THESE FORUMS NOW CLOSED (read only)
Fun Stuff => CHATTER => Topic started by: Drill King on 21 Jun 2009, 10:27
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So this is a fun little thread idea I've had for a while, basically. You take one of your favorite books that you don't think is really popular on the forum(no point in reading the book that everyone has already read), and you read the first chapter. No one expects you to be Stephen Fry(lord knows I'm not) but try and be clear.
Rules
1. Don't do the same book twice
2. Only the first chapter
3. Realize not everyone is comfortable reading, but they're making the effort(IE be nice!)
4. Have fun with it, if you wanna do voices, do voices! (voices are awesome)
5. Don't Spoil Chapters That People Have Read Aloud Without Notice. (it's kind of no fun to listen to someone ramble when you know what'll happen.
6. It's okay reserve books but when you do, try and have it done within the week and make it in big bold letters.
Pro tip: take a picture of you reading the book.
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Ooh, I am doing this when I get home. WITH A BOOK FROM YOUR COUNTRY, ANDY.
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I have a feeling it may be quite popular on this forum but I think I will read you all the first chapter of Crooked Little Vein by Warren Ellis because it is the most wonderful first chapter to a story ever.
Unfortunately I only have access to mics at work and I have taken the week off so it'll have to wait at least that long.
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The Lovely Bones
By Alice Sebold
Hey Guys I am super awkward when I read but I wanted to contribute!
My awkward reading will probably put you off this lovely book I am sorry (http://www.mediafire.com/?jnrrzmmxm1q)
(http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj156/Sneakers_King/Photo322.jpg)
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:D
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Perhaps listening to her read the first chapter might tell you that?
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Thank you!
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Has anyone read anything by Jonothan Safran Foer? 'Cause I think his books are lovely.
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Art & Fear
Observations On The Periles(and Rewards) of Artmaking
David Bayles & Ted Orland
THANK YOU EDITH FOR THIS BOOK ALL ARTISTS NEED IT (http://www.mediafire.com/?mnz1qmni1yd)
(http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj156/Sneakers_King/Photo326.jpg)
(that's it from me for now guys, I just wanted to get the ball rolling)
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The constant flipping back and forth between past and present stories that he does actually bothers me a whole lot. I've read Everything is Illuminated and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, but I don't know that I'd read any more from him.
I may be biased though, I really don't enjoy reading fiction.
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Aww I really wanna do this but I don't have a microphone :(
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Are we allowed to lay dibs on books now?
Because in the vein of wafflecone's post, I also love Chuck Klosterman, so either later tonight or tomorrow morning/afternoon I'll look into doing Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs. Also once my brother gets me my copy back from his roommate, I'll do The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster.
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I'll probably do this, sounds like fun.
Also this has given me the wish i want to make to the make a wish foundation; Stephen Fry to read Half Life: Full Life Consequences (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHxyZaZlaOs)
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I don't have a mic either; I just wanted to brag that Chuck Klosterman was my ump once when I was playing softball against Wyndmere. I was the catcher and saying kind of mean things about him!
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It's okay Brittany we can telepathically read books to each other. It will be like the Chrysalids. Someone should do that book.
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I think it's okay to take reservations just make sure you have it done within the week and you make it in BIG BOLD letters so people don't miss it.
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(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/KharBevNor/100_4246.jpg)
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?mmdmkuydzjj[/url]
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Khar I would like you to marry me and read me sweet sorrows every night.
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Has anyone read anything by Jonothan Safran Foer? 'Cause I think his books are lovely.
Yeah I read Extremely Loud for school the past semester and I loved it. However, I'd only do it if you can act out a frantic 9 year old really well.
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Note To Self: Actually READ book beforehand.
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(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v321/coolcathay/Photo18.jpg)
It's chapter 6 of Book Two, cos chapter 1 was much too long.
http://www.mediaf!re.com/?10edcwmxejc
I have a horrible monotone, I blame it on growing up with an autistic brother.
edit: The narrator, Toru Okada, is sitting at the bottom of a well, and his wife Kumiko has recently disappeared for reasons unknown at the time.
