kupcho1
Footballguy
It is very good. Not my favorite (probably Midnight's Children, or The Moor's Last Sigh), but still damn good.
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Whatcha readin now? (book, books, reading, read) (7 Viewers)
- Thread starter shuke
- Start date
kupcho1
Footballguy
Started on Pynchon's Gravity's Rainbow, but it hurt my head too much to read at the pool.
Most newspapers seem to do a feature on summer books for beach (or pool) reading. I think if they listed the books you'd least enjoy at the beach/pool, GR would be high on that list.My advice would be to save it for winter.
Yankee23Fan
Fair Tax!
I'm moving through a Ulysses Grant bio right now. His career and life before the Civil War is depressing as hell.
I also finally broke down and decided to read the Harry Potter series. I read the first three over the weekend. The first one didn't flow great to me but the story was fun. I can see how it became a hit. So far, Azkaban was far and away better then the other two.
I also finally broke down and decided to read the Harry Potter series. I read the first three over the weekend. The first one didn't flow great to me but the story was fun. I can see how it became a hit. So far, Azkaban was far and away better then the other two.
Koya
Footballguy
Yeah... the funny part is I actually took out some Neitzsche afterward for some LIGHTER reading - that says all you need to know about Pynchon. But the Coupland books were PERFECT for the pool. I read crying of Lot 49 back in college and really want to at least try Rainbow - perhaps in winter as you suggest.Started on Pynchon's Gravity's Rainbow, but it hurt my head too much to read at the pool.
Most newspapers seem to do a feature on summer books for beach (or pool) reading. I think if they listed the books you'd least enjoy at the beach/pool, GR would be high on that list.
My advice would be to save it for winter.
Tough As Nails
Glave Master
Awesome. The Ignatius character is one of the most entertaining ones I can ever remember. Ironically...I'm just 10 pages into a Game of Thrones based on recommendations for Smoo and others.Smoo said:
igbomb
Footballguy
Bad move. And I say that as someone that has read the first two books of the series and think they are the greatest fantasy ever written.Just like fans of Robert Jordan, Martin's fans are really frustrated these days because of the length of time between books and the need for closure.Awesome. The Ignatius character is one of the most entertaining ones I can ever remember. Ironically...I'm just 10 pages into a Game of Thrones based on recommendations for Smoo and others.Smoo said:
IMO, it's a good idea to wait on any series until the final book in the series has a firm release date before starting book one. That way you don't end up having to decide between re-reading the series or forgetting half of what's going on by the time the next volume comes out.
shuke
Black Ice Skeptic
I can't ####ing get through this book. 3 months and only 700 pages through. Not sure why, as it's not that boring, but I read 2 pages before I start falling asleep.
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
I won't go so far as to say "stop reading" but if you're going to be frustrated by not having the entire story ready for non-stop consumption, now is the time to lay off. If you go too far into "Thrones" there's no way in hell you'll be able to stop until you fly through all 4 books published so far. And then you'll be as frustrated as the rest of us waiting for Martin to publish the next installment. There are (supposedly) 3 more to come. I'd imagine "A Dance With Dragons" will be out in the next year (hopefully sooner), but I would expect the final two to take at least two years apiece (& that's being VERY optimistic given Martin's recent rate of output) putting us no sooner than 2012 to wrap things up.Bad move. And I say that as someone that has read the first two books of the series and think they are the greatest fantasy ever written.Just like fans of Robert Jordan, Martin's fans are really frustrated these days because of the length of time between books and the need for closure.Awesome. The Ignatius character is one of the most entertaining ones I can ever remember. Ironically...I'm just 10 pages into a Game of Thrones based on recommendations for Smoo and others.Smoo said:
IMO, it's a good idea to wait on any series until the final book in the series has a firm release date before starting book one. That way you don't end up having to decide between re-reading the series or forgetting half of what's going on by the time the next volume comes out.
Tough As Nails
Glave Master
I'll read Thrones...then a few other books...then Clash of Kings...then a few others books...etc, etc. It will take me at least 18 months to get all 4 of the current ones read. Dragons might be out by then. Plus...with the internet, there is no reason to feel like you have to re-read an entire novel to recall all the details. There are tons of commentaries, summaries, etc, that you can read before starting in on the next book.Bad move. And I say that as someone that has read the first two books of the series and think they are the greatest fantasy ever written.Just like fans of Robert Jordan, Martin's fans are really frustrated these days because of the length of time between books and the need for closure.Awesome. The Ignatius character is one of the most entertaining ones I can ever remember. Ironically...I'm just 10 pages into a Game of Thrones based on recommendations for Smoo and others.Smoo said:
IMO, it's a good idea to wait on any series until the final book in the series has a firm release date before starting book one. That way you don't end up having to decide between re-reading the series or forgetting half of what's going on by the time the next volume comes out.
