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What are you reading? (July 2015)
- Thread starter Maklershed
- Start date
The Kindle, combined with amazon's "sample" feature, has advanced dropping books to an action of ease, simplicity and efficiency not unlike the guillotine. I no longer have to look a book in the eye and admit that it deserves some respect and time in which I can better know and understand it, that I should treat it with a basic decency. It's gruesome and there's a surprising amount of self doubt, but general frustration is the lasting taste it leaves on the palate.
I like to think I'm able to do that as well, but a great book will throw that out of whack. Also, don't you feel like that's harder to do when reading? Something about the medium itself that's a lot less forgiving than television for example.
SO subscribing to this thread. I've been trying to read more lately and I've already found two books (A Little Life and Mr Fox) I want to read.
Recently I've just been reading stupid thrillers while commuting. The last one I did was The Girl on the Train because everyone and their grandmother are talking about it and I wanted to belong. It was okay. Better than Gone Girl in some places, worse in others.
Currently reading the second Maze Runner book The Scorch Trials because a friend wants to watch the movie when it comes out, so I'm rushing through the book right now. Same as the first one, it's okay, I love the paranoia and the sense of not knowing what the heck is going on in that world. I don't enjoy the writing style, especially the fake slang, though.
Recently I've just been reading stupid thrillers while commuting. The last one I did was The Girl on the Train because everyone and their grandmother are talking about it and I wanted to belong. It was okay. Better than Gone Girl in some places, worse in others.
Currently reading the second Maze Runner book The Scorch Trials because a friend wants to watch the movie when it comes out, so I'm rushing through the book right now. Same as the first one, it's okay, I love the paranoia and the sense of not knowing what the heck is going on in that world. I don't enjoy the writing style, especially the fake slang, though.
Nymerio!
"The Half Has Never Been Told."
Ugh, really Mumei? Uggggggh.
I completed the second chapter and the novel made its faithful click. Still going through a chapter a day, since I finally got Majoria Mask from my mother (I am thankful customs didn't steal it). Time to actually play video games again!
SniperHunter
Banned
Just finished reading yesterday.
Book starts out bad, the author talks about how to detect genetic anomalies by inspecting ones face. Then it goes into creepy territory of checking out the waitress for genetic problems by ogling at her. Then it brings nothing new to the table. The only interesting bit in this book was how genes remember what happened to previous generations (war, famine, bullying etc). The aftereffects of bullying especially can be bad for the future generations. The author didn't go into details sadly. The rest of the book is filled with obvious stuff like eating good food, listening to your body and not following a fad diet, avoiding chemicals and radiation
Also reading:
I am 20% done with this novel. Bought it because of GAF hype and I am not impressed. An alien weapon blows up the moon, 240 days pass by and not a single character in the book has mentioned the "agent." There is no anxiety of a future attack on earth, no one is wondering why would they blow up the moon, is there an alien armada nearby waiting to attack earth, who would blow up the moon, why?...everyone is concerned about a fallout 2 years from now, building an ark to save mankind. What if there are alien ships nearby and blow up the earth with the agent before the ark is ready? Really meh novel so far.
ImpalingNarwhal
Member
I'm reading a short Bill Bryson book right now. He's so enjoyable. Also, I'm just eagerly awaiting Go Set a Watchman. Cannot wait.
Christoff Yurievich
Member
Yeah. I read the synopsis for the books after watching the movie and that's readily apparant. I'm all for YA this and that and whatever but your world-building should be a top priority because it calls to mind the motivation you're giving your characters. Felt the same way after watching Divergent and reading those Wikis.
It must be hard to be a writer with people constantly shitting on your work.
Nymerio!
I've seen the books mentioned so often I just said, what the hell I'll give it ago. I've only read two books and while they were great I didn't find them awesome. Then I came to the part where (Barrayar spoiler)
Cordelia went to rescue Miles and ended up having the guys head cut off. When she rolled the head out of the shopping bag across the table and Aral went: But of course, every Vor lady goes to the capital to shop, I was certain I'll end up reading the rest of the books as well.
