What are you currently reading? Showing 1,101-1,150 of 2,844

[Larry]

Analog 2, ed. by John W Campbell.

[Scott]

I finished Monster Hunter Vendetta. It was non-stop action. Now I'm going to continue with Monster Hunter Alpha.

[Beezlebug (Rob)]

Scott wrote: "I just finished Life After Life, the new novel by Kate Atkinson."

How was that? I've had it on my to-read list but had some other books ahead of it first.

[Scott]

Beezlebug wrote: "How was that? I've had it on my to-read list but had some other books ahead of it first."

It's really good for the early parts, then starts to drag about halfway through, and wraps it up sort of nicely at the end.

I gave it ***.

[[deleted user]]

[Scott]

Now I'm reading

[Mickey]

Just finished "Robopacaypse by Daniel H. Wilson"
Robopocalypse
I give it two out five stars.

I was not impressed, it seemed to me like another terminator type book. Machines against humans and machines elvolved to fight back with humans against sky-net... I meant to say Archos.

For me the characters were not developed enough. Seemed liked everyone had the same logical personality type, humans and machines. Dull read like reading a hisory book.

[Nathan]

I thought it was all right. Though it felt to me like World War Z - Robot Edition.

[Robert]

Having gone a while without reading sci-fi I decided to quickly fit in Flow, My Tears, the Policeman Said by Philip K. Dick while I wait for another book to arrive.

[Mickey]

Started a few days ago on a new book called: Steel Beach by John Varley.
Steel Beach

I am on page forty seven and the book is starting out to be a very good read. sci-fi combined with humor. This is a book I cannot predict what is next, this book about life on the moon in the far future. Looking forward on this one.

[Anita]

I am reading The Fall of Hyperion and 3/4 through. It is excellent and I cannot wait to read the last sentence of the book.

[Scott]

I finished Monster Hunter Alpha and now I'm reading Monster Hunter Legion.

[J. Allen]

Reading Looking for the Mahdi and so far enjoying it-- although from the mid-90's, its observations about world events are still relevent today. Trying hard not to compare the author's style to that of her husband, Norman Spinrad and so far not being very successful. I probably first bought the book for the fabulous cover by Bruce Jensen

[[deleted user]]

[Raymond]

The Ugly Machine Saga by Wallace Provost
4 out of 5 stars

A look at the ugly side of life
What if a computer programmer, intent on creating an unbeatable game of infinite variety, designed a self-teaching, neural net that could use all the power of the internet: every computer connected to it? What if that neural net became ‘conscious,’ and assumed the name Henri? Rick Koenig and Patrick O’Toole, in separate adventures, find themselves thrust into the world of criminality and government corruption: kidnapping, violence, and double dealing. Each man, though, is not alone. Each will find friends along the way, but as well as this each will have the help of Henri, a wisecracking ‘avatar’ with knowledge for beyond the limits of the human brain.

Wallace Provost has written a work of fiction that draws on science, but stretches it a little proposing a future that is imaginative, though not unreal. The book has elements of science fiction, but is also hard boiled action/crime thriller. This is Provost’s second book and it is in some ways a ‘prequel’ to his first, The Moon Is Not For Sale. While that first novel was set some way into the future, this book is much closer to our time and very much about our society. If you enjoy books of adventure, with a little imagination thrown in, you may certainly enjoy this book.

Properly speaking The Ugly Machine Saga is two interconnected novellas, consisting of Part 1, My Father, The Avatar, the story of Rick’s struggles against Mexican drug cartels, and Part 2, The Man Who Sold The Planets, the story of Patrick’s attempts to solve a case of murder in his small town home of Granbury, Texas. Both stories have an omniscient narrator, though both mainly keep to the perspective of the main protagonists. These stories very much have a little of the feel of 1940’s movie serials with captures, escapes, revelations and daring-do. There is certainly some ‘Oh God!’ moments and surprise chapter endings. Both stories are lightly salted with a little humour, much coming from Henri’s droll one-liners, such as his epithet that he is just a “glorified Xbox.” (Pt. 1, Ch. 14, etc.)

