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.
Kait Nolan says:
I’m reading A Study in Silks by Emma Jane Holloway http://amzn.to/1V5Ep8k It’s a steampunk series about Sherlock Holmes’ niece and I’m LOVING the rich worldbuilding and characters. Two thumbs up.
September 21, 2015 — 10:44 AM
Carolyn says:
LOL Kait I have to laugh – hello! I trust your judgment so I will have to look into this one. 🙂 (hey_cee!)
September 21, 2015 — 11:59 AM
hollyabbie says:
The Pale Queen Rises by A R Kahler. Just finished last night.
September 21, 2015 — 10:44 AM
Anne Lippin says:
just finished GRASSHOPPER JUNGLE – Andrew Smith. Live-changing words… Gleefully anticipating Smith’s new release STAND-OFF (sequel to WINGER).
September 21, 2015 — 10:46 AM
theycallmetater says:
I’m reading The Murderer’s Daughter by Kellerman and Listening to The Silkworm by Galbraith. Enjoying both but looking forward to reading my copy of Stand Off by Andrew Smith.
September 21, 2015 — 10:49 AM
Hanna says:
Just started a reread of Katharine Kerrs Deverry books. Tried to keep up with the swedish translation back in the day, but as these things usually turn out the swedish publisher canceled it with only two books to go and I lost interest. Grrr.
So now I’m going with english and hope to finish all fifteen books. Yay.
September 21, 2015 — 10:49 AM
Dan Dan The Art Man says:
The Martian by Andy Weir. I’m not a big hard Sci-Fi fan but this book delivers with amazing wit and hilarious monolog and dialog to make the super technical prose still have some fun in it. It is a really great book and I’ve been rooting hard for the main character. If he makes it out alive it will be a huge payoff and very satisfying. I’ll finish it this morning and then it’s on to STAR WARS Aftermath!
September 21, 2015 — 10:54 AM
callmebrotherg says:
I just finished reading Blindsight, by Peter Watts. Amazing, spectacular book, I love it to bits.
And now I’m reading an Advertising textbook. >:/
September 21, 2015 — 10:56 AM
beezer_13 says:
Just finished Terry Pratchett’s last book. Tried to read slowly but failed miserably. His books are always too good to put down. Cried at many points when I realized this was it.
Next on my list is Mycroft Holmes by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Anna Waterhouse which comes out tomorrow. Really interested to see what they do with the character.
September 21, 2015 — 10:56 AM
Ed says:
Its probably one of my most favourite books ive ever bought. I only hope if they make it into a film its good. I can see why it might need some changes as there are sections (especially in “Level 2”) that stand still but its not boring to read, but in a film sense it might not be acceptable.
September 21, 2015 — 10:58 AM
M.A. KroppM says:
I am reading The City Stained Red by Sam Sykes, and enjoying it quite a bit. I am listening to The Letters of John and Abigail Adams, and that one has gotten me back into writing actual letters to people.
September 21, 2015 — 10:58 AM
CaseinMicelles says:
I read The City Stained Red last month. I had a difficult time getting into it for the first half of the book, then devoured the second half. How far are you into the story?
September 21, 2015 — 6:54 PM
Sara Crow says:
Hey, has anyone out there in Wendig-world read China Mieville’s latest yet? What did you think?
September 21, 2015 — 11:03 AM
G T Moore Jr says:
Hi Sara,
I’m in the middle of Three Moments. Some of the stories I really like: “Crawl,” Watching God,” “The World is the Rope,” but some aren’t grabbing me. That’s to be expected, I guess. Your thoughts?
September 21, 2015 — 11:43 AM
JL says:
On audio I’m listening to Influx by Daniel Suarez, and it’s pretty good. Took me two tries to get past the first chapter because it’s heavy on technical jargon, but now it’s good.
Reading Time Salvager by Wesley Chu. Only 130 pages in but it’s pretty good too. I’m enjoying all of the future history he gave humans. And the world/universe building.
