Reading in January 2012

[Hobbit]

Thanks Luke.

Even Terry admits (If I remember right) that the Colour of Magic is not one of the best and the series gets better. But as it introduces Discworld and some of the most loved characters, it has to be read.

The Wise Man's Fear: like Dance with Dragons, the fuss around it and its publication/delay meant that for some however good it was, it would going to be bad.

But in both cases, IMO they're a very good read, and quite engaging. Both show skilful writing. Wise Man Fear is an immersive experience, although at time quite meandering. Hope you enjoy it.

Mark

 

[Hellions]

I finished Talion: Revenant by Michael A. Stackpole, a standalone secondary world fantasy. It was excellent and deserves heaps of praise, especially for a first novel (not his first published though). Chapters alternate between past and present in the narrator's life and my reservations were rapidly lifted as both periods held my interest equally. The world building was so well crafted that it clamors for a sequel, which apparently seems to be in the works (e-book format only though).

 

[DDCOrange]

Ok time to start an argument! Which group does steampunk go in; Science Fiction, Fantasy/Horror, or even (shudder) the third, "Everything Else" category? In any case I'm about two-thirds of the way through Ganymede by Cherie Preist, her third book in the "Clockwork Century" series and am enjoying it completely. In the end who cares where it goes, it's a great read!

 

[Danogzilla]

Ok time to start an argument! Which group does steampunk go in; Science Fiction, Fantasy/Horror, or even (shudder) the third, "Everything Else" category? In any case I'm about two-thirds of the way through Ganymede by Cherie Preist, her third book in the "Clockwork Century" series and am enjoying it completely. In the end who cares where it goes, it's a great read!

I think Steampunk is an SF subgenre. Science Fiction from the Victorian viewpoint.

 

[Hobbit]

Ok time to start an argument! Which group does steampunk go in; Science Fiction, Fantasy/Horror, or even (shudder) the third, "Everything Else" category?

As you've said, it's both, though we tend to count it in the SF category here at SFFWorld.

In the end who cares where it goes, it's a great read!

Can't disagree with that.

Mark

 

[PeterWilliam]

Finished book 6 of Flanagan's Ranger's Apprentice series. Moving onward into book 7.

 

[Bob Gray]

Here's my reading list for the next six months.

What do ya think?

 

[MattNY]

Wise Man Fear is an immersive experience, although at time quite meandering. Hope you enjoy it.

Couldn't agree more. The interesting part is that I have not seen anything close to an 'universal' opinion on what parts are meandering, as what one person found boring, others found to be captivating. I know this can happen with almost any piece of work, but I found it to be even moreso with WMF than others.

 

[Glelas]

Just finished “Osama” by Lavie Tidhar. "Literary fantasy" is the best way to describe it, although alternate history may work too.

Cerebral, open for interpretation, unsettling. I enjoyed it.

Not sure what I will read next.

 

[Hobbit]

Bob: that's an impressive haul: all recently bought?

Matt: Don't get me wrong, I really liked it, and was happy to meander, perhaps when others are not. And I think you've hit a really good point there, too: it means different things to different people, and like all good stories there's different strands to the tale. In the end it equals a broad appeal to the readership. Even though they like different parts, on balance they like most of it.

I think Pat is a good storyteller. The Wise Man's Fear shows it, though it's not totally to everyone's taste.

Mark

 

[Bob Gray]

All within the last couple of months.

 

[Danogzilla]

All within the last couple of months.

Wow. I have a book buying problem, but you, sir, are a true deviant!

 

[Bob Gray]

Wow. I have a book buying problem, but you, sir, are a true deviant!

Can you say bibliomaniac? It's true, I do have a problem but at least I don't spend that much on them, two dollars and under.

 

[Rob B]

Here's my reading list for the next six months.


What do ya think?

I think it looks like you cleaned out the entire horror section of a used book shop.

Not a bad thing, mind you!

 

[Loerwyn]

I think it looks like you cleaned out the entire horror section of a used book shop.

Not a bad thing, mind you!

Indeed! I noticed some Cliver Barker in there, and even Christopher Golden, who is a semi-frequent collaborator with one of my favourite comic writers, Mike Mignola.

 

[Ubergeek]

frankenstein and dracula

Just finished these two and thoroughly enjoyed them. I enjoyed Dracula the most and for a novel published late 1880's found it surprisingly violent.

 

[Bob Gray]

Indeed! I noticed some Cliver Barker in there, and even Christopher Golden, who is a semi-frequent collaborator with one of my favourite comic writers, Mike Mignola.

Yeah, love Barker. This will be my first excursion into Chris G. though, pretty exciting.

 

[Bob Gray]

I think it looks like you cleaned out the entire horror section of a used book shop.

Not a bad thing, mind you!

There are about seven used bookstores close to me and I frequently visit all of them a little too much, lol.

 

[Rob B]

There are about seven used bookstores close to me and I frequently visit all of them a little too much, lol.

Crap, 7?!?

I've got one that's semi-close and half-way decent. The best one is about 25 miles away and really out of the way of anything else I visit.

 

[Seak]

Just finished Shadow Ops: Control Point by Myke Cole and wow. Lots of fun and shooting and blasting and awesome. Loved every bit of it.