Litterater Thread

[Dalyn]

Discuss.

Reading: Joyland by Stephen King

Enjoying it very much. I am a big fan of King, and his recent stuff has been top notch. Looking forward to Dr. Sleep (sequel to The Shining) later this year.

Short Story of this post. (http://www.strangehorizons.com/2013/20130617/longfinsdaughters-f.shtml)

[Dalyn]

http://24.media.tumblr.com/7e6bacf4a5d926fc661a3a6285da4a20/tumblr_mpbsaaWnwW1r7dgeuo1_1280.jpg

[DaneHill]

Discuss.

Reading: Joyland by Stephen King

Enjoying it very much. I am a big fan of King, and his recent stuff has been top notch. Looking forward to Dr. Sleep (sequel to The Shining) later this year.

[/URL]

I've read It from King. Thought it was outstanding. Read the first book or two of that monthly series of books he wrote 20 years or so ago. Forget what that was. But enjoyed them as well, just fell behind and couldn't get back to them.

(I'm enjoying Under the Dome on tv!)

[Dalyn]

I've read It from King. Thought it was outstanding. Read the first book or two of that monthly series of books he wrote 20 years or so ago. Forget what that was. But enjoyed them as well, just fell behind and couldn't get back to them.

(I'm enjoying Under the Dome on tv!)

I read IT when I was 11 or so. Very good book.

The Green Mile rocked, and it also had one of the best screen adaptations.

I'm enjoying Under the Dome, too, but it is completely different than the book. Still enjoyable. Just different.

11/22/63 is a recent favorite of his. Damn near perfect book, and it has a little treat for IT fans.

[Dalyn]

How about a nod to my avatar. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream is the best non-fiction book I've ever read.

[BlackwaterPark]

Just finished:

Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
Start by Jon Acuff

Reading now:

Entreleadership by Dave Ramsey

[elmonthc]

Ive read a bunch of king books. Theres something about his writing style that turns me off.

Maximum Overdrive waa the **** though.

[Dalyn]

http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/misc/1373380267-1373380267_goodreads_misc.png

[Dalyn]

Ive read a bunch of king books. Theres something about his writing style that turns me off.

Maximum Overdrive waa the **** though.

I love King. Right at the top of my favorite writers.

[Dalyn]

100 Great Science Fiction Stories by Women. (http://iansales.com/2013/07/10/the-list-100-great-science-fiction-stories-by-women/)

[AerchAngel]

I just can't get into reading in the summer. The kids love being outside and watching them grow up is cool unlike my eldest who grew up in Germany. I am going to hit those books you have suggested Dalyn sometime later on this year.

I was looking that list of books you posted in this thread.

Battlefield Earth - the original, not the re-edited version was a great story until it got really stupid.
Firefly - Piers Anthony - pretty decent for his odd writing style
Weaveworld - Clive Barker - an underrated book that is very good

Growing up I liked Jay Bennett, Mable Ester Allen and don't laugh, Phyllis Whitney. During the day I played sports like normal kids, but at night, I would curled up on the couch reading until I fell asleep.

The staple was Allen and Carolyn Keene's Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys, until I persuaded the librarian to allow me to read Jay Bennett books at 13.

Also I read a lot of King's short stories under his pseudonym Bachman, which includes the classics Running Man, The Walk et al.

[Dalyn]

Cool. You will enjoy Ready Player One and Altered Carbon.

[elmonthc]

I like barker. Most consider him a horror author. I found his books to be more fantasy than anything.

[Dalyn]

I like barker. Most consider him a horror author. I found his books to be more fantasy than anything.


Barker is pretty awesome. Almost met him at Horrorfind last year, but he had to cancel due to his bad visit with the dentist.

Do any of you like Joe Lansdale? What an excellent writer.

[Dalyn]

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mc01fdSlxT1qbkiyvo1_r1_250.gif

[Dalyn]

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mc01fdSlxT1qbkiyvo2_r1_250.gif

[Dalyn]

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mc01fdSlxT1qbkiyvo3_r1_250.gif

[Dalyn]

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mc01fdSlxT1qbkiyvo4_250.gif

[Tapate50]

Reading "The Man Who Made It Snow" by Max Mermelstein right now. Entertaining story of the only American allowed inside the Columbian Cocaine Cartels.

[Julio3000]

Reading "The Man Who Made It Snow" by Max Mermelstein right now. Entertaining story of the only American allowed inside the Columbian Cocaine Cartels.

Chip Caray hasn't published his book yet.

[jpx7]

Recently finished: Farewell, My Lovely by Raymond Chandler.

Currently reading: Selected Short Stories of Guy de Maupassant, initially because I wanted to compare what is probably Maupassant's most famous story – his first work published under his own name, Boule de Suif – to one of my favorite films, John Ford's Stagecoach, which it fairly faithfully inspired (in a somewhat transliterated sense).

But Maupassant has a delicacy of tone, a very subtle and surprising wit, and masterful sense of people, all of which render most of his stories superb. Boule de Suif and Madame Tellier's Establishment (also adapted to film, as the middle of the triptych which forms Max Ophüls' Le Plaisir, and which features a key performance by the inimitable Jean Gabin) are the lengthier standouts of those stories I've read so far (I'm about halfway through the collection); however, Rust and The Conservatory are both delightfully wry interrogations of connubial conventions and stagnating relations, Two Friends is a bittersweet tale of simple pleasures amongst the plights of Prussian (and, by extension, any belligerent) occupation, while The Graveyard Sisterhood may be my favorite of his stories, modest and brief as it is.

Maupassant is really a master of the final paragraph (or paragraphs, in some cases), and owns a cutting but compassionate eye. I'd highly recommend at least checking out Boule de Suif, if nothing else — especially if you're a fan of Stagecoach, or any of the ilk of "captive group" films that Ford's first talkie western influenced.

[Julio3000]

I have never read Maupassant. Thank you for the rec.

[jpx7]

I have never read Maupassant. Thank you for the rec.

If you end up going the Selected Short Stories route, I'd suggest the previous Penguin Classics edition, translated by Richard Colet, rather than the newer and current Sian Miles edition. From reviews I've read, Colet's translation is fairly superior; the main supposed selling-point of the newer edition is that it includes The Necklace, which Colet notes in his introduction he purposely excluded despite its fame because he finds the story inferior and not representative of Maupassant's real strengths; and used versions of the Colet edition retail for one-cent on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Selected-Short-Stories-Penguin-Classics/dp/014044243X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1374166523&sr=8-1&keywords=guy+de+maupassant+penguin).

[BlackwaterPark]

I just finished EntreLeadership by Dave Ramsey. My next book is More Than Enough by Dave Ramsey.

http://img1.imagesbn.com/p/9781101218686_p0_v1_s260x420.JPG

[Tapate50]

I just finished EntreLeadership by Dave Ramsey. My next book is More Than Enough by Dave Ramsey.

http://img1.imagesbn.com/p/9781101218686_p0_v1_s260x420.JPG

Were you the cat on the old new board praising Dave Ramsey ?

[jpx7]

No Raymond Chandler fans up in this business?

[Dalyn]

https://upworthy-production.s3.amazonaws.com/nugget/51e9e4cfd5eb4b5598000d3f/attachments/Summer-Reading-Flowchart-Young-Adults.png

[Dalyn]

No Raymond Chandler fans up in this business?

Thought you might enjoy this. (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/booknews/10195308/Raymond-Chandler-Master-crime-writer.html)

[Dalyn]

Books I picked up yesterday:

The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson

Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey

Little Brother by Cory Doctorow

Winterbirth by Brian Ruckley

The Particle at the End of the Universe by Sean Carroll

[jpx7]

Thought you might enjoy this. (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/booknews/10195308/Raymond-Chandler-Master-crime-writer.html)

Nice find — especially for Perelman's great gloss: "they have juxtaposed the steely automatic and the frilly panty and found that it pays off".

[Dalyn]

Nice list. Lot to like. Lot to dislike. (http://www.listchallenges.com/npr-top-100-science-fiction-and-fantasy-books)

[Dalyn]

https://sphotos-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/q71/970432_10151867191385934_874669462_n.jpg

[jpx7]

The Family Lovecraft.

[Julio3000]

"Cthulu" was my private nickname for Cristhian Martinez. Couldn't get it to stick, for some reason.

[Dalyn]

"Cthulu" was my private nickname for Cristhian Martinez. Couldn't get it to stick, for some reason.

I don't remember that.

[Dalyn]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/q71/970654_688091374550745_486566509_n.jpg

[mossy]

Alright guys, please recommend a good suspense/thriller for me. (not horror)

Love Grisham style books with low amounts of language, don't need graphic smut, just a good story line.

[Dalyn]

Alright guys, please recommend a good suspense/thriller for me. (not horror)

Love Grisham style books with low amounts of language, don't need graphic smut, just a good story line.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

[Dalyn]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/p480x480/944747_693522277331294_1304562330_n.jpg

[Dalyn]

Free Tor.com stories! (http://www.tor.com/blogs/2013/08/five-years-of-stories-free-download-extended)

[JohnAdcox]

I just finished a fantasy novel called Six Gun Tarot that was just crazy good. Crazy good. I'm finishing Zealot by Aslan, which I am finding to be a bit of a disappointment, alas. Worth a read, but I expected more. Something new, something with a little more solid scholarship.

