It’s that time again where I ask you:
Hey, whatcha reading?
Like, right now. What are you reading?
Are you digging it?
Not digging it?
Why?
It’s booktalk, time, folks. Hell, if you feel like it, tell us too what books you’re excited about coming up. Share the sweet, sweet book-love.
Sophie Giroir says:
The Inheritance Trilogy by NK Jemisin. It’s only amazing.
September 21, 2015 — 8:13 AM
Aimee Ogden says:
Thank you for mentioning these books while I’m in the vicinity of a computer and can finally remember to add them to my to-read list!
September 21, 2015 — 6:56 PM
MadtotheVod says:
Reading through the Discworld series, up to Feet of Clay, really digging it even though some of them are re-reads.
Looking forward to Bill Brysons next book coming out as well.
September 21, 2015 — 8:14 AM
Natalie says:
That is a great series. So sad about Terry Pratchett, I couldn’t read his last couple of books. That unique voice he gave each of his characters was gone.
September 22, 2015 — 1:33 AM
Jason P. says:
Ready Player One. I figure if Spielberg is adapting it, I ought to read it first.
September 21, 2015 — 8:14 AM
Joseph. says:
Loved this book! Of course I grew up when all of the games in the book we coming out.
September 21, 2015 — 12:34 PM
nannersknowsnothings says:
On break from The Tale of the Malazan Book of the Fallen series (just finished the fourth). Definitely my favorite epic fantasy series I’ve checked out thus far and the scope is insanely huge. Currently waiting on three of the novellas from the series to ship in. Whilst waiting, I’m reading War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. It’s pretty good considering it’s over a century old and translated. Doesn’t have my usual taste in fantasy but it’s still epic in scale.
September 21, 2015 — 8:16 AM
Lindsay says:
The devil in the White City by Eric Larson. I put it down over a week ago because of travel. It’s not bad but I’m not getting as drawn in to it as much as I’d hoped to just yet. Then again it’s been mostly about architecture so far and less about the ghastly murders or the house Holmes used. I’m hoping to find the draw to pick it back up soon because H. H. Holmes has always been a subject of interest to me and I’ve heard plenty of good things on this book. I do enjoy Larson’s A.D.D. like style of writing. It seems to work for me. I suppose my ‘complaint’ (if you can call it that) is that we’ve spent a lot of time building up the White City and so far little time on the Devil (I’m one third of the way through the book as we speak).
September 21, 2015 — 8:19 AM
micaraerossi says:
I’m reading “What Alice Forgot” by Liane Moriarty and I can’t put the thing down. She’s the one who wrote “The Devil Wears Prada.” In this book, the MC hits her head and forgets the last 10 years of her life, including her children and the fact that she and her hubby are getting a divorce and are in the middle of a hellacious custody battle. Nice rich characters and little sneaky twists and turns that you don’t see coming.
September 21, 2015 — 8:19 AM
David Walther says:
The Sirens of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut.
I dig the book, but it makes me incredibly sad as well. There’s an element to Vonnegut’s style that makes me want to smile in dark cynicism and cry in abject horror at the same time.
Reading his works always makes me want to become a better human, so that, when I meet Vonnegut one day in the afterlife (if there is something like an afterlife), I can look him in the eye and say, “I tried, Vonnegut, sir. World’s better now, I hope. So, please, can you start writing happy stuff instead of these sad, sad monuments to human folly?”
Next to Cad’s Cradle, Sirens of Titan is the Vonnegut book I found the most value in so far.
September 21, 2015 — 8:20 AM
Robert Sadler says:
I LOVE Sirens of Titan. There is so much creativity, sadness, optimism, criticism, humor and brilliance packed into that book. Slaughterhouse-Five gets all the fame and attention, but I enjoyed Sirens of Titan more.
September 21, 2015 — 8:24 AM
David Walther says:
Fully agreed on that. I can see why Slaughterhouse-Five gets the attention, but it never spoke to me half as much as the other works I read from him. Actually, the only thing of Slaughterhouse-Five that had the ‘usual’ impact on me might well be the first chapter/prologue, where he tells you why it’s also called the Children’s Crusade.
September 21, 2015 — 9:10 AM
Caitlin says:
Bad Monkey by Carl Hiaasen. Fantasticcccc
September 21, 2015 — 8:20 AM
SamKD says:
‘Nother Hiaasen fan here–agree that’s a good one.
