New to this text board, and I'm sure this thread isn't an original concept, however, what books are you guys reading at the moment?
For me, it's In The Miso Soup by Ryu Murakami. Got it on a whim, but it has turned out to be a truly chilling (albeit slightly weaboo) book. Long story short, guy is giving tour to foreigner around sex district in Japan, he suspects latest customer to be the culprit of a rash of recent murders.
Name:
Anonymous2009-01-29 21:55
Took a couple of hours out to read Asimov's 'Nightfall' compendium, a couple of days ago.
Never really got into his stuff before, but now I think I'm a fan and plan to hit-up my second hand bookshop over the next couple of days.
Would appreciate any recommendations.
In return, for that real olskool origins of SciFi feel. E.E. 'Doc' Smith's Lensmen series
Name:
Anonymous2009-01-29 22:00
>>41
apologies for my repetitive use of the word couple there
Name:
Anonymous2009-01-29 22:27
Should have posted here yesterday before I finished it, but:
Ian McDonald - Brasyl
In summary: holyshitholyshitholyshitholyshitholyshit. Read this book.
Rereading-
VALIS, PKD
Hell House, Matheson
The Mystified Magistrate, Sade
Stand Still Like the Hummingbird, Miller
Need to go to the bookstore.
Name:
Anonymous2009-02-02 0:16
Day of the Locust, by Nathanael West
Name:
Anonymous2009-02-02 15:14
The Castle by Franz Kafka
Name:
Anonymous2009-02-06 13:55
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, by Ken Kesey
Name:
Anonymous2009-02-06 15:32
The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide, by Douglas Adams
Name:
Anonymous2009-02-08 8:06
The Once and Future King by T.H. White
Name:
Anonymous2009-02-09 0:52
just finished speaker for the dead, now im reading neuromancer and the cryptonomicon
Name:
Anonymous2009-02-09 4:28
>>53
Hey, I remember you from that other thread :D
Name:
Anonymous2009-02-09 14:13
The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia. By Samuel Johnson.
Name:
Anonymous2009-02-09 23:52
Making my way through the first three Necroscope books, currently on book 2 (Vamphyri!). I have this to say about the series:
BEST.
VAMPIRE.
BOOKS.
SINCE.
DRACULA.
Name:
Anonymous2009-02-10 17:37
The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway
Name:
Anonymous2009-02-11 0:30
The Black Company.
Though I recently picked up The Salmon of Doubt and have been reading that in my free time between classes and whatnot. After I finish Black Company I am going to read Kafka on the Shore.
Name:
Anonymous2009-02-11 8:21
Just finished in the last 3 days or so, guess that counts, too:
Robert Buettner - Jason Wander series (although there are only 4 of 5 of it out). Pretty decent military scifi in the vein of Starship Troopers, Forever War, Armor, even if the enemies are somewhat lame.. slugs got nothin' on bugs/ants, even if these are some badass slugs.
Jack Campbell - The Lost Fleet series, same deal with the incompleteness.. 4 of 6 in this instance. Also mil scifi, but with focus on space battles. Wasn't bad either (although the writing is definitely not as good), for me at least, having enjoyed Bujolds Vorkosigan Saga and Webers Honorverse immensely (at least until the latter turned boring with all the peace shit and OHMYGODPOLITICSEVERYWHERE).
Seems like my temporary mil scifi craving is sated for now...
Next will probably be some Buckell, Banks, Stross, Scalzi, Williams or Pratt... I have no idea yet.
>>60 >>61
I don't give a shit if it's crap as long as it's enjoyable. I don't read to challenge my mind but to kill time.
Engaging my wit while I'm at it is a nice side effect, but a side effect none the less.
Also, most of those authors are far from crappy judged by (sub)genre standards.. and there just aren't enough quality books oozing literary merit for the intellectually superior elitist gentleman at the apex of sophistication to read 50+ of them per year in general, let alone per single genre.
>>62
Dude, you're forgetting about humanity's rich literary history comprising thousands of timeless classics written in the English language alone(this includes translations into English), and you don't even need to be a literary genius to enjoy most of them. You could read 50 books a year and be good for at least 40 years. There's no need to resort to crappy genre fiction because you don't think you have enough to read because you almost definitely do.
When you're done with that, you can consult me. I'll be here.
Name:
Anonymous2009-02-12 2:50
>>64
I think you were too hasty to jump on his excuse, rather than his reason. Not to put words into 62's mouth, but I think he might as well ended his post after the first two lines, before he went into defensive mode.
While there is unarguably a wealth of literature spanning hundreds, even thousands, of years available, I see no reason to harangue someone who reads what he enjoys, instead of what he 'should' enjoy.
Name:
Anonymous2009-02-12 3:51
>>64
What I meant were books perceived as having literary value while also appealing to me personally. Most of them simply aren't escapist enough, at least those I have seen so far. I should have been clearer.
While I no doubt could enjoy at least some of that list, I'd honestly most of the time be too lazy to slog through all of it to find those gems that attract me and satisfy critics both. Genre conventions make that a lot easier.
I also see no reason whatsoever to force myself through a book that's deemed great for the sake of having read it if something "crappy" holds more enjoyment. So, there, make of that what you will.
Anyway, thanks for the list, I might have a look sometime.