View Full Version : Bookworms Anonymous
Ad-Rock
22-07-2009, 08:45 AM
What have you been reading and what are your thoughts on it?
In the past couple of months I have read a few Richard Dawkins books (all very well written and entertaining) and I finished the Night Angel Trilogy by Brent Weeks which I also heartily endorse.
texta
22-07-2009, 08:48 AM
I'm reading Australian Real Property Law by Bradbrook, MacCallum and Moore. It's a laugh riot.
AnTrAxX
22-07-2009, 03:16 PM
A friend recommended me The Elder Gods by David and Leigh Eddings. I'm 3/4 through it but it's not very interesting. It's boring and the characters aren't at all endearing, same with the writing.
After seeing the new Harry Potter on sunday, I decided to borrow the last book, HP and the Deathly Hallows off my girlfriend. It's held my interest better than the above has, but still I don't find it that exciting.
It could be that before reading these fantasy books I read One Last Kill by Barry Eisler. It's a "John Rain Thriller" so spies and tactical espionage action. Exciting stuff.
Halt, Hammerzeit
22-07-2009, 03:42 PM
It's been a while since I've had a good book. I'm currently reading The Chronicals Of Narnia (all six books). I'm up to the third book (The Horse And His Boy). Very biblical and christian oriented. Also very children focused.
Adios
22-07-2009, 04:35 PM
The Horse and His Boy is the best one if my memory serves me correctly.
Currently reading The Once and Future King and absolutely loving it :D
Halt, Hammerzeit
22-07-2009, 05:03 PM
I always remember The Horse And His Boy as being very different from the rest, probably because it doesn't focus on characters that come from our world.
Thraxas
22-07-2009, 06:34 PM
I finished the Night Angel Trilogy by Brent Weeks which I also heartily endorse.
I recently finished that too. I didn't enjoy the third book as much as the first two, but it was a good series.
I'm currently reading A Game of Thrones for about the 10th time. I love this series of books and wish the next one would hurry up and get released already!
Azzaman
22-07-2009, 06:52 PM
Reading Band of Brothers by Stephen E Ambrose. I can't believe how close the series stuck to the book (so far). I'm up to their first relief from Normandy when Easy has been recalled to England before Market Garden.
Epic stuff.
jawsy
22-07-2009, 09:36 PM
The entirety of Geoff Johns' run on Green Lantern. I haven't so enjoyed an ongoing superhero series since Bendis and Maleev were ****ing shit up on Daredevil.
Also, just picked up Pygmy by Palahniuk, Sideways by Patrick O'Neil and Buy.ology by Martin Lindstrom. How about that reading caper, hey fellas?
Watchers
22-07-2009, 09:43 PM
A friend recommended me The Elder Gods by David and Leigh Eddings. I'm 3/4 through it but it's not very interesting. It's boring and the characters aren't at all endearing, same with the writing.
I liked it. It was pretty typical Eddings, though (particularly the female characters).
Vindik8or
22-07-2009, 09:48 PM
Currently reading Dune Messiah having just finished Dune. I'm not keen to reach the sixth book of the series and have to put up with Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson engaging in necrophilia to find out what happens in the end.
Dorkify
24-07-2009, 06:20 PM
Just finished reading Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. It's an entertaining read, very different to anything I've read before.
About to start Liar's Poker.
Ali G
24-07-2009, 11:28 PM
At the moment I'm about halfway through Lolita, which I've been meaning to read for a couple of years now. Brilliantly written. After that I've got Underground and South of the Border, West of the Sun by Haruki Murakami lined up, and with any luck, my order of In Evil Hour by Gabriel García Márquez from the Book Depository will have arrived by the time I'm done with those.
Tukenstein
24-07-2009, 11:54 PM
I've just about finished Fight Club and then I get to start on Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere and Fragile Things. Can't wait! =]
Dorepoll
25-07-2009, 10:17 AM
Nearly finished The Plague by Albert Camus. It's been more of a interesting read rather than a profound one. His short stories collection and The Outsider are two of my favourite books ever, so I am trying to eat up as much of his works as I can get my hands on.
cat's cradle - kurt vonnegut
Slippery
30-07-2009, 09:19 PM
Foundation - Issac Asimov
I hate myself but it's interesting
Vindik8or
30-07-2009, 09:27 PM
Just read the first three Foundation books, forget the rest they are shit.
I am now up to Children of Dune. Dune Messiah was a real ordeal, very good but very draining, however I felt it was too short and could've done with more of everything.
Afrogamer
31-07-2009, 07:48 AM
Finished reading world war z by max brooks, i thought it was a great read. I was interested from start to finish and there weren't any bland sections.
Azzaman
31-07-2009, 08:28 AM
Finished reading world war z by max brooks, i thought it was a great read. I was interested from start to finish and there weren't any bland sections.
damn straight, that book was brilliant. It starts off with an overwhelming sense of doom and dispair then moves to a much more hopeful tone toward the end. Very masterfully done. Can't wait for the movie.
AnTrAxX
31-07-2009, 12:05 PM
Finished The Elder Gods by David and Leigh Eddings. Didn't enjoy it, the writing style wasn't engaging, and the characters achieved everything so easily.
Now reading Torments of the Traitor by Ian Irvine. It should be noted that I am no fantasy nut, I wanted to read some to see if i would like the genre so my friend lent me some books. So far Irvine has kept me interested.
Tr1gger Vandal
31-07-2009, 03:11 PM
Snowblind by Robert Sabbag.
Pretty interesting and informative, nicely written, has a bit of a beat vibe. Makes me want become a drug dealer.
Ali G
09-08-2009, 07:10 PM
Just ordered Shake Hands with the Devil by Roméo Dallaire (the Force Commander of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda) from the Book Depository. Should be an interesting read.
banjoeskimo
10-08-2009, 08:03 AM
Also, just picked up Pygmy by Palahniuk
Gah, I just returned that. I was so excited for it, but there's a brutally graphic rape scene pretty early in and I got turned off. I know, I know, it's Palahnuik, he's a sick freak and a morbid degree of f---ed up behaviour should be expected from his novels, but this one was pushing it even for me. It had a point and all? But really it just felt like he was going for cheap shock value in some sick game of one-upsmanship against himself. Which is a shame, because the story's concept was pretty interesting.
In any case, I decided to pick up Survivor instead, along with some Philip K. Dick (Valis and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?), a collection of essays on pragmatism by William James, and a giant 1000 page reader of Ralph Waldo Emerson material. I'll be set for the next month or two at least.
Ali G
10-08-2009, 09:23 AM
I just can't be bothered with Palahniuk anymore after the agonising Snuff. It had absolutely no purpose, and was essentially 200 pages of "hey guys, look how many ridiculous porn film titles I can think up!".
jawsy
10-08-2009, 10:40 AM
Turns out Pygmy is actually his most optimistic novel since...Since?
And, yes, it was graphic and brutal, but it's also what allows him to make the commentary that was the purpose of the novel.
Snuff was weak, Rant a little fruitless. Pygmy is in his top tier.
Dorepoll
12-08-2009, 05:34 PM
The Old Man And The Sea - Hemmingway
Hemmingway kicks ass!
nintendo
15-08-2009, 12:36 AM
Finished The Elder Gods by David and Leigh Eddings. Didn't enjoy it, the writing style wasn't engaging, and the characters achieved everything so easily.
Now reading Torments of the Traitor by Ian Irvine. It should be noted that I am no fantasy nut, I wanted to read some to see if i would like the genre so my friend lent me some books. So far Irvine has kept me interested.
I think Ive read all, if not most, of Eddings books and Im a big fan of his. I guess you do have to be a fan of the genre though.
I cant quite remember Torments of the Traitor though. Which series is it from? Because I think I mightve read it. I know I didnt finish his A View From the Mirror series (or whatever it is). I got up to the last book in that series and just never got around to buying it.
Araenel
27-08-2009, 03:29 PM
What's some good Australian Politics books? Been reading a lot of nonfiction science books lately and wouldn't mind branching out.
dinopoke
27-08-2009, 07:52 PM
Currently reading Assassin's Quest by Robin Hobb. It's a medieval-inclined fantasy novel. I love the characters and the whole thing is very epic.
ThePhotoshop
27-08-2009, 08:07 PM
Currently reading Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. It's quite funny, but very British in that it tries Oh So Hard to be witty with every paragraph. Which can get tiresome.
Vindik8or
27-08-2009, 08:39 PM
Dymocks in Brisbane City is gooooooorn. And Borders don't stock the good Dune books (ie. the ones written by the talented Herbert). Wankers!
Azzaman
27-08-2009, 08:49 PM
Reading D-Day by Stephen Ambrose, it's a real good read, gives a great overview of all the effort and preparation that went into the Normandy invasion, it obviously focuses on the allies more then the Germans, but there's still quite a bit on the troubles Rommel went through in getting his forces in order. Great read so far.
Halt, Hammerzeit
28-08-2009, 08:06 AM
Re-reading Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency. Still pretty good, but it took half the book before Dirk Gently made an appearance.
Big Kev
30-08-2009, 09:24 AM
Currently reading Dune Messiah having just finished Dune. I'm not keen to reach the sixth book of the series and have to put up with Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson engaging in necrophilia to find out what happens in the end.
To be quite honest, I think Brian and Kevin J did a marvellous job. Kevin J was already a brilliant author to begin with, but when you compare the two's work to the original herbert, while they may not be laced with the same political intricacy and insights towards human mentality/behaviour, they are far more entertaining.
What's some good Australian Politics books? Been reading a lot of nonfiction science books lately and wouldn't mind branching out.
