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What are you reading? (June 2017)
- Thread starter Maklershed
- Start date
KarneeKarnay
Member
I am re-reading Head First Java. A really good book to get people into java, with some funny moments.
isaacnukem
Member
Apparently the first Aztec is his best, I haven't read it yet. Thanks for reminding me that I should.
brianjones
Member
-The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers. Stupendous so far. McCullers' observations are detailed and always serve to more finely sketch the characters.
-Meet Me in the Bathroom by Lizzy Goodman:
Goodman capably anchors the book in her own experience before diving into the oral history, coloring everything to come as being representative of a time in history and culture when nobody knew which was was up, and of being the age where you're just drifting along as well.
was just about to order this.. looks like an interesting follow up to please kill me/our band could be your life
I am missing 27, 29, and 31.
27 is the one that really bugs me, though.
I didn't know
I did wonder why you'd stopped at Vol. 26. I thought you were waiting for the library to get it in or something.
£130 on Amazon UK for Vol. 27, good lord. That's almost as bad as Berserk was before the reprint. Book pricing can get really silly at times. Although now I think of it, that's why I bought the rest of it when I did. I read somewhere there might be an omnibus edition coming out, and I thought that might mean the old edition wouldn't get reprinted.
On the bright side, looks like Vol. 27 will be available in an omnibus edition eventually. On the down side - and after a wait of a few years - your editions/ spines won't match.
I didn't know
I did wonder why you'd stopped at Vol. 26. I thought you were waiting for the library to get it in or something.
£130 on Amazon UK for Vol. 27, good lord. That's almost as bad as Berserk was before the reprint. Book pricing can get really silly at times. Although now I think of it, that's why I bought the rest of it when I did. I read somewhere there might be an omnibus edition coming out, and I thought that might mean the old edition wouldn't get reprinted.
On the bright side, looks like Vol. 27 will be available in an omnibus edition eventually. On the down side - and after a wait of a few years - your editions/ spines won't match.
Indeed. Speaking of the omnibus editions: I'm still irritated that they aren't taking this opportunity to fix the whole reversed / recut pages thing. It just makes it more awkward to read. I understand the desire to have consistency after starting that way over twenty years ago, but that's no reason to maintain that when they are doing a release in a brand new edition now.
I actually haven't read Please Kill Me, and I only read a chapter or so of Our Band Could be Your Lifeboth have been high on my list since I finished We Got the Neutron Bomb but I went for this first pretty much just cause it's new.
Already it's done something I expect from these oral histories: give me bands to hear. Jonathan Fire*eater's stories are cool, songs I've checked out are decent
The Culture Vulture
Member
Duckroll was 100% right on Lovecraft Country. Enjoyable enough book. Loved the setting. Really liked the protagonist family but most of the supernatural stuff fell flat for me. All my friends on Goodreads loved the book but I could only like it.
Hate to admit it, but I couldn't get into The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. It just rubbed me raw in too many ways and after around 200 pages I DNF'd it. My next read is Son of a Trickster by Eden Robinson. It's my first book win through the Goodreads giveaways so I'm looking forward to reading it.
Chairman Yang
if he talks about books, you better damn well listen
Seems interesting. Is it available in English?
I just finished Old Man's War. Utterly fantastic book. Loved it.
I'm looking at the rest of the series without trying to get spoiled by it, and I have a question.
Is this one of those series that has multiple books take place in the same universe, but with different and disconnected characters because they're just telling their own stories and can be read in any order, or is there a continuity to this series?
I'm looking at the rest of the series without trying to get spoiled by it, and I have a question.
Is this one of those series that has multiple books take place in the same universe, but with different and disconnected characters because they're just telling their own stories and can be read in any order, or is there a continuity to this series?
Sadly no, and I doubt it will ever be given even a fan translation. However his newest book has seen some fan attention: http://www.novelupdates.com/series/night-emperor/
Unfortunately, the translation is only up to chapter 5 out of a total of 1033. It'll be forever before it's done if that ever happens.
Alternatively, there's supposed to be a TV show released sometime this year, but those don't tend to get translated either. I'd imagine it'll be pointless to watch anyways given the censorship (which probably wouldn't be that big a deal) and the sheer length of the novel.
