What Are You Reading?

Dades · 08-07-2013 4:44pm

Finished the last of the Old Man's War Trilogy (John Scalzi) over the weekend.

First book was really good, second was almost as good, but The Last Colony was disappointing, tbh. Much less action and a lot more talking heads. Even the settings were very localised.

Glad to have read them, though.

ixoy · 09-07-2013 10:14pm

Currently reading "The Stranded", the last book in Hugh Howey's Wool series. Really enjoying it - a good pay off to the previous novels. I'll definitely be picking up the prequel trilogy and sequel novel in the future.

Paddy Samurai · 12-07-2013 1:23pm

Just started the final part of this trilogy.About 3 chapters in and loving it so far. I like the way you have no idea how this series is going to end ,or who will be still standing at it’s conclusion.

As The Sacred Band begins, Queen Corinn bestrides the world as a result of her mastery of spells from the Book of Elenet. Her younger brother, Dariel, has been sent on a perilous mission to the Other Lands. And her sister, Mena, travels to the far north to face an invasion of the feared race of the Auldek. As their separate trajectories converge, a series of world-shaping, earth-shattering battles will force the surviving children of the Akaran dynasty to confront their fates head on—and right some ancient wrongs once and for all.

David Anthony Durham has serious chops. I can’t wait to read whatever he writes next."George R. R. Martin

Ps: I like the way Durham provides a synopsis of the story so far , at the beginning of his books.I wish more authors followed his example. It makes is so much easier to dive in, especially when there’s a long interval between books in the series.

Playboy · 12-07-2013 3:58pm

Struggling with 'The Reality Dysfunction' at the moment. First time I have jumped from fantasy into sci-fi in many years and finding it hard going. About a quarter of the way through and it has begun to pick up but half the time I cant be bothered picking it up. Not sure whether to stick or go.

ixoy · 12-07-2013 11:05pm

Reading "Prince of Thorns" by Mark Lawrence. About 18% into it. It's decent so far but I haven't been bowled over by it yet, despite some high praise. Finding the prose a little weak and the main character quite unsympathetic (yeah, obviously he's meant to be tough but I'm not finding him well rounded).

Raging_Ninja · 13-07-2013 8:10pm

Playboy wrote: »

Struggling with 'The Reality Dysfunction' at the moment. First time I have jumped from fantasy into sci-fi in many years and finding it hard going. About a quarter of the way through and it has begun to pick up but half the time I cant be bothered picking it up. Not sure whether to stick or go.

Did not like that book, gave up on it after 2/3 way through, skimmed through the rest of it.

Reading "The Prince" by Jerry Pournelle and SM Stirling, and I'm enjoying it a hell of a lot. Wanted to read more of this series since I read "Mote in God's Eye" last year.

Arawn · 13-07-2013 8:56pm

ixoy wrote: »

Reading "Prince of Thorns" by Mark Lawrence. About 18% into it. It's decent so far but I haven't been bowled over by it yet, despite some high praise. Finding the prose a little weak and the main character quite unsympathetic (yeah, obviously he's meant to be tough but I'm not finding him well rounded).

crap book imho

growler · 14-07-2013 1:12pm

Half way through Spin by Robert Charles Wilson, another of those I found on some list of" top ten big ideas in science fiction" lists some time back, and although the idea is indeed big I'm struggling to give a s**t about what happens to any of the characters, but I'll persevere. Choice of Wool or Farenheit 451 next, Wool seems to have a lot of positive feedback here but the back cover seems to suggest it is more teenage fiction.... anyone shed some light?

ixoy · 14-07-2013 1:34pm

growler wrote: »

Wool seems to have a lot of positive feedback here but the back cover seems to suggest it is more teenage fiction.... anyone shed some light?

Just finished it a few days ago and I wouldn't call it teenage fiction. I thought it was very well written myself, a good character driven piece. It's got a good premise and was well thought out.

ixoy · 15-07-2013 11:05pm

Arawn wrote: »

crap book imho

And now in mine. Honestly, I felt it was one of the worst books I've read this year. Maybe I'm missing something but it felt like some sort of angsty teenage mood piece. Characters were under-developed, the world building was weak (despite the potential of the setting) and Jorg was such an utter s**t that I couldn't care less about him. Abercrombie's written bastards that you can like but Lawrence just made a bastard I couldn't care less about.

ixoy · 18-07-2013 12:01am

On to better stuff: "The Silent Stars Go By" by Dan Abnett, an 11th Doctor adventure in BBC's Doctor Who original novels series, this time featuring the Ice Warriors. It's good fun, evokes the TV series perfectly, and will be a nice light read it looks.

