Hey!! Let's get some action going! What are we reading? - Page 2039

Uncle Robin · 03-08-2022, 04:21 PM

Currently enjoying A Poisoned Season, the second in Tasha Alexander's Lady Emily series. One reviewer described the series as good for those looking for a lighter Anne Perry, that seems like a good summary. Pleasant and relaxing, a good antidote to the current madness of the world.

spacepope · 03-08-2022, 04:35 PM

Finished The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.

Currently 250-ish pages into the 1200 page tome that is Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson. Enjoying it so far.

ReadingManiac · 03-11-2022, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spacepope

Picked up another book: Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson. 200 pages in so far. I can't get enough of Sanderson it seems. This is my first foray into epic fantasy and I'm enjoying it so far. For it's length, $9.99 for the trade paperback was an absolute steal.

On my tbr. So far the only Sanderson I've read is is Skyward but I see more in my future.

kyrilson · 03-12-2022, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spacepope

Picked up another book: Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson. 200 pages in so far. I can't get enough of Sanderson it seems. This is my first foray into epic fantasy and I'm enjoying it so far. For it's length, $9.99 for the trade paperback was an absolute steal.

I have the trade paperback sitting on my shelf. I haven't gotten around to reading it. Really enjoyed his Mistborn Trilogy, though. I have heard good things about Way of Kings.

spacepope · 03-12-2022, 10:55 PM

Being back in the states, I have been raiding my secondhand bookstores for more books. Yes, less reading on my e-reader but I am still using it for when I want to read with food or read one of my longer reads.

Picked up a LOT of good books today for $1.50 each, and started one: Falling Free by Louis McMaster Bujold. I have heard many great things about Bujold, and I am enjoying the book quite a bit so far. It reads like a Star Trek episode - and I mean that as a compliment.

Fbone · 03-13-2022, 03:10 PM

I read the second in John Scalzi's Interdependency trilogy, The Consuming Fire.

It's been so long since I read the first book, I forgot how it ended.

It took me awhile to catch up somewhat. Definitely more interpersonal development. Plenty of intrigue and betrayal. A few surprises. Although, a couple of plot entities seemed very convenient. Hopefully, Scalzi will work them more fluidly in the next book. I like how the plot is non-linear. Writing precise. Very enjoyable. Rated B [4 stars].

Next, I'll continue on with the final book The Last Emperox.

Uncle Robin · 03-14-2022, 07:36 AM

Currently reading Kipling's India - so far the highlight has been the fascinating and informative intro by Kushwant Singh. I had no idea that Christina Rosetti attended the wedding of Rudyard's parents. In the immortal words of Steven Wright: It's a small world — but I wouldn't want to paint it.

Solitaire1 · 03-17-2022, 06:21 AM

I'm getting ready to start reading My Wife Has No Emotions, a manga by Jiro Sugiura. Due to lack of time to maintain his home, a man purchases a female robot to take care of the household. She does such a good job that he jokes about her becoming his wife...which she takes seriously.

ReadingManiac · 03-18-2022, 10:26 AM

Recently started Sons of Sol by Kevin McNally. Good so far if a little heavy on English humour.

gmw · 03-19-2022, 10:04 AM

Since I posted here last I have read a few collections of articles from Scientific American, including:

Mysteries of Life in the Universe. This was not one of their better collections. While there were interesting pieces in here, there was too much duplication so that I ended up skimming quite a lot of it. 2.5/5.

Genetic Engineering: Progress and Controversy. This was better, a wide ranging coverage of the subject. Some the latter articles seemed a little repetitive (and somewhat dubious to me), but otherwise I enjoyed this collection. 4/5.

Martin Gardner: The Magic and Mystery of Numbers. I got this partly for nostalgic reasons - as a geeky youth I was very much into mathematical puzzles and models. However, it seems my patience for this is no longer what it was. Some of the second half, eg. transcendental numbers, worked better for me than the rest. 3/5.

gmw · 03-19-2022, 10:07 AM

Interspersed with the non-fiction in the above post, I read some books from T. Kingfisher, aka Ursula Vernon. As Ursula Vernon the author is known for writing fun stories for young children. As T. Kingfisher she writes for an older audience, like those below.

Bryony and Roses is a re-imagining of the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale, in which the main protagonist is an avid gardener with strong opinions about roses. This is fun and well written, and carries some wonderful insights. 4/5.