[JohnAdcox]

Recent finished: Farewell, My Lovely by Raymond Chandler.

Currently reading: Selected Short Stories of Guy de Maupassant, initially because I wanted to compare what is probably Maupassant's most famous story – his first work published under his own name, Boule de Suif – to one of my favorite films, John Ford's Stagecoach, which it fairly faithfully inspired (in a somewhat transliterated sense).

But Maupassant has a delicacy of tone, a very subtle and surprising wit, and masterful sense of people, all of which render most of his stories superb. Boule de Suif and Madame Tellier's Establishment (also adapted to film, as the middle of the triptych which forms Max Ophüls' Le Plaisir, and which features a key performance by the inimitable Jean Gabin) are the lengthier standouts of those stories I've read so far (I'm about halfway through the collection); however, Rust, and The Conservatory are both delightfully wry interrogations of connubial conventions and stagnating relations, Two Friends is a bittersweet tale of simple pleasures amongst the plights of Prussian (and, by extension, any belligerent) occupation, while The Graveyard Sisterhood may be my favorite of his stories, modest and brief as it is.

Maupassant is really a master of the final paragraph (or paragraphs, in some cases), and owns a cutting but compassionate eye. I'd highly recommend at least checking out Boule de Suif, if nothing else — especially if you're a fan of Stagecoach, or any of the ilk of "captive group" films that Ford's first talkie western influenced.

Thanks for that. Ordered.

[Dalyn]

Reading: Little Brother by Cory Doctorow

Enjoying it. Doctorow is a fine writer.

Short Story of this post. Read it! (http://www.readshortfiction.com/2013/06/everything-all-at-once-forever-by-michael-wehunt/)

[jpx7]

Thanks for that. Ordered.

You're welcome. Let me know what you think.

[Dalyn]

Reading: The Particle at the End of the Universe by Sean Carroll

Very interesting. And here is a lecture that goes along with it (a bit). (https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=gEKSpZPByD0)

Short Story of this post. Read it! (http://rampantloonmedia.com/showcase/0130614/0130614-03.html)

[Dalyn]

Books I picked up today:

Fiend by Peter Stenson

Homeland by Cory Doctorow

Quintessence by David Walton

The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson

The Rapture of the Nerds by Cory Doctorow and Charles Stross

[Dalyn]

Reading: Fiend by Peter Stenson

Lots of fun. My favorite recent take on zombies, a monster I am pretty sick of.

Short Story of this post. Read it! (http://www.beneath-ceaseless-skies.com/stories/two-captains/)

[Dalyn]

Reading: The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson

It is a fine read. I like how Sanderson has grown as a writer since taking on The Wheel of Time series.

Short Story of this post. Read it! (http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v493/n7434/pdf/493714a.pdf) Or listen to it, if you prefer. (http://www.nature.com/multimedia/podcast/nature/extras/futures-2013-01-31.mp3)

[goldfly]

just finished Game of Shadows

good read and Bonds was a dirty ass player

was trying to make up my mind on what to read next from the books i have that i haven't gotten to yet, i am picking from these three:

1.)The Wall Jumper: A Berlin Story

Berlin before the fall of the Wall is a city divided, yet its ordinary residents find ways to live and survive on both sides. There is Robert, teller of barroom anecdotes over beer and vodka, adjusting to a new life in the west; Pommerer, trying to outwit the system in the east; the unnamed narrator, who 'escapes' back-and-forth to collect stories; his beguiling, exiled lover Lena; the three boys who defect to watch Hollywood films; and the man who leaps across the Wall again and again - simply because he cannot help himself. All are, in their different ways, wall jumpers, trying to lose themselves but still trapped wherever they go. Ultimately, the walls inside their heads prove to be more powerful than any man-made barrier

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yM7hxfBG66c/URgeX7wa74I/AAAAAAAAAek/LG0llTei7LM/s200/the-wall-jumper.jpg

2.) Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking

In his landmark bestseller The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell redefined how we understand the world around us. Now, in Blink, he revolutionizes the way we understand the world within. Blink is a book about how we think without thinking, about choices that seem to be made in an instant-in the blink of an eye-that actually aren't as simple as they seem. Why are some people brilliant decision makers, while others are consistently inept? Why do some people follow their instincts and win, while others end up stumbling into error? How do our brains really work-in the office, in the classroom, in the kitchen, and in the bedroom? And why are the best decisions often those that are impossible to explain to others?In Blink we meet the psychologist who has learned to predict whether a marriage will last, based on a few minutes of observing a couple; the tennis coach who knows when a player will double-fault before the racket even makes contact with the ball; the antiquities experts who recognize a fake at a glance. Here, too, are great failures of "blink": the election of Warren Harding; "New Coke"; and the shooting of Amadou Diallo by police. Blink reveals that great decision makers aren't those who process the most information or spend the most time deliberating, but those who have perfected the art of "thin-slicing"-filtering the very few factors that matter from an overwhelming number of variables.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/49/Blinkgla.jpg/173px-Blinkgla.jpg

3.) Hallucinations

Hallucinations, for most people, imply madness. But there are many different types of non-psychotic hallucination caused by various illnesses or injuries, by intoxication--even, for many people, by falling sleep. From the elementary geometrical shapes that we see when we rub our eyes to the complex swirls and blind spots and zigzags of a visual migraine, hallucination takes many forms. At a higher level, hallucinations associated with the altered states of consciousness that may come with sensory deprivation or certain brain disorders can lead to religious epiphanies or conversions. Drawing on a wealth of clinical examples from his own patients as well as historical and literary descriptions, Oliver Sacks investigates the fundamental differences and similarities of these many sorts of hallucinations, what they say about the organization and structure of our brains, how they have influenced every culture's folklore and art, and why the potential for hallucination is present in us all.

http://bks3.books.google.com/books?id=4VtvFNFDhuAC&printsec=frontcover&img=1&zoom=1&edge=curl&imgtk=AFLRE71wpJRSx-WJonpNkrWWotkcbk0zUG81rI5CqqUhvFH0Rm6_bzld_VmZHDEN E3GUOb0-i1DMx6ocBQQL7krI9RTxaQ5mCQA4pjTttDjr3_K4FNhBhW1beF tyEby07r1GX1trE4Fn

[Dalyn]

I like Oliver Sacks. Very interesting guy. I would go with #3.

[Dalyn]

Reading: The Thinking Woman's Guide to Real Magic by Emily Croy Barker

The writing is a little bloated early on. Doesn't flow very well.

Short Story of this post. Read it! (http://www.barcelonareview.com/20/e_gs.htm)

[AerchAngel]

I am reading Six Gun Tarot and have Ready Player One as next on the list in my possession. The Six gun Tarot starts out pretty good, but that old style western language is hard to get used to.

[Runnin]

Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh. While the writing is a little overdone at times it's still the work of a master.

[Dalyn]

Disappointed in some of these I picked up to kill time before Doctor Sleep's release. Going to reread Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace. Read it the first time around 1997.

[Dalyn]

Chance of free books. Just enter your email address. This looks like it is going to be pretty cool. First book that is up is Doctor Sleep! (http://www.earlyreadersclub.com/?ref=XaNe5)

[Dalyn]

Recently finished: The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes

Loved the writing. Very enjoyable book.

[Dalyn]

Reading: The Broom of the System by David Foster Wallace

I started Wallace with Infinite Jest and somehow never made it back to this one. Enjoying it so far.

Short Story of this post. Read it! (http://harelbarzilai.org/words/omelas.txt)

[Dalyn]

Reading: Doctor Sleep by Stephen King.

**** yeah!

Short Story of this post (from the King). Read it! (http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2011/05/herman-wouk-is-still-alive/308451/)

[Dalyn]

Reading: Flight by Sherman Alexie

Fun. Just like everything Alexie writes.

Short Story of this post. (http://www.newyorker.com/fiction/features/2012/08/27/120827fi_fiction_munro?currentPage=all) Read it!

[Dalyn]

Reading: War Dances by Sherman Alexie

Despite the meandering end to FLIGHT, I went ahead with this collection. It is worth it.

Short Story of this post (from the creator of the A Song of Ice and Fire series -- Game of Thrones). Read it! (http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/martin_10_13_reprint/)

[The Chosen One]

I wish I could read books.

Unfortunately I have a neurological problem that coincides with my thyroid issues, that ever since high school, reading long books/novels have become almost impossible. Sucks that I can read a chapter, andnot remember what I just read 2 minutes ago. I can read it over and over and still not retain it.

Short articles and numbers (equations) I can do fine, it's retaining the big stuff.

[Runnin]

I wish I could read books.

Unfortunately I have a neurological problem that coincides with my thyroid issues, that ever since high school, reading long books/novels have become almost impossible. Sucks that I can read a chapter, andnot remember what I just read 2 minutes ago. I can read it over and over and still not retain it.

Short articles and numbers (equations) I can do fine, it's retaining the big stuff.
That sucks. What about audio books?

[The Chosen One]

That sucks. What about audio books?

Too much hassle to try and find it online or buy it.

Someone suggested learning braille, but that's a ton of money I have to spend.

[Dalyn]

Audio books are pretty easy to find. I will include a link for any of my future posts. In the meantime, you could always enjoy some of the short stories I post (links to).

