What are you currently reading?

[Squishythedino]

Currently in the middle of "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood". It's a nice read and I don't have to think much about it.

 

[youknowit]

im rereading islam by fazlur rahman malik

 

[manhattanparadox]

Islands in the Stream by Ernest Hemmingway

 

[kimn]

I have just begun "a swim in a pond in the rain", by George Saunders.
I began it to improve my writing and learn more from the russian authors which I so adore.
I have really enjoyed this book so far.
One thing this book has taught me is how different stories are from reality. Of course I understood this to some extent - but realizing just how different they are has really opened my eyes. I've learned that this is, actually, a desirable thing.
I have no formal education in writing past ordinary school stuff, so this book has been really eye opening for me, and it has taught me so many lessons in the short time I have spent with it. I also enjoy the writer's humor and general relaxed, comfortable style. It is obvious that the author is a very skilled writer, and he always seems to know just what metaphor to draw from.

From what I've read so far, I would recommend to anyone looking to improve their writing

 

[Lonely_Ghost]

A book about the hilarious fall of the right wing government in Britain. Weirdly getting a lot of Trump/Musk vibes from Boris Johnson and Dominic Cummings.
It's very well researched, i recommend it

 

[fauxclore]

I've recently begun to read the Sprawl Trilogy by William Gibson, and I'm just about finishing Mona Lisa Overdrive.
After this I think I'll maybe read a history of Magnetic Cassette recording.

 

[KingOfTheCow]

I'm not much of a reader (trying to get back into it though!) but i've been reading horus heresy series recently! On book two right now (False Gods) and it's been so sick. the writing is amazing and theres so many different little turns its great. the descriptions of battles and ultraviolence and shit like that is amazing too, it really tickles my brain. it's def like a turn your brain off type book but its fun!

 

[Ross_Я]

I'm not much of a reader (trying to get back into it though!) but i've been reading horus heresy series recently! On book two right now (False Gods) and it's been so sick. the writing is amazing and theres so many different little turns its great. the descriptions of battles and ultraviolence and shit like that is amazing too, it really tickles my brain. it's def like a turn your brain off type book but its fun!

It is just mindboggling how quickly this series will go down the drain. The writing will go from top-notch to an absolute slog in about 5 books or so. They will only try hard on premium novels, and even then, like, not always.
The first three-four books are definitely a must read though, and False Gods is one of those.

 

[fauxclore]

It is just mindboggling how quickly this series will go down the drain. The writing will go from top-notch to an absolute slog in about 5 books or so. They will only try hard on premium novels, and even then, like, not always.
The first three-four books are definitely a must read though, and False Gods is one of those.

Do you think they are worth it to read if I have never had contact with that universe? I only played parts of a Dawn of War strategy game.

 

[Ross_Я]

Do you think they are worth it to read if I have never had contact with that universe? I only played parts of a Dawn of War strategy game.

I also started with Dawn Of War, and, as a matter of fact, I only started seeing flaws in the first books when I actually got further into the universe and started to fugure out what's what, because when you really know who is Horus supposed to be, the whole thing feels rather rushed (which is explained by the fact that GW didn't really plan for The Horus Heresy to last this long and to have this much books in it; as the series rose to popularity, they decided to stretch it out, which is way the main events are rather hastily described in the first several books, while some rather insignificant parts are drawn out to infinite boredom in later books... not to mention that as the series progressed, some of the canon from the later books started to contradict the earlier ones, and other problems that arose, but I digress).
So, yeah, overall it's just fine for the beginner and makes for a solid sci-fi heroic novel, quite interesting at some points, for someone who doesn't know what Warhammer is about. To be precise, I could actually recommend the first five: Horus Rising, False Gods, Galaxy In Flames, The Flight Of The Eisenstein & Fulgrim. From that point on, it's all hit or miss... Mostly miss, IMO. I would really have to snipe good parts out, like... I liked Tallarn: Executioner out of the whole Tallarn thing... But I will admit that I just abandoned it some point. There's too much garbage in the rest of Horus Heresy series to fish for the good stuff.

 

[Squishythedino]

Currently in the middle of "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood". It's a nice read and I don't have to think much about it.

I finished this one last night! Now I'm reading Ladders to Fire by Anais Nin. So far so good!

 

[Hobo8240]

I've been skimming through Mark Boyle's The Moneyless Man which is about living without moeny and instead relying on foraging and mutual relationships with others which he called the gift economy.
It's a little too bohemian for me at times and only really becomes interesting around half-way through where he talking about making leaf curd, making clothes from nettles, growing soap, putting mugwort into pillows that have been stuffed with cattail fluff to help lucid dreaming and other stuff like that.

