msj Posted October 29, 2012 Report Posted October 29, 2012 (edited) Thought I would see what others are reading in their leisure time. Right now I have started "reading" Swordspoint: A Melodrama of Manners by Ellen Kushner. I've put reading in quotes because I'm actually listening to the audio book version (via audibile). I would have never have thought to try out this book if it wasn't for Neil Gaiman's influence in bringing it about. Gaimans' American Gods is one of my favourite books of all time. Just got into the book so can't say much more than it is fantasy book about swordsmen and aristocrats. It's considered a fairy tale for adults. For a guy who is used to reading non-fiction (history/philosophy) the switch to Neil Gaiman and Ellen Kushner is quite a change. Anyway, since I'm always looking for interesting books, what are you reading? Tell us about what you're reading, why you like it (or not), what led you to reading your latest book and what you plan on reading next. Edited October 29, 2012 by msj Quote If a believer demands that I, as a non-believer, observe his taboos in the public domain, he is not asking for my respect but for my submission. And that is incompatible with a secular democracy. Flemming Rose (Dutch journalist) My biggest takeaway from economics is that the past wasn't as good as you remember, the present isn't as bad as you think, and the future will be better than you anticipate. Morgan Housel http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/01/14/things-im-pretty-sure-about.aspx
bush_cheney2004 Posted October 29, 2012 Report Posted October 29, 2012 The Vanishing Country by Mel Hurtig. This non-fiction book is about the big "sell-out" and the evil "Americanizers" who have betrayed Canada. It is a fascinating study in the total helplessness and domination by "American-style" everything as expressed by some Canadians. My next read will be Too Close for Comfort by Maude Barlow. I recently finished Fire and Ice by Michael Adams, but found it to be a clumsy summary of the author's "cultural maps" based on Environics surveys. When it comes to the USA, it would seem that some Canadians are a very paranoid lot. Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
Guest Posted October 29, 2012 Report Posted October 29, 2012 "Gentleman Junkie", a book of short stories by Harlan Ellison. Quote
msj Posted October 29, 2012 Author Report Posted October 29, 2012 Didn't realize Bush_cheney2004 was a masochist for Canadian "non-fiction." Quote If a believer demands that I, as a non-believer, observe his taboos in the public domain, he is not asking for my respect but for my submission. And that is incompatible with a secular democracy. Flemming Rose (Dutch journalist) My biggest takeaway from economics is that the past wasn't as good as you remember, the present isn't as bad as you think, and the future will be better than you anticipate. Morgan Housel http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/01/14/things-im-pretty-sure-about.aspx
bush_cheney2004 Posted October 29, 2012 Report Posted October 29, 2012 Didn't realize Bush_cheney2004 was a masochist for Canadian "non-fiction." It's the least I can do considering that so many Canadians are "masochists" for perceived "Americanization". The scope and depth of this national neurosis is well documented by Canadian authors, and I delight in their written confirmation of my personal observations. Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
GostHacked Posted October 29, 2012 Report Posted October 29, 2012 Currently trying to get through a couple books. How the West was lost - Dambisa Moyo (economics) Imperialist Canada - Todd Gordon Quote
BC_chick Posted October 29, 2012 Report Posted October 29, 2012 It's the least I can do considering that so many Canadians are "masochists" for perceived "Americanization". The scope and depth of this national neurosis is well documented by Canadian authors, and I delight in their written confirmation of my personal observations. IOW, fiction. Quote It's kind of the worst thing that any humans could be doing at this time in human history. Other than that, it's fine." Bill Nye on Alberta Oil Sands
dre Posted October 29, 2012 Report Posted October 29, 2012 IOW, fiction. Quote I question things because I am human. And call no one my father who's no closer than a stranger
dre Posted October 30, 2012 Report Posted October 30, 2012 Im reading WWZ. Thought I would hate it but its actually very good. Quote I question things because I am human. And call no one my father who's no closer than a stranger
msj Posted October 30, 2012 Author Report Posted October 30, 2012 (edited) Thanks CC - going to add that one to my wishlist. Going to Palm Springs for work and fun so I just added Neil Gaiman's/Terry Pratchett's Good Omens to my Kindle. While comparing prices I noticed that Gaiman's American Gods 10th Anniversary edition is on sale on iTunes for $3.99. Highly recommend this book - I have read it and listened to the audible version. Edited October 30, 2012 by msj Quote If a believer demands that I, as a non-believer, observe his taboos in the public domain, he is not asking for my respect but for my submission. And that is incompatible with a secular democracy. Flemming Rose (Dutch journalist) My biggest takeaway from economics is that the past wasn't as good as you remember, the present isn't as bad as you think, and the future will be better than you anticipate. Morgan Housel http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/01/14/things-im-pretty-sure-about.aspx
