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What are you reading? (March 2013)
- Thread starter Maklershed
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Finished:
There were some passages (like the girl tugging on her nipple piercing) that made me feel like the rabbit on the cover--covering my eyes, grimacing. Liked it quite a bit by the end, though--there's a sad comedy to it, the interplay later on between the would-be murderer and victim, and its short length meant it never overstayed its welcome. I'll probably check out more of Ryu Murakami's work.
Moving onto Stanislaw Lem's Cyberiad.
There were some passages (like the girl tugging on her nipple piercing) that made me feel like the rabbit on the cover--covering my eyes, grimacing. Liked it quite a bit by the end, though--there's a sad comedy to it, the interplay later on between the would-be murderer and victim, and its short length meant it never overstayed its welcome. I'll probably check out more of Ryu Murakami's work.
Moving onto Stanislaw Lem's Cyberiad.
Mackenzie 92
Member
Ever notice that all the new practices of the cult rely on Mike's martian influence? Everybody looks and feels years younger, they're healthier, nobody is jealous with the sexual relationships (and no crabs or syphilis apparently), everyone is happy, and none of it is realistically explained. Mike murders people who impede his cult but it's okay because they have a chance in another life! So Jubal sets the stage for Mike to correct some things that wrong society. And Mike, who can memorize entire libraries at a time decides to set up a religion because he spent a little while as a bad magician at a carnival.Mainly, it felt like I was reading a different book all of a sudden. Like you mentioned earlier, the characters underwent some pretty drastic changes without any plausible explanation, and I just didn't enjoy the whole cult idea. I wonder if the abridged version cuts down a lot from the second part, maybe I would have liked it better.
Finished The Night Eternal (rounding out the trilogy, which I think there's talk of them turning into a TV series). I enjoyed it as a whole (it's more action than horror, but I think I enjoyed the origin story more than anything else... which has yet again reminded me that I want/need to read The Bible at some point).
And started Gardens of the Moon, which is 1 of 10 apparently. Recommended by a colleague at work - not what I usually read, but I'm enjoying it so far even though it's a slow opening third.
I really enjoyed it after the slow start. It is about a kid who is trained to be really smart but lives life as an animal trapper. One day, something happens, and he is on a journey. After things started falling into place, I pretty much couldn't put it down.
Maklershed
Member
Found my copy! Its actually not as bad as I remembered it. I must've been thinking of a different book. Gonna give this bad boy a read.
And started Gardens of the Moon, which is 1 of 10 apparently. Recommended by a colleague at work - not what I usually read, but I'm enjoying it so far even though it's a slow opening third.
Stick with it. A lot of people get frustrated with the first book because it just kind of dumps you in the middle of a world with little explanation to begin with. It really is a fantastic series though, properly epic.
I've just started reading Lonesome Dove after it being recommended to me by everyone ever.
RepairmanJack
Member
I'm a little over half way through Good Omens and the parts with the kids is starting to get really annoying. I just can't stand the writing style that some authors use to write kid's parts. I can use my own imagination to make them sound like kids in my head, I don't need you to write like a 10 year old for me to get the idea. It makes it hard to read for me.
The guy that recommended it to me specifically said the first third of the book is tough reading, but it gets better after that. I don't start a book without finishing it anyway, but I'm still in that third (
just started book two so we're into Darujhistan, everything gone "Thief" on me
If this is your first readthrough of DT you're in for an epic journey.
One of the most frustrating books I've ever read. Such promise, such wasted potential.
This looks pretty fun, the blurb gives off a Terry Pratchett vibe.Re-reading this (James Blaylock, The Last Coin for the search engines) for the first time in at least 15 years:
And it's every bit as fun as I remember it. Charmingly eccentric, well written, and also a page turner. An all-time favorite.
I don't know what GAF thinks of the Jack Reacher series but I've just recently got into it. It's fun in a Bond sort of way. This is the third book after a good debut and a disputing follow-up. Halfway through and I'm really enjoying it.
Next I'm thinking of checking out whether A Song of Ice and Fire is worthy of all the hype.
Very early in but it's pretty wild.