[Dalyn]

Here is the link to the audio edition of War Dances, the collection I am currently reading. (http://www.amazon.com/War-Dances/dp/B0032U8OFI)

[Dalyn]

This would probably be your best friend (link). (http://www.audible.com/mt/anon-home)

[Runnin]

This would probably be your best friend (link). (http://www.audible.com/mt/anon-home)
A had a subscription for a few years and at about 1 book a month now have more than enough to last me. There's a lot of good stuff on the web you can download for free if you look. It's much less of a hassle than going to a book store or even the library. Most of the golden age of radio can be found.

[TURBO]

Just started reading Game of Thrones. Havent seen the show yet either. Wanted to read them first. Only a couple chapters in, but so far I have enjoyed it.

[Dalyn]

Just started reading Game of Thrones. Havent seen the show yet either. Wanted to read them first. Only a couple chapters in, but so far I have enjoyed it.

Just a fantastic series. I linked to a GRRM short story above, if you are interested.

[Runnin]

How Music Works by David Byrne. (http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Music-Works-David-Byrne/dp/0857862529) Like it so far and it's a free download on pdf file.

http://www.furious.com/perfect/graphics/uniquerecording/how-music-works-david-byrne.jpg

[Dalyn]

Nice! Thanks for sharing.

[Dalyn]

Reading: Wool by Hugh Howey

Just started. Fine so far. Seems promising.

Short Story of this post (plus a contest!). Read it! (http://www.tinhouse.com/blog/28770/shirley-jackson-short-story-contest.html)

I also really enjoyed this interview. (http://www.newyorker.com/video?video-id=2732683185001)

[Dalyn]

Books I recently picked up:

Doomed by Chuck Palahniuk

Diary by Chuck Palahniuk

The Caryatids by Bruce Sterling

Reamde by Neal Stephenson

[BlackwaterPark]

Reading currently: Thou Shall Prosper by Rabbi Daniel Lapin

[Dalyn]

Books I recently picked up:

Pastoralia by George Saunders

Double Feature by Owen King

Hyperion by Dan Simmons

[JohnAdcox]

Hyperion rocks. An amazing book.

[Dalyn]

Hyperion rocks. An amazing book.

Great! I've read a ton of Simmons' stuff, but not the Hyperion series. Looking forward to it.

[Runnin]

Still Foolin Em by Billy Crystal (http://articles.latimes.com/2013/sep/17/entertainment/la-et-jc-billy-crystal-memoir-still-foolin-em-20130917)

Actors Anonymous by James Franco (http://www.amazon.com/Actors-Anonymous-James-Franco/dp/0544114531)

Liked 'em both. Had no idea Billy Crystal had such a relationship with all those musicians and athletes. Played pick up b-ball with Lew Alcinder in high school. lol

[Dalyn]

Still Foolin Em by Billy Crystal (http://articles.latimes.com/2013/sep/17/entertainment/la-et-jc-billy-crystal-memoir-still-foolin-em-20130917)

Actors Anonymous by James Franco (http://www.amazon.com/Actors-Anonymous-James-Franco/dp/0544114531)

Liked 'em both. Had no idea Billy Crystal had such a relationship with all those musicians and athletes. Played pick up b-ball with Lew Alcinder in high school. lol


Looking forward to checking out the Franco book. Decent?

[Runnin]

Looking forward to checking out the Franco book. Decent?
The reviews I've read are pretty harsh but I think there's a little Franco fatigue in the air. It's not a Pulitzer winner, has sort of a thrown together in a hurry feel, but the parts I've listened to have kept me interested. I've got it on audio book which is perhaps easier to digest. It's not a novel and not really non-fiction either, just a bunch of sometimes random feeling takes on acting and being an actor. He lampoons actors and can do without 99% of acting, but champions the role acting plays in the "big screen" movie of a person's actual life. Hollywood may be overrun with bad actors but don't be a bad actor in your life, etc.

[Dalyn]

The reviews I've read are pretty harsh but I think there's a little Franco fatigue in the air. It's not a Pulitzer winner, has sort of a thrown together in a hurry feel, but the parts I've listened to have kept me interested. I've got it on audio book which is perhaps easier to digest. It's not a novel and not really non-fiction either, just a bunch of sometimes random feeling takes on acting and being an actor. He lampoons actors and can do without 99% of acting, but champions the role acting plays in the "big screen" movie of a person's actual life. Hollywood may be overrun with bad actors but don't be a bad actor in your life, etc.

Cool. Thanks for that. I am a pretty big fan of Franco. Lots of hate going around for him right now. Envy can be an ugly thing.

[Dalyn]

https://scontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/q71/1454903_740373385978523_1244072232_n.jpg

[Dalyn]

This is interesting. Check it out.

GLOBAL TRENDS 2030 (http://www.dni.gov/files/documents/GlobalTrends_2030.pdf)

[Dalyn]

Speaking of Franco -

http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2013-11/enhanced/webdr07/25/11/anigif_enhanced-buzz-30286-1385398285-3.gif

[The Chosen One]

I just picked up Ender's Game after I enjoyed the movie.

Glad to be going back to a 6th grade reading level. :rock:

[Metaphysicist]

Current reading Caro's The Years of Lyndon Johnson and Gravity's Rainbow in parallel. The latter takes... a lot of concentration.

[Dalyn]

http://io9.com/15-books-that-will-change-the-way-you-look-at-robots-1487332829/@gmanaugh


http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/19a0boawuw46zjpg/ku-xlarge.jpg

[Dalyn]

http://www.fearnet.com/news/news-article/overlooking-2014-stephen-king-new-year

http://cdn.fearnet.com/sites/default/files/images/quigmrmercedes.jpg

[Oklahomahawk]

Anybody read The Black Banners? It is written by a Lebanese born former FBI agent name Ali Soufan (sp?) who is the reason why we know as much as we know about Al Qaeda, Bin Laden, etc. The FBI was fine with his finished copy but he said the CIA went through with a LOT of black magic markers and redacted the hell out of it, ala the FBI and J Edgar Hoover's files after his death.



http://zenpundit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/soufan-book-cover.jpg

[Dalyn]

https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/q73/s720x720/1560696_10152250002100934_537980746_n.jpg

[Dalyn]

http://www.krqe.com/news/local/game-of-thrones-author-greets-fans-at-screening

[Dalyn]

Such a run of bad books lately. :Sad: Someone please suggest something interesting. Save me.

[Dalyn]

You guys suck.

Recently picked up:

The Abominable by Dan Simmons

Children of Fire by Drew Karpyshyn

Happy Hour in Hell by Tad Williams

Mage's Blood by David Hair

Pretty random. Dan Simmons rocks, so I am hoping that one (at the very least) will put a stop to my run of bad books.

[jpx7]

Recently finished: Nine Stories. I'd only ever read "A Perfect Day for Bananafish", in early college, so I decided to reread that and finally finish the collection. It's striking how almost cinematic Salinger's dialogue is—something I don't think is on sufficient display in Catcher in the Rye (which I'd read in high-school). He's also very good at crafting the Maupassant-esque, brief-knife-twist-of-beauty conclusions—except that where Maupassan't often felt substantial and pregnant, some of Salinger's almost seem to void the story's immediate substance. My favorite was the underrated "De Daumier-Smith's Blue Period", but "For Esmé—with Love and Squalor" is obviously pretty brilliant, and "Just Before the War with the Eskimos" has a tantalizing, weird sort of ineffable mysteriousness; meanwhile, though I found "Teddy" entertaining, rampant with well-crafted, humorous exchanges between the characters (mostly at the expense of everyone but the titular character), the story to me nonetheless felt, ultimately, a tad overrated, somewhat trite and overwrought in its core ideological framework, and even a bit vacuous.

Reading: The Most of P.G. Wodehouse. I'm a huge fan of the several Laurie and Fry series based on the Jeeves stories, but I'm finding these Drones Club stories—which comprise the first section of the omnibus—pretty ****ing hilarious in their own right.

Eyeing for my next endeavor: Alissa Nutting's Unclean Jobs for Women and Girls, which received accolades from Ben Marcus, of whom I'm a great fan.

[The Chosen One]

If I was able to actually read an entire book I'd read tons of them. However due to my Graves' Disease, my memory retention is absolutely terrible. I can read the same pages over and over for 10 minutes and not be able to remember what I just read. So reading extended amounts of literature doesn't work for me

Sucks too, I used to have the greatest photographic memory before my **** got worse in high school.

[BlackwaterPark]

http://michaelhyatt.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/book-review-the-noticer-by-andy-andrews.jpg

[Runnin]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b4/Denialofdeathcover.jpg/200px-Denialofdeathcover.jpg

[jpx7]

Recently finished: I took a bit of a break from The Most of P.G. Wodehouse after finishing the Drones Club section to read Heinrich von Kleist's The Duel; besides being quite good, it was noteworthy—having been originally published in 1811 in Germany—for its very modern (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modernist_literature) style and decidedly anti-Romantic character. A rippling, rousing little read that I think compares favorably with the historically-inflected fiction of Djuna Barnes (one of my favorite authors)—though the prose certainly doesn't rise to the heights of hers.

All in all, a nice find: I picked it up on a whim, along with four other novellas all entitled The Duel; the five form a sort of "miniseries" within Melville House's fantastic Art of the Novella series (http://www.mhpbooks.com/series/the-art-of-the-novella/).

