Neil Gaiman has also written an amazing new *young adult* (really ANY PERSON, but it does have the label) book called "The Graveyard Book"--it's a riff on "The Jungle Book" but much, much, much better. It is phenomenal in audiobook form.
Pratchett has some quality audibooks out there as well. As for Hunter T., I really enjoyed "Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail" where he stalks Nixon (and others) during the 72 campaign. There are few bikers, but there is a bit of Hunter-generated mayhem none the less.
On the Sf/f front, I just read Kristin Cashore's "Fire" and it was excellent. It felt a little young, but it was refreshingly free of incest, fairies, and impossible to follow plot ideas that seems to be where "epic" fantasy is right now.
Also, King (and others), if you have not yet read Robin McKinley's "Sunshine" (what Twilight would have been if written by a writer with talent), get thee to the library and demand it. If they don't have it, demand they buy it; it is that good.
Lastly, I was lucky enough to get a copy of Masha Hamilton's "31 Hours"--it tells the story of a young man who has decided to become a suicide bomber and tracks the last 31 hours of his life and the lives of his family, friends, and the city of New York in general. I'm not doing it justice here (and there is a review of it up on bookgeeks) but I was very, very, very impressed with how Hamilton dealt with this tricky topic. It's short and powerful.
Full Version: Books
Hmm, there are two copies in Surry Libraries. I shall try and procure one of them.
Gov I can not believe that you could be so perverse as to just have started reading Pratchett. You have a joyful series of books ahead of you my friend. It's worth pointing out that all his books have DEATH in them and there are at least 4 books with Him as a main character, so you could narrow it down. Reaper Man? I might start with the City Guards series as it's my favourite (Guards, Guards is the first).
As to Gaiman The Graveyard Book is an excellent read and so a good place to start but pretty much all his books are stand alone (apart from American Gods and Anansi Boys and these are merely vaguely linked) so you could start anywhere. While Neverwhere is my favourite, you may want to start with Good Omens thereby combining your continuing Pratchett education and starting your Gaiman (as it was a collaboration - though maybe feels a touch more the product of the latter). Then again (I'm not being very helpful by offering so many options) as it's you Gov, you may want to start on the first Sandman comic as he wrote those too.
Gov I can not believe that you could be so perverse as to just have started reading Pratchett. You have a joyful series of books ahead of you my friend. It's worth pointing out that all his books have DEATH in them and there are at least 4 books with Him as a main character, so you could narrow it down. Reaper Man? I might start with the City Guards series as it's my favourite (Guards, Guards is the first).
As to Gaiman The Graveyard Book is an excellent read and so a good place to start but pretty much all his books are stand alone (apart from American Gods and Anansi Boys and these are merely vaguely linked) so you could start anywhere. While Neverwhere is my favourite, you may want to start with Good Omens thereby combining your continuing Pratchett education and starting your Gaiman (as it was a collaboration - though maybe feels a touch more the product of the latter). Then again (I'm not being very helpful by offering so many options) as it's you Gov, you may want to start on the first Sandman comic as he wrote those too.
QUOTE
By the way Margaret Atwood has released a book set at the same time as Oryx and Crake daling with different people in the same world called The year of the Flood. I thought Tart might be interested.
Very, Oryx and Crake is one of my favorite books.
As for Neil Gaiman, I read Anansi Boys, without having read American Gods and it was still excellent...
QUOTE(jonnyploy @ 18-Oct-09, 18:31)
Well, I've read through the first essay and developed a thorough dislike for Ms. Eleanor Cameron. Sweet Jesus, what a snob. Although her sniffy attitude with the reality that Charlie is hugely popular cracks me up. I'll have to read the rest later this week.
Ahem, for those of you who do like excellent fantasy, I would like to recommend again PC Hodgell. Her e-books are now selling for cheap on the BAEN website, and the fifth book in the series should come out sometime next year. (I've been re-reading the books to write a review for bookgeeks, and I felt the need to pimp them again over here).
In more recent bookish news, Pete and I saw Martin Amis and Will Self speak about "Sex and Literature". Will Self was caustic and funny, and Martin Amis entertaining--there was also an art historian from the University who was clearly being asked to punch above her weight, but they didn't let her drag them down. They also signed books afterward, even though I accosted them as they were having a smoke between the talk and the *official* buy a book and get it signed time.
I'd recently read Will Self's "Liver", and it was odd and excellent.
