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What are you reading? (March 2012)
- Thread starter Maklershed
- Start date
bengraven
Member
finished Blood Meridian a while back. currently reading:
trying to take it pretty slow. It's been really entertaining so far, don't want it to be over too soon...who knows if another DT book is ever going to come out
IT'S OUT!?
Why am I on the fucking internet right now?!
Edit: ah, advanced copy?
blainethemono
Member
Artist edition from Grant books. they started shipping them out late February...for DT5-7 they shipped the artist editions out 2 weeks before the scribner trade editions, I guess this time they decided to go ahead ship them 2 months early instead. I ordered my AE like as soon as the order page went up...they're still available at the Grant site. I would think if you ordered one you would get it pretty quick but they only have like 2 or 3 people working at their office or something. Kind of expensive but I have the full set of DT5-7 and Little Sisters of Eluria/The Gunslinger artist editions, so I needed to have this to complete the collection
Really awesome value though, the book is beautiful and has this awesome snakeskin texture on it. same texture on the slipcase too. Nice paper and binding as well. Cover is kind of weird but whatever, the book itself is really well done. Also its signed by Jae Lee, the deluxe numbered edition signed by King costs a lot more
bengraven
Member
I would do it in a heartbeat, but I can't spare the kind of change.
Looks beautiful though.
Finished Princess of Mars. The writing style wore thin about half way through. Also I thought the ending kinda sucked insomuch as I wasn't expecting one of these old timey, heroic, pulp fiction stories ending on ambiguity. That said it was a great, fun story though (I went in with zero knowledge) and the final confrontation and all the heroism leading up to it was great. I just kinda wish I hadn't read those final couple of pages.
Kinda curious what happens with John Carter in future books, but not enough to jump immediately into them. Instead going to go back to Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone book 2 now cause I need dat high fantasy!
Kinda curious what happens with John Carter in future books, but not enough to jump immediately into them. Instead going to go back to Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone book 2 now cause I need dat high fantasy!
How about, "I'm sorry, Cyan, that the idiotic way we teach literature in high school destroyed forever your ability to appreciate it"?
Cyan, they can't hurt you anymore. Let's hug it out, then go to the local independent retailer and discuss Horus Heresy releases over cups of macchiato.
iAmMaximus
Member
Finally finished The Hunger Games in time for the movie. Starting Catching Fire now.
What about did you like most? I'm afraid I don't really know any sci-fi that's quite like it. You might like the Bridge Trilogy from William Gibson if you haven't read them yet. They're not as futuristic as his Sprawl trilogy and definitely less popular, but I like the world-building and near-future concepts of it a lot. It's the closest I can think of that somewhat resembles The Wind-Up Girl in its setting.
If anything else comes to mind I'll post it here. I'm wondering if Bacigalupi's other work is worth reading. It's described as 'young adult' novels which makes me cautious.
Mgoblue201
Won't stop picking the right nation
The entire book feels like I am listening in on a conversation which Nietzsche is having exclusively with himself. His thoughts are very erratic, fragmentary, impulsive, incomplete, and at times esoteric. With that said he is far more interesting than any other philosopher I have read.
Currently Reading
Its very good, highly recommend it
Just finished it... I changed my mine... What a shitty ending, Avoid!
JasonUresti
Member
The Sad Tale of the Brothers Grossbart
Inventive fiction set in medieval Europe. Witches and devils and other nasty things exist, but in this story the two brothers are far more corrupt, wretched, heartless, and downright horrible than any demonic beast they encounter. The writing is very nice, and several exchanges between the Grossbarts have made me laugh out, particularly their theological discussions. They have a rather interesting interpretation of Christianity and right and wrong.
Inventive fiction set in medieval Europe. Witches and devils and other nasty things exist, but in this story the two brothers are far more corrupt, wretched, heartless, and downright horrible than any demonic beast they encounter. The writing is very nice, and several exchanges between the Grossbarts have made me laugh out, particularly their theological discussions. They have a rather interesting interpretation of Christianity and right and wrong.
Maklershed
Member
^ Loved that book. Very unique. Kinda scary in a way too.
sazabirules
Unconfirmed Member
I just finished Tokyo Vice. The book made me really sad by the end. Does anybody have anything they can recommend me that I may want to read after finishing that?
Right now I'm reading:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_Security_Area (Its an interesting read)
But on my bed side table I have two books, One is Steve Jobs and the other is "Shadow Warrier" by David Everett. He also happens to be a family friend, (In the same SAS selection as my father-in-law).
