What are we Reading Now: Conan the Librarian

[grimlock1]

Books and TV complement each other well. Like Peter Jackson's riffs on Tolkien, the changes work for a tighter TV show.

Holden in the TV show is competent, Alex grew on me, Naomi's actor I find a little weak, but Amos ... damn. The actor has him perfectly.

I agree.  One of the aspects o Avasarala that would be very difficult to translate to the screen is the lightening fast analysis she does.  Like when Soren gave her the faked report that Bobbie was really a Martian intel agent. One tiny facial tic and that was all she needed to see the whole Go board.

[Top Sergeant]

Most recently I have read:

Wounded Tiger by T. Martin Bennett

And I've re-read:

Death's Bright Day and A Sea Without a Shore by David Drake

[Dubble_g]

Lessee, finished off three books recently, waiting for delivery on two more.

Waiting for the Barbarians--About to become a movie with Johnny Depp and Mark Rylance, pandemic willing, so I thought I'd read the book first. An administrator in a colonial border town of a nameless empire has his comfortable/indolent existence turned upside down when internal security forces show up and claim the barbarians are about to attack. Not a comfortable read, but an interesting character study.

This is How You Lose the Time War--Won an award for best novella recently. Epistolary story about two agents, named just Red and Blue, on opposite sides of the titular "Time War" who fall in love with one another through the letters they exchange. The writing, description and inventiveness is top-class, but I found the story at the center rather hollow. It's beautiful writing in the service of not a lot.

https://one-way-mirror.blogspot.com/2020/06/this-is-how-you-lost-time-war.html

No Country for Old Men--I've heard so many good things about McCarthy so I thought I'd start with this one. Suitably impressed. Interesting style, very VERY specific and concrete language and gives you this feeling of unstoppable, inevitable action. It was interesting to see what had been added, omitted or changed for the movie, as well. It's sort of half a love letter to Texas, which I'll admit didn't do much for me as I've never been there, but the more philosophical bits about you being the culmination of everything you've done made me go "Oooh" and think for a bit. Everyone says I have to read "Blood Meridian" next...

Now waiting for "The City and the City" by China Mieville and "The Quantum Thief" by Finnish author Hannu Rajaniemi. Read an excerpt on Kindle and it seemed like a very fun space opera, so I'm really looking forward to it.

[Ruger]

Recently finished the second Firefly novel The Magnificent Nine , and now about 50 pages into the new Dresden Files book, Peace Talks.

Once I finish that (depending on timing) will either be the third Firefly novel, The Ghost Machine, or the second Avatar Kyoshi novel, Shadows of Kyoshi.

Ruger

[Daryk]

I've been working my way through Gladwell's David and Goliath.  It's non-fiction, but interesting.

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

Recently finished the second Firefly novel The Magnificent Nine , and now about 50 pages into the new Dresden Files book, Peace Talks.

Once I finish that (depending on timing) will either be the third Firefly novel, The Ghost Machine, or the second Avatar Kyoshi novel, Shadows of Kyoshi.

Ruger

You got Peace Talks already?  Did you buy a digital copy?  I'm still waiting on delivery on mine and they're saying to expect it tomorrow.

On the other hand, I did only pay $11 for the hardback edition, so good deal there.

[Ruger]

You got Peace Talks already?  Did you buy a digital copy?  I'm still waiting on delivery on mine and they're saying to expect it tomorrow.

On the other hand, I did only pay $11 for the hardback edition, so good deal there.

Ordered the signed hardcover from BAM.

Ruger

[grimlock1]

Recently finished the second Firefly novel The Magnificent Nine , and now about 50 pages into the new Dresden Files book, Peace Talks.

Once I finish that (depending on timing) will either be the third Firefly novel, The Ghost Machine, or the second Avatar Kyoshi novel, Shadows of Kyoshi.

Ruger

Finished my digital of Peace Talks, too.
This one was a bit disappointing.  Every other novel was a self-contained story that laid the stones for a bigger story.  This one was just the setup for the next.  It was also the shortest since Death Masks. On the other hand, Battleground is due out in 2 months.

