john32f said:

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Question for y'all.

My wife and I use overdrive with a library card membership that is usually pretty good for getting ebooks/audiobooks. Is there any reason to go with an Audible membership for her vs. overdrive which is free?

Thinking about getting her that as a valentine's day gift.

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I think Audible gives you some freebies for signing up. Might be worth it.

So far in 2019:

1) Memories of Ice (Malazan #3) by Steven Erikson - B+

I started this in 2018 but finished in 2019. This is an interesting series, kind of a slog but definitely rewards a closer read. Each book makes a little more sense than the last one as you start to understand the rules of the world it's in, the magic system, the different races, etc. Good action scenes in the second half.

2) Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco - C+

I read The Name of the Rose last year and loved it, but this was not a lot of fun. I understand the point Eco was trying to make, and a lot of the book is very funny and insightful, but it could have been about half the length and been just as effective.

3) The Nutmeg of Consolation (Aubrey/Maturin #14) by Patrick O'Brian - A-

This is probably my favorite series of all time. I love everything about these books. This one was set primarily in the Australian penal colony and did a great job of showing how brutal a place it was.

4) House of Chains (Malazan #4) by Steven Erikson - B+

About 90% of this one made sense. There's a lot of interesting things going on with how the narrative jumps around. My working theory is that cause and effect are sort of looped and the novels are their own origin story but that's probably completely wrong.

5) The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins - in progress

"Jennie" Churchill - Winston's mother - an American who married the Duke of Marlborough - 600 pages -

Great Lady - book shows how British politics operated at least up to 1900 . She arranged soirees for Prince Edward and other high ups . Organized a hospital ship during the Boer War ! Highly recommend .

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon- 8.5/10
- it just got too long. I don't mind a long book, but several parts dragged on

Whitethorn Woods by Maeve Binchy 10/10
This novel is really more a series of coupled short stories that eventually come together. I love her writing and think she has some of the best characters I've read in a long time.

Reading "Island of The Lost" by Joan Druett.

It's a true survival story about a shipwreck on the Auckland Islands which are south of New Zealand in the Southern Ocean. What's particularly interesting is there were two shipwrecks at the same time at different ends of the islands but neither group ever knew of eachother.

One group bands together and the other dissolves to chaos.

Very interesting read.

I kept reading Eco books as they came out to try and find another The Name of the Rose. No luck.

unbroken by laura hildebrand
hp and goblet of fire
planetfall by emma newman
after atlas by emma newman
one second after by william forstchen
one year after by william forstchen
the long earth by terry pratchett
dark forest by cixin liu

hp and order of phoenix up next

1984
Brave New World
Beastie Book

07ag said:

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unbroken by laura hildebrand
hp and goblet of fire
planetfall by emma newman
after atlas by emma newman
one second after by william forstchen
one year after by william forstchen
the long earth by terry pratchett
dark forest by cixin liu

hp and order of phoenix up next

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How did you like Unbroken? I have it up in my queue, but I'm about 9 books from catching up. I promised myself I wouldn't order another book until I'm caught up. Unless they go on sale on Amazon.

Finished "Hitler, My Neighbor: Memories of a Jewish Childhood"

I'd give it a B-

Just started "All the Gallant Men".

Electrical_Ag said:

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How did you like Unbroken? I have it up in my queue, but I'm about 9 books from catching up. I promised myself I wouldn't order another book until I'm caught up. Unless they go on sale on Amazon.

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Unbroken is on the short list of my favorite books. Please don't judge it by the movie.

I love Laura Hillenbrand's writing. Or maybe I just love the subject matter that she chooses. "Seabiscuit" is another one of my favorites. She has battled chronic fatigue syndrome since she was 19. I've been hoping to hear about her next writing project but I think her poor health may not allow it.

Electrical_Ag said:

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07ag said:

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unbroken by laura hildebrand
hp and goblet of fire
planetfall by emma newman
after atlas by emma newman
one second after by william forstchen
one year after by william forstchen
the long earth by terry pratchett
dark forest by cixin liu

hp and order of phoenix up next

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How did you like Unbroken? I have it up in my queue, but I'm about 9 books from catching up. I promised myself I wouldn't order another book until I'm caught up. Unless they go on sale on Amazon.

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definitely recommend it, agree with aggies 76, its much better than the movie

I've decided to catch up on Texana this year, so I'm currently reading Goodbye to a River by John Graves. It's lovely. Next up is Lonesome Dove, which I can't believe I've never gotten around to reading.

AggieDem, I envy you reading it for the first time. You are in for a treat.

