FSM Discussion
Dedicated to the teaching of Flying Spaghetti Monsterism
What are you reading right now?
Moderator: Other Stuff Mods
Re: What are you reading right now?
by Rainswept on Thu Jan 31, 2013 7:12 pm
I just noticed that list has The Way of Kings down at 71. No way. That book needs to be about 50 slots higher, at least. They also include the Codex Alera and not the Dresden Files? Someones smoking something.
I believe it's time for mankind to set aside the crutch of religion and embrace morality born of reason and truth. Those crutches have long since proven treacherous when the ground gets slippery.
-
Rainswept - Caliph of Capitalist Fishing Pole Hobo Apologists
- Posts: 8922
- Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2005 9:11 pm
- Location: State of Disbelief
Re: What are you reading right now?
by ET, the Extra Terrestrial on Fri Feb 01, 2013 1:51 am
Rainswept wrote:Just finished the last book of Wheel of Time. Hard to believe it's finally done.
Trying to decide what to check out next, referencing the following for tips: http://www.npr.org/2011/08/11/139085843 ... tasy-books
There are 3 in the top 15 that i have not read. Brave New world, American Gods, and Nueromancer. I'm leaning towards American Gods.
No Peter F. Hamilton on that list. I highly recommend the Pandora's Star/Judas Unchained duology, the Mindstar not-really-a-trilogy, and the incredible Reality Dysfunction/Neutronium Alchemist/Naked God trilogy. American Gods is next up on my list, as soon as I finish this Ludlum foolishness.
I think I have talked the librarian into acquiring A Memory of Light. Otherwise I'll have to wait another year for it to come out in paperback - I can't afford $35 or whatever for the hardbound version.
"Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens."
("Against stupidity, the gods themselves contend in vain.")
-- Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805)
Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.
-- Philip K Dick
OK, now let's look at four dimensions on the blackboard.
-- Dr. Joy
English isn't much of a language for swearing. When I studied Ancient Greek I was delighted to discover a single word - Rhaphanidosthai - which translates roughly as "Be thou thrust up the fundament with a radish for adultery."
("Against stupidity, the gods themselves contend in vain.")
-- Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805)
Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.
-- Philip K Dick
OK, now let's look at four dimensions on the blackboard.
-- Dr. Joy
English isn't much of a language for swearing. When I studied Ancient Greek I was delighted to discover a single word - Rhaphanidosthai - which translates roughly as "Be thou thrust up the fundament with a radish for adultery."
-
ET, the Extra Terrestrial - Privvy Counselor
- Posts: 6534
- Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2008 5:01 am
- Location: In the woods, watching
Re: What are you reading right now?
by PKMKII on Fri Feb 01, 2013 3:30 am
Finished reading the Lovecraft books I have.
A few observations: His protagonists tend to be reflections of himself, and his fantasies and hangups: the poor traveler, yet an academic in the way he didn't end up being. I know he was very big into his genealogy and his pseudo-aristocratic background, and it constantly pops up in stories like The Shadow Over Innsmouth and Rats in the Wall. Except there's always an evil to the noble heritage. Perhaps a love/hate relationship with that past?
People always make a big deal about the cthulhu mythos, and the horrible monsters he came up with. But I realized that in stories like The Shadow over Innsmouth, The Picture in the House, and Beyond the Wall of Sleep, he established an archetype that would become standard in horror films: the evil redneck, often having tapped into malignant powers.
A few observations: His protagonists tend to be reflections of himself, and his fantasies and hangups: the poor traveler, yet an academic in the way he didn't end up being. I know he was very big into his genealogy and his pseudo-aristocratic background, and it constantly pops up in stories like The Shadow Over Innsmouth and Rats in the Wall. Except there's always an evil to the noble heritage. Perhaps a love/hate relationship with that past?
People always make a big deal about the cthulhu mythos, and the horrible monsters he came up with. But I realized that in stories like The Shadow over Innsmouth, The Picture in the House, and Beyond the Wall of Sleep, he established an archetype that would become standard in horror films: the evil redneck, often having tapped into malignant powers.
"How is it that hardly any major religion has looked at science and concluded, 'This is better than we thought! The Universe is much bigger than our prophets said, grander, more subtle, more elegant. God must be even greater than we dreamed'? Instead they say, 'No, no, no! My god is a little god, and I want him to stay that way.'" - Carl Sagan
"To doubt everything or to believe everything are two equally convenient solutions; both dispense with the necessity of reflection." - Henri Poincaré
"To doubt everything or to believe everything are two equally convenient solutions; both dispense with the necessity of reflection." - Henri Poincaré
-
PKMKII - Senior New York Correspondent
- Posts: 10248
- Joined: Wed Jan 14, 2009 6:13 pm
- Location: Where the Sun don't shine
Re: What are you reading right now?
by black bart on Fri Feb 01, 2013 7:36 am
Just for fun I am reading a vintage Sci Fi tale by Andrew North/Andre Norton:
Everyone has cool names like 'Dane Thorson' (he's the hero).
