Poll
Question:
How Many Books Have You Read Sofar In 2009 ?
Option 1: 0
votes: 4
Option 2: 1-5
votes: 7
Option 3: 6-10
votes: 10
Option 4: 11-25
votes: 11
Option 5: 26-50
votes: 11
Option 6: 51-100
votes: 4
Option 7: 101-150
votes: 1
Option 8: 151-200
votes: 0
Option 9: 201-300
votes: 0
Option 10: 301+
votes: 2
Leaving aside technical material/manuals, I think I may have completely read about 3 books sofar this year. :blush:
Theres a huge pile of books I'm partway through/given up on/forgotten what I've already read etc. :Embarrass:
* I thought about making the poll ' how many books have you read in the last year' but figured a post Xmas 2008/1st January start would allow better recollection of what you've recently read.
Quote from: Armyknife on September 21, 2009, 07:55:50 PM
Leaving aside technical material/manuals, I think I may have completely read about 3 books sofar this year. :blush:
Theres a huge pile of books I'm partway through/given up on/forgotten what I've already read etc. :Embarrass:
* I thought about making the poll ' how many books have you read in the last year' but figured a post Xmas 2008/1st January start would allow better recollection of what you've recently read.
Twelve.
I read - on average - one book a week. I am rarely without a book or three that I'm working my way through. So, I voted 26-50 figuring that there were some rough weeks this year where I couldn't concentrate long enough for a book to hold my attention. I doubt that I could name all that I've read, though.
Interestingly, the school where I work is having a reading contest. We were asked in the first week of school to put down our pledge for the year of how many books we would try to read. I wrote 50, figuring about 1 book every 4-5 days. Apparently, I'm the only one who was so ambitious. Most people put down 10-15.
28 in French
2 in English
I read alot apparently.
Lately I have found the ability to fall asleep rather quickly at night. This is a skill I have NEVER had before---I always had to read for an hour or two before I could sleep. So my reading volume has dropped significantly in the last six months or so. I wonder if it will last...
Prolly around 10.
at least 50 so far. But I work in a library, and usually read books while I'm smoking hookah, so I go through books rather quickly.
I just wish books weren't so damned expensive. After I pay all my bills, it usually comes to a choice between buying books and buying booze.. and booze usually wins. :Embarrass:
Quote from: Fireblade on September 21, 2009, 09:22:05 PM
I just wish books weren't so damned expensive. After I pay all my bills, it usually comes to a choice between buying books and buying booze.. and booze usually wins. :Embarrass:
Yeah. There was a time when my budget worked out to one-third rent, one-third books, and one-third "other."
It's a slow year for me only about maybe 12-15. Should be more like 30-40 usually by this time of year. when I left Japan I gave away 300+ books that I had read in the 3 years there, some of them twice.
Haven't kept track. Maybe a few dozen, maybe less, who knows.
If I don't count poker books or actuarial study material, I think it's two or three.
Read and finished:
Jack Weatherford's Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World
David Weber's Off Armageddon Reef and By Schism Rent Asunder
Prachett's Guards! Guards!
And I know I'm forgetting some.
I'm on the last chapter of Gaiman & Prachett's Good Omens, and I finished Korea Old and New: A History, but I didn't read it cover to cover.
I think I've read between 26-50 books so far this year.
If you added up all the parts I've re-read from various previously read books I've picked up for a few minutes pleasure, probably twice that.
When I was eight or so, my mother gave me a thousand page book she thought would stall me for a month (and shut me up, and stop me raiding her bookshelves for things like Dune or Dragonflight.) I had to go to school of course, but it still took me less than 10 days.
I've got worse since then... :)
Quote from: Agelastus on September 21, 2009, 11:39:09 PM
I think I've read between 26-50 books so far this year.
If you added up all the parts I've re-read from various previously read books I've picked up for a few minutes pleasure, probably twice that.
When I was eight or so, my mother gave me a thousand page book she thought would stall me for a month (and shut me up, and stop me raiding her bookshelves for things like Dune or Dragonflight.) I had to go to school of course, but it still took me less than 10 days.
I've got worse since then... :)
I used to be the same way, but I find myself reading less and less often these days.
I blame the internet.
Quote from: HisMajestyBOB on September 22, 2009, 12:05:52 AM
I used to be the same way, but I find myself reading less and less often these days.
I blame the internet.
Does fanfiction count? I'm up at 6am in the morning because I have just finished a 118000 word Battlestar Galactica 2003/Battletech crossover (or rather, finished all of it that's been written.)
:bleeding:
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on September 22, 2009, 12:08:00 AM
:bleeding:
Most fanfiction is :bleeding:, I agree (although, as an aside, Firefly fanfiction has a surprisingly high general standard.) This particular fanfic was pretty good. Certainly not Tolstoy, but then, despite my claims to erudition, I am nowhere near refined enough for that heavy a read...
