While my boss is sitting by the ocean, watching his children frolic in the waves of Kauai (a much deserved vacation, I might add), I am working hard in the office, managing both his duties and my own. I am not pulling my hair out, which is a good thing by all accounts. During my lunch hour, I have taken to reading World War Z by Max Brooks. I have had this particular book on my shelf for I can't tell you how long. Too long, for sure. I bought it at Borders, finding it on the discount table one year. I can't believe I remember that. Anyway, a friend mentioned it was the book she favored most so far this year, so I figured it was worth diving into.
On the home front, I began reading Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl. I am likely one of the last people to finally get to it. It's been my bedtime reading book mostly. I didn't get much chance to read this past weekend as we were on the go much of it, but I hope to finish the book before the week is out. I nearly brought it to work with me today to read during my lunch hour, but decided that wouldn't be fair to ol' Z, a book I am enjoying very much too.
What are you reading today?
Every Tuesday Diane from Bibliophile By the Sea hosts
First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where
participants share the first paragraph (or a few) of a
book they are reading or thinking about reading soon.
I have heard only great things about World War Z by Max Brooks. Although not a huge fan of zombies, I do like the show "The Walking Dead" (I have only seen the first season), and the book reminds me a lot of that.
It goes by many names: "The Crisis," "The Dark Years," "The Walking Plague," as well as the newer more "hip" titles such as "World War Z" or "Z War One." I personally dislike this last moniker as it implies an inevitable "Z War Two." For me, it will always be "The Zombie War," and while many may protest the scientific accuracy of the word zombie, they will be hard-pressed to discover a more globally accepted term for the creatures that almost caused our extinction. Zombie remains a devastating word, unrivaled in its power to conjure up so many memories or emotions, and it is these memories, and emotions, that are the subject of this book.
Would you continue reading?
Update!
Thanks to Ti from Book Chatter (especially since I'm behind in visiting blogs), I just learned about Natalie's World War Z read-along! Since I'm reading it anyway, I might as well join in, right? You can too, if you like! Just drop by her blog, Coffee and a Book Chick to sign up.
Update!
Thanks to Ti from Book Chatter (especially since I'm behind in visiting blogs), I just learned about Natalie's World War Z read-along! Since I'm reading it anyway, I might as well join in, right? You can too, if you like! Just drop by her blog, Coffee and a Book Chick to sign up.
The Details ~
- Published 2006
- Author Max Brooks
- 342 pages
- Readalong runs from June 5 to June 19
- Readalong hosted here at Coffee and a Book Chick
- Movie premiere is June 21
- Publish a halfway post on June 12 (up through page 136, all chapters up to Turning the Tide)
- Publish a finale post on June 19 (I may or may not be able to comply with this one--my review may come a bit later in the month, depending).
- Do you want to see the movie because of Brad Pitt? No. To be honest, I'm not a big fan of his.
- Will you be watching the movie during the premiere weekend? No. Maybe the following weekend, but definitely not opening weekend.
- What do you know about World War Z? The book comes highly recommended, and I admit the moving coming out this month helped push me into the "read now" camp. It's fun to read a book and follow it up with the movie! Plus, I'm really curious how the book will translate into film, especially given the format of the book. I imagine fast and loose will come into play.
- What are you reading? Print, ebook, or audio? I am reading a print copy.
© 2013, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
Don't normally read about zombies, but I am always ready to try something new. Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteNise - Zombies aren't my preferred reading material either, but occasionally they pop up. This particular book is very well written and I'm quite enjoying the book.
DeleteYou should join the World War Z readalong that was just announced today:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.coffeeandabookchick.com/2013/06/world-war-z-readalong-anyone-startsnow.html
Ti - Thanks for the heads up! I went ahead and joined Natalie's read-along. :-)
DeleteThis does sound intriguing, but probably not my kind of read. Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.
ReplyDeleteLaurel - I imagine it won't be for everyone. I love how it reads like nonfiction. It adds a bit of realism to an otherwise outrageous story.
DeleteIs this a book that the Brad Pitt movie is based on? I might see the film.
ReplyDeleteBook Dilettante - Yes, Brad Pitt is in the movie version. I'm really curious how it will compare to the book given the way the book is written.
Deletehmmm . . . not much into zombies. I'd probably pass. kelley—the road goes ever ever on
ReplyDeleteKelley - They seem to be an acquired taste. :-)
DeleteI really enjoyed Gone Girl. I've been hearing a lot about World War Z and I do love zombies so I may have to listen to it after I'm done with Under the Dome. Hope you have a good week on your own at work.
ReplyDeleteDarlene - I ended up finishing it last night. I really liked it too. I hope you will give World War Z a try--it's worth it!
DeleteI think I would rather enjoy the movie with Brad Pitt. Not too sure about the book. Thanks for the informative update. I wasn't paying too much attention to Z until now!
ReplyDeletePat - I hope the movie will turn out well. It'll be interesting to see how it compares to the book.
DeleteI'm not a zombie reader but my 14-year-old granddaughter is. I'll have to ask her a out this one and possibly recommend she check out the read-along.
ReplyDeleteMargot - Just a word of warning in case it matters, there is occasional foul language and it can be graphic at times.
DeleteThis is not quite my thing, but I hope you enjoy the readalong!
ReplyDeleteJoAnn - I'm really enjoying the book!
DeleteHadn't heard about this one, but no zombies for me:) I do hope that you enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteDiane - I can handle them as long as they aren't the love interest. LOL Although, my coworker is really trying to get me to see Warm Bodies.
DeleteYou know, it's funny how many feel that the zombie read isn't their thing, but...I might hasten to add that I didn't think I would enjoy the book as much either and I'm sucked in already! It looks like it's just you and me in this readalong together so I can't thank you enough for joining! :) No one wants to be the only one on a readalong!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to your thoughts on it, I absolutely love the format with the oral history of survivor accounts. Very creative!
Gone Girl was one of my favorite reads of 2012, I hope you enjoy it!
Natalie - Zombies grow on a person after awhile, although they probably will never be my favorite of the supernatural world. I think it really depends on how they are incorporated into the story--and I love the way Max Brooks has put together his book. I can really see it happening the way he lays it out in the book . . . Scary!
DeleteI started reading this last year, and for some reason, I stopped at about 1/3 to 1/2 way. No particular reason, and I almost restarted it last month, but got too busy. I'm not into zombies either, but this is an imaginative, cool idea that it works. Let me think on it, I'd love to finish it, especially before the movie.
ReplyDelete(Jenny at jennysbooks did a very interesting review, with some pointed criticism, we can discuss it after you read it)
Oh, yes, Gone Girl. Enjoy! You'll reach a point soon where you won't put it down.
Elizabeth (Raidergirl3) - I hope you do join in! I understand about getting too busy. That happens to me all too often, especially with audio books for some reason.
DeleteI ended up really liking Gone Girl. I was really careful to avoid spoilers before reading it, but it was impossible not to know to be suspicious from the way people talked in terms of general statements. I still enjoyed it though.
Been seeing this book in different blogs... didn't realize it will be turned into a movie. Oh I hope I can read it before I watch the movie. Thanks for the comment on my Teaser Tuesday post.
ReplyDeleteJenn - I hope you can fit it in before you see the movie!
DeleteI'm not sure I would keep reading, but then it's a case of being unsure for a while rather than due to that paragraph. I have thought of seeing the film, though (though I know I'm influenced by my reading of Sadie Jones's The Uninvited Guests and I suppose there's little humour in Brook's book).
ReplyDeleteCharlie - Yes, not much humor in the book version of World War Z. It had much more depth to it than I anticipated.
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