[Eneru]

Currently reading 1984 by George Orwell. What a phenomenal book to read. It hooked me directly from the beginning. I'm about 300 pages (near the end) in and I'm curious how it's going to end with Winston.

This is the first book I read from start to (almost) the end since a long time. When I moved out and lost my bathtub I stopped reading and I always wanted to go back as it's the best thing you can do.
So I started "a challenge" with my girlfriend. Every day we read 10 pages and talk about what happened in those pages. And it works. Feels great to be back.

Not sure what we're going to read next. Maybe another classic maybe something else.

 

[Ornlu]

Currently reading 1984 by George Orwell. What a phenomenal book to read. It hooked me directly from the beginning. I'm about 300 pages (near the end) in and I'm curious how it's going to end with Winston.

This is the first book I read from start to (almost) the end since a long time. When I moved out and lost my bathtub I stopped reading and I always wanted to go back as it's the best thing you can do.
So I started "a challenge" with my girlfriend. Every day we read 10 pages and talk about what happened in those pages. And it works. Feels great to be back.

Not sure what we're going to read next. Maybe another classic maybe something else.

You would like Animal Farm as well, if you haven't read it already.

 

[Stilton Disco]

After the whole rings of power debacle, and hearing the many things Tolkien write about wanting to create a mythology for the English, I've finally started to read the Lord of The Rings books for the first time.

Wish me luck!

 

[Glittertits McGee]

I have reading ADHD so I'm always in the middle of a dozen or so books.

Right now it's a bunch of non-fiction books on writing & publishing, a steamy SFR, and a LitRPG that for some reason has been like wading through molasses for me to read. It's not bad, it's just...I don't know, possibly the characterization is falling flat for me, or maybe it's the writing style. I like character-driven fiction and that is something I often find LitRPG falls short in, though I do enjoy the genre generally.

This one in particular, however, started out seeming like the type of character-driven story I like, so maybe it is just the writing style of this particular author. IDK.

 

[Nada]

Thinking of getting 'Ultra Processed People' by Chris Van Tulleken after watching his YouTube about it



Sick of eating food that isn't food without realising it. Time to get healthy and build muscle mass and look after myself

 

[El Rey]

https://www.amazon.com/Man-Symbol-Mysteries-Essays-Anatomy/dp/1578988489/ref=asc_df_1578988489/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=245369089410&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7185165471944731881&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9013280&hvtargid=pla-564387425711&psc=1

Currently reading this wonder. Trippiest book I've read in a while but I'm big into esotericism.

 

[Arkam]

Sekret Machines Book 1: Chasing Shadows (2016) by Tom Delong & AJ Hartley


So I actually purchased this book back in like 2017 after hearing Tom Delong (of Blink 182) talk about it on Rogan. In that interview Delong was going over UFO/UAP theories and made the statement that there is a lot more known than is being told. And that the reason its being hidden is due to the potential social impact. So he and his new endeavor (To The Stars) was going to ease the public into the truth. And that this book was the start of that reveal.

I know a big claim. Did it deliver on that? I honestly do not know.

SM:CS is a fictional tale of disparate characters who wind up in the same spider web of conspiracy. Some because of what they saw, some because of who they are and others just by dumb luck. Its a slow starter as the disparate tales unfold initially with limited congruency. But as the story takes shape and their interconnection becomes tangible, it is a fun ride. Lots of government compartmentalization and cover up.


So what did it reveal actually?

Spoiler: Spoilers

Basically it outlines that (somehow) the NAZI's discovered super advanced tech and were trying to replicate and make war machines in the twilight of WW2. Tech and machines that defied modern belief in aeronoutics and physics in general.

Well NAZI's lose WW2 and have to shut down the operation. Some NAZIs fled to Antarctica while others are snatched up by the US and the Soviets. The ones in Antarctica are captured by the US. Over the next decades both the US and Soviets begin building super advanced 'planes' based on the NAZI tech. Both know the other has them, but neither uses cuz they are not 100% who has the edge. And that many of the UFO/UAP sightings were these advanced crafts being tested.

So where did the NAZI get this tech? It is implied that it came from antiquity. That back then there were beings who had super advanced tech and (normal) humans deified them. Were they aliens? They imply it but stop short of saying. Basically you know that WHOEVER they were, they were brilliantly advanced.

