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Title: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Lunchebox on 4 April 2009, 23:07:21 I could have sworn there was a book thread, but can't find it.
Right now I'm reading this book my date let me borrow, called "The Perks of Being a Wall Flower". It's pretty great so far, and it reminds me of Catcher in the Rye, which I am embarrassed saying is a book I love, and relate to. Mainly because you usually find serial killers reading it. It's similar to Catcher in the Rye in the sense it's a first person narrative, and is mostly about life and what not, and it's just a rreally interesting and fun read. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ASR on 4 April 2009, 23:13:36 Yeah, I definitely remember a book thread.
I remember looking for it when I made the House of Leaves thread but gave up and just created a thread for the book. Should have actually made a "What are you reading?" thread like this. I'm currently going through another re-reading of Hitchhiker's Guide. I can't stay away! it reminds me of Catcher in the Rye, which I am embarrassed saying is a book I love, and relate to. Mainly because you usually find serial killers reading it. Also really annoying "outcast rebel" kids who think it's their bible. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Johncarllos on 4 April 2009, 23:14:34 I love Catcher in the Rye....
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Fatso on 4 April 2009, 23:23:36 Most recent read: The Road, for English. It's bleak. Really bleak. If the biggest thing you're looking for in a book is a severe case of depression and a headache from the confusing syntax, read it. Otherwise, don't. It makes Lucifer's Hammer read like a Care Bears plot summary by comparison.
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Chron on 4 April 2009, 23:35:11 The last few books I've read were mostly Eddings and Pratchett.
I just finished up the Malloreon a few days ago. Great book. It's amazing how someone can write something that, while it is predictable to the point of predictability, still manages to capture one's attention through sheer good characterization and writing. As for the Pratchett books, always good, and it's nice to return to Discworld every now and then (Night Watch, The Fifth Elephant). Vimes is a great guy. I just now started reading something called Myth Hunters (Christopher Golden). Not sure how it's going to be, but it seems alright so far. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Fatso on 4 April 2009, 23:47:02 The last few books I've read were mostly Eddings and Pratchett. Yes, the Belgariad and Malloreon are two of my favourite fantasy series because of this. They were basically written as an attempt to create the archetypal fantasy book, and the attempt succeeded brilliantly thanks to Eddings' talent. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Lunchebox on 4 April 2009, 23:59:33 Okay wow, a bit farther into this book, and it's been a while since a book has really affected me like this.
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ChaosVortex on 5 April 2009, 04:37:24 I'm currently reading this topic/page (harharhar).
"Original content © 1999-2007, Abominator. Trademarks are copyright their respective owners." Done. Good read. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Lunchebox on 5 April 2009, 06:12:39 II finished the book earlier, it is probably my new favorite.
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Johncarllos on 5 April 2009, 06:57:58 Cool.
I went to B&N today and picked up the Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide. Also, Slaughterhouse-Five. Gonna have some good reading coming up. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Lunchebox on 5 April 2009, 06:59:52 Books 4 and 5 in the Hitchhiker's series are not as good as 1-3.
Slaughter House Five is one of my favorite books of all time. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Johncarllos on 5 April 2009, 07:02:13 I've always wanted to read it, as I LOVE Vonnegut novels.
Cat's Cradle is one of my favorites. Busy Busy Busy as the Bokononists say. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ASR on 5 April 2009, 07:08:30 If I had to rank the Hitchhiker's Guide books in order...
It might be: 3 > 1 > 2 > 5 > 4 But I like 5 a lot. And 4 grows on you over time, it's just very different than the rest. It's not like they take a real dive or anything, it's just a different mood. As a whole, it's impeccable. That stupid sixth book is going to ruin everything. And I'm still going to read it, I'm going to have to. October, I think is when it's coming out. Goddamn Eoin Colfer thinking it's a good idea to write a sixth Hitchhiker's book... grumble grumble... Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Lunchebox on 5 April 2009, 17:35:11 I agree with your order, except 4 should be before 5, because even though it broke my heart, it had the end of Marvin the Paranoid Android. Five pissed me off so much, and i don't know why, all I know is Adams was having a terrible year while writing it.
Who the hell is Eoin Colfer? Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Delta on 5 April 2009, 18:14:55 I'm reading this book my date let me borrow... Haha! Anyway, right now I'm reading the works of Plato (I'm serious, it's good stuff), and this book "The Forgotten Language" by Erich Fromm, which is about symbolic language and its usage in mythology and dream interpretation. It's quite interesting, and fits in nicely with my current obsession with analysing my dreams. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: orclev on 5 April 2009, 18:27:06 I am currently reading Persuasion by Jane Austen; after I finish that, I will have read all of her novels! <3 When I am finished with this, I will return to reading The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama, since my boyfriend got it for me for Christmas...it's actually pretty good so far, but I can only read about politics for so long before I start looking for something else.
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ASR on 5 April 2009, 19:20:36 Who the hell is Eoin Colfer? He wrote those Artemis Fowl books. I actually read a couple of them when I was younger, and loved them, but that doesn't change the fact that he shouldn't be writing a new Hitchhiker's book. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Snare on 5 April 2009, 23:30:49 I've recently reread "A Confederacy of Dunces".
Too bad I rarely read. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Mikero on 7 April 2009, 02:03:31 I'm not reading much other than comics at work because of school, but I do have a standard that I'm always reading;
"The Prophet" by Khalil Gibran. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: White Shadow on 7 April 2009, 09:08:13 60% through Atlas Shrugged. Can't go on 'cause my roomie took it with her on vacation.
I must be a bad person, because I'm enjoying the book. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Lunchebox on 8 April 2009, 01:26:05 You're just an asshole. And that's only if you can really say you 100% agree with Rand's ideas/ideals.
I went and got a bunch of books from the Library. The Picture of Dorian Gray and Other Writings ~Oscar Wilde this Side of Paradise ~F.Scott Fitzgerald Walden ~Henry David Thoreau Frankenstein ~Mary Shelley Four Great Tragedies: Hamlet-Othello-King Lear-Macbeth ~Shakespeare The Stranger ~Albert Camus Paradise Lost ~John Milton Blake: Collected Poems ~William Blake, Edited by W.B. Yeats Catch-22 ~Joseph Heller I Am Legend ~Richard Matheson Which should I read first? Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Mikero on 8 April 2009, 01:54:27 I just #####en' told you Othello and the Mac.
(That would be a hilarious crime fighting duo.) Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Lunchebox on 8 April 2009, 01:55:33 ONE IS A BLACK COP, JUST TRYING TO MAKE ENDS MEET, THE OTHER A SNARKY, SCOTTISH, DETECTIVE, WITH AN EDGE.
