July's Joyous Jousting at Stories and other generally non-Journalistic offerings

[Abernovo]

Just started reading Hexwood by Diana Wynne Jones, after it was recommended.

Recently finished Anne Lyle's The Alchemist of Souls and thoroughly enjoyed it - so much so I finished it in a day of dedicated reading. Strictly speaking, that was last month, but as I've been without internet for two months, I'll include it.

Borrowed Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood from my mother, so that's next on my list to read.

 

[vanye]

I just finished the last of the Dalemark Chronicles by Diana Wynne Jones (...)

Can you write a few words about the series?

 

[Grunkins]

but as I've been without internet for two months...

Whoah. And somehow you're not a gibbering madman.

 

[SiobhanT]

Can you write a few words about the series?

I've actually only read the last two, which is not really the way to go about things. The third was set in the world's prehistory, and was very good, lots of stuff about prejudice and the toll war takes on people, adult topics handled in a way older children can appreciate.
The last one was harder to get into because I knew less of what was going on and several characters had about four different names, but I could understand what was going in and enjoy it despite the plot being complicated. Essentially, the story is girl gets sent back in time to mend history, as the woman who should have been queen disappeared before she could. However, it all gets very complicated very quickly, and had lots of intruige, which is good, and brilliant characters, as is usual for Wynne Jones.
Not my favourite of hers, but very good, and good for an older child just beginning to read young adult fiction, as complex plot but no sex and not much violence.

 

[Abernovo]

Whoah. And somehow you're not a gibbering madman.

Oh, I am a gibbering idiot, and that's at the best of times , but I try to keep it hidden.

 

[HoopyFrood]

Just mostly been reading comics lately and no books in particular.

But have now have the urge to read Flowers for Algernon that I get every six months or so. How I love that book.

Oohhh, but it's going to be already in one of the packed boxes...damn...

 

[Allegra]

Inspiring avatar Hoopy!

Currently reading another Carl Hiaasen's crime comic - Skinny Dip. Very refreshing in the summer heat.

 

[Moonbat]

Just started Perfume, not bad at the moment, quite interesting.
Still waiting for my missus to finish reading Game of Thrones on MY kindle so I can read A Feast for Crows!!

One of the few problems I have with a kindle, is sharing books.

 

[Randy M.]

Recently finished Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy, a western that contains enough of the mythic that I've come across many fantasy/horror fans who adore it. It is an amazing novel, yet even so I'm a bit ambivalent about it. And yet, it is powerful, as well as very violent and bloody. Given the story being told, it had to be.

Also reread Robert Heinlein's [urban] fantasy "The Unpleasant Profession of Jonathan Hoag" and again thought it quite good for what it was and when it was published.

Now reading Ramsey Campbell's The Grin of the Dark and greatly enjoying the accumulating creepiness and how Campbell achieves it.


Randy M.

 

[HoopyFrood]

Inspiring avatar Hoopy!

Argh! You! I'll burn you...!

 

[Allegra]

Argh! You! I'll burn you...!

Ha! And you'll want to 'burn the heart out' of me, but -

'I've been reliably informed that I don't have one.' Don't you just love those many lines! Too bad we have to wait till next year.

Okay, currently reading The Big Sleep of Raymond Chandler. What prose! Does anyone write like that anymore?

 

[Fried Egg]

Now reading Ramsey Campbell's The Grin of the Dark and greatly enjoying the accumulating creepiness and how Campbell achieves it.

I've heard good things about that one, let me know how it ends...

 

[Connavar]

Im reading Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie. This book isnt as slow as the first, the world is already introduced. I dont like this kind of epic fantasy usually but Abercrombie strenght is the tight focus on characters and not let political intriuge muddy the waters too much. His writing of the characters, the action reminds me more of my fav contemporary heroic fantasy writers like Gemmell, Kearney.

 

[purple_kathryn]

Reading a Star Trek core of Engineers book called Ghost but it's a wee shorty so the next one is Wizard Squared (Witches Incorporated Inc series) by K E Mills (also known as Karen Miller). Really enjoying this series, it's a bit Harry Pottery in bits.

Oh and I spotted an interesting looking book called Grave Mercy by R L LaFevers while browsing in Easons which I might see if I can get as an ebook

 

[gully_foyle]

Reading Jonathon Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke, a bit out of my usual scope but I saw it sitting in a dusty olde worlde bookshop and I'd heard mixed views on it, so I thought I'd give it a try. About 50 pages in and enjoying it so far.

 

[The Judge]

I loved it, Gully. A very clever book.

I've just finished The Red Wolf Conspiracy which I found a bit too jumbled, with too much happening and too many coincidences. Some very imaginative scenes, though. Now starting The Bull from the Sea by Mary Renault.

 

[Extollager]

Among other books, I'm now reading a book from my backlog (1975!), Patricia McKillip's The Forgotten Beasts of Eld. So far I'm not greatly taken with it because the style and imagined world seem a bit banal. (I just read The Lord of the Rings for the 12th time -- a tough act to follow!) I anticipate rereading Arthur Machen's The Hill of Dreams and (a backlog item from way back) reading Lord Dunsany's The Curse of the Wise Woman this month. I'm also reading Tolkien's Book of Lost Tales -- another one from the backlog.


I'm rereading Tom Shippey's J. R. R. Tolkien: Author of the Century, which is an excellent book. People who think that there is nothing to learn from Tolkien ought to read Shippey's discussion of evil as explored in LOTR.

This prompts me to launch a thread about authors from whom readers have something to learn.

I've been rereading short, early works by H. P. Lovecraft and sometimes post comments on them in the Lovecraft zone; however, I didn't post anything on "The Terrible Old Man" and "The Descendant."

I will probably start Les Miserables within the next few weeks. I've never read it, but I have revived the campus-community reading group here -- we read classics -- and I am the host.

 

[Fried Egg]

Among other books, I'm now reading a book from my backlog (1975!), Patricia McKillip's The Forgotten Beasts of Eld. So far I'm not greatly taken with it because the style and imagined world seem a bit banal. (I just read The Lord of the Rings for the 12th time -- a tough act to follow!)

Persevere, hopefully you will get into it. The emphasis is definitely more on the characters and the prose than the world building with this one and I thought it was a masterpiece.

 

[Extollager]

Persevere, hopefully you will get into it.

I will persevere. It was recommended to me by the teacher whom I have written about in the current teachers thread, and I owe it to him.

 

[Grunkins]

I finished Robin Hobb's Assassin's Apprentice last night. That was a great book. Can't wait to read the rest of the series (they should be arriving soon).

Started Abercrombie's Before They Are Hanged.