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What are you reading? (October 2013)
- Thread starter Maklershed
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Started reading Good Omens. My first Pratchett book so hopefully if I like, I will start reading the Discworld series after.
Yussssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
I'm reading it now, but I'm beginning to suspect she's in the process of white-washing Cromwell's history.
Have you ever read Kockroach by Tyler Knox? A great literate noir novel that inverts the Metamorphosis in a different way. Thanks for that link, by the way.
Started reading Good Omens. My first Pratchett book so hopefully if I like, I will start reading the Discworld series after.
Such a great book. You are in for a treat.
Came out earlier this month. Get it, it's really good!
Started reading Good Omens. My first Pratchett book so hopefully if I like, I will start reading the Discworld series after.
Oh man one of my FAVORITES
Well I hope you already saw it's definitely not Young Adult stuff. Enjoy, you're in for a great time!
Finally finished it. A very good book with emphasis on personal accounts and experiences of combatants. However it covers only the preparation and the first day of Operation Michael. One needs to look for something else to get a full treatment.
Don't know if anyone hear read the Witcher books but a new one just got announced and goes into sale next month. Sapkowski is selling out, he promised he would never touch Geralt again. :lol
A Season of Storms: The Witcher would be the direct translation I think.
Where's my goat?
Member
Getting ready to begin The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich by William L. Shirer. Haven't read a non-fiction book in so long.
Zaraki_Kenpachi
Member
This might be the wrong thread but has anyone read or planning on reading Radical: My Journey out of Islamist Extremism by Maajid Nawaz? Or the British version released last year named Radical: My Journey from Islamist Extremism to a Democratic Awakening? I just heard an interview with him on Charlie Rose today and it made me really interested in picking up his book and I was wondering if anyone had any experiences with it. Thanks!
Just finished OUTLAW by Angus Donald
It's the first of a Robin Hood series told from the perspective of Alan Dale where Robin is more of a ruthless infamous guerrilla leader instead of a merry thief. Highly recommended! All the famous characters are there, but non of the clichés
thanks for this, will give it a try.
TheKaeptain
Banned
Arkos
Nose how to spell and rede to
So I'm starting Gravity's Rainbow, I've always wanted to read some Pynchon but never had the chance so I'm interested to see how that goes. So far it's interesting, such long sentences with so many clauses lol. I find it much easier to read if you just read everything at a breakneck pace and only start worrying about it not making sense once you get to the end of a sentence. I think I like it though, we'll see how it holds up for 700 pages.
I recently took a second run at Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart and still couldn't get past 100 pages. I really don't like that book. The satire doesn't work for me - theoretically it should, but in practice it's all too... realistic? The only thing that really got me was the ridiculous corporation names, but their novelty wears off quickly. And I hate the first person in that book. It feels like some kind of self-insertion fan-fic or something (awkward middle aged Jew in NYC writes about awkward middle aged Jew in NYC-- in the future). Bleh. At first I thought it was a problem with me, but now I have decided that I just don't like the book.
I recently took a second run at Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart and still couldn't get past 100 pages. I really don't like that book. The satire doesn't work for me - theoretically it should, but in practice it's all too... realistic? The only thing that really got me was the ridiculous corporation names, but their novelty wears off quickly. And I hate the first person in that book. It feels like some kind of self-insertion fan-fic or something (awkward middle aged Jew in NYC writes about awkward middle aged Jew in NYC-- in the future). Bleh. At first I thought it was a problem with me, but now I have decided that I just don't like the book.
Night_Trekker
Member
I'm literally reading like 20+books right now. I've got more than 20 more waiting to be read. I need to stop buying books and start finishing them.
Right now I'm reading The Long Walk by Stephen King, writing as Richard Bachmann. King is an immensely talented writer with some bad writing habits. I'm liking this one a lot so far.
I think the first novel of The Dark Tower might be the best (long) piece of fiction I've read of his so far. I'm also on the last book of that series, which is wildly uneven (the series as a whole). I wish it all would have turned out as great as The Gunslinger.
I also discovered William Gibson since the last time I posted in one of these threads. What a phenomenal writer, in any genre. I'm on the last book of his most recent trilogy, and so far I think, while his first trilogy contains his best book--Neuromancer, surprise surprise--his second trilogy is the strongest overall. But I'm loving the third as well.
And in other scifi-related reading, I powered through Dan Simmons's Hyperion Cantos a while back. The first two books are mind-blowing, and the latter two are very good, but Simmons apparently has a bad habit of retconning in sequels, and that really hurt the experience for me in those last books. Looking forward to more from him, though.
