What Are You Reading Showing 3,801-3,850 of 6,935

[[deleted user]]

Today I'm feeling better so have just started The Soul of Discretion by Susan Hill, which is #8 in the Simon Serailler series.

[Susan]

How are things going, Theresa?

[[deleted user]]

Susan wrote: "How are things going, Theresa?"

Thank you for asking, Susan. There is good improvement and I hope to make it downstairs in a couple of days :)

[Susan]

Yea. I hope there's a big brass band awaiting you when you come down those stairs. :)

[Barbara]

Theresa wrote: "Today I'm feeling better so have just started The Soul of Discretion by Susan Hill, which is #8 in the Simon Serailler series."

I really like that series. glad you are able to read again.

[Susan]

I'm going to have to try that series. I see a lot of people are reading it.

[Sara]

So I think I regained my reading mojo this weekend! I read in one sitting Locke & Key, Volume 6: Alpha & Omega (the final volume in a fantastic horror graphic novel series by Stephen King's son). I also read Dinosaur Tales, a slim volume of Ray Bradbury stories themed around...you guessed it dinosaurs. While this was only average Ray Bradbury, my feeling is that average Ray Bradbury is still better than the best some other authors can manage. Ray Bradbury (like his descendent Neil Gaiman speaks eloquently about the power of books and the imagination. Speaking of Neil Gaiman, this afternoon I reread the first half of our BOTM, The Ocean at the End of the Lane. I was a bit overwhelmed by the sadness in the book, so I decided to wait to finish it until tomorrow.

[Cathleen]

Good for you, Sara, that you're back into reading mode.

[Cathleen]

I finished a Jennifer Johnston novel over the weekend--Fool's Sanctuary--and I'm in awe of her writing. It was a 5-star read for me, but it was such a somber and melancholy book that I feel like I'd like to read something a little lighter. The novel reminds me of the short story "Guests of the Nation" by Frank O'Connor.

[[deleted user]]

Today I polished off #8 in Susan Hill's Simon Serailler series and am about to start Peeler by Kevin McCarthy. There is nothing wrong with Off the Voortrekker Road, which I've set aside for the time being. My reading taste is rather whimsical at the moment and I usually turn to crime and mystery fiction for a slightly lighter read.

Cathleen, I discovered Jennifer Johnston through this group last year and will be reading much more of her work.

[Neil]

Just read my first Hemingway novel The Old Man and the Sea, loved it, felt sorry for the fish though :D

[Kevin]

Well I am 400 odd pages into The Way of Kings and it has been a lot of ups and downs although this may also be due this annoying flu I'm battling as well. The universe Sanderson creates is definitely very unique and original which was surprising as I was expecting a much more medievally styled world with a huge range of characters (those who recommended it to me said it was identical to ASOIAF).What's refreshing is that instead of a flood of characters and perspectives the story is much more focused with there only being 3 major characters thus far,

[Paul]

As an additional interesting point Kevin all Sandersons novels are set in the same universe , the Cosmere so even in different series some of the rules carry.

[Kevin]

That is good to know as it has taken me a while to get used to this universe and it would be a pain if I had to readjust for his other books. I forgot to add that I'm only 400 pages out of a 1000 page first book so it will be awhile before I get the full picture anyway. Book two came in the post today and it is a monstrosity as well.

[Paul]

I have the book as one edition not split. Big book ☺

[Kevin]

Hefty alright :). I'll be reading the Ice Dragon and The Sleeper and the Spindle after this to recooperate, both lovely short reads.

[Neil]

Sanderson did a good job completing the wheel of time series,I'll be starting the last book in the series soon, Ill finally get that monkey off my back :D, it was a right mess when Jordan died, I haven't read any of Sandersons novels though

[Paul]

Well worth a look Neil ☺ If you want a taster rather the tackling the longer works try one of the Novellas . The Emperors Soul is excellent ( and Chapters in Dublin were selling HB copies of it and Legion combined new for only 6 euro last time I was there ☺

[Kevin]

The fairylike spren are a lovely idea assuming they are in all his works?

[Neil]

I still have some book vouchers, I'll be in chapters soon hopefully, Ill check it out for sure

[Sara]

The only Brandon Sanderson I'm familiar with is his Mistborn trilogy I read back in 2012/2013. In it Sanderson manages to create not one, but three coherent systems of magic. I was thoroughly impressed

At the gym today I started listening toCity of Stairs, the selection for my February fantasy book club. I'm intrigued so far as the world building is already rich and the book seems to offer commentary (on issues of imperialism, religious freedom, free speech etc.) that's particularly timely in light of recent world events. This may be one Kevin and Paul that you'd both enjoy.