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Does it have to be in English? Cause I could totally read the first chapter of God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater in Dutch. (It's the only book I have lying around)
EDIT: That and 'Our Band Could Be Your Life' but I think the majority of the people on this forum have read that.
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Apparently my computer doesn't want to let any of you tell me a story because it comes up with a page error everytime I click the links :( Stupid technology.
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Jodie, are you replacing the "!" with an "i" in the address? The forum substitutes that to throw off the googlebots.
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Staedler, go for the Dutch. I will listen to it!
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Has anyone read anything by Jonothan Safran Foer? 'Cause I think his books are lovely.
Yeah I read Extremely Loud for school the past semester and I loved it. However, I'd only do it if you can act out a frantic 9 year old really well.
Initially, I wanted to read Everything Is Illuminated, but my ex-girlfriend has my copy and I won't be getting it back for at least two weeks.
I could read the first chapter of A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway, I suppose.
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EDIT: That and 'Our Band Could Be Your Life' but I think the majority of the people on this forum have read that.
I was actually thinking of reading that one, but declined for the same reason you stated. Perhaps everyone reads a different chapter of the book?
I actually finished recording the first chapter of Kurt Vonnegut's Deadeye Dick, but it probably won't get up'd until later tonight.
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Tonight you guys are going to hear me read The Birth House!
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please nobody read the first chapter of
Microserfs
by
Douglas Coupland
because i am going to read it for you all as soon as i figure out how close is too close to my stupid microphone so it won't distort my voice anymore.
(this is probably a pretty popular read on this forum but damnit, i'm gonna do it anyway cos douglas coupland is just too enjoyable to read aloud)
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I don't have many english books, but I'll try to find something on the weekend. Which is when I'm able to listen to your stories, because right now I'm at the library.
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Roo that was far from boring monotone. I really like the way he writes (was translated?) and I'm going to have to find my library cards.
I want to try this tomorrow. If I can get a chance I will try Europe Central though I've not managed to finish it and probably can't do it justice anyway. If that turns out badly I guess I can do Don Quixote and not mention the translator so I'm excused of all blame of ruining the text.
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The only readable thing I have in English around here is World War Z and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time*. I'll try to get something from both, though I cannot promise anything. The first is particularly great. I'll have to check out how the mic is doing first, though
*Okay, I could also read "The wheel of time turns, and leaves memories that becomes legend" or anything else from my fantasy library shelve, but if you haven't read it, you probably won't care.
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Wind-Up Bird Chronicle
I love Murakami! I can't wait to listen to this.
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There was a girl in with angry face but then corw sole her nose.
(continues when im soper)
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Totally doing this later.
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Alright kids, I have recorded a chapter for you! Here it is in all it's mistake-y glory (nobody's perfect) and joy. I hope you like it.
The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3651/3653024890_7c90de6fb2.jpg?v=0)
http://www.mediaf!re.com/?ztwhgxbt9c2
EDIT: Take 2
http://www.mediafire.com/?enwkn4hdxey
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I will be throwing up Fight Club tomorrow.
And as Snalin is doing World War Z, well, I'll find another second book to throw up.
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As I do not have a mic (they're 'for singing, not for swinging' after all), does anyone mind if I film a narration? It'll mean a bigger file for folks to download is all.
I'd quite like to have a crack at Richard Morgan's Altered Carbon if no one minds the above.
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liz, i have the volume on my laptop turned all the way up but i can barely hear you :(
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I wanna have a go at this tomorrow, I'm tentatively reserving The Search For The Dice Man by Luke Rhinehart, but I may change my mind after I pop into the library.
