Return of the Book Thread

[Abagadro]

I petered out on the Harrington series at War of Honor. They just started to seem all the same to me and the last couple seemed really repetitive. I actually had no idea he'd put out more past that. 

I wish Bujold would write another Miles Vorkosigan book as those kept my interest throughout.

[Murgos]

The Harrington stuff is ok I guess.  It pales, to me, in comparison to the Hornblower/Aubrey-Maturin stuff it's based on though.

Which reminds me, I've been meaning to start on these.  Napoleonic British Navy Fiction written by an actual Captain of the British Royal Navy in the Napoleonic Wars?  Even if it's dry as dirt is should have some amazing detail on real life around then.

I'll have to print them out though, I spend enough time in front of a computer as it is.

[bhodi]

Well, I was going through recommended series one at a time, and the last ones did get pretty repetitive, but I was just trying to just finish it. The fact that it was all online made it easier; books in a series have to get pretty bad before I put them down, I tend to finish the entire thing.

I can't get into historical fiction, even stuff like the Sharpe novels. I just like my spaceships, I guess.

[Chimpy]

To resurrect the bookses.

I decided to hit up some of the "classics" of sci-fi that were some my dad's favorites back in the day that I never picked up. So I picked up the first 3 of Asimov's Foundation books, and the first Childe Cycle book by Dickson.

I was actually a lot more engaged by Asminov's style than I thought I would be. I guess it was a decade and a half of being scared of Asmiov because I did a book report on one of his non-fiction works in Jr. High and it was dense reading.

Now I just need to figure out what is actually the next book in order on that and the Childe Cycle so I can check them out and see if my enjoyment continues. Gotta love the olden days when authors changed publishers as much as their underwear and the inside of the title page does not give you a decent roadmap on what books are in what order.

Oh, picked up Feast of Souls, C.S. Friedman's newest book yesterday afternoon and read it before I went to bed. Was pretty good, again I enjoyed her differing take on the whole magic themes people are used to. Will be interesting to see the direction the story takes in the sequels.

[Ironwood]

Finished American Gods and the Baroque stuff.

More proof if any were needed that people no longer know how to write an ending.

Further, if you want a surprise twist, don't telegraph it in the middle of your fucking novel;  I don't believe it's because I'm any cleverer than anyone else.

[Oban]

Hmm, I read American Gods when it came out so my memory of it is a bit fuzzy.  What was wrong with the ending?

[Ironwood]

American Gods was more about the telegraphing than the ending, but I'll admit to finishing the book and finding myself totally unsatisfied with the resolution.  I probably couldn't put my finger on why, but it seemed that the whole trouble and strife undergone by the central character was, er, pointless.  In a novel of change, he, er, didn't.

Maybe just me.

[Murgos]

No you're right.  Shadow doesn't develop and the ending is underwhelming.  A Nancy Boys is better in that regard, I think.  The Baroque Cycle had a pretty disappointing ending too.  Considering how much effort was put into the rest of the story and how broad the tale is the ending just seems like, "OK, were done.  Wrap it up!"

I forgive both of them their crappy endings though because they both kept me far more entertained, well, for fantasy novels, than anything recent except for maybe the G. R. R. Martin stuff (for which I am also expecting a meh ending after dragging on for years at least the Baroque Cycle had an ending).

[Riggswolfe]

I picked up a military sci-fi book by John Ringo called A Hymn Before Battle. It's ok. You can tell he has a hard on for other military scifi writers. I'm also trying to find a copy of Stardust by Neil Gaiman. I hear nothing but good about it. I'll just have to breakdown and get it on Amazon I guess.

I have a few guilty pleasure series that I'm pretty sure none of you read, like Kim Harrison's Hollows series. It's one of those present day setting with monsters added in kinds of series. Her character makes me laugh so I enjoy it. Plus it's not poorly written porn like Anita Blake.

I saw you guys mentioning that Honor Harrington is still ongoing. It reminds me, I still wonder if the Wheel of Time series will be finished. They have one book to go and the author is dying. That said, I'm also having trouble caring.

And of course, I'm about to go crazy waiting for Saturday. I love me some Harry Potter even if every other person on the planet does too.

[Sky]

I'm also trying to find a copy of Stardust by Neil Gaiman. I hear nothing but good about it. I'll just have to breakdown and get it on Amazon I guess.

Does your library have it? If not, they can probably get it via inter-library loan.  :-D

I'm reading Cryptonomicon by Stephenson, my first Stephenson book. He's a fun writer, I'm really enjoying it.

[MrHat]

I read the first quarter of it, now I've misplaced it and can't find the Crypto anywheres.

OH SAD DAYS.

