What Are You Reading in May 2010

[Benjamin]

I just finished The Emerald Storm by Michael J. Sullivan. The fourth book in the Riyria Revelations felt a little weaker than the previous two books and was the least stand-alone of the books so far. On the plus side, it had a pretty strong ending that makes me anxious to find out what happens.

[Kriss]

Unfortunately I don't have time to read fantasy or sci fi this month. ..studying for a test. But the summer is still out there for reading!

[M.]

Jon wrote: "I should finish Breath and Bone this weekend. I've got two non-fiction books to finish this month for my church: One Month to Live: Thirty Days to a No-Regrets Life ..."

How was Breath and Bone? I read the first novel of the Lighthouse series, and while I did like it, I found it lacking as far as action. It picked up towards the end, so I'm curious as to what you thought of the second book.

[Jon]

M. wrote: "Jon wrote: "I should finish Breath and Bone this weekend. I've got two non-fiction books to finish this month for my church: [book:One Month to Live: Thirty Days to a No-Regrets Li..."

Second book, which really is the second half of a large one volume novel, excelled. More action, more intrigue, more mystery, more character growth and a very satisfying and complete ending. I highly recommend it.

[Janny]

M. wrote: "Jon wrote: "I should finish Breath and Bone this weekend. I've got two non-fiction books to finish this month for my church: [book:One Month to Live: Thirty Days to a No-Regrets Li..."

Absolutely, the second book delivers without letup. I honestly wish the publisher made this duology one volume, it really is one story, seamlessly done. Unlike many, Carol Berg knows how to deliver a finish. The best is to come, in that second half.

This series went on my 'stellar' list. I wish it was better recognized.

[M.]

Thanks for the info! I think I'll pick it up and read it... but I'll have to re-read the first though... so the story is fresh in my mind.

[Janny]

M. wrote: "Thanks for the info! I think I'll pick it up and read it... but I'll have to re-read the first though... so the story is fresh in my mind."

I read the Lighthouse Duology a year or more apart....(on their release dates) and frankly had no problem picking straight up without a re-read. But then, reading time being extremely precious, I seldom look back at prequels anyway. Carol Berg's writing is vivid enough I didn't lose the connection.

[Jeffrey]

I am reading Directive 51 by John Barnes. Post apocalptic sf novels are a personal favorite. Next on the agenda is Desert Spear.

[stormhawk]

We the Living - Ayn Rand

[Shomeret]

I just finished The Sightby David Clement-Davies, a fantasy from the perspective of wolves. I loved his first animal fantasy, The Firebringer, but this didn't work as well for me. I was very jarred by the Judaeo-Christian mythic element. I thought this was a poor fit for wolves.

[Shawn]

Read:
Friday
The Monk and the Philosopher: A Father and Son Discuss the Meaning of Life
Beyond the Deepwoods
Stormchaser
The National Parks: America's Best Idea
Midnight Over Sanctaphrax,

Hope to get to:
Mythology
Fragile Things

[Benjamin]

I finished Bitter Seeds by Ian Tregillis, which was quite decent for a debut novel. The writing and characterization were both fairly good. The "villain" felt a little weak though, even with demonstrations of her ability. Not sure there's really enough material for three books, but I'm more than intrigued enough to find out.

[Bookbrow]

I have finished Adversary by Julian May and now I am well into Coyote byAllen Steele reading has gone down as the spring do list kicks into gear.

[stormhawk]

Milrose Munce and the Den of Professional Help - Douglas Anthony Cooper

[Benjamin]

I read Hell to Pay by Simon R. Green. It was a good Nightside book, though I think the series works better when it has an overall plot arc.

[Arthur]

Finished Beyond the Shadows by Brent Weeks.
My Review

I am going to re-read a few pages of Beyond the Shadows and start by Andrew Davidson

[Benjamin]

I just finished Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi and really enjoyed it. I was a little surprised this was marketed as YA. Aside from a lighter plot than normal and a teenage protagonist, it was much like Bacigalupi's other work.

[M.]

I've finished up Angelologyby Danielle Trussoni. A story about a centuries old secret society's fight against the descendants of fallen angels and their quest to find a mythical treasure.

I thought the book was alright. It took a while for me to get into it, though. Most of the time, characters are recounting their past and by the time the plot returns back to the present day, we are at the end of the book, and it seems rushed. Still, it was an interesting read.

I am now onto Krakenby China Mieville which I was a Firstreads win. Yay!

[Rachel]

Beniowa79 wrote: "I just finished Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi and really enjoyed it. I was a little surprised this was marketed as YA. Aside from a lighter plot than normal and..."

Could you tell me a little more about your reaction to this? I do enjoy books that are right on the cusp of teen and mainstream fiction. I suppose that's like having your cake and eating it too, wanting characters to be young but insisting that there's plenty of action and danger.

[Janny]

Rachel wrote: "Beniowa79 wrote: "I just finished Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi and really enjoyed it. I was a little surprised this was marketed as YA. Aside from a lighter pl..."

Look at Stefan's review, it's a good one.

[Minglis]

been reading Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson.

it took about 400 pages, but after being confused for all that time the plot is starting to finally make sense and i'm enjoying it.

i think erikson has some great ideas, but he hasn't managed to pull it off in a way that makes for a good read as you reach the conclusion. he's come up with a good story, but it's lacking in good storytelling - if you catch my drift.

[Mariah]

My belated reply:Getting thru Kushiel's Dart took most of my reading time, but I also finished Greek Gods, Human Lives by Mary Lefkowitz, a scholarly book analyzing the relationships between gods & humans in Greek myth- interesting, though dry at times and finished Silver on the Tree by Susan Cooper, the last of the Dark is Rising Sequence which I greatly enjoyed.

[Benjamin]

Rachel wrote: "Could you tell me a little more about your reaction to this? I do enjoy books that are right on the cusp of teen and mainstream fiction. I suppose that's like having your cake and eating it too, wanting characters to be young but insisting that there's plenty of action and danger."

You might want to check out this promo bit the author wrote for The Big Idea segment of John Scalzi's blog:
http://whatever.scalzi.com/2010/05/20...

To add to that, I think that one of Bacigalupi's strengths as a writer is creating strong, realistic characters. This is very evident in The Windup Girl, but Ship Breaker has it as well.

I just finished Moving Pictures by Terry Pratchett. I didn't like quite as much as the last few Discworld books, but it was still very enjoyable.

[Beside]

Voice of the Fire by Alan Moore