Salt-Man Z's reading journal: 2013+
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1saltmanz
CURRENTLY READING
The Weird ed. by Ann & Jeff VanderMeer - Bought this from Amazon with some Christmas money, and oh my gosh I think I'm in love. 110 stories spanning 100 years of Weird fiction, including names like Dunsany, Lovecraft, Kafka, Lieber, Borges, Peake, GRRM, Mieville, and like a billion others. I've just read the intros and a half dozen stories, but it's absolutely amazing.
The Weird ed. by Ann & Jeff VanderMeer - Bought this from Amazon with some Christmas money, and oh my gosh I think I'm in love. 110 stories spanning 100 years of Weird fiction, including names like Dunsany, Lovecraft, Kafka, Lieber, Borges, Peake, GRRM, Mieville, and like a billion others. I've just read the intros and a half dozen stories, but it's absolutely amazing.
2AHS-Wolfy
That's something I do want to get to but the size makes it so intimidating. @psutto from the category challenge group made it a year-long project and really whetted my appetite for it. Maybe in 2014.
3Sakerfalcon
That's on my wish list. I think I'd have to read one story a day or something.
4saltmanz
Yeah, I don't think you'd want to try grinding through the whole thing at once. I'm just doing maybe a story or two a day as I find the time. A lot of the stories are just a couple of pages (granted, they're large, two-columned, small-font pages) so it's not necessarily a huge commitment.
5The_Hibernator
I've been wanting to read The Weird too. :)
6saltmanz
I've got my year end awards up on my blog.
7saltmanz
FINISHED
Shardik by Richard Adams - My favorite book for over twenty years. Just finished it for the eleventh time. Still got it.
Shardik by Richard Adams - My favorite book for over twenty years. Just finished it for the eleventh time. Still got it.
8saltmanz
CURRENTLY READING
Ice Forged by Gail Z. Martin - Started this last night. Nothing noteworthy yet, but I do like the premise, so we'll see how it goes.
Ice Forged by Gail Z. Martin - Started this last night. Nothing noteworthy yet, but I do like the premise, so we'll see how it goes.
9reading_fox
Anyone know if the Weird is available as an ebook? Sounds fun - I like short stories. But also somewhat more of a tome than I'm prepared to carry.
11reading_fox
Thanks!
12Jim53
I remember being almost alone in liking Shardik all those years ago. IMHO it doesn't hold up as well as Watership Down, but that's just taste. I'll be lurking--anyone with Gene Wolfe on his best list must be watched!
13saltmanz
CURRENTLY READING
Ice Forged - I'm really getting into this one now. It's not a drop-everything-and-read-it book, but when I do pick it up, the pages just fly by and I find myself completely wrapped up in it.
Through the Wild Blue Wonder by Walt Kelly - This is the first volume of Fantagraphic's gorgeous reproduction of the complete Pogo comic strip, and it's simply made of amazing. I picked up the box set of volumes 1-2 with Christmas money (only $40 on Amazon!) and I am just in love with these books. I'm starting to find myself thinking in swamp dialect lately...
Ice Forged - I'm really getting into this one now. It's not a drop-everything-and-read-it book, but when I do pick it up, the pages just fly by and I find myself completely wrapped up in it.
Through the Wild Blue Wonder by Walt Kelly - This is the first volume of Fantagraphic's gorgeous reproduction of the complete Pogo comic strip, and it's simply made of amazing. I picked up the box set of volumes 1-2 with Christmas money (only $40 on Amazon!) and I am just in love with these books. I'm starting to find myself thinking in swamp dialect lately...
14Jim53
We had a collection of Pogo strips when I was growing up. Great stuff. I'll have to see if my folks still have it.
15saltmanz
CURRENTLY READING
The Weird: "The Aleph" by Jorge Luis Borges - I got the hankering to read more Borges yesterday, and since the collection I was currently reading had a new (to me) Borges story in it, I dove right in. And I must say, it was wonderful, weird, and a little sad.
The Weird: "The Aleph" by Jorge Luis Borges - I got the hankering to read more Borges yesterday, and since the collection I was currently reading had a new (to me) Borges story in it, I dove right in. And I must say, it was wonderful, weird, and a little sad.
16saltmanz
FINISHED
Ice Forged - This was exactly what I was hoping for when I requested the ARC: an enjoyable, competently-written fantasy adventure by an established author. She did a couple of different things in this book that were new to me, and so I found them rather intriguing: The first was the inclusion of vampires in a fantasy world; normally (to me) vampires are fantastical additions to real-world settings, so this was interesting. Apparently she uses them in her other series, but this was a first for me. I wasn't planning on liking them, but I couldn't help myself. Secondly (and this is the thing that drew me to the book in the first place) was the idea of the classic end-of-the-world Armageddon scenario, but in a fantasy world; a kind of magical mutually-assured-destruction thing.
CURRENTLY READING
Blood and Bone by Ian C. Esslemont - Got tired of waiting for my next LTER book to show up, so I started this last night, and I'm liking it so far after the prologue. It's showing promise, which is par for the course with an ICE book. (What he does with that promise remains, as always, to be seen.) It's interesting that it seems to take place during or shortly prior to Stonewielder.
Ice Forged - This was exactly what I was hoping for when I requested the ARC: an enjoyable, competently-written fantasy adventure by an established author. She did a couple of different things in this book that were new to me, and so I found them rather intriguing: The first was the inclusion of vampires in a fantasy world; normally (to me) vampires are fantastical additions to real-world settings, so this was interesting. Apparently she uses them in her other series, but this was a first for me. I wasn't planning on liking them, but I couldn't help myself. Secondly (and this is the thing that drew me to the book in the first place) was the idea of the classic end-of-the-world Armageddon scenario, but in a fantasy world; a kind of magical mutually-assured-destruction thing.
CURRENTLY READING
Blood and Bone by Ian C. Esslemont - Got tired of waiting for my next LTER book to show up, so I started this last night, and I'm liking it so far after the prologue. It's showing promise, which is par for the course with an ICE book. (What he does with that promise remains, as always, to be seen.) It's interesting that it seems to take place during or shortly prior to Stonewielder.
17Sakerfalcon
I have 3 books of Gail Z. Martin's first series, which I think I'm going to have to move up the Tbr pile, based on your opinion of this later book. Sounds interesting.
18Narilka
I'm slowly working my way through Erikson's Malazan books. Does ICE do as good a job writing wise? I picked up a copy of Return of the Crimson Guard but thought I would wait until I finish the 10 book series so it could be a while.
19saltmanz
Opinions on ICE are wildly divided. Some people like his stuff because he doesn't do any of the philosophizing or flowery literary stuff that SE does; some think his stuff is the worse for it.
My own opinion is that he's a decent enough writer who suffers by the comparison to SE. His stuff shines when he's tackling content that's brand new to the series (like the previously-unvisited Korel continent in Stonewielder) but not so effective when handling threads passed to him by SE (Orb Sceptre Throne). His writing is decent, not anything particularly special, and generally his craft improves with each book he writes. He tends to be both more straightforward in his writing than SE, but also, frustratingly, more obtuse and cryptic and vague, with his endings in particular suffering as a result from "Wait, what just happened"-itis. Still, if you're a fan of the world, and want to see it fleshed out more, his books are must-reads. In relation to the Book of the Fallen, the only one that really needs to be read is Return of the Crimson Guard, which has major implications for the Empire, some of which are spoiled in passing in Dust of Dreams.
My own opinion is that he's a decent enough writer who suffers by the comparison to SE. His stuff shines when he's tackling content that's brand new to the series (like the previously-unvisited Korel continent in Stonewielder) but not so effective when handling threads passed to him by SE (Orb Sceptre Throne). His writing is decent, not anything particularly special, and generally his craft improves with each book he writes. He tends to be both more straightforward in his writing than SE, but also, frustratingly, more obtuse and cryptic and vague, with his endings in particular suffering as a result from "Wait, what just happened"-itis. Still, if you're a fan of the world, and want to see it fleshed out more, his books are must-reads. In relation to the Book of the Fallen, the only one that really needs to be read is Return of the Crimson Guard, which has major implications for the Empire, some of which are spoiled in passing in Dust of Dreams.
20saltmanz
FINISHED
Pogo: Through the Wild Blue Wonder by Walt Kelly - Not really much to say here. An absolutely wonderful and charming collection, given an amazing treatment by Fantagraphics.
CURRENTLY READING
Pogo: Bona Fide Balderdash by Walt Kelly - The second volume. More of the same, which is the highest possible compliment.
Blood and Bone - About halfway through, and I'm really enjoying it. His books are so much more enjoyable when he's exploring a previously-unseen continent (as in Stonewielder.)
Pogo: Through the Wild Blue Wonder by Walt Kelly - Not really much to say here. An absolutely wonderful and charming collection, given an amazing treatment by Fantagraphics.
CURRENTLY READING
Pogo: Bona Fide Balderdash by Walt Kelly - The second volume. More of the same, which is the highest possible compliment.
Blood and Bone - About halfway through, and I'm really enjoying it. His books are so much more enjoyable when he's exploring a previously-unseen continent (as in Stonewielder.)
21saltmanz
My review for Gail Z. Martin's Ice Forged is now up.
22saltmanz
CURRENTLY READING
The Weird: "The People of the Pit" by A. Merritt - I'd never read anything by Merritt (though I once entered a Member Giveaway for one of his books, which is how he got on my radar) but this was good. Nice and creepy. Fairly Lovecraftian before Lovecraft, which was interesting.
The Weird: "The People of the Pit" by A. Merritt - I'd never read anything by Merritt (though I once entered a Member Giveaway for one of his books, which is how he got on my radar) but this was good. Nice and creepy. Fairly Lovecraftian before Lovecraft, which was interesting.
23saltmanz
FINISHED
The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli - Downloaded this for free on my Kindle; I had read it in college (15 years ago!) and remembered liking it, so I give it another whirl. It's nothing like I remember, and most of the history went right over my head, but it was still surprisingly interesting.