Fan fiction is only good when there's lesbian animals involved. :contract:
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on September 22, 2009, 12:13:24 AM
Fan fiction is only good when there's lesbian animals involved. :contract:
And when it's not lost forever. :cry:
Quote from: DGuller on September 22, 2009, 12:17:32 AM
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on September 22, 2009, 12:13:24 AM
Fan fiction is only good when there's lesbian animals involved. :contract:
And when it's not lost forever. :cry:
Savonorala's masterpiece? :o Tell me it is not so! Tell me I have misunderstood you! :(
Quote from: Agelastus on September 22, 2009, 12:28:34 AM
Savonorala's masterpiece? :o Tell me it is not so! Tell me I have misunderstood you! :(
Well, can you find it? Can you? Can you? Please tell me you can, please.
I've no idea. I don't have enough fingers and toes.
Do audiobooks count?
Quote from: Agelastus on September 22, 2009, 12:07:26 AM
Does fanfiction count? I'm up at 6am in the morning because I have just finished a 118000 word Battlestar Galactica 2003/Battletech crossover (or rather, finished all of it that's been written.)
Is it the one where the Colonials reach New Circe? :nerd:
Quote from: Martinus on September 22, 2009, 04:01:04 AM
Do audiobooks count?
Since audio"books" are heard rather than read, by definition the answer is a clear "no".
How many have I read on the sofa? None, I read them all on the train.
I dunno. I didn't know it was a competition.
2-3 I find that after kid no 2 and internet regular access I end up browsing ratehr than reading
V
Quote from: Agelastus on September 22, 2009, 12:28:34 AM
Quote from: DGuller on September 22, 2009, 12:17:32 AM
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on September 22, 2009, 12:13:24 AM
Fan fiction is only good when there's lesbian animals involved. :contract:
And when it's not lost forever. :cry:
Savonorala's masterpiece? :o Tell me it is not so! Tell me I have misunderstood you! :(
It is not lost, it is marely inaccessible.
Hmm, interesting question.
Since January I think I haven't read many books for enjoyment - I can only remember ten. The best were Young Stalin and D-Day. I've dipped into a number of historical texts for research purposes, but haven't read any of them through.
The amount I read has really gone down since I started working as an editor. It just seems bizarre to go home and unwind by doing precisely the same sort of activity as I do at work. :lol: It is also annoying to find oneself actively scanning for typos and bad style when you're reading for pleasure.
Unsurprisingly most of my reading was done during my two week summer break.
Around 40 I think. I had a binge in August and read around 15.
Under a dozen, so I voted 6-10. I usually read a lot but I've slipped on reading books a bit, though I read a lot otherwise I guess. However, I've gotten back into the habit and enjoyment of reading books, so I'm reading a lot more now.
Quote from: KRonn on September 22, 2009, 07:29:23 AM
Under a dozen, so I voted 6-10. I usually read a lot but I've slipped on reading books a bit, though I read a lot otherwise I guess. However, I've gotten back into the habit and enjoyment of reading books, so I'm reading a lot more now.
That's clear as mud. :D
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on September 22, 2009, 07:33:24 AM
Quote from: KRonn on September 22, 2009, 07:29:23 AM
Under a dozen, so I voted 6-10. I usually read a lot but I've slipped on reading books a bit, though I read a lot otherwise I guess. However, I've gotten back into the habit and enjoyment of reading books, so I'm reading a lot more now.
That's clear as mud. :D
Hehe...to summarize, I voted the 6-10 slot. :)
301
All of them.
I think I am in the 26-50 bracket, but I never counted them.
But I may be bragging and they could've been only 25 :P
L.
I'm guessing 50 - 100.
Spent a fair amount of time on planes recently and I always read on those, and every so often I'll go on a "read 7 books in a week" binge.
I'll ballpark myself at 20-30 thus far. Probably clear out another 10 this year.
Quote from: Ape on September 22, 2009, 04:33:08 AM
Quote from: Agelastus on September 22, 2009, 12:07:26 AM
Does fanfiction count? I'm up at 6am in the morning because I have just finished a 118000 word Battlestar Galactica 2003/Battletech crossover (or rather, finished all of it that's been written.)
Is it the one where the Colonials reach New Circe? :nerd:
Yes. :nerd:
Battlestar Galactica and Clan Wolverine, with a good way of linking the two continua. Reasonable writing and the occasional flash of genuine wit. Almost as good as fan-fiction gets.
I can't be bothered to actually read 100k words, but can you give me a very brief synopsis?
My unread stack is over 90 right now.
Quote from: Ed Anger on September 22, 2009, 06:30:06 PM
My unread stack is over 90 right now.
:Embarrass: Mine's about half that.
Quote from: Habbaku on September 22, 2009, 06:31:23 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on September 22, 2009, 06:30:06 PM
My unread stack is over 90 right now.
:Embarrass: Mine's about half that.
I've hit the book remainder retailers in the last couple of months. :blush:
The series diverges at New Caprica, which in this continuum is the planet where Clan Wolverine/"The Minnesota Tribe" ended up - as I said, it's a neat way to link the two universes. The year is 3045, which fits reasonably well with the known timeline of Kobol from the series (we know it was inhabited for at least 4000 years IIRC but not much else - the Colonials are speaking a recognisable form of Mycenaean Greek.)
As for a synopsis, don't be lazy! Besides, it is nowhere near finished yet.
