What are you reading in April 2011?

[Kevin]

Just starting the what are you reading thread for the month of April. I am doing a reread right now of Foundation and Empire, just finished part 1, onto part 2. Asimov is also never a bad read.

[Elise]

Finished Fire Study a few nights ago. Now that I've finished the trilogy, I kinda wish I just stuck with the first book.

Now, I've started Deadhouse Gates by Steven Erikson. Also reading The Heroes by Joe Abercrombie and really enjoying it so far. :) I guess I've been in the mood for some military/war fantasy.

[Sandra]

Thanks for starting the thread, Kevin. I'm starting Daughter of the Forest to read with the group, as well as Silverthorn with our sister series group. Am continuing my slog through Deadhouse Gates as I committed to read the series through book 3, although so far am finding it too constantly gory and militaristic for my taste, but who knows? Maybe I'll change my mind..

Am also more than halfway through Inda by Sherwood Smith and am finding it engrossing.

[Maggie]

My Breath and Bone finally arrived today - I've been down to the PO box the last 3 days looking for it (once a week usually does it for me - and I have a stcke to read, just wanted this one NOW). Trudging through The Red Tree - so far it's just a depressing book about a depressed self centered person. I keep going thinking something interesting may happen - have only a quarter left to go. Most I'd have given up by now by a few folks really liked it - so like homework I do an hour a day then turn to something more enjoyable for me. It was a mistake - I'll never do Caitlin again, but I'm almost done so will trudge to the end.

[Sandra]

Maggie wrote: "My Breath and Bone finally arrived today - I've been down to the PO box the last 3 days looking for it (once a week usually does it for me - and I have a stcke to read, just wanted t..."

Love, love, love Carol Berg and the Lighthouse Duo in particular!

[Kevin]

Sandra aka Sleo wrote: "Thanks for starting the thread, Kevin."

Your welcome, Sandra.

[Sandi]

I finished The Name of the Wind audio book yesterday and started The Wise Man's Fear today.

In print, I'm reading One of Our Thursdays Is Missing.

[Maggie]

Sandra aka Sleo wrote: "Maggie wrote: "My Breath and Bone finally arrived today - I've been down to the PO box the last 3 days looking for it (once a week usually does it for me - and I have a stcke to read..."

After Lighthouse - which of her books would you recommend as the next set - or novel - to start?

[Sandra]

Maggie wrote: "Sandra aka Sleo wrote: "Maggie wrote: "My Breath and Bone finally arrived today - I've been down to the PO box the last 3 days looking for it (once a week usually does it for me - an..."

The Rai Kirah trilogy -Transformation,Revelation, and Restoration are outstanding. One of my reads this month is the first of her new series, The Spirit Lens. I'm really looking forward to it. I have Song of the Beast and Son of Avonar also waiting for me.

[Janny]

Maggie wrote: "Sandra aka Sleo wrote: "Maggie wrote: "My Breath and Bone finally arrived today - I've been down to the PO box the last 3 days looking for it (once a week usually does it for me - an..."

Transformation, if you want a series. Song of the Beast if you like a standalone.

It's taking FAR too long for too many people to notice this author and give her a read - fabulous stuff.

[Captain Sir Roddy, R.N. (Ret.)]

I am still in the midst of the re-read of "The Malazan Book of the Fallen" series on FBCS (we're finishing up the second volume this week). I am into the second volume, Before They Are Hanged, of Joe Abercrombie's "The First Law" trilogy. I have Jean Auel's sixth, and final, volume in her her "Earth's Children" series, The Land of Painted Caves on the top of the TBR pile. Finally, I am still moderating Thomas Hardy's final novel, Jude the Obscure (Everyman's Library in my Goodreads group "The Readers Review".

[Isabell]

I'm current re-listening to the audiobooks of Tamora Pierce's Protector of the Small quartet (listening to Page at this moment). I also have a couple of Neil Gaiman books lying around, which I borrowed from the library and intent to read in the next couple of weeks. My library pile also counts a copy of A Game of Thrones, so I'll probably give it another try in print version (gave up with the audiobook some time ago).

I'd love to get a chance to read Daughter of the Forest, it sounds really interesting, but I'd have to get a copy first, so it'll depend on that.

