[Andorion]

Thanks. Already read prologue and first chapter of Final Empire. I really like this metal magic idea. The indentured servitude system reminds me a bit of Neal Asher's Line of Polity.

I am getting a funny idea about the chapter beginning quotes. I think they are significant.

[QuickTidal]

Things have switched up and now I'm taking Brandon Sanderson's STEELHEART and Dan Abnett's SALVATION'S REACH on vacation. Already satrted the former and am enjoying it!

[MTS]

T77, on 07 February 2015 - 03:12 AM, said:

End of Disc One, on 06 February 2015 - 12:28 AM, said:

T77, on 05 February 2015 - 09:21 PM, said:

Finished The Crimson Campaign by Brian McClellan, book two of his powder mage trilogy. After reading the first half of book one I thought this guy had potential to be something special. After the second half of book one and now book two, I must say he's good, but I wouldn't put him in a top tier author category just yet. In fairness, I think these are his first published novels, so maybe he will improve. He certainly isn't bad and I would say he's better than the average fantasy author and the books were good reads.

Thanks for the input. This has been on my radar, and it looks good but I really only have time for the top tier stuff. I'll see what people say about the third book which comes out soon.

To be fair, most of the reviews for the first two books on Amazon are very positive, so I may be in the minority. So, maybe my slightly less than glowing review is to be taken with a grain of salt. Where he really sines IMO is in his characters.

I'm in agreement with you, although the second half of the book left me cold. Too much 'badassness' without justification.

[worry]

MTS, on 08 February 2015 - 12:27 PM, said:

Too much 'badassness' without justification.

That's exactly how I live my life, so now I'm intrigued.

[Gabriel Chase]

Currently reading this Martin Gardner-esque volume by Ian Stewart:

This post has been edited by Gabriel Chase: 08 February 2015 - 07:55 PM

[Andorion]

Into the last section of Mistborn: Final Empire. Book is steadily getting more intense, harder and harder to put down. My theory on the quotes eems to be correct but will post that in a Mistborn thread, once I am done.

[Studlock]

I just finished Nick Turse's Kill Anything That Moves and it's a sobering read. It lessen my personal opinion of the American war machine quite a bit which I didn't think was possible and convinced (though admittedly I didn't need much convincing) that the Vietnam war was one of the grossest sustained campaigns of violations to human rights in the last 50 years and a good portion of the military command as well as the foot soldiers should have been tried for war crimes.

I really wouldn't recommend it as a pleasure read. It hurts. It often focuses in on the personal experiences of individuals which makes the crimes much more hard to swallow as it's acutely humanized. I would honestly classify as a horror book if was fictional.

EDIT: I'm currently 'engaging' with literature on the Vietnam war as I only knew what I adsorbed what pop culture told me and I would appreciation any recommendation of either a academic nature or journalistic. Or a particularly good memoirs.

This post has been edited by Studlock: 10 February 2015 - 03:20 PM

[amphibian]

The Things They Carried is one of the best collections of stories to come from any war and it came from Vietnam. It's a bit fictionalized, but Tim O'Brien did write an actual auto-biography - If I Die in a Combat Zone, Box Me Up and Ship Me Home.

[HiddenOne]

Tad Williams "Shadowmarch" Possibly my first book by this guy...It's sort of interesting but slow. I'm not enjoying the names of random people & politics are murky. Some characters are boring. This book is built on the tropes that we see so often. The elves are evil, the dwarves love to mine, the princess is headstrong, etc.

I keep putting it down, then picking it back up to give it another chance.

[Andorion]

Finished Mistborn: Final Empire. I was totally hooked through the last part of the book. Nearly missed my stop on the bus, I was so engrossed. I am not sure I understood the ending or its implications, but I feel as if the haziness was intended.Anyway I am going to start book 2 ASAP.

I think I will start my own thread for Mistborn as I can't post everything I want to here.

[Andorion]

Cajun King, on 10 February 2015 - 03:51 AM, said:

Andorion, on 10 February 2015 - 02:23 AM, said:

Into the last section of Mistborn: Final Empire. Book is steadily getting more intense, harder and harder to put down. My theory on the quotes eems to be correct but will post that in a Mistborn thread, once I am done.