Might to a more indepth read of it some other day

 

[macrobyte]

instead relying on foraging and mutual relationships with others which he called the gift economy.

I haven't read it, but this description seems to me like a fancy way to say grifting and freeloading.

I've recently begun to read the Sprawl Trilogy by William Gibson, and I'm just about finishing Mona Lisa Overdrive.

I loved the sprawl trilogy. Especially Mona Lisa Overdrive. When viewed in a vacuum, I think Mona Lisa Overdrive isn't the best, but as the final book in the series, and the way it brings everything together, is just amazing. It was definitely deserving of the Hugo back when in '88, it's just such a good book.

That said, I've finished the 7th book of the Hornblower series, A Ship Of The Line, and am waiting for the next book to come, and in the meantime, I'm reading a pretty mid, but albeit somewhat interesting book, The SIngularity is Nearer: When we merge with AI. I think its premise is a little absurd, and I'm definitely staying on the skeptical side of a merging with AI, but the author brings up some interesting points, especially with how you don't see a lot of change until it happens with AI (i.e. it appears you hit an AI roadblock, and then some new model and architecture comes out, and the roadblock has been surpassed, lot of innovation, and then stagnation again). The book is all told I think pretty good, but not something I would normally read (I got it cause I was gifted a gift card to a local bookstore and that was one of the few good looking books there).

 

[wavve-creator]

 

[bing Genus]

I am currently embarking on the wondrous task of reading St. Aquinas' Summa Theologica. I would say one should have read the Bible before attempting, as he references it prodigiously. Aristotle of whom he names The Philosopher is referenced frequently also; but I am of the opinion he actually explicates Aristotelian thought better than Aristotle's extant works (which apparently were aptly meant for lecturing). And so to get a good grip on western philosophy I would recommend Aquinas before Aristotle. It goes without saying that one should not even bother with reading philosophy (and I am thereby of the opinion of reading in general!) if one has not read Plato. But apart from that, I think most will be able to jump in and use chatGPT to elaborate on some terms, and navigate upward on this veritable mountain.

As to Summa Theologica, it is a testament to the levels of clarity and resolute commitment of what a deeply pious man can achieve. It maintains a level of clarity of complex ideas in an extremely systematic exposition, which, albeit lengthy, gives the intellect what it was always hungry for but never knew. Whether this will leave my mind repleted in intellectual repose for the remainder of my life, I do prudently doubt; but nevertheless the sheer volume of argumentation employed is astounding, which has the benefit of enduing the reader with skills most necessary of a reasoning man that is philosophically inclined.

But oh this heights achieved in the very first dozen pages astounds to a nascent mind as mine! What insight he can offer, for instance, on the nature of God, is incomparable. Most sceptics would either seek holes in his arguments from others or from their own insight- but not I! I drink greedily whatsoever this man writes and I am sufficiently engaged with simply understanding what the argument at hand is, such that I care not- nor do I feel that I am up to the task- to question his compendious wisdom. In the work's format, he has articles which are composed of numerous objections to the point he holds, which he then replies to- it is very much like natural argumentation. This format, seems to put my intellect into a trance, whereby I am routinely humbled by this man's capacity to produce complete answers to questions I could never have even thought to ask! He mainly operates to these objections by dividing a certain term into two or three meanings, of which he then operates with, to resolve these conflicts oft found in the commonly referenced works pertaining to Christian literature. He is known for reconciling Aristotelian with Christian thought- and it is done in a compelling manner.

The joy of reading, in my mind, is discovering what one's intellect truly yearns for. And in reading a work like Summa Theologica, not only do I toil in company of the finest minds, I am impelled to read further works which are quoted. How much more love do I now possess in the Bible, for example, when reading Aquinas has shed light onto works and thereby enhanced my reading comprehension.

 

[Shit-Lord]

currently re-reading capitalist realism by Mark Fisher because the first time i read it, i didn't quiet understand what Fisher was trying to say. i have about 14 pages left to read but it is a prophetic book and it really helps explains some of the stuff that is happening in the world, but i think that people that are living in the UK would better understand some of the books sections (especially British teachers), since there are sections of the book where Fisher is just bitching about his students addiction to fast entertainment and the bureaucratic education system that the UK has. also people reading the book for the first time may need to learn about some sociological terms first. either way it is a really good book that everyone should read, currently i'm undecided on whether or not i should read more of Fisher's work or on whether or not i should read something else

R.I.P. Fisher

 

[wavve-creator]

currently re-reading capitalist realism by Mark Fisher because the first time i read it, i didn't quiet understand what Fisher was trying to say. i have about 14 pages left to read but it is a prophetic book and it really helps explains some of the stuff that is happening in the world, but i think that people that are living in the UK would better understand some of the books sections (especially British teachers), since there are sections of the book where Fisher is just bitching about his students addiction to fast entertainment and the bureaucratic education system that the UK has. also people reading the book for the first time may need to learn about some sociological terms first. either way it is a really good book that everyone should read, currently i'm undecided on whether or not i should read more of Fisher's work or on whether or not i should read something else

