BenjaminBirdie
Banned
Just this minute finished Tenth of December. The last, titular story is flat out the greatest thing I've ever read. NYT was right. There can't possibly be a better thing written or published this year.
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What are you reading? (January 2013)
- Thread starter Maklershed
- Start date
Maklershed
Member
Professor Renegade
Banned
I just finished Breakfast of Champions, it was an amazing read and one of the funniest books I've ever read.
About to start this:
I liked the first one well enough, we'll see how this one is.
I thought it was really great, a step up from the first one which I also really liked. I like Connoly's plotting and fast pace, although his prose can sometimes be a bit too direct imho, e.g. this happened and then this happened. Shame the series got cancelled after book 3, that world had/has such great potential!
hardcastlemccormick
Banned
I finished Process: An Improviser's Journey (a decent book for exploring basic improv themes) and Second Foundation (a rollicking good third entry in the Foundation series, still chock full of surprises and space battles).
I'm throwing around a lot of books to see what sticks. Maybe I'll finally try to finish Good Omens after picking it up six times over the past two years.
I'm throwing around a lot of books to see what sticks. Maybe I'll finally try to finish Good Omens after picking it up six times over the past two years.
Also, I really love browsing the goodreads site, so again, would love for any friends thereadd me
Added you as a friend because once you recommended great metal to me and because you liked Ready player one.
Big fan of Goodreads here as well. Supposedly, this year they'll start selling books too, hope that doesn't take away from the site's vibe and quality.
MutantCyborg
Member
I'm looking for a good horror book that is either sci-if or fantasy. I've been looking at the goodreads list but can't find anything that seems interesting or isn't 1200 pages. Any recommendations?
I have no doubt it's a literary masterpiece
Decided to start reading "The Great Gatsby". Was in the mood for a classic, and since the Idle Thumbs just did their book club podcast on it, figure it makes sense to dive right in.
edit: Also, I really love browsing the goodreads site, so again, would love for any friends there
Added. Besides this thread, Goodreads is one of my main sources for finding my next books to read.
Joe Hill's "Heart Shaped Box" seems to be popular on here.
Maklershed
Member
Ship of Fools! Horror and sci-fi rolled into one. Easy read. Not too long.
Ship of Fools by Richard Paul Russo
Thanks for the adds from you both
I realize this thread serves pretty much the same purpose in seeing what people are reading, but I do like browsing the goodreads site, so it helps having friends on there MutantCyborg
Member
Whaaaat? Any reason why? This sucks.
themadhatter444
Neo Member
Folks that have read past the Farseer trilogy (Assassin's Apprentice series):
I decided to skip the Liveship trilogy and head right to the Tawny Man trilogy. I know they're intertwined, but I've heard the Liveship isn't great and I don't want to waste all of my house reading something I'm not that into. Tawny Man is supposed to be excellent and stands on its own pretty well. Would you suggest I suck it up and go to Liveship or continue with Fool's Errand? I'm only a few chapters in, but I love it so far. I missed Fitz and Nighteyes.
I decided to skip the Liveship trilogy and head right to the Tawny Man trilogy. I know they're intertwined, but I've heard the Liveship isn't great and I don't want to waste all of my house reading something I'm not that into. Tawny Man is supposed to be excellent and stands on its own pretty well. Would you suggest I suck it up and go to Liveship or continue with Fool's Errand? I'm only a few chapters in, but I love it so far. I missed Fitz and Nighteyes.
Finished:
Just as good as the first one. Full of interesting and believable characters. Combined with the fresh and unique setting this series might be one of the most innovative in the fantasy genre I read in a long time.
Liked it even better than the first one.
Started:
The first few dozen pages the writing wouldn't really click with me, but now that I finally have found the right reading voice in my head I start to enjoy it a lot. Even so it has not really happend that much yet.
