NeoGAF

Originally Posted by Jintor

The Ascent of Money: A Financial History of the World by Niall Ferguson

Recommended by Phisheep, if I recall correctly (I may not be - apologies if so). Thoroughly fascinating so far. I feel like I should've read this when I was a lot younger though. I'm convinced that my mind isn't set up to intuitively understand markets and economics, but this is nonetheless a really enjoyable read.

That sounds interesting, though I am a bit wary of reading knowing his politics (I thoroughly disagree with it). Is that an issue at all in it? His current views bleeding into the history?

Originally Posted by Piecake

That sounds interesting, though I am a bit wary of reading knowing his politics (I thoroughly disagree with it). Is that an issue at all in it? His current views bleeding into the history?

I can't tell since I don't really know his current views, or, indeed, understand economics very well. Sorry :(

Phi might be able to help you though

Don Quixote is on sale for $1.99 on Kindle. Does anyone have any experience with this translation by Edith Grossman? Some of the reviews on the book page state preferences for other translations.

If on a winter's night a traveler is also on sale, for $2.99. Would an physical version of this novel be preferable, due to the structure of the novel? I seem to remember something of that sort being the case, but maybe I'm wrong.

Originally Posted by Piecake

That sounds interesting, though I am a bit wary of reading knowing his politics (I thoroughly disagree with it). Is that an issue at all in it? His current views bleeding into the history?

I'm interested in this book as well, and I'm also interested if Ferguson's ideologies seep through.

Still reading Snow Crash, knocked out about a quarter of it during a road trip. Really enjoying it so far, although the main plot has only just started to kind of slowly edge itself in.

Roger Williams and the Creation of the American Soul: Church, State, and the Birth of Liberty by John M Barry

I'm a big fan of his previous two books and bought this one as soon as I found out it existed. Like most of his books it goes super into detail of the background of his subjects, which can get a bit hard to read at times. I am only a third of the way through but so far enjoying it.

Originally Posted by Masenkame

Don Quixote is on sale for $1.99 on Kindle. Does anyone have any experience with this translation by Edith Grossman? Some of the reviews on the book page state preferences for other translations.

If on a winter's night a traveler is also on sale, for $2.99. Would an physical version of this novel be preferable, due to the structure of the novel? I seem to remember something of that sort being the case, but maybe I'm wrong.



I'm interested in this book as well, and I'm also interested if Ferguson's ideologies seep through.

I can't remember anything weird about the structure of the novel, so you'll be fine with an ebook. You might be thinking of Hopscotch by Julio Cortazar

Originally Posted by Masenkame

Don Quixote is on sale for $1.99 on Kindle. Does anyone have any experience with this translation by Edith Grossman? Some of the reviews on the book page state preferences for other translations.

If on a winter's night a traveler is also on sale, for $2.99. Would an physical version of this novel be preferable, due to the structure of the novel? I seem to remember something of that sort being the case, but maybe I'm wrong.



I'm interested in this book as well, and I'm also interested if Ferguson's ideologies seep through.

I read that translation of Don Quixote for a class and though I can't compare it to any other translations, I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Been reading this for the last few weeks, and thoroughly enjoying it. My reading habits over the last year have dropped off completely. Probably been playing too many videogames, haha.

The Republic of Thieves is the third book in The Gentleman Bastards series, following The Lies of Locke Lamora and Red Seas Under Red Skies. They're these really slick, modern-feeling fantasy books that remind me more of something like Ocean's Eleven than they do something like Game of Thrones (In part because they revolve around master thieves and grand heists). They're so fast paced and witty and easy to consume that it just makes them really, genuinely enjoyable to read.

I constantly have a grin on my face when I'm reading it.

Originally Posted by Lord Scrambles

That is some bloody wonderful cover art.

Originally Posted by Nezumi

Finished listening to:

[IMG]http://michaelmjones.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/teckla.jpg[IMG]

This one took me a while to get into, it felt different than the first two. The ending was great though so I immediately downloaded the next book. So now I'm listening to:

[IMG]http://royallib.ru/data/images/180/cover_180410.jpg[IMG]

Which turns out to be a prequel.

Brust loves to jump around. Really though I think reading in publication order is the way to go.