Run Johnny Run. It's about the shifty shit that howard did during his political reign. I only got half way through it before I tossed it away in frustration. I don't understand why people are allowed to get away with that shit.
Currently reading Assassin's Quest by Robin Hobb. It's a medieval-inclined fantasy novel. I love the characters and the whole thing is very epic.
Dear god. Don't get me started.
Greatest author ever!!!
read it all the way through, then read mad ship series, then follow on to golden fool series. Absolutely brilliant! The other series she wrote was marvellous as well, but rather morbid and depressing.
I'm currently reading a book by the name of "Dagger Dark" by Richard Millership. Came across this book 'cause I did a job for him, and we were talking about sci fi books, and he told me he'd actually written one. So I chased it up and the book is BRILLIANT. It's a shame he doesn't write any more, because he had so much of a struggle pushing that book onto the market, and it was practically ignored.
Anyways, the book is based in NYC, in an era where drugs are completely legal. There are only a few rare drugs that are illegal due to causing massive harm, but these are still chased due to being forbidden fruit. One type, Dagametoxamine, nicknamed dagger, has been found to be involved in a serial murder case, but the more the detective attempts to chase it up, the more the case is being covered up by the authorities.
It's brilliantly written, and the detectives cynical attitude becomes hilarious at times. it's a real shame this book didn't get far more recognition. It's BRILLIANT!
kirok
30-08-2009, 04:39 PM
Harry Potter and the deadly hallows - J.K.Rowling
Amazingly good book with more twists than a bag of twisties which has been twisted up!
Big Kev
15-09-2009, 09:03 AM
The new dan brown is out people!!! $25.00 hard copy at target. :D:D:D
Jickle
15-09-2009, 09:32 AM
I've been reading The True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey. Preeeeeetty, preeeeeeetty good.
I've been reading The True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey. Preeeeeetty, preeeeeeetty good.
Peter Carey is a genius.
Ali G
15-09-2009, 11:02 AM
I've started a bit of a Murakami binge again, I recently picked up South of the Border, West of the Sun and read that in one day (brilliant book, probably my favourite of his after Norwegian Wood), am now reading Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman and will give Norwegian Wood a reread after that. Pity that I won't have anything else of his to read until 1Q84 comes out, which could be a while.
sausage
15-09-2009, 12:04 PM
The Dangerous Book for Boys by some kraut-sounding author dude.
lol awesome.
edit: also...
http://joshsmithonwpf.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/sniper.jpg
Reading Ender's Game, and already wishing a teacher or someone had recommended it to me 10 years ago...
Almighty Beanchild
15-09-2009, 01:06 PM
Dear god. Don't get me started.
Greatest author ever!!!
read it all the way through, then read mad ship series, then follow on to golden fool series. Absolutely brilliant! The other series she wrote was marvellous as well, but rather morbid and depressing.
I disagree. She's a good author, and her Assassin trilogy in particular is very good, but the Mad Ship books were pretty average, and the Golden Fool was riding the success of the Assassin series, though still very entertaining. Her new Dragon Keeper series seems okayish.
The Soldier's Son series was one of the worst things I've ever read and I've read a lot of very average fantasy/scifi. The second book made me so angry I ended up giving it away to a public library once I'd finished it, just to make sure I never got the urge to reread it again :P
Filthy Old Drunk
15-09-2009, 02:10 PM
Started American Gods by Neil Gaiman this morning. It's the sort of book I'd normally overlook because the subject matter doesn't interest me, but I'm enjoying it. Only a hundred pages in though. Travels with Charley: In Search of America should be here on Thursday or Friday so I'll be reading that next.
Dunkurtin
15-09-2009, 04:55 PM
I disagree. She's a good author, and her Assassin trilogy in particular is very good, but the Mad Ship books were pretty average, and the Golden Fool was riding the success of the Assassin series, though still very entertaining. Her new Dragon Keeper series seems okayish.
The Soldier's Son series was one of the worst things I've ever read and I've read a lot of very average fantasy/scifi. The second book made me so angry I ended up giving it away to a public library once I'd finished it, just to make sure I never got the urge to reread it again :P
Do you mean Liveship not Mad Ship? I liked that series, mind you i was like 13 or something when i read it.
Currently working my way through the 3rd book of Dexter slowly. After that i'll probably read Jimmy the Hand.
AnTrAxX
15-09-2009, 05:10 PM
I want to read Ender's Game, it sounds awesome. Same with American Gods.
Currently I'm reading the last book in the Song of the Tears trilogy The Destiny of the Dead by Ian Irvine. I feel compelled to read to the end just to see what happens. After this though I'll pick up Dead Until Dark, the True Blood book.
JONO RANDOM H3RO
15-09-2009, 05:19 PM
Been reading White Death by Clive Cussler. About half way through , alright so far though Im still undecided on whether i like Cussler's style of writing.
jawsy
15-09-2009, 07:11 PM
I disagree. She's a good author, and her Assassin trilogy in particular is very good, but the Mad Ship books were pretty average, and the Golden Fool was riding the success of the Assassin series, though still very entertaining. Her new Dragon Keeper series seems okayish.
I thought the Liveship Traders trilogy was easily her best work. In fact, I remember reading the last six hundred pages of book three in one sitting, which says something, right?
dinopoke
15-09-2009, 07:11 PM
I disagree. She's a good author, and her Assassin trilogy in particular is very good, but the Mad Ship books were pretty average, and the Golden Fool was riding the success of the Assassin series, though still very entertaining. Her new Dragon Keeper series seems okayish.
Yeah, I finished the Assassin Trilogy and it was amazing. I've just started Ship of Magic and it doesn't quite have the same feeling. This is probably because she doesn't write as well in third person and the fact that the novel darts around numerous characters doesn't give you anyone to feel attached to.
However, from what I've read of the Fool trilogy (the first two), it certainly is up the same quality as the first trilogy.
Pynchon's Inherent Vice finally arrived today. Goodbye life!
Jickle
15-09-2009, 07:19 PM
Pynchon's Inherent Vice finally arrived today. Goodbye life!
Let me know how it is, I've heard good things.
I just started reading a print-out of Ned Kelly's The Jerilderie Letter, but that's only about 12 pages so I guess it doesn't count. >_> Once I'm done with my thesis I'm going to get stuck into some James Bond books - I read Casino Royale and Goldfinger and found them wholeheartedly entertaining.
Big Kev
16-09-2009, 07:04 AM
I disagree. She's a good author, and her Assassin trilogy in particular is very good, but the Mad Ship books were pretty average, and the Golden Fool was riding the success of the Assassin series, though still very entertaining. Her new Dragon Keeper series seems okayish.
The Soldier's Son series was one of the worst things I've ever read and I've read a lot of very average fantasy/scifi. The second book made me so angry I ended up giving it away to a public library once I'd finished it, just to make sure I never got the urge to reread it again :P
Made me furious too.
A bad book doesn't invoke emotions like that. A bad book invokes boredom.
I want to read Ender's Game, it sounds awesome.
Just finished it and I can't recommend it highly enough. It was great despite the fact that I'd ruined the story for myself some time ago.
Ad-Rock
19-09-2009, 10:04 AM
I've just started The Extended Phenotype by Dawkins. One chapter in and already hooked.
Is the Wheel of Time series worth reading? My gf has started them and can't put them down (but I'm hesitant to take her recommendation when it comes to fantasy novels).
Dorepoll
19-09-2009, 10:10 AM
Pynchon's Inherent Vice finally arrived today. Goodbye life!
I heard it is more accessible than his other work. Gravity's Rainbow was awesome (from the short time I had with it), but a hell of a mind **** to get through. Is this true?
Also, reading Satre's The Age Of Reason. Dude loves his semi colons.
I heard it is more accessible than his other work. Gravity's Rainbow was awesome (from the short time I had with it), but a hell of a mind **** to get through. Is this true?
Definitely. Gravity's Rainbow will always be his best, but the sheer complexity makes it brutal reading at times. 'Vice is still tougher than most other fiction published recently, but about on par with 'Lot 49 from what I've read thus far.
I'd recommend you jumping into Vineland if you're after easier and hilarious Pynchon though.
REQUIEM
19-09-2009, 06:59 PM
Just finishd " Underboss " by Sammy the bull Gravano and it was a good read. Im currently reading the " According to Clarkson " books at the moment and I must say that they are a funny toilet read.
ScToTeE
19-09-2009, 07:29 PM
At the moment I'm SLOWLY making my way through Peter Temple's The Broken Shore. It's a great book, economical with words and driven by fleshed-out characters, I'm just too busy to find the time to read it. Even now, I'm breaking down research for a University essay by posting here. Nevertheless, Peter Temple is Australia's top crime fiction writer. Check his stuff out if you're a fan of the genre.
jawsy
20-09-2009, 10:03 AM
Is the Wheel of Time series worth reading? My gf has started them and can't put them down (but I'm hesitant to take her recommendation when it comes to fantasy novels).
The answer is 'absolutely' (have never read a series that creates a world with such depth) but be aware that only 11 of the 12 planned books have been released and Jordan passed away. I'm sure someone else will finish it, but not sure how that will pan out.
Edit: Okay, this finally convinced me to do some research, and it turns out that Brandon Sanderson has taken over (Mistborn), and that book 12 is actually being released in 3 volumes, beginning with the first on November 3rd. So at least if you do get started you will be able to get some closure.
:P
Allick
20-09-2009, 01:34 PM
finally got around to finishing To Kill a Mockingbird a couple of weeks ago and I must say it has to be one of the best books i have ever read. Such good descriptive language used and i never really found it boring.
Ad-Rock
24-09-2009, 09:31 AM
The answer is 'absolutely' (have never read a series that creates a world with such depth) but be aware that only 11 of the 12 planned books have been released and Jordan passed away. I'm sure someone else will finish it, but not sure how that will pan out.
