What Are You Reading?

shaneor

keane2097 wrote: »

Glotka and Jazal in particular have great depth as characters and really well put together arcs.

Glotka is just such a brilliant character. Definitely the highlight of the book!

bradyle

I was travelling last week so got a good chance to catch up on some books I wanted to read. Finished the new Locke Lamora book...like others I was sure this series was a trilogy so the ending was a bit unexpexted...but good!!

Read the new Sanderson book Steelheart. Really enjoyed this actually probably not as a amazing as some of his other books but still enjoyable read.

Read the first in the prequel series of Micheal J Sullivans Riviera books. Once again really like maybe not as great as the other series but I'm just happy to have the characters back

Now I'm starting into Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence...one of those books everyone seems to suggest but I've never got around to reading...so far its unusual...I want to read more so I can understand more but dunno if I'm actually enjoying it...if you know what I mean!!

5live

bradyle wrote: »

I was travelling last week so got a good chance to catch up on some books I wanted to read. Finished the new Locke Lamora book...like others I was sure this series was a trilogy so the ending was a bit unexpexted...but good!!

Read the new Sanderson book Steelheart. Really enjoyed this actually probably not as a amazing as some of his other books but still enjoyable read.

Read the first in the prequel series of Micheal J Sullivans Riviera books. Once again really like maybe not as great as the other series but I'm just happy to have the characters back

Now I'm starting into Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence...one of those books everyone seems to suggest but I've never got around to reading...so far its unusual...I want to read more so I can understand more but dunno if I'm actually enjoying it...if you know what I mean!!

I know what you mean. It took me two attempts to finish it. I didnt care for the mixing of genres in the middle but it gets better and the second book is much better, imo.

Im looking forward to getting the third this christmas. (hint hint Santa)

Zapp Brannigan

Finally! I finished The Wheel of Time. Don't quite know what to make of the ending though, I'll give it time to digest before I form any strong opinions.

Moved on to The Republic of Thieves now.

ixoy

Just to be different, I abandoned 'Makers' (which was just pissing me off) and have begun 'Republic of Thieves' . I'm about a third of the way in and very much enjoying it. Good to have the series back.

OwaynOTT

Is everyone reading Republic of Thieves?
StRted it myself last week and after an initial difficulty I'm really enjoying it now. Some little hints at an overarching story as well. Hopefully we don't have as long a wait for the next.

fenris

I am really enjoying Republic of Thieves, I thought that it was a bit scattered at first but now it just works.

Nody

OwaynOTT wrote: »

Is everyone reading Republic of Thieves?
StRted it myself last week and after an initial difficulty I'm really enjoying it now. Some little hints at an overarching story as well. Hopefully we don't have as long a wait for the next.

Got it last week and started reading it last night; only a few pages in but I got a business trip to Paris tomorrow so I got a feeling I'll put a dent on it.

keane2097

Is Ender's Game any good? Have it on my iPod was going to lash into it whenever I finish Before They Are Hanged and some Chris Hitchins essays I'm reading.

Nody

keane2097 wrote: »

Is Ender's Game any good? Have it on my iPod was going to lash into it whenever I finish Before They Are Hanged and some Chris Hitchins essays I'm reading.

It is; quick read and the story is interesting (but not going revolutionary or require deep thinking over what was written).

Zapp Brannigan

I, too, am reading reading Republic of Thieves.

Loving it. Lynch writes great dialogue. I always love how his characters interact.

vasch_ro

Just finished The Republic of Thieves, and enjoyed it, was very pleased with the ending and to my mind its more like Book 1 , than 2 .But a good book and entertaining.
Just started A quest of Heroes its not bad so far , if a little simplistic

shootermacg

Just working my way through Prince of Thorns and I really don't like this book or anyone in it.

ixoy

shootermacg wrote: »

Just working my way through Prince of Thorns and I really don't like this book or anyone in it.

I knew I couldn't be the only one who thought this!

Gertrude2

Just read the Dire Earth trilogy by Jason M Hough. First book is the Darwin Elevator. They're all issued since September. Well worth a read.

Unfortunately I couldn't help myself & skipped to the end reading book 3.

Raif Severance

Gertrude2 wrote: »

Just read the Dire Earth trilogy by Jason M Hough. First book is the Darwin Elevator. They're all issued since September. Well worth a read.

Unfortunately I couldn't help myself & skipped to the end reading book 3.

This is the 1st Time, I've read someone do this.

5live

ixoy wrote: »

I knew I couldn't be the only one who thought this!

The second is better. But that doesnt really help in finishing the first:(

I started David Gemmels 'Legend' last night. Its years since i read it last and iirc its a cracking read so looking forward to it

keane2097

Nody wrote: »

It is; quick read and the story is interesting (but not going revolutionary or require deep thinking over what was written).

Flying through this, very enjoyable.