More info: http://www.dangerousdaveeverett.com/aboutshadow.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_Security_Area (Its an interesting read)
But on my bed side table I have two books, One is Steve Jobs and the other is "Shadow Warrier" by David Everett. He also happens to be a family friend, (In the same SAS selection as my father-in-law).
More info: http://www.dangerousdaveeverett.com/aboutshadow.html
Just finished this:
and quickly on to the next book in the series.
This was fantastic. Betsy gets laid off and run over and killed by a Pontiac Aztek in the same day. She wakes up a few days later and discovers she is a vampire, only she turns out to be the vampire queen of prophecy. Now she is dealing with a bunch of vampire politics, but all she really cares about are designer shoes. It's pretty hilarious if you ask me.
/yes I know I need to stop reading these books.
and quickly on to the next book in the series.
This was fantastic. Betsy gets laid off and run over and killed by a Pontiac Aztek in the same day. She wakes up a few days later and discovers she is a vampire, only she turns out to be the vampire queen of prophecy. Now she is dealing with a bunch of vampire politics, but all she really cares about are designer shoes. It's pretty hilarious if you ask me.
/yes I know I need to stop reading these books.
AzureSkies
Member
Started Canadian High School in the middle of a Semester, I did extremely well on my English GCSEs though so I picked English as an option. I need to read this by the second of April, I actually haven't started it yet but I'm starting it tomorrow.
I'm wondering if it would be the best to make a write up for notes for every chapter like I did for Of Mice and Men or to just have notes for the entire book.
ThaneKrios
Banned
Finished:
Sputnik Sweetheart
Currently reading:
South of the Border, West of the Sun
Sputnik Sweetheart
Currently reading:
South of the Border, West of the Sun
After reading Hyperion a month or so ago I've started with The Fall of Hyperion. It all became rather... weird in the last couple of acts of Hyperion, especially with
.
The ending specifically was quit the big WTF and I wonder
. Whatever it is, I'm enjoying it so far (a 100 pages in) and reading Simmons describe all the military gadgets Fedmahn Kassad gets to toy around with is totally a guilty pleasure. I wouldn't mind reading 500 pages of Bressian warfare from his point of view, I admit. Shit just sounds epic.
Brawne Lamia's involvement with the Keats persona and all the information you get from her story about the TechnoCore and their factions. Oh, and the fact they apparantly were capable of building a complete new Earth stylized exactly as the destroyed one, and en passant telling us it was actually AI fucking stuff up that did old Earth in
The ending specifically was quit the big WTF and I wonder
if Simmons was already thinking about the whole Cantos when writing Hyperion or if that shit just got tacked on when Hyperion blew the world away. I'm not completely sure if I like the direction it's going so far with the emphasis on the Keats persona - I was more interested in the other 'mysteries' such as the Bikura's cruciforms
Quote
Member
I'm with you, especially because I don't "get" poetry, which makes every part about Silenus tedious. Ever poem flies right over my head...
The second book as been a lot of fun so far (about 100 pages in) and keeps my attention better because it's not always going back to a flashback with kills the flow for me.
I'm very interested to hear what you think of it in the end!
Neffarias_Bredd
Member
Started and finished this on Saturday. I was feeling pretty crappy all day but this book had me feeling good in the end. Thought it was a great little fairy tale with some cheeky writing and some adult content, which I wasn't expecting at all. All in all, it was an awesome book.
Salvor.Hardin
Banned
Started Canadian High School in the middle of a Semester, I did extremely well on my English GCSEs though so I picked English as an option. I need to read this by the second of April, I actually haven't started it yet but I'm starting it tomorrow.
One of my favourite books of all time. Hope you enjoy it.
RockAction
Member
Just finished Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino and The Prestige by Christopher Priest.
Both excellent, though i think i prefer Nolan's film than the book, although they're too different to compare really.
Started reading Sherlock Holmes short stories so i might continue with that; otherwise might have a go at The Closing Cirle by Barry Commoner or finish reading A Short History of Decay by Cioran or Less Than One by Brodsky
Both excellent, though i think i prefer Nolan's film than the book, although they're too different to compare really.
