April's Astonishing, Astounding (and Sometimes Overpowering) Adventures in Reading

[Werthead]

Re: April's Astonishing, Astounding (and Sometimes Overpowering) Adventures in Readin

Currently reading Richard Morgan's The Steel Remains. Explosive, incandescent stuff, very funny, very clever but possibly highly controversial. If you found Bakker or even GRRM too 'explicit' for your tastes, steer well, well away from this one. That would be a shame because it is awesome.

 

[Talysia]

Re: April's Astonishing, Astounding (and Sometimes Overpowering) Adventures in Readin

Next: The Truth, Terry Pratchett.

 

[Perpetual Man]

Re: April's Astonishing, Astounding (and Sometimes Overpowering) Adventures in Readin

Having not posted in well over a year it might seem that I have been reading the same book for a horrendously long time, but its not the case (honestly). The end of last year I read more than I have done in a long, long time. That being said I must have worn something out because I'm still reading the same book I started at Christmas which is the Bonehunters by Steven Erikson - really enjoying it, just not reading...

 

[Hilarious Joke]

Re: April's Astonishing, Astounding (and Sometimes Overpowering) Adventures in Readin

Today I finished Book 2: Darujihstan, in the first book of the Malazan series: Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson. Hopefully Erikson fans get what I'm talking about.

Anyway, I just wanted to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this section, moreso than the first section where, while still being very well-written, there was a lot of depressing images and it was really hard to find my feet as it were. The great thing about the Darujihstan book was the introduction of some great characters, that I thought were very distinct and well characterised - I'm talking the Phoenix Inn regulars mainly, as well as Crone and a few others. So it seems that Erikson is quite skilled in this area!

Anyhoowhatsit, I'm going to take DeepThought's advice and try not to compare this series with ASOIAF (which is one of my very favourite series). I'm a little disappointed to be back with Whiskeyjack and the Bridgeburners, but still look forward to reading the rest of the novel!

Oh and one more thing, I probably should post it in the Erikson forums but its just a quick Q: what are sappers?

 

[Lucien21]

Re: April's Astonishing, Astounding (and Sometimes Overpowering) Adventures in Readin

Finished "The Ghost Brigades" by John Scalzi

Decent sequel to "Old Man's War" although John Perry doesn't appear in the novel as it concentrates on the Special Forces units in the hunt for a traitor.

 

[murphy]

Re: April's Astonishing, Astounding (and Sometimes Overpowering) Adventures in Readin

Oh and one more thing, I probably should post it in the Erikson forums but its just a quick Q: what are sappers?

Look at this link.

 

[Lady of Winterfell]

Re: April's Astonishing, Astounding (and Sometimes Overpowering) Adventures in Readin

Decided to start reading The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. I've heard many good things about it, so hopefully it can live up to them.

 

[Rae]

Re: April's Astonishing, Astounding (and Sometimes Overpowering) Adventures in Readin

I am just about finished with "Two Towers" and will be starting "Return of the King" momentarily. (Reading is going a little slowly, as school work creeps in.)

 

[Connavar]

Re: April's Astonishing, Astounding (and Sometimes Overpowering) Adventures in Readin

Shadow by KJ Parker

After having tried JV Jones,Kate Elliott i have finaly found KJ Parker to be my liking. The person that described her as Gemmell like in the way her stories ar written was right.

I like the quest like story who is actual dark.

 

[Culhwch]

Re: April's Astonishing, Astounding (and Sometimes Overpowering) Adventures in Readin

This morning finished World War Z by Max Brooks. I very much liked, I thought it was very well done. Now I've got Erikson's Deadhouse Gates lined up, but it's quite thick and imposing, so I might find something a little lighter to tackle beforehand...

 

[GOLLUM]

Re: April's Astonishing, Astounding (and Sometimes Overpowering) Adventures in Readin

Have finished rereading The Moonstone; 40 years makes a lot of difference in my impression of that book (though both were favorable... just very different).

I can pick up a second hand copy. What's it like? Good?

 

[j d worthington]

Re: April's Astonishing, Astounding (and Sometimes Overpowering) Adventures in Readin

I can pick up a second hand copy. What's it like? Good?

Definitely one of Collins' best (perhaps, in some ways, the best) novels. Nicely balanced use of humor in contrast to the darker elements, yet also at times quite powerfully atmospheric, and with as entertaining a mix of characters as one could wish for; not to mention a healthy dose of social satire now and again through use of certain characters; and one of the great mystery stories, to boot. T. S. Eliot, no less, claimed it as "the first, the longest, and the best of modern English detective novels", and he's not far off (though I think Collins' The Woman in White is in the same league, albeit somewhat different).

As for me, I decided on Ballard's The Wind from Nowhere. By no means his best, but it was his first novel, and I quite like the quiet, understated, even dry narrative voice, which contrasts so well with the actual events of the novel; it adds to the metaphor very nicely indeed....

 

[Wybren]

Re: April's Astonishing, Astounding (and Sometimes Overpowering) Adventures in Readin

I picked up a few more books from the library and borders to add to my list this month.
The Ruby in the Smoke - Philip Pullman
The Girl Who Married a Lion - Alexander McCall Smith
44 Scotland Street - Alexander McCall Smith
One City - Alexander McCall Smith, Ian Rankin & Irvine Welsh
Chronicles Of Amber - Roger Zelazny
A Farce to be Reckoned with- Roger Zelazny and Robert Sheckley
Donnerjack - Roger Zelazny and Jane Lindskold

 

[Pyan]

Re: April's Astonishing, Astounding (and Sometimes Overpowering) Adventures in Readin

Just starting A Dark Sacrifice, by MH/TE

 

[murphy]

Re: April's Astonishing, Astounding (and Sometimes Overpowering) Adventures in Readin

Now reading Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews. Check the link for a bit about the book.

 

[hammerhead]

Re: April's Astonishing, Astounding (and Sometimes Overpowering) Adventures in Readin

Decided to start reading The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. I've heard many good things about it, so hopefully it can live up to them.

finished it two days ago, excellant, excellant excellant, I throughly enjoyed it.
it is done differantly then any other fantasy book that i have read.
Iwould recommend this book highly
enjoy

 

[Clansman]

Re: April's Astonishing, Astounding (and Sometimes Overpowering) Adventures in Readin

Just started "Deadhouse Gates" by Erikson. A nice, fat paperback. Quite a bloody beginning, I must say!

 

[Talysia]

Re: April's Astonishing, Astounding (and Sometimes Overpowering) Adventures in Readin

Giants of the Frost, by Kim Wilkins.

 

[Nesacat]

Re: April's Astonishing, Astounding (and Sometimes Overpowering) Adventures in Readin

Bought copies of Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine as well as The Magazine of Science Fiction & Fantasy from a store in Leuven, Belgium. I cannot get them here at all. Finished reading them last night. Both are very good and contain some wonderful stories as well as reviews.

 

[iansales]

Re: April's Astonishing, Astounding (and Sometimes Overpowering) Adventures in Readin

Started A Question of Upbringing by Anthony Powell, the first book in his Dance to the Music of Time 12-volume series.