What are you reading in Jan 2014?

[Becky]

Annnnnd... GO!

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon, Not a book hipster!]

[Benjamin]

Kinda forcing myself through Emperor of Thorns. Some of it is very good, parts are like nails on a chalk board.

[Becky]

Oh my. Colleen is displeased.

I don't really have a preference regarding these threads. Those who have a preference can duke it out and I'll do what I'm told by whoever is left standing.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Repairman Jack 13....Ground Zero

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon, Not a book hipster!]

[Benjamin]

[image error]

[Emily]

In case you don't have enough on your TBR - a compilation of lists of the Top 100 books, which is as meta as it sounds. http://bookriot.com/2013/12/31/10-bes...

[Nyssa]

Today I start Steelheart. *I read the prologue last night, but was half asleep so I may read it again. While I'm still interested in the story, the possible amount of violence to come concerns me.
(view spoiler)[The scene with the baby was sadly not unexpected, and was a good way to show how vile the Epics can be, but the fact that the author kept going back to the mother was a little heart wrenching for me. (hide spoiler)]

x-posted in the group read thread.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Emily....you're doomed.

[Emily]

I read Timebound as my last read of 2013 and also really enjoyed it!

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, Bad Girls Deadlift]

I'm reading The Spirit Thief from The Legend of Eli Monpress. I don't know. Something about it isn't catching my attention the way I expected. I'm on chapter 16 and it's less than halfway through but I feel done. I don't have a connection to any of the characters and I barely know what's going on. The MC isn't as charming as the text keeps saying...instead it all feels very remote. Like there's a wall or something between me and the text.

Maybe I'll move on to Prince Caspian.

[Chris , cookie guilt]

Finally finished The Book. Funny I say "finally" when it only took me from Friday to Sunday. It just seemed like it took forever.

Probably because I had to read it twice. See my review where I talk about this.

And I thought I was being harsh in my review, until I read Becky's. Hehe. I was too gentle.

[Becky]

Chris wrote: "And I thought I was being harsh in my review, until I read Becky's. Hehe. I was too gentle."
I didn't even get everything that I had planned to say in there. It was late and I was tired and there was just too many things for me to mention ALL OF THE THINGS. Plus I kept watching my character count dwindle. I think that's one of my longest reviews.

[Chris , cookie guilt]

I had the same thing going on. I left out so much ranting I'd planned to do. But I also wanted to move on.

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon, Not a book hipster!]

MrsJoseph (taking back my data & giving GR the middle finger) wrote: "I'm reading The Spirit Thief from The Legend of Eli Monpress. I don't know. Something about it isn't catching my attention the way I expected. I'm on chapter 16 an..."

That sucks - I have that on my list to read this year. :-/

I think I'll still read it, but lower my expectations going in.

[Lee]

MrsJoseph (taking back my data & giving GR the middle finger) wrote: "I'm reading The Spirit Thief from The Legend of Eli Monpress. I don't know. Something about it isn't catching my attention the way I expected. I'm on chapter 16 an..."

I bought the omnibus that has the first 3 books. I hate it when a book 'looks' better than it is. :(
Of course I'll still try it. But I won't expect too much of it.

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, Bad Girls Deadlift]

Colleen wrote: "That sucks - I have that on my list to read this year. :-/

I think I'll still read it, but lower my expectations going in."

Yeah. Would help. I think I expected more.

I plan on finishing it (unless it gets painful) but I don't know about the rest of the series.

[Kathy]

I'm working on Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

[Emily]

I just signed up for a weeklong Readathon, so we'll see how that goes! I'm hoping to get through a bunch of books in the next week, but the one that's due back to the library first is Jepp, Who Defied the Stars so I'll likely start there.

[Laurel]

hits my Kindle tomorrow, so I have to finish today!!! It's been quite a good read. I'll have to fit the third book, in soon...

[Chris , cookie guilt]

You'll have to keep us posted on how you do in that, Emily...Good luck.

Laurel, I've been meaning to get back into that Corey series.

[Laurel]

I loved the first book, read it as soon as it came out, then just kept getting sidetracked from the second. Your series challenge has helped me come back around to it and I'm grateful :D. So far the sequel is quite spectacular! It's so hard to find good sci fi these days.

There is a fourth coming out later this year. I'm not certain what the length of the series is meant to be...

[Benjamin]

Just started Furies of Calderon

[Paul]

Laurel wrote: "I loved the first book, read it as soon as it came out, then just kept getting sidetracked from the second. Your series challenge has helped me come back around to it and I'm grateful :D. So far t..."

