Spring - Summer Reading Thread
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Spring - Summer Reading Thread
Finally got around to this one after checking it out of the library a month or so ago:
I'm about 50 pages from the end and it is outstanding.
The book prior was pretty good story about a teenage girl dealing with the aftermath of an accident
I'm about 50 pages from the end and it is outstanding.
The book prior was pretty good story about a teenage girl dealing with the aftermath of an accident
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Re: Spring - Summer Reading Thread
Fascinating stuff. Korean/American writer gets a job teaching at a Christian college in North Korea that caters to the sons of the elite.
"beautiful, with an exotic-yet-familiar facial structure and an arresting gaze."
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Re: Spring - Summer Reading Thread
This is one hell of a bookPruitt wrote:Fascinating stuff. Korean/American writer gets a job teaching at a Christian college in North Korea that caters to the sons of the elite.
"We're not the smartest people in the world. We go down the straightaway and turn left. That's literally what we do." -- Clint Bowyer
Re: Spring - Summer Reading Thread
I saw her on c-span talking about this story, amazing.
Who knows? Maybe, you were kidnapped, tied up, taken away and held for ransom.
Those days are gone forever
Over a long time ago
Oh yeah…
Those days are gone forever
Over a long time ago
Oh yeah…
Re: Spring - Summer Reading Thread
Only in prehistory, but fascinating
Just finished, and meh.
Just finished, and meh.
Did you see that ludicrous display last night?
Re: Spring - Summer Reading Thread
I read Dance, Dance, Dance and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time in the airport/on the plane/by the pool last week.
I felt aswirl with warm secretions.
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Re: Spring - Summer Reading Thread
Curious INcident... is excellent.
I finally broke down and borrowed Team of Rivals. I haven't read a 750 page history book in a couple of years.
I finally broke down and borrowed Team of Rivals. I haven't read a 750 page history book in a couple of years.
You know what you need? A lyrical sucker punch to the face.
Re: Spring - Summer Reading Thread
Bensell wrote:Finally got around to this one after checking it out of the library a month or so ago:
I'm about 50 pages from the end and it is outstanding.
I don't know what kind of streak I'm on but this is at least the fourth book I've read recently that doesn't really wrap things up and there is no plans for a sequel by the author. Normally I'm fine with a novel being just about a certain period in life and the character just lives on, but on the other hand I'd really like to know that the main crime has been solved/addressed/avenged.
Starting this later today based on my sister's recommendation:
And for my current book that I read that I really don't pay much attention to like when I watch soccer or hockey, usually it's something I've read multiple times like Lonesome Dove, I have this piece of "non-fiction"
So far I don't like his style of writing at all, but I really want to see what his final conspiracy conclusion is
Worldwide Frivologist and International Juke Artist
Re: Spring - Summer Reading Thread
I think this is the last of the Lauren Oliver novels I've not read:
It is now my favorite of hers - really crazy story about graduating seniors in small town New York playing a fucked up version of dare
Not sure what's next - maybe this:
It is now my favorite of hers - really crazy story about graduating seniors in small town New York playing a fucked up version of dare
Not sure what's next - maybe this:
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Re: Spring - Summer Reading Thread
Just read it based on your comments. I am fascinated with North Korea, and this gave a very believable look into a slice of society I haven't read anything about. So thanks for posting.Brontoburglar wrote:This is one hell of a bookPruitt wrote:Fascinating stuff. Korean/American writer gets a job teaching at a Christian college in North Korea that caters to the sons of the elite.
The psychology behind completely cutting off a society from the world and feeding them constant lies and setting up the ultimate cult of personality is mind blowing. I recently read Escape From Camp 14, the biography of the only known person to escape a political prison camp. The guy was born in the camp, almost completely separated from his parents, no concept of any human emotions, no trust because everyone would tell on you for every minor infraction. Take someone raised like this and throw them into Seoul and then America, it is amazing he could cope. Most can't, and everyone else at least had a semblance of a life.
Escape was an amazing story, but the author is a terrible writer. Definitely worth reading.
