April Fools and I am reading........

Barca Boy
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Im still plowing through The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova and also reading The Little Black Book of Shortstories by A S Byatt.

 

Whats everyone else reading?

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scerpica
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

oh, somone´s pretty quick this month.

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xec8
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

Interrogating the Real by Slavoj Zizek

and

Cocaine Nights by JG Ballard

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xec8
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

Oh and L'Assommoir by Emile Zola.

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Giggan
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

On the toilet I'm reading 'Live Free or Die' by my man Gardner Goldsmith. Before bed I'm reading The Stranger by Albert Camus, I'm about halfway through, its a quick read.

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TopGun
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

I'm re-reading Dermaphoria before the intensive.

 

Plus, I'm anxiously checking the mail everyday for my package from Ireland, but nothing yet.  I accused my neighbor of book theivery today. I have no proof of that of course, but I was hoping to sweat some information out of her. 

 

Derek, I'm very curious to hear your final comments about The Historian.  I have some thoughts myself, but I'll save them until you're done.

 

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Adelheid
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

 I'm reading a Canadian book called HA! ... it's great so far, a bit pretentious with constant allusions to Balzac and all those other ball sacks, but I still recommend it.  



jmizair
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

almost done with Oracle Night-Paul Auster and I think i'm going to start

What is the What - Dave Eggers

or The Brooklyn Follies-Paul Auster



marsjams13
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

Just finished The Postman Always Rings Twice.

Now tearing through The Book of Revelation.

 

Trying to get a head start on this Clevenger intensive.

 

That'll probably be all the published reading I do for six weeks.



UbikRex
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

I'm currently reading at the moment
 
Philip K. Dick - The Cosmic Puppets
 
then shortly afterwards in this order
 
Haruki Murakami - Hard Boiled Wonderland And The End Of The World
Michael Chabon - The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay
Stephen Graham Jones - Demon Theory



xec8
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

I may as well mention that I'm also reading "Introduction to the Reading of Hegel" by Alexandre Kojève, but that's hardly for pleasure. In fact, it's an intellectual skullfuck and I dislike Hegel because he's an incomprehensible dick.

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phlegmatics
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

Hemmingway- the sun also rises (should finish tonight)

and then im not sure if i should read hellbound heart by clive barker, siddartha by hesse or alice in wonderland.



elegantly_bitter
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

I'm still finishing three books from March, but I'd like to pick up some philosophy texts this month.

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damien_mayfair
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

i just finished amy hempel's collected stories. i'm moving onto the Survival of the Prettiest: the science of beauty by Nancy Etcoff. I came across this book from the TED website.

That's an amazing website by the way with tons of videos about very interesting topics with great speakers. go to www.ted.com. go now. seriously. now.



iamthebuffalo
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

I'm currently reading All The Beautiful Sinners by Stephen Graham Jones and Hiding Out by Jonathan Messinger (for a class I'm taking).

After A.T.B.S. i think I might be reading A Simple Plan by Scott Smith, but im not sure as of yet... I got a huge stack of books on my shleves that I've yet to read



Adelheid
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

jmizair wrote:

What is the What - Dave Eggers

 

What is the what what when it comes to a Cult consensus on this Eggers fellow?  My dad's been hovering on the edge of buying it for months now.  If Culties recommend it I think perhaps I'll buy it for him as a gift.  You know, one of those gifts that takes about a month or so to give itself right back to me so I can read it myself.



Odegrar
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

Stephen King's short stories (I dunno the title in English and the book's in another room, NO, further than that, another dimeshun!!!)

Very good stuff

I've got a whole new perspective since I read On Writing

I'm kinda analysing every short story - I know I should only enjoy them but I can't help it...



Hustle Charlie
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

The book you sent me.  Thanks Derek!

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PGoutis01
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

jmizair wrote:

almost done with Oracle Night-Paul Auster and I think i'm going to start

What is the What - Dave Eggers

or The Brooklyn Follies-Paul Auster

Make sure you check out the Book Club discussion of Oracle Night when you get a chance.  Maybe it'll give you some good views on it.  Or maybe you can spark a new discussion.  That was an amazing book as far as I remember.

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rosiemoonjumper
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

I'm still going on Shampoo Planet, and I just bought Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman so that is next.



Riddlegimp
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

Adelheid wrote:

jmizair wrote:

What is the What - Dave Eggers

 

What is the what what when it comes to a Cult consensus on this Eggers fellow?  My dad's been hovering on the edge of buying it for months now.  If Culties recommend it I think perhaps I'll buy it for him as a gift.  You know, one of those gifts that takes about a month or so to give itself right back to me so I can read it myself.

 

I loved this book. It's not as ironic or borderline annoying as Eggers' other two novels (though I really like both of them too). It's a more straightforward story raised to the level of brilliance by the involvement of Valentino Achek Deng and his unbelievably sad life experiences. Get it for your dad, then nab it back as soon as possible. Then buy him some chocolate, and eat it.