[Joseph]

I just started Rip Foster Rides the Gray Planet, which I haven't read in probably 20 years. I saw it in the Kindle store for $0.99 and couldn't resist. Not sure what'll follow it, but I'll have to decide soon -- it's a quick read . . .

[Kelly]

Kevin wrote: "Just starting the what are you reading thread for the month of April. I am doing a reread right now of Foundation and Empire, just finished part 1, onto part 2. Asimov is also never ..."
Just got part one from the library, first time! Hope I enjoy it as much!

[[deleted user]]

Finishing Gardens of the Moon and then right into Deadhouse Gates. Also hope that to read The Name of the Wind this month. That should have me busy until the next month.

[Lindsey]

This month I'm aiming to finish the four books I'm currently reading, which are The Art of War by Niccolò Machiavelli, Worlds of Weber by David Weber, Cold Magic by Kate Elliott, and Persuasion by Jane Austen. Plus, if I'm ambitious, I might get back to re-reading the Wheel of Time series. And not necessarily in that order! :-)

I actually finished Stone of Tears last month and was underwhelmed (my review). Not continuing with that series, too many other good books to read!

[Lindsey]

Kevin wrote: "I am doing a reread right now of Foundation and Empire, just finished part 1, onto part 2. Asimov is also never a bad read."

Been awhile since I've picked those up... Asimov always sucks me in. I grew up reading his short stories and graduated to the longer novels as a teenager. You're right, they're always a worthwhile read.

[Kevin]

I just finished Foundation and Empire, onto other classic Asimov, incluing now Pebble in the Sky, afterwards, The Stars Like Dust, Currents of Space, then The End of Enternity, alone with maybe Fatastic Voyage and Second Foundation to wrap all the Asimov up.

[Sandra]

Just finished Inda, and had to start The Fox of course.

[Amelia]

Sandra aka Sleo wrote: "Just finished Inda, and had to start The Fox of course."

Man you go through books so fast. I'm still slogging through my one book at a time and it took me a while to read Deadhouse Gates, which I liked more than you have so far anyway. Last night I finished Hex Hall, which was a quick read, but it was just ok. Now I'm going to start Silverthorn.

[Sandra]

Amelia wrote: "Sandra aka Sleo wrote: "Just finished Inda, and had to start The Fox of course."

Man you go through books so fast. I'm still slogging through my one book at a time and..."

I keep hoping to like Deadhouse and yesterday read the battle scene which was really great, but then it switched to Kalam and got all weird again. So I went back to The Fox, :).

[Joseph]

Finished Rip Foster Rides the Gray Planet (a pleasant trip down memory lane) and started Elric: The Stealer of Souls by Michael Moorcock -- it's been years since I read the original Elric books and this should be interesting because it's a six-volume collection arranged in order of composition with lots of extras and background information. Not sure if I'll get through the full set in one go-round, but I'll at least get started on them.

[Traci]

I want to read more books than I can get to since coming to this site. Right now I am reading Assassin's Apprentice. And this month I hope to get to Gardens of the Moon,A Clash of Kings, Last Argument of Kings, and The Palace of Impossible Dreams. I have been reading fantasy for years but had not realized how many authors I was missing out on. =D

[Tacuazin]

I started Mistborn: The Final Empire yesterday, and I would like to read the entire trilogy this month. I've heard it is awesome and I am looking forward to enjoying it!

[Kelly]

Joseph wrote: "Finished Rip Foster Rides the Gray Planet (a pleasant trip down memory lane) and started Elric: The Stealer of Souls by Michael Moorcock -- it's been ye..."

A friends hubby gave me a few books from the Elric series. Besides that you're the first I've heard of it. You would recommend them then?

[Jamie]

I just finished Dragonflight. Yes I'm a little behind in the fantasy world. Loved it. Hopefully I'll find time to read the other books in the series.

[John]

I'm about halfway through Knife of Dreams now. I've read the first ten WOT books three times, but this is my first time for KoD.

So what's next? A Kingdom Besieged
I'm really looking forward to it!

After that, my list looks like this:
The Gathering Storm
Towers of Midnight
Mistborn: The Final Empire
The Name of the Wind
The Blade Itself
The Crystal Shard

[Maggie]

Janny wrote: "Maggie wrote: "Sandra aka Sleo wrote: "Maggie wrote: "My Breath and Bone finally arrived today - I've been down to the PO box the last 3 days looking for it (once a week usually does..."

