SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion
What Else Are You Reading?
>
What else are you reading in November 2009?
I finished with Changeling by Roger Zelazny this morning and I think it is one of his best books. Better than his Amber series at least.Next I plan to read both of the book club selections, starting with Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale.
As usual, the list of what I'd like to read is longer that what I may actually be able to finish, but I love to dream big!The Curse of Chalion
Under the Dome A Novel
The World More Full of Weeping
Stephen Fry in America
The Gathering Storm
The Hobbit Or There and Back Again
I'm grateful that there are more books I would like to read, than time I have to read them all!
I'm continuing with the Jim Butcher books. Academ's Fury
Cursor's Fury
Captain's Fury
Princeps' Fury
It's times like this that I just love my Kindle. I hated going to a bookstore and realizing they had volume 2 & 4 of a series, but not 3. So I'd have to order and wait for it to arrive. Not anymore!
I haven't picked my nonfiction book for the month, but I'm thinking about this:
When Everything Changed The Amazing Journey of American Women from 1960 to the Present
Lara Amber
Laurel wrote: "As usual, the list of what I'd like to read is longer that what I may actually be able to finish, but I love to dream big!The Curse of Chalion..."
I love that book,
I finished The Lies of Locke Lamora (my review) yesterday; just wish it hadn't taken so long to finish. Book club reads this month (and some leftover from last month) include:
I'll be finishing up these selections:
I received a surprise in the mail today - my signed/numbered copy of The Gathering Storm. :)
Hi Book-a holics! If you have not already Read any of the Blood Books by Tanya Huff or the Dresden files by Jim Butcher then you missing out some great Vampire and Urban Wizard fiction.Tee
I'm stuck with Odinn's Child right now and hope to finish it before next week. We'll see what appeals to me next...
I am reading Imager Challenge by Modisett after finishing Imager yesterday.I plan to read The Gathering Storm by Jordan and Sanderson.
I may finally finish Best Served Cold but it is languishing.
Couple of non sf books -- True Blue by David Baldacci, the latest Vince Flynn and maybe the latest Pat Conroy.
Waiting for the new Jim Butcher book in the Fury series as well.
Odinn's Child is supposed to feature some Norse mythology, yes. But I don't see much of it as of yet (I'm only on page 50). My general opinion of the book so far is "good story, bad writnig". I hope that will change soon though.
You can read the description of the book here to get a better impression: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60...
Hi Sarah,Thanks for the link. Just doesn't it toast your bun when the title suggests one thing and the theme goes somewhere else? (:0)
Bad writing as in poorly written(grammar,etc)or just not very lively and interesting?
Tee
Tee wrote: "Hi Sarah,Thanks for the link. Just doesn't it toast your bun when the title suggests one thing and the theme goes somewhere else? (:0)
Bad writing as in poorly written(grammar,etc)or jus..."
Not lively or interesting in the least. The whole book seems like a long, narrativ eintroduction. Very bornig.
Having high expectations for this book, makes it much more disappointing. But it would have benn disappointing regardless.
Sarah wrote: "Tee wrote: "Hi Sarah,Thanks for the link. Just doesn't it toast your bun when the title suggests one thing and the theme goes somewhere else? (:0)
Bad writing as in poorly written(grammar,et..."
Hi again Sarah,
Hate when an author does that to a good concept. I don't try to forse my way throught stuff like that as my leasure reading time in limited. A book either hooks me in five or more pages or it doesn't.
Tee
Currently working my way through The Gathering Storm (Jordan and Sanderson). Next on the list is the Charnal Prince (Keyes). Thank you, group, for introducing me to Keyes!
I'm about 2/3 of the way through The Winds of Dune and will be reading the second 5 Amber novels by Roger Zelazny
I'm currently in the middle of "Charnal Prince", started reading Tanya Huff's 'Keepers' series, made a start on "Princess of Landover" by Terry Brooks (which isn't impressing me too much) and the re-read of Mercedes Lackey's 'Valdemar' books continues.
