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Off Topic => Everything Else => Topic started by: Monkeroony on May 12, 2010, 05:51:58 am

Title: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Monkeroony on May 12, 2010, 05:51:58 am
I've noticed that we talk about most other media types on these forums, games, music and film but never really mention books outside the 'Last thing you bought' thread.

Right now I am reading Zeitoun by Dave Eggers, I love his writing style and have been a fan since I read a 'Heartbreaking work of staggering genius'.

It basically documents a Syrian-American and his family in New Orleans as Hurricane Katrina hit and the levess broke.

I'm only about halfway in so far but I am finding it very enjoyable, I feel like I am being given a much better image of the situation than what I saw on TV of people looting and being violent.
My main criticisms are that no one speaks with accents and that no one eats regional food; I've heard KFC mentioned a couple of times but that's it.

I'm also trying to read Crime by Irvine Welsh but the less said about that the better.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: George on May 12, 2010, 07:36:04 am
Man, I cut back on my reading a ton. I should start it up again .

>.> What I read?
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Barry the Nomad on May 12, 2010, 07:41:11 am
I read all of Douglas Adams work a few years back and have recently been wanting to reread some of the standout titles, mainly the Dirk Gently books and 'Last Chance to See'.

Currently I've been reading through all the Indiana Jones paperbacks, there are about 17 total and I'm on the most recent one which is 'Indiana Jones and the Army of the Dead'. It ain't bad, takes place between Last Crusade and Crystal Skull and has zomies. I recommend them, especially the ones written by Rob MacGregor and Max McCoy.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: crackdude on May 12, 2010, 07:58:07 am
You should definitely read all five books of Douglas Adams awesome trilogy.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Barry the Nomad on May 12, 2010, 08:35:15 am
I've read the five part trilogy ages ago, and reread them last year. I recently finished the unofficial official sixth book "And Another Thing". It's quite good! Better than the worst Hitchhiker's book, but not as great as the others. A far more fitting conclusion than "Mostly Harmless".
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Happy Cat on May 12, 2010, 09:13:41 am
I can't read.

I've tried reading books.. just can't keep my attention lol.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Orta on May 12, 2010, 04:20:18 pm
I hate books. Oddly enough, I bought Halo: Fall of Reach from Amazon the other day. Am I stupid?
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: MetaKraken_PSN on May 12, 2010, 04:34:43 pm
Quote from: "Orta"
I hate books. Oddly enough, I bought Halo: Fall of Reach from Amazon the other day. Am I stupid?
Well, you're not the only one who reads books. I don't read them, but I do read magazines.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: MadeManG74 on May 12, 2010, 05:23:23 pm
At the moment I'm mostly just reading other people's projects for my writing course at Uni, and before that, a lot of extracts from books and shorter pieces. Over the break though I read Nicholas Pileggi's 'Wise Guy' (the basis for GoodFellas). It's really very good and an amazing insight into the mob life. Even if you've seen the movie it's well worth reading the book.

Before that I'd read Truman Capote's 'In Cold Blood', which is really brilliant. It's considered one of/if not the best non-fiction book ever written and I can see why. Strongly reccommended!
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: SOUP on May 12, 2010, 05:32:11 pm
I'm not sure that this counts, but I've just got a collection of Scott Pilgrim one-off strips collected in a single colourized volume.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: George on May 12, 2010, 06:50:17 pm
Chuck Liddell's book, rather short. I might finish in 20 minutes. Its a 'UFC' book and was 'recommended' by my brother. Not bad. I don't really read 'biography' types of books.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: fluffymoochicken on May 12, 2010, 06:58:40 pm
Quote from: "ShadiWulf"
I can't read.

I've tried reading books.. just can't keep my attention lol.
My thoughts exactly. Books are for super boring times.

That is unless manga counts, in which case: Books are awesome! I love reading them! ^___^
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Sega Uranus on May 12, 2010, 09:52:09 pm
Quote from: "fluffymoochicken"
Quote from: "ShadiWulf"
I can't read.

I've tried reading books.. just can't keep my attention lol.
My thoughts exactly. Books are for super boring times.

That is unless manga counts, in which case: Books are awesome! I love reading them! ^___^

I prefer good meaty comics with men in spandex and suitcases full of bullets compared to coloring books myself.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: fluffymoochicken on May 12, 2010, 10:14:21 pm
I prefer manga to coloring books, too. ^__^

Spandex can work, sometimes.

(http://http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__AxBGnutuW8/SfbYVNSerOI/AAAAAAAAB0w/59rH1G0bbHk/s320/304912.gif)

But I prefer it when characters (even macho ones) wear sharp outfits or fashionable clothing. Manga has a much greater and nicer variety of styles. I wonder when American comics will move on beyond the same old stuff? Eh, probably never. Americans could possibly be stuck with their "traditions" forever. (http://http://forums.sega.com/images/icons/icon7.gif)
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Sega Uranus on May 12, 2010, 10:44:09 pm
Except that looks fucking stupid and you are fucking stupid and this whole damn courtroom is out of order.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: fluffymoochicken on May 12, 2010, 10:51:35 pm
Of course spandex is a bit dumb looking. That's why most mangaka don't have characters in spandex.

But Americans, on the other hand... :P
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Sega Uranus on May 12, 2010, 10:58:49 pm
You are starting to sound like Spax3 now. You are actually really close to it.

He had a live interview with the guy who does Robotnik's voice now and Spax kept mentioning stuff about how Japanese comics are better and how the guy should read them to his very young son before he goes to bed in the voices he does of the characters in the animation, and he kept mentioning how 4Kids sucked and how American stuff was way worse.

Also, I just found an old book I had when I was really young that I might read again because well...

(http://http://brimeetsbooks.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/bunnicula.jpg)
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: MadeManG74 on May 12, 2010, 11:02:40 pm
Knock off the Comic/Manga discussion, different medium to what we are discussing here. If someone wants to make a Comic Book/Manga thread or something they are welcome to discuss things there.

Back on topic, anyone here ever read Snow Crash?

EDIT: Any further off-topic posts here will be deleted.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Snowcat on May 13, 2010, 01:35:55 am
Im re-reading High Fidelity, Nick Hornby is one of my favourite authors.


