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What are you reading? (August 09)
- Thread starter ItAintEasyBeinCheesy
- Start date
MehsterChief
Member
Vladimir Nabokov - Lolita
First time I'm reading something from him. His prose is stunning, I can hardly believe English is not his native language.
Other than that, I don't know what to think of it yet. For a book that is about pedophilia it's strangely funny, you can't really dislike the main protagonist although he is a completely perverted freak. Really ambigious.
No wonder it has become a classic.
Witchfinder General
punched Wheelchair Mike
Monocle
Member
A collection of poems by John Keats.
Finished The Road and Consider Phlebas, both excellent books.
Am now 350 pages into
It's a difficult read for a non-native english speaker, moreover because my reading time is half an hour in the morning, and half an hour in the evening when I'm commuting. I had trouble getting into it during the first hundred pages but I really like it now. It reminds me of an all over the place Stephenson book : I love the disgressions (the Eschaton game is one of my highlights so far).
Next is either Norwegian wood or Endymion ... or Pygmy because I'm a Palahniuk whore.
Am now 350 pages into
It's a difficult read for a non-native english speaker, moreover because my reading time is half an hour in the morning, and half an hour in the evening when I'm commuting. I had trouble getting into it during the first hundred pages but I really like it now. It reminds me of an all over the place Stephenson book : I love the disgressions (the Eschaton game is one of my highlights so far).
Next is either Norwegian wood or Endymion ... or Pygmy because I'm a Palahniuk whore.
sparky2112
Member
Kildace said:
If I had to prove the book's genius to someone, I'd simply point to this section and have them read it.
Mr_Kitty_Fantastico
Neo Member
Currently:
Next:
Next:
Guileless
Temp Banned for Remedial Purposes
besada said:I'm currently reading:
It's been a few years since I read it, but I was disappointed. That's the only Silverberg I have ever read. Maybe my expectations for a Nebula and Hugo winner working with such a great concept were too high. Still love the cover, though.
Guileless
Temp Banned for Remedial Purposes
Final push to finish up heavier summer reading before football.
Kolakowski is a retired professor of philosophy who held positions at the U. of Warsaw, Poland; the U. of California, US; and All Soul's College, UK. Originally written in the years 1968-1976 and published in three volumes in 1978 by Clarendon Press, this intellectual history of Marxism as philosophy is presented here in one volume. The first book, The Founders, traces the roots of Marx's thought through the origins of the concept of the dialectic in the works of Plotinus, Nicholas of Cusa, Kant, and Hegel. It also discusses the development of the works of Marx and Engels and how it related to the philosophies of the Hegelian Left, Feuerbach, and early European socialists.
The Golden Age follows, examining the intellectual developments that followed in the writings of Karl Kautsky, Rosa Luxemburg, Eduard Bernstein, Jean Juares, Georges Sorel, Ludwik Krzywicki, and Stanislaw Brzozowski, among others. The philosophy and politics of early Leninism and Bolshevism are also discussed in this volume. A critical discussion of the ideology of the Soviet state takes up much of the space of The Breakdown, along with examination of the ideas of Leon Trotsky, Antonio Gramsci, Gyoorgy Lukacs, Karl Korsch, Lucien Goldmann, Herbert Marcuse, and Ernst Bloch.
Published in 1932, Light in August is the seventh in the series of William Faulkner's novels set in the fictional Yoknapatawpha County, Mississippi. The book tells the story of the orphan Joe Christmas, whose mixed black-white heritage condemns him to life as an outsider who is hated by some and pitied by others.
Simon McEachern, the puritanical farmer who rears Joe, frequently whips the boy, and Joe leaves home after savagely beating Simon. Joe then wanders for 15 years, eventually settling in with a white woman devoted to aiding blacks, Joanna Burden. But her evangelism is a reminder to Joe of Simon's; still damaged from his upbringing, Joe murders Joanna. Joe flees but a companion reveals his whereabouts and he is killed and castrated.
During six weeks in 1940, Hitler's blitzkrieg shattered the redoubtable Maginot Line and, shortly thereafter, the French army. No historian has written a more definitive chronicle of that disaster than Alistair Horne, or one so emotionally gripping. Moving with cinematic swiftness from the battlefield to the Reichstag and the Palais de l'...lysée, To Lose a Battle overspills the confines of traditional military history to become a portrait of the French national soul in its darkest night.