I just finished with The Silver Skull by Mark Chadbourn. It was an entertaining swashbuckling fantasy adventure novel. Kind of halfway between Solomon Kane and Locke Lamora.Next I plan to read Wild Cards: Inside Straight by George R.R. Martin et al.
Tee wrote: "Hi Book-a holics! If you have not already Read any of the Blood Books by Tanya Huff or the Dresden files by Jim Butcher then you missing out some great Vampire and Urban Wizard fiction.Tee"
I read all of Tanya Huff's Blood books a couple of months ago.... which is what got me started on the Keepers series :)
Dawn wrote: "Tee wrote: "Hi Book-a holics! If you have not already Read any of the Blood Books by Tanya Huff or the Dresden files by Jim Butcher then you missing out some great Vampire and Urban Wizard fiction...."Hi Dawn,
Thanks for the heads up on the Keepers's series. It's going on my ever expanding "Do to" list of things to read.
Tee
Lara Amber wrote: "I'm continuing with the Jim Butcher books. Academ's Fury
Cursor's Fury
Captain's Fury
Princeps' Fury
It's times like this that I just lo..."
Lara Amber,
How are you liking the Codex Alera series by Jim Butcher? I ADORE the Dresden Files, but I've been too busy rereading to think about picking up the Codex series. I just can't wait until I pull my next all nighter with a new Dresden book (whenever that will be).
Tee wrote: Thanks for the heads up on the Keepers's series. It's going on my ever expanding "Do to" list of things to read.Tee "
The Keepers series has much more humor in it, a lighter take on the urban fantasy theme. Also, no vampires ..... just so you know :)
November is NaNo month so no time to read anything! 50 000 words in 30 days... I'm insane, but at least I'm not alone.I read Storm Front some time ago and enjoyed it, however I found Butcher to be rather weak in his introduction of characters. I hope it's a flaw he's corrected but it has kept me from picking up any other of his books.
Alan Paton's Cry, The Beloved Country. Man, I'm not getting any scifi on at all with all these deadlines :/
Hi All: Been going through the Laurell K Hamilton books..her protagonist is Anita Blake - Vampire Killer..Really loving them. I'm on Obsidian Butterfly right now..so about half way through the series.
Cheers,
Lady Ellen
www.lady-ellen.com
I just finished Devon Monk's Magic to the Bone, which was great and now I'm gearing up for a reread of Walt Maguire's Monkey See.
Lady wrote: "Hi All: Been going through the Laurell K Hamilton books..her protagonist is Anita Blake - Vampire Killer..Really loving them. I'm on Obsidian Butterfly right now..so about half way through the ..."
Hi Lady,
Her newer book Skin Trade is worth reading, I really like the twin vampires Wicked and Truth. Also wondering how long she can keep the character of Anita from changing into some flavor of were? No to be a spoiler but Harlequin and Micah were bit flat.
Tee
Hi Lady, Her newer book Skin Trade is worth reading, I really like the twin vampires Wicked and Truth. Also wondering how long she can keep the character of Anita from changing into some flavor of were? No to be a spoiler but Harlequin and Micah were bit flat.Tee
Hi Tee: Yes, I was at the bookstore yesterday..getting Narcissus in Chains and Cerulean Skin...saw Skin Trade and will definitely get there..LOL! I'm reading them in order as Anita's relationships are evolving with her men throughout the series.
I agree..I keep waiting for her to bend 'were' or 'vamp'...
Harlequin and Micah flat? Hmmm..well I'll probably read them anyway to say I've done the whole nine yards..*grin*...
Being a writer myself..I can empathize that keeping the stories going after such a long run is tough. I'm working on a nine book series..but have broken them (or planning to as I write them) into 3 trilogies occurring in 3 very different magical times and locations, giving me fodder to keep the books fresh yet continuous..great fun.
Going to try the Dresden books next..thanx for the tips!
Lady Ellen
www.lady-ellen.com
Hi Everyone,I'm reading Time Travelers never Die by Jack McDevitt and The Time of the Dark by Barbara Hambly.
I love time travel books, and McDevitt's new one is a quick and interesting read. I'm also enjoying The Time of the Dark--it's the first book that I've read by Barbara Hambly.
