Chaos Commish
Footballguy
The writing is awful. I don't think I'm going to make it, disappointed I let this thread persuade me without reading little more. Oh well, moving on.
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Whatcha readin now? (book, books, reading, read) (9 Viewers)
- Thread starter shuke
- Start date
skol asylum
Footballguy
Started reading The Martian. Listening to The Escape, the 3rd Puller book by Baldacci.
Picked up Armada by Earnest Cline which will be my next read after The Martian.
Picked up Armada by Earnest Cline which will be my next read after The Martian.
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Idiot Boxer
Footballguy
Sand
Footballguy
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
Emerson Biggens
Footballguy
Just finished The Kind Worth Killing which was very good and made some demented thoughts come to the surface that probably shouldn't...
Also just finished Luckiest Girl Alive which was just okay and hard to finish.
About to start The Forgotten - Puller number 2 by Baldacci
Also just finished Luckiest Girl Alive which was just okay and hard to finish.
About to start The Forgotten - Puller number 2 by Baldacci
facook
Footballguy
Read Pines, the first Wayward Pines novel. I would say entertaining, and good not great. The "reveal" is very interesting but definitely strains credulity. I'll read the rest of the trilogy for sure.
Just finished The Martian. Speaking of straining credulity.
Very good though, I enjoyed it throughout. The author made the science at least semi-interesting, which is saying something because pretty much the whole novel is science.
Next onto The Revenant.
Just finished The Martian. Speaking of straining credulity.
Very good though, I enjoyed it throughout. The author made the science at least semi-interesting, which is saying something because pretty much the whole novel is science.Next onto The Revenant.
Sand
Footballguy
Just to give you an idea of credulity there I work with lots of NASA folks and they all loved it. I'm most of the way through and nothing it it has even blipped my BS meter. It is a very well researched book.Just finished The Martian. Speaking of straining credulity.
shader
Footballguy
His work can be difficult. You really have to throw yourself into the story. If he just decided to write witty thrillers, he'd make far more money and probably sell more books at this point. When I was reading The Baroque Cycle, I couldn't put the first two books down. I absolutely loved Jack Shaftoe, who is perhaps my favorite fictional character of all-time. But when I got to the final book, it took three tries before I could get through it. The Jack Shaftoe story was, for all intents and purposes, pretty much done, and I never really clicked with the Waterhouse character.
Seven Eves was amazing too. Anathem is one I tried about ten pages of, and realized I was going to have to save it for another day. Not a book for the faint of heart.
mphtrilogy
Footballguy
just finished "the martian" fun read
beer 30
Footballguy
You should finish it. It's a short read and incredibly realistic in what will happen when that happens. I'm also jaded because he lives in my area and the book takes place in Ashville, NC so I have a solid frame of reference for what happens. The author isn't trying to be Mark Twain, he's trying to educate and has said that often. He's testified to Congress on the subject matter in the past.
Agree the writing is sub par but that isn't what i read the book for. Really enjoyed it.
joker
Footballguy
As mentioned here earlier, I had started The Way of Kings and was struggling with it, as it hadn't really pulled me in. I was hoping it would take a turn for the better, and boy did it ever. By the end I was completely hooked, started Words of Radiance (book 2) right after, and I thought that one was even more fantastic, easily one of the top books in the genre for me. I listened to both, and although I had complained about the female narrator originally, as usual once I got used to her voice, speaking patterns/pace, etc. she grew on me. The male narrator was phenomenal and his performance grew as the story went along. The series has some extremely memorable characters, and I can't wait for the next installment. A huge thumbs-up to both, especially Words of Radiance.
At the same time I began the Prey series by Sandford on my Kindle, and have finished the first ten books of the series in the time since. They're all pretty quick reads, are very interesting, and the lead character Lucas Davenport is a memorable one, if for nothing more than being a pretty flawed "good guy". Having the series set in Minneapolis/St. Paul also helps, since I live here and recognize many of the landmarks, mannerisms, etc. I'd say Winter Prey is probably my favorite so far, but that could change as I progress through the series. I find it interesting to see how technology is advancing throughout the series, as it plays a small role in the series and the first book was written in 1990, I believe.