TOGETHER THEY ARE... OTHELLO AN THE MAC. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Mikero on 8 April 2009, 01:57:15 And then you get one of those circa 70's wah waah waaah weooow sounds in there.
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ChaosVortex on 8 April 2009, 02:48:18 Had to read Frankenstein in Senior English class in high school. It reeked, in my opinion.
Forced to read Othello in same class. My favorite tragedy so far, and I hate Shakespeare. Mostly because of the "Olde English", but Othello is a masterpiece. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Johncarllos on 8 April 2009, 03:55:43 Read Catch 22.
Alternately, read Vonnegut. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Vinchenz Rock on 8 April 2009, 04:00:41 I'm reading the Mother 3 Handbook now. So fun.
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Lunchebox on 8 April 2009, 05:24:45 Read Catch 22. I know you ain't talking to ME about Vonnegut. One of my all time favorite goddamn authors. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Johncarllos on 8 April 2009, 06:15:59 Same here.
I have to read more of his stuff though. I like everything I've read, of course. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Lunchebox on 9 April 2009, 18:50:19 I started reading the Stranger yesterday, it's pretty interesting.
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: White Shadow on 10 April 2009, 13:35:48 You're just an asshole. And that's only if you can really say you 100% agree with Rand's ideas/ideals. She makes some valid points, but there's a lot of author on board and fetish fuel in there too. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Lunchebox on 10 April 2009, 18:16:05 I agree, there are a lot of a lot of great points about Rand's philosophy, but I disagree with quite a bit.
It's funny how close America was to being an Objectivist country, and how she actually killed that movement. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Yubi Shines on 19 April 2009, 06:07:34 Currently rereading Havemercy, which is pure self-indulgent reading: Metal dragons, epic gay magician romance, explosions, and sensitivity training. Aaah.
Read Alan Moore's run of Swamp Thing some weeks ago. It sort of hits me how much Sandman was obviously influenced by it, even beyond Preludes and Nocturnes. Books I'm planning on getting: Sir Apropos of Nothing Bilgewater - An old favorite of mine, but my copy is falling to pieces. Sort of the antithesis to Rebecca. Other stuff on the reading list: Perdido Street Station - I started it last year, but drifted off after the first couple of pages. Going to give it another go since, by all accounts, it's worth it. From Hell Mister B Gone - Picked it up, read a dozen pages, put it down for reason of encroaching paranoid terror. Damn it, Clive Barker. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ChaosVortex on 21 April 2009, 05:08:29 I'm reading this, and looking at Youtube videos about it (http://www.kpho.com/news/19207871/detail.html).
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Chron on 22 April 2009, 00:43:58 ... I'm having trouble feeling sorry for this guy.
When the police ask you to do something, you do it. Now obviously these guys didn't just go overboard, they went way over the line, but I really wonder how much of that could have been avoided by simply following the instructions. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ChaosVortex on 22 April 2009, 01:56:06 If you look into his videos about it, he says they even crushed his face into the glass with their boots, tied him up, and mocked him.
And yeah, they did say, "Had you cooperated, we would've let you go." But still, they don't have the right to search his vehicle and that's just sick. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Chron on 22 April 2009, 02:36:34 I think there's something you don't quite understand about the current political climate.
That, and sometimes it's just common sense to do what people with big sticks and tasers tell you to do. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ChaosVortex on 22 April 2009, 02:40:41 As much as I don't usually like it when people test their rights like this, by his story, they didn't have proper cause to search his vehicle. I don't know what you're implying.
Unless you're saying that they don't care, police do it anyway all the time, then yeah. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Chron on 22 April 2009, 02:53:49 I don't know where you've been.
Border security in that part of the country is extremely tight, and the police in charge of patrolling the border have a lot of leeway concerning vehicle searches. He may have been far from the border, but he did pass by a checkpoint; considering how tight security is these days it's not unreasonable to expect your vehicle to e searched. Police also sometimes look for trouble randomly just to say they've been working, or just to randomly make sure they aren't missing anything. Typically, yes, a warrant is required, but thanks to a certain act that can be overlooked. They don't need any more cause than "this vehicle is driving away from the border" to search it, in other words. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ChaosVortex on 22 April 2009, 03:23:18 Makes sense, even though I personally don't like the sound of it. It feels like an issue about security and privacy.
I don't know exactly how cooperative he was. He insisted they should bring back the dog to see if it's probable cause (and they refused), so it made his story sound like he was trying to avoid trouble. Yet, at the same time, his story also implied he never rolled down his windows, which is typical respect for an officer of the law. He also argues that for someone who had been crossing the same checkpoint for years to be treated as such is unlawful. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Chron on 22 April 2009, 03:40:47 We may never know the truth here.
... probably best not to dwell on it, I guess. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ChaosVortex on 22 April 2009, 04:13:35 Truth may be revealed Friday, when he goes to court and pleads his case.
... But yeah. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: AlexThePenguin on 1 May 2009, 08:40:25 I'm rereading Call of Cthulhu, and starting on Dante's Inferno.
I eventually intend to read all the divine comedies, but this seems a good start. Posted on: 21-04-2009, 20:17:38 I just read Chuck Palahniuk's story, "Guts." I personally found it hilarious. It's not for the weak-stomached or those with an issue regarding experimental male masturbation. It was fun to read whilst stomping on wet towels, certainly. I haven't read much Palahniuk, but the short stories and excerpts that I read in Northwest Lit. have certainly made me wanting to read more. Pahalniuk and Tom Robbins both. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: preventerWIND on 1 May 2009, 10:14:41 I'm reading this, and looking at Youtube videos about it (http://www.kpho.com/news/19207871/detail.html). That's.. really stupid. I'm with Chron on this, why couldn't he just answer the damn questions? He did get his face bitched up, but that's what's expected when you don't co-operate with the police. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Majikn on 1 May 2009, 17:59:36 It's pretty crappy that people just learn to expect that from police.
It's an INCREDIBLY low blow to shove someone's face into broken glass, especially after you've already #####ed him up. I mean, duh, that ##### scars. I don't care if I get a few scars on my arms or my shoulder, but I'm plenty pissed off if someone scars my face just because he's having a bad day or something. Anyone who does that does not deserve to be on the force. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Chron on 3 May 2009, 01:46:10 ... are you seriously not getting this "cooperate and you'll be totally fine" thing?
Seriously? Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ChaosVortex on 3 May 2009, 02:43:03 With the release of this video, I agree with Chron a bit more because he just provokes the incident. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFS7oZtE8Ks).
