Do we have a Book thread?

WaWard · Post by **WaWard** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 10:01 pm

[spoiler]Let's assume not. I'm reading Count of Monte Cristo. I'm not too far in, but I have never seen any of it under any form. It sounds neet so far.

I just finished Da Vinci Code. Uh, it was allright I guess but I don't see where the mass fascination comes from (aside maybe from the controversy). Remove the controversy and you get your average easy going thriller book. I don't think it was anything spectacular. And I finished it in like two days, and I don't like that when the books aren't small. Makes me feel like I've been reading something geared towards children.

so watcha readin'!

[/spoiler]

Doom · Post by **Doom** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 10:13 pm

Nothing.

Calbrena · Post by **Calbrena** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 10:15 pm

we have 2 book threads already, but the last one died a few weeks ago, so I guess we might as well start a new one...

Still reading the Hitchhiker's guide (vol.2 now) and my uni books...

as my exams will be over soon I'm gonna start reading new books soon though

Oh and next month I'm getting HP6 obviously

turkish · Post by **turkish** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 11:51 pm

I just finished reading Steppenwolf (after reading Siddhartha and Demian, all three by Herman Hesse). All of those books were amazing.

Now I'm reading '100 years of solitude'. It won a nobel literature prize in 83, and so far it too is amazing.

Lap · Post by **Lap** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 11:54 pm

Read a lot of Murakami earlier in the year:
Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World
Norwegian Wood
South of the Border, West of the Sun

I want to read others but I want to read other things before I read more.

Currently reading The Dice Man by Luke Rhinehart.

MegaManX · Post by **MegaManX** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 2:53 am

My big book right now is "Teach yourself Korean". After I can actually get to the point I can speak the damn language, I'll be picking up The DaVinci Code.

Calbrena · Post by **Calbrena** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 5:24 am

not to be pessimistic, but books aren't the best way to learn a language...

Good luck anyway

Ward, can't remember if I've asked you before, but have you read anything written by Amélie Nothomb or Bernard Werber?

They're some of my fav French speaking authors, for different reasons...

ruroken · Post by **ruroken** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 5:36 am

American Gods by Neil Gaiman.

:D:D:D:D!

I dedicate this post to myself!

CDestroyer · Post by **CDestroyer** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 5:53 am

I'm still reading Wheel of Time, though I'm now about 5 chapters from finishing the last book thats out. Not counting the prequels, I mean.

Calbrena · Post by **Calbrena** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 6:14 am

ruroken wrote:American Gods by Neil Gaiman.

MegaManX · Post by **MegaManX** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 6:33 am

Calbrena wrote:not to be pessimistic, but books aren't the best way to learn a language... Good luck anyway

I can read the language now, I just don't understand what the words mean. The book came with 2 CD's and on top of that, I live in Korea. It's coming along slowly but I'm getting it as I go.

Entr0pi3 · Post by **Entr0pi3** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 9:09 am

Ward wrote: I'm reading Count of Monte Cristo.

Oh. A true classic I haven't read yet.

I'm re-reading the Dune books (just finished Dune and started Dune Messiah). The first time I read them, I hadn't realized just how much "fateful" they were : [spoiler]basically every time someone predicts something big will happen (Duke Leto dies, Paul triggers a jihad, etc.), no matter what the characters do to prevent it, it happens. And conversely, there are actually few major event that go unpredicted.[/spoiler]

MegaManX · Post by **MegaManX** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 11:01 am

You read the Dune prequals?(Not the ones right before Dune, but the ones about the Butleiran Jihad against the thinking machines.

Entr0pi3 · Post by **Entr0pi3** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 12:30 pm

I never read the prequels written by Frank Herbert's son (just read the original books : Dune, Messiah, Children, and God Emperor ~ got bored after this one). And I don't plan to, as I've been told Brian did an awful job.

Damien · Post by **Damien** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 2:56 pm

I've still got to read my Rolf Harris autobiography

I haven't read in a while and a few nights ago I had a dream that I was reading a new Discworld novel. Need to catch up with them really.
I also want to read the 3 new Doctor Who books because they look silly and have Billie Piper on the cover

livewire · Post by **livewire** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 5:19 pm

Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson. Sci-fi cyberpunk thriller featuring our hero, Hiro Protagonist, who is a pizza delivery boy working for the mafia. Hes a hacker in the Metaverse (think the Matrix). Its an awesome book.

JohnGalt · Post by **JohnGalt** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 5:32 pm

Am just about to finish up The Brother's Karamazov by Dostoevsky. To give due praise to this book would take up too much space and too much time. Let me just say that, not even having finished it - but very close, mind you - this is easily one of my favorite novels ever.

