Mandy wrote:I decided to reread The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, by Stephen Donaldson about a month ago. It is a good story, but for some reason I'm finding it a bit tedious.
I need to find something really gripping to read.
Mandy wrote:Nope, I've never read any Tim Powers. What does he write? I don't care much for hard SF.. I actually prefer the social stuff.
Furry mutant aliens?
Dinner at Deviant's Palace: Post apocalyptic. Fantastically good.
Mandy wrote:Dinner at Deviant's Palace: Post apocalyptic. Fantastically good.
Ooo.. I like post apocalyptic. I'll look for it at Powells.
I don't mind feminism in my SF, two of my favorite authors are Ursula K. Le Guin and Sherri Tepper. I don't think feminism is a bad word, and I think the idea of feminism got a bad wrap.. although I do think it was stupid to burn bras, I'd rather burn high heels( I know the bra burning thing was blown out of proportion) lol... all that to say that I'd check out some Carol Emshwiller as well.
Mandy wrote:Furry mutant aliens?
Freakzilla wrote:I'm just hoping to finish the chapter reviews of the six Dune books. After that I don't know. I want to go back and post a few good questions about each, which would mean reading them again, scanning them at least. I think something else would be a nice change of pace.
Omphalos wrote:Freakzilla wrote:I'm just hoping to finish the chapter reviews of the six Dune books. After that I don't know. I want to go back and post a few good questions about each, which would mean reading them again, scanning them at least. I think something else would be a nice change of pace.
I was hoping you were going to get a Q&A type thing going later on.
Freakzilla wrote:Omphalos wrote:Freakzilla wrote:I'm just hoping to finish the chapter reviews of the six Dune books. After that I don't know. I want to go back and post a few good questions about each, which would mean reading them again, scanning them at least. I think something else would be a nice change of pace.
I was hoping you were going to get a Q&A type thing going later on.
I've been planning on doing study questions all along. Just doing the summaries was a daunting task in itself so I wanted to get that out of the way first. That way it will all be fairly fresh in my mind to think up good questions.
Omphalos wrote:Freakzilla wrote:Omphalos wrote:Freakzilla wrote:I'm just hoping to finish the chapter reviews of the six Dune books. After that I don't know. I want to go back and post a few good questions about each, which would mean reading them again, scanning them at least. I think something else would be a nice change of pace.
I was hoping you were going to get a Q&A type thing going later on.
I've been planning on doing study questions all along. Just doing the summaries was a daunting task in itself so I wanted to get that out of the way first. That way it will all be fairly fresh in my mind to think up good questions.
Sounds great! You will do this at Arrakeen, where more people can participate? You should add the questions at least here too.
Ill bet you could publish something like that. SF literature classes would use it.
Omphalos wrote:Just started reading Watchmen again last night. Ive read this thing so many times I practically have a review written in my head after issue #1.
Robspierre wrote:Now reading GENTLEMAN'S GAME by Greg Rucka
Robspierre wrote:I seem to recall that a lot of the LOST writers were influenced by WATCHMAN as far as story structure goes. I
GamePlayer wrote:I love Watchmen. One of Moore's best.
Reading the manga Five Star Stories right now and eagerly anticipating Iain M. Banks newest Culture novel.
GLaDOS wrote:This was a triumph.
I'm making a note here: HUGE SUCCESS.
Ragabash wrote:GamePlayer wrote:I love Watchmen. One of Moore's best.
Reading the manga Five Star Stories right now and eagerly anticipating Iain M. Banks newest Culture novel.
I'm a huge fan of The Watchmen. Up until recently, I would have agreed that it was his finest work. However, after reading the unabriged version of From Hell, I have to change that opinion. Man, that book is TASTY. Talk about turning Victoriana on its ear with a minimum of effort, and making it explosive and satisfying.
SandChigger wrote:From Hell?
Was that the basis of the movie with Johnny Depp by the same (I think) name?
Robspierre wrote:From Hell is amazing, the appendices are just as worthwhile as the regular tale. I own a page of original art from FROM HELL signed by Eddie Campbell.
I've flipped through the I AM LEGEND adaption but really can't say how good it is, its black and white and it looked good at a glance.
Rob
Omphalos wrote:SandChigger wrote:From Hell?
Was that the basis of the movie with Johnny Depp by the same (I think) name?
God, I hope not. If it is, no fucking way I'm gonna bother with it.
Robspierre wrote:Omphalos wrote:SandChigger wrote:From Hell?
Was that the basis of the movie with Johnny Depp by the same (I think) name?
God, I hope not. If it is, no fucking way I'm gonna bother with it.
It is but there were there were numerous changes made to the source material, its very different from the movie.
Rob
Robspierre wrote:Omphalos wrote:SandChigger wrote:From Hell?
Was that the basis of the movie with Johnny Depp by the same (I think) name?
God, I hope not. If it is, no fucking way I'm gonna bother with it.
It is but there were there were numerous changes made to the source material, its very different from the movie.