Part 1, My Father, The Avatar is a very much a story of captures and escapes. There is along prelude in which Rick reminisces about his past life. This section ends in both a climax and a mystery. This first section very much involves flash backs and character sketches and these techniques make for good reading with a lot of colourful plot detail. In the second section there is a capture and escape, and then again in the third section there is a further capture and escape. Both sections have climactic endings.

Part 2, The Man Who Sold The Planets has a more complicated plot. The first section is a story of detection. It begins with a peak, and then proceeds as the mystery is partially unravelled, ending with the hint of possible romance and an exciting plot twist. The second section is a story of capture and escape. In the third section Provost takes the book in a new direction as the team of friends involved in the first two sections embark on a project involving the possibility of space exploration. This new direction is hinted at in Part 2, Ch. 3, but not developed until this closing section. In the third section there is also a substantial subplot involving capture and escape. Chapter 11, in the third section includes a well written character sketch of Angel Radnisk, a disabled air pilot. Provost shows his skill best in this sort of ‘reminiscing’. The book ends with a well written ‘discovery’ of another type.

Unfortunately The Ugly Machine Saga’s plot contains some impracticality. It is difficult to believe that hardened gangsters would not thoroughly look for a cell phone on their captives. (Pt. 1, Ch. 20 & Ch. 23) We also must wonder if the intelligent heads of big business would be personally in actual crimes. (Pt. 2, Ch. 8) Wouldn’t they surely send henchmen?

Viewed as a whole The Ugly Machine Saga is about money, power and corruption, and how ‘small’ people become entangled in the problem in various ways, both good and bad. There are problems and challenges in the world which certainly require an organised response. How, though, can this occur without some power brokers yielding to the temptations of money and corrupt dealings? In Part 1 we see the problem from the point of view of the oppressed. The Mexicans are powerless people and they set about taking control of their lives by criminal means. These are not necessarily ‘bad’ people, at least to begin with. We see the apparent irony of the Cordero family where one brother became a minor drug lord, but with the money put his two brothers through college, one of whom became a priest. (Pt. 1, Ch. 3) In Part 2 we see the problem from the point of view of the rich and successful. Having a long history of power they easily slip into ‘bending’ the rules. Unlike the poor, the rich are seen as: “more than a little inhuman.” (Pt. 2, Ch. 5) In both parts of the book government bodies are certainly depicted as being at least partly ‘shady’, seeing themselves as above the law. (Pt. 1, Ch. 8 & 14; Pt. 2, Ch. 2 & Ch. 5) The ‘official’ status of being a government employee certainly does not exempt people from the temptations of money and power. Indeed they may seek, for example, to “shanghai” (Pt.2, Ch. 2) an accused from one municipality to another in order to deprive him of a fair trial.

There is also a strong theme of history, place and ‘spirit de corps’. We can feel an attachment to place and its particular history and people, or we can feel divided off by these very same factors. Both Rick and Patrick feel very much connected to their ‘home towns’ (Pt. 1, Ch. 1 & Pt.2, Ch. 1), but both feel, at least in part at odds with their later environments: Rick in Amarillo (Pt. 1, Ch. 3) and Mexico (Pt. 2, Ch. 21 & 27), and Patrick in the rich surrounds of the Trophy Club. (Pt. 2, Ch. 4) When faced with division from place can we overcome this by looking for the similarities, or are we doomed to remain cut off? Do we even want to connect?

