Books (and hopefully some discussion)

It looks like we have all the bases covered here (movies, music, and games) except for books, so I suppose it's about time that at least one thread is made devoted to it.

Three questions: (1) What was the last book you finished? (2) What are you reading now? (3) What's the next book you plan to read?

1. The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro. It's a book about a butler named Stevens and the life that spreads ahead and behind him. A very dry and austere book that has two main themes: The matter of servitude and the dangers of living in the past. Throughout the entire book, Stevens recollects moments and stories of his life that were key to his future actions, even as new events are constantly unfolding. His inability to deal with the present and to live only by hindsight has virtually ruined him as a human being ("The Remains of your Pitiful and Pathetic Existence" would be too obvious of a book title). I'm not sure if I like the book considering how Stevens painfully overanalyzes everything and how all Americans are portrayed as obnoxious yahoos (this was written by a British author). This is the first book I've read by Ishiguro so I can't judge too much I guess.

2. Pylon by William Faulkner. I'm only about 40 pages into it but it seems like an analysis of the Lost Generation, slightly similar to Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, though this one deals with the lower middle-class rather than the upper-crust. Better written than Great Gatsby too, of course.

3. The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner. I checked this out from the library a few months ago but the stream of consciousness and constantly shifting narrative threw me off. This time around, I bought a new edition with critical text so maybe that can give me some insight into the novel.

Note: In not responding to this thread, you'll be blacklisted as an illiterate fool!

1. the last book I finished was "Catspaw" a fun little scifi from the eighties. I almost thought it would be just light/fun but it was a bit darker than i thought. I really enjoyed it.

2. now I'm reading "Knight or Knave" which I picked up cus I like the title. it hasnt really sparked my interest. its a book in a series.

3. the next book I plan on reading depends on what is on top of the pile. I can read a book a day. so I have about 9 books to read in the 10 left. Fun! I think I'll read "Titan" since I read its prequel "Geia" maybe. or some other book from the 80's which on the cover reads "WHAT HAPPENS AFTER 1984???" which I find truely hilarious because thats when I was born.

The last book I read was Steinbeck's Cannery Row. I'm not too big on books, and don't know too much about Steinbeck or the time, so I don't really have much opinion about it. I ordered a few books and will be reading them as soon as I get them: Philip K Dick's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? and two Lovecraft collections.

Ever seen the Neverwhere serious? I caught it on bbc or channel 9 some years ago and didnt know what it was till I read the book. Suprisingly, it was pretty well done. but then again I only saw a few episodes. I recommend you check it out if you liked the book.

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(1) What was the last book you finished?

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The Winter of Our Discontent by Steinbeck. Not much to say about this save for the fact that I like Steinbeck's writing and this was another good showcase of it.

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(2) What are you reading now?

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Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. Currently 667 pages in (~1150 pages). Really good reading so far and a lot like The Fountainhead, except more ambitious with the additional 400 or so pages.

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(3) What's the next book you plan to read?

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Maybe The Fall by Albert Camus. It's been waiting to be read for months. Got it after reading The Stranger, which had me wanting more.

I haven't finished any book lately, though have started a few. I currently need to finish Assassin's Apprentice (which is the beginning of a series), Cryptinomicon, and Trouble and Her Friends. All damn good stuff, and my attention span for books simply isn't what it used to be.

Oh, and I've been meaning to read the entire Discworld series, I've only gone through about five various books. Grr... that reminds me, I also need to read some Xanth, I'm way behind seeing as how stopped reading years ago and there's more in the series...

Damn you Sqoon! I didn't need to remember how far behind I am in reading!

Reading, huh? Well, I got the new EGM and I looked through the Mars Matrix manual the other day, although I didn't finish it.

Just finished reading The Cassini Division (and before that Choke). Very interesting SF book by a new author that has some great potential. Next book for me is Valis. I love just about every Philip K. Dick book and I've heard good stuff about this one. Oh and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? is great. It's interesting to see what stuff Scott cut out of the book. I think he cut out some of the most interesting stuff from the book but he still managed to make an incredible movie.