Just started listening to Sanderson's Mistborn Series, and am only 1/2 hour into the first book (The Final Empire). So far, so good, although the reviews I've read talk it up a great deal, so I hope it lives up to the hype!
At the same time I began the Prey series by Sandford on my Kindle, and have finished the first ten books of the series in the time since. They're all pretty quick reads, are very interesting, and the lead character Lucas Davenport is a memorable one, if for nothing more than being a pretty flawed "good guy". Having the series set in Minneapolis/St. Paul also helps, since I live here and recognize many of the landmarks, mannerisms, etc. I'd say Winter Prey is probably my favorite so far, but that could change as I progress through the series. I find it interesting to see how technology is advancing throughout the series, as it plays a small role in the series and the first book was written in 1990, I believe.
Just started listening to Sanderson's Mistborn Series, and am only 1/2 hour into the first book (The Final Empire). So far, so good, although the reviews I've read talk it up a great deal, so I hope it lives up to the hype!
facook
Footballguy
Nice. I am no scientist so I'd never call BS on any of that. I guess the part that makes me suspend disbelief is how far the space program has advanced in the book, to have had multiple manned Mars missions and then have one guy left behind. That's cool to hear that people who actually know stuff endorse it.Just to give you an idea of credulity there I work with lots of NASA folks and they all loved it. I'm most of the way through and nothing it it has even blipped my BS meter. It is a very well researched book.Just finished The Martian. Speaking of straining credulity.
Sand
Footballguy
Sand
Footballguy
I was forced to read this for school many moons ago and might be a bit jaded due to that, but I remember it as easily the worst book I've ever read.
Socrates11
Footballguy
Adam Carolla's Daddy Stop Talking. Same style as his other books but geared towards parenting and what he wants his kids to know. Quick and easy read that has made me laugh out loud a few times. 4/5
cosjobs
Footballguy
Very.
Great characters, fully developed and rich dialogue, but a bleak tale. But I give it highest recommendation.
For a more fun read, try "Cannery Row."
cosjobs
Footballguy
Ilov80s
Footballguy
It was a definite page turner, but it's not a great book IMO. It has some big flaws, but it's worth reading. It is easy and quick. There isn't much to follow, but the plot itself. It's told through the memories of 3 different women and their involvement in a missing persons case. Lots of unreliable narrator tricks that allow the plot and true nature of the characters to slowly be revealed. It's almost like a traditional detective novel except replace the detective with a degenerate drunk mess of a woman that has zero detective skills.
Ilov80s
Footballguy
If you are the type that needs likable characters to enjoy a book, skip it. It's just a mystery novel. Not much else, but the way it is structured and the alcoholism make for good plot devices to amp up the intrigue. Also, you didn't think she liked men? She seemed obsessed with men. It was the women that I didn't think she liked.
Ilov80s
Footballguy
Very readable, but I find Steinbeck too preachy. If I was looking for classic American lit, that's not the direction I would go personally (unless you really interested in the Dust Bowl in general).
cstu
Footballguy
I'm reading it right now - right off the bat annoyed by yet another post-apocalyptic story taking place in the South.
Enjoying it, just think it could have been a lot of better.
Chaka
Footballguy
I read AtME but thought it was only okay. Interesting but not enough for me to run out and bump his other stuff to the top of my reading queue.
Chaka
Footballguy
And Sweet Thursday and Tortilla Flat. Three of my favorite books for pure entertainment.
Chaka
Footballguy
TCoMC is a great novel and may have been one of the books that convinced me to more thoroughly explore classic literature. If you haven't read Crime and Punishment by Dostoyevsky I would strongly recommend that one next. Not a high adventure like TCoMC but it's a great drama that also managed to be a page turner for me. If you want to stick with the adventure theme you can't go wrong with The Three Musketeers.
I also really liked a lot of the dramatic books set against historical backdrops like Les Miserables, War & Peace & even The Hunchback of Notre Dame. They are considered classic for a reason.