Next I have my eye on Jane Eyre. I'm a sucker for those woman writers of the gothic period and beyond

I just finished To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf before The Brothers, which I also now consider one of my favorite novels ever.

I've been picking them well recently. Hopefully Jane Eyre continues the streak

On a semi related note, do any of you find that picking the right book at the right time enhances the experience of reading and makes the book you are reading far better and far more meaningful?

I find myself a lot of the time picking not what would be the best and most entertaining book for me, but what would be the most engaging and appropriate book for me at the time.

WaWard · Post by **WaWard** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 5:38 pm

Karamazov is #3 on my to read list (after War and Peace and a re-read of Hitchiker).

Calbrena · Post by **Calbrena** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 6:23 pm

Damien wrote:I've still got to read my Rolf Harris autobiography

Do you seriously have one?

Gimme, I wanna read it too!!

MegaManX, let me know how long it took you once you get to understand the language a bit more, I'm interested as I might work somewhere in Asia in a couple of years and I'm trying to see which language would be the 'easiest'...

Damien · Post by **Damien** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 7:05 pm

Calbrena wrote:
Damien wrote:I've still got to read my Rolf Harris autobiography
Do you seriously have one?
Gimme, I wanna read it too!!

Barry got me it for hardback Xmas

You must have seen it in the cupboard when we were looking for Butt Ugly Martians

Calbrena · Post by **Calbrena** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 8:37 pm

Didn't pay attention to it then

Lord Golbez · Post by **Lord Golbez** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 9:03 pm

Yay! I'm glad to see some respect fro TBK!

Doom · Post by **Doom** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 11:34 pm

DOSTOEVSKY PWNS U SUCKAZ

the big five (in order of personal preference) are:
Crime and Punishment
The Brothers Karamazov
Demons
Notes from Underground
The Idiot

if you like one of them, you're pretty much required to read the others. NOW gogogo

ShadowDrgn · Post by **ShadowDrgn** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 9:06 am

Crime and Punishment is the only Dostoevsky book I've read, and I didn't like it.

I didn't really like any book that I was forced to read in high school.

http://www.georgerrmartin.com/nextbook.html

(probably won't be in stores for months though)

WaWard · Post by **WaWard** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 11:56 am

However, you have to keep in mind that you were most likely a nub in HS and that your tastes were probably shit, like any good HSer.

Lord Golbez · Post by **Lord Golbez** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 12:56 pm

Doom wrote:DOSTOEVSKY PWNS U SUCKAZ

the big five (in order of personal preference) are:
Crime and Punishment
The Brothers Karamazov
Demons
Notes from Underground
The Idiot

if you like one of them, you're pretty much required to read the others. NOW gogogo

I like TBK better than C&P and I like The Idiot better than the other two...also I'd probably put The Adolescent before Demons, but maybe not. So I say you must also read The Adolescent as a requirement!

Plus, it couldn't hurt to read some of his others either.

WaWard · Post by **WaWard** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 1:03 pm

C&P was depressing.

Lord Golbez · Post by **Lord Golbez** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 1:06 pm

The Idiot is more depressing IMO.

WaWard · Post by **WaWard** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 1:19 pm

can't really say as I haven't read it.

MegaManX · Post by **MegaManX** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 3:06 pm

Entr0pi3 wrote:I never read the prequels written by Frank Herbert's son (just read the original books : Dune, Messiah, Children, and God Emperor ~ got bored after this one). And I don't plan to, as I've been told Brian did an awful job.

About spot on. It's actually kind of pathetic how some of the characters are portrayed. On top of that, the story of how the Harkonnen/Ateradies(sp?) fued starts seems thrown in as an afterthought.

Doom · Post by **Doom** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 3:16 pm

Lord Golbez wrote:
Doom wrote:DOSTOEVSKY PWNS U SUCKAZ

the big five (in order of personal preference) are:
Crime and Punishment
The Brothers Karamazov
Demons
Notes from Underground
The Idiot

if you like one of them, you're pretty much required to read the others. NOW gogogo
I like TBK better than C&P and I like The Idiot better than the other two...also I'd probably put The Adolescent before Demons, but maybe not. So I say you must also read The Adolescent as a requirement! Plus, it couldn't hurt to read some of his others either.

well, i just listed his five "major" works

TBK is in many ways a more complete book than C & P, I agree, but I just have a soft spot for it

ruroken · Post by **ruroken** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 4:28 pm

Calbrena wrote:
ruroken wrote:American Gods by Neil Gaiman.