Never rolled down his windows or anything. EDIT: Never presented his Driver's License? What an idiot. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Majikn on 3 May 2009, 03:38:34 ... are you seriously not getting this "cooperate and you'll be totally fine" thing? Are you seriously not getting that it's not the point at all? I mean, it's not like I'M going to be a douche to an officer. But if I did, that's no excuse to beat me up and throw me around. Jesus, you're so insistent that he shouldn't have acted like that in the first place that you ignore that it wasn't right to ##### him up. If you have to remove him by force, DO THAT. And detain him. Hurting him any further beyond that just shows what an ass you can be and you deserve whatever ##### you get for it. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Chron on 3 May 2009, 04:21:52 Yes, it's against constitutionally given rights. Yes, it's nice to see someone stand up for those rights. Yes, the officers should not have beat that guy.
But it's stupid to pick a fight you can't possibly win is what I'm saying. He is acting suspiciously, but it is sort of a wicked little web of lies. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ASR on 3 May 2009, 05:54:21 So, I heard about this show that's starting next fall on ABC called Flash Forward. The premise REALLY interested me: basically, after testing the Large Hadron Collider, everyone on earth passes out for 2 minutes, and has their consciousnesses catapulted about 21 years into the future, where they get a glimpse through their eyes Being John Malkovich-style. Then, everyone wakes up, but there's a crapload of destruction... like, everyone who was driving a car passed out and the cars kept going, all planes taking off and landing crashed, anyone on a ladder or anything fell off, that sort of thing.
Everyone has to deal with this catastrophe and the fact that they got to see what their lives would be like 21 years later. So, basically, I found out it's based on a book called Flashforward by Robert J. Sawyer, so I went out and bought it the other day. I'm about six chapters in and I really like it. There's a lot of great stuff, like some people DIDN'T see flashes and that basically means they die within the next 21 years. One guy who doesn't see a flash basically finds out (from other people who were reading newspapers when they flashed) that he was murdered, and he now wants to try to solve his own murder and prevent it from happening. There's a lot more cool things like that and a whole bunch of characters and, basically, it's a great read so far. Definitely looking forward to the show. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Chron on 3 May 2009, 14:15:00 It's an interesting concept, although it dies if you think about the science for too long.
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: AlexThePenguin on 3 May 2009, 22:00:51 Most interesting concepts that are published in fictitious works do.
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ASR on 5 June 2009, 01:37:59 It's not like any of this is possible in the first place, so believe me, it's not the science I'll be focusing on. I'm mostly interested in the phenomenon itself and how it affects all the characters.
Posted on: 3 May 2009, 18:58:38 Oh, hey, forgot to post after I finished Flash Forward. Hell, I've even finished another book since then. Flash Forward was good and interesting, but it was clearly written by a sci-fi author who pumps out a lot of books. I definitely enjoyed it though. I'm looking forward to the TV series, and it looks like they changed and added a LOT. Anyway. Speaking of TV shows based on books... I also finished the first Dexter book. I really enjoyed it. It's very interesting to have the entire book narrated by a serial killer. In the show you get the narrations, but in the book EVERYTHING is told through his dry, witty, deranged point-of-view. And it's very entertaining. Started the second book in the series a few days ago. I heard they go downhill. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Mikero on 5 June 2009, 01:59:30 I have about an eighth left of Mostly Harmless.
Which means it's just getting down to it :D Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: preventerWIND on 21 June 2009, 03:31:01 So, guys, I bought The Bro Code.
It's so awesome. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Johncarllos on 23 June 2009, 19:19:49 HEY WHOA A TOPIC.
I just finished the 4th Hitchhiker's Guide book, "So Long and thanks for all the Fish." I liked it best out of what I've read so far. Even though there was a disturbing lack of Zaphod. Next up is the short story, "Young Zaphod Plays it Safe." And then the last book. Should be done next week. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: TheOnly on 23 June 2009, 19:36:24 EDIT: I just got done reading Initial D vol.1 to 28. But they mangas. I don't know if you consider them "books".
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Edgecrusher on 23 June 2009, 20:01:18 Comics =/= books
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Slugkid on 23 June 2009, 20:15:47 Well, this is the "What are you reading?" Topic, not the "What book are you reading?" topic, so, it's about the same.
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: TheOnly on 23 June 2009, 20:15:47 Does that mean they the same thing in this realm?
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Edgecrusher on 23 June 2009, 21:21:47 I never said it wasn't pertinent to the topic, I only answered his question regarding whether or not comics and books were the same.
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Majikn on 23 June 2009, 21:51:46 Comics are a type of book, if you ask me, in the event that they're presented in book form. I don't feel like the terms "comic book" or "picture book" are misnomers.
I wouldn't argue that a graphic novel is the same as text-only, though. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Edgecrusher on 23 June 2009, 22:30:44 Yes, they're books in as much as they're numerous pages bound together into a single entity.
Comics, while an art form in their own right, are a completely different beast than printed literature. Trying telling a decent author that they're no more talented than the writer of a comic book, and see if that doesn't get you punched in the face. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ASR on 24 June 2009, 01:01:50 HEY WHOA A TOPIC. WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT You liked it BEST? Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Johncarllos on 24 June 2009, 01:32:20 Yes.
I liked it better than the other books. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ASR on 24 June 2009, 02:14:52 ...wh...
...what? I mean, don't get me wrong, I love SLATFATF, but... but it's so... it's just so clearly the weakest. Sorry, I have a hard time accepting certain opinions. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Johncarllos on 24 June 2009, 02:56:19 I enjoyed reading it more, lots of cool moments, and I don't know.
I liked it more. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Majikn on 24 June 2009, 05:16:19 Trying telling a decent author that they're no more talented than the writer of a comic book, and see if that doesn't get you punched in the face. I don't think that's fair to say at all. Good comic books require skill. Drawing skill, as well as writing skill. I agree with the rest of your post, because that much is obvious. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ASR on 24 June 2009, 05:29:30 Trying telling a decent author that they're no more talented than the writer of a comic book, and see if that doesn't get you punched in the face. Lies! Authors are too introverted to get into fights! Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Edgecrusher on 24 June 2009, 16:16:56 Trying telling a decent author that they're no more talented than the writer of a comic book, and see if that doesn't get you punched in the face. The writer not the illustrator. Even then, drawing something is a different skill than writing, which is what I was getting at. I have yet to read a comic book that could touch the narrative power of some of the literature I've read. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Majikn on 24 June 2009, 17:33:43 Then that's the fault of the individual writer. I don't think the method of storytelling is crippled in any way, I'm betting it just doesn't attract many of those of higher intelligence.