I am especially looking forward to the moment when Romo Lampkin has William Adama on the witness stand at Gina's trial telling the world that "yes, we did violate the Armistice Line, and yes, we may have triggered the war by breaching said Armistice."
Although the discovery of the Final Five may have thrown that cherished expected moment of mine into the
crapper now...I am really looking forward to seeing where the author is going with this.
The Cylon detection system that discovered the final five uses neurohelmets. A Cylon should be capable of interfacing with them better than a human, which will show up. One needs to do a CT scan as well though, as a few brain damaged humans come up with the same result giving a "false positive".
Kara gave a false positive...which Tigh thought was very funny until he was tested. :D
Quote from: Agelastus on September 22, 2009, 06:34:51 PM
The series diverges at New Caprica, which in this continuum is the planet where Clan Wolverine/"The Minnesota Tribe" ended up - as I said, it's a neat way to link the two universes. The year is 3045, which fits reasonably well with the known timeline of Kobol from the series (we know it was inhabited for at least 4000 years IIRC but not much else - the Colonials are speaking a recognisable form of Mycenaean Greek.)
As for a synopsis, don't be lazy! Besides, it is nowhere near finished yet.
I am especially looking forward to the moment when Romo Lampkin has William Adama on the witness stand at Gina's trial telling the world that "yes, we did violate the Armistice Line, and yes, we may have triggered the war by breaching said Armistice."
Although the discovery of the Final Five may have thrown that cherished expected moment of mine into the
crapper now...I am really looking forward to seeing where the author is going with this.
The Cylon detection system that discovered the final five uses neurohelmets. A Cylon should be capable of interfacing with them better than a human, which will show up. One needs to do a CT scan as well though, as a few brain damaged humans come up with the same result giving a "false positive".
Kara gave a false positive...which Tigh thought was very funny until he was tested. :D
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg10.imageshack.us%2Fimg10%2F3827%2Ff5dclj.jpg&hash=6eb300784fc23a7d695a76b743fc07b5cb1d8ad3)
Quote from: Ed Anger on September 22, 2009, 06:37:23 PM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg10.imageshack.us%2Fimg10%2F3827%2Ff5dclj.jpg&hash=6eb300784fc23a7d695a76b743fc07b5cb1d8ad3)
:lol: :hug:
I dunno. Not counting law books, like six or ten.
Quote from: Agelastus on September 22, 2009, 05:41:05 PM
Yes. :nerd:
Battlestar Galactica and Clan Wolverine, with a good way of linking the two continua. Reasonable writing and the occasional flash of genuine wit. Almost as good as fan-fiction gets.
Yup, I've read it :blush:
I finished reading the Internet last night. Every web page. Does that count?
Are you a Google-bot?
Quote from: Warspite on September 23, 2009, 05:32:01 AM
I finished reading the Internet last night. Every web page. Does that count?
No.
Zero. I've been reading "River of Doubt" (about Teddy Roosevelt's Amazon expedition) on and off since January. :blush:
I go through phases where I read voraciously, and then phases where I don't read at all. I'm an 'off' phase.
In case anyone is interested I can really recommend the Armageddonhttp://bbs.stardestroyer.net/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=118771 (http://bbs.stardestroyer.net/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=118771) a well Judeo-christian fanfic, story is what would happen if Hell tried to invade earth today. Starting point about a year ago.
Sequal Pantheocide http://bbs.stardestroyer.net/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=134719 (http://bbs.stardestroyer.net/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=134719)
More than 11, but probably less than 25.
Quote from: Agelastus on September 22, 2009, 06:34:51 PM
The series diverges at New Caprica, which in this continuum is the planet where Clan Wolverine/"The Minnesota Tribe" ended up - as I said, it's a neat way to link the two universes. The year is 3045, which fits reasonably well with the known timeline of Kobol from the series (we know it was inhabited for at least 4000 years IIRC but not much else - the Colonials are speaking a recognisable form of Mycenaean Greek.)
As for a synopsis, don't be lazy! Besides, it is nowhere near finished yet.
There's no way I'm reading that much drek. BattleTech novels are bad enough. Fanfiction is worse. Crossover fanfiction though... :x
Quote from: Barrister on September 23, 2009, 11:58:38 AM
Quote from: Agelastus on September 22, 2009, 06:34:51 PM
The series diverges at New Caprica, which in this continuum is the planet where Clan Wolverine/"The Minnesota Tribe" ended up - as I said, it's a neat way to link the two universes. The year is 3045, which fits reasonably well with the known timeline of Kobol from the series (we know it was inhabited for at least 4000 years IIRC but not much else - the Colonials are speaking a recognisable form of Mycenaean Greek.)
As for a synopsis, don't be lazy! Besides, it is nowhere near finished yet.
There's no way I'm reading that much drek. BattleTech novels are bad enough. Fanfiction is worse. Crossover fanfiction though... :x
Indeed. Extra-lame. On the other hand, I find it hard to believe that any BSG fanfic could possibly be as stupid as the source material turned out.
good question. I read tonnes online, but didn't have access to my books for several months this year. And I am not travelling as much (planes and busses are great for reading) . So I am behind my usual pace of 1 book/week.
