What'cha Reading?

[justinjoesherman]

Some boards I've been reading lately have a thread to post what you are currently reading, and whether it's a wonderful romp or a horrible slog.

I'm finishing Broken Angel by Sigmund Brouwer, just terrific, and the first I've read of his books. Next up for me is The Resurrection by Mike Duran.

What say you?

[Kessie]

I just finished reading Lucas: Guardian of Truth as an advance reader copy. It was all right. The Christian stuff got a little heavy-handed at the end.

I'm starting to read Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne for our book club. I think I'm the only one who hasn't read it yet.

[dragonlots]

I'm reading 'The 13th Tribe'. Had a slow beginning but the premise is wonderful. I can't wait to see how it ends.

[Bethany J.]

I'm reading "Crown of Fire", the third book in the "Firebird" series by Kathy Tyers. Actually, I haven't picked it up in awhile...that is completely my fault, though, and not the book's fault for being boring! I am loving her series so far.

[yoda47]

Jun 19, 2012 15:10:19 GMT -5 Bethany J. said:

I'm reading "Crown of Fire", the third book in the "Firebird" series by Kathy Tyers. Actually, I haven't picked it up in awhile...that is completely my fault, though, and not the book's fault for being boring! I am loving her series so far.

I need to read that... I've read the first two...


Hmm, I even have it on my iPad...

[Kessie]

I read the first two Firebird books. They were kind of emotionally draining, and worse, she writes with the same kind of logic I use. And because our brains work the same way, I knew exactly what kind of torment she was going to put her characters through. And she did. For some reason that was really disturbing for me, so I had to stop reading.

[justinjoesherman]

Checked out The 13th Tribe on Amazon, and it looked good. Was it part of a series, though, and did you have to read the previous books to get the best reading experience?

And what about the Firebrand books? Are they good as "standalone" stories?

[This Baron of Mora]

I am reading a collection of short works called "The Tolkien Reader." It includes a short play The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth Beorhthelm's Sun, Tree and Leaf (including On Fairy Stories and Leaf by Niggle), The Adventures of Tom Bombadil (who appears in the Lord of the Rings). My favorite title in it is Farmer Giles of Ham which hilariously subtitles it in Old english (I can't type it though) and then says

Or in the vulger tongue

The Rise and Wonderful Adventures of
Farmer Giles, Lord of Tame,
Count of Worminghall
and King of
the Little Kingdom

Which follows his passionate belief that the French Normans ruined the Anglo-Saxon tongue when they invaded. A opinion that I will agree with.

[Kessie]

I'm reading a terrible ebook I nabbed for free when Amazon offered it. I'm thinking two stars. One star because you can't have zero, and the second star because there's actually a decent story in there, under the lack of editing.

[cdeb]

I'm reading "Antarctica" by Kim Stanley Robinson.

Its a volume of his I missed somehow and I am now reading on my cell phone Kindle app (would take too long to get hold of print version). My reading is in preparation for a short story I am writing.

There's information dumping in SF and then there's Stan. He does an incredible amount of detailed research (see Mars Trilogy, for example) and its all there on the pages. No beginning writer would get away with it ( and no current writing teacher would allow it ;D), but I picked up this book as the ultimate travel guide (I believe he has spent some time there) to get a better feel for the place.

And it's amazing...Antarctica, that is (the verdict on the book awaits its completion) but I am now completely on top of the history of the place and what it looks and feels like without even studying loads of photos or using Google or Wikipedia! Though further independent research will be necessary as he doesn't visit my favourite place where I set my story.


CdeB

[Bainespal]

I've been reading Daughter of Light by Morgan Busse. I like the setting. The fantasy-world variation of Christianity presents how Christianity really might appear in a different world, and not just a rehash of our world's history.

And, of course, the pre-release version of Issue 12 of The Cross and the Cosmos that I was sent. I'm supposed to be reviewing it, but I'm also trying to finish an entry for an interactive fiction comp. Both things are due July 1st, unfortunately. Anyways, I've read everything in Issue 12 at least once already, and I can definitely recommend the issue as a whole. It will be well worth reading, and supporting.

[beckyminor]

I just bought The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss--I've only read about the first 20 pages on the Amazon sample, and so far, it's quite intriguing, and I'm told it's a "must read." So here I go! (I also bought a parenting book, but that's not nearly as fun--more like scary! We have our first child embarking on the teen years.)

[justinjoesherman]

Thanks for discussing your current reading selections, everyone, and please keep them coming! I love to check out titles from great authors who are not yet well-known. The freebies/low cost titles on e-readers are a good way to do that, sometimes. Still working on the April issue of The Cross and the Cosmos, myself.

About 1/3rd of the way through The Resurrection. It was a little slow at first but has picked up nicely. Backstory has not been intrusive, and characterization is enjoyable. First one I've read from this author.

Please share if you are reading one that knocks your socks off! ;D

[Kessie]

Becky: I keep hearing good things about The Name of the Wind. I might try to get it from the library, if the waiting list isn't too extensive.

Justin: The last one that knocked my socks off was The Dragon's Tooth by N.D. Wilson, but it's juvie fiction. Not sure if you're into that. :-)

[justinjoesherman]

Thanks for the sock-knocking rec, Kessie. I don't usually read juvie fiction, but The Dragon's Tooth does look interesting from the description on Amazon. I might buy that one for the juvie in my house.