kuhla Posted July 25, 2012 Report Posted July 25, 2012 inb4 this becomes a malaphax and me only because I think we are the only ones that read on a regular basis I read every day before going to sleep. I read pretty much exclusively science fiction and fantasy. Not real life intellectual enough for you? Come at me bro. Books I've read recently (in the past year roughly?): . . . Kingkiller Chronicles http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Name_of_the_Wind http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wise_Man%27s_Fear Third book not out yet. . . . Old Man's War http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Man%27s_War . . . The Farseer Trilogy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassin%27s_Apprentice http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Assassin http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassin%27s_Quest . . . The Forever War http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forever_War There is more to this universe but I wasn't pining for more at the end of this so I let it go. . . . Deus Ex - Icarus Effect . . . A shit ton of book from the Dune universe. . . . Cryptonomicon http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptonomicon . . . Magician http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magician_%28novel%29 Actually part of a trilogy but I was done with this universe so I just moved on. . . . I tried to start the long series of books that follows Drizzt the Drow from Forgotten Realms (Dungeons & Dragons) but it's very high fantasy and I just couldn't stomach so I didn't even get much into the first book until I dropped it. . . . Trying to start the Mistborn Trilogy but I'm not sure yet if I'll stick with it. One thing it has going against it is my ereader is reporting the length of it as over 2500 pages. Would like to stop with the fantasy for a bit too and go back to some sci-fi. . . . Some of my favorite books: Neuromancer - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuromancer Read it twice. Fallen Dragon - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fallen_Dragon Read it twice. I find it amazing that a really enjoyable read can be destroyed in the final 15 pages. I'm not spoiling anything because you shouldn't read this book. I'm currentl; Quote
Malaphax Posted July 25, 2012 Report Posted July 25, 2012 I finished Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep last night. It was better than blade runner in several ways, but would have been hard to convey into a movie without going too deep into empathy and other human traits. The movie is rather light hearted and happy in comparison to the book. I'll probably will start the Kingkiller Chronicles because it's high on that top 100 list. I also need to get around to putting a rom on my nook, I looked over some of the instructions today. I'll probably look into doing that within the next week. Quote
kuhla Posted August 19, 2012 Author Report Posted August 19, 2012 I was reading A Thousand Sons (The Horus Heresy series) by Graham McNeill (Author) until my ereader died after being dropped. Now I'm re-reading Variable Star by Robert A. Heinlein and Spider Robinson. I remember it being a pretty mediocre book but I'm desperate. I'm also remembering why I'm not a big fan of Heinlein outside of some specific titles. Quote
kuhla Posted August 22, 2012 Author Report Posted August 22, 2012 While B&N is sending me a new ereader and having finished Variable Star by Robert A. Heinlein and Spider Robinson, I'm now going back to re-read another book in the meantime, Scar Night by Alan Campbell. I remember this book being a bit of a mess to read but as an alternative to nothing, I'll give it another shot. Quote
Turvy Posted August 23, 2012 Report Posted August 23, 2012 Hm, would you recommend the Farseer Trilogy? It looks interesting-- I didn't read too far down the wiki as not to ruin the story. I'm trying to supplement my free time with reading rather than mindless internet browsing. Although free time has been a luxury not easily afforded. Quote
kuhla Posted August 24, 2012 Author Report Posted August 24, 2012 Hm, would you recommend the Farseer Trilogy? It looks interesting-- I didn't read too far down the wiki as not to ruin the story. I'm trying to supplement my free time with reading rather than mindless internet browsing. Although free time has been a luxury not easily afforded.It's not bad but not special either, I would afford it a pretty middle grade. It is middle fantasy, some magic, but not ridiculous levels (high fantasy), but not super rare/simple either (low fantasy). It is not a happy go lucky Disney story, it has its fair share of tragedy. If what you read so far of the plot interests you and what I've told you doesn't dissuade you then I'd give it a shot. I would lend it to you but I have it as an ebook so unless you have an ereader or tablet, you'll have to find it on your own. Quote
kuhla Posted September 5, 2012 Author Report Posted September 5, 2012 While B&N is sending me a new ereader and having finished Variable Star by Robert A. Heinlein and Spider Robinson, I'm now going back to re-read another book in the meantime, Scar Night by Alan Campbell. I remember this book being a bit of a mess to read but as an alternative to nothing, I'll give it another shot. It was still a bit of a mess the second time through. I'll be re-reading Nemesis by Isaac Asimov (wiki link) since I haven't gotten around to rooting'n'flashing my replacement nook and I refuse to allow myself to go without reading material. Last time I read Nemesis it was a bit, too happy go lucky, or something like that, distant memory. Meh. I hope it's better this time through. Quote
