Author Topic: What book(s) are you reading? (Read 669785 times)

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #480 on:** January 13, 2010, 06:23:31 PM »

Quote from: Genghis Cohen on January 13, 2010, 05:27:46 PM

Fantasy is kinda gay, and mostly a dead genre. Read sci-fi instead.

I have zero interest in sci-fi and fantasy novels. I mean, I like the magical realism elements of Murakami, but I wouldn't call it sci-fi or fantasy.

Eric P · « **Reply #481 on:** January 13, 2010, 06:32:44 PM »

what is magical realism if not fantasy for the 'i'm to good for fantasy' set?

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #482 on:** January 13, 2010, 06:37:47 PM »

Quote from: Eric P on January 13, 2010, 06:32:44 PM

what is magical realism if not fantasy for the 'i'm to good for fantasy' set?

I guess I'd define fantasy as swords and sorcerers, which I don't have any interest in.

Eric P · « **Reply #483 on:** January 13, 2010, 06:40:38 PM »

and that i think is the main issue

fantasy post tolkein has been coopted to this tiny shred of what fantasy can be and can do

it's just one of those things that just drives me up the wall.

Eel O'Brian · « **Reply #484 on:** January 13, 2010, 06:43:40 PM »

i just obtained a dozen or so jim thompson books, and plan on working my way through those

Eric P · « **Reply #485 on:** January 13, 2010, 06:48:31 PM »

we should take back the term Romance but that's been coopted as well

fucking marketeers.

Quote

i just obtained a dozen or so jim thompson books, and plan on working my way through those

did you get Roughneck, perchance? I think that's my favorite of his books.

Eel O'Brian · « **Reply #486 on:** January 13, 2010, 06:57:46 PM »

yes i did!

Eel O'Brian · « **Reply #487 on:** January 13, 2010, 07:01:52 PM »

define what real literature means to you

Cormacaroni · « **Reply #488 on:** January 13, 2010, 07:05:50 PM »

Quote from: Phoenix Dark on January 13, 2010, 05:36:34 PM

Cormacaroni: uhhhh, no

Yeah. He asked for a pick between Song of Fire and Malazan, you chimed in with a hearty recommendation for the only one of the two you've read. Not much different from Willco trolling Avatar without seeing it, really. It really isn't much help, unless for some reason he respects your literary tastes wildly. Which, no offense, would be a bit of a stretch.

Cormacaroni · « **Reply #489 on:** January 13, 2010, 07:07:38 PM »

Quote from: Eric P on January 13, 2010, 06:40:38 PM

and that i think is the main issue

fantasy post tolkein has been coopted to this tiny shred of what fantasy can be and can do

it's just one of those things that just drives me up the wall.

Absolutely. But The First Law is absolutely firmly and knowingly in this category. Also, Raymond E. Feist better than Tolkien? PLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAASE Kosma

OptimoPeach · « **Reply #490 on:** January 13, 2010, 07:08:38 PM »

Quote from: Mr. Gundam on January 13, 2010, 06:23:31 PM

Quote from: Genghis Cohen on January 13, 2010, 05:27:46 PM
Fantasy is kinda gay, and mostly a dead genre. Read sci-fi instead.

I have zero interest in sci-fi

Read some Philip K. Dick

CajoleJuice · « **Reply #491 on:** January 13, 2010, 07:16:57 PM »

Quote from: Edge™ of Kosma on January 13, 2010, 06:58:18 PM

Shit Cajole you're fast. I haven't started reading it

I don't have much else to do, and I had been slacking on reading for a little while. You'll see why I got through it so fast, though. It's a very short and easy read, although I do think I prefer The Martian Chronicles (the other Bradbury I've read). Such a fantastic collection of short stories.

Cormacaroni · « **Reply #492 on:** January 13, 2010, 08:54:55 PM »

Quote from: Green Shinobi on January 13, 2010, 07:10:58 PM

That's actually pretty hard to define. Strong, well-developed themes and characters together with excellent use of prose are some of the things that would go into it. Basically a work that has something to say.

What I should have asked is "give me some fantasy that you feel qualifies as real literature." I personally think that works in any genre can have literary merit, and I kinda hate the people who exclude genre fiction from consideration for top prizes like the Pulitzer.

