Thinking, Fast and Slow by Kanheman along with a bunch of blogs/articles/reports on open market operations and textbooks on circuit and signal analysis for revision. Will make return to The House of Mirth (which I've put on hold for far too long) hopefully in the next two weeks.
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What are you reading? (February 2017)
- Thread starter Maklershed
- Start date
- Status
Blew through the rest of The Expanse novels in my backlog (Fun note: The cover to Nemesis Games cover has terrible contrast on Kindle e-paper and renders the title practically unreadable). While I suppose variety is nice and all, I wasn't really a huge fan of how the overarching mystery of the protomolecule's creators was almost entirely sidelined for the duration of both books in exchange for intrasystem conflict. Overall it wasn't awful, but it was definitely more of the same from all the cast. I also found the addition of
Clarissa Mao
Kinda feel like the series peaked with Leviathan Wakes.
I finished Nemesis a couple of weeks ago and felt like it was just Ok. Not sure how I feel about starting Babylon. Many reviews I have read feel like it is worse than Nemesis. I too miss more of the alien side of things and don't care much about the politics at this point. Sort of feels like I am pushing forward because of the show now.
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Finished Gone Girl today. It was a pretty quick read and moved along quickly. Really disappointed with the ending though. I am not sure what I was expecting but it wasn't
for them to live in a fake marriage together and nothing to be resolved in all the craziness she did.
Thinking next one of these.
The only other Murakami book I have read is Windup Bird Chronicles. Which I thought was pretty interesting.
NipplesAndToes23
Member
Ms. Marvel Super Famous.
Left off from Last Days a while ago and was on that cliffhanger. Started reading this today and I still feel like I've lost info.
Left off from Last Days a while ago and was on that cliffhanger. Started reading this today and I still feel like I've lost info.
What happened with that rift in NYC? That's what was ending point of Last Days and it looks like they already resolved it, but I want to know what happened!
DyslexicAlucard
Member
Read a few pages back, so I'm just kinda catching up here.
It's a fantastic book -- my favourite, actually. While it's not a "fun" read, I find it fascinating and a really forward-thinking novel that remains relevant. It's amazing how Orwell was able to predict a state like North Korea, and it's kinda scary how there are shades of Trump now with the whole "fake news" and "alternative facts" shtick. I hope he never gains any semblance of control of the Fourth and Fifth Estates. After all, "Those who control the present, control the past and those who control the past control the future."
While I really enjoyed it, I'd actually recommend Warcraft: Day of the Dragon as introductory book to the universe. It was my first. I also hear the War of the Ancients trilogy is good and takes place early in the lore, but I haven't read it myself.
Love this book. I was cheering for my fellow Canadian when DeWitt was on the shortlist for a Booker Prize for this novel a couple years back.
I loved this book so much. I powered through it fairly quickly last summer. Just be aware that there are some... unpleasant parts in it. Fairly minor spoilers:
.
Still, it's another Murakami classic, in my mind. I really want to visit a library like one in the novel one day.
Sure! I actually just finished Bad Island by Doug TenNapel, the creator of Earthworm Jim.
The art is predictably great, but the actually plot itself was pretty bland. I enjoyed what little of the back story there was as to what was behind the mysterious forces on the island, but once it's revealed the book ends fairly quickly. I found the lore behind the island more fascinating than the family's ordeal, so I was disappointed that I didn't get more of it.
However, I found it used for $5 at a thrift store, and it was worth that for the art alone.
It's a fantastic book -- my favourite, actually. While it's not a "fun" read, I find it fascinating and a really forward-thinking novel that remains relevant. It's amazing how Orwell was able to predict a state like North Korea, and it's kinda scary how there are shades of Trump now with the whole "fake news" and "alternative facts" shtick. I hope he never gains any semblance of control of the Fourth and Fifth Estates. After all, "Those who control the present, control the past and those who control the past control the future."
They might be a little on the nose in terms of fantasy novels, but I honestly enjoy the Warcraft books. In fact, I just finished reading Stormrage today.
While I really enjoyed it, I'd actually recommend Warcraft: Day of the Dragon as introductory book to the universe. It was my first. I also hear the War of the Ancients trilogy is good and takes place early in the lore, but I haven't read it myself.
Love this book. I was cheering for my fellow Canadian when DeWitt was on the shortlist for a Booker Prize for this novel a couple years back.
I loved this book so much. I powered through it fairly quickly last summer. Just be aware that there are some... unpleasant parts in it. Fairly minor spoilers:
there's some very graphic abuse of cats
Still, it's another Murakami classic, in my mind. I really want to visit a library like one in the novel one day.
