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

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Next up: A recent Freebie, A Very British History by Paul McAuley. Short SF stories.

I'm about half way through. On the whole, very good.

I'm posting this interim update just to mention that I gave feedback through a web form on his web site yesterday about a typo in one of the stories, and I got an email back the this morning thanking me for catching the error, that it was now fixed in the master copy, and the new version would be uploaded shortly.

I was very impressed to get such a swift and positive response. Sometimes it is worth reporting errors in ebooks.

[Luffy]

My review of One Piece, Volume 1: Romance Dawn by Eiichiro Oda:-

Spoiler:

It's the first time I'm reading the first volume of One Piece. It more than compares favorably to the anime. The main difference between the manga and the anime at this point is that the latter did not start off from Luffy's childhood, instead electing to introduce us to Koby first. In hindsight, it seems like an odd call from the producers at Toei, though I had no grievances at first viewing, and still don't now. On another note, knowing what happens further on in the story in no way dampened my enjoyment of Romance Dawn. It was nostalgic to revisit the story in this form.

The design of the characters was slightly different from their post-time skip selves. Except for Zoro, maybe. The character art is a bit lacking, but is eventually much improved upon. The art style, although less elaborate than what it would evolve into in later arcs, is clean (I'm looking at you Togashi) and detailed. The way Oda depicts action already bears his trademark flowing, impactful visual style, with impressive structure from panel to panel, which makes action scenes a real treat to read. I sometimes find it hard to fully grasp fight choreography in certain mangas, but it's safe to say that I have never had that problem with One Piece.

Luffy is the typical Shonen protagonist - dumb, gluttonous, impulsive etc. But then again he isn't, really. Between gaining his (initially, seriously handicapping) powers at 7 and setting out for the sea, 10 years have passed, with him most certainly training his fighting abilities mindlessly in preparation for his future forays away from his village. In this way, he has more in common with Lemillion from My Hero Academia than the actual protagonist of that series, Deku. He isn't really selfless either, as we'll see later on, but he wants everyone to have the freedom to do what what they want. Until they end up hurting other people, that is. Luffy wants freedom for every one, but wants the greatest freedom for himself, which is why he is trying to become the Pirate King. Technically, being a Gum Gum Fruit user, he can never run out of gum, but that doesn't stop him from kicking ass anyway when someone asks for it, generally by messing with other people's freedom to do what they want. Simple, but not really.

But what is a Pirate King without his crew? Luffy sets out on his own and the first thing he does is try to recruit someone called Zoro, who is a pirate hunter. A bit self-defeating if you ask me, but that sort of thing never stops Luffy, which is the whole point of his character spurred on by the ROMANCE of his journey to Pirate Kinghood. Zoro carries an air of menace even after being bound up and starved for almost a month. But you know he is good at heart when he refuses to let even bad food go to waste. It is later revealed that he is the epitome of "badassery". Every feat of strength, every cutting repartee is delivered with panache by him. The perilous situation he faces even when he should technically be dead are ridiculous, and are always physically punishing to him the most. But to him, even after all the ordeal he has to go through, it will be as if... nothing happened.

Early on, the antagonists are almost jokes, but far from one-dimensional. Alvida and Morgan (he does not deserve the title of captain), are all deeply insecure about their respective bodies. The way they feel the need to constantly intimidate and needlessly abuse their minions (and in case of Morgan, his son) is despicable, but is rooted in their inability to contend with their own perceived imperfections. They are short-lived characters, but there will be a lot more of the same ilk in One Piece, and it is really a testament of Oda's skill as a writer that he manages to flesh out even minor characters as these two.

The last chapter is called "Introducing Nami". That whets the appetite. There is so much foreshadowing about her. This volume is what kicked off this epic sea adventure. At the time of writing, 96 mores have already been released, and we are barely past the halfway mark. I can't wait to see where this journey will take us. Loved this volume to bits.

[Fbone]

Finished Free the Darkness by Kel Kade. A freebie I picked up somewhere. This was a hard one to finish. The main character was so perfect at everything. Nothing went wrong. It took a long time for things to happen and when they did it was over quickly. Stereotypical characters. Unmemorable. The story just stops practically mid-sentence. No ending, one long saga. Rated D+ [1 star].

[Luffy]

My review of Shop Till You Drop (Dead-End Job Mystery, #1) by Elaine Viets:-

Spoiler:

This book was a well constructed machine-like work of art. You can see the cogs and wheels, the gears and other plot devices. The book is unashamedly nude. It wears its heart on its sleeve.

The was a scrapable amount of muted humor in the book, but nothing to smile about. That's just a mental picture I'm trying to posit here. It's not a complaint.

The lack of surprise, the paucity of a clever twist robbed it of that final fifth star. But I was mightily impressed. I've become a person of interest into this series and have already sideloaded the 2nd book.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

INext up: A recent Freebie, A Very British History by Paul McAuley. Short SF stories.

Which was a good collection. I'll be keeping on eye out for his novels. I would have preferred the notes on each story to come immediately after each story, rather than at the end.

Next up: Diving into the Wreck by Kristine Kathryn Rusch

[Luffy]

My review of My review of Five Have a Wonderful Time by Enid Blyton:-

Spoiler:

I must say that in the aftermath of reading this book, I pegged it at 2 stars. But then I chided myself for relying too much on familiarity. Not every Famous Five has an endgame that is familiar.

