Whatcha readin now? (book, books, reading, read) (4 Viewers)

[Ash]

Just finished Swan Song by Robert McCammon. Found the first 100 pages or so pretty hard to get engaged with, seemed to be more event based than character based, but after that it picked up a lot and nicely built tension and momentum through the rest of the book. Really enjoyed it.

 

[-fish-]

Anyone read Valis by Philip K ****?

Found a bookcrossing copy. His stuff can be hit or miss, so just wondering. I'll probably end up reading it regardless.

 

[Brady Marino]

Just finished Swan Song by Robert McCammon. Found the first 100 pages or so pretty hard to get engaged with, seemed to be more event based than character based, but after that it picked up a lot and nicely built tension and momentum through the rest of the book. Really enjoyed it.

Pretty much summed up my thoughts exactly. I think I even abandoned the book for a bit in the first 100 pages.

 

[flysack]

Just finishing The Life and Times of Michael K by Coetzee.

Pretty good little read. Under 200 pages. The first part is devoted to the story of Michael K, this strange, simple man trying to deliver his sick mother to her birthplace in the country during a civil war.

Then, rather unexpectedly, the second part is devoted to an MD who becomes the de facto guardian of Michael, and what the MD makes of Michael, and how his presence changes the MD's thoughts on war, peace, life, death, etc.

Very well written. Very accessible too.

 

[Sand]

Right now GRRM A Dance with Dragons is $2.90 at Amazon. Great deal if you haven't bought it.

 

[Jutz]

Just finished I Wear The Black Hat by Chuck Klosterman. It was classic Chuck which I love.

I'm almost done with Commando: The Autobiography of Johnny Ramome. I've always loved the Ramones and Johnny was my favorite. Awesome book... Good stories.

On deck is Buddhist Boot Camp by Timber Hawkeye, 11 Rings Phil Jackson, or Ask The Dust by John Fante.

 

[Binky The Doormat]

I'll give goodreads a try again. Is there a way to start an "FFA group"?

I guess I haven't needed it since I have been keeping track of what I've read and what I want to read in an excel spreadsheet for well over a decade.

Here is the FFA group. The group page itself isn't used at all, but if nothing else it's a way to find other FBGs on the site.

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/43469-fbgs

Have to ask permission to join the group. Who runs this thing?

 

[Uruk-Hai]

I'm almost finished with Phillip Meyers' "The Son". It's a multi-generational story of a Texas family from around the time of the Alamo to modern-day. I'd recommend this one highly, especially if you like Westerns and the other big Texas authors (or if you just like good writing).

I'm almost finished with Phillip Meyers' "The Son". It's a multi-generational story of a Texas family from around the time of the Alamo to modern-day. I'd recommend this one highly, especially if you like Westerns and the other big Texas authors (or if you just like good writing).

Evidently, I read this twice.

Anyway, really good. Warning, though - no wrap-everything-up resolution.

About 20% into Dr Sleep and am enjoying it.

Finished The Son last weekend. I liked it quite a bit. The comanche stuff was fantastic. I found I heavily disliked the main characters though, so there's basically no rooting interest. I also felt that he wasn't at his best providing the female perspective for J.A. -- definitely was the weakest part for me.

As far as wrapping it all up

Spoiler

I took it as no one owns the land in the end. Also enjoyed the bit of Garcia revenge there.

Pretty much agree.

What I meant by my "wrap up" comment was that a couple of the story threads just "stopped" instead of "ending". Or at least that's what it felt like to me.

 

[igbomb]

I'll give goodreads a try again. Is there a way to start an "FFA group"?

I guess I haven't needed it since I have been keeping track of what I've read and what I want to read in an excel spreadsheet for well over a decade.

Here is the FFA group. The group page itself isn't used at all, but if nothing else it's a way to find other FBGs on the site.

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/43469-fbgs

Have to ask permission to join the group. Who runs this thing?

