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| jeeeeohn United States. August 03 2012 06:09. Posts 859 | Profile Blog # |
Edit: Suggest books that TL should read in the comments, and I'll organize them into a poll in the OP sometime this month.
Edit2: Your books don't have to be fiction; they can be nonfiction, textbooks, etc.
I love books. I love writing. I especially enjoy the intricate, complicated, complexly written novel. Short stories tickle my fancy also. To my dismay, there seems to be a lack of literature threads on Team Liquid, and I think it'd be a good idea to discuss what we're reading.
Now, it would be impossible to have a traditional "book club," wherein we'd choose a book and read it and report back, etc. I find such clubs distasteful anyway, since I have no control over what I'm reading, and at that point I may as well not be reading at all. I believe our discussions about specific works should be kept to the comments, and this OP can be used for more general questions.
I believe writing is a solitary activity, and narrative structure is a tool or framework to say things that are otherwise impossible to say. The fact is that everyone is lonely, separated by degrees of course, and fiction is a way to connect, to have a conversation. You all can argue about that, but that's my point of view.
What is your favorite book? Favorite genre? Do you enjoy pulp or literature or both? Who's your favorite author? How do you feel about Twilight, Hunger Games, 50 Shades of Grey?
A lot of questions, but you can ask and answer your own.
Personally I love science fiction from the 80's. William Gibson, Philip K. Dick, and Ursula K. LeGuin are my favorite authors from this period. I also enjoy Arthur C. Clarke (Nine Billion Names for God is an excellent short story collection), Isaac Asimov (though his style is minimalistic it works), Larry Niven, and Iain M. Banks. Modern science fiction doesn't spark my interest (except for the aforementioned Banks) for whatever reason, but I take pleasure in finding speculative elements in other genres. I'm currently reading David Foster Wallace--who I think is (was) a genius; The Pale King is amazing if not unpolished compared to Infinite Jest, but honestly had me fooled as a faux-memoir. Infinite Jest is clearly the work of an obsessive madman and reading it makes me feel less alone.
Joshua Ferris's And Then We Came To The End was I think my first introduction to serious modern writing, but I believe his second book, The Unnamed, lacked subtlety to the nth degree. Josh Bezell's Beat the Reaper is great and uncomplicated.
I think Through A Scanner Darkly and The Left Hand of Darkness should have a thunderdome-style duel to the death for Best Science Fiction Story Ever.
Atlas Shrugged was my favorite novel when I turned 17 (figures), and even though I'm not so sure about the philosophy anymore, I still love the genre blending and the writing itself.
Authors I hate: David Shields. His "book" called Reality Hunger takes quotes and excerpts from better writers without quoting them and with the explicit instruction to cut out the citations at the end. Basically he's bored with narrative structure and thinks the wave of the future is the lyric essay, which is so insanely hilariously retarded I could just die.
Your turns!Last edit: 2012-08-03 09:28:05 |
| | "Never forget the Cheer Cannon." (MLG Orlando, 2011) IdrA / HuK / INcontroL, On November 17 2011 07:41 iNcontroL wrote:[i]The pleasure was all mine[/i] / BoxeR / Ret / Stephano ("Napoleon") / Machine / Artosis: I am not a doctor. (Dreamhack Winter 2011) |
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 zalz Netherlands. August 03 2012 06:31. Posts 3291 | Profile Blog # |
Not exactly a book club if we don't decide on books to collectively read. Ooh well.
I used to be really into Fantasy, but now I only read GRRM out of a sense of obligation to a series that seems to be losing its momentum, and Scott Bakker, the only active Fantasy writer that is doing something new in the genre.
My favorite book is 1984, written by my favorite author of all time, George Orwell.
The Hunger Games is a fun series, Twilight is virgin porn, Fifty shades of Grey is female porn.
It is amusing that 50 shades was born from a Twilight fanfic. The two books couldn't be more different in how they approach female sexuality.
Atlas Shrugged is perhaps one of the most immoral pieces of literature ever produced, not to mention atrocious in its writing with 50 page speeches.