Edit: Okay, this finally convinced me to do some research, and it turns out that Brandon Sanderson has taken over (Mistborn), and that book 12 is actually being released in 3 volumes, beginning with the first on November 3rd. So at least if you do get started you will be able to get some closure.
:P
Ok ty. It'll give me some more fantasy to read while I wait for George Martin's next installment (if he doesn't die first...).
Big Kev
26-09-2009, 05:54 AM
Ok, so I'm half way through the new dan brown, and without giving anything away, realised that once again it's followed the same Robert Langdon path it always does. Friend in trouble, female relative of friend soon to be sleeping with.
Naturally, the eyes rolled when I realised this, but in Dan Brown's defence, the book has been almost impossible to put down since I started reading it. This man seriously knows his twists and turns.
Silverwolf
26-09-2009, 06:04 AM
finally got around to finishing To Kill a Mockingbird a couple of weeks ago and I must say it has to be one of the best books i have ever read. Such good descriptive language used and i never really found it boring.
I really must read this book again, I think I read it last when I was about 12 years old.
Dunkurtin
26-09-2009, 10:25 AM
I finished The Game on Thursday night. Never been much of a biography person but it was probably one of the bext books i've ever read. Such and unbelievable story. The use of everyones PUA alias's through the whole book really let me get absorbed in the book at times forgetting i wasn't reading fiction helped by how crazy the experiences described are. I'm still having trouble processing the fact that everything in that book actually happened.
Now i've started reading The Seflish Gene. I've had it on my backlog of books to read for a while. Slowly making me way through the pile of books i bought at the start of the year.
Dorepoll
26-09-2009, 10:47 PM
Made me furious too.
A bad book doesn't invoke emotions like that. A bad book invokes boredom.
Wrong. Bad writing is infuriating. It is a waste of time and a black eye on the face of literature. Twilight, Atlas Shrugged and anything written by Dan Brown fall under this umbrella.
Big Kev
27-09-2009, 05:02 AM
Bad writing?
The book wasn't written by Kirok...
Vindik8or
27-09-2009, 11:58 AM
So Bill O'Reilly's books are good because he writes malicious filth evocatively? (this is a rhetorical question (the answer is "no"))
Jickle
27-09-2009, 12:08 PM
So Bill O'Reilly's books are good because he writes malicious filth evocatively? (this is a rhetorical question (the answer is "no"))
Oh wow, I just checked his website and he actually released a fiction book at some stage. I'm almost tempted to look into it, simply because the mere existance of Bill O'Reilly baffles me somewhat and I'd love to see what sort of rubbish he'd spew forth when he's not even pretending to be sticking to reality...
Almighty Beanchild
27-09-2009, 02:52 PM
Made me furious too.
A bad book doesn't invoke emotions like that. A bad book invokes boredom.
You missed my point; I got angry at it because it was poorly written tripe. The entire thing was a guy whining about being fat so the perspective character wasn't in the least bit sympathetic, the world she created was INCREDIBLY dull and it didn't end so much as just peter out. And I thought a lot of it was just badly written, as I said.
I'm reading the First Law trilogy by Joe Abercrombie at the moment. It's not amazing, but its pretty good, solid fantasy (amusingly, I'd probably say about on par with Robin Hobb's Assassin trilogy XD).
I came across two absolute gems of the horror genre last week:
- The Shrinking Man by Richard Matheson, and
- Ghost Story by Peter Straub
I'd read a bit about both these through Danse Macabre, an old non-fiction by Stephen King where he analyses the horror genre.
The Shrinking Man is a very clever tale dealing with humanity and What Makes a Man?
Ghost Story is just starting to get interesting, dealing with a group of 5 men in a small town and a strange series of events.
I really want to find Something Wicked This Way Comes next.
Ali G
09-10-2009, 07:17 PM
I recently gave The Great Gatsby another read, having last read it for school three years ago. It was far better than I remembered it to be (even though I did like it then too). I can see myself reading it again a few times, actually. Fitzgerald really has a way with words.
After that I read The Informers by Bret Easton Ellis. It had its moments, but I did grow tired of it after a while. Definitely not as good as Less Than Zero or The Rules of Attraction (I haven't read American Psycho yet). Still, it wasn't horrible either.
Now I've started on Light in August by William Faulkner. I've been meaning to read something of his for a while, as he's been recommended to me by my dad and is Gabriel García Márquez's favourite author (who is, in turn, my favourite author). So far, it's not a very easy read, but then again, García Márquez isn't either.
Vindik8or
09-10-2009, 07:28 PM
Ok, so I'm half way through the new dan brown, and without giving anything away, realised that once again it's followed the same Robert Langdon path it always does. Friend in trouble, female relative of friend soon to be sleeping with.
Naturally, the eyes rolled when I realised this, but in Dan Brown's defence, the book has been almost impossible to put down since I started reading it. This man seriously knows his twists and turns.
Kev, really, being a page-turner doesn't make a book good. In fact a lot of the great reads are quite tough to read and take some dedication. Making a book a tough-to-put-down bestseller is a science, not an art. I'm sure that without much trouble you could find plenty of guides, lists of dos-and-don'ts to make your own page-turner, and all without an ounce of creativity.
Big Kev
10-10-2009, 07:53 PM
Oh ffs.
So if it's not boring to read, it is to be discredited. Bravo.
The true call of the intellectual masturbator.
Dan brown? Oh no he's not a good writer, because he writes with science! You have to write with aaaaaaaart to be a good writer maaaaaaaan. Clicks ladies, clicks!!!
You try and write a book using said science and supposed "lack of creativity" and see how many people rush to buy it. Honestly, that's actually the only naiive thing I can ever remember having seen you say mate.
Having said that, now into the new Robin Hobb book. Brilliant as expected. :D
Vindik8or
10-10-2009, 08:37 PM
Oh ffs.
So if it's not boring to read, it is to be discredited. Bravo.
The true call of the intellectual masturbator.
Dan brown? Oh no he's not a good writer, because he writes with science! You have to write with aaaaaaaart to be a good writer maaaaaaaan. Clicks ladies, clicks!!!
You try and write a book using said science and supposed "lack of creativity" and see how many people rush to buy it. Honestly, that's actually the only naiive thing I can ever remember having seen you say mate.
Having said that, now into the new Robin Hobb book. Brilliant as expected. :D
Srawman arguments, Kev.
I didn't say that if it's not boring (in fact, I didn't even use the word boring, BUT LET'S RUN WITH IT!) it is to be discredited. I said that being unboring isn't criteria enough... in fact f*** it, boring has nothing to do with it.
Page-turning has nothing to do with boring or not boring, it is about how easy it is to digest. I am not saying in my argument that there are not great books that are easy to read, but I am saying that it is not on its own an indication. Dan Brown writes trashy books where you turn the pages quick. I found myself reading single paragraphs over and over in Frank Herbert's stuff to get what was being driven at, but that didn't make his books any less great because I couldn't burn through them in half a day.
You can substitute science for craft if that makes it easier for you to digest, page-turningness is something that can and has been measured and taught. The great books don't rely on those cheap tricks, and to-be-perfectly-honest, in 50 or 100 years Dan Brown won't still be in people's book collections, nor will he be that particularly easy to read. We'll see which ones people will still want to read then.
So if it's not boring to read, it is to be discredited. Bravo.
Not necessarily.
I don't know if you've read Dan Brown's other books (Deception Point & Digital Fortress), but they suffer greatly from being too heavy with the pseudo-science and not controversial at all due to the lack of religious content. He also breaks through what I like to refer to as 'the barrier of believability' almost as much as Matthew Reilly: who wrote a doozy in Seven Ancient Wonders when a terrorist named Mustahpa Zaeed is sprung from Guantanemo Bay
And the fact that he ignores the 'barrier' completely is why I stopped reading the Alex Cross novels by James Patterson. The earlier Alex Cross books are gritty, well-thought out additions to the crime genre (Kiss the Girls & Along Came a Spider) but the more convoluted the 'Alex Cross Saga' becomes the more tedious the stories are, whether Patterson writes in the page-turning style or not. It's not that exciting things aren't happening to Cross, it's just that (like 24) you come to a point where you have to stand back and say "How much can happen to one man?"
Interesting conversation with Jackie last night about the Twilight series basically confirmed everything I had heard about Stephanie Meyer: she's a shitty writer catching a lift on the Hogwarts Express. Jackie said the first book, Twilight, is what it is: a girl falls in love with a guy who just happens to be a vampire. In my mind, a good start which creates several opportunities to expand the characters in the sequels (despite ignoring hundreds of years of established vampire lore).
Jackie has just finished reading the second book, which she called "one of the hardest books I've ever read". Not because nothing exciting happens, but because nothing changes: the book is about a girl who is in love with a vampire - with werewolves thrown in. In trying to get me to understand how poor a writer Meyer is, Jackie used the example of Hermoine from Harry Potter: through the other character's points of view you get a better understanding of Hermoine and what motivates her character, and over the course of the series her character goes through many changes and develops quite a lot.
Compare that to Bella, and in the space of two books, she's still just a girl who is in love with a vampire.
I'm almost to the end of Ghost Story, which reads very familiar to 'Salem's Lot: small town at risk of being destroyed by wrathful supernatural beingsThat's not in any way a negative.
Vindik8or
11-10-2009, 11:13 AM
(despite ignoring hundreds of years of established vampire lore).
Can I just say that I hate the use of the word 'lore' so much. There's no such thing, there's really just a bunch of characteristics that people have used for certain effects at different points over the years. Here's a few that don't get so much representation:
-Scattering seeds around forces them to count them all (lol Count Von Count).
