If I were going to take a Neal Stephenson book to the beach (NOT ANATHEM), what should it be? (Anathem is the only one I've read, so everything is open.)
Don't let the space bugs bite!
Kaylee ,'Objects In Space'
Literary Buffistas 3: Don't Parse the Blurb, Dear.
There's more to life than watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer! No. Really, there is! Honestly! Here's a place for Buffistas to come and discuss what it is they're reading, their favorite authors and poets. "Geez. Crack a book sometime."
Steph L. - Jun 28, 2010 8:11:11 am PDT #11615 of 28343
this mess was yours / now your mess is mine
Tom Scola - Jun 28, 2010 8:12:22 am PDT #11616 of 28343
Remember that the frontier of the Rebellion is everywhere. And even the smallest act of insurrection pushes our lines forward.
The Diamond Age
Jessica - Jun 28, 2010 8:21:22 am PDT #11617 of 28343
And then Ortus came and said "It's Ortin' time" and they all Orted off into the sunset
Snow Crash
DavidS - Jun 28, 2010 8:27:00 am PDT #11618 of 28343
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."
I'd say Snow Crash too. I mean, the main guy is named Hiro Protagonist.
Calli - Jun 28, 2010 8:30:34 am PDT #11619 of 28343
I must obey the inscrutable exhortations of my soul—Calvin and Hobbs
My favorite Stephenson is Zodiac. It's short (relative to some of his other books), the plot moves along quickly, and the protagonist is all kindsa snarky.
Polter-Cow - Jun 28, 2010 8:53:40 am PDT #11620 of 28343
What else besides ramen can you scoop? YOU CAN SCOOP THIS WORLD FROM DARKNESS!
Definitely Snow Crash.
But I've only read that and Cryptonomicon.
Gudanov - Jun 28, 2010 9:08:16 am PDT #11621 of 28343
Coding and Sleeping
I've only read Snow Crash but it was a fun read, so I'm on board with that choice.
Steph L. - Jun 28, 2010 9:13:48 am PDT #11622 of 28343
this mess was yours / now your mess is mine
Okey-dokey. Snow Crash and Zodiac on hold at the library. Should be at my branch by Wednesday.
I think I'll read The Diamond Age when I get back.
Hayden - Jun 28, 2010 9:17:31 am PDT #11623 of 28343
aka "The artist formerly known as Corwood Industries."
I didn't much care for either Snow Crash or The Diamond Age, but I liked Cryptonomicon and the Baroque Trilogy quite a bit and Zodiac to a lesser extent. Just started Anathem last night, though, so no opinion yet.
Jessica - Jun 28, 2010 9:23:33 am PDT #11624 of 28343
And then Ortus came and said "It's Ortin' time" and they all Orted off into the sunset
I'm about halfway through the doorstop trilogy right now, and while it's an enjoyable enough read, Anathem is the only recent Stephenson I've loved as much as his earlier (short, funny) books.