What books are you reading?

[colalella2891]

A couple of thoughts on this.

I thought the same thing, but someone who has read the books (I haven't) said something about the Eagle's alliance early on wasn't with them. Or that they wanted to remain unbiased, so at first they didn't help. Not really sure on that, I just remember there being some sort of explanation.

My other thought is more spiritual in nature. I make weird connections like this, so bear with me. Sometimes we need the journey, we need the hardships along with the laughter, to really grow as a person. Sometimes when you get to a point in the journey, you may think "Why didn't God just have me be here in the first place?" For example, I live in Illinois now. Sometimes I wonder why I had to go through the whole ordeal in South Dakota that I did in order to get here, instead of just move here right after graduation. But, part of that journey helped me learn and grow in ways I otherwise wouldn't have.

That's probably way deeper than what the Eagles/Mount Doom journey are supposed to be.

When Saruman had Gandalf trapped on top of his tower in Isengard, Gandalf simply sent a moth for help, and an eagle came for him then. So idk, if they didn't want to get involved they wouldn't have helped him there either.

Just what I think...

Edit: But yes, this is just a technicality. If the eagles flew them there, there would be no story.

 

[KJV15John11]

I don't really understand why Gandalf didn't just get the Eagles to fly Frodo straight to Mt. Doom...

You may be a bit young to know this but The Eagles was a band, not a form of transportation. "Take it eeeeeeeasy, take it eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeasy. Don't let the sound of your own wheels drive you craaaaaaazy."

 

[Ugly]

Hmmm, maybe the smaller the humanoid, the more singing it produces? Interesting concept!

Humanoid.. smaller humanoid... that one made me chuckle haha.

 

[Tintin]

"Illusion" by Frank Peretti.



First let me say, I've been a big fan of Frank Peretti ever since I first came across his "Darkness" books as an early teen. Secondly, let me warn you that "Illusion" is a very different beast to Peretti's usual works. It's not a spiritual thriller but more a curious combination of general fiction, romance and science-fiction. I've never been a fan of general fiction, or romance for that matter, but I think "Illusion" is a solid effort. The story is well-written, if a bit confusing towards the beginning, the main characters, Dane and Mandy, are realistically-portrayed but still intriguing.

Now, without giving too much away, "Illusion" has elements of the manga, "Akira" (without the extreme violence) and the movies, "The Prestige" and "The Time Traveller's Wife" and yet, it's like none of these stories. Dane and Mandy's romance is multifaceted and clever - touching but tasteful, fun-loving, seriously awkward and realistic in every other manner, far from the 'bodice-ripping' bollocks you find in other so-called romance novels. If you read the book, you'll know why. The last third of "Illusion" is where the story really kicks into high-gear and by then, you'll be on the edge of your seat to the very end!

My biggest concern with this book is that it takes forever to get started. I'm all for spending time with characters to develop them properly but it shouldn't take 200 pages to get the ball rolling! Much of the first third of the book could've easily been excised and the beginning reworked to convey the necessary information (same goes for "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix", but that's another story, by a different author). There are just too many pages describing basic stage magic. While it's interesting too watch stage magic in real-life, the written word doesn't compare and after the hundredth card trick or ball trick, they grow tiresome. Thankfully, the magic tricks become more involved and interesting and the stakes increase as the story continues.

I give "Illusion" a 7/10. If you enjoy general-fiction/romance books raise the rating by 1.

 

[CatHerder]

hmmmm....Peretti's been kind of hit or miss with me. "This Present Darkness" was ok. I really liked "Piercing the Darkness," then remember not liking "The Oath." I haven't read anything else by him. I might give him a chance if the genre is a bit different.

 

[Tintin]

Yes, I too much preferred the "Darkness" sequel to the original. "The Visitation" is another great Peretti novel. I'm surprised you didn't enjoy "The Oath", I loved it. I read it as a young teenage and hadn't read any Stephen King, so maybe I had limited encounters with quality horror. The only Peretti novel I've disliked is "Prophet", it bored me.

 

[Grace-Like-Rain]

I had limited encounters with quality horror.

This sentence... there's just something wrong with it. Haha.

 

[Liamson]

Since I've started school, I've noticed a craving for something more to quench my reading thirst, which has for so long forgotten what a proper book ought to be. I am therefore reading The Writings of Thomas Paine.

http://www.law.gmu.edu/assets/files/academics/founders/Paine_CommonSense.pdf

You can too ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[Tintin]

Since I've started school, I've noticed a craving for something more to quench my reading thirst, which has for so long forgotten what a proper book ought to be. I am therefore reading The Writings of Thomas Paine.

http://www.law.gmu.edu/assets/files/academics/founders/Paine_CommonSense.pdf

You can too ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Thanks, but I think I'll pass.

 

[4Hizcall]

I just started Ted Dekker's The Bride Collector. I haven't read very many of his books but the ones I have read, I have enjoyed. Him and Frank Peretti are 2 of my fav authors. Which is odd because I refuse to watch scary movies lol

 

[Tintin]

Ted Dekker's books aren't scary but they are thought-provoking and at times, intense. That said, some do have their horrific moments. "The Bride Collector" is quite good, not my favourite but still enjoyable.

 

[jimmydiggs]

Just finished:

Starting soon:

Runners up:

... and one about the covenants in scripture, but I don't remember the title.

 

[Jullianna]

I'm reading The Vertical Church. If anyone else has read it, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

 

[KeeganGentle]

I'm rereading the song of ice and fire series by George RR Martin while I wait another four years for the next book.

I'm reading Wilbur Smith's courtney books, thought I tend to only read the older naval books.

I'm reading Jean M Auel's Earth Children series, currently on the mammoth hunters.

After that I'm going to finish the last three Tom Clancy novel's I have been unable to complete.

After that? I'll probably find out about the Ranger's Apprentice a fantasy novel I've heard quite a bit about.

 

[SimplyLori]

Knowing God Intimately

 

[Ritter]

The Shining by Stephen King

Jefferson's Demons by Michael Knox Beran

Modern Times by Paul Johnson

 

[fourleaf]

School books mostly. I'm currently reading books of Jason Darby.

 

[Ace85]

I'm a big fan of Christian fiction. Francine Rivers write amazing novels - my favourite of her books would have to be 'The Atonement Child'. I've read it about three times. Jeanette Oke - I have pretty much all of her books, and my favourite is the 'Love Comes Softly' series. The book that I just finished reading (for the 5th or 6th time) was 'Pretense' by Lori Wick.
I struggle to read non-fiction, as most non-fiction authors are mono-tone in their writing and it puts me to sleep. I can have the same non-fiction book on the go for a couple of years, as I'll read a page or two then put it down. It's refreshing to find authors that are expressive in their writings, and who capture my attention. I'd say Lisa Bevere is one of them.

 

[everettelynn]

I love E. Lynn Harris...when I read his book for the first time, I realized he was talking about God in the Bible and He is the true God. That's how I became a Christian.
Has anybody read his books?

 

[momof3blessings]

I am hooked on reading Charles Martin books right now.. I just finished The Mountain Between Us. It was exceptional. I am just starting Chasing Fireflies..