And holy shit. I just saw that there is a sequel to Rim! I have to get it. It's called Mir (Hmm...I wonder where that name came from?). I must get it! Tomorrow.

Later all...

1.) Survivor, by Chuck Palaniuk. great book, i think it's his best yet.
2.) Choke, by Chuck Palaniuk. about 1/3 of the way through it, kind of strange, but its still ok.
3.) next ill prolly finish off The Two Towers. got about half way through it before i stopped reading.

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Originally posted by MechDeus
I also need to read some Xanth, I'm way behind seeing as how stopped reading years ago and there's more in the series...

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Really, Xanth? I think the last Xanth novel I read that I enjoyed was Heaven Cent. The new ones just bother me, he doesn't write them anymore, his fans do. In the back is a huge list of credits to all the people who submitted ideas. They just don't have quite the same nice feel as the earlier ones.

The Source of Magic remains the best in the series IMO. Which is kind of sad in a way since it was just the second book :/

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Last book i read- "Neverwhere" by neil Gaiman nice trippy read, and another recurring :"market" theme, similar to "starstream" also by him, but much darker, more menacing.

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I read some of a Neil Gaiman book a year or two ago. Um, I forgot what it was called but someone was described with an "aquiline nose" and there was a "slovenly girl". I do recall not liking it though.

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Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. Currently 667 pages in (~1150 pages). Really good reading so far and a lot like The Fountainhead, except more ambitious with the additional 400 or so pages.

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I had a conversation with a friend of mine a few years ago about The Fountainhead; she was an Objectivist and I was a Socialist at the time. I've yet to read anything by Ayn Rand though I think I'll start with The Unknown Ideal. Did you ever read that one?

The last book I read:

Survivor by Chuck Palaniuk: This is the kind of book that demands multiple readings, because it's impossible to fully understand it's message and hidden meanings the first time around.

What I'm reading now:

Nothing, sadly.

What I plan to read:

Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palanhiuk, and Lullaby when when it comes out.





As for Ayn Rand, you might want to try reading Anthem first, for it is a very quick read.

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Originally posted by Sqoon

I had a conversation with a friend of mine a few years ago about The Fountainhead; she was an Objectivist and I was a Socialist at the time.

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Heh...you sound like my granpa, if he was that articulate.

Wow, Chuck Palaniuk is popular here.

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Originally posted by Sqoon
I had a conversation with a friend of mine a few years ago about The Fountainhead; she was an Objectivist and I was a Socialist at the time. I've yet to read anything by Ayn Rand though I think I'll start with The Unknown Ideal. Did you ever read that one?

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I'm more interested in the stories than the philosophy and politics behind them, although I do appreciate the ideas to a degree. So no, I haven't read that particular book. We the Living will be my next target.

Currently reading : Francis : The Journey and the Dream (St. Francis of Asisi)
Just finished : All Quit on the Western Front
Plan on reading next : *shrugs* whatever I get in school..

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Originally posted by lithium
Really, Xanth? I think the last Xanth novel I read that I enjoyed was Heaven Cent.

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Well, I remember loving them, and it's been about five years since I've read any (my $150 library fine kind of stopped my excessive reading real quick). I'll go back at some point, but I have far too many newer readings to re-read stuff at this point.

I really like Neil Gaiman... American Gods was pretty good, but I think I like the Faerie Tale-ish Stardust best.

Last book I read was a Collection of shorts by J.D. Salinger as well as Dean Takahashi's Opening the Xbox :/

Currently, I am reading "The Universe in a Nutshell" by Stephen Hawking and I plan to finally read The Iliad & The Odyssey Translated by Samuel Butler after that.

Mech: Discworld is hilarious as you have not doubt discovered. Those books are many, but they don't last long :(

ºTracer

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(1) What was the last book you finished?

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"Boogie up the river": I am a big fan of travel writing and this is some funny stuff from the late eighties about a man and his dog rowing up the river Thames to the source.

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(2) What are you reading now?

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"Glamorama": Bret Easten Ellis' latest. I am only about 10 pages in (started it last night), but I really like his work. A lot.

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(3) What's the next book you plan to read?