Chaka
Footballguy
Sand
Footballguy
Reading Of Sea and Shadow, which is a story of two factions and has a concurrent book Of Shadow and Sea released at the same time. Really cool idea and the first book is awesome. Looking forward to the second. This author's writing is getting lots better from his House of Blades trilogy, which was wildly imaginative and a ton of fun to read.
Next up is Golden Son.
Next up is Golden Son.
cstu
Footballguy
Apparently I'm a Philistine because I thought a more apt title would have been "All the Words I Do Not Want to Read".
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
Deep, powerful, meaningful, moving.
Part 1 was interesting and moving but part 2 really captivated me.
Part 1:
Its a psychological profile of prisoners in the concentration camps. Both personal and his observations of others.
Its also a fascinating discussion of what is meaning in life and how to find it for yourself - even under the worst of circumstances.
1. Having someone you love and care about was one of the keys to surviving the horrors of the concentration camps. He writes about often tuning out his suffering by mentally picturing his wife, talking to her, hanging out with her, laughing with her. That escape often helped him deal with his external horrors.
2. You must have goals and hope. You must maintain the inner drive of something to look forward to and that there are things you can still do even under your current horrible conditions. He mentions that very often those who just gave up hope or became completely disillusioned then their bodies often followed suit and often came down with sickness leading most times to death.
He also notes that there were only a few people that could actually keep that attitude up.
3. He believes that we all have the ability to determine our outlook and attitude - even when circumstances are at its worst. He says that some prisoners were able to keep their dignity and behave humanely and compassionately even under the worst of circumstances and that - as such - we always have the ability to be in control of our own emotions and inner self. We can't always control what happens to us - but we can control our reactions and response to it.
Part 2:
4. Finally, the meaning of life. In essence this is a trick question. There is no general answer for everyone. It is different for each person at each point in time. Each person must determine his goals and responsibilities and then work on them at the appropriate time. These goals and tasks and responsibilities and achievements vary over the course of a lifetime and are different for everyone. It is these goals and achievements and responsibilities that give people purpose and ultimately meaning (and helped survivability in the camps). Also note that these goals and achievements and tasks and purposes don't always mean action at any given time: sometimes it means doing something, sometimes it means introspection and contemplation instead of outright action, and sometimes it means deciding to bear your cross and suffer what fate has dealt you. So each response giving meaning and purpose is different even for the same person at different times. But it is determining what the appropriate response is and
then following through that gives people their sense of purpose and meaning.
An example is the following:
He tells a story of an elderly man depressed for years - ever since his wife died. A wife of many many years that he loved dearly. After a long period of depression and unfruitful therapies he went to See Dr Frankl. Dr Frankl turned the situation around so that the man found meaning in his suffering and was able to come to peace with the loss of his wife. In short, Frankl asked the man what would have happened if things had been reversed? If the wife had lived and he had died. The elderly man said that she would have been devastated and heart broken and lost. Frankel told him then perhaps outliving his wife had saved her this grief and that his bearing this burden had saved his wife from that burden. The man seeing it from this perspective realized he had saved his wife from this pain and was able to move on freed from his depression. He had found meaning in suffering.
He also writes about dealing with those who constantly second guess themselves and look back wondering about the what-ifs like those wallowing in mid-life crises or thinking what could have been or what they have missed out on...
He writes that potentialities (the what if/could have been) are completely transitory and as such have no value. The only thing of value is what you have actually done. The past is stored and archived forever. Value can be only be attributed to what you have done and not what potential you have missed. He goes into this concept more in depth but it is a really powerful way of looking at things and helps you from regretting things you think you may have missed out on. In essence, anything you did not do is not missed since it has no value, no worth. Its only what you have done and accomplished that has gained any value and worth.
He clarifies by explaining that a pessimist looks at the calendar with fear and sadness as each passing day means less and less left and more missed opportunities.
