The Gator
Footballguy
Leviathan Falls is out today on audible
aaand done.
Minor spoiler
Kinda thought the Duarte conclusion was meh, but liked the idea of a hive-mind take over. Loved the epilog
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Whatcha readin now? (book, books, reading, read) (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter shuke
- Start date
aaand done.
Minor spoiler
Kinda thought the Duarte conclusion was meh, but liked the idea of a hive-mind take over. Loved the epilog
trader jake
Footballguy
Elmore Leonard was a great author. Loved how he cut so much "filler" out, especially in dialogue. Rings more true than some other writers. I've read 5-6 of his novels and have "Swag" on my short list to read soon.Joe Mammy said:
Found out about him after watching Quentin Tarantino's Jackie Brown. Saw it was based off of Leonard's novel "Rum Punch", so I checked out one of his other books. I believe the first one I read was "Maximum Bob" and instantly knew I'd read more of his stuff.
With that success, I started to make note when I liked a movie to find out if it was based on a book. If so, I would read a different book by that same author.
A few years after reading Leonard for the first time I watched the movie "Wonder Boys" (w/ Michael Douglas) and loved it. Looked it up and it was written by Michael Chabon. I've now read 4-5 of his books and have enjoyed them quite a bit. Different style author than Leonard but his stories are fantastic. I just read the book "Wonder Boys" for the first time and I liked the film better (it's always been the other way around). Maybe it's just because I watched the movie first?
Using that same technique, I found author Ted Chiang. His first book became the film Arrival (w/Amy Adams). His newest book is called "Exhalation" and is fantastic. Short stories that are a mix of Kurt Vonnegut meeting "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho.
Anyone else use this author of movie, book reading technique?
kupcho1
Footballguy
You must check out "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay." Absolutely fantastic book.
Oh, and btw, Chabon wrote the lyrics to Mark Ronson's Uptown Funk.
TheBaylorKid
Footballguy
Finished reading it last night. The final book was fine. I’m glad the series is finished. I liked the epilogue too.Leviathan Falls is out today on audible
Captain Fantastic
Footballguy
I remember reading those upon release and thinking "wow, this is WAY better than most Star Wars novels out there." Would definitely be interesting to read again today and see if it holds true (not comparing to other SW novels, but just how well it reads in general). Would love to hear what you think if/when you undertake the exercise, @facook.
facook
Footballguy
I remember reading those upon release and thinking "wow, this is WAY better than most Star Wars novels out there." Would definitely be interesting to read again today and see if it holds true (not comparing to other SW novels, but just how well it reads in general). Would love to hear what you think if/when you undertake the exercise, @facook.
Kind of a funny story: my roommate at the time and I both worked at the same grocery store, he ran the dairy cooler and I was in produce. I loved those books so much I told him to try them, and this guy NEVER read books. The most he'd ever read was like one story in Sports Illustrated. He gave the first one a try and pretty soon he was hooked. So one day at work I hadn't seen him for a while so I burst into the dairy cooler. He jumped about a foot in the air and threw Heir To The Empire in between some milk crates. I nearly peed my pants laughing. But he was so into it he was risking getting written up for reading on the clock.
That trilogy turned him into a reader.
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
My son got me the new Grady Hendrix book, The Final Girl Support Group. I think I will give Wheel of Time a pause and start reading this today. 
Don Quixote
Footballguy
I gave it some buzz here. One of my favorites from 2020.Barry said:
kupcho1
Footballguy
Master of the Revels: A Return to Neal Stephenson’s D.O.D.O. by Nicole Galland (no Stephenson on this sequel, just his name in the title as a promo) was a nice continuation of The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. I won't say much about it so as to not spoil the first book (which was very good btw), but it incorporates Shakespeare's Scottish play in a very interesting way.
Coincidentally, Termination Shock by Neal Stephenson which was just released was next up. I thought it was very good. The NY Times sums him up pretty well:
Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart: pulled this off the Booker long list and was glad I did. From the Guardian:
Coincidentally, Termination Shock by Neal Stephenson which was just released was next up. I thought it was very good. The NY Times sums him up pretty well:
Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart: pulled this off the Booker long list and was glad I did. From the Guardian:
TheBaylorKid
Footballguy
Love Stephenson, and I didn’t know he had something in the works. Thanks for the recommendations.
