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Member
(05-16-2012, 01:51 AM)
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#252
Originally Posted by T1tan:
Frans knew what he was goddamn doing. |
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Banned
(05-16-2012, 06:34 AM)
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#253
So I'm kind of a dick, and I actually finished reading ALL of Godel, Escher, Bach this evening, since I had nothing to do. In a more ideal world, I'd read it more slowly, let the ideas sink in piecemeal, but I'm a bit OCD when it comes to reading - unless school interferes, I don't like reading more than one thing at a time. So, this being a mammoth, I decided to get it out of the way.
Overall, it's a good book, and the last two hundred pages or so are really quite fascinating. But, I stand by my previous assertion that to a certain degree, it's a bit overblown as far as its reputation goes. I'll start off by saying that, to some extent, some of the book - especially Part 1, which deals more with explaining some of the logic and terminology underlying Part 2's more abstract ideas - is not for somebody like me, already familiar with the ideas and concepts; it's for somebody coming into the field more blind. As such, I can blame some of the dryness of Part 1 as being simply "the nature of the beast." Part 2 is much more interesting. I am, unfortunately, not entirely versed in modern programming or modern AI theory, so I'm ill-equipped to judge whether or not the explanations of programming still hold water 33 years later. Any recommendations of modern AI theory/modern programming theory written in the popular science format would be appreciated on this front. Where the book really shines is in some of the more mechanical descriptions, ironically. Its description of the recursive nature of the brain, for instance, and the ways in which seemingly mindless base levels can add up to complex and integrated ideas, as well as a concept of the self, is extremely well-done, almost enough to sell the whole book. Along those same lines, the book's semi-defense of free will toward the end is one of the best that I've ever read. There are a number of moments like this, wherein complex or complicated scientific or philosophical posits are explained in a very lucid way. Where the book falters, however, is in its approach to less clear-cut matters like creativity and the ways in which we create meaning. As I mentioned earlier, Hofstadter is neither the writer nor the thinker of, say, Steven Pinker, who is a lot more dynamic and engaging in terms of the ways that he brings together different concepts and puts them in place for an audience. Hofstadter's not a bad writer by any means, of course, but much of his writing style is, for lack of a better word, rote. The dialogues, for example, are very clever in the way that they mimic the structure of pieces by Bach and give breathing room between some of the "heavier" stuff, but at the same time, they are often very self-serving, taking a long time to circle around concepts and examples that would be better served simply being incorporated into the main body of the book. As well, while I think that Escher certainly helps him to graphically illuminate some of the points that he's talking about, I don't think that he's quite the artist Hofstadter wants him to be, for the limitations and gimmicks of his art style, however well-realized, come through even in the relatively small selection of Escher work offered in the book. Escher wasn't a bad artist by any means, but his use of Magritte later in the book was more effective, in terms of showing the ways in which great art can reflect the ideas that he's talking about. Ultimately, when it comes to these more difficult posits (art, the nature of meaning, beauty, etc.), Hofstadter plays it quite a bit safer, I think, which hurts the book a bit by making it feels like it only explains consciousness up to a point before bumping up against some of the author's own limitations. Still, it's a damn fascinating book, and even though it's long, I didn't really feel its length at all - as I said, I read it in probably 4-6 days of actually reading, so it certainly doesn't swallow your life or anything like that. I'll be reading Daniel Dennett's "Consciousness Explained" later this summer when I have time, so hopefully, that'll offer a bit more of a meaty explanation of some of the deeper levels of the phenomenon. |
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Purple Drazi
(05-16-2012, 07:15 AM)
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#254
