What are you reading?

[closetgeek]

Quantum - A Guide For The Perplexed by Jim Al-Khalili. According to this book and any other book I have read, having anything to do with quantum physics, I must be masters-worthy in the field because it's very...perplexing . I find myself stuck in that stage between knowing more than the average person and not enough of an educational background to get the next level.

[tdvance]

Mostly Harmless is a wonderful book - great ideas, as always, and an ending that goes completely against expectations but which plays fair with the reader. Incidentally it came out at a time when a lot of heroes died - although, pathetically, most of them have since been resurrected.

I've just finished The Feathered Serpent by Edgar Wallace, published in a facsimile of the circa 1930 edition. The cover informs us that "It is impossible not to be thrilled by Edgar Wallace." This may be true for his other works, but this one bored me because the point of view slid around like Bambi on ice. Worse, we're privy to characters' thoughts, but vital facts are withheld for no good reason. I actually think this is one of the worst offenses an author can commit.

I started reading Jeffrey Deaver's The Coffin Dancer. 40-odd pages in, I can see that it's a very well-written thriller but I'm not sure I can commit to a 450-odd page cat-and-mouse routine. But I might.

I have the book of all 5 books of the Hitchhiker's trilogy---the intro said his original plan was 6 radio show episodes, each one ending with the destruction of the earth. I guess in the end, the radio shows being barely noticed (until after the first book was published) and the books being top sellers, he settled on destroying the earth twice (or an infinite number of times--depending on how you count) in 5 books. Incidentally, the intro was written before Mostly Harmless was, and he referred to book 4 as the final book of the series. Best laid plans....

[mike alexander]

Justinian's Flea by William Rosen. Context of how the late Roman empire became the seed of medieval Europe due to the first great bubonic plague in the sixth century.

[geonuc]

Justinian's Flea by William Rosen. Context of how the late Roman empire became the seed of medieval Europe due to the first great bubonic plague in the sixth century.

That sounds like something that might interest me.

I'm reading The Terror, by Dan Simmons, historical fiction about two British ships that attempt to force the Northwest passage during the middle of the 19th century but encounter great misfortune, not all of it natural.

[Romanus]

^
If that's your first time reading The Terror, you're in for a treat. The best novel I read last year.

I'm almost finished with Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried, and am deciding between his other novel Going After Cacciato, and a nonfiction book by Tom Clancy on nuclear submarines.

[Gillianren]

Justinian's Flea by William Rosen. Context of how the late Roman empire became the seed of medieval Europe due to the first great bubonic plague in the sixth century.

Hurrah! Our library has it!

[LookingSkyward]

Liz Williams' Detective Inspector Chen series (Baen has the ebooks), and loving them. Chen is the officer in charge of supernatural crimes in near-future Singapore, making freuqent trips to that city's own particular version of hell. Very engaging charcters

[Fazor]

After watching 'Call of the Wild' last night, as mentioned in the movie thread, I just finished reading through 'White Fang' for the first time since probably 4th or 5th grade (and upon re-reading it, realize just how much of it must have been lost on me at that time). Makes me eager to get home to my own dogs. :-P

This 'The Terror' sounds mighty interesting. I may have to look it up.

[Paul Beardsley]

Liz Williams' Detective Inspector Chen series (Baen has the ebooks), and loving them. Chen is the officer in charge of supernatural crimes in near-future Singapore, making freuqent trips to that city's own particular version of hell. Very engaging charcters

Liz Williams is a really nice person - she seems to have no idea that she's successful and moderately famous. I've got one of her books - Winterstrike - and intend to read it soon.

[jamesabrown]

Strongly recommend The Terror.

[Fazor]

I've always found the real story of the Erebus and the Terror to be extremely interesting to begin with. History (or maybe PBS) had a very good documentary about it. Since I said "good", it was probably PBS

Anyway, throwing in some supernatural elements and making it a fiction story sounds like a can't-miss.

. . . I've always thought that sending two ships, one called 'Erebus' and the other 'the Terror' on a dangerous mission to a deadly and desolate part of the world was kind of asking for trouble to begin with, though. Wouldn't you want a ship called the "Can't-be-stopped" and the "Ice? What ice?"

[Spoons]

Good point Fazor. Maybe even a name that would intimidate the ice into backing off... something like... Titanic? I wouldn't mess with that!

[geonuc]

I've always found the real story of the Erebus and the Terror to be extremely interesting to begin with. History (or maybe PBS) had a very good documentary about it. Since I said "good", it was probably PBS

Anyway, throwing in some supernatural elements and making it a fiction story sounds like a can't-miss.

. . . I've always thought that sending two ships, one called 'Erebus' and the other 'the Terror' on a dangerous mission to a deadly and desolate part of the world was kind of asking for trouble to begin with, though. Wouldn't you want a ship called the "Can't-be-stopped" and the "Ice? What ice?"

