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What are you reading? (May 2015)
- Thread starter Maklershed
- Start date
I finished The Impossible State, a book about N.Korea. A very good analytical take on the N.K regime, but despite its opening, don't get it if you're looking for personal anecdotes or significant insights into negotiations with the DPRK; it's mostly policy and evidence based. That said, well argued, insightful, a full breadth of analysis since WWII onwards, and an easy writing style that helps when considering the sheer brutality and misery of the NK Regime.
There are some really interesting analyses of Nijigahara out there that really helped me get a handle on the symbolism and the timelines when I was going through it a second time, it made for a completely different experience. The first time through I was more just trying to keep up with what was happening but on subsequent read-throughs it became more and more clear what was going on. I'd say Solanin is a much more focused and mature work from him though.
I'm quite excited that A Girl On the Shore is being released officially in English next year, it's another very good and thoughtful work by Asano. I'd put it below Solanin and Nijigahara but it is still excellent in a really unsettling way. And Oyasumi Punpun is most certainly on my to-read list in the future, but I'm crossing my fingers hard that one of the publishers will decide to license it so I can have it in physical form.
Does anyone here have any impressions on Shigeru Mizuki's Showa: A History of Japan series? I ordered the first volume because of the overwhelmingly positive impressions I saw in formal reviews, but I'd love to hear if there are any gaffers who really enjoyed it.
Can you post (or PM) some of those analyses? I'd be interested in reading them when I reread it.
And yeah, I've kept an eye out to see whether Oyasumi Punpun gets licensed. I'm not sure who would end up publishing it, if it were. It looks like Viz might, but my dream scenario is for Fantagraphics to do it, in editions like the one they did for Nijigahara Holograph. I think one of those two would seem most likely, anyway.
"God's Beard!"
Member
Finally got around to finishing The City and the City by China Mieville. It was great, much more satisfying than other books I've read recently.
*cough*southern reach trilogy*cough*
Anybody read Embassytown? I love aliens.
*cough*southern reach trilogy*cough*
Anybody read Embassytown? I love aliens.
i_am_ben
running_here_and_there
Don't bother with Revelation Space. The final book is horrifically bad.
This is completely on topic! And physical books. If it's a book that I'm unsure whether I would want to own it, well, that's what the library is for.
Obligatary read Oyasumi Punpun post. It's Asano's best work by a landslide. It's the manga equivalent of A Little Life (ok, maybe A Little Life is a bit more depressing and has a higher chance to break a person). I took a break from A Little Life to read Americanah; my heart needed a breather by the halfway point.
And talking about Pluto, I am close to completing Urasawa's other famous work, 20th Century Boys. I started to listen to the T. Rex due to that manga. Guta Lala Suda Lala.
And talking about Pluto, I am close to completing Urasawa's other famous work, 20th Century Boys. I started to listen to the T. Rex due to that manga. Guta Lala Suda Lala.
I've really only listened to the title song. I love the intro. One should at the very least read the introduction of the manga while listening to that song.
glad to know I am not the only one to feel that way. Plus it was like King married his experience to his early style of writing, no bloat, no side story's, just a couple hundred lean mean pages of horror with no deeper meaning or subtext beyond trying to scare you.
It's funny. There is so much seemingly meaningless side stuff (like the story about his grand niece), but every single bit of it ties into the plot in a meaningful way.
And it scared the shit out of me. Going to have nightmares about
those fucking ants and Mother.
Langdon Alger
Banned
Nooooo! I've been reading The Culture series by Iain M. Banks. But for some reason, out of nowhere, the fifth book, Excession, isn't available on any ebook format in the US. Not on Kindle or anywhere else. Every other book in the series is on Kindle, and Excession is available for Kindle in the UK, but not the US. One book out of ten, not on Kindle in the US. It makes no sense.
