What are you reading in August '14

[Ctgt]

Starting Darkness Weaves

[Katy]

Michele wrote: "I finished reading the Frontier Magic trilogy by Patricia C. Wrede. Very good alternate history, a bit Little House on the Prairie with magic.

Now listening to the Bitterbynde tril..."

I really enjoyed the Frontier Magic series. You've interested me into picking up the Bitterbynde series now.

Just finished Shadow and Bone and will get the next in the series started next week.

[Katy]

Greg wrote: "I'm reading the first Rama book again. It's much better when you're not 15.

Rendezvous with Rama"

Very enjoyable read.

[Sieger]

I've read Words of Radiance last week. This week I'm going to try some SF for a change and started with Consider Phlebas, I hope it is a good series.

[Joseph]

Finished Fearsome Journeys: The New Solaris Book of Fantasy, which I quite enjoyed, and am starting The Face in the Frost by John Bellairs, another one of those that I've just never quite gotten around to over the years.

[L.G.]

Kathy wrote: "Greg wrote: "I'm reading the first Rama book again. It's much better when you're not 15.

Rendezvous with Rama"

Very enjoyable read."

Is it enjoyable on its own, or do you have to read the whole series to really appreciate it?

[Katy]

L.G. wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Greg wrote: "I'm reading the first Rama book again. It's much better when you're not 15.

Rendezvous with Rama"

Very enjoyable r..."

I've only read the first, none of the others in the series. So for me it was complete on its own.

[Greg]

L.G. wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Greg wrote: "I'm reading the first Rama book again. It's much better when you're not 15.

Rendezvous with Rama"

Very enjoyable r..."

I really enjoyed this one a lot, more than I remember when I was younger. So I picked up Rama II again all happy and excited...and got bogged down.

There's more drama between characters, and the book's about twice as long, and it just wasn't what I was looking for at the moment.

I really think the series hooks you in with the third book, Garden of Rama.

[[deleted user]]

Ctgt wrote: "Starting Darkness Weaves "

Oh sweet. Looking forward to what you think of that!

[[deleted user]]

I just finished The Ocean at the End of the Lane, my second Gaiman novel to date. I've read some of his short stories, and American Gods. It's definite; the guy is one of my favorite authors currently writing, no doubt about it!
Here's my review

[Sam]

Starting prince of fools today, then a re-read of the dagger and coin series before the new book, the widows house, then a re-read of the lightbringer series, before the third in the series the broken eye.

[Marcus]

Marcus wrote: "I got several books I'm trying to read for August...

The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson
The Rithmatist By Brandon Sanderson
Dune by Frank Herbert
..."

And I am also reading the Martian by Andy Weir.... but thats a Hard Science Fiction Read. And Really good.

[Marcus]

Helen wrote: "Bev wrote: "Helen wrote: "Read A Monster Calls earlier, oh the tears. Was like that Robin Hobb book with the wolf."

Thank goodness it wasnt just me , I cried buckets at the wolf th..."

I was considering reading this book because it has such good reviews. but I don't want to read a book that makes me want to cry.

[Joseph]

Finished The Face in the Frost, which was wonderful, and decided to revisit a childhood favorite, Barry Blake of the Flying Fortress.

(To clarify: When I read the book in my childhood, it was already 35 years old, plus or minus.)

[Satinder]

Recently finished Prince of Thorns and now reading King of Thorns. I'd heard these books were overly violent and the main character unlikable but I shouldn't have listened! This story is creeping under my skin like nobody's business. :-)

[[deleted user]]

I just finished Kameron Hurley's The Mirror Empire! Definitely in my top five epic fantasy releases of the year. An excellent start to the series. It made me feel uncomfortable as no hell in the good way, and with some of the issues she touches on? That book's going to make waves when it hits. Worth checking out.
Here's my review

I really love the cover art on this, though:

[David]

Karen Azinger's Silk and Steel Saga. Very good books and very imaginative. I'm up to The Knight Marshal. Well worth a read. Lots of interesting characters and a good plot line. The Mordant is a great creation, a reborn evil character who has amassed a collection of sorcerous artefacts to defeat the kingdoms of Erdhe.

[David]

Lady*M wrote: "I just finished re-reading the entire Abercrombie. I loved it as before, but you have to be realistic about these things - it wasn't easy. XD

Too much grimdark at the same time, I'll have to find ..."

