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On a major reading frenzy at the moment, bored with video games and movies so have returned to the page and thanks to the "I'm not really spending money" feeling I get from Amazon, have been reading like a madman.
Quick capsule reviews:
Robert Heinlein "Stranger in a Strange Land"
Martian/Human hybrid comes to earth for the first time ever and experiences this planet.
Very good indeed, another "SF Masterworks Classic" that gave me "I Am Legend". Heinlein uses the character as a way of exploring our world, from religion to monogamy and all the stuff inbetween. Surprisingly easy reading considering I don't usually enjoy sci-fi stuff. Pretty scathing to organised religions, politicians and our inability to be honest to one another about ourselves.
George R Stewart "Earth Abides"
Post apocalypse story much in the vein of the (written later) Stephen King book "The Stand".
Bloke gets bitten by a rattlesnake when out climbing and develops a fever. Comes to and discovers that 99% of the country/world has died from a mysterious disease and has to learn to live. There's no clumsy good vs evil flavour like King's. Just a literate and thoughtful prediction on how we would survive in a world without cars, electricity, running water, medicines, laws, governments, religion. Bloke meets woman, they have kids and so on down the line. Interesting to see the beginnings of new religions, superstitions, traditions and the dying of what we take for granted. They have to learn to catch animals, develop their own languages and basically return to cavemen, unable to start fire or figure out how to read/write.
Jeff Long "The Descent"
People discover another race of things living under the planet that want to kill us.
Or do they? Is Satan their leader?
Very enjoyable, a worldwide-scale end-of-the-world story about a group's journey thousands of miles under the surface to discover stuff and an eventual battle for the planet.
Sebastian Faulks "Birdsong"
Awful awful chick-lit of the highest water.
Dreadful. Incredibly pretentious, DH Lawrence wannabe story about a bloke that lives with a French family, has affair with the woman of the house, gets sent to WWI and trench warfare, feels bad about stuff and generally tortures himself about how nasty and unfair the world is.
Very slowly.
It's...imagine being forced to listen to a distant Aunty talk about how she fell in love with a soldier and how she used to have to wash her clothes in a river for 5 days straight.
Avoid unless you are a woman.
Or Grix.
Mark Haddon "The Curious Incident of The Dog in the Nightime"
Surprisingly very good indeed. I usually avoid these pre-praised "book of the month!!!!" things because I invariably find them to be dullness in word-form (Brick Lane or any Salman Rushdie for example).
But this really worked for me. Reminded me a lot of "Flowers for Algernon" in it's style - written from the pov of a 15yr with Aspergers Syndrome (a form of autism), so the sentences are constructed very simply and in character. Initially I found that a bit gimmicky but soon hooked me in. Read the thing in 2hrs this afternoon in 1 sitting from start-to-finish because I wanted to see what happens.
Christopher finds a neighbours dog murdered with a pitchfork and decides to investigate. He likes red things, doesn't like yellow or brown. Likes numbers and maths, hates people touching him and lays on the floor "doing the moan thing until they went away".
Recommended 100%
Loung Ung "First They Killed My Father"
Autobiography of a woman who's family was caught up in the Khmer Rouge invasion of Cambodia in the 1970s.
Heartbreaking to read what happens to her from aged 3 upwards, the incredible hardships imposed, the fear and loathing of Khmer Rouge, the "training camps", the enforced brutality of that regime, starvation, death of family members....just an awful, awful experience but with a glimmer of hope and happiness towards the end.
It's not an easy read by any stretch, nor would you be interested if you think Pol Pot was "misunderstood". It discusses the genocide of Cambodians, the persecution of anybody not "base", the incredible suffering that hundreds of thousands of innocent people endured at the hands of that tyrant.
----------
And, on their way to me, I shall be reading this week:
The Life of Pi & Vernon God Little - reports to follow
Quick capsule reviews:
Robert Heinlein "Stranger in a Strange Land"
Martian/Human hybrid comes to earth for the first time ever and experiences this planet.
Very good indeed, another "SF Masterworks Classic" that gave me "I Am Legend". Heinlein uses the character as a way of exploring our world, from religion to monogamy and all the stuff inbetween. Surprisingly easy reading considering I don't usually enjoy sci-fi stuff. Pretty scathing to organised religions, politicians and our inability to be honest to one another about ourselves.
George R Stewart "Earth Abides"
Post apocalypse story much in the vein of the (written later) Stephen King book "The Stand".
