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| Author | Message |
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virtuadept
  
 
| | #1 posted April 6, 2007 at 1:18pm (EST) |
What was the last book you read? Post about it here.
I just finished Shadowrun #4 - Drops of Corruption (from the recent line of SR novels). I really enjoyed #1-#3, but #4 is a bit harder pill to swallow. First of all, 1-3 were a trilogy and all involved mostly the same characters. #4 has a couple of cameos from a few of the characters I liked in 1-3, and one character that I didn't like so well in 1-3 plays a more central role in #4. So I guess it was a bit frustrating at first not having all my "friends" from the series in it.
The plot in #4 however, I thought was very well done, if a tad slow moving. I can see why he did it the way he did, however. It involves the mafia, and one character who was basically a good person slowly getting trapped into working for the mob and how they hooked him in. There are a lot of nasty characters in this book as one might expect from a book dealing with organized crime. Even the main character, who was as I said essentially good, was hard to like for other reasons I can't get into without spoilers. So having a cast of essentially unlikable characters didn't help my enjoyment of the story too much either.
But as I said the plot was well done, and in the end, a rewarding story that actually did have a "lesson" or whatever. There were some really cool scenes in the book, and overall I felt this was a book worth reading especially for Shadowrun enthusiasts like myself. Not my favorite in the series, but I did end up enjoying it, even though it was a slow read for me and I set it down several times before I finally got into it.
This is not a novel I can heartily recommend to anyone. If you enjoy books about organized crime, this book might be for you, with the caveat that it is completely fictional and not all that realistic, plus set in a fantasy future. If you like Shadowrun, this book is definitely worth picking up for a couple of reasons. First, it's a good in depth look at how the mafia in Seattle operates, and secondly it involves a bit of Tir Tairngire, which was interesting, and of a mage who has "burnt out" so you kind of get a feel for how that would work. This book is not a "fan fiction" work, the writing is good quality writing, but the subject matter is such that essentially it will appeal to a limited set of eyes.
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bill
  
| | #81 posted June 28, 2007 at 5:07pm (EST) |
The Crying of Lot 49 by Pynchon is a good quick read, fairly short too. That's all that I've read by him as his other books are very intimidating. A friend of mine who is a voracious reader was not able to get through Gravity's Rainbow.
In a similar vein to Crying (conspiracies), I enjoyed Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Ecco. |
GOSH
  
| | #82 posted June 28, 2007 at 6:18pm (EST) |
I have a copy of Gravity's Rainbow that I have never successfully completed. With Pynchon's work, it seems like more a test of endurance than anything -- but I will say, if you're adamant in reading his work, as Bill said, start off with The Crying Lot of 49. You get a manageable taste of Pynchon, without the frustration of density and length evident in Gravity's Rainbow.
I had never read anything by Michael Chabon, though I read numerous articles on how great he is -- and really, he is. After finishing The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, I went out and picked up a copy of his newest book, and it seems equally as intriguing. |
sgtshaggy
 
| | #83 posted June 28, 2007 at 6:46pm (EST) |
bill wrote:
> The Crying of Lot 49 by Pynchon is a good quick read, fairly short
> too. That's all that I've read by him as his other books are very
> intimidating. A friend of mine who is a voracious reader was not
> able to get through Gravity's Rainbow.
Thanks, I'll likely try that one out first.
> In a similar vein to Crying (conspiracies), I enjoyed Foucault's
> Pendulum by Umberto Ecco.
I Foucault's Pendulum as well, but I don't believe I ever finished it. I bounce around too much sometimes.
shags
“Do not say things. What you are stands over you the while and thunders so that I cannot hear what you say to the contrary.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson |
sgtshaggy
| #84 posted June 28, 2007 at 6:48pm (EST)
edited June 28, 2007 at 6:48pm (EST) |
ms wrote:
> I have a copy of Gravity's Rainbow that I have never successfully
> completed. With Pynchon's work, it seems like more a test of endurance
> than anything -- but I will say, if you're adamant in reading his
> work, as Bill said, start off with The Crying Lot of 49. You
> get a manageable taste of Pynchon, without the frustration of density
> and length evident in Gravity's Rainbow.
"Test of endurance" is a term I came across frequently in the posts and reviews I read for Gravity's Rainbow. Thanks to the tip from both of you on Crying.
> I had never read anything by Michael Chabon, though I read numerous
> articles on how great he is -- and really, he is. After finishing
> The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, I went out and picked
> up a copy of his newest book, and it seems equally as intriguing.
I'm looking forward to trying him out.
shags
“Do not say things. What you are stands over you the while and thunders so that I cannot hear what you say to the contrary.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson |
ndrake
| | #85 posted June 28, 2007 at 9:20pm (EST) |
ms wrote:
> I had never read anything by Michael Chabon, though I read numerous
> articles on how great he is -- and really, he is. After finishing
> The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, I went out and picked
> up a copy of his newest book, and it seems equally as intriguing.
