What are you reading (2014)?

[Vince, Pt. II]

Seems about time for a new thread.

Just got finished reading Hugh Howey's Wool. Wow, pretty fantastic book. Sci-fi, post-apocalyptic book with a compelling world, characters that are easy to relate to and a pretty great story. The end was the weakest part, but it wasn't bad. I'd highly recommend it.

Also recently finished reading Stephen King's Desperation. Not having read TOO much King (It, The Stand, The Long Walk and all of the Dark Tower), this seems like a perfect example of his bread and butter: cheap, easy horror with more than a bit of the supernatural. Not that any of this is a bad thing. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[flere-imsaho]

Recently read The Years of Rice & Salt by Kim Stanley Robinson (who you might remember as the guy who wrote the 3-book Mars series - i.e. Red Mars, Green Mars, Blue Mars.

Excellent book. The basic concept is alternative history starting with the premise that the Black Death wiped out 99% of Europe. It's tied together by having the group of main characters reincarnate regularly as history advances, and ends up around the time of modern day.

Reminded me a lot, in terms of style and spectacle, of Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie.

[Grover]

Just finished reading both The Road by McCarthy and Matheson's I am Legend.

I'm currently about halfway through David Mitchell's Cloud Atlas

[Chief Rum]

You on some post-apocalyptic kick?

[albionmoonlight]

Wool was really good. Very much enjoyed the somewhat unique world built there.

I am mostly through Broom of the System now. Basically, it feels--more than I thought it would--like a proto version of Infinite Jest Had I not known that they were by the same author, I would have figured it out very quickly.

[Desnudo]

Set in "Fortress Britain" where there is an intact military and government structure, the Arisen series is a fast-paced set of books focused more on military activity than individual character development. Feels realistic and tense throughout. First book is free.

Amazon.com: Arisen, Book One - Fortress Britain eBook: Glynn James, Michael Stephen Fuchs: Books

[Warhammer]

Currently reading ten Years After by Dumas.

[britrock88]

Still roughly 25-33% of the way through The Republic and The Brothers Karamazov. Someone push me forward...

[Qwikshot]

So I went on a binge and read some Southwest mystery Johnny Shaw's "Dove Season" and its follow-up "Plaster City". However, I think he may have written himself into a corner, it was a good enjoyable romp. Dark in certain areas, but hilarious in others. I would recommend, as they were light reads and well paced.

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by Warhammer

Currently reading ten Years After by Dumas.

I believe my wife is reading that right now, too.

SI

[Grover]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

You on some post-apocalyptic kick?

Seems that way. I want to read No Country For Old Men next though, which deviates from that and I've had someone recommend Infinite Jest

[bbor]

Anyone ever read any good hardboiled detective/PI series?

I'm searching for a new one.

Joe Nesbo,Harlen Coben type......

[timmae]

Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi. Great insider look at business networking and about what actually matters versus just schmoozing. I am about 10 years too late but better now than never.

[albionmoonlight]

Originally Posted by bbor

Anyone ever read any good hardboiled detective/PI series?

I'm searching for a new one.

Joe Nesbo,Harlen Coben type......

The Dave Robicheaux series by James Lee Burke.

[Chief Rum]

I have been all over the map of late, reading when I can. Over the past 4-5 months, here is what I have finished:

The Monkey's Raincoat and Stalking The Angel by Robert Crais. These are the first two of the Elvis Cole/Joe Pike novels. This has some mix of detective elements versus bad guy ass kickery. I enjoy the characters so far. I figure to give the books in this series a whirl, but there are a lot of them. These first two were written in the late 80s. They didn't feel super-dated, though, which is good.

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman. This one was the sort of thing Gaiman does best, that kind of mystical, wistful combo, shades of American Gods, but in England and with a lot less cynicism and straight evil. More of a novella. I liked it because it is different, but I think it's one of those where you'll like it if you like Gaiman, but as an intro to him, not so much.

Blue Remembered Earth by Alastair Reynolds. Reynolds is one of the best around for hard fiction, and I am a big fan. Most of his stuff is off the charts weird, but this one is set in the fairly near future (within 200 years), so the tech stuff he does is not as off-putting (although he can't ever avoid it altogether, he has some water creature/former humans thing going on here which is typical Reynolds extreme stuff). This story was really interesting and kept you moving, even if Reynolds dawdles a little too long at spots showing off stuff. Apparently it's the first of a series, and the second novel is out, so I might pick that up, too.

Lord of the Mountains by S.M. Stirling. This is the penultimate book of the Emberverse series based around Artos the High King. The series NBC ripped off with Revolution. I actually got a little tired of Stirling's universe in the prior book, Tears of the Sun, because all of the characters just seemed too perfect and pre-ordained for godliness. I guess that didn't really change, but I enjoyed this one better anyway. It's a good bridge to the final battle in the last book (which is out, but I am not buying hardcover).

