What Else Are You Reading - October 2013

[Kevin]

Currently reading I bought from Amazon bargin, that arrived on Friday: The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold and Fallen Dragon by Peter F. Hamilton.

[AndrewP]

Geoff wrote: "A question to anyone who's read it, does Wizard's First Rule by Goodkind work well as a standalone story?"

Absolutely. In terms of 'the chosen one' epic fantasy trope it's a classic and well worth reading. The story wraps up nicely and I did not realize there were more when I first read it:)

FYI - It's so much better than the TV series 'Legend of the Seeker' that was based on it.

[AndrewP]

After finishing Boneshaker, The Road and A Canticle for Leibowitz I am in the mood for something less depressing. There are a couple of Terry Pratchett books on my pile that look inviting :)

[Jeremiah]

Rob wrote: It really depends on what you're looking for. If you want a scary horror story no.

If you want a fantastical thriller and more of the shining then maybe.

Thank you! Your review has convinced me to give it a try. I'm a huge fan of The Shining. It seems like often genre expectations dictate how people review the book.

[Aaron]

Finished Watchmen, and then The Technologists this weekend, now reading the bonus story included with it, The Professor's Assassin. Once I do that, I'll finally start on Boneshaker.

[A.L.]

Journey to Altmortis, The Murder Casebook

Not sure what will be next.

[Neil]

Finished the last book in Simon R. Green's Nightside Series (Book 12: The Bride Wore Black Leather) and had to take a week or so to decompress. I find after finishing a long series where I really get into a set of characters, it's hard to jump straight into a book full of 'strangers'.

After a week of downtime, I just read the first book in Liz Williams's Detective Inspector Chen series; Snake Agent, and I'm hooked. Most Urban Fantasy has a western slant, whereas Ms. William's books are set in a near-future Singapore. It's great to dive into a new set of mythology and system of magic incorporating feng shui, the i-ching and Chinese pantheon.

[Joseph]

Neil wrote: "I find after finishing a long series where I really get into a set of characters, it's hard to jump straight into a book full of 'strangers'.

After a week of downtime, I just read the first book in Liz Williams's Detective Inspector Chen series; Snake Agent, and I'm hooked. Most Urban Fantasy has a western slant, whereas Ms. William's books are set in a near-future Singapore. It's great to dive into a new set of mythology and system of magic incorporating feng shui, the i-ching and Chinese pantheon."

I know what you mean about downtime; although I always have to have a book in progress -- as soon as I finish something, I have to wander around looking at titles on shelves (or scrolling through the Kindle) until I find the next thing.

And I loved the Detective Inspector Chen books, at least the first several which I read a few years back. Should get caught up at some point.

[Rob, Roberator]

Jeremiah wrote: "Thank you! Your review has convinced me to give it a try. I'm a huge fan of The Shining. It seems like often genre expectations dictate how people review the book. "

You're Welcome. I hope you enjoy it.

[Neil]

Joseph wrote: "I know what you mean about downtime; although I always have to have a book in progress -- as soon as I finish something, I have to wander around looking at titles on shelves (or scrolling through the Kindle) until I find the next thing."

Yeah, I totally get that. I started reading Snake Agent the day after finishing the last book, but for that first week my heart wasn't in it. Once I crossed the hump though it was full steam ahead.

[Rob, Roberator]

Finished listening to The Crown Tower, started slow but ended strong. (My Review)

Started listening to The Rose and the Thorn. Sad this is the last Riyira book.

[[deleted user]]

Just started The Mists of Avalon. Somehow I just never got around to this series. It is consistantly rated highly, it's about Arthur, what could be better? Why did I not read it before now?

I may just alternate between this series and the The Blue Fairy Book, The Green Fairy Book, etc. for a while.

[Christopher]

Ok obviously I didn't go far enough into my future read lists. Clementine, The Demolished Man, and The Magicians' Guild were pretty short.

So with a little over a week left here's what else I will be reading:
The Novice
The Human Division
Small Favor
Sea of Silver Light

[Geoff]

Human Division was good. You can tell it was written episodic but its not a huge deal.

