What are you reading?

[Bluecast]

[Vyse Hazuky]

Finally you'll get one over those snobs from HRA!

[Tuffty]

The title would more accurately be what am I not reading right now? Ok let's go...

Before They Are Hanged (Book 2 of The First Law trilogy)


A dark fantasy novel that scratches that itch that ASOIAF had left me. It's got a lot of the same themes, while leaning a little more towards the fantastical (the crux of the story does revolve around a wizard recruiting a party of warriors to find an ancient treasure), but what makes it stand apart is how dark it is. The three main protaganists can't even really be called anti-heroes, these are just bad, despicable people. The first book, The Blade Itself, was good, but felt like a lot of it was just setup, this book is really kicking things off for the better and the characters are showing some real development. Enjoying it so far, have the last one to read as well when I'm done so technically I'm reading Book 2 with Book 3 straight after!

Assassins Creed : Forsaken


A tie-in novel to the game. Based off the last book I shouldn't expect too much, but it was an enjoyable enough read. Reviews say this one is better so...we'll see.

Crazy Horse and Custer


A book detailing the lives of the famous generals, cultural opposites of each other, but remarkably leading similiarly parallel lives. Born at the same time, leaders at a young age, stripped of power, had to work hard to win the respect of their people. It's a purely factual book based on a setting that's always intrigued me so curious to read it.

Consider Phlebas, The Player Of Games, Use Of Weapons (Culture series)


This is something I'm most excited about actually. Apparently some books in the Culture series is fairly hit and miss, but these particular books are universally praised as being the best in the series as well as some of the best sci-fi ever. Sign me up.

So yeh, fairly occupied right now. XD

[Vyse Hazuky]

[Kenny]

This whole book so far is about some 9th grade drop out loser who suddenly decides to make a film cause he loved watching R rated movies as a kid, then scrapes up some cash to do porn, reads books and takes classes on filmmaking, then decides to make a "real" film based on the techniques he learns. Growing pains ensue.

The only positive note about this read so far is him detailing his filmmaking techniques, some of which are useful and even some i've been doing for awhile. Otherwise, I can see why his film ultimatly failed already. He's too busy worrying whether or not he should be "best buddies" with his cast when the working relationship is ALL that matters (if you become friends, great, but that's not required), finding out that there are problems with the script during the storyboarding process (like too many clichés and character development issues), hiring people that he's not sure are qualified for the job, and more.

What got me angry was that one of the reviews called Robert Rodriguez's far superior read "Rebel Without a Crew" a fairy-tale story and praised this as the real deal on indie filmmaking. Yeah, if you're a COMPLETE UNTALENTED HACK then this is your bible. This is what happens when you get a bunch of people who think they know what they're doing and bet it all on the world's biggest crapshoot, hoping to win the big bucks. The author keeps his ambitions down and says he's prepared to struggle in the long haul, but then I also found out he boasts about himself on the dvd in his finish film as if he's some guru or well-respected artist when in reality he's just a nobody with an unwatchable film. And the reviewers wonder why he's still struggling? Despite the fact he SEEMS to be doing all the right things? If you can't figure it out, then this book is for you to live by!

With Rodriguez, he made it not just because he made a film for $7000....he made it cause he made a GOOD WATCHABLE film for $7000. That made him more valuable. This guy made it for $10,000 and if you watch the trailer you end up scratching your head and go "WHAAAAT?" He does some of the right things but unfortunately that's not enough. I've seen this happen first-hand on set too, people who think they have the greatest idea in the world and are going to be among the best filmmakers around find out that it's alot more complicated to pull off such a movie without being consistent and hard-working on EVERY SINGLE SCENE YOU SHOOT. Then they find out they're over-schedule, it's not exactly the "perfect little thing" they wanted, cuss at the world, and just "try to finish it" if they haven't given up already.

I hate to be this negative, especially to a fellow filmmaker. But unfortuantely, when you start to boast your abilities and don't own up to 'em then i'm going to have to call you out. If I did the same thing (and occasionally I do cause i'm a proud ass motherfucker) and don't live up to my own hype, then i'll expect to be called out too.

[Feelers Rebo]

I'm part way through Che Guevara's Motorcycle Diaries, which is interesting, but it makes me feel like a weakling for getting so tired hiking. That journey he and Granado did sounds grueling.

[Who Really Cares?]

The Hedge Knight

Short story by George R. R. Martin set in the A song of ice and fire world [set 90 years before the main books/tv show]

[ThyDarkAngel]

^Don't know that one but he has some fantastic short stories like Nightflyers and The Monkey Treatment

[Who Really Cares?]

Yeah its only 160 pages.

The other 2 are The Sworn Sword and The Mystery Knight

[Bluecast]

Yes in my Sonic pajamas were I cemented them from too much excitement.

[Lan Di-sama]

I'm in the middle of a couple things right now.....not to mention all the crap I've got to read for school now that the semester's started. But, purely for leisure:

[Vyse Hazuky]

I raided my father's s-f and fantasy closet to look for 451 Fahrenheit and found these as well:


I loved Haldeman's Forever War, so I'll be looking forward to these

[ys]

Mostly textbooks at the moment (unfortunately). But when I have some time besides gaming :


Ryudo, that Sonic book looks great by the way.

[ThyDarkAngel]

[Bluecast]

Finally getting around to reading the I love Lucy history book I got on my Birthday