Whatcha readin now? (book, books, reading, read) (5 Viewers)

[Possum]

After all of these years I have never seen nor read Dune.

same here

I just read it for the first time this past year - like Tom, I couldn't get the movie out of my mind while reading, but I still thought it was really good. Picked up Dune Messiah and am planning to read that soon as well on the strength of the first book.

 

[Gravity]

Just finished The Martian. Guy gets stuck on Mars. Tries to McGuyver his way to survival.

Fun, fast read; found it hard to put down. It wasn't what I was expecting - some tortured soul pontificating about being alone on a planet. Instead it was action filled and funny. Recommended.

 

[shader]

Just finished The Martian. Guy gets stuck on Mars. Tries to McGuyver his way to survival.

Fun, fast read; found it hard to put down. It wasn't what I was expecting - some tortured soul pontificating about being alone on a planet. Instead it was action filled and funny. Recommended.

Just got this on Overdrive today after like a 4 week hold. Lots of good reviews so I'm excited to read it.

 

[On The Rocks]

I'm a big fan of everything David McCullough writes, so when I saw the new book "The Wright Brothers" on the shelf, I snatched it up.

Just started it last night. So far just two chapters in, very enjoyable read.

https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Wright_Brothers.html?id=drS2CAAAQBAJ&hl=en

 

[Gravity]

Finished Hyperion last night, really great book. I had started and stopped it but was really glad I got back to it. Going to read the next one but not until after Seveneves.

I hope this series has a good payoff. Talk about character development, you really get invested and then.... The End.

I'm also planning on reading the Hyperion sequel (Fall of Hyperion). Has anyone else read it? I have heard mixed reviews. Some said that they regretted reading it and wish they had just read Hyperion and left it at that. Others loved it and enjoyed finding out what happened to the original characters.

 

[Barry]

Finished Hyperion last night, really great book. I had started and stopped it but was really glad I got back to it. Going to read the next one but not until after Seveneves.

I hope this series has a good payoff. Talk about character development, you really get invested and then.... The End.

I'm also planning on reading the Hyperion sequel (Fall of Hyperion). Has anyone else read it? I have heard mixed reviews. Some said that they regretted reading it and wish they had just read Hyperion and left it at that. Others loved it and enjoyed finding out what happened to the original characters.

I started to read but didn't like it. thought Hyperion was incredible. One particular story line really got to me, so I did sift through Fall looking for answers.

 

[lombardi]

That's no encouraging :(

What a great book, I would hate to ruin it.

 

[Nick Vermeil]

Has anyone read The Martian by Andy Weir? I'm about 100 pages in and it's pretty good so far.

I loved this book. It was like McGyver went to MIT and was shot into space. Really cool, really different. The voice it was written in was really enjoyable. One of my favorite reads this year.

Just finished it today. It's a great read. I look forward to seeing how badly Ridley Scott can f it up.

 

[Chaka]

I have decided to work my way through the list of joint Hugo & Nebula award winners (or at least the ones I can find on Barnes & Noble).

I have previously read Dune, The Forever War, Ender's Game & The Yiddish Policeman's Union

So I started with The Gods Themselves. I can't even begin to imagine what a guy like Asimov saw in the unfiltered light of his minds eye. It is a very interesting book and Asimov certainly cannot be accused of holding the hands of his readers, he throws you right into the deep end. Good stuff so far.

 

[Chaka]

Has anyone read The Martian by Andy Weir? I'm about 100 pages in and it's pretty good so far.

I loved this book. It was like McGyver went to MIT and was shot into space. Really cool, really different. The voice it was written in was really enjoyable. One of my favorite reads this year.

Just finished it today. It's a great read. I look forward to seeing how badly Ridley Scott can f it up.

This was the last book I read. Very good stuff. I like Weir's sense of humor and clearly he did tons of research. Although the main character was immensely (and conveniently at times) capable I still found that the amount of research Weir did ultimately lent the book enough gravitas to make it feel plausible (even if I am certain the real astrophysicist types would insist that it wasn't).

 

[Fly]

Finished Hyperion last night, really great book. I had started and stopped it but was really glad I got back to it. Going to read the next one but not until after Seveneves.

I hope this series has a good payoff. Talk about character development, you really get invested and then.... The End.

I'm also planning on reading the Hyperion sequel (Fall of Hyperion). Has anyone else read it? I have heard mixed reviews. Some said that they regretted reading it and wish they had just read Hyperion and left it at that. Others loved it and enjoyed finding out what happened to the original characters.

