Summer Reading

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Kybosh

The last book I went to buy was the Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac. I went up to the counter to pay and some hipster told me it was the greatest book ever and the only thing he read on a two month long road trip. I thanked him and told him that I didn't want it anymore.

I also need book suggestions.

Anything by Saul Bellow. It's all I read on my two month long road trip.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by peter12

In regards to strict summer reading, I've been working on getting through Locke, Burke, Montesquieu, and Tocqueville.

Goodie. Does this mean you'll be providing us with fresh quotes when you feel the need to obfuscate political arguments this fall?

[troutman]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

What is this?

http://malazanempire.com/site/index.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malazan_Book_of_the_Fallen

The Malazan Book of the Fallen is an epic fantasy series written by Canadian author Steven Erikson, published in ten volumes beginning with the novel Gardens of the Moon. As of August 2009, nine novels in the series have been published leaving only the final volume forthcoming. Erikson's series is complex with a wide scope, and presents the narratives of a large cast of characters.[1][2][2][3][4][5] Erikson's plotting presents a complicated series of events in the world upon which the Malazan Empire is located. Each volume is relatively self-contained for the first five novels, in that the primary conflict of each novel is resolved within that novel. However, many underlying characters and events are interwoven throughout the works of the series, binding it together.

[Torture]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

If you haven't yet read the Song of Fire and Ice series, you need to.

Agreed. Amazing series.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Goodie. Does this mean you'll be providing us with fresh quotes when you feel the need to obfuscate political arguments this fall?

No, it probably just means that I'm smarter, but don't worry, I try to keep it to myself.

I'm also a grad student if that helps. Not just some snob. I kind of do this for a living.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Goodie. Does this mean you'll be providing us with fresh quotes when you feel the need to obfuscate political arguments this fall?

Comments like this can't help but remind me of this great quote:

We are like ignorant shepherds living on a site where great civilizations once flourished. The shepherds play with the fragments that pop up to the surface, having no notion of the beautiful structures of which they were once a part.
Allan Bloom

There are reasons for obfuscation.

[Jbo]

Rather then start some flame war in here.... do you mind keeping this thread about books?

[peter12]

Originally Posted by J-bo09

Rather then start some flame war in here.... do you mind keeping this thread about books?

It IS about books, don't you understand? Impeccable taste is important. You aren't just reading the latest capitalist venture by some publishing company, you are able, occasionally, to stumble upon some tome of ideas and thoughts and poetry that contains the immortal essence of the author. This is about eternity, maaaaan.

[Top Shelf]

Started The Dark Tower series a week ago, already on book three and really enjoying it so far!

[Burninator]

Columbine
Dave Cullen


One of the best true crime books I have ever read. I couldn't put it down. It was fascinating. Like most people I learned about the events of Columbine from the news and Michael Moore's movie Bowling for Columbine. Not a big surprise, but they got a staggering amount of things wrong. So much of what I thought I knew about Columbine was completely wrong. If you have seen Michael Moore's movie (or haven't) and are interested in the actual events of Columbine I highly recommend this book. Just to give you a taste at how inaccurate Michael Moore's movie is when it comes to the shooting/failed bombing itself; the title doesn't make sense. They didn't go bowling that day.

In the tradition of HELTER SKELTER and IN COLD BLOOD, COLUMBINE is destined to be a classic. A close-up portrait of hatred, a community rendered helpless, and the police blunders and cover-ups, it is a compelling and utterly human portrait of two killers-an unforgettable cautionary tale for our times.

If you want more true crime, Helter Skleter (Charles Manson murders) is a great read as is Case Closed (JFK true story without the conspiracy nonsense).

Daemon
Daniel Suarez


If you are technology geek you will probably enjoy this book. If you are looking for a easier summer read with an interesting story, this should fit the bill.

When a designer of computer games dies, he leaves behind a program that unravels the Internet's interconnected world. It corrupts, kills, and runs independent of human control. It's up to Detective Peter Sebeck to wrest the world from the malevolent virtual enemy before its ultimate purpose is realized: to destroy civilization...


Humbolt's Gift
Saul Bellow



He seems to be quite popular in this thread. If you are looking for a light summer read, this won't be the book for you. But if you looking for something more substantial, something you'll want to read for hours straight then check it out.

