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What are you reading? (July 2011)
- Thread starter Maklershed
- Start date
DrForester
Kills Photobucket
Got "A Game of Thrones" to break in my new Kindle now that I finished "Spice and Wolf" Only a few chapters in, and am enjoying it.
On "Spice and Wolf", it was excellent, a bit more fleshed out than the anime, but the anime was apparently almost a scene for scene adaptation. Eager to read the rest of the books out currently, but will wait till after "A Game of Thrones" (and maybe the other books).
On "Spice and Wolf", it was excellent, a bit more fleshed out than the anime, but the anime was apparently almost a scene for scene adaptation. Eager to read the rest of the books out currently, but will wait till after "A Game of Thrones" (and maybe the other books).
ThisWreckage
Banned
Has anyone ever read Winesburg, Ohio?
The book is exceedingly fascinating, especially if you ever lived in or grew up in a small town.
The book is exceedingly fascinating, especially if you ever lived in or grew up in a small town.
These are the last three books I read. Coal Black Horse and Far Bright Star are the first two books in a currently unfinished trilogy. The first set during the American Civil War and the second during the Mexican Revolution. The first about a father, the second about his sons. Very violent and nearly absurd in some of the details. Olmstead's writing is amazing. Simple and lyrical and he speaks of war as if a force of nature.
The Devil All the Time I read between those two. Pollock's diction is definitely a lot more contemporary. The subject matter is definitely familiar ground: post-war preachers, orphans, killers and lawmen in the South just below above the Mason-Dixon, but he handles them in such a way as to avoid their most common stereotypes. The fabric made of these characters' weaved threads is something really special. A really good first novel. I need to pick up Pollock's short story collection: Knockemstiff.
And I just started The Sisters Brothers, by Patrick DeWitt. I picked it up on a whim (the cover might've had something to do with it), but I think I'm really going to enjoy it.
Wiktor
Member
Just finished this
I bought it solely because of Jim Butcher's recomendation. I really liked it, it felt rushed in some places, but the setting and characters were great and reading it provided me with a lot of fun.
Yesterday I've started reading:
Glad to have you back Harry, it's been way too long
I bought it solely because of Jim Butcher's recomendation. I really liked it, it felt rushed in some places, but the setting and characters were great and reading it provided me with a lot of fun.
Yesterday I've started reading:
Glad to have you back Harry, it's been way too long
Granger Danger
Member
This book sounds awesome, I ordered it right away after looking it up on Amazon. I love this genre.Esnel Pla said:
Esnel Pla said:
And I just started The Sisters Brothers, by Patrick DeWitt. I picked it up on a whim (the cover might've had something to do with it), but I think I'm really going to enjoy it.
This was a fun book. A series of aimless, diverting adventures that somehow becomes something more in the end.
Also just started The Devil All the Time. You, sir, have exquisite taste.
nakedsushi
Member
Finished!
A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin
3/5 stars. This shit is getting too long and prosey. It's like an episode of Lost where none of your questions are answered, but more are posed. The good thing is, I'm now NOT eagerly awaiting the next book.
I'm now two stories into:
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
Pretty good so far. Planning on reading this on my flight to London.
A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin
3/5 stars. This shit is getting too long and prosey. It's like an episode of Lost where none of your questions are answered, but more are posed. The good thing is, I'm now NOT eagerly awaiting the next book.
I'm now two stories into:
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
Pretty good so far. Planning on reading this on my flight to London.
DragonKnight
Member
I'm currently re-reading Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. It's my favorite book in the series
nakedsushi said:
Perfect. lulz
I'm ~260 pages in and I can already tell that the truly EPIC stuff is going to happen in book 6 or, gasp, 7. Martin is just moving all the pieces around for the endgame. Still, I am enjoying his positional maneuvering.
I really hope Tyrion is dead after being dragged down by the stonemen. I know it's not going to happen, though.
I almost finished reading Don Quixote - I'm about 60 pages out. I read the first half in about a month, but once I hit Part II, it felt like the narrative inertia reset. It took awhile before it picked up again and I wasn't feeling a bit burned out. But after it did, I've read ~350 pages this week just while on break at work. I actually like the second half much better than the first half at this point and it's definitely become one of my favorites.
I was going to read something new (and ask for advice again!) but I saw that GAF was planning on doing The Count of Monte Cristo, and since I haven't read that since, like, 2006, this is a great excuse to reread. I'll ask for advice later!
Thumping through Dresden Files books. Very entertaining. I'd seen them mentioned quite a bit on here, and a reasonably pleasant and intelligent Gaffer seems to have named himself after them, so I figured I would try them out. And they're great.
Reading Bryan Magee's set of interviews with modern British philosophers for study.
Reading Bryan Magee's set of interviews with modern British philosophers for study.
Currently going through the Star Wars "Bounty Hunter Wars", in anticipation for The Old Republic and am currently on book two:
After I've finished this trilogy, I'm going to crack back on with A Song Of Ice And Fire by reading the copy of A Clash Of Kings that was bought for my birthday last month.
After I've finished this trilogy, I'm going to crack back on with A Song Of Ice And Fire by reading the copy of A Clash Of Kings that was bought for my birthday last month.
LocoMrPollock
Banned
Good read, and not too long.
Wasn't able to get into this.
The author describes a boring passionless world where everybody is reduced to money grabbing office rats living in virtual worlds. Might be a point to make but infinitely boring to read.
Moved onto this:
I hate Bellis Coldwine as I would hate her IRL.
Salvor.Hardin
Banned
Well, I've jumped in. 80 pages deep and I'm really liking it. I'll probably watch the HBO series once I'm finished.
ReturnOfTheRAT
Member
The Little Prince
2000 edition, translated by Richard Howard.
