June 2020 Reading Thread

[Hugh]

Well, it's taken a while, but I've completed a read through of the twelve annual collections of Bill Watterson's "Calvin and Hobbes" plus "The Tenth Anniversary Book" in which he comments on selected strips and writes of his struggles for independence from the comics syndicates. I'm full of admiration for both his decision to retire and for his refusal to allow merchandising (despite the income this would bring him).

Here is my personal favourite....

 

[soulsinging]

Well, it's taken a while, but I've completed a read through of the twelve annual collections of Bill Watterson's "Calvin and Hobbes" plus "The Tenth Anniversary Book" in which he comments on selected strips and writes of his struggles for independence from the comics syndicates. I'm full of admiration for both his decision to retire and for his refusal to allow merchandising (despite the income this would bring him).

I was always partial to the Far Side and have the complete collection downstairs. One of these days I will make my way through it!

 

[Elckerlyc]

I've always been very impressed by the ability of translators. Yes the original might be better but, assuming the original is an excellent book and you don't read the original language, then a translation is better than not reading at all. I would never want to have missed some of the great translated authors I've read like; Liu, Bolano, Marquez, Schulz, Zafon, Gombrowicz and not forgetting Dumas and, indeed, Homer! I have been impressed with all of their translations especially the Bolano ones where they have to deal with single sentences that can span multiple pages and still make them gripping reading.

I agree completely.
Great literary works are not limited to English speaking writers. You miss a lot if you don't want to read translated novels (or watch foreign movies.)
Even though a lot depends on the ability of the translator, brilliance will still shine through. And besides, if you can't read the original you really can't tell where the translation falls short. Not reading is missing great altogether.
Of course, not being a native English speaker myself, I (and many, many others) quite often depend on translations. I'm happy they exist.

 

[tobl]

I agree completely.
Great literary works are not limited to English speaking writers. You miss a lot if you don't want to read translated novels (or watch foreign movies.)
Even though a lot depends on the ability of the translator, brilliance will still shine through. And besides, if you can't read the original you really can't tell where the translation falls short. Not reading is missing great altogether.
Of course, not being a native English speaker myself, I (and many, many others) quite often depend on translations. I'm happy they exist.

yep, never forget Dumas. Now i'm reading mahanenko, and for what i'm told the translation of war and peace to english actually improved the work lolo now, i'm quite partial to english and american action writers but anyone that doesn't know 3 of the greatest writers of mankind his in serious disavantagde: cervantes, camões and moliere for instance

 

[Brian G Turner]

I tend to steer clear of translated books because I feel like the translator might have lost the original languages flair/spark/feeling etc. in the translation.

I was actually thinking last night at how well this book has been translated into English. the prose is simple and clear, and the complex ideas behind it come through well.

As opposed to some translations, where they ended up with convoluted sentences and use a thesaurus at every chance.

 

[soulsinging]

I decided to go with Gustav Schwab's retelling of the Tales of Troy rather than Fagles' translation of the Iliad, the former being more friendly to a first-time reader like me. It's roughly half of a Pantheon Fairy Tale and Folklore Library paperback.

Given what you’ve shared of your background, I can’t believe you never read the Iliad! I always preferred it to the odyssey, though I’ve not read either in 20 years.

 

[Extollager]

Never have read the Iliad, and it's getting on towards 50 years since I read the Odyssey (as a college freshman).

 

[OHB]

Never have read the Iliad, and it's getting on towards 50 years since I read the Odyssey (as a college freshman).

I read The Illiad, The Odyssey, The Aeneid, and The Voyage of the Argo as a college senior for a Greek and Roman Epic Literature class. I liked The Illiad and The Voyage of the Argo the least. The former is rather repetitive and tedious for the first half of the story. (So-and-so died this way, other so-and-so died that way, etc.) The latter could've been riveting had it used more showing and less telling. Instead, it reads more like a report than an epic. The Aeneid was my favorite. It has massacres, journeys, battles, grief/loss, interpersonal drama--an all-around interesting read, which is probably why Richard Adams drew from it when writing Watership Down. I'd highly recommend it if you're new to classic epics.

 

[Vertigo]

I was actually thinking last night at how well this book has been translated into English. the prose is simple and clear, and the complex ideas behind it come through well.

