Spoilers What Book Are You Reading?

[iTurbo]

One book I read a while back that I really liked was Cadillac Desert by Marc Reisner. It is non-fiction and all about water rights/policy in the development of the south western US.

I read it thanks to Frank Black (the guy from the indy band the Pixies) and his songs "Ole Mulholland" and "St Francis Dam Disaster".

 

[pachyderm]

...

A Tale of Two Cities*
War and Peace*
...

I'd stop the Tarzan thingy and get to one of those two you listed above or try one of these by Alexandre Dumas:

The Count of Monte Cristo

The Three Musketeers

Two of my all time favorites.




* Two more of my all time favorites.

 

[PetrosMac]

Astrophysics for People in Hurry - Neil De Grasse Tyson

It’s for sure a really interesting book.

 

[RootBeerMan]

Astrophysics for People in Hurry - Neil De Grasse Tyson

It’s for sure a really interesting book.

I really liked that book. A great read and a book that should be read by everyone for a basic understanding of how the universe works.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I plucked a book called The Hobbit (by an esteemed academic - a specialist in Nordic tongues - who went by the name of J R R Tolkien) from my shelves.

It is high time to revisit this work.

 

[arkitect]

I plucked a book called The Hobbit (by an esteemed academic - a specialist in Nordic tongues - with the name of J R R Tolkien) from my shelves.

It is high time to revisit this work.

Pretty esoteric choice!

I can't see this ever taking off and becoming popular…

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Pretty esoteric choice!

I can't see this ever taking off and becoming popular…

Far too esoteric, and challenging, (all that material derived from Nordic sources) as you have already pointed out. But I shall persevere, and masterfully struggle my way through this oeuvre.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

The Hobbit - or There and Back Again - by J R R Tolkien.

This is my own slightly battered paperback copy, dated (in fountain pen - yes, I also wrote with fountain pens, then) 11.09.1986, (the day I first read it). The date, ink, writing and my own signature are all still clear and legible, years later. I remember exactly where I was when I read it.

"In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit."

Has there ever been such a wonderfully enticing opening sentence to a book? Okay, I'll admit - or concede - that the opening line which reads "Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again" runs it close.

"In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit hole, and that means comfort."

Such a seductive and inviting introductory paragraph, which sets the scene, and tone and the atmosphere of what is to follow. You want to find out more, reading this opening paragraph. You can already see the port, the wine cellar, the ale, the pantries, the comfortable armchairs, roaring fires, and a well-stocked welcoming kitchen. You want to visit this hobbit hole and make yourself blissfuly at home there.

No CGI can create this.

With that, I shall pour myself a glass of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and lose myself in the world of hobbits for a chapter or two.

 

[pachyderm]

The Hobbit - or There and Back Again - by J R R Tolkien.

This is my own slightly battered paperback copy, dated (in fountain pen - yes, I also wrote with fountain pens, then) 11.09.1986, (the day I first read it). The date, ink, writing and my own signature are all still clear and legible, years later. I remember exactly where I was when I read it.

"In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit."

Has there ever been such a wonderfully enticing opening sentence to a book? Okay, I'll admit - or concede - that the opening line which reads "Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again" runs it close.

"In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit hole, and that means comfort."

Such a seductive and inviting introductory paragraph, which sets the scene, and tone and the atmosphere of what is to follow. You want to find out more, reading this opening paragraph. You can already see the port, the wine cellar, the ale, the pantries, the comfortable armchairs, roaring fires, and a well-stocked welcoming kitchen. You want to visit this hobbit hole and make yourself blissfuly at home there.

No CGI can create this.

With that, I shall pour myself a glass of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and lose myself in the world of hobbits for a chapter or two.

Agreed.
[doublepost=1548760888][/doublepost]Also, now I gotta read Rebecca ...

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Scythe by Neal Shusterman. Young adult science fiction.

Two teenagers in a future world being trained as scythes, ie. people who condemn other people to death at random, and kill them. But wait, why would they do that you ask?? Well my friend, in the future, natural death and death by disasters has all been fixed, and diseases are gone, accidents doesn't happen, etc. so in order to maintain world population at a certain level, they randomly execute people!

My girlfriend liked the book, and said I would surely like it.. I am not so sure, being 25% through it now. Of course, scythes can choose their own methods of killing people, so I am looking forward to hearing more about the guy who always uses a flamethrower...

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Scythe by Neal Shusterman. Young adult science fiction.

Two teenagers in a future world being trained as scythes, ie. people who condemn other people to death at random, and kill them. But wait, why would they do that you ask?? Well my friend, in the future, natural death and death by disasters has all been fixed, and diseases are gone, accidents doesn't happen, etc. so in order to maintain world population at a certain level, they randomly execute people!

My girlfriend liked the book, and said I would surely like it.. I am not so sure, being 25% through it now. Of course, scythes can choose their own methods of killing people, so I am looking forward to hearing more about the guy who always uses a flamethrower...

Is this just a gore thriller? Or does it address deeper questions?