Hyperion is definitely superior. But it's not like Fall of Hyperion is bad. The structure is different, the pacing is different, and the ending is a bit convoluted (but pretty cool). I would recommend it just for the fact that you get to read more words about the Shrike. Also, if I remember correctly, each character you read about in the first book gets wrapped up pretty well.

 

[John Bender]

How is Dune?

I like sci-fi.

 

[beer 30]

How is Dune?

I like sci-fi.

It will scratch your itch. In my opinion it's on par with what LoTR's is to fantasy. Has everything you want and keeps you interested throughout. Also has a solid plot line that spans a few thousand years if I recall the follow up trilogies.

 

[Ilov80s]

How is Dune if you don't like sci-fi?

 

[Sand]

Yes, Blood Meridian is much better. The Road is just highly rated because it's a lot more accessible. I still think it's great, but I think as someone has said, maybe that is because I'm a father.

I don't know if The Road is the best piece of literature I've ever read, but it has certainly stuck with me - there are few books that just stick like that (it's in the class of books like Night, which I'll never forget). So from that point of view it is quite the work of art, at least for me.

Just finished The Martian. Guy gets stuck on Mars. Tries to McGuyver his way to survival.

Fun, fast read; found it hard to put down. It wasn't what I was expecting - some tortured soul pontificating about being alone on a planet. Instead it was action filled and funny. Recommended.

Just got this on Overdrive today after like a 4 week hold. Lots of good reviews so I'm excited to read it.

Halfway through this (need another road trip so the wife and I can listen to the rest). It's awesome - all the reviews are right.

 

[Sand]

More important than any of that, Neal Stephenson's new books is OUT!!! One of my absolute favorites, have read all of this books. New book, Seveneves, came out yesterday. I haven't bothered reading anything about it, just know that it's pretty big. I'm pretty excisted.

http://www.amazon.com/Seveneves-Novel-Neal-Stephenson-ebook/dp/B00LZWV8JO/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1432128370

Whoa... Consider me very intrigued by this.

Just plowed through this monster.

Bottom line: The moon explodes and chaos ensues. (That's not a spoiler, the moon explodes in the first paragraph of the book)

Just under 900 pages of awesomeness. A disaster book, which I love, combined with Neal Stephenson? Um, yeah it was good.

I've been on a reading kick lately, and I have a set amount of time I've been reading each day. This is the first book in awhile that has made it difficult for me to put the book down.

That looks good.

For those who like Stevenson, what do you think is his best work? I've been completely enthralled (Snowcrash, Diamond Age), and non-plussed (Crytonomicon).

 

[facook]

More important than any of that, Neal Stephenson's new books is OUT!!! One of my absolute favorites, have read all of this books. New book, Seveneves, came out yesterday. I haven't bothered reading anything about it, just know that it's pretty big. I'm pretty excisted.

http://www.amazon.com/Seveneves-Novel-Neal-Stephenson-ebook/dp/B00LZWV8JO/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1432128370

Whoa... Consider me very intrigued by this.

Just plowed through this monster.

Bottom line: The moon explodes and chaos ensues. (That's not a spoiler, the moon explodes in the first paragraph of the book)

Just under 900 pages of awesomeness. A disaster book, which I love, combined with Neal Stephenson? Um, yeah it was good.

I've been on a reading kick lately, and I have a set amount of time I've been reading each day. This is the first book in awhile that has made it difficult for me to put the book down.

That looks good.

For those who like Stevenson, what do you think is his best work? I've been completely enthralled (Snowcrash, Diamond Age), and non-plussed (Crytonomicon).

Really? I'm surprised...I really like Snowcrash, and really REALLY like the Baroque Trilogy and Reamde (but couldn't get into Anathem). But Cryptonomicon is on the list of my 10 favorite novels I ever read. I just loved every part of it.

 

[pecorino]

Rereading the book of transcripts of David Lipsky's five day road trip with David Foster Wallace after the Infinite Jest book tour called And Then You End Up Becoming Yourself. It is being turned in to a movie in July so wanted to refresh my memory. Making me want to reread Infinite Jest, though...

 

[Chaka]

How is Dune if you don't like sci-fi?

I can't say. I like sci-fi.

It has very well structured political themes and while sci-fi is the backdrop it doesn't need to be viewed exclusively through that lens.

