Support NeoGAF

[hythloday]

The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber - Unfinished

Unfortunately, I put this one down for a while. It seemed interesting, but "the hook" wasn't there.


The Midnight Queen by Sylvia Izzo Hunter

I started and finished The Midnight Queen yesterday. It was a fun little novel, despite the fact that the story was not unpredictable and the main plot/conflict of the story took a little while to get going. The "alternate history of England, also with magic" was fun. I liked it enough that I ordered the sequel, Lady of Magick.

 

[FUBAR McDangles]

I was gifted two books this weekend.

Either of these any good?

 

[Mifune]

Such an unexpected change of pace following Quicksilver. Loved it. Jack is just the best...

Yeah, The Confusion was my favorite of the three. So much fun.

 

[RepairmanJack]

Next up:

Got about 10% into this before I had to quit. I was looking forward to this because I always thought the world of Night Vale was funny and interesting but the way it's presented in the podcast was always just confusing and scattershot. I was really hoping the book would be different but it really tries to put as many weird things in every paragraph as possible. I somehow had hopes this would be different in hopes that it would somehow be in a different POV than a Night Vale resident but i tends up just coming off as more narration on the radio.

 

[Glitchesarecool]

Got about 10% into this before I had to quit. I was looking forward to this because I always thought the world of Night Vale was funny and interesting but the way it's presented in the podcast was always just confusing and scattershot. I was really hoping the book would be different but it really tries to put as many weird things in every paragraph as possible. I somehow had hopes this would be different in hopes that it would somehow be in a different POV than a Night Vale resident but i tends up just coming off as more narration on the radio.

Oh damnit, really? This was next on my reading list. I love the podcast but they've started going a little off lately, repeat episodes notwithstanding.

 

[RepairmanJack]

Oh damnit, really? This was next on my reading list. I love the podcast but they've started going a little off lately, repeat episodes notwithstanding.

If you love the podcast you might really enjoy it. It's really hard to explain my problems with the podcast. I've listened to a good amount of it and actually enjoyed it but after so long it was like the writing(or style of humor) was just the same over and over again? If that makes sense. My hopes were with the book it would be from a different POV than the radio host that maybe the writing or the voice of the writing wouldn't come across quite the same way. After 10% I just had to sort of give up because it was tough to get into for me.

I mean common jokes in the podcast like "Nobody talks about that." or there being no time and stuff like that was all brought up pretty instantly. It just made me think it was just more of a street level version of the podcast.

Ultimately I guess I'd say it's just too similar to the podcast for me. I just expected something different.

 

[Glitchesarecool]

That makes total sense. I've started to get turned away from the "weird thing of the week" theme that they keep running with, picking up and dropping something without explanation or doing that terrible "as we all know" cop out. I was sort of hoping the book would do something different.

And really, if it wasn't for Cecil the podcast would be a flop. Dude has some golden pipes.

 

[RepairmanJack]

That makes total sense. I've started to get turned away from the "weird thing of the week" theme that they keep running with, picking up and dropping something without explanation or doing that terrible "as we all know" cop out. I was sort of hoping the book would do something different.

And really, if it wasn't for Cecil the podcast would be a flop. Dude has some golden pipes.

The amount of times he has put me to sleep is kind of crazy. I wouldn't even say that's a bad thing.

 

[Mumei]

I picked up my parents at the airport late last night, and while we were driving my mother told me that she had a book that she really wanted me to read. She told me that it was really short, and wouldn't take very long:

Oh my God.

It is the most banal, trite, useless "self-help / motivational book" I have ever read. I can't remember the last time I cringed this much reading a book - cue A Little Life jokes (that was good cringing!) - and I am baffled that she thought I would enjoy this.

City of Saints and Madmen by Jeff Vandermeet.

PAGING CYAN.

Spoiler

the bum still hasn't read it EVEN THOUGH HE'D LOVE IT

 

[Haly]

PAGING CYAN.