An honest to God cult of personality - formed around a failed steak salesman.
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Re: Spring - Summer Reading Thread
One of the things about "Without You There Is No Us" is that the students are the children of the elite... so their lives are better than any other young people in the country... but they are still shitty.
I thought that Suki Kim wrote the book in a perfect voice. She laid out her feelings of dislocation early and made herself believe that she was making a difference.
(SPOILER ALERT)
But the ending of the book - after the Kim Il Sung's death - left such a strong feeling that nothing would ever change. Her description of the students looking at her with puffy, bleary eyes and absolutely no warmth or feeling towards her as she saw them for the last time will stay with me for a while.
Need something a bit lighter, so I am wading into these two...
(have the perfect music to listen to while reading it)
And this one...
because I remember that craze well. My baby boy had 50 of those stuffed toys and while we knew better, we had people tell us that a few of them were worth a fortune. Laughed my ass off as I watched my one year old son chew on a beanie baby supposedly worth $200.
I thought that Suki Kim wrote the book in a perfect voice. She laid out her feelings of dislocation early and made herself believe that she was making a difference.
(SPOILER ALERT)
But the ending of the book - after the Kim Il Sung's death - left such a strong feeling that nothing would ever change. Her description of the students looking at her with puffy, bleary eyes and absolutely no warmth or feeling towards her as she saw them for the last time will stay with me for a while.
Need something a bit lighter, so I am wading into these two...
(have the perfect music to listen to while reading it)
And this one...
because I remember that craze well. My baby boy had 50 of those stuffed toys and while we knew better, we had people tell us that a few of them were worth a fortune. Laughed my ass off as I watched my one year old son chew on a beanie baby supposedly worth $200.
"beautiful, with an exotic-yet-familiar facial structure and an arresting gaze."
Re: Spring - Summer Reading Thread
Pruitt may I suggest:
Did you see that ludicrous display last night?
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Re: Spring - Summer Reading Thread
Now on my list. Thanks for the recommendation.
"beautiful, with an exotic-yet-familiar facial structure and an arresting gaze."
Re: Spring - Summer Reading Thread
Started this while watching the end of the Players yesterday:
And this is going to be my fiction book of the moment:
And this is going to be my fiction book of the moment:
Worldwide Frivologist and International Juke Artist
Re: Spring - Summer Reading Thread
I picked up this Tuesday night and am about halfway through it now.
Very interesting read on the Bud Selig era of baseball.
Very interesting read on the Bud Selig era of baseball.
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Re: Spring - Summer Reading Thread
I've read very little this year and I pisses me off
You know what you need? A lyrical sucker punch to the face.
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Re: Spring - Summer Reading Thread
Just finished Machine Man, and it was horrible. Decent idea, very beginning had potential, but the characters were 2 dimensional stereotypes. The book felt more like a screen play. Reading a fight scene as lame and drawn out as the fight in Face/Off just doesn't work. Next time I see my friend who recommended the book, he is getting punched in the balls.
I downloaded Stephen King's 11/22/63. It is 35 disks, so it is intimidating the hell out of me.
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Re: Spring - Summer Reading Thread
I've got both of these waiting on me to pick them up at the library.Bensell wrote:Started this while watching the end of the Players yesterday:
And this is going to be my fiction book of the moment:
well this is gonna be someone's new signature - bronto
Re: Spring - Summer Reading Thread
Men in Green was entertaining but I haven't started The Testing yet since I've been reading these two after I realized I couldn't renew them:Giff wrote:I've got both of these waiting on me to pick them up at the library.Bensell wrote:Started this while watching the end of the Players yesterday:
And this is going to be my fiction book of the moment:
Worldwide Frivologist and International Juke Artist
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Re: Spring - Summer Reading Thread
You should read "The Orphan Master's Son" by Adam Johnson (won the Pulitzer for fiction a few years ago). Amazing book about North Korea.The Sybian wrote:
Just read it based on your comments. I am fascinated with North Korea, and this gave a very believable look into a slice of society I haven't read anything about. So thanks for posting.
