Hey!! Let's get some action going! What are we reading? - Page 838

Crusader · 03-02-2012, 02:50 AM

Finished reading The Dwarves by Markus Heitz. It's a pretty straight-forward fantasy story with a struggle between good and evil, but written from the perspective of the dwarves who are the protectors (and ultimately the saviors) of the realm as they journey to forge a magical weapon to kill an evil mage.

Heitz adds some interesting ideas to dwarven lore and the story is quite entertaining.

Chi Cygni · 03-02-2012, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Latinandgreek

Thanks of the recommendation, I will see if I can get a hold of those books!

I started reading it last night - bad idea, I couldn't put it down

My pleasure

Snow Flower is good, well written with attention to detail but it is sad. It is a book that I will remember for years to come only not sure if I will want to reread it.

other books in similar flavour

Shanghai Girls by Lisa See
http://www.lisasee.com/shanghaigirls/

The Street of a Thousand Blossoms by Gail Tsukiyama (Japan)
http://www.amazon.com/Street-Thousan...=A3TXIZSD66MRZ

Dr. Drib · 03-02-2012, 08:44 AM

Well, I finished "The Night Circus," but it just didn't do much for me.

I'm now starting "Wonderful World," by Javier Calvo, which only has a few reviews. The novel however, has been critically acclaimed.

Here's a brief quote from Publishers Weekly:

"Calvo's first novel to appear in English is a frenetic and magnificent mashup of family drama, mob revenge story and surreal mystery featuring a gigantic enforcer obsessed with comic books, a 12-year-old girl fixated on Stephen King, a namby-pamby antiques dealer on a mad quest and a crime lord with a penchant for women's coats."

And an excerpt from Booklist:

"Meanwhile, his best friend is his 12-year-old neighbor, a fatherless girl named Valentina, who regards herself as the greatest living Stephen King expert (“excerpts” from King’s newest novel are sprinkled throughout the book). Other cultural references ranging from psychedelic rock and heavy metal to horror movies and superhero comics abound, while the novel’s action is overlaid by a patina of Quentin Tarentino–like violence. Surreal, sexy, wildly funny, self-indulgent, and wretchedly excessive, Wonderful World is clearly not for all readers, but it will have its passionate advocates and has all the earmarks of a cult favorite in the making."

I'm embarrassed to say I bought this in Aug., 2009.

ADDED: Interestingly, "Wonderful World" is the title of a fictitious Stephen King novel, one that exists only in the pages of the novel by Calvo.

Don

poohbear_nc · 03-02-2012, 09:03 AM

Just finished Crooked House by Agatha Christie - a stand alone wonderfully wicked mystery that Dame Christie counted as one of her favorite creations.

As I was reading it, I kept thinking I've sort of read this book before .... it has many plot & character similarities with Ngaio Marsh's Final Curtain - fabulously rich old man surrounded by money-sucking idle family marries a 20-something gold digger who is hated by one & all. Frightfully unattractive little girl snooping in everyone's business. Old man is murdered - the family tries to pin it on the young widow. Everyone lies. More murders ensue. One wonders if the "grand dames" of mystery were reading each others' books.

Both are wonderful reads.

The Terminator · 03-02-2012, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

Just finished Crooked House by Agatha Christie - a stand alone wonderfully wicked mystery that Dame Christie counted as one of her favorite creations.

As I was reading it, I kept thinking I've sort of read this book before .... it has many plot & character similarities with Ngaio Marsh's Final Curtain - fabulously rich old man surrounded by money-sucking idle family marries a 20-something gold digger who is hated by one & all. Frightfully unattractive little girl snooping in everyone's business. Old man is murdered - the family tries to pin it on the young widow. Everyone lies. More murders ensue. One wonders if the "grand dames" of mystery were reading each others' books.

Both are wonderful reads.

I read that last month, very good book.

the-golden-ones · 03-02-2012, 02:24 PM

I'm reading Cassandra Clare's Infernal devices book 2: Clockwork Prince

Never too old for a bit of YA fiction!

pdurrant · 03-02-2012, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Fellowship of Fear by Aaron Elkins.

A moderate spy mystery. I got the answer about half way through. But fun enough to pick up the rest next time there's a good offer at fictionwise. It looks to me like the hero, Gideon Oliver, will improve over the series.

Next up: Grantville Gazette, Vol. #40 edited by Paula Goodlett. The latest in the long-running series of books of short stories set in Eric Flint's 1632 Universe.

poohbear_nc · 03-02-2012, 04:15 PM

One of the many pleasures of reading ebooks is discovering an old favorite or even beloved title that now is available as an ebook. Sometimes you are disappointed when the cherished volume fails to live up to your memories or expectations. Sometimes reading the book again is again a revelation or rediscovery of the magic by which a truly gifted author can create brilliant beautiful worlds within your mind - using only words.