Lonesome Dove is my favorite book. Everyone in my family has read it, and we talk about Gus and Call like they are real people. You can't put it down, but you don't want it to end.

Speaking of Texana, has anyone read James Michener's Texas? I have the book but since every Michener book is an undertaking, I'm wondering if it's worth the effort.

Just finished Gentlemen Bast**ds. I can't believe after G Martin jobbed me, I bought into another writer that won't f***ing write.

Edit: in order ... A, A-, B

Aggies76 said:

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AggieDem, I envy you reading it for the first time. You are in for a treat.

Lonesome Dove is my favorite book. Everyone in my family has read it, and we talk about Gus and Call like they are real people. You can't put it down, but you don't want it to end.

Speaking of Texana, has anyone read James Michener's Texas? I have the book but since every Michener book is an undertaking, I'm wondering if it's worth the effort.

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Love LD. Texas was good (last year for me) but the "modern" stuff was kinda dated.

If you like that style, it's Florida, but Land Remembered is simply fantastic.

DP

EntreLeadership by Dave Ramsey
Just started Unbeatable Mind by Mark Divine

Commune: Book 3
Renegade Star: Books 1-4
Galaxy's Edge: Imperator
Galaxy's Edge: Sword of the Legion
Galaxy's Edge: Prisoners of Darkness
Galaxy's Edge: Turning Point
...in progress on Galaxy's Edge: Message for the Dead

...

I'm gonna need a break from mil sci fi when I'm done but it's so good, especially on audio with RC Bray.

Aggies76 said:

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AggieDem, I envy you reading it for the first time. You are in for a treat.

Lonesome Dove is my favorite book. Everyone in my family has read it, and we talk about Gus and Call like they are real people. You can't put it down, but you don't want it to end.

Speaking of Texana, has anyone read James Michener's Texas? I have the book but since every Michener book is an undertaking, I'm wondering if it's worth the effort.

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Didn't like it - lots of cliches as i remember . 10 or 15 years ago.

I listened to Flashman series by George Macdonald Fraser in the car back in the 90's. The guy who does the recording did a terrific job.

I'm listening to it again now.

https://www.goodreads.com/series/41316-flashman-papers

update:

Side track over as have finished rereading HP, to better discuss with oldest granddaughter who also reading HP for second time since December.
1) Peter V. Brett's The Daylight War (Demon Cycle #3) - Downloaded first 4 of this 5 book set at good price so locked in. B+
2) J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone A-
3) J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets A
4) J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban A
5) Peter V. Brett's The Skull Throne (Demon Cycle #4) B
6) J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire A-
Feb
7) J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix A-
8) Preston and Child's Verses for the Dead (Pendergast series #18) B
9) J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince A-
10) J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows A
OK, side track over
11) Ransom Riggs' A Map of Days (Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children, #4) B

"The Forgotten" - (John Puller, #2) - David Baldacci

"The Alienist" - (Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, #1) - Caleb Carr

"The Godfather" - Mario Puzo

"Trinity" - (Wars of the Roses, #2) - Conn Iggulden

"The Blade Itself" (The First Law, #1) - Joe Abercrombie

"Before They are Hanged" - (The First Law, #2) - Joe Abercrombie

"Last Argument of Kings" - (The First Law, #3) - Joe Abercrombie
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I really liked The First Law Trilogy. I was bored with the genres I normally read, and I highly recommend them to anyone who likes high fantasy. Which admittedly isn't usually my thing, but I wanted to read something different. I think I'm going to take a look at The Wheel of Time next. Though if anyone has any recommendations on books or series set in space that might be interesting.

dc509 said:

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"The Forgotten" - (John Puller, #2) - David Baldacci

"The Alienist" - (Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, #1) - Caleb Carr

"The Godfather" - Mario Puzo

"Trinity" - (Wars of the Roses, #2) - Conn Iggulden

"The Blade Itself" (The First Law, #1) - Joe Abercrombie

"Before They are Hanged" - (The First Law, #2) - Joe Abercrombie

"Last Argument of Kings" - (The First Law, #3) - Joe Abercrombie
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I really liked The First Law Trilogy. I was bored with the genres I normally read, and I highly recommend them to anyone who likes high fantasy. Which admittedly isn't usually my thing, but I wanted to read something different. I think I'm going to take a look at The Wheel of Time next. Though if anyone has any recommendations on books or series set in space that might be interesting.

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I would call First Law "low fantasy" as there is no real overt magic like fireballs lightning bolts and even the heroes are sketchy. Personally I love all of Joe's books.

It has been years since I read WoT but I would suggest reading the first 5 (ish) books, then reading summaries until Sanderson takes over for 10-13.

