July's Jubilant Joust At New Books

[jezelf]

I'm still reading the other three I mentioned last month, but just added another.

The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Arthurian Legends by John Matthews and Ronan Coghlan (Paperback - 2002)
Another book I've had for years. I was just browsing through it and some of the entries inspired ideas, so I started it from the beginning...I really need to read one book at a time!

 

[iansales]

Just started Fifty Degrees Below by Kim Stanley Robinson.

 

[DeepThought]

Just about to leave on a two-week trip. Taking with me; Tolkien: A Biography by Michael White and The Book of Imaginary Beings by Jorge Luis Borges. Both thin volumes, so hopefully, I'll be able to get through them before I get back. Bye for now.


Cheers, DeepThought

 

[Pyan]

Not all in one lump I hope.

Yep...Assassin's Apprentice started May 30th, finished Fool's Fate July 6th....

 

[woodsman]

Dune - Frank Herbert thought this was pretty good, although its seems more like fantasy than SF. Still, glad I read it must try and pick up the sequels.

 

[Pyar]

I finished Doomsday Book by Connie Willis and I loved it! The ending was so perfect. I'm not sure what I'm going to read next.

 

[woodsman]

Starting in on A Feast For Crows -G.R.R.M. I loved the others, but, have heard mixed reports about this one, so I'm somewhat ...dunno what I am. Oh well, here we go.

 

[Hilarious Joke]

Well I for one really enjoyed A Feast For Crows. I'll be interested to hear what you think, Woody.

 

[woodsman]

Well, upto page 500 I'm enjoying it, a little slower than the previous book but still Martin.

 

[Pyar]

I started Eon by Greg Bear. So far its interesting. I think I am going to read Rendevous With Rama next because it looks similar to that.

 

[AE35Unit]

I started Eon by Greg Bear. So far its interesting. I think I am going to read Rendevous With Rama next because it looks similar to that.

You realise of course that Eon is the first in a trilogy?

 

[Ursa major]

I have just finished reading Galactic North by Alastair Reynolds. After my recent disappointment with Diamond Dogs, I'm pleased to report that in this collection of eight stories (published over two decades - although three are newly published), the author is back on top form. Yes, there is horror (some of it similar to Diamond Dogs), but here the stories make far more sense (if often in a rather twisted way).

The stories are: Great Wall of Mars ('00), Glacial ('01), A Spy in Europa ('97), Weather ('06), Dilation Sleep ('90), Grafenwalder's Bestiary ('06), Nightingale ('06), Galactic North ('99). Some familiar characters appear (Clavin, Galiana and Remontaine being the most well known). In an essay at the back of the book, Reynolds gives us some insights into the way he sees his universe, together with the names of those who have influenced him.

An excellent read, as well as adding more depth to the author's universe.

 

[Pyar]

You realise of course that Eon is the first in a trilogy?

Really? I did not know that. Then I'll probably read the sequels. My brother gave Eon to read but he didn't tell me it was the first in a trilogy lol.

 

[elvet]

Finished Mordant's Need (Donaldson) today. It's one of my best reads of the year so far. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Definitely more uplifting than the Covenant books - a better balance of emotions. It did read more like a fairy tale than an epic fantasy; I'm sure this was the author's intention. However, it was still a story that was complex and had me thinking quite a bit. What appeared to be simplistic held more meaning for me, especially the theme of inaction and sacrifice.
Not sure how to follow this up. I've got Sean Russel's Swan War trilogy, or perhaps J.V. Jones' Book of Words.

 

[gully_foyle]

Just finished Slan by A.E. Van Vogt. Now reading The Player of Games by Iain M. Banks.

 

[AE35Unit]

Just finished Slan by A.E. Van Vogt..

I have this on my shelf,what did you think of it?

 

[Wybren]

Currently reading The Chronicles of Amber by Roger Zelazny, I am one chapter of finishing Guns of Avalon

 

[gully_foyle]

I have this on my shelf,what did you think of it?

I really enjoyed it. It's a small book but quite dense in terms of action. Sometimes it moves a little too quickly and you can lose the thread. But overall it is definitely worth reading.

 

[GOLLUM]

Finished Mordant's Need (Donaldson) today. It's one of my best reads of the year so far. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Definitely more uplifting than the Covenant books - a better balance of emotions. It did read more like a fairy tale than an epic fantasy; I'm sure this was the author's intention. However, it was still a story that was complex and had me thinking quite a bit. What appeared to be simplistic held more meaning for me, especially the theme of inaction and sacrifice.
Not sure how to follow this up. I've got Sean Russel's Swan War trilogy, or perhaps J.V. Jones' Book of Words.

Glad you liked Mordan't Need. I found Book Of Word and Swan War on a simlar level. They're both good but not overly brilliant IMO but I think Swan War is the better read.

 

[Talysia]

Reading Terry Pratchett's Going Postal.