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I'm nearly through The City And The City, also by China Mieville. It's the content (the weird bit of the story) that takes getting used to, more than the writing.
I'll look for more by him when I'm done.

Mieville is pretty damn good. Intimidatingly imaginitive. I've read a few of his now - King Rat, Kraken, Embassytown, and Perdido Street Station. I'd recommend all of them.

 ikeulhu wrote:

 Lathe Biosas wrote:

 BobtheInquisitor wrote:
Titanicus is fun. Priests of Mars is the trilogy omnibus, right? It’s also good, but one of those books I would take breaks from periodically to avoid burnout.

Priests of Mars is just one book, about a Rogue Trader, a Cadian Regiment, the Black Templars, and a Magos' Explorator Fleet headed into Halo Stars, where a previous expedition disappeared a long time ago.

He meant Forges of Mars. That is the omnibus trilogy involving the Mechanicus and was an enjoyable read for those with an interest in that faction, and Priests of Mars was the first novel within that omnibus.

Oh... No. I fallen into another trilogy?

 Overread wrote:

 creeping-deth87 wrote:
Finishing the Farseer trilogy gave me a book hangover for nearly 2 months. Robin Hobb might just be my favourite fantasy author. I'm reading Ship of Magic now and loving it, despite missing Fitz and Nighteyes a great deal. Once I'm done this book I'm planning on picking up Stormlight 5 next. The wife and I are gonna be reading that one together and I'm stoked!

Liveships was such a huge departure in both cast and style of writing from the Farseer series; but its utterly awesome. I really love how she was able to create two (in the end closer to three) very distinct fantasy series in a single world and weave them together so that they fit into both a greater narrative that you don't quite realise is happening, but also with each other with subtle ties here and there. It's something you honestly don't get to see from many authors who tend to have a very singular style to the world and way they write about a world and setting.

Having now finished the Liveships trilogy, I think Robin Hobb has become my favorite fantasy author. I didn't think it would be possible, but I liked it even more than the Farseer trilogy. Learning about the life cycle of the dragons was so cool, the liveships themselves were so neat, and you really get to learn about the mystery of the Rain Wilds that's only ever hinted at and never explored in Farseer. Captain Kennit has to be one of the best villains I've ever read, if you could even call him that.

I was planning on doing a palate cleanser before diving into the next Elderlings book, but she's got me so hooked I may very well just dive right in. She's an incredible author.

Her first 3 trilogies are utterly awesome!

Soldier's Sone is another one worth a read, not her most popular work and its set in a different world. It's great fun though if a very different slant on things. It actually probably works better read in one big go without big lag-times in between the books.

 OrlandotheTechnicoloured wrote:

 JoshInJapan wrote:

 BobtheInquisitor wrote:

 JoshInJapan wrote:
I went on a hard-boiled kick a while back, reading everything by Raymond Chandler back-to-back. After a little break, I'm starting up with Dashielle Hammet. I'm about 1/3 of the way through Red Harvest, and it's a blast so far.

How would you compare them to Mike Hammer, or later detectives like Spenser? I love Spencer, but couldn’t make it through a book of Hammer stories.

Sadly, I've never read either. I vaguely remember there being a Mike Hammer TV series from the 80's, but apart from Stacy Keach's magnificent 'stache, I have no real memory of, well, anything. I'll add both to my reading list and see how I feel about them.

I rate Spencer as well although as with many long running series the author (Robert B Parker) did get a bit self indulgent in later books so while they're fun they're not as good as the earlier ones

Yeah, that seems to be the trend with long-running series.

I'm about halfway through Red Harvest, it continues to be fun. One thing I'm finding particularly interesting is the choice of booze. Marlowe was always swigging rye, but the Continental Op drinks lots and lots of gin, a drink which Marlowe looks down on. I'm no longer a drinker, and I never got into spirits, so I'm not wholly certain what the hidden meaning of each detective's choice of drink is, but it adds a lot of flavor to the story.

Firstly, gin is often associated with a certain hard-boiled, tough-guy image that aligns with the Op's character as a gritty detective. It reflects the noir atmosphere of the story, where characters often engage in morally ambiguous actions and face the darker sides of human nature.

During the Prohibition era in the United States, gin was a popular choice for illicit drinking because it was relatively easy to produce and transport. As a hard-boiled detective, the Op's preference for gin may have been a nod to his tough, no-nonsense personality and his willingness to operate in the shadows.

Gin was likely chosen for its potency and ability to deliver a quick kick, while being a low-cost "working man's" drink.

Death World by Steve Lyons. It's a pretty good Catachan novel, I really immersed myself in Catachan lore and myth for my army haha

Conquering Tides, Book 2 of Ian W. Toll’s Pacific War trilogy done and done. Another fun read, and a complete tonal shift from the first book, now that Midway turned the tide and the full industrial might of America is brought to bear to devastating effect.