But the optimist looks at the same calendar joyfully with each passing day bringing more actions and experiences and lived moments that you add to your growing life portfolio - one that can never be taken away. He has no reason to envy a young person or wax nostalgic over his lost youth: "Instead of possibilites, I have realities in my past".
Finally, he writes that self actualization is only possible after self transcendence. By this he means, its it very difficult - if not impossible - to fully find meaning just within yourself doing only for yourself. In order to fully find meaning and worth in life you have to go beyond yourself and do for a loved one or pursue a challenge/cause/meaning outside yourself.
The book was full of ideas that really made me think about and left a lasting impression. This is one of those books that I think should be read every few years.
Deep, powerful, meaningful, moving.
Part 1 was interesting and moving but part 2 really captivated me.
Part 1:
Its a psychological profile of prisoners in the concentration camps. Both personal and his observations of others.
Its also a fascinating discussion of what is meaning in life and how to find it for yourself - even under the worst of circumstances.
1. Having someone you love and care about was one of the keys to surviving the horrors of the concentration camps. He writes about often tuning out his suffering by mentally picturing his wife, talking to her, hanging out with her, laughing with her. That escape often helped him deal with his external horrors.
2. You must have goals and hope. You must maintain the inner drive of something to look forward to and that there are things you can still do even under your current horrible conditions. He mentions that very often those who just gave up hope or became completely disillusioned then their bodies often followed suit and often came down with sickness leading most times to death.
He also notes that there were only a few people that could actually keep that attitude up.
3. He believes that we all have the ability to determine our outlook and attitude - even when circumstances are at its worst. He says that some prisoners were able to keep their dignity and behave humanely and compassionately even under the worst of circumstances and that - as such - we always have the ability to be in control of our own emotions and inner self. We can't always control what happens to us - but we can control our reactions and response to it.
Part 2:
4. Finally, the meaning of life. In essence this is a trick question. There is no general answer for everyone. It is different for each person at each point in time. Each person must determine his goals and responsibilities and then work on them at the appropriate time. These goals and tasks and responsibilities and achievements vary over the course of a lifetime and are different for everyone. It is these goals and achievements and responsibilities that give people purpose and ultimately meaning (and helped survivability in the camps). Also note that these goals and achievements and tasks and purposes don't always mean action at any given time: sometimes it means doing something, sometimes it means introspection and contemplation instead of outright action, and sometimes it means deciding to bear your cross and suffer what fate has dealt you. So each response giving meaning and purpose is different even for the same person at different times. But it is determining what the appropriate response is and
then following through that gives people their sense of purpose and meaning.
An example is the following:
He tells a story of an elderly man depressed for years - ever since his wife died. A wife of many many years that he loved dearly. After a long period of depression and unfruitful therapies he went to See Dr Frankl. Dr Frankl turned the situation around so that the man found meaning in his suffering and was able to come to peace with the loss of his wife. In short, Frankl asked the man what would have happened if things had been reversed? If the wife had lived and he had died. The elderly man said that she would have been devastated and heart broken and lost. Frankel told him then perhaps outliving his wife had saved her this grief and that his bearing this burden had saved his wife from that burden. The man seeing it from this perspective realized he had saved his wife from this pain and was able to move on freed from his depression. He had found meaning in suffering.
He also writes about dealing with those who constantly second guess themselves and look back wondering about the what-ifs like those wallowing in mid-life crises or thinking what could have been or what they have missed out on...
He writes that potentialities (the what if/could have been) are completely transitory and as such have no value. The only thing of value is what you have actually done. The past is stored and archived forever. Value can be only be attributed to what you have done and not what potential you have missed. He goes into this concept more in depth but it is a really powerful way of looking at things and helps you from regretting things you think you may have missed out on. In essence, anything you did not do is not missed since it has no value, no worth. Its only what you have done and accomplished that has gained any value and worth.
He clarifies by explaining that a pessimist looks at the calendar with fear and sadness as each passing day means less and less left and more missed opportunities.
But the optimist looks at the same calendar joyfully with each passing day bringing more actions and experiences and lived moments that you add to your growing life portfolio - one that can never be taken away. He has no reason to envy a young person or wax nostalgic over his lost youth: "Instead of possibilites, I have realities in my past".