Voted 6-10. I think I remember them all. It included two books on the crusades, one book on the tarsands, another book on world food, a Joe Strummer bio, and ...?
I actually do not think I have read any fiction this year. So now I have two novels on the go, including one I stopped reading halfway last fall.
Quote from: Caliga on September 23, 2009, 07:04:36 AM
Zero. I've been reading "River of Doubt" (about Teddy Roosevelt's Amazon expedition) on and off since January. :blush:
I go through phases where I read voraciously, and then phases where I don't read at all. I'm an 'off' phase.
Sounds like me. I am well on my way to not finishing a single book this year, for the first time that I can ever remember. I have started a few book that I probably won't finish and have listened to a couple of audio books but not much reading for me this year. :Embarrass:
Quote from: Ideologue on September 23, 2009, 02:15:23 PM
Indeed. Extra-lame. On the other hand, I find it hard to believe that any BSG fanfic could possibly be as stupid as the source material turned out.
Hmmm...Barrister expresses interest and then retreats into "that's drek, I would never read it". Cute...
Hey Ide, reading better ideas than the stupidity they put on screen is what it is all about; try "The Consequences of not being Polite" for a good non-crossover fanfiction.
Quote from: Agelastus on September 23, 2009, 04:33:24 PM
try "The Consequences of not being Polite" for a good non-crossover fanfiction.
Don't that one is horrible :x
Yes, let's everyone have an doppelganger..... <_<
Quote from: Ape on September 23, 2009, 04:36:04 PM
Quote from: Agelastus on September 23, 2009, 04:33:24 PM
try "The Consequences of not being Polite" for a good non-crossover fanfiction.
Don't that one is horrible :x
Yes, let's everyone have an doppelganger..... <_<
Yes, that is a tad much (now I've remembered what you mean.) What's your problem with the rest of it though?
Quote from: Agelastus on September 23, 2009, 04:33:24 PM
Quote from: Ideologue on September 23, 2009, 02:15:23 PM
Indeed. Extra-lame. On the other hand, I find it hard to believe that any BSG fanfic could possibly be as stupid as the source material turned out.
Hmmm...Barrister expresses interest and then retreats into "that's drek, I would never read it". Cute...
Hey Ide, reading better ideas than the stupidity they put on screen is what it is all about; try "The Consequences of not being Polite" for a good non-crossover fanfiction.
Well, I hate pretty much all crossovers when it hasn't been established that it's a shared universe--it's not a dislike limited to fanfic.
And that is the good thing about FF (virtually the medium/genre/whatever's sole redeeming factor)--it sometimes manages to take a good idea with poor execution (or a bad idea with bad execution) and make it worthwile.
Quote from: Ideologue on September 23, 2009, 05:24:53 PM
Well, I hate pretty much all crossovers when it hasn't been established that it's a shared universe--it's not a dislike limited to fanfic.
How exactly does one establish that a universe is shared prior to a crossover, exactly?
Quote from: ulmont on September 23, 2009, 05:47:53 PM
Quote from: Ideologue on September 23, 2009, 05:24:53 PM
Well, I hate pretty much all crossovers when it hasn't been established that it's a shared universe--it's not a dislike limited to fanfic.
How exactly does one establish that a universe is shared prior to a crossover, exactly?
Yeah, I thought I poorly worded that, but didn't want to edit. :yawn:
How about, "I hate crossovers when it has clearly been established that it's
not a shared universe"? In which case, Homicide and Law and Order crossing over are fine, and the universe-building and universe-sharing of the early days of the Marvel universe are cool, but Superman and Spider-Man are obviously not occupying the same planet Earth. (Sometimes it's not really apparent that Superman and
Batman are occupying the same planet Earth, but that's a different discussion really.)
In the Superman/Spider-Man kind of crossover, where the two properties have made each other mutually exclusive, you either have to invent an entirely new universe--and this sometimes works--or have some sort of universe-crossing event which is almost always gimmicky and lame.
As I noted, the former sometimes works. A good example of that is the Planetary/JLA crossover, which basically creates a whole new universe for each property, with heavier doses of the Planetary (Wildstorm) universe than the JLA (DC) universe. In that, Supes, Wonder Woman, and Batman are fighting Elijah Snow, who has used his habit of cataloguing the weird to launch himself as the corporate ruler of the world, making trillions off of advanced, arcane, and alien technologies that would otherwise have been lost. In other words, it's a totally different universe than either properties inhabited outside of the crossover. And it works very well, telling an engaging and compelling short story.
The Planetary/Batman crossover is a good example of the latter approach. It is mildly entertaining, but it's mainly just "Look! Batman! Elijah Snow! Check it out! Look!"
Taking the Battletech/BSG notion, these two properties are totally mutually exclusive, which I have discovered despite not knowing jack about Battletech by the simple expedient of determing that one takes place in (spoiler for something that happened last year, which anyone who cares already knows :rolleyes: )
the 31st century A.D., the other in the 1000th century B.C.
Edited, amongst other reasons, for an order of magnitude. God I hate BSG.
:lol: Dude let it go. it's over now.
Quote from: BuddhaRhubarb on September 23, 2009, 09:07:18 PM
:lol: Dude let it go. it's over now.
