Author Topic: book recommendations (Read 235057 times)

mocat · « **Reply #1450 on:** July 28, 2016, 03:48:49 PM »

slaves to who (or whom?)

mocat · « **Reply #1451 on:** July 28, 2016, 03:49:25 PM »

i swear if you just come out and tell us that this book is called Divergent i will flip out

Mrs. Gooch · « **Reply #1452 on:** July 28, 2016, 04:14:21 PM »

Quote from: mocat on July 28, 2016, 03:48:49 PM

slaves to who (or whom?)

Well there are only a few men, so they are slaves (mostly sex slaves) to the high powered women and then also the women who win the Bachelor Battle (i.e. fight to the death to win a man).

Gooch · « **Reply #1453 on:** July 28, 2016, 04:19:03 PM »

Sound sexist.

Pete · « **Reply #1454 on:** August 08, 2016, 12:04:23 PM »

Started reading that Hyperion scifi series that SD and others recommended. It started cool...I think this will be a good one!

Asteriskhead · « **Reply #1455 on:** August 08, 2016, 12:20:32 PM »

Finished up Tom Wolfe's The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test this weekend. I think I enjoyed reading negative reviews from people trying to bash the book more than I enjoyed the book itself. I still found the story incredibly interesting.

Mikeyis4dcats · « **Reply #1456 on:** August 08, 2016, 01:39:32 PM »

Command and Control: Nuclear Weapons, the Damascus Accident, and the Illusion of Safety

Holy crap, it's amazing the planet isn't a smoking nuclear wasteland. Really.

Missouriscribe · « **Reply #1457 on:** August 08, 2016, 09:00:39 PM »

The War of Art. It's pretty challenging.

Asteriskhead · « **Reply #1458 on:** August 08, 2016, 09:37:08 PM »

Quote from: Missouriscribe on August 08, 2016, 09:00:39 PM

The War of Art. It's pretty challenging.

You really think so? I remember finding it fairly interesting, but it has been awhile since I read it. Bread gave me crap ITT for reading it. I miss Mr. Bread

Missouriscribe · « **Reply #1459 on:** August 08, 2016, 09:42:05 PM »

Not a challenging read. It's actually fairly short, and very direct. But on a certain level, he kind of calls readers/society out for avoiding important work and following their calling etc.

ksupamplemousse · « **Reply #1460 on:** August 08, 2016, 10:06:12 PM »

Just started Welcome to Night Vale, it is not really my cup of tea so far, but I'm assuming it gets better. Pretty difficult to pin down the rules of engagement for this alternate reality they're trying to sell me. Seems pretty haphazard so far, like they're trying a bit too hard to establish a unique universe. Was very excited about this book, lots of really smart and enjoyable people told me I should read it, will be very bummed out if it sucks.

ben ji · « **Reply #1461 on:** August 10, 2016, 08:38:27 AM »

Just started 2 books

"Why Nations Fail" The origins of Power, Prosperity and Poverty. Its a little long in the tooth but I've enjoyed it so far.

"Prisoners of Geography" 10 Maps that explain everything about the world.

Started it last night and made it about halfway through, very fun book. Each chapter is a geopolitical summary of different nations/parts of the world.

Pete · « **Reply #1462 on:** August 10, 2016, 07:12:57 PM »

Quote from: steve dave on August 23, 2015, 08:16:20 AM

Quote from: Pete on August 23, 2015, 07:14:01 AM
I haven't read any of those. Tell me more!

Hyperion stuff is kind of a blend of fantasy/sci fi. The first one (I think just called Hyperion) is like Canterbury Tales where all the people on some quest like tell some story and they all kind of circle back on each other later on

I am in the midst of the first Hyperion book right now and really enjoying it!

ChiComCat · « **Reply #1463 on:** August 31, 2016, 10:02:33 AM »

Just read Dune on a recent trip and enjoyed it. I didn't realize until recently that there are a number of sequels. Given the length of the first book, I was hoping someone knows if they are any good before I start a 12 hour investment.

michigancat · « **Reply #1464 on:** August 31, 2016, 10:21:52 AM »

Quote from: ChiCat on August 31, 2016, 10:02:33 AM

Just read Dune on a recent trip and enjoyed it. I didn't realize until recently that there are a number of sequels. Given the length of the first book, I was hoping someone knows if they are any good before I start a 12 hour investment.

I thought Dune started pretty great (once I figured out who everyone was) but the tail end was just incredibly boring and stupid.

Read chings recommendos The Magus and Dawn. SO GOOD, both. Although The Magus was a little slow/draggy for the first half.