Still reading: The Most of P.G. Wodehouse. Up next: the Mr. Mulliner stories.

Still eyeing: Alissa Nutting's Unclean Jobs for Women and Girls.

Revisiting: George Oppen's Of Being Numerous, the first twenty-two poems of which you can access here (http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/238470). Oppen is an excellent, overlooked (quasi-)modernist/objectivist (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Objectivist_poets) poet, who was closely aligned with William Carlos Williams and (like all American modernists) greatly influenced by Walt Whitman.

I'll post one of my favorites of this cycle, #2:


So spoke of the existence of things,
An unmanageable pantheon

Absolute, but they say
Arid.

A city of the corporations

Glassed
In dreams

And images——

And the pure joy
Of the mineral fact

Tho it is impenetrable

As the world, if it is matter,
Is impenetrable.

[Hawk]

Your mention of WCW reminded of one of my all-time favorite poems:


so much depends
upon
a red wheel
barrow

glazed with rain
water

beside the white
chickens.

[50PoundHead]

The reviews I've read are pretty harsh but I think there's a little Franco fatigue in the air. It's not a Pulitzer winner, has sort of a thrown together in a hurry feel, but the parts I've listened to have kept me interested. I've got it on audio book which is perhaps easier to digest. It's not a novel and not really non-fiction either, just a bunch of sometimes random feeling takes on acting and being an actor. He lampoons actors and can do without 99% of acting, but champions the role acting plays in the "big screen" movie of a person's actual life. Hollywood may be overrun with bad actors but don't be a bad actor in your life, etc.

Should probably go in the movie thread, but I saw the James Franco reference and wanted to tell everybody that Franco's film adaptation of William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying is now available on Netflix. I'm a huge Faulkner fan and his work has never translated that well to the big screen, but this is an exception. Eerie and dreamlike, Franco does a marvelous job with the work. Franco is now working on putting The Sound and the Fury on the big screen.

I really like Franco, but understand that he may have reached the saturation point. But in his defense, I guess all the scorn is the price for actually showing your intellectual curiosity in public instead of just devoting your life to becoming a standard celebrity boor.

[jpx7]

Your mention of WCW reminded of one of my all-time favorite poems:

Spring and All is amazing—but I see your Red Wheelbarrow and raise you This Is Just To Say:


I have eaten
the plums
that were in
the icebox

and which
you were probably
saving
for breakfast

Forgive me
they were delicious
so sweet
and so cold

[Dalyn]

Should probably go in the movie thread, but I saw the James Franco reference and wanted to tell everybody that Franco's film adaptation of William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying is now available on Netflix. I'm a huge Faulkner fan and his work has never translated that well to the big screen, but this is an exception. Eerie and dreamlike, Franco does a marvelous job with the work. Franco is now working on putting The Sound and the Fury on the big screen.

I really like Franco, but understand that he may have reached the saturation point. But in his defense, I guess all the scorn is the price for actually showing your intellectual curiosity in public instead of just devoting your life to becoming a standard celebrity boor.

He did a fantastic job with As I Lay Dying. Really enjoyed it.

[AerchAngel]

Dr. Sleep?

Better than "The Shining"? It seems to be like a version lite similar to The Stand.

[Dalyn]

Dr. Sleep?

Better than "The Shining"? It seems to be like a version lite similar to The Stand.

I really enjoyed it. It was--smartly--different enough from The Shining where it doesn't have to compare; it stands on its own.

[Dalyn]

Also, AA, did you finally get around to reading Ready Player One?

[AerchAngel]

Also, AA, did you finally get around to reading Ready Player One?

Nope, on a hiatus from reading, kids and their activities. I did not know kindergarteners can read this well. She read a few Disney books last night. I don't know if the wife posts stuff on Facebook on my behalf but then you know see what I am immersed in.

The library had it, but when I went to check it out again it was gone. I probably just get the ebook/Kindle/Nook version and read it at my leisure.

[Runnin]

I'm liking this book but it is a memoir so don't expect the wild ride of a novel. I haven't watched much P & R but it doesn't matter. If you're a person who enjoys both "the arts" as well as the simple life on a farm this book might be for you, as long as you don't mind a little irreverent humor and profanity here and there. It's a humorous look at a serious subject, life.
http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1372042175l/17674991.jpg

[Dalyn]

http://www.c-span.org/video/?169908-1%2FWilliamF

[Dalyn]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jS3aBYTe2eM

[Hawk]

Finally finished:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_296w/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2013/09/28/Production/Outlook/Images/Book_Review_One_Summer-09467.jpg

5/5 ... Bryson is a treat.

Now:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51WDfBWzBAL._SL600_.jpg

Next:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_296w/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2013/11/04/Outlook/Images/AP956222704386.jpg

[Dalyn]

http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/books/2014/02/03/140203crbo_books_schjeldahl?utm_source=tny&utm_campaign=generalsocial&utm_medium=facebook&mbid=social_facebook

http://www.newyorker.com/images/2014/02/03/p233/140203_r24576_p233.jpg

[Dalyn]

http://www.bleedingcool.com/2014/02/17/true-detective-fans-get-the-king-in-yellow-free/

http://cdn.bleedingcool.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/true-detective-poster-16x9-1.jpg?9098e0

[NinersSBChamps]

Currently reading a few Nathaniel Hawthorne short stories for my intro to lit class. Man he had some dark tails, but they definitely keep me engaged in his writings.

[jpx7]

Man he had some dark tails

Herman Melville was all about that Hawthorne tail.

[Dalyn]

Herman Melville was all about that Hawthorne tail.

Ha!

[Hawk]

Damn, Melville was an unrepentant perv.

[Julio3000]

Damn, Melville was an unrepentant perv.

That's the best kind.

[Dalyn]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTXckvj7KL4

[Dalyn]

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/fear-and-loathing-in-las-vegas-19711111

http://assets-s3.rollingstone.com/assets/images/story/fear-and-loathing-in-las-vegas-19711111/1000x600/20140220-hunter-x600-1392923354.jpg

[Runnin]

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YKJ1rdiGnpM/UIWo6ziuGXI/AAAAAAAAVgw/HT-RgSMjJEQ/s1600/Blue+Highways+cover.jpg

William Least Heat Moon (what a name!) nails the various local dialects he hears on his journey around the country. That and his descriptions of the land, little towns and various people make this book worth your time.

And in one scene there's a kid wearing a Braves cap.
http://www.bluehighwaysrevisited.net/4_bhr_p9_8_1x5--_Blue_Highways_mapIMG_3241_copy_2.jpg

[Dalyn]

https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1/1920440_10201675323506817_1486640519_n.jpg

[Dalyn]

http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/02/before-em-true-detective-em-the-short-stories-of-nic-pizzolatto/283992/

http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/newsroom/img/mt/2014/02/trueD/lead.jpg?n1ckxh

[Dalyn]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQT7y4L5aKU&feature=share

[jpx7]

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YKJ1rdiGnpM/UIWo6ziuGXI/AAAAAAAAVgw/HT-RgSMjJEQ/s1600/Blue+Highways+cover.jpg

William Least Heat Moon (what a name!) nails the various local dialects he hears on his journey around the country. That and his descriptions of the land, little towns and various people make this book worth your time.

Great, really intriguing suggestion; thanks.

[Dalyn]

http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2014-02/enhanced/webdr08/25/15/anigif_original-grid-image-10718-1393359969-20.gif

[jpx7]

Just received my copy of Robert Chambers' The King in Yellow today. I'm hoping to clip through as much as possible afore next Sunday's final episode of True Detective.

[Dalyn]

Just received my copy of Robert Chambers' The King in Yellow today. I'm hoping to clip through as much as possible afore next Sunday's final episode of True Detective.

Did you get it while it was free? They gave it away a week or three ago.

[jpx7]

Did you get it while it was free? They gave it away a week or three ago.

Only the Kindle / digital versions were free, from what I could tell, and I don't read that way.

[Dalyn]

Only the Kindle / digital versions were free, from what I could tell, and I don't read that way.

I hear you. I try being bi-, but it still hurts. :eusa_naughty:

I can stomach articles and short stories (and collections).

[jpx7]

I can stomach articles and short stories (and collections).

I can consume articles online, and short-stories on the shorter side on a screen (though even then I usually want it as a .pdf, or something, and not in a browser window), but even with shorter short-stories I'll usually print them out (and it helps I have free, limitless printing at work).

For instance: I read Ambrose Bierce's "An Inhabitant of Carcosa" and "Haïta the Shepherd" (from Can Such Things Be?, found here (http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/4366) in its entirety thanks to Project Gutenberg) in preparation of the arrival The King in Yellow—since it's a source of inspiration for Chambers—and I ended up copying each individual story to Word, reformatting them, and printing them out, despite their short length, because it just doesn't quite feel like "reading" to me in the same way that holding some inky leaves does.

[Dalyn]

I can consume articles online, and short-stories on the shorter side on a screen (though even then I usually want it as a .pdf, or something, and not in a browser window), but even with shorter short-stories I'll usually print them out (and it helps I have free, limitless printing at work).

For instance: I read Ambrose Bierce's "An Inhabitant of Carcosa" and "Haïta the Shepherd" (from Can Such Things Be?, found here (http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/4366) in its entirety thanks to Project Gutenberg) in preparation of the arrival The King in Yellow—since it's a source of inspiration for Chambers—and I ended up copying each individual story to Word, reformatting them, and printing them out, despite their short length, because it just doesn't quite feel like "reading" to me in the same way that holding some inky leaves does.

