Flights of Fantasy discussion
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What are you reading in Jan 2014?
Reading
. Loved the first one, and really enjoying this one so far as well.
Becky wrote: "You're welcome. :) Just as a side note, I will say that I think the audio for The Help is A-MAZ-ING. Definitely worth it."
ITs been on my TBR list forever, along with The Secret Life of Bees. I just don't see myself picking either of them up any time soon... at least not with the millions of series in front of me. Plus I figured to would be a cool change of pace.
Ewww you would have to shoot me, not once but twice, and then threaten my first born to get me to read that pc bs The Help.
Nyssa wrote: "Becky wrote: "You're welcome. :) Just as a side note, I will say that I think the audio for The Help is A-MAZ-ING. Definitely worth it."
ITs been on my TBR list forever, along with [book:The Sec..."
I loved it, and I thought that the readers did a great job. When you get to it, I highly recommend the audio. :)
Becky wrote: "Nyssa wrote: "Becky wrote: "You're welcome. :) Just as a side note, I will say that I think the audio for The Help is A-MAZ-ING. Definitely worth it."
ITs been on my TBR list forever, along with..."
Thanks! :)
Becky wrote: "That can be arranged, Benjamin. ;)"Not likely
WTF Stevie Nicks is on American Horror Story
Instead of sining, she's yelling" Stand Back, Stand Back!!"I love Stevie Nicks..well I love Fleetwood Mac, but Stevie had a couple solo songs that I liked.
Nyssa, does your library offer audios? If they do give them a go through them first and then if you find you and your family like audios invest in Audible. I think my library has all the HPs at the moment. They also have audio CDs which you can rip to an iPod or any MP3 player for that matter. I used to do that pre-audible.I should add that Audible's customer service rocks. If you have too many credits they give you time to use them if you call and they don't hesitate to return your money.
Benjamin wrote: "Becky wrote: "That can be arranged, Benjamin. ;)"Not likely"
Ahh, moving the goalposts, eh? Well just for my entertainment then. :P
Honestly, I don't care if you read it or not. It's not a book everyone will like. (No book is.) I was just amused by your reaction.
Jackie wrote: "Nyssa, does your library offer audios? If they do give them a go through them first and then if you find you and your family like audios invest in Audible. I think my library has all the HPs at the..."As to my library I have no idea. They don't have a very good selection, print wise, and they just joined Overdrive for ebooks last year. I'm sure they have CDs, but I don't know about MP3 (MP4?) access. Thats a very good idea, though. Thanks. I tend to forget about them as a resource (except for when the kids need a reference book).
Overdrive usually has a decent selection of audios and ebooks. I'm not sure if all libraries who join have the same content though. But, I know that mine usually has popular books and audios available through Overdrive. What I meant by the CDs is that you can take the CD, put the files onto your computer and then put those files onto your iPod. It's a longer process, but it works. My old library had a really good selection of YA and children's books on CDs. I miss it dearly!
Jackie wrote: "Overdrive usually has a decent selection of audios and ebooks. I'm not sure if all libraries who join have the same content though. But, I know that mine usually has popular books and audios availa..."Yep. I got what you meant. :) Thanks.
Oh, I had intended to comment on the CS. I have found that Amazon, in general, has some of the best CS I've ever experienced..especially in the Kindle department. So it doesn't surprise me that the CS at Audible is very good as well..but it is great to hear. :)
As think I've mentioned, I've never really got into the whole audiobook thing, but reading this thread has made me want to give it a go again. I'm keen to start with something that's not going to put me off listening to more audiobooks, so wondered if anyone can recommend a good one to start with? I don't mind if it's sci-fi or fantasy but I just want something with a really good narrator.
Paul, I'd say to check out this thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...I mention a list of audiobooks that I think were done really well, and I think I'm rather picky about readers.
Becky wrote: "Paul, I'd say to check out this thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...I mention a list of audiobooks that I think were done really well, and I think I'm rather picky abou..."
Thanks Becky. Whoops I completely missed that we had an audiobook thread!
Colleen wrote: "I'm finishing up my Harry Potter read. It's taken me longer than I thought it would, 'cause I didn't get nearly as much reading done over the holiday as I'd expected. I should probably finish up ..."Colleen, I've read both The Name of the Star and Wintercraft. Wintercraft I'd say is for younger audiences, but, if I recall, The Name of the Star is heavy on the action and a good, quick-paced read. I don't remember it being weighty, but I am also not sure what you mean by that.