Im also reading some boring film making books so I can try hard to keep my scholarship ¬_____¬
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Barry the Nomad on May 13, 2010, 07:33:38 am
THanks for bringing this back to BOOKS discussion Mademan. Jesus, I can't believe some folks are so dense that they denounce reading as "boring". Fuck.

As for 'Snow Crash', I have not read that yet, but my gf's godfather recommends it.

I recommend 'Little Green Men' by Christopher Buckley (writer of 'Thank You For Smoking'). It's hilarious! Reads like a funny episode of the X-Files mixed with FOX News satire.

Also I recommend 'Practical Demonkeeping' by Christopher Moore. Also very funny and, once again, sort of reads like an X-Files episode. Lots of people getting eaten. Fun Fact: This novel includes one of the earliest literary examples of Internet dating.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: max_cady on May 13, 2010, 08:09:59 am
I've taking a liking to audiobooks, It sure beats going on the train having to carry around a huge book.

So you could say I am reading State of Fear, by Michael Crichton.

In the pipeline are Moment of Truth in Iraq by Michael Yon and I'm still trying to get a couple of Graphic Novels from DC, but the money's short right now.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: MadeManG74 on May 13, 2010, 08:27:29 am
Ah yeah, State of Fear. I felt that was one of his weaker books. It was better than 'Prey' and 'Next' though. I think his best were 'The Great Train Robbery' and Sphere though.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: max_cady on May 13, 2010, 08:40:40 am
Yep, agreed, not his best.

At least, it's a straight foward action novel, Next, on the other hand feels like a series of short stories vaguely mixed together.

Still waiting to get my hands on Pirate Latitudes.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Monkeroony on May 14, 2010, 06:28:47 am
Quote from: "Barry the Nomad"
THanks for bringing this back to BOOKS discussion Mademan. Jesus, I can't believe some folks are so dense that they denounce reading as "boring". Fuck.

As for 'Snow Crash', I have not read that yet, but my gf's godfather recommends it.

I recommend 'Little Green Men' by Christopher Buckley (writer of 'Thank You For Smoking'). It's hilarious! Reads like a funny episode of the X-Files mixed with FOX News satire.

Also I recommend 'Practical Demonkeeping' by Christopher Moore. Also very funny and, once again, sort of reads like an X-Files episode. Lots of people getting eaten. Fun Fact: This novel includes one of the earliest literary examples of Internet dating.

Just picked up Little Green Men on your reccomendation!
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Barry the Nomad on May 14, 2010, 07:46:36 am
Awesome! I don't think you'll regret it! Enjoy learning the truth of Majestic 12!
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Monkeroony on May 17, 2010, 08:08:16 am
thanks, it cost me a penny from Amazon so thought Id give it a shot as I have very little work to do on the late shift.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Orta on May 17, 2010, 01:01:21 pm
Is Catcher in the Rye any good?
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Monkeroony on May 17, 2010, 04:25:54 pm
Yeah, well. It's better when you are in school because it's probably the most banned book from all schools.
Everyone should read it, even people too OCD to read books.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Emmett The Crab on May 18, 2010, 02:49:36 am
China Mieville : The Iron Council.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: JoeMusashi on May 24, 2010, 12:24:37 am
Right now I am reading Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson...it's interesting. Recently read The Rum Diary by the same author and now I am checking out his other books.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Snowcat on May 25, 2010, 03:57:07 am
Lots of boring stuff about camera angles
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Sega Uranus on May 25, 2010, 08:52:27 am
'Don't Shoot, It's Only Me' by Bob Hope
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: ribbitking17 on May 31, 2010, 04:04:30 am
Im going through the gruling sword of truth series written by this guy
(http://http://aidanmoher.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/terry-goodkind.jpg)
notice the absolute most perfectly combed hair and beard. Not a single strand out of place
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: MadeManG74 on June 21, 2010, 05:40:52 am
Bumping. I haven't read anything for a while, but randomly remembered finding out that 'The Man Who Was Thursday' is apparantly out of copyright and free to download in e-book form.

You can download it here:
http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/1695 (http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/1695)
OR
http://manybooks.net/titles/chestertetext99tmwht10.html (http://manybooks.net/titles/chestertetext99tmwht10.html)

(http://http://www.idyllspress.com/images/thursdaylarge.jpg)

Anybody here read it?
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: CosmicCastaway on June 25, 2010, 06:08:38 pm
I'm currently reading The Road by Cormac Mccarthy.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: MadeManG74 on June 25, 2010, 06:42:14 pm
I'm three chapters into The Man Who Was Thursday, it's really good so far. Great mix of humor and intrigue.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: George on June 25, 2010, 08:08:21 pm
Quote from: "CosmicCastaway"
I'm currently reading The Road by Cormac Mccarthy.
The Road aka taking the plot points of Lone Wolf and Cub?
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: CosmicCastaway on June 25, 2010, 08:27:12 pm
Quote from: "George"
Quote from: "CosmicCastaway"
I'm currently reading The Road by Cormac Mccarthy.
The Road aka taking the plot points of Lone Wolf and Cub?

I'm not sure. I haven't read either of those and I'm only about 50 pages into The Road.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: George on June 25, 2010, 08:54:16 pm
Quote from: "ribbitking17"
Im going through the gruling sword of truth series written by this guy
(http://http://aidanmoher.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/terry-goodkind.jpg)
notice the absolute most perfectly combed hair and beard. Not a single strand out of place
Series = the shitz.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Sharky on July 26, 2010, 10:09:56 am
(http://http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51AnqcM1nIL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg)

Quote
‘Be clearly aware of the stars and infinity on high. Then life seems almost enchanted after all’

Few artists’ letters are as self-revelatory as Vincent Van Gogh’s, and the selection included here, spanning the whole of his artistic career, sheds light on every facet of the life and work of this complex and tortured man. Engaging candidly and movingly with his religious struggles, his ill-fated search for love, his intense relationship with his brother Theo and his attacks of mental illness, the letters contradict the popular image of Van Gogh as an anti-social madman and a martyr to art, showing instead that he was capable of great emotional and spiritual depths. Above all, they stand as an intense personal narrative of artistic development and a unique account of the process of creation.

The letters are linked by explanatory biographical passages, revealing Van Gogh’s inner journey as well as the outer facts of his life. This edition includes the drawings that originally illustrated the letters.

