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1trueneutral
2013 was... well... slow, yes, let's call it a slow year. Managed 30 books only, but enjoyed each and every one of them.
Here's to a better 2014!
What you should expect to see here is a mix of sci-fi, fantasy and horror with some non-fic and comics thrown in for good measure.
My 2012 journal is here.
My 2013 journal is here.
Progress:
31/50 books
10360/15000 pages
1. The Art of Discworld by Paul Kidby and Terry Pratchett - 4 stars
2. The City & the City by China Miéville - 5 stars
3. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline - 4 stars
4. Akira Volume 1 by Katsuhiro Ōtomo
5. Akira Volume 2 by Katsuhiro Ōtomo
6. Non-Stop by Brian Aldiss - 3 stars
7. Trumps of Doom by Roger Zelazny - 3.5 stars
8. Blood of Amber by Roger Zelazny - 3.5 stars
9. Akira Volume 3 by Katsuhiro Ōtomo
10. Embassytown by China Mieville - 4.5 stars
11. Perelandra by C.S. Lewis - 3 stars
12. The Master Switch by Tim Wu - 4 stars
13. Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie - 4 stars
14. Galatea Galante by Alfred Bester - 3 stars
15. Akira Volume 4 by Katsuhiro Ōtomo
16. Akira Volume 5 by Katsuhiro Ōtomo
17. Akira Volume 6 by Katsuhiro Ōtomo
18. Pyramids by Terry Pratchett - 4.5 stars
19. Wakulla Springs by Andy Duncan - 3.5 stars
20. Sign of Chaos by Roger Zelazny - 3.5 stars
21. The weight of the Sunrise by Vylar Kaftan - 4 stars
22. Portrait of Lisane da Patagnia by Rachel Swirsky - 3 stars
Swift, Brutal Retaliation by Meghan McCarron - 2.5 stars
Burning Girls by Veronica Schanoes - 2.5 stars
23. Trial of the Century by Lawrence M. Schoen - 4 stars
24. The Waiting Stars by Aliette de Bodard - 3 stars
25. Knight of Shadows by Roger Zelazny - 3.5 stars
26. Prince of Chaos by Roger Zelazny - 3.5 stars
27. Rashomon and Seventeen Other Stories by Ryunosuke Akutagawa - 3 stars
28. Last Argument of Kings by Joe Abercrombie - 3.5 stars
29. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein - 4 stars
30. A feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin - 2.5 stars
31. Comics Unmasked: Art and Anarchy in the UK by Paul Gravett and John Harris Dunning - 4 stars
Here's to a better 2014!
What you should expect to see here is a mix of sci-fi, fantasy and horror with some non-fic and comics thrown in for good measure.
My 2012 journal is here.
My 2013 journal is here.
Progress:
31/50 books
10360/15000 pages
1. The Art of Discworld by Paul Kidby and Terry Pratchett - 4 stars
2. The City & the City by China Miéville - 5 stars
3. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline - 4 stars
4. Akira Volume 1 by Katsuhiro Ōtomo
5. Akira Volume 2 by Katsuhiro Ōtomo
6. Non-Stop by Brian Aldiss - 3 stars
7. Trumps of Doom by Roger Zelazny - 3.5 stars
8. Blood of Amber by Roger Zelazny - 3.5 stars
9. Akira Volume 3 by Katsuhiro Ōtomo
10. Embassytown by China Mieville - 4.5 stars
11. Perelandra by C.S. Lewis - 3 stars
12. The Master Switch by Tim Wu - 4 stars
13. Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie - 4 stars
14. Galatea Galante by Alfred Bester - 3 stars
15. Akira Volume 4 by Katsuhiro Ōtomo
16. Akira Volume 5 by Katsuhiro Ōtomo
17. Akira Volume 6 by Katsuhiro Ōtomo
18. Pyramids by Terry Pratchett - 4.5 stars
19. Wakulla Springs by Andy Duncan - 3.5 stars
20. Sign of Chaos by Roger Zelazny - 3.5 stars
21. The weight of the Sunrise by Vylar Kaftan - 4 stars
22. Portrait of Lisane da Patagnia by Rachel Swirsky - 3 stars
Swift, Brutal Retaliation by Meghan McCarron - 2.5 stars
Burning Girls by Veronica Schanoes - 2.5 stars
23. Trial of the Century by Lawrence M. Schoen - 4 stars
24. The Waiting Stars by Aliette de Bodard - 3 stars
25. Knight of Shadows by Roger Zelazny - 3.5 stars
26. Prince of Chaos by Roger Zelazny - 3.5 stars
27. Rashomon and Seventeen Other Stories by Ryunosuke Akutagawa - 3 stars
28. Last Argument of Kings by Joe Abercrombie - 3.5 stars
29. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein - 4 stars
30. A feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin - 2.5 stars
31. Comics Unmasked: Art and Anarchy in the UK by Paul Gravett and John Harris Dunning - 4 stars
2trueneutral
1. The Art of Discworld by Paul Kidby and Terry Pratchett - 4 stars
I'm a Discworld fan. So give me a book with gorgeous drawings of my favorite fantasy world and I'll be as happy as can be. Add a few lines from Terry here and there in his well known humorous style and you have a clear winner.
