Spare goggles
Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.
Latest topics
» Gateway Timeout Errors
by von Corax Wed Dec 20, 2023 2:06 am

» We seem to be down again
by von Corax Sun Sep 24, 2023 3:42 pm

» Yet Another Upgrade: Saturday, 2 September 2023
by von Corax Sat Sep 02, 2023 9:58 pm

» Major Announcement: The Great Migration is Done!
by von Corax Sat Aug 19, 2023 9:13 pm

» If you're attempting to register at Brass Goggles…
by von Corax Fri May 26, 2023 5:30 am

» My Account on the Main Forum Has a Problem; Need Help
by Sorontar Fri Apr 28, 2023 5:57 pm

» Sceduled Server Maintenance
by von Corax Fri Feb 03, 2023 6:02 am

» Major Software Upgrade Wednesday June 8, 2022
by von Corax Thu Jun 09, 2022 6:23 pm

» Writing a Book...!
by Sarahsteam Fri Apr 01, 2022 10:26 am

» Subject: STEAMPUNK!
by Bartholomew Thatch Sat Feb 26, 2022 1:17 am

» Scheduled Maintenance Saturday Feb 19, 2022 @ 12:00 Noon EST
by Lazaras Sun Feb 20, 2022 12:49 am

» New Brass Goggles Administrator
by Xenos Thu Feb 10, 2022 7:21 am

» New member introduction thread.
by Avalon Skyboat Wed Feb 09, 2022 4:24 am

» Unexpected Change of Nationality?
by Xenos Tue Feb 08, 2022 6:34 pm

» How was your day thread (continued)
by Xenos Tue Feb 08, 2022 6:06 pm

» We Have Reached Peak Beard!
by Xenos Tue Feb 08, 2022 10:45 am

» Choose your Favorite Spare Goggles Emoticon!
by von Corax Tue Feb 08, 2022 2:02 am

» I hereby declare this a wizard-free zone
by The Corsair Mon Feb 07, 2022 3:29 am

RSS feeds


Yahoo! 
MSN 
AOL 
Netvibes 
Bloglines 


Statistics
We have 731 registered users
The newest registered user is vastfrontierz

Our users have posted a total of 8204 messages in 708 subjects

The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed)

+36
T.T.
CaptainPhania
Paul8v
Rowan of Rin
The Kernel
Shameri
James Harrison
Earl Otterby
Mr Clockwork
Mr. Ethan Grammatikidis
T.Taylor the Third
von Corax
The V.A.P.
neon_suntan
Mrs. Sullivan
Lady Penelope
Tanuki
Abraxas
CaptZaphod
Jemima Annabelle Clough
Gazongola
Dandeliondream
BaronPablo
Dax
Steamblast Mary
stormfeather
vermillion
A.G.Morgan
Zepherius
pocalypse
Herr Döktor
Kirsty
MaggotyAnne
Plum
Prof. George of Chaos
OldProfessorBear
40 posters

Page 2 of 4 Previous  1, 2, 3, 4  Next

Go down

The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed) - Page 2 Empty Re: The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed)

Post  Steamblast Mary Thu Sep 25, 2008 7:52 pm

"Nation", the latest Terry Pratchett. Am pleased to report it's shaping up very well.

Steamblast Mary
officer
officer

Number of posts : 120
Registration date : 2008-09-17

Back to top Go down

The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed) - Page 2 Empty Re: The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed)

Post  Prof. George of Chaos Thu Sep 25, 2008 8:16 pm

You mean to say it's out already, Mary?

Ooooh...This does not bode well for my studies.

There is so much fine taste in this thread. I'm thinking I have to check out this China Mieville guy.

Tonight I polished off a couple of short stories from Cory Doctorow's Overclocked, a few of Yeats's poems and was given a book on the Twenties and one one Christopher Brennan's poetry, as they were being expunged from my school's library.

On some levles I think BNW is a better dystopian warning than 1984. Very good book.

Has anybody else here read Mary Wolstonecraft's Vindication of the Rights of Women?

