What are you reading? |OT|

finished last week
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You can read a bit here: https://g.co/kgs/FASRCL8
The book had some fun action scenes but for being highly rated it was slow and uninteresting in too many places.

currently reading:

Dune
What is there to say, it's Dune.

and
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Book 1 of Guin. I love the anime so the book was highly recommended. Started reading a few days ago and enjoying it so far.
 
I just finished Special Topics In Calamity Physics. Really good book. I'm going to start reading The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier And Clay most likely next week
 
Finished reading Lord of the Rings. The Scouring of the Shire is probably the best part of the story and an amazing culmination of the Hobbits entire arc. Such a shame that they decided not to put it in the movie, but I understand it would have been challenging.
 
TexMex TexMex

I started The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier And Clay by Micheal Chabon this Tuesday and I'm already halfway through. I'll be able to finish this most likely by the weekend. So far it's fantastic and thanks for reccomanding I read the book as soon as possible
 
Reading Blood Meridian. One chapter a night. There's layers to this book that you do need a certain knowledge of, in terms of flow and structure I can completely keep up with it but I do lack the understanding.

I often cite a summary to see if I've misinterpreted anything and so far I've not missed a thing on a narrative level. It's things like in Chapter 5 when the Kid and Sproule travel across the wilderness there's a constant mentioning of a certain plant they come across. On some Reddit thread it was said it can be used for medicinal purposes so when they needed something like that they were completely oblivious to a potential life saving fix. I wasn't really shocked at the violence with the Native Americans so far, I was DEFINITELY shocked at them being booty bandits though.
 
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Werewolf Jones said:
Reading Blood Meridian. One chapter a night. There's layers to this book that you do need a certain knowledge of, in terms of flow and structure I can completely keep up with it but I do lack the understanding.

I often cite a summary to see if I've misinterpreted anything and so far I've not missed a thing on a narrative level. It's things like in Chapter 5 when the Kid and Sproule travel across the wilderness there's a constant mentioning of a certain plant they come across. On some Reddit thread it was said it can be used for medicinal purposes so when they needed something like that they were completely over oblivious to a potential life saving fix. I wasn't really shocked at the violence with the Native Americans so far, I was DEFINITELY shocked at them being booty bandits though.
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Very comfortable admitting I'm too dumb for this book. I was constantly reading a page and then going back to re-read it because I felt like I missed something. I know this is supposed to be his masterpiece but it's my least favorite of the four I've read.
 
TexMex said:
Very comfortable admitting I'm too dumb for this book. I was constantly reading a page and then going back to re-read it because I felt like I missed something. I know this is supposed to be his masterpiece but it's my least favorite of the four I've read.
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Have you read the one with the MC who is a serial killer, what's that like?
 
TexMex said:
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My first Murakami book but won't be my last. Can honestly say I've never read anything like it. Just loved it.
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I love Murakami, he's a one-off. He revisits the same themes over and over, so once you get into a Murakami groove, a lot of his work blends into a single surreal experience. I sometimes have trouble remembering which plot belongs to which book, but they are all amazing.

My favourite is definitely The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle. I've read that so many times, my copy is held together with tape (my fault for reading in the bath). It's the most perfect and mysterious Murakami novel.
 
calistan said:
I love Murakami, he's a one-off. He revisits the same themes over and over, so once you get into a Murakami groove, a lot of his work blends into a single surreal experience. I sometimes have trouble remembering which plot belongs to which book, but they are all amazing.

My favourite is definitely The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle. I've read that so many times, my copy is held together with tape (my fault for reading in the bath). It's the most perfect and mysterious Murakami novel.
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I bought Wind Up (and Norwegian Wood) when I bought Kafka, so it's definitely next. Will get to it this year for sure.

Lonesome Dove up next!
 
Years ago on Neogaf there were monthly What are you reading? threads with the Mr. T cartoon of him reading a book. Sadly we don't have those anymore.
 
Words of radiance read. I thought it had intense moments more evenly spaced rather just the end. Still almost million words spent in basically one location. It works fairly well, but it's bit unorthodox for fantasy book.
 
