michaelk
Fearless Defender
So many comics, so little time.
Posts: 41 
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Books!
Feb 4, 2014 23:59:29 GMT -5
Post by michaelk on Feb 4, 2014 23:59:29 GMT -5
One of the things I like about the Talking Comics podcast is that everyone periodically talks about 'real' books. 2 weeks ago Bob mentioned a graphic novel 'retelling' of Madame Bovary called "Gemma Bovary". Both are fantastic books. Sometime ago I read the Alabaster: Wolves mini-series by Caitlin Kiernan. Neil Gaiman provided a blurb for the comic, which led me to seek out some of her novels. Now, I liked the comic a lot, but her novel The Drowning Girl was one of the scariest, smartest, most twisted and thoughtful, most heart-wrenching, and beautiful things I have ever read and I encourage all you novel readers out there to find a copy and get lost in it. I think Steve Seigh would dig it the most--from what I've heard from him on the podcast, this book is right in his wheelhouse. But what I really want to talk about it what you're reading besides comics? Any good novels, weird plays, great poetry? Share your literature love with me. Let's recommend books to each other!
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Feb 5, 2014 0:03:41 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by joroak on Feb 5, 2014 0:03:41 GMT -5
Currently I'm reading the abominable by dan Simmons. It's about the first climb of Everest but with a more the abominable snowman is chasing you. Simmons writes stuff like that. Take a thing that happened in history ( the death of Charles Dickens / search for the northern passage) and add a spin to it. It's really intriguing stuff
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Feb 5, 2014 1:06:39 GMT -5
Post by thephantomwelshman on Feb 5, 2014 1:06:39 GMT -5
I'm a huge Will Self fan, 'My Idea of Fun' is one of the most twisted books I've ever read. Also the Book of Dave by him is awesome. An other book I'd highly recommend is 'The End of Mr Y' by Scarlett Thomas. This book will twist your perception of the world and seriously mess with your head (in a good way).
I pretty much love everything by Douglas Coupland, especially 'Life After God', 'Hey Nostradamus' and 'Girlfriend in a coma'.
I'm currently reading 'Sirens of Titan' by Kurt Vonnegut, it's Vonnegut, so by default it's amazing.
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Books!
Feb 5, 2014 5:01:43 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by Blencs on Feb 5, 2014 5:01:43 GMT -5
I love Matthew Reilly books, that man writes the best action adventure movies that have never been made!!!. I would recommend his Cpt Jack West jr trilogy, 7 Ancient Wonders, 6 Sacred Stones and The 5 Greatest Warriors to anyone who enjoys Indiana jones style stories with hints of real world mythological mysteries. They are some of the best things I've ever read. Also his series of books that centre on a hero soldier code name 'scarecrow' which include, Ice station, Area 7, Scarecrow and Scarecrow and the army of thieves are just some of the most adrenaline soaked pieces of finely sliced wood I've ever had the privilege to stare at.
Also anything buy Michael Crichton or Dan Brown are right down my ally. Books that have a great story but are also backed by some scientifically researched facts are cool as you learn stuff without realising it.
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Post by Bob Reyer on Feb 5, 2014 10:37:03 GMT -5
One of the things I like about the Talking Comics podcast is that everyone periodically talks about 'real' books. 2 weeks ago Bob mentioned a graphic novel 'retelling' of Madame Bovary called "Gemma Bovary". Both are fantastic books. Sometime ago I read the Alabaster: Wolves mini-series by Caitlin Kiernan. Neil Gaiman provided a blurb for the comic, which led me to seek out some of her novels. Now, I liked the comic a lot, but her novel The Drowning Girl was one of the scariest, smartest, most twisted and thoughtful, most heart-wrenching, and beautiful things I have ever read and I encourage all you novel readers out there to find a copy and get lost in it. I think Steve Seigh would dig it the most--from what I've heard from him on the podcast, this book is right in his wheelhouse. But what I really want to talk about it what you're reading besides comics? Any good novels, weird plays, great poetry? Share your literature love with me. Let's recommend books to each other! Michael, I should have scrolled down to here before going all "Gemma Bovery" in response to your intro! For anyone who's sampled and enjoyed that work by Posey Simmonds, I would suggest picking up her Tamara Drewe graphic novel! My "real" book habits tend to lean more toward non-fiction; right now I'm about to begin The Secret History of Marvel Comics, which documents the pulp magazine side of the company, and features tons of rare art by the full roster of their comics arm, and I recently finished Command and Control: Nuclear Weapons, the Damascus Accident and the Illusion of Safety, which was a very scary read! To fictional scares, my taste runs toward the classics such as Lovecraft and Poe, with whom you can't be let down. On the Science-Fiction front, Richard Matheson's I am Legend is a favorite, and I love Harlan Ellison's short stories, and would recommend Alone Against Tomorrow as a great primer to his work. A mostly-forgotten Science-Fiction minor classic that was made into a cult-classic film is about to get an un-necessary Hollywood re-make, so to get to the core of it, my recommendation would be to read D.F. Jones' Colossus, The Forbin Project before Ron Howard and Will Smith hack it apart. Written in 1966, it's the story of Dr. Charles Forbin, who creates a massive super-computer that handles the defense of the United States against enemy attack; Colossus is given control of all the nuclear arsenal, and is tied into the surveillance, radio and television systems. Needless to say, something goes wrong, and Colossus decides that it knows better than its creators how to make a better world for mankind! If this sounds sort of familiar, it is in most ways the story of "Skynet" from the "Terminator" films, and in fact, the set for the finale of "T3" looks very much like the "Colossus Control" set from Joe Sargent's 1970 film! (Highest recommendation for that film, by the way!) |
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Books!