Summer in Orcus was wonderful. A children's story of sorts, but with more meat on it. While some characters are obviously based on certain stereotypes they are also completely original and very well drawn. The story manages to be surprising while also following a reasonably predictable fairy tale path. I also adore the cover. A strong 4/5.

The Halcyon Fairy Book. This is effectively two books in one. The first half is a collection fairy tales from various sources, the text of which is interspersed with cynical and/or humorous and/or insightful annotations from T. Kingfisher. The second half are original short stories by T. Kingfisher (previously published in a collection called Toad Words and Other Stories) - some of these are retellings of classic fairy tales. Most of the content has been published before, either in various journals or on the author's blog. Two of the author's short stories really stood out from the crowd here, and on that basis: 4/5.

Jackalope Wives & Other Stories is another collection of short stories from this author. The stories were good, again two in particular, but I found it less enjoyable overall, so: 3/5.

pdurrant · 03-20-2022, 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Next up: The Grove of the Caesars by Lindsey Davis. I hope I read this one a bit quicker than the last one!

Only seven days for that one, so a bit better.

Then I read The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul. The second of Douglas Adam's Dirk Gently novels. Brilliant in parts, and a quick read helped by having to rest in bed after a bout of food poisoning...

And after that, Phase Space by Stephen Baxter, a collection of short stories which were OK.

Next up: Cretaceous Sea by Will Hubbell. I bought this one way back in August 2008!

pdurrant · 03-21-2022, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Next up: Cretaceous Sea by Will Hubbell. I bought this one way back in August 2008!

Turns out this was a re-read. A mediocre time-travel novel.

Next up: Blindsight by Peter Watts. A freebie I also got back in August 2008. Weird, because it's also a random pick.

azkanb · 03-21-2022, 02:14 PM

I read Bewilderment by Richard Powers. Very powerful book.

https://www.amazon.com/Bewilderment-.../dp/B08X19W2HD

He also wrote The Overstory which was another great book.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073VX7HT4

Fbone · 03-23-2022, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Next, I'll continue on with the final book The Last Emperox.

Very exciting conclusion to the trilogy. I must say the ending was a surprise although I think there was another way to achieve the same outcome. Very enjoyable series. Rated B [4 stars].

Next from the library, Spy School Goes South by Stuart Gibbs. His sixth in the series.

03-12-2022, 10:55 PM	#30575
spacepope Zealot Posts: 117 Karma: 5915366 Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: USA! USA! 🇺🇸 Device: Kobo Libra H2O, Kobo Clara, Kindle Paperwhite 3, Smartphone	Being back in the states, I have been raiding my secondhand bookstores for more books. Yes, less reading on my e-reader but I am still using it for when I want to read with food or read one of my longer reads. Picked up a LOT of good books today for $1.50 each, and started one: Falling Free by Louis McMaster Bujold. I have heard many great things about Bujold, and I am enjoying the book quite a bit so far. It reads like a Star Trek episode - and I mean that as a compliment. Last edited by spacepope; 03-13-2022 at 12:06 AM.

03-19-2022, 10:07 AM	#30581
gmw cacoethes scribendi Posts: 5,818 Karma: 137770742 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura One & H2Ov2, Sony PRS-650	Interspersed with the non-fiction in the above post, I read some books from T. Kingfisher, aka Ursula Vernon. As Ursula Vernon the author is known for writing fun stories for young children. As T. Kingfisher she writes for an older audience, like those below. *Bryony and Roses* is a re-imagining of the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale, in which the main protagonist is an avid gardener with strong opinions about roses. This is fun and well written, and carries some wonderful insights. 4/5. *Summer in Orcus* was wonderful. A children's story of sorts, but with more meat on it. While some characters are obviously based on certain stereotypes they are also completely original and very well drawn. The story manages to be surprising while also following a reasonably predictable fairy tale path. I also adore the cover. A strong 4/5. *The Halcyon Fairy Book. This is effectively two books in one. The first half is a collection fairy tales from various sources, the text of which is interspersed with cynical and/or humorous and/or insightful annotations from T. Kingfisher. The second half are original short stories by T. Kingfisher (previously published in a collection called Toad Words and Other Stories) - some of these are retellings of classic fairy tales. Most of the content has been published before, either in various journals or on the author's blog. Two of the author's short stories really stood out from the crowd here, and on that basis: 4/5. Jackalope Wives & Other Stories* is another collection of short stories from this author. The stories were good, again two in particular, but I found it less enjoyable overall, so: 3/5. Last edited by gmw; 03-19-2022 at 10:12 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Hey hey! I found the first Kindle 3 bug!	WilliamG	Amazon Kindle	22	02-14-2012 05:28 PM
Advice on Action	jaxx6166	Writers' Corner	5	06-25-2010 12:29 AM
Hey! From Reading - P.A. that is.	GlenBarrington	Introduce Yourself	3	01-01-2010 09:00 PM
Seriously thoughtful Affirmative Action	Jaime_Astorga	Lounge	39	07-07-2009 06:24 PM

