Maklershed
Member
Dresden said:
I'm all for both these ideas.Vard said:
-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
What are you reading? (January 2011)
- Thread starter Maklershed
- Start date
Seperate thread please, a huge chunk of people wouldn't be aware of the book club if it happens on the GR group page.Vard said:
Apart of that, everything sounds really great. I love the idea of a GAF book club, but it really needs to be organized better. So far it was a nice idea, but it lacked pretty much any kind of actual execution.
Yea, it's probably best kept as a separate thread on GAF actually. More participation that way, plus spoiler tagging.
Cyan's format is good I think. I'd be down to create the thread too, but I'm not reading this month's and somebody who is should! (Nothing against the book either, as it sounds interesting, but unfortunately I found out about it too late.)
So, we can improve with - explicit milestones, further notice of next month's book, and ideally more discussion/voting before a book gets picked so we know enough of us are on board with the idea!
Cyan's format is good I think. I'd be down to create the thread too, but I'm not reading this month's and somebody who is should! (Nothing against the book either, as it sounds interesting, but unfortunately I found out about it too late.)
So, we can improve with - explicit milestones, further notice of next month's book, and ideally more discussion/voting before a book gets picked so we know enough of us are on board with the idea!
KidDork said:
Toppamono was a good read.
http://www.amazon.com/Toppamono-Outlaw-Radical-Suspect-Underworld/dp/0970171625/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1294617662&sr=8-1
BanShunsaku
Member
Recently finished:
Wasn't as good as I expected. A nice easy read but nothing amazing, though I will read the second book before I decide whether or not to continue with the series.
Currently reading:
About 1/4 of the way through, really enjoying it.
Wasn't as good as I expected. A nice easy read but nothing amazing, though I will read the second book before I decide whether or not to continue with the series.
Currently reading:
About 1/4 of the way through, really enjoying it.
evilpigking
Member
Picked up House of Mystery: Room and Boredom (tpb #1) (Vertigo, 2007) by accident because I mixed it up with Madame Xanadu and was pleasantly surprised. Although I'm not overly familiar with the background of all the Dreaming/Sandman/Able&Cain Vertigo stuff, beyond the first few pages it didn't play a center role so far. The framing architecture (and main plot/story of the series) is enjoyable and moves along at a good pace and the embedded stories are a refreshing change of pace and mood.
Therefore also purchased and read the second trade House of Mystery: Love Stories for Dead People which expanded the main plot line as well as advancing it. The embedded stories in this volume provided backstory on all the main characters which while nice didn't provide the same level of reprieve as the embedded stories in the first trade. Still a good read though.
For non-comics I have been continuing on with the Vorkosigan omnibuses. Currently finishing Miles Errant. Finished with the short story and Brothers in Arms so just Mirror Dance left. Enjoyable reads as the previous novels were and the change from a mainly Barrayar setting to more adventures elsewhere with the Dendarii is nice.
It took me until around the end of book 4 before I was caught and engaged in the Dresden File universe. I didn't think the first 3 novels were particularly strong or motivating. I know some people get hooked on third novel or earlier though. I'm not sure what kind of time investment you want to put into it to see if your fancy is eventually tickled but I would say don't be too hasty to decide it's a lost cause (or not).
Therefore also purchased and read the second trade House of Mystery: Love Stories for Dead People which expanded the main plot line as well as advancing it. The embedded stories in this volume provided backstory on all the main characters which while nice didn't provide the same level of reprieve as the embedded stories in the first trade. Still a good read though.
For non-comics I have been continuing on with the Vorkosigan omnibuses. Currently finishing Miles Errant. Finished with the short story and Brothers in Arms so just Mirror Dance left. Enjoyable reads as the previous novels were and the change from a mainly Barrayar setting to more adventures elsewhere with the Dendarii is nice.
BanShunsaku said:
It took me until around the end of book 4 before I was caught and engaged in the Dresden File universe. I didn't think the first 3 novels were particularly strong or motivating. I know some people get hooked on third novel or earlier though. I'm not sure what kind of time investment you want to put into it to see if your fancy is eventually tickled but I would say don't be too hasty to decide it's a lost cause (or not).
I just finished The Stranger by Albert Camus.
It was a fun little read. The version I got had a lame cover with just a picture of Camus on it.
I am now a little ways into A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers
It's a really fun read so far even though not much is happening. A great style of writing. A lot of character.
I was however thinking of starting The Traveler by John Twelve Hawks. I am not interested in this book in the least. It also has a gross cover. (I couldn't find my version online). It's a scifi book, and I don't do well with scifi. I kinda feel obligated to read it now. My cousin let me borrow it because I let him borrow my copy of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, which as we all know is a masterpiece. I only read one or two chapters, and I can't get into it. Have any of you guys read it?
It was a fun little read. The version I got had a lame cover with just a picture of Camus on it.
I am now a little ways into A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers
It's a really fun read so far even though not much is happening. A great style of writing. A lot of character.
I was however thinking of starting The Traveler by John Twelve Hawks. I am not interested in this book in the least. It also has a gross cover. (I couldn't find my version online). It's a scifi book, and I don't do well with scifi. I kinda feel obligated to read it now. My cousin let me borrow it because I let him borrow my copy of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, which as we all know is a masterpiece. I only read one or two chapters, and I can't get into it. Have any of you guys read it?
evilpigking
Member
grumble said:
Not if you are into romance novels =X
Pretty accurate analysis of the first few books though.
Tim the Wiz
Banned
evilpigking said:
True. The Dresden series starts to really open up and hit its stride around five books in. Summer Knight and the volumes immediately following it were the turning point. It's one of those cases where the writer's growth correlates directly with the quality of their work.
nakedsushi
Member
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Finished reading it tonight. Loved loved loved it.
