What Else Are You Reading - October 2014

[kvon]

I enjoyed Alif the Unseen (but did not like Hyperion)--don't forget about interlibrary loan, Ally.

I've started A Darkling Sea and am enjoying the aliens so far. I'll be interested to see what our local oceanographers think of this book.

[Sophie]

Trying to finish Insurgent which I read the first 33 pages for back in August. Not really enjoying it as much as the first book. When I finish that, The Name of the Wind is next.

I started and finished Dawn this month already as part of my catch up for this years S&L book picks.

[Ctgt]

Andy wrote: "I'm on the last story now and yes, I'm enjoying it immensely. I haven't read much of this Lovecraft-inspired stuff before so it took a little getting used to, but I think I've acquired the taste in a big way. Any recommendations for similar stuff that I might want to try? "

Well, Barron is the top of my heap for current authors but here are some anthologies you can check out.
Dead But Dreaming
a couple edited by Ellen Datlow
Lovecraft Unbound
Lovecraft's Monsters

Mysteries of the Worm: Twenty Cthulhu Mythos Tales by Robert Bloch

Unholy Dimensions

Cold Print

The Book of Cthulhu

just to name a few.

Oh and I love Karl Edward Wagner I highly recommend Where the Summer Ends: The Best Horror Stories of Karl Edward Wagner, Volume 1 not completely Lovecraft but still fantastic weird fiction.

[Ally]

kvon wrote: "I enjoyed Alif the Unseen (but did not like Hyperion)--don't forget about interlibrary loan, Ally.

I've started A Darkling Sea and am enjoying the aliens so far. I'll be intereste..."

Someone else told me about interlibrary loan and we looked into it with my library... and it appears as if my library is the only one that doesn't do it in my whole county. It's really bizarre and upsetting.

[Gregor]

Since it's October, I'll be reading all horror. I'm finishing up King's Carrie right now. Then I've got the following as possibly next up:

The Halloween Man
The Traveling Vampire Show
The Dampness Of Mourning

I started out October with the excellent The Halloween Tree.

[Jason]

I won Lee Thompson's A Beautiful Madness. Looking forward to starting that

[Rob]

I think "Play it Again Dick" is supposed to be kind of slightly a bit of a spiritual sequel to the creator's other show, Party Down, which featured a huge chunk of the Veronica Mars cast as struggling actors and writers in LA working for a catering service. I haven't gotten a chance to watch it yet, but I'm excited. Party Down and Veronica Mars both are some of the greatest shows of the last couple decades.

[Dara]

Speaking of Veronica Mars, I also just finished The Thousand-Dollar Tan Line. I enjoyed it a lot. My review

Now reading Nexus.

[Dharmakirti]

Carolina wrote: "Dharmakirti wrote: "I finally finished Gravity's Rainbow. Never before have I felt such a sense of accomplishment upon finishing a book..."

I've been meaning to read that one, was it g..."

It was confusing, maddening and just fricking crazy. Sometimes it was funny and sometimes it was beautiful. There were times when I couldn't put the book down and then there were times I didn't want to pick it back up. It was an experience.

[Dharmakirti]

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "Dharmakirti wrote: "I finally finished Gravity's Rainbow. Never before have I felt such a sense of accomplishment upon finishing a book."

Congrats! Now I'll go look for your review to ..."

I struggle with writing reviews, especially for a novel like GR.

Edit: My above response to Carolina is now my GR review.

[Carolina]

Dharmakirti wrote: "It was confusing, maddening and just fricking crazy. Sometimes it was funny and sometimes it was beautiful. There were times when I couldn't put the book down and then there were times I didn't want to pick it back up. It was an experience"

Wow...after that I am running to my local library!

[Misti]

This morning, I finished listening to Curtsies & Conspiracies. I'm going to listen to Tom Mison read The Legend of Sleepy Hollow to bide the time until my next Audible credit rolls in on Thursday.

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

Dharmakirti wrote: "I struggle with writing reviews, especially for a novel like GR.