Was there something about the author turning out to be a racist or something in later years?

the-geezer

Just started reading George Orwells 1984 , first couple of chapters slow but hoping it picks up. Anyone else read this classic yet?

shrapnel222

keane2097 wrote: »

Flying through this, very enjoyable.

Was there something about the author turning out to be a racist or something in later years?

nah, he's a mormon, and against homosexuality and gay mariage, etc. For all intents and purposes his views are very backward by most people's standards, but pretty much in line with most mormons. Disregard his views, and enjoy his books. I think i've read most of them at this stage, and some of them i absolutely adore (ender's game being one).

OwaynOTT

Any one else a bit underwhelmed by Republic of Thieves?

Nody

keane2097 wrote: »

Flying through this, very enjoyable.

Was there something about the author turning out to be a racist or something in later years?

Enjoy; he's basically made an ass of himself over and over again in public about gay marriage etc.

the-geezer wrote: »

Just started reading George Orwells 1984 , first couple of chapters slow but hoping it picks up. Anyone else read this classic yet?

Yup, read the animal farm next as well if you like it.

old hippy

the-geezer wrote: »

Just started reading George Orwells 1984 , first couple of chapters slow but hoping it picks up. Anyone else read this classic yet?

Years back. It makes sense as the years go by and you see what's happening in the world etc.

On a similar note, I'd recommend Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World"

(and I know they are films but if you get a chance, watch "Brazil" and "Gattaca")

mcgovern

Finished Republic of Thieves, loved it, not quite as good as The Lies of Locke Lamora, but better than Red Sea under Red Skies.
Started Divergent, its the last YA novel to be turned into a film. About 1/3 through, so far its better written than, say, The Hunger Games, but not as interesting. And most of the "twists" are obvious a mile off

Sleepy

Crossroads of Twilight - another prologue that takes up a hefty chunk of the page count!

Thargor

Oh wow how did I never hear of the Lies of Locke Lamora before? Its amazingly good, sneaking out to the toilet to read it at work.

Valaquenta

old hippy wrote: »

Years back. It makes sense as the years go by and you see what's happening in the world etc.

On a similar note, I'd recommend Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World"

(and I know they are films but if you get a chance, watch "Brazil" and "Gattaca")

Yup, Brave New World is also a cracking read. Read it shortly after 1984. Must have been a phase . BNW might seem a bit tame nowadays considering a lot of post-apocalyptic that has made its way on to film but still well worth a read. 1984 is brilliant still though.

Zapp Brannigan

Finished Republic of Thieves.

Liked it. Just hope we don't have to wait as long for the next instalment.

Finally reading something by Guy Gavriel Kay, started Tigana.

OwaynOTT

Zapp Brannigan wrote: »

Finished Republic of Thieves.

Liked it. Just hope we don't have to wait as long for the next instalment.

Finally reading something by Guy Gavriel Kay, started Tigana.

Apparently the next book was the original starting point in the series and some of it was already written aroubd the same time as Lies.
There was also some more done at the same time as Republic of Thieves.
Should be an 18month release period now unless Lynch has a significant relapse.

fenris

I enjoyed Republic of Thieves.
Just started "on the Steel Breeze" by Alastair Reynolds, so far so good it is kind of a follow on from Blye earth remembered, but so far is not dependant on it.

5live

Zapp Brannigan wrote: »

Finished Republic of Thieves.

Liked it. Just hope we don't have to wait as long for the next instalment.

Finally reading something by Guy Gavriel Kay, started Tigana.

Great book. I liked it so much i turned around and started it again.

The Lions of Al-Rassan is another good read. Its based on Andalucia in Spain with Arabs, Christians and Jews relationships with each other, iirc

shrapnel222

Zapp Brannigan wrote: »

Finished Republic of Thieves.

Liked it. Just hope we don't have to wait as long for the next instalment.

Finally reading something by Guy Gavriel Kay, started Tigana.

absolutely love Gavriel Kay. currently reading his latest: River of stars, also set in middle age china like his previous one. really enjoying it.

For me all his are worth reading except for: a song for Arbonne, the last light of the sun and Ysabel, so keep those for last

Zapp Brannigan

Enjoying it so far, he definitely has a very verbose writing style but his turn of phrase is very elegant so I like it so far.

Have always meant to read his Japanese one (Under Heaven or something like that) but I bought Tigana on sale ages ago so it's about time I read it.

Dan_Solo

I'm on book 5, The Wicked And The Witless, of a complete reread of the greatest fantasy series ever :-), Hugh Cook's Chronicles Of An Age Of Darkness. As brilliant as I remember from 20 years back.

Paddy Samurai

Reading Magicians end ,and so far liking it big time.:)
About 60% read.

Thargor

I read it to get it over with and Im struggling to remember it even now, I craved those books like crack when I was growing up but they got very tedious towards the end, he could have cut loads of them and it wouldnt have made any difference.

Dades

Finally finished all the "Wool" series. Very original and enjoyable - though I'd say a good 20% could have been left out to up the pace a bit.

