I'm absolutely loving it so far, definitely clicking on a lot of different areas that appeal to me, so I hope that continues to the end.
And Steelheart does sound neat, maybe that'll be my Sanderson introduction one day.
-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
What are you reading? (September 2013)
- Thread starter Maklershed
- Start date
I'm absolutely loving it so far, definitely clicking on a lot of different areas that appeal to me, so I hope that continues to the end.
And Steelheart does sound neat, maybe that'll be my Sanderson introduction one day.
You probably get about 2 - 3 from Sanderson per year. I think it's because he looks at being an author as an 8 - 5 job just like any other job.
And that is why he annoys the hell out of me. I wish he was a bit more focused so he could finish off a series faster. Regardless I'll have to check this new book out, although I hear it is more "Y" than "A".
Yeah, he's a machine. Part of his high work pensum comes from sticking to a tight formula. Its a good formula, but structurally his works are very similar. Different settings and magic systems allow variety.
Steelheart, on that note, is strikingly similar to Mistborn. As the third book will be called Calamity the parallels seem to be even more obvious.
Steelheart, on that note, is strikingly similar to Mistborn. As the third book will be called Calamity the parallels seem to be even more obvious.
Finished The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. I was a little underwhelmed by the twist, it is so renowned that I was constantly thinking of the most unlikely suspects. I predicted the killer pretty early on unfortunately.
Though there were some revelations towards the end that were quite clever.
I still really enjoyed reading it, I just love Agatha Christie's writing. Every time a pick up one of her books I fly through them. Now with the Poirot TV show still running, I can watch the TV versions of the stories after I'm done.
I think I'll read A Study in Scarlet next. Seems like an appropriate time with Elementary starting up again tonight.
Though there were some revelations towards the end that were quite clever.
I still really enjoyed reading it, I just love Agatha Christie's writing. Every time a pick up one of her books I fly through them. Now with the Poirot TV show still running, I can watch the TV versions of the stories after I'm done.
I think I'll read A Study in Scarlet next. Seems like an appropriate time with Elementary starting up again tonight.
Mackenzie 92
Member
apparently I pre-ordered steelheart and forgot about it lol.
guess I might start that next after sisters brothers which is great. glad i picked it up during the daily.
guess I might start that next after sisters brothers which is great. glad i picked it up during the daily.
Last night I finished The Way of Kings by Brandon "The Machine" Sanderson and, as expected, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Sanderson knows what makes epic doorstop fantasy tick and has well and truly sold me on reading the other nine volumes in the saga, with my pre-order for Words of Radiance already secured. In particular, the final section of the book with the epilogue chapters featured some damn compelling hooks to ensure the reader comes back for more.
That said, having read roughly 4000 pages of Sanderson so far this year, I'm looking forward to holding off on more until the next Stormlight Archive volume drops in March. Also, while I enjoyed all 1280 pages of The Way of Kings, I swore about halfway through that I was going to follow it up with a few sub-200 page crime novels to cleanse the palate.
I just started up The Getaway by Jim Thompson, which I recently picked up used after thinking to myself, "You know, I've never read Jim Thompson. Also, I think I might be needing some sub-200 page crime novels on hand in the near future." At all of 25 pages in things are happening at a fast pace (not to mention at various points along a timeline of events), the writing is thoroughly hard boiled (in a mid-50s sort of way), and I get the feeling things are going to go horribly wrong in short order. In other words, things are off with a bang, which is just what I was in the mood for.
FnordChan
That said, having read roughly 4000 pages of Sanderson so far this year, I'm looking forward to holding off on more until the next Stormlight Archive volume drops in March. Also, while I enjoyed all 1280 pages of The Way of Kings, I swore about halfway through that I was going to follow it up with a few sub-200 page crime novels to cleanse the palate.
