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[Jim]

Tim wrote: "But I do think you should read widely in the genres that you write. And on that basis, there's a couple of post-apocs I can personally recommend... ;)

(I'm like an old fashioned hardware store - never short of a plug!) .."

:-)

I'm careful, firstly because I tend to read non-fiction more than fiction. But also I actively avoid some authors. For example I avoided Game of Thrones. I've read the same history as he has, from comments made he's got a nice feel for real history, but if I read his stuff I might drift in his direction

[Lexie]

It's always a bit of a risk, reading and writing similar stuff simultaneously.

[Jim]

Some people can get away with it but it's not a risk I want to take

[Lexie]

though mind you, just today I could do with any inspiration I can get!

[Jim]

For detective stories, go back to one of the masters and ask yourself how that story would pan out in a modern world.
I suspect romance and similar could be an equally interesting exercise :-)

[Lexie]

I'd have to do it the other way round: I write detective stories set in Georgian times. Interesting thought, though: take a modern police procedural and work back.

Just started (remembering what the thread is!) The King's Corrodian by Pat McIntosh. I've enjoyed one of hers before but haven't read her for a while - looking forward to it.

[Tim]

True, but I think the more you read, the less likely any one thing is to dominate your influences.

[Kath]

I agree with that, Tim. :)

[Steven]

finished the redeemer by Jo Nesbo. a slow starter but utterly gripping. Now reading the new Mark Edwards and Louise Voss thriller called from the cradle. loving this one so far at 70 percent in.

[Michael]

I've just finished reading David Wailing's short story Hotspot and it's an excellent addition to his 'Auto' series:

http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/201...



I've also finished reading The Jigsaw Man by Gord Rollo and while it's a decent take on Frankenstein it lacked depth:

http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/201...

I'm now onto Weaveworld by Clive Barker and this was my favourite of his books, so I'm looking forward to seeing if I still enjoy it as much!

[David]

Jim wrote: "David wrote: "I think it does lean towards the more literary end of SF, but not irrevocably. It is starting to pick up a bit now I'm about 20% of the way in.

I confess that I've enjoyed the Culture books, (normally the closest I get to culture is mixing with bacteria :-( ) I think they do set a high bar "

Yep. I've only read a few Culture books - but they are good stuff.

This Ancillary Justice seems to be improving, I'm about halfway through it now and it is getting much better.

[David]

Tim wrote: "True, but I think the more you read, the less likely any one thing is to dominate your influences."

I'd agree with that. Also, it gives you a better sense of what does & doesn't work in that genre and what is a cliche or done to death there.

For example, I didn't think much of fantasy at all until I saw what GRR Martin, Abercrombie and so on were doing in it.

[Adele]

I have made the mistake of starting The Bone Clocks and am going to be sucked in with this all weekend

[Fiona (Titch)]

I've finished The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini which I found rather interesting and eye opening to what happened in Afghanistan. Now I am reading Bloodstone - Barbra Annino

[Steven]

i read the kite runner a few years ago fiona and loved it. i must try his other books soon.

[Fiona (Titch)]

Gave up on Bloodstone - Barbra Annino as I couldn't get into the characters lol. So I am now reading Together Forever - Vicki Green which I've read books 1 and 3 before. Looks like another 1.30am staying up due to the nature of this author's book that keeps me gripped lol.

[Steven]

just finished From the Cradle by Mark Edwards and Louese Voss which is a terrific little thriller. Now reading Revelation by CJ Sansom. I love the Shardlake novels and this one looks like it'll be just as good as the others.

[Natasha]

I read my first Henry James: Daisy Miller. I was rather impressed. His writing is exquisite. And the story, written in 1878, is surprisingly and delightfully feminist. Get this:
Daisy: "I have never allowed a gentleman to dictate to me, or to interfere with anything I do."

Then read Passing by Nella Larsen, written in 1929, about some African-Americans who were able to pass as white. Rather shocking book.

Now on Wonder by R.J. Palacio, as it's a group book of the month. Really enjoying it.

[David]

Just started rereading The Glamour, which I first read when it came out. I can remember almost nothing about it, all I can remember is how great I thought it was.

I wonder if I will feel the same way about it this time around.

Also started Deep Sea and Foreign Going: Inside Shipping, the Invisible Industry That Brings You 90% of Everything, mainly because I heard the author talking about it and I thought it sounded intriguing.
(The book does seem to have a different Leftpondian title, though, for some reason).

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

I finished Don't Tell Mummy: A True Story Of The Ultimate Betrayal, very harrowing tale of child abuse. Also finished Zero Day by David Baldacci. Now started Call after Midnight by Tess Gerritson in paperback and The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins as its October.

[Andrew]

I'm reading Game of Thrones. I've watched most of the telly stuff and enjoyed it immensely. I thought it high time I saw for myself if the writing was any good. It is. Very good style and the characters are wonderfully depicted.

[Steven]

finished Revelation by Cj Sansom. every bit as good as the previous books inthe series. Not sure what to read next... probably the new Nick Spalding book called fat Chance.

[Patti (baconater)]

Andrew wrote: "I'm reading Game of Thrones. I've watched most of the telly stuff and enjoyed it immensely. I thought it high time I saw for myself if the writing was any good. It is. Very good style and the chara..."

I just can't get into the books. Took me ages to start enjoying the show as well.
Odd as it's something I really should enjoy. I just don't seem to be into fantasy at all lately.

