What Are You Reading?

Zapp Brannigan

Finished the first 'Black Company' anthology. I enjoyed it but have no real desire to launch in to the next one.

Instead I decided to get the first book of Goodkind's 'Sword of Truth' series, only because I got the second one for free. Will see how this goes.

TwoShedsJackson

old hippy wrote: »

Oh, a third? Excellent, I picked up the first two second hand and I'm glad I did.

Fourth one due out later this year too.

shockwave

Just started The Daylight War, book 3 of The Demon cycle series by Peter V Brett.

Enjoyed the first 2 books and third one is good so far.

old hippy

TwoShedsJackson wrote: »

Fourth one due out later this year too.

Crikey, only a matter of time before they make a rubbish telly show out of it!

Dades

Finished "The Forge of God" by Greg Bear. Liked it. Will probably read the sequel.

Just started Ursela LeGuin's "Lathe of Heaven".

Dan_Solo

growler wrote: »

Finishing up The Iron Council by China Mieville, finished The Scar last week. Thought The Scar was an excellent read, on a par if not better than Perdido Street Station, Iron Council is much tougher going but certainly original.

I've read King Rat, Perdido and The Scar. I do like him alright, but Perdido was the wrong side of novelty stuff for novelty stuff's sake where Scar wasn't IMO.
King Rat's nothing like them mind you.
While he is good, I'm not sure if he's quite as good as all the awards he gets make out?

keane2097

Dan_Solo wrote: »

I've read King Rat, Perdido and The Scar. I do like him alright, but Perdido was the wrong side of novelty stuff for novelty stuff's sake where Scar wasn't IMO.
King Rat's nothing like them mind you.
While he is good, I'm not sure if he's quite as good as all the awards he gets make out?

FWIW after some early misgivings I'm enjoying Perdido massively now, although I suppose I'm still probably only 1/3 of the way through.

OwaynOTT

old hippy wrote: »

Oh, a third? Excellent, I picked up the first two second hand and I'm glad I did.

Prepare yourself for a fourth coming later this very year. I like to think of it as an english Dresden but written better.

Ah I see I was too slow.

Valaquenta

Perdido was one of the very rare instances that i very nearly gave up on it, the ending is ok but I really didn't think it was worth the effort. Think this was also in the midst of the Dune prequels which are still up there with my favourite books

Dan_Solo

Valaquenta wrote: »

Perdido was one of the very rare instances that i very nearly gave up on it, the ending is ok but I really didn't think it was worth the effort. Think this was also in the midst of the Dune prequels which are still up there with my favourite books

There was just too many under-developed ideas in it for my liking, but by all accounts he has reigned in his overexuberance somewhat lately. I certainly have more of his books on my to read list.
For example, that Garuda in Perdido. With all those steam powered cybernetic slaves, his antwoman girlfriend, skyscraper high fossil bones and transdimensional spider gods around the place, was it really so jawdropping to have a guy with wings walk into your shop?:)

Valaquenta

Dan_Solo wrote: »

There was just too many under-developed ideas in it for my liking, but by all accounts he has reigned in his overexuberance somewhat lately.

I'm a once bitten, twice shy type. With so much quality out there I'm only going to be a completist, if the author hasn't let me down, particularly with the first experience of the author.

bradyle

I decided to make a start on Terry Pratchett's Discworld series this week. I always wanted to but never got around to it. On book 3 at the minute. I am liking them while I read them but I dont have the feeling of oh my god I need to finish this that I usually get.

I'm going to stick with them though because they are really fun! All though probably wont read all in one go!

keane2097

I remember having to stop reading one of the first ones - maybe the Light Fantastic - on a train one time because I was literally LOLing, but a few more of them that I read left me pretty cold.

Dan_Solo

bradyle wrote: »

I decided to make a start on Terry Pratchett's Discworld series this week.

Could never get into them myself. It seemed like trying to slog through 39 different versions of Bored Of The Rings. The lampooning of fantasy memes just grated before I'd even finished The Colour Of Magic and the other one I read, Wyrd Sisters was 100% identical.

bradyle

Dan_Solo wrote: »

Could never get into them myself. It seemed like trying to slog through 39 different versions of Bored Of The Rings. The lampooning of fantasy memes just grated before I'd even finished The Colour Of Magic and the other one I read, Wyrd Sisters was 100% identical.

Yea they are a bit like that all right. But at the minute I'm travelling loads and like to read pretty easy going stuff when I'm moving about so they suit well. Anytime I travel and read something super interesting I always miss stops or get lost

growler

Dan_Solo wrote: »

There was just too many under-developed ideas in it for my liking, but by all accounts he has reigned in his overexuberance somewhat lately. I certainly have more of his books on my to read list.
For example, that Garuda in Perdido. With all those steam powered cybernetic slaves, his antwoman girlfriend, skyscraper high fossil bones and transdimensional spider gods around the place, was it really so jawdropping to have a guy with wings walk into your shop?:)

that would have been unremarkable, but he didn't have wings !