Started reading Sherlock Holmes short stories so i might continue with that; otherwise might have a go at The Closing Cirle by Barry Commoner or finish reading A Short History of Decay by Cioran or Less Than One by Brodsky
Never could get into Invisible Cities. The only book by Calvino that I enjoyed was If on a WInter's Night a Traveler (loved it). All of his others just really didnt do it for me though
APetePerson
Neo Member
BrokenFiction
Member
Just finished Kings of Morning, the finale of Paul Kearney's just outstanding Macht trilogy:
Starting up Saladin Ahmed's Throne of the Crescent Moon:
Starting up Saladin Ahmed's Throne of the Crescent Moon:
The only bookstore in town went out of business so I'll be relying more on my kindle now. Just got Dark Tower book one, Hyperion, and Hilarity Ensues. Really hope I enjoy dark tower and hyperion so I have more books to look forward to. I need a good series after devouring Song of fire and ice a few months ago and rereading the Star Trek David Mack helmed relaunch series.
8BitsAtATime
Member
Wow this cover is killer, I read this last year. I didnt care to much for it.Finished:
Sputnik Sweetheart
Thanks for the reply. What I enjoyed most was the world he painted. I actually felt the story was sort of average, but the setting was so vivid, it sucked me right in.
I'm ashamed to admit I've never read Neuromancer, so your post got me to pick that up last night, since for some reason the kindle store has books 2 and 3 of the Bridge Trilogy, but not #1...guess I'm gonna have to hoof it to the library for that one.
About 50pages into Neuromancer now and I'm hooked, mad at myself for never trying it sooner lol.
I'm open to any recommendations for other near future dystopian/cyberpunk-ish books.
Same, I saw he's about to release a sequel to Ship Breakers in May so I was thinking of trying those out, but like you said, the YA tag makes me skeptical.
He also has a collection of short stories called Pump Six and Other Stories, with two of them being set in the Windup Girl uni, haven't read them yet though.
Anything by Ian McDonald or Richard Morgan imo.
River of Gods and Thirteen/Black Man stand out the most though.
YoungMandu
Member
Recently picked up House of Leaves. I've heard a lot about it before and was meaning to read it. Only about 90 pages in but it's pretty interesting so far, don't mind the frequent footnotes and such.
Haven't gotten into much of the crazier stuff yet which some people seem to dislike but that's the reason I wanted to read this, for the weird and different experience.
Haven't gotten into much of the crazier stuff yet which some people seem to dislike but that's the reason I wanted to read this, for the weird and different experience.
dr3upmushroom
Banned
Public service announcement: this may be old news but I was very pleasantly surprised to find out today that there's a new Jonah Lehrer book out. I don't know much about it (I just bought like four books since I'll have time to read now that midterms are over, I'm debating buying this anyway or waiting until I finish what I've already bought), but it's about creativity.
People who are interested might already know but I had no idea it was coming out. For anyone interested in psychology or behavioral studies his book Proust was a Neuroscientist is awesome, and How We Decide is a really good introduction to the field.
People who are interested might already know but I had no idea it was coming out. For anyone interested in psychology or behavioral studies his book Proust was a Neuroscientist is awesome, and How We Decide is a really good introduction to the field.
I find most children's books to be really tedious. But my girlfriend shoved this in my hand and told me to read. So I read.
And it's pretty great. Not your typical Chosen One story at all. In fact, its sci-fi elements are the least appealing thing about it. Instead, it's a sweet coming-of-age story about a sixth grader named Miranda and her mom who wants to be on the $20,000 Pyramid game show. Miranda's favorite book is A Wrinkle in Time, and she (and the book) reference it constantly. It's got great likable characters, a neat little plot, and a lot of heart.
JasonUresti
Member
Recently picked up House of Leaves. I've heard a lot about it before and was meaning to read it. Only about 90 pages in but it's pretty interesting so far, don't mind the frequent footnotes and such.
Haven't gotten into much of the crazier stuff yet which some people seem to dislike but that's the reason I wanted to read this, for the weird and different experience.
I enjoyed the Navidson tale in that book, but wasn't really intrigued by the interconnections between the footnotes and different stories enough to delve very deeply into it. Typically I'm not interested or impressed by this type of narrative game playing. Too often it feels like the author is trying to make you finish his work for him.
sparky2112
Member
I heard him on Fresh Air and it was hella intersting. Then someone did a pretty thorough takedown of the new book over at The Millions book blog - not a total dismantling, but enough to make you read certain sections with a little caution...
Been digging into the stack of new Titanic books, since everyone is cashing in with the anniversary. Started with this one. It's interesting, but it would seem that any group of people who had been through a similar experience would have similar results, i.e. people going off the rails, some doing fine, etc.
indigo-cyclops
Member
Not acutally "reading" technically, but listened to Dan Simmons' "Summer of Night" this weekend at work. Fucking phenomenal. It had a bit of that Lovecraftian-flare which I loved. Great story, inspiring me to take a closer look at my lack of reading and maybe change that habit.
