What are you reading in April 2014?

[Candiss]

Please tell us what you are reading, or plan to read, in April, 2014.

[Christine]

I finished reading Mirage and enjoyed it then moved on to White Fire which I finished last night (why do the female protagonists have to be so hard headed and stupid???). Today I start The Invention of Wings. Guess I'm briefly in a non-SF/Fantasy period (but I do have Dust on my shelf

[Paul]

Finished Dark Eden late last night. Very original Sci-fi book. Review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Helen]

I loved Invention of Wings. I also loved Dark Eden but didn't think it was a scifi

[Nick]

Actually, I just read "Invention of Wings" for a "real-life" book club. But on the more fantastic side, I am reading Green Mars (which at lot of folks have told me to watch out about this one, even though I liked "Red Mars" -- I'm gonna take the plunge anyway), The Juniper Tree and Other Blue Rose Stories, and The Heavens Rise.

[Candiss]

I'm in the middle of several books right now: The Encyclopedia of Early Earth - a myth-based graphic novel - and two non-sff books - The Lost Honor of Katharina Blum (1970s German why'd-they-do-it murder story) and Their Eyes Were Watching God (no introduction needed.)

In a few days, I'll be starting a run of spec-fic: The Golem and the Jinni for our discussion here at BR, a reread of The Lathe of Heaven for another group, Under the Skin, Everyday Psychokillers: A History for Girls, A Novel (fantastical elements but not strictly sff,) and The Raw Shark Texts.

[Shel, Moderator]

I'm about halfway through A Turn of Light and really loving it. Gorgeous worldbuilding!

[Charles]

Candiss wrote: "Please tell us what you are reading, or plan to read, in April, 2014."

[Charles]

I just finished The Last Dark, the concluding volume of Stephen Donaldson's epic series, The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. Without effulgent rhetoric, just please let me give it a 12 on the 10 point scale. One of my three all time favorite series along with LOTR and Janny Wurts' Wars of Light and Shadow.

[Bill]

I finally got around to reading Perdido Street Station—am quite enjoying it!

[Ken]

Charles wrote: "I just finished The Last Dark, the concluding volume of Stephen Donaldson's epic series, The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. Without effulgent rhetoric, just please let me give it a 12 on the 10 po..."

I have them on my list, Once I finish Malazan I am going to reread the first two Chronicles in prep for the final series

[Kathi, Moderator & Book Lover]

I'm reading Altered Carbon and have the next 2 books lined up. Also plan to read The Darkness That Comes Before and the rest of the Prince of Nothing series for a different group discussion. Probably not all that in April, though. :)

[Kathi, Moderator & Book Lover]

Charles wrote: "I just finished The Last Dark, the concluding volume of Stephen Donaldson's epic series, The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. Without effulgent rhetoric, just please let me give it a 12 on the 10 po..."

I would like to reread the first 2 Chronicles and then read the final series as well. Hmmm, future series read for this group?

[Jo]

I just finished For Honor We Stand by H. Paul Honsinger. Second book in The Man Of War series and really fun Military Science Fiction.

[Christine]

I am reading Brave New World & I started The Mists of Avalon

[Nyssa]

I'm currently reading The Horse and His Boy and then I plan to start Cordelia's Honor.

[Carolyn F.]

Lost Lake

[Kythe42]

@Christine

I love The Mists of Avalon. Have you read any other books in the series. I've been working through them in chronological order and I've gotten through them all except for The Mists of Avalon which takes place last even though it was written first. I'm not sure when I'll get to it but I need a break after reading Lady of Avalon and Priestess of Avalon.

@Nyssa

The Horse and His Boy is one of my favorite Narnia books. I once had a bird that I named Shasta after the character in the book, though everyone thought I named him after the soda brand.

[Nyssa]

Nyssa wrote: "I'm currently reading The Horse and His Boy and then I plan to start Cordelia's Honor."

I've decided to put Horse & Boy aside and start Vorkosigan now.

[Christine]

Kythe42 wrote: "@Christine

I love The Mists of Avalon. Have you read any other books in the series. I've been working through them in chronological order and I've gotten through them all except for The Mists of A..."

It' s the first I'm reading. :)

[Nyssa]

Kythe42 wrote: "@Nyssa

The Horse and His Boy is one of my favorite Narnia books. I once had a bird that I named Shasta after the character in the book, though everyone thought I named him after the soda brand. "

Oops.. I just saw your comment. That's why I'd recognized that name when I first read it..its a soda.

Unfortunately, the story isn't sitting well with me. While the adventure aspect is fun, the blatant racism (while common for that time) is annoying and I don't feel like finishing the story right now. I do plan to get back to it, as I want to finish the entire series.

[Kythe42]

Nyssa wrote: Unfortunately, the story isn't sitting well with me. While the adventure aspect is fun, the blatant racism (while common for that time) is annoying and I don't feel like finishing the story right now. I do plan to get back to it, as I want to finish the entire series.

Wow, it's been a long time since I've read the book and I don't even remember how old I was the last time I read it, but I really don't remember any racism. Perhaps I was too young to really pick up on it at the time, or I simply didn't notice for whatever reason.

[Nyssa]

Kythe42 wrote: "Nyssa wrote: Unfortunately, the story isn't sitting well with me. While the adventure aspect is fun, the blatant racism (while common for that time) is annoying and I don't feel like finishing the ..."

Yeah, I can't tell if its supposed to be anti-Arab or specifically anti-Muslim, but there are many references to the brown/dark skinned people being stupid, barbaric and/or smelly, vs a huge emphasis on the free, white, noble, beautiful, Narnians (their race never really having been mentioned before).