Or, does the society approve of random slaughter? Who chooses the 'random' victims? How are they chosen? (I would find it hard to envisage a society even in the future - where the well-appointed, well-connected member so the elite found themselves among those randomly selected for slaughter).

Do basic human rights enter into this at all, or does the society enable them - or support their existence? Who selects the killers? Who has oversight over the killers?
[doublepost=1548761442][/doublepost]

Agreed.
[doublepost=1548760888][/doublepost]Also, now I gotta read Rebecca ...

Rebecca is very, very good.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Is this just a gore thriller? Or does it address deeper questions?

Not so much gore as it isn't very descriptive when people get killed, more just your average young adult book. There's an AI that's in place of all governments (Except the scythes apparently), so everybody is living a happy life - Except they're terrified of the scythes. But so far, it pretty much skips the deep questions.

Or, does the society approve of random slaughter? Who chooses the 'random' victims? How are they chosen? (I would find it hard to envisage a society even in the future - where the well-appointed, well-connected member so the elite found themselves among those randomly selected for slaughter).

Society approves of it, because they know that over population is a problem, so most of them just accept death when it comes. Each scythe has to kill 260 people a year, but it doesn't mention how many scythes there are. The scythes themselves choose the victims at random, although they are sort of choosing based on random parameters. One chooses random keywords, and searches out a specific victim based on those, one just looks for people that look like they have given up on life, and another appear to love mass killings so he usually just picks and entire bus or similar.

Do basic human rights enter into this at all, or does the society enable them - or support their existence?

I guess they see human rights as being able to live on a non-overpopulated planet?

Who selects the killers?

The scythes chooses apprentices to teach. One of the main rules is a scythe can never be selected if they enjoy killing, they must be horrified by it.

Who has oversight over the killers?

The scythes themselves. They have certain rules they follow, and congregate every 4 months, and any who doesn't follow the rules are disciplined. Of course, we already have a 'sort of' antagonist, and there are multiple books in the series, so I don't assume they all follow the rules completely.. There's some political undertones, but they haven't come into full effect yet (33% through), so so far it is your pretty standard YA book, set in a pretty weird future.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Not so much gore as it isn't very descriptive when people get killed, more just your average young adult book. There's an AI that's in place of all governments (Except the scythes apparently), so everybody is living a happy life - Except they're terrified of the scythes. But so far, it pretty much skips the deep questions.


Society approves of it, because they know that over population is a problem, so most of them just accept death when it comes. Each scythe has to kill 260 people a year, but it doesn't mention how many scythes there are. The scythes themselves choose the victims at random, although they are sort of choosing based on random parameters. One chooses random keywords, and searches out a specific victim based on those, one just looks for people that look like they have given up on life, and another appear to love mass killings so he usually just picks and entire bus or similar.


I guess they see human rights as being able to live on a non-overpopulated planet?


The scythes chooses apprentices to teach. One of the main rules is a scythe can never be selected if they enjoy killing, they must be horrified by it.


The scythes themselves. They have certain rules they follow, and congregate every 4 months, and any who doesn't follow the rules are disciplined. Of course, we already have a 'sort of' antagonist, and there are multiple books in the series, so I don't assume they all follow the rules completely.. There's some political undertones, but they haven't come into full effect yet (33% through), so so far it is your pretty standard YA book, set in a pretty weird future.

In general, any society that arrogates to itself the right to administer death tends to dress it up in - or derive justification for these actions from - legal, or theological or security supports or reasons.

It is not "randomly" administered; the victims are deliberately selected (wrong race, wrong class, wrong gender, and so) and do not - as a rule, unless this is a sacrificial offering to a vengeful deity, or a revolution slaughtering the members of the previous elite - belong to the elite in society.

Is there any appeal against being randomly selected for death?

Now, another question: Was the author of this work male or female?

 

[arkitect]

Now, another question: Was the author of this work male or female?

Neal Shusterman? I'd wager a bet on the author being a male.
[doublepost=1548766022][/doublepost]What am I reading?

The Shallows: How the internet is changing the way we think, read and remember.
Nicholas Carr

Pretty much how our highly praised ability to multi tasking is frying our brains…

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Neal Shusterman? I'd wager a bet on the author being a male.

Sorry, I didn't even read the name of the author - skimmed it, and simply drew conclusions about the subject matter based on what @T'hain Esh Kelch had written.

However, I've read quite a bit on demographics, and an astonishing number of male commentators just do not see (or are unable to see, or, are blind to) the question of female access to safe,reliable, easily accessible, and affordable birth control.

In any society in history, if women are educated, and economically independent, and have easy access to safe, reliable and affordable birth control, the population falls (or, in some cases, may even plummet).

 

[arkitect]

Well my friend, in the future, natural death and death by disasters has all been fixed, and diseases are gone, accidents doesn't happen,

I am curious how this works. Surely the ability to stop earthquakes or tsunamis etc is impossible?

