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.
Jeanette says:
I’ve been dying to write a middle grade book so lately I’ve been devouring them. At the library, I picked up a free, beat-to-hell copy of The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan. I didn’t realize it’s in the world of Percy Jackson. I’m enjoying it so far!
September 21, 2015 — 9:10 AM
addy says:
i love that series. your never too young for young adult!
September 21, 2015 — 9:38 AM
Nicqui says:
It’s the first book in the companion series Heroes of Olympus. The series is really good. We get some new, interesting characters and some old favourites. If you like the first Percy series, I think you will really enjoy this one.
September 21, 2015 — 9:39 AM
Princess of Dragons says:
I signed up to a local scheme called Brave New Reads, where a bunch of people from the area read a whole bunch of new books, short list them down to six, and then local reading groups pick up the list for the next year to share around and do events with.
So the book I am currently reading is Robot in the Garden by Deborah Install as one of my first round books. I’m only a chapter in, but so far, I’m enjoying it.
September 21, 2015 — 9:11 AM
Peg says:
Reading the 19th Jack Reacher novel by Lee Childs and I usually love these books, but this one is not doing it for me. Also Accidental Highwayman audiobook by Ben Trip(?) and it’s highly enjoyable.
September 21, 2015 — 9:13 AM
partlowspool says:
Just finished this book called Zeroes, which I highly enjoyed, and then the graphic novel Wytches, which is uber creepy. Casting about for my next book. Probably the last Pratchett novel, but I’ll need the whole day off so I can sit, read and cry. I will miss his creativity and sly humor.
September 21, 2015 — 9:13 AM
Sara Crow says:
Working on Guy Gavriel Kay’s Under Heaven and Ursula LeGuin’s Always Coming home right now. Crazy about both.
Will, have you read Aliette de Bodard’s Obsidian and Blood trilogy? Fantasy set in ancient Aztec culture. I’d love to hear what folks with a particular interest in that area and point in history think about it.
September 21, 2015 — 9:15 AM
Beth says:
I love Always Coming Home so much that I get a little weepy when I talk about it. What a wonderful book. I should do a re-read soon.
I just finished an excellent, insightful, optimistic book about digital culture called Smarter Than You Think, by Clive Thompson – I’m going to be recommending it around a lot. I’m bouncing back and forth between Blackbirds and The Dog Stars by Peter Heller (really just started both). I heard Heller give a keynote speech at a conference about six months ago and was just dazzled.
September 21, 2015 — 11:17 AM
Sara Crow says:
I’m only about a quarter of the way in so far and I can say that even at this point, it’s nothing shy of magical.
I wish I could get access to the record that accompanied some editions (including, I think, the edition I have, though I’m sure it was lost long ago since I picked the book up used). I can’t seem to find it anywhere online, either.
September 21, 2015 — 11:30 AM
Beth says:
I think part of the magic for me was that I read it for the first time while in undergrad *studying ethnography.*
I… did not know that there was a recording. I will look into that. If I come up with anything, I’ll let you know.
September 21, 2015 — 12:23 PM
katemcone says:
Finishing up reading Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett (for the first time…why, oh why, have I not read it before?!) — most enjoyable.
I’m hunting down some Richard Kadrey books and your Zeroes to read next. 🙂
September 21, 2015 — 9:18 AM
Latedra says:
Im rereading some of the books ive favored in the past. Some i cant even remember the plot or the characters and its likes reading it for the firat time but with deja vu. Right not actually in my lap is Switched by Amanda Hocking. I have no idea what I’m going to read next.
September 21, 2015 — 9:18 AM
Daniel J. Hogan says:
Just finished Star Wars: Aftermath (looking forward to more Mister Bones!) and now I’m reading The Martian.
September 21, 2015 — 9:19 AM
Heather says:
I laughed way too hard at The Martian’s opening line. I hope the movie does it justice.
September 21, 2015 — 10:33 AM
Daniel J. Hogan says:
Same here on both accounts.
September 21, 2015 — 2:28 PM
laurieboris says:
I’m currently savoring All The Light We Cannot See. Love it like mad.
September 21, 2015 — 9:19 AM
Thalia (@laughingmuse3) says:
Another one for the list!
