Hey!! Let's get some action going! What are we reading?

[DrNefario]

I finished A Dance with Dragons 1: Dreams and Dust by George R. R. Martin - the first half of the split UK paperback edition of ADwD, and I've started Foundation and Empire by Isaac Asimov as a change of pace before the second part.

I read Foundation back in January, and I need to read the whole original trilogy before I'm ready for Foundation's Edge, which won a Hugo. The latter half of Foundation and Empire also won a Retro Hugo. Including those two, I have fifteen Hugo winners left to read. Until they give away the next one, in August/September.

[Illinifan]

After years of purposefully avoiding the series, I've started and finished all 7 of the Harry Potter books in about 6 weeks. My kid got a box set for Christmas and convinced me to finally take the plunge when he was home for Spring Break. I read the first 3 in pbook format and then the last 4 on my iPhone 4 as downloads from my local library.

Reading them as quickly as I did gave me an appreciation for the continuity and attention to detail that Rowling put into the series. I'm partial to epic "Good vs Evil" tales (King's "The Stand" is a Top 5 favorite), so HP scratched that itch.

While I am not ready to go buy a Hogwarts cloak or a copy of Harry's wand, I do have an appreciation now of why my kids and their friends would be at B&N at midnight for each new book.

[CRussel]

Just finished reading Longeye, by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller. This is the second half of the Duainfey duology that is completely outside their Liaden Universe series. A pure fantasy, I found the first book of the pair frankly disturbing and unpleasant, but compelling. I avoided reading the second, even though I'd bought it, but after several people suggested that the second book was less disturbing, I finally got around to reading it. I must say, I enjoyed the Longeye, and was glad to have read it. But would NOT recommend the series to others because of the overtly abusive sexual content in the first book. Life is just too short to waste it reading domination, rape and abuse scenes, no matter if it is a favourite author pair.

[Synamon]

Currently reading 1222 by Anne Holt which I bought a few days ago with one of those amazing Kobo discount coupons. It's a murder mystery set at a snowbound hotel on a mountain in Norway (1222 refers to the elevation). One of the other characters describes the main character as an ostrich, which is apt not just because she is extremely withdrawn socially, but also for her unwillingness to investigate the murder. I'm halfway through and it looks like she's about to pull her head out of the sand, I'm looking forward to some sparks.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by CRussel

I must say, I enjoyed the Longeye, and was glad to have read it. But would NOT recommend the series to others because of the overtly abusive sexual content in the first book. Life is just too short to waste it reading domination, rape and abuse scenes, no matter if it is a favourite author pair.

Yes, I agree. I do recommend the Liaden stuff and Sharon Lee's Carousel Tides.

[CRussel]

@pdurrant: Agree completely. The good news is, by the way, that there will be additional Carousel Tides books. Ms. Lee thought that the negative reaction to Duainfey (and there was quite a bit) would have an ongoing negative impact on non-series books, but apparently Baen has bought at least one (and I seem to recall, two) additional follow ons to Carousel Tides. The Liaden series was, of course, never in doubt, and continues to be one of my all time favourite series and one that has no real duds in the list.

[poohbear_nc]

Originally Posted by Synamon

Currently reading 1222 by Anne Holt which I bought a few days ago with one of those amazing Kobo discount coupons. It's a murder mystery set at a snowbound hotel on a mountain in Norway (1222 refers to the elevation). One of the other characters describes the main character as an ostrich, which is apt not just because she is extremely withdrawn socially, but also for her unwillingness to investigate the murder. I'm halfway through and it looks like she's about to pull her head out of the sand, I'm looking forward to some sparks.

This is an interesting take on the "locked room" mystery - with everyone trapped by a blizzard & avalanche. The resolution gets a bit tangled up & overly complicated IMHO.
Anne Holt's books are slowly appearing outside Norway - I've enjoyed her quirky characters very much.

[CRussel]

Over the weekend, I also finished The Thief Who Couldn't Sleep, an early Lawrence Block book. The protagonist is Evan Michael Tanner, who has a medical condition that doesn't allow him to sleep. He uses the extra 8 hours a day to learn languages and read. He makes a living writing papers and exams for lazy but rich students. (Keep in mind this was written in 1966.)

Overall, an enjoyable bit of fluff. You can see the makings of the Lawrence Block who will be, but he's still feeling his way. Definitely worth a read, especially with these books all on sale right now.

