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[Camp1nCarl]

Been on a bit of a Murakami binge as of late. I finished Norwegian Wood a few months ago, and yesterday I read through all of:

Colorless Tsukuru was a pretty solid, light read. I recently purchased After Dark and 1Q84, so I'm going to probably hit those up soon as well.

 

[Jag]

Last Kingdom *is* a Saxon book, isn't it? Are you thinking of his King Arthur books?

Yep. I realized it after I wrote that. I was thinking of the Warlord Chronicles.

 

[CaptainofIndustry]

Finished up


The Child Thief by Dan Smith

Really great.

I'm reading this right now. Awesome so far.

 

[Meliora]

I've noticed a lot of my enjoyment of fantasy novels hinges on the sort of magic and supernatural stuff they have. Mistborn and the Robin Hobbs books, for example, have clearly defined magic systems (alloy-whatever etc with Mistborn, Skill and Wit with the Assassin books) which I feel take a lot away from the mystery of the world. I don't want the magic of a particular world to be explained to me, I want it to just be there and in all kinds of shapes and forms. I want to go "ooh, ahh" as the book throws something entirely unexpected at me, like magical monsters or talking rocks or undead or witches that can turn people to frogs.

Just something that came to mind when I realized Mistborn and the Hobbs series are the last two fantasy series I've sort of dropped. First one for good cause the second book was so boring, latter I WILL pick up again some day... Even though the second book is so boring lol

Still reading the Prince of Thorns, which thankfully doesn't seem to explain much when it comes to magic. Wish I had some more time and energy so I could continue reading it.

Yeah I sort of agree, especially with the Mistborn books. I gets way too technical at times explaining how things like allomancy works and those parts are not my favorite parts at all, which is why I think the first book and most of the second book was a bit slow. How stuff works also gets repeated too often. I think it was a lot better in the Stormlight Archive, allthough magic and stuff have rules and laws there aswell.
However, in the third Mistborn book there's a lot of explaining of why things are like they are, and that sort of thing I really like. The ending of book 2 also made me curious of how it all will end, so I'll definately finish the books. So far book three is answering a lot of questions I had reading the two first ones, but I'm also raising a lot of new questions.

I also don't really have any favorite characters in the Mistborn books, I like the overall story, but I don't care a lot about any of the characters. I don't dislike them either, they're just okay I guess. In the Stormlight books I cared for a lot of the characters and the whole world seemed bigger and more interesting. I'll finish the Mistborn books though, I do like a lot of the ideas and lore, aswell a lot of the aspects of that world. The reason I started the Mistborn book were simply because I really enjoyed the Stormlight Archive and apparently the Mistborn books take place in the same universe. And that was enough to make me curious

 

[Maklershed]

Can someone explain what 'cozy' mysteries are? I never heard the term before and in the past week I've been seeing it all over Goodreads and Amazon all of a sudden.

 

[ShaneB]

I'm reading this right now. Awesome so far.

Glad you're enjoying it as well. See Mak, you should read it too!

 

[Maklershed]

Glad you're enjoying it as well. See Mak, you should read it too!

Its on my ever growing Amazon 'wish list' with .. geez 195 books. I gotta start pairing this down.

 

[aidan]

Can someone explain what 'cozy' mysteries are? I never heard the term before and in the past week I've been seeing it all over Goodreads and Amazon all of a sudden.

A murder-mystery/investigation novel that remains comfortable and non-threatening. Think Murder, She Wrote.

 

[mu cephei]

Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey

I like a smutty book now and then (Hi Laurell Hamilton), but this book creeped me out before I even got to any of the real smut.

Spoiler

The whole concept of the protagonist being "marked" by a spot in her eye as someone born to like BDSM was seriously gross if you think about it, because it led to uncomfortable scenes like the one where she's being sold to someone as a kid and she's being eyed up by some guy thinking "Yeah, I know what you're going to be into soon." Ugh. I can usually ignore stuff like that - after all, I read A Song of Ice and Fire and other things, but it was just creepy here.

I don't like abandoning a book, but I just can't finish this one. The main reason isn't necessarily the creep factor - it's just boring. This snippet of Zen Cho's review on goodreads parodying the text is on point:

I asked him to pass the butter, for though as one marked by Kushiel's Dart, my greatest pleasure lies in pain, yet I am D'Angeline, and appreciate the finer things in life. Golden butter, springing from the roseate udders of the exquisite cattle of L'Agnace, was a pure joy I had neither strength nor inclination to deny.

"It's the butter you desire?" said Joscelin, my beloved, brave Cassiline. Well I knew the agonies that tore him even to acknowledge my desires, for the Cassiline brethren are trained to asceticism. Though they appreciate the beauty that is their birthright, as any born on Elua's blessed land must, the beauty they are drawn to is stern and cold, allowing not for butter.