 

[Haxan7]

Sekret Machines Book 1: Chasing Shadows (2016) by Tom Delong & AJ Hartley


So I actually purchased this book back in like 2017 after hearing Tom Delong (of Blink 182) talk about it on Rogan. In that interview Delong was going over UFO/UAP theories and made the statement that there is a lot more known than is being told. And that the reason its being hidden is due to the potential social impact. So he and his new endeavor (To The Stars) was going to ease the public into the truth. And that this book was the start of that reveal.

I know a big claim. Did it deliver on that? I honestly do not know.

SM:CS is a fictional tale of disparate characters who wind up in the same spider web of conspiracy. Some because of what they saw, some because of who they are and others just by dumb luck. Its a slow starter as the disparate tales on fold initially with limited congruency. But as the story takes shape and their interconnection becomes tangible, it is a fun ride. Lots of government compartmentalization and cover up.


So what did it reveal actually?

Spoiler: Spoilers

Basically it outlines that (somehow) the NAZI's discovered super advanced tech and were trying to replicate and make war machines in the twilight of WW2. Tech and machines that defied modern belive in aeronoutics and physics in general.

Well NAZI's lose WW2 and have to shut down the operation. Some NAZIs fleed to Antarctica while others are snatched up by the US and the Soviets. The ones in Antarctica are captured by the US. Over the next decades both the US and Soviets begin building super advanced 'planes' based on the NAZI tech. Both know the other has them, but neither uses cuz they are not 100% who has the edge. And that many of the UFO/UAP sightings were these advanced crafts being tested.

So where did the NAZI get this tech? It is implied that it came from antiquity. That back then there were beings who had super advanced tech and (normal) humans deified them. Were they aliens? They imply it but stop short of saying. Basically you know that WHOEVER they were, they were brilliantly advanced.

I was curious about that book. Thanks for the summary.

 

[teezzy]

So far so good

This is foreign territory for a guy like me, but I've always been interested in Paganism and its downfall. Ancient sacrifices and the like. Plenty of interesting facts here.

 

[O-N-E]

Absolute and utter drivel. The author gives this great big introduction building it up as something too big to be explained in a traditional narrative sense and instead, you have to jump into the middle of it and be clueless. In reality, every fantasy writer knows that the best way to start off is in the middle of the action, but they use the craft of writing and find ways to inform the reader on what they're actually reading. What is this about? Who should we care about? Why should I care?

None of this is apparent in Gardens of the Moon. I do not give a shit about Whiskeyjack. There's nothing about him that's compelling. We're told that people respect him and the Empire wants him dead, but so what? Why should I care? Who gives a shit about Adjunct Lorn? Not me. Paran is the one that reads like the main character, but nearly everything that happens to him is a thing of chance. I mean this story is nonsense. The names for places, people, cultures are incoherent and random-seeming. This is a world filled with Gods and every major character in the story escapes from their greatest most life-threatening predicaments through acts of these Gods. It is constant Deus-Ex Machina in a world that thinks it's deep and doesn't have to explain itself, but in reality, it has nothing to say and nothing to explain. It's muddy and ugly, and not ugly in an honest sense, but rather in its basic formation as a story. Also, it's called the Gardens of the Moon and when exactly do we see these gardens?

The answer is never.

And those poems at the beginning of every chapter were such rancid trash. Just say what you mean, Steven.

Yes, I read the whole thing.

1/5

PS: The only thing in this book I can respect is the author's thirst for thicc bitches. All his female mages seem to have a fat ass and catch the eyes of his adult male characters. Nice.

 

[Explosive Zombie]

Absolute and utter drivel. The author gives this great big introduction building it up as something too big to be explained in a traditional narrative sense and instead, you have to jump into the middle of it and be clueless. In reality, every fantasy writer knows that the best way to start off is in the middle of the action, but they use the craft of writing and find ways to inform the reader on what they're actually reading. What is this about? Who should we care about? Why should I care?

None of this is apparent in Gardens of the Moon. I do not give a shit about Whiskeyjack. There's nothing about him that's compelling. We're told that people respect him and the Empire wants him dead, but so what? Why should I care? Who gives a shit about Adjunct Lorn? Not me. Paran is the one that reads like the main character, but nearly everything that happens to him is a thing of chance. I mean this story is nonsense. The names for places, people, cultures are incoherent and random-seeming. This is a world filled with Gods and every major character in the story escapes from their greatest most life-threatening predicaments through acts of these Gods. It is constant Deus-Ex Machina in a world that thinks it's deep and doesn't have to explain itself, but in reality, it has nothing to say and nothing to explain. It's muddy and ugly, and not ugly in an honest sense, but rather in its basic formation as a story. Also, it's called the Gardens of the Moon and when exactly do we see these gardens?

