What are you reading right now?

WWWP · 08-01-2018, 08:31 PM

bc i want to feel like ****

Lisnaholic · 08-02-2018, 06:17 AM

^ That's a wonderful book. Haven't we talked about it already on MB? As I recall, you and I recommended it to Chula a while back.

I'm reading a non-fiction book right now:-

It's an exciting read, especially the first section which explores the strangely gifted nerds of the MIT Model Railroad Club, which turns out to be the banal birthplace of the computer revolution. It's always intriguing to read about something from humble beginnings that goes on to change the world. It's the narrative arc of various novels (like Dune, for example) and there was also that guy who was born in a manger - remember?

As a writer, Steven Levy bears the marks of having been influenced by Tom Wolfe (which is not necessarily a bad thing) and he is considerate enough to put a "Who's Who" at the front of the book to help keep track of all the players of the compu revolution. Anyone else notice that all too often in non-fiction the author expects you, on page 345, to have perfect recall of someone who appeared once on page 34? It can be quite annoying.

One word of warning: this book was written in 1984, so (*checks index*) SL talks about interface and interzone, but never once mentions the word internet , which some of you cutting-edge computer buffs have probably heard of.

Contrarian1 · 08-02-2018, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Batlord

It's been years since I've read those books so maybe I'd like Body Thief more now but after Memnoch she really had nothing left in the tank but clutching at straws about every character of interest's backstory. Her last two Vampire Chronicle novels were at least notable for including Lestat for the first time in years even if they were still not nearly as good as the early books.

Because Anne Rice is a self-indulgent, flowery writer who doesn't know how to write characters who aren't basically self-inserts. After the 53rd character's tedious monologue about how brilliant Mozart is it makes me like Mozart less.

Is volume 1 the first Dredd you've read? I assure you, you should continue after you finish it. I haven't read the first stories but OMG is Dredd addictive. Just ordered a new Dredd TPB yesterday that's the second half of the storyline I just finished and of course it's gonna be two weeks delivery from the UK. Luckily I just got the first volume of Joss Whedon's Astonishing X-Men with the rest on the way so Imma be rereading the **** out of that till Dredd comes.

Ya it's the first Dread, but I did also order volume 2 at the same time so I will definitely continue after volume 1, I tend to like to start at the beginning. As stated in another thread Volume 1 contains the Robot Wars which I have already passed. So far I like Dread a lot and will probably continue past volume 2, but I have soo much stuff to read that it may take quite a while to get to volume 5. My bro has Amazon prime and the case files are not very expensive so that's a plus.

Do you collect comics or just read TPB?

Oriphiel · 08-02-2018, 08:40 AM

*Dredd

The Batlord · 08-02-2018, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Contrarian1

Ya it's the first Dread, but I did also order volume 2 at the same time so I will definitely continue after volume 1, I tend to like to start at the beginning. As stated in another thread Volume 1 contains the Robot Wars which I have already passed. So far I like Dread a lot and will probably continue past volume 2, but I have soo much stuff to read that it may take quite a while to get to volume 5. My bro has Amazon prime and the case files are not very expensive so that's a plus.

Do you collect comics or just read TPB?

Both, or at least I did before my local comic shop closed. Now the only time I get non-digital single issues is from eBay.

Contrarian1 · 08-02-2018, 09:16 AM

Haha oops , Dredd.

and cool I have a bit of a collection, My old man has a wicked silver and bronze age marvel collection.

The Batlord · 08-02-2018, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Contrarian1

Haha oops , Dredd.

and cool I have a bit of a collection, My old man has a wicked silver and bronze age marvel collection.

I wish I had something like that but my grandparents threw away all their kids' collections away, as parents are wont to do. I've had to do all the legwork myself. Have you been keeping up on anything? What's your fav stuff?

WWWP · 08-02-2018, 11:07 AM

@lisna, possible! I like to reread my favorites, probably my 4th time with Algernon

Trollheart · 08-02-2018, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Batlord

It's been years since I've read those books so maybe I'd like Body Thief more now but after Memnoch she really had nothing left in the tank but clutching at straws about every character of interest's backstory. Her last two Vampire Chronicle novels were at least notable for including Lestat for the first time in years even if they were still not nearly as good as the early books.

