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[Arment]

I read Earthsea #1 and #2, was about half way through #3 when I realized I just didn't like the story anymore.

So I scoured the recommendation posts and settled on this series. I remember reading about it a long time ago but not digging the unique plot elements. Anyways I'm loving it so far. Caine/Hari is a pretty interesting character.

 

[Ceebs]

Fantasy book covers provide me with endless amusement. They are all just as bad as the barechested hunk romance novel covers.

 

[Lafiel]

Finished

Pretty good and informative, even for the stuff I already knew his writing style was witty enough to make it enjoyable, plus it gave me some rational arguments that I can use next time I meet a homeopath, anti-vaxxer, big phrama conspiracist etc.

Now Reading

Taking this slowly compared to the recent stuff I've read lately, but the 50-pages I've read or so have been wonderful, specifically the whole chapter dedicated to the sermon about the book of jonah, riveting stuff.

 

[Koroviev]

Fantasy book covers provide me with endless amusement. They are all just as bad as the barechested hunk romance novel covers.

Don't forget the horses. Romance novel covers often feature bronzed men and horses.

 

[Fjordson]

Has anyone read Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets by David Simon? Big fan of The Wire, looks pretty interesting.

 

[guidestone]

This is destroying my taste in literature.

 

[Koroviev]

This is destroying my taste in literature.

Cleanse your palette with "Crime and Punishment" or "The Master and Margarita."

 

[blainethemono]

Has anyone read Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets by David Simon? Big fan of The Wire, looks pretty interesting.

Yeah, its really good. A lot of the characters on the show are based on people Simon writes about in that book. Also some of those crazy interrogation techniques like convincing people that a photocopy machine was a lie detector...they actually did stuff like that. Its a really great read

 

[Sullichin]

Just started it, already so elated to be back on the path of the beam! These books are pretty special to me.

 

[Ceebs]

Don't forget the horses. Romance novel covers often feature bronzed men and horses.

Also some sort of castle makes regular appearances. Wait...they are just Fantasy novel covers.

 

[Mumei]

Finished

Pretty good and informative, even for the stuff I already knew his writing style was witty enough to make it enjoyable, plus it gave me some rational arguments that I can use next time I meet a homeopath, anti-vaxxer, big phrama conspiracist etc.

This sounds like something right up my alley.

 

[Enco]

Finished

Pretty good and informative, even for the stuff I already knew his writing style was witty enough to make it enjoyable, plus it gave me some rational arguments that I can use next time I meet a homeopath, anti-vaxxer, big phrama conspiracist etc.

Started it but got really bored when it kept going on about homeopathic medicine (I think it was that).

The other stuff in the beginning was good though.

 

[Koroviev]

Also some sort of castle makes regular appearances. Wait...they are just Fantasy novel covers.

In my experience it was usually a country cottage, but there were some castles, too.

 

[Fjordson]

Just started it, already so elated to be back on the path of the beam! These books are pretty special to me.

Oh man, I forgot this came out today. So many books I need to read.

How is it?

 

[Seanspeed]

Now Reading

Taking this slowly compared to the recent stuff I've read lately, but the 50-pages I've read or so have been wonderful, specifically the whole chapter dedicated to the sermon about the book of jonah, riveting stuff.

How difficult a read is that? Always wanted to check it out.

 

[Clegg]

I've finished reading "Crime and Punishment"

I can't even begin to describe how good the scenes between Raskolnikov and Porify are. It was simply an amazing book. One of the best I've ever read.

I'd like to read some fantasy next but I'm not sure what to move on to.

Has anyone read the Acacia Trilogy and is it any good?

 

[Snowman Prophet of Doom]

I think Moby-Dick is very easy to read. Hell, 150 years later it's still lightyears beyond most published prose.

 

[ilikeme]

Just finished Narcissus and Goldmund by Hermann Hesse. Been reading it off and on for 2-3 years now.

What a fantastic book. It has great.. umm, form/shape I guess? It feels really complete, and I felt content after reading it. Also, I feel more curious, Goldmund's (and Narcissus') curiosity for life and our place in it is really infectious

Great characters, a lovely harmonious read, some great imagery.. lots to love in this book!

Also anyone who ever had a friend can probably relate to some aspects of the central friendship between Goldmund and Narcissus.

Can't recommend it enough! Really one of my favourite reads in a long time!

Goldmund's sensual journey through the country as a wayfarer was also very funny with the myriad ways Hesse describes passion, sensuality and beauty.