The King's Deception by Steve Berry. I normally love Berry's work, because he is kinda like Dan Brown, but with more research into the history he bases his stuff on, and less egotistical pretentiousness in his writing. My favorite chapter is always at the end, where Berry lays out his research and says what is real, what is surmised and what is completely his fiction. Also, this was based around Henry the VIII and the first Queen Elizabeth, which is a time period I enjoy. But frankly, this one was a bit of a letdown. The historical stuff was impeccable, but the story just wasn't very exciting, IMO. Usually I can draw conclusions from the history and totally get behind how it leads to the drama happening in the novel, but this one was a lot more flimsy and the bad guys weak and illogical.

A Republic of Thieves by Scott Lynch. It is great to have Lynch back, with his third novel from the Gentlemen Bastards (i.e. Locke Lamora) series finally out. And there was a lot of typical Lamora greatness in this one. I always love the banter. Lynch writes good, humorous dialogue, and when he is writing with the main characters and their story, it's terrific. He is starting to work in his over arching story arc, though, and I am uncertain right now how this one is going to go. This one was much more dark and biting (which, curiously, I wonder reflects Lynch's real life stuff, as I understand part of the delay was a bout of depression where he contemplated suicide). I think this is a necessary read if you like this series, of course, but it's not going to be quite the same experience as Lies or Red Skies.

I am currently reading two books, one while at the gym and one while at home.

Guilt by Jonathan Kellerman. The latest Alex Delaware-Milo Sturgis cops & murderers mystery that has reached paperback. It's a good read so far, but Kellerman is really good at turning this stuff out. His characters are well fleshed out by now and it's fun to read them in their roles figuring out whodunits. This is no different. But I am only half way through.

Never Go Back by Lee Child. The most recent paperback edition of the Jack Reacher series. I am particularly liking this one. I always like Reacher books, just badass through and through. Don't be put off the series by the relatively forgettable Tom Cruise movie. The movie is a by the numbers action flick, but Reacher as a written character is spectacular fun and his perspective is unique, I have found. This specific novel is kinda the culmination of a three novel over-arching arc, which is not something Child has done a lot with the Reacher series (most of the novels are more or less stand alones, like Reacher lol). I suspect the way the story goes, actually, that this is not the last novel in this story arc, but it's the first in the "now it's a real story arc" stretch. Once again, only halfway through and intrigued to see where it ends up.

[BYU 14]

I usually have 2-3 e books in rotation, currently reading.

The New York Diaries of John T Smith 1884-1894 - A light read, but still extremely interesting in that it is the actual daily diary of a John Smith, written between the ages of 16-26, it chronicles the daily activities of growing up in privilege in Victorian era New York. This gem was discovered in an attic in 2009 and provides great insight into that time period as he was extremely active socially (sports, plays, politics, etc)

Universal Baseball Association: J Henry Waugh Prop - Last read this Robert Coover classic 12+ years ago, just felt like re-reading it for no specific reason. I am sure most here are familiar with it.

The Last Outlaw - I always have one sports book in my rotation and Stan Hansen's autobiography is the current one. Always have been a big fan or 80's wrestling and have read several autobiographies from stars of the era. Wrestling that time was so protected and I always enjoy the road stories and insight into what a grind it could be in the territory days.

[The Jackal]

Originally Posted by flere-imsaho

Recently read The Years of Rice & Salt by Kim Stanley Robinson (who you might remember as the guy who wrote the 3-book Mars series - i.e. Red Mars, Green Mars, Blue Mars.

Excellent book. The basic concept is alternative history starting with the premise that the Black Death wiped out 99% of Europe. It's tied together by having the group of main characters reincarnate regularly as history advances, and ends up around the time of modern day.

Reminded me a lot, in terms of style and spectacle, of Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie.

Someone recommended that book to me recently, I think I'll get it.

[The Jackal]

Currently I'm on book 8 of The Wheel of Time. That series has pretty much taken up all my reading time this year so far.

[terpkristin]

I'm currently reading The Martian with the Sword & Laser book club. I'm not really digging it, though not because of any of its inaccuracies or anything, more just that I'm bored. There are only so many times you can cycle through "man faces adversity, man triumphs over adversity, rinse, repeat" before it gets super old.

I'm also listening to Siege Perilous, the 5th (and final) book in the Mongoliad series, which was a joint writing adventure from a lot of well-known (and some less well-known) fantasy and historical fiction authors. The series as a whole could have and should have been better, but this book is particularly bad.

I'm also reading the Sword and Laser Anthology, a collection of short stories curated by the S&L book club founders (Tom Merritt and Veronica Belmont), stories written by various members of the S&L audience.

And I've got Flash Boys started, but it's easy to pick up and read in short bursts, so it's aside for now...

/tk

[bbor]

CR......Crais is a good find....i really enjoy his books.

[bbor]

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

The Dave Robicheaux series by James Lee Burke.

Thanks Albion....i'll give him a whirl.

[TroyF]

with a slightly longer commute now, I've decided to listen to the entire Discworld series on audio book. Through the first two thus far. World War Z complete Audio edition is simply a masterpiece by the way.

