Beyond Reality discussion
note: This topic has been closed to new comments.
General SF&F discussion
>
What are you reading in April 2015?
Oh, no long in coming then! For me, depends on the series, with longer ones I don't mind if it is still ongoing, different with trilogies. For example when The Wise Man's Fear was published I had to reread The Name of the Wind, was forced to because I didn't really remember what was going on. With The Black Prism I feared things were going similarly awry, so I've bought the books but will read them when the final installment is out. With George R.R. Martin... it counts as a longer series. Depends on the author's writing pace, too :)
Mod
Alissa, my method is to collect books but not read them until the series is finished. Doesn't always work and I do break my "rule" occasionally, but overall it's so much better than the long waits between books and/or the need to reread. (So many books, so little time--I almost NEVER reread.)
Kathi wrote: "Alissa, my method is to collect books but not read them until the series is finished. Doesn't always work and I do break my "rule" occasionally, but overall it's so much better than the long waits between books and/or the need to reread. (So many books, so little time--I almost NEVER reread.) "Absolutely, whatever I read a book immediately or not, I care to support authors I like :)
I am with Kathi, I wait for the series to be completed for before I start reading. This was due to Jordan and then Martin.I do have exceptions though. I have been reading Michelle West's books as soon as they come out.
I finished Tower Lord...so good, and I am really looking forward to July for the release of the final book! I'm now reading Half Wild...another middle book unfortunately, but I got drawn into the first book and now I can't help myself.
Mod
I do, too, usually thanks to a GoodReads group. I started the Wars of Light & Shadow (Janny Wurts) due to a group read, and the same with the Vlad Taltos books (Brust). There are more, too, but I try to keep the exceptions to a minimum.
I'm a stock-piler too. I've started series when GR group reads has forced me. Also, where I've mistakenly assumed a series was complete. eg Martin's trilogy!!, Janny's series that I thought was two connected trilogies, Name of the Wind - a one off.I always used to be back to back too regardless of length. I'm in the middle of a number now!
Anthony Ryan is on the radar, and I'm in Malazan - well, after Powder mage.
Promise of Blood. Another on TBR. Maybe when I feel like reading something with something different than medieval technology, it has so many good reviews!As for the Wars of Light and Shadow, I've enjoyed it so much that I was fine reading what was available, and I know I won't suffer from The Name of the Wind syndrome. After so many good books of the series, my memory keeps pace.
Mod
Yes, I've made the mistake of starting something thinking it was a finished series, I read The Warded Man because I saw three books and thought it was a trilogy. I didn't clue in until it was too late and I was already committed to a 5 book series that wasn't yet finished...duh!
I just finished Shadow Moon and now I'm nervous to ever re-read my old Uncanny X-men comics for fear they won't hold up to my memories.
Christine wrote: "I finished The Left Hand of Darkness and look forward to Roadside Picnic"I just finished Roadside Picnic and thought it fantastic! You must see the film Stalker -- it's in Russian and a slow 3 hours, but it does the book proud.
The Left Hand of Darkness is one my personal fav's, also.
Alissa wrote: "A Darker Shade of Magic looks very interesting, let us know how you like it :)"It's pretty good so far...!
Nick wrote: "Christine wrote: "I finished The Left Hand of Darkness and look forward to Roadside Picnic"I just finished Roadside Picnic and thought it fantastic! You m..."
Thx Nick I will check it out
Just read the first installment of The Two of Swords: Part One, first chapter more properly, it seems this novel is going to be serialized in separate issues. The first three are out. If you like military stuff it could be your thing. Liked it but too little to have a clear opinion, starts with farm boys going to war. Now, K.J. Parker and farm boys that could be interesting indeed.
Justine wrote: "Alissa wrote: "A Darker Shade of Magic looks very interesting, let us know how you like it :)"It's pretty good so far...!"
Updating my opinion to awesome so far...:)
I finished Red Mars last night. I thought it was pretty slow and unexciting for the most part, but the last couple sections got more exciting, so I decided to try and keep the momentum up by immediately starting Green Mars. We'll see how that goes.
Mod
I liked the Mars books but they were not fast-paced. Interesting and complex, but not fast-paced.
Mod
Taking a break from Malazan, reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
Kathi wrote: "I liked the Mars books but they were not fast-paced. Interesting and complex, but not fast-paced. "I had a really hard time connecting to any of the characters, which didn't help either. I'm hoping that the second book will be better for me, but we'll see.
I read the first two and never read the final book. I am going to have to go closet jumping to find the box where the the first two are holed up and reread them
Ken wrote: "I read the first two and never read the final book. I am going to have to go closet jumping to find the box where the the first two are holed up and reread them"
Heh, that's actually what I'm hoping to avoid. That's why I chose to keep reading, even though I wasn't thrilled with the first book. I know I'm going to want to finish the series, and it's better to do it while the first book is still fresh. :)
Here is my review of best served cold.Although I loved first law but this book was a bit drag for me.
Mod
Kathi wrote: "Finished The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. 4/5 stars"I loved that book, not my usual genre, very engaging! I saw all the Swedish movies, and the US remake after reading the trilogy. Book 2 and 3 are better read together, since they are two halves of the same story but you probably noticed that from the movies :D The first book is a great thriller, my favorite.
I finished up The Mermaid's Madness yesterday. I didn't quite like it as much as the first book, but it was fun the way that he kept twisting the story until the finale, so you were never quite sure who was on the hero's side. I'm going to be reading Transformed by E.V. Fairfall at home, and finally starting Memories of Ice at work tomorrow. :)
Mod
I loved that book, not my usual genre, very engaging! I saw all the Swedish movies, and the US remake after reading..."
