Hey!! Let's get some action going! What are we reading? - Page 2003

pdurrant · 05-22-2021, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Next up: Sweeny Todd and other stories by Nei Gaiman & Michael Zulli. A graphic novel bought in a Neil Gaiman bundle.

Hmm... OK, but I don't find the illustrations add much to the words. (Sorry, illustrators!)

Next up: The Black Book by Ian Rankin. His fifth Inspector Rebus novel.

pdurrant · 05-23-2021, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Next up: The Black Book by Ian Rankin. His fifth Inspector Rebus novel.

A day of resting after a vacine shot can do wonders for amount read.

That was great. Clearly getting into his stride with this one. A bit more humour. Most enjoyable.

Next up: The Witches of Wenshar by Barbara Hambley. Sequel to The Ladies of Mandrigan which I read last August and really enjoyed.

PurpleStar · 05-23-2021, 10:25 PM

I finished reading Star Trek The Next Generation - The Peacekeepers by Gene DeWeese.

About 30% through All The Girls Are So Nice Here by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn. Not sure if I want to continue reading it.

I’m giving up on All The Girls Are So Nice here. What’s the point of reading a book you don’t want to read???

Just started Lster by Strphen King.

Deskisamess · 05-24-2021, 08:31 AM

Finished Franklin and Winston by Jon Meacham. This book explores the complicated and vital relationship between FDR and Winston Churchill.

If you're interested in WW2 or either of these leaders, it's a great read.

CRussel · 05-24-2021, 12:44 PM

That's it, I quit. 67% of the way through Witchy Eye, by D.J. Butler, and I'm dumping it and giving up. What a piece of drek. 1 star, only because I can't go lower. And 1 star for me hanging in this long, thinking it was bound to get better. Yech. I need a palate cleanser after that. Something light, fluffy, and very well written. Hmm. Maybe a quick Georgette Heyer Regency? Yup, that will do it. Now, which one...

Fbone · 05-24-2021, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fbone

Next, my only purchase this year, Armor by John Steakley.

This isn't your standard armor military sci-fi. There's much more depth and emotion here. A rawness in the main character that at times was difficult to read. This made the battle scenes intense. Even with the unexplained elements this was quite satisfying. Rated B- [4 stars].

Next a 2020 purchase, Fireborn by David Dalglish. His second in the Seraphim series.

poohbear_nc · 05-24-2021, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CRussel

That's it, I quit. 67% of the way through Witchy Eye, by D.J. Butler, and I'm dumping it and giving up. What a piece of drek. 1 star, only because I can't go lower. And 1 star for me hanging in this long, thinking it was bound to get better. Yech. I need a palate cleanser after that. Something light, fluffy, and very well written. Hmm. Maybe a quick Georgette Heyer Regency? Yup, that will do it. Now, which one...

The Black Moth perhaps?

gmw · 05-24-2021, 08:37 PM

Last Breath by Robert Bryndza. The fourth book of the DCI Erika Foster series. This was a pretty gruesome story with a lot of quite explicit violence. Not gratuitous as such, but it seemed more raw to me than the previous books. That aside (or that included?), this book, like others in the series, is fairly typical of the genre, but a very well executed with tension kept high. Not much mystery here, the killer is revealed early, but it remains an entertaining and fast paced ride. 4/5.

Cold Blood by Robert Bryndza. The fifth book of the DCI Erika Foster series. This was another pretty gruesome tale. To begin with I was pleased that this felt a bit different to the books that came earlier, as if we had some development in character and setting, so it felt less like "just another" of the genre. But there were some things that stood out as flaws, they may have been just misunderstandings but they distracted from the main story. It was still a good yarn but not as smoothly spun as the previous books. 3/5.

Deadly Secrets by Robert Bryndza. The sixth book of the DCI Erika Foster series. Again I liked the start of this, but the ending sort of fizzled, almost as if the author was sick of it and decided to wrap up early. Too much included in the story never really went anywhere. And I must say that I didn't find the conclusion all that credible. Still okay, but not much more. 3/5.

The author appears to have called it quits for this character, for now at least. Could be just as well. And I need to move on to something else too ... just not sure what.

