What Are You Reading?

[The Nameless]

I've been reading the regulators sparingly for a few weeks now I'm only about 40 - 45% through. I think I shouldn't have started it so soon after desperation. I know some people say it was a bit too weird having the same characters play slightly different roles - this is not the issue with me, it's more a case of "desperation didn't really live up to my expectations, I stuck it out but I'm still not done with the people and the whole tak thing"

I also feel the plot is a bit daft, even for sk.

 

[Neesy]

I've been reading the regulators sparingly for a few weeks now I'm only about 40 - 45% through. I think I shouldn't have started it so soon after desperation. I know some people say it was a bit too weird having the same characters play slightly different roles - this is not the issue with me, it's more a case of "desperation didn't really live up to my expectations, I stuck it out but I'm still not done with the people and the whole tak thing"

I also feel the plot is a bit daft, even for sk.

I am thinking of taking my spoken book back to the library - it is Kathy Bates from Misery reading "Desperation" - it is my first experience with a spoken book on CD and I actually think I prefer reading the book myself, so I can get more lost in it and more involved. It's also easier just to use a bookmark to mark where you left off!

 

[The Nameless]

I am thinking of taking my spoken book back to the library - it is Kathy Bates from Misery reading "Desperation" - it is my first experience with a spoken book on CD and I actually think I prefer reading the book myself, so I can get more lost in it and more involved. It's also easier just to use a bookmark to mark where you left off!

my only experience of audio books is the short "night surf" and I have to say, I wasn't exactly captivated, in fact I don't think I could tell you much about it at all,whether that was the story, the fact that it was spoken, or the narrator - I don't know. I have few others from night shift, I will probably give a longer one a shot one day.

I'd have thought Kathy Bates would be a great narrator - she's a good, strong actress and fits sk roles very well.

 

[Neesy]

my only experience of audio books is the short "night surf" and I have to say, I wasn't exactly captivated, in fact I don't think I could tell you much about it at all,whether that was the story, the fact that it was spoken, or the narrator - I don't know. I have few others from night shift, I will probably give a longer one a shot one day.

I'd have thought Kathy Bates would be a great narrator - she's a good, strong actress and fits sk roles very well.

She IS good - I have no complaints in that area - it is just for me a personal preference to be able to read it myself and form a picture in my mind's eye (if that makes sense). If you are driving along a road and listening to an audiobook (or in my case I was sitting in a parking lot outside a grocery store) it is more distracting so therefore harder to focus and concentrate. - maybe I have a touch of ADD??

 

[The Nameless]

She IS good - I have no complaints in that area - it is just for me a personal preference to be able to read it myself and form a picture in my mind's eye (if that makes sense). If you are driving along a road and listening to an audiobook (or in my case I was sitting in a parking lot outside a grocery store) it is more distracting so therefore harder to focus and concentrate. - maybe I have a touch of ADD??

i completely understand, i too need to be completely free from any distractions, and i also form the mental imagery.

 

[skimom2]

I'm on a friendly phone basis with his assistant--Lee Child is most definitely a man. I didn't realize Lee Child is a pseudonym until just now, though, as she always refers to him as Lee but did know he's British. His real name is Jim Grant.

I'll take your word for it, but if so, he sure phrases like a woman--it's mainly about word choice. Many have a distinctly feminine bent. Interesting! Thanks, Ms. Mod!

 

[skimom2]

This is the 1st from Lee Child for me. Apparently this is something like #17 or #19. One or two reviews at Goodreads 1st page said where is the Jack Reacher I know? That's curious, your conviction...will keep that in mind. Couple times early on, there's both male and female characters, military all...and I lost track of gender for some manning the desks or posts. Haven't had a why in the world did you go back! dream for some time...I wonder if this read will generate another. When Reacher is...recommissioned, called back to duty after 16 years...yikes!

They're escapist fiction, that's for sure, but not as earnest as Clancy became. Child is clearly having fun, it seems to me, and not trying to make any grand political or social statements Sort of like a less fancy Frederick Forsyth (at least Forsyth's early ones--I've not read the newer ones of his). I've heard that Vince Flynn covers some of the same territory, but more seriously.

 

[skimom2]

I picked up Christopher Moore's new one, The Serpent of Venice, at the library today. He's sort of hit and miss for me--Lamb made me laugh, The Stupidest Angel was stupid, Fool Me and Bite Me were meh, Sacre Bleu was inspired and lovely... a big ole mess. Anyway, hoping this one is a good one!

 

[skimom2]

I've been reading the regulators sparingly for a few weeks now I'm only about 40 - 45% through. I think I shouldn't have started it so soon after desperation. I know some people say it was a bit too weird having the same characters play slightly different roles - this is not the issue with me, it's more a case of "desperation didn't really live up to my expectations, I stuck it out but I'm still not done with the people and the whole tak thing"

I also feel the plot is a bit daft, even for sk.