The answer is never.

And those poems at the beginning of every chapter were such rancid trash. Just say what you mean, Steven.

Yes, I read the whole thing.

1/5

PS: The only thing in this book I can respect is the author's thirst for thicc bitches. All his female mages seem to have a fat ass and catch the eyes of his adult male characters. Nice.

Book rules, books 2 and 3 are better, tho.

Title isn't literal as the Gardens of the Moon are only mentioned a few times and certainly not SHOWN, pretty sure it's a metaphor, the Gardens of the Moon are meant to be Heaven.

 

[Calcium]

Paran is the one that reads like the main character, but nearly everything that happens to him is a thing of chance.

Malazan isn't for everyone and the first book is particularly rough, but what you said above really made me laugh. Anyone who has read Malazan probably knows why.

 

[Haxan7]

Absolute and utter drivel. The author gives this great big introduction building it up as something too big to be explained in a traditional narrative sense and instead, you have to jump into the middle of it and be clueless. In reality, every fantasy writer knows that the best way to start off is in the middle of the action, but they use the craft of writing and find ways to inform the reader on what they're actually reading. What is this about? Who should we care about? Why should I care?

None of this is apparent in Gardens of the Moon. I do not give a shit about Whiskeyjack. There's nothing about him that's compelling. We're told that people respect him and the Empire wants him dead, but so what? Why should I care? Who gives a shit about Adjunct Lorn? Not me. Paran is the one that reads like the main character, but nearly everything that happens to him is a thing of chance. I mean this story is nonsense. The names for places, people, cultures are incoherent and random-seeming. This is a world filled with Gods and every major character in the story escapes from their greatest most life-threatening predicaments through acts of these Gods. It is constant Deus-Ex Machina in a world that thinks it's deep and doesn't have to explain itself, but in reality, it has nothing to say and nothing to explain. It's muddy and ugly, and not ugly in an honest sense, but rather in its basic formation as a story. Also, it's called the Gardens of the Moon and when exactly do we see these gardens?

The answer is never.

And those poems at the beginning of every chapter were such rancid trash. Just say what you mean, Steven.

Yes, I read the whole thing.

1/5

PS: The only thing in this book I can respect is the author's thirst for thicc bitches. All his female mages seem to have a fat ass and catch the eyes of his adult male characters. Nice.

I'm never ever sending you my manuscript in the very remote situation that I write one

 

[Arkam]

Sekret Machines Book 2: A Fire Within (2018)

Even though in some ways the first book was a let down (didnt drop the dime on what is really happening), it was an entertaining read and got me thinking. So I decided to read the second book. Boy do things escalate.



Basically it says that there are two factions of beings (which are never clearly defined) who are at war.... or at least in some sort of conflict. The time bending/agnostic 'Elves' and the hive mind of the the Swarm. They do not exactly call one side good or evil. But the Swarm is fairly aggressive and motivated to acquire "ancient" technology. The Elves appear to be guiding the humans toward the ancient tech.... so maybe they are good? Or maybe not and they are just using us to fight the Swarm. Regardless, they have both been on Earth for a very long time and been part of many myths by man trying to contextualize them. The Swarm also seems to be part of or behind who ever created the arrow head ships that were fighting the American locust 'triangles' crafts.

So in the first book they make the case that the Nazis discovered advanced (but ancient) tech from who knows where. And that is what modern UAPs are based off. Well in book two they reinforce this with another tablet with the funky metal on it. This one on the island of Crete, where it was supposedly found by the Nazis but never taken from the island due to a slave rebellion. It was in a Minoan Tomb, so its been there for a few thousand years.

The new tablet is not exactly attributed to anyone, but it has powers that impact those near it. The tablet is also covered in the undeciphered Linear A script. It is also implied that it may have come from (the lost city of) Atlantis.


All in all it was a fun read and I am looking forward to the next book whenever it drops. I think the first book was better as it was more 'grounded' but also a much slower burn.

In so many ways it jives with what Alex Jones told Joe Rogan.

 

[Haxan7]

Sekret Machines Book 2: A Fire Within (2018)

Even though in some ways the first book was a let down (didnt drop the dime on what is really happening), it was an entertaining read and got me thinking. So I decided to read the second book. Boy do things escalate.