Originally Posted by Piecake

I can't remember anything weird about the structure of the novel, so you'll be fine with an ebook. You might be thinking of Hopscotch by Julio Cortazar

Yeah, must've just gotten it all confused. I totally forgot about Hopscoth, which I should get around to sometime. Thank you.

Originally Posted by jtb

I read that translation of Don Quixote for a class and though I can't compare it to any other translations, I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Thanks, think I'm going to grab it.

Originally Posted by Lord Scrambles

I've also motivated myself to finish the Legend of Sigmar trilogy, and I'm am glad I did. These books are amazingly well written, and anybody who loves fantasy can very easily jump in, you don't necessarily have to be into Warhammer.

Aww no Kindle edition. Boo!

Currently reading the Darksiders novel.

Finishing up The Heroes by Abercrombie, got it while it was on sale a couple of days back. It feels very... stock. With an opening line like, "too old for this shit" you sort of know there's not going to be a lot of surprises. I don't even read much fantasy and this all feels like ground well trodden. Oh well, at least it only cost 1.99.

Any must buy's from the Cyber Monday deals?

I would recommend Swan Song by Robert R. McCammon.

Originally Posted by Lord Scrambles

That looks pretty cool. Bought the omnibus.

Originally Posted by Jintor

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke

Still moment-to-moment vaguely enjoyable, still thoroughly dull

I'm curious how far you are into it. The whole first section is pretty dull but once that book kicks into gear I couldn't put it down. Hundreds of pages just flew by. I really enjoyed that book.

As for me, I really have been slacking with my reading lately. I'm still reading this:



This is the fourth book in the Amber Chronicles. I'm still enjoying it even if I don't find it a complete page turner. The pace moves fairly fast and nothing is too complicated.

Originally Posted by Woorloog

Tried to re-read Dune Legends, starting with The Butlerian Jihad (Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert) before reading Dune again (once per year).*
Only... I notice this one paragraph, where a space ship is being used as a missile against a planetary defense system. While loaded with as much explosives as it can carry.
Why why why!?!?=!?!
Re-entry velocity is more than enough, explosives are pointless at 3km/s. For fucks sake, can't writers do some math or research first?
Also, i didn't remember how bad the writing was. Well, bad and bad, at least it ain't very good. Show, don't tell is not something the writers really understand, and there are other issues too.

I need something else. I'll read Dune and then read something else... but what?
Can't find good scifi anywhere. Well, stuff i haven't read yet anyway. Know a few books i'd like to read but it seems they don't have printed versions, or available here.
Hard scifi is what i want.

Do i have to write what i want myself?

*Re-read, yes. I have all of the prequels, sequels and interquels. Can't say i like them really, they're nothing compared to original Dune.

Have you tried books from authors like Greg Egan and Alistair Reynolds? Maybe something from Peter Watts?

Somebody give me a classic to read, looking for something random.
For reference in the last year and bit I've read

Dracula
Count of Monte Cristo
The Man in the High Castle
Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic (suggestions of history books as good as this welcome also)
The Great Gatsby
1984
Slaughterhouse-Five
Blood Meridian
Wolf Hall + Bring Up The Bodies (my favourite on this list I think)
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Originally Posted by Jarlaxle

I'm curious how far you are into it. The whole first section is pretty dull but once that book kicks into gear I couldn't put it down. Hundreds of pages just flew by. I really enjoyed that book.

Strange just ended the Napoleonic War and I put down the book to go read about financial history and play Zelda

Originally Posted by f0rk

Somebody give me a classic to read, looking for something random.
For reference in the last year and bit I've read

Dracula
Count of Monte Cristo
The Man in the High Castle
Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic (suggestions of history books as good as this welcome also)
The Great Gatsby
1984
Slaughterhouse-Five
Blood Meridian
Wolf Hall + Bring Up The Bodies (my favourite on this list I think)
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Random? I would say One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest or The Jungle.

Still working my way through Battle Cry of Freedom, about 500 pages in. Fantastic read.

Also picked up a Hilary Mantel set during the Black Friday sales on Amazon, and have just started Wolf Hall. Can't really say much about it since I've barely dented it, but I'm looking forward to getting into it. The other books in the set also sound really interesting, especially A Place Of Greater Safety. The French Revolution and the Terror fascinate me.