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Riddlegimp
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

Oh, I'm just finishing Nabokov's Lolita. It's outrageously, scandalously, hilariously brilliant. Probably the best book I've read in the past year.

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Barca Boy
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

scerpica wrote:

oh, somone´s pretty quick this month.

 

Im still hurting about not opening the January one but thats my own fault.

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xec8
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

Riddlegimp wrote:

Oh, I'm just finishing Nabokov's Lolita. It's outrageously, scandalously, hilariously brilliant. Probably the best book I've read in the past year.

That's fantastich, herr Gimp. It's an incredibly witty, clever, strange book.

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jmizair
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

Im still hurting about not opening the January one but thats my own fault.

sorry, I didn't know I was crossing any etiquette when I started that post.

 



jmizair
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

PGoutis01 wrote:

jmizair wrote:

almost done with Oracle Night-Paul Auster and I think i'm going to start

What is the What - Dave Eggers

or The Brooklyn Follies-Paul Auster

Make sure you check out the Book Club discussion of Oracle Night when you get a chance.  Maybe it'll give you some good views on it.  Or maybe you can spark a new discussion.  That was an amazing book as far as I remember.

You're right, it was a good book.  I really enjoyed it.  It was my first Paul Auster novel that I have read.  Someone on Amazon recommended reading that book first if you hadn't read Auster before, I happened to have it and am glad that I did so.  Made me want to read another of his novel right away.  I'll probably start Brooklyn Follies soon.

 



JKabol
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

i've been curious about what is the what.  ive been thinking about picking it up the past two times at the barnes store. 

 

currently reading red badge of courage.  it's a quick read.  i started it last night and will finish it tonight.  then onto the miracle worker--i bought it because i always thought it was a memoir and only sunday found out it was a play and a play written by fucking badass william gibson.  i dont know after that.  thinking about rereading diary

 

intend to read one man's bible sometime within this month, though

-kabol

 

 

 

..

 

 

 

 

..

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Barca Boy
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

jmizair wrote:

Im still hurting about not opening the January one but thats my own fault.

sorry, I didn't know I was crossing any etiquette when I started that post.

 

 

hahaha, not at all its funny, I wasnt offended hombre. I was on the piss all Christmas and wasnt capable of my duties. I was just joking earlier.

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nathaniel parker
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

I'm reading the previously unavailable in the united states; Now available in the united states via derrick, Rage by stephen king. It comes at the perfect time too as I'm cracking my way out of this reading slump. Got ten pages into it plus the 10-12 page little introduction he's got about why he was Bachman.

Not only did I get Rage, but it was a huge book with all FOUR bachman books in it! The Long Walk and Running Man I've already read but now can't wait to read again. Especially Long Walk. But it's also got ROadwork which I haven't read yet. SO It's like I got two new books and two great older ones all in one! Muchos Gracias!

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Mricpx
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

The bible.

 

 

 

 

 

APRIL FOOLS!

 

oh wait, you say that was yesterday?  oh.

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phlegmatics
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

Apathy and other small victories- (i cant remember the authors name) So many people on here mentioned it that i googled it and went out to find it. I like it so far.

Very strange like if douglas adams was writing something in the spirit of douglas coupland.



Barca Boy
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

Im starting Northline by Willy Vlautin. I loved his debut novel The Motel Life.

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Riddlegimp
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

Barca Boy wrote:

Im starting Northline by Willy Vlautin. I loved his debut novel The Motel Life.

 

I heard him talking on the radio the other day. He sounds like a really cool guy, and the book sounds great too. I may have to get a copy. Let me know if you liked it!

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Barca Boy
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

Riddlegimp wrote:

Barca Boy wrote:

Im starting Northline by Willy Vlautin. I loved his debut novel The Motel Life.

 

I heard him talking on the radio the other day. He sounds like a really cool guy, and the book sounds great too. I may have to get a copy. Let me know if you liked it!

 

Will do. He was in Galway for the Literature festival last year but I couldnt make it. Should be finished with it soon.

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franc tireur
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

Classical Budo, by Donn Draeger

An interesting essay on the Japanese martial arts, a bit dated but still inspiring.

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Barca Boy
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

TopGun wrote:

Plus, I'm anxiously checking the mail everyday for my package from Ireland, but nothing yet.  I accused my neighbor of book theivery today. I have no proof of that of course, but I was hoping to sweat some information out of her. 

 

Derek, I'm very curious to hear your final comments about The Historian.  I have some thoughts myself, but I'll save them until you're done.

 

 

I hope youve apologised to your neighbour by now.

 

As for the Historian I just finished it and I enjoyed it. Nothing special but really not that bad for a debut novel. I thought the first part dragged and I was about to give up but Part 2 was much better. I dont want to include any spoilers for anyone else thinking of reading it. The ending seemed a bit rushed.