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
I posted this link somewhere around here but it may have been in another thread. It links to a site that has chapter summaries.http://towerofthehand.com/books/I'll read Thrones...then a few other books...then Clash of Kings...then a few others books...etc, etc. It will take me at least 18 months to get all 4 of the current ones read. Dragons might be out by then. Plus...with the internet, there is no reason to feel like you have to re-read an entire novel to recall all the details. There are tons of commentaries, summaries, etc, that you can read before starting in on the next book.Bad move. And I say that as someone that has read the first two books of the series and think they are the greatest fantasy ever written.Just like fans of Robert Jordan, Martin's fans are really frustrated these days because of the length of time between books and the need for closure.Awesome. The Ignatius character is one of the most entertaining ones I can ever remember. Ironically...I'm just 10 pages into a Game of Thrones based on recommendations for Smoo and others.Smoo said:
IMO, it's a good idea to wait on any series until the final book in the series has a firm release date before starting book one. That way you don't end up having to decide between re-reading the series or forgetting half of what's going on by the time the next volume comes out.
facook
Footballguy
Drifter
Footballguy
While on vacation/honeymoon, I read:
Vonnegut - "Galapagos": Good read. Moderately entertaining. Pretty typical Vonnegut
Darwin - "Voyage of the Beagle": Somewhat interesting but pretty dry, as you might imagine.
Tim Powers - "Last Call": Good stuff. Lots of original thought, well written, good story. Stephen King meets Dean Koontz meets H.P. Lovecraft.
China Mieville - "Perdido Street Station": The most original fantasy work I've read in years. Really fantastic book with excellent writing.
Vonnegut - "Galapagos": Good read. Moderately entertaining. Pretty typical Vonnegut
Darwin - "Voyage of the Beagle": Somewhat interesting but pretty dry, as you might imagine.
Tim Powers - "Last Call": Good stuff. Lots of original thought, well written, good story. Stephen King meets Dean Koontz meets H.P. Lovecraft.
China Mieville - "Perdido Street Station": The most original fantasy work I've read in years. Really fantastic book with excellent writing.
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igbomb
Footballguy
Enjoy the books.I'll read Thrones...then a few other books...then Clash of Kings...then a few others books...etc, etc. It will take me at least 18 months to get all 4 of the current ones read. Dragons might be out by then. Plus...with the internet, there is no reason to feel like you have to re-read an entire novel to recall all the details. There are tons of commentaries, summaries, etc, that you can read before starting in on the next book.Bad move. And I say that as someone that has read the first two books of the series and think they are the greatest fantasy ever written.Just like fans of Robert Jordan, Martin's fans are really frustrated these days because of the length of time between books and the need for closure.Awesome. The Ignatius character is one of the most entertaining ones I can ever remember. Ironically...I'm just 10 pages into a Game of Thrones based on recommendations for Smoo and others.Smoo said:
IMO, it's a good idea to wait on any series until the final book in the series has a firm release date before starting book one. That way you don't end up having to decide between re-reading the series or forgetting half of what's going on by the time the next volume comes out.
I couldn't stand waiting that long for the conclusion, but more power to you if you're so inclined. Like I said before, best fantasy I have ever read.
Peak
Footballguy
I liked Up Country. DeMille has quite a few good reads out there. He has a way of adding a great scarcastic dialouge to his characters while keeping the read entertaining.I've just started State of Fear (Crichton I think?). It's not too bad. The last one of his I read was Prey. Interesting story. Hopefully this one is a little better.
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Foosball God
Foos
I liked State of Fear, it was one of his better recent works.
adonis
Footballguy
Just got done with The Brothers Karamazov. I enjoyed it quite a bit. I especially liked the dream sequence with the devil, possibly my favorite part of the book.
Now, as with all books I enjoy, I actually miss the main characters. After reading it over so many weeks, before work, after work, etc, it feels like I'm leaving old friends. Sometimes I catch myself wondering what they're up to. Wish ol' Fyodor wouldn't have died
.
On to "This side of Paradise" by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Now, as with all books I enjoy, I actually miss the main characters. After reading it over so many weeks, before work, after work, etc, it feels like I'm leaving old friends. Sometimes I catch myself wondering what they're up to. Wish ol' Fyodor wouldn't have died
.On to "This side of Paradise" by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
kupcho1
Footballguy
I'm about 150 pages into The Brothers KaramazovThanks for the spoiler. JackassJust got done with The Brothers Karamazov. I enjoyed it quite a bit. I especially liked the dream sequence with the devil, possibly my favorite part of the book.
Now, as with all books I enjoy, I actually miss the main characters. After reading it over so many weeks, before work, after work, etc, it feels like I'm leaving old friends. Sometimes I catch myself wondering what they're up to. Wish ol' Fyodor wouldn't have died.