I just started up The Getaway by Jim Thompson, which I recently picked up used after thinking to myself, "You know, I've never read Jim Thompson. Also, I think I might be needing some sub-200 page crime novels on hand in the near future." At all of 25 pages in things are happening at a fast pace (not to mention at various points along a timeline of events), the writing is thoroughly hard boiled (in a mid-50s sort of way), and I get the feeling things are going to go horribly wrong in short order. In other words, things are off with a bang, which is just what I was in the mood for.
FnordChan
I think it's that epic doorstop nature that is making it an exceptionally slow read for me. I'm enjoying parts of it though, and think I will enjoy it as a whole once I get finished with it....probably by the time the next one comes out.
Brave Story was the most recent book I read. Excellent story and excellent writing overall.
Magazine-wise: a few weeks ago, I found around 70 or so Nintendo Powers (varying from the late 90s to the last issue) in a library lobby. Anyone could take them for free. So I stuffed them all in a box and I've been reading through them all since. Now I want to collect more Nintendo Powers and other gaming magazines.
Magazine-wise: a few weeks ago, I found around 70 or so Nintendo Powers (varying from the late 90s to the last issue) in a library lobby. Anyone could take them for free. So I stuffed them all in a box and I've been reading through them all since. Now I want to collect more Nintendo Powers and other gaming magazines.
I just started up The Getaway by Jim Thompson, which I recently picked up used after thinking to myself, "You know, I've never read Jim Thompson. Also, I think I might be needing some sub-200 page crime novels on hand in the near future." At all of 25 pages in things are happening at a fast pace (not to mention at various points along a timeline of events), the writing is thoroughly hard boiled (in a mid-50s sort of way), and I get the feeling things are going to go horribly wrong in short order. In other words, things are off with a bang, which is just what I was in the mood for.
FnordChan
Have you read Thompson's The Killer Inside Me?
read this. thought it was pretty good. it's a semi-autobiographical first person account of a japanese young adult dealing with his homosexuality in a society where the idea of identifying as gay didn't exist. it's really intense psycologically and the scenes where he develops his first infuation with a guy and its portrayal of being in a false relationship with a women out of obligation are really vivid and fascinating. loved the ambigious ending too. unfortunately i found it to be marred by a slightly poor translation, the prose didn't flow as well as in the other mishima i've read 'thirst for love' which had a different translator to confessions of a mask.
Nope, The Getaway is the first thing I've ever ready by Thompson and I'm only about a quarter of the way through. I know The Killer Inside Me as the novel he's most famous for, but that's about it. Would you recommend it?
FnordChan
Yes, that's pretty much what I meant. Thanks for the info.
Tawney Bomb
Member
Just finished 11/22/63 and while I think it dragged on a little bit, I enjoyed it overall.
Reading A Feast for Crows now and while it seems slow, I'm liking it as well.
Planning to read The Shining next.
Reading A Feast for Crows now and while it seems slow, I'm liking it as well.
Planning to read The Shining next.
Tragicomedy
Member
Let us know how it is.
I'm halfway through Steelheart, and it has been a fun ride. A bit YA on some of the dialogue and inner monologue of the protagonist, but it has a great setting and really likable characters.
Switch Back 9
a lot of my threads involve me fucking up somehow. Perhaps I'm a moron?
Do you guys have any rec's for books on Rome?
Nothing super dry preferably, the more engaging the better.
Cheers kids.
Also, my stupid library doesn't have any "The Book of the New Sun" and I'm really fiending for some escapist lit at the moment.
Nothing super dry preferably, the more engaging the better.
Cheers kids.
Also, my stupid library doesn't have any "The Book of the New Sun" and I'm really fiending for some escapist lit at the moment.
Yes!
It's ... disturbing. Thompson does an amazing job presenting the novel from the first-person perspective of a truly disturbed mind.
Finished up The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold, which was a entertaining, if slightly sluggish, read. Lots of great characters, interesting twists on the average fantasy novel in terms of narrative structure.