Ta for all this help on the reading front Jonnyboy, Jen and Mikey. Yes it is perverse I've started reading Pratchett so late and yes it was Reaper man (I was put off by this whole tortoise shell malarkey, but now see its a naughty sideline). I'm getting Juliet Naked and coff coff, Freedom for Sale by John Kampferner soon so cant wait to get started on those. Is Anansi Boys any good? Im getting it anyway.
Trying to get my hands on Civil War Epilogue in the Marvel Series. Have I mentioned how SHIT Final Crisis was considering they killed of Batman (I missed the actual advent because it was so lame) and he's not in it for like more than 5 pages. ARGH! Sorry side rant.
Trying to get into some Paul Krugman (Economics Nobel Laureate) and its kind of erm, 'interesting' and 'telling' if that's what you want from a book. I'm also hearing good things about this hefty book about the origins of oil prospecting/mining and selling.
Trying to get my hands on Civil War Epilogue in the Marvel Series. Have I mentioned how SHIT Final Crisis was considering they killed of Batman (I missed the actual advent because it was so lame) and he's not in it for like more than 5 pages. ARGH! Sorry side rant.
Trying to get into some Paul Krugman (Economics Nobel Laureate) and its kind of erm, 'interesting' and 'telling' if that's what you want from a book. I'm also hearing good things about this hefty book about the origins of oil prospecting/mining and selling.
QUOTE(jonnyploy @ 18-Oct-09, 18:31)
Riveting stuff - my hackles are up through some of these passages. Noone talks to my imaginary Norwegian uncle this way!
Some young adult books that I have come across recently:
Gone and Hunger (Hunger is the sequel) by Michael Grant-- These books tell the story of a sleepy Southern California town where everyone over the age of fourteen...suddenly vanishes. Teachers, parents, the police, high schoolers, everyone. It's difficult to reveal any of the plot without revealing some of the twists, but Grant does an excellent job investigating what might happen if teenagers were left to themselves (and young children left in the care of teenagers). There are a host of characters, some heartbreaking, and the premise is interesting. Very quick reads.
In the non-young adult book zone, I just read Brookmyre's "Pandemonium" and was seriously disturbed. Seriously. Bits of it were scary, and I was a tad enraged the first time through with some of the religious implications, but the end of the book (and a second read) satisfied me on that point. I have no idea why I reacted so strongly (maybe because some of the main characters are students?), but some of the action scenes were nearly hurl-worthy. Of course, none of that stopped me from enjoying it immensely, but still.
I'm currently in the middle of "The Invention of Air" which tells the story of Joseph Priestley and his discoveries about plants and the nature of oxygen (and involvement in the formation of what is now the USA). It's great fun, and any book which contains the line (quoted from Priestley's own writing) "the varied lives of vegetables" and let me answer a science question before Pete is worth a read.
Gone and Hunger (Hunger is the sequel) by Michael Grant-- These books tell the story of a sleepy Southern California town where everyone over the age of fourteen...suddenly vanishes. Teachers, parents, the police, high schoolers, everyone. It's difficult to reveal any of the plot without revealing some of the twists, but Grant does an excellent job investigating what might happen if teenagers were left to themselves (and young children left in the care of teenagers). There are a host of characters, some heartbreaking, and the premise is interesting. Very quick reads.
In the non-young adult book zone, I just read Brookmyre's "Pandemonium" and was seriously disturbed. Seriously. Bits of it were scary, and I was a tad enraged the first time through with some of the religious implications, but the end of the book (and a second read) satisfied me on that point. I have no idea why I reacted so strongly (maybe because some of the main characters are students?), but some of the action scenes were nearly hurl-worthy. Of course, none of that stopped me from enjoying it immensely, but still.
I'm currently in the middle of "The Invention of Air" which tells the story of Joseph Priestley and his discoveries about plants and the nature of oxygen (and involvement in the formation of what is now the USA). It's great fun, and any book which contains the line (quoted from Priestley's own writing) "the varied lives of vegetables" and let me answer a science question before Pete is worth a read.
Just a second reccomendation of Jim Butcher's "Codex Alera" series. I've now read the 5th book (and, fingers crossed, the sixth is in the mail), and it's still an interesting and fun read. It follows the life of "Tavi", a boy who stands out because he has no trace of the magic abilities that everyone in his land has access to. I really like how Butcher plays around with conventional fantasy ideas (hero=person who must be stronger/better than everyone) and instead makes Tavi use cunning and intelligence to get around a real handicap.
I think these are much better than Butcher's more famous "Dresden Files" series (sorry not to warn you before Noj!).
