You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion
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Chit Chat About Books
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What Are You Reading? - 2017.1
I finished What the Body Remembers for the monthly challenge. Next up is the latest in the Kate Daniels series - Magic Binds.
KimeyDiann wrote: "It isn't quite as YA so you might enjoy it. The Queen's Poisoner is the first book in the series. .."Ha! Apparently, I own it on Kindle. I guess I will be reading more of his work after all.
I just finished all three books in The Brilliance Saga by Marcus Sakey and they were fantastic! It is a high action, suspenseful series. It would be comparable to a Hollywood blockbuster with lots of shooting and explosions, which isn't normally my thing, but I devoured these books. The series takes place in an alternate version of 2013 America. In the 1980's, a small percentage of people began being born with abilities normal people don't have, they become known as Brilliants. You have to suspend disbelief for a lot of this to make sense, but I didn't have too much trouble doing that with these. These abilities aren't X-Men, superhero type abilities, nor are they necessarily Einstein level genius. Some of these people can tell just by watching your unconscious movements and bodily reactions what you are about to do. (This one is especially helpful in a fight.) Others can tell if you are lying, can see patterns and correlations in seemingly unrelated things, etc. It doesn't seem like that big of a deal, but in this version of reality it is a huge deal. It has divided America and the country is on the brink of a civil war because of it. Racial divide doesn't exist, 9/11 never happened, being LGBT is no big deal. All the hatred and inequalities are focused on the "abnorms" vs "norms" and none of the other even signifies.
I have the first book in the series Kimey. Sounds good. You've got me excited to read it.
I'll be interested to hear what you think of it when you read it, Sarah.
I have been trying to get to the Brilliance series too, KimeyDiann. My daughter read them and keeps telling me that I will like them - just no time yet.
I've listened to the first two books in the series and while I enjoyed them, I'm not sure I'll read the last book. I finished The Scourge of Muirwood on audiobook today. Tomorrow, I'll start Curse of the Blue Tattoo: Being an Account of the Misadventures of Jacky Faber, Midshipman and Fine Lady.
I am currently listening to The Night Stalker for the yearly challenge. This is also part of a series that I'd like to kill off. I also started My Not So Perfect Life because I feel like I've been reading a lot of murder, mystery, thriller type books lately and I wanted something different. I'm looking forward to a bit of humor and light reading.
Plus, I just started Before We Were Yours as a NetGalley review. I chose this one because it was different from the other two that I'm currently reading. The variety helps me to keep the stories straight and keeps me from being overwhelmed with books that have a similar feel.
I will be waiting to see how you feel about the second Bloody Jacky book, Janice. I am still waiting to see what happens to her, but cannot convince myself to commit.
I started The Steel Remains yesterday. I haven't read much "grimdark" fantasy so I thought I would give this a try. The first couple of chapters have been really good.
I finished Seveneves. It's broke in 2 parts. The first part was excellent. The second part jumped ahead 5000 years in the future. Now there wasn't anything wrong with that half of it, but the book was too short. Actually, it shouldn't have been a book it should have been a series. Or at least a trilogy. Which is why I can't say it was bad it just could have used more information and gone into depth a little more primarily in the future. I'll give it 4 stars. What I did like was there was a lot more clarity than Stephenson's books sometimes have. The technology was explained well and it was easy to follow.I finished that last week and have since started nothing new. My phone keeps freezing up and having all sorts of issues. Someday I'll go get a new one. Since all my audio books are on there I haven't bothered. I don't know if I'm in a bit of a reading slump also. I've just found the radio and podcasts more appealing lately probably just needed a bit of change
Thought we hadn't heard from you in a while Travis. I am pleased to hear you liked Seveneves. I was worried you were going to tell me it was crap. Do you think Stephenson might explore that world more with future books, padding it out?
I'm sure Stephenson could easily find a way to ontinue with the world if he wanted. Although the ending seemed more like he was probably just done with it. Really only gives a glimpse of the future so the door could be wide open or he could jump ahead another 500 years or something
I see. I think i'll bump this one up my list then.