September 21, 2015 — 11:18 AM
Rekka says:
Oh, just this little thing titled Aftermath. Only at the start, but digging it so far. Husband is over half-way through. He has some nitpicks but is looking forward to the rest of the story!
September 21, 2015 — 8:21 AM
JT Lawrence says:
I’m reading witchy books as research for my current WIP. ‘The Penguin Book of Witches’; ‘Starhawk’; and ‘The Heretic’s Daughter’. All super interesting and inspiring — so much so that I keep wanting to put the books down and write another chapter.
September 21, 2015 — 8:22 AM
Sara Crow says:
Have you picked up Shirley Jackson’s The Witchcraft of Salem Village yet? A horrific story of accused witchcraft told amazingly well.
September 21, 2015 — 9:19 AM
JT Lawrence says:
Hi Sara — I love Shirley Jackson’s work but thought this title was a kid’s book? Is it not? Do you think it’s worth reading if I’ve already done a lot of Salem research already? For context, my current WIP is about a modern day witch …
September 21, 2015 — 9:49 AM
Sara Crow says:
You’re right; it’s a little elementary, but I’m SUCH a sucker for Jackson.
AS SOON as I hit “post” I remembered an AMAZING book I read last year called A Mirror for Witches by Esther Forbes that is much lesser-known but an absolutely fantastic narrative that, for its time in particular (published in the 1920s), delves into the subject of accused witches in a voice authentic to the time in which it’s set (the 17th century). Probably hard to find (I can’t even remember how I dug this one up–I think it was at my favorite used/new bookstore in Wichita), but it’s a disturbing, breathtaking, masterful read on the subject of how accused witches were treated and portrayed in this masterful perspective that seems to showcase the accusations and outrage of the community toward her but (intentionally, I think) turns that outrage the opposite direction over the course of the narrative.
And as far as “modern” witches go, depending on where your character lives, you might also check out Urban Primitive by Raven Kaldera for a bit of inspiration. It’s intended to help the modern pagan/witch follow a nature religion…in the middle of the city. Really interesting ideas presented, even if it’s not my general religious milieu. If I were writing an urban witch, I think this would be one of my go-to books for ideas and context (and perhaps a bit of a glimpse into the modern community).
September 21, 2015 — 10:33 AM
JT Lawrence says:
Thanks so much, Sara! Will check them all out! My version of ‘Urban Primitive’ is ‘Spiral Dance’ by Starhawk. Have you heard of it?
September 21, 2015 — 11:21 AM
Sara Crow says:
I’ve heard of Starhawk, but not that book in particular. I’ll look into it. Thanks!
September 21, 2015 — 11:31 AM
Chris says:
Well… I am reading “Devil Red”, Joe R; Landale Hap and Collins serie… Hilarious and entertaining… I’ve to find things to read, as i am waiting for Aftermath to drop in mail mailbox… 🙂
September 21, 2015 — 8:22 AM
JT Lawrence says:
PS. Has anyone read Michel Faber’s ‘The Book of Strange New Things?’ — I CANNOT WAIT TO GET MY TEETH INTO IT.
September 21, 2015 — 8:23 AM
Sofia says:
Did you read his Under the Skin’ and or see the movie for it? What did you think of it?
September 21, 2015 — 8:27 AM
JT Lawrence says:
I read the book and loved it. Then I read Crimson Petal. Am now officially obsessed with him!
September 21, 2015 — 8:29 AM
Kristen says:
I’m reading A Thousand Years Over a Hot Stove: A History of American Women Told through Food, Recipes, and Remembrances. It’s pretty good. I’m feeling a little lame now, though, about going home after my day job and whining over the fact that I have to spend 20 precious minutes making macaroni and cheese and hot dogs for my family’s dinner.
September 21, 2015 — 8:23 AM
MadtotheVod says:
That sounds really good, will have a look for that one
September 21, 2015 — 8:26 AM
JT Lawrence says:
LOL.
September 21, 2015 — 8:41 AM
Sofia says:
The Speaker of the Dead by Orson Scott Card. (2nd book in the Enders game series)
I’m not digging it partly because it’s more morbid than i thought it would be but overall well written.
September 21, 2015 — 8:24 AM
Kelly Jensen says:
Yeah, this is a slow one. I do love what he does with the continuing story of Ender, though.
September 21, 2015 — 9:02 AM
David Wilson says:
One of my favorites. The first part is a little morbid, but doesn’t stay that way once is switches back to Wiggin.
