[Puck]

Adding my voice to the general Witcher-praise, although the short stories in the first two volumes are hit and miss for some people since they retell and deconstruct fairy tales. The real Witcher saga starts with Blood of Elves, in which it also takes a nose dive into darker territory. And yeah, the books came first, Sapkowski was/is really big in Poland but only became internationally noticed when the games became popular.

As to audio books, I usually listen to them when doing household chores or at the gym or when painting.

This post has been edited by Puck: 21 April 2016 - 02:32 PM

[Mentalist]

Books are original, games came later. For the love of God, read BOTH short story collections before diving into the novels.

Books are also fantastic, btw.

Games started as direct homage to the books (the original game is choc-full of very deliberate nods to the books). Sapkowski himself says the games are non-canon, but an alternative continuity.

But yeah, they're awesome.

[Andorion]

QuickTidal, on 21 April 2016 - 02:08 PM, said:

Andorion, on 21 April 2016 - 01:55 PM, said:

So a weird thing happened to me today. A rather eccentric, but extremely generous relative of mine dropped in. It turns out that he had recently jumped onto the audiobook bandwagon with a vengeance and purchased literally stacks of audiobook CDs. (Very very rich)

Among this collection are the Witcher books

So it turns out he does not like fantasy and knowing what I read, just gave me these CDs.

The Witcher books have me stumped. I thought they were game-based books? Does anyone know the read order? There seem to be 5 of them.

Also how do you listen to audiobooks? I don't think its possible to do anything else during this time?

Yeah, they go in order, and the first book is kind of a loosely collected set of short stories linked together. SWORD OF DESINY feels like that too...BLOOD OF ELVES felt like the first full novel story to me.

LAST WISH
SWORD OF DESTINY
BLOOD OF ELVES
TIME OF CONTEMPT
BAPTISM OF FIRE

so far.

As for how to listen, if I'm doing audiobooks I do so on my way to work and yeah I normally don't read any traditional books while doing so.

Oh and they games are based on the books, not the other way round.

amphibian, on 21 April 2016 - 02:24 PM, said:

Witcher books are terrific. The games take place long after the books conclude.

Audio books are indeed best on commutes or if doing routine household chores.

Puck, on 21 April 2016 - 02:29 PM, said:

Adding my voice to the general Witcher-praise, although the short stories in the first two volumes are hit and miss for some people since they retell and deconstruct fairy tales. The real Witcher saga starts with Blood of Elves, in which it also takes a nose dive into darker territory. And yeah, the books came first, Sapkowski was/is really big in Poland but only became internationally noticed when the games became popular.

As to audio books, I usually listen to them when doing household chores or at the gym or when painting.

Mentalist, on 21 April 2016 - 02:41 PM, said:

Books are original, games came later. For the love of God, read BOTH short story collections before diving into the novels.

Books are also fantastic, btw.

Games started as direct homage to the books (the original game is choc-full of very deliberate nods to the books). Sapkowski himself says the games are non-canon, but an alternative continuity.

But yeah, they're awesome.

Huh I had no idea Witcher books were such a big deal, or get so much appreciation! Well I suppose they will be a good way to make my audiobook debut.

[Mentalist]

I said it before, I'll say it again: "Sword of Destiny" may be THE best short story collection of all time.

OF ALL TIME.

[Macros]

finished american gods today.

Did not know what it was about remotely going into it.

absolutely loved it.
Mr Wednesday, just an awesome character.



about 15% into Good Omens at the minute

[Baco Xtath]

Andorion, on 21 April 2016 - 01:55 PM, said:

Also how do you listen to audiobooks? I don't think its possible to do anything else during this time?

I listen to audiobooks anytime I'm doing something that doesn't require complex thought. When shopping, I carry lists. When working, I pause if I have to make calculations or measurements (I'm a carpenter). Audiobooks make everything better: painting, mowing, running, driving,....everything. I listen to at least two 10 hr books a week. I couldn't imagine life without them.

[Fiddler Farstrider]

Just started the Spider's War, I'm hoping for a big ending, the first 4 books were good but not awesome. I really liked the Long Price Quartet so I kept up with the series and it's a pretty easy read.




Also on book 2 of Gentleman Bastards, book 3 of the Dark Tower(taking a quick break from both series to complete the Dagger and the Coin)

I've got to hurry with Dancer's Lament, Fall of Light and The Great Ordeal all preordered and coming soon.

[Mentalist]

Halfway into "Ace of Skulls"- Wooding just dropped a MAJOR "kick the dog" moment. Ouch.

One thing I love about this series is how well he layers development arcs for the various crew members between all the non-stop action and humour.

