I don't think it's an exciting story just a good one. There are some scattered action scenes but they don't make the book.
What are you reading? (January 2016)
- Thread starter Maklershed
- Start date
Tragicomedy
Member
Just finished Sword and Claw. I've just started getting into sci-fi / fantasy after a good friend recommended that I read Name of the Wind a few years ago, but, after reading Wolfe, I have a feeling I might have already read the best from the genre right out of the gate.
Yeah, you're ruined for other speculative fiction works after reading Wolfe.
Setre
Member
Finished
The True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin by St. Louis de Monfront
This isn't what I was expecting and was hoping for more guidelines on Marian devotion as a whole. Will have to come back to it later once I've read more writings from the Saints.
Little Girls by Ronald Malfi
I enjoyed this and I'll have to check out more of Mr. Malfi's books. Wish I could find more horror books like this.
Currently Reading
The Story of a Soul by St. Therese of Lisieux
Several chapters into this and it's easy to see why so many people love Saint Therese.
The Silence by Tim Lebbon
Only two chapters in and I'm not sure what to think of it yet. Not sure that I really like the monsters but I'll withhold judgment for now.
The True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin by St. Louis de Monfront
This isn't what I was expecting and was hoping for more guidelines on Marian devotion as a whole. Will have to come back to it later once I've read more writings from the Saints.
Little Girls by Ronald Malfi
I enjoyed this and I'll have to check out more of Mr. Malfi's books. Wish I could find more horror books like this.
Currently Reading
The Story of a Soul by St. Therese of Lisieux
Several chapters into this and it's easy to see why so many people love Saint Therese.
The Silence by Tim Lebbon
Only two chapters in and I'm not sure what to think of it yet. Not sure that I really like the monsters but I'll withhold judgment for now.
Reposting this because it was buried at the end of the last thread, and because the first chapter of the story proper is now up:
One of the coolest books I read last year wasn't actually published. It was the alpha version of a novel called UNSONG, by Scott Alexander of the blog Slate Star Codex. (He occasionally posts short fiction there. Here are a few to give you some idea of his style: The Witching Hour, ...And I Show You How Deep the Rabbit Hole Goes, The Goddess of Everything Else) How I got to read it is sort of a long story, but readers were asked not to discuss it publicly, since he wasn't sure he'd end up doing anything with it.
Well, now he's publishing the novel in serial form, here: http://unsongbook.com/
Trust me when I say that this story is fucking awesome. Weird and philosophical and hilarious and even beautiful. Add it to your RSS feed or whatever. And... enjoy.
One of the coolest books I read last year wasn't actually published. It was the alpha version of a novel called UNSONG, by Scott Alexander of the blog Slate Star Codex. (He occasionally posts short fiction there. Here are a few to give you some idea of his style: The Witching Hour, ...And I Show You How Deep the Rabbit Hole Goes, The Goddess of Everything Else) How I got to read it is sort of a long story, but readers were asked not to discuss it publicly, since he wasn't sure he'd end up doing anything with it.
Well, now he's publishing the novel in serial form, here: http://unsongbook.com/
Trust me when I say that this story is fucking awesome. Weird and philosophical and hilarious and even beautiful. Add it to your RSS feed or whatever. And... enjoy.
Maklershed
Member
An alpha version? Oh man what if books became like games. It'd be full of misspellings and missing content and you'd have to download patches and updates. And if you preorder you get an extra chapter as a bonus.
Books kind of are like that! You just don't usually see it as a reader. In my critique group I often see misspellings and grammatical errors and so on and just ignore them, because it's (usually) a beta version of the story and the point of the critique is to point out higher level problems with structure or characters, scenes that don't work, stuff that just doesn't make sense, etc.
I'm currently working on a novel that's definitely in alpha, bringing it closer to beta to submit to my crit group. It's got errors, missing content, all kinds of incongruities and inconsistencies. Luckily no one will see it.
BOND CO STOOGE
Member
Books kind of are like that! You just don't usually see it as a reader. In my critique group I often see misspellings and grammatical errors and so on and just ignore them, because it's (usually) a beta version of the story and the point of the critique is to point out higher level problems with structure or characters, scenes that don't work, stuff that just doesn't make sense, etc.
I'm currently working on a novel that's definitely in alpha, bringing it closer to beta to submit to my crit group. It's got errors, missing content, all kinds of incongruities and inconsistencies. Luckily no one will see it.
I lurk the writing challenge threads from time to time, and you had a short story that had me hooked. It started with a couple of guys in a remote outpost, set in space. If I remember correctly, you said it was a small part of something larger you were working on. I hope that's the novel you're working on. I would love to see more of that story.
