Finished A Game of Thrones and really enjoyed it, now onto A Clash of Kings. Really like this sort of medieval story, and it's so complex which really is a good thing, though sometimes you struggle to remember just who everyone is.
Finished 'Luck in the Shadows' which got a bit more exciting towards the end. I will try the second book later.
Currently reading 'The Girl with All the Gifts' by MR Carey that was recommended by Joss Whedon on Twitter and some others. Started off well, I'm midway through and it's starting to starting to sound like a written version of a TV series I watch... so I'm hoping things will pick up and get better. It's gotten some pretty good reviews on Goodread.
I also have borrowed 'The Giver' by Lois Lowry since that's coming out as a movie soon and my cousin has been telling me to read it. I hope to start that as soon as I finish the one I'm reading currently.
Amongs my reading of A Clash of Kings, I also read Weird Things Customers say in Bookshops which is a nice read. A few very funny tales, and a number which will make you sigh, worth a look at a library or a browse in a bookstore.
I just finished reading My Lobotomy by Howard Dully, which was fascinating and very sad. He was given a lobotomy at age 12 despite seeing numerous other psychiatrists and psychologists who said he was 'normal' because his stepmother couldn't cope with him so went looking for someone who agreed with her.
I'm now reading Hyperbole and a Half, the book version of the blog, a really funny and down to earth collection of stories.
Sadly I'm reading Bachelor of education course material, Teaching Primary Mathematics, I just LOVE maths. NOT :(
Ashlings' guildleader
9 years ago
Fri Aug 01 2014, 09:23amAgyllian
Ashlings' guildleader
Master of Obernewtyn
But Maths is the language of The Universe! (<- loves maths). Have been reading a somewhat autobiographical by Alan Davies called My Favourite People and Me 1978-1988. I think I would enjoy it more if I was of the same age and reminiscing along with him, but instead it is a view of history of a boy's formative years in England ... which can be quite funny seeing as it is Alan Davies but also a bit of a bore in other parts. Just started reading the second book in the Dune series Dune Messiah.
I am trying to read the books I buy, rather than have them just pile up in my bookcases.
So after two collections of poems by Laurie Duggan, next on my list is The Incident Book by Fleur Adcock (also poetry). And then I might start on Elizabeth Harrower's novels.
^ This. I keep saying I'll read one of them, but then I decide to borrow something from the library.
So I'm nearly finished Ender's Shadow which I've really liked, it returns to the roots of Ender's Game which made me like that, and was exciting (compared to the philosophy of the other three: Xenocide, etc).
And then next it's a toss up between The Ocean at the End of the lane by Neil Gaiman, or Frankenstein.
So I went with Frankenstein, and I'm loving it, despite being written way back in the 1800s, it isn't that hard to read, and I've found it very interesting. So I'm happy to see where this goes.
I'm re-reading Belladonna by Fiona Paul before I read the final book in the trilogy, and I'm slowly making my way through City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare... I've been pretty skeptical about this one since I read Clockwork Princess... and I have some issues with it, but I am enjoying it so far.
I'm reading 'Outlander' (/cross stitch) by Diana Gabaldon, I started watching the series and had to read the book
I just finished Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn... good book at least for the 2nd half, looking forward to the movie!
I am also reading Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, but it's rather slow paced... someone compared it to Traci Harding's books but it makes me baulk a little because I tried reading her books, and I thought they were terrible... will keep with Outlander, since I have so many people raving about it but also for the fact that I, too, am watching the TV series and it's just gotten good (FINALLY!).
I have If I Stay on my to-read shelf... and I am still trying to get through Girl with All the Gifts
I'm going between 1Q84 by Murakami and also the Peter Grant series by Ben Aaronovich. 1Q84 is different from what I expected and the Peter Grant series is okay, but I think I prefer Jasper Fforde's books more.
I finished a few days ago The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman, and really liked it, it was quite short, but sweet.
Now nearly finished Shadow of the Hegemon by Orson Scott Card, and have really enjoyed it so far.
