The Brand Spanking New: What are you reading thread? [Archive]

ziggy

02-10-2010, 11:25 AM

We had a thread like this a year or so ago, that was pretty good. I didn't want to dig that ancient thread up, so I decided to start a new one.

So, What are you guys reading?

For the past couple of weeks I had been reading the Nephilim Trilogy by L.A. Marzulli. In a nutshell this series is about UFOs, demons, religion, conspiracies, prayer and government cover ups. I was maybe 2/3 of the way through the second book and there was a plot point that was so ridiculously absurd that I just don't know if I can finish it, and I hate giving up on books once I'm that far into it.

Next on my list is either:
Step on a Crack - James Patterson
The Quantum World - Kenneth W. Ford
or an old standby and a favorite
Bad Luck and Trouble (Jack Reacher Series) - Lee Child

Lets hear it, what are you guys reading?

teej

02-10-2010, 12:07 PM

Currently reading

Legacy of Ashes: The Secret History of the CIA - Tim Weiner
The Crucible (play) - Arthur Miller
The Scarlet Letter - Nathaniel Hawthorne

All for school. Ugh.

SWedd523

02-10-2010, 12:26 PM

You're on the right path Ziig.

I, Alex Cross by Patterson was magnificent. I finished it in two days because I couldn't put it down (doesn't hurt that I was in a car ride from Charlotte to Gettysburg :D)

Also, anything in the Jack Reacher line by Child is going to be good. You can't go wrong with it

bing!

02-10-2010, 12:38 PM

The early Uncanny X-Men issues (60s & 70s) and Top Ten... oh wait!

tamburello

02-10-2010, 01:27 PM

"The Tin Drum" by German writer Günter Grass. One of the best magical realistic novels in literature history.

spectre

02-10-2010, 01:28 PM

Star Wars - New Jedi Order.

There's like 20 books in the series and this is my 2nd time reading them.

Han & Leia's youngest dies (Anakin - Vader's grandkid) in this one. :cry:

ziggy

02-10-2010, 01:40 PM

Currently reading

The Scarlet Letter - Nathaniel Hawthorne

All for school. Ugh.

Man, I feel for you. I remember The Scarlet Letter being a brutally boring read back when I was in high school ( approximately 100 years ago )

teej

02-10-2010, 01:45 PM

Man, I feel for you. I remember The Scarlet Letter being a brutally boring read back when I was in high school ( approximately 100 years ago )

It sucks.

It's 200 some pages that should be 15.

Chef

02-10-2010, 01:54 PM

the crucible is by far my least favorite book that i have ever attempted to read. 10th grade, Ms. Grish's class. wretched book, wretched lady.

ziggy

02-10-2010, 04:00 PM

The worst for me was Wuthering Heights, also in the 10th grade.

I clearly remember trying to get by on just the Cliffs Notes. got a 'D' on the book report :biggrin:

ziggy

02-10-2010, 04:03 PM

It sucks.

It's 200 some pages that should be 15.

Hey TeeJ,

Skip reading it... This pretty much sums it up :biggrin:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ikU4GkzRK8

Dunk

02-10-2010, 08:22 PM

Ironically, I'm currently reading Wuthering Heights. For realz. I may have mentioned this before but I have a list of the top 100 greatest novels and I work through them as I can.

I'm not in love with it but for completeness sake and for knowledge purposes, I'm working my way through it.

Before that I was reading Patrick Rothfuss Name of the Wind (fantasy), Bart Ehrman Misquoting Jesus (religion) and Michael Pollan's Omnivore's Dilemma (food). Trying to mix it up. :)

TheBeagle

02-10-2010, 11:55 PM

The early Uncanny X-Men issues (60s & 70s) and Top Ten... oh wait! That's what I'm talking 'bout! Top Ten was a great series....wish Moore would've stuck with it for more than one "season" and a prequel graphic novel. Oh well.

My usual monthly comics (Blackest Night mini series, Wolverine Origins, and The Goon I read today), Blade of the Immortal graphic novels by Samura, and Gears of War: Aspho Field.

ziggy

03-27-2010, 07:10 AM

I just finished up this book and I really enjoyed it. If you want a subject that will really make your brain ache, then you may want to give this a shot

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w301/bobcatsplanet/13822257.jpg

SWedd523

03-27-2010, 10:26 AM

Ziggy if you haven't read Bad Luck and Trouble then something is wrong with you. It's a great book and I seriously couldn't put it down.