Rob
Nekhrun wrote:Robspierre wrote:Omphalos wrote:SandChigger wrote:From Hell?
Was that the basis of the movie with Johnny Depp by the same (I think) name?
God, I hope not. If it is, no fucking way I'm gonna bother with it.
It is but there were there were numerous changes made to the source material, its very different from the movie.
Rob
I think that's just one of the reasons why Grant no longer wants anything to do with adaptations. He even requested that his name be taken off the credits in V for Vendetta. I'm pretty sure The Watchman was at one time optioned for a movie, but it's too bad he'd never have anything to do with it.
GamePlayer wrote:I like Zack Snyder, but I have to say I honestly don't expect much from this next Moore adaptation. Perhaps I'm just being negative, but I don't think Snyder is the right man for the job. Then again, this could be a chance for Snyder to display some chops and create a film with a lot more substance than the norm. If not, he'll always be welcome to direct more horror films and action epics. They were great
SandChigger wrote:I've only seen "V..." once and liked it well enough for what it was. Maybe it wouldn't hold up after repeated viewings, though. (Note: it was on one of my satellite movie channels for a month, so I had the opportunity to watch it more than once. I didn't, so maybe that says something?)
But "League"...that was pure crap. (Isn't that one of the movies Kevin has done the novelization for? Talk about a waste of effort.)
Oh well, I haven't read any of the original "graphic novels" (sorry, but that term still makes me chuckle), so I'm just going from the movie versions.
Omphalos wrote:SandChigger wrote:From Hell?
Was that the basis of the movie with Johnny Depp by the same (I think) name?
God, I hope not. If it is, no fucking way I'm gonna bother with it.
GLaDOS wrote:This was a triumph.
I'm making a note here: HUGE SUCCESS.
Omphalos wrote:SandChigger wrote:I've only seen "V..." once and liked it well enough for what it was. Maybe it wouldn't hold up after repeated viewings, though. (Note: it was on one of my satellite movie channels for a month, so I had the opportunity to watch it more than once. I didn't, so maybe that says something?)
But "League"...that was pure crap. (Isn't that one of the movies Kevin has done the novelization for? Talk about a waste of effort.)
Oh well, I haven't read any of the original "graphic novels" (sorry, but that term still makes me chuckle), so I'm just going from the movie versions.
I think Kevvie did the movie tie-in for League. Imagine how riveting that one must have been.
GLaDOS wrote:This was a triumph.
I'm making a note here: HUGE SUCCESS.
Omphalos wrote:You gotta let me see the pile that you have, bro. I still want to get those zombie comics you loaned me a long time ago. I think I read the first one or two and loved it, then never got the rest. Do you know what Im talking about; what they are called? Because I dont remember.
GLaDOS wrote:This was a triumph.
I'm making a note here: HUGE SUCCESS.
Ragabash wrote:Omphalos wrote:You gotta let me see the pile that you have, bro. I still want to get those zombie comics you loaned me a long time ago. I think I read the first one or two and loved it, then never got the rest. Do you know what Im talking about; what they are called? Because I dont remember.
The Walking Dead, which is fantastic.
Sadly, I borrowed most of these comics we're discussing. I want to backfill my collection, however, so when I get them, you can borrow them.
Right now I'm in the middle of 100 Bullets (also borrowed, but excellent) and The Invisibles (strange, esoteric and very tasty).
GamePlayer wrote:I like Zack Snyder, but I have to say I honestly don't expect much from this next Moore adaptation. Perhaps I'm just being negative, but I don't think Snyder is the right man for the job. Then again, this could be a chance for Snyder to display some chops and create a film with a lot more substance than the norm. If not, he'll always be welcome to direct more horror films and action epics. They were great
tanzeelat wrote:Stations of the Tide is very good, although I didn't like quite as much as I did the first time I read it many years ago.
Liege-Killer wrote:I'm making my way through Brunner's Stand on Zanzibar.
After that I'm thinking of reading some more of Le Guin's Hainish novels.
Mandy wrote:I love The Dispossessed, can't remember if you said you read that one or not.
Omphalos wrote:I actually like the political aspects of The Dispossessed more than the gender stuff in Left Hand.
Mandy wrote:Have you read The Telling? I loved that one too, I think I liked it better than The Dispossessed.
Liege-Killer wrote:Mandy wrote:I love The Dispossessed, can't remember if you said you read that one or not.
Yeah, I read it not too long ago.Omphalos wrote:I actually like the political aspects of The Dispossessed more than the gender stuff in Left Hand.
The gender stuff didn't really strike me as all that important. I actually like the political aspects of Left Hand more than the political aspects of Dispossessed.
Omphalos wrote:Ill bump the review over here, if anyone else wants to comment.
Omphalos wrote:Thought I answered this? Oh well. I guess I brain-farted and forgot to his Submit.
Phaedrus wrote:Recently finished the Fall of Hyperion. My thought was that, damn, I wish Dan Simmons had written the Butlerian Jihad prequels. There's a guy who can write a realistic AI vs. Mankind battle, without using bad cliches or unbelievable characters.