September 21, 2015 — 9:42 AM
mjmartell says:
I loved that book! Lyrical, haunting…So good! Enjoy!
September 21, 2015 — 9:54 AM
Luitha K Tamaya (@LKTamaya) says:
Terry Pratchett’s A Slip of the Keyboard… inspiring me to get back to my own keyboard 🙂
September 21, 2015 — 9:21 AM
Lili says:
I am reading ‘Fog’ by A. Wendeberg, whose work I love, esp. ‘The Devil’s Grin’ trilogy, and was reading Mindy McGinnis’s ‘In a Handful of Dust’, until I accidently deleted it from my Nook. It was excellent- so far.
Lili
September 21, 2015 — 9:22 AM
Davide Mana says:
I’m reading “Witchfinder General”, the 1966 historical novel by Ronald Bassett that was adapted into a famous film featuring Vincent Price (same title, but aka “The Conqueror Worm”).
And I’m digging it very much – well written, well researched, and a kick in the guts:one of the most chilling portrayal of human cruelty I ever read.
Next up, a non-fiction book about the effects of the Moon on the evolution of life on Earth.
I’m eclectic like that 😉
September 21, 2015 — 9:24 AM
Peg says:
By the way, since the timing is right, the one book I consistently recommend to other writers now is “Olive Kitteridge,” which is a collection of short stories, but a master class in writing a memorable character.
September 21, 2015 — 9:24 AM
SamKD says:
Oh yes that -is- really good.
September 21, 2015 — 9:52 AM
JL says:
This is a great book and I don’t like contemporary very much. Read it for a college creative writing class, and it is worth it.
September 21, 2015 — 1:02 PM
gloriousmonsters says:
I’m right at the point where I finished reading two things and am not really digging into something new yet. I just finished Nos4a2 by Joe Hill, which had issues but I overall enjoyed a lot, and ‘The Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall’ by Katie Alender, which was… pretty damn terrible. Very thin story, awkward characters, wibbly conflict and unhealthy ideas.
I want to finish reading Jonathon Strange & Mr Norrell, but it’s such a dense book I don’t know if I’m up to it at the moment. I think I have a couple promising-looking titles I grabbed from the library still waiting, but I can’t recall their names right now.
September 21, 2015 — 9:25 AM
Scott Parisien says:
Stephen King’s On Writing. What a great resource and inspiring book.
September 21, 2015 — 9:27 AM
A. R. Stone says:
That’s next on my “writing advice” list.
September 21, 2015 — 9:28 AM
Anna says:
I love that book. You really pick up on some stuff as a writer. 🙂
September 21, 2015 — 9:38 AM
Heather says:
Friend loaned me her copy years ago and I had to buy my own. I really want to reread it when I get the chance. Staple of my writing library.
September 21, 2015 — 10:32 AM
SamKD says:
More love here–great book. Rita Mae Brown’s Starting from Scratch is also great in a more hardassed way.
September 21, 2015 — 10:48 AM
A. R. Stone says:
Right now I’m in the middle of Orson Scott Card’s Characters and Viewpoint which has shown me why my WIP is “stuck” and will likely require a complete overhaul.
A little recreational reading while new ideas ferment will probably include Zeroes so I can see what all the fuss is about, especially that review that mentioned something about not a single word being wasted.
Clearly that is an area I can improve on and may learn something.
September 21, 2015 — 9:27 AM
Nicqui says:
The Prince – Machiavelli; The Road – Cormac McCarthy; Atonement – Ian McEwan.
Basically just book group reads until November 3 when Manners & Mutiny – Gail Carriger is released.
September 21, 2015 — 9:28 AM
Chris K says:
All Monster Action by Cody Goodfellow. Goodfellow has seriously fucked up ideas backed by potent use of language. He can make you gag and laugh on the same page. There’s nobody out there who writes like this guy. Run, don’t walk.
September 21, 2015 — 9:28 AM
Rick Claypool says:
Reading Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel. Thoroughly digging it, it’s a lovely, quick read and it engages with ideas I’m working through in my own manuscript in ways I never would have dreamed, which is insightful. I’m really looking forward to The Garbage Times, a short story collection by Sam Pink that’s supposed to come out this fall.
