I don’t do memes, because once I start, I doubt I’d be able to stop. That wouldn’t end well for anyone, especially my cat who is bacon-averse.
This morning, though, while I was Propelling, I stopped at SF Signal and saw Quick Meme: What are You Reading?
Q: What book are you currently reading? Is it good so far?
Oh! Good question. I’m so glad you asked. I love to read, and I love to talk about books, so I’m going to go ahead and hop onto this one. Don’t worry, I won’t be tagging anyone, because that’s just silly.
Until last year, I’d limit myself and only read one book at a time, but as the pile of things I wanted to read grew ever larger, I decided that it made more sense to go ahead and read a few books in parallel, sort of like watching different channels on different nights. So far, this has worked out pretty well for me, and allowed me to read more books than I normally would without making me feel like I’m sacrificing anything in each individual book.
Does anyone else do this? Is this the normal way people read books, and I’m just figuring it out now? I wonder about these things. Enlighten me.
So, to the meme! Right now, I’m reading The Living Dead anthology, edited by John Joseph Adams. I just love it, but it’s huge. Also, as John at SF Signal observed, because it’s an anthology, it takes longer to read than a book of equal length, because you have to adjust to a new author’s style and find the groove of each new story. I never thought about that very much, but it explains why I don’t read anthologies with the same enthusiasm that I read novels.
I’ve read a few stories in The Living Dead, and I especially liked Kelly Link’s Some Zombie Contingency Plans, Dan Simmons’ This Year’s Class Picture, David Barr Kirtley’s The Skull-Faced Boy, and Dale Bailey’s Death and Suffrage.
I’ve wanted to write a zombie story for years. The last one I wrote was the 7th grade tale of turgid terror “The Land of the Zombies” and I’m anxious to revisit the genre. The Living Dead has inspired me, and I have an idea that I’m outlining right now.
Is it good so far? Oh, you betcha, my friends. It’s fantastic.
I’m also re-reading, for the first time in over fifteen years, Ender’s Game. Nolan has a Sci-Fi class at school, and when he told me that he’d picked Ender’s Game from the reading list, I thought it would be fun to grab my copy out of storage and read it with him.
Nolan isn’t a voracious reader like Ryan is, but when he finds a book that he likes, he pretty much drops everything else in the world until the book is finished. After two days, he had read over 100 pages of Ender, while I was still in the third chapter. He’s agreed to give me a day to catch up, though.
Is it good so far? Yes. Ender’s Game is as fast-paced and accessible as I remember it, and I’m picking up on all sorts of stuff I missed when I was a kid. I loved this book when I was a teenager – I think I first read it when I was 14 or 15 – but I never got into any of the sequels. I find Orson Scott Card’s recent raging homophobia and associated ignorant ranting pretty reprehensible, and I have no interest in giving him any of my money or spending any time reading his current work, but I didn’t know about any of that when I was a kid, and none of that changes how great Ender’s Game is.
Soon I Will Be Invincible. (I’m updating because I forgot to add this one. I’m kind of stupid today.) I still love this. I’m taking my time, though, because I don’t want it to end.
I keep finding myself picking up and skimming through The Pirate’s Guide to Freeport, the 4th Edition Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide, The World of Darkness, and a bunch of old GURPS books: Cyberpunk, Horror, Autoduel and Space. I really want to teach Nolan Car Wars, but I don’t think he has the patience. Goddamn video games.
Are they good so far? Um. Duh.
I’m taking this one step beyond (with the rockingest, rocksteady beat of MADNESS!!) and adding the books I can’t want to start:
Zoe’s Tale. This one is at the top of the pile, because I love the Old Man’s War universe, and Scalzi is my friend. I think it’s another one I can read with Nolan, too.
Pattern Recognition. I was trying to decide if it was going to be this or Spook Country, and everyone I know who has read them both says Pattern Recognition is the way to go.
The Terror. I’ve had this one on the nightstand for months, and I’ve gotten about 2 chapters into it. It’s nearing that point of no return where I know I won’t be able to put it down. I can’t risk losing even more productivity than I already have, though, so it’ll have to keep waiting.