SandChigger wrote:Phaedrus wrote:Recently finished the Fall of Hyperion. My thought was that, damn, I wish Dan Simmons had written the Butlerian Jihad prequels. There's a guy who can write a realistic AI vs. Mankind battle, without using bad cliches or unbelievable characters.
![]()
Haven't I been telling you that for the last six months or so?!
Mandy wrote:I am right in the middle of Catch-22. I love it, it's so different. Can't believe I never read it before.
Omphalos wrote:Mandy wrote:I am right in the middle of Catch-22. I love it, it's so different. Can't believe I never read it before.
That is a good one. I have not read it for many years. Did you ever see the movie?
Mandy wrote:Omphalos wrote:Mandy wrote:I am right in the middle of Catch-22. I love it, it's so different. Can't believe I never read it before.
That is a good one. I have not read it for many years. Did you ever see the movie?
Nope, missed that one. Was it any good?
Tleilax Master B wrote:I'm about to read A Walk in the Woods by Bryson. My wife keeps insisting I read it....
Omphalos wrote:Tleilax Master B wrote:I'm about to read A Walk in the Woods by Bryson. My wife keeps insisting I read it....
A good book. I hiked the App. Trail when I was younger. It was every bit as rough as he notes it is.
Tleilax Master B wrote:Backpacking is one of my big hobbies.
Ragabash wrote:Robspierre wrote:ALL THE PRETTY HORSES Cormac McCarthy
Rob
That's a burly goddamn book. I love it.
tanzeelat wrote:I've jusy started Iain Banks' new novel, Matter.
SandChigger wrote:Is that the one where the title is a reference to an I Jing hexagram?
(Fire over Water, forming a condition of Transition?)
tanzeelat wrote:Foundation is the first book in the Foundation trilogy. Prelude to Foundation was written years later. I remember enjoying the Foundation trilogy when I was a kid, but I reread it recently and thought it was terrible. Asimov is definitely a Golden Age of sf writer - i.e., he should only be read when you're thirteen years old.
Liege-Killer wrote:Hey Omph! I just finished The Joy Makers; loved it, loved it, loved it, instant favorite! Great philosophical, thinking man's science fiction. I will definitely be getting more of Gunn's work. By the way, I still need you to set me up for commenting on your review site, please.
Omphalos wrote:Just started Slaughterhouse-Five, by Kurt Vonnegut. Excellent book!
GLaDOS wrote:This was a triumph.
I'm making a note here: HUGE SUCCESS.
SandChigger wrote:Now three or four chapters into The Player of Games. (Go T'pog!)
QUITE enjoyed Consider Phlebas.![]()
The time frame revealed in the Appendices was a bit of a shock. (What, then, does "human" mean, really? Is this a Battlestar-Galactica-type universe? I'm deliberately avoiding online synopses and such, so as not to spoil.)
SandChigger wrote:What, you think they use English on the UK site?![]()
SandChigger wrote:- How much of the execrable Timeweb is due to BH's early senility and obvious mental deficiencies?
(Seriously, WHY on earth did the family ever let that book see print?! It's THAT bad.)
Omphalos wrote:Pellucidar is great.
SandChigger wrote:But who's there to keep him straight?
Omphalos wrote:Good thing his partner has a B.A. in physics to keep him straight, no?
SandChigger wrote:P & B as Reader Killers. Oh no....
Omph, sorry, "Comet" is Sidney's Comet, from 1984 or so.
I forget, have you read it? Gah! Ssssss! Tleeeee!
SandChigger wrote:...but after a while the heavy-handed satire (I suppose it is supposed to be?) just gets to be too much. And the science part of it is just plain stupid/silly.
Omphalos wrote:I just got the impression that he had lost control of a social satire he was trying to write, and was too lazy to even try to make the science at least believeable.
Phaedrus wrote:'Translated by Alfred Birnbaum'
What I've read of this one has been good, and I've heard the Wind-Up Bird Chronicle is also good. It's definitely different.
SandChigger wrote:Phaedrus wrote:'Translated by Alfred Birnbaum'
That's what I figured; he seems to be (or at least was) Murakami's official translator. I haven't looked at any of the translations.What I've read of this one has been good, and I've heard the Wind-Up Bird Chronicle is also good. It's definitely different.
Kinda funny: I just checked the Japanese WP page and the elements are reversed in the title; it's Sekai no Owari to Haadoboirudo Wandaarando in Japanese. I wonder if the change is significant. I've heard/seen the title of the other one (Nejimaki Tori Kuronikuru), but not much about it. Ah well...enjoy!
Omphalos wrote:SandChigger wrote:Phaedrus wrote:'Translated by Alfred Birnbaum'
That's what I figured; he seems to be (or at least was) Murakami's official translator. I haven't looked at any of the translations.What I've read of this one has been good, and I've heard the Wind-Up Bird Chronicle is also good. It's definitely different.
