OT: Blues Forum Lounge (Home of All Things OT) - Part 2019

[Stupendous Yappi]

This sounds like something I’d like but doesn’t look like it’s available on FX right now and I can’t find any future airings to record. Not sure I want to pay to rent or buy episodes. I’ll probably just check FX at later dates...

I was able to view on demand via Sling, probably similarly available on Directv, etc, if you have the channel.

I know they’re making a 2nd season, so you could always just program it to record and it will show up eventually.

 

[Em etah Eh]

I was able to view on demand via Sling, probably similarly available on Directv, etc, if you have the channel.

I know they’re making a 2nd season, so you could always just program it to record and it will show up eventually.

Yeah, I’ve got directv now but not seeing it in there at the moment.

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

I also just started watching Cowboy Bebop. Not sure how I missed it originally.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

Haunting of Hill House is good. I also really liked Jackson's We have always lived in the Castle, which is more creepy mystery than the obvious horror of Hill House.. The Lottery is one of my favorite short stories. So I picked up those two books to read awhile ago. Don't know why I stopped reading her stuff. I'll have to put the rest of her stuff on the to read list.

Since you’re into The Lottery, have you ever read the short story An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge? It was also a short film like The Lottery.

EDIT: For clarification, An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge is by Ambrose Bierce.

 

[Celtic Note]

Wow! Some cool stuff that both of you are reading right now.

@Majorityof1 The Polish stuff sounds intriguing. Such an untapped reservoir of high-end talent from Poland. Glad to see them blossoming.

@Stupendous Yappi The Brian Catling book sounds right in my wheelhouse. Love historical fiction. Working on one myself.

Ok.....my turn.

I also read multiple books at the same time.

I am currently reading Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl. He was a Holocaust survivor of multiple camps who later became a psychiatrist focusing on helping people to identify a thread of something to hold onto. A big part of his work is to understand suffering and that no one suffers more than another person. Each person’s suffering is unto themselves.

Re-reading Brian Lumley’s first three books in the Necroscope series. The absolute best vampire stories I’ve ever read that deserve another pass. Has a nice blend of traditional vampirism and contemporary interpretations. Classic battle of good vs evil through a necroscopic (talking to the dead to unleash their secrets) lens.

Just started The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson, who is famous for The Lottery. Published in 1959. It’s seems to be a classic haunted house, paranormal type of read of dark forces seeking to possess one of the temporary occupants who are there to study and measure the paranormal activity.

The other two I’m reading right now are religious in nature, so I won’t post that because it is against HF rules.

Man’s Search for Meaning was pretty eye opening both from the Holocaust perspective and for what we generally seek in life as human beings.

 

[izzy]

cancelled my crave membership

only way to get hbo in canada for streaming but 25 bucks a month for a few shows isnt worth it

was nice having seinfeld though

 

[ChicagoBlues]

Man’s Search for Meaning was pretty eye opening both from the Holocaust perspective and for what we generally seek in life as human beings.

It really is. This is my third time reading it.

It is not a long book at all, but I keep learning more and more each time I read it.

I think that is largely a function of my perspective and attitude upon each reading.

 

[Note Worthy]

I read quite a few books but they're all political because it's a subject that interests me greatly. I'll leave off the titles I read because I don't want to start any fight here but I will say that I'm in the middle of Pete Buttigieg's book (Mayor Pete might be more familiar to some). It's really good but a lot of people aren't into government so I'm probably alone here lol.

 

[Renard]

I'm reading Les Miserables. I only have 1,300 pages to go.

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

I'm reading Les Miserables. I only have 1,300 pages to go.

Unabridged edition with the history of the sewer, etc?

 

[bluesXwinXtheXcup]

It really is. This is my third time reading it.

It is not a long book at all, but I keep learning more and more each time I read it.

I think that is largely a function of my perspective and attitude upon each reading.

I'm like that with The Art of War. Every time I read it, I get new insight.

 

[BlueOil]

couple chapters into a river running west: the life of john wesley powell

highly recommended

i'm almost strictly bios and non-fic

 

[Bobby Orrtuzzo]

Tyson Nash was on Spittin Chiclets yesterday if anyone is interested. It was pretty good.

 

[yogintheaveragebears]

I finished Paprika by
Yasutaka Tsutsui a few weeks ago and it definitely kept my attention. I know there are some big anime heads in here and it is the source for the movie of the same name. The author also wrote the girl who leapt through time which was also made into a very popular anime. I am currently reading j.g. Ballard’s crash which is pretty insane.

 

[EastonBlues22]

So, what is on everyone’s summer reading list?

Do people still read books?

I'm on several committees for a massive book fair fundraiser (9 days of work, ~500,000 books over 600 tables) that just wrapped up last month. There are absolutely still people who read books, though (a bit sadly) the paper medium is continuing to lose traction relative to the electronic one.