Langdon Alger
Banned
That link tells me "not available for purchase". It's probably available on Kindle in most countries, but just not in the US for some reason. Maybe some sort of weird rights issue, I don't know. It's pretty frustrating though.
Rug Monkey
Member
Rug Monkey
Member
That's strange as it gives me a dollar price but links me back to co.uk
(I still have a .com account from before they had a co.uk)
I used to prefer physical books and totally couldn't imagine switching to ebooks. But then I got a kindle and now I pretty much only read ebooks. I still love physical books but I wouldn't have the space to store them and the backlight on the kindle is all kinds of amazing. The only physical copies I buy nowadays are books that are heavy on images or have some kind of different format.
Thanks!
I just got the first four volumes myself. Though I want to at least finish what I'm reading right now before starting at them lest I lose my focus.
Will do, one of the websites that has the chronological time line I used is down atm so will send that along when it starts working. I enjoyed this website's analysis of Maki and Arie https://mercurialblonde.wordpress.c...-of-smaller-hells-arakawa-maki-vs-ari-kimura/ which is the third part in a series of articles the website did on Nijigahara.
Hopefully Viz will take a look, since Oyasumi Punpun ran in a Shogakukan magazine, they have first right of refusal to it. I believe Fantagraphics is next in line, because I know Vertical mentioned they would love to do it but would need both of these publishers to pass in order to try and get the license. As much as I agree I'd love another Fantagraphics release like Nijigahara, I'd be ok with Viz considering they make their Sig releases a little fancier.
I just got the first four volumes myself. Though I want to at least finish what I'm reading right now before starting at them lest I lose my focus.
Nice! They look so good in physical form
Completed Americanah and 20th Century Boys. Loved both of them but the latter kind of just ended, which I assume the two volumes of 21st Century Boys hold the actual conclusion to the overall series. Pity I don't have access to that series. :-(
Suppose it's time for me to return to both Pluto and A Little Life!
Suppose it's time for me to return to both Pluto and A Little Life!
I absolutely loved Book I, felt Book II dragged on a little too long, and ultimately felt Book III was rushed.
Still a good novel though.
Dedication Through Light
Member
Ebook when it's over 500 pages. Though ebook is convenient to read in bed.
I usually get physical, like holding it and natural light > kindle light.
Maklershed
Member
For me it goes:
kindle ebook > trade paperback > hard cover > paperback
I do most of my reading on a bus to and from work so the portability and back light of the Kindle is a God send.
kindle ebook > trade paperback > hard cover > paperback
I do most of my reading on a bus to and from work so the portability and back light of the Kindle is a God send.
Didn't notice this while skimming. Physical, all the way. Can't beat holding what you're reading in hand, plus I feel it's easier on my eyes and easier to read. Sure they take a lot of space but I love having a bookshelf, makes my room feel classier
Thanks for the recommendations. I purchased In the Name of the Rose. Looks like Shogun is over 1000 pages, so I put it on the wishlist. I'll pick it up when I have more free time in the summer. Right now it would take me 5-6 weeks to get through, and I am in the mood for something a shorter.
Ever read Bernard Cornwell or Patrick O'Brian? Could introduce yourself to them
I read Master and Commander earlier in the year and really enjoyed it. I feel like I need to go buy an illustrated encyclopedia of sailing ships to better understand half of the stuff O'Brien describes though. I will probably get around to Post Captain later in the year.
I have never read anything by Cornwell, so maybe I will check him out as well!
I completed Snow Crash yesterday. Things came together pretty conveniently by the end of the novel, but it was a good read.
Ebooks, but I do miss having paperbacks around. When I was a kid I remember going to the book store every few months with my parents and we'd come out every time with a huge basket full, with a bunch for each of us.
I like the convenience of a Kindle and I've also developed a bit of a minimalist streak when it comes to possessions and clutter. I want to own books, but I just don't have the desire to store all of them. I do buy physical copies of books from authors I really love, and things like cookbooks where it's impractical to have a Kindle in the kitchen. There's also stuff like 'The World of Ice and Fire' where the illustrations deserve to be seen from the actual book.