Other than that, bit dissapointing that it isn't an actual book club. I'm no sure how active a topic can be where people only declare their taste in books, only to never return. |
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| starfries Canada. August 03 2012 06:35. Posts 2617 | Profile Blog # |
Isn't there already a thread called "What are you reading?" I wouldn't mind a traditional book club though, where we all pick a book and read it and discuss it. It would motivate me to read more books.
And my favourite author by far is Terry Pratchett. |
| | DJ – do you like ramen, Savior? Savior – not really. Bisu – I eat it often. Flash – I’m a maniac! | Foxer Fighting! |
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| jeeeeohn United States. August 03 2012 06:37. Posts 859 | Profile Blog # |
On August 03 2012 06:31 zalz wrote:
Not exactly a book club if we don't decide on books to collectively read. Ooh well.
I used to be really into Fantasy, but now I only read GRRM out of a sense of obligation to a series that seems to be losing its momentum, and Scott Bakker, the only active Fantasy writer that is doing something new in the genre.
My favorite book is 1984, written by my favorite author of all time, George Orwell.
The Hunger Games is a fun series, Twilight is virgin porn, Fifty shades of Grey is female porn.
It is amusing that 50 shades was born from a Twilight fanfic. The two books couldn't be more different in how they approach female sexuality.
Atlas Shrugged is perhaps one of the most immoral pieces of literature ever produced, not to mention atrocious in its writing with 50 page speeches.
Other than that, bit dissapointing that it isn't an actual book club. I'm no sure how active a topic can be where people only declare their taste in books, only to never return.
I don't see how Atlas Shrugged is immoral. Ayn Rand wanted to explain her philosophy and accomplished exactly that; whether it's wrong or not is up to the reader. I don't agree with every aspect of objectivism, but I don't think the book is poorly written. If anything it's a masterful example of genre blending.
The idea is for people to discuss books in the comments, since it's too difficult to narrow down a genre to suit everyone on TL. Last edit: 2012-08-03 06:37:27 |
| | "Never forget the Cheer Cannon." (MLG Orlando, 2011) IdrA / HuK / INcontroL, On November 17 2011 07:41 iNcontroL wrote:[i]The pleasure was all mine[/i] / BoxeR / Ret / Stephano ("Napoleon") / Machine / Artosis: I am not a doctor. (Dreamhack Winter 2011) |
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 {CC}StealthBlue United States. August 03 2012 06:39. Posts 15282 | Profile Blog # |
| I see any Stephenie Meyer books I start issuing bans. |
| | It'll take a lot more than words and guns ... The hands of many must join as one, and together we'll cross the river. |
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| GhandiEAGLE United States. August 03 2012 06:44. Posts 3945 | Profile Blog # |
The Hunger Games is popular not for the writing, which definitely isn't good, but only for the plot. People want to know what happens next because it's such an interesting concept. After the first book, 90% of people only read it because they cared about the romance. Almost every person who likes the third book, that I have asked, which is ~50 people, admitted only reading it because Katniss was into somebody.
My favorite books are the P.G. Wodehouse books, specifically the Jeeves and Wooster series. I remember feeling really sad and downtrodden one day, and I read those books for the first time and I couldn't help smiling. They are so uplifting in such a comical way. Anyone who hasn't read them should do so immediately. |
| | I'm your only friend I'm not your only friend but I'm a little glowing friend but really I'm not actually your friend but I am |
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| Funguuuuu United States. August 03 2012 06:47. Posts 198 | Profile # |
| My favorite book is probably Ender's Game, as it was the book that made me like reading. |
| | The night is dark and full of Terrans |
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| Yurie August 03 2012 06:55. Posts 2093 | Profile Blog # |
On July 31 2012 03:32 Yurie wrote:
Stranger in a Strange Land, Robert A. Heinlein. I read it when I was in the proper mindset and have never really been bothered by things from a different time period, keeping in mind the time period it was written in. The major complaints towards the book I've read are centred in the changed values of society, something common from the mid century books.
Sheepfarmer's Daughter, Elizabeth Moon. I read this book when I was quite a bit younger the first time. I revisited it a year or two ago and found it still engaging. It is the best coming of age book for my tastes. Some find it dry in how the character grows up, yet I never found it so. As the series continues on it drops a bit in interest for me but is still well worth reading.