Kinda funny: I just checked the Japanese WP page and the elements are reversed in the title; it's Sekai no Owari to Haadoboirudo Wandaarando in Japanese. I wonder if the change is significant. I've heard/seen the title of the other one (Nejimaki Tori Kuronikuru), but not much about it. Ah well...enjoy!
You mean its like, "The bird winds up?" or "The Bird is wound""
What are you saying? I dont speak Japanese
A Thing of Eternity wrote:Hey Gameplayer, I figure with all the rave reviews I should give Banks another try. What's the best book to go to after Phlebas?
GamePlayer wrote:A Thing of Eternity wrote:Hey Gameplayer, I figure with all the rave reviews I should give Banks another try. What's the best book to go to after Phlebas?
Definitely The Player of Games. Just as good if not better than Consider Phlebas, but a lot more accessible. I always try to persuade people to read that book first since I think it is the smoothest way to ease new readers into Bank's Culture universe.
A Thing of Eternity wrote:Finished. Wonderful, Banks is definitly back in my good books. I didn't find Phlebas un-accessible in comparision, just less focussed. I may go back and read it again, but I thought this book was far better from a plotting and charactor development standpoint. I will certainly go on to read all the other SF by this wonderful Mind. The biotech was fantastic but very believable - don't see that second part so often in SF (especially SF with force feilds and FTL and the likes) even the fringe physics were portrayed very well, focussing often on their limitations. Very fun read while managing to maintain philisophical value.
GamePlayer wrote:A Thing of Eternity wrote:Finished. Wonderful, Banks is definitly back in my good books. I didn't find Phlebas un-accessible in comparision, just less focussed. I may go back and read it again, but I thought this book was far better from a plotting and charactor development standpoint. I will certainly go on to read all the other SF by this wonderful Mind. The biotech was fantastic but very believable - don't see that second part so often in SF (especially SF with force feilds and FTL and the likes) even the fringe physics were portrayed very well, focussing often on their limitations. Very fun read while managing to maintain philisophical value.
I found Consider Phlebas magnetic and very well written structurally, but it's not a happy ending. Not that I mind, but it can be a rough first novel for some readers. The Player of Games is more fulfilling and hence it usually entices new readers to read more. But both books are unabashedly Banks. Anyway, I'm glad you liked them. It's great stuff.
Omphalos wrote:Im about a hundred and twenty pages into a reread of The Mote in God's Eye.
(My reaction to the end of Consider Phlebas: Oh. Shit. That was abrupt, wot?" )
Robspierre wrote:Just finished THE ROAD Cormac McCarthy. Excellent craftsmanship and I love how McCarthy can get you in to his characters without telling you every little fucking thing! This is going into my pile of books to read over and over again.
Rob
SandChigger wrote:The yizik in Orange give you a bit of a bowl in the ole galava, did it, Thang?
SandChigger wrote:Ah, drook, you no gonna lubich Solzik.
I finally picked up "Sidney's Vomit" again this morning and read about half of what was left; still have 30 pp to go. I've come this far, is the only reason I'll bother. (Having read the whole thing being the only justification I need to burn the fooker over on Amazon.)
Teg's Star Book (W. H. Allen & Co PLC) paperback copy I'm reading has
The fascinating first novel by the son of Frank Herbert, author of Dune
I still can't decide if with the use of "fascinating" there they were taking the piss or not.
SandChigger wrote:...Sidney's Vomit...
SandChigger wrote:And the science is going to give you shits, trust me. (I'm currently looking at whether it's really possible to have a planet where it is never night. Doesn't look promising.)
"Nightfall" is a story about a planet that does not experience nightfall except once in every 2,049 years. With six suns, Lagash otherwise exists in perpetual sunlight. In the course of describing the last four hours before darkness covers all, Asimov explains how a rare eclipse is able to blot out all the light and why the event always results in universal chaos. This feat he achieves by placing the story in the Observatory of the scientists who are able to predict the coming phenomenon. Aton 77, the aged director of Saro University and chief astronomer, is preparing to try to record the eclipse and whatever follows so that there will be scientific evidence to explain what has happened.
On a planet where darkness is unknown, the expectation is that everyone will go insane from fear.....
Freakzilla wrote:OMG, he's trying to one-up Asimov!
I knew the guy was a hack and an idea thief but the extent amazes me."Nightfall" is a story about a planet that does not experience nightfall except once in every 2,049 years. With six suns, Lagash otherwise exists in perpetual sunlight. In the course of describing the last four hours before darkness covers all, Asimov explains how a rare eclipse is able to blot out all the light and why the event always results in universal chaos. This feat he achieves by placing the story in the Observatory of the scientists who are able to predict the coming phenomenon. Aton 77, the aged director of Saro University and chief astronomer, is preparing to try to record the eclipse and whatever follows so that there will be scientific evidence to explain what has happened.
On a planet where darkness is unknown, the expectation is that everyone will go insane from fear.....
http://www.bookrags.com/studyguide-nightfall/sum.html
I guess his story is different because it's got seven suns instead of six.