Hyperion: Good
Fall of Hyperion: Better
Endymion: Good
Rise of Endymion: Eh
Good. Fuck Rothfuss.
This was great.
This was in my library and I forgot why. Reading it now. I thought it was another urban fantasy book but no, it's actually autobiographical French A Little Life.
From what I remember, the POV tends to jump to new characters in each book, but they're also kinda meant to be read in order. They're not always directly connected but they are connected.
At some point, you're going to have to actually explain your hatred of this man.
Hm....I ask because I am trying to decide whether to shelve it for a later read, or just burn though the whole series at once. What do you recommend?
I've read and enjoyed them all, but they're probably best enjoyed in doses rather than all at once. YMMV, but while Scalzi's fun to read, I can only take so much.
I thought Waking Gods was pretty great read, and the version of your cover is pretty awesome!
Maklershed
Member
At first I thought you said that because Rothfuss openly disliked this book, then I noticed the quote. Seems pretty random :lol:
My man.
sparky2112
Member
I'll weigh in here for a sec. Rothfuss' trilogy was sold as being 'in the can' before the first book even came out. His publisher made a big racket, blah, blah. Sold a bunch as a result (and it was pretty good, to be fair). Fast forward 87 years and here we are. Rothfuss spends tons of time at cons and the like, ala, GRRM, and...yeah...
Vivalaraza
Member
Started the new and long awaited Arundhati Roy novel - The Ministry of Utmost Happiness.
About 50 pages in, is as lush and vivid as God of Small Things so far (which is probably my favourite novel).
Anybody else reading it?
About 50 pages in, is as lush and vivid as God of Small Things so far (which is probably my favourite novel).
Anybody else reading it?
Jag
Member
Need some more older YA for my 13 year old boy. Mystery preferred. I don't think he loves fantasy unfortunately. He's already gone through Potter, Percy Jackson/Riordan, Hunger Games, Enders Game, Sanderson's Alcatraz, Artemis Fowl and the Carl Hiassen YA books that were recommended here.
AngmarsKing701
Member
I'll echo this, though don't let too much time pass. When you get to Zoe's Tale, it is basically a retelling of a story from Zoe's perspective, and having some memory of what she's talking about helps.
The Last Unicorn is Rothfuss' favorite book, is why.
So, you meant that the book is good, but not that good?
Finished Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda last week and it was cute. I saw that it's getting adapted into a movie with Greg Berlanti directing and Katherine Langford playing Leah. I'm down. The imdb listing makes me think they'll heavily change some things in the story though.
Then I checked the Call me by Your Name page and Sony has finally set a wide release date for the adaptation (November 24 in the US). Joy. Don't think it will play in my country anywhere near me though, I'll likely have to wait for the home media release.
Then I checked the Call me by Your Name page and Sony has finally set a wide release date for the adaptation (November 24 in the US). Joy. Don't think it will play in my country anywhere near me though, I'll likely have to wait for the home media release.
Rug Monkey
Member
No I mean the book is really good and fuck Rothfuss.
Okay, then I'll patiently wait together with Veelk 😐
You'll be reading book 3 of the Kingkiller Chronicles in your retirement home when it launches in 2057
Jag
Member
Sounds terrifying. I'll have to look deeper into it.
Oh good, it's bad enough we've got people praising Watts, I was gonna flip out if you dissed The Last Unicorn.
Wait until you hear what I think about the latest Terry Brooks book!
The Great Courses recorded lecture series is featured in an Audible 2-for-1 promotion right now. Tons of great stuff to choose from. I typically pick up a couple history courses when they go on sale. Most courses are 12-48 lectures running a half hour each, so you could knock out one or two a day if you have a commute.
https://www.audible.com/special-promo/2for1
https://www.audible.com/special-promo/2for1
I have this out from the library, too. I also forget why I requested it. I think it has something to do with LBGThread, probably.