The Fantasy Masterworks series is a great place to start. Much of it is bordering on SF or regular literature. Multiple entries from the likes of Jonathan Carroll and M. John Harrison. I've been collecting these and have yet to be disappointed (and Eric P got one of 'em too!)
http://www.sfsite.com/lists/orion05.htm

Riftwar is trash, sorry. It may be fun but it certainly doesn't belong on the list above.

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #493 on:** January 13, 2010, 08:59:18 PM »

Eric P · « **Reply #494 on:** January 13, 2010, 09:17:24 PM »

Quote from: Genghis Cohen on January 13, 2010, 07:06:49 PM

Quote from: Eel O'Brian on January 13, 2010, 07:01:52 PM
define what real literature means to you
Books about quirky white people and their family problems.

sooooo, elric?

Eric P · « **Reply #495 on:** January 13, 2010, 09:17:55 PM »

Quote from: Cormacaroni on January 13, 2010, 07:07:38 PM

Quote from: Eric P on January 13, 2010, 06:40:38 PM
and that i think is the main issue

fantasy post tolkein has been coopted to this tiny shred of what fantasy can be and can do

it's just one of those things that just drives me up the wall.

Absolutely. But The First Law is absolutely firmly and knowingly in this category.

yes

totally 1000000%

but BUT

it's awesome

Eric P · « **Reply #496 on:** January 13, 2010, 09:22:37 PM »

Quote from: Cormacaroni on January 13, 2010, 08:54:55 PM

Quote from: Green Shinobi on January 13, 2010, 07:10:58 PM
That's actually pretty hard to define. Strong, well-developed themes and characters together with excellent use of prose are some of the things that would go into it. Basically a work that has something to say.

What I should have asked is "give me some fantasy that you feel qualifies as real literature." I personally think that works in any genre can have literary merit, and I kinda hate the people who exclude genre fiction from consideration for top prizes like the Pulitzer.

The Fantasy Masterworks series is a great place to start. Much of it is bordering on SF or regular literature. Multiple entries from the likes of Jonathan Carroll and M. John Harrison. I've been collecting these and have yet to be disappointed (and Eric P got one of 'em too!)
http://www.sfsite.com/lists/orion05.htm

Riftwar is trash, sorry. It may be fun but it certainly doesn't belong on the list above.

fuck i need like a ton of these

Quote

Darker Than You Think & Other Novels by Jack Williamson
"The unsettling dreams begin for small-town reporter Will Barbee not long after he first meets the mysterious and beautiful April Bell. They are vivid, powerful and deeply disturbing nightmares in which he commits atrocious acts. And, one by one, his friends are meeting violent deaths. It is clear to Barbee that he is embroiled in something far beyond human understanding, something unspeakably evil. And it intimately involves the seductive, dangerously intoxicating April, and the question, 'Who is the Child of the Night?' When he discovers the answer to that, his world will change utterly. "

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #497 on:** January 13, 2010, 09:49:34 PM »

Quote from: Cormacaroni on January 13, 2010, 07:05:50 PM

Quote from: Phoenix Dark on January 13, 2010, 05:36:34 PM

Cormacaroni: uhhhh, no

Yeah. He asked for a pick between Song of Fire and Malazan, you chimed in with a hearty recommendation for the only one of the two you've read. Not much different from Willco trolling Avatar without seeing it, really. It really isn't much help, unless for some reason he respects your literary tastes wildly. Which, no offense, would be a bit of a stretch.

First, you don't know what I have and haven't read for the most part, so I have no idea what those last two sentences are suggesting; I've read more than Harry Potter and the bible, if you must know. Second, I wasn't trolling so the Willco comparison is ridiculous. I merely stated everything I've heard about Malazan suggests I should stay away from it, and that Thrones is fuck awesome.

Cormacaroni · « **Reply #498 on:** January 13, 2010, 10:59:03 PM »

Uh, I've seen multiple posts from you saying how you haven't read Malazan and aren't interested. Your love of Martin is equally public. I'm not arguing with your taste, I'm just pointing out that you are unqualified to answer that question.

