Whatcha readin now? (book, books, reading, read) (21 Viewers)

[-fish-]

Any thoughts or suggestions on Carl Hiaasen?

TIA

loosely comparable to Elmore Leonard. if you start at the beginning with Tourist Season and then Double Whammy, keep reading until you get bored. Maybe you won't...but the characters carry on from the beginning, and the stories are loosely tied together. Double Whammy and Sick Puppy are my favorites, but they all have a similar feel.

 

[msommer]

Any thoughts or suggestions on Carl Hiaasen?

TIA

loosely comparable to Elmore Leonard. if you start at the beginning with Tourist Season and then Double Whammy, keep reading until you get bored. Maybe you won't...but the characters carry on from the beginning, and the stories are loosely tied together. Double Whammy and Sick Puppy are my favorites, but they all have a similar feel.

Yep. Lucky You is my favorite, new cast in that one. IIRC Skinny DIp was also good and 'off canon'

 

[Gargoylez]

Currently reading Demonology https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6726274-the-encyclopedia-of-demons-and-demonology?from_search=true

Just finished Speak of the Devil https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17184046-speak-of-the-devil?from_search=true

 

[Maelstrom]

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.

Spoiler

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.

Not sure this needs to be in spoiler tags, but keeping it there since all the rest is:

Spoiler

Seeing that picture actually cleared up a couple of things for me. There was a reference to the porters going down while holding onto the center of the stairs, and I just assumed it meant railing, but I remember being confused at the time. I wonder if it is consistent though, seems like I remember other instances where it clearly seems to have a void "in the center". Someone should do an analysis...

 

[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:

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.

Spoiler

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.

Not sure this needs to be in spoiler tags, but keeping it there since all the rest is:

Spoiler

Seeing that picture actually cleared up a couple of things for me. There was a reference to the porters going down while holding onto the center of the stairs, and I just assumed it meant railing, but I remember being confused at the time. I wonder if it is consistent though, seems like I remember other instances where it clearly seems to have a void "in the center". Someone should do an analysis...

Spoiler

Hugh said that was just a photo someone posted on his wall, so it's not like it was created based on the book. There is definitely a gap. Plenty of references to suicides via that method in the books.

 

[Swing 51]

The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen.

Really struggled to finish this one. Liked Franzen's Freedom more.

On to Jack Reacher book 8 The Enemy.

 

[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.

Spoiler

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.

Not sure this needs to be in spoiler tags, but keeping it there since all the rest is:

Spoiler

Seeing that picture actually cleared up a couple of things for me. There was a reference to the porters going down while holding onto the center of the stairs, and I just assumed it meant railing, but I remember being confused at the time. I wonder if it is consistent though, seems like I remember other instances where it clearly seems to have a void "in the center". Someone should do an analysis...

Spoiler

Hugh said that was just a photo someone posted on his wall, so it's not like it was created based on the book. There is definitely a gap. Plenty of references to suicides via that method in the books.

Spoiler

No way that pic is correct. Remember Julie descended right down the center of the flooded silo

 

[beer 302]

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.

I've yet to see a Dune movie that came close to doing the books justice. It would take an effort similar to hoe the LOTR was recently done but probably even more in depth given the level of detail in the books. I loved the series, might need to revisit them now that I think about it.That's exactly how I pictured the main staircase in Wool.

 

[Sand]

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.

Film? Wow - had no idea.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

6" between rail & post per the passage I just read in Shift. Shift 3, 2nd or 3rd chapter if anyone cares.

 

[igbomb]

The Reapers Are the Angels - Alden Bell - A zombie book where the zombies are just a backdrop. It's post-apocalypse and the main character, Temple, is a teenage girl on her own in a landscape that is largely uninhabited, though with the occasional stronghold of survivors. The book follows Temple on her solitary wanderings as she muses on life in this kind of world and almost revels in her isolation. Good book, quick read, though it didn't really stick with me after reading.

The Golem and the Jinni - Helene Wecker - A book intertwining a couple of different cultures folklore into turn of the 20th century New York City. There is a bit of a Gaiman-esque style here, with taking a rather everyday setting and weaving a magical fable into it. Really good story, well written and terrific characters. Definitely worth the time.

