October's Observations on Our Omnipresent (Literary) Obsessions...

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Have you thought of all these topic titles in advance or do you make them up as you go?
 
Opening observations on our obscure opuses:

I needed a bit of a break and have just finished three lightweight reads; a Mike Shepherd Kris Longknife story and a couple of Poul Anderson's Flandry books (confess to being a bit disappointed by them). Now ready to embark on my first Joe Abercrombie - The Blade Itself. I'm hoping my expectations haven't been set to high by all the good things said about him here ;)
 
I'm now reading, Shadow of the Scorpion by N.Asher, hopefully when I finish this book, I would have a full grasp in the polity universe and would be able to continue the Agent Ian Cormac Series.
 
I'm currently reading the Penguin Classics editions of George MacDonald's complete fairy tales. MacDonald was an influence on both Tolkien and Lewis and I've been curious about his work for a while, this seemed like a suitable entry point.
 
Have you thought of all these topic titles in advance or do you make them up as you go?

Generally I'm winging it. In fact, in this case, I wanted to use the word "omnibus" (as in anthology), but felt that was too limiting.... I also see that Vertigo may have done me one better....:D

Yes, MacDonald's fairy tales are... quite interesting. It has been ages since I read any of them, but I think you will not be disappointed....
 
Off-genre a little, reading Kim by Rudyard Kipling.
 
Finished Feintuch's Midshipmans Hope last last night (morning actually) and am rather ashamed to say I enjoyed it!

I did find some plot elements very contrived and I can understand that there are many comments online about the homosexual undertones and masochist tendancies of the characters... but i still flew through it.

Luckily (for once) I have quite a selection to choose from in my TBR pile, but i am leaning towards Best Served Cold by Abercrombie
 
Luckily (for once) I have quite a selection to choose from in my TBR pile, but i am leaning towards Best Served Cold by Abercrombie

I bought my husband a signed copy of that as part of his birthday present. Wish he'd hurry up then I can read it.

Finished the first of Patricia Briggs Mercy Thomson series. Was ok, remembered why I'm not such a big werewolf fan, all that stuff about dominance, if I wanted to watch men mudwrestling, well, erm, I'm sure there must be a Sky channel that shows that. Quite enjoyed the rest of it thoug. Also read the Hunting of the Snark last night which was great, I do love nonsense (Carroll and Lear both)
 
I'm currently reading the Penguin Classics editions of George MacDonald's complete fairy tales. MacDonald was an influence on both Tolkien and Lewis and I've been curious about his work for a while, this seemed like a suitable entry point.

How are you finding them? I've downloaded them from Gutenberg, 'At the back of the North wind' was a childhood favorite.
 
Hugely off genre with Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert.

Compelling story but the translation is very old swedish and a annoying small hardcover that looks like its from 1901 but its from 2000.

Why i prefer english translation of classic lit.
 
I'm currently reading the Penguin Classics editions of George MacDonald's complete fairy tales. MacDonald was an influence on both Tolkien and Lewis and I've been curious about his work for a while, this seemed like a suitable entry point.
Yes, you will find that Penguin black classic edition to be a most excellent introduction. You should also be chasing up a copy of the other penguin black classic News from Nowhere and Other Stories, which of course covers some of the writings of that other key pioneer of the Fantasy Genre as it became codified in the brilliant William Morris, surely a Da vinci of his time.....:) You should also chase up copies of Well at the World's End by Morris and Princess and the Goblin, The Golden Key and Lilith by Macdonald.
 
Opening observations on our obscure opuses:

I needed a bit of a break and have just finished three lightweight reads; a Mike Shepherd Kris Longknife story and a couple of Poul Anderson's Flandry books (confess to being a bit disappointed by them). Now ready to embark on my first Joe Abercrombie - The Blade Itself. I'm hoping my expectations haven't been set to high by all the good things said about him here ;)

I'd advise you to temper your expectations. Blade Itself is good, but it's a bit slow as it sets things up. I felt like the series really took off in books 2 and 3, so if you're underwhelmed or not blown away, don't let it turn you off!

Finally got round to finishing Casino Royale this morning. I enjoyed it as a nice, light change of pace, but didn't find it terribly memorable or thrilling. I may check out some later volumes when I have time.

Now, on the Black Lung Captain by Chris Wooding. The second in the Ketty Jay series and if the first was any indication it should be a blast!
 
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Started Chris Wooding's Retribution Falls from seeing what people around here have said about it. Loving it so far.
 
Generally I'm winging it. In fact, in this case, I wanted to use the word "omnibus" (as in anthology), but felt that was too limiting.... I also see that Vertigo may have done me one better....:D

Yes, MacDonald's fairy tales are... quite interesting. It has been ages since I read any of them, but I think you will not be disappointed....

Not intended to go one better (I was muttering and mumbling about you having already pinched 'omnipresent') but rather, extending your theme for the first post (about actually reading) :D
 
Finished Kim - moving on to A Diversity of Creatures, by the same author.
 
Finished The Second Half of The Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe. Now on to Joe Ambercrombie with Best Served Cold.
 
Just finished The Fall of Hyperion by Dan Simmons, now moving on to Michael Ondaatje's In the Skin of a Lion.
 
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