What are you reading in February 2014?

[Sandra]

My god! It's February already! Tell us what you're reading this month, why you're reading it, and what you think of it.

Thanks.

[Michelle]

I'm reading Shadowrise, the 3rd book in the Shadowmarch series by Tad Williams. I'm also reading The Iliad, a sort of project of mine to simply read a few pages a day and finish it that way since it's been on my TBR pile for 3 or 4 years (I like Greek fantasy, but the format is a bit daunting).

[Helen, I·ᴍ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪʙʀᴀʀʏ]

I am on a read up the ongoing series kick, so having finished the excellent Captain's Fury at 1.30am, I shall either read the next part or The Wandering Fire or The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms - which isn't ongoing!

[Brenda ╰☆╮]

Helen wrote: "I am on a read up the ongoing series kick, so having finished the excellent Captain's Fury at 1.30am, I shall either read the next part or The Wandering Fire or [book:T..."

Wow...you zipped ahead of me with Captain's Fury. I'll be more than half done today, but not quite finished.
:)
Then off to the store to buy the last two.


This group read is a nice surprise for me, and I am quite enjoying it. The main character, Tavi, has my intent interest.

I am loaning the books to my mom as I finish, and she is asking for the next before I am done; so reading ahead as much as possible.
:D

[Stuart]

I am reading

[Elise]

I'm taking a break from The Arabian Nights: Tales from a Thousand and One Nights to read Divergent. Also still reading Tales of the Cthulhu Mythos on my Kindle.

[Helen, I·ᴍ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪʙʀᴀʀʏ]

Brenda ╰☆╮ wrote: "Helen wrote: "I am on a read up the ongoing series kick, so having finished the excellent Captain's Fury at 1.30am, I shall either read the next part
I couldn't stop. I was off work poorly for two days so read more than usual though I was shocked when I noticed the time when I finished.

[A.L.]

Michelle Snicket wrote: "I'm reading Shadowrise, the 3rd book in the Shadowmarch series by Tad Williams. I'm also reading The Iliad, a sort of project of mine to simply..."

Hope you enjoy the Iliad, it is a great story.

[Lindsey]

Reading the anniversary edition of Heir to the Empire. Lots of interesting insight into the process of writing the first post-ROTJ novel.

[Bev]

Just read Promise of Blood and The Best of All Possible Worlds and Duncan M Hamiltons books. All good stuff.

[L.K.]

Stuart wrote: "I am reading "

One of my favorites! If you like the author, he has a great sci-fi series, Slab City Blues. They are short stories, but they are awesome!

[Helen, I·ᴍ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪʙʀᴀʀʏ]

I've started The Wandering Fire, again it's not that easy to get into but guess that will pick up, like volume one.

[Scott]

ALmost finished with The Name of the Wind and reading The Scarab Path; and occasional stories in between in The God Tattoo: untold tales from the Twilight Reign. The Name of the wind is very good; The Scarab path is the latest available in its series, which is sort of alternative world steampunk; and regarding Tom Lloyd, his novels are better...

[Martha]

Reading a bunch of Loki stories on my new Kindle Fire. Starting with the "I Bring the Fire" series (4 books so far with a 5th in the works). Then on to a few others. I blame Tom Hiddleston for this.

[DavidO]

I have too much spare time, lol.

[Brenda ╰☆╮]

Wow.... a few of those are my most recent reads.
I have to split them up a bit more.
;)
I'm saving Golem for a future group read. (another group)

[Merry M]

I am reading/re-reading my way through Merecedes Lackey's Valdemar novels currently, with some though to reading the other half of Raymond Feist's work as I am still on Shards of a Broken Crown.

[[deleted user]]

Merry wrote: "I am reading/re-reading my way through Merecedes Lackey's Valdemar novels currently, with some though to reading the other half of Raymond Feist's work as I am sti..."

What is the best place to start with Valdemar? Arrows of the Queen or Magic's Pawn?

