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Books: What are you reading tonight? Books: What are you reading tonight?

06-23-2014 , 07:50 PM
Reading Killer Show about the 2003 The Station fire in Rhode Island that killed about 100 people at a Great White show.

Always be on the lookout for danger in dive bars and small clubs

Last edited by JudgeHoldem; 06-23-2014 at 07:56 PM.
Books: What are you reading tonight? Quote
06-23-2014 , 08:06 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by IMDABES
When I started reading fantasy a couple years ago, I blasted thru GOT, then 'Blood Raven', then Name of the wind 1 &2, and loved them all, more then any fantasy I have read since. And FINALLY something new from one of these series is on the horizon. Add me to the list of being excited.
Also very, very excited for this. Blood Song was outstanding.

About 2/3 of the way through Skin Game by Jim Butcher, the latest in the Dresden Files. Entertaining thus far.

Reading the new Rothfuss story in the Rogues anthology edited by GRRM after that.
Books: What are you reading tonight? Quote
06-23-2014 , 11:54 PM
Getting a good start on Mao II.
Books: What are you reading tonight? Quote
06-24-2014 , 10:40 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by philfan05
A Feast for Crows/Dance with Dragons 4.5/5
I probably don't have anything to say that hasn't been said a million times before. Martin is just amazing at character development and world building. Looking at these as stand alone books, I think they are both great. However, it is ridiculously frustrating to know that this series will probably never get finished by Martin. I felt a sense of dread as I was about 1/2 way through DwW when I realized the story is growing, rather than wrapping up.

Wool 3.5/5
Having read this right after the Song of Ice and Fire series, it took me a little while to get into the story as I was so used to 400 characters and jumping all over the place geography wise. For those not familiar with the series, the story revolves around a future society of people living in a giant silo (100+ levels) buried under the ground. It is believed that you cannot leave the silo, as the air outside is deadly. As the novel unfolds, mysteries are uncovered about the silo, the people living in it, and the history that got them to this point.
Once I got about half way through the book, the pace really picked up and it was an enjoyable read. The characters weren't all that compelling or deep, but the overall mysteries and action were enough to keep me going. I've heard good things about the sequel (Shift) and will read that in the near future.
Blood Meridian 3.75/5
I'll probably get flamed by some people for this, but I didn't love this book. I told my wife, it is kind of like watching olympic figure skating or gymnastics- I can tell that what I'm watching is world class and brilliant, but it just doesn't excite me like other sports do. After having recently read the Ice and Fire novels, it really took me awhile to get over the fact that this book spends less time on characters and more time on events and commentary on humanity. McCarthy's writing is really outstanding and the imagery and storytelling is well thought out. I just struggled to get invested in the story because there is no one or no thing to root for (which is kind of the point he is trying to make). Perhaps it would ruin the whole point of the story, but I could have used less symbolism and more development of the Kid. After about the 400th murder, I got the point.

As mentioned above, I just started IJ, but not sure if I will continue. The following are still on my summer reading list, based on the recommendations ITT:

11/22/63
Shift
Count of Monte Cristo
Mistborn series
Goldfinch
The Stand (I've read this, but may re-read. The Stephen King book club thread has inspired me)
I have similar thoughts on Blood Meridian.

I have no complaints on the ending though. Terrific.
Books: What are you reading tonight? Quote
06-24-2014 , 11:31 AM
I finished Lawrence Hill's Someone Knows My Name (AKA The Book of Negroes)-- having stopped for a while to read a couple of other things. It is, as its reviews have suggested, a very strong work of historical fiction, especially of interest if you're want to learn more about the early history of the slave trade. It is, perhaps, a bit more like a chronicle than a novel, but it certainly brings events to life. (Coincidentally I read, earlier this year, another novel dealing with American slavery, Linda Spaulding's The Purchase, which is strong but generally rather sad.) The survival of Hill's heroine is inspiring.
Books: What are you reading tonight? Quote
06-24-2014 , 10:26 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1968
Starting The Count of Monte Cristo.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SL__72
Funny, I recently finished The Count of Monte Cristo
Quote:
Originally Posted by philfan05
The following are still on my summer reading list, based on the recommendations ITT:

11/22/63
Shift
Count of Monte Cristo
I put The Count of Monte Cristo on hold at the library last week, picked it up today. There waiting for me was this unabridged 1,462 page monstrosity that weighed about 10 pounds. Do you guys recommend I go with the abridged version (441 pages) instead? If it's as fantastic as I hear, I'll dig into the full version, but I thought I should check first before I commit a couple of months to one book.

