World, Writing, Wealth discussion

There are lots of great discussions about writing. It's interesting to know what books everyone is reading. What are you currently reading or recently finished? It says 2016 but any book really is good to mention. Fiction or nonfiction. Go for it!
Indie, trade, short story, long story.

I'm happy to start it off! I'm reading The Hunt for Red October by Tom Clancy. It's a phenomenal book - and it started Clancy's phenomenal career. It's, I believe, number three in the Jack Ryan series. Jack Ryan famously portrayed by Harrison Ford in The Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger.

I've been wanting and meaning to read The Hunt for Red October and glad to be reading it now. It's amazing. Incredibly detailed and a great story.

Solid choice, M.L!
Heard stories that Ronald Reagan is responsible for Tom's great(and deservedly so) career. Checked it on the web and here it is:
http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/wash...
Obama and Cameron might have more free time soon, so if anyone can hook me up..... -:)

Thanks! I'll have to read that.
What almost turned Red October into a horror story was a brief blip in my imagination -- I saw Donald Trump in the Situation Room with the Joint Chiefs of Staff -- and I almost dropped the book! Scary! :-)

I put up reviews of whatever I'm reading on GR within a couple days after reading. I admit I do hype up the points I like about a book and try to sound positive instead of focusing on the details that bothered me, but I don't lie; if I hype up a book everyone else seems to hate, it's because something about it allowed me to truly enjoy it.

Right now, I'm reading David Weber's Honor of the Queen, and have to say I'm enjoying less than any book on my list. I really enjoyed On Basilisk Station, and still want to like this book, but I reached the first bit of action last night at the 30% mark and it is about as exciting as the opening chapter where Honor is just standing around watching the workers conduct maintenance.

That said, it seems to fit in a pattern recently where the book I happen to pick up has the same problems that I struggle with at that exact point in time with my own work. I started my next project the same time I started reading this book. It is not meant to be an action heavy piece and unfortunately the early chapters have to be heavy with the info dumps. I'm also struggling with the fear my opening hook is not as much of a hook as I hope, and sure enough, I see all of that in this book.

The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie

Ulysses by James Joyce.

Greg wrote: "The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie"

Hi Greg and Welcome to the group! Hope you'll enjoy

Tinkers by Paul Harding

Just finished 'Rebel' by Bernard Cornwell - an enjoyable read.

Nik wrote: "Greg wrote: "The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie"

Hi Greg and Welcome to the group! Hope you'll enjoy"

Thanks Nik! I'm glad to be a part of it.

Currently Reading, Sapiens: A brief history of human kind.

I read Patriot Games by Tom Clancy - loved it! Now reading The Naked Sun by Isaac Asimov - favorite SF author!

Hahaha, I just read a children's book: Weeds in Nana's Garden: A Heartfelt Story of Love That Helps Explain Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias.

It was awesome! I love the author's motivation for writing as well as the inspiration for her book. Plus, a portion of sales goes to the Alzheimer Society of Canada. Not to mention, Miss Kathryn has such a lovely personality. Yeah, I'd help her out any day!! Buuuuut...

*nuzzles angsty romance and scarily dark erotica*

Oh, how I've miss you!!!

EDIT: Oh, just to clarify, I read this one with the intention to review it ^_~

I've read a couple of Clancy's; one was very disappointing, but I really loved The Sum of All Fears. Well-researched and well-paced and he really keeps you reading though it's a very long book.

Greg wrote: "The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie"

Good luck with it - I found it quite interesting, but when I read it I also realized why the Ayatollah got so steamed up about it. There are chapters in it that do seem to be about him.

I have just finished this - A Country of Refuge: An Anthology of Writing on Asylum Seekers - it is an Unbound production and I was one of the sponsors, in a very small way. Also just finished this: Undertones of War.

Mike wrote: "Greg wrote: "The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie"

Good luck with it - I found it quite interesting, but when I read it I also realized why the Ayatollah got so steamed..."

Thanks Mike. I definitely enjoyed it. Rushdie's use of language and wordplay are fun to read. But as you say, I can certainly see why it offended so many, and I think he knew it could be inflammatory when he wrote it.