[Kythe42]

Nyssa wrote: Yeah, I can't tell if its supposed to be anti-Arab or specifically anti-Muslim, but there are many references to the brown/dark skinned people being stupid, barbaric and/or smelly, vs a huge emphasis on the free, white, noble, beautiful, Narnians (their race never really having been mentioned before).

Well I was probably too involved with the actual storyline to pick up on it the last time I read it. I guess when I read something like that, especially in a fantasy world like Narnia, I don't really connect it real world racism. Perhaps the author was making a commentary on it or maybe he was just introducing some sort of racism specific to his made up world. Unfortunately there are racist people out there and just because an author chooses to write about that sort of thing doesn't necessarily mean the author is racist themself, though I'm not sure if that's what you were getting at or not.

[Nyssa]

Kythe42 wrote: "Nyssa wrote: Yeah, I can't tell if its supposed to be anti-Arab or specifically anti-Muslim, but there are many references to the brown/dark skinned people being stupid, barbaric and/or smelly, vs ..."

While that may be true, the way he went about it is suspect. I have no idea if the man was racist or not, however I must ask:
Why put such emphasis on the color of their skin, while calling them stupid, barbaric, greedy and smelly? Why now emphasis the whiteness of the Narnians' skin when it wasn't an issue before?

[Kythe42]

That is a valid point, though I guess I can't really comment further without rereading the book myself.

[Nyssa]

Kythe42 wrote: "That is a valid point, though I guess I can't really comment further without rereading the book myself."

I know...Just explaining why it made me uncomfortable.

I still plan to finish the book, and the series as a whole. I just have to wait until I'm in the frame of mind for it.
So far I've enjoyed Prince Caspian the most, with The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe coming in second. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader & The Silver Chair are ok. What's really upsetting is that the meat of this story is really entertaining. If not for the unsavory sheen, assuming it ends strongly, I would probably give it no less than a 4.

[Kythe42]

Yeah you should definitely finish it and then read The Magician's Nephew. I think that one was my favorite of the series.

[Nyssa]

Kythe42 wrote: "Yeah you should definitely finish it and then read The Magician's Nephew. I think that one was my favorite of the series."

:D

[Ken]

Still reading House of Chains
I am really enjoying this series.
I am reading the e-books because my eyes are not what they used to be and the reader can make the fonts larger. I read the previous books in Mass Market Paperback form and writing was rather small and I had a hard time of it.

[Nik]

Slowly reading Star Maker and just started The Girl with All the Gifts which is creepy and very compulsive reading - I'm hooked!

[Sumant]

I am reading way of kings and loving it!!.

[Brenda ╰☆╮]

Love, love, LOVE, The Way of Kings!

Great timing as the second book just came out in March.


Did I mention I love it?
;)

[Sumant]

Great timing as the second book just came out in March.

yes i am gonna read it too :D.

[Lindsey]

Sumant wrote: "Great timing as the second book just came out in March.

yes i am gonna read it too :D."

Second book's better than the first, I very much enjoyed it last month.

Pretty sure I've hit a springtime slowdown in reading, so this month it's finishing up Hild (excellent so far) for my book club and my re-read of The Way of Kings.

[Bob]

Just started A Burnable Book. A thriller set in 1385 London with Chaucer as one of the characters. Not far enough in to comment yet. Not much reading time right now.

[Helen]

Read First Lord's Fury, excellent. Now reading The Kingdom of Gods.

[Kelly]

just finished Alif the Unseen.And I must say it is a great book and I'm glad it's June's book as it deserves some spotlighting. Not sure what to read next as I have a few options but I think Who Fears Death and Hybrids are in the mix

[Beth]

I finished up Thieftaker over the weekend. Taking forever wasn't the book's fault--it was due entirely to my easily diverted brain, that decided it wanted to read Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You, Vol. 01--from v. 1 to 17--midway through. Anyway, Thieftaker isn't deep or anything. Just a fun historical fantasy.

Next, on to Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. I'm pretty good at avoiding spoilers so have no idea where the story is going, though I assume Jacob will find his way to the mysterious island eventually.

[Shel, Moderator]

I just finished A Turn of Light and it was absolutely gorgeous. 5 stars, for sure.

Starting Altered Carbon next!

[Christine]

I just finished reading The Invention of Wings which I enjoyed. Now back to fantasy with Blood Song

[Kythe42]

I finished reading The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure by William Goldman. Review here.

I'm now reading A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle which is one of my favorite books from childhood.

[Kathi, Moderator & Book Lover]

Finally started The Darkness That Comes Before and it is a tough book to get into. Way too many names, places, and events without any clues. It helped when I found maps and a list of characters and groups in the back, so now I'm starting to get oriented.

[Pickle]

ive read The Prefect, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone & The City and the City.

Currently reading Revelation Space and if ive anytime im going to start We Can Remember It for You Wholesale

[Sumant]

I have just finished reading Way of kings part one and here is My review.

[Christine]

JUst finished Blood Song which I enjoyed immensely; too bad my library doesn't have the sequel. I'm now starting on Dust

[Kythe42]

I finished reading A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. Review here.

I'm now reading the sequel, A Wind in the Door.

[Christine]

I had to stop reading Dust as I'm leaving town and it is due at the library. Now I'm reading Ship Breaker

[LindaJ^]

This month I've read on the sci fi front I've read Diplomatic Immunity, Way Station and Influx and am currently reading Judas Unchained, all enjoyable. On the fantasy side, I've read Touch of Power, which was disappointing. I've also read a couple of historical fiction books, three thrillers, a short story book, and a non-fiction book. With the better weather, I've been doing a lot of walking, so have been eating up the audible books!

[Shel, Moderator]

I just finished Code Name Verity - not SF/F, but absolutely brilliant. I think I'll read a few more short stories next and then pick up Childhood's End for our May discussion when the time comes.