What are you reading ?

Todd: I can understand how Gardens of the Moon would be better on a re-read, given that a lot of things that weren't explained yet in it make more sense in hindsight. But too bad that you have to start all over again … I couldn't do it.

booboo: I run out of steam after every single Malazan book. They are just so vast and condensed at the same time. And every book so far explored a whole new part of the overall history / world … either way, I'm usually throwing in a couple of other books in between Malazan ones — but before I forget everything like Tood . Makes it easier, for me, to get back to them.

Iain Banks Culture series is also on my reading list; my last one was book #4, Excession. Loved it. His books are in a way similar to Steven Erickson's — incredibly rich and mind-boggling, but I just can't read them in succession.

Reading older book by Sarah Zettel - 'fools war' - decent so far.

I'm halfway through the 10th of December, a book that is basically a collection of short stories. I found the first one quite interesting, but the ones after have been lackluster and pornish at best, lol. Two friends told me I should read this, and I will be slow in taking their advice on books in the future, I think.

Just finished The Corpse-Rat King by Lee Battersby. Decent read. When I bought it, I somehow got the impression it was supposed to be comedic fantasy. While there was some enjoyable sarcasm and cynicism, I think comedic might be pushing it a bit. Still, it wasn't bad. Don't know if I'll pick up the sequel or not.

Not sure what I'll go with next. I've got the last Abercrombie book to go as well as the 2nd Modesitt Imager book. I also stumbled on the first Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser compendium (Ill Met) at Half-Price and I'm wondering if I'll enjoy it as much as I did the last time I read it…in high school. That's a few weeks ago, y'know.

Well I finished Game of Thrones. A crazy fast 800 page read.

Now reading the second in the A Song of Fire and Ice series. But, wondering if the magic will hold for 4 more novels. I may be tiring of all the evil characters and filth and killing. It doesn't help that the very few characters with redeeming qualities are killed or maimed or kidnapped or….

Originally Posted by Thrasher
Well I finished Game of Thrones. A crazy fast 800 page read.

Now reading the second in the A Song of Fire and Ice series. But, wondering if the magic will hold for 4 more novels. I may be tiring of all the evil characters and filth and killing. It doesn't help that the very few characters with redeeming qualities are killed or maimed or kidnapped or….

Yes, I do feel he went too far in the opposite direction…almost like it became a necessity to kill/main/behead etc anyone you might empathize with. Is the 7 kingdoms is entirely filled with psychopaths ;-) I suppose it's grrrrrr martin's 'thing'. I have read all of them, but my enthusiasm has definitely waned…

Truly, a world of pyschopaths is a perfect description. I mean , initially, I was "uhhh! I can't believe what is happening, what's happening next?" To now, I am like "whatever" and getting a bit desensitized and uncaring about the newly introduced character story line that will surely end in a vulgar disaster. Not sure if that's a good thing. :/

Just finished Under the Dome by Stephen King. This is by far, imo one of his best works since the Stand. Light on the supernatural which was disappointing, but still compelling. Yes, the presence of the dome is in itself supernatural, but dealing directly with its creators/origins is minimal. He manages to tell stories best with a large cast of characters (like in The Stand) and this one did not disappoint in that regard.

My only complaints are: 1. The way he has teenagers speak in terms of slang is just not at all contemporary and laughable. 2. The resolution of the dome was done within the last 20 pages of this 1000 page tome. It came off as too haphazard. I understand the focus was to be on the reaction of the townsfolk to the dome, but more time could have been spent on this. Nevertheless the events leading up to it, on the other hand, were good reading.

If you're a King fan, I highly recommend this.

I got Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere and Anansi boys as new year presents, I never read anything from him before and I didn't have high expectations(In description it didn't sound like my thing).
They are not going in my top books list,and I still think Neil Gaiman is bit too hyped, but I liked then both.1/4 of Anasi boys was just dull and 2/4 bit better but on second half book becomes interesting.Also they where nice change from few depressing(but good) books I read last 2 months.It was good read for cheerful time like holidays.