Had a long trip by train today and listend to the first six hours or so. So far I'm likening it as much as the first two. And finally got a suspicion from around the first book come true: Spoiler book three around chapter 16:
Just as good as the first one. Full of interesting and believable characters. Combined with the fresh and unique setting this series might be one of the most innovative in the fantasy genre I read in a long time.
Liked it even better than the first one.
Started:
The first few dozen pages the writing wouldn't really click with me, but now that I finally have found the right reading voice in my head I start to enjoy it a lot. Even so it has not really happend that much yet.
Had a long trip by train today and listend to the first six hours or so. So far I'm likening it as much as the first two. And finally got a suspicion from around the first book come true: Spoiler book three around chapter 16:
From the moment Jezal saw Bayaz talking to his father or something like that in the first book and then taking him with him and talking about all the stuff that would make him a good ruler I was sure that Bayaz wanted to put Jezal on the throne.
Started reading this:
Good so far, though nothing that I hadn't picked up from reading various articles online in the past. Though it turns out that Hubbard used to live right around me back in the late 40s, around the time that he threatened to kill his wife at the time. Fun stuff!
Good so far, though nothing that I hadn't picked up from reading various articles online in the past. Though it turns out that Hubbard used to live right around me back in the late 40s, around the time that he threatened to kill his wife at the time. Fun stuff!
I skipped the Liveship trilogy too (my hometown's bookstore had a terrible Fantasy selection at the time and only sold Farseer/Tawny Man books), so I may not be the best person to answer this, but I would still advise you to read the Tawny Man trilogy as soon as possible. The Liveship trilogy is mentioned several times, and I'm sure I missed a few references - but I still enjoyed it immensely. It's definitely among Hobb's best work, and though I would argue it's less focused and cohesive than the Farseer trilogy, it retains the same emotional power. Enjoy!
Yeah, the whole series feels like it was written around a cool concept, rather than around compelling characters - which would be fine for most video games, but really hurts the prose. It's a mildly entertaining read, nothing more, nothing less.
Just started, curious to see which direction Sanderson will take with the story. First book was great all around. The ending was really well done, I was most impressed with
Lord Ruler's 'immortality' actually being a trick caused by the merging of the two magic systems we got to know... Really smart and it makes sense. The easy way out would've been to just put an über-magic relic in that cave, but Sanderson didn't go for that. I'm guessing that what Rashek found there caused Allomancy, since he already was a Feruchemist and the Hero's notes never mentioned Allomancy at any point. I'm hoping he'll expand more on this merging of the systems and the background of the 'hero of ages' prophecy
I like the characters and story, but the most intriguing aspect of the series is the interesting and increasingly complex magic system.
edit : damn, a lot of people reading Sanderson atm
I just finished Breakfast of Champions, it was an amazing read and one of the funniest books I've ever read.
While I think Slaughterhouse-Five is a better book in a lot of ways, Breakfast of Champions is my favorite Vonnegut novel.
I finally finished The Pale King, and even though it was clearly in it's infancy when Wallace past there are still some beautiful passages. Chapter 22, in which we learn about how one comes to want to work for the IRS, is astonishing.
I'm currently reading:
It's fine, but has some false premises, the section on Tony Dungy is cringe worthy, but it does a good job of explaining the concepts behind the formation of habits and how they can be altered.
Next month I plan on finally reading:
900+ pages of Russian literature. I feel like I need to do some heavy stretching before I start reading.
Sanderson can write some fun fight scenes I'll give him that.
spoilers for book 2+3
Vin fighting koloss is especially enjoyable
themadhatter444
Neo Member
Thanks man. The Farseer Trilogy left quite an impact on me. It's good to be back. I'll continue.
Krauser Kat
Member
Bossy Pants
caffeinated
Member
I just finished reading biography of Steve Jobs. Despite its 600 pages I got through it pretty quickly. Especially his youth inspired me a lot; where he fasts on apple for days just for the sake of experimenting it, drops the college and goes to apple orchard to work and so on. He basically did what he believed without expecting any outcome.
It's a very well-written journey into an amazing life.
