It feels like I haven't been here for ages, so hello again!
When I think of the concept of gifts, the first thing that comes to mind is a book. For me or anyone else. I understand it's a cliche choice for a gift and kind of uninteresting and underwhelming to people who don't read—also if the choice of the book is horrendous, the whole experience is not too cheerful for a regular reader as well.
The challenge lies in picking up a worthy title. I'd give myself a nice hardcover / deluxe / vintage edition of a literary classic, something that I'll likely cherish, especially one I haven't read yet.
For example, Dostoyevsky's The Brothers Karamazov.
Hi mate, welcome to the topic this week!
I gift myself books almost weekly and certainly monthly! I love me a book bro so I think this is a great self-gift or for someone else also...If they love books of course.
I gifted myself three books last week, a trilogy called the Riftwar Saga. Not quite your literary classic type of book but but certainly a set of books, and author, I enjoy. (Raymond E. Feist.)
Anyway, books are a good gifts and amazing companions in my opinion. Good answer!
!ENGAGE 20
I think the same! And even though I'm a film enthusiast to the boot, books take you slowly through their narrative and make you accustomed to them and their imagined world. You can ponder upon them longer than you can on a film. People often joke about the absence of the internet and electricity, I think I can pass my days quite happily without them if I have plenty of books.
I see that's a great practice you got there! Do you lend books to people? Would love to live near you lol! 😂
I have heard of Riftwar Saga a lot, as I like the fantasy genre quite a bit. This particular series has some reputation in that circle. Have you started them yet? Any good?
I first read the Riftwar Saga back in 1990 and loved it. Read it a couple times since then gave my books away. Bought new ones last week and am really enjoying re-reading. I am actually slowing myself down (am a fast reader) so I can enjoy it more.
There are so many spin-off books around it also! The Empire series co-written with Janny Wurts is where to start after the Riftwar Saga is completed. It actually runs parallel the the first three books ...Fills in so many blanks, but from a different perspective. There's many more too. So good!
I love movies, but I'm a reader at heart. Read Lord of the Rings trilogy at 9 years old and never stopped reading since.
I have so many books, hundreds and hundreds, many fantasy genre, loads of history and war and many others (fiction and non)...I'm loath to give them out, to lend them, but I do on occasions. I have some I'd not lend out though, my favourites like Count of Monte Cristo, one of most loved books.
This might sound funny, but I like looking at my books...Like they each bring memories of spending time with a cherished friend. A bit weird maybe, but I am sometimes. 🤓
Funny indeed but not weird at all, I perfectly understand the sentiment! Maybe many readers do. Also not wanting to lend books, lol. People can be quite inconsiderate and it hurts when they return the book all molested and tore up!
Man, even I as the owner wouldn't be so careless, how could they be?!
Not to mention many people don't return the book at all. Which is a whole other thing, even I did it a few times! Come to think of it, I read somewhere even Mark Twain had similar cases! 😂
I would like to read the original Riftwar trilogy then. They are not recent, not from 2010's— which actually excites me more.
Have you tried the Malazan Book of the Fallen series yet?
Magician, book one, was first published in 1982 prior to the genre really exploding...Well worth a read in my opinion.
I've had my books come back molested for sure; Annoyed me of course. I've also had books not returned so...Rarely lend them. Only special people get the privilege.
Steven Erikson books...I've not read them, always seems something else to get to. Worth buying you think?
Absolutely! The best fantasy tale I've ever read, IMO! And that is including the mighty Lord of the rings.
It is quite eloquently written (fantastic prose) and carefully avoiding the usual tropes. There are countless points of view and it is not a character-driven tale. Not a singular tale as well, as it encompasses many different millennia and imaginary continents. The narrative is aloof, somewhat detached. But the worldbuilding it has! Mindblowing!
The writer is an archaeologist and an anthropologist, he often made allegories to the actual historical events. It is also a massive series, 10 books, 11K pages strong. Since you're a fast reader, that might not be a problem though!
Steven Erikson first wanted to make a movie but the production company refused him and the co-author, saying its too ambitious.
You've sold me on it, I'll take a look.. And also based on what you say I feel you'll like the Feist books. Thanks for the tip, I'll head off to the book shop tomorrow. I'm old school and go there first before online shopping. Lol.
It means you are also a fan to novels. To me, I don't like reading books apart from solving mathematical problems. I think you should stay close to each other...
The Riftwar saga? Going to add this to my tbr list. I cannot pass on an interesting fantasy! ☺️
If you like the fantasy genre you'll not be disappointed I think.
ENGAGEtokens.Interesting conversation here 🤠
I am a book lover too, infact my recent post is a picture of books.
Books are surely one of the best gifts one can give as gift. I've given books to my friends but those books are mainly novels.
Anyways Best gift to give one self or the close ones🖤😄
Novels, non-fiction, poetry — it doesn't matter as long as they are good!
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Hi ya. Good to see you my friend!
Books are good. Really good. I have a boxed set from a guy named Italo Calvino that a friend correctly recommended to me. It's waiting until I see my friend from San Diego again, she needs it :)
The Bro's was good, but I don't think Dostoevsky's best (Crime and Punishment). I'm trying to think of the book I'd send you. I think I'd send you a boxed set of Steven King's Black Tower series. A mere 4200 pages. Because I think you probably already own The Lord of the Rings series :)
Good to see you too! It's been some time we've interacted.
Hey, I think you've read one of Calvino's books already. I recommended to you one, The Baron in the Trees. It was by him. But a set! That would be really nice indeed! I haven't read many Calvino works yet.
Crime and Punishment is indeed hailed as Dostoyevsky's best.
Oh, I read the first book of The Dark Tower series, Gunslinger it was called. So good! But not the rest, I would like to read them sometimes in the future. So the entire series would be awesome indeed!
And you rightly surmised — I do have the LOTR series :D
Only 7 left! Plus, the characters and settings show up through all of King's Novels! Even Christina, the Buick Straight 8.
Yes! I bought the set of Calvino to read the Baron, which I loved. It was pretty cheap at the used book store...
Nice! I always love receiving and giving books as a present. You are really gifting someone a whole world they can disappear into and a new perspective. Great choice!
Indeed! And through the books the collective knowledge and understanding of the entire human race progress as well!
Thank you.
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This is the gift to top off all other gifts. There's no other thing better than a precious book in deluxe edition. I can smell the ink and fill the fine paper of this print. Hell of a choice!
Heya @notacinephile! Nice meeting you here 😄. I love books too! Like you, that's what I think of when I get gifts for friends.
But you have to sure your friend would actually like it. I remember one time I bought a non-fiction motivational book for a friend as Christmas gift. He was unhappy about it. Lesson learned for me! 😆
Whenever I am having a me time and I go shopping, I always end up in the bookshop and gift myself books!
I knew you would settle for literary classic. Dostoyevsky's The Brothers Karamazov? Never heard of this one but it looks beautiful in the picture. Can I have it? 😜
I wouldn't like a motivational book either, be it fiction or non-fiction! Ha ha! I can't blame your friend!
That's a pretty neat shopping habit you've grown there, Kemmy! Keep it up!
Dostoyevsky was a literary giant, you should read his works. Yes you can certainly have The Brothers Karamazov :P
Hahahaha! C'mon! Motivational books are the best. 😋😄 And it's the thought that counts anyway...
Really? I'll check his books out then. Enjoy your weekend. 😊
I avoid those books like plague... Self-help books I mean.
For novels lover like you, you have the mind of gifting yourself any kind of novels. It's nice...