Joe Mammy
Footballguy
Elmore Leonard. I read Maximum Bob like a very long time ago. I happened to pick up Road Dogs recently and now I'm suddenly mesmoed by the unbelievable dialogue that just rolls out with each book. So enjoyable...
Road Dogs
Out of Sight
Glitz
Get Shorty
Be Cool
And next up is Cuba Libre and then I'm moving on to some of the great westies...
3:10 to Yuma!
Road Dogs
Out of Sight
Glitz
Get Shorty
Be Cool
And next up is Cuba Libre and then I'm moving on to some of the great westies...
3:10 to Yuma!
Don't Toews Me
Footballguy
Thinking in Bets- couple years late on this one, but really good book about improving decision making. Especially with dealing with uncertain conditions. Written by a former Poker champ. She relates many things she learned via poker to all areas of life. Great read if you're looking to re-think how you think about decisions. It was eye opening for me. Very useful book in my opinion.
Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order: Why Nations Succeed and Fail- this one kind of reminded me of the Great Rupture. Slightly different in a few respects though. Dalio leans on his financial and economic knowledge as well as his deep historical research of the last 500 years to look at the future with regards to the world (but with a special focus on US and China). Some really great bits of info in this one. I liked the charts and data he provided. I loved the dives through history he went through. Some may not like this next part, but I like how he examines things in cycles and cause/effect relationships. For me, sometimes I find I zoom in too deep on a single event and lose sight of the bigger picture. Dalio's approach is a breath of fresh air. He also consulted with and spoke with some of the top leaders/policymakers/military officers/historians as he wrote this one. Additionally, some good insights on China from someone who has extensive experience there. It's a 500 plus page book, but it's well worth the read and while I may not agree with everything he wrote, it's very well-researched. Dalio's main job is preserving wealth, so he wanted to dive through history to examine how to preserve wealth via tumultuous times. I will likely re-read this one at some point. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order: Why Nations Succeed and Fail- this one kind of reminded me of the Great Rupture. Slightly different in a few respects though. Dalio leans on his financial and economic knowledge as well as his deep historical research of the last 500 years to look at the future with regards to the world (but with a special focus on US and China). Some really great bits of info in this one. I liked the charts and data he provided. I loved the dives through history he went through. Some may not like this next part, but I like how he examines things in cycles and cause/effect relationships. For me, sometimes I find I zoom in too deep on a single event and lose sight of the bigger picture. Dalio's approach is a breath of fresh air. He also consulted with and spoke with some of the top leaders/policymakers/military officers/historians as he wrote this one. Additionally, some good insights on China from someone who has extensive experience there. It's a 500 plus page book, but it's well worth the read and while I may not agree with everything he wrote, it's very well-researched. Dalio's main job is preserving wealth, so he wanted to dive through history to examine how to preserve wealth via tumultuous times. I will likely re-read this one at some point. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Don Quixote
Footballguy
Currently reading Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty. While it covers the opioid epidemic, it is more about the Sacklers: how they created their empire, and how they made off with their money. Makes my blood boil at times, but pretty thoroughly researched and devastating book.
johnnycakes
Footballguy
What a beautiful performance by Jackson Browne. Puts me in a good mood every time. And that's saying something!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fz6nETd6jZw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fz6nETd6jZw
Eephus
Footballguy
Just finished Rum Punch. Didn't love it as much as some of the other Leonard novels I've read. Stick, Swag, Tishomingo Blues and 52 Pickup are my favorites but I'm probably forgetting something from a long time ago.
They're the perfect change of pace after reading something more serious. I've moved now to The Silk Roads by Peter Frankopan. It's the history of the world focusing on the trade routes that have linked the West and East over the centuries.
Don't Toews Me
Footballguy
Just finished "Three Dangerous Men: Russia, China, Iran, and the Rise of Irregular Warfare."
Brutally honest overview on where the US is currently at in fighting unconventionally. The author makes the case the US is too focused on a conventional war and not devoting enough resources to irregular war, which is what these three countries profiled are largely conducting via information warfare, digital warfare, economic warfare, political warfare, proxy groups, contractors, etc.