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Paul Griffiths - Myself and Marco Polo
Paul Griffiths is an English music critic and writer who moved to New York about 15 years ago. He was instrumental in getting my son's career as a musician under way. He also gave me a proof copy of his first book, which I enjoyed - though it was a slow read, being rather dense in ideas. The narrator finds himself in a cell with Marco Polo, and ... well, you have to read the rest. The chapters are short, but here is just the first - all 2 1/2 pages of it:
reading (http://cassland.org/sounds/Paul_Griffiths_-_Myself_&_Marco_Polo.mp3)
(book) (http://www.amazon.com/Myself-Marco-Polo-Novel-Changes/dp/0394582969)
I also intend to do the start of another Murakami book - Kafka on the Shore - and a snippet of G B Shaw's early music criticism (much of which is very funny, I should say).
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I'm going to do Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom when I can, and The Rum Diaries.
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(http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/6538/microserfs.png)
i am sorry i sound like a little boy and that you have to listen to my little boy voice for almost eight minutes (http://www.mediafire.com/?wjnjzym1wym)
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liz, i have the volume on my laptop turned all the way up but i can barely hear you :(
I know! It is my bad, I'll try to re-record with my headset closer to my mouth or something.
(Also Gemm, when did my photo become your avatar (I look adorable, I know)?)
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*Okay, I could also read "The wheel of time turns, and leaves memories that becomes legend" or anything else from my fantasy library shelve, but if you haven't read it, you probably won't care.
I am in the middle of "A Crown of Swords" right now; book 7 of The Wheel of Time series. I'll probably get to the end of the series by the end of the year or so.
So, I care.:)
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GB Shaw - Music Criticism (there are various selections and editions)
(http://cassland.org/images/Shaw.jpg)
A note on the places mentioned. "Broad Street" is here the name of a station which is now closed, and which gave its name to Paul McCartney's album Give My Regards to Broad Street. Homerton was my local station, when I lived in Hackney, and all the other named places in the East End I know well. Bow is less than four miles from Fleet Street, where all the papers had their offices, and where the opening conversation can be presumed to take place.
reading (http://cassland.org/sounds/Shaw-Dido.mp3)
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(Also Gemm, when did my photo become your avatar (I look adorable, I know)?)
(Yesterday. I found it while searching for a new avatar and couldn't resist.)
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Thomas Edison Presents:
Fight Club
By Chuck Palahniuk
http://www.med!afire.com/?mgmzjgiummm
(http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/7663/snapshot20090623.png)
Most that know me know I love this book with a passion. It's a great novel, and was even made into a must-see film.
I stumble slightly towards the end of the recording with the word "window", and then my sentence formation fails for a moment. But thats my only cock up really. Enjoy?
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Takaisin neuvostoliittoon
Tran: back to soviet union
(its book about russian humor)
Well hello there page break
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I present to you: God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater. by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
Read in Dutch.
(http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee195/StaedlerMars/godsrijkstezegen.jpg)
http://www.mediaf!re.com/download.php?kniturjnymf
I screwed up a couple of times, so if you speak dutch: shush. I also had to take a pause because someone started using a drill in my vicinity.
Also: damn photobooth and taking pictures in mirror view.
I was actually thinking of reading that one, but declined for the same reason you stated. Perhaps everyone reads a different chapter of the book?
I would be down with that.
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reading (http://cassland.org/sounds/Shaw-Dido.mp3)
Paul, read more stuff. Your voice is awesome.
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I believe I'll do a reading from the classic piece of literature called "Pride & Prejudice & Zombies" later tonight.
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Dammit Stephen, I was totally going to do that one next. (You can have it, I've already done a book.)
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I will be recording the monster first chapter of All The Pretty Horses some time this week.
I may also do La Pell Freda as a foreign language piece aswell if i have time.
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If I can get my headphones to act as a decent microphone without too much crackle, I would like to read a chapter of Matilda in Flemmish. I'm not bolding it because a) I can't speak Flemmish so it is more amusing than accurate, and b) I don't know if I can actually do it.
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guys I am so happy this thread is turning out thank you everyone c: especially you foreign language guys, it's so relaxing to listen to.
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Pride & Prejudice & Zombies
http://www.mediafire.com/file/huwmeyzdjdq/PPZ.mp3
Wonderful book and I apologize for my horrible reading voice.
