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What are you reading? (February 2013)
- Thread starter Maklershed
- Start date
Lee Chaolan
Member
The Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Guide.
What, it counts. 
Finished Replay by Ken Grimwood. Absolutely fantastic book and easily one of the best books I've ever read.
Up there with the graphic novel Blankets as a book that's got to me on an emotional level and nearly had tears in my eyes, with one particular scene during Replay. Superb book.
Up there with the graphic novel Blankets as a book that's got to me on an emotional level and nearly had tears in my eyes, with one particular scene during Replay. Superb book.
Maklershed
Member
Hmm been seeing a lot of love for this Replay book lately. Might have to give it a go when I finish Second Foundation.
Yeah, I'm doing a balancing things out too. Reading Atlas Shrugged for the book club and, on the side, some fun and light readings of the Sherlock Holmes complete collection.
MoGamesXNA
Unconfirmed Member
I just finished reading the Hunger Games trilogy. All up the series was really good. I'm a huge fan of young adult dystopian fiction and I feel that the series lived up to the hype. It was a shock to read a novel that builds up progressively all the way to its conclusion after putting a lot of time into some sci-fi from Peter Hamilton.
I find that Peter Hamilton's novels generally peak at the inception, regain momentum halfway through and then get tied up messily at the end (ignoring the older Nights Dawn Trilogy and Pandora's Star/Judas Unchained which end well).
I had to close the book after reading first sentence of the epilogue though.
I find that Peter Hamilton's novels generally peak at the inception, regain momentum halfway through and then get tied up messily at the end (ignoring the older Nights Dawn Trilogy and Pandora's Star/Judas Unchained which end well).
I had to close the book after reading first sentence of the epilogue though.
Sadly it suffers terribly from the female author syndrome where every female character has to have a white wedding and dump out a couple of kids. Obviously this is the only way a female can lead a fulfilling adult life. I guess she had to do her part to brainwash the female teen readership. Do your part for society bitches... you even get one day to dress up like a princess and become the center of attention for five minutes before getting fat, hating your husband and enjoying a life of servitude. Generic happy endings ftw.
Katniss would have been a complete headcase after going through what she had. Suicide or drug dependency would have been a more realistic conclusion. I wish that authors would end things in a plausible manner or just leave off generic epilogues all together.
Katniss would have been a complete headcase after going through what she had. Suicide or drug dependency would have been a more realistic conclusion. I wish that authors would end things in a plausible manner or just leave off generic epilogues all together.
Yes you should read it!
My reading stalled out a bit towards the end of January, so I figure going back to Abercrombie will get me going again. He has yet to let me down.
Just wrapped that up last night. Read the First Law Trilogy and then Best Served Cold right after... great stuff. I have Heroes to read, but I'm delving into:
So far it's excellent.
Mackenzie 92
Member
Its been a long while since I read the books, but I don't remember interpreting it like that at all. Katniss was pretty fucked up if I recall and the ending wasn't all roses and white weddings, (did they ever even get married?) I think it took her something like 20 years to even agree to have kids because she was so fucked up. You're reaching and over-analyzing in my opinion and projecting your own views into it.
VitalNerve
Member
I'm big into non-fiction books and have been looking around for a book about George mason. Are there any books about him that GAF recommends?
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1479387401/?tag=neogaf0e-20
Havent read it, but this one seems interesting and readable
On tap next, I have:
It's daunting, but I've heard the accolades around here and I'm ready to give it a go. I've read a few pages and the style looks engaging without being esoteric, so I'm excited.
Just wait...the beginning "sprockets," while setting the tone for the book, do not completely convey just how far down the rabbit hole goes.
Zero History was good (I quite liked the reveal), as well. But PR is the best.
VitalNerve
Member
Awesome! Thank you very much. Keep an eye out, I will be back to ask for more books on other people. My searches tend to be unfruitful, which I then turn to GAF
Mackenzie 92
Member
Finished
Prism: Shadow of the Fates by Thomas Trask
Was pretty damn good actually. Enjoyed it.
Starting
Outpost by Adam Baker
Prism: Shadow of the Fates by Thomas Trask
Was pretty damn good actually. Enjoyed it.
Starting
Outpost by Adam Baker
MoGamesXNA
Unconfirmed Member
Oh I'm absolutely doing that. I only read a single sentence of the epilogue, sensed an unnecessary Hollywood style generic ending and closed the book at that point. It's not really my style. The rest of the story was genuinely great though.
