[Tiste Simeon]

Finished MT! Will move onto NoK when I get home from work. Love this series more than ever right now...

[Kruppe's snacky cakes]

Sorry for the megapost, but I need to get these dang books off my desk.

236. City Of Pearl by Karen Traviss - I won't go so far as to call this boring, but it was definitely deficient in the action department.

237. Ghoul by Brian Keene - I don't read a lot of horror, but Keene's books are always memorable. His zombie novels are the most unique (and depressing) I've ever read. He makes The Walking Dead look like Pollyanna by comparison.

238. The King's Bastard by Rowena Cory Daniells - Given the title, I was expecting more of a dark comedy. Instead of continuing this series, I think I'll go back to reading her Exile trilogy.

239. Mammoth by John Varley - Trippy good time travel novel. Other than short stories, this is my only Varley exposure. Can anyone recommend some of his other stuff?

240. The Ringworld Engineers by Larry Niven - The Ringworld Throne proceed directly to my Christmas wish list. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200.

241. Star Wars Legacy Of The Force: Fury by Aaron Allston - Okay, I like the LOTF series, but geez, 7 books in and yet more to go. Talk about dragging out a storyline.

242. Titans of Chaos by John C. Wright - This was kind of an odd series, but I mostly enjoyed it...

243. The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland In A Ship Of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente - Had a sort of Alice in Wonderland-ish vibe. Pass. If you get a craving for such a thing, read Gramercy Classics Lewis Carroll: The Complete Illustrated Works, or The Annotated Alice books (edited by Martin Gardner) instead.

244. Shakespeare's Secret by Elise Broach - Nice mystery for ~ 9-12 year olds, but probably won't be of much interest to older readers.

245. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman - This worked better as a short story (in the Wizards anthology), imo. I know Gaiman is very popular, but I can't seem to appreciate any of his stuff, except for Anansi Boys, which I found thoroughly entertaining.

246. Return to Exile by E. J. Patten - Started out good. The prose and quirky descriptions were reminiscent of Harry Potter. (Not to mention the plot; just sub monster hunter in for wizard.) But it jumped the shark for me when

Spoiler

it seemed like everybody and their grandmother kept turning out to be either a secret monster or a closet monster hunter.

247. Dust Lands: Blood Red Road by Moira Young - Yet another YA dystopia. It's been described as Hunger Games meets True Grit. According to the reviews, many people had a problem with the podunk dialect. I actually like that sort of thing. Flannery O'Connor anyone? Wanted to like it, but my problem is that the plot was just too linear and simplistic. They went from point A to point B and then X happened. Then they went from point B to point C and Y happened. Yawn.

248. The Mammoth Book Of Mindblowing SF edited by Mike Ashley - I have yet to read a bad Mammoth anthology.

249. Why Does Batman Carry Shark Repellent by Brian Cronin - Funny comic book trivia (e.g. 10 craziest items in Batman's utility belt, etc.). Highly recommended to comic book fans.

250. The Mad Scientist Hall of Fame by Daniel H. Wilson & Anna C. Long - Entertaining biographical sketches of famous "mad" scientists, both real (e.g. Nikola Tesla) and fictional (e.g. Dr. Evil). Great stocking stuffer for the science nerd on your Christmas list.

251. Gingerbread Girl graphic novel by Paul Tobin and Colleen Coover - Quirky story about a girl who either has a missing twin or a split personality...or both.

252. Street Fighter Legends Vol. 1: Sakura graphic novel by Ken Siu-Chong - Read Vol. 3 a while back. I like the cartoonish art, but Vol. 2 is out of print and expensive, so this may be my last foray into the street fighter world.

253. Ax alternative manga by Sean Michael Wilson - Not the sort of thing I normally read, but it was deeply discounted as part of Top Shelf's annual sale. I grossly underestimated the word "alternative." Lots of weird sexual weirdness. Not the sexy kind. Men lusting after monkeys. Bald twins pooping on each others heads. I don't know, man. Not really what I look for in a comic book.

