Anybody reading a particular book right now? If so, what is it?
I'm about to finish up Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein. I've been pining to read that book ever since I saw the movie, and heard that the book was so much different from it, and finally spotted a paperback of it at a peddler's market for $2.50 last Sunday. Good book, an easy read, but the big gripe I have about it is, well, two things:
1. He (Mr. Heinlein) seems to get lost in explaining a lot of futuristic military rankings and things, to the point to where I want to go on and skip past all that stuff. I don't skip it, but at times I had to catch myself. & 2. I was hoping he'd go into more detail on the Bugs and the whole planet of Klendathu. The book makes more sense than the movie, and actually explains why they just didn't bomb the planet to pieces from space, but still I was hoping for more background info on how these Bugs operate and how they evolved. (okay, another) 3. No real explanation how the Bugs were able to wipe out Buenos Aires from light years away. At least the movie did that by using the asteroid idea.
The good points are: 1. The Troopers are fighting in mech suits, which makes a world more sense since this is supposed to be the future, and the suits sound cool as hell (would've loved to see them in the movie). 2. The Klendathens aren't as dumb as they were in the movie. The Warrior Bugs have projectile attacks, they don't just overwhelm the Troopers in hordes, which makes them a lot more of an adversary. 3. Johnny "Juanito" Rico is a lot more bad-ass, and the military infrastructure is a lot more feasible sounding. No co-ed shower scenes.
If anybody liked the movie, and personally I dug it WAY more than Independance Day, being as both movies were released around the same time, pick up the book. You'll enjoy it.
So, what are you currently reading? Posted by sleddogg (Member # 881) on :
"Germs" by Judy Miller
An interesting read... She's one of the folks here in the US that got some anthrax-laced mail a few years back. Her book gives some pretty interesting insights into the whole middle-east situation, the bio-weapons field and world politics. Not exactly an uplifting read, but interesting.
Posted by mystik (Member # 1420) on :
A couple of books:
"Richard Meier: Architect Vol. 4" (englufed in this one) "The Fountainhead" Ayn Rand (have read it before, but its awesome) "The Phaidon Atlas of Contemporary Architecture" Phaidon "Santiago Calatrava: Complete Works"
I can never have too much information, and each book has it's own ideas to share. Very cool stuff.
Posted by sleddogg (Member # 881) on :
ahhh yes... "Who is John Galt?" ;-)
Posted by 2 X 4 (Member # 2886) on :
Lessee, I just started God's Politics by Rev. Jim Wallis. I also shall be starting R.U. Sirius' new tome on countercultures throughout history, a couple of Noam Chomsky's volumes, and a book about how drugs influenced post-WWII America entitled Can't Find My Way Home. And I also have read the two newest American Splendor anthologies.
Posted by Lou Gojira (Member # 983) on :
Interesting sounding stuff everybody.
quote: "The Fountainhead" Ayn Rand
I'm gonna have to sit down and read some Ayn Rand one day...I've heard so many people mention her name, and I have yet to read that first book by her. Usually, the book I hear mentioned is "Atlus Shrugged", so naturally my curiosity is up about that book, but is "The Fountainhead" a better book to look into first?
Posted by sleddogg (Member # 881) on :
IMHO, Re: Ayn Rand's books, I thought AS was the better read, but all in all, neither tome really did a whole lot for me... Kinda an empty/shallow portrait of humanity, I thought. But your mileage may vary. ;-)
[ April 08, 2005, 03:43 AM: Message edited by: sleddogg ]
Posted by sleddogg (Member # 881) on :
================================================ QUOTE--- 2X4 said: "a book about how drugs influenced post-WWII America entitled Can't Find My Way Home" ================================================
Also a great tune! By Blind Faith. Think I'll go give it a listen right now. ;-) Haven't heard that one in awhile.
Posted by wvcple2003 (Member # 5268) on :
The wife and i usually read a cple of books a week, but the most recent is the "A Child Called it", series. If you want to read some fucked up, child abuse, bullshit, then read this series. We swear that when your finished reading about half-way thru the first book, you'll wanta find the kids mother and pour battery acid on her face, while cutting her limbs off with a rusty fish skewer.
Posted by Sasha (Member # 1842) on :
I wish I had the time.....I LOVE READING!!!!
Posted by Lou Gojira (Member # 983) on :
quote:Originally posted by sleddogg: IMHO, Re: Ayn Rand's books, I thought AS was the better read, but all in all, neither tome really did a whole lot for me... Kinda an empty/shallow portrait of humanity, I thought. But your mileage may vary. ;-)
Thanks for the recommendation Bro.
I gotta finish this college text book on Nordic Mythology a doctor lent me at work before I go book-hunting again anytime soon so I can get him his book back. Posted by Lou Gojira (Member # 983) on :
quote:Originally posted by Sasha: I wish I had the time.....I LOVE READING!!!!
Do what I do if time is short, but the urge to read is high...read comic books!
In fact, if you want some recommendations on some good comic books, let me know. I can talk comics all day.
And don't worry, I wouldn't recommend something testosterone driven like the old Conan magazines, unless of course you'd like me to.
I'm starting to re-read my Battle Angel Alita comics tomorrow. Excellent story, great art, and word around the campfire has it that James Cameron is supposed to be directing a live-action movie based on that comic. It'll probably suck, but here's hoping otherwise... Posted by mystik (Member # 1420) on :
I too dont have much time to read, but need to more. Theory about architects: The more you know, the more you make. I loved the Fountainhead, it's probably my favorite book (novel)of all time. The guy I can really relate to, he's into his own self morality; otherwise not a sellout. Doesn't give in to the media or otherwise. VERY good book, couldnt put it down. Highly recommended.
