Perhaps this doesn't belong here, but being as it's a discussion about books... what truly draws you in to read a story?

It's been a while since I've read a thing. Back in middleschool I read through some random books that honestly didn't stick with me, though I will say the the Heir to the Empire saga by Timothy Zahn was entertaining for what it was.

So here I am now, flipping through what lies on the shelves in Borders or Barnes and Noble, and silently wishing I could toss it all into a fire.

I believe fantasy is dead. Same formulaic plots, same trite drama and interactions. It cannot continue with this Lord of the Rings emulation, and even then after reading through Tolkien's masterpiece I found that trilogy to be superfluous for my tastes, though I won't argue it is a classic in the portrayal of a persistent and well developed world. One thing that bothers me, is how much these plots drag out. Ten books? Really, can you even remember what happened in the beginning by the time it reaches the climax? I never knew it was possible to say nothing with 800 pages.

Science Fiction, at least, is a realm which still has some spark of creativity left within it. Most importantly? No sodding elves. Instead of relying on archetypes of Elves and Orcs or whatever, you can just completely pull something out of your ass and use unique alien species as a vehicle for some kind of satire. Even then, I find humanity to be quite capable of representing itself without having to rely on these character-masks...

Maybe you can tell me something that might be worth reading.

This post was last modified: 11-17-2007 02:53 PM by Badwrong.

I do judge books by their covers, and its usually those kiddy grade 5 vocabulary books I end up reading... I love books with an "earth" tone cover, leather, grungy layout, its attractive to me.
Some interesting books I've end up reading where, and are:

Inkheart (Don't remember what the sequal's called.. the movie is being released in march, its actually quite an unusual story. Original... as one can get in this day and age.)

Chronicles of Ancient Darkness: 1.Wolf Brother 2. Spirit Walker
(This one is new, I'm expecting plenty of more books, has a native american feel, inuits and the like, form of voodo magic is in it, good read.)

Chronicles of Narnia: One of the few "popular" series books that I enjoyed. Movie doesn't do it enough justice.

Harry Potter: "a duh"

Pendragon: Not really all that great... but good enough.

I'd write more, but I have an essay to write xD
P.S. I found the LOTR books boring, couldn't get pasted the third chapter. Seriously.. they don't meet Stalker till chapter 10? Thats half the book.. and nothing happens before then! WTH is he writing about in between?
(Hobbit on the other hand was wonderful)

*Has been reading The Divine Comedy*

Ah, snap. Little late to the punch... But! I think I've found my niche. History and satire, fiction with a backdrop that will inspire my own thoughts rather than demand I get lost in the delusions of someone else.

Rawrmander... for the record... Harry Potter fails. LOTR does not.

Hahhahaha @ Rawr. Push through it man, you'll be glad you did. I am an official LOTR nerd *can speak a few elvish phrases*

I have many books just analyzing LOTR...

I do enjoy me some horror, and Stephen King is pretty interesting.

A genre that is vastly under-rated is short stories, especially the science-fiction type.

And am I the only one to enjoy the classics!?

World War Z by Max Brooks has been owning my free time lately.

They boh fail.
The ending of Harry potter ruined the series. Would've been better if she never wrote the last book. (Harry Potter should have died, and I shall continue to raise my pitchfork and torch until he does!)

LOTR is... the story is amazing, sure, but its streched out almost as much as Jane Eyre... *shudders*

This post was last modified: 12-08-2007 10:47 AM by Rawrmander.