What are you reading?

[Gus_McCrae]

Anyone ever follow along with this? I bought one of the books and am thinking about trying to play along in one or two brackets…

Announcing the 2022 Tournament of Books - The Morning News

Here are the shortlist, judges, and Zombie poll for the 2022 Tournament of Books, presented by Field Notes.

themorningnews.org

 

[NakedYoga]

New book day…

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Seems like he'd lead with being a creator of The Office and his legendary portrayal of Mose Schrute.

 

[Fueco]

Seems like he'd lead with being a creator of The Office and his legendary portrayal of Mose Schrute.

The book grew out of his study of philosophy while creating The Good Place, so it makes perfect sense to me.

Also, if someone is perusing the books in the philosophy section, there’s a pretty good chance they’re a fan of The Good Place.

 

[NakedYoga]

The book grew out of his study of philosophy while creating The Good Place, so it makes perfect sense to me.

Fair enough. I watched several episodes of the first season with my wife. Not a bad show, and what can you say about Ted Danson...

 

[Geoffrey Firmin]

Real name. He's been writing since the 1960s I think.

Behold the Man…very weird take on the Christ story.

 

[edinatlanta]

Seems like he'd lead with being a creator of The Office and his legendary portrayal of Mose Schrute.

"I'm the valet. You have to give me your keys."

 

[Geoffrey Firmin]

First encountered Irvine on a CBC Ideas podcast. Bought the book in 2014 read it then and after reading the Meditations by Marcus Aurelius decided to dive in again.

Irvine sees Stoicism as a philosophical tool, he is focused on the Roman Stoics,and while I agree with him on this, I also know other philosophical systems which are useful tools. Overall I think occasionally dipping into the Meditations is more my style.

 

[smittycl]

 

[Fueco]

 

[Scuppers]

Foxes and Lions: Machiavelli’s Confidence Men, Wayne Rebhorn

 

[ValidusLA]

@ValidusLA

I would start with The Lions of Al-Rassan but some would recommend Tigana.

Both are wonderful, wonderful books. It’s been some time since I’ve re-read Tigana, but Lions is very fresh as I just re-read it in 2021 and it’s knocked my socks off… for a second time!

Finished Lions of Al-Rassan couple days ago. Thanks for the reco!

I'm not sure I would classify this as "Fantasy" even, even if the world isn't Earth. This is not a complaint. I liked the book quite a lot.

Regarding comparison to Rothfuss. I'm going to read some more Kay before I decide, and he is a lovely writer, but I still think Rothfuss' prose is superior. Honestly the first chapter (weirdly) of Lions was a bit staccato and I was almost put off. It got much better. Very poignant towards the end.

My one complaint about Lions is that I think in the end there are just a few too many "AHA! Not who you thought!" moments.

I also felt slightly cheated from the emotional payoff of Diego's fate being suddenly reversed. I get that part of the story centers around miraculous doctors, but Jehane doesn't even perform the miracle! And then we never see Diego again?

 

[NakedYoga]

Just finished this this morning. Pretty entertaining, funny, witty, satire. I can see why this generated the hysteria it did in the 1920s. Next are a biography of George Bird Grinnell and another Sinclair Lewis book, It Can't Happen Here.

 

[HORNS]

Reading this:

It's OK so far, me being 1/3 of the way through. I hope it pays off in the end.

 

[Gus_McCrae]

Finished Lions of Al-Rassan couple days ago. Thanks for the reco!

I'm not sure I would classify this as "Fantasy" even, even if the world isn't Earth. This is not a complaint. I liked the book quite a lot.

Regarding comparison to Rothfuss. I'm going to read some more Kay before I decide, and he is a lovely writer, but I still think Rothfuss' prose is superior. Honestly the first chapter (weirdly) of Lions was a bit staccato and I was almost put off. It got much better. Very poignant towards the end.

My one complaint about Lions is that I think in the end there are just a few too many "AHA! Not who you thought!" moments.

I also felt slightly cheated from the emotional payoff of Diego's fate being suddenly reversed. I get that part of the story centers around miraculous doctors, but Jehane doesn't even perform the miracle! And then we never see Diego again?

I’m glad you liked it. Reasonably criticism.

 

[smittycl]

Just started this one. Dan Jones writes history in a very clear and readable way.

Just ordered this one based on NYT review:

Did the First Americans Arrive via Land Bridge? This Geneticist Says No. (Published 2022)

In “Origin: A Genetic History of the Americas,” Jennifer Raff combines archaeology, genetics, linguistics and more to argue against a longstanding theory.

www.nytimes.com