One beef I have with these fair folk. They do not change because of external stimuli, but because one of their own likes the Five. I must chalk this too with other unfamiliarity.

Enid Blyton was inspired in its starkest sense. Nothing more, nothing less. The denouement was very much plot driven, laborious though it was. In the end I found the book to be the real thing, because after this one book - the 11th one - not many good books have been written in this series.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Next up: Diving into the Wreck by Kristine Kathryn Rusch

Which was excellent. A good introduction to this universe, and a good story set it it, with a lead in to following stories.

I feel sure I've read some of the novellas published in Analog or Asimov's, and although the reading order at the back places two novellas between this book and the next, (a) I think I've read them and (b) they don't seem to be in the main story line.

But now for some fantasy. Jimmy the Hand by Raymond E. Feist and S. M. Stirling, which I assume fills in the back story of one of the characters from the main novels. I bought this way back in October 2008 from Fictionwise!

[gmw]

As mentioned in one of my last posts, I was off to revisit some of my Terry Pratchett collection - comfort food. So far I've been working through the earlier Discworld books: The Colour of Magic, The Light Fantastic, Equal Rites, Mort, Sourcery and Wyrd Sisters. All good fun and very entertaining, although I must say I'm really looking forward to what is still to come, as the books from here on gain more meat on their bones.

I've also re-read Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs, as part of our discussions over in the New Leaf Book Club. I've been a fan since I was a kid, so I wasn't disappointed.

I also read a book by Terry Pratchett that I had never read before: The Dark Side of the Sun. It's one of his very early books (1976). And it was okay. Say a 3/5. Entertaining enough that I was happy to finish it, but not so great that I will be in a hurry to re-read it. Curiously, one of the planets is called "Widdershins", and people celebrate "Hogswatchnight" - both very familiar terms to fans of the Discworld novels, although that is about the limit of such reminders.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

But now for some fantasy. Jimmy the Hand by Raymond E. Feist and S. M. Stirling, which I assume fills in the back story of one of the characters from the main novels. I bought this way back in October 2008 from Fictionwise!

And most enjoyable it was too. A fantasy romp.

Next up: Red Dragon by Jerry Pournell. Also bought back in October 2008. (I have 86 unread books from 2008!)

[ReadingManiac]

Just getting my reading mojo back, not helped by one of the books I'm reading having extremely Loooong chapters! Great story though, Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet.

I've had to cut down the number of books I read at once and come back to some.

[Luffy]

My review of Murder Between the Covers (Dead-End Job Mystery, #2) by Elaine Viets:-

Spoiler:

This was a throwback to the Golden age of Goodreads for me, when I would rate most books 5 stars. The Camel Club, Lucy Stone, Jaine Austen, all series that got 4 or 5 stars from me, week in week out.

Murder between the Covers is like eating Cinnamon Babka that has neither phlegm nor hair on it. It's light, fluffy, creamy, airy, and sugary goodness. Unlike the first book, this one had enough jokes to transcend the cozy genre, where most of the repartee was confined to the title of book of said genre.

I really am impatient to start the next book. But I wanted to tarry a bit. The amount of research done here adds life to the procedure. What a book. I loved how the heroine mentions she doesn't want to be in danger for the finale only for just that to happen. If you do read this, then great. If not then that's okay too. Happy reading.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Next up: Red Dragon by Jerry Pournell. Also bought back in October 2008. (I have 86 unread books from 2008!)

A rather pedestrian spy thriller. 3/5

Next up: My most recent purchase, Dragonsbane by Barbara Hambly.

Which is a very solid 5/5 from me. An excellent story.

And now: I, Robot by Isaac Asimov. A fairly recent purchase of something that I read meany years ago, and I shall now enjoy re-reading. I hope.

[Luffy]

My review of Radiant Angel (John Corey, #7), by Nelson Demille:-

Spoiler:

For some time, the book promised a 5 star read. But the author mistook minutiae for perfectionism. The writer also claims he took artistic license. I couldn't verify this in most cases, except for gun silencers. They still make the loud noises that defeat their purpose.

Nelson Demille is even now a smart writer. He thought of the best jokes, some of which were xenophobic, but still were funny. The jokes dried up soon as the plot came to a sludgy stop for these crucial chapters that make or break a thriller.

Overall I must say I never wanted even once to ditch this book. Its clever format and crisp lingo prevented me from getting depressed. When I read a truly bad book, I do get depressed, and when that happens, I ditch the book. This has not happened here. 2 stars is the most and the least I can give.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

And now: I, Robot by Isaac Asimov. A fairly recent purchase of something that I read meany years ago, and I shall now enjoy re-reading. I hope.

I did indeed enjoy it. A bit clunky in one or two places, but the individual stories are good, and are tied together with an interesting linking story.

Next up: King of the Dead by R. A. MacAvoy. The second in a trilogy. I read the first back in March 2013. (& bought them back in May 2011!)

[Kim90]

I am reading Goodbye, things by Fumio Sasaki. The author got rid of most their stuff, even bed and desk. That part I simply can’t wrap my head around.