>
You should also get The Mysteries of Pittsburgh and Wonder Boys by Chabon. They are both excellent. |
virtuadept
| | #86 posted June 28, 2007 at 10:08pm (EST) |
Amazon has the audio CD for Kavalier for $6. I put it in my queue. It was cheaper to order the audio CD than the paperback. [sigh] Why have books gone astronomical recently? $10 for a frickin' paperback? AYFKM?!
 |
GOSH
| | #87 posted June 29, 2007 at 2:11am (EST) |
ndrake wrote:
> ms wrote:
>> I had never read anything by Michael Chabon, though I read numerous
>> articles on how great he is -- and really, he is. After finishing
>> The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, I went out and
> picked
>> up a copy of his newest book, and it seems equally as intriguing.
>>
>
> You should also get The Mysteries of Pittsburgh and Wonder
> Boys by Chabon. They are both excellent.
Do you want to borrow my copy of his newest book when I'm finished with it? |
ndrake
| | #88 posted June 29, 2007 at 6:53am (EST) |
ms wrote:
> ndrake wrote:
>> ms wrote:
> |>> I had never read anything by Michael Chabon, though I read numerous
> |>> articles on how great he is -- and really, he is. After finishing
> |>> The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, I went out and
>> picked
> |>> up a copy of his newest book, and it seems equally as intriguing.
> |>>
>>
>> You should also get The Mysteries of Pittsburgh and Wonder
>> Boys by Chabon. They are both excellent.
>
> Do you want to borrow my copy of his newest book when I'm finished
> with it?
Thanks, but I've got it on hold at the library, so i should have it soon. |
therainstormlord
| | #89 posted June 29, 2007 at 8:39am (EST) |
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. |
sgtshaggy
| #90 posted June 29, 2007 at 9:54am (EST)
edited June 29, 2007 at 9:55am (EST) |
therainstormlord wrote:
> Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
You'll be blowing past me this week. I've only managed around 350 pages since Monday after going back to work. I'm really enjoying Goblet of Fire, though  .
shags
“Do not say things. What you are stands over you the while and thunders so that I cannot hear what you say to the contrary.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson |
therainstormlord
| | #91 posted June 29, 2007 at 10:21am (EST) |
shags wrote:
> therainstormlord wrote:
>
>> Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
>
> You'll be blowing past me this week. I've only managed around 350
> pages since Monday after going back to work. I'm really enjoying
> Goblet of Fire, though .
>
> shags
>
>
Eh, it's not a race ( ' ; I average about 100 pages per session but pushed through last night since I had only the final chapter or 2 The tough thing is that between volumes 4-6, that's over 2200 more pages and I just don't see myself keeping up pace. As far as Goblet of Fire goes, I think it's my favorite of them all (perhaps that will change upon re-reading them) -- the movie translation was extremely disappointing though. |
sgtshaggy
| | #92 posted June 29, 2007 at 10:34am (EST) |
Nah, not really a race with you, more of a race to finish the first five before the movie for Order of the Phoenix (gotta take the little one) and before the last book drops, since I've not yet read them all...so I gotta stay on the ball . Unfortunately, this here job and the wife often have other things in mind, lol.
I don't yet have a favorite, but I've loved all three of the first books, and my interest isn't waning with Goblet of Fire. My interest usually starts waning around this point in a series of books, and I need a breather with a diffferent book/genre/author, but I'm still going strong...awesome series.
shags
“Do not say things. What you are stands over you the while and thunders so that I cannot hear what you say to the contrary.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson |
LiL_Ramsey
| | #93 posted June 29, 2007 at 2:50pm (EST) |
I'm re-reading Choke by Palahniuk as I await the new Harry Potter book. |
vDub
(frozen)
| | #94 posted June 30, 2007 at 3:05am (EST) |
I read Star Wars: The New Jedi Order: Behind Enemy Lines: Rebel Dream and Rebel Stand, both by Aaron Allston while I was in Tennessee.
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virtuadept
| | #95 posted June 30, 2007 at 11:21am (EST) |
Were they any good, vDub? I'm thinking of getting into some of the Star Wars novels. So far all I've ever seen is the movies and some of the comics.
Visit virtuadept's RPG forum! |
vDub
(frozen)
| | #96 posted June 30, 2007 at 12:53pm (EST) |
I enjoy them, but I've been reading them out of order.  If you wanna start the series, you'll have to get Vector Prime by R.A. Salvatore....and you'll be in for a bit of a surprise when you read that one.
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virtuadept
| | #97 posted July 1, 2007 at 12:08pm (EST) |
Wasn't the first Star Wars books by Timothy Zahn? I think I might have one of those I got and never read.
Visit virtuadept's RPG forum! |
sandpaperback
| | #98 posted July 1, 2007 at 8:27pm (EST) |
I've recently started reading for pleasure again. I think it's because I've switched to an early day shift instead of nights. I'm glad to see this topic alive.
Anyway, I just finished Mother Night by Kurt Vonnegut. It is now easily one of my favorite books of all time.
Today I started Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss. I'd been interested in reading this since it came out. The other day, I was at the bookstore and found it for $4 on the bargain tables. I am very amused with it.
I think next I'm going to read either Slapstick or Player Piano (both by Vonnegut). Either that, or I'll re-read Half-Blood Prince before the last book drops.