Also began dipping into "Intergalactic Medicine Show Awards Anthology, Volume 1". It's a short story collection. Only onto the first one so far so can't yet tell the general quality.

Trojan · 18-07-2013 12:50am

Ok, I got 4 books into The Stainless Steel Rat and I think it's time to bail.

First two were very good: 4/5. Second two: 3/5 and 2/5. I'm really not into the time travel stuff.

donegal_man · 18-07-2013 3:11am

Trojan wrote: »

Ok, I got 4 books into The Stainless Steel Rat and I think it's time to bail.

First two were very good: 4/5. Second two: 3/5 and 2/5. I'm really not into the time travel stuff.

You did a lot better than me. I'd had this series recommended to me so ofter that I finally decided to give it a go. I got about two thirds of the way through the first one and could take no more.

Trojan · 18-07-2013 12:56pm

donegal_man wrote: »

You did a lot better than me. I'd had this series recommended to me so ofter that I finally decided to give it a go. I got about two thirds of the way through the first one and could take no more.

I understand. I always give these older ones a lot more leeway.

I know that if I read some of Asimov's Multivac-this and Univac-that stories in 2013 instead of 1985 I'd have a lot less time for them. Same for Heinlein, early Clarke, Bradbury, etc.

Playboy · 18-07-2013 4:25pm

Trojan wrote: »

I'm really not into the time travel stuff.

Know of any good modern time travel series or novels? Dont think I have ever read a good one but love the concept.

AnCapaillMor · 18-07-2013 5:45pm

Playboy wrote: »

Know of any good modern time travel series or novels? Dont think I have ever read a good one but love the concept.

John Birmingham's Axis of time, naval task force from 2020 gets transported into the middle of the battle of midway. Sounds daft but was interesting.

Raif Severance · 18-07-2013 6:17pm

AnCapaillMor wrote: »

John Birmingham's Axis of time, naval task force from 2020 gets transported into the middle of the battle of midway. Sounds daft but was interesting.

The Plot is eerily similar to a Manga/Anime called Zipang.

From Wiki:

A modern Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, the guided missile destroyer, JDS Mirai (みらい, meaning "future"), is en route to participate in a military exercise with the United States Navy near Hawaii. In the vicinity of Midway Island it encounters a strange meteorological phenomenon that throws it back through time to the eve of the Battle of Midway of World War II. After rescuing an Imperial Japanese Navy commissioned officer, Takumi Kusaka, the “Mirai” and its crew go on to affect the course of history itself.

Trailer for the Anime

Zipang came out in 2000, while JB's Axis of Time came in 2004.

Playboy wrote: »

Know of any good modern time travel series or novels? Dont think I have ever read a good one but love the concept.

I haven't Read any Time Travel Book set in Modern Times. But I have Read 1 Book with Time Travel in it.

Timegod's World Omnibus, is a Collection of 2 Novels by LE Modesitt Jr.

Think Norse Mythology with a Sci Fi Twist.

The Norse Gods in this, are more like Humans that are Immortal and Blessed with Time Powers. And they use their Time Powers against other Civilizations, so that they remain Unchallenged in the Cosmos.

Dan_Solo · 18-07-2013 8:33pm

Finished Metro 2033 last night, and I've got to say it was one of the best reads I've had in bloody ages. My only gripe would be it felt a bit rushed at the end. It had everything though, SF bits, horror bits, political satire, alternative history you name it. They could spin an awesome movie out of it, especially now they've a video game following. (or it could be terrible, you know the way it is)
So, that's a new one, so next on the rotation is an oldie. Gonna try Time And Again by Jack Finney. No idea what to expect. Blurb makes it sound like one of the more incomprehensible Dr Who episodes. Timey Wimey etc.:D

bradyle · 19-07-2013 7:53am

Just finished The Blinding Knife by Brent Weeks last night. Really enjoyed it!! Loved Kip's chapters cant wait for the next book, but sadly no info on when it will be published as far as i can see

Dades · 19-07-2013 9:31am

Started the last of the Expanse series, Abaddon's Gate.