2. The City & the City by China Miéville - 5 stars
What a ride. This is one of those books that make you want to read them again immediately because the first time around you missed half the meaning - and for sure in the first part (the standard noir detective story) there are so many strange things, names and concepts flying around that you are overwhelmed.
But then Mieville jumps from the city into the city and lets you actually join the world he's created - the fantastic side of the story starts to seep into the narrative and you finally begin to understand what amazing place you are in.
And as if that was not enough, in the last part the pace intensifies and the whole thing simply explodes. The ending is great and part of me regrets that this is the only book in this made-up world. I will read more of his works this year for sure.
I'm a Discworld fan. So give me a book with gorgeous drawings of my favorite fantasy world and I'll be as happy as can be. Add a few lines from Terry here and there in his well known humorous style and you have a clear winner.
2. The City & the City by China Miéville - 5 stars
What a ride. This is one of those books that make you want to read them again immediately because the first time around you missed half the meaning - and for sure in the first part (the standard noir detective story) there are so many strange things, names and concepts flying around that you are overwhelmed.
But then Mieville jumps from the city into the city and lets you actually join the world he's created - the fantastic side of the story starts to seep into the narrative and you finally begin to understand what amazing place you are in.
And as if that was not enough, in the last part the pace intensifies and the whole thing simply explodes. The ending is great and part of me regrets that this is the only book in this made-up world. I will read more of his works this year for sure.
4trueneutral
3. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline - 4 stars
A retro love-song for games and 80s pop culture. A story that reads like a role-playing game. I think the dystopian future that some of the action takes place in could've been more fleshed out, it had potential - although most of the story happens inside of a virtual world called OASIS anyway.
It was an entertaining read and a trip down memory lane (it really helps if you're old enough to have experienced the early years of video-gaming or just love the 80s).
4. Akira Volume 1 by Katsuhiro Ōtomo
5. Akira Volume 2 by Katsuhiro Ōtomo
Will review after finishing the whole story, but I'm enjoying it quite a lot. At times the writing is a bit annoying, but for the most part you just get hooked on the story and can't stop reading.
6. Non-Stop by Brian Aldiss - 3 stars
Another read from the SF Masterworks and, while I can see the value of the story (only after reaching the quite abrupt ending), I cannot say the first part of the book impressed me that much.
It's a look at the life of a group of (d)evolved humans that are stuck on a badly damaged ship hurtling through space. They're like ants in a jar, have very low understanding of technology and quite funny names for things (a day cycle for them is a "sleep-wake", books are called "lookers"). The religion they follow is completely bonkers, but it fits quite well. I'd love to read a short-story (or novella) on what happened after this book ended, as it leaves quite a few unanswered questions.
I liked Aldiss' writing style though, so I'll look for more of his books... he has quite a few titles that seem to be worth reading.
A retro love-song for games and 80s pop culture. A story that reads like a role-playing game. I think the dystopian future that some of the action takes place in could've been more fleshed out, it had potential - although most of the story happens inside of a virtual world called OASIS anyway.
It was an entertaining read and a trip down memory lane (it really helps if you're old enough to have experienced the early years of video-gaming or just love the 80s).
4. Akira Volume 1 by Katsuhiro Ōtomo
5. Akira Volume 2 by Katsuhiro Ōtomo
Will review after finishing the whole story, but I'm enjoying it quite a lot. At times the writing is a bit annoying, but for the most part you just get hooked on the story and can't stop reading.
6. Non-Stop by Brian Aldiss - 3 stars
Another read from the SF Masterworks and, while I can see the value of the story (only after reaching the quite abrupt ending), I cannot say the first part of the book impressed me that much.
It's a look at the life of a group of (d)evolved humans that are stuck on a badly damaged ship hurtling through space. They're like ants in a jar, have very low understanding of technology and quite funny names for things (a day cycle for them is a "sleep-wake", books are called "lookers"). The religion they follow is completely bonkers, but it fits quite well. I'd love to read a short-story (or novella) on what happened after this book ended, as it leaves quite a few unanswered questions.
I liked Aldiss' writing style though, so I'll look for more of his books... he has quite a few titles that seem to be worth reading.
5trueneutral
I started reading Andromeda : a space-age tale by Ivan Jefremov but I couldn't go on. Maybe it's the translation of the version I have, but the style of writing and how the characters talked and thought was unbearable for me. A pity, because the premise was interesting.