September 21, 2015 — 11:07 AM
yellehughes says:
Just started Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood. I’m not a gamer but the stories are intriguing. Ezio Auditore, the Assassin is made out to be more fascinating and more of a badass. Oliver Bowden’s depiction of the Brotherhood really brings Ezio to life. As a romance writer, I was hoping he would focus on Ezio’s man whorishness 😉 but there’s more to read, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed 🙂
September 21, 2015 — 11:08 AM
steamtroll says:
I’m reading Star Wars: Aftermath. I know, I know, I may seem like I’m butt-kissing, but that’s really what I’m reading. Only about 50 pages in, but so far, I’m really enjoying it.
September 21, 2015 — 11:08 AM
NinjaGW says:
I’m nearly finished with this little book whose title sort of rhymes with Bar Doors: Hasturbath. I’m really enjoying it, and it moves along at a good clip.
September 21, 2015 — 11:10 AM
TooManyJens says:
When Hastur’s bathing, it probably is wise to bar the doors.
September 21, 2015 — 11:15 AM
Lynn C-H (Goth Kitty Lady) says:
Disney World vacation planning guides. Apparently, going to WDW is less like planning a vacation and more like organizing a week-long military operation in hostile territory – if you forget any little detail, it’s game over, man.
September 21, 2015 — 11:12 AM
TooManyJens says:
I bought Please Don’t Tell My Parents I’m a Supervillain for my daughter, and now she insists that I need to read it too. After that, I’ll probably start Shades of Milk and Honey or Rivers of London.
September 21, 2015 — 11:14 AM
portlandorange (@portlandorange) says:
The first four Rivers of London books are in a tie for the best things I’ve read in the past few years. I’m saving up the fifth one because I don’t want to run out of more Ben Aaronovitch to read. Funny and scary, with rich, natural dialog, and you could bounce a quarter off his world building. And I still can’t figure out how the “UK wizardry + police procedural” combo works at all in the first place.
September 21, 2015 — 2:59 PM
Kit Yona says:
Seconded (or thirded). Great stuff.
September 21, 2015 — 10:39 PM
Ashley Dominique says:
I’m reading The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro. I’m liking it because it has the narrative, then on top of it seems to be a giant metaphor. It’s interesting digging into it.
September 21, 2015 — 11:15 AM
Paul Acampora says:
Just finished Armada by Ernest Cline… it’s a big-time thrill-ride, gamer-geeks-saving-the-world-from-alien-invasion adventure. It overflows with stereotypes, sci-fi tropes and clichés, and I hate the ending. I also read it one, awesome pig-out sitting and highly recommend it. Speaking of geeks, I’m also in the middle of Sick in the Head by Judd Apatow. Apatow is to comedy as Ernest Cline is to arcades. It is a blast spending time with people who can share deep passions in thoughtful, thought-provoking and unashamedly enthusiastic ways. A little earlier in the week, I also picked up a book called Aftermath. Read it. Loved it. Can’t wait for the the next one!
September 21, 2015 — 11:20 AM
Dawn Pier says:
I’m almost done reading the memoir Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life by William Finnegan. Finnegan is a writer for the New Yorker and this book basically reads like a very long and rambling New Yorker article, that is, it’s almost entirely narrative. The result is that it’s not as compelling a read as it could have been, IMHO. Nevertheless, he got absolutely amazing editorial reviews and the Amazon reviews he’s getting are 88% 5 and 4-star. I find this vexing. Yes, it’s well written, but because of the manner in which it’s written it is NOT five star material. This is one of those cases where, I would venture, this book would not have been accepted in its current format were he an unknown in the publishing world.
September 21, 2015 — 11:21 AM
BT says:
Ha, I was reading that over someone’s shoulder on the plane the other day and couldn’t agree more.
