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Jerry Cotton posted:Any recommendations for "historical" crime novels? I'm thinking mostly pre-industrial. So far I've read some Ruusuvuori, Van Gulik (one of my favourites but only because they're hell of fast reads), Eco's Il nome della rosa, Christie's Death Comes as the End (which wasn't very good), and one of Ellis Peters' Brother Cadfael novels but I can't remember the title. Bruce Holsinger's A Burnable Book and The Invention of Fire are about Geoffrey Chaucer and John Gower teaming up to solve mysteries in late-14th century England
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Feb 15, 2018 20:01
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chernobyl kinsman posted:Bruce Holsinger's A Burnable Book and The Invention of Fire are about Geoffrey Chaucer and John Gower teaming up to solve mysteries in late-14th century England Man, I was trying to remember and recommend those, so, yeah, seconding this. The author is a pretty cool dude, too!
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Feb 15, 2018 20:48
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Any particular version of The Conquest of Gaul that I should seek out? I care more about readability than scholarship.
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Feb 17, 2018 14:42
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I recently finished Aurora by Kim Stanley Robinson and I'm interested in reading more "hard sci-fi" in that style, specifically with space exploration/colony ships. I've previously read 2312 and The Mars Trilogy by Robinson so those are already checked off.
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Feb 18, 2018 20:36
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Bloopsy posted:I recently finished Aurora by Kim Stanley Robinson and I'm interested in reading more "hard sci-fi" in that style, specifically with space exploration/colony ships. I've previously read 2312 and The Mars Trilogy by Robinson so those are already checked off. Revelation Space by Alastair Reynolds is the first thing that comes to mind.
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Feb 18, 2018 20:42
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Bloopsy posted:I recently finished Aurora by Kim Stanley Robinson and I'm interested in reading more "hard sci-fi" in that style, specifically with space exploration/colony ships. I've previously read 2312 and The Mars Trilogy by Robinson so those are already checked off. Reynolds’ Blue Remembered Earth and the rest of that trilogy comes to mind as being pretty much what you’re looking for. But nothing in sci-fi is nearly as good as Aurora
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Feb 18, 2018 21:25
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I want to read something like "The dark tower" by Stephen King. What can you recommend?)
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Feb 19, 2018 08:05
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Similar in what regard? What did you like about it?
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Feb 19, 2018 10:31
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Amazing post-apocalyptic world, weird fantastic creations, cool outstanding heroes, exciting adventures..these are the things I really liked)
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Feb 20, 2018 08:04
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unstucker posted:Amazing post-apocalyptic world, weird fantastic creations, cool outstanding heroes, exciting adventures..these are the things I really liked) China Mieville's Bas Lag Books
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Feb 20, 2018 19:51
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Is there any modern fantasy that has the folksiness and coziness of early WOT? It seems like we're in a post-GOT/Malazan world where everything is grim, dark, political, dire, etc. Give me the village green, ample descriptions of food, folklore, family poo poo, etc. in with my epic high fantasy. Anything?
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Feb 20, 2018 19:53
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Transistor Rhythm posted:Is there any modern fantasy that has the folksiness and coziness of early WOT? It seems like we're in a post-GOT/Malazan world where everything is grim, dark, political, dire, etc. Give me the village green, ample descriptions of food, folklore, family poo poo, etc. in with my epic high fantasy. Anything? Stardust Also, Lord of the Rings
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Feb 20, 2018 20:06
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Transistor Rhythm posted:Is there any modern fantasy that has the folksiness and coziness of early WOT? It seems like we're in a post-GOT/Malazan world where everything is grim, dark, political, dire, etc. Give me the village green, ample descriptions of food, folklore, family poo poo, etc. in with my epic high fantasy. Anything? The Belgariad and Lois McMaster Bujold's "Sharing Knife" series might do you. unstucker posted:Amazing post-apocalyptic world, weird fantastic creations, cool outstanding heroes, exciting adventures..these are the things I really liked) Felix Gilman's The Half-Made World is a rather different take on fantasy gunslinging but good.