A fable about a pilot who crashes his play and encounters a charming boy (the title character) who makes him see the world and life from a completely different perspective.
The word whimsical was invented for this tale.
2000 edition, translated by Richard Howard.
A fable about a pilot who crashes his play and encounters a charming boy (the title character) who makes him see the world and life from a completely different perspective.
The word whimsical was invented for this tale.
Alpha-Bromega
Member
The Little Prince changed my life. I tear up literally every time I get to the fox. a very important friend is also tied to that book in my heart, so it's hard for that not to affect that.
I just finished The Hero with a 1000 faces. SO GOOD.
Now onto 'lighter' reading, The Stranger by Camus
I just finished The Hero with a 1000 faces. SO GOOD.
Now onto 'lighter' reading, The Stranger by Camus
cmonmanreally
Member
Posted this in the pick-up thread a week ago. My fall reading so far:
I'm about a fourth of my way into Infinite Jest and I'm not sure how I feel about it.
I'm about a fourth of my way into Infinite Jest and I'm not sure how I feel about it.
ClosingADoor
Member
Started on A Dance with Dragons few days ago. Enjoy it very much, but would have been wiser to start the series over some time ago. Finished the previous parts more then a year ago, so don't remember all the characters and events that happened before.
Lionheart1827
Member
Only on the first chapters but damn its good so far.
Kyleripman
Member
The Ghost Pirates by William Hope Hodgson (1909)
Just finished this one; great tightly-woven tale of a ship at sea. Strange things start to happen. Very subtle, effective horror. Almost psychological. One of my favorites in recent memory.
The Boats of the Glen-Carrig (1907)
Now working on this one. It's a little more rambling than The Ghost Pirates. A little less scary and more adventuresome (lots of trekking around uncharted territory and fighting off monsters), but still very good!
Edit: Both are free on Kindle and well worth your time.
Alpha-Bromega
Member
The Stranger - Albert Camus
hopelessly hopeless! i read it in one sitting
hopelessly hopeless! i read it in one sitting
Wiktor
Member
Ok. Done with Ghost Story. Went through it very fast, despite being swamped with articles to write. Typical Jim Butcher page turner. Not my favorite from the series (that will probably forever be Dead Beat), but extremely enjoyable and setting up the pieces on the chessboard in fascinating way. I can't wait to see what he will do next. It seems the scale of conflict is about to get even bigger.
Still not quite filled on my urban fantasy thirst. So I've started reading this, since I enjoyed the first book in the series quite a lot.
Still not quite filled on my urban fantasy thirst. So I've started reading this, since I enjoyed the first book in the series quite a lot.
A tenth of the way into "Against the Day" by Pynchon. Great so far. I was just taken by surprise by a cool, little allusion to Tetris, of all things:
. This book is all over the place, and I love it!
a Russian airship-captain who attacks his enemies by showering them with bits of masonry in various shapes made up of four bricks...
Diatribe1974
Member
Descent of Angels:
Currently "Book 5" in the Horus Heresy line of books (total out in the storyline is 16 books & growing).
Currently "Book 5" in the Horus Heresy line of books (total out in the storyline is 16 books & growing).
FiendAngel
Neo Member
bengraven said:About to start this book that no one has ever heard of and no GAFfer will ever read:
Heard it's okay.
I am gonna be honest here, I didn't read the novel as such but I did read a play based on it. Really enjoyed it.
sparky2112
Member
cmonmanreally said:
Keep going. You're just about to tip over into 'this is the greatest thing EVER' territory.
Nor not. In which case, I'm preparing a pity party. What kind of cake do you like?
Guileless
Temp Banned for Remedial Purposes
I enjoyed Soccernomics although it is uneven. The best chapters are: the explanation as to how major capitals don't win European Cups and applying game theory to penalty kicks.
The new Larson book got great reviews in the US but not in the UK where the main criticism was that the ambassador who the book is about isn't interesting enough to merit book-length treatment.
The new Larson book got great reviews in the US but not in the UK where the main criticism was that the ambassador who the book is about isn't interesting enough to merit book-length treatment.
DrForester
Kills Photobucket
bengraven said:About to start this book that no one has ever heard of and no GAFfer will ever read:
Heard it's okay.
The story and characters are amazing, just be aware that Dumas got paid by the line, and is very wordy at times.
Gorilla Shark
Member
For those who have read Infinite Jest... thoughts? I was thinking about picking it up.
Attackthebase
Member
bengraven said:About to start this book that no one has ever heard of and no GAFfer will ever read:
Heard it's okay.
Amazing piece of literature. I loved it when I read it back in high school, now I'm sure if I reread it, I would love it even more. Holy shit, it was a wonderful novel.
Huevos de Oro
Member
Just picked up and started:
Having a long trip tonight and carrying it with me.
Having a long trip tonight and carrying it with me.
LocoMrPollock
Banned
eznark said:
I think a lot of people use Goodreads.com - I don't really like it too much, though.
LocoMrPollock
Banned
eznark said:
Yeah, I wouldn't mind a good website like that myself. Mayhap someone else will know of a good one.
I usually just make do with Amazon and GAF in general, though I know I must miss out on a lot of low key stuff.
Guileless
Temp Banned for Remedial Purposes
I'm guessing you're not looking for something as obvious as the NY Times Book Review. But you can subscribe on Kindle for $3/month. Definitely worth it if you read a lot of fiction.
The Guardian has good reviews but sometimes the books aren't out in US when they are reviewed. Also Times of London, but that's behind a pay wall.
The Guardian has good reviews but sometimes the books aren't out in US when they are reviewed. Also Times of London, but that's behind a pay wall.
SCULLIBUNDO
Banned
Just finished Altered Carbon.
Was a good read.
Was a good read.