Edit: My above response to Carolina is now my GR review.
"

Just about sums it up. :)

[Ally]

Robert wrote: "Trying to finish Insurgent which I read the first 33 pages for back in August. Not really enjoying it as much as the first book. When I finish that, [book:The Name of the Wind|18607..."

I hope you enjoy the Name of the Wind as much as I did :D I know that it was a book that the group read before I joined, but I read it on my own with no fellow fantasy lovers to share it with.

[[deleted user]]

kvon wrote: "I enjoyed Alif the Unseen (but did not like Hyperion)--don't forget about interlibrary loan, Ally.

I've started A Darkling Sea and am enjoying the aliens so far. I'll be intereste..."

Hope you enjoy A Darkling Sea. I thought it was just a decent, somewhat above average sci-fi story when I first finished it, but I found that it stuck with me long after that. If I'm still showing a 3-star rating, I need to revise it upward.

Ctgt wrote: "Andy wrote: "I'm on the last story now and yes, I'm enjoying it immensely. I haven't read much of this Lovecraft-inspired stuff before so it took a little getting used to, but I think I've acquired..."

Thanks Ctgt, I'll look into those!

[AndrewP]

Just finished Outlander, which I had mixed feelings about. Also The Devil Colony by James Rollins which did not really match up to many of his earlier novels.

As I'm skipping this months S&L pick going to play some catch up with Ancillary Justice.

[Sky]

I finished Small Favor. I like how Harry is evolving each book...Can't wait to get to Changes, I have no idea what happens but I hear from everyone it's very exciting.

(view spoiler)[ I seemed to have missed in the last book how Harry got rid of shadow Laschiel from his head...Was this in some in between novella or did I just totally forget what I read in the previous book? (hide spoiler)]

Going to jump into the S&L pick next, Alif the Unseen.

After that, I am debating whether to read the Land Fit for Heroes series, Lightbringer, or The Shadow Campaign...I liked Altered Carbon a lot, but have yet to read anything from Wexler or Weeks.

And looking for some fun books to read while in Costa Rica later this month...There was a thread a while back in S&L about archeology/adventure type books, I think some books in that vein would be fun for a volcano/jungle/beach/rain forest Honeymoon

[Lindsay]

Sky wrote: "I finished Small Favor. I like how Harry is evolving each book...Can't wait to get to Changes, I have no idea what happens but I hear from everyone it's very exciting...."

Serious spoiler for the Harry Dresden books follows (up to and including White Night).

(view spoiler)["Lash", the internal copy of Lasciel in Harry's brain, sacrifices herself by focusing the brain damage caused by Vittoria Malvora's psychic attack on the parts of his brain that she occupies, thus protecting him. (hide spoiler)]

[Sky]

Lindsay wrote: "Serious spoiler for the Harry Dresden books follows (up to and including White Night)."

Thanks! I think I'm gonna have to back and skim the ending of White Night.

[Lindsay]

Sky wrote: "Lindsay wrote: "Serious spoiler for the Harry Dresden books follows (up to and including White Night)."

Thanks! I think I'm gonna have to back and skim the ending of White Night."

Look for the conversation he has with Bob right at the end.

[Buzz]

Since I finished Alif the Unseen, I read On Basilisk Station which I really enjoyed. By the way, the first 2 Honor Harrington books are FREE at Amazon right now, and the audible versions are deeply discounted with the eBook "purchase". For $5.89, I got both the eBooks and he Audibles of the first 2 in the series!

Now reading the second Dresden Files book, Fool Moon. I read the first Dresden Files book at the end of last month and fell in love with the story. :-)

[Fiona]

I'm reading through the Rivers of London series right now. On book 3 Whispers Under Ground at the moment. I have to say I didn't like the second book that much, but I'm ready to give the series another shot with book 3.

[Joanna Chaplin]

I picked up the audiobook of the first Dresden book, Storm Front, because it was on sale and because I heard James Marsters does a good job. I'm about one commute until done with it and it's got my itching to get caught up on the other end of the series. I haven't read Skin Game yet.