Dandy Crocodile
Member
I read both physical and ebook pretty equally, but I;d have to give ebooks the edge.
I adore my Kindle and find it much easier to read at odd angle in low light (which is how I often find myself reading) with one than it is with a physical book.
I adore my Kindle and find it much easier to read at odd angle in low light (which is how I often find myself reading) with one than it is with a physical book.
Also, speaking about Inio Asano:
I really like What a Wonderful World! by him. It's probably his most upbeat ending to a manga. The structure was interesting as well, considering it was a group of vignettes that tied loosely together. Kind of like a short story collection with overarching themes and small connections between the characters. I really enjoyed that.
Also, Punpun went places I didn't expect it to. I mean, holy shit.
I really like What a Wonderful World! by him. It's probably his most upbeat ending to a manga. The structure was interesting as well, considering it was a group of vignettes that tied loosely together. Kind of like a short story collection with overarching themes and small connections between the characters. I really enjoyed that.
Also, Punpun went places I didn't expect it to. I mean, holy shit.
PunPun's final act was the epitome of happiness, bunnies, rainbows, and unicorns.
On the ebook vs paperback discussion, I am ebooks all the way. I would be unable to read anything over in South Africa if I didn't have a kindle on hand. My quality of life would've plummeted without my trust e-reading device.
GasProblem
Member
Allllmost finished with Bone Clocks, then I can finally start Mistborn. So very much looking forward to that.
Still so many series I want to read, Wheel of Time, Malazan, The Black Company, Dark Tower, Book of the New Sun, Farseer Trilogy, Hyperion, Kingkiller Chronicles etc. Have to keep up with AsoIaF, Ravens Shadow and Stormlight Archive as well of course. Guess I should be happy there's still years worth of books I want to read
I was browsing for even more books I want to read, and came across this:
That is one (except for the blurb at the top) badass cover. Knights and dinosaurs? Interest peeked. Hope the book lives up to the art.
Summary of the book:
Comes out in July. Only see a 22 costing hardcover edition, will wait for reviews. Armies of dinosaur-mounted knights though!
Some more art:
This art. My dinosaur loving heart is beating pretty fast.
Still so many series I want to read, Wheel of Time, Malazan, The Black Company, Dark Tower, Book of the New Sun, Farseer Trilogy, Hyperion, Kingkiller Chronicles etc. Have to keep up with AsoIaF, Ravens Shadow and Stormlight Archive as well of course. Guess I should be happy there's still years worth of books I want to read
I was browsing for even more books I want to read, and came across this:
That is one (except for the blurb at the top) badass cover. Knights and dinosaurs? Interest peeked. Hope the book lives up to the art.
Summary of the book:
Comes out in July. Only see a 22 costing hardcover edition, will wait for reviews. Armies of dinosaur-mounted knights though!
Some more art:
This art. My dinosaur loving heart is beating pretty fast.
Sadly I have finally finished the Garret P.I. books what a journey, As for Wicked Bronze Ambition
Chapter 13 when Relway says "......Furious Tide of Light has been killed" I actually had that cold chill that runs from your head to your toes when you receive really bad news in real life, I was in shock for Garret. Such a sad book, If it had ended 4 or 5 sentences earlier I'm not sure how I would have felt, as it is I think it was a perfect end to the series if there are no other Garret books in the future, and if there are I will certainly not complain.
TouchMyBox
Member
Just got through the Fantine section and have started to fall in love with it. Can't believe I'm only 1/5th of the way through.
I'm pretty impartial to eBook/physical book these days. I'll read whatever's easiest/cheapest to get my hands on. Because I get so many books from publishers for review, I've become reliant on eBooks to ensure that my book collection doesn't get so massive that my family becomes buried under paper and bad cover art.
