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Spoilers What Book Are You Reading?
- Thread starter Huntn
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And it is still every bit as hysterically funny, hilariously brilliant (and sharply insightful, and - yes, behind the wit and satire - as deeply compassionate and infused by a humane sensibility) as ever.
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I've always told people that Pratchett took off from where Wodehouse ended. There's a few American authors like Sedaris or Moore, but I feel their work will be greatly appreciated decades from now compared to right now. Humor and satire are difficult to write. One person's humor is another person's boring. Satire is even more difficult simply because you must be aware of the nuances of the situation within the text.
Agreed: Although, if offered a choice, I'd probably cast my vote for Granny Weatherwax.
I used to say to my students that this is who I wanted to be when I grew up.
Actually, it's not that egalitarian.
“Ankh-Morpork had dallied with many forms of government and had ended up with that form of democracy known as One Man, One Vote. The Patrician was the Man; he had the Vote.”
“Ankh-Morpork had dallied with many forms of government and had ended up with that form of democracy known as One Man, One Vote. The Patrician was the Man; he had the Vote.”
I know.
I was just indulging myself in a fantasy world; and - in class, in my teaching days - I have digressed from what I should have been teaching (Russian and Soviet history) upon spotting a student with a Terry Pratchett book which she was stowing away in her bag just before my class started. Ten minutes - or so - later we got back to where we were meant to be, but had a hugely enjoyable discussion (on Terry Pratchett, Granny Weatherwax, Lord Vetinari et all) on the meantime.
Off topic, but I recently discovered Book Depository. An Amazon company. They sell ebooks, paperbacks and hardbacks. They're located in the UK, but offer free shipping globally. Yes, that's right, free shipping globally, US included. I've done some cross queries and they have the books Amazon Books has, even obscure ones. I've read around and shipping from warehouse to your doorstep is 2-3 days in the UK and most of western Europe, and about a week or eight days in the US and Canada, including customs.
Not brilliant if you're only ordering 1-3 books at a time. It makes a lot of financial sense when and if you decide to order a series or two in paper or hardback form. The shipping costs you save (unless you're a Prime customer) are fantastic, and even MSRP when you think of it being slightly cheaper than Amazon Books. It also appears they don't collect US Sales Tax, which is another neat feature.
Not brilliant if you're only ordering 1-3 books at a time. It makes a lot of financial sense when and if you decide to order a series or two in paper or hardback form. The shipping costs you save (unless you're a Prime customer) are fantastic, and even MSRP when you think of it being slightly cheaper than Amazon Books. It also appears they don't collect US Sales Tax, which is another neat feature.
I have ordered books from the Book Depository, - usually a book I wanted and couldn't obtain elsewhere - and didn't realise that they were an Amazon company.
Actually, I simply assumed that they were just another supplier.
In general, I have found them to be very good.
I didn't know either. I'd come across their site before but didn't bother with them. It wasn't until I began streaming a film over the weekend through Amazon Video that I decided to take a gander at Amazon.com's footer portion and noticed all the companies they own. They're an amazing company, troubles put aside. Not to mention they've gotten into the imprint business with their own publishing houses and are able to sell books to traditional bookstores at a lower price. Which helps the competition, but also puts pressure on old time publishers. Though for some reason it's difficult to find out about their foreign imprints. It's always their English imprints you can learn about. They own a Dutch one, a German one called Felt and something or another, and some Scandinavian ones.
Amazon may end up saving and promoting reading among today's and the children of tomorrow if they'll have their way. Something I'm incredibly fine with.
Speaking of which, have you read the Sister Fidelma series?
Yes, I have read some of the books in the Sister Fidelma series and thoroughly enjoyed them.
oh man that reminds me of the time i actually thought it was a good idea to take my freshly bought "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by Sedaris on a 4 hour train ride for a family meet up.
I never read a book where i had to uncontrollably laugh & giggle so much. Which of course in a fully packed train is slightly embarassing. The real great stuff about his autobiographical styled stories is that inside all of the outrageous stories you can always found your own family a little.
And since sibling payback is always great i borrowed it to my sister while saying "it's great for traveling" after the family meet up.
2 hours later i get a text message "you idiot now i sit on my train and can't stop laughing"
Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
Going to start either my Martin Walker series tomorrow or read Waugh's Decline and Fall. The three-parter by the BBC was glorious.
I had a similar experience with my first Wodehouse. I completely put aside the saleswoman's words when she said "It's hilarious," thinking she was desperate for a sale (it was an indie shop). This was a long time ago. Long before smart phones and the internet being in every house. I recall rolling my eyes because the sales pitch was so terrible. Let's just say from that day on I learned not to eat or drink whilst reading a Wodehouse novel.
Just starting to read "One Second After", an SF novel about an EMP attack on the US and what folks have to go through in the aftermath. I know it will likely have one heartbreaker of a scene coming up. One of the main characters daughters is a 12 year old Type 1 diabetic.
Just starting to read "One Second After", an SF novel about an EMP attack on the US and what folks have to go through in the aftermath. I know it will likely have one heartbreaker of a scene coming up. One of the main characters daughters is a 12 year old Type 1 diabetic.
I listened to the audio book. It was amazing. I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't read it.
Picked this beauty up today in hardcover for five under retail price.
I've wanted a physical copy ever since I read reviews about the book. Not to mention the eye-catching cover.
I've wanted a physical copy ever since I read reviews about the book. Not to mention the eye-catching cover.
Picked this beauty up today in hardcover for five under retail price.
I've wanted a physical copy ever since I read reviews about the book. Not to mention the eye-catching cover.
The cover looks stunning; let me know how you find it.
I've discovered a little gem of a book, courtesy of my sister. It's called "The Signature of All Things" by Elisabeth Gilbert. It's beautifully written. I'm only a third of a way through it but am really enjoying it.
The Signature of All Things https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1408841924/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_WEj.ybGXT4NEB
The Signature of All Things https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1408841924/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_WEj.ybGXT4NEB
I've discovered a little gem of a book, courtesy of my sister. It's called "The Signature of All Things" by Elisabeth Gilbert. It's beautifully written. I'm only a third of a way through it but am really enjoying it.
The Signature of All Things https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1408841924/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_WEj.ybGXT4NEB
The Observer gave it a terrific review (noted on the cover, above) - and it certainly sounds as though it would be well worth reading.
Thumbing through a battered paperback, my father's copy of "A Distant Trumpet" (by Paul Horgan).
Have any of you ever started a book and said, yeah this is not for me? Even when there are lots of people who say it is good or the reviews say it should be good?