Pretty wild how the Japanese planes known as the “Zero” was the terror of the skies, and then it seemed like it was a glass cannon and started dropping like flies. American innovation(tactics and technology) as well as attrition taking out the best Japanese pilots, meant that the air was starting to belong to America. One air battle had an 11:1 K/D ratio in favor of America.

The change in submarine aggressiveness was also fun to read, and also frustrating as hell. The Naval department in charge of making munitions was extremely stubborn in admitting and fixing torpedoes that were notorious for failure. Pretty much everyone second guessing their ranking officers or getting pulled in different directions with Mcarthur vs. Nimitz. The concept of unified combined armes warfare is starting to coalesce, but its rough going.

Inter-service rivalry was also frustrating. Marines, Army and Navy all beefing with each other, naval ship leaders beefing with naval aviators, High command trying to take resources out of Pacific theater to move towards Europe.

The idea and reality of defeat is starting to bubble up in Japan, but tight censorship, militant repression and oft-times hilarious but dangerous propaganda is keeping a lid on dissent. The suicides of people in Saipan was a horrifying product of that propaganda. I learned about it in 8th grade history, but this book went into gory detail about some instances. Kids playing hot potato in a circle with a live grenade, families taking cyanide pills, or joining bonzai charges with makeshift spears. When the people threw themselves off a cliff en masse, the bodies would be carried out to sea and American ships had to plow through them, with some bodies getting stuck in ship rudders. Divers would then have to clean them out…

Outside of the horrors of war, it was a great read. Wish I had started this trilogy sooner. About to dive right into Book 3 “Twilight of the Gods”. Though I might jump on the new Maleneth novel for a lighter, quicker read.

 Lathe Biosas wrote:
Firstly, gin is often associated with a certain hard-boiled, tough-guy image that aligns with the Op's character as a gritty detective. It reflects the noir atmosphere of the story, where characters often engage in morally ambiguous actions and face the darker sides of human nature.

During the Prohibition era in the United States, gin was a popular choice for illicit drinking because it was relatively easy to produce and transport. As a hard-boiled detective, the Op's preference for gin may have been a nod to his tough, no-nonsense personality and his willingness to operate in the shadows.

Gin was likely chosen for its potency and ability to deliver a quick kick, while being a low-cost "working man's" drink.

Also, if you gather enough? You may summon Donald Cox, The Sweaty Fox.

I went to the local thrift store and got a bag of trashy paperbacks for $1. I literally pulled the books off the shelf at random, so I have no idea what I have. I have not really read a book for fun in a long time. This will help me change that.

First one I started reading was some pot-boiler called The Shadow Box by John Maxim.

After hearing a reference to both the Netflix series and the books it is based on, I picked up Slow Horses. It's a lot of fun so far.

Picked up a couple 40k novels, Blood Gorgons and Death of Antagonis, both about cursed founding chapters.

I finished Blood Gorgons and I really liked it. Characterization was a little light, I think because there wasn't a human storyline, but overall enjoyable. A lot of twists that made sense and upped the ante, a lot of emphasis on how the protag isn't the only one doing stuff, even if the other marines aren't necessarily winning like he is.

The book definitely made the Blood Gorgons seem interesting, if I wanted to build a Chaos army they're a decent pick.

I'm 1/3 of the way through Death of Antagonis and it's decent. It's a little less combat intensive and a little more political tension between a cursed (but loyal) chapter and the other orgs of the Imperium. I do wish the author wasn't so repetitive in describing demons, like I get they're a mass of shifting flesh with eyes and mouths etc etc, but after a while it feels kind of same-y. I think anyone writing demons in 40k should be forced to read Lovecraft, maybe they'll pick up that sometimes less is more.

Starting Mort tonight, the fourth Discworld novel. And probably the point where, being Death heavy, Discworld really starts to get its feet under itself and start taking the shape its famous for.

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Starting Mort tonight, the fourth Discworld novel. And probably the point where, being Death heavy, Discworld really starts to get its feet under itself and start taking the shape its famous for.

Agreed and, with the possible exception of Soul Music, the DEATH series is some of Pterry’s deepest, most meaningful work.

I just read Dante which was surprisingly good so then I started The Devastation of Baal because it is sort of like the sequel. Slow start so far but I assume it'll pick up.

Mort and Sourcery down.

Next up is Wyrd Sisters

Whilst I’ve read all of Discworld (barring Shepherd’s Crown, which is reserved for a special occasion, like my deathbed) before, and some of the tales multiple times, this is my first read through in published order.

Knowing what is to come can be a terrible curse of knowledge. But not here. This foreknowledge allows me to better appreciate that PTerry never stopped growing and developing as a writer, and his creations along with him.

I can also recommend the collections, like Dragons of Crumbling Castle, of his super early works. All the charm is there, and they should make solid bed time stories for younger kids.

Honestly whenever anyone asks me about Discworld and a reading order I always say - publication order.

Whilst some might pick their favourites from his strongest works, I think that the entire work itself is ever so much stronger when you read start to finish. You catch all the in-jokes; all the little developments of lore and changes that take place.