Started Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie:
It's as good as early reviews have been suggesting.
Started Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie:
It's as good as early reviews have been suggesting.
60 pages into The Getaway and this does not surprise me, as one of the characters is more than a tad bit disturbed. Sounds great and I'll be checking it out in the not too distant future. Thanks for the recommendation!
I liked The Curse of Chalion quite a bit, but I enjoyed the sequel, Paladin of Souls, even more. And, since it won the Hugo, Nebula, and Locus awards for best novel, I'm not the only one! So, I'd highly recommend putting Paladin of Souls in your reading queue. Bujold also wrote a third novel in the Chalion universe, The Hallowed Hunt, but while it's a solid read I wouldn't say it's crucial.
FnordChan
Mackenzie 92
Member
Finished up The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold, which was a entertaining, if slightly sluggish, read. Lots of great characters, interesting twists on the average fantasy novel in terms of narrative structure.
Started Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie:
It's as good as early reviews have been suggesting.
Hmm saw that on NetGalley. Sounds kinda cool, might check it out.
FullMetaltech
Member
Just finished reading Insane City by Dave Barry. Its a funny story and its similar to The Hangover plots. Now begininning Lunatics by him too.
Jag
Member
Ooh, that looks really good. Looking for something new, fun and spacey.
Head of Vengarl
Banned
I'm fucking up, man. I have three half-finished books on my shelf. This has never happened to me before.
On Industrial Society and its Future by Theodore Kaczynski
I went in expecting the ramblings of a mad man, but so far (I'm maybe 1/4th in) it has been surprisingly sharp. So far he hasn't mentioned his this though and I guess him trying to justify them will be where it starts to fall apart.
Solon Solute
Neo Member
Ordered The Blade Itself because of all the hype and whatnot, and just being a few pages in the writing is sorta meh. Will keep going.
That rave from the Tor blog convinced me to pre-order this from Amazon. The summation of the review and one of the follow-up comments are what really sold it:
Liz Bourke said:
Anarkey said:
God knows when I'm going to get to it, but I'm certainly looking forward to it!
FnordChan
Maklershed
Member
I'd kinda be interested in this as well.
If it's fiction you want then Conn Iggulden and Robert Harris has written some that people seem to like. Robert Grave's I, Claudius is pretty great too, and it also exists as an excellent BBC series.
Personally I love Henryk Sienkiewicz's Quo Vadis, which actually changed my perspective on Christianity a lot (I'm an atheist). I suppose it's more towards the "drier" end of the spectrum though.
dinazimmerman
Incurious Bastard
First I've read in the series. I will certainly be reading all of them.
hey_monkey
Banned
Reading Lindsay Hunter's Don't Kiss Me. Best thing I've read in at least a year.
Heidalloon
Member
Colleen McCullough's Masters of Rome series is excellent. Entertaining and very informative.
AngmarsKing701
Member
If you liked Shards then you'll love the series. Shards is one of the weaker books in the series, IMO. Once you get into Miles's head, the series is god tier.
Mackenzie 92
Member
Guileless
Temp Banned for Remedial Purposes
I'm taking a rare break from fantasy/sci fi and starting:
Per GAF's recommendation. I expect good things GAF, don't disappoint me.
I loved it and recommend it to everyone.
MrOogieBoogie
BioShock Infinite is like playing some homeless guy's vivid imagination
About halfway through A Clash of Kings now.
Boggles my mind how Martin is able to juggle so many characters, so many settings, so many mythologies and politics and relationships and still keep the plot moving briskly and the story not only fully comprehensible but thoroughly captivating as well.
For a 900-page novel it surely reads like one a quarter of the size.
Boggles my mind how Martin is able to juggle so many characters, so many settings, so many mythologies and politics and relationships and still keep the plot moving briskly and the story not only fully comprehensible but thoroughly captivating as well.
For a 900-page novel it surely reads like one a quarter of the size.
Dohohohohohohoho