It's all happened before, and it'll all happen again, if we let it. :angry:
Quote from: Agelastus on September 23, 2009, 04:45:15 PM
Yes, that is a tad much (now I've remembered what you mean.) What's your problem with the rest of it though?
The überwankingtech of the earthlings :(
Quote from: Ape on September 24, 2009, 12:28:03 AM
Quote from: Agelastus on September 23, 2009, 04:45:15 PM
Yes, that is a tad much (now I've remembered what you mean.) What's your problem with the rest of it though?
The überwankingtech of the earthlings :(
Does the internet qualify as "überwankingtech"?
Quote from: Ape on September 23, 2009, 11:33:38 AM
In case anyone is interested I can really recommend the Armageddonhttp://bbs.stardestroyer.net/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=118771 (http://bbs.stardestroyer.net/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=118771) a well Judeo-christian fanfic, story is what would happen if Hell tried to invade earth today. Starting point about a year ago.
Sequal Pantheocide http://bbs.stardestroyer.net/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=134719 (http://bbs.stardestroyer.net/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=134719)
This is surprisingly good. I think that the hysterical reaction of humanity is extremely lowballed, but all things considered I'm surprised Baen didn't bid for this book.
Quote from: Ideologue on September 23, 2009, 08:54:03 PM
As I noted, the former sometimes works. A good example of that is the Planetary/JLA crossover, which basically creates a whole new universe for each property, with heavier doses of the Planetary (Wildstorm) universe than the JLA (DC) universe.
Blech. Planetary is already a parody of the JLA universe; a Planetary/JLA crossover is like a Spiderman/Spider-Ham crossover.
Quote from: Ape on September 24, 2009, 12:28:03 AM
Quote from: Agelastus on September 23, 2009, 04:45:15 PM
Yes, that is a tad much (now I've remembered what you mean.) What's your problem with the rest of it though?
The überwankingtech of the earthlings :(
Explained rationally (as rationally as anything can be when it depends on an uber-powerful race forgetting to dismantle a base.)
And at least the existence of this uber-powerful race meddling away let's him explain "virtual Baltar" and "virtual Six".
Quote from: Ideologue on September 23, 2009, 08:54:03 PM
Taking the Battletech/BSG notion, these two properties are totally mutually exclusive, which I have discovered despite not knowing jack about Battletech by the simple expedient of determing that one takes place in (spoiler for something that happened last year, which anyone who cares already knows :rolleyes: )
the 31st century A.D., the other in the 1000th century B.C.
Edited, amongst other reasons, for an order of magnitude. God I hate BSG.
Yes, the ending is enough to make one want to go and erase the existence of a few people connected with the series from all of history.
However, I would consider the sheer idiocy of the canonical ending to be a prime reason to write a different one - and if you are doing that, then the canonical "it all happened 50000 years or more in the past" can go straight into the crapper where it belongs. Leaving things open for a crossover with the fictional universe of your choice.
I've probably read more books so far this year than the previous 2 years combined. Decided to make an effort to make a dent in my To-Read Pile.
Some I remember:
Walker Percy, The Last Gentleman
Walker Percy, Love In The Ruins
Salman Rushdie, Shalimar The Clown
Frederick Busch, The Night Inspector (which I unreservedly recommend to all)
Robert Boswell, Century's Son
Thomas Pakenham, The Boer War
Harry Ammon, The Genet Mission
Di Lampedusa, The Leopard (again)
John Le Carre', The Mission Song
Rousseau, The Confessions (again...and only Book 1)
Flannery O'Connor, The Complete Stories (:wub:)
J.D. Salinger, Nine Stories (again and again)
Isaac Babel, Red Cavalry
Lombardo's modern translation of The Iliad (not bad; not necessarily good, but not bad)
Various selections of Saint Augustine and Saint Thomas Aquinas, for shits and giggles
A slew of yearly collections of short stories and nonfiction literature...Best American, New American, Best New American Voices, Best of the Writing Programs, etc., stuff like that.
On deck: Lord Mahon's biography of Belisarius, Melville's The Confidence-Man, Rosalie David's Religion and Magic in Ancient Egypt, and I'm going to try to tackle Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus.
Quote from: ulmont on September 24, 2009, 08:31:07 AM
This is surprisingly good. I think that the hysterical reaction of humanity is extremely lowballed, but all things considered I'm surprised Baen didn't bid for this book.
Started to read and then my eyes started bleeding.
Voted 101-150, however all but three or four of those were chidren's books that I read to my daughter(s)...
:blush:
Quote from: garbon on September 25, 2009, 01:44:12 AM
Quote from: ulmont on September 24, 2009, 08:31:07 AM
This is surprisingly good. I think that the hysterical reaction of humanity is extremely lowballed, but all things considered I'm surprised Baen didn't bid for this book.
Started to read and then my eyes started bleeding.
You must not read many Baen books. I think that fan-fic beats about half of John Ringo's works.
Quote from: ulmont on September 25, 2009, 09:11:45 AM
You must not read many Baen books. I think that fan-fic beats about half of John Ringo's works.
This is true. I value my time here on Earth.