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damien_mayfair
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

Barca Boy wrote:

As for the Historian I just finished it and I enjoyed it. Nothing special but really not that bad for a debut novel. I thought the first part dragged and I was about to give up but Part 2 was much better. I dont want to include any spoilers for anyone else thinking of reading it. The ending seemed a bit rushed.

i felt that she had a thesis on the history of monks lying around somewhere and made it part of the book. that dragged the sequence of events down for me.

but with that said, i agree it's not bad for a debut and the ending did seem rushed. it's really ambitious to take on the Dracula lore and it didn't measure up to my expectations especially with all the buzz about it when it came out.



TopGun
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

Barca Boy wrote:

TopGun wrote:

Plus, I'm anxiously checking the mail everyday for my package from Ireland, but nothing yet.  I accused my neighbor of book theivery today. I have no proof of that of course, but I was hoping to sweat some information out of her. 

 

Derek, I'm very curious to hear your final comments about The Historian.  I have some thoughts myself, but I'll save them until you're done.

 

 

I hope youve apologised to your neighbour by now.

 

As for the Historian I just finished it and I enjoyed it. Nothing special but really not that bad for a debut novel. I thought the first part dragged and I was about to give up but Part 2 was much better. I dont want to include any spoilers for anyone else thinking of reading it. The ending seemed a bit rushed.

 

My neighbor handed me the package when it arrived, so I just said thank you and have been avoiding her since.

I also felt that the ending of the Historian felt rushed. The first 50 pages hooked me, but then it seemed to drag on forever. Then suddenly, a fast and tidy ending. Supposedly, she wrote it over a period of 10 years, and it seemed like she got sidetracked from the the story somewhere in the middle

But it did have some very interesting concepts and it was huge undertaking for a debut novel. Then again, her advance was $2 Million.  Not a bad payday for a first effort. I just don't think I would read it again and I'm not certain I'd recommend it as a casual read.

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BandrMechanics101
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

I'm reading Blood Meridian, Literary Theory by Terry Eagleton, and Politics of the Veil by Joan Scott.

I almost picked up American Gods.  Someone, is Gaiman worth reading?



Renton
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

Just finished the Film Club by David Gilmour, I'm reading Factsheet Five anthology- a collection of works from underground zines, Peter Blauner- The Intruder.  It's all good.



Barca Boy
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

Riddlegimp wrote:

Barca Boy wrote:

Im starting Northline by Willy Vlautin. I loved his debut novel The Motel Life.

 

I heard him talking on the radio the other day. He sounds like a really cool guy, and the book sounds great too. I may have to get a copy. Let me know if you liked it!

 

I finished Northline and it was a really good quick read (6 hours). I wont build it up too much for you but its definitely worth reading. His first novel The Motel Life is just as good if not slightly better.

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Barca Boy
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

Im off to bed with The Quick and the Dead by Joy Williams, a book recomended by Chuck so it should be good.

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phlegmatics
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

BandrMechanics101 wrote:

I almost picked up American Gods.  Someone, is Gaiman worth reading?

 

Pick up Neverwhere & American Gods...avoid good omens. Gaiman is very good but i do not like when he is a co writer.



rosiemoonjumper
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

I read Good Omens years ago and I liked it, but I liked Terry Pratchett then, and I don't so much anymore.



PGoutis01
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

Barca Boy wrote:

Im off to bed with The Quick and the Dead by Joy Williams, a book recomended by Chuck so it should be good.

I loved that book.  I think that was the book I recommended when we all traded names a while ago and recommended books to eachother.  That book was written so well and such a good story.  I hope you enjoy it!

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Clem
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

Riddlegimp wrote:

Oh, I'm just finishing Nabokov's Lolita. It's outrageously, scandalously, hilariously brilliant. Probably the best book I've read in the past year.

 

Agreed!

I just finished Jennifer Government (which I didn't love) and In a Country of Mothers by A M Homes (courtesy of Wickerkat's Secret Santa gift!). It was brilliant, I can't read enough of her work.

 


 



Vanderferret
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

BandrMechanics101 wrote:

I almost picked up American Gods.  Someone, is Gaiman worth reading?

 

American Gods is a great book, and I second phlegmatics' recommendation of Neverwhere.  I just finished that one last month.  Gaiman's definitely worth reading.

 

As for the question at hand, I'm reading Black Ships by Jo Graham and Sex With Kings by Eleanor Herman. 



bassplr19
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

I just started Against the Day by Thomas Pynchon, however, I already thinking about putting it down and picking up House of Leaves

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jmizair
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

Quiet Days in Clichy-Henry Miller ( a good little read)



Barca Boy
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

Im about to start Forever Odd by Dean Koontz.

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labelleza
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Re: April Fools and I am reading........

I've read Kiss Me, Judas and I'm almost done with Penny Dreadful.  After that I'm gonna read..... Hell's Half Acre.  (Thank you nick)

After THAT I'm gonna start Misery. (Thank you derek)

I've been very busy in study hall.