It's definitely a lot different that the confusion of Snow Crash which was nice. I listened to the audio and never really payed attention to how far I was . I glimpsed at the time each time I began or ended listening but it was more habit. Really the only time it registered with me was the last day I had only 45 minutes left and I couldn't believe it. I thought I had 5 hours left. It just felt there could be no way to end it where they were. It's almost like he wrote 90% of the book and all of a sudden there was pressure by the publisher or something to finish and turn it in. The majority of the book was worth 5 stars easily I felt
KimeyDiann wrote: "I just finished all three books in The Brilliance Saga by Marcus Sakey and they were fantastic!..."I read the trilogy in January and had a great time, too! Do you know of anything else along the line?I'd love to read more of the sort. I read The Reckoners Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson not long afterwards in February and it was really great, too. In an alternate timeline some humans have recently been developing superpowers. The twist however being, that those people turn evil, they get corrupted by the powers. The plot is about the main character wanting to join the Reckoners, a resistance group that is fighting the Epics, which is the name given to the people with superpowers. I definitely recommend it even though I'm no superhero fan.
Yes the Reckoner series is fun. I must get back to that one.
Finished The Idiot The Idiotby Fyodor Dostoyevsky
My review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/1958173939
While Crime and Punishment is my favorite I think The Idiot is my 2nd favorite by Dostoyevsky. Although I enjoy almost everything he writes. I think I rated Brothers K higher than the idiot though
I'm almost finished reading Curse of the Blue Tattoo: Being an Account of the Misadventures of Jacky Faber, Midshipman and Fine Lady and Magic Binds. I'll finish them both today. I'll finish Curse of the Blue Tattoo on my drive to my dad's this morning and then will start Wolves for my challenge read.
Curse of the Blue Tattoo has been a wonderful and entertaining read. Katherine Kellerine's narration makes this a "must read on audiobook".
Once I finish the ebook Magic Binds, I'll start The Moonstone. I have To Say Nothing of the Dog slated for later this month and apparently, it's recommended that you read The Moonstone first.
I'm reading Before We Were Yours. I've just started, but it's interesting so far and the writing is good. I'm also reading My Not So Perfect Life. I picked this up because I needed something light. So far, it's just what I needed. I'm hoping to finish today or tomorrow.
Next I'll be picking up Treasure Island for the group read. I've been wanting to read it for a while, so I'm glad to finally have a reason to get to it.
I finished The Steel Remains which I thought was really good. Here is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I have read some very good books in the past month.The Nix
"The Nix a Norwegian shapeshifting water spirt. A woman growing up in 1960's Iowa who goes off to college in Chicago during the Democratic Convention and protests. It tells how she is expected to behave and the choices she makes. She settles, has a family and is an unhappy soul. Flash forward to 2011. Her and her son Sam and been estranged for 20 years until she makes front page news for attacking a presidential candidate. Now the story opens up and goes back and forth between Sam and his story growing up, becoming a professor, dealing with a crazy student and escaping into "elves" a video game that takes him away from his life.
This is an engaging story that tells of different people, the choices(good and bad) they make and and even with the pain they can start again."
A Gentleman in Moscow
And my favorite so far this year:
Christodora
Travis sivarT wrote: "While Crime and Punishment is my favorite I think The Idiot is my 2nd favorite by Dostoyevsky. Although I enjoy almost everything he writes. I think I rated Brothers K higher than the idiot though"Travis / Dem: Can you help?
I'm trying to read The Idiot at the moment too but am struggling to keep interested and 'in the zone'. I haven't got far yet.. the Prince has just arrived at his lodgings... and my mind keeps wandering. Do things pick up soon?
I've never read Dostoyevski before and I think part of the problem is I don't know what to expect. So far, he seems to be holding a mirror to society and poking wry fun in the process..?
Stephan wrote: "KimeyDiann wrote: "I just finished all three books in The Brilliance Saga by Marcus Sakey and they were fantastic!..."I read the trilogy in January and had a great time, too! Do yo..."
I really don't know of anything else along those lines. I hadn't heard of The Reckoners, but I'm going to look it up. I don't typically search out books in that genre, Brilliance was an impulse decision to read and I didn't have very high expectations.. obviously I was pleasantly surprised.
Acutally, I just realized that The Reckoners is on my TBR already. There's just like a thousand books on there, I don't know how I could have possibly forgotten about that one book!
Lisa wrote: "I finished The Steel Remains which I thought was really good. Here is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."Nice review Lisa. Thanks for the warnings. I am passing on this trilogy.
Dem wrote: "Finished The Secret Scripture
My Review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/71799891"
I've moved this one up, Dem. I may have to use it for my Ireland read, but I already have so many other books.
