Fantasy Aficionados discussion
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Achive
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What Are You Currently Reading?
I'm not sure I've ever actually seen it that section...:)
That post was supposed to say when I first posted about this I "wasn't being all that serious"...I somehow failed to type the "n't" thus reversing the meaning. Oops. I do that fairly often when typing...leave of an "ed", an "s", or the last part of a contraction. Self taught typist, sorry.
Colleen ~blackrose~ wrote: "@MrsJ - Ok, he's not beefy... but he's still "sexy" or "hot Irish guy with a sword" - *pant, pant*At this point I'm not entirely sure if it was the cover itself (though I admit it didn't appeal t..."
But what's wrong with him being attractive? I do find the character – as described and as pictured – attractive…but that doesn’t make the cover PNR. Since when do our UF heroes have to be unattractive? My guess: Since PNR started dominating the UF shelves.
I am sorry if any of my words lessened your enjoyment of the book. I do think that you wouldn’t have been as bothered by the jokes about the character being a hottie if PNR wasn’t often getting tossed in with UF and annoying people – I mean, you even said he isn’t your type.
I also find the guy on the cover of The Night Angel Trilogy to be strangely sexy in a brooding sort of way. I haven’t had a chance to read the books to see if the covers are as true to the description but from just the covers he looks like a hottie, too. ;-) What can I say, I’m an equal opportunity leer-er.
Another series I think gets a bad rap is the Mercy Thompson series. That series has an attractive heroine with lots of tattoos on the cover…but I wouldn’t call the series PNR by a long shot. It’s firmly UF. The heroine does have a love life…but it takes a poor 3rd place to everything else going on (which I love and I love the series).
Colleen 1) I'm half irish and I've got a knife? (no panting? Darn... that usually works... back to the drawing board) 2) I'm not sure I'm ready to give up on how potent romance is as a plot driver. However, I'll gladdly surrender to the idea that lots of things drive plot and the presence or lack of romance is only one thing of many that can make books enjoyable/not so much in a book in the catagory of "romantic fiction."
3) Which brings up another theme. Publishers have a "Formula" for books. If your book fits the formula, it goes up, if it doesn't, it either goes back for re-writes or gets dumped all together.
For me, the worst formula where gender roles, romance and sexual themes are concerned come from those books titled "romance" no matter what the genre/setting. This is particularly unhealthy where women are concerned.
If the female heroine turns out to be "Christmas Jones" (007-Bond Girl, supermodel/Nuclear Phsycist, then something needs to blow up somewhere, or maybe a good and bloody sword fight or neato electronic things with lots of little blinking lights, before I finish the book (know what I mean, Mike?)). Covers may get my attention, but the back of the book, or the first chapter has more to do with me buying or reading it. (Besides, I'm a Kindle Reader. I hardly ever get to see the cover of the book.)
3) Getting back to the question on the thread-- Ibelieve the true catagory comes from the formula. You may disagree with me as to what catagory a book belongs in, but I believe I know a PNR when I read one and it rarely gets finished (though sometimes it does). As for Romance It's all part of being human and I'm actually pretty okay with being human. (Especially if there's an explosion or two mixed in.)
Just another 2 cents from the bottomless pocket of pennies.
@MrsJ - I never said they had to be unattractive and, as I said, I still think a lot of it has to do with the framing of the picture.Your words didn't do anything to impede my enjoyment of the book - whatever enjoyment or lack thereof I got from the book was purely based on the writing.
@Hugh - The *pant pant* was sort of picking on the people who were drooling over the cover with Atticus on it, not something I was doing myself.
Well, as long as I didn't do anything, I'm good. :-DThe *pant pant* doesn't bother me...I totally grab my husband's booty in public...and I used to wear a button that said "hottie." (I got in trouble for it at work...stupid jealous cows)
I just started Robopocalypse...and I'm pleasantly surprised. This one is not my normal fare, and I thought I was going to have to force myself to read it (I'm more of a Moon Called Mercy Thompson girl...or Dresden Files...but it's turning out to be a fairly quick read.
Mrs. Joe, I promise I never grabbed your husbands booty at work and nobody ever gave me a button that said "Hottie." Colleen...
so that would explain the lack of panting... so your not interested in my half Irish Knife?...That's okay (sniff, sniff) I can handle rejection. (j/k)
for the record, I didn't find Atticus that hot either. No panting or drooling here and it's okay with me if he puts his shirt back on. The comparisons between us are driving me crazy... okay, okay the comparisons are all in my head, but I really am half irish.
