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[Maklershed]

Heads up for people with HBO - The 50 Year Argument will air tomorrow night. It's a documentary about the New York Review of Books, directed by Martin Scorcese.

For those that don't know, NYRB has curated such gems as The Long Ships (please read this if you have yet to do so), Augustus, Butcher's Crossing, etc

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3510820/

via wiki: The 50 Year Argument is a documentary film by Martin Scorsese and co-directed by David Tedeschi about the history and influence of the New York Review of Books, which marked its 50th anniversary in 2013. The documentary premiered in June 2014 at the Sheffield Doc/Fest and was soon screened in Oslo and Jerusalem before airing on the British Arena television series in July. It was also screened at the Telluride Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival and is scheduled to be seen at the New York Film Festival, among others, in September. It is scheduled to air on HBO on September 29, 2014 and is expected to be screened at the Tokyo Film Festival in October.

The film uses a combination of archival footage, quotes from the Review and contemporary interviews to give a view of the coverage of the journal over its half-century of publication, focusing on how its writers and editors have approached the larger issues of the day.

 

[NeoGiff]

Just finished this:

Moving on to this:

 

[Ashes]

I've just finished 'we have always lived in the castle' by Shirley Jackson. I don't have much to say other than I wish I could write such deceptively simple prose. I try, but I think much of what I have to say is buried and never gets dug up.

As to the book itself, it was one of her last novels if not the last; and a horror classic. I am not sure whether it is a children's book or not. Themes of isolation, apathy, neighbourly conduct, are tackled. The most important two I suppose is the mundanity of evil, and surprisingly, to some degree, love. Not the romantic lust driven lets-get-hitched-at-the-end kind of love - more the stick-together-family kind.
Hatred amidst nursery rhymes is my favourite motif from the novel. & Jackson's paragraphs made me think about how paragraphs work - so there is that.

& now I think I will read a few of the latest bestsellers.

 

[Bazza]

That last book just left me an emotional wreck. It kind of just snuck up on me.

You were not wrong, some very emotional parts

Spoiler

especially the bit when his son find his letters to his dead wife at the end.

Now on to Wars of the Roses: Trinity.

 

[cheezcake]

I just started it last night, so I'm not very far into it yet. I'm just at The Priest's Tale.

One of my favourites! Read all 4 in the Hyperion Cantos, really awesome books.

Honestly, I think that's the best tale in the whole book.

I second this

 

[Althane]

The Priest's Tale is riveting, and also contains a lot of information for the overall story, which

Spoiler

gets more and more horrific the more you learn...

I started the audiobook of Black Sun Rising. I can see why people say it is tedious, but I am enjoying it so far. Some parts of it come across as disjointed, and unimportant, but adds to the overall worldbuilding. Right now, the main quest has gotten kicked off (7-8 chapters in), and I'm strapping myself in for a wild ride.

 

[East Lake]

On the hard copy side I'm starting up State of Fear again. I started it a year or more ago but only got 38 pages in and stopped to read something else and then forgot about it. Time to clear it from my backlog.


State of Fear by Michael Crichton

If you think global warming is a hoax you might like it, if not toss it in the trash.

 

[bennywhatever]

By insanely popular recommendations from this community, I have started Snow Crash.

I'm doing the audiobook, which is narrated by the great Jonathan Davis, who did a great job in most Star Wars EU books and Ep.III.

 

[MrAstronaut]

I started "The Infernal City" today.

Its pretty good, but I've quickly been reminded of how little I know about the Elder Scrolls universe.

 

[omgkitty]

Can anyone tell me if Cloud Atlas has anything to do with religion or faith in God or anything like that? Just interested as I heard someone mention something theological about it, but I'd never heard it referred to in that context. I've never read it and am interested in checking it out at some point.

 

[Cerity]

Haven't dropped by for awhile but I've read;

Barry Hugharts' Story of the Stone and Eight Skilled Gentlemen. I didn't really enjoy these as much as the Brige of Birds. To me the writing moved to a more generic fantasy style of writing that was made worse by the naming. The BoB had a lot more colour and character IMO, reading it made me feel like I was actually reading something from feudal China. I did enjoy Eight Skilled Gentlemen more than the Story of the Stone at least.

