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Post by Doc Quantum on Dec 28, 2013 7:21:00 GMT -6
I get most of my reading suggestions from friends, since there are so many books out there now, it's hard to wade through all the crap to find something worth reading.
One book I would recommend is JOHN DIES AT THE END by David Wong. It's a horror/comedy that doesn't really fit into any genre, and it kept me up reading all night once I got into it. They made a movie based on it, too, but it's not as good as the book.
You can buy the Kindle version at Amazon.com: John Dies at the End (Kindle)
The paper version is available as well.
Anyone have any other suggestions?
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Post by mh on Dec 28, 2013 13:19:36 GMT -6
that sounds good! a friend gave me 'blood meridian' by cormac mcCarthy, which i just finished. whew! pretty rough book, but good. i recommend it. at the moment i'm reading stephen king's 'night shift' -- which i read about 15 yrs ago, i guess. the whole 'Jerusalem's lot' thing fascinates me. i should get around to actually reading h.p. lovecraft. i remember a guy we used to talk to "mushmouth" was reading lovecraft online someplace
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Post by Babu Baboon on Dec 28, 2013 14:03:27 GMT -6
I decided we need a books category, so I've created one and moved this thread there.
I've been reading a lot of Doctor Who mini-books lately, but I think the last big book I read was "11/22/63" by Stephen King where a guy goes back in time to try and stop the Kennedy assassination.
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Post by williscorto on Jan 16, 2014 21:39:28 GMT -6
I'm reading lots of books at once. I tend to buy the dead tree versions rather than use Kindle. Here is a list: a. "London: A Biography". I don't know London very well - only been there twice, and briefly. But this book gives you anecdotes of violence, drinking, crime, war, cooking, famous characters now lost, old sayings now lost, heaps of other quirky facts all amassed in a solid book which attests that truth is stranger than fiction. Who would have thought the word "sucker" has been used as an insult for at least 300 years? Excellent read. b. "A History of the Crimean War". I relly like reading about the Crimean War because it was the only big European war in the mid-1800s (the Napoleaonic Wars were at the beginning, and the Franco-Prussian War at the end) and has a fascinating cause. Fights between Frankish monks and Orthodox priests at the Church of the Nativity in Jerusalem lead to the Turks, the French and the British invading Russia, the most enduring aspect of which was the Charge of the Light Brigade (a total and utter cock-up). This book thought is better than the half-dozen others I've read in that it goes into Russian connections to Constantinople (the Rus people decided to become Orthodox after emissaries visited Constantinople and the grandeur of the Christian god caused them to convert, in the 800s). Really well-researched read. c. Predatory Thinking, by Dave Trott - see www.predatorythinking.com/ Simple ways of out-thinking your competitors. Written as if for 5 year olds so as to maximise absorption. d. The Three Emperors, by Miranda Carter. www.theguardian.com/books/2009/sep/19/three-emperors-miranda-carter-review Why did Europe go to work when Queen Victoria's relatives ruled all of Europe? George V of England and Nicholas II of Russia looked so much alike that they used to swtich uniforms at family functions in order to trick their relatives. Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany so loved Queen Victoria that when she died he was the one who closed her eyes on her deathbed. Yet 14 years later Russia, Germany and England were in a brutal war with each other. The writer kind of blames demnocracy. The Guardian's review is a little unkind. I really like this book. e. The Wisdom of Crowds, by James Surowieski. Second time I've read this book. There is no "madness of crowds", except when they're a mob. This book demonstrates large groups of people are far better at highly efficient problem solving than individuals or small groups, provided that there are proper channels for taking into account minority views. The first shuttle accident was caused by NASA failing to have channels and instead unduly filtering critical information from the crowd of scientists. The USS Scorpion, a submarine, sunk and was located by a bunch of fishing captains who plied their trade in the area and together knew the intricacies of local curents, subsea topography and other things. Counterintuitive, engaging book.
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Post by The Huntress Diana on Jan 17, 2014 10:38:20 GMT -6
Last book I read that I truly enjoyed -- heard the character voices in my head and could "see" what was happening... Hell, here's my Goodreads review: 9/3/13: 4.5 out of 5 stars.... I loved it - all the characters, except Orrin. Obi-Wan...oh Ben... **sniff** There were times I could hear Ewan's version of Obi-Wan so clearly...it brought tears to my eyes...literally! I'm still a little emotional...so I need a little time before I can write a review. 9/5/13: The first chapter sets up Obi-Wan's arrival to Tatooine -- even before he's taken Luke to the Lars' homestead.
We get to meet various characters -- moisture farmers, Tusken Raiders, Cantina Owners, Thugs (who work for Jabba), Shopkeepers and other locals...even a Krayt dragon!!
There are some nice ties to the Star Wars: Outlander series by Dark Horse (Tuskens) and other books in the EU that tie into Obi-Wan's past.
Some people will say that there's romance in this book -- no, not really. There might be some one-side feelings here but they never come from Obi-Wan.
My only true gripe with this book: not enough of getting into Obi-Wan's mind/head. There's room for more stories -- after all, he spends about 19 years on Tatooine.
I'll probably end up reading this one again -- just because I liked JJM's take on Obi-Wan...as I stated earlier, I could hear Ewan McGregor's version of Obi-Wan so clearly at times...and there's one sceene near the last quarter of the book where he speaks (somewhat vaguely) about the events that occurred between himself and Anakin in ROTS...tears were running down my face. The anguish cut straight to my heart. In all...it's a pretty fast-paced book and the story moves along pretty quick and I recommend it to all Star Wars fans -- especially those looking to get back into the EU.
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Post by Babu Baboon on Jan 17, 2014 11:17:54 GMT -6
Is that done like an autobiography? I've never read any Star Wars novels, but I think I'd have to pick that up.
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Post by The Huntress Diana on Jan 17, 2014 12:44:24 GMT -6
Not an autobiography, no.
It pretty much tells the story from the time Obi-Wan makes it into Mos Eisley (just before he gives Luke to Owen & Beru)and then skips to how he tries to settle in and get used to "not being a Jedi" any more and just "Ben".
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2014 23:14:20 GMT -6
I've been reading too many to mention. Just finished reading Raymond Chandler's novels, working my way slowly through rereading my Agatha Cristie's collection and Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels, Conan Doyle's Professor Challenger stories....Currently reading Colonel Sun by Kingsely Amis, the first James Bond continuation novel. Also just read Solo, the latest Bond novel and Carte Blanche, a reimagining of Bond in the present day.
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Post by williscorto on Jan 21, 2014 23:26:11 GMT -6
Currently reading Colonel Sun by Kingsely Amis, the first James Bond continuation novel. Also just read Solo, the latest Bond novel and Carte Blanche, a reimagining of Bond in the present day. Any good? Amis is a well-respected writer.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2014 4:49:21 GMT -6
It's Ok, he makes Bond a little too clinical and analytic. I'm enjoying it, but not exactly rushing to reach the last page. Devil May Care and Solo were much more fun, this just seems like.....a "regulation" Bond story.
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