What Are You Reading 2015 Edition

[Chris]

KGwhitehurst, in my opinion, the book, originally written as a short story, should have never been expanded to its current length. Why was I made to suffer through all those passages that neither developed characters nor moved the plot forward? So that the author could bump up her word count?

Why do the major characters all seem similar in so many ways? Why do all the males seem like females? You brought up Jane Austen. In Austen's novels, we are confined to a much smaller sphere, yet we see a great deal of variety in personalities.

In the final analysis, books are written for readers. I am a reader, here and now, and I will judge by my own enjoyment. Many older works do stand the test of time. The Iliad and The Odyssey, thousands of years older than Frankenstein, are among my favorite works.

[Valerie]

I am making my way back through the first few volumes of Saga, Volume 1 toward last year's release. I just love this series.

Struggling to get through Little, Big on audio.


Chris - I totally agree with you regarding Frankenstein. The concept is excellent, but the execution is is awful, and not in consideration for its time period. It just goes on and on for no purpose.

[Phrynne]

My review of Promise of Blood

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

[Julia]

Today I finished Mary Ann in Autumn #8 in a series. I picked up Tales of the City #1 in the series to reread for my RL book club.

I also picked up The Buried Giant, to read after.

[Valerie]

Julia, I am interested to find out how you like The Buried Giant. It is on my radar.

[Buzz H.]

Sandi wrote: "Currently reading Regenesis by C.J. Cherryh. I never knew there was a followup/sequel to Cyteen, probably because it came out 20 years later."

Both are excellent books. Cyteen is one of my top ten favorite SF novels.

[Buzz H.]

Just finished The Antaran Codex, and enjoyed it. I reviewed it here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I also recently read Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen which was wonderful! It is currently available for sale as an ARC from the publisher's website for those of us who cannot wait for the official release of this Lois McMaster Bujold book in early 2016. It was lovely to see the world through Cordelia's POV once again.

[Greg]

Haven't read that much fantasy lately. The last was The Pirate King by R.A. Salvatore a few months ago.

I've been reading a lot of Bernard de Voto history books recently.

[Murkypoke]

Currently reading Resistance by Oliver Cato. I made a conscious decision to try to do more fringe indy reading and am starting with it. I read half in about an hour and half and it's fast and easy to read so far. Also the whole Paris situation has really upset me and I liked the idea of reading something to do with radicalization.

If anyone has any lesser known indy recommendations I'd love to hear about it...

[Roberta]

I've re-read Childhood's End while watching the TV series to compare the series with the novel. I prefer the novel, but I usually do prefer a novel to its TV or movie version. Still, the series isn't a bad version of the story, with a similar feeling of suspicion and dread as the original, but set in our very near future, with additional characters , subplots, and different setting. I suppose some of the changes to the original were needed to turn the compact, 218 page book into a six hour movie, but it might have been better as a two-part, four hour miniseries,, or even as one 3 hour movie. But I really liked the music.

[Phrynne]

I just finished Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie. What a great book!!!

My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Chris]

I am reading The Year's Top Ten Tales of Science Fiction 2. "Mongoose" by Sarah Monette (who wrote The Goblin Emperor under the pen name Katherine Addison) and Elizabeth Bear is an excellent study of the relationship between a monster hunter and his other-dimensional pet/helper. The Robert Charles Wilson story ("This Peaceable Land; or, the Unbearable Vision of Harriet Beecher Stowe") is a poignant alternate history in which the American Civil War had never been fought.

[Scott]

I recently finished Skeleton Crew and Searching for the Sound: My Life with the Grateful Dead.

Now I'm reading The Wise Man's Fear. I've been waiting to read this one.

[Sumant]

Here is my review of Judas unchained.

[Sumant]

Here is my review of 2nd book in the Gap series, really liked this book.

[Rob]

Probably my last round of reviews for the year, despite having at least 1 or 2 more audio books on the slate before then. I likely won't get around to writing any more reviews until after the new year.

Willful Child. It was alright, but not as funny as I hoped. (My Review)

The Last Kingdom. This was enjoyable, I plan to continue on with book 2 next month most likely. (My Review)

The Death of Dulgath. Great as always, especially in audio. (My Review)

[Phrynne]

Finished The Novice by Trudi Canavan

My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Phrynne]

Loved this one! Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews

My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Andreas]

Care for good short fiction anthologies?
I just finished writing up my summaries on Strahan's Meeting Infinity - here is my review.

[Phrynne]

Some light reading for a restful day at home! Hammered by Kevin Hearne . Atticus is definitely my favourite Druid.
My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Roberta]

I'm rereading "The Man in the High Castle" by P.K. Dick.

[MadProfessah]

Just finished THE LIBRARY AT MOUNT CHAR (4 stars) by Scott Hawkins and THE ARK (5 stars) by Patrick Tomlinson.

Just started the Marko Kloos FRONTLINE Series with TERMS OF ENLISTMENT.

[Jeanette]

Just started The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury today. Loved Kaleidescope!

[Veronica]

Just finished Abaddon's Gate last night.

[Beachesnbooks]

I just started The Just City by Jo Walton--intriguing concept, and I've been meaning to try this author for awhile.

[Kim]

To round out the year I'm reading A Darker Shade of Magic and finishing off Dark Disciple.

[Andreas]

Not exactly books but I read two stories from The Science Fiction Hall of Fame: Volume 1: Nightfall and The Nine Billion Names of God (links lead to my blog reviews). Reminder to myself: Read the whole anthology!

[Esther]

Andreas wrote: "Not exactly books but I read two stories from The Science Fiction Hall of Fame: Volume 1: Nightfall and The Nine Billion Names of God (links lead to my blog reviews). Reminder to myse..."

I read volume 2B and found it incredibly dated. Though a couple did stand the test of time.

[MadProfessah]

Finished the Marko Kloos TERMS OF ENLISTMENT (3 stars) and am finishing the year with Ann Leckie's ANCILLARY MERCY.

[Don]

Madprofessah, I recently finished "the library at Mount Char" and enjoyed it. it reminded me of Peter Cline's "14" you think things are heading one way and you end up in a very 'nother place. as a debut fiction novel 5 stars. overall 4 stars.

[Tad]

Finished Aftermath by Chuck Wendig which was really very enjoyable.

Now I'm reading an ARC of The Cold Between: A Central Corps Novel by Elizabeth Bonesteel which is quite good so far.

[Allison]

I'm nearly finished with I Am Crying All Inside and Other Stories: The Complete Short Fiction of Clifford D. Simak, Volume One. Next up is The Rabbit Back Literature Society.

[Papaphilly]

Just finished This Perfect Day and just loved it. I started Our Dried Voices and it is too early to tell how it will go.

[Greg]

I'm just about to finish up The Ghost King

[MadProfessah]

I liked THE LIBRARY AT MOUNT CHAR pretty well (4 stars). I think it out-Gaimaned Neil Gaiman's AMERICAN GODS. (Well at least I enjoyed MOUNT CHAR more.)

Just finished ANCILLARY MERCY by Ann Leckie for my final (74th) book of 2015. Since my goal was 50 (although I suspected I could get to 75) I'm both pleased and slightly disappointed at the same time!