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

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by Fbone

It's curious how Hachette split Gameshouse into three novellas.

It is a bit odd. But seeing as how I got all three at the same time for less than $8, I'm just going to pretend they're one novel.

[orlok]

Originally Posted by ReneAZ

I usually read mysteries and just finished "And Justice There is None" (Deborah Crombie), the 8th book in the Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James series -- Inspectors in London. It was the first one I've read by her, but not the last. I really enjoyed the writing and the characters. I think I'll start at the beginning. (there are a lot of them, yea!)

Lately I've been reading some SciFi and have devoured "The Chronicles of St Marys" series by Jodi Taylor. I think I read all 6 of the books and the 3 short stores in like two weeks!! (write faster Jodi!!) Great historical time travel adventures, wonderful 'cast of characters' and great writing! Love them!!

I.m currently reading "Midnight Riot" by Ben Aaronovitch. It's this month's selection for my book club. It's okay. Not a 'can't put down' book, but slowly getting through it.

It's about magic in London and a Police "Wizard" and "Wizard in training" investigating crimes involving magic and other manifestations of the uncanny- brutal and bizarre murders, a world where gods and goddesses mingle with mortals and a long-dead evil is making a comeback on a rising tide of magic. (from the Amazon description, not my own... ;-)

Great reviews on Amazon, but not grabbing me like The Chronicles of St Marys books. It drags a little too much for me, and I don't really care for the characters. Highly recommend the Chronicles books and Deborah Crombie though! When I finish my book club selection, it's back to mysteries for me!!

I agree about The Chronicles of St Marys books, they are fun. I've only read the first 2 so far, and a couple of the short stories, but will be getting back to them soon.

I also agree about the Ben Aaronovitch series. It is very popular with a number of people on MR, and I found the first book okay, but nothing that really grabbed me, and I'm not sure if I will continue with the series.

Currently reading a first-time novel by Matthew FitzSimmons, The Short Drop, a thriller set in the murky world of hackers, corrupt politics and private security agencies. It centres around the disappearance of the Vice President's daughter, and attempts to find out what really happened to her 10 years before. A very creditable effort for a first book.

[CRussel]

Personally, I loved the Ben Aaronovich books (and they're especially good as audio books, due to the superb narration), and I enjoyed the first two St. Mary's books. But by the third, I was bored with them, and I never finished that third, nor read any further. Too little history, too much cute.

Currently reading Star Fall., #17 in the Bill Slider series from Cynthia Harrold-Eagles. Also reading (via Audible), Hell's Foundations Quiver, the latest Safehold book from David Weber. And also reading a couple of articles from the November 2nd edition of The New Yorker. Mostly because there was a Calvin Trillin essay in it, which got me started.

[WT Sharpe]

My grandson told me his teacher assigned Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. Seeing his surprise when he learned I didn't know the ending that's "been parodied thousands of times", I told him I'd never read the book. He then asked me if I'd like to, and after checking the Kindle store to find they want $8.99 for the Kindle edition, I said sure and he loaned me his library paperback. After careful smelling of the paper (because I'm told people like these things for the smell), I dove right in. Very powerful book that I deeply recommend. Very unlike The Grapes of Wrath, even though written by the same author using much the same backdrop.

[CRussel]

Yes, Of Mice and Men is another of Steinbeck's books I really was glad to have read. And it's been several years since I read it, so perhaps time to try it again.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

And now I'm reading the Nov/Dec 2015 issue of The Magazine of Science Fiction and Fantasy.

Which I like half of. I wonder if there are still some stories in the pipeline from the previous editor. I think I've liked the new editor's picks much more.

And that was my 200th book for the year!

Oh - no it wasn't, it was my 201st. My 200th was actually the Jihad short.

Next up: A Matter of Taste by Fred Saberhagen. Another in his Dracula series.

[Rev. Bob]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Next up: A Matter of Taste by Fred Saberhagen. Another in his Dracula series.

As I recall, that's about where the series got mushy for me. I'm interested to see how you feel about Séance for a Vampire when you get to it, though.

[bfisher]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

My grandson told me his teacher assigned Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. Seeing his surprise when he learned I didn't know the ending that's "been parodied thousands of times", I told him I'd never read the book. He then asked me if I'd like to, and after checking the Kindle store to find they want $8.99 for the Kindle edition, I said sure and he loaned me his library paperback. After careful smelling of the paper (because I'm told people like these things for the smell), I dove right in. Very powerful book that I deeply recommend. Very unlike The Grapes of Wrath, even though written by the same author using much the same backdrop.

It was dramatized in a 1939 movie with Burgess Meredith as George and Lon Chaney Jr as Lenny. The ending is very powerful.

[BenG]

And, as has been said, the movie has been parodied a lot.

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by bfisher

It was dramatized in a 1939 movie with Burgess Meredith as George and Lon Chaney Jr as Lenny. The ending is very powerful.

Last night I rented the movie from Amazon and you're right, it is powerful. As a plus, this movie may stuck extremely close to the book. I did expect someone larger than the man of a thousand faces to play Lenny, but he did a great job, as did the Penguin as George.

[BenG]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

I did expect someone larger than the man of a thousand faces to play Lenny, but he did a great job, as did the Penguin as George.

The man of a thousand faces was his dad, Lon Chaney, Sr.(the silent Phantom of the Opera), not Lon(The Wolfman) Chaney, Jr.

BTW, Junior's real name was Creighton.

[Dngrsone]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

Last night I rented the movie from Amazon and you're right, it is powerful. As a plus, this movie may stuck extremely close to the book. I did expect someone larger than the man of a thousand faces to play Lenny, but he did a great job, as did the Penguin as George.

The Penguin may have been his worst role... then again, he did to those Rocky films. :/

One of the absolute best was his character in the Grump Old Men movies...

[Dazrin]

Originally Posted by Dazrin

Next up will be Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett as I work my way through the Discworld.

I certainly enjoyed meeting Captain Vimes and the crew for the first time (at least their first dedicated book, I don't remember if they have had cameo's or not) and while it was good it doesn't really compare to some of the later ones.

I started The Forever War by Joe Haldeman this morning after finishing Guards! Guards! and am enjoying it so far, although the casual/required sex is a distraction and unbelievable to me. Maybe he explains it more later.

I also just received The Aeronaut's Windlass from my library this evening too. I may end up taking a break from The Forever War if I find a good stopping point. This one surprised me since I was #3 in line this morning. I wonder if the others who were in line got tired of waiting and just bought it.

[CRussel]

Originally Posted by CRussel

Currently reading Star Fall, #17 in the Bill Slider series from Cynthia Harrold-Eagles. Also reading (via Audible), Hell's Foundations Quiver, the latest Safehold book from David Weber. And also reading a couple of articles from the November 2nd edition of The New Yorker. Mostly because there was a Calvin Trillin essay in it, which got me started.

Finished Star Fall, and enjoyed it quite a bit. These aren't 5 star books, but they're certainly 4 star within the genre, and I like the interplay between the characters beyond just their police role. Next up, a rather different kettle of fish, Grave Peril, the third book in the Harry Dresden series from Jim Butcher.

[Tom Fitch]

I finished "Zeitoun" last week.

Great work by Dave Eggers. He managed to turn what is non-fiction into a top notch thriller.

I posted a short review here: http://intersectiondiaries.com/2015/11/11/zeitoun/

Tom