[worry]

Jeez, there you go again, objectifying men. You don't hear us going on an on about the time we read the novelization of Porky's.

[D'rek]

 worrywort, on 09 November 2012 - 11:39 PM, said:

Jeez, there you go again, objectifying men. You don't hear us going on an on about the time we read the novelization of Porky's.

Knowing you, WW, it is probably safe to assume that I don't really want to know what that is

[Tapper]

Just finished Lawrence's "<insert noble rank here> of thorn" books. Entertaining to be sure, well-written and fast, but I am not sure I'll jump on the hype bandwagon yet... I'll probably stroll a short distance behind at my own pace it while the true fan-people pull it along.

Looking to start on Kitchen Confidential, and then I'll have Ferran (as in Ferran Adrià) waiting for me.

[amphibian]

 D, on 09 November 2012 - 11:55 PM, said:

Knowing you, WW, it is probably safe to assume that I don't really want to know what that is

Porky's was an '80s teen comedy that had a bunch of female nudity in it. It was extremely financially successful and spawned a few sequels. Weirdly more risque and demented than the American Pie spiritual sequels in the 90s and 2000s.

It's kind of cool you're willing to talk about this stuff - most people hate to admit buying books for this kind of appeal, even if it's obvious looking at their book piles (or secret book piles).

I flipped through two and a half of the Laurel Hamilton books and had to "NOPE" my way out after it got too wish-fulfillmenty for me. I need some semblance of plot to my literary pron, dangit.

[Abyss]

 QuickTidal, on 09 November 2012 - 10:24 PM, said:

 amphibian, on 09 November 2012 - 09:59 PM, said:

 D, on 09 November 2012 - 09:33 PM, said:

Have you ever heard of the crazy John Ringo book where the protaganist basically lives out the biggest possible macho-power fantasy by foiling terrorists and stuff? ....?

My mind is blown that D'rek is the one recommending Ringo's Paladin of the Shadows books.

I kind of agree with her take on it, but think that QT's funk is connected to a general malaise in regards to reading in general. Go do something else for a while with your free time. Run. Lift. Explore. Cook. Smooch your partner. Pick up a book when you really feel like it again, not out of sheer habit.

I think you may be right Amph. I might just be burnt out. I'll give it a rest for a bit and see how that plays out.

Thanks for the recco's all!

There's a pile of free Ringo shootemups on the Baen site if that's your thang.

That said QT i find the answer to overread is comics. Nothing hits the reset buttons on the thinkymeatz like a good or even bad GN.

 amphibian, on 10 November 2012 - 01:03 AM, said:

 D, on 09 November 2012 - 11:55 PM, said:

Knowing you, WW, it is probably safe to assume that I don't really want to know what that is

Porky's was an '80s teen comedy that had a bunch of female nudity in it. It was extremely financially successful and spawned a few sequels. Weirdly more risque and demented than the American Pie spiritual sequels in the 90s and 2000s.

It's kind of cool you're willing to talk about this stuff - most people hate to admit buying books for this kind of appeal, even if it's obvious looking at their book piles (or secret book piles).

I flipped through two and a half of the Laurel Hamilton books and had to "NOPE" my way out after it got too wish-fulfillmenty for me. I need some semblance of plot to my literary pron, dangit.

Funny thing about the PORKYS flics. The first one has a fairly serious racism storyline and the second has a whole 'growing up' angle that's stupidly mature. The 70s sex and nudity is practically an afterthought

[Studlock]

Just started the first book in the Acacia trilogy and about 3 quarters done the Winds of Khalakovo. I can't rightfully say how good Acacia is, I've read the first three chapters, but the writing is quite well done and I really really enjoyed the first chapter. The Winds of Khalakovo though, is a really good read so far and I enjoy the Russian-like setting as it both familiar and different and iron men and wooden ships type vibe. I'd recommend it if anyone looking for a new fantasy that isn't stuck in the pseudo-medieval time period with a little bit of politics thrown in.

[Stalker]

I have Acacia in my TRP but heard some real bad reviews on it so put it aside in favor of other books. I am more apt to trust reviews here since we have similar tastes, so anyone with info on it let me know.

Just finished a reread of Dune, it had been years since I last read it and the recent thread on it made me want to reread the series. I seem to remember not finishing book 6 so I'm going to remedy that this time. Before I move onto Dune Messiah I'm either going to read Stephenson's Cryptonomicon, Hurley's God's War, or Vinge's A Fire Upon the Deep. Depends on what I'm feeling when I pick up the kindle.