I completely agree. I love books. If I had unlimited printing, that would solve a lot of problems. :rock:

[Dalyn]

https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t1/148674_10153807683915296_735592759_n.jpg

[Dalyn]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1/1618482_10203340227525107_898021826_n.jpg

[Dalyn]

http://designthroughstorytelling.net/periodic/

http://designthroughstorytelling.net/periodic/img/title-serifed.png

[Dalyn]

http://www.buzzfeed.com/richardthomas/anthologies-every-author-should-own

[Dalyn]

http://www.buzzfeed.com/krystieyandoli/books-you-pretend-youve-read-but-actually-havent

I've read 16 of them.

[Dalyn]

Reading: Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson

Enjoying it. This is going to be an epic series.

Short Story of this post. Read it! (http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v507/n7491/full/507268a.html)

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v507/n7491/images/507268a-i1.jpg

[weso1]

My wife loves Craig Ferguson's book. Anyone here read it? I need a second opinion.

[Dalyn]

My wife loves Craig Ferguson's book. Anyone here read it? I need a second opinion.

:happy0157:

[Runnin]

My wife loves Craig Ferguson's book. Anyone here read it? I need a second opinion.
I read most of it. It's about why he became a US citizen. He seems to have a genuine love for America..and it's humorous.

[weso1]

Thanks, but actually I was talking about the one he wrote before that. His fiction novel.

[mossy]

Any of you read this or have a copy?

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Preposterous-Erections-A-Book-of-English-Towers-by-Peter-Ashley-Paperback-/00/$T2eC16JHJH8E9qSEUh0lBP+z-Oc2SQ~~_35.JPG?set_id=89040003C1

http://www.amazon.com/Preposterous-Erections-Book-English-Towers/dp/0711233586/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396575334&sr=8-1&keywords=preposterous+erections

[Dalyn]

Any of you read this or have a copy?

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Preposterous-Erections-A-Book-of-English-Towers-by-Peter-Ashley-Paperback-/00/$T2eC16JHJH8E9qSEUh0lBP+z-Oc2SQ~~_35.JPG?set_id=89040003C1

http://www.amazon.com/Preposterous-Erections-Book-English-Towers/dp/0711233586/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396575334&sr=8-1&keywords=preposterous+erections

Is this Wood's biography?

[Runnin]

Libertarians will find much to rile them up in this book. sturg33 should avoid it as his head would probably explode. It's basically a history of lawbreaking by the govt via the FBI but has some good spy stuff from the Cold War, like the tv show The Americans.
http://www.audiobooksonline.com/media/ss_size1/Enemies-History-FBI-Tim-Weiner-Random-House-Audio-books.jpg

[The Chosen One]

Here you go
JohnAdcox

[jpx7]

Here you go
JohnAdcox

He's already contributed to this thread more than you have, I'd wager.

:fredi:

[JohnAdcox]

He's already contributed to this thread more than you have, I'd wager.

:fredi:

Don't get me in trouble, now.

Just finished Six Gun Tarot ... not just good, crazy good. Also really liked Baseball as a Road to God and The Interestings. Now enjoying The Goblin Emperor.

[The Chosen One]

He's already contributed to this thread more than you have, I'd wager.

:fredi:

First of all... I just came back from the doc today. I've been diagnosed for sure with ADHD... but he can't give me the meds until minimum a month from now because i have other parts of my body that would be bothered by the stimulants.

The biggest issue I face now is I can't read a book and remember what I read... could read the same thing over and over 10 times and it still won't retain even if it's a subject of interest. Once I get on the meds, and I can read an entire book and know what the hell I just read, you best be damn sure I'll be contributing on here.

My first goal is to catch up on the Berenstain Bears. I also wanna try and go back to the Little Critter series, in addition to Franklin. Once I can get those out of the way, there's no telling where I can go.

[jpx7]

Definitely not impugning your volume of contributions: just pointing that Adcox is no stranger to this thread.

[JohnAdcox]

I just found an online short short that I'm in love with. Lovely and heart-breaking in the Bradbury tradition. Give it a read: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v507/n7491/pdf/507268a.pdf

[Runnin]

King Solomon's Mines by H. Rider Haggard (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Solomon%27s_Mines)
Nothing like a great adventure story when the Braves are on a 5 game losing streak.

http://orangemonk.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/king-solomons-mines.gif

[Dalyn]

https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/t1.0-9/10313755_10204064205864824_1424493262658654653_n.j pg

[Runnin]

The Slave Ship: A Human History by Marcus Rediker (http://www.amazon.com/The-Slave-Ship-Human-History/dp/0143114255/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1400591329&sr=8-1&keywords=slave+ship)
http://www.marcusrediker.com/images/Books/Slave_Ship/Slave_Ship_Book_Cover_small.jpg

[jpx7]

Vocabulary I was not expecting to encounter in an Alice Munro story: "ghetto blasters".

[Hawk]

http://target.scene7.com/is/image//Target/15716314?wid=810&hei=810

[Dalyn]

https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t1.0-9/10592721_10152324278398379_58723029455919349_n.jpg

[Hawk]

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/08/23/on-not-writing/

[Runnin]

A story of misconceptions, unearned love, missed opportunities and finally, inevitable death.

Sound familiar?


http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41L5C4AApQL._SX258_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

[Dalyn]

Reading: Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy.

Next: The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K. Le Guin.

[Dalyn]

I think I'm going to give out books this Halloween.

Reading: The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell

Next: Haven't decided. The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber, Prince Lestat by Anne Rice, or 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami.

[Runnin]

Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy.
I still have dreams about that book.
Just finishedhttp://www.sylviasarno.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Light-in-August-27716421.jpg
This one is gonna stay with me a while. Too close to home.

[Dalyn]

Revival is fantastic so far.

[Dalyn]

Finished Revival last week. Loved it. Now reading The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber. Good so far. Hope it isn't really his last book.

[Runnin]

Hilarious book.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41zAv4Ncy0L._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

[Dalyn]

Finished Revival last week. Loved it. Now reading The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber. Good so far. Hope it isn't really his last book.

Since I finished The Book of Strange New Things, I've devoured Faber's other work. I can't recommend him enough, particularly The Book of Strange New Things.

[chop2chip]

I have been reading The Stand by Stephen King and it's great. I'm extremely excited to finish it.

Next, I'm going to begin Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson I think. Anyone read that or him? Would you recommend?

[Dalyn]

I have been reading The Stand by Stephen King and it's great. I'm extremely excited to finish it.

Next, I'm going to begin Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson I think. Anyone read that or him? Would you recommend?

Sanderson is above average now. He learned a lot finishing The Wheel of Time series for Jordan.

[Hawk]

The Stand is one of my favorite books of all time.

[Dalyn]

The Stand is one of my favorite books of all time.

Can't wait for the new movies.

[chop2chip]

The Stand is one of my favorite books of all time.

I just finished it and it was fantastic.

Highly recommend it to anyone here

[Runnin]

Just started this but loving it so far.
http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1300972946l/437143.jpg

[Hawk]

Just started this but loving it so far.

I read Bryson's latest, One Summer: America, 1927, around this time last year and walked away thoroughly impressed/informed. I want that man's vocabulary.

[Hawk]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51XEYjItgzL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

[Runnin]

I read Bryson's latest, One Summer: America, 1927, around this time last year and walked away thoroughly impressed/informed. I want that man's vocabulary.
Then you need to check out
Bryson's Dictionary for Writers and Editors (http://www.amazon.com/Brysons-Dictionary-Writers-Editors-Bryson/dp/0767922700) and
Bryson's Dictionary of Troublesome Words: A Writer's Guide to Getting It Right (http://www.amazon.com/Brysons-Dictionary-Troublesome-Words-Writers/dp/0767910435)

I can't believe I haven't read this guy before now. Looking forward to other books of his:
Notes from a Small Island (1995), an exploration of Britain and
The Mother Tongue: English and How It Got That Way

[Dalyn]

Some good stuff here -

http://www.buzzfeed.com/jenniferschaffer/i-am-i-am-i-am#.rf9Z38Jjb

My favorites of the ones listed -

22. “At the still point, there the dance is.”
—T. S. Eliot, “Four Quartets”

32. “We cross our bridges as we come to them and burn them behind us, with nothing to show for our progress except a memory of the smell of smoke, and the presumption that once our eyes watered.”
—Tom Stoppard, "Rosencratz and Guildenstern Are Dead"

38. “I could hear the human noise we sat there making, not one of us moving, not even when the room went dark.”
—Raymond Carver, “What We Talk About When We Talk About Love”

45. “I wondered if that was how forgiveness budded; not with the fanfare of epiphany, but with pain gathering its things, packing up, and slipping away unannounced in the middle of the night.”
—Khaled Hosseini, "The Kite Runner"

46. “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”
—F. Scott Fitzgerald, "The Great Gatsby"

48. “And the rest is rust and stardust.”
—Vladimir Nabokov, "Lolita"

[Runnin]

Loved this book. It morphed into an indictment of Japanese POW mistreatment for too long and I think that hurt the book but it was still one of the best biographies I've ever read.

http://static.oprah.com/images/bookfinder/jackets/laura-hillenbrand-284xFall.jpg

[Runnin]

First P.G. Wodehouse I've ever read. Funny stuff. The Monty Python comedians say they grew up reading him.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/83/RightHoJeeves.jpg/220px-RightHoJeeves.jpg

[TURBO]

Just finished up Storm of Swords. Damn good book. Crazy how that book ened. Series is amazing. Will start A Feast for Crows tomorrow.