Edit:Made typo, wrote "going in top list" instead of NOT going fixed, now.But that doesn't change my positive impression overall I found them enjoyable.

Originally Posted by Nameless one
I got Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere and Anansi boys as new year presents, I never read anything from him before and I didn't have high expectations(In description it didn't sound like my thing).
They are going in my top books list,and I still think Neil Gaiman is bit too hyped, but I liked then both.1/4 of Anasi boys was just dull and 2/4 bit better but on second half book becomes interesting.Also they where nice change from few depressing(but good) books I read last 2 months.It was good read for cheerful time like holidays.

Anansi Boys is a follow up to American Gods, which I thought was better. You may enjoy it as well.

Originally Posted by EvilManagedCare
Anansi Boys is a follow up to American Gods, which I thought was better. You may enjoy it as well.

I heard it's better than those 2, so I might buy in not to distant future.I also heard that graveyard book is good, in bit cute childish way.

Incidentally I finished Neverwhere last night. This was my first venture into the Urban Fantasy sub-genre, which I so far had shied away from. I thought it was OK … I guess you'd have to actually live in London and use the tube regularly to really appreciate the story.

I'm on Deadhouse Gates now for my Malazan re-read. I remember this book well but I like absorbing the details this round through. Its painless. Erikson is such a great world builder. I can practically feel the heat and the chocking dust of the desert while reading.

Originally Posted by Arhu
Incidentally I finished Neverwhere last night. This was my first venture into the Urban Fantasy sub-genre, which I so far had shied away from. I thought it was OK … I guess you'd have to actually live in London and use the tube regularly to really appreciate the story.

Great book and more than London has old subway systems . I liked it.

Starcraft - liberties crusade
My American Journey - Colin Powell
Star Trek full circle

I read Indomitable, a short story following up Terry Brooks' original Shannara trilogy. It was perfect for getting back into the world: Shannara was actually my first venture into fantasy. I had read the original trilogy as well as the Heritage of Shannara tetralogy, but forgot pretty much everything since it was so long ago. Next one up would be the First King of Shannara.

But alas, I might be at the end of my fantasy cycle again as I picked up a Sci-Fi novel instead:

Vernor Vinge's A Fire Upon the Deep, which is the first book set in his Zones of Thought universe. magerette once said in this thread Iain M. Banks' Culture reminded her of Vernor Vinge — for me it's the other way around, but either way, it's a good read so far. I just finished the first quarter.

"Hittite Fortifications c. 1650-700 BC"

It's an book on the construction of the fortifications the Hittites had built in the course of their empire (anyone remember the famous Battle Of Qadesh ? It led to the very first known peace treaty in human civilization !).

Although this is an (small) book rather focussing on the military aspect, I'm interested in the overall overview, since I have little knowledge about building ancient houses and fortifications (such as castles) at all.

Oddly, I had found it yesterday in an art book shop, which is soon closing (in Cologne). Since I knew it sometimes had books on Archaeology, I had hoped to find anything at all … this was a nice surprise, since I'm always eager to learn new things about the Hittites.

Some argue, by the way, that Troy was an affiliated town-country - affiliated to the Hittite empire (which has suffered from the Sea Peoples as well).

A Fire Upon the Deep: Overall I liked it. Interesting themes, but they story was kind of just okay …

Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson. The master of action story telling writes a book about evil superheroes and the struggle of a little group of normal human rebels against them: Sure recipe for another page-turning thrill ride! Lots of fun, this one, if a bit on the short side. But I hear more is planned in the "Reckoners" setting.

I finished Lies of Locke Lamora.It was fun, but I can't say yet if I am going to continue series.I liked characters but I didn't like main plot as much(it was ok but nothing special) and I also didn't find world itself too interesting, but I liked alternate chapters that describe past quite a bit(probably because I am sucker for good coming to age stories).

I'm on the third Song of Fire and Ice book. It's rare that I skip sections but when a certain person is treated for infection after having his hand cut off, I really don't need to know the details. Really, why must we know? This pornography is a big turn off to me. Only thing driving me now is what happens to the main characters. I think Sansa just made a grave error. We'll see.