Quote from: garbon on September 25, 2009, 06:15:11 PM
Quote from: ulmont on September 25, 2009, 09:11:45 AM
You must not read many Baen books. I think that fan-fic beats about half of John Ringo's works.
This is true. I value my time here on Earth.
Yes. I can tell by the amount you post on Languish. :rolleyes:
Garbon is smart to avoid Baen books. I wish I had sometimes.
Quote from: Ed Anger on September 25, 2009, 06:34:30 PM
Garbon is smart to avoid Baen books. I wish I had sometimes.
Most of Baen's regular authors are now at the "write anything, it will be printed" stage, which is not conducive to good (or even average) literature.
David Weber being the prime example of author-bloat.
What the hell are all you on about with this Baen person? Why are you wasting your time reading that tripe?
I know for a fucking fact none of you have read enough of all the good authors and classics to piss away your time on sci-fi-alt-histard shit.
If you don't eat your meat, you can't have any pudding! How can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?
Quote from: Agelastus on September 25, 2009, 06:40:26 PM
David Weber being the prime example of author-bloat.
QuoteIn this eagerly anticipated sequel to 2007's Off Armageddon Reef, the sheer scale of the Kingdom of Charis's naval victory against corrupt forces of the Church of God Awaiting has the Church newly wary of Charis's technological innovations. These were introduced by Merlin Athrawes, bodyguard to King Cayleb II and actually an android imprinted with a human's memories and personality who seeks to throw off the false religion that bars mankind from the stars. As Charis's neighbors scramble to rebuild their shattered fleets and prepare for the inevitable reprisals, the Church lurches toward placing the entire nation under proscription and declaring holy war. The numerous characters are never reduced to stereotypes, and Weber's portrayal of the social changes brought about by Charis's bootstrap industrial and military revolutions ring true. If not as action oriented as the first volume, the descriptions of the rebirth of knowledge and the human spirit are at least as enthralling.
What. The. Chocolate. Covered. Christ.
Go read some Willa Cather, for fuck's sake.
Quote from: ulmont on September 25, 2009, 06:30:37 PM
Yes. I can tell by the amount you post on Languish. :rolleyes:
I don't value my time at work. :goodboy:
QuoteIn this eagerly anticipated sequel to 2007's Off Armageddon Reef, the sheer scale of the Kingdom of Charis's naval victory against corrupt forces of the Church of God Awaiting has the Church newly wary of Charis's technological innovations. These were introduced by Merlin Athrawes, bodyguard to King Cayleb II and actually an android imprinted with a human's memories and personality who seeks to throw off the false religion that bars mankind from the stars. As Charis's neighbors scramble to rebuild their shattered fleets and prepare for the inevitable reprisals, the Church lurches toward placing the entire nation under proscription and declaring holy war. The numerous characters are never reduced to stereotypes, and Weber's portrayal of the social changes brought about by Charis's bootstrap industrial and military revolutions ring true. If not as action oriented as the first volume, the descriptions of the rebirth of knowledge and the human spirit are at least as enthralling.
:bleeding:
"Good authors" and (alleged) "classics" are by no means one and the same.
And the book quoted is "Exhibit A" of "author-bloat"...perhaps B, C and D as well. If you were looking to read Weber, I'd tell you to read that last, and solely if you were a masochist who felt they had to read the "complete works".
Quote from: Agelastus on September 25, 2009, 07:12:25 PM
"Good authors" and (alleged) "classics" are by no means one and the same.
Fine. But if you want to rot your brain, do what I do: watch the idiot box. But for God's sake, at least read better books.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on September 25, 2009, 06:56:07 PM
What the hell are all you on about with this Baen person? Why are you wasting your time reading that tripe?
I know for a fucking fact none of you have read enough of all the good authors and classics to piss away your time on sci-fi-alt-histard shit.
If you don't eat your meat, you can't have any pudding! How can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?
Fuck, just about all I ever read is nonfiction. What's that, unleavened bread?
Quote from: CountDeMoney on September 25, 2009, 07:17:34 PM
Quote from: Agelastus on September 25, 2009, 07:12:25 PM
"Good authors" and (alleged) "classics" are by no means one and the same.
Fine. But if you want to rot your brain, do what I do: watch the idiot box. But for God's sake, at least read better books.
I "rot my brain" by posting on internet fora!
As I implied, I refrain from reading much of Baen's material these days. Authors that could originally do "stirring and triumphant" have now become lame with repetition "ad-infinitum".
Not that my current reading would be much better from your point of view. I have just finished the three books published of Adrian Tchaikovsky's "The shadow of the Apt" series. The first two books were fairly good fantasy fluff with a nice twist. The less said about the non-event of the third book the better.
Quote from: garbon on September 25, 2009, 07:00:51 PM
QuoteIn this eagerly anticipated sequel to 2007's Off Armageddon Reef, the sheer scale of the Kingdom of Charis's naval victory against corrupt forces of the Church of God Awaiting has the Church newly wary of Charis's technological innovations. These were introduced by Merlin Athrawes, bodyguard to King Cayleb II and actually an android imprinted with a human's memories and personality who seeks to throw off the false religion that bars mankind from the stars. As Charis's neighbors scramble to rebuild their shattered fleets and prepare for the inevitable reprisals, the Church lurches toward placing the entire nation under proscription and declaring holy war. The numerous characters are never reduced to stereotypes, and Weber's portrayal of the social changes brought about by Charis's bootstrap industrial and military revolutions ring true. If not as action oriented as the first volume, the descriptions of the rebirth of knowledge and the human spirit are at least as enthralling.