[Engels]

To folks who managed to wade through the Baroque Cycle, might I recommend another book, by a different author, which takes place during a similar time period, deals with somewhat similar subjects, but is a fantastic read? I'm refering to An Instance of the Fingerpost. Its set in 1663 England, and deals with any number of issues, from court intrigues, to scientific discoveries of the time, with major scientific players as an integral part of the plot, but its all basically a murder mystery, told in 4 sections, each one written from the viewpoint of a different 'unreliable narrator'.

Its a tough read, at times, it sags a bit in the middle, but like so many other good novels of that type, its really pays out in the end.

[Riggswolfe]

I'm also trying to find a copy of Stardust by Neil Gaiman. I hear nothing but good about it. I'll just have to breakdown and get it on Amazon I guess.

Does your library have it? If not, they can probably get it via inter-library loan.  :-D

I'm reading Cryptonomicon by Stephenson, my first Stephenson book. He's a fun writer, I'm really enjoying it.

I'm not a big library person. I like to own my books and read them over and over. My book collection is far bigger than Schild's game collection. I have 6 of those tall book shelves filled with books and probably enough books to fill another 6 packed in boxes in my garage.

[Miasma]

I'm embarrassed to admit that I only found out about Pratchett a little while ago (I have no idea how I missed it so don't ask me).  The upside of that is now I can burn through decades worth of the man's work in a few short months, it's like this huge treasure trove of dozens of fantastic books suddenly appearing.  I'm up to Men at Arms and have already purchased and stashed away all the other Discworld novels (except the young adult ones, which I'm sure I will wind up reading later anyways).

[Viin]

I'm reading Cryptonomicon by Stephenson, my first Stephenson book. He's a fun writer, I'm really enjoying it.

Make sure you read his earlier stuff

I forgive both of them their crappy endings though because they both kept me far more entertained, well, for fantasy novels, than anything recent except for maybe the G. R. R. Martin stuff (for which I am also expecting a meh ending after dragging on for years at least the Baroque Cycle had an ending).

And make sure you read Armageddon Rag, awesome book by Martin. I just finished Fevre Dream which was OK, it doesn't really pick up until almost half way through.

It reminds me, I still wonder if the Wheel of Time series will be finished. They have one book to go and the author is dying. That said, I'm also having trouble caring.

This is one of the reasons I'm on a short-series/single book kick right now. I hate (HATE!) waiting for the next (and the next, and the next) book to come out, so I've decided I will no longer read a series until it's done. Anything longer than maybe 4-5 books I probably won't finish because the writing typically goes way down hill after the mid-way point through the series.

If people like Jordan would stop thinking they have to continue the only series they've ever made, we might actually get some more enjoyable material out of them before you completely burn out on their half-assed end-of-series must-extended-as-much-as-possible writing.

What's wrong with doing spin-offs or some other topic entirely?

[kaid]

The thing I never really understood is why jordan is flogging the hell out of that series to drag it out in that story line. The whole concept of the wheel of time makes it perfect to spin off different series in different turns of the wheel. One story line did not need to be dragged out into the road flogged by drunken hamsters while having geese poop on it.

[Morat20]

I'm embarrassed to admit that I only found out about Pratchett a little while ago (I have no idea how I missed it so don't ask me).  The upside of that is now I can burn through decades worth of the man's work in a few short months, it's like this huge treasure trove of dozens of fantastic books suddenly appearing.  I'm up to Men at Arms and have already purchased and stashed away all the other Discworld novels (except the young adult ones, which I'm sure I will wind up reading later anyways).

The Tiffany Aching books (Wee Free Men, Hat Full of Sky, and Wintersmith) are great. They're up there with Night Watch in terms of craft and storyling, and probably the best he's done in terms of sheer love for the work and place. They're set on the Chalk, which is pretty much the Discworld version of the parts of England Pratchett loves and knows best. S

Pratchett has this uncanny ability to stick really damn good literature inside a popular cover. Very good stories, decent philosophy, and thought-provoking concepts hidden inside strong characters and a lot of humor.

As for American Gods, I think you're missing the actual character growth of Shadow -- Shadow's character growth is in learning to be fully himself, to be Balder. (He's a shadow of a Diety, like the rest of them).

[Ironwood]

I put it to you that I didn't miss that growth at all, but that it wasn't presented at all.

 

[HaemishM]

I finally finished the first Dune trilogy. Awesome fucking stuff. I tried, I really really tried to read R.A. Salvatore's Drizzt stuff, staring with The Legacy. I couldn't do it. 50 pages in, and I felt like I was bathing in the underpants of an MMOG raiding poopsocker. It was so full of every D&D stereotype ever made. Did he just shit the book out over a weekend? Fucking awful, unless you're 12.

