Glens Falls (NY) Online Book Discussion Group discussion
ABOUT BOOKS AND READING
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What are U reading these days? (Part Five) (begun 3/12/09)
Asimov gives plenty of choices for reading. He wrote pretty good mysteries & most everything else. He's the only author who has a book in every major section of the Dewey Decimal system. Great author.
Jim wrote: "Asimov gives plenty of choices for reading. He wrote pretty good mysteries & most everything else. He's the only author who has a book in every major section of the Dewey Decimal system. Great author."Jim, I didn't know that about Asimov and the Dewey Decimal system.
Asimov was an amazing man. I wonder if there's been a biography written about him.
I bought _I, Robot_ and _Lucky Starr and the Pirates of the Asteroids_ (by Asimov writing as Paul French) for my grandson. Also bought him _Farmer in the Sky_ and _Have Space Suit-Will Travel_, both by Robert A. Heinlein.
That was all due to my talking to you folks about these authors. At least my grandson will become familiar with the authors' names.
Jim, I was recently 'corrected' about that Dewey Decimal system and Asimov, this person claims he never wrote in 'Philosophy', I'm wondering if you can clear this up for me. Joy,
His memoirs: I, Asimov: A Memoir
I love that title!
It's Been a Good Life is another one. I'm sure there's been biographies written about him. And he's written tons of biographies on others.
Stranger in a Strange Land is probably Heinlein's most popular, and IMO, best work. My sister and I have been saying a quote from it lately because it reminds us of our Dad who would quote Michael Valentine Smith, the main character from SiSL:
"There is that".
How old is your grandson? It's a deep book, depending on his age, I'd recommend it. If he's too yong, he may not 'get' the underlying story which is so prevalent in sci-fi themes, which is what I love most in the genre: the story beneath the story.
Gotta run, going out 2 days in a row! I'm breaking my hermit tendencies, LOL
Jackie wrote: "...His memoirs: I, Asimov: A MemoirI love that title! It's Been a Good Life is another one. ..."
Thanks for the links, Jackie. I've added the Asimov autobiographies to my To-Read Shelf so that I'll remember to read them eventually.
Our grandson is 14 years old. I'll try to get an audio of the Heinlein book so I can judge whether he'd be ready for reading the book.
Enjoy your outings. Don't forget your umbrella!
Jackie, I guess the other person is correct, at least according to Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Issac_As...
He published nothing in the 100's, which is Philosophy & Psychology. This from the man that wrote the book on the psychology of robots!
I think I'll just give it to him...
Jim wrote: "I think I'll just give it to him..."LOL - You're a good man, Charlie Brown.
Me too , Jim.I take wikipedia with a grain of salt.
Joy,
Stranger doesn't have anything immoral in it, so agewise he'd be OK with the content of the book. It's a good observation of human nature and mob mentality. Being 14, I don't know if he'd understand it, not like those of us, who have witnessed mobs in action during the course of our lives, would.
Some books make more sense the older we get and the more we've learned in our lives.
Jackie wrote: "Stranger doesn't have anything immoral in it, so agewise he'd be OK with the content of the book. It's a good observation of human nature and mob mentality... ... Some books make more sense the older we get and the more we've learned in our lives."Thanks, Jackie. I'll keep _Stranger in a Strange Land_ in mind for the future.
Starting Foundation and Empire right now. Foundation was good, but it definitely needs more. Which is probably why it's a series, LOLI had read it ages ago, and didn't really remember much of it. I think Asimov has done better work, but I'll see how the whole series goes and be better able to judge it later when I finish it all.
Jackie wrote: "Starting Foundation and Empire right now. Foundation was good, but it definitely needs more. Which is probably why it's a series, LOL ..."Jackie, from your previous list, I see _Foundation and Empire_ is the second book in the series. Below is the list with the dates:
Foundation series by Asimov:
1. Foundation (1951)
2. Foundation and Empire (1952)
3. Second Foundation (1953)
4. Foundation's Edge (1982)
5. Foundation and Earth (1986)
Prequels:
6. Prelude to Foundation (1988)
7. Forward the Foundation (1993)
I finished listening to the audio of Sydney Poitier's _The Measure of a Man A Spiritual Autobiography_. Poitier has some interesting things to say about life and people in general. He reveals a lot about the real Sydney Poitier, showing himself to be a real thinker.I've started listening to the audio of _The Gravedigger's Daughter_ by Joyce Carol Oates. I've never read anything by Oates before because, from what I've heard, she's quite intimidating as an intellectual. The story starts out very suspensefully. It seems a bit dark. We'll see if I'll continue.