Blood and Bone by Ian C. Esslemont - Other than sort of fizzling at the end and being unnecessarily vague (as has been par for the course with ICE), I really enjoyed this one. Not sure if it's better than Stonewielder, but at worst I call it a tie for the best book he's written. Love how it tied in with both Stonewielder and The Crippled God, and am looking forward to seeing how he wraps his series up in November.
CURRENTLY READING
Cold Days by Jim Butcher - I just got back from the library with my latest Dresden fix. Awwww yeah.
The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli - Downloaded this for free on my Kindle; I had read it in college (15 years ago!) and remembered liking it, so I give it another whirl. It's nothing like I remember, and most of the history went right over my head, but it was still surprisingly interesting.
Blood and Bone by Ian C. Esslemont - Other than sort of fizzling at the end and being unnecessarily vague (as has been par for the course with ICE), I really enjoyed this one. Not sure if it's better than Stonewielder, but at worst I call it a tie for the best book he's written. Love how it tied in with both Stonewielder and The Crippled God, and am looking forward to seeing how he wraps his series up in November.
CURRENTLY READING
Cold Days by Jim Butcher - I just got back from the library with my latest Dresden fix. Awwww yeah.
24saltmanz
FINISHED
Cold Days - Wow. Butcher's series just keeps getting better and better. Fourteen books in, and suddenly we start to get a glimpse of the real threat. Absolutely amazing.
Cold Days - Wow. Butcher's series just keeps getting better and better. Fourteen books in, and suddenly we start to get a glimpse of the real threat. Absolutely amazing.
25saltmanz
CURRENTLY READING
The Weird: "The Willows" by Algernon Blackwood - One of the best parts of this anthology (besides the fact that it is just plain awesome—and I mean that in the literal sense, not just the colloquial one) is that it lets me check out authors that I know I should read, but haven't gotten the chance to yet. Blackwood is one of them. "The Willows" is long, around 25 pages in this book, which would probably translate to over 50 pages in standard mass market format; the length gives it a nice, slow pace that really ups the creepiness factor—and this is a great, creepy tale.
The Weird: "The Willows" by Algernon Blackwood - One of the best parts of this anthology (besides the fact that it is just plain awesome—and I mean that in the literal sense, not just the colloquial one) is that it lets me check out authors that I know I should read, but haven't gotten the chance to yet. Blackwood is one of them. "The Willows" is long, around 25 pages in this book, which would probably translate to over 50 pages in standard mass market format; the length gives it a nice, slow pace that really ups the creepiness factor—and this is a great, creepy tale.
26Stillman
Heh, yeah that was my thought about Cold Days. I didn't think Butcher was at his best with this one, but I can't wait to see what he's does with what he's set up!
27saltmanz
@Stillman: Yeah, I've been second-guessing my star rating, which is the best I've given a Dresden book (the others have been either 3.5s or 4s.) I'd didn't like this one as much as, say, Death Masks, but it's the first one where I've finished it, set it aside with a huge exhale, and gone, "Holy CRAP." (Changes was close, though, with its "WTF?!" cliffhanger ending.) I'll concede the writing wasn't as solid as he's capable of, but the plot is just...well, it was game-changing is what it is. And that last line was fantastic.
28saltmanz
Oof! Catch-up time!
FINISHED
The Devil Delivered by Steven Erikson - Blew me away. It's like Erikson decided hey, why not just throw a little bit of everything in: Native Americans, nuclear war, Mars, the internet, ghosts, environmentalism, evolution, censorship, space elevators, global politics, blogging, human origins, hackers, plus a smattering of military action. I also found it to be positively terrifying.
Fishin' With Grandma Matchie by Steven Erikson - It took me a little bit to get used to the style, but then it became a fun and whimsical tale. Not sure what the point was, though.
Revolvo by Steven Erikson - Enjoyed this one, but absurdity just isn't my thing. It was hard to stop reading, though.
American Elsewhere by Robert Jackson Bennett - Speaking of hard to put down: I blew through this near-700-pager in two days. Absolutely phenomenal. Very creepy.
FINISHED
The Devil Delivered by Steven Erikson - Blew me away. It's like Erikson decided hey, why not just throw a little bit of everything in: Native Americans, nuclear war, Mars, the internet, ghosts, environmentalism, evolution, censorship, space elevators, global politics, blogging, human origins, hackers, plus a smattering of military action. I also found it to be positively terrifying.
Fishin' With Grandma Matchie by Steven Erikson - It took me a little bit to get used to the style, but then it became a fun and whimsical tale. Not sure what the point was, though.
Revolvo by Steven Erikson - Enjoyed this one, but absurdity just isn't my thing. It was hard to stop reading, though.
American Elsewhere by Robert Jackson Bennett - Speaking of hard to put down: I blew through this near-700-pager in two days. Absolutely phenomenal. Very creepy.
29Sakerfalcon
I saw another great review for American elsewhere yesterday. I might have to pick it up.
30saltmanz
JUST FINISHED
Archimedes' Claw by Theodore Morrison Homa - I got this in a bundle of books I won in a giveaway about a year ago, and I was really intrigued by it. It's not terrible, but I can't recommend it. It's a self-published novel about time travel that takes a hard left turn toward a Christian theme at the very end—which I would have been totally fine with had it been worked in a bit more smoothly.
CURRENTLY READING
Ex-Heroes by Peter Clines - Started this last night, and thanks to Daylight Savings lag, was able to get two-thirds of the way through. Wow. It's about a band of superheroes trying to protect an enclave of humanity in Los Angeles after the zombie apocalypse. It's so much fun. Great characters. Looking forward to finishing it up tonight after work, and crossing my fingers that I can win a copy of the sequel for March's Early Reviewers batch (I won this book in the February batch.)
Archimedes' Claw by Theodore Morrison Homa - I got this in a bundle of books I won in a giveaway about a year ago, and I was really intrigued by it. It's not terrible, but I can't recommend it. It's a self-published novel about time travel that takes a hard left turn toward a Christian theme at the very end—which I would have been totally fine with had it been worked in a bit more smoothly.
CURRENTLY READING
Ex-Heroes by Peter Clines - Started this last night, and thanks to Daylight Savings lag, was able to get two-thirds of the way through. Wow. It's about a band of superheroes trying to protect an enclave of humanity in Los Angeles after the zombie apocalypse. It's so much fun. Great characters. Looking forward to finishing it up tonight after work, and crossing my fingers that I can win a copy of the sequel for March's Early Reviewers batch (I won this book in the February batch.)
31saltmanz
JUST FINISHED
Ex-Heroes - Woo-hoo! This was an absolute blast.
CURRENTLY READING
Lord of Darkness by Robert Silverberg - Having just finished my February ER book, I next tackle January's (I'm still waiting for December's to arrive.) This is the rerelease of a 1983 historical fiction novel by sci-fi legend Robert Silverberg. I've read some of his sci-fi short stories and they were just okay, but two chapters in this book is really grabbing me. I think part of it is his attempt to write it in a 16th century style that totally works. Good stuff.
Ex-Heroes - Woo-hoo! This was an absolute blast.
CURRENTLY READING
Lord of Darkness by Robert Silverberg - Having just finished my February ER book, I next tackle January's (I'm still waiting for December's to arrive.) This is the rerelease of a 1983 historical fiction novel by sci-fi legend Robert Silverberg. I've read some of his sci-fi short stories and they were just okay, but two chapters in this book is really grabbing me. I think part of it is his attempt to write it in a 16th century style that totally works. Good stuff.
32saltmanz
JUST FINISHED
Lord of Darkness - I hadn't thought anything I read this year could surpass American Elsewhere, but I think I may have found it with Robert Silverberg's historical novel. A harrowing, exhausting ride—and an absolute masterwork. Wow.
Lord of Darkness - I hadn't thought anything I read this year could surpass American Elsewhere, but I think I may have found it with Robert Silverberg's historical novel. A harrowing, exhausting ride—and an absolute masterwork. Wow.
33Jim53
Interesting. I've read a few of his in the past. I think the one I liked best was Lord Valentine's Castle. I had given up on really getting to like him, but I'll have to give Lord of Darkness a try.
34saltmanz
Yeah, I'm not in any rush to pick up any of his other stuff just because I loved this one so much. I think a lot of the success of this book is the voice Silverberg employs to tell the story, that being the first-person narrative of a 16th century English Protestant mariner. The reprint (pictured above) has a great introduction wherein Silverberg explains what inspired him to write the book.
A word of warning: there is a lot of sex in this book, rather graphically described, though the old-fashioned language softens it a little. Just FYI, if that's not your thing. And of course, as a substantial portion of the book describes living among cannibals, there's a lot of icky details on that front as well. I was originally going to dock half a star for that (because ew) but it's part of the book's power, I think, that it takes you to (and through) those dark places; as reader you shouldn't make it through unaffected.
A word of warning: there is a lot of sex in this book, rather graphically described, though the old-fashioned language softens it a little. Just FYI, if that's not your thing. And of course, as a substantial portion of the book describes living among cannibals, there's a lot of icky details on that front as well. I was originally going to dock half a star for that (because ew) but it's part of the book's power, I think, that it takes you to (and through) those dark places; as reader you shouldn't make it through unaffected.
35saltmanz
Still working on my ER reviews for Lord of Darkness (maybe 2/3 finished) and Ex-Heroes (haven't started).
FINISHED
The War Hound and the World's Pain by Michael Moorcock - The first book in the second omnibus of the White Wolf Eternal Champion series was pretty good. The premise was fantastic: a 1600s German mercenary captain (Ulrich Von Bek) is charged by Lucifer with finding the Holy Grail so that Lucifer can (ostensibly) use it to end the World's Pain and be reconciled with God. The plot was rather linearly ho-hum, with Von Bek being sent to location A to meet someone, who sends him to B, where he meets someone who sends him to C, and so on. But some interesting theology/philosophy and Moorcock's entertaining prose keeps things enjoyable, and thoughtful.