Just saw this bracket on Stephen King novels that the Boston globe put together. Some of the seeding is weird; It is #1 but the Shining is the last seed at #16.

https://www.boston.com/tag/stephen-king-book-bracket/

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I just finished wizard and glass, #4 in the dark tower series. Definitely one of my favorites of his but I've only read 7 or 8 of his books. Just started salems lot as it's related to the dark tower series. I took a look at the stand but that books always been colossus even before he added a couple 100 more pages!

Excited to read a vampire book in October. I wanna read Dracula after my King binge. Someone had a thread recently about the book and King talks about reading it at 12 in the prologue of salems lot
 
Finished salems lot and an on the wind through the Keyhole, which is book 4.5 of the dark tower.

Really enjoyed salems lot. A little slow in the beginning with explaining who all the towns folk are but King can really write the hell outta NPCs.
 
A new book store opened up in my downtown and I recently picked up Da Vinci by Walter Issacson. I loved his biographies on Einstein and Jobs so I can't wait to dig into this one! Love how in his writing he makes everything make since to me when I read it. Reading can be difficult and always has been for me from a young age. So I'm glad I found a writer who's books I can read and enjoy.
 
Really looking to get into sci fi reading at the moment.

Looking to start one of these series. But struggling to decide

The expanse
Altered carbon
The dark tower.

I've seen the TV series of the above and the dark tower movie lol.
 
Donald mac Ronald said:
Really looking to get into sci fi reading at the moment.

Looking to start one of these series. But struggling to decide

The expanse
Altered carbon
The dark tower.

I've seen the TV series of the above and the dark tower movie lol.
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Read the The Expanse, if you're looking for Sci Fi. It's great series so far

The Dark Tower is more of a Dark Fantasy
 
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Fucking wow. I heard great things about this novel before reading it, but this was far beyond my expectations.

Gates of Fire is a historical fiction novel by Steven Pressfield that recounts the Battle of Thermopylae through the eyes of Xeones, a perioikos (free but non-citizen inhabitant of Sparta) born in Astakos, and one of only three Greek survivors of the battle. Through his eyes, we witness his tragic childhood, life in Sparta and the brutal carnage of Thermopylae.

One aspect I wasn't prepared for is how brutal the battle scenes would be. They could be some of the most vivid, brutal and harrowing battle scenes in a historical fiction novel. Pressfield does a fantastic job of detailing how absolutely savage this type of warfare would have been. It's not just the battles either. We also get descriptions of what life is like for the ordinary citizens of a city state that's been sacked, which is equally as brutal.

Pressfield also does a fantastic job or giving the Spartans balance, which is historically accurate. Yes, they were the best soldiers Greece had to offer because they were a militarised state, however they were not unstoppable super soldiers devoid of emotion. They could easily be killed, suffer from PTSD, feel love and loss etc.

Overall an emotional, savage and vivid tale of one of the most famous battles in history and probably my new favourite historical fiction novel.

5/5
 
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Ethics from Spinoza

Wanted to read this ever since I read Einstein was often referring to Spinoza when it comes to beliefs.

To be honest, this is a really hard read right there and I don't understand a lot of it. This is a book that has to read several times and studied to fully grasp. But every now and then when I do connect some points and understand, it's super fascinating. One of the most interesting books I've read so far.
 
Reading Fairytale by Stephen King. Fun read so far. Big book, about halfway through. Was a big fan on King when I was a kid. Curious to see if he can pull off a good ending.
 
Finished Blood Meridian in September then started A Game of Thrones a few days later and finished that in early October. Currently on Chapters 52 (I think from the wiki) of A Clash of Kings. I really do not like it as much as Game. I'm finding Davos' narrative particularly lacking although I found entertainment in Stannis loving him being a yes men with logic but the second he pitches anything with independent thought Stannis gets mad. Theon I didn't like at first but I'm finding his the best of the book personally, the Iron Islands are Norf FC as fuck.
 
I am currently about 1-page into this one (fell asleep before I could turn a page) - apparently its great, although you won't be rushing out to eat octopus pie or octopus burgers any time soon after reading it.

