October 2019 reading thread

[Bick]

Now starting Heinlein’s Time Enough for Love. I read the Future History stories including Methusalah’s Children recently, so should segue into this okay.

 

[Bick]

I’m just a few pages in to TEFL, but just have to say... sometimes you read a novel and the intelligence of the writer just shines through so brightly, and I’m reminded, Heinlein was a ****ing genius

 

[kythe]

I am currently reading "The Long Walk" by Richard Bachman (Stephen King). Unlike many of his other books, this one is not scary, but sad. There is a real sense of hopelessness and existing without purpose throughout.

 

[Hugh]

"The Collected Stories of Roger Zelazny, Volume 6". Final volume of the NESFA series of Zelazny's shorter fiction, poetry, and various other writings/musings. This includes three "Wild Cards" and six Amber stories. I can't say I thought any of these particularly impressive, but they are still Zelazny. I'm afraid, as with the earlier volumes, the poetry was beyond me. What I did enjoy was the various musings by Zelazny on the process of writing. I've now read all of his shorter and longer SFF, other than some of his various collaborations - I may give these a try. Alternatively I may try a re-read of the Amber series starting from "Sign of the Unicorn": the first two books have always been among my favourites, and I re-read them recently, but at the time of reading (many years ago) I was disappointed with all the sequels - perhaps I may like them better this time round.

 

[HareBrain]

Having abandoned The Name of the Wind, I'm now part way through The War in the West (Germany Ascendant, 1939-1941) by James Holland, which is interesting for its relatively heavy focus on things like resources, manufacturing and logistics. Interesting contention that the view of the German army as highly mechanised and generally superior right from the start of the war was a myth, largely based on German propaganda and trickery when displaying to foreign journalists.

I'm also about to start Who Dares Wins, the just-released 1979-1982 volume of Dominic Sandbrook's history of post-war Britain. His books are such good reads, and I'm really looking forward to settling into this, not least because it'll be the first volume whose events I was old enough to pay real attention to at the time.

 

[Boneman]

Having abandoned The Name of the Wind,

You will be blown back....

I am reading (after meeting her, and being entranced by her) Winnie M Li's Dark Chapter. Very difficult to read as it's based on her own experience...

Also (don't laugh) Simon Mayo's Mad Blood Stirring. Again based on true life, and unbelievably entertaining.

 

[Galactic Bus Driver]

I am currently reading "The Long Walk" by Richard Bachman (Stephen King). Unlike many of his other books, this one is not scary, but sad. There is a real sense of hopelessness and existing without purpose throughout.

That theme played, to one degree or another, through all the Bachman books.

Since Wednesday I've finished books 8 and 9 of the October day series, starting book 10 today. Once I'm through book 11, I'll back off the breakneck pace as books 12 and 13 are new reads, not re-reads. Of course, 13 isn't available yet in audio as they're waiting on Mary Robinette's availability to read. I despise the delay, but applaud the decision. I remember too clearly when the Rachel Morgan books by Kim Harrison were so rudely interrupted by a new reader who so obviously didn't bother to even check pronunciations from the previous audio books. Fortunately it was a one-off and we were returned to the very capable hands of Marguerite Gavin.

 

[Paul_C]

Just about to finish a very enjoyable Yellow Blue Tibia - Adam Roberts. It felt a bit Vonnegutesque in that lots of it isn't very sci-fi at all, but nevertheless there was never a moment where I didn't want to keep reading, which these days is quite a high recommendation

 

[Danny McG]

I'm gonna have a go at Quantum by Patricia Cornwell.
It has some mediocre reviews on Goodreads, but they seem written by readers who aren't into our genre so they're a bit outside of their comfort zone.

Quantum (Captain Chase, book 1) by Patricia Cornwell

Quantum (Captain Chase, book 1) by Patricia Cornwell - book cover, description.

www.fantasticfiction.com

 

[Foxbat]

Finished the book on British prime ministers (Wilson to May). Not so much biographical but more looking at the freedom and constraints of leadership in each case and how those factors ultimately shaped the choices they made. Utterly fascinating.

Now starting White Eagle, Red Star - The Polish-Soviet War 1919-1920 by Norman Davies. Critics consider this to be one of the best English language books on the subject so hoping to learn much from it.

 

[Elckerlyc]

Finished The Burgundians., basically the history of the Valois-Burgundy Dukes (roughly 1300-1500).
From history we move on to the future with Homo Deus by Yuval Noah Harari. His other book Homo Sapiens, about the history of - surprise! - Homo Sapiens was very interesting. But predicting the future is something completely different.

 

[Ian Fortytwo]

I'm reading Tales of Tricks and Treats, short stories by Enid Blyton.

 

[Danny McG]

John Birmingham - The Cruel Stars.
I've just downloaded it, the reviews sound promising....we shall see

 

[vanye]

I'm reading Tales of Tricks and Treats, short stories by Enid Blyton.

She was truly the author of my youth, along with Karl May. My favourite aunt could buy the books cheaper at her workplace and she alway thought of me. Now that she is long gone, I think of her a lot. Lots of memories tied up with Enid Blyton‘s books.

 

[Paul_C]

The reviews are mixed, but nevertheless I'm going to see what I make of A Man Of Shadows - Jeff Noon.

 

[tobl]

John Birmingham - The Cruel Stars.
I've just downloaded it, the reviews sound promising....we shall see

hum... thr guy from the axis of time
not much into alternative history so never read anything from him

 

[Overread]

Gotrek and Felix the Third Omnibus
Another collected work of the mighty duo of adventures in the Old World! Comprising of Giantslayer, Redhand’s Daughter, Orcslayer, Manslayer, The Oberwald Ripper, Red Snow and Last Orders - which is no less than 3 full novels and four short stories! This long arc of the duo sees them starting far from the lands of men and far off into the far realms of Albion, where they meet mighty Amazons, dark wizards, haughty elves (who have a dark side all of their own). See them brave the seas and travel back from those dark and far off lands only to meet even darker times in their own lands as Gotrek travels to find his doom in battle and Felix doggedly sticks to his side to recount the tale.

A great adventuring read with plenty of swords and axes swinging and true proper (dwarven) quaffing of much ale!

**edit - darn it I'm too tired I even managed to misspost twice now and get the wrong month!

MOD EDIT -- now moved to the right month!

 

[Parson]

I just finished Hero Code by Lindsay Buroker, book 3 in Star Kingdom series. And each book is getting better, which is a really rare thing. I've started Gate Quest book 4 and to this point I'm not sure the momentum will continue, but I'm only about three chapters in. What I was really surprised to learn after book 3 is that normally she is a Science Fiction ROMANCE writer. Romance does play a small but significant role in the previous 3 books and clearly will play a role in Gate Quest as well. I am very fine with it as long as the Romance side isn't filled with lies and doesn't overwhelm what so far has been a pretty good plot arc.

 

[Rodders]

Finished Fatal Error and I am now on to The Dark At The End, which is the final Repairman Jack book. (Although he is in Nightworld.)

 

[Dragonlady]

I'm rereading blackberry wine by Joanne Harris in the day, and a time traveller's guide to mediaeval england at night