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Hmm, I have a whole stack of books waiting to be read. I guess "The Weekenders" or "Continental Drifter", two more travel books, although published a bit more recently this time.

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(1) What was the last book you finished?

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Choke by Chuck Palhunuik.

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(2) What are you reading now?

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Choke by Chuck Palhunuik.

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(3) What's the next book you plan to read?

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Not sure. I should get around to reading Catch-22, but I've heard great things about Survivor, too.

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Originally posted by TracerBullet
Mech: Discworld is hilarious as you have not doubt discovered. Those books are many, but they don't last long :(

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Yes, some truly great written comedy! I love the style Prachett uses, it'd be impossible to recreate visually (thought the PS games do try, but they simply aren't as good) and is a joy to read. I started my reading of them with "Lords and Ladies," which I still love.

There's also a giant-sized Discworld book with huge paintings I saw once at Joseph-Beth that I should get one day, it looked very nice. They also have (I believe) the complete collection so whenever I head over there next I need to pick up a few more...

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Originally posted by Sqoon
Three questions: (1) What was the last book you finished? (2) What are you reading now? (3) What's the next book you plan to read?

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1) Spirit by Graham Masterton. This guy is one of the best horror writers I've ever read. He's got a fantastic way with words, and a totally !@$!&@$*%-ed up imagination.

2) The Dreams Our Stuff Is Made Of by Thomas Disch. It's a study of how science fiction has influenced reality - VERY interesting and insightful, plus it's highly readable.

3) Next? Damn, I've got such a stack of stuff. Maybe Neil Gaiman's new book, Coraline. It's his answer to Clive Barker's The Thief of Always - sort of a short novel written for kids, drawings by his old collaborator Dave McKean. I was very disappointed with American Gods, but this looks like Neil's back on track.

I also have Matheson's Hell House, a history of Fuzzy Logic, a history of fear, and Jeff Rovin's Fatalis (among others...I'll never catch up...but that's a good thing).

(1) What was the last book you finished?

Choke by Chuck Palahniuk - a very interesting story, but lacking what was found in Survivor (his best work) and Fight Club. I'd say on par with Invisible Monsters... if maybe somewhat better

... hell, it had to be good... I read it in a measly 4 days

(2) What are you reading now?

Nothing at the moment...

(3) What's the next book you plan to read?

I'm looking to pick up something by Bret Easton Ellis (after finishing the supurb Glamourama), or one of Henry Rollin's books

... and i would also like to start up on some of Faulker's other works, after reading As I Lay Dying

Damn...does everybody in here think alike?!

1.) Do Androids Dream Electric Sheep - Like everything I have read by Phillip Dick, amazing. Somehow I managed to never pick up a single one of his books through highschool until last year when somebody reccomended it (oddly enough just before Minority Report came out). Anyway, really nothing like Blade Runner at all, but I definetly need to see the movie again after reading this.

2.) Nothing, just finished the book last nite. However, I will use this room to talk about the book I read before the one I just finished, Choke. I agree that it was not as good as Survivor, but still really entertaining. I think it lacked a strong theme. It was all over the board and the story never maintained one path. Still good, and funny.

3.) I am not sure what my next book will be. Hopefully somebody will reccomend something in here and I will take a look at it, or I will continue reading up on all the Philip K Dick books I missed (Gameplayers of Mars will be next, unless somebody else reccomends something).

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Originally posted by FirstBlood
... hell, it had to be good... I read it in a measly 4 days

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Heh, I have read all of Chuck\'s books in 4 days, or less. Hard not to. They are not that huge and you never want to stop at a chapter. I doubt it is intentional, but he makes it hard to end on a single chapter, so if I have to take a break I find a good place within a chapter.

Over the summer, I was required to read three books for school, Mythology by Edith Hamilton, Woe is I (forgot author) and Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. There was no order that they were required to be read in, but that's the order I read them in.

The first was very tedious to read, it was more of a reference book than one read for leisure. It was about 350 pages, small print, and I ended up taking about 12 pages of notes. Was very relieved when I (finally) finished it.