--
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LiL_Ramsey
| | #99 posted July 1, 2007 at 8:38pm (EST) |
i recommend slapstick over player piano. i thought slapstick was great. |
vDub
(frozen)
| | #100 posted July 1, 2007 at 8:43pm (EST) |
virtuadept - no, although he has written some great Star Wars novels.
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sgtshaggy
| | #101 posted July 1, 2007 at 11:19pm (EST) |
I just finished Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
shags
Today you are You, that is truer than true.
There is no one alive who is Youer than You.
Dr. Seuss |
nihon
| #102 posted July 2, 2007 at 7:06pm (EST)
edited July 2, 2007 at 7:07pm (EST) |
shags wrote:
>
> Anyone read the other books by his son or whoever? Any good?
I've read other books by Kevin J. Anderson (who co-authors the books with Herbert's son), and I enjoyed them (the Saga of Seven Suns series).
--
-- Apple/Mac Forum
-- Utah Speculative Fiction Council |
nihon
| | #103 posted July 2, 2007 at 7:11pm (EST) |
virtuadept wrote:
> Wasn't the first Star Wars books by Timothy Zahn?
No, the first one was by George Lucas. 
Timothy Zahn wrote The Thrawn trilogy, The Hand of Thrawn duology, and a bunch of other Star Wars Expanded Universe books and stories.
--
-- Apple/Mac Forum
-- Utah Speculative Fiction Council |
paulbert7
| | #104 posted July 3, 2007 at 9:46am (EST) |
I just finished Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince last night. I'm soooo excited for the last book. HBP ended quite shockingly. |
sgtshaggy
| | #105 posted July 3, 2007 at 10:57am (EST) |
Shush you .
I'm only about 70 pages into Order of the Phoenix, but I like how it began...
shags
Today you are You, that is truer than true.
There is no one alive who is Youer than You.
Dr. Seuss |
therainstormlord
| | #106 posted July 3, 2007 at 11:02am (EST) |
shags wrote:
> Shush you .
>
> I'm only about 70 pages into Order of the Phoenix, but I like how
> it began...
>
> shags
This is a first run for you Shags? ooooh. Didn't realize that, hehe. You'll enjoy them both. |
sgtshaggy
| | #107 posted July 3, 2007 at 11:15am (EST) |
Oh yeah, my first time through. I read the first and second books a few years ago, but wandered on to other stuff afterwords. I can already tell it'll be added to my "re-read" list with a few other books that I've come back to again and again over the years .
shags
Today you are You, that is truer than true.
There is no one alive who is Youer than You.
Dr. Seuss |
therainstormlord
| #108 posted July 3, 2007 at 11:57am (EST)
edited July 3, 2007 at 11:58am (EST) |
Oh, to be able to re-read Order of the Phoenix again "for the first time". It gets crazy, man. I'll be really annoyed if they screwed up the film..... |
sgtshaggy
| | #109 posted July 3, 2007 at 12:13pm (EST) |
I'll try and doubly enjoy it for you .
shags
Today you are You, that is truer than true.
There is no one alive who is Youer than You.
Dr. Seuss |
paulbert7
| | #110 posted July 3, 2007 at 11:43pm (EST) |
I havn't seen any of the films... I think I might check them out. |
vDub
(frozen)
| | #111 posted July 4, 2007 at 6:52am (EST) |
I'm currently reading Star Trek: Titan: Orion's Hounds, which is the third book in the new series.
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bill
| | #112 posted July 4, 2007 at 4:04pm (EST) |
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey - great book |
mackey
| | #113 posted July 9, 2007 at 8:14pm (EST) |
Just finished up Committed: Confessions of a Fantasy Football Junkie by Mark St. Amant. Really terrific fun to read for a FF maniac, with the exception of a few meandering, nothing chapters.
Before that I shot through Orpheus Emerged by Kerouac and A Man Without A Country by Vonnegut. Both pretty decent books, obviously some of their lighter fare.
For now, I'm halfway through On The Road. After that, perhaps another pleasure read. |
vDub
(frozen)
| | #114 posted July 9, 2007 at 8:32pm (EST) |
whoa, Mackey's back?!? Cool... |
bill
| | #115 posted July 9, 2007 at 8:47pm (EST) |
I've been meaning to read On the Road ... |
mackey
| | #116 posted July 9, 2007 at 8:52pm (EST) |
If you start now we can be a two-man book club. |
bill
| | #117 posted July 9, 2007 at 9:17pm (EST) |
I'd just slow you down, but we can compare notes eventually. I'd like to hear your impressions anyway. I'm actually on the fence about reading it. |
sandpaperback
| | #118 posted July 9, 2007 at 9:31pm (EST) |
mackey wrote:
> If you start now we can be a two-man book club.
Noob.
--
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Potter
(abandoned)
| | #119 posted July 10, 2007 at 2:04am (EST) |
I've tried to read On the Road three times and always hit a wall about 150 pages in. :[ |
nihon
| | #120 posted July 10, 2007 at 12:54pm (EST) |
Stop reading while driving. 
--
-- Apple/Mac Forum
-- Utah Speculative Fiction Council |
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