I've got your book right here. It's kinda like The Sisters Brothers set in a dark, Grimm's fairytale world:
The Sad Tale of the Brothers Grossbart by Jesse Bullington
And now I understand another reference in The Witcher 3.
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What are you reading? (January 2017)
- Thread starter Maklershed
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And now I understand another reference in The Witcher 3.
I have been making my way through Niall Ferguson's Civilization: The West and the Rest
The book is a recap of the past 500-600 years of history in an attempt to explain why western Europe overtook the eastern civilizations in predominance beginning in the late 15th century, and culminating with the European and American empire building of the 19th and 20th centuries.
I have read a lot of the history that is being covered so far in previous books, but the framing is a bit different. It seems like his main thesis is that theocratic or monarchic power was never consolidated in Europe (thanks to the Protestant reformation and constant in-fighting), allowing for increased competition and an inability to enforce a progress stifling status quo.
The innovations in science, governance, and economics of the 17th-20th centuries followed from that. He also seems to be foreshadowing a prediction of the end of western predominance in the nearish future.
The book is a recap of the past 500-600 years of history in an attempt to explain why western Europe overtook the eastern civilizations in predominance beginning in the late 15th century, and culminating with the European and American empire building of the 19th and 20th centuries.
I have read a lot of the history that is being covered so far in previous books, but the framing is a bit different. It seems like his main thesis is that theocratic or monarchic power was never consolidated in Europe (thanks to the Protestant reformation and constant in-fighting), allowing for increased competition and an inability to enforce a progress stifling status quo.
The innovations in science, governance, and economics of the 17th-20th centuries followed from that. He also seems to be foreshadowing a prediction of the end of western predominance in the nearish future.
I'm a little over halfway through Blood Meridian, but I've had to take a break. The book has me slightly unnerved, which is not unusual it seems.
I've also been reading this collection of Chekov short stories that I bought forever ago. These are really nice, and often pretty funny.
I've also been reading this collection of Chekov short stories that I bought forever ago. These are really nice, and often pretty funny.
I decided to give a collection of his a try as well, mostly because The Fellowship of the Ring is kind of boring. I'm through Tower of Babylon, Understand, Division by Zero, and Story of Your Life so far. It's been interesting, he has some cool ideas.
Regarding Story of Your Life specifically, and without having seen the movie, time and language are the two outstanding parts.
The first he sets up brilliantly, those last paragraphs trigger a key puzzle piece falling into place feeling while creating a whole other dimension to the main character's relationship with her daughter, it's sublime. Language written sort of unburdened of linear time is the cool ideas part, but it wouldn't make for a great story on its own, which has been a shortcoming of his other stuff I've read.
From a philosophical view, I didn't find the argument for the nature of the aliens' mind convincing. People have been trying to rationalize God's omniscience and free will existing together for ages. Speaking of which, I noticed He doesn't come up, teleological arguments for Him are fraught with potholes as well. It doesn't mar the story of course.
From a philosophical view, I didn't find the argument for the nature of the aliens' mind convincing. People have been trying to rationalize God's omniscience and free will existing together for ages. Speaking of which, I noticed He doesn't come up, teleological arguments for Him are fraught with potholes as well. It doesn't mar the story of course.
Seeing all the recommendations for "House of leaves" makes me remember a book I read about a few years back, and might actuallyw ant to investigate now. It was a very unusual book where different people were writing notes alongside the text and having conversations in the notes, and I think that was half the experience itself.
I know it's not much to go on, but does anyone know what i'm on about :/
I know it's not much to go on, but does anyone know what i'm on about :/
That's the one, thanks. Reading about it now makes it sound a bit intimidating ans seems like it might be a bit of an overwhelming experience!
I personally wasn't all that impressed with it and actually stopped reading it halfway through, but obviously I'm sure some people here might have loved it.
I felt underwhelming, the concept is cool and lays nice on my shelf but the content it's boring
I'm about 150 pages in now and so far I actually really like it. I think I'll persevere! Now I'm just wondering if I really want to read Deadhouse Gates immediately after or not. Because I've got about 10 other books I got from Christmas that deserve some reading as well.
ClosingADoor
Member
China Mieville is your guy. The City & the City and Kraken are good works from him.
