So, 11th book was the "Illuminatus!" trilogy of Robert Anton Wilson and Bob Shea. Finally, I must say, finished. I have re-started to read these books over the years several times and always failed, until now. And in the end I have to admit, it is not really worth the effort. I give them a 5 of 10, just because I have read other books of Wilson and am a huge fan in general of him, but these books are a real pain in the ass to read, in my opinion. The whole style is like two people, most of the time on drugs, have shared the work and then just switched from one sentence to the next into a different character/timeline/point of view. I am familiar with the "cut up method" of the Beatnik writers, like Burroughs, who used it in Naked Lunch, but this is very annyoing. I am pretty familiar with occult, esoteric and some conspiracy stuff, but even to me this reading was a tour de force. Half of the references are reminiscences to the political american counter culture of the 60/70ies and if your are not quite familiar with it, you might have no clue, what they are even talking about. In one moment, there is plotline about a hooker in Las Vegas, who gets infected with Anthrax and in the next, you are suddenly in a submarine in the Atlantic exploring the ruines of Atlantis talking to a dolphine, while on the next page, you jump into the brain of someone, who is going to prevent the Apocalypse by time traveling and dealing with the church of St. Toad... What mostly annoys me about the book(s) is the terrible writing style. Maybe it is the (german) translation too, but I know that Wilson alone is a capable and interesting writer, so I rather blame Bob Shea. There are good parts in the books but it´s like reading yourself through a mountain of wtf?! to reach them. Maybe these books are the woodstock equivalent of Gurdjieff´s "Beelzebub´s Tales To His Grandson" trilogy, which he recommanded to read at least three times, to get any understanding of the content at all. If you try to read them, prepare yourself to read all of it in one turn. Because if you allow yourself to interrupt the read for some weeks/months, you will have to re-start it all with the first one again.
You've solved a mystery of mine that has been bugging me for a decade! I remember walking into a well known bookshop, and seeing this book with a pyramid and an all seeing eye on the front, with the name similar to Illuminati. I was going to come back and buy it the next time I was in. However, on my next visit, it had gone, and I couldn't for the life of me remember the full title! I tried googling everything, and sporadically, over the years, I tried again, but to no avail. Now you come along with the correct title, and having googled it, boom! It's the same book!!
1. The Battle of the Labyrinth - Rick Riordan (Book 4 PJ Series) (completed) 2. The Last Olympian - Rick Riordan (Book 5 PJ Series) (completed) 3. The Lost Hero - Rick Riordan (Book 1 HOO Series) (completed) 4. The Son of Neptune - Rick Riordan (Book 2 HOO Series) (completed) 5. The Mark of Athena - Rick Riordan (Book 3 HOO Series) (completed) 6. The House of Hades - Rick Riordan (Book 4 HOO Series) (completed) 7. The Blood of Olympus - Rick Riordan (Book 5 HOO Series) (completed) 8. The Hidden Oracle - Rick Riordan (Book 1 TOA Series) (completed) 9. The Dark Prophecy - Rick Riordan (Book 2 TOA Series) (completed) 10. The Burning Maze - Rick Riordan (Book 3 TOA Series) (completed) 11. The Tyrants Tomb - Rick Riordan (Book 4 TOA Series) (In Progress)
1. "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F#ck" (complete)(41/206 re-read) 2. Cherub Series "Divine Madness" (complete) 3. "Calm Your Brain" by Anders Hansen" (complete) 4. "Can't Hurt Me" (complete) 5. "A Maze of Death" by Phillip K. Dick (complete) 6. "Success Secret For the Youth" (complete) 7. "Grit the Power of Passion and Perseverance" by Angela Duckworth (48 percent) 8. "The Upward Spiral" by Alex Korb (complete) 9. "Lockwood & Co" Book 1. (complete) 10. "The Beginner's Book of Meditation" (19 percent) 11."Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway" (complete) 12. "Becoming the Iceman" by Wim Hof (10 percent) 13. "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan (complete) 14. "The Sea of Monsters" by Rick Riordan (complete) 15. "Make Your Bed" by Wiliam H. Mcraven (complete) 16. "Lockwood & Co" Book 2. (23 percent) 17. "The Titan's Curse" (41 percent) 18. "Zen and the Heart of Psychotherapy" (7 percent) The Percy Jackson story keeps in suspense. I hope it will replace the urge to PMO when necessary.
1. "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F#ck" (complete)(41/206 re-read) 2. Cherub Series "Divine Madness" (complete) 3. "Calm Your Brain" by Anders Hansen" (complete) 4. "Can't Hurt Me" (complete) 5. "A Maze of Death" by Phillip K. Dick (complete) 6. "Success Secret For the Youth" (complete) 7. "Grit the Power of Passion and Perseverance" by Angela Duckworth (48 percent) 8. "The Upward Spiral" by Alex Korb (complete) 9. "Lockwood & Co" Book 1. (complete) 10. "The Beginner's Book of Meditation" (19 percent) 11."Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway" (complete) 12. "Becoming the Iceman" by Wim Hof (10 percent) 13. "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan (complete) 14. "The Sea of Monsters" by Rick Riordan (complete) 15. "Make Your Bed" by Wiliam H. Mcraven (complete) 16. "Lockwood & Co" Book 2. (23 percent) 17. "The Titan's Curse" (51 percent) 18. "Zen and the Heart of Psychotherapy" (7 percent)
1. The Battle of the Labyrinth - Rick Riordan (Book 4 PJ Series) (completed) 2. The Last Olympian - Rick Riordan (Book 5 PJ Series) (completed) 3. The Lost Hero - Rick Riordan (Book 1 HOO Series) (completed) 4. The Son of Neptune - Rick Riordan (Book 2 HOO Series) (completed) 5. The Mark of Athena - Rick Riordan (Book 3 HOO Series) (completed) 6. The House of Hades - Rick Riordan (Book 4 HOO Series) (completed) 7. The Blood of Olympus - Rick Riordan (Book 5 HOO Series) (completed) 8. The Hidden Oracle - Rick Riordan (Book 1 TOA Series) (completed) 9. The Dark Prophecy - Rick Riordan (Book 2 TOA Series) (completed) 10. The Burning Maze - Rick Riordan (Book 3 TOA Series) (completed) 11. The Tyrants Tomb - Rick Riordan (Book 4 TOA Series) (completed) 12. The Tower of Nero - Rick Riordan (Book 5 TOA Series) (In Progress) Onto the last book of the Percy Jackson Universe. 15th book, and wow, what an adventure it's been so far. I'll be interested to see if Rick Riordan leaves any cliffhangers, or whether he suitably ties up the universe nicely. I know there's a 6th book from the Percy Jackson Original Series (Chalice of the Gods) due out in September, but I'm not sure where that fits in timeline wise.
1. "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F#ck" (complete)(41/206 re-read) 2. Cherub Series "Divine Madness" (complete) 3. "Calm Your Brain" by Anders Hansen" (complete) 4. "Can't Hurt Me" (complete) 5. "A Maze of Death" by Phillip K. Dick (complete) 6. "Success Secret For the Youth" (complete) 7. "Grit the Power of Passion and Perseverance" by Angela Duckworth (48 percent) 8. "The Upward Spiral" by Alex Korb (complete) 9. "Lockwood & Co" Book 1. (complete) 10. "The Beginner's Book of Meditation" (19 percent) 11."Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway" (complete) 12. "Becoming the Iceman" by Wim Hof (10 percent) 13. "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan (complete) 14. "The Sea of Monsters" by Rick Riordan (complete) 15. "Make Your Bed" by Wiliam H. Mcraven (complete) 16. "Lockwood & Co" Book 2. (23 percent) 17. "The Titan's Curse" (61 percent) 18. "Zen and the Heart of Psychotherapy" (7 percent)
1. "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F#ck" (complete)(41/206 re-read) 2. Cherub Series "Divine Madness" (complete) 3. "Calm Your Brain" by Anders Hansen" (complete) 4. "Can't Hurt Me" (complete) 5. "A Maze of Death" by Phillip K. Dick (complete) 6. "Success Secret For the Youth" (complete) 7. "Grit the Power of Passion and Perseverance" by Angela Duckworth (48 percent) 8. "The Upward Spiral" by Alex Korb (complete) 9. "Lockwood & Co" Book 1. (complete) 10. "The Beginner's Book of Meditation" (19 percent) 11."Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway" (complete) 12. "Becoming the Iceman" by Wim Hof (10 percent) 13. "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan (complete) 14. "The Sea of Monsters" by Rick Riordan (complete) 15. "Make Your Bed" by Wiliam H. Mcraven (complete) 16. "Lockwood & Co" Book 2. (23 percent) 17. "The Titan's Curse" (complete) 18. "Zen and the Heart of Psychotherapy" (7 percent)
Confessions of Saint Agustin (20 %) Fundation (5%). I buy Fundation by Asimov the trilogy in one book and i can't wait to read it.
1. "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F#ck" (complete)(42/206 re-read) 2. Cherub Series "Divine Madness" (complete) 3. "Calm Your Brain" by Anders Hansen" (complete) 4. "Can't Hurt Me" (complete) 5. "A Maze of Death" by Phillip K. Dick (complete) 6. "Success Secret For the Youth" (complete) 7. "Grit the Power of Passion and Perseverance" by Angela Duckworth (48 percent) 8. "The Upward Spiral" by Alex Korb (complete) 9. "Lockwood & Co" Book 1. (complete) 10. "The Beginner's Book of Meditation" (19 percent) 11."Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway" (complete) 12. "Becoming the Iceman" by Wim Hof (10 percent) 13. "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan (complete) 14. "The Sea of Monsters" by Rick Riordan (complete) 15. "Make Your Bed" by Wiliam H. Mcraven (complete) 16. "Lockwood & Co" Book 2. (23 percent) 17. "The Titan's Curse" (complete) 18. "Zen and the Heart of Psychotherapy" (7 percent) 19. "The Battle of the Labyrinth" by Rick Riordan (10 percent)
1. The Battle of the Labyrinth - Rick Riordan (Book 4 PJ Series) (completed) 2. The Last Olympian - Rick Riordan (Book 5 PJ Series) (completed) 3. The Lost Hero - Rick Riordan (Book 1 HOO Series) (completed) 4. The Son of Neptune - Rick Riordan (Book 2 HOO Series) (completed) 5. The Mark of Athena - Rick Riordan (Book 3 HOO Series) (completed) 6. The House of Hades - Rick Riordan (Book 4 HOO Series) (completed) 7. The Blood of Olympus - Rick Riordan (Book 5 HOO Series) (completed) 8. The Hidden Oracle - Rick Riordan (Book 1 TOA Series) (completed) 9. The Dark Prophecy - Rick Riordan (Book 2 TOA Series) (completed) 10. The Burning Maze - Rick Riordan (Book 3 TOA Series) (completed) 11. The Tyrants Tomb - Rick Riordan (Book 4 TOA Series) (completed) 12. The Tower of Nero - Rick Riordan (Book 5 TOA Series) (completed) 13. The Red Pyramid - Rick Riordan (Book 1 Kane Chronicles) (4%)
How is the 4 percent going? If it doesn't appeal to you, Cherub series by Muchamore have a similar vibe. There's a training camp for young agents, there are tensions and relationships between them, there are deaths of villains, the author's expertise on the tactics of agents is mind-boggling. Each book depicts a mission in a different part of the world. Is it similar to Alex Rider books? I've read the first five. But they keep you on the edge of your eat. Another series that I loved is about a young English boy raised by a samurai But they are not fantasy at all. They are adventure series.
I thought I'd read a lot more to be honest. It took me 90 mins just to read that. The chapters are way longer, and it's the largest word count in this series, so I'm going to take my time a bit. You've recommended those before. I've got them on my long list of books to read.
1. Everything is Fucked - Mark Manson (complete) 2. Ik Kom Terug - Adriaan van Dis (complete) 3. The Upward Spiral - Alex Korb (complete) 4. The War of Art - Steven Pressfield (complete) 5. The Odyssey - Homer (11/496) 2% 6. The Confidence Gap - Russ Harris (19%) 7. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams (16%) 8. Man's Search for Meaning - Viktor Frankl (60%) I have a few unfinished books laying around because I've been struggling with a severe existential crisis, a crisis of meaning, so I decided to check out Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning. I've finished the first half and it left a big impression on me! What affected me most is this conclusion that Frankl draws about finding meaning in life: Frankl concludes that life is suffering, that without suffering, there is no living, and there is no way around it. And in precisely that suffering lies a choice of how to bear that suffering. A moral choice that determines whether we are worthy of our sufferings it not. Ultimately, life contestantly throws challenges at us. Life is literally a continuous chain of solving problems; when we solve one, three more appear. The meaning of life, for Frankl, is then not to be sought after, but is rather discovered by making moral decisions that adhere to our intrinsic values. In other words, it is not the point of finding a meaning for our suffering, the meaning is found in our suffering, by recognising the paths that life puts us on and skillfully make decisions how to deal with the challenges we're given on these paths. That's what gives life meaning.
1. "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F#ck" (complete)(42/206 re-read) 2. Cherub Series "Divine Madness" (complete) 3. "Calm Your Brain" by Anders Hansen" (complete) 4. "Can't Hurt Me" (complete) 5. "A Maze of Death" by Phillip K. Dick (complete) 6. "Success Secret For the Youth" (complete) 7. "Grit the Power of Passion and Perseverance" by Angela Duckworth (52 percent) 8. "The Upward Spiral" by Alex Korb (complete) 9. "Lockwood & Co" Book 1. (complete) 10. "The Beginner's Book of Meditation" (19 percent) 11."Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway" (complete) 12. "Becoming the Iceman" by Wim Hof (10 percent) 13. "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan (complete) 14. "The Sea of Monsters" by Rick Riordan (complete) 15. "Make Your Bed" by Wiliam H. Mcraven (complete) 16. "Lockwood & Co" Book 2. (23 percent) 17. "The Titan's Curse" (complete) 18. "Zen and the Heart of Psychotherapy" (7 percent) 19. "The Battle of the Labyrinth" by Rick Riordan (13 percent)
