The 'What are you reading at the moment' thread

[Avron the S'wit]

If you like Norwegian Wood, try South of the Border, West of the Sun next.

I will, but so far I don't like it as much as I did his book 1Q84, which I thought was exceptional. I've still got 100 pages to go, though, so maybe I'll change my mind.

[Taters]

His books always make me think, but he does have hits and misses. I thought A Wild Sheep Chase was a bit mediocre, but it's "sequel", Dance, Dance, Dance is one of my all-time favorites.

Also, to keep this on topic, I'm currently foraying into Strunk and White's Elements of Style. A concise read on how to write.

[Witchery]

I just started Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin. It is great so far. Downloaded the series on my Nook. I think this is going to become my second love next to TES! (On a related note, I'm on episode three of season one, which I probably shouldn't watch before I read, but it was too tempting. hahah!)

[p-sto]

Some people might disagree but the show is fairly well done. That being said the experience of the books is much better. Hold out and read first, you'll definitely appreciate it.

[Eltee]

I'm just started Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin. It is great so far. Downloaded the series on my Nook. I think this is going to become my second love next to TES! (On a related note, I'm on episode three of season one, which I probably shouldn't watch before I read, but it was too tempting. hahah!)

Oh, nice! Great series. Keep an eye on Irri and Dany, my official faves.

[Norroen Dyrd]

Historia de una gaviota y del gato que le enseñó a volar by Luis Sepúlveda (in the original).

[ReeceH]

I just finished 'Constant Rider Omnibus Book' by Kate Lopresti (an old fan-zine collection with stories about riding public transport) and have started on 'Dance of Days: Two Decades of Punk in the Nation's Capital' by Mark Anderson and Mark Jenkins (which is about Washington DC's punk scene).

[Arkhon]

Since December I read Caesar and How Rome Fell by Adrian Goldsworthy, now I'm reading The Central Middle Ages by Daniel Power.

[Stendarr]

Started reading ''Surely you are joking Mr. Feynman'' and it's pretty awesome so far. ''Autobiography'' of one of the greatest modern physicists (won a Nobel prize in quantum mechanics), it's pretty much just a collection of entertaining and enlightening anecdotes. They really shows what kind of character Feynman is, how he thinks and reasons, which is unlike most people, also contemplating how we are and act. Like I said it's very enlightening, but at the same time entertaining because Feynman is really a particular character who likes to joke and embark in a variety of odd situations and adventures. You don't need to be a physicist to read this, and it definitely shatters the prejudice that all the serious science people are boring and stay in their books. He's the kind of dude who doesn't take things too seriously, always playful and carefree and it really brings him in funny situations.


I read some Lovecraft short stories too. And gosh sometimes he knows how to conjure images in the mind of the reader, sometimes in a very... unique, eerie way that really helps set a particular mood unlike any other. These are two specific bits taken out of context which are just awesome:
''spectral summer of narcotic flowers''
''graveyard of the Universe''

[Leilah]

I'm reading American Gods by Neil Gaiman, after just finishing The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides.

[cowleyj]

Six not-so-easy pieces by richard feynman. Brilliant books based on his inspiring lectures.

[Dohva.]

I just started Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin. It is great so far. Downloaded the series on my Nook. I think this is going to become my second love next to TES! (On a related note, I'm on episode three of season one, which I probably shouldn't watch before I read, but it was too tempting. hahah!)

Just ordered this on amazon. I can't wait to start reading!

[Norroen Dyrd]

The Gulag Archipelago by A.Solzhenitsyn.

[Avron the S'wit]

Just started Second Person Singular by Sayed Kashua.

I thought Norwegian Wood was absolutely bizarre. Nowhere near as good as 1Q84, for sure.

[Dohva.]

Has anyone read "Shadow and Bone"? Its another one I'm interested in but if its YA then its a no go for me.

[Daring Fieldmajor]

Pet Semetary by Stephen King
Definitely one of his more disturbing books.

[ReeceH]

I just started Patti Smith's autobiography 'Just Kids'. So far it's a really wonderful read, she certainly has a way with words.

[Dohva.]

Just started "Game of Thrones". So far, damn good. I'm highly impressed with George R.R. Martin's writing, although I wouldn't expect anything less from someone 30 years in the writing business. I'm glad I took my co-worker's word for it. Fantasy geeks always give the best advice on reading material.

[MARS]

I finished book 3 of 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami the other day. I loved books 1 and 2, but 3 was pretty meh. As far as I'm concerned the story could have ended with book 2. There wasn't enough Fuka-Eri in 3. Plus most of the characters developed in ways I didn't like. In addition, everyone that wasn't Tengo or Aomame just got completely washed away. I won't complain about insight into Ushikawa's brain though. His last few chapters were great.

...does anyone know what I'm talking about? >_>

[Dohva.]

No...but honestly I've always had a hard time staying with a series. Something seems to change for me around book 3 and then I get discouraged. So I know what you mean.

[ReeceH]

Just started "Game of Thrones". So far, damn good. I'm highly impressed with George R.R. Martin's writing, although I wouldn't expect anything less from someone 30 years in the writing business. I'm glad I took my co-worker's word for it. Fantasy geeks always give the best advice on reading material.

I must be the only person who cannot stand those books. I don't know what it is but they bored me and I never got into them. I gave up after the first book.

[Witchery]

Just started "Game of Thrones". So far, damn good. I'm highly impressed with George R.R. Martin's writing, although I wouldn't expect anything less from someone 30 years in the writing business. I'm glad I took my co-worker's word for it. Fantasy geeks always give the best advice on reading material.

I must be the only person who cannot stand those books. I don't know what it is but they bored me and I never got into them. I gave up after the first book.

What!? A Song of Ice and Fire is amazing! Dov, soon you'll be watching the show as well, assuming you haven't already. The story and world is really interesting, second only to TES imo.

Ah, I understand that about popular books, though, Reece -- I loathe Lord of the Rings.

[Dohva.]

I never got past "The Hobbit" but I also read it in 6th grade. I remmber thinking it was really good bu the movies uined the surprise of the remainding books.

Witchery, we don't have tv...only netflix. So I won't be watching the show until then.

[Taters]

Recently finished Jonathan Safran Foer's "Eating Animals", which I highly recommend to anybody who ingests solid food. Even if the issues don't move you, you still have a right to know this stuff.

[ReeceH]

What!? A Song of Ice and Fire is amazing! Dov, soon you'll be watching the show as well, assuming you haven't already. The story and world is really interesting, second only to TES imo.

Ah, I understand that about popular books, though, Reece -- I loathe Lord of the Rings.

It doesn't really have anything to do with them being popular (I am a Lord of the Rings fan). I am not really sure what it is, but they really don't 'grab' me