I know, I was literally tearing up while reading it at a cafe. Again, I'd highly recommend it to anyone who's up for something sad yet powerful.
Sure! I actually just finished Bad Island by Doug TenNapel, the creator of Earthworm Jim.
The art is predictably great, but the actually plot itself was pretty bland. I enjoyed what little of the back story there was as to what was behind the mysterious forces on the island, but once it's revealed the book ends fairly quickly. I found the lore behind the island more fascinating than the family's ordeal, so I was disappointed that I didn't get more of it.
However, I found it used for $5 at a thrift store, and it was worth that for the art alone.
You definitely should! I wish a recording of this performance remained though, although you probably don't, lol.
Last Days was a tie in to the beginning of Secret Wars, a separate marvel event.
Maklershed
Member
Kindle versions of Dune and The Man in the High Castle are on sale today. Dune = $3.99; The Man in the High Caste = $1.99.
EDIT: Thanks to kuiperbeltloop on reddit I'm seeing the following is also on sale ..
What If? Serious Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions - $2.99 <-- this book is great, I highly recommend it
Bossypants - $2.99
Freakonomics - $1.99
The Life of Pi - $1.99
EDIT: Thanks to kuiperbeltloop on reddit I'm seeing the following is also on sale ..
What If? Serious Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions - $2.99 <-- this book is great, I highly recommend it
Bossypants - $2.99
Freakonomics - $1.99
The Life of Pi - $1.99
Vampirolol
Member
Just finished reading these two books:
American Gods - Neil Gaiman
I fell in love with Gaiman two months ago, when I read Coraline, so I instantly bought Sandman and started reading this book. I think that the best part of American Gods is the beginning: you can feel this big premise, you're instantly fascinated by Shadow and all these strange characters. Then the book reveals itself as an on-the-road acid trip mixed with action, and just screams "who cares", wich is still a very good thing.
In the end I liked it a lot, there is indeed a clear message about faith in this, I just didn't love some of the characters and events near the end.
The Disaster Artist - Greg Sestero & Tom Bissel
Ok this book right here is the reason why I love reading. I wasn't sure about what to expect, I mean, I too had my "The Room" meme period but then I grew tired of it.
Lately, I kept reading about how good this book was, and saw that James Franco was going to do a movie about it, so I bought it. In english (not my first language)
Well, I couldn't stop reading it: The Disaster Artist is funny, weird, sad, happy. There is something about the interactions between Greg and Tommy, a strange sexual-psycho (yet cute) tension, wich is really unique. The Disaster Artist is, most importantly, a well written book and I'm sure I will read it again and again. Fantastic.
American Gods - Neil Gaiman
I fell in love with Gaiman two months ago, when I read Coraline, so I instantly bought Sandman and started reading this book. I think that the best part of American Gods is the beginning: you can feel this big premise, you're instantly fascinated by Shadow and all these strange characters. Then the book reveals itself as an on-the-road acid trip mixed with action, and just screams "who cares", wich is still a very good thing.
In the end I liked it a lot, there is indeed a clear message about faith in this, I just didn't love some of the characters and events near the end.
The Disaster Artist - Greg Sestero & Tom Bissel
Ok this book right here is the reason why I love reading. I wasn't sure about what to expect, I mean, I too had my "The Room" meme period but then I grew tired of it.
Lately, I kept reading about how good this book was, and saw that James Franco was going to do a movie about it, so I bought it. In english (not my first language)
Well, I couldn't stop reading it: The Disaster Artist is funny, weird, sad, happy. There is something about the interactions between Greg and Tommy, a strange sexual-psycho (yet cute) tension, wich is really unique. The Disaster Artist is, most importantly, a well written book and I'm sure I will read it again and again. Fantastic.
Atraveller
Banned
Thanks for the heads up
Nice looking out.
Here's a list of all the 80% off books on amazon.
Cuckoo's Calling is on there for $3.99 for any JK Rowling fans.
Edit: just posted Cuckoo's Calling link. Here's a list to all the books on sale.