Who here has picked their 2016 Goodreads Challenge goal? I went with 35 books. 50 in 2014 felt like work at times, and 25 last year didn't even see me through August. I think 35 is quite achievable even with longer books, while not being constricting if I want to take a bit of a reading break.
I finished The Chimes by Charles Dickins today. I tried to finish it up on New Years Day, but that didn't work out, and I was busy yesterday. The book was alright. I can see why it's not one of his more popular works.
For the first time in awhile, I don't have a new book picked out yet. I'm thinking of starting John Scalzi's Old Man's War as it is sitting on my shelf and seems like a pretty quick read. I also have Ancillary Sword and who knows how may other novels waiting for me in my backlog though. My book backlog is only slightly more manageable than my Steam backlog at this point. At least I finish books.
I finished The Chimes by Charles Dickins today. I tried to finish it up on New Years Day, but that didn't work out, and I was busy yesterday. The book was alright. I can see why it's not one of his more popular works.
For the first time in awhile, I don't have a new book picked out yet. I'm thinking of starting John Scalzi's Old Man's War as it is sitting on my shelf and seems like a pretty quick read. I also have Ancillary Sword and who knows how may other novels waiting for me in my backlog though. My book backlog is only slightly more manageable than my Steam backlog at this point. At least I finish books.
Did a re-read of White Line Fever, Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead's autobiography, since he died recently.
It's a very short, breezy kind of book. It reads like Lemmy sat down with a tape recorder and told his life story. Stories frequently broken up by amusing tangents and anecdotes.
It's a very short, breezy kind of book. It reads like Lemmy sat down with a tape recorder and told his life story. Stories frequently broken up by amusing tangents and anecdotes.
Ha, thanks! I think I remember the one you're talking about. I still intend to get back to those characters, but that's not the one I'm working on now. Slightly different space opera-ish setting.
100 books this year! Up from 75. I do count graphic novels though. I didn't read too many last year and I want to start up again. My problem is that if I stop after a few volumes, I forget what's going on.
I'm still working on Pluto, Saga, Chew, Lazarus, Hellboy, Unwritten, Ms. Marvel, The Wicked and the Divine, and Promethea.
100 books this year! Up from 75. I do count graphic novels though. I didn't read too many last year and I want to start up again. My problem is that if I stop after a few volumes, I forget what's going on.
I'm still working on Pluto, Saga, Chew, Lazarus, Hellboy, Unwritten, Ms. Marvel, The Wicked and the Divine, and Promethea.
I just go online and read volume synopses if I get too far out of the loop. I read the first volume of Chew and the first two of Saga. I will eventually get around to going back to them. .Going back to actual novels a couple of years back killed my graphic novel reading.
I haven't found any synopses of the Lazarus volumes.
But yeah, that's one way of doing it.I just want to be able to sit down and go through a whole story from start to finish. Just really expensive to do so. D:
Phrynobatrachus
Neo Member
I read this yesterday, about the writer's experiences as a war correspondent in Vietnam, and it's definitely one of the best books on war I've read. The way he blends anecdotes together gives the book a sense of snapshots from a bad trip, and his writing does a great job at capturing the vibe of the times. Dig it.
About a quarter into this, pretty cool hard sci-fi with an existential philosophy flavor. This is a sequel to his previous novel Blindsight. I read that sometime last year, they're both worth checking out, as well as free on his website.
I had my 2015 goal set at 25, and ended up with 32. That wasn't counting a couple re-reads I did, since I only log the first time I read a book on Goodreads. For 2016 I'm aiming for 30. Aside from that goal, I want to add more nonfiction since last year I only read 2 memoirs and all the rest were novels.
First up for 2016 is The Emperor's Blades by Brian Staveley.
The Christmas break has thrown my reading routine off, so I'm only 10% of the way through The Count of Monte Cristo (which I started . Enjoying it so far, although I'm not convinced the version I'm reading is a great translation - there are what seem to be errors and the structure seems... basic (excuse my poor writing critique).
Still, I will say I've spent the vast majority of that 10% completely aghast. Hoping some light is heading his way as I read on...
Also, less than 50% of my 2015 challenge on Goodreads. Must do better.
Still, I will say I've spent the vast majority of that 10% completely aghast. Hoping some light is heading his way as I read on...
Also, less than 50% of my 2015 challenge on Goodreads. Must do better.
Maklershed
Member
Number45 - my apologies, I DID make a post linking to this thread but I was on my phone at the time and I guess it didn't go through? Sorry about that.
Haha, no problem. I'm usually the one rolling my eyes at people that post in old threads so it's more from embarrassment than anything that I made that comment.
Maklershed
Member
I think I had a bunch of Macallan 12 in me at the time so its very possible I posted that update in a notepad app or some other weird place on my phone and thought I put it in the old thread haha.