Everyone has cool names like 'Dane Thorson' (he's the hero).
The smoke wafted gently in the breeze across the poop deck and all seemed right in the world.
-
black bart - Resident Weevil
- Posts: 25662
- Joined: Wed Sep 21, 2005 6:56 am
- Location: London
Re: What are you reading right now?
by Rainswept on Fri Feb 01, 2013 1:54 pm
ET, the Extra Terrestrial wrote:I think I have talked the librarian into acquiring A Memory of Light. Otherwise I'll have to wait another year for it to come out in paperback - I can't afford $35 or whatever for the hardbound version.
Audible.com. I pay $22 a month for pretty much any 2 audiobooks. That means I got Memory of Light directly to my phone on release day, well performed and unabridged at 41 hours 55 minutes, for $11.
I believe it's time for mankind to set aside the crutch of religion and embrace morality born of reason and truth. Those crutches have long since proven treacherous when the ground gets slippery.
-
Rainswept - Caliph of Capitalist Fishing Pole Hobo Apologists
- Posts: 8922
- Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2005 9:11 pm
- Location: State of Disbelief
Re: What are you reading right now?
by ET, the Extra Terrestrial on Sat Feb 02, 2013 7:50 pm
Rainswept wrote:ET, the Extra Terrestrial wrote:I think I have talked the librarian into acquiring A Memory of Light. Otherwise I'll have to wait another year for it to come out in paperback - I can't afford $35 or whatever for the hardbound version.
Audible.com. I pay $22 a month for pretty much any 2 audiobooks. That means I got Memory of Light directly to my phone on release day, well performed and unabridged at 41 hours 55 minutes, for $11.
Yeah, but to do that I'd have to get a phone.
"Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens."
("Against stupidity, the gods themselves contend in vain.")
-- Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805)
Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.
-- Philip K Dick
OK, now let's look at four dimensions on the blackboard.
-- Dr. Joy
English isn't much of a language for swearing. When I studied Ancient Greek I was delighted to discover a single word - Rhaphanidosthai - which translates roughly as "Be thou thrust up the fundament with a radish for adultery."
("Against stupidity, the gods themselves contend in vain.")
-- Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805)
Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.
-- Philip K Dick
OK, now let's look at four dimensions on the blackboard.
-- Dr. Joy
English isn't much of a language for swearing. When I studied Ancient Greek I was delighted to discover a single word - Rhaphanidosthai - which translates roughly as "Be thou thrust up the fundament with a radish for adultery."
-
ET, the Extra Terrestrial - Privvy Counselor
- Posts: 6534
- Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2008 5:01 am
- Location: In the woods, watching
Re: What are you reading right now?
by Edd on Sun Feb 03, 2013 6:54 pm
Still on my re-reading classic science fiction kick. Currently enveloped in James Tiptree Jr.'s Brightness Falls From The Air and Chip Delaney's Babel-17.
-
Edd - Mystic of Meatball
- Posts: 2497
- Joined: Mon Jun 09, 2008 11:02 pm
- Location: Texas
Re: What are you reading right now?
by black bart on Mon Feb 04, 2013 5:44 am
Dane Thorson may have a cool name but he's a bit of a dick...he left his communicator off and his comrade got captured by aliens, probably shouting "Help, Dane, Dane...Help!"
The smoke wafted gently in the breeze across the poop deck and all seemed right in the world.
-
black bart - Resident Weevil
- Posts: 25662
- Joined: Wed Sep 21, 2005 6:56 am
- Location: London
Re: What are you reading right now?
by Rainswept on Mon Feb 04, 2013 3:52 pm
ET, the Extra Terrestrial wrote:Rainswept wrote:ET, the Extra Terrestrial wrote:I think I have talked the librarian into acquiring A Memory of Light. Otherwise I'll have to wait another year for it to come out in paperback - I can't afford $35 or whatever for the hardbound version.
Audible.com. I pay $22 a month for pretty much any 2 audiobooks. That means I got Memory of Light directly to my phone on release day, well performed and unabridged at 41 hours 55 minutes, for $11.
Yeah, but to do that I'd have to get a phone.
not at all. you can play them for free from your computer, or just get an mp3 player.
I believe it's time for mankind to set aside the crutch of religion and embrace morality born of reason and truth. Those crutches have long since proven treacherous when the ground gets slippery.
-
Rainswept - Caliph of Capitalist Fishing Pole Hobo Apologists
- Posts: 8922
- Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2005 9:11 pm
- Location: State of Disbelief
Re: What are you reading right now?
by ET, the Extra Terrestrial on Tue Feb 05, 2013 12:05 am
Hmm. I'll have to think about it. We pride ourselves on our technical ineptitude. I do need to upgrade to a new laptop, though - this one bluescreens me out at least twice a week.
"Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens."
("Against stupidity, the gods themselves contend in vain.")
-- Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805)
Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.
-- Philip K Dick
OK, now let's look at four dimensions on the blackboard.
