Just started Snow Crash, which has been on my to-read list for about a million years. I'm feeling sci-fiey right now, so I think I'm gonna burn through a bunch that I've been meaning to read. Any suggestions on that front?
My favorite of those is probably The Windup Girl. It's pretty incredible. 2312 and Existence are full of really cool science but they're not really tight fiction. Blindsight is hardboiled sci-fi, with futuristic space vampires.
I have a copy of the new Michael Chabon novel on it's way from Amazon. Half of his books I just love, and half didn't really do much for me. It's gonna be hard for it to measure up to The Yiddish Policemen's Union, but I'm excited to read it just the same.
You know a book is good when it makes you crave gefilte fish!
"Tell me what's wrong dawg what the hell you damnin' 'bout? I'm your homie so just say what's on your mind."
weenie Snarling Mapinguary Consistently Drunk Forgetter of Things member is offline
Joined: Apr 2011 Gender: Female Posts: 2,667 Location: Victoria
Let's Talk Books, Fuckers! « Reply #307 on Sept 28, 2012, 9:53pm via the ProBoards Mobile App »
My new favorite author is Brandon Sanderson. He's the guy who took over the Wheel of Time books so some might dislike him, but I've never had the inclination to start that timesink. I really liked his Mistborn series (which might have some sort of video game coming up?) and am halfway through "The Way of Kings", which is the first of some series I can't remember right now. Now that I've read a couple of his different works I'm confident in saying I really dig him. He has a way with bring disparate characters together in a drawn-out multi-leveled story that reminds me of my other fave fantasy writer Tad Williams.
My new favorite author is Brandon Sanderson. He's the guy who took over the Wheel of Time books so some might dislike him, but I've never had the inclination to start that timesink. I really liked his Mistborn series (which might have some sort of video game coming up?) and am halfway through "The Way of Kings", which is the first of some series I can't remember right now. Now that I've read a couple of his different works I'm confident in saying I really dig him. He has a way with bring disparate characters together in a drawn-out multi-leveled story that reminds me of my other fave fantasy writer Tad Williams.
TLDR: Nerrrrrrrdddddd
NERD ALERT LEVEL TWELVE
I started reading Sanderson when they announced he was taking over Wheel of Time (which by the way, weenie, you might as well read so that me and you and JWW can talk about it), and Mistborn is actually pretty fucking good, but the rest of his books leave me bored. It's like he comes up with the best idea ever for a fantasy book, and then he puts a bunch of boring recycled fantasy trope characters into it spouting canned dialogue, and there's not a whit of inspiration in the prose. That's the problem with so much fantasy - the prose is just DULL. That's why I've turned to hard sci-fi, because these guys are half science writers and their style is just weird and awesome.
Anyway, Mistborn is still pretty sick in spite of those things, because the premise is just so sweet, and there are SO MANY PLOT TWISTS. [spoiler=Mistborn Spoiler]The earring? Fuck me, I almost shit myself when that was revealed.[/spoiler]
Re: Let's Talk Books, Fuckers! « Reply #310 on Nov 8, 2012, 1:10pm »
1. Perks of Being A Wallflower This has long been my favorite book - since childhood. Considering Stephen Chbosky wrote the screen play AND directed the film adaptation, I had to go see it. I know it hasn't gotten stellar reviews but who cares about those people. FD and I went to see it and I boohooed all the way to the car. It really came full circle for me in this weird way from angsty teenager to adult lady. So anyway, I'm going back to read it for the probably 15th time, but only time as an adult.
2. Labyrinths Another book that I really loved getting lost in and analyzing as a teenager. Re-reading as an adult.
3. Privilege, Power & Difference Sociology, sociology. When people say "GO READ A BOOK!", they are talking about this book (actually, whoever came up with that probably meant the Bible, but anyway...). You want to learn something about life and the way it works from a racial, religious, gender sociology standpoint, here's good primer.
4. How to Move to Canada Blah, blah. I'm moving to Canada and this makes sure I cross my Ts and dot my Iballs and what the fuck evvvvvvvvver.
4. How to Move to Canada Blah, blah. I'm moving to Canada and this makes sure I cross my Ts and dot my Iballs and what the fuck evvvvvvvvver.
I read a similar book when I moved here, and it was pretty useful. Much more useful in reality than the numerous conversations I had with other Canadian expats who moved to the USA. Some of those conversations were useful, but a lot of things have turned out pretty differently for me than it did for them.
Ultimately, it all boils down to this: Don't fuck with immigration and they probably won't fuck with you (too much). It's their game, but if you play by their rules, I'm sure it will all be fine, even if it takes a loooooong time for some things.
"I like my bags sizeable." -someone, not me probably.
weenie Snarling Mapinguary Consistently Drunk Forgetter of Things member is offline
Joined: Apr 2011 Gender: Female Posts: 2,667 Location: Victoria
Re: Let's Talk Books, Fuckers! « Reply #313 on Nov 14, 2012, 11:54am »
I'm actually in the middle of The Windup Girl right now but my phone is being a see-you-next-tuesday so I can only get through three pages at a time before it turns off on me. I am thoroughly enjoying it so far though. The writing is incredibly evocative, and I like the way the world has turned to shit this time. Man, all you need in sci-fi is a dream and an original idea for how our world is gonna end eh?
DREW OF THE RUSHES Roaring Meh-Teh Defeating the Porpoise member is offline
Joined: Jan 2010 Gender: Male Posts: 5,474 Location: East Bay
Re: Let's Talk Books, Fuckers! « Reply #314 on Nov 14, 2012, 12:52pm »
Yeah, seriously. It is an original idea - rather than some extreme event, we just run out of food, and the rich hoard it and the poor count calories. Probably a lot more realistic than most scenarios.
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I am thoroughly enjoying it so far though. The writing is incredibly evocative, and I like the way the world has turned to shit this time. Man, all you need in sci-fi is a dream and an original idea for how our world is gonna end eh?