FINISHED
The War Hound and the World's Pain by Michael Moorcock - The first book in the second omnibus of the White Wolf Eternal Champion series was pretty good. The premise was fantastic: a 1600s German mercenary captain (Ulrich Von Bek) is charged by Lucifer with finding the Holy Grail so that Lucifer can (ostensibly) use it to end the World's Pain and be reconciled with God. The plot was rather linearly ho-hum, with Von Bek being sent to location A to meet someone, who sends him to B, where he meets someone who sends him to C, and so on. But some interesting theology/philosophy and Moorcock's entertaining prose keeps things enjoyable, and thoughtful.
36saltmanz
All right, finally got my review of Lord of Darkness up: http://www.librarything.com/review/93192599
37saltmanz
FINISHED
Return of the Crimson Guard by Ian C. Esslemont - Finally caught up with the Tor.com reread on this one. It was difficult to get through, mostly because I've been reading so many other better books in the meantime. I had given it four stars originally, which seems high after my second read, but I'm not sure it warrants a drop down to 3.5, so I'll leave it as is. It's an important piece of the Malazan universe for sure, but not one of the better books.
CURRENTLY READING
The City in the Autumn Stars by Michael Moorock - The second Von Bek story, this one's set during the French Revolution. Eighty pages in and still waiting for the real plot to arrive, but darn if Moorcock's prose isn't just plain fun to read.
Return of the Crimson Guard by Ian C. Esslemont - Finally caught up with the Tor.com reread on this one. It was difficult to get through, mostly because I've been reading so many other better books in the meantime. I had given it four stars originally, which seems high after my second read, but I'm not sure it warrants a drop down to 3.5, so I'll leave it as is. It's an important piece of the Malazan universe for sure, but not one of the better books.
CURRENTLY READING
The City in the Autumn Stars by Michael Moorock - The second Von Bek story, this one's set during the French Revolution. Eighty pages in and still waiting for the real plot to arrive, but darn if Moorcock's prose isn't just plain fun to read.
38saltmanz
FINISHED
The City in the Autumn Stars - I was surprised by the length of this one, and it took a while for the plot to kick in, but once it got moving, it was hard to put down. Man, Moorcock is ambitious, isn't he? Talk about epic. Even when I didn't understand what was going on (which wasn't infrequently) it was still awe-inspiring.
CURRENTLY READING
The Dragon in the Sword by Michael Moorcock - Third in the Von Bek omnibus, but also the third story of John Daker/Erekosë (from the first omnibus). Love the character, and have been looking forward to this one accordingly, but man, this is turning out to be a bizarre setting.
Toll the Hounds by Steven Erikson - For the Tor.com reread. This will be my second time through this one, so I'm really looking forward to it. It's so good to dig back into Erikson's prose again.
The City in the Autumn Stars - I was surprised by the length of this one, and it took a while for the plot to kick in, but once it got moving, it was hard to put down. Man, Moorcock is ambitious, isn't he? Talk about epic. Even when I didn't understand what was going on (which wasn't infrequently) it was still awe-inspiring.
CURRENTLY READING
The Dragon in the Sword by Michael Moorcock - Third in the Von Bek omnibus, but also the third story of John Daker/Erekosë (from the first omnibus). Love the character, and have been looking forward to this one accordingly, but man, this is turning out to be a bizarre setting.
Toll the Hounds by Steven Erikson - For the Tor.com reread. This will be my second time through this one, so I'm really looking forward to it. It's so good to dig back into Erikson's prose again.
39saltmanz
FINISHED
Ex-Patriots by Peter Clines - Was really looking forward to winning this one in the ER March batch after enjoying February's Ex-Heroes so much. And I did! And I loved this one, too. Every bit as fun as the first book, and even answered a concern I had from that one.
CURRENTLY READING
The Dragon in the Sword - Back to Erekosë (or should I say Prince Flamadin?). This one has picked up nicely, and I'm really enjoying it now. It seems to be tying a lot of Eternal Champion stuff together, which is cool.
Ex-Patriots by Peter Clines - Was really looking forward to winning this one in the ER March batch after enjoying February's Ex-Heroes so much. And I did! And I loved this one, too. Every bit as fun as the first book, and even answered a concern I had from that one.
CURRENTLY READING
The Dragon in the Sword - Back to Erekosë (or should I say Prince Flamadin?). This one has picked up nicely, and I'm really enjoying it now. It seems to be tying a lot of Eternal Champion stuff together, which is cool.
41saltmanz
FINISHED
The Dragon in the Sword by Michael Moorcock - Another good Eternal Champion story, with some solid ties to everything that's come before in the series (Eternal Champion, Von Bek) and stuff that's still to come (Hawkmoon, Corum, Elric, etc.)
"The Pleasure Garden of Felipe Saggitarius" by Michael Moorcock - A short story that finishes off the Von Bek omnibus. Amusing, if mostly for Adolph Hitler as a mild-mannered police captain and assorted other Multiverse cameos.
It's funny, I gave all of the stories in this omnibus 3.5 stars each, but I feel the entire collection merits four; it really is more than the sum of its parts, and that goes for the entire series so far.
CURRENTLY READING
Consider Phlebas by Iain M. Banks - In light of the sad news of Iain M. Banks' health, and having never read any of his work, I resolved to get his books off my TBR pile. I've got this and Use of Weapons to go.
The Dragon in the Sword by Michael Moorcock - Another good Eternal Champion story, with some solid ties to everything that's come before in the series (Eternal Champion, Von Bek) and stuff that's still to come (Hawkmoon, Corum, Elric, etc.)
"The Pleasure Garden of Felipe Saggitarius" by Michael Moorcock - A short story that finishes off the Von Bek omnibus. Amusing, if mostly for Adolph Hitler as a mild-mannered police captain and assorted other Multiverse cameos.
It's funny, I gave all of the stories in this omnibus 3.5 stars each, but I feel the entire collection merits four; it really is more than the sum of its parts, and that goes for the entire series so far.
CURRENTLY READING
Consider Phlebas by Iain M. Banks - In light of the sad news of Iain M. Banks' health, and having never read any of his work, I resolved to get his books off my TBR pile. I've got this and Use of Weapons to go.
42saltmanz
CURRENTLY READING
Consider Phlebas - A little over 40% done...and I'm still waiting for this to start to 'wow' me. I had high hopes after the first chapter (and all the praise the Culture books get) but so far it's yet to be amazing. Plus, something about a lot of his characters and dialogue bugs me. It's good—don't get me wrong—but I was expecting great, and it hasn't reached that yet. There's still half the book left, though, so we'll see.
Consider Phlebas - A little over 40% done...and I'm still waiting for this to start to 'wow' me. I had high hopes after the first chapter (and all the praise the Culture books get) but so far it's yet to be amazing. Plus, something about a lot of his characters and dialogue bugs me. It's good—don't get me wrong—but I was expecting great, and it hasn't reached that yet. There's still half the book left, though, so we'll see.
43saltmanz
FINISHED
Consider Phlebas by Iain M. Banks - Never really wowed me, but this is exciting, well-written space opera regardless. There's a theme about identity buried in here somewhere, but's it not particularly overt. I'll certainly need to check out more of the Culture novels. The epilogue alone almost pushed my rating to 4 stars.
CURRENTLY READING
Star Wars: Apocalypse by Troy Denning - Checking this out from the library to finish off the series. It's been a year and a half since I read books 6-8, so I had to hit up Wookieepedia to catch myself up. Three chapters in so far, and...ugh. I seem to remember really liking Troy Denning once upon a time, but either my tastes have changed (which I know they have) or his writing has changed, or both. I'll power through, though.
Consider Phlebas by Iain M. Banks - Never really wowed me, but this is exciting, well-written space opera regardless. There's a theme about identity buried in here somewhere, but's it not particularly overt. I'll certainly need to check out more of the Culture novels. The epilogue alone almost pushed my rating to 4 stars.
CURRENTLY READING
Star Wars: Apocalypse by Troy Denning - Checking this out from the library to finish off the series. It's been a year and a half since I read books 6-8, so I had to hit up Wookieepedia to catch myself up. Three chapters in so far, and...ugh. I seem to remember really liking Troy Denning once upon a time, but either my tastes have changed (which I know they have) or his writing has changed, or both. I'll power through, though.
44majkia
I finally picked up a Star Wars book. I've been avoiding them for years. Finally caved and bought Scoundrels. Otherwise, I have no idea where to even begin thinking about reading more.
ETA: fixed touchstone (I hope).
ETA: fixed touchstone (I hope).
45saltmanz
@Maj: I've long maintained that if you only read one Star Wars novel in your life, it should be Matthew Stover's novelization of Revenge of the Sith. Mediocre movie; amazing novel. All of Stover's stuff is gold, though: Shatterpoint is Star Wars-meets-Heart of Darkness; Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor is a callback to the pulp adventure days; and Traitor tackles the Force in a philosophical fashion that no SW book before or since has done, though it suffers slightly for being book #13 in a 19-book series.
47saltmanz
All of those more or less stand alone except for Traitor*. Shadows of Mindor shares some continuity with Shatterpoint, so if you're going to read both, do Shatterpoint first, but it's not necessary.
*I've heard that people can read and enjoy Traitor with minimal knowledge of the Star Wars Expanded Universe.
*I've heard that people can read and enjoy Traitor with minimal knowledge of the Star Wars Expanded Universe.
49saltmanz
FINISHED
Star Wars: Apocalypse by Troy Denning - Not a bad ending to the series. Certainly better than the dreadful Invincible. Not sure what I think about the series as a whole, but it leaves the SW universe in a decent position.
"Pledged to the Dead" by Seabury Quinn - You can find this ebook short for free on Amazon or gutenberg.org. Jules de Grandin is basically a French Sherlock Holmes who investigates occult-related mysteries (complete with narration by his doctor friend.) It was fun, predictable in a good way, and even rather sweet at the end. De Grandin himself is a delight. I've had The Compleat Adventures of Jules De Grandin on my watch/wishlist for a while now; I'm going to have to bump up the priority on that.
