Haven't read that one, but have read his shorts, some really good ones in there, some maybe the seeds that grew to become his novels for sure. You guys have some really good lists, and reminded me I have also read Ready Player One, Ender's Game, Girl With All All The Gifts; all enjoyable. And mention Ancillary Justice. Also looks like I'd better put Gibson on my to read list, although I do remember starting to read Neuromancer. I think that it is the first in the sprawl trilogy?
Indeed. There's a Case (pun intended) to be made for it being the best, but I don't know... Personally I'm partial to book 2, Count Zero. They're all excellent.
I wasn't a reader of science fiction when I was younger and have had to get used to the fact that a lot of SF writers hit the road running, don't over-explain technology used, and often supply the information in technological terms. I enjoy that aspect now, and do remember Gibson being one of those who pushes the reader to read between the lines, pun intended. I will go back and look at Gibson again.
I’m currently reading, “False Value” by Ben Aaronovitch. The author is coming to my local library to discuss this book later this month and I managed to get it in audiobook format. Technically, reading by audiobook is not technically “reading” though is it? It’s more like “listening”, maybe?? This is a first for me because I normally “read” my books. I didn’t like the voice to begin with but it’s actually grown on me and that’s probably because the book is so darn good! It’s the eighth book of its series but the first one of his I opened (Shh! Don’t tell him that!). If you like your stories about Secret Service crime, mix in magic, mix in a hint at conspiracy theory, then the Rivers of London Series is the books for you and you should give False Value a read. You wouldn’t have to read any of the previous books of the series to be engrossed. I haven’t. And I’m enjoying this “compulsory” bit of reading a lot more than I thought I would. I find myself comparing him to Dan Brown a little bit and The Robert Langdon Series, which is also hugely “conspiracy theorist.” Except Ben Aaranovitch’s books is less bold than that. And more like the British version. If you’re looking for something “entertaining”, this will not disappoint.
I've read all the Aaronovitch books and have enjoyed them a lot. Interesting ideas and lively humour, if a little British. Haven't read the latest though as they seem to be quite expensive unless you let them sit for a while. I liken his books to Harry Potter in the Met.
I recently read through a couple books of his collected works. My favorite was The Shadow Over Innsmouth and the sequel The Thing on the Doorstep. The movie dagon was based on his Innsmouth mythos, which also included his very early and very short story of the same name, but that one I didn't care for as much as the others. The movie was quite well done though, and really was based on Innsmouth more than on Dagon. I also enjoyed At the Mountains of Madness.
I've had these on my list for a couple of years now and hadn't gotten around to them, because I haven't felt like tacking a whole series lately. Then I found Song of Kali on a best horror list, read it and now I'm addicted to Dan Simmons! I'm two-thirds of the way through Carrion Comfort, which is a monster, and I'll dive into the Hyperion stuff some time in the next month or two. I'm very excited.
What Dreams May Come is pretty close to the movie. I mean, they made it much more visual, but the feeling is dead on. Mattheson writes with such immediacy. Everything happens so quickly but still feels natural. Really a brilliant writer.
I have thought about this a lot. The 'Red Mars' and 'Blue Mars' etc...is okay...and my wife said she would read the trilogy eventually if I never did finish up the endurance. However, it's all a bit Vettriano/or charity shop for my high faluting [sp] tastes: Typically: Maya, here on the Torus rotational, en route to Mars orbit, was recruited as the greatest scientist known on planet Earth who was not American. "Golly" she said and aloud, "these stupid men on this, our space station, are always talking about politics. Thank goodness I have my vaginal orgasms. And I don't trust that Yankee geothermisist." She eyed Boone hungrily. ACTUAL EXTRACT ... Later on the ladies drive tractors in space. Very 1990s IMO professionally..
So true. He doesn't waste time on anything that isn't story, but still creates such great atmosphere. I don't pretend to write as well as he does, but one of the first things people tell me about my writing is that it's very visual, which was surprising to me at first, because I don't describe how anything looks really. I think the trick in my case is mentioning colors. It's like that thought experiment in On Writing. Stephen King asks you to picture a table with a red tablecloth and a metal cage with a white rabbit in it. Everyone might picture a different scene, but the various images are clear despite a complete lack of detail.
I'm reading a short story collection called Things Around Your Neck by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. It's all based in Africa, and the imagery and plot-lines of the short stories are brilliant, but very stark and honest. It can be a bit of a difficult read because it feels so natural, though the subject matter seems almost inhuman at times. Great collection.
Finally got around to reading: Understanding show, don't tell (And finally getting it) by Janice Hardy. Easy read and layered notions, well worth £3.
I'm rereading Orsinian Tales by Ursula K. Le Guin. They're so good; I must have read this book a dozen times.
Just finished the second Black Company book by Glen Cook. I'm a little disappointed. The first one was very good. It had grey characters, an unusual plot, and an enchanting world. Number 2 was shallow, unimaginative, poorly paced, and had me somehow caring less about the characters than when I started. How can a story feel both rushed and like it's not going anywhere at the same time? I'm not reading number 3. And that's too bad: I was really excited about the series.
It's been a long time since I read those. I own the first 3 in omnibus form, and I read them all in one go, so they kind of flow together in my mind. I remember having pretty mixed feelings about the whole thing. That being said there was a lot in there that I did enjoy, and I *think* I liked the third one best. Some really unique, evocative ideas and things in that one. Maybe I'm due a reread?
The Black Company might be the finest fantasy trilogy I've ever read. The first book is the weakest and a bit confusing imo. But book 2 & 3 are incredible. As far as I've read, there's nothing like it that came before it.
So at my library, we discard books that have not been checkout in over 2 years. I found this one book on the discard list called "The Girl Who Slept With God" and it seems pretty interesting. its about this very religious, small town family with 3 daughters. One of the daughter goes to a mission trip to Mexico and comes back pregnant, and claims she was impregnated by God. Her father is embarrassed and to minimize gossip, sends his daughters to live in a house alone in the middle of nowhere. I'm only 1 chapter in, and it moves pretty slow. I think it takes place in the 70's Also from the discard list is this entire series by Gini Koch. Its an urban sci-fi called Alien. I was curious as to why the entire series hadnt checked out in well over 2 years, so i decided to read book 1. the cover reminds me of the Mercy Thompson series.... but then I started reading and holy cow! its so comically bad! I cant stop reading! @Adam Bolander , if you want to know an eyerolling/cringeworthy name, the main character of this series is named "Kitty Katt", and her partner is "Agent Martini"
You have both changed my mind. It sounds like the third is okay. I should at least see it through, I guess. Perhaps the second one just wasn't my style.