-They won't cross running water (good luck getting around any modern city where water flows in mains and sewerage under every street).
-They cannot enter a property without permission from the owner.
There's plenty more, anyway, point being it's not le lore that is important to evoking the vampiric archetype. What is important to get right is the thematic components of vampirism, and the two main classical vampiric features to convey this is the need to feed on human blood and being unable to go out in the day. Feeding on animals, and being able to venture out in the day (albeit sparkling)... well how is that different to being human, but better?
Vampirism is supposed to be eating of the Fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. It is supposed to be terrible power coupled with horrid monstrosity. Also as Buffy showed us so well, it plays on adolescent insecurities very well - the unwanted feeling during puberty of being inadequate and awkward in your new body (monstrosity) is counterbalanced in a teenage mind by the possibilities insinuated by also being darkly powerful.
Stephanie Myers completely missed that. "Oh you don't want to be immortal because it's such a drag, and we're a bunch of petty infighting barbarians". That's what she's saying. Also she's saying that Vampirism is an allegory for sex, and Mormon morality prevents Edward from wanting to inflict se... Vampirism upon Bella because he loves her too much. Ugh.
lore (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/lore)
1 /lɔr, loʊr/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [lawr, lohr]
–noun
1. the body of knowledge, esp. of a traditional, anecdotal, or popular nature, on a particular subject: the lore of herbs.
2. learning, knowledge, or erudition.
3. Archaic.
a. the process or act of teaching; instruction.
b. something that is taught; lesson.
Vindik8or
11-10-2009, 11:45 AM
As though Vampires exist.
Jickle
11-10-2009, 12:08 PM
Vin, literally any criticism that can be hurled at Twilight is valid. :p
I don't mind if you steer away from 'lore', but you should at least address it. Explain that the 'fictional' vampire legend comes from a misunderstanding of your text's 'real' vampires or something.
I've been reading Lynch on Lynch, a series of interviews with David Lynch. Interesting stuff.
Vindik8or
11-10-2009, 12:24 PM
No, just the word sucks. Too many nerdlinger connotations.
As though Vampires exist.
Implying that they don't... >__>
In any case, Meyer is a terrible addition to the genre for several reasons the least of which is the fact that unlike Buffy & Angel, who's storylines worked with the established fiction of vampires to their credit, Meyer's series doesn't even try.
Take the vampires out of Twilight and all you have is a poorly written romance novel:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Devest8r/dalypaperbackcover.jpg
texta
11-10-2009, 12:59 PM
Here's a few that don't get so much representation:
...
-They cannot enter a property without permission from the owner.The third one is a fairly staple part of vampirism. Well it's at least in Buffy and The Vampire Diaries... so I've heard anyway <_<
I'm reading Unseen Academicals which is Terry Pratchett's new book. It's okay so far, nicely timed to come out around the same time as FIFA 10 (since it's sort of about soccer).
Ali G
11-10-2009, 01:54 PM
The third one is a fairly staple part of vampirism. Well it's at least in Buffy and The Vampire Diaries... so I've heard anyway <_<
And in Let the Right One In too.
Dunkurtin
27-10-2009, 12:47 AM
The third one is a fairly staple part of vampirism. Well it's at least in Buffy and The Vampire Diaries... so I've heard anyway <_<
Also in Moonlight.
Jickle
27-10-2009, 12:51 AM
I've been reading Thomas Pynchon's 'Vineland'. It seems to be the literary equivilant of Luis Bunuel's 'The Phantom of Liberty', which is a very, very good thing. I especially love all the weird little musical interludes throughout. 'Floozy With An Uzi' is particularly awesome.
Space_Monkey
28-10-2009, 10:45 PM
True Blood is pretty much the way to do a modern Vampire tale.... I haven't read any of the Twilight books or given it much attention my philosophy is if I don't think, write or talk about it eventually it will go away. ..........Hmmm I writing about it now. :(
Allick
28-10-2009, 10:58 PM
Just finished reading Thursday's Child. Quite good compared to most Australian fiction.
Dunkurtin
28-10-2009, 11:06 PM
New Wheel of Time book is out. 12 was meant to be the last but it seems it couldn't all fit in one book so its part 1 of 3. Not sure when i'll get around to reading it though, has been so long since the last one i might have to reread the whole series. Can't wait to see if Brandon Sanderson has done a good job.
What i'm currently reading is the last book of the Quickening series by Fiona McIntosh. My friend got me the first book for my birthday and i loved it. Going to have to look at her other series.
Ali G
28-10-2009, 11:40 PM
I finished Light in August by Faulkner a few days ago, it was amazing. Now I'm reading Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy. It's not easy going and can be a bit confusing with his refusal to use quotation marks, but it's still easier to read than Faulkner.
Jickle
29-10-2009, 05:56 PM
I grabbed Tony Martin's A Nest of Occassionals yesterday using a Borders voucher. And then all three of those Rob Sitch et. al. 'travel-guide' parodies for $15 at Angus & Robinson. Nicely done.
I've just started reading Sandman. The premise is incredibly interesting.
#8, The Sound of Her Wings, was especially poignant, I thought.
Readman
12-11-2009, 08:44 AM
I am currently reading Gallipoli by Les Carlyon and East and West by Chris Patten.
Neither is that great, but they've both been on my bookshelf for years staring at me, unread. They will not defeat me.
Sandman #31, Three Septembers and a January. Another brilliant story based on a real man (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Abraham_Norton).
This is very fast becoming my favourite comic series.
I love the way that these figments of our imagination and of our minds are given very strong characterisations.
Readman
14-11-2009, 08:19 PM
How much of it have you read?
Readman
14-11-2009, 09:48 PM
What volume is that?
Serenity
14-11-2009, 10:06 PM
I'm currently reading Open Veins of Latin America by Eduardo Galeano. I'm only about a quarter of the way through, but it's a fascinating read about how the Spanish exploited the South Americans and now how the Americans are doing it too.
What volume is that?
Volume 2.
Jickle
15-11-2009, 11:56 AM
Just started on the new Stephen King, Under the Dome. Anyone else reading it?
Not yet. Ask me next pay day :(
Readman
15-11-2009, 06:08 PM
When's that, so we know when to ask you?
On a positive note, Gallipoli is turning out to be much better than I was expecting. I was suspicious of its writing style, which is more informal than the academic history I'm used to reading for 'fun', but is more engaging.
When's that, so we know when to ask you?
Um, Thursday in this country, dude.
Readman
15-11-2009, 09:05 PM
Everybody has the same payday?
O_o
Dunkurtin
15-11-2009, 10:34 PM
My pay goes in Wednesday night. =]
Anyway currently reading Emergency by Niel Strauss. Just like with The Game i'm really racing through it as i just can't put it down most of the time. Just love Strauss's writing style so much.
http://www.neilstrauss.com/emergency/
Silverwolf
15-11-2009, 11:08 PM
Almost everyone.
Lol no, TAT. Silly.
Thursday isn't colloquially known as "payday" for nothing...
I get paid on Wednesday. Bring it.
Jickle
29-11-2009, 09:21 PM
So now that Uni is over, I've decided to blast through all the books I have lying around. The problem is that I just had a look around and found that I am in possession of no less than 22 books that I have not read. Many were very cheap, a few are Penguin Classics, and some I just really wanted at the time I bought them. I've decided I need to form some sort of order for these books, so that once I've wrapped up Murakami's The Wind of Bird Chronicle (which will probably be in the next day or two; it's starting to irritate me a bit so I want to wrap it up quickly) I have a good idea of what to read next.
So I'm looking for thoughts and opinions on the following:
Ian Fleming, A Quantum of Solace and Other Short Stories (from the library, read 1 story)
Ian Fleming, Thunderball
Ian Fleming, From Russia With Love
Ian Fleming, Dr No
Stephen King, Just After Sunset (read some of)
Kurt Vonnegut, Breakfast of Champions
Thomas Pynchon, Inherent Vice
John Ajvide Lindqvist, Let the Right One In
Dean Koontz, Odd Thomas
Hunter S. Thompson, Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72
Hunter S. Thompson, Hell's Angels
Don DeLillo, Underworld
H.P. Lovecraft, The Call of Cthulu and Other Weird Stories (read a little bit of)
Jim Thompson, Savage Night
Edward Anderson, Thieves Like Us
Gordon Ramsay, Humble Pie
Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward, All The President's Men
Chris Rodley, Lynch on Lynch (read some of it - if you're a David Lynch fan, this is an awesome book)
Upton Sinclair, Oil!
Truman Capote, In Cold Blood
Cervantes, Don Quixote
Irving Welsh, The Bedroom Secrets of the Master Chefs
Stephen King, Just After Sunset (read some of)
H.P. Lovecraft, The Call of Cthulu and Other Weird Stories (read a little bit of)
Take these off the list.
If you want a change in pace you can always just pick up and read a short story.
Lovecraft's tales are nearly all classics, while King's newer short stories aren't that impressive
Jickle
29-11-2009, 09:47 PM
Take these off the list.
If you want a change in pace you can always just pick up and read a short story.
Lovecraft's tales are nearly all classics, while King's newer short stories aren't that impressive
Yeah, I thought I'd mix in the short stories with the others. I've just picked up Quantum of Solace again because Wind Up Bird is starting to drag. But then, the reason I never end up finishing the damn things is because I get engrossed in much bigger works and never come back to them.
Readman
29-11-2009, 09:51 PM
I haven't read any of them, but the movie of All the President's Men was pretty good so go and read that.
Jickle
29-11-2009, 09:51 PM
And you call yourself Readman!