We still have the 3rd Swedish movie to watch, but we will get to it before I get to books 2 & 3.
Christine wrote: "I am listening to Dream a Little Dream and enjoy it quite a bit."The summary seems interesting, how are you liking it so far?
Carolyn F. wrote: "I'm listening to On Basilisk Station"Is the audio good? I enjoy the series but I've never listened to the audiobooks.
I'm in a serious reading slump this month with 3 lingering current reads. Trying to get back in gear with a new-to-me Kate Elliott series and I just put The Grace of Kings on order at my library.
Mod
Which Kate Elliott series? I've only read one, her Crown of Stars series. I really liked it.
Christine wrote: "I am listening to Dream a Little Dream and enjoy it quite a bit."Thanks for the hunch! Read the preview and it's on my YA to-read list.
I finished A Darker Shade of Magic, and would definitely recommend it. My only complaint was that it seemed almost too short...but then I understand (now after I've read it) that the author intends to write more books set in that world. Maybe that's why she chose to bring things to a close where she did. It's not a cliffhanger; the story does come to a finish, I just felt like I wanted more, if that makes any sense.I also finally got around to reading The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August and thought that was great! I'm now reading Touch, also by Claire North, since I enjoyed Harry August so much. The writing is similarly engaging and the story is riveting.
Just read Dream a little Dream after Christine recommendation and I enjoyed it quite a bit too. I like YA from time to time and this has an intriguing theme. Also reminded me of some shoujo manga/anime of the 90's like Hana Yori Dango and Marmalade Boy for parts of the setting, and Kiss of Rose Princess of the 10's *grin*. Quick read, nice MC.
Mod
That was one of our group reads a few months ago - you should look back at the old discussion and chime in :)
Kathi wrote: "Lindsey wrote: "Trying to get back in gear with a new-to-me Kate Elliott series"Which Kate Elliott series? I've only read one, her Crown of Stars series. I really liked it."
The Crossroads trilogy. 200 pages in and it's good so far. Very much in the epic style of Crown of Stars, which I also enjoyed. I've also read her Spiritwalker trilogy, which was good but for different reasons. Her work makes me think about the genre, so she's rapidly moving up to my "must buy" list.
Mod
Which Kate Elliott series? I've only read one, her Crown of Stars series. I really liked it."
The Cr..."
I've only read the Spiritwalker trilogy of hers, but I really liked it. I have Jaran on my kindle but I haven't had a chance to start it yet.
Shel wrote: Which Kate Elliott series? I've only read one, her Crown of Stars series...."
Oh I want to read that Shel...:) It looks good.
Shel wrote: "That was one of our group reads a few months ago - you should look back at the old discussion and chime in :)"Thanks for the heads-up. That BotM was back in August 2014, but it didn't bring up much discussion, so I'm a bit reluctant waking up that zombie thread :)
Last day of April, I'm currently enjoying Mordant's Need by Stephen R. Donaldson -very original, intriguing prologue and not the usual heroine so far- and the fantasy anthology BLACKGUARDS: Tales of Assassins, Mercenaries, and Rogues -very good so far, but since it's short stories I use it as a filler book, will take some time to finish it-Read: Initiate's Trial, epic fantasy, loved it, can't get enough of this series and very recommended to all who stopped at Stormed Fortress (review, spoiler free); The Shield of Three Lions, adult romance historical fiction, I liked it but probably for all the wrong reasons (review); Daughter of Time: A Time Travel Romance, the title says it all, it is YA, I got it for free on Amazon,
Most were recommendations, thank you all :D
Alissa wrote: "Last day of April, I'm currently enjoying Mordant's Need by Stephen R. Donaldson -very original, intriguing prologue and not the usual heroine so far- and the fantasy a..."I'm glad you are reading that. People seem to forget that Donaldson wrote something other than Thomas Covenant. :)
Mod
I liked Mordant's Need when I read it (long ago) but it was his Gap cycle (SF) that really challenged my brain. I have yet to read the most recent books in the Thomas Covenant saga, and doing so will probably require a reread of the series for me. Someday.
Mod
I have those books on my shelf, haven't read them yet. I also have the Jaran books, unread. But not the Spiritwalker series. Might have to look for those.
Shel wrote: "I've only read the Spiritwalker trilogy of hers, but I really liked it. I have Jaran on my kindle but I haven't had a chance to start it yet. "Kathi wrote: "I have those books on my shelf, haven't read them yet. I also have the Jaran books, unread. But not the Spiritwalker series. Might have to look for those."
I also have the Jaran series on my ereader, unread yet. Sounds like we need to nominate it for a group read...
Elliott's publishing Black Wolves later this year which is a way-in-the-future sequel to Crossroads, so I thought it was about time to get to it. ;-) I also bought her new short story collection recently and was excited to read it until I found out there's a story that involves a major spoiler for Jaran. I'll get to them all eventually!
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
Beyond Reality
Books mentioned in this topic
The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August (other topics)Touch (other topics)
House of Chains (other topics)
The Girl in the Road (other topics)
The One Tree (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Stephen R. Donaldson (other topics)Stephen R. Donaldson (other topics)
Claire North (other topics)
E.V. Fairfall (other topics)
K.J. Parker (other topics)
More...
Started on the 8th Malazan book
Toll the Hounds