I've had problems with picking the right version of books before. I reserved Steinbeck's The Pearl a few years ago. Finished it in about 45 minutes before I partially clued in that this copy was from my library's 'Literacy' section designed for adults who need to improve their reading.
Books: What are you reading tonight? Quote
06-24-2014 , 11:24 PM
...did it improve your literacy?
Books: What are you reading tonight? Quote
06-25-2014 , 09:04 AM
Definitely unabridged.
Books: What are you reading tonight? Quote
06-25-2014 , 01:26 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by DiggertheDog
Finished Wind in the Willows. Absolutely delightful.
Quit The Denial of Death and started on this.
Books: What are you reading tonight? Quote
06-25-2014 , 03:12 PM
Just finished: The Big Short, by Michael Lewis (I read his Moneyball, fun & interesting read). Factual history of the subprime meltdown that lead to the economic turmoil of 2008 and the few that made millions betting short on what was going to happen ahead of time, they figured it out............yadda, yadda etc.

The Big Short was not just interesting but an exciting read and thoroughly enjoyable throughout; proving that non-fiction can be just as whacked as anything in the imaginary world of writers. The characters are just that; characters worth knowing or at least worth reading about.

I laughed out loud on almost every page. It just becomes every more absurd and Kafka-like as it progresses. First-class insanity. Humanity at its best and most costly. Almost as comic as the Book of Genesis, or better yet, The Book of Revelations.

I recommend it highly.
Books: What are you reading tonight? Quote
06-25-2014 , 03:44 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by kioshk
heh Blarg is still leading this thread in posts. Viva Blarg!



I never liked those Grafton books. I did like early Patricia Cornwell.

They're both women, maybe that's sexist. I also liked Lawrence Block and Jonathan Kellerman!
i LOVE lawrence block.

check out donald westlake, his stuff is phenomenal and he was a big inspiration for block.
Books: What are you reading tonight? Quote
06-25-2014 , 07:39 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by SL__72
Definitely unabridged.
Yip
Books: What are you reading tonight? Quote
06-26-2014 , 01:39 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zeno
Just finished: The Big Short, by Michael Lewis (I read his Moneyball, fun & interesting read). Factual history of the subprime meltdown that lead to the economic turmoil of 2008 and the few that made millions betting short on what was going to happen ahead of time, they figured it out............yadda, yadda etc.

The Big Short was not just interesting but an exciting read and thoroughly enjoyable throughout; proving that non-fiction can be just as whacked as anything in the imaginary world of writers. The characters are just that; characters worth knowing or at least worth reading about.

I laughed out loud on almost every page. It just becomes every more absurd and Kafka-like as it progresses. First-class insanity. Humanity at its best and most costly. Almost as comic as the Book of Genesis, or better yet, The Book of Revelations.

I recommend it highly.
read The New New Thing next.

And then Liars Poker.
Books: What are you reading tonight? Quote
06-26-2014 , 01:48 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zeno
Just finished: The Big Short, by Michael Lewis (I read his Moneyball, fun & interesting read). Factual history of the subprime meltdown that lead to the economic turmoil of 2008 and the few that made millions betting short on what was going to happen ahead of time, they figured it out............yadda, yadda etc.

The Big Short was not just interesting but an exciting read and thoroughly enjoyable throughout; proving that non-fiction can be just as whacked as anything in the imaginary world of writers. The characters are just that; characters worth knowing or at least worth reading about.

I laughed out loud on almost every page. It just becomes every more absurd and Kafka-like as it progresses. First-class insanity. Humanity at its best and most costly. Almost as comic as the Book of Genesis, or better yet, The Book of Revelations.

I recommend it highly.
Quote:
Originally Posted by -Insert Witty SN-
read The New New Thing next.