[QuickTidal]

Macros, on 21 April 2016 - 08:00 PM, said:

about 15% into Good Omens at the minute

Is this your first time reading it? Gods, what a treat that book is. Enjoy!

[Andorion]

Mentalist, on 22 April 2016 - 12:46 AM, said:

Halfway into "Ace of Skulls"- Wooding just dropped a MAJOR "kick the dog" moment. Ouch.

One thing I love about this series is how well he layers development arcs for the various crew members between all the non-stop action and humour.

This is something I really loved about the Ketty Jay books. I initially thought it would be all action packed adventure capers but the way he constructed the character arcs really elevated the books for me

[Mentalist]

Andorion, on 22 April 2016 - 01:23 AM, said:

Mentalist, on 22 April 2016 - 12:46 AM, said:

Halfway into "Ace of Skulls"- Wooding just dropped a MAJOR "kick the dog" moment. Ouch.

One thing I love about this series is how well he layers development arcs for the various crew members between all the non-stop action and humour.

This is something I really loved about the Ketty Jay books. I initially thought it would be all action packed adventure capers but the way he constructed the character arcs really elevated the books for me

Harkins pwning Slag = win.

And Malvery was awesome in "Iron Jackal" when his backstory is revealed.

This post has been edited by Mentalist: 22 April 2016 - 01:31 AM

[Macros]

QuickTidal, on 22 April 2016 - 01:11 AM, said:

Macros, on 21 April 2016 - 08:00 PM, said:

about 15% into Good Omens at the minute

Is this your first time reading it? Gods, what a treat that book is. Enjoy!

Yeah first time.
Enjoying it so far, you can see both authors humour in it, and Im struggling to see the shifts between their written sections.

[D'iversify]

Briar King, on 22 April 2016 - 06:29 AM, said:

37 pgs in Safehold 1. I like it.

On Lamia's story in Hyperion. Again I like it.

Finally finished Fall recently after a two year gap after reading the first book. Did not disappoint. Plus Ummon is up there with AM (I Have No Mouth) and Mike (Moon is a Harsh Mistress) as one of my science fiction favourite AIs.

[Macros]

Just finished Good Omens.
What a great book!

The latest Kobo software update has made footnotes a non pain now (formerly it would jump to the footnotes section, then you would have to go back to the page, now it just pops up in a little window on page, excellent)

Footnotes are of the high standard old doscworld used to rattle out on every page.

If you haven't read Good Omens, go and do it

[JPK]

Macros, on 23 April 2016 - 01:06 PM, said:

Just finished Good Omens.
What a great book!

The latest Kobo software update has made footnotes a non pain now (formerly it would jump to the footnotes section, then you would have to go back to the page, now it just pops up in a little window on page, excellent)

Footnotes are of the high standard old doscworld used to rattle out on every page.

If you haven't read Good Omens, go and do it

I missed that update. Thanks for the heads up. I stopped reading Discworld on digital solely because I hated how they handled footnotes.

[Mentalist]

Finished "Neverwhere". Entertaining, original. The ending was a bit of a cliche, not sure I liked it.

Next up, "A Canticle for Leibowitz".

[QuickTidal]

Finished WITCHES ABROAD by Pratchett. Goddamn what a fun ride! Just a really solid Discworld entry, and I loved every last moment!

Started Brian Stavely's LAST MORTAL BOND (final book in the Unhewn Throne trilogy) and it's damned goood so far.

After that I'm jumping back onto the Disc with MORT.

[Andorion]

Briar King, on 24 April 2016 - 04:11 AM, said:

My word the Safehold world is big and Weber is just throwing out location names around globe and I have to stop reading every fucking paragraph to look at map cause I have to know where I'm reading about. I love maps but this shit is giving me fits stopping to look.

He did this in Honorverse as well, just random planet names, Starcharts are even more confusing than maps. At one point I just stopped looking them up

[EmperorMagus]

Finished reading Cain#4.

It was pretty good, but I feel like this sort of time-mind fuckery is a bit cliche, and has been done far better by the masters of the sci-fi genre before. Loved Tanner though, would have loved more face time for him.

Also, I still feel like I don't understand all that's going on with the different names and The Blind God, but w/e.

[Macros]

QuickTidal, on 23 April 2016 - 11:25 PM, said:

Finished WITCHES ABROAD by Pratchett. Goddamn what a fun ride! Just a really solid Discworld entry, and I loved every last moment!

Started Brian Stavely's LAST MORTAL BOND (final book in the Unhewn Throne trilogy) and it's damned goood so far.

After that I'm jumping back onto the Disc with MORT.

Didn't know the last book was out.

Another book for the trp!!

Just started Vagrant, by Peter Newman.
Not enough to get sny impressions, seems like post apocalyptic wastelandish