I'm reminded of This is Spinal Tap: Our amps go to eleven!
Robspierre wrote:I have the expanded version and its quite good, not a bad tale at all.
Rob
Omphalos wrote:So this whole seven suns thingie takes place in one system? boring.
SandChigger wrote:Omphalos wrote:So this whole seven suns thingie takes place in one system? boring.
Huh?
No, that's just the Ildirans' home system. Because they never experience night, they're afraid of the dark. They're also overly gregarious and lived packed together and have a mild telepathic link focused through their leader called "thism". (I don't know why telepathy is so big for Kevin. The sentient trees of the Green Priests [who really are green because they have chlorophyl under their skin.] are also telepathic and priest+tree units are essentially used as the telecommunications system across the "Sprial Arm". Oh...oh...I think my brain just farted.
)
Anyway, the Ildirans are an older empire and humans are the brash newcomers. Blah blah blah. For some reason Earth has a king and ... oh, fook it.![]()
Have fun reading it, Thang. (Sorry for the spoilers!)
SandChigger wrote:Nah, moldering in the grave would be preferable to reading Kevin.
A Thing of Eternity wrote:Clockwork orange done. It was great, but I have a problem with novels that use interesting new words - they get stuck in my head, quite badly. After Whipping Star I just walked around repeating taprisiot in my head over and over for days. Terribly annoying... you can imagine what my mind is like after C.Orange. Oh well, it'll wear off.
On to Rama II
Freakzilla wrote:Robspierre wrote:I have the expanded version and its quite good, not a bad tale at all.
Rob
What's expanded about it?
A Thing of Eternity wrote:It's great but it wont get out of my head!
A Thing of Eternity wrote:Just finished Rama II. What stood was out how well Clarke writes about religion and religious characters. Most athiest authors are condescending on one level or another towards religion, wheras Clarke is always extremely respectful, and his religious characters are often his best. Good book, now I'm off to find Garden of Rama...
tanzeelat wrote:A Thing of Eternity wrote:Just finished Rama II. What stood was out how well Clarke writes about religion and religious characters. Most athiest authors are condescending on one level or another towards religion, wheras Clarke is always extremely respectful, and his religious characters are often his best. Good book, now I'm off to find Garden of Rama...
How much of the book was by Clarke though? The sequels to Rendezvous with Rama were all "co-written" by Gentry Lee (not the bloke from Rush).
And I have to ask, why all this recent contempt for "atheism"? Clarke said he doesn't believe in God. Why should that make him anti-religion? His views on - and treatment of - the subject should be quite clear from his fiction - 'The Nine Billion Names of God', 'The Star', Childhood's End, for example... What next? "For a homosexual author, he treats his heterosexual characters with respect"?
GamePlayer wrote:Finished reading a non-science fiction book called The Wasp Factory by Iain M. Banks. Very creepy book.
inhuien wrote:GamePlayer wrote:Finished reading a non-science fiction book called The Wasp Factory by Iain M. Banks. Very creepy book.
That was his first book to be published and as you don't say it's dog burningly messed up. Is it published with his middle initial in Canada, just wondering as he drops it for his non sci-fi work in the UK. God save the Queen, naaa Fuck 'er.
GLaDOS wrote:This was a triumph.
I'm making a note here: HUGE SUCCESS.
Ragabash wrote:My girl found me a copy of Against a Dark Background on paperback swap. I can't wait to reread it
Also, they're publishing Use of Weapons (the only Culture novel I haven't read yet) in the new line next month.
SandChigger wrote:Will start Excession tonight!
SandChigger wrote:Dammit, Jed! Move away from there!
SandChigger wrote::D![]()
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I decided very quickly that the drone in the ship under attack could have whipped the entirety of the Synchronized Worlds single-handed.
And I've settled on another adjective for the depiction of the "Thinking Machines" (snort) in Pinky and The Brian's books:
INFANTILE.
GLaDOS wrote:This was a triumph.
I'm making a note here: HUGE SUCCESS.
GamePlayer wrote:I think Excession is definitely the hardest sci-fi of the series or perhaps it's more accurate to say it's written like hard sci-fi. Unless you really understand the concepts of Bank's universe, Excession can come across as really obtuse. I liked it because I'm a tech/construct junkie and have a little of the anthropologist mentality in me, but I know Excession was hit and miss with some of my fellow sci-fi fans.
SandChigger wrote:GamePlayer wrote:I think Excession is definitely the hardest sci-fi of the series or perhaps it's more accurate to say it's written like hard sci-fi. Unless you really understand the concepts of Bank's universe, Excession can come across as really obtuse. I liked it because I'm a tech/construct junkie and have a little of the anthropologist mentality in me, but I know Excession was hit and miss with some of my fellow sci-fi fans.
Obtuse, huh. Interesting. I still haven't looked at any reviews of it; may do so later this afternoon.
Ragabash wrote:The best part about that book is the list of ship names in the Culture. Buahaha.