Basically it says that there are two factions of beings (which are never clearly defined) who are at war.... or at least in some sort of conflict. The time bending/agnostic 'Elves' and the hive mind of the the Swarm. They do not exactly call one side good or evil. But the Swarm is fairly aggressive and motivated to acquire "ancient" technology. The Elves appear to be guiding the humans toward the ancient tech.... so maybe they are good? Or maybe not and they are just using us to fight the Swarm. Regardless, they have both been on Earth for a very long time and been part of many myths by man trying to contextualize them. The Swarm also seems to be part of or behind who ever created the arrow head ships that were fighting the American locust 'triangles' crafts.

So in the first book they make the case that the Nazis discovered advanced (but ancient) tech from who knows where. And that is what modern UAPs are based off. Well in book two they reinforce this with another tablet with the funky metal on it. This one on the island of Crete, where it was supposedly found by the Nazis but never taken from the island due to a slave rebellion. It was in a Minoan Tomb, so its been there for a few thousand years.

The new tablet is not exactly attributed to anyone, but it has powers that impact those near it. The tablet is also covered in the undeciphered Linear A script. It is also implied that it may have come from (the lost city of) Atlantis.


All in all it was a fun read and I am looking forward to the next book whenever it drops. I think the first book was better as it was more 'grounded' but also a much slower burn.

I just listened to Tom DeLonge's 2017 Joe Rogan episode earlier today. Interesting coincidence.

 

[DonDonDonPata]

Read this over the weekend while the power was out after a storm:

fictional story taking place just before the real 1907 Wall Street panic. This one is easier to read compared to The Jungle, and much faster (fewer than 200 pages). It was good to read in the midst of our current market problems, not because the market conditions are the same, but because the corruption is the same.

The cynical side of me can't take the hopeful ending seriously (or maybe it wasn't meant to be hopeful, but ironic). The hero sticks to his morals the whole time. At the end he declares he will keep fighting for the common people until the bitter end. How?

"What are you going to do?" she asked.​

He replied "I am going into politics. I am going to try to teach the people".​

I don't mind some idealism, but this really make me laugh at the whole book. It's the typical socialist naivety, that a hero will enter politics and teach the people to save them from the evil Rich Men. It was no surprise that the only other "good guy" in the book is a journalists trying to print the Real Story but who is constantly prevented by his corrupt bosses. Noble politician good! Noble journalist good! Evil capitalists bad! So funny.

Not a bad story at all, though. It was interesting the whole way through and I don't often read books that take place during this time period of US history.

 

[Haxan7]

I just finished Killing Commendatore by Haruki Murakami. I wouldn't say it was bad exactly, but it could have been much shorter. The whole novel just seemed like a pretext to have some weird scenes near the end. The audiobook was 28 hours. It could've been 10 hours and told the same story.

There was also a major plot element left fully unresolved. Murakami spent so much time on it and then it just went nowhere. In fact that's how the whole thing felt. There was a lot of potential there but it just wasn't realized. Murakami needs an editor to whip him into shape.

There is also an ongoing thing where a 13 year old girl discusses her dissatisfaction with her lack of breast development, including with an older man she's not related to. It's creepy as hell.

 

[Rock And Roll]

Read this over the weekend while the power was out after a storm:

fictional story taking place just before the real 1907 Wall Street panic. This one is easier to read compared to The Jungle, and much faster (fewer than 200 pages). It was good to read in the midst of our current market problems, not because the market conditions are the same, but because the corruption is the same.

The cynical side of me can't take the hopeful ending seriously (or maybe it wasn't meant to be hopeful, but ironic). The hero sticks to his morals the whole time. At the end he declares he will keep fighting for the common people until the bitter end. How?

"What are you going to do?" she asked.
He replied "I am going into politics. I am going to try to teach the people".​

I don't mind some idealism, but this really make me laugh at the whole book. It's the typical socialist naivety, that a hero will enter politics and teach the people to save them from the evil Rich Men. It was no surprise that the only other "good guy" in the book is a journalists trying to print the Real Story but who is constantly prevented by his corrupt bosses. Noble politician good! Noble journalist good! Evil capitalists bad! So funny.

Not a bad story at all, though. It was interesting the whole way through and I don't often read books that take place during this time period of US history.

I liked The Jungle until the last chapter, which turns into some socialist propaganda wank. I've never stopped reading a book with 20 pages left before but I flipped through it and saw the rest was manifesto so I put it down. Makes me think Upton wasn't being ironic on the ending with this one either.