September 21, 2015 — 9:53 AM
Robin Claire says:
This is my favorite book of the series. It’s not like Ender’s game. It draws you in slowly. It’s important to remember how Ender grew up and about midway the magnitude of the situation explodes.
September 21, 2015 — 1:49 PM
zer_netmouse says:
I am reading Tobias S. Buckell’s short story collection Tides from the New Worlds, and am loving it.
He is going to be at the Baltimore Book Festival this weekend, and this is the only thing of his I have that I hadn’t read yet, so I pulled it off the ol’ ‘To Read’ shelf.
I started reading Buckell when Crystal Rain came out, and love his novels, but I wasn’t all that aware that he got his start with a slew of amazing short stories. This collection haz them. 🙂
September 21, 2015 — 8:24 AM
Anthony says:
I’m reading Lords of the Sith by Paul S. Kemp as I work my way towards Aftermath and The Force Awakens in December.
The only thing I don’t like about this book is that because of when it is set I know how it must end – or about that. Besides that? I’m loving every moment of it. Great characters, amazing set pieces, a wonderful story, and everytime you think Vader can’t possibly go more HAM he laughs in your face and casually dials it up another 4-5 points.
It’s one of, if not the, best Star Wars book I’ve ever read, and I read most of the old Legends era stuff as it was coming out.
September 21, 2015 — 8:25 AM
Toni Kelner says:
Just finished reading ALICE by Christina Henry. It’s dark, but extremely good.
September 21, 2015 — 8:26 AM
Robert Sadler says:
I wanted to find out what all the hype is about, so I’m reading Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace. At about 200 pages in, I’m liking it a lot. Some chapters are crazy awesome and others are a bit boring. That’s what’s great about it, though – each chapter’s style is wildly different, so if there’s a section I’m not feeling, I only have to stick with it for a few pages before something totally different comes in.
September 21, 2015 — 8:27 AM
Aline Viana says:
“The drowning girl: a memoir”, by Caitlín R. Kiernan. I’ve read almost half of the book and I’m very intrigued about the development of the story. The girl sees ghosts and has schizophrenia, so we can’t know for sure what really happens to her. But, I guarantee: it’s scary.
September 21, 2015 — 8:28 AM
mannixk says:
Love Caitlín R. Kiernan. Especially her short fiction.
September 21, 2015 — 10:45 AM
Doreen Ann Queen says:
Very intriguing book and an excellent comment on mental illness in general – found it very sad and compelling after going through a serious period of depression myself.
September 21, 2015 — 11:54 AM
Maggie says:
I just picked up this book from Chapters that is sure to destroy my beloved memories of the Star Wars fandom. Written by some guy named Weeding, or something? I dunno. As I understand it, it’s poorly written and it has gay people with rainbow lightsabers and SJW Mandalorians. Or something. I don’t pay attention.
September 21, 2015 — 8:31 AM
Beth says:
Right now Writing For Emotional Impact by Karl Inglesias because apparently I don’t do enough of that. It’s geared toward screenwriters, but I’m sure something will translate. Writing is writing after all.
September 21, 2015 — 8:31 AM
M Hadick says:
Then We Came to the End by Joshua Ferris. it’s an office-setting comedy and satire. Hits close to home, and it’s great story telling. Also, My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante. Awesome story telling.
September 21, 2015 — 8:33 AM
Mozette says:
The book which is sitting on the table next to my Reading Chair is: ‘1984’ by George Orwell
September 21, 2015 — 8:35 AM
mannixk says:
I’ve read this book about 10 times, and it gets scarier every time.
September 21, 2015 — 10:47 AM
Mozette says:
Strange thing is that every time I start reading it, friends of mine give me books from their collection… and sure enough, two of my friends gave me over 20 vampire books of theirs from their collection because they’re moving! 😀
But this time, I’m not putting 1984 away… this time, I’m going to continue on and finish it. 😀
September 21, 2015 — 9:04 PM
T.E. Kennedy says:
I am re-reading “Salem’s Lot” by Stephen King. I read it in 1975 when it came out; still a great read 40 years later! Read my review at oneedgybroad.wordpress.com.
September 21, 2015 — 8:36 AM
Lauralynn Elliott says:
First Family by David Baldacci. I’ve never been disappointed by Baldacci.
September 21, 2015 — 8:37 AM
Bella Higgin says:
The Fear by Charlie Higson. It’s the third book in a series, and Higson is definitely not dialing back the gore-factor! There’s a lot of the red stuff!