Filthy Old Drunk
30-11-2009, 07:31 AM
The Wind of Bird Chronicle (which will probably be in the next day or two; it's starting to irritate me a bit so I want to wrap it up quickly)
Man if there's one book you don't want to 'wrap up quickly' it's that one. The first time I read it I was going through a 'read everything quickly' stage as my unread books were mounting up, and it was quite underwhelming. But subsequent reads I've taken my time and it's much more enjoyable.
Anyhoo, I'm about to start Suttree by Cormac McCarthy
Oh, I totally got Under the Dome yesterday. It's already hooked me. The first chapter, The Airplane and the Woodchuck, sold me straight away, and the next few chapters have sown the seeds of what I hope are some cool story arcs.
sausage
30-11-2009, 08:22 AM
Back to vampires having to be invited onto premises: The Lost Boys main reveal concentrated on this aspect of vampire culture.
Carry on.
Halt, Hammerzeit
30-11-2009, 09:05 AM
Almost finished the last book of the Heir To The Empire Star Wars book series. I forgot how good it was, probably because it was the first new addition to SW in a long time, so it had a bit of freedom in what it would do. Plus, Grand Admiral Thrawn is just an awesome bad guy.
Ali G
30-11-2009, 10:03 AM
Man if there's one book you don't want to 'wrap up quickly' it's that one. The first time I read it I was going through a 'read everything quickly' stage as my unread books were mounting up, and it was quite underwhelming. But subsequent reads I've taken my time and it's much more enjoyable.
I can understand what he's feeling though. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle is probably the least coherent of Murakami's works (characters are suddenly never mentioned again, etc.). Having said that though, it's still a worthwhile read, especially because some of the parts of the book (Manchuria) are Murakami at the top of his game.
Allick
06-12-2009, 04:28 PM
Finished Reading Lullaby by Chuck Palahniuk, really great novel.
Ad-Rock
07-12-2009, 08:44 AM
I'm reading Douglas Adam's A Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. Its great!
I also purchased a couple of $10 classics: Oscar Wilde's A Picture of Dorian Grey and Bram Stoker's Dracula.
Finally got to read Under the Dome.
I'm not going to say I loved it, but I did think the source of the dome was very King and a throwback to an idea he put forth through the mouth of The Man in Black in DT1: The Gunslinger:
in which the known galaxy is described as being a single atom amongst an infinite number of them which form a single blade of grass in some far-off, impossibly big place
I can't say it's left a lasting impression on me, though the finale was amazing:
lightning in a bottle
dimorphic
10-12-2009, 12:53 PM
Just bought Midnight in Some Burning Town by Christian Jennings.
http://edge1.dealsdirect.net/images/products/26365/2/product1_26365_600x600.jpg
Love these kind of books, can't wait to sink into it.
Halt, Hammerzeit
10-12-2009, 01:30 PM
I've been reading Ben Elton's Meltdown. I have a sort of love/hate affair with Elton's books. The first one I read was Popcorn and I absolutely loved it, but there's been a few of his books (like Blast From The Past) that were just bland crap. I'm yet to make up my mind about whether or not I like Meltdown.
Jickle
10-12-2009, 01:37 PM
Finally got to read Under the Dome.
I'm not going to say I loved it, but I did think the source of the dome was very King and a throwback to an idea he put forth through the mouth of The Man in Black in DT1: The Gunslinger:
in which the known galaxy is described as being a single atom amongst an infinite number of them which form a single blade of grass in some far-off, impossibly big place
I can't say it's left a lasting impression on me, though the finale was amazing:
lightning in a bottle
I quite liked Under the Dome. I thought it presented an interesting examination of the relationship between the author, reader and characters:
...which is to say, that essentially it was King who put the dome over these people, and the readers who join him in examining what happens to them under there. Basically, we are the Leatherface alien...things that are viewing these people with curious indifference. I picked up on this at one point where King starts specifically narrating from the point of the view of the author/reader, saying that as we travel through the town we bump into a traffic light and cause it to sway. He explictly places us within the story, and the dome can only be removed, essentially, once things progress from interesting to horrific. In this sense, I think there was a lot more under the surface of this one than is typical of King.
I'm reading Thomas Pynchon's Inherent Vice. It's superb.
I thought it presented an interesting examination of the relationship between the author, reader and characters:
You know I almost completely missed that realization, but I do remember twigging at that part you mentioned because
It reminded me of Black House, which he wrote with Peter Straub, and a similar sequence in which an unknown entity moves around the town in that story and lets us in on what's going on. It's later revealed to be a malevolent crow, and while reading Dome I remember quite clearly wondering who it was that we were following around.
Crazy.
dinopoke
10-12-2009, 03:59 PM
I've been reading The God Delusion. Enjoyable and pretty easy to read so far.
I've been wondering, what are some good introductions to philosophy or just good philosophy books in general. I've had some interest in it for some time now but I'm not quite sure where to begin. I'm not a fan of De Botton as he seems to dumb it down so much to the point where I don't learn anything. I've also read a bit of An Introduction to Philosophical Analysis by John Hospers. I like how the book is set out and how it teaches the basics but the guy contradicts himself and rants on too much. It seems like he doesn't have a clue what he is talking about. I've read Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil and really enjoyed it. It just feels I need an introduction to the basics as well as a overview of the history of philosophy so I know what all those 'isms' are. I just want something comprehensive.
Serenity
12-12-2009, 11:10 PM
I've been reading The God Delusion. Enjoyable and pretty easy to read so far.
Maybe I'm just an uneducated cretin but I found the book really difficult to get into. Brilliant, yes, because I am a very forward atheist and what this book has done for atheism is really astounding, his arguments are just so polished and superb...But someting about his writing style, particularly in The God Delusion reeked to me of trying to throw as many verbosities at the reader as possible.
As for myself, I am currently reading Dawkins' latest work, The Greatest Show On Earth. I've found it much easier to get into and while it is not permanently attached to my hand, I read a little every few nights. It's a good read and really perhaps should be essential reading in high school for biology students, especially those who are taught both creative design and evolution.
I've also been meaning to finish Open Veins of Latin America by Eduardo Galeano for a long time. It's a great read too, however during the translation to English I fear perhaps some of the original meaning in parts might have been lost.
jawsy
14-12-2009, 10:06 AM
Hang on, it's 'brilliant' because you happen to agree with the point of view?
Readman
14-12-2009, 11:56 AM
I've been wondering, what are some good introductions to philosophy or just good philosophy books in general. I've had some interest in it for some time now but I'm not quite sure where to begin. I'm not a fan of De Botton as he seems to dumb it down so much to the point where I don't learn anything. I've also read a bit of An Introduction to Philosophical Analysis by John Hospers. I like how the book is set out and how it teaches the basics but the guy contradicts himself and rants on too much. It seems like he doesn't have a clue what he is talking about. I've read Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil and really enjoyed it. It just feels I need an introduction to the basics as well as a overview of the history of philosophy so I know what all those 'isms' are. I just want something comprehensive.
The only generalist philosophy book I've ever read is Bertrand Russell's The History of Western Philosophy. It gives you a good overview, but doesn't include that much of 20th century philosophy and also is heavily biased towards Russell's own personal views. That's not to say that it's useless, but keep that in mind when reading it (especially with Hegel, whom he dislikes very much).
Were you interested in any specific type of philosophy? Analytical? Metaphysics? Political? Ethical?
Serenity
14-12-2009, 12:35 PM
Hang on, it's 'brilliant' because you happen to agree with the point of view?
I'm not starting with that. Nope. It's brilliant because his arguments are great and it was about time a book like this received mainstream awareness.
enrique
14-12-2009, 02:18 PM
I've just started reading The Defector by Daniel Silva. And like the rest of the series featuring Gabriel Allon I just can't put it down, especially as it follows on from the previous book Moscow Rules which I very much enjoyed reading.
Jickle
14-12-2009, 02:23 PM
Still slowly working my way through Thomas Pynchon's Inherent Vice (I can only ever take his books slowly). I think the scene in which the main character sits down to watch the telemovie 'Godzilligan's Island' is the best thing I've read in a book all year.
jawsy
15-12-2009, 08:26 AM
I'm not starting with that. Nope. It's brilliant because his arguments are great and it was about time a book like this received mainstream awareness.
I don't care about your personal views (in fact, we appear to share a similar viewpoint), but you seemed to be implying as much.
igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!
15-12-2009, 10:20 AM
I ordered some stuff from the Book Depository a few days ago... am I not going to get it till mid January or so? :(
HiredMan
15-12-2009, 11:19 AM
Read The Game by Neil Strauss in Japan and am currently reading Shogun by James Clavell. Next up is Taiko by Eiji Yoshikawa.
Readman
15-12-2009, 11:21 AM
I ordered some stuff from the Book Depository a few days ago... am I not going to get it till mid January or so? :(
Probably. That seems to be about the time it normally takes them to ship to me.
Online bookstores are fantastic for a lot of things. Getting books quickly is not one of them.
Dunkurtin
15-12-2009, 12:08 PM
Read The Game by Neil Strauss in Japan and am currently reading Shogun by James Clavell. Next up is Taiko by Eiji Yoshikawa.
If you enjoyed The Game I suggest also reading his last book Emergency. Really like Strauss's writing style.
Serenity
15-12-2009, 12:24 PM
I don't care about your personal views (in fact, we appear to share a similar viewpoint), but you seemed to be implying as much.
Naw, it's a misinterpretation. Easy to make, most of my posts aren't really that well-thought out, even when I try for them to be. :(
Araenel
15-12-2009, 04:07 PM
I ordered some books last thursday, one arrived yesterday, I've always experienced great delivery speed with book depository.