-------- Below are good books, yet a tad less interesting for me.-----
The Family Trade, Charles Stross. This is a pretty recent book whose main character engaged me and whose idea with how the Universe works is very interesting to me. It was an idea that featured in a few of Heinlein's works as well, yet this is more personal and developed in my opinion.
Metro 2033, Dmitry Glukhovsky. This book has a game made about it. The mood is intense, the settings strange yet utterly realistic. It is an eminently odd and interesting portrayal of a post apocalyptic society.
The Bloody Sun, Marion Zimmer Bradley. This book has the opening prologue I have liked the most of any book I've read. The rest of the book is good, yet not up to that standard. I mostly include it since it is part of the Darkover universe, the one I like the most of the ones mixing fantasy and sci fi. This is somewhere in the middle of the overall story, yet it and most books in the universe are readable by themselves.
Proven Guilty, Jim Butcher. Book 8 in the Dresden series is the one I've liked the most thus far. The entire series is very good urban/contemporary fantasy. I like the genre and this series is a good entry in the genre. I suggest trying out Storm Front, the first book in the series to see if you like it or not. I personally feel it has gotten better as the series has gone on. The characters are more fleshed out and the plot is more personal in a way.
So the new questions. Favourite author, Terry Pratchett, havn't failed me yet.
Hunger games has an interesting setting, unique in how it blends various elements from other works, not for being original in any way. Second / Third book needn't have been written since the setting was mostly showed in the first book and it had nothing going for it after that. Went to watch the movie with the family was how I was introduced to it, I personally liked the movie a bit more than the book.
The other two you asked about I havn't read and doubt I ever will.
As for genres. I love mixes of fantasy and sci fi the most, though one or the other works as well. I personally don't like classical High Fantasy if there isn't some strange twist on it and the book is good despite setting. Other than that I like all sub genres in this area. Havn't read more than 500 or so books in them though so might hit upon a new genre I don't like or my tastes can change again. |
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| catplanetcatplanet August 03 2012 06:58. Posts 2226 | Profile Blog # |
| East of Eden was so honest. |
| | sparta op gg no re | Life | Avenge | Pet | White-Ra | Founder of Life fanclub | |
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| Kommatiazo United States. August 03 2012 07:27. Posts 348 | Profile Blog # |
On August 03 2012 06:39 {CC}StealthBlue wrote:
I see any Stephenie Meyer books I start issuing bans.
You're doing this forum a great service sir. Please continue the good work!
On topic, what if instead of a "regular" book club, the OP gets updated with a list of ten(or so) books per month that are "recommended reading" and we discuss those and we can read one or all of the books on the list? Maybe we have the list broken up by genre? Author? Time-period? As far as where to get the list, I think this thread already has some good momentum in people's suggestions already, so why not just continue with that as our method of creating the list of books?
Anyway, that's just my two cents on the TL book club.
Jeeeeohn, have you read any "Hard Sci-FI"? In case you (or anyone else) is unfamiliar, hard sci-fi is a loose term used to describe sci-fi that leans heavily on the SCIENCE part of the sci-fi genre. Like I said its a loose term, so there's a lot of variety in what you'll find if you picked up a random "hard sci-fi" novel. I have been a huge Sci-fi nerd since I could read (thank you Star Wars) and one day, one of my best friends was traveling in Nepal and while he stopped in a hostel they had a "take one, leave one" library and he picked up this shabby old book called REVELATION SPACE... HOLY JESUS GREAT BALLS OF FIRE BATMAN!!!! When he got home he immediately shoved this book down my throat and told me I'd love it, and, well, I did. Alastair Reynolds is now my favorite author, and Revelation Space is my favorite book, of all time. Its incredible. The scope is MASSIVE, I love the characters, I love the dark tone, I love the setting, I love the fact that there isn't any bullshit "its 500 years in the future, so obviously we have lasers and teleporters and blah blah blah". His other books are cool too, I think. But in order to keep this from wall-of-text stauts, I'm going to cut myself off. |
| | "You must enemy don't know, and very good micro" - Bosstoss #Wet4Ret |
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| scaban84 United States. August 03 2012 07:51. Posts 952 | Profile # |
| Do book clubs have to be fiction? |
| | "The curious task of economics is to demonstrate to men how little they really know about what they imagine they can design." — Friedrich von Hayek |
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| farvacola United States. August 03 2012 08:01. Posts 5414 | Profile Blog # |
Well my favorite author to read and research is and almost always has been Virginia Woolf, which makes sense considering she was a focus of mine in undergraduate research. Mrs. Dalloway, "The Mark on the Wall", and To the Lighthouse are required reading in terms of understanding Modernity, and are decent reads in and of themselves (More so Lighthouse than Mrs. Dalloway). More to the topic at hand, Woolf's The Waves is one of my favorite novels, although labeling it a novel presents one with much the same host of issues one faces when doing the same with Joyce's Finnegans Wake (which is also a favorite of mine). In any case, if you enjoy experimental prose meant to, at least in part, play games with conventional notions of intellectual agency and perspective dissemination, The Waves is the book for you!