The Troupe - Robert Jackson Bennett - This one I'm less sure about. There are some great magical realism elements here, about a vaudeville troupe on the circuit around 1900. Only this troupe is secretly working to save the world from an encroaching blackness. The book is very well-written (with comparisons to everyone from Faulkner to Gaiman). But at times it goes a little too trippy, a little too off-the-wall, for me to really get fully on board. Plus, the main character is a whiny jack-###, which certainly doesn't help matters. Overall, this one is just ok.

 

[Sand]

Amazon is having a huge Cyber Monday sale? Anyone see anything worthwhile? I picked up Steelheart (Sanderson). Probably going to load up on Boxcar Children books for my 8 year old.

 

[phatdawg]

Mudbound by Hillary Jordan about racism in Mississippi right after World War Ii. Excellent!

Just finished it. I thought it was great and it was a quick read. I finished it in a couple days. Thanks for recommending it.

 

[skol asylum]

I had seen Robert McCammon's name mentioned here and there and see his ebooks are on sale at B&N. Picked up Swan Song and Boy's Life for $2 - $3 each. He has a bunch of others on there around the same price.

 

[Maelstrom]

Amazon is having a huge Cyber Monday sale? Anyone see anything worthwhile? I picked up Steelheart (Sanderson). Probably going to load up on Boxcar Children books for my 8 year old.

I enjoyed Steelheart, although I did find some parts of it very predictable.

 

[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.

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.

Now 3/4 of the way through, and still like it very much. Very dark, and quite disturbing at times (especially when we go into the mind of a pedophile.) But highly readable and his best work in years.

 

[timschochet]

Mudbound by Hillary Jordan about racism in Mississippi right after World War Ii. Excellent!

Just finished it. I thought it was great and it was a quick read. I finished it in a couple days. Thanks for recommending it.

Glad you liked it. Her other book, When She Woke, is also a quick read but not as good. It's a dystopian political novel which is highly derivative of Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale: right wing Texas in the future punishes girl who has an abortion by giving her skin a scarlet tinge. It's a rather cheesy conceit (also reminiscent of Hawthorne of course) but somewhat fun anyhow.

 

[phatdawg]

Mudbound by Hillary Jordan about racism in Mississippi right after World War Ii. Excellent!

Just finished it. I thought it was great and it was a quick read. I finished it in a couple days. Thanks for recommending it.

Glad you liked it. Her other book, When She Woke, is also a quick read but not as good. It's a dystopian political novel which is highly derivative of Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale: right wing Texas in the future punishes girl who has an abortion by giving her skin a scarlet tinge. It's a rather cheesy conceit (also reminiscent of Hawthorne of course) but somewhat fun anyhow.

I think I am going to pick up one of the Wally Lamb books when I return Mudbound to the library. She's Come Undone and The Hour I First Believed were both available, so I will probably check out one of those.

 

[timschochet]

Mudbound by Hillary Jordan about racism in Mississippi right after World War Ii. Excellent!

Just finished it. I thought it was great and it was a quick read. I finished it in a couple days. Thanks for recommending it.

Glad you liked it. Her other book, When She Woke, is also a quick read but not as good. It's a dystopian political novel which is highly derivative of Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale: right wing Texas in the future punishes girl who has an abortion by giving her skin a scarlet tinge. It's a rather cheesy conceit (also reminiscent of Hawthorne of course) but somewhat fun anyhow.

I think I am going to pick up one of the Wally Lamb books when I return Mudbound to the library. She's Come Undone and The Hour I First Believed were both available, so I will probably check out one of those.

The first one- skip the second.

 

[Apes with Guns]

Amazon is having a huge Cyber Monday sale? Anyone see anything worthwhile? I picked up Steelheart (Sanderson). Probably going to load up on Boxcar Children books for my 8 year old.

Amazon is having a huge Cyber Monday sale? Anyone see anything worthwhile? I picked up Steelheart (Sanderson). Probably going to load up on Boxcar Children books for my 8 year old.

Here's what I got.