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As I lay dying by William Faulkner. This made me change majors.
http://www.mediafire.com/file/mnmyyzwzdyw/AILD.mp3
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(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh191/Wondersaunahotpants/DSCF0719.jpg)
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Greetings, comrade.
I invite you to listen to Ozymandias's reading of
The Autobiography of Joseph Stalin (http://www.pretentiousgamer.com/etc/stalin.mp3)
(http://www.pretentiousgamer.com/etc/stalinpic.jpg)
I apologize for the terrible accent that disappears and reappears. I couldn't possibly read it any other way.
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Something Wicked This Way Comes, by Ray Bradbury
http://www.mediaf!re.com/?yrmymhvt2jn
(EDIT!) http://www.box.net/shared/kvkaknn09y box.net link added for your convenience (/EDIT)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v321/NvrTooMuchPython/IMG_0030.jpg)
I fell in love with Ray Bradbury when I was five and my dad read The Halloween Tree to me out loud, then we went to the LA Festival of Books and I got to see Bradbury himself speak. I eventually read all his novels and a bunch of short stories, and I think Something Wicked is my favorite.
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As promised: Haruki Murakami - Kafka on the Shore
A fifteen-year-old runs away from home, taking his ghosts with him; the man, when a boy, was made an idiot by something in the sky; Johnny Walker cuts the hearts out of live cats and eats them; the stone controls the time portal. This is the kind of book I find hard to put down once it has taken hold of me. I've read you the prologue, the first chapter, and parts of the second; I thought of giving you the talking cats as well, but it's nearly half an hour already, so just go and read it. The funny voice at times is my attempt at bold print...
(http://cassland.org/images/Kafka.jpg)
http://www.mediaf!re.com/file/tony4dtznmz/KafkaOnTheShore.mp3
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Sorry to disappoint, Andy. I really don't know where my copy of The Phantom Tollbooth is, so anybody who'd like to read it, go ahead.
I'll try for some Klosterman on a night when I don't feel so shitty, maybe tomorrow.
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If I can force my mic to work I will read you all The Shadow over Innsmouth, by good ol' HP Lovecraft.
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I really like this thread and I will definitely be doing Crooked Little Vein on Friday night. Hopefully more after that.
Also I am totally down for doing different chapters of Our Band Could Be Your Life. It could be like a forum collaborative project! Dibs on the Hüsker Dü chapter, yo.
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When I go home next I will read a Winnie the Pooh story from the one of the books of those stories I have. It will have to wait until I can get the book and my headset, though.
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Jordan I keep trying to listen to your story but every time I do I get the giggles. This makes me a little sad.
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The gf wants me to read Angela's Ashes to you people in an awful Irish accent next.
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(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh191/Wondersaunahotpants/DSCF0745.jpg)
(tran: cat who could read backwards)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh191/Wondersaunahotpants/DSCF0747.jpg)
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THANK YOU EDITH FOR THIS BOOK ALL ARTISTS NEED IT
The anecdote about the sculpture class graded by weight is worth the price of admission alone.
A while ago tommy, lunchy and I each read a chapter from the Hitchhiker's guide. That was pretty neat because they each have amazing accents.
Incidentally you guys, unless they have a too-small filesize limit (I have no idea) box.net is more convenient than mediafire for listening to people's recordings.
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unless they have a too-small filesize limit (I have no idea) box.net is more convenient
Their limit is 25MB on the free account.
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Ok, if it's all right, I'd like to call Coraline and The Once and Future King, should hopefully have one or both up by Monday evening.
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I'll do The Chrysalids since someone requested it and I have it on my desk right now. I'll even do the recording right now!
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Warren Ellis- Crooked Little Vein
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a55/ddovey/IMG_1480.jpg)
http://www.mediafire.com/?rvd4m3zmjd4
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(http://vulpeslibris.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/the-guide-to-getting-it-on.jpg)
I'm bringing it up to a vote - y'all get to choose from this list (http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/toc/1885535104/ref=dp_toc/175-3237943-3893365?ie=UTF8&n=916520), and I shall read that chapter. It might not be in my version of the book, but if it isn't, then I'll hold a runoff election until I find one I can read.