I have gotten about halfway through Royal Blood, by Bertram Fields, an analysis of Richard III's reign in England and the mystery of the princes. The author is supposed to be examining whether or not Richard III had the sons of his brother, King Edward IV, imprisoned in the Tower of London and killed to keep them from being the rightful heirs to the throne after Edward's death. So far, he hasn't really gotten too far into the mystery, he's spent most of the time talking about the War of the Roses and Richard's reign. After 180 pages or so, there have been maybe 20 pages on the princes. It's still good, just wondering when the point of the book is going to be fully explored. I think I got this hardback at either the dollar store (for a dollar) or at the library book sale for less than a buck. I love me some library sales.

[Morat20]

I put it to you that I didn't miss that growth at all, but that it wasn't presented at all.

 

I didn't catch it until the second read, after reading both Anasi Boys and Monarch of the Glen -- which is probably why I saw it that time through. It's fairly subtle, insofar as it basically involves a man becoming himself. :)

Fat Charlie's growth is more obvious, but in the same vein -- and not as wrapped in symbolism as Shadow's.

[Furiously]

The Harrington stuff is ok I guess.  It pales, to me, in comparison to the Hornblower/Aubrey-Maturin stuff it's based on though.

Which reminds me, I've been meaning to start on these.  Napoleonic British Navy Fiction written by an actual Captain of the British Royal Navy in the Napoleonic Wars?  Even if it's dry as dirt is should have some amazing detail on real life around then.

I'll have to print them out though, I spend enough time in front of a computer as it is.

Day 1: I flogged a man. Then I had supper.
Day 2: Another man looked at me. I had him flogged. I ate supper with the officers. I had one flogged for reaching for the salt without asking.
Day 3: Our first causality. I flogged a man to death. I hope the biscuits don't get too wet soon.

[Johny Cee]

I finally finished the first Dune trilogy. Awesome fucking stuff. I tried, I really really tried to read R.A. Salvatore's Drizzt stuff, staring with The Legacy. I couldn't do it. 50 pages in, and I felt like I was bathing in the underpants of an MMOG raiding poopsocker. It was so full of every D&D stereotype ever made. Did he just shit the book out over a weekend? Fucking awful, unless you're 12.

I have gotten about halfway through Royal Blood, by Bertram Fields, an analysis of Richard III's reign in England and the mystery of the princes. The author is supposed to be examining whether or not Richard III had the sons of his brother, King Edward IV, imprisoned in the Tower of London and killed to keep them from being the rightful heirs to the throne after Edward's death. So far, he hasn't really gotten too far into the mystery, he's spent most of the time talking about the War of the Roses and Richard's reign. After 180 pages or so, there have been maybe 20 pages on the princes. It's still good, just wondering when the point of the book is going to be fully explored. I think I got this hardback at either the dollar store (for a dollar) or at the library book sale for less than a buck. I love me some library sales.

How many (original) Dune books are there?  I loved the first book,  and just remember my enjoyment and interest waning as I read each book in the series.  They've all kind of blended together for me now,  though I remember liking the last book a fair amount (Chapterhouse: Dune?).

Edit:

Haven't been reading much new stuff.  Reread a pile of old stuff,  including alot of Cook and a read through of the "Dresden" books.  Been picking away at some books on the Hundred Years War,  and an analysis of classical wars and warmaking.

I know there are some folks here that are nutty about Roman history,  so...  Stephen Dando-Collins rights some kind of fun light reading that tracks the history of some of the more famous Roman legions.  Very much light reading,  you breeze right through.  (Ceaser's Legion and Nero's Killing Machine are the two I've read)

Need I mention that I read these things in between bouts of Rome: Total War?

[Margalis]

Dune
Children of Dune
Messiah of Dune
God Emperor of Dune
Heretics of Dune
Chapter Whatever

I think that is the order, I could be wrong, that's entirely from memory. 1 and 4 are far better than the rest IMO, 4 is pretty different in tone than the others. Heretics was god awful, I didn't read past it. It was almost self-parody.

[Chimpy]

Dune
Children of Dune
Messiah of Dune
God Emperor of Dune
Heretics of Dune
Chapter Whatever

I think that is the order, I could be wrong, that's entirely from memory. 1 and 4 are far better than the rest IMO, 4 is pretty different in tone than the others. Heretics was god awful, I didn't read past it. It was almost self-parody.

You mixed Dune Messiah and Children of Dune, Messiah is second.

[Abagadro]

I like Heretics. Miles Teg is one of my favorite characters in the saga and I like the expansion of things beyond just the traditional stuff around Arrakis.

