Will Posted September 7, 2020 Posted September 7, 2020 9 hours ago, Rummy said: His Dark Materials. That is all. (srsly tho probs my fave trilogy/book series of all time i only grow to love it more as I age :p) I really want to try these at some point. Was put off by the awful film but I only ever hear good things about the book. Might make these my next set of Audio Books.
Rummy Posted September 7, 2020 Posted September 7, 2020 7 minutes ago, will' said: I really want to try these at some point. Was put off by the awful film but I only ever hear good things about the book. Might make these my next set of Audio Books. NO! I didn't watch that film(read books well before) and I heard it was bad and they did weird things ans urrggghhh. Read the books tho! Honestly super good! THEN watch(after you've read all three) the recent BBC/US series collboaration starring the immensely amazing Daphne Keen. Who reads the audiobooks(i dont do audiobooks)? I can tell you many things about the series - including its ACCURATE misnaming in foreign territories as 'The Golden Compass' (it isnt actually to do with the navigational compass looking object featured in the series). Some of its symbology and layers convinces me that Pullman studied some very deep and esoteric things in his time. Second to that for anyone who HAS read HDM - I read La Belle Sauvage eaelier this year(first in a trilogy of prequels) and was sufficiently if not even more impressed. Slightly different ideas and tones but some really fucking great shit. Weird part of it is also basically a basic counterintelligence manual lol. Not read the newer one yet tho. 1
Cube Posted September 7, 2020 Posted September 7, 2020 9 hours ago, Rummy said: His Dark Materials. That is all. (srsly tho probs my fave trilogy/book series of all time i only grow to love it more as I age :p) I need go reread these at some point. I also have La Belle Sauvage that I haven't read, so I may start off with that.
Rummy Posted September 7, 2020 Posted September 7, 2020 Just now, Cube said: I need go reread these at some point. I also have La Belle Sauvage that I haven't read, so I may start off with that. Do Do DOOO! You'll love it. Maybe even read it before you re-read the others; theres some nods between but Pullman remains subtle as ever imo. Look for Hannah.
Will Posted September 7, 2020 Posted September 7, 2020 2 minutes ago, Rummy said: Who reads the audiobooks(i dont do audiobooks)? Actually I have no idea, generally I don’t take much notice of who reads them as they tend to be just fine for listening to while running whoever it is. 1
Magnus Posted September 8, 2020 Posted September 8, 2020 On 7/9/2020 at 12:22 PM, LazyBoy said: Carlos Ruiz Zafron recently passed away, so it's a good time to recommend his most famous work Shadow of the Wind, a heartfelt mystery set in 1945 Barcelona. I read and recommend a lot of books, and none have been so universally loved as this book. No one who has read it has regretted it, so take the time if you're looking for something good. This was a good recommendation, I just wish you'd mentioned that the sequels aren't worth reading. 1
LazyBoy Posted September 8, 2020 Posted September 8, 2020 3 hours ago, Magnus said: This was a good recommendation, I just wish you'd mentioned that the sequels aren't worth reading. Never bothered with them. I didn't need a sequel.
Magnus Posted September 8, 2020 Posted September 8, 2020 Me neither, but I stupidly thought, "hey, the first novel was good, so...!" I mean... they weren't terrible or anything. They just felt unnecessary and didn't reach the heights of the first novel. Oh well. 1
Rummy Posted September 8, 2020 Posted September 8, 2020 Out of interest are there any folks here with an interest in Asimov? I need to read much more but I low-key fell in love with him a few years back after hearing/reading some quotes of his and then read about him a bit more. The Complete Robot is a fantastic collection of Short Stories made imo even more remarkable to read now as we can contrast this world to the way it was back then when he wrote the stories - we've seen the impact of even just the idea of the Three Laws of Robotics alone. Srs legend of a mind. Also fanboyed over Sagan lol.
Dufniall Posted October 5, 2020 Posted October 5, 2020 Finished a couple of books. First one is The President Is Missing, by James Patterson and Bill Clinton. Actually it is credited as Bill Clinton's first novel, but I have a strong feeling most writing is done by Patterson. It gets praised because it gives insight in the way of working of an American president that only a former president can know. But to me it was just a generic political thriller and the Clinton influence wasn't very apparent. Also finished Japan in 100 kleine stukjes (Japan in 100 small pieces), a Dutch book which gives a good insight in Japanese culture and how it is to be a foreigner in Japan. Told in 100 small chapters filled with anecdotes, a fast but fun read. And because of this thread I've now started His Dark Materials #1: The Golden Compass (so I guess I have the US version because of the title). 1
Rummy Posted October 5, 2020 Posted October 5, 2020 40 minutes ago, Vileplume2000 said: And because of this thread I've now started His Dark Materials #1: The Golden Compass (so I guess I have the US version because of the title). Obvs I'm v. passionate about the series - will love to hear your thoughts as you go along mate; I may not comment too mich til you finish whole trinity tho.
