Other stuff we do.

Post by **Ack** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 6:46 pm

So, everyone here loves video games, but I gotta ask...does anybody else here like to read? I'm currently reading Cujo for the first time, and I'm absolutely loving it. What do the rest of you guys like to read? Heck, anything, even if its only the backs of cereal boxes?

Post by **fastbilly1** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 6:56 pm

I went to school in Alabama, I never did learn that...

I am reading Neuromancer and Pilgrims Progress again.

Post by **HoboJoe** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 6:56 pm

I read video game instruction manuals to the blind. The orphanage told me to stop coming.

Seriously though...I pretty much have quit reading. School ruined it for me. Being forced to read long, boring and awful books all the time and then do more writing on the book then there actually is on the book has killed my need to read.

Post by **glynnahab** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 7:05 pm

I really enjoy the works of Tom Robbins. He's only written a handful of books, but each one is its own little adventure. I hate the idea of having a "favorite" writer, but he's definitely it for me.

Post by **grittykitty** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 7:07 pm

school generally ruined reading for me too, but i've been slowly getting back into the groove. i'm currently re-reading "catcher in the rye" and next up is george carlin's "napalm and silly putty". before those books (6 months ago!!) i read "norwegian wood" (which i loved), "sputnik sweetheart" (with i hated) - both by haruki murakami, and then "naomi" by something tanizaki (good, not great). dostoevsky's "notes from the underground" is something i also need to read, since i only pretended to read it in college, and from the in-class review it seemed like a pretty good story

Post by **vlame** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 7:23 pm

12 credit city college student. trying to eat some good food and smoke weed.

i read some books recently:
the straight dope
essays on RL cannibals.

Post by **crackoaf** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 7:38 pm

I write my own swimming blog so I spend a lot of my day going around to various other sports blogs. I really can't do book reading for the reasons that you guys have described, but I love to power through a quick article or a blog post.

Post by **General Chaos** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 7:50 pm

I've read and continue to read a lot of Arthur C. Clarke. My favorite Clarke WAS Childhood's End until I read The Light Of Other Days. That's definitely one of my favorite books. Right now I'm reading the Dark Tower series and enjoying it a great deal. Also just finished reading Asimov's Foundation series.

Basically I'll read any good sci-fi. I'm a fan of Orson Wells, of course. War of the Worlds still "does it" for me.

Historical nonfiction also interests me. I recently tried to make it through the abridged version of Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire--an awesome book, but damned long.

I've also been looking for good retellings of Robin Hood.

Ultimately though, I have a friend who makes recommendations. He is a true reader and somehow knows exactly what I'll like. I have to credit him with introducing me to Clarke and the Dark Tower series as well.

On a side note (and back to nonfiction), I do enjoy good philosophy, especially the works of Marcus Aurelius.

Okay, that's enough... back to video games.

Edit: Had to add one more thing (not to turn this into a reading club or anything) but I tried to get into the Mast and Commander (Patrick O'brian) and just couldn't. It's one of the most tedious and over-written books I've read since Last of the Mohicans (except I actually enjoyed that story enough to keep going longer). Anyone actually read these? I'd be interested to see if I'm missing something.

Post by **racketboy** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 8:15 pm

I read non-fiction. Mostly business and technology stuff.
I've read a few novels in my day, but its not something I'm typically drawn to.

Post by **ott0bot** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 8:23 pm

glynnahab wrote:I really enjoy the works of Tom Robbins. He's only written a handful of books, but each one is its own little adventure. I hate the idea of having a "favorite" writer, but he's definitely it for me.

Tom Robbins is great, I really liked "Fierce Invalids Home From Hot Climates." "Still Life With Woodpecker" is probably my favorite. If you like Tom Robbins you should check out Richard Brautigan. After he died they released 3 books that are anthologies of most of his work. Amazing writing...witty, funny and sad at the same time. And of coarse there is Kurt Vonegut. one my other favorites. Charles Bukowski is really fun to read as well, but he's really crass. Same kinda matter of fact kind of funny, but the other 3 writers aren't so vulgar.

I love to read, but I've been so busy with work and school it's been hard. Plus it cuts into to my video games...now I just can't have that.