Me. Access granted.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Started 11/22/63 a few days ago, and like what I have read so far. Haven't liked a King novel in a bit, so I hope this one maintains my interest. Time travel is definitely in my wheelhouse though.

Also started a book about wine as well. Wanted to get a mild knowledge of the stuff instead of just blindly drinking it.

 

[SmoovySmoov]

Currently reading House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski.

It's fantastic.

Enjoy it, but don't bother with anything else he's done. Danielewski is a literature one-hit wonder.

Well, that's disappointing to hear. I already have The Fifty Year Sword en route.

 

[shuke]

Started 11/22/63 a few days ago, and like what I have read so far. Haven't liked a King novel in a bit, so I hope this one maintains my interest. Time travel is definitely in my wheelhouse though.

Also started a book about wine as well. Wanted to get a mild knowledge of the stuff instead of just blindly drinking it.

Best King book in a while.

 

[facook]

Really enjoyed Dr. Sleep. It wasn't scary, but I thought it was a very entertaining look at "what ever happened to that kid from The Shining?".

Now reading The Abominable by Dan Simmons. Three guys try to climb Everest in the '20s. Kind of like The Terror in the Himalayas. Started out a little slow, and there are some sections on the intricacies of mountain/rock climbing that probably aren't for everyone. Overall though, I'm really liking it. Simmons is a great author.

 

[krista4]

Recently started Donna Tartt's The Goldfinch. Her "The Secret History" is one of my favorite novels. So far, I'm liking The Goldfinch even more.

I'll be interested to hear your conclusion. I loved The Secret History, then waited and waited and waited for her next book, which turned out to be very disappointing (I'm not even going to look up the name). Hope this one will be a better reflection of her talent.

Next up: The Death of Santini by one of my all time favorite authors, Pat Conroy.

Just finishing The Life and Times of Michael K by Coetzee.

Pretty good little read. Under 200 pages. The first part is devoted to the story of Michael K, this strange, simple man trying to deliver his sick mother to her birthplace in the country during a civil war.

Then, rather unexpectedly, the second part is devoted to an MD who becomes the de facto guardian of Michael, and what the MD makes of Michael, and how his presence changes the MD's thoughts on war, peace, life, death, etc.

Very well written. Very accessible too.

Sounds good. Will need to check this out.

 

[Don Quixote]

Recently started Donna Tartt's The Goldfinch. Her "The Secret History" is one of my favorite novels. So far, I'm liking The Goldfinch even more.

I'll be interested to hear your conclusion. I loved The Secret History, then waited and waited and waited for her next book, which turned out to be very disappointing (I'm not even going to look up the name). Hope this one will be a better reflection of her talent.

I'll post back in here after I finish. I skipped her second one after the terrible reviews.

My opinion might change, but I'm having trouble putting this one down, and I'm enjoying it more than any novel that I've read in years. A lot of the reviewers are comparing to Dickens, which works for me, since Dickens is my favorite classic author (sorry, Cervantes).

 

[sports_fan]

The Glass Castle

Good memoir. The four Walls' kids struggle growing up with their alcoholic father and mentally ill mother. They make their way across the US before the kids can get away from their parents and establish themselves in New York. It's depressing to know this level of poverty still exists in the US.

It's a quick read. You could finish it in a no more than a few days depending on how much time you have.

 

[ragincajun]

I'll give goodreads a try again. Is there a way to start an "FFA group"?

I guess I haven't needed it since I have been keeping track of what I've read and what I want to read in an excel spreadsheet for well over a decade.

Here is the FFA group. The group page itself isn't used at all, but if nothing else it's a way to find other FBGs on the site.

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/43469-fbgs

Have to ask permission to join the group. Who runs this thing?

Me. Access granted.

"Bueller.....Bueller.....Bueller...." I requested access tonight.

