Are you sure it's actually worse than HHGttG and not just a case of you getting older and looking back with rose-tinted lenses? Wowbagger doesn't really sound any worse than Zaphod Beeblebrox, as far as outlandish names go, and it doesn't make the modern reader cringe with embarrassment like Pan-Galactic Gargle-Blaster (or whatever) does. I know that I found a lot of ridiculous books/movies funny when I was in high school that I just find tedious now; is it possible that you are experiencing the same thing?Dalton wrote: Verdict: Meh. Too many guide interruptions, too many random names and way too disjointed, plus the ending sucked. Colfer gave it a fair go but it ain't Adams. And really, Wowbagger? Really?
What are you reading right now?
Moderator: Edi
- Bob the Gunslinger
- Has not forgotten the face of his father
- Posts: 4760
- Joined: 2004-01-08 06:21pm
- Location: Somewhere out west
Re: What are you reading right now?
"Gunslinger indeed. Quick draw, Bob. Quick draw." --Count Chocula
"Unquestionably, Dr. Who is MUCH lighter in tone than WH40K. But then, I could argue the entirety of WWII was much lighter in tone than WH40K." --Broomstick
"This is ridiculous. I look like the Games Workshop version of a Jedi Knight." --Harry Dresden, Changes
"Like...are we canonical?" --Aaron Dembski-Bowden to Dan Abnett
"Unquestionably, Dr. Who is MUCH lighter in tone than WH40K. But then, I could argue the entirety of WWII was much lighter in tone than WH40K." --Broomstick
"This is ridiculous. I look like the Games Workshop version of a Jedi Knight." --Harry Dresden, Changes
"Like...are we canonical?" --Aaron Dembski-Bowden to Dan Abnett
Re: What are you reading right now?
Wowbagger was a character in Life, the Universe, and Everything, so he's genuine Adams. Either Dalton forgot or was unaware of that and is providing us our daily RDA of irony, or he has some unstated beef with the use of that particular character in And Another Thing...Bob the Gunslinger wrote:Are you sure it's actually worse than HHGttG and not just a case of you getting older and looking back with rose-tinted lenses? Wowbagger doesn't really sound any worse than Zaphod Beeblebrox, as far as outlandish names go, and it doesn't make the modern reader cringe with embarrassment like Pan-Galactic Gargle-Blaster (or whatever) does. I know that I found a lot of ridiculous books/movies funny when I was in high school that I just find tedious now; is it possible that you are experiencing the same thing?Dalton wrote: Verdict: Meh. Too many guide interruptions, too many random names and way too disjointed, plus the ending sucked. Colfer gave it a fair go but it ain't Adams. And really, Wowbagger? Really?
- Dalton
- For Those About to Rock We Salute You
- Posts: 22637
- Joined: 2002-07-03 06:16pm
- Location: New York, the Fuck You State
- Contact:
Re: What are you reading right now?
Vendetta got it right. I did not like seeing a knockoff gag character suddenly promoted to a major player riding in a ship stolen from Thor, especially since there was zero indication of that in the original text (the opposite, in fact). Colfer shoe-horned a backstory into him just to get some semblance of a plot.
To Absent Friends
"y = mx + bro" - Surlethe
"You try THAT shit again, kid, and I will mod you. I will
mod you so hard, you'll wish I were Dalton." - Lagmonster
May the way of the Hero lead to the Triforce.
- spaceviking
- Jedi Knight
- Posts: 853
- Joined: 2008-03-20 05:54pm
Re: What are you reading right now?
I gave up on the hobbit, just can't get into it. I just finished rereading fatherland, now I'm starting Archangel.
Re: What are you reading right now?
Re-reading William Lee Miller's Arguing About Slavery. It's a good thing the hardcover's big, it makes it more useful for smacking around Southern apologists.
”A Radical is a man with both feet planted firmly in the air.” – Franklin Delano Roosevelt
"No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism." - Sir Winston L. S. Churchill, Princips Britannia
American Conservatism is about the exercise of personal responsibility without state interference in the lives of the citizenry..... unless, of course, it involves using the bludgeon of state power to suppress things Conservatives do not like.