I think these are much better than Butcher's more famous "Dresden Files" series (sorry not to warn you before Noj!).
I have just come round to reading Mr Nice, the infamous undergraduate bible about the nefarious drug smuggler and all round rockstar Taffy. Yes it's a great read although one feels that Mr Marks is a little up his own bum at times. He also gets an award for all sorts of name dropping, apropos as it may be. If you like this you will love Reefer Madness by Eric Schlosser.
Do it.
Do it.
Just finished Shades of Grey, the new novel from Jasper Fforde and I must say that it's a triumph - it has the potential to grow into another fabulous series of books. My only regret is that I have to wait probably 2 years for the next one as he has to write the next Next book.
I may review it at some point (I know - you can't wait).
I may review it at some point (I know - you can't wait).
There will, apparently, be a "Wheel of Time" RPG sometime in the future.
The Reddit thread is hilarious:here...
The Reddit thread is hilarious:here...
Been reading the thread for 45 mins =)
Have you read the Mistborn books?
Have you read the Mistborn books?
King - interested to hear the news on the new Fforde, any chance of a review yet?
Finally getting round to reading Jennie's copy of Christopher Moore's 'Fluke'. Enjoying, so thank you. Will return next time I see you. It is in the same vein as Hiaasen but maybe not quite as fast paced and not quite as full of ludicrous characters... so far.
Finally getting round to reading Jennie's copy of Christopher Moore's 'Fluke'. Enjoying, so thank you. Will return next time I see you. It is in the same vein as Hiaasen but maybe not quite as fast paced and not quite as full of ludicrous characters... so far.
Good point Sam. Here goes:
Shades of Grey - Jasper Fforde
Eddie Russet has been sent to East Carmine to perform a chair census as an act of contrition for a prank - all he wants to do is complete his count of the chairs, stools, sofas and pouffes, escape back to civilisation and marry Constance Oxblood. Unfortunately in a world in which your standing in life is predicated on the shade and amount of colour you can see, swans and carnivorous trees prey on people, and where night is the ultimate terror these things can turn out to be not quite so easy - especially when Eddie is confronted by a 'Grey' with a particularly retroussé nose...
Ffans of Fforde will know that he doesn't really do anything but high concept; equally they will know that in the end it's not the central conceit that brings them back for more, but the characterisation, comedy, pace and plot - the Nursery Crime books aren't just an amusing thought experiment about nursery characters living in Reading, but gripping and thoughtful whodunits. So it proves in here; nominally a post-apocalyptic sci-fi novel, SoG depicts a world where the apocalypse is simply history and therefore of less interest than the question of where all the spoons have gone. Life is governed by colour - your status, job and marriage prospects depend on what shade and how much colour you can see, swatches of colour are used instead of medicine and Universal Colours that everyone can see are piped to the local park by the central bureaucracy . As you might imagine with a new world to introduce our hero Eddie spends a good while wandering around being initiated into life in East Carmine, and not dashing around having adventures; for new readers this might prove a little frustrating as not much appears to happen plot-wise but for ffans (and the more thoughtful reader) the beauty is in the details - Fforde litters the book with in-jokes, hints and plot strands: if you are of a mind to you could spend hours trying to figure out the identity of the abandoned city of High Saffron or why a man fell from the sky attached to a chair. Some of these side-mysteries may well be explored in future books, many more I imagine will be left for the intelligent to figure out and tell the rest of us on the internet (www.Jasperffode.com). Soon enough, however, enough plot has been woven to truly engage any reader; as Eddie meets an infuriatingly intriguing Grey named Jane and settles into life in East Carmine puzzles are solved and in the solving many more uncovered, there's romance, action and a purple tree. It's all enough make me wish I'd not discovered the book until at least three had been written. Then there'd be no interminable wait for the next one.
Buy it. Read it. Join me in my impatient wait for another.
Shades of Grey - Jasper Fforde
Eddie Russet has been sent to East Carmine to perform a chair census as an act of contrition for a prank - all he wants to do is complete his count of the chairs, stools, sofas and pouffes, escape back to civilisation and marry Constance Oxblood. Unfortunately in a world in which your standing in life is predicated on the shade and amount of colour you can see, swans and carnivorous trees prey on people, and where night is the ultimate terror these things can turn out to be not quite so easy - especially when Eddie is confronted by a 'Grey' with a particularly retroussé nose...