The book that arrived was The Crying of Lot 49, expecting Gravitys Rainbow soon too. Got those two pretty much on the basis that "Jickle and DC seem to like Pynchons work a lot". Could go either way!
Jickle
15-12-2009, 04:33 PM
The book that arrived was The Crying of Lot 49, expecting Gravitys Rainbow soon too. Got those two pretty much on the basis that "Jickle and DC seem to like Pynchons work a lot". Could go either way!
As good a reason as any! I haven't gotten my hands on Gravity's Rainbow yet - an English/film lecturer at Uni once told me that I should try it "when I had six months spare and nothing else to do".
Borrowed Goldings Lord of the Flies and The Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks from the library today. You were right Jickle, it is serious! I owe you an apology >_>
Readman
15-12-2009, 07:21 PM
I ordered some books last thursday, one arrived yesterday, I've always experienced great delivery speed with book depository.
Try living in central China and seeing how fast your stuff gets delivered. :(
Araenel
15-12-2009, 09:26 PM
As good a reason as any! I haven't gotten my hands on Gravity's Rainbow yet - an English/film lecturer at Uni once told me that I should try it "when I had six months spare and nothing else to do".
Yeah it arrived today. Holy shit it's big.
What have I done to myself!?
HiredMan
16-12-2009, 04:49 PM
If you enjoyed The Game I suggest also reading his last book Emergency. Really like Strauss's writing style.
The mate that lent me The Game also gave me Emergency to read when I finished it but I ended up reading Nicholas Peleggi's Wiseguy instead. Great bio but not really worth reading if you've seen Goodfellas as many times as I have :/ but pretty amazed how true the movie was to the book.
Yeah it arrived today. Holy shit it's big.
What have I done to myself!?
I'd recommend working through 'Lot 49 first, not only because it'll give you a nice introduction into Pynchon's hilariously ****ed up mind (and the absolutely fascinating way he plays with narration and allusions), but also because, like Jickle said, Gravity's Rainbow is essentially a year-long reading process (even if you invest in all the countless 'companion' texts for the damn book).
Let us know how you go with it, he's definitely an acquired taste. Good luck! :)
Jickle
20-12-2009, 10:21 PM
Hey Scott, read Inherent Vice yet? It's awesome.
Hey Scott, read Inherent Vice yet? It's awesome.
I haven't even finished Vineland yet. :p But it's next on the list (I've heard it works as something like a quasi-prequel of sorts - mainly in style and language).
Allick
28-12-2009, 11:19 PM
I've started reading Heavier Than Heaven a few days ago and I find it fairly enjoyable. Also picked up Magician today.
jawsy
29-12-2009, 09:10 PM
Ploughed through Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks (which told me nothing I didn't already know) and Super Freakonomics (which told me plenty that I didn't already know, but which I am sure is incorrect if I actually sit down and bust out the butcher's paper and crayons) over the last two days.
This is starting to look like the Summer of Reading (current titleholder: Summer of '03. Polished off the first 9 [or was the tenth out then as well?] books in the Wheel of Time series over the course of 6 weeks).
Readman
29-12-2009, 09:11 PM
Apparently Super Freakonomics is mainly a crock of shit, so keep that in mind.
This reminds me, I have to get back to the books I'm reading atm. Might go and do that now.
jawsy
29-12-2009, 09:14 PM
Apparently Super Freakonomics is mainly a crock of shit, so keep that in mind.
Yeah, hence the butcher's paper and crayons I mentioned.
But as an exercise in highlighting the elasticity of hard evidence, it's worth a read.
Dastardly
30-12-2009, 01:42 AM
The book that arrived was The Crying of Lot 49, expecting Gravitys Rainbow soon too. Got those two pretty much on the basis that "Jickle and DC seem to like Pynchons work a lot". Could go either way!
Still need to bother to track down Gravity's Rainbow after being thoroughly impressed with V.
Finished Neil Gaiman's Anansi Boys, which was nice enough. Nothing exceptional however.
Darkness at Noon, by Arthur Koestler, is great, highly recommend it. Although people being thrown into Russian gulag's is kinda my thing.
Readman
30-12-2009, 11:37 AM
Anyway, I gave up on my book Gallipoli by Les Carlyon (I made it almost halfway through, which surprised me). I just couldn't get interested in the blow-by-blow account of the battle. I think I may pick it up again between books, and read bits of it. But I just can't struggle through the whole thing at once.
Now I've started Madame Mao by Ross Terrill. The subject matter is pretty much explanatory.
Gnail Niloc
30-12-2009, 09:04 PM
Just finished reading A Storm of Swords. Best book of the series so far in my opinion. While I wait for a Feast for Crows to arrive in the mail, I'll stick my head into the new Dan Brown book.
Campdog
06-01-2010, 07:19 AM
Im currently reading though 'The Thousand Orcs'. Its been a while since ive read anything on Drizzt Do'Urden and so far the book is great!
Ad-Rock
06-01-2010, 07:39 AM
Started and finished Raymond E Feists latest book At the Gates of Darkness yesterday. It was good but far too brief. I really hope Feist picks up his game for the final 3 books in the Riftwar Cycle - the last 8 books have all left me feeling a little let down.
EDIT: Started Darkly Dreaming Dexter last night. Pretty shit writing so far, if it doesn't get better soon I'll stick to the tv shows.
jawsy
06-01-2010, 10:13 AM
Knocked over The Turnaround yesterday by Pelecanos (novelist who also worked on The Wire). It's the second book of his I have read and his beats and rhythms are pretty clear now. He certainly writes with a sense of authenticity, which may be the most important thing for these types of crime/community novels.
Also finished the last few chapters of The Book of Basketball by Bill Simmons. Entertaining for all 700 pages.
The Summer of Reading continues!
Banjo Tooie
06-01-2010, 10:47 AM
Just finished reading A Storm of Swords. Best book of the series so far in my opinion. While I wait for a Feast for Crows to arrive in the mail, I'll stick my head into the new Dan Brown book.
Prepare to be disappointed with Feast. And take it slow...probably the last George RR Martin you'll be reading in a while. Be sure to LOL at the blurb about the next book at the back of Feast.
Ad-Rock
07-01-2010, 10:25 AM
Finished Darkly Dreaming Dexter. I can't believe they made such a cool TV show out of such a boring, trashy, piece of shit book.
I think I will read Lustrum next.
Jickle
07-01-2010, 10:42 AM
Just started Jim Thompson's Savage Night. Any other Jim Thompson fans around? I've only read two of his other books but they were both awesome.
JimmyKane
10-01-2010, 12:39 AM
Finished Darkly Dreaming Dexter. I can't believe they made such a cool TV show out of such a boring, trashy, piece of shit book.
I saw it the other day and thought about getting it, but wondered whether it was actually quite shit.
Thanks for answering my unasked question.
Halt, Hammerzeit
10-01-2010, 01:07 AM
I just finished reading Death Troopers, a supposedly scary Star Wars book by Joe Schreiber. Basically it was zombies on a Star Destroyer with Han Solo and Chewie thrown in just to make you feel some sort of connection to SW. It didn't really work, though.
reading the great gatsby for the first time since i was 16
I finally finished reading Dune this morning. Brilliant book, highly recommended to all.
Ad-Rock
11-01-2010, 09:45 AM
I finally finished reading Dune this morning. Brilliant book, highly recommended to all.
Yeah it's awesome!
Half way through Dracula by Bram Stoker. The writing and construction of the story are first class.
It's nice to see the English language being used so wonderfully :)
HiredMan
11-01-2010, 11:27 AM
I just finished The Whale Road by Robert Low, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Also managed to pick up the next 2 books in Low's Oathsowrn Saga (The Wolf Sea and The White Raven) fo $8 a piece, which is nice.
Currently reading Taiko by Eiji Yoshikawa although I only started this morning and am thinking of putting it on hold and reading the Oathsworn books first for continuity's sake.
I bought The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins on a whim last week.
About half way through it now and it's still holding my interest (was already an atheist before reading it so he's just preaching to the choir in this case).
Clockw0rk
11-01-2010, 12:10 PM
Started David Eddings' Belgarath The Sorceror in the holidays, it's the first fantasy book I've ever read (barring the Discworld novels, though I wouldn't really consider them to be fantasy), and it's excellent so far.
Ad-Rock
12-01-2010, 07:57 AM
Started David Eddings' Belgarath The Sorceror in the holidays, it's the first fantasy book I've ever read (barring the Discworld novels, though I wouldn't really consider them to be fantasy), and it's excellent so far.
David Eddings' books are a very good place to start reading fantasy. My first was Pawn of Prophecy.
Redemption of Althalus (sp?) is probably his best. It's just a one off book which isn't tied to any other series.
Readman
12-01-2010, 08:58 AM
They're definitely more for a younger audience.
I read everything he'd written (to that point) when I was 12/13 and I enjoyed them then, but I went back a couple of years ago and tried to re-read them and I was shocked at how badly they were written.
jawsy
14-01-2010, 08:15 PM
Yep. Ian Irvine is one that would more likely appeal.
Summer of Reading continues, although the last week was somewhat sabotaged with trips to the beach, comic books and some serious bouts of drunkeness. Still, Lolita is on the finished pile.
Ali G
14-01-2010, 09:03 PM
Just finished Jasper Fforde's new book, Shades of Grey. A good read, with some nice ideas, although it seemed to be mainly set-up for the next two books.
Now I'm going to attempt The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner.
Readman
14-01-2010, 09:05 PM
Finished Madame Mao: The White-Boned Demon by Ross Terrill.
Still going in Voss, but now I have an opening for a new non-fiction book (I always concurrently read a non-fiction and fiction book). I'm thinking of quickly reading Amartya Sen's Development as Freedom and then Geoffrey Robertson's Crimes Against Humanity.
igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!