IN OTHER WORDS, FUCK U FANBOI

(i've read all the Song of Fire stuff too btw, but given a choice between that and Erikson...my god, it isn't even a serious discussion)

Cormacaroni · « **Reply #499 on:** January 13, 2010, 11:03:56 PM »

Eric P -

Have you read Replay by Ken Grimwood? An absolute gem from that series that i'd never heard of before. Maybe i mentioned it to you already on FB or something.

Eric P · « **Reply #500 on:** January 14, 2010, 08:14:19 AM »

no i haven't

i'll see if my library has it

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #501 on:** January 14, 2010, 01:29:20 PM »

Quote from: Cormacaroni on January 13, 2010, 10:59:03 PM

Uh, I've seen multiple posts from you saying how you haven't read Malazan and aren't interested. Your love of Martin is equally public. I'm not arguing with your taste, I'm just pointing out that you are unqualified to answer that question.

IN OTHER WORDS, FUCK U FANBOI

(i've read all the Song of Fire stuff too btw, but given a choice between that and Erikson...my god, it isn't even a serious discussion)

Fair enough.

btw, have you read Tigana?

Eel O'Brian · « **Reply #502 on:** January 14, 2010, 01:52:01 PM »

just finished POP. 1280

what a weird ending

Fresh Prince · « **Reply #503 on:** January 14, 2010, 03:35:24 PM »

I sped through Cat's Cradle, I like the shorter style a lot.

Cormacaroni · « **Reply #504 on:** January 14, 2010, 08:14:46 PM »

Quote from: Phoenix Dark on January 14, 2010, 01:29:20 PM

Quote from: Cormacaroni on January 13, 2010, 10:59:03 PM
Uh, I've seen multiple posts from you saying how you haven't read Malazan and aren't interested. Your love of Martin is equally public. I'm not arguing with your taste, I'm just pointing out that you are unqualified to answer that question.

IN OTHER WORDS, FUCK U FANBOI

(i've read all the Song of Fire stuff too btw, but given a choice between that and Erikson...my god, it isn't even a serious discussion)

Fair enough.

btw, have you read Tigana?

Twice, actually. It's a bit Harlequin romance but there's just something about it.

Reb · « **Reply #505 on:** January 15, 2010, 04:30:39 AM »

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #506 on:** January 15, 2010, 09:35:28 PM »

went book shopping and got

Does it matter which Culture book you start with?

Olivia Wilde Homo · « **Reply #507 on:** January 15, 2010, 09:38:09 PM »

Nixonland was very good, I thought.

Anyway, I'm re-reading Disney War. I love corporate exposes. I want to get some more history books but I can't think of anything compelling. I wanted some reading material over Afrocommunism or non-fiction regarding socialism in Africa. Can't find any at the moment? Any suggestions?

Fresh Prince · « **Reply #508 on:** January 15, 2010, 10:26:25 PM »

I'm going to start 2666- better be good.

Cormacaroni · « **Reply #509 on:** January 15, 2010, 11:25:02 PM »

PD - in case you missed the other message i sent, the Culture books are all standalone, jump in anywhere.

Van Cruncheon · « **Reply #510 on:** January 15, 2010, 11:32:49 PM »

readin' through the r. scott bakker "prince of nothing" trilogy again, then gonna start "the judging eye"

mmm, fantasy pulp

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #511 on:** January 16, 2010, 01:39:17 PM »

Quote from: Cormacaroni on January 15, 2010, 11:25:02 PM

PD - in case you missed the other message i sent, the Culture books are all standalone, jump in anywhere.

kk

Started Nixonland, it's pretty awesome, plus it's not hard to pick up on the parallels between the toxic political climate of the 1964-68 elections and today.

CajoleJuice · « **Reply #512 on:** January 16, 2010, 07:03:53 PM »

Only have one essay left in A Supposed Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again (and I skipped one about Lost Highway because I haven't seen it -- even though I have no doubt I'd still immensely enjoy it), but the second-to-last essay is probably the best piece of sportswriting I've ever read. Yes, it's about tennis, but it's still brilliantly entertaining and insightful and Christ, Wallace really is a genius.

I found it online, complete with its massive footnotes that sometimes don't even fit on the screen when you scroll over them.

http://www.esquire.com/features/sports/the-string-theory-0796

Eric P · « **Reply #513 on:** January 16, 2010, 07:46:40 PM »

yeah, same order here

didn't like the ending to use of weapons

Howard Alan Treesong · « **Reply #514 on:** January 16, 2010, 07:48:03 PM »

Quote from: Eric P on January 16, 2010, 07:46:40 PM

yeah, same order here

didn't like the ending to use of weapons

Eel O'Brian · « **Reply #515 on:** January 16, 2010, 09:09:40 PM »

halfway through the killer inside me

thompson sure does love him some twisted lawmen

Eric P · « **Reply #516 on:** January 16, 2010, 09:56:20 PM »

love the ending to that.

love jim thomspson so much

Eel O'Brian · « **Reply #517 on:** January 16, 2010, 09:58:35 PM »

i'm in awe of his word economy, his prose is so lean and tight

yeah, sometimes the plot coincidences are a little out there, but that's part of why i like it

Eel O'Brian · « **Reply #518 on:** January 17, 2010, 03:56:36 AM »

fuuuuuuuuuuuuuu at that ending

little confusing, but great stuff

i don't know how in the hell they're gonna pull that off in the movie

Cormacaroni · « **Reply #519 on:** January 17, 2010, 04:48:44 AM »

Quote from: Genghis Cohen on January 16, 2010, 07:22:55 PM

Use of Weapons is the second Culture I'd read. Player of Games introduces the Culture as a whole better.

Well, maybe. If you like the speculative anthropology stuff more than the actual novels. Anyway, it's like choosing between my children so i'll stop there. (Also, I only have one child so that analogy doesn't hold up to scrutiny very well, does it)

Green Shinobi · « **Reply #520 on:** January 17, 2010, 09:35:09 AM »

Fahrenheit 451 is a classic. Along with 1984 it's definitely my favorite of the dystopian novels.

Green Shinobi · « **Reply #521 on:** January 17, 2010, 09:44:49 AM »

I read Brave New World a few years ago. I did like it quite a bit, but I thought it was a little ham-fisted with its message in comparison to the other two. I also didn't like the characters nearly as much. That's not to say it's a bad book though. As I said, it was quite good. Just not quite on the same level as 1984/Fahrenheit.

Right now I'm reading this:

It's quite fascinating, and it makes me kinda want to go into marketing.

Kestastrophe · « **Reply #522 on:** January 17, 2010, 09:51:22 AM »

Quote from: Genghis Cohen on January 16, 2010, 07:22:55 PM

Use of Weapons is the second Culture I'd read. Player of Games introduces the Culture as a whole better.

That's the order that I read the books in also, and I agree. I think I liked Player of Games better than Use of Weapons, and not just because of the ending.

CajoleJuice · « **Reply #523 on:** January 18, 2010, 01:20:24 AM »

YOU MOTHERFUCKERS IGNORED MY POST FUCK YOU

AND AFTER READING FAHRENHEIT 451, 1984 DESTROYS THE FUCK OUT OF IT

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #524 on:** January 18, 2010, 01:20:55 AM »

FUCK THE MOTHERFUCKERS THAT IGNORED YOU

Cormacaroni · « **Reply #525 on:** January 18, 2010, 01:35:56 AM »

Quote from: Kestastrophe on January 17, 2010, 09:51:22 AM

Quote from: Genghis Cohen on January 16, 2010, 07:22:55 PM
Use of Weapons is the second Culture I'd read. Player of Games introduces the Culture as a whole better.
That's the order that I read the books in also, and I agree. I think I liked Player of Games better than Use of Weapons, and not just because of the ending.

That's also the order in which I read them, and the order of relative publication, but I wouldn't ever recommend anyone to start listening to the Beatles from their first album, say. I'd start with the one I think they'd enjoy reading the most. Plus, he actually has a copy of Use of Weapons, so he should just jump in rather than wait 'til he gets a copy of Player of Games first.

THAT SAID, Player of Games is a lot more approachable, plot-wise. Use of Weapons is a bit of a headfuck.

I've started on The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Deathly dull so far but I can only hope it picks up. My current 'toilet book' is Bob Dylan's Chronicles, which is so awesome I may promote it to 'train book' status.

Eel O'Brian · « **Reply #526 on:** January 18, 2010, 08:29:23 AM »

Halfway through Savage Night in my Jim Thompson-athon

In the first half of the book, a hired killer posing as a college student fucks a crippled chick with a malformed hand and a vestigal baby foot growing out of her knee stump.

i would probably suck jim thompson's dick were he still alive

Eric P · « **Reply #527 on:** January 18, 2010, 09:47:06 AM »

had you never read him before?

he's some dark, twisted shit

Eel O'Brian · « **Reply #528 on:** January 18, 2010, 10:18:40 AM »

no, i was never into crime fiction when i was younger

after i plow through thompson i'm gonna start on some david goodis, then ed lacy

Eric P · « **Reply #529 on:** January 18, 2010, 10:23:53 AM »

make sure to check out some Patricia Highsmith.

Eel O'Brian · « **Reply #530 on:** January 18, 2010, 10:26:40 AM »

will do

i've been getting a lot of stuff here: http://www.munseys.com/

Eel O'Brian · « **Reply #531 on:** January 18, 2010, 10:35:26 AM »

i just read up on patricia highsmith

let's see - wrote comics in the 40s, bisexual, anti-semitic, hated america, alcoholic with a cruel personality

maybe i'll start on her stuff next

Green Shinobi · « **Reply #532 on:** January 18, 2010, 10:39:04 AM »

Edit: n/m, bad joke.

Eric P · « **Reply #533 on:** January 18, 2010, 10:42:11 AM »

Quote from: Eel O'Brian on January 18, 2010, 10:35:26 AM

i just read up on patricia highsmith

let's see - wrote comics in the 40s, bisexual, anti-semitic, hated america, alcoholic with a cruel personality

maybe i'll start on her stuff next

the talented mr ripley books are a great place to start

they're all wonderful except for the last one, which while good, doesn't really attain the heights of her previous books in the series.

the blunderer is probably my favorite of her stand alone books. the main character makes some really poor life choices

edit: nice on the munsey's. i didn't know about the site until now

Eel O'Brian · « **Reply #534 on:** January 18, 2010, 10:49:30 AM »

yeah, i think i'll start with those

i was aware of her name and some of the novels she'd written, but i'd never thought to look her up before

i consider myself to be fairly well-knowledged in golden and silver age comic history (and oh how that has proven useful in the real world), but i can't recall ever reading anything about her work during that time, so that was a weird little shock

Eric P · « **Reply #535 on:** January 18, 2010, 10:50:46 AM »

have you ever read any of the stuff alfred bester wrote?

i haven't really tried to track it down but it's always been at the back of my mind

Eel O'Brian · « **Reply #536 on:** January 18, 2010, 10:56:19 AM »

i've probably read quite a few, i have a ton of dc archives and golden age reprints - nothing i can name by story title or issue, though

if i can dig it up i think there is an issue of alter ego with his comic bibliography

Eel O'Brian · « **Reply #537 on:** January 18, 2010, 10:58:23 AM »

nevermind, here you go:

http://www.comics.org/writer/name/alfred%20bester/sort/alpha/

(i doubt this is complete)

Eel O'Brian · « **Reply #538 on:** January 18, 2010, 11:02:45 AM »

also:

http://www.comics.org/writer/name/mickey%20spillane/sort/alpha/

Disposable White Guy · « **Reply #539 on:** January 18, 2010, 11:06:09 AM »

@Kosma: I just finished off Exiles Return last night and was sorely disappointed. Feist was starting to show some of the magic (hurr hurr) he'd begun with in the Riftwar Saga and slowly lost somewhere halfway through Rage of a Demon King. I'm still addicted to his style/characters though, and I have a Borders giftcard so I was thinking about picking up the first of the Darkwar Saga. Still on the fence.

I got a copy of Hearts in Atlantis for Christmas and got through the first story today. It's alright so far, but I can't help but feel that King just took his leftover notes from The Regulators and added some fluff to them. The next one seems a little more promising.

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Author Topic: What book(s) are you reading? (Read 669785 times)