ElectricBlue187
Member
about 25% done. So far the characters are a little cliche, thing that keeps me interested is the weirdo narrator. This guy is a freak show, I'm just always curious what he's going to do next.
roosters93
Member
Currently reading Carrie by Stephen King. About two-thirds of the way through. This is the first King book I've read besides On Writing. I also have the first volume of The Dark Tower on my shelf to read some day.
It's enjoyable so far and the format is engaging. My favourite part as of yet is this "If these 'outs' remember Ross as a friendly, good-natured fellow (many referred to him as a 'hell of a good shit')"
It's enjoyable so far and the format is engaging. My favourite part as of yet is this "If these 'outs' remember Ross as a friendly, good-natured fellow (many referred to him as a 'hell of a good shit')"
The Living Tribunal
Member
Decided to start Hyperion
Enjoy the awesome ride.
Mackenzie 92
Member
Prism was a definite surprise. Wasn't expecting much from it going in, but ended up really enjoying it. I'd definitely recommend.
Fair enough. I'd read the rest of it tho, you might be surprised.
The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie
Only ever picked this up as I commented to a friend how much I liked how reverently Shivers spoke of the Named Men in Best Served Cold and how I thought that'd be a fun read. He was happy to point out that it was, in fact, something I could.
I think this was the second time I attempted reading this. Much like the first time, I liked the Logen/Glokta stuff. Jezal was too much of a douche in my first go though but I managed through that this timet. Thought it was ok in the end with the high points being anything that involved the Named Men (Logen's chapters included) and 'The House of The Maker' chapter which seemed to be a catalyst for some change in the POV characters at last.
Finished a re-read of Peter S Beagle's The Folk of the Air.
The first time I read it I thought it was a bit of a chore and mediocre, but with each successive re-read I've grown to like it more and more until I sort of fell in love with it.
I'm not really sure how to describe it, other than as sort of a slice of life story. Joe Farrell comes back to his college town 10 years later to stay with his best friend and the lover he's living with. From there, as Farrell finds his way through jobs and old friends, it sort of slowly drifts into magic and gods.
finished lullaby, wich I really liked and found surprisingly funny. I think I still prefer Invisible Monsters tho. Chuck sure likes his roadtrips.
also quicly read through this:
and it was fantastic. My only real complaint is that its clearly a small slice of something much bigger. Really compelling. I really hope Sanderson gets to follow it with either a full lenght novel or the proposed tv series at least.
think im gonna read that short warm bodies prequel (the new hunger) before watching the film
also quicly read through this:
and it was fantastic. My only real complaint is that its clearly a small slice of something much bigger. Really compelling. I really hope Sanderson gets to follow it with either a full lenght novel or the proposed tv series at least.
think im gonna read that short warm bodies prequel (the new hunger) before watching the film
charlemagne
Member
That's how I remember it.
Re-reading this for like the third time or so; think I'm going to make it a yearly thing from here on out. Never read a other book that truly inspires me to push on further in the current direction I'm taking my life, so poignant, touching and genuine.. sogood.gif. I still can't hold back the tears in my reading of certain sections in the novel.
@Mumei - You definitely need to put this at the top of your reading list!
I just read Hesiod's Theogony. The translation was a little cutsie but the stories were fantastic. It's difficult to keep track of who was the child of whom, but once I figured out the generations of Gaia - Titans - Zeus it all made sense. There is a lot of sex in it so it has a nice atmosphere. The section about Night and her children Sleep and Death was beautiful as well. All in all, it really contextualized the whole pantheon of Greek gods which is invaluable. A good read.
Re-reading this for like the third time or so; think I'm going to make it a yearly thing from here on out. Never read a other book that truly inspires me to push on further in the current direction I'm taking my life, so poignant, touching and genuine.. sogood.gif. I still can't hold back the tears in my reading of certain sections in the novel.
@Mumei - You definitely need to put this at the top of your reading list!
Well, if you insist.
I am reading Akira. I read the first volume last night. :3
sparky2112
Member
This is my second Lipsyte. The guy is hilarious, but also so fucking bleak. But yeah, I guess self-hatred is his artform...
Akira is the only Manga i ever read - sooooo good!
i'm on vacation now, but forgot the pile of books i wanted to read at home. so now i've decided to reread the hobbit and the lord of rings - it's been a long time!
