50 Book Challenge

[ghostwes]

I decided at the beginning of 2007 to see if I could complete the 50 book challenge that many other people have been doing. I have always been a voracious reader, but I do not read very quickly, at least compared to many people I know. In addition, I have an insane number of unread books sitting on my shelves -- an enormous source of stress for me

Comments

[clevortrevor]

I know one of the name changes - Northern Lights became The Golden Compass. I read that one (and the play based on it) in NZ, so I was confused when the film came out over here.

Also, I know like, nothing on your list except the Adams, Pullman, and Rowling books. But congratulations! Quite an accomplishment!

[ghostwes]

DING! DING!

Now, let's see if anyone can guess the third one.

HINT: The US title bugs the hell out of me.

Northern Lights

[likethebeer]

Oh, of course! I was sitting here thinking, "Oh, gosh, he's written another book. I wonder what that's all about."

Re: Northern Lights

[ghostwes]

Maybe that's what the US publisher wants you to think.

Actually, wikipedia explains it.

Re: Northern Lights

[likethebeer]

Hadn't thought about compasses as drawing instruments.

Yes, it is funny that they would change the title, since NOrthern Lights seems to work just fine. Although, it does sort of go with the rest of the trilogy, in that each have one, new, instrument. Although, really, the amber spyglass wasn't all that cool, to me.

All the references to Paradise Lost in the trilogy confused me when I originally read it. I kept thinking those two angels were going to turn evil, b/c if you're taking from PL, one of them has to be Satan-like. Satan comes off as heroic in the beginning of PL, in a seductive way (yes, the constant prob. with PL--Satan is one of the most interesting characters, and I kind of side with his arguments--but let's go w/supposedly what Milton was trying).

I mean, you even have that battle near the end of The Amber Spyglass, where (I seem to recall) the protagonists have a machine that seemed to resemble the one that Satan & his troop of angels made in heaven on the 2nd day they were battling god & his forces

Re: Northern Lights

[ghostwes]

Ack, spoilers!

You will note that the second and third books are not in my list above; I have not read them yet! Actually, I had just put down Northern Lights about five minutes before typing this up.

I will re-read your reply after I'm done, though.

Re: Northern Lights

[likethebeer]

Sorry sorry sorry! Obviously, I was just not thinking.

Re: Northern Lights

[ghostwes]

No worries... I stopped reading at the merest whiff of spoiler. No harm done, heh.

Was it you that recommended Perfume? I have not read the novel, but I did watch the film recently. Good stuff.

Re: Northern Lights

[likethebeer]

I know I've recommended Perfume to several people, so one of them was probably you. If you've seen the film, I don't have to worry too much about spoilers if I talk about it. I also like Suskind's book, Pigeon, lent to me by a friend.

OK, I'm done reading now.

[ghostwes]

I've always found Lucifer to be a very interesting character, though not in a religious way -- kind of a Prometheus figure, really. I've included a comment-specific icon for you, though he's there more for my love of Paul Gustave Dore than anything. I never use it for fear people will think I'm a Satanist or something. Ah well.

I didn't really catch a lot of the Paradise Lost references, though in retrospect I can see some of them. And also to Dante, actually.

I liked how the subtle knife was made around the same time that the other worlds were going through the Enlightenment. That was a nice -- dare I say: subtle -- touch.