cybercoma Posted October 30, 2012 Report Posted October 30, 2012 If people are looking for book recommendations, I would suggest these as some of the best fiction that I've read. Light in August by William Faulkner Siddhartha by Herman Hesse Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Süskind Yeah, there was a movie. The book is an entirely different experience. Sea of Fertility by Yukio Mishima Ok. Technically it's a tetralogy, but I had to include it. The books are Spring Snow, Runaway Horses, The Temple of Dawn, and The Decay of the Angel. I'll spare you all 4 book covers. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez Life of Pi by Yann Martel There's a movie adaptation of this book currently being made by Ang Lee. It should be in theatres soon. Also, Yann Martel is a Canadian author. Kindred by Octavia E. Butler While this is technically a sci-fi book, she doesn't get into techy sci-fi language and description. Time travel is used as a plot device, but there is no elaboration on the mechanisms of time travel or scientific jargon about it. This is sci-fi done right. White Noise by Don Delillo Be forewarned, this is a postmodern novel. If you don't like postmodernism, you'll hate it. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick Yes. The film Blade Runner was loosely based on the novel. I emphasize loosely because they are quite different. Surprisingly, they are both amazing in their own right. Comparing them to each other is like comparing apples and oranges though. I'll leave it at that for now. I'm a big fan of literary and non-fiction graphic novels, so I may make a post later about some of my favourites in that genre too. Quote
GostHacked Posted October 30, 2012 Report Posted October 30, 2012 If you want hard sci-fi here are some that I highly recommend. Quarantine - Greg Egan Diaspora - Greg Egan (actually anything by Greg Egan is very thought provoking) Eon - Greg Bear Ride the Lightning - Cathrine Asario Moving Mars - Ben Bova Clade - Mark Budz Quote
Mr.Canada Posted October 31, 2012 Report Posted October 31, 2012 Readers Digest atm. Quote "You are scum for insinuating that isn't the case you snake." -William Ashley Canadian Immigration Reform Blog
Peter F Posted October 31, 2012 Report Posted October 31, 2012 The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet ...just about done. To Big to Fail. Quote A bayonet is a tool with a worker at both ends
Mighty AC Posted November 1, 2012 Report Posted November 1, 2012 I'm currently reading two: Collapse (nonfiction) by Jared Diamond and Calico Joe (fiction) by John Grisham Quote "Our lives begin to end the day we stay silent about the things that matter." - Martin Luther King Jr"Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities" - Voltaire
Mighty AC Posted November 1, 2012 Report Posted November 1, 2012 I've also just recently discovered Berard Cornwell. His historical fiction is phenomenal. I highly recommend Gallows Thief and The Fort. Quote "Our lives begin to end the day we stay silent about the things that matter." - Martin Luther King Jr"Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities" - Voltaire
Bryan Posted November 4, 2012 Report Posted November 4, 2012 Just finished "The Twelve" by Justin Cronin (part two of the "The Passage series). Not nearly as good as the first one, but still one of the better fiction books I've read in a long time. http://enterthepassage.com Quote
Sleipnir Posted November 4, 2012 Report Posted November 4, 2012 I've also just recently discovered Berard Cornwell. His historical fiction is phenomenal. I highly recommend Gallows Thief and The Fort. DUDE I've read the same books Do you read the Saxon series? Btw how can you read two books at once? Quote "All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure." - Mark Twain
Mr.Canada Posted November 5, 2012 Report Posted November 5, 2012 I am reading about the conspiracy to kill of 90% of the worlds population by nefarious means. Quote "You are scum for insinuating that isn't the case you snake." -William Ashley Canadian Immigration Reform Blog
Guest Posted November 5, 2012 Report Posted November 5, 2012 I'm wondering what means one could use to kill 90% of the population that wouldn't be nefarious. Quote
bleeding heart Posted November 5, 2012 Report Posted November 5, 2012 I'm wondering what means one could use to kill 90% of the population that wouldn't be nefarious. Quote “There is a limit to how much we can constantly say no to the political masters in Washington. All we had was Afghanistan to wave. On every other file we were offside. Eventually we came onside on Haiti, so we got another arrow in our quiver." --Bill Graham, Former Canadian Foreign Minister, 2007
Mighty AC Posted November 5, 2012 Report Posted November 5, 2012 DUDE I've read the same books Do you read the Saxon series? Btw how can you read two books at once? I have "The Last Kingdom" now and I can't wait to start it. I usually have one fiction and one nonfiction on the go. If I'm tired I read the fiction, if not I read the other. Quote "Our lives begin to end the day we stay silent about the things that matter." - Martin Luther King Jr"Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities" - Voltaire
Sleipnir Posted November 5, 2012 Report Posted November 5, 2012 I have "The Last Kingdom" now and I can't wait to start it. I usually have one fiction and one nonfiction on the go. If I'm tired I read the fiction, if not I read the other. Dude I've read all those series! Trust me you are going to love it Quote "All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure." - Mark Twain
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