I'd be interested to know how The Gravedigger's Daughter is. I think we're getting a feel for what each other likes.
Jackie wrote: "I'd be interested to know how The Gravedigger's Daughter is. I think we're getting a feel for what each other likes."Yes, Jackie, that's true ...and you are introducing me to new genres.
In addition to the audio, I also have a hard copy of Oates' _The Gravedigger's Daughter_ and had started reading it. When I realized that it was "understandable" (i.e., not too opaque), I tried the audio to speed things up.
A few years ago (before Goodreads) when I was curious about Oates' writing, I went to the library and found a review of one of her books. I didn't even understand what the review was saying! I concluded that I was out of my depth. Now I'm trying again, but I don't like the dark atmosphere in this book (_TGD_) so far.
I've added to my comments about Joyce Carol Oates' novel, _The Gravedigger's Daughter_. Please see: ====>http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...
Hi there! I'm still working on the Anita Blake series - I'm currently reading Bloody Bones (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, #5), and should finish that up tonight. I think I'll be starting The Killing Dance next, but I'm not sure. I guess I'll have to see what I'm in the mood for! :)
I also have A Little Bit Wicked Life, Love, and Faith in Stages checked out from the public library, so I need to finish that one, and I want to read The Gravedigger's Daughter - thanks to Joy!
Has anyone read the newest Anita Blake book? It's Skin Trade. I've heard that it's much better than books 10-16... but I'm not sure if that one book could justify reading 10-16.
I liked the Anita Blake series up to about the 6th book. Then she started getting into too much kinky sex & romance. I kept reading until the last one - not the newest, "Skin Trade". I think "Micha" was the one I liked the least. I think you probably have to read them all in order to really keep on track with the characters, though. There are too many new ones & changes to old ones unless you suffer through the smut. I hope it's better.
Have you read her Merry Gentry series? That goes south by the 2d or 3d book. It's a shame. Such interesting, well done characters & worlds.
I just finished Janny's "Mistwraith" book. I'm rereading Delaney's "Einstein Intersection" & also started " Take Off Your Glasses and See A Mind/Body Approach to Expanding Your Eyesight and Insight that Janny recommended. I hate having to wear reading glasses.
Jim wrote: "... I just finished Janny's "Mistwraith" book. I'm rereading Delaney's "Einstein Intersection" & also started "Take Off Your Glasses and See A Mind/Body Approach to Expanding Your Eyesight and Insight ...""The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes."
-Marcel Proust
Full quote:
"The only real voyage of discovery consists not in seeing new landscapes, but in having new eyes, in seeing the universe with the eyes of another, of hundreds of others, in seeing the hundreds of universes that each of them sees." -Marcel Proust
FROM: http://www.giga-usa.com/gigaweb1/quot...
Jenni wrote: "Hi there! I'm still working on the Anita Blake series - I'm currently reading Bloody Bones (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, #5), and should finish that up tonight. I think I'll be sta..."Jenni, I've never read any of the Anita Blake series. I followed your link and learned that the author of the series is Laurell K. Hamilton. Her GR page says: "Laurell K. Hamilton is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of two series that mix mystery, fantasy, magic, horror and romance. Her Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter novels from Berkley Books began with _Guilty Pleasures (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, #1)_". (1993)
Jim wrote: "... I just finished Janny's "Mistwraith" book ..."Jim, I had to search a bit but now I see that you were referring to Janny Wurts. Another new author for me.
PS-Now I see that you mentioned her in Message #386 of this topic.
Sorry, Joy. I should have been more specific. Besides being a good author, Janny has become a very good friend. She's the same age as Marg, has horses, paints (illustrates her own book covers) & is one of the top amateur bag pipers in the country. Very interesting lady to talk to. Her knowledge of the writing & publishing industry is extensive & much of what she's told me is shocking.I was listening to a radio interview with her & one of the shocking things is that the big publishers buy table space at the big book stores. I never knew that. Those front racks & tables can go for thousands of dollars. There are only a few big publishers since most own many other labels. Editors change constantly.
The effect of this on what we get offered to read is amazing. Numbers are all that matter & they aren't very accurate. Small, independent presses are really at a disadvantage.
I read Nightseer by Laurell K. Hamilton and I really liked it. This is old, so no sex or anything like that. It was left open for more but nothing ever came of it.
Jim wrote: "... I was listening to a radio interview with her & one of the shocking things is that the big publishers buy table space at the big book stores. ..."Jim, interesting about author Janny Wurts.
