i like them both separately a lot. it's a shame that was his final novel though.
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What are you reading? (February 2012)
- Thread starter Maklershed
- Start date
i like them both separately a lot. it's a shame that was his final novel though.
RubxQub
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Just finished "The Well of Ascension", the 2nd book in the Mistborn trilogy...and I'm moving onto the final book now!
It's weird. I've been pretty outwardly against reading books in the past, but I'm devouring this series with the greatest of ease...finding excuses to not do other things so I can keep reading more and more. Such a great series so far.
Onto the last book, "The Hero of Ages":
It's weird. I've been pretty outwardly against reading books in the past, but I'm devouring this series with the greatest of ease...finding excuses to not do other things so I can keep reading more and more. Such a great series so far.
Onto the last book, "The Hero of Ages":
At Cyan's command, you might want to give Among Others by Jo Walton and The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht a look. Both feature great female leads, are somewhat contemporary (70s and 80s, respectively) and light fantastical elements. If those tickle your fancy, also check out Of Blood and Honey by Stina Leicht. It features a male lead, but it's a fantasy set amidst the Troubles in 70s Ireland. Terrific read.
DOBERMAN INC
Member
Knocked it out of the park, Thank you. Just ordered "Among Others" and have the others on my wishlist.
Thanks for the help everyone.
BanShunsaku
Member
Had to pull myself away from Amalur last night to get back into this, but loving it (spoilers)
Egwene was just raised to the Amyrlin Seat. The next chapter is called "When Battle Begins". Shit is getting real!
Literally came here to post that I finished "For Whom The Bell Tolls" by Earnest Hemmingway. The protagonist's name is Robert Jordan. Ill probably start either the scarlet letter or a Tom Robbins novel after Valentine's day.
Had to pull myself away from Amalur last night to get back into this, but loving it (spoilers)Egwene was just raised to the Amyrlin Seat. The next chapter is called "When Battle Begins". Shit is getting real!
Hunterchief117
Neo Member
Just started Star Wars Legacy of the Force Betrayal. Legacy is the only era I haven't read through, so I'm really looking forward to where they take the series.
I liked Libra a lot actually, especially coming off 11/22/63, since it was a much more humanizing portrayal of Oswald. King's Oswald is pretty much an a-hole who beats the crap of Marina except for a few places where the narrator shows some sympathy (and even then it's mostly for Marina and June). Oswald's much more central to DeLillo's story, so naturally he's much more fleshed out. He's still deeply flawed, no doubt, but it's much easier to see him as a whole person rather than just the guy who assassinated the president. I'm still amazed that he was only 24. Although, Jared Loughner (middle name: Lee) was only 23, so I guess I shouldn't be too surprised.
For those interested in The Prague Cemetary, there's an interesting note on its Amazon page:
I suppose I'm the first type of reader, knowing little about 19th cent. literature (Dumas figures prominently in the novel) and enjoying Dan Brown books (but not taking them seriously). Also, the main is character is, indeed, cynical and disagreeable.
I know you said no YA stuff, but Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett is a must. It's an absolutely fantastic book no matter your age.
DownLikeBCPowder
Member
Please do let us know. Was alerted to this the other day, but also read the translation is a bit rough around the edges. I'm interested in this style so it doesn't deter me much.
Snowman Prophet of Doom
Member
Awesome. Moby-Dick's one of those books that you're almost sad to finish, A) because it's so good, and B) you get that feeling like whatever you read next will almost necessarily be worse.
bloodydrake
Cool Smoke Luke
Finished up with Monster Hunter Alpha..think its the best of the series so far..love it when a book just grabs hold of ya and you can't sleep till its done.
Moving on to Lies of Locke Lamora..
Has a nice flow and charm right from the beginning, about an hour in and I'm more interested in Locke's story then I was in Kvothes story at the beginning of the Name of the Wind(which I did like quite abit).
Seems to have a general feeling of whimsical mischievousness to it. Seems like its gonna be an enjoyable read.
Moving on to Lies of Locke Lamora..
Has a nice flow and charm right from the beginning, about an hour in and I'm more interested in Locke's story then I was in Kvothes story at the beginning of the Name of the Wind(which I did like quite abit).
Seems to have a general feeling of whimsical mischievousness to it. Seems like its gonna be an enjoyable read.
