Anyone like to read for pleasure around here?

I gotta ask...since the release of the New Moon movie is around the corner...are there any Twilight fans out there?

Huge fan. I holed myself up in my room and read all 4 books in a week.

Was bummed when the 5th book (Midnight Sun) was leaked and Stephanie Meyer put it on hold indefinitely.

By the way, I feel like a huge dork for starting this forum. But I'm so into it.

Anyway. I will be at the New Moon midnight premier. Of course.

I'm generally big into Fantasy. I'm also a huge fan of the Inheritance Series (Eragon), Philip Pullman's Dark Materials (The Golden Compass) and of course Harry Potter. Also love Stargirl, The Outsiders, The Pigman.

I really love to read. Wish I had more time to do so.

So, do you like to read? What kind of books? What are you favorites?

I'm looking for new pleasure reading material.

Thanks everyone!

I love to read for fun!

I only wish I had more time to devote to reading!

I'll read pretty much anything. Lately I've been reading more young adult novels when I have the time for a novel, since I'm going to teach middle or high school English.

I usually only have time for short poems, though. I've been randomly opening my poetry anthologies to take breaks from lesson planning and homework.

I am a Twilight fan too! :) I read all of the books and was bummed about the 5th one as well. I have seen the Twilight movie so many times! I can't wait for New Moon to come out, but I doubt I will go on the premier night because it will be so crowded! Wow! You read all 4 in a week? That's intense! It took me like a month to read them all because I couldn't devote as much time as I would have liked to it.

I do enjoy reading. If I had more free time, I would read a lot more. I like all kinds of books. I normally find myself reading more teenage real life stories, like books about stuff that actually happens in life. Fantasy books like Harry Potter and Twilight are good too thought. It just depends on the mood I am in. I normally read a lot during the summer since I have nothing else to do.

I love to read. I'm a fan of Twilight, but it isn't my absolute favorite. I originally read it wayyyyyy before it became so popular, and have read each installment when it's been released. I do like the books and the movie a lot, but probably won't go see New Moon on premier night because of the crowds. I'm excited for it, but not excited enough to go straight when it's released.

I'm currently reading The Host by Stephenie Meyer, same author of the Twilight series. It's really interesting and kind of addicting. I'm about halfway through and in a slow section... I'm hoping it will pick back up again sometime soon before I get too bored.

I also just recently read a book called Shiver. It's VERY similar to the Twilight books, but I actually think I like it better. There's a lot of wonderful descriptions and beautiful scenes in it.

I definitely also love Harry Potter. I think I've read every one of the books like 10 times over the years. I've also seen the movies an uncountable number of times. You've got to love Harry Potter! :)

I'm not really a Twilight fan, but I saw the movie back in the spring and liked it. The books sound intriguing, but honestly I just don't have enough time to get wrapped up in a series right now. And I have a very addictive personality, so if I pick up one of those books, I don't think I could put it down--and that wouldn't be good for my grades. lol

However, I am a huge Nicholas Sparks fan and I'm currently reading [and almost done with] his newest release--The Last Song. Any Nicholas Sparks fans out there?? :)

I think this book is the most intriguing one of his I have read so far. He just keeps getting better and better as time goes on and I am glad he keeps on writing and putting out these amazing unique stories. Side note: I have met him at book signings back in Ohio twice and got him to sign most of my books. He is a really cool guy and very modest--doesn't like to draw too much attention to himself. He's also very down to earth and realistic...overall a really neat guy who writes awesome novels! :)

But back to the story, I am learning so much from one of his main characters--an 18 yr. old girl. She is going through and learning some of the things that I have learned at age 20. I am blown away by the maturity she has at such a young age. It's a sad story, but if you're looking for a thought-provoking, heartfelt read, I would definitely recommend this one! :)

I am most definitely a pleasure reader. My favorite author by far has to be the late Michael Crichton. His books were so ahead of their time and involved, I could never put them down. Being a science and technology minded person, I find his widespread references to modern and future technology very refreshing. In particular, my favorite book of all time has to be "Prey", of course written by Michael Crichton.

It's basically a story about a swarm of nanobots that get out of control at a research facility and develop a sort of artificial intelligence and group interaction property. Highly recommended :)

As far as twilight goes, I can't get into it but that must be taken with a grain of salt because I've neither seen the movie nor read any of the books. One cannot really judge without having experienced.

I love to read, just never have enough time to sit down and do it.

I have wanted to read the Twilight series for a long time. Maybe when I get out of school I will have enough time to devote to them. I am also the type that once I pick up a book and start reading it, I can't put it down. I always want to know what is going to happen next.

When I read Twilight, my best friend's sister loaned them to me, and it was a summer where I only worked weekends (was doing banquets and weddings, got about 30 hours in 2 days every weekend) so i spent my spare time during the week reading the first 3. The 4th one came out the night after i finished the 3rd one, so i went to the midnight release!!

I'm a night owl, I go to the midnight releases for...just about anything that interests me, crowds don't bother.

I was looking to get a loaner of The Host from a friend, but she's away at school right now. Heard it was kind of slow-still interested.

Never read anything by Michael Crichton, but my dad is a huge fan, and I get extra credit for reading Prey and writing a 2 page analysis on it for one of my classes, so I might just have to pick that one up.

Thanks for the ideas everyone!!