-- Dr. Joy
English isn't much of a language for swearing. When I studied Ancient Greek I was delighted to discover a single word - Rhaphanidosthai - which translates roughly as "Be thou thrust up the fundament with a radish for adultery."
("Against stupidity, the gods themselves contend in vain.")
-- Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805)
Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.
-- Philip K Dick
OK, now let's look at four dimensions on the blackboard.
-- Dr. Joy
English isn't much of a language for swearing. When I studied Ancient Greek I was delighted to discover a single word - Rhaphanidosthai - which translates roughly as "Be thou thrust up the fundament with a radish for adultery."
-
ET, the Extra Terrestrial - Privvy Counselor
- Posts: 6534
- Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2008 5:01 am
- Location: In the woods, watching
Re: What are you reading right now?
by Rainswept on Tue Feb 05, 2013 12:15 am
I seriously doubt you'd need an upgrade. your built in windows media player and maybe 2 gb of memory would do fine. just need an mp3 player if you want portability. my favorite place to "read" now is on my bicycle.
started American Gods today
started American Gods today
I believe it's time for mankind to set aside the crutch of religion and embrace morality born of reason and truth. Those crutches have long since proven treacherous when the ground gets slippery.
-
Rainswept - Caliph of Capitalist Fishing Pole Hobo Apologists
- Posts: 8922
- Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2005 9:11 pm
- Location: State of Disbelief
Re: What are you reading right now?
by ET, the Extra Terrestrial on Tue Feb 05, 2013 12:24 am
No, I need a new laptop regardless - I truly don't know if this one will start each time I shut it down. There have been occasions where I restarted over ten times in a row before it booted up properly. The hard drive is nearly full, it has more undeletable keyloggers and whatnot on it that I can count, it's nearly ten years old -- it has earned its rest. Just have to keep working on Mrs T to loosen the purse strings.
I started American Gods a couple of days ago. Very unusual. Excellent characters, some funny (ha ha, not hmm) stuff in there too.
I started American Gods a couple of days ago. Very unusual. Excellent characters, some funny (ha ha, not hmm) stuff in there too.
"Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens."
("Against stupidity, the gods themselves contend in vain.")
-- Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805)
Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.
-- Philip K Dick
OK, now let's look at four dimensions on the blackboard.
-- Dr. Joy
English isn't much of a language for swearing. When I studied Ancient Greek I was delighted to discover a single word - Rhaphanidosthai - which translates roughly as "Be thou thrust up the fundament with a radish for adultery."
("Against stupidity, the gods themselves contend in vain.")
-- Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805)
Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.
-- Philip K Dick
OK, now let's look at four dimensions on the blackboard.
-- Dr. Joy
English isn't much of a language for swearing. When I studied Ancient Greek I was delighted to discover a single word - Rhaphanidosthai - which translates roughly as "Be thou thrust up the fundament with a radish for adultery."
-
ET, the Extra Terrestrial - Privvy Counselor
- Posts: 6534
- Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2008 5:01 am
- Location: In the woods, watching
Re: What are you reading right now?
by Rainswept on Tue Feb 05, 2013 12:34 am
cool let me know how you like it, and i'll do the same
I believe it's time for mankind to set aside the crutch of religion and embrace morality born of reason and truth. Those crutches have long since proven treacherous when the ground gets slippery.
-
Rainswept - Caliph of Capitalist Fishing Pole Hobo Apologists
- Posts: 8922
- Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2005 9:11 pm
- Location: State of Disbelief
Re: What are you reading right now?
by Rainswept on Thu Feb 07, 2013 12:07 am
I'm about halfway now, how's it coming, ET?
I believe it's time for mankind to set aside the crutch of religion and embrace morality born of reason and truth. Those crutches have long since proven treacherous when the ground gets slippery.
-
Rainswept - Caliph of Capitalist Fishing Pole Hobo Apologists
- Posts: 8922
- Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2005 9:11 pm
- Location: State of Disbelief
Re: What are you reading right now?
by ET, the Extra Terrestrial on Thu Feb 07, 2013 12:12 am
I'm about the same, Rain. I'm really enjoying the characters.
"Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens."
("Against stupidity, the gods themselves contend in vain.")
-- Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805)
Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.
-- Philip K Dick
OK, now let's look at four dimensions on the blackboard.
-- Dr. Joy
English isn't much of a language for swearing. When I studied Ancient Greek I was delighted to discover a single word - Rhaphanidosthai - which translates roughly as "Be thou thrust up the fundament with a radish for adultery."
("Against stupidity, the gods themselves contend in vain.")
-- Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805)
Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.
-- Philip K Dick
OK, now let's look at four dimensions on the blackboard.
-- Dr. Joy
English isn't much of a language for swearing. When I studied Ancient Greek I was delighted to discover a single word - Rhaphanidosthai - which translates roughly as "Be thou thrust up the fundament with a radish for adultery."
-
ET, the Extra Terrestrial - Privvy Counselor
- Posts: 6534
- Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2008 5:01 am
- Location: In the woods, watching
Return to Books and Authors, Films and Directors
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2011 phpBB Group..