As opposed to some translations, where they ended up with convoluted sentences and use a thesaurus at every chance.

The Three Body Problem translator is Ken Liu (no relation I think) who is a Chinese American so presumably fluent in both languages. He also used to be a software engineer and is an SF genre author in his own right. So I guess he has all the qualifications for doing a good translation of Liu Cixin's work.

 

[Vertigo]

I read The Illiad, The Odyssey, The Aeneid, and The Voyage of the Argo as a college senior for a Greek and Roman Epic Literature class. I liked The Illiad and The Voyage of the Argo the least. The former is rather repetitive and tedious for the first half of the story. (So-and-so died this way, other so-and-so died that way, etc.) The latter could've been riveting had it used more showing and less telling. Instead, it reads more like a report than an epic. The Aeneid was my favorite. It has massacres, journeys, battles, grief/loss, interpersonal drama--an all-around interesting read, which is probably why Richard Adams drew from it when writing Watership Down. I'd highly recommend it if you're new to classic epics.

The Aeneid was spoilt for me when I had to read it in Latin at school. By the time I was done I never wanted to see it again!

 

[Extollager]

The Aeneid was my favorite. It has massacres, journeys, battles, grief/loss, interpersonal drama--an all-around interesting read, which is probably why Richard Adams drew from it when writing Watership Down. I'd highly recommend it if you're new to classic epics.

Well, I've read the first six books a couple of times (in translation!), which isn't saying much.

 

[Extollager]

I've always been very impressed by the ability of translators. Yes the original might be better but, assuming the original is an excellent book and you don't read the original language, then a translation is better than not reading at all. I would never want to have missed some of the great translated authors I've read ...

Yes indeed. Probably a translation can never really be an equivalent of the original literary work; but it has its own reality and value. If one wants to say that Demons is by Fyodor Dostoevsky, Richard Pevear, and Larissa Volokhonsky, not by Dostoevsky, I could see there's a case to be made, but whatever one says about authorship, Demons is a great book.

 

[Parson]

I was actually thinking last night at how well this book has been translated into English. the prose is simple and clear, and the complex ideas behind it come through well.

As opposed to some translations, where they ended up with convoluted sentences and use a thesaurus at every chance.

Obviously, translations and translating is a fact of life in my profession. I've done enough of it (poorly!) to help me understand that translation, especially a good translation, is more art than science. I always prefer dynamic translations to literal translations because without sufficient historical context a literal translation can convey a largely wrong understanding of what's being read.

 

[soulsinging]

The Aeneid was spoilt for me when I had to read it in Latin at school. By the time I was done I never wanted to see it again!

I feel the same about Caesar’s Gallic Wars.

 

[Galactic Bus Driver]

17 days since my last reading update/info dump and 29 more titles finished.

“A Hundred Thousand Worlds” by Bob Proehl.
Divorce, custody, fan conventions and sci-fi actors. An interesting tale of a broken family over the background of science fiction shows, comic books and fandom.

“Supermarket” by Bobby Hall.
Got this from one of the local libraries because it was available. Couldn't be more surprised or pleased. Since I really can't describe it without spoilers, I'll quote Ernest Cline: "Supermarket is like Naked Lunch meets One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest — if they met at Fight Club.”

"Running Blind," Jack Reacher book 4 by Lee Child.
The best thing I can say about the Jack Reacher books are that they're not bad. Good enough to read a few more, but not good enough to race to the next one.

“Midnight Son” by James Dommek Jr.
The story of actor-turned-fugitive named Teddy Kyle Smith as told by James Dommek Jr., the great-grandson of the last of the Inupiaq storytellers. Not my usual read, but i got this one free from Audible and really enjoyed it.

“A Quiver Full of Arrows” by Jeffrey Archer
A collection of shorts from Jeffrey Archer and a good sampling for poeple who want to give archer a try, but don't want to commit to one of his series.