You see long term characters and groups change; the peoples adapting and advancing and moving around.


I've got Rising Steam on my "one day one day but its the last" pile and I've not yet read his younger discworld books (really should some day)

Though I do hold my head high as one of the few who read Darkside of the Sun (amazes me how many long term fans of his don't even know the book exists)

What’s remarkable for me is, whilst I’ve some clear favourites and a couple I didn’t especially enjoy (Pyramids, but perhaps a re-read will challenge my current notion, and that is coming up soon), none of his works that I’ve read feel even remotely low effort, phoned in, or contractural obligation.

I'd love to say that I just read some high-brow life changing books... but I've just finished Apocalypse Cow and World War Moo by Michael Logan.

Zombie cows in the UK. 'Nuff Said.

Pyramids A Discworld Novel.

As mentioned above, I’ve read this before, but only the once. And I’ve no real memory of it. But I want to motor through it, as the next volume is Guards Guards, which introduces The Nightwatch, and first to really codify Lord Vetenari.

I finished The Shadowbox and left it for someone else to find and read. My normal method of passing on a paperback. Of note, this is the first book I have purely read for entertainment since.... I honestly can not recall..... It was fine for a paperback thriller from the late 90's.

That brings me to Frederick Forsyth's collection of short works called The Veteran. Pretty by the numbers at this point, but the final novella takes place in my geography which makes it even more fun that usual.

You may recall, I got a stack of random paperbacks at a Thrift Store for a dollar. I am slowly working through them.

Polished off Pyramids last night.

It’s mostly good, but doesn’t quite stick the ending. Lots of big, fun, entertaining ideas which just don’t quite tie together at the last.

Still a fun read, but not PTerry at his best. Still absolutely has its place in a read through of Discworld, as it develops The Assassin’s Guild nicely, in a way which would stick. It’s just that last third feels a bit messier than I’m used to.

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Polished off Pyramids last night.

It’s mostly good, but doesn’t quite stick the ending. Lots of big, fun, entertaining ideas which just don’t quite tie together at the last.

Still a fun read, but not PTerry at his best. Still absolutely has its place in a read through of Discworld, as it develops The Assassin’s Guild nicely, in a way which would stick. It’s just that last third feels a bit messier than I’m used to.

It has some really neat maths jokes in that one from what I remember, involving the pyramid builders. And of course "You Bastard"

And so we come to it…

Guards! Guards!

Captain Vimes! Sgt Colon! Nobby Nobbs! Carrot! And Lord Vetenari’s first true manifestation as the glorious Machiavellian bastard.

Easily one of Pterry’s very, very best. And the beginning of the odyssey of The Watch. And indeed one of the finest character development arcs in His Grace, The Duke of Ankh, Commander Sir Samuel "Sam" Vimes.

And I’m just at the part where Sam meets Sybil. The beginning of one the greatest and most realistic love affairs in fictions.

There is a genuine magic about this book. It’s a tale of the fantastic told fantastically.

I’d even go so far as to call it literary perfection.

Just finished Twilight of the Gods : War in the Western Pacific 1944-45 (3 of 3 in the trilogy) by Ian W. Toll

Great read and something that will probably stick with me for a long while.

Have some very strong opinions on the Japanese of this era, and firmly believe they got off light in regards to accountability in some higher up positions who steered their nation during the war. Would’ve liked more rope around necks, particularly at the very top. But the conduct of most of their people in interacting with occupation forces was very heartwarming and a stark contrast to all of the savagery that preceded it.

My one thing that I didn’t like was how abruptly it ended. If you read this trilogy, you go on a journey with some remarkable people, some deeply flawed and others absolute paragons of warfighting generals/admirals. Would’ve liked a bit of what they did after WW2. Probably get tedious, as most would just be career servicemen, but I wanted one last little tidbit/sendoff of Spruance, Nimitz, McArthur etc. Guess I gotta do the homework, now!

Could probably write a small novel in my review, but I’ll stop here. Highly, highly recommend.

Might take the chronological step and search out some novels on the communist take over of China, and/or the Korean War, both of which I’m woefully uninformed of. But I probably need something a bit lighter, more fun in a different genre as a palate cleanse.

And on to Moving Pictures

Another Discworld I’ve only read the once before. Notable for introducing Mustrum Ridcully as the new Archchancellor of Unseen University.

Also Gaspode, the talking dog.

I’m reading the Discworld books to my son just now. Getting toward the end of Sourcery.

In terms of bad stories, I think Lost Continent doesnt really sparkle. Relies too much on hardcore aping of Mad Max and Aussie parody , rather than actually telling a story. However, one dud out of how many is a pretty good score

I'm currently re-reading The Lord of the Rings for the umpteenth time. I never get tired of it! I do always start with The Hobbit first, of course!

 ZergSmasher wrote:
I'm currently re-reading The Lord of the Rings for the umpteenth time. I never get tired of it! I do always start with The Hobbit first, of course!

Do you read the other Tolkien Middle Earth stories too?