Haven't had a lot of spare time to read the last month or so because of work and volunteering, but I'm dipping back into the fantasy genre this year. Currently most of the way through The Black Company chronicles. Already completed the Mistborn, Ranger's Apprentice, Dresden Files, and Witcher series (all relatively light reading good for shorter sessions). Also re-read the first two books of the Kingkiller Chronicles, which Rothfuss desperately needs to get off his butt and finish, a bunch of Jasper Fforde earlier this year (Thursday Next, etc.), and some other stuff that's escaping my memory at the moment.

Next up is The Stormlight Archive, which I've heard good things about. I'm also considering going back to The Wheel of Time series to finish it out with Sanderson, but I read it so long ago that I'd almost have to start from the beginning. Haven't made up my mind if I want to spend that much time revisiting an old friend when there's new ground I could be breaking.

 

[Majorityof1]

I'm on several committees for a massive book fair fundraiser (9 days of work, ~500,000 books over 600 tables) that just wrapped up last month. There are absolutely still people who read books, though (a bit sadly) the paper medium is continuing to lose traction relative to the electronic one.

Haven't had a lot of spare time to read the last month or so because of work and volunteering, but I'm dipping back into the fantasy genre this year. Currently most of the way through The Black Company chronicles. Already completed the Mistborn, Ranger's Apprentice, Dresden Files, and Witcher series (all relatively light reading good for shorter sessions). Also re-read the first two books of the Kingkiller Chronicles, which Rothfuss desperately needs to get off his butt and finish, a bunch of Jasper Fforde earlier this year (Thursday Next, etc.), and some other stuff that's escaping my memory at the moment.

Next up is The Stormlight Archive, which I've heard good things about. I'm also considering going back to The Wheel of Time series to finish it out with Sanderson, but I read it so long ago that I'd almost have to start from the beginning. Haven't made up my mind if I want to spend that much time revisiting an old friend when there's new ground I could be breaking.

LOL, haven't read that much, eh? Mistborn trilogy is over 2,000 pages if you didn't include the Wax and Wayne books and the Witcher series is 8 books at probably 350+ pages each. While they may be easier reads than some stuff, that is a whole lot of pages in your list. You should check out Wax and Wayne if you haven't. They are in the same world as Mistborn, but much later so the world has developed into a Western/fantasy hybrid.

Stormlight is excellent. But it is overly long. I have struggled to push through 2 of the 3 books, as I don't think the story justifies 1000+ pages. Still over all they are great. I am in general, a big Sanderson fan and have read 90+% of his stuff. I think Wheel of Time ended well and is worth re-visiting to finish it. On a re-read, you can turn your mind off somewhat to the bloat in books 7-9. Agreed on Rothfuss needing to finish Kingkiller, but I'd almost settle for a bunch more Auri novelle. Check out Slow regard for Silent Things if you haven't. Its a weird and wonderful look at the somewhat minor character Auri's world, and all the nonsensical things she is up to while the narrative follows Kvothe in Wise Man's fear. .

 

[yogintheaveragebears]

I totally forgot about Robert Jordan! Read the eye of the world in high school pretty sure it’s still in my garage somewhere

 

[Spektre]

Hiking today in a remote Colorado trail and was wearing a Blues hat. Came across a guy and heard a Let’s Go Blues! The fandom is for real after winning the Cup

 

[ChicagoBlues]

I'm on several committees for a massive book fair fundraiser (9 days of work, ~500,000 books over 600 tables) that just wrapped up last month. There are absolutely still people who read books, though (a bit sadly) the paper medium is continuing to lose traction relative to the electronic one.

Haven't had a lot of spare time to read the last month or so because of work and volunteering, but I'm dipping back into the fantasy genre this year. Currently most of the way through The Black Company chronicles. Already completed the Mistborn, Ranger's Apprentice, Dresden Files, and Witcher series (all relatively light reading good for shorter sessions). Also re-read the first two books of the Kingkiller Chronicles, which Rothfuss desperately needs to get off his butt and finish, a bunch of Jasper Fforde earlier this year (Thursday Next, etc.), and some other stuff that's escaping my memory at the moment.

Next up is The Stormlight Archive, which I've heard good things about. I'm also considering going back to The Wheel of Time series to finish it out with Sanderson, but I read it so long ago that I'd almost have to start from the beginning. Haven't made up my mind if I want to spend that much time revisiting an old friend when there's new ground I could be breaking.

That’s awesome, EB!

Thank you for doing this type of work on the side.

I was going to follow up my initial question with, Are people still reading pulp or is mostly e-books?

 

[ChicagoBlues]

Hiking today in a remote Colorado trail and was wearing a Blues hat. Came across a guy and heard a Let’s Go Blues! The fandom is for real after winning the Cup

I love stories like this!!

 

[EastonBlues22]

That’s awesome, EB!

