tom_newton Posted March 13, 2025 Posted March 13, 2025 I am rereading "Master and Commander" - seafaring action written 55 years ago. I've nominated it for this time's Qoria Book Social (Leeds Branch), so wanted to refresh my memory. It's ace. Im also rereading Snowcrash, which isnt as great as I remember.
IAmNotMatt Posted March 14, 2025 Posted March 14, 2025 Just finished Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky - excellent read would recommend for anyone that likes sci-fi. Im reading Children of Ruin currently - Quite good so far, but only 2 chapters in.
Andrew_C Posted March 14, 2025 Posted March 14, 2025 Just finished Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky - excellent read would recommend for anyone that likes sci-fi. I've read the lot... I like them; just wish his editor was a bit fiercer. I reccon that the 3rd quater of CoT could have been chopped hard without losing too much of the story...
LeMarchand Posted March 14, 2025 Posted March 14, 2025 I've read the lot... I like them; just wish his editor was a bit fiercer. I reccon that the 3rd quater of CoT could have been chopped hard without losing too much of the story... Has he got the same editor as JK Rowling had once HP hit big? The last few books were incredibly bloated.
HarryMonkey Posted January 9 Posted January 9 Maybe I'm Not God : Cat Chronicles The daily life and world of a house cat, from the moment it’s adopted—told from the cat’s perspective. A long monologue, a comedy of missteps where feline and human viewpoints often coincide, yet give rise to an irresistible, amusing, and passionate tale of love and friendship. It is the author’s love letter—a devoted cat lady’s homage—to the most beautiful animal on earth. This is a must read for anyone who's had a cat, has a cat or might get a cat. An amusing and heartwarming story told by the cat. I recommend it
simpsonj Posted January 9 Posted January 9 The only cat I'm interested in at the moment is Princess Doughnut... Currently listening to Dungeon Crawler Carl, superbly read by Jeff Hayes. It's a mix of a MMORPG, Fantasy and South Park. At times absolutely hilarious, though there are parts where it can be a touch exposition heavy. Well worth a read/listen if you have any interest in RPGs or South Park style over the top humour. Also reading the Dark Tower by Steven King. Got the complete set over Christmas, so only about a third of the way through book one. I'm enjoying it, but very lost on what's going on! I assume/hope it will become a bit clearer as the book progresses.
Bionic Posted January 9 Posted January 9 I've just finished Digital Fortress by Dan Brown. The story revolves around a top-secret government agency tasked with safeguarding America’s intelligence systems. Quite enjoyed it.
azc Posted January 9 Posted January 9 21 minutes ago, simpsonj said: The only cat I'm interested in at the moment is Princess Doughnut... I got big into the LitRPG genre over the past 18 months. I've read all of Dungeon Crawler Carl, He Who Fights With Monsters, currently reading book 11 of Everybody Loves Large Chests, as well as having read the first book of several different series including Cat Core and Vainqueur the Dragon. Probably more that I can't even remember now.
Rob_D Posted January 9 Posted January 9 9 minutes ago, Bionic said: I've just finished Digital Fortress by Dan Brown. The story revolves around a top-secret government agency tasked with safeguarding America’s intelligence systems. Quite enjoyed it. Like the old Tom Clancy Netforce books? I might have to check that out.
pete Posted January 9 Posted January 9 Just finished The Grapples of Wrath by Alice Bell. Regional wrestling murder mystery.
River Posted January 9 Posted January 9 Just started King Sorrow by Joe Hill. His dad is Stephen King who I am a fan of, and read pretty much most of his work in my teens. Now I am preferring Joe's work, I am finding him a better writer
Brax Posted January 11 Posted January 11 Dune by Frank Herbert and Game Programming Patterns by Robert Nystrom. Both enthralling reads so far.
Bionic Posted January 12 Posted January 12 I've just started Deception Point by Dan Brown - a proper page turner.