[Hesper]

Just finished The Ocean at the End of the Lane;it was underwhelming, which seems to be a minority opinion. I'd really like to see Neil Gaiman use that prodigious imagination of his without appealing to recycled tropes and pat conclusions. Ho hum.

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

I've finally made it halfway through The Anubis Gates, with evil-clown magician thief lords and Egyptian god twins in a time traveled London with cross dressing upperclass women and alternate universe Lord Byron's. Oh and a body hopping werewolf. I'm a bit overwhelmed.

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

Emma wrote: "Jenny wrote: "I've started listening to The Girl Who Soared Over Fairyland and Cut the Moon in Two by Catherynne M. Valente, read by Catherynne M. Valente. She has a great voice for reading, and s..."

I've heard a lot about those but always in a different tone, is it any good ?


The first one is my favorite, especially if you're thinking of it as children's or YA. Valente creates rich worlds with little details that are funny or nostalgic almost.

[Christopher]

Human Division was good. You can tell it was written episodic but its not a huge deal.

The only problem I really have with it is it has extra content that was not released in the episodic format. So I am getting a discount for more stuff. I know this is typical of video games releasing the Game of the Year edition with all the downloadable content at a lesser price point, but it just seemed quick for this one.

In addition as far as I can tell there is no other way to get the additional stuff without buying the anthology. So you pay $13 for all the episodes and another $12 for the anthology just to get the extra.

Ok getting off my soapbox. I will also wait for the second season to come out in full book format.

[Joseph]

Finished Doctor Sleep -- the first new Stephen King I've read in years, and which I enjoyed, and am about to jump into the 19th century with William Morris' The Well at the World's End, Volume I.

[Serendi]

The extra material for The Human Division has long since been available online.

http://www.tor.com/blogs/2013/05/john...

[Ricky]

Fixing to start reading "Awoken" by Serra Elinsen.

Love Lovecraft and been looking forward to reading "Twilight with Cthulhu" :D

(I know it's a parody, I watched the video series of the writers making it."

Also planning on starting something by China Meiville

Dont know what yet.

[Bryan]

Ricky, if you're looking for a place to start with China Mieville, I'd recommend Perdido Street Station. It's the first book of his that I read, and it really hooked me.

[terpkristin]

I'm trying not to jinx it, but I think I might finally be back on the reading wagon. I'm still recovering from my back surgery, so I'm spending a lot of time on my back or mostly reclined (sitting is tough, walking is great, but trying not to overdo it...plus it's COLD out right now!).

I dunno, I can't really read lying on my back except for audiobooks...I don't like holding books/my Kindle above my head. So I'm doing audiobooks but with the medications I'm on, I'm falling asleep pretty easily.

I am finally getting into Boneshaker, though. It helps that I like Kate Reading as a narrator (and Wil Wheaton is ok when sped up). I've also started The Mongoliad: Book Three, though I'm finding it slow-going. After Boneshaker, I think I might try the sample of the Ender's Game live audiodrama from Audible...I love the book (and will eventually see the movie, but not now), so it will be a nice diversion.

I guess I'll have to get better at holding my Kindle above my head for the November pick, though! :D

[Tamahome]

I keep reading Mira Grant - Parasite reviews.

It's like the attraction of a car wreck, but I probably won't read it.

[Rob, Roberator]

I finished reading Promise of Blood with a few people in my side-reads group. Pretty enjoyable. My Review.

I also finished listening to The Rose and the Thorn, which sadly ends my time with Riyria. Hopefully Mr. Sullivan will write additional stories in the future. My Review.

I started listening to Pandora's Star, which is interesting so far.

[David Sven]

Finished listening to Promise of Blood.
My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Starting the twelfth Dresden novel on Audible Changes

[David Sven]

Rob wrote: "I started listening to Pandora's Star, which is interesting so far. "

I loved this book. I'll be interested to see what you think

[Rob, Roberator]

David Sven wrote: "Starting the twelfth Dresden novel on Audible Changes"

Awesome.

[Rob, Roberator]

David Sven wrote: "Rob wrote: "I started listening to Pandora's Star, which is interesting so far. "

I loved this book. I'll be interested to see what you think"

I'd better like it. I got it because you and Lee raved about it. Well that and they were on sale.

