Finished: Sleepover by Alastair Reynolds
This was a short story from an anthology I already own. However it was a great read and is another slant on the ever popular end of the world fiction genre. I actually find the premise of the story quite compelling & would love to read more about the artilect wars & the Realm!
Started: On the Map by Simon Garfield
A look at the history of cartography & how it has shaped our world!
Tuesday, 19 February 2013
Friday, 15 February 2013
Book Bloggin' 15th Febuary 2013
Finished: A Captain of the Gate by John Birmingham
So this was only an early concept for a possible novel in the future. Result it was rather disjointed & confusing. Would probably make a good book but yes.. just a tad disappointed. Only took me an hour to read..
Started: Castro's Bomb by Robert Conroy
This book was written specifically for the ebook format. I would therefore expect better editing, especially from someone of Robert Conroy's standing & experience. There are ALOT of issues that you get with books which have been scanned into electronic format using word recognition - its particularly frustrating as it usually happens in a crucial scene & just disprupts the flow of the story.
So this was only an early concept for a possible novel in the future. Result it was rather disjointed & confusing. Would probably make a good book but yes.. just a tad disappointed. Only took me an hour to read..
Started: Castro's Bomb by Robert Conroy
This book was written specifically for the ebook format. I would therefore expect better editing, especially from someone of Robert Conroy's standing & experience. There are ALOT of issues that you get with books which have been scanned into electronic format using word recognition - its particularly frustrating as it usually happens in a crucial scene & just disprupts the flow of the story.
Wednesday, 6 February 2013
Book Bloggin' 6th Feb 2013
Finished: A Song of Ice & Fire by George RR Martin
I finished!! So I'm 2/5ths of the way through the thus far published saga. The plot continues to build towards the ultimate confrontation between the old ways - the Targaryens and the new - the Lannisters, the Starks and those of Westeros who fight for supremacy. I can't help feel that all of this though, is just the prelude to the real story which is the fight between those of the south of the wall & those of the north - the army led by Mance Rayder. At this point beyond the teasers involving Jon Snow, I can't guess at how that will tie in with the warring between the Seven Kindoms of Westeros.
GRRH writes massive tomes. They span but a short period of time in the history of Westeros, but the detail is just stunning. I do find it hard thought to follow all the little sub plots which may or may not affect the overall ending of this series so I am tending to try to just keep (or at least attempt to) the major plot straight while trying to figure out who fits where.
I should add I have started watching the series on DVD and am finding it useful to help build the associations and the character development as well as the plot development. The producers writers and actors have stayed true to the books I think in such a way as they compliment each other well. I can sense that the input of GRRH is quite strong which is helping to keep the TV series true to the books.
Started: A Captain of the Gate by John Birmingham
Can't remember what this is about but its only very short (324 locs vs over 81000 for the Song series!).
Should also mention while I had no Kindle & I was using my phone:
Started & Finished: Booker T: From Prison to Promise by Booker T Huffman
I found this a really interesting read. It's all about Book T Huffman wrestling superstar and his journey to the point at which he joined WWE (then WWF). His life could so easily have gone the other way, but instead, the voice of his mother helped him to change the direction of his life & turn his life into something so much more positive & inspiring. Well worth the read even if you aren't a wrestling fan.
I finished!! So I'm 2/5ths of the way through the thus far published saga. The plot continues to build towards the ultimate confrontation between the old ways - the Targaryens and the new - the Lannisters, the Starks and those of Westeros who fight for supremacy. I can't help feel that all of this though, is just the prelude to the real story which is the fight between those of the south of the wall & those of the north - the army led by Mance Rayder. At this point beyond the teasers involving Jon Snow, I can't guess at how that will tie in with the warring between the Seven Kindoms of Westeros.
GRRH writes massive tomes. They span but a short period of time in the history of Westeros, but the detail is just stunning. I do find it hard thought to follow all the little sub plots which may or may not affect the overall ending of this series so I am tending to try to just keep (or at least attempt to) the major plot straight while trying to figure out who fits where.
I should add I have started watching the series on DVD and am finding it useful to help build the associations and the character development as well as the plot development. The producers writers and actors have stayed true to the books I think in such a way as they compliment each other well. I can sense that the input of GRRH is quite strong which is helping to keep the TV series true to the books.