The second was an extremely easy read. This was also a book you would read for information. Basically it brushed up upon grammar skills in an understandable manner. About 220 pages, nice sized print at about 1.5 spacing.

The third book, Brave New World, was the only one that I did not regret reading. It was an interesting take on what the world could be like with the world based solely on output and artificial happiness. Would definitely reccomend this to anyone interested in this sort of thing. About 300 pages, managable print.

The book I am currently reading is World of M.C. Escher by M.C. Escher. O.k., maybe I'm just looking at the pictures, but I will get around to reading it sometime. Awesome art book; I've always been fascinated with Escher's books (you should see his reflections!). About 100 pages of text, 150-200 of pictures (8 in color).

The next book I need to read (another for school) is The Odysee of Homer. Doesn't look interesting... *sigh*

Ah! Pratchett and Dick mentioned in the same thread! Truely a wonderous thing! There is only one other author left to mention! Allow me:

Book I last finished?
The Voyage of the Jeryle Shanara: Antrax by Terry Brooks.

Book I'm currently reading?
Crimson Skies: Pirates Gold part one by...his name escapes me at the moment.

Book I plan to read in the future?
Timeline by Michael Chriton. I'm about half way through but stopped for some reason. I'll be getting back to it post-haste. :D

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I am not sure what my next book will be. Hopefully somebody will reccomend something in here and I will take a look at it, or I will continue reading up on all the Philip K Dick books I missed (Gameplayers of Mars will be next, unless somebody else reccomends something).

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If you haven't read them yet, I think Flow My Tears, the Policeman Said or The Man in the High Castle are quintessential to Philip K. Dick and good science fiction.

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Originally posted by Sqoon

If you haven't read them yet, I think Flow My Tears, the Policeman Said or The Man in the High Castle are quintessential of Philip K. Dick and good science fiction.

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Agreed. Both are great. And try Turtledove if you like alternate history. Great stuff. Also try Valis (a PKD book). I'll be looking for it this weekend (As I said before I've heard good things about it). After I find Mir that is!:)

Has anyone read House of Leaves? Just wondering. I've heard it's good but the narrator is the weak point in the book.

Later all...

"The Handbook of radio and wireless technology" is the last book i have read.

The magazine i'm reading is the newest 2600 magazine (www.2600.com)

radiogeak- lol
I think I may have to destroy you next time I see you.
:)

I can't remember the last book that I read on my own accord, though I am starting up again

Right now, I am reading Fountainhead by Ann Rayn. I'm only 100 pages in so I don't have much of an opinion yet. Though, I recently was told that it was essential reading for any anarchist/individualist.

1. Just Finished: The Great Hunt in The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. Good stuff - much shorter than the first book, and gets a lot more done in those fewer pages to boot. My only complaint is too many characters who were supporting characters in the first book get thrust into full-fledged characters in the Hunt, but without much warning. No biggie really.

2. Currently Reading: The Dragon Reborn in the WoT series. Not even a hundred pages in it yet, but already it's interesting. Especially how there's a focus on Perrin this time around. I dunno if it'll keep through, but it's nice to see another main character get the 'main character' treatment.

3. Planning on Reading: Either the next book in The Wheel of Time, Naruto (though that's manga so I dunno if it counts), or The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. It's been so long since I read the last, and with the movie on DVD, I can't help but want to read it again.

1. The last book I read was The Color of Magic by Mr. Prachett. I will definitely continue reading this series. What a great book.

2. Right now I'm reading Lord of Light by Rodger Zelazny. It's awesome in how he has successfully combined fantasy and sci-fi into one story. It's also confusing in some aspects. The story is basically that our (I'm assuming) descendents have traveled to another planet where a group of men have taken control of technology, made themselves immortal, and they now rule the planet as Hindu gods. The main character, Siddhartha (Mahasamatman, Buddha) opposes the gods and tries to free their grip on the technology. I'm not quite finished with it, but I'd recommend it to anyone.

3. Next, I tackle the The Ultimate Hitchiker's Guide collection, and finally complete that series. Hopefully by then the new WoT book should be out.

