Is this a collected edition of the blog or originals?
-
Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!
What are you reading? (December 2015)
- Thread starter Maklershed
- Start date
- Status
Is this a collected edition of the blog or originals?
sparky2112
Member
hugocésar;190662975 said:
Just be aware that Girl is early stuff for him. Broom of the System was his senior thesis, but I don't think Girl was published much after that. Broom felt like warm-up swings for Infinite Jest, and Girl feels like the same for his later short stories...
TwntyOneTwlv
Member
It's some of the blog stuff and some new stuff. I've never read any of the blog questions so it's all new to me!
Inverted World by Christopher Priest
I will not discuss the plot because I went in blind and I would recommend others do the same. It's sci-fi, and a masterpiece of the genre. It's one of the most remarkable books I've ever read - always approachable, filled with invention and creativity. The first read is breathtaking experience. The themes of the book,are interwoven into the narrative in such a way that their conclusion left me speechless.cults, mass delusion, and the sometimes delusional march of progress,
Easily one of the best books I've read in 2015. I've turned it over in my mind continuously since and I doubt it will ever leave.
This book is amazing! I read it a few months ago. So thoroughly enjoyable.
I wish The Count of Monte Cristo was available in Penguin Deluxe. I had a look at the normal Penguin Classic of TCoMC whilst Christmas shopping and it's extremely fat and very awkward-looking. And the hardback Everyman has a different translator. Probably I'll go for the Clothbound Penguin, but they're not as nice as the Deluxe.
Jag
Member
Finished:
Thought I'd love it at the start, but only liked it. For a novel with 'city' in the title, the actual city lacked any kind of flavor, and didn't factor into the story all that much. The author is clearly skilled, which makes some of the book's deficiencies all the more frustrating. Will I read the follow-up? Dunno. I'll probably wait for impressions from other folks here.
The author's strength is more with character building rather than world building. I'll definitely read the next book as soon as it comes out.
Finished Devil in the White City shortly after posting it in here and, though I liked it, I was a little disappointed at how it was so focused on the fair rather than the killer. After reading the notes and finding out that there simply wasn't as much information on Holmes to write about, it made more sense why the fair was such a large part of the story but it was still disappointing.
Now I'm starting on
which I bought immediately after finishing Narcos a couple months ago but forgot to read.
Now I'm starting on
An absolutely fantastic book. If you want to understand why America fought a war for its independence and understand the deep hatred and suspicion between the federalists and the Jeffersonian Republicans then this is the book to read.
This is surely the definitive and most extensive account of the Constitution's ratification process. The problem is that it was so extensive and went over so much repetitive detail that I desperately wanted an abridged version. It took me a long time to finish, and I really just finished it just to finish it.
I finished Providence of Fire yesterday evening and holy shit was it good. Can't wait for the third book. Definitely check this series out if you like fantasy.
I'm really happy with my reading challenge this year, set a goal of 50 books but managed to get through 75 though they were mostly shorter books (380 pages average).
I'm really happy with my reading challenge this year, set a goal of 50 books but managed to get through 75 though they were mostly shorter books (380 pages average).
Only got through 15 books this year when I set a total of 50 
I read 7 novels in March-April, another 7 from Oct-Dec and didn't read anything in the other 7 months.
Avg reading length was 712.
I started reading Malazan in October, managed to get through the first 6 Erikson novels as well as the first one from Esslemont. Currently 22% through Return of the Crimson Guard but luckily I checked the reading order again and found it spoiled something from Reaper's Gale so I stopped and switched over.
So I'll have 12 Malazan novels to read next year, the two I'm reading now, the last 3 of the main series, the other 4 of Malazan Empire, 2 from the new Kharkanas Trilogy Erikson is writing (assuming the 2nd one makes 2016) and than the new Path to Ascendancy series from Esslemont which starts next year.
Wonder if I'll get burnt out.... might just finish the main series and go read something else.. got another 50 odd books to read in my room...
I read 7 novels in March-April, another 7 from Oct-Dec and didn't read anything in the other 7 months.
Avg reading length was 712.
I started reading Malazan in October, managed to get through the first 6 Erikson novels as well as the first one from Esslemont. Currently 22% through Return of the Crimson Guard but luckily I checked the reading order again and found it spoiled something from Reaper's Gale so I stopped and switched over.
So I'll have 12 Malazan novels to read next year, the two I'm reading now, the last 3 of the main series, the other 4 of Malazan Empire, 2 from the new Kharkanas Trilogy Erikson is writing (assuming the 2nd one makes 2016) and than the new Path to Ascendancy series from Esslemont which starts next year.