Kolakowski is a retired professor of philosophy who held positions at the U. of Warsaw, Poland; the U. of California, US; and All Soul's College, UK. Originally written in the years 1968-1976 and published in three volumes in 1978 by Clarendon Press, this intellectual history of Marxism as philosophy is presented here in one volume. The first book, The Founders, traces the roots of Marx's thought through the origins of the concept of the dialectic in the works of Plotinus, Nicholas of Cusa, Kant, and Hegel. It also discusses the development of the works of Marx and Engels and how it related to the philosophies of the Hegelian Left, Feuerbach, and early European socialists.
The Golden Age follows, examining the intellectual developments that followed in the writings of Karl Kautsky, Rosa Luxemburg, Eduard Bernstein, Jean Juares, Georges Sorel, Ludwik Krzywicki, and Stanislaw Brzozowski, among others. The philosophy and politics of early Leninism and Bolshevism are also discussed in this volume. A critical discussion of the ideology of the Soviet state takes up much of the space of The Breakdown, along with examination of the ideas of Leon Trotsky, Antonio Gramsci, Gyoorgy Lukacs, Karl Korsch, Lucien Goldmann, Herbert Marcuse, and Ernst Bloch.
Published in 1932, Light in August is the seventh in the series of William Faulkner's novels set in the fictional Yoknapatawpha County, Mississippi. The book tells the story of the orphan Joe Christmas, whose mixed black-white heritage condemns him to life as an outsider who is hated by some and pitied by others.
Simon McEachern, the puritanical farmer who rears Joe, frequently whips the boy, and Joe leaves home after savagely beating Simon. Joe then wanders for 15 years, eventually settling in with a white woman devoted to aiding blacks, Joanna Burden. But her evangelism is a reminder to Joe of Simon's; still damaged from his upbringing, Joe murders Joanna. Joe flees but a companion reveals his whereabouts and he is killed and castrated.
During six weeks in 1940, Hitler's blitzkrieg shattered the redoubtable Maginot Line and, shortly thereafter, the French army. No historian has written a more definitive chronicle of that disaster than Alistair Horne, or one so emotionally gripping. Moving with cinematic swiftness from the battlefield to the Reichstag and the Palais de l'...lysée, To Lose a Battle overspills the confines of traditional military history to become a portrait of the French national soul in its darkest night.
manofmandango
Member
Still reading it from last month. I got a little behind because of work. I did go out and buy the next two in the series though. Eagerly awaiting those
.
WOW.
Sort of not on topic, but I've just come home from my local Borders which is closing down [ ] and nabbed over 700 worth of books for...32.
Everything, every book, is 1!
They're in their last couple of days, so this is their last ditch to clear their stock. They started at 50% off, and I bought several books then, then went to 75% off in the middle of this week, and now they're at 1 per book.
Really sad they're going, it was the only borders here and it was a lovely big store, but it was EXCEPTIONAL fun to just pile books into a basket and pay hardly anything for them
Sort of not on topic, but I've just come home from my local Borders which is closing down [
] and nabbed over 700 worth of books for...32. Everything, every book, is 1!
They're in their last couple of days, so this is their last ditch to clear their stock. They started at 50% off, and I bought several books then, then went to 75% off in the middle of this week, and now they're at 1 per book.
Really sad they're going, it was the only borders here and it was a lovely big store, but it was EXCEPTIONAL fun to just pile books into a basket and pay hardly anything for them
MaizeRage25
Member
Jamesfrom818 said:
100% true.
MUCH better.
Musashi Wins!
FLAWLESS VICTOLY!
gofreak said:WOW.
Sort of not on topic, but I've just come home from my local Borders which is closing down [
Everything, every book, is 1!
They're in their last couple of days, so this is their last ditch to clear their stock. They started at 50% off, and I bought several books then, then went to 75% off in the middle of this week, and now they're at 1 per book.
Really sad they're going, it was the only borders here and it was a lovely big store, but it was EXCEPTIONAL fun to just pile books into a basket and pay hardly anything for them
Wow, dream come true. I didn't realize Borders was in Europe! I live close to their first store. They aren't doing that hot.
bengraven
Member
Anyone ever go to the bookstore, grab a large collection of books, take them home and realize you like HAVING them more than actually READING them?
I still haven't cracked into Anna Karenina, Bulfinch's Mythology, or War of the Worlds, but they've been on my shelf for years. I just feel as if I need to own them, but never get more than a page into them.
