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What Else Are You Reading?
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What Else Are You Reading? September 2012
Finished audio version of The Heroes by Joe Abercrombie. Once I had everybody sorted out it was really, really great. Can't wait for Red Country to come out.Now I'm wondering on my next audio choice. Probably The Coldest War by Ian Tregillis.
Reading a few books atm:This Child Will Be Great: Memoir of a Remarkable Life by Africa's First Woman President
Kassandra and the Wolf
The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There by Catherynne Valente(ARC)
Tamahome wrote: "Almost done with The Stand (orig)."The stand is wonderful...but I am a huge King fan. I am a member of agreat King fan book group here on goodreads. There is a good discussion thread on the Stand there if you want to see what others think.
Today I finished The Killing Moon which I would highly recommend for a different taste of fantasy. I chose it because of Saladin Ahmed's recommendation on S&L.My current reads
Audio: Earth Unaware
Kindle: Heir of Novron
Paperback: Magic Bites
Finished Bloodstar: Star Corpsman: Book One by Ian Douglas. OK military scifi, light on action, heavy on data dumps and exposition. Maybe it'll get better as world gets established, and need to explain everything gets less. But wouldn't hope too hard, few authors change their style that much.Think I'll listen to Empire State by Adam Christopher next.
I'm back to a more normal 2 or 3 books a month after holidays so have just finished Surface Detail by Iain banks and now moved on to Bitter Seeds by ian Tregellis, funny didn't seem to be available on iBooks before but they have it now so looking forward to this one, it sounds a little bit like Fatherland plot wise with fantasy elements - by the way fatherland is also an excellent read although more of a thriller
I finished Tales of the Far West -- the Scott Lynch story in particular is a gem -- and started Seven Princes by John R. Fultz.
I'm just over a quarter of the way through Dhalgren which is one of the more difficult books I've attempted but so far, I'm really enjoying it. One question I have: why is it considered sci-fi? I know there are odd things occurring (two moons in the sky)but these don't strike me as being very sci-fi but make me think more of magical realism or speculative fiction.I'm still, slowly but surely, making my way through Time Enough for Love. I'm very mixed about this book. There are stylistic things about it I like and Lazarus Long is a very interesting character, but he's such a misgoynist that it can make for some frustrating reading. Plus, I just don't agree with a lot of the libertarian ideology that I sense coming through. And it's kinda boring.
I started reading The Algebraist and made it 35 or 40 pages into it and set it aside to tackle at another time.
Dharmakirti wrote: "I'm just over a quarter of the way through Dhalgren which is one of the more difficult books I've attempted but so far, I'm really enjoying it. One question I have: why is it considered sci-fi? I..."Um. It's SF because it was written by an SF author and the cover (at least, of my copy) has a ruined city in front of a bloated sun? Which is kind of a reductive answer, I know.
I've never quite been able to give Delany the attention he deserves -- maybe someday. If nothing else, I do want to read the Neveryon books.
Delany's Nova is more traditionally scifi and easier to get through. It's almost a precursor to cyberpunk with the way crewmen connect to the ship. Just don't expect a big 'nova' scene like Peter F. Hamilton would do.
I finished listening to Leader of the Pack today. I love the Andy Carpenter books, and this was no different.After much thought, I think my next audiobook will be Legend.
Finished Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War, Redshirts, and Dauntless. Going to start Throne of the Crescent Moon next.
Finished Empire State by Adam Christopher. OK story, very slow to start. No explainations until half way thru, so first half is very confusing. But once explainations happen, story gets better and action picks up.Not sure what I'll listen to next, perhaps Captain Blackwell's Prize by V.E. Ulett.
Mod
It's also the S&L pick for October..
Just finished Containment and Gods of Mars. In honor of Mr Levar Burton, I’ve pulled Roots The Saga of an American Family off my “to read someday but probably not today” shelf. I’m also moving on to Warlord of Mars because I’m finding John Carter to be too much fun. Hopefully I’ll get to She (and if anybody can figure out why that’s ironic, I’ll give you a cookie). Still making my way through the Dresden Files audio books. I’m currently on Summer Knight and have fallen in love with James Marsters.
Rob wrote: "Jeff wrote: "Finished Ubik and probably going to start Cloud Atlas to get that in before the film comes out."It's also the S&L pick for October.."
And that it is. Forgot that Tom highly approved it when it was the renegade read.
Mod
Is it because the main character shares your good reads name? If so, how do I claim my cookie?
Rob wrote: "Ayesha wrote: "Hopefully I’ll get to She (and if anybody can figure out why that’s ironic, I’ll give you a cookie)"Is it because the main character shares your good reads name? If so, how do I cl..."
I would also like a cookie. And have you read Haggard before? I think he still holds up surprisingly well, with a few caveats.