 

[Kadayi]

I just finished Killing Commendatore by Haruki Murakami. I wouldn't say it was bad exactly, but it could have been much shorter. The whole novel just seemed like a pretext to have some weird scenes near the end. The audiobook was 28 hours. It could've been 10 hours and told the same story.

There was also a major plot element left fully unresolved. Murakami spent so much time on it and then it just went nowhere. In fact that's how the whole thing felt. There was a lot of potential there but it just wasn't realized. Murakami needs an editor to whip him into shape.

There is also an ongoing thing where a 13 year old girl discusses her dissatisfaction with her lack of breast development, including with an older man she's not related to. It's creepy as hell.

I've read a couple of his books as everyone raves about them and honestly beyond the oddness I can't say I enjoyed them all that much versus found them a chore to read. Also, the questionable creepiness seems to be a regular thing with his novels, although I believe up until this year the legal age of consent in Japan was 13 (now 16) so perhaps reflects a cultural difference in that respect.

 

[Haxan7]

I've read a couple of his books as everyone raves about them and honestly beyond the oddness I can't say I enjoyed them all that much versus found them a chore to read. Also, the questionable creepiness seems to be a regular thing with his novels, although I believe up until this year the legal age of consent in Japan was 13 (now 16) so perhaps reflects a cultural difference in that respect.

I've been a big fan of him ever since I read Norwegian Wood around 2010. His recent books haven't been up to par at all. I also don't care for the detectivey ones. I like when he explores emotions. He knows how to do emptiness and longing very well.

 

[DonDonDonPata]

finished Aion by CG Jung

Good, dense book that explores early psychological thought in the Christian West leading up to alchemy and modern science without delving too deep in those (covered in another book of his). It includes history, comparative religion, and astrology but the main thrust is still psychological, centering on Christ as the image of Self in the Western psyche. CG Jung is open armed toward gnostic heresy because it gives a broad world of symbols and highly-abstract phrases for him to evaluate and make judgments on.

The lack of understanding of our Western roots is a problem he hopes to help correct in this book, a goal he declares in the opening and closing chapters. Failing to understand the Christ image handed down through our heritage has disconnected us from it, and in psychology being disconnected from that God-image will consequently lead to aberration and psychosis on the individual and social scale. This disconnect slows/prevents us from actualizing our personalities, since the ideal image of Self has been discarded but still remains unconsciously. The psychological assumption is that unconscious content must be actualized, and when it is prevented from actualizing in the personality suffers outwardly.

About to finish Augustine's The Confessions, which is far more wholesome and refreshing.

 

[GreyHorace]

Just finished quite possibly one of the greatest manga ever put to print.

I've sung praises before for the Golden Kamuy anime before in the What are you Watching? thread, but the original manga by Satoru Noda is truly something else. For me, it's neck and neck with the late Kentaro Miura's Berserk as one of the greatest manga series of all time. All of you should give it a read when you have the chance.

 

[Arkam]

So after reading the two fictional tales by Tom Delong's To the Stars (Sekret Machines: Chasing Shadows & A Fire within) I decided to read the non-fiction books. Of which there are also two (Gods, Man & War: Gods & Man)

While I found the fiction books fun and these non fiction filled with interesting facts. I have come to the strong conclusion that Tom Delong doesnt know shit about the UFOs. He knows what your average UFO enthusiast or conspiracy theorist knows. All he knows it seems is that YES, UFOs are 100% with dozens of iron clad accounts.... but no one knows what they are. Could be military, could be aliens or robots or holograms or mental projections. <--- all of those are called out as possibilities in the books.

I will probably read the third fiction novel...if it ever comes out. Not as sure about the third non-fiction. But hey, maybe Delong is saving his ace in the hole for a coup de grâce.

 

[DonDonDonPata]

Finished the third book in the Latro trilogy, Soldier of Sidon.

Great book. There could've been a fourth one if the author hadn't died but all three books are very... dreamy and perplexing, which matches the story itself. The trilogy begins in 479BC after the battle of Plataea, in which the hero was fighting for the Persians and was wounded in the head. This final book takes place in Egypt and Nubia. I'd say it was as good as the first two, and much more 'magical' and mysterious.

Moving on to a re-read of The Knight, followed by The Wizard, same author:

 

[Amorous Biscuit]

Finished the third book in the Latro trilogy, Soldier of Sidon.