Finally, he writes that self actualization is only possible after self transcendence. By this he means, its it very difficult - if not impossible - to fully find meaning just within yourself doing only for yourself. In order to fully find meaning and worth in life you have to go beyond yourself and do for a loved one or pursue a challenge/cause/meaning outside yourself.
The book was full of ideas that really made me think about and left a lasting impression. This is one of those books that I think should be read every few years.
Sand
Footballguy
Ash
Footballguy
Different strokes and all that. I slogged through about half of "One Hundred Years of Solitude" before I admitted that even though I could see it was beautifully written, I just wasn't enjoying it. His style just didn't work for me. I bailed on a book that basically earned it's author the 1982 Nobel Prize for Literature.Apparently I'm a Philistine because I thought a more apt title would have been "All the Words I Do Not Want to Read".
And I call myself a book nerd.
E Street Brat
Footballguy
lombardi
Footballguy
Funny how different all our tastes are. Steinbeck is probably my favorite author, read just about every novel he wrote, I love his writing.
East of Eden is my absolute favorite. Grapes is a close second but definitely behind East of Eden, his masterpiece.
Don Quixote
Footballguy
Yeah, and I've hated some Pulitzer Prize winners as well (Confederacy of Dunces comes to mind, which may be heretical). I like historical fiction as a genre (and history as well, for those who have seen my posts in the history books/podcasts thread), so I was probably pre-disposed to like "All the Light We Cannot See."Different strokes and all that. I slogged through about half of "One Hundred Years of Solitude" before I admitted that even though I could see it was beautifully written, I just wasn't enjoying it. His style just didn't work for me. I bailed on a book that basically earned it's author the 1982 Nobel Prize for Literature.Apparently I'm a Philistine because I thought a more apt title would have been "All the Words I Do Not Want to Read".
And I call myself a book nerd.
Socrates11
Footballguy
Finished Down the Rabbit Hole by Holly Madison. She gives an inside look at the 'girlfriends' of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, during the years 2003 - 2009 with Holly being his #1 girlfriend for approx 4 years. Crazy. Hefner comes across as uber creepy.
FUBAR
Footballguy
http://www.amazon.com/Detroit-American-Autopsy-Charlie-LeDuff/dp/0143124463/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1438627418&sr=1-1&keywords=detroit+book
Detroit, An American Autopsy, Charlie LeDuff
Wouldn't call it a particularly fun book, but well worth reading. Having grown up 4 miles north of Detroit, much of what he writes reminds me of home. Though not always in a good way.
Detroit, An American Autopsy, Charlie LeDuff
Wouldn't call it a particularly fun book, but well worth reading. Having grown up 4 miles north of Detroit, much of what he writes reminds me of home. Though not always in a good way.
oso diablo
Footballguy
oso diablo
Footballguy
really enjoyed The Wright Brothers, by David McCullough.
Got me thinking about how there's never really been a big Hollywood movie about them. Did some research and discovered that Tom Hanks and his Playtone (Band of Brothers, etc) outfit have purchased the rights to this book, and will be doing a mini-series on HBO.
Got me thinking about how there's never really been a big Hollywood movie about them. Did some research and discovered that Tom Hanks and his Playtone (Band of Brothers, etc) outfit have purchased the rights to this book, and will be doing a mini-series on HBO.
johnadams
Footballguy
Totally agree with this. It shares a few traits with Gillian Flynn novels (probably a lazy comparison, but whatever) with every character seemingly attempting to ratchet up their emotional damage, but I don't think the point was to write the next great English language novel. It's enjoyable for what it is.
johnadams
Footballguy
Reading "Armada" by Ernest Cline. The classic references from "Ready Player One" still abundant, but so far, seems likes it has veered from paying reverential homage to its 80's era influences to simply straight ripping off the storylines from same. Still, pacing is decent (takes awhile to get to the inevitable, but ok) and I'm curious to see where it goes.