R.I.P. Fisher

This was a really good book. One of my favorite. As an American the UK mentions didn't throw me off but it only made me not want to go back to London more

 

[fauxclore]

I loved the sprawl trilogy. Especially Mona Lisa Overdrive. When viewed in a vacuum, I think Mona Lisa Overdrive isn't the best, but as the final book in the series, and the way it brings everything together, is just amazing. It was definitely deserving of the Hugo back when in '88, it's just such a good book.

I completely agree with you. Although the book by itself is not the strongest, it ties the trilogy very nicely.
Also, I must say, this trilogy has aged very well, there were some parts I was prepared to cringe (I could see some racism/homophobia/sexism incoming), but I was just doubting William Gibson without reason. Given the themes and the setting, one would imagine the books would be cynical or something similar, but far from it, they are very human, kind and respectful. Really ahead of its time.
Also the prose is on par with Samuel R. Delaney, or even Ursula K. LeGuin. Really spoils other Sci-fi authors, very few can weave sci-fi and literature in such a neat package.

 

[Zaku]

I've recently finished some books.

Fahrenheit 451, which I found to be fantastic. This is definitely a cut above 1984 and Brave New World for me. For one, I think its pathos is fantastic. Whereas the former two works primarily concern themselves with building their world, this one populates it too. Guy is a great protagonist and not just a tool to "experience" the setting as an audience stand-in. I believe this one has aged a lot better than its counterparts, be it through the repressive system that was instated by the populace and not the state or the self-dumbing down through a constant influx of media to the point of becoming numb. Sure, we don't have any screen walls but instead screens on the go to constantly noise-humor us and the parasocial relationships that these characters have with their screen families aren't too different from YouTube and OnlyFans addicts. Plus, there is so much quotable stuff in this.

"It didn't come from the Government down. There was no dictum, no declaration, no censorship, to start with, no! Technology, mass exploitation, and minority pressure carried the trick... Today, thanks to them, you can stay happy all the time, you are allowed to read comics."

White Nights, by Dostojewsky. This one is a romance-esque novel about a young man in Petersburg finding the girl of his dreams in a moment when anyone could suffice. It's only 100 or so pages long and not particularly worth it or enlightening or interesting. There's a good part here or there but by large, the long monologues of corn don't substitute for the lack of engaging characters or plot. What is of note is that I say "romance-esque" because its cleverest part is that it's not so much a love story but rather a story of loneliness of two people who, not having anyone in their lives, will settle for the next best person in what they conceive to be love but they're more in love with being in love itself than each other. Clever premise that may be but I feel like a poem could have equally gotten that idea across without making me read 100 pages for that.

The Reader, which I found to be rather similar to No Longer Human, except we follow a German teenage boy who has sex with a woman in her 30s who is very clearly not society-compatible in terms of wiring of emotional intelligence. It is a pretty engrossing read for the most part that throws some hard-hitting curve balls at you but I found the chronicling of these two psychologically broken people to be a lot more engaging than the main point of the novel, which focuses more on their "romance" and the morality questions of the legal system. It's like someone took a rather hackneyed premise and wrote a rather good psychological breakdown around its characters, but at the end you're still left with the less-than-impressive premise question.

The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde And Other Stories is a book I've had for years but never touched. It's also the only one I read in English rather than German ever since my book-reading mania started. I feel like I have a glimpse into Robert Louis Stevenson now, especially considering the religious undertones (or overtones?) of these stories but it's more entertainment than intellectual literature. Which is fine in its own and I did have some fun but I'll make sure to read German translations of books in the future as I found the 19th century English with Scottish loanwords to be hard to get through, one of these stories being entirely in Scottish and therefore quasi-unreadable. As for the stories themselves, I like that they're quite varied and the man had some interesting ideas although one can tell that the dime novel format has its influence on page-filling mechanisms like regularly dedicating more than half a page to scenery description.

And finally, The Stranger. Interestingly, I get more out of the first person narrative of the quasi-psychopath protagonist who follows a very rational, emotionless world view through no fault of his own and more through happenstance, gets the short end of the stick as society now gets to evaluate him and doesn't get anything right than what the novel is supposedly about. The incompatability of the justice system with neurodivergent people or those who can't express themselves properly is something I've seen firsthand and this novel does a great job of giving society a mirror of not only the people it regularly treads over but also itself. Alas, the key takeaway here is supposed to be some existentialist philosophizing of the absurdism of life and that feels downright uninteresting to me.