What are you reading in June 2015?

[Candiss]

Please tell us what you are reading, or plan to read, in June.

[Random]

Currently reading A Darkling Sea. Think I'm liking it so far.

After that I'm planning on Blood Song. Depends on my mood once I get to it though. :)

[Jim]

Just finished The Gabble. Now embarking on Prador Moon. Hoping to get in proper sequence in the Asher tales.

[Lindsey]

Just finished The Goblin Emperor last night. Simple but fun read.

Currently reading The Grace of Kings and Spirit Gate. Slowly working through The Mabinogion Tetralogy, too (good but slow). Going out of the sff genre to read Three Wishes for one of my book clubs soon.

[Kathi, Moderator & Book Lover]

Currently reading The Magic of Recluce for our discussion. Next up is The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest. I'm not sure what I will try to squeeze in after that, and then it will be time for the next Malazan book, Midnight Tides.

[Shel, Moderator]

I just finished Scent of Magic, book two of Maria Snyder's Healer trilogy. Have book 3 requested from the library, not sure what I'm going to pick up in the meantime.

[Lulu]

Got to finish off Her Smoke Rose Up Forever, which I started in May. I'm starting The Goblin Emperor either today or tomorrow.

Then it's Memory of Water and The Stepford Wives, followed by Dune and Doomsday Book. If time allows, I'll sneak Uprooted in! Will leave comments as I finish my books

[Ken]

I am still slogging though Toll the Hounds. This is the toughest Malazan book. It's been treading water for the whole thing. Nothing much is happening.

Next up is some SF, Scalzi's The Ghost Brigades and Assassins' Dawn

But if only I can get past these last 200 pages of Toll the Hounds

[Shel, Moderator]

I was in a nonfiction kind of mood so I ended up starting Galileo's Daughter: A Historical Memoir of Science, Faith and Love; very interesting so far. Up next are Faithful Place (mystery by Tana French) and Magic Breaks (the latest of Ilona Andrews' Kate Daniels series), which I just loaded on my e-reader :)

[Kathi, Moderator & Book Lover]

Ken wrote: "I am still slogging though Toll the Hounds. This is the toughest Malazan book. It's been treading water for the whole thing. Nothing much is happening."

Ken, have you stopped by the Malazan Book of the Fallen discussions? We are not as far as Toll the Hounds yet, but please feel free to comment on the other books. Not looking forward to a book that is just "treading water" for hundreds of pages...

[Lindsey]

Lulu wrote: "I'm starting The Goblin Emperor either today or tomorrow.

If time allows, I'll sneak Uprooted in! Will leave comments as I finish my books."

Definitely sneak it in! If you like fairy tales at all, it's really excellent. I just finished Goblin Emperor. It was good, too, but not quite as deep or fun as Uprooted. Looking forward to what you seeing what you think.

[Justine]

Kathi, you took the words right out of my mouth with that comment about Toll the Hounds!

[Helen]

I'm readingTracks, finished The Redemption of Alexander Seaton and How to Build a Girl. Holiday books.

Then its back to Memories of Ice. The following novel and two Drenais too. I'm behind on every group :)

[Shel, Moderator]

Having a hard time getting into the Galileo book (a little too dry for my current sleep deprived self) so I'm finishing the Healer trilogy with Taste of Darkness, which just came through on digital loan.

[Justine]

I (finally!) finished Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell and I'm now reading Angelfall, as I really felt I needed to read something that wasn't going to take all my mental energy and ages to finish!

Shel, I'm thinking this one might work for you too, with your toddler and newborn situation :) Maybe after you finish the Healer trilogy.

[Ken]

I could be wrong. I would rather you folks decide for yourselves. For me this book was a chore to get through.
With that said, the last couple hundred pages I couldnt put down. I was up way to late last night, forced myself to put down the book and go to bed

[Alissa]

Started the month with the forgettable Son of the Morning, the chemistry of this book just didn't work for me, the character fell flat and the story confused at best. This said, it may be someone else's cuppa.
Just finished the much more memorable The Liar's Key, Mark Lawrence at his best, without the grim take of the Broken Empire but still gritty and witty. I was impressed by the cohesive plot, the twists and turns which I'm proud to declare I didn't anticipate at all, and the clever mix of ploys and action. Cliffhanger ending, but a good one.
Next I'm going to read Carol Berg's Revelation, second in the Rai-Kirah series, I enjoyed the first book so much! if I like it Restoration will follow.
Then I think it's finally time for Daughter of the Empire by Feist and Wurts, I don't think I'll ever be satisfied until I read all the Janny Wurts books available, she is a great storyteller!

Then I'm not sure...R.A. Salvatore last two Drizzt's books are poking their spines at me. Or maybe The Goblin Emperor and or Uprooted?

[Shel, Moderator]

Justine wrote: "I (finally!) finished Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell and I'm now reading Angelfall, as I really felt I needed to read something that wasn't going to take all my mental e..."

