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Maklershed · Aug 1, 2014

Maklershed · Aug 1, 2014

Kindle
Hardwired

Hardwired by Walter Jon Williams

Hard copy
Sin in the Second City

Sin in the Second City: Madams, Ministers, Playboys, and the Battle for America's Soul by Karen Abbott

Audiobook
Battle Cry of Freedom

Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era by James M. McPherson

disappeared · Aug 1, 2014

Still plugging away at Moby Dick. I'm a slow reader, and Melville uses a lot of language now long considered outdated. Thus I am consulting the dictionary a lot. Not that I'm complaining though; the story is incredible.

Nappuccino · Aug 1, 2014

Doing a copy-past from another forum I frequent:

Finished Leviathan Wakes and the new Dave Eggers book, and I'm nearly done with Wonder Boys and The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle.

Leviathan Wakes was pretty good, but the ending feels very out of place and I'm having a bit of trouble getting excited for the next book in the series since it doesn't focus on the same crew (well, for the most part, it seems). I'll probably snag it from a library instead of purchasing it outright.

I'm torn on Your Fathers, Where Are They? And the Prophets, Do They Live Forever? On the one hand, it sustained itself surprisingly well for being entirely dialog. On the other hand, I think it went on a bit too long and added some extra conspiracy that I don't think the book needed or benefited from. Although it was already a short read, I'd have enjoyed it more if it was that much shorter. I strangely didn't find the whole thing that preachy, like some of the reviews I found. It's definitely verging into allegory, but I'm not sure I could say Dave Eggers lets any side "win" the debate. Worth checking out, I'd say, if for providing a lot to think about--though a lot of that thought is asking how successful the book was at what it set out to do, less on what it actually says.

Wonder Boys has done wonders in winning me over. I was a bit skeptical at first since it felt a bit too much "I'm a creative writing guy writing about creative writing," but the evolution of James Leer has been great and the main character's slow arc of "Maybe I'm not so great" has been nice. The two things I find the book doing a lot of is not so much establishing things as suddenly explaining things, in detail, the instant they are important to the story. I'd have liked a bit more context towards the start, and less so as it goes on. But I love the dialog and Chabon really has a way with words. Even if they sometimes get in the way of the story, it's hard to be angry at them.

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle is still pretty damn fantastic, though I think this final third has been clearly the weakest section of the book so far. Unlike the early sections, where we get a lot of the main character going around and doing nothing in various absurd ways (which is all intensely readible because of the way he goes about doing nothing), this section has been a bit more dry. There has been a lot more pure backstory on other characters that is told rather than shown. Although interesting, I'm wishing it was still shown, or more of it was. I think it's less that there are sections that are told, and more that it feels like they're quite close together in proximity to each other

CharminUltra · Aug 1, 2014

Haven't read a play in a while, so I'm reading...

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over
like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

fakefaker · Aug 1, 2014

War and Peace [Inner Sanctum Edition] by Leo Tolstoy.

Secks4Food · Aug 1, 2014

I've been on a big Irvine Welsh kick lately, just finished Filth:

I really loved it, the main character is such a complete and total asshole and it works out so horribly for him that you can't help but want to be a better person after reading. Fuck the police.

Intheflorsh · Aug 1, 2014

I read the opening chapters to Cibola Burn and realized I was hate-reading. I decided to quit the series and move on to The Blade Itself which I am enjoying quite a bit.

Glotka

is a wonderful protagonist, I'm loving his completely warped point of view.

disappeared · Aug 1, 2014

Secks4Food said:
I've been on a big Irvine Welsh kick lately, just finished Filth:

I really loved it, the main character is such a complete and total asshole and it works out so horribly for him that you can't help but want to be a better person after reading. Fuck the police.

Planning on reading this one very soon. Read about it years ago, and suddenly it popped back into my head the other night.

Nuke Soda · Aug 1, 2014

disappeared said:
Still plugging away at Moby Dick. I'm a slow reader, and Melville uses a lot of language now long considered outdated. Thus I am consulting the dictionary a lot. Not that I'm complaining though; the story is incredible.

I did not understand half that book, but it sure feels to good to be able to say I read it.

Cade · Aug 1, 2014

Nappuccino said:
Doing a copy-past from another forum I frequent:

Finished Leviathan Wakes and the new Dave Eggers book, and I'm nearly done with Wonder Boys and The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle.

Leviathan Wakes was pretty good, but the ending feels very out of place and I'm having a bit of trouble getting excited for the next book in the series since it doesn't focus on the same crew (well, for the most part, it seems). I'll probably snag it from a library instead of purchasing it outright.

The books do follow the main crew, though. Other characters have different chapters per each book, but they all follow the main Roci crew.

