What Are You Reading? [Archive] - The Art of Sound Forum

Fi-Wi

02-12-2011, 06:49

Into the Wild (John Krakauer) about the intriguing life of Christopher McCandless (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_McCandless) a.k.a. Alexander Supertramp. Makes you think about materialism that thrives these days.

Beautifully adapted for the screen by Sean Penn with amazing music from Michael Brook that matches the scenes by the way. Highly remommended!

The Grand Wazoo

02-12-2011, 11:16

So what are you reading, Andre?

Me?
All of these:
Nick Kent - 'The Dark Stuff: Selected Writings on Rock Music 1972-1993'
Lester Bangs - 'Mainlines, Blood Feasts and Bad Taste: A Lester Bangs Reader'
Nick Cohen - 'What's Left?: How Liberals Lost Their Way'
Hi-Fi Answers, November 1987
Mojo, January 2012

worthingpagan

02-12-2011, 11:45

I can't read Andre, I just look at the pictures and make up my own words :)

Rare Bird

02-12-2011, 11:45

The Grand Wazoo

02-12-2011, 11:54

This quarters Gas/Electric bill
No, I've already read too many by that author - I try to avoid those.

Spectral Morn

02-12-2011, 12:37

Kushiel's Avatar by Jacqueline Carey

Dauntless by Jack Campbell (just picked the whole set up in a S/H bookshop for £7 :) )

In a Glass Darkly by Sheridan Le Fanu

Kethani by Eric Brown

Nova War by Gary Gibson

The Long Player by Travis Elborough

and this months Stereophile

Regards D S D L

Reid Malenfant

02-12-2011, 17:58

Stephen Baxter - Exultant :cool:

Ali Tait

02-12-2011, 18:07

Good book Mark. Currently I'm reading "Exiles" by Dan Worth.

Roy S

02-12-2011, 18:25

Been struggling with Earthly Powers by Anthony Burgess for the last couple of years

baron

02-12-2011, 19:33

Nick Hornby A Long Way Down

Jonboy

02-12-2011, 22:09

"Lee Evans The life of Lee"

He makes me laugh, saw him in concert in Brighton the other month, nice and light hearted just before sleeptime

Alex_UK

03-12-2011, 07:11

Ashamed to admit the only thing I read these days is a computer screen. I only ever tend to read novels these days when I go on holiday, and these days I don't go on holiday!

jazzpiano

06-12-2011, 06:21

No Country for Old Men - Cormac McCarthy
Goodbye and Amen - Francis Clifford

~Barry

MartinT

06-12-2011, 07:21

Surface Detail by Iain M. Banks. I've always enjoyed his writing, none more so than the Culture novels.

Marco

06-12-2011, 14:34

Currently reading: various skud mags.

Marco.

webby

06-12-2011, 15:01

Jimmy Nail's Autobiography. Very good too.

Tim

29-12-2011, 20:28

Sarah Palin - Going Rogue: An American Life

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51zd%2BcrnohL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Rare Bird

29-12-2011, 20:42

Currently reading: various skud mags.

By gum they must be posh un with stories :eyebrows:

MartinT

29-12-2011, 21:22

God is Not Great - Christopher Hitchens

http://ebooks-imgs.connect.com/ebooks/product/400/000/000/000/000/052/268/400000000000000052268_s4.jpg

Thing Fish

29-12-2011, 21:30

Christopher Hitchens was a great bloke and very good at what he debated. Such a shame he died on the 15th of December...:(

Reid Malenfant

29-12-2011, 21:36

Christopher Hitchens was a great bloke and very good at what he debated. Such a shame he died on the 15th of December...:(
Yes, shame his brother isn't so open minded ;)

Marco

29-12-2011, 21:38

By gum they must be posh un with stories :eyebrows:

I have a penchant for the unbridled exuberance of the readers' letters sections.... :eyebrows:

Marco.

Tim

18-02-2012, 16:56

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ8Mmk9RgGVsmRnKhQRtLsC8C6pLpK8w Y7QNzilBBAit6kkyd1oSWmf_na0

Joe

18-02-2012, 17:08

"A Companion to Gravity's Rainbow', to be followed by 'Gravity's Rainbow' itself.