Foosball God
Foos
igbomb
Footballguy
Fyodor would be the first name of Mr. Dostoyevsky, the author.
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Sabertooth
Footballguy
For those of us that love GRR Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series, but are frustrated that it's going to be another 5 years before it is concluded, what would the well-read fantasy fan recommend? I am only interested in reading series that are completed.
adonis
Footballguy
I'm about 150 pages into The Brothers KaramazovThanks for the spoiler. JackassJust got done with The Brothers Karamazov. I enjoyed it quite a bit. I especially liked the dream sequence with the devil, possibly my favorite part of the book.
Now, as with all books I enjoy, I actually miss the main characters. After reading it over so many weeks, before work, after work, etc, it feels like I'm leaving old friends. Sometimes I catch myself wondering what they're up to. Wish ol' Fyodor wouldn't have died
igbomb
Footballguy
I haven't read all of these, but here are some that I've heard recommended. (All of these at least have completed trilogies, though there may be future books in the same world.)Raymond Feist -- Riftwar SagaRobin Hobb -- Farseer TrilogyTerry Brooks -- ShannaraStephen King -- Dark TowerAnd the final Robert Jordan book is expected out in early 2008, and it may take that long to read the first 11 books plus the prequel.
snogger
Footballguy
Drifter
Footballguy
Riftwar is good. I don't like Shannara. Dark Tower is different.As I just posted, you might want to check out Perdido Street Station by China Mievilla for a slightly different (refreshing) flavor of fantasy. It's not a series but The Scar is set in the same universe.There's a whole thread devoted to fantasy works. I suggest you start there as you're question is a pretty loaded one and could easily hijack this thread.
kupcho1
Footballguy
While that is certainly true, its also the name of the pater familias, Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov.Fyodor would be the first name of Mr. Dostoyevsky, the author.I'm about 150 pages into The Brothers KaramazovThanks for the spoiler. JackassJust got done with The Brothers Karamazov. I enjoyed it quite a bit. I especially liked the dream sequence with the devil, possibly my favorite part of the book.
Now, as with all books I enjoy, I actually miss the main characters. After reading it over so many weeks, before work, after work, etc, it feels like I'm leaving old friends. Sometimes I catch myself wondering what they're up to. Wish ol' Fyodor wouldn't have died
adonis
Footballguy
This was the last book Dostoyevsky wrote before he died. He was planning on making more, I believe, following some of the same characters.While that is certainly true, its also the name of the pater familias, Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov.Fyodor would be the first name of Mr. Dostoyevsky, the author.I'm about 150 pages into The Brothers KaramazovThanks for the spoiler. JackassJust got done with The Brothers Karamazov. I enjoyed it quite a bit. I especially liked the dream sequence with the devil, possibly my favorite part of the book.
Now, as with all books I enjoy, I actually miss the main characters. After reading it over so many weeks, before work, after work, etc, it feels like I'm leaving old friends. Sometimes I catch myself wondering what they're up to. Wish ol' Fyodor wouldn't have died
kupcho1
Footballguy
Can you spoil those for us as well?This was the last book Dostoyevsky wrote before he died. He was planning on making more, I believe, following some of the same characters.While that is certainly true, its also the name of the pater familias, Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov.Fyodor would be the first name of Mr. Dostoyevsky, the author.I'm about 150 pages into The Brothers KaramazovThanks for the spoiler. JackassJust got done with The Brothers Karamazov. I enjoyed it quite a bit. I especially liked the dream sequence with the devil, possibly my favorite part of the book.
Now, as with all books I enjoy, I actually miss the main characters. After reading it over so many weeks, before work, after work, etc, it feels like I'm leaving old friends. Sometimes I catch myself wondering what they're up to. Wish ol' Fyodor wouldn't have died
roadkill1292
Footballguy
Light summer fare for me right now: Michael Crichton's Next, which is an entertaining look at greed and avarice in the genetic engineering game, and two of Harry Turtledove's -- The Grapple, 10th in the massive 11-part Great War series, and The Gladiator, which is his own version of 1984. The Grapple made me look forward to the final installment, due out any time now, and The Gladiator was entertaining but too brief; it could have covered a lot more ground than it did.
Foosball God
Foos
I was not impressed with Next. There was really no central character to follow in that book. Just a bunch of different people intersecting at different points to make a whole story. There was nobody to latch onto.roadkill1292 said:
shining path
:prettyplease:
Any further news on release date?
shining path
:prettyplease:
Just started Ilium by Simmons. Compelling right from the start. Simmons doesn't go half-### on anything.
