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.
Miranda B. says:
“The Library at Mount Char.”
Holy hell. Amazing read.
Lovecraftian, Harry Potter kids but as demons, Satanish father, a magic system that will blow your mind. Just finished it a week ago and can’t get it out of my head. Mind bending fantasy/horror scenes that are out of control.
Perfect for fall, too, for all ya’ll leaf lovers.
September 21, 2015 — 12:58 PM
paigevest says:
Sounds interesting! Thanks for the rec!
September 21, 2015 — 10:45 PM
Gary Henderson says:
I am reading Debra Jess’s “Blood Surfer.” It’s kind of a superhero/romance cross-mix. A cop who rose to fame by being an alt-killer (superhumans are called “alts” in this universe) finds himself rescued by one, and now he owes his life to her. But when she fixed his injuries, she inadvertently fixed something else, and now he may be running for his own life.
I’m about 1/3 of the way through it, and it’s VERY good.
[Disclosure: I went to Viable Paradise with Debra, which is how I found out about the book. Her talent has kept me reading.]
September 21, 2015 — 1:03 PM
Miranda Brumbaugh says:
Anyone reading “The Wake”? that book about the Norman invasion of England that is written in a completely made up language??
I feel like Paul Kingsnorth, the author, could be your Scottish cousin. Check. him. out. dude.
I’m working on the book, which promises fantastic historical context, but it’s taking my brain some serious training to get the jibberlib of the Old Englishish language worked out.
I’m thinking it’s up for the Man Booker prize in 2015, something like that, so if you started reading now you might get through it before next nominations 😉
September 21, 2015 — 1:04 PM
Ryan says:
I’m reading the book WORM, that’s 1.75 million words. It’s about a ….here’s the wiki article:
Worm is the story of a young teenage girl, Taylor Hebert, who is bullied at her high school in the fictional East Coast city of Brockton Bay. However, Taylor is also secretly a parahuman (or ‘cape’), an individual with superpowers – in her case, the ability to exert fine control over all the bugs in a several-block radius. Using her powers, she seeks to escape from her everyday life and attempts to become a superhero, but quickly gets swept up in the chaos and complexities of the ‘cape’ community after instead being mistaken for a supervillain on her first night out.
As a member of an up-and-coming group of teenage villains known as the Undersiders, Skitter (as Taylor comes to be known) becomes entrapped in the politics of heroes and villains, where she quickly learns that the ‘heroes’ are not so heroic and that her only opportunity to do real good might be under the label of ‘villain.’ In the superpowered underworld of Brockton Bay, caught in the middle of gang wars and conspiracies that cut to the core of the very origins of superpowers, Taylor is left to face the reality of having to do the wrong things for the right reasons.
It’s frickin brilliant and I can’t put it down. I’m at 54%. It is my Everest. It is my Spartan Race.
September 21, 2015 — 1:06 PM
Patrick Ryan says:
Who is the author?
September 21, 2015 — 8:16 PM
legreene515 says:
I’m reading “To Kill A Mockingbird.” I haven’t read it since I was a kid, but since I just read GSAW, I wanted to read it over again. I’m not digging it as much as I thought I would, and I keep looking longingly at “Pretty Little Liars” which is on my nightstand by Lori Rader-Day (I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting her in July!). And “Get Shorty” by Elmore Leonard, which I tabled to read TKM. Not sure my decision was the right one.
September 21, 2015 — 1:11 PM
davidjmobrien says:
Russel Brand’s Revolution. good stuff
September 21, 2015 — 1:14 PM
Ridley Kemp says:
I just finished Emily St. John Mandel’s Station Eleven, which is a little cold, but it’s a style which suited the story. It’s like watching a story play out in a snow globe within a snow globe. She’s a terrific writer and the book kept my interest all the way through. I also just finished Hermann Hesse’s Siddhartha, which I’d ever read before, but it sure felt familiar. It’s exactly what you’d expect from a German writer telling an Indian tale between the wars.
Next up is the updated version of Ursula K. Le Guin’s Steering the Craft. Looking forward to it very muchly.
September 21, 2015 — 1:15 PM
Margaret Chmiel says:
I’m interested in what you mean by “a little cold”. I think I agree with you, but I’d love to hear more about what you mean.
September 21, 2015 — 2:26 PM
Ridley Kemp says:
Margaret,
Heck of a good question. To me, the narration feels distant and emotionally distant from the story. That was an interesting choice; there was no one single POV character, no one you could point to and say “we’re supposed to relate to this character above all others.” If you put a gun to my head, I’d say it was Kirsten or Miranda’s story as much as anyone’s, but the narrator plays no favorites. Was that similar to your take?