[Eric]

The Hidden Power of Social Networks: Understanding How Work Really Gets Done in Organizations pretty awesome for anyone in management

[Carolina]

I got my copy for Ancillary Sword so I am starting that one today. Can't wait!

[Andy]

I am knee deep in Mark Lawrence's King of Thorns. Not nearly as disturbing as Prince of Thorns, or maybe I am just getting accustomed to the inside of the protagonist's head (that is a disturbing thought). Fantastic writing, just super dark and violent.

I just got my copy of Ancillary Sword, looking forward to that tonight!

After I get a little bit more read I am jumping into Metropolitan, it was a daily deal a while back that was highly recommended.

I really need to knock down my to-read bookshelves (3 deep) or I will get in serious trouble. It only grows, grows, grows. I have been accused of being a book hoarder, probably accurate.

[Rob, Roberator]

Carolina wrote: "I got my copy for Ancillary Sword so I am starting that one today. Can't wait!"

If you're interested, a few of us (not sure how few yet) are going to be discussing that over here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...

I created discussion threads this morning (we break things up into sections) but you're welcome to create your own threads as well.

[[deleted user]]

Frankenstein is amazing. One of the greatest books ever.

I just finished Infinite Jest (absolutely loved it.) I also read Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man and that was also very good. Currently reading Dubliners and rereading the Crying of Lot 49. I'm also working on the Cambridge Histories, starting with Cambridge Ancient History.

After all of that I'm going to get baxk to ASoIaF, and the Wheel of Time. I'm also very excited for Slow Regard for Silent Things, cannot wait until it comes out.

[Ally]

Sebastian wrote: " I'm also very excited for Slow Regard for Silent Things, cannot wait until it comes out. "

Me neither! I was hoping there would be a pre-release at Comic Con this weekend, but even if there is, Patrick Rothfuss is attending Friday and Sunday only and I'm going Saturday >_<

[Carolina]

Rob wrote: "If you're interested, a few of us (not sure how few yet) are going to be discussing..."

Thanks! I will certainly check the group as I advance with the book.

[Dharmakirti]

I'm reading The Element of Fire by Martha Wells and I'm enjoying it. It has a Three Musketeers with magic vibe to it.

I also recently started Horus Rising, my first foray into the world of Warhammer, but I've only read a handful of pages.

[Sean]

Andy wrote: "I am knee deep in Mark Lawrence's King of Thorns. Not nearly as disturbing as Prince of Thorns, or maybe I am just getting accustomed to the inside of the protagonist's head (that is a disturbing thought)."

Maybe I'm weird, but I really liked Jorg as a character. Yes, he's a very bad man, but he's very up-front about it and doesn't try to excuse his behavior or hide behind rationalizations. I guess I occasionally like a villainous character who does villainous things just because.

And Jorg does get better as the trilogy progresses. Never quite heroic, but by the end he's at least less of a bastard.

[Jennifer]

I just finished Zoe's Tale. It was not my favorite Scalzi book ever, but an okay read. I've moved on to Pretties by Scott Westerfeld. The second in his Uglies series. Another okay read, but I prefer some of his other stuff a little bit more.

[Rob, Roberator]

Jennifer wrote: "I just finished Zoe's Tale. It was not my favorite Scalzi book ever, but an okay read."

I still need to do that one so I can move onto The Human Division. I'm trying to put more time between my reading of The Last Colony

[CatBookMom]

Rob wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "I just finished Zoe's Tale. It was not my favorite Scalzi book ever, but an okay read."

I still need to do that one so I can move onto [book:The Human Division|156..."

I finished *The Last Colony* last week and have just started *Zoe's Tale* - it's only in ePub at OverDrive, so I had to figure out how to read it on my Kindle Fire. It will be a quick read, since so much of it sort of duplicates *Last Colony*.

[Rob, Roberator]

For me it's a trade off between too much time and forgetting everything completely and too little time and feeling like I'm reading a book I just read recently.

Most people I know didn't exactly love the book.

Then again in some ways I like Ender's Shadow better than Ender's Game, but those are the other other books I've read where it's the same story from 2 different POVs.

