Books you're currently reading??? - Page 75

shina · 04-01-2008, 04:42 PM

Memory Keeper's Daughter.

Cloud · 04-12-2008, 10:05 AM

I've been re-reading some of my Darkover books by Marion Zimmer Bradley, and reading some of the newer ones I never got around to.

Darkover holds a special spot in my SF heart. Like many of Anne McCaffrey's books, these are technically called, "planetary romances" rather than straight SF or fantasy.

MZB wrote or sponsored something like 30 Darkover books. They're interesting, because many of them are inconsistent with each other. The premise and science of the books are pretty iffy, mostly because they are based on some of her juvenile writing (that is, written when she was very young, not written for juveniles), but the characters and world are compelling anyway.

Some of the themes are: ethics and composition of a telepathic society; new technology (represented by the Terrans) v. traditional mores; and, of course, being MZB, the position of women.

One of my favorites is Exile's Song and its 2 sequels.

Sundae · 04-12-2008, 10:27 AM

Just started David Baddiel's second novel Whatever Love Means. It's already made me spurt out inappropriate laughter in a public place. I've loved his other two and am not disappointed by this.

He's better known in the UK as a stand-up/ TV comedian/ professional football fan. But I've always just seen him as a fanciable, smouldering, semi-Jewish, dirty-but-I'd-go-there, don't-make-me-choose-between-him-and-Frank-Skinner, intelligent older man. Not that I have ever had a crush on him or anything.

Buffalo Bill · 04-12-2008, 04:26 PM

Brian Lumley's, Blood Brothers

lushchocolateswirl · 04-12-2008, 07:14 PM

Just finished James Clavells' GAI JIN

Sundae · 04-12-2008, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buffalo Bill

Brian Lumley's, Blood Brothers

What did you think? My Mum cried her eyes out at the musical, not sure which I want to do first... (no spoilers either way please!)

Quote:

Originally Posted by lushchocolateswirl

Just finished James Clavells' GAI JIN

Great holiday read - what did you think?

richlevy · 04-12-2008, 07:55 PM

I really enjoyed Hillerman. I must have read at least 6.

Terry Pratchett is my favorite. I think I'm caught up with all of Discworld except for the Wee Free Men series. Most of Pratchett's books are themed. Targets include cops, Australians, banks, the post office, space exploration, etc.

And of course you have Death, dwarves, the four horsemen, witches, vampires, etc.

Back to Hillerman. I classify his stories as 'cultural' detective. In his case it's Native American.

Harry Kemelman wrote an interesting series with a Rabbi as a detective. They turned it into a mini-series called "Lanigan's Rabbi". I think I read most of them.

My guilty pleasure has been Janet Evanovich's "Stephanie Plum" novels, where the protagonist is a working class Trenton girl who does bail bonds work and solves mysteries. It's sort of a "Sex and the City" meets "Nancy Drew" meets "Jersey Girl" book. I keep on telling myself it's a detective novel, but deep in my heart I know it's one step from Jackie Collins. BTW, if you read them, stick to the books with numbers in the title "Lean Mean Thirteen", etc. She writes these 'between the numbers' novels that move the character into the fantasy realm (working for Cupid, guys who think they're Leprechauns). Pratchett also write some juvenile fiction mixed in his Discworld series (A Hat Full of Sky). If you go in fully informed, some of its not bad. Isaac Asimov also wrote juvenile fiction (Lucky Starr).

Pratchett, Kemelman, and Evanovich are 'fast reads', books you can take to a pool. Hillerman is a little meatier.

Maybe it's generational, but back in the 60's and 70's, you would go to a pool and every other chair would have a 'summer book'. I remember the 'Rabbi' series, 'The Godfather', etc. I just don't seem to see the same number of books out anymore.

Sundae · 04-12-2008, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richlevy

Pratchett, Kellerman, and Evanovich are 'fast reads', books you can take to a pool.

Yes, but Evanovich and Pratchett have a way with words. Pratchett more than most. And to start with they broke the mould. Hillerman's Orthodox Jewish detective (and family) were wonderful for me - I love crime novels and my Mum grew up on the edge of a Jewish community, but I didn't and know nothing about them (you!). It was worth the read for the insight, but they're also fast paced and read-in-one-sitting enjoyable.

Pratchett's early books were mind blowing. There just wasn't anything like them. The original paperback of The Light Fantastic had a quote that said they were Jerome K Jerome meets Lord of the Rings. My Dad didn't know who this Jerome bloke was (neither did I for years) but figured I would like it. I wrote an exam paper on it ("compare 3 books the same genre")

Even now, lines from that and The Colour of Magic (first in book terms, second hitting paperback as far as I was concerned) swim up into my head sometimes.

rockerreds · 04-14-2008, 06:06 PM

Sense And Sensibility

Buffalo Bill · 04-14-2008, 06:38 PM

[quote=Sundae Girl;445408]What did you think? My Mum cried her eyes out at the musical, not sure which I want to do first... (no spoilers either way please!)

I'm not sur that we're talking about the same book, mine is a book about vampires. Lot of blood and dead peoples, not the best musical.

lumberjim · 04-17-2008, 03:04 PM

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

it was pretty good. Neil is a great story teller. He narrates his own audio books, and has that comfy vague british accent.

Beest · 04-17-2008, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richlevy

Terry Pratchett is my favorite. I think I'm caught up with all of Discworld except for the Wee Free Men series.
Pratchett also write some juvenile fiction mixed in his Discworld series (A Hat Full of Sky).

I'm just reading "Crivens!" I think the Third Wee Free Men book, I didn't realise it was part of a series and got about a third of the way through before looking it up because of the constant back references. I then found out it's some sort of kids book, hadn't really noticed. "Waily, Waily, Waily is my new catch phrase

Cloud · 04-18-2008, 08:53 AM

audio books do not count!