[Dalyn]

Just finished up Storm of Swords. Damn good book. Crazy how that book ened. Series is amazing. Will start A Feast for Crows tomorrow.

An unforgettable book. When you finish with the series, do yourself a favor and check out Martin's other work. He's a fantastic writer.

[TURBO]

An unforgettable book. When you finish with the series, do yourself a favor and check out Martin's other work. He's a fantastic writer.

Gonna do a spoiler for my question just in case followers of just the show read this.

I wonder why they didnt include the bit about Catelyn Stark being alive in the show? Would have been a decent cliffhanger. Maybe thats what they will open with

[Dalyn]

Gonna do a spoiler for my question just in case followers of just the show read this.

I wonder why they didnt include the bit about Catelyn Stark being alive in the show? Would have been a decent cliffhanger. Maybe thats what they will open with

I have no clue why they didn't include it. Would've been an unbelievable scene to close out the season (finding her by the water). By far the biggest disappointment I have had with the show, and a lot of interviews have implied that it is a permanent omission.

[jpx7]

First P.G. Wodehouse I've ever read. Funny stuff. The Monty Python comedians say they grew up reading him.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/83/RightHoJeeves.jpg/220px-RightHoJeeves.jpg

Wodehouse is the ****ing best. Don't stop at just the Jeeves & Wooster stuff; there are stories about other Drones members, plus sets of unrelated characters that are still fantastic.

[Dalyn]

-"To Kill a Mockingbird" will not be Harper Lee's only published book after all.-

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_BOOKS_HARPER_LEE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

http://hosted.ap.org/photos/9/9e97501d-9e7b-4f5c-9623-613057d56e1c-small.jpg

[Dalyn]

Yes!

I've been waiting for this one.

http://www.randomhouse.com/book/228333/armada-by-ernest-cline

http://images.randomhouse.com/cover/9780804137256?&height=281&maxwidth=190

[jpx7]

Learning a lot (and eating a lot of the windfall):

http://images.betterworldbooks.com/060/The-Essential-Cuisines-of-Mexico-9780609603550.jpg

[Dalyn]

I'm just going to leave this right here and go punch myself in the face until it comes out.

http://p1cdn04.thewrap.com/images/2015/03/fight-club-2-618x412.jpg

[The Chosen One]

Borrowed from reddit


“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies,” said Jojen. “The man who never reads lives only one. (http://www.reddit.com/r/books/comments/316wp1/a_reader_lives_a_thousand_lives_before_he_dies/)

[Hawk]

http://media.npr.org/assets/bakertaylor/covers/d/dead-wake/9780307408860_custom-a80e1228d0198d00e5edade52e3ea6bce83e7410-s1200-c15.jpg

[Knucksie]

http://media.npr.org/assets/bakertaylor/covers/d/dead-wake/9780307408860_custom-a80e1228d0198d00e5edade52e3ea6bce83e7410-s1200-c15.jpg


Reading that one now. Every bit as good as the reviews indicated.

[Dalyn]

http://io9.com/5361050/a-map-of-your-future-mega-cities-and-megalopolises?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+gizmodo%2Ffull+%28Gizmodo%29&utm_content=FaceBook

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--i0IA8Hi0--/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_636/nvy7sgnurmdvkvykcx0k.jpg

[Hawk]

Reading that one now. Every bit as good as the reviews indicated.

Yes, I'm really enjoying it so far. Larson is one of my favorite recreators of history; I count In the Garden of Evil as one of my favorite WWII books, and have been meaning to get to Devil in the White City for years now.

[Runnin]

Haven't seen this thread in a while.

Best motivational ever. Same writer.
http://static1.squarespace.com/static/54314917e4b0ad627ad2fbed/t/546ac1e6e4b00da0b7afd2f7/1416282598483/ http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5129PmC0zxL.jpg

I loved it, much better than I imagined. Very honest about himself.
http://i.harperapps.com/covers/9780062350855/y450-293.png http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1362466546l/15798363.jpg

[Dalyn]

Let's see...recently finished Armada. It's good. Not Ready Player One good, but definitely worth a read. Now I am reading The Ceremonies by T.E.D. Klein.

[50PoundHead]

Runnin', I got the Martin Short memoir for Christmas and read it in about three sittings. Always loved the guy. I thought the book was a bit on the "show-bizzy" side, but Short is entertaining, it would have been impossible not to enjoy the book. I was given the Maron book last Christmas as well, but I haven't cracked it yet.

[jpx7]

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSQAh3tcWSdc_DXhA3ytbOLi4TyoBGlv H_CeWYEVdxXhF4N4PU4
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/1c/Original_cover_image_of_Drown.jpg
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41GjK6QDmKL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

My three most recent reads.

Coetzee's follow-up to Waiting for the Barbarians, Foe is every bit the masterpiece, in my mind, despite its comparatively lukewarm critical reception. Fascinating, dense, deeply problematized little novel, and thoroughly worth reading.

I'm not a big fan of Diaz—I've read a few of his more recent stories in the New Yorker over the past several years (such as the laughably execrable "Miss Lora"), as well as excerpts from Oscar Wao—but I had purchased Drown a few years ago, based on some positive reviews and before I'd read any of his work, and decided to finally read it. I think this earlier work (published 1996) is, somewhat surprisingly, much stronger than his later work—simpler in voice and clearer in vision—but the final story, "Negocios", was the only one I really could say I enjoyed (and it was indeed quite good).

End Zone has been a revelation. I'd never read any of DeLillo's writing before, but this early work of his is intense, darkly ribald, and wonderfully concerned with a specially post-modern semiotics of death and destruction—a kind of jargon-riddled effusion that ultimately aggregates to blank space—while at the same time being an intriguing little season-length sports narrative.

[Hawk]

+1 on DeLillo ... White Noise has always been a personal favorite, and when I do dabble in fiction lit., it's usually of the postmodern/metamodern variety.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/513F52vnKLL._SX341_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

[weso1]

Borrowed from reddit

What about the man who plays video games?

[jpx7]

+1 on DeLillo ... White Noise has always been a personal favorite, and when I do dabble in fiction lit., it's usually of the postmodern/metamodern variety.

I'm pretty much the opposite: I almost exclusively read fiction, recreationally, but I'm frequently not a fan of so-called post-modern authors. When it comes to the novel, the high-modernist crowd is really my wheelhouse; but I've been making a concerted push the last couple years to investigate more writers of the previous half-century.

[Hawk]

I'm pretty much the opposite: I almost exclusively read fiction, recreationally, but I'm frequently not a fan of so-called post-modern authors. When it comes to the novel, the high-modernist crowd is really my wheelhouse; but I've been making a concerted push the last couple years to investigate more writers of the previous half-century.

One of my favorite professors in school told me, point blank, that I was wasting my time reading new fiction, because 'it has already all been written.' Coming from a guy who had penned multiple critically acclaimed best-selling folk novels I was a little confused and kind of chalked it up to the idea that perhaps he was struggling with his creative spark, or just had a concept or two rebuffed by his publisher. Nevertheless, the comment stuck with me to some degree, and I think that may be a factor behind why I gravitate toward PoMo authors. I crave the temporal nature of modern literature, finding it the aspect of consumption that resonates with me the most.

[Dalyn]

One of my favorite professors in school told me, point blank, that I was wasting my time reading new fiction, because 'it has already all been written.' Coming from a guy who had penned multiple critically acclaimed best-selling folk novels I was a little confused and kind of chalked it up to the idea that perhaps he was struggling with his creative spark, or just had a concept or two rebuffed by his publisher. Nevertheless, the comment stuck with me to some degree, and I think that may be a factor behind why I gravitate toward PoMo authors. I crave the temporal nature of modern literature, finding it the aspect of consumption that resonates with me the most.

What a **** (and ignorant as ****) thing to say to someone.

[Hawk]

What a **** (and ignorant as ****) thing to say to someone.

Hah, yeah, so it would seem. But definitely an exercise in critical thinking as far as choosing what you want to read is concerned.

[Dalyn]

Hah, yeah, so it would seem. But definitely an exercise in critical thinking as far as choosing what you want to read is concerned.

In the same way someone telling you never to talk because every word has been spoken is an exercise in critical thinking as far as choosing your words carefully is concerned.

[jpx7]

One of my favorite professors in school told me, point blank, that I was wasting my time reading new fiction, because 'it has already all been written.' Coming from a guy who had penned multiple critically acclaimed best-selling folk novels I was a little confused and kind of chalked it up to the idea that perhaps he was struggling with his creative spark, or just had a concept or two rebuffed by his publisher. Nevertheless, the comment stuck with me to some degree, and I think that may be a factor behind why I gravitate toward PoMo authors. I crave the temporal nature of modern literature, finding it the aspect of consumption that resonates with me the most.

What a **** (and ignorant as ****) thing to say to someone.

Yea, I'd say I have a strong preference to nineteenth and early-twentieth century novels (and with more antiquated writing in general), but I also strongly dispute the idea that "new fiction" isn't worth reading. I subscribe to the notion that both nothing and everything is new under the sun.