No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission That Killed Osama Bin Laden

Mark Owen, Kevin Maurer
Kindle Edition
Sold by Penguin Publishing
Order placed

• A Gift Upon the Shore M.K. Wren
  Kindle Edition
  Sold by Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• The Icerigger Trilogy: Icerigger, Mission to Moulokin, and The Deluge Drivers Alan Dean Foster
  Kindle Edition
  Sold by Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Steelheart Brandon Sanderson
  Kindle Edition
  Sold by Random House Digital, Inc.
• The Darwath Series: The Time of the Dark, The Walls of Air, and The Armies of Daylight Barbara Hambly
  Kindle Edition
  Sold by Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History Chris Kyle, Scott McEwen, Jim DeFelice
  Kindle Edition
  Sold by HarperCollins

• Tales from the Cobra Wars: A G.I. Joe Anthology Chuck Dixon, Matt Forbeck, Jon McGoran, Jonathan Maberry, John Skipp, Cody Goodfellow, Duane Swierczynski, Dennis Tafoya, Max Brooks
  Kindle Edition
  Sold by Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

 

[Apes with Guns]

333 kindle sci fi\fantasy books under 3.99

http://www.sfsignal.com/archives/2013/12/333-science-fiction-fantasy-and-horror-kindle-ebook-deals-3-99-or-less/

 

[flysack]

I'm about a third through Coetzee's Waiting for the Barbarians. Holy crap is it amazing. It's got a very 1980s post colonial vibe to it, but it transcends its time and place.

Coetzee really is the heir to Beckett. I can't recommend this and In the Heart of the Country enough. Krista would like the later in particular. Good reads.

 

[facook]

The Troupe - Robert Jackson Bennett - This one I'm less sure about. There are some great magical realism elements here, about a vaudeville troupe on the circuit around 1900. Only this troupe is secretly working to save the world from an encroaching blackness. The book is very well-written (with comparisons to everyone from Faulkner to Gaiman). But at times it goes a little too trippy, a little too off-the-wall, for me to really get fully on board. Plus, the main character is a whiny jack-###, which certainly doesn't help matters. Overall, this one is just ok.

I'm currently reading Bennet's American Elsewhere based on recommendations in this thread and think it's very, very good. I had previously tried Mr. Shivers by the same author and given up on it. AE was making me rethink that decision, and I was also excited to try The Troupe because I like AE so much. I'll probably give it a shot anyway, but appreciate your input.

 

[facook]

I had seen Robert McCammon's name mentioned here and there and see his ebooks are on sale at B&N. Picked up Swan Song and Boy's Life for $2 - $3 each. He has a bunch of others on there around the same price.

You're in for a treat. Just about everything he's written is excellent.

 

[krista4]

I'm about a third through Coetzee's Waiting for the Barbarians. Holy crap is it amazing. It's got a very 1980s post colonial vibe to it, but it transcends its time and place.

Coetzee really is the heir to Beckett. I can't recommend this and In the Heart of the Country enough. Krista would like the later in particular. Good reads.

Looks like it's not available electronically.

 

[flysack]

I'm about a third through Coetzee's Waiting for the Barbarians. Holy crap is it amazing. It's got a very 1980s post colonial vibe to it, but it transcends its time and place.

Coetzee really is the heir to Beckett. I can't recommend this and In the Heart of the Country enough. Krista would like the later in particular. Good reads.

Looks like it's not available electronically.

Oh nos! You might have to go back to the stone ages and read....PAPER!



Order it from Amazon, ya bum. It's worth it.They might even send a drone to your house for doorstep delivery.

 

[Chaos Commish]

Because of this thread I'm reading Wool, Shift, Dust. I'm bored in Shift. I give it a few minutes before I fall asleep at night, not really captivated like I was with Wool.

If you like non-fiction economics, I've read stuff this year.

How Asia Works is good reading. Best non-fiction I've read in a few years... surprisingly.

Worldy Philosopher. Wow, what a biography. You will not regret getting to know Albert Hirschman

Martin Ford is an acquaintance of mine from grad school. I haven't spoken to him in over a decade, but he's brilliant, and Lights in the Tunnel is only 3.95 for Kindle. It asks what happens when most of our jobs are replaced by machines. It's a well covered topic already, but he gets a little sensational. I enjoyed that. Certainly worth the 4 bucks.