[DavidO]

Brenda ╰☆╮ wrote: "Wow.... a few of those are my most recent reads.
I have to split them up a bit more.
;)
"

I don't usually get to confused by the characters from reading multiple books, but for Dragon Prince I had to make a chart to keep all the names straight.

[Brenda ╰☆╮]

Probably a good idea, DavidO.
I'm a bit lazy there.
;)

[Michele]

Hmm, I'd start with Arrows of the Queen, but I tend to read books in the order they were written, and I have always loved Talia, the main character in Arrows. It's perfectly fine to read Magic's Pawn first though - it's set way before Arrows and Talia even is reading Vanyel's story because he's become a legend in Valdemar by her time.

Just a heads up for those who care to be forewarned, there is rape in the Arrows trilogy - but I can't remember if its in the 2nd or 3rd book. 2nd I think.

[DavidO]

Michele wrote: "Just a heads up for those who care to be forewarned, there is rape in the Arrows trilogy - but I can't remember if its in the 2nd or 3rd book. 2nd I think. "
That's not so bad. The Baker's Boy has a rape scene or attempted rape scene and pedophilia in about every other chapter.

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*]

Michele wrote: "Hmm, I'd start with Arrows of the Queen, but I tend to read books in the order they were written, and I have always loved Talia, the main character in Arrows. It's perfectly fine to read Magic's Pa..."

It's in the 3rd book. It's not graphic, thank goodness.

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*]

Shari Kay wrote: "MrsJoseph (taking back my data & giving GR the middle finger) wrote: "Michele wrote: "Hmm, I'd start with Arrows of the Queen, but I tend to read books in the order they were written, and I have al..."

That was about the Magic's Pawn series.

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*]

Shari Kay wrote: "Really? Good to know.

I'm only on book two and set it down at the head scratcher (view spoiler). "

Well, I didn't think so - (view spoiler)[ Dirk had been avoiding her and the Heralds were considered somewhat hedonistic. And it made sense - in a human kind of way. I don't know if [Kris & Talia] had any clue if/when Dirk would come around. But it's been a while and I'd read a lot of the others in the series prior to this one. (hide spoiler)]

[Merry M]

For the Valdemar books, it really depends on preference, I started with The Black Gryphon because it is the first in the chronological order of the series, but have read all over the timeline, because it depended on what the library had in at the time. I am only just now reading the Arrow's books having finally purchased them since my library doesn't carry them. My sister also plans on reading them chronologically, but I know a few people who prefer to read books in publication order.

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*]

I wouldn't read them chronologically as she isn't finished with the newest set of prequels. I think she's released...5 books in the Collegium Chronicles but there are more planned. I think she's going for Harry Potter like proportions.

[Andrew✌️]

Now I'm reading American Gods . I'm trying to read at least one book at month of Neil Gaiman. The previous I read, were more for teen readers. This is an amazing book, more for an adult target, with a fluent style that stimulates the reader's imagination.

[Tara]

Its been a couple of days since i finished my last book Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore and after reading several book samples that I didn't enjoy I decided maybe it's time to read The Way of Kings.. Since its second book is out next month I'll be able to read them back to back..

[Luke]

My opinion is biased since The Way of Kings is my favorite book, but it is an amazing book.

The trick is getting through to page 700 I believe (in paperback). It's not overly boring, but it IS a long book and can get tiresome since you have more pages per plot development than many other books do.

Once you get a little more than halfway though, it REALLY speeds up and you'll end up reading the last part very quickly.

Most of the people that have bad things to say about the book only made it halfway before giving up which is sad since they were so close to the pivotal moment.

Also, know that the world is very different from standard fantasy, which is good, but some people don't care for it.

[Tara]

Brandon Sanderson is one of my favorite authors... I will take your advice if things get slow but I doubt I would think of not completing any of his books...

[Helen, I·ᴍ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪʙʀᴀʀʏ]

He's the author I intend to read more of this year.

[Casey Stanislaus]

I have recently had recommended the Dresden Files and Mistborn, I look forward to reading them. Luckily, they are available at my city library!