I didn't enjoy the first book as much as I felt I should (if that makes sense). Not sure what it was as I really like the universe that they created. I keep meaning to pick up the second one but haven't got around to it yet (similar to my relationship with Mistborn really).

Finished The Fuller Memorandum and decided to jump straight in to The Apocalypse Codex. Really enjoying it so far.

[Laurel]

Paul, if you're a character driven reader the second books introduces three new people, two of which may be some of my favourites since reading Abercrombie or Bujold's series. They are a complete hoot and unlike almost anything else I've ever read! If you're a plot based person, it is a continuation of the first book. The world building continues to flesh itself out nicely, and the characters from the first book are given some new conflict which force them to grow and/or reflect upon themselves in interesting ways (particularly Holden and Amos). I'm not sure if that helps you?

[Chris , cookie guilt]

Woohoo for the series challenge being successful. Heh

[Paul]

Laurel wrote: "two of which may be some of my favourites since reading Abercrombie or Bujold's series."

Thanks Laurel, that is actually really helpful. I'm pleased that there are some interesting new characters, and the line I've quoted from your post has pretty much sold me on reading the next one. :)

[Laurel]

Oh dear, I hope you like them ;)

In return, I'm going to try the Charles Stross series you're reading (as soon as I can fit it in)!

[Chris , cookie guilt]

I've been eying that Storss series too....

Dammit. Paul really is a Series Pusher..

[Laurel]

Pot calling kettle...

[Chris , cookie guilt]

Cheech calling Chong a dopehead...yeah...

[Laurel]

You were among the group of people who encouraged me to pick up Dresden. Did you push me towards Abercrombie and Bujold as well?

[Chris , cookie guilt]

Abercrombie, maybe...Bujold I still have to try.

Now you're doing it!

[Laurel]

Oh, the Vorkosigan Saga is just some of the greatest work out there!!!

Paul, help me out here ;)'

[Paul]

:)

Going to have to agree with Laurel. They are great books.

Sounds good Laurel. I'll try Calibans War and you try The Atrocity Archive.

Come on Chris. Give in to the series.... ;)

[Chris , cookie guilt]

Doh! I can't fail at my own series challenge. That looks bad...

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, Bad Girls Deadlift]

Chris wrote: "Doh! I can't fail at my own series challenge. That looks bad..."

^

[Ala]

Vorkosigan is a fun series. Gets a bit thin in later books, but still a worthwhile read.

Expanse I've enjoyed, but I'm not sure about the direction they're taking the series after the third book. Hopefully it works.

[Laurel]

Uh oh - I always defer to your judgement!

*crossing fingers it doesn't suck*

Any other recs? *wink*

[Becky]

I didn't care for the Vorkosigan book I read.

[HomeInMyShoes]

Paul wrote: ":)

...and you try The Atrocity Archive.

Come on Chris. Give in to the series.... ;)"

I'll second Atrocity Archive. I've really enjoyed the few Charles Stross titles I've read.

[Laurel]

Becky wrote: "I didn't care for the Vorkosigan book I read."

I still love you, (although that makes me cry).

[Becky]

Laurel wrote: "Becky wrote: "I didn't care for the Vorkosigan book I read."

I still love you, (although that makes me cry)."

Sorry!

[Laurel]

Oh, it's okay! Different strokes and all that ;)

I think we have a number of other series in common!

[whimsicalmeerkat]

I need to get back to The Once and Future King and read more of Expanse. I started The Republic of Thieves on my drive down to Tennessee and will continue with it tomorrow on my drive to another part of the state. I am about a third of the way through. Most of my reading this year has been stupid shit. Oh! I did finish Hyperbole and a Half last night. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

[Paul]

I would say that is a great choice. Abercrombie's First Law trilogy (which starts with The Blade Itself) is one of my favourite series. It features some of the most interesting characters i think i have read.

Just be aware that his stuff definitely falls into the darker and more realistic side of fantasy which some people don't particularly care for if they like more escapist "traditional" fantasy. So it depends if that appeals to you.

I think you should absolutely give it a try though.

[Paul]

The great thing about a book group is that people recommend lots of books to read. The bad thing about being in book group.....etc ;)

[[deleted user]]

Reminder, folks: Link to the title of a book, not just the cover. Lots of people browse from touch-based devices where you can't mouse over the cover image to see the title.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

I like them pretty well. I'd call them "gritty". The story continues in various ways beyond the trilogy also.