Cherie wrote: "Dem wrote: "Finished The Secret ScriptureMy Review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/71799891"
I've moved this one up, Dem. I may have to use ..."
I really hope you like it Cherie.
I'm starting Tigana which is a readalong with a non-Goodreads friend and also for my survey challenge.
I just read the 2 books in the Stormlight Archive series by Sanderson. I am now awaiting the 3rd installement. The more book of Sanderson I read, the more I like him.
I'm also waiting for the 3rd book. Haven't read that much by him yet, but of what I read, The Stormlight Archive is my favourite series. I read the 3rd book will come out in November.
Dem wrote: "Cherie wrote: "Dem wrote: "Finished The Secret ScriptureMy Review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/71799891"
I've moved this one up, Dem. I m..."
Great review Dem. I thought The Secret Scripture was a wonderful book and really well written but I hated the ending! I listened The Temporary Gentleman, the next installment of the McNully family, and I had no such reservations - a 5 star read for me. I have Days Without Endon my shelf ready to go and I intend to savor it ;-)
I finished Wolves on audiobook. It was my challenge pick. I will start Treasure Island tomorrow if Hoopla lets me download it. When I tried today, I got an error message about reaching a daily download limit. I suspect that the library itself must have limits for the number of downloads its members make since I only have one book checked out. The message said to try tomorrow when the tally is reset.
I just finished listening to Treasure Island, narrated by Ralph Cosham. He was great, even singing the pirate songs and mimicking the parrot. I really enjoyed revisiting the story again.
Annerlee wrote: "Travis sivarT wrote: "While Crime and Punishment is my favorite I think The Idiot is my 2nd favorite by Dostoyevsky. Although I enjoy almost everything he writes. I think I rated Brothers K higher ..."I don't think Dostoyevsky books "pick up" anywhere. Any of them. He just isn't that type of writer. I like him because he focuses more on the misery of life and those less fortunate. It gives the characters more realness to me. In that way he is similar to Dickens who also wrote on the darker side of humanity. Except Dickens used a lot of humor.
Ralph Cosham also narrates Watership Down Cherie. If you haven't listened to him read that I'd recommend it. If you've never read the book at all before then I definitely recommend it.
Not a lot of excitement here. I finished Rich Dad, Poor Dad, and The 5 Second Rule: Transform Your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage and The Millionaire Next Door and about to begin The Richest Man in BabylonI really need to start seeing if any of these can fit my yearly challenge. Since I've left my normal reading genres
Travis sivarT wrote: "Ralph Cosham also narrates Watership Down Cherie. If you haven't listened to him read that I'd recommend it. If you've never read the book at all before then I definitely recommend it."I second that recommendation Travis, Cusham did a wonderful job on Watership Down. I'm hoping to get to Treasure Island this month but I didn't realise how long my cagefight choice was. Natchez Burning is 816 pages , 33 hours on audio - good thing I love Penn Cage stories and this one doesn't disappoint!
I was reading The Way of Kings via whispersync on kindle but there seems to be a bug in that book. The narrative is a chapter behind the text so the words being highlighted are not those being read. It behaved itself up to chapter 27 but now is refusing to cooperate. Does anyone else use whispersync? Have you had this problem?
Cherie wrote: "I just finished listening to Treasure Island, narrated by Ralph Cosham. He was great, even singing the pirate songs and mimicking the parrot. I really enjoyed revisiting the story again."The version I will be listening to is narrated by Tim Gregory. I listened to clips and I think he'll be good. I wonder if he'll sing. :)
Janice- I listened to most of the clips before I decided on Ralph. Tim is good too. Travis- I think I started listening to Ralph narrate Watership Down two summers ago when I was working outside. It was really hot and I decided to put it aside for something else. I read the book many years ago. I will get back to it one day.
I just started listening to my guy, Simon Vance narrate my Patrick O'Brian sea story. They are in the Pacific Ocean and an underwater volcano erupted during the night.
Margo wrote: "Dem wrote: "Cherie wrote: "Dem wrote: "Finished The Secret ScriptureMy Review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/71799891"
I've moved this one ..."
Hope you enjoy Days Without End Margo.
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You'll love this one...!! A book club & more
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I loved this series! The spinoff was not as good as this one though. Jeff Wheeler has another series out that takes place in a world somewhat similar to Muirwood that I love. It isn't quite as YA so you might enjoy it. The Queen's Poisoner is the first book in the series.