254. Global Frequency graphic novel by Warren Ellis - Good, but I have yet to be wowed any of Ellis's stuff, as much as I was anticipating...

255. The Incredible Hulk: Visionaries Volume 3 graphic novel by Peter David - I was turned on to this series by #249 in this list. Vol. 3 was the cheapest, so I started with that...

256. Doorways graphic novel by George R.R. Martin - Okay, but I can see why this was a failed TV pilot. But I guess everything is going to pale in comparison to ASoIaF.

257. Star Wars: Darth Vader And The Lost Command graphic novel by Haden Blackman - Again, okay...I just don't think I'll ever be a big fan of SW stories that take place at the prequel end of the timeline. PADMEEEEEEE!!!  vader.gif (10.73K)
Number of downloads: 0

258. Myspace DHP graphic novel edited by Scott Allie - Nice selection of Dark Horse comics, but nothing really stood out.

[amphibian]

Planetary by Warren Ellis is a top 5 comic book series of all time. It's fun, poignant, complex, has amazing art and above all, a truly solid story with excellent characters. If you've not read that, it's the highest point of all his works thus far.

[QuickTidal]

Kruppe, on 03 December 2013 - 10:36 PM, said:

241. Star Wars Legacy Of The Force: Fury by Aaron Allston - Okay, I like the LOTF series, but geez, 7 books in and yet more to go. Talk about dragging out a storyline.

LotF has a pretty solid finale, but I found the following series FATE OF THE JEDI to be overall better...but it's another 9 book series. But then the final book in THAT series is probably the best SW EU book I'd read in a long while...so...hit and miss. You're not alone.

Kruppe, on 03 December 2013 - 10:36 PM, said:

242. Titans of Chaos by John C. Wright - This was kind of an odd series, but I mostly enjoyed it...

I found this guy to be a misogynistic fucker...and then I made the mistake of going on his blog and finding out what ELSE is wrong with him. Fair waring, John C. Wright makes OSC look like a perfectly decent human being.

Kruppe, on 03 December 2013 - 10:36 PM, said:

243. The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland In A Ship Of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente - Had a sort of Alice in Wonderland-ish vibe. Pass. If you get a craving for such a thing, read Gramercy Classics Lewis Carroll: The Complete Illustrated Works, or The Annotated Alice books (edited by Martin Gardner) instead.

People seem to love Valente...but I can't forgive her shitty online attitude/persona enough to get through her fiction. I hate everything she tweets and blogs...and it taints anything I might try to read of hers. I have an anthology of stories that she has one in...and I tore it out so I didn't have to look at it. LOL. Over the top? You betcha. Fairyland is the only book of hers I've read, and I agree it was "meh" at best.

Kruppe, on 03 December 2013 - 10:36 PM, said:

254. Global Frequency graphic novel by Warren Ellis - Good, but I have yet to be wowed any of Ellis's stuff, as much as I was anticipating...

Oh too bad you didn't dig it. I loved GF when I read it.

[QuickTidal]

Book Slump made me desire to go to the book store and buy a new book....but I've got about 4 or 5 on my Kindle I purchased that I've not read and I found myself unexpectedly grabbing it on my way to work.

So, I've started HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE by Diana Wynne Jones...and it's pretty solidly entertaining so far.

[Abyss]

QuickTidal, on 04 December 2013 - 12:38 AM, said:

Kruppe, on 03 December 2013 - 10:36 PM, said:

254. Global Frequency graphic novel by Warren Ellis - Good, but I have yet to be wowed any of Ellis's stuff, as much as I was anticipating...

Oh too bad you didn't dig it. I loved GF when I read it.

Likewise, tho i realize that not all of the 12 stories are at the same level. Some are brilliant (the geneforming frequency, the space race), some are 'just' Ellis fucking around (Parkour, enhanced combatant fight club)

amphibian, on 03 December 2013 - 11:01 PM, said:

Planetary by Warren Ellis is a top 5 comic book series of all time. It's fun, poignant, complex, has amazing art and above all, a truly solid story with excellent characters. If you've not read that, it's the highest point of all his works thus far.