Oh, and Alice (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23398606-alice). Nice twist on the Alice story, reminds of the American McGee Alice games, in that the world is messed up and so is Alice and all the other characters.
Maklershed
Member
Finished The Heavenly Table. Good book and a fun read but I'm not sure I liked it as much as The Devil All the Time or Knockemstiff. Now on to the much loved The Fifth Season. Hopefully I like it as much as everyone else seems to.
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
DyslexicAlucard
Member
Just finished "The Stone Diaries" by Carol Shields for the second time. It's a great novel that explores the idea of an autobiography and how different people view one person and life differently. A good read that changes its style -- from first-person narrative to third-person to epistolary style to plain facts -- and takes advantage of such to make a point for each.
So I'm now going into "Monkey Beach" by Eden Robison, also for the second time (for school again.) It's a book I'd categorize as magic realism that has a main character -- a young woman in a small, traditional aboriginal town -- struggle to reconcile her cultural traditions with modern life following the disappearance of her brother off British Columbia's Pacific coast. Another Canadian classic that I'm looking forward to digging into once again.
And for those with a Kindle or other device with the Kindle app, Kurt Vonnegut's classic, "Cat's Cradle," is on sale for $2. He's my favourite author, so I obviously highly recommend it.
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B000SEH13C/
So I'm now going into "Monkey Beach" by Eden Robison, also for the second time (for school again.) It's a book I'd categorize as magic realism that has a main character -- a young woman in a small, traditional aboriginal town -- struggle to reconcile her cultural traditions with modern life following the disappearance of her brother off British Columbia's Pacific coast. Another Canadian classic that I'm looking forward to digging into once again.
And for those with a Kindle or other device with the Kindle app, Kurt Vonnegut's classic, "Cat's Cradle," is on sale for $2. He's my favourite author, so I obviously highly recommend it.
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B000SEH13C/
Rug Monkey
Member
Lots of good suggestions, if you want to go the Classic route there's always Kafka's Metamorphosis, Nicolai Gogol's 'The Nose, and other stories', or the slightly more modern Mervyn Peake's Gormenghast books.
GasProblem
Member
Still reading Assassins Quest. When I finish that I'm going to start the Red Rising trilogy.
I'm pretty excited for Mass Effect Andromeda. I've never read a book in the same vain. Any reccomendation for books that feature spaceships, a crew, exploring different planets, alien plant/life forms etc? (besides the Mass Effect books themselves)
I'm pretty excited for Mass Effect Andromeda. I've never read a book in the same vain. Any reccomendation for books that feature spaceships, a crew, exploring different planets, alien plant/life forms etc? (besides the Mass Effect books themselves)
ClosingADoor
Member
Started on Fatherland. 1964, Hitler has won the war and conquered his 'lebensraum'. There is a murder in Berlin and you follow a cop there. First chapter is decent so far, see how the rest is.
Servbot #42
Unconfirmed Member
This book was pretty silly, the main character is a former thief because thiefs are cool i guess and he is also a master of disguise and can emulate other people's voices, it just felt a bit too much for me. However i didn't hate the book but i also i didn't particularly like it. I did forgot that this was a sort of sequel to the ice limit which made a certain company's appearance somewhat of a surprise. Also i never knew
Room-temperature superconductors could be such a transformative technology, that's neat.
Funyarinpa
Member
Just checked out Paul Auster's New York Trilogy and the prose is amazing holy shit
So I recently purchased the Little Black Classics Box Set from Penguin and was wondering how you guys would count them for the 50/50 challenge. Most of the books are between 50-100 pages long. The OP in that thread says 100 pages or more for a book to count, so would you count two as one? three as one? In the past the only books shorter than 100 pages that I have counted as one book were plays by Shakespeare.
Maklershed
Member
Thought I'd share this - Reddit's book subreddit has finalized their voting for their favorite books published in 2016. The results:
https://www.reddit.com/r/books/comments/5nzahg/best_books_of_2016_results/
https://www.reddit.com/r/books/comments/5nzahg/best_books_of_2016_results/
I second this recommendation for any fans of Mass Effect. Plus, this October the "sequel" to this book A Close and Common Orbit was released and it's also fantastic.