Bloke gets bitten by a rattlesnake when out climbing and develops a fever. Comes to and discovers that 99% of the country/world has died from a mysterious disease and has to learn to live. There's no clumsy good vs evil flavour like King's. Just a literate and thoughtful prediction on how we would survive in a world without cars, electricity, running water, medicines, laws, governments, religion. Bloke meets woman, they have kids and so on down the line. Interesting to see the beginnings of new religions, superstitions, traditions and the dying of what we take for granted. They have to learn to catch animals, develop their own languages and basically return to cavemen, unable to start fire or figure out how to read/write.
Jeff Long "The Descent"
People discover another race of things living under the planet that want to kill us.
Or do they? Is Satan their leader?
Very enjoyable, a worldwide-scale end-of-the-world story about a group's journey thousands of miles under the surface to discover stuff and an eventual battle for the planet.
Sebastian Faulks "Birdsong"
Awful awful chick-lit of the highest water.
Dreadful. Incredibly pretentious, DH Lawrence wannabe story about a bloke that lives with a French family, has affair with the woman of the house, gets sent to WWI and trench warfare, feels bad about stuff and generally tortures himself about how nasty and unfair the world is.
Very slowly.
It's...imagine being forced to listen to a distant Aunty talk about how she fell in love with a soldier and how she used to have to wash her clothes in a river for 5 days straight.
Avoid unless you are a woman.
Or Grix.
Mark Haddon "The Curious Incident of The Dog in the Nightime"
Surprisingly very good indeed. I usually avoid these pre-praised "book of the month!!!!" things because I invariably find them to be dullness in word-form (Brick Lane or any Salman Rushdie for example).
But this really worked for me. Reminded me a lot of "Flowers for Algernon" in it's style - written from the pov of a 15yr with Aspergers Syndrome (a form of autism), so the sentences are constructed very simply and in character. Initially I found that a bit gimmicky but soon hooked me in. Read the thing in 2hrs this afternoon in 1 sitting from start-to-finish because I wanted to see what happens.
Christopher finds a neighbours dog murdered with a pitchfork and decides to investigate. He likes red things, doesn't like yellow or brown. Likes numbers and maths, hates people touching him and lays on the floor "doing the moan thing until they went away".
Recommended 100%
Loung Ung "First They Killed My Father"
Autobiography of a woman who's family was caught up in the Khmer Rouge invasion of Cambodia in the 1970s.
Heartbreaking to read what happens to her from aged 3 upwards, the incredible hardships imposed, the fear and loathing of Khmer Rouge, the "training camps", the enforced brutality of that regime, starvation, death of family members....just an awful, awful experience but with a glimmer of hope and happiness towards the end.
It's not an easy read by any stretch, nor would you be interested if you think Pol Pot was "misunderstood". It discusses the genocide of Cambodians, the persecution of anybody not "base", the incredible suffering that hundreds of thousands of innocent people endured at the hands of that tyrant.
----------
And, on their way to me, I shall be reading this week:
The Life of Pi & Vernon God Little - reports to follow
Page:
the sagacious one wrote:
> NIGHT'S DAWN TRILOGY
>
> (see how I cleverly used my caplock to produce capital letters,
>
Heh. When I read your name as the last one in this thread, I was never expecting a "witty" post.
> NIGHT'S DAWN TRILOGY
>
> (see how I cleverly used my caplock to produce capital letters,
>
Heh. When I read your name as the last one in this thread, I was never expecting a "witty" post.
NIGHT'S DAWN TRILOGY
(see how I cleverly used my caplock to produce capital letters, others may have used the shift key but I think that the use of the capslock allows for two handed typing. Of course I typed three words and used some minor punctuation, so it could be argued that I wasted my time and effort in doing so but I feel that the outcome justified the means and anyway I hate people who blabber on about stuff that's of no relevance)
(see how I cleverly used my caplock to produce capital letters, others may have used the shift key but I think that the use of the capslock allows for two handed typing. Of course I typed three words and used some minor punctuation, so it could be argued that I wasted my time and effort in doing so but I feel that the outcome justified the means and anyway I hate people who blabber on about stuff that's of no relevance)
Pandaemonium wrote:
> Neil Stephenson - "Cryptonomicon"
An excellent book, one I really fancy reading again. I'm about 600 pages into The Confusion, part 2 of his new trilogy, and am really loving it. It's amazing how Stephenson can make even the beginnings of international finance sound exciting but somehow he does - and then he chucks in pirates, battles, daring heists and gunpowder.
> Maus I – My Father Bleeds History– Maus II – And Here My Troubles
> Begin - Art Speigleman
My dad has these - I've been meaning to borrow them for ages.
Goatboy wrote:
> Mark Haddon "The Curious Incident of The Dog in the
> Nightime"
Really liked it, especially the way Haddon avoided making the narrator into some heroic disabled kid who could teach the world some really important lessons. Instead he makes fun of other mentally disabled kids.