I've also read Murakami's Kafka on the Shore and After Dark. I absolutely loved Kafka on the shore, it grabbed me right away, loved nearly every bit of it. Really enjoyed the bits in the forest/cabin, some great writing there IMO. After Dark on the otherhand, I just didn't get, maybe because of how much I spread out my reading of it. I'll probably try re-reading it in one session in the future.

Currently trying to read the Wind-up Bird Chronicles by him, this one just isn't grabbing me. Most likely going to drop it if I don't get hooked soon.

 

[Draconian]

I'm doing the audiobook, which is narrated by the great Jonathan Davis, who did a great job in most Star Wars EU books and Ep.III.

The audiobook is great! Davis's tone perfectly suits Stephenson's writing style. He also did The Shadow of the Wind's audio, and did a fantastic job there as well.

Snow Crash is an incredibly fun book. I hope you enjoy it.

 

[omgkitty]

I've also read Murakami's Kafka on the Shore and After Dark. I absolutely loved Kafka on the shore, it grabbed me right away, loved nearly every bit of it. Really enjoyed the bits in the forest/cabin, some great writing there IMO. After Dark on the otherhand, I just didn't get, maybe because of how much I spread out my reading of it. I'll probably try re-reading it in one session in the future.

Currently trying to read the Wind-up Bird Chronicles by him, this one just isn't grabbing me. Most likely going to drop it if I don't get hooked soon.

After Dark is definitely unlike anything else Murakami has written. It almost reads like a film script. I thought it was interesting, and it was actually the first Murakami I read, but yeah it doesn't really ever go anywhere. Wind-Up Bird Chronicle is a slow burn, and it picks up towards the middle, but it's almost a little too long and it took me several months reading it off and on to finish it. Honestly if you're bored with it now, you probably won't like it. I'd most likely say check out something like Hardboiled Wonderland, Sputnik Sweetheart or A Wild Sheep Chase. They're much more condensed and have less meandering than Wind-Up. I'd recommend Sputnik Sweetheart, but that's just me.

 

[Mumei]

Haven't dropped by for awhile but I've read;

Barry Hugharts' Story of the Stone and Eight Skilled Gentlemen. I didn't really enjoy these as much as the Brige of Birds. To me the writing moved to a more generic fantasy style of writing that was made worse by the naming. The BoB had a lot more colour and character IMO, reading it made me feel like I was actually reading something from feudal China. I did enjoy Eight Skilled Gentlemen more than the Story of the Stone at least.

I saw "Story of the Stone" and thought for just a moment that you were reading the classic Chinese novel. Oh, well.

Spoiler

You should!

Edit: Oh, and as far as Murakami goes, I'm not sure whether not liking Wind-Up Bird Chronicle to start with is a sign you won't like it at all. It was a grower for me, where I clicked with it less quickly than I have most other Murakami books, but ended up being one of my favorites by the end. The other suggestions are all great, though, and I'd add the short story collections or Norwegian Wood to that list.

 

[Christoff Yurievich]

By insanely popular recommendations from this community, I have started Snow Crash.

I'm doing the audiobook, which is narrated by the great Jonathan Davis, who did a great job in most Star Wars EU books and Ep.III.

See, I saw that and thought it was the Korn singer. Is it someone else?

 

[sparky2112]

See, I saw that and thought it was the Korn singer. Is it someone else?

Same name, different guy.

 

[Nappuccino]

I've also read Murakami's Kafka on the Shore and After Dark. I absolutely loved Kafka on the shore, it grabbed me right away, loved nearly every bit of it. Really enjoyed the bits in the forest/cabin, some great writing there IMO. After Dark on the otherhand, I just didn't get, maybe because of how much I spread out my reading of it. I'll probably try re-reading it in one session in the future.

