What are you reading right now?

**Janszoon** · 12-21-2011, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Above

I'm curious. Have you ever read any books that you wish you could read for the first time again? The Stand is one of those for me. Such a great work of fiction.

Absolutely! This one especially:

mr dave · 12-21-2011, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SATCHMO

The first and only book I read entirely online. It was hilarious.

It's the first book I've ever had to honest to crap stop myself from reading further exactly like the 'just one more X' deal with a video game. The first 'book' until it reaches that first main climax in Vegas is just - Jennifer Lopez but not that Jennifer Lopez

Quote:

Originally Posted by Engine

Yay Infinite Jest! If you're at all familiar with postmodern fiction writing (like Faulkner or James Joyce) then it's not a difficult read at all. It's actually way easier than those b/c it's fun and reads quite smoothly. Definitely don't let the page count worry you.

One thing that you must do is keep two bookmarks in it - one on the main body and one in the endnotes. And you have to read the endnotes, they're not just notes but actually a significant part of the story. Do not ignore them even if they go on for many pages.

I still need to finish the thing myself. I got stuck on page 728 nearly a year ago when other things started distracting me too much and I need to get back to it. I'd love to have an MB discussion/thread on it if anybody else has read or is reading this. So .. read it! And let us know how it goes for you.

Haven't tried either author. I tried Pynchon's Gravity's Rainbow a while back and didn't really make it past 100 or so pages before moving onto something else. Was already planning the double bookmark action for IJ. I've used it to great effect with Mark Z. Danielewski's books.

As for a discussion thread wasn't there a MB book club mega-thread a long time ago?

Engine · 12-21-2011, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr dave

Haven't tried either author. I tried Pynchon's Gravity's Rainbow a while back and didn't really make it past 100 or so pages before moving onto something else. Was already planning the double bookmark action for IJ. I've used it to great effect with Mark Z. Danielewski's books.

As for a discussion thread wasn't there a MB book club mega-thread a long time ago?

There was but I only want to talk about Infinite Jest.
And, selfishly, I want some motivation to finish it.
Those other authors I mentioned are certainly not prerequisites for reading Wallace. IJ is actually a very interesting, gripping read although sometimes you have to deal with 50 or so pages of one character's inner thoughts. I really hope you go for it.

mr dave · 12-21-2011, 11:57 PM

Oh yeah. It's definitely not going to collect dust. I've been forewarned about the 120-odd page tennis match hahaha

TockTockTock · 12-22-2011, 06:08 PM

Reading two books... One is called Musicage which is made up of a series of interviews of John Cage that were given shortly before his death. It tends to focus a lot on his poetry and his later, more "microtonal" (as he puts it) musical works... The other is a re-visitation of James Joyce's Ulysses. I had read it about two years ago, but didn't get too much out of it due to its difficulty. So... I decided to reread it. It's not quite as trying now, but I still struggle a bit with the odd (sometimes archaic) language that he uses, and I have to occasionally look back over some of the abstract inner monologues that tend to occur every now and then...

crash_override · 12-24-2011, 01:25 PM

Post Office by Charles Bukowski

Good, so far. Very good. Will post back with a mini-review when I'm finished.

NSW · 12-24-2011, 04:45 PM

Tackling this one right now, it's an easier read than I thought it was going to be. Enjoyable, rich, and I'm liking the female perspective.

Colby4780 · 12-26-2011, 04:12 PM

Caesar: The Life of a Colossus by Adrian Goldsworthy. If you are a fan of Roman history and Julius Caesar definitely pick this one up. I am reading it on my new Kindle Fire, great reader.

LoathsomePete · 12-26-2011, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crash_override

Post Office by Charles Bukowski

Good, so far. Very good. Will post back with a mini-review when I'm finished.

So far the only book I've read by Bukowski. I really enjoyed it, especially by the end where he just turns into the epitome of the word misanthrope. I really need to read more of his stuff, have you heard any other good ones by him?

ThePhanastasio · 12-27-2011, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crash_override

Post Office by Charles Bukowski

Good, so far. Very good. Will post back with a mini-review when I'm finished.

I find that of authors I've read, I identify the most with Mr. Bukowski. Substitute horse racing for theatre, and you've got me.

I really enjoyed this book in particular. I feel like of what I've read of his fiction, this one is the most Bukowski. The Captain is Out to Lunch and the Sailors Have Taken Over the Ship is in my opinion an essential read of his as well. Nonfiction, although very, very much a trip into the man's psyche near the end of his life.

One of my favorites.

12-24-2011, 04:45 PM	#3837 (permalink)
NSW Bigger and Better Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Texas girl living in the UK Posts: 2,596	Tackling this one right now, it's an easier read than I thought it was going to be. Enjoyable, rich, and I'm liking the female perspective. __________________ Hi.

12-26-2011, 04:12 PM	#3838 (permalink)
Colby4780 Addict Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atlanta Posts: 89	Caesar: The Life of a Colossus by Adrian Goldsworthy. If you are a fan of Roman history and Julius Caesar definitely pick this one up. I am reading it on my new Kindle Fire, great reader. __________________ My Collection

12-22-2011, 06:08 PM	#3835 (permalink)
TockTockTock They/Them Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,914	Reading two books... One is called Musicage which is made up of a series of interviews of John Cage that were given shortly before his death. It tends to focus a lot on his poetry and his later, more "microtonal" (as he puts it) musical works... The other is a re-visitation of James Joyce's Ulysses. I had read it about two years ago, but didn't get too much out of it due to its difficulty. So... I decided to reread it. It's not quite as trying now, but I still struggle a bit with the odd (sometimes archaic) language that he uses, and I have to occasionally look back over some of the abstract inner monologues that tend to occur every now and then...