17-01-2010, 01:11 AM
I don't read a whole lot of fiction, though I'm going out of my way to read a few novels this year. Anyway I've started off with what seems like a relatively well liked science fiction adventure titled 'Only Forward', and 5 chapters in I think it is complete and utter trash. The characters are terrible and it seems like the author is just inventing whatever he wants as he goes along. My biggest gripe though is that it seems to be trying far too hard to come across as 'edgy', like it was written by one of those 16 yr old who thinks he is cool as shit because he dresses like Neo and teaches all his friends about torrents. I'll keep reading it but I'm really not sure where to go from here, I don't really know whose opinion to trust when it comes to books, I don't want to read duds all year or I might get turned off books forever.
igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!
17-01-2010, 08:51 AM
No
(5char)
Jickle
17-01-2010, 10:45 AM
Read John Kennedy Toole's 'A Confederacy of Dunces'. This is my advice to literally everyone.
buckstwits
17-01-2010, 11:22 AM
picking through David Sedaris' When You Are Engulfed in Flames. its a bit hit and miss but i'm enjoying it
Last week I read Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, and World War Z by Max Brooks. Both were tremendously brilliant. I'm currently halfway through The Road by Cormac McCarthy, which is also brilliant. I still have A Confederacy of Dunces and The Great Gatsby to read, which are both apparently brilliant aswell.
Jickle
17-01-2010, 12:24 PM
Sounds brilliant!
I'm alternating between Neil Gaiman's 'American Gods' and some Roald Dahl short stories (still).
Filthy Old Drunk
17-01-2010, 01:04 PM
Read John Kennedy Toole's 'A Confederacy of Dunces'. This is my advice to literally everyone.
Yep. Funniest book I've ever read.
I'm reading Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut. Not really getting into it to be honest, but the writing's great.
some Roald Dahl short stories (still).
The ones that I can remember are actually quite brilliant
One about a machine that is created to replace every author on the planet, and another called Galloping Foxley (or similar) which deals with a man reminiscing about a boy from his youth
OOH
And I can't forget Lamb to the Slaughter, either. In Year 9 I chose that story to retell in comic form and ended up representing the housewife as an increasingly insane killer with an increasingly big hambone as the story wore on
Jickle
17-01-2010, 08:36 PM
The ones that I can remember are actually quite brilliant
One about a machine that is created to replace every author on the planet, and another called Galloping Foxley (or similar) which deals with a man reminiscing about a boy from his youth
OOH
And I can't forget Lamb to the Slaughter, either. In Year 9 I chose that story to retell in comic form and ended up representing the housewife as an increasingly insane killer with an increasingly big hambone as the story wore on
Yes! All those stories are brilliant. Roald Dahl is amazing.
I'm reading Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut. Not really getting into it to be honest, but the writing's great.
Really? Cat's Cradle is probably my second favourite Vonnegut book (after Slaughterhouse 5). I even have my religion on Facebook set to Bokononist'.
Ali G
18-01-2010, 02:13 AM
Last week I read Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, and World War Z by Max Brooks. Both were tremendously brilliant. I'm currently halfway through The Road by Cormac McCarthy, which is also brilliant. I still have A Confederacy of Dunces and The Great Gatsby to read, which are both apparently brilliant aswell.
While you're at it, you might want to pick up a thesaurus as well, find some synonyms for brilliant. :p
Ad-Rock
18-01-2010, 08:02 AM
Finished Dracula.
It's a very well crafted and well written story. My only gripe is that some of the characters crap on way to much (I'm looking at you Van Helsing...). One of the better books I've read, though.
While you're at it, you might want to pick up a thesaurus as well, find some synonyms for brilliant. :p
But I like the word brilliant. It's a brilliant word. :p
Slippery
18-01-2010, 09:12 AM
I just finished Thomas L Friedman's "The World is Flat" and am now reading "Hot, Flat and Crowded".
Anyone have suggestions for good globally based and interesting economics/sociology/globalization books? I enjoy this kind of stuff quite a bit.
Azzaman
18-01-2010, 12:09 PM
I just finished Thomas L Friedman's "The World is Flat" and am now reading "Hot, Flat and Crowded".
Anyone have suggestions for good globally based and interesting economics/sociology/globalization books? I enjoy this kind of stuff quite a bit.
Fiction right? Try John Birmingham, I liked the WW2.0 series - it follows a modern war fleet headed to invade a muslim country that gets shot back in time to ww2 and how their presence affects the war and society at the time. The effects aren't immediately apparent in the first book but in the second and third novels history really starts to go off on a tangent.
Slippery
18-01-2010, 12:44 PM
Well actually they are non-fiction, but a recommendation by Azzaman may be too good to pass up.
Ad-Rock
18-01-2010, 01:22 PM
I've started reading Dan Brown's latest novel - I got it for Christmas and, after reading Dracula, I feel like I need a bit of easy/trashy reading. Half a dozen chapters in and it feels extremely predictable and formulaic (not that I was expecting anything different) lol.
EDIT: 20 chapters in: I'm not sure if I can go on... My logic circuits are telling me something is very, very wrong...
Ad-Rock
21-01-2010, 12:29 PM
The Lost Symbol is a kick in the teeth to everyone, in every way.
Avoid it like the plague.
Ad-Rock
27-01-2010, 08:12 AM
The Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde
So far, it has been a pleasure to read.
Ali G
01-02-2010, 09:11 PM
Just finished The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner. Tough, but worth it - I think this is the first book that has nearly moved me to tears. Definitely needs a second read for full comprehension though.
Now I'm starting The Shadow of the Sun by Ryszard Kapuscinski.
Ad-Rock
02-02-2010, 12:37 PM
The Brain the Changes Itself - Norman Doidge
Reading it cause my uncle had a debilitating stroke. Very interesting topic, almost makes me wish that I was studying neurology rather than chemistry.
EDIT: Its about brain plasticity ftr.
Millenium Trilogy, Book 1: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Christ I was late to the party with this series.
I read more than half this book in one sitting, finishing a minute ago, and it was absolutely brilliant. Best crime series I've gotten into since Patterson's first few books (Kiss the Girls, Along Came a Spider).
HiredMan
22-03-2010, 08:29 AM
I'm taking a break from Yoshikawa's Taiko (just for a little while, it's a bit difficult to read quickly due to the literal translation) and am reading The Ice Man, Philip Carlo's biography of Richard Kuklinski.
Watched one of the HBO interviews of Kuklinski last night too, what a nutter!
Ad-Rock
22-03-2010, 09:21 AM
Trying to read Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series.
Was going strong for the first three books, struggled to finish the fourth and am trying to motivate myself to read the fifth. It's fairly well written, and I want to know how the story ends, but I'm not sure that I am a fan of the style. He spends too much time telling the reader what the characters are thinking and doing, beyond the point of repetition, and the climaxes are way too brief.
I really hope George Martin gets his shit together to finish his series soon. They are the best written fantasy books I have read since LotR.
Jickle
22-03-2010, 09:48 AM
Just finished Gordon Ramsay's Humble Pie. Humble? More like I Genuinely Think I Am The Greatest Man Who Has Ever Lived, And I Think This Book Will Prove As Much. Bit of an irritating read, albeit quite interesting.
I need to read some Kafka soon. It terrifies me that I've never read Kafka. I might apply for some English tutoring at Uni next year, and I don't want to be thrown for a loop when the first-year snooty intellectual kids start bandying around the term 'Kafkaesque'.
Daniel
22-03-2010, 03:08 PM
Just started Charles Stross' Halting State. Very fun so far - theft and murder in an MMO. Some of the best FID writing I've seen in a while with second person narration peppered with the speech idioms of the characters.
Tonez
22-03-2010, 03:41 PM
I'm taking a break from Yoshikawa's Taiko (just for a little while, it's a bit difficult to read quickly due to the literal translation) and am reading The Ice Man, Philip Carlo's biography of Richard Kuklinski.
Watched one of the HBO interviews of Kuklinski last night too, what a nutter!
Ice Man is brilliant.
jawsy
22-03-2010, 05:57 PM
Just started Charles Stross' Halting State. Very fun so far - theft and murder in an MMO. Some of the best FID writing I've seen in a while with second person narration peppered with the speech idioms of the characters.
I thought it largely stunk.
HiredMan
25-03-2010, 08:58 AM
Ice Man is brilliant.
Its simple but a real page-turner :)
Jickle
25-03-2010, 09:08 AM
I just wrapped up Roald Dahl's My Uncle Oswald, which was good fun but slightly disappointing. Dahl wrote three stories about this guy, two short, one novel, all of them extracts from a fictional memoir. He's a great, fun character, but not a lot really happens in the novel, and it follows more or less the same formula (leading up to a twist at the end) as the short stories.
I just started on David Wong's John Dies At The End, which is awesome fun so far.
Tonez
25-03-2010, 09:17 AM
Its simple but a real page-turner :)
Richard Kuklinksi is a cold-hearted killer. I have no doubt that if he wasn't a hit-man, he would've been some sort of serial killer.
The pleasure he had in killing people and the lack of empathy shown was very disturbing.
JC Henderson
25-03-2010, 09:32 AM
I just finished "The Death of Bunny Munro". Nick Cave certainly is a talented guy who loves to write about vaginas.
Jickle
25-03-2010, 09:45 AM
How does it compare to And The Ass Saw The Angel, if you've read that?
JC Henderson
25-03-2010, 11:11 AM
How does it compare to And The Ass Saw The Angel, if you've read that?
I have not read that but I have heard that Bunny Munro is more approachable then his first novel. I intend to get a copy.
