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

[afa]

I've finished with The Other Lands, book 2 of David Anthony Durham's Acacia trilogy. I liked it a lot more than The War with the Mein; where the latter started reeeeaaally slow and really only got me hooked 2/3 of the way through, I was invested in this one from much earlier on. I don't know if this was because the whole book is that much better or whether I've just become more patient?

Either way, it was a pretty good read. I still don't really feel very connected with any of the main protagonists, and I was a little perplexed with the sudden deification of Aliver Akaran. While Aliver certainly did rile up the people in the first book, I found his sudden status as the savior of mankind to be a bit random. Or perhaps I should say 'forced'. And despite the title of the book, we saw disappointingly little of the Other Lands.

The story, however, does interest me and the pacing of this novel was much better than the first. I still wouldn't call it a great book, because I've read enough books that are simply better, but it is... decent. Let's give it a 7 out of 10.

I am now reading a book called The Hidden Stars by Madeline Howard.

[orlok]

Originally Posted by caleb72

I loved it personally, but McCammon is probably my favourite horror-style author.

Originally Posted by gmw

It was a long while ago (we have the paperback on the shelf), about the only thing I remember is that it was a good read. Of others of by him, I remember Wolf's Hour as being an enjoyable ride, and Boy's Life was particularly good. All three were quite different books, he is certainly a capable author.

Thanks both. I'll give it a go. I have actually read A Boy's Life, and thought it was wonderful, but wasn't sure if that was a one-off.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Tortoise Reform by Piers Anthony, hopefully a light, humorous fantasy.

It was light, but not particularly humorous. Unfortunately it's one of those children's books that's not fit for adult consumption. An interesting fantasy idea, but not handled very well at all. Disappointing.

Next: Moving Mars by Greg Bear. Goodness, I bought this back in December 2008!

[Kevin8or]

Just finished Eragon by Christopher Paolini

Currently reading: Eldest by Christopher Paolini

My reading selections have been haphazard, so I'm devising a PLAN for 2012:

The New Lifetime Reading Plan: The Classical Guide to World Literature by Clifton Fadiman, John S. Major.

How to read literature like a professor : a lively and entertaining guide to reading between the lines

How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading

I'll not read these cover to cover, but I'm exploring them when the mood hits me, as I create some kind of structure for next year's reading.

[Fbone]

Originally Posted by gmw

It was a long while ago (we have the paperback on the shelf), about the only thing I remember is that it was a good read. Of others of by him, I remember Wolf's Hour as being an enjoyable ride, and Boy's Life was particularly good. All three were quite different books, he is certainly a capable author.

He must be. I read Speaks the Nightbird and really enjoyed it. I never knew he was a horror/thriller author.

[alansplace]

Originally Posted by alansplace

Read the Short Story Petra's Getaway by G. Norman Lippert that takes place during the Christmas Vacation in James Potter and the Curse of the Gatekeeper. It was a nice little side trip and provided some info concerning the novel. Now back to read the last third of the novel.

I finished reading James Potter and the Curse of the Gatekeeper by G. Norman Lippert and because I'm enjoying being in that world I'm going to continue to stay immersed there by starting to read a novella by the same author called The Girl on the Dock which (as I understand it beforehand) tells the story of some things that happen to Petra Morganstern, the main character from Petra's Getaway as well as the first two books in the James Potter series. Barnes & Noble has this book for the nook.

[maianhvk]

Originally Posted by Kevin8or

Just finished Eragon by Christopher Paolini

Currently reading: Eldest by Christopher Paolini

I read Eragon and Eldest when I was still in secondary school. When I accidentally saw Brisingr in the bookstore some time ago, I read the first pages and really didn't have the faintest idea who these guys were

What do you think about Inheritance Cycle? (I didn't even know there is a name for the series, I just googled it) I remember liking it, but I'm not sure if I still do.

[Samantha Cain]

Originally Posted by Todd Young

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

On my top 10 favorite books list

I also have _The Help_ on my new K-Touch from the library queued up for after that one.

Just read this and was quite pleased with it!!

I've also just read the Hunger Games trilogy and found it quite entertaining, though I found myself a tad disappointed in the end :/

Currently I've decided to embark on the "Wolves of Mercy Falls" series (Shiver, Linger, & Forever) by Maggie Stiefvater - decent YA novel so far!