September 21, 2015 — 7:23 PM
Lindsey Bonner says:
My dad, close friend, and I all read Station Eleven and The Dog Stars. If you are able check out Dog Stars by Peter Heller. There was a question regarding if one always prefers the first title read of the two. Both post apocalyptic tales.
September 21, 2015 — 9:29 PM
Ridley Kemp says:
It’s on my list now-thank you. There’s literally more out there than I can keep up with these days, but I’m always game for a post-apocalyptic story.
September 22, 2015 — 1:38 AM
Ridley Kemp says:
I’m about halfway through The Dog Stars right now. It’s so different, stylistically, than Station Eleven. I’m enjoying it, but it’s a little early for me to try to pick a favorite.
October 2, 2015 — 12:55 PM
Bonnie says:
I’m reading Tempest Rising. It’s at least a few years old, but new to me. It’s fun and a quick read. Nothing wildly new, but I’m really enjoying it.
I just finished California Bones and loved it.
September 21, 2015 — 1:29 PM
Jacque Burke says:
Right now I’m reading a book called The Winter People – well, technically I just finished it. It totally creeped me out to the point that I wouldn’t read it at night. It was the perfect sense of impending creepiness along with anxiety for a character that was feeling a little creeped out in the back of their head, but not enough to really take precautions.
Additionally listening to Felix Gilman’s Revolutions. I had a hard time getting into the first half of the book but it is starting to pick up and I’m quite enjoying it.
September 21, 2015 — 1:36 PM
jamiechavezJamie Chavez says:
I just finished yesterday Michael Chabon’s Manhood for Amateurs (essays). He is, simply, a brilliant prose stylist. Last night I started and made some good progress on Donal Ryan’s The Thing About December. I read his novel The Spinning Heart and was blown away by his chops on a “first” novel.
September 21, 2015 — 1:44 PM
Kyra Dune says:
I’m reading Steam by Stacey Rourke (Legends Saga Book 3). OMG it’s so awesome. I love this series so much. If you like Paranormal you need to read this series. It brings the Headless Horseman into the twentieth first century in the form of a demon possessing the female descendant of Ichabod Crane. Throw in a time travelling H.G. Wells, ghosts, Rip Van Winkle, and all manner of supernatural twists on the classics, and you’ve got a winning combination. I cannot recommend this series enough. And as of right now, they’re only .99 cents each. I don’t know if they will stay at that price or not. I’m including the Amazon links, because seriously, ya’ll need these books.
Crane http://amzn.to/1Kv6pI6
Raven http://amzn.to/1LrPcn6
Steam http://amzn.to/1KvW8L1
September 21, 2015 — 1:46 PM
Jana Denardo says:
I just finished getting sucked into book one of the Sandman Slim series and I loved it. It reminded me of the days of reading Hellblazer comic books. Just starting a Star Trek tie-in novel, older, Kahless and it’s not so great so far. Also just finished the manga Vinland Saga #5, excellent Viking related manga.
September 21, 2015 — 1:50 PM
Sheila says:
I’m on book 5 of the Erin Solomon Series by Jen Blood. Also, have my head in a number of writing books. Just finished Story Engineering by Larry Brooks and half way through Structuring Your Novel, by K.M. Weiland
September 21, 2015 — 1:51 PM
Kerry Benton says:
The last book in the Ibis Trilogy by Amitav Ghosh. They’re all really damn good, engaging historical fiction. Great characters, the prose is clever and frequently funny, and fascinating use of several languages and pidgins that bespeak a lot of well conducted research. And I’m learning a lot… I find myself reaching for wikipedia a lot to compare against historical records or get additional information about the setting and personages.
Very highly recommended.
September 21, 2015 — 1:59 PM
portlandorange (@portlandorange) says:
Just looked up this trilogy, and it sounds fascinating. I’ll give it a try; the only fiction I’ve read that’s based in India is by Paul Scott and Salman Rushdie — both superb.
On the topic of research, I read a lot of historical fiction, and that’s helped me strongly prefer e-readers to paper books now. (Usually Kindle for iPad or desktop.) They make it easy to highlight a term and jump straight to a Wikipedia article, map location, rough translation, or Google Images list of photos.
That’s how I read Chuck’s Aftermath last week; it’s the only Star Wars book I’ve ever read. I could have still enjoyed it a lot and followed along without any searches, but the e-reading experience helped me connect the aliens and spaceships with what I remember from all the movies.