[Elmoth]

I discovered that I can read kindle ebooks in my phone, and i have been catching up in some battletech here, especially BattleCorps.

FRANK SHERRY, Raiders and Rebels, a history of the golden age of piracy. A very nice and entertaining book to finish my perusal of the piracy period of 1650-1740.

Chaos Born & Chaos Forged. I found them less entertaining than I thought they would be.

Gray Markets. Battlecorps anthology
The Corps. Battlecorps Anthology
First Strike. Battlecorps anthology (do you see a pattern here?)
Edge of the Storm. Stories of Lennox's Light Horse

Now starting Wolves on the Border. I told you I was catching up in old BT fiction.

[elf25s]

I discovered that I can read kindle ebooks in my phone, and i have been catching up in some battletech here, especially BattleCorps.

FRANK SHERRY, Raiders and Rebels, a history of the golden age of piracy. A very nice and entertaining book to finish my perusal of the piracy period of 1650-1740.

Chaos Born & Chaos Forged. I found them less entertaining than I thought they would be.

Gray Markets. Battlecorps anthology
The Corps. Battlecorps Anthology
First Strike. Battlecorps anthology (do you see a pattern here?)
Edge of the Storm. Stories of Lennox's Light Horse

Now starting Wolves on the Border. I told you I was catching up in old BT fiction.

fbreader is free and does other formats than epub try it. and you can use calibre converter to change formats

[CrossfirePilot]

On a lighter note:
- Finally working *all the way* through Hitchiker's Guide. I know I know. It's like when my English professor whispered to his class with shame "I, umm, actually haven't read Moby Dick." It's ok. He's a medievalist.

Don't feel too bad.  I think I read it in 9th grade.  But its like many movies where you really don't need to see it because every nerd in the world quotes it so many times. My last boss EVERY @#%$ing time I or anyone else would say "hey i have a question" his answer was "42"

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

Finished my digital of Peace Talks, too.
This one was a bit disappointing.  Every other novel was a self-contained story that laid the stones for a bigger story.  This one was just the setup for the next.  It was also the shortest since Death Masks. On the other hand, Battleground is due out in 2 months.

I just got done reading it myself. The reason it's like that is because it was turning into a Robert Jordan sized doorstopper so the editor suggested splitting it into two books. That's also why Battle Ground is coming out so quickly.

[elf25s]

by sheer accident the book fell into my hand when i was cleaning up my shelves...count of monte christo....had not read that one in 20 odd years...
well no visitors no calls (turning off the phone for the day) stretch on loinger have supply of hot tea on stand by...and some crunchies...i am set for the weekend!
and gods help any one who knock on my door...because downstairs will become rather crowded

[grimlock1]

I just got done reading it myself. The reason it's like that is because it was turning into a Robert Jordan sized doorstopper so the editor suggested splitting it into two books. That's also why Battle Ground is coming out so quickly.

I do hope this doesn't become the new format.  If it does... Well, I'll keep buying them until the Big Apocalyptic Trilogy, or they stop being good.

[I am Belch II]

Join Together- The Who

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

I do hope this doesn't become the new format.  If it does... Well, I'll keep buying them until the Big Apocalyptic Trilogy, or they stop being good.

I get the feeling that the Big Apocalyptic Trilogy is coming soon.  I mean, given the way things went in Peace Talks there's not a lot of room for further escalation.

[grimlock1]

I get the feeling that the Big Apocalyptic Trilogy is coming soon.  I mean, given the way things went in Peace Talks there's not a lot of room for further escalation.

The original plan was a 20 novel story.  Then it became 20 books plus the Big Apocalyptic Trilogy.  Now it's "keep writing until my son graduates college."

As to room for escalation... might I recommend the Lensman series? ;)

[grimlock1]

Recently finished Abaddon's Gate.  I kinda of dragged my feet on this one, mostly because I didn't particularly enjoy season 3 of the Expanse. The book worked WAY better.
Although I liked Ashford's characterization in the show.  The show made him a competent, experienced leader, just as committed to the cause as Johnson, Drummer, or Naomi, but with different politics.  He was a man that I could disagree with and butt heads and argue with all day long at work, but at 5:30, I could have a beer with him.   The book's Ashford was a one dimensional, almost cartoonish figure.

