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gmw · 12-14-2017, 01:53 AM

In the new-to-me (but not published in 2017) category of books I've read this year, the stand outs for me are:

- Fool and also Lamb by Christopher Moore. Moore is a wonderfully clever author who I've seen compared to Terry Pratchett, and though the work/voice is very different, Moore does have the same ability to be both funny and serious (sometimes tragically or bitterly so) all in the same line.

- Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch. This was fun. Not great, but enough fun that I'll be getting more from this author.

- The White Tiger by Araind Adiga. This was fascinating, compelling in a strange train-wreck sort of way. Not in a hurry to re-read it, but glad I've read it once.

I had not realised until you asked, this year I've read only 2 books that were first published this year - both of them non-fiction, and one was a Scientific American collation of mostly older articles, so it barely counts. Which leaves only one, so it really stood out

- How to Tame a Fox (and build a dog) by Lyudmila Trut, Lee Alan Dugatkin. This was truly excellent, a wonderful blend of science, history, human realities and cute-and-cuddly foxes. Lots of fascinating snippets, not always directly related to foxes. Mine came in a very nicely presented hardcover - but Amazon show there is kindle version.

In the regular re-read category for this year my stand outs are:

- Truckers, Diggers and Wings (also sold as one book, The Bromeliad Trilogy) by Terry Pratchett. Supposedly written for kids, but I love this miniature epic. It doesn't take long to read the three of them and it always puts a smile on my face.

I did some catching up with Robert Goddard this year, and while I did very much enjoy Fault Line (pub 2012), I found his James Mated trilogy The Ways of the World etc. disappointing - and it's very unusual for me to be disappointed in anything by Goddard.

A slow reading year for me this year, only 65 books so far, but it was a wide mix. From philosophy through literary, romance, mystery, thrillers, science fiction, fantasy and back to non-fiction. From first published in 1862 through to 2017. Quite a lot of re-reads (C.S.Lewis, Cussler, Gaiman). ... My mood has been all over the place this year, and it shows in my reading selection.

No specific plans for next year. I just read as the mood hits me (and time allows).

12-14-2017, 01:53 AM	#6
gmw cacoethes scribendi Posts: 5,818 Karma: 137770742 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura One & H2Ov2, Sony PRS-650	In the new-to-me (but not published in 2017) category of books I've read this year, the stand outs for me are: - Fool and also Lamb by Christopher Moore. Moore is a wonderfully clever author who I've seen compared to Terry Pratchett, and though the work/voice is very different, Moore does have the same ability to be both funny and serious (sometimes tragically or bitterly so) all in the same line. - Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch. This was fun. Not great, but enough fun that I'll be getting more from this author. - The White Tiger by Araind Adiga. This was fascinating, compelling in a strange train-wreck sort of way. Not in a hurry to re-read it, but glad I've read it once. I had not realised until you asked, this year I've read only 2 books that were first published this year - both of them non-fiction, and one was a Scientific American collation of mostly older articles, so it barely counts. Which leaves only one, so it really stood out - How to Tame a Fox (and build a dog) by Lyudmila Trut, Lee Alan Dugatkin. This was truly excellent, a wonderful blend of science, history, human realities and cute-and-cuddly foxes. Lots of fascinating snippets, not always directly related to foxes. Mine came in a very nicely presented hardcover - but Amazon show there is kindle version. In the regular re-read category for this year my stand outs are: - Truckers, Diggers and Wings (also sold as one book, The Bromeliad Trilogy) by Terry Pratchett. Supposedly written for kids, but I love this miniature epic. It doesn't take long to read the three of them and it always puts a smile on my face. I did some catching up with Robert Goddard this year, and while I did very much enjoy Fault Line (pub 2012), I found his James Mated trilogy The Ways of the World etc. disappointing - and it's very unusual for me to be disappointed in anything by Goddard. A slow reading year for me this year, only 65 books so far, but it was a wide mix. From philosophy through literary, romance, mystery, thrillers, science fiction, fantasy and back to non-fiction. From first published in 1862 through to 2017. Quite a lot of re-reads (C.S.Lewis, Cussler, Gaiman). ... My mood has been all over the place this year, and it shows in my reading selection. No specific plans for next year. I just read as the mood hits me (and time allows).