Hey!! Let's get some action going! What are we reading?

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Next up: Sharpe's Revenge by Bernard Cornwell.

Which was a quick and enjoyable read.

Then I read a recent purchase, Murder by Matchlight by E. C. R. Lorac, first published in 1945. The murder mystery is OK, although with far too many wild coincidences, but the contemporary portrayal of WWII London is fascinating.

And now I'm reading another recent purchase of a childhood favourite, Stig of the Dump by Clive King. It's been decades since I last read this, but I can still remember the plot and many incidents in it. It will be fascinating to read it again.

[ReadingManiac]

Originally Posted by Luffy

I'm of Asian (Indian) stock, and I've always admired white people who frown upon racism. All credit to you, pdurrant and uncle Robin.

You can add me to the vehemently anti-racist list.

I do forgive some books for being a thing of their time, but we really should have evolved past that sort of thing by now.

[ReadingManiac]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

It's not even September yet!

The down side of August is good enough for me.

At least for picking Horror books for reading September-October.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

And now I'm reading another recent purchase of a childhood favourite, Stig of the Dump by Clive King. It's been decades since I last read this, but I can still remember the plot and many incidents in it. It will be fascinating to read it again.

Fascinating. It seems I essentially could remember the entire book. And it stood up to a re-read as an adult, although aimed at children. I especially liked how

Spoiler:

the hero, being eight years old, was persuaded by people he knew were thieves into believing they were TV repairmen. At least for a bit.

Next up: Something completely different. The Stars at War by Jerry Pournelle. I bought this back in October 2008!

[Fbone]

Originally Posted by Fbone

Next is Lilith: A Snake in the Grass (The Four Lords of the Diamond #1) by Jack L. Chalker. My first with this author.

Enjoyable. I thought the world and its uniqueness was original and nicely written. It wasn't too complex and wordy. The underage sex left me uncomfortable, though. The other books in this series have been added to my wishlist. Rated B [4 stars].

Next, a library book, Spy School by Stuart Gibbs.

[gmw]

Reading time has been pretty sparse lately. My most recently completed books were:

An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green. This turned out to be one of those books you immediately want to talk to someone about, it packs a lot in. The science-fiction part is almost just a plot device, it is really a contemporary story of social media and fame and human frailties. Loved it! The ending is a cliff-hanger as far as the sci-fi part goes, but what I considered to be the main story felt complete to me, and very well done. A strong 4/5.

A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor by Hank Green. The sequel to the above story, this is effectively the science fiction half of that tale. The sci-fi was good but not exceptional. The social media aspect I enjoyed from the first book was mostly a repeat here, but more overtly preachy and too long. The first book had been told from a single first-person perspective, this book uses a cycle of five first-person perspectives but I didn't find the character distinctions to be as strong as they needed to be. Don't get me wrong, it was a satisfying read, I just expected better after the excellent first. I could only give this 3/5.

[Uncle Robin]

The Mirror Crack'd From Side to Side completing a set of three Marple mysteries all read for the same side character, an interesting exercise.

[Luffy]

Originally Posted by Uncle Robin

The Mirror Crack'd From Side to Side completing a set of three Marple mysteries all read for the same side character, an interesting exercise.

I read that. Decent book.

[Uncle Robin]

Just started Not the Faintest Trace by Wendy Wilson, book 1 of a crime/mystery series set during the NZ Land Wars. Something new for me in the way of period and place.

[issybird]

I’ve started Eat the Buddha: Life and Death in a Tibetan Town by Barbara Demick, who wrote a wonderful book about another closed Asian nation, North Korea. I’m hoping this is as evocative and informative, with full props to the author for getting where she wasn’t supposed to go.

[mlewis78]

A few days ago I finished The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson, which was very good. I thought I knew about Jim Crow south, but this book opened my eyes.

I read James Baldwin's The Fire Next Time on Sunday. I started The Mirror & the Light by Hilary Mantel on Monday. I expect this to be a good read. I'm 25 pages in.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Next up: Something completely different. The Stars at War by Jerry Pournelle. I bought this back in October 2008!

A disappointing mix of short stories and political essays. OK if you want Jerry Pournelle's views on 1980s world politics and how education is going wrong, but otherwise a bit of a bust. 2/5

So I've discarded the other two volumes in the series.

Next up, another random pick: Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich. A freebie I picked up from Fictionwise in Febriary 2010. I enjoyed the first one earlier this year. Let's see how it continues.

[Uncle Robin]

After getting to halfway in Not the Faintest Trace, book 1 of a series set in late C19 NZ, I have taken a break and moved to another alien time and place with A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine. Two chapters down and definitely an intriguing and involving book. It's very apt that the author has a degree in Byzantine history, because the book so far is Byzantine for sure.

[astrangerhere]

Originally Posted by Uncle Robin

After getting to halfway in Not the Faintest Trace, book 1 of a series set in late C19 NZ, I have taken a break and moved to another alien time and place with A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine. Two chapters down and definitely an intriguing and involving book. It's very apt that the author has a degree in Byzantine history, because the book so far is Byzantine for sure.

I enjoyed A Memory Called Empire immensely last year. Good space romp and good, albeit not great, political intrigue.

[Dr. Drib]

Currently reading:

1) Madeleine Is Sleeping: A Novel - by Sarah Shun-Lien Bynum.

An important literary novel, one that was a National Book Award Finalist, a New York Public library Young lions Fiction Award Finalist, a Washington Post Book Worldliest Book of the Year, and a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year. I love the way she writes, and they the way she has composed this book.

2) Slowly We Rot - by Bryan Smith

A zombie classic, one sure to make you throw up your cornflakes and cookies in a big heap upon one's ratty breakfast table. I've only just started it, but it's sure to be a riot of blood and guts spilling across my ebook reader.