220: I've already read Across Five Aprils but not Red Badge of Courage yet. Hopefully soon though (I'm so busy! )

If you are ever going to read Red Badge of Courage keep in mind that its more of a character driven book than plot driven. A lot of people give it bad ratings because of that. If you read it with that in context its more enjoyable, though its still a bit disturbing .

disturbing?...that's ok I like disturbing

Wow, thanks for all that information on Ted Dekker's books, W4J! And, thank-you for giving your opinion on which ones you think are better and which ones I should read first.
From what you and Kate said, I'll begin with Thr3e and go on from there.

Maddy,

I think CoK is coming out March 23, 2009 (if anyone hasn't answered you yet) Yeah, I labeled it on my calender, too.

Betsie: Is Beautiful Child good? I think I'll read that one, along with reading Thr3e. Thanks for the suggestion!

For reading P&P:
I think I'm in the minority of thinking Jane Austen's writings really...without purpose. I feel like I'm wasting time reading one of those French novels that L.M.A talks about An Old Fashioned Girl. I mean, the literary skills are nice (I prefer Charlotte Bronte's writing way better, to be honest. Not so much the plot, but the way she writes.)
So far I'm where Mr. Collins comes over for dinner, but I've read further in the book than that the first time I attempted to read it. Her writing makes sense, but it seems like it's face value phsycological conversations, that have no base to them. Anyways, I think I'm going to continue reading it, just for the point of doing so and perhaps giving it a second thought. (I'll admit that some parts of it do leave me somewhat amused...)

No worries mate! Glad to oblige. I hope you enjoy Ted's books.

If you are ever going to read Red Badge of Courage keep in mind that its more of a character driven book than plot driven. A lot of people give it bad ratings because of that. If you read it with that in context its more enjoyable, though its still a bit disturbing .

I read The Red Badge of Courage several years ago and very much enjoyed it. I've not been in combat personally but I have been in plenty of the simulated types, wargames, etc. If the wargame is done right you will really believe that it's for real. And TRBC really explains what happens to a soldier when their training kicks in and they become, for lack of a better phrase, "fully automated" in combat. You experience the strangest mixture of emotions possible all while it happens; love, hate, fury, terror, remorse, and bloodlust.

The main character in the book experiences this in the big battle towards the end of the book and describes to a T exactly what happens with such total clarity that I sit in awe sometimes that this wasn't written by a soldier but a war correspondant who (from what I read) never actually witnessed any battles up close. As in the book everything moves in slow motion and your training kicks in and you'll get into a repetitious pattern; Move, Aim, Fire, Move, Aim, Fire. Your brain tells you when your ammo is running low and you'll instinctively reload a magazine as if on queue without even having to check. The adrenaline flows like a river and your body is completely on automatic. I've never read a book that so completely explains this transformation like TRBC does. That said Red Badge, short as it is, is definitely not going to appeal to everyone. If you have family or friends who are or were in the military or law enforcement they'll definitely "get" the book and will likely reiterate what I've said here.

Shadow: nice review of Red Badge. I've never been in war, real or simulated, so I can't comment on that part. What I loved about the book was the character studies [their initial fear and later transformation in battle] and the realistic war setting--the excellent use of colors and animals to describe and accentuate what's happening to the characters.

If you are ever going to read Red Badge of Courage keep in mind that its more of a character driven book than plot driven. A lot of people give it bad ratings because of that. If you read it with that in context its more enjoyable, though its still a bit disturbing.

Bad ratings? By whom?! The Red Badge of Courage is an American literary classic! I thought the story was poignant, but I wouldn't call it "disturbing."

(edited)

Hey, everyone!

I have been thinking.... Ever since I joined NarniaWeb, I've stopped reading books and started buying. I haven't counted up yet... but I think that I've read fewer books this year since before fifth grade (44 so far).... And I know I've bought more this year than ever before.

