Reading in January '03

I am also reading Tigana by Kay. I am about 5 chapters into it. So far, I am really enjoying it. At first I was a little confused because so many characters were introduced at once but I think I am getting it now. I ordered it used from someone who said it was in mint condition. Well, it stinks like smoke really bad. But, I am liking the book anyway.
 
I set aside The Snow Queen for a while to read a book on (computer) networking which should come in handy in my one person home office.
 
It's not a fantasy book, but last night I started Prey by Michael Crichton. I love it so far--very compelling, and the science is presented in manageable chunks.

Out of respect for this folder, I'll add that I plan to start A Storm of Swords by GRRM after finishing the Crichton book. A Clash of Kings was great, so I'm really looking forward to it.

By the way, I just dropped by Martin's site, and he's still not done with the new book. Phooey. :(

Tanith :D
 
hiya, i've finished the dune series and am starting with sara douglass' new series, the nameless day thingy. up with aussie authors, especially south australian!:D
 
I'm currently reading Deadhose Gates by Erikson. Really good! (=. I would describe Eriksons books as intense.

I have recently finished "To Ride Hells Chasm", a new standalone book by Janny Wurts. This is a really good book too. A bit unusual with a standalone book, quite refreshing. Recommended.

-- EE
 
I'm currently reading THE SWORD OF SHANNARA by Terry Brooks. So far the book is exciting, but moves slowly. I think Brooks takes up up too many words describing. It's also very similer to THE LORD OF THE RINGS, but I enjoy the theme woven in about humanity. Over all, it is an enjoyable read so far. I've heard his new Shannara series is much better though.
 
There was a certain charm in "Books read in [month]"...

Bridge of Birds, Barry Hughart. Delightful, witty fantasy. The "slight flaw" in Li Kao's character becomes self-evident as the novel progresses. Brute force never used, plight resolved with wit and delightful methods. The Duke of Ch'in was an intriguing adversary. One of the best books I've read last year. Woe is me, why is the second book out of print and why is the third book so costly to import.

Ender's Game, Orson Scott Card. I was a bit sceptical about a book where the main protagonist was <10 years old but it wasn't bad. Actually it was quite good, the narrative took hold and the book was consumed apace. The ending left me a bit flat though. All in all a good book but didn't quite live up to the praise I've heard (not surprising).

The Gilded Chain, Dave Duncan. Small stories inside a whole concentrating on Durendal. Wasn't bad, but didn't have any significant merits either.

Waylander II: In the Realm of the Wolf, David Gemmell. John "Tough Guy" Dakeyras wasn't that tough here. Would've probably enjoyed it more if it had concentrated solely on Waylander, because I didn't much care for the other characters. Neither the "legendary Earl of Bronze" nor the "boy who becomes master warrior when beset by hardships in spite of his gentle nature" aided my stomach in not unsettling.

The Tooth Fairy, Graham Joyce. The Tooth Fairy was certainly different. The sexual theme here was... Weird (in lack of a better word at the moment). A disappointment, because I was expecting a lot. I'll still try to get my hands on other Joyce books.
 
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Originally posted by JohnH
Legolas

One way to combat the smoke smell is to place the book in a large ziplock bag with a dryer/fabric softener sheet (nothing too strong mind you).
A friend had several of her books rescued from a fire and she treated them in that fashion. She also used fresh kitty litter with the odor absorbers but you have to make sure that the book is not touching them when in the bag.
Click to expand...

Thank You! I will try that. I let it sit outside for a while but it didn't help much. I think I am getting used to it but I would like to get that smell out.

Thanks again.
 
I just finished David Gemmell's Stormrider and I am still under impression from the book. David Gemmell always manages to make the books so readable, and the characters really touch your heart. It's almost magic. If you look at this rationally, his plots are quite repetative, all the books are written in the same way, but each and every book manages to draw you in even if you know exactly how it will end, it still has such a grip, force, and language, it's amazing. I was waiting to get this book for a while and I'm definitely not disappointed. Well, I'll stop raving now.
 
I´m reading Daughter of the Empire by Feist/Wurts.

I´m also re-reading Lotr:D
 
I'm currently about half-way through the second book in Tad William's Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn series, and I have to say that so far it has been excellent and I am excited to see what happens next.

I took a break between the first and second books in MST to read the new Jordan book... I wasn't very impressed with it unfortunately. I had been hoping it would be better....
 
After finishing up the Earthsea books I read Ford's The Portrait of Mrs. Charbuque (how does one pronounce it anyway, I'd go with the pronuncation for BBQ with the "sh" sound over the "b" sound) - anyway, this novel was fantastic. The atmosphere he created was delicious, the tension and mystery behind Mrs. C was satisfying and not quite what I would have expected. Adding this atmosphericly superb volume to his resume, Ford is quickly climbing my list as one of the greatest living fantasits.

After that, read Kay's A Song for Arbonne another excellent piece of work from the Canadian. It was slow at a few points, but Kay's chivalric descriptions were utterly joyful to read. I think I have to read Tigana again since I don't think I appreciated it as much as I should have when I first read it.

Yesterday, read The Circus of Dr. Lao which, considering it was written almost 70 years ago, held up very well. Good stuff here that should hopefully get more attention now that its back in print.
 
I'm in the middle of The Chosen by Ricardo Pinto. It's enjoyable so far. The world is really original, which is something I look for. It's definitely not the usual medieval setting.

I just order The Briar King by Greg Keyes from the SFBC. It doesn't come out till 1/21, so I probably won't get it till Feb.:mad:
 
American Gods

I just finished American Gods by Neil Gaiman. It was a different perspective from the usual fantasy, even if I don't like 'em set in our modern world. It's good, but not as grand as I'd expected. It was so-so okay until I reached the end. The ending really saved it for me enough that I'd consider it good. Soft-paced.

I have some questions though for those who've read it.

*SPOILERS*
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What happened to the guy from Oman? I assume he changed places with the ifrit and he was the one driving the taxi that was crushed. Casualties of war, right? Is that it? What was the point of telling us all about his story and changing places with the ifrit? What is its significance to the story aside from being a casualty? Did I miss something? Also, same question about the twins from Africa. So the guy-twin started voodooism in Haiti and the gods thrived there. What about the girl? So she wasn't able to propagate her beliefs in America. What does this have to do with Odin, etc.. Is she where Anansi came from? Is that what Gaiman's saying? But in her story it was all Elegba and not a mention of Anansi.

I am not really familiar with African-American lore so I might have missed something. I only first heard of an ifrit when my sister was playing Final Fantasy 8.

Thanks.
 
Re: American Gods - I felt the other way around - that it was an excellent book but the ending was a little weak.
 
Finished 'Sabriel' by Nix, then read two short children's books (one a new German novel, the other 'Frenchtown Summer' by Robert Cormier: great!) and am now occupied with 'Doomsday Book' by Connie Willis.

:)
 
Did you like Sabriel, Nimea?

Doomsday Book - great book, awful title....but very bleak (not to mention messy!)

One of my faves!

Hobbit
 
I have'nt read much since November but I hope to get some time to read Starman, Golden Fool, and From The Dust Returned. Plus I want to reread the Elric series.
 
I'm about halfway through Stephen Donaldson's The Mirror of Her Dreams. Interesting premise...is the main character really alive? or a creation of Imaging...?
 
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