What book are you reading?

[Fragony]

Rant about an entire genre alert

Crime novels. Is it just me or is everything a crime novelist writes an open sollicitation to a movie-studio.

[Hax]

I picked up loads of books from a shop in Maastricht on Tuesday; included was some of Hafiz's poetry and Hugh Kennedy's "The Great Arab Conquests".

[Martok]

I finished up 1984 last week.

I thought it was both brilliant and (of course) deeply disturbing, both thought-provoking and incredibly depressing. Regardless, I found it to be an enjoyable read (albeit in a horrific/macabre sort of way).


I also completed re-reading The Courtship of Princess Leia. Although I liked the book well enough, I didn't enjoy it as much this time around as when I first read it.

The dialogue felt "juvenile" in a lot of ways, and both Leia & Han felt...wrong, somehow. Their personalities (as portrayed in the book) didn't mesh very well with how most other authors in the Expanded Universe have written them, to say nothing of not fitting in with their personalities in the films. Of course, Courtship was one of the earlier Star Wars: EU novels (back when the main characters' personalities were less well-formed), so probably Dave Wolverton can be forgiven this.




Next up: Partially on a whim, but partially because I've long been meaning to check out the series (but have never gotten around to doing so until now), I picked up The Midshipman Hornblower and Lieutenant Hornblower by C.S. Forester at the library.

Given how big a fan I am of David Weber's Honor Harrington books, I realized it's only natural & right that I read up on the character that inspired them in the first place. Also, Master & Commander: The Far Side of the World (the film adaptation of Patrick O'Brien's Aubrey/Maturin novels) is one of my favorite movies, which gave me further impetus to check out (what seems to be considered) the gold standard of the "Wooden Ships and Iron Men" genre.

I've definitely not regretted it so far. I'm already over 2/3 of the way through Midshipman after just two days of reading, and am eager for more. I'm actually having to pace myself so I don't get through the books too quickly!

[Fragony]

and Hugh Kennedy's "The Great Arab Conquests".

That's a good one, almost reads like a novel

[naut]

I finished up 1984 last week.

I thought it was both brilliant and (of course) deeply disturbing, both thought-provoking and incredibly depressing. Regardless, I found it to be an enjoyable read (albeit in a horrific/macabre sort of way).

TBH I could never finish that one. I think I made it 1/4 through and got bored. Maybe I'm "mature" enough to give it another go. That is as long as I don't turn into psychotic late-70s Roger Waters.

[Sasaki Kojiro]

I recently finished The Riddle of the Sands which I recommend...great sort of spy/mystery novel written around 1900...

I just received and started 'A People History of the United States', authored by Howard Zinn(RIP).
Its considered by many to be the unvarnished version of the history of the Americas, and starts with Columbus's rather complete genocide of the Arawak Indians, of what is now known to be Haiti/Dominican Republic.
And then it on to the Americas...yipee yee haw.
Mans own inhumanity to man, is deeply disturbing, to put it mildly.
Dont want to get too into it, but it seems a pretty interesting read, and I look forward to finishing it.
In his own words Zinn tries to tell the history from the view of the the people who were often oppressed by it.
Its a well known fact that history is wrought by the victors, and they simply don't tell the losers story.
In this book Zinn tries to correct some of these historic imbalances.
If you are interested in the more real history of the USA, and North America in general, you would do well to check it out.
If nothing else it should help me to achieve a more rounded, and complete understanding of our forefathers in the USA.
While I am Canadian, I am a child of history, and especially the more recent history of our world.
We just seem to forget things so quickly nowadays.
Peace all.

That's a terrible book and the amount you know about history will decrease with every chapter you read. Try walter mcdougalls history instead, though it only goes up to 1880 or so...

Next up: Partially on a whim, but partially because I've long been meaning to check out the series (but have never gotten around to doing so until now), I picked up The Midshipman Hornblower and Lieutenant Hornblower by C.S. Forester at the library.

Given how big a fan I am of David Weber's Honor Harrington books, I realized it's only natural & right that I read up on the character that inspired them in the first place. Also, Master & Commander: The Far Side of the World (the film adaptation of Patrick O'Brien's Aubrey/Maturin novels) is one of my favorite movies, which gave me further impetus to check out (what seems to be considered) the gold standard of the "Wooden Ships and Iron Men" genre.

I've definitely not regretted it so far. I'm already over 2/3 of the way through Midshipman after just two days of reading, and am eager for more. I'm actually having to pace myself so I don't get through the books too quickly!

I like all of those books...there's like 10 more I think...

[Martok]

Continuing working through the Hornblower series. Have finished Midshipman, and am already almost halfway through Lieutenant.

I really wish I'd not waited so long to pick these up! They're most definitely a good, fun read.

TBH I could never finish that one. I think I made it 1/4 through and got bored. Maybe I'm "mature" enough to give it another go. That is as long as I don't turn into psychotic late-70s Roger Waters.

How old were you when you tried reading it the first time?

[Moros]

The Hobbit. 19% complete. :D

[naut]

What!? You of all people, I should think, would really like that book. Its all about the manipulation of information, and the philosophical implications of that. Well, and a lot more, but that's certainly one of the most interesting themes.

I guess I'll give another go.

How old were you when you tried reading it the first time?

Early teens.

[CountArach]

I picked up The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie based on the post by Nowake at the top of this page. It is quite well-written, very pacey for sure. I like the main characters thus far, despite their misgivings as people. The humour is pitch black and while I haven't got very far into the plot it does already seem to have some depth.