kuhla Posted October 2, 2012 Author Report Posted October 2, 2012 Read some random Warhammer 40k books but now trying to move to something else..... tried find a good search filter on amazon so I could have some kind of more concise list of titles to look over sans going to the bookstore.... since that is so very old tech.... Filter: keyword + 4 star and up + sort by popularity This filter unfortunately relies on user reviews and popularity can be skewed by book clubs and the like. It puts an aweful lot of faith in people (ughhh) but without using the filter I was getting random stuff all over the place. I searched for cyberpunk to see if there was anything - http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_st?bbn=2831...popularity-rank Immediately I see I have read the first 5 books, not counting the shadowrun rulebook. A couple books on the 2nd page onward... Vurt - http://www.amazon.com/Vurt-Jeff-Noon/dp/03...words=cyberpunk A Song Called Youth - http://www.amazon.com/Song-Called-Youth-Jo...words=cyberpunk The Ware Tetralogy - http://www.amazon.com/Ware-Tetralogy-Rudy-...words=cyberpunk The Electric Church - http://www.amazon.com/Electric-Church-Jeff...words=cyberpunk Tokyo Zero - http://www.amazon.com/Tokyo-Zero-Novel-Mar...words=cyberpunk Shadow of a... - http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Dead-Star-Won...words=cyberpunk As a whole I have to say that was a bit depressing considering what I had to all look through to just scrap together that meager list of preliminary options. Now to see how many of these I can find as torrents.... Quote
Turvy Posted October 15, 2012 Report Posted October 15, 2012 "I'd encountered liches in countless videogames and fantasy novels. They were to be avoided at all costs." "...but if you touched it [treasure], the undead King Acererak appeared and opened a can of undead whup-ass on you." "If Halliday had re-created the Tomb of Horrors just as it was described in the module, I was in big trouble. My avatar was a third-level wimp, with nonmagical weapons and a twenty-seven measly hit points." -Ready Player One quotes Quote
kuhla Posted February 2, 2013 Author Report Posted February 2, 2013 The Belgariad by David Eddings http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgariad Recently read this. Was terribly generic fantasy and lots of mary sue characters The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Left_Hand_of_Darkness Currently reading this. It's kind of a complicated read and focuses on some unique alien/human interaction ideas. Not sure where it's going. Quote
Jedi2155 Posted February 2, 2013 Report Posted February 2, 2013 I still have Turvy's Game of Throne's book. Quote
Turvy Posted February 3, 2013 Report Posted February 3, 2013 I wantsssss it.... Bring it out to our next meet up, whenever that's going to be and I'll gladly take if off your hands. Although, I highly recommend you read it prior to returning it. The books are WAY better than the show. (On that note, I haven't watched season 2 of GoT) Currently reading Case Studies in Finance. Soon to read my International Finance book followed by studying some Tax. Quote
Jedi2155 Posted February 4, 2013 Report Posted February 4, 2013 I haven't read a book in 10 years. Not going to start now. Quote
kuhla Posted February 7, 2013 Author Report Posted February 7, 2013 Based on a recommendation from here: http://www.locusmag.com/2012/AllCenturyPollsResults.html I just finished reading The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin. Here is the wiki link again: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left_hand_of_darkness Meh. The whole story just felt kind of anticlimactic the entire time. Most of the book is literally just a journey story of two characters, their struggles and their relationship. Not bad but it just didn't feel like much happened. A bit boring perhaps. A lot of talk about human alien interaction and all the complications that entails. No action but that's not an issue. Oh well. I really don't know what I'll move on to now.... Quote
Turvy Posted February 7, 2013 Report Posted February 7, 2013 Read Count of Monte Cristo if you haven't. Also, have you picked up "Ready Player One"? I think you can appreciate that one. It's a NY Times best seller for what that's worth. Quote