 

[mad sweeney]

Really enjoyed Dr. Sleep. It wasn't scary, but I thought it was a very entertaining look at "what ever happened to that kid from The Shining?".

Now reading The Abominable by Dan Simmons. Three guys try to climb Everest in the '20s. Kind of like The Terror in the Himalayas. Started out a little slow, and there are some sections on the intricacies of mountain/rock climbing that probably aren't for everyone. Overall though, I'm really liking it. Simmons is a great author.

Probably stayed like that the rest of the book, same as Drood and Terror.

 

[facook]

Really enjoyed Dr. Sleep. It wasn't scary, but I thought it was a very entertaining look at "what ever happened to that kid from The Shining?".

Now reading The Abominable by Dan Simmons. Three guys try to climb Everest in the '20s. Kind of like The Terror in the Himalayas. Started out a little slow, and there are some sections on the intricacies of mountain/rock climbing that probably aren't for everyone. Overall though, I'm really liking it. Simmons is a great author.

Probably stayed like that the rest of the book, same as Drood and Terror.

It's not a barn-burner, that's for sure. I LOVED Terror, thought Drood was just ok. Half-way through Abominable and I'm still enjoying it even though it's slow paced. The idea of climbing Everest at that time with lesser technology is fascinating to me. I'm such a ####y.

 

[igbomb]

I'll give goodreads a try again. Is there a way to start an "FFA group"?

I guess I haven't needed it since I have been keeping track of what I've read and what I want to read in an excel spreadsheet for well over a decade.

Here is the FFA group. The group page itself isn't used at all, but if nothing else it's a way to find other FBGs on the site.

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/43469-fbgs

Have to ask permission to join the group. Who runs this thing?

Me. Access granted.

"Bueller.....Bueller.....Bueller...." I requested access tonight.

granted

 

[Ash]

Finished "Edge of Dark Water" by Joe R. Lansdale. Enjoyable, if a bit forgettable. The main (first person POV) character felt a bit more like a narrator rather than a character. I liked "The Bottoms" (tee hee) and especially "A Fine Dark Line" much more. Starting to feel a bit like he's writing the same book over and over again. Same East Texas depression era setting, similar themes. Events are different obviously, but not by a whole lot. Think I'll give Joe a rest for a while.

About to start "The Wise Man's Fear", after finishing "Name of the Wind" a while ago.

Ordered myself a Kindle Paperwhite for Mrs Ash to give me for Christmas too. I've been using a Sony Reader but having to have a circle of lights on around me whenever I read has gotten old.

 

[ragincajun]

I'll give goodreads a try again. Is there a way to start an "FFA group"?

I guess I haven't needed it since I have been keeping track of what I've read and what I want to read in an excel spreadsheet for well over a decade.

Here is the FFA group. The group page itself isn't used at all, but if nothing else it's a way to find other FBGs on the site.

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/43469-fbgs

Have to ask permission to join the group. Who runs this thing?

Me. Access granted.

"Bueller.....Bueller.....Bueller...." I requested access tonight.

granted

Gracias.For those whom are looking to read Inferno by Dan Brown I give it 2 out of 5 mehs.

 

[Barry]

Just reread "Replay" by Ken Grimwood.

Time-travel but not sci-fi at all. Very cool story.

finished this. liked it a lot. it made me sad that I don't have sex with ex girlfriends anymore.

 

[shuke]

Here are some books that I've read but have not been compelled to read any of the sequels. Am I missing out on anything great?

The Hunger Games

Ender's Game

Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

The Passage by Justin Cronin

Great and Secret Show by Clive Barker

 

[sports_fan]

Here are some books that I've read but have not been compelled to read any of the sequels. Am I missing out on anything great?

