What's everyone reading?

Discussion
1

So we have a movie thread (somewhere) and a music thread… thought I would see if anyones into those heavy things wiv werds in em.

No spoilers please unless clearly marked.

Me: Books
Just finished:
GOTH (Tokyopop novel by some Japanese guy), really violent, but pretty cool. 6 short stories with continuity, some of the violence I found a little disturbing, but still had to keep reading to find out what happens.

1984 - I’m sure that needs no introduction. Had never read this or seen the movie before. I loved this book… until about 2/3rds through, then, i dunno I was a bit taken aback I suppose. Still thought it was OK by the end, but I was a bit dissapointed. Secretly a part of me wanted it to be predictable I think, instead I got something a bit different. Was surprised by the voilence in this one too considering it was written in the 50’s? I just dont know enough about the 50’s maybe [:)]

Ozzy Osbournes Autobiography… I dont have it on me and can’t remember the title, I’m 3 pages off finishing. Loving it. Not sure if it’s all 100% true, but he did some crazy shit, as I suppose we were all aware. POssible spoiler

Some sad reflections too though. Must be hard to see the person you are and the damage you are doing and feel like you can’t stop

** End spoiler**

Comic Books : (Because I am also a nerdling)

In progress:
Micracleman (the newer one Alan Moore started). up to issue 3 I think, pretty damn good. From what I read the series is still incomplete though… so I know I’m going to get the shits when I get to the Gaiman story and it cuts off…

SCUD The Disposable Assassin:
This series is great! Love the art and character design and the quirky humor. I think this is another one that finishes prematurely, but I also think that it was recently finished… so I should be able to avoid being annoyed!

SPAWN:
Meh… todd mcfarlane eye candy. Big monsters punching each other through walls. Not as bad as others make out though.

Ghost Rider:
Starting from inception… only up to about issue 30 or something… love the first few story arcs ALL were SPOILERS

around someone selling their soul to the devil for whatever reason, then trying to kill Blaze, but every issue would have someone walking into an ‘ordinary’ guys home only to find they were performing some sort of ritual and summoning demons lol… it’s finally started to move along a bit in the story department…

*****END Spoilers.

But how can you go wrong with a motorcycle and a flaming skull?

Ok my slow ass computer has finished processing what I need to continue to work, so I suppose I had better get on with it.

2

The only books I’ve read this year are 1984, Brave New World, and Catcher In the Rye. 3 classics I was sick of hearing reference to that I hadn’t read. Enjoyed all 3 of them.

3

The only books I’ve read this year are 1984, Brave New World, and Catcher In the Rye. 3 classics I was sick of hearing reference to that I hadn’t read. Enjoyed all 3 of them.

Didn’t care much for catcher, thought it was rather stale. Although i did like some of Holden’s musings on new and exciting places…there usually somebody elses toilets. Don’t you hate how when you find some place exquisite and it’s all yours until you notice that someone had come before you and scrawled “Fuck” on the wall. What a great line although I’m sure I butchered it. It’s been more than several years since I’ve read it.

I’ve never been able to get more than 30 pages into “Brave New World” Talk about SLOOOOW, it reads like the damn bible. I’ve tried 3-4 times to read and just can’t get into it. I know the basic premise of the story though.

1984 on the other hand Is sheer Brilliance! Oh man, I adore this book! Killface, apparently from what I’ve read about this book that all Orwell was doing was critiquing the Soviet Union. Not only that, but aside from the technology it was supposed to be modern day Soviet Union since it was called 1984 but written in 1948. I agree with you about wanting a Hollywood ending as well and not getting it. the one time you WANT a Hollywood ending and Orwell gives your a big middle finger instead. and what do you do? you smile over it!
Late,
grmpysmrf

4

Neil Stephenson - Anathem

5

Reading the Led Zeppelin biography, ‘When Giants Walked The Earth’.

Don’t usually read ‘band’ books but this is a good’un.

Highly recommended.

6

Reading the Led Zeppelin biography, ‘When Giants Walked The Earth’.

Don’t usually read ‘band’ books but this is a good’un.

Highly recommended.

Who is that written by? Wonder if Cameron Crowe had any hand in writing that? He wrote almost famous which was a combination of the allman brothers, aerosmith and Led Zeppelin. all of which he toured with when working for rolling stone at age 15!
Late,
grmpysmrf

7

I’m yet to get through text books so I can read ‘Dear Fatty’.

8

finished reading Linwood Barclay’s No Time For Goodbye the other day, on my dad’s recommendation. it wasn’t bad. and am now reading Peace And War: The Omnibus Edition, by Joe Haldeman. i’m liking it a lot.

9

“collapse”-jared diamond; then, inevitably back to “the wind up bird chronicle”-haruki murakami.
and the newspapers. still read them (old school- offline).

10

Going through the Hitchhiker’s Series right now. Currently on Life, the Universe, and Everything. Arthur just got hit in the back by the flying party.

11

‘John F Kennedy: An Unfinished Life’ by Robert Dallek

‘Team of Rivals’ by Doris Kearns Goodwin

‘Franklin D Roosevelt: Champion of Freedom’ by Conrad Black

‘From World War to Cold War’ by David Reynolds

‘Nefertiti’ by Joyce Tyldesley

‘Sovereign’ by C.J. Samson

‘Dune’ by Frank Herbert

12

The new Stephen King, “Under the Dome.” That guy hasn’t lost his touch, but I’m worried the eventual “reason” for the supernatural events will stink - he has a habit of writing himself into a corner (see the giant spider at the end of “It”).