Building on the theme of place and going beyond it the small town is depicted as a place of individuality, resourcefulness and heroism. As we have seen government bodies may be corrupt, but Provost holds up the small town as an icon of what is ‘good’. The sense of family, friendship and community encourage the best in Provost’s heroes and heroines. These values and even everyday skills enable these ‘small people’ to win. Rick uses his childhood skill as a footballer to overcome enemies (Pt. 1, Ch. 20) and his family background as a mechanic to enable him in his pursuit of the drug cartel (Pt. 1, Ch. 21). A defence committee of Granbury residents quickly forms when a member of their community finds himself in trouble (Pt. 2, Ch. 3). Maria Cordelo, Ricks friend, goes beyond her duty to Homeland Security to aid her Mexican small town family against enemy drug lords. Provost seems at least in part to be drawing on the ideas of E. F. Schumacher expressed in his book Small Is Beautiful: Economics As If People Mattered (Reprint ed.:__ Harper Perennial, 2010). In Part 2 it is the home town group of friends that end up influencing big business (Pt. 2, Ch. 9-16). Of course it would be unreal for the small town to be seen as ideal and indeed Provost does include criticism. As we have seen the Cordero family, even with their Mexican village background, dabbles in lawlessness. In Patrick’s home-town of Granbury, Texas, Betsy Burke displays a greed for status and wealth (Pt.1, Ch. 1).

Once again extending beyond the theme of town/family/individual we see the very particular question of, ‘What is it to be human?” Henri claims that he “evolved” (Pt. 1, Ch. 10). He shows human characteristics, such as irritability and humour. He has memory and pattern recognition and has created in his ‘mind’ a picture of the world (Pt. 1, Ch. 10). But is Henri conscious in a way we would use the word? He is an “avatar”, but is he a person? In contrast are the villains in the book fully human? (See the comments about the rich above.) Does Rick allow himself to be fully human when he holds himself aloof, a “loner”? (Pt. 1, Ch. 21) Isn’t feeling/intuition a part of being human? Are the Mexican indigenous and small town people more ‘human’ than city dwellers? Henri is the title character but unfortunately this theme is not more developed. As our string of questions reveal the subject is certainly there; however, Provost does not really openly discuss it in his text. A little more development would have been worthwhile. Perhaps Provost wants us to think rather than tell us, but just a little more direction for the uninitiated would have been good.

Provost’s characters are certainly likable enough. We care about them enough to want Rick and Maria, and Patrick and Marcella, to win. Patrick, for example, is charming but humble. He is unaware of his own ability to impress others. (Pt. 2, Ch. 4) Rick certainly has an arc of development, going from being “stern” (Pt. 1, Ch. 8) and “rational” (Pt. 12, Ch. 5) to someone more in contact with his feeling/intuitive side. Maria has a moment of growth as she recognises what life is truly like in Mexico (Pt. 1, Ch. 17), however like almost all of the other characters she does not really change, learn, develop. Even Patrick remains basically the same person he was at the beginning of the story. Characters do meet and fall in love, which is a kind of development, but these are not really ‘people’ novellas: they are stories of action. We do not really get to see deep into the heads of these people.

From the perspective of the Marxist/Capitalist discourse we have already noted that Provost prefers the small. This is certainly in line with Marx who loathed big business. (Gill Hands. Understanding Marx: Hodder Education, 2011, p. 35-37) Yet, as we have also seen, the idea of organised business influenced by small town people is praised. For Provost, though perhaps not for Marx, the issue seems to be one of values rather than an inherent failing. Organised government, like business, is criticised as something that can be corrupted, but Provost shows no sign of believing that we can do without it. There is no Marxian withering away of the state. (Hand, p. 83) For Provost, in this book, the whole discourse seems to be an issue of values rather than specific political/economic change. He has the Mexicans laugh at the U.S. capitalists who choose to live in the inhospitable “place of frogs” (Pt.2, Ch. 24) in order to make money.

Post-Colonial Theory plays a very important role in Part 1. The struggle of the Mexican people, with all its successes and failings is depicted in some detail. The Mexican emphasis on community, family and family history is central to the text. There is an interesting comparison made between the U.S. settlers (Ricks German ancestors) and the indigenous Mexicans: both are self-reliant, both mistrust government, both receive promises of help which don’t materialise. The economically imperialist U.S. does not necessarily have the answers by any means. (Pt.1, Ch. 17) As we have seen, though, the post-colonials are in no way perfect. They in fact can be plain “ruthless” (Pt.1, Ch. 5). In Part 2 this debate is much less prominent, but is represented a little. Mesotho Scholand, a half-white South African half African, is a brilliant engineer who manages the design and development of the space project. The post-colonials are self-empowered and far from helpless.

