Sack-Religious
Footballguy
Let me know when you finish it, I've got a question about the end.
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Whatcha readin now? (book, books, reading, read) (6 Viewers)
- Thread starter shuke
- Start date
igbomb
Footballguy
Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson
Less than satisfied with this one. Sanderson is the writer finishing up the Robert Jordan series Wheel of Time. While his trilogy was really good, his two stand-alones have really disappointed me. His biggest issue, and it's present in his trilogy as well, is the pacing. His story will often go quiet for upwards of 200 pages, have a quick burst of action, and then slip right back into dull for another long stretch. Later this year, he's publishing the first book in a new ten-book series. Since I don't read series until they are finished, I think I am done with Sanderson for a while.
And for Carlos Ruiz Zafon fans, he is releasing another novel in May, The Prince of Mist. This is actually his first novel, just now being translated to English.
Less than satisfied with this one. Sanderson is the writer finishing up the Robert Jordan series Wheel of Time. While his trilogy was really good, his two stand-alones have really disappointed me. His biggest issue, and it's present in his trilogy as well, is the pacing. His story will often go quiet for upwards of 200 pages, have a quick burst of action, and then slip right back into dull for another long stretch. Later this year, he's publishing the first book in a new ten-book series. Since I don't read series until they are finished, I think I am done with Sanderson for a while.
And for Carlos Ruiz Zafon fans, he is releasing another novel in May, The Prince of Mist. This is actually his first novel, just now being translated to English.
Bull Dozier
Footballguy
I never got through the trilogy, but this is what I heard as well. The trilogy is a grand story of good vs. evil, where the Hobbit is just a bunch of people stealing a dragon's treasure.
shuke
Black Ice Skeptic
You mean the epilogue? We've discussed it on here before if you can find it.
Sack-Religious
Footballguy
shuke
Black Ice Skeptic
No, the epilogue is after what you are referring to.
roadkill1292
Footballguy
This post makes me feel a little ashamed. FTR, I read lots and lots of lowbrow stuff.
Sack-Religious
Footballguy
Thanks. I searched through the thread and found the portion you and TANAC are discussing the epilogue. My question is, I suppose, more elementary.mytagid = Math.floor( Math.random() * 100 );document.write("
Is there a general consensus on who/what The Judge is? Seems to be supernatural or the Devil, but from the few McCarthy books I've read, that doesn't really seem to be a style that McCarthy uses, thus my confusion.
*** SPOILER ALERT! Click this link to display the potential spoiler text in this box. ***");document.close();
I think I'm going to have to re-read the book, though.
Tough As Nails
Glave Master
There really isn't much of a consensus as to who...or "what"...the Judge is. It's part of the horror or mystery to try and interpret. The devil? A demon? The evil side of human existence? Just a baaaad dude?I know this...the next time you read it and come to the description - try your best to NOT picture the Reaper from Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey.
D_House
Footballguy
So I finished Blood Meridian but I also didn't like it. I won't go into my criticisms other than to say that I felt that it was a lot like The Road (which I loved), except that book resonated with me and Blood Meridian did not. As I mentioned above, I did not read super closely (I mostly read it on the bus), so given it's modern classic status and the raves from folks here, I will most likely reread at some later juncture.I just started The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro and so far it's a welcome relief from the grueling experience of Blood Meridian.
ConstruxBoy
Kate's Daddy
Yep, I loved The Road. Couldn't put it down. And loved No Country For Old Men almost as much. Just didn't think Blood Meridian was very good. :(D_House said:
FUBAR
Footballguy
pantagrapher
Footballguy
The Virgin Suicides is absolutely horrible so far. Worst book I've started since The Russian Debutante's Handbook. But I'm going to finish it just so I can tear it up at book club.
roadkill1292
Footballguy
What did you think of Millionaire?
Tough As Nails
Glave Master
I'm curious about this. I think Meridian is much deeper, more developed and more intense than The Road and No Country. But it's difficult reading...especially at the beginning. Do you think that tuned you out a bit? The first time I read Meridian I remember being 25 pages in and having absolutely nooooo clue what I just read. The next time I read it...it was fairly easy to comprehend and it really helped the story out to get that part of the stage set. I can't imagine reading this on a bus. When I read in those situations I'm able to concentrate for about a page at a time at most. Meridian is an "immersion" book. Part of the allure and power of the story is the pacing and intensity. I would think that could easily get lost if you read 10 pages at a time instead of, say, 60 or so. The Road and No Country aren't like that at all. Read 2 paragraphs and come back. Piece of cake. You know where you are and won't miss anything. Those two books are written so well that even the most casual reader will catch all the themes and motivations.Yep, I loved The Road. Couldn't put it down. And loved No Country For Old Men almost as much. Just didn't think Blood Meridian was very good.D_House said:
You say Meridian did resonate. That's legit. Especially if you're going to compare it to a novel about the connection of a father and son. Any father (or son for that matter) will having strong emotional ties to a story like that. A western gore fest isn't going to have that connection. But Meridian is based, in large part, on actual events and actual places. The story behind the story is fascinating.