I'll probably be reading passages/chapters from this book for a long time.

 

[Lafiel]

Started it but got really bored when it kept going on about homeopathic medicine (I think it was that).

The other stuff in the beginning was good though.

Hah, that chapter definitely drags a bit to much. I'm not so sure if it was even that necessary, since homoepathy on it's premise kind of discredits itself if you know any basic chemistry.

How difficult a read is that? Always wanted to check it out.

Depends, it's prose is overly descriptive, and not exactly page-turner material. But I'm finding it compelling enough to read simply because of how fucking good the writing is, and for what it's worth I'm definitely finding it easier to read then other books I've tried reading from that particular era.

 

[Seanspeed]

I think Moby-Dick is very easy to read. Hell, 150 years later it's still lightyears beyond most published prose.

Hah, that chapter definitely drags a bit to much. I'm not so sure if it was even that necessary, since homoepathy on it's premise kind of discredits itself if you know any basic chemistry.

Depends, it's prose is overly descriptive, and not exactly page-turner material. But I'm finding it compelling enough to read simply because of how fucking good the writing is, and for what it's worth I'm definitely finding it easier to read then other books I've tried reading from that particular era.

Thanks for the answers. The part in bolded is what I was hoping to hear.

 

[Koroviev]

I've finished reading "Crime and Punishment"

I can't even begin to describe how good the scenes between Raskolnikov and Porify are. It was simply an amazing book. One of the best I've ever read.

I'd like to read some fantasy next but I'm not sure what to move on to.

Has anyone read the Acacia Trilogy and is it any good?

Had the opposite experience. Felt that those chapters really dragged.

My favorite chapters are those revolving around Svidrigailov. I re-read them every now and then to remind myself what quality literature feels like.

Why am I even trying to find new books to read? I should just re-read "Crime and Punishment" haha

Thanks for the answers. The part in bolded is what I was hoping to hear.

I know where you're coming from. It's not so much that a lot of classic literature is difficult to read as it is that it is written in an overly formal, dry sort of way. Makes the whole experience feel sterile and uninviting.

 

[Clegg]

Had the opposite experience. Felt that those chapters really dragged.

My favorite chapters are those revolving around Svidrigailov. I re-read them every now and then to remind myself what quality literature feels like.

Why am I even trying to find new books to read? I should just re-read "Crime and Punishment" haha

I enjoyed them because they fed into Raskolnikovs guilt and anguish which ultimately led to the climax of the book.

The climax itself was just so good too.

 

[Koroviev]

Thanks for the answers. The part in bolded is what I was hoping to hear.

I enjoyed them because they fed into Raskolnikovs guilt and anguish which ultimately led to the climax of the book.

The climax itself was just so good too.

By the end of the novel, I was really sad to see

Spoiler

Raskolikov being punished. I had not attachment to the old woman, but really grew to like Raskolnikov. I mean, all he did was murder an old crone and her spineless relative with a hatchet.

 

[Clegg]

By the end of the novel, I was really sad to see

Spoiler

Raskolikov being punished. I had not attachment to the old woman, but really grew to like Raskolnikov. I mean, all he did was murder an old crone and her spineless relative with a hatchet.

It was all part of his story of redemption. He hides all the guilt and anguish away and it eats him up from the inside. Spoilers

Spoiler

his confession and exile to Siberia are what ultimately redeems him imo. Sonya follows him there and he realises that she really loves him. Thats when his change begins. The jail sentence was necessary to redeem him as a character.

I loved it.

 

[Sarcasm]

Well finished Battle Royale. I liked both Hunger Games and BR..but I like HG more. I think it has to do with the screwed up Rome like capital and reality TV.

 

[Dr_Boris_Goltz]

It's one of the more engrossing books I've read in a while.

 

[Koroviev]

It was all part of his story of redemption. He hides all the guilt and anguish away and it eats him up from the inside. Spoilers

Spoiler

his confession and exile to Siberia are what ultimately redeems him imo. Sonya follows him there and he realises that she really loves him. Thats when his change begins. The jail sentence was necessary to redeem him as a character.

I loved it.

Of course, but I still found it depressing. Then again, all of my favorite books are the sort that evoke emotion. There's something to be said for writing so vivid that it can make you sympathize with people who don't exist.

Edit: On the subject of Russian authors, have you read Mikhail Bulgakov's "The Master and Margarita"? Might scratch that fantasy itch, but not in the elves and dwarves sort of way.