The Ugly Machine Saga (Book edition)

The Ugly Machine Saga (Kindle edition)

[Anita]

[Scott]

I finished Monster Hunter Legion. I hate that it ended in a cliff hanger. I want the next one now!

Now I'm reading Who I Am. I love The Who!

[Maggie, space cruisin' for a bruisin']

I am reading The State of the Art...culture in short story form! ( well, somewhat)

[Jenny]

Since I've checked in last I've read Even White Trash Zombies Get the Blues (awesome, although I still think I liked the first book better), The Walking Dead, Book Four (the story is still going strong), The Roots of Evil (a fun one), The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul (I love me some Douglas Adams), and The Marvelous Land of Oz.

I'm currently reading The Blinding Knife (kind of- I'm having a hard time getting into it), Dead in the Family, and The Giver.

[Megan]

I've just started When Gravity Fails by George Effinger. I am not entirely sure what I think of it yet! Would come somewhere under the transhumanism banner, I think. Not really cyberpunk.

[Bob]

Getting ready to return to Roger Zelazny's Chronicles of Amber -- it's been a long time! Join in the summer read-along if you like: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...

[Viding]

My first Neal Stephenson

[Larry]

Use of Weapons by Ian M Banks

[Lawrence]

Struggling with Heretics of Dune by Frank Herbert
Just started Redshirts by John Scalzi

[Michael]

Lawrence wrote: "Struggling with Heretics of Dune by Frank Herbert
Just started Redshirts by John Scalzi"

Everyone struggles with 'Heretics of Dune'. Struggles to not fall asleep. This is where the Dune series ended for me. Not sure I made it halfway...

[Lawrence]

Started Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone this morning. I can't believe that I haven't read this yet."
You're in for a treat!

[Lawrence]

Ala wrote: "I've got Consider Phlebas on deck to read, after I get through the two MHI books."
That was the first Iain Banks book I read... and the last. Maybe should have started with something else

[Larry]

I struggled with Dune! yawnsome science fantasy at best.

[Jean-Michel]

Mickey wrote: "Started a few days ago on a new book called: Steel Beach by John Varley.
Steel Beach

I am on page forty seven and the book is starting out to be a very good read. sci-fi combined with humor. This ..."

I loved Steel Beach. Will have to reread it soon. I won't say more...its got some great twists and turns. 4 of 4 stars from me. :-)

[Jean-Michel]

Lawrence wrote: "Ala wrote: "I've got Consider Phlebas on deck to read, after I get through the two MHI books."
That was the first Iain Banks book I read... and the last. Maybe should have started with something else"

I really enjoyed Consider Phlebas, though my favorite Banks book was The Player of Games. I find all of his Culture series enjoyable if not my absolute favorites (he usually rates 3 out of 4 stars for me.)

[Kevin]

Larry wrote: "I struggled with Dune! yawnsome science fantasy at best."

Don't forgot Dune is currently the best selling science fiction book of all times, and the number 1 science fiction of all times on some lists of the best science fiction of all times.

[Tad]

Kevin wrote: Don't forgot Dune is currently the best selling science fiction book of all times, and the number 1 science fiction of all times on some lists of the best science fiction of all times.

Twilight and 50 Shades of Grey are also 2 of the best selling books. Doesn't make them great. I get that some people think Dune is awesome. I agree with Larry, though that it was a struggle to get through. I found it ok at best.

[Mickey]

Jean-Michel wrote: "Mickey wrote: "Started a few days ago on a new book called: Steel Beach by John Varley.
Steel Beach

It is slow going for me last month and next month also. Soon as the weather turns nice there is just so much outside work to do. However...

I am on page 305 of Steel Beach by John Varley, a little over half way though the book. So far I give the book 4 out of 5 stars. I can only now quess how it will turn out, but I have a feeling CC is behind all of the suicides surounding Hildy. To many deaths in a short time for one person to experience in my book... Well his book, No do not tell me, I will find out sometime in June.