I read this yesterday, about the writer's experiences as a war correspondent in Vietnam, and it's definitely one of the best books on war I've read. The way he blends anecdotes together gives the book a sense of snapshots from a bad trip, and his writing does a great job at capturing the vibe of the times. Dig it.
This looks interesting. I think I'll give it a go. thanks
I'm reading The Black Prism by Brent Weeks (top left) but this is the stack of books me and my fiance gave each other for Christmas.
The entire Lightbringer series by Brent Weeks (all signed hard back)
The Eye Of The World by Robert Jordan. We're collecting the entire series in hard back.
Gateway to Fourline by Pam Brondos
Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine
An Ember In The Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
The last three are new authors that we haven't read. We always make a point to try something new. She has already gone through Ink and Bone and recommended it so I'll be giving that a read at some point.
I'm currently splitting time between:
Saga Volume 1 by Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples. Gorgeous, weird, riveting, wonderful.
Golden Fool by Robin Hobb. I loved Fool's Errand, and it just feels so good to be back in this world after a decade's absence.
I liked each volume more than the last, though the sequels certainly take a major left turn in terms of tone and pace. Ancillary Mercy is a wonderful conclusion to the series.
It took me until about 1/3 of the way through AJ before it clicked and I started enjoying it. I ripped through the rest in a couple of days and *loved* the sequels.
Great choice! The conclusion to the series, which is due out later this year, is one of my most anticipated novels. Abraham does a wonderful job of creating a cast of characters that are all flawed, damaged, but utterly believable. Geder is one of the most fascinating characters in modern fantasy.
Saga Volume 1 by Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples. Gorgeous, weird, riveting, wonderful.
Golden Fool by Robin Hobb. I loved Fool's Errand, and it just feels so good to be back in this world after a decade's absence.
I liked each volume more than the last, though the sequels certainly take a major left turn in terms of tone and pace. Ancillary Mercy is a wonderful conclusion to the series.
It took me until about 1/3 of the way through AJ before it clicked and I started enjoying it. I ripped through the rest in a couple of days and *loved* the sequels.
I'm about 150 pages in. So far, so good. The characters are engaging. It's certainly living up the series' name: the Dagger and the Coin. There's quite a lot of political backstabbing and business running. I also like how the book keeps things moving along nicely instead of spending too much time in one place like other fantasy series.
Great choice! The conclusion to the series, which is due out later this year, is one of my most anticipated novels. Abraham does a wonderful job of creating a cast of characters that are all flawed, damaged, but utterly believable. Geder is one of the most fascinating characters in modern fantasy.
PassiveObserver
Member
Getting into a huge rut with Riddley Walker. Can't read more that 5 pages at a time because it's a slog getting through the pidgin English in which the book is written. Still, the mystery of this dystopia is intriguing in spite of my current difficulties. Tag-teaming that right now with Don Delillo's The Names. It's refreshing to read actual English prose. and Delillo writes some of the best.
Starting the third act of
The second act felt like a bunch of short stories, which I wasn't expecting but still an enjoyable read.
Once I'm done that, I'll be following the Idle Book Club,
The second act felt like a bunch of short stories, which I wasn't expecting but still an enjoyable read.
Once I'm done that, I'll be following the Idle Book Club,
Over the holidays I read:
Really short but cute illustrated YA from Gaiman. I'm looking forward to the movie adaption they're making with Johnny Depp.
I read this in one sitting over the holidays, too. Lovely story, with all of the charm I expect from Gaiman's YA and children's stories. Highly recommended.
TimeEffect
Member
Still burning my way through Harry Potter for the first time. On book 4 I think.
In the meantime, anyone have suggestions for books set in colonial America? Particularly to do with Indigenous society and America.
In the meantime, anyone have suggestions for books set in colonial America? Particularly to do with Indigenous society and America.
The Thieftaker Chronicles by D.B. Jackson are pretty good. Not much to do with indigenous society, but good fun in colonial Boston.
Neal Stephenson's The Baroque Cycle is the best I can come up with.
Christoff Yurievich
Member
I decided to bump it to 75 since I hit 86 for the year this time. Helps that I'm reading books to my son at the same time I'm reading my own.
Randolph Freelander
Member
I rang in the new year with the novelization of The Force Awakens, which I finished Saturday evening.
Last night, I started up the original trilogy of Bourne novels. I read the first 2 a few years back, but got sidetracked before getting into the 3rd. Now, I'm starting from scratch since the events of the prior 2 are no longer fresh in memory.
Last night, I started up the original trilogy of Bourne novels. I read the first 2 a few years back, but got sidetracked before getting into the 3rd. Now, I'm starting from scratch since the events of the prior 2 are no longer fresh in memory.