Plasticine
Member
Finished Night Life by Caitlin Kittredge. Not bad. Really easy to read. Underneath the supernatural elements, it was a pretty straight forward murder mystery. Some of the stuff did bother me. Like the over-use of the word "hex" instead of regular swear words. The sex scene felt really contrived. Also I thought the author took the "tough" female lead thing a bit far and made her seem like an asshole instead of guarded. I can definitely see why these things are popular.
Up next:
Keeping with the Urban Fantasy stuff. Based on reviews, it seems pretty well regarded. So far, I'm enjoying it. We'll see how it goes.
Up next:
Keeping with the Urban Fantasy stuff. Based on reviews, it seems pretty well regarded. So far, I'm enjoying it. We'll see how it goes.
What a funny coincidence, I just started too and thought the same thing. I am only about 200 pages into it but already I seem to put the book down every chapter or even paragraph and just think about what was written. I had meant to read something else but this was one of the only accessible in my collection, a good surprise though I knew how highly it was praised.
The realization I will have the ability to play Witcher 3 led me to begin the book series, starting with The Last Wish. Only found it to be a decent read. I plan to continue with it but mostly due to my interest in the game series. I am happy to know I know who the hell Yennifer is now. Witcher 1 and 2 did nothing to teach the player about her significance.
Debating about if I should just leap into the second book, Sword of Destiny, or if I should read an actual classic. Leaning towards the latter and reading either Brave New World, Forever War, or The Handmaid's Tale.
Debating about if I should just leap into the second book, Sword of Destiny, or if I should read an actual classic. Leaning towards the latter and reading either Brave New World, Forever War, or The Handmaid's Tale.
Maklershed
Member
I know they say not to judge a book by its cover but its funny how much more tantalizing that book looks in your post compared to what's on Amazon ...
GasProblem
Member
What a funny coincidence, I just started too and thought the same thing. I am only about 200 pages into it but already I seem to put the book down every chapter or even paragraph and just think about what was written. I had meant to read something else but this was one of the only accessible in my collection, a good surprise though I knew how highly it was praised.
I am also reading a Penguin Classics edition, though I have a different cover:
It's also very funny:
Yessss
I really like the painting chosen for my Oxford edition although it doesn't quite capture the scope of the novel
Sure is! One of the things I try to convince people of when I'm pushing the book. I laugh, I cry, I clap my hands. Man, it's time for a re-read. I'm starting to forget the details.
Most importantly, your favorite character so far?
FlowersisBritish
fleurs n'est pas britannique
I did not wake up today expecting a bunch of love for Middlemarch. Great book, but kind of shocked at all the love. Though its been awhile. I guess count me in for that rereading club or whatever. Actually, nvm that book is long as shit. Maybe I'll reread later....
I really love Dorothea's character, her and Celia remind me of Elizabeth and Kitty somewhat. Though Dodo has that sad ambition of a person who wants beyond their position in life. She is a Bovary in that sense, but I do not see her having the cunning or courage of Emma (for better or for worse, yet to be seen).
Personally the most relatable characters have been either Will, somewhat aimlessly sauntering through life or Fred, who seems down on his luck with no friends to confide in. Though from what I have read there has not been much attention to them yet.
"I am seeing so much all at once, and not understanding half of it. That always makes one feel stupid. It is painful to be told that anything is very fine and not be able to feel that it is fine — something like being blind, while people talk of the sky."
Quotable
" ... One must be poor to know the luxury of giving!"
Personally the most relatable characters have been either Will, somewhat aimlessly sauntering through life or Fred, who seems down on his luck with no friends to confide in. Though from what I have read there has not been much attention to them yet.
"I am seeing so much all at once, and not understanding half of it. That always makes one feel stupid. It is painful to be told that anything is very fine and not be able to feel that it is fine — something like being blind, while people talk of the sky."
Quotable
" ... One must be poor to know the luxury of giving!"
Ravensmash
Member
I did not get on with Middlemarch at school. I vaguely recall having to read it all very quickly and think I gave up 
All this praise makes me want to give it another go for pleasure though.
And...
300 pages in and I'm finally 'into' Red Seas Under Red Skies.
All this praise makes me want to give it another go for pleasure though.
And...
300 pages in and I'm finally 'into' Red Seas Under Red Skies.