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Edgecrusher on 24 June 2009, 19:02:56 I don't think it's the individual writer so much as the medium itself.
Illustrations give you a concrete framework for how things look or behave, where books require you to paint your own picture mentally, which makes them a significantly more intimate and personal experience. Comics, while certainly a visual feast, just aren't as engaging. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Mikero on 24 June 2009, 23:29:42 I maintain that a graphic novel can be just as compelling as a "regular" novel as long as you find the right one. There's a LOT of spectactular stuff out there. But if your problem is the medium entirely then the chance of you finding something you like is that much more slim, though I'm certain there's something for you.
It's like some people and audiobooks, I guess. I don't have an opinion on them but I know people who love them and people who can't stand them. It doesn't really make the stories any less good and blah blah blah, but stories are as personal as they are a group things and blah blah blah. Either way I'm interested to know what you've read, just for the info because I'm probably not going to be able to conclude anything from it. But maybe you're talking purely about "comic books" published in an issue format and not so much "graphic novels", where the divide can get a little... Well, it does make a difference often enough. I now lots of plain-text writers who love comics, so I don't know. I'm not a huge fan of writers though. They often have a quality to their personalities that clashes with mine significantly. ...wh... Mostly Harmless was weaker for me. Took too long for everyone to get anywhere and then... Eh. My favourite is still the first one. And I loved The Restaurant At The End Of The Universe muchly. Actually I think they kind of went downwards for me. I really liked So Long And Thanks For All The Fish but then it just kinda ended and we didn't really have a clear idea of everything it brought up, some of which gets a bit covered in Mostly Harmless but just not enough for my tastes. I don't have Young Zaphod Plays It Safe. I recently bought a Indie(ish?) graphic novel called Supermarket on a whim. I liked the art a lot (or maybe the designs, I can't place it) and seemed interesting. It wasn't really a story that would bend you at all, in that it wasn't really new, but it was still entertaining. Short and simple. Just the one book. Worth a pickup if it's cheap but I wouldn't go out of my way. If anyone's looking for a graphic novel series or onesie, I can probably do the recommend thing. Novel-wise, I couldn't sleep a WINK or BLINK even if I'd had ten DRINKS last night. So at like 7am I finally started reading World War Z by Max Brooks. I'm SO hooked. And I'm someone who's kind of tired of zombies lately, too. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Johncarllos on 24 June 2009, 23:39:30 I'm not liking "Mostly Harmless" as much so far.
It feels like everything else that's happened doesn't matter any more. I also really liked the character Fenchurch in SLATFATF. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Mikero on 24 June 2009, 23:44:27 I had the same feelings.
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ASR on 25 June 2009, 00:48:44 It's generally agreed upon that the books consistently went downhill from the first.
My personal favorite is LUE, if only for Agrajag and the flying bits. I thought the Agrajag storyline was legitimate comic genius to tie up a bunch of loose ends that didn't even need tying up in a hilarious way, and it didn't feel forced at all like similar attempts could easily be perceived. But the BEST is definitely the first. There are a lot of people who HATE the ending of Mostly Harmless, and there are people who love it. I'm of the latter group - I think it's the only logical and fitting ending to the series even though it's very dark and it's pissing me off that a new book is coming to negate all of that. [spoiler]They set up the whole "Arthur is so sick of this and just wants to die but knows that, logically, he cannot die yet" storyline in the third book and it was a great conclusion that I just thought was perfect.[/spoiler] Though, the after-the-fact radio series for Mostly Harmless modified the ending a bit to tie more of the story together on a much larger scale, including some stuff with Zarniwoop. I really enjoyed that effort and it didn't feel like they were tampering, it just felt like it was stuff that was always present and Douglas just never mentioned it. I love the radio series. Probably more than the books. I at least reccomend the very first one. More on SLATFATF: I still love it. Favorite part is The Asylum. Great stuff. If I ever find a package of toothpicks like that, I'll be hanging it above a doorway in my house. And Fenchurch does rock, hard. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Mikero on 25 June 2009, 06:23:39 I just though the ending was OK. I'm either not decided or I'm fine with it but not a big fan.
[spoiler]I hear in the radio series you find out Fenchurch is working at Milliway's this whole time. #####ing people from the plural sectors, am I right?[/spoiler] But yeah I did love them all, and I thought all of Life, The Universe, And Everything's tieing EVERYTHING from that book in was great. And yes, Agrajag. Anyway back to World War Z. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Edgecrusher on 25 June 2009, 09:24:25 I stand by what I said.
I read a lot of Batman while growing up (best villains ever) as well as the other staples. I've read just about everything Jhonen Vasquez has produced (love the work, hate the guy), and I really enjoyed The Maxx, as well as Transmetropolitan. I've also read my fair share of graphic novels, ranging from The Watchmen (admittedly due to the film and all the buzz) to From Hell to Sandman. I really want to make it clear that I've really enjoyed a lot of comics. There have been some wonderful, moving stories and memorable characters. That said, the simple fact remains that they just don't engage me in the same way as classical literature. Like I said before, I really feel like illustration kills a really important part of reading. When I read a comic, I physically see what is occurring, but when I read a novel, the text melts away and the world around me disappears as the scenes play out in my head, painted with my own brushstrokes. Comics just can't compete with that. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Majikn on 25 June 2009, 19:22:07 That is certainly respectable.
I wish I had read more comics. It's not something I feel like I can get into easily. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Mikero on 26 June 2009, 01:06:42 Fair enough, Edge and Majikn.
... I like Fables :-) Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: TheOnly on 26 June 2009, 02:20:19 Now am reading the G.T.O mangas, its FUUUNNNNY...for me at least.
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Johncarllos on 26 June 2009, 03:22:05 Just finished Mostly Harmless.
... I didn't really like it. From what I remember, it goes 4>1>2>3>5 With 1,2,3 being tentative. I know I liked "SLATFATF" most and "Mostly Harmless" least. The other three are about the same. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ASR on 27 June 2009, 21:55:28 Just found out that Simon Pegg's autobiography, "Out of Spaced", is coming out on October 1st.
Can't wait. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Edgecrusher on 28 June 2009, 05:23:33 I have never read any of THHGttG books.
*braces for impact* Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ChaosVortex on 28 June 2009, 05:39:30 Neither have I.
Then again, what have I read? ... that statement compels me to read a book. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Johncarllos on 28 June 2009, 06:15:03 Edge, personally, I don't think you're missing a WHOLE lot, but they are at least decently fun to read and the Ultimate Collection thing from Barnes and Noble is totally worth the 20 bucks.