I'm leaning towards "Dr. Dog and the Stolen Toast"
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Initially, I wanted to read Everything Is Illuminated, but my ex-girlfriend has my copy and I won't be getting it back for at least two weeks.
oh so i just saw this post oh yeah.
so uh i claim Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close and I will do the best 9 year old that I can. and I will try to find my camera chord so i can take a silly picture of me and a book.
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I will be providing the first chapter of Douglas Adams "Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency"
However it will also serve as a birthday present on a CD of reading by me for a friend who is moving so it will be in an accent that is obviously not mine. I may do another that is in my normal speaking voice later on.
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I'm going to go ahead and reserve The Sorcerer's Stone and A Sound Of Thunder. Probably won't be today. Tomorrow, most likely.
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kafka
you sound so loving like mu grandfather
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I'll do The Chrysalids since someone requested it and I have it on my desk right now. I'll even do the recording right now!
I love that book. Unfortunately, whenever I bring a good book with some philosophical undertones, the would be "intellectuals" borrow it and I never see i-yadda yadda boring story.
The book I wanted to read was "Strike Zion!" by William Stevenson, but I keep slacking off.
If no one else claims "Gifted Hands" I'll do that too.
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Ok I've done the recordingl, there are a couple of mistakes but not a great deal. I can't figure out how to get the recording off my phone though! I might need to wait until I can buy a mic for my computer (which I will do on the weekend.)
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I cannot read aloud for shit. Jeeez. My words run all together.
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Well, here's my first attempt, hope you enjoy.
Promise of the Witch-King, written by R. A. Salvatore
(http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj60/tinysmidgen/0706091541a.jpg)
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?q2ynkyttjzq (http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?q2ynkyttjzq)
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I've rather enjoyed doing a bit of reading, so here's a bit more:
two poems by John Betjeman (http://cassland.org/sounds/BetjemanPoems.mp3)
Explanations in the file...
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I am doing this now and god dammit it's been to long since I spoke English and oh God have I got a terrible accent. Not only do I sound not-English, I sound like a snotty Norwegian.
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Winnie The Pooh Chapter Three (http://www.box.net/shared/1h05r9ry56)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v663/Lapuz/me/wtp.jpg)
Sorry if I talk fast guys, but that is how I talk.
edit! oh hey sorry, it's really muffled. I swear it didn't sound like that when I checked it after recording it. I will do a better one once I get back to Sydney
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guys im doing my reading soon i promise. (cause i said i'd do it a while ago)
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I'm about halfway through listening to all of them so far. These are great guys keep it up.
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Robbie you need to record one too. Do it now.
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I've been trying to find a microphone, I know there's one somewhere in my house. I need to pick a book too but I will do it.
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This thread is neat! It's interesting to hear everyone's voices.
I'm leaning towards doing "Catch 22" or "Please Kill Me," but I don't kow which one yet.
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if i could find my copy of House of Leaves, I'd totally record a chapter of that. not sure how i'd deal with the footnotes though. maybe put on different voices?
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I decided to read this because it is what I happen to be reading right now, and I feel silly about it, like it's a cliche for weird young men to read Burroughs, and I don't know that it came out all that well, but I did go through the trouble of (poorly) doing this reading so I guess I will offer it up to you.
I read the first bit of The Soft Machine by William S. Burroughs.
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e120/Darklinkeus/IMG_0004.jpg)
http://www.mediafire.com/?mzjkzfzkz3m
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(http://tindeck.com/image/fngl/stats.png) (http://tindeck.com/listen/fngl)
no cover to post, no nothing. please accept this
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ALSO I feel like I should suggest that, instead of using MF and having people download your recordings, use Tindeck like I did or use Box like Hannah did? That way people can just stream yr recording.