Chaos Reading discussion
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What are you reading right now?
Amamur wrote: "Just started

Latest Culture novel YAY"
Book link: The Hydrogen Sonata
I very nearly bought that at an airport last week, but they didn't have the first one in the series. Plus, airport books are PRICEY!

Latest Culture novel YAY"
Book link: The Hydrogen Sonata
I very nearly bought that at an airport last week, but they didn't have the first one in the series. Plus, airport books are PRICEY!
BTW - I started an Embassytown flashmob discussion thread as Allen requested, so feel free to jump in anytime! There's nothing worse than being a flashmob of one :(
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...
Matthew wrote: "Ruby wrote: "Ian wrote: "I read Vurt back in '94/'95! I remember thinking it had a great start but that it fizzled out midway through, sadly...."Oh no! I just started it, and am really getting in..."
The book as a whole gets darker and darker as it progresses. There's also a sense of moral ambiguity that isn't as present in the LotR novels -- war is good and necessary in the latter, but seems futile and unnecessary in the former.
Matthew wrote: "Ruby wrote: "Ian wrote: "I read Vurt back in '94/'95! I remember thinking it had a great start but that it fizzled out midway through, sadly...."
Oh no! I just started it, and am really getting in..."
Hmmm. I wonder which version of The Hobbit I read then. I know Gollum was in it, but don't really remember much else.
Oh no! I just started it, and am really getting in..."
Hmmm. I wonder which version of The Hobbit I read then. I know Gollum was in it, but don't really remember much else.
Matthew wrote: "Ruby wrote: "Matthew wrote: "Ruby wrote: "Ian wrote: "I read Vurt back in '94/'95! I remember thinking it had a great start but that it fizzled out midway through, sadly...."
Oh no! I just started ..."
Thanks for being subtle Matt. No doubt it was a different version if it came from my childhood! :P
Oh no! I just started ..."
Thanks for being subtle Matt. No doubt it was a different version if it came from my childhood! :P
Amamur wrote: "Just started 
Latest Culture novel YAY"
I've been considering this one too. I just finished Pandora's Star - one of the first space-based science fiction books (really space opera) that I've read in many years - and it really got me intrigued to try more. Let me know how it goes.
Allen wrote: "Amamur wrote: "Just started 
Latest Culture novel YAY"
I've been considering this one too. I just finished Pandora's Star - one of the first space-based sc..."
I would recommends any of Banks' Culture novels.
Use of Weapons is my favorite.
Finished with the audio-version of "Dracula". I was a little disappointed by how little they gave Tim Curry to do (he voices Van Helsing, who writes only a few letters and entries), but everyone does an excellent job and I highly recommend it.
Ian wrote: "Finished with the audio-version of "Dracula". I was a little disappointed by how little they gave Tim Curry to do (he voices Van Helsing, who writes only a few letters and entries), but everyone do..."
That's a shame. I do love me some Tim Curry! When I was 8, I tried to get permission to do a primary school production of Rocky Horror Picture Show. It did not go down well.
That's a shame. I do love me some Tim Curry! When I was 8, I tried to get permission to do a primary school production of Rocky Horror Picture Show. It did not go down well.
Ruby wrote: "Ian wrote: "Finished with the audio-version of "Dracula". I was a little disappointed by how little they gave Tim Curry to do (he voices Van Helsing, who writes only a few letters and entries), but..."HA! Well, no-one can fault your ambition! He's done a lot of excellent audio work in which he had a larger role, so i'm not as disappointed as i might otherwise be. I can always turn to his readings of The Island of the Day Before or A Christmas Carol in a pinch.
I'm currently reading several books but The Wasp Factory is what I'm mostly focusing on at the moment.
Matthew wrote: "Ian wrote: "Started Fledgling and hoping that it won't be as misandrist a novel as some of her others."Well done, you made me Google "misandrist". Thanks to your post, I'm one vocabulary word ric..."
Pleased to be of service! If you want to read something misandrist, check out the otherwise-excellent Wild Seed. So far, Fledgling has been relatively free of misandry.
Annie wrote: "I'm currently reading several books but The Wasp Factory is what I'm mostly focusing on at the moment."
I loved that book at the time. haven't found another book of his that I've liked though. Makes me wonder if I would still enjoy it now, so many years later.