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ASR on 28 June 2009, 09:44:00 I have never read any of THHGttG books. You in particular would LOVE them. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Edgecrusher on 28 June 2009, 16:13:18 I do recall listening to the radio broadcast version of them when I was in middle-school.
I've been meaning to read them, but I have yet to find a copy of this (http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Hitchhikers-Guide-Complete-Novels/dp/0517226952) anywhere near me. I know I could order one, but that would be cheating. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Majikn on 28 June 2009, 16:21:00 Key Phrases: total perspective vortex, pikka bird, central mission module, Ford Prefect, Arthur Dent, Zaphod Beeblebrox
Oh ##### now I know what them signatures are all about. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Johncarllos on 28 June 2009, 17:34:35 I do recall listening to the radio broadcast version of them when I was in middle-school. You don't have any Barnes and Noble near you? Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ASR on 28 June 2009, 18:46:08 The Ultimate collection is extremely hard to find, I've learned.
My old one, which is the same thing but looks a lot nicer and better font on the cover, is from over ten years ago and it's falling apart. So, I was looking for a new one, since this is a book that I will ALWAYS re-read year after year and I'd like to get a new one before this mother#####er falls apart. When I searched a couple years ago, I found out that I hated the new design and didn't want to bother spending the money since the price also shot up after the movie came out. (I originally got it for $10 but I saw it for $30.) NOW, I finally was all "Whatever, I'll just get it" and I find out that it's EXTREMELY hard to find now, and goes for anywhere from $40-100 online. The one I have is even rarer and more expensive, so I'm really hoping it doesn't fall apart. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Johncarllos on 28 June 2009, 18:52:23 And I go to my local bookstores and they have piles of them.
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Edgecrusher on 28 June 2009, 19:20:53 I have a Barnes and Noble (I even get a discount there) in my city, but they only ever have the paperback edition.
ASR, I'm curious what the cover of your version looks like. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Johncarllos on 28 June 2009, 19:27:59 ASR, I'm curious what the cover of your version looks like. Same. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Mikero on 28 June 2009, 19:31:54 I prefer having them in separate novels. It's just easier to bring to work or where ever and there's not an organization issue for mine since they all came together in a nice box.
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ASR on 28 June 2009, 19:47:11 ASR, I'm curious what the cover of your version looks like. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Mikero on 28 June 2009, 20:15:16 Lovely. But not convenient.
And it has those tongue-y aliens we can't figure out! Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Johncarllos on 28 June 2009, 20:33:37 Yeah, that's cooler than mine.
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Edgecrusher on 28 June 2009, 20:45:03 I think I prefer the more recent edition.
I blame the typeface. Most of the books I read are huge, so I don't mind the cumbersome size. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Mikero on 29 June 2009, 07:28:35 It depends on where I want to read it, for me. When I started reading H2G2 I was working every day in an office, so it was easier to bring a small paperback back and forth on the bus.
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: AlexThePenguin on 30 June 2009, 22:47:34 A friend has lent me Clive Barker's Books of Blood.
Interesting so far, but I can't take it to work to read, so I`ve not gotten very far. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Edgecrusher on 1 July 2009, 00:05:19 I'm almost afraid to ask why you can't take it to work.
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: AlexThePenguin on 2 July 2009, 21:59:01 Some of the kids can read.
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ASR on 12 October 2009, 20:03:42 So, I picked up And Another Thing... (the unwarranted bastard-child sixth Hitchhiker's Guide installment) today, as Barnes and Noble got it earlier than I thought they would. They had to dig in the back to find it, though.
As if to flip me the bird right off the bat, on the page right before the first chapter, there is a quote from Douglas Adams, followed directly by a quote from Tenacious D. Already I have been let down. Nothing against Tenacious D, but... but seriously. Seriously. What the ##### is a quote from them doing in a Hitchhiker's Guide book. I will report further having read a few chapters in. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Johncarllos on 12 October 2009, 20:17:23 That's kind of screwed up.
What are the quotes? Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ASR on 12 October 2009, 23:07:49 The Adams quote is the one where the book's title comes from. Like how every Hitchhiker's book's title is borrowed from a line from the first book. I'm not sure if this quote is from the first book or from the third. I feel like it's one of those two, though.
The Adams quote, which also appears on the back cover: The storm had now definitely abated, and what thunder there was now grumbled over more distant hills, like a man saying "And another thing..." twenty minutes after admitting he's lost the argument. - Douglas Adams The quote directly below it: We have travelled through space and time, my friends, to rock this house again. - Tenacious D It made me want to claw my eyes out. I had to go to class so I haven't even finished first chapter, but what I have read seemed to be decent so far, if confusing (which is to be expected.) Like I said, when I was younger I looooooved the Artemis Fowl books that Eoin Colfer wrote, and I think he's a great author. My issue with him isn't his writing, it's the fact that he wrote an unwarranted Hitchhiker's sequel. Most of my beef is just with the fact that this happened at all, but I do welcome it and genuinely want to enjoy it. It just seems wrong to mimick Douglas Adams, you know? If I happen to really enjoy this book, then I will definitely speak its praise. The world can always do with more Hitchhiker's Guide, but it's a shame we don't have Douglas himself to provide anymore. If Eoin proves a decent substitute, I'll be okay with it. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Johncarllos on 12 October 2009, 23:27:12 You have class today?
It is a Holiday! Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: NovaMan XP on 12 October 2009, 23:31:13 I had class today too.
Holidays mean nothing now apparently. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ASR on 13 October 2009, 00:03:01 What holiday is it?
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: preventerWIND on 13 October 2009, 00:08:56 Canadian Thanksgiving!
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Mikero on 13 October 2009, 01:34:53 Real Thanksgiving*
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ASR on 14 October 2009, 04:30:38 I don't know if I want to keep reading And Another Thing...
I got to page 123 and my brain almost exploded. Hitchhiker's Guide has officially been raped, which is sad because the book was doing a decent job right up until this point... which I must add was very obviously going to happen and I was dreading it. I took a photo of the paragraph in question. This is a pretty big spoiler, so if you're a Hitchhiker's fan who might read this new addition and don't want to be spoiled, then don't read. Conversely, if you've never read Hitchhiker's Guide then this will make zero sense to you. [spoiler](http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/7148/aatp123.png)[/spoiler] Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Johncarllos on 14 October 2009, 04:48:55 What.
The. #####. I'd burn that book. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Edgecrusher on 19 October 2009, 22:48:17 [spoiler]He kissed a chat program?[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Johncarllos on 19 October 2009, 22:51:11 Loooool.