Wonder if I'll get burnt out.... might just finish the main series and go read something else.. got another 50 odd books to read in my room...
Honestly, I love the series but after I finish The Crippled God I'm going to take a break before starting on Return of the Crimson Guard and (depending on how good it is) the rest of Malazan Empire. I need a few shorter novels!
I was happy to leave Esselmonts series until after Eriksons but I snuck in Night of Knives while waiting for Dust of Dreams to arrive in the post. I hope Crimson Guard is better because Night of Knives was a whole bunch of nothing. Esselmont clearly has some skill but the plotting fell apart after the first decent third of atmosphere building.
Maklershed
Member
Finished Childhood's End. Not surprising but the book was SO much better than the SyFy show. The SyFy show changed so much of the story that it almost makes you wonder why even bother getting the rights to it. I notice Akiva Goldsman was a part of it and I know he was also involved with I, Robot and I Am Legend which were also tragically altered for the worst. I get when you adapt a book to screen you have to change things up for time sake and make things compact but I just don't get why so many major plot points and story lines are changed (noticeably) for the worst when a better version already exists.
Anywho, now on to see what the fuss is all about with The City of Stairs ...
City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett
Anywho, now on to see what the fuss is all about with The City of Stairs ...
City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett
Catching up on some recent reads.
What an absolutely mind-blowing trilogy. A superbly crafted universe that feels sufficient futuristic and alien, while at the same time being completely accessible as you need it to be if you are willing to work at it. It delves deep into so many high-level concepts including mathematics, theoretical physics, the nature of the self and community, while telling a beautiful, thought-provoking story that is entirely wrapped up by the end. I cannot sing this trilogy's praises enough. It's almost absurd that this represents the author's first 3 novels. I can't wait to see more from him.
I'm a bit at a loss of what to read next.
After reading your post and reading the description of The Quantum Thief I picked these up. I was hooked from page 1, what a really great trilogy, I crunched through these in just over a week.
I really enjoyed the ride and I'm now at a loss of what to read next.
You Know Nothing
Member
I recently finished Red Rising by Pierce Brown and found it merely okay for the most part. It definitely doesn't shy away from any of the recent YA dystopian future tropes, but Brown's actual writing is quite above average which helps set it apart from the pack. I felt the writing started weak but became progressively stronger as it went. He's able to take influences from many things and make an enjoyable pastiche.
Started Golden Son immediately after and it's an upgrade in every conceivable way. Characters are far more fleshed out, the brutality, nihilism, and hedonism of the society is laid bare, the prose is pretty when it needs to be and very readable at the same time. It's been nothing but nonstop action and betrayal since page one. The world building presented through the political machinations on display is fascinating. I don't think I have a single real gripe with the book yet. It's just so entertaining and accomplishes everything it sets out to do.
Tell them. Providence of Fire is seriously one of the greatest sequel upgrades I've ever read in a series.
Started Golden Son immediately after and it's an upgrade in every conceivable way. Characters are far more fleshed out, the brutality, nihilism, and hedonism of the society is laid bare, the prose is pretty when it needs to be and very readable at the same time. It's been nothing but nonstop action and betrayal since page one. The world building presented through the political machinations on display is fascinating. I don't think I have a single real gripe with the book yet. It's just so entertaining and accomplishes everything it sets out to do.
Tell them. Providence of Fire is seriously one of the greatest sequel upgrades I've ever read in a series.
Try this if you haven't already. I won't say its as good as The Quantum Thief, but its still enjoyable. It covers the buildup to and short term results of a Singularity. Glasshouse, its semi-sequel covers events further down the line.
Why is this not on my to-read list. Oversight corrected.
I'm reading The Mist now, the expanded version and not the Skeleton Crew one. It's pretty good, but the movie seems pretty faithful barring the ending. I loved the movie ending and don't recall what the book one is from plot summary reading so once I finish Ill mull it over.
I finished The Crack in Space. Another Dick non ending with paragraphs of people waxing hopelessness or hope about the future.
I finished The Crack in Space. Another Dick non ending with paragraphs of people waxing hopelessness or hope about the future.
Try this if you haven't already. I won't say its as good as The Quantum Thief, but its still enjoyable. It covers the buildup to and short term results of a Singularity. Glasshouse, its semi-sequel covers events further down the line.
Cheers, I'll give it a read.
Jag
Member
Maklershed
Member
When I open my kindle on the bus and am greeted with an ad for Alpha Billionaires Club or Werebears (featuring a picture of a half naked oily man) I hope my fellow passengers don't confuse that for a splash screen for what they think I'm reading.
