I just finished Orphan X. I really enjoyed the spy/assassin aspect of it. Very solid thriller.
Agreed. Try "I Am Pilgrim" if you're looking for something else (amazing) in the genre
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What are you reading? (April 2017)
- Thread starter Maklershed
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Agreed. Try "I Am Pilgrim" if you're looking for something else (amazing) in the genre
The Culture Vulture
Member
Finished The Bonfire Of The Vanities and Slaughterhouse Five and started NOS4A2 and The Girl With All The Gifts.
Funyarinpa
Member
Any book I should read about the Armenian Genocide?
I'm Turkish so the very act of discussing it and if it might be genocide, is taboo here.
I'm Turkish so the very act of discussing it and if it might be genocide, is taboo here.
FlowersisBritish
fleurs n'est pas britannique
Still working through the Disaster Artist and omg Tommy Weiseu is the greatest literary character to ever actually live. The man is just.... words can not describe him.
There is actually a thread devoted to manga
There is actually a thread devoted to manga
Naom Chomsky gets brought up on gaf every now and then and I am ashamed to say I've never read any of his material....so I got a bunch of his lectures on audio and some of his books.
On Language
Failed States
Understanding Power
Hopes and Prospects
Once I get through those I want to read The Great Leveler.
On Language
Failed States
Understanding Power
Hopes and Prospects
Once I get through those I want to read The Great Leveler.
cosmicspooks
Member
had major life changes going on, so I've been stuck almost done with W. Somerset Maugham's The Razor's Edge for about 2 months. It rules. I'm officially a Maugham fan--just had other things to do.
Now that things are finally settling down I'm v ready to finish that and move on to that Walt Whitman novel they just found. Can't say no to Walty boy!
Now that things are finally settling down I'm v ready to finish that and move on to that Walt Whitman novel they just found. Can't say no to Walty boy!
Imp the Dimp
Member
50% done with Fahrenheit 451 and having a hard time with it. Thank god it's short else I'd drop it. How is The Handmaid's Tale in comparison? I LOVED 1984.
NekoFever
Member
I'm reading Disrupted: Ludicrous Misadventures in the Tech Start-Up Bubble by Dan Lyons, which is about a 50-something tech journalist who loses his job and goes to work in an online marketing startup.
I know there's a vindictive element to it but god damn, it just confirms every stereotype I have about the culture surrounding Silicon Valley (albeit at a Boston-based company). Doublespeak (staff aren't fired, they're "graduated"; spam isn't spam, it's "lovable marketing content"; "1+1=3" is a genuine slogan), cult-like behaviour, echo chamber mentalities, barely functional manchildren, exploitative employment practices, unsustainable business models, all riding a bubble that's going to burst at some point.
I never want to see the word "content" again.
I know there's a vindictive element to it but god damn, it just confirms every stereotype I have about the culture surrounding Silicon Valley (albeit at a Boston-based company). Doublespeak (staff aren't fired, they're "graduated"; spam isn't spam, it's "lovable marketing content"; "1+1=3" is a genuine slogan), cult-like behaviour, echo chamber mentalities, barely functional manchildren, exploitative employment practices, unsustainable business models, all riding a bubble that's going to burst at some point.
I never want to see the word "content" again.
I'd go with Matter.
sparky2112
Member
Finished:
It was...okay, I guess. Considering Hawley's pitch-perfect writing on Fargo, I was surprised that his Bill O'Reilly character was written so ham-handedly and over-the-top.
Now onto:
Love Diaz's writing, but MAN is Yunior a pig.
It was...okay, I guess. Considering Hawley's pitch-perfect writing on Fargo, I was surprised that his Bill O'Reilly character was written so ham-handedly and over-the-top.
Now onto:
Love Diaz's writing, but MAN is Yunior a pig.
Jag
Member
Didn't realize Hawley wrote. Didn't watch Fargo, but LOVED Legion. Wondering if I should pick it up based on how good a job he did on that show.
