I'd take a bit of a break first, but Abercrombie's following three novels are all part of that same larger story. Best Served Cold is probably the most loosely related (though it does move forward the overall world narrative), but a lot of the main and ancillary cast members show up in The Heroes and Red Country.
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What are you reading? (August 2014)
- Thread starter Maklershed
- Start date
I'd take a bit of a break first, but Abercrombie's following three novels are all part of that same larger story. Best Served Cold is probably the most loosely related (though it does move forward the overall world narrative), but a lot of the main and ancillary cast members show up in The Heroes and Red Country.
I've been listening to Abercrombie's books, and have just finished The Heroes.
I'm tempted to take a break, just because the unrelenting darkness gets tiring after a while, but Abercrombie manages to keep you going with dark humor, and occasional bright spots and happy moments, in a world that's pretty shit.
I'm actually thinking of getting a different audiobook, finish it, then wrap up Abercrombie with Red Country.
Maybe a lighter and fluffier Fantasy or SF series would be good. I've read most the standard (Dresden, Iron Druid, Thieftaker, etc) SF/F, and much of the Epic ones (although Book of the Fallen is... intense). I'd go for Prince of Thorns, but... again, something lighter and fluffier might be better received. Any suggestions?
The lead character in the Broken Empire trilogy (Prince/King/Emperor of Thorns) is a bigger bastard than most of the characters in Abercrombie's books.
If you want a 180 in tone, you could try something by John Scalzi. I just finished Agent to the Stars, which was an entertaining mix of comedy and sci fi. Redshirts was also pretty good if you are a fan of Star Trek or similar sci fi shows. I have heard good things about Old Man's War as well.
Prince of Thorns' protagonist is... definitely not light and fluffy. hah
Yeah, echoing kswiston's suggestion. Redshirts, by John Scalzi.
whatevermort
Member
I love that book. Really genuinely fun take on the vampire mythos, in a way that I hadn't read before. Not easy.
I'm currently about to finish Authority (like everybody else on this board), which is very good - and, interestingly, I'm seeing far more House Of Leaves in this series than maybe I originally thought that I would - and then it's probably onto Acceptance. Unless I take a break for
Nope. I find his recent books have really dropped off. Dodger was the one that finally made me give up reading them after something like seventeen years
I love that book. Really genuinely fun take on the vampire mythos, in a way that I hadn't read before. Not easy.
I'm currently about to finish Authority (like everybody else on this board), which is very good - and, interestingly, I'm seeing far more House Of Leaves in this series than maybe I originally thought that I would - and then it's probably onto Acceptance. Unless I take a break for
, which I've heard very good things about.
Amen! I am not even a big vampire fan, I think I just love Martin's writing style so much, so easy to read. It really took me to a place where I felt like I was seeing and feeling riverboat life and culture. I loved how it
basically brought you the life and death of river life as well as the life and death of the old vampire way
Finished up Life Among Giants last night, gave it 3.5/5. I still think there is something there to recommend if it sounds interesting to you, but the middle part just dragged on for me. Only near the end did it ever feel like it hit that "What happens next!?" feeling.
Will decide what is next later on.
Will decide what is next later on.
hardcastlemccormick
Banned
Reading Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood.
Good stuff from her as always.
Good stuff from her as always.
Mackenzie 92
Member
Finished it last night and gave it a 3 also. I enjoyed it for the most part but yeah, got a little boring in the middle there.
One little gripe I had
was the way Sylphide died, saw it coming from a mile away
Yeah about the ending
I don't think I saw it coming a mile away, but I was definitely thinking it was not going to end as planned, I wondered if it would've been Kate there.
EverythingShiny
Member
Same. A few posters pointed out the snippets of dialogue from the first book that appear in the second, which is awesome and I probably would have missed. It actually makes me want to re-read House of Leaves. Can't wait to see what Acceptance has in store. Only a few more weeks!
Tragicomedy
Member
Guys, guys, guys!
It has taken me eight books in the Discworld realm, but I finally get it. This book is good. So. Damn. Good.
