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

[speakingtohe]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

I still love them; especially the early ones, where Mason is a bit of a rogue himself. But as much as I loved Raymond Burr's Mason, I couldn't picture Burr hitting anyone, though, or even threatening to.

There are a few uncomfortable moments occasionally where the characters act in ways that society has outgrown or say things that make us wince, especially in those early books, but if you can take those as being reflective of the times in which they were written, I think you'd find the stories very enjoyable. Gotta' love a lawyer who carries his own set of skeleton keys and divides his time between fighting disbarment procedures and pulling sneaky stunts for his clients that get him into even more hot water.

I've never read a Perry Mason book so maybe I should. I just assumed they were like the series. I do love Bertha Cool and Donald Lam so probably I am wrong. Must get one.

Helen

Helen

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by speakingtohe

I've never read a Perry Mason book so maybe I should. I just assumed they were like the series. I do love Bertha Cool and Donald Lam so probably I am wrong. Must get one.

Helen

Helen

I like telling people that in the books—especially the early ones—there are always two mysteries to solve. One is the murder itself, the other is how the heck Mason is going to get himself out of the major jam he got himself into by pulling some bonehead stunt that blew up in his face. And sometimes it's the latter mystery that makes the book so entertaining.

[Fbone]

Originally Posted by Fbone

Next is Resonance by Chris Dolley published by Baen in 2005.

This was one long, boring book. Writing was competent. It's a parallel universe tale where one unsuspecting man is caught in the middle. Nothing new with the rare sci-fi elements. No surprise ending. Very forgettable. Rated D+ [2 stars].

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by speakingtohe

I've never read a Perry Mason book so maybe I should. I just assumed they were like the series. I do love Bertha Cool and Donald Lam so probably I am wrong. Must get one.

Helen

Helen

You really should give them a go. They're very good.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by Fbone

This was one long, boring book. Writing was competent. It's a parallel universe tale where one unsuspecting man is caught in the middle. Nothing new with the rare sci-fi elements. No surprise ending. Very forgettable. Rated D+ [2 stars].

It's interesting how different people react to stories. I really liked this one. 4/5 from me.

[CRussel]

Finished a re-read of Elfhome, by Wen Spencer, and very much enjoyed it. Not as totally off-the-wall with the magic as the second book, somehow a bit more consistent. But also just a more satisfying book overall. I like that Oilcan starts to be a real character. IAC, a fun read that didn't require any serious input from me, which was what I needed right now.

I was going to start something new, and then noticed Cards of Fortunate Destiny, a Splinter Universe story from Sharon Lee sitting in Calibre, and decided another short work was what I needed.

[Moe The Cat]

Originally Posted by covingtoncat73

I have now started on A Tale for the Time Being, which I actually listened to as an audio book and enjoyed enough that I wanted to read the text, because it is a complex tale about time, Zen Buddhism, physics, ocean gyres, bullying etc. which is told through the lens of a diary, letters, and a watch washed up in plastic bags on a beach in British Columbia. The diary is that of a bullied Japanese schoolgirl and the book goes between her story and the story of the person who found it, a writer named Ruth obviously based on the author.

I'm about one third through this novel and enjoying it very much. Thanks for the recommendation, CovingtonCat!

[CRussel]

Originally Posted by CRussel

I was going to start something new, and then noticed Cards of Fortunate Destiny, a Splinter Universe story from Sharon Lee sitting in Calibre, and decided another short work was what I needed.

Too bad this is only a splinter. It has the feel of something that could have been an interesting book. But it's always interesting to see the process and in this case the very unfinished story. But on to something else -- I think Borrower of the Night the first Vicky Bliss story by Elizabeth Peters. It's been in my TBR for too long -- time to give it a go.

[Synamon]

Hmmm, I haven't posted what I've read for a while so this will be a long list.

I enjoyed reading a couple of Agatha Christie books, A Pocketful of Rye and Murder in the Mews. I'm halfway through One, Two, Buckle My Shoe and, as always, delighted by Hercule Poirot.

At the end of last year I discovered a new mystery series, written by Mark Douglas-Home featuring an oceanographer. The Sea Detective and The Woman Who Walked into the Sea were clever and the unusual detective made them my best find of the year.

I listened to two Dresden Files stories, Changes (#12) and Ghost Story (#13) by Jim Butcher, and for whatever reason the second was narrated by John Glover instead of James Marsters. This totally threw me off and since I feel the series is running out of steam anyway I'm tempted to give up on it. I've only been listening to these because my husband likes them and we chat about each once we've finished.

David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell was released last fall and while I always enjoy his books, the premise of this one wasn't quite as convincing as some of his others.

You can add my voice to those recommending Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri. Wonderful short stories that were equal parts fascinating and disturbing.

I tried and gave up on Unseen by Mari Jungstedt. Perhaps it was the fault of the translation, but I found it stilted and dull.

I finished off Hugh Howey's Silo Saga, reading the Shift Omnibus and Dust and would recommend the series to scifi fans. Great story-telling.

I gave Life After Life by Kate Atkinson another go and this time did manage to finish it, although I'd only rate it average. This is the second book of hers that I struggled reading, her prose doesn't resonate with me so the story tends to fall flat.

I read my last Josephine Tey book, Miss Pym Disposes. This one wasn't as much of a mystery and was set at a girl's school. It really is a shame she didn't write more books, her words flow easily for me when reading.

Beauty Tips From Moose Jaw by Will Fergusson immersed me in silly Canadiana in preparation for cheering on our team in the Winter Olympics.

The second Elvis Cole book, Stalking the Angel by Robert Crais didn't disappoint. I enjoy the books that focus on Cole and only have a little Joe Pike, those centered around Pike lack the wit of the earlier books in the series. I also listened to The Suspect and The Two Minute Rule, both standalone novels and both entertaining.

Up next was The Rescue Artist: A True Story of Art, Thieves, and the Hunt for a Missing Masterpiece. Very good narrative non-fiction that exposes the underbelly of the art world.

Coincidentally I listened to The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt, which centered around a stolen masterpiece. The book's main character was an addict whose story seemed whiny to me at times and I'm a bit baffled by the critical raves this book received.

I struggled to finish The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark. I'd seen this recommended by a few people, but never cared about any of the characters or what happened to them.

A collection of short stories, Tenth of December by George Saunders won awards and critical acclaim so I gave it a try and it made me smile. Most of the stories are from a child's perspective and had a tragedy or twist that made you hold your breath when reading.

I listened to Will Grayson, Will Grayson by David Levithan and John Green, a story with each Will written in alternating chapters by the two different authors and narrated by two different people. The 17 year old exchange student staying with me enjoyed it tremendously and I'll be looking for more books by John Green since I also loved his The Fault in Our Stars.

I read the second of Georgette Heyer's mysteries, Behold, Here's Poison and found it predictable and slow. I clearly don't hold this author in as much esteem as many on this forum do. Oh well, I did give her a fair try.

I listened to Daemon and am currently listening to the sequel Freedom, by Daniel Suarez. The story depicts a world controlled by a computer AI which runs things as though we are all in a computer game, in contrast to our current world controlled by corporate interests. Took a while to get into it, but the individual chapters about people bring it to life.

[samhy]

I hope to finish Cinq semaines en ballon by Jules Verne (Five Weeks in a Balloon) this weekend. Each time I pick it up, I like what I read. However I can't seem to read it for a long time

[Dazrin]

Originally Posted by Dazrin

Fortunately for me my next library book came in about an hour before I left for home today, so I can start it whenever I get the chance. Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch, the second in the Gentlemen Bastards series. I really liked the Lies of Locke Lamora so hopefully this is as good.

Took a very short break to read Mitosis by Brandon Sanderson, sort of an epilogue to Steelheart in the Reckoners series. While I enjoyed it, I thought it could have been done better.

Spoiler:

The blurb made it sound like Mitosis came to investigate, not attack. Which would have been an interesting take. Although, given the way calamity effects people, he probably wouldn't have remained peaceful for long.

This was the first book I have recommended to my library that they have gone on to purchase, hopefully just the first of many going forward.

Now back to Red Seas Under Red Skies which is ~40% done, let's see how much more Mr. Lynch can pile on them, 4 groups and counting. So far it has been entertaining if not quite as good as the first.

[Fbone]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

It's interesting how different people react to stories. I really liked this one. 4/5 from me.

It's great to hear otherwise no one would write anything you'd enjoy

[CRussel]

Originally Posted by Synamon

I read the second of Georgette Heyer's mysteries, Behold, Here's Poison and found it predictable and slow. I clearly don't hold this author in as much esteem as many on this forum do. Oh well, I did give her a fair try.

Ah, her mysteries are not at all her better works. I'll read them, but they lack the elegant wit and humour of her Regencies. Those are completely predictable, but that really doesn't matter, since it's not about the outcome, but what outrageous things will happen to get to that outcome.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Continuing with Resurgence, which I'm enjoying, although I'm beginning to think I have read this one after all.

No, I hadn't read it. And it was good, but disappointing that it's the last one, with so much left to find out. (Although this segement of the adventure came to a conclusion.)

It was only when checkking for news that I found that the author died in 2002, shortly after completing this book. No wonder I hadn't seen any new Charles Sheffield books recently.


Next up: My most recent purchase, Grantville Gazette #52 edited by Paula Goodlett.

[BelleZora]

I just finished The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion and awarded it 5 stars, not because of any attempt to judge literary merit, but out of gratitude. It was the most fun I've enjoyed reading a book since I stumbled over Thus Was Adonis Murdered. Beyond the delightful humor, there are no other similarities between these two very funny books.

I saw the book described as 'chick lit' in a couple of reviews. It most definitely does not fall into that category. It is a touching, hilarious screwball comedy that takes place mostly in Melbourne, Australia and is written by a man from New Zealand. Especially recommended for those in a reading slump who hope to recover the joy of reading.