What Are You Reading?

[Nissa]

That's a philosophical choice, and if that's how you want to look at it, you're on to something. However, I feel that on a literary level, that is, how it's written, 1984 is more solid. It's a better constructed story with with more detailed narrative. Really though, there's no reason not to read both. 1984 focuses on the system of how people are controlled, and Brave New World focuses on the people within that controlled world. Both are different aspects of the same idea: when people choose not to choose for themselves, the selfish and cruel are glad to take their place.

[TheEconomist]

The libertarian in me feels a bit ashamed every time I'm reminded that I've never read 1984 or Brave New World. (I'm not a libertarian, FYI.)

I remember seeing a Doom book for 0.50$ at a used book store once. I passed on it. Seems like even at that price I made a good decision

I just finished Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson. Great book, highly recommended. Even if its a bit YA, I enjoyed it. It's about supervillains taking over the world and, you guessed it, a small group and a very special teen to save the world. Yep, it's cliche but I enjoyed it.

Thinking about reading Perdido Street Station by China Mieville or Republic of Thieves by Scott Lynch next, but I'm never good at planning my next books.

[Visions of Khas]

I'm finishing up Vernor Vinge's Deepness in the Sky. After that, I've got Zola's Germinal, and Albert Camus' The Possessed lined up.

[Nissa]

I've seen Albert Camus before. Never read him, though.

Right now I'm reading Saddam's Secrets by Georges Sada. It's...alright, but the writing is weak, the chronology is all over the place, and there simply isn't enough detail about Saddam. Sada is a general who worked in Iraq, so he should know some things, but the whole thing reads more like a conversation than a book. It also seems like they marketed it wrong. It should simply be Sada's biography and not imply that it's a tell-all about Saddam.

[Turalyon]

Albert Camus' The Possessed lined up.

I think you meant Camus' interpretation of Dostoyevsky's The Possessed.

[TheEconomist]

How is Deepness in the Sky? Been looking at Vernor Vinge for a while wanting to read something of his.

Trying to force myself to finally read the next Dune book though. Don't know why I have a such a strong urge to read it and then lose it immediately when I do. Never had that before. Been trying to get it done for a year now, LOL.

[Visions of Khas]

How is Deepness in the Sky? Been looking at Vernor Vinge for a while wanting to read something of his.

It's... weird? It's takes place from the perspective of both the human travelers and the native arachnids of Arachna. While the political maneuvering of the disparate human factions is genuinely fascinating, as is the exploration into individual characters' psyches; the arachnid side of things is what's lacking. But you have to keep in mind the Arachnids' are experiences as seen through the lense of a human interpreter, severely humanizing their experiences and characters. (This isn't revealed until two-thirds of the way through the story, but it's no real spoiler.) You might think you're reading some set of diaries from World War II. It's its own experience. Vinge's book is good, but it certainly shows its age. I'd recommend it to the hardcore scifi nerd.

I think you meant Camus' interpretation of Dostoyevsky's The Possessed.

Mm, yes, quite. Pip pip.

Trying to force myself to finally read the next Dune book though. Don't know why I have a such a strong urge to read it and then lose it immediately when I do. Never had that before. Been trying to get it done for a year now, LOL.

I only read through Herbert's original trilogy, then dropped the series. I enjoy stories that have a defined Beginning, Middle and End; none of this Drag-On-and-On Ball Z shit.

[DonnyZeDoof]

Been trying to read the StarCraft 2 Lore Forum on Battle.net.us but I don't find it to be well written

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Been trying to read the StarCraft 2 Lore Forum on Battle.net.us but I don't find it to be well written

[Hawki]

Currently reading Earth Afire. Stamp of "okay" so far - it's very much a thriller, with a heavier focus on action and less on worldbuilding and character development. In essence, not really where I like a story to focus on.

[TheEconomist]

Maybe I should make another topic, but oh well for now.

Anyone played Alien: Isolation? Great game, in my opinion. In a way, it's the game that I've wanted my whole life. I think I'm about to finish it and it's been an absolute blast the entire way through. On Hard, the AI is surprisingly intelligent and there were tons of great, unscripted, improvised moments. Again, great game. Highly recommended.