Hexxen-Panda
Member
Currently listening to the Audiobook of Our Oriental Heritage: The Story of Civilization Book 1 by Will Durant
While the section of pre-historic humans have a lot of outdated information, and its views on Indigenous peoples are very uncomfortable, I still found if interesting how far Anthropology and Archaeology has advanced since the 1930's.
The sections describing the Civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt are very engrossing though, and the introduction to Egypt was breathtaking. Dividing it by themes rather than chronology is a very helpful take, and really contained the large scope of information more digestible.
Its chapters on Judea really brought me back to reading bible stories when I was a kid, and its great how it examined these stories in a historical context. The evolution of this state religion as it was conquered by larger empires was fascinating.
I'm in the middle of India, and it is still amazing how there's all this amazing civilizations and ancient cultures that I didn't even get to learn in school.
Downside of listening to an audiobook is that there are no maps or pictures, but my handle on geography is OK.
While the section of pre-historic humans have a lot of outdated information, and its views on Indigenous peoples are very uncomfortable, I still found if interesting how far Anthropology and Archaeology has advanced since the 1930's.
The sections describing the Civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt are very engrossing though, and the introduction to Egypt was breathtaking. Dividing it by themes rather than chronology is a very helpful take, and really contained the large scope of information more digestible.
Its chapters on Judea really brought me back to reading bible stories when I was a kid, and its great how it examined these stories in a historical context. The evolution of this state religion as it was conquered by larger empires was fascinating.
I'm in the middle of India, and it is still amazing how there's all this amazing civilizations and ancient cultures that I didn't even get to learn in school.
Downside of listening to an audiobook is that there are no maps or pictures, but my handle on geography is OK.
I probably enjoyed Fahrenheit 451 more than The Handmaid's Tale but I read the former when I was 12 and the latter when I was 18. So I inherently think of F451 as a children'should book and The Handmaid's Tale as more adult? And while they're both dystopian and include stuff about censorship, The Handmaid's Tale is very much about gender and class in a way that F541 is not.
I also think Margaret Atwood has much stronger books(The Blind Assassin being my favorite) so The Handmaid's Tale was a let down in comparison.
Good to hear.
I'm still getting used to the structure.I probably enjoyed Fahrenheit 451 more than The Handmaid's Tale but I read the former when I was 12 and the latter when I was 18. So I inherently think of F451 as a children'should book and The Handmaid's Tale as more adult? And while they're both dystopian and include stuff about censorship, The Handmaid's Tale is very much about gender and class in a way that F541 is not.
I also think Margaret Atwood has much stronger books(The Blind Assassin being my favorite) so The Handmaid's Tale was a let down in comparison.
Good to hear.
I don't think I ever quite got a hold of it fully.
Just finished this and it might be one of my favorite fantasy series. I have a problem with a lot of military fiction in that they focus too much on the technical and not enough on the meat of the story, but this has managed to make the battles interesting without having to sacrifice the story or character development. Everyone has a proper reason to be there and the motivations are believable. I'm sure there are a few problems I would have with it if I gave it another read, but the fact that there was nothing obvious enough to bother me after finishing says a lot about how much I liked this book.
If there's one thing I can say that annoys the hell out of me it was the
MASSIVE FUCKING CLIFFHANGER DURING THE EPILOGUE! HOLY FUCK WHY DO I HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOK!?!?!
Here's hoping the next book comes out soon.
Atraveller
Banned
Man, you really love that book!A book I ordered arrived
I am very excited. It looks great!
Maklershed
Member
Finished up Little Big Man yesterday. Great book. I love Berger. Now on to News of the World.
News of the World by Paulette Jiles
News of the World by Paulette Jiles
I finished The Forever War last night and really liked it. Thanks for the recommendation, Aidan! I loved the ideas of the collapsar jumps and time dilation. I wish more sci-fi movies and TV series would take that aspect of galactic travel into account. Great book. And there seems to be a movie in the works starring Channing Tatum as Mandella? God...