MartinT

18-02-2012, 17:33

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ8Mmk9RgGVsmRnKhQRtLsC8C6pLpK8w Y7QNzilBBAit6kkyd1oSWmf_na0

Nasty cheap barrow-boy with not a single quality molecule in his body. I detested the one meeting I had with him as a potential supplier when I worked for NEC, which went "I don't care about the specs, what's your lowest price?" I was rather glad we didn't win the contract.

Ian Walker

18-02-2012, 17:48

Currently reading: various skud mags.

Marco.

Shkud mags Jimmee,what are they?

Jimmee...:scratch:

Rare Bird

18-02-2012, 17:54

Shkud mags Jimmee,what are they?

:lol:

Marco

18-02-2012, 19:21

It's about boabbies, fur burgers and stuff.

Marco.

Tim

18-02-2012, 19:52

Nasty cheap barrow-boy with not a single quality molecule in his body. . .
I guess you don't want it after I have read it then Martin? ;)

MartinT

18-02-2012, 19:54

I guess you don't want it after I have read it then Martin? ;)

Only if I can lightly pan fry it with a little hoi sin sauce ;)

Marco

18-02-2012, 21:08

Nasty cheap barrow-boy with not a single quality molecule in his body. . .

Those sentiments are also an excellent summation of his Amstrad brand!

Marco.

Tim

18-02-2012, 22:17

Those sentiments are also an excellent summation of his Amstrad brand!
I can't argue with that!

goraman

22-02-2012, 03:10

One at home,one at work.

Reid Malenfant

25-03-2012, 22:16

Ken Macleod - The Stone Canal, previous to this Ken Macleod - The Star Fraction :)

Next up Ken Macleod - The Cassini Division followed by The Sky Road :cool:

Bluedroog

26-03-2012, 08:20

Nasty cheap barrow-boy with not a single quality molecule in his body. I detested the one meeting I had with him as a potential supplier when I worked for NEC, which went "I don't care about the specs, what's your lowest price?" I was rather glad we didn't win the contract.

I’ve heard similar reports from my sister if memory serves me who had business dealings with him and was in his office with him. A real nasty guy who rules the office like a tyrant, apparently he gave someone a very public verbal attack because they weren’t wearing a tie or something.
Nasty little wide-boy. Reminds me of the despicable people who run Hyper-Fi in Romford who advertise products at prices too good to be true which don’t exist just to get you through the door.

Anyway before I go in to full rant mode....

One book I always return to, as boring as it may sound to some but I find a fascinating inside is ‘Samuel Pepys the Unequalled Self’ by Claire Tomalin.

I also started to read but need to pick up again ‘The God Delusion’ by Richard Dawkins.

I also recently re-read 'On The Road' by Jack Kerouac.

jostber

26-03-2012, 09:21

Norman Lewis - Golden Earth

http://www.worldhum.com/travel-blog/item/no_7_golden_earth_by_norman_lewis_20060525/

Gmanuk101

30-03-2012, 11:32

fiction: haruki murakami - 1Q84 book 3

non fiction: Advanced Technical Software Test Analyst volume 3

ursus262

04-04-2012, 10:54

Nasty cheap barrow-boy with not a single quality molecule in his body.

Does one detect a hint of snobbery? ;)

MartinT

04-04-2012, 16:40

Does one detect a hint of snobbery? ;)

Certainly!

I hate the UK culture of cheap is good. I've always preferred to pay for quality.

MartinT

04-04-2012, 16:49

Jack Campbell - The Lost Fleet Beyond The Frontier: Dreadnaught

http://cache0.bookdepository.co.uk/assets/images/book/medium/9780/8576/9780857681362.jpg

I've always liked hard military space opera and my previous favourite author in this genre, David Feintuch, has been comfortably beaten by Jack Campbell (real name John G Hemry, a retired US Navy officer). This is the seventh book in the Lost Fleet series and I highly recommend them for believable war scenarios against an implacable enemy, superbly realised battle scenes, a strong sense of despair and futility and vivid characterisation which improves with each book. Not to mention politics and politicians every bit as untrustworthy and insincere as the real thing.

ursus262

04-04-2012, 17:51

Certainly!

I hate the UK culture of cheap is good. I've always preferred to pay for quality.

But that's not the same thing though, is it? Attacking someone because of their social class is another thing entirely - and it's not very nice. In fact I would go so far as to say that it's downright unpleasant.

I am a middle-class man of working-class origins and I've experienced both snobbery and inverted snobbery. It's actually quite nasty and divisive.