ChiComCat · « **Reply #1465 on:** August 31, 2016, 10:35:34 AM »

Quote from: michigancat on August 31, 2016, 10:21:52 AM

Quote from: ChiCat on August 31, 2016, 10:02:33 AM
Just read Dune on a recent trip and enjoyed it. I didn't realize until recently that there are a number of sequels. Given the length of the first book, I was hoping someone knows if they are any good before I start a 12 hour investment.

I thought Dune started pretty great (once I figured out who everyone was) but the tail end was just incredibly boring and stupid.

Read chings recommendos The Magus and Dawn. SO GOOD, both. Although The Magus was a little slow/draggy for the first half.

I largely agree with you on Dune but still really enjoyed it. It kept building these complex cultures towards a war and then you basically end up with a brief summary of the last battle.

Brock Landers · « **Reply #1466 on:** October 13, 2016, 10:15:54 AM »

Finished the "Mars Trilogy" by Kim Stanley Anderson

Red Mars - space travel and terraforming stuff. Firm ball grip.
Green Mars - less cool spacey/nerdy/sciencey stuff from the first book but plenty of discussion about space politics and space economics! Grip loosened.
Blue Mars - still meh, I only read this one since I read the first 2 books.

ben ji · « **Reply #1467 on:** October 13, 2016, 10:22:48 AM »

"Wool" Loved it

"Dust" was the follow up, loved it as well!

Mrs. Gooch · « **Reply #1468 on:** October 13, 2016, 10:22:55 AM »

I'm reading the Breakers series. It is a post-apocalyptic type where 95% of the population is wiped out by a virus. It is very good. There are 8 books in the series. I got the first set of 3 free on BookBub and then I paid for the next set of 3. I am currently int he middle of book 4.

ben ji · « **Reply #1469 on:** October 13, 2016, 10:24:17 AM »

Quote from: Mrs. Gooch on October 13, 2016, 10:22:55 AM

I'm reading the Breakers series. It is a post-apocalyptic type where 95% of the population is wiped out by a virus. It is very good. There are 8 books in the series. I got the first set of 3 free on BookBub and then I paid for the next set of 3. I am currently int he middle of book 4.

Mrs gooch, if you love post-apocalyptic books as much as I do you should read the 2 above.

Also I will definitely check out the breakers series.

CNS · « **Reply #1470 on:** October 13, 2016, 10:25:22 AM »

I may try that. I am not normally a post-apocalyptic fan. Is is super depressing?

I have been wanting to read The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy for a while now and just started it yesterday. It reads fast and is somewhat ridiculous so far, but I like it. Only about 25% into it so far.

Mrs. Gooch · « **Reply #1471 on:** October 13, 2016, 10:33:56 AM »

Quote from: ben ji on October 13, 2016, 10:24:17 AM

Quote from: Mrs. Gooch on October 13, 2016, 10:22:55 AM
I'm reading the Breakers series. It is a post-apocalyptic type where 95% of the population is wiped out by a virus. It is very good. There are 8 books in the series. I got the first set of 3 free on BookBub and then I paid for the next set of 3. I am currently int he middle of book 4.

Mrs gooch, if you love post-apocalyptic books as much as I do you should read the 2 above.

Also I will definitely check out the breakers series.

Yes, I've already read those. You didn't mention Shift, it is the middle of that series. Did you read it too?
And also another book by Hugh Howey, Sand, is very good.

If you liked those, I think you would like the Breakers Series. It is not depressing, just makes you think about all the conveniences we have and how things change when those are no longer available.

ben ji · « **Reply #1472 on:** October 13, 2016, 10:46:13 AM »

Quote from: Mrs. Gooch on October 13, 2016, 10:33:56 AM

Quote from: ben ji on October 13, 2016, 10:24:17 AM
Quote from: Mrs. Gooch on October 13, 2016, 10:22:55 AM
I'm reading the Breakers series. It is a post-apocalyptic type where 95% of the population is wiped out by a virus. It is very good. There are 8 books in the series. I got the first set of 3 free on BookBub and then I paid for the next set of 3. I am currently int he middle of book 4.

Mrs gooch, if you love post-apocalyptic books as much as I do you should read the 2 above.

Also I will definitely check out the breakers series.

Yes, I've already read those. You didn't mention Shift, it is the middle of that series. Did you read it too?
And also another book by Hugh Howey, Sand, is very good.

If you liked those, I think you would like the Breakers Series. It is not depressing, just makes you think about all the conveniences we have and how things change when those are no longer available.

I've got a hold placed for shift at the library, #1 in line!!!

star seed 7 · « **Reply #1473 on:** October 13, 2016, 11:32:08 AM »

Quote from: ben ji on October 13, 2016, 10:22:48 AM

"Wool" Loved it

"Dust" was the follow up, loved it as well!

Shift was the best imo

star seed 7 · « **Reply #1474 on:** October 13, 2016, 11:33:14 AM »

I'm halfway through sand, but haven't picked it up in like a year