Unofficial What are you Reading Thread?

[Sister Fracture]

Night of Dissolution, a Ptolus campaign supplement for characters from level 4 to level 9. Monte Cook is a good storyteller, but his encounters are FUCKED. Just about every single one of the mini boss fights are epic difficulty (4-5 CR above the party's APL), and the bosses are fucking grossly unwinnable, so I have to rewrite most encounters to make them survivable, not just because they are in 3.5 format and I am running Pathfinder rules.

[Prince Glittersnatch III]

Just started Freakonomics.

Its been pretty interesting so far. I especially liked the part about asymmetrical information and the anecdote about the KKK and Superman.

[Don Coyote]

Night of Dissolution, a Ptolus campaign supplement for characters from level 4 to level 9. Monte Cook is a good storyteller, but his encounters are FUCKED. Just about every single one of the mini boss fights are epic difficulty (4-5 CR above the party's APL), and the bosses are fucking grossly unwinnable, so I have to rewrite most encounters to make them survivable, not just because they are in 3.5 format and I am running Pathfinder rules.

Go to Monte's forum and kick him in the junk?

[Placid Dingo]

Just started Freakonomics.

Its been pretty interesting so far. I especially liked the part about asymmetrical information and the anecdote about the KKK and Superman.

What was the Assymetrical info bit? I remember Superman vs the Klan.

Reading 1001 Nights (Arbian Nights).

[Prince Glittersnatch III]

Just started Freakonomics.

Its been pretty interesting so far. I especially liked the part about asymmetrical information and the anecdote about the KKK and Superman.

What was the Assymetrical info bit? I remember Superman vs the Klan.

Reading 1001 Nights (Arbian Nights).

He talked about how people use their amount of information to their advantage against those who have little(asymmetrical information). The example he gives are insurance agents who use to great advantage the fact that you have no idea what the fuck is going on. He then points out how after the invention of the internet(thank you Al Gore) the price of Life Insurance plummeted. The reason? People could compare prices online, the real estate companies could no longer profit off of asymmetrical information.

[Verbal Mike]

A few days ago, I ordered both Freakonomics and One Country and have just started the latter. Judging by the introduction, I'm going to love it.

[Juana]

"Lies my Teacher Told Me" by James Lowen

I can't decide if I should laugh or scream about how fucking bad our history education is.

[Prelate Diogenes Shandor]

I recently read the novel Warghoul by heavy-metal singer Dave Brockie (aka Oderus Urungus). It was really good.

[Jasper]

Glanced at that a couple years ago.  Recall liking it somewhat.

[Placid Dingo]

"Lies my Teacher Told Me" by James Lowen

I can't decide if I should laugh or scream about how fucking bad our history education is.

I read the blurb a while ago and got really excited about the ideas here.

I'm one of those whose knowledge of Helen Keller was, 'oh the disabled girl who wrote books or something' so that whole segment was fascinating.

[Juana]

"Lies my Teacher Told Me" by James Lowen

I can't decide if I should laugh or scream about how fucking bad our history education is.

I read the blurb a while ago and got really excited about the ideas here.

I'm one of those whose knowledge of Helen Keller was, 'oh the disabled girl who wrote books or something' so that whole segment was fascinating.

It's really good so far. Unlearning some of what I was taught through the years and learning a whole lot more.

[The Wizard]

Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

Not that bad so far.

[Cain]

Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

Not that bad so far.

It gets fairly brutal later on.

Now reading The Way of Kings.  The thing I like most about this book, so far, is the position of "King's Wit" that Sanderson has invented.  Since a king cannot just go around insulting people in his court, leading to bad feelings and aminosity, that is what the Wit is for.  He deflates egos that need to be deflated and mocks those whose actions inspire mockery.  In short, he is Court's very own internet troll.

[The Wizard]

Now reading The Way of Kings.  The thing I like most about this book, so far, is the position of "King's Wit" that Sanderson has invented.  Since a king cannot just go around insulting people in his court, leading to bad feelings and aminosity, that is what the Wit is for.  He deflates egos that need to be deflated and mocks those whose actions inspire mockery.  In short, he is Court's very own internet troll.

So like a fusion of King and Jester?

[Cain]

Kinda, though this is the sort of jester who makes other people laugh at you, instead of himself.

An example:

"Brightlord Sadeas" Wit said, taking a sip of wine.  "I'm terribly sorry to see you here."

"I should think," Sadeas said dryly, "that you would be happy to see me.  I seem to always provide you with so much entertainment."

"That is unfortunately true" Wit said.

"Unfortunately?"

"Yes.  You see, Sadeas, you make it too easy.  An uneducated, half-brained serving boy with a hangover could make a mock of you.  I am left with no need to exert myself, and your very nature makes a mockery of my mockery.  And so it is through sheer stupidity you make me look incompetent."

"Really, Elhokar," Sadeas said, "Must we put up with this...creature?"

"I like him," Elhokar said, smiling.  "He makes me laugh."

"At the expense of those who are loyal to you."

"Expense?" Wit cut in.  "Sadeas, I don't believe you've ever paid me a sphere.  Though no, please, don't offer.  I can't take your money, as I know many others you must pay to get what you wish of them."

Sadeas flushed, but kept his temper.  "A whore joke, Wit?  Is that the best you can manage?"

Wit shrugged.  "I point out truths where I see them, Brightlord Sadeas.  Each man has his place.  Mine is to make insults.  Yours is to be in-sluts."

Sadeas froze, then grew red-faced.  "You are a fool."

"If the Wit is a fool, then it is a sorry state for men.  I will offer you this, Sadeas.  If you can speak, yet say nothing ridiculous, I will leave you alone for the rest of the week."

"Well, I think that shouldn't be too difficult..."

"And yet you failed" Wit said, sighing.  "For you said 'I think' and I can imagine nothing so ridiculous as the concept of you thinking.  What of you, young Prince Renarin?  Your father wishes me to leave you alone.  Can you speak, yet say nothing ridiculous?"

Eyes turned towards Renarin, who stood just behind his brother.  Renarin hesitated, eyes opening wide at the attention.  Dalinar grew tense.

"Nothing ridiculous," Renarin said slowly.

Wit laughed.  "Yes, I suppose that will satisfy me.  Very clever.  If Brightlord Sadeas should lose control of himself and finally kill me, perhaps you can be King's Wit in my stead.  You seem to have the mind for it."