[Chimpy]

I like Heretics. Miles Teg is one of my favorite characters in the saga and I like the expansion of things beyond just the traditional stuff around Arrakis.

I think people dislike Heretics and Chapterhouse as they are set so far into the future and introduce so many new and different things as a primer for "Dune 7". Sadly Herbert died before he finished it.

[Abagadro]

I think all that Dune 7 nonsense is Brian justifying the ass raping he has been giving his dad's literary legacy. Seemed like Chapterhouse was pretty final.

[Margalis]

Kids really need to learn not to fuck with their parent's work. I mean, write you own shit for God's sake!

Reminds me of Ted Williams' son trying to play baseball.

[Murgos]

I think all that Dune 7 nonsense is Brian justifying the ass raping he has been giving his dad's literary legacy. Seemed like Chapterhouse was pretty final.

Following the arc of the story Chapterhouse is very final.

-Pre Dune-
Humans inhabit universe with the aid of thinking machines.
Thinking machines make human life so easy the entire species stagnates.
Humans revolt, win, spend eons re-establishing themselves to the vigor and ability of the expansion years.
Humans become so entrenched that even without the excuse of the thinking machines the species is stagnant.

-Dune and et al-
Paul and Son totally screw everything up and send waves of war and destruction across the universe to revitalize species.

-Chapterhouse-
The diaspora was so successful that there are groups spread so far and wide that there will never be an extended period of time without contact being made to a 'new' branch of humanity with new ideas, culture and genetic material to refresh the species with.

[Engels]

I wouldn't mind, if the kid could actually write. But he can't. Its just awful. I tried to read one of his co-written novels, but I just couldn't do it. Its clear that he's simply not meant to be a fiction writer.

[HaemishM]

The first 3 Dune books are all fantastic, with Dune Messiah being the weakest, IMO. Paul gets super mopey in that one. I did wish that Count Fenrig (I think that's his name) from the first book, the assaassin noble guy who Paul could not use his futuresight on, had been carried into the next few books, because he seemed a good future foil for Paul. I haven't read the last 3, so can't speak to them.

[Engels]

The last three are simultaneously the more tedious yet most philosophically interesting. If you're looking for good plot driven storytelling, they don't really deliver, but that's pretty much intentional on Herbert's part. Herbert develops and finally delivers an all-encompasing theology of his universe, which he does by stretching out the time frame for the story over centuries to give the reader a sense of the 'eternal principles', to put it clumsily, underpining his story. As such, the drama is anemic, and often considered just plain bad. For myself, I understood why he did what he did, and felt rewarded. Its one of the most profound work on theology I've ever read.

[Morat20]

The last three are simultaneously the more tedious yet most philosophically interesting. If you're looking for good plot driven storytelling, they don't really deliver, but that's pretty much intentional on Herbert's part. Herbert develops and finally delivers an all-encompasing theology of his universe, which he does by stretching out the time frame for the story over centuries to give the reader a sense of the 'eternal principles', to put it clumsily, underpining his story. As such, the drama is anemic, and often considered just plain bad. For myself, I understood why he did what he did, and felt rewarded. Its one of the most profound work on theology I've ever read.

Have you tried Small Gods or A Canticle for Leibowitz. The first is funny and gets to the basics of religious motivation, and the second -- is depressing as hell and pretty accurate about the human condition. The Lathe of Heaven is a good and quick read that packs quite a punch.

I'm still trying to finish Lem's Hospital of the Transfiguration, but Lem's always been a slog for me.

[Lt.Dan]

Just finished reading "Gods and Monsters: Movers and Shakers and Other Casualties of the Holllywood Machine" by Peter Biskind (who also wrote Easy Riders, Raging Bulls).  Basically just a collection of his essays and articles about the movie making industry from 30 years of writing.  Some of the reviews are a bit esoteric but the biographical stuff is throroughly interesting.

[Engels]

Have you tried Small Gods or A Canticle for Leibowitz. The first is funny and gets to the basics of religious motivation, and the second -- is depressing as hell and pretty accurate about the human condition. The Lathe of Heaven is a good and quick read that packs quite a punch.

I'm still trying to finish Lem's Hospital of the Transfiguration, but Lem's always been a slog for me.

I've not read Small Gods. I'll check it out. I have read both Canticle for Leibowitz and Lathe of Heaven, and they are both, of course, classics. Along that vein, you might enjoy The Gods Themselves by Asimov. It a 3 part novel, each exploring what god means to three different types of being, human, an omoeba from some wierd planet, and some other being. It sounds kinda dorky, but it good stuff. I didn't even particularly like Asimov's Foundation stuff, but this book was somewhat in a class by itself.