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

[WT Sharpe]

Finished Dave Barry Slept Here: A Sort of History of the United States by Dave Barry. This book, while not one of his best in my opinion, picked up considerably the closer he drew to the present. I'll give it at least 3 stars out of five.

[DiapDealer]

I finished up Low Town (Daniel Polansky) and thoroughly enjoyed his debut fantasy novel. And I think there's still plenty of room for improvement, as well. In fact, I got the distinct impression that Polansky may have been "dumbing down" his prose at times (for the sake of the first-person context)... but still couldn't quite help himself at times:

"His face took on a wistful quality that tends to augur monologue, and, sure enough, the pregnant pause gave birth to soliloquy."

And of course, classic noir bread & butter such as:

"I slumped back against the wall, hoping that last shot hadn't broken a bone, the agony in my side suggesting that such optimism was unfounded."

Low Town is a seedy, noir mystery wrapped in a fantasy setting—the setting providing backdrop and ambiance for the story, rather than using it for plot. It features a drug-dealer "hero" who is an ex-agent of the Throne (cop) who has fallen from grace (and dips regularly into his own stock), but isn't completely morally bankrupt (and that plagues him). Someone is kidnapping/murdering children in his neighborhood (a post-industrial urban slum) and he gets entangled in the mystery. It had a few slight pacing problems here and there, but the relative shortness of the book made those easy to overlook/forgive.

You're "dunked" into Polansky's world instead of slowly indoctrinated, though. Some don't like that, but I always find it more refreshing than brick-by-brick world-building. The argot can be cryptic early on—but Polansky always manages to bail the reader out contextually before it can get annoying. Magic is prevalent, but it's never systemized at the expense of good story-telling.

I solved a big piece of the mystery early, but thankfully, I put almost as much emphasis on the manner in which all is revealed as I do the mystery itself. Otherwise... I wouldn't read many mysteries. Polansky executed his payoff with exciting flair (even if it didn't completely "sixth-sense" me).

I'm sure a few male readers will be quick to rush to the defense of women everywhere by attributing more importance to perceived, fictional misogyny than the women they're claiming to defend would attribute themselves. But I've found that most males are terrible judges of what does and what doesn't offend women, so I choose to respect them enough to let them make their own decisions about it. That said: I do consider it a guy's book, but have no more compunction about reading it (or Polansky writing it) than I do about wearing "guy's pants", or "guy's jackets." Watching "guy movies", going to "stag gatherings", or putting on "guy's shoes." I'm a guy. Sue me.

I'm now getting ready to read my first books in the Star Wars universe since Splinter of the Mind's Eye was published. I've chosen Zahn's Thrawn trilogy as my introduction. Unless someone has a compelling reason why I should start somewhere else... Heir to the Empire... here I come.

[kennyc]

I'm about halfway through "The Information..." by James Glieck
I've had it on my to-read list for a while now but am finally knuckling down and reading it.

http://www.amazon.com/Information-Hi...tt_at_ep_dpt_1

Great book, particularly for those interested in the history of the science of "information"

Much of it is a review of sorts for me as I've studied this topic for a couple of decades but still very interesting.

UPDATE: Finished this. Highly recommended I give it 4/5 (but only because I was already familiar with a lot of what was presented)

[ATDrake]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Next, I think I'll read her book of short stories, Wings by Sarah A. Hoyt.

You may be interested to know that Hoyt has on Smashwords a (currently) free novel set in her Magical British Empire, but more Austen-esque and set during the Regency: A Touch of Night (also free @ Amazon due to pricematching, though maybe not in the UK). It's apparently a more romantic fantasy, but if it turns out I like the setting, I'll likely end up trying her Shakespearean Elizabethans.

Originally Posted by phenomshel

This reminded me - have you read the Thoroughly Southern mystery series by Patricia Sprinkle? Add Southern weirdness in there and they pretty closely match your above description...

I've never heard of them, but they sound like something I'll have to see if the library has.

Bonus points if they demonstrate how blood is thicker than water by doing their "Youdunnit! You hated his guts so much you wanted to use them for garters after strangling him with his own entrails and finally managed to scrape up enough of your own guts to do it after only thirty years of cringing cowardice!", "No, youdunnit because your credit cards are so maxed out you've taken up part-time prostitution just to service your 29.7% APR debt and the old man just laughed in your face and told you to go pro when you hit him up for a loan!" Airing Of The Grievances right in front of the nice police inspector who's writing it all up in his/her little notebook with an expression of horrified fascination.

As for me, finished two more of those Georgette Heyer standalone mysteries, but will comment on them later when I'm done with the 3rd, for contrast-and-compare purposes.

