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

[kyrilson]

Currently reading “My Favorites” a collection of short stories by Ben Bova. Really enjoying these. They’re engaging and optimistic SF stories. A lot different from the current hard edged, dystopian SF I usually encounter these days (and get tired of).

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Next up: Artemis Fowl and the Arctic Incident. The second in Eoin Colfer's Artemis Fowl series.

I read this in paper some years ago when it first came out. I think it's worth a re-read now I have the ebook.

Which was fun. A bit of character development, and an enjoyable romp.

Next up: Fantasy Magazine #4 edited by Wallace and Tremblay. Another random pick from my TBR pile.

[Uncle Robin]

Currently reading Thyme to Live book three of Melissa F. Miller's Field sisters series. They're fun FAST reads, but this one is irking me just a little by repeatedly saying that Brazilians speaking to each other are doing so in Spanish.

[LDB]

Apparently I've lead a sheltered life. Page counts? Is that like a long term thing from school age when we used to get a star beside our name for each book we read but some uber competitive students counted pages to be able to show their lesser number of stars still won based on page count? That's the only thing that immediately pops to mind. So what's the real deal on page counting?

[issybird]

Originally Posted by LDB

Apparently I've lead a sheltered life. Page counts? Is that like a long term thing from school age when we used to get a star beside our name for each book we read but some uber competitive students counted pages to be able to show their lesser number of stars still won based on page count? That's the only thing that immediately pops to mind. So what's the real deal on page counting?

As Uncle Robin said, it’s for fun, just like any reading challenge. Many here have annual reading challenges based on number of books. Looking at page counts help keep it “honest”, so to speak. Counting pages is no less sensical than counting books; it’s no more arbitrary and one might argue somewhat less. A book is not a book, so to speak.

Of course it’s not just number of books, or number of pages. Some pages are denser than others in either or both print or content. And of course people not only are free but should be encouraged to frame their challenges in a way that’s meaningful for them. I get frustrated by those who seem to view it as a contest, either from the the point of view of “Looky how many books I’ve read” or from that of, “How do you read so much?”

[Luffy]

Originally Posted by LDB

Apparently I've lead a sheltered life. Page counts? Is that like a long term thing from school age when we used to get a star beside our name for each book we read but some uber competitive students counted pages to be able to show their lesser number of stars still won based on page count? That's the only thing that immediately pops to mind. So what's the real deal on page counting?

You'll court disaster with such heartfelt but politically incorrect beliefs.

[Apache]

Originally Posted by Uncle Robin

Currently reading Thyme to Live book three of Melissa F. Miller's Field sisters series. They're fun FAST reads, but this one is irking me just a little by repeatedly saying that Brazilians speaking to each other are doing so in Spanish.

I do not understand why authors can not do a little research before they publish . And assuming that a country's language is Spanish just because it is located in South or Central America is foolish. Sort of like assuming that the official language of Quebec is English because they are Canadian.
Apache

[Uncle Robin]

Originally Posted by Apache

I do not understand why authors can not do a little research before they publish . And assuming that a country's language is Spanish just because it is located in South or Central America is foolish. Sort of like assuming that the official language of Quebec is English because they are Canadian.
Apache

Actually, it was I who made the mistake. A chapter or so later, the narrator character who kept saying "Spanish" learned her error. This was the first time it occurred:
After a brief exchange, conducted in Spanish (which meant I was in the dark as to its substance) Similiar statements occur a few more times after that.

I had tweeted the author as soon as I saw that, asking why two Brazilians would speak to each other in Spanish. When I reached the point in the book where the narrator character learns her mistake, I tweeted an apology for jumping to conclusions. This was the author's reply:

The reason, though, was I wanted to give a Thyme a small learning moment about assumptions. Part of her character arc

A lesson I too learned

[Apache]

Apache

[Rumpelteazer]

I'm currently reading The Cat Who Robbed a Bank by Lilian Jackson Braun. The 22nd book in The Cat Who series. Because of my reading slump I decided to pick an easy book. It's nice to return to Moose County and visit old friends.

After this I'm planning on reading the latest novel by Wendy Webb, The Haunting of Brynn Wilder.

[Luffy]

My 2 star review of Mardi Gras Murder (Cajun Country Mystery, #4) by Ellen Byron:-

Spoiler:

I have rated almost all books in the series lowly, but I keep returning to it. The scores are neither harsh nor generous. In my opinion they are spot on. But why do I read them if they don't pass muster?

I like two or more aspects of the series. Firstly the books are well written. There is a smattering of French which I understand, and the tone and colour of the language are judicious.

The length of the book coupled with the prose is mesmeric to me as a reader. I can read such a book, regardless of its merits overall, in two days, and it pleases me to accomplish this.

The mystery itself is godawful. It always is. Thus the low scores. I will keep following this series which is full of contradictions.

There are so many authors nowadays that it seems like they outnumber their books, which is impossible. But when I read Mardi Gras Murder, and its like, I don't know whether I can call it well crafted or a con job.

[Uncle Robin]

Ten percent into Cuckoo's Egg by Clifford Stoll, after seeing recommended here at MR. Loving it so far, signs are good that book Nr 14 for 2021 will be another !< 4/5 for me.

[LDB]

Originally Posted by Uncle Robin

Ten percent into Cuckoo's Egg by Clifford Stoll, after seeing recommended here at MR. Loving it so far, signs are good that book Nr 14 for 2021 will be another !< 4/5 for me.

I'm one of the ones who has recommended that book. Glad you are liking it so far. It's good enough I reread it every few years.

[Uncle Robin]

Originally Posted by LDB

I'm one of the ones who has recommended that book. Glad you are liking it so far. It's good enough I reread it every few years.

Reading his praise for GNU Emacs took me back to the days when my fingers obeyed my brain and CLI was fun, especially Emacs vs Vim wars on Usenet.

[Uncle Robin]

The Cuckoo's Egg is my first 5-star read of 2021 at The StoryGraph. Verily unputdownable!