CURRENTLY READING
The Weird - Realizing that I'm only 10% of the way through this beast after 4+ months, I got a few more stories over the weekend. "Unseen – Unfeared" by Francis Stevens was the only real standout of the bunch.
The Chosen by Ricardo Pinto - I finished acquiring this trilogy last fall, and have been itching to get into it. So far, so good. The world-building is superb, and looks to get even crazier.
Star Wars: Apocalypse by Troy Denning - Not a bad ending to the series. Certainly better than the dreadful Invincible. Not sure what I think about the series as a whole, but it leaves the SW universe in a decent position.
"Pledged to the Dead" by Seabury Quinn - You can find this ebook short for free on Amazon or gutenberg.org. Jules de Grandin is basically a French Sherlock Holmes who investigates occult-related mysteries (complete with narration by his doctor friend.) It was fun, predictable in a good way, and even rather sweet at the end. De Grandin himself is a delight. I've had The Compleat Adventures of Jules De Grandin on my watch/wishlist for a while now; I'm going to have to bump up the priority on that.
CURRENTLY READING
The Weird - Realizing that I'm only 10% of the way through this beast after 4+ months, I got a few more stories over the weekend. "Unseen – Unfeared" by Francis Stevens was the only real standout of the bunch.
The Chosen by Ricardo Pinto - I finished acquiring this trilogy last fall, and have been itching to get into it. So far, so good. The world-building is superb, and looks to get even crazier.
50JannyWurts
I read The Chosen by Ricardo Pinto awhile back, and wanted to find two sequels - very extremely unusually rich. You'll have to let me know what you think of the sequels - this is a very rarely mentioned title.
51saltmanz
Yeah, it's one of those books/series that you hardly hear anything about, but all that you do hear is praise.
52Sakerfalcon
I've got The chosen on my tbr pile; looks like it's going to move up a few notches!
53reading_fox
#43 - so agree with you. I was expecting to like Culture, but I tried three of them and didn't really get into any of them at all - to the point where I gave them away as I never expected to re-read them.
54saltmanz
@53: I've still got Use of Weapons to try, but if that doesn't get me, I won't bother tracking down any more of his stuff. Alastair Reynold's Revelation Space stuff really blew me away, and I was kind of hoping the Culture books would have the same kind of impact, but nope.
55saltmanz
CURRENTLY READING
The Chosen - This started out really good, started to drag a bit around the halfway point, and then (once they reached Osrakum) picked right back up again. I'm having the occasional difficulty processing Pinto's prose into visuals, but when I can, they're astounding. The one that's most blown me away: a beach covered with pebbles, where every single pebble has been hand-carved into the likeness of a fish or shell or other sculpture. Just...wow.
The Chosen - This started out really good, started to drag a bit around the halfway point, and then (once they reached Osrakum) picked right back up again. I'm having the occasional difficulty processing Pinto's prose into visuals, but when I can, they're astounding. The one that's most blown me away: a beach covered with pebbles, where every single pebble has been hand-carved into the likeness of a fish or shell or other sculpture. Just...wow.
56saltmanz
FINISHED
The Chosen by Ricardo Pinto - Really good. Strangely, for all the time Pinto spends describing, well...everything, I had a lot of trouble actually visualizing what was going on. I'm not complaining; that definitely contributed to the dream-like quality this book has. Looking forward to the sequel.
Pandora by Holly Hollander by Gene Wolfe - Ripped through this one in about 24 hours. Cute, and a lot of fun. Which is an odd thing to say about a Gene Wolfe book, let alone a murder mystery. I'd love to read more adventures of Holly Hollander and Aladdin Blue.
CURRENTLY READING
The Standing Dead by Ricardo Pinto - Book two. Haven't actually started it yet, but I will be later today. All I have to say so far is that I like my Tor edition of The Chosen better than the Bantam edition of this one...
The Chosen by Ricardo Pinto - Really good. Strangely, for all the time Pinto spends describing, well...everything, I had a lot of trouble actually visualizing what was going on. I'm not complaining; that definitely contributed to the dream-like quality this book has. Looking forward to the sequel.
Pandora by Holly Hollander by Gene Wolfe - Ripped through this one in about 24 hours. Cute, and a lot of fun. Which is an odd thing to say about a Gene Wolfe book, let alone a murder mystery. I'd love to read more adventures of Holly Hollander and Aladdin Blue.
CURRENTLY READING
The Standing Dead by Ricardo Pinto - Book two. Haven't actually started it yet, but I will be later today. All I have to say so far is that I like my Tor edition of The Chosen better than the Bantam edition of this one...
57JannyWurts
Has anyone got this still in print? I'd like to continue with the series. Only have The Chosen in hardcover.
58Jim53
I told Wolfe that at a con a few years ago, but he doesn't seem to be letting me dictate what he does.
59saltmanz
@Janny: I dunno. I found the The Chosen at Half Price Books, and had to hit up AbeBooks to get the other two. Looks like Amazon has all three in hardcover, but it appears Tor gave up on the series after the second book, leaving Bantam as the only publisher of the third.
60saltmanz
READ
"The Knife" by Richard Adams - I picked up a copy of the Neil Gaiman/Al Sarrantonio-edited collection Stories yesterday. I had stumbled across it here on LT a week or two, by looking up Gene Wolfe conversations, I think it was. Anyway, I saw it had a story in it by my first favorite author, Richard Adams, as well as stories by Wolfe and Moorcock, so I immediately wishlisted it. Then I found it at Half Price Books yesterday and had to grab it. Anyway, "The Knife" is only 2-1/2 pages long if you're feeling generous, so I gave it a read last night. I liked it, and it gave me a chuckle at the end.
CURRENTLY READING
The Standing Dead - Not grabbing me so much. Only 117 pages in after a little more than a week. We've moved outside the fascinating society of the Masters from the first book to a bunch of people I don't care about, and they're travelling, and of course it's taking forever. (The travel was the slowest part of the first book as well.)
"The Knife" by Richard Adams - I picked up a copy of the Neil Gaiman/Al Sarrantonio-edited collection Stories yesterday. I had stumbled across it here on LT a week or two, by looking up Gene Wolfe conversations, I think it was. Anyway, I saw it had a story in it by my first favorite author, Richard Adams, as well as stories by Wolfe and Moorcock, so I immediately wishlisted it. Then I found it at Half Price Books yesterday and had to grab it. Anyway, "The Knife" is only 2-1/2 pages long if you're feeling generous, so I gave it a read last night. I liked it, and it gave me a chuckle at the end.
CURRENTLY READING
The Standing Dead - Not grabbing me so much. Only 117 pages in after a little more than a week. We've moved outside the fascinating society of the Masters from the first book to a bunch of people I don't care about, and they're travelling, and of course it's taking forever. (The travel was the slowest part of the first book as well.)
61saltmanz
READ
"Leif in the Wind" by Gene Wolfe - Another story from the Stories anthology. This one was reeeeally good. Easily one of my favorite Wolfe shorts. Wow.
"In His Image" and "Two-Edged Sword" by Karen Traviss - Two Darth Vader shorts collected in the back of the Star Wars: Betrayal mass market. Also really, really good. I've got a handful of Traviss' SW novels that I still need to get to, and they've just moved up in priority.
CURRENTLY READING
The Standing Dead - So of course as soon as I complain this is getting boring, it picks right back up. Really, it was only two or three chapters that dragged, but man, it felt like a lot more. Anyway, now that Osidian has awoken it's gotten real interesting real quick; I hadn't even anticipated his reaction to being rescued by "barbarians", but of course Carnelian's response wouldn't be typical of normal Master. Intriguing.
"Leif in the Wind" by Gene Wolfe - Another story from the Stories anthology. This one was reeeeally good. Easily one of my favorite Wolfe shorts. Wow.
"In His Image" and "Two-Edged Sword" by Karen Traviss - Two Darth Vader shorts collected in the back of the Star Wars: Betrayal mass market. Also really, really good. I've got a handful of Traviss' SW novels that I still need to get to, and they've just moved up in priority.
CURRENTLY READING
The Standing Dead - So of course as soon as I complain this is getting boring, it picks right back up. Really, it was only two or three chapters that dragged, but man, it felt like a lot more. Anyway, now that Osidian has awoken it's gotten real interesting real quick; I hadn't even anticipated his reaction to being rescued by "barbarians", but of course Carnelian's response wouldn't be typical of normal Master. Intriguing.
62saltmanz
CURRENTLY READING
The Standing Dead - Approaching the halfway mark, and this is once again in "can't put down" territory. Really, I think I just had to come to terms with the fact that this is not "more of the same" as book one; this is something else entirely. I was hoping for the one thing, but I got this instead, and now that I've recognized it I can enjoy this book for what it is. It'll be interesting to see how Pinto ties things back together (as I assume he must) in the third (and final) volume.
The Standing Dead - Approaching the halfway mark, and this is once again in "can't put down" territory. Really, I think I just had to come to terms with the fact that this is not "more of the same" as book one; this is something else entirely. I was hoping for the one thing, but I got this instead, and now that I've recognized it I can enjoy this book for what it is. It'll be interesting to see how Pinto ties things back together (as I assume he must) in the third (and final) volume.
63saltmanz
FINISHED
The Standing Dead by Ricardo Pinto - Whew! It took almost a month to get through this one. A lot of that is my fault; I've gotten into playing a lot of DOOM again. I did have trouble getting into this book, and it was maybe longer than it needed to be, but Pinto is doing something special here. The end is fairly horrific, and I'm anxious to see how things will throw down in The Third God.
CURRENTLY READING
The Fifth Head of Cerberus by Gene Wolfe - But before I start in on that, I'll take a break to squeeze in some more essential Wolfe.
The Standing Dead by Ricardo Pinto - Whew! It took almost a month to get through this one. A lot of that is my fault; I've gotten into playing a lot of DOOM again. I did have trouble getting into this book, and it was maybe longer than it needed to be, but Pinto is doing something special here. The end is fairly horrific, and I'm anxious to see how things will throw down in The Third God.
