Turtle42's recent activity
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Comment on What short standalone book is worth more than its page count? in ~books
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Comment on What short standalone book is worth more than its page count? in ~books
Turtle42 Link ParentOh jeez, I've read so many other books since reading this one that I am having a hard time remembering the ending. What I do remember was that I enjoyed what it had to say about community,...Oh jeez, I've read so many other books since reading this one that I am having a hard time remembering the ending. What I do remember was that I enjoyed what it had to say about community, capitalism, wealth, and greed. Topics I've been thinking about a lot lately. I found Mr. Rosewater to be a more interesting than usual character as well.
I have Player Piano on my 'to read' shelf as my next Vonnegut read and I'm very excited to see about what he has to say about automation and artificial intelligence. I'll be circling back to the rest of his books again in the future for sure, I'm sure there's so much I missed the first time around. His concepts still elude me at times.
Have you seen the Unstuck in Time documentary? I thought it was really good.
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Comment on What short standalone book is worth more than its page count? in ~books
Turtle42 LinkOkay I promise to keep it to standalone books this time, and most of these I've read this year. God Bless You Mr. Rosewater by Kurt Vonnegut Caravans by James A. Michener A Year of Magical...Okay I promise to keep it to standalone books this time, and most of these I've read this year.
God Bless You Mr. Rosewater by Kurt Vonnegut
Caravans by James A. Michener
A Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
Travels With Charley: In Search of America by John Steinbeck
Severance by Ling MaMost people know of Slaughterhouse V and Breakfast of Champions, but don't sleep on Mr. Rosewater, it is probably my favorite book of his.
Caravans was spellbinding and enchanting in the least corny way. The text and story are brutal but such a fascinating insight into Afghanistan history from a 1940s-1960s perspective.
A Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion is such a tragic memoir about the unexpected loss of her husband. Spectacular writing, sad story.
Travels With Charley is a fascinating book by Steinbeck, a memoir, and not one of his most well known books but he paints a beautiful portrait of America and it's people and so many aspects of it still ring true in today's modern world.
Severance was a book I could not put down, it's like a (very) mini "The Stand" in subject matter (pandemic vibes), but thematically it stands alone. It was written in 2017 as well before COVID and so much of it feels eerily prophetic.
These threads were fun, thank you!
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Comment on How to pass the time when you have nothing to do at work and just your phone? in ~talk
Turtle42 Link ParentIf you happen to have an iphone and access to epub files or pdfs of books for whatever reason, the native iOS Books app will open them and save them to iCloud.If you happen to have an iphone and access to epub files or pdfs of books for whatever reason, the native iOS Books app will open them and save them to iCloud.
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Comment on What long standalone book is worth its page count? in ~books
Turtle42 Link ParentOh yeah, reality is hard to avoid for me. I can't really bow to the alter of Ayn Rand as I mop floors and fail in my artistic career. Which is probably why I connect with Howard Roark from The...Oh yeah, reality is hard to avoid for me. I can't really bow to the alter of Ayn Rand as I mop floors and fail in my artistic career. Which is probably why I connect with Howard Roark from The Fountainhead...but we don't need to get into that.
Moon is a Harsh Mistress sounds fascinating, plus it's by the same author who wrote Starship Troopers.
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Comment on What long standalone book is worth its page count? in ~books
Turtle42 Link ParentI forgot this was the thread that was supposed to be about standalone books not part of a series. But I read both Messiah and Children of Dune this summer but stopped in the middle of God Emperor....I forgot this was the thread that was supposed to be about standalone books not part of a series. But I read both Messiah and Children of Dune this summer but stopped in the middle of God Emperor. I had other books piling up and I just stopped caring.
The Overstory kind of kicked off my reading marathon this year in a way, it was so not what I expected and opened my mind to what books could be. I've since gotten my mind blown by a myriad of other books since so I'm unsure if it would still have that effect on me, let alone others, but still worth the read if you care at all or want to learn more about trees and the environment.
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Comment on What long standalone book is worth its page count? in ~books
Turtle42 Link ParentYes you are correct, I’m getting all these related threads confused. My mass market paperback of it has tiny type and clocks in at 800 or so pages I think. So it felt long when I read it, but yes...Yes you are correct, I’m getting all these related threads confused.
