What are you reading in November '15?

[Brenda ╰☆╮]

Wow.....here we are almost at the end of another year!
Again, I missed that it is the first of the month. Hope you all are doing well with reading, etc.
:)

Tell us about it!

[Tnkw01]

Since I don't have The Aeronaut's Windlass yet, I believe I'm going to finally take on Heroes Die by Matthew Woodring Stover. Been on my list for a long time.

[Helen, I·ᴍ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪʙʀᴀʀʏ]

I can't believe we're in November! I finished Reaper's Gale, quickly read Doppel: A Tor.Com Original and just finished Sunset Mantle.

[Margret]

Finishing up Shield of Thunder tonight, then for the rest of the month reading The Forest Laird: A Tale of William Wallace, Six of Crows, Queen of Fire, The Knife of Never Letting Go, A Little Life, Dragonfly in Amber, and listening to American Gods, Shadows of Self, and maybe A Crown of Swords if there's time

[Amy]

I've just read Witches of Lychford, which was an enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours. I don't usually read many novellas, but Tor have published some really good ones recently.

I'm also reading Malice, and I really need to finish The Years of Rice and Salt, which I seem to have been picking at since about June!

[Shadowdenizen]

I finished Carter & Lovecraft; it's one of my favorites reads of the year, along with The Library at Mount Char (both of which I voted as Write-In candidates for the Horror & Fantasy categories, respectively.

I'm re-reading the "Freddy the Pig" series for nostalgia's sake, and they really catapult me back to my childhood as I read them!


I'd like to re-read The Dragonbone Chair series, maybe as a group thing? Anyone interested?

And I'm also re-reading (SLOWLY), the Shannara Series, and the The Complete Elenium Trilogy: The Diamond Throne / The Ruby Knight / The Sapphire Rose.

I'd also like to renew my Tolkien schloraship; it's been WAY too long since I've re-read any Tolkien. (I just picked up the GORGEOUS Ted Nasmith version of The Silmarillion.

[Frank]

I'm about halfway through Words of Radiance (Stormlight Archives #2) by Brandon Sanderson. So far I'm liking it a lot more than The Way of Kings, which was good, but I felt it a bit... I dont know... hit and miss at some points. I'll probably start reading The Price of Valour (Shadow Campaigns #3) by Django Wexler once im done - I have about four or five series on the go at once... :/

[Dhanusha]

So I finally picked up The Eye of the World. It was awesome, I loved it! Don't know why I put this series off for so long. Well, 1 down 13 to go! Heh.

[Helen, I·ᴍ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪʙʀᴀʀʏ]

Also read The Builders, God's War and starting Toll the Hounds. My sixth book of the month, bet it doesn't reach seven!

[Chris]

Finished the final book in the Moontide Quartet 'Ascendant's Rite', Started House of Suns by Alister Reynolds, then going to push through the last few Malazan books

[Elise]

I finished Red Rising. I enjoyed it for the most part. It was a little too much like Hunger Games, but at the same time different. The battles dragged on, but the ending was great.

I'm now reading Black Powder War. It's been a really long time since I've read the last book, but I'm not finding it too difficult to get back into. So far so good.

[Helen, I·ᴍ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪʙʀᴀʀʏ]

That cover looks lovely. I abandoned the series after book one but I'm tempted after reading Uprooted.

[Icia]

Just finished Kushiel's Dart and wow, what an amazing epic! I was a bit hesitant as I browsed some reviews before reading it and there was a lot of "boo, the sex is way too violent/torturous!" but I actually didn't think it was bad at all. It was still there, just not as bad as I thought it'd be, and in fact, it was such a tiny element of the overall story and in fact wasn't really what the book was about anyway.

I've no idea what my next read will be; any must-read-now! recommendations?

[Joseph]

Icia wrote: "I've no idea what my next read will be; any must-read-now! recommendations?"

Well, the obvious suggestion would be the next Kushiel books ...

Or if you want something that struck me as equally epic, maybe Guy Gavriel Kay? The Lions of Al-Rassan was one of my favorites, but really, just about all of his books are great -- just pick one based on the description that sounds appealing.

Or for something a bit lighter and faster, maybe Swordspoint by Ellen Kushner? Or War for the Oaks by Emma Bull?

[Maarit]

I started to read Oneiron by Laura Lindstedt. It's said to be a "fantasy about life after death" (literal translation). It tells about seven women from different countries who each have arrived to this white space, which seems to be some sort of a place in between life and death.

I'm not sure how the book will develop, as I only just started it, but it seems very interesting. And it has quite good ratings, which is a slight rarity as Finns tend to be quite critical when they judge their reading. No translations yet to any language. This novel is also Finlandia award nominee for this year, but the winner will be chosen at the end of this month. Finlandia award is the biggest and most appriciated book award here in Finland.

[Helen, I·ᴍ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪʙʀᴀʀʏ]

Icia wrote: "Just finished Kushiel's Dart and wow, what an amazing epic! I was a bit hesitant as I browsed some reviews before reading it and there was a lot of "boo, the sex is way too violent/to..."