Heh.

The book is definitely turning out to be an enjoyable read.

[Fazor]

... something like... Titanic? I wouldn't mess with that!

:-D

From what I remember, the Erebus and The Terror were formidable military vessels selected and outfitted because it was believed that their particular properties would make them better suited to handle this type of expedition, no? (Besides, conquering the Northwest Passage would be a great military advantage). I suppose those are very suitable names for fierce fighting vessels.

Anyway, my curiosity is more than piqued. If we go to borders this weekend, I'll look for it.

Today I started reading Darwin's 'On the Origins of Species'. I had tried listening to it in the past (probably mentioned in this thread), but it's easier for me to follow this by actually reading it. Only through the preface, introduction, and part way through chapter one (domestication) but it's actually quite enjoyable so far.

Though to me, Darwin seems to come off as very self conscious about his theory. Often apologizing for not being able to include more facts, and alluding to his wishing he had more time to work on the book before publication (I'm aware that due to various circumstances, he was indeed rushed to publish it). But for as coherent and logical as it is, he just seems overly apologetic. I also understand that he knew the ramifications between this, and how it would be received by religious circles, and the impact that may have on his family. Maybe it was that which led to this tone?

[Nick Theodorakis]

...
Today I started reading Darwin's 'On the Origins of Species'. I had tried listening to it in the past (probably mentioned in this thread), but it's easier for me to follow this by actually reading it. Only through the preface, introduction, and part way through chapter one (domestication) but it's actually quite enjoyable so far.

Though to me, Darwin seems to come off as very self conscious about his theory. Often apologizing for not being able to include more facts, and alluding to his wishing he had more time to work on the book before publication (I'm aware that due to various circumstances, he was indeed rushed to publish it). But for as coherent and logical as it is, he just seems overly apologetic. I also understand that he knew the ramifications between this, and how it would be received by religious circles, and the impact that may have on his family. Maybe it was that which led to this tone?

Which edition are you reading? There are six, and Darwin reworked some sections as well as the tone.

Nick

[Fazor]

Which edition are you reading? There are six, and Darwin reworked some sections as well as the tone.

Nick

This one is marked "edition unknown", though Literature.org also has the sixth. I just found it curious, as I felt he was also portrayed as . . . I don't know, I'd call it "intellectually self-conscious" . . . in PBS/Nova's exceptional documentary about Darwin's life at the time of completing and publishing the first edition.

[Buttercup]

Vampire Hunter D, the original novel.

And a lot of material both by or about Carl G. Jung and his psychology. I decided to take up reading Jung again. Have probably 12 titles.

[Fazor]

And a lot of material both by or about Carl G. Jung and his psychology. I decided to take up reading Jung again. Have probably 12 titles.

Glad to see you didn't give up on Psychology! Though I don't know anything about Jung.

[Buttercup]

Glad to see you didn't give up on Psychology!

Yes, I recall your hoping I wouldn't in that one thread of mine.

Though I don't know anything about Jung.

His psychology is fascinating, imo.

Lots more to learn, consider, etc. I read Jung extensively from roughly 2003 until 2005; and then somewhat sporadically from 2006 until this month. A local used/out of print bookstore has a lot (more) to choose from since my last visit to that section a few years ago, and I grabbed 'em up.

[Gillianren]

Though to me, Darwin seems to come off as very self conscious about his theory. Often apologizing for not being able to include more facts, and alluding to his wishing he had more time to work on the book before publication (I'm aware that due to various circumstances, he was indeed rushed to publish it). But for as coherent and logical as it is, he just seems overly apologetic. I also understand that he knew the ramifications between this, and how it would be received by religious circles, and the impact that may have on his family. Maybe it was that which led to this tone?

I know his wife was pretty devout. A movie about their relationship came out last year, which I ought to check out at some point. (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0974014/) It's not as though he didn't know how controversial what he was saying would be for others as well, either. His grandfather dabbled in evolution, too. Though honestly, there's a limit to how "rushed" I can think of him as being, given how long he spent working on it before the "rush" to publication.

Glad to see you didn't give up on Psychology! Though I don't know anything about Jung.

I'm pretty sure he was the reason we did that astrology study some years back, actually; I'm pretty sure there's such thing as Jungian astrology. I know he was a student of Freud's who moved away from some of Freud's worst ideas, and I know he was big on archetypes. Beyond that, I don't know much about him, either.

[Fazor]

Though honestly, there's a limit to how "rushed" I can think of him as being, given how long he spent working on it before the "rush" to publication.

I agree, and actually that's one of the things that gives me the overly apologetic vibe, but I can't quite discern whether it's a result of a perfectionist's personality, ever wishing he had more information; doubt in his work; if it arises from fear of political/religious ramifications; or some other personality trait that I don't know about. I know very little about Charles Darwin the man . . . we typically only hear about Charles Darwin's works.