Carter Beats the Devil. My friend Yuri says that I shouldn’t even open this book unless I can clear my life of everything else until I finish it, because it’s that good.
The Graveyard Book. I bought this the day it came out, and it’s going to be my reward when I finish . . . something. I haven’t decided what it is, yet.
House of Leaves. A friend of mine knows the author, and gave me a copy a million years ago. I was intimidated by its size, but I understand that it’s worth it.
Spin. Recommended by a friend, as well. I made it about 100 pages into the book and got distracted by a red balloon. I was intrigued enough to finish it, though. Maybe I’ll get to move it up to the Stuff I’m Reading list.
I’ve been acting more than usual lately. (I know, I know, it’s weird for me, too.) It uses the same creative energy and inspiration sources in my brain as writing, so I just haven’t had anything left at the end of the day to work on the stories I have in various stages of creation. This is frustrating and a little demoralizing to me, but Stephen King says that writers have to read, though, so I’m going to go ahead and give myself permission to . . . uh . . . draw some inspiration . . . from some other writers.
Okay, let’s throw it open in comments: What book are you currently reading? Is it good so far?
i have been trying to make it through stephan king’s darktower series for MONTHS. i finally finished the first book and started the drawing of the three but i just can not get into it and normally i love anything he writes. do the stories pick up or is it just me? im also a big fan of cheezy historical romance books. ive been reading the womans murder club series too. i like a bit of everything and will be taking some of the recomendations ive seen today to the library.
Off and on reading Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand and Rebel Without a Crew by Robert Rodriguez. Love both of these books.
I also highly recommend A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole. Makes me laugh out loud every time I read it.
I’m on a Philip K. Dick kick right now. Just finished A Scanner Darkly last week (boy was the movie a straight-up interpretation), and enjoyed it immensely. Currently reading The Man in the High Castle, and enjoying it, but not as much as Scanner. Next up: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Yeah, like many geeks of my generation I read it back when Blade Runner came out, but my only impression of it is that it was vastly different from the movie and that I liked it.
Dear Wil,
I just thought you should know that I think House of Leaves is such a fantastic book that I created a flipping account to tell you so. I love books just that much.
So yes. House of Leaves is amazing. And in the same vein, so is Pale Fire. Nabokov wrote some awful stuff, but since he channeled it all into creating Pale Fire I’m okay with it. Pale Fire is smaller (shorter) and equally mind bending, but more subtle about how it twists those formerly-useful parts of your brain into mush.
As soon as I am back in the U.S. of A. (college student studying abroad, who needs details?) I am picking up some Scalzi. And you can take credit for that, next time you guys chat about whatever it is good writers discuss — didn’t have a clue who the guy was until you linked him on your blog.
In the meantime I will stave off my English-language drought with intermittent chapters of the Terry Pratchett books I wish I had purchased more of at the airport.
Wow Blake! Yea us for reading “Quicksilver”. Neal Stephensons trilogy was fantastic. I loved the anacronistic attemps to explain some word origins, meeting some pretty heady Geeks of the Highest Order and the fact that it the filled my whole Summer. I’m an artist not a mathematician… equations and I do not get along, but I found that the book made me like those guys so much that i read a bunch of books on the subject of science and math (persons not equations.) What I didn’t like was that it made my blood boil whe nit comes to politics.
The intrigue, machinations and utter contrivance of the monetary system in England when the story takes place makes today’s financial crisis even scarrier and Jerry Korsi’s theories look like a not to distant certainty. SHIVER.
I, sadly, am decideing which of my friends to keep and who must move on to another home. “Ishmael” where Spock dances isn’t going anywhere.
The Graveyard Book.