[David Sven]

Rob wrote: "I'd better like it. I got it because you and Lee raved about it. Well that and they were on sale.
"

Well I'm reading a book you rave about so back at ya! Except Audible have told me they can't put Changes on sale just because Rob raves about it even though he can get the book I raved about on sale.

[Rob, Roberator]

ROFL. This was a Tantor sale. Don't blame audible.

[Ross]

Finishing up The Engineer Trilogy by K.J. Parker and then it's Mage's Blood by David Hair.

[David Sven]

Sorry Dresden, you are going on the back-burner in favour of The Republic of Thieves that I notice available on Audible Australia. Yay!

[Rob, Roberator]

David Sven wrote: "Sorry Dresden, you are going on the back-burner in favour of The Republic of Thieves that I notice available on Audible Australia. Yay!"

/Unfriend

[Carolina]

During this month I finished: The Edible Woman (loved it). Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots,The Demonologist, City of Ashes, Letters to a Young Scientist, Girl of Nightmares, The Nightmare, The Selection and off course Boneshaker. Most of the reviews are already up at my blog A Girl that Likes books if anyone is interested :)

[Thomas]

I began the month with The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch. I had hoped for more considering how well recieved this novel has been among recent fantasy, but in the end it turned out to be a good read.

Earlier this month I read Critical Failures by Robert Bevan so laugh-out-loud delicious I immediately picked up the sequel that he released October 10th (I don't think it is listed on goodreads yet). I highly recommend these hilarious stories.

After those I read Foreverland is Dead by Tony Bertauski. Heavy and dark, a good read after coming down off of a comedic fantasy.

This weekened I began reading The Last Dark by Stephen R. Donaldson. Don't expect an unbiased review of this, I am a huge screaming fanboy of the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, and this book supposedly brings the whole thing to a close. I got emotionally engaged in the book by simply reading the "what has gone before" section at the beginning.

[Jack]

finished boneshaker reading Year Zero

[AndrewP]

After a three month wait my hold of How Firm a Foundation finally paid off at the library. 600 pages of small dense text so that will keep me busy for a few weeks.

[Thane]

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.

Pronounced "Fronkensteen?"

[Thomas]

Just started Fallen Dragon by Peter F. Hamilton. Liking it so far.

[Tamahome]

Ah. My conspiracy to get Peter F. Hamilton mentioned in every thread is working.

[Carolina]

Timothy wrote: "Some how I got sucked into Third Kingdom by Terry Goodkind. Also trying to finish The Archived by V.S.Schwab. All before Saturday. I hope..."

Good luck...why the time limit?

[Rob, Roberator]

Tamahome wrote: "Ah. My conspiracy to get Peter F. Hamilton mentioned in every thread is working."

I mentioned it a few days ago..just how deep does this conspiracy go!?

[Ludo]

Finished 'Dust' (Silo #3) and The Player of Games. Starting on the book for November next..I'm curious about it after reading some reviews...

[David Sven]

Tamahome wrote: "Ah. My conspiracy to get Peter F. Hamilton mentioned in every thread is working."

I see that little infiltrator package trying to subvert out mental shielding and suck us into the Void.

[Dharmakirti]

Thomas wrote: "Just started Fallen Dragon by Peter F. Hamilton. Liking it so far."

I found a used copy of Fallen Dragon at the bookstore over the weekend and hope to start it soon, looks interesting.

The new season of American Horror Story has influenced me to re-visit Anne Rice's The Witching Hour (the new season of American Horror story takes place in New Orleans and deals with witches).

[Kevin]

I also just read Fallen Dragon about a week ago, really enjoyed the story.

[Carolina]

Timothy wrote: "Oh, Caroline, time limit is due to NanoRimo starting in Nov and November for me is already too busy."

Well then, good luck with both!

[David Sven]

Finished Peter F Hamilton's Void trilogy with The Evolutionary Void
My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Starting November's book pick Ancillary Justice

[Tamahome]

I finished Gary Gibson's space opera Stealing Light. It has the accessibility of a Leviathan Wakes, but darker in tone. I almost lemmed it in the middle, but enjoyed the more 'cosmic' parts at the end.