July 2020 Reading Thread

[Garfunkel]

My reading has stalled badly recently - my concentration during self-isolation seems to come and go - but I've been (very slowly) working my way through Kiran Millwood Hargrave's The Mercies. It's well-written and engaging, although perhaps a bit bleak for my current head space. I've also been listening to Akala's Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire, which is excellent.

 

[Danny McG]

Paul Tremblay 'Survivor Song'

A pandemic story but with a rabies like virus - and it's got zombie animals!

 

[tobl]

Paul Tremblay 'Survivor Song'

A pandemic story but with a rabies like virus - and it's got zombie animals!

oh please, i already have enough trouble dealing with zombie people... especially since i can't cut their head off. it's against the law, for some incomprehensible reason

 

[Vertigo]

The Labyrinth of the Spirits by Carlos Ruiz Zafon - a brilliant finale to The Cemetery of Forgotten Books. More here.

 

[Parson]

I've ditched Ruins of the Galaxy: A Military Scifi Epic. The book was rapidly degenerating into supernatural battle rather than a human one. Whoever wrote the blurbs for this should be sued for false advertising. It felt like a mash up of a poor "Hammer's Slammers" and a poor "Carrie."

Back to detective thrillers. ..... Ambush by Barbara Nickless book three of Sydney Rose Parnell series. This series has an unusual policeman, a railroad detective, and a gritty realism which is only sometimes appealing to me.

 

[Danny McG]

I've ditched Ruins of the Galaxy: A Military Scifi Epic. The book was rapidly degenerating into supernatural battle rather than a human one. Whoever wrote the blurbs for this should be sued for false advertising. It felt like a mash up of a poor "Hammer's Slammers" and a poor "Carrie

I got my way through it eventually but I'll never bother with the sequel - it set off good as well

 

[Vince W]

I got my way through it eventually but I'll never bother with the sequel - it set off good as well

I very nearly picked this one up based on danny's earlier post about it, but something kept me from doing so. Sounds as if I'm not missing much.

 

[Danny McG]

I very nearly picked this one up based on danny's earlier post about it, but something kept me from doing so. Sounds as if I'm not missing much.

Yeah, I did rave on somewhat!
The opening chapters were proper mil sci fi, and quite good for that sub- genre, but then it got all like mystic powers and the storyline slumped

 

[tegeus-Cromis]

Despite multiple attempts over the last 40 years I havent made it past the first book.

I made it through it when I was in my teens. I don't know if I'd be able to today.

 

[Vince W]

I made it through it when I was in my teens. I don't know if I'd be able to today.

I'm finding the Foundation stories cracking reads yet again. There are a few items that are somewhat outdated (for example, diabetes is still a problem in 50,000 years apparently) but Asimov wrote very engaging and entertaining yarns. Stuff the critisims that are plied today, these books are still amazing stories.

 

[Vince W]

Yeah, I did rave on somewhat!
The opening chapters were proper mil sci fi, and quite good for that sub- genre, but then it got all like mystic powers and the storyline slumped

I know some people like it, but I can't stand magicial elements in a sci-fi story. Puts me right off.

 

[tegeus-Cromis]

I know some people like it, but I can't stand magicial elements in a sci-fi story. Puts me right off.

So no Star Wars for you, then.

 

[tegeus-Cromis]

I'm finding the Foundation stories cracking reads yet again. There are a few items that are somewhat outdated (for example, diabetes is still a problem in 50,000 years apparently) but Asimov wrote very engaging and entertaining yarns. Stuff the critisims that are plied today, these books are still amazing stories.

I'm thinking more of his writing. When I was younger I was more tolerant of flat writing and two-dimensional characters.

 

[soulsinging]

Finished White Rage which was depressing in a "more things change, more they stay the same" sort of way.

Since his short story collection blew me away, I'm picking up one of James Baldwin's novels: If Beale Street Could Talk.

 

[Parson]

I know some people like it, but I can't stand magicial elements in a sci-fi story. Puts me right off.

For me it depends on the magical elements. If people are able to access the magic and bend it to their will, I'm much more tolerant. But if the magic is the controlling force it will usually sour me on the story. ---- I do love Star Wars, especially the original movie. --- However, when I rewatched it a few months ago it didn't quite have the Wow factor it did at first. And surprisingly, I found the prequels were better than I remembered. ---- So, you never can tell.

 

[Elckerlyc]

I'm thinking more of his writing. When I was younger I was more tolerant of flat writing and two-dimensional characters.

I am sure I am.
I first read Foundation only a couple of years ago. After book 2 I gave up, because I had enough of the writing.

 

[tobl]

finished the new daniel silva book. great job as always. i think in some ways is the best sucessor of alistair mac lean. read a few others but nothing exciting. going for peace talks next.

 

[Vince W]

For me it depends on the magical elements. If people are able to access the magic and bend it to their will, I'm much more tolerant. But if the magic is the controlling force it will usually sour me on the story. ---- I do love Star Wars, especially the original movie. --- However, when I rewatched it a few months ago it didn't quite have the Wow factor it did at first. And surprisingly, I found the prequels were better than I remembered. ---- So, you never can tell.

I still love the original Star Wars trilogy, but perhaps less so than when I was younger. Maybe that's because I saw The Force as less a magical thing and something more like telekinesis and those daft theories. Sure they were utter tosh, but they were scientific tosh.

 

[Vince W]

Star Soldiers by Andre Norton. This is an omnibus of Star Guard and Star Rangers. I must confess that my reading of Norton is somewhat limited which is strange given that her books once dominated book shop and library shelves.

 

[AE35Unit]

I'm finding the Foundation stories cracking reads yet again. There are a few items that are somewhat outdated (for example, diabetes is still a problem in 50,000 years apparently) but Asimov wrote very engaging and entertaining yarns. Stuff the critisims that are plied today, these books are still amazing stories.

Apparently its coming to TV soon...