What are you reading? I'm really bummed.

kitty_LHC · Post by **kitty_LHC** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 1:22 pm

I need to be cheered up! Please help. What are you reading that I can completely immerse myself in that will make my depressing mood do a 180? I can't stop feeling depressed over the latest Harry Potter. The only thing I can compare it to is being cheated on followed by a bad break up. It's not life or death but it sure feels cruddy. The ironic thing is that I really liked the book--it was just, well, sad. I thought about rereading some books that I know are pretty funny but the ones I can think of aren't exactly something you can immerse yourself in. Any ideas? Any suggestions about what can turn my frown upside down? Come one guys--help me out. I feel so sad.

KittyCaller · Post by **KittyCaller** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 1:48 pm

Well, I'm re-reading the Deed of Paksenarrion by Elizabeth Moon yet again. It really is just one of the best trilogys I've ever read. Oh, and I'm also about to start Melville. I've never read one of his books before, but I'm going with the obvious; Moby-Censor's gonna catch the second word. I also like the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett. Oh and Brian Jacques Redwall Series is also fantastic. Zen might even like them. If not right now, then in a few years. Uh, you could reread Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. Um...have you ever read any of the Fudge Books by Judy Blume? (Sorry, just trying to come up with something that maybe you and Zen could both enjoy, and wouldn't bore you to tears) Orson Scott Card has written some terrific stuff, though not all of it's terribly light reading. For example, Ender's Game. Great, but not light. I especially love his Alvin Maker series. The first is called Seventh Son and is one of the best pieces of fiction I've ever read. Some of the later books in the series aren't great, but the first couple-Seventh Son and Red Prophet are extraordinary. Very easy to get caught up in. I realize most of what I've mentioned is Sci/fi or fantasy. That's just what I've been reading lately. Anyways, just a couple of suggestions. Edit: OH! I'm also rereading a book called the Scorecard by Greg Gutfeld. Funny!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 1:55 pm

Lamb by Christopher Moore is hilarious. If you don't mind comedic blasphemy. It's not everyone's cup of tea.http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/de ... ce&s=books

kitty_LHC · Post by **kitty_LHC** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 2:56 pm

Fine! Just let me have it when you are done. I could use hilarious at the mo.I actually thought about reading some more Card. I mean I read the first in the Ender's series at Christmas and have since not only read the rest but taught the first book last semester. I would definitely consider his writing something I get immersed in. But it is a little dark. Are the Alvin one's dark?I also thought about the Redwall series. I read the first one right before rereading the first 5 potter books. I liked it but found it lacking something. I'm not sure what. Maybe I didn't feel as connected to the characters. I don't kow. It is a good book though. Maybe I'll try the Moon one. I have never read any of her work. KC, I know you said you will eventually read the new Potter book. I think you should. But I know that you, like me, are deeply affected by what you read. I would strongly recommend reading it when you are in a "light" mood. I don't know what I mean by that but if you are feeling at all down--don't read it. Or do the sensible thing and only read it when the next book is out. I believe that good will triumph--maybe not necessarily a "happy" ending but a hopeful one.

Aviate · Post by **Aviate** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 2:58 pm

im starting the new Wally Lamb book, stories of women in a major correctional institution. have u heard ofit?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 3:37 pm

If your into feel good romancey novels, anything by Catherine Anderson is amazing. She writes these feel good novels that could actually happen, rather than the far off Danielle Steel jet set novels.

kuplakrabs · Post by **kuplakrabs** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 3:53 pm

How bout Couplehood by Paul Reiser? I read it on the plane to Hawaii on my honeymoon almost 11 years ago. I was laughing out loud in my seat...now, I'm not sure if it was because delirium had set in from the long flight or not, but I seem to remember it was pretty funny. Strictly an entertainer of a book. Not a whole lot of depth but funny because you can relate to a lot of the situtions he talks about.

jojo7 · Post by **jojo7** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 3:53 pm