Snowman Prophet of Doom
Member
By the way, if you've never read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith, you should definitely get on that. It's a WONDERFUL book, probably one of the best that I've read, especially the way that it captures and transports you to a bygone era - not through the sort of rote description that so often bogs books down, but by sharing with us what those things meant to the characters, allowing us to make those sorts of connections ourselves.
Got through about half of it tonight, would've finished it if I had the time. It's pretty good, and reminds me of Murakami's stuff; a quirk of the translation maybe, considering how the two write in different languages and all that. It's a very soft dystopia, one that seems all the more plausible because of it.
I'm not wowed or anything, but I'm enjoying it.
kruis
Exposing the sinister cartel of retailers who allow companies to pay for advertising space.
Finished yesterday:
A good but not great spy novel. It's clear the author did a *lot* of research, but I really didn't need to be told every single street the protagonist passed through. Besides that, you got a good feel for living in Nazi Germany just before the invasion of Czechoslovakia and Poland. The book lacked scenes that made the reader sit up, it just wasn't very gripping and exciting. It lacked the "I gotta finish the chapter OMG" rush completely.
Now reading (this exact edition):
A good but not great spy novel. It's clear the author did a *lot* of research, but I really didn't need to be told every single street the protagonist passed through. Besides that, you got a good feel for living in Nazi Germany just before the invasion of Czechoslovakia and Poland. The book lacked scenes that made the reader sit up, it just wasn't very gripping and exciting. It lacked the "I gotta finish the chapter OMG" rush completely.
Now reading (this exact edition):
Honorable mention for casting Patrick Stewart and giving him no dialog. In two whole miniseries.
beelzebozo
Jealous Bastard
BRIEF INTERVIEWS WITH HIDEOUS MEN by david foster wallace.
i've been reading a lot of dfw lately. essays and articles, mostly. this was my first experience with his fiction, and though i started out sort of mixed on the first fiftyish pages, i got into the groove of the book and it ended so strong. it's incredible what a wide variance in styles there are here, and what dfw accomplishes in form. his deconstruction of the structure of his writing, and his ability to cut through bullshit and point to hard truths about people is so refreshing and powerful.
one question though: can anybody who's read the book help me understand the section titled "CHURCH NOT MADE WITH HANDS"?
i've been reading a lot of dfw lately. essays and articles, mostly. this was my first experience with his fiction, and though i started out sort of mixed on the first fiftyish pages, i got into the groove of the book and it ended so strong. it's incredible what a wide variance in styles there are here, and what dfw accomplishes in form. his deconstruction of the structure of his writing, and his ability to cut through bullshit and point to hard truths about people is so refreshing and powerful.
one question though: can anybody who's read the book help me understand the section titled "CHURCH NOT MADE WITH HANDS"?
Alot of people do! Foucaults Pendulum or "the thinking person's Da Vinci Code".
I've heard this as well.
evilpigking
Member
I'm reading it faster than I expected. I liked the First Law trilogy but maybe because this is a stand alone, the pace seems a lot faster and narrative tighter.
Currently reading Okinawa: The History of an Island People
A bit off-topic, what can one expect to get for selling off hardcover books these days? Was offered around $20 for GAFs favorite Sword of truth series and don't know whether to laugh at that or jump on it. FYI, looking to move my collection into ebooks.
A bit off-topic, what can one expect to get for selling off hardcover books these days? Was offered around $20 for GAFs favorite Sword of truth series and don't know whether to laugh at that or jump on it. FYI, looking to move my collection into ebooks.
Depends on where you sell it. Bookstores are going to give you pennies for every dollar you spent. More if you ebay it or whatever, but even then you aren't going to get more than three, four bucks unless the book is rare, out of print, etc.
$20 is a good deal, especially for Goodkind.
At my dad's insistence, I'm reading
The Lost Gate - Orson Scott Card
Bout 150 pages in. It's an enjoyable read, but nothing special. None of Card's stuff does much for me outside of the Ender/Shadow series. The Lost Gate would probably be a bit more enjoyable if I wasn't already spoiled by Gaiman when it comes to Modern/Urban Fantasy. But, my dad loves Card's stuff to death so he kept on insisting that I should read it.
I'm looking for a couple books to read, and currently have these three in my cart on Amazon. Should I go through with it?