I have The Sum of All Fears and will read that after Patriot Games which I should be getting today or tomorrow. I was surprised how much I liked the detail about submarines in The Hunt for Red October, so really enjoy the detail. Looking/reading it from a writer's point of view . . . I'm in awe. Amazing.

Greg wrote: "Mike wrote: "Greg wrote: "The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie"

Good luck with it - I found it quite interesting, but when I read it I also realized why the Ayatollah go...".

I loved The Satanic Verses. I can definitely see how he got in trouble. I started it at the same time I started Cloud Atlas but as usually happens, I ended up reading one first and Rushdie's book won out. I did read Cloud Atlas after and thought it was brilliant.

oh man, you guys read books that make you think. if i'm not reading research for my stories or about writing, then i just read manga, Psyren #01: Urban Legend, or watch shonen anime, "Twin Star Exorcists". I just started Ring for my horror short on the backburner of ideas.

M.L. wrote: "I started it at the same time I started Cloud Atlas."

That's on my list too! Glad to hear you liked it.

@Mr Alex: I'm currently rereading Deadman Wonderland, Volume 1 and Real, Volume 1 for the umpteenth time...

*fist bump*

Annie wrote: "@Mr Alex: I'm currently rereading Deadman Wonderland, Volume 1 and Real, Volume 1 for the umpteenth time...

*fist bump*"

(-_-)

Started this one last night.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H18IWGI/...

Alex G wrote: "(-_-)"

Is this a sad face? If so, whyyyy??

Oh, I also follow Berserk, Vol. 1 but for goodness sake, it's been over 20 years! Miura, you brilliant butthead!! Put me outta my misery already!!!

*rips out hair**screams into pillow**sobs uncontrollably*

I'm okay. I swear.

oh man. i'm emoticon-illiterate. that's supposed to be a smiley face. what's a smiley face then? is it:

(^_^)

??

deadman is good--although, it had really good and graphic action and demented characters, i didn't continue past vol 4 b/c it seemed that it was typical shonen tropes w/the childhood friend (who might be (view spoiler)[the ultimate weapon and he might save her (hide spoiler)] and the guy powering up; berserk is good--although i only watched the movie.

OMG, Mr Alex!! You must read Berserk!!!

I watched the anime, eh? Then was like, "Huh? That's it??" Then looked up the manga. Then stayed up all night reading the stupid thing. Then regretted it the next day. Then repeated. Then regretted.

FunML

EDIT: Here ya go ✧ ೕ(•́ᴗ•́๑)

Annie wrote: "OMG, Mr Alex!! You must read Berserk!!!

I watched the anime, eh? Then was like, "Huh? That's it??" Then looked up the manga. Then stayed up all night reading the stupid thing. Then regretted it th..."

heh heh. that's what i thought too. all right. i'll give the manga a go.

EDIT: stop! what is that? a guy w/a wart on his left cheek?

@Mr Alex: I think you'll dig the manga. But it's quite possible we'll be dead and gone without knowing how it ends... *falls to knees**sobs uncontrollably**wallows in hopelessness* ...Miiiiiiuuuuraaaaa!!!!

And, nooo, silly! It's either his hand or a blushie, as coined by the oh-so-talented Mark Crilley.

Imma start an Emoticon Education 101 thread ^_~

EDIT: My IQ has dropped considerably after typing "imma". Just saying.

I just finished reading , working on and .

Matthew wrote: "I just finished reading , working on and ."

cool. just put the LHoD on my long list.

Annie wrote: "@Mr Alex: I think you'll dig the manga. But it's quite possible we'll be dead and gone without knowing how it ends... *falls to knees**sobs uncontrollably**wallows in hopelessness* ...Miiiiiiuuuuraaaaa!!!!

And, nooo, silly! It's either his hand or a blushie, as coined by the oh-so-talented Mark Crilley."

ikr, Claymore, Vol. 1: Silver-eyed Slayer is the same way. i think that Yagi finally finished it off back in October 2015.

