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

[Paperbackstash]

I finished the 7th Alice Worth novel and have the 8th to read. Have some series books to get to but I've been in an odd mood. I have finished one book so far, but also worked some more on The Stand slow re-read (that I started in January 2021!!). I have started the audiobook of Dolores Claiborne - have read it before but heard the narration is great, and recommendations are right so far, so this is an enjoyable re-read in a different format.

[spacepope]

Finished Starsight by Brandon Sanderson and now I'm dying waiting for the next book to come from the library. Hopefully it'll be available over the weekend!

Still reading Heretics by G.K. Chesterton. Just started Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames, which has been on my purchased ebook TBR for a while.

[Dazrin]

Originally Posted by spacepope

.... So I ignored that and read Skyward by Brandon Sanderson, as I had gotten the book recently on sale and it was calling to me. Finished it at 1am . Really likes it, 4.5 stars. Immediately got book 2 from the library to start tomorrow.

Originally Posted by spacepope

Finished Starsight by Brandon Sanderson and now I'm dying waiting for the next book to come from the library. Hopefully it'll be available over the weekend!

Told you so.

I hope the wait is short. There are three novellas that are set between / during book 2 and 3 as well (Sunreach, ReDawn, Evershore) that might be good to put on hold if you haven't already. I don't think they are necessary (I'm only on the second now) but they work well after book 3 at least and give some new perspectives. Hopefully book 4 isn't too far out.

He said in his 2021 State of the Sanderson that he's almost done with book 4, so hopefully we'll see that in November this year.

[Uncle Robin]

In a nice link to the "do you read omnibuses?" thread, I'm about to start one - Maisie Dobbs 3-5. The first two were promising, I'll see how these three do

[spacepope]

Originally Posted by Dazrin

Told you so.

[...]

He said in his 2021 State of the Sanderson that he's almost done with book 4, so hopefully we'll see that in November this year.

You were so right. That ending was unfair, I need more!

Also I'm so happy to hear that he'll be tackling more in this universe (along with his novellas co-writer) after the 4th book ends... I really the series and I don't want it to end. Same with the Wax & Wayne series I'm not a huge fan of Sanderson's characters in earlier works, but his more recent series have some really great characters I don't want to say goodbye too. It's nice to see an author grow like that.

[Uncle Robin]

As soon as I started Maisie Dobbs 3 the reasons I'd hesisated after book 2 came back in force. To borrow from a few GR reviews, the "solve by aura" "woo spiritualist BS" was overpowering in this one and not what I want, so hooray for TSG having DNF as a category. On to Fiona Sherlock's Twelve Motives for Murder

[issybird]

Originally Posted by Uncle Robin

As soon as I started Maisie Dobbs 3 the reasons I'd hesisated after book 2 came back in force. To borrow from a few GR reviews, the "solve by aura" "woo spiritualist BS" was overpowering in this one and not what I want, so hooray for TSG having DNF as a category. On to Fiona Sherlock's Twelve Motives for Murder

I bailed on Maisie early, but I don’t think as early as book 3. The woo, her humorlessness, the many anachronisms and errors….

[astrangerhere]

Originally Posted by issybird

I bailed on Maisie early, but I don’t think as early as book 3. The woo, her humorlessness, the many anachronisms and errors….

THIS.

I am averse to any mysteries not solved by actual deduction. This isn't even "magic-is-science-we-don't-know-about-yet." It was just downright hokey.

[CRussel]

I get all of the detractions about the Maise Dobbs books, but in spite of that, I still enjoy them. Not enough to pay release-day prices, but enough to get in line for them at the Library. (There are fewer and fewer series for which I will, or can, pay release day prices. But Maise was never on the list.)

[Uncle Robin]

Originally Posted by astrangerhere

THIS.

I am averse to any mysteries not solved by actual deduction. This isn't even "magic-is-science-we-don't-know-about-yet." It was just downright hokey.

THIS!

[alansplace]

12% into The Man In The High Castle, kinda slow moving so far. It's introducing the major characters.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Next up: The Stainless Steel Rat by Harry Harrison. A classic. I've read at least twice before, but not for many years. There are sequels, but this first book is the best, IMO.

And I remembered the overall plot well, but some of the details were hazy in my memory. A fun read.

Next up: "Naughty: Nine Tales of Christmas Crime" by Steve Hockensmith. A freebie. I meant to read this late last year....

[Uncle Robin]

Continuing with my efforts to drop when needed, dumping Fiona Sherlock's Twelve Motives for Murder. The format is gimmicky and includes a pitch to buy the audiobook for the "full experience". I dislike being told buy ANOTHER copy of the book I'm reading almost as much as I dislike audiobooks, but the kicker was demi-derriered thinking passed off as dazzling deduction:

"ELIZABETH: Ah . . . I see. Smythson . . . Smythson . . . Is his mother American?

CATHERINE: Yes! How did you know that? He’s an Olympic skier, you know? We’ve known him since he was a child. He’s from three villages over in England.

ELIZABETH: I can tell because of the little stars and stripes on his lapel. But Smythson is a British name. So that leaves an American parent to meet the citizenship requirement."

(e.a.)

Surnames are exclusive to one country? Since when? This detective knows for a fact that someone of a given surname could not possibly be from any other country?


If someone had called her on it, instead of the reaction being "wow, that's amazing!" I might have read on. But after the Maisie Dobbs debacle, I'm in no mood for more dodgy detectives. Now for something completely different, John Harding's One Damn Big Puzzler

[CRussel]

Finished reading the newest Ava Lee book from Ian Hamilton -- The Sultan of Sarawak. Vintage Ava Lee, and a real pleasure. And the best part?

Spoiler:

Ava manages to not get beaten up, knifed, kidnapped, shot, or otherwise damaged while still managing to kick some worthy butt. Frankly, I much prefer it this way.

These books really are a pleasure, and one of the few authors that I will buy on release day. I highly recommend the series. But don't start with this book -- there are just too many characters that are old friends to readers of the series, but that could be a bit confusing if this is your first book. If you're outside of the US, grab one of the early omnibus editions instead. Or, if you're inside the US, start with The Water Rat of Wanchai. For some reason, Amazon isn't selling the omnibus editions right now in the US.

[Uncle Robin]

John Harding's One Damn Big Puzzler turned out to be one Damn Big Waste of Time, my third DNF in a row as TSG.

Now n to The Second Death of Goodluck Tinubu, the second in the Detective Kubu series. The first was a really enjoyable read set in Gaborone, where a very dear friend lives with her Motswana husband. INFINITELY better than the twee, smug, irritating McCall Smith series that had me wishing murder upon its protagonist in more than half of the 12 or so I read. This one is set nearer Maun, where my friend first lived when she moved to Botswana, if it's as good as the first, it will break my DNF streak.