My girlfriend liked the book, and said I would surely like it.. I am not so sure, being 25% through it now. Of course, scythes can choose their own methods of killing people, so I am looking forward to hearing more about the guy who always uses a flamethrower...

Now if (Big if!) I were to accept the basic premise of the book, I would expect the methods used to "scythe" people at random to at least be humane. Death by flamethrower doesn't sound too good to me!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I am curious how this works. Surely the ability to stop earthquakes or tsunamis etc is impossible?


Now if (Big if!) I were to accept the basic premise of the book, I would expect the methods used to "scythe" people at random to at least be humane. Death by flamethrower doesn't sound too good to me!

And one wonders whether any of the (self-appointed, or appointed or selected by some other means) scythes (that is a lot of power to wield, the power of life and death) ever question their life, values and attitudes. Indeed, do they ever suffer from any sort of PTSD?

 

[maflynn]

I've picked up the pilgrim's Progress, a book that I've enjoyed and it seems every-time I re-read it, I get some new out of it.

 

[MacDawg]

I'd stop the Tarzan thingy and get to one of those two you listed above or try one of these by Alexandre Dumas:

The Count of Monte Cristo

The Three Musketeers

Two of my all time favorites.

I actually enjoyed Tarzan of the Apes very much (although I don't plan to read the entire series)
Much like reading Dracula or Frankenstein, the books are significantly different from the movies where most of us get our impressions
That is why I am enjoying reading some of these older books where I *think* I know the story pretty well

I have read The Count of Monte Cristo and enjoyed it tremendously (also very different from some movie presentations) and plan to re-read it again soon
I have not read The Three Musketeers, but it is on my list as well

I just finished James Hilton's Goodbye, Mr. Chips and also enjoyed it very muchly
And since they came together in the free download, I am reading his Lost Horizon now

 

[arkitect]

I've picked up the pilgrim's Progress, a book that I've enjoyed and it seems every-time I re-read it, I get some new out of it.

For the longest time I had Pilgrim's Progress mixed up with Canterbury Tales.

*sigh*

I still haven't read Pilgrim's Progress.
Since you've read it a few times, what edition do you recommend?

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I actually enjoyed Tarzan of the Apes very much (although I don't plan to read the entire series)
Much like reading Dracula or Frankenstein, the books are significantly different from the movies where most of us get our impressions
That is why I am enjoying reading some of these older books where I *think* I know the story pretty well

I have read The Count of Monte Cristo and enjoyed it tremendously (also very different from some movie presentations) and plan to re-read it again soon
I have not read The Three Musketeers, but it is on my list as well

I just finished James Hilton's Goodbye, Mr. Chips and also enjoyed it very muchly
And since they came together in the free download, I am reading his Lost Horizon now

Goodbye Mr Chips is excellent.

And yes, I am a huge believer in reading the book on which a movie is based.

 

[Gutwrench]

I am curious how this works. Surely the ability to stop earthquakes or tsunamis etc is impossible?

And this little thing called thermodynamics.

 

[maflynn]

Since you've read it a few times, what edition do you recommend?

I don't have a specific edition in mind. I have the kindle version (free I believe) that is illustrated and updated with modern english that is easier to read.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

For the longest time I had Pilgrim's Progress mixed up with Canterbury Tales.

*sigh*

I still haven't read Pilgrim's Progress.
Since you've read it a few times, what edition do you recommend?

Oh dear.

The Canterbury Tales is a terrific read, but I recommend that you try to lay hands on an edition with 'modern' spelling; (in some cases, it is clear that the pronunciation of the words has changed but little, whereas in other cases, the pronunciation has changed almost beyond recognition).

Best of all would be an edition that features both forms of spelling side by side.

I struggled with the "older" (yes, more authentic) spelling at school, but did read a version with 'modern' spelling at university and thought it a rollicking read. The Wife of Bath is still brilliant - she just rocks - all these centuries later, while Chaucer himself (if memory serves, he was a high ranking public servant) must have been an extraordinarily interesting individual - with a keen wit - to have been able to see - and render - his society in such poetry & prose.

The Pilgrim's Progress is a different, sadder and infinitely more serious work.

 

[arkitect]

Oh dear.

The Canterbury Tales is a terrific read, but I recommend that you try to lay hands on an edition with 'modern' spelling; (in some cases, it is clear that the pronunciation of the words has changed but little, whereas in other cases, the pronunciation has changed almost beyond recognition).

Best of all would be an edition that features both forms of spelling side by side.

I struggled with the "older" (yes, more authentic) spelling at school, but did read a version with 'modern' spelling at university and thought it a rollicking read. The Wife of Bath is still brilliant - she just rocks - all these centuries later, while Chaucer himself (if memory serves, he was a high ranking public servant) must have been an extraordinarily interesting individual - with a keen wit - to have been able to see - and render - his society in such poetry & prose.

The Pilgrim's Progress is a different, sadder and infinitely more serious work.

Canterbury Tales I have enjoyed often enough.

It is the Pilgrim's Progress that I have never read…