I drove 6 hours through a 6 car/2 fatality crack up (normally a 3 hour drive) to see Neil read from his book in Seattle. I heard Chapter 4, he showed a preview of Coraline, and had a kickass Q&A session. Got an autographed book he signed ahead of time, since he broke his finger in China last month. If you don’t subscribe to his blog, I HIGHLY recommend it. He also is posting video of all the chapter he reads on his Graveyard Book tour, so you can listen to him read the whole book by the time he is done. 😀
“Ender’s Game” was awesome. Skip the next three books if you will, but do read (from the library, if you want to avoid giving him cash) the three Shadow books about Bean (Ender’s Shadow, Shadow of the Hegemon, Shadow of the Giant). You’ll be glad you did.
I’m currently reading Sagan’s “Cosmic Collection,” which I’ve had for ages and never got around to reading. That reading was triggered by my finally getting around to finishing the Carl Sagan special issue of Skeptic Magazine which I picked up at TAM6 this summer.
Most recently, I’ve zoomed through David Brin’s “The Practice Effect” which, although light sci-fi at best, is pretty fun. I’m avoiding most of the long novels and series which I love because I have other things to concentrate on (and when I’m in a good book, I’m lost for anything else functional).
Mostly, my reading time is chewed up by a couple dozen blogs, some of which are very busy, and attempting keep up with the few TV shows I like (Mentalist, House, Bones, Daily Show).
And now for something completely different. The Time Travellers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. I shall not be sleeping untilo I’ve finished it…
I’m currently on an OCD-fueled journey through The Complete Works of Elizabeth Bear. Just finished “Undertow”, am about to start “Hammered”.
I’m also reading David Sedaris’ “When You Are Engulfed In Flames”.
Are you not reading Anathem? Are you not a Neal Stephenson fan? It is a great book. I will send you my copy after I’m done if that helps.
Just finished Anathem, and started Zoe’s Tale. I also have Mirror Dance by Lois McMaster Bujold in audio format for the bus.
SP
House of Leaves: don’t be afraid. Well, be afraid, but not because of the book’s size. Some pages have only one word, if that.
Fear comes from the feeling that, after reading the book, you’ll never look at your house the same way again.
I hate the idea of reading more than one book at a time, but have found that it happens so that I can have enjoyment reading, along with my work reading… currently reading Yoga for Dummies, Canada: A People’s History and Norman Davies’ Europe for work purposes and just finished Marc and Craig Kielburger’s “Me To We” for my personal enjoyment.
Thumbs up to the mentions of Atwood, Klein and Palahniuk.
Alexis… I’m with you… even if I don’t like a book I feel the need to finish it, just in case something good happens later and I missed it!
I just finished “I, Robot” by Isaac Asimov, and I’m wondering why I never read it before. It was HAWESOME! It was recommended (and loaned to me) by a friend as well as “The Caves of Steel”, which I plan on reading after “The Giver” by Lois Lowry, which I’ll be reading for an upcoming book club. I’ve read that book about three or four times, and I can’t wait to read it again. It’s my absolute favorite! Oh, and you probably know that Neil Gaiman’s been reading “The Graveyard Book” a chapter at a time on tour, that he finished it tonight, and that it’s all been filmed and uploaded to the Internet at http://www.mousecircus.com/videotour.aspx?VideoID=1. I’ve been waiting for him to finish it, so I can hear the whole thing being read by him and his lovely voice!
I just finished reading the Twilight series and I’m getting ready to re-read The Abhorsen series by Garth Nix. I picked up a book of short stories set in the same world, but it has been so long since I read the books I need a refresher.
Can I say how cool it must be to take a Sci-Fi class at school?!? I wish we had something like that when I was growing up.
And nothing makes me happier then seeing all the readers come out of the woodwork. I truly don’t understand people who don’t read.
I’m about 150 pages into Royal Escape by Georgette Heyer. It’s quite good.
A: Yes, it’s perfectly normal to read multiple books in parallel. I’ve started using Good Reads (clicky pop FAIL) to keep track of what I want to read and what I’ve already read.