 The Guns of the South by Harry Turtledove Half masturbatory Robert E. Lee fanfic, half apologia for the South... Honestly, the concept is brilliant--white supremacists go back in time, help the South win the Civil War with AKs, and it just goes on from there. But man, I lost count of the number of times someone said the war was about keeping slaves, only to be shouted down by people saying that no, really it was about freedom and states' rights. For crying out loud. Aside from that (which isn't all that bad, it just stands out once you notice it--a la Mieville's crosshatching), the main problem I had with this novel was the second main character. Robert E. Lee is a pretty impressive historical figure, and you could definitely do worse in picking someone to fanfic. But the second lead, Nate Caudell, is a conduit to the story rather than an actor in it. He's there to let us see cool battle scenes from the trenches. This is great as far as it goes--the battle scenes are fun and nicely constructed--but Caudell is simply a dull character. He waits around for things to happen; he's not proactive. Even at the end when he marries his sweetheart, it's because she suggested it! On the whole, I'd recommend this more heartily if it were shorter. As it is... yeah, sure, what the hell. Go ahead and give it a try. |
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(05-16-2012, 12:48 PM)
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#255
Originally Posted by Cyan:
If y'all finish the book by October (lol), Vol 3 of The Graphic Canon comes out with IJ illustrations by yours truly. Got to draw my favorite book ever, no big. |
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Member
(05-16-2012, 01:00 PM)
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#256
Finished Master and Margarita by Bulgakov yesterday and it was so good, I wanted to start again it as soon as it was over. The after-notes were very revealing, and I wish I was more versed in the Biblical and Faust allusions it's making in its overall structure, but that didn't stop me from loving it. Easily my favorite for the year, doubt it will be beat. Satan's Grand Ball and the moonlight mile melted mah brain.
Starting the yearly Odyssey re-read now, I might look into a different translation than the Dover Thrift Edition though. Any thoughts Book GAF? |
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Member
(05-16-2012, 01:15 PM)
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#257
Originally Posted by BenjaminBirdie:
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(05-16-2012, 01:19 PM)
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#258
Originally Posted by sparky2112:
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Member
(05-16-2012, 01:58 PM)
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#259
So on a friend's recommendation I've started reading the Percy Jackson series of books. Finished the 1st one and just started the second.
They're ok so far, I saw the film first and it's a lot different, I must say I actually thought the film made more sense (first time for everything!) But as books go it's not a bad read. I've been reading Star Wars novels for so long non-stop now that it's nice to read something different. I'll probably keep going till the end of the series, but it's not a book I would read again. |
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Member
(05-16-2012, 02:56 PM)
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#261
Quote:
Man Without a Country is straight up humanist gospel. |
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(05-16-2012, 02:59 PM)
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#262
So I just finished a book dealing with a lot of conservative ideology
And just started Lovecrafts At the Mountains of Madness - seems like a real slow burn - should I stick with it ? |
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Member
(05-16-2012, 04:43 PM)
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#265
I'm going to re-read the whole Wheel of Time again from Book 1 in preparation for the last volume. Taishar Manetheran! Dovie'andi se tovya sagain!
May the Creator be with me on my journey through book 7-10. *shudder*
Last edited by massoluk; 05-16-2012 at 05:06 PM.
Reason: typo
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Member
(05-16-2012, 04:56 PM)
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#266
Originally Posted by massoluk:
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Member
(05-16-2012, 05:46 PM)
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#267
Originally Posted by massoluk:
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Member
(05-16-2012, 05:57 PM)
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#268
Just read "Here is New York," an essay about New York City by E.B. White that was published in 1949. I highly recommend it to anyone who's ever lived in NYC or simply finds the city interesting. It's amazing how almost everything White says still strongly resonates.
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If you stop seeing my posts, you can probably guess why
(05-17-2012, 10:21 AM)
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#271
I need to find some good fiction to read, I always update my Amazon wishlist with stuff I find browsing around, lurking this thread, or on Twitter from people with similar taste, and it's like three-fourths non-fiction. There's nothing wrong with that, but I read The Sisters Brothers recently and it was amazing, and the first fiction I've read in probably like half a year.
