Hey!! Let's get some action going! What are we reading?

[DixieGal]

Try Hyperion as an audiobook. It makes a big difference. The massive theme is more manageable.

I'm a Dan Simmons fan. LOVED Ilium and Olympos. Yes, the robots are the best characters.

[recluse]

I've never read his science fiction, but I'm a big fan of his other work.
"Summer of Night" and "The Terror" are very good. Has anyone else read them?

[montsnmags]

Originally Posted by recluse

I've never read his science fiction, but I'm a big fan of his other work.
"Summer of Night" and "The Terror" are very good. Has anyone else read them?

No, though I still have Carrion Comfort sitting in the TBR.

[recluse]

I forgot "Carrion Comfort"?
I am going senile!
Marc, my friend, that book is a monster! A time stealing, thought provoking monster. It may be the man's masterwork. I await your opinion.

Jon

[FlorenceArt]

Originally Posted by DixieGal

Try Hyperion as an audiobook. It makes a big difference. The massive theme is more manageable.

I'm a Dan Simmons fan. LOVED Ilium and Olympos. Yes, the robots are the best characters.

I doubt that would work for me (but I never thought there was something wrong with Hyperion anyway). I can't imagine having to listen to a book Besides the horror of being force-fed someone else's interpretation, there's no way I can concentrate on a purely oral message. I can't even listen to a podcast without my mind wandering. Of course, it does that when I read too, but then I only have to stop reading for a while, and at worst go back a few paragraphs.

I loved the robots too

[columbus]

Originally Posted by cassidym

Agree! I got the impression he wrote a 600 page novel then divided it in two to get twice the revenue. And, sure enough, the last page after the end of the book contains an ad for the next book (i.e., episode) coming out in October. I get teh impression Child wants me to pay twice the price for a single book.

My thoughts exactly, not only pay twice but be hyped into buying the HB! No chance from me.

Great way to lose reader base.

[FlorenceArt]

Reading the New Testament (Luke's Gospel) as a follow-up on the TV series The Origins of Christianity, which I have almost finished viewing, only one episode left. After that there's the Apocalypse, but those DVDs are still with my parents so I'll have to wait a few weeks.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant;951813[URL="http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/b106930/?si=0"

F&SF, March–April 2010[/URL] by Spilogate, Inc.

I wasn't too impressed by the Jan/Feb issue. I hope I like this one better, as I still have two years of subscription (12 issues) coming after this one!

The new double-issues (they had to go to 6 issues a year because of failling subscriptions and increasing postal costs) are very long! there were two or three stories in here I liked, but several more I found too dismal or 'literary'.

I want to like F&SF, but I'm not sure I'll renew again once my current sub runs out.

Now onto Live Free or Die by John Ringo. This is set in something close to the first contact years of the Schlock Mercenary universe.

A fun space opera. John doesn't kill off as much of humanity as in the Posleen universe.

This doesn't contain as much right-wing 'preaching' as, say, The Last Centurion. Given the response to Polio vaccination in some countries, it sadly seems fairly accurate in its predictions of some people's response to certain events.

[MickeyC]

Originally Posted by columbus

My thoughts exactly, not only pay twice but be hyped into buying the HB! No chance from me.

Great way to lose reader base.

I wouldn't have objected if the first book could stand by itself but it had no real ending at all. Now I'm wondering if the second book will have an ending.

What do you suppose the title will be; 30.5 Hours?

[poohbear_nc]

Originally Posted by recluse

I've never read his science fiction, but I'm a big fan of his other work.
"Summer of Night" and "The Terror" are very good. Has anyone else read them?

I very much enjoyed "The Terror" and "Song of Kali" - haven't read any of his Sci Fi yet.

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by FlorenceArt

Reading the New Testament (Luke's Gospel) as a follow-up on the TV series The Origins of Christianity, which I have almost finished viewing, only one episode left. After that there's the Apocalypse, but those DVDs are still with my parents so I'll have to wait a few weeks.

I think the best way to read the Gospels is to begin with Mark since it was the earliest gospel (probably written around 70 C.E.) and one of the sources that Luke and the author of Matthew used for a template in writing their gospels. Under no circumstances do I recommend starting with John since it was written so much later and is so far removed from the actual history. Keeping in mind that each of the four authors had their own particular theological ax to grind will go a long way toward understanding what they were trying to convey. Another good book to read in tandem would be the non-canonical Gospel of Thomas, whose dating is disputed, but which offers insight into aspects of Christian theology that didn't become orthodox.

In my opinion, the best way of all to begin reading the New Testament would be to first read those Pauline epistles whose authenticity is considered undisputed by a consensus of Biblical scholars (Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, and Philemon), and the Book of James, since these predate the gospels. In this way, one can get a sense of the growth of Christian doctrines. James is particularly interesting because of the author's serious doctrinal disagreement with Paul over the nature of faith verses works.

[ficbot]

I just read 'Hide' by Lisa Gardner, which I picked up for about 50 cents in a Fictionwise sale. Not bad, but not the best ever either. I didn't like the ending, lot of build up for not a lot of payoff, and the detectives didn't do a ton of 'solving.'

I am now reading the non-fiction Columbine book, based on ten years of reporting and interviews. Should be interesting!

[FlorenceArt]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

I think the best way to read the Gospels is to begin with Mark since it was the earliest gospel (probably written around 70 C.E.) and one of the sources that Luke and the author of Matthew used for a template in writing their gospels. Under no circumstances do I recommend starting with John since it was written so much later and is so far removed from the actual history. Keeping in mind that each of the four authors had their own particular theological ax to grind will go a long way toward understanding what they were trying to convey. Another good book to read in tandem would be the non-canonical Gospel of Thomas, whose dating is disputed, but which offers insight into aspects of Christian theology that didn't become orthodox.

In my opinion, the best way of all to begin reading the New Testament would be to first read those Pauline epistles whose authenticity is considered undisputed by a consensus of Biblical scholars (Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, and Philemon), and the Book of James, since these predate the gospels. In this way, one can get a sense of the grown of Christian doctrines. James is particularly interesting because of the author's serious doctrinal disagreement with Paul over the nature of faith verses works.

Thank you! I started with Luke because the episode of the series that I watched last night concentrated on him. I should probably have started with Paul (who was the main subject of the previous episode) but I wanted a reminder on the life and teachings of Jesus. I'll try to check Marc if I manage to keep this up, usually my bouts of interest in the Bible are rather short-lived. There is so much in these texts written so long ago that I don't understand. Some of the parables already got me

[ShortNCuddlyAm]

Currently reading the local council regs on bonfires. Fascinating stuff, but a bit short, so suspect I will be moving on to something else very soon

[FlorenceArt]

Originally Posted by ShortNCuddlyAm

Currently reading the local council regs on bonfires. Fascinating stuff, but a bit short, so suspect I will be moving on to something else very soon

I hope it has a happy ending!