03-08-2022, 04:21 PM	#30571
Uncle Robin Diligent dilettante Posts: 3,661 Karma: 52758936 Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: in my mind Device: Kobo Sage; Kobo Libra Colour	Currently enjoying A Poisoned Season, the second in Tasha Alexander's Lady Emily series. One reviewer described the series as good for those looking for a lighter Anne Perry, that seems like a good summary. Pleasant and relaxing, a good antidote to the current madness of the world.

03-08-2022, 04:35 PM	#30572
spacepope Zealot Posts: 117 Karma: 5915366 Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: USA! USA! 🇺🇸 Device: Kobo Libra H2O, Kobo Clara, Kindle Paperwhite 3, Smartphone	Finished The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. Currently 250-ish pages into the 1200 page tome that is Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson. Enjoying it so far.

03-13-2022, 03:10 PM	#30576
Fbone Is that a sandwich? Posts: 8,297 Karma: 101697116 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Nook Glowlight Plus	I read the second in John Scalzi's Interdependency trilogy, The Consuming Fire. It's been so long since I read the first book, I forgot how it ended. It took me awhile to catch up somewhat. Definitely more interpersonal development. Plenty of intrigue and betrayal. A few surprises. Although, a couple of plot entities seemed very convenient. Hopefully, Scalzi will work them more fluidly in the next book. I like how the plot is non-linear. Writing precise. Very enjoyable. Rated B [4 stars]. Next, I'll continue on with the final book The Last Emperox.

03-14-2022, 07:36 AM	#30577
Uncle Robin Diligent dilettante Posts: 3,661 Karma: 52758936 Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: in my mind Device: Kobo Sage; Kobo Libra Colour	Currently reading Kipling's India - so far the highlight has been the fascinating and informative intro by Kushwant Singh. I had no idea that Christina Rosetti attended the wedding of Rudyard's parents. In the immortal words of Steven Wright: It's a small world — but I wouldn't want to paint it.

03-17-2022, 06:21 AM	#30578
Solitaire1 Samurai Lizard Posts: 14,943 Karma: 69500000 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: NookColor, Nook Glowlight 4	I'm getting ready to start reading My Wife Has No Emotions, a manga by Jiro Sugiura. Due to lack of time to maintain his home, a man purchases a female robot to take care of the household. She does such a good job that he jokes about her becoming his wife...which she takes seriously.

03-18-2022, 10:26 AM	#30579
ReadingManiac Genre Jumper Posts: 1,070 Karma: 11070900 Join Date: Dec 2015 Device: Kindle paperwhite	Recently started Sons of Sol by Kevin McNally. Good so far if a little heavy on English humour.

03-19-2022, 10:04 AM	#30580
gmw cacoethes scribendi Posts: 5,818 Karma: 137770742 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura One & H2Ov2, Sony PRS-650	Since I posted here last I have read a few collections of articles from Scientific American, including: *Mysteries of Life in the Universe. This was not one of their better collections. While there were interesting pieces in here, there was too much duplication so that I ended up skimming quite a lot of it. 2.5/5. Genetic Engineering: Progress and Controversy. This was better, a wide ranging coverage of the subject. Some the latter articles seemed a little repetitive (and somewhat dubious to me), but otherwise I enjoyed this collection. 4/5. Martin Gardner: The Magic and Mystery of Numbers*. I got this partly for nostalgic reasons - as a geeky youth I was very much into mathematical puzzles and models. However, it seems my patience for this is no longer what it was. Some of the second half, eg. transcendental numbers, worked better for me than the rest. 3/5.

03-21-2022, 02:14 PM	#30584
azkanb Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2022 Device: kindle paperwhite 10th generation	I read Bewilderment by Richard Powers. Very powerful book. https://www.amazon.com/Bewilderment-.../dp/B08X19W2HD He also wrote The Overstory which was another great book. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073VX7HT4