Hey!! Let's get some action going! What are we reading? - Page 418

MickeyC · 09-15-2010, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Latinandgreek

I'm reading 3 books, and two of them are hefty (Dune and The Name of the Rose). The third (I think I'll put the other two aside for a bit until I finish the third) is "Graceling". I just can't stay away from the YA fiction! I've also got a couple of school books on the go.

Recommend you stick with The Name of the Rose. Eco's best by far; a great read!

FlorenceArt · 09-16-2010, 03:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

I too had major disappointments with Atonement - totally flat, uninteresting characters. My first & last McEwan.

Yes, that's exactly my problem, and I was wondering if it was me. I have trouble believing everybody would spend so much time over-analyzing their own feelings and actions, but maybe it's because I am not very good at that myself. But these people have no individuality, they speak with the writer's voice, not their own. I felt liberated when I started reading Stone's Fall, the narrator's voice definitely belongs to a human being, and I have a feeling I'm going to like him. Plus, he has a (dry and I suppose British) sense of humor

pdurrant · 09-16-2010, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

I think the Analog was even better than usual. I really enjoyed all the stories. Now onto the Asimov's.

The Asimov's was also above par. I then moved on to the September/October F&SF, which was about what I expect now from F&SF. A couple of stories I really liked, but some (including the last) more atmospheric and literary, with little plot and no resolution.

Next is a re-read: The Vondish Ambassador by Lawrence Watt-Evans.

Arthursbedtime · 09-16-2010, 04:47 AM

I am reading 'Wake' by Robert Sawyer. He has the Internet becoming aware and a blind girl who can see the Internet. De Lint is always a pleasure. (fantasy)

FlorenceArt · 09-16-2010, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arthursbedtime

I am reading 'Wake' by Robert Sawyer. He has the Internet becoming aware and a blind girl who can see the Internet. De Lint is always a pleasure. (fantasy)

Welcome to MR

neilmarr · 09-16-2010, 05:42 AM

Yup, Good to have your new comany, Arthur. Best wishes. Neil

PS: There's a newcomers' introduction thread, by the way, if you want to say a general hello to your new pals here. N

pdurrant · 09-16-2010, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Next is a re-read: The Vondish Ambassador by Lawrence Watt-Evans.

Which was a quick fun read, as I remembered. Good stuff.

Now onto a freebie I got from the Sony store (no longer free): His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik

I like Fantasy. I like Dragons. I like Hornblower. Let's hope I like the combination!

hols57 · 09-16-2010, 02:26 PM

[QUOTE=FlorenceArt;1111339]I've been laboring through Atonement by Ian McEwan for several days, but it's just not working for me. I'm very disappointed as the author won the Booker prize (not for this book), and I read in an interview that Atonement is supposed to be his best book. I started on Stone's Fall, and what a relief! I don't think I'll be going back to McEwan. I can't really say it's bad, it's just that I cannot relate to any of the characters or believe them, they might as well be ants or aliens, except less interesting to watch

[/QUO

I couldn't agree more! I found Atonement unreadable, as was Enduring Love. I don't like his characters. No more McEwan for me either!

I am currently rereading Flora Thompson's Lark Rise To Candleford trilogy, which I got from MR so thanks! An enjoyable read as I recall, and it was made into a popular TV series in the UK

MelC · 09-16-2010, 04:51 PM

I finished Atonement but it didn't make me want to rush out and read another book by him. I just gave up on Midnight's Children which I really wanted to like but just couldn't get into it. Maybe I'll try again someday - I'm busy at work and not able to give it as much attention as it requires (like some sort of needy houseplant) so that might be the reason. Plus "Packing for Mars" was tantalizingly waiting for me on my reader what with astrochimps and origami and what not. Really like Mary Roach - I can read anything by her whether or not it was a topic that I was ever interested in before. I will definitely have to remember her name the next time I get posed with one of those icebreakers "Who would you most like to have dinner with?".

Mel

lilac_jive · 09-16-2010, 06:52 PM

I'm in between a few right now:
"Famous Mysteries" by John Elfreth Watkins, which I found on Google Books when searching for "Mary Celeste." Not well written but actually pretty interesting. I thought it was funny that the first case (those two boy brothers locked up in the Tower of London, forget who they were) has been solved semi-recently.

"The Last Camel Died at Noon" by Elizabeth Peters I picked up at the library. I always enjoy her books, but mad that I had to skip "Deeds of the Disturber" since I couldn't find it anywhere.

"Crome Yellow" by Aldous Huxley I'm reading on my Reader (uploaded from here!). It's odd, not sure what to make of it yet. I can see glimmerings of his ideas that turned into "Brave New World," which I loved.

mlewis78 · 09-17-2010, 01:27 AM

I read Atonement a long while back and didn't like it either. It was disappointing because I liked some of McEwen's previous books (including Amsterdam). I watched Atonement on DVD, which was just as bad (IMHO).

