Post by Al on Feb 10, 2005 23:55:31 GMT -5
Taking a cue from the Movies section, I'm curious as to what are the most intense moments you've ever read? The first ones that come to my mind are:
Native Son - Richard Wright This whole book is basically one big raw nerve, but Bigger's first night driving Mary and Jan (then later in Mary's room) kept me absolutely riveted. I don't know if I've ever read a more uncomfortable experience in my life. The whole thing is like watching a B-horror movie "No! Don't go in there! Just-- just-- No! No! Don't take the pillow! Don't do that! Oh God!"
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - JK Rowling
(SPOILER)
The showdown between Harry and Voldemort at the climax of this book made my blood pump. I couldn't read it fast enough (of course I managed to receive three seperate phone calls in the course of the ten pages it takes to read through it)
102 Minutes - Jim Dwyer and Kevin Flynn This is a new book that chronicles people's experiences inside the World Trade Center on 9/11. It goes minute by minute from when the first plane hit at 8:46 to when the second tower fell at 10:28 (thus the title). The moment that stands out most for me is one man in the South Tower who was told to return to his office after the first plane (presumed at that point to be a small two-engine private vehicle) hit the North Tower. He refused and left the building. Amidst the snow of paper outside, he picks a sheet from the air and discovers a travel itinerary for Los Angeles from a passenger on Flight 11. As he realizes that it was, in fact, a commercial airliner that had exploded, he looks up and watches the second plane plow into his building. I'm still getting goosebumps. Seriously, everyone find a copy of this book.
Anyone else have a couldn't-put-it-down moment?
Al
Native Son - Richard Wright This whole book is basically one big raw nerve, but Bigger's first night driving Mary and Jan (then later in Mary's room) kept me absolutely riveted. I don't know if I've ever read a more uncomfortable experience in my life. The whole thing is like watching a B-horror movie "No! Don't go in there! Just-- just-- No! No! Don't take the pillow! Don't do that! Oh God!"
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - JK Rowling
(SPOILER)
The showdown between Harry and Voldemort at the climax of this book made my blood pump. I couldn't read it fast enough (of course I managed to receive three seperate phone calls in the course of the ten pages it takes to read through it)
102 Minutes - Jim Dwyer and Kevin Flynn This is a new book that chronicles people's experiences inside the World Trade Center on 9/11. It goes minute by minute from when the first plane hit at 8:46 to when the second tower fell at 10:28 (thus the title). The moment that stands out most for me is one man in the South Tower who was told to return to his office after the first plane (presumed at that point to be a small two-engine private vehicle) hit the North Tower. He refused and left the building. Amidst the snow of paper outside, he picks a sheet from the air and discovers a travel itinerary for Los Angeles from a passenger on Flight 11. As he realizes that it was, in fact, a commercial airliner that had exploded, he looks up and watches the second plane plow into his building. I'm still getting goosebumps. Seriously, everyone find a copy of this book.
Anyone else have a couldn't-put-it-down moment?
Al
.
.