Good books. For a light read try War of the Fae, book 1 is free on Kindle if you have one

[Sandra]

I'm continuing with mt Wars of Light and Shadow reread I'm up to #6, Peril's Gate. As usual, I'm completely caught up in the story. Some others were doing this too. How are the rest of you coming?

[Joseph]

Finished Barry Blake of the Flying Fortress (it was short & fast-moving, if occasionally an uncomfortably racist product of its times) and am moving on to something else that's short but should be much, much more tolerable -- The Truth Is a Cave in the Black Mountains: A Tale of Travel and Darkness with Pictures of All Kinds by Neil Gaiman.

[Joseph]

And now for something completely different: Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey.

[Sandra]

Joseph wrote: "And now for something completely different: Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey."

Oh, i enjoyed that trilogy!

[Joseph]

Sandra wrote: "Joseph wrote: "And now for something completely different: Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey."

Oh, i enjoyed that trilogy!"

I've heard many good things from many people whose opinions I respect, so I decided it was time for a bit of near-future space opera.

[Nagarue]

I finished the The Gods in Anger it was entertaining if not perhaps as much as when I first read it many years ago. The nostalgia bug has hit me hard so I expect I will be rereading a lot of series I first read some twenty years ago while they where still being printed. I am currently near the end of The Anvil of Ice and have enjoyed it very much. I expect to continue on with the rest of that series and also start The First Book of Swords the second book in this series may have been the first fantasy book I ever read.

[Joseph]

Nagarue wrote: "I finished the The Gods in Anger it was entertaining if not perhaps as much as when I first read it many years ago. The nostalgia bug has hit me hard so I expect I will be rereading ..."

I remember the Winter of the World trilogy very fondly. Someday I also need to go back and reread the Swords & Lost Swords books.

[Bev]

Almost finished Malice by J Gwynne. Not bad so far.

[Elise]

I finished Oryx and Crake. Didn't love it, but didn't hate it either. I feel like maybe I'm missing something...

Going off genre and reading Speak and soon The Maze Runner

[Monica]

I have read quite a few books this month, but here are the most notable ones:

Magician's Land by Lev Grossman- An extremely intelligent and wonderful end to a series.

The Mirror Empire by Kameron Hurley- So far this book is surprisingly fascinating. The setting and writing style are so different than anything else I've come across, and I'm totally wrapped up in the story!

Smiler's Fair- This is a very unique fantasy as well, and it is really really dark and brutal. I absolutely loved it though, and can't wait to read the rest of the books in the Hollow Gods series.

Pantomime by Laura Lam- This novel had an incredibly unique protagonist, and the story and world building were both very intriguing. It is a YA novel, but very well written, and the plot was not overwhelmed by a love story. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a very unique protagonist, and an open mind is a must have :)

Traitor's Blade by Sebastien de Castell- So far I am really enjoying this one as well. The writer has a very unique voice, and the narrative is full of spunk and snark. It's a really fun book so far!

[Kyra]

I finished Midnight Tides by Steven Erikson, enjoyed it a lot. Right now I'm reading Spy's Honor by Amy Raby. It's ok, not really grabbing me, but enjoyable. Next up is the new Carol Berg, Dust and Light, which I'm excited about. Carol Berg is one of my favorite authors, and this book is set in the same world as Flesh and Spirit and Breath and Bone, two of my favorite books.

[Lady*M]

David wrote: "Lady*M wrote: "I just finished re-reading the entire Abercrombie. I loved it as before, but you have to be realistic about these things - it wasn't easy. XD

Too much grimdark at the same time, I'l..."

Thank you!

I re-read the entire Codex Alera series waiting for the new Robin Hobb's book. And I just finished it too - Fool's Assassin review.

[Amy]

Ah, a few people have read The Mirror Empire! I've been eagerly awaiting that one ever since I saw it announced - can't wait to get my hands on a copy!

Anyway, here's what I'm currently reading:
The Desert Spear & Daughter of Smoke & Bone

I'm really enjoying the latter, but I'll admit to struggling a bit with The Desert Spear. I enjoyed the first book in the series and thought it really picked up towards the end, but I just can't seem to get into this one at all.

[L.G.]