Ffans of Fforde will know that he doesn't really do anything but high concept; equally they will know that in the end it's not the central conceit that brings them back for more, but the characterisation, comedy, pace and plot - the Nursery Crime books aren't just an amusing thought experiment about nursery characters living in Reading, but gripping and thoughtful whodunits. So it proves in here; nominally a post-apocalyptic sci-fi novel, SoG depicts a world where the apocalypse is simply history and therefore of less interest than the question of where all the spoons have gone. Life is governed by colour - your status, job and marriage prospects depend on what shade and how much colour you can see, swatches of colour are used instead of medicine and Universal Colours that everyone can see are piped to the local park by the central bureaucracy . As you might imagine with a new world to introduce our hero Eddie spends a good while wandering around being initiated into life in East Carmine, and not dashing around having adventures; for new readers this might prove a little frustrating as not much appears to happen plot-wise but for ffans (and the more thoughtful reader) the beauty is in the details - Fforde litters the book with in-jokes, hints and plot strands: if you are of a mind to you could spend hours trying to figure out the identity of the abandoned city of High Saffron or why a man fell from the sky attached to a chair. Some of these side-mysteries may well be explored in future books, many more I imagine will be left for the intelligent to figure out and tell the rest of us on the internet (www.Jasperffode.com). Soon enough, however, enough plot has been woven to truly engage any reader; as Eddie meets an infuriatingly intriguing Grey named Jane and settles into life in East Carmine puzzles are solved and in the solving many more uncovered, there's romance, action and a purple tree. It's all enough make me wish I'd not discovered the book until at least three had been written. Then there'd be no interminable wait for the next one.
Buy it. Read it. Join me in my impatient wait for another.
Just finished The Affinity Bridge by George Mann which I rented from the library on the strength of Jennie's Bookgeeks review and because I like a bit of steampunk (and also the cover is cool). I did enjoy the story though I found the setting of an ever-so-slightly twisted version Victorian London more engrossing than the plot itself which turned out to bit a quite straight-forward mystery. While Sir Maurice Newbury nods more than a little to Sherlock Holmes, this particular tale is resolved with more running, jumping and bashing people/things on the napper than cerebral thoughtfulness. Still, thrust as we are into the middle of Newbury's many adventures, this leaves us Mann plenty of space to elaborate on the characters warmly introduced here including his assistant Miss Veronica Hobbes, forward-thinking and more than a little kick-ass herself, and Sir Charles Bainbridge - the buff Scotland Yard Detective with a surprise stick, not to mention her Royal Highness making what might be, in many hands, a simple reporting-to-one's-superiors scene rather more disturbing. I will watch for the next one with interest.
Next up Pandaemonium by Brookmyre.
Next up Pandaemonium by Brookmyre.
So basically the screen play for the new Sherlock Holmes film? =)
Doesn't a 'Sir Bainbridge' seem just a little too cliche?
Doesn't a 'Sir Bainbridge' seem just a little too cliche?
Well sort of but not really - SH was set in a (more-or-less) believable London; The Affinity Bridge has steam-powered ground trains, clockwork automatons and 'zombies'...and the Watson character is female. I guess it's difficult to do a gentleman detective in Victorian London without referenceing Holmes.
As for Bainbridge - if it ain't broke...
As for Bainbridge - if it ain't broke...
QUOTE(DanSon @ 28-Apr-10, 18:39)
So basically the screen play for the new Sherlock Holmes film? =)
Doesn't a 'Sir Bainbridge' seem just a little too cliche?
Doesn't a 'Sir Bainbridge' seem just a little too cliche?
It's also less...irreverent? Than the film. I think the second book "The Osiris Ritual" is much better-(Not so many loose ends and fun extra characters) -but he really has done interesting things with the setting.
I spent a lot of time reading over our holiday. Some of the best:
1) The final two in Jim Butcher's "Codex Alera". Fun, funny, and really good fantasy. And I read them on the iPad and only once or twice was annoyed at typo/page turning issues, so hooray for Apple.
2) "The Age of Wonder" 18th century scientific shenanigans. Loved it.
3) "Sophia Tolstoy's Diaries" I had no idea Tolstoy was such an ass.
4) "Wolf Hall". Definitely worth the read. I was sad when it ended--I would have quite cheerfully followed along with further historical fiction goodness.
There were a few more books, but those are the ones that stand out for now.
Hey - hope nicaragua was excellent. I'm still on my Far Eastern travels (KL now) but back on Sunday.
Butcher sounds like my thing. Will add it to my list of fiction to check out once I'm over my non-fiction phase (boring I know - been about 2 years...).