[Kevin]

Added to my TBR, Thanks Sara. I look forward to seeing what you think when you're finished it.

[Sara]

I have served my role as temptress! It will be awhile before I finish as it's an almost 18 hour long audiobook. I usually only listen to audiobooks at the gym (max of about 4 hours a week) and out about commuting. Although if I get the temporary job I interviewed for today, I'll have an hour and 15 commute on public transit twice a day 5 days a week for about 2 months. That would speed up my audiobook completion rate considerably.

[Kevin]

You'll fly through books with a commute like that Sara. I've only a short drive of 25-30 minutes in the mornings so it will be ages yet before I finish The Golden Compass. I might try and coax you to try The Way of Kings when I'm finished it as well, a book for a book :)

[Kevin]

Gerry, I'm just getting the point of where I see the goal/point of the story and it has really grabbed my interest. Not sure what part Shallan plays yet but it is getting exciting. Kaladin is an excellent character, as is Syl.

[Sara]

Kevin wrote: "You'll fly through books with a commute like that Sara. I've only a short drive of 25-30 minutes in the mornings so it will be ages yet before I finish The Golden Compass. I might try and coax you ..."

I could drive to this job and it would take 20-45 minutes depending on time of day (evening rush hour would be particularly bad), but the bus allows me to nap (if I'm tired) or gives me the option of a paper book. Commuting driving (as opposed to road trip driving) tends to stress me out.

I do own Way of Kings as an e-book Kevin and fair is fair. Next up in the epic fantasy queue is getting back to my combined read of books 4 and 5 in the GOT series though. After that though...

[Cathleen]

Theresa wrote: "Today I polished off #8 in Susan Hill's Simon Serailler series and am about to start Peeler by Kevin McCarthy. There is nothing wrong with [book:Off the ..."

Theresa, I've read several of Susan Hill's Serailler series, and I liked them very much. I haven't read all 8, though, so I'll have to see where I stopped, so I can carry on with the series.

I want to read my way through all of Jennifer Johnston's novels. I found out about her here, too. I can't believe/don't understand why she isn't much more widely known in the US. A mystery to me.

[Kevin]

Being smothered with the flu and no new tv shows to watch has led to an altogether productive day of reading.

I finished part one of The Way of Kings and though I intended to take a break before reading the next one, I can feel it calling me already. I'm going to start it tonight since I'm off tomorrow due to the teacher strikes.

I flew through Academy Street and The Sleeper and the Spindle as well, both being very enjoyable and straightforward reads. I'm not sure I'm in love with Mary Costello's writing but the story in itself is emotional and convincing.

Easter Widows is interesting read as well and I finally got around to finishing it today. I always take my time with history books such as this as I find I don't absorb the information as effectively and it can get quite laborious. It is a great piece of work and I really enjoyed being introduced to the supportive forces behind the more renown men of the Rising. More importantly you get an insight into the forgotten sacrifice made by these seven widows, and women in general at this time.

After Sanderson I'll kick off with Horowitz's House of Silk which I got yesterday. Trelawn, if I remember right, found it to be much better than Moriarty which I also have on the shelf so I decided to start with the best of the two.

[Paul]

Be prepared for House of Silk . Its dark and disturbing . Very good book though.

[Trelawn]

House of Silk is excellent Kevin although quite dark. I hope you enjoy it.

[Kevin]

Ye had me at "dark and disturbing" :)

[Neil]

Paul wrote: "Well worth a look Neil ☺ If you want a taster rather the tackling the longer works try one of the Novellas . The Emperors Soul is excellent ( and Chapters in Dublin were selling HB copies of it and..."
I read sandersons The Emperor's Soul, its a nice little book, he has interesting ideas,I'll definitely try the legion series, I'm not ready to tackle anything epic at the moment so I'll pass on his larger books for now, thanks for the rec

[Paul]

Excellent. Glad you enjoyed it ☺

[Kevin]

Paul and Trelawn, ye are dead right about House of Silk, the writing is excellent. I think Horowitz captures the dynamic between Watson and Holmes expertly well, along with the Sherlock's antics too. It hasn't gotten too dark as of yet, besides the gruesome end one one of the characters meets, but I imagine there is a lot more to come. I'm having no trouble turning the pages on this one.