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=s9_acsd_hps_ft_clnk_r?node=6165851011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=CK8CQAVGZSW5JFZ91KK9&pf_rd_t=1401&pf_rd_p=2651407162&pf_rd_i=1000677541
I finished It Can't Happen Here about a week ago. It will be hard to talk about this without drawing parallels to current affairs, so I'll just draw those parallels openly instead of skirting the topic. Hell, it's why the book has skyrocketed to the top of the Amazon's bestseller list. I thought the first 100 pages of the book were a striking parallel to the political situation of today and the decision to make the protagonist an edititor-in-chief to a newspaper gives added importance to what should be most valued in democracy and gives clear warning signs of democracy's downfall when that profession is threatened, but I also thought that once passing the inauguration threshold the book veered expediently towards satirical extremism. While Trump has signed many destructive EOs and is warring with the press in his first few weeks, he has met resistance within the government and from the public, civilians opposing him haven't been mowed down with machine guns by a private army, and political rivals have not been jailed. In the book, there is little resistance in the rise of a totalitarian government, in part due to the sheer number of people who support Windrip, that I think is somewhat farcical given the ease of access to firearms in our society.
I think the treachery of today is more insidious than what is depicted and predicted in the book. It's a treachery that doesn't start to boil over immediately, and so I think the book does a disservice in this regard.
I'm currently continuing the political trend by reading I, Claudius. I'm about 1/4 of the way through.
I think the treachery of today is more insidious than what is depicted and predicted in the book. It's a treachery that doesn't start to boil over immediately, and so I think the book does a disservice in this regard.
I'm currently continuing the political trend by reading I, Claudius. I'm about 1/4 of the way through.
Nice find. I've read Dune a few times over the years, but never actually owned a copy. I do now thanks to this tip.
I actually found some old copy of Paradise Lost at my dad's house and started it because I forgot to bring something else to read.
I'm immediately engrossed in the beauty of it. It's much, much more accessible than I ever imagined, and each lines just fills in more detail on the beautiful tapestry that Milton is weaving. Still not far, but it's much more engaging than I would have imagined.
I'm immediately engrossed in the beauty of it. It's much, much more accessible than I ever imagined, and each lines just fills in more detail on the beautiful tapestry that Milton is weaving. Still not far, but it's much more engaging than I would have imagined.
Mackenzie 92
Member
Just a heads up, New York Review Books has a winter sale up. Some good stuff. I can never resist picking a few up.
Atraveller
Banned
Mumei, please talk to us about Middlemarch.
momshotdad
Member
Been reading this. It's pretty awesome I just wish I would have finished it before I saw Rogue One.
Thanks for this! Just bought Man in the High Castle and Freakonomics
outunderthestars
Banned
Just finished this tonight. I am conflicted by it, but feel like that was the author's intent. I can see the book being rather polarizing though.
Might read Wolf In The White Van next.
Maklershed
Member
NYRB book covers are incredible. Any recs? What are you getting?
sparky2112
Member
Great weather really bit into my reading time this weekend, and I only made it through 20% of Lincoln In The Bardo. Man, some of those sentences are like daggers through the heart...as expected.
Finally finished Nights of Villjamur by Mark Newton.
Lots of good ideas in there, but way too many aspects feel half-baked (or worse). The last 200 or so pages, in particular, are full of possibly interesting developments, but I felt the author did little to make the reader feel engrossed, to really care for the characters and what's happening to them; they read more like a timeline of events to set up what will happen in the subsequent books than anything else. This character was here, s/he did this, that's it.
All in all, an honest 6/10.
Lots of good ideas in there, but way too many aspects feel half-baked (or worse). The last 200 or so pages, in particular, are full of possibly interesting developments, but I felt the author did little to make the reader feel engrossed, to really care for the characters and what's happening to them; they read more like a timeline of events to set up what will happen in the subsequent books than anything else. This character was here, s/he did this, that's it.
All in all, an honest 6/10.
Finished this series over the weekend, Not sure I would have chosen to read it if the series wasn't in the most recent sci-fi bundle on storybundle. Glad it was though because it ticked all the boxes I like for a easy to read fun sci-fi series.
I will eventually check out the authors other series down the line but seeing as Norse Mythology seems to be getting good reviews Im going to get started in Neil Gaiman's book's, only thing I have read of his is Good Omens which was written with Terry Pratchett.
these books are beautiful. also i've read probably twelve of them and they have all been great. they look really cool on a shelf together. from those on sale i HIGHLY recommend Red Shift by Alan Garner,
wish more people would figure out how to make attractive book-covers.
what i'm reading: the final chapter of jerusalem, finally. i'll try to come and type something about it when i finish ...
these books are beautiful. also i've read probably twelve of them and they have all been great. they look really cool on a shelf together. from those on sale i HIGHLY recommend Red Shift by Alan Garner,
wish more people would figure out how to make attractive book-covers.
what i'm reading: the final chapter of jerusalem, finally. i'll try to come and type something about it when i finish ...
