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I finished reading Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay on Friday, and loved it. Would probably consider it his best novel since The Lions of al-Rassan.

Then I tore through Bone and Jewel Creatures, a new novella by Elizabeth Bear, in one afternoon. It was only my third work by her, and so far my favorite.

Since then I've been skimming through The Edge of Reason by Melinda Snodgrass again, a quick re-read to refresh my memory for the sequel, which is due out in a few weeks.

Ken wrote: "Started on The Lost Symbol I have grave grave concerns about it but I liked the ideas b..."

I read it recently. Didn't like it as much as the other 2 Langdon books. This struck me as more "preachy" in a way, but I did enjoy the action taking place in Washington, DC--more familiar to me than Rome, for example.

Ken wrote: "Its the same book, In the US it was split up of 3 or 4 books, In UK and Canada they were one book. The Lions Eye."

OK, thanks for the clarification. That kind of stuff trips me up all the time. I bought 2 books with different titles and later discovered they were the same book, one from UK and one from US. But then, I am easily confused...

I gave up The Lost Symbol....bad bad writing. I should have known better, 18 bucks I am not getting bad anytime soon.
Arrrg

Not sure whats next....Looking at the final Genesis of Shannara book.

and The Gypsy Morph wins, happened to be at the top of the pile

Finished Pulse by Jeremy Robinson last night--a book I won through First Reads. My review is here:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/64...

Next up is Komarr for our Miles series read.

Jane wrote: "Christine wrote: "I found I couldn't stop thinking about Hidden Warrior which was sitting on my shelf and finally abandoned The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I'm really ..."

Why did you abandon The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo? I have the book on my TBR pile but going to leave it for a couple of months has I have just watched the film at the cinema on Sunday (which I recommend- I assume that a people in a reading group won't have a problem with two and half hours of subtitles)
Jane

I read about 150 pages and realized I didn't care what happened to the missing girl; the girl with the tattoo hadn't been involved much at this point. If I didn't have a bunch of other books to read readily available, I might have continued this book, but when I have to make myself read (and find a dozen things to do besides read a book), I figure it's time to move on

So far in March I have read:


I'm currently reading:


And up next are:


And outside of the SF/Fantasy realm, I'm reading:


This is what happens when (a) you're unemployed, and (b) you design/sign up for FOUR separate reading challenges.

This is what happens when (a) you're unemployed, and (b) you design/sign up for FOUR separate reading challenges.

Reading challenges are very fun but dangerous things!

I'm currently reading Memory and it's a toss up between Komarr or A Swiftly Tilting Planet (which is indeed for a book challenge) next.

What a bad week for books
Started Browns the Lost Symbol and after 50 or so pages I couldn't take it anymore, bad writing and pacing, and my big pet peeve, his use of chapters, a 2 page chapter is not a chapter.
After I dumped that I picked up the final Genesis of Shannara book The Gypsy Morph. After forcing my way through the first 2 books and starting this one I realised something...I could care less what happens. I had no interest in any of the characters so I am tossing this one also, and swearing off of Brooks and Shannara

Out for a walk at lunch and stopped in a bookstore and saw this Showgirls, Teen Wolves, and Astro Zombies Its about a movie critic watching the worst movies ever made. Quite interesting and enjoyable.

I swore off Brooks back in the 70's when there wasn't much to choose from. He's been bad for so long, I can't figure out why people read him. And Brown is also a one book read, since they all are cut from the same cloth.

Go get you some Joe Abercrombie, or Megan Whalen Turner or Kristin Cashore. They can put things right.

Very early this morning, in my aunt's basement, where I sought shelter from a snow storm, I finished The Red Wolf Conspiracy (my review).

I was torn between two other library books for my next reading adventure: Eifelheim or The Warded Man. Both of these are upcoming book club reads. I opted for Eifelheim because it's shorter than The Warded Man and I may be able to complete it before the end of the weekend, what with the snow and all.

Reginac1 wrote: "I swore off Brooks back in the 70's when there wasn't much to choose from. He's been bad for so long,"

My problem is that Brooks can be good, really good, can't put the book down good, but I dunno it almost seems that he forces stories out that are not good for money, he knows people will read so he doesn't put the effort in. Makes me mad.

Jon wrote: "Very early this morning, in my aunt's basement, where I sought shelter from a snow storm, I finished The Red Wolf Conspiracy (my review).

I was torn between two other library books for my next r..."

Personally, I loved Eifelheim and would have given it a very high rating had I been in "Beyond Reality" in Jan. of 2009. It might even be my favorite of the sci-fi BOTM's from last year. But I'm a sucker for the 14th century, and putting sci-fi into that mix was ...well, wonderful.

Perhaps Flynn was trying to do for sci-fi in the 14th century what Umberto Eco did for a mystery story in the 14th century with "The Name of the Rose." I'm not sure he succeedded to the level that Eco did, but then Flynn's read was quicker and more fun.

I loved Eifelheim too. It was so interesting to read the conversations between the characters from each side - 14th century worldview meets modern science.

Life is a little stressful for me right now (my husband and I are trying to sell our condo and buy a house!) so I haven't wanted anything too taxing for reading material. I raced through Wild Hunt, the second Evie Scanlan book from Margaret Ronald, which I liked even better than the first one. I re-read Kay's A Song for Arbonne, which is an old favorite. Now I'm reading Tender at the Bone: Growing Up at the Table, a low-key memoir.

