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[Nelo Ice]

So got House of Leaves for the book club last month but just started it about a week ago. This book is completely insane. It has me hooked but it's been hard trying to follow both narratives. Especially with the last few passages I've read being nonsense and rambling. I've also read every footnote and have gone to the appendix when it says to. The book is the very definition of a mind fuck.

Also an I missing something with the appendix? Looking through the book club thread and apparently there's a footnote about checking the letters in the back in the 50s pages but I'm on page 68 and only seen 2 instances so far of going to check stuff in the appendix.

 

[MistaPropella]

I only read GAF, nothing else!

 

[UpperCaseN]

Can I ask this thread a question about a book?

I'm a Hannibal the show fan. I just started up The Silence of the Lambs in preparation for Season 3 coming up. I read Red Dragon last year but cannot for the life of me remember a specific detail:

Spoiler

How exactly was Hannibal and the Red Dragon communicating? It was a book code in the Tattler personal ads, but I can't remember what book the code was referencing. Was it a cook book?

this is driving me nuts

edit: I answered my own question, my spoiler tagged line is exactly right

 

[Cade]

Oh yeah, I started

this now. It's alright so far, I needed something fluff to read in between The Road and some Dick sci-fi.

 

[Osorio]

 

[obin_gam]

Anyone read Dan Browns (aka the Michael Bay of books) Inferno?
I liked DaVinci, A&D and Digital Fortress - would I like Inferno?

 

[sparky2112]

I only read GAF, nothing else!

Sucking the marrow right out of life.

 

[Futureman]

I'm reading BARON IN THE TREES right now by Calvino. Man Calvino is so great.

next I'll probably read INVISIBLE CITIES.

 

[ShaneB]

Saw this while browsing the kindle monthly deals, sounds like it will be a fun read.

Now reading...
Life is a Wheel: A Passage Across America by Bicycle by Bruce Weber

 

[sparky2112]

Saw this while browsing the kindle monthly deals, sounds like it will be a fun read.

Now reading...
Life is a Wheel: A Passage Across America by Bicycle by Bruce Weber

Bought.

 

[kinn]

Anyone read Dan Browns (aka the Michael Bay of books) Inferno?
I liked DaVinci, A&D and Digital Fortress - would I like Inferno?

I like the same books as you listed there. YMMV but I thought Inferno was pants.

 

[Christoff Yurievich]

Saw this while browsing the kindle monthly deals, sounds like it will be a fun read.

Now reading...
Life is a Wheel: A Passage Across America by Bicycle by Bruce Weber

I think I've read this once when I got it from the library, but I don't mind reading it again. Thanks for the heads-up.

Just makes me think about when I'm going to do that. First I need a good touring bike, second I need to be secure enough in a job to take that much time off.

 

[Haly]

Started reading my first paper print book (Left Hand of Darkness) in a long while.

I forgot I have to manually keep track of page numbers.
I forgot I can't tap and hold words to look them up in the dictionary.
I forgot the fear of bending/creasing the cover and pages.

 

[Haly]

A "bookmark" is something I use to save web pages for future perusal.

 

[Mumei]

I just remember what page I'm on. <_<

 

[Haly]

Same.

 

[Jag]

Impressive. I sometimes forget the book I'm reading.

 

[Easystride]

The book on the Kindle Daily deal today, "A True Novel," really caught my eye so I downloaded the sample. It definitely seems like my kind of book. It's set in postwar Japan, I believe, but the setting covered in the sample has been New York in the 60s. Yummmmm. And the best part is that it's almost 900 pages long. Looking forward to sinking my teeth into it.

Its written by Minae Mizumura, who I'd never heard of before. Does anyone have any other suggestions for Japanese authors outside of the obvious Murakami and Ishiguro?

 

[A Human Becoming]

After listening to the first chapter of Ulysses I don't really know what's going on. There's a dude who sings and lots of breakfast talk.

 

[Mumei]

Cyan, that almost never happens.

After listening to the first chapter of Ulysses I don't really know what's going on. There's a dude who sings and lots of breakfast talk.

I haven't read Ulysses yet, but I expect to be making use of these when I reread it:

 

[Piecake]

After listening to the first chapter of Ulysses I don't really know what's going on. There's a dude who sings and lots of breakfast talk.

Yea, I found Ulysses annoying. I just don't have the patience or inclination to spend 5 minutes making sense of every sentence.

 

[Haly]

They teach Ulysses in college for a reason.

 

[Zona]

I just remember what page I'm on. <_<

I do the same thing. Even when I forget the exact page I usually just open up the book in about the right spot and skim till I find my place.

My last two books read have been

The Folded World: A Dirge for Prester John, and

The Causal Angel.

Both where wonderful. It's times like this I curse my lack of aptitude with the written word. Not because I wish I could create novels such as these, no that's beyond the scope even of my fantasies, but so I could adequately express both the depth of my fondness for these books as well as why I felt that way. Alas it is not to be. I can only look on with envy at some of the posts in this thread, never mind the forum and wider world.

