Author Topic: books to read  (Read 431429 times)

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ConnyMas

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Re: books to read
« Reply #1680 on: April 25, 2013, 07:07:04 AM »

Damn, harsh. Haha.

For real.  I'm still enjoying it, though.  I want to check out Black Mass next, let me know if you like it. 

Matze

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Re: books to read
« Reply #1681 on: April 25, 2013, 07:15:44 AM »


got this book by accident and all I have to say it was quiet amusing.

steve

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Re: books to read
« Reply #1682 on: April 25, 2013, 11:08:09 AM »




this is the book to read. It discusses how the US has had opportunities to broker peace in the Middle East, spec. Israel/Palestine, at 3 points, 1982 with the Reagan plan, 91-93 Madrid and the Oslo accords, 2010 with Obama refusing to insist on halting settlement on the west bank.

i was listening to NPR interview the cat who wrote it, Rashid Kahlidi, and it gets into the use of Orwellian language to justify the reasoning behind all of it. Sounds like a fantastic book!

oyolar

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Re: books to read
« Reply #1683 on: May 02, 2013, 08:34:59 PM »
Finally finished Finnegans Wake last night, so now I'm starting this.


Smell Good

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Re: books to read
« Reply #1684 on: May 02, 2013, 09:19:24 PM »
Flannery O'Connor is excellent

oyolar

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Re: books to read
« Reply #1685 on: May 03, 2013, 11:25:11 AM »
Yes she is.  She can spin a yarn.  I really like how deliberate and masterful she is with language.  Every word perfectly conveys the atmosphere she wants.  I had a literature professor that swore she was one of the best authors of the twentieth century and that she never won the Nobel Prize because the committee is biased against short story writers.  He said that she was the only author aside from Joyce that was completely aware of every possible interpretation of her works and which ones would be preferred.

Rusty Shackleford

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Re: books to read
« Reply #1686 on: May 03, 2013, 07:18:07 PM »

Chinaskis underpants

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Re: books to read
« Reply #1687 on: May 04, 2013, 05:27:34 AM »
I've just finished the Miles Davis autobiography, pretty much presents itself as a character study of one 20th century music's most influential figures, and really digs in and talks about what the jazz scene was really like in the 1940s-50s.

Getting through Homage to Catalonia, enjoying the historical/political context of it, Orwell had that perfect mix of concise yet perfectly descriptive writing, especially when he was on the ground living through what he wrote (before 'Homage...' I had finished 'Down and Out..", and thoroughly enjoyed it).

I would love to pick up 'Infinite Jest' again, it has grabbed me with the small amount I have got through. Wallace wrote with such heart, and a kind of hopeless/paranoid humour.
I need the short-snappy books of late, too attention-deprived to battle it at the moment.

The Human Condom

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Re: books to read
« Reply #1688 on: May 05, 2013, 04:11:10 PM »

One of the funniest books I've read.  Not as funny as Sh*t My Dad Says and his dad isn't in it as much, but some of the author's stories are pretty great.  Pretty good pick me up and quick to finish.  It's fun laughing out loud because of a book.

kilgore.

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Re: books to read
« Reply #1689 on: May 05, 2013, 04:16:12 PM »
No holds barred, til labias say "free us"
then its straight to your kids' school, wine coolers in the Prius

steve

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Re: books to read
« Reply #1690 on: May 05, 2013, 06:25:00 PM »
I've just finished the Miles Davis autobiography, pretty much presents itself as a character study of one 20th century music's most influential figures, and really digs in and talks about what the jazz scene was really like in the 1940s-50s.

Getting through Homage to Catalonia, enjoying the historical/political context of it, Orwell had that perfect mix of concise yet perfectly descriptive writing, especially when he was on the ground living through what he wrote (before 'Homage...' I had finished 'Down and Out..", and thoroughly enjoyed it).

I would love to pick up 'Infinite Jest' again, it has grabbed me with the small amount I have got through. Wallace wrote with such heart, and a kind of hopeless/paranoid humour.
I need the short-snappy books of late, too attention-deprived to battle it at the moment.