Right now I'm reading The Long Walk by Stephen King, writing as Richard Bachmann. King is an immensely talented writer with some bad writing habits. I'm liking this one a lot so far.
I think the first novel of The Dark Tower might be the best (long) piece of fiction I've read of his so far. I'm also on the last book of that series, which is wildly uneven (the series as a whole). I wish it all would have turned out as great as The Gunslinger.
I also discovered William Gibson since the last time I posted in one of these threads. What a phenomenal writer, in any genre. I'm on the last book of his most recent trilogy, and so far I think, while his first trilogy contains his best book--Neuromancer, surprise surprise--his second trilogy is the strongest overall. But I'm loving the third as well.
And in other scifi-related reading, I powered through Dan Simmons's Hyperion Cantos a while back. The first two books are mind-blowing, and the latter two are very good, but Simmons apparently has a bad habit of retconning in sequels, and that really hurt the experience for me in those last books. Looking forward to more from him, though.
I have not, but I'll add it to my "to-read" list. Thanks for the recommendation.
For example, 40% of Ireland's population. To death.
Freyjadour
Member
Done with Republic of Thieves. Please don't make me wait that long again, Lynch.
So, Sabetha eh? Kinda tired of her shit by the end of the book, but the Bastards are best when they're all together. So I'm more than a little disappointed that we're going to be starting yet another sequel with just Locke and Jean.
Not really keen on bringing back the Falconer either. Feels like a trope. Oh well.
I enjoyed the book despite the bitching, just didn't care for the last little bit.
Not really keen on bringing back the Falconer either. Feels like a trope. Oh well.
I enjoyed the book despite the bitching, just didn't care for the last little bit.
kaiju
Member
Currently reading: Crab Monsters, Teenage Cavemen, and Candy Stripe Nurses: Roger Corman: King of the B-movie
http://www.amazon.com/Monsters-Teenage-Cavemen-Stripe-Nurses/dp/1419706691/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1382762953&sr=1-1&keywords=roger+corman
Great history of all the movies Corman was involved with, and all of the people that went on to have great careers in the film industry thanks to him.
Best part so far is reading about how James Cameron started as just a modeler for Corman, but made his way up to art director all during the same movie. That right there gives you a glimpse at how talented Cameron was.
Also love this quote from Bill Paxton: "Jim and I were working side by side, and he started to tell me about this screenplay he was writing. And I'll never forget, he said, 'It's about a cyborg from the future that comes back to the present to kill the woman who's going to give birth to a son who, in the future, is going to lead a revolution against the machines.' And I was like, 'Far out, what are you going to call it?' He said, 'I'm going to call it The Terminator.'"
The book is beautifully illustrated with tons of movie posters and production shots throughout. This is the actual cover behind the dust jacket:
http://www.amazon.com/Monsters-Teenage-Cavemen-Stripe-Nurses/dp/1419706691/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1382762953&sr=1-1&keywords=roger+corman
Great history of all the movies Corman was involved with, and all of the people that went on to have great careers in the film industry thanks to him.
Best part so far is reading about how James Cameron started as just a modeler for Corman, but made his way up to art director all during the same movie. That right there gives you a glimpse at how talented Cameron was.
Also love this quote from Bill Paxton: "Jim and I were working side by side, and he started to tell me about this screenplay he was writing. And I'll never forget, he said, 'It's about a cyborg from the future that comes back to the present to kill the woman who's going to give birth to a son who, in the future, is going to lead a revolution against the machines.' And I was like, 'Far out, what are you going to call it?' He said, 'I'm going to call it The Terminator.'"
The book is beautifully illustrated with tons of movie posters and production shots throughout. This is the actual cover behind the dust jacket:
Textured Monk
Member
After making my way through Joe Abercrombie's First Law series of books over the past couple of months, I've been looking forward to more good fantasy. I just finished reading The Eye of the World, the first Wheel of Time book by Robert Jordan. I never really knew anything about the series except that it was really long & taking a long time to get finished, much like another popular fantasy series.
I greatly enjoyed it.
I've got books 2 and 3 coming in the mail, should hopefully have them on Monday or Tuesday. I know the general opinion seems to be they become a slog somewhere in the middle before picking up again for the final few, is it as bad as people say?
I greatly enjoyed it.