As for the big publishers buying "table space", the food companies do the same thing, having their food products featured at the front ends of the aisles. One time there was a photographer who had a corner in a supermarket doing portrait photograpy. I asked him why his prices were so high. I'll always remember his answer. It was the to the effect of: "Well, first these supermarkets have to like us a lot." You know what that means... they pay the price. Money makes the world go around... ===>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkRIbU...
Getting back to Isaac Asimov's memoirs (I'm still digging through my e-mail notices from Goodreads that came while I was away from the Internet :-)), that's a multi-volume project. The first one is In Memory Yet Green: The Autobiography of Isaac Asimov, 1920-1954, published in 1979. I haven't read it myself; but I did skim a bit in it several years ago, while I was attending a library conference at Asbury Univ., killing time in their library.
Werner wrote: "Getting back to Isaac Asimov's memoirs (I'm still digging through my e-mail notices from Goodreads that came while I was away from the Internet :-)), that's a multi-volume project. The first one i..."Werner, I'm sure Asimov's autobiography would be interesting. He was such a clever fellow.
Speaking of clever fellows, I've been listening to an audio (borrowed from the library) of a book by Richard P Feynman, the Nobel Prize-winning physicist (1918-88). The book is entitled _Surely You're Joking Mr. Feynman!_. (See the Amazon.com page at: ====> )
http://www.amazon.com/Surely-Feynman-...
So far I've been turned off by the technical and scientific material which is way over my head, (making me realize how terribly ignorant I am about so many things... it's annoying and depressing). (lol) However, according to the descriptions, Feynman's anecdotes are supposed to be very amusing. From amazon.com I see that one of the chapters is called "Judging Books by Their Covers". Sounds like a good one, but I haven't come to that part yet. I can see/hear that the book has the potential to be very entertaining.
PS-Next time I'm at the library, maybe I'll look for an audio of an autobiography of Azimov. I probably won't won't get around to reading the book (_In Memory Yet Green The Autobiography of Isaac Asimov, 1920-1954_) for a long time. However, I'll put it on my to-read list.
Joy, In Memory Yet Green isn't really a must-read unless you're an enthusiastic Asimov fan, or studying the history of the SF genre (as I was at the time I skimmed in it). Personally, though, just from what I read of the above book and his autobiographical comments in the anthology Before the Golden Age, I'd say his real literary gifts were best suited to the memoir genre --recounting events and impressions that really happened, in an interesting and sometimes droll way-- as opposed to fiction, where he had to invent his material, and wasn't always good at making it believable and realistic, IMO. His fans would probably say that's heresy. :-) (Of course, in writing about himself, he had the advantage of dealing with his favorite subject --as he himself acknowledged, even his friends considered him "a monster of egotism.") The reader can actually get interested in his early life, in a New York City milieu that's vastly different from today's; and he also gives one a window into the old pulp ghetto days of American SF, since he knew so many of the early major figures --starting with the pivotal figure of Astounding Stories editor John W. Campbell Jr., whose friend and protege' he was.
Just finished Foundation and Empire. I feel this series gets better. I'd forgotten how dull the first book is. It's good, but not Asimov's best though it is wildly popular.F & E ends better, with a definite goal in mind, where we go from here. I'm excited to get right on Second Foundation.
Werner wrote: "Joy, In Memory Yet Green isn't really a must-read unless you're an enthusiastic Asimov fan, or studying the history of the SF genre (as I was at the time I skimmed in it). Personally, though, just..."Werner, thanks for the information. A short search at Amazon.com doesn't indicate any audio of any of Asimov's autobiographies. I guess it would be too much to hope for an audio of any kind in Asimov's own voice.
I do own one of his books, _Isaac Asimov's Treasury of Humor_ (first published 1972). The best parts of the book are those in which he explains what makes each joke/anecdote so funny. I found it entertaining and enlightening. It's like an informal analysis of humor... and the jokes and anecdotes are good ones.
Jackie wrote: "Just finished Foundation and Empire. ... F & E ends better, with a definite goal in mind, where we go from here. I'm excited to get right on Second Foundation. "Ah, _The Second Foundation_, the third in the series. :)
(For those who just tuned in, see message #411 above. Also #s 392 and 394.)
Pontalba, there's no description for Cryptographer. Can you give me a hint what it's about. The name sounds like something I may, depending upon what you say. How was it? Did you enjoy it?
Jackie wrote: "Pontalba, there's no description for Cryptographer. Can you give me a hint what it's about. The name sounds like something I may, depending upon what you say. How was it? Did you enjoy it?"
I did enjoy it quite a lot, I'll copy and paste the Amazon synopsis, but there is really much more...the relationship between Anna and Law is deceptive in nature, and surprising, it certainly kept my attention.