I remember reading them one right after the other, and I found the way he used the same cast in different ways interesting. Ultimately, though, Desperation was just okay to me, and I actively hated The Regulators--my least favorite of all Mr. King's books (and that includes the alien trilogy, which did nothing for me).

 

[Dana Jean]

I picked up Christopher Moore's new one, The Serpent of Venice, at the library today. He's sort of hit and miss for me--Lamb made me laugh, The Stupidest Angel was stupid, Fool Me and Bite Me were meh, Sacre Bleu was inspired and lovely... a big ole mess. Anyway, hoping this one is a good one!

I just bought Sacre Bleu! He is also hit and miss for me. I really liked FOOL.

 

[Walter Oobleck]

finished the one from Lee Child...#18 Jack Reacher...Never Go Back. 1st one, ever, for me...I'm trying to recall a gunshot. Jack breaks bones...in a lively and entertaining way. Heh! So I'd picked up a used Lee Child at that sale a weekend back or two so I figure to give this one a go: Bad Luck and Trouble...this is...I thought I saw that this one is #11 Jack Reacher I'd hazard you don't have to read these "in order". Same as the Tarzan stories...the Jack Carter stories...might be better doing so, but we're not on a mission here...just taking it one step at a time...breathe in. Breathe out. One breath at a time.

 

[skimom2]

I just bought Sacre Bleu! He is also hit and miss for me. I really liked FOOL.

Sacre Bleu was a change up for him. While it had a lot of his trademark humor, there was a sober side to it that showed he's not limited by talent to humor. I was just thinking that I should read Fool again (heh on typing the title wrong--there was some sort of brain/hands collision there )--Upon reflection, I can't remember anything about it, which is never a good sign that I paid proper attention the first time.

 

[skimom2]

finished the one from Lee Child...#18 Jack Reacher...Never Go Back. 1st one, ever, for me...I'm trying to recall a gunshot. Jack breaks bones...in a lively and entertaining way. Heh! So I'd picked up a used Lee Child at that sale a weekend back or two so I figure to give this one a go: Bad Luck and Trouble...this is...I thought I saw that this one is #11 Jack Reacher I'd hazard you don't have to read these "in order". Same as the Tarzan stories...the Jack Carter stories...might be better doing so, but we're not on a mission here...just taking it one step at a time...breathe in. Breathe out. One breath at a time.

I'd agree with that--who cares the order? Funny that you mention Burroughs--I ran into a rabid fan at the second hand store yesterday. He'd found an almost complete set of the John Carter books and was going crazy looking for the one missing book. When I commiserated, I got a 45 minute lecture on Tarzan, John Carter, and the many ways Burroughs is misunderstood and criminally forgotten these days

 

[The Nameless]

I remember reading them one right after the other, and I found the way he used the same cast in different ways interesting. Ultimately, though, Desperation was just okay to me, and I actively hated The Regulators--my least favorite of all Mr. King's books (and that includes the alien trilogy, which did nothing for me).

Forgive my ignorance (or stupidity) here but, alien trilogy? Sk has an alien trilogy?

 

[Anthea M]

I have just started reading Flashback by Dan Simmons and have The Abominable waiting in the wings.

 

[kingzeppelin]

Just started a re-read of "The Shining" to refresh my memory prior to venturing into Dr Sleep for the first time.

 

[OldDarth]

Game of Thrones - Book 4 - A Feast For Crows

Book 4 of this series maybe a feast for crows but it's slim pickings for the readers.

GRRM makes a heavy withdrawal on the goodwill and interest from the first three books. Very little happens here and, with one exception, most of it is with characters we never met before and care about.

This is one of the hurdles that faced GRRM when being ruthless with characters - creating new and just as interesting, if not more, ones. Sadly, for me, this book failed to do that.

GRRM states he wrote too much and split the book in two dealing with half the characters in this one and half in the next one. A tactical mistake in my mind. Would much rather had half the story of all the characters in one book.

I suspect the time pressures to get the next book out is why this book was released in the shape it was in because the book, as it is, stands in need of some serious editing. I had wondered at the discontent of fans with books 4 and 5.

Now I understand.

I'm giving the book 3 out of 5 stars but feel one of those stars belongs to the goodwill generated by the first three in my heart. In my head this books rates two stars because of how it meanders.

 

[OldDarth]

I have just started reading Flashback by Dan Simmons and have The Abominable waiting in the wings.

Look forward to your thoughts on Flashback. Of Simmons more recent books, I loved Black Hills - reminded me of The Dead Zone.

 

[kingricefan]

I have just started reading Flashback by Dan Simmons and have The Abominable waiting in the wings.

I love Simmons! The Abominable is on my TBR pile.

 

[Neesy]

Forgive my ignorance (or stupidity) here but, alien trilogy? Sk has an alien trilogy?

I know - I was wondering the same thing - maybe she means "Tommyknockers, Under the Dome (remember the ending) and Dreamcatcher?