September 21, 2015 — 6:26 PM
Rachel Wood says:
The Medea Complex- Rachel Florence Roberts- can barely put it down- made me late to start work it’s so amazing. Told from 5 different character points you don’t know if the characters in an asylum are really crazy or if everyone outside is. Super cool book.
September 21, 2015 — 2:04 PM
Darlene Reilley says:
I just finished George Stewart’s Earth Abides. It was amazing. He presents a novel with scale and scope to accompany the whole world. He also shows us how everything in the chain of life is affected by the pandemic—ecology, animals, and humanity.
September 21, 2015 — 2:05 PM
Robin Claire says:
Just finished The Good Lord Bird by James McBride. Really enjoyed it, but it took a few chapters to adjust to the speaking rhythm of the characters. A fascinating piece of American history and told through a unique perspective. Bravo Mr. McBride.
September 21, 2015 — 2:06 PM
Shanan Winters says:
Right now… I’m reading this blog post. As for what’s waiting for me at home? I’m reading Demons Don’t Dream by Piers Anthony. Because: Puns rule.
September 21, 2015 — 2:19 PM
Nicole S says:
Omg I love love love Piers Anthony!! The puns, the world, the relationships between the characters…all of it is awesome
September 21, 2015 — 9:28 PM
Matthew (@ThewTheSlightly) says:
Judge Dredd: The Completed Case Files, volume 8. A collection of the Dredd comics that were published in the 2000AD magazine from the mid 80s. Its got Dredd fighting giant sewer gators, going into the cursed earth, and vampire judges in a damned future city ruled by a psychic mutant. It’s silly but I love it.
September 21, 2015 — 2:23 PM
Margaret Chmiel says:
I’m working my way through Johannes Cabal the Necromancer. Love the humor and really fun characters, but the plot gets a bit slow sometimes. It feels like a group of short stories more so than a novel. That’s fine, but it means it is easier to put down for a while.
September 21, 2015 — 2:25 PM
N. Pivonka says:
I just finished Dragons of Heaven by Alyc Helms. As the first of a new series, I rather enjoyed it for the world building regarding this blend of superheroes and ancient Chinese folklore. It has an interesting world, told in both past and present, that draws you in to the relationships between the characters that I found fun and enjoyable. There is a bit of confusion at some points regarding a plethora of characters that you’re introduced to near the middle of the book, but it can be overlooked for a plucky main character and the fact that she has to deal with immortal beings.
September 21, 2015 — 2:29 PM
bethbishopwrites says:
One of my colleagues (I’m a math professor) gave me her copy of The School Story by Andrew Clements. This MG novel is a great read for any writer/author. I think it really captures the struggle all writers go through, both with their work and with trying to get published. After that, I read The Report Card, which I enjoyed even more because I am a teacher of pre-service teachers, and this book focused a lot more on students and schools. I really like that Clements usually finds a way to make a teacher a pivotal person in his main character’s lives.
September 21, 2015 — 2:42 PM
Kathy Holzapfel says:
On a craft kick : reading Story Trumps Structure by Steven James and loving it.
September 21, 2015 — 2:44 PM
Mar Mar says:
I just finished “Go Set A Watchman” (for any who don’t know, it’s the sequel to “To Kill A Mockingbird”), and I absolutely loved it. I’ve since started “The Screwtape Letters” by C. S. Lewis, which I’m also loving.
September 21, 2015 — 2:58 PM
Matt says:
Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff, really digging it, having to pause now and again to reflect on just how damn good the writing is. I have enjoyed the other books of hers I have read, and she is just damn talented for sure!
September 21, 2015 — 3:16 PM
SamKD says:
Oh wow I didn’t know it was out yet–thanks for reminding me! She is indeed a career to watch: I thought her Monsters of Templeton was a better first novel than The Edible Woman which was a fine book itself.
September 22, 2015 — 1:32 PM
paigevest says:
I just finished Finders Keepers, the 2nd book in Stephen King’s Bill Hodges trilogy.
Next up is Zeroes, by some Wendig person. Well see how it goes. 😉
September 21, 2015 — 3:19 PM
paigevest says:
WE’LL see how it goes. Grrr.
September 21, 2015 — 10:48 PM
ChelseaIRL says:
I’m not sure if you’ve heard of it. It’s called Mockingbird? By this guy named Chuck Wendig? And I like it. It’s book crack.
September 21, 2015 — 3:30 PM
Crislyn M. says:
I’m reading The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes. I’m liking it. I also like that I didn’t know anything about it going in and just picked it up on recommendation so I honestly have no clue where it’s going and it’s awesome.
