Reading Empire Falls by Richard Russo. I love it so far. This is the second book I've read of this author (Nobody's Fool being the first), and I can't wait to explore his other books. I am a total sucker for small town, slice-of-life books. Luckily, my library has a number of his books available in the Kindle format, and very few of them have holds.
I've said many times that I am the same way. Mak has recommended that book to me a few times, so I'll be interested in your thoughts as well. I'm still debating what to read, was flipping through my library throughout the day. Think I'm in the mood for something longer, but a fun summer adventure type of read too.
Ha yeah, I've been trying to get Shane to read this for like the past year now? I swear this book could've been written about my town (small, industrial town in central PA). When you're done with this I recommend That Old Cape Magic. Its not a slice of life about a small town but its fantastic. I read it in a day.
Ha yeah, I've been trying to get Shane to read this for like the past year now? I swear this book could've been written about my town (small, industrial town in central PA). When you're done with this I recommend That Old Cape Magic. Its not a slice of life about a small town but its fantastic. I read it in a day.
So cool to be reading a book by someone in the reading thread. :b
Bunch of other stuff too - former book club entrant History of the Atomic Bomb is also there. Bargain for $2 - I paid $30 for my softcover. (But I think I also got it on kindle for $7 or whatever)
More like the neverending cycle of "It's coming to HBO!", "It's not coming to HBO!", "It's coming to HBO!", "HBO lost the rights to someone else!", "It was delayed!", "Someone else lost the rights to it!"
Finished reading The Divide: American Injustice in the Age of the Wealth Gap. It was a fantastic read and provided a valuable look involving the discrimination between the rich and the poor in America's criminal justice system. I suggest that every single person read this novel. It's simply wonderful.
I am almost done reading the second compendium of The Walking Dead. I am having a love-bored relationship with the whole hefty book. At times, I am really engaged, at others, I'm speeding through the material.
I decided my next Kindle book will be 1Q84. I love Murakami, so I decided to finally read through this tome.
Bunch of other stuff too - former book club entrant History of the Atomic Bomb is also there. Bargain for $2 - I paid $30 for my softcover. (But I think I also got it on kindle for $7 or whatever)
What other stuff is there that is excellent material? I couldn't get into the Atomic Bomb book. It was way too dense in an area that I wasn't interested in.
I also read American Gods; I'm in the 'it was ok' camp.
I've started reading "Assassins' Gate" by George Packer, since I'm trying to do more contemporary reading lately. I'm hooked into this so far, it's considerably more intellectual than I would have expected.
Finished Words of Radiance, Brandon Sanderson. This is basically shonen battle manga as bible-sized phantasy tomes. Exasperated with the whole
no one important staying dead
thing.
Going through the two Stormlight books reminded me of how much I love these giant escapist fantasy tracts. I wasn't all that happy with WoR, but it's really comforting to know that Sanderson will crank out eight more on a reliably Sandersonian schedule.
Also finished Gone Girl. Fun little book. Feels gothic, also more than a little like a MRA validation fantasy, despite the author.
Going through Kurt Vonnegut's Letters right now. The very first one - the one he sent from Europe, as the war ended, after the POW experience, the bombing at Dresden - so strikingly Vonnegut-y, Slaughterhouse Five summed up with all the alien stuff left out (no doubt he knew that the world, and his family, wasn't ready for the real truth. So it goes.) Otherwise more of a curio than a necessity.
Finally delving into Dead Souls. Also grabbed Annihilation, Jeff VanderMeer. Should be a nice trio of novels to plow through, as I am a little into Helen Oyeyemi's newest.
Ha yeah, I've been trying to get Shane to read this for like the past year now? I swear this book could've been written about my town (small, industrial town in central PA). When you're done with this I recommend That Old Cape Magic. Its not a slice of life about a small town but its fantastic. I read it in a day.
So cool to be reading a book by someone in the reading thread. :b
I will check out That Old Cape Town for sure. My library has that and Bridge of Sighs, so those are probably the next two books I'll read. And I will give my impressions of Empire Falls when I finish it! Right now, I will say that the fact that I read 25% on a Saturday should tell you I like it a lot! Right now, I'd say it is very likely that it will be my favorite book I've read this year so far if the quality stays consistent.
Finished Words of Radiance, Brandon Sanderson. This is basically shonen battle manga as bible-sized phantasy tomes. Exasperated with the whole
no one important staying dead
thing.
Going through the two Stormlight books reminded me of how much I love these giant escapist fantasy tracts. I wasn't all that happy with WoR, but it's really comforting to know that Sanderson will crank out eight more on a reliably Sandersonian schedule.