[Chance]

 Stalker, on 10 November 2012 - 07:55 AM, said:

I have Acacia in my TRP but heard some real bad reviews on it so put it aside in favor of other books. I am more apt to trust reviews here since we have similar tastes, so anyone with info on it let me know.

Well the author of Acacia is a good writer but it doesn't really help when for two thirds of the book you feal haven't I already read this book by some other author both Narnia and SoIaF came to mind, the last third really twist it around but not enough that it keept me interested enough to read book 2.

[Ukjent]

Book number 2 is better, but I have still yet to read number 3. Curse school and Halo 4.

[Kruppe's snacky cakes]

 Abyss, on 07 November 2012 - 08:13 PM, said:

 QuickTidal, on 07 November 2012 - 06:02 PM, said:

 Kruppe, on 07 November 2012 - 05:22 PM, said:

Started A Fortress Of Grey Ice by J.V. Jones, after recently finishing the first book. All the political shenanigans of a GRRM novel, but in what seems to be a pre-medieval setting. I'm really liking this series so far.

The 1st book has been on my ToRead pile since last Christmas and I've never gotten around to it...how was it?

Bleh.
I tried, i really tried. I read FORTRESS and the sequel CAVE OF RED ICE and, just bleh.
Boring characters slogging through boring settings doing boring things in build up to a boring 'big finish' that is more or less the only real action piece in the books.
Not impressed and won't bother with bk 3.

I found CAVERN to be an emotional roller coaster ride, especially the parts concerning the shenanigans of the main villain. I haven't hated a character that much since Joffrey/Cersei. That type of thing keeps me turning pages. I do agree with Abyss that the setting can be boring at times. For me, the enjoyment I got out of loving/hating the various characters far outweighed the few deficiencies of the book.

[Kruppe's snacky cakes]

 Abyss, on 07 November 2012 - 08:13 PM, said:

 Briar King, on 07 November 2012 - 12:07 AM, said:

What are you waiting for then? Go dust those fuckers off and crack open Furies tonight!

Seriously.
Bk 1 is weak. Especially if you've experienced the later Dresdencrack and are hoping for that level of Butcher. It has its moments but mostly its predictable, archetypical and verges on annoying.
Bk 2 starts that way, and about 20 pages in turns everything on its ear and just launches and each successive book just amps the awesome up even higher. By the end of 2 i don't think i was even remotely tempted to do anything but read the rest of the series straight through and it held that level of my attention without break.

I'm curious. What is it about the later books that make them so much better than Furies? I admit to being another reader who abandoned the series after book 1. I loved the beginning, especially the unique (to me) magic system based on elementals, but I just got really bored with it after ~ the first 1/4 of the book.

I also abandoned Dresden after book 1. *ducks to avoid tomatoes* Yes, yes, I've been here long enough to know that's blasphemy. (The awful TV pilot was also a big turnoff.) I will admit to not liking the urban fantasy genre. At all. That being said, is there anything later in the series that would convert me, or do you pretty much have to be an urban fantasy fan to appreciate Dresden?

[worry]

In a sense, once Dresden's larger stakes stuff starts happening (which is relatively early in the series actually), the detective genre stuff largely gets left by the wayside, and tons of fantasy/horror elements come in. It never stops being urban fantasy by any means, but it does tip away from magical minimalism bigtime. I do miss the detective fiction elements on occasion, but everything else is done big AND right (a welcome accomplishment).

[End of Disc One]

With Dresden Files book 3 is where it turns into more fantasy, less noir. Book 4 is hugely epic by the end. I don't have much interest in urban fantasy but Dresden Files is really good.

[Abyss]

 Kruppe, on 10 November 2012 - 09:41 PM, said:

...I'm curious. What is it about the later books that make them so much better than Furies? I admit to being another reader who abandoned the series after book 1. I loved the beginning, especially the unique (to me) magic system based on elementals, but I just got really bored with it after ~ the first 1/4 of the book.

Bk 1 suffers from a near terminal case of setupisitis and a striking lack of originality in character or plot, despite aan interesting setting that is unfortunately under developed.

Bk 2 starts off like a bad Harry Potter rip. And 20pages in Butcher goes nuts, stops playing nice and things just get steadily better from there . Its unfortunate that the reader has to 'suffer' thru 1 to really enjoy the series, but the payoff is worthwhile.