This one is next for me:
This one is next for me:
Michael Chabon novels are on sale for $2-3 on the (US) Kindle store today: http://smile.amazon.com/gp/browse.html/ref=pe_2575320_234529440_pe_button/?node=7533915011
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay seems to be excluded, but I'd recommend checking out the Yiddish Policeman's Union. It won the Hugo and Nebula awards for best Science Fiction and Fantasy novel, but it's mostly alt-history. Israel was never formed, and the displaced Jews in WW2 were isolated in Alaska instead with no permanent citizenship.
The Final Solution is also a short and enjoyable detective story. I liked the Wonder Boys as a movie, but I haven't read the novel. I can't comment on the rest.
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay seems to be excluded, but I'd recommend checking out the Yiddish Policeman's Union. It won the Hugo and Nebula awards for best Science Fiction and Fantasy novel, but it's mostly alt-history. Israel was never formed, and the displaced Jews in WW2 were isolated in Alaska instead with no permanent citizenship.
The Final Solution is also a short and enjoyable detective story. I liked the Wonder Boys as a movie, but I haven't read the novel. I can't comment on the rest.
Funyarinpa
Member
Paul Auster's "The New York Trilogy" is 2$ on Kindle (US).
edit: I only read the first part (City of Glass) a short while ago. Didn't really hook me, but it's a bit weird. Feels like an experiment. Worth trying! I liked the prose.
edit: I only read the first part (City of Glass) a short while ago. Didn't really hook me, but it's a bit weird. Feels like an experiment. Worth trying! I liked the prose.
EdibleKnife
Member
Oh nice! Thanks
A book I ordered arrived
I am very excited. It looks great!
Hey Mumei, could you please tell me which version of The Story of the Stone would be best to read? I was thinking of getting the Penguin books, but wanted your input first.
Thanks! I will.
Hey Mumei, could you please tell me which version of The Story of the Stone would be best to read? I was thinking of getting the Penguin books, but wanted your input first.
Much like The Count of Monte Cristo, the only English translation you need to be reading is the Penguin Classics edition. That book I got has as a dedication to David Hawkes, one of the translators of the Penguin edition (along with his son-in-law, John Minford), and a quote from his Introduction to the first volume:
Ended up on my desk at work so I read "Dear Ijawele or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen SUggestions." Finished it in about 30 minutes. It's a letter written to her friend's baby daughter about how to raise her to be a feminist. Some very obvious stuff, but many times obvious things like "Let her pick a train instead of a doll," and using the term "Princess" aren't so obvious until written down. Curious about her fiction writing now.
Ended up on my desk at work so I read "Dear Ijawele or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen SUggestions." Finished it in about 30 minutes. It's a letter written to her friend's baby daughter about how to raise her to be a feminist. Some very obvious stuff, but many times obvious things like "Let her pick a train instead of a doll," and using the term "Princess" aren't so obvious until written down. Curious about her fiction writing now.
Funny, I just bought Adichie's We Should All Be Feminists a couple of hours ago. Looking forward to reading it.
Jag
Member
Just finished this and it might be one of my favorite fantasy series. I have a problem with a lot of military fiction in that they focus too much on the technical and not enough on the meat of the story, but this has managed to make the battles interesting without having to sacrifice the story or character development. Everyone has a proper reason to be there and the motivations are believable. I'm sure there are a few problems I would have with it if I gave it another read, but the fact that there was nothing obvious enough to bother me after finishing says a lot about how much I liked this book.
Have you read the Powder Mage series? Wonder how this compares.
Cool, thanks Mumei!
ncsuDuncan
Member
Just finished the audiobook of The Handmaid's Tale, it was great. Claire Danes does a fantastic job reading it.
Currently reading A Clockwork Orange. Next audiobook will likely be The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck.
Currently reading A Clockwork Orange. Next audiobook will likely be The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck.
Huh that's neat. Didn't know Claire Danes did the audiobook. Maybe now I can get my sister to read it. (She's obsessed with Claire Danes.)
Just finished this and it might be one of my favorite fantasy series. I have a problem with a lot of military fiction in that they focus too much on the technical and not enough on the meat of the story, but this has managed to make the battles interesting without having to sacrifice the story or character development. Everyone has a proper reason to be there and the motivations are believable. I'm sure there are a few problems I would have with it if I gave it another read, but the fact that there was nothing obvious enough to bother me after finishing says a lot about how much I liked this book.