Awesome book. I'm currently reading the sequel:
Less than 100 pages in at the moment. Really should have reread the original before starting this, having a bit of a hard time keeping up with all the terminology. And yeah, some of the concepts and ideas Rajaniemi explores are nothing short of mind-boggling.
shawnlreed
Member
Both Pathfinder and Ruins are enjoyable reads.
I don't think the time travel parts really make perfect sense, but that's not really a big issue.
It's a trilogy, so there's probably at least a years wait for the final book.
I've just started reading Lonesome Dove after it being recommended to me by everyone ever.
You're in for a treat with Lonesome Dove. It is unbelievably good. I've read it three times, and loved it every time. It might be my favorite book ever, and certainly it's on a short list.
Fucking epic adventure. Great Characters. Great writing.
I don't see Lonesome Dove mentioned often enough in these threads. Everybody should read it, even if you aren't into the old west or historical novels.
In particular, I think fans of Epic Fantasy would enjoy Lonesome Dove. The feeling of adventure and sense of scale is very similar to what you'd find in some of the better large-scale Fantasy works and it transports you in the same kind of way.
There are a whole series of books written later about the characters, 2 prequels and a sequel, I think.. They're great, but they aren't quite as good as Lonesome Dove, and I think it's better to read them roughly in the order they were written in, rather than chronological order. The prequels rely somewhat on your familiarity with these characters, and part of their appeal is taking you back and showing you how Gus, Call and etc came of age.
I don't know what GAF thinks of the Jack Reacher series but I've just recently got into it. It's fun in a Bond sort of way. This is the third book after a good debut and a disputing follow-up. Halfway through and I'm really enjoying it.
The Jack Reacher books are a hell of a lot of fun. All are really fast paced, with lots of action, and sometimes the mysteries themselves are pretty clever. A few are total crap, too, but you'll usually realize that pretty quick and you can put the book aside without concern. There isn't a whole lot of continuity to worry about with the series and they can easily be read out of order or skipped. I read them totally out of order and it didn't matter one iota.
Several of the very best books are beyond where you are now, so you've got a lot to look forward to.
I assume the Bloodsucking Fiends cameos aren't large spoilers of any sort for that trilogy?
I didn't like that one much, and it's easily my least favorite Gaiman novel. When I found out it was originally a TV series that was only adapted into a novel a lot of the things I didn't like about it made much more sense. I think he probably stuck to a few too many things from the series that don't fly well for a novel but it's been long enough since I've read it that I can't remember too many specifics off the top of my head. I know I didn't like the pacing very much, and I seem to remember it being a bit too episodic, both things that would have been great for a TV series but that fell flat in a novel IMO.Just finished Neverwhere. Amazing novel, Neil Gaiman is incredible.
Can't wait for the BBC Radio adaptation now.
RepairmanJack
Member
Not at all. Without having read that series you woudln't even know, it's very minimal. I would consider Tucker in The Stupidest Anglel more of a spoiler, and even that really isn't a spoiler. A Dirty Job was my second book of Moore's and I didn't even know about the cameo until I read about it later on.
Monocle
Member
I just finished a glorious marathon reading of
A Lion Among Men by Gregory Maguire
and
Out of Oz by Gregory Maguire
What an emotional roller coaster. I enjoy the author's writing style, especially the way he finds space for pensive moments and some fairly shrewd philosophizing as his haggard characters stumble from one misadventure to the next. He does come off as pretentious at times, it has to be said, and unfortunately he seems so preoccupied with the theme of bewilderment in the face of life's ambiguities that he can't seem to finish more than one in ten of the subplots he starts. Those that he does finish just kind of shrivel away with minimal elaboration.
It absolutely kills me that I never found out whether
That relationship was two thirds (the good two thirds) of the love triangle that forms the crux of the three Wicked sequels. How profoundly disappointing to have come all that long way as a reader without
I realize that not all fiction wraps itself up neatly, nor should it, but in this case I feel like the readers and the characters earned a traditional concrete ending.
