172 replies to this topic

[John Roberts]

Have you gotten and read the Danny Valentine books yet, John?

I'm having trouble finding the first book - I bought the 3rd and 4th on Ebay but I don't want to skip ahead like that. Amazon has them all, but I won't shop from those 'we'll post it when we feel like it' bastards again.

[furrykef]

That's what authors and publishers are for.

The point is, you'd think the publisher would be interested in doing everything within reason to make their book stand out. Giving it an actual title rather than just naming the subject would seem to be part of that.

[CTM]

That's what authors and publishers are for.

That's what they're for, furrykef. Textbooks that end up being used in classrooms don't have to be particularly imaginative with their titles; what makes them stand out are the author and publisher. There's also subtitles that, say, label what edition it is, or identifies a certain aspect of the subject matter that will be covered (since not all textbooks wish to cover that much territory).

Here's one example of the former variety, for instance.

In short: they are not trying to impress anyone, because individuals aren't the primary market. Individuals who do make these purchases are more likely to compare what's out there anyway, and don't need imaginative titles to influence their decision.

As for the topic: I'm reading Mass Effect: Ascension. Surprisingly good; Drew Karpyshyn was one of the game's writers, so it makes sense.

[The Man]

The Math came back to me. Onto
A Potrait of the Artist as a Young Man.

Read this eight years ago. Need to see what I've forgotten.

[Ratty Randnums]

Just started reading Heir to the Empire, book one in the "Thrawn Trilogy", the first novels made for the Star Wars expanded universe.
Though a little intimidating at 400 pages for the first of 3 books it flows surprisingly well. I've already gotten over an eighth of the way through only reading two chapters (predictably placed- one following the bad guys, one following the good) before I go to bed over the last few nights. It's candy for your brain and feels like classic Star Wars, beats the hell out of the prequels.

[Tristan Palmgren]

After more medieval military history (I can only take it in short bursts), I'm onto Land of Mist and Snow by Debra Doyle and James D. MacDonald. I follow one of the authors on his blog, but never read any books by him before. I picked it up at a used book store because the price ($2.00) was too fantastic to skip.

It's a fantasy/alternate history set during the American civil war about dueling warships powered by magic.

[chalcara]

Reading David Eddings Elenium-triology. I love this series, it's pure comfort reading for me.

[BigWigRah]

finally finished "A Girl in a Swing" after two weeks. A little embarrassed that it took so long, but I've had too many obligations to read regularly.

You know, I think I might not be "smart" enough to get everything that happened in that one. Yeah I understood the big implicit secret of the ending, and I got a lot of the elements about Christianity, Forgiveness, and the Supernatural, but there are so many layers to this book that need to be tied together that carry a lot of weight. I would have to read it about 2 more times to really get all the hints, but the book drags on a bit and I want to read some other things when school is over.

Even so, the ending of the book is so haunting. It's the kind of thing that sticks with you for a long time. It's hard to believe this book was written by Richard Adams, THE Richard Adams of rabbit fame. Such a different novel.

[Tristan Palmgren]

In the middle of The Guns of August, a history of the opening chapters of World War I, by Barbara Tuchman. Amazing book so far.

It's amazing the speed and eagerness with which people will convince themselves that wars of aggression and conquest are really wars of self-defense and "military necessity." Something to keep in mind, yes?

One of my favorite phrases in this book has been the "frivolous bellicosity of senile empires." She was describing Austria's ultimatum and declaration of war upon Serbia (which triggered the chain of alliances that started the world part of the war), but it certainly applies very well to more contemporary examples. And I should probably stop there.

[The Man]

As basic as I can get about that post. Is how religion and/or government(any difference) form to have some desire for conquest.

I suppose there's a reason our physce didn't evolve quickly enough for us to not be so apt for violence. But that's the way the empire crumbles. More people could have been alive today. You might have had a different best friend and/or different parents.

Anyway now that I'm on the misery trail.

'The Fall of the House of Usher.'

A reread. I like Poe more than Joyce. But the version I read at the phrase 'during the whole' at the beginning of the story. Then later on we are with Rodrick Usher for three weeks later.

Essentially it didn't happen during the whole of the day but over the course of a month. He could have also meant he came from the dreary tract during the whole of 'that' day. But whatever. I like this dark and depressing story.

It doesn't avoid your typical set-up(IE: life is continuous and doesn't have a beginning, middle, end but I think 'Potrait' by Joyce uses stream of consciousness.' 'Fall of Usher', it's one short story delivered well enough imo.

[An7imatt3r]

R.R Martin Song of Fire and Ice Series, on book 3/?

[Tristan Palmgren]

Obligatory bitching about A Dance With Dragons's delays.

[BigWigRah]

A little over halfway through Shardik.

It's good obviously, although I can never really tell what's going to happen in the book ever.

[Tristan Palmgren]

I read All Quiet on the Western Front in the interim since my last post. Bright, cheerful book, and brimming with optimism. I think there was even a unicorn in one of the trenches at one point.

Now in the middle of Victoria Strauss's The Burning Land. Fantasy novel, beautifully written.

[John Roberts]

Chapter 5 of Military Law and Discipline.

Yes, it's exactly as boring as it fucken sounds. But, I gotta study it.

Tristan, be my study buddy?

[chalcara]

reading the last few chapters of Edding's Tamuli Saga.

Always makes me want to write on Dela's story. Eddings took his tropes and chliches and run with them, giggling like a schoolgirl. It's a good & fun read.

[Tristan Palmgren]

Tristan, be my study buddy?

Only if I can also be fuck buddy.

[MistressAli]

*sets up a hidden camera in Tris and John's 'study' room* Ahem...

Anyway...

I'm reading Terry Goodkind's 'Sword of Truth' series. I'm on book two 'Stone of Tears' right now. I found the e-books cheap on Ebay and thought 'what the hell'. ^^ I haven't read a fantasy series that wasn't YA in a while. (Yes I like the young adult genre, so sue me...)

All Quiet on the Western Front in the interim since my last post. Bright, cheerful book, and brimming with optimism. I think there was even a unicorn in one of the trenches at one point.

Wow they really changed the movie from the book then, eh? LOL

[Tristan Palmgren]

Don't trip on the later books' political filibusters

And what are you doing in my study room?

[John Roberts]

Taking a break from legal jargon. Gonna get started on Dark Willow - A buffy book of course. It play a what-if scenario of 'what-if' Willow turns evil and destroys the world. Should be a giggle.

Only if I can also be fuck buddy.

I was planning on drugging your drinks and just date raping on the study desk. But.... alright, this is okay as well. I guess.