Saul Bellow's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel explores the long friendship between Charlie Citrine, a young man with an intense passion for literature, and the great poet Von Humboldt Fleisher. At the time of his death, however, Humboldt is a failure, and Charlie's life is falling apart: his career is at a standstill, and he's enmeshed in an acrimonious divorce, infatuated with a highly unsuitable young woman, and involved with a neurotic mafioso. And then Humboldt acts from beyond the grave, bestowing upon Charlie an unexpected legacy that may just help him turn his life around.

If you are unsure about Saul Bellow you can read Seize the Day first. It's a much shorter read and it will give you a taste.


Also anything by Kurt Vonnegut is fantastic. I am slowing working my way through his collection. Steinbeck and Hemingway are always a great read. Cormac McCarthy's the Road is great as is his other books, especially Blood Meridian.

[puffnstuff]

Just reread Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson, Good book, and next is Anathem

[SportsJunky]

I finally finished Anathem after it was recommended in a Sci-Fi reading thread on CP last year. In my head I think I'm a sci-fi/fantasy novel guy but in reality I find it to be a bit of a chore getting through these books. Anyway, I did enjoy Anathem once I surrendered to the process of reading a chunk every night but maaaan it took me a long time.

[Ruttiger]

If you want more true crime, and to carry on the Helter Skelter them (same author), "And the Sea Will Tell" was absolutely fascinating. Long and detailed, but one of the best true crime books I've ever opened.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/And_the_Sea_Will_Tell

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by peter12

No, it probably just means that I'm smarter, but don't worry, I try to keep it to myself.

I'm also a grad student if that helps. Not just some snob. I kind of do this for a living.

Originally Posted by peter12

Comments like this can't help but remind me of this great quote:



There are reasons for obfuscation.

'Think like a wise man but communicate in the language of the people.'

[peter12]

Originally Posted by rubecube

'Think like a wise man but communicate in the language of the people.'

Hey William Butler Yeats, all the Irish seemed wired last night
They tried to separate our girls from our guys

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Top Shelf

Started The Dark Tower series a week ago, already on book three and really enjoying it so far!

Nice, I'm nearing the end of book five: Wolves of the Calla. I'm really enjoying the series, but almost don't want to get to the end.

Definitely a set of books I think I will re-read again.

[Puppet Guy]

a couple more I just thought of, while I'm bored at work:


nonfiction and bio:

Hammer of the Gods by Stephen Davis (a Led Zeppelin bio)
White Line Fever by Lemmy Kilmister
Crazy From the Heat by David Lee Roth
Have A Nice Day! by Mick Foley
Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain
either Cheers! or Notes on a Beermat by Nicholas Pashley

fiction:
Red Mars/Green Mars/Blue Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson
any of the Sharpe's series by Bernard Cornwell

[Russic]

Originally Posted by GGG

Your mixing up two authors who write about very similar subjects from different perspectives

Freakenomics and Super Freakanomics are by Levitt and Dubner

Malcolm Gladwell writes Tipping Point, Blink, Outliers

What's funny is the books refer to eachothers theories occasionally. All 5 of the above are worth reading especially the Super Freakanomics section on Global Warming.

I'm on a Gladwell kick as of late. Outliers is a phenomenally interesting read imo that outlines why people like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and the Beatles rise to the levels that they do, why American pilots crash planes less than pilots from other countries, and why Asians are so damn good at things. Obviously you won't agree with everything, but it's very interesting.

I'm halfway through blink right now. Very good as well, but not quite where Outliers was at the same time.

I also finished reading Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. Don't knock it ... it was actually really good. Obviously not something you want to discuss over wine and cigars with your neighborhood book snob, but it was very well done. Highly recommended.

[rubecube]

I'm finishing up Hemingway's "The Sun Also Rises." Great book so far. For a good summer read, I'd recommend Hunter S. Thompson's "The Rum Diary." It's fiction, but based largely on his time as a journalist in San Juan, Puerto Rico in the late 50s.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by rubecube

I'm finishing up Hemingway's "The Sun Also Rises." Great book so far. For a good summer read, I'd recommend Hunter S. Thompson's "The Rum Diary." It's fiction, but based largely on his time as a journalist in San Juan, Puerto Rico in the late 50s.

That is a great book but it also makes me want to do myself in. Holy smokes. I cannot think of a main character with so much pathos and literally such a small outlet.