Moss Posted October 18, 2013 Share Posted October 18, 2013 Very late to the game on this one, but this summer I read Ready Player One and really enjoyed it. It's a little bit young adult-y, but the whole premise is built around modern (set in the near-future) teens immersing themselves in 80s pop-culture references, so I had a lot of fun with it. i described it to my 16 year old niece and 14 year old nephew as "the Hunger Games takes place inside World of Warcraft". They didn't believe me at first, but then each of them devoured it in one (long) sitting. (My sister told me that she went out to work one morning and left my nephew sitting on the couch just opening the book; when she came home six hours later, he was in the same place, and practically yelled at her "I really have to go to the bathroom, but this book is too good to put down!") Anyway, late in the season for a beach read, but could be a good distraction on a long flight. I can't believe I didn't think of that one, good call! Highly recommended. Link to post Share on other sites
gogo Posted October 18, 2013 Share Posted October 18, 2013 OK, so since I checked in a month ago, I've read the next 10(!) volumes of Fables, plus and now I'm in the middle of I'm all over the board! Oh, and for the Faulkner roll call from several weeks back: I've only read Go Down, Moses. I've had The Sound and The Fury and As I Lay Dying cued up for years, but never seem to get to them. Important things like graphic novels about fairy tales and the stories of the people behind classic 70s sitcoms just seem to keep taking precedence... Link to post Share on other sites
anthony Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 OK, so since I checked in a month ago, I've read the next 10(!) volumes of Fables, plus I am happy to see another comic reader here on VC. I have become quite obsessed with them recently. I have not read Fables, but it is on my 'to-do' list. There are so many great 'adult' (for lack of a better word; I don't mean T&A but stories/art targeted at non-children) titles out there right now, it feels like a golden age. Link to post Share on other sites
NoJ Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Started "The Wolf of Wall Street" yesterday (by J Belfort). So far, its reinforced my opinion of stockbrokers and the greater finance industry. Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 You like them? Link to post Share on other sites
theashtraysays Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Thanks again all. BTW - I'm in the 50YO married (for 25 years) male with 3 college aged kids demographic. In other words, right in the Wilco sweet spot. For quirky and entertaining, can I suggest something by Tm Robbins? Perhaps "Skinny Legs and All" or "Fierce Invalids". Also, DFW's "Broom to the System" fits the bill, IMO.I read "Skinny Legs and All". It was really good for quite a while, but then I thought the ending got rather preachy and uninteresting. Are his other books as political / satirical? I liked the quirky aspect a lot, but didn't need the whole lecture on the middle east and organized religion. The Last Girlfriend on Earth, by Simon RichWell, this one got a major raised eyebrow from my wife, especially when the genre label from the library said "Romance". But it was a quick read, and lots of the short stories were quite funny. I also re-read Learning How to Die. I probably haven't read 3 books in 1 week since, well, never. I enjoyed it a lot. Who knows, I may even lobby for a Kindle this Christmas... Link to post Share on other sites
gogo Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 I am happy to see another comic reader here on VC. I have become quite obsessed with them recently. I have not read Fables, but it is on my 'to-do' list. There are so many great 'adult' (for lack of a better word; I don't mean T&A but stories/art targeted at non-children) titles out there right now, it feels like a golden age. I don't read a ton of comics, and I was never able to read the individual issues, I always wait until there are a few collected volumes to plow through. But in the past few years I've read The Unwritten, Walking Dead, Locke & Key, and Fables, and enjoyed all of them (in order, probably The Unwritten is my favorite, then Locke & Key, Fables, and Walking Dead last; a bit too much gore in that one...). I'm also open to suggestions! Link to post Share on other sites
anthony Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 Thanks again all. BTW - I'm in the 50YO married (for 25 years) male with 3 college aged kids demographic. In other words, right in the Wilco sweet spot. I read "Skinny Legs and All". It was really good for quite a while, but then I thought the ending got rather preachy and uninteresting. Are his other books as political / satirical? I liked the quirky aspect a lot, but didn't need the whole lecture on the middle east and organized religion. I am glad you (kinda) liked it. I would say all his work is quirky. They all have a political / satirical undertone, if not as heavy handed as Legs. If you enjoyed the quirk and writing style, I would suggest giving another a go. Perhaps "Fierce Invalids" or "Jitterbug Perfume". Other favorites on mine. Link to post Share on other sites
