Hey!! Let's get some action going! What are we reading? - Page 1808

issybird · 04-19-2018, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dngrsone

Finished reading Rusty Nail, which was engaging. Now I am reading Paper: Paging Through History by Mark Kurlansky. One wouldn't think that something as mundane as paper would be the subject of a history book, nor actually interesting to read, but there you go-- it is. This is the same author who wrote a history of salt; and it makes me wonder what his next book is going to be about.

I enjoyed Kurlansky's The Big Oyster, a history of New York through the prism of its oyster industry.

pdurrant · 04-19-2018, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Next up: F&SF March/April 2018

Well, I actually read and finished Deep Secret by Diana Wynne Jones. An enjoyable stand-alone YA fantasy.

And I'm now going to read another of hers: Enchanted Glass

Thundergirls · 04-20-2018, 09:49 AM

Somehow I missed it, finally learned of the latest Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch book, Two Kinds of Truth.

I'm old fashioned - I rather like the characters to stay in the same situation. For instance, in Erle Stanley Gardner's books, I don't think Perry Mason ever ran for office or was appointed a judge. But at least Connelly stays true to his character, the writing just as rich, the challenge of telling a story from only one perspective still clean and clear. Harry's been through a lot through this series of books, and that too is addressed with realism and kept interesting.

The story opens with Harry, retired from the LAPD but working for a small town PD nearby, learning that one of his very first cases which landed a man on death row is being looked at - a tiny bit of DNA processed may get the bad guy released, and a seven-figure lawsuit pending. Harry knows he got the right guy, but isn't given the opportunity to use the resources of LAPD to investigate. Well, if you've read these books, Harry doesn't give up, so he's running his own investigation. It's not just about his ego or the possibility of also being sued, it's about the chance that all of his cases would then come under review, possibly freeing a lot of people who need to stay in jail.

I like it that Harry isn't a perfect person. He's a toned-down, more realistic version of another famous Harry portrayed by Clint Eastwood. He's also a reflection of the John Wayne mantra, I won't put hands on you and I won't have hands put on me. He makes mistakes but then self-corrects and moves on. Here we also see a little softer side of Harry, respecting the small-town officers and trying to let them grow in their jobs - Harry's really just there to help and address his own need to stay busy.

Michael Connelly's extension of the character to the Amazon Prime offering is perfect for this character. I often wondered why Bosch didn't become a feature film, but it's as though Connelly had a crystal ball, and new this was coming.

If you like detective stories, and you like them complete with grit and mystery, do yourself a favor and try Michaell Connelly's books.

RobertLCollins · 04-20-2018, 04:31 PM

Earlier today I finished Curtsies & Conspiracies, the second book in Gail Carriger's Finishing School series. It was a rollicking good time. A good bit of action in the story. A character from the Parasol Protectorate series popped up, which was fun.

I'll get back to the series a bit later. For now, my plan is to read a longer novel next...

pdurrant · 04-21-2018, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

And I'm now going to read another of hers: Enchanted Glass

Which I also enjoyed a lot. A minor quibble about the lead character's unreasonable concentration on writing a book, but most enjoyable.

The I read a quick freebie I picked up a few days ago. A time travel romance, A Margin in Time by Laura Hayden. I had forgotten that Romances are all about the romance, and anything else is filler. The time travel element could have been done well, but for some reason she decided to introduce another character to try to justify the time travel in some way, which only resulted in a ridiculous confusion of the internal logic. Sigh. Perhaps I've finally learned my lesson on this.

As a romance, it was readable.

Now I've finally started on F&SF. Lead novella's looking good.

ReadingManiac · 04-21-2018, 10:49 AM

Started reading Savages by Greg Gifune. It's definitely keeping my attention!

orlok · 04-21-2018, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReadingManiac

Started reading Savages by Greg Gifune. It's definitely keeping my attention!

Like the sound of that. Just added to my TBR.

latepaul · 04-21-2018, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CRussel

And beyond that, I didn't think Holy Island was all that good. OK, but not great.

I think that's generous. I thought it was distinctly mediocre, verging on poor. The quality of the writing wasn't great IMO. And the author veered between a fairly brutal serial killer crime story and a sub-Mills and Boon romance. It was a jarring tonal shift.

I've started The Children Act by Ian McEwan, which based on the previous novels of his I've read, should be as close to a guaranteed good read as I can get. At least I know the writing will be good.

MickeyC · 04-22-2018, 04:52 PM

Just tore through Back Blast by Mark Greaney and it was a very riveting thriller. Next up Greeks Bearing Gifts by Philip Kerr

pdurrant · 04-23-2018, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Now I've finally started on F&SF. Lead novella's looking good.

A good issue. Full review to follow.

Next up: Last Bus to Woodstock by Colin Dexter. The first of his Inspector Morse novels. Since I've bought all thirteen, I'd better start reading them!

CRussel · 04-23-2018, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

A good issue. Full review to follow.

Next up: Last Bus to Woodstock by Colin Dexter. The first of his Inspector Morse novels. Since I've bought all thirteen, I'd better start reading them!

They read so much better with the series in my head.

I think I've read all of them at one time or another, but most recently Woodstock and Last Seen Wearing. I need to continue myself, as I also have all 13.

astrangerhere · 04-23-2018, 11:08 AM

Since my last post I have completed:

Packing for Mars by Mary Roach
The Armored Saint by Myke Cole
"The Descent of Man" by Edith Wharton
The Radium Girls by Kate Moore
Wonder Woman Omnibus, Vol. 2 by George Perez
"A Cup of Cold Water" by Edith Wharton
"The Overcoat" by Nikolai Gogal

This morning, I embarked on the 50+ hour audiobook of The Count of Monte Cristo.