 

[survivor]

The book on the Kindle Daily deal today, "A True Novel," really caught my eye so I downloaded the sample. It definitely seems like my kind of book. It's set in postwar Japan, I believe, but the setting covered in the sample has been New York in the 60s. Yummmmm. And the best part is that it's almost 900 pages long. Looking forward to sinking my teeth into it.

Its written by Minae Mizumura, who I'd never heard of before. Does anyone have any other suggestions for Japanese authors outside of the obvious Murakami and Ishiguro?

I like Natsume Soseki, particularly Kokoro and The Gate. There is of course the other old classics authors like Osamu Dazai, Yukio Mishima, Yasunari Kawabata, Jun'ichiro Tanizaki and so on.

As for contemporary ones then I liked Yoko Ogawa.

 

[Mumei]

I do the same thing. Even when I forget the exact page I usually just open up the book in about the right place and skim till I find my place.

My last two books read have been

The Folded World: A Dirge for Prester John, and

Both were wonderful. It's times like this I curse my lack of aptitude with the written word. Not because I wish I could create novels such as these, no that's beyond the scope even of my fantasies, but so I could adequately express both the depth of my fondness for these books as well as why I felt that way. Alas it is not to be. I can only look on with envy at some of the posts in this thread, never mind the forum and wider world.

<3

See, Necrovex? This is how you show proper appreciation for Catherynne Valente's magnificence. <3

I like Natsume Soseki, particularly Kokoro and The Gate. There is of course the other old classics authors like Osamu Dazai, Yukio Mishima, Yasunari Kawabata, Jun'ichiro Tanizaki and so on.

As for contemporary ones then I liked Yoko Ogawa.

Kenzaburo Oe is also great. A Personal Matter, then Rouse Up O Young Men of the New Age! is an affecting one-two punch.

 

[Masenkame]

Humble Book Bundle is decent for once: https://www.humblebundle.com/books

Do keep in mind that most of these are novellas.

Subterranean Press is a great small press, and this deal is insane.

The brand new Harlan Ellison short story collection, a Caitlin Kiernan collection, the K.J. Parker collection, and Jack Vance's collected short work, plus a bunch of other books for that price is amazing.

 

[besada]

Humble Book Bundle is decent for once: https://www.humblebundle.com/books

Do keep in mind that most of these are novellas.

That's some interesting looking stuff. I may have to bite on that.

 

[Necrovex]

<3

See, Necrovex? This is how you show proper appreciation for Catherynne Valente's magnificence. <3.

I'll take Sanderson's proses over Valente's every day of the week.

 

[Mumei]

I'll take Sanderson's proses over Valente's every day of the week.

It's so pedestrian.

 

[Necrovex]

It's so pedestrian.

You're just too snobbish.

 

[Haly]

Why can't it be both that Mumei is too snobbish and Necrovax is too pedestrian?

 

[Mumei]

I'm not too snobbish. I really enjoy Sanderson, in spite of his mundane prose. But there's no world in which Valente isn't a better prose stylist.

Spoiler

I do agree with the criticism that she can sometimes go too far in her use of metaphors, though, especially in some of her earlier stuff I've read

 

[Pau]

Finished Ancillary Justice.

Spoiler

I always believe that robots/clones/etc. are just as "human" as the rest of us, so it's nice to see that character archetype as the protagonist. The ships should all take over. (Yes, I'm almost always on the AI's side.)

Started on The Goblin Emperor.

 

[Mumei]

Finished Ancillary Justice.

Spoiler

I always believe that robots/clones/etc. are just as "human" as the rest of us, so it's nice to see that character archetype as the protagonist. The ships should all take over. (Yes, I'm almost always on the AI's side.)

Started on The Goblin Emperor.

Pau, have you read Urasawa's Pluto manga series?

 

[Pau]

Pau, have you read Urasawa's Pluto manga series?

Noooo. I've read like zero manga outside of Nausicaa.

 

[Mumei]

Noooo. I've read like zero manga outside of Nausicaa.

It's right up your alley, and it's only eight volumes. Check your library! It's one of the very best.

 

[LProtag]

I'm actually really enjoying Foucault's Pendulum, though I haven't dug in super far yet. I like that I'm learning a bunch about the Knights Templar through a novel.

I started playing Monster Hunter and it's kinda cut into my reading time this past day... need to regroup tomorrow and balance my life again.

 

[TestMonkey]

Finished Mindy Kaling's book so I needed to scrub my brain with something by a real comedian.

Good stuff so far. I miss her so. Such a sweet lady.

 

[Necrovex]

Are we really doing this again? Sanderson's prose is middling. His plotting and worldbuilding are pretty fun.

I will always do this to Mumei.

Spoiler

I also enjoy Sanderson's very simple and middling prose.

Why can't it be both that Mumei is too snobbish and Necrovax is too pedestrian?

I'm fine with that compromise!

I'm not too snobbish. I really enjoy Sanderson, in spite of his mundane prose. But there's no world in which Valente isn't a better prose stylist.

Spoiler

I do agree with the criticism that she can sometimes go too far in her use of metaphors, though, especially in some of her earlier stuff I've read

Are all Valente's novels written in a similar fashion as John Prester? I wouldn't mind giving her fairytale book a chance.

It's right up your alley, and it's only eight volumes. Check your library! It's one of the very best.

Pluto is amazing. I need to finish that series soon since I have the remaining volumes available to me.

 

[Piecake]

I'm actually enjoying Firefight at the moment. It's my running audiobook for now, and I'm about halfway through. Though I feel like Prof isn't acting as smart as he should be. Maybe he's being sneaky.

Sparks! You are actually enjoying that book?

I probably would have enjoyed it as an audiobook more. The main character, dialogue, and made up swear words are just SOOO bad it just ruined it for me.

 

[Ghizz]

Sparks! You are actually enjoying that book?

I probably would have enjoyed it as an audiobook more. The main character, dialogue, and made up swear words are just SOOO bad it just ruined it for me.

Really? I felt it drew me more into the world-building of sanderson. I mean, made up swear words exist in a plethora of other books...and while cringe-y at times, it's not too bad.

 

[ngower]

Hi all,

I know there are a billion recommendations in the OP, but I wonder if y'all would be willing to give me a tailored book recommendation? (I bought a Kindle recently and am enjoying it, especially how damn easy it is to rent books from the library! In this New England winter, that's a godsend.)

I'm wrapping up a Storm of Swords and want a short read (~200p) before moving on to Feast for Crows.

I've got holds on The Magicians, The Bone Clocks, The Martian and Colorless Tsukuru, but those likely won't be available anytime soon. I tend to like intelligent but accessible reads, often with a fantastical element (some examples include Chronic City by Jonathan Lethem, Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell, just about anything by Haruki Murakami). I know that's a pretty broad category, but I believe the holds list plus those titles give some inkling into the type of books I read. Any help, GAF?

 

[aidan]

Hi all,

I know there are a billion recommendations in the OP, but I wonder if y'all would be willing to give me a tailored book recommendation? (I bought a Kindle recently and am enjoying it, especially how damn easy it is to rent books from the library! In this New England winter, that's a godsend.)

I'm wrapping up a Storm of Swords and want a short read (~200p) before moving on to Feast for Crows.

I've got holds on The Magicians, The Bone Clocks, The Martian and Colorless Tsukuru, but those likely won't be available anytime soon. I tend to like intelligent but accessible reads, often with a fantastical element (some examples include Chronic City by Jonathan Lethem, Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell, just about anything by Haruki Murakami). I know that's a pretty broad category, but I believe the holds list plus those titles give some inkling into the type of books I read. Any help, GAF?

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel.

 

[ngower]

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel.

Looks interesting. Reading a sample of it now. Put a hold on it at the library. Thanks!

 

[mu cephei]

Humble Book Bundle is decent for once: https://www.humblebundle.com/books

Do keep in mind that most of these are novellas.

Thanks very much for this, some interesting looking books.

.. Today I finished listening to The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury. I didn't think much of it. It's aged really badly, both the science and the social stuff, but as well as that, it was just kind of shallow. It was written in the 40s, so it's a little bit interesting to look at as a product of its time, but that's about it. I'm not sure the narration helped, I think there are bits I wouldn't have found so obnoxious if I'd read, rather than heard them. There were a few stories that were decent, I liked The Martian a fair bit. And there was some nice imagery.

 

[besada]

I finished the last of the four Ringworld books, Ringworld's Children. It was better than I remembered. Ringworld Throne was still pretty sub-par, though. Not sure what I'm moving on to next. Twenty five books so far this year...

 

[Piecake]

Really? I felt it drew me more into the world-building of sanderson. I mean, made up swear words exist in a plethora of other books...and while cringe-y at times, it's not too bad.

I pretty much hate all made-up swear words and I think sparks is the worst. It just sounds corny and nonsensical. There is no real feeling behind the word. I mean, who is going to take someone seriously if they yell out Sparks? At least Stormin' makes some sense and I can see some dude say that with feeling.

 

[Fusebox]

Bit lttp but I started The Martian last night (and almost finished it last night too), I was expecting a bleak survivor story, didn't realise it'd be so upbeat with some great humour!

 

[joeyjoejoeshabadoo]

Bit lttp but I started The Martian last night (and almost finished it last night too), I was expecting a bleak survivor story, didn't realise it'd be so upbeat with some great humour!

Yeah, that book is fantastic.

(Not really ending spoiler but I put it in a tag just in case. )

Spoiler

I would have killed for an epilogue. The ending seemed a little abrupt.

Anyone read Dan Browns (aka the Michael Bay of books) Inferno?
I liked DaVinci, A&D and Digital Fortress - would I like Inferno?

I did enjoy both Angels and Demons and The Da Vinci Code but I hated the Lost (Last?) Symbol. I liked Inferno, at least enough to finish it which is more than I can say about the previous Langdon book.

Inferno was fun in parts but frustrating in others, so basically a Dan Brown novel. If you read his past work then you should know what to expect. If you liked his stuff in the past, you'll like this since it's pretty much more of the same.

 

[Christoff Yurievich]

It's been posted before by others but I'm here now: There was an epilogue written for the original online version so you could probably find it with some adept Googling. Which I am failing at at the moment.