Feb 5, 2014 10:48:43 GMT -5
Post by JediHunter66 on Feb 5, 2014 10:48:43 GMT -5
I've read a lot of the Star Wars EU novels, and I'm currently reading the Game of Thrones novels as well. The Star Wars novels are great for anyone who's a big fan especially since for now some of the stuff is considered cannon. The Game of Thrones books are great as well, love the show but you get so much more detail out of the books! I love me some LoTR and anything Stephen King, Joe Hill and H.P. Lovecraft too.
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michaelk
Fearless Defender
So many comics, so little time.
Posts: 41
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Books!
Feb 5, 2014 10:58:17 GMT -5
Post by michaelk on Feb 5, 2014 10:58:17 GMT -5
Last year I set up a personal reading challenge to read 52 books I've never read before. Over the years I've collected dozens of books from library sales, used bookstores and remainder shelves from stores like Borders (RIP) and Barnes and Noble, but it occurred to me that I hadn't read most of them. My rule was that I couldn't borrow books from the library or buy new ones so I could read a chunk of my personal library which I'd already paid for. I read about 39 books, a little short of my goal, but in my defense I got married and we had a baby in 2013, so I can't be too hard on myself.
Like Bob, I like a lot of non-fiction, mostly Natural History, stuff about insects and flowers, biographies about artists, and memoirs. One of my favorite books is Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by the poet/memoirist Annie Dillard. I've always loved John Steinbeck, especially his book Cannery Row. And I want to read more mainstream fiction, horror stuff mostly. I'm going to check out a few of these recommendations soon. Thanks everyone!
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michaelk
Fearless Defender
So many comics, so little time.
Posts: 41
|
Books!
Feb 5, 2014 10:59:44 GMT -5
Post by michaelk on Feb 5, 2014 10:59:44 GMT -5
Currently I'm reading the abominable by dan Simmons. It's about the first climb of Everest but with a more the abominable snowman is chasing you. Simmons writes stuff like that. Take a thing that happened in history ( the death of Charles Dickens / search for the northern passage) and add a spin to it. It's really intriguing stuff Dan Simmons has been recommended to me in the past, I sort of forgot about him. I did hear about this book though and my interest was peaked. Thanks for putting it back on my radar! |
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Books!
Feb 5, 2014 11:14:42 GMT -5
Post by joestate on Feb 5, 2014 11:14:42 GMT -5
I don't read "real" books that often, I just never make the time to do it. Right now I'm reading "Hyena" by Jude Angelini. "Rude Jude" is hilarious to me on the radio and this is a collection of short stories about his antics, so far it's really funny. My favorite books are probably Frankenstein, Dracula and House of Leaves
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Books!
Feb 5, 2014 11:21:46 GMT -5
Post by Bob Reyer on Feb 5, 2014 11:21:46 GMT -5
Last year I set up a personal reading challenge to read 52 books I've never read before. Over the years I've collected dozens of books from library sales, used bookstores and remainder shelves from stores like Borders (RIP) and Barnes and Noble, but it occurred to me that I hadn't read most of them. My rule was that I couldn't borrow books from the library or buy new ones so I could read a chunk of my personal library which I'd already paid for. I read about 39 books, a little short of my goal, but in my defense I got married and we had a baby in 2013, so I can't be too hard on myself. Like Bob, I like a lot of non-fiction, mostly Natural History, stuff about insects and flowers, biographies about artists, and memoirs. One of my favorite books is Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by the poet/memoirist Annie Dillard. I've always loved John Steinbeck, especially his book Cannery Row. And I want to read more mainstream fiction, horror stuff mostly. I'm going to check out a few of these recommendations soon. Thanks everyone! I'm sad that John Steinbeck isn't as widely read in schools now as he was back in my day! For me, if there is one author that defines "Modern American Literature", it is Mr. Steinbeck; Grapes of Wrath, The Red Pony, The Pearl, and my favorite, the great tragedy Of Mice and Men! |
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michaelk
Fearless Defender
So many comics, so little time.
Posts: 41
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Books!