 

[Piecake]

Had the opposite experience. Felt that those chapters really dragged.

My favorite chapters are those revolving around Svidrigailov. I re-read them every now and then to remind myself what quality literature feels like.

Why am I even trying to find new books to read? I should just re-read "Crime and Punishment" haha



I know where you're coming from. It's not so much that a lot of classic literature is difficult to read as it is that it is written in an overly formal, dry sort of way. Makes the whole experience feel sterile and uninviting.

You might like The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann. I honestly can't remember whether or not its written in an overly formal and dry sort of way, but I remember getting similar Dostoevsky vibes from it

Meaning that it is HEAVILY character focused, and like Dostoevsky, those characters represent philosophical ideas, positions, but still remain and feel like real characters. Some of the characters are also quite dynamic. And dynamic characters is something that i always associate with Dostoevsky.

So yea, The Magic Mountain - Naphta is awesome (though a bastard)

 

[Koroviev]

You might like The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann. I honestly can't remember whether or not its written in an overly formal and dry sort of way, but I remember getting similar Dostoevsky vibes from it

Meaning that it is HEAVILY character focused, and like Dostoevsky, those characters represent philosophical ideas, positions, but still remain and feel like real characters. Some of the characters are also quite dynamic. And dynamic characters is something that i always associate with Dostoevsky.

So yea, The Magic Mountain - Naphta is awesome (though a bastard)

Huh, well I did like "Death in Venice." I think I have "Buddenbrooks" and "Doctor Faustus" lying around, too. Thanks for the recommendation

 

[Ventilaator]

Finished Ender's Game and learned that there are quite a few books in that series. How are they? I see infinite potential for fucking a sequel up, so I'm looking for some opinions first.

 

[Ashes]

Finished Ender's Game and learned that there are quite a few books in that series. How are they? I see infinite potential for fucking a sequel up, so I'm looking for some opinions first.

Where's that chart..

give me a second...

edit:

edit: Didn't really answer the question....
dodged it like - something that dodges -

 

[Fjordson]

Wow...I had no idea there were that many books in the universe. Damn.

I remember reading the two sequels after Ender's Game and not liking them nearly as much as the first book. I had no fucking clue what was going on, though I was only like 13 so maybe I should revisit them.

Speaker for the Dead in particular was hard for me to follow. Remember it being pretty philosophical compared to the first. But again, I was really young so that's not to say the books aren't good.

 

[Neffarias_Bredd]

Finished reading

Great book. All of the plot threads were engaging and interesting, especially the story of Mappo and Icarium. Like the first book, there was still a bunch of confusing references and events that went over my head, but it was still incredibly enjoyable. On to the next book, Memories of Ice. I know I have to keep reading the series or else when I try to come back to it I'll completely forget what the hell was going on, it's what happened with the Wheel of Time series

 

[The Chef]

It's one of the more engrossing books I've read in a while.

One of the best books I have ever read. Just finished reading it the second time.
Just started my second run on:

Finished Ender's Game and learned that there are quite a few books in that series. How are they? I see infinite potential for fucking a sequel up, so I'm looking for some opinions first.

Enders Game rocked my core. The second book, i think Speaker for the Dead truly sucked ass. I couldn't even finish it I was so bored.

 

[Salvor.Hardin]

Finished Rubicon just a few weeks ago, which greatly increased my interest for all things Roman Republic/Empire related. Completed HBO's Rome, which didn't quite satiate me, so I'll be starting this over the weekend.

It certainly doesn't come with its lack of accolades and recommendations. Hope I enjoy it.

 

[DirtRiver]

The Forever War
Great book, although the author's view of the future is somewhat bizarre.

 

[Tralfamadore64]

Did you hear about Caballo Blanco?

I did, but only a few days ago. Rereading the book I was reminded that he was prone to unpredictable blackouts, so I assume he had some kind of underlying condition that finally caught up with him.

Has anyone read Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets by David Simon? Big fan of The Wire, looks pretty interesting.

It's very good. I never got to finish it, but it's on my Kindle now, and I plan on getting back to it this summer. I didn't stop because the book wasn't interesting. I just had other things going on that distracted me from it.

Just started it, already so elated to be back on the path of the beam! These books are pretty special to me.

Ditto. I love them, and I'm currently going through the series again with my girlfriend (who is a first time reader). I plan on reading this between books Wizard and Glass and Wolves of the Calla.