September 21, 2015 — 11:50 AM
Matthew X. Gomez says:
Highland Furies – the regimental account of the Black Watch (1739-1899) by Victoria Schofield
http://www.amazon.com/Highland-Furies-Black-Watch-1739-1899/dp/1849165505
REally liking it, but also could understand how it wouldn’t be everyone’s cuppa. Nice insights into what made the Black Watch tick, why it was somewhat controversial for the time, and really good and portraying the period(s).
Just finished reading Wuthering Heights, which I have mixed emotions on.
On deck is Michael Moorcock’s The Whispering Swarm.
September 21, 2015 — 11:25 AM
Barb Hopkins (@BarbH2014) says:
Currently devouring an advanced copy of Bewitching Desires: A Savannah Coven Anthology. Loving it! It has 12 shorts by 12 authors from the Writing Wenches. I’m 1/4 of the way through and love the Savannah setting. Fun paranormal romance, definitely some heat and completely engaging. So far I’ve it’s given me witches, warlocks, Lucifer and his minions, zombies and this awesome Reaper named Rose.
September 21, 2015 — 11:28 AM
Vanessa says:
Just finished The Book of Phoenix by Nnedi Okorafor. I’m still digesting it, but it was excellent!
September 21, 2015 — 11:32 AM
G T Moore Jr says:
I’ve got three I’m rotating through right now. Two short story collections: China Mieville’s Three Moments of an Explosion and Steven Millhauser’s Dangerous Laughter, and one novel, Wonders of the Invisible World by Christopher Barzak. I love Mieville’s stories, his Looking for Jake was also great, and I’m a big fan of Millhauser’s stories as well. Strangely, though, their novels don’t hold my attention as much. Barzak’s is a YA contemporary fantasy novel with a gay protagonist, and it’s not a coming-out novel per se; there’s a lot going on, and him being gay is only one major facet of his character.
September 21, 2015 — 11:32 AM
annedougherty says:
I actually just finished reading Zer0s by this guy who has a great writing blog. 😉 Good read. Highly recommend it. Am exceedingly thankful for the use of single gender neutral pronouns where appropriate.
September 21, 2015 — 11:36 AM
T Hammond says:
I have Zer0es reserved with my local library– I should have it in hand next week. Really looking forward to reading it
September 21, 2015 — 1:01 PM
Jeff Landry says:
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers. I just finished it hours ago and am still shaking my fist in anger that it had to come to an end. I didn’t want to leave the world she had so painstakingly, wonderfully built. She’s succeeded in creating a literary universe that is on par with the Star Wars/Star Trek galaxies, but has done so with only one book! The characters are real and funny and flawed and I just cannot wait for more!!!
Also recently finished Terry Pratchett’s last book – as a previous poster said, it was hard to fight back the tears. The book on its own was fine – not Pratchett great but Pratchett good – but the emotional kick of what it was made it bittersweet. What a phenomenal writer.
September 21, 2015 — 11:38 AM
Kit Yona says:
3/4s of the way through Armada by Ernest Cline and it’s, uhm, not great. Everything is stolen and there’s not an original idea to be seen. Much like Ready Player One it’s more a collection of nostalgic button-pushing then any sort of actual novel. The characters are paper-thin, the ‘reveals’ are obvious and telegraphed, his writing is serviceable at best, and he evokes about as much emotion as dry white toast. I guess he’s the one who gets to laugh because he’s so successful but man, I don’t get it. And I’m a huge geek.
September 21, 2015 — 11:38 AM
ganymeder says:
I had that on hold at the library but returned it after a couple days because I couldn’t get into it either. It felt like I was rereading Ready Player One, which I enjoyed but don’t want to read again within a few months.
September 21, 2015 — 11:44 AM
ganymeder says:
I’m rereading “Movable Feast” by Hemingway because i just got the paperback. I love it so much, about his time living poor in Paris with his first wife. I’m also rereading “The Old Man and the Sea” which is a pretty quick, enjoyable read. I checked it out a few days ago when I had trouble getting into the nonfiction ebook I was reading.
Hemingway is always a pretty easy read for me, though in most of his books I dislike the characters and the plots are about things I hate like bullfighting and fishing. His prose is so beautiful though, I love reading his work. Normally I read a lot of genre and humor.