kuhla Posted February 8, 2013 Author Report Posted February 8, 2013 Read Count of Monte Cristo if you haven't. Yes, I have read all the main Alexandre Dumas books. There was a time in my life that he was my favorite author. Also, have you picked up "Ready Player One"? I think you can appreciate that one. It's a NY Times best seller for what that's worth. Let's see.... where can I find a plot.... Amazon... At once wildly original and stuffed with irresistible nostalgia, READYPLAYER ONE is a spectacularly genre-busting, ambitious, and charming debut—part quest novel, part love story, and part virtual space opera set in a universe where spell-slinging mages battle giant Japanese robots, entire planets are inspired by Blade Runner, and flying DeLoreans achieve light speed. It’s the year 2044, and the real world is an ugly place. Like most of humanity, Wade Watts escapes his grim surroundings by spending his waking hours jacked into the OASIS, a sprawling virtual utopia that lets you be anything you want to be, a place where you can live and play and fall in love on any of ten thousand planets. And like most of humanity, Wade dreams of being the one to discover the ultimate lottery ticket that lies concealed within this virtual world. For somewhere inside this giant networked playground, OASIS creator James Halliday has hidden a series of fiendish puzzles that will yield massive fortune—and remarkable power—to whoever can unlock them. For years, millions have struggled fruitlessly to attain this prize, knowing only that Halliday’s riddles are based in the pop culture he loved—that of the late twentieth century. And for years, millions have found in this quest another means of escape, retreating into happy, obsessive study of Halliday’s icons. Like many of his contemporaries, Wade is as comfortable debating the finer points of John Hughes’s oeuvre, playing Pac-Man, or reciting Devo lyrics as he is scrounging power to run his OASIS rig. And then Wade stumbles upon the first puzzle. Suddenly the whole world is watching, and thousands of competitors join the hunt—among them certain powerful players who are willing to commit very real murder to beat Wade to this prize. Now the only way for Wade to survive and preserve everything he knows is to win. But to do so, he may have to leave behind his oh-so-perfect virtual existence and face up to life—and love—in the real world he’s always been so desperate to escape. A world at stake. A quest for the ultimate prize. Are you ready? Hmm. Doesn't sound fantastic but I've read dumber sounding plot summaries than that before that I went on to read. I guess I'll give it a shot. EDIT: Just finished downloading. I guess I'll start it tonight. Quote
kuhla Posted February 9, 2013 Author Report Posted February 9, 2013 Wooo!! Tell me what you think Initial impressions are decidedly negative. The fact that the main character is an overweight, acne-faced, socially awkward computer geek who needs to heavily reference 80's pop trivia to accomplish his quest kind of smacks me as a cheap appeal to people's nostalgic emotions. I'm assuming the author had a certain demographic in mind.... such as overweight, acne-faced, socially awkward computer geek who grew up in the 80's and 90's. I'll keep reading but I hope the story grows some balls. Quote
Turvy Posted February 9, 2013 Report Posted February 9, 2013 :snort: Ehhhh.... I'm not sure where you're at... but it gets better. At least I thought it was good. Towards the end, I wish there was such a thing in our age so I can play. I wish I had more time for games... but within 1.5 years, I shall be free. Quote
kuhla Posted February 11, 2013 Author Report Posted February 11, 2013 The sheer number of directly referenced things is impressive unto itself. I think I had one page where star trek, star wars, matrix, indiana jones, battlestar galactica, world of warcraft and everquest were all mentioned directly by name. I'm actually curious if that presents any kind of copyright issue.... Quote
Turvy Posted February 11, 2013 Report Posted February 11, 2013 Most likely, he's cleared it with them before putting it in. Also, I'm surprised you picked out so many references-- I was only able to pick out a few. Quote
kuhla Posted February 11, 2013 Author Report Posted February 11, 2013 Here, look at this, LOOK AT THIS link - http://i.imgur.com/yLMSEyS.gif Quote
kuhla Posted February 15, 2013 Author Report Posted February 15, 2013 Finished Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. It wasn't terrible but I'm not sure I would endorse it either. Things shape up a little bit about 1/2 way through but the main characters wear some awfully thick plot armor, the main villain is decidedly pure evil and there is almost no tragedy in the book leaving me with little emotional investment in the plot. Still, it was a easy "page turner" with easy writing so I flew through it pretty fast. I hate to use this word but I guess if someone was just looking for a generic, casually entertaining book then I could probably point that out to them but they better have at least a little background in science fiction or gaming because there are a few references they may not appreciate. Currently reading Arthur C. Clarke's Childhood's End (1953). I can't click on that wiki link for fear of spoilers. So far it's ok. I don't really know where it's going but there are a few ideas in the book that bother me a little bit. If you find ideas that are very critical of religion unnerving that I cannot recommend this book. Quote
Malaphax Posted February 15, 2013 Report Posted February 15, 2013 I have read the entire old man's war series (4 books) I cannot recommend the 4th. Honestly only the first and third were decent. I also read the forever war which was interesting and unique concept on war and time dialation. Currently I'm reading book 2 of the farseer chronicles. So far so good. I seem to have been reading quite a bit over the last 5 weeks, we'll see if school cuts that back. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.