Maklershed
Member
Ok it's true I'm reading Werebears. I like when all the stud muffins line up for the werebear stare.
The book was so good it retroactively made the first book better. I think the first one was even a debut novel and it was already really good, the guy stepped it up like crazy for the sequel. I mean this series features medieval killer commandos riding huge ass hawks ffs.
Oh wow. You took the words out of my mouth. It just spoke to me on so many different levels. Like first on the purely visceral level. But then also on the deeper, there's a werebear inside all of us. And then on the much shallower, visceral level again. You know?
AngmarsKing701
Member
<shameless plug>
I know most of you have already picked it up, and I thank you all kindly for that. For those who haven't, my debut novel, Ahvarra: The Heart of the World, is currently on sale (Kindle edition) for $0.99.
</shameless plug>
I know most of you have already picked it up, and I thank you all kindly for that. For those who haven't, my debut novel, Ahvarra: The Heart of the World, is currently on sale (Kindle edition) for $0.99.
</shameless plug>
I like the movie. It succeeds as a movie on its own terms, outside of the source material, where so many adaptations are scared to have any voice of their own. It's not an accurate reproduction of the book's qualities, however, but that's more or less impossible. What it really fails to represent, and possibly could have solved - though all the other adaptations I've watched have failed as well, is that intellectual sparring, that fun, as you say, in the teasing back and forth of two equal minds. And of course the cobweb in Jane Eyre's mind, the intertextual nature of the narrative, etc etc., but that's not really solveable. Her Villette is basically ALL in the mind of the protagonist, so it's more or less unfilmeable.
I meant to say I had tons of 19th century suggestions - though some from the 18th as well. You could check out a predecessor of Jane Austen in Frances Burney. I'd also say that you haven't really 'checked' the Brontës as reference by just reading one, since they're very different - especially something like The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne - tonally worlds apart. Wuthering Heights and Villette are both as shockingly modern today as they were then. Be sure to go across the pond at some time and read Edith Wharton's 'House of Mirth' as well.
D
Deleted member 125677
Unconfirmed Member
If some of you get / have gotten random friend request from dude with a Norwegian sounding name on Goodreads, that might well be me testing out my kindle
Do not be alarmed, I come to check out your ebrary in peace
Do not be alarmed, I come to check out your ebrary in peace
Ah, that was you! Mumei will be relieved. He wasn't going to accept until he knew who it was. As you can tell, I'm easier than that. You'll find my list in terrible order. I put in a bunch when Mumei talked me into joining, but it's far from a comprehensive list.
D
Deleted member 125677
Unconfirmed Member
Haha
Is there any difference in following and friending people there? Seems I can check out people's reviews and libraries (yes, yours too mumei) by following them anyway
No idea, honestly. I just signed up so Mumei could spam me with recommendations. I've entered something like 600 of the 4000+ books I own, and suspect I'll never seriously improve on my list.
Finished this up today after finally starting it on Monday. Loved it, and found it hilarious. Lots of wackiness, and just great to revisit characters I enjoyed over the course of the Coalwood series of books starting with Rocket Boys.
I clearly don't buy enough books.
Besada makes weekly rounds to all the "Take-a-book Leave-a-book" bins in his region. He has never once left a book.
I finished The Mist. I like it just as much as the movie and can appreciate them both as a split timeline sort of thing as honestly they're basically the same until the ending.
And with that, 50 books read! Average page count was 365, 18249 pages total read. Pretty good. I might drop my goal lower next year and read some really long books. Not sure. Definitely will start long books early in the year though.
And with that, 50 books read! Average page count was 365, 18249 pages total read. Pretty good. I might drop my goal lower next year and read some really long books. Not sure. Definitely will start long books early in the year though.
You Know Nothing
Member
54 books, average length 436 pages, 23,564 pages.
I don't know how. But I'm okay with it. Last year I didn't manage to quite hit 50.
I don't know how. But I'm okay with it. Last year I didn't manage to quite hit 50.
Finished Another by Yukito Ayatsuji and really liked it. It was a solid mystery book with plenty of twist and turns. My only complaints were that the main character is an idiot and that the final reveal was kind of stupid in that it held very crucial information from the reader, which felt rather cheap.
Now reading A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James.
Now reading A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James.
I feel like 50 books is rough on its own, fifty movies is pretty doable, and 50 games is hard.
I'm an idiot so I did all three. I might cut down the games portion next year as I didn't even sign up for the 52 in a year thread on gaming side and 50 games is an awful lot.