Great book. There could've been a fourth one if the author hadn't died but all three books are very... dreamy and perplexing, which matches the story itself. The trilogy begins in 479BC after the battle of Plataea, in which the hero was fighting for the Persians and was wounded in the head. This final book takes place in Egypt and Nubia. I'd say it was as good as the first two, and much more 'magical' and mysterious.

Moving on to a re-read of The Knight, followed by The Wizard, same author:

Have you read his Long Sun series? One I've had for ages but never got around to reading.

If so, would you recommend starting with New Sun instead?

 

[DonDonDonPata]

Have you read his Long Sun series? One I've had for ages but never got around to reading.

If so, would you recommend starting with New Sun instead?

yeah I've read the Long Sun books twice. Probably gonna re read the whole series soon, but I'll read through New Sun first since it comes first in the story.

The order of reading is this:

The Book of the New Sun
The Shadow of the Torturer (1980)
The Claw of the Conciliator (1980)
The Sword of the Lictor (1981)
The Citadel of the Autarch (1982)
The Urth of the New Sun (1987)

The Book Of The Long Sun
Nightside the Long Sun (1993)
Lake of the Long Sun (1993)
Caldé of the Long Sun (1994)
Exodus from the Long Sun (1996)

The Book of the Short Sun
On Blue's Waters (1999)
In Green's Jungles (2000)
Return to the Whorl (2001)

Long Sun is followed directly by Short Sun and both take place some undisclosed time after New Sun. New Sun is technically self-contained; you could read Long Sun followed by Short Sun and have a full story arc. You could read the five Long Sun books and call it good. But you will see lots of references and mysteries in Long/Short that will make more sense if you've read New Sun since they take place in the same universe. Something important to understand is that each of the three series has their own distinct narrator telling you, the reader, the story with a distinct voice and perspective based on how they lived through the events. While each series has its own tone and style, they're all taking place in the same world. If you give it a try, I hope you like it.

 

[Amorous Biscuit]

yeah I've read the Long Sun books twice. Probably gonna re read the whole series soon, but I'll read through New Sun first since it comes first in the story.

The order of reading is this:

The Book of the New Sun
The Shadow of the Torturer (1980)
The Claw of the Conciliator (1980)
The Sword of the Lictor (1981)
The Citadel of the Autarch (1982)
The Urth of the New Sun (1987)

The Book Of The Long Sun
Nightside the Long Sun (1993)
Lake of the Long Sun (1993)
Caldé of the Long Sun (1994)
Exodus from the Long Sun (1996)

The Book of the Short Sun
On Blue's Waters (1999)
In Green's Jungles (2000)
Return to the Whorl (2001)

Long Sun is followed directly by Short Sun and both take place some undisclosed time after New Sun. New Sun is technically self-contained; you could read Long Sun followed by Short Sun and have a full story arc. You could read the five Long Sun books and call it good. But you will see lots of references and mysteries in Long/Short that will make more sense if you've read New Sun since they take place in the same universe. Something important to understand is that each of the three series has their own distinct narrator telling you, the reader, the story with a distinct voice and perspective based on how they lived through the events. While each series has its own tone and style, they're all taking place in the same world. If you give it a try, I hope you like it.

Just ordered Torturer and Concilliator, thanks for the overview of the series! Excited to get stuck into some science fantasy!

Edit: for some reason I had posted "Oscillator" instead of Concilliator, can't even blame autocorrect for that one, I am just dense.

 

[DonDonDonPata]

Finished The Wizard, after finishing The Knight a few weeks back. Such a good pair of books.

 

[DonDonDonPata]

Finished Home Fires by Gene Wolfe (been going through his books). It was okay, kind of light and pulp sci fi like a Philip K Dick book. I'd rank it toward the bottom of the list of his books (that I've read)... not bad but not excellent. I think I'll pick something by RA Lafferty or AA Attanasio next, something with a bit more weirdness and a bit more depth.

 

[Arkam]

Currently reading Neuromancer (which I am still unsure about)....but also FINALLY got into the Vagabond manga. It took me a handful of starts to get hooked. Now I am and just finished Vol 1 and bringing Vol 2 with me on a work trip this week. Its pretty damned good once it gets going with some solid sword dueling. Having read up on Miyamoto Musashi and seen the Samurai Trilogy films, the story is (kind of) familiar so far, though turned up to 11. Lots of good action, though so far its not as wild as Berserk. But that feels better since this is the real world an no monsters.