[Hawk]

In the same way someone telling you never to talk because every word has been spoken is an exercise in critical thinking as far as choosing your words carefully is concerned.

Or, telling someone not to listen too intently. But I'll handily admit that is just my interpretation. I didn't perceive it to be a discouragement from production, although it would seem the two go hand in hand.

[Dalyn]

Or, telling someone not to listen too intently. But I'll handily admit that is just my interpretation. I didn't perceive it to be a discouragement from production, although it would seem the two go hand in hand.

Yeah. I don't mean to insult your favorite professor. We all have our checklist when picking a book. It's why--unless it's one of the writers I follow--I now try to ignore everything about a new book when deciding what to read. It forces one to broaden their horizons. I recommend it to anyone who finds themselves reading too much of the same thing (or even feels like they are) and wants to change that.

[Dalyn]

I didn't perceive it to be a discouragement from production, although it would seem the two go hand in hand.

They certainly do (in my opinion).

[Hawk]

Yeah. I don't mean to insult your favorite professor. We all have our checklist when picking a book. It's why--unless it's one of the writers I follow--I now try to ignore everything about a new book when deciding what to read. It forces one to broaden their horizons. I recommend it to anyone who finds themselves reading too much of the same thing (or even feels like they are) and wants to change that.

Favorite is an arbitrary term, no offense taken.

I am curious though -- if you 'ignore everything' about books you are about to read, what criteria do you use to determine what you'll read next?

[Hawk]

They certainly do (in my opinion).

Maybe. I think it's relative to the writer. I mean, who do you write for? Yourself or your audience?

[Dalyn]

Favorite is an arbitrary term, no offense taken.

I am curious though -- if you 'ignore everything' about books you are about to read, what criteria do you use to determine what you'll read next?

Well, every other book I read (one is based off my "checklist" and/or recommendations/awards/etc) I just grab something that for whatever reason captured my attention (title, cover art, blurb, whatever). It definitely leads to a lot of bad books, but also to a few gems I might not have otherwise been exposed to. Even when I go off recommendations or awards or name recognition, I do my best to avoid any and all information about the book beforehand.

[Dalyn]

Maybe. I think it's relative to the writer. I mean, who do you write for? Yourself or your audience?

I took your meaning as you need to read to write. I might've misunderstood.

[Hawk]

Well, every other book I read (one is based off my "checklist" and/or recommendations/awards/etc) I just grab something that for whatever reason captured my attention (title, cover art, blurb, whatever). It definitely leads to a lot of bad books, but also to a few gems I might not have otherwise been exposed to. Even when I go off recommendations or awards or name recognition, I do my best to avoid any and all information about the book beforehand.

Interesting. I appreciate that approach.

I'm the opposite, I think I spend as much time researching what I'll read as I do actually reading whatever I decide on.

[Hawk]

I took your meaning as you need to read to write. I might've misunderstood.

Oh, no, I meant that I didn't see his comment as suggesting that people should stop writing 'new' fiction.

[Dalyn]

Interesting. I appreciate that approach.

I'm the opposite, I think I spend as much time researching what I'll read as I do actually reading whatever I decide on.

I used to do that, too. Maybe you are better than me with it, because after a decade or so it felt like I was often reading the same thing over and over and over. I started hating some of my early loves like traditional fantasy. I still do in many ways. Now I try to kick aside as many of my fences as I possibly can. I'll read anything, and I'd prefer not to know anything about it beforehand. My loves still most often fall in my wheelhouse, but not always (and A LOT less often than before).

[Dalyn]

Oh, no, I meant that I didn't see his comment as suggesting that people should stop writing 'new' fiction.

Oh, okay. I misunderstood.

I think it was Harold Bloom who argued that "secondariness" was the engine of literary history (or something like that). The writer recognizes how much has been done before (maybe everything) and strives to create something new or original, in style or substance. He likened it to a dialogue between past and present. I might go even further and say that a combination (reading past and present) gives you a new appreciation for both. The past makes the present original and new and the present returns the favor.

[Dalyn]

Interesting. I appreciate that approach.

It's not perfect, by any means. In fact, it's an extremely flawed approach. I think that's what makes it work for me right now. I'm sure the deluge of "bad" books will get to me eventually, but I'm going to hang on as long as possible.

[Runnin]

Runnin', I got the Martin Short memoir for Christmas and read it in about three sittings. Always loved the guy. I thought the book was a bit on the "show-bizzy" side, but Short is entertaining, it would have been impossible not to enjoy the book. I was given the Maron book last Christmas as well, but I haven't cracked it yet.
Yes, it had some name dropping but those are his people. The section on his wife' passing was very moving. In the past I wouldn't have chosen this kind of book but I took a chance on Billy Crystal's Still Foolin' 'Em and loved it. Same with Bossy Pants and then Steve Martin's latest. I like reading comedians, especially ones that can write. I'm debating Jimmie Walker's DYN-O-MITE. I never found him very funny but the book is supposed to be good. He's seen a lot in 40 years as a B list comedian. He comes across as a straight up dude in interviews and admits that "Dyn-o-mite" was stupid the first time he said it and wasn't his idea.

[jpx7]

I think it was Harold Bloom who argued that "secondariness" was the engine of literary history (or something like that). The writer recognizes how much has been done before (maybe everything) and strives to create something new or original, in style or substance. He likened it to a dialogue between past and present. I might go even further and say that a combination (reading past and present) gives you a new appreciation for both. The past makes the present original and new and the present returns the favor.

Also cf. Eliot's Traditional and the Individual Talent.

[jpx7]

Interesting. I appreciate that approach.

I'm the opposite, I think I spend as much time researching what I'll read as I do actually reading whatever I decide on.

I'm not sure to what extent that admission is hyperbolic, but I definitely tend towards that approach, as well: I certainly don't spend as much time researching the text as actually reading it (with a few exceptions, for academic reasons), but I rarely read anything blind and regularly have made myself aware of the discussion surrounding a text, the author's milieu, et cetera.


It's not perfect, by any means. In fact, it's an extremely flawed approach. I think that's what makes it work for me right now. I'm sure the deluge of "bad" books will get to me eventually, but I'm going to hang on as long as possible.

Flawed or not—and I'm skeptical there really is a "flawed approach" to reading, or consuming any media, as long as you're engaging and leveraging your critical apparatus—I'm pretty envious of your ability to read like that. Personally, the university ruined me for that kind of reading; these days I'm a somewhat slow, very deliberate, constantly-annotating reader. As a result, selecting the new text can feel a bit burdensome, since the next one's always going to entail a solid temporal investment (and substantial cerebral) investment.

[Dalyn]

Flawed or not—and I'm skeptical there really is a "flawed approach" to reading, or consuming any media, as long as you're engaging and leveraging your critical apparatus—I'm pretty envious of your ability to read like that. Personally, the university ruined me for that kind of reading; these days I'm a somewhat slow, very deliberate, constantly-annotating reader. As a result, selecting the new text can feel a bit burdensome, since the next one's always going to entail a solid temporal investment (and substantial cerebral) investment.

It is definitely freeing. I've been doing it for a little over a year now.

[Runnin]

The statement that "everything has already been written" has surely been said countless times, after the Greeks, Homer and Aesop, for instance, but then the world changed and along came Shakespeare, who redid the old stories with new characters and language. It seems impossible for such a statement to hold water, with every new day potentially bringing new perspectives. "Nothing and everything is new under the sun." Indeed. Readers change if nothing else and they like to be spoken to directly. If there were any limits to the human imagination one beholder could never see it all, making such a statement merely lacking imagination.

Man, you guys take your "pleasure" reading seriously. You must be writers. I just follow my nose and certainly don't spend that much time picking out a new book. I would never buy in to anything that heavily. Any new read is gonna have to win me over to keep me turning pages. I will give up on a book, usually near the beginning but that hasn't happened in a while.

[Runnin]

Finally got around to this book, (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiroshima_%28book%29) considered one of the finest pieces of journalism of the 20th century and not at all what I was expecting. It's the story of 6 survivors of the Hiroshima bomb, one a German priest, what they saw and experienced first hand and what happened to them in the subsequent days, weeks, months and years. Could not put it down. I loved the style, plain without any comment by the author, other than translating their stories into English. The work was quite a feat too. He got the assignment in May 1946 and it ran full length in the August 31 issue of The New Yorker the same year for the 1 year anniversary of the bomb. 3 months to fly over, find and interview the survivors and write the piece. That's a pro. I guess that's why he won a Pulitzer Prize.

http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327719015l/27323.jpg

[jpx7]

Finally got around to this book, (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiroshima_%28book%29) considered one of the finest pieces of journalism of the 20th century and not at all what I was expecting. It's the story of 6 survivors of the Hiroshima bomb, one a German priest, what they saw and experienced first hand and what happened to them in the subsequent days, weeks, months and years. Could not put it down. I loved the style, plain without any comment by the author, other than translating their stories into English. The work was quite a feat too. He got the assignment in May 1946 and it ran full length in the August 31 issue of The New Yorker the same year for the 1 year anniversary of the bomb. 3 months to fly over, find and interview the survivors and write the piece. That's a pro. I guess that's why he won a Pulitzer Prize.

http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327719015l/27323.jpg

Assigned it freshmen-year of high-school; loved it anyways. I also recommend Kobe Abe's 'The Face of Another'.