I just finished a book by LeRoi Jones/Amiri Baraka called Black Music. It's a collection of essay/articles he wrote about the Jazz scene during the 50s and 60s. It's a pretty good read. Redundant at times but worth reading.

Beer Keg Peg Leg

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Re: books to read
« Reply #1691 on: May 05, 2013, 08:00:08 PM »


borges is my bro-ges-. I've only read the labyrinths collection, it was sick. i should pick up some more of his stuff.

UgolinoTheSignificant

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Re: books to read
« Reply #1692 on: May 05, 2013, 08:10:07 PM »
Expand Quote

[close]

borges is my bro-ges-. I've only read the labyrinths collection, it was sick. i should pick up some more of his stuff.

borges is a fucking boss i would definitely recommend giving this a listen if you like him:

http://www.openculture.com/2012/05/jorge_luis_borges_1967-8_norton_lectures_on_poetry_and_everything_else_literary.html
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Chinaskis underpants

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Re: books to read
« Reply #1693 on: May 06, 2013, 12:05:03 AM »
Expand Quote
Expand Quote

[close]

borges is my bro-ges-. I've only read the labyrinths collection, it was sick. i should pick up some more of his stuff.
[close]

borges is a fucking boss i would definitely recommend giving this a listen if you like him:

http://www.openculture.com/2012/05/jorge_luis_borges_1967-8_norton_lectures_on_poetry_and_everything_else_literary.html

I've heard a little about Borges, and am interested in reading some stuff, he was Argentinian, right?

Where does he fit in, what did he write about, what's a good start?

Mooley

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Re: books to read
« Reply #1694 on: May 06, 2013, 12:12:54 PM »
Best place to start is probably either Ficciones or A Universal History of Infamy. All his stuff is just collected short stories for the most part. If you're into the whole Magical Realism movement he's one of the real forefathers of it. I've always been a particular fan of the story Funes el memorioso in Ficciones.

But if you check his stuff out and you're into it, give Julio Cortazar a shot. A lot of his short stories are amazing.



I've never read any Murakami stuff but I just picked up The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle the other day, pretty stoked to get started with that.

chockfullofthat

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Re: books to read
« Reply #1695 on: May 06, 2013, 01:03:53 PM »
Is there a book that explains everything?  Google searches are fruitless.  If I don't find answers soon I'm going to join a cult.  A sweet cult.

Ripped Laces

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Re: books to read
« Reply #1696 on: May 07, 2013, 09:59:49 AM »
Just started this in an attempt to workout my horrible memory problems. In turn, I ended up reading a great story and getting tips in the process. I know I'm probably making it sound like more of a self help book than it actually is but it's a good read. A little slow at first but after the first two chapters, it starts to pick up. Plus, the stories he references in order to explain how to unlock the true potential of memorizing are insanely interesting.



"Moonwalking with Einstein follows Joshua Foer's compelling journey as a participant in the U.S. Memory Championship. As a science journalist covering the competition, Foer became captivated by the secrets of the competitors, like how the current world memory champion, Ben Pridmore, could memorize the exact order of 1,528 digits in an hour. He met with individuals whose memories are truly unique?from one man whose memory only extends back to his most recent thought, to another who can memorize complex mathematical formulas without knowing any math. Brains remember visual imagery but have a harder time with other information, like lists, and so with the help of experts, Foer learned how to transform the kinds of memories he forgot into the kind his brain remembered naturally. The techniques he mastered made it easier to remember information, and Foer's story demonstrates that the tricks of the masters are accessible to anyone."

via

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Re: books to read
« Reply #1697 on: May 07, 2013, 10:34:44 AM »
Best place to start is probably either Ficciones or A Universal History of Infamy. All his stuff is just collected short stories for the most part. If you're into the whole Magical Realism movement he's one of the real forefathers of it. I've always been a particular fan of the story Funes el memorioso in Ficciones.

But if you check his stuff out and you're into it, give Julio Cortazar a shot. A lot of his short stories are amazing.



I've never read any Murakami stuff but I just picked up The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle the other day, pretty stoked to get started with that.