Omphalos wrote:You should look at Doctorow's website. If you found stuff that you would use in the class room there, you will find much, much more there. Doctorow has a huge online presence, and is outspoken on a several issues, including the free use of copyrighted material with a special set of rules to help with the financial cost to the authors.
SandChigger wrote:Well...definitely not the last two words, eh?
Omphalos wrote:Quite work? I dont get it.
SandChigger wrote:Strike my blog, will you?!![]()
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That'd be a first. I don't think you've ever commented there, have you? Love to have you drop by!
Omphalos wrote:You should look at Doctorow's website. If you found stuff that you would use in the class room there, you will find much, much more there. Doctorow has a huge online presence, and is outspoken on a several issues, including the free use of copyrighted material with a special set of rules to help with the financial cost to the authors.
GamePlayer wrote:Perhaps I should visit now, if it's safe to do so?![]()
SandChigger wrote:GamePlayer wrote:Perhaps I should visit now, if it's safe to do so?![]()
Might want to wait a bit, unless you want to see a pic of Kevin starring out at you from between two bumcheeks.
SandChigger wrote:I'm getting a timestamp says you posted that seven hours ago. What'd you go with?
(Thanks for the info, Mandy. Will put it on one of my lists....)
SandChigger wrote:Oscar Wao? You mean the Irish guy they locked up in Reading Gao?
SandChigger wrote:Finished Matter this morning.
Wow.Yes, enjoyed.
Quandary: what to start on next. I've finished all the Culture novels now. I have his other "Iain M. Banks" scifi works, but maybe it's time for a weE change.
I'm thinking Dune, by Frank Herbert. Just to have everything fresh, for when PuD, I mean, PoD comes out in a couple of weeks.
SandChigger wrote:Finished Matter this morning.
Wow.Yes, enjoyed.
Quandary: what to start on next. I've finished all the Culture novels now. I have his other "Iain M. Banks" scifi works, but maybe it's time for a weE change.
I'm thinking Dune, by Frank Herbert. Just to have everything fresh, for when PuD, I mean, PoD comes out in a couple of weeks.
inhuien wrote:Is Altered Carbon a stand alone novel? Me local amazon have for 33p +p&p
SandChigger wrote:(Thang, I'd have to go back through the thread to check!I think I read the short stories before UoW....)
SandChigger wrote:You're kidding, right?
33 pence plus (and I'm guessing on half of this next) packing & postage.
Whaddaya know, being an Anglophile actually does come in handy sometimes.
SandChigger wrote:You're kidding, right?
33 pence plus (and I'm guessing on half of this next) packing & postage.
Whaddaya know, being an Anglophile actually does come in handy sometimes.
Omphalos wrote:Nice cartoon ass.
Robspierre wrote:I demand some Faye Valentine goodness for this thread!
Rob
inhuien wrote:Robspierre wrote:I demand some Faye Valentine goodness for this thread!
Rob
Here you go, take this as a big I'm sorry for being so cheeky in that other thread
there were a lot more, but I didn't want to get banned for posting p0rn(ish) stuff.
GamePlayer wrote:That's a great picture of Ed. She's such a delightfully fucked up character
inhuien wrote:Did you really mean to type the toungey smiley there :_))
Freakzilla wrote:Hey, that's the kid fro G-Force! I used to love that cartoon as a kid.
Seraphan wrote:I need some advice, i never read a philip k dick novel and i'm very interested? Can someone tell with wich one to start?
Omphalos wrote:Seraphan wrote:I need some advice, i never read a philip k dick novel and i'm very interested? Can someone tell with wich one to start?
Martian Time Slip is a good starter. So is Do Androids Dream of Electronic Sheep? I personally love The Man in the High Castle, but get ready for a thinker, a talker and in some parts a snoozer. There are tons of short stories out too, and those may be good places to start.
Omphalos wrote:
Confessions of a Crap Artist.
Liege-Killer wrote:Maybe I oughta give ol' PKD another try one of these days. The only thing I've read is Dr. Futurity, and it was crap. That kinda put me off, ya know?
A Thing of Eternity wrote:Just finish Rama Revealed fantastic ending to the series. I'll probably go on to read the sequels by just Gentry Lee at some point.
Now I'm on to The Instrumentality of Mankind by Cordwainer Smith.
Omphalos wrote:A Thing of Eternity wrote:Just finish Rama Revealed fantastic ending to the series. I'll probably go on to read the sequels by just Gentry Lee at some point.
Now I'm on to The Instrumentality of Mankind by Cordwainer Smith.
Is that the NESFA edition? That one, IIRC, is complete. I just started the NESFA edition of all of Don A. Stuart's SF.
A Thing of Eternity wrote:Thanks, I think I'll have to hunt down that Book, I just saw this one at a used book store and had to have it. It's published by DEL REY / Ballantine and it's a 1985, first edition was 1979. I'll also have to check out that re-write of War No. 81- Q I think this book has the original (from 1928) and it's pretty weak.