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Feb 20, 2018 22:34
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unstucker posted:Amazing post-apocalyptic world, weird fantastic creations, cool outstanding heroes, exciting adventures..these are the things I really liked) Transistor Rhythm posted:Is there any modern fantasy that has the folksiness and coziness of early WOT? It seems like we're in a post-GOT/Malazan world where everything is grim, dark, political, dire, etc. Give me the village green, ample descriptions of food, folklore, family poo poo, etc. in with my epic high fantasy. Anything?
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Feb 20, 2018 23:30
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Uprooted is pretty folksy.
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Feb 20, 2018 23:34
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Thank you, guys!)
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Feb 21, 2018 07:50
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I realized the other day I've never read a really well-written biography (or autobiography) of anyone. I know I've read a few biographies that were poorly written and mostly just a collection of dates, back in school. What are some really fantastic biographies? I'm actually not picky about the subject, though I'm mostly interested in figures from the last century or so. I know that's a really broad question, but I'm open to reading anything, and figure there's probably a good biography or two of people I wouldn't necessarily seek out from my own knowledge of history, which is... well, spotty and American. On the fiction end of the spectrum, I'm looking for something along the lines of Universal Harvester or The Grip of It, something literary and well-written with either subtle or overt horror elements. I guess I'd throw The Haunting of Hill House in the mix too, as it's probably one of my favorite books.
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Feb 21, 2018 22:35
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MockingQuantum posted:On the fiction end of the spectrum, I'm looking for something along the lines of Universal Harvester or The Grip of It, something literary and well-written with either subtle or overt horror elements. I guess I'd throw The Haunting of Hill House in the mix too, as it's probably one of my favorite books. The Hike, Southern Reach Trilogy, Hex, Head full of ghosts
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Feb 21, 2018 22:38
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MockingQuantum, I tend not to read biographies, but my mother does, and she highly recommends An Autobiography by Agatha Christie. My mom's words were "it's not like the others that go nan-nan-nan but it delves into the war, the way things were" - so give it a go!
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Feb 21, 2018 22:39
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Transistor Rhythm posted:The Hike, Southern Reach Trilogy, Hex, Head full of ghosts Weird, I've never heard of The Hike, but I've read the other three (and should have mentioned them, along with Hill House they also top my list of favorites). I'll check it out, thanks! StrixNebulosa posted:MockingQuantum, I tend not to read biographies, but my mother does, and she highly recommends An Autobiography by Agatha Christie. My mom's words were "it's not like the others that go nan-nan-nan but it delves into the war, the way things were" - so give it a go! I will indeed give it a go, I've read a ton of her fiction so it'd be interesting to hear about her life.
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Feb 21, 2018 22:44
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MockingQuantum posted:On the fiction end of the spectrum, I'm looking for something along the lines of Universal Harvester or The Grip of It, something literary and well-written with either subtle or overt horror elements. I guess I'd throw The Haunting of Hill House in the mix too, as it's probably one of my favorite books. The Vegetarian by Han Kang (it was a BOTM) Blackwater by Michael McDowell (it was also a BOTM) Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid Slade House by David Mitchell The Boy Who Drew Monsters by Keith Donohue A Good Man Is Hard To Find and other stories by Flannery O'Conner (or her complete short story collection) Not overtly horror, but certainly well-written Southern Gothic with dark themes and plots, similar to Shirley Jackson North American Lake Monsters: Stories by Nathan Ballingrud Books of Blood by Clive Barker is pretty much essential for any horror fans. I assume you've read Wolf In White Van? It's not really horror, but it has a sinister feel throughout.
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Feb 21, 2018 22:48
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Franchescanado posted:The Vegetarian by Han Kang (it was a BOTM) Thank you for this list! I've read a few but lots here that I haven't. I actually have not read Wolf In White Van. I only just finished Universal Harvester a week or so ago, and Darnielle wasn't really on my radar before that (as a novelist anyway.) Also I love A Good Man Is Hard To Find, I think I might need to reread it and dig into more O'Conner. How's Wise Blood? As a side note for anyone unfamiliar with it, Blackwater was not at all what I expected, but really hit home for me. An excellent read, though also more Southern Gothic than out-and-out horror.
