Clement Rage
Pro Adventurer
Vampire DiariesL J Smith. It's like Twilight, except the protagonist is even less sane.
What are you reading?
- Thread starter Ⓐaron
- Start date
Drax
Pro Adventurer
- AKA
- Benoist; Captain Highwind
Don't know if comics count (if not, we need a comics thread), but,
catching up on a bunch of Spidey comics (Brand New Day stuff, I think I can see a lot of what's going to happen with the Superior Spidey series now), then it hit me:
Not once have I seen Konami come to John Romita JR with offers to draw something Metal Gear. His art fits perfectly.
catching up on a bunch of Spidey comics (Brand New Day stuff, I think I can see a lot of what's going to happen with the Superior Spidey series now), then it hit me:
Not once have I seen Konami come to John Romita JR with offers to draw something Metal Gear. His art fits perfectly.
laurence
Pro Adventurer
Blood Meridian, or the Evening Redness in the West, by Cormac McCarthy
The endless descriptions in this book are amazing, from the rocks of the desert to the saddle of a horse, giving way to a deep atmosphere as if I were standing in the middle of it all. Quite violent scenes in this book also, probably one of the most violent and bloody ones I've recently read.
Also, I've read House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende, which was okay, and reminded me of Marquez's One hundred years of solitude, a family all of them touched with madness living in a corrupt, divided ( divided in more than one respect, i.e. socially, politically, and in terms of gender) Latin america.
The endless descriptions in this book are amazing, from the rocks of the desert to the saddle of a horse, giving way to a deep atmosphere as if I were standing in the middle of it all. Quite violent scenes in this book also, probably one of the most violent and bloody ones I've recently read.
Also, I've read House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende, which was okay, and reminded me of Marquez's One hundred years of solitude, a family all of them touched with madness living in a corrupt, divided ( divided in more than one respect, i.e. socially, politically, and in terms of gender) Latin america.
Cthulhu
Administrator
- AKA
- Yop
The Butlerian Jihad, by Brian Herbert (or Frank Junior, lawl) and some other dude. It's a lot more juvenile and less deep / philosophical than the original Dune books; much more violence, more corny tropes (Mary Sue's having a field day), and half-arsed attempts at deep thoughts like his dad. But eh, it's entertaining and I still want to know what happens next.
Lord Noctis
Harbinger of Darkness
- AKA
- Caius Ballad
Help At Any Cost, by Maia Szalavitz.
So far its been a very distressing read, but also a very informative one regarding the 'Troubled Teen Industry". The author details how an industry that claims to help teenagers is actually doing more harm than good, and is outright abusive.
So far its been a very distressing read, but also a very informative one regarding the 'Troubled Teen Industry". The author details how an industry that claims to help teenagers is actually doing more harm than good, and is outright abusive.
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Obsidian Fire
Ahk Morn!
- AKA
- The Engineer
Reading the Riddlemaster Trilogy by Patricia A Mckillip. The books in it are The Riddlemaster of Hed, Heir of Fire and Water, and Harpist in the Wind. It was one of the first high fantasy works I read as a kid and it's gotten even better as I've gotten older. It's also probably one of the reasons why I have a hard time finding good high fantasy novels as an adult...
LicoriceAllsorts
Donator
I am reading "The Swimming Pool Library" by Alan Hollingshurst (because, rather than work my way through the canon of Canadian literature as I should be doing, I decided to read the 10 Greatest Gay Novels of All Time in an attempt to make my yaoi more believable), and I'm also reading Ken Follet's "World Without End" a medieval historical novel in which all the characters have improbably modern attitudes.
"The Swimming Pool Library" is beautifully written and rather horrible. Its independently wealthy, beautiful, aristocratic, intelligent young gay protagonist lives for nothing but sex. When he's not actually engaged in sex he is thinking about sex. He literally does nothing else with his life. There are no women in this book at all, except for a sister who is mentioned but hasn't yet made an appearance. All the white men in the book fetishize black men, and all the black men are beautiful, ill-educated, sulky, and biddable, and work as boxers or waiters or valets. The protagonist does have a close friend (also gay, but their friendship is mostly platonic) who actually works for a living, as a doctor, but we only ever see him as an object of the protagonist's fond pity, as he (the doctor) constantly fails to get any action due to the fact that he's going bald, whereas our 'hero' effortlessly seduces all the young beauties his doctor friend lusts after in vain. Much of the novel takes place in the showers of a gentleman's club in London.
It's a fascinating but repellent read.
"The Swimming Pool Library" is beautifully written and rather horrible. Its independently wealthy, beautiful, aristocratic, intelligent young gay protagonist lives for nothing but sex. When he's not actually engaged in sex he is thinking about sex. He literally does nothing else with his life. There are no women in this book at all, except for a sister who is mentioned but hasn't yet made an appearance. All the white men in the book fetishize black men, and all the black men are beautiful, ill-educated, sulky, and biddable, and work as boxers or waiters or valets. The protagonist does have a close friend (also gay, but their friendship is mostly platonic) who actually works for a living, as a doctor, but we only ever see him as an object of the protagonist's fond pity, as he (the doctor) constantly fails to get any action due to the fact that he's going bald, whereas our 'hero' effortlessly seduces all the young beauties his doctor friend lusts after in vain. Much of the novel takes place in the showers of a gentleman's club in London.