Prof. George of Chaos
officer
officer

Number of posts : 126
Age : 35
Location : Hobart, Tasmania
Registration date : 2008-09-14

http://www.georgiechaos.deviantart.com/

Back to top Go down

The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed) - Page 2 Empty Re: The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed)

Post  Gazongola Fri Sep 26, 2008 12:18 am

Sorry, BNW? And remember 1984 was written for its time really.
Gazongola
Gazongola
Bosun

Number of posts : 197
Age : 34
Location : Wolverhampton, England
Flag : Earth
Registration date : 2008-09-12

Back to top Go down

The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed) - Page 2 Empty Re: The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed)

Post  Gazongola Fri Sep 26, 2008 12:19 am

Oh! Brave New World. I see. Never read it. Although I have heard many great things of Aldous Huxley.
Gazongola
Gazongola
Bosun

Number of posts : 197
Age : 34
Location : Wolverhampton, England
Flag : Earth
Registration date : 2008-09-12

Back to top Go down

The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed) - Page 2 Empty Re: The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed)

Post  Mrs. Sullivan Fri Sep 26, 2008 12:33 am

Prof. George of Chaos wrote:You mean to say it's out already, Mary?

Ooooh...This does not bode well for my studies.

There is so much fine taste in this thread. I'm thinking I have to check out this China Mieville guy.
<snip>
Has anybody else here read Mary Wolstonecraft's Vindication of the Rights of Women?

Yes, I have read Mary Wollstonecraft's Vindication, although it has been some thirty years ago. Nevertheless, a classic foundation of feminist rhetoric.

Mieville is wonderful - I have read Perdido Street Station and The Scar, and am looking forward to Iron Council. I can recommend these books highly. I tried Un Lun Dun, but it was a bit too childish for my taste (and I generally enjoy children's books).
Mrs. Sullivan
Mrs. Sullivan
Ætheric engineer (admin)

Number of posts : 115
Age : 66
Location : Portland, OR
Registration date : 2008-09-12

Back to top Go down

The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed) - Page 2 Empty Re: The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed)

Post  neon_suntan Fri Sep 26, 2008 10:26 pm

Just finished Bret Easton Ellis' - Lunar Park.

I'll never look at Ferby's or Terby's the same again

I'm waiting for a freidn to finish reading Iron Angel the sequel to Scar Night, so in the meantime I'm reading A Users Guide to The Shipping Forecast, those in the know should now whistle "Sailing By" Smile

neon_suntan
gunner
gunner

Number of posts : 37
Age : 49
Location : England
Flag : Antarctica
Registration date : 2008-09-12

http://richblackett.blogspot.co.uk/

Back to top Go down

The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed) - Page 2 Empty Re: The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed)

Post  Jemima Annabelle Clough Fri Sep 26, 2008 11:02 pm

Do you know if it exists as an MP3? It's very relaxing, and it work very well before the shipping forecast set to music that I have on my computer Smile

Jemima Annabelle Clough
officer
officer

Number of posts : 135
Location : Surrey, Uk
Flag : European Union
Registration date : 2008-09-13

Back to top Go down

The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed) - Page 2 Empty Re: The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed)

Post  neon_suntan Sat Sep 27, 2008 7:40 pm

Jemima Annabelle Clough wrote:Do you know if it exists as an MP3? It's very relaxing, and it work very well before the shipping forecast set to music that I have on my computer Smile

Sailing By or The Users Guide to The Shipping Forecast?

neon_suntan
gunner
gunner

Number of posts : 37
Age : 49
Location : England
Flag : Antarctica
Registration date : 2008-09-12

http://richblackett.blogspot.co.uk/

Back to top Go down

The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed) - Page 2 Empty Re: The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed)

Post  Jemima Annabelle Clough Sat Sep 27, 2008 9:07 pm

neon_suntan wrote:
Jemima Annabelle Clough wrote:Do you know if it exists as an MP3? It's very relaxing, and it work very well before the shipping forecast set to music that I have on my computer Smile

Sailing By or The Users Guide to The Shipping Forecast?
Sailing By Smile

And is the Users guide To The shipping Forecast any good?

Jemima Annabelle Clough
officer
officer

Number of posts : 135
Location : Surrey, Uk
Flag : European Union
Registration date : 2008-09-13

Back to top Go down

The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed) - Page 2 Empty Re: The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed)

Post  Prof. George of Chaos Sun Sep 28, 2008 1:11 pm

Gazongola wrote:Sorry, BNW? And remember 1984 was written for its time really.