LazyBoy Posted October 6, 2020 Posted October 6, 2020 Just finished 'Girl, Women, Other' by Bernadine Evaristo as part of my book club. Won the Booker Prize last year, and works more as a series of short stories (though there is a loose narrative thread) covering the black/female experience in Britain over the past 100 years by following a large number of characters. Whilst some of the stories were fairly fresh and drawn from perspectives I didn't expect, the majority were unsurprising and didn't tell me anything I couldn't of guessed with a decent amount of empathy and cultural analysis. What I will say is that the prose was beautiful, written semi-poetically and with a real eye to building and maintaining tempo. I ended up flying through the book in 2-3 sessions, which is not bad considering it runs to over 400 pages. Recommend if you don't need much of a plot from your books. As a complete change of direction I have now started 'The Power Broker' by Robert Caro. Won the Pulitzer in 1974, and is a gargantuan analysis of power as told though the story of Robert Moses, who pretty much ran New York in the 60s plus change. Loving it so far, but I imagine I will be reading it for a while. 2
Beast Posted October 29, 2020 Author Posted October 29, 2020 I am taking part in this year's Nanowrimo (National Novel Writing Month). Has anyone done one before? You have to write 50K words during all of November. I've planned my one pretty much. 2
Dufniall Posted December 3, 2020 Posted December 3, 2020 Finished a couple of books since my last post! First one I completed was The Golden Compass/Northern Lights. I think I saw the film many years ago but nothing stuck, as I concluded when reading the book. It was... okay I guess. Spoiler There are quite some interesting premises in it, and the end makes me very curious for part 2. I like the universe created as a sort of parallel Europe and that they are travelling to the North. But the book is also quite "flat". Some characters which could be interesting (and are set up as if they are) like Lee Scoresby don't really develop. Also the ease with which Lyra hops from person to person, evades or escapes tricky situations, and learns how to read the alethiometer is just too convenient. The idolizing of the bear (and always calling him first and last name) annoyed me a bit. For a coming-of-age book it was interesting that there are a few disturbing and graphical parts in there, was not expecting that! But I think this book is better enjoyed at a younger age. Recently I saw a part of a Stephen King documentary and it got me in the mood to read some more of his work. I've read a couple of books from him (Dark Tower part 1, Misery, Lisey's Story, some short novels) and saw plenty of the movie adaptations. But I never read the "classics" such as It, The Shining, Pet Cemetery and Carrie. Started with that last one, and it was enjoyable but definitely not the best I've read. I can see though how this can make a pretty good movie. Next up is Caliban's War (part 2 of the Expanse series by James Corey). It's been a while since I read part 1 though so I'll first look up a small summary haha. 1
Rummy Posted December 5, 2020 Posted December 5, 2020 On 03/12/2020 at 10:04 AM, Vileplume2000 said: Finished a couple of books since my last post! First one I completed was The Golden Compass/Northern Lights. I think I saw the film many years ago but nothing stuck, as I concluded when reading the book. It was... okay I guess. Spoilers! (Hide contents) There are quite some interesting premises in it, and the end makes me very curious for part 2. I like the universe created as a sort of parallel Europe and that they are travelling to the North. But the book is also quite "flat". Some characters which could be interesting (and are set up as if they are) like Lee Scoresby don't really develop. Also the ease with which Lyra hops from person to person, evades or escapes tricky situations, and learns how to read the alethiometer is just too convenient. The idolizing of the bear (and always calling him first and last name) annoyed me a bit. For a coming-of-age book it was interesting that there are a few disturbing and graphical parts in there, was not expecting that! But I think this book is better enjoyed at a younger age. Trust me - like really trust me(totally not even sus :p) - that is a TRILOGY that is basically one massive big long book. You're sorta getting out of the beginning but the midfle and the end are still to come - especially if you read a paper/scanned copy of Subtle Knife(second book) - theres a minor visual thing in there that come to think of I dunno how you can do in an audiobook as its so small in nature(realise you probs booked it but just making comment generally). Honestly crack into Subtle Knife you'll be hankering for Amber Spyglass in no time. It really explodes out from here - in ways you can't even imagine yet. 2
Aperson Posted December 5, 2020 Posted December 5, 2020 3 hours ago, Rummy said: Trust me - like really trust me(totally not even sus :p) - that is a TRILOGY that is basically one massive big long book. You're sorta getting out of the beginning but the midfle and the end are still to come - especially if you read a paper/scanned copy of Subtle Knife(second book) - theres a minor visual thing in there that come to think of I dunno how you can do in an audiobook as its so small in nature(realise you probs booked it but just making comment generally). Honestly crack into Subtle Knife you'll be hankering for Amber Spyglass in no time. It really explodes out from here - in ways you can't even imagine yet. Been getting the same sort of vibes from the TV show that's been adapting the books recently (and doing a far better job than the film ever did may I add). What you see in book 1 is just somehow the smallest scope of everything, as the series goes on you get a lot more characters introduced and the complexity ramps up. Basically: 3