:bleeding:
Sounds like something I should buy for Korea. I can't say too much, though, as I do admit I will readily read crap when I'm not reading books about law (for profit) or science (for fun).
Quote from: Agelastus on September 25, 2009, 07:12:25 PM
"Good authors" and (alleged) "classics" are by no means one and the same.
And the book quoted is "Exhibit A" of "author-bloat"...perhaps B, C and D as well. If you were looking to read Weber, I'd tell you to read that last, and solely if you were a masochist who felt they had to read the "complete works".
You should read that book before the "Sword Brother" novella. In a "small world" sort of thing, one of my poker buddies knew Weber in college, and remembers all the horrible fiction inflicted upon him with a "read this and tell me what you think" intro.
Quote from: Ideologue on September 25, 2009, 07:20:19 PM
Fuck, just about all I ever read is nonfiction. What's that, unleavened bread?
[brimley]And it's good for you.[/brimley]
Quote from: Ideologue on September 25, 2009, 07:22:14 PM
I can't say too much, though, as I do admit I will readily read crap when I'm not reading books about law (for profit) or science (for fun).
Well, there's nothing wrong with whacking off to Maxim once in a while.
Quote from: ulmont on September 25, 2009, 07:22:57 PM
Quote from: Agelastus on September 25, 2009, 07:12:25 PM
"Good authors" and (alleged) "classics" are by no means one and the same.
And the book quoted is "Exhibit A" of "author-bloat"...perhaps B, C and D as well. If you were looking to read Weber, I'd tell you to read that last, and solely if you were a masochist who felt they had to read the "complete works".
You should read that book before the "Sword Brother" novella. In a "small world" sort of thing, one of my poker buddies knew Weber in college, and remembers all the horrible fiction inflicted upon him with a "read this and tell me what you think" intro.
"Sword Brother" is the definitive "jumped the shark" moment for Weber.
Yes, I have read it, but only because it was online for free. :)
Quote from: Agelastus on September 25, 2009, 07:25:09 PM
Quote from: ulmont on September 25, 2009, 07:22:57 PM
Quote from: Agelastus on September 25, 2009, 07:12:25 PM
"Good authors" and (alleged) "classics" are by no means one and the same.
And the book quoted is "Exhibit A" of "author-bloat"...perhaps B, C and D as well. If you were looking to read Weber, I'd tell you to read that last, and solely if you were a masochist who felt they had to read the "complete works".
You should read that book before the "Sword Brother" novella. In a "small world" sort of thing, one of my poker buddies knew Weber in college, and remembers all the horrible fiction inflicted upon him with a "read this and tell me what you think" intro.
"Sword Brother" is the definitive "jumped the shark" moment for Weber.
Yes, I have read it, but only because it was online for free. :)
It was online for free, and I *still* stopped after the first chapter.
Quote from: ulmont on September 25, 2009, 07:29:27 PM
Quote from: Agelastus on September 25, 2009, 07:25:09 PM
Quote from: ulmont on September 25, 2009, 07:22:57 PM
Quote from: Agelastus on September 25, 2009, 07:12:25 PM
"Good authors" and (alleged) "classics" are by no means one and the same.
And the book quoted is "Exhibit A" of "author-bloat"...perhaps B, C and D as well. If you were looking to read Weber, I'd tell you to read that last, and solely if you were a masochist who felt they had to read the "complete works".
You should read that book before the "Sword Brother" novella. In a "small world" sort of thing, one of my poker buddies knew Weber in college, and remembers all the horrible fiction inflicted upon him with a "read this and tell me what you think" intro.
"Sword Brother" is the definitive "jumped the shark" moment for Weber.
Yes, I have read it, but only because it was online for free. :)
It was online for free, and I *still* stopped after the first chapter.
So I'm a masochist; so sue me. :P
Quote from: CountDeMoney on September 25, 2009, 06:56:58 PM
Quote from: Agelastus on September 25, 2009, 06:40:26 PM
David Weber being the prime example of author-bloat.
QuoteIn this eagerly anticipated sequel to 2007's Off Armageddon Reef, the sheer scale of the Kingdom of Charis's naval victory against corrupt forces of the Church of God Awaiting has the Church newly wary of Charis's technological innovations. These were introduced by Merlin Athrawes, bodyguard to King Cayleb II and actually an android imprinted with a human's memories and personality who seeks to throw off the false religion that bars mankind from the stars. As Charis's neighbors scramble to rebuild their shattered fleets and prepare for the inevitable reprisals, the Church lurches toward placing the entire nation under proscription and declaring holy war. The numerous characters are never reduced to stereotypes, and Weber's portrayal of the social changes brought about by Charis's bootstrap industrial and military revolutions ring true. If not as action oriented as the first volume, the descriptions of the rebirth of knowledge and the human spirit are at least as enthralling.
