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

[Apache]

Originally Posted by CRussel

Yes, and I'm not particularly interested in re-reading Of Mice and Men. It is a shame, he's really quite good for American books.

He has also done an excellent job narrating WWII Documentaries.
Apache

[PurpleStar]

I ended up finishing Promise of Blood by Brian McClellan. It was okay. Might continue the series at some point.

Now going back to the other book I started Love in Catalina Cove by Brenda Jackson. Good romance author.

[gmw]

I read Magic Below Stairs by Caroline Stevermer. It's set in the same world as the Cecelia and Kate books by Patricia Collins Wrede and Caroline Stevermer, but this book is about an orphan who comes into the employment of Lord and Lady Schofield (Thomas and Kate) as a footboy. Obviously targetted at younger readers than the first books and not a lot in it for adult readers, but it was an amusing way to fill a couple of hours (it's only short). 3/5.


I had glanced through my books so far this year and had been surprised to find 3 x 5/5 scores already (that score gets reserved for books I consider quite special). Maybe I was feeling too smug as a result, because now I've hit my first two "didn't finish" for the year...

The Sweet Life by Sharon Struth. This was a freebie from Kobo (for going VIP), and their freebie selection is rarely very inspiring so I didn't have high hopes when I picked this as what seemed the best of a poor choice. This was not the author's first novel so I think the politest thing I can say here is that this was not for me.

The Man in the Queue by Josephine Tey (Elizabeth MacKintosh) writing as Gordon Daviot. (Edit: Book also known as Killer in the Crowd.) This is the very first of the Inspector Alan Grant stories. I got two chapters in and I just couldn't make myself read any more. So pompous, so instantly unlikeable. I jumped to the back and skimmed the last pages to find out whodunit. I do intend to try some other books by Tey, it's not uncommon for first books to be problems, I just usually prefer to start at the start.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

I've also started The Demons of Paris by Eric Flint et al.

It's unusual for me to have three things on the go!

Now back down to two, as I've finished The Demons of Paris. Which was good, but not brilliant. I have a feeling that some parts of it have appeared elsewhere before.

Still reading Asimov's SF for Mar/Apr 2019, and The Holy Thief

[HarryT]

Finished “Through Fiery Trials”, by David Weber. The 10th book of the “Safehold” series.

There are virtually no books I’m willing to pay hardback prices for, but this series is an exception. The story carries on from book 9 in which the long-running war against the Church of God Awakening had finally been won, and rapidly moves the plot forward in major ways, ending with a huge cliffhanger! This was, for me, probably the best book in the series since the first one and the storyline has really been re-energised now that the seemingly endless war that’s dominated the last half dozen books is finally over. I can’t wait for the next instalment! Very, very highly recommended, although most people will probably want to wait for the price reduction which will accompany the MMPB release.

[CRussel]

Thanks for the report, Harry. I've got the Audible version, but have held off starting it because of the many negative reviews of the new narrator. Perhaps I'll try it anyway. Otherwise, it will have to wait for the MMP release -- I'm not willing to pay the current eBook price.

[Rev. Bob]

Marvel’s running a digital (Amazon/comiXology) sale on several Ms./Captain Marvel collections, so I’ve picked up “Life of” (the now-official version of her origin) and the three volumes of “Mighty” (her most recent series) at $2.99 each. This means I now have every issue since the 2012-2013 run, and I may consider grabbing those before the sale ends.

The nine Ms. Marvel trades (2006-2010, not to be confused with the critically acclaimed newer series) are also on sale, as is the first of three “mega” volumes which each collect three of those. $7.99 for the first mega is a good deal, but right now a fan is better off getting the smaller trades for the rest of the series - they’re on sale at three to five bucks each, but the last two megas are undiscounted at $19.99 each. I’m interested in getting these, and I may bite the bullet on the first mega, but my budget won’t stretch far enough to get the whole series. Although, maybe I’ll get lucky and they’ll add the other two megas to the sale...

I’ll probably read my four new acquisitions this weekend, leading into seeing the movie on Tuesday.

[Apache]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Finished “Through Fiery Trials”, by David Weber. The 10th book of the “Safehold” series.

There are virtually no books I’m willing to pay hardback prices for, but this series is an exception. The story carries on from book 9 in which the long-running war against the Church of God Awakening had finally been won, and rapidly moves the plot forward in major ways, ending with a huge cliffhanger! This was, for me, probably the best book in the series since the first one and the storyline has really been re-energised now that the seemingly endless war that’s dominated the last half dozen books is finally over. I can’t wait for the next instalment! Very, very highly recommended, although most people will probably want to wait for the price reduction which will accompany the MMPB release.

I agree. This was my favorite of the series behind only the first one. I too am unable to wait and willingly pay full price for this series.
Apache

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Still reading Asimov's SF for Mar/Apr 2019, and The Holy Thief

Finished The Holy Thief. Another splendid mystery/romance with Brother Cadfael.

[Dngrsone]

Finished listening to Fahrenheit 451 with Dngrswife on a road trip.

The narration was kind of meh (putting me sleep during the drive, actually), and half the characters sounded like Chuck Heston at his most outraged, but I managed to listen to the whole thing.

Actually, it kind of put me off The Gospel of Loki for some reason; but I'm 88% through that book.

[astrangerhere]

Originally Posted by astrangerhere

I am still reading Ada Palmer's third installment in her Terra Ignota series The Will to Battle on my Kobo.

Also working through Naoki Urasa and Macoto Tezuka's fantastic Pluto series in paper.

I finished The Will to Battle and enjoyed it just as much as I enjoyed the first three. The experience was enhanced by my wife reading it with me and the arguments and discussions we had because of it.

I also flew through Alan Hunters Gently in the Sun as I am working through all the Gently books that have been released in ebook.

I am currently listening to the Mystery of Edwin Drood for NLBC and reading Jun'ichirō Tanizaki's In Black and White on my Kobo.

[Dngrsone]

Finished reading The Gospel of Loki by Joanne M. Harris. For a rehashing of every known tale, it was pretty good.

Now reading The Collapsing Empire by John Scalzi; over the top, but vastly amusing so far.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Finished The Holy Thief. Another splendid mystery/romance with Brother Cadfael.

Still reading the Asimov's, but also reading a new purchase, The Real James Herriot, a biography of Alf Wight (whose nom-de-plume was James Herriot) by his son, Jim Wight.

Not brilliantly written, but an interesting read nonetheless.

[Apache]

Currently rereading Stars and Stripes Forever by Harry Harrison. This is the first book in a trilogy that reimagined the Civil War if the British had entered the war, with a slightly different twist. I think his being part Irish may have had an influence in his writing this series.
It is a fun read and I am thoroughly enjoying it.... again.
Apache

[CRussel]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Still reading the Asimov's, but also reading a new purchase, The Real James Herriot, a biography of Alf Wight (whose nom-de-plume was James Herriot) by his son, Jim Wight.

Not brilliantly written, but an interesting read nonetheless.

Sounds like something I might enjoy. I'll take a look, and wait patiently for a good price. Or library availability.