The last book I read, was, eh, Tom Jones, although that does't really count, since I've read it a few times already. Evelyn Waugh's Scoop maybe? I read Fast Food Nation a week ago or so, and that was pretty interesting. A few of the Hornblower naval historical novel books, and a lot of Wodehouse.


I've been reading Finnegan's Wake for about 3 years, so I guess that counts. Beyond that, not much currently, it's sad. I want to read more of Waugh's funny stuff, like Black Magic.

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Originally posted by The Ampersand
2. Right now I'm reading Lord of Light by Rodger Zelazny. It's awesome in how he has successfully combined fantasy and sci-fi into one story. It's also confusing in some aspects. The story is basically that our (I'm assuming) descendents have traveled to another planet where a group of men have taken control of technology, made themselves immortal, and they now rule the planet as Hindu gods. The main character, Siddhartha (Mahasamatman, Buddha) opposes the gods and tries to free their grip on the technology. I'm not quite finished with it, but I'd recommend it to anyone.

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Amazing that you would mention Lord of Light, given that it's an old SF book, and not generally well known. It also happens to be one of my favorite books of all time, one that I have read cover to cover probably more than 20 times. Zelazny routinely reveals more great ideas (and great dialogue) in 100 pages than many authors do in their entire careers. Great, great stuff.

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Originally posted by Hero
3. Planning on Reading: Either the next book in The Wheel of Time,

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Not a bad idea. I\'ve read all of them to date, but Vols. I-V are the best by far. We\'ll see how Jordan winds up the story this year.

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Originally posted by Rich
Just finished : All Quit on the Western Front

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That must be the French version...

Oh yeah, I never unpacked my books from when I moved 2 years ago, so I\'m relegated to re-reading the few books I have scattered about. Fortunately, my mother left me Body & Soul by Frank Conroy. Should be good.

1) The last book I read was 'Good Omens' by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. I loved it, thought it was hilarious.

2)Right now I'm looking at a couple of books, but I'm not reading anything right now.

3) I plan on going back and re-reading 'Pastwatch: The Redemption of Christopher Columbus' I read it a few years ago and stopped close to the end, I remember loving it, so I figure I might as well refresh my self.

Have any of you ever read any Gene Wolfe? Next to noone has ever heard of him. He is IMO the greatest SF writer I have ever read. Please do yourselves a favor & track down the Books Of the New Sun series.

Last book I read - Imajica by C. Barker
I hadn't read it since my 90 or so, so I when through it again. Pretty enjoyable, & not as long as I remembered.

Now Reading - browsing through some Gene Wolfe short stories at the moment (Caste of the Otter). I guess this is like Stone, I have been reading Thomas Pynchnon's Gravity's Rainbow for about a year & a half. I just have to put it away every now & then. I also have found that it is so disjointed that I can step back into it with & not reall miss anything. :) A truly odd book, If you ever read it, be on the lookout for the scene the trainspotting film lifted from this book.

Next - I don't know. I'll figure it out soon.

JM

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Originally posted by JM
Have any of you ever read any Gene Wolfe? Next to noone has ever heard of him. He is IMO the greatest SF writer I have ever read. Please do yourselves a favor & track down the Books Of the New Sun series.

JM

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I have 10 or 12 Gene Wolfe books, including the entire Severian arc ("the New Sun" stuff, which is great), his follow-up (the "Long Sun" stuff, also great), and several of his other novels and novellas (still great). Heady stuff, especially The Fifth Head of Cerberus which you may want to track down if you're a big Wolfe fan. He's a smart guy, but I still think Zelazny tells a better story.

Hey

I have (if I remember correctly)

Books of the New Sun I-IV
Books Of the Long Sun I-IV
Books Of the Short Sun I-III
Free Live Free
Castle Of The Otter
Castle Of Days
Soldier Of the Mist
Soldier Of Artee
Island Of Dr Death & Other Stories & Other Stories
Pandora by Holly Hollander (or something like that)
There Are Doors
Fifth Head Of Cerebus
Castleview

Um, that may be it, but I'll check when I get home.
I truly love all of his stuff, the only SF arthur I'd put ahead of or equal to is Frank Hebert.

