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Maklershed · Aug 1, 2015

Maklershed · Aug 1, 2015

Q: What is ths post? What do you mean book of the month?
A: Just a fun idea to spotlight one particular book in a month upon which GAF readers can focus their attention. This won't be like a regular book club where goals or set or discussion is necessary (but it's encouraged). If you even choose to read the book, read at your own leisure, share your thoughts if you like. Have fun.

This months book...

Augustus (get it?!) by John Williams

Augustus by John Williams

NeoGiff · Aug 1, 2015

American Gods by Neil Gaiman.

I'm only 100 pages in, but so far it's delightfully bizarre.

Maklershed · Aug 1, 2015

Put both A Little Life AND John Dies at the End on hold and am currently reading Winter's Bone

Winter's Bone by Daniel Woodrell

Erico · Aug 1, 2015

Just finished Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami.

Shit's sad, yo ;_;

Protome · Aug 1, 2015

I'm just over 50% of the way through Howl's Moving Castle. Adoring it so far.

Aurelius · Aug 1, 2015

Preparing for imminent arrival of little one.

9780151013241_custom-a71a7792e5a40b185dd0e4560feb88dd2ff76640-s400-c85.jpg

Necrovex · Aug 1, 2015

Almost half way through with Carl Sagan's Demon Haunted book. Some excellent information. TV and anime catchup are wrecking my concentration for books. Plus being sick isn't helping either.

Laieon · Aug 1, 2015

Just finished:

I know it wasn't very well received here, but I enjoyed it. Obviously it wasn't the best written book ever, but it was a nice, fast, fun read. Only real complaint is that

pretty much everything happens in 1 day.

Currently reading:

What more could someone ask for then a nice 950+ page biography on Van Gogh?

Nymerio · Aug 1, 2015

From the old thread:

Finished Memory yesterday. This and Mirror Games have been on a completely different level than the previous books for me. I think I prefer Memory to Mirror Games because Memory actually made me realize

how far into Naismith Miles actually was and how very different they are. I never completely realized that Vorkosigan seemed to almost have vanished and it was amazing to see him come back. I really couldn't stand Miles at the beginning of the book but he really turned it around and found himself again.

Edit: About to start Komarr.

Lucumo · Aug 1, 2015

Finished:

Well, that was the final book. No more proper Sherlock Holmes left.

Started reading:

Alucard · Aug 1, 2015

Finished The Sirens of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut today.

My review:

"The worst thing that could possibly happen to anybody," she said, "would be to not be used by anybody for anything."

After not being blown away by Slaughterhouse V as much as everyone else seemed to be, I was pleasantly surprised at just how light, insightful, fun, and meaningful The Sirens of Titan was. While I had some issues with one or two character motivations near the end, I largely enjoyed Vonnegut's prose and his often piercing sentences that describe the fallibility of man, and the fallibility of religion specifically.

Sure, the religious criticism is not as overt as some other novels, but I enjoyed the book all the more for that reason. Vonnegut seemed to have a way of using very artful strokes with this book, as it was a real breeze to get through while at the same time leaving the reader with plenty to think about.

On a personal note, this book inspired me to start writing a bit on my own again, so for that alone, it holds a special place in my imagination and personal history. 4/5

A very enjoyable sci-fi novel. Highly recommended.

Dedication Through Light · Aug 1, 2015

Reading : Strategic Failure: How President Obamas Drone Warfare, Defense Cuts, and Military Amateurism Have Imperiled America

Ashes · Aug 1, 2015

Three men in a boat.

It genuinely is really funny.

ShaneB · Aug 1, 2015

Still reading this. Should finish it up today or tomorrow. Not as good as Bullpen Gospels as it took a bit to really find its flow, but still a fun read.

Cade · Aug 1, 2015

I slept through the 31st and was thoroughly confused as to why the thread went up early. I'm on the worst schedule ever.

Still reading Salem's Lot and I think it might be my favorite King book so far. I'm burning through it and it's never let up yet.

mu cephei · Aug 1, 2015

Maklershed said:
Q: What is ths post? What do you mean book of the month?
A: Just a fun idea to spotlight one particular book in a month upon which GAF readers can focus their attention. This won't be like a regular book club where goals or set or discussion is necessary (but it's encouraged). If you even choose to read the book, read at your own leisure, share your thoughts if you like. Have fun.