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StabbyStabStabStabStab said:
I am currently about 1-page into this one (fell asleep before I could turn a page) - apparently its great, although you won't be rushing out to eat octopus pie or octopus burgers any time soon after reading it.

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It is great. I read it years ago. It's part nature book and part philosophy book.

He has written two more similar that explores the origins of intelligence on Earth. I know it's non-fiction, but I guess you can call them a trilogy.

Part two is Metazoa: Animal Minds and the Birth of Consciousness
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His latest book, and I guess the last part in this series is Living on Earth: Life, Consciousness and the Making of the Natural World, which I haven't read yet, but it's on my ever growing TBR list.

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The Education of Henry Adams. An autobiography of the Great Grandson of John Adams. The prose is very good and they way he speaks of himself is interesting.
 
Vyse said:
Reading Fairytale by Stephen King. Fun read so far. Big book, about halfway through. Was a big fan on King when I was a kid. Curious to see if he can pull off a good ending.
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How you liking it? That book is 2025 for me. Other than Fairy Tale I'm reading Christine, Needful Things and The Outsider for 2025 when it comes to Stephen King

Right now I'm reading Rendezvous With Rama. Around 56 Pages into the book. I should be done in a couple of days. It's really technical but in a short digestible way. Book is around 259 Pages but I've been taking my time with it due to how dense some of the stuff is

I've been reading the Preview Chapters for Wind And Truth that Sanderson has been releasing for free. I'm going to get through all 33 Chapters before the book officially releases which is December 6th this year. I'm extremely excited since I'm a HUGE Cosmere fan and The Stormlight Archive is my favorite series in that universe. So far loving what I'm reading and I'm hoping the book sticks to it's landing
 
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IDKFA said:
It is great. I read it years ago. It's part nature book and part philosophy book.

He has written two more similar that explores the origins of intelligence on Earth. I know it's non-fiction, but I guess you can call them a trilogy.

Part two is Metazoa: Animal Minds and the Birth of Consciousness
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His latest book, and I guess the last part in this series is Living on Earth: Life, Consciousness and the Making of the Natural World, which I haven't read yet, but it's on my ever growing TBR list.

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Glad to hear its worth a read - someone gifted to me thinking I'd like it, so tonight I shall attempt page 2. Seems like an interesting trilogy though, worth exploring if the first one resonates for sure.
 
NotMyProblemAnymoreCunt said:
How you liking it? That book is 2025 for me. Other than Fairy Tale I'm reading Christine, Needful Things and The Outsider for 2025 when it comes to Stephen King
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Really good so far. 323 pages in and the book is around 600 pages. So a little more than half way. He has such a great descriptive style of writing that pulls me in. Really going to come down to the ending with this one. I would suggest giving it a read. Will circle back when I finish.
 
Donald mac Ronald said:
I was just about to buy the expanse first book then I noticed the series is on Spotify.
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You should I consider listening to audio books as reading

Donald mac Ronald said:
I've never bothered with audio books before; what are people's opinion on them? I thought I'd give it a try while I'm at work.
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I'm not a fan of audio books. I tried a couple and just not for me. But I understand if people don't have time for physical books or ebooks. I tend to prefer reading books physically but I have to settle for ebooks since I don't have my own space. There are some advantages to ebooks though.

I like the fact that they show a percentage of the book I have finished, how many hours it will take to finish a book, let me highlight words to learn the definition, how many mins I will be able to finish one chapter etc. Really aimed at the OCD trait of mine

Vyse said:
Really good so far. 323 pages in and the book is around 600 pages. So a little more than half way. He has such a great descriptive style of writing that pulls me in. Really going to come down to the ending with this one. I would suggest giving it a read. Will circle back when I finish.
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That book is for next year. I read five King books back to back this year so I'm kind of burned out on him. Especially since there's some similarities in regards to themes and story tropes that specific to King. It was especially noticeable since I read five books by him back to back
 
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Song for Susannah by Stephen king. Book 6 of the dark tower series.

Just started it. I've been balls deep into the dark tower since September. I was halfway through Insomnia but it was so slow that I didn't renew it when it was due. Actually really liked the main character in that book too.
 
Lunarorbit said:
Song for Susannah by Stephen king. Book 6 of the dark tower series.