I still haven't cracked into Anna Karenina, Bulfinch's Mythology, or War of the Worlds, but they've been on my shelf for years. I just feel as if I need to own them, but never get more than a page into them.
ItAintEasyBeinCheesy
it's 4th of July in my asshole
Finished this a few days ago, really like it, would have like it a lot more if he fleshed the character stories out a bit more. Didnt like the fact that he jumped a whole lotta years and missed some potentially cool stuff for all the chatacters, second book should be cool but wont be out till next year
I have pre-ordered this, supposed to have some missing stuff from the book and short stories n stuff so should be cool, wont be out till next year but meh.
Now reading this
Aquavelvaman
Banned
Gripping
Nice idea but it's not as clever as it thinks it is.
Im about halfway through A Game of Thrones and love it sofar, but did sometihng very very dumb. I took A Feat for Crows, and flipped through it briefly and looked at some chapter/character titles. Feel like I've screwed myself over a little bit :/
Mainly because I saw a Cersei chapter. Other than that, just Arya and Samwell, which isn't a big deal I guess
Future PhaZe
Member
You are lucky as shit...so much more could have been spoiled.
Do yourself a favor and don't even bother talking about the series until you've read all of it. Talking to people about it is never worth actually ruining the experience.
Do yourself a favor and don't even bother talking about the series until you've read all of it. Talking to people about it is never worth actually ruining the experience.
BruceLeeRoy
Banned
Touchdown said:
Was thinking about starting this. How is it?
Mike Works
Member
i just finished Heroes Die the other day, which i enjoyed. it wasn't as strong in some areas as it could've been, but it was quite good in others, and the overall package was enjoyable. a little more fantasy/magic(k) in the story than i can usually stomach, but tolerable overall.
i've just picked up Foundation, which I'm ashamed to have never read. i saw a prequel to Foundation at the bookstore, but I vaguely remembered reading that it came out after the trilogy, and i prefer reading books in the order in which they were released. does anyone know which 2 books i pick up after i finish the first?
i've just picked up Foundation, which I'm ashamed to have never read. i saw a prequel to Foundation at the bookstore, but I vaguely remembered reading that it came out after the trilogy, and i prefer reading books in the order in which they were released. does anyone know which 2 books i pick up after i finish the first?
Masked Man
I said wow
Recently finished Runaway Horses by Mishima Yukio. SO intense. <3
The Temple of Dawn by Mishima Yukio, the third novel in his tetralogy, The Sea of Fertility.
The Temple of Dawn by Mishima Yukio, the third novel in his tetralogy, The Sea of Fertility.
Tim the Wiz
Banned
Mike Works said:
I'll repeat it ad infinitum: Stover is one of the most overlooked authors in the genre. However, Caine resonates at a level that will stand the series in good stead moving into the future. And thankfully, it improves with each installment. Give the next two volumes a try.
afternoon delight
Member
Just finished:
Blood Meridian: Cormac McCarthy is one of those writers that people will read years and years and years from now. Amazing on all accounts. Loved the shift of narratives and the slow unveiling of the souls of his characters: the judge, Glanton, the Kid, Toadvine, the expriest. The last section of pages is haunting beyond belief.
South of the Border, West of the Sun: A little short for my taste, but I love a lot of what Murakami writes. Still, was left slightly disappointed compared to his other works. He can write characters very well though, I just wish there was more breathing room in this one.
2666: Wow. Spanning five sections with completely varied situations, he creates a scope of very small intertwining coincidences and plays it out over sixty years. He puts so much observation of humanity into each one I loved it. I really did. I'll definitely re-read this by the end of the year.
Blood Meridian: Cormac McCarthy is one of those writers that people will read years and years and years from now. Amazing on all accounts. Loved the shift of narratives and the slow unveiling of the souls of his characters: the judge, Glanton, the Kid, Toadvine, the expriest. The last section of pages is haunting beyond belief.
South of the Border, West of the Sun: A little short for my taste, but I love a lot of what Murakami writes. Still, was left slightly disappointed compared to his other works. He can write characters very well though, I just wish there was more breathing room in this one.
2666: Wow. Spanning five sections with completely varied situations, he creates a scope of very small intertwining coincidences and plays it out over sixty years. He puts so much observation of humanity into each one I loved it. I really did. I'll definitely re-read this by the end of the year.
Night_Trekker
Member
Guileless said:
Published in 1932, Light in August is the seventh in the series of William Faulkner's novels set in the fictional Yoknapatawpha County, Mississippi. The book tells the story of the orphan Joe Christmas, whose mixed black-white heritage condemns him to life as an outsider who is hated by some and pitied by others.
