What are you reading in December 2010?

[Sandra]

Here is my current month reading list: Current Month

I'm also rereading Traitor's Knot and Queens' Play. We'll see if I get all that finished!

[Julie]

Holy Crap! That is quite a list. And I thought I was doing good with one a week. What usually happens to me is that I fly through a good book and then I go to my list and pick out another book. However, it isn't as good and doesn't hold my attention so it languishes until I "force" myself to get through it. I'm there right now. But I'd like to get at least 3 more books this month. Haven't decided what they are yet.

[Elise]

Still working my way through The Warded Man by Peter V. Brett. I'm approaching the half-way mark. It's pretty good so far, but I wouldn't really call it outstanding or anything.

I've also been reading 1984 by George Orwell. Been in just the right mood for it.

[Alan]

The Ambassador's Mission by Trudi Canavan.

[[deleted user]]

Started A Game of Thrones, should finish that with in the next week or so and then on to A Clash of Kings. I have become engrossed in the story already, can't wait to get to the 'not' last book :)

[CriticalTodd]

Finishing Suldrun's Garden Lyonesse Book 1 - I haven't fallen in love with it. It's moved very slowly for my taste but, with about 100 pages to go, it finally feels like it's coming together and building towards a good finish.

[Sandra]

CriticalTodd wrote: " Finishing Suldrun's Garden Lyonesse Book 1 - I haven't fallen in love with it. It's moved very slowly for my taste but, with ..."

I have this one. It's on my 'to read' list. Will be interested in your opinion.

[Lindsey]

Finishing up Towers of Midnight, Stone of Tears, and The Art of War. If I can get through all of those (and this time of year, it's a big if), I'll reread Once a Hero for my book club's January read.

[Robert]

Right now I am flying through Wintertide and have The City of Golden Shadow at my bedside. I plan on also reading The Sentinels by RA & Geno Salvatore, Hand of the Hunter by Mark Sehestedt, and The Mark of Nerath by Bill Slavicsek.

[Rollie]

i have just finished The Golden Compass (yeah, I'm late)

Currently reading RuneWarriors

and next in line are The Knife of Never Letting Go, Linger..

happy reading!! :DD

[Brandon]

Just finished up The Fionavar Tapestry, not sure where to go next. I have Diplomacy of Wolves in my office, but I'm thinking the timing is right for The Blade Itself. I've been considering it for a while and it finally is starting to appeal to me enough to buy it.

[Rob]

Started Way of Kings a couple of days ago and am completely engrossed in the story. I'm hoping to be able to get through this in the next week or so and then perhaps start into re reading the Song of Fire and Ice series. I just finished the Earth Sea trilogy on audiobook and casting around for what to listen to next. Any suggestions?

[Laurel]

I really enjoyed The Alchemist and the Executioness. Each narrator was phenomenal, the world building was unique, and the storylines were both creative and touching. Highly recommended!

[Arthur]

Done with Politically Correct Bedtime Stories by James Finn Garner.
I cannot say I laughed a lot but it did satisfy my cynical self and allowed for a couple of good chuckles.

After that I have decided that I am going to read A Shadow in Summer by Daniel Abraham
Lots of good reviews on forums and I have got the first book as a free ebook from Tor.
However, I gave up on this because I didn't find the rest of the series in a decent ebook format.

So, I have been uncertain what to read next:

Tears of Artamon by Sarah Ash
Valen by Carol Berg
Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (although, it is not fantasy and I don't think I want to read non-fantasy at the moment)
Maybe...Warlord Trilogy by Bernard Cornwell?

I have almost started to read Hunger Games but was scared off that it is YA.

I have finally settled on my next read. In fact, I have already started to read it.
Nothing from the list I have posted above.
Northern Lights aka The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

[Rob]

Laurel wrote: "I really enjoyed The Alchemist and the Executioness. Each narrator was phenomenal, the world building was unique, and the storylines were both creative and touching. Highly recomme..."

Hi Laurel, I just started the Alchemist and the Executioness and even only 20 minutes in I agree that the narration, at least that of Jonathan Davis is amazing. He quickly draws you into the story and his voice is so melodic, it is pleasure to listen to.
Thanks for the mention here it is what made me check out the audio book.

[[deleted user]]

Arthur wrote: "Done with Politically Correct Bedtime Stories by James Finn Garner.
I cannot say I laughed a lot but it did satisfy my cynical self and allowed for a couple of good chuckles.

After that I have dec..."
I don't know how much YA fantasy you have read, but I have read quite a bit lately and I have to say that
The Hunger Games is a really good one. I teach at a high school and this seems to be the new Harry Potter or Twilight as the books are always checked out and many are talking about the series.

[Shera (Book Whispers)]

Finished Path of Fate, disappointed it took the easy way out. Only give it 2/5.

I've decided to brave another genre and try out Virgin River which I'm totally loving.