It is laugh out loud funny. I never laugh when reading a book. Never. My heart is a cold, smooth stone. I don't go for quirky humor. I have enjoyed a few of the previous Discworld books, none of them were stellar must-reads.
Until now. Guards! Guards! is one of the most enjoyable and fun fantasy stories I've ever read. It is awesome. The characters are great. Captain Vimes is the bee's knees. Carrot is hilarious. I want to read a side story focusing exclusively on Sergeant Colon and Corporal Nobbs, and all the ridiculous situations they find themselves in (or cause!).
Everything is so self-aware, and plays off popular fantasy dragon tropes to perfection. Guards! Guards! has single-handedly rekindled my passion for the Discworld series, and I'll be diving immediately into the next book in the series. If this isn't Pratchett's best work, please tell me right now what is!
It has taken me eight books in the Discworld realm, but I finally get it. This book is good. So. Damn. Good.
It is laugh out loud funny. I never laugh when reading a book. Never. My heart is a cold, smooth stone. I don't go for quirky humor. I have enjoyed a few of the previous Discworld books, none of them were stellar must-reads.
Until now. Guards! Guards! is one of the most enjoyable and fun fantasy stories I've ever read. It is awesome. The characters are great. Captain Vimes is the bee's knees. Carrot is hilarious. I want to read a side story focusing exclusively on Sergeant Colon and Corporal Nobbs, and all the ridiculous situations they find themselves in (or cause!).
Everything is so self-aware, and plays off popular fantasy dragon tropes to perfection. Guards! Guards! has single-handedly rekindled my passion for the Discworld series, and I'll be diving immediately into the next book in the series. If this isn't Pratchett's best work, please tell me right now what is!
Dwight Schrute
Member
About to start Pratchett. Would you recommend reading the books in publishing order ?
Yeah, although you don't have to.
Each "storyline" has its own distinct flavor and recurring themes so you can pick and choose. My personal favorites are the Guards, Death and the Witches. Not too fond of Rincewind or the one-offs.
Each "storyline" has its own distinct flavor and recurring themes so you can pick and choose. My personal favorites are the Guards, Death and the Witches. Not too fond of Rincewind or the one-offs.
Personally yes, so long as it's understood that the first two are not representative of any that come after. Reading them in publishing order really brings out all the little jokes and continuity nods that Pratchett fills the world with.
Mackenzie 92
Member
Tragicomedy
Member
Without question. I realize you can follow individual storylines as branches within the series, but don't! Every book builds off of characters and concepts introduced in previous ones.
It may not be essential to read them in publication order, but you will miss out on so much if you don't. The same characters, locations, and ideas pop up time and time again. Pratchett clearly wrote his novels with the understanding that his reader would be familiar with what came before.
Having said that, the quality of the first couple of books is several steps below what follows. They aren't bad books, but the writing is a bit sloppier and the stories meander more. Also, the humor isn't nearly as effective or refined.
fredrancour
Member
Well I think my reading order so far has gone 1- long time gap-4-33-reread 1 due to intervening years-34- 8 (in progress)
The reading order doesn't seem to matter all that much for enjoyment, as long as you start with a beginning of some sub-story. I guess reading 1 first was kind of helpful for general disc knowledge.
The constant references have worked equally well as humorous references when I already knew what they were talking about, and as further development of a concept when I gained new info.
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=876953
Just wanted to make sure you guys saw this. Our own aidan, who you probably know from posting in these threads, has won a Hugo Award.
Thanks, all! I'm still sort of reeling from the weekend. Here's a picture of the trophy (and an empty cup)!
Tragicomedy
Member
You're the man! Super happy for you.
hardcastlemccormick
Banned
And a well deserved tag! Congrats.
Two ebook bundles:
Humble Bookperk Bundle
Storybundle Video Game Bundle
Any good books here?
That Humble Bundle is pretty good.
I know Cyan champions the sequel here quite a bit, but I thought Curse of the Chalion was a FANTASTIC read.