"I was sad when it ended" - wonderful. Do you have some a librarything list of such books? I think I've only experienced this once or twice. The first time I went back and read entire trilogy again and still loved it. (It was Eddings'...I was young...)
So did Pete buy one iPad or two? =)
Butcher sounds like my thing. Will add it to my list of fiction to check out once I'm over my non-fiction phase (boring I know - been about 2 years...).
"I was sad when it ended" - wonderful. Do you have some a librarything list of such books? I think I've only experienced this once or twice. The first time I went back and read entire trilogy again and still loved it. (It was Eddings'...I was young...)
So did Pete buy one iPad or two? =)
Hmmm, I do have a "favourite" tag on librarything, but my criteria for favourite can vary.
He bought one iPad, but I bought TWO books on it. It was so easy. That is very, very bad. So far, it's the best interface for me. Oh dear.
He bought one iPad, but I bought TWO books on it. It was so easy. That is very, very bad. So far, it's the best interface for me. Oh dear.
QUOTE(Jennie @ 5-May-10, 13:17)
Hmmm, I do have a "favourite" tag on librarything, but my criteria for favourite can vary.
He bought one iPad, but I bought TWO books on it. It was so easy. That is very, very bad. So far, it's the best interface for me. Oh dear.
He bought one iPad, but I bought TWO books on it. It was so easy. That is very, very bad. So far, it's the best interface for me. Oh dear.
Nooooo, I don't want it to be good! I like books! Paper books that I can fill my house with, trip over, break the spine of, lend to people and never get back, borrow from people and never give back, give as gifts, receive as gifts, treasure, give to my children.
CDs, DVDs, Blu-Ray - I don't care about. I will happily download all my music and films from now on and will not shed a tear for those formats.
But Apple/Amazon/Sony can keep their filthy no-good hands off my books (and any books I will ever want to buy in the future).
That is all.
Don't worry Jonnyboy; it's still far from ideal (formatting issues and occasional annoyance with page turning), and the books are far, far too expensive. It is genius for watching youtube videos and fiddling around on the web, though.
I was much happier to come home to about ten real books sent for review.
On that note, I now have different/enormous postcards for the sister website of bookgeeks--anyone want one?
I was much happier to come home to about ten real books sent for review.
On that note, I now have different/enormous postcards for the sister website of bookgeeks--anyone want one?
Yes please.
Jennie - do you review on Amazon as well? Got yourself one of those 'Top Reviewer' tags? =)
I'll have a postcard if you're offering.
I don't think that we'll ever have full conversion to UltraWord ™ but I'm pretty sure they'll figure out the niggles soon enough to make e-books too damn accessible to ignore completely.
We'll be like vinyl enthusiasts Jon.
I don't think that we'll ever have full conversion to UltraWord ™ but I'm pretty sure they'll figure out the niggles soon enough to make e-books too damn accessible to ignore completely.
We'll be like vinyl enthusiasts Jon.
Jboy, done. Mike, I appear to have lost your address. Email me?
I have just begun "We have to talk about Kevin" which is a book I've been meaning to read for ages, but waited long enough to get for free. so far, just as excellent as I was expecting.
I spent the day in bed with a cold yesterday, and the temptation to buy books in the iBookstore was almost unbearable. Can't leave home? But can still buy books and have them instantly delivered? It's a good thing I was too lazy to hit the "buy" button--and too cheap to pay 12 bucks for an ebook.
I have just begun "We have to talk about Kevin" which is a book I've been meaning to read for ages, but waited long enough to get for free. so far, just as excellent as I was expecting.
I spent the day in bed with a cold yesterday, and the temptation to buy books in the iBookstore was almost unbearable. Can't leave home? But can still buy books and have them instantly delivered? It's a good thing I was too lazy to hit the "buy" button--and too cheap to pay 12 bucks for an ebook.
The Damned Utd
Synopsis: In 1974 Brian Clough became manager of Leeds United, Champions of England. This was unusual as Clough had been an outspoken critic of Leeds and their previous manager Don Revie, saying they were a dirty team and in effect had cheated their way to the top. Clough took over on the premis that he could win things in a 'better', more fair way. The book simultaneously chronicles Clough's rise from player up to successful manager of Derby County.
Verdict: A great book. I wouldn't say you necessarily have to be a football fan to read it, but it probably helps. The action and dialogue has to be taken with a pinch of salt as this is a work of fiction based on real events. Clough's family were apparently not very pleased with the book/film and effectively disowned it. All I really knew about Clough beforehand was that he was a maverick, won top honours with Derby and Forest, and had a long running battle with drink. Some things I wasn't aware of though. For example he was a highly successful and prolific striker in his day, and his career was prematurely ended by injury. He only played twice for England. He was allegedly 'the best manager England never had', being far too controversial for the FA. At the time he expected to take over (1974) the post was given to his bitter rival Don Revie.