Familiar territory.

Valaquenta · 19-07-2013 9:39am

Dan_Solo wrote: »

Finished Metro 2033 last night, and I've got to say it was one of the best reads I've had in bloody ages. My only gripe would be it felt a bit rushed at the end. It had everything though, SF bits, horror bits, political satire, alternative history you name it. They could spin an awesome movie out of it, especially now they've a video game following. (or it could be terrible, you know the way it is)

Yup, really good book that could make for a deadly movie. As long as Will Smith isn't chosen for the role. Admittedly he was much better than expected in I Robot, but was a terrible choice for I Am Legend.

Could see Metro being difficult enough to film though.

Valaquenta · 19-07-2013 9:48am

Finished the first Black Company Omnibus (The Books of the North):
The Black Company 1/5
Shadows Linger 3/5
The White Rose 2.5/5

Took longer than expected to get through them. Gonna try get through The Books of the South a bit quicker. Hoping they improve too. Average enough so far

Trojan · 19-07-2013 12:28pm

Valaquenta wrote: »

Finished the first Black Company Omnibus (The Books of the North):
The Black Company 1/5
Shadows Linger 3/5
The White Rose 2.5/5

Took longer than expected to get through them. Gonna try get through The Books of the South a bit quicker. Hoping they improve too. Average enough so far

I found the Books of the South better, and I'd have rated the North similar (though a little higher) to you.

ixoy · 19-07-2013 3:05pm

Reading the novella "The Wurms of Blearmouth" by Steven Erikson, the latest in his Korbal & Bauchelain novels (and, might I add, bloody expensive in these little slim hardback editions but I didn't want to wait for the cheaper collected volumes).

So far, it's good and it's got the banter that marks out Erikson's books from the rest of the crowd. Won't take me long to finish either I reckon.

RoboAmish · 19-07-2013 9:43pm

Trojan wrote: »

I found the Books of the South better, and I'd have rated the North similar (though a little higher) to you.

Interesting. I liked the Books of the South enough but I wouldn't say they're a patch on the Books of the North. Was oddly disengaged by the whole thing and found the whole...

Bringing a bunch of dead Taken members back to life asinine. The whole weird prophecy involving Lady didn't do much for me either, despite some interesting imagery. The way he tried to juggle the various religions was a little amateurish too.

Just started The Hero Of Ages. Loved The Final Empire, and thought The Well Of Ascension picked up well after a slow start but was still a bit aimless with strange pacing. Still enjoyed it though.

AllthingsCP · 20-07-2013 1:32pm

Just purchased The Modern Bodyguard,

ixoy · 20-07-2013 6:55pm

Reading "Avogadro Corp" by William Hertling, the first book in his Singularity series.
It's another one of those books I picked up cheaply on Amazon to try and broaden my view of what would, pre-Kindle, have never come to my attention. 12% in and it looks set to show what happens when a thinly-veiled Google corporation (Avogadro - also a big number like a Googol), develops a predictive analysis algorithm from e-mails that spins out of control.

Johnny Storm · 21-07-2013 10:13am

Kim Stanley Robinson - 2312 - 4.25/5

Trojan · 22-07-2013 2:55pm

Johnny Storm wrote: »

Kim Stanley Robinson - 2312 - 4.25/5

I've been looking at reading some KSR - I have a couple of the Mars books that I didn't really get into about 10, 15 years ago. Is her stuff worth another look?

shootermacg · 22-07-2013 4:28pm

Trojan wrote: »

I've been looking at reading some KSR - I have a couple of the Mars books that I didn't really get into about 10, 15 years ago. Is her stuff worth another look?

Her? and yes it is.

shaneor · 22-07-2013 4:44pm

A mixed bunch recently

Great:
The Martian by Andy Weir. Funny, well written and original. I hope he makes it big!
I Am Legend by Richard Matheson. It's been on my to-read list for ages as I try to catch up on some classics and well worth getting around to.