“The Battle for Skandia,” book 4 of the Ranger’s Apprentice series by John Flanagan.
“The Sorcerer of the North,” book 5 of the Ranger’s Apprentice series by John Flanagan.
“The Siege of Macindaw,” book 6 of the Ranger’s Apprentice series by John Flanagan.
“Erak’s Ransom,” book 7 of the Ranger’s Apprentice series by John Flanagan.
“The Kings of Clonmel,” book 8 of the Ranger’s Apprentice series by John Flanagan.
“Halt's Peril,” book 9 of the Ranger’s Apprentice series by John Flanagan.
Young adult fantasy that is tremendous fun!

“Playing for Pizza” by John Grisham
Probably my favorite work by Grisham. A fun story about a not quite good enough for the NFL who despite early misgivings, finds a home playing in the premier Italian football league.

“Kid Lawyer,” book 1 of the Theodore Boone series by John Grisham.
“The Abduction,” book 2 of the Theodore Boone series by John Grisham.
“The Accused,” book 3 of the Theodore Boone series by John Grisham.
“The Activist,” book 4 of the Theodore Boone series by John Grisham.
“The Fugitive,” book 5 of the Theodore Boone series by John Grisham.
“The Scandal,” book 6 of the Theodore Boone series by John Grisham.
“The Accomplice,” book 7 of the Theodore Boone series by John Grisham.
Young adult legal thrillers that are not only fun, but manage (for the most part) to keep from going completely over the top.

“The Fullness of Time” by Kate Willhelm.
Despite first being published in 1956, I had not heard of Kate Willhelm until reading this book. A very interesting, but very different take on the possibilities of getting glimpses of the future.

"Bright We Burn," book 3 of The Conqueror's Saga by Kiersten White.
The final, and hands down the best book in The Conqueror's Saga.

“Battle Royale” by Koushun Takami
Far better written and far more believeable than "The Hunger Games."

“Elric of Melnibone,” book 1 of The Elric Saga by Michael Moorcock.
“The Sailor on the Seas of Fate,” book 2 of The Elric Saga by Michael Moorcock.
I was somewhat disappointed to find that these books by one of the fathers of grimdark, really aren't dark at all. Good, well written books, but not what I was hoping to find. Maybe it's just that grimdark has gotten darker with time, but I was expecting something more in line with "The Straight Razor Cure" aka "Low Town."

“The Firework-Maker’s Daughter” by Philip Pullman
Fun YA fantasy tale.

"Dirt," book 2 of the Stone Barrington series by Stuart Woods.
Another series of thrillers that is just good enough to get to the next book, but not race to the next book. I keep hoping the Stone Barrington books will rise to the level of the Ed Eagle books which were quite good.

"Reaper Man," book 11 of the Discworld series by Terry Pratchet.
"Witches Abroad," book 12 of the Discworld series by Terry Pratchet.
"Small Gods," book 13 of the Discworld series by Terry Pratchet.
Again, what can I say about Sir Terry and the discworld that hasn't been said before.

It seems I'm getting back to the pace I was on Jan-Apr. 215 titles finished this year, on pace for almost 490 for the year. I'm over half way to my goal for the year yet still not to the mid point of the year yet.

The running list so far:

