February 2019: Reading thread

[Stephen Palmer]

Nicholas Humphrey, Soul Magic

 

[Ian Fortytwo]

Reading Jeeves and the King of Clubs, by Ben Schott. A homage to P. G. Wodehouse.

 

[Danny McG]

Please update us on this. I went and had a look. I liked that it was a New York Times Notable Book. I did not care for the fact that it was only rated 3.5 stars and with less than 50 ratings. I liked the idea about a human and A.I. in a struggle. I was appalled at the idea of every ship having something like a "Court Jester." I would have given it a go as a Kindle Unlimited, but I need a bit more incentive for $6 +. If you rate it highly its in my Kindle Fire soon after.

I'm maybe halfway through it now so I'll review it fully when complete.
Think more like an entertainment officer/morale officer/crew synergist as opposed to a Court Jester (but yes, still doing annoying pratfalls!)

 

[Parson]

Thanks. Looking forward to your review.

I am "57%" through True Places by Sonja Yoerg. I find it just as I feared. Filled with interesting ideas but so concentrated on self absorbed narcissists that I have a difficult time making myself read it. One of the main characters is undergoing a psychological/philosophical/sociological crisis, and she's the most interesting. The next most interesting (or perhaps the most, it's close) is borderline insane. While nearly all the rest are stereotypically privileged and clueless. ---- Now doesn't that just make you want to pick up the book and read it?

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

I'm reading Swordheart by T. Kingfisher (a pseudonym of Ursula Vernon). Very reminiscent of the type of light-weight fantasy one used to come across sometimes in the 1960s and 70s (although it is, in fact, new) but quirky and fun.

 

[Danny McG]

Please update us on this

@Parson review on Fool's War
Fool's War by Sarah Zettel

 

[biodroid]

48% into Needful Things by Stephen King

 

[Pedro Del Mar]

Finished reading Buehlman’s The Suicide Motor Club. Wow! What a story! Vampires, a Warrior Nun and fast cars!

Started an old classic today, Wyndham’s The Day of the Triffids. Must be 30 years since I last read this.

 

[The Big Peat]

Getting propa stuck in to Sabriel by Garth Nix. I can see why it has the reputation it has - very readable, interesting premise, very charming.

 

[Vince W]

Had a read of The Commitments by Roddy Doyle. I've not read it since it was first published. It's still a cracking great read.

 

[Extollager]

Rose Macaulay's 17th-century history novel They Were Defeated -- I like it very much, though it is largely (so far) a novel in which characters expound ideas; halfway through, it is not a strongly plot-driven story.

This is the first book I have read by this author, and I expect to pick up more of her work.

I'm intrigued by the cover of this one:

 

[Rodders]

I finished Nemesis Games. It was okay. Enjoyable, but I couldn’t suspend belief enough to imagine the atrocities that are described in the book could ever occur. I am now on to Babylon’s Ashes by James S. A. Corey. (Book 6 of The Expanse. I am well on the way to completing one of my 2019 reading goals.)

 

[anno]

From my Twitter feed on Saturday-
‘This weekends theme is ‘Thunderstruck’ reading the novel by Erik Larson and trying to get the AC DC lyrics to stick in my head for Monday’s rehearsal with Nightprowler UK ‘

 

[Danny McG]

As recommended in this month's (or maybe it was last month?) reading list.

Tim Pratt the Wrong Stars

 

[Bick]

As recommended in this month's (or maybe it was last month?) reading list.

Tim Pratt the Wrong Stars

I'll be very interested to hear what you think. I'd not heard of this until seeing mention on these boards, but it looks like it has potential. I expect its part of a series though? (groan)

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Having finished Kingfisher's Swordheart, I've since read Enchantée, by Gita Release. This YA fantasy takes place in an alternate-world Paris where magic exists, set just on the cusp of the French Revolution. I found the magic interesting. It's a hereditary talent, so not everyone can use if, but it is fueled by tears, sorrow, and blood. (Which sounds poetic, but the costs can be high.) Because of the setting there is a fair amount about the politics of the day, as well as the life of the court at Versailles—which being something I've read a good bit about, I did feel she caught the atmosphere rather well.

Though the ending was emotionally satisfying and not at all cliff-hangery, I do wonder if there is a sequel planned, since the revolution was just beginning as the story ended, which makes the prospects of happily-ever-after not very great, unless their history were to veer well away from ours after that point.

 

[Extollager]

Bravo to Rose Macaulay for They Were Defeated! I'm enjoying that feeling you get when -- after decades of reading fiction -- you've just read a new (to you) novel that you really like, that's an example of why you read fiction. I have to say, though, that I was well prepared for this one. It happens that, a year ago, I compiled a list of 17th-century works to read or reread. It's an interesting era but one I had little coursework in thanks to the elective system in college. Well, coming to Rose Macaulay's novel of the turbulent century, I had hundreds of pages recently read under my hat. Someone coming cold to the novel might feel that there's too much talk aboutthe numerous controversies of the day and that the author should hurry up and get on with the story. For me, it's a 5/5 novel.

 

[Spade]

Here and Now and Then by Mike Chen - (4/5) - I read a synopsis and immediately bought it and read it in a couple of nights when I had some insomnia. It's about a time traveling agent who is extracted 18 years too late and has to resume his old life. It's pretty great. I wish it was longer and I could definitely see this becoming a movie at some point.

Halfway through Pushing Ice by Alastair Reynolds. I put it down when it hit a slow spot, but it was only for a couple of chapters and now we're full speed again. I should have it finished soon.

 

[Spade]

I'll be very interested to hear what you think. I'd not heard of this until seeing mention on these boards, but it looks like it has potential. I expect its part of a series though? (groan)

I really liked this book. It was a pretty fun ride and the aliens are very interesting. There is a sequel that just came out, but it works as a standalone novel, I think.

 

[Danny McG]

I'll be very interested to hear what you think. I'd not heard of this until seeing mention on these boards, but it looks like it has potential. I expect its part of a series though? (groan)

No probs, gimme a few days and I'll put a review up