Books I Want To Talk About discussion

Please discuss The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness here.

After reading the synopsis, I got the feeling that this story is very similar to Lois Lowry's books. Have you read her? What's your take? I like dystopian stories, so I think I may have to check it out.

Is this anything like the Uglies series?

I don't think I've read any of Lois Lowry's books, but her name sounds really familiar. I've only read the first of the Uglies series, and it's nothing like that. But yes, same genre.

The Knife of Never Letting Go is seriously one of my favorite books, I just wish it was more popular!

So without giving any major spoilers--can you say what you like about this book? Who are you favorite character(s)?

As for Lowry, she wrote Gathering Blue, Messenger, The Giver, Gossamer, etc. They are fairly short, but really good if you like the genre.

I just picked this one up on Kindle for dirt cheap or maybe even free - I can't recall. Meghan, the author did a blurb about it on Kindle, and one of the books that he said had influenced this one was The Ender's Game. Sounds like this one is right up your alley :)

I haven't heard of this book but it looks interesting! Will write more when I've read it...

Suz wrote: "I haven't heard of this book but it looks interesting! Will write more when I've read it..."

It's so amazing!!!! A must-read! :D

Sera wrote: "I just picked this one up on Kindle for dirt cheap or maybe even free - I can't recall. Meghan, the author did a blurb about it on Kindle, and one of the books that he said had influenced this one..."

Cheap AND inspired by Ender's Game, this just got moved up the tbr list! Now if only I can get my kindle to upload....

Meghan wrote: Cheap AND inspired by Ender's Game, this just got moved up the tbr list! Now if only I can get my kindle to upload....i>

I haven't heard of Ender's Game. Can you tell me the author and a little about it? Thanks!

Oh, it's my favorite sci-fi series. Ender's Game reads a bit YA-ish, but it's set in the future where earth was invaded by alien "bugs". It almost got destroyed but we won in the end. The story takes place later when earth is preparing itself for a future attack from the "buggers". Ender is a boy who is sent to battle school, where he and a bunch of other students are studying how to be commanders of the army who would fight the buggers in space. Keep in mind that Ender (and most of these kids) are geniuses AND Ender starts out as a 6 year old.

It's hard to explain, but that's kind of the gist. Card brings up some good philosophical questions about war and "foreigners" and our perceptions about the unknown. I really enjoyed the sequel Speaker for the Dead, which can be read as a stand alone book (that's how Card wrote it) but I think it helps to read Ender's Game first.

There are two series that branch off from Ender's Game. Ender's Saga includes Ender's Game and the next book is Speaker for the Dead. There are several others after that. This series follows Ender's life.

The other series is called the shadow series and follows Bean (a fellow battle school mate) and life on earth after the war. It starts with Ender's Shadow. You really should read Ender's Game before starting the Shadow series or it won't really make a lot of sense.

**Speaker for the Dead is written nothing like Ender's Game. It is for adults and is REALLY great in all the philosophical questions Card raises.

**The Shadow series interest me because this was begun back in the 80s during the Cold War and a lot of it speaks to the politics of that time. However, you could easily apply it to today's politics. Which I think is interesting in that history does seem to repeat itself and the timeliness of Card's writing.

Meghan wrote: "Oh, it's my favorite sci-fi series. Ender's Game reads a bit YA-ish, but it's set in the future where earth was invaded by alien "bugs". It almost got destroyed but we won in the end. The story tak..."

Wow! Thanks for the great information. Both series sound good to me - I like books that raise interesting questions :) Will have to add them to my "to-read" list!

[Sorry, somehow missed this post!]

Please let me know if you ever do get around to reading one. I'd love to hear your thoughts (good or bad).

Funny you should say that because I am currently reading The Knife of Never Letting Go. I like the story idea - how do you deal with TMI (kind of like now with Facebook and Twitter) but it's going a little slow for me. I like it but it's not holding my attention (maybe all the NOISE - ha ha) & I keep putting it down. I'm still less than halfway through the book. Does it pick up toward the end?

Suz wrote: "Funny you should say that because I am currently reading The Knife of Never Letting Go. I like the story idea - how do you deal with TMI (kind of like now with Facebook and Twitter) but it's going ..."

Yes, yes it does! And the second and third books continue to get more and more exciting... :)

Megan (can't think of a witty name) wrote: "Suz wrote: "Funny you should say that because I am currently reading The Knife of Never Letting Go. I like the story idea - how do you deal with TMI (kind of like now with Facebook and Twitter) but..."

Good to hear!! I'll keep chugging along and let you know how it goes. Also have Ender's Game so will read that soon. Thanks for the suggestions!

I forgot to ask you Megan - Have you read the New World (prequel) for the Ness series? Good?

Suz wrote: "I forgot to ask you Megan - Have you read the New World (prequel) for the Ness series? Good?"

ahhhh, I have it saved on my computer but I haven't read it yet! I keep forgetting about it and then getting super busy. But I'm still planning on reading it!

Meghan wrote: "So without giving any major spoilers--can you say what you like about this book? Who are you favorite character(s)? [..."

I liked the idea of the story - how would people live in a world where everyone could read everyone else's thoughts - and found it relevant to today's TMI world of facebook, twitter, etc. I had trouble getting through the beginning - didn't really hold my attention - but about halfway through to the end, I was riveted. The shocks and twists just kept coming and the ending left me wanting to run out and get the next book in the series to see what happens with the characters. I liked Todd's character because even after everything he goes through, he still seems to try to have hope. He also thinks for himself rather than just doing what everyone else is doing. I also liked Manchee the dog because even though he wasn't very smart, he was very loyal and brave. Am looking forward to book #2!

Love shocks and twists! Sounds like my kind of story.

Meghan wrote: "Love shocks and twists! Sounds like my kind of story."

Just wanted to let you know I am reading The Ask and the Answer - book #2 after Knife of Never Letting Go. Did you read it? Any comments?