GeoffC · 09-17-2010, 01:50 AM

Thought a classic was in order, so am reading Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus ...

pdurrant · 09-17-2010, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Now onto a freebie I got from the Sony store (no longer free): His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik

I like Fantasy. I like Dragons. I like Hornblower. Let's hope I like the combination!

Very good so far (about 1/2 way through). I might need to look for the others in the series. Does it hold up well, or is the first the best (as is usual)?

poohbear_nc · 09-17-2010, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoffC

Thought a classic was in order, so am reading Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus ...

If you enjoy it, you might want to follow up with Peter Ackroyd's "The Casebook of Victor Frankenstein" - a retelling that centers on the imagined friendship between Percy Bysshe Shelley & Victor Frankenstein -- Ackroyd really can write in Mary Shelley's style.

Ea · 09-17-2010, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Very good so far (about 1/2 way through). I might need to look for the others in the series. Does it hold up well, or is the first the best (as is usual)?

I'd say you could easily read the next two or three, but no. 5 and 6 haven't been quite as good. The navy and ships feature to a lesser degree in he subsequent books - but if you are halfway through, you may have guessed that already.

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09-16-2010, 04:47 AM	#6259
Arthursbedtime Enthusiast Posts: 36 Karma: 166 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: kobo	I am reading 'Wake' by Robert Sawyer. He has the Internet becoming aware and a blind girl who can see the Internet. De Lint is always a pleasure. (fantasy)

09-16-2010, 05:42 AM	#6261
neilmarr neilmarr Posts: 7,215 Karma: 6000059 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Monaco-Menton, France Device: sony	Yup, Good to have your new comany, Arthur. Best wishes. Neil PS: There's a newcomers' introduction thread, by the way, if you want to say a general hello to your new pals here. N

09-16-2010, 02:26 PM	#6263
hols57 hols57 Posts: 74 Karma: 42 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Wales, UK Device: sony 300packed up -thanks,Sony!) Kindle	[QUOTE=FlorenceArt;1111339]I've been laboring through Atonement by Ian McEwan for several days, but it's just not working for me. I'm very disappointed as the author won the Booker prize (not for this book), and I read in an interview that Atonement is supposed to be his best book. I started on Stone's Fall, and what a relief! I don't think I'll be going back to McEwan. I can't really say it's bad, it's just that I cannot relate to any of the characters or believe them, they might as well be ants or aliens, except less interesting to watch [/QUO I couldn't agree more! I found Atonement unreadable, as was Enduring Love. I don't like his characters. No more McEwan for me either! I am currently rereading Flora Thompson's Lark Rise To Candleford trilogy, which I got from MR so thanks! An enjoyable read as I recall, and it was made into a popular TV series in the UK

09-16-2010, 04:51 PM	#6264
MelC Evangelist Posts: 410 Karma: 2081 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada Device: Cybook Gen3, PRS600	I finished Atonement but it didn't make me want to rush out and read another book by him. I just gave up on Midnight's Children which I really wanted to like but just couldn't get into it. Maybe I'll try again someday - I'm busy at work and not able to give it as much attention as it requires (like some sort of needy houseplant) so that might be the reason. Plus "Packing for Mars" was tantalizingly waiting for me on my reader what with astrochimps and origami and what not. Really like Mary Roach - I can read anything by her whether or not it was a topic that I was ever interested in before. I will definitely have to remember her name the next time I get posed with one of those icebreakers "Who would you most like to have dinner with?". Mel

09-16-2010, 06:52 PM	#6265
lilac_jive Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,870 Karma: 27376 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Device: PRS-505	I'm in between a few right now: "Famous Mysteries" by John Elfreth Watkins, which I found on Google Books when searching for "Mary Celeste." Not well written but actually pretty interesting. I thought it was funny that the first case (those two boy brothers locked up in the Tower of London, forget who they were) has been solved semi-recently. "The Last Camel Died at Noon" by Elizabeth Peters I picked up at the library. I always enjoy her books, but mad that I had to skip "Deeds of the Disturber" since I couldn't find it anywhere. "Crome Yellow" by Aldous Huxley I'm reading on my Reader (uploaded from here!). It's odd, not sure what to make of it yet. I can see glimmerings of his ideas that turned into "Brave New World," which I loved.

09-17-2010, 01:27 AM	#6266
mlewis78 Guru Posts: 909 Karma: 6449772 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: New York City Device: Kindle Oasis 2 (7"); HDX 8.9"; Ipad2	I read Atonement a long while back and didn't like it either. It was disappointing because I liked some of McEwen's previous books (including Amsterdam). I watched Atonement on DVD, which was just as bad (IMHO).

09-17-2010, 01:50 AM	#6267
GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 27,599 Karma: 20821184 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Muse HD , Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW	Thought a classic was in order, so am reading Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus ...