The Sword and Laser discussion
What Else Are You Reading?
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What Else Are You Reading - February 2011 Edition
I'm really enjoying Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson. William Dufris' narration of the audiobook is excellent. I almost pulled both an abdominal muscle and a back muscle simultaneously laughing so hard at one point yesterday. March Upcountry by David Weber is next up in my library queue.
Will (whami) wrote: "Paul wrote: "just started The Fall of Hyperion on audio ..."I just read the 1st 15 pages of Dan Simmons's Flashback (out in July) in the back of the Drood paperback. It's pretty cool (future noir).
I was in the middle of China Mieville's Kraken in hardback when I found myself commuting without that half-Quicksilver sized tome. So I started up The Name of the Wind on my Kindle and didn't really put it down until I was done.Now I'm back into Kraken, and I'm sorry to say that it pales in comparison to Name of the Wind. Still good, but I'm not as engaged.
Dennis wrote: "I was in the middle of China Mieville's Kraken in hardback when I found myself commuting without that half-Quicksilver sized tome. So I started up The Name of the Wi..."</i>Going to read the sequel [book:The Wise Man's Fear when it comes out next month?
I am currenty reading The Imperfectionists, but after that I plan to read The Blade Itself since everyone here seems to love it.
Currently reading: "Tome of the Undergates", "Behemoth", "Making Money", "The Living Dead" anthology, and listening to "Altar of Eden" by James Rollins.On deck: "Horns", "See Delphi and Die" by Lindsey Davis, and the rest of the looming TBR mound.
Joe wrote: "Tom wrote: "I'm still on The Dark Tower trek, book IV Wizard and Glass but I'm told before going to book V I should veer off and read The Stand and a few other side-univer..."I would argue for just reading The Dark Tower all the way through and if you are satisfied but left wanting more (doesn't that mean you are unsatisfied technically?) then the fact that the other novels fit in and provide more info is a bonus. If you're interested in how some of these other works fit into the Dark Tower universe I found this map:
For those that don't mind a spoileriffic-view of the links there is a good one on wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:D...
Tamahome wrote: "I finished The Gunslinger. It was ok. Is The Drawing of the Three a lot better?"I think so. I found The Gunslinger to be weird and surreal. Like I was hearing the story while underwater or something.
The Drawing of the Three is a lot more of a straight-forward story. I'd say, if you like book 2 then you'll like the rest of the series. Give it a go.
Kevin wrote: "Going to read the sequel The Wise Man's Fear when it comes out next month?"I preordered it on my Kindle first thing after I hit the last page. So good.
I'm still reading Blindsight, which is proving to be an awkward read for some reason.
For me, both The Gunslinger and The Drawing of the Three were five star reads, and I was sure I'd want to read the whole series, but then I found that I couldn't stand The Waste Lands. I've wanted to continue the series, but I'm not swamping through that third book again, so I'll wait for the movies & series.
But the first two books were still worth reading.
But the first two books were still worth reading.
I just finished reading The Lost Gate by Orson Scott Card, I really liked that book. Its the first of a new series hes writing.Before that I read The Fall which is book two in a Vampire series by Guillermo Del Toro. I am liking that series as well.
I am currently reading The Hunger Games but I am not very far in yet, probably the 4th or 5th chapter. I like it so far.
I am one of the many who recently started The Dark Tower series. I just finished The Gunslinger and liked it well enough. I didn't think it was great -- it was good but not great -- but I have heard it gets better so I do plan on reading the whole series.Today I started In the Land of Invented Languages, and being a bit of a language nerd, I am very excited to get into it. I might read The Drawing of the Three at the same time, though I haven't decided quite yet.
In contrast to what seem to be many of the suggestions on the Dark Tower topic, i'd say just read through the Dark Tower and then read the off-books later. That way you get the "Ohhhhh, so that is what that was" or "so that is who he is" experience, which is better than taking a 3,000+ page detour from an already colossal work, IMHO. King usually gives you enough (barely) to go on with regards to bad guys or secondary characters to get enough of an idea of what is going on. Oh, i am also reading Tales from the Perilous Realm, and still attempting to get through The Silmarillion.