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Mikero on 19 October 2009, 23:06:09 I was worried it was going to be a big story spoiler, but I'm glad it was just a screen cap of horrible writing.
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Vinchenz Rock on 7 November 2009, 07:47:27 So I bought Dearly Devoted Dexter last week and just finished it now.
It's so much better than the first book that it's not even funny. Although to be honest, I kept comparing the first book to the show since it was comparable and well, the show wins IMO. But yeah, I really liked this second book. Dr. Danco is seriously messed up but I would have liked a little more conversation between him and Dexter. I think the way the situation was handled was perfect, however. Definitely going to get the third book now but thus far the second is my favourite. When I gots money... I'm going to start reading the Deltora Quest books now because a friend lent me the entire series. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Mikero on 7 November 2009, 17:26:09 If a friend lent you the series then why do you needs moneys?
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ASR on 7 November 2009, 19:42:02 I have the fourth Dexter book lying around but I haven't gotten to reading it yet.
I liked the first book, merely enjoyed the second, and the third made me want to kill myself. I bought the fourth because they're easy reads and I'm trying to get back into the habit of reading. The first was infinitely better than the second. The second was... well, I wish they'd taken SOME of this plot and used it in the second season of the show, and Edge and I have definitely had this conversation before. The show is way better on all counts. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Edgecrusher on 7 November 2009, 20:04:44 I just really wish some elements of the books would leak into the show.
The relationship between Cody, Astor, and Dexter is significantly more enthralling in the books, for example, and gives the sense of Dexter as a father far better than anything the show has been able to muster. Thank god the show does a better job with closure. Though that third season finale was a bit sketchy... Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ASR on 7 November 2009, 21:39:15 Honestly the biggest thing that bugs me about the books, aside from the whole supernatural element in the third one, is
Spoilers for first book's ending:[spoiler]Deb finds out about Dexter but they almost NEVER acknowledge it later on! They just ignore it and go like "yeah, she knows."[/spoiler] Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Edgecrusher on 8 November 2009, 04:17:48 It's more of a factor in the fourth book.
[spoiler] They kind of insinuate that she's been in denial about it for awhile, and is only now starting to discuss it, usually with disdainful accusations. Though it does feel a bit awkward, after how casually they interacted in the last few books. [/spoiler] EDIT: Added spoiler tags. Without ASRs post it really doesn't tell you much, but I figured I'd err on the side of caution. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Vinchenz Rock on 8 November 2009, 04:21:34 If a friend lent you the series then why do you needs moneys? Sorry if I wasn't clear enough, I meant that I'll buy the third Dexter book when I get money so instead I'll read the books my friend lent me. Honestly the biggest thing that bugs me about the books... [spoiler] I think it's because Deborah loves her brother enough that she's quickly accepted the fact. That and she doesn't really like to talk about her feelings. [/spoiler] Also, thanks for adding a spoiler tag there, Edge. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ASR on 8 November 2009, 05:36:49 I'm opting not to read Edge's spoiler since I haven't read the fourth book yet, but I'm glad that it comes back into play.
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Mikero on 9 November 2009, 01:28:21 because they're easy reads and I'm trying to get back into the habit of reading. Read World War Z! Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ASR on 22 December 2009, 02:32:13 I'll check it out.
Posted on: 8 November 2009, 23:38:24 So a while back, I bought the first two hardcover collections of The Walking Dead, a comic series about people surviving a zombie holocaust that I'd heard about online. And, in a growing tradition of mine, the clincher came when I heard they were making a TV show based on it for AMC. So, yeah, I bought them and they were fantastic. Just got the third and fourth collections (they're expensive at $30 per collection) and I'm halfway through the third now. It seems like they get better and better with each one! The writing is great, and the art is fitting and works just great. I care more about the writing, though, and they've hit a winning goldmine here. The best part is that it'll make a perfect transition to a television series. I also picked up World War Z since I was in the zombie mode. Got Fight Club, too, which I've been meaning to read for quite a while now. And the only Douglas Adams book I've never read: Last Chance to See. The only reason I put it off for so long is because it's a non-fiction account of his trips around the world to find endangered species, but I've recently warmed up and stopped being such a pansy about non-fiction. I can't wait to read it. Don't know which one I'm going to start first, but it'll probably be that one. Saving those three for the cruise I'm going on with my family next week. I feel like a spoiled brat when I say I hate cruises, but I do. I've just been on too many. It's a horrible thing to say, I know, but it's... it's like too much of a good thing, y'know? If we went on them less, or if this was my first one, it'd be extremely different. Or if I went on them with friends, and not just my family (who are extremely boring on vacations... my mom is a primadonna type, my dad doesn't really do anything, and my brother tends to just yell a lot.) So I plan to read my way through this one, and watch DVD's when I'm not reading or being dragged to fancy dinners and Americanized sections of foreign countries. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Johncarllos on 22 December 2009, 02:57:20 Alec, you spoiled brat!
Well, why not just use the cruise as a chance to find attractive women and have short meaningless relationships with them never to see each other again? Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ASR on 22 December 2009, 03:49:42 Because I look like a baby leprechaun.
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Johncarllos on 22 December 2009, 04:24:06 I look like a leprechaun with gigantism.
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ASR on 22 December 2009, 04:42:08 I wouldn't look out of place on somebody's lawn if I had a white beard and a pointy red hat.
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Johncarllos on 22 December 2009, 04:58:51 That's a gnome, buddy.
And you should do that. Just go lawn to lawn. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ASR on 22 December 2009, 05:03:37 I know it's a gnome! I was shifting resemblances! Next I was gonna' crack a joke about how I have to go back to the tree and bake some E. L. Fudge cookies!
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ChaosVortex on 22 December 2009, 05:09:40 Sounds like you just forgot what a gnome was and that's your post to cover up your mistake.
It's okay Alec. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ASR on 22 December 2009, 05:29:51 It just wouldn't have been funny if I straight-up said "lawn gnome" just like how I didn't straight up say "Keebler elf" for the other one GRAAAH YOU GUYS ARE WROOOOOONG
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Johncarllos on 22 December 2009, 07:09:26 No, I suppose I understood where you were going, I just like to point out thing LIKE I'm actually dumb.
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ASR on 22 December 2009, 08:07:17 YOU LOOK LIKE A LUMBERJACK HAD SEX WITH A BEAR
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: AlexThePenguin on 22 December 2009, 15:14:16 Hot.