Any other NYRB books you'd recommend (even if not on sale)? I've read Stoner but that's all, and never given much thought to their other offerings. After spending just a few minutes reading some descriptions I'm realizing how much I'm missing out on, but I'm overwhelmed with choices.
there really are a ton of them now. over 400 i think. i'm sure it's been quite a success story. somebody should write a book about it! a big part of their success, i think, has been the design of their covers (in addition to the quality of the books, in my experience). somebody decided to put some complementary colors together in a square, then put that on top of a picture or attractive piece of art, and bam, you've got the most recognizable books on the shelves anywhere.
anyhow! i just made a list of all the nyrb classics i've read and it was longer than i thought it'd be. i've cut it down a little to include only what i'd consider the absolute BEST AND GREATEST HITS. all of these books rocked my world.
Warlock, Oakley Hall
Augustus, John Williams
Butcher's Crossing, John Williams
Red Shift, Alan Garner
Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky, Patrick Hamilton
The Slaves of Solitude, Patrick Hamilton
The Judges of the Secret Court, David Stacton
i don't think you could have a bad time with any of these.
Mackenzie 92
Member
Yeah I love them. They look so awesome on the shelf.
I definitely recommend Naked Earth, and The Bridge and Beyond. Mr Fortune is also interesting and My Dog Tulip is pretty great if you are a dog person.
I picked up Red Shift, Tyrant Banderas, Happy Moscow and Testing the Current.
Finished Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders. It was a wonderful, strange little novel. Tremendously sad, but also indicative of how we go on under the burden of suffering that everyone partakes of. There are moments when he's clearly talking to the modern reader, about the mess we find ourselves in, but others where he's addressing a fundamental human reality of having to go on when those we love die around us, and to keep giving when we feel dried up.
Really remarkable first novel.
Next up, John Darnielle's second novel, Universal Harvester.
Really remarkable first novel.
Next up, John Darnielle's second novel, Universal Harvester.
Satanic Saint
Member
I have been 500 pages into this and it is damn good till now.
NekoFever
Member
I started reading A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess last night. For those who don't know, it's largely written in the made-up English/Russian/cockney slang language that Alex and co use in the film. I started off with the dictionary of all the terms open on the computer next to me as I read and was finding it heavy going, but once I dropped that and started just reading it, picking up on what the words meant by context and etymological leaps of faith, I really started to enjoy it. It's funny how much you get into the mindset where what they're saying makes sense.
Maklershed
Member
I know this isn't directed at me but I'd recommend Stoner and The Long Ships. Both books are fantastic.
Excellent. Thanks!
Hard Rain Falling by Don Carpenter; easily one of the best books I've ever read. Like a grittier version of Stoner.
If anyone is up for some non-fiction President's Day reading, "The Return of George Washington: Uniting the States, 1783-1789" by Edward Larson is currently on sale for $1.99 on the (US) Kindle store.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I2PD9GW/?tag=neogaf0e-20
Larson is a previous Pulitzer Prize winner for his book "Summer for the Gods: The Scopes Trial and America's Continuing Debate Over Science and Religion". I haven't read the Return of George Washington, but it looks to be pretty interesting, covering his role in the Constitutional Convention and his early days at the first President of the United States.
If that doesn't strike your fancy, but you still want some US History, a bunch of other books are also on sale.
Here are a few:
Grant Takes Command (and other Civil War books) by Bruce Catton ($1.99): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015DJ7D4I/?tag=neogaf0e-20
This Kind of War: The Classic Military History of the Korean War by T. R. Fehrenbach ($1.99): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J3EU6IK/?tag=neogaf0e-20
Truman by David McCullough ($2.99): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FC0VVQ/?tag=neogaf0e-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I2PD9GW/?tag=neogaf0e-20
Larson is a previous Pulitzer Prize winner for his book "Summer for the Gods: The Scopes Trial and America's Continuing Debate Over Science and Religion". I haven't read the Return of George Washington, but it looks to be pretty interesting, covering his role in the Constitutional Convention and his early days at the first President of the United States.
If that doesn't strike your fancy, but you still want some US History, a bunch of other books are also on sale.
Here are a few:
Grant Takes Command (and other Civil War books) by Bruce Catton ($1.99): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015DJ7D4I/?tag=neogaf0e-20
This Kind of War: The Classic Military History of the Korean War by T. R. Fehrenbach ($1.99): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J3EU6IK/?tag=neogaf0e-20
Truman by David McCullough ($2.99): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FC0VVQ/?tag=neogaf0e-20
Middlemarch is the bestest. I can't tell you how many times (because I don't have it with me) I wrote down a page number after reading some insightful or amusing comment by the narrator or a character.
