I just started reading Dragon by Clive Cussler.
I just started reading Dragon by Clive Cussler.
to who repped me this: why haven't you made a thread about this in AI yet i've been waiting for so long and when you feel like i feel, then come on, let's get it on ( i am assuming sycld)
theres one coming soon, im doing my assessed essays on it now so itll be here in two weeks or before if i get my essays done. I'd actually like to spend some time and effort on the thread and milk any contributors for their ideas so i can use them in my exam in june
YO HO YO HO
ceci n'est pas une signature
"In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart." -Anne Frank
“We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.” -Buddha
Identity
You should, it reads very easily while still getting fairly into depth with information. Ignore the amazon reviewers, they are retarded. It's pretty much a never-before-exposed behind-the-scenes recanting of modern Fed history (2007 to the current mess we're in [book was published August 2009]) and what went down in their reasoning for the bailouts and emergency loans. The first half of the book paints a pretty picture of the Fed, but the 2nd half I'm into now (after they were awarded considerably more power by Congress) is starting to paint a darker picture and question how much they're overstepping their bounds. The author is an economics writer for one of the major newspapers (NYT maybe?) so he got pretty exclusive access to some of the inner-workings and presents it is a clear and easy to digest way.
Everyone should read one or two books form the Best American series every year. I'm starting with 2009 issues.
I always start with the short stories (which were the first title in the series), and I'll go to either the essays, science and nature writing, or non-required reading next.
"The Best of Frederick Pohl"
Basically a collection of his numerous short stories, some which are meager in nature and others which set the baseline for so many other science fiction novels, movies, et cetera. One of the greatest minds of our times. Read a few of his other books, but my local library doesn't like to stock them all. Frankly many stories have a very "Twilight Zone" feel to them. Definitely not a bad thing.
Raidmax Smilodon - ASUS M2N-E - AMD Athlon X2 5200+ @2.6Ghz - EVGA GTX260 896MB - Corsair 450VX
Audigy2 ZS - Medusa 5.1 Headphones - Logitech x530 - Logitech G5 - Logitech Classic Keyboard
320GB Seagate SATA (Primary) - 640GB WD Black (Storage) - Lite-On LH-20AIL
My sister got me Pride and Prejudice and Zombies for Christmas. After reading 5 chapters, I gave it away to a friend
look austen is boring and i have no interest in reading through the stuffiness of her era for verbal repartée interspersed with zombie violence - even adding zombies doesn't make it remotely interesting for me. it's like writing Lord of the Flies and Pirates or the Great Gatsby and Ninjas
speaking of which, World War Z was pretty amazing - I loved the narrative style and how much attention to detail he put into dealing with a zombie infestation, and the characters were entertaining. It has some fairly big issues, but considering the only people likely to be reading it are going to be big zombie fans who love the idea, the issues will likely be glossed over. I enjoyed the whole ride anyways, speed bumps or no.
Finished American Psycho, overall not too shabby. Thinking about picking up Lonesome Dove now.
"In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart." -Anne Frank
“We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.” -Buddha
Identity
Yeah, that's what I was trying to say with his attention to detail - he listed an extremely likely scenario and went in depth in social and political impact especially, but even environmental impact as well.
Tell it to the whales, man.
I'm mixed on the movie, but I guess I'll enjoy another visual romp of zombies getting shot a whole bunch. that's pretty much why I got the book, although I was truly entranced by the way the story was presented, and I don't know how well that would play out in a film. I would love to see the documentary style presentation, and I think it could be done really effectively, but I'm 90% certain they'll opt for a continuous narrative, which hurts a lot of the appeal for me.
I can definitely see it taking on a District 9 approach.
"In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart." -Anne Frank
“We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.” -Buddha
Identity
I won't lie, I would much prefer the constant documentary style for this, with the stories narration superimposed on visuals of the events they describe. It would be almost unique (i think only district nine really comes close to it) and could be amazing that way
I finished reading Joseph Conrad's 'The Secret Agent' last night on the bus and then lost it when I went out and drank heavily. Now I need to buy another copy before my exam this week.
JoCo is one of my favourites!
Have you read these classics before, or are you like me and have just never gotten around to reading them?
I read American Gods the first time a few weeks ago and I thought it was awesome, but still haven't managed to read the others.
On a non-fictional side, also just rust read Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell, good book, slightly flawed but excellent insights.
I tend to think Gladwell just goes on WAY TOO LONG. His books could easily be shorter.
"In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart." -Anne Frank
“We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.” -Buddha
Identity
Never got around to reading them before. To be honest, this may be for the best - I recently re read Brave New World and got far more out of it than I did when I read it at 16.
Also, I liked the Outliers for a few good points, but I really don't like Gladwell's style of writing.
The Three Musketeers. I've been meaning to forever. It's hilarious.
Also: I wanna read Candide again, probably the funniest thing I've ever read.
I have two books of Daniel Dennett's, Darwin's Dangerous Idea and Consciousness Explained, on their way from ebay. Looking very much forward to the latter especially.
Started reading The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett.
Bought Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby. I've enjoyed his other works so this shouldn't disappoint.
Joesph Heller's Picture This
I really like Heller's writing style; and the subject matter of this book is fascinating, as is his wonderful presentation and sense of irony
Next I shall be reading Evelyn Waugh's Vile Bodies
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. It's a collection of all the Holmes short stories. I've had it forever, and after the movie I resolved to actually read it.
he kind of is, actually
i mean i do know and have known for ages all about the characters and plots and tropes the holmes stories entail, without reading them, so i didn't think he'd be out-running explosions and saving parliament, but he does partake in a fair share of fisticuffs (he is, according to watson, an expert martial artist) and has asked watson in both stories i've read so far to "bring your army revolver, if you please, my dear doctor, as there will be a spot of danger".
in many ways (more than it is given credit) the movie is pretty faithful
No shit sherlock
If Arthur Conan Doyle weren't a stuffy British guy, Holmes would, in fact, be an action hero. I mean, he and his nemesis TUMBLE OVER A FUCKING WATERFALL DURING A FISTFIGHT. And in most stories, Holmes relishes fights that he has had in the past, he's an expert boxer, knows one-stick...
He was quite the adventurer.
Bookmarks