September 21, 2015 — 11:39 AM
Terry says:
Lord of the Wings: A Meg Langslow Mystery by Donna Andrews. Not sure what I’ve gotten myself into here. I must have been looking for a funny mystery when I requested it from the library. Or maybe I saw a review and liked the title? I’m only a few chapters in so far.
September 21, 2015 — 11:42 AM
CaseinMicelles says:
Reading to: The Blade Itself, Joe Abercrombie. That’s my before-bed book.
Listening to: The Lies of Locke Lamora, Scott Lynch. I think I’d prefer reading it than listening, but audible gives me something to do while cleaning the barn, labeling yogurt, pumping out kefir and so forth. I’ve tried to read actual books while labeling yogurt–motion sickness ensues. Go figure.
Want to read: Saga Volume 5, Brian K. Vaughan It’s sitting on my kitchen table right now. It’s begging for it.
September 21, 2015 — 11:43 AM
K. Eason says:
Right now, The Mirror Empire by Kameron Hurley. I love her creepy, creepy worlds and her utter lack of romanticism (and the narrative is smoother in this one than it was in God’s War).
September 21, 2015 — 11:43 AM
angelablackwell says:
I just finished Hexomancy which a fun urban fantasy romp with some romance thrown in. The best part is that the characters are all gaming nerds and so we can totally identify with them. There is even a pub/gameshop in the book which would be wonderful to find in the real world. Main character is bisexual so it was easy to relate.
September 21, 2015 — 11:43 AM
fakedtales says:
I’m reading some old Lovecraft stories (okay, but with all the problems we all already know about his work).
I just finished Sarah Pinborough’s Poison (short, good and as dark as I like my fairytales).
Oh and I’m reading a book called Aftermath by some jerk (pretty good so far).
September 21, 2015 — 11:47 AM
Tia RAGEFACE MCAVOY (@tiakall) says:
Literally just about to start White Night by Jim Butcher. Yeah, I’m pretty behind on this series. Just finished Eat, Brains, Love- mostly enjoyed it, hated the love triangle and the immediate hate/rivalry of the two main females. Also the ending is pretty incomplete/cliffhanger- obviously a part 1 rather than a standalone, but the BS at the end out me off of looking for book 2.
September 21, 2015 — 11:49 AM
Doreen Ann Queen says:
Harry Dresden rocks!
September 21, 2015 — 12:07 PM
T Hammond says:
This is an awesome series. You may also enjoy Kevin Hearne’s Iron Druid series once you catch up on Harry D.
September 21, 2015 — 12:59 PM
Bwandungi says:
I’m reading a collection of short stories in a magazine called Lawino Magazine. The stories are supposed to be speculative in nature. The first one wasn’t until the end. The second one wasn’t. I’m hoping the third is.
They’re all written by African people (people who call themselves African), African Literature being one of my passions.
Next? OMENANA!!
September 21, 2015 — 11:50 AM
BT says:
Updraft by Fran Wilde, along with the random collection of things I’m nibbling at.
September 21, 2015 — 11:58 AM
Eoin says:
Currently reading Dune, the 50th anniversary edition. Loving the set up though the synopsis on the back of the book gave away a major plot point that I did not reach until page 170, wondering if its the same deal as Bruce Willis at the end of Sixth Sense, is it assumed its known after so long? I am not a massive fan of prophecies but it’s not very heavy handed so far.
The next book I am really excited to move onto is ‘Asking For It’ by Louise O’Neil https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25255576-asking-for-it A young woman in contemporary rural Ireland is raped and then shamed on social media. I am very interested to start this read, a very charged topic, you can imagine the authors stance on it, look forward to how she follows through.