What a timeless classic! This was my first time reading Jane Eyre and I can see myself revisiting it again in a few years. Initially, I thought the beginning was slow and I couldn't understand what the fuss around this book was about, but now I realize that it serves as a perfect explanation of Jane's character and her actions in her adult life.
Bronte's writing is so good at conveying emotions and moods. Her characters' introspections are illuminating and touching. This is navel-gazing done right.
At its heart, Jane Eyre is a romance novel, but not a kind of lusty, throbbing organs romance. The emotions in this novel left me breathless sometimes. When things were good, I felt elated along with the characters. When things turn sour, as I dreaded they would, I was just as tormented as the unfortunate parties involved.
Even though I couldn't empathize with some of Jane's decisions concerning Mr. Rochester, I still respected her for her strength of character for doing such difficult tasks.
This novel is just lovely. I'm curious how the new film will interpret it.
Now, on to our bookclub book.
Benjamin_MFF
Member
Long time reader, first time poster. After finding a few books to read, I found a copy of this book:
And I am enjoying it. Only a few chapters in, but I like the writing style. I know I should be reading other books, but this book is so darn fun.
And I am enjoying it. Only a few chapters in, but I like the writing style. I know I should be reading other books, but this book is so darn fun.
nakedsushi
Member
I updated the currently reading book on Goodreads and started a discussion there. But since there is currently no spoiler tag function, I suggest not reading that thread unless you're done with the book, or not interested in reading it at all.
http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/19035.NeoGAF
Man, I really need to put spoiler tags in.
http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/19035.NeoGAF
Man, I really need to put spoiler tags in.
sparky2112
Member
Amory Blaine said:
And then youve got the even longer commitment of getting the taste out of your mouth
hey_monkey
Banned
I am automatically in love with anyone who makes their posting name Amory Blaine. <3
Halfway through The Age of Innocence and not digging it as much as some other books from that period. Think I might read The Custom of the Country soon, since it's in the same compiled volume. Itching to start The Golden Bowl instead. Doing a project this semester on American fiction between 1880 and 1960 and I have NO IDEA yet what to do. Last time I did something on that period, I wrote about Hubert Selby, Jr. and Frank Norris, which was great fun and I might end up revisiting it, but I'd rather find something new.
Halfway through The Age of Innocence and not digging it as much as some other books from that period. Think I might read The Custom of the Country soon, since it's in the same compiled volume. Itching to start The Golden Bowl instead. Doing a project this semester on American fiction between 1880 and 1960 and I have NO IDEA yet what to do. Last time I did something on that period, I wrote about Hubert Selby, Jr. and Frank Norris, which was great fun and I might end up revisiting it, but I'd rather find something new.
ElectricBlue187
Member
finally got
I'm a few chapters in and so far it's really fantastic stuff. I'm all for the book club idea. I think I should expand and read more stuff now that I've exhausted most of the scifi and fantasy classics
I'm a few chapters in and so far it's really fantastic stuff. I'm all for the book club idea. I think I should expand and read more stuff now that I've exhausted most of the scifi and fantasy classics
_Isaac said:
Ugh, that cover. I remembered my wife read it last year, a friend having recommended it to her. All she could remember of the book was that she enjoyed it--her tastes run to Abercrombie, Scott Lynch, GRRM, and Tad Williams to give you an idea of what she likes.
Thanks for the recommendation, Salazar.
LaserBuddha
Member
Benjillion said:Long time reader, first time poster. After finding a few books to read, I found a copy of this book:
And I am enjoying it. Only a few chapters in, but I like the writing style. I know I should be reading other books, but this book is so darn fun.
Yeesh, I've never seen a more blatant attempt by an artist to associate something with WoW.
nakedsushi
Member
LaserBuddha said:
Was that sarcastic? I thought the cover is SUPPOSED to be a parody of WoW.
LaserBuddha
Member
nakedsushi said:
It is. No way did the Zero Punctuation guy let that happen by mistake.
LaserBuddha
Member
Someone must pick The Book of the New Sun series for the book club. It will be the most awesome and epic book club thread ever.
Maklershed
Member
Cyan said:
I like the sounds of both of those.LaserBuddha said:
LocoMrPollock
Banned
LaserBuddha said:
Never heard of that series, but I looked it up and it sounds really interesting. Gonna see if I can find them anywhere.
LaserBuddha
Member
LocoMrPollock said:
As long as you are comfortable with the use of an unreliable narrator, you should find it to be an amazing piece of work. The quotes on the dust jacket about it being the best ever sci-fi, etc, are there for good reason.
It has been called sci-fi's Ulysses.
evilpigking said:
Actually, I did think of one other urban fantasy series. Charles Stross has a few books out which are a lot of fun to read, and I'd say are better than the Dresden Files.
They're called the Bob Howard - Laundry series:
Atrocity Archives (won a hugo award!)
Jennifer Morgue
A couple of available-online novellas
The Fuller Memorandum
Great books!
Tricky I Shadow
Banned
Im currently reading 999: 9 Hours, 9 Persons, 9 Doors. Its amazing!
Amory
Member
Laekon said:
Yeah I've heard that. My uncle read the book and I asked him about it, and he said ultimately he enjoyed it but that there's a huge chunk of the book dedicated to beating you over the head with her ideas and views in case you're not understanding them naturally from the story. I imagine I'll skip that part.
KidDork said:
hmm iam like 3 or 4 chapters in the book and so far he talkes about how he became editor in tokyo and his work there. Investigating to get scoops etc. really really interesting honestly! I already missed some stations on my train because i was reading this book :lol
anyway 18 USD? i payed like 10 USD (8 euros) for it