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Feb 21, 2018 22:54
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MockingQuantum posted:Thank you for this list! I've read a few but lots here that I haven't. I actually have not read Wolf In White Van. I only just finished Universal Harvester a week or so ago, and Darnielle wasn't really on my radar before that (as a novelist anyway.) Also I love A Good Man Is Hard To Find, I think I might need to reread it and dig into more O'Conner. How's Wise Blood? I haven't read Wise Blood yet. I've heard that it's excellent, though. With O'Conner, I'd get her Complete Short Stories collection. It's organized by the original collections the stories were released in. You may also like The Ballad of the Sad Cafe & Other Stories by Carson McCullers. Again, dark southern gothic literature with heavy themes and a sinister tone throughout, though never explicitly horror.
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Feb 21, 2018 23:06
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Franchescanado posted:The Vegetarian by Han Kang (it was a BOTM) I'd second Slade House but also suggest you should read The Bone Clocks first.
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Feb 22, 2018 02:50
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MockingQuantum posted:I realized the other day I've never read a really well-written biography (or autobiography) of anyone. I know I've read a few biographies that were poorly written and mostly just a collection of dates, back in school. What are some really fantastic biographies? I'm actually not picky about the subject, though I'm mostly interested in figures from the last century or so. I know that's a really broad question, but I'm open to reading anything, and figure there's probably a good biography or two of people I wouldn't necessarily seek out from my own knowledge of history, which is... well, spotty and American. - Robert Graves: Good-Bye to All That - Vera Brittain: Testament of Youth Pete Maravich has always fascinated me, so two on him: - Pete Maravich: Heir to a Dream - Pistol: The Life of Pete Maravich (Mark Kriegel)
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Feb 22, 2018 03:07
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MockingQuantum posted:Weird, I've never heard of The Hike, but I've read the other three (and should have mentioned them, along with Hill House they also top my list of favorites). I'll check it out, thanks! The Southern Reach Trilogy is not in any way like Hill House and is also not literary. Head full of Ghosts is good, though. Franchescanado's list is excellent. I'd also recommend: - anything by Robert Aickman - William Gay's Little Sister Death for Southern Gothic with outright horror elements - Andrew Michael Hurley's The Loney - iris Murdoch's The Unicorn, maybe
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Feb 22, 2018 04:23
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chernobyl kinsman posted:The Southern Reach Trilogy is not in any way like Hill House and is also not literary. Head full of Ghosts is good, though. It isn't, though it strikes some of the same "subtle, creeping unease" notes that I enjoy in books. Thanks for these recs! I read my first Aickman collection late last year and it was fantastic.
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Feb 22, 2018 04:26
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i'm sorry i just really hate jeff vandermeer. he is my enemy
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Feb 22, 2018 05:29
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chernobyl kinsman posted:i'm sorry i just really hate jeff vandermeer. he is my enemy I won't hold it against you, I loved Southern Reach but it's certainly the sort of thing I could see people hating with a passion.
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Feb 22, 2018 05:31
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MockingQuantum posted:I realized the other day I've never read a really well-written biography (or autobiography) of anyone. I know I've read a few biographies that were poorly written and mostly just a collection of dates, back in school. What are some really fantastic biographies? I'm actually not picky about the subject, though I'm mostly interested in figures from the last century or so. I know that's a really broad question, but I'm open to reading anything, and figure there's probably a good biography or two of people I wouldn't necessarily seek out from my own knowledge of history, which is... well, spotty and American. I loved The Power Broker. It's a biography of Robert Moses, but also goes over New York's history a bit. Potemkin: Catherine the Great's Imperial Partner is similar in that it's a biography of Potemkin, but also gives a lot of background info on Russia. It also goes into Catherine's and Potemkin's relationship, which I really enjoyed.