I'm only a couple of pages into The Warrior's Apprentice and I'm pretty much in love with the series. I always figured
they'd just have Miles fixed and he'd be a pretty normal guy or perhaps somehow enhanced by all the treatment he was likely to get but then he's this kind of broken guy and ends up not even getting into the military.
buys the guys ship and had him swear fealty to him. Botari's pretty awesome as well: We've been on this planet for two hours. Two hours... lol, he scammed a guy out of a ship, got the other one to swear himself to Miles and Elena beat up some other guy.
The Shopping Trip is one of the best things in the series. <3
That's one of the best things about the series.
Miles is a genuinely well done example of a disabled character who gets by on guile rather than his physical abilities. I love the first scene you get in The Warrior's Apprentice, because it tells you so much about who Miles is - most especially how impulsive he can be.
It gets better, Nymerio. It gets better.
And yes. Much better.
Just an FYI: Amazon has Valente's Fairyland books for just 2.99 for all 3. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OXIT0SS/?tag=neogaf0e-20
Everyone should at least read the first one. (Listen to Mumei!)
Everyone should at least read the first one. (Listen to Mumei!)
You hear that, Cyan?
Christoff Yurievich
Member
Got it, now I can stop waiting for the library to get it in.
Well, no one spoke aloud, so I should hope that's the case. But at least I know you're reading.
Yep, still reading.
Nymerio!
"The Half Has Never Been Told."
To be fair, that is a very hard title to remember. I know I have always had to look it up when I talk about the book
You Know Nothing
Member
Got a package from a friend which included, among other things, the following:
Excited by all of them—been struggling to figure out what to pick up next so these came at a perfect time. Also should have a hold coming through any day now for Patricia Highsmith's "The Price of Salt."
Wilson - Daniel Clowes
Syllabus - Lynda Barry
Keith Haring - Journals
Excited by all of them—been struggling to figure out what to pick up next so these came at a perfect time. Also should have a hold coming through any day now for Patricia Highsmith's "The Price of Salt."
AngmarsKing701
Member
Bought, even though I had the first one (and read it already). $3 for the other 2 is too great a deal.
Maklershed
Member
Finished Dead Space Martyr today. I rather enjoyed it for what it was (would've been better set in space though). It was cool learning about the origin of the marker and how the creatures and the Church of Unity came about. I'll prob read book 2 eventually but for now I'm on to Sneaky People...
Sneaky People by Thomas Berger
Sneaky People by Thomas Berger
TouchMyBox
Member
It just sucks when the ebook is more expensive than the trade paperback. I read Fahrenheit 451 on the weekend and stores wanted $12.99 for the ebook and $11 for the TPB.
Just read that
sex
FUBAR McDangles
Member
I finished this today and my thoughts on it are all over the place. It started out strong, but the middle section was so worthless and boring that I just put the book down and moved on to The Hard Way by Lee Child (more on that below). After finishing that, I went back to Revival to try and knock it out while the first half of the story was still fresh.
Story spoilers:
I called it that Jacobs was going to try and revive someone way back when he started doing the electricity stuff at the beginning. With the heavy handed title and the way things were ramping up, it was entirely obvious.
If the book was more of the beginning and more of the end without the terrible middle, this would probably have been one of my favorite King books that I have read - though I admit that is only a handful. Instead, it's a middling read and one of the lesser King novels for sure.
The first Reacher book I have read in a few weeks if not months, and with only three more remaining I am getting a bit bummed that I've almost caught up. While the books vary in the quality and uniqueness of plotlines, they are always entertaining and always worth the read. The Hard Way was one of the better ones, and arguably top-3 for me with Persuader and 61 Hours as my favorites. Liked it a lot.
Going to start this tonight:
I binged on Jack Reacher books a few years ago. They're addictive.