Alternatively, one of this month's reads: Malice or The Aeronaut's Windlass.

[Margret]

Ahem.. I was one of those people who was put off by the sex in Kushiels Dart. I will try Namaah's kiss (suggested by Joseph I believe) as I did like her writing other than the sex. I've never been too keen on descriptive sex scenes though as I find they distract from the storyline.

[Joseph]

Margret wrote: "Ahem.. I was one of those people who was put off by the sex in Kushiels Dart. I will try Namaah's kiss (suggested by Joseph I believe) as I did like her writing other than the sex. I've never been ..."

Margret -- Assuming it was me, did I also mention her Sundering duology (Banewreaker and Godslayer)? They were quite good, and with minimal sexytimes (at least that I can recall) -- sort of a retelling of The Silmarillion & Lord of the Rings from the other side's PoV.

[Icia]

Thanks for the suggestions! I've been browsing the voting lists today and added The Aeronaut's Windlass already, and then I'll check the other suggestions out. As far as the rest of the Kushiel's series... I have a sense that a lot of the plot will just be repeated without delving into something new. The author's style is wonderful, rest assured I'm checking her other works out, though.

[Jaden]

Still getting through The wheel of time series up to a crown of swords

[Michele]

Icia wrote: "Thanks for the suggestions! I've been browsing the voting lists today and added The Aeronaut's Windlass already, and then I'll check the other suggestions out. As far as the rest of the Kushiel's s..."

No, no - each of the first three Kushiel books has a different plot, and the third one is just wow - you will not be expecting any of it. There is, of course, more sexy times (and some not-so-sexy) with various people as Phedre goes on to tackle some really big problems, solves some mysteries, travel around more of her world, and get even more entangled in politics and religion.

I can't imagine stopping Kushiel after just the first book. I strongly recommend reading the first trilogy, though a break between each might be a good idea.

Joseph gave a couple great suggestions - GGK is great and so is Kushner. You might also take a look at Illusion and The Book of the Damned.

[Joseph]

Michele wrote: "You might also take a look at Illusion and The Book of the Damned."

I love Tanith Lee! Was so sad to hear of her passing earlier this year; I reread The Birthgrave (which just got a rerelease) recently, and need to dive into more of her back catalog.

And Paula Volsky's one of those whose books I remember seeing a lot back in the 1990s, but never quite picking up. Someday.

[Elise]

Finished Shadow Prowler last night. It was an enjoyable, more traditional fantasy romp, while still being inventive in some ways.

Moving on to the next in the series, Shadow Chaser.

[Helen, I·ᴍ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪʙʀᴀʀʏ]

I'm another that hasn't read Kushiel's Dart because of the sex, nott keen on romance either. Reading rather than being romanced!

Wasn't there one by the author in Unfettered? If I'm remembering correctly rather than making that up, I enjoyed that:)

[Joseph]

Finished Orlando Furioso (my, that was long) and am about to start Welcome to Night Vale.

[Icia]

Michele wrote: "Icia wrote: "Thanks for the suggestions! I've been browsing the voting lists today and added The Aeronaut's Windlass already, and then I'll check the other suggestions out. As far as the rest of th..."

Michele, I was on the edge, as one person at work said it was more of the same, and I suppose I just needed another opinion to tip me the other way as I was still interested in the series overall. I have picked up and put down a few other books (mostly "easy" young adult reading or light urban fantasy) since finishing Kushiel's Dart because I seem to be spoiled for the lush world J. Carey has created. It's available as an e-reader from my library and will be pursuing it, thank you!
Guy Gavriel Kay looks up my alley too. Soo many books and authors to add now ^.^

[Joseph]

Finished Welcome to Night Vale, which was pretty much everything I hoped it would be, and started Star Wars: The Rise of the Empire (an omnibus containing Tarkin, A New Dawn and some short stories) because December 17th looms ever closer on the horizon.

[Margret]

Joseph- not sure if you did, but I'll add it to mt. To-Read

[Joshua]

Dhanusha wrote: "So I finally picked up The Eye of the World. It was awesome, I loved it! Don't know why I put this series off for so long. Well, 1 down 13 to go! Heh."

I think 13 books is why I haven't finished this series. I loved the first book but 12 more is very intimidating. Good on you for taking on that task!

[Joshua]

I finished The Rook and I highly recommend it. It was nice to have an author write a heroine as the main character. I am currently reading Ravenheart.

[Tnkw01]

I finished Heroes Die last week. If you don't like extreme language and blood and gore then don't read this book. But if you don't mind, then this is a good fantasy\sci-fi read. When I first started this book I wasn't to sure about the mix of sci-fi and fantasy. Boy was I wrong. This book was great. Caine is Mr. Macho times ten. There were a couple things that bothered me about the story. One was Stovers fascination with excrement. Every time anyone turned around they were neck deep in sh*t. The other was how enlightened certain people were suppose to be and then they suddenly became gullible. Other than that the book is a must read for fantasy lovers. When I finish The Aeronaut's Windlass I'm going to start Sword Song by Bernard Cornwell. These books are very addictive.