I’m currently reading:
1. Fragile Things by Neil Gaimen (my first Gaimen book)
2. Nightfall by Issac Asimov
3. Foundation and Chaos by Greg Bear
I’m rereading the Nine Princes of Amber series by Zelazny and reading The Bromeliad by Terry Pratchett.
I find myself doing a lot of rereading, and when I do try to read something new I find myself disappointed more often than not. I’m not sure what happened, if I’ve just become ridiculously picky or what. I miss reading like I did in my teens and 20s, where I would just pick anything I could get my hands on and enjoy it enough to read it all the way through.
(takes notes furiously, sends a “Barnes and Noble Run tonight” text to the wife) I’ve read everything I could get my hands on since I first began reading at age 2. Currently, I am reading “White Night” and “Dead Beat” by Jim Butcher (Part of the Dresden Files Series) which I have found to be wonderful. What writer wouldn’t want to write such wonderful wizard noir? Also in rotation are “Spin” by Robert Charles Wilson for myself, along with Shelley’s “Frankenstein” (to keep up with my daughter’s class discussion) and “All together dead” and “From Dead to Worse” by Charlaine Harris (to discuss with the wife.) Does anyone else read everything your significant other reads in order to discuss? In my case, our tastes are very different, but the occasional struggle seems to be worth it just to have such wonderful conversations.
I’m reading Web Form Design – Filling In The Blanks by Luke Wroblewski. I’m liking it so far.
Just finished Shadowbridge by Gregory Frost, great fantasy with a creepy edge. While I’m waiting to buy the sequel, I’m reading The Time-Traveler’s Wife, love it despite it being a little more mainstream than I usually like. I’ve found as I get older I can no longer read multiple books as it’s too easy to put them down and forget them.
I am reading like 5 books right now. I feel like an idiot because I can never just read one at a time. The main one that is occupying me is American Psycho. I love it. Also, The Dark Tower Part 2.
The way I read books:
I read several at once. I keep one at work (to read on breaks), one in the car (to read if I go out to lunch by myself or have to wait at the doctor’s office or car care place), one in the bathroom at home (I read on the commode), and sometimes there’s more than one in any given place.
Currently, I’m reading:
Foundation by Mercedes Lackey (her latest Valdemar book) (at home)
Anne of Avonlea by LM Montgomery (in the car)
To Catch a Pirate by Jade Parker (at work)
Read since the beginning of the month:
Chalice by Robin McKinley;
Epic by Conor Kostick;
Dear Diary by Leslie Arfin;
Cycler by Lauren McLaughlin;
Dead Until Dark -and- Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris
just finished zoe’s tale and spook country, now reading anathem. lots of words in it.
I mostly do one book at a time, but I historically have a habit of latching onto one long series and blowing through it without reading any other authors in between volumes. Lately this practice has gotten to me and I’ve started to break up the denser stuff with lighter fare at the same time.
Currently reading: Memories of Ice by Steven Erikson. The first two books in this series were entertaining, but a bit below par in… style? technical writing skill? Something like that. This one is better, though, and I’m enjoying it a lot.
I’ve been breaking up Malazan with quite a few things, notably including Old Man’s War, Spin, and most recently Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou. I’ve devoured each of these in a matter of days and enjoyed each immensely. The rest of the Scalzi’s work and Axis are on my shopping list for the next time I hit the bookstore.
I’m finishing a second run of Heinlein’s Stranger in a Strange Land, and also the first book of the second trilogy in the Dragonlance chronicles.
I’ll end up reading a bunch of books at once, too. Bedroom, bathroom, car, etc. I’m really focusing now while I reread The Pillars of the Earth so I can start on the sequel.
I just finished The Forever War, Children of the Mind, and The Virtue of Selfishness (apropos to times to say the least).
Tonight I’m not sure what I’ll start – I have Tale of Two Cities, Forever War, and Dune on the nightstand (and always, Atlas Shrugged).
Currently (attempting) to read “Diamond Age” by Stephenson, but that’s on top of books for class, so it’s slow going. Every so often I re-read “Ender’s Game,” and it gets better every time. I can’t believe how many things I’ve missed in the previous readings each time I re-read it.