Still working my way through The Blade Itself. I think I am about a third of the way through. Enjoying it so far. The book is a nice change of pace from the heavier stuff I was reading previously.

Originally Posted by f0rk

Somebody give me a classic to read, looking for something random.

One of the great Russian novels. Tolstoy's Anna Karenina or War & Peace. Dostoyevsky's Crime & Punishment or The Brothers Karamazov. Take your pick. They are utterly magnificent, and deserve every bit of praise they get.

Originally Posted by f0rk

Somebody give me a classic to read, looking for something random.
For reference in the last year and bit I've read

Dracula
Count of Monte Cristo
The Man in the High Castle
Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic (suggestions of history books as good as this welcome also)
The Great Gatsby
1984
Slaughterhouse-Five
Blood Meridian
Wolf Hall + Bring Up The Bodies (my favourite on this list I think)
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Les Miserables

Finished:



Don't need to say anything more.

Started:

Just bought the leather bound edition of Dune. CBG19 recommended it and I'm enjoying it so far.

Originally Posted by RepairmanJack

Any must buy's from the Cyber Monday deals?

I would recommend Swan Song by Robert R. McCammon.

The Octavia E. Butler books available are all great, and definitely worth a purchase especially at those prices. I bought all those that I was missing, even though I've already read them through the local library.

Lilith's Brood (omnibus)
Seed to Harvest (omnibus)
Parable of the Sower
Parable of the Talents
Bloodchild: and other stories

The rest of her books in the deal are just single editions of the novels included in the collections above, more expensive to get them one by one.

Originally Posted by Lumiere

The Octavia E. Butler books available are all great, and definitely worth a purchase especially at those prices. I bought all those that I was missing, even though I've already read them through the local library.

Lilith's Brood (omnibus)
Seed to Harvest (omnibus)
Parable of the Sower
Parable of the Talents
Bloodchild: and other stories

The rest of her books in the deal are just single editions of the novels included in the collections above, more expensive to get them one by one.

I've been wanting to get into Octavia E. Butler, but I don't have a Kindle. Ultimately this is probably a good thing for my wallet. :(

Originally Posted by Pau

I've been wanting to get into Octavia E. Butler, but I don't have a Kindle. Ultimately this is probably a good thing for my wallet. :(

I just got into Butler earlier this year, now I only have one of her novels left to read which makes me very sad. :(
I think you would like her, some of her themes remind me of Le Guin quite a bit.

Just finished Relentless.


Gonna start to read The Atlantis Gene by AG Riddle.

70,000 years ago, the human race almost went extinct.
We survived, but no one knows how.
Until now.
The countdown to the next stage of human evolution is about to begin, and humanity might not survive this time.

Book of the Long Sun

After I finished An Evil Guest, this came really highly recommended from a friend, and since I've never read it, I decided to finally embark on the journey of finishing another one of Wolfe's longer multi-book novels. It was really good. Definitely comparable to Book of the New Sun, and in some ways it surpasses it in characterization and clever plotting. While it employs the same unique use of deceptive language which Wolfe enjoys using, the narrative here is much clearer than his average story... or is it? :)

The setting on a generation worldship is certainly unique, and was in fact one of the reasons it was recommended to me in the first place, since I introduced him to The Dark Beyond the Stars many years ago. But what really made the story more compelling for me was the heavy religious analogies and religious influence throughout. It's pretty weird, but just a month or so ago, I was lamenting about the lack of quality attempts to adapt the story of Exodus into a science fiction setting, so I pretty got exactly what I wanted out of this.

If Book of the New Sun felt like an embellished account of the writer's great deeds in a world with a culture alien to our own, then Book of the Long Sun certainly feels like a historical or biblical account of events with gaps sometimes filled in with second or third hand knowledge. Gene Wolfe is truly the greatest living scifi/fantasy writer today.

The Wasteland Saga is 2 bucks today. Not a bad deal for 3 books.


The Wasteland Saga: Three Novels: Old Man and the Wasteland, The Savage Boy, The Road is a River by Nick Cole

I think they're short novella's if I'm not mistaken, but I think I'll pick them up. I know Mak will recommend them as well as he has before.