It's like all those fantasy novels out there, only replace epic quests with shopping, and elves with self esteem issues.
I read the next 2 books in that series. It's still amusing. Turns out her sister is the Devil's daughter, only she was raised as a goody goody church girl who just happens to wield a sword of hellfire.
Only another week before the new Christopher Moore comes out, then I will be forced to read something that does not make me feel dirty.
BanShunsaku
Member
Recently finished:
The Darkness That Comes Before - R Scott Bakker
Really enjoyed this book - dark, brutal and really original. Definitely looking forward to reading more in this series.
The Colour of Magic - Terry Pratchett
My first Pratchett, and I honestly don't know why I waited so long to read any Discworld. Such a fun read, already ordered book two!
Shadow Ops: Control Point - Myke Cole
I loved this book... Fast paced and full of action, it sets the scene for some good sequels whilst being a really decent stand alone story.
Currently Reading:
A Crown of Swords - Robert Jordan
Been working on this one for more than a month now, I was really enjoying Wheel of Time up until this book. That's not to say that I hate it, but I've reached the
stuff and it just seems to be moving at a snail's pace now. I read a chapter every now and then but I'm not burning through it like I have been previously... I still want to find out what happens, so I'll keep reading them, but I need to be reading other stuff as well, such as...
Old Man's War - John Scalzi
I usually stick to mostly to fantasy but have been starting to delve into Sci-Fi, and this book has been pretty damn awesome so far.
The Darkness That Comes Before - R Scott Bakker
Really enjoyed this book - dark, brutal and really original. Definitely looking forward to reading more in this series.
The Colour of Magic - Terry Pratchett
My first Pratchett, and I honestly don't know why I waited so long to read any Discworld. Such a fun read, already ordered book two!
Shadow Ops: Control Point - Myke Cole
I loved this book... Fast paced and full of action, it sets the scene for some good sequels whilst being a really decent stand alone story.
Currently Reading:
A Crown of Swords - Robert Jordan
Been working on this one for more than a month now, I was really enjoying Wheel of Time up until this book. That's not to say that I hate it, but I've reached the
Bowl of the Winds
Old Man's War - John Scalzi
I usually stick to mostly to fantasy but have been starting to delve into Sci-Fi, and this book has been pretty damn awesome so far.
foomfoom415
Member
Recently finished:
Old Man's War - John Scalzi
I usually stick to mostly to fantasy but have been starting to delve into Sci-Fi, and this book has been pretty damn awesome so far.
I remember a lot of dialog in this book sounding like it was straight out of an episode of Friends, but I still really enjoyed the first 3 books of the series. I've still got to pick up the 4th.
8BitsAtATime
Member
(Guns Germs and Steel, House of Leaves, When You Are Engulfed In Flames, Heart Shaped Box, Ham on Rye)
Did some shopping. Im going to start Ham on Rye tonight.
The Colour of Magic - Terry Pratchett
My first Pratchett, and I honestly don't know why I waited so long to read any Discworld. Such a fun read, already ordered book two!
Ugh. The absolute worst Discworld book. I know it's the first one and all, but I would never suggest someone read it as an introduction to Discworld. (Mort is a much better option)
I also hate Rincewind with a passion. The other wizards are okay in small does, but he is intolerable.
Yeah, read Guards! Guards! or Mort next.
I disagree, If its his first time reading any of the Discworld books and he's already enjoyed the first one I recommend going through them in order of publication. Its not needed to enjoy them but I feel you get more out of them doing it that way. I also find the Wizard books tied with the Death books as my favorite arc.
bengraven
Member
Yep, the thread just cost me money once again. I swore I would never look in this thread if I was already actively reading books because I don't need a backlog.
Thanks to this page alone I bought 3 Dan Simmons books and The Sad Tale of the Brothers Grossbart.
I don't know what's scarier. That someone else would shop for the same things I would, or that everyone in GAF reading would buy those books and we're all some sort of hivemind.
Thanks to this page alone I bought 3 Dan Simmons books and The Sad Tale of the Brothers Grossbart.
Did some shopping. Im going to start Ham on Rye tonight.
I don't know what's scarier. That someone else would shop for the same things I would, or that everyone in GAF reading would buy those books and we're all some sort of hivemind.