"Yes," said I: and truly, it broke my heart to say it.

He passed the butter, but I could tell with by one glance at his white face, still and beautiful as suffering carved into marble, that it cost him much. I do not think his heart could grieve more than mine did, that day when I asked him to pass the butter.

That quote is hilarious. I do actually have this book, I gave it to my mum as a present but she wanted rid of it after she'd read it. Now I see why >.<

He never had any to begin with, you're just catching up to that fact. Took me until the statue book (faith of the fallen?) to realize it.

I think of it as 'the statue book' too. I think that's where I gave up on the series. I was incredulous for most of that book, and over that part in particular. So silly.

 

[Dandy Crocodile]

Can someone explain what 'cozy' mysteries are? I never heard the term before and in the past week I've been seeing it all over Goodreads and Amazon all of a sudden.

Like Aidan said, more quaint mysteries. Not a lot of gore/swearing/sex and a different sort of protagonist than a "typical hardened P.I. type." Think Kinsey Millhone, Hannah Swensen, or Precious Ramotswe.

 

[Verdre]

Read California Bones by Greg Van Eekhout

Nothing special, just a fun little Ocean's 11 type story, but with magic. Didn't entirely care for how it ended, but it was entertaining.

 

[DixieFlatline]

Haven't read these two sci-fi giants in years and they both have relatively new books out. Not quite sure what to think of either just yet.

 

[PassiveObserver]

Got turned onto this book by that one Clutch song.

 

[aravuus]

These Pierce Brown books are damn good. I didn't expect this... I blitzed through the first in a night and I'm halfway through #2 the second day. Haven't read this much in one sitting in a while. Been doing more of a '30 mins before bed' thing lately. Holidays will be good to do some catching up.

I feel it's like a better, non YA version of The Hunger Games in some respects. Hopefully book 3 ends strong, unlike Hunger Games.

Started reading the first book too thanks to the super high scores AND reader awards the series has gotten in GR

I'm not that far in, but man does it seem like any other YA dystopian novel ever, except for the fact that it isn't as easy to read and the plot seems to moving a bit slower.

Will continue reading though, even though I'm willing to bet

Spoiler

it just ends with Darrow leading some sort of a rebel gang to war.

e: also I think I saw someone compare it to Ender's Game, which was a fun read BECAUSE of the nerd wish-fulfillment going on. Gary Stu characters can be fun as long as you're not taking the story too seriously.

 

[Rug Monkey]

Got turned onto this book by that one Clutch song.

How are you doing? I read it first 20 years ago, found it difficult, but like Clockwork Orange, if you keep reading the language just permeates into your brain. Several re-reads later and it's one of my favourite books ever.

It's beautiful ...

 

[TestMonkey]

Just finished The Shepherd's Crown and thus the Discworld series. RIP Sir Terry. I need a hug.

 

[Ashes]

Just finished The Shepherd's Crown and thus the Discworld series. RIP Sir Terry. I need a hug.

*Sends hugs*

--

Currently reading: The Westing Game

 

[Nezumi]

Just finished The Shepherd's Crown and thus the Discworld series. RIP Sir Terry. I need a hug.

I'm putting of reading this because the fact that this will be the last time ever I get to read a new discworld novel causes this weird lump in my throat to appear

Decided to re-read every other book in the series first. Feels really strange.

*hugs*

 

[Makoto-Yuki]

Just finished The Swallow's Tower (The Witcher) and about to start The Lady of the Lake.

Most people have seemed to really praise these books but personally I think they are a bit of a drag. The first 2 books with short stories were interesting. Blood of Elves/Time of Contempt were good but Baptism of Fire was hard to get through. Swallow's Tower was much better but I still found myself struggling to get through it. Lady of the Lake, I hope has more action/excitement and brings everything to a satisfying close. However, I'm getting the feeling that the author didn't really know what he was doing so preparing myself for an appropriate ending.

I think the 5 main books could have easily been a trilogy. There is too much filler of boring stuff. I don't know if maybe something was lost in the translation process. At least I can say I've read the books now and have my own opinion of them. I much prefer the work CDPR has done with the games.

 

[Jintor]

Even though I know like the basic feel of neuromancer from every cyberpunk derivative that's ever existed it's still, like... really... visceral to read.

 

[Bazza]

Well that's my crime book binge finished, thoroughly enjoyed the series.

Going to read the Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser Books that someone suggested in last months thread next I think.

 

[PassiveObserver]

How are you doing? I read it first 20 years ago, found it difficult, but like Clockwork Orange, if you keep reading the language just permeates into your brain. Several re-reads later and it's one of my favourite books ever.

It's beautiful ...

I'm only about 50 pages in so I'm still trying to find my bearings. I did find the Eusa story very haunting, and the language adds to that effect.

 

[RepairmanJack]

So far I'm about 6 hours into the audio book of The Fifth Heart by Dan Simmons. I have no clue what this book is trying to be, but I'm kind of enjoying it? Not real sure, it just hasn't really given some kind of clue as to where its trying to go. The last hour or so has basically been a bashing of Arthur Conan Doyle, which has kind of been funny.

 

[ana]

Finished:
Tom Wood: The Killer
Vince Flynn: Third option
Stephen Renneberg: The Siren project

Started:
Harry Turtledove: Worldwar series..

waiting:
Rajiv Chandrasekaran: Imperial Life in The Emerald City: Inside Iraq's Green Zone
Donald E. Westlakeortmunder novels

And decided to give myself a christmas gift: Ordered Kindle Voyage.

 

[Maklershed]

Finished:
Tom Wood: The Killer
Vince Flynn: Third option
Stephen Renneberg: The Siren project

Started:
Harry Turtledove: Worldwar series..

waiting:
Rajiv Chandrasekaran: Imperial Life in The Emerald City: Inside Iraq's Green Zone
Donald E. Westlakeortmunder novels

And decided to give myself a christmas gift: Ordered Kindle Voyage.

Do you currently have a paper white? I'm curious if its worth the upgrade.

 

[Taruranto]

Finished The Lady of the Camellias.

At first I was like "I guess this is interesting"

Then I was like "These characters are dumb"

Then I was like

Now, I don't know what to start now. I'm going through books fast since I get a lot of time for reading.

I got Stanis&#322;aw Lem's Eden

but I never heard of him. Otherwise, I got two Asimov, The Gods Themselves and Fantastic Voyage.

 

[Dedication Through Light]

Reading The Future of Whiteness for a nonfiction book its pretty easy to read.

 

[sparky2112]

Do you currently have a paper white? I'm curious if its worth the upgrade.

They have the same resolution now, but I think the Voyage has brought back actual page turn buttons and is a hair smaller?

 

[Verdre]

Read the first three books in Jim C Hines's Magic ex Libris series.

Fun reads that feature a magic that pulls items and powers from books, so full of references to other stories, but I won't be continuing it as it's a bit too Dresden for my taste, though it takes itself less seriously.

 

[Ashes]

Finished reading: The Westing Game

Fancy seeing a company I know in a book I'm reading!

Onto because of winn dixie

 

[Number45]

Finished Frankenstein last night. Enjoyed it far more this time than the first time I read it, but I'll reiterate what I said a few pages back - Victor Frankenstein seems to be one of the most self-centred characters I've ever come across in fiction. He fucks up at every turn, usually at the cost of someone else's life, and all but refuses to admit that he's the monster here.

Are there any film adaptations that do a good job in painting the monster in the right light? I feel like everything else I've seen/read (which isn't much I must admit) ignores his development and goes straight to HULK SMASH!

FAKE EDIT: Just read the wiki, some cool stuff. Seems there's a lot of debate as to where (specifically, obviously Frankenstein is at fault either way) the fault lies.

Also, holy fuck at this quote from the critical reception section: "The writer of it is, we understand, a female; this is an aggravation of that which is the prevailing fault of the novel; but if our authoress can forget the gentleness of her sex, it is no reason why we should; and we shall therefore dismiss the novel without further comment". Wow.

And so, on to:

 

[X-Frame]

Halfway through Ancillary Mercy and really enjoying it! More than the 2nd book too.

 

[Dead Prince]

book 2 of the series

gotta make up for the 11 months of not reading now. lol.

 

[Imp the Dimp]

75% into Way of Kings by Sanderson and I love it so much, oh my god. How can a 1000 pages book never get boring at any point? I have yet to find an author who keeps me turning pages like this. Can't wait to finish it and start the sequel. 5 out of 5 book if I've ever read one.

 

[sparky2112]

gotta make up for the 11 months of not reading now. lol.

Man, 11 HOURS and I start twitching. Not exactly my greatest quality, but still...

 

[Jintor]

Man, 11 HOURS and I start twitching. Not exactly my greatest quality, but still...

i'm really depressed that my attention span has been neutered to the point where the only books i can't put down are still discworld books

 

[Dead Prince]

Man, 11 HOURS and I start twitching. Not exactly my greatest quality, but still...

i'm really depressed that my attention span has been neutered to the point where the only books i can't put down are still discworld books

i blame phone and tv. i constantly stop every 10 or so pages just to check phone and i use that as a distraction. which is why i don't read much.
surprised i even managed to be done with the first book in about 2 evenings before bed. good news the book at least got me interested.

i got to stop by BN/amazon and pick up more books after this. i have none to read.

 

[sparky2112]

i blame phone and tv. i constantly stop every 10 or so pages just to check phone and i use that as a distraction

My son does that while playing videogames. He will literally pause a game like once a minute to answer a text. I'm all like, 'How are you not ruining the experience?' He just shrugs.

 

[Cyan]

Finished reading: The Westing Game

Fancy seeing a company I know in a book I'm reading!

Onto because of winn dixie

Wait really? I saw that you'd read The Mixed Up Files of etc and was going to say "I hope you read The Westing Game next" and then forgot to post.

2spooky

 

[TimeEffect]

Can you guys give me any recommendations?

I've been long interested in the history in the middle east. I'd like to have a firmer understanding of what's going on there and ultimately what's happening today. Not sure where to start or what is considered best to read.

 

[Axelstream]

Just finished When We Were Orphans by Kazuo Ishiguro. I liked it, though it ranks as one of my less favorite works from him. The climax towards the end of the book was pretty incredible though in the shadow it cast over the novel's prior events. Ishiguro's turnabout endings are one of my favorite aspects of his works.

I only started reading him this year, starting with The Buried Giant, and I ended up reading all of his novels (including his short story collection, Nocturnes) save The Unconsoled and Artist of the Floating World. I think he's my favorite writer now. It's funny, because even though I really like some of his novels, there's nothing from him that I love unreservedly. But I just find his core themes to really interesting and the payoff to almost always be worthwhile.

 

[X-Frame]

75% into Way of Kings by Sanderson and I love it so much, oh my god. How can a 1000 pages book never get boring at any point? I have yet to find an author who keeps me turning pages like this. Can't wait to finish it and start the sequel. 5 out of 5 book if I've ever read one.

I felt the exact same way for this book and then especially the next one Words of Radiancs. I envy you so much that you're reading it for the first time.

I can't wait for a re-read, which I'll do just before the 3rd one comes out (in a year booooo).

 

[EverythingShiny]

Well that's my crime book binge finished, thoroughly enjoyed the series.

Going to read the Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser Books that someone suggested in last months thread next I think.

Yes!! I'm glad to see someone else binging Michael Connelly's books. There are a few quirks of his that annoy me but I've loved both the Harry Bosch and Mickey Haller books.

Can you guys give me any recommendations?

I've been long interested in the history in the middle east. I'd like to have a firmer understanding of what's going on there and ultimately what's happening today. Not sure where to start or what is considered best to read.

I haven't read anything recently, but if you're interested in the events leading up to 9/11, I highly, highly recommend The Looming Tower by Lawrence Wright. It won the Pulitzer.

 

[Taruranto]

I'm really not digging Eden. I'm kinda over weird adventure time in the alien planet with weird banana trees and aliens at this point of my life. I don't think I'll be able to finish it.

Probably will just drop it, it's really fairly long.

 

[ana]

Do you currently have a paper white? I'm curious if its worth the upgrade.

I don't have any kindle yet..
I've been using Xperia Z2 tablet but my eyes get tired if I read too long..

So I decided to get Voyage over paper white mainly because of page turning buttons..

...So obviously next month they will probably release voyage 2

 

[Dead Prince]

oh. the voyage page turning isn't a button. it's more of a swipe thing. (tried it at best buy the other week)

i still have my 3rd gen ereader which the keyboard and speaker and page turn button. along with the kindle paperwhite (1st gen)

 

[kswiston]

I want to thank those who recommended City of Stairs. I don't follow the sci-fi/fantasy scene extremely closely and I had written off the book when I saw it in book stores since the cover looked like a Young Adult book.

Obviously that is not the case. I am about a third of the way through the book so far and it is great.


Also, I think I am one of those rare people who reads ebooks but doesn't own an e-reader (or tablet). I just use my Galaxy S6 when I am away from home, and my laptop at home. Too cheap to spend an extra $100 for a dedicated reader.

 

[Imp the Dimp]

I felt the exact same way for this book and then especially the next one Words of Radiancs. I envy you so much that you're reading it for the first time.

I can't wait for a re-read, which I'll do just before the 3rd one comes out (in a year booooo).

Dude I CAN'T WAIT to read all of it.

 

[A Fish Aficionado]

I got Stanis&#322;aw Lem's Eden



but I never heard of him. Otherwise, I got two Asimov, The Gods Themselves and Fantastic Voyage.

Lem is really underappreciated.

Memoirs Found in a Bathtub is a mindfuck.

 

[Verdre]

Started reading City of Stairs and I'm enjoying the parts that don't have to do with people being perfect at what they do. The story is intriguing - the characters not so much. Sigrud is utterly tiresome.