CURRENTLY READING
The Fifth Head of Cerberus by Gene Wolfe - But before I start in on that, I'll take a break to squeeze in some more essential Wolfe.
64saltmanz
FINISHED
The Fifth Head of Cerberus - Like Peace, I seem to have missed the point of most of it. It's still quite good, though; the first story is the best, though it seems barely tangential to the rest of the book, which I suppose is my first clue that I seriously missed something.
CURRENTLY READING
The Third God by Ricardo Pinto - The concluding volume of the Stone Dance of the Chameleon. I actually started this a week ago. It's moving about as quickly as The Standing Dead did (i.e., not.) Really, it just feels like a continuation of that book so far, instead of tying the story back to the first book. In fact, I flipped ahead 150 pages or so, and immediately saw that they still hadn't made it back to the Guarded Land. Guh. I still want to see how this story ends, but I have to take (another) break. So...
Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence - Picked this up in hardcover at Half Price Books' 4th of July sale for $3. It started out pretty brutal (in a "Why am I reading this again?" way) but I've hardly been able to put it down since. Loving it. It actually reminds me quite a bit of Paul Hoffman's The Left Hand of God, while being less irritating in every aspect.
The Fifth Head of Cerberus - Like Peace, I seem to have missed the point of most of it. It's still quite good, though; the first story is the best, though it seems barely tangential to the rest of the book, which I suppose is my first clue that I seriously missed something.
CURRENTLY READING
The Third God by Ricardo Pinto - The concluding volume of the Stone Dance of the Chameleon. I actually started this a week ago. It's moving about as quickly as The Standing Dead did (i.e., not.) Really, it just feels like a continuation of that book so far, instead of tying the story back to the first book. In fact, I flipped ahead 150 pages or so, and immediately saw that they still hadn't made it back to the Guarded Land. Guh. I still want to see how this story ends, but I have to take (another) break. So...
Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence - Picked this up in hardcover at Half Price Books' 4th of July sale for $3. It started out pretty brutal (in a "Why am I reading this again?" way) but I've hardly been able to put it down since. Loving it. It actually reminds me quite a bit of Paul Hoffman's The Left Hand of God, while being less irritating in every aspect.
65Jim53
I agree that the first story in 5HoC is the most readable and comprehensible. There is a lot of discussion about what the heck is going on with the abos and the shadow children, and I certainly don't claim to have a handle on it. It seems pretty clear that Marsch is replaced by the abo in the middle of the second section, but so what? Wolfe seems to be focused on the stagnation of the cloned family, another instance of his focus on the meaning of identity. The colonial setting gives him a chance to depict differing cultures, and he shows them as not only ambiguously related but also inextricably intertwined, each affecting the other. As Marsch/Victor tries to prove his origin/humanity, Wolfe asks us, what does it mean to say someone is a human? Do the abos, in mimicking humans, adopt all the cruelty and other faults of the colonizers? I find it interesting to see how he addresses a lot of these same questions in The Book of the Short Sun.
66saltmanz
I still need to read Short Sun. It's been years since I read Long Sun; do I need to reread it first? I meant to do so a couple years back (when I planned a full Solar Cycle read) but just couldn't muster up the enthusiasm.
67Jim53
Short Sun follows directly from Long Sun and involves a lot of the same characters. I would at least do a quick scan to ensure that you remember key characters and incidents before tackling Short Sun. Horn is the main character, but Silk, Mucor, and others also reappear, and the inhumi are a key element. I've read it just twice, and there's a fair amount that I haven't quite digested. Part of the problem is that Horn, while creative and responsible, is also a jerk.
68saltmanz
FINISHED
Prince of Thorns - Just fantastic! Looking forward to seeing where the rest of this trilogy goes.
CURRENTLY READING
Collected Fictions by Jorge Luis Borges - I lucked into finding this in hardcover at Half Price Books yesterday: only $12 after coupon (MSRP $40)! Anyway, I've read Ficciones and Labyrinths and "The Aleph", but not the rest, so I started digging in last night, starting with entries from The Book of Sand. Oh my goodness, these are so amazing. "The Book of Sand" is mindblowing, and I can't believe JLB wrote a Lovecraft pastiche dedicated to HPL ("There Are More Things")!
Prince of Thorns - Just fantastic! Looking forward to seeing where the rest of this trilogy goes.
CURRENTLY READING
Collected Fictions by Jorge Luis Borges - I lucked into finding this in hardcover at Half Price Books yesterday: only $12 after coupon (MSRP $40)! Anyway, I've read Ficciones and Labyrinths and "The Aleph", but not the rest, so I started digging in last night, starting with entries from The Book of Sand. Oh my goodness, these are so amazing. "The Book of Sand" is mindblowing, and I can't believe JLB wrote a Lovecraft pastiche dedicated to HPL ("There Are More Things")!
69Sakerfalcon
Glad to hear you enjoyed Prince of Thorns. I bought it when it was only £1.99 on amazon, but haven't actually started it yet. I'll have to move it up the pile.
70AHS-Wolfy
There was a lot of new fantasy books released around the same time and I never got around to picking up Prince of Thorns. Looks like I'll have to now at some point.
71saltmanz
It feels weird saying this, but Prince of Thorns is like a cross between The Left Hand of God and Book of the New Sun.
72Jim53
Prince of Thorns sounds very interesting. I haven't read much new fantasy lately. I've added it to the list.
73saltmanz
And I just picked up King of Thorns from the library yesterday; can't wait to start it.
CURRENTLY READING
Ex-Communication by Peter Clines - Just got this from LT Early Reviewers (like the first two) and it's great so far, as expected. This one starts to veer out into the paranormal/supernatural, with ghosts and magic and whatnot--but it's all tied back expertly into the first two books.
CURRENTLY READING
Ex-Communication by Peter Clines - Just got this from LT Early Reviewers (like the first two) and it's great so far, as expected. This one starts to veer out into the paranormal/supernatural, with ghosts and magic and whatnot--but it's all tied back expertly into the first two books.
74saltmanz
FINISHED
Ex-Communication - Fantastic. Just a solid continuation of a great series. Some great developments, including a fun new character and some "new" old characters. Plus, I found out that book for (Ex-Purgatory) is coming out in January, which has me stoked!
CURRENTLY READING
King of Thorns by Mark Lawrence - Book two of The Broken Empire, it hews to much of the same narrative structure as the first book—jumping back and forth between present day and "four years earlier", plus someone has screwed with Jorg's memory—which feels a bit forced and/or contrived, but it still doesn't take away from how compelling this story is.
Ex-Communication - Fantastic. Just a solid continuation of a great series. Some great developments, including a fun new character and some "new" old characters. Plus, I found out that book for (Ex-Purgatory) is coming out in January, which has me stoked!
CURRENTLY READING
King of Thorns by Mark Lawrence - Book two of The Broken Empire, it hews to much of the same narrative structure as the first book—jumping back and forth between present day and "four years earlier", plus someone has screwed with Jorg's memory—which feels a bit forced and/or contrived, but it still doesn't take away from how compelling this story is.
75saltmanz
Got some catching up to do after vacation:
FINISHED
King of Thorns - It was good, but I got a little weary of the formula of: Jorg in trouble, doesn't have a plan -> gets out of it because of a plan he set in motion long before but forgot about until just now. And nothing gets telegraphed in advance, Chekhov's Gun-style; it's always revealed shortly before being put to use. Thankfully, Jorg's voice and story are compelling enough that I can overlook the mildly-annoying structure.
The Book of Sand by Borges - Not as brilliant as his early work (mainly Ficciones) but still fantastic.
Shakespeare's Memory by Borges - Only four stories in this one, so I'd assume it was incomplete upon publication, though it was published 3 years before Borges' death, so I dunno. What most surprised me was how the stories all more or less connect with each other. One of the reviewers of Collected Fictions griped about Borges starting to copy/repeat himself as he got older, and I can see that in this book: "August 25, 1983" is more or less a sequel to his earlier "The Other", and "Blue Tigers" and "Shakespeare's Memory" are almost the same story. But I will never complain about more Borges. "The Rose of Paracelsus" might be favorite of the four, though, just short and sweet.
CURRENTLY READING
This River Awakens by Steven Erikson - His first published novel, just released in the US for the first time. Picked this up at the library on Monday. I haven't gotten into it much, but I'll never tire of reading SE's prose.
FINISHED
King of Thorns - It was good, but I got a little weary of the formula of: Jorg in trouble, doesn't have a plan -> gets out of it because of a plan he set in motion long before but forgot about until just now. And nothing gets telegraphed in advance, Chekhov's Gun-style; it's always revealed shortly before being put to use. Thankfully, Jorg's voice and story are compelling enough that I can overlook the mildly-annoying structure.
The Book of Sand by Borges - Not as brilliant as his early work (mainly Ficciones) but still fantastic.
Shakespeare's Memory by Borges - Only four stories in this one, so I'd assume it was incomplete upon publication, though it was published 3 years before Borges' death, so I dunno. What most surprised me was how the stories all more or less connect with each other. One of the reviewers of Collected Fictions griped about Borges starting to copy/repeat himself as he got older, and I can see that in this book: "August 25, 1983" is more or less a sequel to his earlier "The Other", and "Blue Tigers" and "Shakespeare's Memory" are almost the same story. But I will never complain about more Borges. "The Rose of Paracelsus" might be favorite of the four, though, just short and sweet.
CURRENTLY READING
This River Awakens by Steven Erikson - His first published novel, just released in the US for the first time. Picked this up at the library on Monday. I haven't gotten into it much, but I'll never tire of reading SE's prose.
76saltmanz
FINISHED
This River Awakens - Wow. Moving and maddening. Cynical and life-affirming. Brutal and beautiful.
This River Awakens - Wow. Moving and maddening. Cynical and life-affirming. Brutal and beautiful.