Spoiler

the bum still hasn't read it EVEN THOUGH HE'D LOVE IT

Hold up I think I know what to do here.

💩💩💩 HEY CYAN 💩💩💩

 

[Nuke Soda]

I was gifted two books this weekend.

Either of these any good?

I was a dumb teenager who liked everything at the time, so take this with a grain of salt, but I enjoyed Timeline.

 

[Mumei]

I was a dumb teenager who liked everything at the time, so take this with a grain of salt, but I enjoyed Timeline.

I was also a dumb teenager who enjoyed Timeline!

I haven't read it since it came out, though.

 

[Cyan]

Hold up I think I know what to do here.

💩💩💩 HEY CYAN 💩💩💩

idontknowher.gif

 

[W1SSY]

Finished Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy earlier this week and was looking for something else to read. After seeing recommendations for Red Rising by Pierce Brown I figured I would give it a try. What really sealed the deal was seeing it compared to Ender's Game and Hunger Games because they were both books that I enjoyed.

I read a good bit while watching the NFL games and decided to try and get in the habit of reading a little before going to bed. Boy was that a mistake. I ended up reading until 4 A.M. and the only reason I stopped was because I had finished the book. It had been a long time since I read a book that I could not put down but I was real glad to have that experience again. This morning I went ahead and purchased the second book. I imagine I will finish it by this weekend and then have to find something to fill the short gap until the third book comes out.

 

[Nuke Soda]

I was also a dumb teenager who enjoyed Timeline!

I haven't read it since it came out, though.

High Five.

 

[Jintor]

My mum said she read Factory Girls and The Buddha Tree out of my collection (damn man I hadn't even gotten around to reading the Buddha Tree yet). I'm so proud, I don't think she ever read long-form stuff in front of me when I was growing up.

Man, now that I think about it, mum's english is baller.

 

[Glitchesarecool]

On the subject of space since I'm rereading Failure is not an Option, this is still my favorite video ever.

 

[ryseing]

I've been going through The Long Earth cycle since it was recommended to me somewhere. Starting Long Utopia tomorrow.

The characters minus Lobsang are boring but the different worlds are so incredibly interesting that they really become the main characters. I also love the little hints about the different alien technologies, between the

Spoiler

ray guns and the space elevator.

I want to learn about the different societies behind those inventions.

The Next is a stupid name for an interesting idea. That's all that needs to be said about that. Looking forward to where that plotline goes however.

10/10 world building, 5/10 everything else.

 

[MultiJhonny]

This book is the epitome of literature.

 

[big ander]

I think Erickson does this to blur the line between history and fiction. Using real names and titles places the narrative squarely inside an existing reality or history. By refusing to name names he shifts it all slightly out of wack, to a universe where a frame of film could hold the secret meaning of existence.

Also, the entire book is written in a dreamy, hazy, defiantly unreal style, so I think the lack of specificity is fitting.

I guess that's where the tension is for me—I didn't think the lack of naming distanced it from our reality. it just created a reference-filled puzzle leading to a concrete movie/person in our reality, which I didn't think was a productive kind of abstraction/dissonance. maybe I would've liked it more if the movies being described truly weren't real movies, but were movies that felt like they could be real? I know I liked that a lot when it came to

Spoiler

the movie Vikar edited, and the one he was supposed to direct. Those movies sounded like they could have existed but didn't, so it was more interesting to read about.

 

[Funyarinpa]

Got House of Leaves based on the recommendation of a close friend. I like the narration.

I also have Battle Royale Remastered and The Left Hand Of Darkness to read, ao HoL will be in the back burner for some time.

 

[Maklershed]

Just found out I have off today - on the day City of Blades comes out. Everything is turning up Milhouse.

Unrelated: Has anyone in here read The Prince of Medicine: Galen in the Roman Empire? It's $3.99 today and sounds interesting but I'm wondering if its more clinical than it is for general audiences.

