What are you reading right now?

[gronank]

I am reading "The Philosopher's Beach Book". Philosophy on the beach. How many grains of sand denotes a heap?

A heap is a structured set of elements, not the elements themselves.

I'm reading The Name of the Rose. Are all monks filled with contempt for the self and humanity?

[black bart]

I am reading the National Gypsum Plaster Resource Manual. Ah, the things that happen when you buy an old house...

Was it the inspiration for:

The Auld House

There's a puckle lairds in the auld house
wha haud the wa's thegither:
there's no muckle graith in the auld house
nor smeddum aither.

[black bart]

I am reading "The Philosopher's Beach Book". Philosophy on the beach. How many grains of sand denotes a heap?

A heap is a structured set of elements, not the elements themselves.

I'm reading The Name of the Rose. Are all monks filled with contempt for the self and humanity?

It's more about the way we like to quantify things and use words which aren't necessarily accurate...I think.

As for monks...you should ask the monks who make the drink 'Buckfast"...they clearly have contempt for humanity.

[la la]

Just started reading Trainspotting. It was hard going at first, but I think I'm getting a sense of the rhythm of the language. Only trouble is, I have to look up at least one word on every page. Still, definitely worth it, if for nothing other than the sheer rawness of the story.

[Roland Deschain]

I'm glad you're persevering with it, la la. It can be bad enough for someone with some knowledge of Glaswegian/Scottish pronunciation and slang, let alone someone not. It's quite a visceral affair, and exposes a certain life, warts and all. I hope you still enjoy it once you're finished.

I've started Iain M Banks' The Player of Games, his second novel based on The Culture. I'm not that far into it, but it's going very well so far. I adore the universe he has created, and hope that some day our species is able to emulate the sense of freedom and camaraderie which exists there.

[Qwertyuiopasd]

30-something pages of Thoreau. By 11am tomorrow. That's 12-point 8.5 by 11 computer paper pages. Whee.

[Roy Hunter]

I'm glad you're persevering with it, la la. It can be bad enough for someone with some knowledge of Edinburgh/Leith pronunciation and slang, let alone someone not. It's quite a visceral affair, and exposes a certain life, warts and all. I hope you still enjoy it once you're finished.

Likesay fixed yon fur ye, Roland catboy, ken eh?

[black bart]

Still reading about Spain...it turns out I have Basque Separatist Blood running in my veins.

[Roland Deschain]

I'm glad you're persevering with it, la la. It can be bad enough for someone with some knowledge of Edinburgh/Leith pronunciation and slang, let alone someone not. It's quite a visceral affair, and exposes a certain life, warts and all. I hope you still enjoy it once you're finished.

Likesay fixed yon fur ye, Roland catboy, ken eh?

I ken very well. Trolling successful.

I've finished The Player of Games, and oh what a book it was! The story is fantastically well-done, and the universe it takes place in is multi-faceted enough to give you pause for thought. The parts detailing morality in a society without needs are especially good. The characters become people you really become invested in, warts and all, and you can feel yourself rooting for them with ease. These books are now my new favourite thing. I cannot wait to get to work reading the rest.

After the tour de force i've just finished, I wasn't sure if anything would be able to compete with it, but that was until I removed a book detailing a part of my life. Wind Through the Keyhole is essentially The Dark Tower 4.5, and is set between Wizard and Glass and Wolves of the Calla. Only 140 pages or so into it, but already i'm hooked, and have been since page 1. The format for this book, and I won't spoil it for those of you wishing to read my biography, is most excellent. I've not read a book with this format for a while, and Stephen King once again comes through pulling no punches with a spellbinding effort. I know sometimes he doesn't quite hit the mark with some of his later works, although i've not yet read a duff book of his, but this one is him on full form.

In the words of my alter-ego, "Remember the face of your father."

[daftbeaker]

Dodger by Terry Pratchett. So far (about halfway through) it feels like a Pratchett book, maybe a little too Pratchett to be taken seriously. As a Discworld book it would be fine but as a story in olde London towne it feels a bit too neat and plot resolving.

Having said that, the subject matter is a bit near the bone for something that occasionally reads like a book for children. Terry can still grab your emotions by the bollocks with an odd sentence here and there.

[black bart]

I am still reading Giles Tremlett's book about Spain. Giles does seem to think the world of Spain although it comes across as a very strange country. The book is a few years old now and I wonder what Giles would make of the latest events and the downturn in Spain's economy.

[pieces o'nine]

Almost finished with


Brain cells keep trying to fit the Bale/Jackman/Caine movie plot to the book plot, which restores some of the suspense lost from 'knowing' the story. Which is good, because the novel, although an interesting premise, moves at its 19th century speed. But I'll probably try another, either A Dream of Wessex or The Affirmation.

Any other Christopher Priest reviews?

[black bart]

I didn't even know the movie was based on this novel...are you saying it was written in the 19th century?

[Roy Hunter]

I have neither seen the movie nor read the book, but I just looked it up on IMDB: David Bowie plays Nikola Tesla. Now I have to see it...

[pieces o'nine]

The book was written in the style of 19th century gentleman-magicians' journals.

The film adapts characters and events to fit the medium, but did it well, I think. Still, I only saw it once and won't watch it again; I found parts viscerally disturbing even though it's just a movie about stage magicians.

David Bowie was convincing as Tesla. Christian Bale was creepy.