The author takes a deep look at three men: Valery Gerasimov of Russia, Zhang Youxia of China, and Qassem Soleimani of Iran. Each man is (or was in the case of Soleimani) a key military figure in each country's development of strategy in the 21st century and irregular warfare. Fascinating description of each one and their respective backgrounds. Very interesting to read about how the US actions in Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, etc deeply influenced each one and how they saw where the direction of war was going. Additionally, the impact of the Arab Spring was enormous on the higher ups of these countries, especially Russia.
The book really challenges the definition of war. Yes, it can and does include physically shooting at one another. But there are many dimensions to this. China's Three Warfares strategy (public opinion, psychological, and legal) are an example of this.
I enjoyed how the author deeply researched primary sources in each country's respective language to get a better idea of their strategy. He wrote it from their point of view, which was extremely interesting. He interviewed numerous high ranking US officials to get their takes on things. Additionally, he offered a path forward for the US and allies in how to approach strategy. It's a great read. Learned a lot.
Brutally honest overview on where the US is currently at in fighting unconventionally. The author makes the case the US is too focused on a conventional war and not devoting enough resources to irregular war, which is what these three countries profiled are largely conducting via information warfare, digital warfare, economic warfare, political warfare, proxy groups, contractors, etc.
The author takes a deep look at three men: Valery Gerasimov of Russia, Zhang Youxia of China, and Qassem Soleimani of Iran. Each man is (or was in the case of Soleimani) a key military figure in each country's development of strategy in the 21st century and irregular warfare. Fascinating description of each one and their respective backgrounds. Very interesting to read about how the US actions in Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, etc deeply influenced each one and how they saw where the direction of war was going. Additionally, the impact of the Arab Spring was enormous on the higher ups of these countries, especially Russia.
The book really challenges the definition of war. Yes, it can and does include physically shooting at one another. But there are many dimensions to this. China's Three Warfares strategy (public opinion, psychological, and legal) are an example of this.
I enjoyed how the author deeply researched primary sources in each country's respective language to get a better idea of their strategy. He wrote it from their point of view, which was extremely interesting. He interviewed numerous high ranking US officials to get their takes on things. Additionally, he offered a path forward for the US and allies in how to approach strategy. It's a great read. Learned a lot.
rockaction
Footballguy
Wow. I know the PSF is anathema to a lot of people here, but if you bring this up to the two dominant sides in there, there's a general consensus and agreement among the people in that forum that those countries are fighting us in different ways than we conventionally think of when it comes to war.
Poke_4_Life
Footballguy
Still reading Joe Pickett and Gabriel Allon series.
However, I did read a nonfiction over the holidays, Boys in the Boat.
Boys in the Boat was a really good read, it is about the 1936 US Olympic 8-man rowing team. Ties in the end of the Depression with the rise of Hitler. Highly recommend.
However, I did read a nonfiction over the holidays, Boys in the Boat.
Boys in the Boat was a really good read, it is about the 1936 US Olympic 8-man rowing team. Ties in the end of the Depression with the rise of Hitler. Highly recommend.
Ilov80s
Footballguy
I will answer my own question now that I’ve read Drowning Pool: great book if you like the Chandler style detective novels.
Eephus
Footballguy
I think I've read a couple of his mysteries decades ago but it may have been John D. MacDonald
Ilov80s
Footballguy
That confused me but it looks like he wrote under several different names, including John and Ross.I think I've read a couple of his mysteries decades ago but it may have been John D. MacDonald
Eephus
Footballguy
Two different guys. Ross wrote about Lew Archer while John D.'s main character was Travis McGee.
Ilov80s
Footballguy
kupcho1
Footballguy
Ilov80s said:
I've read both authors but lean heavily toward John D. I'm actually doing a slow re-read of all the Travis McGee books. They are actually a great encapsulation of the time during which they were written.Eephus said:I think I've read a couple of his mysteries decades ago but it may have been John D. MacDonald
I'd always heard that JDM had one locked and loaded that was to be published posthumously; it would (obviously) have used Black in the title.
Don't Toews Me
Footballguy
rockaction said:
I enjoyed the book. If I have time, perhaps I will comment in the PSF, but I tend to avoid that place like the plague. I encourage people who are interested in the subject to read the book and other books as well.
Don't Toews Me
Footballguy
Just completed "AI Superpowers: China, Silicon Valley, and the New World Order" by Kai-Fu Lee
For the average person like myself, this was a great read to understand AI and where things are going. Nothing super complicated or technical. Good explanations of the different waves of AI (internet, business, perception, and autonomous) that the author, who was a researcher and venture capitalist himself, sees unfolding. In addition to his descriptions and explanations of the technology, he covers the societal and economic impact that he sees in the not- too-distant future as well as some policy suggestions.
