The what are you reading 2012 edition

[Yuri]

Midnight Tides changes things up quite substantially; it actually made for a nice change of pace (not that the pacing lets up) but I can't wait for you to get stuck into The Bonehunters. It's right up their with Memories of Ice.

I'm quite eager for more progression of Icarium's story line, it is inevitable that he finally remembers his past, and considering his rather unstable moods it's bound to be an interesting moment:)
Especially after Karsa's trip to the Jhag Odhan, where a little more of Icarium's past is revealed, I really want him and dear old dad to have some more screen time.

[01DT!m3r]

Just finished reading Shadows of the apt Book 5:The scarab path,Just started reading book 6:The sea watch and recently purchased the 7th book : Heirs of the blade.Didn't even know it was out yet :D. Time to catch up on some reading ,which I've still got to finish Eisntein's biography.

[pArkEr]

Completed Dune last night. This book gets a lot of praise around the interweb, and I can see now that it is completely warranted. It is, without a doubt, the best book I've ever read. No other book has made me want to just jump into its pages, and live in the world it contained. Frank Herbert's writing is masterful, so simple but at the same time so descriptive, saying what others would take pages to convey in one paragraph. I'm not even touching on the ideas and philosophies in the book, as I doubt I've absorbed a fraction of it with my one reading!

My only complaint would probably be the off-screen deaths of some characters, like Duncan Idaho, Paul's son and even the Baron. Detailing their deaths would have been terrific scenes, and I can't understand why Frank would not want to delve into them.

[Yuri]

Just finished Midnight Tides, excelent of course, but I've come to expect nothing less from Erikson. I would pay good money to have Tehol and Kruppe in the same room, I can only imagine the resulting conversation:)

While I wait for The Bonehunters, I've started reading a book called Little,Big by John Crowley. I've had it in my collection for years, but have never gotten around to reading it.

Little, Big is the epic story of the Drinkwater family and their relationship with the mostly obscured world of Faery. It is set in and around their eccentric country house, called Edgewood, in New England somewhere north of "the City" (clearly a version of New York City). The story is dreamlike, quiet, and meandering, spanning a hundred years of the intertwined family trees of the Drinkwaters and their relations—from the turn of the twentieth century to a sparsely-described dystopian future America ruled by a sinister despot. The magical elements are subtle rather than overt, with only occasional glimpses of the fairies themselves, although their presence is felt throughout.

@Parker. The Dune series is on my list of must reads, I've just got so many damn books on that list:)

[Grimnebulin]

Just finished Midnight Tides, excelent of course, but I've come to expect nothing less from Erikson. I would pay good money to have Tehol and Kruppe in the same room, I can only imagine the resulting conversation:)

Oh man, I don't think there is a universe in existence that could cope with that...

While I wait for The Bonehunters, I've started reading a book called Little,Big by John Crowley. I've had it in my collection for years, but have never gotten around to reading it.

Little, Big has a phenomenal reputation, but I don't know if I simply attempted it at the wrong time, I just couldn't get into it. Will be interested to hear what your experience of it is!

[Kharrak]

Finished the second last Dark Tower book a while back...

I enjoyed it thoroughly, yet the author's self-insert came across as awkward. Not sure if it's bad, but it seemed to notably diminish the experience for me.

[CrashHelmut]

^^^
I also found it a bit odd at first. But after thinking about it for a while, and considering where King was in his life at that stage of writing the novel, I've become a bit less critical about it.

So, after delaying it for months (and this after literally (heh) waiting for years for it to be released) I had decided to read George RR Martin's A Dance with Dragons. I must admit, I've become a bit disillusioned with the series after having to wait so long for A Feast For Crows and then the next one (I've been reading each novel as it has been released, except for the first).

I watched the first season of Game of Thrones as a refresher course before getting stuck into the fifth novel. And I must say, after watching that and completing the novel, I'm hooked again. Damn you Arr Arr Martin! How long till the next one?

Also, at the rate the TV series is going and at the rate he is writing, I think we might have a problem. (I don't see the 4th and the 5th novels being spread over two or more seasons.)

[echo]

Finished the second last Dark Tower book a while back...

I enjoyed it thoroughly, yet the author's self-insert came across as awkward. Not sure if it's bad, but it seemed to notably diminish the experience for me.

Like CrashHelmut said, it's a little weird but it makes sense in the context of all the other tie-ins. Damn, I miss that series.

[nukehead]

^^^

So, after delaying it for months (and this after literally (heh) waiting for years for it to be released) I had decided to read George RR Martin's A Dance with Dragons. I must admit, I've become a bit disillusioned with the series after having to wait so long for A Feast For Crows and then the next one (I've been reading each novel as it has been released, except for the first).

I watched the first season of Game of Thrones as a refresher course before getting stuck into the fifth novel. And I must say, after watching that and completing the novel, I'm hooked again. Damn you Arr Arr Martin! How long till the next one?

I'm pretty sure it's releasing next year. I didn't watch it but there was a reading of the next book - Winds of Winter - by Martin a month or two back. Busy with A Dance with Dragons and didn't want to ruin anything for myself. Linky

As for the rate at which the series is going... I think that the third, fourth, and fifth novels bring so much expansion that they could easily stretch the events over a couple more seasons.

