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

[MelC]

It was a slow build but I have finally (starting about book 5) been fully sucked into the Dresden series and picked up the last two today so I could keep the momentum going. I will be sad when I run out.

Mel

[FlorenceArt]

Originally Posted by MelC

It was a slow build but I have finally (starting about book 5) been fully sucked into the Dresden series and picked up the last two today so I could keep the momentum going. I will be sad when I run out.

Mel

Wow, you're patient! I gave up after the first book, but I keep reading it gets better from #5, so I may try that one...

I took The General of the Dead Army with me this morning, but ended up reading the New-York Times on my iPod - two interesting articles on the effect of technology on our brains...

[thinkpad]

Starting on: The Thirty-Nine Steps. Looking forward reading it since I've heard others here at MR appreciate it.

[benham]

The Burning Wire by Jeffery Deaver

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by thinkpadx

Starting on: The Thirty-Nine Steps. Looking forward reading it since I've heard others here at MR appreciate it.

For me... the books is, while not bad, a bit slow... especially considering this month was suspense/thriller. I'm almost 1/2 way through it...

I was really hoping for an edge of the seat nail biter this month... almost wish Shutter Island won.

BOb

[Trebro]

Just finished the 39 Steps, though to be honest, I wasn't all that keen on it. More details in the book discussion thread when I get a moment.

Next up is my first MR advertised book, Life Forever by Jacob Drake. Really looking forward to seeing how I like what's out there under the radar.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

July/August 2010 Analog (which actually came out in May!)

And the usual interesting selecting of stories. Next up: July 2010 Asimov's, which also arrived in May.

[poohbear_nc]

Originally Posted by MelC

It was a slow build but I have finally (starting about book 5) been fully sucked into the Dresden series and picked up the last two today so I could keep the momentum going. I will be sad when I run out.

Mel

I was hooked initially on them - but by about book 5 I had grown aware of and tired of the repetitions in dialogue & plot lines ("Fuego" I snarled, somehow still sticks with me). I may try them again.

[cearbhallain]

Originally Posted by Trebro

Finished Man in the High Castle by Philip K Dick this morning, it was amazing book. Definitely my favorite of his that I've read so far and shows how to do an alternative history story the right way.

_Man in the High Castle_ is an excellent place to start, IMHO Dick's masterpiece is _The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch_ followed closely by _Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep_. If you find you really like his work it's worth it to read the "lesser" books, the ones he wrote for food. You'll find that even then he's working on some very interesting themes and ideas.

[cearbhallain]

Originally Posted by FlorenceArt

Wow, you're patient! I gave up after the first book, but I keep reading it gets better from #5, so I may try that one....

I read two and a half. I kept them around for a couple of years as one of my kids expressed interest, but I finally took them down to the used bookstore a couple of months ago. I have the first book in his other series, _Furies of Calderon_ because it was recommended by someone I respect, but I'm afraid it too will suck - so I haven't started reading it yet.

[Trebro]

Originally Posted by cearbhallain

_Man in the High Castle_ is an excellent place to start, IMHO Dick's masterpiece is _The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch_ followed closely by _Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep_. If you find you really like his work it's worth it to read the "lesser" books, the ones he wrote for food. You'll find that even then he's working on some very interesting themes and ideas.

Dick is my wife's favorite author, so I have quite an incentive to read more than his greatest hits, even if I didn't like his writing.

I've read both of the ones you mentioned. I liked Androids, but my wife still cannot get over that I wasn't keen on Sigmata!

[cearbhallain]

Originally Posted by Trebro

I've read both of the ones you mentioned. I liked Androids, but my wife still cannot get over that I wasn't keen on Sigmata!

Oooh, sacrilege.

Mrs Trebro,callme

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

July 2010 Asimov's, which also arrived in May.

Also up to standard. And then I read June's bookclub book - The Thirty-Nine steps. That was good, more comments in the discussion thread when it gets started on the 20th.

And now onto Ender in Exile (geographically restricted). I got this from Fictionwise before the great agency pricing mess-up.

I'm slightly worried by this book - doing a direct sequel to an early novel after many years is hard to do well. Let's hope it works better than I expect!

[obs20]

Just finished The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/034...pf_rd_i=507846
This was the first book I ever read by her. It won't be the last.

I started The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/006...pf_rd_i=507846

[MelC]

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

I was hooked initially on them - but by about book 5 I had grown aware of and tired of the repetitions in dialogue & plot lines ("Fuego" I snarled, somehow still sticks with me). I may try them again.

It's formulaic no doubt but I think the characters are getting more and more interesting over each book and he does make sure that each volume has a real climax whereas with the Southern Vampire series they are getting more and more boring and you finish it wondering whether you were missing a few chapters or if nothing really happened on purpose. I am not giving the Dresden series four or five stars by any means but around book 5 I think it became deserving of threes.

Mel