Author Topic: What are you reading? (Read 1060173 times)

stePH · **Reply #1850 on:** June 16, 2011, 04:37:48 PM

Butcher's Moon... oh, man, that was a ride. If that had been the final Parker novel, I couldn't complain.

Now in my possession, Essential Iron Man 1 collecting Tales of Suspense issues #39 through 72 (apparently it was not published in color) and Richard Stark's Comeback, the 1998 return of Parker, last seen in 1974.

kibitzer · **Reply #1851 on:** June 17, 2011, 03:47:32 AM

Finished Point Blank, a.k.a. The Hunter by Richard Stark. Figured I should read me some Parker since he's quoted as an inspiration for Dan Simmons' Joe Kurtz. The book was short -- a very easy read. Only problem now is neither of the two library systems I'm in have much Parker!

Scattercat · **Reply #1852 on:** June 17, 2011, 02:20:27 PM

Read the third collection of "The Unwritten," which is rapidly heading toward a status as "favorite graphic novel series ever." It is hilarious and awesome and plays with stories and narrative in a very interesting way. Heartily recommended.

stePH · **Reply #1853 on:** June 18, 2011, 03:29:30 PM

Quote from: kibitzer on June 17, 2011, 03:47:32 AM

Finished Point Blank, a.k.a. The Hunter by Richard Stark. Figured I should read me some Parker since he's quoted as an inspiration for Dan Simmons' Joe Kurtz. The book was short -- a very easy read. Only problem now is neither of the two library systems I'm in have much Parker!

You need The Man with the Getaway Face and The Outfit right away; I maintain that those three should be collected in a single omnibus volume. By the way, the Lee Marvin film Point Blank and the Mel Gibson film Payback are both based on this novel. As is a Chow Yun Fat movie whose title currently escapes me.

(Was my mention here the inspiration for your reading this? Too bad you don't live nearby; I could lend you most of the Parker and Grofield books up through Slayground.)

kibitzer · **Reply #1854 on:** June 19, 2011, 06:07:31 AM

Quote from: stePH on June 18, 2011, 03:29:30 PM

(Was my mention here the inspiration for your reading this? Too bad you don't live nearby; I could lend you most of the Parker and Grofield books up through Slayground.)

Pretty much, yeah. Since I'm a big fan of Dan Simmons I kind of knew about Stark. But when there's a recommendation by someone you know, well, it helps prod me into action. So thanks!

stePH · **Reply #1855 on:** June 19, 2011, 06:57:32 PM

Quote from: kibitzer on June 19, 2011, 06:07:31 AM

Since I'm a big fan of Dan Simmons I kind of knew about Stark. But when there's a recommendation by someone you know, well, it helps prod me into action. So thanks!

I shall have to check out this Dan Simmons person. Stephen King put me onto Stark, with a mention in The Dark Half (though I already knew Westlake).

Finished the first "new" Parker, Comeback. Still reading Essential Iron Man 1, and about to start Backflash. It's kind of fun that when Westlake resumed writing Parker novels, he titled the first five Comeback, Backflash, Flashfire, Firebreak, and Breakout. Then he wrote three more before his untimely demise, but they didn't continue that chain of names.

Listener · **Reply #1856 on:** June 20, 2011, 07:53:38 PM

"Hit List" by Laurell K. Hamilton. It's a very fast read; I'm sandwiching it in between other books I have to review.

stePH · **Reply #1857 on:** June 20, 2011, 11:11:05 PM

Quote from: Listener on June 20, 2011, 07:53:38 PM

"Hit List" by Laurell K. Hamilton. It's a very fast read; I'm sandwiching it in between other books I have to review.

Is that part of the Vampire Porn series?

Talia · **Reply #1858 on:** June 26, 2011, 03:08:02 AM

I'm currently trying to read Gail Carriger's Soulless because I've heard good things about it. Unfortunately, I've so far found all the characters so irritating I'm not sure I can finish it. Carriger has opted for a very particular style and tone which is grating on my nerves like there's no tomorrow - might just be a taste thing. Since I've bought the book, I'd like to at least finish, but we'll see how much of it I can stand.

Anarkey · **Reply #1859 on:** June 26, 2011, 12:36:09 PM

Quote from: Talia on June 26, 2011, 03:08:02 AM

I'm currently trying to read Gail Carriger's Soulless because I've heard good things about it. Unfortunately, I've so far found all the characters so irritating I'm not sure I can finish it. Carriger has opted for a very particular style and tone which is grating on my nerves like there's no tomorrow - might just be a taste thing. Since I've bought the book, I'd like to at least finish, but we'll see how much of it I can stand.

Life's too short to read stuff you don't like. I hereby give you permission to put the book down and pick something else.

Bdoomed · **Reply #1860 on:** June 26, 2011, 08:58:26 PM

Finished Shogun a little bit ago, started the second book in the Song of Ice and Fire series: A Clash of Kings. Started it about 3 days ago and I'm 42% through it already, I've been completely sucked into it

InfiniteMonkey · **Reply #1861 on:** June 26, 2011, 11:38:04 PM

Clash of Kings on the Kindle (as well as Denis Leary's "Why We Suck", because GOD I need a laugh)

The Third Claw of God, and , How the Scots Invented the Modern World in paper

Slush pile? I don't any of us have the time to go through that.

Bdoomed · **Reply #1862 on:** June 27, 2011, 12:10:58 AM

Quote from: InfiniteMonkey on June 26, 2011, 11:38:04 PM

Clash of Kings on the Kindle

Hey that's exactly what and how I'm reading!

Listener · **Reply #1863 on:** June 27, 2011, 08:20:57 PM

Finished Geist.

Finished Pirates, by Nobilis.

Finished Hit List, by Laurell Hamilton (don't judge).