Class doesn't matter. I look for other things like kindness, integrity, courage, humour and tenacity. Those are characteristics that do matter.

Tim

04-04-2012, 19:20

I hate the UK culture of cheap is good.
:lol: . . .can't argue with that Martin and you would never catch me in a Lidl either!

MartinT

04-04-2012, 19:34

But that's not the same thing though, is it? Attacking someone because of their social class is another thing entirely - and it's not very nice. In fact I would go so far as to say that it's downright unpleasant.

Your interpretation is wrong. I don't dislike Alan Sugar because of his background, I dislike him because of what he made himself to be. As I said already, he paid no heed to quality whatsoever. Stack 'em high, sell em' cheap is his only way of doing business.

I am a middle-class man of working-class origins and I've experienced both snobbery and inverted snobbery. It's actually quite nasty and divisive.

So am I. My father worked hard for a living and we had many a year with very little in the way of creature comforts, certainly no telephone, no TV and sometimes no heating.

However, I care not for classification and find that 'working class' is a state of mind and nothing to do with wealth or the lack of it. If you want to classify yourself, be my guest. However, in my mind the distinctions are only used by those with a political point to make.

ursus262

04-04-2012, 19:36

If you want to classify yourself, be my guest. However, in my mind the distinctions are only used by those with a political point to make.

As indeed I do :D

MartinT

04-04-2012, 19:48

As indeed I do :D

Well, that's ok then :)

Seriously, I don't think we're really disagreeing.

I'm in Texas at the moment and it's fascinating discussing the local politics here. On the surface the Governor and his cronies keep harping on about the illegal Mexicans flooding into the state and what they must do about it. Apparently the Mexicans are stealing their jobs. The reality, however, is that a complete underclass exists, consisting mostly of Mexicans and Puerto Ricans, who do many of the menial tasks - that nobody else wants to do - and live reasonably well. This understanding runs to the police turning a blind eye and not checking papers nearly as much as they are expected to. Many of these workers are illegals but they work hard and keep their mouths shut. My sister and all her friends employ cleaners and gardeners from this underclass. There is mutual benefit, but not that any politician would admit to (only we know what hypocrites they are).

If you substitute Mexican for, say, Polish or Ukrainian, does that sound familiar in the UK?*

*yes, I know they are no longer illegal but the point about taking jobs that no-one else wants stands.

Reid Malenfant

04-04-2012, 19:50

Well, that's ok then :)

Seriously, I don't think we're really disagreeing.

I'm in Texas at the moment and it's fascinating discussing the local politics here. On the surface the Governor and his cronies keep harping on about the illegal Mexicans flooding into the state and what they must do about it. Apparently the Mexicans are stealing their jobs. The reality, however, is that a complete underclass exists, consisting mostly of Mexicans and Puerto Ricans, who do many of the menial tasks - that nobody else wants to do - and live reasonably well. This understanding runs to the police turning a blind eye and not checking papers nearly as much as they are expected to. Many of these workers are illegals but they work hard and keep their mouths shut. My sister and all her friends employ cleaners and gardeners from this underclass. There is mutual benefit, but not that any politician would admit to (only we know what hypocrites they are).

If you substitute Mexican for, say, Polish or Ukrainian, does that sound familiar in the UK?
Absolutely, but I can't afford one :(

:rfl:

ursus262

04-04-2012, 20:02

Oh, absolutely. Mind you, the Polish have right of abode here because they are EU citizens, so their status is different. The Eastern Europeans, like the Mexicans, are filling a gap created by the laziness and arrogance of the indigenous population.

That said, your comment about cheapness is interesting, because people have choices about how they value quality products. Alan Sugar's genius (if you can call it that) was to understand the world around him and people's desires - cheap and instant gratification. I'm not sure I would criticise him for that as I think the problem lies in wider society.

Anyway, back on topic, I am currently reading about the Prague Spring in 1968 and the events leading up to it.