A nice new Everyman's Library edition of Mansfield Park came a week or so ago, nearly the last of my Amazon orders. It's almost in perfect condition, so I'm excited.

On Saturday, we stopped at a resale store, and I got The Complete Short Stories of Mark Twain, hardcover, probably from the 50s or 60s; the abridged edition of Little Women that I grew up with (my mother has the copy that she got when she was little, but since I love the illustrations so much, I wanted my own, even though I don't usually like abridged books.); and an almost brand new The Hostile Hospital, also hardcover.

This morning, I finished Daddy Long Legs. Destined lent it to me yesterday, and just before I went to bed I started it. I guess I fell asleep reading it. This morning I woke up, and finished the book before I got up. (late) I really, really liked it! It was so sweet. I guessed

(before I fell asleep at least... over half way through), but probably later than most other people would... I notice things like that (I like to think) sooner in real life, but in a very delayed fashion when I'm reading. I especially liked all of the illustrations. Quite an inspiration to me. Ever since I read Bring Me A Unicorn, I've been drawing in letters a lot more, (just ask Destined) and here is further encouragement!

BellaNotFromTwilight: Yes, Blessed Child is really good! I liked it best of the four or five Dekker books I read. Thr3e, not so much. Remembering it, I can't think of anything that really made it a worthwhile book... Not that it's a giant waste of time, but it didn't impact me or inspire me or anything like that.

I'm still at the Council in The Fellowship. Not because I have any opinion for it one way or another, but that I've been really busy. Also, reading Manalive, because my brother and I are going to do it for a speech. And Personality Type, excessively interesting (to me), on Myers-Briggs.

Maybe you just don't enjoy thriller/suspense novels?

Bad ratings? By whom?! The Red Badge of Courage is an American literary classic! I thought the story was poignant, but I wouldn't call it "disturbing."

(edited)

You'd be surprised what some people say. They think the plot line is too confusing, but they don't realize its a character driven story like I said. Tsk tsk.

About the disturbing parts; I meant that some of the descriptions are rather graphic, not that I care really.

You'd be surprised what some people say. They think the plot line is too confusing, but they don't realize its a character driven story like I said. Tsk tsk.

Well, they need a literary education. lol

About the disturbing parts; I meant that some of the descriptions are rather graphic, not that I care really.

Okay, that doesn't sound so pleasant, does it? I guess that's what makes it a good war story, or at least a realistic one. Crane doesn't make war romantic.

Indeed *feels scholarly*

Definitely not. Strange though, once I read stuff like that its not as... gross, as when I first did.

So, while we're on the military note, has anyone read All is Quiet on the Western Front?

Betsie, if you like drawings in letters you might enjoy the sequel to Daddy-Long-Legs. It's called Dear Enemy and while there were a few comments the main character made that I couldn't agree with it was a fun read.

More recently, I read First Lady of the Seeing Eye which is about Morris Frank and Buddy. Or Buddy and Morris Frank. I did find it interesting how the writers hit mostly the high points of the story, and the low points and struggles (I'm assuming there were struggles?) were mentioned only in passing and in relation to the later triumphs.

Ranger: I've read part of All Quiet and I've seen part of the movie [with John Boy Walton lol]. I probably need to read the whole thing...

I think I'm in the minority of thinking Jane Austen's writings really...without purpose.

How so? Could you explain?

I have been thinking.... Ever since I joined NarniaWeb, I've stopped reading books and started buying.

I know I've been buying more books since I became active in the Books! thread, but I like to think I've kept reading about the same amount. I've been tracking the number of books I read since January '07, and each year it's gone up. Whether this pattern would hold up were pages used as a measure instead of words, I don't know. But I do understand how you feel; it seems like I do a lot less reading these days than I could.

For example, I haven't made hardly any progress recently in LotR, but I did manage to post my review of The Name Above the Title:
http://www.librarything.com/work/214401/reviews/52021494

Bella, even I admit Jane Austen's works have a purpose and I can't stand them.