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[Heartfyre]

Currently reading through Fool's Quest by Robin Hobb. I've had the book since it released last August (even got a numbered/signed edition of it), but I've only gotten around to reading it now. It's the second book of the third trilogy with the same characters I've been following for the last eleven years now, but it's still marvelous. Actually, despite reading everything that Robin Hobb has put out, I felt that she had been in a rut ever since the Soldier's Son Trilogy. No book in that series, or any that followed, really captured the same quality as her past books, I felt. While I definitely enjoyed the first book of this trilogy, Fool's Assassin, I still felt it hadn't fully regained its standing.

However, with this book, Robin has done it. The book has its claws in me and I've had a lot of late nights because of it. I feel just like I did when I was reading her first three trilogies, ad it's great to experience that again. It's a massive book, though. I'm nearly 300 pages in, but I have more than double that to go. Even at the pace I'm going, I know I have many weeks left in it.

 

[aravuus]

Eh, having read the first 6 written (so not the prequels) he starts laying some ground work right there from the start.
But agreed the books move at a very satisfying pace. Not the highest class of fantasy, but great fun in my opinion.

Well, that's even better! It's not incredibly deep so far, yeah, but a lot of fun. Hope it keeps up with the rest of the series!

 

[Olli128]

Currently reading through Fool's Quest by Robin Hobb. I've had the book since it released last August (even got a numbered/signed edition of it), but I've only gotten around to reading it now. It's the second book of the third trilogy with the same characters I've been following for the last eleven years now, but it's still marvelous. Actually, despite reading everything that Robin Hobb has put out, I felt that she had been in a rut ever since the Soldier's Son Trilogy. No book in that series, or any that followed, really captured the same quality as her past books, I felt. While I definitely enjoyed the first book of this trilogy, Fool's Assassin, I still felt it hadn't fully regained its standing.

However, with this book, Robin has done it. The book has its claws in me and I've had a lot of late nights because of it. I feel just like I did when I was reading her first three trilogies, ad it's great to experience that again. It's a massive book, though. I'm nearly 300 pages in, but I have more than double that to go. Even at the pace I'm going, I know I have many weeks left in it.

I just finished that, it was great but now I'm sad I have to wait for the next one. I'm struggling to find good, completed fantasy series that I haven't read now so if anyone has any recommendations in that vein in appreciate them.

 

[Kill3r7]

Finished the Riyria Revelations and a collapse. Currently reading Shadow of the Torturer.

 

[Maklershed]

While I agree that Dune isn't a YA, you do know that YA novels can have complex themes and ideas, right? His Dark Materials, Chaos Walking, The Lie Tree - these books aren't exactly a breeze. (And I say this as somebody who's written a lot of adult literary SF novels, and a YA series - my YA is no less complex than the adult. Perhaps those themes aren't as buried, but regardless: I still want to make readers of all ages think.)

ANYWAY: I've read This Census-Taker, and it's not good. I think half of China's writing is amazing, and half of it's less than (where the only terrible thing is The Kraken), but this is definitely lesser. It's basically The Buried Giant: a literary fantasy about memory and storytelling. But the end is weak, and there's a lot of set up that never seems to go anywhere. I felt quite cheated, actually. Not his finest hour.

On the other hand: The Hollow Man, by Oliver Harris, is a blast. It's a really clean, efficient crime thriller about corruption and money, but absolutely pitch-dark in how the protagonist lives and thinks. Very impressive stuff that gets admirably weird.

whatevermort, I must know - what is spaghetti hoops on mushy bread? Are spaghetti hoops spaghetti-o's? And what exactly is mushy bread? I mean I can obviously guess from the context but how/why is it mushy? Is this a common thing in the UK?

 

[paradise_circus]

Also started this in print:

It's so good. The prose is gorgeous, to the point that it comes alive in your head like a good Steven Spielberg movie. It's one of the most readable, immediately engaging books I've encountered in a bit.

I'm almost completed the book and I was surprised how beautiful the book was written. Tbh, I bought the book simply by it's name because it sounded like the story will be profound in scientific reasoning. (I was drunk ¯\_(&#12484_/¯)

 

[Dwight Schrute]

Currently reading through Fool's Quest by Robin Hobb. I've had the book since it released last August (even got a numbered/signed edition of it), but I've only gotten around to reading it now. It's the second book of the third trilogy with the same characters I've been following for the last eleven years now, but it's still marvelous. Actually, despite reading everything that Robin Hobb has put out, I felt that she had been in a rut ever since the Soldier's Son Trilogy. No book in that series, or any that followed, really captured the same quality as her past books, I felt. While I definitely enjoyed the first book of this trilogy, Fool's Assassin, I still felt it hadn't fully regained its standing.