 

[Bazza]

After seeing recommendations for Red Rising by Pierce Brown I figured I would give it a try. What really sealed the deal was seeing it compared to Ender's Game and Hunger Games because they were both books that I enjoyed.

I read a good bit while watching the NFL games and decided to try and get in the habit of reading a little before going to bed. Boy was that a mistake. I ended up reading until 4 A.M. and the only reason I stopped was because I had finished the book. It had been a long time since I read a book that I could not put down but I was real glad to have that experience again. This morning I went ahead and purchased the second book. I imagine I will finish it by this weekend and then have to find something to fill the short gap until the third book comes out.

Read the 1st two books of the Red Rising trilogy at the weekend, Like you I couldn't put the 1st book down, the 2nd is even better I think, Only a about two weeks till the 3rd book so the wait isn't to bad.

Decided to work my way through the scifi books nominated for Goodreads best books of 2015 this year, generally I like to read all the works of an author before moving into their newest book but I think I will have to be a bit more selective if I want to read all 20 nominees.

Golden Son is the front runner for my favorite book of the year so far.

 

[ShaneB]

Sky Lantern was an ok read, more directed towards actual Fathers I guess.

Started this..

The Last Season: A Father, a Son, and a Lifetime of College Football by Stuart Stevens

 

[HStallion]

Thanks for all the recommendations. I'll be checking them out once I knock off the books I'm currently reading.

 

[FlowersisBritish]

Started The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury. Holy cow, I think this is my favorite short story collection I've ever read, and I may now love Bradbury. Only a few stories in, but god they're all just so damn good.

 

[Mifune]

I guess that's where the tension is for me—I didn't think the lack of naming distanced it from our reality. it just created a reference-filled puzzle leading to a concrete movie/person in our reality, which I didn't think was a productive kind of abstraction/dissonance. maybe I would've liked it more if the movies being described truly weren't real movies, but were movies that felt like they could be real? I know I liked that a lot when it came to

Spoiler

the movie Vikar edited, and the one he was supposed to direct. Those movies sounded like they could have existed but didn't, so it was more interesting to read about.

The device worked fine for me but I hear you.

I like Zeroville but it's far from my favorite Erickson novel. It's the most grounded in the real world and I prefer his more bizarre stuff. Days Between Stations and Rubicon Beach are the real good shit. I highly recommend those if this one didn't totally turn you off the guy.

He has a book coming out this year, too, called Shadowbahn. All I know is a sliver of the premise: "the reappearance of the Twin Towers in the Badlands of South Dakota." And I'm sold.

 

[A Link to the Past]

Quick question, I have a credit on Audible - what's a really, really good audiobook (ideally at least >15 hours also)?

 

[Cyan]

Quick question, I have a credit on Audible - what's a really, really good audiobook (ideally at least >15 hours also)?

What are some recent books you've read and really enjoyed?

 

[Wensih]

Finished The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, and started Pnin; it's very lyrical and reads quickly. Interesting book.

 

[Lynx_7]

Finished The King in Yellow by Chambers and The Witcher (2): Sword of Destiny.
TKIY's first half is pretty good, but the romance-focused second half was rather boring and I just kind of rushed through it... with the exception of The Street of the First Shell, which I legitimately enjoyed, even if it wasn't exactly what I was looking for when I started reading the book. The overall balance is positive, though I'll admit my expectations were higher than they should've been.

Sword of Destiny just kinda bored me. Took me forever to finally finish it. The merchant story was entertaining I guess, but the other stories were mostly uninteresting with the exception of the last 2 chapters which were the only ones I really enjoyed due to

Spoiler

Ciri's involvement

and some other cool stuff. But, you know, too little too late. Definetely preferred the first book. Now on to the third book which is where the real meat of the story starts or so I've heard.