[Runnin]

Assigned it freshmen-year of high-school; loved it anyways. I also recommend Kobo Abe's 'The Face of Another'.

Fixed it.

[jpx7]

Fixed it.

Thanks. Auto-correct only knows "Kobe".

[Runnin]

It's amazing how a writer today can uncover so much interesting and relevant historical information. Can't wait to get into The Mother Tongue.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NWBPaPOmHuI/TxXkWoNNIUI/AAAAAAAAAfY/XLfU9exDrzs/s1600/at_home_.jpg

[jpx7]

Picked up this gem for $2 at used bookstore in downtown Flagstaff. Been meaning to read some Zane Grey for a few months now.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51SrMlNH9AL._SX297_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

[Runnin]

Loved this except for the meta ending, which I've read 3 times and still confused.

http://houseput.com/img/Books/cities-of-the-plain-by-cormac-mccar.jpg

[Runnin]

Awesome story about arguably the best athlete ever. Imagine if Michael Jordon had won a half doz Olympic medals in track and field, then become a basketball player, then retired and become the best golfer in the world. That would make his career comparable to Babe Didrikson's. Anyway, great read.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ZV91LboaL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

[Runnin]

LOL

http://img.wennermedia.com/480-width/amy-schumer-book-cover-b1dc7f38-d9c4-4789-a137-4a9434f823c6.jpg

[Tapate50]

Just finished The Lords of Discipline by Pat Conroy. Flew threw the last half of that book like a hot knife through butter. Heavy subject matter and theme, but very good.

[jpx7]

Recents:

http://bucketlistbookreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/the_passion_book_cover.jpg (http://amzn.com/0802135226)

Absolutely incredible; lyrical to the point of poetry, poignant use of historicity, and a real cathectic sledge-hammer. A masterpiece—definitely the best work I've read since last June, when I flew through Coetzee's Foe.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/411%2Br1Cf-iL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg
(http://amzn.com/0394758269)
Solid Chandler—so several notches above most noir fiction—but while there's some solid psychological meat there, neither the mood nor the prose nor the stakes ever reach the heights of, say, Farewell, My Lovely.

Currents:

https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1300391575l/1397044.jpg (http://amzn.com/B011T8JKZM)

https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348135506l/404893.jpg (http://amzn.com/0973974257)

[jpx7]

Both Winesburg, Ohio and The Men were superb.

The latter certainly won't be for everyone, and I'm still unpacking what is a very dense lyrical work, despite its svelte spine; but it's a pretty engaging interrogation, founded in simple, earthy rhythms, of the author's relationship to the world of men, with all the valences that has.

The former really should be for everyone. Equal parts strikingly modern, strikingly spare, and just striking, Winesburg—in a way very reminiscent of Guy de Maupassant's short-story work—presents a key antecedent to subsequent, more formally-daring pieces of modernist fiction. But there's a limpid, blithe simplicity to Anderson's prose: his exquisitely-honed rural imagery, and his austere, ripe rhythms (similar to Robertson's The Men, oddly enough) function, by undercutting, to beautifully problematize the somewhat cynical, apastoral schematic of his characters' inner lives. The effect—the culmination of a very slow-build—is a pretty wonderful cosmic thesis to cap Winesburg's sneaky Bildungsroman.


Currents:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Ld66BHPsL._SX322_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61xvLg-HooL._SX333_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

[Runnin]

Since the election keeping my mind busy with thrillers. Gonna try and make it through the complete Jack Reacher chronicles. Hopefully I'll miss the inauguration.

http://www.fruread.com/image/cache/data/books/killingfloor_front-550x582.jpg

http://www.e-reading.club/cover/70/70897.jpg

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61sV0-YkYqL._SL300_.jpg

https://img1.etsystatic.com/045/1/9113818/il_570xN.709751905_jivn.jpg

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51ObvREN-gL.jpg

http://www.islandpacket.com/latest-news/631l4g/picture33191004/ALTERNATES/FREE_640/140My.So.9.jpeg

[TURBO]

Been doing a ton of reading lately. Finished Ready Player One. Really enjoyed. Was fun. loved all the old gaming references. Also finished the Kingfountain Series. Didnt want to start it, but girlfriend asked me too so she could talk about it with me. Turned out to be decent. Easy reads but fun.

Just started The Blade Itself which is the first book in the First Law series written by Joe Abercrombie. Started a little slow but picking up. Some dark stuff in it with the tortue stuff.

[Hawk]

http://ramonamag.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/download-2-198x300.jpeg

[jpx7]

Recently finished:

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41w4ls%2BlCNL._SX322_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

Recently started:

http://www.books-antiquarian.com/boeken/025953.jpg
http://myweb.brooklyn.liu.edu/wberning/daisy.jpg

Looking ahead to:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/78/RavelsteinNovel.jpg
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51tDGQa18RL._SY346_.jpg

---

I suppose I should also soon hunt out a copy of The Big Sort so I can get 50PoundHead off my back.

[Julio3000]

Recently finished:

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41w4ls%2BlCNL._SX322_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

Recently started:

http://www.books-antiquarian.com/boeken/025953.jpg
http://myweb.brooklyn.liu.edu/wberning/daisy.jpg

Looking ahead to:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/78/RavelsteinNovel.jpg
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51tDGQa18RL._SY346_.jpg

---

I suppose I should also soon hunt out a copy of The Big Sort so I can get 50PoundHead off my back.

My reading time is pretty severely curtailed, but I have read Winterson's Stone Gods and am decidedly a fan.

On an unrelated bibliophile note, my uncle had a 1st edition of Hemingway's collected stories that was inscribed by the author to Roald Dahl and occasionally annotated in similar fashion. He lent it to me when I was a wee one and I was almost afraid to crack it.

[jpx7]

My reading time is pretty severely curtailed, but I have read Winterson's Stone Gods and am decidedly a fan.

On an unrelated bibliophile note, my uncle had a 1st edition of Hemingway's collected stories that was inscribed by the author to Roald Dahl and occasionally annotated in similar fashion. He lent it to me when I was a wee one and I was almost afraid to crack it.

I've become a pretty huge fan of Winterson over the past year.

[Runnin]

Best maritime writing I've come across since Conrad. I must read more of Mr. Larson.

http://images.gr-assets.com/books/1434420549l/25735029.jpg

https://rhapsodyinbooks.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/08_lusitania.jpg?w=640&h=489

[Hawk]

Best maritime writing I've come across since Conrad. I must read more of Mr. Larsen.

http://images.gr-assets.com/books/1434420549l/25735029.jpg

https://rhapsodyinbooks.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/08_lusitania.jpg?w=640&h=489

He never fails. In the Garden of Beasts is also exceptional.

Also recommend The Devil in the White City ... apparently it's Scorsese's next film (with DiCaprio).

[The Chosen One]

https://scontent-ord1-1.cdninstagram.com/t51.2885-15/e35/14566806_1229019963848034_255797308573089792_n.jpg ?se=7

[Jaw]

Been doing a ton of reading lately. Finished Ready Player One. Really enjoyed. Was fun. loved all the old gaming references. Also finished the Kingfountain Series. Didnt want to start it, but girlfriend asked me too so she could talk about it with me. Turned out to be decent. Easy reads but fun.

Just started The Blade Itself which is the first book in the First Law series written by Joe Abercrombie. Started a little slow but picking up. Some dark stuff in it with the tortue stuff.

I grew up in the 80s but didn't like Ready Player One very much. Seemed the book was just a wrapper for his trivia knowledge.

I really enjoyed the first 2 books of First Law. You just reminded me to look for #3 again.
If you like First Law, I would recommend the Broken Empire trilogy as well.

[Jaw]

Reading: Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson

Enjoying it. This is going to be an epic series.



Agreed. I loved volumes 1 and 2.

[Jaw]

I haven't had much time to read lately, so I've just restarted my favorite series to try to get back in the habit:
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51qv0oqGpIL._SX309_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

[50PoundHead]

I've been reading Max Collins' Quarry series. Nothing like the Cinemax television show. Hard-boiled and fun. Very easy reads.

[striker42]

I don't want to look back through 13 pages of posts so I'll just ask, has anyone here read the Kingkiller Chronicles series by Patrick Rothfuss? I'm probably going to start my 5th re-read soon.

[Julio3000]

I don't want to look back through 13 pages of posts so I'll just ask, has anyone here read the Kingkiller Chronicles series by Patrick Rothfuss? I'm probably going to start my 5th re-read soon.

<3

[Dalyn]

This is what I'm currently reading. It's George Saunders. It's George's first novel. Need I say more?

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61gbMIukrlL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

[Tapate50]

Started the John D MacDonald books. Not bad.

[Runnin]

One of my favorite books as a kid. I identified with him greatly for whatever reasons, and as much as I loved London's Alaskan dog books, this one was always my favorite. I don't think there's ever been a character in fiction more real to me than Martin Eden. Re-reading it now and experiencing it again thru my older, more cynical self, I find Martin's youthful enthusiasm almost comical, which I think was more in line with London's intent. Anyway, great read and also quite historical as it paints a vivid picture of a slice of life California around the turn of the 20th century.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/c5/fe/9a/c5fe9afcd8d8d96fbd5fc84f289543ee.jpg