Told you it's be a treat!! How bout that Magic system??? Crazy cool huh?

I'm curious to hear if your picking up on any Cosmere things yet? I don't think you would be yet but you did read Emperors Soul so it's possible. Since I haven't read it idk what Cos connections there are in it.

Ed: I would also reco to join 17thshard boards BUT only after you get done with SLA2 to avoid spoilers. Be warned that site is rated G compared to our glorious Empire here though... You can't curse cause it edits you automatically. Ex if you type Damn it becomes Damnation or Shit becomes Rust. It gets annoying typing like your in Elementary School.

I have not really picked up anything. I have started a thread in Sanderson subforum fo rmy readthrough, so you can look that up if you want. I think I might look at the boards you suggested after I am done with Mistborn

[Studlock]

Hey, I'm just reading a book in which a collecting trophies off of dead soldiers was common practice. In which there was multiply actions by both the high command and by the grunts that deliberately killed Vietnamese indiscriminately. I'm sure your dad wasn't one of them but the shit in the book was beyond the pale and I don't know why I should privilege the experience of a soldier who was in some way apart of that over those who died.

Here's a good summary of the book:

http://www.truthdig...._moves_20130312

You can ignore the presentation if you want (as it is written by Chris Hedges, a man gifted with words but not with tact) and focus in on the quotes from the book and author. This is what I was presented with and these are most assuredly war crimes. Deliberate murder of civilians, widespread and regular rape. Torture of captives. Designated kill zones in which anyone was designed as a enemy. And it's not like he's just pulling this shit out of his ass. He interviews at least a 100 American vets, as well as a good number of Vietnamese survivors, as well as reports amassed by a war crimes committee from the US National Archives. Not to mention the use of Agent Orange, napalm, and white phosphorus rockets. The book also makes this abundantly clear the if not all of these actions were order by the top brass it was at least ignored but just because it was a top-down order a lot of the time doesn't mean it alleviates the personal responsibility the soldiers act upon them.

In all honestly I suggest you read the book. I'm sure your father is a good man but that doesn't mean his comrades were nor does it mean he fought in a good or just war.

[JPK]

I finished The Golem and the Jinni this morning. I am nearly without words. The story was compelling, beautifully written, and has some of the best characterization I have ever read. I will most definitely be looking up more Helene Wecker in the future.

Now, after all of the Discworld talk as of late I decided to start Faust Eric. It's good to be back with Rincewind.

[Baco Xtath]

Finished reading Alif, the Unseen; excellent book. Another fantastic recommendation from the board. Also finished a re-read/listen of Leviathan Wakes. Just as good the second go even knowing what's going to happen. Also finished listening to the Apocalypse Codex; more Laundry goodness. Started a re-read/listen of the City and the City cause it was the only thing compelling I had downloaded on my Sansa at the moment and I had 4 hrs of work left. Tomorrow I start listening to the Autumn Republic.

Not sure what to read next: Thicker than Water, the Free, Thraxas, or Full Fathom Five.

[Andorion]

Full Fathom Five is really good. You could try it

[Nicodimas]

In the middle of Dresden re-read.

Forgot how funny it can be and how much he repeats himself!!

[McLovin]

Finally gonna finish the original Dune books with CHAPTERHOUSE: DUNE.

[QuickTidal]

I'm nearly halfway into SALVATIONS REACH and so far it's okay...but no war yet and nothing has really happened. Some setup, but meh. Probably only the second Gaunts Ghosts book to underwhelm me. I'm sure it will get better.

[Mentalist]

Finished "The Black Lung Captain" second Ketty Jay book 2 days ago. Not bad at all.

Character-driven book,lots of familiar tropes, but I do love the setting. Several neat character arcs, plenty of action, some humour. great light read.

Currently trying out "the Thousand names" by Jango Wexler.

[acesn8s]

I just finished Shadowheart over lunch. Best book in the series. Now, I'm at a loss on what I want to read next.