Colin wrote: "In contrast to what seem to be many of the suggestions on the Dark Tower topic, i'd say just read through the Dark Tower and then read the off-books later. That way you get the "Ohhhhh, so that is..."I think this is the route I am going to take. I have already read The Stand so I will get the crossover stuff from there, and unless I hear a very persuasive reason to do otherwise, I will just read The Dark Tower in order.
As I just finished The Name of the Wind (loved it), I'm taking a break before The Wise Man's Fear. Reading Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption. If I finish that quickly I might start the Dark Tower series.
Just re-read and listened to Day by Day Armageddon and Beyond Exile: Day by Day Armageddon by J.L. BourneHe is a fellow active duty military member by day and kick butt zombie writer by night! I suggest both audio and traditional versions!! ENJOY ALL :)
Sean wrote: "Released today, which was lucky as my Audible account renews on the 1st of the month. Unfortunately, it looks like they screwed it up as the file is only half the length of the previous two books. ..."Audible fixed Swann's Messiah: Apotheosis: Book Three --
http://www.audible.com/pd/ref=sr_1_1?...
Read Sleepless today and daaaaaaamn that book is awesome 5 Stars! It's kind of like an episode of Southland crossed with Daemon. I was tearing through the first half and barely picking up what was going on and then it all gelled. It's been much on my mind since I finished it. If you've never played an MMORPG it's probably going to be tough to get your head around.
Colin wrote: "In contrast to what seem to be many of the suggestions on the Dark Tower topic, i'd say just read through the Dark Tower and then read the off-books later. That way you get the "Ohhhhh, so that is..."After reading others comments and thinking about it for a bit, I changed my mind and I agree that you should just read the DT series straight thru. If you still love the series after you're done, you can go back and read the other books and maybe even re-read the DT series afterward, with the other stories in the mythology under your belt.
Working through "The Lost Symbol" and listening to "Metatropolis: Cascadia" on audible. Metatropolis is brilliant, The Lost Symbol is what you would expect.
Finished up Into Thick Air: Biking to the Bellybutton of Six Continents. It was pretty enjoyable. I also ordered Shadow & Claw through the S&L Amazon link.While I'm waiting for that to come in, I picked up Mark Del Franco's Unperfect Souls on my Kindle. Long-time S&L'ers might remember that we read his first book, Unshapely Things, way way way back in the Ning days, as an introduction to elfpunk. Unperfect Souls is the 4th in the Connor Grey series. I figure Unperfect Souls will be a pretty quick and light read.
Also still listening to Clancy's Dead or Alive. I'd be making a LOT more progress in that one if I could workout. Or if it was warm enough outside to go for walks. Or if work would send me on travel this month instead of making me sit in meetings in our main offices. ;)
Currently reading Under the Dome by Stephen King. Just started, I'm only 2 hours into the 34 hour audiobook, but it's been interesting so far
I am reading way to many books right now. My current list includes Frankenstein, The Story of Mankind, Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur: King Arthur and the Legends of the Round Table, The Robert E. Howard Omnibus, as well as a few other non-fiction titles.On Audible I am listending to The Path of Daggers.
Just finishedThe Greyfriar, which is a mix of vamps, humans and steampunk. Loved it. It was romantic without being too hokey, and I loved the idea of airships rather than ocean vessels. It made the story a bit different than most vampire tales. It is partof a trilogy, and I can't wait to get to book 2. Not sure when it will be availalbe, but it will take the top spot of my pile as soon as I get it in my greedy little hands. BTW - I did find it a quick read and finished in about two 4 hour sittings. I gave it a 5/5.
I finally got around to readingMistborn: The Final Empire. It was one of those books that just sat on my pile for a while. But I loved it so much I am now on the third book of the series. Can't believe I left it for so long.
Philip wrote: "I'm really enjoying Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson. William Dufris' narration of the audiobook is excellent. I almost pulled both an abdominal muscle and a back muscle sim..."Hey, if your into light reading, you should try Anathem by Stevenson next!
After getting through Anathem by Neil Stevenson, I thought an anthology of short stories would be nicer. Anathem kept me up two hours past my bed time every night for a fortnight. So, here is what i am reading now.
Brave New Worlds: Dystopian Stories by John Joseph AdamsHavent started yet, but the cover is nice.
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Since I've been watching the Jeremy Brett Sherlock series I've started re-reading Sherlock Holmes stores.