Wil,
I am reading Playing For Pizza by John Grisham. I like the story.
FG
I just finished Pride & Prejudice, and am now almost through Northanger Abbey. My female credentials were in danger of being revoked if I didn’t read me some Jane Austen and quick. But next in line is Neal Stephenson’s Anathem, and I am dying (DYING DYING DYING!!!) to read the next installment in George R. R. Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire series.
I love Ender’s Game — the ending always makes me cry.
I can only read one book at a time. If the book is good, I immerse myself in the story. When I read two books at once, my mind starts introducing elements of one book into my mental image of the happinings in the other. Very confusing. I also tend to read in heavy spurts. I’ll grab one book and finish it in a couple days, then take a week or two off.
I’m currently reading Order of the Stick: Start of Darkness.
BTW, I wish I was your son. You’re a much better father than I had, and I admire you.
I just finished reading Terry Pratchett’s newest book, “The Nation”. It’s not a Discworld novel, and it’s brilliant.
Yesterday, I started reading “Glasshouse” by Charles Stross, which seems interesting so far. I love Stross’ work, I was hooked as soon as I read his book “Accelerando” which is available completely for free at http://www.accelerando.org/
Speaking of reading, have you tried out the Amazon Kindle yet? It’s pretty awesome. If you buy a lot of books, and especially if you travel, you would probably love it. My wife and I love ours, so much we’re probably going to have to get two.
I finished the Cryptonomicon a couple months ago, and Microserfs a few weeks ago. But as a geek Icon I doubt you haven’t already read these.
Wil, for all that you dislike his politics or whatever, you’re missing out on two great reads. I couldn’t give a toss for the many many sequels to Enders Game, except for the direct sequel. Speaker for the Dead. It’s even better than Enders Game, and it’s more for adults, in the way that Enders Game really connects with kids who read it. I strongly urge you to give this book a try.
And if I can plug one more of Scott Cards, I’ll just say that Pastwatch (The Redemption of Christopher Colombus) is one of the most beautiful books (SF or otherwise) that I’ve ever read.
I started reading Moby Dick about 3 years ago and amd still working through it. I’ve moved house twice since I started – when my tv packed in and couldn’t play the PS2…and just keep mis-placing it. I reckon it’ll be 2010 by the time I finish it. Otherwise, if I have the books, I’m often juggling 6 or 7 at a time – I don’t really have anything else but the last one I finished was Stephen King’s Cell.
Just finished Terry Brooks’ Genesis of Shannara Book 3, The Gypsy Morph.
Now reading Christopher Paolini’s Brisinger.
I absolutely loathe reading more than one fiction book at a time, unless one of ’em is w/ the kids.
Right now I’m finishing up Star Wars: Republic Commando – Order 66. It’s part of an incredible series of SW books which deals with the clones created for the Republic as they enter the universe and start to realize what civilian lives are like, and how cheated they are by being basically slaves and have shortened life spans. I find a lot of great, meaningful books in the media tie-ins, especially Star Wars books.
Haven’t quite decided what to grab in the morning (my current read goes w/me everywhere, and normally the next on the list as well). The current (sorta) short list is:
Babylon 5: To Walk in the City of Shadows – the official canon story of just what the hell happened to Cmdr. Sinclair when he got shipped off to Minbar. Great book!
The Skies of Pern by Anne McCaffrey – last (chronologically) in the Pern series and one of my faves.
Fallen Angels by Niven, Pournelle and Flynn – AWESOME book of a near-future eco-disaster (partially caused by environmentalism) in a anti-tech society. A couple of astronauts crash land and need to be rescued by fandom, which has been forced underground. A MUST for any fanboy or fangirl.
Any of the choices will likely be bumped farther down the list if I can get copies of the books I’m really craving right now but just don’t own yet:
Before Green Gables – the authorized prequel to Anne of Green Gables, telling the backstory of our beloved Anne Shirley.
