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[dLMN8R]

Just started reading The Story of Edgar Sawtelle

 

[Toby]

Finished:

and was disappointed. I didn't like where it was heading, so decided to stop the series there.

Now reading:

First off, is this real? I know he says in the book it is...but I just don't know. So far I am liking it because I think it is real.

 

[demon]

Started reading this in a used bookstore while waiting for the person up front to give me an offer on the 20-some books I brought in ($19! assholes) and bought it. Don't read too much WWII stuff but I found it interesting enough.

 

[ItAintEasyBeinCheesy]

2009 Hugo Award Winners

Best Novel: Neil Gaiman, The Graveyard Book

Best Novella: Nancy Kress, "The Erdmann Nexus"

Best Novelette: Elizabeth Bear, "Shoggoths in Bloom"

Best Short Story: Ted Chiang, "Exhalation"

Best Professional Artist: Donato Giancola

Best Graphic Story: Kaja and Phil Foglio, Girl Genius

Best Editor, Long Form: David Hartwell

Best Editor, Short Form: Ellen Datlow

Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form: Wall-E

Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form: Joss Whedon, "Dr. Horrible's Singalong Blog"

Best Related Book: John Scalzi, Your Hate Mail will be Graded

Best Semiprozine: Ann VanderMeer and Stephen Seagal, Weird Tales

Campbell Award for Best New Writer: David Anthony Durham

 

[Gamer @ Heart]

I was on the edge of my seat at borders after I read the first chapter so I had to buy it.

I would give anything to be able to read that series again from a fresh perspective. Just buy the other 3 books now. Greatest fantasy series ever.

------

Im reading:

I heard of it when looking for a list of great fantasy books. It was right under a Song of Ice and fire so i checked it out. So far so good, but man, there are soooo many terms. The author literally throws you into the deep end, but whats happened so far is pretty interesting.

 

[Lafiel]

Just started reading 'tender is the night' by F. Scott Fitzgerald, my second fitz after the great gaspy. I'm enjoying it so far, really love the guys prose.

 

[Razumihin]

Just started reading 'tender is the night' by F. Scott Fitzgerald, my second fitz after the great gaspy. I'm enjoying it so far, really love the guys prose.

Just started The Great Gatsby, after I've finished with this I shall be moving on to Infinite Jest.

 

[jason10mm]

"Gardens of the Moon" is TOTALLY overwhelming. Just tough it out, most of what happens is explained over the next couple books

I need to go back and read it again myself.

 

[Jarlaxle]

I just started reading House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski. I'm enjoying it so far. It's definitely different than alot of the stuff I've been reading lately and I enjoy the experimental nature of the narrative.

Anyone else read this? Thoughts?

 

[Monroeski]

Just finished -

Not impressed. Good enough to get me to want to see the movie, probably not good enough to recommend to too many people.

 

[ultron87]

I just started reading House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski. I'm enjoying it so far. It's definitely different than alot of the stuff I've been reading lately and I enjoy the experimental nature of the narrative.

Anyone else read this? Thoughts?

The actual story about the House is awesome. I love the way the he plays with the placement of the text to match the mood of what's going on (see Labyrinth chapter).

The framing story about Johnny Truant? Not so much. In the end that whole part of the book seems mostly pointless. Which is disappointing.

 

[Viewt]

Your Screenplay Sucks! by William M. Akers. So far it's been a really fun read, with more than a few helpful tips. Can't wait to get deeper in and get more technical tips.

 

[Jarlaxle]

The actual story about the House is awesome. I love the way the he plays with the placement of the text to match the mood of what's going on (see Labyrinth chapter).

The framing story about Johnny Truant? Not so much. In the end that whole part of the book seems mostly pointless. Which is disappointing.

My friend had told me that one of the stories/parts is better than the other. It's disappointing to hear this again. Oh well, maybe I won't feel the same. I'm enjoying the Johnny Truant parts so far (the footnotes and stories).

The book reminds me a little of Susanna Clark's, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell in the way it makes up imaginary works and incorporates them into the novel as if they were real in the footnotes and the extraneous backstory/sidestory.

 

[Clipjoint]

Just started this, but I'm enjoying it so far.

 

[~capsule]

Right now Catch-22, then Battle Royale.

 

[Ravager61]

I just started reading House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski. I'm enjoying it so far. It's definitely different than alot of the stuff I've been reading lately and I enjoy the experimental nature of the narrative.

Anyone else read this? Thoughts?

I quit about half way through. I liked it for a while but it just seemed like both stories were really going nowhere. It is in interesting idea that doesnt have a strong enough narrative keep me interested. Im sure others feel different but thats how I felt reading it.

 

[ultron87]

I quit about half way through. I liked it for a while but it just seemed like both stories were really going nowhere. It is in interesting idea that doesnt have a strong enough narrative keep me interested. Im sure others feel different but thats how I felt reading it.

Interesting. Because I felt like everything was definitely headed to some shocking conclusion about the nature of the house and how it would tie in to the framing story. But then it unfortunately never got there. Which sucked.