Also, book recommendation time, this time for my Dad. His go to preference has always been nonfiction survival type of stories (he's a hunter at heart, wilderness etc etc), or just nonfiction in general, but since I've bought him so many of those, I'm trying to branch out with other things, and definitely LONG books since I hate buying him something and having it read on christmas day.

I was thinking Lonesome Dove for sure, know he'd love that, and maybe other books in that series, but any other suggestions would be appreciated. Not looking for any sort of high literature because I know my Dad wouldn't like that, but definitely something long.

Originally Posted by ShaneB

I think they're short novella's if I'm not mistaken, but I think I'll pick them up. I know Mak will recommend them as well as he has before.

Also, book recommendation time, this time for my Dad. His go to preference has always been nonfiction survival type of stories (he's a hunter at heart, wilderness etc etc), or just nonfiction in general, but since I've bought him so many of those, I'm trying to branch out with other things, and definitely LONG books since I hate buying him something and having it read on christmas day.

I was thinking Lonesome Dove for sure, know he'd love that, and maybe other books in that series, but any other suggestions would be appreciated. Not looking for any sort of high literature because I know my Dad wouldn't like that, but definitely something long.

Lonesome Dove is great. Can't go wrong with those or the prequels and sequels. Dead Man's Walk is my personal favorite.

This one isn't long, but I think you mentioned getting it for your dad before Wilderness. Haven't read it myself yet, but I think Mak liked it.

Would also recommend these, Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brian

Originally Posted by Lord Scrambles

or The President an amazing book and one of, if not THE single most interesting books in early 20th century Latin American literature. It's a magical-realistic satire of the dictatorships that Latin America was rife with in that time period, especially Guatemala's own dictator: Manuel Estrada Cabrera

Definitely checking this out. As for me:

Originally Posted by duckroll

Book of the Long Sun

I'm going to have to read the Book of the New Sun then this. I read The Shadow of the Torturer a couple of years ago and found it fantastic, but for some reason never continued with the series. The only thing I can think of is the prose is so freaking dense it's a very challenging book to read. But the payoff was amazing.

I've read Wolfe's The Wizard Knight books and found them to be some of the best fantasy I've ever experienced. The praise for the Sun books is something I can't keep ignoring.

Originally Posted by Mackenzie 92

Lonesome Dove is great. Can't go wrong with those or the prequels and sequels. Dead Man's Walk is my personal favorite.

This one isn't long, but I think you mentioned getting it for your dad before Wilderness. Haven't read it myself yet, but I think Mak liked it.

Would also recommend these, Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brian

I remember Wilderness being brought up before indeed and mentioned I think my Dad would like it. Perhaps I'll get a couple Lonesome Dove novels for him, Master and Commander is a good recommendation. I was thinking Moby Dick as well, but I'm not sure how he'd handle a classic like that.

Originally Posted by Dantis

Been reading this for the last few weeks, and thoroughly enjoying it. My reading habits over the last year have dropped off completely. Probably been playing too many videogames, haha.

The Republic of Thieves is the third book in The Gentleman Bastards series, following The Lies of Locke Lamora and Red Seas Under Red Skies. They're these really slick, modern-feeling fantasy books that remind me more of something like Ocean's Eleven than they do something like Game of Thrones (In part because they revolve around master thieves and grand heists). They're so fast paced and witty and easy to consume that it just makes them really, genuinely enjoyable to read.

I constantly have a grin on my face when I'm reading it.

I'm now reading Red Seas Under Red Skies. I read the first book a couple of years ago, really enjoyed it, but the second book got lacklustre reviews so I postponed reading it despite buying the hardcover edition. But since the third book in the series got glowing reviews, I want to continue. So far it's exactly what the doctor ordered: engaging characters, another inventive heist plot in a fantasy setting, humorous lightweight fun.

Finished:



While it wasn't nearly as good as the first two books, I still enjoyed it. I had some troubles with the new characters though. The ending was a bit... meh. If it hadn't been for the crazy mutiny or counter mutiny the whole affair would have been fairly boring. "Hey everybody, you know that thing that is threatening to kill us all, it will leave us alone if for a minute we pretent we aren't really here." That is not a good security system in my book and I don't care if it was because of the influence of Miller's "simulation".