Andrew_C Posted January 12 Posted January 12 13 hours ago, Brax said: Dune by Frank Herbert and Game Programming Patterns by Robert Nystrom. Both enthralling reads so far. 1st one brilliant. Next 2 acceptable. Stop there, for your sanity. 1
LeMarchand Posted February 10 Posted February 10 Reassuring Tales by T.E.D. Klein Back in 1984 Klein published "The Ceremonies" a brilliant horror novel with a rather "Is that it?" ending. The next year saw a collection of shorts, most of which had a similar great "build-up but disappointing ending" feel and the announcement of a new novel, which has yet to surface. GRRM has nothing on this guy! "Reassuring Tales" is a collection of short stories including the 1972 short that was later expanded into "The Ceremonies". He still has problems sticking the landing but I found most of these better than the earlier collection I read. "The Ceremonies" is well worth a read as long as you bear in mind that the ending isn't as great as the rest of the novel.
Andrew_C Posted February 10 Posted February 10 Kolymsky Heights "A breathless tale of fear and courage" Torygraph and Philip Pulman thinks it is "the best thriller I've ever read". Not sure either of them have read any other thrillers. Yawn.
simpsonj Posted February 10 Posted February 10 The Gunslinger - Stephen King The first book of the Dark Tower series. My succinct review is I was underwhelmed. It's the first Stephen King book I've read, and it didn't live upto my expectations. In fairness, in the foreward to the book, Stephen King does explain that he wrote this when he was younger, and, reading between the lines, knows this isn't his best work, and the later books are an improvement. The main issue is that Stephen King seems to be trying to show off by writing one sentence chapters, and not fully explaining, well, anything, so as a reader I was lost. It has some good moments, and some moments that, I expect, will be made much clearer as the series progresses. However, I've just started Wind and Truth by Sanderson, and it's the longest book he's ever written coming in at a breezy 1344 pages, so my return to the Dark Tower series is going to be somewhat delayed! 1
pete Posted February 10 Posted February 10 Finished The Daughter's War by Christopher Buehlman. Low-ish fantasy. "War's been going on so long, women now comprise the majority of soldiers and some of them have shetland-pony sized battle crows." It's a prequel to one of the protagonists of "The Blacktongue Thief" by the same author. Overall good. About to start The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers, which was recommended as "like The Expanse series but more hopeful". 1
Dos_Box Posted February 11 Posted February 11 I'm currently re-reading Terry Pratchett's Wintersmith. I'm doing all of the Tiffany Aching books (in order) as I've not really read them since I bought them when they first came out, and forgot how good he was at writing for both adults and kids at the same time and I'm really enjoying them again once more. 2
ICTDirect_Joe Posted February 11 Posted February 11 2 minutes ago, Dos_Box said: I'm currently re-reading Terry Pratchett's Wintersmith. I'm doing all of the Tiffany Aching books (in order) as I've not really read them since I bought them when they first came out, and forgot how good he was at writing for both adults and kids at the same time and I'm really enjoying them again once more. Currently re-reading the Guards series for the umpteenth time but I've been looking at re-reading Truckers, Diggers and Wings for the same reason - his writing is masterful. 1
tom_newton Posted February 11 Posted February 11 I've only done the first book of Sanderson's massive series. Need to get back to that. Currently reading RJ Barker's Wyrdwood series - can highly recommend. 1
Andrew_C Posted February 11 Posted February 11 24 minutes ago, Dos_Box said: I'm doing all of the Tiffany Aching books (in order) I did that back in the autumn - really because I'd only read "Shepherd's Crown" once and needed a run-up to it. 1
ICTDirect_Dave Posted February 12 Posted February 12 On 11/02/2026 at 09:40, Dos_Box said: I'm currently re-reading Terry Pratchett's Wintersmith. I'm doing all of the Tiffany Aching books (in order) as I've not really read them since I bought them when they first came out, and forgot how good he was at writing for both adults and kids at the same time and I'm really enjoying them again once more. whilst you're on with this one you should check out Steeleye Span's Wintersmith album. Written in partnership with Pterry (who was a huge fan of theirs). Maddy Prior always said that Terry was writing his own kind of british folklore and that it deserved the same kind of songs our myths and legends have been given over the years.
Syman_a Posted February 12 Posted February 12 Just picked up a copy of Oliver Twist, that was lying in the corridor. Charles dicken loved a bit of superfluous wordage!!
Andrew_C Posted February 12 Posted February 12 3 minutes ago, Syman_a said: Charles dicken loved a bit of superfluous wordage!! Why use just 5 long archaic words when 15 would do? (I think that's the sense I want to convey...)
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