The Hunger Games

Ender's Game

Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

The Passage by Justin Cronin

Great and Secret Show by Clive Barker

Ender's Shadow is worth checking out if you liked Ender's Game

 

[timschochet]

The Death of Santini was good, similar to My Losing Season. I prefer his novels to his nonfiction stuff, but the nonfiction is good too, covering the same territory. I'm not sure I've ever read a writer quite as autobiographical all throughout his career as Pat Conroy. And what a messed up family. I thought that he might be exaggerating somewhat in his novel Beach Music; NOBODY can have a family as screwed up as that one. But apparently he does.

Now on to Wally Lamb's newest, We Are Water. Lamb is actually quite similar to Conroy in that he writes novels touching on the same subject matters: insanity, family dysfunction, racism. But where Conroy's books are distinctly southern, Lamb is a Yankee, and most of his characters live in New England. I loved She's Come Undone and I Know This Much Is True- IMO, these were two of the best novels I have read in the last 20 years. The Hour I First Believed was not nearly as good, though still very well written. About 70 pages into the latest one, and it's really good, back to form for Lamb, at least so far.

 

[krista4]

The Death of Santini was good, similar to My Losing Season. I prefer his novels to his nonfiction stuff, but the nonfiction is good too, covering the same territory. I'm not sure I've ever read a writer quite as autobiographical all throughout his career as Pat Conroy. And what a messed up family. I thought that he might be exaggerating somewhat in his novel Beach Music; NOBODY can have a family as screwed up as that one. But apparently he does.

Now on to Wally Lamb's newest, We Are Water. Lamb is actually quite similar to Conroy in that he writes novels touching on the same subject matters: insanity, family dysfunction, racism. But where Conroy's books are distinctly southern, Lamb is a Yankee, and most of his characters live in New England. I loved She's Come Undone and I Know This Much Is True- IMO, these were two of the best novels I have read in the last 20 years. The Hour I First Believed was not nearly as good, though still very well written. About 70 pages into the latest one, and it's really good, back to form for Lamb, at least so far.

Both of these are "popular" authors that I love. I read a bunch of reviews of We Are Water a few days ago and decided to pass on it for now, but I'll be very interested to hear your thoughts. She's Come Undone remains one of the best written books from a female perspective--written by a man!--I've ever read.

 

[FUBAR]

Just started the Sports Gene, by David Epstein. Looks promising.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1591845114/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1384340290&sr=8-1π=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

Finishing this now. Well worth reading. I found parts boring but overall the book is one of the better on the science (biology) behind sports.

Deciding whether to read The System http://www.amazon.com/System-Scandal-Big-Time-College-Football/dp/0385536615/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1385391201&sr=1-1&keywords=the+system or Fantasy Lifehttp://www.amazon.com/Fantasy-Life-Outrageous-Uplifting-Heartbreaking/dp/1594486255/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1385391392&sr=1-1&keywords=fantasy+life+matthew+berry next.

I think I'll go with Fantasy Life as it should be a lighter, humorous read.

ETA: Listening to World War Z in the car. I haven't seen the movie, but I'm guessing the book is a LOT better.

 

[igbomb]

Here are some books that I've read but have not been compelled to read any of the sequels. Am I missing out on anything great?

The Hunger Games

Ender's Game

Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

The Passage by Justin Cronin

Great and Secret Show by Clive Barker

The sequel to Ender's Game is fantastic. Then it starts to go downhill from there.

The Hunger Games sequels are definitely worse than the first.

The GWTDT sequels are worse than the first.

The sequel to the Passage is great, but I loved the first book to YMMV.

 

[Brady Marino]

Here are some books that I've read but have not been compelled to read any of the sequels. Am I missing out on anything great?

The Hunger Games

Ender's Game

Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

The Passage by Justin Cronin

Great and Secret Show by Clive Barker

Catching Fire wasn't bad, but #### the third book with the power of a thousand suns.The Twelve is also not as good as the first book, but I enjoyed it and look forward to the third book of The Passage series.

 

[Maelstrom]

Here are some books that I've read but have not been compelled to read any of the sequels. Am I missing out on anything great?