If Out of Oz really is the last book in the Wicked Years, it will go down as my most frustrating reading experience ever. The way that Maguire developed the character of Brrr, the Cowardly Lion, is one of the few satisfying aspects of the dreary and obscure finale. That said, the whole series is a rich experience that for me was well worth having. I loved it and hated it. I learned a lot about life and people. But if you choose to commit to the Wicked Years, be prepared for a turbulent ride and a lot of gloomy uncertainty surrounding the conclusion.
A Lion Among Men by Gregory Maguire
and
Out of Oz by Gregory Maguire
What an emotional roller coaster. I enjoy the author's writing style, especially the way he finds space for pensive moments and some fairly shrewd philosophizing as his haggard characters stumble from one misadventure to the next. He does come off as pretentious at times, it has to be said, and unfortunately he seems so preoccupied with the theme of bewilderment in the face of life's ambiguities that he can't seem to finish more than one in ten of the subplots he starts. Those that he does finish just kind of shrivel away with minimal elaboration.
Bye-bye Nor, sorry your whole entire life fell apart.
It absolutely kills me that I never found out whether
Liir and Trism have a proper reunion.
a joyous or tragic payoff. It is left open, but I can't escape my tendency to assume the worst. I'm also rather miffed that I didn't get a decisive answer about what happened between Trism and Candle at Apple Press Farm. And I sure would have liked to see Elphaba definitively return, as Maguire heavily hinted would happen.
If Out of Oz really is the last book in the Wicked Years, it will go down as my most frustrating reading experience ever. The way that Maguire developed the character of Brrr, the Cowardly Lion, is one of the few satisfying aspects of the dreary and obscure finale. That said, the whole series is a rich experience that for me was well worth having. I loved it and hated it. I learned a lot about life and people. But if you choose to commit to the Wicked Years, be prepared for a turbulent ride and a lot of gloomy uncertainty surrounding the conclusion.
Man, I adore westerns, but I've never read Lonesome Dove...I need to change that.
GAF really kills me with all these good book recommendations. I'm sort of at the point I get sometimes with my games backlog. I want to read something, but I have so many options I don't know which to read first (and thus don't read anything for weeks :lol).
I finally decided it was time to introduce myself to the eminent Gene Wolfe. So I've started with The Book of the new Sun series.
I'd recommend the Latro series over this. Shadow is great, but it slogs through mid-way and it may turn you off.
eattomorro
Neo Member
Finished off Zoo City by Lauren Beukes. What a kick ass book, it really takes you for a ride. And the main character was the best anti-hero I've read in a long time. If you're into urban fantasy, check this book out.
Now onto a book written by a fellow Canadian. Carnival by Rawi Hage.
Now onto a book written by a fellow Canadian. Carnival by Rawi Hage.
Monocle
Member
Don't give bad advice. The full series of four + its unmissable sequel, Urth of the New Sun, is one of the fullest and most satisfying arcs in all speculative fiction. Yes, it can challenge your patience at times, but it's so worth it.
Right now I'm rereading The Meaning of Marxism
I've read this before but I just love the way that D'amato explains everything. A good place to start if you are interested in learning about Marx and/or Socialism.
and trying to finish the Cryptonomicon (not because it's bad but because it's looooong)
.jpg/200px-Cryptonomicon(1stEd).jpg)
Picked this up as it was recommended to me after I finished everything that Michael Crichton (R.I.P.) wrote. I really miss him as a reader. I was told that Neal Stephenson would be similar, in the same "techno-thriller" vein. About 60% through and I guess it's good. He's no Crichton but it could be much worse. I've had a few laugh out loud moments as well as some really thought provoking encounters with this so far.
I've read this before but I just love the way that D'amato explains everything. A good place to start if you are interested in learning about Marx and/or Socialism.
and trying to finish the Cryptonomicon (not because it's bad but because it's looooong)
Picked this up as it was recommended to me after I finished everything that Michael Crichton (R.I.P.) wrote. I really miss him as a reader. I was told that Neal Stephenson would be similar, in the same "techno-thriller" vein. About 60% through and I guess it's good. He's no Crichton but it could be much worse. I've had a few laugh out loud moments as well as some really thought provoking encounters with this so far.