Drifter
Footballguy
I enjoyed his Hyperion series.
roadkill1292
Footballguy
This was indeed a weak point.
aardball44
Footballguy
This is one of the most appealing characteristics of David Mitchell's book Ghostwritten.
FairWarning
Footballguy
Love the works of SABR. Just started reading the AL version of Deadball Stars and couldn't put it down. Deadball Stars of the AL
Maelstrom
Footballguy
Just finished book 2 about a week ago - I had a hard time getting through book 1, but getting to book 2 was worth it. Book 2 was much better than book 1 IMO. I don't have book 3 yet, but will probably pick it up in a week or two. The story is different than any of King's other work, but it is starting to grow on me.
Prince Myshkin
Footballguy
doing some light summer reading at the moment...
just finished 'the english assassin' by daniel silva - my first silva book and it was pretty good.
currently catching up on some clive cussler stuff i missed over the years.
just finished 'the english assassin' by daniel silva - my first silva book and it was pretty good.
currently catching up on some clive cussler stuff i missed over the years.
Maelstrom
Footballguy
For something with a Fantasy story, but not quite so much the political intrigue of Martin's books, check out The Death Gate Cycle by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. I would personally recommend reading the 7 book series without reading the more exhaustive reviews on Amazon or other - it's better to discover the story as you go through the books. The real short review is that the first 4 books are each in a different realm, and the final 3 finish the story. I still think it's one of the best series I ever read, on par with the Martin, Jordon and Goodkind series in my list. I like most all of the Weis/Hickman books I've read FWIW.
ChempickleregshukebaggerzillaT
Footballguy
Just not a big fan of his style.
igbomb
Footballguy
Seductive Poison by Deborah Layton
Awesome, creepy book. Layton was one of the upper ranks member of the Jonestown cult. She escaped a few months before the mass suicide and her affidavit is what prompted Congressman Ryan to go visit, which eventually led to his death and the mass suicide. Fantastic look into how one can get pulled into a cult and how Jones manipulated everyone's mind. Highly recommended to anyone with a hint of interest in the Jonestown story.
Awesome, creepy book. Layton was one of the upper ranks member of the Jonestown cult. She escaped a few months before the mass suicide and her affidavit is what prompted Congressman Ryan to go visit, which eventually led to his death and the mass suicide. Fantastic look into how one can get pulled into a cult and how Jones manipulated everyone's mind. Highly recommended to anyone with a hint of interest in the Jonestown story.
oso diablo
Footballguy
John Henry Days by Colson Whitehead.
My top recommendation since suggesting Cloud Atlas to FBG. I really enjoyed Whitehead's oddly fascinating (or fascinatingly odd) debut novel The Intuitionist, and JHD takes a big leap forward. Short-listed for the 2002 Pulitzer, JHD weaves a series of vignettes centered around the legend of John Henry. Like Mitchell, Whitehead employs a dazzling array of voices, styles, and period settings in these vignettes.
This is a writer's novel.
My top recommendation since suggesting Cloud Atlas to FBG. I really enjoyed Whitehead's oddly fascinating (or fascinatingly odd) debut novel The Intuitionist, and JHD takes a big leap forward. Short-listed for the 2002 Pulitzer, JHD weaves a series of vignettes centered around the legend of John Henry. Like Mitchell, Whitehead employs a dazzling array of voices, styles, and period settings in these vignettes.
This is a writer's novel.
aardball44
Footballguy
If it's half as good as Cloud Atlas, I'm in.
shake zula
Footballguy
Waiting for Snow in Havana, and Clinton's My life last month.
MrJimmy
Footballguy
About 1/4 of the way through The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana by Umberto Eco. So far, very good and more readable for a feeble mind like mine than some of his other novels.
The main character has lost his episodic memory, so he can remember things from the public domain like literature, but he has no idea who is is, who his wife is, his mistresses, friends, likes/dislikes, etc. Seems promising.
Oh, and it has PICTURES!!!
The main character has lost his episodic memory, so he can remember things from the public domain like literature, but he has no idea who is is, who his wife is, his mistresses, friends, likes/dislikes, etc. Seems promising.
Oh, and it has PICTURES!!!
oso diablo
Footballguy
I'd say it is, although i'm only halfway through with the book. There's an airiness (sp?), a certain triviality to Whitehead's plots that can turn off some readers. The Intuitionist, for example, told the story of 2 elevator inspectors, using diametrically opposed methods for their inspections, but it was really an allegory on race relations in America. Likewise, JHD is infused with racial themes. Whitehead writes sentence-driven or prose-driven, not plot-driven, novels. But they're decidedly modern.
krista4
Footballguy
Ooooo, I can't wait to see your update on this one. About a month ago, I finished The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, which easily slid right into my top 10 all-time favorite books. Better than Kafka on the Shore, which I also loved.