Thank you for doing this type of work on the side.

I was going to follow up my initial question with, Are people still reading pulp or is mostly e-books?

It's a passion that happens to dovetail with a great cause, so it hardly feels like "work" in the traditional sense. The fundraiser itself supports free literacy programs, teen leadership development, youth and government, and a number of other community development programs. To the best of our knowledge, it's the oldest and largest annual non-profit book fair fundraiser in the US. I sit on the Steering and Logistics committees.

YMCA Book Fair

There are plenty of people who still read pulp, but age is something of a factor. Kids love having real books (the visual art and tactile experience add a lot to their enjoyment), then they start gravitating to e-books as technology becomes a more central focus of their world, then they often start gravitating back again as they start having their own kids. Older generations who currently pre-date the internet boom often won't read anything else but pulp, but that will likely change moving forward. Financial means is another factor...the lower the income, the less access to technology you generally have (and the less likely you are to have a family environment that values and nurtures education related activities like reading).

 

[EastonBlues22]

LOL, haven't read that much, eh? Mistborn trilogy is over 2,000 pages if you didn't include the Wax and Wayne books and the Witcher series is 8 books at probably 350+ pages each. While they may be easier reads than some stuff, that is a whole lot of pages in your list. You should check out Wax and Wayne if you haven't. They are in the same world as Mistborn, but much later so the world has developed into a Western/fantasy hybrid.

Stormlight is excellent. But it is overly long. I have struggled to push through 2 of the 3 books, as I don't think the story justifies 1000+ pages. Still over all they are great. I am in general, a big Sanderson fan and have read 90+% of his stuff. I think Wheel of Time ended well and is worth re-visiting to finish it. On a re-read, you can turn your mind off somewhat to the bloat in books 7-9. Agreed on Rothfuss needing to finish Kingkiller, but I'd almost settle for a bunch more Auri novelle. Check out Slow regard for Silent Things if you haven't. Its a weird and wonderful look at the somewhat minor character Auri's world, and all the nonsensical things she is up to while the narrative follows Kvothe in Wise Man's fear. .

Well, that is for the entire year thus far, and I guess I do read faster than most (according to my wife, anyway). I did run the gamut on the Mistborn series, and it was well worth it.

The bloat in the mid-late WoT series was definitely one of the factors giving me pause, but if you think it's worth a re-visit, then I'll make the time and get it done. That one will be library dependent, though, since that's how I read them all the first time.

I think Auri is a great character, so I'll definitely check that one out. Thanks for the recommendation.

 

[Renard]

I have a friend who enjoys high school athletics but doesn't care at all about professional sports. He says that professional athletes are mercenaries.

He's right, of course, they are. But I don't like being reminded of that fact. I'm a fan of the Blues and I want the players to care about the team as much as I do. And I'm not just an outsider looking in. I've been to hundreds of games and paid plenty to see them.

I'm writing this because I posted a comment yesterday about David Backes and Kevin Shattenkirk and their failed dreams with their new teams. They are both good men, I'm sure. And I have had my taste of failure.

I love Blues hockey, even if it is a business. But I wish they would drop the puck so the news isn't about money.

 

[Frenzy31]

I'm on several committees for a massive book fair fundraiser (9 days of work, ~500,000 books over 600 tables) that just wrapped up last month. There are absolutely still people who read books, though (a bit sadly) the paper medium is continuing to lose traction relative to the electronic one.

Haven't had a lot of spare time to read the last month or so because of work and volunteering, but I'm dipping back into the fantasy genre this year. Currently most of the way through The Black Company chronicles. Already completed the Mistborn, Ranger's Apprentice, Dresden Files, and Witcher series (all relatively light reading good for shorter sessions). Also re-read the first two books of the Kingkiller Chronicles, which Rothfuss desperately needs to get off his butt and finish, a bunch of Jasper Fforde earlier this year (Thursday Next, etc.), and some other stuff that's escaping my memory at the moment.

Next up is The Stormlight Archive, which I've heard good things about. I'm also considering going back to The Wheel of Time series to finish it out with Sanderson, but I read it so long ago that I'd almost have to start from the beginning. Haven't made up my mind if I want to spend that much time revisiting an old friend when there's new ground I could be breaking.

I really enjoyed the Wheel of time Series. But I never read the last book because I was afraid of the let down. Too bad he passed before he finished it. Like you, I would have to reread it to finish, to remember everything.

Believe it or not, I read the first 3 books of the Game of Thrones - prior to watching the TV series.

Another author I really like is Brent Weeks. I really enjoyed the Night Angel Trilogy and I am finishing the last two of the Lightbringer. These are long books, but really quick reads.

Tom Clancy, I have read many of his books. Plus some Christian books.

 

[Klank Loves You]

Wheel of time is easily my favorite series. It's one of those things where you come to love the flaws as much as the cream.