I agree, I don't think consistancy really bothered him much. I do like his killer nazi robots and nazi space ships from the 40s though.
Omphalos wrote:Well, they are really not alternate history stories. Smith was much more interested in human reactions and psychology. It was h is specialty as a spy. The alternate history aspects were nothing more than backdrop.
Freakzilla wrote:I think I'm going to re-read Julian May's Saga of Pliocene Exile again.
I couldn't say enough good things about her books.
First up... The Many-Colored Land
http://www.amazon.com/Many-Colored-Land ... pd_sim_b_2
4-1/2 stars... not that that means anything.
Omphalos wrote:Freakzilla wrote:I think I'm going to re-read Julian May's Saga of Pliocene Exile again.
I couldn't say enough good things about her books.
First up... The Many-Colored Land
http://www.amazon.com/Many-Colored-Land ... pd_sim_b_2
4-1/2 stars... not that that means anything.
Ive been meaning to read those, Freak. You have said a lot of good things about them in the past. I actually have a copy of The Many Colored Lands. Just have not gotten to it yet.
I finished Hitchhiker's Guide last night, and started on a novella by Walter Miller, Jr. called The Darfstellar. I think Ill finish that this evening and start The Restaurant at the End of the Univerese.
Freakzilla wrote:Omphalos wrote:Freakzilla wrote:I think I'm going to re-read Julian May's Saga of Pliocene Exile again.
I couldn't say enough good things about her books.
First up... The Many-Colored Land
http://www.amazon.com/Many-Colored-Land ... pd_sim_b_2
4-1/2 stars... not that that means anything.
Ive been meaning to read those, Freak. You have said a lot of good things about them in the past. I actually have a copy of The Many Colored Lands. Just have not gotten to it yet.
I finished Hitchhiker's Guide last night, and started on a novella by Walter Miller, Jr. called The Darfstellar. I think Ill finish that this evening and start The Restaurant at the End of the Univerese.
I think I'll join you at the Restaurant, I just read HHG a couople months ago and I could use some quick comedy before getting into anything that serious.
You seem to have a lot of interest in myths and legends (didn't you have a topic on that? I couldn't find it), the Saga of Pliocene Exiles explains where they all come from, among other things.
Freakzilla wrote:I liked the Pliocene Saga because it was a strong mix of SF and Fantasy elements. The Galactic Milieu and Intervention series is more straight SF. For all of them though, you must accept that mankind has latent mental abilities which are begining to blossom. If you can do that, it's almost an alternate history/speculative fiction series.
Robspierre wrote:Anathem by Neal Stephonson is being used to hold down two cats and a baby![]()
Rob
Robspierre wrote:Listening to the audiobook of God Emperor of Dune, just finished disk four.
Rob
inhuien wrote:Robspierre wrote:Listening to the audiobook of God Emperor of Dune, just finished disk four.
Rob
Who's reading it please?
Baraka Bryan wrote:soon to be reading pastwatch: the redemption of christopher columbus by orson scott card.
sounds good from descriptions. i'm quite a fan of time travel books. this is planned to be a trilogy, though some time has passed since this one's publication. the next two are supposed to be about the flood and the garden of eden :D
A Thing of Eternity wrote:Baraka Bryan wrote:soon to be reading pastwatch: the redemption of christopher columbus by orson scott card.
sounds good from descriptions. i'm quite a fan of time travel books. this is planned to be a trilogy, though some time has passed since this one's publication. the next two are supposed to be about the flood and the garden of eden :D
Time travel or travel to alternate dimensions?
(Reaally sorry but I couldn't pass it up)
Baraka Bryan wrote:A Thing of Eternity wrote:Baraka Bryan wrote:soon to be reading pastwatch: the redemption of christopher columbus by orson scott card.
sounds good from descriptions. i'm quite a fan of time travel books. this is planned to be a trilogy, though some time has passed since this one's publication. the next two are supposed to be about the flood and the garden of eden :D
Time travel or travel to alternate dimensions?
(Reaally sorry but I couldn't pass it up)
well done![]()
time travel
A Thing of Eternity wrote:Baraka Bryan wrote:A Thing of Eternity wrote:Baraka Bryan wrote:soon to be reading pastwatch: the redemption of christopher columbus by orson scott card.
sounds good from descriptions. i'm quite a fan of time travel books. this is planned to be a trilogy, though some time has passed since this one's publication. the next two are supposed to be about the flood and the garden of eden :D
Time travel or travel to alternate dimensions?
(Reaally sorry but I couldn't pass it up)
well done![]()
time travel
I'm glonna let that slide...
Baraka Bryan wrote:A Thing of Eternity wrote:Baraka Bryan wrote:A Thing of Eternity wrote:Baraka Bryan wrote:soon to be reading pastwatch: the redemption of christopher columbus by orson scott card.
sounds good from descriptions. i'm quite a fan of time travel books. this is planned to be a trilogy, though some time has passed since this one's publication. the next two are supposed to be about the flood and the garden of eden :D
Time travel or travel to alternate dimensions?