Amy wrote: "Ah, a few people have read The Mirror Empire! I've been eagerly awaiting that one ever since I saw it announced - can't wait to get my hands on a copy!

Anyway, here's what I'm currently reading:
[..."

I hear you on the Desert Spear. I loved the first book, but really disliked this one.

[Lady*M]

I finished Carol Berg's Dust and Light. It happens simultaneously with Lighthouse books. And, it was awesome!

[Davis]

I've carved out time in between my own writing, so I can finally tackle Tower Lord followed by The Broken Eye. I've also got Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children on the list as well as The Fire Prince. All those might take me through October.
Sigh.
I miss when I had time to read 2-3 books a week.

[Bev]

Elise wrote: "I finished Oryx and Crake. Didn't love it, but didn't hate it either. I feel like maybe I'm missing something...

Going off genre and reading Speak and soon [book:The Maz..."

I didnt get oryx either but I did likr maze runner even tho its ya.

[Trine]

I've started on Henry James' The Wings of the Dove. His ornate prose, and complicated sentence structure is a challenged though, especially when English isn't my first language.

[[deleted user]]

Just finished:


Pretty awesome stuff. That's the first 5 stars I've given a fantasy since I read Robin Hobb a few weeks ago.
Here's my review

[Talitha]

I finished Magic Bites and was pleasantly surprised, so I'm onto the next, Magic Burns. Urban Fantasy can be hit or miss for me, but this series has enough snark for me.

[Amy]

Rabindranauth wrote: "Just finished:


Pretty awesome stuff. That's the first 5 stars I've given a fantasy since I read Robin Hobb a few weeks ago.
Here's my review"

I've been hearing all sorts of positive reviews for City of Stairs, so I might have to give it a go. You've particularly piqued my interest by comparing it to The Mirror Empire, but overall the plot just sounds really intriguing.

[Joseph]

Amy wrote: "I've been hearing all sorts of positive reviews for City of Stairs, so I might have to give it a go. You've particularly piqued my interest by comparing it to The Mirror Empire, but overall the plot just sounds really intriguing. ..."

Robert Jackson Bennett is kind of criminally underrated, although so far I've only read his first two -- Mr. Shivers and The Company Man.

[Matt]

I'm trying to get through The Two Towers, but it's tough going so far. Some of the scenes are really interesting and engrossing, while others are the complete opposite. I'm not quite sure what to make of it.

[Usinger]

loved blood song, but have heard mixed reviews of Tower Lord

[Usinger]

Reading The name of the wind....great so far!

[Joseph]

Finished Leviathan Wakes and it's clear I'm going to be in the Expanse for a while. Next up it's prequel time with The Butcher of Anderson Station. Now this is podracing ...

[Sandra]

Joseph wrote: "Finished Leviathan Wakes and it's clear I'm going to be in the Expanse for a while. Next up it's prequel time with The Butcher of Anderson Station. Now this is podr..."

Yes, it's very addictive, isn't it?

[Joseph]

Sandra wrote: "Yes, it's very addictive, isn't it?"

They've really nailed that just-one-more-potato-chip rhythm to the chapters.

[[deleted user]]

Amy wrote: "Rabindranauth wrote: "Just finished:


Pretty awesome stuff. That's the first 5 stars I've given a fantasy since I read Robin Hobb a few weeks ago.
Here's my rev..."

You definitely should! City of Stairs was one of the best reads of the year for me, hands down. You can't go wrong with it.

[[deleted user]]

Just finished Ancillary Justice! Some cool concepts in a political intrigue tale, but overall? I'm distinctly underwhelmed.
Here's my review

I got an ARC of , moving on to that next.

After the essential relegation of the old SWEU to little more than exploited fan fiction, I'm trying to keep an open mind with it. Hopefully with the decision to make a cohesive storyline for these books, as a whole I'll be happy about giving this a shot.

Long live Darth Caedus!

[Strange_Trees]

This book is currently consuming my soul and making me sneak longer lunch breaks at work to read a few extra pages. I'm kind of dreading the end, since then I'll have caught up with the authors current published works and will have to start... waiting... for upcoming novels D: (Although I still have the novellas and Esslemont! There is hope!)

[Tracey the Lizard Queen]

Just started Promise of Blood, so far so good.