[Hooahguy]

I picked up 7 of the Richard Sharpe books. Finished one of them (Sharpe's Rifles) and just started Sharpe's Eagle. Really good series, Ill have to watch the tv series at some point.

[Martok]

Have started Hornblower and the Atropos. Not as good as the previous two so far (Forester's writing seems to struggle a bit when not focusing on naval action), but it's still early.

After I finish that one, I'm taking a break from the HH series to read The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. Haven't read pure fantasy in a little while now (a few months at least), and a couple of my friends have roundly praised the book, so I'm looking forward to getting into it!

Early teens.

Yeah, it might be worth trying it again then, now that you're older. I suspect most of us are unable to fully appreciate it at that age (I know I would've been!), so perhaps it's time to give it another go.

[a completely inoffensive name]

Just finished E=mc^2: a biography of the world's most famous equation by David Bodanis

Now starting Utopia by Sir Thomas More

[Sasaki Kojiro]

Just finished The True Believer by Eric Hoffer, the "longshoreman philosopher". He went blind at age 7 and the regained his sight at age 15 and started to read all the time...worked as a longshoreman and then wrote this book at age 50. About how mass movements like communism, fascism, revolutions, and religions start proceed and end, and the psychology of the people involved. Very good.

[a completely inoffensive name]

Just finished The True Believer by Eric Hoffer, the "longshoreman philosopher". He went blind at age 7 and the regained his sight at age 15 and started to read all the time...worked as a longshoreman and then wrote this book at age 50. About how mass movements like communism, fascism, revolutions, and religions start proceed and end, and the psychology of the people involved. Very good.

What was the medical condition behind his temporary blindness?

[Sasaki Kojiro]

What was the medical condition behind his temporary blindness?

Unknown, possibly a fall

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

[Strike For The South]

Sluaghterhouse 5 by Vonnegut

[Furunculus]

second game of thrones book - awesome.

[Voigtkampf]

Just finished Haruki Murakami "Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman" short stories collection. The man encouraged me to and embrace accept my own short stories, no matter how insane or mundane they might appear to the general public.

Trying to force my way through Stephen King's "Lisey's Story", but it actually physically hurts to see that genius becoming - IMHO, ofc - anything less than a brilliant writer.

[Peasant Phill]

Started with the first book of Stieg Larsson's Milennium series. Let's see if the hype is deserved.

[CountArach]

Pawnee: The Greatest Town In America. This book was written entirely by the writers for Parks and Recreation (ie - the funniest show on television by a very long way) and it details the town's history, looks at the various people who live in it and is just absolutely astounding. I can't believe they wrote it just based on a single episode in which the main character Leslie published this very book whilst preparing to run for higher office.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Pawnee: The Greatest Town In America. This book was written entirely by the writers for Parks and Recreation (ie - the funniest show on television by a very long way) and it details the town's history, looks at the various people who live in it and is just absolutely astounding. I can't believe they wrote it just based on a single episode in which the main character Leslie published this very book whilst preparing to run for higher office.

Such a good show. I'll have to pick it up now.

[Fragony]

Started with the first book of Stieg Larsson's Milennium series. Let's see if the hype is deserved.

NO

It has everything that makes the genre such a joke, people just don't behave like that. Sloppy writing all style, zero believability. The movies are ok though that is one HOT vikingchick

[Peasant Phill]

NO

It has everything that makes the genre such a joke, people just don't behave like that. Sloppy writing all style, zero believability. The movies are ok though that is one HOT vikingchick

I heard the opposite.
I'll see for myself. For reference I disliked Dan Brown's book as well as the movie adaptation.

[Fragony]

Comparable to a Dan Brown book in making you feel that you are reading a movie script. To both their credit people who usually don't like to read pick it up en masse, which is always good

[Sasaki Kojiro]

God and Gold Britain, America, and the making of the modern world, by walter russel mead.

Looks at the last few hundred years of history from the perspective of the maritime liberal capitalist societies of the UK and the US which he relates very closely. Then looks at the wider foreign policy issues and what light is shed on them. Interesting book, puts a different perspective on history.

Also, I found this bit very amusing:

"Seats in the House of Commons were openly bought and sold, as were the votes of the electors. In 1734 Anthony Henley, a British MP from Southampton, wrote a letter in answer to constituents' complaints about his support of the excise tax:

Gentlemen:
I received yours and I am surprised at your insolence in troubling me about the excise. You know what I very well know, that I bought you. And I know well what perhaps you think I don't know, that you are now selling yourselves to somebody else. And I know something you don't know, that I am buying another borough. May God's curse light on you all. May your houses be as open and as common to all excise officers as your wives and daughters were to me when I stood for your scoundrel corporation.

"

[Martok]

Concurrent with The Name of the Wind (which I'm now about 80% of the way through), I've also begun reading What If? 2. It's a collection of essays written by by various historians & professors examining how the world might be different had certain historical events gone a different way.

The reading is a bit dry at times, but still interesting. I've now finished the first essay, which contemplates how Western philosophy might have changed had Socrates died in his mid-forties at the Battle of Delium (in which he fought), which was before he became truly well-known. Have just begun the next essay, which looks at a world in which Antony & Cleopatra won the Battle of Actium (and how they might have been victorious in that battle). Good stuff so far.

[edyzmedieval]

Night Train to Lisbon, by Pascal Mercier.

[Ja'chyra]

Dune, on the Kindle naturally.

Never actually sat through the whole film and wanted to see if it's as good as people say, not too bad so far but only read 15% of it.

[Fisherking]

I am almost finished with Why the West Rules~ for Now, by Ian Morris.

I can’t say enough good about it. Anyone who likes history shouldn’t miss this book.