(Reaally sorry but I couldn't pass it up)
well done![]()
time travel
I'm glonna let that slide...
in all honesty, i don't adhere to a literal belief in the creation story, i'd be what's considered 'old creationist' or 'creationomic' or something like that.
A Thing of Eternity wrote:Baraka Bryan wrote:A Thing of Eternity wrote:Baraka Bryan wrote:A Thing of Eternity wrote:Baraka Bryan wrote:soon to be reading pastwatch: the redemption of christopher columbus by orson scott card.
sounds good from descriptions. i'm quite a fan of time travel books. this is planned to be a trilogy, though some time has passed since this one's publication. the next two are supposed to be about the flood and the garden of eden :D
Time travel or travel to alternate dimensions?
(Reaally sorry but I couldn't pass it up)
well done![]()
time travel
I'm glonna let that slide...
in all honesty, i don't adhere to a literal belief in the creation story, i'd be what's considered 'old creationist' or 'creationomic' or something like that.
Something like: god created space and time (big bang) and then guided everything to where it is now through systems and planets forming and guided evolution and such? Seems to be a pretty common belief for theists now-a-days, and it makes much more sense than trying to take creation in The (or any other) book literally.
Baraka Bryan wrote:kind of feel bad for adam there... despite being ripped, he's a little lacking in other areas...
EDIT: kind of feel bad for eve
nah ok, leave it where it is.. maybe we'll start a thread on that sometime.
Nekhrun wrote:I just started The God Delusion yesterday.
Baraka Bryan wrote:But did God take an ape-like creature and give it a soul to create it 'in his image' ? possibly.
Baraka Bryan wrote:soon to be reading pastwatch: the redemption of christopher columbus by orson scott card.
Nekhrun wrote:I just started The God Delusion yesterday.
SandChigger wrote:I rather enjoyed god Is Not Great (I'd never heard the Buddhist joke before). Have The God Delusion but haven't read it yet.
I wondered if this was going to go the way it did. And it did.
Leto was right: prescience is a bore.
A Thing of Eternity wrote:Nekhrun wrote:I just started The God Delusion yesterday.
Is it any good? I was looking at that book, and another one call God is not Great but I decided to skip them. I don't really stand to benefit from someone explaining to me why atheism is better than theism (or is the author arguing Agnosticism vs Religion?), but as long as the author doesn't go on some kind of crazy self righteous rant for the whole thing I would like to read it at some point just to see if he raises any good argument points. Despite being a hard line Atheist myself I have a disslike of other Atheists going on uninformed unobjective rants (well informed objective rants I do enjoy though).
I shall await your review to purchase this one Nekhrun, if you say its worth reading I'll give it a go.
Nekhrun wrote:A Thing of Eternity wrote:Nekhrun wrote:I just started The God Delusion yesterday.
Is it any good? I was looking at that book, and another one call God is not Great but I decided to skip them. I don't really stand to benefit from someone explaining to me why atheism is better than theism (or is the author arguing Agnosticism vs Religion?), but as long as the author doesn't go on some kind of crazy self righteous rant for the whole thing I would like to read it at some point just to see if he raises any good argument points. Despite being a hard line Atheist myself I have a disslike of other Atheists going on uninformed unobjective rants (well informed objective rants I do enjoy though).
I shall await your review to purchase this one Nekhrun, if you say its worth reading I'll give it a go.
I'd agree with Chig. God is not Great makes for a somewhat interesting quick read. I'm not finished with The God Delusion yet, but it doesn't really add anything new to the discussion. I do like that there is a well laid out argument against religion all in one place, so for that reason I'd recommend it. I borrowed it and suggest you do the same. I'm enjoying it so far. It might be one of those books though that it's nice to have a copy of so you can lend it to people.
SandChigger wrote:(Sarting...that's nothing like sharting, is it?)
GamePlayer wrote:Currently on Cormac McCarthy's The Road.
Omphalos wrote:Not only am I not so much a fan of fantasy, but those Tad Williams books are fucking monsters. Like the new GRRM books, I just cant foresee myself finding the time to slog through that much.
Does anyone else hate seeing so many ginormous books out there?
Omphalos wrote:Does anyone else hate seeing so many ginormous books out there?
Liege-Killer wrote:Omphalos wrote:Does anyone else hate seeing so many ginormous books out there?
*raises hand*
To me, the ideal length for a novel is anywhere between 200 and 400 pages. Anything over that and it really starts to annoy me. I think there's something wrong if an author can't tell a story in 400 pages.
Liege-Killer wrote:Some of the best books I've read lately have been from the 50's and 60's, and authors back then didn't seem to need 500+ pages to tell a good story. Some of the best books I know of are less than 250.
A Thing of Eternity wrote:Sometimes short is best,
Omphalos wrote:You read The Decameron yearly? Ive been thinking of rereading that one lately too.
SandRider wrote:{hey, Chig, has BSG gotten to point where they kill off Starbuck ?}