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

[pwalker8]

Originally Posted by alansplace

The Murder on the Links was a really really good read.

Now on to a new (for me) author, Seanan McGuire with an urban fantasy series called October Daye. The first one of 8 books so far written is Rosemary and Rue.

Speaking of Agatha Christie, I just finished "And then there were None" (also known as Ten Little Indians). I had seen the Barry Fitzgerald film version of the book a year or so ago, but had never read the book. I was somewhat surprised that the film had changed the ending of the book so much. I was also a bit surprised by some of the casual antisemitism expressed in the book. Of course, that isn't proof that Agatha Christie herself was antisemitic, but I do suspect that it is an accurate reflection of the times. I think that I preferred Murder on the Orient Express, which I read several months ago (and for which, the classic movie was much more faithful to the book).

[pwalker8]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Just finished "Demon Blade", by Mark A. Garland and Charles C. McGraw. I bought this from Baen some time in the late 1990s, although it's one of the many books that are no longer available from Baen, presumably due to rights issues. Its sequel, "Frost", is still available.

A very good fantasy novel. Madia, the daughter of the King of Ariman, is exiled from court due her wilful disobedience of her father. While she is absent from court, the kingdom is taken over by the Grand Chamberlain, Lord Ferris, who is in fact a Demon Lord in disguise. Madia must seek the aid of the Wizard Frost to try to regain her kingdom, but in order to defeat Ferris, Frost needs the aid of the Demon Blade, a sword forged in the distant past in the demon wars, but now lost.

Recommended.

Thanks for the recommendation. I've actually got both books, since had purchased pretty much every Baen bundle when they came out, up through a couple of years ago, but for some reason, never got around to reading them. I'll have to take a look at it.

[tilia]

Originally Posted by bfisher

Just read J.R.R. Tolkien's "Letters from Father Christmas". Amazing book, I wish we had had this when our kids were young.

I borrowed this in paper from the library one Christmas. Those letters must have been just as much fun to write as to receive.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by pwalker8

Thanks for the recommendation. I've actually got both books, since had purchased pretty much every Baen bundle when they came out, up through a couple of years ago, but for some reason, never got around to reading them. I'll have to take a look at it.

I enjoyed it. I only had it in LIT format (the format I used to read in at one time), but it converted to ePub very nicely indeed with Calibre.

An example of the fact that you can't rely on bookstores to keep books for you indefinitely. Lots of the early Baen stuff is no longer available. Like you, I've bought every Baen bundle, right from the start of their "Webscription" offerings.

[bfisher]

Originally Posted by tilia

I borrowed this in paper from the library one Christmas. Those letters must have been just as much fun to write as to receive.

It must have been an interesting home.

[pwalker8]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I enjoyed it. I only had it in LIT format (the format I used to read in at one time), but it converted to ePub very nicely indeed with Calibre.

An example of the fact that you can't rely on bookstores to keep books for you indefinitely. Lots of the early Baen stuff is no longer available. Like you, I've bought every Baen bundle, right from the start of their "Webscription" offerings.

Yes, I would have lost 5 or 6 books when Sony transferred to Kobo if I hadn't kept copies of them all. I did lose a couple in Sony's move from their proprietary format to epub.

[trichobezoar]

Originally Posted by trichobezoar

I'm currently reading Four: The Son: A Divergent Story by Veronica Roth. It's a short book--only one chapter long. lol I should be done with it soon if I don't watch Netflix the next few days... It's very difficult for me to stay away from Netflix. >.> That's one of the reasons I joined this forum--to immerse myself in a virtual book club. Hopefully I'll get more reading done now.

I've already read the Divergent trilogy and am making my way down the short stories list. It's easy-peasy reading really. : )

I just finished reading Four: The Son: A Divergent Story. It's a good, short read. There's insight in the book--how to remain true to yourself despite oppressive forces and the like... It seems the author is trying convey to the reader the importance of critical thinking, of questioning authority and deciding for yourself the proper path to take. Enough philosophical musing... 'Hope everyone's having/had a good weekend and enjoying the written word. I'm off to read the last story in the series, Four: The Traitor: A Divergent Story.

[Luffy]

I've taken a rare Sabbatical from reading yesterday. Today, I think I'll read enough to make a dent in Dead Witch Walking (The Hollows #1) by Kim Harrison. It's 353 pages long and I'm reserving four days to complete it. I've read someone say that the 7th book is not good, but I still plan to complete the series. There's an end in sight and that's my motivation to reach it. I already know what I'll read after DWW, but that's for another post.

[chookie2]

Up to no 7 of the Lara Adrian Midnight series. 3 to go, then I will begin on Robin Hobbs.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

The Dracula Tape by Fred Saberhagen

A most enjoyable take on Bram Stoker's Dracula, as told from Dracula's perspective.

Next: The Holmes-Dracula File by Fred Saberhagen

I couldn't resist seeing what Saberhagen did next with the character. What an appalling cover. It doesn't do the contents justice at all.

[Rev. Bob]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

I couldn't resist seeing what Saberhagen did next with the character. What an appalling cover. It doesn't do the contents justice at all.

Yeah, the e-reprint covers are pretty lame. The originals, by and large, are MUCH better.

FYI, Séance for a Vampire is a sequel to Holmes-Dracula, but it was written later and thus usually appears further down in the series list. If you enjoy H-D (and I think you will), you may want to skip to S4V before proceeding to An Old Friend of the Family. IIRC, the S4V ebook is still published by Titan, and may be couponable.

As for me, I've started a shared-world horror anthology called Limbus, Inc. There's a second volume due out in about a month, and it looks intriguing so far. Limbus is a supernatural employment agency, and apparently they show up whenever a promising recruit is ready to hear their offer.

[astrangerhere]

Originally Posted by astrangerhere

Still working my way through Bring up the Bodies and have now started Emily St. John Mandel's Station Eleven completely on a whim.

Finished Station Eleven last night. I would give it a solid 3 stars. I think, after having read Anthony Mara's brilliant Constellation of Vital Phenomena earlier this year, any book that tries to connect seemingly unrelated people has a great deal to live up to for me. Mandel did a passable job of it, and the book was entertaining, but by no means a masterpiece.

I am still listening to Bring up the Bodies and should finish in the next day or so.

Started reading Jake Adelstein's nonfiction Tokyo Vice: An American Reporter on the Police Beat in Japan last night and am finding it very interesting so far.

[John K]

Originally Posted by astrangerhere

Started reading Jake Adelstein's nonfiction Tokyo Vice: An American Reporter on the Police Beat in Japan last night and am finding it very interesting so far.

If you find that you want more of Tokyo and it's underworld and enjoy an occasional fictional thriller/spy/hired assassin type of book, I suggest Barry Eisler's John Rain series. https://www.goodreads.com/author/sho...om_search=true

He seems quite proud of the level of research he does into actual Tokyo locations. Compared to other thriller type books I've read, he's more thoughtful with an interest in Japanese culture, self defense, assassin psychology and creative ways to make a murder look like a natural death.

I suppose I should justify sticking my nose into this tread by reporting that I just finished The Detachment (John Rain) by Barry Eisler and am now reading The Battle of Kursk: Operation Citadel 1943 by Robin Cross.

[CRussel]

Originally Posted by CRussel

Now reading and listening to Crystal Dragon. I'm skipping the prelude section, and starting at Chapter 1. I've read that once, and that's quite enough. But the rest of the book was a pleasure, and I hope it withstands the test of a re-read.

Well, we move through these rather quickly. I've finished Crystal Dragon, skipped, for now, Balance of Trade, and devoured Local Custom and Scout's Progress, and now reading Mouse and Dragon. As with the others in this re-read, I'm going back and forth between the audio and eBook versions, even though they are not WhisperSync for Voice enabled -- I'm having to manually sync my location. A nuisance, but not huge.

I am very much enjoying the re-read. I find new things every time I read the books in the Liaden Universe(r).

[Melon Soda]

Currently on the Iron Druid Chronicles series by Kevin Hearne. Now at book 3 and it has been a fun ride so far! :thumbsup