‘If ever there was any doubt that Van Gogh’s letters belong beside those great classics of artistic self-revelation, Cellini’s autobiography and Delacroix’s journal, this excellent edition dispels it’
The Times

About This Edition
Translator's Note
Introduction
Biographical Outline

Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Barry the Nomad on July 26, 2010, 10:18:32 am
(http://http://img1.fantasticfiction.co.uk/images/t0/t1092.jpg)

Since they're short stories, it makes for an easy read.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: SOUP on July 26, 2010, 11:24:22 am
I really enjoyed Kevin J Anderson's other Star Wars novels, so I'll have to check that one out.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Barry the Nomad on July 26, 2010, 05:23:29 pm
Quote from: "SOUP"
I really enjoyed Kevin J Anderson's other Star Wars novels, so I'll have to check that one out.

Yeah! That and the Jabba's Palace and Mos Isley collections are great reads. Kevin. J. A. wrote IG-88's story in the Bounty Hunters book and it definitely changes how you think of the character when watching the movies. I like the series as the stories take place during scenes from the films, so it adds depth to the movies and makes the stories easier to imagine.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: crackdude on July 26, 2010, 06:30:31 pm
I'm reading some religious stuff - really into making myself a better person.

Also reading Dali & I. Awesome book. Just started it though.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Sharky on July 26, 2010, 08:43:01 pm
Quote from: "crackdude"
I'm reading some religious stuff - really into making myself a better person.

Also reading Dali & I. Awesome book. Just started it though.


 If you want to be a better person, exercise regularly, eat your fruit and vegetables, remember the saying 'treat others how you'd like to be treated' and masturbate on a regular basis.

Reading religious stuff wont help you... In fact most religious people I meet are the complete opposite. Horribly narrow minded, intolerant of others that do not share their opinions and often not that bright.

If you want to believe in a god go for it, Any god you like. But don't base to much of your life around being religious... It shouldn't take up more then a few minutes of your day. If you have to be god fearing to be a good person then you have some serious issues.

If you want guidance for living in this day and age an extremely dated glorified rule book that was written for a completely different time isn't going to be your best bet for living in the year 2010.

The bible like all religious documents of all religions was written by mortal men and as the bible says men are sinners, biased and are likely to twist what they write in the bible into what they think is right. Thats why taking any holy text as the word of god is a bit silly.

That’s just my 2 cent.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: crackdude on July 26, 2010, 09:20:41 pm
"If you want to be a better person, exercise regularly, eat your fruit and vegetables, remember the saying 'treat others how you'd like to be treated' and masturbate on a regular basis."
If only exercise and a healthy diet could shape my mind haha
Funny how that saying was made by Jesus Christ ;)

Yes, religion can narrow your mind, make you arrogant and non-open to other people's thoughts. But if that happens, it's the wrong religion. The bible advises people to love, respect and care for each other.

I know there's a religion thread going on, but here's my two cents as well:
The bible has some great timeless advice. You can say the bibles moral values were written for a different time the same way I can say that it is the modern moral values that are getting worse.
It doesn't matter how much we could argument around this, no one can deny that the world is more screwed up than ever. And if an old book can bring joy of living and hope to people, then that's the book I wanna follow, know what I'm sayin?

The bible is not a straitjacket, it's a seatbelt. It's teachings are by no means outdated.

Age doesn't make a book less great of a tool. Take the Art of War for example, written for the armies of 1400 years ago still has many things beyond the literal domain that work for armies, corporations and individuals today.

Taking the bible as the word of god would indeed be silly were it not for the amazing fulfilled prophecies it contains. And I'm not talking interpreting things and making it look like something I want, I mean the prediction of rise and fall of ancient superpowers like Babylon, Persia, Greece, etc.. Not to mention the foreseen of the year 1914 as a year that would erupt anarchy and mayhem that was being preached years earlier, which eventually occurred with the 1st World War.
There is way too much evidence that this is more than just a regular book, no matter how screwed up most religions are.

I believe everyone has something to live for. My something involves a hope only the Bible gives me. And that alone is making me a better person little by little..
Not bad for an old book ;)
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Sega Uranus on July 26, 2010, 09:50:06 pm
I think Sharky went a bit far with the statements he made, but he is not entirely wrong. If you let anything, like a religion take over your life then you are not doing anyone any good.

Really, I see absolutely nothing wrong with looking at how other good people lived their lives to improve your own. I think this is what Crackdude meant by saying the Bible is making him a better person. I also think it is good to believe in stuff, gives people hope even at the worst of times. Just sayin'.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: MadeManG74 on July 27, 2010, 04:17:31 am
Let's not turn this into a religious discussion please. Reading religious material will NOT make you worse or hurt you, there is a lot of wisdom and good teachings in religious texs that will apply to anyone.

Being religious does not mean being fanatical. I would argue that Atheists seem to be the people who push their beliefs of others and insult other people far, far more often than any religion. It's more to do with the individual than their beliefs.


Moving right along, I can't remember if I said or not, but The Man Who Was Thursday is one of the best things I've ever read, one of my all time favourites. People in the US should really check it out if you have an e-reader or don't mind reading on a laptop computer, since it's now out of copyright and free. Otherwise, it's well worth buying too.

Currently i'm reading 'The Men Who Stare at Goats' (yep there was a movie based on it too), really fascinating, funny and disturbing in equal parts. It's supposedly based on a true story and research of military intelligence in the US over the last few decades.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: crackdude on July 27, 2010, 04:41:29 am
Quote from: "MadeManG74"
Currently i'm reading 'The Men Who Stare at Goats' (yep there was a movie based on it too), really fascinating, funny and disturbing in equal parts. It's supposedly based on a true story and research of military intelligence in the US over the last few decades.
True story? I thought it was just fiction.. I only saw the movie. The story was so ludicrous I just assumed it wasn't real.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: MadeManG74 on July 27, 2010, 06:06:11 am
Quote from: "crackdude"
Quote from: "MadeManG74"
Currently i'm reading 'The Men Who Stare at Goats' (yep there was a movie based on it too), really fascinating, funny and disturbing in equal parts. It's supposedly based on a true story and research of military intelligence in the US over the last few decades.
True story? I thought it was just fiction.. I only saw the movie. The story was so ludicrous I just assumed it wasn't real.