It's a fascinating but repellent read.
Ⓐaron
Factiō Rēpūblicāna dēlenda est.
- AKA
- The Man, V
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin. One of the many things I like about this novel is that Le Guin succeeds admirably at creating a society that feels genuinely alien. In a lot of cases, science-fiction novels about aliens seem like they're actually written about past or present societies of humans on Earth. Not so with this book. Nothing like this has existed or ever will exist on Earth, for simple reasons of biology. Though as a transgender person, the things she says about gender are fascinating to me for presumably obvious reasons.
Clement Rage
Pro Adventurer
Cold Steel, Kate Elliott. While it's not a game breaker, I'm a bit bothered by the narration's continual references to how stupid and predictable young men are.
In book 2, the protagonist outwits a major villain due to her thought process
1.This supernatural mastermind that has crushed all opposition for a thousand years likes to take the form of a young man.
2. Young men are stupid and predictable, with fragile egos.
3. "You're not going to let [other major villain] kill me, are you? That makes you look weak!"
1.This supernatural mastermind that has crushed all opposition for a thousand years likes to take the form of a young man.
2. Young men are stupid and predictable, with fragile egos.
3. "You're not going to let [other major villain] kill me, are you? That makes you look weak!"
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Ghost X
Moderator
Dog Days: Australia after the boom.
A book authored by economist Ross Garnaut and released back in 2013, after the current government was elected. Thought I'd give it a read, since Garnaut is touted as knowing what he's on about. Our government is doing the opposite to what he has advised, and he predicts a pretty fucked up future as a result. I also think Garnaut is trustworthy, as despite his interests in the mining industry, he has called for the application of some of the strictest climate change policies. I also like some of the terms he has come up with to describe the Australian political culture, such as "The Great Australian Complacency". Mmmph, so good
.
A book authored by economist Ross Garnaut and released back in 2013, after the current government was elected. Thought I'd give it a read, since Garnaut is touted as knowing what he's on about. Our government is doing the opposite to what he has advised, and he predicts a pretty fucked up future as a result. I also think Garnaut is trustworthy, as despite his interests in the mining industry, he has called for the application of some of the strictest climate change policies. I also like some of the terms he has come up with to describe the Australian political culture, such as "The Great Australian Complacency". Mmmph, so good
.
Claymore
3x3 Eyes
Fool's Assassin - Fitz and The Fool (Book 1)
This is the third trilogy by Robin Hobb which focuses on this specific world and characters ... and it's easy to see why. Everyone loves an underdog, and despite all the rash decisions and headdesk moments, you can't help but cheer Fitz (the main character) on and practically willing him to succeed through the murky realm of both life, love, and the politics of the crown. He's a loveable dolt, enhanced by the intricate characters that you quickly find yourself cherishing.
So it was a no-brainer that I would start reading the beginning of her next trilogy with Fitz. It's great to see characters grow and progress, and this first book so far feels a lot like a homecoming. Hobb takes a long time in re-establishing a world at the beginning of every book however (this is a great fault of hers) but she deserves a pass here because this next installment does feel like a progression of both life and characters.
Can't wait to get into the meat of the plot though. Loving it so far.
This is the third trilogy by Robin Hobb which focuses on this specific world and characters ... and it's easy to see why. Everyone loves an underdog, and despite all the rash decisions and headdesk moments, you can't help but cheer Fitz (the main character) on and practically willing him to succeed through the murky realm of both life, love, and the politics of the crown. He's a loveable dolt, enhanced by the intricate characters that you quickly find yourself cherishing.
So it was a no-brainer that I would start reading the beginning of her next trilogy with Fitz. It's great to see characters grow and progress, and this first book so far feels a lot like a homecoming. Hobb takes a long time in re-establishing a world at the beginning of every book however (this is a great fault of hers) but she deserves a pass here because this next installment does feel like a progression of both life and characters.
Can't wait to get into the meat of the plot though. Loving it so far.
Clement Rage
Pro Adventurer
Terrier, by Tamora Pierce. Fairly neutral towards it so far.
Cait Sith
Ugh! As if!
- AKA
- noxy
I'm reading Fresh off the Boat by Eddie Huang.
My boy got me into Huang's World (his YouTube series) awhile ago. I didn't really know he had a book. Or a restaurant here in NYC until just before his sitcom came out.
We got into the t.v. show and I read an interview he did and he said he was kind of frustrated with the direction it was going in because it doesnt stay as close to the book as he really wanted it to.
So I downloaded the book, and I absolutely see his point.
His story and the way he tells it is pretty dope. In spite of being a white girl who grew up spoiled rotten in an upper middle class household, I can relate to him in several ways- our love of food and our love of hip hop music.