Also, after being stuck in that depressing silo for months I've had to pick up the latest Clive Cussler to get some sea air. :P
(<3 Clive Cussler)

5live

Dades wrote: »

Finally finished all the "Wool" series. Very original and enjoyable - though I'd say a good 20% could have been left out to up the pace a bit.

Also, after being stuck in that depressing silo for months I've had to pick up the latest Clive Cussler to get some sea air. :P
(<3 Clive Cussler)

I just started Wool last night so good to see someone enjoying it. Some reviews weren't all that positive.

Dades

5live wrote: »

I just started Wool last night so good to see someone enjoying it. Some reviews weren't all that positive.

I've quit more books than I'd like to have this year but I was happy to go through all of these. You'll know after a few books if you're hooked.

(ps I just made a small edit to my post and your quote of it as there was what might be construed as a spoiler in there!)

mcgovern

Finished Divergent, pure and utter muck.
Started The Heroes by Joe Ambercrombie, I haven't read "Best Served Cold" I don't think, should I read that first?

OwaynOTT

mcgovern wrote: »

Finished Divergent, pure and utter muck.
Started The Heroes by Joe Ambercrombie, I haven't read "Best Served Cold" I don't think, should I read that first?

You don't need to as they are kind of standalones but I think you'd be missing out on a heap of references in the text.

TwoShedsJackson

mcgovern wrote: »

Finished Divergent, pure and utter muck.
Started The Heroes by Joe Ambercrombie, I haven't read "Best Served Cold" I don't think, should I read that first?

I would read 'Best Served Cold' first.

Morag

I got given an advanced readers copy of The Other Whisper It's a debut novel, deals with some interesting concepts really enjoying it.

Valaquenta

Finally finished The Black Company. Tough enough aul slog in parts. Finished up reasonably well though and glad I saw it through as it's a fairly important series in fantasy terms I reckon. Can definitely see how Erikson was a big influence but by that token it's given more credence to my previous vow not to continue with the Malazan series. Too much work with not enough return. Reading the new Jack Reacher just to break things up before starting The Macht series by Paul Kearney. Apparently comparable to Gemmell so should be more fast-paced and action packed.

Trojan

Valaquenta wrote: »

Finally finished The Black Company. Tough enough aul slog in parts. Finished up reasonably well though and glad I saw it through as it's a fairly important series in fantasy terms I reckon. Can definitely see how Erikson was a big influence but by that token it's given more credence to my previous vow not to continue with the Malazan series. Too much work with not enough return. Reading the new Jack Reacher just to break things up before starting The Macht series by Paul Kearney. Apparently comparable to Gemmell so should be more fast-paced and action packed.

I feel the same way about Malazan and The Black Company, though I did enjoy the latter enough to read 3-4 of them.

What's Reacher like?

Valaquenta

Trojan wrote: »

I feel the same way about Malazan and The Black Company, though I did enjoy the latter enough to read 3-4 of them.

What's Reacher like?

The last couple are all written as if it's one long adventure. Each book begins where the previous book ends. If I'm honest it's standard fare. He batters people and pulls hot women. Typically well written with very film-esque detail but nothing really new. Of course, it's the Murder She Wrote piecing together of clues at the end that will decide how good it is overall. Just what the doctor ordered after The Black Company in fairness!

ixoy

Reading "Dark Eden" by Chris Beckett. It's a sci-fi novel without much of the sci-fi trappings featuring a colony on the world who live primitively but await the return of their forebear who crashed on the planet. It's interesting to see how the stories of earth have been mangled over time and I'm wondering how much they'll come to realise the truth of the world they're inhabiting.

OwaynOTT

ixoy wrote: »

Reading "Dark Eden" by Chris Beckett. It's a sci-fi novel without much of the sci-fi trappings featuring a colony on the world who live primitively but await the return of their forebear who crashed on the planet. It's interesting to see how the stories of earth have been mangled over time and I'm wondering how much they'll come to realise the truth of the world they're inhabiting.

Found that to be a good book and Beckett in general. His short story collection is worth a read as well.

growler

Finished Republic of Thieves last night, which I had to force myself to do, didn't rate it at all. On to Old Mans War now thanks to it getting a few mentions here lately.

Bits_n_Bobs

growler wrote: »

Finished Republic of Thieves last night, which I had to force myself to do, didn't rate it at all. On to Old Mans War now thanks to it getting a few mentions here lately.

After reading all the rave reviews for Rep. of Thieves I figured it time to read "Red Sea Under Red Skies" which really was a case of quantity over quality. I skimmed vast chunks of it and the ending was totally underwhelming. Not going to bother my barny reading Rep of Thieves, I fear it will just be more of the same glib dialogue, obvious plotline and frankly crappy characters...

Made a start on Neal Ashers Jupiter War and I am about 15% in. Enjoying it although I have to say I was underwhelmed by the first two of the trilogy, although I probably set grossly high standards for any Asher novel as I enjoyed so many of them so much