What's Oppo reading these days?

"gin-san - shitpost specialist" (gin-san-) 01/10/2016 at 16:23 • Filed to: None

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I recently finished !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ; like many else, I’m only vaguely aware of the issues on the African continent and this story shed a good bit of light on the situation up until recently. It’s probably one of the saddest stories I’ve read and sheds some light on a brutal dictatorship. It puts into perspective the fact that most of us have an ability to consider our position and freely vote without fear of retribution. What’s described in this novel is truly horrifying; at times I couldn’t believe that what I was reading was reality, some of it seemed so fantastic that it read like fiction.

I highly recommend this read; I believe I originally had read about it in an issue of GQ (from around 2012, I believe) but is one of those books that is simultaneously an enticing read, greatly informative and emotionally draining.

Having now recovered, I’m going to attempt War and Peace - it was a free download. It’s supposedly intimidating size is negated by the fact that it’s on my Kindle, which (having just started the book) says I have over 24+ hours of reading to reach the end.

I’m really having trouble finding other books that pique my interest but I figure War and Peace will take up a great deal of time.

So, what books are you guys reading, or what books have you recently finished?

MM54 > gin-san - shitpost specialist 01/10/2016 at 16:33

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I recently finished “The Art of Racing In The Rain” which was very good. Beyond that, I’ve not had much time lately to sit down and read, though there are a few books on my shelf that I’d like to get into before too much longer.

crowmolly > gin-san - shitpost specialist 01/10/2016 at 16:37

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That dog is so fucking Jalop

Berang > gin-san - shitpost specialist 01/10/2016 at 16:38

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It’s been a few months, but I finished The Railway Journey after reading it off and on for several months. Very interesting book. I’m about half way through The Souls of Black Folk, and I’m not sure where to go next.

As regards your book, I think most of us forget how safe and secure we are. For all of our society’s problems, we’ve got most of the basic stuff down well enough. When you start finding out about the atrocities that happen in other countries all the time, you begin to get a better appreciation of what you’ve got - particularly what you don’t have to put up with really.

crowmolly > crowmolly 01/10/2016 at 16:38

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On a serious note, I’m reading mostly nonfiction weightlifting/diet books. I tend towards nonfiction stuff. Last go-around it was smoking/slow cooking/BBQ materials.

gin-san - shitpost specialist > crowmolly 01/10/2016 at 16:53

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Well, ‘Go, Dog .Go!’ is 4.1/5 on Goodreads with a lot of votes, so it must be enticing!

I haven’t read non-fiction lifestyle books in a long time; if I didn’t live in a high-rise building I’d have my own smoker. However, last couple of books lifestyle books I purchased were for breadmaking, which I do enjoy. Since you’re reading weightlifting/diet books, I would not recommend breadmaking since carbs are the devil (a delicious, crusty devil which is great with cheese, cured meats, some fancy olive oil and balsamic, or made into a pizza).

Do you do a lot of BBQ/smoking? For me, if I could make my own montreal-style smoked meat my life would be complete (in a food sense, anyway).

promoted by the color red > gin-san - shitpost specialist 01/10/2016 at 16:56

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2/3rds done with Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage. Typical Murakami, obscure classical music references and an obligatory Toyota commercial halfway through. I’m told the ending will suck, but I’m hopeful.

Other books I liked:

The Disaster Artist: About my favorite movie, The Room, and written by the guy who played Mark. It covers his friendship with the eccentric lead and director Tommy Wiseau. Good companion piece to the film.

Bossypants: I love Tina Fey, so yes, I loved it. It’s a little dated four years later, but still an entertaining read.

There’s a bunch of other books I’m in the middle of that I will finish one day, like The Brief Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao.

gin-san - shitpost specialist > Berang 01/10/2016 at 17:00

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That’s pretty much how I felt after finishing the book - I can’t imagine being nearly beaten to death for voting for the “wrong” party, only to find out that the hospital can barely do anything about my life-threatening injuries because they don’t have supplies due to the same “wrong party.” Not to mention the hard-working nurses/doctors who help the injured can suffer similar fates just for helping them in the first place. It truly is twisted, but what is even more impressive is the will of these people - the people that steadfastly maintain their opinion despite being face-to-face with death. The book simultaneously contrasts the hideous atrocities of which humans are capable against their impressive ability to stand against such reckless hatred.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > gin-san - shitpost specialist 01/10/2016 at 17:05

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In a similar vein you could read Blood River by Tim Butcher. A seriously good book.

Overview and preview here: http://www.vintage-books.co.uk/books/00994942…

gin-san - shitpost specialist > MM54 01/10/2016 at 17:06

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I looked it up on Amazon thinking it was going to a book written by a racing driver but it appears to be quite different. As much as I like racing, I’ve never read a book where racing was the main theme (apart from the dog who thinks like a human).

