Books you're currently reading??? - Page 83

Trilby · 09-07-2008, 10:12 AM

The Brief Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao.

WOW.

Shawnee123 · 09-08-2008, 09:42 AM

The Shipping News
-E. Annie Proulx

Trilby · 09-08-2008, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawnee123

The Shipping News
-E. Annie Proulx

I saw that movie. I didn't *get* it, but, maybe I was high. IIRC, it was depressing.

Shawnee123 · 09-08-2008, 12:05 PM

The book is written in such a different way that I found myself thinking "how did they make this into a movie, how could they capture this?" I vaguely remember the movie.

I did notice earlier that the book you're reading also won the Pulitzer for fiction! I can see why The Shipping News did, because the prose is very different and beautiful. Now I think I shall try your book next.

Number 2 Pencil · 09-08-2008, 01:48 PM

I'm reading Connie Willis' Bellwether. I am two or three chapters into it- so far so good. I don't know why i gave her another chance because I didn't like the last book of hers that i read- the Doomsday Book - even though that one somehow won a Hugo and a Nebula I wasn't impressed with it.

I'm also reading a biography of Carl Sagan. What a strange guy he was.

And I'm reading a book edited by Asimov called Before the Golden Age that is a collection of short stories written in the 1930's or 1940's in the pulp magazines. I have had to skip a few stories because they really were too pulpy and not good enough, but some are interesting.

I'm thinking of reading Watchmen again, the movie looks really good special effects wise, though who can tell if the plot will be any good.

My tastes lean towards science fiction, though I read a lot of other stuff too.

Cloud · 09-08-2008, 04:21 PM

welcome, No. 2, and yay for SF!

Number 2 Pencil · 09-08-2008, 06:01 PM

Glad to be here Cloud!

You guys are a fun bunch!

rockerreds · 09-16-2008, 09:43 AM

Philip K. Dick-Martian Time-Slip

Sundae · 09-16-2008, 09:59 AM

Just finished The Yiddish Policeman's Union by Michael Chadon
It's set in a world where Jews were temporarily resettled in Alaska before (and therefore mostly avoiding) the Holocaust. The book is set just before Reversion, where the State returns to American rule. The everyday language is Yiddish, although of course the book is written in English, just using certain words and phrases.

I thoroughly recommend it. The anti-hero is wonderfully noir, the education (for me) in Yiddish phrases and Jewish customs is fascinating and it just has a wonderful twist added by it being set in an alternative version of history. It's also fast-paced, funny and has some gorgeous characters and descriptions.

Chocolatl · 10-04-2008, 06:54 AM

Currently listening to Neil Gaiman's recently released The Graveyard Book.

Mr. Gaiman is on tour, promoting his new book, and reading one chapter of the book at each stop. Videos of the readings are being posted at mousecircus.com. Chapters 1-3 are up so far, with the others soon to follow.

Trilby · 10-05-2008, 08:27 AM

Robert Graves The White Goddess, really fascinating stuff.

TheMercenary · 10-05-2008, 09:01 AM

One of the best reads I have had is a long while:

When a Crocodile Eats the Sun: A Memoir of Africa, by Peter Godwin

http://www.guardian.co.uk/theobserve...ciety.politics

http://www.amazon.com/When-Crocodile.../dp/0316158941

http://nymag.com/arts/books/features/30625/

http://nymag.com/arts/books/features/30625/

rockerreds · 10-17-2008, 01:22 PM

Philip K. Dick-Dr.Bloodmoney

wolf · 10-17-2008, 01:37 PM

Rocker, you may have inspired me to try to find my PKD books in the bookpile!

October so far ...

American Indian Food - Linda Murray Berzok
Hunter of the Light - Risa Aratyr
A Witch's Halloween - Gerina Dunwitch
Weather Shamanism - Nan Moss with David Corbin
The Center Cannot Hold - Elyn R. Saks
Nephilim Stargates - Thomas R. Horn

Current book is 100 Wicked Little Witch Stories (seasonally appropriate short story collection that tester-san found for me)

wolf · 11-12-2008, 12:08 PM

Blood Moon - M.R. Sellars
Latest in a series of Wiccan Detective novels. I've been enjoying them a lot.

The Spirit that Kills - Ronald Levitsky
Mystery novel set in the Black Hills, involves Injuns, but not in the same way as the Hillerman mystery novels

Devil in the White City - Erik Larson
This is a cool book. Really it's more like two books in one ... one about the Columbian Exposition, and a second about some other things going on in the City of Chicago at the same time. Interestingly written. And there was a moment, early on in the book, that grabbed my attention. In talking about one of the character's background story, it mentioned that he had worked very briefly at "The Norristown Asylum." Gets all of three lines, but how often do you open a book about somewhere you used to live, and find something about where you work?