The Hunger Games

Ender's Game

Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

The Passage by Justin Cronin

Great and Secret Show by Clive Barker

Ender's Shadow is worth checking out if you liked Ender's Game

Yup, Ender's Shadow isn't so much of a sequel as "same story from a different PoV". The other Ender books (Speaker for the Dead, Xenocide and Children of the Mind) are good, but not really sequels either - they are very different books than Ender.

I'd probably steer clear of the Hunger Games books, the 2nd was ok, the 3rd was pretty bad.

 

[-fish-]

Here are some books that I've read but have not been compelled to read any of the sequels. Am I missing out on anything great?

The Hunger Games

Ender's Game

Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

The Passage by Justin Cronin

Great and Secret Show by Clive Barker

Never read any Clive Barker, but as to the rest I'd just give up and stick with the first book. If someone twisted my arm and made me read a sequel, I'd go with the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo series. Hunger Games becomes flat-out stupid. Orson Scott Card will never write anything as good as Ender's Game. It goes downhill quickly (I disagree with those that have said Ender's Shadow isn't bad...it's just not as bad as what follows). The Twelve is ok, but pales in comparison with The Passage and you can see the series getting worse. The third book will be intolerable.

 

[FUBAR]

The second hunger games is ok to read if you have nothing better to read. I read it in Afghanistan and appreciated the mental break. your expectations are probably low enough now that you won't be disappointed.

 

[Vrana]

Sorry if this has been talked about (for some reason my work is blocking the last two pages of this thread), but anyone have any thoughts on S. ?

Saw JJ on John Stewart the other night and it seemed like an interesting concept.

 

[Foosball God]

Looking for a new book to read. Someone suggested The Windup Girl and I enjoyed that. Any other post apocalyptic stories people would suggest?

 

[igbomb]

Looking for a new book to read. Someone suggested The Windup Girl and I enjoyed that. Any other post apocalyptic stories people would suggest?

If you haven't read Wool, start there.

 

[Foosball God]

Looking for a new book to read. Someone suggested The Windup Girl and I enjoyed that. Any other post apocalyptic stories people would suggest?

If you haven't read Wool, start there.

I read Wool, Shift, and Dust

 

[Apes with Guns]

Looking for a new book to read. Someone suggested The Windup Girl and I enjoyed that. Any other post apocalyptic stories people would suggest?

If you haven't read Wool, start there.

I read Wool, Shift, and Dust

Some PA I enjoyed:

Culled by Simon Spurrier. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11490289-the-afterblight-chronicles-1

The Reapers Are the Angels by Alden Bell https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8051458-the-reapers-are-the-angels

Wastelands by John Joseph Adams. This one is my favorite PA anthology. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1705697.Wastelands

My favorite story in this collection is "When Sysadmins Ruled the Earth" by Cory Doctorow

 

[Foosball God]

Looking for a new book to read. Someone suggested The Windup Girl and I enjoyed that. Any other post apocalyptic stories people would suggest?

If you haven't read Wool, start there.

I read Wool, Shift, and Dust

Some PA I enjoyed:

Culled by Simon Spurrier. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11490289-the-afterblight-chronicles-1

The Reapers Are the Angels by Alden Bell https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8051458-the-reapers-are-the-angels

Wastelands by John Joseph Adams. This one is my favorite PA anthology. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1705697.Wastelands

My favorite story in this collection is "When Sysadmins Ruled the Earth" by Cory Doctorow

Thanks!

 

[shuke]

Looking for a new book to read. Someone suggested The Windup Girl and I enjoyed that. Any other post apocalyptic stories people would suggest?

If you haven't read Wool, start there.

I read Wool, Shift, and Dust

Some PA I enjoyed:Culled by Simon Spurrier. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11490289-the-afterblight-chronicles-1

The Reapers Are the Angels by Alden Bell https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8051458-the-reapers-are-the-angels

Wastelands by John Joseph Adams. This one is my favorite PA anthology. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1705697.Wastelands

My favorite story in this collection is "When Sysadmins Ruled the Earth" by Cory Doctorow

 

[shuke]

Next up: Shift

Loved this, thought it was as good if not better than Wool.