Now reading ARC of a new Lavie Tidhar book.

stePH · **Reply #1864 on:** June 28, 2011, 09:55:09 PM

Moving along with Stark's "Parker" novels. Flashfire, the third novel after the long hiatus, was awesome... almost topped Butcher's Moon.

Still somewhere in the middle of Essential Iron Man 1 and The Gospel of John, as well as having started Stark's Firebreak yesterday.

Gamercow · **Reply #1865 on:** June 29, 2011, 10:28:30 PM

It is very odd to see your family name show up in a book that you are reading, and that just happened to me, with A Storm of Swords. My family's name is not VERY common, and certainly not something that would be pulled out of someone's head randomly. I wonder where GRRM got the inspiration to use it. Friend? Phone Book? Historical? I may have to investigate.

kibitzer · **Reply #1866 on:** June 30, 2011, 02:41:31 AM

Quote from: Gamercow on June 29, 2011, 10:28:30 PM

It is very odd to see your family name show up in a book that you are reading, and that just happened to me, with A Storm of Swords. My family's name is not VERY common, and certainly not something that would be pulled out of someone's head randomly. I wonder where GRRM got the inspiration to use it. Friend? Phone Book? Historical? I may have to investigate.

I think the only reasonable conclusion to draw is that the character was modelled on you. You noticed a large, jolly man hanging around the last few years?

InfiniteMonkey · **Reply #1867 on:** June 30, 2011, 03:45:47 AM

Finished Third Claw of God .... HOLY CRAP!!!

stePH · **Reply #1868 on:** June 30, 2011, 04:39:48 PM

OMFG Firebreak was awesome; I'd put it right up next to Butcher's Moon as Stark's best. These post-hiatus Parker novels have been on a steady rise, so Breakout is going to kick serious ass if the trend continues.

DKT · **Reply #1869 on:** July 01, 2011, 05:06:42 PM

Been a while since I posted here...

Read MLN Hanover's (aka Daniel Abraham's) Unclean Spirits, kind of an urban fantasy series. I kind of hate Daniel Abraham now, because it was so good, and so much better than I thought it'd be. I'll probably pick up the second one sometime soon. If you like the Marla Mason books, you might want to check this out.

Listened to Holly Black's Red Glove; burned through it incredibly fast. It's a sequel to White Cat, and while White Cat can definitely be read on its own, I think readers certainly benefit from reading White Cat before reading Red Glove. Black does a great job of making you really root for this group of friends, and hoping things work out between them. When things turn sour between them, you really feel it, and hope they can figure out a way to move on and heal. Can't wait for the final book in the series...sometimenextyeargrumblegrumble...

Somehow, I picked up the original American Gods recording just before they announced the full-cast one with the extra scenes/preferred text. Still, it's a great listen. It's been a while since I've read it, and I totally remember reading it, but it's odd how much has changed in 10 years, and how much of a time-stamp that book is to the turn of the century. (I'm pretty sure I read an interview with Gaiman about this somewhere recently, and that follow-up novellas and books would try and capture today's spirit in a similar way.)

Also reaidng C.C. Finlay's The Patriot Witch. Last year, I think I mentioned that I'd love to read a story with Quaker wizards, and hey - it's like this book was written just for me. It's set during the American Revolution, and is loads of fun. Definitely a good read for the 4th of July

eytanz · **Reply #1870 on:** July 05, 2011, 10:23:48 AM

I have just finished reading Ben Aaronovitch's The Rivers of London (known as Midnight Riot in it's American release, for some reason), and am now on the sequel, Moon over Soho (same title in both sides of the Atlantic). They're good, fast-paced Urban fantasy novels about a junior policeman drafted into the "supernatural crimes" division (which consists of himself and one superior officer). I really enjoyed the first one and am enjoying what I've read of the second one so far.

I'm also slowly making my way through Zoo City by Lauren Beukes, who was interview about it in EP a couple of months ago. It's a good read, but not, in my opinion, as compelling - the beginning was great but it's loststeam midway. I'll probably write up my opinion of it in the EP thread once I finish it.

kibitzer · **Reply #1871 on:** July 05, 2011, 11:18:46 AM

Reading through the Scott Pilgrim graphic novels. I really loved the film so it's some surprise to find that I don't enjoy the source material so much. I think I'm nowhere near the target audience, i.e. 15-25 with a philosophy of life that extends to "life is about something, or whatever dude."

Listener · **Reply #1872 on:** July 06, 2011, 01:10:19 AM

Quote from: kibitzer on July 05, 2011, 11:18:46 AM

Reading through the Scott Pilgrim graphic novels. I really loved the film so it's some surprise to find that I don't enjoy the source material so much. I think I'm nowhere near the target audience, i.e. 15-25 with a philosophy of life that extends to "life is about something, or whatever dude."

Yeah, I liked the movie better. The pacing was quicker, and the story overall was less annoying. In the books, Scott is a little too manic-depressive, whereas Cera plays him fairly consistently.

As for me --

Still reading the Tidhar ARC. Next up, Ballantine's "Spectyr".

stePH · **Reply #1873 on:** July 07, 2011, 04:53:14 PM

Breakout didn't disappoint, and having also finished the Iron Man book last night, I'm starting Stark's Nobody Runs Forever as I put a hold on Twain's Tom Sawyer from the local library.

Why Twain now? The other night I watched Tina Fey receiving the Mark Twain Award for American Humor, and remembered that I've never really read Twain apart from a short story or two. An oversight that I intend to rectify soon.

Bdoomed · **Reply #1874 on:** July 07, 2011, 05:56:32 PM

Finished Clash of Kings, on to Storm of Swords.
Might put it down for a bit tho to read How to Succeed in Evil, which is now out for Kindle for only 99 cents!