I agree that after Memnoch the entire vampire race was as good as dead: not quite sure why she had to do that, seemed a real "Christianity wins mother****ers!" kind of thing to do. So then as you say all there was was to go backwards and do stories from before that time. Kind of annoyed she basically abandoned the vampires to go on the Godsquad, though whatever I guess, it's her life. Haven't read the "new" Lestat novels yet, though I feel Marius would have a very interesting backstory.

Apparently she's about to delve into the world of, um, werewolves next?

Contrarian1 · 08-02-2018, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Batlord

I wish I had something like that but my grandparents threw away all their kids' collections away, as parents are wont to do. I've had to do all the legwork myself. Have you been keeping up on anything? What's your fav stuff?

I haven't been keeping up with anything current at all, I read mostly older stuff. For years me and my old man would go to comic shows and keep adding to the collection, since I've been married and I'm more accountable I cant really spend hundreds of dollars on a single comic any more so when it's father's day or Christmas I tend to get my dad an old Strange Tales or Tales of Suspense that he's missing as those are just as old but not nearly as expensive as a Spiderman #4 for example.

For myself, I love to mostly collect Gold Key and King comics from the silver age, like Flash Gordon, Doctor Solar, Turok Son of Stone as they are older (50's/60's) but very affordable to get in decent shape. I also collect some stuff like original Swamp Thing comics. Gold Key in particular have beautiful painted covers that I can't get enough of:

I love the history of comics, so I enjoy reading old newspaper dailies and weeklies of everything classic like Dick Tracy, Mickey Mouse and The Phantom.
The Phantom Sunday's are beautifully colored and I just love the retro art sytle:

however, the stories are often not very complex and sometimes cheesy, and there often isn't any character development. So it's hard to recommend to a current reader which older comics to start with unless you can appreciate art, history and even camp (Dialogue can be super corny)

I also like DC stuff like The Atom and Challenger's of the Unknown (early Kirby sci-fi). Other stuff, TMNT, recently Dredd. For Marvel I love Submariner , classic X-Men, and Incredible Hulk among others.

If I had to suggest an old school book to get into, I would suggest Mandrake the Magician dailies because of how interesting and fantastic Mandrake's powers were for the time (He was legit the original Doctor Strange). Again, don't look for complex story telling or character arcs.

But really I just LOVE comics and cartoons!

08-02-2018, 06:17 AM	#6142 (permalink)
Lisnaholic ...here to hear... Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: He lives on Love Street Posts: 4,444	^ That's a wonderful book. Haven't we talked about it already on MB? As I recall, you and I recommended it to Chula a while back. I'm reading a non-fiction book right now:- It's an exciting read, especially the first section which explores the strangely gifted nerds of the MIT Model Railroad Club, which turns out to be the banal birthplace of the computer revolution. It's always intriguing to read about something from humble beginnings that goes on to change the world. It's the narrative arc of various novels (like Dune, for example) and there was also that guy who was born in a manger - remember? As a writer, Steven Levy bears the marks of having been influenced by Tom Wolfe (which is not necessarily a bad thing) and he is considerate enough to put a "Who's Who" at the front of the book to help keep track of all the players of the compu revolution. Anyone else notice that all too often in non-fiction the author expects you, on page 345, to have perfect recall of someone who appeared once on page 34? It can be quite annoying. One word of warning: this book was written in 1984, so (checks index) SL talks about interface and interzone, but never once mentions the word internet , which some of you cutting-edge computer buffs have probably heard of. __________________ "Am I enjoying this moment? I know of it and perhaps that is enough." - Sybille Bedford, 1953

08-02-2018, 08:40 AM	#6144 (permalink)
Oriphiel Ask me how! Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: The States Posts: 5,354	*Dredd __________________ ---------------------- \|---Mic's Albums---\| ---------------------- ----------------------------- \|---Deafbox Industries---\| -----------------------------

08-02-2018, 09:16 AM	#6146 (permalink)
Contrarian1 Music Addict Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 57	Haha oops , Dredd. and cool I have a bit of a collection, My old man has a wicked silver and bronze age marvel collection.