Given the description of the book, it must be inevitable that the driver or dog dies at some point leaving me teary-eyed and wondering, “Got damn it, what the hell just got into my eye?” despite the fact that I will have seen it coming.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > gin-san - shitpost specialist 01/10/2016 at 17:09

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It’s still a tear jerker just in a different way, 10/10 would recommend.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > gin-san - shitpost specialist 01/10/2016 at 17:13

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I have been following the recommendations of teh IO9 Book club and haven’t been steered wrong. I love Sci-Fy so that helps. I’ll read anything with one or a combination of the following story features: Magic sword, faster than light travel, post appoclypse, sencient alien life, time travel, zombies.

http://io9.gizmodo.com/tag/io9-book-c…

gin-san - shitpost specialist > promoted by the color red 01/10/2016 at 17:15

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I had to look up Murakami, but recognize the name Norwegian Wood (I think it’s because I recognize the film name, which I haven’t watched). Are you reading this in Japanese or in English? You said this book is “typical” Murakami - is this a good example of his work, or is there another that you would suggest?

My greatest reservation with translated books is that I fear something is lost in translation. I had to look for the right copy of War and Peace (and the foreword suggests it’s the one most professionals believe to be the best interpretation/translation) just so I didn’t feel like I was wasting my time.

DasWauto > gin-san - shitpost specialist 01/10/2016 at 17:16

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I’m currently reading So Anyway by John Cleese and I’m halfway through the Bourne trilogy. On deck after those is Skunk Works by Ben Rich, but my reading is sporadic at best, sometimes I’ll be in a habit of reading a chapter nightly, then I won’t read for 3 weeks, then I’ll knock out 300 pages in a day. Right now I’m in the middle stage, :)

gin-san - shitpost specialist > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 01/10/2016 at 17:17

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Thanks, I’ll check this out!

gin-san - shitpost specialist > DasWauto 01/10/2016 at 17:21

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I have the same mentality when it comes to reading - I could go a long time without reading a book, find something interesting and finish it very quickly. I feel War and Peace will be one of those on-again/off-again books. Hopefully if I finish it I’ll feel that it was worth the time; classics are very hit-or-miss for me.

I love the Bourne movies; I still haven’t seen the newest one with Jeremy Renner but the first three with Matt Damon are among my favourite movies ever. Having seen all of these movies at least a few times, would the books offer to me anything new or different?

DasWauto > gin-san - shitpost specialist 01/10/2016 at 17:35

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Yes, the books are very well written and definitely worth reading. The movies are among my favourites as well -the books differ enough from the movies to grab you but are familiar enough that you keep Matt Damon’s deneanor in the movies in your head as you read. Must read.

promoted by the color red > gin-san - shitpost specialist 01/10/2016 at 17:45

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I’m reading this in English because my Japanese is god awful. For Murakami, I’m not so worried about losing things in translation because his stuff is translated by the same three or four guys who work closely with the writer himself. Sure, some of the nuances are lost, but it’s the best I can do now.

I’m holding off on recommending this book for now, at least until I finish it. The internet seems to think Hardboiled Wonderland is a better place to start from, but I started with Kafka on the Shore. Your mileage may vary.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > gin-san - shitpost specialist 01/10/2016 at 17:47

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JustSome overland stuff.

f86sabre > gin-san - shitpost specialist 01/10/2016 at 18:03

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Just finished this. Like most leadership books, it isn’t earth shattering, but a good reminder.

I have Good Boss, Bad Boss on deck.

f86sabre > DasWauto 01/10/2016 at 18:04

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Skunk Works is awesome.

DasWauto > f86sabre 01/10/2016 at 18:12

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I’m looking forward to it. I’ve already got Viper Pilot by Dan Hampton to follow it up too. I should probably stop buying books before finishing what I have...

gin-san - shitpost specialist > promoted by the color red 01/10/2016 at 18:37

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Sounds good, thanks for your recommendations.

gin-san - shitpost specialist > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/10/2016 at 18:40

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Sounds like it’s up my alley, I’ll have to check it out.

gin-san - shitpost specialist > f86sabre 01/10/2016 at 19:37

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Do you read these because you’re a manager (whether it’s for a small team or your own business)? Do you find that these books help you learn something new?

f86sabre > gin-san - shitpost specialist 01/10/2016 at 20:18

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I’ve been a manager at a good, big company for 8 years. We started a reading program 6 months ago and the book choices kind of sucked. Just older stuff. Good ideas, but a drag to read. I wanted to check out some of the newer stuff. Partly to help me and partly to mix things up in the group. I have Good Boss, Bad Boss to my leads, along with some quality beer, as a Christmas gift. My bosses assumption is that I own my business. My assumption for my leads is they own theirs.

Disfunctions had some good points. It boils down to the notion that leaders in an org need to be able to have open, honest, sometimes confrontational, discussions in a safe environment. Don't be a dick, but don't be afraid to say what needs to be said.