Currently trying to read the Wind-up Bird Chronicles by him, this one just isn't grabbing me. Most likely going to drop it if I don't get hooked soon.

Personally, I was gripped by the first 250 pages of WuBC. In the latter half, things fall apart for awhile, but regroup and by the last 70 or so pages. I'd say it's worth it in the end, but I wish I picked a different first Murakami novel.

 

[ShaneB]

Back to some science fiction I go. Started this and enjoying it so far just a few chapters in, seems like it will be a quick read too.

 

[obin_gam]

Never got anywhere after the first Hyperion book myself. But Dan Simmons historical thrillers are great.

Just finished his "Song of Kali"

About a journalist who goes to Calcutta with his family to search for a poem written by a man thought long since dead. The book opens with the protagonist cursing the city to all hell and damnation, and during the book we progressively get to understand the hatred.
Great buildup, albeit a bit boring in parts and the payoff is very dark and somehwat enjoyable. As with The Terror and The Abominable, the first two thirds are great and the last part just doesnt feel right.

 

[Tragicomedy]

For all that has been revealed so far, this book may be even more infuriating than the first. Both creepy and convoluted, this trilogy is quickly reaching can't-miss status.

 

[Mumei]

Personally, I was gripped by the first 250 pages of WuBC. In the latter half, things fall apart for awhile, but regroup and by the last 70 or so pages. I'd say it's worth it in the end, but I wish I picked a different first Murakami novel.

I just read Murakami more or less in order to start off. A Wild Sheep Chase is a great introduction to Murakami, especially since it is then followed by Hardboiled Wonderland and the End of the World, and then Norwegian Wood.

 

[Dr_LucienSanchez]

Just started it based off of a friend's recommendation. Seems pretty good, so far.

 

[bennywhatever]

See, I saw that and thought it was the Korn singer. Is it someone else?

Hahahaha, yes, it is someone else. Though I do love Korn, I've gotten that confused as well.
This is an actor that does a crapton of audiobooks. He does great impressions though so I bet he could make some cool sounds like Korn's Jonathan Davis.

 

[Mr.Swag]

Best military non combat novels?

 

[braves01]

Best military non combat novels?

Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo

I'm not sure if this exactly what you mean by military non-combat (it's more anti-combat), but regardless there's not very much combat in it IIRC.

 

[Mr.Swag]

Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo

I'm not sure if this exactly what you mean by military non-combat (it's more anti-combat), but regardless there's not very much combat in it IIRC.

I'll check it out thanks.
And what I mean is any novel with a military setting and characters that's not about shooting bad guys or special forces missions.

I guess a military novel set during peacetime


Edit: Holy fuck just checked the synopsis, and that sounds terrifying.

 

[Tenrius]

I just read Murakami more or less in order to start off. A Wild Sheep Chase is a great introduction to Murakami, especially since it is then followed by Hardboiled Wonderland and the End of the World, and then Norwegian Wood.

That's what I started with (quite a long time ago) and it's still my favorite. It was the only Murakami novel I read for a long time, did some catching up recently with Hear the Wind Sing and Hardboiled Wonderland, but those books didn't top it. Guess I'll read Norwegian Wood sometime soon (gotta finish my epic struggle through A Confederacy of Dunces first though).

 

[braves01]

I'll check it out thanks.
And what I mean is any novel with a military setting and characters that's not about shooting bad guys or special forces missions.

I guess a military novel set during peacetime


Edit: Holy fuck just checked the synopsis, and that sounds terrifying.

It's a terrifying book, no doubt.

 

[omgkitty]

That's what I started with (quite a long time ago) and it's still my favorite. It was the only Murakami novel I read for a long time, did some catching up recently with Hear the Wind Sing and Hardboiled Wonderland, but those books didn't top it. Guess I'll read Norwegian Wood sometime soon (gotta finish my epic struggle through A Confederacy of Dunces first though).

If you like A Wild Sheep Chase, you have to read Dance Dance Dance, a semi sequel to it.

 

[Maklershed]

Best military non combat novels?