From Amazon...
John Law is a man full of secrets. People call him the Cryptographer, or the Codemaker. He is mysterious and charming, the world's first quadrillionaire, the inventor of an unbreakable code, of a new form of electronic money. As a man, he is admired and distrusted more than most. Tax inspector Anna Moore's talent is for getting clients to talk. She is good at what she does, one of the best. So when the Revenue assigns John Law as Anna's new client, her first task is to discover just what it is he's trying to hide...
I did enjoy it quite a lot, I'll copy and paste the Amazon synopsis, but there is really much more...the relationship between Anna and Law is deceptive in nature, and surprising, it certainly kept my attention.
From Amazon...
John Law is a man full of secrets. People call him the Cryptographer, or the Codemaker. He is mysterious and charming, the world's first quadrillionaire, the inventor of an unbreakable code, of a new form of electronic money. As a man, he is admired and distrusted more than most. Tax inspector Anna Moore's talent is for getting clients to talk. She is good at what she does, one of the best. So when the Revenue assigns John Law as Anna's new client, her first task is to discover just what it is he's trying to hide...
Jim wrote: "I liked the Anita Blake series up to about the 6th book. Then she started getting into too much kinky sex & romance. I kept reading until the last one - not the newest, "Skin Trade". I think "Mi..."Jim... I'm agreeing with you already! I just finished The Killing Dance, and I already see the big turn it's taking in the direction of south. As it is, I need a little break from Anita, so I'm starting The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and A Little Bit Wicked Life, Love, and Faith in Stages. After these, I'll probably visit Anita in the 7th book... and we'll see what happens from there.
Thanks for letting me know about the Merry Gentry series. I might read it (or the first two/three books) sometime!
Oh - I've also heard that there will be an upcoming TV series based on the Anita Blake books. I don't know when or what station, but I'd be interested in seeing at least a few episodes.
Jenni,
I just finished The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society last week, really enjoyed it, she keeps the story going through the letters so beautifully, better that any of that type I've seen before. I was a little doubtful about the format, but someone whose reading habits I respect told me that it worked, and she was right.
She keeps the tension going and until the end, you're not sure about just how it'll end. Effective writing.
I just finished The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society last week, really enjoyed it, she keeps the story going through the letters so beautifully, better that any of that type I've seen before. I was a little doubtful about the format, but someone whose reading habits I respect told me that it worked, and she was right.
She keeps the tension going and until the end, you're not sure about just how it'll end. Effective writing.
Jenni,Yes it's true:
NEW YORK, NY – March 31, 2009 – IFC tv announced today it has greenlit its first original event telefilm, “Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter,” based on Hamilton’s series of best-selling paranormal fantasy novels and produced by Lionsgate and After Dark Films. Adapted by Glen Morgan ("X-Files," "Final Destination"), who also serves as executive producer, the movie begins production this summer.
MORE at her website:
http://www.laurellkhamilton.org/IFCpr...
Pontalba wrote: "... I'll copy and paste the Amazon synopsis, but there is really much more..."Pontalba, thanks for posting the synopsis of The Cryptographer by Tobias Hill.
Sounds like a good one.
The book, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, by Mary Ann Shaffer sounds good too. Seems that everyone wants to read that one. I see that Jenni is currently reading it.
Jenni, a friend of mine is reading Anita Blake right now. I'm loaning her the books. We're talking about them some. I realized book 6 is about where Hamilton starts talking about kinky sex, but Anita isn't actively participating - she's just getting into her relationship issues too much. It isn't until book 10 that the sex scenes start to get too graphic & take up too much of the book. Still a good story line, but less that I'm interested in reading.I think the biggest turn-off for me about Anita's relationship issues is that she's so good at making fast, hard, correct decisions about everything except this aspect of her life. I could live with it for a book, maybe two, but it drags on & on.
Hi All!Pontalba,
I agree so far - The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is quite interesting in the layout. I actually decided to do the audio book version of this one. I've been listening to it while I'm driving and other spare moments that I have when I can't read a book. The audio book is done really well, and I would recommend it. I do think that I'd get to know the characters better if it was in the more traditional format, but there is something fun about getting to know them this way.
Jim,
I agree about Anita! She is so great at making split second decisions everywhere else, it's hard to understand why she is having a hard time with dating/relationships. Which book is your friend on right now? I'm almost done with A Little Bit Wicked Life, Love, and Faith in Stages, and I think I'll dive into Anita's next book, Burnt Offerings (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, #7), tonight - after I finish up with Kritin.