 

[Haxan7]

I'm about 80% through On a Pale Horse by Piers Anthony. His Xanth novels got me into fantasy as a youngster. It's a fun read. I've been on a fantasy/sci-fi kick lately. I've also been listening an anthology of classic sci-fi stories.

 

[Kadayi]

Started on the 4th Demon Prince Novel by Jack Vance following the adventures of Kirth Gersen and his pursuit of the 5 criminal masterminds who enslaved his village save for himself and his Grandfather.

Albeit Sci-fi in nature, set in an imagined universe where man kind has conquered the stars and space travel is available to all, the novels themselves are very much detective tales in nature given that by on large Gersen is hunting down individuals who are very much in the Keyser Soze realm of elusive but dangerous for the most part.

As ever with Vance his imagination in terms of the varying cultures Gersen encounters is matched only by his extremely broad use of language and often times archaic terms that are both illuminating and making me grateful that my kindle has WiFi to be able to look up the meanings up. I can only imagine that Vance slept with a Thesaurus under his pillow as a kid. With that said its not laborious to read and Gersen is a fallible Hero who can and does make mistakes along the way often with dire consequences before he eventually tracks down his prey.

One thing that is a big part of the setting is the idea of law in a time where escape to another planet/system is entirely possible and the inherent problems of accountability and enforcement that kind of issue poses, where in criminals are often able to escape and simply reinvent themselves elsewhere.

 

[Arkam]

The Last Unicorn by Peter S Beagle

Had watched the cartoon at least 50 times, but never delved into the source material. It was very good. And the first half was surprisingly similar to the cartoon. Sure there were some MINOR tweaks, but up through Mommy Fortuna's Midnight Carnival, I would dare say the cartoon and novel were 1-1.

Spoiler: Plot Spoilers

After that there are a some major differences that add some depth to the story. The whole Hagsgate plot was absent from the Cartoon. This is where we hear about King Haggard and the origins of Prince Lir. Makes both characters so much more interesting.

Then in Haggards castle there are a few more characters, but the cartoon is fairly close. Even down to Haggard seeing the forest in "the lady" Amalthea's eyes. The Cat, the skull, teh clock....very close. The fight against the Red Bull however felt different. It felt more meaningful. Especially since they gave the Bull some identity and how he is a "conqueror, not a fighter" and all the Unicorn has to do is stand up for her self and the Bull exiles himself. No waves of unicorns attacking, its just him walking into the sea (and the unicorns getting the fuck out of his way)

Oh and the fact that you do not KNOW that the Unicorns are in the sea til the end is much better than everyone knowing it.

But for me the most meaningful difference is the sorrow of the ending. How the Unicorn speaks of how she is the only immortal creature to actually know sadness and how she would hold on to that sadness for eternity.

Overall I really enjoyed it and would recommend to anyone who enjoyed the cartoon.

 

[GreyHorace]

The Last Unicorn by Peter S Beagle

Had watched the cartoon at least 50 times, but never delved into the source material. It was very good. And the first half was surprisingly similar to the cartoon. Sure there were some MINOR tweaks, but up through Mommy Fortuna's Midnight Carnival, I would dare say the cartoon and novel were 1-1.

Spoiler: Plot Spoilers

After that there are a some major differences that add some depth to the story. The whole Hagsgate plot was absent from the Cartoon. This is where we hear about King Haggard and the origins of Prince Lir. Makes both characters so much more interesting.

Then in Haggards castle there are a few more characters, but the cartoon is fairly close. Even down to Haggard seeing the forest in "the lady" Amalthea's eyes. The Cat, the skull, teh clock....very close. The fight against the Red Bull however felt different. It felt more meaningful. Especially since they gave the Bull some identity and how he is a "conqueror, not a fighter" and all the Unicorn has to do is stand up for her self and the Bull exiles himself. No waves of unicorns attacking, its just him walking into the sea (and the unicorns getting the fuck out of his way)

Oh and the fact that you do not KNOW that the Unicorns are in the sea til the end is much better than everyone knowing it.

But for me the most meaningful difference is the sorrow of the ending. How the Unicorn speaks of how she is the only immortal creature to actually know sadness and how she would hold on to that sadness for eternity.

Overall I really enjoyed it and would recommend to anyone who enjoyed the cartoon.

I love the movie, and I really should read the book one time. I've read the comic adaptation which is pretty close to the book and they consulted with Peter S. Beagle when they made it.