I really had no idea how fierce and competitive the Chinese technology landscape is until the author described it and gave a brief history of it. It is absolutely cut-throat over there and I enjoyed how he compared/contrasted Silicon Valley with China's tech landscape. Additionally, I enjoyed his descriptions of the different battles over the decades between Silicon Valley companies and Chinese start-ups. Like Jack Ma vs Ebay and Didi vs Uber. Silicon Valley doesn't have a good record over in China. The author attributes this to the culture and thinking in Silicon Valley and not adapting to the culture of other countries.
Overall, the author paints a picture of China largely capitalizing on the age of AI as we move from an age of discovery into an age of implementation and execution. His main reasons for this are the previously mentioned super competitive Chinese technology landscape, lots of government spending/investing in AI as they see AI as a very important technology, and the fact that they (the companies over there) collect a ton of data over there and the people not really caring much about the amount of data being collected. He calls data "the new oil." He firmly believes China is in a better position than the US as we move into the age of implementation.
The author, Kai-Fu Lee, also wraps into the story a personal one: his battle with lymphoma and how it changed him. He relates it to AI in how humanity must adjust to a potential major disruption. This quote on page 231 was on the money: "If AI ever allows us to truly understand ourselves, it will not be because these algorithms captured the mechanical essence of the human mind. It will be because they liberated us to forget about optimizations and to instead focus on what truly makes us human: loving and being loved."
For the average person like myself, this was a great read to understand AI and where things are going. Nothing super complicated or technical. Good explanations of the different waves of AI (internet, business, perception, and autonomous) that the author, who was a researcher and venture capitalist himself, sees unfolding. In addition to his descriptions and explanations of the technology, he covers the societal and economic impact that he sees in the not- too-distant future as well as some policy suggestions.
I really had no idea how fierce and competitive the Chinese technology landscape is until the author described it and gave a brief history of it. It is absolutely cut-throat over there and I enjoyed how he compared/contrasted Silicon Valley with China's tech landscape. Additionally, I enjoyed his descriptions of the different battles over the decades between Silicon Valley companies and Chinese start-ups. Like Jack Ma vs Ebay and Didi vs Uber. Silicon Valley doesn't have a good record over in China. The author attributes this to the culture and thinking in Silicon Valley and not adapting to the culture of other countries.
Overall, the author paints a picture of China largely capitalizing on the age of AI as we move from an age of discovery into an age of implementation and execution. His main reasons for this are the previously mentioned super competitive Chinese technology landscape, lots of government spending/investing in AI as they see AI as a very important technology, and the fact that they (the companies over there) collect a ton of data over there and the people not really caring much about the amount of data being collected. He calls data "the new oil." He firmly believes China is in a better position than the US as we move into the age of implementation.
The author, Kai-Fu Lee, also wraps into the story a personal one: his battle with lymphoma and how it changed him. He relates it to AI in how humanity must adjust to a potential major disruption. This quote on page 231 was on the money: "If AI ever allows us to truly understand ourselves, it will not be because these algorithms captured the mechanical essence of the human mind. It will be because they liberated us to forget about optimizations and to instead focus on what truly makes us human: loving and being loved."
Eephus
Footballguy
I read that book a couple of years back (Aug 2019, page 166 of the thread)
Non-Fiction: AI Superpowers: China, Silicon Valley, and the New World Order by Kai Fu Lee. The author was President of Google China prior to getting involved in the Chinese VC racket. At its best, the book is a fascinating survey of new China companies you may have heard of but definitely don't know. Lee crafts a compelling argument that China's massive amount of vertically-organized data (among other factors) positions it to thrive in the AI economy. On the downside, he overuses words like frictionless and bespoke and in the closing chapters he tries but fails to translate his personal epiphany after beating cancer into a non-dystopian vision of a future with ubiquitous AI.
Don't Toews Me
Footballguy
He also wrote a newer book on AI too. AI 2041 it's called. I have it. Haven't checked it out yet though.