[Elanna]

Five minutes ago i had never heard of House of Silk, now I want to read it... I'll have to quit working if I go on like this :D

I'm reading The Third Policeman right now. I can't help asking customers at the restaurant questions about the books they read while sitting at the table; dangerous habit, since I work at a walk distance from both library and Charlie Byrne's bookstore... The Third Policeman was my last sin. I don't regret it, for now. It reminds me of Finnegan's Wake's bits I've read...

[Trelawn]

@ Kevin so glad you're enjoying it. I thought Horowitz captured Watson's tone perfectly.

[Mara]

Much Ado About Magic by Patricia Rice

[Paul]

Going to mix it up a bit. I'm going to start Brandon Sandersons Firefight , the second in one of his series, I'm going to dip in and out of Tge Worlds Of Ice and Fire , basi alky a Game of Thrones Encyclopedia and I'm going to start the first of my classics reads , Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe .

[[deleted user]]

I've moved from novels to short stories at the moment: Annie Proulx 'Heart Songs' is fantastic. Also, Colm Toibin, Mothers and Sons. Éilís Ní Dhuibhne's 'The Shelter of Neighbours' is also enjoyable.

[[deleted user]]

Carol wrote: "I've moved from novels to short stories at the moment: Annie Proulx 'Heart Songs' is fantastic. Also, Colm Toibin, Mothers and Sons. Éilís Ní Dhuibhne's 'The Shelter of Neighbours' is also enjoya..."

I love short stories too. Éilís Ní Dhuibhne's novel The Dancers Dancing has been sitting on the top of my TBR for a while now...

[Thomas, Moderator]

I have just finished Laughing Dog: A Leo and Serendipity Mystery by
Dick Lochte

I received this ebook free from the publisher through NetGalley.com. I enjoyed reading this private eye murder mystery. It was first published in 1988 and some things are a little dated,i.e, constant references to Chernobyl meltdown. The beginning was confusing, where the 2 main characters seem to be writing mystery books, each of them taking turns narrating chapters, sometimes repeating dialogue.. After I sorted that out, I was able to follow the plot reasonably well. The two central characters are Leo Bloodworth, private eye, and his self appointed assistant, Serendipity Dahlquist, a precocious 15 year old, who wants a career in criminology and has decided to intern with Bloodworth. They pursue separate cases that soon connect.

[Gavin]

ive just started Alan Turing: The Enigma not that ive much reading time these days bar books on ethics etc :P

[Neil]

Never heard of Ice, I've added it to tbr

[Thomas, Moderator]

I have just finished reading The Friendship of Criminals by
Robert Glinski

I received this book free from Minotaur books through the Goodreads giveaway program. This book is written from the viewpoint of two criminals in the Philadelphia world of organized crime, Anton Bielakowski and his protege, Sonny Bonhardt. Bielakowski is head of the Polish organized crime faction, which stays in Port Richmond. It does not encroach on any other group's territory, and fiercely defends its own. The Italians decide to move on the Poles and the ensuing struggle is like watching a chess game. It turns out that one player is hugely outclassed, in a hard, gritty game of move and counter move. While the book blurb compares it to George V. Higgins' books, it is written in plain English and not dialect. I never finished The Friends of Eddie Coyle because of the dialect and lagging plot.

I read this book in three days. It was a fast, easy read. The plot moved along briskly and never lagged. The author is a former Philadelphia criminal defense attorney.

This book is a solid 4 out of 5 stars. If you were a Sopranos fan, you will like this book.

[Trelawn]

I am going to be reading two books. I have started Churchill by Paul Johnson. It is 50 years since Churchill's death so I decided it's time I learned more about him. My other read is The Storied Life of AJ Fikry which I got for Christmas of Paul. It sounds really interesting so I am looking forward to this one.

[Paul]

I'm really enjoying the new Brandon Sanderson Book Firefight. Just the first part read it its nicely set up.
Its the second main book in a series based around the premise that people who suddenly get superpowers are more likely to become villains than heroes so after an event which gives a certain amount of people powers they proceed to act as tyrants and take over society.
The thrust of the books is the fight back against them.
Sanderson has quite the imagination and is quite the writer.

[Kevin]

Sounds like a great series. I was going to suggest a rebranding of the Sci Fi Thread to Sci-Fi and fantasy thread so books like this could be talked about. What do you think?

[Trelawn]

Sounds sensible Kevin.

[Paul]

Definitely a good plan Kevin.☺

[Barbara]

Thomas wrote: "I have just finished reading The Friendship of Criminals by
Robert Glinski

I received this book free from Minotaur books through the Goodreads giveaway prog..."

Thomas - hope you post this as a review so we can "like" it.