The Kristin Chenoweth book is a quick and interesting read. If anyone around here is into the Broadway scene, you might enjoy this book. :)
Jackie,
Thanks for the info! I'll have to try and keep my eyes open - I wouldn't mind at least seeing what the movie will be like.
Jenni wrote: "Hi All! Pontalba, I agree so far - The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is quite interesting in the layout. I actually decided to do the audio book version of this one..."Jenni - Good idea about getting the audio!
Thanks Joy! I really recommend it! The audio books of The Book Thief, A Thousand Splendid Suns and The Secret Life of Bees are some other wonderful ones! If you are stuck in a car or somewhere else where you can't read, take the plunge!
Jenni wrote: "Thanks Joy! I really recommend it! The audio books of The Book Thief, A Thousand Splendid Suns and The Secret Life of Bees are some other wonderful ones! ..."Thanks, Jenni. I would also highly recommend _Alias Grace_ (written by Margaret Atwood) read by Elizabeth McGovern.
As I've probably said elsewhere, Elizabeth McGovern lends a suspenseful dramatic flair to the reading which kept me wide-awake listening. She has a beautiful speaking voice and her skills as an actress are in full evidence. Of all the audios I've ever listened to, this one stands out as one the very best.
Below is a link to a website where the the audio is sold: ====>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://www.randomhouse.ca/catalog/dis...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It may also be available at your public library.
My interest is waning with the Foundation novels. I need something different, so I ordered The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger and 2012 The War for Souls by Whitley Strieber from the Library. Since both will be released as movies, I figured I'd better get to them now and not have to rush later when the release date is set. Both were on my List for buying, but it's silly to not use the resources of our wonderful library system.And it gives me a chance to catch up with the two best librarians on the planet: Marie and Ellen. These ladies are awesome, so helpful. They always manage to find exactly what I want, even when I'm not sure myself!
Jenni and Joy,
In the beginning, and maybe about a third of the way through TGLPPPS, I felt the same...it wasn't till then it fully kicked in and became a story, rather than a collection of letters to me.
In the beginning, and maybe about a third of the way through TGLPPPS, I felt the same...it wasn't till then it fully kicked in and became a story, rather than a collection of letters to me.
Jackie, as a librarian, I heartily endorse your point about using library resources! Generally speaking, I usually figure that if the library where I work has a copy of something, there's no real need for me to buy another one just to own it for myself.
Libraries are one of our nations most under-rated treasures. The knowledge contained within those walls...I've always imagined my version of 'heaven' as a library with everything in it. To spend eternity with my beloved books would indeed be heaven.
Hear, hear! (I fully expect to work as a librarian in heaven, so I'll be glad to see you drop by the library any time. :-))Currently, I'm reading Twilight by Stephenie Meyer (after having seen the movie), and really liking it. There are, of course, violently contrasting reader reactions to that book (we had quite a debate about it recently in the Supernatural Fiction Readers group), so when I finish reading it, I suspect I'll garner a good many comments on my review! (Maybe I'll invest in a suit of armor. :-))
Werner wrote: "... Currently, I'm reading Twilight by Stephenie Meyer (after having seen the movie), and really liking it. There are, of course, violently contrasting reader reactions to that book (we had quite a debate about it recently in the Supernatural Fiction Readers group), so when I finish reading it, I suspect I'll garner a good many comments on my review! (Maybe I'll invest in a suit of armor. :-))"LOL, Werner! "A suit of armor!" Good term. At an in-person discussion of _The Story of Edgar Sawtelle_ we almost came to blows. Some loved it. Some hated it. Let me know when you get a good bargain on a suit of armor. I may need one. :)
Jackie wrote: "My interest is waning with the Foundation novels. I need something different, so I ordered The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger and [book:2012 The War for S..."Jackie, I read _The Time Traveler's Wife_ but I can't remember much about it. I'll have to review the descriptions. Today I'm going to a Red Hat luncheon so I must run. But I'll be back to check out the descriptions. Let us know how you like the book.
I will. Maybe we can to the movies together when it comes out.
Jackie wrote: "I will. Maybe we can to the movies together when it comes out."Jackie, yes, that's a good idea!
I've looked at the GR description and the book doesn't ring a bell. Maybe I haven't read it after all. The title is so familiar though.
The GR description says:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"_The Time Traveler's Wife_ depicts the effects of time travel on Henry and Clare's marriage ... Henry finds himself periodically displaced in time... His disappearances are spontaneous, his experiences unpredictable..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sounds like a good basis for a different kind of plot.
Glens Falls (NY) Online Book Discussion Group
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Jackie, I may take you up on that offer! I would like to read something by Asimov. Thanks for the recommendation. I'll be in touch. :)