My mass market paperback of it has tiny type and clocks in at 800 or so pages I think. So it felt long when I read it, but yes please disregard.
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Comment on What long standalone book is worth its page count? in ~books
Turtle42 Link ParentI'm about to dive in really deep, I might read Centennial next. I love the history. It feels like I'm learning something.I'm about to dive in really deep, I might read Centennial next. I love the history. It feels like I'm learning something.
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Comment on What long standalone book is worth its page count? in ~books
Turtle42 Link ParentDune by Frank Herbert and Alaska by James Michener, but depending on how I'm feeling I might swap out Alaska for The Overstory by Richard Powers.Dune by Frank Herbert and Alaska by James Michener, but depending on how I'm feeling I might swap out Alaska for The Overstory by Richard Powers.
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Comment on Lucy Letby lawyer seeks fresh appeal over reliability of expert witness in ~health
Turtle42 Link ParentThat NYer article is enraging. This woman works in the NICU; which is already one of the saddest places in a hospital, and so many of the cases she was called in as support because she cared so...That NYer article is enraging. This woman works in the NICU; which is already one of the saddest places in a hospital, and so many of the cases she was called in as support because she cared so much. It seems no good deed goes unpunished. It really does sound like their much revered healthcare system is crumbling.
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Comment on What long standalone book is worth its page count? in ~books
Turtle42 (edited )LinkThe Stand by Stephen King 11/22/63 by Stephen King Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt Alaska by James A. Michener I shouldn't out myself as an Ayn...The Stand by Stephen King
11/22/63 by Stephen King
Dune by Frank Herbert
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
Alaska by James A. MichenerI shouldn't out myself as an Ayn Rand fan, I know she's not for everyone and I disagree with a good portion of her ideology but I find both stories to be fascinating. The Fountainhead is my favorite of the two, as an artist I align deeply with Howard Roark at times.
The Stand, Dune, and Alaska are my favorite books I read this year. Michener is my latest discovery and I can't wait to read more of his work.
Edit: Crossed off Dune because this is the thread that isn't about a series 😅
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Comment on What long standalone book is worth its page count? in ~books
Turtle42 Link ParentI've read 61 books this year, The Stand is one out of 3 that stand alone to the rest of the books I read this year. It is amazing. I'm amazed it's not as talked about like It and The Shining are.I've read 61 books this year, The Stand is one out of 3 that stand alone to the rest of the books I read this year. It is amazing. I'm amazed it's not as talked about like It and The Shining are.
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Comment on Man suspected of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO is ordered held without bail after brief court appearance in Pennsylvania in ~news
Turtle42 Link ParentI try to be practical but this guy must’ve lost his mind. I keep going back and forth between he must’ve been trying to get caught with all of this evidence on him, but then another super...I try to be practical but this guy must’ve lost his mind. I keep going back and forth between he must’ve been trying to get caught with all of this evidence on him, but then another super irrational tin foil hat fiction writing part of me thinks it has Manchurian candidate written all over it.
Everything is absurd these days, reality feels like it’s hanging on by a thread.
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Comment on Poem from my 13-year-old son in ~creative
Turtle42 LinkI started dabbling in poetry this year and it's upsetting that this has more flow than anything I've written. Props to your kid.I started dabbling in poetry this year and it's upsetting that this has more flow than anything I've written. Props to your kid.
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Comment on 100 notable books of 2024 (gifted link) in ~books
Turtle42 LinkI'm on my way to 60 books this year and haven't read a single one of these. So many books, so little time. I'm surprised about a couple of omissions. Nexus feels like a hugely popular/important...I'm on my way to 60 books this year and haven't read a single one of these. So many books, so little time. I'm surprised about a couple of omissions.
Nexus feels like a hugely popular/important philosophical/theory non-fiction book about technology and it's future in the 21st century that's arguably one of the most important books I've read this year, I'm surprised it wasn't on the list.
I keep hearing such amazing things about All Fours, that's one I should prioritize.