[Nyssa]

I just finished Eye of the Wizard by (our) Daniel Arenson!

What a great read. I found it to be a lot of fun!


Next up: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens & Beasts and Super-Beasts by Saki for the MobileRead & Literary Book Clubs respectively.

[caleb72]

I finished A Christmas Carol by Dickens and The Little World of Don Camillo by Giovanni Guareschi.

A Christmas Carol was exactly as I remembered it from watching the various movies - charming and heart-warming.

The Little World of Don Camillo was exactly as I remembered it from watching the movie - charming and very amusing. I have the omnibus, so I'll probably read the other instalments during the year.

Now I'll start Beasts and Super-Beasts by Saki and my next indie review book, The Whole Truth by Jim Murdoch.

[alansplace]

Originally Posted by alansplace

I finished reading James Potter and the Curse of the Gatekeeper by G. Norman Lippert and because I'm enjoying being in that world I'm going to continue to stay immersed there by starting to read a novella by the same author called The Girl on the Dock which (as I understand it beforehand) tells the story of some things that happen to Petra Morganstern, the main character from Petra's Getaway as well as the first two books in the James Potter series. Barnes & Noble has this book for the nook.

I finished reading The Girl on the Dock, which was a really neat story about the Summer after Petra Morgenstern graduated from Hogwarts, and just now started read the 3rd novel in the series, James Potter and the Vault of Destinies. I'm looking forward to it.

From G. Norman Lippert's blog on goodreads.com:

...for those of you who like my James Potter books and want to see the fourth book, “James Potter and the Morrigan Web” completed soon, I can only say that if Ruins of Camelot sells well, JPMW will come along a lot faster, mostly because I won’t have to spend all my time making inane animations to sell car insurance and checking accounts to hapless television viewers. To put it bluntly, sales of RoC mean more free JP stories.

[Kevin8or]

Originally Posted by maianhvk

What do you think about Inheritance Cycle? [...] I remember liking it, but I'm not sure if I still do.

How can I answer in a few sentences? I think the author made a checklist of "Top 20 archetypes in fantasy fiction," and then made sure his story included them all. Sometimes it feels like an homage to Tolkein, but it's skillfully done. I'm enjoying the story and tearing through the series. I'll tell you what really impresses me. The author wrote the first volume while still a teenager.

About to begin: Brisingr by Christopher Paolini

[maianhvk]

I think Moby Dick can wait. I'm reading A Christmas Carol (watched the animated movie, but never read it before).

Originally Posted by Kevin8or

How can I answer in a few sentences? I think the author made a checklist of "Top 20 archetypes in fantasy fiction," and then made sure his story included them all. Sometimes it feels like an homage to Tolkein, but it's skillfully done. I'm enjoying the story and tearing through the series. I'll tell you what really impresses me. The author wrote the first volume while still a teenager.

About to begin: Brisingr by Christopher Paolini

That was what made me read Eragon

[Traye]

I have Brisingr to read and enjoyed the first two books.

I'm in a reading fun and I don't like it. So I've put everything else aside for now and have started Endurance by Jack Kilborn. I'm hoping it will get my reading mojo restarted.

[endobenthic]

Evening,

Just released and a banquet of reading - music too - 5 chapters to read, music clips, pretty cool:

"TIME & UNFORESEEN OCCURRENCE is a seven-novel epic drama. It is the unforgettable story of one woman's search for a light she watched fade and then just... disappear, and the intensely personal journey she embarks upon to find it. Strongly character driven, and brimming with the intrigue and mystery of the world of high finance, the Secret Service, the Martial Arts, and the love, loyalty, and strength of a united family, it transports us to the idyllic beaches of Maui, the remote jungles of Paraguay, and the turbulent, enigmatic lands of Sri Lanka and Israel - propelled by an enduring love that will not be denied - a love that every heart seeks but few ever find. At once heartbreaking, joyful, and strikingly honest, it is an odyssey that everyone will want to share. It carries us to the farthest reaches of the globe, and of human experience, and into those uncharted regions only God can reveal. It is a story of life, of love, of loss, of innocence, courage, and revelation.

In many ways it is the story of us all."

Facebook Event:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/333110816705757/

Author's web-site;
http://www.jesseleighbrackstone.com/