Mastering Manga with Mark Crilley: 30 Drawing Lessons from the Creator of Akiko is awesome. if i would only make the time to practice i could reach for my other dream of becoming a mangaka and then an anime animator.

@Mr Alex: OMG! I've totally illustrated manga pages too!! Ummm. We're totally the same type of nerd. Now if you tell me you've also cosplayed then it would be the perfect timing for this...

(-_-)

If ever you wanna doodle up a Crilley lesson, lemme know. Of course, I already own the book *smirks*

Annnd to stay on topic for once (shocking, I know!!) I've read The Left Hand of Darkness. It was years ago in my SF Comp Lit class. My final paper was actually on Ghost in the Shell.

#OwnItLikeABoss

Matthew wrote: "I just finished reading , working on and ."

How was 2312? I would like to read a KSR but not sure which to start with. I did start Aurora last year but for some reason did not get far. Maybe it's because I started it right after Seveneves which I loved!

Annie wrote: "@Mr Alex: OMG! I've totally illustrated manga pages too!! Ummm. We're totally the same type of nerd.

scary. i might have to leave this group.

Annie wrote: "Now if you tell me you've also cosplayed then it would be the perfect timing for this...

(-_-) ..."

that hurts. i've been skewered by a katana.

Annie wrote: "Annnd to stay on topic for once (shocking, I know!!) I've read The Left Hand of Darkness. It was years ago in my SF Comp Lit class. My final paper was actually on Ghost in the Shell."

i'm suitably impressed.

@Mr Alex: Hahahaha, thanks, I think?

Actually, I mentioned it as a joke at first. Then this dude in my class said it would be a bad idea. He should've kept his mouth shut...

I may be a bit stubborn. Just a teeny tiny bit.

M.L. wrote: "Matthew wrote: "I just finished reading , working on and ."

How was 2312? I would li..."

2312 was certainly interesting, and it gave a very thorough overview of how the Solar System is likely to be colonized, terraformed and what issues are likely to come up. It was a bit drawn out, to be honest, and kind of dry. And after the sudden and big reveal near the end, things dragged on again. Still, pretty good read!

Annie wrote: "@Mr Alex: Hahahaha, thanks, I think?

Actually, I mentioned it as a joke at first. Then this dude in my class said it would be a bad idea. He should've kept his mouth shut...

I may be a bit stubb..."

I was being sincere. Good job. (^_^)

Matthew wrote: "M.L. wrote: "Matthew wrote: "I just finished reading , working on and ."

How was [book:2312|11830394..."

Sounds like something I would be interested in. With Mars exploration (manned flight) planned for 2030, the fly-by of Pluto last year, I would like to read something focusing on the Solar System. Thanks!

M.L. wrote: "Matthew wrote: "M.L. wrote: "Matthew wrote: "I just finished reading , working on and ."

How was [bo..."

Yeah, my only problem with it is that its similar in concept to a story I've been working on this past year. When I cracked the book, I very nearly quit writing! Luckily, he and I are quite different :)

Good idea! Just put 2312 on my long lost.

Btw, I just picked up The Art of the Japanese Sword from the library and it is impressive! Great illustrations.

Well, Matt, your timing might be good w/all the interplanetary Sci-fi coming out and gaining traction on popular culture over the past year: the Martian & the Expanse

Alex G wrote: "Well, Matt, your timing might be good w/all the interplanetary Sci-fi coming out and gaining traction on popular culture over the past year: the Martian & the Expanse"

Ah, the Expanse. The other series that is stepping on my junk! Seeing the first episode of that is something else that nearly made me quit! However, I learned to see these things as evidence that this kind of stuff is popular.

That's right. Ride the wave, man. Now that you mention it, I wish I had a novel-length work to put out there. Maybe I could scare up a short.

Alex G wrote: "That's right. Ride the wave, man. Now that you mention it, I wish I had a novel-length work to put out there. Maybe I could scare up a short."

Well, dystopian fiction is likely to make a big splash in the coming years, especially if (God forbid!) Trump gets elected.

well then, i'm gonna make sure that dystopian fiction doesn't get big by voting my conscience.

I like this guy for a spot of dystopia
Samuel Astbury