Wind Up Bird was great, but the last little bit was kind of tough to get through.

BRIX SKWIKZ

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Re: books to read
« Reply #1698 on: May 12, 2013, 08:19:51 PM »

Ollie Ringwald

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Re: books to read
« Reply #1699 on: May 13, 2013, 12:41:31 PM »


I'm about halfway through this and it's pretty good if hard work at times.

steve

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Re: books to read
« Reply #1700 on: May 13, 2013, 12:53:52 PM »
Expand Quote
Best place to start is probably either Ficciones or A Universal History of Infamy. All his stuff is just collected short stories for the most part. If you're into the whole Magical Realism movement he's one of the real forefathers of it. I've always been a particular fan of the story Funes el memorioso in Ficciones.

But if you check his stuff out and you're into it, give Julio Cortazar a shot. A lot of his short stories are amazing.



I've never read any Murakami stuff but I just picked up The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle the other day, pretty stoked to get started with that.
[close]

Wind Up Bird was great, but the last little bit was kind of tough to get through.

I sat and read Kafka on the Shore in entirety this past saturday. What a good story. I borrowed Wind Up Bird to start tonight.

Chinaskis underpants

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Re: books to read
« Reply #1701 on: May 14, 2013, 05:11:23 AM »
The only stuff of Murakami I've touched is Kafka on the Shore. It didn't click, the strangeness within it just came off as contrived.

I don't know if it makes any sense to compare the two, but I feel 'Everything is Illuminated' by Safran-Foer came off much better. Both being contemporary writers, and dealing with plots stuck in the present, historical and fantastical.

And I think The Master and Margherita kicks the shit out of both.

Beer Keg Peg Leg

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Re: books to read
« Reply #1702 on: May 14, 2013, 05:30:08 AM »
making a note to myself to never read anything you contribute to this thread ever again

witty pseudonym

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Re: books to read
« Reply #1703 on: May 14, 2013, 05:38:53 AM »
Just started this in an attempt to workout my horrible memory problems. In turn, I ended up reading a great story and getting tips in the process. I know I'm probably making it sound like more of a self help book than it actually is but it's a good read. A little slow at first but after the first two chapters, it starts to pick up. Plus, the stories he references in order to explain how to unlock the true potential of memorizing are insanely interesting.



"Moonwalking with Einstein follows Joshua Foer's compelling journey as a participant in the U.S. Memory Championship. As a science journalist covering the competition, Foer became captivated by the secrets of the competitors, like how the current world memory champion, Ben Pridmore, could memorize the exact order of 1,528 digits in an hour. He met with individuals whose memories are truly unique?from one man whose memory only extends back to his most recent thought, to another who can memorize complex mathematical formulas without knowing any math. Brains remember visual imagery but have a harder time with other information, like lists, and so with the help of experts, Foer learned how to transform the kinds of memories he forgot into the kind his brain remembered naturally. The techniques he mastered made it easier to remember information, and Foer's story demonstrates that the tricks of the masters are accessible to anyone."


I read this about a year ago, it is actually a very interesting and quick read. 

Chinaskis underpants

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Re: books to read
« Reply #1704 on: May 15, 2013, 05:06:04 AM »
making a note to myself to never read anything you contribute to this thread ever again

Care to elaborate?

I don't think what I wrote was too outlandish.

None of those are my favourite writers, I was just comparing similar books to explain why I didn't enjoy one in particular.

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Re: books to read
« Reply #1705 on: May 15, 2013, 06:56:20 AM »

One of the funniest books I've read.  Not as funny as Sh*t My Dad Says and his dad isn't in it as much, but some of the author's stories are pretty great.  Pretty good pick me up and quick to finish.  It's fun laughing out loud because of a book.

Yo, just read Shit my Dad Says and I fucking loved it.  It is a great read when you want to take break from serious novels.  Shit was so entertaining.  Read it in about 3 hours at work.  About to pick up I Suck at Girls.  Thanks for the recommendation mah dude!   ;D ;D
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Re: books to read
« Reply #1706 on: May 15, 2013, 01:11:18 PM »


And bought Ficciones on the thread's recommendation. Will be reading that next.

steve

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Re: books to read
« Reply #1707 on: May 15, 2013, 01:16:16 PM »
The only stuff of Murakami I've touched is Kafka on the Shore. It didn't click, the strangeness within it just came off as contrived.