I'm currently working on Splinter Cell by Tom Clancy ('s ghost writer) and so far it's a pretty good book for those who like spy novels.

Toocool

03-27-2010, 11:24 AM

Reading The Lord of the Rings. I didn't skip Elrond's council, so I feel special :biggrin:

And I'm still waiting for my World War Z book that I pre-ordered.

ziggy

03-27-2010, 12:52 PM

Ziggy if you haven't read Bad Luck and Trouble then something is wrong with you. It's a great book and I seriously couldn't put it down.

I've honestly been carrying Bad Luck and Trouble in my work backpack for the past 3 weeks, but I haven't started on it. I usually read while eating my lunch ( it keeps me from strangling coworkers ). I'll start that one up this week. I haven't come across a bad Jack Reacher novel yet.

ziggy

03-27-2010, 12:53 PM

Reading The Lord of the Rings. I didn't skip Elrond's council, so I feel special :biggrin:

And I'm still waiting for my World War Z book that I pre-ordered.

World War Z is a GREAT read, you're going to enjoy that one a lot.

teej

03-28-2010, 12:34 AM

Currently reading "Tipping Point" by Malcom Gladwell. Brilliant guy, great read.

Toocool

03-28-2010, 03:44 AM

World War Z is a GREAT read, you're going to enjoy that one a lot.

I bet I will. Since I am also a Zombie Movie/game fanatic. L4D was like, the perfect game for me. Loved the whole concept of zombie apocalypse, and thus I loved the game. Only bought L4D2 recently, but I love it even more.

I've been wanting to read WWZ for a long time, hopefully it'll come soon.

On the flip side, anyone read Matthew Reilly? Aussie Author.

Marvel

03-29-2010, 01:45 AM

The Metaphysics of Will and The Human Character-Arthur Schopenhauer

Something Happened-Joseph Heller

May4prez

03-29-2010, 09:38 AM

Worst book I read in high school was Things Fall Apart. Such a horrible book.

Reading The Forgers Spell by Edward Dolnick right now. Its about an art forger that screwed over Nazis. Its pretty good.

ziggy

03-30-2010, 06:49 PM

Ziggy if you haven't read Bad Luck and Trouble then something is wrong with you. It's a great book and I seriously couldn't put it down.

Swedd,

I'm just 40 pages in, and its starting off great. Whenever you start off a book by throwing a guy with 2 broken legs out of a helicopter in the middle of the desert, you know things are going to be interesting.

SWedd523

03-30-2010, 06:57 PM

But wait........... there's more!

It really picks up midway through, especially when "they" "get together"

ziggy

03-30-2010, 07:05 PM

Jack Reacher kicks ass!

The only book in that series that I found a little weak was 'Die Trying'. In that book the head militia "bad guy" seemed a little cartoon-ish. But 'Bad luck and trouble' ( so far ) isn't falling into that category.

BRNC

03-31-2010, 12:24 PM

I tend toward Sci-Fi...I've just finished the "Homecoming" series by Orson Scott Card and found it to be a good read...five book series...

I'm going back to read a couple of the "The Discworld Series" by Terry Prachett that I've never gotten around to reading...always good-light reading...

My "heavy" reads at the moment are "The Paradox of Tar Heel Politics" by Rob Christensen and I'm reading various Windows 7 books to keep me "up-to-speed"...

Toocool

08-06-2010, 02:38 PM

Resurrecting this thread. Currently in the Steampunk phase, and as such I recommend this book:

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

More aimed at young adults, but still alot of creativeness.

Setting: WW1
Plot: Basically German/Austrian powers are Clankers (machines) vs France, Britain who are Darwinists (use animals and all that).

I found the first book to be something I couldn't put down, and I read it in about three days. It was that amazing (for me anyway).

Check it out, probably quite cheap now since it's been out for quite a while.

tamburello

08-06-2010, 04:29 PM

"Midnight's Children" by Indian-British writer Salman Rushdie. It's progressing well until now. I've already heard that this novel is one of the best magical-realistic type novels.

ziggy

08-06-2010, 05:06 PM

This was the last book that I tackled.

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w301/bobcatsplanet/51-wK3I-XeL.jpg

Particularly fascinating was the section where it discussed the possibility of the entire universe being one giant hologram.