Just started it. I've been balls deep into the dark tower since September. I was halfway through Insomnia but it was so slow that I didn't renew it when it was due. Actually really liked the main character in that book too.
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Have you read The Wind Through The Keyhole?
 
Donald mac Ronald said:
I was just about to buy the expanse first book then I noticed the series is on Spotify.

I've never bothered with audio books before; what are people's opinion on them? I thought I'd give it a try while I'm at work.
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I actually actively disliked audio books growing up. For no real reason; probably snobbiness. I love them for work though or playing something like Dragon quest or vampire survivors.

I use my libby app from the library and it's great. I have an audible account too that I've been meaning to cancel.

Sometimes there's like full out sound effects and multiple people for each character and others are just a single person. I like single people no frills
 
Lunarorbit said:
Yeah. I liked it alot. Anything with more Billy bumblers!
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When it comes to Dark Tower Ranking

I consider that book to be in My Top Three Favorites

I loved the story within a story within a story. Thought that was pretty cool aspect to the book. And I usually don't like Meta stuff and when I do it's usually rare
 
I've started reading again somewhat recently, these are the books I've finished so far:

Foundation (Issac Asimov): More of a story collection than a novel but very engaging, each of the stories are quite different in tone and theme yet Asimov is brilliant at making them all feel part of the same universe. The only story I didn't particularly get along with was the last one, with Hober Mallow, which felt overly convoluted, but the ones preceding it were all terrific in their own ways. I watched the TV series after reading the book and (despite a few terrific performances) it felt shallow, derivative and desperate in comparison. Wheres the show constantly falls back on action, corny dialogue and meaningless technobabble to convince viewers to stick around, Asimov deals with big concepts in an accessible but never dumbed-down way, keeping his stories interesting through an ability to ground his galactic-level events in strong character writing. The TV series tries to fake intelligence but always falls back on the laziest, stupidest devices to pad out its meandering story; Asimov's writing has all the hallmarks of popular genre writing and is confident enough in the quality of his storytelling for its intelligence to emerge naturally.

The Talented Mr. Ripley (Patricia Highsmith): Grabbed this at an airport despite remembering the Minghella film being a bit dull and pleased with itself. Fortunately the novel is much better, no masterpiece but an easy read and relatively low-stakes character piece. Highsmith has a knack for evoking the insouciant, upper-crust culture into which Ripley inveigles himself and finds a nicely conflicting line for her central character between being sympathetic and deplorable. It's not much more than a solid, atmospheric holiday read, but did the job perfectly well.

The Plague (Albert Camus): It's amazing how a novel from almost eighty years ago can capture so many of the same fears, behaviours and paranoias which occurred decades later in the Covid pandemic. Camus' plague might be fictional but his grasp of human behaviour is astonishingly on-point and he paints an incredibly vivid picture of how the city changes throughout the various stages of the plague, and how the myriad characters react to it for both altruism and cynical self-advancement. The optimistic end-note is a bit out of place, as the book feels more like a chronicle than a judgement until that point (as the narrator says) but the book is a remarkable testament to how well-observed writing can stay relevant for decades and how human nature remains the same even as technology and time advances at pace.
 
Babbitt, by Sinclair Lewis. I remember reading and liking it back in college, which was many decades ago. I thought I'd revisit it. I'm having a good time so far.

Babbitt is a sardonic examination of a conformist schlub of a man who is empty inside but puffed up by materialism, status, external identifications, and role-playing the Good Citizen and valiant man he thinks he is (but knows he isn't). It was written over a hundred years ago, but the character descriptions are very recognizable types. It's actually pretty funny. Some of the turns of phrase are quite good. For instance, Babbitt is "extremely married." Someone is a "victim of his benevolence." And parking at a curb becomes "a virile adventure, masterfully executed." There is a lot of wit and good observation of American culture here.

edit: Dropped it after 80 pages or so. I can see why it meant something to me while I was much younger - repudiation of materialism and status-seeking - but it just doesn't land that way anymore now that I'm older. It's too much of the same thing, over and over. I don't need 450 pages of elaborating on the same theme. I get it.
 
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