Some of his policy suggestions in AI Superpowers are kind of fanciful. I didn't put too much stock into it from a realistic point of view. Like, yeah, in an ideal world, it would be great if humanity adapted the way he lays out in the final couple of chapters. Maybe I'm just a pessimist.
Eephus
Footballguy
Impossible to be anything but when the Chinese government and Western tech giants have all the data.
Joe Mammy
Footballguy
About to embark on my 34th Tom Clancy, "Chain of Command". Of all the Clancy reincarnates I like Marc Cameron and Mark Greaney (Grey Man) the best. The last one "Target Acquired" by Don Bentley was really bad.
I haven't read any of the non-fictions but if I ever feel the need to build a nuclear submarine I know where to look.
I haven't read any of the non-fictions but if I ever feel the need to build a nuclear submarine I know where to look.
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
Had a late Christmas with the other side of the family. Got The Twelve Lives of Alfred Hitchcock, and We Don't Need Roads: The Making of the Back to the Future Triology.
I think I will start the Hitch one first.
I think I will start the Hitch one first.
skol asylum
Footballguy
Need to read more in 2022. I've been very lax for a long time.
First off is book 21 of the Pendergast series by Preston & Child: Bloodless.
First off is book 21 of the Pendergast series by Preston & Child: Bloodless.
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Don Quixote
Footballguy
Current read is Lauren Groff's The Matrix. Set in a medieval nunnery, and central figure is someone who turns the nunnery from a place that was a rundown place for castoffs into a more prosperous commune. I enjoyed Groff's "Fates of Furies," but having some trouble getting into this one. Groff's writing is good, but I think I prefer a bit more a slow burn in my books (this one takes places over 50 years that are covered in around 250 pages; efficiently told, but various conflicts/resolutions may be too quick for my tastes).
shuke
Black Ice Skeptic
Finished Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl. A decent thriller with a hell of a twist, with some thought-provoking commentary on relationships.
Spoiler below.
I think the ending was a "happy" one, at least for the reader, knowing these two very unlikeable characters were stuck with each other.
Spoiler below.
I think the ending was a "happy" one, at least for the reader, knowing these two very unlikeable characters were stuck with each other.
Poke_4_Life
Footballguy
Just finished the new Reacher book, Better Off Dead.
Typical Reacher book, which I enjoy. This is the second one with him and his brother writing the book. I can't really tell much difference from earlier books.
Sidenote: This was a physical book. My father-in-law got it for Christmas and let me borrow it when he was done. I really don't like actual books anymore. I was a relatively early adopter of Kindle reading, and I don't want to go back.
Typical Reacher book, which I enjoy. This is the second one with him and his brother writing the book. I can't really tell much difference from earlier books.
Sidenote: This was a physical book. My father-in-law got it for Christmas and let me borrow it when he was done. I really don't like actual books anymore. I was a relatively early adopter of Kindle reading, and I don't want to go back.
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
I thought it was really good. It's not at all like other post-pandemic novels I've read and it took me a minute or two to get used to the author's voice. I also read her latest novel (the title is escaping me) a year or so ago, and that was pretty good too.
Eephus
Footballguy
I do a lot of my reading at night where the backlit screen of a Kindle shines literally and figuratively. When I do pick up a physical book these days, it's tough to get the lighting right for my old eyes. I had to change from Kindle font size 4 to 5 a few years back.
Poke_4_Life
Footballguy
This was also my biggest frustration. I read in bed every night. The backlit screen is perfect for that.
MindCrime
Footballguy
Finished “Piranesi” (Susanna Clarke) after seeing it mentioned in this thread. Interesting premise, and while it is built in a fantasy world, it was really focused on the internal voice of tge lead character. Found myself wanting to scream at him on occasion as he was so naive, but good read.
also just completed “Nothin’ But A Good Time- The Uncensored History of the '80s Hard Rock Explosion“, inspired by the hair band thread on here. Great documentary of the era, almost all of it was stories told by interwoven interviews. Highly recommend it if you are into that era at all.
Next up- the Wool omnibus by Hugh Howey, another one based off recommendations in this thread.
also just completed “Nothin’ But A Good Time- The Uncensored History of the '80s Hard Rock Explosion“, inspired by the hair band thread on here. Great documentary of the era, almost all of it was stories told by interwoven interviews. Highly recommend it if you are into that era at all.
Next up- the Wool omnibus by Hugh Howey, another one based off recommendations in this thread.