Trojan

Obviously needed some Red Bull.

ixoy

Reading 'Salute the Dark' by Adrian Tchaikovsky, the fourth book in the Shadows of the Apt series. Enjoying it so far and it's been built up well from the preceding books.

Raif Severance

Took a break from Tad Williams' Shadow Books and decided to read Red Knight based on the recommendations here.

Didn't know there were 2 of them.

The Red Knight by K.T. Davies
This one reminds me of the sense of adventure found on Feist's early Books, only for it to turn dark and serious in the end. The Book feels like a Prologue to something Bigger. Even so, the Story does not disappoint, and makes waiting for the Sequels, all that much harder.

So for those of you that like Feist, I highly recommend reading this book.

The Red Knight (The Traitor Son Cycle) by Miles Cameron
This one is really good. Definitely my kind of Fantasy. Lots of Swordfights and Fantastic Battles. The Magic System here reminds me of Modesitt's.

For those that enjoy this Book, I recommend checking out David Keck's In the Eye of Heaven and In a Time of Treason. Everything you loved about Cameron's Red Knight, you'd find them in abundance there.

Though Keck devised a World of Great Mythology even more Fantastic than the Alternate Fantasy Europe of Cameron, it is actually more rooted in Reality. Most of the Book is about Knights against Knights. Men against Men. Melee, Battles, Jousting, Swordfights.

And like I've said in a previous post, Durand Col (Keck's Protagonist) is John McClaine's (Die Hard Movie Protag) Fantasy Equivalent. So if you're hankering for a Non-stop Action Heroic Fantasy Book, I suggest you check out Keck's 2 Books.

pH

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wool-Trilogy-1-ebook/dp/B00873GRU4/

Just finished WOOL by Hugh Howey, really liked it! It's a claustrophobic post apocalyptic tale of survivors living in "the silo". Highly recommended - and there's another 2 books in the trilogy.

gufnork

Have just started Bloody Crown of Conan(#2) and Priest Kings of Gor(#3). Love R E Howard, and the Gor books are... well, you know!

mcgovern

I finished Midnight Tides, for me it was the weakest of the series so far. Very hard to see how it ties into the bigger picture, and I found a lot of the humour to be tedious. It seemed like a whole different tone.
Started Grass by Sheri S. Tepper, not sure what to make of it yet, its pretty confusing so far, but has promise.

keane2097

Is Lies of Locke Lamora any use?

donegal_man

keane2097 wrote: »

Is Lies of Locke Lamora any use?

Yes, it really is very good indeed. The only reservation I had was that the end seemed a bit rushed but aside from that I enjoyed it immensely. One other caveat the chapters alternate between Locke's past and present, a plot device that led a friend of mine to abandon it fairly quickly.

keane2097

donegal_man wrote: »

Yes, it really is very good indeed. The only reservation I had was that the end seemed a bit rushed but aside from that I enjoyed it immensely. One other caveat the chapters alternate between Locke's past and present, a plot device that led a friend of mine to abandon it fairly quickly.

Yeah the timeline switching took me a second to figure out alright but it's not exactly taxing once you realise what he's doing.

I actually don't have any idea what it's about which might make it a bit more interesting.

donegal_man

keane2097 wrote: »

Yeah the timeline switching took me a second to figure out alright but it's not exactly taxing once you realise what he's doing.

I actually don't have any idea what it's about which might make it a bit more interesting.

It gets clearer as the story progresses. The second in the series "Red Seas Under Red Skies" is better in my opinion. There are apparently intended to be seven in the complete epic but given that we've been waiting six years for part three (now due in September) I'm not holding my breath waiting to complete it.

OwaynOTT

Second is the better one all right. Stunner of an ending.
Anyone else not too bothered if they never see the third at this stage? Two great books but the series never really got going and there isnt really an overarching story that needs to be finished yet.
I think im anticipating Doors of Stone more despite liking the ba*tards more.

AnCapaillMor

You saw Rothfuss put a little on facebook something about Auri having 7 days to save it all. Looking forward to that book too but not holding my breath on a release.

Johnny Storm

Dades wrote: »

Just started Ursela LeGuin's "Lathe of Heaven".

My understanding is that this book is LeGuin's homage to PKD

Dades

Johnny Storm wrote: »

My understanding is that this book is LeGuin's homage to PKD

That makes complete sense.

I made it halfway, and after a good start it had started to drift a good bit. A lot of psychobabble I was skimming at that point. So yesterday in a fit of pique I started Caliban's War for a change.

The dangers of a fully loaded Kindle!

TaytoCrisps

Just finished the Rho project series by Richard Phillips, Not a bad read at all . Onto Enders game now after a lot of good reviews. most of the way through so far, a hrad book to put down

TwoShedsJackson

pH wrote: »

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wool-Trilogy-1-ebook/dp/B00873GRU4/

Just finished WOOL by Hugh Howey, really liked it! It's a claustrophobic post apocalyptic tale of survivors living in "the silo". Highly recommended - and there's another 2 books in the trilogy.

