What Are You Reading?

[skootie]

It took longer than I thought it would, but I finished "The Abominable" (Dan Simmons) yesterday. This is how much I liked this book; I went to the library today and checked out THREE books about George Mallory and Mt. Everest. And I've never had even a fraction of an interest in mountain climbing my entire life. Some folks have commented that they didn't care all that much for the technical climbing detail in the book. For me, the detail was never really tedious, even though I wasn't familiar with the jargon. Rather it impressed on me how amazing the feat of climbing Everest was in 1924. The fictional story and characters of "The Abominable" are so deftly woven within the framework of history that the reader can't help but becoming a part of it all. The locale added a huge sense of the exotic to the overall story, and as always, Simmons' prose is exceptional. Of the 3 books I brought home today, two are about Mallory, including the story of the 1999 expedition that found his body on the mountain. The photographs are mainly why I wanted to look through these two. There are excellent photos of the 1924 expedition, along with great pics of the trails up the mountain, which will really help me to visualize the country they traversed.
So, I'll kick those around for a few days. I know with all the cold and snow back East this winter, it may not be tempting for some to want to read this very "cold" book, but believe me, it's a terrific story.

 

[Kurben]

Being prodded by editor and publisher to finish up The Bookseller for review, so there goes my day. Time travel book, written by an interior designer. Tons of detail on clothes, furnishings, etc. that completely bogs down the 'eh' storyline. *sigh*

Doesn't sound like a recommendation. A question, Have you read The Sacrifice by Joyce Carol Oates. Her latest i think. Or has anybody else here done it? Saw it in a bookstore today and was tempted. But i was a bit late for a meeting. And there my best friends girlfriend asked what i wanted in birthday present. So i mentioned this one. She is usually reliable. Hope this one isn't the occasional clunker that every author that writes a lot produces.

 

[Kurben]

It took longer than I thought it would, but I finished "The Abominable" (Dan Simmons) yesterday. This is how much I liked this book; I went to the library today and checked out THREE books about George Mallory and Mt. Everest. And I've never had even a fraction of an interest in mountain climbing my entire life. Some folks have commented that they didn't care all that much for the technical climbing detail in the book. For me, the detail was never really tedious, even though I wasn't familiar with the jargon. Rather it impressed on me how amazing the feat of climbing Everest was in 1924. The fictional story and characters of "The Abominable" are so deftly woven within the framework of history that the reader can't help but becoming a part of it all. The locale added a huge sense of the exotic to the overall story, and as always, Simmons' prose is exceptional. Of the 3 books I brought home today, two are about Mallory, including the story of the 1999 expedition that found his body on the mountain. The photographs are mainly why I wanted to look through these two. There are excellent photos of the 1924 expedition, along with great pics of the trails up the mountain, which will really help me to visualize the country they traversed.
So, I'll kick those around for a few days. I know with all the cold and snow back East this winter, it may not be tempting for some to want to read this very "cold" book, but believe me, it's a terrific story.

Don't you somehow get a feeling that Simmons has a kind of fascination for that cold climate type? Haven't read the Abominable but read the Terror which also takes place in cold surroundings.

 

[Walter Oobleck]

I just finished All The Pretty Horses and although the start was a tad tangled...did not know for certain who was speaking to whom...as the story progressed that became clear as the boys headed into Mexico. Perhaps by intent. Great story...McCarthy's stories are a joy to read...save for a few minor complaints. Don't know if I start the next...ATPH is the 1st of what is called The Border Trilogy...I think. On the kindle, too...good thing, as there is an abundance of Mexican Spanish in the story and being able to highlight that text and have a translation come up is nice...you don't have that with paper, not unless a translation is provided...rarely...and though I've had some Spanish, I haven't had to use it, ever. I think this was the 28th title I've read this year...goal again is an even hundred. I think I'll read some more McCarthy. I enjoy the way he tells a story.