However, with this book, Robin has done it. The book has its claws in me and I've had a lot of late nights because of it. I feel just like I did when I was reading her first three trilogies, ad it's great to experience that again. It's a massive book, though. I'm nearly 300 pages in, but I have more than double that to go. Even at the pace I'm going, I know I have many weeks left in it.

Ohhh, thanks for the impressions ! I LOVED the first trilogy, but was not really hooked with the second one... Might get this one then !

 

[aravuus]

Finished the Riyria Revelations and a collapse. Currently reading Shadow of the Torturer.

How did you like RR as a series? Got better as you got further, worse, stayed about the same? Going by the GR scores they seem to get even better later on, but then again, I suppose only the people who like the first books tend to read the rest too.

 

[Kill3r7]

How did you like RR as a series? Got better as you got further, worse, stayed about the same? Going by the GR scores they seem to get even better later on, but then again, I suppose only the people who like the first books tend to read the rest too.

The writing got better with each book, it is very accessible. The 6th book for the most part (Percepliquis) felt like a poor man's Fellowship of the Ring which is definitely not a bad thing. The ending was a bit predictable. The series overall was fun but it lacked any real depth. Also, I thought it suffered from being a bit too cookie cutter. Not the best fantasy series out there but you certainly could do worse. I would give it a 3/5.

 

[Cade]

As I'm playing through Dead Space atm and confirming Space Horror is the best genre..
I need more books in this genre.

I've read Ship of Fools which was incredible, and I've debated picking up Hull Zero Three. But is there any other space horror you guys would recommend? Preferably spaceship/in-space based vs. on an alien world, but I'm flexible.

---

I finished the third Jack Reacher book. Pretty decent. I know I'll end up reading the whole series because they're perfect side books/palate cleanser books while you work on something large.
Still reading House of Leaves, and I love it, but man does it vary wildly in how interesting it is.

 

[Maklershed]

As I'm playing through Dead Space atm and confirming Space Horror is the best genre..
I need more books in this genre.

I've read Ship of Fools which was incredible, and I've debated picking up Hull Zero Three. But is there any other space horror you guys would recommend? Preferably spaceship/in-space based vs. on an alien world, but I'm flexible.

Co-signed! I asked for recs like this a few months ago and unfortunately there isn't much out there. Last time I asked someone recommended Dead Space Martyr which was pretty good. Unfortunately its set on Earth but it gives some back story to the Church and the marker.

I would also like some Eldritch horror recommendations or a rec for the best Lovecraft compilation on kindle.

 

[Cade]

Co-signed! I asked for recs like this a few months ago and unfortunately there isn't much out there. Last time I asked someone recommended Dead Space Martyr which was pretty good. Unfortunately its set on Earth but it gives some back story to the Church and the marker.

I would also like some Eldritch horror recommendations or a rec for the best Lovecraft compilation on kindle.

Yeah I was thinking I'd probably end up reading the Dead Space books just cause there's not a lot in the genre. Thanks for the rec.


IIRC the best Lovecraft compilation is one that a fan did for free since it's all public domain stuff. I need to get back to reading Lovecraft as I bought the huge Barnes and Noble collection and only read a handful.

I did just pick up Stephen King's Revival from the library which I hear goes Lovecraft-y at some point, so I'm excited for that.

 

[aravuus]

The writing got better with each book, it is very accessible. The 6th book for the most part (Percepliquis) felt like a poor man's Fellowship of the Ring which is definitely not a bad thing. The ending was a bit predictable. The series overall was fun but it lacked any real depth. Also, I thought it suffered from being a bit too cookie cutter. Not the best fantasy series out there but you certainly could do worse. I would give it a 3/5.

Awesome, sounds like it'll more or less be like I've expected! Nice to read some lighter fantasy stuff every now and then, I gotta say. Might even finish the first two books this weekend, if all goes well.

 

[Ikuu]

Finished City of Blades, really liked it, preferred the first half to the second. Now reading:

 

[pootle]

I've nearly finished The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers. It's alright. It's light and engaging and made a good holiday read.