John Dies at the End - David Wong
Neuromancer - William Gibson
The Final Empire (Mistborn, Book 1) - Brandon Sanderson
The Lost Gate - Orson Scott Card
Bout 150 pages in. It's an enjoyable read, but nothing special. None of Card's stuff does much for me outside of the Ender/Shadow series. The Lost Gate would probably be a bit more enjoyable if I wasn't already spoiled by Gaiman when it comes to Modern/Urban Fantasy. But, my dad loves Card's stuff to death so he kept on insisting that I should read it.
I'm looking for a couple books to read, and currently have these three in my cart on Amazon. Should I go through with it?
John Dies at the End - David Wong
Neuromancer - William Gibson
The Final Empire (Mistborn, Book 1) - Brandon Sanderson
kruis
Exposing the sinister cartel of retailers who allow companies to pay for advertising space.
At my dad's insistence, I'm reading
The Lost Gate - Orson Scott Card
Bout 150 pages in. It's an enjoyable read, but nothing special. None of Card's stuff does much for me outside of the Ender/Shadow series. The Lost Gate would probably be a bit more enjoyable if I wasn't already spoiled by Gaiman when it comes to Modern/Urban Fantasy. But, my dad loves Card's stuff to death so he kept on insisting that I should read it.
I'm looking for a couple books to read, and currently have these three in my cart on Amazon. Should I go through with it?
John Dies at the End - David Wong
Neuromancer - William Gibson
The Final Empire (Mistborn, Book 1) - Brandon Sanderson
Skip Neuromancer. Very overrated book. It jumpstarted a new SF genre, but 20 years later it's just silly. Faux noir. Awkward language. Weak plot.
BRIEF INTERVIEWS WITH HIDEOUS MEN by david foster wallace.
i've been reading a lot of dfw lately. essays and articles, mostly. this was my first experience with his fiction, and though i started out sort of mixed on the first fiftyish pages, i got into the groove of the book and it ended so strong. it's incredible what a wide variance in styles there are here, and what dfw accomplishes in form. his deconstruction of the structure of his writing, and his ability to cut through bullshit and point to hard truths about people is so refreshing and powerful.
one question though: can anybody who's read the book help me understand the section titled "CHURCH NOT MADE WITH HANDS"?
Been a while since I read it and most of it went over my head, but I took it to be about how numbed the mind becomes after a personal tragedy, so much so that it can't really focus on important events and instead gets distracted by tiny details and loses track of time. Wallace was trying to capture and evoke the protagonist's disorientation and disconnection after the loss of his (the protagonist's) daughter.
Really excellent collection of stories. Octet and the final Brief Interview blew my mind when I first read them.
Whenever Brandon Sanderson pops up I always have to recommend him. Keep him in your cart.
Alot of people do! Foucaults Pendulum or "the thinking person's Da Vinci Code".
Well, that's quote I can get behind!
'fraid not, unfortunately.
beelzebozo
Jealous Bastard
very astute read on that! thank you.
i also loved "octet" and the last interview. "the depressed person" is also just devastating, don't you think?
dfw <3
Snowman Prophet of Doom
Member
About ten years ahead of you, brosef.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn was my pick in a favorite book thread we had recently, iirc. Read it in 8th grade, didn't like it (what can I say - 12yo me had poor taste!), then came back to it last year and completely turned around.
It's the best example of the genre of "slice-of-life" that I can think of in any medium. Every sweet, sad, musty little detail brings meaning and richness to the world and its characters, as opposed to plaguing it with excessive listing syndrome. It's so wonderful.
I teared up a bit when
Johnny died.
Jason's Ultimatum
Member
Heard Punch Brothers playing "NYC" on Leno last night. What an amazing song.
I'll check out the rest of their music.
I'll check out the rest of their music.
Neuromancer
Member
Neuromancer is one of my favorite books of all time. Yes the text can be quite dense at times but it's a scifi classic, invented the genre cyberpunk, and it's a great heist story to boot. I've read it probably 10 times.
Martin Amis is a secret gamer.
http://www.themillions.com/2012/02/the-arcades-project-martin-amis-guide-to-classic-video-games.html
http://www.themillions.com/2012/02/the-arcades-project-martin-amis-guide-to-classic-video-games.html
Neffarias_Bredd
Member
never would have guessed! I just finished it yesterday, I really liked it but I definitely need another read through. I feel like I skimmed through some of the more difficult sections of the book, and now that I know and understand more, everything will sink in
Finished The Darkness That Comes Before by Scott Bakker. I loved it! The characterisation is just amazing. It's so deep and philosophical, really brilliant. I've never read anything like this and I've never read 200 pages of a book in one day, not even ASOIAF! I was so hooked.