DONALD J. TRUMP IS A SEDITIOUS TRAITOR AND MUST BE IMPEACHED
"No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism." - Sir Winston L. S. Churchill, Princips Britannia
American Conservatism is about the exercise of personal responsibility without state interference in the lives of the citizenry..... unless, of course, it involves using the bludgeon of state power to suppress things Conservatives do not like.
DONALD J. TRUMP IS A SEDITIOUS TRAITOR AND MUST BE IMPEACHED
Re: What are you reading right now?
Finished The Accidental Sorcerer by K.E. Mills just a few days ago and am now reading Witches Incorporated. This series is prime satire.
Warwolf Urban Combat Specialist
Why is it so goddamned hard to get little assholes like you to admit it when you fuck up? Is it pride? What gives you the right to have any pride?
–Darth Wong to vivftp
GOP message? Why don't they just come out of the closet: FASCISTS R' US –Patrick Degan
The GOP has a problem with anyone coming out of the closet. –18-till-I-die
Why is it so goddamned hard to get little assholes like you to admit it when you fuck up? Is it pride? What gives you the right to have any pride?
–Darth Wong to vivftp
GOP message? Why don't they just come out of the closet: FASCISTS R' US –Patrick Degan
The GOP has a problem with anyone coming out of the closet. –18-till-I-die
Re: What are you reading right now?
We have been reading aloud Jesus, Interrupted by Bart Ehrman. In fact, we've been on an Ehrman spree: we finished Forged two weeks ago and we're going to start Lost Christianities tomorrow.
Short review:
To paraphrase Dawkins*, without a useful explanation for how Christianity arose, it is difficult to be an intellectually fulfilled atheist. One can, on epistemological grounds, dismiss Christianity a priori as disproven where it is not without content, but doing so without a story explaining where Christianity came from and how it developed is entirely unsatisfying. Ehrman accessibly outlines the scholarly consensus on the New Testament and early Christianity. He sometimes simply states claims and justifies them by appealing to "scholars," but more usually he provides clear examples and germane arguments. On the whole, from his books one receives a broad sketch of not only the history of the New Testament, but how Christianity itself developed from Jewish apocalypticism to the Catholic consensus of the fifth century. I highly recommend his work to anybody who wants to know more about the Bible.
*who pointed out that atheism is the only rational mindset, but prior to Darwin, without any explanation of life, it was very unsatisfying.
Short review:
To paraphrase Dawkins*, without a useful explanation for how Christianity arose, it is difficult to be an intellectually fulfilled atheist. One can, on epistemological grounds, dismiss Christianity a priori as disproven where it is not without content, but doing so without a story explaining where Christianity came from and how it developed is entirely unsatisfying. Ehrman accessibly outlines the scholarly consensus on the New Testament and early Christianity. He sometimes simply states claims and justifies them by appealing to "scholars," but more usually he provides clear examples and germane arguments. On the whole, from his books one receives a broad sketch of not only the history of the New Testament, but how Christianity itself developed from Jewish apocalypticism to the Catholic consensus of the fifth century. I highly recommend his work to anybody who wants to know more about the Bible.
*who pointed out that atheism is the only rational mindset, but prior to Darwin, without any explanation of life, it was very unsatisfying.
A Government founded upon justice, and recognizing the equal rights of all men; claiming higher authority for existence, or sanction for its laws, that nature, reason, and the regularly ascertained will of the people; steadily refusing to put its sword and purse in the service of any religious creed or family is a standing offense to most of the Governments of the world, and to some narrow and bigoted people among ourselves.
F. Douglass
-
- SMAKIBBFB
- Posts: 19195
- Joined: 2002-07-28 12:30pm
- Contact:
Re: What are you reading right now?
Just read Tokyo Vice by Jake Adelstein on the recommendation of someone here. Great book with a REALLY sobering last 1/3.
And am starting into One Bullet Away by Nathaniel Fick.
And am starting into One Bullet Away by Nathaniel Fick.
-
- Sith Acolyte
- Posts: 6464
- Joined: 2007-09-14 11:46pm
- Location: SoCal
Re: What are you reading right now?
