How about Augustus by John Williams? I'd actually participate in that one.
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What are you reading? (July 2015)
- Thread starter Maklershed
- Start date
How about Augustus by John Williams? I'd actually participate in that one.
Thanks for the suggestions! I've read Ender's Game but none of the others.
*nervously chews nails*
Don't be. It's alright. My first instinct when reading this, was that this was not really my cup of tea - purely in terms of how they're written. Flowery in parts. Seemingly in a way that shows off your talent, yes, but doesn't necessarily always aid the story. Certainly beautifies it though.
But I can see why you thought some of these deserved to be published. I'm genuinely glad they've seen the light of day. And from what I've read thus far, wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.
I've read about half. Thus far it'd be about 3.5 on the goodreads rating scale. So no 1 star for you I'm afraid.
*downgrades his nervous tic to loudly tapping his foot*
Between 2010 and 2013.
Are they ordered in any particular way?
Fairly subjectively, to be honest. I wanted the title story ("Tide of Shadows", which you can read here.) to be the last one, and the previously published story ("A Night for Spirits and Snowflakes") to come first. I then chose the order for the remaining books in a way that I felt had a good rhythm and provided good/interesting context to one another. I didn't want two science fiction or two fantasy stories to butt up against each other, for instance.
These are the last of my July books, Forever Peace but it ended a bit abruptly, Everything seemed to be concluded in the final few pages, but otherwise a good read.
Forever Free I loved, good reads has it at about 3.5/5 for me it was about a 4.5/5 book, without going through the reviews my assumption would be that some people didn't enjoy the conclusion. Up until the final few chapters its quite a standard science fiction story
the twist of the whole galaxy being the play thing of a god like entity existing in all space and time and still running experiments he knows the results of, but being a scientist still needs evidence actually had me laughing, it was a twist that caught me by surprise but still an entirely plausible conclusion in the world the author created.
Reading this now but it will be as far as I get in the series because..
..this was finally delivered (the other 7 books in this series were delivered before the 1st arrived), been looking forward to this since I finished the The Twilight of the Empire series the end of June only to realise the Deathstalker series wasn't available on Kindle.
We should read something from the Man Brooker long list!
HP_Wuvcraft
Banned
"One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories" is the greatest book I've read this year.
BJ Novak has written a book of 100 interconnected short stories, ranging from three sentences to five pages each. They basically read as modern day fables (the first story is even about the continuing feud between the Tortoise and the Hare) and all contain a decent level of completely disarming wisdom mixed with just random WTF humor. There's even a story about how seriously we take allegories. One of the best features, though, is that you can read three or four hilarious pokes at human frailty, only for the fifth story to simply destroy you emotionally. The writing is so good, so complex, so in-depth, that it pains me that the writing is my only major gripe about the book. Every story has essentially the same voice, with minor differences. This is not a book you read in one sitting.
Less intelligent review: if you want to read a book version of The Office, pick this up.
BJ Novak has written a book of 100 interconnected short stories, ranging from three sentences to five pages each. They basically read as modern day fables (the first story is even about the continuing feud between the Tortoise and the Hare) and all contain a decent level of completely disarming wisdom mixed with just random WTF humor. There's even a story about how seriously we take allegories. One of the best features, though, is that you can read three or four hilarious pokes at human frailty, only for the fifth story to simply destroy you emotionally. The writing is so good, so complex, so in-depth, that it pains me that the writing is my only major gripe about the book. Every story has essentially the same voice, with minor differences. This is not a book you read in one sitting.
Less intelligent review: if you want to read a book version of The Office, pick this up.
It's frustrating for me to try to join in this thread because I swear you're all a bunch of academic super smart book reading people and I feel like I have literary Down's syndrome. I saw Steelheart recommended in like last month's thread so I checked it out and it WAS AMAZING! I jumped into Firefight right after and finished it but now I'm sad because Calamity doesn't come out until February next year.
In that Lovecraft thread I saw someone recommend 14 by Peter Clines and it's super interesting and mysterious so far (only like 25% in) but a bit slow. Almost too slow for me. I swear I have ADD when it comes to reading. I saw one of Clines' other series about super heroes in a post-apocalyptic world and it's supposed to be good so I'll probably read the first one, Ex-Heroes, next. I didn't look at the genre so I hope it's Young Adult. I are not read good.
In that Lovecraft thread I saw someone recommend 14 by Peter Clines and it's super interesting and mysterious so far (only like 25% in) but a bit slow. Almost too slow for me. I swear I have ADD when it comes to reading. I saw one of Clines' other series about super heroes in a post-apocalyptic world and it's supposed to be good so I'll probably read the first one, Ex-Heroes, next. I didn't look at the genre so I hope it's Young Adult. I are not read good.