Thanks for this recommendation - got it yesterday and 100 pages in already, good stuff so far!

OwaynOTT

TwoShedsJackson wrote: »

Thanks for this recommendation - got it yesterday and 100 pages in already, good stuff so far!

Just finished it myself yesterday, very good.


Has anyone read the follow up? Is it a continuation of the same story?

Trojan

TwoShedsJackson wrote: »

Thanks for this recommendation - got it yesterday and 100 pages in already, good stuff so far!

I'm thinking of giving Wool a go too.

Does anyone know if it's anything like Metro 2033?

mcgovern

Trojan wrote: »

I'm thinking of giving Wool a go too.

Does anyone know if it's anything like Metro 2033?

I only read the first two, and played the Metro game, but those are nothing alike.

pH

Trojan wrote: »

I'm thinking of giving Wool a go too.

Does anyone know if it's anything like Metro 2033?

More like fallout!

AnCapaillMor

Finally started the Lies of Locke Lamora. Knackered last night but i still managed to read 100 pages.

Zapp Brannigan

Given up halfway through the 2nd book in "The Sword of Truth" series. Goodkind is not very good, and just seems to want to plagiarize other popular stories.

Decided to do a whole re-read of The Wheel of Time instead.

AnCapaillMor

Funny 2nd one was the only 1 that i kinda liked.

sentient_6

Zapp Brannigan wrote: »

Given up halfway through the 2nd book in "The Sword of Truth" series. Goodkind is not very good, and just seems to want to plagiarize other popular stories.

Decided to do a whole re-read of The Wheel of Time instead.

Remember seeing an interview with Robert Jordan years ago where he was asked about Terry Goodkind. All he said was 'i am aware of Mr. Goodkind'. Always stuck in my head.

Dan_Solo

Not sure if I've made a massive blunder and veered off into something/romance territory here, but I'm about 1/4 into Ann Aguirre's Blue Diablo. It's nothing outlandish or anything (modern occult talent subcultures) but is decently told and the Mills and Boon doesn't seem to be rearing its ugly head too much.:D

mcgovern

Finished Grass, wasn't overly impressed. None of the surprises were surprising, and felt like it was written longer ago than it was.
Stored Engines of God by Jack McDevitt, based on the "My Favourite Sci-fi books" thread. I'd read the second book in the series a good few years ago, without realising it was part of a series. It's interesting so far, though it's just been setting up the universe.

growler

Finally started into Reamde by Neal Stephenson, I know he's not everyone's cup of tea, but I do enjoy the feeling of picking up a novel that weighs more than my child.

pH

growler wrote: »

Finally started into Reamde by Neal Stephenson, I know he's not everyone's cup of tea, but I do enjoy the feeling of picking up a novel that weighs more than my child.

I really like Stephenson, some of his earlier stuff are among my favourite ever books - however REAMDE - ughh.

Starts off with a multiple chapter lecture on how good he'd be at designing a MMO then becomes a mediocre sub standard dan brown/tom clancy globe trotting spy thriller.

ixoy

Reading "Blue Remembered Earth" by Alastair Reynolds. About 12% in so far - a slower pace and, being in the near future, not quite as immediately intriguing as his Revelation Space material. Early days yet though.

pH wrote: »

I really like Stephenson, some of his earlier stuff are among my favourite ever books - however REAMDE - ughh.

'Uggh' - best one line description of 'REAMDE'. A massive disappointment after the excellent 'Anathem'.

But hey don't listen to us - you might like it

pH

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Martian-ebook/dp/B009IEXKXI/ref=zg_bs_362827031_3

Wow wow wow wow wow (5 stars!)
(and it's 0.77p on amazon.co.uk)

A Modern day Robinson Crusoe, part McGyver, part science lesson part thriller.

If this is the start of the self-publishing ebook revolution then count me in!

mcgovern

pH wrote: »

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Martian-ebook/dp/B009IEXKXI/ref=zg_bs_362827031_3

Wow wow wow wow wow (5 stars!)
(and it's 0.77p on amazon.co.uk)

A Modern day Robinson Crusoe, part McGyver, part science lesson part thriller.

If this is the start of the self-publishing ebook revolution then count me in!

For that price I had to order it
It's $1.15 for anyone who orders off Amazon.com.

Trojan

It better be good now, I just impulse bought cos of you guys

OwaynOTT

Well the brief description of the book hooked me. Going to try this after I finish, or rather retread, The Blade Itself.
Im loving it and I much prefer the first law trilogy to the standalones. Going to be interesting to pick up on the little hints of where the characters end up at the end.
I think Logen was wasted in Red Country as well, uis character starts and ends wjth almost perfect symmetry in the trilogy and lets face it him being lamb adds very little to red country.

keane2097

Perdido Street Station turned into a real winner IMO.