 

[skimom2]

Doesn't sound like a recommendation. A question, Have you read The Sacrifice by Joyce Carol Oates. Her latest i think. Or has anybody else here done it? Saw it in a bookstore today and was tempted. But i was a bit late for a meeting. And there my best friends girlfriend asked what i wanted in birthday present. So i mentioned this one. She is usually reliable. Hope this one isn't the occasional clunker that every author that writes a lot produces.

No, not so far. I'm about half way through, but the clothing and furniture descriptions haven't ended (slowed down a bit, maybe). I find that sort of description (except where it really matters) very off-putting. I remember wanting to throw Girl Who Played With Fire at the wall when Larsson went on and on and on about what Lizbeth bought at IKEA (down to colors and product names!)

I haven't read The Sacrifice, but I'm hoping it's in at the library when I go tonight. I really enjoyed Carthage--brought Oates back to my attention after many years.

 

[danie]

It took longer than I thought it would, but I finished "The Abominable" (Dan Simmons) yesterday. This is how much I liked this book; I went to the library today and checked out THREE books about George Mallory and Mt. Everest. And I've never had even a fraction of an interest in mountain climbing my entire life. Some folks have commented that they didn't care all that much for the technical climbing detail in the book. For me, the detail was never really tedious, even though I wasn't familiar with the jargon. Rather it impressed on me how amazing the feat of climbing Everest was in 1924. The fictional story and characters of "The Abominable" are so deftly woven within the framework of history that the reader can't help but becoming a part of it all. The locale added a huge sense of the exotic to the overall story, and as always, Simmons' prose is exceptional. Of the 3 books I brought home today, two are about Mallory, including the story of the 1999 expedition that found his body on the mountain. The photographs are mainly why I wanted to look through these two. There are excellent photos of the 1924 expedition, along with great pics of the trails up the mountain, which will really help me to visualize the country they traversed.
So, I'll kick those around for a few days. I know with all the cold and snow back East this winter, it may not be tempting for some to want to read this very "cold" book, but believe me, it's a terrific story.

I think you might like the novel The Ice Child by Elizabeth Cooke. It's fiction but partly based on John Franklin's Arctic expedition in 1845. After I read it, I was so interested in the history of their journey. I like books that are fiction but based on an actual event.
Also, Skootie, thank you for enlarging your font; I had trouble reading it before!

 

[Lily Sawyer]

Revival. Interesting so far, and I'm about 1/3 of the way through it.

 

[HollyGolightly]

Revival. Interesting so far, and I'm about 1/3 of the way through it.

Me too! I just started it Sunday and I am loving it. I think I'm somewhere around page 225.

 

[Opopanax]

I'm actually in the process of re-(or re-re-)reading all of SK's works (on Insomnia now), and some of the stuff I missed the first time around. Also, Harry Potter. The last really great (non-SK) thing I read was The Lampshade: A Holocaust Detective Story from Buchenwald to New Orleans, which was AMAZING. It's true, and deeply, DEEPLY haunting. Not for the faint of heart, but a read that will remind you of your humanity, for sure.

 

[kingricefan]

Don't you somehow get a feeling that Simmons has a kind of fascination for that cold climate type? Haven't read the Abominable but read the Terror which also takes place in cold surroundings.

Well, he does have a house up in the mountains in Colorado, so I guess he must like the colder climates.

 

[kingricefan]

It took longer than I thought it would, but I finished "The Abominable" (Dan Simmons) yesterday. This is how much I liked this book; I went to the library today and checked out THREE books about George Mallory and Mt. Everest. And I've never had even a fraction of an interest in mountain climbing my entire life. Some folks have commented that they didn't care all that much for the technical climbing detail in the book. For me, the detail was never really tedious, even though I wasn't familiar with the jargon. Rather it impressed on me how amazing the feat of climbing Everest was in 1924. The fictional story and characters of "The Abominable" are so deftly woven within the framework of history that the reader can't help but becoming a part of it all. The locale added a huge sense of the exotic to the overall story, and as always, Simmons' prose is exceptional. Of the 3 books I brought home today, two are about Mallory, including the story of the 1999 expedition that found his body on the mountain. The photographs are mainly why I wanted to look through these two. There are excellent photos of the 1924 expedition, along with great pics of the trails up the mountain, which will really help me to visualize the country they traversed.
So, I'll kick those around for a few days. I know with all the cold and snow back East this winter, it may not be tempting for some to want to read this very "cold" book, but believe me, it's a terrific story.