Started: A Captain of the Gate by John Birmingham
Can't remember what this is about but its only very short (324 locs vs over 81000 for the Song series!).
Should also mention while I had no Kindle & I was using my phone:
Started & Finished: Booker T: From Prison to Promise by Booker T Huffman
I found this a really interesting read. It's all about Book T Huffman wrestling superstar and his journey to the point at which he joined WWE (then WWF). His life could so easily have gone the other way, but instead, the voice of his mother helped him to change the direction of his life & turn his life into something so much more positive & inspiring. Well worth the read even if you aren't a wrestling fan.
A look at books for 2013
So, it's taking me a while to get through A Song of Ice & Fire. It's a big book. Its complex & you have to concentrate so you don't lose all the little threads that I assume will come together to make the story. But while I have been reading this, I have also been buying more books. Because you know, that's what I do. I will be having a break after I have finished Song. Well at least from that series. I unfortunately don't have as much time as I would like to read & wading my way through the entire series in one hit is actaully putting me off reading altogether. I'd probably still be trying to get through when the last book in the series is released! I thought Peter F Hamilton was a massive undertaking! While these books are easier to follow, you still need to really concentrate that's for sure.
BUT.. here is the list of books I have to read for this year (I got through just over 50 last year, but I suspect I won't get through that many this year simply due to A Song of Ice & Fire and the books that follow it in the series)
* denotes a Kindle edition
A Song of Troy - Colleen McCullough
The Prodigal Son - Colleen McCullough
Tim - Colleen McCullough (if I can find a copy!)
On the Map: Why the World Looks the way it does by Simon Garfield ( a non-fiction book looking
at the history of Cartography. Being a cartographer I am looking forward to this book!)
* Kirov by John Schletter
* Kirov II - Cauldron of Fire by John Schletter
* Kirov III - Pacific Storm by John Schletter
* While the World Watched by Carolyn Maull McKinstry
* Stalin's Hammer: Rome by John Birmingham
* Captain at the Gate by John Birmingham
* Castro's Bomb by Robert Conroy
Manhattan in Reverse by Peter F Hamilton
* Mammoth Books presents Sleepover by Alastair Reynolds
* A Storm of Swords by George RR Martin
* A Feast for Crows by George RR Martin
* A Dance with Dragons by George RR Martin
Bag of Bones by Stephen King
So.. there we go.. a little peak at what I will be reading this year. I am sure other books will be added (some may even be removed) or pushed to the bottom of the pile (like Bag of Bones.. I have to be in a MOOD for Mr King). But get through them I shall!
PS.. I promise not to cheat & just watch the Game of Thrones series until have at least read the book for that series!
BUT.. here is the list of books I have to read for this year (I got through just over 50 last year, but I suspect I won't get through that many this year simply due to A Song of Ice & Fire and the books that follow it in the series)
* denotes a Kindle edition
A Song of Troy - Colleen McCullough
The Prodigal Son - Colleen McCullough
Tim - Colleen McCullough (if I can find a copy!)
On the Map: Why the World Looks the way it does by Simon Garfield ( a non-fiction book looking
at the history of Cartography. Being a cartographer I am looking forward to this book!)
* Kirov by John Schletter
* Kirov II - Cauldron of Fire by John Schletter
* Kirov III - Pacific Storm by John Schletter
* While the World Watched by Carolyn Maull McKinstry
* Stalin's Hammer: Rome by John Birmingham
* Captain at the Gate by John Birmingham
* Castro's Bomb by Robert Conroy
Manhattan in Reverse by Peter F Hamilton
* Mammoth Books presents Sleepover by Alastair Reynolds
* A Storm of Swords by George RR Martin
* A Feast for Crows by George RR Martin
* A Dance with Dragons by George RR Martin
Bag of Bones by Stephen King
So.. there we go.. a little peak at what I will be reading this year. I am sure other books will be added (some may even be removed) or pushed to the bottom of the pile (like Bag of Bones.. I have to be in a MOOD for Mr King). But get through them I shall!
PS.. I promise not to cheat & just watch the Game of Thrones series until have at least read the book for that series!
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