Does anybody around here read?

[InternalPrimate]

Would anyone here be interested in a Sega 16 book club? Basically, the goal would be to choose a book, everyone read it over a months time (nothing epic like Hyperion or the Song of Ice and Fire series), and then discuss it in a specific thread.

Any takers? If so, we could brainstorm what to read first. I vote for a quick read, something by Chuck Palahniuk, like Rant.

PM me or post here!

[genocide-superstar]

Right now I'm swamped with a couple of English course's reading, but starting with May I'd be game.

[FlackoWeasel]

I do read, but most stuff what I read are like teaching something or like entertainment like Guinness book records etc.

[Metal_Sonic]

I would be into it

[InternalPrimate]

Metal Sonic and Genocide Superstar (in May) check.

Who else is in? Come on, Sega 16 book club!! Oprah would have nothing on us. Where's MrMatthews and Jerry-Coeurl lurking?

[Waterfaller]

I enjoy reading. I wish I had more TIME to, but eh.

At the moment I'm reading Tehanu, the 4th book in the Earthsea cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin. Really amazing stuff. Before starting Earthsea, the book I read before that was The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle. Also amazing stuff.

[Jesse813]

Heres what I'm currently reading. normally I don't buy these but I make exception for Pearls Before Swine since Stephan Pastis gives his thoughts about everything on every page right under the Panels.

[InternalPrimate]

... my progress on The Fall of Hyperion halted when I decided to read this badboy:



The guy was my childhood hero, and I got to see him live in March, so I put everything else on hold until I finished this 600 page monster. So without further delay... cue my theme music!

IP Mini Review

Wrestling books typically come in two varieties: books that are deeply personal and present a unique perspective on the business (Mick Foley's memoirs, Chris Jericho's "A Lion's Tale"), and fluff pieces published by the WWE (nearly everything else). Plenty has been written since Foley's influential "Have a Nice Day", but very little has actually been good. Luckily Bret the Hitman Hart's book falls into the former category rather than the latter.

"Hitman", by Bret Hart, is as good if not better than anything ever written about the business. Very much like their in-ring styles, Mick Foley's books have been highly entertaining and funny, while Hart's book is detailed and professional. Excellently executed, if you will. (I'm a fan! You're going to have to deal with it.) Yet Hart and Foley share one thing in common: they both wrote their own books, rather than relying on ghost writers. The results speak for themselves.

"My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling" is significant not only because it exposes a brilliant mind, but also because it centers around such an important era of the business. Bret Hart, a second generation wrestler, played a key role in the 80's and 90's, witnessing the transition of the Hulkamania era to the Attitude era in the WWE. In fact, he oversaw that transition as he carried the torch between two great champions - Hulk Hogan and Stone Cold Steve Austin.

Most importantly though, Hart doesn't sugarcoat the imperfections of both the business and its players. Due to numerous work-related deaths of those close to him, as well as the infamous "Montreal Screw Job", Bret exposes the harsh realities of pro wrestling, acknowledging his retirement as an escape.

The first thing you'll notice about this book is that it is very well written. Hart kept journals throughout his career, and there's a feeling that you're right there with him, sharing his experiences. At times his descriptions of events and locations can be beautifully eloquent. Hart charts his entire career, and also gives a play-by-play of each of his most significant matches. It's really a treat to read his analysis of his iron-man match with Shawn Michaels and his heel-turn against Stone Cold Steve Austin.

As a stark contrast to most other wrestling autobiographies, Hart delves into the demons associated with pro-wrestling - sex, alcohol, drugs, steroids, etc... He doesn't hesitate to claim that Vince McMahon, the owner of the WWE, uses up his wrestlers, and then discards them like trash as soon as they have nothing left to give. It's a sad but honest reality.

I fully recommend Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling to anyone interested in Bret Hart, the business, or sports in general. It's a candid look at the career of one of wrestlings best, and he doesn't pull any punches. As far as wrestling books go, this is the best there is, was, and ever will be.

[MrMatthews]

Metal Sonic and Genocide Superstar (in May) check.

Who else is in? Come on, Sega 16 book club!! Oprah would have nothing on us. Where's MrMatthews and Jerry-Coeurl lurking?

Oh, this is what that PM was about? I think a Sega-16 book club would be awesome, but I don't know how reliable I'd be at reading a full book on a regular basis.

[snakesqzns]

I've just started reading the Discworld series. *Highly* recommend it if you like Hitchhiker;s Guide to Galaxy humor in a fantasy setting.

[Roussimoff]

Anything by Richard Matheson is good.

[KenshiroX]

I've just started reading the Discworld series. *Highly* recommend it if you like Hitchhiker;s Guide to Galaxy humor in a fantasy setting.

THIS. Hell yes, best humor series ever. I think my favourite's Soul Music.

[Ecco]

I'm making my way through the 2nd book of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I read the Hobbit 1st years ago, before starting the LoR books, so really for me this is the 3rd book of the series that I'm now reading. It's getting incredibly epic and awesome.

[Nunzio]

Who else is in? Come on, Sega 16 book club!! Oprah would have nothing on us. Where's MrMatthews and Jerry-Coeurl lurking?

I don't even think a Sega-16 game club would work. Hahaha, come to think of it that's not a bad idea...

Just finished The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. Started Good to Great by Jim Collins.

[Waterfaller]

And now I'm almost done with the 5th book in the Earthsea series, Tales from Earthsea. Once that's done, all that is left is the final book, The Other Wind.