Finished The Gathering Storm (my review) last night. I'm picking Blindsight back up and will start a re-read of The Hobbit this week as well.
I've finally got a copy of the last book in the 'Enduring Flame Tril: Phoenix Transformed. These are a continuation of the 'Obsidian Tril' world only several 100 years in the future and a new pair of young heroes has appeared.Mercedes Lackey has her ups and downs. I don't care for all of her work but I've always loved her take on elves. Her Urban Fantasy with elves starting with Bedlam's Bard has been fun to follow, although I haven't seen anything new in a while. She worked with Andre Norton on The Elvenbane world but Norton died and it was never completed. It was an interesting world of not so nice elves but lots of loose ends never tied up.
This Trilogy is good, not great but would certainly appeal to Tweens.
Kathy wrote: How are you liking the Codex Alera series by Jim Butcher?I'm really into it. Let me put it this way, I buy each book as soon as I finish the one before it. Book 1 10/25, Book 2 10/30, Book 3 11/3, Book 4 11/7. I'm 53% of the way through Book 4, so I may find myself finished with Book 5 before Book 6 is even released.
Lara Amber
I'm more than halfway through Wuthering Heights.Not fantasy but nevertheless fantastic!
Such an absorbing book, with strong, passionate characters, emotinal dialouges, wonderful prose.
And oh....Heathcliff....
Lara Amber wrote: "I'm really into it. Let me put it this way, I buy each book as soon as I finish the one before it. Book 1 10/25, Book 2 10/..."LOL, been there, done that. Well, crud. I don't need another series that will move me to the point of depression because the next book isn't out yet. I will put it on my to read list though, likely for next year. Maybe a Christmas list...
Greyweather wrote: "I just finished with The Silver Skull by Mark Chadbourn. It was an entertaining swashbuckling fantasy adventure novel"Is it s stand alone book?
ok, my first comment. Just finshed Unseen Academicals, Terry Pratchett of course. Not as detailed and hilarious as others, but definitely Pratchett
Arthur wrote: "Greyweather wrote: "I just finished with The Silver Skull by Mark Chadbourn. It was an entertaining swashbuckling fantasy adventure novel"Is it s stand alone book?"
It is the first volume in a new series. The story in this volume is basically self-contained so you can treat it like a stand-alone, as opposed to Joe Abercrombie's First Law books. The UK release isn't until April and according to the author's blog it will not have the same title. So instead look for "The Swords of Albion"
Greyweather wrote: "It is the first volume in a new series. The story in this volume is basically self-contained so you can treat it like a stand-alone"Thanks.
I wait until the series are finished.
Just finished the terrific non- fiction Where Men Win Glory by Jon Krakauer.Am about to start On the Edge by Ilona Andrews.Where Men Win Glory The Odyssey of Pat TillmanOn the Edge
My non-fiction book ended up being NurtureShock New Thinking About Children. I'm really caught up in it.Lara Amber
Lady wrote: "Hi Lady, Her newer book Skin Trade is worth reading, I really like the twin vampires Wicked and Truth. Also wondering how long she can keep the character of Anita from changing into some flavor of..."Hi Lady,
Forgive the late response - course work for my master's is eating me alive and right now the blood is dribbling out of ears (figuratively at least). I'd love to read your stuff when things slow down (some time after August).
Need to get back to course work, but will pop in as I can.
Thanks
Tee
Books mentioned in this topic
The Four Forges (other topics)The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath (other topics)
In the Hand of the Goddess (other topics)
Princess Academy (other topics)
The Prisoner (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Robert Jordan (other topics)Mercedes Lackey (other topics)
Roger Zelazny (other topics)






I am still rereading WoT and will be for a while. I just ordered Michael J. Sullivan's Nyphron Rising and will get to that in the next couple of weeks. I don't read more than one book at a time, and with Jordan, you can't concentrate on more than one book at a time with all the twists and turns, so my list is pretty short for November.
However, I am quickly getting a lengthy Christmas list of books, so I had better be ready in January to hunker down and get serious about my reading!