[Adele]

Just finished The Bone Clocks, much better than I expected and I sort of understood it too, back to my Man Booker challenge and reading J: A Novel

[Vanessa (aka Dumbo)]

Steven wrote: "finished Revelation by Cj Sansom. every bit as good as the previous books inthe series. Not sure what to read next... probably the new Nick Spalding book called fat Chance."

Steven, did you know there's a new CJ Sansom book coming out soon? I've pre-ordered mine as I've read all the ones out so far. They're great aren't they.
Are you reading them in order?

[Lexie]

Vanessa (aka Dumbo) wrote: "Steven wrote: "finished Revelation by Cj Sansom. every bit as good as the previous books inthe series. Not sure what to read next... probably the new Nick Spalding book called fat Chance."

Steven..."

Argh, got to catch up! I love these!

[David]

I just can't get into the books. Took me ages to start enjoying the show as well.
Odd as it's something I really should enjoy. I just don't seem to be into fantasy at all lately.

I've noticed ;~)

[Fiona (Titch)]

Just finished the delightful Together Forever - Vicki Green. This was book 2 in the Forever Series. I am now off to read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson (a book I have been putting off for the past 2 nearly 3 yrs lol). Wish me luck ;) x

[Kath]

I loved it Fiona. I read all three back to back.

[Fiona (Titch)]

Well I best get cracking lol x

[Steven]

i can't work out how to quote a message in reply from my phone... which is most frustrating lol, but vanessa, i did know Lamentation is out on the 23rd Oct. i'm reading them in order so i've still got Heartstone to read first. I think i'll be reading it soon though as I absolutely love this series.

[Karen]

Kath wrote: "I loved it Fiona. I read all three back to back."

I managed to finish the 'tattoo' book which should have been mightily trimmed down. The misogyny put me off reading any more. Made me far too angry to enjoy.

[Kath]

I still enjoyed them - very exciting - and they are stories - they didn't make me angry.

[Tim]

Just finished Small Favour - book umpty tump of the Dresden Files. This was on audio, narrated by James Marsters, and well up to his normal standard.

Next up on audio is To the Grave by Steve Robinson. This is on Whisper Sync for Audio - where the Kindle version syncs up with the audio version and vice versa. Which should be interesting.

Meanwhile... Struggling with Gone Girl. Frankly I'm beyond caring about either character. Haven't even bothered to go see the film (although partly that's because of my cold, er, manflu)

[Adele]

Why did no-one warn me as to how utterly awful J by Howard Jacobson is? I really don't think I can read any further

[Adele]

Giving up on J: A Novel, life is too short to waste on a truly bad book, also finished A Twist of the Knife, which is utterly brilliant. Now starting Sombrero Fallout, which will be a quick read and then I have two other books lined up

[Fiona (Titch)]

Tim wrote: "Just finished Small Favour - book umpty tump of the Dresden Files. This was on audio, narrated by James Marsters, and well up to his normal standard.

Next up on audio is To the Grave by Steve Robi..."

I am listening to Mommy, May I? - A.K. Alexander (same as you Tim via Whispersync lol).

[Kath]

Just finished our two monthly choices - Lesbian Crushes and Bulimia: A Diary on How I Acquired my Eating Disorder and Wonder, each of which was excellent in its own way.
Just started Into the Darkest Corner which I had recommended by a friend. It's totally absorbing.

[Marc]

just finished Lolita which I really only read cos my twin boys are doing it for A-Level. I think I got more out of it than they did as the language is proving impenetrable to them.

[David]

Just finished Ancillary Justice, which I didn't like at all. Normally I would have given up on it. But I was searching - in vain - for why it won so many major SF book awards.

Just started Sanctus, mainly because I heard the author talking about it on Johanna Penn's podcast and thought I'd give it a go as I rather like a nice conspiracy - although, don't tell them I said that.

[Tim]

Don't worry David - they already know! ;)

[Adele]

David wrote: "Just finished Ancillary Justice, which I didn't like at all. Normally I would have given up on it. But I was searching - in vain - for why it won so many major SF book awards.

Just..."

Ooh, that Sanctus looks v interesting, have added to my wish-list

[Natasha]

Just finished Wonder by R.J. Palacio, group book of the month, which I very much enjoyed.

Just started The Julian Chapter: A Wonder Story by R.J. Palacio, which is an add-on to Wonder.

I'd like to contribute to group discussion on Wonder once I've read Julian's POV, Patti. Too nervous of micro-spoilers to venture into the thread with both eyes open yet :-)

[David]

Tim wrote: "Don't worry David - they already know! ;)"

Ah. That's what I want them to think.

[Fiona (Titch)]

Last night I finished Mommy, May I? - A.K. Alexander (on audio). Not sure what I think as it was laughable one minute and boring the next lol. Now I have Die For Me: A Novel of the Valentine Killer - Cynthia Eden (Audio) and reading Broken Build - Rachelle Ayala for a challenge.

[Adele]

Project for this weekend is to read the debut novel by Gillian Anderson A Vision of Fire

[Lexie]

Oh please, please tell me it's not the Dana Scully Gillian Anderson!

[Kath]

Lexie wrote: "Oh please, please tell me it's not the Dana Scully Gillian Anderson!"

'Fraid so!

[Tim]

Why? Should she not be allowed to write???

[Kath]

One wonders who wrote it. She maybe did but ghost-writing's a big profession.