Just started, curious to see which direction Sanderson will take with the story. First book was great all around. The ending was really well done, I was most impressed withLord Ruler's 'immortality' actually being a trick caused by the merging of the two magic systems we got to know... Really smart and it makes sense. The easy way out would've been to just put an über-magic relic in that cave, but Sanderson didn't go for that. I'm guessing that what Rashek found there caused Allomancy, since he already was a Feruchemist and the Hero's notes never mentioned Allomancy at any point. I'm hoping he'll expand more on this merging of the systems and the background of the 'hero of ages' prophecy
I like the characters and story, but the most intriguing aspect of the series is the interesting and increasingly complex magic system.
edit : damn, a lot of people reading Sanderson atm
Alloy of Law tops the fight scenes of the previous books, imho. If you haven't read it yet, I recommend you do so
So I gathered. The man is so incredibly prolific too; you wish he would write less and work on his characterization (ah, if things were so simple). Mistborn was so forgettable that I have no wish to read any of his other series (but I'm open to recommendations).
You're welcome! Would love to read your impressions later on.
Baconsaurus Rex
Member
Just started it and it makes me feel really uneasy. I have to pay a lot of attention to what I am reading with the multiple storylines and footnotes, as well as all the references to other texts and poems.
Well, The Way of Kings has stronger characters, imho. But it's the first book in a supposedly large series and it takes a bit to get going. If you're willing to give him another chance, I'd recommend this.
Just started it and it makes me feel really uneasy. I have to pay a lot of attention to what I am reading with the multiple storylines and footnotes, as well as all the references to other texts and poems.
Get used to that. House of Leaves was a decent read but suffered from some horrible pacing. Reading it got to be a chore after awhile. I liked the story, overall though.
Finally finished A Storm of Swords. Great book, it's unfortunate that the next two aren't as good (from what I hear).
Next up is The Fall of Hyperion. I can't wait to start!
TestMonkey
Member
Finished A Memory of Light last night. Moving onto a lite read to balance out my 50.50.1.
Apparently the sales were not to the publishers liking. Although to me it seems the books do have a following, so can only hope they would reconsider. He self-published the 4th book, a prequel but according to his blog, sales for that were so-so as well.
Have you read Way of Kings? I feel like the characters are actually the ones who push the story forward in that one and are actually interesting and compelling. Mistborn? Eh, i gave up halfway through the first book because I thought the characters were terrible
Like i said above, I couldnt finish Mistborn because I thought the characters were so poor. They all felt the same to me and they individually lacked a clear 'voice' if you know what i mean.
Way of Kings is a definite improvement. The characters in that one are very good
Finished A Memory of Light last night. Moving onto a lite read to balance out my 50.50.1.
Oh shit, I forgot about this book, I should finally check it out as well.
Trojita
Rapid Response Threadmaker
Going from reading The Song of Ice and Fire series to The Mistborn books, Matin's writing is so much better than Sanderson's, it's hard to describe but the prose is just better. I'm still a little bit surprised how many damn books Sanderson writes, which when compared to Martin's output is astronomical. I even felt like the author from The Kingkiller Chronicles writes better than Sanderson, but that motherfucker needs an editor.
I'm also surprised a lot of the times when I find typos in these books. How do some professional authors that have people reread their work countless times end up with them?
I haven't updated in a couple weeks. I read The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell, and I really liked it. The story revolves around the Society of Jesus trying to piece together and come to grips with the return of a Jesuit priest, come home back to Earth after a disastrous first contact attempt with an alien world. The story is set in two time periods, first contact and the mission, and the priest's recounting of the events. That's all laid out in the first few pages, and it's an interesting and perhaps shocking story that unfurls. A whole bunch of faith and anthropology and wrestling with those concepts in this one.
Next up was The Crying of Lot 49, which I also really liked. First time reading Pynchon, and it took me a little while to get into the prose. I did find it pretty smooth after that, but I'd like to get around to reading this one again. Oedipa Maas is the protagonist who is named executor of her ex-boyfriend's estate, and rummaging through the mess she discovers what might be a conspiracy. Hijinks ensue. It's pretty funny too.