JM

Cripes, JM, what did you do, steal my collection? Looks like we're reading the same stuff. Good taste on your part.

I didn't read the thread, so I may be interrupting the flow...

The last book I read was Michael Moores' Downsize This. http://michaelmoore.com

Right now, I'm catching up on a lot of Manga, so I don't have any 'real' literature going on at the moment.

My favorite book is 'The Thief of Always', by Clive Barker. The same guy that made the Hellraiser movies, and a slew of other books. It's nothing like Hellraiser, and I recommend that everyone give it a chance. It's written like a fairly dark childrens book. It's also a fable...

Check it out!

And I'm sure somone has mentioned Chuck Palahniuk, so I'll second (or 6th) that.

Hey Phoenix, I just finished reading some Barker myself.

PrincePlanet, thanks, what other books/authors would you reccommend? Given your love of Wolfe, I'm sure you have read some obscure stuff. Please fire away!

JM

1. Alice in Wonderland & Through the Looking Glass
2. Chobits vol. 2 (if that counts as "reading")
3. Aliens vs Predator: Hunter's Planet (loved AvP:Prey based on recommendations from Despair and others)

Add Endangered Species & Storeys from the old Hotel to that list & I think that is my whole GW collection.

JM

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(1) What was the last book you finished?

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Snow Crash. I love it to death.

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(2) What are you reading now?

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William Gibson's Count Zero. Last year, I read Neuromancer for the first time, and was amazed at how much I liked it. I then read Burning Chrome, among other things. Now, I'm enjoying Count Zero.

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(3) What's the next book you plan to read?

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Hmmm. Either Mona Lisa Overdrive, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (ultimate collection), The Difference Engine, or The Minority Report collection of short stories. Believe it or not, I haven't read anything by Philip K. Dick.

JM -

If you're that into Wolfe (and especially if you liked Soldier of the Mist, etc.), then do yourself a big favor and track down "The Shattered Horse" by S.P. Somtow. Equally heady stuff.

In order to avoid tag-team posts, I'll leave you with two more suggestions (just in case you haven't read them yet):

1. The Gap Conflict (the first volume is The Real Story) by Stephen Donaldson of Thomas Covenant fame. This 5 volume arc is incredible, and for some mysterious reason, not very well known. Check out The Real Story (it's short) -- I'd be amazed if you were not floored -- and it only gets better and better.

2. "Hyperion" and "Fall of Hyperion" by Dan Simmons. Great, great stuff. Again, read the first 100 pages of Hyperion, and I'm betting you will be hooked. If you liked those two, you can finish the story with the 2-volume epilogue "Endymion" and "Rise of Endymion".

Enjoy!

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Originally posted by phoenix angel wing
My favorite book is 'The Thief of Always', by Clive Barker. The same guy that made the Hellraiser movies, and a slew of other books. It's nothing like Hellraiser, and I recommend that everyone give it a chance. It's written like a fairly dark childrens book. It's also a fable...

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phoenix, in light of your feelings about "Thief", I strongly strongly recommend you read Neil Gaiman's new book, Coraline. Although it could be seen as a copycat effort (it's also a "fairly dark children's fable"), it more than stands on its own due to its sheer excellence. It's one of the few times I've reread a book immediately after finishing, and is one of the rare books I recommend to everyone who'll listen. For you, it's a must-read. You'll never look at buttons, mirrors, or cats the same again. ;)

I also cast a vote in support of Hyperion/Endymion. Absolutely stunning stuff.

Cool! I will check out the Gap conflict. I have already read the Hyperion/Endymion books, I liked them quite a bit. I was kind of bummed by the Endymion books until the very end. It all seemed so bleak, but boy, what a pay off if you stick through it.

Have you read Perdido Street Station? Really good stuff, kinda steampunk, but the city created in that book is great. China Mellive(I think thats how you spell it) is quite a world builder. The book almost never falls into cliche, highly reccommended.

JM

i just finished Ender's Game..... holy shit, that was good. so i got the next book, Speaker For The Dead, today... anyone else read these books?