I don't know if it makes any sense to compare the two, but I feel 'Everything is Illuminated' by Safran-Foer came off much better. Both being contemporary writers, and dealing with plots stuck in the present, historical and fantastical.

And I think The Master and Margherita kicks the shit out of both.

I completely disagree. I've got to give it another go, but I felt that the novel, Everything is Illuminated, was too pretentious. Why, I'm not sure, it's been years. The film, however, is great. But as far as Murakami being too contrived, I think he digs into the possibility of dreamscape like no other. He's got a beautiful imagination and is comfortable with his intellect to not come off as a dick.

I'm now reading The Wind Up Bird Chronicle and continue to shit my pants in pleasure.

Kinch

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Re: books to read
« Reply #1708 on: May 15, 2013, 01:43:43 PM »
Expand Quote
The only stuff of Murakami I've touched is Kafka on the Shore. It didn't click, the strangeness within it just came off as contrived.

I don't know if it makes any sense to compare the two, but I feel 'Everything is Illuminated' by Safran-Foer came off much better. Both being contemporary writers, and dealing with plots stuck in the present, historical and fantastical.

And I think The Master and Margherita kicks the shit out of both.
[close]

I completely disagree. I've got to give it another go, but I felt that the novel, Everything is Illuminated, was too pretentious. Why, I'm not sure, it's been years. The film, however, is great. But as far as Murakami being too contrived, I think he digs into the possibility of dreamscape like no other. He's got a beautiful imagination and is comfortable with his intellect to not come off as a dick.

I'm now reading The Wind Up Bird Chronicle and continue to shit my pants in pleasure.

Would you care to elaborate on this at all? I've had a few people recommend Murakami to me without being able to say much more than 'He's really good man.' but this piques my interest as the Circe chapter in Ulysses is one of my favourite things ever. (sorry about my British-ass spelling)

steve

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Re: books to read
« Reply #1709 on: May 15, 2013, 03:00:11 PM »
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
The only stuff of Murakami I've touched is Kafka on the Shore. It didn't click, the strangeness within it just came off as contrived.

I don't know if it makes any sense to compare the two, but I feel 'Everything is Illuminated' by Safran-Foer came off much better. Both being contemporary writers, and dealing with plots stuck in the present, historical and fantastical.

And I think The Master and Margherita kicks the shit out of both.
[close]

I completely disagree. I've got to give it another go, but I felt that the novel, Everything is Illuminated, was too pretentious. Why, I'm not sure, it's been years. The film, however, is great. But as far as Murakami being too contrived, I think he digs into the possibility of dreamscape like no other. He's got a beautiful imagination and is comfortable with his intellect to not come off as a dick.

I'm now reading The Wind Up Bird Chronicle and continue to shit my pants in pleasure.
[close]

Would you care to elaborate on this at all? I've had a few people recommend Murakami to me without being able to say much more than 'He's really good man.' but this piques my interest as the Circe chapter in Ulysses is one of my favourite things ever. (sorry about my British-ass spelling)

the characters are are always, in some way, grounded in the present, of the story that is, but while making a grocery list or biking to the cleaner, might move through states that feel like lucid dreams. Both the reader and protagonist (not always the other characters) are well aware of the bizarre turn of events, but it's safe to say that Murakami crafts these imaginary places so well, that it's a completely surreptitious slide into home, whether in the kitchen of a man who murders cats to steal their souls, watching oneself get raped from a safe physical distance while trapped in a ferris wheel, or just plain dreaming of meeting a 100% perfect mate. It's not just these seemingly strange turns that make the stories great, they're all fairly easy to read while also offering points of thought; Kafka on the Shore isn't named such as a literary cliche. I feel safe saying that his characters aren't so hard to relate to, to empathize with.

Give them a shot!