I wonder when I will ever get to read for pleasure again! lol
With school, work and family my reading consists of medical books, Dr. Seuss and 6th grade reading materials! lol! Go mommy go!! :-)
I too am a HUGE fan of Harry Potter and now into the Twilight series. Although I have not been able to get into the Twilight books (not for lack of trying) hopefully over holiday break I will get a chance!
and BTW according to my tween son it's cool to be a nerd/dork these days! lol! :-) (within reason of course he adds!) hahahaha! Kids!

I kind of think that the Twilight series is overrated. I don't have anything against the series but I kind of feel as though it's time to return to the classics. These new pop fiction books are great, but why not read Jane Austen, Voltaire, Shakespeare. I can guarantee that if we began to read the classics as pleasure reading once again we would be, as a society, much more well read and intellectually better off.

I would love to relax one day in front of my apartment with a nice weather and read a book with no end like I did in Santa Catalina Island around L.A., but unfortunately, the more adult you get, the more responsabilities, so no time for reading.

No offense but the Twilight-mania sort of drives me insane. I've read the books, watched the movies--and still like the soundtracks better.
Dominic-you're right. It is a bit overrated. I love reading Shakespeare too! My favorite is "Love's Labour's Lost". It's like a romantic comedy.

Honestly, I liked the Twilight books up until halfway through "Breaking Dawn." Then it read like a bad fan fiction from there on out.

I love reading though. Right now I'm currently reading "The Sword of Shannara" by Terry Brooks--it's a long, epic fantasy, but intriguing enough to keep me going.

Speaking of fan fiction, do you ever read those as well? Sometimes they can be written really well--almost in the author's image--and other times it makes a reader cringe. I write some myself to sharpen my writing (hoping to write a book one day).

I'll admit, Twilight is overrated and generally trendy...and I totally hopped on the bandwagon. I'll also admit I often do when it comes to reading.

The Sword of Shannara I've heard it a fantastic book! Isn't it part of a series? My best friend's mom is supposed to let me borrow it....but like everyone else I lack the time to read.

I was thinking back about some books I've read in the past few years that come to mind as good reads:

Tuesdays With Morrie-Mitch Albom
The Five People you Meet in Heaven-Mitch Albom
I Know This Much is True-Wally Lamb
The Kite Runner-Khaled Houssini
The Pilot's Wife- not sure of the author

Also, is anyone a fan of PostSecret? If you haven't checked it out, you definitely should at postsecret.com. They post new posts every Sunday and have an exhibit that travels around the country-post cards with peoples' most likely darkest secrets. I think they're on their 5th book now. Essentially they're picture books...but the most amazing picture books ever.

I like to read for pleasure, but not your typical books. Usually, I read texts books for fun. Mainly because they are already around the house and I don't have to fight to convince myself to spend the money on a book. I have, however, fallen in love a couple of books: Deception Point is an amazing suspense "who done it"; I also like Butcher Bird, though not too many other people like that one; and have started to read American Gods, which seems alright from the beginning, we'll see how it turns out.

On the Twilight series; I am not a fan. I am a bit of a feminist, and find it hard to be attracted to a book where the main character is not able to make a decision on her own right without running it by an ultramasculine authority figure. That's just me, though

Something we do in our house when it comes to reading and then the ever more popular movie version of a book...
We have to have READ the entire book before we go see the movie! This is a great incentive for our son! In order to go see Harry Potter he must have read the book.
My parents did that for us with Jurassic Park, Little Women etc. etc.
It's hard, especially today with all of technology and how easy it is to go see the movie versus read the book. With the movies being so darn expensive anyways it sure is much more economical to use your imagination! :-)

Twilight fan right here also!!! And I must say those are the only books that I have read for pleasure!

yes' I also fell madly in love with the Twilight series. I read them all also. I went to the premier as well. I'm waiting for the release of New Moon now. I can't get enough of it.

Micheddie, that is an awesome idea!! I'm going to try to implement that wherever possible from now on...though I don't know how much influence I'll have because I don't have any kids, just students. But we'll see.

Prswaim, I'll admit that that makes complete sense. Twilight is NOT a series for feminisits. Or people who like classic writing. Or for people who don't like pop-literature. Really for tweens and fantasy freaks I'd say (p.s. i use "fantasy freaks" in a completely positive manner).

There is a box of books in my car. Mainly textbooks, but some others I forgot about that were given to me, no longer wanted. Poor unwanted books :( Actually I think passing books around is an awesome idea.

Anyway. I digress. Back to the box of books. Came across The Heartshaped Box-a horror story- and Hook-a (fairly) classic, that I've never read. Couple others, but those were on top. Going to start reading...as soon as I get to my car (class was cancelled, waiting for next one).

I love to read! I am the dork that would rather read then go to a party, as sad as that sounds. There is something about cracking open a book and becomming the main character. The specail intimate bond the reader has with the writer without ever meeting each other. Some of my favorites would have to be James Patterson and Dan Brown. I didn't like Da Vinci Code unlike the masses I thought it was boring. I read another book similiar to the concept called Daughter Of God. That was much better written. If you want to read an amazing book by Dan Brown I would suggest Digital Fortress. That book was amazing! I also like Michael Moore, he was hilarious in Stupid White Men.

Kind of related, but an interesting factoid I read in an academic article from 2006 (I don't know if things have changed a lot though):

In Uganda, the word for "school" and "reading" are the same, so the concept of reading solely for enjoyment is kind of absurd. That's because the few books they have are either in French or English and the most of the time, the subjects aren't even relevant to their culture.