There weren't really a lot of surprises, Rand being the one Ba'alzamon was after seemed obvious enough but I don't think it was supposed to be a mystery. Perrin's wolfbrother thing came out of nowhere after meeting Elyas, but I liked his growth afterwards. A good part of it is shown through his POV and you see the results clearly when he meets back up with Rand. It isn't developed much between the boys after that, but there wasn't a whole lot of time. Looking forward to how it develops.
I'm wondering if Mat gets his own thing to keep up with the Dragon and the Wolf, or if that's just his cursed dagger. Like the other journeys, it was clear what the dagger was doing but his slide into paranoia was gradual and well done. It seemed to jump forward a bit at the end from super paranoid to bed-ridden and murderous, but it had been going on long enough I was pretty much just waiting for him to flip out.
The only thing I missed was that Rand seemed pretty sure Ba'alzamon is dead, but the preview chapter implies otherwise. Which makes sense, since there's another 13 books or however many. Did I miss something there or is this explained later?
I'm wondering if Mat gets his own thing to keep up with the Dragon and the Wolf, or if that's just his cursed dagger. Like the other journeys, it was clear what the dagger was doing but his slide into paranoia was gradual and well done. It seemed to jump forward a bit at the end from super paranoid to bed-ridden and murderous, but it had been going on long enough I was pretty much just waiting for him to flip out.
The only thing I missed was that Rand seemed pretty sure Ba'alzamon is dead, but the preview chapter implies otherwise. Which makes sense, since there's another 13 books or however many. Did I miss something there or is this explained later?
I've got books 2 and 3 coming in the mail, should hopefully have them on Monday or Tuesday. I know the general opinion seems to be they become a slog somewhere in the middle before picking up again for the final few, is it as bad as people say?
fierrotlepou
Member
This, after reading Cloud Atlas (which I loved). There's something about his writing that creates such a pleasant feeling.
Path of Daggers and Crossroads of Twilight are pretty dodgy, especially Crossroads. Winter's Heart and Crown of Swords are decent but not as good as the rest of the series. Even the worst books have some very good sections, and it's not pure torture to read them or anything. They just get bogged down in trivial crap.
I did resort to chapter summaries for certain parts of Crossroads during my recent reread, and it was a wise decision. I would recommend you do the same if you have problems. The books at the end are worth getting to.
Boozeroony
Member
Posting here for a sub, but I'm currently reading Asimov's Prelude to Foundation. My first Asimov and it will certainly not be my last.
AngmarsKing701
Member
Just finished Ania Ahlborn's Seed. Overall a meh. Started out pretty good, and the author shows a great touch with the family, the dialog with the kids. Spoilery stuff:
Moving on to Bourne's Day by Day Armageddon to wrap up my month of horror.
The middle becomes tortuous as I just wanted to ring the father's neck. The ending was brutal and while I applaud the author for going that route, it seriously bummed me out.
Moving on to Bourne's Day by Day Armageddon to wrap up my month of horror.
Maklershed
Member
Hey kids, its that time of year for me to do my annual recommendation of this book. If you're looking for a fun, quick, dark read in the spirit of the Halloween season, I recommend ...
The Sad Tale of the Brothers Grossbart by Jesse Bullington
The Sad Tale of the Brothers Grossbart by Jesse Bullington
nakedsushi
Member
Speed-read through the ending of this last night:
Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple
Very entertaining easy satire. When I read the writer also writes for Arrested Development, it all made sense. Don't let the chick-lit-like cover throw you off because it's actually pretty good. Not high literature, but if you enjoy Portlandia and making fun of 1%-ers, give this book a try.
Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple
Very entertaining easy satire. When I read the writer also writes for Arrested Development, it all made sense. Don't let the chick-lit-like cover throw you off because it's actually pretty good. Not high literature, but if you enjoy Portlandia and making fun of 1%-ers, give this book a try.
Zuhzuhzombie!!
Member
Had a big list this past six months.
Roubles In Words, Kopeks in Figures, a collection of Vasilii Shukshin's short stories.
Land Without Ghosts : Chinese Impressions of America from the Mid-Nineteenth Century to the Present
Fall of Giants, part one of a trilogy
CCNP Routing and Switching Library (a real page turner)
No One Writes to the Colonel (collection of short stories)
Things Fall Apart
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress
Mother Night (Only Vonnegut I've read)
The Lower Depths
The Master and Margarita
Budapest Noir
Siberia on Fire: Stories and Essays (similar "village prose" akin to Roubles in Words)
The Left Hand of Darkness
Divided World Divided Class
Good Women of China
Roubles In Words, Kopeks in Figures, a collection of Vasilii Shukshin's short stories.