September 21, 2015 — 8:38 AM
Anmiryam says:
‘A Little Life’ by Hanya Yanagahira since it’s official “Read the Prize List Season” in my life. Also rereading ‘Possession’ by A.S. Byatt which I am still finding fantastic 23 years after I first read it. Listening to ‘A Darker Shade of Magic’ by V.E. Schwab which is okay, but not as amazing as I’d hoped.
September 21, 2015 — 8:40 AM
decayingorbits says:
The Orthagonal Trilogy by Greg Egan. Fabulous hard Sci-Fi with a some really incredible world-building.
September 21, 2015 — 8:43 AM
Nikki Vogel says:
The Fifth House of the Heart. It started out good, but has become weighed down by the detritus of too much knowledge. The plot’s forward momentum has been lost in exposition.
September 21, 2015 — 8:43 AM
manifenestration says:
I’m switching back and forth between a regular book and an audio book, depending on how tired my eyes are. The audio book is Chapelwood by Cherie Priest, and the regular book is The Amazons by Adrienne Mayor.
September 21, 2015 — 8:45 AM
Neal Martin says:
I just finished reading Exoskeleton by Shane Stadler, which is awesome by the way and recommended for the dark minds among you. Currently I’m reading The Ghosts Of Belfast ( also known as The Twelve) by my fellow Northern Irish writer, Stuart Neville.
September 21, 2015 — 8:47 AM
Philly Ricketts says:
I’m reading ‘Foundations: An Attachment-Based Model of Parental Alienation’ by Dr Craig Childress, which is about how parents with narcissistic / borderline personality disorder turn their children against their ex-spouse through the invalidation of the children’s positive interpretation of their experiences of that parent. Fascinating stuff, particularly if you are into psychology. And he really knows his stuff. I think this book will eventually put an end to the confusion and controversy that surrounds the little known and poorly understood, but widely occurring, phenomenon of parental alienation.
September 21, 2015 — 8:48 AM
Phil Rossi says:
‘The Martian’ by Andy Weir. Loved it so much, I’m actually reading it again. A new favorite and one of the best books I’ve read in awhile.
September 21, 2015 — 8:49 AM
Corey Peterson says:
Finishing “Aftermath” today or tomorrow. Up next is “The Fifth Heart” by Dan Simmons.
September 21, 2015 — 8:51 AM
violynn says:
Just finished the 11th –and current final—book of the Inspector Gamache Series by Louise Penny. And now, I am sad because it’s finished and I have NOWHERE ELSE TO TURN! *Sobs*
It was amazing to binge read 11 books, oh my gosh, sweet sweet heaven. Finish one, start another, a seemingly endless supply of happiness from Three Pines. I am seriously going through withdrawal. Send help or at least, recommendations, i.e. literary methadone to help me come off gently.
September 21, 2015 — 8:52 AM
Julie says:
Not sucking up. Uh, no, that’s right. Not.
Am reading Zeroes, and wish I didn’t have to work so I could stay in it.
September 21, 2015 — 8:53 AM
williamallenpepper says:
AFTERMATH. Even though I havent read a Star Wars novel in 30 years, I sought out this one. And I dig it. Also reading Pratchett/Gaiman Good Omens.
September 21, 2015 — 8:56 AM
thenarrativejunkie says:
Listening to: City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett.
One of the best-plotted things I’ve read all year. Information spools at exactly the right rate. He inhabits any character perspective he needs to, and yet never loses track of the main thread of the story. His world is fascinating. I appreciated how it refuses one-sided oppression binaries – instead both sides have clearly deeply scarred each others’ cultures & wreaked havoc on their histories. His scenework is fantastic. The idea of situating a plot recap and exposition info-dump within a de-stress cooking scene is genius – all that sensory tactility bubbling away in the background enlivened what could have easily been a dry and boring passage. I love that he uses Eastern European/Russian-style names for the Continent. I love that despite being set in a world of vaguely 20th-century level technology, there are still Vikings and crazy badass Vikings to boot. Basically it’s a Fantasy masterpiece.