Filthy Old Drunk
25-03-2010, 07:45 PM
And the Ass Saw the Angel is part of the $9.95 orange Penguin classics range. Too much mah for mah liking.
Just finished Gordon Ramsay's Humble Pie. Humble? More like I Genuinely Think I Am The Greatest Man Who Has Ever Lived, And I Think This Book Will Prove As Much. Bit of an irritating read, albeit quite interesting.
Get Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain.
I'm currently reading my light, throwaway read for the month which is The Firm by John Grisham. It's about this unbelievably handsome guy, who has a ridiculously good looking wife (reminded of his regularly throughout), a beautiful house, a BMW, a high paying job...until... All is not as it seems. People are murderered, bugs in phones and houses and cars, and just general devious behavour from this law firm he works for. The blurb on the back gives away just precisely what the firm is and the rest is entirely predictible. Pretty daft stuff, but it's a light read. I'm hoping my order from Book Depository arrives tomorrow. It's two more Richard Yates novels so I can start on them.
It's two more Richard Yates novels so I can start on them.
Which ones? I've been meaning to check out his other work since reading Revolutionary Road a couple of years ago...
Speaking of the Depository, I just recently order the new DeLillo novel, Point Omega. Postmodern shenanigans, ahoy!
Filthy Old Drunk
25-03-2010, 09:49 PM
Which ones? I've been meaning to check out his other work since reading Revolutionary Road a couple of years ago...
Speaking of the Depository, I just recently order the new DeLillo novel, Point Omega. Postmodern shenanigans, ahoy!
The Easter Parade and Cold Spring Harbor. I'm only a new Yates fan, but I'm glad Vintage had the sense to reprint his works.
JC Henderson
28-03-2010, 10:23 AM
I have just started reading the short stories of Bob Franklin called "Under Stones" Pretty good read I must say.
[m]averick
07-04-2010, 03:05 PM
I just burnt some money on The Book Depository. Bought six books:
-- Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas - HST
-- Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72 - HST
-- The Bro Code - Barney Stinson
-- A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole (completely influenced by Jickle)
-- Lolita - Nabokov
-- The Eerie Silence: Are we alone? - Paul Davies
averick;1194360']
-- A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole (completely influenced by Jickle)
Just FYI, you can get this at pretty much any bookshop for $10 in the Penguin Classics range. Jickle informed me of this, actually.
I bought World War Z finally yesterday, I've read it before but it's pretty much my favourite book. I started reading it at midnight last night and couldn't stop until my Dad got home from work at around 2 >_>
Ali G
07-04-2010, 03:12 PM
I need to read some Kafka soon. It terrifies me that I've never read Kafka. I might apply for some English tutoring at Uni next year, and I don't want to be thrown for a loop when the first-year snooty intellectual kids start bandying around the term 'Kafkaesque'.
I wouldn't be surprised if some of the kids saying 'Kafkaesque' haven't read anything by him either, though.
Allick
07-04-2010, 03:19 PM
my Dad got home from work at around 2 >_>
What is your dad, a prostitute?
I just splurged on some more Patricia Highsmith goodness (Strangers on a Train, This Sweet Sickness, and The Glass Cell) on the advice of a Uni office buddy. Plus, I have the whole collection of Ripley novels coming in the mail. Good times.
Filthy Old Drunk
07-04-2010, 08:39 PM
Reading The Hotel New Hampshire by John Irving which I picked up at a garage sale on the weekend (not familiar with his work, but the name sounded familiar and it was only a buck). Enjoyable so far. The Complete Stories by Flannery O'Connor should be here tomorrow so I'll be reading that.
What is your dad, a prostitute?
Yes, my Dad is a prostitute Alex, what an brilliant intellectual you must be to have figured that out.
Oh, and if you couldn't tell, I was being sarcastic.
JimmyKane
08-04-2010, 09:31 AM
an brilliant
Jickle
08-04-2010, 09:36 AM
averick;1194360']
-- A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole (completely influenced by Jickle)
You've made the right choice.
Book 3 of the Millennium series is a corker
Ali G
08-04-2010, 10:10 AM
Book 3 of the Millennium series is a corker
Is it? I've read the first two but didn't end up buying the third. The first was great but I found the second one to be a bit shit.
Anyway, I've just started on Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates.
Well the first is its own tale, but the second & third are one big story
Ali G
08-04-2010, 10:42 AM
Well the first is its own tale, but the second & third are one big story
Yeah, I suppose I'll have to read the third just to get some closure.
The shit of it all is that it should have been a 10-book series.
Poor ****ing Larsson :'(
Allick
13-04-2010, 02:23 PM
Yes, my Dad is a prostitute Alex, what an brilliant intellectual you must be to have figured that out.
Oh, and if you couldn't tell, I was being sarcastic.
Wait. How did you know my name is Alex?
Araenel
16-04-2010, 09:55 AM
Found myself with money to spare thanks to a uni prize, so ordered some more books!
Failed States - Noam Chomsky
Hegemony or Survival - Noam Chomsky
Blackwater - Jeremy Scahill
Hoodwinked - John Perkins
The Life You Can Save - Peter Singer
Filthy Old Drunk
16-04-2010, 12:47 PM
Reading a few books.
First one is The Great American Bus Ride, a travel book written by Irma Kurtz who lived overseas for thirty years before returning to America. She then decided to embark on a journey across America via Greyhound bus. Books about road trips around America are my weakness.
Next up is Pulp Fiction: The Crimefighters, which is a collection of stories, mostly from Black Mask magazine, by crime writers like Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler, Cornell Woolrich etc.
And finally, Naked by David Sedaris. Amusing, but I haven't laughed out loud yet.
Does anyone know whether The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood is any good? We're reading it in English, and the first chapter isn't too promising >_>
Allick
27-04-2010, 05:45 PM
I seem to remember my friends who had to read it in lit saying it was awful.
JimmyKane
27-04-2010, 06:46 PM
Yeah well everyone in my school says Lord Of The Flies is awful.
That is, don't trust a teenager's opinion ever.
...
Lord Of The Flies is ****ing amazing. It's the first ever book I really loved.
VanAce
27-04-2010, 07:18 PM
I am currently reading And the Ass Saw The Angel by Nick Cave. I've only read a few pages but it is good so far.
I really want to get that book, but I really don't want to lose $10 >_>
Jickle
12-05-2010, 12:21 PM
Finished Bret Easton Ellis' Glamorama on a plane yesterday after a long, loooong slog through it. Quite enjoyable, albeit ridiculously intense towards the end. Started on Yann Martel's Beatrice and Virgil too - I'm not far in, but it's been great so far. I doubt it'll be as good as The Life of Pi, but then not many books are, really.
enrique
12-05-2010, 12:26 PM
I'm currently reading the first of the Axis of Time trilogy, Weapons of Choice by John Birmingham. Picked up the second and third books in the trilogy for a dollar each at a book sale and then happened across the first book for another dollar at another sale. :D
I've read the trilogy before but really enjoying getting back into it.
VanAce
12-05-2010, 12:55 PM
I also bought The Man in the High Castle by Phillip K Dick the other day but haven't started it yet. Need to finish what I am reading at the moment.
Araenel
12-05-2010, 07:46 PM
Started on Yann Martel's Beatrice and Virgil too - I'm not far in, but it's been great so far. I doubt it'll be as good as The Life of Pi, but then not many books are, really.
Wouldn't mind getting my hands on that sometime, but that is a concern, finishing it and going "well...it's not life of pi".
I'm ~70 pages through And The Ass Saw The Angel by Nick Cave. It's pretty damned good, worth the $10.
Australian Ninja
14-05-2010, 02:27 PM
Have not used/seen this topic before. Before I make an idiot of myself (you know I will), please let me know do people discuss just fiction books in this forum or are non-fiction books included as well?
IT SAYS 'BOOKWORMS ANONYMOUS' NOT "FICTION BOOKWORMS ANONYMOUS'!!!!1!
caps
Just finished Savage Night by Jim Thompson. Gloriously depressing and violent.
Also, went a bit crazy on BD with thesis-related reading:
James Ellroy - The Black Dahlia
Paul Auster - Leviathan / Travels in the Scriptorium
Patricia Highsmith - Strangers on a Train
Thomas Pynchon - Slow Learner: Short Stories / Against the Day
Jim Thompson - Pop. 1280
Agatha Christie - The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
David Foster Wallace - Girl with Curious Hair / Oblivion: Stories
Bret Easton Ellis - American Psycho / Glamorama
Wilkie Collins - The Moonstone
James Joyce - Ulysses
Dashiell Hammett - Red Harvest / The Maltese Falcon
Umberto Eco - The Name of the Rose
Arthur Conan Doyle - The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Raymond Chandler - The Long Goodbye
Patricia Cornwell - Postmortem
William Burroughs - Naked Lunch
Jickle
15-06-2010, 07:43 PM
I'm reading a Paul Auster book that D.C. lent me. It's pretty good!
Slippery
15-06-2010, 08:16 PM
Recommend me a book to read!
GO! ................no I'm not going to be helpful and tell you what I like, that's no fun at all.
Jickle
15-06-2010, 08:18 PM
John Kennedy Toole - A Confederacy of Dunces. It's $10 in that Penguin Classics range. Go. Read it. Now.
VanAce
15-06-2010, 08:20 PM
I am about half way through The Man In The High Castle by Phillip K Dick. I like it so far but enjoy some characters more than others.
Slippery
15-06-2010, 08:21 PM
John Kennedy Toole - A Confederacy of Dunces. It's $10 in that Penguin Classics range. Go. Read it. Now.
A quick lookup on Wikipedia has me intrigued, will do Jickle.
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