 

[lombardi]

More important than any of that, Neal Stephenson's new books is OUT!!! One of my absolute favorites, have read all of this books. New book, Seveneves, came out yesterday. I haven't bothered reading anything about it, just know that it's pretty big. I'm pretty excisted.

http://www.amazon.com/Seveneves-Novel-Neal-Stephenson-ebook/dp/B00LZWV8JO/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1432128370

Whoa... Consider me very intrigued by this.

Just plowed through this monster.

Bottom line: The moon explodes and chaos ensues. (That's not a spoiler, the moon explodes in the first paragraph of the book)

Just under 900 pages of awesomeness. A disaster book, which I love, combined with Neal Stephenson? Um, yeah it was good.

I've been on a reading kick lately, and I have a set amount of time I've been reading each day. This is the first book in awhile that has made it difficult for me to put the book down.

That looks good.

For those who like Stevenson, what do you think is his best work? I've been completely enthralled (Snowcrash, Diamond Age), and non-plussed (Crytonomicon).

I would read his grocery list if he let me, probably my favorite living writer.

The Baroque cycle was mad genius. It was the first thing of his I read and will probably always be my favorite. Amazing how much is in that book, how much comes together, how interested he keeps you through the entire Opus. Nothing compares to that.

 

[KarmaPolice]

We have talked about The Road as a great father/son relationship. With Father's Day approaching, what are some other good books about Father/offspring relationships?

 

[lombardi]

I really am having a hard time thinking of a good Father/Son book.

All of the Father son books I can think of the relationships are a mess...

East of Eden

The Brothers Karamazov

Kite Runner

Maybe father and daughter, Les Mez? Although I never actually read the book

How about Puzo's Godfather?

 

[Fly]

I really am having a hard time thinking of a good Father/Son book.

All of the Father son books I can think of the relationships are a mess...

East of Eden

The Brothers Karamazov

Kite Runner

Maybe father and daughter, Les Mez? Although I never actually read the book

How about Puzo's Godfather?

When I think of "father" books "To Kill A Mockingbird" comes to mind. The relationship with Atticus and Scout is a little more prominent so maybe not exactly a Father/Son story, although Atticus and Jem's relationship should be noted.

 

[Swing 51]

Mary Doria Russell has a new book out called Epitaph, about the gunfight at the O.K Corral. In 2011 Russell wrote Doc, which presented a side of Doc Holliday that doesn't get much focus in books I've read or movies I've seen (dentistry, not much violence, Doc's realationship with Wyatt).

Doc was really good and I'll be scooping up Epitaph at some point.

Starting Epitaph tonight. Really looking forward to it since I loved Doc.

This was really good. Learned a lot about the participants in Tombstone/Wild West.

 

[Sand]

More important than any of that, Neal Stephenson's new books is OUT!!! One of my absolute favorites, have read all of this books. New book, Seveneves, came out yesterday. I haven't bothered reading anything about it, just know that it's pretty big. I'm pretty excisted.

http://www.amazon.com/Seveneves-Novel-Neal-Stephenson-ebook/dp/B00LZWV8JO/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1432128370

Whoa... Consider me very intrigued by this.

Just plowed through this monster.

Bottom line: The moon explodes and chaos ensues. (That's not a spoiler, the moon explodes in the first paragraph of the book)

Just under 900 pages of awesomeness. A disaster book, which I love, combined with Neal Stephenson? Um, yeah it was good.

I've been on a reading kick lately, and I have a set amount of time I've been reading each day. This is the first book in awhile that has made it difficult for me to put the book down.

That looks good.

For those who like Stevenson, what do you think is his best work? I've been completely enthralled (Snowcrash, Diamond Age), and non-plussed (Crytonomicon).

Really? I'm surprised...I really like Snowcrash, and really REALLY like the Baroque Trilogy and Reamde (but couldn't get into Anathem). But Cryptonomicon is on the list of my 10 favorite novels I ever read. I just loved every part of it.

Have not read the Baroque Trilogy - on the list now. Didn't like Anathem and haven't tried Readme. I've actually gotten halfway into Crypto twice and haven't been able to finish it. I bought the Kindle version when it was on sale and intend to try again sometime.

Diamond Age was the best thing I've read by him, BTW. It was utterly brilliant.

 

[Ilov80s]

We have talked about The Road as a great father/son relationship. With Father's Day approaching, what are some other good books about Father/offspring relationships?

Wow, I can not name one.

 

[skol asylum]

We have talked about The Road as a great father/son relationship. With Father's Day approaching, what are some other good books about Father/offspring relationships?