September 21, 2015 — 9:29 AM
Mark says:
I’m reading The Turning by Xao Thao. It’s an Urban Fantasy about a girl who finds out she’s a vampire. The story is awesome because the characters are so relatable and they just happen to be a bit unny as well. 🙂
September 21, 2015 — 9:30 AM
lily says:
I am reading “Black Magic Woman” by Justin Gustains. Can’t put it down. The tension keeps on building and the characters are awesome. I’m not into vampires, werewolves, black magic but I am now!.
September 21, 2015 — 9:30 AM
Courtney C says:
I’m currently rereading The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon. I sped through it and its sequel on the first reading, and the story kind of hung with me. This time I’m reading it more analytically to see what made it so catchy and find out if it is one of those single read only stories. But so far I’m enjoying it as much the second time as the first.
September 21, 2015 — 9:31 AM
Peg says:
I loved Bone Season, but had a hard time getting into Mime Order, and I was really looking forward to it. Not sure what happened.
September 21, 2015 — 10:01 AM
Anna says:
I’m currently reading “Sanctum” by Madeleine Roux. The first book of this trilogy was creepy and interesting enough that I wanted to get books 2 and 3. So far, so good. I’m not disappointed… yet? Here’s to hoping the disappointment won’t be there in the end.
September 21, 2015 — 9:36 AM
reggielutz says:
The Fifth Season – NK Jemisin
I’m only a few pages in.
The opening reads like poetry and promises seismic awesomeness. (See what I did there?) I’m really excited to read the rest of this one.
September 21, 2015 — 9:39 AM
Thalia (@laughingmuse3) says:
The Graveyard Book. Finally catching up on some Gaiman that I’ve missed. He does both creepy and childlike very well.
After that, I have The Forgotten Beasts of Eld waiting. Another classic I’ve missed!
September 21, 2015 — 9:41 AM
casslogan says:
The Sh!t No One Tells You About Toddlers by Dawn Dais. Loving it! So freakin funny and right on the money so far.
September 21, 2015 — 9:41 AM
mannixk says:
In the same vein, I just read Toddlers Are A**holes by Bunmi Laditan and it was pretty hilarious and spot on.
September 21, 2015 — 10:37 AM
betsytalbot says:
I just finished The Bagmen by William Lashner last night. Loved the story, his imperfect hero, and the unusual turns of phrase. This is a great political drama book with some great old-school characters in a modern setting, and I can’t wait to read more by this author.
A couple of days before, I finished Best Laid Plans by Stylo Fantôme, which is an adventure romance told at the pace and intensity of Mad Max. Holy cow was that book scorching hot and wild! The story does finish, but there is a sneak peek of book two at the end that makes me want to read it right now. And it’s not published yet, which pisses me off. I’ve just published book two in a five-book series, and I hope I make my readers want the next book as much as she’s made me want her next book!
September 21, 2015 — 9:42 AM
Julie Holmes, author says:
Just finished Stealing Shadows by Kay Hooper–loved it. Just starting Obsession in Death by J. D. Robb–love the Eve Dallas series. After that, Reaping the Finest Wheat by Ceone Fenn. I don’t normally read women’s historical fiction, but she’s one of my writing sisters, and I read an early draft. Looking forward to seeing what she changed.
September 21, 2015 — 9:44 AM
Ruth Nestvold says:
Finally reading Elantris. Love the idea of the doomed city, the naming of characters and cultures not so much.
September 21, 2015 — 9:45 AM
David Wilson says:
I plan on read it but my library’s copy is overdue.
September 21, 2015 — 9:50 AM
Heather Wolfe says:
I’m planning to read this one next. It sounds intriguing.
September 21, 2015 — 10:24 AM
SamKD says:
The Brimstone Wedding by Ruth Rendell writing as Barbara Vine. It’s…comfortable.
Which is to say: I see where it’s going but I’m curious -how- and it’s an enjoyable page-turning ride through Great Britain all the same. I discovered Rendell this past April and am delighted to have a huge unread-by-me body of psychological thrillers.
Last week, though, I burned through the first five of Annie Bellet’s Twenty-Sided Sorceress series and they were Grand Reading Fun. So much fun I’m impatient as all hell for the next one and damned glad it’s weeks, not months. I’ll interrupt my current read to nom-nom Thicker Than Blood right down in big greedy word-gulps.
Next up will probably be After The Sucker Punch which was a curiosity click from the author’s HuffPo article that hit me in the post-burying-my-mother feels…though The Small Backs Of Children is a close second because Ksenia Anske liked it so well.
September 21, 2015 — 9:46 AM
zklimczak says:
“The Bone Clocks” by David Mitchell. It’s an interesting read. I’m not a huge fan of Mitchell’s flowery, descriptive language, and the action has been nulled thus far, but I’ll stick with it to see where it goes.
September 21, 2015 — 9:46 AM
Anna says:
I always have a classic in rotation (a part of my efforts towards trying to become a better writer), and I just started Ulysses by James Joyce. On a related note, I’m trying to actually understand it by reading Ulysses Annotated by Don Gifford and Robert J. Seidman at the same time. It’s a total time-suck: it took me over an hour to read the notations for the first 30 pages. Maybe I’ll be done by Christmas? (I’m glad for the annotations, though, because I’d have missed a lot without them.)
My “fun” book for reading my last classic, Proust’s The Guermantes Way, was supposed to be The Grace of Kings by Ken Liu, but I’m having a really hard time getting through it. Too many names that sound the same, and the pacing is quite slow. I actually finished the Proust book first. I’m about halfway through the Liu book. Anyone read It? Is it worth finishing?
At this point I was desperate for something entertaining, and I started the newest Witcher book by Andrzej Sapkowski, which I’m enjoying a lot. So far it’s not as amazing as the last two, but still great.
September 21, 2015 — 9:50 AM
Elan Auman says:
Rereading Harry Potter for the umpteenth time, and started The Name of the Wind by Pat Rothfuss, which I am just loving. It sucked me right in from the start, and is inspiring me to get my own writing done when I’m not wrangling a toddler and an infant!
September 21, 2015 — 9:51 AM
David Wilson says:
I just finished Lock-in by John Scalzi, read it in 3 days and the last half in one sitting. It’s a pretty gripping book. Now reading Abomination by Gary Whitta, which I just noticed is blurbed by the Wendig himself.
September 21, 2015 — 9:59 AM
Heather says:
Lock In got me started on Scalzi’s work. I have a deep love for that book.
September 21, 2015 — 10:29 AM
portlandorange (@portlandorange) says:
Thanks: I hadn’t heard about the Gary Whitta book, and I just found it on Scribd. Early Middle Ages + visceral monster horror + woman warrior all sounds amazing.
September 21, 2015 — 2:36 PM
mckkenzie says:
Hey, quit it! *slaps your finger away*
Killing Pretty by Richard Kadrey…and it’s fabulous as are all the Sandman Slim books! Angels, Satan, God, Magic, Violence, Apocalyptic Danger…need I say more?
September 21, 2015 — 10:01 AM
Christine says:
I’m reading Half a World by Joe Ambercrumbie and OMG what an awesome series!! His characters are so engaging and the action scenes! Yowweee!
September 21, 2015 — 10:03 AM
deb says:
I went poking around in the local used book joint for “A Prayer for Owen Meany” by John Irving. Nada, but there was a copy of “A Widow for One Year”. Half Off! Red dot day! I thought I’d give it a try just to regain a feel for his words. One chapter in, I realized that the reason it was all deadly familiar was that I had sat through the film (the Door in the Floor) adapted from the book and hated it. Ashamed to say I’m bailing on the printed effort and will head to the library for my original quest. Give Irving another chance.
September 21, 2015 — 10:14 AM
Heather Wolfe says:
I’m in the middle of Cell by Stephen King. So far, I’m enjoying. I will say it is causing me to hesitate answering my phone when I receive a phone call on my cell.
September 21, 2015 — 10:20 AM
mjmartell says:
Struggling through The Undays of Aralias Lyons by KL Horvath. Time travel, mythical creatures, an interesting world but suffering from pages of arch dialogue and then blurry action.
