Artemis wrote:I bought two new books today. One of my resolutions this year is to read more books. In 2013 I didn't read a single book...not even a short story!
I saw/heard J. Courtney Sullivan who sat with a panel of writers at one of the events at the Boston Book Festival (back in Oct.), and she sang the praises of Atkinson and her book. It is on my list!
Re: What are you reading?
Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 6:23 pm
by Hype
Shame is Salman Rushdie's third novel, published in 1983. Like most of Rushdie's work, this book was written in the style of magic realism. It portrays the lives of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (Iskander Harappa) and General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq (General Raza Hyder) and their relationship. The central theme of the novel is that violence is born out of shame. The concepts of 'shame' and 'shamelessness' are explored through all of the characters, with main focus on Sufiya Zinobia and Omar Khayyám.
Shame discusses heritage, authenticity, truth, and, of course, shame and shamelessness, as well as the impact of all these themes on an individual, the protagonist Omar Khayyám.
Rushdie wrote Shame after his second novel Midnight's Children.
It's excellent so far. Years ago I tried to read The Satanic Verses and failed miserably, mostly because I found the writing tedious, but I'm not sure why, because Midnight's Children and Shame (so far) I've found extremely easy to read, and I think Rushdie may be the best writing in English since Shakespeare.
Re: What are you reading?
Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 6:26 pm
by creep
the most incredible thing about rushdie is his wife
Re: What are you reading?
Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 6:32 pm
by Hype
Haha yeah. But he's also a genius... at words.
Re: What are you reading?
Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 6:39 pm
by crater
I got these two
I'm reading Escape from Camp 14 first and it's one of those books that as soon as you start reading it, it's damn near impossible to put down.
Re: What are you reading?
Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2014 1:41 pm
by chaos
Re: What are you reading?
Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2014 1:55 pm
by guysmiley
A People's History of the United States. By Howard Zinn. Should have read it in college. Also a book called Zealot. I found it to disprove most of Christianity and show how bias history is. I love history.
Re: What are you reading?
Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 1:00 pm
by Hype
guysmiley wrote:A People's History of the United States. By Howard Zinn. Should have read it in college. Also a book called Zealot. I found it to disprove most of Christianity and show how bias history is. I love history.
Shame is Salman Rushdie's third novel, published in 1983. Like most of Rushdie's work, this book was written in the style of magic realism. It portrays the lives of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (Iskander Harappa) and General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq (General Raza Hyder) and their relationship. The central theme of the novel is that violence is born out of shame. The concepts of 'shame' and 'shamelessness' are explored through all of the characters, with main focus on Sufiya Zinobia and Omar Khayyám.
Shame discusses heritage, authenticity, truth, and, of course, shame and shamelessness, as well as the impact of all these themes on an individual, the protagonist Omar Khayyám.
Rushdie wrote Shame after his second novel Midnight's Children.
It's excellent so far. Years ago I tried to read The Satanic Verses and failed miserably, mostly because I found the writing tedious, but I'm not sure why, because Midnight's Children and Shame (so far) I've found extremely easy to read, and I think Rushdie may be the best writing in English since Shakespeare.
try Conrad.
Re: What are you reading?
Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 6:17 pm
by Hype
Not a fan. :(
Re: What are you reading?
Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 8:57 pm
by SR
I have no idea how that is possible, unless it refers to content.
Re: What are you reading?
Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 12:34 pm
by chaos
Weather permitting, I'll be picking this up tomorrow at a book signing/reading:
I'm reading this now. It is very boring so far, I was surprised because I love Edward Abbey.
I am very much looking forward to this though; geology and Indonesia on the mind. got it in the mail yesterday.
Re: What are you reading?
Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 2:47 pm
by creep
mockbee wrote:
I am very much looking forward to this though; geology and Indonesia on the mind. got it in the mail yesterday.
what the fuck.... i actually read that. i'm always shocked when i see a book i read before because there aren't many out there.
Re: What are you reading?
Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 3:50 pm
by mockbee
creep wrote:
mockbee wrote:
I am very much looking forward to this though; geology and Indonesia on the mind. got it in the mail yesterday.
what the fuck.... i actually read that. i'm always shocked when i see a book i read before because there aren't many out there.
Did you like it?
I remember, you are in to geology. Did you go to school for it, or just a general interest?
Re: What are you reading?
Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 3:56 pm
by creep
mockbee wrote:
creep wrote:
mockbee wrote:
I am very much looking forward to this though; geology and Indonesia on the mind. got it in the mail yesterday.
what the fuck.... i actually read that. i'm always shocked when i see a book i read before because there aren't many out there.
Did you like it?
I remember, you are in to geology. Did you go to school for it, or just a general interest?
i was afraid you were going to ask me if i liked it. i can't remember but i did finish it so i probably did.
i've taken a bunch of geology courses and was almost a geology major but went another direction. as a back up plan i was just admitted to the geology program at csu bakersfield (one of three csu schools that accepts second bachelors students). i am starting a new job so i doubt i will go but it's there just in case.
Re: What are you reading?
Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 4:01 pm
by nausearockpig
creep wrote:...i've taken a bunch of geology courses and was almost a geology major but went another direction. as a back up plan i was just admitted to the geology program at csu bakersfield (one of three csu schools that accepts second bachelors students). i am starting a new job so i doubt i will go but it's there just in case.
That.... rocks......... see what i did there...
Re: What are you reading?
Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 4:03 pm
by mockbee
creep wrote:
i was afraid you were going to ask me if i liked it. i can't remember but i did finish it so i probably did.
i've taken a bunch of geology courses and was almost a geology major but went another direction. as a back up plan i was just admitted to the geology program at csu bakersfield (one of three csu schools that accepts second bachelors students). i am starting a new job so i doubt i will go but it's there just in case.
I will take that as an unabashed 10/10 then.
Yeah, geology is really cool. I'm really interested in the Missoula Floods lately, as they really had an effect on my property vs. a couple hundred feet higher on the hill.
Going to a reading on 3/21/15 where Kazuo Ishiguro will be interviewed by Robert BirnBaum.
Re: What are you reading?
Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2015 5:25 pm
by blackcoffee
I was reading this (and it's very good):
but Adrian McKinty is one of my favorite writers and his new book came out:
So, I've put down Middle Passage until I finish Gun Street Girl.
Re: What are you reading?
Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2015 6:59 pm
by Artemis
blackcoffee wrote:
but Adrian McKinty is one of my favorite writers and his new book came out:
So, I've put down Middle Passage until I finish Gun Street Girl.
Is the title inspired by the Tom Waits song Gun Street Girl?
Re: What are you reading?
Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2015 11:22 pm
by blackcoffee
It is indeed. As are the first three: The cold cold ground, I hear the sires in the street, And in the morning I'll be gone
Re: What are you reading?
Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2015 9:40 am
by Artemis
blackcoffee wrote:It is indeed. As are the first three: The cold cold ground, I hear the sires in the street, And in the morning I'll be gone
Interesting. I'm not familiar with Adrian McKinty, will take a look at the library for his books.
Re: What are you reading?
Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2015 2:33 pm
by blackcoffee
I think his novel Dead I May Well Be is one of his best. Something of a literate crime thriller about an Irish Man living in NY to escape the troubles who falls for his crime boss's girl.
see what i did there...
