Wednesday, May 06, 2009

The Books I'm reading at the moment

The books on my night stand at the moment are:-
1. Fatal Revenant by Stephen Donaldson - The most recent book in the final tales of Thomas Covenant quartet. The first three books were recommended to me by a friend. I found them dull and heavy going. Despite not enjoying them, I struggled through the next three volumes and the first volume in the final chronicles. I started this book months ago and it will probably take me another few months before I finish it. I can only take a few pages of Donaldson's verbose purple prose at a time.
2. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K Dick - a classic from one of the greats. This book provided the inspiration for Blade Runner, but is not like the movie at all. Not the first time I've read it nor will it be the last, it is always fun to revisit old favourites.
3. Fevre Dream by George R. R. Martin - I bought this book due to the amount of praise for the author on Amazon. I haven't started it yet. I like the cover, but the blurb doesn't entice me.
So what are you reading at the moment?

9 comments:

Casey Freeland said...

Let me know about Martin's book. I've read him and liked it.

Jewell of Seven Stars - Bram Stoker (bedside)
10th Wheel of Time - Robert Jordan (truck)
Dauntless - Jack Campbell (kindle)

Unknown said...

!!!! I adore George RR Martin's books! A Song of Ice and Fire Series are FANTASTIC and MUST be made into a tri... ops, septology films!! (So many battles, oceans of blood and a dash of magic to make a rabid fantasy lover like me happy. Oh, and Mr Martin kills his main characters ruthlessly, something other fantasy writers seldom do. Learn from that series Inky!).

A long long time ago an American friend of mine sent me the Covenant trilogy books... Please don't tell me there are still MORE books! I thought he died or went back to reality. (Never really like the series, too dark and oh so negative. Anti-hero should be classy, not pathetic).

Oh and Mr. G. Coppard... how was Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time? I must confess that that is the ONLY fantasy book I ever bought and never finished reading. It's beyond dull.

DNOTY2007 said...

I'm impressed with your perseverence, Inky! To struggle through a trilogy you disliked - and then come back for more! Or are you just torturing yourself??

Casey Freeland said...

Shadow, Jordan is a hard read. The books could be about 1/4 the size and not lose an inch. I think the fact that they are well read audiobooks is what has kept me going. I can't imagine reading them.

About 2 books in I became so invested in the characters that I knew I had to finish it. I think it goes to book 11 and I'm on 10 now.

Anonymous said...

Donaldson's Thomas Covenant series is a hard slog for women. You are only the second female of the species to actually finish it. What appealed to me was the idea that he was so full of self-loathing and pity and was able to overcome it in some small fashion to actually do some good. Donaldson does write with a heavy hand, but it seems to fit the material for the most part.

Dick's book is indeed a classic.

Martin is a solid story teller. You should enjoy it.

As to what I'm reading at present;

Yet another first book in a Terry Brooks Shanara trilogy. I just can't help myself.

The Haiku Handbook. I want to write better haiky/senyru and to understand more about the deceptively difficult art form. It looks easy, but it is darn hard.

And I got another magazine about trains.

And I mentioned ZOMBIES again...LOL!

Casey Freeland said...

Another Brooks addict! Not technically a great writer, but I've been reading him since I've been reading and I simply can't help it.

Maybe we should order an intervention?

Unknown said...

Oi, I do love the Shannara series too! But seriously... don't you think it has gotten too long?

The best fantasy trilogy i ever read is the Empires Trilogy; Daughter, Servant and Mistress of the Empire by Raymond E Feist and Janny Wurts. Another blockbuster trilogy movie for the right director. :) Kelewan just rock!

Casey Freeland said...

I'll check that out Shadow. Thanks for the suggestion.

Yeah, at this point we're just buying Terry's books as a thank you and to make sure he has a very comfortable retirement. We're so nice.

Unknown said...

Yeah, check the Empire Trilogy. I've reread it 8 times since 1994.

Yes, let Allanon and Bremen rest in fanciful retirement. :)