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

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Now reading The Chinese Gold Murders by Robert Van Gulik. The 4th in his Judge Dee series, but first by internal chronology.

Which was fun, except for the one apparent (and unexplaned) supernatural event.

Then I read Star Trap by Simon Brett, which was very good, and the third in his Charles Paris series.

And now I'm re-reading The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien. A delight, as always.

[Renate]

"The Count of Monte Cristo"
I guess this is one of those books you always think that you have read.
I hadn't realized that it was 1000 pages.
So I probably have never read it.
It's a good yarn.

[Tarana]

Currently reading When the Eagle Hunts (book 3 of Eagles) by Simon Scarrow and Hugo Stories vol 3 by Mike Resnick. The first is historical fiction that focuses on Roman invasion of Briton. Series follows 2 Romans. The second is a series of books featuring nominated and/or won Hugo Stories written by Mike Resnick. I've read 3 other volumes and it is hit or miss for me as even though they are set in the far future, the actual tales aren't very science fictiony.

[nana77]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

And now I'm re-reading The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien. A delight, as always.

If you would like o give it a look, this project was nice/fun : https://digitaltolkien.com/data/hobb...ion-system.txt

Spoiler:

https://lod.digitaltolkien.com/

[Dr. Drib]

I'm currently reading a wonderful novel ("Digital Galley Edition"), of The Ferryman and His Wife, by Frode Grytten [Tr. Alison McCullough]. This will be published on November 18, 2025 [U.S.A.].

The novel concerns the often heartbreaking memories of Nils Vik, who realizes he is going to die and decides to take a last trip on the fjord.

I'm only 35% into it, but I can already recommend it for the touching, lonely portrait of the narrator's voice, and the incredibly nuanced writing of Frode Grytten.

The novel is a literary novel, by the way.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

And now I'm re-reading The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien. A delight, as always.

And this time I spotted the tiny bit of foreshadowing of the Rosie storyline.

Next up: A recent purchase, Agatha Raisin and the Vicious Vet by M. C. Beaton. The second one in the series.

[Fbone]

Originally Posted by Fbone

Next is Titanium Noir by Nick Harkaway.

Interesting and unique. A mix of sci-fi and gumshoe detective. I wasn't a fan of the purposeful misdirection and its sudden realization later on. Overall, exciting enough to keep my interest. Rated C [3 stars].

Next, Terminal Alliance by Jim C. Hines. Humorous sci-fi.

[DiapDealer]

I'm starting The Art of Legend. Book three (and supposedly the final installment) of Wesley Chu's hugely entertaining Wuxia epic War Arts Saga.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Next up: A recent purchase, Agatha Raisin and the Vicious Vet by M. C. Beaton. The second one in the series.

I feel Agatha is being portrayed as sillier than she could possibly be. But reasonably good fun.

Next I re-read Padding At Large by Michael Bond. Very good fun.

And now I'm following it up with Paddington Marches On (which I haven't read before).

[cld01k]

Just finished Three Worlds Collide by Eliezer Yudkowsky. Smart, funny, and surprisingly deep. It’s science fiction that uses aliens as a way to explore big questions about ethics and morality.

The author calls it a “metaethical novella,” but don’t let that scare you off. It’s sharp, witty, and makes you rethink what we take for granted as “right” or “good.”

Free to read online. Originally published on LessWrong. Also available as an ebook here. Definitely worth checking out if you like philosophical sci-fi.

[Karellen]

I watched I Am Number Four a few weeks ago, and wanted to know how the story ended so decided to read the book. I was expecting a two or three book series so imagine my surprise discovering it is a 31 book saga.

So I am currently reading Lorien Legacies by Pittacus Lore, aka I Am Number Four.

Finding it very enjoyable.

[haertig]

Originally Posted by Karellen

I watched I Am Number Four a few weeks ago, and wanted to know how the story ended so decided to read the book. I was expecting a two or three book series so imagine my surprise discovering it is a 31 book saga.

Fantastic Fiction lists it as a seven book series:

https://www.fantasticfiction.com/l/p...rien-legacies/

I haven't read any of them, but I did see the movie at some time in the past.

[Karellen]

Originally Posted by haertig

Fantastic Fiction lists it as a seven book series:

https://www.fantasticfiction.com/l/p...rien-legacies/

I haven't read any of them, but I did see the movie at some time in the past.

Yep, they are the main and original stories which have been expanded with sequels and interspersed with "catch-up" novella's detailing what other characters were up to during the events of the original novels.

Wikipedia page listing all the books... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorien_Legacies. Some of the novellas have now been bundled, but I've been splitting them out so I can place the stories in their correct timeline order.

GoodReads...
https://www.goodreads.com/series/48329-lorien-legacies
https://www.goodreads.com/series/836...the-lost-files
https://www.goodreads.com/series/191...egacies-reborn
https://www.goodreads.com/series/216...acy-chronicles

Here is a list in story timeline order...

Spoiler:

<ol>
<li>The Lost Files: The Last Days of Lorien</li>
<li>I Am Number Four</li>
<li>The Lost Files: Six's Legacy</li>
<li>The Power of Six</li>
<li>The Lost Files: Nine’s Legacy</li>
<li>The Lost Files: The Fallen Legacies</li>
<li>The Rise of Nine</li>
<li>The Lost Files: Return to Paradise</li>
<li>The Lost Files: The Search for Sam</li>
<li>The Lost Files: The Forgotten Ones</li>
<li>The Fall of Five</li>
<li>The Lost Files: Five’s Legacy</li>
<li>The Lost Files: Five's Betrayal</li>
<li>The Revenge of Seven</li>
<li>The Lost Files: The Fugitive</li>
<li>The Lost Files: The Navigator</li>
<li>The Lost Files: Guard</li>
<li>The Fate of Ten</li>
<li>The Lost Files: Legacies Reborn</li>
<li>The Lost Files: Last Defense</li>
<li>The Lost Files: Hunt for the Garde</li>
<li>United as One</li>
<li>Generation One</li>
<li>Out of the Ashes</li>
<li>Into the Fire</li>
<li>Up in Smoke</li>
<li>Fugitive Six</li>
<li>Chasing Ghosts</li>
<li>Raising Monsters</li>
<li>Killing Giants</li>
<li>Return to Zero</li>
</ol>

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

And now I'm following it up with Paddington Marches On (which I haven't read before).

And Paddington on Top.

They have been unevenly updated. Pound coins, not pound notes, for instance. And yet Mr Currie doesn't have electricity in his house, only a gas supply.

But still good fun.

Next up: Paddington Takes The Test. The last unread one in my TBR pile.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

They have been unevenly updated.

One of my pet peeves. I wish they’d leave children’s books alone. And I’m not even talking about certain dicey references and terms that need to be eliminated or left to wither, but just general terms and situations invoking an earlier time. What, after all, is wrong with that? Charming and instructional, in my opinion!

No wonder kids have no sense of history….