[Alan T]

Originally Posted by The Jackal

Currently I'm on book 8 of The Wheel of Time. That series has pretty much taken up all my reading time this year so far.

I just finished up this series recently myself.

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by TroyF

. World War Z complete Audio edition is simply a masterpiece by the way.

Agree with this wholeheartedly.

SI

[Alf]

Starting book 3 of "Game of Thrones". Haven't see the series at all, but the book is entertaining.

[terpkristin]

Originally Posted by terpkristin

I'm currently reading The Martian with the Sword & Laser book club. I'm not really digging it, though not because of any of its inaccuracies or anything, more just that I'm bored. There are only so many times you can cycle through "man faces adversity, man triumphs over adversity, rinse, repeat" before it gets super old.

I finished it. In the end, I was bored. I wrote my full review at Goodreads.

I actually have a question about one minor part of it. There was a part when some of the astronauts made a pact to commit suicide so that one of them could live, basically allow that final astronaut to use their rations and then...well, eat them. But the way they were planning to commit suicide was to OD on pain pills (morphine, I guess). If somebody killed themselves via OD, would they be toxic to anyone that tried to eat them? Asking for...uh...a friend...

/tk

[Vince, Pt. II]

Finished Shift and Dust, the second and third installment of Howey's Wool series. Great, great series. I'd highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys sci-fi.

Currently reading The Picture of Dorian Grey (Oscar Wilde) and Stardust (Neil Gaiman). Both are pretty great, though I'm not as all-in on Stardust as I usually am with Gaiman books (just about 100 pages in, plenty of time for it to grab me still).

[whomario]

Just caught up with the last 2 books in the Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher (No 13 and 14). Amazingly engaging series. Normally i am wary of "open ended" series like this, but this has definitely proven to be a real joy.

The way Butcher creates this "world within our world" is just a joy and the main character is incredibly well crafted. And it is definitely not required to love Fantasy to like the books, not anymore than it is required for Game of Thrones or Terry Pratchett.

15th in the series is out tomorrow btw

[johnnyshaka]

Originally Posted by Vince, Pt. II

Finished Shift and Dust, the second and third installment of Howey's Wool series. Great, great series. I'd highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys sci-fi.

Read all three installments over the last 2 months...fantastic reads, all of them.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by terpkristin

I'm currently reading The Martian with the Sword & Laser book club. I'm not really digging it, though not because of any of its inaccuracies or anything, more just that I'm bored. There are only so many times you can cycle through "man faces adversity, man triumphs over adversity, rinse, repeat" before it gets super old.

I am also currently reading The Martian and I think it's fantastic. Funny, gripping, interesting, well written, did I mention funny? I haven't finished it yet, but I'm enjoying it quite a bit.

I recently finished Lexicon, which is about a group of people who can use ancient words to make other people do things. It was pretty interesting. A neat concept well executed.

[Alf]

Originally Posted by Alf

Starting book 3 of "Game of Thrones". Haven't see the series at all, but the book is entertaining.

Starting Book 10 of the series. Tends to be a bit long to my taste and with so many characters you may spend a whole book without hearing from some of them. Still enjoying it though.

[SackAttack]

I read Ringo's "Council Wars" series last month. Also read "The Long Earth" by Terry Pratchett and some other fella.

Basically the rest of my reading up to this point this year has either been academic stuff for school, or re-readings of series like ASOIAF.

[Peregrine]

I've been reading Dreadnought by Robert K. Massie. It's really fascinating, an interlocking history of politicians and policies in (mostly) Britain and Germany in the 30-40 years leading up to the First World War. It's overall theme is the decisions that lead to the war and specifically the naval war/Battle of Jutland etc but I have learned so much about early twentieth century politics and diplomacy, it's been a great read.

Before that I read Midnight in Peking:How the Murder of a Young Englishwoman Haunted the Last Days of Old China by Paul French. It's kind of a true crime book but set in a fascinating time and place - Peking before it fell to the Japanese. I found it fascinating, both the horrible details of the crime and the investigations that took place but also French's description of what it was like to live in Peking as a westerner in those days. Definitely recommended.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Alf

Starting Book 10 of the series. Tends to be a bit long to my taste and with so many characters you may spend a whole book without hearing from some of them. Still enjoying it though.

Book 10?

[albionmoonlight]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Book 10?

I guess he's releasing them in France at a faster clip than America

[molson]

I think the series jumped the shark in book 9, all those lists of soup recipes. What was he thinking?

[flere-imsaho]

Yeah, we need to know more, Alf.

[SackAttack]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Book 10?

I suspect he may have meant to quote someone talking about WoT, not his own ASOIAF comment.

[SackAttack]

Or maybe he was posting in binary.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by molson

I think the series jumped the shark in book 9, all those lists of soup recipes. What was he thinking?

True. And I have never seen so many different ways to marinate a pheasant.

[flere-imsaho]

Or a peasant.