13

Peligro’s Boyfriend. It’s become an epic novel with a few surprising twists and turns.

15

Thus Spake Zarathrusta by Friedrich Nietschze.

16

‘John F Kennedy: An Unfinished Life’ by Robert Dallek

‘Team of Rivals’ by Doris Kearns Goodwin

‘Franklin D Roosevelt: Champion of Freedom’ by Conrad Black

‘From World War to Cold War’ by David Reynolds

‘Nefertiti’ by Joyce Tyldesley

‘Sovereign’ by C.J. Samson

‘Dune’ by Frank Herbert

Have you read Dune before? Thats another one thats “on the list” that I always forget about. I’ve seen the movie, it’s one of those that I enjoy but I never stay awake through the whole thing lol… like Blade Runner or Akira.

17

Have you read Dune before? Thats another one thats “on the list” that I always forget about. I’ve seen the movie, it’s one of those that I enjoy but I never stay awake through the whole thing lol… like Blade Runner or Akira.

Haven’t read it before and am about 1/2 way through it, but have not got to reading it in a few weeks. I’ve been a fan of Lynch’s film version (in more ways than one) for years and so decided to see how the book compares. It’s a good read so far and I appreciate it not only for its ecological undertones but as a compelling science fiction tale as well (which is generally rare or else I’m just not that big a fan of sci-fi). I recommend picking it up as you can get it for dirt cheap on amazon. You’ll recognize everything from the film and then see what was left out and its different emphasis. I’ve never seen the more recent tv movie version to compare that.

18

Thus Spake Zarathrusta by Friedrich Nietschze.

Probably my least favorite of his. Been a long time since I read anything of his.

Off and on, i’ve been reading Cave’s “Death of Bunny Munro”, but I tend to keep wandering off. Not much of a reader.

19

I used to real ALL the Goddamned time, but funnily enough, I think I’ve only read about ten or so books since I started college.

Yeesh.

Currently working on:

John Fowles’ “The Magus:” THIS MOTHERFUCKING BOOK… Jesus Christ. It’s got what I like to call “Atlas Shrugged” syndrome. I liked that one, but FUCK. Every fucking time I’d pick it up and start reading, I’d get a sizeable chunk in and half to abandon it due to life screwing me in every orifice… only to forget the whole thing and need to start anew… and the cycle repeats itself ad infinitum. This book is badass, but this is like my fifth time trying to finish it, and RRRRRRGGGH…

Junji Ito’s “The Enigma of Arigama Fault:” SCARY as hell manga that does weird things to me. I can’t stop rereading this thing.

Probably need to swing by the library and pick up the usual sci-fi novel, paranormal/extraterrestrial book, and a volume on modern small arms… Seriously. That’s all I ever seem to read these days.

20

“lolita”. vladimir nabokov
a lesson in restraint. power. sex and youth.

21

I’m reading Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know by Sir Ranulph Fiennes. A friend lent it to me and said I should definately read it and I must admit it’s pretty amazing what this dude has done in his life time. He’s actually the brother of actor Ralph Fiennes by the way…

Here’s some review snippets and info on this great book below…

Reviews

‘If you ever struggle to drag yourself out of bed on a winter’s morning, pick up a copy of Ranulph Fiennes’ autobiography. It’s an inspiration.’

(Mail on Sunday )

‘Rip-roaringly readable’

(Guardian )

‘Even readers with a broadly low tolerance for macho heroism will find themselves gripped . . . compelling’

(Time Out )

‘This is the memoir of a supreme sportsman, an uber-earthling who could show the Martians a thing or two about what the best of us can achieve’

(Financial Times Magazine )

‘"Ran’ epitomises British phlegm, and he puts all other glory-seekers to shame. His dry wit, self deprecation and steely determination never to feel a scrap of self-pity are in the very best tradition of British travel writing. Long may he continue tomake us glad that we are not him, while we stand in awe.’

(Country Life )

‘Rip-roaringly readable’

(Guardian )

‘Even readers with a broadly low tolerance for macho heroism will find themselves gripped . . . compelling’

(Time Out )

‘It’s exhausting just reading about his exploits, so it is a perfect bedtime book. It’s delightful to plump up one’s duck-down pillows while vicariously enduring Fiennes’s successive plunges into the deadly waters of the Artcic, and his festering crotch-rot.’

(Helena Drysdale, New Statesman Books of the Year )

‘It is lively and vivid, and often exciting as we anticipate each plunge into deadly Arctic waters. There are some wonderful throwaway lines . . . So, not an alien species after all but - as they say - a national treasure.’

(Spectator )

Product Description

Ranulph Fiennes has travelled to the most dangerous and inaccessible places on earth, almost died countless times, lost nearly half his fingers to frostbite, raised millions of pounds for charity and been awarded a polar medal and an OBE. He has been an elite soldier, an athlete, a mountaineer, an explorer, a bestselling author and nearly replaced George Lazenby as James Bond. In his autobiography he describes how he led expeditions all over the world and became the first person to travel to both poles on land. He tells of how he discovered the lost city of Ubar in Oman and attempted to walk solo and unsupported to the South Pole – the expedition that cost him several fingers, and very nearly his life. His most recent challenge was scaling the north face of the Eiger, one of the most awesome mountaineering challenges in the world. Sir Ranulph Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes OBE, 3rd Baronet, looks back on a life lived at the very limits of human endeavour.