[Greta]

I'm reading GRRM's World of Ice and Fire. I got it for Christmas last year and want to finish before Christmas this year. So far it's very interesting!

[Monica]

Shadowdenizen wrote: "I'd like to re-read The Dragonbone Chair series, maybe as a group thing? Anyone interested?"

This one is on my to read list. I didn't see it on the Group's bookshelf, so maybe it would be a good nomination for one of our monthly reads. (A few people shelved it as YA, but that is not the majority, so would it qualify?)

I would join in on a group read of this book.

[Greta]

Monica- that book is now one I need for 2 different challenges so I would like to read it too! It has been on my tbr for a while.

[Helen, I·ᴍ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪʙʀᴀʀʏ]

With my mod head on: Dragon bone chair would get through.

I'd like to read it again but I've got to get through Malazan first, only 2.75 books to go (3600 ish pages). If you popped it in the buddy read folder, you could test interest. Would you like me to do that?

[Famine]

I'm reading some old favourites, may try Robin Hobb's Fool's Assassin if I get the time.

[Heideblume]

i'm slowly reading "the innkeeper's song" by Beagle. I'm not as fast as I should 'cause English is not my mother tongue and I don't know every words' meaning!

[Lára]

Currently I´m reading books from Chinese and Japanese authors, as well as some Hindu mythology,since it´s a part of my studies and I admit I´m really enjoying it :)

Once on a Moonless Night
Three Kingdoms (Library of Chinese Classics: Chinese-English, 5 Volume Set)þ this one has both Chinese and and English text and it´s criminal how much I´m loving it!
The Temple of the Golden Pavilion
Hindu Gods and Goddesses

as always, I like to include some manga in between, so it´s The Betrayal Knows My Name, Volume 3 at the moment.

I´m thinking on joing in in the group read of Malice, I´ve already reserved the book.

[Alissa]

Wolfrott wrote: "I'm reading some old favourites, may try Robin Hobb's Fool's Assassin if I get the time."

Currently reading Robin Hobb Collection: Assassin's Apprentice, Royal Assassin, Assassin's Quest and enjoying it very much.
Before delving into Hobb, I read Berg's Lighthouse duet and I loved it, she surely has a knack for great adult fantasy stories.

[Famine]

Alissa wrote: "Wolfrott wrote: "I'm reading some old favourites, may try Robin Hobb's Fool's Assassin if I get the time."

Currently reading [book:Robin Hobb Collection: Assassin's Apprentice, Royal Assassin, Ass..."

Thanks, I'll have to look into that one! :)

[Amy]

I'm about a third of the way through both Malice and Warhost of Vastmark. I'm enjoying both, though in different ways.

Had to restrain myself from buying new books the other day, though I've noticed the equivalent of a TBR pile on my Kobo keeps sneakily getting longer! :D

[Sumant]

Here is my review of pandora's star really liked this book.

I am currently reading The Gap Into Conflict: The Real Story one of the darkest books I have read this year.

[Alissa]

Amy wrote: "I'm about a third of the way through both Malice and Warhost of Vastmark. I'm enjoying both, though in different ways.

Had to restrain myself from buying new books the other day, tho..."

So true! I've piled up lots of ebooks from bundle sales, offers and...why do I love books so much?

Yay Amy, hope you are linking it, speaking of books I love, Warhost of Vastmark is proudly among my favorites. Maybe Helen can open a thread for it so we can discuss it. Such a turn point in the Wars of Light and Shadow.

[Helen, I·ᴍ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪʙʀᴀʀʏ]

Helen can. I've put it in series read folder. Let me know if you need anything :)

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Tnkw01]

Started Sword Song by Bernard Cornwell today. These books are a kind of cross between Historical Fiction and Historical Fantasy. They do have some small amounts of magic in them and the author writes it in such a way as to make one wonder if it really was magic or something else. Oh, I've read this one before but I'm trying to go through the whole series and I needed to refresh my memory.

[Helen, I·ᴍ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪʙʀᴀʀʏ]

I've a naughty tendency to file books like that into fiction rather than fantasy. My friend goes mad with me.

[Lára]

I somehow agree with Helen. I say "somehow" because I consider everything that´s not non-fiction a fantasy. I consider all fiction as fantasy and that might be taken as false. That´s simply how I shelf, and I don´t shelf.

[Tnkw01]

Yes, your right, there probably fiction, but oh they are so addictive to me. I'll dwell back into true Fantasy after this one.

[Lára]

Well, however you shelve books is up to you and nobody can tell you it´s wrong! Read what you like and if you like a book we´re reading here, great!

This group is all about people enjoying similar books and discussing them together, if they feel like it.

[Joseph]

I'm continuing through the new Star Wars novels -- finished Star Wars: The Rise of the Empire and started Heir to the Jedi, both of which are enjoyable if not great.