I've never seen the movie, but the book seems pretty believable. About the US Military Intelligence toying with the idea of, and running some small units/tests based around 'psychic powers' or how they would try to use subliminal messages/psychological torture on people.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: crackdude on July 27, 2010, 06:09:15 am
Well, the movie bases itself on that but uses it to widely comical effect.. It's a pretty funny movie.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Barry the Nomad on July 27, 2010, 12:19:21 pm
As this topic snowballed into a gloom and doom discussion on the Earth (I personally think this planet is a lovely place to be), I've moved those non-book related posts into their own topic found within this very same forum.

Now talk about books damnit!

(http://http://www.dlba.org/images/events/Preschool%20Storytime.jpg)
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: max_cady on November 02, 2010, 07:23:21 pm
Kinda weird, I had started reading The Last Thing I Remember from Andrew Klavan's Homelander series, but I had put it down since last Summer, I decided to pick up and man, I finished it in one sitting, even though I had like 100 pages to go.

Not bad, it started to get really interesting just after West's escape from the strange detention camp he had been held, some revelations are made that are just earth-shattering and the book ends on an interesting cliffhanger.

Apparentely they are already making a movie out of this, I think it's great idea, it's fairly easy to adapt this book into a movie.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: MadeManG74 on November 03, 2010, 02:23:47 am
Reading this:
(http://http://bookcoverarchive.com/images/books/the_mad_ones.large.jpg)

It's quite good so far, suffers from the same issues that some other non-fiction novels do (jumping between locations/times without much warning, huge amounts of characters being introduced/left at a time), but overall it's a really good read. Especially interesting to read about the gang wars they were involved in and how far things went (fortified headquarters, 'Shotgun Riders', cross-dressing hitmen etc).
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: MadeManG74 on December 04, 2010, 02:18:09 pm
(http://http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XsVALQtGIZM/TN16AMrR02I/AAAAAAAATBM/ORUc4hp-lDI/s1600/rogue-trooper-tales-of-nu-earth-01.gif)

I bought this on a whim, not really knowing what to expect. Now I'm about half way through this comic collection and it's actually quite good.

It was published in serials originally so it suffers from the 'explain the story so far' requirements at the beginning of each issue, and each one only lasts a few pages, but once it hit it's stride it got really interesting.

The whole concept is just interesting too, a Genetically Engineered soldier goes rogue along with 3 of his 'Dead' friends. They were designed so that their personas could be saved onto a microchip and then inserted into equipment, meaning that his Helmet, Rifle and Backpack are all sentient.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Barry the Nomad on December 05, 2010, 12:36:18 pm
I'm currently rereading Harry Potter book 7, I picked up where the movie ended. I read the book back when it released, but after seeing the movie and knowing that I won't see the conclusion until next Summer, I figured I'd get my conclusion now rather than having to wait.

Also picked this up:
(http://http://www.toplessrobot.com/Starship%20Titanic.jpg)
I know it's not a Douglas Adams book per say, but considering I've read all that he's written, this was the next best thing.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Wilhelm on December 26, 2010, 08:19:33 pm
(http://http://www.besthealthmag.ca/sites/default/files/images/lazygirl.jpg)
....I have my reasons for this.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Emmett The Crab on December 27, 2010, 07:15:13 pm
I'm reading Stephen King's Salem's Lot  Pretty slow going for the first several hundred pages with a lot of unnecessary background on characters that will probably get killed anyway.  Not too dissimilar to other SK books I've read.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Monkeroony on December 28, 2010, 05:21:38 pm
I was given What is the What by Dave Eggers, SOG the secret wars of Americas champions in Vietnam by John L Plaster for Christmas that I plan on starting this week.

I also got Suburbia by Bill Owens but it's really just a photo book; it's absolutely hilarious- pretty scathing of the middle classes and a few things hit a bit home which is amusing.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Emmett The Crab on December 28, 2010, 11:40:45 pm
There's a book by Lynn Buchannan called "The Seventh Sense" that thells the story of the psychic spies for the US Government.  It's really interesting, and a lot of Men Who Stare at Goats come from events in this book.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: MadeManG74 on February 05, 2011, 11:37:23 pm
I finished reading Shaun Micallef's 'Preincarnate'
(http://http://www.shaunmicallefonline.com/wp-content/uploads/Preincarnate.jpg)

Absolutely hilarious book, he manages to use the medium to tell a story that just wouldn't work in any other. It's very intricate and just contains machine-gun rapid jokes all the way through. This just re-confirms my thoughts that Shaun Micallef is an absolute comedic genius.

I think this guy from the Micallef forums sums it up very nicely:
Quote from: "p1cklepepperpiper"
Just finished reading both the book and some scathing reviews of the book. Where to begin?

Firstly, it's entirely not what I expected.
Secondly, I think it's a work of narrative genius, and is immeasurably rewarding.
As someone who likes to think they're an expert on writing, having attended a semester course in creative writing at a dodgy bogan university, I think his manipulation of tense and timeline is really something that should be singing praise from academics everywhere, but isn't. Why? People think it's supposed to be a funny novel, or a spoof. Here's the thing:
The humour does not drive the story - it's not supposed to be a laugh-every-minute gag fest (though I found it to be).
What it is:
A pure, undiluted piece of Micallef genius (and also !Chronoloco!). There's nothing quite like reaching the end of the book, only for something to transpire that renders the entire events of the book meaningless. It's truthfully what I should have expected, but didn't, and I was still marvelling at the book's simple genius for days after.
I've read it twice now, and on the third read I'm going to go chronologically through the chapters, just to spruce things up. I consider it to be money well spent - it will no doubt demand another 3 reads on top of that before I put it down for a couple of months and return to read it for the seventh time.
Now I've heard quite a bit of negative feedback from a few people, mainly people I know who like to take stabs at Micallef because they realise it cuts me deep. They tell me they couldn't finish it, it wasn't narrative, it was "Shaun's collection of things he's interested in cobbled over a feeble premise"... and it's time like these where I back hand them all and utter the immortal phrase I stole from a blog two years ago:

"If you don't like Shaun Micallef, then you probably don't deserve to."

With that, I finish by saying I loved Preincarnate, and it's up there on the top shelf with the Discworld series, To Kill a Mockingbird and Twilight*.

-PPP
*Only to keep the dust off the other books.