Oh, I find no fault with the quality of Orwell's writing, it's just that 1984 expresses a dictatorship which holds it's power through war and a governmental policy of brainwashing anyone who deviates from the party line by even the barest margin, whereas the totalitarian regime in Brave New World is maintained through keeping the populus distracted and content while the rulers get on unchallenged because everybody is having too good (though deeply hollow, I think) a time. Those who don't buy into the party line are deported to a place they can have no effect on proceedings where they are from.
We devote so much time to bread and circusses nowadays. On some levels it is a very fine thing to have a society which has leisure to engage in such things, but where we allow them to distract fromother, important things going on around us we have a very large problem, so this is the level on which I am perhaps a little more owrried by Huxley's work (which is, incidentally, magnificent) than Orwell's (which also does extremely well, if I recall rightly).

Mrs. Sullivan, it's quite the galvanizing piece, isn't it? That exhortation to be worthy of
respect, rather than mere passive vehicles for adoration...It seems to me that that is a very important aim for everybody to hold.

Prof. George of Chaos
officer
officer

Number of posts : 126
Age : 35
Location : Hobart, Tasmania
Registration date : 2008-09-14

http://www.georgiechaos.deviantart.com/

Back to top Go down

The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed) - Page 2 Empty Re: The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed)

Post  Dax Sun Sep 28, 2008 5:38 pm

In a similar vein, you might want to try reading Sinclair Lewis' It Can't Happen Here. Its a somewhat satirical novel of the story of the downfall of American Democracy. Lewis' socialist views are definitely evident in this story - it was very fashionable to be something of a "pinko" in the '30s. But the book is definitely an interesting read in today's political climate.

Also, you might look for a very interesting novel by Taylor Caldwell titled The Devil's Advocate. Very worthwhile.
Dax
Dax
crewhand
crewhand

Number of posts : 21
Location : Hereabouts
Registration date : 2008-09-16

Back to top Go down

The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed) - Page 2 Empty Re: The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed)

Post  Abraxas Sun Sep 28, 2008 5:44 pm

Brave New World is maintained through keeping the populus distracted and content while the rulers get on unchallenged because everybody is having too good (though deeply hollow, I think) a time. Those who don't buy into the party line are deported to a place they can have no effect on proceedings where they are from.
Funny, though both written some time ago, 1984 seems to describe the cold-war fears, while Brave New World seems more plausible as something Our governments would actually try to pull off...(except for the sex, you know Bush hates sex)

*and thanks for the Sinclair Lewis recommendation, there's an author I've heard about but never gotten around to picking up*
Abraxas
Abraxas
crewhand
crewhand

Number of posts : 27
Age : 40
Location : Sacramento
Registration date : 2008-09-24

http://www.myspace.com/prometheusunchained

Back to top Go down

The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed) - Page 2 Empty Re: The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed)

Post  OldProfessorBear Sun Sep 28, 2008 8:25 pm

Dax wrote:In a similar vein, you might want to try reading Sinclair Lewis' It Can't Happen Here. Its a somewhat satirical novel of the story of the downfall of American Democracy. Lewis' socialist views are definitely evident in this story - it was very fashionable to be something of a "pinko" in the '30s. But the book is definitely an interesting read in today's political climate.

Absolutely! I first happened upon a copy in my earlyish teens, when I didn't fully understand all the implications. Really ought to re-read it, if I can find my copy.

Highly recommended.

OPB, Pinko.
OldProfessorBear
OldProfessorBear
Ætheric engineer (admin)

Number of posts : 229
Age : 79
Location : Cambridge, MA, US
Registration date : 2008-09-12

Back to top Go down

The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed) - Page 2 Empty Re: The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed)

Post  Steamblast Mary Sun Sep 28, 2008 8:34 pm

With reference to things written that reflect their time in terms of government playing on the things the tell us to fear, I think "V for Vendetta" sums that up very well. The graphic novel (Alan Moore and David Llyod) was written in the 80's Cold War climate and depicts a post-nuclear society struggling for food, etc. The film, well... just watch it.

On a lighter note, I thoroughly enjoyed "Nation". Not a Discworld book, in fact set in a world remarkably similar to our own, but with a typically Pratchett blend of humour and incisive observations.


Am about to embark on Derek Landy's "Skullduggery Pleasant: Playing with Fire", the second in the series. Enjoyed the first one a great deal, there's a certain type of children's book that, if you can disregard some obviously-writen-for-children elements, are damn' good fun. Justine Somper's Vampirates series are another good example.