Spoiler

"Slow Bullets" by Alastair Reynolds.
"Illuminae," book 1 of The Illuminae Files by Amie Kaufman.
"Gemina," book 2 of The Illuminae Files by Amie Kaufman.
"Obsidio," book 3 of The Illuminae Files by Amie Kaufman.
“The Castle in the Mist,” book 1 of the Tess and Max series by Amy Ephron.
“Carnival Magic,” book 2 of the Tess and Max series by Amy Ephron.
“The Other Side of the Wall,” book 3 of the Tess and Max series by Amy Ephron,
“I Hunt Killers,” book 1 of the I Hunt Killers trrilogy by Barry Lyga.
“Game,” book 2 of the I Hunt Killers trrilogy by Barry Lyga.
“Blood of my Blood,” book 3 of the I Hunt Killers trrilogy by Barry Lyga.
"To Be Taught, If Fortunate" by Becky Chambers.
“A Hundred Thousand Worlds” by Bob Proehl.
“Supermarket” by Bobby Hall.
"Act of War," book 13 of the Scot Harvath series by Brad Thor.
"Code of Conduct," book 15 of the Scot Harvath series by Brad Thor.
"The Athens Solution," book 15.5 of the Scot Harvath series by Brad Thor.
"Foreign Agent," book 16 of the Scot Harvath series by Brad Thor.
"Use of Force," book 17 of the Scot Harvath series by Brad Thor.
“Beezer” by Brandon T. Snider.
"The Black Prism," book 1 of the Lightbringer series by Brent Weeks.
"The Blinding Knife," book 2 of the Lightbringer series by Brent Weeks.
"The Broken Eye," book 3 of the Lightbringer series by Brent Weeks.
"The Blood Mirror," book 4 of the Lightbringer series by Brent Weeks.
"The Burning White," book 5 of the Lightbringer series by Brent Weeks.
"A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World" by C. A. Fletcher.
"The Vault of Dreamers," Rosie Sinclair book 1 by Caragh O'Brien.
"Birthmarked," book 1 of the Birthmarked Trilogy by Caragh O'Brien.
"Prized," book 2 of the Birthmarked Trilogy by Caragh O'Brien.
"Promised," book 3 of the Birthmarked Trilogy by Caragh O'Brien.
“Antibodies” by Charles Stross.
"The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August" by Claire North.
"Touch" by Claire North.
“The Sudden Appearance of Hope” by Claire North.
"A Serpent's Tooth" book 9 of the Longmire Mysteries by Craig Johnson.
"Spirit of Steamboat," book 9.5 of the Longmire Mysteries by Craig Johnson.
"Any Other Name," book 10 of the Longmire Mysteries by Craig Johnson.
"Wait for Signs," book 10.1 of the Longmire Mysteries by Craig Johnson.
"Dry Bones," book 11 of the Longmire Mysteries by Craig Johnson.
"The Highwayman," book 11.5 of the Longmire Mysteries by Craig Johnson.
"An Obvious Fact," book 12 of the Longmire Mysteries by Craig Johnson.
"The Western Star," book 13 of the Longmire Mysteries by Craig Johnson.
"Depth of Winter," book 14 of the Longmire Mysteries by Craig Johnson.
"The Rook," book 1 of The Checquy Files by Daniel O'Malley.
"Stiletto," book 2 of The Checquy Files by Daniel O'Malley.
“Long Road to Mercy,” book ! Of the Atlee Pine series by David Baldacci
"The Decoy Princess," book 1 of the Princess Contessa duology by Dawn Cook (aka Kim Harrison).
"Princess at Sea," book 2 of the Princess Contessa duology by Dawn Cook (aka Kim Harrison).
"Face It" by Debbie Harry.
"Skulduggery Pleasant," book 1 of the Skulduggery Pleasant series by Derek Landy.
"Playing with Fire," book 2 of the Skulduggery Pleasant series by Derek Landy.
"The Faceless Ones," book 3 of the Skulduggery Pleasant series by Derek Landy.
"Dark Days," book 4 of the Skulduggery Pleasant series by Derek Landy.
"Mortal Coil," book 5 of the Skulduggery Pleasant series by Derek Landy.
"Death Bringer," book 6 of the Skulduggery Pleasant series by Derek Landy.
"Kingdom of the Wicked," book 7 of the Skulduggery Pleasant series by Derek Landy.
"Last Stand of Dead Men," book 8 of the Skulduggery Pleasant series by Derek Landy.
“Old Bones,” book 1 of the Nora Kelly series by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child.
"Artemis Fowl," book 1 of the Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer.
"The Arctic Incident," book 2 of the Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer.
"The Eternity Code," book 3 of the Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer.
"The Opal Deception," book 4 of the Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer.
"The Lost Colony," book 5 of the Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer.
"The Time Paradox," book 6 of the Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer.
"The Atlantis Complex," book 7 of the Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer.
"The Last Guardian," book 8 of the Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer.
"The Fowl Twins," book 1 of the Artemis Twins series by Eoin Colfer.
“The Old Man and the Sea” by Ernest Hemmingway.
"Skinwalker," book 1 of the Jane Yellowrock series by Faith Hunter.
"Gifted Thief," book 1 of the Highland Magic series by Helen Harper.
"Honour Bound," book 2 of the Highland Magic series by Helen Harper.