I also finished Barrel Fever by David Sedaris. It's a bunch of humorous short stories and "non-fiction" essays. It's amusing, but not great. Supposedly it's Sedaris' weakest work.
Not sure what to read next. I'll probably start with The Old Man and the Sea since that's short . Then onto either Gardens of the Moon or the Foundation trilogy, since both have been staring at me for too long.
Next up was The Crying of Lot 49, which I also really liked. First time reading Pynchon, and it took me a little while to get into the prose. I did find it pretty smooth after that, but I'd like to get around to reading this one again. Oedipa Maas is the protagonist who is named executor of her ex-boyfriend's estate, and rummaging through the mess she discovers what might be a conspiracy. Hijinks ensue. It's pretty funny too.
I also finished Barrel Fever by David Sedaris. It's a bunch of humorous short stories and "non-fiction" essays. It's amusing, but not great. Supposedly it's Sedaris' weakest work.
***
Not sure what to read next. I'll probably start with The Old Man and the Sea since that's short . Then onto either Gardens of the Moon or the Foundation trilogy, since both have been staring at me for too long.
Martin uses many techniques to "draw" the reader into Westeros, so to speak, among which expansive descriptions of foods, songs and traditions (not to mention well-crafted characters). Mistborn's world felt like a well-oiled, cold machinery, where characters rarely had room to grow.
Thanks for the recommendation!
Mind if I ask what are your problems with the character are before answering that? I know what a lot of the common problems with Jubal & Stranger in a Strange Land are; I'm just curious which are your particular issues.
The book is tailored around whatever Jubal (or the author) wanted to pontificate on to the point where many times the other characters are simply there to keep him talking. Whether it's about ancient religion, eskimo wife sharing, the watering down of the title "doctor", rodin and modern art not telling a story, whether he himself is an artist (he proclaims he is but not a pretentious one), what it takes to become wealthy, whether slot machines in church are okay and on, and on. On top of that he begins a lot of these talks with some mean spirited smart-ass comment to whoever he is talking to. He's rarely ever respectful to anyone but Mike.
I have other problems with the book but his portions were the worst. So if I read The Moon is a Harsh Mistress or something am I going to get more shit like that?
I have other problems with the book but his portions were the worst. So if I read The Moon is a Harsh Mistress or something am I going to get more shit like that?
Jubal is rarely actually mean-spirited with his jibes. Just set the book down and be done with it. His pontifications, as you call them, were intentional by the author and, if I remember correctly, he stated so at some point. The book was meant to challenge the basis for many of the social axioms of the day by putting forth examples that were in many ways their antithesis. Some of the things you brought up weren't examples of this but rather just some idiosyncrasies particular to the character (like the doctor bit). I could talk for a while about the book and its importance in American literature, particularly in the time it was released, but I won't.
As I said before, just stop reading the book. You obviously don't like Jubal, rightfully so or not, and your opinions of the character will color your experience with the book.
No. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is much more palatable to the average reader. It's probably a better book (IMO) on the whole than Stranger is but it wasn't the cultural touchstone that the latter was either.
I finished it a couple days ago and was wondering whether there were any other characters like him. Whether the book is important or not isn't of much significance to me tbh. The ideas weren't much a problem it was the delivery by the righteous cunt of a character, which I agree was deliberate. I think he's plenty mean spirited.
I just read The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway. I thought it was great, and exciting. It's got that terse prose Hemingway is known for, and it works. I love that old man.
Next up:
Instead of Foundation which I was planning on reading, I'd like to get into In the Shadow of the Sword. This I've had since the U.S release, and it's time for some non-fiction.
28 Posts Later
Member
I'm about mid-way through Ghostwritten [by David Mitchell] and thoroughly enjoying it. Number9Dream and Cloud Atlas were both excellent, but with this being his debut I was unsure how high to set my expectations.