I don't understand that analogy.
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What are you reading? (February 2015)
- Thread starter Maklershed
- Start date
I don't understand that analogy.
sparky2112
Member
Okay? The world is a better place with him off paining puppies. But, yeah, as dopes go, he's kinda lovable.
I'm currently reading The Walled Orchard by Tom Holt. It's the fake autobiography of the Athenian comedic poet and playwright Eupolis. The humor is dark and dry, just the way I like it. I'm waiting for whomever has City of Stairs out at my local library, late I might add, to return it so I can read it next.
One of these days I'll quote those posts where you guys talk about the last book - but not today!
This is true, yes. And Jordan's descriptive narration tends to be more... I don't know. Vivid? I suppose that's the word.
This is true, yes. And Jordan's descriptive narration tends to be more... I don't know. Vivid? I suppose that's the word.
Read Days Of Fire instead.
Ally of Justice
Member
Finished Doors of Perception and Heaven and Hell by Aldous Huxley yesterday. It's a very interesting essay about his experiences with mescaline. Truth to be told, I decided to read it because I liked the world building of Brave New World and found the book laying around one of my house's bookshelves.
I'm also halfway through The Death of Vishnu, by Manil Suri. It's been entertaining so far. I really like to read about foreign cultures because, no matter how far we are from each other or how different their culture is to ours, we're still human. We still feel the same emotions, we still have the same kind of doubts and the like.
I've also decided my next book will be Dos Crímenes (Two crimes) by Jorge Ibargüengoitia. I hope I can start it on Monday.
I'm also halfway through The Death of Vishnu, by Manil Suri. It's been entertaining so far. I really like to read about foreign cultures because, no matter how far we are from each other or how different their culture is to ours, we're still human. We still feel the same emotions, we still have the same kind of doubts and the like.
I've also decided my next book will be Dos Crímenes (Two crimes) by Jorge Ibargüengoitia. I hope I can start it on Monday.
My only exposure to Sanderson so far is the three WOT books he wrote, but I came away with the impression that Jordan had a better ear for poetry in language, while Sanderson wastes fewer words.
Overall I prefer Jordan's writing style. There is a weight in it that wasn't there in the Sanderson books. Sanderson seemed like more of a surface guy--this happens, that happens, action, action, action--while Jordan delved deeper into character motivations, and generally spent more time on the little things. The result is that Sanderson's books are like a rollercoaster ride that leaves you feeling breathless, while Jordan's books--the good ones, anyway--are a bit less intense, but leave a more lasting impression.
That being said, I still thought Sanderson finished the series very well, and those books are highly enjoyable in their own way. With all the stuff that happens in them, it probably would've taken Jordan five or six more books to get it all out.
How did you find it`? like some other russian novels I've read, its quite deep and you really have to concentrate hard to grasp whats happening.
i think I can only read about 4 or 5 chapters before taking a break.
nakedsushi
Member
I got a galley of this and it was decent:
The Opposite of Spoiled: Raising Kids Who Are Grounded, Generous, and Smart About Money by Ron Lieber
Pretty informative and it had some eye-opening anecdotes. For those interested in the book, Lieber also writes for the Times and has a decent article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/01/y...r-kids-how-much-you-make.html?ref=topics&_r=0
The Opposite of Spoiled: Raising Kids Who Are Grounded, Generous, and Smart About Money by Ron Lieber
Pretty informative and it had some eye-opening anecdotes. For those interested in the book, Lieber also writes for the Times and has a decent article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/01/y...r-kids-how-much-you-make.html?ref=topics&_r=0
It's not an attempt to give a definition of "good". Theodicy is the attempt to explain why a good God would permit evil to exist. And yes, it is rather unsatisfying. I haven't come across one that isn't.
Another reminder that you should read James Morrow's Towing Jehovah trilogy. The third books is all about theodicy, as a man puts the corpse of God on trial for crimes against humanity.
I am imagining such scene literally. It is kind of macabre and odd, yet at the same time hilarious, in black comedy-way. Gotta put it to my notes, will make a good RPG quest/scene if nothing else.
sparky2112
Member
It wasn't a light read, for sure. I don't have a lot of Russian lit under my belt, but it struck me as fairly dry emotion-wise, which I assume is fairly standard...
Well, the first book in the triology is Towing Jehovah, a story about the captain of an Exxon Valdez equivalent who is called on by angels to tow the dead body of God from the middle of the ocean where it fell to a specially carved tomb of ice in the arctic circle. So there's definitely some dark humor there. Later in the trilogy, a fundamentalist group buys the body and displays it in a theme park. It's a remarkably good series, as is his collection of short stories, Biblle Stories for Adults.
Oh. I assumed it was more of a metaphorical thing rather than literal.
Probably should make a note somewhere to read that book if i ever come across it.