Rummy Posted December 6, 2020 Posted December 6, 2020 22 hours ago, Aperson said: Been getting the same sort of vibes from the TV show that's been adapting the books recently (and doing a far better job than the film ever did may I add). What you see in book 1 is just somehow the smallest scope of everything, as the series goes on you get a lot more characters introduced and the complexity ramps up. Basically: I honestly can't stop thinking about how accurate this meme is since I saw it. Gotta agree with the show(based on S1 only) - I was really really impressed with it. Diverse casting, representing things in better ways than I could even imagine, weirdly leaving out too much of the daemon work yet keeping the show rolling oh man it was all so good. Ngl saying I loved seeing Will be cast as a black actor(across from Daphne Keen too she's such a great acctress) too - obvs being brown myself but never did I imagine the books in such a way when I read them. One thing though - despite getting excited and knowing Season 2 was happening I have actually so far held off of it and may wait for when it's coming to an end - I dunno if I can be arsed with the week on week wait with lockdown as it is right now because I love the series so much - thinking I might wait til its final weeks then have a binge day of it or so; or maybe on a more christmassy feeling day. It's weird how tinternets has really changed my consumption habits - not touched many books recently though I had a few on the go - did just finish up a very slow read of The Prince(of Machiavellian fame) and read Miyamoto Musashi's The Book of Five Rings over a day last month but I just find myself being meh at getting into anything of much atm; so weirdly I guess the more philosophical/political stuff is drawing me in easier atm. 1
LazyBoy Posted December 15, 2020 Posted December 15, 2020 Just finished The Power Broker by Robert Caro - a 5/5 book if its what you're in to. Took me 2 months to read it but holy crap what a story. The extent to which this unelected, unaccountable figure came to control New York is unbelievable, and then the way his character twisted into this vindictive, uncompromising, sociopathic tyrant as a result of the environment he built up around himself is just fascinating. Exhausting book though. Need something light next as a palette cleanser.
LazyBoy Posted January 8, 2021 Posted January 8, 2021 (edited) Underland - Robert Macfarlane This was a nice surprise for Christmas. A variety of anecdotes and insights presented via a trip through some of the deepest places on earth. Wonderfully written, genuinely enlightening - thoroughly recommended for fans of travel books or people who just like learning new things. 5/5 Edited January 8, 2021 by LazyBoy
martinist Posted January 21, 2021 Posted January 21, 2021 Currently working my way through Childhood's End. Only one chapter in but it looks prommising.
bob Posted January 22, 2021 Posted January 22, 2021 I'm currently 80% of the way through Rhythm of War.I'm enjoying it much more than Oathbringer, but I still worry that Brando Sando going a bit OTT as this series goes on. He seems to be throwing so much extra stuff in it as each book progresses, i feel it has the potential to get bogged down under so much detail. Still, I'm looking forward to see where he ends up.
Sheikah Posted January 22, 2021 Posted January 22, 2021 I'm currently 80% of the way through Rhythm of War.I'm enjoying it much more than Oathbringer, but I still worry that Brando Sando going a bit OTT as this series goes on. He seems to be throwing so much extra stuff in it as each book progresses, i feel it has the potential to get bogged down under so much detail. Still, I'm looking forward to see where he ends up.Thanks for reminding me that this was out, I'd forgotten that he's pretty good at releasing his books quickly.
bob Posted January 22, 2021 Posted January 22, 2021 Thanks for reminding me that this was out, I'd forgotten that he's pretty good at releasing his books quickly.Understatement of the year.
Dufniall Posted January 25, 2021 Posted January 25, 2021 I finished Caliban's War, book two of The Expanse series. Book one was good, but after book two the series really clicked. I love how James Corey takes the physics of space travel into account, such as growing up in low gravity, travel under high G, space radiation and communication delay. I can see how this would make a great TV series. The action scenes are pretty well-written and would translate perfect on TV, while the politics of it all adds to the depth of the story. Definitely want to watch the show but books first. Now I'm reading Do What You Want: The Story of Bad Religion. It's the official bio of this legendary punk band, and I love reading about the history of the alternative music scenes. Not far enough in though to give a verdict if this is one of my favourite bios.
Retro_Link Posted January 28, 2021 Posted January 28, 2021 Currently reading The Witcher saga and really enjoying it. The Last Wish. 4/5 Season of Storms. 3/5 Sword of Destiny. 5/5 And coming towards the end of Blood of Elves at the moment. I’m also interested in reading His Dark Materials. The TV series is absolutely fantastic, it’s a great world.
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