Next A Storm of Swords (in one book!) by GRRM which is going to be a long one
Ashlings' guildleader
9 years ago
Ashlings' guildleader
Master of Obernewtyn
I've got two chapters to go with Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage but I don't want it to end! I absolutely devoured it over two sittings (darn sleep and work :P).
kay185 what did you find different to what you expected with 1Q84? Have you read any other of his books? If you like the style and haven't yet, read The Wind up Bird Chronicle. If you didn't like it but wanted to try something different of his try Norwegian Wood or Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki.
I'm not used to chapters being dedicated to a single character's point of view, which took a bit of time to get used to. Also, the story was a bit different to what I expected (wasn't expecting parallel universes and still have no idea what those Little People are), though I don't mind it. It's the first book that I've read by him and I'm almost through the first volume so I'll see how I find it as it goes on.
I think I might try Norwegian Wood next or perhaps even his book about running.
I'm reading Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and it is a delight.
So I finished the Storm of Swords, haaaaaaaaaaaaa, wasn't that a ride. Brilliant, 100% recommend A Song of Fire and Ice to people (as long as you are like 16+), love it. So many deaths, so many twists and turn, just perfect.
I've been reading The Beauty Myth by Naomi Wolf recently and it's...interesting, but I'm not used to going through so much non-fiction so it's a bit difficult. I'm up to the section on religion - it's an unexpected take on the topic but makes sense. There's no doubting that it's very sharply written. It's usually hard to find such an extreme argument so convincing.
But on a lighter note, I recently bought I Could Pee on This and Other Poems by Cats by Francesco Marciuliano and it is one of the best things I've ever read 10/10 would recommend. Technically speaking my favourite poetry collections are Curly Verse by Michael Leunig, The Striped World by Emma Jones and The Chieko Poems by Kotaro Takamura, Paul Archer's translation, but this sits just underneath.
I used to get an email when there was a new post on this thread... does anyone know how to track a thread on this shiny new version of Obernewtyn.net?
Anyway - I've been hanging out with the Peanuts gang - that ol' Charlie Brown is good for many a giggle. I'm up to Volume 2.
And I finished the latest Harry Dresden book, Skin Games by Jim Butcher.
The Beauty Myth is an excellent book -- I read it about 8 or 9 years ago and it was the beginning of my path towards an understanding of feminism. Wolf's arguments, however, are only extreme in the context of our patriarchal society. It's a pity she has become rather embarrassing and awkward since The Beauty Myth; her conspiracy theories of the last few years have been particularly cringe-worthy.
I also love Emma Jones' poetry; time for a new collection soon, wouldn't you say? :D
So, I started the Thursday Next series with The Eyre Affair, and I'm looking forward to catching up on what I've been missing over the last decade or so there.
Also reading Jim Butcher's Skin Game, and I do wish someone would edit him, because the Dresden series is becoming terribly long-winded.
Oh, and I found a few collections of Raymond Carver's short stories at the Book Grocer the other day -- I love his minimalist style, and the way he is able to bring intrigue and discomfort to everyday situations.
Finally, I'm in the middle of a re-read of Lord of the Rings (I first read it just before the films came out).
Sharni I don't think that is currently working.
Started reading A Feast for Crows, the 4th book in Game of Thrones.
Finished the Song of Ice and Fire series - as much as is currently published anyway. So good, one of the best reads I've had in a while. I NEEED MOARRRRRRRR damn it
Also just read Clariel, the new one by Garth Nix. Anyone else read this one, have any thoughts on it? I should have picked up what was going on sooner. I can't believe I didn't and it was such a shock at the end.
Wanderer Ward
9 years ago
Wanderer Ward
Mage
I read Clariel the other day, Loren.
I felt it was alright, but perhaps not as engrossing as the original books?
Perhaps I just didn't connect well with Clariel (I felt her "anger" to be overly melodramatic and childish at times, and it did put me off a bit)