I'm onto the third Wayward Pines book, The Last Town.

ChopstickNinja · Aug 1, 2014

I'm still fairly early in the book,

Ben just left the Troupe

. It is briliant so far. I don't usually read fantasy books, but it came highly recommended by a good friend and the internet.

Nappuccino · Aug 1, 2014

-Cade said:
The books do follow the main crew, though. Other characters have different chapters per each book, but they all follow the main Roci crew.

I'm onto the third Wayward Pines book, The Last Town.

Really? I flipped through the second book, and I only saw them pop up on a few chapter titles.

HORRORSHØW · Aug 1, 2014

taking a break from nietzsche and rereading:

selected-poetry-rainer-maria-rilke-paperback-cover-art.jpg

edit: I would like to suggest Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts. it's an intimate portrayal of life in the slums of Mumbai by an Australian convict on the run. if there's one book that vividly articulates the scenery, smells, and sensations of india, it is Shantaram. please, give it a read when you have the time.

FourMyle · Aug 1, 2014

Finally got around to finishing this

which I bought over a year ago and had started up once or twice since. Vonnegut's schizophrenic prose is an absolute delight to read through, and this anti-war book is one of the best I've read. Some of the research is off now (the number of victims left by the bombing of Dresden, to be specific) but it is still as fiercely relevant today as it was back in 1969. So much of it is still completely true about the US and humans as a whole that it almost physically hurts when you're reading and realizing how little we've changed since those days.

Mars477 · Aug 1, 2014

I'm reading Bravo by Greg Rucka. It's a good book, and extremely fast paced. The plot was a little confusing at first, since it is the second book of the series after Alpha, but you can get the gist of things fairly easily. I'm now eagerly awaiting Charlie, book 3, which is probably coming up in a year.

The characters are some new ones and some old. The main POV is Master Sergeant Jonathan "Jad" Bell from Alpha, but new major POV characters are Chief Warrant Officer Petra Nessuno, who's decompressing after having spent the better part of two years undercover sharing the bed of a criminal psychopath, and a woman who answers to the name Jordan Webber-Hayden who works for a terrorist facilitator-for-hire called the Architect. Of these two I think the former is executed better. Being American and not a terrorist I find it easier to sympathize with Petra, and she comes across as a fully formed person who is coming out of a very taxing period in her life. I really hope that we'll see more of her in Charlie in her professional capacity.

In contrast, woman whose name is not Jordan doesn't really display the same kind of desires and motivations, and her true personality (not that of her covers) seems oddly infantilized. Actually, she reminds me a bit of the assassin of vampires from The Rhesus Chart by Charles Stross.

I thought it was very interesting that a character from the first book,

CIA officer Shoshana Nuri, who died in the climax of that book saving Jad's daughter from a terrorist gunman,

is still very much remembered and remarked on in this book.

Somewhat petty complaint, but I did have a problem with the callsigns of Bell's teammates (Chaindragger, Steelriver, Ball-something or other), which just seemed utterly ridiculous (although possibly in a thought-up-over-lots-of-alcohol way). Especially when compared to Jad and Petra's (Warlock and Blackfriars respectively).

Tragicomedy · Aug 1, 2014

Going on A Raymond Chandler binge. I'm loving his plain language and straight forward writing style. Fun story.

Necrovex · Aug 1, 2014

I am probably going to spend this entire month reading manga (close to catching up on One Piece prior to switching to One Pace to watch The New World saga) and catching up on some comics. I may start on the second book of 1Q84 this month too.

Last month, I discovered the magic of Oyasumi PunPun, and this month I have discovered some American magic:

I am reading the entire series in black and white.

Irobot82 · Aug 1, 2014

ChopstickNinja said:
I'm still fairly early in the book,

Ben just left the Troupe

. It is briliant so far. I don't usually read fantasy books, but it came highly recommended by a good friend and the internet.

I was recommended this book as well.

fredrancour · Aug 1, 2014

My discworld binge has me at "Guards, Guards" currently.

For audiobooks, I took a hiatus from Elantris and am going through the First Law trilogy. I'm on the last one now. I love the Northmen. I also like that Glokta is no longer wasted on his plotline. I find his current goings-on much more interesting than the Guild of Mercers stuff in the first books.

Mchardy · Aug 1, 2014

Finished Reaper's Gale I liked it but Memories of Ice is still my favourite. Return of the Crimson Guard is up next.

SiDCrAzY · Aug 1, 2014

Enjoying it so far, not that far in.

AngmarsKing701 · Aug 1, 2014

Still slowly working through Dust. On vacation for a bit in August and hoping to wrap it up during that stretch but we'll see.