I really like David Mitchell and Michael Chabon so I think I'm going to finally get around to checking out Murakami over the summer. I'm interested to check out Patrick deWitt's other book too. Thinking about some David Foster Wallace too. If anyone has any literary fiction from that last few years they consider required reading I'd like to hear. |
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Member
(05-17-2012, 12:26 PM)
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#273
Originally Posted by dr3upmushroom:
 That Old Cape Magic by Richard Russo |
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Jealous Bastard
(05-17-2012, 01:52 PM)
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#274
Originally Posted by dr3upmushroom:
Quote:
Quote:
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(05-17-2012, 02:53 PM)
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#276
Originally Posted by dr3upmushroom:
Gorgeously written, heartbreaking (bovs), and hilarious. |
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Member
(05-17-2012, 03:09 PM)
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#277
Originally Posted by BenjaminBirdie:
BenjaminBirdie, you're officially my favorite person around here.
Last edited by sparky2112; 05-17-2012 at 03:10 PM.
Reason: shout out / love for BenjaminBirdie
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Member
(05-17-2012, 03:10 PM)
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#278
Originally Posted by injurai:
GAF Recommends! Book Recommendations for Particular Areas of Study History Books Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books Post-apocalpytic Books Books of 2010 Forgotten Sci-Fi Novels Lengthy Books Space Sci-Fi and Fantasy Fantasy Books Summer Reading Dresden's Favorite Sci-Fi and Fantasy Sci-Fi Novel Series Modern Fantasy and Hidden Gems Must Read Books That Came Out in the Past 10 Years Fantasy Recommendations Scary Books NPR Top 100 of Sci-Fi/Fantasy as of 2011 Best Sci-Fi You've Ever Read Fantasy and Science Fiction That is Worth Reading Best Factual Books on War (WWI/WW2 and Beyond) |
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Member
(05-17-2012, 04:01 PM)
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#279
Originally Posted by Almyn:
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FnordChan
(05-17-2012, 04:32 PM)
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#280
Snowy, thanks for your comments on Godel, Escher, Bach. I've had a copy in the house for ages and ages, but it's reputation is intimidating enough that it's just languishing on a shelf and collecting dust. You've motivated me to at least try to dig out my copy, dust it off, and think about sneaking into my reading queue later in the year.
Originally Posted by BenjaminBirdie:
So, the last time I posted in the reading thread I was starting up Roberto Bolaño's 2666. I managed to get through two of the five parts of the book before going, "Well, maybe I'll just take a break from 2666 and read something lighter before diving into Part 3." That was many months and a whole pile of serial genre fiction ago.    First off, I got sucked into Ilona Andrews' Edge series and tore through the three books out so far - On The Edge, Bayou Moon, and Fate's Edge - in very short order. I'd discovered Ilona Andrews (the pseudonym for a husband and wife writing team) last year with the Kate Daniels series, an addictive urban fantasy series set in post magical apocalypse Atlanta and with an interesting take on vampires to make up for a more run-of-the-mill riff on werewolves, all of which helped make up for the series' god-awful book covers. The covers are a tad better with the Edge novels (if not by much) and they do a fine job of conveying the concept: plucky, badass heroine hooks up with smoking hot, mysterious man whose head floats benevolently up by the authors' name. The titular Edge is the border between the magical fantasyland of The Weird and our plain ol' mundane world of The Broken. It's a place where magic works, the inhabitants are scrappy and mistrustful of outsiders, and everyone is invariably dirt broke. The first book in the series sets up the formula nicely: our heroine lives in the Edge, she encounters mysterious hunk from the Weird, they Team-Up(tm Marvel Comics) to defeat bad guys, and romance blooms in the process. Now, I realize that sounds generic as all get out, and the basic concept was certainly done very well by awesome authors like Emma Bull with the old Borderlands shared universe. The catch here is that our writing team does a damn fine job of writing fast-paced romantic adventure of the sort where you want to tear through one book right after the other; I recently introduced a friend to Andrews and she did not stop until reading all eight of the author's novels one after the other, cursed my name for introducing her to such an addictive author, and then listened eagerly to my news of upcoming installments in the series and side-project novellas. And, if the universe isn't a super original concept, it's still a fine one to base an urban fantasy series on and Andrews uses the setup in interesting ways to put our heroes and heroines through the wringer. Also, while each novel focuses on a new couple, characters from previous books in the series show up in the background and provide a lovable cast to keep track of. To sum up, if you're a fan of urban fantasy, or have been curious about checking out the genre, I can't recommend Ilona Andrews highly enough. And, if you're thinking, "Man, I want to have a pile of light fun reading to just wallow in for the summer", well, here you go.  