TheBeagle

08-09-2010, 04:37 PM

"Midnight's Children" by Indian-British writer Salman Rushdie. It's progressing well until now. I've already heard that this novel is one of the best magical-realistic type novels. Wa-Hoo!!! I'm jealous you have the experience of reading it for the first time. Insanely good read. The Satanic Verses is also highly recommended if not read....fatwah notwithstanding.

tamburello

08-10-2010, 04:22 AM

Wa-Hoo!!! I'm jealous you have the experience of reading it for the first time. Insanely good read. The Satanic Verses is also highly recommended if not read....fatwah notwithstanding.

Unfortunately, The Satanic Verses cannot be published in Turkey, just like some other countries with significant Muslim population. If somebody ever translated it to Turkish, we have no chance to read. I have it downloaded as an e-book, however I'm afraid to start it as my English is not as great as I get the full joy of the book. But there is not real censorship over it, simply the publishers are fearing the reaction of radical Islam people here, as they have a good reason.

In 1993, a man who was supposedly tried to translate and publish The Satanic Verses was sieged in a hotel along with others in a rural city of Turkey. The extremely fundamentalist people tried to capture him and set a fire in the hotel. The man barely managed to escape from the fire, but 35 other people were burned to death. Since that day, nobody is publicly voiced the least bit of desire to do it.

As a Turkish person, I'll always feel the shame of this incident. Anyway, Mr. Beagle, if you liked this book, you should be also enjoying other magical realism stuff. My favorite is "The Tin Drum" of Günter Grass.

BIGCatBobcat

08-10-2010, 11:16 AM

Serious stuff there Tamb! I'm reading Extreme Measures by Vince Flynn. I've gone through like 4 of those this summer because that's the stuff my dad has around. Can't hack that James Patterson stuff, seems like a really long simplified episode of Law and Order to me. I went to a used book store a while back and picked up Tipping Point, Sound and the Fury by Faulkner and something on Media Bias by a guy who worked at CBS for 40 years. I'm really into the conservative stuff right now and I am reading to try and understand why.

Also, blasted through Accidental Billionaires by Ben Metzrich, who did Bringing down the House which turned into the Movie 21. Loved both movie and book, as I'm sure I'll love the movie based on Accidental Billionaire, which the trailer you saw if you saw Inception. http://www.thesocialnetwork-movie.com/ Has the kid from Zombieland as Mark Zuckerburg, who seems like a real SOB.

TheBeagle

08-10-2010, 09:26 PM

Unfortunately, The Satanic Verses cannot be published in Turkey, just like some other countries with significant Muslim population. If somebody ever translated it to Turkish, we have no chance to read. I have it downloaded as an e-book, however I'm afraid to start it as my English is not as great as I get the full joy of the book. But there is not real censorship over it, simply the publishers are fearing the reaction of radical Islam people here, as they have a good reason.

In 1993, a man who was supposedly tried to translate and publish The Satanic Verses was sieged in a hotel along with others in a rural city of Turkey. The extremely fundamentalist people tried to capture him and set a fire in the hotel. The man barely managed to escape from the fire, but 35 other people were burned to death. Since that day, nobody is publicly voiced the least bit of desire to do it.

As a Turkish person, I'll always feel the shame of this incident. Anyway, Mr. Beagle, if you liked this book, you should be also enjoying other magical realism stuff. My favorite is "The Tin Drum" of Günter Grass. Yeah, The Tin Drum is also fantastic! Sorry to hear about the Islam fundamentalists in Turkey making it near impossible for you to read The Satanic Verses as I know you'd enjoy it. It makes you sort of wish Mohammed would come down and tell them, "Dudes, it's just a work of fiction; chill out."

There is a good writer of magical realism from North Carolina (taught at my university) named Fred Chappell. His works mainly take place in the Applachian mountain region of North Carolina, and incorporates a good amount of local folklore, but it's still accessible enough, if you can find a copy of "I Am One of You Forever", I'd recommend it to you as a good starting point.

tamburello

08-12-2010, 05:17 AM

Yeah, The Tin Drum is also fantastic! Sorry to hear about the Islam fundamentalists in Turkey making it near impossible for you to read The Satanic Verses as I know you'd enjoy it. It makes you sort of wish Mohammed would come down and tell them, "Dudes, it's just a work of fiction; chill out."

There is a good writer of magical realism from North Carolina (taught at my university) named Fred Chappell. His works mainly take place in the Applachian mountain region of North Carolina, and incorporates a good amount of local folklore, but it's still accessible enough, if you can find a copy of "I Am One of You Forever", I'd recommend it to you as a good starting point.