And then Liars Poker.
Liar's Poker first since that was his first and is a defining book of the '80s. Parts of The Big Short refer back to it, and it was really cool to see him follow up with one of the main characters of the earlier book.

I read Trail Fever a few months ago and wrote about it ITT. It's about the '96 Presidential election and has been all but forgotten. Super interesting, the usual great characters etc.
Books: What are you reading tonight? Quote
06-26-2014 , 11:50 AM
Finished Mao II by Don DeLillo; I liked White Noise more and thought Mao II was spotty. It has some good ideas, some prescient insights and some excellent writing but they are in short passages and outweighed by even the small volume of the book. I like DeLillo an want him to be better than this.

Started The Messiah of Stockholm by Cynthia Ozick.
Books: What are you reading tonight? Quote
06-27-2014 , 10:37 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Baltimore Jones
Liar's Poker first since that was his first and is a defining book of the '80s. Parts of The Big Short refer back to it, and it was really cool to see him follow up with one of the main characters of the earlier book.

I read Trail Fever a few months ago and wrote about it ITT. It's about the '96 Presidential election and has been all but forgotten. Super interesting, the usual great characters etc.
great point.

going to find Trail Fever and read it. i always enjoy reading clever accounts of presidential elections i.e. DFW's Up, Simba. Apparently Michael Hastings wrote an ebook on Obama's 2012 campaign called Panic 2012 that I also want to read.
Books: What are you reading tonight? Quote
06-27-2014 , 11:21 AM
Finished The Messiah of Stockholm by Cynthia Ozick.

For a book that received many strong endorsements from big name writers, I was unimpressed. When I survey reviews from readers outside the literary establishment, my response seems to be common though not universal. The book has many mixed metaphors and frequently uses many words when a few would be better.

Started Point Omega by Don DeLillo.
Books: What are you reading tonight? Quote
06-27-2014 , 02:17 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by -Insert Witty SN-
great point.

going to find Trail Fever and read it. i always enjoy reading clever accounts of presidential elections i.e. DFW's Up, Simba. Apparently Michael Hastings wrote an ebook on Obama's 2012 campaign called Panic 2012 that I also want to read.
Nate Silver has mentioned What it Takes by Richard Ben Cramer about the '88 election. Supposed to be excellent.

Here was my post on Trail Fever (also called Losers), although it contains what could be considered spoilers:

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/sh...ostcount=12026
Books: What are you reading tonight? Quote
06-28-2014 , 12:33 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gioco
Finished The Messiah of Stockholm by Cynthia Ozick.

For a book that received many strong endorsements from big name writers, I was unimpressed. When I survey reviews from readers outside the literary establishment, my response seems to be common though not universal. The book has many mixed metaphors and frequently uses many words when a few would be better.
I've admired a couple of her stories (the ones that get anthologized), but when I read her Foreign Bodies a couple of years ago I similarly thought it didn't live up to the reviews. I was interested in it because it was discussed by reviewers as a response to James's The Ambassadors, but in the end that didn't seem to enrich it much.
Books: What are you reading tonight? Quote
06-28-2014 , 12:47 AM
Finished Omega Point by Don DeLillo. I was disappointed; I expect more from DeLillo. He needs to not be afraid to say what he feels.

Started The Goalie's Anxiety at the Penalty Kick by Peter Handke.

Gee, I hope it's about world cup soccer.
Books: What are you reading tonight? Quote
06-28-2014 , 12:51 AM
Has anyone read any of Stefan Zweig?
Books: What are you reading tonight? Quote
06-28-2014 , 04:52 AM
Could you get the name of the book right before you put down one of the best writers that will ever live, Gioco?
Books: What are you reading tonight? Quote
06-28-2014 , 04:58 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by SL__72
Has anyone read any of Stefan Zweig?
Apparently he's the England football manager's favourite author (not joking)
Books: What are you reading tonight? Quote
06-28-2014 , 07:06 AM
Just started upon Candide by Voltaire.
Books: What are you reading tonight? Quote
06-28-2014 , 08:29 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by SL__72
Definitely unabridged.
What's the difference between the two? 1000 pages less seems like a lot.
Books: What are you reading tonight? Quote

      
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