I loved that book at the time. haven't found another book of his that I've liked though. Makes me wonder if I would still enjoy it now, so many years later.
I finished Scorch Atlas at Cairns Airport (review to follow when I get over what an absolute goat arse of a day it has been). The book was bloody amazing, but it still had a few flat spots.
I started a NetGalley ARC on the plane: Bad Glass, which looks okay so far, but the writing seems a little immature. Reserving judgement for a bit.
I started a NetGalley ARC on the plane: Bad Glass, which looks okay so far, but the writing seems a little immature. Reserving judgement for a bit.
A. wrote: "I just finished Sergeant Getulio, a crazy blood-filled, stream-of-consciousness tale of one man's inability to deal with, and rebellion against, the changing political environment of Brazil in the ..."Born to run is a well written and entertaining book, but I think a lot of it is bunk. He makes a lot of erroneous statements that I am surprised have not been mentioned in reviews.
Oh, I'm reading Zombie Fallout, it's a great book in audio.I am also reading, "Road to Woodbury." Not so great so far...
Tom wrote: "I am also reading, "Road to Woodbury." Not so great so far..."
Did you already read The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor? If so, how does that one compare? I have that one in my endless book queue, but hadn't heard much about the Woodbury one.
Did you already read The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor? If so, how does that one compare? I have that one in my endless book queue, but hadn't heard much about the Woodbury one.
I have read it. I thought Rise of the Govenor was ok, but not great. I was pretty disappointed by how they ended it. So now you know how I look at the books.So far, it's not as good... But I'm only a little ways into it. I'll update.
Fledgling was a mediocre book. Not particularly offensive, but not great. I may have disagreed with her arguments in Wild Seed, but I had to respect the artistry with which she wrote it. "Fledgling" was just...meh.Now, on to The Strain!
I've been getting into The Seducer again. Had started reading it a while back and was reading a few pages here and there at odd moments, but was finding the tone a bit smug. I actually thought about putting it down at 12% in, but now that I can see what the writer is doing, I'm becoming intrigued. I think I may end up really enjoying this....
Just started the Alienist. Anyone have any recommendations for good books that take place in the 19th century?
Matthew wrote: "Just finished The Hobbit, and have now moved on to Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. I'll be damned if I'm not going to get through the HP series by Christmas..."LOL.. Heck i need to start... How are you enjoying them?.. I've heard some good things about the series. Ofcourse they are intense...
I'm reading and enjoying Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta. It's my second by the author. The first, On the Jellicoe Road, is probably the most well-written young adult novel that I've ever read, so I have high hopes for this one as well.
Working on Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell. I want to finish it before seeing the movie (which looks intriguing, imo...).
Alison wrote: "Just started the Alienist. Anyone have any recommendations for good books that take place in the 19th century?"The Stress of Her Regard, Hide Me Among the Graves, and The Anubis Gates.
Alison wrote: "Just started the Alienist. Anyone have any recommendations for good books that take place in the 19th century?"
E.L. Doctorow's The Waterworks came out about the same time as The Alienist and many remarked on the similarities. I thought The Alienist was the better book though. A strong second for anything by Tim Powers, especially The Anubis Gates!
E.L. Doctorow's The Waterworks came out about the same time as The Alienist and many remarked on the similarities. I thought The Alienist was the better book though. A strong second for anything by Tim Powers, especially The Anubis Gates!
Tom wrote: "Oh, I'm reading Zombie Fallout, it's a great book in audio.I am also reading, "Road to Woodbury." Not so great so far..."
Please tell me... I'm really trying to get into this Zombie phase... but it's not there.. what is it about Zombies that people are going mad about?...lol... I guess the same reason I like Vampires and werewolves...
Stacia wrote: "Working on Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell. I want to finish it before seeing the movie (which looks intriguing, imo...)."How is the book so far?... Is it intense?
Donnica wrote: "Please tell me... I'm really trying to get into this Zombie phase... but it's not there.. what is it about Zombies that people are going mad about?...lol... I guess the same reason I like Vampires and werewolves..."
