What have you read lately?

[OGIS]

I usually read John Grisham, I've read all but his newest one.

I've just started, "Atlas Shrugged" I've been wanting to read it for a while and, found it in a used book store.

Many people make fun of Rand's style of character development, which they characterize as stereotyped. Her "wooden" characters can, indeed, be off-putting, unless one appreciates where Rand is coming from in her style. Rand writes in the old Romantic style. Think Tolstoy or Dostoevsky, or the turn-of-the-century Russian literary perspective. The main characters are generally archetypes, representing philosophical and psychological concepts.

For example, no one like John Galt could ever exist in the real world. He's a walking archetype to present concepts.

Probably the only character that would exist in the real world is Cuffy Meigs; I've actually met and worked with people like that one.

Good luck when you reach the 80 page speech.

[Abby08]

Many people make fun of Rand's style of character development, which they characterize as stereotyped. Her "wooden" characters can, indeed, be off-putting, unless one appreciates where Rand is coming from in her style. Rand writes in the old Romantic style. Think Tolstoy or Dostoevsky, or the turn-of-the-century Russian literary perspective. The main characters are generally archetypes, representing philosophical and psychological concepts.

For example, no one like John Galt could ever exist in the real world. He's a walking archetype to present concepts.

Probably the only character that would exist in the real world is Cuffy Meigs; I've actually met and worked with people like that one.

Good luck when you reach the 80 page speech.

80 page speech?! Yikes! I'm currently working on the first chapter, I have to be in the mood to read, I haven't been, lately.

Thanks for the warning....

[Green Arrow]

I'm working on Mario Puzo's The Godfather, and then it'll be Jay Winik's 1944.

[OGIS]

80 page speech?! Yikes! I'm currently working on the first chapter, I have to be in the mood to read, I haven't been, lately.

Thanks for the warning....

There's also a shorter one by Francisco. About 35-40 pages as I recall. Or I might be thinking of Roark's speech in The Fountainhead.

[NapRover]

Currently reading:
The Dream & the Nightmare-Myron Magnet
The Jungle-Upton Sinclair

[Standing Wolf]

I'm reading a recent edition of Stephen King short stories. Next in line is either Jeffrey Deaver or Dean Koontz.

Have you read Deaver's 'Garden of Beasts'? It's an incredible novel, with a twist that makes any other suspense writer's twists seem lame and contrived in comparison. JD told me that it's the book he's proudest of.

[Standing Wolf]

I've been reading a lot of Joe R. Lansdale lately. He was in town the other night to sign his latest Hap and Leonard novel, 'Rusty Puppy', and between that and Season 2 of the Hap and Leonard t.v. series being shown now on the Sundance Channel, I decided I need to start at the beginning and read the whole series. The television writers are adapting one book per season, so I read 'Savage Season' and then watched Season 1; I'm now reading 'Mucho Mojo' before watching my TiVo'ed episodes of Season 2. Eleven books after that and I'll be caught up. Lansdale is one highly addictive writer.

[Docthehun]

Staying topical, I picked up "Mutiny on the Bounty" at the library............

[patrickt]

I just finished Norwegian by Night by Derek Miller. Actually, I got up to go to the bathroom at 1:30, took my Kindle with me, and as I closed on the end of the story I couldn't go back to sleep. I see a couple of naps ahead for the day.

I taught my children that there is often more truth in fiction than in non-fiction.

[CreepyOldDude]

I just cracked open an 1891 edition of The Count of Monte Cristo. I love antique books.