Twlight - Stephenie Meyer
I'm not getting it. One of my cow orkers insisted that I read this because it was so fantastic. Magical. Awesome. Thrilling. With "beautiful use of language," "The New Harry Potter." She was so enthusiastic that against my better judgment, I read the first one. I'm not getting it. It's a plodding, predictable, teen romance novel. meh

09-07-2008, 10:12 AM	#1
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	The Brief Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao. WOW. __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

09-08-2008, 09:42 AM	#2
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	The Shipping News -E. Annie Proulx __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

09-08-2008, 12:05 PM	#4
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	The book is written in such a different way that I found myself thinking "how did they make this into a movie, how could they capture this?" I vaguely remember the movie. I did notice earlier that the book you're reading also won the Pulitzer for fiction! I can see why The Shipping News did, because the prose is very different and beautiful. Now I think I shall try your book next. __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

09-08-2008, 04:21 PM	#6
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	welcome, No. 2, and yay for SF! __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

10-05-2008, 08:27 AM	#11
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	Robert Graves The White Goddess, really fascinating stuff. __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

09-08-2008, 01:48 PM	#5
Number 2 Pencil Not too hard, not too soft Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Next to a yapping dog Posts: 75	I'm reading Connie Willis' Bellwether. I am two or three chapters into it- so far so good. I don't know why i gave her another chance because I didn't like the last book of hers that i read- the Doomsday Book - even though that one somehow won a Hugo and a Nebula I wasn't impressed with it. I'm also reading a biography of Carl Sagan. What a strange guy he was. And I'm reading a book edited by Asimov called Before the Golden Age that is a collection of short stories written in the 1930's or 1940's in the pulp magazines. I have had to skip a few stories because they really were too pulpy and not good enough, but some are interesting. I'm thinking of reading Watchmen again, the movie looks really good special effects wise, though who can tell if the plot will be any good. My tastes lean towards science fiction, though I read a lot of other stuff too.

09-08-2008, 06:01 PM	#7
Number 2 Pencil Not too hard, not too soft Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Next to a yapping dog Posts: 75	Glad to be here Cloud! You guys are a fun bunch!

09-16-2008, 09:43 AM	#8
rockerreds Infamous Defamer Join Date: May 2007 Location: Philadelphia,PA Posts: 50	Philip K. Dick-Martian Time-Slip

09-16-2008, 09:59 AM	#9
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Just finished The Yiddish Policeman's Union by Michael Chadon It's set in a world where Jews were temporarily resettled in Alaska before (and therefore mostly avoiding) the Holocaust. The book is set just before Reversion, where the State returns to American rule. The everyday language is Yiddish, although of course the book is written in English, just using certain words and phrases. I thoroughly recommend it. The anti-hero is wonderfully noir, the education (for me) in Yiddish phrases and Jewish customs is fascinating and it just has a wonderful twist added by it being set in an alternative version of history. It's also fast-paced, funny and has some gorgeous characters and descriptions.

10-04-2008, 06:54 AM	#10
Chocolatl Glutton for Gluttony Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 1,409	Currently listening to Neil Gaiman's recently released The Graveyard Book. Mr. Gaiman is on tour, promoting his new book, and reading one chapter of the book at each stop. Videos of the readings are being posted at mousecircus.com. Chapters 1-3 are up so far, with the others soon to follow.

10-05-2008, 09:01 AM	#12
TheMercenary “Hypocrisy: prejudice with a halo” Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Savannah, Georgia Posts: 21,393	One of the best reads I have had is a long while: When a Crocodile Eats the Sun: A Memoir of Africa, by Peter Godwin http://www.guardian.co.uk/theobserve...ciety.politics http://www.amazon.com/When-Crocodile.../dp/0316158941 http://nymag.com/arts/books/features/30625/ http://nymag.com/arts/books/features/30625/ __________________ Anyone but the this most fuked up President in History in 2012! Last edited by TheMercenary; 10-05-2008 at 09:07 AM.

10-17-2008, 01:22 PM	#13
rockerreds Infamous Defamer Join Date: May 2007 Location: Philadelphia,PA Posts: 50	Philip K. Dick-Dr.Bloodmoney

10-17-2008, 01:37 PM	#14
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	Rocker, you may have inspired me to try to find my PKD books in the bookpile! October so far ... American Indian Food - Linda Murray Berzok Hunter of the Light - Risa Aratyr A Witch's Halloween - Gerina Dunwitch Weather Shamanism - Nan Moss with David Corbin The Center Cannot Hold - Elyn R. Saks Nephilim Stargates - Thomas R. Horn Current book is 100 Wicked Little Witch Stories (seasonally appropriate short story collection that tester-san found for me) __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

11-12-2008, 12:08 PM	#15
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	Blood Moon - M.R. Sellars Latest in a series of Wiccan Detective novels. I've been enjoying them a lot. The Spirit that Kills - Ronald Levitsky Mystery novel set in the Black Hills, involves Injuns, but not in the same way as the Hillerman mystery novels Devil in the White City - Erik Larson This is a cool book. Really it's more like two books in one ... one about the Columbian Exposition, and a second about some other things going on in the City of Chicago at the same time. Interestingly written. And there was a moment, early on in the book, that grabbed my attention. In talking about one of the character's background story, it mentioned that he had worked very briefly at "The Norristown Asylum." Gets all of three lines, but how often do you open a book about somewhere you used to live, and find something about where you work? Twlight - Stephenie Meyer I'm not getting it. One of my cow orkers insisted that I read this because it was so fantastic. Magical. Awesome. Thrilling. With "beautiful use of language," "The New Harry Potter." She was so enthusiastic that against my better judgment, I read the first one. I'm not getting it. It's a plodding, predictable, teen romance novel. meh __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis Last edited by wolf; 11-15-2008 at 01:19 PM.

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