I'll add it to my ever-growing list :)

I need to re-read Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell one of these days (but probably not anytime soon!). I read it not long after it was published and loved it.

[Tani]

I wasn't a big fan of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. A writing style issue for me, I believe. But I guess the BBC is doing a TV show for it, and that looks like it could be a lot of fun. I'm kind of excited about it, even though I probably won't get around to watching it for ages. ;)

[Sumant]

Here is my review of Proven guilty, 8th book in dresden files series.

[Helen]

I enjoyed Angelfall and it's two sequels. I read it for a letter A in A-Z. Quick and enjoyable.

[Justine]

Helen wrote: "I enjoyed Angelfall and it's two sequels. I read it for a letter A in A-Z. Quick and enjoyable."

Yes, Helen, I'm pretty sure I got them off your booklist at some point! :)

[Helen]

:) I've returned the favour don't you worry. I need to live a few centuries to read my list.

[Justine]

Helen wrote: ":) I've returned the favour don't you worry. I need to live a few centuries to read my list."

Same...:)

[Chris]

Justine wrote: "I (finally!) finished Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell and I'm now reading Angelfall, as I really felt I needed to read something that wasn't going to take all my mental e..."


Angelfall has been on my to-read list for a while. How are you liking it? There is a GR giveaway for it as well.

[Helen]

I liked it. The plot want to much of a surprise but i liked the main character and her mum.

[Justine]

I liked it too...I'm just reading End of Days right now...which is the third book in the trilogy. I should finish today or tomorrow. :)

[Carolyn]

I'm reading The Legend of Eli Monpress, which is an omnibus of the first three books of the series. It hasn't grabbed me like I thought it would, so it might take me most of June to finish it, at 1040 pages.

[Shel, Moderator]

I didn't like Taste of Darkness quite as much as the first two in the trilogy, but still glad I wrapped it up and finished. Now reading The Outlaws of Sherwood, a Robin Hood retelling by Robin McKinley.

[Justine]

Shel wrote: "I didn't like Taste of Darkness quite as much as the first two in the trilogy, but still glad I wrapped it up and finished. Now reading The Outlaws of Sherwood, a Robi..."

That has the best Marian in it. :)

[Kathi, Moderator & Book Lover]

Shel wrote: "Now reading The Outlaws of Sherwood, a Robin Hood retelling by Robin McKinley."

I liked that book, too. I think it might be the only Robin McKinley book I've read.

[Ken]

Well finally finished Toll the Hounds, the eighth book in the Malazan series. Not a good outing in the series. It was pretty much filler. While the ending did add to the whole storyline but most of it was not needed.

Started Scalzi's The Ghost Brigades

[Kathi, Moderator & Book Lover]

I read an Anne Perry mystery, The Sins of the Wolf, and then a fantasy duology by Jody Lynn Nye, An Unexpected Apprentice and A Forthcoming Wizard. Time to head back to Malazan with Midnight Tides.

[Tani]

I don't remember the last time I commented, so here's my current list. I most recently finished House of Chains.

I've been reading Green Mars for about a month and am still not done. These books are so hard for me to get through! Too much of people driving around, looking at the Martian landscape and philosophizing. I'm getting close, though, so that's something. (Too bad there's one more book in the series...)

I've recently started Gemini Cell, which is shaping up very well. Myke Cole is making drastic improvements in his writing with each book. I also started Seeker this morning. Birthday present from my parents. I was a little hesitant to read it, but the first chapter's been pretty good, so my hopes are going up. ;)

[Chris, Moderator]

I loved Seeker! I hope you enjoy it.

[Justine]

Tani life is too short to suffer through books you don't like:) Don't feel bad if you don't read the last Mars book!

[Helen]

Memories of Ice was brilliant, so sad though. I've gone onto House of Chains, which I've settled straight into it. Missed two bed times by over an hour.

[Tani]

Chris, I'm definitely enjoying Seeker! I was a little scared by the reviews since it seemed so hit or miss, so far it's been really good.

Justine, I think you're probably right. I was going to force myself to read the final book because I'm trying to read a bunch of scifi and fantasy books that have either won or been nominated for awards, but I guess that's just pure stubbornness. My list has more than 1,000 books on it, so I'm sure I can find another award-winner/award-nominee to fill my quota. I have a lot of respect for Kim Stanley Robinson, but I'm beginning to think his writing just isn't for me.

[Justine]

Tani wrote: "Justine, I think you're probably right. I was going to force myself to read the final book because I'm trying to read a bunch of scifi and fantasy books that have either won or been nominated for awards, but I guess that's just pure stubbornness. My list has more than 1,000 books on it, so I'm sure I can find another award-winner/award-nominee to fill my quota. I have a lot of respect for Kim Stanley Robinson, but I'm beginning to think his writing just isn't for me."

No, no, no, to forcing yourself to read something!