I've also just read "I have no mouth, and i must Scream"
(http://http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51xZNsx-NcL.jpg)

I've only just read the title story, not the others in the collection. Extremely dark and twisted, the most bleak thing I've ever read. More horror than science-fiction, and very very good.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Barry the Nomad on February 06, 2011, 09:04:00 am
Rereading the Harry Potter books, halfway through book 1. Apparently, Harry is a wizard!
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: max_cady on February 15, 2011, 04:54:11 pm
I've also been doing some re-reading.

This time I'm reading The Lost World, the sequel novel to Jurrasic Park and... well... It made me realize just how good the original was and how dissapointing this sequel novel is.

Spoilers inside...
[spoiler]I'm OK with the fact that they had retconned Malcom's death, but the new characters are just meh...

Arby and Kelly are a little less annoying than Alex and Tim were in the original. Throne, Harding and Eddy are OK characters. But I hate Levine, what an a**-hole.

Dodson's plan was suicidal and made little sense, I mean bringing just 2 other people along to snatch dinosaur eggs? What would he think it would happen? At least the Lost World movie does it better by bringing in a huge crew and an actual hunter.

I also feel strange at how they portray Dodson in this novel, in the original, people felt like real people, even the antagonists were just people with their own motivations and had reasonable arguments about why they did what they did.

In this, Dodson is given a sinister, almost machievelian edge, reduced to a mustache twirling boogeyman whose actions and dialogue just feels a little out of place.

And Levine chasing a T-rex on a bycicle? With all due respect, did Crichton even took a second glance at his script and thought this was normal?[/spoiler]
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Emmett The Crab on February 15, 2011, 11:44:47 pm
The first Jurassic Park read like a screenplay.  I hated how all the dialogue lines ended with "said mathemetician dude" or "said park owner dude" (I forget their names).  I read it when it first came out.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Snowcat on February 17, 2011, 03:33:05 am
(http://http://static.indiemoviesonline.com/files/images/Atlas0.jpg)

About the third time ive read it....
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: max_cady on February 17, 2011, 04:26:30 pm
@EmmetTheCrab

That's the way every single thing Crichton has ever wrote reads like(except maybe The Great Train Robbery which is written as an historical documentary), an action movie script.

Back to The Lost World:

[spoiler]I finished reading this yesterday and frankly I'm very dissapointed.

Again, Dodson's character is so comic book evil that it makes him more of a caricature than an actual person.

The story is kinda OK, despite the fact that three or four people that were largely unexperienced manage to get through a small island with no barriers, barely any physical obstacles to keep the dinosaurs at bay, and survive is stretching it.

I would appreaciate Malcom here, but in the last chapters he gets high on painkillers and ends up just rambling non-stop.

Towards the end, I was also disturbed at how the characters were unpreocupied over the fact that at least 5 people died, Dodgson's team, including himself. Also Eddie Carr and Levine's hiking partner.

They had nothing to do with Dodgson's team, but how are they going to explain Eddie Carr's death and Diego's dissapearance?[/spoiler]
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Emmett The Crab on February 17, 2011, 08:10:50 pm
I guess that's why I never read any more of his novels after that one.

I just finished Steven King's Salem's Lot.  Now I'm reading What to Expect When You're Expecting because when your wife is pregnant, you'd better read the book.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Nathan on February 17, 2011, 09:06:56 pm
Currently reading a play by Aristophenes called "The Clouds" for my Philosophy class, as well as The Symposium and The Republic by Plato.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: SOUP on February 17, 2011, 10:44:02 pm
Quote from: "Emmett The Crab"
I guess that's why I never read any more of his novels after that one.

I just finished Steven King's Salem's Lot.  Now I'm reading What to Expect When You're Expecting because when your wife is pregnant, you'd better read the book.
I enjoyed Andromeda Strain.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: max_cady on March 31, 2011, 06:04:46 pm
I finished reading the prequel novel to Death Troopers. Red Harvest.

All around, nice read, ocassionally spooky, but if you've read the first novel, you kindof already know what to expect and how it plays out.

It's roughly the same story as the original, except that this takes place in the Old Republic Era and for the most part, completely unrelated to events of Death Troopers.

The main problem I have with this novel, is that unlike the original, there are far more characters here, I had a hard time keeping track of all of them and some of the Sith names I can barely remember or pronounce.

The other silly thing...

[spoiler]OK, I understand that in the original novel, there weren't any forc users, so it felt kinda tense. But here, a whole academy crawling with Sith appreantices and masters and they can barely hold their own against these zombies? What the hell? These are dark lords, not clueless stormtroopers.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Sharky on April 01, 2011, 03:31:30 pm
The Book of Lost Things -
Just finished this book, it's an adult take on various childhood fairy tales all stringed togeather in one story. It follows the story of one kid whos mother has died and his father has moved in with another woman and the jealousy of having a new younger step brother. I would say it was pretty good but a slow start.

The Search for Wondla-
This book is about a girl who grew up in a confiend futuristic underground vault looked after by a robot, she is being trained to one day go to the surface but when she does the world is completely different to the training she was given and there are no humans left, only strange landscapes and creatures.
I liked this story a lot! Recommended.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: cube_b3 on April 02, 2011, 02:02:32 am
The Alan Wake Files!
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: max_cady on April 25, 2011, 03:34:44 pm
I finished reading a couple of horror novels from M.R. James. They are pretty creepy to be honest.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: tarpmortar on April 25, 2011, 03:51:41 pm
I am working on Fool's Crow for a school assignment, and my leisure reading is The Wind Up bird Chronicle written by Haruki Murakami, I liked his other book Norwegian Wood (which I largely bought because of the Beatles reference) so I grabbed this one.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: George on April 25, 2011, 10:58:08 pm
Game of Thrones. Can't wait weekly for the show.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: SOUP on April 26, 2011, 09:17:58 am
I'm reading Bossypants by Tina Fey.
I never thought I'd laugh out loud reading about a visit to a gynecologist.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: tarpmortar on April 26, 2011, 03:06:59 pm
Quote from: "SOUP"
I'm reading Bossypants by Tina Fey.
I never thought I'd laugh out loud reading about a visit to a gynecologist.

I love Tina Fey.

(http://http://k.min.us/ilnyDG.gif)
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: SOUP on April 26, 2011, 09:24:40 pm
Quote from: "TaroYamada"
Quote from: "SOUP"
I'm reading Bossypants by Tina Fey.
I never thought I'd laugh out loud reading about a visit to a gynecologist.