CRussel · 05-24-2021, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

The Black Moth perhaps?

Read too recently. So, instead, Regency Buck. For which I also have an Audible version, though I'll probably stick to my current audio book and just read the Heyer.

pdurrant · 05-26-2021, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Next up: The Witches of Wenshar by Barbara Hambley. Sequel to The Ladies of Mandrigan which I read last August and really enjoyed.

And I really like this one too. Thoughtful Sword and Sorcery.

Next up: The Serpent's Shadow by Mercedes Lackey. The first in her "Elemental Masters" series, although Amazon, rather oddly, has it listed as the second.

pdurrant · 05-26-2021, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Next up: The Black Book by Ian Rankin. His fifth Inspector Rebus novel.

I forgot to note that this was my 50th book of 2021!

pdurrant · 05-28-2021, 02:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Next up: The Serpent's Shadow by Mercedes Lackey. The first in her "Elemental Masters" series, although Amazon, rather oddly, has it listed as the second.

Set in early 1900s England, a fun fantasy romance. 4/5

Next up: The second in Alan Hunter's George Gently series, Gently by the Shore. I was amused to see that the first was set in a disguised Norwich. I wonder whether I'll be able to recognise this one's location.

gmw · 05-28-2021, 07:43 AM

Artemis by Andy Weir. Recent mention of the book here reminded me it's been sitting on my reader for a while. I very much enjoyed The Martian, but I had seen enough discouraging reviews of Artemis to have fairly low expectations when I started.

I can see why people had complaints about the main protagonist; her manner - while sometimes quite funny - was not convincing and sometimes felt strained. There were other issues too, particularly through the conclusion, and yet despite the flaws I was well entertained and after an unsteady beginning I found it an easy read. I think the author's intention for the main protagonist was interesting, and that such an unappealing character, one that treats her friends and family so badly, presented something out of the ordinary. So while it could have been better executed I give the author points for trying and at least getting part-way there. 3/5.

ReadingManiac · 05-28-2021, 08:05 AM

I *finally* finished Fire & Blood! Only to find out that there's going to be another volume for the other half of the Targaryn history! I'll read that one too though. It was bloody good.

Starting up Songs of Autumn by Guy Donovan at last. It's looking really good so far!

poohbear_nc · 05-28-2021, 06:48 PM

Took a break from reading Daniel Deronda (for the Classics Book Club) to read a modern "vintage" mystery -- The Decagon House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji - first published in Japan in 1987, and now translated into English. It's a retelling, and homage, to Agatha Christie's now classic And Then There Were None, with a fresh twist I did not see coming. It's a quirky book, with characters nicknamed for famous detectives (Poe, Ellery, Van Dine) congregating on an island isolated from the mainland, where yes, people start getting murdered one at a time. Christie's basic plotline has become something of a cliche by now, but Ayatsuji brilliantly manages a fresh approach that challenges the reader. I initially wanted to cry out "No fair" but, upon reflection and a probable re-read, I think he pulled it off - and followed the classic rules for fair play detective fiction. Wow!

05-23-2021, 10:25 PM	#30033
PurpleStar Wizard Posts: 1,625 Karma: 11387182 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Clara BW, Kindle Paperwhite (11th Gen)	I finished reading Star Trek The Next Generation - The Peacekeepers by Gene DeWeese. About 30% through All The Girls Are So Nice Here by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn. Not sure if I want to continue reading it. I’m giving up on All The Girls Are So Nice here. What’s the point of reading a book you don’t want to read??? Just started Lster by Strphen King. Last edited by PurpleStar; 05-24-2021 at 09:13 AM.

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05-24-2021, 08:31 AM	#30034
Deskisamess Wizard Posts: 2,757 Karma: 45827597 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Ohio Device: iPhone 13 Pro, iPad mini, iPad Pro 12.9",Paperwhite 6.8", Scribe 2022	Finished Franklin and Winston by Jon Meacham. This book explores the complicated and vital relationship between FDR and Winston Churchill. If you're interested in WW2 or either of these leaders, it's a great read.