And it becomes even better if you read the Book of the Long Sun and the Book of the Short Sun. The Latro series is great, but the Solar Cycle is clearly Wolfe's masterpiece.
Just finished
What can I say. That series just keeps on delivering. It's fresh and innovative and keeps surprising me. That ending? Just Wow!
I'm really excited for the last book.
But first I'm gonna read:
English title is Runners. Got the book as a present when I applied for an internship at a small publishing house (didn't get it). Never heard about the author before but I liked the first few pages and I really like to read something in German for a change.
Also still on Atlas Shrugged for the Book Club and listening to Harry Potter 5.
What can I say. That series just keeps on delivering. It's fresh and innovative and keeps surprising me. That ending? Just Wow!
Funny enough I kind of think that even though the price that Seedless (or Sterile) let the Khaiem and the Galts pay was cruel, I loved how ironic it was that in some harsh and twisted way, it presented them with a possiblilty for peace.
But first I'm gonna read:
English title is Runners. Got the book as a present when I applied for an internship at a small publishing house (didn't get it). Never heard about the author before but I liked the first few pages and I really like to read something in German for a change.
Also still on Atlas Shrugged for the Book Club and listening to Harry Potter 5.
Just finished
Overall I quite liked it, even if the ending was a bit anti-climactic compared to the other Mieville novels I've read.
I'm at a bit of a loss at what I'll read next. A bit tempted to dive into Iron Council and finish off the Bas-Lag books, perhaps 1Q84, maybe some YA-scifi fluff.
Overall I quite liked it, even if the ending was a bit anti-climactic compared to the other Mieville novels I've read.
I'm at a bit of a loss at what I'll read next. A bit tempted to dive into Iron Council and finish off the Bas-Lag books, perhaps 1Q84, maybe some YA-scifi fluff.
Finished The Hobbit. Really loved it outside of the nitpicky issues I pointed out earlier. Just a great fun adventure tale, so I'm glad I read through a classic of the genre.
Now to decide what's next. Altered Carbon is always tempted, but that recommendation for Lathe of Heaven sounded so good, and that Lonesome Dove post all of sudden makes me want to read a western. lol
Now to decide what's next. Altered Carbon is always tempted, but that recommendation for Lathe of Heaven sounded so good, and that Lonesome Dove post all of sudden makes me want to read a western. lol
Anno Dracula, Kim Newman.
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Re-read After Dark by Haruki Murakami tonight, and it just clicked in a way it never did before.
Gordon0Freeman
Member
Any good books on pirates?
Captain Blood: His Odyssey is pretty good.
Just finished
What can I say. That series just keeps on delivering. It's fresh and innovative and keeps surprising me. That ending? Just Wow!I'm really excited for the last book.Funny enough I kind of think that even though the price that Seedless (or Sterile) let the Khaiem and the Galts pay was cruel, I loved how ironic it was that in some harsh and twisted way, it presented them with a possiblilty for peace.
I read the first book but I thought it was pretty meh. Are the other books better than the first one? I'm willing to give it another try.
28 Posts Later
Member
I finally got around to finishing David Mitchell's 'Ghostwritten' and am planning to read something a little more challenging / renowned. Either 'The Brothers Karamazov' or 'War and Peace'.
Ghostwritten was probably the least impressive of his work I've read [those other novels being Number9Dream and Cloud Atlas, with Ghostwritten being his debut it's understandable] but it was still an interesting attempt to craft a novel out of seemingly random events. Cloud Atlas is a more streamlined attempt at the same style of narrative, so I'd gladly recommend Ghostwritten to anyone who enjoyed it.
Hm. Not sure. I already loved the first one and the second and third book were even better in my opinion but if you didn't like the first one there is a chance you might not like the others as well.
It's not that I didn't like it I was just really underwhelmed and I didn't like the whole pose business they had going on. I might give it at try anyway once I catch up with the dresden files.
Yeah, the posing was a bit strange at first, but I hardly notice it anymore.
Finished, fun read. Now readingCurrently reading
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
_-_200px.jpeg/200px-Bossypants_Cover_(Tina_Fey)_-_200px.jpeg)
Bossypants by Tina Fey
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