Andrew Bacevich's 'The New American Militarism.' A Vietnam-going-forward analysis of the increasing permeation of American society by what Bacevich argues is a basically un-American militarism. Like most of his books, an interesting (albeit discouraging) read.
I find myself endlessly fascinated by your career - Stark, in a fit of Nerd-Validation, November 3, 2011
- Guardsman Bass
- Cowardly Codfish
- Posts: 9281
- Joined: 2002-07-07 12:01am
- Location: Beneath the Deepest Sea
Re: What are you reading right now?
That was my favorite Bacevich book, mostly because of the history discussed. I'm much more lukewarm on his later books.Kanastrous wrote:Andrew Bacevich's 'The New American Militarism.' A Vietnam-going-forward analysis of the increasing permeation of American society by what Bacevich argues is a basically un-American militarism. Like most of his books, an interesting (albeit discouraging) read.
“It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life.”
-Jean-Luc Picard
"Men are afraid that women will laugh at them. Women are afraid that men will kill them."
-Margaret Atwood
-Jean-Luc Picard
"Men are afraid that women will laugh at them. Women are afraid that men will kill them."
-Margaret Atwood
- Dalton
- For Those About to Rock We Salute You
- Posts: 22637
- Joined: 2002-07-03 06:16pm
- Location: New York, the Fuck You State
- Contact:
Re: What are you reading right now?
I wish my local libraries carried more paperbacks. It's impossible to find any of the Baroque Cycle books, but they have at least thirty copies of the entire fucking Twilight saga. As I try to hunt for some Asimov or something, I'm stuck reading The Silmarillion, which is like shoving jagged shards of Tolkien directly into my brain.
To Absent Friends
"y = mx + bro" - Surlethe
"You try THAT shit again, kid, and I will mod you. I will
mod you so hard, you'll wish I were Dalton." - Lagmonster
May the way of the Hero lead to the Triforce.
- Gandalf
- SD.net White Wizard
- Posts: 16351
- Joined: 2002-09-16 11:13pm
- Location: A video store in Australia
Re: What are you reading right now?
I'm reading You're Not Stupid! Get the Truth! by William John Cox.
Written in 2004, it's about the hilarious cock ups of the Bush administration, and the slimy gear that got him into office. It's got a few editing errors, but it's a good read. It's fascinating just how bad he was, and a testament to the Republican propaganda machine that he got re-elected.
Written in 2004, it's about the hilarious cock ups of the Bush administration, and the slimy gear that got him into office. It's got a few editing errors, but it's a good read. It's fascinating just how bad he was, and a testament to the Republican propaganda machine that he got re-elected.
"Oh no, oh yeah, tell me how can it be so fair
That we dying younger hiding from the police man over there
Just for breathing in the air they wanna leave me in the chair
Electric shocking body rocking beat streeting me to death"
- A.B. Original, Report to the Mist
"I think it’s the duty of the comedian to find out where the line is drawn and cross it deliberately."
- George Carlin
That we dying younger hiding from the police man over there
Just for breathing in the air they wanna leave me in the chair
Electric shocking body rocking beat streeting me to death"
- A.B. Original, Report to the Mist
"I think it’s the duty of the comedian to find out where the line is drawn and cross it deliberately."
- George Carlin
- Guardsman Bass
- Cowardly Codfish
- Posts: 9281
- Joined: 2002-07-07 12:01am
- Location: Beneath the Deepest Sea
Re: What are you reading right now?
I finished The Cambridge Illustrated History of the Roman World yesterday. That was a good read, with the sections on the Roman economy and technology being particularly interesting to read.
I've got the first novel in the Witcher series on hold from the library. I'm also going to take another crack at Bart Ehrman's Forged, to see if I can finish it. My interest usually tapers off before I can.
I've been reading the e-book Insultingly Stupid Movie Physics today. It's interesting, although not as entertaining as I'd hoped for (I used to read the author's website before he took down most of the movie reviews after publishing his book).
I've got the first novel in the Witcher series on hold from the library. I'm also going to take another crack at Bart Ehrman's Forged, to see if I can finish it. My interest usually tapers off before I can.