You are right that there are loads of other award nominee/winners out there to sample if that's what you are trying to do. I'm all for trying things out, but if it is becoming painful then you should give it up.

I'm not a person who gives up on a series easily either, but when you look at how many great books there are out there, honestly, there is no way you are going to be able to read all of them even if you tried...so you definitely don't want to waste your valuable reading time on something painful. :)

[Justine]

And on topic, I just finished Ready Player One, which I thought was brilliant, and I'm now reading The Water Knife.

[Tani]

Justine wrote: No, no, no, to forcing yourself to read something!

You are right that there are loads of other award nominee/winners out there to sample if that's what you are trying to do. I'm all for trying things out, but if it is becoming painful then you should give it up.

I'm terrible at this. For the longest time, I kept trying to force myself to read a different list of books (1,001 Books You Must Read Before You Die), but I kept disliking every book I picked up from it. So finally I came up with my new list of science fiction and fantasy award winners and nominees. But life is too short to be reading things I don't like, so I guess I'll have to make an effort to think more logically about it, rather than having that kneejerk reaction of, "But I have to read all the things!!" :)

[Kathi, Moderator & Book Lover]

I'm glad I read the Mars books, way back when. They were difficult and the science was hard and some of the explanations went on for pages. I gave myself permission to skim those. I felt a sense of accomplishment when I finished the trilogy and, although I don't recall the details, I remember thinking it was quite a story.

I, too, find it very hard to just quit a book, but I've gotten better at it. I have to admit, though, that I ignore most of those lists of books that one "should" read. I read for entertainment and pleasure and don't care to give myself assignments. Do I miss some good books? Undoubtedly. But I'm OK with that.

[Justine]

I think that's why the BOTM picks are good though...there are books picked that I might not have heard of or would never have picked up on my own and I end up reading some really great things that way. It's nice to have others to talk to about them along the way too, so if the book isn't moving at the start someone might say that it picks up later, or say something else that gives me a different way of looking at the story. Anyway, it's another way of committing to reading some new things without feeling like I "have to" read a whole giant list, most of which I end up not actually enjoying very much along the way. :)

[Tani]

Kathi wrote: "I'm glad I read the Mars books, way back when. They were difficult and the science was hard and some of the explanations went on for pages. I gave myself permission to skim those. I felt a sense of..."

I haven't hated either of the first two books in the series, but I think I'm a bit maxed out on him. His page-long paragraphs can get quite wearing, and near the end of the book, he spent a lot of time in Maya's perspective, and Maya is not a character I'm fond of. They're certainly not bad books, and sometimes he has thoughts that I find very intriguing. I'm just not a huge fan of his writing style. Doesn't quite work for me. And I read the two of them right in a row, which I guess was a mistake. I overloaded on a writing style that's hard for me. But hey, I just managed to finish Green Mars, so there's that. :)

I don't think of reading the award-winners as something I have to do. I want to do it, and I have enjoyed the books more often than not. Just sometimes I get mired in things that I don't like as much. But I'm always excited to see what I get to read next, and it satisfies a little OCD corner of my soul to have a list. It's certainly not all the reading I do. I think for every award-related book I read, I probably read at least 4 books that I chose just because I wanted to read them. It's just my way of broadening my horizons. I'm terrible about group reads, even though I vote and always intend to read along. The Malazan read has been the first one I've really done in recent years.

To each her own, I guess. :)

[Shel, Moderator]

I finished and really loved The Outlaws of Sherwood - what fun! Made me want to go back and watch a bunch of old Robin Hood movies. Then I ripped through Magic Breaks, the latest Kate Daniels book. Those are SO much fun!

I think a mystery is up next, Faithful Place by Tana French (LOVED her first two Dublin Murder Squad books).

[Justine]

Shel wrote: "I finished and really loved The Outlaws of Sherwood - what fun! Made me want to go back and watch a bunch of old Robin Hood movies. Then I ripped through Magic Breaks..."

Shel, you should read Dragonhaven, I think that is probably my favourite Robin McKinley book; although I really liked Sunshine as well. Every book she writes is so different from the others!

[Shel, Moderator]

I'll add it to the ever-growing list :) I really liked Sunshine as well, and am also fond of The Hero and the Crown and The Blue Sword.

[Andreas]

Just finished Children of Time. I highly recommend this SF space opera. See my review.

[Justine]

I finished The Water Knife by Paolo Bacigalupi...not my favourite. It is more of a near future political action thriller than a sci fi or fantasy book, which I can see appealing to lots of people, but it wasn't my thing.

I just finished This is Not a Test and Please Remain Calm by Courtney Summers and also The Reapers are the Angels by Alden Bell. I'm now starting Midnight Tides with the Malazan reading group.

[Justine]

Andreas wrote: "Just finished Children of Time. I highly recommend this SF space opera. See my review."

That looks good Andreas, and that book hadn't come up on my radar so thanks for pointing it out. :)