Quote

I also abandoned Dresden after book 1. *ducks to avoid tomatoes* Yes, yes, I've been here long enough to know that's blasphemy. (The awful TV pilot was also a big turnoff.) I will admit to not liking the urban fantasy genre. At all. That being said, is there anything later in the series that would convert me, or do you pretty much have to be an urban fantasy fan to appreciate Dresden?

Dresden is urban fantasy, and if that's not your bag then the series probably isn't for you and also youre cold and dead inside and a communist and probably a cylon.
The series does improve and we've had a few forumites who pushed through 1 and 2 on the strength of our recos, but at root if fantasy in a 'real' setting doesn't float your boat this series probably wont convert you and also youre unworthy you commie toaster heartless zombie freak . But hey, your choice.

[Traveller]

While I'd definitely recommend progressing with Dresden, I couldn't say the same to Furies. I stopped reading after book one, but got told it got better, so I carried on.

And although the story is good in parts, all the aspects that irritated me in book one were still doing so at the end.. only more. So I would say, if it doesn't grip you by the end of book one, read something else.

This post has been edited by Traveller: 11 November 2012 - 11:51 AM

[Baco Xtath]

I'm about a 50 pages into Bridge of Birds (the first book in The Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox) and I'm loving it. I really like Eastern/Asian settings - which is probably why Under Heaven is my favorite Kay book. Not sure why I've not seen this book (series) recommended more cause it's really good. Also, I'm halfway through Whitechapel Gods and a quarter of the way through Against a Dark Background. Both books are excellent but my focus is....well...nonexistent. My book moods are all over the place.

Finished listening to The Gathering Storm and I have to say, even though I dropped Jordan (and Rand) near a decade ago, I loved it and I'm really glad I decided to come back for the finale. I'm about 8 hrs into The Towers of Midnight and .......f'n awesome. Congrats to Sanderson. He's really pulled off finishing this thing up.

[McLovin]

Back to The Land in...THE POWER THAT PRESERVES.

[Jade-Green Pig-Hog Swine-Beast]

I finished The Hydrogen Sonata earlier today. While I thought it was great and really enjoyed it, I still don't believe that it's on quite the same level as the earlier Culture novels like Consider Phlebas, Use of Weapons or Excession (later, but included in the Awesome category), of which the awesomeness of those books cannot adequately be described in words alone.

Finishing it has really made me want to go and (re)reread a bunch of Banks's books (including Against A Dark Background—because I love that one—and also The Crow Road). However that will have to be scheduled for a later date as, tomorrow morning, I'll be starting Perdido Street Station and then following that up with the other to Bas-Lag books if I get on with it (which I'm under the impression that I will).

The nice thing about a good Banks novel is that because I'm reading so many serieseseses these days, they're perfect as a kind of awesomesauce rest-read to slot in between.

This post has been edited by Jade-Green Pig-Hog Swine-Beast: 11 November 2012 - 11:36 PM

[amphibian]

 D, on 09 November 2012 - 09:33 PM, said:

Have you ever heard of the crazy John Ringo book where the protaganist basically lives out the biggest possible macho-power fantasy by foiling terrorists and stuff? I forget what it's called, but from what I remember it is terribly awful, hilarious and cringe-worthy in every possible way. Also very light - ie no serious issues discussed! I can't say you'd like it, I found I only liked some parts of it (no surprise since it was not at all geared towards my side of the audience), but also couldn't not read more (plus some of it is kinda hot)... either way it will definitely break up your serious-fantasy funk Anyone remember the name?

I'm going through the free e-books of this series (the first couple books are being re-read again). This series is indeed terrible. There are all kinds of little details that are off - which is usually accepted in fiction, but here are presented somewhat as fact - and the general gist I get from reviews of his other works and some of his writings is that John Ringo is not a careful or well-thought out author. He writes to get some sort of reaction from the reader and then moves on.

It works, but it's like the difference between eating a mass produced burrito vs. the tamales that someone's slightly chubby aunt makes.

And why am I reading the books? Some sort of mix between "being a completist critic" and "reveling in the terribleness". I legitimately think many of the Warhammer 40k books and some romance books are vastly better written than this.

[QuickTidal]

And I've found the book to lead me out of my slump.

After reading a few comics over the weekend (as per Abyss' suggestion) I've finally got around to reading LUTHER: THE CALLING by Neil Cross, which is a prequel lead-in to the first episode of the first series of the show itself...and it's proving an addictive, fast and wholly enjoyable read.

Good stuff!