I read everything Joseph Stiglitz writes and the Price of Inequality will make you smarter. Solid beat down of Republicans and Democrats is the best part.

I'm retired and want to try to write a novel. Me, my brother and a niece in the film industry always talk about ideas for a book or movie. Who doesn't, I know. But they are disappointed that I won't try. I've never had a better opportunity, so maybe. If you guys are interested in some synopses, I'll listen to which one you think I should try or not. Just understand my chance of starting one is 95% and chance of completing it 5%.

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

Recently finished Handling the Undead by John Ajvide Lindqvist

Lindqvist has been dubbed the Swedish Stephen King by some and it appears his brand of horror is generally more on the emotional and psychological level. I enjoyed Let the Right One in quite a bit because of his excellent portrayal of the bullied boy Oskar.

This book is his version of a walking dead/zombie tale. Those that have died over the last couple of months have come back to life. Instead of eating brains and attacking they're sort of like me after too many beers and tacos. They just sit there. Most don't respond to any stimuli. Lindqvist tells the story from a few different perspectives: a girl that lost her grandfather that is attuned to this sort of supernatural activity, a dude that lost his wife recently - his wife being the only undead that can really speak still, and a grandfather that lost a young boy to a terrible accident.

It's an interesting book and I appreciate the different take, but the ending was kind of meh for me and sluggish zombie dudes kind of bored me. I liked Let the Right One In much more.

 

[pricklypete]

The Breakers Series: Books 1-3 $0.99Ordered from Amazon. Pretty good. 3 full length post apocalyptic books. About 5% into book one and have enjoyed it. Well worth the cost of $0.33/book so far.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Breakers-Series-Books-1-3-ebook/dp/B00E9YL3HM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386185418&sr=8-1&keywords=the+breakers

 

[Maelstrom]

Been reading The Blinding Knife, the sequel to The Black Prism by Brent Weeks. Really enjoying it, finding it a bit hard to put down.

Edit to add: if you like fantasy stuff and you haven't read The Night Angel Trilogy (Brent Weeks first books), I highly recommend them.

 

[FUBAR]

Breach of Trust: http://www.amazon.com/Breach-Trust-Americans-Soldiers-American/dp/0805082964

Nothing new and earth-shattering, but it's an interesting perspective on how the nation is failing.

Disagree on some of his points.

 

[johnadams]

Just finished Shipbreaker and the Drowned Cities by Paolo Bacigalupi. Though considered YA, they're quite dark with several very memorable characters. Both are excellent examples of post apocalyptic fiction if you're into that sort of thing. Highly recommended, especially Drowned Cities..

 

[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.

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).

Named one of the NY Times five best fiction books of 2013.

 

[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).

Names one of the NY Times five best fiction books of 2013.

I'm still working my way through this one, but almost finished (had my in-laws staying with us for a couple of weeks around Thanksgiving, and unfortunately got no reading done then).

Far enough along to say that I'd definitely get it if you liked The Secret History. Assuming it does not take a ridiculous turn in what I have left, I can't argue the NYT pick.

 

[oso diablo]

i really liked Spin.

anyone read any of Robert Charles Wilson's other works?

 

[snogger]

Just finished reading offworld which can be downloaded for free for kindles.

As I was reading it there were many type moments similar to reading a James Rollins book.

But near the end as they wrapped up what was really happening the premise was interesting and those moments were better understood.

 

[skol asylum]

Just finished reading offworld which can be downloaded for free for kindles.

As I was reading it there were many type moments similar to reading a James Rollins book.

But near the end as they wrapped up what was really happening the premise was interesting and those moments were better understood.

Thanks. Also free for Nook so I grabbed it.

 

[skol asylum]

About 1/4 the way thru the latest Pendergast book White Fire.

 

[Apes with Guns]

i really liked Spin.

anyone read any of Robert Charles Wilson's other works?

Yes, I really enjoyed Julian Comstock. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7572789-julian-comstock

It's also a PA-ish book about the rise of a young war hero and his clash with the establishment. I give it a thumbs up.

Right now I'm reading Leviathan Wakes by James SLA Corey. Never a dull moment in this book. It's hard to put down.

