Q&A with Josh Lanyon discussion
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What else are you reading? (June 2010 - May 2013) *closed*
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Emanuela ~plastic duck~
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Jun 25, 2012 11:38AM
Bravissima! :D
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Vivian wrote: "ETA: And also the other way around. I read Moby Dick first in Spanish, and much later the English version. I must say, Melville in English is amazing. /end of Melville fangirl rant"YAY! Another Melvillean! There was a period in my life when I read Moby-Dick once a year for ten years straight, and I'd set out to collect every edition I could afford.
You might want to try The Confidence-Man next, if you haven't yet. It's much shorter but contains almost as much food for thought, and the author's wicked humor shines throughout.
In honor of Wimbledon, I'm going to re-read Match Maker. For those of you who know Tennis it is the concepts from The Inner Game of Tennis: The Classic Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance illustrated in 3D. Of course there is lots of angst, because you can't illustrate inner peace without extrinsic turbulence. =D
Deal of the day (at least for classic horror fans): I just scored the complete works of H.P. Lovecraft for .99 at the Kindle Store. Ninety-nine cents for all those Cthulicious (and other) frights!
Mod
Oh yes? I hadn't he..."
I've not read his books, but this one was recommended to me by a friend since I'm working on two paranormal books.
I have to say, his world building section made it so much easier than the lists of questions I've gotten online. He made it fun to think about all these things and gave examples which was good.
The section I'm in now talks about plot and how you should structure your novel. Of course, this is great for a beginner, or it makes for a great reminder for those who've been writing awhile.
However, he did Quote Ginn Hale's Wicked Gentlemen, which surprised the heck out of me when I saw that. After reading a lot about Discworld and Vamped ... and Twilight. Thankfully, he doesn't mention Twilight too much. Harry Potter has gotten a lot of mentions though. But Harry Potter was actually good and worth my reading time!
So far, the most helpful section for me was the world building. He makes a good point to do your research even if you're making it all up, because some of it is still based on reality.
What I found funny was on Friday as I was running to grab this book from the library shelves before we closed The Handbook of Angels and Fallen Angels, my coworker was like "you know you could just google that!" And I get further into Harper's book and his reaction to research is to talk to the librarian first and use google last! lol.
So perhaps I'll check out some of his other works when I'm done with this one. Either way, what he says does make perfect sense to me and it's in an easily readable/understandable fashion which is an added plus.
Mod
That sounds awesome! Though truth be told, I've not read anything by him, which just seems wrong. But for 99 cents, how can one go wrong? I might have to consider that and give him a try!
He's an acquired taste, Jordan. But once a Lovecraft fan, always a Lovecraft fan. :)
K.Z. wrote: "Deal of the day (at least for classic horror fans): I just scored the complete works of H.P. Lovecraft for .99 at the Kindle Store. Ninety-nine cents for all those Cthulicious (and other) frights!"Thank you so much!
But do I really want to be scared again?!?
ETA: In fact maybe I can choose to be scared for free, see here:
http://www.openculture.com/2012/04/th...
Josh wrote: "And the rest of you are reading....?It's summer. You must be reading. That's the rule, right? We read more in summer? Actually you would think it would be the other way around. But I seem to read..."
2 STRONG RECS!
SECRET LIGHT BY MAXFIELD: Beautifully done, entirely satisfying. I know there's alot out there by this author and I have read 2 or 3. I recall their being good, but none impressed me as much as this one did.
LANCELOT AND THE WOLF: (Not a shifter story) Great story-telling, well-written, terrific characters, in places powerfully affecting. Be patient. The first half, I'm going, Why am I reading this? It's m/f. WAIT! Keep reading. The payoff is terrific. In fact there are 2 more installments in the series and I've bought them both.
Almost forgot: Am reading a mystery THE HANGED MAN by Astrid Fiano. Very impressive start, smooth but not slick. I like the mc and the mystery is very intriguing. I'll keep you apprised.