Steamblast Mary
officer
officer

Number of posts : 120
Registration date : 2008-09-17

Back to top Go down

The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed) - Page 2 Empty Re: The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed)

Post  Jemima Annabelle Clough Sun Sep 28, 2008 9:34 pm

Just started reading a book I've been meaning to read for years - A Conneticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. Loving it so far Smile

Jemima Annabelle Clough
officer
officer

Number of posts : 135
Location : Surrey, Uk
Flag : European Union
Registration date : 2008-09-13

Back to top Go down

The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed) - Page 2 Empty Re: The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed)

Post  Dax Sun Sep 28, 2008 10:35 pm

OldProfessorBear wrote:

OPB, Pinko.

Or possibly, "Society Pink"? Smile Not making any judgements, merely trying to keep perspective of the times in which these works were written.

I also recall a "future history" novel from the '20's titled The Red Napoleon. Very much of a ripping yarn, in which an asian warlord assumes control of the communist state of Russia and attempts to conquer the world. It was written in the first person by a WWI war correspondant, Floyd Gibbons, and included some particularly vivid imagery of land and sea battles - including trench warfare in the no-man's land of ruined Manhattan. I don't recall that it was a particularly feasible book from a geo-political standpoint, more of a cautionary tale against US isolationism. I might have to dig that one out again for a good read.
Dax
Dax
crewhand
crewhand

Number of posts : 21
Location : Hereabouts
Registration date : 2008-09-16

Back to top Go down

The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed) - Page 2 Empty Re: The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed)

Post  The V.A.P. Sun Sep 28, 2008 11:13 pm

Starting on Conrad's "The Secret Agent". It's a bit easier read that "Heart of Darkness" Wink
The V.A.P.
The V.A.P.
officer
officer

Number of posts : 103
Age : 32
Location : Vancouver
Flag : Denmark
Registration date : 2008-09-14

Back to top Go down

The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed) - Page 2 Empty Re: The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed)

Post  Gazongola Mon Sep 29, 2008 12:58 am

Again along the lines of current reflections, I like the way Robert Rankin's books have evolved with the ages, even if most of them are set in Brentford, a place where I have never been. From his views on Thatcher right the way up to Chavs in the modern day.
Gazongola
Gazongola
Bosun

Number of posts : 197
Age : 34
Location : Wolverhampton, England
Flag : Earth
Registration date : 2008-09-12

Back to top Go down

The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed) - Page 2 Empty Re: The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed)

Post  Herr Döktor Mon Sep 29, 2008 1:46 am

Alas, the Brentford of the books is of a multiplicity of Brentfords down the ages, and the real one seems to always be stuck in a state of 'early closing'!

Usually, the Rankster has a new novel out every august, but this years opus isn't due til the end of december!

So I'm consoling myself with Pratchett's 'Nation'- which is shaping up to be very entertaining!
Herr Döktor
Herr Döktor
Ætheric engineer (admin)

Number of posts : 139
Age : 155
Location : Between the Cracks.
Flag : European Union
Registration date : 2008-09-12

http://herrdoktors.blogspot.com/

Back to top Go down

The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed) - Page 2 Empty Re: The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed)

Post  neon_suntan Mon Sep 29, 2008 3:02 am

Jemima Annabelle Clough wrote:
neon_suntan wrote:
Jemima Annabelle Clough wrote:Do you know if it exists as an MP3? It's very relaxing, and it work very well before the shipping forecast set to music that I have on my computer Smile

Sailing By or The Users Guide to The Shipping Forecast?
Sailing By Smile

And is the Users guide To The shipping Forecast any good?

There's a clip of it here

The Users Guide... is part memoir and part detail, I've only just started it, but my dad as a former Merchant Seaman and current armchair sailor thoroughly recommended it!

neon_suntan
gunner
gunner

Number of posts : 37
Age : 49
Location : England
Flag : Antarctica
Registration date : 2008-09-12

http://richblackett.blogspot.co.uk/

Back to top Go down

The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed) - Page 2 Empty Re: The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed)

Post  OldProfessorBear Mon Sep 29, 2008 3:10 am

Dax wrote:
OldProfessorBear wrote:

OPB, Pinko.

Or possibly, "Society Pink"? Smile Not making any judgements, merely trying to keep perspective of the times in which these works were written.

I also recall a "future history" novel from the '20's titled The Red Napoleon. Very much of a ripping yarn, in which an asian warlord assumes control of the communist state of Russia and attempts to conquer the world. It was written in the first person by a WWI war correspondant, Floyd Gibbons, and included some particularly vivid imagery of land and sea battles - including trench warfare in the no-man's land of ruined Manhattan. I don't recall that it was a particularly feasible book from a geo-political standpoint, more of a cautionary tale against US isolationism. I might have to dig that one out again for a good read.