[Casey Stanislaus]

Shari Kay wrote: ". This is YA I believe...but I loved it! What an imagination Sanderson has. I would recommend this to any age."

I do enjoy YA fantasy, like City of Ember, Tamesin or Wilkinson's Dragonkeeper. I will check out this after Mistborn.

[Greg]

I'm reading these:

Ogilvy on Advertising

Mistborn: The Final Empire (Reading since Summer)

G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, Volume 1

The Gunslinger

The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Golden Age of Journalism

[Jaqui]

I just finished Mistborn, and am reading the fourth novel set in that world, The Alloy of Law. It's very good! Highly recommended to anyone who enjoyed the Mistborn trilogy, though it's definitely a story on a smaller scale.

The best part is picking out all the wonderful hints about how the world has evolved and changed since the end of The Hero of Ages. Actually no, the best part is Wayne.

[DavidO]

Nice collection, Greg

[A.J.]

I am reading Daniel Arenson

[Greg]

DavidO wrote: "Nice collection, Greg"

Thanks, like many, these things aren't planned :)

[Joseph]

Spend the weekend visiting family, so lots of time for reading. Finished The Soldier King, read The Storm Witch and started Path of the Sun, all by Violette Malan.

[Helen, I·ᴍ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪʙʀᴀʀʏ]

Jaqui wrote: "I just finished Mistborn, and am reading the fourth novel set in that world, The Alloy of Law. It's very good! Highly recommended to anyone who enjoyed the Mistborn trilogy, though it's definitely ..."

I'd never read a book before this where time had passed and that had affected society. Others had stayed similar. He's writing/written a second one.

Hate my spelling/word being checked by technology and having the wrong one substituted!!

[Jaqui]

Ugh, I know! I thought Alloy of Law was a standalone, or I never would have read it. Now I'm dying for more, and he's not even writing the second one yet, according to his website!

Agony.

[Michelle]

I finished Tad Williams' Shadowrise today, now I'm reading Night of the Soul Stealer.

[Andrew✌️]

Today I finished American Gods and tomorrow I should start to read Dracula

[Michelle]

Shari Kay wrote: ". This is YA I believe...but I loved it! What an imagination Sanderson has. I would recommend this to any age."

I loved that book! It's actually the first and only book I have read by Sanderson so far, believe it or not (I do own the first 3 Mistborn books though).
.

[Jaqui]

Michelle Snicket wrote: "I finished Tad Williams' Shadowrise today, now I'm reading Night of the Soul Stealer.

"

How did you like Shadowrise? I got to the second book in the series but it kind of bored me. Is it worth pressing on?

[Brenda ╰☆╮]

Helen wrote: "Jaqui wrote: " Hate my spelling/word being checked by technology and having the wrong one substituted!! "

Happens to me ALL the time. It's really easy to miss with these smart~A phones.
;)


Michelle Snicket wrote: "Shari Kay wrote: ". This is YA I believe...but I loved it! What an imagination Sanderson has. I would recommend this to any age."

I loved that book! It's actual..."

I'll read that eventually. I have 7 of his books and have only read 2.1 of them. I will probably read the next to come out before I get to any of his others.

[Jillian]

Best book ever!

[Jillian]

Helen wrote: "I am on a read up the ongoing series kick, so having finished the excellent Captain's Fury at 1.30am, I shall either read the next part or The Wandering Fire or [book:T..."

I read the Codex Alera series in seven days during the finals week back in college. LOL It's a miracle I didn't fail any of my test.

[Michelle]

Jaqui wrote: "Michelle Snicket wrote: "I finished Tad Williams' Shadowrise today, now I'm reading Night of the Soul Stealer.

"

How did y..."

No, I probably wouldn't recc it to you. You already have a feel for the series after 2 books, and Shadowrise is more of the same. It does answer some important questions though, like what the autarch's plans are and what he is raving about, the Eddon 'affliction', etc etc, so it depends how curious you are. If you're not, skip it. It IS very long. :-/