I've got some big meaty books on my to-read list that I can't wait to dig into, but I just don't have the brainpower right now.

Just started Perdido Street Station. I was summing it up to a friend, and I'm just shocked how much world-building he's crammed in after only 5 chapters. Some dark and twisted stuff!

So, I visited the Beyond Reality Hall of Fame, and decided to begin reading the top rated fantasy books. My goal being to more accurately rate the fantasy books of the month that we read (and just to read some great books). I began with the George R. R. Martin "Game of Thrones" series, and just finished the first book... OH MY GOSH. I never thought I'd love a fantasy series as much as "The Lord of the Rings." And to think that I'd never heard of Martin before this site just makes me sad! Thanks to you all for voting and creating the hall of fame!. I am eagerly anticipating the HBO series based on these books...anyone else??

I read The Hunger Games, Catching Fire and I am currently reading Shutter Island.

Brian wrote: "I read The Hunger Games, Catching Fire and I am currently reading Shutter Island."

How is Shutter Island? My husband and I saw the movie this weekend and I now want to read the book.

Sandi wrote: "Brian wrote: "I read The Hunger Games, Catching Fire and I am currently reading Shutter Island."

How is Shutter Island? My husband and I ..."

Not bad. I am not a big mystery or thriller reader and it has kept me turning the pages. I have gotten a bit bored with it around page 200 but the last 20 or so pages things have picked up. Not a huge fan of the swearing in it. Otherwise I have liked it.

My wife read it also and liked it. She saw or read an interview with Lehane in which he said he was trying to create a gothic novel. It has been interesting to look at the gothic elements in this modern novel.

I hope that helps, Sandi.

Elizabeth wrote: "So, I visited the Beyond Reality Hall of Fame, and decided to begin reading the top rated fantasy books. My goal being to more accurately rate the fantasy books of the month that we read (and just..."

I am anxious to see the A Game of Thrones on HBO. I saw a still of it somewhere recently and it looked good. I think it was Ned Stark (Sean Bean aka Boromir) on horseback in a winter landscape.

I am in a boring phase here, getting caught up on magazines. Then either the next Miles book or a book I won (not here) on breast cancer.

Oh, I'm getting twitchy about CryoBurn. . . it's been too many years since there was a new Miles book! :)

Cindy wrote: "Just started Perdido Street Station. I was summing it up to a friend, and I'm just shocked how much world-building he's crammed in after only 5 chapters. Some dark and twisted stuff!"

One could spend days on some of the details in Perdido Street Station, great stuff, The Scar is also Fantastic and weird.

I've started The Aware but also have The Wrecker and Life Sentences on my Sony eReader to read. All are from my library.

Bookbrow wrote: "One could spend days on some of the details in Perdido Street Station, great stuff, The Scar is also Fantastic and weird."

Seriously! It's also a really fascinating cross-breed of science-fiction and fantasy. I've never read anything like it.

Perdido Street Station is amazing. Excellent book

Started Fever Crumb by Philip Reeve, a book I won on First Reads. It's a YA set in the future. If I like it, I may look up his Arthurian book, Here Lies Arthur since I love to read things based on the Arthurian legend.

Kathi, there is a series written by Jack Whyte that goes into the whole Athurian legend. From the founding of Camolot, to the forging of Excalibur to Merlin, Uther and of course the Tragedy that is Arthur. Quite good.
Now that has me thinking, I need to finish it

Started "Monster" by A. Lee Martinez, of whom I had never heard before. It's comic fantasy, sort of an americanized Tom Holt is about the closest I can get. It's decent of its kind.

Ken wrote: "Kathi, there is a series written by Jack Whyte that goes into the whole Athurian legend. From the founding of Camolot, to the forging of Excalibur to Merlin, Uther and of course the Tragedy that is..."

Ah, yes, Ken, Whyte's Camulod series. Have it, read it, loved it!

I re-read The Peshawar Lancers by S.M. Stirling and The Gate to Women's Country by Sheri S. Tepper. I recommended both to others to read then had to go back and re-read them for the 4th or so time ....

I'm still mostly reading out of genre--a new edition of a book for women with breast cancer (that painted way-too-rosy a picture, IMO. Yes, it's important to be positive and have hope, but it's also important to recognized the realities of cancer.) and a book of essays written by adults who have siblings with special needs (definitely not all sunshine and roses).
I've started but want to finish these other things before getting really into that story. (It's a First Reads book.)

Oh - I had entered on the drawing for 'Fever Crumb' but didn't win. (Congrats.) Do let us know what you think of it when you're done, won't you? :>

blackrose wrote: "Oh - I had entered on the drawing for 'Fever Crumb' but didn't win. (Congrats.) Do let us know what you think of it when you're done, won't you? :>"

Yes, definitely.

I read Fool by Christopher Moore over the weekend, and am now roughly 100 pages shy of finishing Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.

Next up is a reread of American Gods for one group or another.

I realized that, of the 24 novels I've read so far this year, 20 of them were fantasy and only 4 SF. So I'm taking a short break from reading for reviews and blogs to read an SF novel, Crossover: A Cassandra Kresnov Novel by Joel Shepherd. One chapter in, it's already grabbed me.

24...I feel so lazy. I only read 5 or 6.