Reading: The Centauri Device by M John Harrison
Not as far into this one, but it’s shaping up to be a cool read. Harrison is one of my favourite authors – and possibly the best Angloprose writer alive. He takes books where nothing happens bar people wandering sadly around a grotty spaceport afflicted with a Roadside Picnic-esque problem and makes them so beautiful you can’t do anything but keep turning the pages (READ NOVA SWING EVERYBODY). This is one of his early books, so it’s more eventful than that, though moments of the soft pure melancholy that turns up in later books have turned up. But it’s also pure punk in the best tradition of the UK Weird Left (see also: early China Mieville). Favourite thing: the Earth in this future is currently split between the control of two power blocs in a way purposefully evoking 1984, but, instead of these being America-esque and USSR-ish, the blocs are instead Israel and the Socialist Arab Republics, which, in this timeline, have ended up absorbing the countries that were once their patrons. It’s actually a fairly neat reversal because goddamn, you want to convince me that any conflict is going to last so long it’s going to still be shaping the world hundreds of years from now, Arab-Israeli seems way more likely than Capitalist/America-Communist/Russia. Anyway. So far the book feels young, in a way that reveals both where Harrison came from and how he was always kind of amazing.
ALSO EVERYONE READ NOVA SWING.
September 21, 2015 — 8:56 AM
Kelly Jensen says:
I listened to City of Stairs on audio as well. The narrator did an awesome job. Fascinating world and totally absorbing plot. Can’t wait for the next book.
September 21, 2015 — 9:04 AM
Perrin says:
Quantum Crawfish Gumbo For The Clueless Soul by Glenn J. Morris. It’s a hoot, but in serious need of a real editor and typesetter…
September 21, 2015 — 8:56 AM
JohnFromGR says:
Just picked up Testimony, by Charles Reznikoff. Beautiful poetry, but Ye Gods! it can be an uncomfortable read in places.
September 21, 2015 — 8:56 AM
Carolyn says:
Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb. Oh my stars, Fitz has to have the most depressing life of any character in fantasy, I swear. I love Hobb’s writing but damn, such horrible suckage is his life! I don’t think it gets any better either. I will need something happy after this.
September 21, 2015 — 8:57 AM
Doreen Ann Queen says:
Loved, loved, loved this read and cannot wait for the next one. Poor, poor Fitz – every time I think Hobbs can’t throw anything worse his way, she does!
September 21, 2015 — 11:57 AM
blackdragon80 says:
Just finished Dying For Her, By Kory Shrum. Brilliant read, if you like supernatural powers, angels, and people who just can’t die!! Plus, all the intrigue, the plotting and stabbing in the back politics!
September 21, 2015 — 8:58 AM
Carl says:
The Sun Also Rises by Hemingway. A long time on my to read list.
September 21, 2015 — 8:58 AM
KathLDK says:
Continuing the Quantum/Mathematics theme others have started, I’m reading The Fifth Element by Martin Vopěnka, translated into English from the original Czech. So far it’s intriguing and completely baffling. The sciencey/philosophy bits are very dense and require a lot of re-reading to understand, but it’s an interesting premise.
September 21, 2015 — 8:59 AM
Kelly Jensen says:
Mad Ship by Robin Hobb. I’ve been aiming to clear some time for this book for a while. It’s 850 pages, so will take me all week to read, but I’m really looking forward to getting lost in it. I LOVE this world. The concept of the liveships makes me giddy. Also, Hobb always delivers diverse and interesting characters.
September 21, 2015 — 9:01 AM
lucie says:
World Wide Mind. Michael Chorost. Non-fiction. REALLY digging it.
September 21, 2015 — 9:01 AM
powerjacob says:
I’m reading A FEAST OF CROWS from the Game of Thrones Series. I’m ready to get through it since I’ve done three of the books in a row and not letting my self rest between books. Up next is my recent purchase of Mr. Wendig’s BLACKBIRDS. I’m looking forward to that one.
September 21, 2015 — 9:04 AM
Will Humphreys says:
Lord Eight Wind of Suchixtlan and the Heroes of Ancient Oaxaca by Robert Lloyd Williams. Very cool work bringing ancient Mixtec history to life.
September 21, 2015 — 9:04 AM
jralbert says:
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin (master story-teller and one of my all time favs) and The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson (OMG that prose). Both are brand new and fan-fippin-tastic!
September 21, 2015 — 9:04 AM
Arden Ruth says:
I just finished The Three by Sarah Lotz so that I could read Day Four. Really enjoyed The Three and Day Four is linked enough to make it a sequel (in that they are in the same world) but it’s a more isolated story. I recommend both of them!
September 21, 2015 — 9:08 AM