50 Book Challenge 2014 Part 2

[juneybean]

Thread 2 of the 50 book challenge. Here is the previous thread...

The idea is to read 50 books in 2014 (or more!)

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/adult_fiction/1951735-50-Book-Challenge-2014

[moonshine]

Lexicon does look fascinating - another 'Cote recommended' book I'll have to try!

But it is available on the Kindle now, cost £4.99 (unless I am living in a parallel universe....)

[CoteDAzur]

I read it on my Kindle - it was indeed 4.99.

Have any of you read Snow Crash? Lexicon's author has definitely read Snow Crash but he has made the idea more 'real'. (Cryptically struggling not to give spoilers)

[WednesdayNext]

Do you have a link? I searched amazon and getting "this title is not currently available" and a date of 18th June. I really want to read it now...

[WednesdayNext]

Not read Snow Crash - that's also on my to-read list

[CoteDAzur]

Here you go, Wednesday.

[WednesdayNext]

Cheers Cote - no idea why I couldn't find that. Payday tomorrow, so I'll try to finish my current book tonight and get it then.

[CoteDAzur]

Looking forward to talking to you about it in about 48 hours, then

Snow Crash is mind-blowing. You are thrown about with strange stuff happening for the first 200 pages, then it all comes together and you find yourself in awe of this picture that the author has pieced together from ancient Sumerican legends, linguistics, computer science, real archeological artefacts etc.

Its style is much like William Gibson's early novels like Neuromancer, Mona Lisa Overdrive, and Idoru. I totally understand why Time magazine put it in its list of 100 Best English-Language Books Of All Time (since 1923) and it is not because it is high literature, but because the story is just so unbelievable. I didn't think anyone could approach Neal Stephenson on this subject, but Max Barry has done a very good job in Lexicon. Very impressive.

Read it. Go. Go! [pushy]

[MollyGuacaholly]

I've read 3 chapters so far, thrown the Empire book to the side for now, no crappy trashy Outlander (WTF?!), no to Alys Always's weird present tense, can't be bothered by Piketty's Capital...
Some crazy stuff like Lexicon looks like a lot more fun, thanks for the tip Cote!

[ChillieJeanie]

Book 38 Every Which Way But Dead by Kim Harrison

Book three in The Hollows/Rachel Morgan series. Basically I seem to have decided to read through the entire series (or as many of them as I have anyway) again, so that's the next four books sorted! This one involves Rachel getting caught up in a turf war for control of Cincinnati which her actions in the previous book set off, as well as trying to get out of being a demon's familiar - an agreement she made to save her life. It's an entertaining series and an easy read.

[wiltingfast]

Hah, cote you've sold me on Lexicon and it's winging its way to my kindle. I don't usually pay more than 2 for books on my kindle so I hope it is good!

I've not read Snow Crash (waiting for price to tumble) but I have read Cryptonomicon which I'd highly recommend. It's based on cracking enigma, fascinating book, huge read though, one for the kindle/holidays.

The Will Self books looks like a difficult read? I've not read any of his books but Umbrella seems to be perhaps his best? I might reserve it in the library just in case it's too hard...

Anyone tried Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami? I've started it but it sooo melancholy I'm losing the will to read on. Nothing terrible sad in it really, just the atmosphere and the central character seems so detached and lost.

[PerksOfBeingNorthern]

46. Dani Atkins - Fractured
    
47. Diane Chamberlain - Summer's Child
    
48. Jo Baker - Longbourn

[WednesdayNext]

I'll get round to Snow Crash too, but one at a time, eh?

64% through my current book so hoping to finish that this evening

[mum2jakie]

Thanks for the tip CoteDAzur. Just reserved Lexicon from the library. (Tight arse - refuse to part with cash for e-books!)

[AnonymousBird]

23. Americanah
    
24. Cupboard full of coats
    
25. The Goldfinch
    
26. Alex
    And on
    
27. French Revolutions

[AnonymousBird]

mumslife - the Cazalet chronicles are going to be my series of the year, I just cannot wait.

[CoteDAzur]

Wilting - I have Snow Crash in print copy (bought many years ago) but also got the Kindle copy on 11 June 2013 when it was £0.99 If you are not already using it, eReaderIQ is brilliant for keeping track of the prices of books you want to buy.

Re Will Self - I have only read his The Quantity Theory Of Insanity and really enjoyed it. I love J G Ballard's stuff, and this collection of short stories reminded me of Ballard's themes and writing style. Umbrella is difficult to read & understand, because the narrative is the stream of consciousness of a very unreliable narrator, one with severe MH issues. It is a grand achievement to have maintained that style consistently over the entire length of the book! If you read even 20 pages of Umbrella, you will know why I wasn't impressed with Shock Of The Fall.

[CoteDAzur]

Looks like we will be able to have a Lexicon discussion in a few weeks

[WednesdayNext]

I have downloaded and about to start. It better be good now , no pressure Cote

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Book 57 - this is v delayed, as have been ill and then away. This one was a v silly and v easy read, but I really rather enjoyed it!

'A Natural History of Dragons: A Memoir' - Marie Brennan

and Book 58 - Dr Faustus (desperately trying to swot up on this)

[CoteDAzur]

Wednesday

[CoteDAzur]

Remus & other fans of The Worst Journey Of The World - I thought you would find this interesting.

[wiltingfast]

How have I now found eReaderIQ before now? I had found a site called basset hound but it was full of pure rubbishy books and I abandoned it. Have been relying on amazon to tell me about their deals, gah! More fool me.

Thanks a million have spent my lunch populating the tracker .

[CoteDAzur]

You are very welcome