Yes, it's book review time. But in a fast, simple and non-intimidating kind of a way.
What are you reading right now? Not what you think you should be reading, or the book you've always meant to read for your intellectual health, or what you're pretending to read, but what's actually been gathering dust on the nightstand for weeks. What you are actually reading. In all its greatness, and/or all it's shame. Maybe it's more than one thing (see my own review/s, heh, heh). Spit it out! Less than 100 words, please, including what it is, who wrote it and whether or not anybody else should read it.
I'm doing mine in the comments, so flick over there right now...
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21 comments:
Chumplet's "Space Between"
I'm almost finished.
Really loving it, I can't wait to email her!
I am reading...
The Raw Shark Texts by Steven Hall
I am overflowing with admiration for this guy. The novel is is ambitious, witty and stuffed with ideas both sane and insane. The plot revolves around language and concepts, as well as a good old-fashioned adventure. There's lots in it for writers to think about. In fact, there is so much in it, you could think about it for days. Or, given that it's also sheer good fun, you could simply read and not think at all. It's the most exciting thing I've read for ages. Totally recommended. Also, a shark.
Australian Who Magazine by various journos and camera-hungry celebs
This is my ad-beating entertainment while watching tv late at night. I get so bored in the ads, I have to do something and a few photos of celeb cellulite and a humiliating quote from Paris Hilton does the trick. I get a bit bogged down in the reviews at the back, though. Too heavy. More photos! However, overall highly recommended for tired brains.
I don't believe it. Chris beat me to my own comments trail. Hmph.
Is that anywhere near 100 words, though? I think not. I take the moral high ground.
In the last week I have finished:
The Arm, the Ear & the Eye by Nancy Farmer Farmer brilliance
Postmodern Children's Ministry by Ivy Beckwith - best toolbox ever
Scarred by Struggle, Transformed by Hope by Joan Chittister - spiritual must-read
Dragonhaven by Robin McKinley - totally disappointing
These are the books I have next to my bed that I read a few pages of at a time
The Crimson Petal & the White by Michael Farber - I can only read a few pages before I think - why the hell am I wasting time reading this??
The Club Dumas by Arturo Perez-Revert - still hasn't hooked me, but I'm only about 50 pages in.
3AM Epiphanies - writing exercises
Trying to decide what to read next - Cormac McCarthy's The Road (Conduit's review of it still intrigues me) or Roald Dahl's Skin.
And I'm way over 100 words, but I'm borrowing from Chris's excess.
You know it is so hard to write a meaningful comment when rhinothongbutt is satring in my face. I have a huge to read pile but haven't had time to read anything yet. I've got quite a few WIPs to read for friends which is quite cool!
Piffle. Now I want to read Ello's manuscript.
I'm currently being forced at sonpoint to read HP & The Half-Blood Prince. It's OK, but in places, has the pace of a lame workhouse donkey dragging a bus up a hill. Most places, sadly.
charles gramlich's, 'swords of talera'; finished his superb 'cold in the light'...
The Lunatic Cafe by Laurell K. Hamilton, because I finally decided I had to know how good the early series was; I've heard so much about it.
So far? Meh.
However! I just finished Nick Sagan's Edenborn, and it was pretty awesome. The writing is great, the characters are rich and believable, and it's full of cool science and ideas. The plot is a little thin, but I honestly didn't mind. I'm going to pick up the other books in the series.
THE CHOIRBOYS by Joseph Wambaugh. When I first got my agent, I bought a bunch of books he'd worked on, and this was one of them. It isn't what I expected - it's more a series of short stories cycling through a group of characters. Enjoying it, though.
I'm reading Will Lavender's Obedience and it's intriguing so far. He has a spare, uncluttered style, much like Lee Child's. A little too much passive voice for my liking, but I'll forgive him.
Chris, I hope you can find one hundred nice words to say about my book - that'll be almost as long as the book!
Aerin, you amaze me! That's an eclectic mix. I also love Nancy Farmer, btw.
Ello, it's a trial, but we must all rise above rhinothongbutt.
WO, I love 'at sonpoint'. I plan on using it a lot. Is he making you read it out loud? That could take years.
JJdeGoblin; I also read a couple of novels by Laurell K Hamilton, because I wanted to see what the fuss was about. I agree with meh.
Conduit, I've heard of that, but never read it.
Chumplet, I'm sure I've read something by Will Lavender, but I can't remember what. Can't even remember what he's written! Does that say something about me, or him? Or maybe he shares a name with somebody I once had an interview with. Hm.
I'm only grazing - not reading - I'm working hard to tighten up chapters right now, and when i'm in this mode- I can't read anyone else's writing.
I'm looking forward to starting, though!
Just finished The Road. This story just blew me away. The ultimate dystopian future. And McCarthy makes writing well look so simple.
Just started The Art of War. Also reading Who's Afraid of Opera, The Inner Game of Music, and Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison. Not particularly enjoying Invisible Man, but WAOO is a surprisingly engaging read.
Terry Pratchett, Truth. I've read it before. We have a house full of people and I've not been thrilled with my recent couple of books, so I wanted something light and easy that I knew I'd like. :)
I finished the Road in the middle of night and cried hysterically for an hour. I refuse to read it again (but wow).
Vacation Reading:
EE's book club selections:
To Say Nothing Of The Dog - good, interesting, heavy-handed foreshadowing that takes 100 pages to get to what I already know which is frustrating.
The Devil In The White City - Fascinating. Lots of interesting information as well as character studies. I'm liking this one a lot though it is a bit gruesome at times. Lead me to write something gruesome-ish myself.
And something I picked up on vacation:
Your Inner Fish - another non-fiction. Also fascinating though he tends to swing between explaning everything and assuming you already know something. Not a book I would've sought out specifically, but I am enjoying it even if I can't pronounce most of the fish names.
Sorry, no author names as the books are still packed and my memory ain't that good.
Freddie and Sylvia, I'm in the minority group that did not 100% love The Road *ducks missiles*. Actually, it's such a small group, I fear it's only me.
I've never read any Pratchett. He's written so many I don't know where to start!
Sarah, that was a good reading vacation!
McKoala, I'm not sure I'd say I loved it. :)
People say Pratchett books can be read in any order but I firmly disagree. Get the Color of Magic and the Light Fantastic and read them knowing that these introduce you to the world but are NOT his strongest books. If you don't hate them, then keep going :)
My kids are pushing Good Omens on me by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman.
I have yet to get into it. I think I need total quiet and no interruptions. It's totally weird.
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