LittleBoots
Member
Barnes and Noble Overview:
Absolutely excellent memoir. I first heard of it after watching the trailer for the documentary, which I hear is also excellent. Here's the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n7fosK9UyY
Finished Jagannath. Enjoyed it immensely - some of the stories fall a bit flat but the imagery is really striking in the stronger ones. I think this is her debut as well, so will definitely keep an eye out for what she does next.
I'm doing the 50/50 challenge this year, so started out with some light fantasy. I've read The Straight Razor Cure which wasn't great, and A Darker Shade of Magic which I enjoyed a fair bit. Just starting on the next one in the series.
I'm doing the 50/50 challenge this year, so started out with some light fantasy. I've read The Straight Razor Cure which wasn't great, and A Darker Shade of Magic which I enjoyed a fair bit. Just starting on the next one in the series.
I knew you would be pleased.
Oh, I don't even know. I feel like I like all the characters, even the ones who have a tendency to act a bit daft. I did particularly latch onto Dorothea early on, though. "What answer was possible to such stupid complimenting?" is still hysterical.
You know, while I agree with how you feel about Dorothea, I didn't feel that way about Emma Bovary. She seemed rather unsophisticated to me.
Absolutely excellent memoir. I first heard of it after watching the trailer for the documentary, which I hear is also excellent. Here's the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n7fosK9UyY
I really liked the documentary. It was a bit of an uncomfortable watch at times, but it still quite charming.
Well I wouldn't call her sophisticated either, though my love for that character might say otherwise. I think when I look at Emma I see a person who wanted to be swept away, someone who wanted a crazy love story life. She settled for what she could but fought in her own way to find what she wanted. Dodo has some similarities here, she obviously is looking for a mentor/father/teacher but settles with what she can, whether it is the knowledge or the figure she seeks and how far she is willing to go to get it is the question. Where I see them differ is what I eluded to, if Dodo's ambitions come crumbling down I do not see her being as radical as Emma. But who knows, I am usually wrong in trying to predict the outcome of novels haha.
HerbertBirdsfoot
Member
Currently reading and it's quite good. Holy shit was Rockefeller's dad something else. First Chernow I have read.
Zelenogorsk
Banned
Finished Stephen King's The Dead Zone. Loved the low-key feel the book had, and I liked that the "evil" in the book was anything but supernatural. Religious fanaticism, media, criminals, politicians, insurance (or a lack thereof), a lot of the book felt like King just musing on shitty aspects of society in a very entertaining way. Johnny Smith was a great protagonist and I can relate to his general reluctance to get involved in anything. Last thing I'll say is that for a book about someone who can see the future, there are some pretty prescient parallels between Greg Stillson and a certain American president. Made for an interesting read in 2016.
EverythingShiny
Member
After having it sit on my shelf for years (I bought it the week it came out), I've finally gotten around to reading All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. Really enjoying it so far and I can only imagine how much research went into the book.
On audiobook, I'm listening to Trevor Noah's Born a Crime and on Kindle I'm reading Hidden Figures. Starting the year off with some great titles.
On audiobook, I'm listening to Trevor Noah's Born a Crime and on Kindle I'm reading Hidden Figures. Starting the year off with some great titles.
I was mega sick for nearly 10 days straight, so I failed miserably at the promise of finishing Swan Song in a short amount of time. But now I'm focused back on it, post haste!
I feel good about this year. I plan on reading a bunch this year. Really enjoying reading everyone else's choices, too.
I feel good about this year. I plan on reading a bunch this year. Really enjoying reading everyone else's choices, too.
I've set myself a much more realistic challenge this year (50 last year was silly in hindsight, particularly with some of the books I started the year on) - 25 I'm sure I can achieve!
Although I've picked a couple of fairly hefty tomes to start with in Swan Song and The Once and Future King.
Although I've picked a couple of fairly hefty tomes to start with in Swan Song and The Once and Future King.
Chiaroscuro
Member
Just finished it (tecnically it was a December reading, I was just missing to finish a short story).
Half way throught. This book goes into places. Fascinating reading about the Cognitive Revolution of mankind. Althought after it the books becomes more repetitive, but still very interesting.
And I think I will continue with this one:
ShiroAmakusa
Member
About halfway through and enjoying it very much.
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