Simon McEachern, the puritanical farmer who rears Joe, frequently whips the boy, and Joe leaves home after savagely beating Simon. Joe then wanders for 15 years, eventually settling in with a white woman devoted to aiding blacks, Joanna Burden. But her evangelism is a reminder to Joe of Simon's; still damaged from his upbringing, Joe murders Joanna. Joe flees but a companion reveals his whereabouts and he is killed and castrated.
Good choice. That's the second best Faulkner novel I've read (nothing beats The Sound and the Fury, IMO).
FleckSplat
Member
I bought it more for historical purposes than to learn anything new. I followed almost everything that happened in the two years of the election season, but there's some good behind the scenes stuff. If I have kids, it'll be a must read for them.
ClosingADoor
Member
Just started on the next part of the Saga of Seven Suns yeasterday:
hypostatic
Member
MehsterChief said:
Vladimir Nabokov - Lolita
First time I'm reading something from him. His prose is stunning, I can hardly believe English is not his native language.
Other than that, I don't know what to think of it yet. For a book that is about pedophilia it's strangely funny, you can't really dislike the main protagonist although he is a completely perverted freak. Really ambigious.
No wonder it has become a classic.
I dare say it has the finest prose in English.
BenjaminBirdie
Banned
sparky2112 said:
Seriously. The turn that scene takes is so literally gasp inducing ("What is that kid...oh NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO") and so fantastically and elaborately detailed. Yeah.
(Although I'd give someone that morning drills scene. Schtitt's simple 'Play' at the end is one of the best chapter/section endings in the history of fucking literature.)
Urban Scholar
Member
Well I'm continue my SLOW trek through the great Chinese literary masterpieces. I'm reading Outlaws of the Marsh, hope to finish volume 1 this month.
Finished Cormac McCarthy's "All the Pretty Horses", which was very good indeed. A story about two young men riding from Texas over the border to Mexico in the 1930s, to work as cowboys. It does not go smoothly, to say the least. Intense, raw and beautiful. Can't wait to read the two other books in the Border Trilogy later.
Right now, at the beginning of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice". Should be a nice contrast.
Right now, at the beginning of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice". Should be a nice contrast.
viciouskillersquirrel
Member
Just finished Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. It was good and all
, but left me wanting more. I'm about a third of the way through Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows now. Quite intriguing.
especially the bits where we visit Voldemort's inbred hillbilly family
hypostatic
Member
viciouskillersquirrel said:
I'd love to read through the HP series, but I don't know if it's worth the time investment...
viciouskillersquirrel
Member
It's charming in its own way and the characters' interactions often make me chuckle. In terms of time investment, though, the books are very easy to read (i.e. they're relatively short, even the later ones).hypostatic said:
CajoleJuice
Member
War: The Lethal Custom just quoted Dr. Strangelove. Awesome book confirmed.
"Mr. President, I'm not saying we wouldn't get our hair mussed. But I do say no more than ten to twenty million killed, tops. Uh, depending on the breaks."
"Mr. President, I'm not saying we wouldn't get our hair mussed. But I do say no more than ten to twenty million killed, tops. Uh, depending on the breaks."
bengraven
Member
MehsterChief said:
Vladimir Nabokov - Lolita
First time I'm reading something from him. His prose is stunning, I can hardly believe English is not his native language.
Other than that, I don't know what to think of it yet. For a book that is about pedophilia it's strangely funny, you can't really dislike the main protagonist although he is a completely perverted freak. Really ambigious.
No wonder it has become a classic.
I want to read it for 10 years due to the high quality of writing, but I would have to shop at Amazon. I'm sure even the most mature, well-read bookstore employee would still cock an eye at me for picking it up.
MehsterChief
Member
bengraven said:
Haha, yeah, I ordered it online as well. Nabokov may be a respected author, but there's just something strange about buying a book with this content. The cover with the little girl doesn't really help. Yesterday, a girl I'm dating (not that well read) saw it in my room. I definitely had some explaining to do :lol
But it's worth it. I have about a hundred pages left and it gets better and better. The main protagonist is just so well written, his osession with Lolita is described in an awesome way. Go and get it, you won't regret it.
Future PhaZe
Member
Tim the Wiz said:
I agree with everything said here. I'm 3/4 of the way through it and I couldn't recommend it enough. This author has the potential to be huge.