Wow, I can not name one.

Star Wars

 

[lombardi]

We have talked about The Road as a great father/son relationship. With Father's Day approaching, what are some other good books about Father/offspring relationships?

Wow, I can not name one.

It's crazy isn't it? I was racking my brain trying to think of a book with a really good, solid father/son relationship and I can't come up with any. The Road is probably the best one and it's a dark, gritty apocalyptic survival tale.

 

[skol asylum]

http://www.amazon.com/Big-Russ-Me-Father-Lessons/dp/1401359655

(Have not read.)

 

[Ilov80s]

We have talked about The Road as a great father/son relationship. With Father's Day approaching, what are some other good books about Father/offspring relationships?

Wow, I can not name one.

It's crazy isn't it? I was racking my brain trying to think of a book with a really good, solid father/son relationship and I can't come up with any. The Road is probably the best one and it's a dark, gritty apocalyptic survival tale.

That might tell us something about the psyche of a writer.

 

[KarmaPolice]

How about Empire Falls- wasn't that a bit about father/daughter?

 

[oso diablo]

We have talked about The Road as a great father/son relationship. With Father's Day approaching, what are some other good books about Father/offspring relationships?

Peace Like a River - Leif Enger

 

[oso diablo]

also The Brothers K by David James Duncan

 

[shuke]

also The Brothers K by David James Duncan

This has been on my radar for 2 decades. Is it good?

 

[FUBAR]

Almost finished with superheroes by laurence maslon. Good read about the history of the genre. alert. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0385348584/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1433847099&sr=8-1π=AC_SY200_QL40&keywords=superheroes+laurence+maslon&dpPl=1&dpID=61mAwdewx3L&ref=plSrch

 

[Swing 51]

Finished up The Princess and the Queen. For the ASOIAF geeks this is a must read at just under 150 pages.

 

[Idiot Boxer]

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline.

Great Sci-Fi read, especially for anyone who grew up in the 80s

 

[facook]

Finished:

Field of Prey by John Sandford. Good

Police by Jo Nesbo. Excellent

Two Deaths of Daniel Hayes by Markus Sakey. Excellent

I Travel By Night by Robert McCammon. Good if you are a McCammon fan like me. Very short, finished it in about 2 hours.

Getting ready to read Run by Blake Crouch, the author of Wayward Pines. Will be my first shot at his work.

 

[beer 30]

How is Dune if you don't like sci-fi?

It would be tough because the book is in a sci-fi setting although all the political/religious undertones might keep you interested. Read it and find out, you'll either be hooked from the beginning or hate it. Won't take long for you to find out.

 

[timschochet]

The Chosen by Chaim Potok may be the best positive father and son novel I have ever read. Most of Pat Conroy's novels explore father and son issues, but they're hardly positive (though they are loving).

Taipan by James Clavell, one of the greatest historical novels I have ever read, offers a terrific father and son.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Boy's Life by McCammon has a cool father/son dynamic, though it's not the center of the story.

 

[Nick Vermeil]

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline.

Great Sci-Fi read, especially for anyone who grew up in the 80s

I enjoyed it quite a bit. After this and the Martian I'm on a sci fi kick. Has anyone read Seveneves by Stephenson?

 

[Maelstrom]

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline.

Great Sci-Fi read, especially for anyone who grew up in the 80s

I enjoyed it quite a bit. After this and the Martian I'm on a sci fi kick. Has anyone read Seveneves by Stephenson?

I've personally always had a hard time with Stephenson's books - but Seveneves looks interesting. But then, his books always look interesting then prove to be a hard read for me.

I just finished The Martian as well, that was a pretty fun read.

 

[GoBirds]

About to travel to Bahamas for 4 days for anniversary for 1st time away from kids. Looking for any suggestions on any good educational type books for investing/finance, real estate, or god knows I could use parenting advice with 2 boys 3 and 1 yr old.

 

[Ilov80s]

How is Dune if you don't like sci-fi?

It would be tough because the book is in a sci-fi setting although all the political/religious undertones might keep you interested. Read it and find out, you'll either be hooked from the beginning or hate it. Won't take long for you to find out.

Thanks, I'll add it my list.

 

[Gravity]

Just finished "The Forge of God" by Greg Bear.

Truthfully, I was disappointed. I had read that this was a classic Sci Fi and a must read (with overall very good reviews on Amazon) but I found it plodding, choppy, and a bit slow at times. In certain places I found my self skimming paragraphs until I found substantive content again. I also felt that he left way too many loose ends and things that didn't make sense. He had all these characters running around but there was no real point. I kept waiting for that "aha" moment or that "now I see what XYZ is all about" but it never really came.