^^ berzeli recommended it. (Jeez I thought my memory was bad)
Yeah, the recut/ reverse panels can really pull me out of the story sometimes. I suppose it wasn't financially viable to change the format for the cheaper omnibus edition*, they'd already done all the substantial cut-and-paste work, changing it back would need extra investment. It's a real shame and a missed opportunity whatever the reason. I really love the both the art and the story, and although the Dark Horse edition is a nice one, it would be great to read it how the artist originally intended.
*I know nothing about the manga industry
Is it his books or Watts himself you don't like?
Yeah, the recut/ reverse panels can really pull me out of the story sometimes. I suppose it wasn't financially viable to change the format for the cheaper omnibus edition*, they'd already done all the substantial cut-and-paste work, changing it back would need extra investment. It's a real shame and a missed opportunity whatever the reason. I really love the both the art and the story, and although the Dark Horse edition is a nice one, it would be great to read it how the artist originally intended.
*I know nothing about the manga industry
Is it his books or Watts himself you don't like?
Servbot #42
Unconfirmed Member
Lisey's Story and The Shrinking Man haven't really grabbed me yet so i bought Royal Assassin and boy that Robin Hoob sure writes well, it's really good.
Until recently I had about thirty books on request, many of which I had suggested for purchase. For about a month and a half I would go to the library and find that there were books waiting for me.
"... I don't remember requesting this but it must've looked interesting!"
I know why they did it, but it's still annoying. I mean, they are finally releasing a right-to-left release of the Akira manga, so it's not like they don't know how to fix these things.
I've been spending almost all of my free time the past couple of days reading Mother of Learning, a free web novel. It really scratches my itch for "competent, intelligent characters making plans and improving abilities".
Switch Back 9
a lot of my threads involve me fucking up somehow. Perhaps I'm a moron?
Fading hard on Senlin Ascends, might be dropping it soon. I don't care for the whole missing wife plot despite a mild interest in seeing what's up with the other levels of the tower.
I'm almost finished so maybe I'll keep going but... Meh.
I'm almost finished so maybe I'll keep going but... Meh.
Funyarinpa
Member
GONE by Michael Grant is incredible. Quite long, though. First of a six - book series.
Edit: Stalled Wuthering Heights and started Crime and Punishment (an apparent retranslation by Oliver Ready, from Penguin). I'm having a quite difficult time at the beginning, it feels like nothing really happens.
Was about to ask if anyone had read Victor Lavalle. Just read the jacket for The Changeling. Sounds good!
John Kowalski
Banned
Almost finished with Fifth Head of Cerberus and starting The Three Stigmatas of Palmer Eldritch, shit is nice
I started up Yue Guan's Brocade Guards book. It takes place in Ming China c. 1400 CE as opposed to the first book taking place in Ming China c. 1500 CE. And while that doesn't seem to be a big deal on paper, the change of setting is actually quite significant. This book doesn't draw in the reader as quickly as Return to Ming does, but it's still pretty good.
Also, these books are rapidly changing my mind on what a long novel is. I'm on page 642 right now and I'm barely past the introduction.
Also, these books are rapidly changing my mind on what a long novel is. I'm on page 642 right now and I'm barely past the introduction.
MrOogieBoogie
BioShock Infinite is like playing some homeless guy's vivid imagination
Lisey's Story and The Shrinking Man haven't really grabbed me yet so i bought Royal Assassin and boy that Robin Hoob sure writes well, it's really good.
How does Royal Assassin compare to the first book?
I'm almost done with Assassin's Apprentice, and I absolutely agree, Hobb has a way of making her writing flow effortlessly.
AngmarsKing701
Member
Finished Becky Chambers's The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet. Really enjoyed this. Great characters, diverse aliens, interesting interactions between different cultures. It is very "slice of life" aboard a spaceship type of story, so I can see where some folks have commented they were bored by it, but I really liked how she managed to create this family of diverse "people."
I hear the sequel is even better, so I've got it on my wish list to pick up at some point.
But next up, since I've got some travel scheduled, is another Kindle (rather than lugging around the 2nd part of To Green Angel Tower):
I hear the sequel is even better, so I've got it on my wish list to pick up at some point.
But next up, since I've got some travel scheduled, is another Kindle (rather than lugging around the 2nd part of To Green Angel Tower):