P.S. It's about an architect. lol.
Posted by Sasha (Member # 1842) on :
I read the Foutain Head and Atlas shrugged in College.Two of my favorites....
Posted by sleddogg (Member # 881) on :
Just to clarify... I absolutely agree that both AS & TF are worth readin'... I guess I'm just not much for 'objectivist' philosophy, that's all. Kant didn't do alot for me either.
Nonetheless, as Mystik alluded to, Rand definitely had a talent for creating compelling characters... both "Dagney" & ol' "Howard Roark" (sic?) made for quite an interesting tale. ;-)
[ April 11, 2005, 02:40 AM: Message edited by: sleddogg ]
Posted by Lou Gojira (Member # 983) on :
I just finished reading White Fang by Jack London today. I had a Bro mail me a spare copy of the book that he had, because he enjoyed it so much and recommended it to me. I noticed that I had a few people around work ask me about the book, saying they had read it when they were children. I'm obviously pretty late in reading it, because I'm not really a child anymore, but I enjoyed it all the same. Anybody else ever read that book? If not, it's pretty cool! Posted by Hal (Member # 3484) on :
Not too much into novels, I´ve probably read 10 novels in the last 10 years. I only really enjoy reading political or historical books, or sometimes comix & fanzines to chill out. Last novel I read and enjoyed was Harry Potter, really liked it --- can`t wait for Harry Potter 6. And "Last Chance To See" by Douglas Adams, good book as well. And reading a lot about aquariums and fish, lately. I just re-discovered my love for aquarium fish and bought one, which my daughter and I are sharing. She`s also starting to get into it.
-Hal-
[ June 03, 2005, 03:33 AM: Message edited by: Hal ]
Posted by footspy (Member # 2112) on :
Fever Pitch by Nick Hornby.
Posted by IAmSpartachris (Member # 3289) on :
I read about six to eight books a month. Pretty voraciously. Right now I am reading Moby Dick (for about the fifth time), and just finished Zodiac by Robert Graysmith (love true crime books), and three novels by Nelson Demille: Spencerville, Plum Island, and The Generals Daughter.
Posted by Calico Jack (Member # 2299) on :
quote:What are you reading?
The articles in Playboy.
Calico Jack
Posted by ledaemon (Member # 198) on :
quote:Originally posted by mystik: I too dont have much time to read, but need to more. Theory about architects: The more you know, the more you make. I loved the Fountainhead, it's probably my favorite book (novel)of all time. The guy I can really relate to, he's into his own self morality; otherwise not a sellout. Doesn't give in to the media or otherwise. VERY good book, couldnt put it down. Highly recommended.
P.S. It's about an architect. lol.
Mystik, all I can think about now with you is the Monty Python episode with "The Architect Sketch." Look for it if you haven't seen it bro.
I'm the worst when it comes to reading. I start many books and rarely get to finish them. However, my wife Mandy reads nonstop, is a member of a mail order book club, and hits the bookstores weekly.
She's currently reading "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne and is going to start a biography on Oskar Schindler next. She reads a little of everything. Classic literature, history, fantasy novels, true crime, contemporary fiction. Only thing she doesn't read (thank god) are romance novels. I think the author she's read the most books from would be Thomas Clancey.
One of the last books I remember reading was on the Lusitania, but never finished it after my flight I was on landed. I'd have more time to read if I didn't spend it on these forums I suppose!
Posted by vasduten (Member # 2211) on :
Back it up to the first post here: The book Starship Troopers kicked SO MUCH more ass than the dumbed-down Hollywood turd-fest that was the motion picture. I mean, how could they NOT include the most excellent mech-suits/rocket pods?
Goddamn, that was what made that book so KICKASS. Mech suits that weigh 2 tons, but enable one to hop around, run or do short jet hops, plus being loaded with rockets, guns of all sorts, etc. I guess the movie producers spent the whole wad trying to make the bugs look stupid.
-end rant.
I'm reading Steinbeck's East of Eden. A killer read. It's got it all. A very interesting take on the human condition. Once you get past the character intros, you can't help but read more... Good stuff here.
Just got done with the ENTIRE Dark Tower series by Steven King. All nine, bitches... I have to say this: I'm not normally a huge SK fan, except for the SCREENPLAY for The Shining, because he tends to bore me to death with his endless descriptions about everything BUT the character, plot, etc. (Truth be told, I had a copy of the Shining, that was screwed up, it just repeated the first 150 pages in the middle of the book, and it took me 5 pages to realize it...) But... Dark Tower is good stuff. It takes you all over the place, and daringly enough, through different dimensions of time and space. A very engaging read with an EXCELLENT ending, and SK made it all sing. I'm glad he decided to finish it.
Posted by Lou Gojira (Member # 983) on :
quote: Back it up to the first post here: The book Starship Troopers kicked SO MUCH more ass than the dumbed-down Hollywood turd-fest that was the motion picture. I mean, how could they NOT include the most excellent mech-suits/rocket pods?
Goddamn, that was what made that book so KICKASS. Mech suits that weigh 2 tons, but enable one to hop around, run or do short jet hops, plus being loaded with rockets, guns of all sorts, etc. I guess the movie producers spent the whole wad trying to make the bugs look stupid.
I either read or heard something a while back that explained why they didn't use the mech-suits in the movie. It was the cost or something like that, which I can't figure out because you'd think they could just use some fancy-shmancy computer effects and pull it off. Oh well... Posted by mrmustard (Member # 4563) on :
"Naufragios" by Alvar Nuņez Cabeza de Vaca.
Posted by vasduten (Member # 2211) on :
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