I've been reading the e-book Insultingly Stupid Movie Physics today. It's interesting, although not as entertaining as I'd hoped for (I used to read the author's website before he took down most of the movie reviews after publishing his book).
“It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life.”
-Jean-Luc Picard
"Men are afraid that women will laugh at them. Women are afraid that men will kill them."
-Margaret Atwood
-Jean-Luc Picard
"Men are afraid that women will laugh at them. Women are afraid that men will kill them."
-Margaret Atwood
- The Yosemite Bear
- Mostly Harmless Nutcase (Requiescat in Pace)
- Posts: 35211
- Joined: 2002-07-21 02:38am
- Location: Dave's Not Here Man
Re: What are you reading right now?
still on george mann's affinity bridge, and lots of sir terry pratchett.....
YES, HE IS READING A LOT OF THOSE BOOKS, ESPECIALLY AFTER HE NEARLY MET ME BACK IN MAY.
YES, HE IS READING A LOT OF THOSE BOOKS, ESPECIALLY AFTER HE NEARLY MET ME BACK IN MAY.
The scariest folk song lyrics are "My Boy Grew up to be just like me" from cats in the cradle by Harry Chapin
Re: What are you reading right now?
It's taken the best part of six months to slog through, but I finally finished this.Vendetta wrote:I'm trying again to read A Treatise of Human Understanding, by David Hume. I got a couple of hundred pages deep last time before the 18th century english and the seemingly random placement of commas broke my head.
It's not even like the subject matter is that taxing, after reading other more modern philosophy of consciousness.
I've also read about 10 other books in the meantime, of course, including Sean Carroll's From Eternity to Here (which I heartily reccommend, it has one of the best explanations to the layman of quantum mechanics I've read).
I've also read the new China Mieville book Embassytown, which I rate enormously. I enjoyed it even more than The Scar.
Now off to binge on Charles Stross for a bit, shall reread the first three Merchant Princes books then pick up the other three, and reread Halting State in time for Rule 34.
-
- SMAKIBBFB
- Posts: 19195
- Joined: 2002-07-28 12:30pm
- Contact:
Re: What are you reading right now?
I hate to say it but be prepared to be bummed out by the Merchant Princes' conclusion.
Not that it isn't in keeping with the characters or anything. Its just, annoying.
Not that it isn't in keeping with the characters or anything. Its just, annoying.
Re: What are you reading right now?
The Dresden Files: Changes. It's pretty gripping, since you genuinely worry about whether or not the hero will make it to chichen itza in time to save his daughter from being sacrificed. the climax is awesome and the death of the love interest is genuinely gut wrenching
and i actually had no problem with the silmarrillion. then again i am really into that kind of crap.
and i actually had no problem with the silmarrillion. then again i am really into that kind of crap.
Re: What are you reading right now?
Fallen Angels (Horus Heresy). It's excellent so far (somewhat half way the novel), especially compared to the prequel which had little to do with the HH.
Re: What are you reading right now?
I've ended the first book of Turtledove's Worldwar saga: In the balance and hope I'll start soon with the second one (Tilting the Balance).
I've loved how those alien lizard-like invaders pummel with technology not very different of the current one what were state-of-the-art war machines (Soviet T-34s, German Panzers...) in the first years of WWII
I've loved how those alien lizard-like invaders pummel with technology not very different of the current one what were state-of-the-art war machines (Soviet T-34s, German Panzers...) in the first years of WWII
-
- Sith Acolyte
- Posts: 6464
- Joined: 2007-09-14 11:46pm
- Location: SoCal
Re: What are you reading right now?
Adrian Goldsworthy's How Rome Fell. I've long been kind of blank on the period shading from the end of the Western Empire into the early medieval period, and this is a nice detailed history charting the +/- first -> fourth century decline.
I find myself endlessly fascinated by your career - Stark, in a fit of Nerd-Validation, November 3, 2011
- Dalton
- For Those About to Rock We Salute You
- Posts: 22637
- Joined: 2002-07-03 06:16pm
- Location: New York, the Fuck You State
- Contact:
Re: What are you reading right now?
Started on Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five, and next up is - god help me - The Lost Symbol.