I love Tina Fey.

(http://http://k.min.us/ilnyDG.gif)
She's pretty hilarious throughout the whole thing. It's fun to read the stuff she comes up with when there aren't any TV censors.
Lines like, "toothy knob-job".
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: max_cady on August 05, 2011, 04:18:52 pm
Star Wars: Red Harvest


Not as good as the original, sadly.

A lot harder to keep track of the characters. And the ending was the exact copy of the original.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Snowcat on August 06, 2011, 03:06:38 pm
Ive just finished reading Rapture the Bioshock novel... Im pretty sure im gonna read it again...
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: CosmicCastaway on August 07, 2011, 01:07:38 pm
I'm currently reading Eon by Allison Goodman. It's been an interesting novel so far.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: max_cady on August 17, 2011, 04:23:53 am
(http://i51.tinypic.com/25hkdgw.jpg)
Mere Christianity by CS Lewis.

A very good read thus far.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: CosmicCastaway on August 17, 2011, 05:58:32 pm
Even if you aren't a Christian there is no denying CS Lewis is a amazing author!
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: tarpmortar on August 18, 2011, 12:57:59 am
I just finished my second read through of The Communist Manifesto in preparation for a discussion on the matter of communism. It was productive, the reading and discussion both.

Now I am gonna relax, and reread Leo Tolstoy's epic, War and Peace.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: max_cady on August 18, 2011, 10:42:04 am
@Cosmic Castaway

C.S. Lewis really is a great author. I liked his The Screwtape Letters shorts which are pretty good. And I'm almost done with Mere Christianity.

It does explain plain and simple what christianity is all about in terms of it's belief system, the difference between a material view of the word and the spiritual, issues like charity, marriage, war, pride,etc.  The core of his essay, however, is indeed a sharp and detailed criticism on what is considered pseudo-spirituality, nihilism and moral relativism. He also debunks several myths about all the alleged benefits of becoming of Christian denomination.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: SOUP on August 18, 2011, 10:54:19 am
@TaroYamada: I gave that a read when I was in grade 8, but I think it went a bit over my head at the time.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Barry the Nomad on August 18, 2011, 02:18:26 pm
Y'all are readin' some pretty fancy books!

I'm just rereading the Harry Potter books. Am currently halfway through book 4. I forgot how much of the intro was cut from the movie version!
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: tarpmortar on August 18, 2011, 05:34:22 pm
@TaroYamada: I gave that a read when I was in grade 8, but I think it went a bit over my head at the time.

The Communist Manifesto? Or War and Peace? I'd advise re-reading either if you feel they went over your head. With the Communist Manifesto I'd suggest the Bantam Classics version, it doesn't have the preface from the Russian, Polish, Italian or the third German edition; but it has an absolutely fantastic introduction written by Vladimir Pozner. Though it is missing the principles of Communism by Engels, which is certainly a glaring flaw.

With War and Peace I would advise the Maude translation if you want a page turner (not knocking it, an absolutely fantastic translation by all means), for extremely in-depth reading purposes get the Pevear and Volokhonsky translation as that version includes biographies of characters mentioned (given it takes place in the Napoleonic-era this can help even if you are up on your history) in a historical index, as well as notes on what historical event the characters are referencing during certain conversations. It's considered the academic version, so it is definitely that. It does have a major flaw, and that is that the French (which represents 2% of all dialog in the novel) is left untouched and is translated in the footnotes rather than where it actually stands. It's sort of a pain in the ass in that regard.

For the most enjoyable and fun read, the Maude translation is hard to beat: http://amzn.to/notEsd (http://amzn.to/notEsd)

Y'all are readin' some pretty fancy books!

I'm just rereading the Harry Potter books. Am currently halfway through book 4. I forgot how much of the intro was cut from the movie version!

The Harry Potter novels are very good, they do receive some hate, but mainly from people who haven't read the books as far as I've noticed.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: SOUP on August 19, 2011, 09:49:06 am
@TaroYamada:
It was the Communist Manifesto. Thanks a lot for the advice sir. I'll have to check them out.
My french isn't too bad, so if there isn't much in there, I should be ok.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: max_cady on September 22, 2011, 05:23:05 pm
Just finished reading Star Wars: The Rise of Darth Vader.

It's... OK-ish. Much better than The Force Unleashed novel, which was basically nothing but a tedious description of the video game cutscenes.
It's a story that takes place immediately after the end of Revenge of the Sith, for some odd reason, one group of stormtroopers actually thought that Order 66 was a joke. And the twist ending, well, you can see it coming a mile away.

Gotta pick another read for the next couple of weeks...
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Barry the Nomad on September 22, 2011, 07:51:57 pm
Just finished reading Star Wars: The Rise of Darth Vader.

It's... OK-ish. Much better than The Force Unleashed novel, which was basically nothing but a tedious description of the video game cutscenes.
It's a story that takes place immediately after the end of Revenge of the Sith, for some odd reason, one group of stormtroopers actually thought that Order 66 was a joke. And the twist ending, well, you can see it coming a mile away.

Gotta pick another read for the next couple of weeks...

You looking forward to the Darth Plagueis novel? Hits in December and details Palpatine's master and how he trained Palps and eventually was killed by him (I assume). I'm a big Emperor fan, so I'm definitely picking it up.

I heard Matt Stover, author of the Revenge of the Sith novel, speak at a bookstore back in 2005 and he said he wanted to write a Plagueis novel. Though looks like the job went to James Luceno.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: max_cady on October 17, 2011, 08:10:49 am
I wasn't aware of said novel, but good to know. Though frankly I'm kinda burned out on the Star Wars novels right now. I wanted something decent from the Clone Wars TV show but right now the existing audio books are a little too much, I'm afraid.

Now, if only I could get a good mp3 version of Michael Crichton's Congo. Now that would be something.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: jonboy101 on October 29, 2011, 11:19:58 am
Murakami's "Kafka on the Shore" and Pascal's "Thoughts".
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: max_cady on November 30, 2011, 11:29:06 am
I finished reading Michael Crichton's Pirate Latitudes.

It was OK, but there wasn't anything outstanding about it. The characters were OK for what brief descriptions we had. Charles Hunter is a badass, but you won't get that much insight into him, the same with curious characters like Lazue.