Reid Malenfant

04-04-2012, 20:11

That said, your comment about cheapness is interesting, because people have choices about how they value quality products. Alan Sugar's genius (if you can call it that) was to understand the world around him and people's desires - cheap and instant gratification. I'm not sure I would criticise him for that as I think the problem lies in wider society.
TAT for the masses, yes the guy is/was clever as there are a whole load of people out there that still buy shite electronic equipment that will only just last longer than the guarantee covers :doh: Rather than something that may cost half as much again, do a better job & last for ten years or more :rolleyes:

Personally I'd like to give AMS a glasgow kiss or two :lol:

ursus262

04-04-2012, 20:29

I don't know what a "Glasgow Kiss" is, but I can imagine it's not very nice :lol:

Reid Malenfant

04-04-2012, 20:33

I don't know what a "Glasgow Kiss" is, but I can imagine it's not very nice :lol:
Well I guess I have slightly more working class roots than yourself Dave :eyebrows:

Putting it plainly I'd love to headbutt the bloke :D A few times for good measure :lol:

kininigin

05-04-2012, 07:48

Colin Wilson_The occult

Spectral Morn

05-04-2012, 09:15

Halfhead - Stuart Macbride

Scifi/crime book set in a future Glasgow policed by cops that are more like soldiers.

Roadshow, Landscape with Drums - Neil Peart

Written during Rush's R30 tour a travel book, disection of the music industry and personal reflections.

Regards D S D L

Marco

05-04-2012, 11:09

Halfhead - Stuart Macbride

Scifi/crime book set in a future Glasgow policed by cops that are more like soldiers.

They should've called it 'Bawheid'! :D

Marco.

Reid Malenfant

08-04-2012, 19:51

Greg Bear - Eon, to be followed by Eternity & maybe Legacy...

NickB

08-04-2012, 23:08

Greg Bear - Eon, to be followed by Eternity & maybe Legacy...

Hi Mark

Have you read "Anvil of Stars" and "Forge of God" yet?

Nick

Reid Malenfant

09-04-2012, 16:29

Yes to both, quite a good load of others by Bear as well :)

Just bought City At The End Of Time..

ursus262

09-04-2012, 18:39

Well I guess I have slightly more working class roots than yourself Dave :eyebrows:

Putting it plainly I'd love to headbutt the bloke :D A few times for good measure :lol:

But you're too nice a bloke to do that :) You wouldn't actually do that - surely!

Reid Malenfant

09-04-2012, 18:39

Nah... But how I'd like to :D

Joe

13-04-2012, 22:24

'Hawksmoor' by Peter Ackroyd. Easily his best book.

Reid Malenfant

05-06-2012, 21:12

Greg Bear - Queen Of Angels, to be followed by Slant.

Both superb books imho, there is one part of Slant that always gets me damn near wetting myself with laughter, Bear is up there with some of the Sci-fi greats as far as I'm concerned.

He also has a superb sense of humour :D

Tim

05-06-2012, 21:15

John Grisham - The Appeal

Pub: 2008
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Appeal

Spectral Morn

05-06-2012, 21:19

Rogue Wave by Boyd Morrison

Marco

06-06-2012, 09:45

'Thank f*ck the Jubilee is nearly over', by Notty Royalist.

Marco.

Rare Bird

06-06-2012, 10:19

:lolsign:

Space 1999 'Breakaway' (E.C.Tubb)

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w425/ELPFAN1968/SP1999.jpg

Covenant

06-06-2012, 15:53

'Thank f*ck the Jubilee is nearly over', by Notty Royalist.

Marco.

Have you read Notty's sequel ? It's called 'I hate the royalist brown nosed entourage even more'

sq225917

06-06-2012, 17:55

BZRK, a nice little sci fi number.

Tim

06-06-2012, 17:59

'Thank f*ck the Jubilee is nearly over', by Notty Royalist.
Thankfully I managed to miss every single bit of it, not had the TV on all holiday weekend, apart from when I watched 6 episodes on The Shield on DVD. I don't feel like I have missed a single thing either :)

Rare Bird

10-10-2012, 22:17

Brian Stableford - Promised Land..

Tim

11-10-2012, 20:02

Bob Harris - The Whispering Years

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41BEM34XDJL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

synsei

11-10-2012, 21:30

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcScFTTfi_0vULRu19BN08RDP1mUqLo7s XNZy3DCtupAr-hcdsVV

Reid Malenfant

11-10-2012, 21:36

Andrew Smith - Moon Dust (http://www.andrewsmithauthor.com/AndrewSmith/MOONDUST.html)

Very interesting :)

synsei

11-10-2012, 21:50

Andrew Smith - Moon Dust (http://www.andrewsmithauthor.com/AndrewSmith/MOONDUST.html)

Very interesting :)

I have that myself Mark, it's a very good read ;)

walpurgis

11-10-2012, 23:07

Anyone read 'Fade-Out' by Patrick Tilley? Best Sci-Fi story I've read.