 

[WeAreStarStuff]

I never really read this in school nor college, so I'm finally getting around to it.

 

[Schattenjäger]

Came for the nostalgia, staying for the shitty writing and cliches

 

[meijiko]

Moving on to:

I've heard so pretty mixed reviews on it, so I'll go in with an open mind.

Most of the people negatively reviewing the book went in with the wrong mindset. I did that. It was being touted as the "Harry Potter for adults," which it most definitely wasn't. What it is, though, is decent fiction. His writing style is interesting, the book has a quick pace and covers a lot of ground. It's nothing amazing, and I didn't have much desire to read the sequel, but it's not a bad read I thought.

 

[Jenga]

Finished Rubicon just a few weeks ago, which greatly increased my interest for all things Roman Republic/Empire related. Completed HBO's Rome, which didn't quite satiate me, so I'll be starting this over the weekend.

It certainly doesn't come with its lack of accolades and recommendations. Hope I enjoy it.

Wonderful book, enjoy.

 

[Ceebs]

Most of the people negatively reviewing the book went in with the wrong mindset. I did that. It was being touted as the "Harry Potter for adults," which it most definitely wasn't. What it is, though, is decent fiction. His writing style is interesting, the book has a quick pace and covers a lot of ground. It's nothing amazing, and I didn't have much desire to read the sequel, but it's not a bad read I thought.

I thought most of the hate was due to the main characters getting tagged as "Hipster", and all the misplaced rage that goes along with it.

 

[mike23]

I thought most of the hate was due to the main characters getting tagged as "Hipster", and all the misplaced rage that goes along with it.

I didn't really like it because I despised the main character. I didn't label him as a hipster though. He just grated me the wrong way and I found myself angry through much of the book.

 

[Snowman Prophet of Doom]

Just finished "Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed" by Jared M. Diamond

MAN is that a depressing book. I've seen Diamond referred to as a "third-rate historian" in the past, and unfortunately, I'm not versed enough in the subjects that he discusses to comment on that aspect. What he does isn't pure history, though, so that doesn't necessarily matter; he draws on many disciplines - history, biology, environmental studies, business, etc. - to create a compelling argument for a greater global concern for sustainable use of the environment. I'm sure that one could probably nitpick a number of the examples and facts throughout the book, but I think that the overall argument is comprehensive, meticulous, and rhetorically persuasive enough to obviate such quibbles. It's not "eyes glued to the page" compelling the way Guns, Germs, and Steel is, though. That book had a much bigger, ballsier, and easier-to-disprove posit, whereas this feels more like a really in-depth take on a much more obvious subject matter

 

[survivor]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bYoMmIVMMqE/TwS9ETjgNsI/AAAAAAAABYc/0ymmGOn5-m8/s1600/ready_player_one_cover-image1.jpg[img]

Came for the nostalgia, staying for the shitty writing and cliches[/QUOTE]

Hahaha, it was the same experience for me. It was a page turner book, but just like those MMO inspired books, it had some terrible scenarios and plot points.

 

[shamo42]

http://www.hughhowey.com/

Just started this yesterday. It's a prequel to WOOL Omnibus and it seems to be just as awesome.

 

[HarryHengst]

I didn't really like it because I despised the main character. I didn't label him as a hipster though. He just grated me the wrong way and I found myself angry through much of the book.

I didnt think there was any character in the book that was not a giant ass that needed to be punched.

 

[Divius]

Still at the very start of

Finally finished this, thought it was great. Very interesting material and well written.

Now onto:
The Big Nowhere by James Ellroy

Second installment in the LA quartet.

 

[Ratrat]

Most of the people negatively reviewing the book went in with the wrong mindset. I did that. It was being touted as the "Harry Potter for adults," which it most definitely wasn't. What it is, though, is decent fiction. His writing style is interesting, the book has a quick pace and covers a lot of ground. It's nothing amazing, and I didn't have much desire to read the sequel, but it's not a bad read I thought.

The Harry Potter comparisons are really overstated. On the other hand, long time Narnia fans like myself will get good kick out of it I think. Also the sequel is better.

 

[Dark Phoenix]

Been reading some Clash of Kings lately at work. 150~ pages in, getting excited to read more. Also, I'm starting The Hunger Games for a bit since CoK can't fit in my bag during my trip to acen.

Also, I need some help finding a certain book. It's this horror book about these explorers getting trapped in a frozen wasteland.