It is a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a unique character and goes some way to explaining what drove and motivated him. Haven't seen the film yet but will do for a compare/contrast.
8.5/10
Synopsis: In 1974 Brian Clough became manager of Leeds United, Champions of England. This was unusual as Clough had been an outspoken critic of Leeds and their previous manager Don Revie, saying they were a dirty team and in effect had cheated their way to the top. Clough took over on the premis that he could win things in a 'better', more fair way. The book simultaneously chronicles Clough's rise from player up to successful manager of Derby County.
Verdict: A great book. I wouldn't say you necessarily have to be a football fan to read it, but it probably helps. The action and dialogue has to be taken with a pinch of salt as this is a work of fiction based on real events. Clough's family were apparently not very pleased with the book/film and effectively disowned it. All I really knew about Clough beforehand was that he was a maverick, won top honours with Derby and Forest, and had a long running battle with drink. Some things I wasn't aware of though. For example he was a highly successful and prolific striker in his day, and his career was prematurely ended by injury. He only played twice for England. He was allegedly 'the best manager England never had', being far too controversial for the FA. At the time he expected to take over (1974) the post was given to his bitter rival Don Revie.
It is a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a unique character and goes some way to explaining what drove and motivated him. Haven't seen the film yet but will do for a compare/contrast.
8.5/10
Is it just me or is Pandaemonium not very good? I know Brookmyre books are usually of two halves so to speak but I'm having real trouble mustering up the enthusiasm to finish this one.
Eh, no, I agree, it's only okay--I mean, I enjoyed it, but I didn't want to go out and get my own copy or even, really, check it out again from the library. But, the ending did make me feel a bit better about it, so I would recommend powering through to the end.
It picked up a bit at the end it's true, still; a poor attempt - I'm not sure he's been on form since AFAG. This is a shame.
Pandaemonium
Group of Scottish, Catholic School teens go on a retreat to try and make sense of the murder of a classmate and the sucide of the pupil responsible. Nearby the US Army and the Vatican have opened a portal letting daemon-like creatures into our world. There will be blood. But not until you've spent two thirds of the book wading through various views on Catholisism and teenagerdom, from far too many characters who won't make it further than 5 minutes once it hit the fan.
Still, the violence is nice. 2/5
Pandaemonium
Group of Scottish, Catholic School teens go on a retreat to try and make sense of the murder of a classmate and the sucide of the pupil responsible. Nearby the US Army and the Vatican have opened a portal letting daemon-like creatures into our world. There will be blood. But not until you've spent two thirds of the book wading through various views on Catholisism and teenagerdom, from far too many characters who won't make it further than 5 minutes once it hit the fan.
Still, the violence is nice. 2/5
QUOTE
I'm not sure he's been on form since AFAG. This is a shame.
AFAG was a pretty high bar. It has to be my favorite Brookmyre.
While I'm here I might as well give a micro review of the last book I read A Dirty Job by the guy who wrote Lamb and whose name slips my mind right now. It was very funny, if a little weird and wandering towards the end, which I have been informed is a trait of <insert author's name here>. Still I enjoyed it a lot and liked the guy's style and the whole Beta Male idea. Also having spent some unexpected time recently in San Francisco (where this is set) the familiarity added something I'm sure.
Good.
Christopher Moore? I wasn't impressed with either of the books I read.
And by the way: Hurrah I'm no longer Dave again. Rock on.
And by the way: Hurrah I'm no longer Dave again. Rock on.
Just a small announcement. The website I review for is having a contest that wraps up at the end of August. There are prizes (50£ worth of book tokens for first and a bundle of new books with more for second etc). If you're interested, you don't need to do anything except go to bookhugger.co.uk and go to the contests section. It's the "book hugger summer draw". I think.
On the reading front, really enjoying the newest Celine Kiernan I picked up and looking forward to the new Brian Thompson.
On the reading front, really enjoying the newest Celine Kiernan I picked up and looking forward to the new Brian Thompson.
Thanks Jennie.
On a related note; Jess bought Fire on the weekend and we noticed among the complientary review quotes, one from bookgeeks; something along the lines of 'Fire is fresh and interesting and will leave readers eager for more stories'...
