The Book Vipers discussion

I would like to read more novels by Haruki Murakami and Neil Gaiman, having discovered both for the first time this year.

I want to expand my reading interests with some science-fiction and graphic novels in 2015. I'd also like to read more dystopian fiction.

I haven't worked out the specifics of what I want to read, and would welcome suggestions

Have you tried the handmaids tale by Atwood for dystopian fiction? Really good read.

I haven't read either of these authors yet, so can't help with recommendations for these. Dystopian...I like classics like 1984 and Brave New World, or Fahrenheit 451. Graphic Novels...I tend to stick to biography or reality based themes, as comics just aren't my thing. I can recommend Persepolis or Dotter of her Father's Eye, plus Maus is supposed to be great. Good luck with finding your 2015 reads!

Thanks!

Attwood has been on my to-read list for years, so should definitely be in there.

Pink - I've read 1984 and Maus, both of which I thoroughly enjoyed.

I also want to read more factual writing on psychology - particularly neuropsychology.

I've read Brave New World too, but for sure bizarre reason keep forgetting I have read it

Charlotte wrote: "I also want to read more factual writing on psychology - particularly neuropsychology."

What about Delusions of Gender: How Our Minds, Society, and Neurosexism Create Difference? I really liked this one.

looks great - thanks

Three Sci Fi that i would recommend are:
The City & the City
Pattern Recognition
The Player of Games

For graphic novels:
https://www.goodreads.com/series/4037...

I am aiming to read Neverwhere & American Gods soon if you want to do a buddy read

That sounds good, Paul. Let me know when you're thinking of reading them and we can do that!

I'll have a look at your sci-fi suggestions

I have this on my list as it was featured on the TV show The Fringe. So I bought a copy to give a go, never read anything on psychology before but love the title.

If You Meet the Buddha on the Road, Kill Him: The Pilgrimage Of Psychotherapy Patients

No problem.

Have you considered books like:

The Decisive Moment: How The Brain Makes Up Its Mind

Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything

Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking

Also a bit dystopian is The City of Ember hoping to get round to this one soon.

For graphic novels look at reviews on "The cult den". I'm a bit biased as my son is one of the reviewers on this. He writes well. As it is I have no interest in them so its wasted on me. Hope you enjoy it.

I'll be reading some Haruki Murakami myself in 2015 so will be joining you there.
For neuropsychology I would recommend The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Other Clinical Tales it's a fascinating insight on the effect of neuropsychological disorders on behaviour.

Thanks - I've read and thoroughly enjoyed that one.

I set up a shelf with possible titles but it seems to be getting quite big already!!

Ah well at least I wasn't off the mark with that recommendation!!

Just seen your list for 2015, looking good so far but I'm sure you must have more to add!

Just had a look at your list too Charlotte!

I expect I will have more!!

I'm trying to pace myself until the challenges are revealed on 20th, so I don't end up with a stupid amount!!

I'm going to make some amendments to my list, as I also want to add in reading some other Japanese authors, and I think I might have gone a bit too heavy of the neuropsychology stuff.

Which Murakamis have you read Charlotte? I've read them all (except The Strange Library which is next on my list) so may be able to help. I only discovered Gaiman this year too. Neverwhere is brilliant. Would happily buddy read any others with you and Paul.

'This year'... clearly I mean 2014! :)

I'd love to do a buddy read on American Gods?

I've not read much Murakami - "Colourless Tsukuru Tazaki" and "Norwegian Wood". Just reading "1Q84" book one at the moment

I will set it up as a readalong Charlotte. February to April?

Sounds good! Thanks Paul

Lisa, which other Murakami novels would you recommend?

Sorry for the late reply, Charlotte - was mired in deadlines for a few days at work!

Well you've been reading the less 'mystical' Murakamis so far - if you'd like to take a leap into his slightly more surreal oeuvre I would recommend you try A Wild Sheep Chase followed by The Wind-up Bird Chronicle (this came second in the March fiction nominations I think, so if you wait a bit it might be book of the month in April...) It is not a spoiler to say these feature classic Murakami symbols like sheep men, women with beautiful ears and talking cats, which appear again and again, as well as his signature hapless heroes!

Thanks! I have "The Wind-up Bird Chronicles" on my shelf and will look out for the other you recommended

I've made some big changes to my list in light of some difficult personal circumstances and taking in consideration the other challenges I've signed up to.

Hope you okay Charlotte

Thank you Pat. Yes, some health troubles which I'm awaiting tests for but hopefully easily resolved and difficulties making arrangements for an elderly relative with alzheimers. It's just taking up a lot of time and energy right now.

I did intend to post the amendments to the list separately but it appears I forgot.

I've already read a few books from my original list.

For the remainer of the year I'm focusing on:

Two more Murakami novels
Two more Gaiman books (one novel, one short story collection)
Two non fiction (Freakonomics and a book about coffee - my other love!)
Two dystopian novels (the 2nd and 3rd in a trilogy)
and
Two science fiction novels.

This is roughly in keeping with my original post on this thread, but a more realistic target than I started with and I'm looking forward to reading every book on the list!

Charlotte wrote: "Thank you Pat. Yes, some health troubles which I'm awaiting tests for but hopefully easily resolved and difficulties making arrangements for an elderly relative with alzheimers. It's just taking up..."

Take good care of yourself, Charlotte

I've managed to read a fair few off my original list.

I've read more Murakami and Gaiman novels I'm.hoping to get I'm one more Murakami before the end of the year. I've read my two dystopian novels and two non fiction. Just the sci-fi outstanding now, but I'm not sure I'll get those in this year. I'm pleased with what I have read though.

Well done.

Thanks Jason. I'm disappointed I didn't read everything I intended but given my health issues this year, I think I've done alright

I think you have done well all things considered Charlotte

Thanks Paul. I should have finished the Full Deck by the end of the year which is the one I most wanted to complete!

Charlotte, you are brilliant. Not sure I will complete full deck so you've done so well. Makes me humble. Hope you on the mend now and life becoming easier with your relative.

Thank you Pat, that's very kind. I'm still having tests but should know what's wrong with me in the next few weeks.

I'm looking forward to starting afresh in the new year

My relative is more stable, bit sadly deteriorating with the disease.