Finished it a couple of days ago and didn't get on with it at all. I was expecting a grand space opera full of escapism and adventure but it's just a really predictable series of vignettes where each character gets their turn exploring how open mindedness in the face of prejudice is a good thing. Over and over again.

I'm now getting into The City & The City. It never really appealed to me though I like the Chine Meiville that I've read but I'm really enjoying it so far.

 

[nailbombxx]

Co-signed! I asked for recs like this a few months ago and unfortunately there isn't much out there. Last time I asked someone recommended Dead Space Martyr which was pretty good. Unfortunately its set on Earth but it gives some back story to the Church and the marker.

I would also like some Eldritch horror recommendations or a rec for the best Lovecraft compilation on kindle.

You can find Lovecraft's complete fiction for free for your kindle because everything is in the public domain. Dive in. If you haven't read much Lovecraft before I recommend starting with The Colour Out of Space, The Call of Cthulhu and The Dunwich Horror.

If you want more like Lovecraft, then look into the works of Arthur Machen and Algernon Blackwood. Both authors were huge influences upon Lovecraft, their work usually concerns themselves with mysticism in nature and the supernatural horrors that it holds beyond our awareness. For Machen, start with the The Great God Pan and, my personal favorite, The White People (both found in The House of Souls). As for Blackwood, start with The Willows and The Wendigo. All incredible stories.

Though they aren't overtly Lovecraftian in style: why Lovecraft was influenced by them is very apparent, as they excel at many things that he wished to accomplish with his own stories. The Great God Pan and The Willows are perhaps the foundations of cosmic horror that Lovecraft built upon. While The White People is a masterpiece of the power of subtlety and suggestion.

If you're looking for more modern stuff in the style of Lovecraft, there is a sort of renaissance for "weird" and "Lovecraftian" fiction at the moment so there is absolutely no lack of quality material to read. To start with, grab one of Laird Barron's short story collections, perhaps The Imago Sequence and Other Stories

 

[Cade]

Oh man, and if you haven't read the Southern Reach trilogy, Maklershed, do that.

I need to reread it.

 

[Maklershed]

You can find Lovecraft's complete fiction for free for your kindle because everything is in the public domain. Dive in. If you haven't read much Lovecraft before I recommend starting with The Colour Out of Space, The Call of Cthulhu and The Dunwich Horror.

If you want more like Lovecraft, then look into the works of Arthur Machen and Algernon Blackwood. Both authors were huge influences upon Lovecraft, their work usually concerns themselves with mysticism in nature and the supernatural horrors that it holds beyond our awareness. For Machen, start with the The Great God Pan and, my personal favorite, The White People (both found in The House of Souls). As for Blackwood, start with The Willows and The Wendigo. All incredible stories.

Though they aren't overtly Lovecraftian in style: why Lovecraft was influenced by them is very apparent, as they excel at many things that he wished to accomplish with his own stories. The Great God Pan and The Willows are perhaps the foundations of cosmic horror that Lovecraft built upon. While The White People is a masterpiece of the power of subtlety and suggestion.

If you're looking for more modern stuff in the style of Lovecraft, there is a sort of renaissance for "weird" and "Lovecraftian" fiction at the moment so there is absolutely no lack of quality material to read. To start with, grab one of Laird Barron's short story collections, perhaps The Imago Sequence and Other Stories

Wow, thanks for the detailed post. I'll look into all of that. I read At the Mountains of Madness and really enjoyed it so I'm looking forward to checking out more.

Oh man, and if you haven't read the Southern Reach trilogy, Maklershed, do that.

I need to reread it.

Already read through it. Thank you though. The first two books were incredible and I really loved them but then left a bit disappointed with book 3 and the conclusion. To be quite honest I'm not sure I even knew what was happening per se .. but then again I'm not all that bright.

 

[fakefaker]

Finished up Thunder Road by Chadwick Ginther last night and thought it was a pretty easy fun read. And now embracing the end of existence with Countdown City by Ben H. Winters.

 

[KodaRuss]

Got about 10% into this before I had to quit. I was looking forward to this because I always thought the world of Night Vale was funny and interesting but the way it's presented in the podcast was always just confusing and scattershot. I was really hoping the book would be different but it really tries to put as many weird things in every paragraph as possible. I somehow had hopes this would be different in hopes that it would somehow be in a different POV than a Night Vale resident but i tends up just coming off as more narration on the radio.