I'm going to start this after my exams are over next week

Originally Posted by Noks415

Just bought the leather bound edition of Dune. CBG19 recommended it and I'm enjoying it so far.

Damn that is a gorgeous cover. Know where I can buy it from?

Originally Posted by TetraxShards

In the words of Bruce Buffer, ITTTTTT'S TIIIIIIIIIME!



It has grabbed me and will not let go.

Words of Radience soon up in this bitch!
Oh god I'm so excited.

Originally Posted by Nezumi

Finished:

[IMG]http://i1.weltbild.de/asset/vgw/abaddons-gate-072309981.jpg[IMG]

While it wasn't nearly as good as the first two books, I still enjoyed it. I had some troubles with the new characters though. The ending was a bit... meh. If it hadn't been for the crazy mutiny or counter mutiny the whole affair would have been fairly boring. "Hey everybody, you know that thing that is threatening to kill us all, it will leave us alone if for a minute we pretent we aren't really here." That is not a good security system in my book and I don't care if it was because of the influence of Miller's "simulation".

I think people generally agree that it's the weakest of the books, hope they get back on track with the next book. The new characters were really one dimensional imo. Hope we don't see a return of any of em in the next book, would love some more of Roberta though.

Originally Posted by Salvor.Hardin

Damn that is a gorgeous cover. Know where I can buy it from?

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dune...ank/1116890889

Have the Dracula one and damn is that book gorgeous. Shame they're a bit pricey.

Currently reading:



More than half-way through and whilst I like the premise of the book I'm on the fence about the overall plot. I hope a lot of stuff gets explained, because most of it does not sound feasible at all. Characters are a total miss though, which is a shame.

Originally Posted by duckroll

Book of the Long Sun

After I finished An Evil Guest, this came really highly recommended from a friend, and since I've never read it, I decided to finally embark on the journey of finishing another one of Wolfe's longer multi-book novels. It was really good. Definitely comparable to Book of the New Sun, and in some ways it surpasses it in characterization and clever plotting. While it employs the same unique use of deceptive language which Wolfe enjoys using, the narrative here is much clearer than his average story... or is it? :)

The setting on a generation worldship is certainly unique, and was in fact one of the reasons it was recommended to me in the first place, since I introduced him to The Dark Beyond the Stars many years ago. But what really made the story more compelling for me was the heavy religious analogies and religious influence throughout. It's pretty weird, but just a month or so ago, I was lamenting about the lack of quality attempts to adapt the story of Exodus into a science fiction setting, so I pretty got exactly what I wanted out of this.

If Book of the New Sun felt like an embellished account of the writer's great deeds in a world with a culture alien to our own, then Book of the Long Sun certainly feels like a historical or biblical account of events with gaps sometimes filled in with second or third hand knowledge. Gene Wolfe is truly the greatest living scifi/fantasy writer today.

I have these sitting on my bookshelf, I was thinking that over Christmas I'd re-read New Sun, then read Urth, then these. But my religious knowledge is very near zero. Would I miss a lot from them, should I do that Bible read-through I've been meaning to do before reading these, or does it not much matter?

Originally Posted by mu cephei

I have these sitting on my bookshelf, I was thinking that over Christmas I'd re-read New Sun, then read Urth, then these. But my religious knowledge is very near zero. Would I miss a lot from them, should I do that Bible read-through I've been meaning to do before reading these, or does it not much matter?

I don't have a strong religious background, but I really enjoyed reading the first Long Sun book. I think it's one of those things where it would add context and appreciation, but isn't necessary.

Originally Posted by Cyan

I don't have a strong religious background, but I really enjoyed reading the first Long Sun book. I think it's one of those things where it would add context and appreciation, but isn't necessary.

Okay, thanks :) I won't worry about it then. Which is good because I gave up on the Bible before I'd even finished Genesis, I think, last time.

Originally Posted by Paganmoon

I think people generally agree that it's the weakest of the books, hope they get back on track with the next book. The new characters were really one dimensional imo. Hope we don't see a return of any of em in the next book, would love some more of Roberta though.

Yeah Bobby was the best! I think there are two or three scenes in the book were Holden is like "God, I wish Bobby was here." Everytime I read that I would go "Me, too." in my head.