September 21, 2015 — 3:50 PM
Amy says:
I just finished re-reading Wild Card by Jamie Wyman, an urban fantasy set in Vegas. With deities from cultures all over the world, who play poker with the goddess of discord. And a certain distinguished satyr.
September 21, 2015 — 3:50 PM
John Auber Armstrong says:
Justin Comstock by Robert Charles Wilson – wonderful near future theocracy novel, an absolutely elegant writer and exceptional storyteller
September 21, 2015 — 3:53 PM
g.firestorm says:
I just finished “Ubik” by Philip K. Dick. Very intense; mind-boggling. Just when you think you know what’s going on, everything changes. Next one up is Moorcock’s “Dancers at the End of Time” I can’t wait!
September 21, 2015 — 3:54 PM
carolabrown says:
I’m reading Anthem, by that rascally writer, Chuck Wendig. I’m about halfway through, and although it was a bit difficult to get into, as I’m not conversant in all the Star Wars lingo, it is a fast-paced and fun, and sometimes dark and complex. Liking it. A lot.
September 21, 2015 — 4:03 PM
Pat Carlozzi says:
Burning Down George Orwell’s House by Andrew Ervin – unusual tale about a disillusioned marketing executive who retreats to a remote Scottish island to find himself, but what he finds is quite the cast of characters including one who resembles a wolf. Entertaining dialogue. Not sure I love the main character enough yet to give a rave review – 3/4 of the way through … hope he will turn himself around a bit more!
September 21, 2015 — 4:07 PM
mangacat201 says:
“The Humans” by Matt Haig… it actually took me a bit to get into it, which is probably not surprising considering the protagonist is an alien dropped among humans first only looking like them and being totally culture-shocked and then getting to know them and realizing that the high and mighty progressive alien race don’t know some things after all, and I’m learning to love the human characters throug the lense of a foreigner learning the same thing. It’s actually quite intriguing by now.
September 21, 2015 — 4:10 PM
Mark Matthews says:
Tears await
September 21, 2015 — 4:37 PM
SamKD says:
I liked that one a lot. Hope you do too!
September 21, 2015 — 7:47 PM
Ridley Kemp says:
I loved this one. It has every opportunity to get all trope-y on you, but I think Haig walks the tightrope remarkably well.
September 22, 2015 — 1:39 AM
ms_marianna says:
Finally reading your Miriam Black series. Just finished Mockingbird. I like that the story got on with it- no naval gazing here; the snappy sentences; the fast pace. About to read Blackbirds (yes, out of order; I’m a numb nut). Then, The Cormorant. Then, a re-read of Octavia Butler’s Patternmaster series. Oh happy days!
September 21, 2015 — 4:12 PM
kim says:
Reading Haruki Murakami’s new release: Wind/Pinball. Love it. Are two of his first works and his introduction is all about his thoughts about writing and his beginnings. I really like other works of his, 1Q84, Kafka on the Shore, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle. Just really like how he changes the world. Also reading Cesar Aira’s The Musical Brain. Short stories, love them…will think about exactly why, but simply love them now.
September 21, 2015 — 4:27 PM
Jacey Bedford says:
I’m in that odd limbo between books. I just finished Kevin Hearne’s second Iron Druid book, Hexed and lined up in my Kindle ready to go is Diana Gabaldon’s collection of novellas: Lord John and the Hand of Devils, a spin off from her history-with-a-touch-of-supernatural series: Outlander.
I’ve been trying to find time to read another of Hearne’s Iron Druid books for the best part of two years. I loved the first one (Hounded) and this one didn’t disappoint. Urban fantasy with a sense of humour as Atticus O’Sullivan tries to get out of going postal on various gods from the Irish and Norse pantheoon, plus an array of demons threatening his turf. Since he’s succeeded in killing one god (in the first book) there are a number of folks coming out of the woodwork who want him to top various gods, demons and witches on their behalf. Atticus is a great character, but his telepathic Irish Wolfhound steals all the best lines.
Ah… So many books, so little time.
September 21, 2015 — 4:32 PM
warmingglow says:
I’m currently reading Demon Road by Derek Landy. I’m almost finished it, will certainly finish it tonight, but it was … meh. I loved the Skulduggery series, but it’s doing the whole urban fantasy based on the Bible thing. There’s so much of that now that if a book is in that genre it’s got to be outstanding. Demon Road is good-decent pacing and very tense, but the characters are flat as hell and I don’t feel myself connected to them. The fact that I’ve stayed with it this long says something for the story but I don’t think I’ll be back for the sequel. On a much happier note though, my bookshop is finally going to have my long pre-ordered copy of Zeroes on Friday, hells yeah!