I am currently reading this (Welcome to the Night Vale). Never heard of the podcast before so I really had no idea what I was getting into. I have found it pretty funny for the most part and obviously really off the wall weird. Different than anything else I have ever read that is for sure.

 

[whatevermort]

whatevermort, I must know - what is spaghetti hoops on mushy bread? Are spaghetti hoops spaghetti-o's? And what exactly is mushy bread? I mean I can obviously guess from the context but how/why is it mushy? Is this a common thing in the UK?

It's exactly that. Heinz spaghetti hoops on bread that's gone mushy from the tomato sauce. But also that should probably be toast, not bread - though I have eaten them on bread. I can't remember putting that into a book, but I'm guessing I did. Which one? God.

 

[BorkBork]

Switching between two books at the same time. A quarter into both.


What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami

Had no idea he was such a hardcore runner. Really great reflections on his process and motivations.


The Castle of Crossed Destinies by Italo Calvino

Calvino was a wizard. Such a good storyteller.

 

[Maklershed]

It's exactly that. Heinz spaghetti hoops on bread that's gone mushy from the tomato sauce. But also that should probably be toast, not bread - though I have eaten them on bread. I can't remember putting that into a book, but I'm guessing I did. Which one? God.

The Machine. It's something Beth feeds Vic. Never heard of that combo before but I want to try it now. I haven't had spaghetti-ohs in 20+ years and I remember liking them.

 

[whatevermort]

The Machine. It's something Beth feeds Vic. Never heard of that combo before but I want to try it now. I haven't had spaghetti-ohs in 20+ years and I remember liking them.

Yeah, that makes sense. Easy to eat. The bread goes soft in the soupy tomato sauce and it's a big mushy mess. Easy to feed to somebody who can't really chew - like baby food. Glad I didn't balls that one up. (Sometimes people will say, What did X mean?, and I'll honestly be a bit clueless. So much of writing is in a bubble and it's easy to forget intent in details...)

 

[mu cephei]

Finished it a couple of days ago and didn't get on with it at all. I was expecting a grand space opera full of escapism and adventure but it's just a really predictable series of vignettes where each character gets their turn exploring how open mindedness in the face of prejudice is a good thing. Over and over again.

Yeah, I agree with you. I thought the ideas were shallowly explored and the world-building was undeveloped and very unrealistic. The story was pretty non-existent and ridiculously coincidental. I found it overwhelmingly nice. But I feel like an arse being critical of a book about how being open-minded, compassionate, forgiving, and nice is a good thing, and nice is nice sometimes

 

[Mumei]

.

I don't know why you erased this between the time I saw the post this morning and now, but to answer the question: Yes.

 

[Jintor]

Girl with Curious Hair by David Foster Wallace

I only liked about half and a bit of the short stories, but jesus, when he hooks you he doesn't let go.

 

[Kodiak]

Finished this today. Loved it. Just the right balance of themes / character / world building / and length for me. First time with Le Guin and I can see myself becoming a big fan. If anyone has recommendations for other authors with a similar world view, I would love some recommendations.

Started Tombs of Atuan tonight, loving it so far. Seems darker and more of a slow burn than the first.

Has anyone around here read Octavia E. Butler? Would you recommend her? Also curious about Terry Gilliam but I'm not really that interested in satire / slapstick humor.

 

[Nuke Soda]

City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett- I really, really, really liked this book. Great setting, fun characters, and it didn't hit any lulls. If you like fantasy you should probably check this one out.

 

[vityaz]

Got myself a Kindle Paperwhite 3, so I've been reading a lot more lately. Checking out some mystery stuff, right now by japanese authors.

I just finished Malice: A Mystery by Keigo Higashino. Very easy and enjoyable read.

Now reading Inspector Imanishi Investigates by Seicho Matsumoto.

 

[Lynx_7]

So, after finishing Crime and Punishment I'll probably pick up something a little more light hearted. Maybe "The Restaurant at the End of the Universe", it's about time I continued this series.

After that, though, I'm planning on another gargantuam reading. I just bought The Count of Monte Cristo, which I've reading nothing but people raving about how it's one of the best things they've ever read and I've always wanted to try it, and War and Peace, which is regarded as one of the greats but most people seem to agree it's a fairly "tiresome" read.
I'm currently leaning more towards the Count, but I'm still not sure.

 

[Funyarinpa]

House Of Leaves, whoa, shit is gigantic.