Books I've read recently:
I, Robot - Isaac Asimov
Saw the movie trailer, bought the book. Classic, intelligent sci-fi. He takes three simple rules for robot behaviour and extrapolates all the complexity that can result from them, portraying a world where technology progresses faster than humans can really understand it. It's a series of linked short stories that read a bit like detective stories: robot behaves strangely, human figures out why. Really compulsive stuff.
The Slippery Slope - Lemony Snickett
Brilliant series of children's books, of which this is number ten. Very funny, very dark. Three orphans get trapped in a series of bizaare and dreadful situations by a succession of feckless, unreasonable or evil adults. Kafka for kids, with the best narrator in the history of books.
And on their way: Isaac Asimov - Foundation and Dan Simmons - Fall of Hyperion.
> Neil Stephenson - "Cryptonomicon"
An excellent book, one I really fancy reading again. I'm about 600 pages into The Confusion, part 2 of his new trilogy, and am really loving it. It's amazing how Stephenson can make even the beginnings of international finance sound exciting but somehow he does - and then he chucks in pirates, battles, daring heists and gunpowder.
> Maus I – My Father Bleeds History– Maus II – And Here My Troubles
> Begin - Art Speigleman
My dad has these - I've been meaning to borrow them for ages.
Goatboy wrote:
> Mark Haddon "The Curious Incident of The Dog in the
> Nightime"
Really liked it, especially the way Haddon avoided making the narrator into some heroic disabled kid who could teach the world some really important lessons. Instead he makes fun of other mentally disabled kids.
Books I've read recently:
I, Robot - Isaac Asimov
Saw the movie trailer, bought the book. Classic, intelligent sci-fi. He takes three simple rules for robot behaviour and extrapolates all the complexity that can result from them, portraying a world where technology progresses faster than humans can really understand it. It's a series of linked short stories that read a bit like detective stories: robot behaves strangely, human figures out why. Really compulsive stuff.
The Slippery Slope - Lemony Snickett
Brilliant series of children's books, of which this is number ten. Very funny, very dark. Three orphans get trapped in a series of bizaare and dreadful situations by a succession of feckless, unreasonable or evil adults. Kafka for kids, with the best narrator in the history of books.
And on their way: Isaac Asimov - Foundation and Dan Simmons - Fall of Hyperion.
What are you talking about?
RoJ stop copying things on the internet
Oh, and the front cover of Dog Curious blah is something of genius in it's simplicity.
A dog...with a pitchfork sticking out of it.
Drawn, of course. As in, single line thing. Bah, you know what I mean.
A dog...with a pitchfork sticking out of it.
Drawn, of course. As in, single line thing. Bah, you know what I mean.
The Jester (James Patterson)
Period novel set in France, during the Crusades. Typical good vs bad type novel involvong some mysterious relics. It's a decent book, but it seems that the writer was a little rushed when he wrote it and he seems to deliberately set out to try and shock the reader and disturb them, even when it is not necessary. Not a bad book, but not orignal either.
The Vanished Man (Jeffrey Deaver)
Crime/ Detective type novel with a paralysed super detective (Lincoln Rhymes), similar to that in The Bone Collector. I'm not sure if they are related. It's a fairly decent book, Deaver researched in detail with regards to the background, in this case "magic", misdirection, psychology etc. Worth a look if you like the genre, and it has more twists than a twisty bit of string.
Bringing Down the House (Ben Mezrich)
Supposedly a true story about six MIT genius students who manipulated Vegas and other casinos for millions of dollars through "card counting". Some very interesting facts and lots of tension, but a slightly dissapointing ending. Guess that's what you get in a true story..
Cloud Of Sparrows (Takashi something or other.)
Liked this book more that all the others above. Another period novel, this time set in Japan, in the 15th/16th century when it was more open to Westerners and the Samurai were dying out. Follows the story of a group of three Chritian Missionaries as they are caught up in the turbulent times. Some great characters, secks and bloody clashes makes this extremely interesting, and you sympathise with the Japanese as there country is invaded (in a sense) and corrupted by the Europeans and their charlatan religion. Thankfully, religion is hardly mentioned. Definitely recommend this book.
The Sum of All Fears (Tom Clancy)
First book I read by Clancy and it was brilliant. Expertly woven together, a real page turner. Everything comes together at the end and the suspense is the best I have ever experienced in any book. Basically a nuclear weapon goes missing, terrorists find it, you know what happens next. But this isn't some amateurish cowboy authors tale with minimun detail given becasue he has no bloody idea what he is on about. No. Clancy has gone into minute detail here to give us the whole picture, and it is so bloody well written it is hard to tell fact from fiction. The whole construction of the bomb is superbly detailed, with a bit left (read the book and you'll understand). I strongly recommend you to get this book. A real espionage combat political thriller. Excellent.
