The Ronin- Pretty good so far.

Snow Crash.

The beginning is hilarious. Has an interestingly breakneck feel compared to the last book I read ('The Great Hunt' of the Wheel of Time series). I'm enjoying it so far.

The Canterbury Tales- Chaucer

I just bought this one, and another of Stephenson's books. Gonna start it soon.

Finishing off Ballard's 'Drowned World' in the meantime.

Just read The Songs of Distant Earth by Arthur C. Clarke. I didn't like it as it mostly centred around the tedious, petty, inane and selfish personal politics of the dull characters on a settled alien world, just as dull, one can only liken to the kind of holiday resort atoll favoured by wealthy, odious, self-absorbed cunts.

Yiddishkeit, Jewish Vernacular in the New Land.
an amazing graphic novel edited by Harvey Pekar Z"L about Yiddish culture, especially in the US.

The Wind Up Bird Chronicles

very good. It slowed down a fair bit in the middle (which kind of fits with the atmosphere of the story) but i'd definitley recomend it

I've read Clarke twice. 2001 and Childhood's End. 2001 I really liked, but that might've been from viewing the book through the lens of the movie that I immensely enjoyed. Childhood's End I didn't really like at all. But I read it when I was a junior. Might be able to appreciate it more by now. I admit the ideas were sort of hard for me to swallow. I still want to read a few of his books, like Rendezvous With Rama.



Was this good? I've wanted to read it ever since I saw this video of Harlan Ellison on Sci-Fi Vortex back in the 90's talking about this book.


Been reading this:



My initial conclusions so far is that Ignatius is a huge dickhead. But I'm only 40 pages in.

Worth a read despite the many many typos and repetition.

I love the way the author makes it absolutely clear that Poison Girls were a far better band.

This now:

 

Oh, how is the Joe Sacco book? i always look at his books when i am in stores but i have never read anything by him.

I've only just started this one but I've also read another of his books: Palestine. They're really good comic journalism and although I would recommend some knowledge of the issues outside of the books (which I'm sure you have!), do contain a lot of detail and the personal accounts are particularly fascinating.

But they're also about Joe Sacco himself, specifically the processes he had to go through as a western journalist to get the trust of the people he interviewed.

I'd definitely recommend his stuff.

Wind-Up Bird Chronicles

just finished a collection of Tolstoy's short stories

just finished the Anvil autobiography last week
and started Ozzy's autobiography for the second time, which i'm on the last 2 chapters
after that, it's a Ramones Tour Book written by the tour manager
i think it's called On The Road With The Ramones

Currently reading Thomas Carlyle about the French Revolution (1837 - the book)
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1301/1301-h/1301-h.htm

Weird style, really interesting read so far (the kingdom is looking for money and can't get the richest to help it...)
It comes as a relief in a way, as the author ain't French at all.
I do not trust French accounts on French history, and I needed a global view with traces of fiction.

I don't seem to have any recollection at all of my country's history prior to WW1 and bits of things scattered here and there.

I shall move on to:
Frederick Exley - A Fans' Notes
Jean-Luc Benoziglio - Beno s'en va-t-en guerre
Steve Tesich - Karoo

On The Road With The Ramones really questions me being a fan now. its quite the disturbing read if you want to find out about all the backstabbing that went on off the stage. and yeah sure, Johnny Ramone may have been the hardcore asshole of the band, but someone had to be to keep all that shit together. but holy fuck, that guy sure seems like a real prick.

now reading DRY by Augusten Burroughs

He certainly has his own style, I know him best from his comments on Oliver Cromwell's letters and speeches.

I am reading "Here and There in the War Area" (1916) by Right Rev. Herbert Bury.

oh, cool. i should see if there are any copies of his books in jerusalem...

i just finnished assata shakur's autobiography. it was really great and interesting.


and i am now going to read

Starting to read The Tempest; seems like pretty good stuff so far.

awesome. so much amazing info, Buries the goddamn patriarchal religious machine of the last 2000 years. Fuck I hate religion.