'Eon' by Greg Bear wasn't bad either.

Both old publications now but still available I believe, worth tracking down.

walpurgis

11-10-2012, 23:11

Or, if you want something wry, clever and funny: 'The Diceman' by Luke Reinhart, old but republished many times and still in print due to demand.

There are even 'Dice' institutes in the US because of this book!

Rare Bird

11-10-2012, 23:33

Anyone read 'Fade-Out' by Patrick Tilley? Best Sci-Fi story I've read.

Im wanting the 1st edition hardback

MartinT

12-10-2012, 06:22

Anyone read 'Fade-Out' by Patrick Tilley? Best Sci-Fi story I've read.

'Eon' by Greg Bear wasn't bad either.

Oh yes, I remember Fade-Out rather well. Great novel. Eon was good, too.

synsei

12-10-2012, 07:48

Anyone read 'Fade-Out' by Patrick Tilley? Best Sci-Fi story I've read.

'Eon' by Greg Bear wasn't bad either.

Both old publications now but still available I believe, worth tracking down.

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRHitNShBhxmmzzvfZcaCl2xR-fr7kquecv1S-iUfpEIxievfcv

I've read most of Patrick Tilley's work Geoff and it is all excellent. Fade Out is an excellent novel, I also enjoyed the Amtrak Wars series, Mr Snow being my favourite character. Best quote from him: "It is difficult to fly with Eagles when one works with Turkeys".

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTwS3gIpVrRjkxbT19hE28E4RVPaE3km nIqXcIe920JxWn3lZY4vA

"Easter Saturday. The naked body of a 35 year old man is rushed to Manhattan General Hospital.
He has a two-inch stab wound below his rib-cage and nail wounds in his feet and wrists. The impossible has happened:
Jesus Christ has appeared 7000 miles and 20 centuries away from the Crucifixion -- dead on arrival."

The best book from Tilley IMO is Mission, a contemporary telling of the second coming of Jesus Christ. This story is a rollercoaster ride, it being dramatic, shocking, incredibly funny and moreover a beautifully crafted piece of observational fiction.

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRVBhBuY72en0WmNftYxzs6pU7XAJ97h JX99wXkvJH5cxIpEjiwxQ

Anything by Greg Bear is a joy to read (I've read most of his work too), but by far my favourite novel of his is The Forge Of God. Without giving too much of the plot away to those who have never read it, the latter scenes in Yosemite Valley are awe-inspiring and never fail to bring a tear to my eye.

MartinT

12-10-2012, 08:01

Anyone tried Alastair Reynolds? Fantastic novels and short stories, with a far reaching scope similar to Stephen Baxter.

Pushing Ice is my favourite, but I love them all.

http://static.flickr.com/76/185292765_f1f340d2ba.jpg

synsei

12-10-2012, 08:05

I've not heard of Reynolds Martin but thanks for the recommendation, off to Amazon...
http://cdn3.iconfinder.com/data/icons/prettyoffice/128/forward.png

Wakefield Turntables

12-10-2012, 09:39

I'm reading some Andrew klavin, my other half introduced I'm to me and so far I have read three books. :cool:

Mr Nad

12-10-2012, 20:17

There's A Boy in the Girls' Bathroom (in the classroom)
Holes (in the classroom)
Others - James Herbert (bedtime reading)

Reid Malenfant

12-10-2012, 20:35

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRVBhBuY72en0WmNftYxzs6pU7XAJ97h JX99wXkvJH5cxIpEjiwxQ

Anything by Greg Bear is a joy to read (I've read most of his work too), but by far my favourite novel of his is The Forge Of God. Without giving too much of the plot away to those who have never read it, the latter scenes in Yosemite Valley are awe-inspiring and never fail to bring a tear to my eye.
My favourite to fella, well, after Eon & Eternity :)

Interestingly A lot of the music I have been downloading of late has been by an artist known as Palancar, this guy has done a double album devoted to his favourite Bear book, Anvil Of Stars, which as I'm sure you know is the sequel to The Forge Of God.

It's out there... Palancar - Momerath :D