Read any good books lately? Rate them here

[Rev. Rye]

It's not as dreary as I remember it, but from the standpoint of a writer, it's far too self-aware a book to do service to the story or, even more importantly for this book, the message. Heller spends too much energy engaging in cutesy self-conscious writing (too many apposite opposites!) which detract from what I sense so far as his point (I'm 180 pages in), which is essentially a paean to the individual in his struggle against reality, against mindless bureaucracy, and against human brutality.

I will finish it this time, I know that much, but I can't yet gauge whether the satisfaction will be a worthy payoff.

Honestly, I've read it a few times and I think Catch-22 works better as a portrait of the insanity of war and the human condition. If the writing style undermines the struggle against brutality and bureaucracy, that's only because, well, reality will undermine the struggle. One person can do so little against the military juggernaut.

[Jericho]

So at the moment, I am reading through the Wheel of Time series again. But along with that, I have also taken up The Broken Empire Trilogy. Has anyone else read them yet? And if so, what did you think? I myself just started the first book of the three.

[Ravenshire]

Wheel of Time. Ugh. That series pisses me off more than any other I've ever tried to read. I really want to get to the Brandon Sanderson scribed volumes but just can't force myself through the horribly derivative tripe written by Robert Jordan.

[Polaris]

It's been a while since I read it (read a couple books about brewing since then, but this was by far the best next to Mitch Steele's book)

Yeast: The Practical Guide to Beer Fermentation

Excellent book on yeast written by the owner of White Labs (supplies pretty much all the yeast used by San Diegan breweries), but unless you're a professional brewer (beyond even most craft breweries), you should skip the parts about the laboratory procedures.

[Jericho]

Wheel of Time. Ugh. That series pisses me off more than any other I've ever tried to read. I really want to get to the Brandon Sanderson scribed volumes but just can't force myself through the horribly derivative tripe written by Robert Jordan.

On this reread, I am on book 10 of 14. It has been quite some time since I finished the series last, but I definitely look forward to the last few volumes. Brandon Sanderson is a very talented author.

[Ravenshire]

Brandon Sanderson is a very talented author.

That he is! Not only is he a great writer (world and character building), he's also a great story teller. Most authors excel at only one.

Have you read his Stormlight Archive books?

[Aroura]

I really enjoyed the characters in the WoT, except for Rand. I never liked him. After book 5, I wish he would have kept the story more condensed though, it got way out of hand.
Although I enjoy Brandon Sanderson, and am glad he was able to finish Jordon's work, I did not like how he wrote some of the main characters, particularly Mat who was one of the best, he just couldn't seem to get him down. But it's been a while since I've even re-read this series, I'm still a fan of the universe mechanics and characters. I will always <3 Nynaeve, even though most people hate her!

I just recently finished a non fiction book called "The History of the World in 6 Glasses". I really enjoyed it, it talks about how different drinks have greatly influenced human culture over the last few thousand years. It's well written, fun and enjoyable to read.

[Jericho]

SnakeOilWarrior: I have not read those particular books yet, though I will look into them. Especially if they are by Sanderson.

Aroura: I am not sure how interested you are in these things, but there is a book being released in November on Amazon called the Wheel of Time Companion. It is supposed to be a large book filled with the history, character details, and more of the WoT universe. I already pre-ordered a copy because I love the WoT series. Just thought I should let you know.

[John V]

It's not as dreary as I remember it, but from the standpoint of a writer, it's far too self-aware a book to do service to the story or, even more importantly for this book, the message. Heller spends too much energy engaging in cutesy self-conscious writing (too many apposite opposites!) which detract from what I sense so far as his point (I'm 180 pages in), which is essentially a paean to the individual in his struggle against reality, against mindless bureaucracy, and against human brutality.

I will finish it this time, I know that much, but I can't yet gauge whether the satisfaction will be a worthy payoff.

Honestly, I've read it a few times and I think Catch-22 works better as a portrait of the insanity of war and the human condition. If the writing style undermines the struggle against brutality and bureaucracy, that's only because, well, reality will undermine the struggle. One person can do so little against the military juggernaut.

I couldn't finish it. I read 4 chapters or so. Each chapter seemed to be a portrait of a new and entertaining character. I liked the author's voice, but I just couldn't find a plot anywhere and lost interest. Seemed more like a collection of essays than a novel.

[Jericho]

You guys should check out this new book that just came out. It's called Farenheit 451. Quite an amazing story.