I would agree, PLANETARY is pretty damn brilliant and especially shines when read as a complete work.

The original AUTHORITY 12 issue run, however, is insanely great superhero fun and totally worth the eyetime.


Finished Cole's CONTROL POINT. This was fun. the book has its flaws, notably a sense of waffling for some middle chunks, a protagonist whose inner monologue becomes tedious and whose choices at times make zero sense at all, but overall this was an enjoyable milSF/urbanfantasy mash-up with some neat moments, great action and an interesting worldbuild. I have the second book in the TRP and wil likely read it soon.

Next going to attempt to finish CAMERA OBSCURA and EDINBURGH DEAD, tho a big stack of GNs is making that difficult.

[Brujah]

Also Not Brent Weeks, on 02 December 2013 - 05:23 AM, said:

Just wanted to say thanks to Obdi for recommending the First Law Series.

These books are all kinds of fun. Had a shaky start so I made the mistake of setting it aside but picking it up again a week ago, the story REALLY grew on me.

Same. Obdi was first person to mention First Law, Black Company, and Dresden Files to me.

Although I can't say I liked The Name of the Wind. With that exception, all others have become some of my favorite series. Dresden comes in second only to malazan, imo. And only read the first book of First Law, The Blade Itself, but only because book store didn't have the second one.

Not a fan of Scott Lynch so far, but it's very early on.

[Nicodimas]

No love for name of the wind??!!..I for some reason find it be my favorite for its charm. I am really really looking foward to book #3 as its gonna crush the first two. Try Promise of blood.. It's 2 bucks on kindle atm. The writing does need work as a warning.

Re-reading One Second later than to Apocalyse-mode for the Holidays. Good time to start thinking about prepping and increase *needed* stuff. Books give me ideas on essetials.

This post has been edited by Nicodimas: 05 December 2013 - 12:04 AM

[worry]

That was last year. This year the Mayan calendar says we all get free donuts.

[Brujah]

Yeah. Well, my main problem with Name of the Wind, is that I found it a bit boring.

Spoiler

We do get a few peaks at the Chandrian, but for the most part, it's lacking on action that was able to interest me. I didn't care for little iron-demon-spiders as enemies. I didn't care for the battle with the big lizard. I just couldn't really get into this one. It was very, very well written, and you do develop a great fondness for Kvothe, and I did enjoy the the focus on Kvothe's music, but it was just a bit too bland as a story. I enjoy books that show me new things, and there was not much here Id not seen before. Mainly, I think it just comes down to preference. I can see where others might enjoy the book, I just prefer a faster pace, and more gritty characters.

[Nicodimas]

Its totally not about the action book!!..there are plenty of those^...A million little copies of swordsmen becoming god and mage's becoming archmage. /blahblahblah

I guess in some ways it may go down that path after we get all six books+. Right now its about watching exactly how the path leads down. I have a personal thoery on that series and can't wait--it is gonna be !. Its a ton of buildup..Granted the books so far are one huge promise <lost level>. Plus the books always can make me laugh as I find the characters quite enjoyable. It's gonna be freaking amazing series if he takes it the way I believe he will...pysched! I feel like it's going to boil over with revelations if you put them together. There is a ton of clues in the first two book's about what exactly happened and is happening. <this is coming from someone who has read them 4 times so far>

Sorry to derail /tense moment here!!

Anyhow. Read Among Thieves. The Runaway King. A crucilbe of souls. Common Fantasy there.

This post has been edited by Nicodimas: 05 December 2013 - 02:30 AM

[Baco Xtath]

Almost finished listening to The Scar by the Dyachenkoes; it is superb. Also listening to Jennifer Morgue and the Iron Dragon's Daughter. Enjoying the first, not so much the second - may actually put it down. Also reading Christmas on Ganymede, the Golden Compass, and Garrett P.I. number 6. All good.