I'm listening to The Lives of Tao by Wesley Chu. It's funny and the stories of Tao are really interesting, although I think I've figured out the hook.

 

[Sand]

Right now I'm reading Leviathan Wakes by James SLA Corey. Never a dull moment in this book. It's hard to put down.

I'm reading Abaddon's Gate. It is as good as the first. All three are really good. Corey has entered that rarefied air of "I'll buy whatever they write" (Corey is actually two people).

 

[The Flying Elvis]

Finished The Goldfinch and really liked it. Gonna check out The Secret History now. I don't have a lot to compare The Goldfinch too but some chapters reminded me slightly of some Brett Easton Ellis. Additionally the more philosophical tangents and the narrator reminded of Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts which is probably one of my favorite books I've ever read.

 

[Swing 51]

Just finished Dust. I liked how the series wrapped up.

Next up is The Things They Carried.

 

[-fish-]

i really liked Spin.

anyone read any of Robert Charles Wilson's other works?

Reading Axis right now. It's pretty good so far.

 

[Barry]

i really liked Spin.

anyone read any of Robert Charles Wilson's other works?

Reading Axis right now. It's pretty good so far.

I loved Spin but didn't want to continue. the ending seemed like an appropriate place to stop. will wait for your review.

 

[T Bell]

I'm reading The Complete Father Brown, a definitive 900-page compilation of Father Brown stories by G. K. Chesterton.

They're amusing mini-mysteries in the Sherlock Holmes style, none more than about 10 pages long. Not exactly high literature, but decent enough.

I tried them out just because I like Chesterton.

 

[Ash]

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

Just finished this one, was interesting as far as the history goes, but uneven as a story. What could have been a much more impactful climax was rushed and much less powerful than it could have been.

Also finished "The Blade Itself" this week and enjoyed that a lot. Doesn't (so far) have the world building depth that the "Name of the Wind" books have, but the story moves much faster. Making a professional torturer a sympathetic character can't have been easy. I do get the impression it's building in terms of scope where the next book will take up but this one seemed to be almost exclusively a setup for the series, without having a short term purpose to serve as a logical conclusion for the first book. Not a criticism, just something I noticed. Overall still very enjoyable dark fantasy and looking forward to having the different threads come together as I read the rest of the books.

Have just started "The Gollem and the Jinni". About 50 pages in and haven't come to the meeting yet, but very unique and intriguing so far. This one's on a bunch of Best of 2013 lists.

 

[Sand]

Also finished "The Blade Itself" this week and enjoyed that a lot. Doesn't (so far) have the world building depth that the "Name of the Wind" books have, but the story moves much faster. Making a professional torturer a sympathetic character can't have been easy. I do get the impression it's building in terms of scope where the next book will take up but this one seemed to be almost exclusively a setup for the series, without having a short term purpose to serve as a logical conclusion for the first book. Not a criticism, just something I noticed. Overall still very enjoyable dark fantasy and looking forward to having the different threads come together as I read the rest of the books.

These are awesome. They get better as you go, IMO. And Logen =

 

[E Street Brat]

Just finished "New Deal or Raw Deal How FDR's Economic Legacy has Damaged America"

I found it amazing how little has changed in politics in the last 80 years.

I'm about 40% into "Enders Game"

I didn't think i was gonna like it, but I find it hard to put down,

 

[Apes with Guns]

i really liked Spin.

anyone read any of Robert Charles Wilson's other works?

Reading Axis right now. It's pretty good so far.

I loved Spin but didn't want to continue. the ending seemed like an appropriate place to stop. will wait for your review.

+1.

 

[flysack]

I've been languishing in that deadspace when you don't have a novel going.

Picked up Jonathon Foer's Eating Animals, mostly because I'm teaching it next semester so I should probably read it.

(my wife read it and recommended it, so I tossed it on the ole' syllabus)

Last night I picked up Within a Budding Grove. I stopped reading it awhile back with only 100 pages left. I have no idea why. I read 2 pages last night and fell back in love with it. I'm as straight as an arrow, but I'm pretty sure I'd let Proust fondle my yam bag for the chance to meet him back in the day.