What. The. Chocolate. Covered. Christ.
Go read some Willa Cather, for fuck's sake.
I'm totally gonna read the first book in that series now.
Quote from: garbon on September 25, 2009, 01:44:12 AM
Quote from: ulmont on September 24, 2009, 08:31:07 AM
This is surprisingly good. I think that the hysterical reaction of humanity is extremely lowballed, but all things considered I'm surprised Baen didn't bid for this book.
Started to read and then my eyes started bleeding.
The writing ain't that bad, although I agree the human reaction is way out of wack. There'd be a lot of religious denial, etc.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on September 25, 2009, 07:23:46 PM
Quote from: Ideologue on September 25, 2009, 07:22:14 PM
I can't say too much, though, as I do admit I will readily read crap when I'm not reading books about law (for profit) or science (for fun).
Well, there's nothing wrong with whacking off to Maxim once in a while.
Jesus, funny you should mention that. I was at Korea's store the other day waiting for her to get off, and I blundered into this Maxim insert that almost did the same for me. It was about as porn as things get without genitals, blurred-out or otherwise. It was called Girls of College or somesuch bullshit; the photog they'd gotten to do the pics apparently had a penchant for having the chicks drool milk out onto their tits. I mean, I know they're undergrad sluts and all, but when you're spitting semen analogue onto your own body, what qualitative difference remains between your "tasteful photo shoot" and just taking it to the face in "Cum Dumpsters 55"?
Agelastus, have you been on Spacebattles.com?
They have some awesome stories there. I think my favorite was a long one about the Romulan War. 100 times better than Enterprise.
Quote from: jimmy olsen on September 25, 2009, 07:53:35 PM
Agelastus, have you been on Spacebattles.com?
They have some awesome stories there. I think my favorite was a long one about the Romulan War. 100 times better than Enterprise.
No I haven't.
Is that one repeated on fan-fiction.net? I recall seeing a massive Romulan War story in their Star Trek section, but I have not read it.
Have you read the million word plus account of the Dilgar War in the Babylon 5 section? Now that's a story which deserves to be declared canon.
Quote from: jimmy olsen on September 25, 2009, 07:34:11 PM
The writing ain't that bad, although I agree the human reaction is way out of wack. There'd be a lot of religious denial, etc.
Your taste is horrible.
Quote from: jimmy olsen on September 25, 2009, 07:32:14 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on September 25, 2009, 06:56:58 PM
Quote from: Agelastus on September 25, 2009, 06:40:26 PM
David Weber being the prime example of author-bloat.
QuoteIn this eagerly anticipated sequel to 2007's Off Armageddon Reef, the sheer scale of the Kingdom of Charis's naval victory against corrupt forces of the Church of God Awaiting has the Church newly wary of Charis's technological innovations. These were introduced by Merlin Athrawes, bodyguard to King Cayleb II and actually an android imprinted with a human's memories and personality who seeks to throw off the false religion that bars mankind from the stars. As Charis's neighbors scramble to rebuild their shattered fleets and prepare for the inevitable reprisals, the Church lurches toward placing the entire nation under proscription and declaring holy war. The numerous characters are never reduced to stereotypes, and Weber's portrayal of the social changes brought about by Charis's bootstrap industrial and military revolutions ring true. If not as action oriented as the first volume, the descriptions of the rebirth of knowledge and the human spirit are at least as enthralling.
What. The. Chocolate. Covered. Christ.
Go read some Willa Cather, for fuck's sake.
I'm totally gonna read the first book in that series now.
It sucks. Horribly boring. Gave the book to my nephew, and he burned it because it was so sucktacular.
Quote from: Ed Anger on September 26, 2009, 02:19:23 PM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on September 25, 2009, 07:32:14 PM
I'm totally gonna read the first book in that series now.
It sucks. Horribly boring. Gave the book to my nephew, and he burned it because it was so sucktacular.
In this one case, I would not, and do not, raise the slightest objection to a case of book-burning. :hug:
I should bring back my "Cavalcade of Crap" thread. Boy I read some shitburgers back then. Fox on the Rhine, Fitzpatrick's War, that Weber piece of shit, etc, etc.
Quote from: Ed Anger on September 26, 2009, 04:58:46 PM
I should bring back my "Cavalcade of Crap" thread. Boy I read some shitburgers back then. Fox on the Rhine, Fitzpatrick's War, that Weber piece of shit, etc, etc.
For someone who is smart enough to make a shitpot full of money and buy a childbride, you sure have a way of manifesting what stupidity you do possess. Alt-hist sci-fi
and the Cincinnati Bengals? What a twofer.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on September 26, 2009, 09:54:06 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on September 26, 2009, 04:58:46 PM
I should bring back my "Cavalcade of Crap" thread. Boy I read some shitburgers back then. Fox on the Rhine, Fitzpatrick's War, that Weber piece of shit, etc, etc.
For someone who is smart enough to make a shitpot full of money and buy a childbride, you sure have a way of manifesting what stupidity you do possess. Alt-hist sci-fi and the Cincinnati Bengals? What a twofer.
I think I'm naturally attracted to crappy things. Hell, I had an N64 too. :weep: