Hey!! Let's get some action going! What are we reading? - Page 66

montsnmags · 10-26-2008, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DixieGal

Gibbons? As in angry, violent, pandimension, defenestrative Adrien?

(Just quietly, it's "Adrian" - he's a bit of a pedantic stickler for the correct spelling of his name

). You're right, DixieGal, I'm pretty sure it's the same one, but of course, I'm perhaps not the most reliable witness, finding my mindscape to have more veracity than that of reality.

(By the way, kudos/karma-coming for "defenestrative" - as a fellow mozzler/novanominator, I love a woman (or man) that sees the dictionary as an inspiration rather than just a plain, old reference

).

I'm up to "Issue" 11 (of 12) of Watchmen. It seems to "trick" you into thinking it's going with some well-used, perhaps even intentionally-stereotypical (allusion, of course) plotline, before turning aside at the last. I am enjoying it very much, though I totally reserve judgement until the end, as I've regretted premature enthusiasm in the past with some books.

Cheers,
Marc

pilotbob · 10-27-2008, 11:06 AM

I read Craphound... it turned out to be a short story or novella, not sure which. I just didn't "get" it.

Back to reading Passage to India but close to dropping it.

BOb

nekokami · 10-27-2008, 11:24 AM

Currently reading Critical Lessons by Nell Noddings (in paper-- no ebook version available). Non-fiction, about how we don't teach (or even use) critical thinking in public schools. Despite this being an "assigned" book, I'm really enjoying it, and I recommend it to others who are interested in considering different ways we might structure schools-- and even different ways we might explore controversial issues.

Also reading Foundation by Mercedes Lackey, which is pretty much escapist mind-candy, but not bad (despite the rather unoriginal title), though certainly not her best work. I'm debating whether I want to get on a library list for Brisingr, buy it as an ebook, or wait for the last book to be finished before I bother with it.

Slite · 10-27-2008, 11:28 AM

Currently reading "The short Victorious War" by David Weber.

As for "Brisingir" ... I still haven't made it through Eldest since I think it sucked big time for some reason, I enjoyed Eragon, but Eldest... nope. Can't quite put my finger on why I didnt like it though.

nekokami · 10-27-2008, 11:53 AM

Funny. I liked Eldest better than Eragon... in fact, I liked Eragon better after I'd read Eldest, because I realized that the oversimplified worldview in Eragon was deliberate (and deceptive). There are hints that Paolini really does have some quite interesting and original ideas driving the story, but I worry that I'll be disappointed if he doesn't live up to some of the ideas I have for where he could go with it.

RWJ · 10-28-2008, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Hmm... the last couple of the TOR freebees I tried kind of fizzled for me, so I gave up on them. Still have Starfish, Gray, Old Mans War, (may another I can't remember) that I haven't read yet. Perhaps from your message I will give Startfish a wack. I read Four and Twenty Blackbirds based on your reco and really liked that.

Currently slogging my way through Passage to Inda (book club pick) and I'm still waiting for something to happen. The arcane languge/phrasing makes it not easy to read for me. I'm not sure if this is done intentionally to emulate how Indian's speek English or not... I think not because the dialog of the Brits is just as arcane. Perhaps it is just the language of the day for 1932?

BOb

I read Starfish in paper copy ages ago, really liked it, tracked down the sequels when they came out at the library, and got confused and befuzzled partway through the (I think) third book. I didn't realize they were all in ebooks now, that's good, and breaks Tor's annoying freebie trend of getting you hooked on an author who has only one book in electronic format.

I also read Farthing in paperback yonks ago, saw it on the Tor giveaway, reread it, and bought the second book, Ha'Penny, really liked it, and am waiting to get the final book, Half a Crown, from the library (I really, really rarely buy hardcover novels.) I recommend them to anyone who likes alternative history.

If the book club book is A Passage to India I might join in! I read it for school ages ago, and found it less awful than I'd feared (it was a class in colonial history, and I am not fond of postmodernists who assign novels as historical texts - the book might tell us a great deal about what the British thought of empire in 1932, but very little about what it was actually like in India.) I know it's childish but whenever I'm required to read something I assume I'll hate it (if it were fun why would they have to assign it?) and am often pleasantly surprised.

tompe · 10-28-2008, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RWJ

I also read Farthing in paperback yonks ago, saw it on the Tor giveaway, reread it, and bought the second book, Ha'Penny, really liked it, and am waiting to get the final book, Half a Crown, from the library (I really, really rarely buy hardcover novels.) I recommend them to anyone who likes alternative history.

I just finished Ha'Penny and I really liked the book. I am debating if it is worth buying Half a Crown for £16 or if I should wait for the paperback. Another book by Jo Walton that I really can recommend is Tooth and Claw.

DMcCunney · 10-29-2008, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by montsnmags

I'm up to "Issue" 11 (of 12) of Watchmen. It seems to "trick" you into thinking it's going with some well-used, perhaps even intentionally-stereotypical (allusion, of course) plotline, before turning aside at the last. I am enjoying it very much, though I totally reserve judgement until the end, as I've regretted premature enthusiasm in the past with some books.

I have the graphic novel version, and it's splendid. This is brilliant work.
______
Dennis

tcv · 10-29-2008, 10:26 AM

Nearly finished the INVASION Star Trek Omnibus. Not sure what next.

nekokami · 10-29-2008, 10:35 AM

Finished Foundation by Mercedes Lackey. Frustrating book. Some interesting possibilities, not followed through on. For example, the main character has been through a lot of neglect and abuse as a kid, and finds that he has a hard time relating to other people because of that. That could make an interesting story. But he keeps making these rather astute character observations about other people. With a better writer, I'd assume that there was some research or experience backing up this kind of character development, but as it is, I'm just left rather puzzled about where the author thought she was going.

And the ending (as many other reviewers have commented) really feels rather tacked-on.

I don't expect an awful lot from a Mercedes Lackey book-- just an entertaining bit of escapisim, usually. But this really seemed out of step with her usual work. What was her editor thinking? Or has she gotten to the point that editors don't have much luck getting her to rewrite or finish weak work?

pilotbob · 10-29-2008, 12:28 PM

I put Passage to India aside. Perhaps I will pick it up some other time.

Now reading _SCE Omnibus Book 3: Some Assembly Required_ which is only the second ebook I have bought ($5.59, less than FW club members after the 5% rebate) from the Kindle store.

BOb

ShortNCuddlyAm · 10-30-2008, 06:47 PM

Trying to read A Passage To India.

Might go back to Arsene Lupin for a bit instead...

zelda_pinwheel · 10-30-2008, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShortNCuddlyAm

Trying to read A Passage To India.

Might go back to Arsene Lupin for a bit instead...

how are you liking Arsène Lupin ?

DMcCunney · 10-31-2008, 01:11 AM

I just finished _Rough Weather_, the latest Spenser novel from Robert B. Parker.

Spencer is hired by a wealthy woman to be a presence at the wedding of her daughter on her own private island. In the middle of the wedding, armed intruders break in and kidnap the bride, after killing the minister performing the ceremony, the groom, and four hired security people on the island. Spencer tries to find out who was responsible and why, since the leader of the bad guys is someone Spencer has tangled with before, and this sort of thing is not his usual style.

Personally, I found it disappointing. It has Spenser's usual wisecracking, and relationship with his lover Susan Silverman and his old friend and sometimes comrade in arms Hawk. But it's a thin book, bulked up by typography, that I read in a couple of hours. It's also not for new Spenser readers. It assumes familiarity with past events and an assortment of minor characters.

The identity of the mastermind, and the reasons for the kidnapping are kept pretty well obscured till the end, and the resolution is unexpected, but the book as a whole lacks the depth and emotional resonance the best of the Spenser books have. At this point, I think Parker could write a Spencer novel in his sleep, and the most recent one feel like he has. Reading the latest Spencer novel is like listening to a renowned concert pianist play five finger exercises. It's good, but you know he is capable of so much more.
______
Dennis

Slite · 10-31-2008, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShortNCuddlyAm

Trying to read A Passage To India.

Might go back to Arsene Lupin for a bit instead...

Yeah, I started to read A Passage To India for the MR Bookclub as well, but I just can't get into the damn thing, so I went back in bed with Honor Harrington instead

10-31-2008, 01:11 AM	#989
DMcCunney New York Editor Posts: 6,384 Karma: 16540415 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: PalmTX, Pocket eDGe, Alcatel Fierce 4, RCA Viking Pro 10, Nexus 7	I just finished _Rough Weather_, the latest Spenser novel from Robert B. Parker. Spencer is hired by a wealthy woman to be a presence at the wedding of her daughter on her own private island. In the middle of the wedding, armed intruders break in and kidnap the bride, after killing the minister performing the ceremony, the groom, and four hired security people on the island. Spencer tries to find out who was responsible and why, since the leader of the bad guys is someone Spencer has tangled with before, and this sort of thing is not his usual style. Personally, I found it disappointing. It has Spenser's usual wisecracking, and relationship with his lover Susan Silverman and his old friend and sometimes comrade in arms Hawk. But it's a thin book, bulked up by typography, that I read in a couple of hours. It's also not for new Spenser readers. It assumes familiarity with past events and an assortment of minor characters. The identity of the mastermind, and the reasons for the kidnapping are kept pretty well obscured till the end, and the resolution is unexpected, but the book as a whole lacks the depth and emotional resonance the best of the Spenser books have. At this point, I think Parker could write a Spencer novel in his sleep, and the most recent one feel like he has. Reading the latest Spencer novel is like listening to a renowned concert pianist play five finger exercises. It's good, but you know he is capable of so much more. ______ Dennis Last edited by DMcCunney; 10-31-2008 at 12:26 PM.

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10-27-2008, 11:06 AM	#977
pilotbob Grand Sorcerer Posts: 19,832 Karma: 11844413 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tampa, FL USA Device: Kindle Touch	I read Craphound... it turned out to be a short story or novella, not sure which. I just didn't "get" it. Back to reading Passage to India but close to dropping it. BOb

10-27-2008, 11:24 AM	#978
nekokami fruminous edugeek Posts: 6,745 Karma: 551260 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northeast US Device: iPad, eBw 1150	Currently reading Critical Lessons by Nell Noddings (in paper-- no ebook version available). Non-fiction, about how we don't teach (or even use) critical thinking in public schools. Despite this being an "assigned" book, I'm really enjoying it, and I recommend it to others who are interested in considering different ways we might structure schools-- and even different ways we might explore controversial issues. Also reading Foundation by Mercedes Lackey, which is pretty much escapist mind-candy, but not bad (despite the rather unoriginal title), though certainly not her best work. I'm debating whether I want to get on a library list for Brisingr, buy it as an ebook, or wait for the last book to be finished before I bother with it.

10-27-2008, 11:28 AM	#979
Slite Icanhasdonuts? Posts: 2,837 Karma: 532407 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mölnbo, Sweden Device: Kobo Aura 2nd edition, Kobo Clara HD	Currently reading "The short Victorious War" by David Weber. As for "Brisingir" ... I still haven't made it through Eldest since I think it sucked big time for some reason, I enjoyed Eragon, but Eldest... nope. Can't quite put my finger on why I didnt like it though.

10-27-2008, 11:53 AM	#980
nekokami fruminous edugeek Posts: 6,745 Karma: 551260 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northeast US Device: iPad, eBw 1150	Funny. I liked Eldest better than Eragon... in fact, I liked Eragon better after I'd read Eldest, because I realized that the oversimplified worldview in Eragon was deliberate (and deceptive). There are hints that Paolini really does have some quite interesting and original ideas driving the story, but I worry that I'll be disappointed if he doesn't live up to some of the ideas I have for where he could go with it.

10-29-2008, 10:26 AM	#984
tcv Addict Posts: 330 Karma: 596 Join Date: Oct 2006	Nearly finished the INVASION Star Trek Omnibus. Not sure what next.

10-29-2008, 10:35 AM	#985
nekokami fruminous edugeek Posts: 6,745 Karma: 551260 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northeast US Device: iPad, eBw 1150	Finished Foundation by Mercedes Lackey. Frustrating book. Some interesting possibilities, not followed through on. For example, the main character has been through a lot of neglect and abuse as a kid, and finds that he has a hard time relating to other people because of that. That could make an interesting story. But he keeps making these rather astute character observations about other people. With a better writer, I'd assume that there was some research or experience backing up this kind of character development, but as it is, I'm just left rather puzzled about where the author thought she was going. And the ending (as many other reviewers have commented) really feels rather tacked-on. I don't expect an awful lot from a Mercedes Lackey book-- just an entertaining bit of escapisim, usually. But this really seemed out of step with her usual work. What was her editor thinking? Or has she gotten to the point that editors don't have much luck getting her to rewrite or finish weak work?

10-29-2008, 12:28 PM	#986
pilotbob Grand Sorcerer Posts: 19,832 Karma: 11844413 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tampa, FL USA Device: Kindle Touch	I put Passage to India aside. Perhaps I will pick it up some other time. Now reading _SCE Omnibus Book 3: Some Assembly Required_ which is only the second ebook I have bought ($5.59, less than FW club members after the 5% rebate) from the Kindle store. BOb

10-30-2008, 06:47 PM	#987
ShortNCuddlyAm WWHALD Posts: 7,879 Karma: 337114 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Mitcham, Surrey, UK Device: iPad. Selling my silver 505 here	Trying to read A Passage To India. Might go back to Arsene Lupin for a bit instead...