[Studlock]

Finally finished Blood and Bone. I really enjoyed it more so than other couple fantasy books I've read recently (Name of the Wind which I've stated elsewhere and the Ways of Kings which I really find boring and too much of a throw back to 80s fantasy) but less so than the Ambergris stuff, I'm about half way through Shriek: An Afterword and I'm really digging the style of the book, just as much as I loved the Chicago style citations in the history book in a City of Saints and Madmen. I've heard Finch is a noir-type investigation, and I've always loved my crime-fiction so I'm super pumped about that. I might throw some Urban Fantasy in as well (which I usually read faster) with Blue Blazes, the Woken Gods and start reading the Dresden Files again (I'm not as in love with as everyone else on the board it seems but it's entertain fluff if I can get through some of squicker parts of the narrative).

[lastname]

I found Name of the Wind pretty dull too. I can see why the book is popular but its just not my thing. Some of the university bits were fun but the start was slow and the pointless 100 page chicken hunt to close the book was not clever. This from a guy who claims brevity is strength and has a go at Tolkien on that count:

http://www.sffworld....rick-rothfuss/?

Spoiler

What do you feel is your strength as a writer/storyteller?Brevity.

- Brevity? In a 600+ page novel?

Heh. Yeah. It sounds ridiculous, but it's true. There's a reason everyone comments on the book being such a quick read. It's long, but it's tight. There isn't a lot of wasted space. I don't engage in long, tedious bouts of description or big chunks of explanation. It's efficient.

I think the tendency to over-explain and over describe is one of the most common failings in fantasy. It's an unfortunate piece of Tolkien's legacy. Don't get me wrong, Tolkien was a great worldbuilder, but he got a little caught up describing his world at times, at the expense of the overall story. I love the Lord of the Rings, but those first two hundred pages are kinda slow.

My early drafts of the novel had the same problem, of course. When you're just starting out and you're really proud of the world you've made, you want to share ALL of it with people. However, over the years I've streamlined the book. I probably have a 100,000 words I've trimmed out of this book alone. Sometimes it's whole chapters and scenes. Sometimes it's just snipping a few unnecessary words out of a sentence. But the goal is always the same, make the book clearer, cleaner, faster.

Anyway, I'm tearing through The Black Company. With Dreams of Steel, the series is finally starting to stagnate a bit.

[worry]

Y'all Books of the South haters are crazy, man. The series gets better as it goes along, and only starts getting really nuts with Dreams of Steel. Stagnate?! I mean really! Harumph, and Harumph some more!

[amphibian]

It's because white people don't like the very tonally "odd" blend of Hindu/Muslim/South Asian religion/way of living that Cook throws them.

White people like to read about Norse, British and Germanic stuff and chuckle softly at the references or callbacks they discern in the layers. It's why Neil Gaiman is so popular.

[Obdigore]

worry, on 05 December 2013 - 06:20 AM, said:

Y'all Books of the South haters are crazy, man. The series gets better as it goes along, and only starts getting really nuts with Dreams of Steel. Stagnate?! I mean really! Harumph, and Harumph some more!

I just didn't like Mumblin' Murgen and his Mindlessly Maladroit Memoirs Manifest.

Although I suppose that is technically the Glittering Stone books.

[Obdigore]

amphibian, on 05 December 2013 - 06:53 AM, said:

It's because white people don't like the very tonally "odd" blend of Hindu/Muslim/South Asian religion/way of living that Cook throws them.

White people like to read about Norse, British and Germanic stuff and chuckle softly at the references or callbacks they discern in the layers. It's why Neil Gaiman is so popular.

Oh yea. Get that racism going. I had no idea that I, as a white person, hated that part of the Books of the South. In fact I was of the opinion that I enjoyed reading about other cultures, be they fantastical or based on something in our world. Thank you, O! Arbiter of Truth for All Mankind, for setting me straight.

[worry]

Glittering Stone is the best of all. Harumph.

[JPK]

Polishing off A Meeting in Corvallis. I've really enjoyed the second half of this book. Now I'm going to start The Return of the King, and I'm also listening to The Shadow Rising on audiobook. Finally, I (finally) persuaded the reddit fantasy bookclub to pick Heroes Die as their book of the month so I suppose I should join in on the discussion since I talked them into reading it in the first place.