LProtag · Aug 1, 2014

Just finished Dune.

The new Haruki Murakami is out on the 12th so I need to find something to keep myself occupied until then.

Mackenzie 92 · Aug 1, 2014

Finished The Candidate by Paul Harris. Pretty good political thriller, enjoyed it.

About halfway into this and it's surprisingly good.

Off to Be the Wizard by Scott Meyer

Maklershed said:
Kindle
Hardwired

Hardwired by Walter Jon Williams

That's a badass cover.

Plasticine · Aug 1, 2014

Just started it. I've loved everything I've ready by Kiernan. So far, this one is no different.

Nappuccino · Aug 1, 2014

LeadProtagonist said:
Just finished Dune.

The new Haruki Murakami is out on the 12th so I need to find something to keep myself occupied until then.

What? Damn. I need to read his other works I own faster. (Nearly done with Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, and I own Blind Woman, Weeping Willow [about 1/3 through it], Kafka on the Shore, 1Q84, and something else that eludes me . . .ah Hardboiled Wonderland and the End of the World.

Probably going to do Kafka on the Shore next--no way I can finish 1q84 even before school starts.

geestack · Aug 1, 2014

Just finished Stoner. Really great book, very well written; I never thought a story about an English professor teaching would be riveting, but it was hard not to just marathon through the book. I deliberately took my time with it to mull over some of the chapters and themes, but this is definitely a story I will revisit and continue to think about in the future.

Regiruler · Aug 1, 2014

In all honesty, it feels like it's going too fast for once. I might delay going into AMoL.

Instead, I'll probably return to an old friend of a series.

I have the set of the first three books, from when it was still a trilogy.

Cade · Aug 1, 2014

Nappuccino said:
Really? I flipped through the second book, and I only saw them pop up on a few chapter titles.

Well, I mean, as far as chapter perspectives go, you only get Holden every book. Otherwise there's a handful of other characters that get chapter perspectives (none of them being the main Rocinante crew), but that change each book. Otherwise though, it's still all about the characters from the first book.

Necrovex said:
Last month, I discovered the magic of Oyasumi PunPun, and this month I have discovered some American magic:

I am reading the entire series in black and white.

I'm still working my way through Bone too. It's excellent.

Mr.Swag · Aug 1, 2014

How come the only Neil Gaiman I've enjoyed is "Neverwhere"?
American Gods I left unfinished, Stardust i read three pages, and right now I'm trying to get through "Good Omens" and I'm so disappointed. What an overrated book. Reviews and overall word of mouth make it sound like a must read masterpiece, and I just find it to be a confusing book with.waaayyyy too many characters.

Its weird because I really like Neverwhere, its in my top ten, yet none of his other work does anything for me.

doofy102 · Aug 1, 2014

Loving the Jungian ideas of Delillo really coming out and kicking ass in the book' final third.

Mr.Swag · Aug 1, 2014

doofy102 said:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_N0TSGcQUzgU/TJoKcoHFAAAAAAAAD0I/BAzYokWbBBs/s640/DonDeLillo_Libra.jpg[/]

Loving the Jungian ideas of Delillo really coming out and kicking ass in the book' final third.[/QUOTE]
What's this about? Looks interesting

ShaneB · Aug 1, 2014

Yay New thread.

Still making my way through this. Loving it.

Zerokku · Aug 1, 2014

The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski

Been going through a Witcher geek-out phase so rereading through the books/playing through the games again before February hits with Wild Hunt.

On a tangentially related topic, starting to want to write a novel again, but keep giving myself excuses not to. "I need to read more books to get a better appreciation for styles/methods/etc." or "Oh I'm too young to write anything, I need more life experience. No one in their twenties gets published." -_-

Shengar · Aug 1, 2014

Zerokku said:
On a tangentially related topic, starting to want to write a novel again, but keep giving myself excuses not to. "I need to read more books to get a better appreciation for styles/methods/etc." or "Oh I'm too young to write anything, I need more life experience. No one in their twenties gets published." -_-

Why not start with short stories? The only difficulties I found with this route is to found worthwhile platform for publishing the stories that could give decent feedback.

thequickandthedead · Aug 1, 2014

LeadProtagonist said:
Just finished Dune.

The new Haruki Murakami is out on the 12th so I need to find something to keep myself occupied until then.

I thought I had the only Yang avatar. Currently halfway through Dune lol.

whatevermort · Aug 1, 2014

I just finished

%7B704C8AE3-288A-44DF-9619-215F8F1E7567%7DImg100.jpg

which was excellent - better than The Circle, which I didn't feel nailed the landing quite right - and really affected me in places. It's entirely in dialogue, which has been done before, but it's a very effective way to tell this particular story.

