Whatcha reading redux.

[Greg]

Finally got The Hogfather (Pratchett); I've watched the movie multiple times (its a holiday favorite here) and finally got the book, and its better than the movie. Interesting since other Pratchett stuff has left me cold; this was wonderful.

I've found that there are several different "types" of Discworld novels, each with a slightly different feel to them. The 'Vimes' books are by FAR my favorite.

[Rich Jordan]

Finally got The Hogfather (Pratchett); I've watched the movie multiple times (its a holiday favorite here) and finally got the book, and its better than the movie. Interesting since other Pratchett stuff has left me cold; this was wonderful.

I've found that there are several different "types" of Discworld novels, each with a slightly different feel to them. The 'Vimes' books are by FAR my favorite.

Thud is the one I keep picking up for an hour and grinding out on. I don't know why, it just doesn't keep me reading, but I keep trying.

[Greg]

Finally got The Hogfather (Pratchett); I've watched the movie multiple times (its a holiday favorite here) and finally got the book, and its better than the movie. Interesting since other Pratchett stuff has left me cold; this was wonderful.

I've found that there are several different "types" of Discworld novels, each with a slightly different feel to them. The 'Vimes' books are by FAR my favorite.

Thud is the one I keep picking up for an hour and grinding out on. I don't know why, it just doesn't keep me reading, but I keep trying.

Mind you, I'm no exoert I've only read like a dozen of the things. But Thud is one of the ones I own- it starts slow but it gets good enough to give me chills. It already assumes a lot of knowledge, though. You might do better starting with something like Night Watch or Guards, Guards first.

[JAG2955]

Currently reading: Fireforce: Once man's war in the Rhodesian Light Infantry and World War IV: The Rise of Islamofascism.

[Aegis]

I've found that there are several different "types" of Discworld novels, each with a slightly different feel to them. The 'Vimes' books are by FAR my favorite.

Thud is the one I keep picking up for an hour and grinding out on. I don't know why, it just doesn't keep me reading, but I keep trying.

Mind you, I'm no exoert I've only read like a dozen of the things. But Thud is one of the ones I own- it starts slow but it gets good enough to give me chills. It already assumes a lot of knowledge, though. You might do better starting with something like Night Watch or Guards, Guards first.

I always recommend starting with the first book in any given subseries (the Watch, the Witches, Death, what-have-you) and going through only that series to start with. My first Discworld book was Guards, Guards, and from there went to Men at Arms, Feet of Clay, Jingo, The Fifth Elephant, Night Watch, and Thud. After going through one full story arc, then go back and read any of the stand alones or begin a new arc. It's always a pain to jump into the middle of the story...

[Cobar]

And woohoo, the greatest military SF series ever written, STEN, is now available in kindle ebook format.

I will no longer have to worry about my precious hoarded paperbacks going missing or getting ruined.

Another series to add to my list. I am not sure if it is a good or bad thing that I will die of old age before I finish reading everything I want to.

[workinwifdakids]

I'm re-reading a book that I haven't read in about 20 years (since it first came out): Rogue Warrior by Dick Marcinko

Yes, I know he's a self aggrandizing semi-con artist/felon (though the felony conviction was pretty much bullshit)... but he was also an ass kicker and name taker, and interesting guy to read about.

LOVE that book. I poked around the 'net for a good while after I read it, and I cannot find a single person who factually disagrees with Marcinko's accounts. So, while his ego is the size of a bus, it's not necessarily out of proportion with his deeds, and apparently his ego didn't cause him to fabricate anything.

I found it a balanced read, honestly (I know, hang on)...

...because he recounts how his ego and reckless disregard for others' feelings led to his professional and personal problems. He pulls no punches in his self-analysis. Now, that's not the same as self-criticism (I'm not sure he's capable of that); but he does show that he can draw a line from his personality to the consequences he caused. In addition, I think an autobiography ought to be told from one person's perspective, however that plays out. I wanted to know his mindset and his character, and that came through loud and clear.

Finally, there are factoids and tidbits in that book that were pretty revealing. Neat stuff all around, I felt.

[Cobar]

Another series to add to my list. I am not sure if it is a good or bad thing that I will die of old age before I finish reading everything I want to.

That's my personal grand plan.

By the time I "retire" (I doubt I ever will completely) I want to make sure I have accumulated enough reading material to last far more than the rest of my remaining life.

Same here, but knowing that I won't get to put it all in my head kinda bugs me.

[308Mike]

And woohoo, the greatest military SF series ever written, STEN, is now available in kindle ebook format.

I will no longer have to worry about my precious hoarded paperbacks going missing or getting ruined.

Another series to add to my list. I am not sure if it is a good or bad thing that I will die of old age before I finish reading everything I want to.

One of the GREAT things of doing something like that is that it keeps your mind active and alert, instead of just sitting and watching TV and having them entertain you, which only encourages dementia due to the lack of brain activity. Reading, crossword puzzles, new experiences, meeting new people and experiencing new things ALL figure into keeping your brain active and alive as you grow older.

Watching someone you love lose their mind and memories is VERY painful. ANYTHING you can continue to do to keep your mind active and working to increase knowledge and thinking power will allow you to live to your later years with your mind intact (unless taken by strokes over the years). Even so, you can recreate pathways to find information previously thought lost, as we did with my mom who couldn't remember some events until we had her think of different ways to get at those memories, such as remembering the last time she saw someone and we prodded her until she finally remembered what happened (like a light clicking on).

From what I've seen and read, people who like and enjoy reading are far less likely to suffer from dementia than those who prefer to be entertained.

[Cobar]

And woohoo, the greatest military SF series ever written, STEN, is now available in kindle ebook format.

I will no longer have to worry about my precious hoarded paperbacks going missing or getting ruined.

Another series to add to my list. I am not sure if it is a good or bad thing that I will die of old age before I finish reading everything I want to.

One of the GREAT things of doing something like that is that it keeps your mind active and alert, instead of just sitting and watching TV and having them entertain you, which only encourages dementia due to the lack of brain activity. Reading, crossword puzzles, new experiences, meeting new people and experiencing new things ALL figure into keeping your brain active and alive as you grow older.

Watching someone you love lose their mind and memories is VERY painful. ANYTHING you can continue to do to keep your mind active and working to increase knowledge and thinking power will allow you to live to your later years with your mind intact (unless taken by strokes over the years). Even so, you can recreate pathways to find information previously thought lost, as we did with my mom who couldn't remember some events until we had her think of different ways to get at those memories, such as remembering the last time she saw someone and we prodded her until she finally remembered what happened (like a light clicking on).

From what I've seen and read, people who like and enjoy reading are far less likely to suffer from dementia than those who prefer to be entertained.

Alzheimer's got my great-gradmother, I know how that goes. I haven't watched TV is ages. We have netflix and watch the occasional movie but that is about it. I have a hell of a time sitting and just watching something unless I am sick. That is when Netflix gets the workout. For some reason just sitting and reading does not bother me. *shrug*