The subject of much discussion! If you go to "the Zombie Group" there is a thread called 'why zombie' where people discuss this. There's also a great essay on this in the introduction to The Living Dead. For me, a big part of the attraction is that zombies are a game changer. They come with an accompanying apocalypse and everything becomes reduced to its primal elements - no more worrying about that jerk in accounting, or house payments, or getting a present for Aunt Mary, it's all about the basics of survival, and killing zombies.
The subject of much discussion! If you go to "the Zombie Group" there is a thread called 'why zombie' where people discuss this. There's also a great essay on this in the introduction to The Living Dead. For me, a big part of the attraction is that zombies are a game changer. They come with an accompanying apocalypse and everything becomes reduced to its primal elements - no more worrying about that jerk in accounting, or house payments, or getting a present for Aunt Mary, it's all about the basics of survival, and killing zombies.
Donnica wrote: "Please tell me... I'm really trying to get into this Zombie phase... but it's not there.. what is it about Zombies that people are going mad about?...lol... I guess the same reason I like Vampires and werewolves... .."
"Same reason as vampires & werewolves"? Oh no, you DIDN'T!
My response (also included in the thread Whitney talked about) is here:
http://rubytombstone.blogspot.com.au/...
"Same reason as vampires & werewolves"? Oh no, you DIDN'T!
My response (also included in the thread Whitney talked about) is here:
http://rubytombstone.blogspot.com.au/...
Mark wrote: "Finishing up The Graveyard Book (love this book)"I really like Neil Gaiman for adults, but I think Neil Gaiman for kids is even better.
I have that 5th book by George Martin sitting by my bed. Has been for 2 months. I have read other books in the mean time...and here we sit. What a beast.
Mark wrote: "Started Your House Is on Fire, Your Children All Gone. I couldn't resist the cover picture."Love that title.
Finished Raising Stony Mayhall. Delightful!Finished Click-Clack the Rattlebag. Wonderful & subtle.
Started Gary Gianni's Monstermen and Other Scary Stories and The Haunting of Hill House.
I'm reading The Falcons of Fire and Ice which is pretty good. I like it; it's not blowing me away. Much more my thing is The Universe vs Alex Woods. It's a review copy and not in bookshops till next January, sadly. I do recommend it, if you want to pre-order. I can't embed the Goodreads link because it's not out yet, but it's here, if you're curious:http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15...
Matthew wrote: "Riona wrote: "I'm reading another Christopher Moore, A Dirty Job - will probably finish it today or tomorrow. I'm also slowly working my way through Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell with another group..."You'd be some reader if you could read JS&MN in a day. ;)
Ian wrote: "Finished Click-Clack the Rattlebag. Wonderful & subtle."
Ooh, thanks, Ian. I clicked on this to check it out, and it's available for free on Audible.com through Halloween. Read by Neil Himself, plus for every download there's a donation to charity. Win, win, win!
At www.audible.com/ScareUs
Ooh, thanks, Ian. I clicked on this to check it out, and it's available for free on Audible.com through Halloween. Read by Neil Himself, plus for every download there's a donation to charity. Win, win, win!
At www.audible.com/ScareUs
Finished re-reading The Haunting of Hill House and I Am Legend. Both as I remember them.Finished reading Please Save My Earth, Volume 10 and B.P.R.D.: Hell on Earth, Vol. 1: New World, both of which were wonderful. Gave up on Blood and Chocolate, which was a shame since I'd been looking forward to reading that one for nearly five years.
Started Southern Gods. Still working on Gary Gianni's Monstermen and Other Scary Stories and "After Dark".
Mark wrote: "Finished listening to Abandon. About halfway finished listening to The Light Between Oceans. Almost done with Your House Is on Fire, Your Children All Gone. Not sure what to read next. Maybe Ho..."
I've heard amazing things about Anathem.
Books mentioned in this topic
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Infinite Jest (other topics)
All the Light We Cannot See (other topics)
The Handmaid’s Tale (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Felix Francis (other topics)Ali Smith (other topics)
Sebastian Junger (other topics)
Annie Proulx (other topics)
Elizabeth Gilbert (other topics)
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Reminds me a little of this, without the humour:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCnCRj...
Yes. It's 14 minutes straight of Mitchell & Webb's Quiz Broadcast (Remain Indoors), and it's so much darker with the episodes back-to-back like this!