05-24-2021, 12:44 PM	#30035
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	That's it, I quit. 67% of the way through Witchy Eye, by D.J. Butler, and I'm dumping it and giving up. What a piece of drek. 1 star, only because I can't go lower. And 1 star for me hanging in this long, thinking it was bound to get better. Yech. I need a palate cleanser after that. Something light, fluffy, and very well written. Hmm. Maybe a quick Georgette Heyer Regency? Yup, that will do it. Now, which one...

05-24-2021, 08:37 PM	#30038
gmw cacoethes scribendi Posts: 5,818 Karma: 137770742 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura One & H2Ov2, Sony PRS-650	*Last Breath* by Robert Bryndza. The fourth book of the DCI Erika Foster series. This was a pretty gruesome story with a lot of quite explicit violence. Not gratuitous as such, but it seemed more raw to me than the previous books. That aside (or that included?), this book, like others in the series, is fairly typical of the genre, but a very well executed with tension kept high. Not much mystery here, the killer is revealed early, but it remains an entertaining and fast paced ride. 4/5. *Cold Blood* by Robert Bryndza. The fifth book of the DCI Erika Foster series. This was another pretty gruesome tale. To begin with I was pleased that this felt a bit different to the books that came earlier, as if we had some development in character and setting, so it felt less like "just another" of the genre. But there were some things that stood out as flaws, they may have been just misunderstandings but they distracted from the main story. It was still a good yarn but not as smoothly spun as the previous books. 3/5. *Deadly Secrets* by Robert Bryndza. The sixth book of the DCI Erika Foster series. Again I liked the start of this, but the ending sort of fizzled, almost as if the author was sick of it and decided to wrap up early. Too much included in the story never really went anywhere. And I must say that I didn't find the conclusion all that credible. Still okay, but not much more. 3/5. The author appears to have called it quits for this character, for now at least. Could be just as well. And I need to move on to something else too ... just not sure what.

05-28-2021, 07:43 AM	#30043
gmw cacoethes scribendi Posts: 5,818 Karma: 137770742 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura One & H2Ov2, Sony PRS-650	*Artemis* by Andy Weir. Recent mention of the book here reminded me it's been sitting on my reader for a while. I very much enjoyed The Martian, but I had seen enough discouraging reviews of Artemis to have fairly low expectations when I started. I can see why people had complaints about the main protagonist; her manner - while sometimes quite funny - was not convincing and sometimes felt strained. There were other issues too, particularly through the conclusion, and yet despite the flaws I was well entertained and after an unsteady beginning I found it an easy read. I think the author's intention for the main protagonist was interesting, and that such an unappealing character, one that treats her friends and family so badly, presented something out of the ordinary. So while it could have been better executed I give the author points for trying and at least getting part-way there. 3/5.

05-28-2021, 08:05 AM	#30044
ReadingManiac Genre Jumper Posts: 1,070 Karma: 11070900 Join Date: Dec 2015 Device: Kindle paperwhite	I finally finished Fire & Blood! Only to find out that there's going to be another volume for the other half of the Targaryn history! I'll read that one too though. It was bloody good. Starting up Songs of Autumn by Guy Donovan at last. It's looking really good so far!

05-28-2021, 06:48 PM	#30045
poohbear_nc Bah! Humbug! Posts: 63,474 Karma: 135239851 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Durham, NC Device: Every Kindle Ever Made & To Be Made!	Took a break from reading *Daniel Deronda* (for the Classics Book Club) to read a modern "vintage" mystery -- *The Decagon House Murders* by Yukito Ayatsuji - first published in Japan in 1987, and now translated into English. It's a retelling, and homage, to Agatha Christie's now classic *And Then There Were None*, with a fresh twist I did not see coming. It's a quirky book, with characters nicknamed for famous detectives (Poe, Ellery, Van Dine) congregating on an island isolated from the mainland, where yes, people start getting murdered one at a time. Christie's basic plotline has become something of a cliche by now, but Ayatsuji brilliantly manages a fresh approach that challenges the reader. I initially wanted to cry out "No fair" but, upon reflection and a probable re-read, I think he pulled it off - and followed the classic rules for fair play detective fiction. Wow!