Next up: A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller Jr. Heavily recommended around here.

 

[E Street Brat]

Any thoughts or suggestions on Carl Hiaasen?

TIA

 

[The Flying Elvis]

Just beginning Dune... Pretty big fantasy/sci fi reader so I figured I would check a supposed pillar of the genre. I've seen the mini series and Lynch movie though but figure there is enough of a difference that it won't really inhibit my potential enjoyment.

 

[Ash]

Just finished "The Wise Man's Fear"

I see there was 4 years beetween the 1st and 2nd books, does anyone have any idea when the 3rd is due? If he "Georges" us I'll be pissed.

Have just started "The Greenlanders". I read a lot of history and historical novels and have always been interested in the Viking exploration period, although this takes place afterwards in the 1300s. I've always thought this would be a great topic for a book

Spoiler

as I think the decline and disappearance of the Norse Greenland colonies is one of the great mystery / tragedy / apocalypse stories

Edit: Formatting ghostses.

 

[The Flying Elvis]

Just finished

I see there was 4 years between the 1st and 2nd books, does anyone have any idea when the 3rd is due? If he "Georges" us I'll be pissed.

Have just started "The Greenlanders". I read a lot of history and historical novels and have always been interested in the Viking exploration period, although this takes place afterwards in the 1300s. I've always thought this would be a great topic for a book

Spoiler

as I think the decline and disappearance of the Norse Greenland colonies is one of the great mystery / tragedy / apocalypse stories

Noone really has any clue as to how long the next book will take. It is tentatively titled The Doors of Stone and is "rumored" to come out sometime in 2014 but no one really knows. Rothfuss unfortunately seems to be taking a very "Georgian" path with his novels. He apparently was very unprepared to deal with the fame that came from the first book and that contributed to the long wait. Additionally, like RR Martin, he is notoriously prickly with questions regarding his writing pace and release dates. In short, hope for 2014 but don't be surprised if it is 2015.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Next up: Shift

Loved this, thought it was as good if not better than Wool.

I'm about half way through and agree so far. The writing itself is better than WOOL, IMO. The POV characters are still a little emo for my tastes, but everything else is very good.

My question below isn't a spoiler about the plot or a character, but I'll tag it anyway.

Spoiler

One thing I'm still struggling with is how the stairs in the silos are designed in conjunction with the levels. It seems like every description I read leads me to picture it differently. Here's how I pciture it now:

The is a vertical post right in the center of the silo of indeterminate diameter. The stairs wrap around this post. Are they up against it or suspended out from it?. On the outside of the stairs is open space Then, when the stairs reach a level, there's a bridge that crosses that open space to the level So, each level is like a donut with a toothpick (post & stairs) centered in the hole.

How far off am I? For whatever reason, when I was first reading Wool, I had it almost the opposite with the stairs on the outside and the levels in the center.

 

[igbomb]

Next up: Shift

Loved this, thought it was as good if not better than Wool.

I'm about half way through and agree so far. The writing itself is better than WOOL, IMO. The POV characters are still a little emo for my tastes, but everything else is very good.

My question below isn't a spoiler about the plot or a character, but I'll tag it anyway.

Spoiler

One thing I'm still struggling with is how the stairs in the silos are designed in conjunction with the levels. It seems like every description I read leads me to picture it differently. Here's how I pciture it now:

The is a vertical post right in the center of the silo of indeterminate diameter. The stairs wrap around this post. Are they up against it or suspended out from it?. On the outside of the stairs is open space Then, when the stairs reach a level, there's a bridge that crosses that open space to the level So, each level is like a donut with a toothpick (post & stairs) centered in the hole.