Dwight Schrute
Member
Tsk tsk on you! Quite a few of the books I have read have had me in hysterics!
Perhaps they shall be next. Would work to burn through them before the season starts. Will see when I browse my Kobo later.
edit: Also, grats aidan! That is one awesome trophy to display.
sparky2112
Member
Dammit, Tragic, stop adding shit to my to-read list. I'm in (starting at the beginning, of course). Will report back.
Starting
I really enjoyed the Darth Bane books, which surprised me because I thought nearly every SW EU book sucked, save Zahn's books.
I'm really only starting to get in to the EU books, I've heard very good things about the Darth Bane trilogy - so I'll start with that and see where I go from there. I have picked up Heir to the Empire too, but I kind of want to avoid any post-ROTJ stories until after Episode VII, even though they're non-canon, I just want to go in to it completely fresh.
Arthr2ShdsJcksn
Banned
Just read the first essay in David Foster Wallace's 'A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again'.
This should be right up my alley, but his writings always rub me the wrong way.
This should be right up my alley, but his writings always rub me the wrong way.
backflip10019
Member
Heh, I'm reading this now, too. About halfway through the cruise essay and I'm enjoying it (though he does put a dark spin on everything). I'm going to reserve judgment until I finish the entire compilation. Really hoping I enjoy it, too, because I bought Infinite Jest a while back when it was on sale.
nakedsushi
Member
Thanks, all! I'm still sort of reeling from the weekend. Here's a picture of the trophy (and an empty cup)!
Was this picture taken in an interrogation cell in jail? My, how you've fallen in such a short time. (kidding)
Also, found the recording of Aidan accepting his award! http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/51500276 (around 00:46:00)
You know how when you start a book, you kind of have an idea where it's going? Then sometimes, it takes a completely different turn. It becomes a completely different book than you expected, but you still can't stop reading it?
We Are Not Ourselves by Matthew Thomas
Yep, it's one of those books. I'm a little more than halfway in. Even though it's taken an even darker turn, it's still really, really good. Highly recommended if you like a good cry once in a while.
Haha. That's where I was taken when I tried to take the award through customs at the airport.
Just kidding. That was back stage at the awards.
If you're not into it yet, It might not be your kind of thing.
It took me a while to get into it, mostly because there were so many POV characters to get accustomed to, but by the halfway point I was totally addicted.
I think Zahn's trilogy (his other SW books are good to, but not as good) make up the best SW story to be had in any medium. Give them a read!
Glad you enjoyed it. True story: I first came to Guards! Guards! in hospital after abdominal surgery. My wife sat beside the bed and read it to me. A terrible mistake. We were both in tears laughing, then I'd have to lean over to hold my stitches because I felt sure I'd popped them. This went on for a week. Laughter mixed with OW OW okay just one more page.
Wonderful book.
Steles of the Sky, by Elizabeth Bear
Prince of Fools, by Mark Lawrence
The Widow's House, by Daniel Abraham
Had free time and blasted through these in the last two months. I enjoyed them all.
You're a good person.
Maklershed
Member
Finished Galveston this morning. Fantastic book. Loved it. I felt like it had a lot of elements of James Ellroy, which is a great thing in my opinion. Can't wait to read more from Pizzolatto.
Started Drood. Only 10% in so far and really enjoying it. Also, I appreciated the call out to
.
Drood by Dan Simmons
Started Drood. Only 10% in so far and really enjoying it. Also, I appreciated the call out to
The Terror
Drood by Dan Simmons
Hypnopompy
Member
The Gunslinger.
It's rather dull so far. I'll stick with it though as The Dark Tower series does sound like something that will tickle my fancy and it's a relatively short book.
It's rather dull so far. I'll stick with it though as The Dark Tower series does sound like something that will tickle my fancy and it's a relatively short book.
EverythingShiny
Member
What'd you think of the ending? I thought it was quite fitting.
The Drawing of Three was a lot more entertaining than The Dark Tower. I will have to finish that series some day. Never read past book 4.