I think my favorite 'twist' was in one of the books that starts with him digging pools for a living.
He gets shot in the chest but all that pool digging bulked up his muscles to such an extent that it stopped the bullet, LOL. Chekhov's pecs.
hardcastlemccormick
Banned
Finished Casino Royale, a good way through Live and Let Die.
Having only met Movie Bond, I'm finding Book Bond to be a terrible dickwad. Not an enjoyable character at all.
I would imagine that the character progresses through the series with the character development and all the usual. Too bad I have to suffer through a lot of his inner monologues when he's a shithead.
Probably cracking into Count of Monte Cristo when I've had enough.
Having only met Movie Bond, I'm finding Book Bond to be a terrible dickwad. Not an enjoyable character at all.
I would imagine that the character progresses through the series with the character development and all the usual. Too bad I have to suffer through a lot of his inner monologues when he's a shithead.
Probably cracking into Count of Monte Cristo when I've had enough.
SniperHunter
Banned
No one feels the same about seveneves?
FUBAR McDangles
Member
:lol
They are definitely a bit ridiculous at times but for the most part are a lot of fun.
On one hand I kind of dislike how similar they can be to each other at times, but on the other I enjoy them being a bit predictable as well.
I haven't participated in these threads for awhile now unfortunately. I fell out of reading for a bit. Got back on it and finished up The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch, The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Other Clinical Tales by Oliver Sacks, and Consider Phlebas by Iain M. Banks.
I found The Lies of Locke Lamora to be pretty good. It took my awhile to really get invested in the characters but I was into it once I did. It seemed a bit long in some parts which distracted a from the flow. I gave it a 4/5.
The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Other Clinical Tales was an interesting read. I had no idea some of the illnesses featured even existed. The author takes a good positive yet honest view of his clients and their difficulties. 3/5
Most recently I completed Consider Phlebas. The world building was well done and it I enjoyed the overall atmosphere. Unfortunately it didn't click with me quite as well as I was hoping. I wasn't connected to any of the characters and a lot of the cool sci-fi bits weren't as splendorous as they probably were back when the book was first released. Part of that may be because I've read so much sci-fi already. I give it a solid 3/5.
Now I'm on:
Nemesis Games by James S.A. Corey
A First-Rate Madness: Uncovering the Links Between Leadership and Mental Illness by S. Nassir Ghaemi
Both seem to start off well enough, so here's hoping it stays that way!
I found The Lies of Locke Lamora to be pretty good. It took my awhile to really get invested in the characters but I was into it once I did. It seemed a bit long in some parts which distracted a from the flow. I gave it a 4/5.
The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Other Clinical Tales was an interesting read. I had no idea some of the illnesses featured even existed. The author takes a good positive yet honest view of his clients and their difficulties. 3/5
Most recently I completed Consider Phlebas. The world building was well done and it I enjoyed the overall atmosphere. Unfortunately it didn't click with me quite as well as I was hoping. I wasn't connected to any of the characters and a lot of the cool sci-fi bits weren't as splendorous as they probably were back when the book was first released. Part of that may be because I've read so much sci-fi already. I give it a solid 3/5.
Now I'm on:
Nemesis Games by James S.A. Corey
A First-Rate Madness: Uncovering the Links Between Leadership and Mental Illness by S. Nassir Ghaemi
Both seem to start off well enough, so here's hoping it stays that way!
I don't. This isn't space opera and I think NASA would have noticed some alien armada parked in orbit. Stephenson does a sufficient job in explaining that in the moment the why does not matter much and I found the assumption that it was a natural phenomenon credible. It's intentionally ambiguous to the reader, but the book doesn't revolve around that question at all.