And I'm not surprised the movie was pretty close to the book. Christopher Lee only took the part of KIng Haggard because the filmmakers assured him they would stick pretty close to it.

 

[Arkam]

The Last Yakuza: Life and Death in the Japanese Underworld by Jake Adelstein

Loved it! This was IMO a better books that Tokyo Vice. In this one Adelstein focus on the Yakuza and not his self aggrandizement. For the most part it is a bit of a biography on an Inagawa-kai boss (Makoto Saigo) and his journey into, and out of (and then back in!) to the Japanese underworld. While telling Saigo's story, Adelstein drops a lot of facts and background on the Yakuza world and the relationship with the civilian world. Of all the Yakuza books I have read this one might be the one to recommend if you want to understand them. It does romanticize the Yakuza of old, but in a sober and somber way. Overall good stuff and well worth the read.

 

[Pyrate]

Not exactly reading as I couldn't find these 2 books here, but I've been listening to a deep analysis while driving.

The Impossible State and Restating Orientalism by Wael B. Hallaq

The Impossible State (at least from the podcasts) was an eye opener for me. Finally made me put my finger on what I've been sensing was going wrong around the world, starting from the West then spreading everywhere else. Most deifintely a controversial piece and it's probably not a good idea to post here, funnily enough both books are already heavily contested by both sides. But shit I don't know, maybe it inspires someone to see the bigger picture clearly. Restating Orientalism is the book that's more geared towards the West I guess so if one wishes to check these out, and I highly recommend it, maybe start with that one.

 

[O-N-E]

Not exactly reading as I couldn't find these 2 books here, but I've been listening to a deep analysis while driving.

The Impossible State and Restating Orientalism by Wael B. Hallaq

The Impossible State (at least from the podcasts) was an eye opener for me. Finally made me put my finger on what I've been sensing was going wrong around the world, starting from the West then spreading everywhere else. Most deifintely a controversial piece and it's probably not a good idea to post here, funnily enough both books are already heavily contested by both sides. But shit I don't know, maybe it inspires someone to see the bigger picture clearly. Restating Orientalism is the book that's more geared towards the West I guess so if one wishes to check these out, and I highly recommend it, maybe start with that one.

Why would it be controversial to post on dpad? First time I've heard of these.

 

[lock2k]

Not exactly reading as I couldn't find these 2 books here, but I've been listening to a deep analysis while driving.

The Impossible State and Restating Orientalism by Wael B. Hallaq

The Impossible State (at least from the podcasts) was an eye opener for me. Finally made me put my finger on what I've been sensing was going wrong around the world, starting from the West then spreading everywhere else. Most deifintely a controversial piece and it's probably not a good idea to post here, funnily enough both books are already heavily contested by both sides. But shit I don't know, maybe it inspires someone to see the bigger picture clearly. Restating Orientalism is the book that's more geared towards the West I guess so if one wishes to check these out, and I highly recommend it, maybe start with that one.

Sounds based

 

[Pyrate]

Why would it be controversial to post on dpad? First time I've heard of these.

The books more or less crap on every facet of modern living with good reasons; the modern nation state as an inherently immoral body of governance, European colonialism and all that resulted from it, first highlighting how it's different and much more destructive than any other forms of colonialism that precede it, and further stating this one is not just about muh strong vs weak or they would've done the same if they had the weapons/technology. And other high level critiques of secularism, capitalism, materialism, all 4 sides of the political compass and basically almost everything else about modernity, which doesn't just mean recency and that it's always objectively the best time for humanity to live and everything before is terrible, outdated, bigotted etc, no, the author says; it's a specific manufactured phenomenon and a point in time that started with the enlightenment and the death of the already diseased and troubled European christianity. It's when laws were seperated from morals and reason became about the is instead of ought, as he put it. And to cap it off for controversies, and most surprising to the unintiated, the author is a Canadian christian who says he'd much prefer to live under sharia law, than the current system, also for reasons all broken down in The Impossible State. Restating Orientalism further argues that academia is more or less complicit in modern froms of colonialism and violence, I'm not done with that one so I don't have much to add about it.

This is just a very brief summary of what gets talked about, and I'm not at all an expert on the subject so I may have misinterpreted something here, it's a very nuanced topic that shouldn't be reduced to this comment in the first place, because it'll probably get misunderstood anyways for being insert stupid political label here.

 

[Pyrate]

Sounds based

Yeah, The Impossible State really has the red pill effect, unironically.