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

[Dazrin]

Originally Posted by Dazrin

I did start The Man Who Would Be King for the book club this morning as well. So far, so good.

Well, I finished this for the book club, not my favorite selection this year but it was short. I think my biggest problem is that I am not sure how much I can trust it for being accurate in describing the different people groups that are encountered.

After that I read The Fall of Hyperion as a follow-up to June's book club selection. I didn't like this as well as the first but it did provide closure and had more action than the first. Answered a lot of questions.

Next up is The Slow Regard of Silent Things by Patrick Rothfuss. I recommended this to my library and they purchased it in time for release day (today). There are now 27 other people on the waiting list for this one copy, so I am glad I recommended it early. This is much different than his other stories; it is more "a day in the life of Auri" than an adventure (at least so far.)

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Next up: The Forlorn by Dave Freer. I'm rather surprised I haven't already read this. Perhaps I have, but it would have been ten years ago. Looking quite interesting at the moment.

Yes, I had read it before. I just didn't recognise it immediately. Bits of the story did come back. An enjoyable coming-of-age/action/SF adventure. Rather Andre Norton-y in some ways. And it's in the Baen Free Library - recommended.

Next up: Nightmare Magazine Special Issue: Women Destroy Horror. The last of the special issues from the Lightspeed Magazine kickstarter earlier this year. I'm not usually keen on horror, so I might abandon it. But I'll give it a go.

[PurpleStar]

I finished Storm Front by Jim Butcher. I liked it very much! Now on to book 2 Fool Moon.

[HarryT]

Just been away on holiday for a week, and completed a number of books:

Passenger to Frankfurt by Agatha Christie, originally published in 1970.

Sir Stafford Nye's flight home from Malaya takes an unexpected twist when the bored diplomat is approached in an airport by a woman whose life is in danger. He agrees to lend her his passport and boarding ticket. Suddenly, Stafford has unwittingly entered a web of international intrigue, from which the only escape is to outwit the power-crazed Countess von Waldsausen who is hell-bent on world domination through the manipulation and arming of the planet's youth, which brings with it what promises to be a resurgence of Nazi domination. Unwittingly the diplomat has put his own life on the line. His Great-Aunt Matilda hints to him of a terrible world-wide conspiracy that has something to do with Wagner and "The Young Siegfried". When Stafford meets the mystery woman again, he finds himself drawn into a battle against an invisible and altogether more dangerous enemy.

The usual convoluted and improbable fare of the Christie thriller. Can't really recommend it.

The Right to Arm Bears by Gordon R. Dickson.

Bought from Baen in December 2000. Two novellas and a short story set on the same planet, with a common theme of humans outwitting the natives of a planet where the locals look like 8' tall bears, with immense physical strength. Very enjoyable indeed. Highly recommended.

Nemesis by Agatha Christie, originally published in 1971.

Miss Marple is surprised to receive a posthumous letter from the wealthy financier Jason Rafiel, who she met in the earlier book "A Caribbean Mystery". Rafiel leaves Miss Marple a large sum of money in his will, on the condition that she investigates an unspecified crime connected to him. A very enjoyable novel follows. This was the last "Miss Marple" novel that Christie wrote. Again, highly recommended.

The Sacred Pool by L. Warren Douglas, originally bought from Baen in January 2001.

Douglas takes the history and mythology of "dark ages" Provence in France, and weaves an excellent fantasy novel around it, based around the conflict between the ancient Celtic gods, and the spreading influence of Christianity. Pierette, a young woman, sets out on her journey to become a sorceress. The first in a trilogy, but a completely satisfying self-contained novel. Again, highly recommended to any fantasy fan.

Elephants Can Remember by Agatha Christie, originally published in 1972.

At a literary luncheon, Mrs Burton-Cox, to whose son Celia Ravenscroft is engaged, approaches Mrs. Ariadne Oliver, a school friend of the late Margaret Ravenscroft and godmother to her daughter. Mrs Burton-Cox asks Mrs Oliver what she believes is an important question: which of Celia's parents was the murderer, and which was murdered?