RepairmanJack
Member
Finished my first ever re-read of a book. I finished A Dirty Job, Christopher Moore. It was a book that I picked up randomly in a book store and hit me in the perfect spot to get me back into reading and I've been reading pretty regularly ever since. With the sequel coming out I thought it would be smart to back and see how it held up. It held up, but it was interesting seeing how much was different in my memory. I think I had more fun seeing how things had changed in my memory than I may have had actually reading it this time around. I still enjoyed it, but it was dissapointing seeing things I remembered really enjoying being barely in the book at all.
Re-reading is really just a weird experience all around. I may end up re-reading more prominent of my reads moving forward.
But for now next up is one of these three, but I'm not sure which it will be yet. Depends on my mood over the weekend.
Seeing that stuff like the squarell people and Audrey only show up in the last quarter of the book, and most of Rivera's interaction being at the end. Also realizing that Sophie is almost barely in the book at all except for funny moments just blew my mind, because when I look back those are my favorite parts of the book.
Re-reading is really just a weird experience all around. I may end up re-reading more prominent of my reads moving forward.
But for now next up is one of these three, but I'm not sure which it will be yet. Depends on my mood over the weekend.
This hold finally came through. I have two weeks. I am an incredibly slow reader (I read like three pages a day).
I'm not a slow reader but with that one I was, because the pacing is awful, my only complain about the book
Maklershed
Member
RepairmanJack
Member
Maybe I'm missunderstanding, but is that Lovecraftian in some way? If even a little bit that would jump it ahead of Fairyland and Inherant Vice. I'm in a Lovecraft mood after beating Bloodborne.
obin_gam
Member
It's a noir detective tale about a real life gruesome murder.
If you want lovecraft, check out Stephen King's Revival.
TheExhaustedWalrus
Member
I don't get to read often but I am about 5 chapters into Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian. I'm finding it to be brutal and bleak in equa measure and the visuals are arresting. Really interested to see where it goes.
Got Hearts in Atlantis by S.K., I'll start it as soon I finish 4.50 From Paddington.
I actually got Storm of the Century before it, but I returned it as the screenplay format suuuucks.
Childhood's End is a classic so it should be read anyway, but if he's looking for humans vs aliens invasion is not exactly a good pick as the "Invasion" is mostly peaceful and the book is more about humankind evolution.
I actually got Storm of the Century before it, but I returned it as the screenplay format suuuucks.
Childhood's End is a classic so it should be read anyway, but if he's looking for humans vs aliens invasion is not exactly a good pick as the "Invasion" is mostly peaceful and the book is more about humankind evolution.
So, since that one is so good - I still have to read it, it's on the to-buy list - how is L.A. Confidential? I've had people praise it to death and other people hate it with a passion, most of which have read Black Dahlia before.
But hey, detective noir, might read that on my trip to Italy in August! EDIT: (and/or do I need to read The Big Nowhere first? Are they connected?)
I'm also - after playing Life is Strange recently - in the mood for something along the lines of Twin Peaks. Anyone have any suggestions? Need to stock up for that vacation. Lots of laying around at the beach probably.
It's a fun book. Picked it up on a whim on a school trip to Edinburgh back in 2006 and read it on the bus ride from Edinburgh to London. You can't put it down.
I've tried reading "The Red House" recently but couldn't get into it, sadly.
soapypanda
Member
I found a final draft copy on Ebay and it's cheaper than the actual hardcover so why not?
Daniel Bryans Yes!: My Improbable Journey to the Main Event of WrestleMania is a great retelling of the career of WWEs most unlikely of recent world champions. He tells earnestly about his career, the people that helped him throughout it and also of the people and events that didnt quite go his way. From highs as champion of Ring of Honor, to lows like getting hired and fired from WWE developmental in the early 00s. Daniel Bryans voice echoes throughout the book and, despite a few f-bombs here and there, comes off about as nice as his in-ring persona seems.
The story itself is both written by Bryan himself, as well as writer Craig Tello, who starts each chapter with a third person narration of Daniel Bryan and his -then soon-to-be- wife Brie Bryans final few days leading up to Daniels big WrestleMania 30 moment, leading into Daniel Bryans own first person chronological retelling of his life and career. It paints a perfect picture of the man that Daniel Bryan is, his vision on wrestling and how his career unfolded. It is, in that sense, the perfect book.
The narration of Craig Tellos portion of the book is read by Peter Berkrot and, honestly, leaves much to be desired. Berkrot reads the parts as if he were reading a big fantasy, trying to put much more emotion into the narration than is needed and expected. It is very distracting and takes a lot away from what is being said. Luckily, those parts only serve as the introduction to the meat of the story, Daniel Bryans parts. Those, are read by Daniel Bryan himself and his narration is, as one would expect from an autobiography, natural. Often, and accurately, described in the book as soft-spoken, Daniel Bryan reads his tale as if he were sitting next to you and telling you his stories in normal conversation. His emotion clearly ringing through his voice, especially when the subject turns to his wife or deceased father. Giving his narration an extra dimension over regular narration.