[Jaim Magnus]

I'm blasting through the 'Murderbot Diaries' by Martha Wells. Pretty basic, but fun. Can't always read hefty tomes of world changing events.

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

The original plan was a 20 novel story.  Then it became 20 books plus the Big Apocalyptic Trilogy.  Now it's "keep writing until my son graduates college."

As to room for escalation... might I recommend the Lensman series? ;)

Eh, once you've got an actual god rampaging through Chicago with an army of sea monsters, there's a limit to how much higher you can raise the stakes and actually feel like they're really being raised.

Though the other question I have is: What's going to happen to Karrin?  She's entirely too squishy survive a major fight, so will she end up accepting a Mantle or other power-up or will the inevitable happen?

[grimlock1]

Eh, once you've got an actual god rampaging through Chicago with an army of sea monsters, there's a limit to how much higher you can raise the stakes and actually feel like they're really being raised.

Though the other question I have is: What's going to happen to Karrin?  She's entirely too squishy survive a major fight, so will she end up accepting a Mantle or other power-up or will the inevitable happen?

I'm thinking she becomes a Valkyrie or an Einherjaren.

I had to go to the Dresden Wiki to figure out how to spell Einherjaren and I stumbled onto Christmas Eve. Butcher put the full short up on Google Docs.  It's a touching little piece.

[Ruger]

I'm thinking she becomes a Valkyrie or an Einherjaren.

I had to go to the Dresden Wiki to figure out how to spell Einherjaren and I stumbled onto Christmas Eve. Butcher put the full short up on Google Docs.  It's a touching little piece.

Thanks for the link. Wasn’t aware of that story.

When is that story set is the question though? Almost sounds like after Battleground?

Ruger

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

It isn't possible for it to be set between Peace Talks and Battle Ground.

[worktroll]

Recently finished Abaddon's Gate.  I kinda of dragged my feet on this one, mostly because I didn't particularly enjoy season 3 of the Expanse. The book worked WAY better.
Although I liked Ashford's characterization in the show.  The show made him a competent, experienced leader, just as committed to the cause as Johnson, Drummer, or Naomi, but with different politics.  He was a man that I could disagree with and butt heads and argue with all day long at work, but at 5:30, I could have a beer with him.   The book's Ashford was a one dimensional, almost cartoonish figure.

Yes, Ashford in the TV series was top-notch. Just finished series 4 on the TV show, looking forward to series 5. Also waiting for book 9.

[grimlock1]

It isn't possible for it to be set between Peace Talks and Battle Ground.

Pretty sure it's pre-Peace Talks

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

According to the wiki entry, it's set after Peace Talks.  Of course, that's an entry on a fan wiki.

[Ruger]

According to the wiki entry, it's set after Peace Talks.  Of course, that's an entry on a fan wiki.

Well, not that many have died at the end of Peace Talks. That’s why I said it seems like it may belong after Battleground. That plus some of the stuff said in this short story seem to indicate it comes after for instance, Molly saying she would be back at her parents’ place for Christmas, when in Peace Talks, she hadn’t seen them since becoming the Winter Lady, or at least that was the impression I got. Not to mention the “tens of thousands injured and thousands more dead” part

Guess how that one ends may confirm or deny that though.

Ruger

[Dubble_g]

Anybody here into Warhammer 40K? There's a site called Cold Open Stories that runs unofficial fan fiction contests, and a lot of them are fun to read, not least because one of them was written by me  :)) Seriously, there are some great and fun little stories on the site.

https://www.coldopenstories.com/category/fast-fiction/

[grimlock1]

Anybody here into Warhammer 40K? There's a site called Cold Open Stories that runs unofficial fan fiction contests, and a lot of them are fun to read, not least because one of them was written by me  :)) Seriously, there are some great and fun little stories on the site.

https://www.coldopenstories.com/category/fast-fiction/

Sorry, not a fan of the grimdark.

[PsihoKekec]

Good Omens by Pratchett and Gaiman, one of the funniest books I ever read, even funnier than Patchett's Discworld works