what are you reading?

[craigt]

Don't think this has been posted here before, but too lazy to check!

Excel version of the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die list so you can keep track if that's your thing.

Somewhat surprised to see I've only read 27 of them, but then I tend to stay away from the real world in my fiction.

http://johnandsheena.co.uk/books/?page_id=42

That's quite depressing. I'm going to have to get through 22 books a year if I want to read them all before I die!

[lazerwalker]

...1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die ...

Somewhat surprised to see I've only read 27 of them, but then I tend to stay away from the real world in my fiction.

39 for me, which was more than I expected, plus a handful started, but not finished. I was also surprised by how many of the books I hadn't read I own, but haven't got round to yet.

On the 'what I'm reading' front, most recently, I've read the Midnighters series, by Scott Westerfeld. It's a 'young adult' book, so you'll find it in the childrens section of the bookshop. I really enjoyed them. In the town of Bixby, Oklahoma, time stops at midnight for an hour, unknown by anyone but a group of teens, all born within an hour of midnight, who stay awake for the hour. Also around though, are darklings, primeval creatures who've existed since before humans every evolved. It's got a bit of a Buffy feel, what with the teen voice, and the fact that the Midnighters each have a special ability. Fast paced, interesting story and characters, I'd recommend it.

I've also started working through Transmetropolitan, by Warren Ellis, [1]

I preferred the round smilies

[Orava]

10 - I think and none of them modern apart from Douglas Adams.

But then I had fairly classical schooling and I cannot stand fiction, it is like being inside someone's head. Yuk.

[HGFB]

I've just read Wasp by Eric Frank Russel (Finally) and it was a hoot.

[Colonius]

63 - Updike, Tolkien, Flann O'Brien and a past girlfriend who showed me the section of Waterstones that wasn't Sci-fi helped a lot. Still not likely to make it the end.
Currently reading Pat Barker's Regeneration.

[Viscount Charles]

Waterstones have a section that isn't sci-fi? Does not compute.

[Mat]

Ha, I had a grand total of 16 on that list, and to be honest, going through it, I was fairly disillusioned with it.
Now granted, I'm mostly a Fantasy/Sci-Fi/Horror enthusiast, but no Frank Herbert, R. E. Howard, Pratchett or Lovecraft?
No C. S. Lewis?

Very dubious credentials.

[Mr Dom]

Ha, I had a grand total of 16 on that list, and to be honest, going through it, I was fairly disillusioned with it.
Now granted, I'm mostly a Fantasy/Sci-Fi/Horror enthusiast, but no Frank Herbert, R. E. Howard, Pratchett or Lovecraft?
No C. S. Lewis?

Very dubious credentials.

31, and yeah.. its kinda shit, e.g.

Catch bloody-22
400 odd pages of utter dribbling shite with 1 fairly humourous point which the title mentions. its shite. Not a great work of anything.

Cryptonomicon?!? No Snow Crash or Zodiac, but Crypto-shitty-nomicon? Just cos it goes up its arse trying to describe cryptography in a really bad way guaranteed to confuse even those who know how to write RSA encryption routines, but gosh don't we think we're smart. Gnnnn!

Maybe we need to make a list of books reccomended from this thread instead

[Colonius]

Waterstones have a section that isn't sci-fi? Does not compute.

Surprised me too. I think that having 3 of the Updike Rabbit books is a bit of a fiddle on any level, they are all great but if you've read one you probably will read all 4 and I don't think that in terms of development of the novel they are that different. And I liked Rabbit at Rest best too as its mournful, that was life? ending chimed nicely.

Gravity's Rainbow should count for more than one mark too. Ditto Ulysses. Not that I've made it to the end of either yet.

[limb_clock]

Richard Williams' The Animator's Survival Kit, which is basically doing my teacher's job for him. With greater understanding and depth, i might add.

[grue]

Just started the Complete Chronicles of Conan.

Yup, I'm addicted.

I'd read some of the stories in greek 20 years ago so it feels fresh as new.

[benedictw]

'Shamans Crossing' - Robin Hobb.

Despite me feeling that I wouldn't get on with this at first I've been completely gripped since chapter 2.

[Mat]

Just started the Complete Chronicles of Conan.

Yup, I'm addicted.

I'd read some of the stories in greek 20 years ago so it feels fresh as new.

I keep meaning to pick that up. I've got most of the novels here in paperback, but having that lovely hardback tome sat next to my Commemorative Edition Necronomicon (which looks VERY similar) would just feel right.
Howard & Lovecraft together again

[disciple]

Spark.



The normal view is that we exercise to benefit the body. This book's about how exercise has huge positive but overlooked effects on the mind/brain. For example how regular exercise outperforms anti-depressants as a treatment for depression, and how people who regularly exercise are more intelligent than those who don't.

[F-ZeroOne]

Spark.



For example how regular exercise outperforms anti-depressants as a treatment for depression, and how people who regularly exercise are more intelligent than those who don't.

I can see the flaw in that one right away - Wayne Rooney.