WaWard · Post by **WaWard** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 4:30 pm

ruroken wrote:
Calbrena wrote:
ruroken wrote:American Gods by Neil Gaiman.

ruroken · Post by **ruroken** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 4:34 am

Isn't it great to have someone agree with you?

(and spam)

Calbrena · Post by **Calbrena** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 1:17 pm

Everybody here already knows that Neil Gaiman books are must-reads though

Lord Golbez · Post by **Lord Golbez** » Sun Jun 19, 2005 11:01 pm

Calbrena wrote:Everybody here already knows that Neil Gaiman books are must-reads though

Yeah?

Doom · Post by **Doom** » Sun Jun 19, 2005 11:23 pm

are they...
perhaps in the realm of contemporary authors

Lord Golbez · Post by **Lord Golbez** » Sun Jun 19, 2005 11:35 pm

There are contemporary authors?

Entr0pi3 · Post by **Entr0pi3** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 11:16 am

Seriously, Neil Gaiman books such as American Gods are very worth reading - nothing in common with all the standardized crap that usually clutters your local bookstores' fantasy/SF shelves.

Calbrena · Post by **Calbrena** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 12:44 pm

Doom wrote:are they...
perhaps in the realm of contemporary authors

Yes, guess that's what I meant.
Obviously there are lots of classics that are better than that, but when it comes to contemporary stuff I'd say Neil Gaiman is one of the best.

Neverwhere is probably better than American Gods imo, but unfortunately I haven't read it in English yet, so I can't really compare

...I like Gaiman's Cthulhu short stories

EDIT: here is an excerpt from Neverwhere if anybody is interested

http://www.neilgaiman.com/books/neverwh ... sp#excerpt

WaWard · Post by **WaWard** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 12:54 pm

Calbrena wrote:Everybody here already knows that Neil Gaiman books are must-reads though

Who is Neil Gaiman?

Calbrena · Post by **Calbrena** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 1:38 pm

Check his website and you will know
[spoiler=:boo]Also check the MirrorMask trailer please

[/spoiler]

He co-wrote Good Omens, don't tell me you've never heard of that one

And I remember discussions on American Gods on SG, I can't believe you're being such a nub

Abe · Post by **Abe** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 1:58 pm

I just completed the Baroque Cycle (Quicksilver, The Confusion, and The System of The World) by Neal Stephenson. It was fucking awesome.

If you're looking for sci-fi cyberpunk grooviness like Snow Crash, this isn't that. It's still science fiction though, in that it's fiction about science (and alchemy, and Barbary Corsairs, and the Siege of Vienna, etc., etc.)

It's like, historical fiction, with... I just can't really describe it. It's an experience, that's what it is. And it was the first time I've read a trilogy (let alone one of this size) that didn't leave me disappointed at the end. At the end, I felt good that I'd just read 3000 pages of novel, and spanned some 60 years of time. It's so worth it, and I suggest you get on it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baroque_Cycle

WaWard · Post by **WaWard** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 2:29 pm

Calbrena wrote: He co-wrote Good Omens, don't tell me you've never heard of that one
And I remember discussions on American Gods on SG, I can't believe you're being such a nub

nope, and yes

Lord Golbez · Post by **Lord Golbez** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 2:34 pm

Good Omens is not a very good book. It started off pretty funny, but the last 4/5 of the book was more of a chore.

Calbrena · Post by **Calbrena** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 2:43 pm

Blame it on Pratchett?

Doom · Post by **Doom** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 2:47 pm

I thought about checking out the Baroque Cycle, but didn't feel like I had the time to.

Personally though, I prefer Umberto Eco, probably because he writes in a more old-school way.

Abe · Post by **Abe** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 4:26 am

Doom is a HJOSL in all ways.

If you read the Baroque Cycle (you should, unless you're a nub), check out Cryptonomicon afterwards. It is also delightful, it seems (and there's lots of similar family names. It's like looking in on the families of the people you got to know in the Baroque Cycle 250 years later, to see what's up.)

Doom · Post by **Doom** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 6:42 am

Yeah... I'm feeling the HJOSL groove these days.

ShadowDrgn · Post by **ShadowDrgn** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 6:59 am

Lord Golbez wrote:Good Omens is not a very good book. It started off pretty funny, but the last 4/5 of the book was more of a chore.

Good Omens is one of the only books I've ever put down halfway through and not bothered finishing. American Gods was much better.

Square Gamer

Do we have a Book thread?

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