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Feb 22, 2018 11:46
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kalthir posted:I loved The Power Broker. It's a biography of Robert Moses, but also goes over New York's history a bit. The Power Broker is very good. Some other biographies I've enjoyed have been P. T. Barnum: The Legend and the Man by A. H. Saxon and Ricky Jay's Matthias Buchinger: The Greatest German Living. (Buchinger was born in the 17th century with no legs or hands, and only grew 29" tall -- but he still managed to become a famous magician, artist, and performer, not to mention having four wives and fourteen kids. The book is a mix of a straight biography and Jay's own adventures in researching and collecting Buchinger's art.) Selachian fucked around with this message at 15:49 on Feb 22, 2018 |
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Feb 22, 2018 15:47
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Hey goons. I'm looking for educational works on the fundamentals of journalism. I'm specifically after anything focusing on interview technique and research methodologies. I think I'm a pretty good researcher already, but a buddy and I are working on a podcast that will require a lot of people finding and interviewing, so any foundational texts that might help me self teach would be real helpful. Bonus points for both educational and entertaining, but I'm not real picky. Thanks.
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Feb 23, 2018 00:49
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Franchescanado posted:You may also like The Ballad of the Sad Cafe & Other Stories by Carson McCullers. Again, dark southern gothic literature with heavy themes and a sinister tone throughout, though never explicitly horror. Seconding this. Franchescanado was my Santa this year and gave me a copy and I LOVED it. (thanks again!)
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Feb 24, 2018 17:02
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MockingQuantum posted:I realized the other day I've never read a really well-written biography (or autobiography) of anyone. I know I've read a few biographies that were poorly written and mostly just a collection of dates, back in school. What are some really fantastic biographies? I was going to recommend Albert Manfred's biography of Robespierre but couldn't find an English edition.
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Feb 24, 2018 17:34
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I have a habit of browsing the threads and writing down names of books that sound interesting or that people recommend but I'm realising I now have a gigantic list of stuff and I got no idea where to start, so I'd appreciate a second opinion on the following: The Black sun's Daughter by M.L.N. Hanover The Demon Cycle by Peter V. Brett The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch The Last Policeman by Ben H. Winters Shadow Police by Paul Cornell Inheritance Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin The Khaavren Romances Series by Steven Brust The Girl with Ghost Eyes by M.H. Boroson That should keep me busy for a while I guess. Thanks in advance.
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Feb 25, 2018 02:05
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Edmond Dantes posted:
Shadow Police 1, Locke Lamora 1, Demon Cycle then Last Policeman. Demon Cycle is consistent enough (if pulpy) all the way through. the second parts of SP and Locke Lamora were a bit of a letdown (but still entertaining enough). I read Last Policeman in a bundle of post-apoc stuff and it was the best written of the lot, but was a little maudlin after that many worlds ending.
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Feb 25, 2018 05:35
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Edmond Dantes posted:I have a habit of browsing the threads and writing down names of books that sound interesting or that people recommend but I'm realising I now have a gigantic list of stuff and I got no idea where to start, so I'd appreciate a second opinion on the following: Big Bad Beetleborg posted:Locke Lamora were a bit of a letdown (but still entertaining enough). I found Locke Lamora to be captivating and exhilarating the whole way through. Good luck on your reading. I have literal thousands of book recs collected and I'm only mostly sure how to deal with them.
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Feb 25, 2018 06:08
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Solitair posted:I found Locke Lamora to be captivating and exhilarating the whole way through. Good luck on your reading. I have literal thousands of book recs collected and I'm only mostly sure how to deal with them. Oh no, Locke Lamora was fine. The boat one and the third (casino heist?) one were just less good.
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Feb 25, 2018 06:13
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I've read this, and it's bad. I've read the first book all the way through, and it's bad. I've read other books by the author, and he's really bad BravestOfTheLamps fucked around with this message at 11:26 on Feb 25, 2018 |
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Feb 25, 2018 10:02
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Demon cycle: really bad. Also sexist as gently caress IIRC. Khaavren and Locke Lamora series are enjoyble pulp fantasy.
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Feb 25, 2018 19:36
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