Re: Spring - Summer Reading Thread
The Sybian wrote:
Just finished Machine Man, and it was horrible. Decent idea, very beginning had potential, but the characters were 2 dimensional stereotypes.
I've only read his book Jennifer Government. Which I would describe similarly. I just picked it up with no recommendation, but I'm not punching myself in the balls.
ETA: Actually I found out about the book here: http://www.nationstates.net/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and I think there was a Swamp group, and damn I've been a Swamper for a long time.
Did you see that ludicrous display last night?
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Re: Spring - Summer Reading Thread
Page 80 in what is shaping up as a fantastic book.
Trues story - Charles Taylor who later became a crazed despot in Liberia lived in the states and fathered a son. During his blood soaked drive to take over Liberia, his teenaged American son came over for a visit and became a vicious killer who led a militia for his father.
Can't make this stuff up...
Trues story - Charles Taylor who later became a crazed despot in Liberia lived in the states and fathered a son. During his blood soaked drive to take over Liberia, his teenaged American son came over for a visit and became a vicious killer who led a militia for his father.
Can't make this stuff up...
"beautiful, with an exotic-yet-familiar facial structure and an arresting gaze."
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Re: Spring - Summer Reading Thread
Oh shit, I remember playing that game. I read Jennifer Government, too. Very cool idea and future dystopia he created, but the writing was pretty bad, the characters were very thin cliches, the story was lame and rushed. Again, probably a better screenplay than a book. Kind of surprised this it wasn't made into a movie.Rush2112 wrote:
I've only read his book Jennifer Government. Which I would describe similarly. I just picked it up with no recommendation, but I'm not punching myself in the balls.
ETA: Actually I found out about the book here: http://www.nationstates.net/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and I think there was a Swamp group, and damn I've been a Swamper for a long time.
Currently listening to Stephen King's 11/22/63. Really enjoying it, having a hard time putting it down. It is 35 CDs, which intimidated me, but it moves fast.
An honest to God cult of personality - formed around a failed steak salesman.
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Re: Spring - Summer Reading Thread
The Sybian wrote:Again, probably a better screenplay than a book. Kind of surprised this it wasn't made into a movie.
In development.
Did you see that ludicrous display last night?
Re: Spring - Summer Reading Thread
This was a great baseball book:
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Re: Spring - Summer Reading Thread
Started reading this:
It's sickening, but I can't help but feel a lot of what I have read so far is circumstantial. Granted, a LOT of smoke from a LOT of people, but a couple of the key points early on are made based on what a convicted con artist said. Not the greatest source.
Other sources seem more trustworthy, and again there is a preponderance of evidence, and maybe in the last 30 pages or so I will get to see the kill shot, but not the greatest reporting I've ever seen just yet. Maybe I'm just skeptical, but Krakauer donated over $75,000 to this guy and as such has a motive for a slam piece.
It's sickening, but I can't help but feel a lot of what I have read so far is circumstantial. Granted, a LOT of smoke from a LOT of people, but a couple of the key points early on are made based on what a convicted con artist said. Not the greatest source.
Other sources seem more trustworthy, and again there is a preponderance of evidence, and maybe in the last 30 pages or so I will get to see the kill shot, but not the greatest reporting I've ever seen just yet. Maybe I'm just skeptical, but Krakauer donated over $75,000 to this guy and as such has a motive for a slam piece.
You know what you need? A lyrical sucker punch to the face.
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Re: Spring - Summer Reading Thread
Bensell wrote:This was a great baseball book:
That just reminded me of a great story I completely forgot about. A good friend growing up went to a summer camp near Billy Martin's farm outside of Binghamton. They went horseback riding and unknowingly went across Billy's property. As any sane, sober man would do, Billy pulled a shotgun on a group of 10 year old campers and threatened to kill them. This was shortly before he died in a car accident.
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Re: Spring - Summer Reading Thread
You kids get your horses off my lawn!
You know what you need? A lyrical sucker punch to the face.
