Literature What are you currently reading?

[Andy_T]

Yes, "The Martian" is a quick read, and a enjoyable one.

Basically it is a collection of the transcripts of the log kept by the astronaut, and in the later phase the transcripts of his communications with Houston, with a few third-person sequences thrown in. That style works quite well, although it, of course, limits the character development.

I just read "Red rising", a Science Fiction novel from last year, and that was also a quick read. Very advisable, if you liked "The Hunger Games" IMO. Disadvantage of this book is that it is the first part of a trilogy, and only books 1 and 2 have been released so far.

 

[PTree15]

I'm about to start Ready Player One, by Ernest Cline.

 

[Andy_T]

I just re-read Cordwainer Smiths "A Quest of Three Worlds" and was again impressed by how much I liked it.

As a matter of fact, reading one of the parts "On the Storm Planet" in an anthology published by Gardner Dozois was what brought me initially to searching out Cordwainer Smiths other books (unfortunately he published way too litttle fiction as he had a lot of other very interesting occupations).

So I can suggest anything written by him, either the book mentioned, one of his few collections of short stories (e.g. "The Instrumentality of Mankind") or his only novel, "Norstrilia".

All worth reading and quite timeless, considering that he wrote them in the 60's.
Best regards,
Andy

 

[Dropkick]

I probably recommended these before, but I feel they're worth a second mention.
In March Patricia Briggs has a new novel coming out in her Alpha and Omega series (a spin off of her Mercy Thompson series).
So I decided to reread the earlier books. I started with the novelette Alpha and Omega from the anthology On the Prowl (also available as a stand alone eBook - I bought both - the eBook was cheap). Then I read (in order) Cry Wolf, Hunting Ground, and Fair Game.
I really like Patricia Briggs' writing*, and she's a local author so I feel a need to pimp out her product.

*She's also a New York Times best seller, so I'm not alone in liking her.

 

[Dropkick]

I'm about to start Ready Player One, by Ernest Cline.

I think you'll enjoy it - I did.

 

[Moll Flanders]

I just read God's Debris by Scott Adams.
God's Debris - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I have a free ebook to read after that, The Richest Man in Babylon by Charles Conrad.

 

[Mischief]

I just finished all the Hieronymous Bosch books by Michael Connelly, and now I've started the Harry Hole books by Jo Nesbo.

 

[Andy_T]

Mischief, the Harry Bosch books are very good (although for me, "Nine Dragons" was not as believable as the other ones with the changes in his person).

Have you also read his Mickey Haller books?

Best regards,
Andy

 

[Mischief]

Mischief, the Harry Bosch books are very good (although for me, "Nine Dragons" was not as believable as the other ones with the changes in his person).

Have you also read his Mickey Haller books?

Best regards,
Andy

I've read the two Haller books in which Harry Bosch makes an appearance, and now I'm going back to read the rest of the Haller books. I read the Bosch books in order of publication. I agree with you about Nine Dragons.

I was pleasantly surprised by the Bosch books. In a way, the remind me of Ian Rankin's Rebus series, which are among my all time favorites. Have you read any of the Rebus books?

 

[Moll Flanders]

I've just started The Moneyless Manifesto.

 

[Dropkick]

Went up to the land for a couple nights. Spent much of the time in bed covered with many blankets and two dogs (I have no heat).

While I was there I read the new novel by Patricia Briggs: Dead Heat (book 4 of the Alpha and Omega series). Enjoyed it, as I've enjoyed everything she's written.

I also read the current 4 books of Courts of the Feyre series by Mike Shevdon. I enjoyed them also.

In addition I read 4 books of the Chris Csejthe series by Wm. Mark Simmons. Liked them also.

Tonight I started A Kiss Before the Apocalypse by Thomas E. Sniegoski which I think is the first book in his Remy Chandler series - though I believe it was proceeded by several short stories. It is an good read and I'm having fun reading it, even though the choice of protagonist isn't one I normally enjoy (an angel who's trying to live as a man).

 

[dormouse]

Recently, I've liked to keep a couple of books going at once. Right now, I'm working on rereading Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky, reading The Science of Yoga by William Broad, Building a Better Teacher by Elizabeth Green, and the Russian translation of Game of Thrones--for fun and Russian practice.

 

[Second Summer]

I was just reading a long newspaper article about the King & Crown Prince of Norway and their escape to England during the Nazi invasion in 1940. It will be 75 years since the invasion on 9. April.

 

[hungryraccoon]

Station Eleven by Emily St.John Mandel which is about a flu epidemic that kills off 99% of the population. Quite enjoying it as it's more focused on the character's backstorys, where they are now (20 years on from epidemic) & how the people are linked together.

 

[Andy_T]

I was pleasantly surprised by the Bosch books. In a way, the remind me of Ian Rankin's Rebus series, which are among my all time favorites. Have you read any of the Rebus books?

Hello Mischief,

yes, I have read - if I remember correctly - the first 6 or so Rebus books by Ian Rankin.
I liked them, but somehow they did not grip me so much as the Harry Bosch books.

Have to remember a bit more which other books of this kind I have read so far, as I have more or less changed to reading Fantasy and Science Fiction some time ago (apart from Michael Connelly's books).

Best regards,
Andy

 

[Cerebellion]

I started reading a collection of short stories by Nic Pizzolatto called Between Here and the Yellow Sea. The author is the writer of the HBO series True Detective and I'm enjoying it immensely.

 

[Ann Chovie]

Recently, I've liked to keep a couple of books going at once. Right now, I'm working on rereading Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky, reading The Science of Yoga by William Broad, Building a Better Teacher by Elizabeth Green, and the Russian translation of Game of Thrones--for fun and Russian practice.

I have re-read many books that I read as part of syllabus study at various times in my life.

Some have proved to be doubly pleasurable the second time around with an added charm of evoking nostalgia for forgotten times.

I struggled with Dostoevsky badly and as it was suggested rather than compulsory reading gave up very quickly. Maybe worth another try?

 

[dormouse]

I struggled with Dostoevsky badly and as it was suggested rather than compulsory reading gave up very quickly. Maybe worth another try?

I love Russian literature, so I would always say that it is. I suggest starting with Crime and Punishment. It has the most plot of any of his novels.

 

[Kenickie]

well now, if it isn't a dormouse. long time no see.

reading Fifty Years of X-Men - Stan Lee.
Also a metric ton of comic books...SAGA issue 28(?), They Aren't Like Us #4, and Manhattan Projects #23

 

[beancounter]

Quantum Lens by Douglas Richards