WoT is high fantasy with lots of magic and epic magic moments.

Still Me by Jojo Moyes
Third and final in Me Before You series.
8/10

In book 3 of the Demon Cycle and I'm totally sucked in. Penthouse style sex scenes aside, the whole world concepts are fantastic and I love the POV changes that's view the same time periods and events from different eyes.

1) Memories of Ice (Malazan #3) by Steven Erikson - B+
2) Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco - C (revised down from C+ after some time to think about it)
3) The Nutmeg of Consolation (Aubrey/Maturin #14) by Patrick O'Brian - A-
4) House of Chains (Malazan #4) by Steven Erikson - B+

5) The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins - B-

I have mixed feelings about this book. The first two-thirds (out of 400 pages) was a ton of fun to read, even if Hawkins occasionally walks a little too close to that Palahniuk line of being shocking for its own sake. But the climax of the story happens about page 270 and the third act just......drags......on. It makes sense thematically, but this would have been a better book if that last 130 pages was condensed to 60-80. Overall, though, I had a generally positive impression.

6) The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett - A

This is a classic for a reason. Every cliche of the hardboiled genre is in here, but it's mostly because this book helped invent the cliches. Fast paced, concise writing (a lost art in almost any genre), unique and powerful characters, sharp dialogue, and a great story.

7) The Truelove (Aubrey/Maturin #15) by Patrick O'Brian - A-

The insular world of a Royal Navy ship always allows for close character study, but this entry in the series was more introspective than most. There were no major fleet actions (no ship v. ship) like these books usually have, and the only ground battle happens off screen. Instead, it asks the question, what happens when you take a ship of 300 men, 6000 miles from home, bound by naval law and cultural propriety, and put one woman on board? O'Brian uses this scenario to talk about unique aspects of male and female psychology and group dynamics, but with his usual graceful style. These books are never boring. O'Brian is just too good for that.

8) Midnight Tides (Malazan #5) by Steven Erikson - in progress

Mercury: An Intimate Biography of Freddie Mercury by Lesley-Ann Jones 9/10

A look at the man behind the microphone. Although it is billed as a biography of Mercury, it is also a biography of the band. Jones uses interviews from those close to Mercury and the result feels honest, but unless you were there, who really knows.

Electrical_Ag said:

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07ag said:

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unbroken by laura hildebrand
hp and goblet of fire
planetfall by emma newman
after atlas by emma newman
one second after by william forstchen
one year after by william forstchen
the long earth by terry pratchett
dark forest by cixin liu

hp and order of phoenix up next

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How did you like Unbroken? I have it up in my queue, but I'm about 9 books from catching up. I promised myself I wouldn't order another book until I'm caught up. Unless they go on sale on Amazon.

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Just finished this and it is one of the most unbelievable, uplifting and difficult stories I've ever heard. If it's on your list to read you definitely should. It's amazing. I read A Man's Search for Meaning earlier this year and it's a great companion piece to read with it in a lot of ways. A Man's Search for Meaning is an analytical approach to why certain people survive under terrible conditions, this book is a total narrative of that experience. A Man's Search for Meaning covers the narrative as well, but not in quite as much depth of detail or with as much backstory on Frankl as there is for Zamperini.

Update:
12) Peter V. Brett's The Core (Demon Cycle Series #5) Supposed to be last, but certainly ends with future books possible. (B+)
13) Ken Follet's Eye of the Needle Old one, but a classic (A)

I just finished Walter Isaacson's biography of Leonardo Da Vinci and could not have more thoroughly enjoyed it.

Neuromancer - Gibson: B+
Very unique steampunkish book, a few odd quirks, but overall solid. Will read/audible the sequels.

The Last Wish - Sapkowski: B
Sword of Destiny - Sapkowski: B
Witcher short stories. Entertaining and good back story, but I wanted more meat. That's the nature of short stories I guess. Will circle back and read/audible the novels

Skyward - Sanderson: A ; The guy is a machine and every book he writes is worth reading. Enjoyed this one from start to finish


Need a new series, leaning towards either demon cycle or galaxys edge but open for suggestions.

The Whistler by John Grishman 7.5/10

The judicial ethics board is investigating a judge. The intrigue starts strong then fizzles

wreckt01 said:

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Need a new series, leaning towards either demon cycle or galaxys edge but open for suggestions.

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The Kurtherian Gambit (urban fantasy space opera mashup)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017I3NVP2/

The Wandering Inn (fantasy with litRPG elements)
https://www.amazon.com/Wandering-Inn-1-pirate-aba-ebook/dp/B07G4MX1Z4/

The Expanse (scifi)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0047Y171G/