Hey!! Let's get some action going! What are we reading? - Page 704

montsnmags · 08-20-2011, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkpad

By which author? There are lots of books named Hyperion.

Speaking about the pigrimage and the Shrike, and the associated cliffhanger ending, and the sequels, I would suggest he is talking about the Hyperion by Dan Simmons (all books in the series known as the Hyperion Cantos.

Cheers,
Marc

thinkpad · 08-20-2011, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by montsnmags

Speaking about the pigrimage and the Shrike, and the associated cliffhanger ending, and the sequels, I would suggest he is talking about the Hyperion by Dan Simmons (all books in the series known as the Hyperion Cantos.

carld · 08-20-2011, 09:04 AM

I'm reading Hammered, the third book of the Iron Druid Chronicles. If you're a fan of Urban Fantasy and The Dresden Files then I recommend this series. It's not without its flaws, but it's been a good read so far.

aceflor · 08-20-2011, 12:18 PM

Finished book 2 on my Booker Prize challenge (= read as much as I can BEFORE the winner is announced and forge my own opinion) : "The testament of Jesse Lamb" by Jane Rogers. I was thinking this one would be a very good read, considering the subject, but no, just so-so, too similar to "never let me go" and definitely not as well written. Interesting reflexion on the notion of sacrifice and youth sense of responsibility though.

Here the link for those interested :
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Testament-Je.../dp/1905207581

If you like those kind of books, then do read "never let me go" (and forget the movie), as well as "the adoration of jenna fox", which was IMO splendid and not as emotionally overdone as the Jane Rogers one.

The question now is.... Julian Barnes or Alan Hollinghurst next ?

HarryT · 08-20-2011, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATDrake

In between, also re-read Connie Willis' Oxford time-travel set, this time using the Kindle*. There's a noticeable drop in the competence of the historians going from Doomsday Book to All Clear, especially when it comes to Wardrobe.

I've just finished reading "Passage" by Connie Willis, which I found very thought-provoking. It's basically a medical thriller - although Connie Willis is regarded as an SF author, I don't think I'd call it SF. It's about a psychologist who's investigating "near death experiences" (NDEs) by interviewing patients in a hospital, and who then agrees to participate in a trial assisting a doctor who's simulating NDEs using a drug. The book has a real "twist in the tail", and I'd thoroughly recommend it.

pilotbob · 08-20-2011, 01:44 PM

Well, I just finished _The Name of the Wind Day 1_ and it wasn't a bad book.. it just didn't move very well. The first book of a trilogy should make you want to read the next. But, this one doesn't, at least for me. The books started a bit slow and it was a bit disjointed. It seemed to smooth out at one point but then dragged again. It got interesting for a few chapters but then blah.

So, what to read next? I am considering the next Clare Furgesen, Russ Alstyne book that I have yet to read. I always enjoys those. Or, the WWW series that Tom recommended, although the third one is $12 which is a bit steep for my blood.

The next Nebula/Hugo joint winner for me would be _Rendezvous With Rama_ not in the Kindle store, the year after that _The Disposed_ is in the kindle store.. so maybe that.

Any recos? What are all the cool kids on the forum reading recently?

BOb

HarryT · 08-20-2011, 02:47 PM

I'm reading the omnibus version of "The Dresden Files". I've seen it mentioned for years, but hadn't got around to reading it before. I've finished the first book, and thought it was pretty good.

Badandy · 08-20-2011, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by montsnmags

When I first read that book, that wasn't a cliffhanger, that was it...no sequels expected by or suggested to me. Think about that.

I've seen Hyperion referred to as influenced by The Canterbury Tales wherein it's the stories of the "pilgrims" that matter, and how they relate and interact, rather than the purpose and events of the pilgrimage itself. I fully understand how the "cliffhanger" is frustrating, but also suggest reflecting on the book as if there were no sequels in the Cantos. This might not improve things (I'm not suggesting it'll change your mind), but I think it's an amusing exercise...you'll either scream in frustration imagining how you'd feel it ending there with no "sequel", or laugh maniacally with awe and want to reread it, or...?