I recently noticed that Kathleen Ann Goonan's Queen City Jazz was finally available as an ebook. Ever since I first discovered this book years ago, I have read and re-read and re-read this book (I wore out several paperback copies and finally purchased a hardcover edition) - the writing is lyrical, brilliant, evocative, and deeply emotional. The mental pictures Goonan creates in your mind are wondrous! Simply put, this book describes a dystopian future after nanotechnology has "escaped" and the surviving humans are either hiding from it or infected with it. Goonan takes this basic scenario and applies her imagination - and creates one of the most unique, distinctive, and completely individual vision of a dystopia that I have ever read. A delicious melange of narrative beauty, leavened with literary & musical references -- and flowers & bees! Yes, bees ....

So I bought the ebook and began re-re-re-reading it -- and am being completely blown away again - It's even better than I had remembered. There are so many layers to this book, I think you will discover something new each time you read it, no matter how many times you read it.

Highly recommended!

[This is book 1 (and the best IMHO) of her Nanotech Quartet: Queen City Jazz, Mississippi Blues, Crescent City Rhapsody, Light Music. I hope the remaining 3 are soon issued as ebooks as well]

pdurrant · 03-02-2012, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

Kathleen Ann Goonan's Queen City Jazz

Highly recommended!

Added to my Amazon wish list.

Fbone · 03-02-2012, 08:15 PM

Finished Mutineer's Moon by David Weber. The first in the Dahak series. It was enjoyable but frustrating with the technology inconsistencies. For every deus ex machina there was an anti-deus ex machina. Other errors and I-don't-believe-it actions contributed to the slight disgruntlement. I am unsure whether I'll continue the series. Rated generously C- [3 stars]

Next a change-up. Florida Roadkill by Tim Dorsey. A humorous murderous Floridian romp.

stonetools · 03-02-2012, 10:42 PM

Just finished Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman. Great read. I had read a Short story collection by him earlier and thought it wasn't so great.
I must say Neverwhere lived up to the hype. Highly recommended!

MrTenzin · 03-03-2012, 01:30 AM

Picked up Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson.
Brilliant book, but its taking quite some time. I'm halfway through it, and every page is as interesting as it can get!
Also reading "The Partner" by John Grisham (20%), seems interesting so far!

WT Sharpe · 03-03-2012, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

I recently noticed that Kathleen Ann Goonan's Queen City Jazz was finally available as an ebook. Ever since I first discovered this book years ago, I have read and re-read and re-read this book...
...Highly recommended!

Just downloaded a sample.

orlok · 03-03-2012, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stonetools

Just finished Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman. Great read. I had read a Short story collection by him earlier and thought it wasn't so great.
I must say Neverwhere lived up to the hype. Highly recommended!

On my 2012 challenge list, and hoping to get to it in the next couple of months. Thanks for the recommendation.

Latinandgreek · 03-03-2012, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the-golden-ones

I'm reading Cassandra Clare's Infernal devices book 2: Clockwork Prince

Never too old for a bit of YA fiction!

I just finished that one. I really enjoyed it.

03-02-2012, 08:44 AM	#12558
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 44,748 Karma: 55645321 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: Kindle: Oasis 3, Voyage WiFi; Kobo: Libra 2, Aura One	Well, I finished "The Night Circus," but it just didn't do much for me. I'm now starting "Wonderful World," by Javier Calvo, which only has a few reviews. The novel however, has been critically acclaimed. Here's a brief quote from Publishers Weekly: "Calvo's first novel to appear in English is a frenetic and magnificent mashup of family drama, mob revenge story and surreal mystery featuring a gigantic enforcer obsessed with comic books, a 12-year-old girl fixated on Stephen King, a namby-pamby antiques dealer on a mad quest and a crime lord with a penchant for women's coats." And an excerpt from Booklist: "Meanwhile, his best friend is his 12-year-old neighbor, a fatherless girl named Valentina, who regards herself as the greatest living Stephen King expert (“excerpts” from King’s newest novel are sprinkled throughout the book). Other cultural references ranging from psychedelic rock and heavy metal to horror movies and superhero comics abound, while the novel’s action is overlaid by a patina of Quentin Tarentino–like violence. Surreal, sexy, wildly funny, self-indulgent, and wretchedly excessive, Wonderful World is clearly not for all readers, but it will have its passionate advocates and has all the earmarks of a cult favorite in the making." I'm embarrassed to say I bought this in Aug., 2009. ADDED: Interestingly, "Wonderful World" is the title of a fictitious Stephen King novel, one that exists only in the pages of the novel by Calvo. Don Last edited by Dr. Drib; 03-02-2012 at 10:56 AM.

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03-02-2012, 02:50 AM	#12556
Crusader Space Cadet Posts: 1,180 Karma: 4030536 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: South Africa Device: Sony PRS-T1, Cybook Opus, Kobo Glo	Finished reading The Dwarves by Markus Heitz. It's a pretty straight-forward fantasy story with a struggle between good and evil, but written from the perspective of the dwarves who are the protectors (and ultimately the saviors) of the realm as they journey to forge a magical weapon to kill an evil mage. Heitz adds some interesting ideas to dwarven lore and the story is quite entertaining.

03-02-2012, 09:03 AM	#12559
poohbear_nc Now what? Posts: 58,870 Karma: 135181808 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Durham, NC Device: Every Kindle Ever Made & To Be Made!	Just finished Crooked House by Agatha Christie - a stand alone wonderfully wicked mystery that Dame Christie counted as one of her favorite creations. As I was reading it, I kept thinking I've sort of read this book before .... it has many plot & character similarities with Ngaio Marsh's Final Curtain - fabulously rich old man surrounded by money-sucking idle family marries a 20-something gold digger who is hated by one & all. Frightfully unattractive little girl snooping in everyone's business. Old man is murdered - the family tries to pin it on the young widow. Everyone lies. More murders ensue. One wonders if the "grand dames" of mystery were reading each others' books. Both are wonderful reads.

03-02-2012, 02:24 PM	#12561
the-golden-ones Member Posts: 10 Karma: 68660 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Bristol Device: kindle	I'm reading Cassandra Clare's Infernal devices book 2: Clockwork Prince Never too old for a bit of YA fiction!

03-02-2012, 04:15 PM	#12563
poohbear_nc Now what? Posts: 58,870 Karma: 135181808 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Durham, NC Device: Every Kindle Ever Made & To Be Made!	One of the many pleasures of reading ebooks is discovering an old favorite or even beloved title that now is available as an ebook. Sometimes you are disappointed when the cherished volume fails to live up to your memories or expectations. Sometimes reading the book again is again a revelation or rediscovery of the magic by which a truly gifted author can create brilliant beautiful worlds within your mind - using only words. I recently noticed that Kathleen Ann Goonan's Queen City Jazz was finally available as an ebook. Ever since I first discovered this book years ago, I have read and re-read and re-read this book (I wore out several paperback copies and finally purchased a hardcover edition) - the writing is lyrical, brilliant, evocative, and deeply emotional. The mental pictures Goonan creates in your mind are wondrous! Simply put, this book describes a dystopian future after nanotechnology has "escaped" and the surviving humans are either hiding from it or infected with it. Goonan takes this basic scenario and applies her imagination - and creates one of the most unique, distinctive, and completely individual vision of a dystopia that I have ever read. A delicious melange of narrative beauty, leavened with literary & musical references -- and flowers & bees! Yes, bees .... So I bought the ebook and began re-re-re-reading it -- and am being completely blown away again - It's even better than I had remembered. There are so many layers to this book, I think you will discover something new each time you read it, no matter how many times you read it. Highly recommended! [This is book 1 (and the best IMHO) of her Nanotech Quartet: Queen City Jazz, Mississippi Blues, Crescent City Rhapsody, Light Music. I hope the remaining 3 are soon issued as ebooks as well]

03-02-2012, 08:15 PM	#12565
Fbone Is that a sandwich? Posts: 8,189 Karma: 100500000 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Nook Glowlight Plus	Finished Mutineer's Moon by David Weber. The first in the Dahak series. It was enjoyable but frustrating with the technology inconsistencies. For every deus ex machina there was an anti-deus ex machina. Other errors and I-don't-believe-it actions contributed to the slight disgruntlement. I am unsure whether I'll continue the series. Rated generously C- [3 stars] Next a change-up. Florida Roadkill by Tim Dorsey. A humorous murderous Floridian romp.

03-02-2012, 10:42 PM	#12566
stonetools Wizard Posts: 2,016 Karma: 2838487 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Washington, DC Device: Ipad, IPhone	Just finished Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman. Great read. I had read a Short story collection by him earlier and thought it wasn't so great. I must say Neverwhere lived up to the hype. Highly recommended!

03-03-2012, 01:30 AM	#12567
MrTenzin Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2012 Device: iPad	Picked up Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. Brilliant book, but its taking quite some time. I'm halfway through it, and every page is as interesting as it can get! Also reading "The Partner" by John Grisham (20%), seems interesting so far!