Author Topic: Currently Reading (2016 Edition)  (Read 8905 times)

The Deer Hunter

  • Elite Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1809
  • My name is Jeff
Re: Currently Reading (2016 Edition)
« Reply #10 on: January 07, 2016, 03:08:37 PM »

Junior

  • Bert Macklin, FBI
  • Global Moderator
  • Objectively Awesome
  • ******
  • Posts: 28709
  • What's the rumpus?
    • Benefits of a Classical Education
Re: Currently Reading (2016 Edition)
« Reply #11 on: January 07, 2016, 05:40:42 PM »
I'm slowly slogging through Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl.  I feel like I've been reading it forever and I'm only halfway through.  I took a small break from it, and I've forgotten who some of the characters are when they are mentioned.  Has anyone else read this?  At first I kind of enjoyed the way it was written, with all the bibliographical references, but now I just feel like it gets in the way, and I want the plot to move along.

I'm pretty sure this was an early book club book here, but I also can't find any evidence of that. I listened to an audiobook and found it pretty captivating, though that's my only memory of it.

So I started Infinite Jest a couple weeks back, setting it as my big goal for 2016. I mean, it has so many people raving about it, and the concept of eschaton seemed intriguing as a fan of both tennis and politics. But like, this is one of the worst-written books I've ever read. Unnecessarily complex words, vastly over-long paragraphs, no perceivable plot. I'm 40 pages in and I just don't think I can do it. It feels like one of those things where people go "I don't understand it, it's brilliant."

Anyone want to sell me on continuing it?

To answer your final question, not really. If you're going to call it "one of the worst-written books" you've ever read, just stop. It seemed to me, as far as I got into it, that it was pretty fantastic writing. I don't think it's up to you to decide how necessary the complexity of the writing is, but it's up to you as to whether you like it or not. If you don't like it, stop. You're pretty good at that.
Check out my blog of many topics

“I’m not a quitter, Kimmy! I watched Interstellar all the way to the end!”

FLYmeatwad

  • An Acronym
  • Objectively Awesome
  • ******
  • Posts: 28785
  • I am trying to impress myself. I have yet to do it
    • Processed Grass
Re: Currently Reading (2016 Edition)
« Reply #12 on: January 07, 2016, 05:50:39 PM »
I finally got around to buying/starting on Seconds. It seems enjoyable so far, but I've only read the opening portion.

JakeIsntFake

  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 959
  • Nothing that a few mega-vitamins couldn't cure
    • 2015 Watchlist
Re: Currently Reading (2016 Edition)
« Reply #13 on: January 07, 2016, 06:58:02 PM »


What a world
"The detail of the pattern is movement"
ICheckMovies
Top 40

philip918

  • Elite Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 4580
Re: Currently Reading (2016 Edition)
« Reply #14 on: January 21, 2016, 06:41:02 PM »
Black Wings Has My Angel by Elliot Chaze

"And I felt so marvelously clean and soaped and so in tune with the whole damned universe that I had the feeling I could have clouded up and rained and lightninged myself, and blown that cheese-colored room to smithereens."

Just finished the first chapter. Great so far.


philip918

  • Elite Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 4580
Re: Currently Reading (2016 Edition)
« Reply #15 on: January 29, 2016, 12:46:46 AM »

Junior

  • Bert Macklin, FBI
  • Global Moderator
  • Objectively Awesome
  • ******
  • Posts: 28709
  • What's the rumpus?
    • Benefits of a Classical Education
Re: Currently Reading (2016 Edition)
« Reply #16 on: January 29, 2016, 01:48:32 AM »


A postmodern take on the Julius and Ethel Rosenberg trial (well, really the few days leading up to their execution) as told in part by a somewhat sympathetic Nixon. Really throws your mind for a loop!
Check out my blog of many topics

“I’m not a quitter, Kimmy! I watched Interstellar all the way to the end!”

MartinTeller

  • FAB
  • Objectively Awesome
  • ******
  • Posts: 17864
  • martinteller.wordpress.com
    • my movie blog
Re: Currently Reading (2016 Edition)
« Reply #17 on: January 29, 2016, 03:29:10 PM »


My wife got me this for Xmas. About 50 pages into it, really excellent so far. I've always been fascinated with H.H. Holmes but I never got around to reading this... because somewhere along the line I got the impression that I'd already read it. I must have gotten it confused with something else.

The Deer Hunter

  • Elite Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1809
  • My name is Jeff
Re: Currently Reading (2016 Edition)
« Reply #18 on: January 30, 2016, 09:01:53 AM »
I'm going to put that on my wishlist. That sounds great.

Corndog

  • Objectively Awesome
  • ******
  • Posts: 17025
  • Oo-da-lolly, Oo-da-lolly, golly what a day!
    • Corndog Chats
Re: Currently Reading (2016 Edition)
« Reply #19 on: February 06, 2016, 04:20:54 PM »
THE CIRCLE by Dave Eggers. Anyone read it? It sounded interesting.
"Time is the speed at which the past decays."