[LadyMTL]

I finished reading Mark Danielewski's House of Leaves a few days ago and...yeah. What a strange, strange book. I didn't really find it scary or even very creepy but somehow the story still kept me interested enough to keep going even with sections written backwards, sideways and so on. Anyway! Now I'm reading Forge of Darkness (am a bit less than halfway through) and after that I'm going to start on Karen Miller's Godspeaker Trilogy. I have 2 weeks vacation coming up as of the 7th so I plan on doing a lot of reading.

[QuickTidal]

I'm over a third of the way into Ken Follet's FALL OF GIANTS and it shows no signs of ceasing to be totally readable stuff! I will admit that the portion right before the war in August 1914 where all the politicians and Co. are scrambling to prevent war got a LITTLE bogged down narrative-wise...but picks right back up after the war starts and everyone just accepts.

Anyways, great read and I'm taking my time with it to give it the proper respect. I still think the Russian Revolution stuff is my fave aspect. In respect to WWI though it's VERY interesting to discover just how small moments and decisions have such far reaching affects. For example, since France refused to stay neutral, and then Germany was subsequently forced to invade Belgium, the Tsar had to go to war against his good friend Willy (Kaiser Wilhelm) and march against them. The book is filled with info about small decisions made and the fact that for face-saving certain major powers had to react in a certain way. It's very interesting how much of Western Europe actually seemed to initially WANT to stay out of the conflict in the Balkans...only folding days before the invasion of Belgium.

After I finish this I think I might do my re-read (3rd one) of TOWERS OF MIDNIGHT in preparation for January and A MEMORY OF LIGHT.

[Morgoth]

I'm about 1/3 into the massive Greath North Road, and am acceptably entertained. It's well written, with interesting (though not by any means groundbreaking) characters, and the plot seems interesting though it has yet to unfold properly. Which, considering the author, is not at all surprising.

My main problem is that the concept, or world building if you will, feels too similar to the commonwealth books. Sure, that might even be some sort of point, but world building is always an important aspect for me when it comes to the sci fi/fantasy genre, and this book falls a little short on the originality scale.

Still. It's an enjoyable read all in all.

[Macros]

read snuff, typical prachett, always entertaining (although I wasn't a fan of monstrous regiment)

Finished up stoneweilder.
Ugh the ending was far too protracted.
Bit overall better than return so ost next

[Use Of Weapons]

Finished _The Fractal Prince_ by Rajaniemi -- awesome. Don't think I've ever read a recusrive narrative before.

Started _The King's Blood_ this morning, Daniel Abraham's sequel to _The Dragon's Path_ in his Dagger and Coin epic fantasy series. The writing draws you back in so smoothly, it's like I was never away.

[Macros]

I read the dragons path and wasn't REALLy drawn into it, I don't know exactly why, the characters were engaging and the story fine just couldnt put my finger on my problems with it

[D-E-M-Emrys]

Currently re-reading Joe Abercrombie's 'The Blade Itself'. Hoping to go through his books in time for 'Red Country's release!

[worry]

I'm starting Deep Sky by ol' what's his name. If it's anything like the first two, it's gonna be a great ride.

[acesn8s]

Finished Small Favor (one of my favorites in the series) and have moved on to Turn Coat. I should have them all reread before Halloween.

[Dammon]

Just finished Reading Perdido Street Station.

Now (about to start) reading The Restaurant at the End of the Universe.

Ghost Story is lined up after that

[Salt-Man Z]

Finished Forge of Darkness last night, and it was amazing!

[Macros]

About half way into orb sceptre throne.

Blegh.
Sure its nice to see old characters.
But the only two that feel like the of characters are rallick and kruppe. The rest do t have the same feel.
And the story hasn't really gripped me at all.

I'm still of the school of thought that esselmont handled the tight storyline of NoK really well, and he struggles onthe grander stage.