So I guess you just had a better read on the story then. :lol

 

[the_painted_bird]

Almost finished, reads extremely well and I think everyone should be aware of it!

 

[ILOVEASIANS]

Started Dark Tower V: Wolves of the Calla recently. 150 pages in and I already like it more than Wizard and Glass.

 

[Danne-Danger]

I accidentally ordered a bunch of books from my local library the other week so I've been swamped with books to read.

So far I've finished Hyperion (great, though a few stories were less interesting than others... loved the Consuls tale), Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (also great), Ender's Game (amazing, had me hooked from beginning to end) and am currently working my way through A Scanner Darkly, which I am almost finished with

All in all, it was a good week. Later it's on to Ubik, Snow Crash and Aniara.

 

[bengraven]

Right now Catch-22, then Battle Royale.

Is that the novel or manga?

Just started this, but I'm enjoying it so far.

Thoughts? I see this at my little local library, but I'm waiting for someone's input first.

 

[bigmit3737]

Haven't read this one yet :x

and then

I was on the edge of my seat at borders after I read the first chapter so I had to buy it.

Just finished the Deathly Hallows tonight. I loved it. I think it's my favorite book now followed by the third book.

It was my first time going through the series as well.

 

[gdt]

Finished Prelude To Foundation. I liked it even better the second time around. So great seeing all those references to the past and future. And the twist/reveal and subsequent conversation was great.

*MAJOR SPOILER TO THE BOOK AND ENTIRE FOUNDATION UNIVERSE SERIES*

Spoiler

Man, Daneel is such a great character. I've always found his relationship with Elijah Bailey to be quite touching. So cool seeing the difference in demeanor from The Caves Of Steel all the way to these Foundation novels.

Starting Forward The Foundation (the weakest---though still enjoyable---Foundation book).

 

[nilbog21]

Haha, yeah, I ordered it online as well. Nabokov may be a respected author, but there's just something strange about buying a book with this content. The cover with the little girl doesn't really help. Yesterday, a girl I'm dating (not that well read) saw it in my room. I definitely had some explaining to do :lol

But it's worth it. I have about a hundred pages left and it gets better and better. The main protagonist is just so well written, his osession with Lolita is described in an awesome way. Go and get it, you won't regret it.

Really? People are emberassed about buying Lolita?

 

[Fireblend]

So, here's the new stuff I'm reading:

<-- a friend lent this one to me. Got me by surprise, really enjoying it. Apparently it's english title is "Blindness".

I robot has one shitty cover, and I got it mainly on impulse (it's awfully hard to buy english books here, so I couldn't refuse for $4).

Anyway, I just ordered American Gods, House of Leaves and because of some recent graphic novel thread here, I Kill Giants. Looking forward to that will start with House of Leaves once I get them.

 

[BenjaminBirdie]

Still demolishing Infinite Jest at a feverish pace, getting finally to the last three hundred or so pages where I really don't remember much from the first time.

I predict I will be crying throughout the rest of the book. I practically broke down on the train just reading a Cocaine Anonymous testimonial. This book is SO FUCKING HEARTBREAKING.

 

[gdt]

So, here's the new stuff I'm reading:

I robot has one shitty cover, and I got it mainly on impulse (it's awfully hard to buy english books here, so I couldn't refuse for $4).

Anyway, I just ordered American Gods, House of Leaves and because of some recent graphic novel thread here, I Kill Giants. Looking forward to that will start with House of Leaves once I get them.

I fucking hate the this wonderful book got saddled with that cover.

I actually don't think the movie is bad, just that it has barely anything to do with Asimov's Robot/Foundation series.

 

[nitewulf]

so fucking beautiful.

 

[Mifune]

Still demolishing Infinite Jest at a feverish pace, getting finally to the last three hundred or so pages where I really don't remember much from the first time.

I predict I will be crying throughout the rest of the book. I practically broke down on the train just reading a Cocaine Anonymous testimonial. This book is SO FUCKING HEARTBREAKING.

Shit really hit the fan around page 600.

And the endnote talking about Orin pulling a Clark Griswold with the Moms' dog. Damn. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

 

[Undeux]

Taking a break from my really serious reading (Brothers Karamazov and Rise and Fall of the Third Reich) since it's my last week of summer break and I just don't feel like it, reading Washington: The Indispensable Man and Altered Carbon instead. Looking forward to jumping on the Infinite Jest bandwagon sooner or later too.

 

[Eric Hall]

Just finished A Tale of Two Cities, which was awesome. Really my first exposure to Dickens work (Besides A Christmas Carol)

Now I am reading The Little Book by Selden Edwards, which is good, but i hope it does pick up

After that, I wanna try and read Shutter Island before the movie comes out

 

[MehsterChief]

Really? People are emberassed about buying Lolita?

You'd be amazed of the number of people, who have never heard of the book and assume it is just a porn-novel for pedos. People don't read anymore

 

[Kuugrr]

Interesting. I like it so far, but I might put it aside for a bit in order to get started on the second book in Joe Abercrombie's The First Law trilogy.

