Underworld, like Infinite Jest, is one of those "maximalist" novels that's daunted me a bit, but it's on my to-read list. 
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Spoilers What Book Are You Reading?
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Just picked up a collection of Nietzsche, and am about to start Beyond Good and Evil.
Nice, pretty soon I am starting with Kierkegaard.
Meanwhile, I recommend this lecture by one of the BEST professors I've ever seen:
^Thanks for posting that video. I took a course on 19th Century Philosophy in college, but I can't say I remember everything from it. It might be time to revisit this topic.
Michael Surugue (sp?) is wonderful. His video on Marcus Aurelius changed my life (that's how I found about this professor on YouTube). You can see his passion and knowledge. One of the few good things of 2020 is that he's adding videos to his channel, and they are ALL incredible. The video on the book of Job is insanely intriguing.
Red Sparrow, I saw the movie first, a really good espionage read I started recently. It reminds me of a Tom Clancy book.
Underworld, like Infinite Jest, is one of those "maximalist" novels that's daunted me a bit, but it's on my to-read list.
My reaction to both of them; Underworld has a much more approachable narrative structure....Infinite Jest goes on (and on) with less structure until the book ends without much of a sense of conclusion. Having read both of them around 10 to 12 years ago and thinking about them now, I find that the characters in Infinite Jest are more memorable for me.
Last week I read all of Dean Koontz's Nameless series. It seems like it would make a decent tv series, but it was a bit annoying as short stories because of a lot of repetition in each "book" to explain the premise. A bit of a shame, as i think it would have been better as one book instead of 6 short stories.
Now I am trying to get through HP Lovecraft (a compilation of a lot of his stories). I have to admit I am having a bit of a hard time. I don't know if it's the fact that he uses a lot of "old world" words, or because english is not my first language, but it's hard to stay completely focused in the story.
I am quite grateful to be reading this on a Kindle device, as on almost every page I am forced to make use of the integrated dictionary to look up words unknown to me. That is probably what makes it hard to stay "in the story".
At least I am learning new words I guess.
Now I am trying to get through HP Lovecraft (a compilation of a lot of his stories). I have to admit I am having a bit of a hard time. I don't know if it's the fact that he uses a lot of "old world" words, or because english is not my first language, but it's hard to stay completely focused in the story.
I am quite grateful to be reading this on a Kindle device, as on almost every page I am forced to make use of the integrated dictionary to look up words unknown to me. That is probably what makes it hard to stay "in the story".
At least I am learning new words I guess.
HP Lovecraft fan here. It's his language, we're not used to read it. Even his letters (I own many volumes) are quite... difficult to read. However, keep reading his work as hist stories really get to you (plus, they're a good way to learn new words!) especially on second reading.
Hyperion - 1989 - Hugo winner - One of my all time favorite Sci Fi stories
Have not read it since the early 90's - just picked up the Kindle version on sale - hope it is as Epic as I remember
Have not read it since the early 90's - just picked up the Kindle version on sale - hope it is as Epic as I remember
Because I drive a lot, I listen to audio books. Right now, I'm working my way through Roger Zelazny's The Chronicles of Amber series, read and performed by Alessandro Juliani. I'm really enjoying that.
I've discovered along the way that the person who is reading the audio book makes a significant impact on the listenability of a book, no matter how well written that book may be. I tried listening to some of Piers Anthony's books (he's a favorite author of mine) but I just couldn't stand listening to them because of the narrator.
I'm willing to entertain suggestions you folks may have.
I've discovered along the way that the person who is reading the audio book makes a significant impact on the listenability of a book, no matter how well written that book may be. I tried listening to some of Piers Anthony's books (he's a favorite author of mine) but I just couldn't stand listening to them because of the narrator.
I'm willing to entertain suggestions you folks may have.
I remember when I first sat down to watch this, I was thinking it would be another The Americans-like story, but this was better, much better. Just finished Red Sparrow. This book pulled me in, I was vested in the story although I saw the movie first, thumbs up. One significant plot change where I actually prefer the movie, if I’m remembering correctly.Red Sparrow, I saw the movie first, a really good espionage read I started recently. It reminds me of a Tom Clancy book.
In the movie, though misdirection, Marble not only lives but maintains his position as the head mole, yes? 👀
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Just started "El juego del ángel" this morning (second book on the cemetery of forgotten books tetralogy).
Edit: It's better than I remembered, at least what I've re-read so far. Maybe now the LSD trip begins
Edit: It's better than I remembered, at least what I've re-read so far. Maybe now the LSD trip begins
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I usually describe Elon as the dumbest billionaire I have ever met and the one with the least social skills and when Next era Steve and pre-Windows Gates are in that comparison its a pretty low bar on the social skills.
-Tig
This is one I hadnt heard of, worth the read?I am currently reading Undersea on my Kindle. So far, I'm liking it.
Undersea
In a world flooded and irradiated by a nearly forgotten cataclysm generations passed, all that remains of civilization clings to life in two war-torn, city-sized submarines. For fifty years, the only peace between them has come from separation. Now, young councilwoman Ralla Gattley has uncovered ...www.amazon.com
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-Tig
Trevor Noah "Born a Crime". My son was assigned this so it was sitting at home. Funny, sad, scary.
My son was also assigned this book. I found it somewhat interesting, but not particularly good. Teacher's assignments probably made everyone in the class hate this book.
Trevor Noah "Born a Crime". My son was assigned this so it was sitting at home. Funny, sad, scary.
He's the least funny/entertaining of the talk show host here in the US. imho...
I don't watch late/talk show so I wouldn't really know. The book was ok at best, it reminded me of a memory about apartheid when I visited South Africa as a kid.
I give up
I am a fan of the universe he created but will have be content with just reading about his universe instead of reading his books.I will be starting another "old" book instead:
I give up
I will be starting another "old" book instead:
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It's ok, if HPL wasn't your cup of tea, so be it. Cthulhu will devour you anyways.
I am a big fan of the Duniverse, hopefully you'll like it. I've read all the books (I believe 18) with the exception of the one that was just released.
It truly depends on what you want from the book. Some books are interesting just for their general idea; for example, many self-help books are incredibly repetitive and they follow the same structure for many chapters: General Idea/Tip --> Some stories to validate the Idea --> Some closing comments. Most of them can be read fairly quickly.
Other books, are to be tasted, each word of them. One example is The Count of Monte Cristo, which I am reading now very slowly; I feel like I am right next to Edmond Dantes.
Other books, like history or philosophy books, are to be read and re-read, and investigated more and more. They require full attention, and they require the extra step of checking the footnotes, the end notes, the bibliography and such.
More commercial books, especially light novels a-la Stephen King, are just what they are: entertainment. Read every word, or skip a line or two, usually the work doesn't suffer.
This is to say, that it's important to keep in mind that we have to adapt our reading habits on the book, and not adapt the book to our reading habits. Sometimes speed is important, other times quality is important.