Phrynobatrachus
Neo Member
This isn't a book, but I'd also recommend checking out a documentary called First Kill. Herr is one of the primary interviewees in the film.
PassiveObserver
Member
25. I cleared 30 last year but that was with the help of a couple graphic novels, plus I was steered away from longer books (though I still was able to finish Underworld). This year, I won't shy away from them thick volumes. Might even try to tackle The Sot-Weed Factor.
Empress Dowager Cixi: The Concubine Who Launched Modern China by Jung Chang
Unapologetically biased and attempting to point Empress CiXi as a reformer and woman of the future, yet easy to read and enjoyable. I wouldn't call it a comprehensive history, but it's a decent primer in conjunction with other sources, I suppose.
I've gone with 50 down from 70 last year, which I managed but was counting graphic novels and trade collections of comics. I only managed 18 actual novels and some of those were smaller books but I didn't really start reading them until September. I spent most of the year trying to going through my comics backlog.
It's not something I'm going to stick rigidly to which is something I've learned after doing my first 50/50 GAF challenge a few years ago. Just pick and choose books that sound interesting at that particular moment rather than paying so much attention to word count/page count etc and how long it'll take me to get through. I might even shift the focus of my reading towards scifi a bit this year. Looking back the majority of my reading is fantasy and crime fiction. Could be a nice change.
ClayKavalier
Banned
I'm finally reading Console Wars.
I'm kind of split on how I feel about it. The dialogue is ridiculous, and most of it is going to have to be rewritten for the movie because it'll sound really dumb being said out loud.
At times it feels like it was written assuming the reader is already somewhat knowledgeable about the time period covered. A few times I haven't been sure what systems and games are out at any given time. Especially in chapters where you get a quick summary of what Nintendo has been doing over a period of several years after following Sega for a few chapters it can be hard to keep track of what came out when.
The way the book follows the different companies can be annoying too. The Sega employees often talk about how Genesis is technologically superior to the SNES. My first console was a 64 so I don't know any better and just took that at face value. One night I looked up "SNES vs Genesis" for fun while waiting for a movie to start and was surprised to see that SNES had a slower clock speed than Genesis but was otherwise better in every way technologically. I understand that the author is trying to capture what it was like to work at Sega and Nintendo during the 90s, but I would have appreciated some more objective interludes where he said "OK, here are the facts, now let's see how each side interpreted them" or something like that.
All that said, the book is still really entertaining. I'm about 65% in and Sega is currently going to town teaming up with various enemies that Nintendo made over the years. The author does do a great job of capturing the excitement of taking on a completely dominant company. I'm curious to see what happens for the remaining 45% because reading chapter after chapter of "Sega did this at a press conference! But then Nintendo released this game! And then Sega countered with this ad!" is going to get old, but it's a great story. One that I think will end up being better suited for a movie than a book, but entertaining nonetheless and I'm glad I pick up it.
I'm kind of split on how I feel about it. The dialogue is ridiculous, and most of it is going to have to be rewritten for the movie because it'll sound really dumb being said out loud.
At times it feels like it was written assuming the reader is already somewhat knowledgeable about the time period covered. A few times I haven't been sure what systems and games are out at any given time. Especially in chapters where you get a quick summary of what Nintendo has been doing over a period of several years after following Sega for a few chapters it can be hard to keep track of what came out when.
The way the book follows the different companies can be annoying too. The Sega employees often talk about how Genesis is technologically superior to the SNES. My first console was a 64 so I don't know any better and just took that at face value. One night I looked up "SNES vs Genesis" for fun while waiting for a movie to start and was surprised to see that SNES had a slower clock speed than Genesis but was otherwise better in every way technologically. I understand that the author is trying to capture what it was like to work at Sega and Nintendo during the 90s, but I would have appreciated some more objective interludes where he said "OK, here are the facts, now let's see how each side interpreted them" or something like that.
All that said, the book is still really entertaining. I'm about 65% in and Sega is currently going to town teaming up with various enemies that Nintendo made over the years. The author does do a great job of capturing the excitement of taking on a completely dominant company. I'm curious to see what happens for the remaining 45% because reading chapter after chapter of "Sega did this at a press conference! But then Nintendo released this game! And then Sega countered with this ad!" is going to get old, but it's a great story. One that I think will end up being better suited for a movie than a book, but entertaining nonetheless and I'm glad I pick up it.
davidwhangchoi
Member
The Sky
-Yoshitaka Amano
-Yoshitaka Amano
Atraveller
Banned
That's completely different from what I've been taught in history classes.
I always start with 50, and then up it later.
I had two books carry over from last year that I didn't finish before with Rabelais' Gargantua and Pantagruel and Montaigne's Essays, though I've finished Rabelais since the start of the new year.
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