"Parlor Pink" is the term I've heard.

I wonder if that novel had any influence on Moorcock's Bastable Trilogy. Certain elements of your description suggest scenes and themes from all three books.
OldProfessorBear
OldProfessorBear
Ætheric engineer (admin)

Number of posts : 229
Age : 79
Location : Cambridge, MA, US
Registration date : 2008-09-12

Back to top Go down

The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed) - Page 2 Empty Re: The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed)

Post  Guest Mon Sep 29, 2008 8:04 am

A friend of mine gave me a copy of Faust. The Goethe version with illustrations by De La Croix. It's really a gorgeous book, and I hadn't read it until now.

Guest
Guest


Back to top Go down

The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed) - Page 2 Empty Re: The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed)

Post  Prof. George of Chaos Mon Sep 29, 2008 6:00 pm

Thank you for the reccomendations, Dax. It Can't Happen Here and Devil's Advocate. I shall watch out for them.

Abraxas wrote: [...] while Brave New World seems more plausible as something Our governments would actually try to pull off [...]

That was rather my point, Abraxas. If you want a passive population, give them bread and circuses. Even the Romans knew that. We mustn't let it work.

Also, joy! Due to a sale at my University's book shop wherein the price of two Penguin Classicsis worth three Penguin Classics I am now the very pleased owner of Lady Chatterley's Lover (D.H. Lawrence), On The Road (Jack Kerouac) and The Picture of Dorian Gray (which needs even less explanation than the other two), and thismorning I began The End of Mr. Y, by Scarlett someoneorother. It has some interesting ideas in it so far, but it reads like Youth Lit. I'm not far in yet, though, and it seems to be improving the further I get.

Does anyone here know the derivation of the term 'pinko'?
Perhaps something to do with the colour-symbolism attached to Communism..?


Last edited by Prof. George of Chaos on Mon Sep 29, 2008 6:01 pm; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : Forgot to ask a Question)

Prof. George of Chaos
officer
officer

Number of posts : 126
Age : 35
Location : Hobart, Tasmania
Registration date : 2008-09-14

http://www.georgiechaos.deviantart.com/

Back to top Go down

The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed) - Page 2 Empty Re: The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed)

Post  Gazongola Tue Sep 30, 2008 1:37 am

Herr Döktor wrote:Alas, the Brentford of the books is of a multiplicity of Brentfords down the ages, and the real one seems to always be stuck in a state of 'early closing'!

Usually, the Rankster has a new novel out every august, but this years opus isn't due til the end of december!

So I'm consoling myself with Pratchett's 'Nation'- which is shaping up to be very entertaining!

Not an incredibly huge fan of Pratchett, but I seem to have been able to bare a few of his books. A fair few in fact. I am currently reading Armageddon: The B Movie. Not read it yet. I also have the Da Da De Da Da Code to finish.
Gazongola
Gazongola
Bosun

Number of posts : 197
Age : 34
Location : Wolverhampton, England
Flag : Earth
Registration date : 2008-09-12

Back to top Go down

The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed) - Page 2 Empty Re: The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed)

Post  von Corax Tue Sep 30, 2008 2:18 am

Prof. George of Chaos wrote:
Does anyone here know the derivation of the term 'pinko'?
Perhaps something to do with the colour-symbolism attached to Communism..?

That would be my guess. Somone who is/was a devout Communist Party member, born and raised in the arms of the Party and the State, would be "red" (the Party colour) while someone claiming to espouse the Party line and Party principles while at the same time enjoying the benefits of a less-totalitarian society would be a somewhat-less-intense, more watered-down shade of red, which is to say "pink."

That's only a guess, though; if you're truly curious perhaps you could ask Michael Quinion?


Last edited by von Corax on Wed Oct 01, 2008 6:14 am; edited 1 time in total

von Corax
Ætheric engineer (admin)

Number of posts : 196
Location : The Darkest Depths of the Deforested City, Canada
Flag : Canada
Registration date : 2008-09-15

Back to top Go down

The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed) - Page 2 Empty Re: The "What Are You Reading?" Thread (necroed)

Post  Sponsored content


Sponsored content


Back to top Go down

Page 2 of 4 Previous  1, 2, 3, 4  Next

Back to top

- Similar topics

 
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum