VERY excited about the second Dune movie, and will look forward to your commentaries. Just a point of interest: will it all be rife with puns? 🤣 Asking for a friend. 😘
I had to laugh at your description of how this is going to go! Is this how you think I'll do it? This is exactly how I was planning to do it. I'll prove you wrong! But I can't moon over Timothee Chalamet because he looks like Charlie Chaplin with that breathing tube. What shall I do?
'Sporsels'! 😁 Love seeing this in my inbox while waiting for your Thursday post. Good that you had time in between to write it.
I read on my Kindle but lately I wish I had real book like you so that I can scribble marginalia. Especially the non-fiction books that I want to revisit for articles and ideas etc.
Good question, 365 days is about how long it takes for Earth to orbit all the way around the Sun one time. Caladan (the third planet orbiting the star Delta Pavonis)? I don't think we have that info. That would be Hard SF territory, but I am all ears if someone says differently, until then I will assume it's the same as on earth.
All my favorite Stackers (re)reading Dune. Guess I have to make a first go of it! It’s speaking through all of you and yes, I like Timothée after Little Women especially but I don’t know about that open back red jumpsuit number he once chose - at the same time good for him, keeping us guessing.
Thin space. Ah. This is my time in the morning when I know things are about to crank up - noise, light, obligation - and I’ve been writing and then it really hits me and I have to run with whatever is on my mind before POOF it’s gone.
Always enjoy these morsels, Nathan. Thanks for keeping them fresh!
Well, if you feel like a first read (or at least a read of our reading), then I hope it'll be of interest. There's a lot of interesting themes in the book, plus the film put out some great fashion!
Huh. So there's thin time vs. thick time, just like there's thin tea vs. thick tea in tea ceremony? (Neither is better than the other, of course. Except thin tea is better in summer while thick tea is better in winter.)
The Book of the New Sun sounds like something I should pick up asap! Thanks for mentioning it. Love your notes! I don't annotate as eagerly but I definitely do my own pencil scribblings.
And now I want in on your Dune reread, mostly because I didn't find it all that great when I first read it, didn't pick up the next volume & didn't even see the film. The sheer amount of people who seem to love it always makes me think there's something wrong with (me) my opinion... Maybe I need to read more to understand what it's all about?
Aha, so perhaps the thin time of spring is where I am currently at. In winter, I shall seek out thicker time ;)
I've never really annotated before, but it was such a great experience I'll definitely be doing it again.
Join us in the read! It's not for everyone and it's certainly very much SciFi, but the themes Herbert explores are impressive. I'd recommend starting with the new film. It's superb. You don't need to go in with any knowledge. My wife loved it, which was quite surprising as I thought it'd be too much SciFi for her tastes.
I love sci-fi, no problem with that. My issues were with the cultural aspects, as far as I can remember. Guess I'll seek out the new film & see how I like it this time around.
Would be keen to explore further. All opinions are worthwile and welcome and I'd love to hear your thoughts, Vanessa. Plus, as I just Noted to you, I'm interested to know how/if my own opinions are any different when rereading.
Cat's out of ze bag now. You dunnit. Now we gotta do it. Exactly the way you said we would! Or similar, only different, like a live reading/podcast... or maybe not. ^^
Also, I have the book, I think it helps! :) Meeting this Friday! Chop chop. The Spice must flow.
I thought I had commented already but clearly not.
Thin time: great expression. And yes. I often compare my own practice (He says rather pompously) to the tortoise and the hair: given three months in which to submit a book review, I'll read the book three days before the deadline and write it the night before. I like to think my approach imbues the piece with a vibrancy and immediacy it might otherwise lack.
I think there should be a law against the vandalising of books in the manner you illustrate. Sorry, Nathan, but why not use a pencil?
I haven't read Dune. I like Heinlein's short stories, my favourite being By His Bootstraps, which is a time travel novella. Looking forward to the collaboration by y'all
That's a great strategy. I think I've been trying to adhere to such throughout my academic career 😉
Re: my scrawl. It's actually all in pencil, don't worry. Those black and red marks were done on the image from my phone. The book remains defaced by pencil only. 😄
Thin time! I love thin time! I know it well, but didn’t have a decent term for it--so this is wonderful news. I agree wholeheartedly that it’s a great time for writing, or for any other magic to happen. I’m excited by the snippet of the next chapter, also. Your characters have been becoming very distinct people in my minds eye and it’s quite exciting... Part of me wants to read Dune, too. And another part is experiencing some panic around the already massive stack of books in my ‘to read’ pile, so...🤷🏻♀️
Not to put a damper on thin time, but if you go outside at night during thin time, make sure to wear loose-fit clothing and cover your skin. It can be crippling.
Happy to think of spring with you! Texas just managed to drop under 100° a week, so everything is reviving again like it’s spring, so perhaps close enough?
Dune part 2, I can’t wait. The first movie got me back into the book, which I honestly didn’t understand the first time through. After it clicked. I then went down a rabbit hole and read almost all of in the original series. The world building really spirals outward after the first book. I look forward to seeing the discussion between you and the others!
Usually yes, but for Texas it's just about right. The soundtrack is my favorite part of the movie - so haunting, alien yet familiar. The few behind the scenes videos on youtube of how Hans Z created the sounds are really cool too.
Thasnks Randall. I haven't read that one, although I have the sample downloaded on my Kindle. Glad to hear you enjoyed it. It's on my list to get to eventually.
VERY excited about the second Dune movie, and will look forward to your commentaries. Just a point of interest: will it all be rife with puns? 🤣 Asking for a friend. 😘
It will be FILLED and BRIMMING with all the puns I can unleash, so fear not my friend.
I can’t wait to see #2 but first I have to get my hand out of this goddamn box.
Careful with those fingers.
Are we going to read Dune together? 😜
I had to laugh at your description of how this is going to go! Is this how you think I'll do it? This is exactly how I was planning to do it. I'll prove you wrong! But I can't moon over Timothee Chalamet because he looks like Charlie Chaplin with that breathing tube. What shall I do?
'Sporsels'! 😁 Love seeing this in my inbox while waiting for your Thursday post. Good that you had time in between to write it.
I read on my Kindle but lately I wish I had real book like you so that I can scribble marginalia. Especially the non-fiction books that I want to revisit for articles and ideas etc.
Hehe, I'm glad I got that as accurrate as possible. I very much look forward to how these Dune posts will unfold.
Charlie Chaplin with a breathing tube? 😅 I'm going to tell my wife that. Perhaps that will allay her fawning.
If only all your readers knew of your history with the word "dreamboat". P.S. Nothing will allay the fawning.
Bahahaha. The unfawnable. 😆
Thank you clarifying, my darling.
Uhhh, Charlie Tubelin! What an odd image. Maybe go back to 1984 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087182/mediaviewer/rm1056652800/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk :)
Paul Atreides is supposed to be what, 15? Gonna pass on this one. 🫠
Did Nathan also make you sound like you?
15 Caladan years old, weathered by the Arrakis desert, aged with Spice!
He makes me Rrrrrroll the Rrrrrrs, you know it.
Still not interested in Charlie Chaplin.
But out of curiosity, what's 15 Calandan years in Earth years? 🤔
Love how deep this has suddenly gone.
Good question, 365 days is about how long it takes for Earth to orbit all the way around the Sun one time. Caladan (the third planet orbiting the star Delta Pavonis)? I don't think we have that info. That would be Hard SF territory, but I am all ears if someone says differently, until then I will assume it's the same as on earth.
Some Dune fan must have calculated/speculated upon this. If *we* don't know, then are we at all qualified to write about Dune??
All my favorite Stackers (re)reading Dune. Guess I have to make a first go of it! It’s speaking through all of you and yes, I like Timothée after Little Women especially but I don’t know about that open back red jumpsuit number he once chose - at the same time good for him, keeping us guessing.
Thin space. Ah. This is my time in the morning when I know things are about to crank up - noise, light, obligation - and I’ve been writing and then it really hits me and I have to run with whatever is on my mind before POOF it’s gone.
Always enjoy these morsels, Nathan. Thanks for keeping them fresh!
Thanks Kate! Always love having you here.
Well, if you feel like a first read (or at least a read of our reading), then I hope it'll be of interest. There's a lot of interesting themes in the book, plus the film put out some great fashion!
Huh. So there's thin time vs. thick time, just like there's thin tea vs. thick tea in tea ceremony? (Neither is better than the other, of course. Except thin tea is better in summer while thick tea is better in winter.)
The Book of the New Sun sounds like something I should pick up asap! Thanks for mentioning it. Love your notes! I don't annotate as eagerly but I definitely do my own pencil scribblings.
And now I want in on your Dune reread, mostly because I didn't find it all that great when I first read it, didn't pick up the next volume & didn't even see the film. The sheer amount of people who seem to love it always makes me think there's something wrong with (me) my opinion... Maybe I need to read more to understand what it's all about?
Aha, so perhaps the thin time of spring is where I am currently at. In winter, I shall seek out thicker time ;)
I've never really annotated before, but it was such a great experience I'll definitely be doing it again.
Join us in the read! It's not for everyone and it's certainly very much SciFi, but the themes Herbert explores are impressive. I'd recommend starting with the new film. It's superb. You don't need to go in with any knowledge. My wife loved it, which was quite surprising as I thought it'd be too much SciFi for her tastes.
I love sci-fi, no problem with that. My issues were with the cultural aspects, as far as I can remember. Guess I'll seek out the new film & see how I like it this time around.
Would be keen to explore further. All opinions are worthwile and welcome and I'd love to hear your thoughts, Vanessa. Plus, as I just Noted to you, I'm interested to know how/if my own opinions are any different when rereading.
Spice, oil, water, Herbert said that on Arrakis, both water and spice are analogues for oil, and of course, for “water itself.”
Now I'll have to read Dune. About time right?
Happy Spring, and here's to more thin space gems.
Hehe, never a better time!
Thanks for swinging by, Jim. Appreciate you being here.
Cat's out of ze bag now. You dunnit. Now we gotta do it. Exactly the way you said we would! Or similar, only different, like a live reading/podcast... or maybe not. ^^
Also, I have the book, I think it helps! :) Meeting this Friday! Chop chop. The Spice must flow.
The spice must flow ... on our commentaries.
Perfect.
I thought I had commented already but clearly not.
Thin time: great expression. And yes. I often compare my own practice (He says rather pompously) to the tortoise and the hair: given three months in which to submit a book review, I'll read the book three days before the deadline and write it the night before. I like to think my approach imbues the piece with a vibrancy and immediacy it might otherwise lack.
I think there should be a law against the vandalising of books in the manner you illustrate. Sorry, Nathan, but why not use a pencil?
I haven't read Dune. I like Heinlein's short stories, my favourite being By His Bootstraps, which is a time travel novella. Looking forward to the collaboration by y'all
🤔 I thought you had too!
That's a great strategy. I think I've been trying to adhere to such throughout my academic career 😉
Re: my scrawl. It's actually all in pencil, don't worry. Those black and red marks were done on the image from my phone. The book remains defaced by pencil only. 😄
Ah, I should have realised. In that case I won't send my letter:
"Sir
I should like to cancel my subscription to your so-called newsletter, given your wanton defacement of works of literature. Etc "
Hahahaha.
Phew. Glad I avoided that. Wouldn't have been much fun to receive on a Friday.
😂 what, you mean any other day would have been ok?
Well, maybe not a Monday either. 😅
(But please don't unsub, your presence in these comments is what propels me to write 😁...)
Oh, very flattering, you schmoozer. Thanks! I was.only joshin 😂
This is a very nice piece, thank you. That is exactly what my books look like. I'm glad I'm not alone.
Heh, thanks Ben. It's the first time I've really delved into properly annotating a book. Really enhanced the experience.
Particularly enjoyed your description of the "sun, that glorious ball of fusion birthing life", and learning the word "liminal!"
Thanks Mya. It's such a good word. I try to force it into things when I can ;)
Thin time! I love thin time! I know it well, but didn’t have a decent term for it--so this is wonderful news. I agree wholeheartedly that it’s a great time for writing, or for any other magic to happen. I’m excited by the snippet of the next chapter, also. Your characters have been becoming very distinct people in my minds eye and it’s quite exciting... Part of me wants to read Dune, too. And another part is experiencing some panic around the already massive stack of books in my ‘to read’ pile, so...🤷🏻♀️
Thanks Chloe, now you have a term that was coined within thin time itself!
Thanks for the kind words. Hopefully that snippet isn't too far from completion.
My TBR is outrageous. Never-ending. Every week it gets more ridiculous.
Not to put a damper on thin time, but if you go outside at night during thin time, make sure to wear loose-fit clothing and cover your skin. It can be crippling.
Sound advice. I shall be wary and vigilant.
Very readable. Thanks for the mention. Looking forward to reading your, Claudia's and Alexander's collaborative efforts.
Thanks Terry, and thanks again for the mention in your own post.
Happy to think of spring with you! Texas just managed to drop under 100° a week, so everything is reviving again like it’s spring, so perhaps close enough?
Dune part 2, I can’t wait. The first movie got me back into the book, which I honestly didn’t understand the first time through. After it clicked. I then went down a rabbit hole and read almost all of in the original series. The world building really spirals outward after the first book. I look forward to seeing the discussion between you and the others!
🫠
I take it that's overly hot for almost October?! 😬
Good work on the rest of the series. I must admit I haven't ever gone beyond the first book, but it's something I'll consider now.
Also, the film has a sensational soundtrack. I've listened to it so many times. Hans Z at his best.
Usually yes, but for Texas it's just about right. The soundtrack is my favorite part of the movie - so haunting, alien yet familiar. The few behind the scenes videos on youtube of how Hans Z created the sounds are really cool too.
Oh I've not seen those! Thanks for the heads up.
What a glorious 5 minutes of imaging I was in Australia with you enjoying the spring! Also, love the concept of thin time!
Aw, thanks Jillian. Lovely to have you down this way ☺️
I love your folklore...skin crippled by moonlight...delicious imagery
Thanks Shaina. I was thinking of you when those words went down. Looking forward to getting to your new post today 🤩
The highest praise given how wonderfully it came together!
definitely a wonderful description
The only Gene Wolfe I've read was his two-volume Wizard Knight series, which I liked a lot.
https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250237446/thewizardknight
Thasnks Randall. I haven't read that one, although I have the sample downloaded on my Kindle. Glad to hear you enjoyed it. It's on my list to get to eventually.
Thin time! Love that.
Thanks. And ooh, what did I just spy in my inbox? A duel post from you and Taegan for Woodbine ... will be getting to that very soon!