Today i read "Baby Animals" with my 17 month old son....thats the extent of my reading...lolTomorrow i get to see the new 35th Anniversary Sesame Street DVD for the 420th time!!...Yippy!!(i bet you guys are jealous)

Jedediah · Post by **Jedediah** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 4:04 pm

I'm reading Discworld. Of course. On my to-read list for the next days/weeks are: "American Psycho" (yes, I actually found that book funny, but also disturbing), short stories by William Somerset Maugham (who can be very funny), a collection of "stories" by Edward Gorey (morbid, I love him), a ton of Garfield and Peanuts comics (always cheer me up )and "Making History" by Stephen Fry.

Nicole · Post by **Nicole** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 4:04 pm

I don't always agree with what he says, but any book by George Carlin will have me laughing so hard I have tears streaming out of my eyes. He has a new book out that I haven't gotten yet, but I did really like Braindroppings.

kitty_LHC · Post by **kitty_LHC** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 4:14 pm

I read a book by Paul Reiser once--I think it was called Babyhood--musta been the sequel. It was really funny.I used to have a collection of Gorey books. I found them hilarious but then I am not quite normal. I must have given them all away though. Bummer.I haven't read anything by Carlin but I have found some of his "work" amusing in the past. Other stand-ups whose books I have read (if anyone's interested) are Steve Martin and Ellen Degeneres. Martin's are more intellectual Ellen's are downright lol funny! I haven't read anything yet but this thread is sure starting to cheer me up.Keep the ideas flowing!

TheGreyRonin · Post by **TheGreyRonin** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 8:58 pm

Let's see...for humorous, one of Robert Asprin's series would be good. Either Phule's Company or his Myth Adventures are usually good for some fun and twisted laughs. Also Piers Anthony's Xanth series, although his later books have become a trifle TOO serious for my tastes, considering it's a humor series. But I've always been able to lose myself in one for an hour or so. (I read fast. *shrugs*)Or you could always look over some of my older writings. www.geocities.com/thegreyronin I humbly recommend The Defender Solution for a smile... *ahem* On my to-read list? Almost anything I can get my hands on. I just read F.M.Busby's Demu Trilogy, now I'm thinking about going through my personal library again. Hopefully it'll keep me busy for a week or so until I get a chance to get to a place where they sell books again.(The local library isn't really an option unless I'm desperate. Except for South Dakota history books, I have a better collection of everything except romance novels, which are a last resort for me.)

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 9:53 pm

I've just re-read Susan Hill's Magic Apple Tree and recently finished A Hat Full of Sky - I'm not reading anything just now as I'm devoting all my free time and commuting time to knitting Christmas presents for friends

KittyCaller · Post by **KittyCaller** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 1:02 am

Kitty, in response to your question about the Alvin series, they do have their darker moments (as does Paks) but I would not say as dark as the Ender series. Oh, and something you should know about Alvin, so you're not too surprised, it's not Sci-fi, but fantasy. It's also set in a different time period than the usual fantasy timeline you'll find. As in early 1800s America. It's a good setting for the book, though. Thanks for your advice about the HP book. I do tend to get swept up very easily in both books and movies (and have been known to mentally change a depressing ending that I'm not happy with ) I am waiting a while on it. I happened to get the last book on the night it came out because my mom was coincidentally at Walmart the night it came out and she picked it up for me. (She prefers shopping late at night away from the crowds. Walmart and some of the grocery stores are basically the only places open that late at night hehe) If I wait, I'll have time to reread the other books, or at least the fourth. OR maybe my sister will get it before then and I can just steal it from her. (I got my sister, who reads Stephen King almost exclusively, hooked on the series this past year)

Aviate · Post by **Aviate** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 1:57 am

Kitty- have you read any Erma Bombeck? that may be what youre looking for... If I can dig mine up, I can mail them all to you if you want. Also Tama Janowitz. Look them both up on Amazon to get a feel for what they are, theyre similar... truly funny female curmudgeons with a sarcastic view on life.