Books and audiobooks Created 2 years ago2021-04-26 09:52:42 UTC by Loulimi Loulimi

Created 2 years ago2021-04-26 09:52:42 UTC by Loulimi Loulimi

Posted 2 years ago2021-04-26 09:52:42 UTC Post #345562
My search for any thread in the forum mentionning the word "book" returned various results which unvariably were at least 14 years-old. Some of them were rather peculiar too.

So since it seems this is a new concept here on TWHL, and inspired by Striker’s last journal entry, I suggest we discuss our various reads in this very thread. What are you currently reading? What is your favourite book, the one that had the biggest impact on you? Do you also listen to audiobooks, and do you also fall asleep when you do?

Much like someone who asks a question just to be asked the same question in return and be given the opportunity to talk for hours, I will commence this fantastic journey with my last reads. :)

Well not really reads because I’m very much into audiobooks now. When it comes to books that tell a story, such as historical books, I find them to be a perfect fit. I’m using the Audiobooks app.

The Tudors - A fascinating book about how the offspring of an obscure Welshman and a widowed French queen managed to seize the throne of England in the 15th century. The book casts a new light on Henry the VIII and his reformation, depicting him as an impulsive and selfish tyran, while it partly rehabilitates among other things the Catholic Church of that era in England, which while being far from perfect does not fit the exagerated evilish descriptions taught today by mainstream or English-patriotic history. Certlainly changed my mind on the subject.

Say Nothing - Another fascinating but depressing book about the Irish troubles, read with a thick Irish accent. It’s hard to believe everything that’s in it since it resembles so much an action movie, albeit with a somewhat bad ending. The book focuses on the murder and disappearance of a mother-of-ten by the provisional IRA, as well as many other cold-blooded killings that were committed during that time, and on how their perpetrators are still escaping justice to this day. The book discusses the still ongoing tension between Republicans and Unionists in Northern Ireland and the infamous peace walls, the violence and paranoia that reigned in that time and the crimes that resulted from it such as the Corporal killings and Bloody Sunday, the use of informants by the British army and the role of paramilitary organisations in the peace process and finally, the price of peace.

The Triple Agent - Yet another depressing book about an Al-Qaida triple agent who successfully managed to infiltrate the CIA and blow himself up at one of their secret bases, killing 9 people (plus himself).

As for my current "read", I’m listening to a book about dirigeables, or "zeppelins", and to the reader’s amusing German accent. I hope this book will end well for a change!
Posted 2 years ago2021-04-28 10:46:38 UTC Post #345565
Well here I have been under the impression no one on this site really reads books... I actually listed several of my favorite books in the recent 'introduce yourself' thread (https://twhl.info/thread/view/19876) but it seemed to fall on deaf ears.

I havn't read any of the above books Loulimi but I think Say Nothing would be interesting. The incidents involving the IRA in Northern Ireland are really interesting (including the war photography) and I read two memoirs by an Irish author (Frank Mccourt) called Angela's Ashes and 'Tis, which are about his life in Ireland and features a couple bits regarding the IRA.
As far as memoirs go his work is pretty decent though!

The last book I read was The Outsider (aka The Stranger) by Albert Camus which was very short but very impacting. A fictional novel about a guy in Algeria who gets sent to court. A lot of the book is about the topic of indifference, which actually helped me a bit in understanding my own life and showing me the necessity of indifference for certain times of life.

Currently reading a couple short works (on and off) by Russian author Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn about life in the Soviet gulag system as well as some of his poetry. Also picked up a poetry book by Rupi Kaur on the weekend, who is a contemporary poet that has influenced me a bit from her works on Instagram. I'd say half her stuff I dont like but the other half is really, really good (such is taste in this kind of writing!)

I've never been into audiobooks, do they have same impact as reading a book normally?
Posted 2 years ago2021-04-28 13:14:50 UTC Post #345566
I have been re-reading the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan (And finished by Brandon Sanderson). Currently on book 11. After I'm done that I've got a Stephen King novel lined up that was recommended by my mom.
Notewell NotewellGIASFELFEBREHBER
Posted 2 years ago2021-04-28 13:37:20 UTC Post #345567
You're reading some pretty heavy stuff, guys! Don't forget to leave room for laughter :lol:

I committed to re-reading the entire Discworld series at the start of lockdown. Currently on 38 out of 41. Gonna be very sad when it's finished again. RIP, Terry. I've gotten so much more out of them this time round - I was just too young to get half of the jokes or concepts as a kid. Stupendously good universe to immerse yourself in.

Otherwise I'm big into crime thrillers and satire. Christopher Brookmyre & Carl Hiaasen are huge influences on my own creative work. Both gritty and dark, but with absolutely gut-punching satire that just floors me.

I'd like to get more into Sci-fi and Fantasy, as I'm sure I'd enjoy them, but they're quite intimidating genres to dip your toes into unguided. The top of my list is The Three Body Problem which has been recommended to me by so many people.
Archie ArchieGoodbye Moonmen
Posted 2 years ago2021-04-29 23:08:58 UTC Post #345579
You're reading some pretty heavy stuff, guys! Don't forget to leave room for laughter :lol:
True! Sometimes its important to just read something light and easy
Posted 2 years ago2021-04-30 13:06:37 UTC Post #345580
I’ve always restricted my reads to historical or technical books, or to any book with a practical purpose. For some reasons I tend to think that books better fit a "serious" use case (e.g. learning) because there are other medias much more suited for entertainment (videos in particular). But it’s actually been a very long time I’ve never read a novel or any other sort of book for that matter (comedy, sci-fi…). I’m completely unfamiliar with the books you mentionned Archie but their description makes me want to give it a go!
I've never been into audiobooks, do they have same impact as reading a book normally?
If we mean the same thing by "impact", I would say that actually they have a greater impact. The tone and involvement of the narrator in what he reads really adds something to the book. The downside of that is that if the narrator is bad then the audiobook will be terrible too, even if the book is great. But that’s rarely been a isssue to me, most poorly-narrated audiobooks were based off bad books from the start.

I believe the book you mentionned was the gulag archipelago? I’ve started reading it. I’m not sure whether his writing style is a bit odd or if the translation I bought is just badly done. Did you get the same feeling as I did?
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