Finally started Crime and Punishment after having it for over two years just sitting idly by on my shelf because I was too intimidated by it. I even read some other Dostoyevsky books, more precisely Notes from the Underground (which I really, really liked) and The Gambler (which was ok but not nearly as good), so I could familarize myself with the author first before taking the plunge.
Having read about 70 pages so far I gotta say Dostoyevsky is shaping up to be my favorite "classic author" and just one of my favorite writters in general. His narrative just resonates with me almost immediately and I always find myself fascinated by his books. It helps that I find him fairly easy to read too. After I finish this one I may finally have the guts to start his other intimidating work which has also been sitting on my shelf for a couple of years, patiently waiting to be opened. Someday.

 

[MultiJhonny]

Finally started Crime and Punishment after having it for over two years just sitting idly by on my shelf because I was too intimidated by it. I even read some other Dostoyevsky books, more precisely Notes from the Underground (which I really, really liked) and The Gambler (which was ok but not nearly as good), so I could familarize myself with the author first before taking the plunge.
Having read about 70 pages so far I gotta say Dostoyevsky is shaping up to be my favorite "classic author" and just one of my favorite writters in general. His narrative just resonates with me almost immediately and I always find myself fascinated by his books. It helps that I find him fairly easy to read too. After I finish this one I may finally have the guts to start his other intimidating work which has also been sitting on my shelf for a couple of years, patiently waiting to be opened. Someday.

The Brothers Karamazov (to which I think you are referring to in the last sentence) is his best IMO. It is one of my favorite works of all time. It is quite a work of literature. I hope you get around to it sooner than later. Really worth the read.

But I love Dostoevsky as well. Truly amazing author.

 

[kswiston]

Crime and Punishment relied on some characterizations I didn't find all that believable. It was a good book, but I wouldn't say it was one of the best I have ever read. I haven't read The Brothers Karamazov, but so far I prefer Tolstoy over Dostoevsky.

I finished the Final Empire yesterday and am about a fifth of the way through The Well of Ascension. The more Sanderson I read, the more I notice re-used tropes, but they are still page turners.

I will probably finish this first trilogy and then move onto something else before digging into the second set of books.

I am also slowly making my way through The Forever War. I have been reading it on my phone via the Kindle app, primarily during breaks.

 

[Wensih]

I was able to find it for less than $100!!!! My girlfriend is going to be amazed, especially after finding out another rare limited print graphic novel, Puma Blues, got a reprint last year.

 

[GK86]

Any good pirate series?

 

[Lynx_7]

The Brothers Karamazov (to which I think you are referring to in the last sentence) is his best IMO. It is one of my favorite works of all time. It is quite a work of literature. I hope you get around to it sooner than later. Really worth the read.

But I love Dostoevsky as well. Truly amazing author.

Yes, that's the one. I do plan to read it this year, though I'll probably take a short break after C&P to read something a bit more light to avoid fatigue.

Crime and Punishment relied on some characterizations I didn't find all that believable. It was a good book, but I wouldn't say it was one of the best I have ever read. I haven't read The Brothers Karamazov, but so far I prefer Tolstoy over Dostoevsky.

Can't say I've run into any problems of the sort yet, though what I like the most about Dostoyevsky has less to do with believable characterizations and more with the characters' ideas and philosophies, the psychological and introspective focus of his narratives. The last few pages of Notes remain one of the most powerful pieces of literature I've read for those reasons. He strikes me as the kind of author that can either really resonate with you in a deeper level or just leave you feeling kind of cold depending on the kind of person you are. I find myself strongly in the former group so I have no hesitation in qualifying his work as some of the best I've ever read. Then again I suppose the same could be said of any writter, classic or contemporary. Some just click with you while others don't as much.

I've read nothing from Tolstoy yet because his books are all really freakishly expensive in my country, or at least the good translations are, so it'll take some time before I can afford them. I'll most likely start with Anna Karenina whenever I get around to it.

