Maybe you been wronged by the grandniece of billy.pilgrim's wrongdoing woman. He's ancient.Whack9 wrote: ↑Wed May 29, 2019 2:38 pmI have an ex in Sylva as well. Maybe we've been wronged by the same woman?billy.pilgrim wrote: ↑Wed May 29, 2019 1:05 pmMy x was born in Sylva. I hadn't thought about her in months. Oh well.
The Book Thread
- Vrede too
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Re: The Book Thread
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Re: The Book Thread
Children In Time - Adrian Tchaikovsky
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/254 ... en-of-time
I thought this book was gonna be cheesy. Turned out to be really good.
Synopsis: Takes place in the distant future. Humans have begun terraforming other planets. On one such planet, a virus that speeds up the process of evolution has been released as an experiment to speed up the evolution of some apes that are to be released, only this doesn't happen and instead infects the invertebrates on the planet. Many thousands of years later humanity has destroyed earth and the last of them are traveling on an ark ship looking for a place to rebuild, the only place left being the aforementioned planet now inhabited by a bunch of sentient spiders with their own civilization.
Much praise to the author for taking a plot that sounds like a shitty home-grown SiFi channel movie and turning it into an extremely well written novel that doesn't follow the predictable plot you'd expect given the synopsis above.
The book follows two paths - the gradual progression of the arachnid society, and the gradual regression of humanity rotting aboard a spaceship until the two meet.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/254 ... en-of-time
I thought this book was gonna be cheesy. Turned out to be really good.
Synopsis: Takes place in the distant future. Humans have begun terraforming other planets. On one such planet, a virus that speeds up the process of evolution has been released as an experiment to speed up the evolution of some apes that are to be released, only this doesn't happen and instead infects the invertebrates on the planet. Many thousands of years later humanity has destroyed earth and the last of them are traveling on an ark ship looking for a place to rebuild, the only place left being the aforementioned planet now inhabited by a bunch of sentient spiders with their own civilization.
Much praise to the author for taking a plot that sounds like a shitty home-grown SiFi channel movie and turning it into an extremely well written novel that doesn't follow the predictable plot you'd expect given the synopsis above.
The book follows two paths - the gradual progression of the arachnid society, and the gradual regression of humanity rotting aboard a spaceship until the two meet.
I paid my fees to hip-hop college, sucka!
- billy.pilgrim
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Re: The Book Thread
Anyone read The Conquest of New Spain by Bernal Diaz Del Castillo?
It may be the most difficult word salad that I have ever read. Mostly it's just the repetitive sentences, even chapter titles run 20 to sometimes more than 30 words and are repeated again in the 1st paragraph of the chapter.
Still, it's an insane time in our history, as told by someone who was actually there.
He left Spain at 18 and by 1518 had been on 3 expeditions to S.A. and Mexico before he hooked up with Cortez in 1518 for his march from the coast to the center of Motecusuma's (his spelling) capital, now Mexico City.
We have all studied this discovery/conquest/genocide/exploration/exploitation dating back to elementary school, but I never heard it like this, not from someone who was there when 600 men fought and mostly defeated tens of thousands - he claims several hundred thousand during the course of the march and conquest of Mexico.
I'm surprised that this thread hasn't been more popular these past few weeks. Strange that my reading for pleasure has cut back. I guess some of us have had too much reading for survival.
It may be the most difficult word salad that I have ever read. Mostly it's just the repetitive sentences, even chapter titles run 20 to sometimes more than 30 words and are repeated again in the 1st paragraph of the chapter.
Still, it's an insane time in our history, as told by someone who was actually there.
He left Spain at 18 and by 1518 had been on 3 expeditions to S.A. and Mexico before he hooked up with Cortez in 1518 for his march from the coast to the center of Motecusuma's (his spelling) capital, now Mexico City.
We have all studied this discovery/conquest/genocide/exploration/exploitation dating back to elementary school, but I never heard it like this, not from someone who was there when 600 men fought and mostly defeated tens of thousands - he claims several hundred thousand during the course of the march and conquest of Mexico.
I'm surprised that this thread hasn't been more popular these past few weeks. Strange that my reading for pleasure has cut back. I guess some of us have had too much reading for survival.
Trump: “We had the safest border in the history of our country - or at least recorded history. I guess maybe a thousand years ago it was even better.”
- neoplacebo
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Re: The Book Thread
Yeah, Cortez and his boys were like Slim Pickens related to us in "Blazing Saddles" when he spoke of "whompin" and stompin' ever livin thing in sight" but Cortez took all the gold and destroyed their world on top of the whompin' and stompin'. Sounds like a good book; a true story.
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Re: The Book Thread
They are now deep in the middle of Mexico City with only narrow causeways, through a hundred thousand man army, for escape with all the gold.neoplacebo wrote: ↑Wed May 13, 2020 4:39 pmYeah, Cortez and his boys were like Slim Pickens related to us in "Blazing Saddles" when he spoke of "whompin" and stompin' ever livin thing in sight" but Cortez took all the gold and destroyed their world on top of the whompin' and stompin'. Sounds like a good book; a true story.
Trump: “We had the safest border in the history of our country - or at least recorded history. I guess maybe a thousand years ago it was even better.”
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Re: The Book Thread
https://www.ozy.com/true-and-stories/ho ... es/330133/
Has anyone read Grant's autobiography?
I'm sure that it's interesting, but is it readable? Presently I'm in a bit of a need for well written books - if I ever finish the invasion of Mexico book.
Has anyone read Grant's autobiography?
I'm sure that it's interesting, but is it readable? Presently I'm in a bit of a need for well written books - if I ever finish the invasion of Mexico book.
Trump: “We had the safest border in the history of our country - or at least recorded history. I guess maybe a thousand years ago it was even better.”
- Vrede too
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Re: The Book Thread
No, but the excerpts that were frequently read into the miniseries were excellent. Then, as your link says, the "masterpiece" was wildly successful. So, it must have had mass appeal.billy.pilgrim wrote: ↑Thu May 28, 2020 8:00 amhttps://www.ozy.com/true-and-stories/ho ... es/330133/
Has anyone read Grant's autobiography?
I'm sure that it's interesting, but is it readable? Presently I'm in a bit of a need for well written books - if I ever finish the invasion of Mexico book.
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Re: The Book Thread
Vrede too wrote: ↑Thu May 28, 2020 10:17 amNo, but the excerpts that were frequently read into the miniseries were excellent. Then, as your link says, the "masterpiece" was wildly successful. So, it must have had mass appeal.billy.pilgrim wrote: ↑Thu May 28, 2020 8:00 amhttps://www.ozy.com/true-and-stories/ho ... es/330133/
Has anyone read Grant's autobiography?
I'm sure that it's interesting, but is it readable? Presently I'm in a bit of a need for well written books - if I ever finish the invasion of Mexico book.
I may try it, but, barring a first hand recommendation, it may be awhile before I chance it. "Wildly successful" could have a lot to do with his fame as Gereral and President and the creative marketing strategy of having vets go door to door.
His were interesting times. There's no doubt that it would be an interesting read.
Trump: “We had the safest border in the history of our country - or at least recorded history. I guess maybe a thousand years ago it was even better.”
- O Really
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Re: The Book Thread
You guys are way too intellectual for me. I tend to sit in the sun playing an audio book, maybe something in the category of John Sandford, Michael Connolly, etc. and the occasional James Lee Burke or Grisham. I go to the library, check out books on CD, download them to my laptop to build a pretty large library. Then I load to my phone and listen or sometimes play as we drive along. When I've finished one, I delete it from the laptop, keeping the collection fresh. Yeah, I know, I could download directly from the online library, but those have a limited life unless you re-copy them again.
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Re: The Book Thread
O Really wrote: ↑Thu May 28, 2020 11:27 amYou guys are way too intellectual for me. I tend to sit in the sun playing an audio book, maybe something in the category of John Sandford, Michael Connolly, etc. and the occasional James Lee Burke or Grisham. I go to the library, check out books on CD, download them to my laptop to build a pretty large library. Then I load to my phone and listen or sometimes play as we drive along. When I've finished one, I delete it from the laptop, keeping the collection fresh. Yeah, I know, I could download directly from the online library, but those have a limited life unless you re-copy them again.
I read all kinds. I couldn't read the tough ones without balancing easy reads. I just started Christopher Moores new book.
Chances are I'll read 4 or 5 other books before I finish slogging through "The Conquest of New Spain by Bernal Diaz Del Castillo".
Trump: “We had the safest border in the history of our country - or at least recorded history. I guess maybe a thousand years ago it was even better.”
- Whack9
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Re: The Book Thread
Been on a post-apocalyptic fiction kick. Currently reading "The Death of Grass". Some others that I've read that are really good are "On the Beach", "The Earth Abides", and "The Dog Stars" (really good).
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- neoplacebo
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Re: The Book Thread
I am going to soon be immersed in "Dick and Jane Take a Trip" as soon as I finish "Spot Takes a Shit in the Neighbor's Driveway." Both of these could be considered anti intellectual but I prefer to consider them light reading.
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Re: The Book Thread
Have you read The Road? Much better than the movie.
It's by Cormac McCarthy, which reminds me, did you read his books about western NC?
Trump: “We had the safest border in the history of our country - or at least recorded history. I guess maybe a thousand years ago it was even better.”
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Re: The Book Thread
I haven't read the road yet. I've seen the movie, though. Cormac McCarthy is a really good writer. The only other books of his I've read is Blood Meridian , All the Pretty Horses, and The Crossing.billy.pilgrim wrote: ↑Mon Jun 01, 2020 10:45 amHave you read The Road? Much better than the movie.
It's by Cormac McCarthy, which reminds me, did you read his books about western NC?
Got any suggestions?
I paid my fees to hip-hop college, sucka!
- billy.pilgrim
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Re: The Book Thread
Whack9 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 01, 2020 10:48 amI haven't read the road yet. I've seen the movie, though. Cormac McCarthy is a really good writer. The only other books of his I've read is Blood Meridian , All the Pretty Horses, and The Crossing.billy.pilgrim wrote: ↑Mon Jun 01, 2020 10:45 amHave you read The Road? Much better than the movie.
It's by Cormac McCarthy, which reminds me, did you read his books about western NC?
Got any suggestions?
The Orchard Keeper (1965)
Outer Dark (1968)
Child of God (1973)
All 3 are short novels and are set in the NC area
Suttree (1979) was different from his other stuff and a little hard to read, but well worth the effort.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suttree
Trump: “We had the safest border in the history of our country - or at least recorded history. I guess maybe a thousand years ago it was even better.”
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Re: The Book Thread
Trump: “We had the safest border in the history of our country - or at least recorded history. I guess maybe a thousand years ago it was even better.”
- Whack9
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Re: The Book Thread
Nice I'll check them out. I started Suttree a while back but got hung up on the writing.billy.pilgrim wrote: ↑Mon Jun 01, 2020 10:56 amWhack9 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 01, 2020 10:48 amI haven't read the road yet. I've seen the movie, though. Cormac McCarthy is a really good writer. The only other books of his I've read is Blood Meridian , All the Pretty Horses, and The Crossing.billy.pilgrim wrote: ↑Mon Jun 01, 2020 10:45 amHave you read The Road? Much better than the movie.
It's by Cormac McCarthy, which reminds me, did you read his books about western NC?
Got any suggestions?
The Orchard Keeper (1965)
Outer Dark (1968)
Child of God (1973)
All 3 are short novels and are set in the NC area
Suttree (1979) was different from his other stuff and a little hard to read, but well worth the effort.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suttree
I paid my fees to hip-hop college, sucka!
- billy.pilgrim
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Re: The Book Thread
Suttree was hard to read. Very different than his other work.Whack9 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 01, 2020 11:03 amNice I'll check them out. I started Suttree a while back but got hung up on the writing.billy.pilgrim wrote: ↑Mon Jun 01, 2020 10:56 amWhack9 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 01, 2020 10:48 amI haven't read the road yet. I've seen the movie, though. Cormac McCarthy is a really good writer. The only other books of his I've read is Blood Meridian , All the Pretty Horses, and The Crossing.billy.pilgrim wrote: ↑Mon Jun 01, 2020 10:45 amHave you read The Road? Much better than the movie.
It's by Cormac McCarthy, which reminds me, did you read his books about western NC?
Got any suggestions?
The Orchard Keeper (1965)
Outer Dark (1968)
Child of God (1973)
All 3 are short novels and are set in the NC area
Suttree (1979) was different from his other stuff and a little hard to read, but well worth the effort.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suttree
At about 1/3 of the way in, it became my "bathroom book" and probably another 6 months to finish.
Trump: “We had the safest border in the history of our country - or at least recorded history. I guess maybe a thousand years ago it was even better.”
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Re: The Book Thread
I didn't get far at all. I liked the story/setting a lot, and really really wanted to get through it but couldn't. I'll save it for another time. Which one of the other three that you suggested do you think I should start with?billy.pilgrim wrote: ↑Mon Jun 01, 2020 11:13 amSuttree was hard to read. Very different than his other work.Whack9 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 01, 2020 11:03 amNice I'll check them out. I started Suttree a while back but got hung up on the writing.billy.pilgrim wrote: ↑Mon Jun 01, 2020 10:56 amWhack9 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 01, 2020 10:48 amI haven't read the road yet. I've seen the movie, though. Cormac McCarthy is a really good writer. The only other books of his I've read is Blood Meridian , All the Pretty Horses, and The Crossing.billy.pilgrim wrote: ↑Mon Jun 01, 2020 10:45 am
Have you read The Road? Much better than the movie.
It's by Cormac McCarthy, which reminds me, did you read his books about western NC?
Got any suggestions?
The Orchard Keeper (1965)
Outer Dark (1968)
Child of God (1973)
All 3 are short novels and are set in the NC area
Suttree (1979) was different from his other stuff and a little hard to read, but well worth the effort.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suttree
At about 1/3 of the way in, it became my "bathroom book" and probably another 6 months to finish.
I paid my fees to hip-hop college, sucka!
- billy.pilgrim
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Re: The Book Thread
hard to say, it's been a while since I read them. All 3 are good.Whack9 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 01, 2020 11:43 amI didn't get far at all. I liked the story/setting a lot, and really really wanted to get through it but couldn't. I'll save it for another time. Which one of the other three that you suggested do you think I should start with?billy.pilgrim wrote: ↑Mon Jun 01, 2020 11:13 amSuttree was hard to read. Very different than his other work.Whack9 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 01, 2020 11:03 amNice I'll check them out. I started Suttree a while back but got hung up on the writing.billy.pilgrim wrote: ↑Mon Jun 01, 2020 10:56 am
The Orchard Keeper (1965)
Outer Dark (1968)
Child of God (1973)
All 3 are short novels and are set in the NC area
Suttree (1979) was different from his other stuff and a little hard to read, but well worth the effort.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suttree
At about 1/3 of the way in, it became my "bathroom book" and probably another 6 months to finish.
Trump: “We had the safest border in the history of our country - or at least recorded history. I guess maybe a thousand years ago it was even better.”