Snerfflebarglast: Round Seven!

[smeddley]

So how many of you have even come close to to planting a concrete guess about the neat and organized messy and gelatinous items found in my office for Round Six? One person has four right (the ultimate in cheating, but hey, I got a lunch date out of it!) and one person is up to three (by wits alone)! Will the correct answers top the creative, made me laugh out loud answers of another contestant? Only time will tell!

A few of you love me enough to put a smile on my face and in my heart in the show me something nice Round Five - possibly the easiest round out there!

Still only one movie-mad person has tackled the conundrum that is Round Four - did I mention that, like last time, there are participation points? Even a bad answer is better than missing out on those!

Okay, so Round Three was really easy and a lot of people got that right off the bat. Lesson learned, Dr. D!

And, amazingly, it seems it is possible to figure out who Oliver is from the clues I gave you for Round Two - not just in that post, but also here and, surprisingly, here (very cleverly slipped in, just a word or two, can you spot it?).

I also realize that Round One was completely unfair, since the song I was originally going to use did have the title in it, but was then posted. So I gave you a pretty generous clue here that, if you're on the right track, should make it obvious.

Now! After that shameless plea for more answers, how about round seven? Since I've been in such a reading frenzy (to the detriment of my crafting and cleaning!) I need book recommendations. On one hand, I want to read books that I wouldn't necessarily pick for myself that I end up loving. On the other hand, I have a lot of unread books on my bookshelves. And I had to physically restrain myself from going and getting more today, just because. So here's how this breaks down:

You will recommend a book to me (it can be fiction, non-fiction, comic, Code of Federal Regulations, whatever). Base point breakdowns are as follows, with 'creativity' points being given based on if I think I'll like the book (obviously, I won't have time to read them all, so it'll be a synopsis-based decision, feel free to sell it to me and tell me why I'll like it!)

20 points for any book recommended that is actually in my to-be-read pile.
19-10 points if it's available from my library (they have a wonderful on-line catalogue you can check)
9-3 points if it's available from Inter-Library Loan (I can check on this for you, since I think you have to have a library card to even check)
2 points if I can find it at Half-Price Books, but you get -1 for every other book I pick up while I'm there
1 point if it's one I'd have to buy at Barnes and Noble, but you get -1 for every other book I pick up while I'm there
-10 points if it's SnowCrash, Enchanted, or If on a Winter's Night a Traveler...
-1,000,000,000 if it's The Lovely Bones

BONUS GAME! EXTRA POINTS!

Using the Library's Website, find me a movie to check out and watch! It can be either a movie or TV show, but something where I will either 1) laugh or 2) see shit blow up. If I've seen or own the movie and like it you'll still get points for having good taste. If I've seen the movie and hated it, I'll never take you advice on movies again...

EDIT: OOOOH! Also, bonus points if it's available from the library in audiobook format!

Comments

[auraesque.livejournal.com]

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers, by Mary Roach. To be followed with Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex, also by Ms. Roach. :D

[smeddley.livejournal.com]

I forgot to mention what I'd do if you recommended a book I owned and already read... I think you get good taste points on that one! And the other... has an estimated wait of 240 days! O.o But good choices, good choices!

Oh, selling?

[auraesque.livejournal.com]

I think the titles do all the selling, but Ms. Roach is absolutely hilarious. The books are nonfiction and educational, but I giggled the whole way through Stiff.

[http://users.livejournal.com/anam_cara_/]

Book recommendations! Well, I could post every day on this! Then again, I'm quite heavy in one particular genre, that I don't venture out enough on.

You hated The Lovely Bones, that much, eh?

[smeddley.livejournal.com]

Which genre?

And yes, yes I did.

"She ordered coffee and toast and buttered it with her tears."

Seriously, what's not to hate? O.o

[auraesque.livejournal.com]

Would I lose points for recommending any book by jodi Picoult? Her books are like literary Lifetime original movies. I LOVE it. :}

Plus, half of them are turned into Lifetime original movies staring Mariska Hargitay and that adorable girl from Medium. Wiiiiin.

Okay, serious recommendations? I really enjoyed M.C.'s Next because it has a talking parrot who is a smartass and a Humanzee. Unfortunately, it does not have the makings of a Lifetime Original movie.

Galveston is one of my favorite novels ever by Sean Stewart. It has magic, gambling and crawfish men.