I made a little post about the book here: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=170826929&postcount=162
It's been a couple of days and I feel slightly better about the book now. I suppose I mainly underestimated how hard it is to keep the reader engaged for 800+ pages(and I was). It still doesn't do much in the way of spectacular, but that may be one spectacular thing about it. He can just keep events moving at a good pace and rarely does it seem bogged down in detail, considering that's what a lot of the book is despite the huge scope, that's very tough to do.
hardcastlemccormick
Banned
I posted my thoughts about Seveneves in last month's book readering thread. I'm keeping my posts generally stopped by spoiler gates, because the book's structure necessitates it and I wouldn't like anyone to be spoiled that didn't want to be.
But in my opinion, the lack of the Agent focus didn't really bother me all that much and it generally makes a lot of sense. People handle what they can do something about. The book's really about the survival of the human race in a very mechanical way, a sort of "what if this happened, then what?" I feel it's certainly one of Stephenson's weakest books, just a few notches above Reamde, but the Agent not being a focus of the plot just didn't seem important to me in the same way that, if the sky was about to burn, I wouldn't care what did it, I'd be more worried about surviving.
I've had the Buss translation for like three years. I am prepared. Maybe.
thehillissilent
Member
The Hellbound Heart and The Scarlet Gospels by Clive Barker
Mortal Kombat by Jeff Rovin
Mortal Kombat by Jeff Rovin
Oh, you're completely prepared. It's one of the least intimidating classics you can pick to read, and it has some of the best characters.
How much of his other stuff have you read? Snow Crash was so long ago I forgot whether I like it or not and Cryptonomicon was a mixed bag. Is there anything else of his worth reading?
The Shadow
Member
I'm reading:
and to be honest, I'm not really enjoying it. Seems like Starship Troopers if Frank Miller wrote it, very 90's angst and anger, though I guess it was written in 84'.
Not bad enough to drop completely though. I haven't put it away yet, although I'm already wondering what to read next.
and to be honest, I'm not really enjoying it. Seems like Starship Troopers if Frank Miller wrote it, very 90's angst and anger, though I guess it was written in 84'.
Not bad enough to drop completely though. I haven't put it away yet, although I'm already wondering what to read next.
ThisGuy
Member
Well I've semi-caught up in my reading for my classes. I've got two requests that maybe you guys could help with me. I'm not an avid reader,something I hope to change, so I'm not sure what would be "good" if I searched for myself. By two requests I mean I am looking for two subjects.
1. I'm looking for a series of books that details great countries from beginning to end. Like world history, but extremely in depth about the nations it describes. Preferably something in order, say from the beginning of mankind to near present day. I know this is a hefty request, but it's something I feel I need to know.
2. A book that explains race. I don't fully understand the idea's that are thrown around this message board. The concept that race is a social construct is something I want to understand.
As for what I am currently reading recreationally, Stephen Kings the Shining. It's okay.
The end seems to be picking up, I will say I expected more from this classic. This is the only horror I've ever read, can horror books pull you in enough to scare in the same/similar as a movie?
1. I'm looking for a series of books that details great countries from beginning to end. Like world history, but extremely in depth about the nations it describes. Preferably something in order, say from the beginning of mankind to near present day. I know this is a hefty request, but it's something I feel I need to know.
2. A book that explains race. I don't fully understand the idea's that are thrown around this message board. The concept that race is a social construct is something I want to understand.
As for what I am currently reading recreationally, Stephen Kings the Shining. It's okay.
I enjoy the family dynamic, but nothing seems scary aside from those hedges.
Your first request is pretty much impossible. There is no way that a book could cover cover all of the great nations in detail. I mean, my god, it would probably be like a 10k page book.
Moreover, I can pretty much guaranty you that the type of book you are looking for is basically a textbook survey. I would avoid those. You might read it, might finish it, might learn a decent amount, but you will likely find it dull and boring, because survey books are boring. You are probably thinking it is a very efficient way to learn, but it really isnt. That boring survey book will likely focus on facts rather delving deep into themes, questions. The problem is, is that you are going to forget those facts, but you will remember the facts and the themes if the book delves deep into it and if you think deeply on it.
If you are interested in history I would recommend narrowing it down a lot. Think about what nations you want to read about, what topics you are interested in, and then go from there.