Very good:
Abbadons Gate by James SA Corey. Didn't enjoy it as much as the previous two in the trilogy but still probably the best new scifi series I've read in the last few years.

Meh:
Redshirts by John Scalzi. I wanted to love this and I did in places but it seemed like a short story that was being stretched to novel length. Still light entertainment and some laughs.
Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence. I'm not sure if my expectations were too high after hearing some great things but this didn't blow me away. I kept waiting for there to be more depth to the characters and world.
Unfettered by Shawn Speakman. This is a short story collection edited by Speakman but the lineup of authors is fairly incredible (including Brooks, Rothfuss & Sanderson). It's also for a good cause of raising money for Shawn Speakman after he was bankrupted after getting cancer for the second time! The stories themselves were hit and miss.

bradyle · 23-07-2013 8:03am

Just finished Theft of Swords the first book in Micheal J Sullivan's Riyria Revelations.

Really enjoyed it. Loved the story and think it was well written specially when you consider it was his first book and he originally had to self publish it.
I moved straight onto the second in the series which is good so far but only started so will have to let you know when I finish!!

AnCapaillMor · 24-07-2013 9:54am

bradyle wrote: »

Just finished Theft of Swords the first book in Micheal J Sullivan's Riyria Revelations.

I enjoyed that series, wouldn't say it was brilliant but it was fun, some good humour in it and a lot of nice plot twists. From the 1st book did you get the feeling that it was made with a TV show in mind?

ChrisM · 24-07-2013 10:07am

Lately I have been reading classics from the early to mid 20th century, such as The King of Elflands Daughter by Lord Dunsany. This is a beutifully written story that entails all sorts of mysticism and magic. It is a quick read too!

The City and the Stars by Arthur C. Clarke is another classic about Earth in the distant future.

Replay by Ken Grimmwood ..... What if you suddenly died aged 43, and woke up as an 18 year old in college, destined to die again at the very same point in your life? This book takes you on an adventure where you really do see yourself in the characters shoes.

My next plan is to read the rest of the Culture novels by Iain M. Banks.

FYI: I recently read Stephen Kings Under the Dome. It is a fantastic take on small town life with a major twist. I watched the pilot episode of the tv show, and had to turn it off after 25 minutes it was so bad. It deviates from the book quite a lot, and in the wrong direction too! Be warned :-)

old hippy · 25-07-2013 12:11pm

"Roadmarks" by Roger Zelazny. Not as immediate as "Lord of Light" but I'll stick with it.

Manach · 25-07-2013 12:22pm

The Portable Door series, by Tom Holt. As usual for the author, a very laid back fantasy series which the under-achieving hero stumbles on the myths which prove real. Fairly good comedy read and a different vibe of humour to Kate Griffins Midnight Mayor spin-off series which I finished before that.

Manach · 25-07-2013 12:24pm

AnCapaillMor wrote: »

I enjoyed that series, wouldn't say it was brilliant but it was fun, some good humour in it and a lot of nice plot twists. From the 1st book did you get the feeling that it was made with a TV show in mind?

Enjoyable Boys-own fantasy. There is a precursor series due out in the next few weeks, AFAIR.

ixoy · 25-07-2013 2:50pm

Reading "The Scarab Path" by Adrian Tchaikovsky, the fifth book in his "Shadows of the Apt" series.
It's the first book in a sub-series, following on from the first four books which formed their own series. I'm 15% in and, as with the other books, I'm enjoying it. Interesting world and characters. Still aiming to be caught up by the time of the final book's (#10!) release next year.

shaneor · 25-07-2013 5:17pm

ixoy wrote: »

Reading "The Scarab Path" by Adrian Tchaikovsky, the fifth book in his "Shadows of the Apt" series.
It's the first book in a sub-series, following on from the first four books which formed their own series. I'm 15% in and, as with the other books, I'm enjoying it. Interesting world and characters. Still aiming to be caught up by the time of the final book's (#10!) release next year.

Is that series worth getting into? I've had "Empire in Black and Gold" sitting on a shelf for quite awhile but I'm a little reluctant to start into a long unfinished series until the last book is out.

ixoy · 25-07-2013 9:21pm

shaneor wrote: »

Is that series worth getting into? I've had "Empire in Black and Gold" sitting on a shelf for quite awhile but I'm a little reluctant to start into a long unfinished series until the last book is out.