 

[layzie1989]

very good book on the history of typography and graphic design.

 

[Danne-Danger]

I robot has one shitty cover, and I got it mainly on impulse (it's awfully hard to buy english books here, so I couldn't refuse for $4).

I'm with you 100%. I ordered mine online and they had another cover on the site, when it arrived it was that awful, awful cover. I'm going to donate it as soon as I get the chance.

 

[Salazar]

T.R. Glover's 'The Ancient World'. It's a glorious, stiffly charming, and accidentally amusing primer in Mediterranean and Asian classical history for British schoolchildren.

 

[Salazar]

Really? People are emberassed about buying Lolita?

I remember buying '100 Days of Sodom' from a 2nd hand bookstore. The guy looked me dead in the eyes, utterly straightfaced, and said 'have fun'.

 

[Future PhaZe]

http://www.orbitbooks.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/best-cold-final1.jpg

so fucking beautiful.

Really can't be said enough. Great, great book.

 

[Night_Trekker]

I quit about half way through. I liked it for a while but it just seemed like both stories were really going nowhere. It is in interesting idea that doesnt have a strong enough narrative keep me interested. Im sure others feel different but thats how I felt reading it.

The story within the story (about the Navidsons) does go somewhere and is worth finishing. The framing story kind of meanders and doesn't get the same sort of conclusion (and I didn't enjoy it or its characters as much), but it's still important thematically and structurally.

Interesting. Because I felt like everything was definitely headed to some shocking conclusion about the nature of the house and how it would tie in to the framing story. But then it unfortunately never got there. Which sucked.

So I guess you just had a better read on the story then. :lol

I doubt the author had anything close to an explanation figured out, but I wouldn't have wanted one anyway. Why ruin the sense of mystery that drives the Navidson story by explaining it away? Ultimately the book is about the characters, as most good writing is, not the plot.

Which is good, because the plot is (intentionally) all over the place :lol

 

[Xenomorph]

Just finished reading:

Going to start on:

After that:

 

[Earl Cazone]

i just finished

was an interesting experience. and now im about to read:

~ magic moments of insignificance

 

[Clipjoint]

Thoughts? I see this at my little local library, but I'm waiting for someone's input first.

It's very good, not great. Well researched, and it really shines when he's tracking and comparing the Judeo-Christian "God" through the evolution of the 3 major Abrahamic religions. I'm having a bit of trouble with his fence riding, though. It seems like he wants to please both atheists and theists, and manages doing neither. Still, when he's focused on the texts and the social/historical reasons behind the evolution, it's fascinating. I was especially interested in the evolution of God in the texts themselves as one of many, to first among many, to the only God - and concurrently the evolution in each text uniquely from a ruthless God to a merciful God. Definitely worth reading, even if the commentary muddles the research a bit.

 

[MehsterChief]

Ok, I just finished Lolita. Crazy ending. Someone in this thread said that Nabokov wrote the finest prose in English. I have to agree with him, the book was simply amazing and has instantly become one of my favourites. Can anyone reccommend any of his other books. I only ever hear that "Pale Fire" is also pretty good. Any of his other novels worth reading?

Next, I'll be reading:

I liked "100 Years Of Solitude" a lot, so I'm looking forward to this one.

 

[NimbusD]

Just finished reading:

Hey I just started reading that 2 days ago. Found the book outside my apartment.

 

[Jayge]

A week?

Probably longer than a week actually, since my calender started to fill up once I bought the books so I can't demolish them as fast as I'd like to :lol I finished A Game of Thrones last night though and I bought it on Monday, so maybe a week and a half or two weeks at most. I'm the kind of person who tends to read 24/7 until they finish whatever it is they are reading so I go through books really fast.

 

[Danthrax]

Just picked this up for $6 at Borders (used a member coupon):

Only read the first 50 pages or so, but it's good so far.

 

[movie_club]

since i cant make threads ill ask here, what magazines to people read?

I read Wired and The Atlantic and

Spoiler

GFW EGM RIP

, both alright.
Is New York Mag any good?

 

[Fireblend]

Damn am I weak. Just bought these, which shall be added to the backlog:

<-- a short play, already read it but I love it and just wanted to own it.

 

[hiryu2015]

I just finished "My Own Country" by Abraham Verghese. Although I read often [newspapers and news magazines like the WaPo and Time, a lot of research articles and scientific journals], I have not read a novel/book out of my own free will in some time. Even if you consider assigned reading, it's been quite awhile since I finished a book at all [probably when I was at University].

I had started "A Tale of Two Cities" back in December and was enjoying it but put it off after a few weeks because I didn't have the time. While I hope to pick it up again, I found quite a few others I'm going to start: "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu and "Mama might be better off dead" by Laurie Kaye Abraham.

I just remembered that I started to reread "The Prince" and got halfway in several hours last November. I wonder where I left the book...

 

[ccarver3]