The thing is, Satanic Verses might not be fiction. There might really be some verses told by Satan in Quran. I don't care. I'm not a religious man by any means, so I'd like to see people change, I'd like to see people not kill each other for stupid religion controversies, but I'm not hopeful.

The author you mentioned is never translated to Turkish, and there are no e-books available, so I have to pass him.

You must have heard Orhan Pamuk, the only Turkish Nobel Prize winner. I think his whole works are translated to English. Especially his early works are incredible to me, I recommend you to read at least one of his books. "The Black Book" and "The New Life" are my favorites.

Toocool

08-26-2010, 07:16 AM

Just started to read Night Train to Lisbon by Pascal Mercier. Trying to branch out my reading, and so picked up this book. Hopefully it's good (anyway it was on sale for really cheap :biggrin:).

Not sure whether I posted this but I finished Leviathan, loved it. Can't wait for the sequel, and am now on the hunt for more steampunk :)

bing!

08-26-2010, 07:38 AM

... on the hunt for more steampunk :)

Well, the following could pass as an interactive novel-like role-playing experience...

Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arcanum:_Of_Steamworks_and_Magick_Obscura)

Not sure if you're a fan of RPGs, but as far as steampunk goes, Arcanum is your daddy! :)

BlockParty

08-26-2010, 09:43 AM

It sucks.

It's 200 some pages that should be 15.

Hello Cliff Notes

BlockParty

08-26-2010, 09:49 AM

I, Alex Cross by Patterson was magnificent. I finished it in two days because I couldn't put it down (doesn't hurt that I was in a car ride from Charlotte to Gettysburg :D)

I like Patterson also...Alex Cross was in about 10 of his books.

Another along the same lines with Charlotte ties is "Hornet's Nest" by Patricia Cornwell. I just googled it, you can read the entire thing here for free... http://books.google.com/books?id=VkK0iDjPjZ0C&dq=patricia+cornwell+hornet's+nest&printsec=frontcover&source=bn&hl=en&ei=NnB2TO-IBcL7lweo8pTvCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CCoQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q&f=false

Anyway..it is Law & Order type book/author that is set in Charlotte, so it'll be familiar to those of you in the area.

ziggy

08-26-2010, 08:22 PM

If there are any golfers on the board, then they would thoroughly enjoy this book. It gives you the perspective of the game of golf from one of the greatest golf hustlers ever

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51907Y44WEL._SS500_.jpg

Toocool

08-31-2010, 01:04 AM

Your Top 5 Books of all Time?

1. Redwall (First book to really get me into reading when I was a young lad)
2. LOTR (The sheer depth of the book was amazing, as was the depth of the book)
3. Chronicles of Narnia (Also a great book with great storytelling)
4. World War Z (Was simply a brilliant Read)
5. Leviathan (Shortish, but really a book I could not put down at all, read it in about 3 days).

As you can see, it is kind of one dimensional but I'm slowly edging my way outwards to read different books and expand my horizons

ziggy

08-31-2010, 06:39 AM

Your Top 5 Books of all Time?

Given some thought, I'm sure that my list would change, but the ones that jump into my mind right away are.

World War Z
My Soul to Keep
The autobiography of Malcolm X
Everybody Smokes in Hell
The Stand

Toocool

08-31-2010, 04:34 PM

Given some thought, I'm sure that my list would change, but the ones that jump into my mind right away are.

World War Z
My Soul to Keep
The autobiography of Malcolm X
Everybody Smokes in Hell
The Stand

Really one of the books that I enjoyed also. Was brilliantly written, and may pick up a few other Max Brooks books if I have the money for it.

Also going to mention a few honourable mentions:
- Rainbow Six by Tom Clancy
- The Power of One by Bryce Courtney
- The Cry of the Icemark by Stuart Hill (This one I think could of been written slightly better, but I still enjoyed it)
- Axis Trilogy by Sara Douglass **SPOILERS COMING UP***

*** SPOILERS FOR AXIS TRILOGY ***

Highlight to read --->
Hated the ending. I really liked Faraday and thought she should of gotten with Axis instead. Instead, Axis chose the other chick, and I was gutted. Even now I don't like that Faraday was disgarded by Axis, the stupid prick.
/End rant <--- Finish Highlight
***SPOILERS END***