Personally I think so. I like the core concept of different species of human each with different traits/abilities based around insects - it works well. Also fond of it not being typical medieval but with automotive engines (sort of steampunk) but still elements of magic. It's refreshing.
As to getting through a 10-book unfinished series, book 9 is published this year and book 10 next year. He's been consistent in outputting at least 1 each year unlike other authors we could mention.

Nody · 26-07-2013 6:12am

I posted earlier about finishing Old Man's War which as good; I followed that up with finishing Ghost Brigade (book 2) which was better and really helped flesh out the special forces and the universe in general. I'm 50 pages from being done with the fourth one, Zoe's tale and it's bloody brilliant (esp. if you like sarcasm) (I read this one before the original third by mistake). Once again none of them have the depth of Dune but definitely all worth reading and I hope when I come back to The Last Colony (which is the same story told from a different perspective and the third book) it will be as good as Zoe's tale has been.

shaneor · 26-07-2013 9:35am

ixoy wrote: »

Personally I think so. I like the core concept of different species of human each with different traits/abilities based around insects - it works well. Also fond of it not being typical medieval but with automotive engines (sort of steampunk) but still elements of magic. It's refreshing.
As to getting through a 10-book unfinished series, book 9 is published this year and book 10 next year. He's been consistent in outputting at least 1 each year unlike other authors we could mention.

The setting always sounded interesting to me and it's a nice change from the generic medieval fantasy setting of other series.

I might have to move it back up my list!

Nody · 26-07-2013 10:22am

ixoy wrote: »

Personally I think so. I like the core concept of different species of human each with different traits/abilities based around insects - it works well. Also fond of it not being typical medieval but with automotive engines (sort of steampunk) but still elements of magic. It's refreshing.
As to getting through a 10-book unfinished series, book 9 is published this year and book 10 next year. He's been consistent in outputting at least 1 each year unlike other authors we could mention.

I'll hold you personally responsible now after having ordered the first six books (added to my ever growing pile of "things to be read one day") :P

Trojan · 26-07-2013 7:28pm

Nody wrote: »

I'll hold you personally responsible now after having ordered the first six books

I've only ordered two, but ixoy, I'll be coming with the pitchforks right behind Nody

Ronanc1 · 26-07-2013 8:04pm

Trojan wrote: »

I've only ordered two, but ixoy, I'll be coming with the pitchforks right behind Nody

:P Thirded

Zapp Brannigan · 26-07-2013 8:30pm

I remember starting the Tchaikovsky series and not being particularly grabbed by it.

Might go back to it eventually.

shootermacg · 26-07-2013 9:18pm

Just finished the 1st book of the Prince of Nothing series based on some recommendations in this thread, and, I'm blown away. Brilliant read, took a while to get into the prose but really glad I did.

Ronanc1 · 27-07-2013 12:34am

shootermacg wrote: »

Just finished the 1st book of the Prince of Nothing series based on some recommendations in this thread, and, I'm blown away. Brilliant read, took a while to get into the prose but really glad I did.

Probably one of the most difficult books i've read of recent years but equally as fantastic read based on recommendations from here, being the first of the trilogy I think its probably the worst offender for OTT super metaphysical musings and such, i think he toned it down a tad in the second and third which made them just a little bit easier going.... still Kelhus what a prick!

Liamalone · 27-07-2013 12:39am

Just finished Dark Tower number 6, Song of Susannah, cracking stuff, roll on number 7'!

Bits_n_Bobs · 27-07-2013 10:32am

About half way through Nexus by Ramez Naam - soft cyberpunk(ish )with lots of semi-explored ideas that could be very interesting but the author doesn't really provide enough meat to them for my taste. Nevertheless the pace of it is quick enough to keep me engaged.

Recently finished The Lives of Tao which was not an enjoyable read. Sheer pig-headedness made me finish it - the wise thing would of been to dump it half way through.

Reading this thread I have added The Darkness That Comes Before and Empire in Black and Gold to my wish list - if either suck I shall vent internet rage at you all

What Are You Reading?

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