Being stuck at work, with nothing to do, for a three-hour lunch break, I've found myself reading lots of children's books and young-reader chapter books. Yeah. None of them are particularly interesting. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Johncarllos on 22 December 2009, 18:04:44 MY MOTHER WAS ONLY A BEAR UNTIL COLLEGE
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Mikero on 23 December 2009, 10:02:31 You know that book "Superfudge" by Judy Blume?
I wish I was reading that instead of this thread. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ASR on 4 January 2010, 04:18:08 I finished reading Last Chance to See on my vacation. Great book about endangered species and the wonders of our planet, all that jazz. Douglas Adams just has an extremely entertaining writing style, and I'm a little angry with myself for putting off this book for so long... just because it was non-fiction. Very great stuff.
On the other end of the spectrum, we've got zombies. I'm about two thirds through World War Z, per Mike's reccommendation, and this ##### is off the hook! Absolutely incredible! Really great read and a must for any zombie fan. And I need to emphasize the "must" there. Can't wait to finish it. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Mikero on 4 January 2010, 16:59:00 For whatever reason, I'm still stuck half-way in that book. Though I really love it, I've just had other things going on. But it's so awesome! I'll probably read a lot of it this week.
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ASR on 11 January 2010, 07:42:20 Finished World War Z. It gets a little slower near the end but that's only because you're a little burned out by the time you get there.
Just bought a book called John Dies At The End. I would have bought it purely on the title alone but it actually sounded really good in addition to that. It's a horror/comedy, and after reading the prologue I already love it. Posted on: 8 January 2010, 20:08:47 Finished John Dies At The End. Guys. Read this book. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Vinchenz Rock on 11 January 2010, 07:55:46 no
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ASR on 11 January 2010, 07:59:25 To be a little more detailed for those who care (move along, Vinch), JDatE is a perfect (yes, perfect) blend of actually funny comedy and actually scary horror. Not only is that impressive, but the characters are great, the dialogue is better, and the topsy-turvy never-predictable plot is even better.
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Vinchenz Rock on 11 January 2010, 08:50:18 I was kidding but I'm not into books much anyway.
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: preventerWIND on 11 January 2010, 10:28:21 Just bought a book called John Dies At The End. Seriously. Dude. Spoilers. Looking into it, sounds right up my alley. [spoiler]This is for you, Alec, if you mention the TSC pages I will come to Kalamazoo and stab you. [/spoiler] Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Winged Warrior on 19 January 2010, 08:44:15 I just finished Winduh's post.
Guys. Read this post. Seriously, It had EVERYTHING. I mean, it doesn't literally have 'everything' but it had the word [spoiler]Kalamazoo[/spoiler] I mean, that's pretty bad ass. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ASR on 19 January 2010, 09:32:34 Yeah, well I'm currently LIVING in Kalamazoo so BAM!
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Winged Warrior on 19 January 2010, 20:36:42 UGH! ASR! SPOILERS!
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Johncarllos on 7 March 2010, 22:57:15 I'm about to read the comic of Kick-ass.
Should be fun, it looks really good. Hell, it's good enough that they made a movie out of it! Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: AlexThePenguin on 8 March 2010, 00:38:10 I finally got around to reading that Uzumaki manga that JC linked me to.
Chapter 9, page 3. It's pretty good. Creepy. :3 Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Johncarllos on 8 March 2010, 01:31:04 Uzimaki is friggin nuts.
Nearly nightmare worthy. It gave me some creepy dreams. I recommend Kick-Ass to everyone. It's only 8 chapters long. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Vinchenz Rock on 8 March 2010, 01:44:12 Hahah, I remember Uzumaki.
I read his other works, Gyo and The Enigma of Amigara Fault. But Uzumaki is definitely my favourite. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Johncarllos on 8 March 2010, 01:50:04 all are great.
Gyo doesn't hit so deeply though, it's just weird. GASHUNK, btw. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ASR on 8 March 2010, 22:04:12 I recommend Kick-Ass to everyone. The movie looks really fun and the comic sounded great from what I've read of it. I might check it out. Posted on: 8 March 2010, 00:45:37 Okay, I read it and loved it. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Ikeoko on 26 March 2010, 04:45:18 TWILIGHT.
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Johncarllos on 26 March 2010, 05:00:23 ugh.
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Ikeoko on 26 March 2010, 05:06:40 I was kidding...that was SO eighth grade!
Plus it was unpopular then and I was the only person who knew it existed. Haven't read it since though. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Johncarllos on 21 June 2010, 05:19:10 Oh, I found it.
Quick game: Post the name of the book that is currently closest to you! I have the Ultimate Hitchhicker's Guide close by, most of my other books are in a closet. It just never put it away. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ASR on 21 June 2010, 16:50:10 Well, hell. Technically the closest book to me is Hitchhiker, a biography of Douglas Adams.
Let's keep the Douglas Adams trend going! Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Mikero on 23 June 2010, 02:31:49 Sorry.
I have Neil Gaiman's The Sandman vol. 4 closest to me, of the stuff I own anyway. Some book my mom owns is actually closer but who cares. Also The Sandman is a graphic novel so if that doesn't count then it's Peter And Max (A Fables Novel), World War Z, Black Like Me, and Hitchhiker's trilogy in five parts. I still haven't had time to get around to And Another Thing... ... Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ASR on 23 June 2010, 05:51:09 DON'T bother reading And Another Thing..., seriously. Not worth it.
And holy hell, the second-closest book to me is a Neil Gaiman book, but it's another biography of Douglas Adams (called Don't Panic.) The only reason I have those biographies is because I did a report on Douglas Adams in... middle school, I believe? After reading them, however, the guy was permanently cemented as my all-time hero despite the fact that reading Hitchhiker's Guide had already done just that. But yeah, also right nearby is a huge box full of books I brought back from my apartment, and sitting on top is an awesome comic called Chew. HILARIOUS comic, really great. I highly recommend checking it out. I met the creator when I got dragged to the Detroit Comic-Con, so that was pretty cool. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: AlexThePenguin on 23 June 2010, 06:38:59 Closest book: A Light in the Attic.
Relatedly, I'm now reading it. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Majikn on 23 June 2010, 06:55:29 I'd be hard pressed with a measuring tape to figure out which book is closer. But as of the start of this thread it's been the official driver's handbook, and it hasn't moved much.
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Vinchenz Rock on 23 June 2010, 17:13:18 I think the closest book to me is Dexter in the Dark.
I still got to get around to that... Although I've really got the itch to read House of Leaves... and I can't find the book anywhere. >:( Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ASR on 23 June 2010, 17:35:25 House of Leaves. Find it, read it. The Dexter books kind of suck.
