September 2017: reading thread

[Hugh]

On a whim started "The Iron Thorn" by Algis Budrys (1967 SF Bookclub edition). I found the first two thirds really gripping, the human tribe vs the Amsir birdmen in a desert landscape, then... perhaps he was going for the less predictable, but I became distinctly less gripped.

 

[Bick]

if you want long try the name of the wind or the painted man

Thanks but those are both quite a lot shorter than Dragonbone Chair. It's not the length that's important though, I think the Williams will be more to my taste.

 

[Randy M.]

Some thoughts on stories in L. P. Hartley's The Traveling Grave and Other Stories here.

Randy M.

 

[tobl]

Thanks but those are both quite a lot shorter than Dragonbone Chair. It's not the length that's important though, I think the Williams will be more to my taste.

read some of his bobby dólar series but didn't catch me

 

[dask]

Whoops! Goofed again.

 

[dask]

On a whim started "The Iron Thorn" by Algis Budrys (1967 SF Bookclub edition). I found the first two thirds really gripping, the human tribe vs the Amsir birdmen in a desert landscape, then... perhaps he was going for the less predictable, but I became distinctly less gripped.

Read this a long time ago and had pretty much the same reaction as you. Started off great then ran out of steam.

 

[Perpetual Man]

Finished the next run of comics, and the random choice delivered up The Fourth Reich: The Head of the Snake by our very own @Gary Compton

 

[Dave]

A little late, but while on holiday I read:
The Case of the Toxic Spell Dump by Harry Turtledove (thanks for the recommendation)
The Hanging Tree by Ben Aaronovitch (new Peter Grant book out soon, I'm running behind)
The Big Over Easy by Jasper Fforde (first of the Nursery Crimes series)
The Business by Ian Banks (now running out of Banks books to read )

Now I'm back I'm reading Pioneer Pilot by William Armstrong. He happens to be my 1st Cousin 2x removed but it is a fascinating account of a Great War pilot (pre RAF) and someone leading early civil aviation between the wars. There is a great sense of both the danger and risks involved, but also the excitement he feels at being at the forefront of something very new and his passion for flying. I was thinking that anyone here who wants to write about space pilots needs to read something like this first.

 

[ratsy]

I've finished the audio book of Misery which was quite well done. Twelve hours of hearing about Paul being stuck in a bed, and it kept me on my toes. That's talent.

Moved on to the audio of The Talisman by King and Straub. A couple hours in and it seems to be going a little too slow for me so far.

Finished All These Worlds by Dennis Taylor and really liked the conclusion ( hoping for more some day ) and am now 30% into Dark Space Origin, the third of the series by Jasper T Scott. Loving this series! Also about 40% into Story Engineering which I dont feel has given me mountains of new advice yet, but I do have a few good takeaways from it so far, so that's good.

 

[Danny McG]

Started another today. Contact by Carl Sagan.
It's odd but for a long time I've thought I'd read this book. About quarter through it and nope, it's new to me
I think I must have watched the film and assumed I had read it

 

[Parson]

As usual in these kinds of things the book is tons better than the movie. It was mega interesting from a Parson's point of view.

 

[Parson]

Started another today. Contact by Carl Sagan.

As usual with these kinds of things the book is tons better than the movie. It was mega interesting from a Parson's point of view.

 

[HareBrain]

Started Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by le Carre. Don't think I've read it before, though the teacher in the caravan is familiar. At any rate I'm following it a lot better this time than either of the times I've watched the TV series. Obviously a class act, and a classic. Aiming to read the other two 1970s Smiley novels, and then finish with the new one.

 

[Vince W]

Started Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by le Carre. Don't think I've read it before, though the teacher in the caravan is familiar. At any rate I'm following it a lot better this time than either of the times I've watched the TV series. Obviously a class act, and a classic. Aiming to read the other two 1970s Smiley novels, and then finish with the new one.

I was going to read this again, but someone has nicked my copy yet again. I read it once long ago, but have bought three copies since. I really do need to vet my friends better I think.

 

[Caliban]

The Foundation trilogy. Never read any Asimov before except a quite good story calle Nightfall.

All I knew of this going in was it was part of a big universe the author created and this was the first published. I just hoped this was fine to read first because it was published first.

I know this is blasphemous please don't hurt me. Although the scope is impressive I didn't enjoy the first one all that much really. And being in my early 20s I don't have the same reverence and awe for Asimov or any of the big 3 really that some do. I can see why it is important and influential as I imagine Asimov was a precursor to more modern Sci Fi. But I've seen this done better by later authors to be honest.

I am however enjoying the second book a lot more than the first.

 

[Caliban]

I've finished the audio book of Misery which was quite well done. Twelve hours of hearing about Paul being stuck in a bed, and it kept me on my toes. That's talent.

Moved on to the audio of The Talisman by King and Straub. A couple hours in and it seems to be going a little too slow for me so far.

Finished All These Worlds by Dennis Taylor and really liked the conclusion ( hoping for more some day ) and am now 30% into Dark Space Origin, the third of the series by Jasper T Scott. Loving this series! Also about 40% into Story Engineering which I dont feel has given me mountains of new advice yet, but I do have a few good takeaways from it so far, so that's good.

Can I ask how you find audiobooks and any advice. I read a lot - obviously being on this forum - but I have an eyesight problem which is only going to get worse so I may have to prepare myself for a switch to audiobooks fairly soon.

Sorry this is a bit off topic. Feel free to delete the post mods.

 

[Danny McG]

Started Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by le Carre. Don't think I've read it before, though the teacher in the caravan is familiar. At any rate I'm following it a lot better this time than either of the times I've watched the TV series. Obviously a class act, and a classic. Aiming to read the other two 1970s Smiley novels, and then finish with the new one.

Very recently on laptop I watched TTSS the 1970's series with Alec Guinness doing Smiley and Hywel Bennet playing Rikki Tarr.
Then I noticed we had the much more recent film on DVD with Gary Oldman and Tom Hardy in the same roles.
The old series walked it as the boss.

Note: it turns out my wife had bought the DVD just for Tom Hardy but "couldn't really follow all that spy stuff"

 

[Brian G Turner]

Finished Maximinus Thrax, by Paul N Pearson - a surprisingly interesting biography of one of the more easily over-looked Roman Emperor's of the 3rd century BC. Actually, one of the more engaging explorations of the early 3rd century in general, as it follows Maximinus - who apparently had giganticism - moving up in the world from brawler, to imperial bodyguard, to leader of the ceremonial guard, to commander of Rome's legions, and finally, emperor.

 

[tobl]

Can I ask how you find audiobooks and any advice. I read a lot - obviously being on this forum - but I have an eyesight problem which is only going to get worse so I may have to prepare myself for a switch to audiobooks fairly soon.

Sorry this is a bit off topic. Feel free to delete the post mods.

try mobilism, bolt e audiobookbay

 

[Extollager]

Started Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by le Carre. Don't think I've read it before, though the teacher in the caravan is familiar. At any rate I'm following it a lot better this time than either of the times I've watched the TV series. Obviously a class act, and a classic. Aiming to read the other two 1970s Smiley novels, and then finish with the new one.

I've thought of this as a very rare instance in which the television miniseries was better than the book. But I've read the book two or three times. Btw I happened to start a rereading of The Spy Who Came in from the Cold today. (Image below from internet; I'm reading a library copy of a dustjacketless hardcover.)