XD
My boy got me into Huang's World (his YouTube series) awhile ago. I didn't really know he had a book. Or a restaurant here in NYC until just before his sitcom came out.
We got into the t.v. show and I read an interview he did and he said he was kind of frustrated with the direction it was going in because it doesnt stay as close to the book as he really wanted it to.
So I downloaded the book, and I absolutely see his point.
His story and the way he tells it is pretty dope. In spite of being a white girl who grew up spoiled rotten in an upper middle class household, I can relate to him in several ways- our love of food and our love of hip hop music.
XD
Clement Rage
Pro Adventurer
Arrows of the Queen, Mercedes Lackey. Heard a lot of good things about this series, seven pages in and she's already fleeing an arranged marriage. Sigh.
Claymore
3x3 Eyes
Cephrael's Hand: A Pattern of Shadow & Light
Adverts for this series kept popping up on Amazon and Facebook so I decided to give it a try after finishing The Fitz And The Fool. Normally, I am not impressed with books that simply throw tons of characters at you whilst constantly switching viewpoints and storylines. Obviously, it takes longer to form an attachment to specific characters and the setting, and just when you might be forging that bond, you are ripped out of events and thrown somewhere else with a new face, location and events to follow. But reading reviews beforehand, I was aware of this, so was determined to keep with it because this novel is so well liked.
Once the jumping around settles down, the book begins to get interesting, even though it then settles into a rthyhm that I felt I've read a dozen times before. It definitely has shades of Robert Jordan's The Wheel Of Time and unfortunately, is starting to get quite predictable. However, I have finally begun to warm to the main characters, Ean, Tanis, Athwyn and Trell, so am looking forward to seeing where the author takes them.
70% complete so far. Enjoyable.
Adverts for this series kept popping up on Amazon and Facebook so I decided to give it a try after finishing The Fitz And The Fool. Normally, I am not impressed with books that simply throw tons of characters at you whilst constantly switching viewpoints and storylines. Obviously, it takes longer to form an attachment to specific characters and the setting, and just when you might be forging that bond, you are ripped out of events and thrown somewhere else with a new face, location and events to follow. But reading reviews beforehand, I was aware of this, so was determined to keep with it because this novel is so well liked.
Once the jumping around settles down, the book begins to get interesting, even though it then settles into a rthyhm that I felt I've read a dozen times before. It definitely has shades of Robert Jordan's The Wheel Of Time and unfortunately, is starting to get quite predictable. However, I have finally begun to warm to the main characters, Ean, Tanis, Athwyn and Trell, so am looking forward to seeing where the author takes them.
70% complete so far. Enjoyable.
Clement Rage
Pro Adventurer
Frankenstein, Mary Shelley. A classic for a reason.
trash panda
---m(O.O)gle---
- AKA
- Howl
Aw, I can't have a peak inside the book on Amazon...but I like what the reviews say. I'll add this one to my wish list. ^.^
I'm currently reading Musashi...
Well...I left off on page 213 and have every intention to finish it because the story is quite engaging so far. The remake news has me totally sidetracked so I stopped reading about a week ago. I'll continue soon though. The writing style is very modernized since it was translated to English, so I think some of the original author's voice has been drowned out. Still great.
Claymore
3x3 Eyes
Have you ever read Robert Jordan's The Wheel Of Time? It's themes, characters, and storylines are pretty similar, though, no offence to Mcphail, the writing quality is not even in the same league. Still, it's got all the 'ingredients' for an epic saga, even if I personally feel that it doesn't quite reach those heights.
I've almost reached the end of the second book. Predictable, but very enjoyable.
Cthulhu
Administrator
- AKA
- Yop
TBF, epic / 'high' fantasy all follows the basic storyline / tropes. Think LotR (the Hobbits' storyline to be precise), only less good and done by and for teenage boys.
Source: I've read (a few books of) Wheel of Time, LotR, Eragon, Sword of Tr00f, Magician (+ the other two) (which actually breaks the trope somewhat by having much more character / time progression and having a second/third book that have nothing to do with the first), and I've got stacks of other books in a box somewhere I need to get rid of because it's all the same tl;dr boy-saves-world-from-unmotivated-evil-and-digs-elf-chicks stuff,
Source: I've read (a few books of) Wheel of Time, LotR, Eragon, Sword of Tr00f, Magician (+ the other two) (which actually breaks the trope somewhat by having much more character / time progression and having a second/third book that have nothing to do with the first), and I've got stacks of other books in a box somewhere I need to get rid of because it's all the same tl;dr boy-saves-world-from-unmotivated-evil-and-digs-elf-chicks stuff,
Claymore
3x3 Eyes
Yeah, they all pretty much follow the basics, but I usually find that certain epics throw at least a spanner or two in the works which shakes things up a little. Like you mentioned, I loved the time-progression of the Magician follow-ups, and seeing Pug / Milamber grow and develop within the other realm, even if I kind of lost interest with the Tom / elf stuff because of those exact same sentiments. Definitely complete Wheel Of Time though, it's an epic worthy of the name.