I'm rambling. Go read All the Pretty Horses. It's freaking great too. And totally different from The Road or Blood Meridian or No Country. The elements of "evil" aren't nearly as present in the Border Trilogy...
ConstruxBoy
Kate's Daddy
LOL, I almost did a Countdown to TAN in my last post. It is hard to read, although I've made it through Pynchon before so I don't think it was that. I guess I just wasn't in the mood for a Western Gore Fest? 
I may try All the Pretty Horses.
I may try All the Pretty Horses.
shuke
Black Ice Skeptic
Go get 'em, tiger.
Buffaloes
Footballguy
Just finished Life of Pi...I liked it a lot didn't bog down as much as I expected it to while he was out to sea. Starting The Curious Case of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon.
Carver
Footballguy
Just finished "Heart Shaped Box" last night... still trying to digest it I guess. My first reaction was that it started with a whimper...exploded in the middle...and sort of flamed out at the end.
I just began "Conversations with the Devil"...and through 3 chapters I can already tell this is going to be the more entertaining book. Cant wait to jump back into it tonight..
I just began "Conversations with the Devil"...and through 3 chapters I can already tell this is going to be the more entertaining book. Cant wait to jump back into it tonight..
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
I'm finishing up Donaldson's Second Chronicles Of Thomas Covenant. This is a re-read, but it had been 20 years or so since I last read it. My God, I had forgotten how much he used arcane words, awkward similes, and psychological "insight" into his main characters. I'm not stupid, nor do I mind challenging reading but his writing is so awkward that it sometimes becomes a chore. There are actually web pages out their that detail his (mis)use of words, and (mis)use of simile & analogy.
That's the bad. The good is that he has really good ideas, writes suspenseful scenes pretty well, and doesn't do happily-ever-after (a real novelty when these books first came out).
Anyway, went on a mini shopping spree at Amazon today. I got:
"Horns" - Joe Hill
"A Dark Matter" - Peter Straub
"Black Hills" - Dan Simmons
That's the bad. The good is that he has really good ideas, writes suspenseful scenes pretty well, and doesn't do happily-ever-after (a real novelty when these books first came out).
Anyway, went on a mini shopping spree at Amazon today. I got:
"Horns" - Joe Hill
"A Dark Matter" - Peter Straub
"Black Hills" - Dan Simmons
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
I really liked this. He's already a better writer than his dad was early in his career. Hill's also got a short story collection out there called "20th Century Ghosts" that has some of the most original & unsettling stories I've ever read in it.
trader jake
Footballguy
I love Coupland's novels, and feel his books after Girlfriend In A Coma are even superior to his early work. Instead of being cut-and-paste style he concentrated themes better and made more subtle observations with bolder statements/themes in each novel. Miss Wyoming and All Families Are Psychotic are my two favorite Coupland novels and are masterpieces IMO (as is Generation X). Thanks for reminding me Generation A was out, I'll post after reading it.Right now I'm 700 pages into Infinite Jest so it may be a little while yet. So far
facook
Footballguy
Not sure how Shantaram can be done any justice in one movie. Or two. Or four. It's a HUGE story.
FUBAR
Footballguy
It's a solid read and makes many good points which most of us probably already know, either from intuition or from listening to shows like Dave Ramsey. It's a little dated in the data so I'd like to see an updated version. Overall it's worth the read but not as "life changing" or shocking as it may have been when first written. We live pretty much the way the MND does, which is why we've been able to save a good amount. Biggest thing I took away from it is reinforcing the idea that while I'll help pay for my kid's college, if I'm lucky enough to leave a load of money, they won't see it until they're 40. Also a reminder that attorneys and doctors probably aren't the wealthiest people you'll meet.
igbomb
Footballguy
Exactly. 900 page books should NOT be filmed as s single movie. I know people like The Count of Monte Cristo movie, but they absolutely destroyed that novel when squeezing it down to two hours.
oso diablo
Footballguy
mostly agree. has its moments, but is tremendously overrated. I've seen so many C-level "leaders" assigning this book for their underlings to read. I didn't really get it.
oso diablo
Footballguy
update?
oso diablo
Footballguy
finishing up Whitehead's latest, a fictionalized memoir called Sag Harbor. Think of a smarter Theo Huxtable, a prep-school, D&D-playing, Bauhaus-listening young teenager spending summers at a beach village on Long Island. For established fans of Whitehead, or those who want an easily-accessible entry into his work.
Prince Myshkin
Footballguy
Sorry I missed this post somehow. It's definitely one of my favorites (as you picked out from my screen name). It's not exactly a quick read, and I've had people tell me they get too bogged down with the Russian names and such, but the character development is tremendous.
