8 votes

Tildes' Book Backlog Burner Event: Week 1 Update Thread

What is this?

See here for full details on the event.

Post Your Update

  • How did your week go?
  • What books did you get through?
  • How did you feel about them?
  • What's up next for you?

Focuses for Week 2

  • Books in a genre you don't normally read
  • Books that you own physical copies of
  • Books with more than 400 pages

Let's burn through these backlogs!

5 comments

  1. [4]
    kfwyre
    Link
    I got a late start to this only because I was finishing up some library checkouts before they had to be returned. I have only one library audiobook left, and then all my other holds are postponed...

    I got a late start to this only because I was finishing up some library checkouts before they had to be returned. I have only one library audiobook left, and then all my other holds are postponed for the month!

    My goal is to whittle down my physical books on my shelves that I haven't yet read. I've decided I'm going to do a rhythm of two graphic novels and then one print novel, hopping back and forth between comics and print as I go.

    I just finished with my first graphic novel for this project, Alex Robinson's Box Office Poison. It's a lengthy, meandering, zeitgeisty comic from the 90s. I think that one of the strengths of graphic novels is that they can easily handle large casts of distinct characters, since it's so easy to visually distinguish them, and Box Office Poison does this really well. I also really appreciated that it treats its characters as flawed, complex humans, and that its story is very far from didactic. Each character has good and bad attributes, and the events of the story feel lived rather than moralistic. This can make it uncomfortable in places, as it allows some pretty bad actions to go uncritiqued, but it also does a good job of conveying the idea that there's good and bad in everyone. Robinson's art is really splendid, and he utilizes really interesting visual composition techniques throughout the book, which made it a treat to both read and look at. It gets a really solid thumbs up from me.

    Following this, there's a short addendum to Box Office Poison called, literally, More Box Office Poison that I'm going to read as my second graphic novel before diving into my first print novel. @Algernon_Asimov inspired me to start with, of course, Isaac Asimov, so for my print novel I will be reading the first book in his Foundation series, which I've been meaning to read for years but have never actually gotten around to.

    5 votes
    1. [3]
      Algernon_Asimov
      Link Parent
      Don't blame me for this! I gave you other recommendations. This one's on your head. :P

      @Algernon_Asimov inspired me to start with, of course, Isaac Asimov, so for my print novel I will be reading the first book in his Foundation series

      Don't blame me for this! I gave you other recommendations. This one's on your head. :P

      2 votes
      1. [2]
        kfwyre
        Link Parent
        Too late! I already started! In all seriousness, I actually made it a reward for myself to, on your recommendation, pick up a physical copy of Nine Tomorrows since it hasn't been released as an...

        Too late! I already started!

        In all seriousness, I actually made it a reward for myself to, on your recommendation, pick up a physical copy of Nine Tomorrows since it hasn't been released as an ebook. That reward will only come, however, if I actually downsize my physical backlog this month!

        I also plan to read The End of Eternity soon, but won't get around to it this month since I don't already have a copy of it. Foundation got picked simply because I already owned it because of YOU. :P

        1. Algernon_Asimov
          Link Parent
          'Nine Tomorrows' is a good choice. 'Robot Dreams' would be another good choice; in my opinion, it's the closest we have to a "best of" collection of Asimov. Truth will out!

          'Nine Tomorrows' is a good choice. 'Robot Dreams' would be another good choice; in my opinion, it's the closest we have to a "best of" collection of Asimov.

          Foundation got picked simply because I already owned it because of YOU.

          Truth will out!

          1 vote
  2. krg
    Link
    Successes: I read more of The Song of the Lark (I should've finished, but I've been working my ass off these past few days) FAILURES: I reneged on my promise to not purchase any books until my...

    Successes:

    • I read more of The Song of the Lark (I should've finished, but I've been working my ass off these past few days)

    FAILURES:

    • I reneged on my promise to not purchase any books until my shelf is cleared. The Sot-Weed Factor and Lost in the Funhouse by Jon Barth were purchased, along with Vineland by Thomas Pynchon.

    Starting tomorrow I ought to have a pretty clear schedule, so I'll finish The Song of the Lark and start to tackle one of them big ol' books I've been meaning to get to. (probably The Sot-Weed Factor)

    3 votes