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Johncarllos on 23 June 2010, 21:52:26 House of Leaves is a swell novel.
Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Mikero on 23 June 2011, 01:33:55 This shouldn't be a dead thread.
I just finished Black Like Me, which I'm really sad took until now for me to get to. Absolutely incredible book that everyone should read. I'm about to start a book that seems a bit similar called One Drop. What's everyone else reading this year? Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Majikn on 23 June 2011, 02:22:57 I #####ing hate it when I have to rewrite something large.
This year I read: Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson (epic/dark/heroic fantasy) MultiReal by David Edelman (business cyberpunk) Elves: Once Walked With Gods by James Barclay (spin-off of his Raven series) The Affinity Bridge by George Mann (steampunk mystery) I Am Number Four Those are pretty much ranked from best to worst, but I Am Number Four was the only book on that list that I'd say was actually bad. The rest are all worth reading, though Gardens of the Moon has 9 more books in the series, plus a few short novels, and more in the same setting by another author, so it could be daunting to get into. The Jump 225 trilogy (Infoquake/MultiReal/Geosynchon) so far is just amazing. It'll remind you of The Matrix in a way. It's still, of course, better. All of the characters are believeable, they're all well developed and continue to develop, and the story takes place in an alien year-3600-or-so setting where everyone's brain is connected to the internet and a lot of stuff about reality is now just smoke and mirrors. The main character gets a hold of a technology that could change everything. I haven't read the third book yet but so far it's outstanding. Anyway I recently bought and plan to read: Monster Hunter International by Larry Correia (Sort of a fast-paced action packed cliche about fighting monsters. It's the kind of book I would look at and probably walk away, but the right recommendation got me to buy it.) I Am Not a Serial Killer by Dan Wells (In the same vein as Dexter, apparently better-written.) Retribution Falls by Chris Wooding (Reminds me a bit of Firefly, so far... it's about sky pirates in a retro-futuristic setting, with magic.) Geosynchron by David Edelman (book 3 of a cyberpunk novel about a badass entrepreneur with a crazy singularity technology that simulates multiple realities in which bad decisions are rejected) Deadhouse Gates by Steven Erikson (book 2) The King of Plagues by Jonathan Maberry (James Bond/Rainbow Six style, it's a techno thriller where a secret US gov't division takes on zombies, monsters, and weaponized diseases, all engineered by terrorists. This is the third book in the series, so you can tell I think it's awesome.) I Am Legend by Richard Matheson (I'm reading this one now, it's so much better than the movie so far, and so completely different.) The Dark Tower - The Gunslinger - The Journey Begins (6th graphic novel) The Dexter novels don't entirely suck. They just didn't evolve well. The third novel was weird, and the fourth novel seemed to ignore that the third novel happened. This kind of leaves a bitter taste about the whole thing. I'd say the first two books are solid, but skip the rest. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Mikero on 23 June 2011, 03:43:13 Oh yeah;
I used to use this app on Facebook called VisualBookshelf which lets you check out what your friends have read/are reading and rate books and add stuff to your t-read list, etc. Essentially a digital bookshelf you share. The problem now is that VisualBookself's parent company sucks and hasn't updated anything since two permutations of Facebook. But now I'm using Goodreads.com, which is basically the same thing but better because it doesn't HAVE to be on dumb Facebook. If you guys sign up add me. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ASR on 28 June 2011, 08:04:27 I don't read nearly as much as I WANT to. Right now I'm trudging through a copy of The Girl With The How To Train Your Dragon Tattoo that I'm borrowing from a friend - I really like it, but I keep losing focus because I've been so busy.
I also picked up an SNL "oral history of" book which seems like it'll hold my attention, as well as Only Revolutions, that other book written by Mark Z. Danielewski (writer of House of Leaves) that I found for a buck. If you want something really fun and interesting, though, I'd recommend Machine of Death. It's a compilation of short stories that share the same premise: scientists have invented a machine that will tell you, vaguely, how you are going to die. It's a really neat little anthology that I've been leafing through and loving. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Majikn on 28 June 2011, 19:58:37 Man, I hate the five star review system.
Actually I hate any number system. No amount of numbers can convey why an individual enjoyed a book. Like, I watch IGN video game reviews for example because they inform me about what they liked and disliked about the game, the final number is meaningless to me. Flame wars ensue because of it but what's more important to me is I'll know if I disagree with why the reviewer deducted points. Anyway. I'm now using goodreads under my actual name, Sean Waller. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Mikero on 30 June 2011, 04:25:07 I'm with you but I mainly use the rating system for my own reference later. You can just write why you liked or didn't like something in the review with the rating, but I never bother.
I also picked up an SNL "oral history of" book which seems like it'll hold my attention, as well as Only Revolutions, that other book written by Mark Z. Danielewski (writer of House of Leaves) that I found for a buck. New podcast via the Smodcast podcast network; The ABCs of SNL. Only one is out right now but it was really great, Kevin Smith and Jon Lovitz talk SNL history stuff, you might dig it. [/aside] Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: ASR on 30 June 2011, 06:23:33 From what I've listened to, I can only stomach so much Kevin Smith himself in a single sitting. I love his movies but I'm starting to think I'm not a huge fan of him outside of them. He's been a guest on other podcasts I listen to and I'm always a bit disappointed.
I mean, I assume he's not one of the hosts on the podcast you're talking about (I know his Smodcast network has, like 50 different podcasts), so I'll look into it. Just gotta' find the time. I'm real podcast-heavy right now. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Mikero on 3 July 2011, 20:59:42 He is but it seems like he'll eventually leave.
I mostly like the OTHER people on his network these days. Title: Re: Matricians: What are you reading now? Post by: Majikn on 6 July 2011, 22:39:29 I Am Legend was legend-ary.
Thinking of buying another book by Richard Math' now. I also finished The King of Plagues, which as expected made me really happy. The writer is so ballsy. One of the villains threatens Obama's daughters. And I love how it came out shortly before Osama was killed, the timing just makes it so much better. The jokes make me giggle with glee, amidst the action and suspense. This one had much more of a Die Hard vibe than the other books, and I loved Die Hard. I'm also really happy that two more books in this series are coming soon. Book of Shadows in 2012, and Visitors in 2013. I can only imagine that things are going to take a supernatural turn and that the latter book will have aliens. Geosynchron, third book in the cyberpunk Jump 225 trilogy is blowing my mind right now. The author really knows how to convey a lot of really cool idea within a compelling story with actually interesting characters (rather than letting the exposition tell the entire story like a lot of bad sci-fi). |