Books you're currently reading???

[glatt]

Originally Posted by infinite monkey

I just started that [Room]yesterday. I went to the bookstore. My brother had given me a gift certificate that he had for christmas, over the weekend. Would've been better had I remembered to take it to the store.

So far it's interesting.

You must be done with it by now, what did you think?

[infinite monkey]

I liked it. She did a good job with the narration.

I'm not one to like a story all tied up in neat little bows, but I would have liked more in-depth with the family relationships...the "before" of the event. She alluded to the relationship with her mother, but I think there could have been more to that aspect. Maybe a bit more about the background of Old Nick, and the "event." (Trying for non-spoilers.)

@ Bri, not seeing it at the college on the online search. Maybe I'll look around for it at lunch. I don't expect my 'brary to get it anytime soon: the voters DID pass the levy this time (YAY) but the funding doesn't go into effect right away I don't think. As it is, they have signs asking for copies of new books to offset funding cuts.

[glatt]

The narration was my favorite part. I liked the matter of fact way the kid would describe things we would find horrific and/or really fascinating.

[infinite monkey]

In my mind I sort of parallel the narration with Flowers for Algernon, the writing in a voice that is completely different from your own voice. It's hard to do well. She nailed it!

[wolf]

I started Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood yesterday.

I'm underwhelmed.

[infinite monkey]

So Much for That by Lionel Shriver.

As always, I like it...I think she's the bomb.

[wolf]

It's official. I despised Oryx and Crake. Useless piece of preachy crap.

I am starting In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson.

He wrote Devil in the White City, which I loved, and Thunderstruck, which I at least kind of liked, although the story wasn't anywhere near as exciting as Devil in the White City.

This one is about the experiences of an American Family that goes to Berlin in the early 1930s. There usually seem to be two elements to Larsen's stories, so Hitler's early years in power is one piece, not sure what the other will be yet. I've only just finished the prologue.

[wolf]

In the Garden of Beasts never really took off, despite several opportunities to keep the story interesting. Hell, he did two chapters on the Night of the Long Knives without calling it that. And there's cool stuff that gets alluded to, but dropped without further comment. Oh well.

Now rereading The Colour of Magic for an online bookclub.

[Sundae]

LOTS recently!
I'll try to remember them. They come from a new friend (from work! A real flesh and blood and living in my town friend!) who has tastes that overlap with mine. We both like magic, fantasy, vampires, faerie et al, but she's into more whimsical stuff and doesn't like graphic sex or violence, torture, murder, mayhem and general seediness. As I looked through my book collection to return the favour, I realised my most treasured books contain all of that and more. I really wanted to lend her my Sandman graphic novels, as she is a Gaiman fan, but the first one features serial killers and a complete bloodbath in a diner and a nightmare called The Corinthian who has mouths for eyes, and likes to eat other people's... Thought it might be a bit much for her...

Anyway
The Lies of Locke Lamora - Scott Lynch
First of the Gentlemen Bastards trilogy. Adored it. Funny, sly, well rounded characters - even if they are too clever for their own good. There are various deaths throughout the book, and you care about each one. I kept expecting a deus ex machina, but none turned up. Set in a different world, magic is possible, but only rarely available, and paid for in good hard cash. Theieves and gangs and politics and downright swash-0buckling are all in evidence. I'll be asking her for the other two.

The Amulet of Samarkand - Jonathan Stroud
A teen book, but well plotted and highly enjoyable. Abo9ut a boy and "his" demon. Again, I thought he must be able to weasel his way out of some off the misfortunes that befall him, but some he simply does have to take on the chin. Set in London (mostly) which has undergone a dramatic change as magic is now commonplace among the rich and powerful. The non-magical and poor are beginning to make a stand - I expect to see more of that in later books. A good fun read - kept me interested.

Lion Boy - Zizou Corder
Was okay. A bit simplistic, but again it is a teen book. The story ticked over nicely, but there were some glaring plot holes and other parts where I thought, "But what about....? Surely if....?" Written by a mother and daughter (young daughter) it does have the breathless "and then!" feeling of a child's imagination. The hero is young and mixed race, so that's a welcome change - given the amount of mixed race (dual heritage?) children they need to have more books which include their "issues" as simply part of the text. I'll read the next one just to see what happens.

Blackberry Wine and Chocolat - Joanne Harris
I've avoided her for years, thinking she wrote chicklit, and also getting her mixed up with Jeanette Winterson for some reason. She is a real find. The books are sweet and simple and generally set in France. The two I've read end up in the same village. It is our world, and our time, but there is a whisper of magic, or other-worldly things being possible. I wouldn't buy her books, but I would look them up in the library to pass an afternoon with. When I get round to paying my library fine that is

And am currently reading Warhorse by Michael Morpurgo.
I didn't realise it was a children's book. It's good, but I can't feel anything for it. It's just trots along, despite the horrific setting (WWI). I'd so love to see it on stage though. This one I borrowed from school.

Oh that reminds me, I'm working my way through the Percy Jackson series. Ticked off the first two, looking for the next one at school. I should love it, but it just a bit meh. Again - plot holes you could drive Phaeton's chariot through. Still, a bit of fun.

Honestly can't remember the previous armful I borrowed. If I do, I'll come back and let you know.

[DanaC]

I might give that Gentleman Bastards trilogy a go, it sounds wicked!

I am currently reading Transition, by Iain Banks. very strange book, as most of his are. Set in the real world, but with infinite parrellel worlds, and a bunch of characters who can hop about between them inhabiting the bodies of similar people. It's a strange mystery/thriller played out accross multiple realities, with compelling and well-drawn characters.

[Sundae]

I think you'd like it. It's quite lite, but in a rollicking good way.

[DanaC]

If you like a little whimsy in your fiction, I can highly recommend anything by Tom Holt.

[Sundae]

Ooh yes - Wiki says I will likey.
I'll check the Oxfam bookshop.

[DanaC]

Particular faves in no particular order:

Flying Dutch
Expecting Someone Taller
Who's Afraid of Beowulf?
Falling Sideways
Only Human

An absolute must for all Holt fans:

The whole of the J.W.Wells series:

1. The Portable Door
2. In Your Dreams
3. Earth, Air, Fire and Custard
4. You Don't Have to be Evil to Work Here, But it Helps
5. The Better Mousetrap
6. May Contain Traces of Nuts

These are best read in order, so might be worth ordering from the library.


Am really looking forward to his new one:

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Sausages

[Trilby]

A Discovery of Witches - light, but fun. I'm about half-way done.

Saxons, Vikings, and Celts - the genetic roots of Britain and Ireland by Bryan Sykes.
Really excellent, FUN read. You learn a lot but it doesn't feel like scholarly work. V. readable.

Seven Daughters of Eve - same author. Too much about the science - rather boring.