Next, I was curious to see what the fuss was all about, so I picked up the first book in Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games trilogy and wound up reading all three of 'em in fairly short order. I dunno that I have a lot to say about these that hasn't already been said by half the internet, but the short version is that they're fast, compelling reads, it's interesting that a YA series about dystopian teenage gladiatorial blood sports has become such a part of a the zeitgeist, and that there are some wonky aspects of the series I thought were perplexing. First off, it's interesting reading a dystopian novel that's not very interested in explaining the society it depicts. Sure, Collins has some vague things to say about reality television and a vapid ruling class, but the setup is there more to provide a way to put the characters through the wringer than to be commented upon in and of itself. That's fine - I liked the characters I was supposed to like, I wanted to see what happened to everyone and how they reacted to the challenges of the plot, and so forth - but I mostly kept thinking that the ruling class wasn't very good at totalitarianism and that it was surprising they didn't seem to have an ideology to explain this. For example, I was surprised to see that booze was considered a black market item. If the state had some sort of ideological reason to ban this, sure, okay, I can see that, but otherwise what better way to keep an oppressed slave class compliant? It's a minor detail, sure, but one that stuck with me. Also, man, the series really could use some more laughs. I kept thinking of satirical takes on the concept - Battle Royale, The Running Man, and so forth; hell, even Rollerball has some lighter moments - and wished that things weren't so damn earnest all the time. In particular, every time someone mentioned the President, the breathless phrase "Mr. President...a very dear friend of mine" popped into my head straight out of Death Race 2000, which didn't help in taking the series too seriously. Still, I enjoyed reading 'em and I'm glad America's current novel fad involves teenagers beating each other to death.   Then I learned that two new installments in an urban fantasy series I'd been reading were out, namely Blood Challenge and Death Magic, the less than originally titled seventh and eighth volumes in Eileen Wilks' World of the Lupi novels. Earlier novels in the series were fun examples of the Werewolf Boy Meets Magic Girl genre, but by this point Wilks is largely writing about characters in established relationships and so some of the spark is missing, even while the end of the world plots are steadily escalating. Blood Challenge introduces a new Magic Girl for a Werewolf Boy to fall in love with and she's a likeable character with a fun power, but the novel is busy following our big established couple - she's an Asian FBI agent who can detect magic, he's a werewolf prince - so there wasn't as much time spent setting up the new relationship as I would have liked. Meanwhile, Death Magic fleshes out a peripheral relationship in a pleasant way and does a lot of major plot advancing things in the process. It's entertaining enough but...hrm. I don't want to be too hard on Wilks, but while reading the book I kept thinking that, say, Jim Butcher's Dresden Files are a lot more compelling on the escalating plot front, and the romantic element wasn't nearly as compelling as, say, the Andrews novels I ranted and raved about above. I'd still recommend the Lupi novels to a dedicated urban fantasy fan looking for a new series to jump on, and I've still got the next novel in the series pre-ordered, but I can't say I'm super excited for the series at this point. Ah well.  Then I dropped everything to read The Wind Through The Keyhole, Stephen King's new Dark Tower novel. I've been a fan of the Dark Tower series for a quarter of a century now, so when Mr. King decides to revisit the world, I am so there. With the series already wrapped up King doesn't have much wiggle room to fit in a lot of new continuity, but he sidesteps the issue nicely by having our heroes hole up during a storm and pass the time with Roland telling a story from his youth, with a nested fable contained within. As a fan, it's always a pleasure to see King flesh out more of Roland's past, and King uses his horror chops to provide a suitably creepy problem for a pair of young gunslingers to solve. However, the real joy here is the fable that gets told halfway through the novel, about a young boy on a (naturally) perilous quest, which King infuses with the rhythms of the Brothers Grimm and tantalizing details about the Mythology of Mid-World. It's really a lovely book all around, a love letter from King about the importance of storytelling, and it's a must read for fans of The Dark Tower. I'd also be curious to see if it works as a stand alone novel for the uninitiated. Either way, I loved it.  