I've been reading the poems and stories of Edgar Allen Poe - I bought one of those "collection" books. Yes, I bought it becasue the cover was displayed in that "old style" way and I fell victim to it, but I am enjoying the read.
Vivian wrote: "Emanuela ~plastic duck~ wrote: "I'm grateful to translators, because they're our only path to a book and they pour all their love into it, but there's an unknown amount of beauty which gets lost. W..."That is very cool. I'm learning Japanese. It is my dream to be able to speak to any Japanese person, ever, hopefully in Japanese. (It's exciting though to try, isn't it?)
Thomas wrote: "I've been reading the poems and stories of Edgar Allen Poe - I bought one of those "collection" books. Yes, I bought it becasue the cover was displayed in that "old style" way and I fell victim to ..."I think EAPoe is great fun, his stories, a trip. And I've known parts of the Raven by heart since I was a kid. (I don't remember why, but it's wonderfully rythmic and fun just to say, not to mention spooky.) But I was surprised as an adult to discover his Annabel Lee which was so moving, heartbreaking. I hadn't thought of Poe's writing in those terms.
Antonella wrote: "ETA: In fact maybe I can choose to be scared for free, see here"Damn -- ninety-nine cents down the toilet. :) But thank you, Antonella, for the link. I now have
The Great Gatsby on my Kindle, and was led to the b&w movie version of 1984 on YouTube!
I'm a happy reader today.
Candice wrote: "Thomas wrote: "I've been reading the poems and stories of Edgar Allen Poe - I bought one of those "collection" books. Yes, I bought it becasue the cover was displayed in that "old style" way and I ..."Have you heard Sarah Jarosz's musical adaptation of Annabel Lee? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1kR10...
Johanna wrote: "As the audiobooks go I've finished listening Bear, Otter, and the Kid by T.J. Klune and just now I'm off to mow grass with Timing by Mary Calmes. "Ooh, another audiobook fan. I am listening to the Luck in the Shadows/Nightrunner series. I am on the second one -
Stalking Darkness.
Antonella wrote: "ETA: In fact maybe I can choose to be scared for free, see here:http://www.openculture.com/2012/04/th... "
Cool - free audiobooks too. It might be fun to listen to the Foundation Trilogy.
Mod
Ooh, another audiobook fan. I ..."
Hello there, Charming! Yeah, I'm usually reading three books at the same time (well, not literary at the same time *grin*): one audio, one ebook and one paper version. Listening audiobooks is pretty seasonal for me and it's directly proportional to how much I have things to do in the garden. :) Audiobooks have grown on me during the last couple of years and I would actually like to listen to them even more if I'd have more time for it. Today I downloaded Finding Zach by Rowan Speedwell. I'm rapidly going through Audible.com's m/m books (the ones that are available for me in Finland). Anyway, I'm off to do some vacuuming with the Timing (still in progress). :)
Mod
My father takes a great interest in poetry and he knows The Raven by heart. He sometimes performs poetry in different kind of occasions and many of the poems he likes to perform are quite long, like The Raven. Although the rhythm helps, I doubt that I would never be able to memorize such long poems entirely. So like you, Candice, I know parts of it by heart (but only in Finnish though). :)
But yeah, Edgar Allen Poe rocks! ;)
Mod
http://www.openculture.com/2012/04/th... "
Cool - free audiobooks too. It might be fun to listen to the Foundat..."
Very cool! Thanks, Antonella! :)
I also loved the Outlander series but I refused to read the last one. I will read it just before the next one will come out. Cliffhangers where I have to wait a few years for an update are not for me. The Lord John books are good as well. I think it was smart of her to use an introduced character. It gives the reader a sense of familiarity. I just finished Tionne Rogers Substitute. Very good indeed. The Substitute 2 is out, but only in hardcover format so far I think. Which is a shame. I will look through a list to find my next reading project. I am in a mellow mood and try to find angst but with a happy ending.