"Veiled Threat," book 3 of the Highland Magic series by Helen Harper.
"Last Wish," book 4 of the Highland Magic series by Helen Harper.
"The Spiderwick Chronicles: The Field Guide and The Seeing Stone," books 1 and 2 by Holly Black.
"The Spiderwick Chronicles: Lucinda's Secret and The Ironwood Tree," books 3 and 4 by Holly Black.
"The Spiderwick Chronicles: The Wrath of Mulgarath," book 5 by Holly Black.
"Casino Royale," James Bond book 1 by Ian Fleming.
"Live and Let Die," James Bond book 2 by Ian Fleming.
“The Engines of God,” book 1 of the Academy series by Jack McDevitt.
“Deepsix,” book 2 of the Academy series by Jack McDevitt.
“Chindi,” book 3 of the Academy series by Jack McDevitt.
“Omega,” book 4 of the Academy series by Jack McDevitt.
“Odyssey,” book 5 of the Academy series by Jack McDevitt.
“Cauldron,” book 6 of the Academy series by Jack McDevitt.
“Starhawk,” book 7 of the Academy series by Jack McDevitt.
“The Long Sunset,” book 8 of the Academy series by Jack McDevitt.
“A Talent for War,” book 1 of the Alex Benedict series by Jack McDevitt
“Polaris (2004),” book 2 of the Alex Benedict series by Jack McDevitt
“Seeker,” book 3 of the Alex Benedict series by Jack McDevitt
“The Devil's Eye,” book 4 of the Alex Benedict series by Jack McDevitt
“Echo,” book 5 of the Alex Benedict series by Jack McDevitt
“Firebird,” book 6 of the Alex Benedict series by Jack McDevitt
“Coming Home,” book 7 of the Alex Benedict series by Jack McDevitt
“Octavia Gone” book 8 of the Alex Benedict series by Jack McDevitt
“Midnight Son” by James Dommek Jr.
"Die Trying," Jack Reacher book 2 by Lee Child.
"Tripwire," Jack Reacher book 3 by Lee Child.
"Running Blind," Jack Reacher book 4 by Lee Child.
"Nevernight," book 1 of The Nevernight Chronicles by Jay Kristoff.
"Godsgrave," book 2 of The Nevernight Chronicles by Jay Kristoff.
"Darkdawn," book 1 of The Nevernight Chronicles by Jay Kristoff.
“A Quiver Full of Arrows” by Jeffrey Archer
“The Monster of Elendhaven” by Jennifer Giesbrecht
"The Very First Damned Thing," book 0.5 of The Chronicles of St. Mary's by Jodi Taylor.
"Just one Damned Thing After Another," book 1 of The Chronicles of St. Mary's by Jodi Taylor.
“The Ruins of Gorlan,” book 1 of the Ranger’s Apprentice series by John Flanagan.
“The Burning Bridge,” book 2 of the Ranger’s Apprentice series by John Flanagan.
“The Icebound Land,” book 3 of the Ranger’s Apprentice series by John Flanagan.
“The Battle for Skandia,” book 4 of the Ranger’s Apprentice series by John Flanagan.
“The Sorcerer of the North,” book 5 of the Ranger’s Apprentice series by John Flanagan.
“The Siege of Macindaw,” book 6 of the Ranger’s Apprentice series by John Flanagan.
“Erak’s Ransom,” book 7 of the Ranger’s Apprentice series by John Flanagan.
“The Kings of Clonmel,” book 8 of the Ranger’s Apprentice series by John Flanagan.
“Halt's Peril,” book 9 of the Ranger’s Apprentice series by John Flanagan.
“Playing for Pizza” by John Grisham
"The Confession" by John Grisham.
"The Litigators" by John Grisham.
“Witness to a Trial” by John Grisham
“The Whistler” by John Grisham
“Kid Lawyer,” book 1 of the Theodore Boone series by John Grisham.
“The Adduction,” book 2 of the Theodore Boone series by John Grisham.
“The Accused,” book 3 of the Theodore Boone series by John Grisham.
“The Activist,” book 4 of the Theodore Boone series by John Grisham.
“The Fugitive,” book 5 of the Theodore Boone series by John Grisham.
“The Scandal,” book 6 of the Theodore Boone series by John Grisham.
“The Accomplice,” book 7 of the Theodore Boone series by John Grisham.
“Carmilla” by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
“The Fullness of Time” by Kate Willhelm.
"And I Darken," book 1 of The Conqueror's Saga by Kiersten White.
"Now I Rise," book 2 of The Conqueror's Saga by Kiersten White.
"Bright We Burn," book 3 of The Conqueror's Saga by Kiersten White.
"PERfunctory afFECTION" by Kim Harrison.
“Battle Royale” by Koushun Takami
"Junk" by Les Bohem
"The Regional Office is Under Attack" by Manuel Gonzales.
"This is How You Lose the Time War" by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone.
"Black Crow, White Snow" by Michael Livingston.
“Elric of Melnibone,” book 1 of The Elric Saga by Michael Moorcock.
“The Sailor on the Seas of Fate,” book 2 of The Elric Saga by Michael Moorcock.
"Kingdom of Needle and Bone" by Mira Grant.
"Alien: Echo" by Mira Grant.
“Astrophysics for People in a Hurry” by Neil DeGrasse Tyson.
“Rendezvous” by Nelson DeMille.
"The Deserter" by Nelson and Alex DeMille.
“Space Boy” by Orson Scott Card.
“The Firework-Maker’s Daughter” by Philip Pullman
"Thin Air" by Richard K. Morgan
"Metrophage" by Richard Kadrey
"The Hidden Oracle," book 1 of The Trials of Apollo by Rick Riordan.
"Camp Half-blood Confidential" supplemental to The Trials of Apollo by Rick Riordan.
