Books (and hopefully some discussion)

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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.