77saltmanz
CURRENTLY READING
Star Wars: Crucible by Troy Denning - Another library pick-up (waiting for me when I dropped off This River Awakens.) Really enjoying it so far, I'm already halfway through. Feels like a good ol' classic Star Wars story while still being set 40 years after RotJ. I'm just sad that it might be the final story I read in this timeline, chronology-wise, as I've resigned myself to the fact that the new movies will throw away everything post-RotJ. (Certainly Del Rey's two-year silence on previously-announced novels doesn't bode well.)
Star Wars: Crucible by Troy Denning - Another library pick-up (waiting for me when I dropped off This River Awakens.) Really enjoying it so far, I'm already halfway through. Feels like a good ol' classic Star Wars story while still being set 40 years after RotJ. I'm just sad that it might be the final story I read in this timeline, chronology-wise, as I've resigned myself to the fact that the new movies will throw away everything post-RotJ. (Certainly Del Rey's two-year silence on previously-announced novels doesn't bode well.)
78saltmanz
FINISHED
Emperor of Thorns by Mark Lawrence - My fourth library read in a row, this was as good an ending to a series as any I've ever read. For those uncertain of continuing the trilogy after either of the first two books, I heartily recommend sticking it out; it's definitely worth it.
CURRENTLY READING
I fell way behind on the Tor.com reread of Toll the Hounds (they finished last week) so I need to get through those last 200 pages. (Not a problem.) Then I need to force my way through Pinto's The Third God—hopefully it will become interesting again, preferably during the first half. After that, well...
I've long been planning a full reread of Donaldson's Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, seeing as how the tenth and final book is coming out this October. I've read the first two trilogies (a dozen years or so ago) and the first book of the final quartet (7 years ago) but though I own books 8 and 9, I've yet to read them. Anyway, I just found out I won a copy of the final book, The Last Dark, through Early Reviewers. I think I'm going to have to go ahead with the full reread now.
Emperor of Thorns by Mark Lawrence - My fourth library read in a row, this was as good an ending to a series as any I've ever read. For those uncertain of continuing the trilogy after either of the first two books, I heartily recommend sticking it out; it's definitely worth it.
CURRENTLY READING
I fell way behind on the Tor.com reread of Toll the Hounds (they finished last week) so I need to get through those last 200 pages. (Not a problem.) Then I need to force my way through Pinto's The Third God—hopefully it will become interesting again, preferably during the first half. After that, well...
I've long been planning a full reread of Donaldson's Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, seeing as how the tenth and final book is coming out this October. I've read the first two trilogies (a dozen years or so ago) and the first book of the final quartet (7 years ago) but though I own books 8 and 9, I've yet to read them. Anyway, I just found out I won a copy of the final book, The Last Dark, through Early Reviewers. I think I'm going to have to go ahead with the full reread now.
79reading_fox
"Any, I just found I won a copy of the final book, The Last Dark, through Early Reviewers. "
Wow lucky you!
I'm not sure I could handle all 9 previous books though - that's an awful lot of Covenant to bear, well over a million words! I might re-read the last three as preparation, in due course.
Wow lucky you!
I'm not sure I could handle all 9 previous books though - that's an awful lot of Covenant to bear, well over a million words! I might re-read the last three as preparation, in due course.
80saltmanz
Yeah, I know. I was torn between the full reread, or just doing the Last Chronicles. I did read the first 6 back-to-back-to-back-etc, so I think I can handle it. I'm going to at least attempt it; my ER review will be stupid late as it is, but hopefully being able to review the book as a cap for the entire series will make up for that.
81Narilka
What are the Tor.com rereads? Are they done similar to a book club? I'm on my first read through Toll the Hounds and curious if there is book discussion as they progress or if I should avoid due to spoilers.
82saltmanz
@Narilka: Tor.com has been doing a full reread of the series (plus Esslemont's side-series) for a little over 3 years running. They cover a chapter or two per week, and each post consists of a detailed summary, followed by comments from Amanda (first-time reader with often emotional reactions) and Bill (reading for the second time and giving a nicely analytical breakdown.) Comments from the peanut gallery follow. The summary is pretty much spoiler-free, in deference to Amanda and the (many) other first-timers, and the comments strive to be the same, though not always successfully. If you've already read through TtH, you should be perfectly safe. Whether you read along with the group or not, it's a fantastic resource for the series.
83majkia
Man, I need to get back to Erikson. I'm closing in on finishing Janny Wurts's series, so will maybe get back to Malazan after that. I love those Tor chapter summaries, and will have to use them to remember just where I am!
84Narilka
I'm about half way through TtH. But if its organized by chapter I should be fine. I learned early on not to check the Malazan Empire forums for the book you're currently reading at your own risk. Saw spoilers in thread titles!
Edit: Checked out the TOR blog. That's perfect! I can visit the chapters I've finished without spoilers so far. Thanks again for the link.
Edit: Checked out the TOR blog. That's perfect! I can visit the chapters I've finished without spoilers so far. Thanks again for the link.
85saltmanz
FINISHED
Toll the Hounds - Finished this up last week. Even better the second time. Bumped my initial rating up by half a star to
CURRENTLY READING
The Third God - Diving back in. Started out tedious (again), but has actually regained my interest since passing the 200-page mark. Hopefully it will maintain it.
Toll the Hounds - Finished this up last week. Even better the second time. Bumped my initial rating up by half a star to
CURRENTLY READING
The Third God - Diving back in. Started out tedious (again), but has actually regained my interest since passing the 200-page mark. Hopefully it will maintain it.
86Jim53
Wow, ten Donaldsons in a row. I have fond memories of some parts of the first six--I like Mhoram, and the giants--but the viscid vitriol and other medical-sounding language was often a bit much, along with all the agonizing. Then again, it did lead to some almost transcendent moments with Linden. I read #7 but gave up after just a bit of #8. I'll be interested to see what you have to say about the last few.
87saltmanz
A brief update!
CURRENTLY READING
Stonewielder by Ian C. Esslemont - Second time through, this time following along with the Tor.com reread. Done with Chapter Two.
The Third God by Ricardo Pinto - About two-thirds through this. It's been a long, hard journey, but it looks like it will have been totally worth it in the end.
CURRENTLY READING
Stonewielder by Ian C. Esslemont - Second time through, this time following along with the Tor.com reread. Done with Chapter Two.
The Third God by Ricardo Pinto - About two-thirds through this. It's been a long, hard journey, but it looks like it will have been totally worth it in the end.
88saltmanz
FINISHED
The Third God - Whew! It was a long, hard struggle (took me just over 3 months to read, and in that time I started and finished six other books!) but in the end it was worth it. Quite the apocalyptic finale, with a kicker of a revelation thrown in for good measure. I'll definitely recommend this series, with two caveats: it's not for the squeamish, and parts will definitely drag; but persevere, it'll be worth it.
CURRENTLY READING
Lord Foul's Bane by Stephen R. Donaldson - Here we go! Starting my full Covenant reread so I can properly review the tenth and final book properly. It's been probably a dozen years since I read these back in '01/'02. I've read his other series multiple times, but never these, so this should be good.
The Third God - Whew! It was a long, hard struggle (took me just over 3 months to read, and in that time I started and finished six other books!) but in the end it was worth it. Quite the apocalyptic finale, with a kicker of a revelation thrown in for good measure. I'll definitely recommend this series, with two caveats: it's not for the squeamish, and parts will definitely drag; but persevere, it'll be worth it.
CURRENTLY READING
Lord Foul's Bane by Stephen R. Donaldson - Here we go! Starting my full Covenant reread so I can properly review the tenth and final book properly. It's been probably a dozen years since I read these back in '01/'02. I've read his other series multiple times, but never these, so this should be good.
89saltmanz
CURRENTLY READING
Lord Foul's Bane - Wow, I'm really enjoying this. First off, a 400-page book feels like nothing when I've been reading so many 700-900 pagers for so long. Secondly, it feels so...familiar; "cozy" I guess is the popular word right now. Not that I remember so much of what happens (only in the sketchiest fashion) but of just how traditional a fantasy it feels. And yet the angst, gravitas, and density of Donaldson's prose gives it a feeling of substantiality, of freshness, even.
Anyway, let's talk about THE EVENT (no direct spoilers given here) that occurs about 90 pages in—you know, the one that's made a not-inconsequential portion of first-time readers throw the book down in disgust and swear off ever reading another word by SRD. I'll confess it didn't bother me terribly the first time I read it. 12 years and two daughters later, and having seen it discussed exhaustively online, I found myself actually dreading it as it approached. (Made better as I didn't remember exactly when it happened.) It was interesting to see how much it was foreshadowed, and though I found the act more troubling now than when I was younger, its depiction seems pretty darn tame compared to a lot of stuff I've read (including some of SRD's later work—his GAP Cycle in particular.) It'll be interesting to keep an eye on the ramifications it has throughout the series.
Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers by Nick Roche & James Roberts - On a lighter note, I made my birthday Amazon order, and threw in the first three volumes of Roberts' More Than Meets the Eye series, which I've read so much praise for. They're due sometime next week, but to psyche myself up for them, I pulled out my Wreckers TPB to give it a reread. So great.
Lord Foul's Bane - Wow, I'm really enjoying this. First off, a 400-page book feels like nothing when I've been reading so many 700-900 pagers for so long. Secondly, it feels so...familiar; "cozy" I guess is the popular word right now. Not that I remember so much of what happens (only in the sketchiest fashion) but of just how traditional a fantasy it feels. And yet the angst, gravitas, and density of Donaldson's prose gives it a feeling of substantiality, of freshness, even.
Anyway, let's talk about THE EVENT (no direct spoilers given here) that occurs about 90 pages in—you know, the one that's made a not-inconsequential portion of first-time readers throw the book down in disgust and swear off ever reading another word by SRD. I'll confess it didn't bother me terribly the first time I read it. 12 years and two daughters later, and having seen it discussed exhaustively online, I found myself actually dreading it as it approached. (Made better as I didn't remember exactly when it happened.) It was interesting to see how much it was foreshadowed, and though I found the act more troubling now than when I was younger, its depiction seems pretty darn tame compared to a lot of stuff I've read (including some of SRD's later work—his GAP Cycle in particular.) It'll be interesting to keep an eye on the ramifications it has throughout the series.
Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers by Nick Roche & James Roberts - On a lighter note, I made my birthday Amazon order, and threw in the first three volumes of Roberts' More Than Meets the Eye series, which I've read so much praise for. They're due sometime next week, but to psyche myself up for them, I pulled out my Wreckers TPB to give it a reread. So great.
90ms529212
Transformers! Wheee!!!
For completist transformers fans, don't forget about:
1. The 2 guidebooks Transformers Generation One: More Than Meets The Eye Official Guidebook (character bios and art)
2. The classic 1980s comics Classic Transformers
3. Prime Targets: The Unauthorized Guide to Transformers, Beast Wars and Beast Machines (1980s cartoon synopses).
For completist transformers fans, don't forget about:
1. The 2 guidebooks Transformers Generation One: More Than Meets The Eye Official Guidebook (character bios and art)
2. The classic 1980s comics Classic Transformers
3. Prime Targets: The Unauthorized Guide to Transformers, Beast Wars and Beast Machines (1980s cartoon synopses).
91Marissa_Doyle
I was one of those people who set Lord Foul's Bane aside at page 90 and have never read any more Donaldson. It wasn't just that scene, though...it was the fact that I could not find anything in any of the characters that made me want to spend any more time in the rest of the book (or series). And also as a parent of two daughters, I'll bet that hasn't changed in the 30? or so years since. However, is there any Donaldson not related to this series that might be more readable?
92saltmanz
ms529212 @90: Yeah, the old Marvel TF comics are a must; I've got all the original individual issues from when I was a kid. I just found out they're reprinting/collecting the Marvel UK comics under Transformers Classics UK; those are definitely on my wishlist.
Marissa @91: Donaldson has three other series: Mordant's Need is a fantasy duology that's easily his most accessible work with a neat magic system. You might like that one. His Mick Axbrewder mystery books are good too, though the series is unfinished. (His sci-fi Gap Cycle is easily his best work, but if the content of the Covenant books bothers you, the Gap books will do so tenfold.)
Marissa @91: Donaldson has three other series: Mordant's Need is a fantasy duology that's easily his most accessible work with a neat magic system. You might like that one. His Mick Axbrewder mystery books are good too, though the series is unfinished. (His sci-fi Gap Cycle is easily his best work, but if the content of the Covenant books bothers you, the Gap books will do so tenfold.)
93infjsarah
Like you I am very excited to be approaching The Last Dark - it's on my Christmas list and I'm really looking forward to sitting down with the chunkster in peace over my Christmas holidays. The Chronicles are one of my favourite reads ever and it has amazing characters such as Foamfollower and Mhoram and the Giants of the Search. Yes, Covenant himself is not exactly a cheery soul but I have always thought that one of the main themes of the books is guilt and consequences and punishment and maybe, if you're lucky, redemption!
And needing a dictionary is part of the attraction.
There is a review of the series on Tor but I stopped reading it half way down to avoid spoilers.
I agree that Mordant's Need is Donaldson Lite and another wonderful read. Though its 2 main characters are still typically Donaldson angst filled.
I didn't like the Gap series so haven't read past the first book or even tried any of his other work but the First Chronicles remains a formative part of my teenage years :)
And needing a dictionary is part of the attraction.
There is a review of the series on Tor but I stopped reading it half way down to avoid spoilers.
I agree that Mordant's Need is Donaldson Lite and another wonderful read. Though its 2 main characters are still typically Donaldson angst filled.
I didn't like the Gap series so haven't read past the first book or even tried any of his other work but the First Chronicles remains a formative part of my teenage years :)
94saltmanz
@93: Having only read as far as Runes of the Earth, I can assure you that the Tor.com review doesn't spoil anything past the Second Chronicles (I can't guarantee the safety of the comments, though.) As for the Gap Cycle, the first book is the weakest by far, but it's a nonstop thrill ride from book three on. It's still (understandably) not for everyone.
95saltmanz
FINISHED
The Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye, Volume 1 and Volume 2 by James Roberts & Nick Roche/Alex Milne - These finally arrived from Amazon yesterday, and WOW! Last Stand of the Wreckers was close to perfect, but these books are perfection. More happens in a single issue of MTMTE than in 5 issues of any other comic I've read in the past half-dozen years. None of that decompression crap here; Roberts packs so much information—so many hints and seeds and clues—into each conversation; there's not an extraneous word written here. And there are a lot of words. I'm reminded of Chris Claremont at the height of his powers back in the mid-200s of Uncanny X-Men. And the jaw-droppingly-good artwork by Roche and Milne is just as dense, nuanced, and purposeful as the script. Perhaps the most amazing part is the characterization: Roberts makes a memorable cast out of second- and third-stringers and you feel you know them all intimately after only a couple of pages. This series is nothing short of extraordinary; not just one of the best Transformers comics I've ever read, but one of the best comics, period.
The Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye, Volume 1 and Volume 2 by James Roberts & Nick Roche/Alex Milne - These finally arrived from Amazon yesterday, and WOW! Last Stand of the Wreckers was close to perfect, but these books are perfection. More happens in a single issue of MTMTE than in 5 issues of any other comic I've read in the past half-dozen years. None of that decompression crap here; Roberts packs so much information—so many hints and seeds and clues—into each conversation; there's not an extraneous word written here. And there are a lot of words. I'm reminded of Chris Claremont at the height of his powers back in the mid-200s of Uncanny X-Men. And the jaw-droppingly-good artwork by Roche and Milne is just as dense, nuanced, and purposeful as the script. Perhaps the most amazing part is the characterization: Roberts makes a memorable cast out of second- and third-stringers and you feel you know them all intimately after only a couple of pages. This series is nothing short of extraordinary; not just one of the best Transformers comics I've ever read, but one of the best comics, period.
96saltmanz
FINISHED
The Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye, Volume 3 by James Roberts - Not quite as good as the first couple volumes, but still pretty amazing. The first story, reprinting the 2012 Annual, has kinda spotty art, but the story is fun (and pretty hilarious at times!) The following "Shadowplay" three-parter is, well, it's dense. And leans fairly heavily on background info I'm not familiar with (much of which can be found in The Transformers, Volume 5: Chaos Theory, apparently) but it's still very good.
Lord Foul's Bane by Stephen R. Donaldson - Much better the second time, whether it's because I already know what's coming in the next 6 books, or because my reading tastes have matured in the past dozen years—probably both. At the risk of succumbing to "rating inflation" (a problem I think I've fallen into the last few years) I'm bumping this from 3.5 stars to.
The Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye, Volume 3 by James Roberts - Not quite as good as the first couple volumes, but still pretty amazing. The first story, reprinting the 2012 Annual, has kinda spotty art, but the story is fun (and pretty hilarious at times!) The following "Shadowplay" three-parter is, well, it's dense. And leans fairly heavily on background info I'm not familiar with (much of which can be found in The Transformers, Volume 5: Chaos Theory, apparently) but it's still very good.
Lord Foul's Bane by Stephen R. Donaldson - Much better the second time, whether it's because I already know what's coming in the next 6 books, or because my reading tastes have matured in the past dozen years—probably both. At the risk of succumbing to "rating inflation" (a problem I think I've fallen into the last few years) I'm bumping this from 3.5 stars to
.97saltmanz
FINISHED
Runner by Patrick Lee - Finished my latest LTER win last night. I loved Lee's Travis Chase books, so I was really looking forward to this one. I initially thought it started a little rough, but in hindsight I think that had more to do with me being in the middle of a Donaldson book at the time. Ex-military man saves telepathic girl with amnesia on the run from bad guys. Nigh-unputdownable. Not as "Wow, cool!" in the Big Idea department as his previous series, but still relentless and twisty, with a nice emotional impact as well. Due out in Feb 2014.
Strangers in Paradise (Volumes 1-8) by Terry Moore - I've been slowly collecting these over the past couple of years, and finally decided to dive into them. I'm a little under halfway through the series, and manomanoman—so good! Moore's art is just gorgeous, and the characters are so rich. Basically a relationship drama that takes the occasional break for some serious action, this comic has garnered buckets of praise over the years, and every last drop of it is justified. for the series as a whole, thus far.
CURRENTLY READING
The Illearth War by Stephen R. Donaldson - About a third of the way through my reread of this. This was my favorite book of the first trilogy (if not the first two trilogies) the first time through, and it's holding firm on the reread. And for all that it's been mostly just talking up to this point!
Runner by Patrick Lee - Finished my latest LTER win last night. I loved Lee's Travis Chase books, so I was really looking forward to this one. I initially thought it started a little rough, but in hindsight I think that had more to do with me being in the middle of a Donaldson book at the time. Ex-military man saves telepathic girl with amnesia on the run from bad guys. Nigh-unputdownable. Not as "Wow, cool!" in the Big Idea department as his previous series, but still relentless and twisty, with a nice emotional impact as well. Due out in Feb 2014.
Strangers in Paradise (Volumes 1-8) by Terry Moore - I've been slowly collecting these over the past couple of years, and finally decided to dive into them. I'm a little under halfway through the series, and manomanoman—so good! Moore's art is just gorgeous, and the characters are so rich. Basically a relationship drama that takes the occasional break for some serious action, this comic has garnered buckets of praise over the years, and every last drop of it is justified.
for the series as a whole, thus far.CURRENTLY READING
The Illearth War by Stephen R. Donaldson - About a third of the way through my reread of this. This was my favorite book of the first trilogy (if not the first two trilogies) the first time through, and it's holding firm on the reread. And for all that it's been mostly just talking up to this point!
98AHS-Wolfy
Glad to see Strangers in Paradise deserves its praise. Definitely a potential for me to pick up at some time if I can.
99jnwelch
I loved Strangers in Paradise, too. Really well done.
100reading_fox
Donaldson (lite) in addition to Mordant's need which is superb, he also has a couple of short story collections which are more approachable. Reave the just and Daughter of regals. But yes as above, if you didn't like page 90 do not read the Gap series. Even though it is some of the finest Space Opera written (although the real story is more of a prelude than the real thing) expressly formulad after Wagner's ring cycle.