I must be mad!! I'm taking on two huge series at the same time...The Dark Tower series (currently reading The Waste Lands) and the Song of Fire and Ice by George R.R. Martin (currently reading A Clash of Kings)I'm only managing this because i'm reading one and listening to the other on audiobook!
Abraham wrote: "Hey, if your into light reading, you should try Anathem by Stevenson next!"Weird. I consider Stephenson to be one of my favorite authors, and I adored The Baroque Cycle, but man oh man did I hate Anathem.
I won a copy of A Discovery of Witches through FirstReads. It's received a fair amount of pre-publication hype, and it's well deserved. It's like The Historian without the tedium and Twilight (which I haven't read but have heard plenty about) without the stupid teenage angst. I've read over 180 pages in 2 days with limited reading time. It's really good so far.I'm a bit over halfway through the audiobook of Green. It started out pretty good, then took a leap into lesbian BDSM which I find icky. There's also a some of lesbian pedophila which I find extremely icky. Fortunately, these situations aren't extremely graphic and they are over quickly. Before it got to all the sex stuff, I was already uncomfortable with the misanthropy in the book. It's a shame that the word misanthropy doesn't have quite the same impact as misogyny. But, the attitude towards men in this book is every bit as bad as misogyny. I'm about ready to give up on it. I am really surprised that this book is written by a man.
I just finished Endgame: Bobby Fischer's Remarkable Rise and Fall - From America's Brightest Prodigy to the Edge of Madness One of the most interesting reads I have ever read. Being a Chess nut helps quite a bit.
I just finished I Am Number Four and I liked it a lot more than I thought I did. I hope the movie is just as good.I'm planning on getting back to Towers of Midnight soon.
I just finished The Fixer which had vampires more as evolutionary cousins to humanity vs. Supernatural creatures and was billed as a vampire James Bond etc... it was an easy read but inothing really grabbed me in the story so I will not be continuing the series.I just started the 3rd book in the lost fleet series. So far the series is decent if quick and easy reads. I just wonder how many books will it take before we get something different happening. So far alll 3 books have been very similiar with some character development occurring in each book.
The call of Scalzi's Last Colony have scuttled any thought of reading this month's book pick.
Tamahome wrote: "Haldeman's Marsbound. So far so good."Marsbound, as well as the follow-up Starbound: Marsbound Series, Book 2, are interesting books that I'm still not sure about. They don't come close to some of Joe Haldeman's greatest, but they are fun to read and explore some interesting concepts. I'm hoping for a big payoff at the end of the series.
Does anyone know the plan for these? Any idea how many more are coming?
-will
Finished up Unperfect Souls last night. I don't read particularly quickly, but I was able to finish that one in about a day of actual reading. I'm about 2/3 through Dead or Alive, too, and may make some good progress on it today since I seem to be more or less stuck to my couch.Shadow & Claw is coming from Amazon, should be here hopefully tomorrow. Perfect timing, really.
Will (whami) wrote: "They don't come close to some of Joe Haldeman's greatest, ..."So which are those, besides FW?
Tamahome wrote: "Will (whami) wrote: "They don't come close to some of Joe Haldeman's greatest, ..."So which are those, besides FW?"
I would throw Forever Peace in there as well, but from your question, I'm guessing you wouldn't. ;-)
Will (whami) wrote: "I would throw Forever Peace in there as well, but from your question..."No no, haven't read FP yet.
After hearing it mentioned so many times in here, I've started The Eye of the World, but am prepared to either abandon it or read the whole series, as I've heard very polarized opinions on the series. I'm also reading Foundation and The Divine Comedy for school purposes.
I decided to split up the Dark Tower series and started Bitter Seeds. I fell away from Sword and Laser while we read this, and I have wanted to read it ever since I heard about it, so I figured now was as good a time as any. I'm only about 40 pages in, but so far it is not disappointing.
I finished up Altered Carbon and am re-reading The Name of the Wind in anticipation of The Wise Man's Fear. I still can't believe what a good story The Name of the Wind is.
The Sword and Laser
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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I just finished Hyperion on audio yesterday. Sometime when I'm partway through an audiobook I start thinking that I would have rather read the print version. Not so with this one. The multiple narrators contributed a lot to my enjoyment of the story. I'm starting The Fall of Hyperion for my commute now.
On Kindle, I'm still working my way through Riverworld. Going slowly - only on The Fabulous Riverboat