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What are you reading? (May 2013)
- Thread starter Maklershed
- Start date
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Well, I finished The Lost Fleet: Dauntless. The combat was really enjoyable and it was a good read, but I felt that everything else was somewhat sketchy. The environments of the ship where the main character spends the entirety of the book, for example, are never really described beyond something like "he walked into a big compartment". I also don't have anything against using US navy vocabulary in the space, but calling the enlisted personnel on a spaceship "sailors" is just too much.
As I said though, not a bad book thanks to the awesome space combat. Hopefully, the questions raised near the end bring something fresh into the sequels.
Next up, a book by oatmeal's brother (http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=563025).
As I said though, not a bad book thanks to the awesome space combat. Hopefully, the questions raised near the end bring something fresh into the sequels.
Next up, a book by oatmeal's brother (http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=563025).
I'm starting this as well. Sounds neat.
I finished Heller's Catch 22. I loved it. One of my favourites. At the moment I'm reading Green Hills of Africa på Hemingway - like it so far, but funnily enough I have a harder time getting into the prose compared to just Heller. Even though many comment on the easy sentence structure of Hemingway, fasted paced and so on.
I have another question for you read-gaf: Has anyone here read Tolstoys War and Peace? If so - which version is better the un-abridged with about 1200 pages or the abridged with about half that amount. Is it worth it getting the original version length?
I have another question for you read-gaf: Has anyone here read Tolstoys War and Peace? If so - which version is better the un-abridged with about 1200 pages or the abridged with about half that amount. Is it worth it getting the original version length?
I guess either is generally fine for me, although, not so much music and maybe just background noise. I like reading in complete silence of course, love reading at night time in bed, but I read a lot at work as well, or outside on on my balcony where there might be some outside noise here and there just to keep things subtle. As long as nothing is too distracting, I guess it's a non-issue.
I can't decide what to read
I might just take a break until Abbadon's Gate next week.Nearly finished:
Only started it a couple of days ago but really enjoying it, highly recommend.
Just saw on goodreads that you sent me this recommendation
It does sound pretty interesting, but I don't think I'm in the mood to read right now. Keep me updated when you finish though. I recently watched "The Hurricane", so this book certainly fits into that mold of life in prison and how they deal with it.I'm still fairly awestruck from "Curious Incident...", so I might pick something from this goodreads list about young narrators.
I like to start with some music going. If it's a good book it doesn't matter as I won't even notice the sound/silence.
I was supposed to read it back in high school, but I, uh, neglected that. I heard there's a lot of filler though, some philosophical essays inserted into the actual novel or something, so it might a better idea to get the abridged version. I understand that it's only those essays that are cut. By the way, a lot of dialogue in the book is in French, so there's a lot of huge footnotes.
nakedsushi
Member
I prefer silence. I'm easily distracted so if there's music, it tends to mess up my reading.
J-Roderton
Member
Finishing up Game Of Thrones.
Started Education Of A Wandering Man. Basically a memoir from Louis L'Amour. Really interesting stuff and it totally makes you want to read more.
After that I'm hoping into Gulliver's Travels. Got a leather bound at a flea market last week.
Having a TV on with volume turned down is fine. No music, though. Can't help but sing along in my head.
Started Education Of A Wandering Man. Basically a memoir from Louis L'Amour. Really interesting stuff and it totally makes you want to read more.
After that I'm hoping into Gulliver's Travels. Got a leather bound at a flea market last week.
Having a TV on with volume turned down is fine. No music, though. Can't help but sing along in my head.
Either works.
However, since i usually use headphones, i can't listen to music for long. Kinda uncomfortable for long reading sessions. Also, changing track is annoying. Never got around fixing my playlists.
If i can listen to music without headphones (ie i'm alone)...
Depends on my mood and the book. Mostly in silence though.
Mostly in silence but sometime I have rainymood.com running in the background.
I can't read with music. Normal talking (tv, subway etc) is fine
Maklershed
Member
Silence or music without singing. I'll sometimes listen to smooth jazz or light classical while I read.
I can read with whatever noise is around me, pretty much. I can read with a Martin Yale 400 paper jogger sitting next to me.
Keeeep reeeading.
I loved the series and I first read it in 2007. The first book isn't as strong; I think I gave it 3/5 on Goodreads, but it's worth continuing. I love the atmosphere, especially in the second book.
Everyone kept recommending this to me since I missed reading it as a kid:
Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper
I finished it and only thought it was okay. I probably would have liked it better if I had read it as a kid.
Keeeep reeeading.
I loved the series and I first read it in 2007. The first book isn't as strong; I think I gave it 3/5 on Goodreads, but it's worth continuing. I love the atmosphere, especially in the second book.