Finished Farewell, My Lovely, the last line is amazing!!!! I feel cleansed, it's like fine-tuning, I don't know how to explain :) (even if the translator was in my opinion too shy with Marlowe's double-entendre, I don't mean he had to be coarse, nothing like that, just a tad more courageous, because it was there in the original - I checked a few quotes online)I've started Faster Than The Speed Of Light by Lucius Parhelion, it's my first Parhelion's book and I'm pleasantly surprised, I'm loving it a lot. I'll report :D
I'm going through Charlie Cochet's stories and, so far, I like what I'm reading a lot. It's been a while since I added a new author to my "for keeps" list, so I'm happy.
I've been re-reading Manna Francis (all because Johanna mentioned Mind Fuck). I thought it would take ages, but I applied myself with zeal to the task and I've re-read the first 6 books of The Administration Series in the last 10 days or so. I was upset when I found out today that I've still got only one to read. In my head I believed there are 8 books, but just because Manna said there will be an 8th book. It doesn't exist yet...
Mod
Yes, Chandler would be quite a challenge for a translator.
Mod
I think until I started having books translated, it never occurred to me that translation would be its own art! But of course it is. Of course it would require an "ear" as well as a "voice" on the part of the translator. It would require skill and sensitivity.
It's scary too because as an author you're trusting that the translator (who you often have no part in hiring) is not just going to be good and accurate, but true to the spirit of the work.
Some things must be so difficult to translate. Sexual innuendo. Humor.
Josh wrote: "Some things must be so difficult to translate. Sexual innuendo. Humor."Not to mention conversation, slang, really any kind of colloquial language and particularly local dialects.
And there are lots of things that can be ambiguous in English but in German (just for an example) have to be spelt out clearly. Quoting Bill Bryson, "he spent the night with a friend": in English friend could mean "just" a friend, or a girlfriend or a boyfriend, "night" could be just an evening or a whole night, none of this needs to be specified, everything can be implied. In German authors/translators need to make up their minds.
I had to translate literature only when I took my translator's diploma. In that occasion I told myself: ''Never more!''. It's time- and nerve-consuming.But the funny thing is that there are lots of ambiguities also in the ''normal'' texts I translate everyday.
Anyway I'm absolutely against reading translations for the languages I know. I tried it in the past and I kept wondering in my head what did the original say.
Back from holiday in Turkey and there are so many posts to catch up with I probably won't be able to read them all. Turkey was lovely and warm! Of course I got plenty of time to read on the beach. I finished A Visit from the Goon Squad- recommended!, Deadlocked - not the best in the series, The Prince of Tides- old but very enjoyable, almost finished Ghost - like it very much! and is in the middle of The Persian Boy which is very, very good.A good mix I think :)
Years ago I took a poetry class from a woman who was a translator - it was fascinating, she really gave us a sense of how difficult translating is, how many choices there are to be made.Here's an article about Gabriel Garcia Marquez's translator http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03...
Translating from a language like English to a language like Spanish and vice versa is soooo difficult, because the grammar structure is so different and some things don't even exist in the other language (duration in English or subjunctive in Italian, for example). My roommate when I was at University was preparing her thesis in Japanese and she spent a lot of time explaining how the kanji (I hope I'm not messing this up) for the title of the story she was commenting (I think it was the river) resembled the way the characters were sleeping at night and therefore gave to the whole story a meaning that would be totally lost on non-japanese people, but very clear to them without explanations. How do you translate that? I'd spend hours comparing languages :D
Calathea wrote: "Becky wrote: "Have you read Kelley Armstrong's Darkest Powers series? That was a good one, too. "I feel as if I should know it, but, no, haven't read it yet. I'll have a look at it. Thanks for th..."
Hey, Becky, I've read the first part of Darkest Powers yesterday and it's really good. Thanks again for the rec!
Hmm I have never read Moby Dick, KZ. Bad English major, BAD!My excellent read from this week was Eric Arvin's Galley Proof. It started out a bit slow, but then Logan's life was in a complete rut. Brock tries to snap him out of it a bit, but Logan has a lot more work to do on himself.
It was fabulous! I want an apartment in Rome, and a Marco and Roberto of my own (if they were a bit bi that is).