[Lara]

Hello! I am reading What Have We Done? The Dragon Chronicles by Mike Bailey. Then next it will be the Silver Cage by Mik Wilkens.

[Rob]

Sarah wrote: "Robyn wrote: "Laurel wrote: "I really enjoyed The Alchemist and the Executioness. Each narrator was phenomenal, the world building was unique, and the storylines were both creative ..."

HI Sarah, I never thought of the connection so I just checked and they are not the same person. The JD who narrates this book is an acclaimed audiobook narrator and voice actor.
Oh by the way, you're not butting in at all :-) Thanks for the great question

[Alan]

Just finished The Ambassador's Mission by Trudi Canavan. Now I am starting The Magician's Apprentice.

[Sandra]

I just finished Under Heaven. It was wonderful. Started Whose Body? By Dorothy Sayers - a British mystery for a little change of pace.

[Kara]

Been listening to the Mistborn Trilogy Boxed Set this month.
Also read The Warded Man, and Storm Glass, and am currently making my way through Sea Glass. To be followed by Dreams of the Ringed Vale and/or The Lies of Locke Lamora. Then I've got this huge and exciting list for 2011, woot!

(and yes, I apologize, but this post is just a copy and paste of same topic, different group)

[Mach]

Robyn wrote: "Started Way of Kings a couple of days ago and am completely engrossed in the story. I'm hoping to be able to get through this in the next week or so and then perhaps start into re reading the Song ..."

Name of the wind is a good book, really well written and a great story.

[Sandra]

Kara wrote: "Been listening to the Mistborn Trilogy Boxed Set this month.
Also read The Warded Man, and Storm Glass, and am currently making my way through [book:S..."

Hey, that's the economical way to do it!

[Melissa]

Just started The Dragon Keeper. OOoooooo how I love Robin Hobb.

[Kevin]

Machavelli wrote: "Robyn wrote: "Started Way of Kings a couple of days ago and am completely engrossed in the story. I'm hoping to be able to get through this in the next week or so and then perhaps start into re rea..."

I just don't understand The Name of the Wind, even though I have read the book.

[Jon]

I'm on a novella kick this week. I'll finish three (perhaps four) today and hope to finish more by the end of the week.

If you know of any good Christmas novellas (anything that's 75 to 125 pages long or 35-50k words) that's in the public domain as an ebook or available as a URL, please let me know.

Merry Christmas everyone!

[Nita]

Starting The Eye of the World for the first time. I don't know why it has taken me so long to at least give this series a try??

[Sue-Ann]

I'm working my way through the Malazan book of the fallen series by Steven Erikson, which I absolutely love! Just finished the 5th book (Midnight tides) and started with the 6th, The bonehunters.
Also reading The passage by Justin Cronin, which is a surprisingly good read. And The woman in the dunes by Kobo Abe.

[Ryan]

I finished The Lies of Locke Lamora and am about half way through Red Seas Under Red Skies right now. I plan on going on to The Warded Man or maybe heading back to the Malazan books and start Memories of Ice

[jD]

I just finished Bone Palace. Four stars. I consider it stand alone but it might be the second book of a series picking up 200 years after book one.

[Sandra]

I always appreciate when people say why they are reading something, or what they thought about it if they've finished it. I'm currently rereading Stormed Fortress, for the discussion in the Series group, and also in preparation for the release of book 9 in the series, Initiate's Trial, and because I LOVE this great epic series.

[Chris]

Nita wrote: "Starting The Eye of the World for the first time. I don't know why it has taken me so long to at least give this series a try??"

Awesome. I love it when I see someone jumping in at the beginning of this. It's a great ride, and I hope you enjoy it all the way through.

[[deleted user]]

Right now about fifty pages into The Name of the Wind and love the writing so far. So descriptive. I was hesitant because of the length, figured since it's a library book that I wouldn't have time, but it's so good I want to keep reading.

[Emma]

I was supposed to get Son of the Shadows from someone, but since that someone messed up, I ended up reading The Girl Who Played with Fire.

[Kevin]

Good choices Michael. Especially good work in not buying
Passage to Dawn or the Box Set, because Passage to Dawn is the same series, but a totally different story all together.

[Kevin]

mauve1976 wrote: "Right now about fifty pages into The Name of the Wind and love the writing so far. So descriptive. I was hesitant because of the length, figured since it's a library book that I would..."

Do you really think the book is living up to all the hype from everyone who has read it has given it from what you have read so far?

[[deleted user]]

Kevin wrote: "Do you really think the book is living up to all the hype from everyone who has read it has given it from what you have read so far?

That's a good question. I'm now halfway through the book, and although the writing style is very good, with a genuine medieval feel to the story, I have to say it's reminding me of the first Harry Potter book mixed with a dash of Oliver Twist. Right now, I'm inclined to say it's not up to the hype, because I don't really like realizing, "Hey, I've been down this road before."