Overall, not a bad time waster. But it's nowhere near as engaging as The Great Train Robbery, not even close.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Emmett The Crab on November 30, 2011, 03:38:48 pm
I'm reading Memory, Prophecy And Fantasy, the Works of Clive Barker Volume 1: Liverpool Lives.  Almost finished with it.  If you're a super-diehard fan of Clive Barker, these books are really interesting, and detailed.

(http://www.clivebarker.info/liverpoollives2.jpg)
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: max_cady on August 07, 2012, 07:30:01 pm
Just started readin' Phillip K. Dick's "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?".

I wanted to get into classic sci-fi. Hope it'll be good.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Nameless 24 on August 18, 2012, 04:02:25 pm
The last book I read I think was "Train Man".

I didn't enjoy it as much as I hoped....but I guess it's that real life story happiness that everyone loves to read/watch come true.

It pretty much reads like a forum, but half the book is made up of Japanese ASCII art...which isn't bad, but it bored me reading 5 pages of "OH MY GOD! YOU GO TRAIN MAN!".

I might read the other six Thursday Next books, since I liked the first one, but I think the next book that's coming to me is The Last Quarkbeast (same author, different series).
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: max_cady on August 26, 2012, 03:01:05 pm
I'm done with Phillip K Dick's "Do Android dream of Electric Sheep?".


I've moved on to Michael Crichton's Micro.

(http://i46.tinypic.com/2dv7tyw.gif)

This is his first post-humous novel. About a third of the original manuscript was completed, Mr. Preston was brought in to finish it. I'll tell you guys this much, it isn't as atrocious as Next. at first it felt somewhere along that level, but as it went it out it started to get better. It's got an interesting Jurassic Park-esque vibe to it splashed with an R-rated version of "Honey, I shrank the Kids". Two minor complaints so far, the villain is so unrealistically evil it hurts, two, this is a thriller novel, the chapters could and should end in a semi-cliffhanger.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: CosmicCastaway on August 26, 2012, 05:53:10 pm
From what I heard Mr. Preston did a poor job of writing Micro which Michael Crichton only made an outline for. I think I would rather just read Crichton's original outline and leave it at that. He's one of my favorite authors and I don't want to read a novel that has his name on the cover, but he didn't truly write it.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: max_cady on August 30, 2012, 10:06:57 am
I finished reading Micro last night and also took the time to read a few extra reviews. To my surprise it's not bad at all. It's nowhere near the level of a Jurassic Park, but it's decent, waay better than Next.
There's some stuff there that's kinda weird, the characters are for the most part are very one-dimensional, most of them have one character trait they stick with it till the end, however[spoiler]I was surprised at how the story went down, you see Peter Jansen was presented in the novel as the main protagonist and indeed for much of the novel he is, so consider me shocked when he gets killed off later on and the other two more discrete protagonists actually become vital to the plot.

There's clearly a Jurassic Park vibe with Micro. The way the heroes have to fight off insects, bats and birds is very reminiscent of the 1991 novel. It's as exciting and gruesome, perhaps slightly more, the way one of the antagonists gets killed by a ground spider is just horrible and creepy.
[/spoiler]
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Nameless 24 on September 10, 2012, 06:19:28 am
Finished reading The Last Dragonslayer: Song of the Quarkbeast.

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41PbzARA69L._SL500_AA300_.jpg)

As a fan of Jasper Fforde's books, it's one of the weakest for me. It was still good as it had that style of his in the book, but it wasn't as good as the first book (and I only just started to like that book at the end), the beginning was promising, and although the pace kept on going, I felt like the sudden twist at the end was pretty dull despite being the right way to end the book in order to give way to the final book.

[spoiler]
I guess introducing a new character and only making them relevant at the end of the book annoyed me, it would have been better if the new character was revealed in the sequel, but I can see why they introduced her in the second book to stop the Antagonist of this book.[/spoiler]

I may read the second Thursday Next book, since it's his main series but I am more into his (on a haitus) Shades of Grey series.

Then again, I could read The Nursary Crime sub-series instead, since I liked the first book.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: SOUP on September 10, 2012, 09:11:17 am
I've been making my way through this:
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Ih-0K8u5zxo/TNSd_28B7mI/AAAAAAAAAl0/-xWfaBaeqJY/s1600/list06_x-men_omni.jpg)
It covers the original issues from #31 all the way to the cancellation at #66.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: CosmicCastaway on September 10, 2012, 06:02:52 pm
That's pretty sweet SOUP. The original X-Men books are often overlooked, but there are quite a few cool stories in them.

(http://s11.postimage.org/6r58od4xf/42mml41.jpg)

I've been reading Vol 6. of John Byrne's run on the Fantastic Four. It's been great to finally read the stories where She-Hulk temporarily replaced The Thing as part of the FF. I always knew she joined the team at the end of Secret Wars, but I never got to read any of the Fantastic Four issues with She-Hulk until now.   
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: SOUP on September 11, 2012, 09:06:54 am
@CosmicCastaway:
Thanks :). The writing's pretty dated, but charming in it's own way.  Oddly enough The Juggernaut comes off as a more compelling villain than Magneto in these early stories.
There's a lot more dialogue per issue than you'd find in a modern comic. I'd say it takes about as long to read a single issue as it would take to read 4 or 5 newer comics.

After this Omnibus, I'll probably go straight into the relaunch from the 70's, beginning with Giant-Size X-Men #1.  They have a couple of Masterworks editions that collect the miscellaneous appearances they made during the time X-Men was cancelled, but I haven't picked them up.  Aside from a few team-up issues, the only big things they cover are Beast's transformation, and Wolverine's first appearance in The Hulk.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Barry the Nomad on September 11, 2012, 09:12:59 am
Since comics are allowed:

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a8/TintinBrokenEar.jpg/250px-TintinBrokenEar.jpg)

Since the movie, I've been rereading, and buying, all the Tintin books. I've been slow at it, mainly because my Amazon Prime membership wasn't renewed for a few months. When I first read them, I got them from the library. So I've never owned the books, aside from one. Now I'm up to the fifth book, The Broken Ear (sixth, counting the Congo book, which was not released in the US).

