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

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Now: 1636: The Saxon Uprising by Eric Flint.

Rather like "Mission of Honor", a splendid continuation of the main storyline of the series. The story moves along well, the action is on a grand scale. And we catch glimpses of the stories told around the edges in the anthologies, to help tie things all together.

And now I can read: Ring of Fire III by Eric Flint

(... just in time before the next Grantville Gazette appears in early September!)

[Lizzie in Ma]

Spent two weeks camping with my Kindle in hand.
Read John Marsden's Tomorrow series. Kind of like Red Dawn but set in Australia. I enjoyed them, good vacation reading.

Then off to the first 4 Stephanie Plums without book 3 as I somehow missed it when I added the rest onto my Kindle. I quite enjoyed them but there is something bugging me I just can't put my finger on yet.

Ending with a back and forth between Escape and Lab 257 and not really enjoying either. I am successfully managing to avoid the history books I've been avoiding all summer though, so that's something.

[Bikeridr]

Originally Posted by caleb72

What did you think?

Ad Cornerstone:

Sorry for the late reply.
Anyway, I found the book fun and easy reading.
A lazy youth with an attitude, some magic and a few things blowing up.

Fun book and gave me a few laughs.

[BearMountainBooks]

Waiting for my book order. Should have just paid for at least one on Kindle so I'd have it for this weekend (Ilona Andrews, second in The Edge series). But no, I did 4 for 3 and the post office says Monday. POUT.

Yes, I have other books. But. Yanno.

[evwool]

One of the Amazon Freebies - Point Lace and Diamonds by George Augustus Baker. Lots of comic poetry - gems like
'I do wonder what is the reason,
That good men are all like Joe Price
So poky, and stiff, and conceited,
And fast ones are always so nice!'

And one or two more thoughtful ones:

'Our loved ones leave us; so we all grow fonder
Of their world than of ours; for here we seem
Alone in haunted houses, and we wonder
Which is the waking life, and which the dream.'

[birdbrainbb]

I'm currently about 33% into Act of Will by A.J. Hartley. It's funny and entertaining and though I'm finding the protagonist (Will) a bit annoying, he's the sort of annoying character that'll probably develop into something more heroic later, I think.

[Badandy]

Originally Posted by DMcCunney

I'm a fan of the entire series, which is four mass market paperback volumes. I strongly recommended to a friend that he read Hyperion. He did, but was utterly incensed to discover it was the first half of a two book publication, and was so infuriated he refused to read anything else Simmons wrote. I told him it wasn't the author's fault if the publisher was stupid, and he really should read the other parts, but to no avail.

I see Bantam Spectra never did correct that failure to label the book as part one of two.

Simmons is adept at peeling layers back like an onion. When you get to Endymion and The Rise of Endymion, you discover that things are nowhere near what you assumed they were.
______
Dennis

I finished The Fall of Hyperion a couple days ago so I don't have a problem with the cliff hanger anymore. I liked it a lot and can see why they split it off of the first book; the structure isn't at all alike. I doubt I'll read the final two in the series for a couple of reasons - there's so much other great stuff to read, and the second book wrapped up the story fairly well.

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by DMcCunney

the late SF artist Kelly Freas said "You want to read a novel about contact with an alien culture? Read Shogun!", and he was quite right, because that's what it was. Edo period Japan was a very different culture and place than Europe of the period.

In that respect, it hasn't changed a whit!

The book got some flak from Japanese, who were unhappy with the portrayal of their people and said it wouldn't have happened that way. That was somewhat amusing, as Clavell had lived in Asia, and put himself forward as an expert on Japanese culture who could help other westerners who had to deal with it.
______
Dennis

I'm here to say Clavell was correct in virtually every respect. Unfortunately, the Japanese don't particularly like to see themselves in such a light, and I can understand why there would be some outcrys.

I still think 'Shogun' was one of the very best books I've ever read, and Clavell's knowledge of Japan and Hong Kong (as shown in 'Taipan' and 'Noble House') is encyclopedic. If you are familiar with Hong Kong, you can easily change given names and recognize all the people and places.



Stitchawl

[GraceKrispy]

Originally Posted by Russell Brooks

The Help, half way through it.

I should be ashamed to say that I haven't yet read the book, but did see the movie. I did the same with "Water for Elephants." I just have a friend who really likes to go to movies, and I didn't get to those books in time.

I just finished Layton Green's indie thriller "The Egyptian." It's the second in his Dominic Grey series. I thought it was a great read.

[orlok]

Originally Posted by Nyssa

I have decided, however, that win or lose (September 2011 Mobile Read Book Club Vote ), I will read Storm Front - book 1 of the Dresden Files.

I'm with you on that one. I will be starting the series next, I think.

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

The other was On Writing by Stephen King. A wonderful book on the art that includes, along with his personal tips and advice, quite a bit of insight into his personal life and how it has affected his writing.

I agree. An excellent book that helped cement in my mind the strength of Stephen King's writing skills.

Just finished "Infected" by Scott Sigler, and am currently reading "Dead Zero" by Stephen Hunter, the 7th in the Bob Swagger series. "Infected" was quite intelligently written, and is one of the first books in a long time that made me cringe as I read (in a good way). I may read the 2nd in the series before moving on to the Dresden books...

[RasAlhague]

Just Like Someone With Mental Illness Only More So

I'm thinking of reading Chocolate Wars: The 150 Year Rivalry Between The World's Greatest Chocolate Makers
I've never liked chocolates much but it sounds interesting.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by orlok

I'm with you on that one. I will be starting the series next, I think.

I've recently started reading it; I've read the first two books in the series so far, and have very much enjoyed them. A fun read.

[Libby Cone]

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I am reading David Deutsch's "The Beginning of Infinity," alternating with Peter Weis' "The Aesthetics of Resistance". I am also working on various projects, both literary and geographical (we moved into a new house). I'm happy today becaise Hurricane Irene passed through our neck of the woods last night, and just dumped a lot of rain. Our power didn't go out, and the basement is dry. I also just got a nice review of "Flesh and Grass."

[alansplace]

Originally Posted by Nyssa View Post
I have decided, however, that win or lose (September 2011 Mobile Read Book Club Vote ), I will read Storm Front - book 1 of the Dresden Files.

you can read the first story in 'odd jobs' if you'd like. it takes place before 'storm front'.

[Nyssa]

Originally Posted by alansplace

you can read the first story in 'odd jobs' if you'd like. it takes place before 'storm front'.

Really? I was hoping it was a collection of "read anytime" bonus stories, not chronological. I am enjoying Storm Front; I'm about 60% done (give or take).
$12.99 is a bit steep, but I may just break down and buy Side Jobs, anyway.