 

[Dandy Crocodile]

Really liking this so far. It's quirky and fun and fantastical things are introduced in such matter-of-fact ways that it's almost comedic
The front flap has spoiled most of the 50 pages I've read so far and goes even beyond that, so I'm very curious about the things that I have yet to discover.

 

[MilkBeard]

Really liking this so far. It's quirky and fun and fantastical things are introduced in such matter-of-fact ways that it's almost comedic
The front cover has spoiled most of the 50 pages I've read so far and goes even beyond that, so I'm very curious about the things that I have yet to discover.

Your description and the quote by Michael Chabon have sold me on the book. Also the fact that my writing style deals with mixing fantastical elements in a stark reality means that I should probably read this book. I'm adding it to my list.

 

[Cade]

Any good pirate series?

Did you read On Stranger Tides by Tim Powers? Not a series, but I burned through that book. So good.

 

[A Link to the Past]

What are some recent books you've read and really enjoyed?

I've listened to The New Jim Crow, "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl Written by Herself", and am planning to listen to read An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States.

 

[Maklershed]

Quick question, I have a credit on Audible - what's a really, really good audiobook (ideally at least >15 hours also)?

One Summer: America 1927 by Bill Bryson is really good.

Any good pirate series?

Don't know of any series but Pirate Latitdues and On Stranger Tides (the basis for the Pirates of the Carribean movies) are fun. And as a side - the Black Sails show on Starz is fantastic.

 

[Hanzou]

Quick question, I have a credit on Audible - what's a really, really good audiobook (ideally at least >15 hours also)?

I really enjoyed the Golem and the Jinni in audiobook form.

 

[sparky2112]

Finished. Liked it a lot. From what I've heard, the quartet gets better with each novel, so there's a lot to look forward to. I just love that 'if Jane Austin got angry' blurb on the cover...

I have, however, cleared the decks for Infinite Winter (starts Jan 29th), wherein I plan to *finally* finish a re-read of Infinite Jest. Given than my first reading was in 2002, I'm LONG overdue.

 

[hythloday]

Don't know of any series but Pirate Latitdues and On Stranger Tides (the basis for the Pirates of the Carribean movies) are fun. And as a side - the Black Sails show on Starz is fantastic.

I had a similar question, thanks for recommending those two. I will check them out. (And Black Sails is exactly why!)

 

[Verdre]

Any good pirate series?

Like the others, I don't know any series, but you might try Rafael Sabatini's Captain Blood and The Sea Hawk

 

[Peru]

Finished. Liked it a lot. From what I've heard, the quartet gets better with each novel, so there's a lot to look forward to. I just love that 'if Jane Austin got angry' blurb on the cover...

When Jane Austen got angry she probably wrote the novels she.. you know.. wrote.
There are som bad blurbs on these Ferrante covers... My Brilliant Friend was supposedly "amiably peopled".

 

[brawly]

Which Murakami should I start with? Got my eyes on DDD, Sheep Chase, Wind-Up and Norwegian Wood.

 

[RepairmanJack]

Which Murakami should I start with? Got my eyes on DDD, Sheep Chase, Wind-Up and Norwegian Wood.

I started with A Wild Sheep Chase and thought it was a great start, but I haven't really read enough to really back that up with any kind of knowledge.

 

[Alastor3]

Currently reading for the first time Dune. I have a hard time to focus since it's not the style of writing im used to read (i like young adult novel).

 

[big ander]

The device worked fine for me but I hear you.

I like Zeroville but it's far from my favorite Erickson novel. It's the most grounded in the real world and I prefer his more bizarre stuff. Days Between Stations and Rubicon Beach are the real good shit. I highly recommend those if this one didn't totally turn you off the guy.

He has a book coming out this year, too, called Shadowbahn. All I know is a sliver of the premise: "the reappearance of the Twin Towers in the Badlands of South Dakota." And I'm sold.

I'll definitely look into those, it seems like I'm mostly complaining but that's only because I did enjoy parts of the book very much, so I'm up for trying more Erickson.