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

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by issybird

Wow. That was bad. Seriously bad. Obvious, trite, derivative, shallow, heavy-handed -- I could keep going. Its single merit lay in its being short.

It makes me think of Harper Lee's Go Set a Watchman in that I really, really wish Saunders hadn't done it as it's impossible to feel the same about his work now. He's tarnished for me.

I didn't completely hate it, but it sure didn't do much for me, either. Not considering the rave reviews Lincoln in the Bardo received anyway. Thankfully, I still have that book to go.

I DID like some of the techniques used in the audio book--mainly the overlapping voices before one slowly took over. But then Saunders probably doesn't deserve credit for that.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

I read War Games by Christopher Anvil, edited by Eric Flint. A collection of short Mil SF stories. Bought back in 2008! 4/5

Next up: James by Percival Everett. A book club book, and the reason I read Huckleberry Finn recently.

Which was good. Some interesting speculation. Obviously lots of later plot changes, as it's impossible to see James going along with what's depicted in Huckleberry Finn. Puts the evils of slavery a little more up-front.

Then I re-read an old Austen fan-fic by an SF author who seems to want to use a pseudonym for this work. What if he Were to Pick Me? by "Alyx Silver". A fun short alternative Pride and Prejudice.

And now I'm reading Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennet. The first in a fantasy trilogy, and I'm enjoying it greatly.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Which was good. Some interesting speculation. Obviously lots of later plot changes, as it's impossible to see James going along with what's depicted in Huckleberry Finn. Puts the evils of slavery a little more up-front.

I've enjoyed several of Everett's novels. Including James.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I didn't completely hate it, but it sure didn't do much for me, either. Not considering the rave reviews Lincoln in the Bardo received anyway. Thankfully, I still have that book to go.

I probably disliked it the more for its similarities to Bardo when it was so inferior.

[Karellen]

I finished rereading Project Hail Mary on Monday night. Still thoroughly enjoyed it.

Went and watched the movie yesterday on the big screen. I wasn't enthralled by it, and I admit I walked out somewhat bordering on "meh" and "disappointed". I don't think it captured the feel and emotions of the book and some of the comical moments, for me, fell flat. I cringed at the, supposedly comical, dance scenes.

Spoiler:

Another example is the very (in the novel) stern and disciplined Eva Stratt who played quite a large role in the storyline. In the novel, she was just some minor (motherly looking) character that popped in every now and then and gave polite instructions. So the scene where Grace is "persuaded" onto the mission falls flat and I imagine most people are left wondering at his ranting about not going.

Did the book ruin the movie for me? Yes.

[mlewis78]

I have started reading Dwight Garner's The Upstairs Delicatessen.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

And now I'm reading Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennet. The first in a fantasy trilogy, and I'm enjoying it greatly.

A (planned) hospital trip meant I’ve finished the Foundryside and the second volume, Shorefall, and I’m well into the third, Locklands.

A very enjoyable fantasy and magic system.

[Renate]

I'm reading "The Cartographers", Peng Shepherd.
It seems like a good romp and I'm enjoying it so far.

I've always liked maps.
I used to have a "Times Comprehensive Atlas of the World".
It annoyed the heck out of me that the index was in teensy-tiny font on expensive stock that took up half the volume.
And all the supplemental articles were also a waste (IMHO).
I want a big beautiful volume with only map plates.
I want a separate index in trade paperback size.
But they don't sell that so I'm not buying anything (ever).

[astrangerhere]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

A (planned) hospital trip meant I’ve finished the Foundryside and the second volume, Shorefall, and I’m well into the third, Locklands.

A very enjoyable fantasy and magic system.

I really loved his Cities trilogy and am thoroughly enjoying his current going affair - the Ana and Din novels.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by mlewis78

I have started reading Dwight Garner's The Upstairs Delicatessen.

I greatly enjoyed that. I love his book reviews; mostly we're on the same wavelength. In the past few days I went back and read his review of Saunders' Vigil and he loathed it also.