What Are You Reading in July 2011?

[Bill]

Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "Ron, have you read Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children? It's constructed around unusual vintage photos. Your avatar photo would fit right into the book.... (or is it in there..."

I just got that book, Mike. DId you like it? In what genre do you think it fits?

[Jenny]

I finished Starship Troopers last night and I liked it. I think I would have liked it even more if it hadn't rambled on about certain things like the chain of command, but I know others like that.

I'm still waiting for my boyfriend to finish A Dance with Dragons so I'm torn between giving The Case of Charles Dexter Ward on my computer another go or starting Homeland on my Kindle. It's strange having so many ways to read a book (I'm new to ebooks). I also just requested Oryx and Crake from my library, so hopefully I can start that soon too.

[Kevin]

I am reading a copy of Ender in Exile that I just found moments ago.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Ya Kernos, I liked it "pretty well" I went 3 stars. Here's my review if you want to read it:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

I though that the synopsis set up a higher expectation than the book met, but that happens now and again.

It's obviously fantasy or YA fantasy. I don't think it fits well or neatly into any specific sub-genre. There's a touch of horror here, it kind of pushes up against science fiction. I don't think it's really urban fantasy though parts of it tend that way, it's a little dark in some places but not really dark fantasy, so...for now I'll go with fantasy or possibly call it "modern fantasy" and see where and how he "places" the sequel.

Clear as mud? LOL

[Jensownzoo]

I've got Embassytown and Running with the Pack checked out of the library right now, so I'll have to finish them by the end of the month.

I really want to finish the Harry Potter series so I can see all the movies (have to read the book before I see the movie), which means I need to re-read #5 then go on to the last two. And no, I don't know why it has taken me this long.

[Ken]

Snail in Danger (Sid) wrote: "Just sayin' - I'm definitely more liberal than conservative (especially socially). Firestar in particular is a love affair with the idea of humanity getting back into space rather tha..."
I have to agree. Never really saw any specific politics in the book. It was more of a love letter of how it could be rekindled

[Ken]

Well I finished Archangel last night. Personally one of the weakest books by Harris.

Started on Miéville's Embassytown

[Stefan, Group Founder + Moderator (Retired)]

I just finished reading all the short form works nominated for Hugo's this year, and now I'm re-reading Axis by Robert Charles Wilson. (My article about Spin is up over at Tor.com right now, in case anyone who read the novel is interested. Don't read it if you haven't read the book yet - it's full of spoilers.)

[Kevin]

Stefan wrote: "I just finished reading all the short form works nominated for Hugo's this year, and now I'm re-reading Axis by Robert Charles Wilson. (My article about [book:Spin|9108..."

Nice, Spin was one of the free e books that Tor sent me back in early 2009.

[Kara]

Tore through , Phoenix Rising last weekend and enjoyed immensely (My Review). Almost done with Blameless on audio, and then still sloshing through Servant of the Empire with FBCS.

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon]

Kara - I added 'Phoenix Rising' to my TBR based on your glowing review. I hold you fully responsible for my enjoyment (or lack thereof) now. ;)

[Shel, Moderator]

I just dealt with a rather stressful week by re-reading the entire Little House on the Prairie series for the umpteenth time :) Now I think I'm finally in a good mental space to plunge back into Athera and I'm going to pick up Peril's Gate tonight. Can't wait!

[Sandra]

Shel wrote: "I just dealt with a rather stressful week by re-reading the entire Little House on the Prairie series for the umpteenth time :) Now I think I'm finally in a good mental space to plunge back into A..."

Oh good. Will wait with bated breath for comments. I love that series.

[Kara]

Colleen ~blackrose~ wrote: "Kara - I added 'Phoenix Rising' to my TBR based on your glowing review. I hold you fully responsible for my enjoyment (or lack thereof) now. ;)"

Yicks! lol

The review is truthful. But I'm nervous b/c I've noticed you often have lower ratings for things I enjoyed... just remember, fun steampunk action brain candy.

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon]

I'm good with brain candy. Honestly, most of the stuff I read is brain candy. But I'm just as picky about my candy as I am about anything else. ;)

[Kara]

I was just comparing our books again, and it looks as though our likes tend to agree on what I consider more fun, lighthearted reads. So enjoy!

(I also noticed that you have some 3-stars in your favorites... so maybe you just grade a little differently/harsher).

Definitely let me know when you pick it up. Makes a great weekend read.

Sometimes it's the little things I notice too that reinforces my opinion of things. For instance, I dig the photo of the authors on the back cover - refreshing... looks fun & casual.

(Ok, I tried, but I don't have a clue how to link pics)

=)

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon]

Kara wrote: "(I also noticed that you have some 3-stars in your favorites... so maybe you just grade a little differently/harsher)."

Well, I am a bit harsh with ratings. It's very rare that something will warrant a 5-star. Also, I tend to rate within series - if it's a series I really like but one book isn't as strong as another, I'll rate that book lower even though I like the series overall (which is why I have 3-stars in favorites. They're first books of series and I really like the series but they, individually, weren't the strongest.)

Makes sense, right?

It'll probably be awhile before I pick it up, though. I'm not allowed to by any new books until I get through the ones I already have at home.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

I'm trying to get to some books I've had on my shelves for a while and have been "pushing back" as I read books for groups or library books. (Well I bought Hard Magic recently). Re-reading Sabriel and then the rest of the Abhorsen trilogy. Then probably Magic Bites...who knows.

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon]

Yay Abhorsen. ♥

[Christine]

I just finished Mystery and must say I was disappointed; I've always though of JK's books as psychological thrillers but this is just another police procedural. Its saving grace is the characters I've grown to know, but I still felt let down after I finished. Now I'm back in the SciFi/Fantasy world with House of Suns. I read about this one in a comment by someone in this group. I have Dawn and The Magic Engineer sitting on my shelf (not to mention On Basilisk Station on my Sony ready for next month's group read).

[Sandra]

Christine wrote: "I just finished Mystery and must say I was disappointed; I've always though of JK's books as psychological thrillers but this is just another police procedural. Its saving grace is t..."

Well it's #26, so I would expect a series to decline after so many books. I used to read him, but got tired after he seemed to get more sensational and unlikely with each book.