Goodness, what have I been reading besides econ textbooks? I re-read Good Omens, the Golden Compass and Where the Heart Is most recently, but I have not had time to do any new reading. :(

I actually have a growing booklist over at my blog. It does have The lovely Bones on it, but only because...Ireallywanttoreaditdon'tdisownmeMarkyMarkisplayingthedadinthecinemagraphicadaption! Anyway: http://hollygrande.blogspot.com/2008/04/summer-book-list-2008.html

So, in conclusion: Marky Mark.

[smeddley.livejournal.com]

No, you wouldn't lose points for that, I'm all into chick-lit type books. :D

You first serious recommendation: own it, read it, loved it.

Second: hmmmm, that sounds worth checking out!

One of the next few you mentioned I've read, another is one of my to-reads, and the other... never heard of it!

I would never disown someone for wanting to read a book. I'd just question your taste. ;) No, really, I mean I caved to the hype and read it, right? And besides, there's enough good on your list to counteract the evil. :D

Marky Mark is an actor I want to hate but is surprisingly talented. I loved him in The Italian Job.

[gelsey.livejournal.com]

Only one book, or more than one allowed?

[smeddley.livejournal.com]

You can recommend as many as you want, points will be added/deducted on an aggregate and completely arbitrary system.

For instance, while one really awful book (coughlovelybonescough) could counter-act an entire list of good books, a good book may not have the same effect on a list populated with bad ones...

And it is subject to change if I read the book and my opinion changes before the end of Snerffle (good or bad).

[http://users.livejournal.com/anam_cara_/]

I can't recommend enough the Ice & Fire series by George R.R. Martin. It begins with Game of Thrones (http://books.google.com/books?id=NeeuAQAACAAJ). It's not a funny book, but it's so rich, it will suck you right into another world, great for that "Calgon take me away" need for distraction.

Best romance series, of the "truly fantastic, not just a guilty pleasure" kind, is the Outlander (http://books.google.com/books?id=IM1nVGX7XU0C&q=outlander&dq=outlander&pgis=1) series by Diana Gabaldon. There is one book in the series I'm not over the moon about, but I love these characters as if they were real.

For a fun guilty pleasure romance/murder mystery, I recommend Nora Roberts, I mean J.D. Robb's "In Death" series. Whether you love or hate NR, this series isn't as formulmatic as her other books, and her main character kicks ass (quite literally). It's like a great sitcom, because all of the supporting cast of characters are just as compelling to keep up with. Naked in Death (http://books.google.com/books?id=fuoOAAAACAAJ&dq=in+death) is the first in that series.

Oy, am I going to get in trouble for suggesting all books that have 5-10 books to follow in each series? Any of these could really add to your to-be-read pile!


I've recommended these in my LJ, but I'll list them here too:

Such a Pretty Girl (http://books.google.com/books?id=6w5aH-xBtkMC&printsec=frontcover&dq=such+a+pretty+girl&sig=JCwNqv48_MSdbzZz9I86gx8TQNs)
- an odd book, doesn't exactly deal with light topics (incest), but I really enjoyed this one.

Good in Bed (http://books.google.com/books?id=JFZAiUYrGSMC&printsec=frontcover&dq=jennifer+weiner&sig=WeAx6OhbEFVZbql-me2olEEtMAw)
-the sequel came out yesterday! (but I haven't picked it up yet)
-this will make you laugh, but also cry, but it's great, not your typical storyline

Your Inner Fish (http://books.google.com/books?id=ZUwCGQAACAAJ&dq=inner+fish)
-I haven't gotten very far, I'm slow when it comes to non-fiction, but how can you not love a book by this title?


Ok, that's it for now, I'll have to recommend movies next, but if you haven't seen Eddie Izzard's Dress to Kill (http://kcmo.sirsi.net/uhtbin/cgisirsi/R53OHWBbap/KC-CENTRAL/133170119/9), you must go get that for a few laughs.

[smeddley.livejournal.com]

The first: I've heard horrible things about that series, namely: it's never-ending. I'm scared after what Robert Aspirin did with Gleep right before a SEVEN YEAR HIATUS.

The second: I've often thought about it, never taken the plunge.

The third: that author has earned my utmost respect recently, and I think I read one of that series and it was pretty good. Actually, I do think I listened to it, they're not bad as audiobooks... And I'll have to look, that may be something in my to-read pile, I just don't know.

As for the non-series one, I'm not sure about the first (I'm not very serious), the second I considered based on what you said before, and the third, yes, that is a great title!

Hmmm, I've never seen his stuff, might have to check it out!