Rob wrote: "Is it because the main character shares your good reads name? If so, how do I claim my cookie?"I've not read Haggard before. I googled my name and She Who Must Be Obeyed came up. I figured, if there's any book in the world that I have to read, it's that one.
Cookies are virtual and also imaginary. As such, you've already got your cookie and it's your favorite kind.
Mod
Not sure they are my favorite kind, but they are grasshoppers (the Keebler thin mints), so they are pretty good..
This is not optional, you must eat the cookie. EAT IT!I glanced at the wiki page for Haggard and am half expecting some kind of politically incorrect nightmare. On the other hand, he's given credit for creating a lot of tropes in fantasy, so I'll try to hold my opinions til the end.
Making my way though C.J. Cherryh's Foreigner series, with finishing Foreigner last night, now its on to Invader.
Mod
*runs and hides*
Ayesha wrote: "I glanced at the wiki page for Haggard and am half expecting some kind of politically incorrect nightmare. On the other hand, he's given credit for creating a lot of tropes in fantasy, so I'll try to hold my opinions til the end."You do have to keep in mind that he was writing in the 1880's, at least when he wrote She and King Solomon's Mines. But he had actually lived in Africa, so he had a better understanding and, I think, a more nuanced portrayal of the natives than, say, Edgar Rice Burroughs. For me the most jarring thing is that (again, written in the 1880's) the characters are just constantly shooting every animal they see.
I hope you get to it; I'll be very curious to know what you think.
Mod
You mean you don't do that?
Rob wrote: "Joseph wrote: "For me the most jarring thing is that (again, written in the 1880's) the characters are just constantly shooting every animal they see."You mean you don't do that?"
Only in New Vegas or the Capitol Wasteland and similar locations.
Finished The Coldest War. Enjoyed it much more then the first book, but still can't bring myself to like Marsh.Starting on The Dirty Streets of Heaven now.
Been on an Urban Fantasy trip this month. On Audible, I've listened to the Rivers of London trilogy by Ben Aaronovitch (the guy who taught the Daleks to climb stairs...) Kobna Holdbrook-Smith is an excellent narrator, who puts a lot of effort in to differentiating the voices and accents of the characters, which he does with verve, aplomb and authenticity.
And I've just finished the first in the excellent Man From U.N.D.E.A.D. series by Darren Humphries (who posts in this group from time to time)
I'm reading Memories of Ice, after I bought a copy yesterday because about 20 pages of the book was cut off 1 inch on the top and bottom along with the text not printed until the middle of the page. I love the book so far.
Leavey wrote: "Finished The Coldest War. Enjoyed it much more then the first book, but still can't bring myself to like Marsh."I'm not sure if we're even supposed to like Marsh. I feel like I like Will enough to compensate.
Kate wrote: "Leavey wrote: "Finished The Coldest War. Enjoyed it much more then the first book, but still can't bring myself to like Marsh."I'm not sure if we're even supposed to like Marsh. I feel like I lik..."
Thats probably true, I'm kind of undecided on Will, sometimes he's just so ... wimpy. In this book I was realy invested in Klaus though. Feels weird to like a Nazi ...
Finished Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence.My review http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/....
Continuing on with the next book in the series King of Thorns as my lunch time read
Ended up adding two Lawrence Lessig books ("The Future of Ideas" and "Free Culture") to the list. One of those times. Doing a media and cultural studies class while also planning out an English Lit MA thesis that covers problems with lobbying-induced problems with current conceptions of intellectual property.
Rob wrote: "Jeff wrote: "Finished Ubik and probably going to start Cloud Atlas to get that in before the film comes out."It's also the S&L pick for October.."
Where do people find the next book before its announced? I see it under "Bookshelf" now, but it seems others know much earlier ...
Listened to Monster Hunter Legion by Larry Correia. Enjoyed it. Already waiting for the next one.Relistened to Into the Black: Odyssey One by Evan C. Currie in preparation for the next book coming out next week. Hope I enjoy the next book as much as the first.
Mark wrote: "Rob wrote: "Jeff wrote: "Finished Ubik and probably going to start Cloud Atlas to get that in before the film comes out."It's also the S&L pick for October.."
Where do people find the next book ..."
You should check under calendar on the Sword and Laser website to find out upcoming reads, and upcoming podcast guests.
Just see what book Jenny starts a renegade read for, and that will be the next S&L pick.
Just finished Origins of the Specious: Myths and Misconceptions of the English Language. Wonderful book which everyone for whom the English language plays an important role should read.(Wow, that sounded quite convoluted...)
Mod
UnwindJust been reading this book. Cant recommend it enough. Guys you should have a read. It setting is in a not too distant future and the concept is awesome. Very though provoking and one of the most disturbing scenes i've read. I think you all should check this out.
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I'm really liking the Iron Druid series. It resembles the Dresden series, but it's a little more chaotic. A..."
You read the new Iron Druid novella that just came out, Two Ravens and One Crow?