Thanks Sandra and Janny - have added both Transformation and Song of the Beast to my "to read" list. Have a few more things to get through adn then I'll be tackling them.

[Joseph]

Kelly wrote: "A friends hubby gave me a few books from the Elric series. Besides that you're the first I've heard of it. You would recommend them then?
"

Yes, I'd recommend them highly if you like old-school sword and sorcery. They have a much higher magical content than, say, the Conan stories (which had the occasional evil wizard or demon, but more as an obstacle to be overcome than as a primary focus of the story). For the most part, they're short & fast-paced, which sometimes is a nice change of pace from the larger, more sprawling fantasies. Which books do you have? Some of the more recent ones have gone in a bit of a different direction.

[Kelly]

Joseph wrote: "Kelly wrote: "A friends hubby gave me a few books from the Elric series. Besides that you're the first I've heard of it. You would recommend them then?
"

Yes, I'd recommend them highly if you lik..."

I have to get into the right box of books to check. Unfortunately they are mixed in with alot of para-romance that I'll never read, so they aren't at the top of the book boxes. But I'll check and get back to you!

[Lindsey]

Traci wrote: "I want to read more books than I can get to since coming to this site. Right now I am reading Assassin's Apprentice. And this month I hope to get to Gardens of the Moon,[b..."

I read Assassin's Apprentice a few months back and absolutely loved the trilogy. Hobb is a steady and engrossing story-teller. I got her next trilogy as a Christmas present and should be starting it next month. Hope you enjoy your reading!

[Saurav]

Currently reading the A Sword from Red Ice and loving the Sword of Shadows series.

This is the 2nd month I skipped reading A Song of Ice and Fire, I have heard some great praise for that series but keep skipping it for others. I have read the first four chapters but don't know why I am not feeling much interest to continue. I am determined to give the series a go this month after I complete Watcher of the Dead

[Charles]

I am finally reading Stephen Donaldson's "Against All Things Ending" which is the third book in his Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant -- and loving it!

[Terence]

I've started Anthony Huso's The Last Page and will be reading Witches on the Road Tonight and/or The Mammoth Cheese, both by Sheri Holman. I've never read anything by her before so if I don't like one of the novels, I'll probably not be reading the other. I've never read anything by Huso either (makes sense - this is his first novel) and am still reserving judgment but so far it's been OK.

In nonfiction, I'm reading The Poison King: The Life and Legend of Mithradates, Rome's Deadliest Enemy - fascinating character and historical period (late Republican Rome) but not very good execution, unfortunately.

Tidbit for fans of the Malazan Empire: The massacre of 80,000 Roman & Italian citizens in 88 BC reads a lot like the beginning of the Whirlwind's Rebellion, except they didn't have a Coltaine to save them.

[mussolet]

I'm reading Lamentation and Canticle after that.
Still waiting for me are The Dragon's Path and The Way of Kings, but I'll finish Mistborn before that since I've jsut managed a re-read of Mistborn: The Final Empire.

I read Assassin's Apprentice a while ago, too, and should probably get onto the other books in the series as well, but there's always another one I want to read first...

[Ashley]

I'm reading in anticipation for the new TV series. I wanted to read the book before I watched. It has been on my TBR for awhile...

I'm only about 18% in, I'm not loving it, but I'm not hating it either.

[Sandra]

As usual, my best laid reading plans have been derailed by my inability to wait to see how stories turn out, or by an author's aggravating tendency to end a book with a cliffhanger.

I read Inda and enjoyed it, but it ends in a cliffhanger (I hate them, but have a character flaw that makes me fall into the trap and get the next book) so I had to read The Fox which I didn't find that good. I skimmed parts of it while I watched the Butler/UCONN game, but then was left with an important plot point hanging again. Plus it got better towards the end, so... am now reading King's Shield, which is pretty good so far. Our book of the month is waiting for me as well as the next in the Riftwar Saga in the Series group and another book for another group.

I'm hopeless.

[Sandra]

Oh, and that was probably the WORST championship game I've ever watched!