All in all, if you like Daniel Bryan, or pro-wrestling in general, Yes! is pretty much the perfect book. Focussing mostly on Bryans wrestling career and sidestepping where needed in his personal life, it provides a unique and uncensored look on an unlikely WrestleMania Main Eventer and on the backstage life of wrestler in both the independent scene, as well as the WWE.
Stranger in a Strange Land, By Robert A. Heinlein
The story is about a man named Valentine Michael Smith, who returns to Earth as a young adult after being born & raised on the planet Mars by Martians. He begins to learn about Earth culture & tries to apply much of his wisdom to help alleviate the sufferings of mankind. Unfortunately, the world is not ready to embrace the radical teachings of Mike's Martian philosophy. Oh, and he comes to learn about the concept of humanity & sexuality, both of which are completely alien concepts to him.
The story is about a man named Valentine Michael Smith, who returns to Earth as a young adult after being born & raised on the planet Mars by Martians. He begins to learn about Earth culture & tries to apply much of his wisdom to help alleviate the sufferings of mankind. Unfortunately, the world is not ready to embrace the radical teachings of Mike's Martian philosophy. Oh, and he comes to learn about the concept of humanity & sexuality, both of which are completely alien concepts to him.
Christoff Yurievich
Member
My boss gave me his personal copy before he left, saying it was the best book he'd read in a long time. It's on my to-read shelf.
Maklershed
Member
It's very dark and has horrific elements (the whole LA Quartet is like that too) but I'm not familiar with Lovecraft enough to say it's Lovecraftian.
The LA Quartet is amongst my favorite books of all time so Id definitely recommended you read Black Dahlia and Big Nowhere first. Even though it's book 3 of 4 it wraps up a lot of storylines. Technically though, if you really wanted to you could just read it alone and still enjoy it. I don't think you'd be lost but you just wouldn't get maximum enjoyment.
As for Twin Peaks - maybe Wayward Pines?
It shouldn't frustrate you. You're reading for yourself, not for someone else, right?
Don't give a damn what kind of books people read - the more variation the better. But you could use better metaphors. This is appalling.
My wife and I loved this book so much we named our daughter after it.
I'm not even joking.
Which word? Circumnavigation?
<3 <3You're a terrible parent. Ashipofherownmaking is so much better.
Ben Morales
Member
I'm 10 chapters into this book and it is really gripping. Very suspenseful with well-written characters. Basic premise is about a young woman who was kidnapped and tortured by a serial killer but manages to escape. She changes her name and tries to start a new life after his alleged death in prison, but a series of events leads her to believe she may not be safe.
While I'm here, maybe people can help me out. I discovered a while ago that I liked horror. Kind of. I hate anything that feels like it's going out of its way to be masochistic or shocking. Just...good stories, good characters, and a gripping sense of dread.
I loved We Have Always Lived in the Castle (Shirley Jackson).
I also liked:
House of Leaves (Mark Z. Danielewski)
Dracula (Bram Stoker)
One Bloody Thing After Another (Joey Comeau)
The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon (Stephen King)
What should be on my reading list?
I loved We Have Always Lived in the Castle (Shirley Jackson).
I also liked:
House of Leaves (Mark Z. Danielewski)
Dracula (Bram Stoker)
One Bloody Thing After Another (Joey Comeau)
The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon (Stephen King)
What should be on my reading list?
The Shining might be a good choice?
I would have went with "A-Through-L" myself.
Those books have easily become one of my favourite series.
sparky2112
Member
As much as some of the books posted in these threads go way over my head, I've always enjoyed knowing that there is very little to no judgement towards to what anyone else is reading. Lots of variety and plenty of discussion over a a wide variety of tastes.
From the renowned author of The Lottery and The Haunting of Hill House, a spectacular new volume of previously unpublished and uncollected stories, essays, and other writings.
This might be something to check out, then. It's on my list!
Silver Arrows
Banned
Currently, Live by Night by Dennis Lehane.
Really good book about a small time hood making up his own criminal empire running rum from Boston, to Tampa, and to Cuba during the Prohibition. Lehane has a gift for great dialogue, and it shows in this book. Feels so natural and of the time period. It's easy to see why so much of Lehane's books have been made into movies. (Both Shutter Island and Mystic River)
Really good book about a small time hood making up his own criminal empire running rum from Boston, to Tampa, and to Cuba during the Prohibition. Lehane has a gift for great dialogue, and it shows in this book. Feels so natural and of the time period. It's easy to see why so much of Lehane's books have been made into movies. (Both Shutter Island and Mystic River)
Maklershed
Member
Ship of Fools
Although I found out from the "where do you find new books?" thread that some seem to have the impression we're all simpletons who try to contain our drool from our slack jaws as we read Harry Potter, Ready Player One, and other assorted fantasy and sci-fi books. And while they're right about me I take offense on behalf of the likes of you, Mumei, piecake, cyan, ashes, Aidan, whatevermort, etc