Also in the pile Fool’s Quest by Robin Hobb. Maybe it’s been too long since the last book in the series as I can’t get any momentum going on this one.
Recently discovered that a law school classmate has been writing legal thrillers so I’ve read a couple of his books. Robert Dugoni with My Sister’s Grave, with his latest, Her Final Breath, teed up.
Loving all the great suggestions from everyone and have loads of new books tagged in my wish list! Such smart eclectic readers…
September 21, 2015 — 10:21 AM
Amber Keller says:
I’m on a Bradbury binge and currently reading The Toynbee Convector. Some of my favorite fall readings are inevitably Bradbury’s works. The Halloween Tree, The October Country, Toynbee… so many more.
September 21, 2015 — 10:27 AM
Heather says:
I’m nearly finished with book 2 of the Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne (Hexed). I love this world Hearne writes and the characters are hilarious! After this I plan on reading Zeroes.
I’m looking forward to reading Nightwise by R. S. Belcher, Gospel of Loki by Joanne M. Harris.
Finishing the audiobook Android’s Dream by John Scalzi narrated by Wil Wheaton and I can’t wait to start listening to Fuzzy Nation. Same author and narrator combo, and Scalzi reads the introduction to this one.
September 21, 2015 — 10:27 AM
jeffrutherford says:
The Queen of Bedlam by Robert McCammon – thriller/mystery set in 18th century NYC. Love!!
September 21, 2015 — 10:27 AM
gbrobinson says:
I have a bunch of classics on my shelf I’ve never read, and occasionally in between more current stuff, I’ll pull out one and read it. Right now it’s Brave New World. (I know, it’s a crime I’ve never read it before).
September 21, 2015 — 10:28 AM
mannixk says:
One of my faves!
September 21, 2015 — 10:41 AM
SamKD says:
One of my faves too.
September 21, 2015 — 11:16 AM
kthanes10 says:
Going old school with Murder in Mesopotamia by Agatha Christie. Very easy and fun. I actually used The Murder of Roger Achroyd as a chaser for the Hunger Games. Sure there’s a body count but a totally different tone.
September 21, 2015 — 10:30 AM
Kristi S. Simpson says:
I’m in decision making mode. I was rereading all of the Shannara books. By book 16 I’m a little burned out. Now I have to decide, do I start the next trilogy in the series or do I pick up Blood Song by Anthony Ryan, Half a King – Joe Abercrombe, or Promise of Blood by Brian McClellan. I lean away from Terry Brooks because the Ohmsford overkill and I want to read something I haven’t yet (haven’t read any of the others listed). I’m hesitant about Half a King because I started The Blade Itself and put it down. Everyone says to keep reading it. We’ll see.
September 21, 2015 — 10:30 AM
Kay Camden says:
God’s War by Kameron Hurley. I bought it a long time ago. It’s been sitting on my Kindle unread because I was afraid of it. I just started chapter 2 and wish I hadn’t put it off. Still afraid of it though.
September 21, 2015 — 10:34 AM
Claudia Hauter says:
I’m reading Women in Love by D.H. Lawrence. There’s not much of a story to it – it’s very character-focused. It took me a while to get into it, but now I’m obsessed. I enjoy the way the author uses the characters to philosophise, and his descriptions are really interesting – not quite contradictory, but not quite complementary either.
September 21, 2015 — 10:36 AM
Nicole says:
Just read The Martian…in one sitting…devoured it. Well done, Mr. Weir.
September 21, 2015 — 10:39 AM
mannixk says:
I’m about a third of the way into House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski, which I bought after seeing a bunch of raves about it on this site. So far, it’s equal parts terrifying, confounding and intriguing. Love it.
Also reading Love Is a Dog From Hell, Charles Bukowski poems.
Next up, We Are Not Ourselves by Matthew Thomas which I heard some good things about.
September 21, 2015 — 10:40 AM
R.C.St.Louis says:
I’m reading a book called Kingdom of little wounds. Usually I’m not so into historical fiction, but this book is amazing. Its a little graphic though and features rape so if your really sensitive on that praticular subjet this is a warning.
September 21, 2015 — 10:41 AM