[Alan]

Rob wrote: "... Most people I know didn't exactly love the book...."

I don't know what it is about that book. I kinda liked Last Colony and I kinda liked Zoe's Tale (at least Zoe's Tale filled in the deus ex machina bits of Last Colony) but ever since I finished Zoe's Tale, I've been done with that universe and haven't felt any urge to dip back into it.

[Rob, Roberator]

I liked Last Colony. And I keep hearing good things good things about Human Division. Plus I already own it from audible sale or another.

I don't own Zoe's Tale though, but I have credits to buy it whenever the mood does finally strike me.

[Jennifer]

I really, really liked The Last Colony. I don't know why I didn't find Zoe's Tale as enjoyable, maybe I felt it had too much of a YA feel when I wanted something else. I look forward to The Human Division, I really need to pick that up.

[Joseph]

Finished The Masked Empire and am proceeding to Dragon Age: Last Flight by Liane Merciel, still in preparation for Dragon Age: Inquisition.

[Louie]

Only today did I start Stories of Your Life and Others, so naturally I am a month behind on the podcast.

[Rochelle]

Half way through Lock In and really liking it!

[Lindsay]

I finished The Darwin Elevator by Jason M. Hough. Action-packed hard SF set on Earth where human-civilization has been restricted to a small area around Darwin, Australia and a space elevator rooted there. The space elevator was created by aliens (the Builders) who also appear to be responsible for the plague isolating the humans to the area around the elevator. Human politics come to a head at the same time as the Builders appear to be returning. I enjoyed the first one and I'll get to the next later this month.

Then I read Child of a Hidden Sea by A.M. Dellamonica. I'm fairly sure at this point if Alyx slapped an ISBN on her shopping list I'd buy it. This one is a portal fantasy to a ship and island culture with lots of attention to the biology of the fantasy world.

I'm about half way through Broken Soul by Faith Hunter (book 8 in the Jane Yellowrock series). I thought it would be a nice quick read before I dive into Ancillary Sword.

[Michele]

I skipped Zoe's Tale and went straight to Human Division. Not sure why, but I don't think I missed out on anything much. HD is a new group of people anyway. It's good, but keep in mind it's more like one season of tv - kind of like episodes rather than a movie.

I finished The Steerswoman and I liked it overall. It has a nice tight style, very sparse on the descriptions, which I liked as a change. Will certainly continue with the series.

Can't settle on my next fiction read so I'm doing a bit of research for my NaNo idea.

I lemmed Alif, couldn't get past the unlikeable MC.

[CatBookMom]

Lindsay wrote: "Then I read Child of a Hidden Sea by A.M. Dellamonica. I'm fairly sure at this point if Alyx slapped an ISBN on her shopping list I'd buy it. This one is a portal fantasy to a ship and island culture with lots of attention to the biology of the fantasy world.
..."

That's quite a recommendation, thanks. I've liked her work that I've read as posts and reviews on the Tor Fantasy website

[Lindsay]

CatBookMom wrote: "That's quite a recommendation, thanks. I've liked her work that I've read as posts and reviews on the Tor Fantasy website "

She did a prequel on the tor.com website for Child of a Hidden Sea called Among the Silvering Herd (on tor.com for free here) which you've probably read. The two main characters from that one are major characters in CoaHS.

[Olivia "So many books--so little time.""]

Currently I'm reading The Year's Best Science Fiction: Seventh Annual Collection edited by Gardner R. Dozois. So far the stories have been very good.

[Joanna Chaplin]

Michele wrote: "I finished The Steerswoman and I liked it overall. It has a nice tight style, very sparse on the descriptions, which I liked as a change. Will certainly continue with the series."

I think The Steerswoman is an under-appreciated gem.

[Jeff]

Giving City of Stairs a listen as that seems to be the thing to do ATM ;) Hopefully it makes up for lemming experience of listening to Alif the Unseen

[Misti]

Finished listening to The Legend of Sleepy Hollow this morning. Tom Mison does an excellent job narrating it.

I plan to use my next Audible credit for this month's book pick.