Monocle
Member
Gradually crawling through
H.P. Lovecraft: The Complete Fiction
which I started some time ago but never finished. (His complete works are available for free, but I like having an actual book to hold in my hands.) It's utterly fantastic. I love how Lovecraft draws out each suspenseful moment with his richly spun prose. He's so great at conveying supernatural horror.
I've been listening to the corresponding episode of the H.P. Lovecraft Literary Podcast after finishing each story in this collection. It's really insightful and surprisingly funny—I was especially entertained by Episode 2: The Tomb. Don't miss out on this if you enjoy Lovecraft.
H.P. Lovecraft: The Complete Fiction
which I started some time ago but never finished. (His complete works are available for free, but I like having an actual book to hold in my hands.) It's utterly fantastic. I love how Lovecraft draws out each suspenseful moment with his richly spun prose. He's so great at conveying supernatural horror.
I've been listening to the corresponding episode of the H.P. Lovecraft Literary Podcast after finishing each story in this collection. It's really insightful and surprisingly funny—I was especially entertained by Episode 2: The Tomb. Don't miss out on this if you enjoy Lovecraft.
This actually fits the conceit that the books were authored by the main character (an unreliable narrator) and merely translated by Gene Wolf. Read all four parts of The Book of the New Sun and then be sure to check out the sequel, The Urth of the New Sun. It's the best payoff I've ever experienced for a fictional series.
Yes, definitely. Wolfe might seem like he's dicking you around sometimes, but he actually gives you all the information you need to understand the plot. You don't need to get everything, and you'll definitely feel clever when you figure something out, even if it is something that is ultimately more obvious (e.g. the religious symbolism of Terminus Est being a cross)
Maklershed
Member
Really wanted to get my Sci-Fi on.
How far into this are you? It always seemed interesting to me but I see criticism (perhaps from these threads) that its very boring at times.
Yeah, actually I knew a lot of that going in, and it was one of the things that attracted me to the book. I really enjoyed the idea in theory. I didn't realize I would find it mildly annoying in practice.
I almost feel like this is one of those works that I'm going to come back to when I'm in the right kind of mood, and I'm going to end up loving it. But for now, it remains on that list of books that didn't quite work for me. I may try one of Wolfe's other works before I tackle this one again, but I probably will tackle it again.
eattomorro
Neo Member
Finally finished Harmony by Keith Brooke. Can't really recommend it as it was too frustrating, hated the narrator and the first POV style of writing, and the author built an intriguing reality only to blow it in cliches. Sad.
Going on to Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson and hope it's as good as a lot of people say.
Going on to Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson and hope it's as good as a lot of people say.
sparky2112
Member
It's better. Probably in my top 5, and while I never reread, I'm due for a reread.
I'm about halfway into the the book which is the second of the trilogy. I can understand the criticism that it is quite dull at times, but that doesn't bother me too much because I find the setting and the story itself to be quite fascinating.
The book deals with some really cool sci-fi concepts which fascinate me and make me far more interested than I once was in out Solar System and Mars in particular. If you can put up with some dry overly scientific segments from time to time it might be a good book to try.
Currently reading:
I'm just a bit into book 3 - really liking it so far. Anyone has more Arthurian novels to recommend? I have The Mists of Avalon but it sounds like it's very Morgan-centric.
The Once and future king is an all-time favorite of mine. I haven't been able to find anything that can match it in terms of Arthurian fantasy, but I'm thinking of starting Mary Stewart's Arthurian series, which starts with The Crystal cave. I know someone with very good taste who recommends it highly.
And also worth mentioning is the Camulod Chronicles by Jack Whyte. These put the Arthurian legend into a really gritty historical context. I have only read the first two books of the series. The first was absolutely amazing. It totally blew me away. The second was good, but not quite as good as the first. I'm not sure how the rest of the series holds up but people seem to like them pretty well, and I plan to find out in the near future. I'll probably start the whole series over myself because I want to read that first book again and it's been several years. These are basically magic-free historical novels, but they may introduce some subtle fantasy elements later, like prophecy and things of that nature, or maybe not.
Maklershed
Member
Thanks for the info. Adding it to my 'to-read' list.
EDIT: Scratch that. Got impatient and bought Red Mars. Going with the red theme I got Red Country while I was at it. :b