[TJMac]

Just discovered S.M. Stirling's, The Change series, the premise seems interesting, got the first two books from the library, so we will see.

Anyone else read that series? I love finding series that are well into their way to being finished, so I can read them as fast as I can find them, with no waiting on that whole pesky author/writing thing.

Also, couldnt help myself from grabbing Eriksons first Malazan Empire book, so now I'm stuck with rereading that whole series. :surprised

TJ

[Tinaa]

Just discovered S.M. Stirling's, The Change series, the premise seems interesting, got the first two books from the library, so we will see.

Anyone else read that series? I love finding series that are well into their way to being finished, so I can read them as fast as I can find them, with no waiting on that whole pesky author/writing thing.


TJ

I've read all of them up to The Sword and the Lady. I think he's got another one coming out any time now. I like the series. I'll read the new one as soon as it is out.

[HenrikOlsen]

I agree, and actually that's one of the things that gives me the overly apologetic vibe, but I can't quite discern whether it's a result of a perfectionist's personality, ever wishing he had more information; doubt in his work; if it arises from fear of political/religious ramifications; or some other personality trait that I don't know about. I know very little about Charles Darwin the man . . . we typically only hear about Charles Darwin's works.

I've read through part of Origins too, I'm not sure about the apologetic vibe, I read it more as being very careful about basing his argument on a plethora of already accepted knowledge and being careful about giving proper credit to the correct people for that.

[tdvance]

I'm back to reading "The Road to Reality" by Penrose.

[Van Rijn]

Liz Williams' Detective Inspector Chen series (Baen has the ebooks), and loving them. Chen is the officer in charge of supernatural crimes in near-future Singapore, making freuqent trips to that city's own particular version of hell. Very engaging charcters

I hadn't checked out Baen's ebooks for a while (and that does look interesting). Anyway, I checked their free book list and found Resonance by Chris Dolley:

http://www.webscription.net/p-344-resonance.aspx

From the beginning, it's clear that the world is changing around the focus character (Graham Smith), but you don't learn the specifics of the puzzle until later in the story. The most interesting thing to me was seeing this from the point of view of the Graham Smith character, and how he had learned to cope with his strange experiences. It got a bit less interesting as (most) of the pieces of the puzzle were resolved later, but was still a fun read. It's definitely interesting enough that I'm checking to see what else he's done. He has another book, Shift, on Baen (this one for purchase) that I'm checking out now.

[Fazor]

Okay, I haven't had much luck at the local bookstores (I always prefer to buy a paperback rather than to borrow from the library. If I read more, it'd be an expensive habit, but as it is, it's not bad).

Today I ordered a handful of books. One that will hopefully get me back on track with learning Russian--a project I started for no reason last year. I was tired of trying to read Darwin off a computer monitor--something I've never enjoyed--so I ordered a print copy of 'On the Origins of Species'. Then I made the 'mistake' of looking at the related suggestion for Darwin's published journal from his time on the Beagle. Reading through a few sample pages, I think I'll enjoy that even more. So into the cart it went.

Lastly, the bookstore didn't have Simmons' 'The Terror' and offered to order it. I scoffed at them like I always do when they offer that (I can use Amazon.com too! Thank you very much). Well, Amazon didn't have it in paperback and I'm not a fan of hardcover. So I compromised; they did have it in Spanish. So I ordered that instead. It'll be a bit of work reading it; I know Spanish, but not that well. We'll see how it goes. Should be a good learning tool, if nothing else.

[geonuc]

Odd that Amazon doesn't carry The Terror in paperback. It's been in brick & mortar stores for a while and still can be found quite readily.

[Fazor]

Odd that Amazon doesn't carry The Terror in paperback. It's been in brick & mortar stores for a while and still can be found quite readily.

Yeah. Dunno why. They had it from the other-vendors option, but I've never liked buying off of Amazon via other vendors. I don't know why; it's perfectly safe. Just one of my irrational peculiarities, I suppose.

My guess is it's between runs. The local bookstore had two of his other books, and the attendant was sure they had The Terror too, but when she ran her search it said otherwise.

[Gillianren]

Okay, I haven't had much luck at the local bookstores (I always prefer to buy a paperback rather than to borrow from the library. If I read more, it'd be an expensive habit, but as it is, it's not bad).

I read a lot of library books. Sometimes, though, the book goes onto my wishlist from there.

If Amazon doesn't have it, it's probably out of print. I've bought many things from their other vendors. I've had a problem once or twice, but the time the item never showed up and the people didn't respond to my e-mail, Amazon itself gave me my money back. One or two of them have been in worse-than-described condition (they didn't mention the horrible tobacco odor to my copy of Bipolar Disorder for Dummies), but they've also been in better-than-described before. For Valentine's Day, I bought Graham Small Favor, by Jim Butcher, in audio--in its original shrink wrap for $15 including shipping. Less than.