Sundae · 04-22-2008, 11:15 AM

They count for Jim, because of the length of his commute.
What do you think LJ? I really enjoyed it, but I'm a big fan anyway.

Cloud · 04-22-2008, 11:54 AM

Found some good kids fantasy books: The Lightning Thief and its sequels by Rick Riordan. Kind of Harry Potterish, 'cept the hero finds out he's a half-blood Olympic hero, son of Poseidon.

Always looking for good books for my voracious reader 9 y.o. grandson and these fit the bill!

04-12-2008, 10:05 AM	#1112
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	Darkover I've been re-reading some of my Darkover books by Marion Zimmer Bradley, and reading some of the newer ones I never got around to. Darkover holds a special spot in my SF heart. Like many of Anne McCaffrey's books, these are technically called, "planetary romances" rather than straight SF or fantasy. MZB wrote or sponsored something like 30 Darkover books. They're interesting, because many of them are inconsistent with each other. The premise and science of the books are pretty iffy, mostly because they are based on some of her juvenile writing (that is, written when she was very young, not written for juveniles), but the characters and world are compelling anyway. Some of the themes are: ethics and composition of a telepathic society; new technology (represented by the Terrans) v. traditional mores; and, of course, being MZB, the position of women. One of my favorites is Exile's Song and its 2 sequels. __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

04-12-2008, 10:27 AM	#1113
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Just started David Baddiel's second novel Whatever Love Means. It's already made me spurt out inappropriate laughter in a public place. I've loved his other two and am not disappointed by this. He's better known in the UK as a stand-up/ TV comedian/ professional football fan. But I've always just seen him as a fanciable, smouldering, semi-Jewish, dirty-but-I'd-go-there, don't-make-me-choose-between-him-and-Frank-Skinner, intelligent older man. Not that I have ever had a crush on him or anything. __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

04-12-2008, 07:14 PM	#1115
lushchocolateswirl Hi just me Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 108	Just finished James Clavells' GAI JIN __________________ silence is golden , duct tape is silver

04-12-2008, 07:55 PM	#1117
richlevy King Of Wishful Thinking Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Philadelphia Suburbs Posts: 6,669	I really enjoyed Hillerman. I must have read at least 6. Terry Pratchett is my favorite. I think I'm caught up with all of Discworld except for the Wee Free Men series. Most of Pratchett's books are themed. Targets include cops, Australians, banks, the post office, space exploration, etc. And of course you have Death, dwarves, the four horsemen, witches, vampires, etc. Back to Hillerman. I classify his stories as 'cultural' detective. In his case it's Native American. Harry Kemelman wrote an interesting series with a Rabbi as a detective. They turned it into a mini-series called "Lanigan's Rabbi". I think I read most of them. My guilty pleasure has been Janet Evanovich's "Stephanie Plum" novels, where the protagonist is a working class Trenton girl who does bail bonds work and solves mysteries. It's sort of a "Sex and the City" meets "Nancy Drew" meets "Jersey Girl" book. I keep on telling myself it's a detective novel, but deep in my heart I know it's one step from Jackie Collins. BTW, if you read them, stick to the books with numbers in the title "Lean Mean Thirteen", etc. She writes these 'between the numbers' novels that move the character into the fantasy realm (working for Cupid, guys who think they're Leprechauns). Pratchett also write some juvenile fiction mixed in his Discworld series (A Hat Full of Sky). If you go in fully informed, some of its not bad. Isaac Asimov also wrote juvenile fiction (Lucky Starr). Pratchett, Kemelman, and Evanovich are 'fast reads', books you can take to a pool. Hillerman is a little meatier. Maybe it's generational, but back in the 60's and 70's, you would go to a pool and every other chair would have a 'summer book'. I remember the 'Rabbi' series, 'The Godfather', etc. I just don't seem to see the same number of books out anymore. __________________ Exercise your rights and remember your obligations - VOTE! I have always believed that hope is that stubborn thing inside us that insists, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us so long as we have the courage to keep reaching, to keep working, to keep fighting. -- Barack Hussein Obama

04-17-2008, 03:04 PM	#1121
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman it was pretty good. Neil is a great story teller. He narrates his own audio books, and has that comfy vague british accent. __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

04-01-2008, 04:42 PM	#1111
shina Hopeful Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sammamish, WA Posts: 232	Memory Keeper's Daughter.

04-12-2008, 04:26 PM	#1114
Buffalo Bill Resident President Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Kanesatake, Québec, Canada Posts: 86	Brian Lumley's, Blood Brothers

04-14-2008, 06:06 PM	#1119
rockerreds Infamous Defamer Join Date: May 2007 Location: Philadelphia,PA Posts: 50	Sense And Sensibility

04-14-2008, 06:38 PM	#1120
Buffalo Bill Resident President Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Kanesatake, Québec, Canada Posts: 86	[quote=Sundae Girl;445408]What did you think? My Mum cried her eyes out at the musical, not sure which I want to do first... (no spoilers either way please!) I'm not sur that we're talking about the same book, mine is a book about vampires. Lot of blood and dead peoples, not the best musical.

04-18-2008, 08:53 AM	#1123
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	audio books do not count! __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

04-22-2008, 11:15 AM	#1124
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	They count for Jim, because of the length of his commute. What do you think LJ? I really enjoyed it, but I'm a big fan anyway. __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

04-22-2008, 11:54 AM	#1125
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	Found some good kids fantasy books: The Lightning Thief and its sequels by Rick Riordan. Kind of Harry Potterish, 'cept the hero finds out he's a half-blood Olympic hero, son of Poseidon. Always looking for good books for my voracious reader 9 y.o. grandson and these fit the bill! __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

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