But read the rest. Honestly, it's one of my favourite series.

[EDIT: I don't think I've been clear in my words above, but I mean to say I loved it so very much when I thought it was just a standalone book, not just with, but partly because of that cliffhanger. I felt similarly about Zindell's Neverness, though I believe it is officially considered standalone]

Cheers,
Marc

That's a good way to think about it. I didn't rush through the stories of the pilgrims just to get the plot to advance because I realized what great stories they were as I was reading them. I'm debating between reading the sequels, reading Guns, Germs, and Steel, or trying out a different Sci-Fi book. Hmmm....

BearMountainBooks · 08-21-2011, 01:12 PM

Finished The Clairvoyant Countess by the great Dorothy Gilman. Loved it. Sort of a cozy-ish, but not cozy mystery/psychic series. Lovely stuff.

JSWolf · 08-21-2011, 01:27 PM

Last night I finished The Mephisto Club by Tess Gerritsen. Another great read. I highly recommend her Rizzoli & Isles books. They are very good.

BearMountainBooks · 08-21-2011, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Last night I finished The Mephisto Club by Tess Gerritsen. Another great read. I highly recommend her Rizzoli & Isles books. They are very good.

I only tried one Tess G book. It swapped scenes/POV too much in the initial chapters to grab me. It was one of the medical thrillers and I think started wit the person who died and then flashed to the hospital and then jumped somewhere else...3 was the magic number for me....lost interest!

thinkpad · 08-21-2011, 04:19 PM

Currently reading the fantasy book Rojuun by MR-member: John Caroll

Although I think the book is directed towards a younger audience than myself I find it to be a good read

.

Constantly repeating all the names of the characters is something that gets annoying but the story is interesting and contains a lot of fantasy and magic. Quite different from other fantasy books I read.

The language can some times feel a bit childish but I guess that's only natural when targeting the YA-audience.

This book should definitely appeal to young adults.

MickeyC · 08-21-2011, 05:44 PM

Just finished Bonk by Mary Roach; a very interesting book about human sexuality. And, thanks to her delightful sense of humor, a real giggle.

BearMountainBooks · 08-21-2011, 05:59 PM

Tried reading the first in the Devon Monk series, Magic to the Bone. Relentless crap befalls the heroine to the point where I'm just TIRED. And now I am pretty sure she's about to be accused of the murder (duh) and it really doesn't seem worth bothering with. She constantly tired, beaten down, has memory problems, no money--I mean I've read of street urchins with more hope than this gal. The best character in the book so far is probably the guy who might turn into the leading guy, but I swear, this is a case where you just wonder if someone should shoot the girl and put her out of her misery.

Rumpelteazer · 08-21-2011, 06:18 PM

I finished Shogun by James Clavell today. A very good and beautifully written book but, at least for me, a very slow read. The end did disappoint me a bit, it seems that the whole book was working up to that for it to be shortly summarized in a couple of lines. But I think that if it would have been described in it's entirety it would mean that the book would probably have been twice as long.

I'm now reading Ransom Riggs' Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children which I already find hard to put down.

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08-20-2011, 09:04 AM	#10548
carld Wizard Posts: 2,698 Karma: 4748723 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	I'm reading Hammered, the third book of the Iron Druid Chronicles. If you're a fan of Urban Fantasy and The Dresden Files then I recommend this series. It's not without its flaws, but it's been a good read so far.

08-20-2011, 12:18 PM	#10549
aceflor Wizard Posts: 3,472 Karma: 48036360 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: where the sun lives, or so they say Device: Pocketbook Era, Pocketbook Inkpad 4, Kobo Libra 2, Kindle Scribe	Finished book 2 on my Booker Prize challenge (= read as much as I can BEFORE the winner is announced and forge my own opinion) : "The testament of Jesse Lamb" by Jane Rogers. I was thinking this one would be a very good read, considering the subject, but no, just so-so, too similar to "never let me go" and definitely not as well written. Interesting reflexion on the notion of sacrifice and youth sense of responsibility though. Here the link for those interested : http://www.amazon.co.uk/Testament-Je.../dp/1905207581 If you like those kind of books, then do read "never let me go" (and forget the movie), as well as "the adoration of jenna fox", which was IMO splendid and not as emotionally overdone as the Jane Rogers one. The question now is.... Julian Barnes or Alan Hollinghurst next ?

08-20-2011, 01:44 PM	#10551
pilotbob Grand Sorcerer Posts: 19,832 Karma: 11844413 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tampa, FL USA Device: Kindle Touch	Well, I just finished _The Name of the Wind Day 1_ and it wasn't a bad book.. it just didn't move very well. The first book of a trilogy should make you want to read the next. But, this one doesn't, at least for me. The books started a bit slow and it was a bit disjointed. It seemed to smooth out at one point but then dragged again. It got interesting for a few chapters but then blah. So, what to read next? I am considering the next Clare Furgesen, Russ Alstyne book that I have yet to read. I always enjoys those. Or, the WWW series that Tom recommended, although the third one is $12 which is a bit steep for my blood. The next Nebula/Hugo joint winner for me would be _Rendezvous With Rama_ not in the Kindle store, the year after that _The Disposed_ is in the kindle store.. so maybe that. Any recos? What are all the cool kids on the forum reading recently? BOb

08-20-2011, 02:47 PM	#10552
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,560 Karma: 93980341 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I'm reading the omnibus version of "The Dresden Files". I've seen it mentioned for years, but hadn't got around to reading it before. I've finished the first book, and thought it was pretty good.

08-21-2011, 01:12 PM	#10554
BearMountainBooks Maria Schneider Posts: 3,746 Karma: 26439330 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Near Austin, Texas Device: 3g Kindle Keyboard	Finished The Clairvoyant Countess by the great Dorothy Gilman. Loved it. Sort of a cozy-ish, but not cozy mystery/psychic series. Lovely stuff.

08-21-2011, 01:27 PM	#10555
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 80,782 Karma: 150249619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Last night I finished The Mephisto Club by Tess Gerritsen. Another great read. I highly recommend her Rizzoli & Isles books. They are very good.

08-21-2011, 04:19 PM	#10557
thinkpad David Posts: 1,808 Karma: 8916183 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Norway Device: Kindle, E.Edge (sold), Irex Iliad (retired)	Currently reading the fantasy book Rojuun by MR-member: John Caroll Although I think the book is directed towards a younger audience than myself I find it to be a good read . Constantly repeating all the names of the characters is something that gets annoying but the story is interesting and contains a lot of fantasy and magic. Quite different from other fantasy books I read. The language can some times feel a bit childish but I guess that's only natural when targeting the YA-audience. This book should definitely appeal to young adults.

08-21-2011, 05:44 PM	#10558
MickeyC Grand Sorcerer Posts: 16,731 Karma: 12185114 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Device: iPhone 6 plus, Sony T1, iPad 3	Just finished Bonk by Mary Roach; a very interesting book about human sexuality. And, thanks to her delightful sense of humor, a real giggle.

08-21-2011, 05:59 PM	#10559
BearMountainBooks Maria Schneider Posts: 3,746 Karma: 26439330 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Near Austin, Texas Device: 3g Kindle Keyboard	Tried reading the first in the Devon Monk series, Magic to the Bone. Relentless crap befalls the heroine to the point where I'm just TIRED. And now I am pretty sure she's about to be accused of the murder (duh) and it really doesn't seem worth bothering with. She constantly tired, beaten down, has memory problems, no money--I mean I've read of street urchins with more hope than this gal. The best character in the book so far is probably the guy who might turn into the leading guy, but I swear, this is a case where you just wonder if someone should shoot the girl and put her out of her misery.

08-21-2011, 06:18 PM	#10560
Rumpelteazer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,401 Karma: 27919658 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Utrecht, the Netherlands Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition	I finished Shogun by James Clavell today. A very good and beautifully written book but, at least for me, a very slow read. The end did disappoint me a bit, it seems that the whole book was working up to that for it to be shortly summarized in a couple of lines. But I think that if it would have been described in it's entirety it would mean that the book would probably have been twice as long. I'm now reading Ransom Riggs' Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children which I already find hard to put down.