The Athenaeum - Reading updates and Literary Review from the Obsidian Elite (this means you)

[Guard Dog]

I bought this on my Kindle last night and was up half the night with it. Couldn't put it down. Really great book:

 

[Maedhros]

I recently read Sailing to Sarantium, and its followup Lord of Emperors by Guy Gavriel Kay.

 

Like Kay's other works (except Fionavar), it's part historical fiction, part fantasy. This time he has a mosaicist as the main character, set in the world of the Byzantine Empire during the time of Justinian. Thourougly enjoyed these two books. Gonna read A Song for Arbonne next.

 

[Malcador]

Death marching myself through 'A Sword Into Darkness'.  Not even sure when/how I ended up owning this book, but good grief it is tedious.  Sections of Crichton-esque masturbation sessions by the author showing off his research mixed with Honor Harrington really make this an enjoyable read.  

[daven]

I have just read Karl Pilkington's 'Happyslapped by a Jellyfish'.

 

I would recommend it.

Edited January 4, 2019 by daven

[Sarex]

Jim Butcher wrote a short story as a gift to his fans.

[Guard Dog]

Now reading:

 

 

It's a pretty interesting and seemingly well researched story. I know almost nothing about Sakai but the perspective is interesting.

 

 

Just downloaded this:

 

 

67 reviews and 4.8 stars. Must have something going for it. If you have Kindle Unlimited both titles are free on your Kindle. 

[Amentep]

I knew Martin "Six Million Dollar Man" Caidin had written some military history / WWII books, but wasn't familiar with that one (apparently largely based on interviews Sakai did with journalist Saito)

[Guard Dog]

Sakai passed away 12 years before this was written so you are right it's all from interviews with him and associates. His recollections on the difference between the A5M & the Zero (that part I'm reading now) are really interesting. 

[Malcador]

Reading Human Division still, or more like dragging through it. All his episodes tied together feels really disjointed.  Additonally every major character being snarky is getting tiresome. 

[Guard Dog]

Now reading this:

 

 

Interesting stuff. A lot I didn't know.

 

Also reading this:

 

 

It's a (very) basic and 35k' overview. But it's a subject I know very little about and in truth have been pretty dismissive of. More and more I think that would be unwise in the future. 

[Maedhros]

Bought and read The Lord of the Rings on kindle. There aren't many fantasy novels I'd bother re-reading, but Tolkien's Middle-earth books never fail to captivate me.

 

Currently reading The Medici by Mary Hollingsworth.

 

[Raithe]

[LittleArmadillo0]

Finished reading this:

It made me feel really sick and disgusted I highly recommend it.

Edited February 16, 2019 by LittleAmadillo0

[Raithe]

[Amentep]

Egads, the book lover in me is cringing horribly at that picture.

[Gromnir]

Sakai passed away 12 years before this was written so you are right it's all from interviews with him and associates. His recollections on the difference between the A5M & the Zero (that part I'm reading now) are really interesting. 

 

 

we read sakai pov on kamikaze.  were an intriguing read as were suggesting the pilots weren't so much dying glorious and honorable deaths for country and emperor as were making a practical choice in attempting to protect family and loved ones knowing full well they didn't have sufficient training and equipment to engage in traditional combat.

 

'course he also were one o' the nanjing massacre deniers, so...

 

HA! Good Fun!

[Guard Dog]

 

Just bought it on Kindle. Starting reading tonight. 

[Guard Dog]

FYI... read five chapters of this book last night. It's a good one. Not many eyewitness accounts of combat in Syria. 

[Raithe]

[Raithe]

Got around to reading Altered Carbon.

 

Interesting to see all the differences to the story and characters compared to the show, recognising where they mashed some together and such.

Was disapointed in how the Hotel AI was handled, it has a much lesser role in the novel than in the series, but ah well.

[aluminiumtrioxid]

 

Good read. Weirdly enough, it seemed to be at its best when talking about agriculture, a subject that is only loosely related to its central thesis. The chapters about the Soviet Union felt rather superfluous.

 

(It also makes me feel weirdly justified about my loathing of what's held up in the post-Forge indie TTRPG world as "good design", aiming to produce largely the same play experience at every table.)

[Malcador]

Finished Lock In. Was ok, I guess, Scalzi could have done so much more with this, as is it is pretty forgettable.

[Malcador]

On to Killing Pablo by Bowden. Have to say Bowden's a bit jingoistic and rolling my eyes at him trying to pass Los Pepes off as a necessary end when I have a feeling that creating and supporting a death squad is going to lead to issues after Escobar's death.

Edited March 30, 2019 by Malcador

[Guard Dog]

I would have just left a bad review on Amazon... but I guess this is another way to go: https://news.yahoo.com/catholic-priests-burn-harry-potter-books-poland-131950572.html

 

I wonder... should we explain to them that buying a bunch of books just to light them on fire still supports the folks who write and publish those books? Does JK Rowling care what you do with her book AFTER you bought it? She got her royalty not mater what you do!

 

Amusingly enough my method is more likely to keep someone from reading a book you didn't like AND you don't need to sweep up ashes after!

[Guard Dog]

Now reading