Feb 5, 2014 14:01:48 GMT -5
Post by michaelk on Feb 5, 2014 14:01:48 GMT -5
Of Mice and Men is one of those 'perfect' pieces of literature to me. I'd add The Great Gatsby and Ethan Frome to that list as well. Impeccable stories, re-readable, and always thought provoking.
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Books!
Feb 5, 2014 20:09:31 GMT -5
Post by drocat on Feb 5, 2014 20:09:31 GMT -5
I was literally just about to post this thread. Nice.
I am reading Innocence by Dean Koontz right now, I just started it and I'm not sure how I feel about it yet. I started reading the second Game of Thrones book but don't want to commit to that yet.
Thanks for the recommendation on The Drowning Girl. This sounds like it's right up my alley.
Does anyone know of any really great modern noir/detective books that I should check out? I just read Night Film (as recommended by TC's own Stephanie) and loved it. It made me realize how much I want to read thrillers/mysteries.
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Post by drocat on Feb 5, 2014 20:13:57 GMT -5
Last year I set up a personal reading challenge to read 52 books I've never read before. Over the years I've collected dozens of books from library sales, used bookstores and remainder shelves from stores like Borders (RIP) and Barnes and Noble, but it occurred to me that I hadn't read most of them. My rule was that I couldn't borrow books from the library or buy new ones so I could read a chunk of my personal library which I'd already paid for. I read about 39 books, a little short of my goal, but in my defense I got married and we had a baby in 2013, so I can't be too hard on myself. Like Bob, I like a lot of non-fiction, mostly Natural History, stuff about insects and flowers, biographies about artists, and memoirs. One of my favorite books is Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by the poet/memoirist Annie Dillard. I've always loved John Steinbeck, especially his book Cannery Row. And I want to read more mainstream fiction, horror stuff mostly. I'm going to check out a few of these recommendations soon. Thanks everyone! I'm sad that John Steinbeck isn't as widely read in schools now as he was back in my day! For me, if there is one author that defines "Modern American Literature", it is Mr. Steinbeck; Grapes of Wrath, The Red Pony, The Pearl, and my favorite, the great tragedy Of Mice and Men! Don't worry, Bob. I read Of Mice and Men and Grapes of Wrath in high school (which was 5 years ago) and my sister just finished it (she's a sophomore) so people are still reading it, at least up here in Michigan. They are also still teaching some of Orwell's stuff. Animal Farm and 1984 were some of my favorite moments in High School... they aren't all bad now. |
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Feb 5, 2014 20:28:28 GMT -5
Post by othersummersbrother on Feb 5, 2014 20:28:28 GMT -5
Last year I set up a personal reading challenge to read 52 books I've never read before. Over the years I've collected dozens of books from library sales, used bookstores and remainder shelves from stores like Borders (RIP) and Barnes and Noble, but it occurred to me that I hadn't read most of them. My rule was that I couldn't borrow books from the library or buy new ones so I could read a chunk of my personal library which I'd already paid for. I read about 39 books, a little short of my goal, but in my defense I got married and we had a baby in 2013, so I can't be too hard on myself. Like Bob, I like a lot of non-fiction, mostly Natural History, stuff about insects and flowers, biographies about artists, and memoirs. One of my favorite books is Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by the poet/memoirist Annie Dillard. I've always loved John Steinbeck, especially his book Cannery Row. And I want to read more mainstream fiction, horror stuff mostly. I'm going to check out a few of these recommendations soon. Thanks everyone! I'm sad that John Steinbeck isn't as widely read in schools now as he was back in my day! For me, if there is one author that defines "Modern American Literature", it is Mr. Steinbeck; Grapes of Wrath, The Red Pony, The Pearl, and my favorite, the great tragedy Of Mice and Men! Kurt Vonnegut...first real book I ever read was 'Mother Night'. First book that made me feel something. |
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Books!
Feb 5, 2014 22:53:01 GMT -5
Post by wjohnson22 on Feb 5, 2014 22:53:01 GMT -5
Lots of great recommendations and look forward to checking out some of the books mentioned on this thread. I've mentioned this book on another thread, but one of my favorite books I've recently read is The Years of Rice and Salt by Kim Stanley Robinson.
It's an alternative history book, and the basic premise is that The Black Plague has wiped out 99% of western europe instead of 1/3rd during the 14th century. The book starts around that time, and then moves forward through history as we witness Arab, Buddhist, African, and Native American cultures/civilizations become dominant world powers instead of Western civilization. The book is a collection of novellas focusing on different eras in history. One thing you learn as the book goes along is that (SPOILER) the key characters in each section are basically the same people being reincarnated in different parts of the world. So in addition to learning more in general about how society changes based on this premise, you also get interesting insight as some of these characters realize they've met in past lives.
Kim Stanley Robinson has written many other, mostly sci-fi, books. I tend to like his earlier work compared to his later books, but The Years of Rice and Salt is fairly recent and a fascinating read.
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