Morrow's novels were recommended by the hosts of the Coode Street Podcast a while back, which is where I'd heard of him first. Then a couple weeks ago, they talked with him.
EPISODE 217: JAMES MORROW, SF, SATIRE, RELIGION, AND OTHER MATTERS
A couple weeks ago they had Harlan Ellison and William Schafer from Subterranean Press on, for a lengthy and interesting conversation. Next week, they have William Gibson.
And in general, I heartily recommend the podcast. The hosts, Jonathan and Gary always have well-informed conversations about SFF, as well as many great guests to have them with.
My biggest issue is that, according to Christian Theology, evil is a byproduct of free will, and does not originate from Satan or his analogues. Now, the Wheel of Time is not Christian doctrine by any stretch of the imagination, but to deliberately set up numerous parallels and then deliberately defy one of it's tenets in a move that forces the universe to go through the bullshit time and time again in order to preserve free will made me pull my hair out.
Kyleripman
Member
Haha, yes. I didn't mind it, exactly, I had just hoped for more.
Yeah it's frustrating, I agree. I do have to admit that I guess we were warned time and time again - no beginnings, no endings, each Age repeats, etc. being said in every book over and over...but I had hoped *this time* would be different.
I'm at the halfway point now and the story really starts pulling you in once you're introduced to Jonathan Strange. A lot of other plotlines start to pop up and little hints to what is going to happen in the future keep appearing, it's really rather gripping.
There's definitely a slow build to it, but that serves to make the world a very real place. It's pretty gratifying once you start knowing who characters are talking about because you heard about those figures mentioned in footnotes previously. Really makes you feel like you have the same knowledge as all the other characters of this alternate history in a clever way.
Finished this last night, I'm still trying to find something similar to Bank's Culture books. This isn't it but I still really enjoyed it, I'm still looking to fill my 'Culture' gap but in the mean time I think I'm going to get sucked into this series.
Most science fiction series that I read I tend to think to myself that I would quite enjoy living in the galaxy/universe that has been created, That isn't the case with this series, the universe feels really unforgiving
even though 3 of the characters who died at the end of the book were resurrected in some form or another.
Start on Chasm City this lunch I guess.
FUBAR McDangles
Member
Went to the bookstore yesterday and managed to get a few books:
The last two were on sale, so I got all three for a total of ~$20 or so. I'm a big Reacher fan and just kind of picked up the other two on a whim. I understand the Absent One is part of a series. Do I need to read the first book before I read this one? Anybody read any of these?
The last two were on sale, so I got all three for a total of ~$20 or so. I'm a big Reacher fan and just kind of picked up the other two on a whim. I understand the Absent One is part of a series. Do I need to read the first book before I read this one? Anybody read any of these?
MisterRoboto
Member
Just finished The Martian and The Girl on the Train and enjoyed both. Currently reading Alice: Adventure in Wonderland + Through the Looking Glass. I wasn't too familiar with the whole story until I played the Alice: madness returns. It's such a strange book but I like it.
RepairmanJack
Member
After the first Mistborn book and the trainwreck that was the last two books of Wayward Pines I was wanting something light and decent so I decided to finally read this. About a quarter in and I'm liking it so far. This was the rare case where I actually liked the summarization of past books in the first parts of the book. These books are such quick reads and are pretty easy to forget after a bit of time.
Gnome Scat
Member
Reading A Thousand Splendid Suns. It's a fantastic but incredibly sad novel, I highly recommend it.
Already read that one and Prospero Burns. The Thousand Sons legion is just so damn great and their fall so darn tragic.
Another? I seem to have forgotten I was ever told at all!
That's possible. I have a memory like a seive.
Dandy Crocodile
Member
Finished two more recently.
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by David Levithan and John Green
A very quick read, it's light on prose but thick with teenage angst and romance. It had a cute story and Tiny Cooper really is an interesting character. I can see why people rave about him and look forward to the upcoming publication of "his" stage play.
Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians by Brandon Sanderson
This was an interesting one. I was very eager to see what Sanderson could do with children's fiction.
Imagine Harry Potter with the tone of A Series of Unfortunate Events, but about 75% as good as them and you'll have Alcatraz #1.
It's a great adventure and Sanderson's typical worldbuilding (There are ten continents! Librarians control the world! There are magic-like abilities!), magic systems (The Smedry family all have very fun talents that he plays with. Alcatraz can break things, including weapons used against him, Grandpa Smedry can arrive late to things, even his own death, etc.), and a great finale. The last chapter even drags Harry Potter a bit to humorous effect.
I'm really looking forward to the rest of the series, especially now that #5 is in the works.
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by David Levithan and John Green
A very quick read, it's light on prose but thick with teenage angst and romance. It had a cute story and Tiny Cooper really is an interesting character. I can see why people rave about him and look forward to the upcoming publication of "his" stage play.
Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians by Brandon Sanderson
This was an interesting one. I was very eager to see what Sanderson could do with children's fiction.
Imagine Harry Potter with the tone of A Series of Unfortunate Events, but about 75% as good as them and you'll have Alcatraz #1.
It's a great adventure and Sanderson's typical worldbuilding (There are ten continents! Librarians control the world! There are magic-like abilities!), magic systems (The Smedry family all have very fun talents that he plays with. Alcatraz can break things, including weapons used against him, Grandpa Smedry can arrive late to things, even his own death, etc.), and a great finale. The last chapter even drags Harry Potter a bit to humorous effect.
I'm really looking forward to the rest of the series, especially now that #5 is in the works.
Finished City of Stairs. I really enjoyed it, but I felt that the author could have pushed the premise more. There's a lot of potential in the world I think. Definitely left me wanting more.
Onto Unbearable Weight: Feminism, Western Culture, and the Body by Susan Bordo. It's a really personal subject for me, considering that I absolutely abhor my body and while I've never been diagnosed with eating-disorders, I've certainly done my fair share of hurting myself because of my appearance. It was originally written in 1993 though, so it really focuses on the ideal female body as completely "thin" while I think nowadays it's definitely moved towards "thin but with fat in the right places" (so, flat belly but large breasts and a large ass). I've only read the introduction and one of the essays so far. There's some stuff that really resonates, other stuff that feels pretty iffy.
Also, poor Vo. I hate when good characters die. 
Onto Unbearable Weight: Feminism, Western Culture, and the Body by Susan Bordo. It's a really personal subject for me, considering that I absolutely abhor my body and while I've never been diagnosed with eating-disorders, I've certainly done my fair share of hurting myself because of my appearance. It was originally written in 1993 though, so it really focuses on the ideal female body as completely "thin" while I think nowadays it's definitely moved towards "thin but with fat in the right places" (so, flat belly but large breasts and a large ass). I've only read the introduction and one of the essays so far. There's some stuff that really resonates, other stuff that feels pretty iffy.
Ranger Taffles
Member
Some days ago went very quickly through For One More Day.
Straight-forward and short. Got somewhat predictable in its tone but an alright read.
Straight-forward and short. Got somewhat predictable in its tone but an alright read.
Protector is good, and there are also three more direct Ringworld novels, plus four or five Puppeteer novels. The Known Space short story collections are where the best meat of Known Space are, though.
obin_gam
Member
yeah, am aware of the sequels, my friend ordered me to read protector first though, he said it was a necessity for even "getting" the story of Known Space.
There are exclusive Puppeteer novels? Holy damn! I love Nessus, he's so adorable! Will need to search these ones out!
It makes sense to read Protector before the next Ringworld novel, though it's not strictly necessary. The Puppeteer novels start with Fleet of Worlds, and there are four of them so far. They detail the Puppeteer flight from our galaxy and happen contemporaneously with some of the Ringworld novels. You get to finally go inside Puppeteer society and undetstand how truly insane Nessus is.
Elitist1945
Member
Just read Catcher in the Rye for school. Thought it was pretty shit. The main character is just an unpleasant douchebag.
I find it torture to read the stuff that takes place in the Void, the Edeard stuff. Just bad.
Currently reading it and loving the main character
I just started this too and am enjoying it so far. I don't know yet if his journal entries will make up the entire book or if other characters will be introduced somehow, but looking forward to find out either way.
Listen. There are probably thousands of books I should read, but haven't yet. This is just another on the pile.
Oh. Well, it could be either!
Plasticine
Member
Finished The Troop by Nick Cutter in quick fashion. It's been described as The Thing meets Lord of the Flies, and that's a pretty fair description. Cutter does a great job building his characters, and twisting the group dynamic as things start to go south. The parasite that worms its way through our cast is a real nasty critter and lets Cutter write some seriously nasty body horror sequences. While the main story is completely contained on the island, Cutter utilizes news articles, interviews and testimony to expand the story a bit and explain just what is happening. It's a greatly entertaining book, and definitely makes me want to check out his "second" novel The Deep fairly soon.
Up next I'm going to try another new writer out.
I've been interested in reading Tim Lebbon for a while. I've had two of his books (Dusk and Berzerk) on my Kindle for ages, so naturally I didn't start with either of them. Coldbrook is a multi-dimension zombie story and sounds like a fun way to start with him. I just started it today, and so far so good. At over 600 pages, it's a big sucker. Hopefully the rest is entertaining.
Up next I'm going to try another new writer out.
I've been interested in reading Tim Lebbon for a while. I've had two of his books (Dusk and Berzerk) on my Kindle for ages, so naturally I didn't start with either of them. Coldbrook is a multi-dimension zombie story and sounds like a fun way to start with him. I just started it today, and so far so good. At over 600 pages, it's a big sucker. Hopefully the rest is entertaining.