The story itself is good as well. It's more of a vehicle for Bakker to continue developing his characters (which is not a bad thing) and is clearly inspired by the Crusades (= the Holy War). The Fanim are the Muslims (they even waged a White Jihad against another faction so that's pretty clear). The Inrithi are the western countries although with an eastern flavour. Ikurei Conphas and Ikurei Xerius... Byzantine? Maithanet the Shria = Pope, Shimeh = Jerusalem, Scylvendi = Mongolians.
The northern part of the story with the extinct Anasurimbor High Kings and the No God etc. seems to be more LotR inspired. And added to the mix are the Schools.
But yeah, the main thing are the characters (Kellhus, Cnaiur, Achamian, Esmenet etc).
On a side note: Throughout the reading of this book I listened to Brave New World by Iron Maiden which complimented the atmosphere very well imo.
Can't wait to read The Warrior Prophet (it should have been here by now... Royal Mail grrr!)
The story itself is good as well. It's more of a vehicle for Bakker to continue developing his characters (which is not a bad thing) and is clearly inspired by the Crusades (= the Holy War). The Fanim are the Muslims (they even waged a White Jihad against another faction so that's pretty clear). The Inrithi are the western countries although with an eastern flavour. Ikurei Conphas and Ikurei Xerius... Byzantine? Maithanet the Shria = Pope, Shimeh = Jerusalem, Scylvendi = Mongolians.
The northern part of the story with the extinct Anasurimbor High Kings and the No God etc. seems to be more LotR inspired. And added to the mix are the Schools.
But yeah, the main thing are the characters (Kellhus, Cnaiur, Achamian, Esmenet etc).
On a side note: Throughout the reading of this book I listened to Brave New World by Iron Maiden which complimented the atmosphere very well imo.
Can't wait to read The Warrior Prophet (it should have been here by now... Royal Mail grrr!)
Crud. I just want Brandon Sanderson to finish it so he can write the Way of Kings sequel faster.
He has finished it. Towers of Midnight was rushed out the door and neither Tor (the publisher) nor Harriet (Jordan's wife and now overseer of the series) were happy about some of the sloppiness, mistakes an typos that went along with the rush job. They want to ensure that this doesn't happen with A Memory of Light, which accounts for the 'delay.'
backflip10019
Member
About to start:
I really just want to check it out to hear more about what Larry David is like off camera.
I really just want to check it out to hear more about what Larry David is like off camera.
I want that sequel so bad.
I really do need to check out his WoT books at some point. I have had the hardcover of Gathering Storm for forever, but I just haven't had the wherewithal to pick that monstrosity up. Honestly I'll probably just re-buy it on Kindle if I'm ever going to read it.
Maybe once I finish Revelation Space.
About to finish the Hunger Games. Before that read all 7 of the Harry Potter books for the first time.
Any recommendations for similar type of books/series? In between grad school workload and full time job, I love reading something entertaining. Both the HP and HG series filled that need, even if they aren't considered to be literary masterpieces (Hunger Games mostly since I know Harry Potter is well regarded).
Should I start The Hobbit? I never enjoyed the LOTR movies since I never read the books and couldn't get as into it as everyone else.
Any recommendations for similar type of books/series? In between grad school workload and full time job, I love reading something entertaining. Both the HP and HG series filled that need, even if they aren't considered to be literary masterpieces (Hunger Games mostly since I know Harry Potter is well regarded).
Should I start The Hobbit? I never enjoyed the LOTR movies since I never read the books and couldn't get as into it as everyone else.
Combichristoffersen
Combovers don't work when there is no hair
The Hobbit is great, and it's a much lighter read than LotR. There's also the His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman (personally I found it to be rather boring and overrated, but ymmv), Neil Gaiman's Stardust which is just absolutely wonderful, the Inkheart trilogy by Cornelia Funke (the first book was the best IMO), Michael Ende's Neverending Story, Susanna Clarke's Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (the first 1/3 - 1/2 of the book can be a bit dry though) and, if you don't mind some rehashing of ideas from Star Wars and LotR, the Inheritance cycle by Christopher Paolini.