"The Dark Prophecy," book 2 of The Trials of Apollo by Rick Riordan.
"The Burning Maze," book 3 of The Trials of Apollo by Rick Riordan.
"The Tyrant's Tomb," book 4 of The Trials of Apollo by Rick Riordan.
"The Wild Heart of Stevie Nicks" by Rob Sheffield.
"Sparrow Hill Road," book 1 of the Ghost Roads series by Seanan McGuire.
"The Girl in the Green Silk Gown," book 2 of the Ghost Roads series by Seanan McGuire.
"Discount Armageddon," book 1 of the InCryptid series by Seanan McGuire.
"Midnight Blue-Light Special," book 2 of the InCryptid series by Seanan McGuire.
"Half-Off Ragnarok," book 3 of the InCryptid series by Seanan McGuire.
"Pocket Apocalypse," book 4 of the InCryptid series by Seanan McGuire.
"Chaos Choreography," book 5 of the InCryptid series by Seanan McGuire.
"Magic for Nothing," book 6 of the InCryptid series by Seanan McGuire.
"Tricks for Free," book 7 of the InCryptid series by Seanan McGuire.
"That Ain't Witchcraft," book 8 of the InCryptid series by Seanan McGuire.
"Imaginary Numbers," book 9 of the InCryptid series by Seanan McGuire.
“Every Heart a Doorway,” book 1 of the Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire.
“Down Among the Sticks and Bones,” book 2 of the Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire.
“Beneath the Sugar Sky,” book 3 of the Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire.
“In an Absent Dream,” book 4 of the Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire.
“Come Tumbling Down,” book 5 of the Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire.
"Finale," book 3 of Caraval by Stephanie Garber.
“Blockade Billy” by Stephen King.
“Pure Drivel” by Steve Martin
“Wildside” by Steven Gould
"New York Dead," book 1 of the Stone Barrington series by Stuart Woods.
"Dirt," book 2 of the Stone Barrington series by Stuart Woods.
“Truckers,” book 1 of the Bromeliad Trilogy by Terry Pratchett
“Diggers,” book 2 of the Bromeliad Trilogy by Terry Pratchett
“Wings,” book 3 of the Bromeliad Trilogy by Terry Pratchett
"The Color of Magic," book 1 of the Discworld series by Terry Pratchet.
"The Light Fantastic," book 2 of the Discworld series by Terry Pratchet.
"Equal Rights," book 3 of the Discworld series by Terry Pratchet.
"Mort," book 4 of the Discworld series by Terry Pratchet.
"Sourcery," book 5 of the Discworld series by Terry Pratchet.
"Wyrd Systers," book 6 of the Discworld series by Terry Pratchet.
"Pyramids," book 7 of the Discworld series by Terry Pratchet.
"Guards, Guards," book 8 of the Discworld series by Terry Pratchet.
"Eric," book 9 of the Discworld series by Terry Pratchet.
"Moving Pictures," book 10 of the Discworld series by Terry Pratchet.
"Reaper Man," book 11 of the Discworld series by Terry Pratchet.
"Witches Abroad," book 12 of the Discworld series by Terry Pratchet.
"Small Gods," book 13 of the Discworld series by Terry Pratchet.
“Only You Can Save Mankind,” book 1 of the Johnny Maxwell series by Terry Pratchett.
“Johnny and the Dead,” book 2 of the Johnny Maxwell series by Terry Pratchett.
“Johnny and the Bomb,” book 3 of the Johnny Maxwell series by Terry Pratchett.
"The Devil's Breath," book 3 of the Dr. Thomas Silkstone series by Tessa Harris.
"The Lazarus Curse," book 4 of the Dr. Thomas Silkstone series by Tessa Harris.
"Shadow of the Raven," book 5 of the Dr. Thomas Silkstone series by Tessa Harris.
"Secrets of the Stones," book 6 of the Dr. Thomas Silkstone series by Tessa Harris.
"Rocannon's World," book 1 of the Hainish Cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin.
"Planet of Exile," book 2 of the Hainish Cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin.
"City of Illusions," book 3 of the Hainish Cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin.
"The Left Hand of Darkness," book 4 of the Hainish Cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin.
"The Dispossessed," book 5 of the Hainish Cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin.
“I Shudder at Your Touch,” a horror anthology.
"Bitches and Brawlers," book 4 of the Steampunk Red Riding Hood series by Melanie Karsak.
"Howls and Hallows," book 5 of the Steampunk Red Riding Hood series by Melanie Karsak.
"Thief's Covenant," book 1 of the Widdershins Adventures by Ari Marmell.
"False Covenant," book 2 of the Widdershins Adventures by Ari Marmell.
"Lost Covenant," book 3 of the Widdershins Adventures by Ari Marmell.
"Covenant's End," book 4 of the Widdershins Adventures by Ari Marmell.
"Steampunk Banditos," book 7 of the Felix Gomes series by Mario Acevedo.
“Three Parts Dead,” book 1 of the Craft Sequence by Max Gladstone.
”Two Serpents Rise,” book 2 of the Craft Sequence by Max Gladstone.
”Full Fathom Five,” book 3 of the Craft Sequence by Max Gladstone.
“The Gravedigger’s Brawl” by Abigail Roux