It's an understated and unusual gay romance.
Calathea wrote: "Calathea wrote: "Becky wrote: "Have you read Kelley Armstrong's Darkest Powers series? That was a good one, too. "I feel as if I should know it, but, no, haven't read it yet. I'll have a look at ..."
Any time!
Mod
I absolutely LOVED The Lure. Yeah, it's a rough read, complicated, confusing at times, but such a good mystery, with hints of romance here and there. I loved it. But then... not everyone is me. lol.
I've finished Faster Than The Speed Of Light and I liked it very much. 1948/1949 is an interesting choice for a historical book. I liked the two main characters, the professor is the younger one, the student is a scarred war veteran; there is a lot of anticipation. It was both blunt and polite. I enjoyed it a lot.I'm reading (and enjoying) Lou's Hanging Loose and then I don' know what to read :)
I'm drowning in geeky joy at the Civil War books I picked up while we were away.
Emanuela ~plastic duck~ wrote: "I've finished Faster Than The Speed Of Light and I liked it very much. 1948/1949 is an interesting choice for a historical book. I liked the two main characters, the professor is the younger one, t..."I really like that one. I added it to the "Lesser Known M/M" listopia list:
http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/79...
Becky wrote: "Candice wrote: "Thomas wrote: "I've been reading the poems and stories of Edgar Allen Poe - I bought one of those "collection" books. Yes, I bought it becasue the cover was displayed in that "old s..."Thank you, Becky. I never heard of her or her group before and they were wonderful. I actually liked their sound irrespective of the Poe poetry and the poetry irrespective of their musical interpretation more than I think I liked them together. But that was at first hearing and was, anyhow, a real treat. Thanks again for the link.
Susinok wrote: "Hmm I have never read Moby Dick, KZ. Bad English major, BAD!My excellent read from this week was Eric Arvin's Galley Proof. It started out a bit slow, but then Logan's life was in a complete rut...."
sounds good, thanks; will have to get that.
Finished THE HANGED MAN. A good solid mystery. The writing was way too good for such slipshod proofing. It's like the author decided to throw this out there, in short order, in e-format maybe just to gauge response or something. But she's way better than that unfinished product that I enjoyed inspite of that.
I am reading Take Me Home by Sloan Parker. I read her book Breathe earlier this year and it was very good.
Just finished Saviours of Oestend. Really wonderful, I can't praise it enough. But if you're interested, check out the other reviews for what people didn't like, it seems to have pushed some buttons.
Candice wrote: "Becky wrote: "Candice wrote: "Thomas wrote: "I've been reading the poems and stories of Edgar Allen Poe - I bought one of those "collection" books. Yes, I bought it becasue the cover was displayed ..."Glad you liked it! I discovered Sarah Jarosz when my DVR recorded the last few minutes of Austin City Limits before the start of another show. I don't usually listen to her style of music, but she's so talented. She's only 20 or so, and she already has two albums out.
I read a couple of stories today. Lovers and Other Strangers by somebody or other, and The Fix by somebody else. ;) I enjoyed them both.In The Fix, Anne mentions the song Ain't No Sunshine When He's Gone by Exposed Innerds. I tried googling for a sample. I didn't find the band, but the search did take me to multiple copies of Huckleberry Finn. Gotta love the internet.
Buda wrote: "So I know it's an old book, but has anyone else read Bareback by Chris Owen? I finished it a few weeks ago and, man, did that thing just hit me in the chest like a 2 by 4."I did and I will never get that time back. I am new to the genre so I picked it up off a listopia recommendation. It felt artificially angsty.
K.Z. wrote: "Deal of the day (at least for classic horror fans): I just scored the complete works of H.P. Lovecraft for .99 at the Kindle Store. Ninety-nine cents for all those Cthulicious (and other) frights!"It's still there! I just picked it up. Thanks, KZ. I have pretty much everything of his in print but it's great to have it all on Kindle.
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Q&A with Josh Lanyon
Books mentioned in this topic
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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Charlie Cochet (other topics)
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