Recent comments in /f/books

UnspentTx t1_jeh4vfu wrote

Followup, also a genuine question (I'm not trying to wind you up or anything, I promise)... How do you keep from getting stuck in a rut discussing only authors/books/series you already know you like...? I mean, yeah, I love talking about what I love with other people who love it, but I also like coming here and seeing what everyone else is up to, what are they reading, etc... And it's cool to see all the non-specific-book related posts too, like posts about book bans or discussions about ebooks versus digital, or how someone just rekindled their love of reading and had to come share it, etc etc... Anyway, I'm just trying to gauge your thoughts on why subs about reading/books in general don't really work for you, and how you keep from getting stuck inside 'echo chambers' (etc) I guess...

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IamSithCats t1_jeh4l58 wrote

Spoken like someone who hasn't spent any time in a public library. You can't see past the book checkouts (and even then, people checkout books for a lot more than pleasure reading).

For all your babbling about "markets" you're failing to realize that public libraries are already extremely popular. The vast majority of people like the existing library system just the way it is.

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[deleted] t1_jeh27g7 wrote

Reply to comment by danila_medvedev in counterfeit books by officialtif

Almost everything in existence is available in some form (book or e-book) so I just don't see any argument in allowing counterfeit books to exist, nor their sellers. Respect authors and buyers -- it's not about the free trade of information.

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ReadWriteHikeRepeat t1_jeh11o1 wrote

Maybe start by reading nonfiction that tells a story, like Educated by Tara Westover.

Becoming Nicole is a great (nonfiction) story about a family with a son that transitions at a young age to a daughter. If it resonates, try This is How it Always Is, a novel by Laurie Frankel on the same subject. Both are engaging reads, but the fiction has more humor. It might be an interesting experiment.

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SnowdriftsOnLakes t1_jegwomi wrote

A few years ago I was reading a historical fiction novel set in the 17th century on my way to work. During a particularly evocative chapter describing a rat infected with the bubonic plague arriving at the city, I raise my eyes from the book and glance out of the bus window... just to see a freaking rat run across the street. I don't think I've even seen a rat in my city till then, though I knew there were some.

Even more chilling? The book I was reading was set in the same city I was at.

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The_Great_Angel t1_jegvv9v wrote

i think there is a scenario

medieval zombie apocalypse

if there is a time in history that will best equipped to deal with it is The Manor System.

as the horde slowly walks towards the agricultural estate, they start to prepare like it's a siege. bring in the harvest early, call in your man at arms maybe some near by mercenaries.

the gates are shut as the horde swarms the walls, it is now a siege. the peasants are worried about there homes, the local Friar is doing his best to calm the people, the few men at arms try to sally out but get ripped apart.

when all hope is lost an army is seen on the horizon ... it's your lord the duke with his knights and some Knights Hospitaller. they come charging down the hill. the earth is shaking and hoof beats like thunder as they plough through the horde like a ship through water.

the siege is over, they tell you the emperor is rallying every noble in the empire to fight this undead army and the one who started it

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VivianSherwood t1_jegumu6 wrote

I'm Portuguese, I can get the themes about the American Dream and American values but, there are some universal themes there, about love and greed and wanting to feel relevant, these feelings are common to everyone but they take on different shapes in different cultures.

Btw it's one of the few cases I thought the movie was better than the book. I bought the book in a rush because I was going to watch the movie and I wanted to read the book first, I thought the book was ok but the movie is a work of art.

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