Oh fuck yeah. One of the coolest books I read this year wasn't actually published. It was the alpha version of a novel called UNSONG, by Scott Alexander of the blog Slate Star Codex. (He occasionally posts short fiction there. Here are a few to give you some idea of his style: The Witching Hour, ...And I Show You How Deep the Rabbit Hole Goes, The Goddess of Everything Else) How I got to read it is sort of a long story, but readers were asked not to discuss it publicly, since he wasn't sure he'd end up doing anything with it. Well, now he's publishing it in serial form: http://unsongbook.com/
Only the prologue is up so far, and the prologue is pretty brief. But trust me when I say that this story is fucking awesome. Weird and philosophical and hilarious and even beautiful. Add it to your RSS feed or whatever. And... enjoy.
Only the prologue is up so far, and the prologue is pretty brief. But trust me when I say that this story is fucking awesome. Weird and philosophical and hilarious and even beautiful. Add it to your RSS feed or whatever. And... enjoy.
I've just been collecting longer, probably. Started at ten, so that's 35 years, and then you add in about half of my dad's books -- who collected for fifty years -- and shit gets out of control. I've entirely switched to digital, though, so the beast no longer grows.
On the subject of books and numbers, I read 82 books this year, including every Hugo award winning novel from 1953 to 1980, with the exception of one incredibly dull Asimov book I bailed on.
So finally finished Ultimate Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy. Got distracted since I started it at the same time I decided to go head on into teaching myself programming so that along with the bevy of other things that can distract me has prevented me from reading as much as I would like to.
Anyway amazing book. Half the time I had to re-read sections just cuz I would get lost in nonsense lol. Besides that loved the ridiculousness of the book and now when it's referenced. Going to start The Forever War next since I just recently watched Interstellar and I'm all hyped on time dilation.
Anyway amazing book. Half the time I had to re-read sections just cuz I would get lost in nonsense lol. Besides that loved the ridiculousness of the book and now when it's referenced. Going to start The Forever War next since I just recently watched Interstellar and I'm all hyped on time dilation.
Last update of the year as there is no way I am finishing the book currently being read.
And this is the overview goodreads do at the end of the year, 204 books :/ https://www.goodreads.com/user/year_in_books/2015/27207944
Ventilaator
Banned
Looking for a recommendation.
I want to read about all sorts of weird folklore. Occasionally I stumble on a Cracked article or something telling me about the people in Iceland having the concept of a Yuletide Cat that eats all the children that haven't received any new clothes for Christmas, and I find it super interesting.
I don't really care what form the book takes, whether it's just a dry list of weird concepts from around the world, or whether they have more background and analysis to them, as long as it tells me about more weird ideas like that.
I want to read about all sorts of weird folklore. Occasionally I stumble on a Cracked article or something telling me about the people in Iceland having the concept of a Yuletide Cat that eats all the children that haven't received any new clothes for Christmas, and I find it super interesting.
I don't really care what form the book takes, whether it's just a dry list of weird concepts from around the world, or whether they have more background and analysis to them, as long as it tells me about more weird ideas like that.
I finally got round to reading the second Hunger Games book, Catching Fire. Although it inevitably suffers from the same issues most mid-trilogy efforts fall victim to, I thoroughly enjoyed it. So much so I cast aside my usual policy of mixing up my reading material and never reading sequels, books from the same author or even similar novels and dived straight into Mockingjay.
If you can find a set of Man, Myth, and Magic, a 24 volume encyclopedia full of batshit crazy, buy it. It covers strange belief systems, well known magical figures, folklore, monsters, bleeding nuns, voodoo, etc. Like an old school encyclopedia, it's composed of short essays and photos. So many gruesome photos. I love my set, bought for $24 from a half-price books decades ago.
More generally, you're probably just looking for folklore books. There are a ton of them. My best recommendation as a folklore junkie, go to Barnes & Noble in person. It's post-christmas, and if you walk the cheap sale book section, I suspect you would find very inexpensive folklore collections, as they're a staple, since they're all in the public domain. A couple of bucks can get you two hundred pages of folklore stories from a particular country, usually.
Amazon also has some cheap folklore books available, including a bunch of free public domain stuff from a variety places. I just glanced and saw English, Norse, Navaho, and Irish folklore available for free. And that was in the first few pages.
And, if you're interested in Appalachian folklore turned into some lovely stories, you can read Manly Wade Wellman's John stories for free, here: http://www.library.beau.org/lib/ebooks/baen/03/John the Balladeer/index.htm
- Status