I'm sure it's been mentioned earlier in this thread somewhere, but I have really enjoyed the first 2 Stieg Larson books - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Girl Who Played with Fire. I can't wait for the US release of the third book in May.
beer 30
Footballguy
I bought a cheap copy from Barnes & Nobles, don't think it matters much, once you read through it you'll understand. It's pretty straight forward.
igbomb
Footballguy
The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet due out June 29. Description off Amazon:
The year is 1799, the place Dejima in Nagasaki Harbor, the “high-walled, fan-shaped artificial island” that is the Japanese Empire’s single port and sole window onto the world, designed to keep the West at bay; the farthest outpost of the war-ravaged Dutch East Indies Company; and a de facto prison for the dozen foreigners permitted to live and work there. To this place of devious merchants, deceitful interpreters, costly courtesans, earthquakes, and typhoons comes Jacob de Zoet, a devout and resourceful young clerk who has five years in the East to earn a fortune of sufficient size to win the hand of his wealthy fiancée back in Holland.
But Jacob’s original intentions are eclipsed after a chance encounter with Orito Aibagawa, the disfigured daughter of a samurai doctor and midwife to the city’s powerful magistrate. The borders between propriety, profit, and pleasure blur until Jacob finds his vision clouded, one rash promise made and then fatefully broken. The consequences will extend beyond Jacob’s worst imaginings. As one cynical colleague asks, “Who ain’t a gambler in the glorious Orient, with his very life?”
A magnificent mix of luminous writing, prodigious research, and heedless imagination, The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet is the most impressive achievement of its eminent author.
FUBAR
Footballguy
This was required reading for us, military officers at a mid-level. Decent enough to pull some points from but there's much better books out there for us to read and not entirely pertinent. I wouldn't call our leader at that time "C-level", but not A-level either.
FUBAR
Footballguy
Is there anyone who doesn't understand the basics of this book? It's a decent read I guess, in the same way that arithmetic is important to learn. Just don't expect the book to push you to greatness.
Weapon of Mass Instruction
Watch my feet!
D_House
Footballguy
Just finished it. Fun read, but I agree. I think it would make a better movie than a book.
Jefferson the Caregiver
Rebel Without A Pause
Started the Road, can't get through it. I've read Blood Meridien, All the Pretty Horses so its not like Im unfamilar with McCarthy's style. I just didn't like the Road, too depressing I suppose.
oso diablo
Footballguy
just to clarify. by "C-level", i meant executives with a title of Chief-something. (eg, CEO, CFO, etc) wasn't a commentary on their overall skill
Prince Myshkin
Footballguy
about half-way through the second book and i may agree by the end. "dark tower" has been much better than "fellowship" so far. i really felt "the hobbit" was much much more than just stealing a treasure though. it has some deep underlying themes on top of a very well told adventure story.
FUBAR
Footballguy
just to clarify. by "C-level", i meant executives with a title of Chief-something. (eg, CEO, CFO, etc) wasn't a commentary on their overall skillThis was required reading for us, military officers at a mid-level. Decent enough to pull some points from but there's much better books out there for us to read and not entirely pertinent. I wouldn't call our leader at that time "C-level", but not A-level either.
beer 30
Footballguy
Yea, kinda my point although when I first picked it up I really thought there was some great revelation in it and really it's just the first guy to write all this stuff down. Impressive when you consider the time period he wrote it in and that the same principles pretty much apply today.
Check out the Silmarillion after you've finished the trilogy. It's the prequel to the Hobbit and the Lord Of The Rings Trilogy. If you enjoy Tolkien you'll like this.
Sundays Rule
Footballguy
Just finished Jonathon Strange and Mr. Norrell, really really enjoyed it. About to start Anathem by Neal Stephenson.
Bob Magaw
Footballguy
finished ubik by philip k. ****...
great novel, my favorite of the four in the '60s-'70s novels anthology (& one of the best i've ever read in the genre)...
unusual combination of paranoid, prescient and mind expanding...
i'd rank them...
ubik
three stigmata of palmer eldritch
do androids dream (blade runner)...
man in the high castle
on deck...
martian time slip...
will be devouring vol II & III in the coming weeks (13 novels in the three volumes)
he is fast becoming one of my favorite sci-fi writers (with heinlein & stephenson)
great novel, my favorite of the four in the '60s-'70s novels anthology (& one of the best i've ever read in the genre)...
unusual combination of paranoid, prescient and mind expanding...
i'd rank them...
ubik
three stigmata of palmer eldritch
do androids dream (blade runner)...
man in the high castle
on deck...
martian time slip...
will be devouring vol II & III in the coming weeks (13 novels in the three volumes)
he is fast becoming one of my favorite sci-fi writers (with heinlein & stephenson)
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Tough As Nails
Glave Master
:jealous:
Buffaloes
Footballguy
That Fyodor Pavlovich is a real rascal so far...