If there's one thing I can say that annoys the hell out of me it was theMASSIVE FUCKING CLIFFHANGER DURING THE EPILOGUE! HOLY FUCK WHY DO I HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOK!?!?!
Here's hoping the next book comes out soon.
Oh man, I have the first two books, and for some reason I thought this was a trilogy. At least two more books to read then
EverythingShiny
Member
I just finished The Unseen World by Liz Moore. What an incredible book. It really upset me at times as my stepfather was just diagnosed with dementia so it hit very close to home, but it's a touching look at families, relationships and technology (particularly artificial intelligence). I've seen it described as a thriller but I wouldn't categorize it as one at all; I think people going in expecting a thriller would be disappointed as it's a bit of a slow burn.
ClosingADoor
Member
Finished: Last Citadel
Book about the German attack against the Russian, Operation Citadel. Written from the viewpoint of a few characters. I like these kind of books that tell a story but are also set in a historical setting. Decent read.
Now reading: Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day
It's about ghosts. When you die before your time, you become a ghost and need to take time from humans. And by doing that, the human becomes a bit younger. And you move on when you get enough time that you reach the age you should have died on.
The story is about Jenna, who's sister committed suicide. Right after her funeral, she also dies before her time and sticks around in the world trying to help people on a suicide hotline. It's a pretty interesting twist on ghosts and witches and nicely written. Almost finished, but a recommended read from me.
Book about the German attack against the Russian, Operation Citadel. Written from the viewpoint of a few characters. I like these kind of books that tell a story but are also set in a historical setting. Decent read.
Now reading: Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day
It's about ghosts. When you die before your time, you become a ghost and need to take time from humans. And by doing that, the human becomes a bit younger. And you move on when you get enough time that you reach the age you should have died on.
The story is about Jenna, who's sister committed suicide. Right after her funeral, she also dies before her time and sticks around in the world trying to help people on a suicide hotline. It's a pretty interesting twist on ghosts and witches and nicely written. Almost finished, but a recommended read from me.
Woot!
Time dilation is one of my favourite topics for SF novels. Can anyone else recommendation SF that features it at part of the plot?
Spin by Robert Charles Wilson comes to mind, but that's not exactly the same thing.
Spectromixer
Member
Finished reading The Handmaid's Tale and Unstoppable, Bill Nye's book on climate change.
Now I've started reading Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas. Not sure how I feel about this because it is YA but a friend recommended it and apprantly it is getting made into a Hulu series.
Now I've started reading Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas. Not sure how I feel about this because it is YA but a friend recommended it and apprantly it is getting made into a Hulu series.
The last two nights I read Red Rising and Golden Son, now I am starting on Morning Star. They are very enjoyable to read despite somehow feeling like fanfiction of a universe that wouldn't exist without them. Odd.
It does make me want to read some more science fantasy though, recommendations?
It does make me want to read some more science fantasy though, recommendations?
FlowersisBritish
fleurs n'est pas britannique
I can't say the book is good, or that it 100% focuses on time dilation(I stopped after the first 100 pages, and looked at reviews where people say the second half doesn't save it), but the One-Eyed Man by L. E. Modesitt Jr begins with the main character using time dilation to essentially
skip out on child support
I read a lot of YA books and would put the Throne of Glass series in the middle of the pack... I read all of the current books over the course of almost two weeks back in October. I thought the writing was just okay in the beginning but it started getting better by the third book. The plot is interesting and there are a lot of characters to follow. I'm not in love with it but I like it enough to already have the next book pre-ordered for my Kindle.
I do love SJM's second series though. A Court of Thorns and Roses. I actually read it right before ToG, which probably didn't help with how I viewed her early writing style. The third book comes out next month and I just finished rereading the first two so I'm pretty excited. This is one of those series where I bought the Kindle versions because I wasn't sure how much I would like the books and didn't want to take up precious space on my shelves. Now I have the hardcover versions as well and I'm already debating which book(s) I'll have to remove from my shelves to make room for the third one lol.
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