This one surprised me! It's a lot of fun, the cover art is beautiful. Any Tintin fans here?
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: SOUP on September 11, 2012, 01:28:12 pm
@Barry:
I've been a Tintin fan since watching the animated series in the early 90's. I still have a Tintin collectible plate from a family trip to Belgium when I was 8.
I'm even playing through the game right now with my girlfriend. (Not the best game in the world, but pretty fun.)

I haven't picked up any of the books, but I've been planning on buying the French copies to work on my French.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: George on May 18, 2013, 04:32:27 am
Watch this. Bam, bumpin'

I have been reading American Gods by Neil Gaiman. HBO will be making a TV show, so why not get it out of the way before everyone starts talking about it?

(https://lh3.ggpht.com/-LPMmFFJyF9c/T6LHQi37Z_I/AAAAAAAAB_8/NEbgyKiPwxk/s1600/american_godsPB.jpg)
Neil Gaiman is one of my favorite comic book writers, why I haven't read any of his novels is beyond me. Though, I got to say, his novels are very... comicish, so I love it.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Nameless 24 on May 29, 2013, 09:52:58 am
Bought "Perks of being a Wallflower"

Seeing how accurate this is to me.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: mylifewithsega on May 29, 2013, 10:19:31 am
Thought I'd re-read Michael Crichton's Sphere. Damn good book.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: pirovash88 on May 31, 2013, 12:00:49 pm
Reading: What To Expect When You're Expecting - No joke, my wife is due in like 7 weeks, gotta be ready, haha.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: mylifewithsega on May 31, 2013, 09:16:28 pm
CONGRATS, SIR! *hands you a cigar*
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: max_cady on June 01, 2013, 12:54:47 pm
The Art of War - Sun Tzu

Sun Tzu would be the best CEO ever...
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: pirovash88 on June 05, 2013, 11:13:04 am
CONGRATS, SIR! *hands you a cigar*

Thanks dude, my boss gave me a cigar too, haha.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Happy Cat on June 05, 2013, 03:40:34 pm
gonna be doing some "light reading" later tonight

(http://distilleryimage1.s3.amazonaws.com/b74f2f48ce1f11e2b22122000a1fc95b_7.jpg)

LOL
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: George on June 13, 2013, 10:33:58 pm
I'm reading "comics" like always: Ten Grand is so fucking good.
(http://0.tqn.com/d/comicbooks/1/0/L/6/1/TenGrand01_covB.jpg)
First issue has a big 'Hellblazer' vibe to it. Basically its a dude that worked for the mob, fell in love with a girl. Said he was doing one last job, he has to kill some 'enforcer, just like him'. When he finds the dude, he summoning some demons, the demons chase him and kill/torture him and his girlfriend. She goes to heaven, he is going to be sent to hell forever, but an angel makes a deal with him. Do enough work for his sins, he will be let into heaven..

In the first issue some girl comes to him with a job, there is a satanic cult and her sister is invovled. He now takes work of people 'in the streets'. 10 grand he charges because (its not alot of money, but just enough to get the no serious people out). The guy that runs this 'Satanic cult' is the dude that killed him and his wife.

Pretty good start.

(https://lh3.ggpht.com/-0En5u9YahME/Tc2c822tZKI/AAAAAAAAAIw/Lk731jI7hNA/s1600/Blade_Itself.jpg)

Also finished American Gods, so now I'm reading 'The Blade Itself' (this is the fantasy book, not the crime thriller), book one in the 'First Law' trilogy. So far into the book, they just introduced like 3 of the main characters. The first one is Logen Ninefingers which seems like the typical viking warrior type. In the start of the book he is being hunted by 'flatheads' whatever they are, he falls into a river with one, barely survives. His 'group' was separated. Later he ends up in his village which has been burnt down by King Bethod, who his group used to serve. He backstabbed them and burnt their village. The second character is a Sand dan Glokta who is a crippled, fucked up Inquisitor working for the union. He has to 'get the truth' out of people that break kings law. Though, they are 'corrupt' of sorts, since merchants and guilds with big bucks pay them off.  Glokta is at the age where he doesn't give a shit and starts going after guilds to make examples, the leader of the Inquistor gets complaints about him and tasks him to go after the 'riches' of the guilds. His past is cool, in a war he was captured and tortured for 2 years, when he got let go (everyone else that was held captive died) they didn't think he was going to walk. After he hospitalized and came back he decided he wanted to be a Inquistor and do what people did to him.

The last guy is Jezal dan Luthar who is noble and rich. He rather flirt with girls, drink wine and gamble than train. But it seems he is going to be in a tournament in 4 weeks and is being trained in the start of his chapter, even though he doesn't seem to be into it.
 
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: jonboy101 on June 15, 2013, 09:49:09 pm
Speak, Memory by Nabokov. Easily one of the best authors of the last century. Very bizarre man.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: max_cady on August 08, 2013, 05:37:19 pm
Just finished World War Z by Max Brooks.

I have to admit, after the movie, I was only morbidly curious about the novel. Turns out, it's actually pretty good. A smartly written fictionial post-war documentary with 1st hand accounts through all of the events of the major war. A real fun read, I must say.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Emmett The Crab on August 09, 2013, 02:08:53 am
Just finished re-reading Weaveworld, the new limited 25th Anniversary Edition for my podcast. 

(http://earthlingpub.com/cb_weaveworld_large_a.html)
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: max_cady on August 27, 2013, 01:12:14 pm
The Call of Cthullu by HP Lovecraft. Damn good short story.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: Barry the Nomad on August 27, 2013, 07:28:48 pm
Been reading this:

(http://blakemp.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/life-and-times-of-scrooge-mcduck-v1.jpg)

Really an awesome book. Takes tidbits of Scrooge's past from the original 70 Uncle Scrooge comics and tells a complete life story.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: tarpmortar on August 30, 2013, 05:53:08 am
I just finished The Casual Vacancy by JK Rowling and am halfway through Cuckoo's Calling (her other book under a pseudonym), so far I feel Cuckoo's Calling is superior to TCV but both are great novels and I'd recommend both, especially to any Harry Potter fans on these boards (Barry?).

After this I'll probably read Confessions of a Mask by Yukio Mishima or the first Foundation novel by Isaac Asimov.
Title: Re: What Books are you reading?
Post by: max_cady on September 05, 2013, 06:27:54 pm
I'm starting The Divine Comedy tonight... wish me luck.