You've been quoted Jennie. Is this new and shiny or does it happen to you all the time nowadays?
PS Please bring Fallout 3 expansions to Dartmouth. Thank-you please.
On a related note; Jess bought Fire on the weekend and we noticed among the complientary review quotes, one from bookgeeks; something along the lines of 'Fire is fresh and interesting and will leave readers eager for more stories'...
You've been quoted Jennie. Is this new and shiny or does it happen to you all the time nowadays?
PS Please bring Fallout 3 expansions to Dartmouth. Thank-you please.
QUOTE(King @ 24-Aug-10, 7:37)
Thanks Jennie.
On a related note; Jess bought Fire on the weekend and we noticed among the complientary review quotes, one from bookgeeks; something along the lines of 'Fire is fresh and interesting and will leave readers eager for more stories'...
You've been quoted Jennie. Is this new and shiny or does it happen to you all the time nowadays?
PS Please bring Fallout 3 expansions to Dartmouth. Thank-you please.
On a related note; Jess bought Fire on the weekend and we noticed among the complientary review quotes, one from bookgeeks; something along the lines of 'Fire is fresh and interesting and will leave readers eager for more stories'...
You've been quoted Jennie. Is this new and shiny or does it happen to you all the time nowadays?
PS Please bring Fallout 3 expansions to Dartmouth. Thank-you please.
Oh, eh, wow. No, I don't get quoted that often (this may make three?). Thanks for telling me. I'll have to go track down a copy and stare at it. I can bring Graceling down (the prequel to Fire) if Jess would like. Fallout is already packed.
I have a couple other books in mind that she might like as well.
That'd be very nice, thank-you. Jess will no doubt bring her copy of Fire to read this weekend so you can see then if you can't find one to check beforehand.
Can't wait.
Can't wait.
I found Fire & Graceling most entertaining; even if the heroines of both books spent quite a lot of time feeling sorry for themselves, and look forward to spending some more time in their world but wouldn't say that they will hang around for long in my braincase. Easy reading.
Currently reading some relatively easy-going sci-fi: Sporting Chance by Elizabeth Moon is the 2nd in a series I found in a charity shop about the female starship captain Heris Serrano. It benefits from the author's experiences in the US Marine Corps and her obvious love of horses (an unusual but interesting inclusion in a sci-fi novel).
Next up: The next Culture novel from Iain M Banks - can't wait (it is another huge one).
Currently reading some relatively easy-going sci-fi: Sporting Chance by Elizabeth Moon is the 2nd in a series I found in a charity shop about the female starship captain Heris Serrano. It benefits from the author's experiences in the US Marine Corps and her obvious love of horses (an unusual but interesting inclusion in a sci-fi novel).
Next up: The next Culture novel from Iain M Banks - can't wait (it is another huge one).
Start review.
Just discovered Martin Amis and am reading Money. What a frickin' genius this dude is.
End review.
Just discovered Martin Amis and am reading Money. What a frickin' genius this dude is.
End review.
Also wondered if you peeps discovered this Tim Burton collective writing project on Twitter. If any of you are familiar with his work and want to take a stab at being included in his upcoming book about coff 'Stainboy', tweet away...
News Story
Twitter hash thing - #BurtonStory
News Story
Twitter hash thing - #BurtonStory
I will be passing out 48 copies of "Love in the Time of Cholera" for World Books Night. Yay.
In more book news, I just read "Return to Ribblestrop", and it was lovely.
In more book news, I just read "Return to Ribblestrop", and it was lovely.
Not my favourite Marquez but an excellent novel nonetheless; the world will be better for 48 more copies, nice one.
Ribblestrop? How could a book with such a title fail? I'll have to check it out.
Has ayone read Rivers of London? About a trainee copper who takes a statement from a ghost causing hm to be allocated to the Met's supernatural depatment, consisting of him and the last wizard in Britain.
Sounds interesting to me.
Ribblestrop? How could a book with such a title fail? I'll have to check it out.
Has ayone read Rivers of London? About a trainee copper who takes a statement from a ghost causing hm to be allocated to the Met's supernatural depatment, consisting of him and the last wizard in Britain.
Sounds interesting to me.
King - sounds like The Dresden Files by the same author that Jennie recommended to me (Jim Butcher). Jennie did you ever read that series?
By the way - I couldn't wait - have bought Codex Alera book 2 and will be probably buying the whole series as my brother has started reading it and so has my friend Nittai =) When I buy the last few books you'll be welcome to borrow them (unless you got to book 3 and got bored?)