Also finished Gone Girl. Fun little book. Feels gothic, also more than a little like a MRA validation fantasy, despite the author.
Going through Kurt Vonnegut's Letters right now. The very first one - the one he sent from Europe, as the war ended, after the POW experience, the bombing at Dresden - so strikingly Vonnegut-y, Slaughterhouse Five summed up with all the alien stuff left out (no doubt he knew that the world, and his family, wasn't ready for the real truth. So it goes.) Otherwise more of a curio than a necessity.
Finally delving into Dead Souls. Also grabbed Annihilation, Jeff VanderMeer. Should be a nice trio of novels to plow through, as I am a little into Helen Oyeyemi's newest.
Started reading the Charlie Mortdecai books. Only 50 pages into the first one but I think I'm on to a winner here. First book is called Don't Point That Thing At Me
I finished A Feast for Crows. It wasn't as bad as I was lead to believe, but it did seem like half the characters did absolutely nothing of substance. One more book and I can look at youtube comments again! (Not that I will!)
I finished A Feast for Crows. It wasn't as bad as I was lead to believe, but it did seem like half the characters did absolutely nothing of substance. One more book and I can look at youtube comments again! (Not that I will!)
Good book but its more of a setup and introduction to the world. The real payoff comes in the sequels.
I recommend Blood Song or Prince of Thorns if you're in the mood for fantasy... or The Rookie if you want something fun and that'll get you ready for some football.
I finished Under The Skin yesterday and liked it very much. Though I fell off a bit after
it was revealed what they were doing with the vodsels. I mean, I actually guessed it anyway after she took the first vodsel and when the book started mentioning how weird she looks, but after it was spelled out the mystery was kind of gone. I also wished there was some more background about the humans. Where exactly did they come from? I also would have loved to hear more about their civilization and how they are struggling. I found that really intriguing
^The latter book is important, I think, in the ongoing discussion between atheists and theists. It successfully strips down new atheist writers like Dawkins, but that is not its true value (everyone has disavowed the new atheist writers by now). No, its true value is its presentation of classical philosophy and its vital relevance today. It has caused me to reevaluate many of my own philosophical views, especially naturalism and scientism, the latter which I have now rejected. It is a worthwhile read for anyone that has an interest in philosophy.
Really liking this one so far. I'm really into the history of the space race, and it's hard to find books that tell much about the Soviet side of things. It's not super in depth, but it's a good read none the less.
Unfortunately. Last I heard, the rights to the books had reverted to her but it doesn't seem like there's been any further developments on releasing the third book. The first two books are fantastic, though, so don't let that bother you.
Malenfant's death at around 85% through the book caught me off guard, half expected him to be revived somehow seeing he was the main character in previous books.
. Overall I did enjoy the series but as I have mentioned previously I thought the series was a little depressing.
Think I will have to take a break from Baxter's books for the time being, While there has not been a book of his I have read and not liked, I really want my next series to be something that ends with the outlook for the characters looking a little more optimistic.
About two and a half hours to go on N0s4a2, and I've still got a good deal of time before my next free Audible credit so I've gone ahead and bought the unabridged Audiobook of "The Stand". It's almost 50 hours and I paid like $17 for it so it seemed a great deal considering how well regarded it is.
I've never read it before, but I have seen the Made-for-TV movie. I trust I'm in for something pretty special here? I head one of my favorite literary characters,
Finished Manifold: Space by Baxter the other day, It was a good read yet ultimately quite depressing at the end, I should really learn to accept that with Baxter's books by now.
Anyway on to Manifold: Origin, no doubt I will enjoy the story only to feel a little miserable after finishing.
Man, I wish I could re-read his Manifold "series" again for the first time.
Recently finished:
and
Both were lovely. The first is amazing Ian McDonald doing trippy science fiction set in Turkey. The second is Sarah Vowell's history of the U.S. annexation of Hawaii. I happily recommend both.
Today I started:
I'll likely finish it tomorrow (it's a short, easy read) but I'm enjoying it so far.
Reading Empire Falls by Richard Russo. I love it so far. This is the second book I've read of this author (Nobody's Fool being the first), and I can't wait to explore his other books. I am a total sucker for small town, slice-of-life books. Luckily, my library has a number of his books available in the Kindle format, and very few of them have holds.
Now 20% through AngmarsKing701's book and I can gladly and confidently say it is good. I don't want to reveal the 'hook' of the book but its very intriguing and I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes. Maybe some of you have, but I've never read a fantasy story with this type of narrative before.
Now 20% through AngmarsKing701's book and I can gladly and confidently say it is good. I don't want to reveal the 'hook' of the book but its very intriguing and I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes. Maybe some of you have, but I've never read a fantasy story with this type of narrative before.