As for 2, well, you can start with this http://www.theatlantic.com/national...hen-we-say-race-is-a-social-construct/275872/
I havent read any book on the topic so I can't really help you out beyond that.
Last night, I finished:
What a horrible, horrible book. Based on the description, I thought it would talk about how World War I affected the war in the following decades, but instead, it mostly just talks about how the war affected art and how the war came about in artistic terms. It took me months to get through the book. I'm glad to be finished with it.
Today, I started:
I'm already over 100 pages in to it. I should finish it a lot faster.
What a horrible, horrible book. Based on the description, I thought it would talk about how World War I affected the war in the following decades, but instead, it mostly just talks about how the war affected art and how the war came about in artistic terms. It took me months to get through the book. I'm glad to be finished with it.
Today, I started:
I'm already over 100 pages in to it. I should finish it a lot faster.
ThisGuy
Member
I need to explain myself better, when I said series of books, I meant something like an encyclopedia set. I couldn't imagine sitting down with a singular book of that size trying to read.
Thanks for the link, I'll give it a read.
Thanks, but I was really hoping for multiple books, that looks cumbersome. But if that's all there is, i'll bite down.
15k pages? Yeesh.
And ThisGuy, I would not read this book. Not only is it rather old, but there is absolutely no way that a single author has the knowledge to write authoritatively on the history of all the world's great civilizations simply due to language. Can this dude read Classical Chinese, Sumerian, Hieroglyphics, Latin, Greek, etc? I HIGHLY doubit it. There is no way that he would be able to read primary sources on his own or read all of the secondary sources that are in the other language. It makes far more sense to simply read multiple books, but read books written by historians who are writing in their field.
Just go with Wikipedia. I think it is quite accurate, will give you provide you with sources so if you are interested you can read books to get further detail, and it will likely have far more depth and detail than any Encyclopedia set.
AngmarsKing701
Member
It's been a while since I read that but I remember loving it. I have wondered whether Bungie used this book as the inspiration for Master Chief.I'm reading:
and to be honest, I'm not really enjoying it. Seems like Starship Troopers if Frank Miller wrote it, very 90's angst and anger, though I guess it was written in 84'.
Not bad enough to drop completely though. I haven't put it away yet, although I'm already wondering what to read next.
Last night, I finished:
What a horrible, horrible book. Based on the description, I thought it would talk about how World War I affected the war in the following decades, but instead, it mostly just talks about how the war affected art and how the war came about in artistic terms. It took me months to get through the book. I'm glad to be finished with it.
Hmm, that was actually pretty far up on my to-read list. I was under the impression that it discussed how the war impacted culture, society and general mindset, but if it is just art then I think I am going skip it. I have never really 'got' art, probably because I know very little about it. Still, I think that is a good indication that I won't like a book that discusses WWI's ramifications on art.
So, here's something for the regulars. List some of your favorite books that were discovered through this thread. I got:
If on a Winter's Night a Traveller
Vorkosigan Saga
Ubik
Blood Meridian
I kept it strictly to names that I would have never heard of if it wasn't for these threads. So while there were a lot of bigger names that GAF prompted me to read(Catch-22, Lolita, Libra), some were not total unknowns and others were written by a familiar author.
If on a Winter's Night a Traveller
Vorkosigan Saga
Ubik
Blood Meridian
I kept it strictly to names that I would have never heard of if it wasn't for these threads. So while there were a lot of bigger names that GAF prompted me to read(Catch-22, Lolita, Libra), some were not total unknowns and others were written by a familiar author.
Your post is reminding me of that relative power graph thread. The Franks as one of the Greatest Civilizations in history... bout as eurocentric as you can get right there.
Photon
Member
I'm not sure where you came up with the alien armada scenario. The characters hypothesized that the moon was struck by a fast moving black hole. The reason nobody is concerned with aliens is they all believed it to be a natural phenomenon.