[http://users.livejournal.com/anam_cara_/]

Oh, and here:
http://kcmo.sirsi.net/uhtbin/cgisirsi/hjFdC5bYWb/KC-CENTRAL/133170119/9
http://kcmo.sirsi.net/uhtbin/cgisirsi/H13htVvS7y/KC-CENTRAL/133170119/9
http://kcmo.sirsi.net/uhtbin/cgisirsi/GV9JaLYAyx/KC-CENTRAL/133170119/9
http://kcmo.sirsi.net/uhtbin/cgisirsi/K3Ft9pgbQr/KC-CENTRAL/133170119/9
http://kcmo.sirsi.net/uhtbin/cgisirsi/C22fqknvjN/KC-CENTRAL/133170119/9
http://kcmo.sirsi.net/uhtbin/cgisirsi/BCAkxsNSEw/KC-CENTRAL/133170119/9

[smeddley.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, those don't work... - it's timed out, but I also think you're on the wrong - EVIL!EVIL! - side....

[http://users.livejournal.com/anam_cara_/]

And is any movie funnier and more gratuitously, ridiculously violent as Hot Fuzz (http://kcmo.sirsi.net/uhtbin/cgisirsi/gV3GJICLIH/KC-CENTRAL/54870045/9)?

I can't say I recommend any of the my book recommendations as audio books. Especially the Naked in Death one. I personally can't stand audio books, they make so much sound so corny. Romances are just unbearable. Maybe Game of Thrones would be ok, MAYBE.

[smeddley.livejournal.com]

I loved that movie. LOVED. Not as much as SotD, but still, it was good.

Audiobook + Romance storyline = terribly embarrassing. I only listen to mysteries and sci-fi. Lesson learned.

[gelsey.livejournal.com]

Well, can I come back here and add to this as thoughts come to me?

Eat, Drink, and Be Wary (http://www.amazon.com/Eat-Drink-Wary-PennDutch-Mystery/dp/0451192311) by Tamar Myers. It's mystery, and the moment I started reading I thought of you. Good thing I forgot to rec it! I didn't get to finish it, because I had to come back up to school, but I liked all that I did read.
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Piccout. A heart-ripper. Any of her stuff is good. Not everyone's cup of tea, though, so I hope I'm not reccing it wrongfully.
Storm Front by Jim Butcher. I srsly love this writer.
Nightlife by Rob Thurman. Hot guys, action, sarcasm. Hell yeah.

How do I get this library's website?

Off to brainstorm some more.

[smeddley.livejournal.com]

You can, as often as you like and when the urge strikes you. That's why I've decided to leave all the rounds open, because people get busy and all that.

Hmmm, sounds interesting...
You're the second person to recommend that author, must be something to it...
I really need to catch up on that series but OMG there are... wait, I read that one on your recommendation, it was the first in the series, right? It was good!
Will check it out!

Knowing where I live and mad Google skills, or bribing someone who knows...

[tarpo.livejournal.com]

While I don't care for anything else he is done. On a Pale Horse by Piers Anthony is one of my favourite books. I read it about once every year or 2 then go re-hunt the rest of the series. I push it on most of my friends and about 45% of them dig it. I also like to encourage people to read some Joel Rosenberg but I have stopped because he is a nitwit whose politics make me cringe.. but I do like most of the books he has written.. especially how he has no problem dropping the axe on a character now and then.

[smeddley.livejournal.com]

I agree, that series was WAY better than his other famous one, which was okay when I was 10, but now... not so much.

The other guy - I think I read a series by him, one were D&D nerds are actually sucked into an alternate reality by their Dungeon Master? Does that sound familiar? If so, it was (despite sounding corny in this description) really pretty good, at least at the start. If I remember correctly, it petered.

[tarpo.livejournal.com]

oh.. and if its audio books you want.. Just go get The Time Travellers Wife on Audiobook.. Even if you have already read it.. Its really well read.

and for a movie to check out.. Find a library that has the Wonderfalls series on DVD.. or Sports Night.. Then go buy them! NOW!

[smeddley.livejournal.com]

Ha! That's actually what I did, I've never read it, just listened to it. It was good, but I listened to it right after I listened to Good Grief, which was, in my mind, better. So it suffered a bit by comparison.

I will see if I can find those DVDs!

[clare-dragonfly.livejournal.com]

Um, are we just supposed to figure out what library you use and its URL?

[smeddley.livejournal.com]

Yup. Or you can just recommend books and hope. ;) I can't make it too easy!