About half way through Caliban's War at the moment. Really enjoying it but I guess I wish the plot was moving forward a bit more rapidly. At the moment it feels a bit like this is a filler book (a very good filler book!) before we get to Abaddon's Gate.Not sure what to read after this. Might try The Darwin Elevator (new series alert!) or maybe Hereticus as that's a series that I'm keen to finish and tick off the list.
I finished both Steelheart and Mitosis last night. I will definitely look out for the 2nd book (hopefully without spoiling it for myself next time). Up next are Prince Caspian [Narnia Buddy Read] and Swan Song [Group Read - Horror]. I have a feeling that I may be switching off between the two. Swan song is huge, plus I haven't read a horror novel in ages (I may need to catch my breath, or hide, or cry... who knows); making both the length and the genre a real challenge for me.
Nicole wrote: "About to start Divergent. This is a series that I have been both wanting to read and trying to avoid, just because it is my natural inclination to avoid things that are fantasticly popular. I am th..."I really enjoyed the first Hunger Games book. I haven't picked up the others yet as I've heard that the series gets a bit more "teen romance" and that was the part about the first book that I didn't enjoy as much. Sure I'll read them at some point but I'd have to really be in the right mood.
The political stuff was what I enjoyed in the first book. Glad to hear that that is still a focus in the sequels. I only saw the second movie but I didn't think it focussed on the romance too much (which was a nice surprise). I was more concerned by how long the film took to get to the actual Hunger Games themselves!
They're on my list. Unfortunately it's a very long list! :)
Divergent was good, though I didn't like the second book as much and haven't been able to read the third yet based on bad reviews, etc. my favorite YA dystopian last year was actually The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken. Highly recommended!
I liked the first two Hunger Games books... the third not so much.
Just picked up Howl's Moving Castle from the library.Finished up Prince Caspian last night and tried to read some of The Spirit Thief. Gah. The Spirit Thief is just so...lightweight and [somewhat] silly I got annoyed.
I really need to read Steelheart.
MrsJoseph (taking back my data & giving GR the middle finger) wrote: "I really need to read Steelheart. ."Please do. I'd be interested to hear what you think about it.
MrsJoseph (taking back my data & giving GR the middle finger) wrote: "Just picked up Howl's Moving Castle from the library.Finished up Prince Caspian last night and tried to read some of The Spirit Thief. Gah. The Spirit T..."
I'm so looking forward to reading Howl's Moving Castle again. It is one of my favorites. It'll be my first book in February. :)
Sinistmer wrote: "Colleen, I've read both The Name of the Star and Wintercraft. Wintercraft I'd say is for younger audiences, but, if I recall, The Name of the Star is heavy on the action and a good, quick-paced read. I don't remember it being weighty, but I am also not sure what you mean by that. "Hi Sinistmer, thanks for the comment. Didn't see it until today.
What I meant by heavy was that, considering it had to do with Ripper-like killings and that it was described as a tense thriller, I was thinking it might possibly be a bit too gruesome, psychologically tense and/or depressing for how I was feeling at the time.
It ended up reading, at least to me, a bit more UF than suspense thriller, in the end, so I needn't have worried overly.
Of course, conversely, Shadowcry was a bit darker than I expected, so I just called them wrong all around. LOL
I also needn't have worried about my deadline of the 14th, since I managed to finish them both off in a few days.
***
Now I just have to decide what to read tonight. I'll probably go with Curtsies & Conspiracies and leave Prince Caspian for a workout read (assuming I can get it to open on my Nook, which I've been having trouble with).
I've been meaning to start that series - Etiquette and Espionage might get my series credit this month. But I am also working on the Soulless series so maybe too much Carriger wouldn't be the way to go. Torn!
I need to finish up the Soulless series. I only read book 1 but I found an omnibus hardback online that had the first 3 books in it. So I'll see if I can finish that up.
I adore the Parasol Protectorate series (though I still think the first was the best), but the first of the Finishing School series didn't tickle me quite the same was PP did. Not that it was bad, it just wasn't as good...