Also, Anne & Todd McCaffrey's latest Pern book, Dragon's Time, is due soon at the library, so I'm giving this baffling I'-m-going-to-pretend-this-is-all-AU-fanfic trainwreck reading priority.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by ATDrake

You may be interested to know that Hoyt has on Smashwords a (currently) free novel set in her Magical British Empire, but more Austen-esque and set during the Regency: A Touch of Night (also free @ Amazon due to pricematching, though maybe not in the UK). It's apparently a more romantic fantasy, but if it turns out I like the setting, I'll likely end up trying her Shakespearean Elizabethans.

Yes, I know (and enjoyed) A Touch of Night. It's more a bit of humorous Austin fan-fic rather than anything else, being closely based on Pride and Prejudice — the same cast of characters, but with weres thorwn in for good measure. The casting of particular characters with their were animals is fun.

[caleb72]

Originally Posted by Ron.

I just finished The Night Circus I completely enjoyed this book, One of the most original stories I have read. Subtle is how I would best describe this story in a word. Many separate characters and seemingly unrelated events, the pleasure in the story is watching it unfold seeing how it is all tied together.

Thanks - now on my "to buy" list.

[j3s2by]

The Mill River Recluse - Darcie Chan - is a story of triumph over tragedy, one that reminds us of the value of friendship and the ability of love to come from the most unexpected of places.

[HomeInMyShoes]

Originally Posted by kennyc

I'm about halfway through "The Information..." by James Glieck
...
Great book, particularly for those interested in the history of the science of "information"

I'll have to look at this one. Next year maybe. Next year.

Originally Posted by Ron.

I just finished The Night Circus I completely enjoyed this book, One of the most original stories I have read. Subtle is how I would best describe this story in a word. Many separate characters and seemingly unrelated events, the pleasure in the story is watching it unfold seeing how it is all tied together.

I'm going to have to stop reading this thread. Another book I saw that looked interesting. Onto the possible pile.

[HomeInMyShoes]

I finished up Good Omens on the weekend. Two thumbs up.

Just started Catherynne M. Valente's The Orphan's Tales: In the Night Garden. If the first twenty-five pages are any indication, I didn't over-anticipate it. Even the feel of the pages (yes, it's a paper book) is so smooth and inviting.

[Ron.]

I'm currently reading Forbidden

New York Times bestselling author Ted Dekker teams with Tosca Lee to create this gripping thriller set in a desolate future.

Many years have passed since civilization's brush with apocalypse. The world's greatest threats have all been silenced. There is no anger, no hatred, no war. There is only perfect peace... and fear. But a terrible secret has been closely guarded for centuries: Every single soul walking the earth, though in appearance totally normal, is actually dead, long ago genetically stripped of true humanity.

Fleeing pursuit, with only moments to live, a young man named Rom stumbles into possession of a vial of blood and a piece of cryptic writing. When consumed, the blood will bring him back to life. When decoded, the message will lead him on a perilous journey that will require him to abandon everything he has ever known and awaken humanity to the transforming power of true life and love.

But the blood will also resurrect hatred, ambition, and greed.

Set in a terrifying, medieval future, where grim pageantry masks death, this tale of dark desires and staggering stakes peels back the layers of the heart for all who dare to take the ride.

[melmac]

I've just startred reading Mammon by JB Thomas its YA fantasy great cover http://www.amazon.com/Mammon-ebook/d...7094375&sr=1-2

[xg4bx]

Originally Posted by Ron.

I'm currently reading Forbidden

New York Times bestselling author Ted Dekker teams with Tosca Lee to create this gripping thriller set in a desolate future.

Many years have passed since civilization's brush with apocalypse. The world's greatest threats have all been silenced. There is no anger, no hatred, no war. There is only perfect peace... and fear. But a terrible secret has been closely guarded for centuries: Every single soul walking the earth, though in appearance totally normal, is actually dead, long ago genetically stripped of true humanity.

Fleeing pursuit, with only moments to live, a young man named Rom stumbles into possession of a vial of blood and a piece of cryptic writing. When consumed, the blood will bring him back to life. When decoded, the message will lead him on a perilous journey that will require him to abandon everything he has ever known and awaken humanity to the transforming power of true life and love.

But the blood will also resurrect hatred, ambition, and greed.

Set in a terrifying, medieval future, where grim pageantry masks death, this tale of dark desires and staggering stakes peels back the layers of the heart for all who dare to take the ride.

that sounds pretty cool, i'll take a look at it.



i just started Valor at Vauzlee by Thomas Deprima, i've been obsessed with space opera lately.

[Fbone]

Originally Posted by Ron.

I'm currently reading Forbidden

I hope you read the free prequel The Keeper first. It's a short story available at Amazon, B&N and Sony.

[Ron.]

Originally Posted by Fbone

I hope you read the free prequel The Keeper first. It's a short story available at Amazon, B&N and Sony.

I'll check it out, thanks.

[Apache]

Destroyer Squadron 23: Combat Exploits of Arleigh Burke's Gallant Force by Ken Jones.
Apache