[Kevin]

If you like that book, you should pick up the first Robin Hobb book, Assassin's Apprentice and Shaman's Crossing. The Name of the Wind has a feeling of a combination of both of those books to me.

[Dawn]

Kevin wrote: "If you like that book, you should pick up the first Robin Hobb book, Assassin's Apprentice and Shaman's Crossing. The Name of the Wind has a feeling of a c..."

Really? It didn't remind me even vaguely of either of those.

[Kevin]

Come on, not even the plot? I guess that is just your point of view. What about what Harry Potter, and Oliver Twist huh?

[Ryan]

Have to agree with Dawn. Name of the Wind wouldn't even cross my mind when thinking of Hobb's work. I enjoy Robin Hobb, she's one of my favorites, but she is nothing like Rothfuss. Their characterizations are very different, world building isn't even close, and the prose in Rothfuss' book is significantly better. One is written in first person, the others in more typical fantasy form. Interesting.

[Dawn]

I wouldn't really compare it to anything. I mean sure, it has a magic school, but does that mean it has to be like Harry Potter? It definitely has lots of traditional fantasy elements in it, but I really don't feel the need to define it with other books.

[Ryan]

Comparing it to Harry Potter is a big over-simplification. I can see how you might have that feeling for a very small section halfway through the book, but as the story continues I think it really becomes it's own work. By the same simplification every romance ever told is basically just Romeo and Juliet, or Adam and Eve. No story is all that original when you break it down to it's basest elements. The magic is in the details.

[[deleted user]]

I agree. Halfway through the book is too soon to make a solid comparison to HP just because of the school setting. I do get the sense that the book isn't going to dwell that much on his schooling, and it will move on to other things, since it isn't about the school, but rather Kvothe himself. I'll surely read the next book, to see where it goes.

[Kevin]

What I don't understand even more is what makes Kvothe so epic of a character that makes many drawn to the book?

[Becky]

Kevin, perhaps you should explain your problems or issues with the book, rather than perpetually interrogating people for liking it. Then, amazing as it might be, a discussion might actually occur.

I am quite curious why you seem to dislike NOTW so much, yet rated it 4 stars -- which according to Goodreads indicates "Really Liked It". Or do your ratings not actually represent your feelings regarding a book?

Here's how it works... I will talk about how I felt about the book, and then you try.

Watch: I personally found Kvothe's story intriguing. I don't generally enjoy stories about performers, it bores me, but I liked Kvothe and wanted to know more about him. I liked watching him struggle to learn, and keep failing and trying again and persevering. I liked his strength and his independence. I want to know what happens in the gaps of his life that we don't see. I want to know what has made him who he is when we meet him. In other words, his character drew me in because I want to know MORE, not necessarily because of what was there, although I found that fascinating as well.

I really enjoyed it, as reflected by MY 4 star rating.

Now its your turn - You tell us how YOU feel about the book and why.

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon]

Kevin,

I actually agree with you. I didn't find 'Name of the Wind' to be all that great - I think I rated it 2 1/2 stars in the end.

I don't agree with the comparisons to Harry Potter, though, and in my review, I went to great length to show how they weren't the same and how annoyed I was at the comparisons (brought on, at least in part, by the fact that I love Harry Potter and found this story generaly 'meh'.)

I didn't like Kvothe all that much. To me he was an annoying Gary Stu. I didn't get why everyone was fawning over the chick, aside from the fact that she was hot. And I didn't like how all the other characters were pretty much two-dimensional.

That said, even though I agree with you, I'm finding your constant challenging of everyone who liked the book to be a bit tedious. If there's one thing I've come to accept in life, it's that taste is subjective, and people can't always explain why they liked or didn't like something, and, unless it's a particular discussion about that book, they shouldn't necessary have to.

There's a reason why phrases like "to each their own" and "there's no accounting for taste" exist. Because sometimes it's not easy to rationally pinpoint why you like something or not - but people shouldn't be made to feel on the defensive for liking - or not liking - something.

I think part of the reason I finally spoke up is because I know how it feels to like things that other people "don't get", and how it is not not get something that, seemingly, everyone else loves. And, on both sides, it can feel lonely and off-putting and people can be made to feel bad or even stupid for liking or not liking something, and this is just silly.

Anyway, my suggestion to you is that if you really want to address this book/character/question, you should maybe start a thread about it, where people who want to talk about it can, and at length.

But challenging people who mention it in every and any thread will only tend to garner you ill will, and facetious remarks.

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon]

And now that that's out of the way, I'm reading 'Unseen Academicals' - and I would love one of the librarians to help me out, 'cause I'm reading a paperback version which is 417 pages (not including the preview at the end), and this edition is not listed under the book - at least not that I was able to find.

[Dawn]

Well said Becky and Colleen!