Oh this sounds perfect. Gonna order it to read during my week in the city. Thank you!
Also have always thought about picking up The Dark is Rising series. Maybe I'll just stick to non-fiction and children's books since more adult fiction has been so disappointing.
TerryWogan
Member
I read that somehow the Dark Tower series acts as a "sequel" to 'salem's Lot so I assumed it'd be a good idea to read it before I continued with the series!
Mackenzie 92
Member
Oh this sounds perfect. Gonna order it to read during my week in the city. Thank you!
Also have always thought about picking up The Dark is Rising series. Maybe I'll just stick to non-fiction and children's books since more adult fiction has been so disappointing.
Cool, it's one of my all time favorites, hope you like it.
J-Roderton
Member
Decent so far, but I'm looking forward to the next series. Tired of a few of the characters that have been lurking around in this 4-parter.
So, are these any good?
nakedsushi
Member
Everyone says how great the second book is. If I didn't like the plot or characters of the first book, is it still worth it to read the second?
some interesting essays, some less so. I generally like Franzen though so I don't mind his schtick even if the actual "Farther Away" essay was a bit obvious and artificial w/ regards to the whole David Foster Wallace relationship.
next up:
recommended by a friend, haven't read non-fiction in a while
Its much much better. (Though you're probably already a good way into it.)
Well, the second book introduces a new character and setting; the larger plot (that this is a series about a climactic battle against The Dark) remains the same, but it feels different, probably because it focuses on a simple character and has more room to breathe. I liked the first book more than you did, though. I liked how unpretentious it felt, and its simplicity, and I liked the setting. I didn't think it was amazing; just pretty solidly done for a children's fantasy book. I really enjoyed the second because it did a better job of fleshing out the sides (they remained archetypes but I thought it was done well), and had a much more palpable atmosphere - almost like an impending sense of dread. For fantasy as escapism, as a way to feel transported, it's one of my favorite fantasy books. If you don't like The Dark is Rising, I'd say you're safe to skip the rest of the series, but I think it is worth a shot.
I really liked Miller. Sure, he was there to provide a contrast to Holden's more optimistic views, but his narrative path made sense to me. The only thing I never really got was the bloody hat.
finished THE BIG SLEEP. loved it with all my heart.
Now I'm reading...
BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS by Kurt Vonnegut.
It's my first Vonnegut and I had no idea what to expect going in. I'm now about halfway through, and though his writing style took some getting used to, I am really enjoying it.
Now I'm reading...
BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS by Kurt Vonnegut.
It's my first Vonnegut and I had no idea what to expect going in. I'm now about halfway through, and though his writing style took some getting used to, I am really enjoying it.
Tragicomedy
Member
I think he's the best American writer, period.
finished THE BIG SLEEP. loved it with all my heart.
Now I'm reading...
BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS by Kurt Vonnegut.
It's my first Vonnegut and I had no idea what to expect going in. I'm now about halfway through, and though his writing style took some getting used to, I am really enjoying it.
You'd be better off with Cat's Cradle or Slaughterhouse 5. Breakfast of Champions is my least favorite Vonnegut book, although I still like it.
Maybe if his books weren't so similar. Maybe it's just me, but they do feel that way, especially the less known ones.
Speaking of excellent American writers, what do you BookGAF people think about O. Henry?
Yeah I'm about halfway through and I'm totally into it now. The only annoying character so far is Felisin, the rest of the cast I really like. I was about ready to toss the series after the first book but the second is so much better.
The Culture Vulture
Member
Agreed, I love KV and still struggled at times with Breakfast of Champions. Did you know they made a movie based on it? I heard it was really bad but I haven't had the chance to see it yet.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breakfast_of_Champions_(film)
The entire Drizzt series of novels as a whole or just this latest saga?
The series is pretty good, especially the first three or four sets of books. But I find it getting a bit worse these last couple of sagas. Mostly because of really spoilery reasons. Plot stuff.
Mother Green
Member
I'm reading my first Bukowski, Post Office. Not sure if I like it by now or not.
Agreed, I love KV and still struggled at times with Breakfast of Champions. Did you know they made a movie based on it? I heard it was really bad but I haven't had the chance to see it yet.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breakfast_of_Champions_(film)
Huh, no, I didn't see it either. Apparently, they made several other movies based on Vonnegut's work, some which probably were good. I haven't watched any of them though.
British Monsoon
Member
The Sirens of Titan and Cat's Cradle are my favourites of the Vonnegut books I've read (I also really enjoyed Player Piano), but I haven't got around to Slaughterhouse-five, as of yet. It seems to be the last particularly well regarded one I haven't read, so I'm saving it. Think I'll read Mother Night next.