Also for the record... I really didn't forget what the read was about when I enlarged the book cover... wait a minute, what were we talking about again?
Right What are you reading? Okay, so I got just a litttle off course. I did read "and along came a demon" Linda Welch, which was definately PNR (little doubt) but I found it entertaining. Good sense of humor.
Just another 2 cents from the bottomless pocket of pennies.
Someone got me hooked on The Dresden Files!!!
Beth wrote: "I just started Robopocalypse...and I'm pleasantly surprised. This one is not my normal fare, and I thought I was going to have to force myself to read it ..."
I've got that in the queue somewhere. Glad to hear it's good so far.
I'm currently reading The Black God's War A Stand-Alone Novel . Won it from the author on Reddit. So far it's pretty good.
I've got that in the queue somewhere. Glad to hear it's good so far.
I'm currently reading The Black God's War A Stand-Alone Novel . Won it from the author on Reddit. So far it's pretty good.
I'm going to be starting White Cat by Holly Black for the SFFBC BotM. I don't know why I'm procrastinating so much on it. I loved Tithe (though liked the other two in the series less so) and enjoy the Good Neighbor's comic series, but I've just been really hesitant to give this one a go.I think it's the cover, again. Tch.
Yeah.. I'm not even going to try White Cat.
Hell, I can't be arsed to read Red Mars either.
I think I need me a nice, long string of mindless books to read right about now...
Hell, I can't be arsed to read Red Mars either.
I think I need me a nice, long string of mindless books to read right about now...
Ala wrote: "I think I need me a nice, long string of mindless books to read right about now..."And you're passing on White Cat?
Hmmmm, tell me how it turns out...I think I'll avoid this one. Still reading The Warded Man. I'm really enjoying this one! I'm also reading The Duke And I for a different challenge. I have to admit the combination is working for me. They are both so different from each other that they keep each other very fresh. :-)
Colleen ~blackrose~ wrote: "And you're passing on White Cat?"
I'm passing on pretty much everything.
I'm only reading my current book because the author guy was nice enough to give me a copy.
After this, I'll probably just stare at the wall for a few hours.
I'm passing on pretty much everything.
I'm only reading my current book because the author guy was nice enough to give me a copy.
After this, I'll probably just stare at the wall for a few hours.
Ala wrote: "Colleen ~blackrose~ wrote: "And you're passing on White Cat?"I'm passing on pretty much everything.
I'm only reading my current book because the author guy was nice enough to give me a copy.
..."
Have you started reading the Hawk & Fisher books yet?
Well, that joke went awry...
I am reading Pillars of The Earth a historical novel. I needed to read something else then fantasy and scifi for once. I am loving it so far, i have read around 700 pages now and it is much better then expected.
Colleen ~blackrose~ wrote: "Well, that joke went awry..."Welcome to FA! There's a bar to the back and left. Shot glasses are stacked to the side. You break it, you bought it!
I'm nearly finished reading Dragongirl. This is the first Pern book I've read by Todd McCaffrey and, unfortunately, I have to say that I'm not really impressed. I think Anne did a much better job of writing about my beloved Pern and its dragons.
I'm finishing Halo: The Fall of Reach...this is definitely not a PNR. Based on a popular video-game there's a simple plot that requires minimal thought and has lots of explosions and action, plus I have it on audio! I'm going to get another one, it's sort of an audio version of that scene in the Lord of the Rings movie when Pippin finds that you can get ale in pints!
I'm currently reading "The Forever War." It's past time for a good epic fantasy with creatures blood gore etc... you know... a good bed time story.
That's not Forever War..... Oh well. Think I'll go blow something up, excuse me.
I'm reading the Mistborn series - I'm on "The Well of Ascension" - series has a good pace, interesting characters, and some quick twists and turns in the plot I wasn't expecting. I would say very readable even on the heels of the first two King Killer Chronicles
I started The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America yesterday and I'm loving it so far.
Hugh wrote: "Mrs. Joe, I promise I never grabbed your husbands booty at work and nobody ever gave me a button that said "Hottie." Colleen...
so that would explain the lack of panting... so your not inter..."