September 21, 2015 — 11:58 AM
Shirley Will says:
For some reason, I didn’t realize that The Sword of Shannara series has over 20 books in it now, since Brooks folded in the Word & Void trilogy as well. So, I filled up my Kindle. Thank goodness I’m enjoying them … there’s nothing worse than a series going on way longer than it should *coughXanthcough*
I did take a break to read Aftermath, which I wasn’t going to do, because I don’t “do” novelizations. But I read that “sort of review” that you linked to, and he wasn’t going to read for EXACTLY the same reasons! But he enjoyed it a lot. So did I! So thanks for that. 🙂
September 21, 2015 — 11:58 AM
Kevin Callum says:
Fiction: Brown, Pierce — Gold Rising
Non-fiction: John Bell — Revision and Editing for Fiction Writers
September 21, 2015 — 12:00 PM
JL says:
Did you mean Red Rising? Or Golden Son? Both by Pierce Brown.
September 21, 2015 — 12:55 PM
Kevin Callum says:
Yeah. Brain farts there.
Corrections to both.
Fiction: Brown, Pierce — Golden Son (Book 2 of the Red Rising series.)
Non-fiction: Bell, James Scott — Revision and Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, 2nd ed.
The first I missed because I’m listening to the audio book. With paper, you see the author’s name and book title at every page turn. Audio books just play along without those nice visual reminders.
The second was just laziness. I had just started the book and thought I knew the author and title. You would think I would know to check my sources before posting. Ugh.
September 22, 2015 — 11:19 AM
Joshua M. Neff says:
I’m reading about 7-8 books right now (at least), but the two I’m giving the most attention to right now as The Alchemy of Stone by Ekaterina Sedia and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. (I read a huge number of Oz books when I was a kid but haven’t reread them until now.) I’m loving both for their weird fantasy-ness, even though their moods are pretty much polar opposites.
September 21, 2015 — 12:03 PM
Bobby Harrell says:
“Night Film” by Marisha Pessl is a great thriller, with a perfect, dark, sleek tone that is keeping me turning pages. “The Violent Century” is interesting. It’s got a POV kinda like third-person omniscient, kinda? It’s a World War II super spy thriller, where the super means superpowers. “Shadowshaper” is a great YA where magic has deeper meaning than in other books and the protagonist is so real she pops off the page.
September 21, 2015 — 12:12 PM
Bronwen Fleetwood says:
Octavia Butler’s Xenogenesis trilogy, since they’re developing it for TV. (HOW? I do not know.)
Also rereading JR Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood books because I moved this past week and certain items were inaccessible, ie. my tablet. Long live the paperback!
September 21, 2015 — 12:16 PM
JL says:
I just finished Dawn a few weeks ago. It was alright IMO. Didn’t know they were developing it for TV.
September 21, 2015 — 12:57 PM
[tone·milazzo] (@ToneMilazzo) says:
California’s Bone by Van Eekhout
September 21, 2015 — 12:16 PM
Davida Chazan says:
My print book is “My Grandmother Sends her Regards and Apologises” (UK version, hence the UK spelling) by Fredrik Backman (who wrote “A Man Called Ove”). As for the eBook, I’m reading something called “Food Whore” by Jessica Tom. So far, I’m enjoying the Backman a bit more than the Tom, but in general, I’m pretty happy right now! (Which is saying something since I recently finished reading a Rushdie AND an Atwood, which were both WOW.)
September 21, 2015 — 12:17 PM
BillyHigginsPeery says:
Right now I’m just finishing up Rudi Blesh’s oddly titled Combo, USA: Eight Lives in Jazz. It’s pretty interesting, for the most part. Can’t recommend it too much because the writing isn’t always up to snuff (sometimes he spends a long time listing the name of every person who recorded a jazz album together, and I’m like, okay but I don’t know anything about these people so why do I care). It’s still an interesting-enough read though, and hearing about the lives of jazzmen (and women) back then is a lot of fun.
And horrifying, actually. Fuck racism in the first half of the twentieth century, you feel me? (Actually, fuck ALL racism, but if we’re talking about this book it focuses on the first half of the twentieth century.)