Finished Grave Peril, Number Three in the Harry Dresden series. Butcher still felt like he was finding his way with this series at this point. He does have a talent for moving a plot along, and I am intrigued by the power blocs he sets up in this universe. It's one of the most popular series out there for a reason, I suppose.
Am now reading Irvine Welsh's Skagboys and enjoying it immensely.
Am now reading Irvine Welsh's Skagboys and enjoying it immensely.
TwntyOneTwlv
Member
It really bothers me that the cover advertises "a new Game of Thrones story" rather than "a new A Song of Ice and Fire story".Finished 1Q84 vol.3, now something lighter
Genocidal Organ - Project Itoh
This was a breeze to read, and had a ton of really interesting ideas and scifi motifs, and goddamn it really tanked itself in the final chapter with the villain having a bunch of terrible hot takes. Overall I enjoyed reading it quite a bit, but it definitely has the signs of "debut novel", "hobbyist writer", and "huge scifi fanboy" written all over it. I'll give Itoh a ton of credit for having really cool visual ideas of a dystopic setting for a military thriller though. The anime film should be a ton of fun. What's impressive is how a bunch of ideas in the book clearly seeded stuff which Kojima used in MGS4 and MGS5. While some of the ideas might simply be drawing from the same original sources, given how they aren't super original, there are very clear thematic and visual motifs which have to be directly inspired. Given how they were friends and had a lot of mutual respect for each other, it makes sense.
The part of the book that really took me out of it was the silly ass speech the villain gives at the end to the protagonist, and he starts talking about the rational behind his motivations, and well.... his hot takes are bad because they're factually inaccurate or flat out wrong. Whoops I guess.
This was a breeze to read, and had a ton of really interesting ideas and scifi motifs, and goddamn it really tanked itself in the final chapter with the villain having a bunch of terrible hot takes. Overall I enjoyed reading it quite a bit, but it definitely has the signs of "debut novel", "hobbyist writer", and "huge scifi fanboy" written all over it. I'll give Itoh a ton of credit for having really cool visual ideas of a dystopic setting for a military thriller though. The anime film should be a ton of fun. What's impressive is how a bunch of ideas in the book clearly seeded stuff which Kojima used in MGS4 and MGS5. While some of the ideas might simply be drawing from the same original sources, given how they aren't super original, there are very clear thematic and visual motifs which have to be directly inspired. Given how they were friends and had a lot of mutual respect for each other, it makes sense.
The part of the book that really took me out of it was the silly ass speech the villain gives at the end to the protagonist, and he starts talking about the rational behind his motivations, and well.... his hot takes are bad because they're factually inaccurate or flat out wrong. Whoops I guess.
That's so on my list. Have you read his CivilWarLand in Bad Decline? Because it's fantastic. It's one of the most endearing books I've read, like ever.
Thanks for that. I've come across their site a couple of times and it's just a sea of names I don't recognize, apart from John Williams.
xeroborn55
Member
Just finished this one:
I really enjoyed it actually. Tense situation involving thieves sneaking aboard a classified space ship. Will probably pick up the sequel some time down the line. The plotting was very well done, characterization was fairly minimal but i thought what was there was effective.
Started Lies of Locke Lamora based off recommendations I saw in the gaf reading thread a few weeks/months ago. Seems cool so far, still early though.
I really enjoyed it actually. Tense situation involving thieves sneaking aboard a classified space ship. Will probably pick up the sequel some time down the line. The plotting was very well done, characterization was fairly minimal but i thought what was there was effective.
Started Lies of Locke Lamora based off recommendations I saw in the gaf reading thread a few weeks/months ago. Seems cool so far, still early though.
LoneTraveler
Member
Just started it yesterday, around 60 or so pages in and I'm enjoying it a bit.
MrOogieBoogie
BioShock Infinite is like playing some homeless guy's vivid imagination
The Red Knight, by Miles Cameron, is on sale for $2.99 on Kindle today.
Sounds very interesting. It's the first book of the Traitor Son Cycle.
Anyone recommend it? And if so, why?
Sounds very interesting. It's the first book of the Traitor Son Cycle.
Anyone recommend it? And if so, why?
Just started it yesterday, around 60 or so pages in and I'm enjoying it a bit.
Had my eye on this for years, I may finally cave and get it soon.
Doooooo iitttt! Incredible book.
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