Callahan’s Crosstime Saloon by Spider Robinson – one of the best series of all time, about a group of people who all hang out at a bar, drinking, partying and (if they have time) saving the world now and then. This series contains some of the most thought-provoking, hilarious, touching, serious, compassionate story-telling I’ve ever found.
Variable Star – by Robert Heinlein and Spider Robinson – total fangirl squeee! How can you not simply love this book to bits! Two of the best authors of all-time (IMHO) together at last – plus getting a new Heinlein so many years after he died.
I’m a little indecisive, as you might be able to tell.
I am reading The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon and I don’t know why it took me so long to get to it. I have just a few chapters left and I love it. I don’t want it to end.
I was always against reading more than one book at a time….until I became an English major. After reading nothing but Victorian lit for a semester I had to have my sci fi fix. I ended up finding out that Star Trek novels are pretty useful if you are looking for something light to read as a treat. They never kept me from completing my school work.
As for what I am reading right now… nothing. 🙁 I’ve just discovered how much time a job takes up.
Ok, this thread is now bookmarked…a lot of good reads here that I haven’t gotten to yet.
Currently *not* reading Old Man’s War, by John Scalzi, because I’m an idiot and I’ve lost the book. About half way through. If I can’t find it soon, I’ll have to buy another copy.
P.S. Isn’t that just like Wesley, to answer a question directed at Q?
OK, yeah, that was lame… Sorry.
I am currently reading Letter to a Christian Nation by Sam Harris and Mike’s Election Guide 2008 by Michael Moore, while watching The Trial of the Time Lord episodes. Go figure! They are awesome! Totally enjoying them my dear Chesterton! I have to many books on my pile also with so little time. Will it ever end? I hope not!!
I just finished Niel Gaimans “Neverwhere” and thought it was a great book. A nice mixture of the styles from “Stardust” and “American gods”. I just started Cory Doctorow’s “Little Brother” last night – but have not read enough to form an opinion yet. But I’m sure you recognize what an impact you have had on my reading habitts 😉 Thank you!
I’m currently reading “Paul Of Dune” by Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson. I have really enjoyed Brian & Kevin’s fleshing out of the Dune universe with all their Dune books, and this book continues that. Very engaging so far!
Just finished 2 YA books that I really got into: Little Brother by Cory Doctorow and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.
Little Brother – teens caught up in the aftermath of a terror attack (wrong place, wrong time) fight back against the DHS by making them look like fools. Full of tech goodness & scary “OMG this could really happen”
The Hunger Games – “The Lottery” meets “Arena” meets The Running Man (movie > book). Others compare it to Battle Royale (haven’t seen/read).
I am currently reading Magic’s Promis. Its the second book the the last Hearled Mage serise from Mercadies Lackey. This would be my third time reading the serise. While the book is great I think the serise as a whole is just awsomeness!
This is my first foray into multiple books at once, but lots of time spent on planes will do that to you.
1. I’m reading Lisey’s Story by Stephen King as well. (Don’t worry, other poster who’s name escapes me), it does pick up soon.
2. The next is Betting Thoroughbreds by Steven Davidovitz. We own a racehorse and reading up on what makes them tick has been truly insightful (and a bit more profitable).
3. Winning Omaha/8 Poker by Mark Tenner and Lou Krieger. I like Hold’em well enough, but I really think that the poker world will be moving into mixed games, and Omaha Hi/Lo is showing up more in casinos. I think the true world champ is the person who takes the $50,000 HORSE title.
I thought multiple books at once would make me finish none of them, but because of the varied topics, now I can choose what to read based on the mood I’m in. Mint!
I am currently readin The Ultimate Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. It’s a MASSIVE hardback that contains all six Hitchhiker’s books, as well as a short story.
I had read the first in the series (Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy). It was great going back and revisiting that one, but it’s been even better reading what I’ve missed…I see why the entire series has wide recognition, and not just the first novel. Highly recommended to anyone…plus it looks real nice on a bookshelf:-)
http://longshotpolitics.wordpress.com
http://livingwithanerd.com