7. Trumps of Doom by Roger Zelazny - 3.5 stars
8. Blood of Amber by Roger Zelazny - 3.5 stars
These books are part of the second half of the Chronicles of Amber. They star the son of Corwin and it's both good and bad. I liked Corwin more as a character, but Merlin seems to be not so all powerful as his father, but has a more diverse and interesting background.
I've enjoyed both of them and there's three more to go from this series.
9. Akira Volume 3 by Katsuhiro Ōtomo
10. Embassytown by China Mieville - 4.5 stars
My second read (after The City & The City) and he did not disappoint. Well, it loses half a star for being a bit too confusing and ultra-loaded with new words that make little sense in the first part of the book - makes it hard to read and follow the story, especially as the chapters do not flow in a chronological way. Later on though, the book comes into its own and it is simply amazing.
This is a far-future science fiction story about an alien race and their Language (and later their language). Yes, there's a difference and I won't spoil it.
Fantastic read, it's worth enduring the first half for the second! I'm hooked on Mieville's writing and I think Kraken is next.
7. Trumps of Doom by Roger Zelazny - 3.5 stars
8. Blood of Amber by Roger Zelazny - 3.5 stars
These books are part of the second half of the Chronicles of Amber. They star the son of Corwin and it's both good and bad. I liked Corwin more as a character, but Merlin seems to be not so all powerful as his father, but has a more diverse and interesting background.
I've enjoyed both of them and there's three more to go from this series.
9. Akira Volume 3 by Katsuhiro Ōtomo
10. Embassytown by China Mieville - 4.5 stars
My second read (after The City & The City) and he did not disappoint. Well, it loses half a star for being a bit too confusing and ultra-loaded with new words that make little sense in the first part of the book - makes it hard to read and follow the story, especially as the chapters do not flow in a chronological way. Later on though, the book comes into its own and it is simply amazing.
This is a far-future science fiction story about an alien race and their Language (and later their language). Yes, there's a difference and I won't spoil it.
Fantastic read, it's worth enduring the first half for the second! I'm hooked on Mieville's writing and I think Kraken is next.
6trueneutral
11. Perelandra by C.S. Lewis - 3 stars
12. The Master Switch by Tim Wu - 4 stars
13. Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie - 4 stars
12. The Master Switch by Tim Wu - 4 stars
13. Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie - 4 stars
7trueneutral
14. Galatea Galante by Alfred Bester - 3 stars
15. Akira Volume 4 by Katsuhiro Ōtomo
16. Akira Volume 5 by Katsuhiro Ōtomo
17. Akira Volume 6 by Katsuhiro Ōtomo
18. Pyramids by Terry Pratchett - 4.5 stars
15. Akira Volume 4 by Katsuhiro Ōtomo
16. Akira Volume 5 by Katsuhiro Ōtomo
17. Akira Volume 6 by Katsuhiro Ōtomo
18. Pyramids by Terry Pratchett - 4.5 stars
8trueneutral
19. Wakulla Springs by Andy Duncan - 3.5 stars
20. Sign of Chaos by Roger Zelazny - 3.5 stars
21. The weight of the Sunrise by Vylar Kaftan - 4 stars
22.
Portrait of Lisane da Patagnia by Rachel Swirsky - 3 stars
Swift, Brutal Retaliation by Meghan McCarron - 2.5 stars
Burning Girls by Veronica Schanoes - 2.5 stars
23. Trial of the Century by Lawrence M. Schoen - 4 stars
24. The Waiting Stars by Aliette de Bodard - 3 stars
20. Sign of Chaos by Roger Zelazny - 3.5 stars
21. The weight of the Sunrise by Vylar Kaftan - 4 stars
22.
Portrait of Lisane da Patagnia by Rachel Swirsky - 3 stars
Swift, Brutal Retaliation by Meghan McCarron - 2.5 stars
Burning Girls by Veronica Schanoes - 2.5 stars
23. Trial of the Century by Lawrence M. Schoen - 4 stars
24. The Waiting Stars by Aliette de Bodard - 3 stars
9trueneutral
25. Knight of Shadows by Roger Zelazny - 3.5 stars
26. Prince of Chaos by Roger Zelazny - 3.5 stars
27. Rashomon and Seventeen Other Stories by Ryunosuke Akutagawa - 3 stars
26. Prince of Chaos by Roger Zelazny - 3.5 stars
27. Rashomon and Seventeen Other Stories by Ryunosuke Akutagawa - 3 stars
10trueneutral
28. Last Argument of Kings by Joe Abercrombie - 3.5 stars
29. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein - 4 stars
30. A feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin - 2.5 stars
31. Comics Unmasked: Art and Anarchy in the UK by Paul Gravett and John Harris Dunning - 4 stars
29. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein - 4 stars
30. A feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin - 2.5 stars
31. Comics Unmasked: Art and Anarchy in the UK by Paul Gravett and John Harris Dunning - 4 stars
