What's everyone reading right now?

[ori-STUDFARM]

I've just listened to all four of the Jedi Academy Trilogy. (Thats right, another trilogy in 4 parts!) Really enjoyed them all.

[X]

Okay, just finished losing the peace and Fate of the Jedi Abyss.

I would love to give detailed reviews for them, but I think it would take too much from the story so I'll give a little review.

Losing the peace: This was a great story! I loved how they touched on Crusher's past and what made Picard great. I also love how they talk about the change in direction of the federation and that Picard will have to adapt to a role I never expected to make the future better. I think that this is a great story for everyone to read because it deals with serious loss and the fallout of Star trek Destiny.

Star Wars Abyss: Yet another solid book in the new Fate of the Jedi series. I really like the depth that they bring to the characters and how they showcase the flaw in having the best intentions. I'm really loving this series and I hate that we have to wait until next year for the next book, but it did have me wondering why we don't have a Star Wars RPG as well.

Now I need to find more books to read. I'm hoping that the new wheel of time or Song of fire and Ice comes out soon. I need a meaty book to slow down my summer book feast.

[ChadH]

I'm rereading "The Unreasoning Mask" by Phillip Jose Farmer. it's been languishing on the shelf for several years and I decided to take it n vacation with me. I also brought "Shadow of the Torturer" by Gene Wolfe. If you ever get a chance to read either of these you should. You won't be disappointed.

[Geekyfanboy]

Just finished book 3 of Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Titan's Curse, so far this is my favorite book. 2 more books to go in the series.

[Rico]

I started reading the new Dan Brown (i.e. Robert Langdon) book, "The Lost Symbol."  Now when I read these I always picture Tom Hanks as Langdon, thanks to the movies.

[Bromptonboy]

I started reading the new Dan Brown (i.e. Robert Langdon) book, "The Lost Symbol."  Now when I read these I always picture Tom Hanks as Langdon, thanks to the movies.

Hah! Hah!  I have the same issue - Langdon has been forever 'gumpified' in my minds eye.  What do you think so far?  I am only a few chapters into it.  So far I am luke warm, but I will soldier on and finish the book.

[Rico]

I started reading the new Dan Brown (i.e. Robert Langdon) book, "The Lost Symbol."  Now when I read these I always picture Tom Hanks as Langdon, thanks to the movies.

Hah! Hah!  I have the same issue - Langdon has been forever 'gumpified' in my minds eye.  What do you think so far?  I am only a few chapters into it.  So far I am luke warm, but I will soldier on and finish the book.

I'm just getting into.  I like these types of stories so I'm enjoying it so far.  But yeah, Langdon = Hanks now for me too.  (Even though I read those two books before I saw those films.)

[billybob476]

I'm reading Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor. Story-wise it's interesting, however the writing style seems almost a bit juvenile to me. All the characters seem a bit too sarcastic, kinda rubs me the wrong way. Gonna read on though.

[Feathers]

Just starting the latest Terry Pratchett book (Christmas pressie) Unseen Academicals.

The wizzards of the Unseen University are apparently about to start playing football (soccer for the US patrons here).

Good so far. It's nice to get a book back insid those hallowed halls.

[Obi-Wan Kovary]

I'm currently reading Star Wars: The Bounty Hunter Wars by K.W. Jeter.  It's a compilation of the paperbacks of The Mandalorian Armor, Slave Ship, and Hard Merchandise.  I'm only on chapter 4 right now, but so far it seems pretty cool.

[billybob476]

I've tried to read that trilogy (Bounty Hunter Wars) at least 4 times and I always crap out about halfway through the second book. Not sure why. I'll have to give it another go.

[Bromptonboy]

Neal Asher's 'Gridlinked'.

[Ktrek]

Right now I am reading one of the very best books I have read in my lifetime. It's called Three Cups Of Tea by Greg Mortenson. It's a true life story about Mortenson who had a failed attempt to climb K2 the second highest mountain in the world. During his recovery he came to know the local Pakistani people in Korphe who nursed him back to health. When he discovered that they had no school he made a promise to the tribe leader that he would return and build them a school. That was the beginning of a journey that changed his life forever. He now heads an organization that builds schools in the Pakistan/Afghanistan region. He is trying to win the hearts of Muslims with love, understanding, compassion and education and not with bullets. From the early 1990s to today he has built 133 schools that serve 55,000 students. 44,000 of them girls. His book is inspiring and often times moving to the point of tears. I highly recommend that everyone read this book. You will never regret it!



Kevin

[ChadH]

Currently reading "Spook Country" by William Gibson. Only a few chapters into it, but good so far.

[Ktrek]

I am currently reading The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny. This is the third of five books in the Three Pines Mysteries series with Inspector Armand Gamache. I LOVE these books (at least the two I have read so far and now this third)! The Armand Gamache books have the most intriguing and colorful characters. The thing I like about the series is that you have reoccurring characters in each of the books, and not just the inspector and his aides, but characters who all live in Three Pines. You get to know know these people and love them because Louise Penny is so gifted at characterization that her characters leap off the page and into your mind and heart. If you have never read these I would highly recommend them. All of her books have high ratings by both critics and readers. The latest one was number 19 on the New York Times Bestseller list! And most of her books have won some awards.

My only objection to the books is the use of language, which I think could have been more subdued but I suppose it does add to certain character personality traits. So, if the use of bad language offends you then you might want to stay away. I wouldn't say it's excessive but just unnecessary at times in my opinion.

For anyone interested in reading the series they are in the following order:

I first list the U.S. title and then the Canadian/UK title if it is different from the U.S.

1. Still Life
2. A Fatal Grace / Dead Cold
3. The Cruelest Month
4. A Rule Against Murder / The Murder Stone
5. The Brutal Telling

And here is a link to her booklist where you can read synopsis and more about the author:

http://www.louisepenny.com/books.htm



Kevin