Skootie, I'm glad you liked this book. I was one of the ones that skimmed alittle when Simmons got alittle too technical with the technical descriptions, but I did love the story. I can't wait for his next one- The Fifth Heart!!!!

 

[Grant87]

Me too! I just started it Sunday and I am loving it. I think I'm somewhere around page 225.

I loved Revival!

 

[EMARX]

I was wondering hoe faithful the movie was to the novel. I saw the book at the secondhand shop yesterday and hesitated--the movie was abysmal. Maybe I'll go back to day & see if it's still there

It seems like they took bits and pieces of the story and modernized it, and casting Colin Farrell was a mistake. The book has a dream like quality and the city of New York is depicted as a living, breathing creature.

 

[Jojo87]

I started to re-read Bag of Bones this morning, it's the third time I read this story.

 

[skimom2]

Okay, so now I have to take back most of what I said about the book I was reading. Turns out that I was only about a quarter of the way through (the descriptions made it feel longer--lol) when I last reported. Those still irritate me, but the story itself improved vastly. I ended up liking it quite a bit. The author was bold in creating a protag that isn't always easy to like, while keeping her relatable. V. glad to be able to give it a decent review

 

[Kurben]

It is the yearly booksale in sweden starting each 25,th of february. You can buy books in mint condition very cheap. Bought 7 books and got the post costs for free. Bought Ian Rankins The Impossible Dead with his new detective Inspector Fox. Obviously he was bored with Rebus just as i was. Also Steven Eriksons This River Awakens about a gruop of twelve year old boys that form a bond playing in the woods And they discover a the body of a girl in the river which has consequences both for them and the little rural town in Canada where the story is set. Also some historical novels/thrillers. One set in Borgia time with the coupling of Leonardo and Macchiavelli to unmask a killer, The Malice Furtune by Michael Ennis, then The Last Ceasar by Henry Venmore-Rowland set in the last days of emporor Nero. Also Pantheon by Sam Bourne set 1940 with a young english oxford teacher as a rather reluctant hero. Then the thriller Safe House by Chris Ewan about a man that wakes up in a hospital after an car accident only to be told that he didn't have a female passenger, that that is just pure imagination. He doesn't believe them. Lastly the one i started with: Apocalypse by Dean Crawford. Easy to read and the tempo isn't slacking off. They have to beat time itself to win their struggle for justice. I think the scientific details might be a bit to strained for my liking but i am no master in physics so i really don't know. But it holds the excitement up and you wonder whats gonna happen next. A kind of mystery thriller which makes one think of Michael Crichton.

Of course all these books are really shots in the dark... I've never heard about them before but they all sounded exciting and they were so scheap that it really doesn't matter..... Looking forward to them. Soon finished with Apocalypse.

 

[AchtungBaby]

Just finished my re-read of Night Shift. About to start Robert McCammon's Mine.

 

[skootie]

I think you might like the novel The Ice Child by Elizabeth Cooke. It's fiction but partly based on John Franklin's Arctic expedition in 1845. After I read it, I was so interested in the history of their journey. I like books that are fiction but based on an actual event.
Also, Skootie, thank you for enlarging your font; I had trouble reading it before!

Thanks for the recommendation. I looked it up on Amazon today, and it sounds like a good read. I read "The Terror", so it would be fun to get another take on the Franklin disaster.

 

[Walter Oobleck]

The Crossing. Good story. A wolf figures in the telling. Plus you have the journey motif. The crossing. The back and forth. Pile of Mexican Spanish. People...behaving badly. Some trying.

 

[TanyaS]

Island by Aldous Huxley, pretty amazing and very in-depth!!