More generally, I enjoy pretty much everything that is well written, so let the discussion begin! Last edit: 2012-08-03 08:02:46 |
| | "Hey colaboy, you made the same exact post to me in the 2012 election thread. I am so glad that TL has thread constables!" |
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| SafeWord United States. August 03 2012 08:05. Posts 436 | Profile # |
| Every single one of you need to read Ready Player One. I'm surprised no one has even talked about it. Last edit: 2012-08-03 08:08:30 |
| | Who needs players when you have God? |
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| {CC}StealthBlue United States. August 03 2012 08:06. Posts 15282 | Profile Blog # |
On August 03 2012 07:51 scaban84 wrote:
Do book clubs have to be fiction?
Good question, what about Non Fictions? Current events, History, Philosophy etc. |
| | It'll take a lot more than words and guns ... The hands of many must join as one, and together we'll cross the river. |
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 TheEmulator Canada. August 03 2012 08:07. Posts 4959 | Profile Blog # |
| Oh. TL book club is a good idea!!! |
| | Tiffany/KMK/Hyori/IU/Flash #1 | Sunny Hill/Epik High/Rainbow/Davichi!!! @TheEmulatorTL | |
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| Valestrum United States. August 03 2012 08:09. Posts 203 | Profile # |
| To make it more of a book club you should make a poll with a list of like 4-10 books and the TL community should pick which book we read and then discuss said book in here. |
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| scaban84 United States. August 03 2012 08:18. Posts 952 | Profile # |
On August 03 2012 08:06 {CC}StealthBlue wrote:Good question, what about Non Fictions? Current events, History, Philosophy etc.
Yeah I ask because I am interested in some classics. I would like to read Letters From a Stoic by Seneca if anyone is interested. |
| | "The curious task of economics is to demonstrate to men how little they really know about what they imagine they can design." — Friedrich von Hayek |
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| Vxu Canada. August 03 2012 08:38. Posts 41 | Profile # |
| Have we mentioned John Grisham? His books to me always left a lasting impression. My favourite trilogy would have to be His Dark Materials By Phillip Pullman. The universe created in that series is so damn immersive, and the plot is stunningly original and epic as it is portrayed through an adolescent experiencing it in its many forms. |
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| SafeWord United States. August 03 2012 09:07. Posts 436 | Profile # |
| The Dark Tower series is an amazing series. Not a lot of people know about Stephen Kings only series. |
| | Who needs players when you have God? |
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| jeeeeohn United States. August 03 2012 09:22. Posts 859 | Profile Blog # |
Hmm, I'll update the OP with some more info like polls. I think it would be nice if the suggested books came from the comments. 
I'm not sure if I've read any hard sci-fi, to be honest. From my experience it's difficult even finding any hard sci-fi, unless you count 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Edit: And yes, this discussion shouldn't be limited to just fiction! Last edit: 2012-08-03 09:29:12 |
| | "Never forget the Cheer Cannon." (MLG Orlando, 2011) IdrA / HuK / INcontroL, On November 17 2011 07:41 iNcontroL wrote:[i]The pleasure was all mine[/i] / BoxeR / Ret / Stephano ("Napoleon") / Machine / Artosis: I am not a doctor. (Dreamhack Winter 2011) |
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