April's Atypical Advances Into Amazingly Alluring and Action-packed Fictions

[GOLLUM]

Hi all.

The Easter break and problems with the local technology sees me only now posting the April reading thread...

Please let us all know what you are reading.

Cheers.

 

[Vertigo]

Bujold's Brothers in Arms. I didn't much like Cetaganda (my suspension of disbelief was pushed too far) which comes before Brothers in Arms but was written after, but I found this to be a 'return' to form. A good fun-packed action adventure, which was just what I was looking for!

A little more here: http://www.sffchronicles.co.uk/foru...brothers-in-arms-by-lois-mcmaster-bujold.html

 

[Lord Soth]

Forge of Darkness by Steven Erikson. Finally got round to this one, I was putting it off as something to look forward to and to date (about half way though) I am a little underwhelmed... nothing seems to be happening! Lots of dialogue but no movement. Rather gutted to be honest.

 

[Lady of Winterfell]

Still re-reading The White Dragon by Anne McCaffrey. A definite improvement on the preceding two novels.

 

[Mangara]

I have just picked up Synners , by Pat Cadigan which I brought at Christmas and probably should read.

 

[Extollager]

David Masson's 6-volume biography of John Milton (which is largely the story of that turbulent time, well told). Alister McGrath's new biography of C. S. Lewis. I'll probably post something on the Reading Around in Groff Conklin's Anthologies thread before too long. So far I'm reading at least two stories a month in those books, which I mean to do throughout this year.

http://www.sffchronicles.co.uk/forum/539121-reading-around-in-groff-conklins-anthologies-6.html

And I've been reading some fine "old" criticism of Macbeth -- G. Wilson Knight in The Wheel of Fire and noting S. L. Bethell in Shakespeare and the Popular Dramatic Tradition, etc. I feel sorrow and pity for people who are led to read Shakespeare through the distorting lens of current Theory. If you have been thus led, liberate yourself from some of the muck by taking up Vickers's Appropriating Shakespeare. What a dreadful swindle has been enacted on so many students....

 

[Bick]

While I'm waiting for my Library of America 50's SF collection to arrive, I've been reading some Henning Mankell (The White Lioness), and over the long weekend I read Trollope's 'The Warden'. Also dipping into Raymond Carver while I wait as well, from one of his short story collections.

 

[elvet]

I'm thoroughly enjoying Michelle Sagara West's Battle (part of the House Wars series).

 

[GOLLUM]

While I'm waiting for my Library of America 50's SF collection to arrive, I've been reading some Henning Mankell (The White Lioness), and over the long weekend I read Trollope's 'The Warden'. Also dipping into Raymond Carver while I wait as well, from one of his short story collections.

I've only got a copy of Trollope's The Warden. I would like to be able to read more books in the series but fear I don't have the time...

Which Raymond Carver collection are you waiting for/do you have? I'm a Carver fan and have what I believe to be his best representative collection Where Are You Calling From. Carver is a true master of the short story, I think one of the best of the post WWII era. It's a shame he died so young albeit not so surprising given the way he abused his body.

That Library of America 50s SF collection sounds interesting. I've found them generally to be a very good publisher of some really fine stuff over the years.

 

[biodroid]

I bought the Kindle version of Mark Lawrences Prince of Thorns. I am liking the shorter novels as the story picks up quicker than a longer novel would, and the chrons recommend it highly. I am still busy with R.A. Salvatores The Crystal Shard, and I am enjoying it, good writing with a good story and it feels like a blockbuster movie.

 

[Lady of Winterfell]

Finished The White Dragon. I think it is the best of the original Dragonriders of Pern trilogy. Now I'm onto a re-read of the Harper Hall trilogy, starting with Dragonsong.

 

[elvet]

I have started The Best of All Possible Worlds by Karen Lord. I bought this on some recommendations and have been pleasently surprised. I could hardly put it down last night. I've really had a good run of some excellent books lately - a reread of ASoIaF, Wool, Battle and now this.

 

[Grunkins]

Finished Stephen Baxter's Evolution. It was vivid, and thrilling...and it was long. I found the book captivating right up until I got bored and wanted it to be over. I would definitely recommend it, but I also wish it was about two hundred pages shorter. I've heard people say it was a very depressing book, but I disagree. To say more would give away too much.

I'm starting Iain M Banks' Against a Dark Background. It's one of three of his SF books I haven't read yet. The timing seems appropriate, but also, as I have a natural aversion to sentimentality, it's time for a ripping good Banks novel.

 

[tangaloomababe]

I have Ken Follett's Winter of the World sitting on my bedside table, this is the follow on from Fall of Giants. Not in the same class as Pillars of the Earth (but not much is) but still a good book. I haven't started it yet but I plan to soon. Its big and looks impressive, will get back to you on this one.

 

[Juliana]

I've finished Robin Hobb's Rain Wilds books, now awaiting her fourth (comes out this week, I think?). The crime thread has me yearning for some detective fiction, so may have to pick up something in that line next, I think.

 

[Lobolover]

Finaly finished Spencer's The Lady Who Came to Stay (odd book, certainly unusual) and moved onto Arthur Ransome's The Elixir of Life.

 

[Lady of Winterfell]

I've finished Robin Hobb's Rain Wilds books, now awaiting her fourth (comes out this week, I think?). The crime thread has me yearning for some detective fiction, so may have to pick up something in that line next, I think.

How are these books? Where in her other trilogies do they fit? I have read Farseer and Liveships, would I have to have read Tawny Man before the Rain Wilds books too?

 

[Juliana]

Lady, they follow directly on from Liveships, but they mention events from Tawny Man, too. Not 100% necessary to read Tawny Man first, but helpful.

 

[Mr Fraaz]

I'm reading the first law trilogy, having a blast. Just started on the last book.

 

[Lady of Winterfell]

Lady, they follow directly on from Liveships, but they mention events from Tawny Man, too. Not 100% necessary to read Tawny Man first, but helpful.

Great, thanks!