 

[HareBrain]

“Elric of Melnibone,” book 1 of The Elric Saga by Michael Moorcock.
“The Sailor on the Seas of Fate,” book 2 of The Elric Saga by Michael Moorcock.
I was somewhat disappointed to find that these books by one of the fathers of grimdark, really aren't dark at all.

Where did you see him referred to a "father of grimdark"? I'd have said that's way off the mark.

I finished The Second Coming by Andrew Collins. A terrible read if you didn't believe it, interesting if you do.

 

[Pyan]

On a bit of a Roman kick - so far I've come to the end of the Falco books by Lindsay Davis, and am now on the sequels, the Albia series.

 

[Brian G Turner]

"Running Blind," Jack Reacher book 4 by Lee Child.

aka, The Visitor.

I've said before this is my least favourite Lee Child novel. Yet it was also my first, and I found it interesting enough to later pick up another.

 

[Danny McG]

Where did you see him referred to a "father of grimdark"? I'd have said that's way off the mark.

I've saw the same quote in a couple of places online, I can't think where but it is out there on the interweb

 

[HareBrain]

I've saw the same quote in a couple of places online, I can't think where but it is out there on the interweb

Well well well well well WELL well.

I Googled (persevering despite multiple failures to type "Moorcock" correctly) and the first result I clicked on was this.

Moorcock's essay on conservativism in fantasy

I just came across this essay - it is somewhat old, but has been revised fairly recently, as it includes references to newer authors as well as old. Maybe people here are already familiar with it, but I would like to hear people's opinions on it, whether you've read it before or this is the...

bestfantasybooks.com

Which turned out to be by a thinly disguised alias of our own @The Big Peat.

Peat, you've been leading people astray! Desist!