MrsJoseph (taking back my data & giving GR the middle finger) wrote: "I need to finish up the Soulless series. I only read book 1 but I found an omnibus hardback online that had the first 3 books in it. So I'll see if I can finish that up."I too need to finish it (having also only read book #1). I bought the full series (5 books) omnibus ebook version from Amazon.
Scratch my prior plans. Don't feel like starting something new tonight, so I'll do a GN tonight instead. Probably Courtney Crumrin, possibly American Vampire. Then tomorrow I'll probably startThe Warlock's Curse - something I've been anticipating for awhile and that a lovely Santa brought me.
Then I'll read C&C. I have that one 'til the 22nd, so should be plenty of time.
I just read a fun little graphic novel called Delilah Dirk and the Turkish Lieutenant. Impulse library grab and very enjoyable.
I finished The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks over the weekend. It was enjoyable but I felt it tried too hard. Now I'm reading the 2nd book, Shadow's Edge. I'm also reading a children's book, The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud, about a boy magician and his demon. The story alternates between the boy and the demon. The author uses footnotes like Pratchett and Adams, though unlike Pratchett and Adams they disrupt the narrative and Stroud uses them way too often, in my opinion. Or maybe they're just annoying because I have to flip back and forth between pages on my nook.
right now Salt by Danielle Ellison its really great! I'll add more as I read more my tbr is huge and my 2014 challenge goal is 114!
Nienna - I need to read Amulet as well! Sorry to hear it is not that enjoyable. My dad enjoyed it and gave it to me, son really need to get to that one...
Ok, so I got through another 3 chapters of The Spirit Thief. I'm still very "meh" about the whole thing. Someone mentioned it read a little little YA and at first I didn't agree but I'm starting to. It's...very light in the characterization department. The MC is supposed to be a charming rogue but he's pretty much giving me selfish asshole who doesn't think about anything besides his own personal desires.
Colleen wrote: "I adore the Parasol Protectorate series (though I still think the first was the best), but the first of the Finishing School series didn't tickle me quite the same was PP did. Not that it was bad,..."Took the words right out of my mouth.
Nienna - I also found the footnotes in those books more a distraction than anything else. Of course, I also found the humor more juvenile than snarky, though I was promised sarcasm.
Emily wrote: "Nienna - I need to read Amulet as well! Sorry to hear it is not that enjoyable. My dad enjoyed it and gave it to me, son really need to get to that one..."The story itself is cute enough. I'm thinking of buying the 1st book for my cousin who I think would enjoy it. But the footnotes are distracting. Especially on an ereader. Each one has a link to the back of the book so during the chapters with them you're constantly flipping back and forth.
Yesterday, I finished Lord of the Silver Bow. Fan-effin'-tastic if you don't mind a little blood and guts in your HF! I'm officially giving up on The Gunslinger and chucking the rest of the series as "not for me". I get depressed every time I think of the book and it makes me not want to pick it up. I rather move onto King's other works.
Now, I'm currently reading The Winter Palace: A Novel of Catherine the Great for my HF group. That's my at home book. I have to figure out my Nook book. I think I may go with Swan Song or The Color of Magic (Discworld #1).
I'm working on reading all of the books at once. ;) I've got a library book going, Gabriel's Story. (Also, can I just say it's quite annoying how I search for "Gabriel's Story" on Goodreads, and it's on page 3 of the results after things like Animal Farm, The Metamorphosis, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Marley and Me, Twelfth Night, etc. SERIOUSLY, Goodreads? FIX YOUR SEARCH!)
I've also got Fragile Things: Short Fictions and Wonders going in 4 different ways, depending on where I am. LOL I have it on my nook, audio, paperback and phone, and continue on with whichever one is convenient at the moment.
The Prophet is my bedtime book. I've been trying to read at least one little "lesson" each night before bed, but I forgot last night, so I'll probably read two tonight.
And finally, I'm going to be starting the audio of Swan Song right now. :)
Becky wrote: "I'm working on reading all of the books at once. ;) I've got a library book going, Gabriel's Story. (Also, can I just say it's quite annoying how I search for "Gabriel's Story" on G..."
You want annoying?? Try searching for "The Book."
W in the F!
Right. I had to search for Book and Clifford. Still had to scroll past a bunch of books about a big red dog.
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Just as a side note, I will say that I think the audio for The Help is A-MAZ-ING. Definitely worth it.