How far off am I? For whatever reason, when I was first reading Wool, I had it almost the opposite with the stairs on the outside and the levels in the center.

Spoiler

From Hugh Howey's blog:

Link

Good call on your part. For a long time, I picture it as the stairs attached to the inside of the living levels with an empty space in the center.

 

[E Street Brat]

Next up: Shift

Loved this, thought it was as good if not better than Wool.

I'm about half way through and agree so far. The writing itself is better than WOOL, IMO. The POV characters are still a little emo for my tastes, but everything else is very good.

My question below isn't a spoiler about the plot or a character, but I'll tag it anyway.

Spoiler

One thing I'm still struggling with is how the stairs in the silos are designed in conjunction with the levels. It seems like every description I read leads me to picture it differently. Here's how I pciture it now:

The is a vertical post right in the center of the silo of indeterminate diameter. The stairs wrap around this post. Are they up against it or suspended out from it?. On the outside of the stairs is open space Then, when the stairs reach a level, there's a bridge that crosses that open space to the level So, each level is like a donut with a toothpick (post & stairs) centered in the hole.

How far off am I? For whatever reason, when I was first reading Wool, I had it almost the opposite with the stairs on the outside and the levels in the center.

Spoiler

From Hugh Howey's blog:

Link

Good call on your part. For a long time, I picture it as the stairs attached to the inside of the living levels with an empty space in the center.

Well that's not at all how I pictured it.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Next up: Shift

Loved this, thought it was as good if not better than Wool.

I'm about half way through and agree so far. The writing itself is better than WOOL, IMO. The POV characters are still a little emo for my tastes, but everything else is very good.

My question below isn't a spoiler about the plot or a character, but I'll tag it anyway.

Spoiler

One thing I'm still struggling with is how the stairs in the silos are designed in conjunction with the levels. It seems like every description I read leads me to picture it differently. Here's how I pciture it now:

The is a vertical post right in the center of the silo of indeterminate diameter. The stairs wrap around this post. Are they up against it or suspended out from it?. On the outside of the stairs is open space Then, when the stairs reach a level, there's a bridge that crosses that open space to the level So, each level is like a donut with a toothpick (post & stairs) centered in the hole.

How far off am I? For whatever reason, when I was first reading Wool, I had it almost the opposite with the stairs on the outside and the levels in the center.

Spoiler

From Hugh Howey's blog:

Link

Good call on your part. For a long time, I picture it as the stairs attached to the inside of the living levels with an empty space in the center.

Well that's not at all how I pictured it.

Reading the comments in iggy's link, you're not alone. And it appears that ig's imagining of it is how it's going to be in the film - probably confusing even more folks.

 

[shuke]

Next up: Shift

Loved this, thought it was as good if not better than Wool.

I'm about half way through and agree so far. The writing itself is better than WOOL, IMO. The POV characters are still a little emo for my tastes, but everything else is very good.

My question below isn't a spoiler about the plot or a character, but I'll tag it anyway.

Spoiler

One thing I'm still struggling with is how the stairs in the silos are designed in conjunction with the levels. It seems like every description I read leads me to picture it differently. Here's how I pciture it now:

The is a vertical post right in the center of the silo of indeterminate diameter. The stairs wrap around this post. Are they up against it or suspended out from it?. On the outside of the stairs is open space Then, when the stairs reach a level, there's a bridge that crosses that open space to the level So, each level is like a donut with a toothpick (post & stairs) centered in the hole.

How far off am I? For whatever reason, when I was first reading Wool, I had it almost the opposite with the stairs on the outside and the levels in the center.

Spoiler

From Hugh Howey's blog:

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Good call on your part. For a long time, I picture it as the stairs attached to the inside of the living levels with an empty space in the center.

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That doesn't look anything it is described. There is definitely an open space between the stairs and the middle post. As for the levels, I just assumed the stairs would stop and then you would have to walk over some flat space to continue going up/down.