Re: Spring - Summer Reading Thread
I've been listening to The Kite Runner in my car this week. Man. Before this one, I think the most unlikable main character I had ever come across was Ignatius J Reilly from A Confederacy of Dunces, but at least he was unintentionally funny and pretty much harmless. This kid Amir's actions are just stomach turning at this point.
I have to assume there's some redemption coming, especially as the character seems very autobiographical.
I have to assume there's some redemption coming, especially as the character seems very autobiographical.
Totally Kafkaesque
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Re: Spring - Summer Reading Thread
I actually put that book down after about 100 pages.
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Re: Spring - Summer Reading Thread
I kind of wished I did. Halfway through, the story and writing style completely change. It felt rushed and poorly written. I thought 1000 Splendid Suns was a much better book, despite how depressingly fuckawful the story itself was. Not awful in writing, but gut wrenching.A_B wrote:I actually put that book down after about 100 pages.
I finished 11/22/63. Man, what a bizarre and crazy story that was. I really enjoyed it, but 800+ pages (35 CDs) was a bit excessive. Still, couldn't put it down.
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Re: Spring - Summer Reading Thread
What a grim read - after that book I felt that the best thing the world could do was wipe Afghanistan completely off the map.The Sybian wrote:I kind of wished I did. Halfway through, the story and writing style completely change. It felt rushed and poorly written. I thought 1000 Splendid Suns was a much better book, despite how depressingly fuckawful the story itself was. Not awful in writing, but gut wrenching.A_B wrote:I actually put that book down after about 100 pages.
An exaggeration, but man, what a hopeless place.
I'm really enjoying these stories.
"beautiful, with an exotic-yet-familiar facial structure and an arresting gaze."
Re: Spring - Summer Reading Thread
I will be reading this while watching the U.S. Open all afternoon:
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Re: Spring - Summer Reading Thread
I'll let you know tomorrow if this book is any good.
"beautiful, with an exotic-yet-familiar facial structure and an arresting gaze."
Re: Spring - Summer Reading Thread
Bensell, did you finish The Testing yet? I liked it, but I'm a sucker for those YA post-apocalyptic series. I liked it better than Hunger Games or Divergent.
well this is gonna be someone's new signature - bronto
Re: Spring - Summer Reading Thread
Finished this about a month and a half ago. Fantastic. I recommend the audible version. The narration was spot on and I'm really excited to see what they do with the movie.
Currently about 5 hours away from finishing this:
Which has also gripped me quite nicely. The audio version sounds like something they could option into a movie up to this point. Nicely written up to this point.
Currently about 5 hours away from finishing this:
Which has also gripped me quite nicely. The audio version sounds like something they could option into a movie up to this point. Nicely written up to this point.
Dances with Wolves (1) - BSF
"This place was rockin'," said BSF21.
"There is nothing ever uncommon about BSF21."
"This place was rockin'," said BSF21.
"There is nothing ever uncommon about BSF21."
Re: Spring - Summer Reading Thread
The first trailer for The Martian was released a week or so ago. Definitely has a great cast. Hope it's as good as the book.
Bandwagon fan of the 2023 STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!
Re: Spring - Summer Reading Thread
Very excited and thought Matt Damon was a nice choice as Mark Watney.brian wrote:The first trailer for The Martian was released a week or so ago. Definitely has a great cast. Hope it's as good as the book.
Could have seen Mark Ruffalo in that role as well.
Dances with Wolves (1) - BSF
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"There is nothing ever uncommon about BSF21."
"This place was rockin'," said BSF21.
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Re: Spring - Summer Reading Thread
I like this one better:Pruitt wrote:I'll let you know tomorrow if this book is any good.
“All I'm sayin' is, he comes near me, I'll put him in the wall.”
Re: Spring - Summer Reading Thread
It was good. The second book is better and I just picked up the third at the library today.Giff wrote:Bensell, did you finish The Testing yet? I liked it, but I'm a sucker for those YA post-apocalyptic series. I liked it better than Hunger Games or Divergent.
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