September 21, 2015 — 12:21 PM
Corey McKinnon (@cmckinnon) says:
I’m reading The Traitor Baru Cormorant, by Seth Dickinson. Came highly recommended by a number of people I follow on Twitter, and I have to say, they were all right. This is an amazing book.
September 21, 2015 — 12:23 PM
writing, writing, words words words. says:
I’m reading The Best American Short Stories, 2012 edited by Tom Perrotta. One of the stories, The Tenth of December by George Saunders, was so good I read it twice.
September 21, 2015 — 12:33 PM
writing, writing, words words words. says:
(The Tenth of December can be found at newyorker.com).
September 21, 2015 — 12:42 PM
writing, writing, words words words. says:
Oh Lord. It’s actually Tenth of December. Sorry, George.
September 21, 2015 — 12:56 PM
portlandorange (@portlandorange) says:
Thanks — just found that free story and look forward to reading it! The only thing I’ve read by Saunders is his short story “Fox 8,” which I really loved & am still recovering from.
(“Fox 8 has always been known as the daydreamer in his pack, the one his fellow foxes regarded with a knowing snort and a roll of the eyes. That is, until Fox 8 develops a unique skill: He teaches himself to speak ‘Yuman’ ….”)
September 21, 2015 — 5:27 PM
writing, writing, words words words. says:
Oh hey thanks! Love loved Tenth of December so put a bunch of his books on hold yesterday. Fox 8 looks great!
September 22, 2015 — 11:44 AM
writing, writing, words words words. says:
Hi, Yes, I fell in love with his writing. Haven’t read “Fox 8” but it sounds wonderful. In the meantime I’ve fallen in love with David Foster Wallace. I’d heard of him but knew nothing about him. His “Tickets to the Fair” is a WONDERFUL essay. His work is flawless. Flawless and completely entertaining – practically beyond description. I was blown away, How could I have overlooked him?? Please refer me to ay authors you love. 🙂
October 22, 2015 — 5:52 PM
Jana S Brown says:
Just finished reading Red Headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells – I liked it, but I wanted something…more. So still searching for a great read this month. Looking forward to Melissa McShane’s Rider of the Crown next month. I got to do a review read on it, and it is the awesome!
September 21, 2015 — 12:39 PM
Elaina M. Roberts says:
I’ve come in late to a couple of series, but since Three Slices came out I’ve been devouring all the Blud Series by Delilah Dawson and everything Iron Druid by Kevin Hearne. I just finished Hexed and will grab Hammered this week.
Most eagerly anticipated book (other than Thunderbird) is the final Blud novel, Wicked Ever After and Beneath a Waning Moon, a 2-story anthology with Elizabeth Hunter and Grace Draven.
September 21, 2015 — 12:52 PM
T Hammond says:
LOVE LOVE LOVE the Iron Druid series. One of the few books I buy in paperback nowadays.
September 21, 2015 — 12:57 PM
T Hammond says:
Just finished Odd Apocalypse (book 5 of the Odd Thomas series), by Dean Koontz. It’s a perfect example of an author taking a beloved character and making them do weird stuff that lose a reader’s interest. Koontz’ first Odd Thomas book introduced a great cast of secondary characters and excellent relationship dynamics– then he took the character away, on a walk-about, meeting new characters who don’t have the same appeal. I like the supernatural elements of the main character, but the series is going for shock, rather than awe. Book five even time travel (I’m not a fan), monsters (which have their place), and the usual ghosts. Only two books in the series, and it looks like book 7 is back to the original location, so I am keeping my fingers crossed.
September 21, 2015 — 12:53 PM
T Hammond says:
Yikes— only two books “remaining” in the series. Sorry for the confused post— need new batteries for the keyboard, and another cup of coffee for the operator.
September 21, 2015 — 12:56 PM
Lynn C-H (Goth Kitty Lady) says:
Ooh, thanks for that warning – I like the first book, but I hadn’t gotten to the others yet. I’ll read book five with caution. 😉
September 21, 2015 — 6:43 PM