September 21, 2015 — 4:42 PM
Shane Kroetsch says:
I’m reading Ray Bradbury, The Illustrated Man. First time I’ve read Bradbury, but it’s brilliant. I especially appreciate how a bunch of short stories are brought together to make a novel length story.
September 21, 2015 — 4:48 PM
asuiterclarke says:
I just read that a few months ago for the first time! It’s wonderful, isn’t it?
September 21, 2015 — 4:50 PM
kevinlute says:
I am reading a little book called “Star Wars: Aftermath.”
September 21, 2015 — 4:49 PM
David Marks says:
Who wrote that? [snicker]
September 21, 2015 — 6:29 PM
asuiterclarke says:
I’m halfway through Margaret Atwood’s new novel, The Heart Goes Last and seriously digging it. This woman knows how to set up an eerie, near dystopian future. I’m also excited to read Charlotte Wood’s The Natural Way of Things, which I was just sent by the publisher yesterday. I’m loving this whole “I’ll read and review your books if you send them to me” thing I’ve got going on with Allen & Unwin in Australia!
September 21, 2015 — 4:50 PM
BC says:
Just finished Aftermath. Going back to finish the latest edition of Gaiman’s Neverwhere.
September 21, 2015 — 4:54 PM
penultimus says:
Recently finished the Maddaddam trilogy (Oryx and Crake, The Year of the Flood, and Maddaddam) by Margaret Atwood. That’s Margaret Freaking Atwood. Oryx and Crake was brilliant, so let that be your guide before tackling all three.
Also read Straight to Hell by John LeFevre, of @GSElevator fame on the Twitter. It’s a Wolf of Wall Street for investment bankers.
September 21, 2015 — 4:54 PM
itsfamilyjules says:
Loved the Atwood series. Oryx and Crake was by far my favorite, but I adored the entire tale.
September 21, 2015 — 7:00 PM
SamKD says:
Yes I too think that’s a kickass trilogy. I liked Year of the Flood best but all three rock.
September 22, 2015 — 1:41 PM
Nick says:
I just started today After Mind. Haven’t gotten far yet, but the idea intrigued me (A.I.)
Before this one I finished Trespassers which I recommend to anyone. It’s got MIBish stuff (aliens, cover ups). It’s fun funny, but has a heart.
Most likely next I’ll read a short story by Mr. Scalzi and then I’m going to jump into Rendezvous with Rama.
September 21, 2015 — 5:16 PM
Miriam Joy says:
I’M READING EVERYTHING.
I can never answer these questions because the answer can change every couple of hours, given how fast I read. But this afternoon I read, “Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick” which was … interesting. Pretty cool, but not what I expected from it.
September 21, 2015 — 5:26 PM
@C_N_Martin says:
I’m re-reading “The Lies of Locke Lamora” because that book is fucking awesome.
“He…he steals too much.”
September 21, 2015 — 5:26 PM
Deborah Leigh says:
I’m reading Anatomy of a Murder. I’m a classic film nutcase, and one of my favorite things to do is read that funky 1940s/’50s/’60s novel on which a film was based. Gems have been Compulsion; Love with the Proper Stranger; All Quiet on the Western Front; The Asphalt Jungle; and The Maltese Falcon, to name just a few. (There are too-too many to name.)
Surprisingly disappointing is the book on which Dr. Strangelove was based.
Anyhoo, Anatomy of a Murder is fantastic. Gossipy and page-turner-y while also smart. Good read.
September 21, 2015 — 5:32 PM
Fred G. Yost says:
So, just finished Hit, by Delilah S. Dawson. It’s a great ultra-violent (thought not really gory) pre-dystopian coming of age story.
I’ve started listening to Neil Stephenson’s Seveneves. I love MRK narration, but the subject matter makes my brain steam a bit (from overworking it (I’m not that smart)). Fascinating, but I’m five hours in and the slow burn of anticipation is driving me a bit batty.
I’m excited about Ancillary Mercy, and Saga trade 5, and I just bought some short story anthologies. And about 100 other books.
September 21, 2015 — 5:45 PM
Aimee Ogden says:
I actually just finished Aftermath yesterday (which happens to be the same day I bought it)! I loved it, and I think I’m finally actually past “interested” for The Force Awakens to the point of “excited”. Next up is Sorcerer to the Crown, whenever my turn on the hold list at the library comes up.
September 21, 2015 — 5:53 PM
Andra says:
I’m reading Bewitching Desires: A Savannah Coven Anthology. 12 stories, about witches falling in love, of which I’ve read about half. I’ve got an arc, but it’s coming out for Halloween. Loving it.
September 21, 2015 — 5:54 PM