[nicked-metal.livejournal.com]

Sahara (which is a movie based on a novel, unless it's a novel that was made into a movie)

[crimsonlotus84.livejournal.com]

Make Love! The Bruce Campbell Way (Real book, not me bullshitting)

Our hero, Bruce Campbell, is hired onto a Mike Nichol's movie while assigned to do a Relationship book. But the pimply Exec, Stern, wants him to fail for an unknown reason. What will happen in this adventure of love, boner causing trucks, and wrestling with Richard Geere?

This book is available in paperback and as an audio book. However the audio book does leave some of the story out for time like the museum recovery of John Dilinger's penis.

[revoked-soul.livejournal.com]

I read The Lovely Bones a few months ago, and while it didn't cause any raging hatred...I wanted to smack almost all the characters. And that's never a good thing in a book. Plus, way weird ending...

Since you've been stressed, I shall recommend to you books that amuse. First, the last book that actually made me laugh out loud - The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal, by Christopher Moore. So, so funny. And second, Goblin Quest by Jim C. Hines. It's a super fast, silly read, but it's humorous and pokes fun at traditional fantasy novels. Light and entertaining, for stress-relieving fun!

I really need to go back to the other rounds. I've been putting them off because I have the attention span of a gnat right now and think I'll do better if I wait until my brain starts working...except the no-brain situation doesn't seem to b resolving itself, so I'll just have to try my best. I kind of miss the old Snerffleblarglast, where I could just be sarcastic and get points for it. ;)

[http://users.livejournal.com/anam_cara_/]

Fun, light, but interesting read: Bellwether (http://ibistro3.jocolibrary.org/uhtbin/cgisirsi/hNd9YuOrEt/CENTRAL/279870098/9)
(I liked it because I could sympathize about the secretary, and there were so many ties with Denver/Boulder and studying animal behavior!)

If you haven't seen Stranger than Fiction (http://ibistro3.jocolibrary.org/uhtbin/cgisirsi/TBNJUgTq8T/CENTRAL/279870098/9), it's quite enjoyable.

Interesting movie, but not exactly 'light': Twin Falls Idaho (http://ibistro3.jocolibrary.org/uhtbin/cgisirsi/vu8LWFOvei/CENTRAL/279870098/9)

Fabulous fantasy series- alternate history combining sex and religion as an offshoot of Christianity. Well written, and really, its not really all about the sex, but the INTRIGUE. There are 6 box, somewhat divided into two series Kushiel's Dart (http://ibistro3.jocolibrary.org/uhtbin/cgisirsi/4l533dtxQM/CENTRAL/279870098/123). The cover kept me away from it for a very long time, until a friend pushed it in my hand and guaranteed I'd like it.

In the mood for starcrossed lovers, romance that isn't all wrapped up in a pretty bow (no worries though, it's not all unhappy endings either)? Too Deep for Tears (http://ibistro3.jocolibrary.org/uhtbin/cgisirsi/kQOQBMKct1/CENTRAL/279870098/9)

Oh! And I really enjoyed Anansi Boys (http://ibistro3.jocolibrary.org/uhtbin/cgisirsi/mIqkYlFret/CENTRAL/279870098/9), even moreso than American Gods. This one, I think I'd actually enjoy on audiobook, if it's read well, it would be hilarious.

[tjstein.livejournal.com]

An Awfully Big Adventure - estimated wait 3 days

From IMDB.com:
"In Liverpool in 1947, a theatre company is planning to produce a series of plays. Sixteen year old Stella, who lives with her aunt and uncle, and who has regular and mysterious phone-calls to her mother, joins the crew as an unpaid student. As the director assembles his cast and rehearses them through a series of plays, various sexual and emotional intrigues occurring backstage weave themselves into a finale of both triumph and tragedy."

I like British films and behind the scenes, making of type of movies as well, plus it has Alan Rickman. Also, I cried. (a given, I know)

[cazrolime.livejournal.com]

The Lovely-- sorry. >_>

I hereby declare that you should read "The Knife Of Never Letting Go". It's a fantasy book about this one kid on this planet and all the women are dead... or are they? Dun dun dun. Also, everyone has this disease that makes them broadcast their thoughts to everyone in hearing distance. There are a couple of bits that just made me go ...what, but overall it's awesome. :D

...I forget who it's by, but that title isn't likely to have been used very often. >_>

Edit: I'm so badly going to lose points on this one. xD The book is brand new, so it's probably a B&N jobbie.

[smeddley.livejournal.com]

It is too new, but you still get points! Because it sounds interesting. :D

[happyconfusion.livejournal.com]

http://www.amazon.com/Dead-Until-Southern-Vampire-Mysteries/dp/0441016995/ref=pd_bbs_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215048431&sr=8-4

Anything in this series (there are 8)