A Song For Nero (Thomas Holt)
Another period novel (I likes em I does) set this time in the Roman Empire. Deals with the situation of Nero faking his death in a sense and continuing life elsewhere. This novel is not very original. But it is very good. It has elements of philosophy in it, as well as an engrossing tale and plenty of clashes. I found the end a bit confusing however, but I strongly recommend this novel to anyone that likes the genre and has a passion for historical fiction.
Period novel set in France, during the Crusades. Typical good vs bad type novel involvong some mysterious relics. It's a decent book, but it seems that the writer was a little rushed when he wrote it and he seems to deliberately set out to try and shock the reader and disturb them, even when it is not necessary. Not a bad book, but not orignal either.
The Vanished Man (Jeffrey Deaver)
Crime/ Detective type novel with a paralysed super detective (Lincoln Rhymes), similar to that in The Bone Collector. I'm not sure if they are related. It's a fairly decent book, Deaver researched in detail with regards to the background, in this case "magic", misdirection, psychology etc. Worth a look if you like the genre, and it has more twists than a twisty bit of string.
Bringing Down the House (Ben Mezrich)
Supposedly a true story about six MIT genius students who manipulated Vegas and other casinos for millions of dollars through "card counting". Some very interesting facts and lots of tension, but a slightly dissapointing ending. Guess that's what you get in a true story..
Cloud Of Sparrows (Takashi something or other.)
Liked this book more that all the others above. Another period novel, this time set in Japan, in the 15th/16th century when it was more open to Westerners and the Samurai were dying out. Follows the story of a group of three Chritian Missionaries as they are caught up in the turbulent times. Some great characters, secks and bloody clashes makes this extremely interesting, and you sympathise with the Japanese as there country is invaded (in a sense) and corrupted by the Europeans and their charlatan religion. Thankfully, religion is hardly mentioned. Definitely recommend this book.
The Sum of All Fears (Tom Clancy)
First book I read by Clancy and it was brilliant. Expertly woven together, a real page turner. Everything comes together at the end and the suspense is the best I have ever experienced in any book. Basically a nuclear weapon goes missing, terrorists find it, you know what happens next. But this isn't some amateurish cowboy authors tale with minimun detail given becasue he has no bloody idea what he is on about. No. Clancy has gone into minute detail here to give us the whole picture, and it is so bloody well written it is hard to tell fact from fiction. The whole construction of the bomb is superbly detailed, with a bit left (read the book and you'll understand). I strongly recommend you to get this book. A real espionage combat political thriller. Excellent.
A Song For Nero (Thomas Holt)
Another period novel (I likes em I does) set this time in the Roman Empire. Deals with the situation of Nero faking his death in a sense and continuing life elsewhere. This novel is not very original. But it is very good. It has elements of philosophy in it, as well as an engrossing tale and plenty of clashes. I found the end a bit confusing however, but I strongly recommend this novel to anyone that likes the genre and has a passion for historical fiction.
Everyone must go and read the Night's Dawn trilogy by Peter F. Hamilton.
I won't spoil any of it by trying to provide a synopsis but they are the most entertaining books I've read. Each book is about 1000 pages long so there's a huge amount of scope to the story.
Please I beg you all to read it.
I won't spoil any of it by trying to provide a synopsis but they are the most entertaining books I've read. Each book is about 1000 pages long so there's a huge amount of scope to the story.
Please I beg you all to read it.
*Drop the books then turn on tv and watch wembledon*
Go Federer
Go Federer
Dan Brown - The DaVinci Code
Finished this the other week. Really impressed by it. I couldn't put the thing down!! Every chapter seems to bring about a twist or another cliffhanger, and somehow that never seems to get tiring. Raises a lot of questions about Christianity that a lot of people on these forums might find interesting. Would definitely recommend it.
Douglas Coupland - Hey, Nostradamus!
Finished yesterday. Really different to the only other Coupland book I'd read (Microserfs, when I was about 16), but still a fabulous read. 1 event, four people's points of view, four different time periods, all forming one story. Excellently written, and again deals with a lot of issues to do with God.
GL
Finished this the other week. Really impressed by it. I couldn't put the thing down!! Every chapter seems to bring about a twist or another cliffhanger, and somehow that never seems to get tiring. Raises a lot of questions about Christianity that a lot of people on these forums might find interesting. Would definitely recommend it.
Douglas Coupland - Hey, Nostradamus!
Finished yesterday. Really different to the only other Coupland book I'd read (Microserfs, when I was about 16), but still a fabulous read. 1 event, four people's points of view, four different time periods, all forming one story. Excellently written, and again deals with a lot of issues to do with God.
GL
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