The last "Poirot" novel that Christie wrote, and very, very good, although Christie's failing faculties are only too evident in parts of the book, with the same murder having apparently occurred 12, 15, and 20 years ago. Again, highly recommended.

All in all some excellent books here, with the exception of "Passenger to Frankfurt", but you know what you're going to get with a Christie "thriller" .

[Gazella]

Originally Posted by Gazella

I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes

Finished this yesterday. An entertaining contemporary thriller. However I did not like the ending.

[Dazrin]

Originally Posted by Dazrin

Next up is The Slow Regard of Silent Things by Patrick Rothfuss. I recommended this to my library and they purchased it in time for release day (today). There are now 27 other people on the waiting list for this one copy, so I am glad I recommended it early. This is much different than his other stories; it is more "a dayweek in the life of Auri" than an adventure (at least so far.)

That was excellent. Definitely an unusual book but it worked wonderfully.

I also found out (too late) that Mr. Rothfuss was in Portland last night about a block from where I work. It would have been fun to go to his talk/show.

I will have to spend lunch today trying to figure out what to read next.

[Gazella]

Just started Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Next up: Nightmare Magazine Special Issue: Women Destroy Horror. The last of the special issues from the Lightspeed Magazine kickstarter earlier this year. I'm not usually keen on horror, so I might abandon it. But I'll give it a go.

Not really my thing, but some stories I liked. But also several I didn't like or didn't get. I don't think I'll be adding any horror books to my wish list.

Next up: Hexes and Haunts by Nancy Fulda. Her halloween collection, my most recent purchase.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Next up: Hexes and Haunts by Nancy Fulda. Her halloween collection, my most recent purchase.

A most enjoyable collection of five very different spooky tales. I liked them all, although I think The Scream was the scariest, and a very suitably halloween-themed story.


Next up: Two Serpents Rise by Max Gladstone. I really liked their Three Parts Dead, so I'm looking forward to seing what they do in this one.

[din155]

Originally Posted by Dazrin

That was excellent. Definitely an unusual book but it worked wonderfully.

I also found out (too late) that Mr. Rothfuss was in Portland last night about a block from where I work. It would have been fun to go to his talk/show.

I will have to spend lunch today trying to figure out what to read next.

Good to know you liked it. It's my next book after "The Son" by Jo Nesbo that I am reading currently.

[Luffy]

I've finished reading the second Game of Thrones book and now I'm going to read, starting tomorrow, A Storm of Swords (A Song of Ice and Fire #3) by George R.R. Martin. I loved the first two books and I like that the third one's lengthier. But I need to stay away from my kindle for now. I need some rest and unwinding.

[Nancy Fulda]

Finally got around to reading Hyperion, which everyone has been singing praises about for, like, ever. Awesome wordsmithing. I am so hooked.

[hildea]

I've started "1Q84" by Haruki Murakami. Weird, interesting, well written. Will be interesting to see what's really going on...

[bfisher]

Originally Posted by Apache

I just finished the four books in David Aaronovitch's Peter Grant Series. I thought the were a very good read and especially loved the character's and the humor.
Apache

Now reading Moon Over Soho (PC Peter Grant #2). Possibly even better than Midnight Riot.

Thanks for the recommendation.

[Hampshire Nanny]

Originally Posted by HarryT

The Right to Arm Bears by Gordon R. Dickson.

Bought from Baen in December 2000. Two novellas and a short story set on the same planet, with a common theme of humans outwitting the natives of a planet where the locals look like 8' tall bears, with immense physical strength. Very enjoyable indeed. Highly recommended.

I tend to remember that this book was much more about the locals outwitting the humans. "Little Bite, don't you recognize the Hill Bluffer? He's the government postman from Humrog to Wildwood Peak. We're going to mail your Shorty friend here to the Terror. Guaranteed delivery. Postage: five pounds of nails." In reality, it was a bit of both.