It was good, I didn't like the ending that much.
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What are you reading? (July 2013)
- Thread starter Maklershed
- Start date
It was good, I didn't like the ending that much.
iAmMaximus
Member
Starting my first Neil Gaiman.
Mackenzie 92
Member
The Queen's Gambit was excellent. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who liked The Luzhin Defense or Chess Story. Of if you just enjoy stories about Chess obsession and madness in general.
I've been playing the new Shadowrun game and really like the mix of cyberpunk noir and fantasy, so I stopped by the thrift store and managed to find a few books based in the universe. Gonna check them out next.
I've been playing the new Shadowrun game and really like the mix of cyberpunk noir and fantasy, so I stopped by the thrift store and managed to find a few books based in the universe. Gonna check them out next.
Easystride
Member
Finished up Little Brother from the Humble bundle. It was a very fun read. Interested in checking out Homeland now, by the same author.
Blasted through 'The Walk' series really fast, really enjoyed them, now it sucks to have to wait for the next one to come out 
4th book got a little wierd in one spot, and a little heavy on the "God" stuff, but I still had a great time marathoning them (well, they're quick reads). I'm fully invested in Alan's journey and the people he meets.
Now to decide what is next!
4th book got a little wierd in one spot, and a little heavy on the "God" stuff, but I still had a great time marathoning them (well, they're quick reads). I'm fully invested in Alan's journey and the people he meets.
Now to decide what is next!
Tragicomedy
Member
Having only read American Gods and The Ocean at the End of the Lane (both this year), I agree with you. He writes very beautiful imagery and interesting characters, but the plot of both those books left me wanting a lot more.
Mackenzie 92
Member
Blasted through 'The Walk' series really fast, really enjoyed them, now it sucks to have to wait for the next one to come out
Now to decide what is next!
The Long Ships. Do it!
Finished The Spy Who Came In From The Cold yesterday. It was a slow starter for me, but it once it picked, up around 50 pages in, I couldn't put it down. This book kept me in real suspense until the last few pages, and dis so with a subtle touch that you are not going to find in most spy novels. The scene in which Mundt is put on trial is handled so deftly that I actually went back and reread it after I finished the book. All the pieces that had been expertly moved by LeCarre up to that point come into place, and there is a great aha moment that you experience at the same time as the protagonist.
I love how cynical Leamas is towards his profession, and the state of the world in general. I Imagine it's how anyone would feel after a lifetime of espionage. This is one those books that I am kicking myself for not reading before. It is definitely in my wheelhouse when it comes to what I think makes a great novel: it's smart, biting, the prose are simple yet effective, and it's a very lean book (248 pages). I'll definitely be returning to LeCarre for Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy sometime later this year.
I love how cynical Leamas is towards his profession, and the state of the world in general. I Imagine it's how anyone would feel after a lifetime of espionage. This is one those books that I am kicking myself for not reading before. It is definitely in my wheelhouse when it comes to what I think makes a great novel: it's smart, biting, the prose are simple yet effective, and it's a very lean book (248 pages). I'll definitely be returning to LeCarre for Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy sometime later this year.
Gordon0Freeman
Member
House of Suns is fucking awesome. Beginning was kind if meh but I'm enjoying it now. The technology is extremely cool too.
!? Really like Hesperus as a character.
how the hell is there a park inside of Campions/Purslanes ship
hope he makes it through.
The Artful Dodger
Member
Also picked up to read this month
and
and
BriareosGAF
Member
Been reading "A Heart-breaking Work Of Staggering Genius", which I picked up on a lark while in Seattle on a business trip at Twice-Sold Tales, as part of my survey of modern American literature. I don't know... I don't know. It's like if you gave Douglas Coupland amphetamines and decided it was somehow high prose from the sheer frantic-ness of it. Perhaps as I get older I have less time for what seem to be the self constructed problems of early adulthood.
Maklershed
Member
Yesssss.
And as per our conversation the other day, I did a little more thinking and I thought of a book that you might like ...
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
Maklershed
Member
Wool Omnibus is on sale for $1.99 today. There's a few John Irving novels on sale as well.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.ht...1?ie=UTF8&docId=1000777851&plgroup=1&plpage=1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.ht...1?ie=UTF8&docId=1000777851&plgroup=1&plpage=1
Also picked up to read this month
Awesome novel. I have read a ton of Faulkner and I think this may be my favorite. I really like The Unvanquished, too.
Have fun with Sanctuary though!
Professor Chaos
Member
Just picked up this door stopper, although the dude that sold it to me says they get progressively harder to read.
joeyjoejoeshabadoo
Member
Huh, interesting that they created this collection. Typically The Black Dahlia is grouped together with those three books as the L.A. Quartet. Which reminds me, I really should read White Jazz. It's the only one I haven't read yet from the Quartet. BTW, L.A. Confindential is really good and different from the film. I'm amazed that the movie came out so good considering how dense the book is, but as written, that book is unfilmable.Just picked up this door stopper, although the dude that sold it to me says they get progressively harder to read.
Maklershed
Member
The Dudley Smith trio? Hmm
EDIT: @joeyjoey - yeah its weird The Black Dahlia isn't part of that because that shows the start of Dudley's power.
EDIT: @joeyjoey - yeah its weird The Black Dahlia isn't part of that because that shows the start of Dudley's power.
Professor Chaos
Member
Maklershed
Member
joeyjoejoeshabadoo
Member
Even then, the series of books are traditionally known as the L.A. Quartet. It seems odd that they renamed the series and dropped a book.
Yeah, Black Dahlia is good and relatively short compared to the rest of the series.
If you can avoid it, don't bother with the movie. If you've seen the movie, the book is light years better.
Professor Chaos
Member
Thanks, I'll hunt down a copy. I didn't know they made a movie of The Black Dahlia, cheers for the heads up.
I wrote some impressions on the previous page, it's good.
I've moved on to a couple of classics. I have this collection of four Hemingway novels, starting with The Sun Also Rises and I'm also sneaking in a Sherlock Holmes story here and there.
lastflowers
Banned
Finished these today:
Not sure what to start next, maybe one of these two:
or
Not sure what to start next, maybe one of these two:
or
The Artful Dodger
Member
If you end up reading this let me know how it is.
I'll get around to Long Ships eventually
thanks for the recommendation Mak, I noticed that book before, seemed interesting enough. I went on a buying binge over at Amazon, picking up a bunch of things. When I Found You, Some Are Sicker Than Others, Erasure, and the book I think I'll read next The Summer Son(same author as the Edward books, feel like I should this)
Moff
Member
i just finished Abaddon's Gate.
I gotta say, I really like where the overall story of the expanse is going and how it is setup, expecially in Abaddon's Gate, although the book was probably the weakest yet. I think calibans war (anyone got that title? I guess its a biblical reference like the others?) was the best overall book, but I still love the first third of Leviathan Wakes the most.
I dont think the expanse will ever be a truly great series, but its certainly an enjoyable one thats easy to like.
I gotta say, I really like where the overall story of the expanse is going and how it is setup, expecially in Abaddon's Gate, although the book was probably the weakest yet. I think calibans war (anyone got that title? I guess its a biblical reference like the others?) was the best overall book, but I still love the first third of Leviathan Wakes the most.
I dont think the expanse will ever be a truly great series, but its certainly an enjoyable one thats easy to like.
BriareosGAF
Member
Reference to Shakespeare's The Tempest.
teruterubozu
Member
Finished The Passage yet, BB? I'm really curious what you thought about the second part.
Just finished another Malazan book: Toll the Hounds. Amazing book. I've heard a couple times that the series peaks in Memories of Ice but for me Toll the Hounds tops that easily. It also helps that the book contains a clash of two characters I've been waiting for for a couple of books now:
.
Series spoilers up to the ending of Toll the Hounds:
Iskaral Pust and Kruppe
Series spoilers up to the ending of Toll the Hounds:
It's neat how Karsa Orlong has gone from one of the most disliked characters to one of the most likable characters in the cast. Ever since he met Samar Dev he's been steadily getting more likable, I especially liked the ending of the Bonehunters where he slaps the blacksmith for making the cursed sword and telling him not to do it again. The friendship developing between him and Traveller was also really fun to read, especially with an annoyed Samar Dev in the middle of it.
I think I've said it before but I love the wacky characters in the Malazan books. My favourite among them has to be Iskaral Pust. That guy always manages to crack me up. I really hope that Shadowthrone and Cotillion succeed in whatever they're trying to accomplish. It's kinda weird reading about Shadowthrone's time as emperor of the Malazans when he's now almost as crazy as his Magus. I love how he seems dread having Iskaral Pust as his Magus when it's clear they're both cut from the same material. And lol at Iskaral Pust for writing the book of shadow for Shadowthrone and rewriting it so he can have two wifes
I think I've said it before but I love the wacky characters in the Malazan books. My favourite among them has to be Iskaral Pust. That guy always manages to crack me up. I really hope that Shadowthrone and Cotillion succeed in whatever they're trying to accomplish. It's kinda weird reading about Shadowthrone's time as emperor of the Malazans when he's now almost as crazy as his Magus. I love how he seems dread having Iskaral Pust as his Magus when it's clear they're both cut from the same material. And lol at Iskaral Pust for writing the book of shadow for Shadowthrone and rewriting it so he can have two wifes
AngmarsKing701
Member
Just finished another Malazan book: Toll the Hounds. Amazing book. I've heard a couple times that the series peaks in Memories of Ice but for me Toll the Hounds tops that easily. It also helps that the book contains a clash of two characters I've been waiting for for a couple of books now:.Iskaral Pust and Kruppe
Series spoilers up to the ending of Toll the Hounds:It's neat how Karsa Orlong has gone from one of the most disliked characters to one of the most likable characters in the cast. Ever since he met Samar Dev he's been steadily getting more likable, I especially liked the ending of the Bonehunters where he slaps the blacksmith for making the cursed sword and telling him not to do it again. The friendship developing between him and Traveller was also really fun to read, especially with an annoyed Samar Dev in the middle of it.
I think I've said it before but I love the wacky characters in the Malazan books. My favourite among them has to be Iskaral Pust. That guy always manages to crack me up. I really hope that Shadowthrone and Cotillion succeed in whatever they're trying to accomplish. It's kinda weird reading about Shadowthrone's time as emperor of the Malazans when he's now almost as crazy as his Magus. I love how he seems dread having Iskaral Pust as his Magus when it's clear they're both cut from the same material. And lol at Iskaral Pust for writing the book of shadow for Shadowthrone and rewriting it so he can have two wifes
I read the first Malazan book and found it dense and confusing. There's so much GAF love in here for the series that I'm considering picking up book 2, but at this point I'm so far removed from reading the first book that I have zero recollection of characters/events/etc.
I didn't like the first book was well. I was ready to move on to other stuff but gave it another chance anyway. The first book is in no way indicative of the quality of the rest of the series. You could always just read a synopsis of the first book and go straight to the second if you feel like it.
The_Hitcher89
Member
Smiley's People
Much easier read than The Honourable Schoolboy
Much easier read than The Honourable Schoolboy
lastflowers
Banned
About 150 pages into:
It's not that enthralling thus far.
It's not that enthralling thus far.
BenjaminBirdie
Banned
Stayed up until 3:30 last night finishing it. I'd say it's the best "genre" book I've ever read but it kind puts to pasture the idea that any books should be regarded as such going forward.
If this dude can write a book that's totally engrossing and plot driven and yet kicks you in the shins with earned emotional stakes and just total heartbreak everywhere, what's anyone else's excuse?
Second half was like the first half, only even better. ;D
teruterubozu
Member
Glad you liked it. Cronin really is a gifted writer - it's like reading someone "paint" the words across the page. Apparently he came up with the story with his young daughter on daily bike rides to school. I gotta find time to read his second book in the trilogy that just came out. I highly recommend Cronin's "The Summer Guest" - it's neither sci-fi or S. King but it's mesmerizing writing.
BenjaminBirdie
Banned
MrOogieBoogie
BioShock Infinite is like playing some homeless guy's vivid imagination
Post I made a few days ago:
250 pages later, and I must confess, the hype is warranted.
Don't think I've ever read a book with such impeccable pacing. I'm struggling to put it down. Each chapter is the perfect length, with the perfect amount of storytelling, with the perfect cliffhanger.
So good.
Let's see what all the hype is about!
250 pages later, and I must confess, the hype is warranted.
Don't think I've ever read a book with such impeccable pacing. I'm struggling to put it down. Each chapter is the perfect length, with the perfect amount of storytelling, with the perfect cliffhanger.
So good.
lastflowers
Banned
The seconds one is also very gripping. 3rd and 4th have been a let down for me.
House of Suns is fucking awesome. Beginning was kind if meh but I'm enjoying it now. The technology is extremely cool too.!? Really like Hesperus as a character.how the hell is there a park inside of Campions/Purslanes shiphope he makes it through.
A great read. Pushing Ice by the same author is also good.
First SF book I've read in a while and I thought it was excellent.
What's the general consensus on Altered Carbon?
I personally loved it.
Midway in part 4 of Bolano's "2666". It's amazing, and absolutely terrible. One particular page was so hard to read that I had to put down the book and take a breather. This part of the book is like a hypnotic never-ending parade of awfulness, but it's still so damned interesting and well-written that it's impossible to look away. Except for that one page.
The 3rd one is the best book! 4th and 5th kinda suffer from middle-itis though.