Now I'm going to dig into a reread of

which is amazing and psychologically fucked up and really really good.

Hrothgar · Aug 1, 2014

I just started on the Dutch version of Blood of Elves.

Sadly, Years of Contempt will only be released in January.

Cerity · Aug 1, 2014

3/4 of the way through 1Q84.

Not liking the introduction of Ushikawas' chapters, we already know that they/Sakigake are working towards finding out what happened to Aomame. It just seems there to extend the third book.

old · Aug 1, 2014

Half-way through President Me: The America That's In My Head by Adam Carolla. Up next is Capital in Twenty-first Century by Thomas Piketty.

Secks4Food · Aug 1, 2014

FourMyle said:
Finally got around to finishing this

which I bought over a year ago and had started up once or twice since. Vonnegut's schizophrenic prose is an absolute delight to read through, and this anti-war book is one of the best I've read. Some of the research is off now (the number of victims left by the bombing of Dresden, to be specific) but it is still as fiercely relevant today as it was back in 1969. So much of it is still completely true about the US and humans as a whole that it almost physically hurts when you're reading and realizing how little we've changed since those days.

So it goes.

And so on.

Nappuccino · Aug 1, 2014

Cerity said:
3/4 of the way through 1Q84.

Not liking the introduction of Ushikawas' chapters, we already know that they/Sakigake are working towards finding out what happened to Aomame. It just seems there to extend the third book.

I've noticed some of that in the Wind-Up Bird Chronicle. I feel like the final book could have only been quite a bit shorter.

Jarlaxle · Aug 1, 2014

I really do love Abercrombie's writing. I'm a little over half way through this and I'm enjoying it so much more than Emperor of Thorns by Mark Lawrence which I read before this. A lot of laugh out loud moments and great characterization. Going to really have to think about what I want to read next after this as it will probably be a letdown.

fredrancour · Aug 1, 2014

Zerokku said:
http://i.imgur.com/NzrxS9b.jpg[IMG]
The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski

Been going through a Witcher geek-out phase so rereading through the books/playing through the games again before February hits with Wild Hunt.

On a tangentially related topic, starting to want to write a novel again, but keep giving myself excuses not to. "I need to read more books to get a better appreciation for styles/methods/etc." or "Oh I'm too young to write anything, I need more life experience. No one in their twenties gets published." -_-[/QUOTE]

Few people in their twenties get published but the people who get published later probably spent their twenties writing anyway.

Just figure out what makes you like the idea of writing to begin with and throw those things at a page. Worry about quality later. Story structure, editing, and stuff like that can be studied or taught, but comfort with making the words materialize on the page is something that you have to give yourself, beyond a pep talk or two.

B.K. · Aug 1, 2014

Slowly going through A Dance with Dragons. I'm a little over half done.

PassiveObserver · Aug 1, 2014

Still working on Bleeding Edge by Thomas Pynchon, and there are so many characters to keep track of I'm a bit overwhelmed. It also reads very similar to Inherent Vice, which I read last December, so I'm getting a bit burned out on Pynchon's "with-it-ness." Both novel has main characters operating on the fringes of the law, both very stoner-noir. I still haven't quite grasped the main conspiratorial thread. On balance though, I am enjoying the book.

Sun Drugs · Aug 1, 2014

I began reading Infinite Jest the other day. I've tried to read it a few times in the past but gave up quickly, it had been too challenging for me. This time around, I am committed to completing it. I'm only able to get through a little of it each day, but I am enjoying it greatly.

Empty · Aug 1, 2014

i read the razor's edge by somerset maugham. it was pretty great. it feels like it's wanting to be his magnum opus as it synthesizes a lot of his interests (from what i've read of his so far), is the peak of his style and is so sprawling; it's nearly there but not quite. the cast of characters is wonderfully vivid and the book is at its best as it shifts elegantly between them and their varied means of finding meaning in life. the book is mainly in love with the character of larry, who rejects societal demands to follow the conventional path in life and tries to learn and experience as much as possible of life on his own, simple terms. at times it's quite stirring and inspiring, especially for a lost twenty something like me, but i was less enamored by a long (like 40 page) discourse on the merits of appropriating hindu philosophy, which felt a little eat, pray, love, especially as the material is well worn now. salinger incorporated that kind of stuff with character much better.

now i'm reading runaway by alice munro. it's amazing. duh. the most notable thing is a trilogy of stories following one character called juliet at different points in her life, echoing eachother, which were mesmerizing and one of the saddest things i've read. munro at her best.

bennywhatever · Aug 1, 2014

Just started this today. Glad I've made it this far and still enjoy it!

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