[alansplace]

Originally Posted by alansplace

This series has become my second favorite series ever! Locked Rooms was great! Engaging and exciting to the last page! Now, with high expectations, I'll begin The Language of Bees, book 9 in the series.

I've just finished reading book 9, The Language of Bees and I want to share a short excerpt with anyone interested. The below spoiler (though it doesn't really spoil anything of note) contains a short excerpt from chapter 40 (of 47), a snippet that I really enjoyed. It occurs during the first stop (in York) of a hurried (this is 1924) flight from London to Northern Scotland.

VERY MINOR SPOILER:

Spoiler:

I let Javitz hand me down from my perch; on terra firma, I could feel my bones sway as if I’d been on a long sea voyage. I said, “It’s hard to believe we left London at dawn and we’re already in York.”

“You needn’t shout, Miss Russell.”

“Sorry,” I said. “My ears are ringing.”

“But it’s true, this is the next revolution in travel.”

Emergency speed was one thing, but I did not imagine the world was full of people eager to be cramped into place, shaken about, deafened, frozen, boiled, and frightened silly for the sake of a few hours saved. “I don’t believe I’ll invest in Imperial Airways quite yet, thank you.”

Now on to the next one, book 10, The God of the Hive.

[maianhvk]

Originally Posted by Latinandgreek

I really enjoyed that one, I hope that you do too. I think my next read will be Guy Gavriel Kay.

I'm reading "The Prince of Mist" by Zafon. I'm about a third of the way through it - it's great. Creepy as all heck to read before bedtime, though - but then again, I'm a bit of a wuss!

20% into Tigana and I now understand why people like it. I'm eager to read other books by G.G. Kay already, but many people say his best one is Tigana, so I'm still thinking. What is this next read of yours? Have you read A thousand spendid suns? Tell me what you think about it, too.

Zafón's style is about misty, creepy dark places, right

Originally Posted by Illinifan

After years of purposefully avoiding the series, I've started and finished all 7 of the Harry Potter books in about 6 weeks... While I am not ready to go buy a Hogwarts cloak or a copy of Harry's wand, I do have an appreciation now of why my kids and their friends would be at B&N at midnight for each new book.

Me too. I've been avoiding it forever. Just read the first two books last month or so, and liked them enough to understand the hype, and to continue. But I'd like to hold paper books, so I'm still waiting for the copies to arrive.

[The Terminator]

Finally starting Three Men In a Boat, it's been on my list for a few days but I'm just starting it now. The eBook uploaded to MR is a work of art.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Well, that was a fun, quick read. Some plausible-sounding analysis of bones, and a fascinating situation. Straight on to number 3:

Murder in the Queen's Armes by Aaron Elkins

Which I whooshed through, and also Old Bones, the fourth in the series.

Both splendid little mystery stories featuring our hero, Gideon Oliver.

Only six more to go, so I think I'll leave the rest for a while. I think some SF next. Something completely different: Man Kzin Wars VII: A Darker Geometry by Mark O. Martin and Gregory Benford.

[xg4bx]

Leviathan Wakes by James SA Corey. its pretty awesome. a little detective story mixed with some space opera and some horror.

[Latinandgreek]

Originally Posted by maianhvk

20% into Tigana and I now understand why people like it. I'm eager to read other books by G.G. Kay already, but many people say his best one is Tigana, so I'm still thinking. What is this next read of yours? Have you read A thousand spendid suns? Tell me what you think about it, too.

Zafón's style is about misty, creepy dark places, right

Yes, misty and creepy just about covers it!

Next I was thinking about reading "Under Heaven" or "The Fionavar Trilogy" by G.G. Kay. I'll probably go with the Fionavar Trilogy. I haven't yet read "A Thousand Splendid Suns", maybe I will get to that soon, and we can discuss it it you want.

[maianhvk]

Originally Posted by Latinandgreek

Yes, misty and creepy just about covers it!

Next I was thinking about reading "Under Heaven" or "The Fionavar Trilogy" by G.G. Kay. I'll probably go with the Fionavar Trilogy. I haven't yet read "A Thousand Splendid Suns", maybe I will get to that soon, and we can discuss it it you want.

Nice! Tigana is going fast. It's good to read fantasy again.