What book are you reading...

httk said:
I read The Martian a couple of weeks ago and enjoyed it thoroughly. Was the first book I'd read for sometime. I saw the film first and then was told the book was significantly better, which it was. It's not long and definitely worth a read, particularly if you're geeky. :)
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On a related subject is "Mars Rover Curiosity: An Inside Account from Curiosity's Chief Engineer" by Rob Manning. It's fairly geeky but gives a very interesting insight in the project and the challenges that had too be overcome.
 
Just finished The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss. Quite enjoyed both books in the series to date, very well written however I found them a bit odd - odd but good nonetheless. I don't really mind the first person take on everything (apart from the inn scenes) but I find a lack of POV from side characters and different story arcs to be a little limiting in a fantasy trilogy.

I must remember to only start trilogies/series which have been completed already! Think I may find the third one a bit difficult to pick up if it's not released for a few years.

Not sure what to try next. I've downloaded The Lies of Locke Lamora, but may hold off due to the above issues, and also bought The Great Leveller collection by Joe Abercrombie. I know I should really give Malazan a proper go having made two false starts but I'm not sure I can face something particularly complex at the moment. Thinking of having a crack at Robin Hobb, never read any of her stuff before.
 
toshj said:
Just finished The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss. Quite enjoyed both books in the series to date, very well written however I found them a bit odd - odd but good nonetheless. I don't really mind the first person take on everything (apart from the inn scenes) but I find a lack of POV from side characters and different story arcs to be a little limiting in a fantasy trilogy.

I must remember to only start trilogies/series which have been completed already! Think I may find the third one a bit difficult to pick up if it's not released for a few years.

Not sure what to try next. I've downloaded The Lies of Locke Lamora, but may hold off due to the above issues, and also bought The Great Leveller collection by Joe Abercrombie. I know I should really give Malazan a proper go having made two false starts but I'm not sure I can face something particularly complex at the moment. Thinking of having a crack at Robin Hobb, never read any of her stuff before.
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If you are at a loose end and don't know what to read next try the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. Storm Front is the first book. Easy to get into and great story. And, if you like it, there are 14 more!! And they are all good.
 
toshj said:
Not sure what to try next. I've downloaded The Lies of Locke Lamora, but may hold off due to the above issues <snip> Thinking of having a crack at Robin Hobb, never read any of her stuff before.
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Lies of Locke Lamora: May be another 20 years before we see book 7. *sigh*

Robin Hobb: The Assassin trilogy followed by all the others in order should tide you over til Xmas. Awaiting book 3 the current series but you have 15 books to read before you get to that point.
 
I'm onto The Emperor of Thorns after a recommendation from HungryHippos to check out the Broken Empire trilogy. After reading the First Law trilogy I've started to gain an appreciation for the more darker fantasy, the black/ dark humour in First Law was great.

I've stumbled upon the Broken Empire a few times when shopping for new books, but it never really grabbed my attention. It's funny how up until the First Law books I'd have never considered reading dark fantasy but now that I have the genre has me hooked. Probably going to read Chronicles of the Black Company next and I have a few others lined up too.
 
Finally finished 'The Tournament' by Matthew Reilly. Not like his other stuff and the softcore porn was a little strange. I can see the reasoning behind having it (the whole Elizabeth reasoning for being a virgin) but it felt crass and out of place. It wasn't one of his best, probably his worst, but I really enjoyed the setting. If you love his other stuff (Jack West, Scarewcrow), you might not like this.

On to his 'Great Zoo of China' next. I'm expecting lots of action :D.
 
The Last Kingdom by Bernard Cornwell - I found it very easy to read and have moved onto the second book in the series The Pale Horseman. I bought them on a bit of a whim when they were on sale and wasn't sure if I would enjoy it, but it has surprised me in the best possible way and I think I will stick wit the series.

Really fancy some Fantasy after that, the only book I have read in that genre is The Lies Of Locke Lamora (I'm new to this reading lark!) It's difficult knowing where to start with fantasy as there are so many different, highly recommended series! :eek:
 
toshj said:
Just finished The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss. Quite enjoyed both books in the series to date, very well written however I found them a bit odd - odd but good nonetheless. I don't really mind the first person take on everything (apart from the inn scenes) but I find a lack of POV from side characters and different story arcs to be a little limiting in a fantasy trilogy.