[mark]

gosh, so much to read in April:

The Darkest Road
Black Sun Rising: The Coldfire Trilogy #1
The Conqueror's Child
Assassin's Apprentice
The Orphan's Tales: In the Cities of Coin and Spice
Changeless
Mayenne
A Storm of Swords

i hope to get through at least half of them. or maybe a miracle will happen and i will read them all.

[Maggie]

Im doing my re-read of Deadhouse Gates of course, and went on to start Sheepfarmer's Daughter and All the Windwracked Stars both of which I think are going to be favorites! I need to re-read Memories of Ice and The Name of the Windfor my BotMs as well as read Opening Atlantis. For fun I have The Warrior's Apprentice and The Warded Man

[Kelly]

Well I now have a better graps of what I will be reading this month. I started with Asimov's Foundation
next is my first Vonnegut book, ,
after it is a mixed bag...
The Heretic Queen
The God Hater: A Novel
Foundation and Empire
Man Plus
Infinity's Shore
The Hunter's Moon
plus my beading books (I make and sell jewelry)

[Kelly]

Lindsey wrote: "Traci wrote: "I want to read more books than I can get to since coming to this site. Right now I am reading Assassin's Apprentice. And this month I hope to get to [book:Gardens of the ..."
Hobb is one of the BEST authors out there in my not very humble opinion. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the fist series I read of hers was not a special fluke but that she is an excellent writer! Not one book she wrote has let me down.
And Jay Lake and Ken Scoles are Amazing writers in their own right. None of their book have disapointed me, and I've read almost every book they've written and most of their short stories as well!

[[deleted user]]

Sandra aka Sleo wrote: "Oh, and that was probably the WORST championship game I've ever watched!"

Agreed! It was brutal to watch. Just put the round ball in the orange hoop, please!

[Charles]

Kevin wrote: "Just starting the what are you reading thread for the month of April. I am doing a reread right now of Foundation and Empire, just finished part 1, onto part 2. Asimov is also never ..."

Kevin and Kelly,
I applaud your choice of Asimov. I have read ALL the robot and Foundation series several times (all of Asimov at least once). I love the way he ties all his stories together at the end. Read them all for peak enjoyment.

[Sandra]

Stephen wrote: "Sandra aka Sleo wrote: "Oh, and that was probably the WORST championship game I've ever watched!"

Agreed! It was brutal to watch. Just put the round ball in the orange hoop, please!"

Amen !

[Kelly]

Charles wrote: "Kevin wrote: "Just starting the what are you reading thread for the month of April. I am doing a reread right now of Foundation and Empire, just finished part 1, onto part 2. Asimov ..."


thanks Charles!
I agree, I loved the continuity of his stories and how he makes humanity seem as though it too can do the same. Even if there are troubled times now and then.

[Charles]

Kelly wrote: "Charles wrote: "Kevin wrote: "Just starting the what are you reading thread for the month of April. I am doing a reread right now of Foundation and Empire, just finished part 1, onto..."

Yes, his idea of guardian beings under a guardian Spirit has always agreed with my own inclinations. Plus. Asimov is a great master of the plot/surprise ending/twists. Kind of like an O.Henry of SF.

[Kelly]

LOL, or a solar reese's p-cup!

[Joseph]

Charles wrote: "Kevin wrote: "Just starting the what are you reading thread for the month of April. I am doing a reread right now of Foundation and Empire, just finished part 1, onto part 2. Asimov ..."

I just wish there was a complete collection of the robot stories somewhere. (Or is there something of which I'm unaware?) I have bits and pieces scattered through various collections and anthologies, but it'd be nice to have them all in one place.

[Charles]

Joseph wrote: "Charles wrote: "Kevin wrote: "Just starting the what are you reading thread for the month of April. I am doing a reread right now of Foundation and Empire, just finished part 1, onto..."

Most of the earliest of Asimov's robot short stories (upon which the robot novels are based) are collected in the ROBOT DREAMS anthology. Then of course y6ou must read the robot novels, most of which are mysteries involving a human detective and Daneel Olivaw. Then the robots are brought back in, in the very last of the post-trilogy Foundation novels. I will check Amazon for you and see if I can come up with a fairly complete list of the entire Robot/Foundation saga, then re-post on this thread.