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Comment on Scientists are learning why ultra-processed foods are bad for you in ~food
Turtle42 (edited )LinkI just read the book "Ultra Processed People" by Chris Van Tulleken so this couldn't be more timely. Along with referencing many studies done over the years he makes a few general points that...I just read the book "Ultra Processed People" by Chris Van Tulleken so this couldn't be more timely.
Along with referencing many studies done over the years he makes a few general points that resonate with me. The biggest one being: "Was this food made to nourish you? Or was it made in a factory by a company who's main interest is making money?"
The book mentions the myriad of ways these companies hire scientists to alter the food to make it more appealing so you eat and buy more. It's all a scam. I don't care if I never have another Dorito ever again if it means more home cooked meals with fresh ingredients from the local farmers market.
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Comment on Autopsy report as novel intro? How? in ~creative
Turtle42 Link ParentI agree, artistic license is okay with some things. Especially when it comes to getting your reader hooked. It can be done smartly too, but it's tricky. Technical stuff can be boring for the...I agree, artistic license is okay with some things. Especially when it comes to getting your reader hooked. It can be done smartly too, but it's tricky. Technical stuff can be boring for the average person, but if you get it wrong it can take the reader out of the story completely, especially if the person reading it is in that field, which they may often be. A healthy balance between approachable/intriguing and authentic is probably what an editor would suggest? But I'm not an editor so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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Comment on Laufey – Santa Baby (2024) in ~music
Turtle42 Link ParentI too found this quite delightful, and while I'm not typically a Christmas music person, I always enjoy a new rendition. She has a holiday album out on Spotify, there are 4 other Christmas songs...I too found this quite delightful, and while I'm not typically a Christmas music person, I always enjoy a new rendition.
She has a holiday album out on Spotify, there are 4 other Christmas songs in addition to this one.
I had never heard of her before and will definitely be adding this Christmas album and the rest of her music into rotation for relaxing music around the house.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
Turtle42 Link ParentThis was one of my textbooks in college and we only read excerpts. My wife read the whole thing cover to cover a few years ago and loved it. Isn't it all from the perspective of everyday people?...This was one of my textbooks in college and we only read excerpts. My wife read the whole thing cover to cover a few years ago and loved it. Isn't it all from the perspective of everyday people? It's not written by any sort of "powers that be" or am I wrong in that regard? I really need to read this one.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
Turtle42 Link ParentI shouldn't have been so dismissive, there was good knowledge in there I just feel like the basic premise "be authentically nice to people and have empathy" was taught to me in first grade when I...I shouldn't have been so dismissive, there was good knowledge in there I just feel like the basic premise "be authentically nice to people and have empathy" was taught to me in first grade when I was watching Mr. Rogers and Arthur on PBS.
I find the magical business deals where he puts his theories to use and "not only saves a cancelled order but doubles it" a bit fantastical as well, I would prefer something a bit more research based.
I agree most people in American culture are self centered and need this book. I enjoyed some of the information, and I know I have a few bosses who would benefit from reading this so I don't think the book is meritless, it's concepts are just second nature to me.
I am an empathetic person at heart, and always try to see from the other person's perspective. I'm also not necessarily where I feel I should be in my career or financially after doing everything I feel like I was told to do and this book saying essentially; "if you're a nice person you'll make a lot of money!" creates a little bit of resentment. At the end of the day the book just wasn't geared towards me.
Edit: I've also had some self help books literally change my life so I guess I had high hopes for this one and felt it fell flat to my expectations.
That's a fair take, I can't remember being too perturbed by the ending myself though. Endings in general can be so tricky. I have a hard time judging books. Often—in what I suppose is naivety—I put legendary craftspeople like authors such as Vonnegut on a pedestal and put this metaphorical shield up where I view their work objectively and feel like whatever they create must be genius, and should exist on its own merit, free from any critique on my end. But I often feel in the minority in that regard.
The documentary humanized him in a way too, he's always been this reverential figure to me, almost mythical. Especially since I was quite young when he passed and can still remember where I was when the news came in regarding his death but being too young to read his books at the time. When I finally got around to it this year I guess the pedestal was still standing.
You may get to Player Piano before me, but interested in what you think of it when you finish!