Reading

[cosmolinguist]

I finally finished Quicksilver tonight. I started reading it on a train, and thus have been using my train ticket as a bookmark, and it's from July 31. Even for a giant tome like this, I don't usually take three weeks.

I waited impatiently for this book to be released in paperback so I could buy it, but it never happened--even when the next volume of this Baroque Cycle came out--and I ended up meeting and then visiting someone who bought a hardcover copy (which seems a roundabout way to get to read a book, really). So perhaps it's the long anticipation that dulled the experience, but I think the book just drags. In some parts, at least. It probably didn't help that I knew I wouldn't even get the usual, bad, Neal Stephenson ending this time, as it is so ostentatiously part of a group of giant tomes.

I still like Neal Stephenson (the first impression, given by In the Beginning was the Command Line and Cryptonomicon, can't be worn away too easily), and I'm glad I read it, but I'm also glad it's over. Andrew has the next book, too (I don't even think he's gotten through all of that one) and I'll give that a shot soon, but for now I had to pick up something else instead. I found the book Andrew bought last week, a collection of "thrilling tales" written by people like Stephen King, Neil Gaiman and Elmore Leonard. I like short stories more than many people seem to, but I also like the idea of reading them now because it seems rather defiant. Also, I can lift the book in one hand, which is a nice change of pace. It makes it easier to read in the bathtub, too.

Speaking of reading, my friends page hasn't given me anything new to read in the last few hours. Which is odd, for the time of day when you North Americans are awake. Maybe I just need some more friends!
[Poll #337817]

Comments

Regarding your icon

[comradexavier.livejournal.com]

It should be "of Borg," not "a Borg." The latter would imply individuality, which would obviously be a mistake. More practically, the line you are misquoting is "I am Locutus of Borg." (my emphasis)

Re: Regarding your icon

[cosmolinguist]

You're right. I heard it wrong in my head; it's been so long since I've seen that (or any Star Trek, really). Now I'll have to fix it. Some time when I'm not eating my dinner, though.

[parakleta.livejournal.com]

I still haven't finished that book... I got it at Christmas time and started reading it then... I've just been reading it when I'm between books.

[toastedtuna.livejournal.com]

I changed my answer to a new community seattleforgers which was created for everyone to express their undying devotion to seattleforge, of course. I mean, how many LJers get their own community?

[cosmolinguist]

Well, I know it's certainly something I aspire to! ;-)

[hilker.livejournal.com]

The Confusion is substantially better than Quicksilver. I had a great time reading it.

[miss-newham.livejournal.com]

I meant to recommend rhodri and wardytron too, but other people have done it for me. And kayisgay writes lovely things, just not that often, and she lives near me so is obviously ace. And so many others...

[cosmolinguist]

I have become part of a giant cult of people who live in England (mostly London) and all seem to know each other. And this is all your fault, you know. :-) You started it.

[miss-newham.livejournal.com]

And we're planning to kidnap you and keep you in London... Actually, tjej started it - she found you somewhere and told me to add you, way back near the beginning of my Livejournal life.

[cosmolinguist]

That's true, it was tjej. One of the first random people to add me; how could I forget?

I think Andrew would cry if you kidnapped me and kept me in London. :-) He likes me, but he doesn't like London. The conflict might burn out his positronic neural pathways.

[miss-newham.livejournal.com]

Oh, I have no intention of making people cry, but we do want you here. Though I have had two dreams about you showing me around Manchester now.

I've just been up north for the weekend and remembered how I love it there. My vague plans to relocate to somewhere nicer than London in a few years are simmering, but this place isn't so bad when it's got most of the people I know in it.

[cosmolinguist]

Yes, I remember you and internetsdairy telling me I have to at least have a coffee with you if I'm going to be in England. Getting to London can be complicated (or at least expensive) but I'd like to maybe drag Andrew there some time anyway.

Though, of course, you're welcome to come to Manchester. It'd be a dream come true for you!

[miss-newham.livejournal.com]

Well, maybe I will!