Does it have to be about modern military? If not then ...


Flashman by George MacDonald Fraser

 

[Nappuccino]

I just read Murakami more or less in order to start off. A Wild Sheep Chase is a great introduction to Murakami, especially since it is then followed by Hardboiled Wonderland and the End of the World, and then Norwegian Wood.

I have Hardboiled Wonderland, Kafka on the Shore, and Colorless T waiting to be read. But I'm not sure if I want to do another Murakami just yet.

 

[Tenrius]

If you like A Wild Sheep Chase, you have to read Dance Dance Dance, a semi sequel to it.

Yeah, I know about this book, will get to it eventually.

 

[Mumei]

Tragicomedy, I'm glad you are enjoying VanderMeer.

I have Hardboiled Wonderland, Kafka on the Shore, and Colorless T waiting to be read. But I'm not sure if I want to do another Murakami just yet.

It makes sense to spread out Murakami, simply because his range is pretty limited and his works tend to bleed together if you read them one after another after another.

 

[AngmarsKing701]

Just started it based off of a friend's recommendation. Seems pretty good, so far.

This is still my favorite book this year. Enjoy!

 

[Nappuccino]

Tragicomedy, I'm glad you are enjoying VanderMeer.



It makes sense to spread out Murakami, simply because his range is pretty limited and his works tend to bleed together if you read them one after another after another.

That's what I hear. It also doesn't help that my backlog with other authors is immense and I have two short story collections I have to read for class lol.

 

[obin_gam]

Just started Red Mars by Kim Stanely Robinson and oh my, only two hours into it (it's an audiobook, total runtim about 24 hours) it is already one of the best sci-fi stories I've read.

I love the lack of actual "science fiction" and the onslaught of socio-cultural discussion it opens with in its two first chapters. As a geography teacher I really took to heart the whole migration philosophy - like if you're now going to start over on a new planet, what cultural aspect from Earth do you really need to bring with you? Is religion needed? Are there other ways of constructing a society? What kind of ruling power is best?

I hope it keeps up these themes throughout the book and really throughout the series itself!

 

[duckroll]

Emphyrio (Jack Vance)

This was an interesting story but I'm not so sure about the quality actual narrative. There's something very unorthodox about the way Vance formats his stories, which I suspect has much to do with being a forerunner in a new subgenre of sorts. From what I had previously read in Dying Earth, I think it works better as short stories than a longer novella form.

In terms of the the scenario and setting, it's an intriguing tale about a world indoctrinated in a unique form of socialism, creating the environment needed for the production of crafts of the highest quality for export. There are elements of a great science fiction story here - a boy growing into a man, people questioning their place in society, the mystery behind a cultural myth, and so on. The main issue which made this an odd read is that the pacing of the story feels very inconsistent. It can spend a lot of time on certain events, while totally glossing over others, even though the latter feels more significant or important. It almost feels like Vance lost interest in writing the story with the same amount of detail at some point, and just wanted to get it over with and complete the story.

There are clear signs that Vance wanted the structure of the story to be somewhat dramatic - it opens in media res with the protagonist in a bad situation, the bulk of the story is a flashback leading up to the moments of the opening, and at the very end there is a big reveal moment where the central mystery of the story is solved and explained while referencing various clues throughout the book. The structure is certainly there, but the dramatic flair just fails to come together in an elegant way. That's probably the most disappointing aspect of the narrative. I like passive laid back writing, but when the material clearly wants to be dramatic but fails at it, it's just feels disconnected instead.

Overall though, I definitely enjoyed reading it. It's a pretty unique story and I just wish it was more polished. The editing on the edition I read was also abysmal. There were typos and errors all over the text. By the end of it, I still have no idea if the name of the trading guild in the book is supposed to be Biomarc or Boimarc. Both terms were used with frequency, sometimes even in the same paragraph. For something that's 50 years old, and considered a "classic" it's odd that it hasn't been cleaned up. :/

 

[Maklershed]

NEW THREAD IS UP!

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=904445

NEW THREAD IS UP!