at 16:57
Originally posted by Equality 7-2521

Originally posted by smartpatrol

Ok, well you have a point. But read John Green's The Fault in Our Stars and then tell me if Young Adult novels are written at a lower standard. Best book of the 21st century.


That book could be the best thing ever written and it wouldn't change what I've said. It's like I said diet sodas are generally less sweet than regular colas. You can show me one super sweet diet soda, but that doesn't change the macro behavior of the population nor does it change the general philosophy encompassed by the word diet.
Stupid philosopher, get a job LOL
Okay, I get your points, all of them, but you should read The Fault in our Stars, it's amazing.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote TheProgtologist Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 16 2012 at 17:15
So far just as good as his book Abraham Lincoln:Vampire Hunter,which I thoroughly enjoyed.



Here to stay until Joe Cool raises it for a 2nd time...
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Finnforest Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 18 2012 at 23:32
Just started on Kindle....


Short shorts? Ok, I s'pose I can deal with it.




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Post Options Post Options   Quote TheProgtologist Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 19 2012 at 13:06
Did you buy that in the Kindle store?I will definitely be looking for it.

Here to stay until Joe Cool raises it for a 2nd time...
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Green Shield Stamp Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 20 2012 at 15:19

Just coming to the end of this one.  It is the third in the series and is a terrific read. The novels are a fusion of hard-boiled gangster noir (with a Chandleresque narrator) and vampire thriller.  May sound very low brow compared to many of the novels referred to in this thread, but the novels are extremely well crafted - can't recommend highly enough!!
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Finnforest Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 20 2012 at 21:05
Originally posted by TheProgtologist

Did you buy that in the Kindle store?I will definitely be looking for it.



Hey Jody......from Amazon actually, it was about 10 bucks.  I just started so can't give much review yet. 
Short shorts? Ok, I s'pose I can deal with it.




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Post Options Post Options   Quote amandasessions Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 23 2012 at 12:40
I have just read an incredible political thriller ebook. I was browsing around at
amazon.com and found this ebook called The Cain Sanction, I read the preview and a
few chapters. It really was a page turner can’t put it down kind of book.
I didn’t know how it ends until the last sentence of the last page.. great read!!

Amanda
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Ambient Hurricanes Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 23 2012 at 15:33
Originally posted by Equality 7-2521



I didn't care for the first book in the series, but I actually enjoyed this one. It's poorly written (even for a young adult novel in my opinion), but I think she makes up for that deficiency with the strength of the story. I'm kind of a sucker for anti-government stuff, so that probably plays into it as well.

I didn't know anyone else on here was reading those (I guess because I started a thread about it and almost no one responded LOL)

I basically agree with your analysis, although the writing style is part of the appeal of the book, she definitely could have done it better.  This was my favorite book in the series, mostly because it was where the story and the characters and their relationships really started to get complex.

I just read Out of the Silent Planet by C.S. Lewis and loved it.  The way he imaginatively takes the reader out of his world and makes him look at things from a larger perspective is simply brilliant.
"The hero's journey is the journey from strength to weakness."

- John Green
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Equality 7-2521 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 23 2012 at 15:38
I know a few people here have read it. I didn't participate in it myself because I haven't finished the series. I'm sharing the books with my girlfriend's family so I only get them at the rate that they cycle through all of them and to me. 
"One had to be a Newton to notice that the moon is falling, when everyone sees that it doesn't fall. "
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Ambient Hurricanes Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 24 2012 at 22:36
I didn't get on the Hunger Games boat until after the third book was written.  My brother bought the first book so I thought I might as well read it, and I liked it, but not enough, I thought, to continue with the series.  I read book two because I was bored and wanted an easy read, and then I really started to get into the series.  The third book is good, but when you read it you get the idea that Suzanne Collins takes some sadistic pleasure in making life as terrible as possible for her characters.
"The hero's journey is the journey from strength to weakness."

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Post Options Post Options   Quote Springfield Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 27 2012 at 01:59
I'm in college so mostly I read crap that has to do with my major, Political Science... Sometimes it makes me crazy, sometimes it's interesting. 

Currently I'm reading Thomas More's "Utopia", which is actually pretty amusing. I recommend it. Also I started reading, but most likely won't finish, Ian Fleming's "The Man With the Golden Gun", which is my first James Bond book. I like it.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Epignosis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 27 2012 at 18:33
I'm reading The Hunger Games for a class I am taking.  It has obvious flaws, but so far, I find them minor, especially for a YA novel.  I'll come back in with my reaction.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote smartpatrol Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 27 2012 at 19:18
Originally posted by Ambient Hurricanes


I didn't know anyone else on here was reading those (I guess because I started a thread about it and almost no one responded LOL)
 
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Post Options Post Options   Quote smartpatrol Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 27 2012 at 19:18
Originally posted by smartpatrol

Originally posted by Ambient Hurricanes


I didn't know anyone else on here was reading those (I guess because I started a thread about it and almost no one responded LOL)
 
 
I did the same and no one responded
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