This months book...

Augustus (get it?!) by John Williams

Augustus by John Williams

I recently bought this but haven't read it yet. I might try to read it this month, then.

Atraveller · Aug 1, 2015

Still on our AGOT re-read, I think I'm going to go ahead of the schedule then move to The Road.

Piecake · Aug 1, 2015

Maklershed said:
Q: What is ths post? What do you mean book of the month?
A: Just a fun idea to spotlight one particular book in a month upon which GAF readers can focus their attention. This won't be like a regular book club where goals or set or discussion is necessary (but it's encouraged). If you even choose to read the book, read at your own leisure, share your thoughts if you like. Have fun.

This months book...

Augustus (get it?!) by John Williams

Augustus by John Williams

Well, it looks like once I finish reading my Sugar Barons book I will be reading Augustus.

Makoto-Yuki · Aug 1, 2015

I'm reading through some Doctor Who short stories. I'm on the 6th doctor's at the moment which is called "Something Borrowed".

Also, reading through "Sword of Destiny" from The Witcher series.

Chance Hale · Aug 1, 2015

Re-reading Blood Meridian and then I'm going to start exploring some of Marilynne Robinson's work. Going to start with Housekeeping and then move on to Gilead, both are quite short it seems.

DieH@rd · Aug 1, 2015

I'm very close to the end of Seveneves. First two chapters were awesome, the last one is a little iffy [but it's not a big deal really].

Book is well worth reading.

Rayven · Aug 1, 2015

Alucard said:
Finished The Sirens of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut today.

My review:

A very enjoyable sci-fi novel. Highly recommended.

Read that last year and I loved the ending, but wasn't super into the rest of it.

After plowing through Wolfe's New Sun books, I'm 3/4 of the way through this and loving it:

Wolfe's universe has more poetry and mystery with a grander arc, but Vance really keeps it moving with varied set pieces and adventures and a lovable asshole of a protagonist.

Tragicomedy · Aug 1, 2015

Ryuelli said:
Just finished:

I'm kicking off August with this.

Uzzy · Aug 1, 2015

Finished the Martian last month, currently on Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go.

Rather enjoying it so far!

kswiston · Aug 1, 2015

I have 10-15% left in the Martian to go. I haven't found much time to read this weekend, so I will probably finish tomorrow.

I'm still not sure what I will start after that.

PeskyToaster · Aug 1, 2015

King Leopold's Ghost is like the essential book on what happened in the Congo. I like it because not only does it illustrate the horrific atrocities committed in the Congo but also explores the humanitarian effort and activists who succeeded in getting an international response.

Snowman Prophet of Doom · Aug 1, 2015

"Sirens of Titan" is not a par with Vonnegut's best (Slaughterhouse Five, Galapagos, Breakfast of Champions, God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater, Cat's Cradle), but it's a damned excellent sci-fi novel, as Vonnegut's immense sense for sentence crafting, characterization, and humor takes what could be an off-the-rack sci-fi premise and turns it into something engaging and memorable, with a genuinely surprising and philosophically challenging final twist.

Drake · Aug 1, 2015

I'm about to read Fire Fight by Brandon Sanderson. The book came out a while ago, but I haven't had a chance to read it yet. Looking forward to this one.

fakefaker · Aug 1, 2015

Still plowing though A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth. Think I'm around page 550. Over 900 pages to go!

Piecake · Aug 1, 2015

fakefaker said:
Still plowing though A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth. Think I'm around page 550. Over 900 pages to go!

Jesus, that's a long book.

Nappuccino · Aug 1, 2015

Waiting for Stuart Dybeck's 2014 releases to show up.

I cannot wait to get reading--Dybeck's one of the few writers who feels like he channels my direct subconsciousness.

I needed something a bit lighter to shove between A Supposedly Fun Thing . . . by DFW and The Savage Detectives by Bolano, both of which I'm still working on.

Azio · Aug 1, 2015

Even though it's an introduction, it has more than 500 pages (maybe much more). It was an introduction for one of Ibn Khaldun's book, but then he noticed that it would be better to make it an independent work on its own.

jtb · Aug 1, 2015

Just picked this up.

