[July] What are you reading?

[KnowTheToe]

I have finally broken down to social hype and pressure. I officially started the Harry Potter series. I feel lesser a man for failing my will power check and giving in, but if they turn out to be good books, then and only then will I forgive myself.

 

[nHammer]

While rereading the Dark Tower series, I also started American Gods by Niel Gaiman.

 

[Wormwood]

I finally broke down in the face of my wife's gushing rave reviews and have decided to give The DaVinci Code a try.

I'm only 5 or so chapters in and I'm beginning to suspect it's a poor-man's Foucault's Pendulum. Now, Pendulum is easily one of my top 3 favorite novels...so I may be unfaily critical in comparing the two.

Also, speaking as someone who not only supports Opus Dei but actually came this close to joining (before realizing I lacked the discipline and focus required), I'm not entirely pleased with their presentation in this book.

But that's an argument for another thread---on another forum.

 

[LightPhoenix]

I finished up Golden Fool by Robin Hobb (next book in early 2004... ahhhhhhhhhhh!!!). The third book, Fool's Fate, looks to be pretty awesome - I know one tiny spoiler and I know what the book cover looks like, if anyone's interested.

Next I read my brother's summer English reading assignment - Things Fall Apart, by... doh, can't recall the name off hand. About an African tribe when white men come to it. An interesting three hour diversion.

Probably Sunday I'll be starting on Harry Potter 5, and after that I need to read the last two books of Tad William's Otherland. That'll take me to August, assuming I get a job .

 

[Krug]

Starting on Jim Crace's The Devil's Larder.

 

[ergeheilalt]

I'm biding my time with the Raymond E. Feist books ... again. I've done it every summer for 5 years. It kill the dead time between late spring/early summer releases and the end of August releases.

Here is what I'm looking forward to...
July 27: Naked Empire (finally ), Terry Goodkine
August 26: Jarka Ruus, Terry Brooks
November: Lair of Bones, David Farland

Erge

 

[WayneLigon]

Just started The Briar King by Keyes. So far, so good. Humanity used to be enslaved by these... things. These Things brought a lot of people and other races to this world to be their slaves (including some people from our world, which explains the sort-of English names some characters have). One of these people from our world discovered a way to block the slavers magic and led a revolt, freeing humans and others from their thousands-years-long captivity. Except that the lst slaver to fall says that she did so by using a power that the slavers themselves were scared of, and it would eventually doom humans. Now, it seems, that power is rising.

Nice characters so far; excellent language, dialogue and style. More as I know more

 

[drnuncheon]

Being unemployed gives you lots of time to read and makes you even more thankful for your local library. If you're in Pennsylvania, support your local library - write to Governor Rendell and let him know you're unhappy about the cuts to library funding.

OK, semi-political message over. On to the reading list.

Just Finished
Jennifer Government and Syrup by Max Barry. Hilarious stuff, highly recommended. I'd give summaries, but it's better for you to just go to his website and read the first chapter of each.

The Briar King by Greg Keyes - already mentioned, but this series is looking good.

The Fire Duke by Joel Rosenberg. Probably best known for his Guardians of the Flame series, this one is also a 'people from our world sent to a fantasy world' series, but with more of a mythological flavor than the D&D nudge-winks of the other series.

Berserker Star by Fred Saberhagen. Almost pulpish, old-fashioned sci-fi adventure, with a tough and resourceful hero (and his ship), a tough and resorceful heroine (who needs his ship), and a variety of villains (including the planet-destroying berserkers). Fun stuff.

Secret Shame
R.A. Salvatore's Demon Wars books. They're better than his D&D books, but I just itch to edit them.

Looking For
Pirate novels - I just saw Pirates of the Carribbean. Any recs?

J

 

[Tetsubo]

Lucy: The Beginnings of Humankind

 

[orbitalfreak]

Finished LotR:Fellowship, and started on The Two Towers.

My mom's read through the first four Harry Potter books and is starting on number five today. I got her hooked on them.