I must remember to only start trilogies/series which have been completed already! Think I may find the third one a bit difficult to pick up if it's not released for a few years.
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Really enjoyed those two books too. As you said, very well written and just an easy, enjoyable story. Fair bit of depth and complexity when you scratch the surface too.

Hopefully it'll be released next year. Flip side to all that buried complexity is he takes an eternity to write and edit the work. Bit like GRRM.
 
I went on a power audiobook session the last couple of weeks and managed to get through Brandon Sandersons way of the Kings and words of radiance. Thought they were great!

I'll either be starting the lies of locke lamora, Red rising or I've just taken delivery of N. K Jemisin's The Fifth Season and Obelisk Gate. Come to think of it, I've got Robin Hobb's assassin's apprentice coming shortly. Oh and Garth Nix's Sabriel. Bought far too many books lately. Also fancy getting the dark tower series as I started listening to them about 5 years ago. Would be good to finish them before the movie comes out.
 
ThePainBarrier said:
You won't be disappointed!
The next Jack West book - The Four Legendary Kingdoms - is out 3rd November.
If you go to his website, you can download a free prequel to it...
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Just finished. I can imagine Matthew Reilly watching Jurrasic Park then Reign of Fire before downing 5 cans of Monster, snorting shedloads of cocaine and then starting to write. It was entertaining but my god was it bonkers :D.
 
RobTheMonk said:
Just finished. I can imagine Matthew Reilly watching Jurrasic Park then Reign of Fire before downing 5 cans of Monster, snorting shedloads of cocaine and then starting to write. It was entertaining but my god was it bonkers :D.
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LOL - It's nice just to sit back and read bonkers now and again. One thing you can say about his books, you never have time to get bored!
 
ThePainBarrier said:
LOL - It's nice just to sit back and read bonkers now and again. One thing you can say about his books, you never have time to get bored!
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When Lucky started going "Lucky like White Head" and then then CJ kept going "White Head like Lucky", I was literally laughing out loud. Also, the Trogon Horse (cable car with dragons being flung through a hole in the building) was amazing. I'll give it to MR, he knows how to write something entertaining! I love that the red dragon was like a frikkin terminater and kept coming back :D.

Moving on to the Divergent series next. I've heard mixed things...
 
Digipact said:
I'm onto The Emperor of Thorns after a recommendation from HungryHippos to check out the Broken Empire trilogy. After reading the First Law trilogy I've started to gain an appreciation for the more darker fantasy, the black/ dark humour in First Law was great.

I've stumbled upon the Broken Empire a few times when shopping for new books, but it never really grabbed my attention. It's funny how up until the First Law books I'd have never considered reading dark fantasy but now that I have the genre has me hooked. Probably going to read Chronicles of the Black Company next and I have a few others lined up too.
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Picked up The Prince of Thorns on the back of this post. Really enjoying it, plenty of food for thought, though it's criminally short - I'm something like 80% of the way though after 5 days.
 
Just finished Leviathan Wakes - Book 1 of The Expanse by James S. A. Corey.

I recently binged the tv show The Expanse and enjoyed it. While not hard sci-fi it's about a good as we're going to get on tv. I found the ending a bit meh though, no closure, and now I know why. The tv show ends about half way through the first book! Still looking forward to season 2 though.

Tonight I'm going to start on Caliban's War - Book 2 of The Expanse.

Disclaimer: I'm actually listening to the audio versions of these books during my commute and on my runs. Can't seem to find the time to sit and read a book these days :(
 
i need a great book for holiday reading, nothing huge c500 pages or under
any recommendations. dont mind what genre, but i like fantasy and sci fi. war
is enders game any good?




.
 
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checjb said:
Punt, what do you make of The Expanse books? I saw them offered but haven't taken the plunge yet.
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Only read the first one but I enjoyed it. Easy to read and not overly long. Stopped reading sci-fi many years ago, for no particular reason. I found this (and a couple of others) to be ok re-introduction to the genre. I got bored with fantasy!
 
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