Wow...I need to check my eyesight...I read this as "no pants."
MrsJoseph wrote: "Colleen ~blackrose~ wrote: "Well, that joke went awry..."Welcome to FA! There's a bar to the back and left. Shot glasses are stacked to the side. You break it, you bought it!"
::heading for the back, book in hand::
I'm listening to Summer Knight on audio and just finished reading Kushiel's Dart. I've read only a little bit of The Warded Man, and this young protagonist is reminding me of Todd Hewitt from The Knife of Never Letting Go. I was so mad at him by the end of the first book I have refused to continue the series. I'm glad to see so many favorable comments about the current BotM. Makes me want to pick it back up again.
Denae wrote: "I started The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America yesterday and I'm loving it so far."I've had that right beside my bed for the last week but I can't get into serial killer mode.
It does a good job of being more than the standard serial killer tale.
Beth wrote: "Hugh wrote: "Mrs. Joe, I promise I never grabbed your husbands booty at work and nobody ever gave me a button that said "Hottie." Colleen...
so that would explain the lack of panting... so your..."
Oh boy.. pant.. hassle, breathing heavy, drooling over hot.. (your pick, human being) .. not pants as in... to pairs of pants and a blue jean jacket.... Yikes..(and maybe I should stop trying to be funny. It's a lot funnier on my side of the computer screen before I send it.) :{(}
Read Devil in the White City a while ago, interesting book.Starting my second Halo book...Halo: The Flood, I ain't nuthin' if not literate.
Of course I've read other books by Dietz, and he's pretty good...
What did you think of the first Halo, Mike?
I'll review it later... Pretty good though, for what it is. Space War, Aliens want to wipe out humans (because their prophets told them to) and they are of course far in advance of humanity technologically. Lots of battles, lots of blood, lots of explosions...space battles, planet side battles...on board ship battles.Straight forward violence based on a video game. what more can we ask?????? :)
Okay, so it's not War and Peace, I can read that some other time. LOL
Will get to those eventually, MrsJ.
Keep forgetting about them...
Keep forgetting about them...
I did start White Cat yesterday afternoon and am almost finished - so it's a quick read, at the very least.The magic system is pretty interesting, but I'm not really connecting with any of the characters and the writing seems to be sort of all over the place. Conversations are clipped and awkward - and I just keep feeling like people don't actually talk/interact the way they do in the book in real life.
Also, I'm finding it pretty predictable, overall. Can't say I recommend it - though I suppose I could be wowed by the ending.
Ala wrote: "Will get to those eventually, MrsJ.Keep forgetting about them..."
I have like 6 of them...but somehow manage not to read even one...
Finished the book I was reading, and now I want something funny.
Something "Hitchhikers Guide" funny.
No murder or death or killing or battles or saving the world.
Just funny.
Doesn't even have to be fiction.
Gimme rec's please!
Something "Hitchhikers Guide" funny.
No murder or death or killing or battles or saving the world.
Just funny.
Doesn't even have to be fiction.
Gimme rec's please!
Who Moved My Blackberry? -- I never finished it because the library demanded it back, but it had me cracking up
Err, maybe not funny in a Hitchhiker's Guide way, especially if you've not worked in a soul-crushing business e-mail soaked environment...
Not sure about that blackberry book. But that saloon one looks promising.
dammit *adds saloon book to tbr too*
Ala wrote: "Finished the book I was reading, and now I want something funny.Something "Hitchhikers Guide" funny ..."
Discworld is funny. ;)
Traci wrote: "Another Fine Myth. I thought it was cute. Sort of like Pratchett's books."I was just about to rec that! The Myth series is pretty funny.
Also, Xanth if you're in a punny mood. :)
Colleen ~blackrose~ wrote: "Discworld is funny. ;)"
ಠ_ಠ
@Traci - That one looks promising too.
@Mach - saw the movie :P
ಠ_ಠ
@Traci - That one looks promising too.
@Mach - saw the movie :P
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Which is kinda funny, 'cause when I went to buy Fire Study at the local B&N I had to go to the romance section for it. *shudders*
I agree that those books fall under the "has romance element, but not romance" books, but that's where they had 'em shelved. (I would've never found them had I not looked them up on the directory. Needless to say the romance section is not one I frequent.)