[Macros]

A further thought

His novels, whilst connected feel.very disconnected.
Even more.than the gotm-dg-moi jolt. The only constant thread is a storyline I couldn't give.a.fuck about and a character who I really REALLY don't see the point too after I enjoyed her in NoK

[JPK]

Finished the Book of Athyra. That's 7 Vlad Taltos books down now. Four more that I own to go. I decided that I'm going to wait a little longer on Cryptonomicon though, I just can't wait any longer to chew into F.O.D. It feels like it has been sitting on my bookshelf taunting me...

[Chance]

The Incredible Kitsu, on 05 October 2012 - 07:23 PM, said:

Finished the Book of Athyra. That's 7 Vlad Taltos books down now.

Just got to ask in what kind of sequence are you reading the taltos books ? (Chronological, Published or Whichever book i got first)

/Chance...who is somewhat confused how athyra could ever be the 7th taltos novel anyone reads

[JPK]

Chance, on 05 October 2012 - 08:24 PM, said:

The Incredible Kitsu, on 05 October 2012 - 07:23 PM, said:

Finished the Book of Athyra. That's 7 Vlad Taltos books down now.

Just got to ask in what kind of sequence are you reading the taltos books ? (Chronological, Published or Whichever book i got first)

/Chance...who is somewhat confused how athyra could ever be the 7th taltos novel anyone reads

Omnibus form. The first one was Jhereg, Yendi, and Teckla (Book of Jhereg). The second was Taltos and Pheonix (Book of Taltos). And the third was Athyra and Orca (Book of Athyra). So if you're going by omnibus I've only read three, however I've been counting the actual stories as that is how they were first printed.

[worry]

I just finished Deep Sky, and I gotta say, what a disappointment! The first two books were so good, really original pulse-pounding thrillers and then this finale was a bogged down, stale, indecipherable load of sci fi mumbo jumbo. Tried to be all cutie, but ultimately just abysmal stuff. On the other hand, I'm just kidding on the off chance that this might raise the blood pressures of a couple of our more fervent Canadian boarders. I actually liked the book a lot, and though the second one is ultimately my favorite, this was an entirely worthy and mind-bending conclusion.

[Morgoth]

worrywort, on 08 October 2012 - 05:23 AM, said:

I just finished Deep Sky, and I gotta say, what a disappointment! The first two books were so good, really original pulse-pounding thrillers and then this finale was a bogged down, stale, indecipherable load of sci fi mumbo jumbo. Tried to be all cutie, but ultimately just abysmal stuff. On the other hand, I'm just kidding on the off chance that this might raise the blood pressures of a couple of our more fervent Canadian boarders. I actually liked the book a lot, and though the second one is ultimately my favorite, this was an entirely worthy and mind-bending conclusion.

Hah! You had me completely flabbergasted there for a moment.

I finished The Great North Road and was overall rather dissapointed. A lot of book but little payoff. It felt like a story I've read many times before, even when reading Hamilton's previous books.

So I decided to cure my depression with Deep Sky, and man was that a whole different beast. It was excellent as the two previous books, and the end was genuinly satisfying. I guessed the big twist (green and blue lights), but it didn't bother me at all.

Now, on to the new Iain M. Banks... Weeeeeee

[Use Of Weapons]

Finished Daniel Abraham's _The King's Blood_ on the train to work this morning. Great book, and wow! I did not expect that ending. Set up nicely for the next, whenever that comes out, and I for one cannot wait.

Next up: hmm, choices. Probably _Reamde_ by Neal Stephenson. It'll be the first Stephenson I've read since the Baroque Cycle, as _Anathem_ didn't hold any attractions, though I'm sure I'll get to it eventually. Any opinions on _Anathem_?

Other option is (re)reading George R. Stewart's _Earth Abides_ for Manchester's Post-Apocalyptic Book Club later this month. Loved the bitter melancholy of this when I first read it.

[Serenity]

I'm about 30 pages from the end of Neal Asher's Shadow of the Scorpion.