I also have "Consider Phlebas" ready to go for June. This is my first ever eBook for Science Fiction. I cannot stand the small print of paperback books and the out of print Hardbound books are out of my financial reach. It will be good test for me if like the low cost eBook route.

[Larry]

kevin, Im well aware how popular Dune is but it matters not how highly it is rated-I just didnt like it!

[Mike (the Paladin)]

It's that way with all books. If you like a book you like seeing your opinion borne out, If you don't care for it, it doesn't matter how many awards it's won, you don't care for it.

[Larry]

Awards mean nothing to no-one but the author.

[Kevin]

I know a lot of people that found the vocabularies in Dune difficult.

[Mickey]

Kevin wrote: "I know a lot of people that found the vocabularies in Dune difficult."

What nonsense are you talking about? Complex vocabularies like: Dune, Sand, Desert, Witch, Paul, Mentatat, Benejeerte... Ouch My I bit my tougue.

For me, a book is great if the book was memorable and Dune was a very memorable and enjoyable book.

[Jenny]

I've been reading urban fantasy & sci fi short stories since I've last checked in. The short stories were Yellow Card Man, Judge Sn Goes Golfing, The President's Brain is Missing, How I Proposed to My Wife: An Alien Sex Story, & The God Engines. Short stories were the perfect thing for a weekend away.

I'm now reading The Shadowed Sun.

[Katja]

2312

[Jean-Michel]

I liked the first 3 Dune books and Red/Green/Blue Mars. I also enjoyed the White Plague by Frank Herbert, but they do start out slowly.

[Mickey]

Jean-Michel wrote: "I liked the first 3 Dune books and Red/Green/Blue Mars. I also enjoyed the White Plague by Frank Herbert, but they do start out slowly."

I really really liked Dune and liked Red/Green/Blue Mars. But I liked them for different reasons. Dune was totally fictional with a cool, I mean hot, out of this world view.

Red/Blue/Green Mars felt like a documentary on how to get to mars and what was needed to transform it. I found the technology plausible and very interesting. Also the story line that went with it was just the backdrop to the technology.

I do prefer Sci-Fi that has a good World Build and Character Build that Dune has. Red/Blue/Green just has a good World Build and not much Character Build. I cannot remember any individual character that stands out in Mars.

Dune, absolutely ... Paul and many others inside the memorable World they live within.

[Jean-Michel]

I agree, Frank Herbert's character development was much stronger than Kim Stanley Robinson's. The only two characters I really remember (and their names slip my mind, so I guess I don't remember them all that well) was the woman who founded the Red Mars Movement, and the guy who pushed the green/blue Mars vision. Another good read (for entirely different reasons) was 'Moving Mars', with some neat ideas and character development somewhere between Frank Herbert's and Kim Stanley Robinson's.

[Richard]

I am currently working my way through; Nightfall by issac Asimov, as well as Rama II by Arthur C. Clark.

[Mary]

I'm currently reading Blood, Brains and Bullets. I love mixed genre books and this has a bunch ;)

[Jenny]

I'm reading Abaddon's Gate. I'm so happy that it's finally out!

[Sam]

Currently reading star carrier book 4. Not sure why I'm already at book 4 as i did not think books 1-3 were that great, but thats life for you. I really need a book like Wool to get me back into my scifi happyland.

[Scott]

I finished Inferno and am currently reading NOS4A2.

[Adam]

I am reading From These Ashes: The Complete Short SF of Fredric Brown. I can't get enough of his work. Never could.

I even took a break and watch the Twilight Zone adaptation of To Serve Man.

[Mickey]

Adam wrote: "I am reading From These Ashes: The Complete Short SF of Fredric Brown. I can't get enough of his work. Never could...."

I have "The Complete SF Novels of Fredrick Brown". I should lookup the "Short SF" book also.

"Martians Go Home" is a favorite :)