I read this a while back and +1 on its horror. It didn't go down smoothly.

I’ve read Mark, but not the Odyssey. Can you recommend a good translation?

My understanding of the gospels is very hazy (I couldn’t tell you how they vary, I don’t have a fave). I’ve always been partial to the Old Testament wisdom books, and the only NT stuff I really dig is Revelation, and even that not so much.

That article sounds interesting though. Apparently there's been quite a bit written about that. I was going to read the Odyssey, so I might check that out.

Not sure I can recommend a good translation, as I have only read Chapman's translation (c1615). Apparently Fagle's is a better, more modern translation but I have not read anything about it and it comes recommended by another 2+2er.
Having stated the above, I am enjoying Chapman's translation...but apparently it is not the most reliable.

Nope. It's the one with the biochemical event. A much better novel than the one you're referring to. You referred to the one where they look for the Hitler porn.

Libra good not great. Running dog is the Hitler one. I found it somewhat enjoyable as well, but would not read again unlike WN, Underworld, The Names.

Currently finishing the new Magicians novel. It's okay.

I think I may go re-read The Names.

White Noise is about the prof of hitler studies

Take IJ! I love reading it pool/beachside on vacation, when my brain hurts I just look at girls in bikinis for a while.

I believe all agree that IJ is set very slightly in the future - as you can tell by the branded years.

The 'death cartridge' is a metaphor for the effect of modern entertainment on viewers taken to an extreme [also seen differently in WALL-E], and was directed by Hal's father. The Quebecois are trying to steal it for somewhat obvious reasons.

Joelle, who stars in the film, plays a significant role in the novel.

You've basically done the hardest part of the novel. It takes off from there.

Seems pretty silly as Matthew, Mark and Luke are all virtually the same, and Mark is the shortest one.

Gospel of John is the one that has add'tl stories and dialogue.

Fiction or not, everyone should read John and Matthew. They're not that long and pretty interesting. Unknown man from little-known city arrives, preaches that everyone should be nice and help the sick and homeless and poor and not scared, gathers followers, demonstrates his power, says he will be killed, is betrayed by Judas, followers vanish, is tortured, then is murdered after an interesting trial, and the body vanishes shortly thereafter.

Ray Chandler has got nothing on these guys!

Jesus' advice is pretty savvy for starting a new religion. There's a reason several millons of new people convert to his teachings every year, even if the historical Jesus could not do miracles and was not a god.

My apologies for forgetting that, wow. I can only blame brutal hangover, and when I see Hitler I think Running Dog.

Do you guys ever friend authors on fb or twitter etc? It's amazing how accessible many of them are. Another reason reading kicks arse

I once banged Donna Tart after finding her on Match.com. ...does that count?

[x] accessible

Don't you mean a tart named Donna?

Either works

was she more like a hardback (stiff, heavy, looks better when out in public, but tiresome to hold up after a while) or a paperback (more easy to thumb, more flexible, but you have to be careful not to break the spine)?

Mine are usually more like a Kindle iykwim.

also, did she name a book after you?

easy to turn off?

Once you marry them, they're more like the Encyclopedia Britannica

I was going for electronic and cloud-based but sure.

Get heavier and less interesting every year?

Not a book, but she did write about our encounter in an article for the New Yorker, titled, "Damn, Am I Sore."

I come off...well.

I can only read IJ in silence and solitude. For some reason, I'm paranoid about distraction. Ideally, the book would be read on top of a mountain. Poolside is impressive though; seeing it read courtside would be amusing.

After a run of somewhat "heavy" novels, started The Wounded and the Slain by David Goodis.

Finished The Wounded and the Slain by David Goodis; not his best but good pulp noir.
Started The Root of His Evil by James M. Cain.

Finished The Odyssey by Homer, started on A Confederacy of Dunces by J.K. Toole.