What Are You Reading? 3
- Thread starter Tonyblack
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Larklight, Starcross, and Mothstorm, a trilogy of rattling yarns by Mr. Philip Reeve, Purveyor of Scientific Romances to the Discerning Gentry, and Illuminated Throughout by Mr. David Wyatt. They are of the type called "ripping yarns," set in an alternate universe in which America never broke away from the UK because the UK had all the steampunk technology (read, magic with gears and bolts, plus a little alchemy), and the culture is frozen somewhere around 1840. There is an engraving-quality drawing on almost every page. The copyright page has a note at the bottom: "This book was written with the aid of a Snagsby & Co. Patent Lexicological Engine."
These are officially intended for middle grades (ages possibly 11 to 13?), but the writing is deliberately stylized and somewhat arch if not camp, so I think the real audience is adults who enjoy deliberately silly stories in over-the-top writing style. The plot is silly enough to be fun and impossible to take seriously. Think of it as a written cartoon. The "Larklight" itself is a sort of Georgian-style house that happens to be in orbit around the moon, with air pressure and gravity generators provided by the finest steampunk machinery, and air cleaned by hoverhogs which swoop through the air and filter it as they fly.
These are officially intended for middle grades (ages possibly 11 to 13?), but the writing is deliberately stylized and somewhat arch if not camp, so I think the real audience is adults who enjoy deliberately silly stories in over-the-top writing style. The plot is silly enough to be fun and impossible to take seriously. Think of it as a written cartoon. The "Larklight" itself is a sort of Georgian-style house that happens to be in orbit around the moon, with air pressure and gravity generators provided by the finest steampunk machinery, and air cleaned by hoverhogs which swoop through the air and filter it as they fly.
Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles Book 1)
by Marissa Meyer, interesting take on Cinderella story where she is a cyborg I'm really enjoying it so far.
Cinder' is set in New Beijing where cyborgs and androids live among the human citizens.
Many of the hallmark features of the Cinderella fairytale were here but always with a slightly quirky spin on them. For example, instead of a glass slipper there's a cyborg foot and instead of a pumpkin there's a hover car. There's also an evil stepmother and a wicked stepsister, plus a handsome Prince and a huge ball.
by Marissa Meyer, interesting take on Cinderella story where she is a cyborg I'm really enjoying it so far.
Cinder' is set in New Beijing where cyborgs and androids live among the human citizens.
Many of the hallmark features of the Cinderella fairytale were here but always with a slightly quirky spin on them. For example, instead of a glass slipper there's a cyborg foot and instead of a pumpkin there's a hover car. There's also an evil stepmother and a wicked stepsister, plus a handsome Prince and a huge ball.
Just finished China's Examination Hell - The Civil Service Examinations of Imperial China, by Ichisada Miyazaki (1963), translated by Conrad Schirokauer (translated into English 1976). Wow. Sir Terry was putting it very mildly in IT. Studying for the exams began at age five, memorizing two hundred ideograms a day for a total of one thousand basic ideograms. At every level, every examination required the applicant to compose a poem along with reproducing chapters from the memorized classic literature without making any errors. They had to remember, word-perfect, over 430,000 characters, faintly similar to being able to write out by hand, from memory, every word of G.R.R.Martin's Game of Thrones series. At one point there was a special provision made for men who were over seventy who hadn't managed to pass after 50 years of trying; since by then they were past retirement age and couldn't claim any kind of job assignment, they were given what we might consider an honorary doctorate and allowed to go home and celebrate having passed the examination.
The only parts that had anything to do with actual governing were the later examinations which had questions about the politics of previous dynasties; anything about the current dynasty could have been taken as criticism, so that was never involved.
The only parts that had anything to do with actual governing were the later examinations which had questions about the politics of previous dynasties; anything about the current dynasty could have been taken as criticism, so that was never involved.
I've read the first book of The Hunger Games. I have fond memories of my daughter reading the series, her nose planted in each book until she'd finished. Then she'd tell us all about it.
Although I have a few books to read on my pile I'm waiting for The Evolution Man to arrive from fishpond. So I'm rereading some of the Sandman stories & Jeeves and Wooster in no particular order.
Although I have a few books to read on my pile I'm waiting for The Evolution Man to arrive from fishpond. So I'm rereading some of the Sandman stories & Jeeves and Wooster in no particular order.
after finding this manga over a year ago I have finished the last few episodes of My Young Cat and My old Dog
and I think I need a hug for a light slice of life manga that start to finish can be easily read from start to finish in one sitting
it not only tugs at my heartstrings but makes cats cradles out of them
and I think I need a hug for a light slice of life manga that start to finish can be easily read from start to finish in one sitting
it not only tugs at my heartstrings but makes cats cradles out of them
Happy reading Bouncy 
I read Carpe Jugulum. Fantastic, just what the Doctor ordered.
Speaking of ordering, have received from Fishpond a clothbound edition of The Jungle Books which is lovely. I've also ordered The Luck Of The Bodkins by PG Wodehouse and The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman by Laurence Sterne. Can't wait.
I read Carpe Jugulum. Fantastic, just what the Doctor ordered.
Speaking of ordering, have received from Fishpond a clothbound edition of The Jungle Books which is lovely. I've also ordered The Luck Of The Bodkins by PG Wodehouse and The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman by Laurence Sterne. Can't wait.
What is Fishpond? Is it cheaper and/or faster to deliver to Oz than The Folio Society?
I am currently reading my cereal packet a history of the Roman conquest of Macedon and Greece, by Dr Philip Matyszak of St John's College, Oxford (and one of my favourite authors). I am finding it highly enjoyable and very interesting.
I am currently reading my cereal packet
a history of the Roman conquest of Macedon and Greece, by Dr Philip Matyszak of St John's College, Oxford (and one of my favourite authors). I am finding it highly enjoyable and very interesting.
RathDarkblade said:
What is Fishpond? Is it cheaper and/or faster to deliver to Oz than The Folio Society?
Just finished Long Cosmos. Left hanging. Still another book there, or at least a set of short stories about the adventures of the various characters.
In the middle of reading View from the Cheap Seats. Enjoyable but hard going in one reading.
My "have with me on my travels" book is Stardust by a Mr. N Gaiman. Seen the film many times but never read the book. Enjoying the differences.
Just taken receipt of Venus on the Halfshell by Kilgore Trout* which apparently was the inspiration for Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy.
* pseudonym of Philip José Farmer. Kilgore Trout is a character in the novels of author Kurt Vonnegut.
In the middle of reading View from the Cheap Seats. Enjoyable but hard going in one reading.
My "have with me on my travels" book is Stardust by a Mr. N Gaiman. Seen the film many times but never read the book. Enjoying the differences.
Just taken receipt of Venus on the Halfshell by Kilgore Trout* which apparently was the inspiration for Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy.
* pseudonym of Philip José Farmer. Kilgore Trout is a character in the novels of author Kurt Vonnegut.
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