 

[MultiJhonny]

So, after finishing Crime and Punishment I'll probably pick up something a little more light hearted. Maybe "The Restaurant at the End of the Universe", it's about time I continued this series.

After that, though, I'm planning on another gargantuam reading. I just bought The Count of Monte Cristo, which I've reading nothing but people raving about how it's one of the best things they've ever read and I've always wanted to try it, and War and Peace, which is regarded as one of the greats but most people seem to agree it's a fairly "tiresome" read.
I'm currently leaning more towards the Count, but I'm still not sure.

Count of Monte Cristo is my favorite novel of all time so I vote that. War and Peace is incredible but more emotionally draining. Both are large novels though.


Also I have decided to read (for the nth time) this little known series The Lord of the Rings. Pretty sure none of you have ever heard of it.

 

[AaronB]

I've been in the mood for fantasy and sci-fi lately, and conveniently I love the Warhammer Fantasy universe (especially Gotrek and Felix, and anything with dwarves), and the Warhammer 40k universe.

In 40k, I've read through the Gaunt's Ghosts series by Dan Abnett and the Caiphas Cain series by Sandy Mitchell. I recommend both very highly. The quality of the writing is extremely high. They are both military sci-fi with a lot of action, and both focused on commissars (the political officers of the 40k human army, who maintain discipline through summary executions when necessary). However, the tone and style of the two series are very different.

Gaunt is more serious, more military-focused, and most of the action is focused on his brigade of about 2000 troops who are a small part of a huge campaign against Chaos. About a dozen or so become prominent at any given time, but this author kills off characters like it was Game of Thrones.

Cain is more lighthearted - the titular character is mainly interested in keeping his own skin in one piece, yet keeps finding himself in situations where heroic bold action is the only way to achieve that. He has a lot of run-ins with the alien races of the universe, like Tau, Orks, Tyranids, and Necrons. Most of each book focuses on the actions of Cain, his aide, and maybe a few comrades, although his brigade does a lot of fighting in larger-scale engagements.

 

[brawly]

(German language, title means: The way of the tiger - understand why you're special and reach any goal with ease)

Quite nice so far. I never gave much thought to stuff like this but so far he made very good points, like how your own thoughts are used (by yourself) against you, that stuff from the past has no bearings on the present, how you suffer the most from other people's criticism, how reality isn't what it is, but what we think it is etc. Not groundbreaking discoveries but well worth thinking about. I also love the way he incorporates the tiger (as the title would suggest) and tales and wisdom from shaolins.

 

[ClosingADoor]

Finished The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window And Disappeared
Pretty fun read. Could have been a little shorter I think.

On to City of Blades

 

[Mackenzie 92]

Fractured Era: Legacy Code Bundle (Books 1-3) by Autumn Kalquist

Picked this up on a whim for a buck and really enjoyed all 3.

 

[Soulfire]

Just finished up The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde, love his stuff.

Debating on whether or not I want to read Carry On by Rainbow Rowell or Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Still reading Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion. It's interesting but can be dry.

 

[HStallion]

Oh man, and if you haven't read the Southern Reach trilogy, Maklershed, do that.

I need to reread it.

I'm reading Annihilation, almost done and I like it but so far feels like a riff on the idea from a Roadside Picnic but hasn't done anything for me yet.

The central mystery doesn't seem like it will be resolved in this book but it's going to have to end strong for me to keep going.

 

[Mumei]

After that, though, I'm planning on another gargantuam reading. I just bought The Count of Monte Cristo, which I've reading nothing but people raving about how it's one of the best things they've ever read and I've always wanted to try it, and War and Peace, which is regarded as one of the greats but most people seem to agree it's a fairly "tiresome" read.
I'm currently leaning more towards the Count, but I'm still not sure.

I vote for The Count of Monte Cristo. War and Peace is great, too, but Monte Cristo is just so much fun.

 

[GK86]

I finished up 'What We Left Behind (Z is for Zombie Book 1)', I enjoyed it, but I don't think enough to continue with the series. It felt too simplistic.

For a zombie book, there wasn't really any suspense, nothing kept me at the edge of my seat, save for one moment towards the end. The other big thing is the "victory" was way too easy.

The world wasn't interesting and the characters were forgettable, I thought. The zombies were kinda interesting, but the author barely did anything with them.

 

[Maklershed]

NEW THREAD IS UP

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1178063

NEW THREAD IS UP