Thanks! Can't wait to hear what you think.
And, yeah, the film/tv stuff has been a surprise. Who knows where it'll go, but it's fun nonetheless.
Hope you enjoy it! Thanks for the support.
Thanks! Can't wait to hear what you think.
And, yeah, the film/tv stuff has been a surprise. Who knows where it'll go, but it's fun nonetheless.
Hope you enjoy it! Thanks for the support.
BOND CO STOOGE
Member
Allllmost finished with Bone Clocks, then I can finally start Mistborn. So very much looking forward to that.
Still so many series I want to read, Wheel of Time, Malazan, The Black Company, Dark Tower, Book of the New Sun, Farseer Trilogy, Hyperion, Kingkiller Chronicles etc. Have to keep up with AsoIaF, Ravens Shadow and Stormlight Archive as well of course. Guess I should be happy there's still years worth of books I want to read
I was browsing for even more books I want to read, and came across this:
That is one (except for the blurb at the top) badass cover. Knights and dinosaurs? Interest peeked. Hope the book lives up to the art.
Summary of the book:
Comes out in July. Only see a 22 costing hardcover edition, will wait for reviews. Armies of dinosaur-mounted knights though!
Some more art:
This art. My dinosaur loving heart is beating pretty fast.
I've been in a pretty deep reading slump for the last month or so. There are plenty of good books out there for me to read, and I just haven't felt like putting in the effort. Then you post what seems to be a by the numbers fantasy book, but with dinosaurs, and suddenly I perk up. Too bad it's coming out in July. I'll have to find something else to help dig me out of this slump.
I guess since I'm at the top of the page I should mention what I've been attempting to read. I started 'The Dreaming Void' a few weeks ago. It's taking me a little time to get into, as I have been only reading about 20 minutes a day, and I'm not the fastest reader. I'm enjoying the returning characters. I'm not sure that I would have been open to so many returning characters if the reason behind it wasn't so tied in to the way the author created the world. So far, I don't really have a good grasp of what's going on, but I hope once I get a little further in the story picks up. If I can get into the story like I did with the previous series maybe it will help get me out of my slump.
I did! Can't decide whether I like "The Girl with Wings of Iron and Down" or "Of Parnassus and Princes, Damsels and Dragons" was my favourite story. The other stories were great as well but these two stood out to me. The notes on the stories were also a nice touch, I found it interesting to see how the stories came to be and what they were inspired by.
Edit:
Starting Omega Force: Soldiers of Fortune
Finished up The Winter Family by Clifford Jackman last night and I was really happy with it. It's got a quick pace, a very noir feel, and some of the craziest badass characters/villains/anti-heroes I've seen in a long time. Oh and tonnes of violence; so if your shy about this I stay away.
Next up it's The Sasquatch Hunter's Almanac by Sharma Shields.
Next up it's The Sasquatch Hunter's Almanac by Sharma Shields.
"God's Beard!"
Member
No James Gurney no sale
Just finished this today:
And now onto:
Been really sprinting through The Witcher novels. Not many books have hooked me like these have, and that's not just because I was way into the games or something. I do really like Witcher 2, but it's really the books that have made me love the world and everything about it. I honestly recommend it to anyone that likes stuff like A Song of Fire and Ice or Lord of the Rings.
It's kind of a bummer I have to read the last two as fan translations, but oh well. I read Sword of Destiny that way, and it was pretty good. Just glad I can read it at all I suppose.
And now onto:
Been really sprinting through The Witcher novels. Not many books have hooked me like these have, and that's not just because I was way into the games or something. I do really like Witcher 2, but it's really the books that have made me love the world and everything about it. I honestly recommend it to anyone that likes stuff like A Song of Fire and Ice or Lord of the Rings.
It's kind of a bummer I have to read the last two as fan translations, but oh well. I read Sword of Destiny that way, and it was pretty good. Just glad I can read it at all I suppose.