BrokenFiction
Member
Just finished:
And started:
And started:
Tragicomedy
Member
Honestly, if you're just reading his main fiction novels you're missing out on his best work. My favorite Vonnegut is, in no particular order (WARNING: reads like a Vonnegut shrine because it is):
1) A Man Without a Country - Essentially his memoir, it contains some of his most beautifully written stuff. Imagine you could crack open Vonnegut's brain and see what he's storing inside there, and this is what you get. He shares a lot of his philosophies and the lessons he learned through his life. The entire book blows my face off. Look at this treasure:
Kurt Vonnegut said:
2) Armageddon in Retrospect - This is Vonnegut's take on wars, and the pointlessness thereof. As a career military man, this speaks more to me than a lot of his other works. The dude sat through the bombing of Dresden and witnessed the atrocity of war first-hand, so I value his insight and opinion on how rough it really is. Harrowing and moving.
Vonnegut said:
3) God Bless You, Dr. Kevorkian - Great short stories where Kurt teams up with Dr. K. to have himself put under where he can interview famous people in the afterlife. He interviews everyone from Freud to Hitler, and the results are spectactular.
Vonnegut said:
-------
They also released hundreds of pages of his personal correspondence late last year in the form of Letters, which I have not read yet but have heard is the bees knees.
After trying (and failing) to get back into Snow Crash, I was still in the mood to mix some science fiction into my reading schedule. I started researching the modern space opera genre, trying to see which books got the most praise, and I ended up getting this:
Revelation Space 01 - Revelation Space by Alastair Reynolds
I think I am in love with this book. It has monopolized about 80% of my reading time since I started it. The setting is absolutely amazing with some of the best world building I've ever seen.
I'm still a little confused about some things -- some of the lingo is a little dense, and the setting is very futuristic -- but the story is so compelling that I'm content to suffer through a little confusion, and the more I understand, the more interesting everything becomes. Some of the imagery in this book is utterly mindblowing, particularly the description of the huge, lonely "lighthugger" space-ship. It almost feels like a setting that belongs in a horror film.
Overall, the vision of the future here is a mix of utopian and dystopian characteristics. Humans have invented all the cool technology we've always dreamed of, but people are still as corrupt as ever, and the universe is still a dangerous place to be. As a result, ruins and chaos mingle freely with incredible scientific wonders, and there are all sorts of weird contrasting elements. It seems really unique to me. I'm not sure it is, because I'm certainly more of a fantasy/horror guy than a science fiction guy, but I've never read anything quite like this.
There is so much potential for awesome storytelling in this universe that it boggles my mind, and I can see myself devouring this whole series pretty fast. I don't have a huge amount of experience with modern space opera, but for what it's worth, I think I like this more than Hyperion.
Revelation Space 01 - Revelation Space by Alastair Reynolds
I think I am in love with this book. It has monopolized about 80% of my reading time since I started it. The setting is absolutely amazing with some of the best world building I've ever seen.
I'm still a little confused about some things -- some of the lingo is a little dense, and the setting is very futuristic -- but the story is so compelling that I'm content to suffer through a little confusion, and the more I understand, the more interesting everything becomes. Some of the imagery in this book is utterly mindblowing, particularly the description of the huge, lonely "lighthugger" space-ship. It almost feels like a setting that belongs in a horror film.
Overall, the vision of the future here is a mix of utopian and dystopian characteristics. Humans have invented all the cool technology we've always dreamed of, but people are still as corrupt as ever, and the universe is still a dangerous place to be. As a result, ruins and chaos mingle freely with incredible scientific wonders, and there are all sorts of weird contrasting elements. It seems really unique to me. I'm not sure it is, because I'm certainly more of a fantasy/horror guy than a science fiction guy, but I've never read anything quite like this.
There is so much potential for awesome storytelling in this universe that it boggles my mind, and I can see myself devouring this whole series pretty fast. I don't have a huge amount of experience with modern space opera, but for what it's worth, I think I like this more than Hyperion.
Exactly how I felt. Every Book since then has been fantastic for me.
J-Roderton
Member
Cool. I saw these at the bookstore. I have no idea what book even starts the series.
Tragicomedy
Member
I've never read a Reynolds book, but added several of them to my backlog yesterday based on Goodreads recommendations. You may have pushed that one up in my queue.
I didn't read those, but you definitely got me interested. Think I'll fill up up some of these spaces in my Vonnegut collection some time in the near future.
read the art of fielding by chad harbach. i thought it was really amazing, despite not having much interest in baseball going in and having to google a few terms. the characters were very vivid, i loved the meditative mood to it and it has some beautiful passages. as with any good long book finishing it has left a hole in my heart.
Tragicomedy
Member
Cool, definitely give them a shot. They're all short reads (a day or two, max) and really showcase his mad writing skills.
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