Way longer than I expected, 800 pages of stories. Excited to read it, Ben's one of my favorite writers.

AngmarsKing701 · Aug 1, 2015

I'm about 40% into A Crucible of Souls by Mitchell Hogan. It's okay so far, not blowing me away. Far too many mundane things going on, frankly. Hoping it picks up in the latter half or it's likely I won't pick up the second in the series.

Ashes · Aug 1, 2015

Uzzy said:
Finished the Martian last month, currently on Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go.

Rather enjoying it so far!

God, this is good.

Wish I could read this again for the first time.

Alucard · Aug 1, 2015

Snowman Prophet of Doom said:
"Sirens of Titan" is not a par with Vonnegut's best (Slaughterhouse Five, Galapagos, Breakfast of Champions, God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater, Cat's Cradle), but it's a damned excellent sci-fi novel, as Vonnegut's immense sense for sentence crafting, characterization, and humor takes what could be an off-the-rack sci-fi premise and turns it into something engaging and memorable, with a genuinely surprising and philosophically challenging final twist.

I loved much of it, and I'm certain I didn't "get" all of it from a "what the heck's going on here" perspective. Either way, it was a lot of fun.

I'll need to re-read Slaughterhouse V because it didn't stick with me at all when I read it almost 10 years ago. Might be different today.

jtb · Aug 1, 2015

Ashes said:
God, this is good.

Wish I could read this again for the first time.

Ishiguro's other books are great too!

Nappuccino · Aug 1, 2015

jtb said:
Just picked this up.

Way longer than I expected, 800 pages of stories. Excited to read it, Ben's one of my favorite writers.

Let me know how this is! I almost picked it up at the store yesterday, but I wasn't very familiar with many of the authors that made it into the collection.

Vic · Aug 1, 2015

Ashes · Aug 1, 2015

jtb said:
Ishiguro's other books are great too!

I still have this one on my shelf. What other ones do you recommend?

Tugatrix · Aug 1, 2015

current reading

macfoshizzle · Aug 1, 2015

After a little disappointing Warbreaker, going on to read this. So far kicked off way better than Warbreaker.

linkboy · Aug 1, 2015

Going on a flight from Korea to California, no better time to read a book, especially a sci-fi classic.

Plus I'm under orders to have read it by the time I get back.

I also plan on reading Armada and the first witcher book.

In addition, a bunch of books to my 4yr old son, whom I haven't seen since December.

Cyan · Aug 1, 2015

Best thing Sanderson has written tbh. Enjoy.

Easystride · Aug 1, 2015

Currently in the process of reading "The Painter" by Peter Heller.

Next up on my reading list is "Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend." I saw this book mentioned numerous times in past threads, and noticed it was on sale for $2.99 on the Kindle store, so I couldn't resist.

jtb · Aug 2, 2015

Ashes said:
I still have this one on my shelf. What other ones do you recommend?

The Unconsoled is probably my favorite novel by any author, though it's very strange and a bit of an acquired taste. I think among his four more traditional historical novels, An Artist of the Floating World is his best.

ShaneB · Aug 2, 2015

Easystride said:
Next up on my reading list is "Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend." I saw this book mentioned numerous times in past threads, and noticed it was on sale for $2.99 on the Kindle store, so I couldn't resist.

Yeah, I gushed over the book plenty when I read it, and always was glad to see others enjoyed it.

kswiston · Aug 2, 2015

Ashes said:
God, this is good.

Wish I could read this again for the first time.

I have Never Let Me Go backlogged so I will just start that tomorrow after the Martian instead of debating my next read. I guess I will be Uzzo's book clone this week.

Uzzy · Aug 2, 2015

Ashes said:
I still have this one on my shelf. What other ones do you recommend?

The Remains of the Day is a masterpiece and essential reading. The only other work by Kazuo Ishiguro that I've read is The Buried Giant which I'm a little hesitant to recommend, as I didn't enjoy it a whole lot.

kswiston said:
I have Never Let Me Go backlogged so I will just start that tomorrow after the Martian instead of debating my next read. I guess I will be Uzzo's book clone this week.

Clones are always good!

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