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

[Uncle Robin]

Originally Posted by BenBanned

Currently reading:


History of the Sikhs vol 1. by Kushwant Singh
Read this last, for sure most if it went over my head so I'm re reading this.
Full of action, adventure and philosophy from medieval Punjab and surrounding cultures.
https://youtu.be/ou0r3RWdeoQ?si=Uv-CHue0ltK5MrJ2

Thanks for this recommendation! My Dad grew up in Punjab (and could rattle all five of them off even as his memory faded in his late 80s), and the majority of the people I work with and for (including all the company's directors) are Sikh. Add in that I enjoyed Kushwant Singh's Kipling's India and his [Collection of Urdu Poetry[/i] and it seems likely that this is one I'll enjoy.

[mlewis78]

It took me six weeks to read Madonna: A Rebel Life by Mary Gabriel. The kindle version was 1190 pages, not including notes, photos, etc. I'm not a Madonna fan, but it was an interesting read.

I've started The Most of Nora Ephron, a collection of her writing. I don't expect to read it straight through. Last year I re-read Ephron's I Feel Bad About My Neck in hardcover, and I think that collection is included in "The Most . . ."

[Uncle Robin]

4.25/5 at The Storygraph for Venice: The Remarkable History of the Lagoon City
by Dennis Romano. Informative but a challenge to get through. Six hundred pages (excluding end matter) to cover 1200 years of venality, cupidity and stupidity. VERY happy to tackle my April prompt for the MR TBR reduction challenge at the Storygraph now, PGW's Uncle Fred in the Springtime. Not sure I would go back to Venice even if I cxould, but I'm ALWAYS happy to go back to Blandings

[Bookpossum]

Originally Posted by Mike Hobart

There are still a lot of novels by PG Wodehouse I haven't read, and the other day I happened to take a look at A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS (1919). It was quite readable and at first seemed like a light romance with a few Wodehouse-style jokes. I should have known better.

I was doing all right till about chapter 23, when I found that I had to stop reading for a few minutes while I composed myself. From there on, I had to pause at regular intervals while I snorted, guffawed or laughed out loud.

I should have known - even early Wodehouse is still Wodehouse.

I'm pleased to read this as I am about to start it. It's my nomination for the April TBR Reduction Challenge.

[fantasyfan]

I have just finished The Bees by Laline Paull

The Bees
By
Laline Paull
This enchanting tale concerns the life and times of Flora 717, a worker bee in a hive. The forty-three chapters are set in the world of the Hive. They are bookended by a prologue and epilogue set in the world external to the hive—both are brief but quite significant for the overall plot.

The world of the hive is is one that most of us would recognize; there is a Queen Bee, workers,and drones. The class system is carefully defined with the Sages—a priest class— followed by the workers within the hive, themselves being carefully differentiated. Foragers are the bees who leave the hive to search for nectar. They are unique in that they perform the dance that reveals the sources of the nectar. Finally we have the drones who exist only for reproductive purposes.

What makes this novel so marvellously fascinating is that the insects are given self-awareness and personalities. These characteristics are put within a theocratic, doctrinaire, matriarchal system informed by three prime values—Accept, Obey, and Serve. Questions are not permitted. Only the Queen may breed and she gives forth an aura which creates a total love for her and the hive.
The situation of the drones is especially intriguing. They are characterised rather as spoiled aristocrats coddled and worshiped by the sister workers. But few have a realistic concept about their ultimate destiny.

Other insects make their appearance. Wasps play an important part. Ants share a language with the bees. The arachnid spiders are strange and sinister.

The main focus is Flora 717. She moves through a series of classes and must face a problem when she feels that the greatest rule of all is one she must violate.

After reading this book, you won’t ever think of bees the same way again.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

It was as good or better than I remembered. And I'm glad to say that two or three people at the book club really liked it. And no-one hated it. Or perhaps they didn't turn up to the meeting!

Next I tried to read The Hanson-Yudkowsky AI-Foom Debate a freebie I picked up some time ago because it sounded interesting. It wasn't. A lot of fact-free waffle.

Now I'm reading The Complete Short Stories: The 1950s by Brian Aldiss. Yes, all his short fiction from the 1950s. 826 pages!

Abandoned at 50%. The stories are almost all downbeat, and (IMO) fairly typical 1950s SF. Not worth continuing.

Next up: The Demon Awakes by R. A. Salvatore, got as a freebie from the Sony ebook store back in 2009!

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Abandoned at 50%. The stories are almost all downbeat, and (IMO) fairly typical 1950s SF. Not worth continuing.

Next up: The Demon Awakes by R. A. Salvatore, got as a freebie from the Sony ebook store back in 2009!

Abandoned at 7%. Rather formulaic, and not looking like it'll get better.

Next up: The Merry Men and Other Tales and Fables by Robert Louis Stevenson.

[mlewis78]

I have started Famous Father Girl: A Memoir of Growing up Bernstein by Jamie Bernstein. It's on Kindle from my public library.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Next up: The Merry Men and Other Tales and Fables by Robert Louis Stevenson.

But I just can't get up any enthusiam for it. Abandoned.

Next up: To End in Fire by David Weber and Eric Flint. If this doesn't grab me, nothing will!

[CRussel]

It's been a grim stretch, Paul. I hope the Weber/Flint does the trick.

[Uncle Robin]

After my "Masks" prompt for the MR TBR reduction challenge at The StoryGraph turned out to be intolerable and untenable, I pivoted to the "treats" option instead, and have started this one - by some Yorkshireman with a beard like a rhododendron bush, apparently.

[haertig]

I'm still chugging alone reading the Harry Potter novels that I never got around to reading when they first came out. Just finished the fourth one, "Goblet of Fire". Now starting the 5th, "Order of the Phoenix".

[Fbone]

Originally Posted by Fbone

Next, Doors of Sleep by Tim Pratt. He authored The Constantine Affliction which I enjoyed.

Definitely different than what I usually read. Creating a new world every time the MC falls asleep takes work and creativity. The book was action-packed and ironically kept me awake several nights. I did get frustrated over the MC's pacifism. (Probably intentional) And Minna's ability to do almost anything was a touch Deux-ish. The ending was anti-climactic (strange that). Still, this was fun, and the sequel was placed on my TBR list. Rated C+ [3 stars].

[astrangerhere]

I have no idea when the last time I posted here was, but this is what I'm reading right now:

Kobo:

• Honeycomb by Dorothy Richardson - the third in her Pilgrimage cycle

Audio:

• Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow - glad I borrowed from the library rather than purchasing, but interesting nonetheless. Should finish it today or tomorrow. Read by the incomparable Scott Brick.

DTB:

• Introducing Game Theory: A Graphic Guide by Tuvana Pastine and Ivan Pastine
• The Uncanny X-Men Omnibus Vol. 1 by Chris Claremont (and a BUNCH of different artists and letterers) - Yes, I a watching X-Men 97, and yes, I absolutely watched the original series on Saturday mornings in the 90s.

[Tarana]

Just finished Eagle's Conquest by Simon Scarrow. He's a very good writer - lots of detail without bogging down. This is book 2 of the series. Historical fiction following 2 Roman soldiers at the time the Roman Army is taking over the Britons.

Still reading Rule of Three by Jeffrey Deaver; freebee novella, but it turns out to be as long as a book. Good so far.

Next up is Festive In Death by J D Robb. Haven't read any of this series in awhile, so looking forward to it.