CRussel · 04-23-2018, 11:23 AM

Well, that should be fun, astrangerhere. I admit, it's been years and years since I read it, but I remember quite enjoying it. And with a good narration? A perfect commuting book, I would think.

With no regular commute, my audio book reading times are seriously shortened. I now look for shorter books, rather than longer ones.

Dngrsone · 04-23-2018, 11:46 AM

My current commute is less than twelve minutes, so I am not listening to audio at the moment. That is offset by enormous amounts of extra reading gleaning from a slow work load for the past couple weeks.

I am 68% through the fascinating history of paper (makes me want to try making some). I will likely read some Reacher next.

astrangerhere · 04-23-2018, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CRussel

Well, that should be fun, astrangerhere. I admit, it's been years and years since I read it, but I remember quite enjoying it. And with a good narration? A perfect commuting book, I would think.

With no regular commute, my audiobook reading times are seriously shortened. I now look for shorter books, rather than longer ones.

Excellent narration - some of the best I've heard on Librivox. The accent and voices are both very good. The narrator is David Clarke and the only other things he has done are Sherlock Holmes stories.

Count of Monte Cristo Librivox Link

04-20-2018, 09:49 AM	#27108
Thundergirls Member Posts: 10 Karma: 30 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Jetbook Lite	Catching up on Harry Bosch Somehow I missed it, finally learned of the latest Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch book, Two Kinds of Truth. I'm old fashioned - I rather like the characters to stay in the same situation. For instance, in Erle Stanley Gardner's books, I don't think Perry Mason ever ran for office or was appointed a judge. But at least Connelly stays true to his character, the writing just as rich, the challenge of telling a story from only one perspective still clean and clear. Harry's been through a lot through this series of books, and that too is addressed with realism and kept interesting. The story opens with Harry, retired from the LAPD but working for a small town PD nearby, learning that one of his very first cases which landed a man on death row is being looked at - a tiny bit of DNA processed may get the bad guy released, and a seven-figure lawsuit pending. Harry knows he got the right guy, but isn't given the opportunity to use the resources of LAPD to investigate. Well, if you've read these books, Harry doesn't give up, so he's running his own investigation. It's not just about his ego or the possibility of also being sued, it's about the chance that all of his cases would then come under review, possibly freeing a lot of people who need to stay in jail. I like it that Harry isn't a perfect person. He's a toned-down, more realistic version of another famous Harry portrayed by Clint Eastwood. He's also a reflection of the John Wayne mantra, I won't put hands on you and I won't have hands put on me. He makes mistakes but then self-corrects and moves on. Here we also see a little softer side of Harry, respecting the small-town officers and trying to let them grow in their jobs - Harry's really just there to help and address his own need to stay busy. Michael Connelly's extension of the character to the Amazon Prime offering is perfect for this character. I often wondered why Bosch didn't become a feature film, but it's as though Connelly had a crystal ball, and new this was coming. If you like detective stories, and you like them complete with grit and mystery, do yourself a favor and try Michaell Connelly's books.

04-23-2018, 11:08 AM	#27117
astrangerhere Professor of Law Posts: 3,754 Karma: 68428716 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Chapel Hill, NC Device: Kobo Elipsa, Kobo Libra H20, Kobo Aura One, KoboMini	Since my last post I have completed: Packing for Mars by Mary Roach The Armored Saint by Myke Cole "The Descent of Man" by Edith Wharton The Radium Girls by Kate Moore Wonder Woman Omnibus, Vol. 2 by George Perez "A Cup of Cold Water" by Edith Wharton "The Overcoat" by Nikolai Gogal This morning, I embarked on the 50+ hour audiobook of The Count of Monte Cristo.

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04-20-2018, 04:31 PM	#27109
RobertLCollins Groupie Posts: 155 Karma: 1735704 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Kansas Device: iPhone	Earlier today I finished Curtsies & Conspiracies, the second book in Gail Carriger's Finishing School series. It was a rollicking good time. A good bit of action in the story. A character from the Parasol Protectorate series popped up, which was fun. I'll get back to the series a bit later. For now, my plan is to read a longer novel next...

04-21-2018, 10:49 AM	#27111
ReadingManiac Genre Jumper Posts: 1,070 Karma: 11070900 Join Date: Dec 2015 Device: Kindle paperwhite	Started reading Savages by Greg Gifune. It's definitely keeping my attention!

04-22-2018, 04:52 PM	#27114
MickeyC Grand Sorcerer Posts: 16,731 Karma: 12185114 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Device: iPhone 6 plus, Sony T1, iPad 3	Just tore through *Back Blast* by Mark Greaney and it was a very riveting thriller. Next up *Greeks Bearing Gifts* by Philip Kerr

04-23-2018, 11:23 AM	#27118
CRussel (he/him/his) Posts: 12,296 Karma: 80074820 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sunshine Coast, BC Device: Oasis (Gen3),Paperwhite (Gen10), Voyage, Paperwhite(orig), iPad Air M3	Well, that should be fun, astrangerhere. I admit, it's been years and years since I read it, but I remember quite enjoying it. And with a good narration? A perfect commuting book, I would think. With no regular commute, my audio book reading times are seriously shortened. I now look for shorter books, rather than longer ones.

04-23-2018, 11:46 AM	#27119
Dngrsone Almost legible Posts: 1,457 Karma: 4611110 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: In a high desert, CA Device: Galaxy Note 9, Galaxy Tab A (2017), Likebook P78	My current commute is less than twelve minutes, so I am not listening to audio at the moment. That is offset by enormous amounts of extra reading gleaning from a slow work load for the past couple weeks. I am 68% through the fascinating history of paper (makes me want to try making some). I will likely read some Reacher next.