Books

[Black Shepherd Carnage]

Ronson's an interesting character, really goes out of his way to be impartial and deal as honestly as possible with the subject matter at hand. For instance, after So You've Been Publicly Shamed (which I've only read synopses of and extracts from plus an interview) he did the podcast investigation about the pornstar who committed suicide seemingly as a result of a bout of public shaming. On the surface, everything looks as if it's going in the direction of his previous work, but as soon as he sees that this very theory is potentially being blown out of proportion to hide other sins, he gets stuck in and explores that angle. In other words, he doesn't make life easy for himself by trying to fit everything into neat pre-formed ideas. Life is fucking complex and he takes it as it comes in his investigations.

[Eoin McLove]

Yeah,  that is the impression I get from listening to him.  He seems like his intentions are honest,  and that appeals to me.

[Trev]

About halfway through Dune at the moment. Ive only ever glanced at some of the philosophers that people here have said are influences so I'm not really getting that side of it, but really enjoying it just as a fiction novel.

Although I've a stack of philosophy books to get through so hopefully I can come back to it in a few years and have a different appreciation for it

[kiehozero]

Dune is one of those things where I feel like I'd just have to set aside a year to sit and read only that. it just sounds too epic to not dedicate my undivided reading time to, same with Foundation.

Currently grinding through a Bill Bryson book; I know he's not exactly a high-brow but christ some of it is dull. Page after page about litter or smarmy comments he never made to minimum-wage till jockeys while he dodders around southern England. I hate reading books unread so I'm sticking with it just so I can throw it straight into the first charity box I see.

Also got the Dayal Patterson book on black metal out of the library, amazingly it was just sat there in Stillorgan library on the front shelf. Seems alright so far and I've not heard the same level of, or any, criticism that you hear about Lords of Chaos, although the first 100 or so pages are about everything before the Norwegian scene. It's over 500 pages and he seems to have access to quite a lot of musicians.

[Black Shepherd Carnage]

I love Foundation, like absolutely love it, read the trilogy a few times. But it's just not in the same scope as Dune at all at all! And yet, I've never gone beyond the first book, which I've read three times over the years. Very early on someone put it in my head that the sequels weren't as good, and I felt so attached to the universe it had put in my mind I didn't want to risk it. Do I still feel that way? I don't know, but the universe I drew out of Dune is still very much a part of me. I can't say that for Foundation, although I've read it more times.

[Eoin McLove]

Dune is one of those things where I feel like I'd just have to set aside a year to sit and read only that. it just sounds too epic to not dedicate my undivided reading time to, same with Foundation.

Currently grinding through a Bill Bryson book; I know he's not exactly a high-brow but christ some of it is dull. Page after page about litter or smarmy comments he never made to minimum-wage till jockeys while he dodders around southern England. I hate reading books unread so I'm sticking with it just so I can throw it straight into the first charity box I see.

Also got the Dayal Patterson book on black metal out of the library, amazingly it was just sat there in Stillorgan library on the front shelf. Seems alright so far and I've not heard the same level of, or any, criticism that you hear about Lords of Chaos, although the first 100 or so pages are about everything before the Norwegian scene. It's over 500 pages and he seems to have access to quite a lot of musicians.

I really like Evolution of the Cult.  I keep it beside the couch and will often dip in at random and read over bits of it.

[kiehozero]

I love Foundation, like absolutely love it, read the trilogy a few times. But it's just not in the same scope as Dune at all at all! And yet, I've never gone beyond the first book, which I've read three times over the years. Very early on someone put it in my head that the sequels weren't as good, and I felt so attached to the universe it had put in my mind I didn't want to risk it. Do I still feel that way? I don't know, but the universe I drew out of Dune is still very much a part of me. I can't say that for Foundation, although I've read it more times.

Class, I've read neither so my perception is purely from the standing people give it in conversation when they come up. Might give one of them a bash over christmas as I find any excuse to avoid family commitments.

[Emphyrio]

Dune is deeper, by far, but the sense of satisfaction at the end of each is comparable. Dune veers in many different ways, which makes it Dune, but Foundation is revolatrory by the end. The first Dune is a classic. Not sure if any of the sequels are on their own.

[Black Shepherd Carnage]

And while we're on the subject, everyone, having read or not or interested or not in reading the book should watch this:

https://youtu.be/eoRzQuesP-4

[Pedrito]

I'm just finishing book 4 of dune. It's class but ai can understand how people might be put off

[Carnage]

And while we're on the subject, everyone, having read or not or interested or not in reading the book should watch this:

https://youtu.be/eoRzQuesP-4

Agreed, magnificent documentary.

Also got the Dayal Patterson book on black metal out of the library, amazingly it was just sat there in Stillorgan library on the front shelf.

*sitting

Sorry, that's someting I just can't let go.

[Eoin McLove]

Lashed through Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck.  Fantastic little novel.  I had only previously read Grapes of Wrath by him many years ago and had forgotten what an incredible writer he was.  Everything is pared right back to the essentials yet each character is made vivid.

[Pedrito]

Ah he's the greatest. Read Cannery Row if you get the chance. A joy to read. A small one too. School nearly killed Steinbeck for me with Of mice and Men in the junior cert but thankfully I returned to him later on and realised how great the man was.

[Black Shepherd Carnage]

Also got the Dayal Patterson book on black metal out of the library, amazingly it was just sat there in Stillorgan library on the front shelf.

*sitting

Sorry, that's someting I just can't let go.

I believe in the transitive form of the verb (appropriate here), this is acceptable. Someone "seated" the book there, and there it was sat.

[Eoin McLove]

Ah he's the greatest. Read Cannery Row if you get the chance. A joy to read. A small one too. School nearly killed Steinbeck for me with Of mice and Men in the junior cert but thankfully I returned to him later on and realised how great the man was.

I'll keep an eye out for it.  He has a very easy to read, engrossing style.