kidsmoke Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 I agree with Anthony. I loved both, with a slight nod to "Fierce Invalids". Much fun! Link to post Share on other sites
anthony Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 I don't read a ton of comics, and I was never able to read the individual issues, I always wait until there are a few collected volumes to plow through. But in the past few years I've read The Unwritten, Walking Dead, Locke & Key, and Fables, and enjoyed all of them (in order, probably The Unwritten is my favorite, then Locke & Key, Fables, and Walking Dead last; a bit too much gore in that one...). I'm also open to suggestions!I, too, have read walking dead. Not my favorite title out right now, but enjoyable. I would suggest picking up the first trade paperback collections of one of the following:* "Saga" - The darling of the industry at the moment; and the praise is well deserved, IMHO. Think a cross between Romeo & Juliet and Star Wars.* "East of West" - A challenging read with gorgeous artwork ostensibly about the 4 horseman of the apocalypse the betrayal of Death (because he fell in love).* "Chew" - A more humorous book about a guy who can see the past history of things he eats. Set in an alternative present where chicken is outlawed. Hard to do this one justice; just damn entertaining.* "Manhattan Projects" - Delicious delirious alterna-history with the atom bomb project as a cover for much more crazy things. Link to post Share on other sites
gogo Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 I would suggest picking up the first trade paperback collections of one of the following: Excellent, thanks! I'll report back as I make my way though the list. Link to post Share on other sites
GtrPlyr Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 Got this at the library the other week. Lots of talk about music, records, Sly, Stevie, Prince... right up my alley. Link to post Share on other sites
anthony Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 Excellent, thanks! I'll report back as I make my way though the list. I am very happy to share in things I enjoy so much. I hope one clicks for you. By the way, not sure if digital is your bag, but you can always test drive the first issue on Comixology.com; the first issue in a series is usually (if not always?) free! That is how I usually check out new titles before jumping into a collection. And while Istill buy paper at my local shop, I do appreciate the convenience of digital - and they look great on tablets (I use a Kindle Fire). Link to post Share on other sites
NoJ Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 Started "Ominvore's Dilema" last night. I like Michael Pollan's style of writing but if he ruins me on food, I'll be ticked off. Link to post Share on other sites
smells like flowers Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 I put that one down just before the chapter on slaughterhouses. Gots to have a burger or a steak sometimes. Link to post Share on other sites
NoJ Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 Started "Ominvore's Dilema" last night. I like Michael Pollan's style of writing but if he ruins me on food, I'll be ticked off. Ugh, my diet is industrial! Link to post Share on other sites
gogo Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 Finally finished this one: If you want to be so paranoid you never leave the house again, I highly recommend it! Really fascinating, including the history of HIV. Current thinking is that it's been present in humans for 100+ years, and there are fascinating biological/social/political theories in this about how/why it jumped from Africa to Haiti to the rest of the world. Also: SARS, Ebola, West Nile, Lyme... all the biggies! Currently reading: to be followed by the first two volumes of Saga (), and the Hunger Games and Catching Fire (in preparation for the movie in a few weeks). Link to post Share on other sites
The High Heat Posted November 3, 2013 Share Posted November 3, 2013 Link to post Share on other sites
kidsmoke Posted November 3, 2013 Share Posted November 3, 2013 I want to read this! Added to my list. Link to post Share on other sites
The High Heat Posted November 3, 2013 Share Posted November 3, 2013 I want to read this! Added to my list.I'm not very far in, but I'm liking it. Russo is absolutely devoted to his mother, but so far he makes it clear that she was a walking contradiction. Plus you can see the influence that his childhood has in his novels. Link to post Share on other sites
NoJ Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 "Sins of our Fathers" by L Block Link to post Share on other sites
anthony Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 My first NG novel (surprisingly). Link to post Share on other sites
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