Land Without Ghosts : Chinese Impressions of America from the Mid-Nineteenth Century to the Present
Fall of Giants, part one of a trilogy
CCNP Routing and Switching Library (a real page turner)
No One Writes to the Colonel (collection of short stories)
Things Fall Apart
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress
Mother Night (Only Vonnegut I've read)
The Lower Depths
The Master and Margarita
Budapest Noir
Siberia on Fire: Stories and Essays (similar "village prose" akin to Roubles in Words)
The Left Hand of Darkness
Divided World Divided Class
Good Women of China
MrOogieBoogie
BioShock Infinite is like playing some homeless guy's vivid imagination
Book Two complete!
Does any other sprawling fantasy series match this one's tremendous pacing and characters?
So eager to just jump into the third book, but I'm gonna give it some time. Maybe read another novel in the meanwhile. Maybe not.
Maklershed
Member
None have come close that I've read so far.
Any opinions on this annotated edition of Lolita? Any others? I like reading annotations and would prefer the most thorough version.
EDIT: Oh, stupid me. It's not even out yet. Anyway, the question stands.
EDIT: Oh, stupid me. It's not even out yet. Anyway, the question stands.
Zuhzuhzombie!!
Member
I would read Nabokov without anyone explaining it to you. It's really about what you think. Especially Pale Fire.
Totally agreed. I think Nabokov is very accessible, and for the first read through, you might want to have a dictionary nearby, but beyond that, I wouldn't recommend reading it w/ annotations. They're not necessary at all.
Book podcasts, how do they work?
Seriously, I'm looking for recommendations. Do a lot of these predominantly cover new releases or feature author interviews or readings? Because I'm not looking for any of that. Something where I can discover books, hear some commentary on my favorites. Preferably a podcast that's been around for a while, a substantial amount of past episodes to browse. Any ideas?
Seriously, I'm looking for recommendations. Do a lot of these predominantly cover new releases or feature author interviews or readings? Because I'm not looking for any of that. Something where I can discover books, hear some commentary on my favorites. Preferably a podcast that's been around for a while, a substantial amount of past episodes to browse. Any ideas?
The Culture Vulture
Member
Finished Patrick DeWitt's The Sisters Brothers, thanks GAF for the recommendation. Really fun read, reminded me of Elmore Leonard westerns.
Now just in time for Halloween I'm starting Ira Levin's Rosemary's Baby.
Now just in time for Halloween I'm starting Ira Levin's Rosemary's Baby.
Zuhzuhzombie!!
Member
evanswolves
Member
This last week iv finished...
Warhammer Spacemarine Battles: Rynns World. Started this last month but only finished it this week.
Dexters Final Cut
Descent of Angels (6th Horus Heresy book)
Onto the next Horus Heresy book now, Legion
Warhammer Spacemarine Battles: Rynns World. Started this last month but only finished it this week.
Dexters Final Cut
Descent of Angels (6th Horus Heresy book)
Onto the next Horus Heresy book now, Legion
RepairmanJack
Member
Bookrageous is good, but they mostly cover books that aren't out yet because they all work in publishing in some way. It also comes out about once a month, if that. They usually spend the first half talking about what they're currently reading, which is mostly not released, then they use the last half for some kind of topic. Overall it's pretty good, it's been the only one I've liked so far.
Zuhzuhzombie!!
Member
Just ordered Olmstead's The Coldest Night and McCarthy's The Crossing.
so, i've done reading 14. i would give it a 3 of 5. The book itself was fine, but somehow was disappointed about the ending.
started yesterday The Bone Season and already 40% into it.
still, would love to hear more recommendations like 14 or similar mysterious ones.
started yesterday The Bone Season and already 40% into it.
so far it got his up and downs.
still, would love to hear more recommendations like 14 or similar mysterious ones.
AngmarsKing701
Member
Me too. I'd like some good ghost stories.
Read Temeraire and Throne of Jade this weekend, quite enjoyed them. After reading this books its pretty clear I enjoy books that feature sentient creatures/robots/ships, whether its Dragons or super intelligent ships (The Culture) I like seeing how authors write for a character that isn't humanoid.
Just finished Dreams of Steel, book five of The Black Company series. I have been reading through them via the Books of the North/South compilations, so I guess next is the spin-off for me. Not sure if I am going to jump into that or take a break for another book at the moment. I still have 1984 unread here and want to do that soon too.
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