Finally, on my girlfriend's recommendation, I just finished reading Touch The Dark by Karen Chance, the first novel in the Cassandra Palmer series. We're talking more straight up urban fantasy/paranormal romance here, with a Magic Girl heroine that can interact with ghosts and who grew up in the household of a vampire mobster. Now she's grown up, on the lam, and dragged back into the world of vampire politics by Destiny(tm). This was an okay start to an ongoing series, but I didn't think it was amazing and there was a lot of corn to swallow in the process. Many of the vampires are historical figures who just happened to all be the living dead, the vampire mythology is completely off the shelf, there's an organization called MAGIC (barf) that our heroine gets caught up in, and so forth. Then there's a plot that involves a lot of visions to the past, to the point where the plot gets kinda jumbled at times, but by the end of the novel we have a new status quo and a launch pad for more of our heroines adventures. Eh, like I said, it's okay. Apparently there's more humor in the following books which was a big selling point for my ladyfriend, but I think it's probably all a bit too cheesy for me. I may read more, I may not. Eh.  Last night I was flailing about for a new book and was having trouble finding something I was excited to read, but I figured I couldn't go wrong with a short Heinlein novel, so I punted and grabbed The Door Into Summer. I'm only a few pages in so far, but it's shaping up to be about time travel through cryogenic freezing, which I'm down with. I'm sure it'll be a great, fast read, and I can figure out what I want to tackle next afterwards. Perhaps I'll go back to Bolaño, hat in hand, and see if I can get further into 2666. Alternately, it might be time to read another Aubrey/Maturin novel. Hrm. FnordChan |
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Purple Drazi
(05-17-2012, 05:12 PM)
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#281
Originally Posted by AAequal:
Last edited by Cyan; 05-17-2012 at 05:19 PM.
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FnordChan
(05-17-2012, 05:50 PM)
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#283
Originally Posted by Cyan:
FnordChan |
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Member
(05-17-2012, 06:17 PM)
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#284
Originally Posted by Cyan:
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FnordChan
(05-17-2012, 06:36 PM)
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#287
Originally Posted by finowns:
FnordChan |
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Member
(05-17-2012, 09:42 PM)
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#290
I just finished Kasher in the Rye: The True Tale of a White Boy from Oakland Who Became a Drug Addict, Criminal, Mental Patient, and Then Turned 16, by Moshe Kasher, and it is easily in my top 3 books of all time.
All time. |
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Jealous Bastard
(05-18-2012, 05:19 AM)
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#293
Originally Posted by Cyan:
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FABULOUSLY
DIXI QUID QUID BEAR BEAR (05-18-2012, 06:24 AM)
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#296
Originally Posted by brianjones:
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Member
(05-18-2012, 06:25 AM)
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#297
 Just read these on a plane flight + some time at home. Quick reads, not very good, not recommended. Aspects of the story are good, and better than the writing. There are parts of the third book where the prose is some of the worst I have ever read in a published novel, reaching bad fan-fiction status, and parts where the writing is much improved from the first two books...bizarre. Also, re-reading this series in anticipating of the 23 years-in-the-making final novel that comes out early next year. Can't say enough about The Wheel of Time, it's incredible. 
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FnordChan
(05-18-2012, 01:33 PM)
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#298
Originally Posted by brianjones:
FnordChan |
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Member
(05-18-2012, 10:01 PM)
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#299
 Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea by Barbara Demick I couldn't stop reading it last night and ended up finishing it. It's a really gripping and sometimes depressing look into the lives of North Korean people from the 1950s to the somewhat-present. |