" It'll be interesting to keep an eye on the ramifications it has throughout the series" which are extremely profound. In no way is this a casual episode, this isn't something Donaldson just threw in there, it has consequences.
" It'll be interesting to keep an eye on the ramifications it has throughout the series" which are extremely profound. In no way is this a casual episode, this isn't something Donaldson just threw in there, it has consequences.
101saltmanz
FINISHED
Strangers in Paradise (Volumes 9-13) by Terry Moore - Suck. I'm out. Of TPBs, that is. I bought the first 10 last year, and recently found out my local comic shop has most of the rest on their 1/2-off shelf (missing the two penultimate collections.) I've been picking up one a week, but some unexpected expenses ate up my budget for this week, so I'll have to wait until next to keep reading. But IT'S ALMOST PAINFUL TO STOP!
Strangers in Paradise (Volumes 9-13) by Terry Moore - Suck. I'm out. Of TPBs, that is. I bought the first 10 last year, and recently found out my local comic shop has most of the rest on their 1/2-off shelf (missing the two penultimate collections.) I've been picking up one a week, but some unexpected expenses ate up my budget for this week, so I'll have to wait until next to keep reading. But IT'S ALMOST PAINFUL TO STOP!
102saltmanz
FINISHED
Transformers: Robots in Disguise (Volumes 1-3) by John Barber - The Autobots have won the war, and Cybertron has been reborn. But the planet is now a hostile environment, and Cybertronians unaffiliated with either the Autobots or Decepticons (and resentful of both) are returning to their homeworld en masse. Not as brilliant as James Roberts' concurrent More Than Meets the Eye series, this is nevertheless a good, solid comic in its own right. Barber does political machinations where Roberts goes for the action-adventure, and having a series for each, running side-by-side, is a stroke of genius.
Transformers: Robots in Disguise (Volumes 1-3) by John Barber - The Autobots have won the war, and Cybertron has been reborn. But the planet is now a hostile environment, and Cybertronians unaffiliated with either the Autobots or Decepticons (and resentful of both) are returning to their homeworld en masse. Not as brilliant as James Roberts' concurrent More Than Meets the Eye series, this is nevertheless a good, solid comic in its own right. Barber does political machinations where Roberts goes for the action-adventure, and having a series for each, running side-by-side, is a stroke of genius.
103saltmanz
FINISHED
The Illearth War - Now I remember why this was my favorite book of the first six. Absolutely epic.
CURRENTLY READING
The Power that Preserves by Stephen R. Donaldson - Time to wrap up the first trilogy. Then I'll take a break from Covenant for a spell; catch up on my reread of Stonewielder and start up my annual Book of the New Sun reread.
The Illearth War - Now I remember why this was my favorite book of the first six. Absolutely epic.
CURRENTLY READING
The Power that Preserves by Stephen R. Donaldson - Time to wrap up the first trilogy. Then I'll take a break from Covenant for a spell; catch up on my reread of Stonewielder and start up my annual Book of the New Sun reread.
104saltmanz
CURRENTLY READING
The Lurking Fear & Other Stories by H. P. Lovecraft - This is the fourth book in Wordsworth's Lovecraft collection series of which I own the previous three (including both the original and revised versions of volume two.) I picked this up because not only did it contain the two HPL stories I'd read but did not currently own in any of my various collections, but it also had 14 others I had never read before! I've read 11 of them now, and they're pretty bog-standard Lovecraft: good if you like this kind of thing. Also relatively forgettable: of the 18 stories I'd already read, I can remember what happens in maybe a third of them. Of the new (to me) stories, "Hypnos" is probably the standout, or maybe "The White Ship". The last two entries, in particular the final story "The Evil Clergyman", are especially interesting because they're written as transcriptions of dreams Lovecraft experienced, with the prose describing his memories of the dreams (for example: "I seemed to know where I was, but cannot recall what I then knew. Certainly the town was not London. My impression is of a small seaport.")
The Lurking Fear & Other Stories by H. P. Lovecraft - This is the fourth book in Wordsworth's Lovecraft collection series of which I own the previous three (including both the original and revised versions of volume two.) I picked this up because not only did it contain the two HPL stories I'd read but did not currently own in any of my various collections, but it also had 14 others I had never read before! I've read 11 of them now, and they're pretty bog-standard Lovecraft: good if you like this kind of thing. Also relatively forgettable: of the 18 stories I'd already read, I can remember what happens in maybe a third of them. Of the new (to me) stories, "Hypnos" is probably the standout, or maybe "The White Ship". The last two entries, in particular the final story "The Evil Clergyman", are especially interesting because they're written as transcriptions of dreams Lovecraft experienced, with the prose describing his memories of the dreams (for example: "I seemed to know where I was, but cannot recall what I then knew. Certainly the town was not London. My impression is of a small seaport.")
105saltmanz
FINISHED
The Power That Preserves - Man, I had forgotten (or probably never quite realized) just how good this trilogy is. I still prefer Donaldson's Mordant's Need and Gap Cycle, but this was so much better than I remembered. TPTP was initially my least favorite installment in the first trilogy, and that may still be the case (The Illearth War remains my favorite) but it's a much closer thing now. Upgrading my rating from 3.5 stars to.
The Lurking Fear & Other Stories - Finished the last 3 stories I hadn't read before: "Facts Concerning the Late Arthur Jermyn and His Family", "Beyond the Wall of Sleep", and "The Quest of Iranon". The latter was my favorite of the three. Did anyone ever collect all of HPL's dreamlands stories in a single volume?
CURRENTLY READING
Stonewielder - I swear, I'm not starting another book until I catch up with the Tor.com reread, which must surely be approaching the finish line by now.
The Power That Preserves - Man, I had forgotten (or probably never quite realized) just how good this trilogy is. I still prefer Donaldson's Mordant's Need and Gap Cycle, but this was so much better than I remembered. TPTP was initially my least favorite installment in the first trilogy, and that may still be the case (The Illearth War remains my favorite) but it's a much closer thing now. Upgrading my rating from 3.5 stars to
.The Lurking Fear & Other Stories - Finished the last 3 stories I hadn't read before: "Facts Concerning the Late Arthur Jermyn and His Family", "Beyond the Wall of Sleep", and "The Quest of Iranon". The latter was my favorite of the three. Did anyone ever collect all of HPL's dreamlands stories in a single volume?
CURRENTLY READING
Stonewielder - I swear, I'm not starting another book until I catch up with the Tor.com reread, which must surely be approaching the finish line by now.
106Jim53
I might have to try TPTP again. As I recall, the first time I read it, it was quite a letdown after the first two.
107saltmanz
I lied.
CURRENTLY READING
The Shadow of the Torturer by Gene Wolfe - Couldn't stop myself from pulling this down and starting in. For those counting, this will be my fifth time through the Book of the New Sun. I'd made it a December tradition, reading it annually from 2008 through 2011, but then I skipped last year after feeling I might be burnt out on it. Earlier this year I started to miss it. Last night, I ran into the problem (?) I get with much-read books: I'll finish the chapter I'm on, but then instead of putting the book down, I'll skip around and read other parts.
CURRENTLY READING
The Shadow of the Torturer by Gene Wolfe - Couldn't stop myself from pulling this down and starting in. For those counting, this will be my fifth time through the Book of the New Sun. I'd made it a December tradition, reading it annually from 2008 through 2011, but then I skipped last year after feeling I might be burnt out on it. Earlier this year I started to miss it. Last night, I ran into the problem (?) I get with much-read books: I'll finish the chapter I'm on, but then instead of putting the book down, I'll skip around and read other parts.
108Jim53
I used to keep a copy of TSotT, rotating with the other volumes, in my car, to read when I got in line while running errands. It has stood up to a lot of reads.
109saltmanz
FINISHED
The Shadow of the Torturer - Loved it, of course. Pausing in my BotNS reread to try and tie up as many loose ends (reading-wise) as I can before year's end.
Dinosaur Comics: WHOAH! All comics from 2012! by Ryan North - E-book that came with my To Be Or Not To Be "Omega Pack". I don't think I mentioned reading Dinosaur Comics: Aw, frig! All comics from 2011! earlier this year, but I did. What can I say? I love Dinosaur comics. (Also, I might have a teensy bit of a man-crush on Ryan North?)
CURRENTLY READING
Stonewielder - I must be nearing the 1/3 mark, but man, it's tough. The Tor.com reread finished up on the 20th, but I've got about a month to catch up before they start the next book. I gave this 4 stars and a glowing review last time, but there are so many other (better) authors I'd rather be reading instead.
Pogo: Bona Fide Balderdash by Walt Kelly - Finished off the 1951 daily strips the other day, and worked my way through Feb '52, which leaves me with about 10 months of dailies and 2 years of Sunday strips to go. I won't make it by year's end, but that's okay; volume three won't be out until spring anyway. :)
The Shadow of the Torturer - Loved it, of course. Pausing in my BotNS reread to try and tie up as many loose ends (reading-wise) as I can before year's end.
Dinosaur Comics: WHOAH! All comics from 2012! by Ryan North - E-book that came with my To Be Or Not To Be "Omega Pack". I don't think I mentioned reading Dinosaur Comics: Aw, frig! All comics from 2011! earlier this year, but I did. What can I say? I love Dinosaur comics.
(Also, I might have a teensy bit of a man-crush on Ryan North?)CURRENTLY READING
Stonewielder - I must be nearing the 1/3 mark, but man, it's tough. The Tor.com reread finished up on the 20th, but I've got about a month to catch up before they start the next book. I gave this 4 stars and a glowing review last time, but there are so many other (better) authors I'd rather be reading instead.
Pogo: Bona Fide Balderdash by Walt Kelly - Finished off the 1951 daily strips the other day, and worked my way through Feb '52, which leaves me with about 10 months of dailies and 2 years of Sunday strips to go. I won't make it by year's end, but that's okay; volume three won't be out until spring anyway. :)