By the way - I couldn't wait - have bought Codex Alera book 2 and will be probably buying the whole series as my brother has started reading it and so has my friend Nittai =) When I buy the last few books you'll be welcome to borrow them (unless you got to book 3 and got bored?)
QUOTE(DanSon @ 2-Feb-11, 0:45)
King - sounds like The Dresden Files by the same author that Jennie recommended to me (Jim Butcher). Jennie did you ever read that series?
By the way - I couldn't wait - have bought Codex Alera book 2 and will be probably buying the whole series as my brother has started reading it and so has my friend Nittai =) When I buy the last few books you'll be welcome to borrow them (unless you got to book 3 and got bored?)
By the way - I couldn't wait - have bought Codex Alera book 2 and will be probably buying the whole series as my brother has started reading it and so has my friend Nittai =) When I buy the last few books you'll be welcome to borrow them (unless you got to book 3 and got bored?)
Oh no, I've read them all! A few times.
I just have some of them on the iPad. Because we were in Nicaragua, and I finished the third one, and I have no self control. I've read some of the Dresden Files. I don't like them as much, they seem to lose some of the fun I find in the Codex Alera. They were turned into an excellent one-season only tv series though.King, I'll have to check that book out. It sounds excellent. And yes, Ribblestrop is made of win.
aHah! that does explain it and it allays one of the worries I had about you stopping halfway through the series 
Am finishing off the final 'dragon tattoo' book then will be back in Alera until I feel Pratchett needs an outing. Good times ahead.
Am finishing off the final 'dragon tattoo' book then will be back in Alera until I feel Pratchett needs an outing. Good times ahead.
I recently finished Transistions by Iain Banks. Despite the lack of an M this is distinctly sci-fi-y. But I enjoyed it immensely despite the rather disappointingly weak ending - the rest of the book is fascinating.
Now on to All Clear (Connie Wells) (thanks Jennie) which is proving just as captivating as Blackout.
Now on to All Clear (Connie Wells) (thanks Jennie) which is proving just as captivating as Blackout.
I think Mr Banks is in need of a stronger editor; I’ve not been blown away by any of his recent books (whilst still enjoying them enormously) as I have been in the past. In fact Dead Air (2002) is the last book of his I really, really like and Inversions (1998) or maybe Look to Windward (2000) of his SF ones: The Algebraist, Matter and Surface Detail are all a bit too noodley, a bit too concerned with the details of his world and not enough with its characters – too much space, not enough opera.
Having said that I’ve come to appreciate The Algebraist more as time goes by…
Still Transition was fun.
I’m in a bit of a hiatus at the mo: I finished The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde soon after Christmas (enjoyable – a mix of Thursday Next and Diana Wynne Jones), and the latest Temeraire book after that (boring – we want Napoleonic wars with dragons, not Walkabout with dragons). Since then I’ve been lent some Clive Cussler books to read (I was caught reading The Eagle Has Landed and for some reason Jess’s Nan insisted I should read Cussler…), which so far haven’t ignited any brain cells.
Anyway I’m going to the library on Saturday to take out my allocation of books to support Save Libraries Day so suggest stuff I’ll like that my library ( http://www.surreylibraries.org ) will have and I’ll try it (obviously I’ve been taking notes and will try for Ribblestrop et al but still…)
Having said that I’ve come to appreciate The Algebraist more as time goes by…
Still Transition was fun.
I’m in a bit of a hiatus at the mo: I finished The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde soon after Christmas (enjoyable – a mix of Thursday Next and Diana Wynne Jones), and the latest Temeraire book after that (boring – we want Napoleonic wars with dragons, not Walkabout with dragons). Since then I’ve been lent some Clive Cussler books to read (I was caught reading The Eagle Has Landed and for some reason Jess’s Nan insisted I should read Cussler…), which so far haven’t ignited any brain cells.
Anyway I’m going to the library on Saturday to take out my allocation of books to support Save Libraries Day so suggest stuff I’ll like that my library ( http://www.surreylibraries.org ) will have and I’ll try it (obviously I’ve been taking notes and will try for Ribblestrop et al but still…)
QUOTE
Since then I’ve been lent some Clive Cussler books to read (I was caught reading The Eagle Has Landed and for some reason Jess’s Nan insisted I should read Cussler…), which so far haven’t ignited any brain cells.
I can reliably inform you that Cussler will never ignite your brain cells. If that's what you are looking for then you are wasting your time. However they are near-perfect 'lazing on a beach in the sun' fodder.
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