To Absent Friends
"y = mx + bro" - Surlethe
"You try THAT shit again, kid, and I will mod you. I will
mod you so hard, you'll wish I were Dalton." - Lagmonster
May the way of the Hero lead to the Triforce.
- Bob the Gunslinger
- Has not forgotten the face of his father
- Posts: 4760
- Joined: 2004-01-08 06:21pm
- Location: Somewhere out west
Re: What are you reading right now?
My advice is that you stop reading after book 4. The series just isn't as good after that, although the last 3 books at least avoid retroactively killing the first books like the later Foundation books killed the original trilogy.U-95 wrote:I've ended the first book of Turtledove's Worldwar saga: In the balance and hope I'll start soon with the second one (Tilting the Balance).
I've loved how those alien lizard-like invaders pummel with technology not very different of the current one what were state-of-the-art war machines (Soviet T-34s, German Panzers...) in the first years of WWII
So it goes.Dalton wrote: Started on Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five, and next up is - god help me - The Lost Symbol.
"Gunslinger indeed. Quick draw, Bob. Quick draw." --Count Chocula
"Unquestionably, Dr. Who is MUCH lighter in tone than WH40K. But then, I could argue the entirety of WWII was much lighter in tone than WH40K." --Broomstick
"This is ridiculous. I look like the Games Workshop version of a Jedi Knight." --Harry Dresden, Changes
"Like...are we canonical?" --Aaron Dembski-Bowden to Dan Abnett
"Unquestionably, Dr. Who is MUCH lighter in tone than WH40K. But then, I could argue the entirety of WWII was much lighter in tone than WH40K." --Broomstick
"This is ridiculous. I look like the Games Workshop version of a Jedi Knight." --Harry Dresden, Changes
"Like...are we canonical?" --Aaron Dembski-Bowden to Dan Abnett
- Guardsman Bass
- Cowardly Codfish
- Posts: 9281
- Joined: 2002-07-07 12:01am
- Location: Beneath the Deepest Sea
Re: What are you reading right now?
The Lost Symbol is incredibly awful, far worse than The Da Vinci Code (which is saying something). At least The Da Vinci Code could be an interesting page-turner. The Lost Symbol is a page-turner only in the sense that you want the damn thing to end.
“It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life.”
-Jean-Luc Picard
"Men are afraid that women will laugh at them. Women are afraid that men will kill them."
-Margaret Atwood
-Jean-Luc Picard
"Men are afraid that women will laugh at them. Women are afraid that men will kill them."
-Margaret Atwood
- Darth Tanner
- Jedi Master
- Posts: 1445
- Joined: 2006-03-29 04:07pm
- Location: Birmingham, UK
Re: What are you reading right now?
Just starting The Unsuspecting Mage as it was free on my kindle. Not very impressed, it portrays a modern day teenager who suddenly gets magical powers and he is almost not at all interested or amazed by this fact! The characters are flat and uninteresting and the main character is so stupid and immature I want to smack him about. Will probably read to the end but seriously doubt I'll buy the other books in the series (I imagine getting me to do so is the main reason this one was made free)
I also note the author has serious problems in portraying a realistic 18 year old, making him talk like a 40 year old theatre lover while being acting like a toddler.
Making a magic system based on children’s poems is also aggravating.
I also note the author has serious problems in portraying a realistic 18 year old, making him talk like a 40 year old theatre lover while being acting like a toddler.
Making a magic system based on children’s poems is also aggravating.
Get busy living or get busy dying... unless there’s cake.
Re: What are you reading right now?
Noted, thanks.Bob the Gunslinger wrote:My advice is that you stop reading after book 4. The series just isn't as good after that, although the last 3 books at least avoid retroactively killing the first books like the later Foundation books killed the original trilogy.U-95 wrote:I've ended the first book of Turtledove's Worldwar saga: In the balance and hope I'll start soon with the second one (Tilting the Balance).
I've loved how those alien lizard-like invaders pummel with technology not very different of the current one what were state-of-the-art war machines (Soviet T-34s, German Panzers...) in the first years of WWII
So it goes.Dalton wrote: Started on Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five, and next up is - god help me - The Lost Symbol.