Books
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I'm currently half way through A Dance with Dragons, the most recent book in the Song of Ice and Fire series.
I'm a couple hundred pages into that one, myself. Also working on A Country Of Vast Designs, a biography of President James K. Polk. I like to keep two books going at once, fiction and non-fiction. Seems to provide a nice balance.
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And if anyone can recommend any other interesting finance/economics books, I'd appreciate it.
IF you haven't already, "Freakanomics" by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner. They also have a follow up book call "Super Freakanomics.". Both really great reads. Though it uses economical concepts, it doesn't do much financial analysis. Real fun to read though, thats forsure.
Currently on Murakami's work. Just finished his short story compilation "After the Quake."
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I'm currently half way through A Dance with Dragons, the most recent book in the Song of Ice and Fire series.
I read this when it came out. I enjoyed the first 3, but the story is just not developing quickly enough in the last two.
For myself, I always have a few books open:
1. Dune - rereading properly…it has been some time since I last read it.
2. The Complete Conan Chronicles - Taking my time with these. Absolutely love them.
3. The Complet Works of H.P. Lovecraft - Same as above.
4. Poe - Tales of Mystery and Imagination - Calla Edition. Quite Beautiful. -
Both A Dance with Dragons and A Feast for Crows were kind of a let down, but it's hard to match the intensity of Storm of Swords. I guess these books are more like building blocks for books 6 and 7.
Good call on Dune, Tom. I should reread that myself.
Yea I suppose you are right. But I feel like some exceptions should have been made with the amount of characters being developed. I realize some died, but still, I feel like the last two were generally indicative of the fact that maybe even Martin himself was not sure where the story was going. I am genuinely interested in some characters, but at the rate he is going, it will take him 30 years to get somewhere. Here's to hoping he has it sorted out for the next one.
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Both A Dance with Dragons and A Feast for Crows were kind of a let down, but it's hard to match the intensity of Storm of Swords. I guess these books are more like building blocks for books 6 and 7.
Took the words out of my mouth.
J, really love Murakami's work. As the Elephant Vanishes, his other short story collection, is great and The Wind Up Bird Chronicle is one of my favorite novels. Just recently reread it actually.
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I guess these books are more like building blocks for books 6 and 7.
I don't hold out a lot of hope for the series. Feast and Dance were planned to be a single book; that means it took Martin about a decade to write them, and he seems to be getting slower. I don't think his heart is in it any more, which is understandable, since he started this project close to 20 years ago. I think he's writing only out of contractual obligation at this point. Frankly, given his age and what appears to be mediocre health, I wouldn't be surprised if he pulled a Robert Jordan and died before the last book gets written. It's a shame, because the first three were so amazingly good.
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And if anyone can recommend any other interesting finance/economics books, I'd appreciate it.
IF you haven't already, "Freakanomics" by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner. They also have a follow up book call "Super Freakanomics.". Both really great reads. Though it uses economical concepts, it doesn't do much financial analysis. Real fun to read though, thats forsure.
Currently on Murakami's work. Just finished his short story compilation "After the Quake."
I've actually wanted to read Freakonomics. And I think there's documentary, too. I'll check it out. Thanks.
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J, really love Murakami's work. As the Elephant Vanishes, his other short story collection, is great and The Wind Up Bird Chronicle is one of my favorite novels. Just recently reread it actually.
Have it sitting at home waiting to be read. Murakami's a great story teller and I hear this story is a one of his best. Though I'm trying to read all of his past works before I get to IQ84
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I guess these books are more like building blocks for books 6 and 7.
I don't hold out a lot of hope for the series. Feast and Dance were planned to be a single book; that means it took Martin about a decade to write them, and he seems to be getting slower. I don't think his heart is in it any more, which is understandable, since he started this project close to 20 years ago. I think he's writing only out of contractual obligation at this point. Frankly, given his age and what appears to be mediocre health, I wouldn't be surprised if he pulled a Robert Jordan and died before the last book gets written. It's a shame, because the first three were so amazingly good.
Gosh Chris I consider myself pessimistic, but you are even worse than me!
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Martin made me this way; I read Game Of Thrones way back in 1996 and pre-ordered every one of the next 4 books. I used to check his website regularly for updates, but after so many missed deadlines, promises of, "this is the year, I swear"and the pervasive lack of enthusiasm in his posts, I just gave up about two years ago. I'll read whatever comes out, but when his heart clearly isn't in it, it's hard to get enthusiastic.
As for the Jordan comment, yeah, that may have been a bit harsh. On the other hand, at this rate, it will take him another 10-15 years to finish the series, which would put him in his late 70s. Not completely unreasonable of me…
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Martin made me this way; I read Game Of Thrones way back in 1996 and pre-ordered every one of the next 4 books. I used to check his website regularly for updates, but after so many missed deadlines, promises of, "this is the year, I swear"and the pervasive lack of enthusiasm in his posts, I just gave up about two years ago. I'll read whatever comes out, but when his heart clearly isn't in it, it's hard to get enthusiastic.
As for the Jordan comment, yeah, that may have been a bit harsh. On the other hand, at this rate, it will take him another 10-15 years to finish the series, which would put him in his late 70s. Not completely unreasonable of me…
Not harsh…realistic...I with you actually. So, what are your thoughts on the TV show? Real quick not to derail the thread.
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Haven't watched it. Can't decide of I want to; seeing someone else's idea of how things and people should look usually annoys me to the point where I don't enjoy movie/show. Everyone tells me it's amazing, though, so I might still watch. What about you?
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i've only seen two episodes so far. The visuals are good, but I can't really comment much on the story.
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Yeah, unfortunately, the visuals might be the problem for me. Oh well, like I said, I may end up watching it eventually anyway. I am kind of interested in how they'll streamline the story to work on TV.
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gimp the little documentary/movie "Freakanomics" is really well done. check it out, i think you would enjoy it.
just "found" this in my bookcase & have just re-read the forward, great stuff here:
