What are you reading?

[D.o.S.]

Gravity' Rainbow is fucking awesome. As in Infinite Jest. I feel like we talk about those books every 10 pages or so in this thread.

[coldbrightsunlight]

I'm on the second book of Peter F Hamilton's "Night's Dawn" trilogy. Picked up the first one in a second hand bookshop because I vaguely remembered hearing something good about him, and I could barely put it down. If you like space operas and really fucking long books you'll be hooked.

Also really enjoyed American Psycho recently. Not exactly obscure I know but I recommend it to anyone that hasn't read it already, it's pretty disturbing but a good read.

[HorseyBoy]

I did read Gravity's Rainbow, so at least some consolation there. I actually wanted to re-read it once, but it turns out, most of my copies of Pynchons stuff have been borrowed and never given back.

how'd ya like it?

"Gravity's Rainbow" is fucking genius, no question. I must have read it through four or five times over the years. Pynchon's best book by a long margin. Might be ANYBODY'S best book by a long margin.

I loved it too, but there is lots of stuff I've forgotten. I remember Crying of Lot 49 being more to the point, and I liked the density of Mason & Dixon as well as the lightness of Inherent Vice. Basically I'm a fanboy. Gravity's Rainbow is probably his best book because it combines most of what's amazing about his other books, but it isn't the best place to start, I think. Crying of Lot 49 is much easier to read and sets the tone for Gravity quite well.

Yep, "Lot 49" is a great place to start. And you're right about "Mason & Dixon" - that's another remarkable book, probably his most unappreciated work.

[D.o.S.]

I would say Against The Day is more underappreciated, but any Pynchon with a talking dog is good Pynchon.

[PlasticPeople]

I'm also reading this. I got fairly into Sonic Youth during high school, but Kim's style of writing and the story of her upbringing gives me the urge to listen back on the albums with a new perspective.

[oscillateur]

I'm also reading this. I got fairly into Sonic Youth during high school, but Kim's style of writing and the story of her upbringing gives me the urge to listen back on the albums with a new perspective.

Aaaaaaand, added to my ever-growing list of things to buy for my Kindle. SY was a big part of my musical education (with Ministry andf french bands probably nobody knows about here), so that should be an enjoyable read...

[phantasmagorovich]

I'm also reading this. I got fairly into Sonic Youth during high school, but Kim's style of writing and the story of her upbringing gives me the urge to listen back on the albums with a new perspective.

Aaaaaaand, added to my ever-growing list of things to buy for my Kindle. SY was a big part of my musical education (with Ministry andf french bands probably nobody knows about here), so that should be an enjoyable read...

You could always dish out some recommendations! I only know Deity Guns and Noir Désir that might appeal to a SY fan. And I never really liked Noir Désir, something about them that I didn't "get". But maybe it's time to try again. . .


OT: I have now finished Annihilation. Really liked it a lot. The ending seemed a little weak compared to the suspense the author managed to build for the most time though. I still feel there are aspects that remind me of Roadside Picknick, but it got a little less weird along the way. For the most time the author managed to replace weirdness with suspense, so it kind of evened out. I would not read it just for a faint semblance to Roadside Picknick, but I would definitely recommend it if you like SF.
Next up is a re-read of Stadt der Träumenden Bücher, one of my favourites by Walter Moers. Translated as The City of Dreaming Books and definitely worth anyone's time.

[oscillateur]

Deity Guns were awesome ! Trans Line Appointment is a wonderful album.
I saw them live once, great concert. Some members formed Bästard after that, excellent band too (a bit more experimental).
http://grooveshark.com/#!/profile/B+stard/22240967

Btw, the bands I talked about were not really in that genre, more like independent french punk-ish music (Berurier Noir, etc.). I listened to that a lot at the time .

But for things that might more be to your liking, definitely check Diabologum. Their last album (#3) is excellent.
http://grooveshark.com/#!/album/number+ ... de/5613460

I did quite like Annihilation, it was weird but in a logical way, and open enough to make me want to read the next ones. I'll get the other two books in the trilogy a bit later I think.
Right now I'm reading "Video Game Storytelling" by Evan Skolnick, and the next one will probably be the latest Gibson (The Peripheral)...

[D.o.S.]

But for things that might more be to your liking, definitely check Diabologum. Their last album (#3) is excellent.
http://grooveshark.com/#!/album/number+ ... de/5613460

Excellent, indeed.

[futuresailors]

...and the next one will probably be the latest Gibson (The Peripheral)...

Still not sure if I liked it.

[doommeow]

...and the next one will probably be the latest Gibson (The Peripheral)...

Still not sure if I liked it.

Agreed. I like the idea of Gibson - content, style - but the ultimate execution always leaves me flat if not frustrated.

[aens_wife]

Just finished Girl in a Band. Really really enjoyed it. Her perspective on art/music/performance is wonderful.

[NDominy]

I DIDN'T KNOW THIS WAS A THREAD

Just finished:






I really gotta read "Girl in a Band" now. Thanks for adding to my to do list, ILF.

Also:

Also really enjoyed American Psycho recently. Not exactly obscure I know but I recommend it to anyone that hasn't read it already, it's pretty disturbing but a good read.

Do yourself a favor and read "Less Than Zero" and "Rules of Attraction" in sequence with "American Psycho." They all connect and are pretty disturbing, albeit in different ways, on their own. I also think the context they lend to "American Psycho" makes it more powerful and less shock-for-shock's-sake.

"Glamorama" is ok, but I didn't think it was on the same level as the first three when I read them all last. If nothing else, it's fun to read a serious version of the premise of Zoolander.

Also:

[oscillateur]

But for things that might more be to your liking, definitely check Diabologum. Their last album (#3) is excellent.
http://grooveshark.com/#!/album/number+ ... de/5613460

Excellent, indeed.

In case you don't know, the two main musicians from Diabologum still make (pretty good) music.

Michel Cloup's main project is called Experience.
http://grooveshark.com/#!/album/Nous+en ... La/5229764

And Arnaud Michniak relased a few great albums under the name Programme (+ a few solo albums after that).
http://grooveshark.com/#!/programme/albums

I've been quite a big fan for a long time now .

[oscillateur]

...and the next one will probably be the latest Gibson (The Peripheral)...

Still not sure if I liked it.

Agreed. I like the idea of Gibson - content, style - but the ultimate execution always leaves me flat if not frustrated.

I've actually really liked the other recent Gibson novels (Pattern Recognition / Spook Country / Zero History) and I've read good things about this one...
Did you like the previous ones ?