[CrashHelmut]

I'm pretty sure it's releasing next year. I didn't watch it but there was a reading of the next book - Winds of Winter - by Martin a month or two back. Busy with A Dance with Dragons and didn't want to ruin anything for myself. Linky

As for the rate at which the series is going... I think that the third, fourth, and fifth novels bring so much expansion that they could easily stretch the events over a couple more seasons.

I'll admit, there was a bit of snark in my previous comment, I did know that the next novel is expected soonish (and not another 5 year wait). However, I don't know if the fourth and fifth novels could fill a full two seasons worth of the television show. Especially considering how much has happened in the first two seasons, and I suspect the next season is going to be a cracker. The last two novels, although expansive, has a somewhat slower pace.

But, I'm happy to be proven wrong. The creators/producers seem to have a good handle on the show and the material.

[Yuri]

Little, Big has a phenomenal reputation, but I don't know if I simply attempted it at the wrong time, I just couldn't get into it. Will be interested to hear what your experience of it is!

This really is the kind of book I think you need to be in the right frame of mind to enjoy. While I can appreciate the authors writing ability, I simply cannot get interested in this book. Maybe I shouldn't have tried reading it right in the middle of the Malazan series? In my opinion this is the kind of book you read while on holiday, where you have the time and head-space to meander through its rather unique story.

Has anyone ever tried Stephen R Donaldson's The Gap Cycle? This is next on my list once I'm finished with the Malazan series.

[Sir-Ominous]

Anybody know where they selling SK's 11.22.68 for a decent price. And btw hows the book?

[Grimnebulin]

Are you reading the Gap Cycle as a fan of the Covenent series? Or do you read quite a bit of scifi? It's very much Stephen Donaldson, and everything that name conjures. At times a hard read, but always interesting. If you can get through the first one and find yourself wanting to continue, it only gets better. It's dark and brutal, but you enjoy Erikson, so that shouldn't dissuade you. It's also a series where it helps to understand what Donaldson was attempting to do. If you can read up on the background behind the novels, it will help you to appreciate some of the subtler levels it operates on.

[Yuri]

Are you reading the Gap Cycle as a fan of the Covenent series? Or do you read quite a bit of scifi? It's very much Stephen Donaldson, and everything that name conjures. At times a hard read, but always interesting. If you can get through the first one and find yourself wanting to continue, it only gets better. It's dark and brutal, but you enjoy Erikson, so that shouldn't dissuade you. It's also a series where it helps to understand what Donaldson was attempting to do. If you can read up on the background behind the novels, it will help you to appreciate some of the subtler levels it operates on.

Well to be honest the only Donaldson I've read is the first book of the first Covenant series, back when I was a kid. My plan is to get into that once I've read the Gap Cycle. And I've only ever read one scifi novel before, but I'm really keen on the genre. However having no real knowledge of whats good and whats not, it's a bit difficult finding a starting point.

I read up on Donaldson because of the Covenant series, saw that he had written some scifi, and figured hey, here's a good place to start:)
The Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe, is also a series I've heard good things about. Perhaps you can give me a few examples of some good scifi out there?

[Grimnebulin]

Well, the 1st book of the Gap Cycle is pretty short , so it's certainly something you could try and not feel too hard done by if you don't enjoy it. But it's not the kind of series I'd recommend if you're not a veteran of the genre. The same with Gene Wolfe; Book of the New Sun is a fascinating read, but it's not an easy one. Note I'm not making assumptions as to your intelligence levels here! When I say 'not easy', I mean that it's the kind of novel that requires a high level of engagement and makes the reader work to get the most out of it.

Put it this way, there are a host of novels I'd put higher on the list if you're interested in reading more scifi, but it's also difficult to make confident recommendations, as the genre itself is pretty varied. Still, check these authors out:

Richard Morgan (start with Altered Carbon)
Alastair Reynolds (start with Chasm City)
Neal Stephenson (Snow Crash or The Diamond Age)
Chris Wooding's Tales of the Ketty Jay series (it's like Firefly series on paper)
Nick Harkaway (more conceptual scifi set in a modern day setting)
Adam Roberts
Iain Banks
William Gibson (for your cyberpunk needs)
Lauren Beukes (local author, scifi within a South African context)
And if you really want to give your brain a workout, Charles Stross

There are a ton more, of course, but you'll definitely find something worthwhile from that lot.

[Yuri]

Thanks Grim thats exactly what I need. With your list, and the help of wikipedia, I'll be adding a lot more reading to me ever growing list. Also, you can't tell how good the Gap Cycle is, and then not expect me to try it first. You had me sold on "Dark and brutal." :D

[Shaderow]

Started with Gears of War Coalition's End, and A Crown of Swords (7th book in the Wheel of time series).
My George R.R Martin obsession is going well with having finished A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings and A Storm of Swords and started with A Feast for Crows.

[Toxxyc]

About 3/4 of the way into The Hobbit.

OMF.

[pArkEr]

Taking a break from my usual sci-fi program to read Tess Gerritson's Rizzoli series, based on a recommendation from a friend. Not really into murder mysteries, but it seems interesting so far.

After that, I think I'm going to start on the Dark Tower series again. Except this time, I'm going to go for the full Dark Tower experience, i.e. reading all the connecting books as well, starting with The Stand, Carrie, Salem's Lot, IT, and whatever else I can get my hands on. Have a feeling it's going to be pretty epic...

[Negasta]

I'm slowly working my way through The Portable Atheist edited by Christopher Hitchens.

I'm saving Hitch's last book Arguably, a massive collection of essays from his last decade, for my December holiday.