He had some very interesting and original ideas but I think it would have been a whole lot better if the book had been 250 pages long instead of 500 pages. It reminded me a bit of Lucifer's Hammer - but LH was better all around.

That said, it wasn't terrible and had some interesting, even captivating, parts as well - its a very borderline recommend. There are better books of this genre out there.

 

[oso diablo]

also The Brothers K by David James Duncan

This has been on my radar for 2 decades. Is it good?

i loved it, but it involves three subjects that greatly interest me: faith, family, and baseball

 

[lombardi]

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline.

Great Sci-Fi read, especially for anyone who grew up in the 80s

I enjoyed it quite a bit. After this and the Martian I'm on a sci fi kick. Has anyone read Seveneves by Stephenson?

I'm just about 2/3rds of the way in, right before the book apparently has a big shift.

I loved all of Stephenson's books, so far this is probably one of my least favorites. His books are always interesting and keep me entertained all the way through. He breaks down really technical concepts or obscure historical references or just pop oddities into really understandable and engaging prose. Even in the depths of historical mathematics lesson in the Baroque cycle he keeps my attention all the way through. And these tangents and vignettes add color to the always action packed and wild ride you're on when he brings you back to the characters and the plot.

Sevenses isn't really doing that for me. There is so much space/astronomical/science explanation that it overwhelms the book and the characters/plot too much and it's so much that it's not as interesting as usual. Half the time I feel like I'm reading a text book and can't wait to get back to the characters.

It's kind of like when Tolkein starts talking about a meadow or forest, you're 8 pages into his description just dying for him to get back to what Merry and Pip are doing. Except in this case the woods and meadows are orbital perigee's and bolide trajectories.

The characters also don't have the strong personality that many of the characters in his other books have. I liked Markus a lot, he was interesting and there were some interesting depth to his decision and future, but most of the rest are kind of uncharacterically (for his writing) one dimensional.

If you like the Martian (which I REALLY liked) this is a drier version of it with a lot less humor and a lot more Astrophysics 101 (and 201 and 301). It still has its moments and to be fair I have a 1/3rd of the book left and he could still save it in the end but it's probably my least favorite Stephenson so far. So bummed, I hope it gets better.

 

[lombardi]

also The Brothers K by David James Duncan

This has been on my radar for 2 decades. Is it good?

i loved it, but it involves three subjects that greatly interest me: faith, family, and baseball

Does this book play off the theme/characters of the Brothers Karamazov? Or just a coincidence in name? Brothers Karamazov was one of my favorite books.

 

[Nick Vermeil]

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline.

Great Sci-Fi read, especially for anyone who grew up in the 80s

I enjoyed it quite a bit. After this and the Martian I'm on a sci fi kick. Has anyone read Seveneves by Stephenson?

I'm just about 2/3rds of the way in, right before the book apparently has a big shift.

I loved all of Stephenson's books, so far this is probably one of my least favorites. His books are always interesting and keep me entertained all the way through. He breaks down really technical concepts or obscure historical references or just pop oddities into really understandable and engaging prose. Even in the depths of historical mathematics lesson in the Baroque cycle he keeps my attention all the way through. And these tangents and vignettes add color to the always action packed and wild ride you're on when he brings you back to the characters and the plot.

Sevenses isn't really doing that for me. There is so much space/astronomical/science explanation that it overwhelms the book and the characters/plot too much and it's so much that it's not as interesting as usual. Half the time I feel like I'm reading a text book and can't wait to get back to the characters.

It's kind of like when Tolkein starts talking about a meadow or forest, you're 8 pages into his description just dying for him to get back to what Merry and Pip are doing. Except in this case the woods and meadows are orbital perigee's and bolide trajectories.

The characters also don't have the strong personality that many of the characters in his other books have. I liked Markus a lot, he was interesting and there were some interesting depth to his decision and future, but most of the rest are kind of uncharacterically (for his writing) one dimensional.

If you like the Martian (which I REALLY liked) this is a drier version of it with a lot less humor and a lot more Astrophysics 101 (and 201 and 301). It still has its moments and to be fair I have a 1/3rd of the book left and he could still save it in the end but it's probably my least favorite Stephenson so far. So bummed, I hope it gets better.

Thanks for the perspective. Not sure I want to pick that up. Maybe Wool?