Author Topic: The Currently Reading Thread v. A Clash of Kings  (Read 286475 times)

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Offline FracturedMirror

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Re: The Currently Reading Thread v. A Clash of Kings
« Reply #1960 on: May 30, 2018, 06:55:53 PM »
I'm right in the middle of King's new one, The Outsider.

Offline masterthes

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Re: The Currently Reading Thread v. A Clash of Kings
« Reply #1961 on: May 31, 2018, 05:42:20 AM »
The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs by Steve Brusatte

Offline Cool Chris

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Re: The Currently Reading Thread v. A Clash of Kings
« Reply #1962 on: May 31, 2018, 02:17:15 PM »
I didn't like DT6 on the first read, but really enjoyed it on the reread. If you didn't like the rose plot in DT5 it'll be a grind...

I kept wanting that plot to go somewhere interesting but it never did.

Trying a Faye Kellerman novel now. Have not read anything of hers but I am a huge Jonathan Kellerman guy, so figure I should be gender equal.
« Last Edit: May 31, 2018, 08:27:54 PM by Cool Chris »
"Nostalgia is just the ability to forget the things that sucked" - Nelson DeMille, 'Up Country'

Offline masterthes

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Re: The Currently Reading Thread v. A Clash of Kings
« Reply #1963 on: June 01, 2018, 08:32:33 PM »
Getting back to the theater with The Secret Life of the American Musical by Jack Viertel

Online Phoenix87x

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Re: The Currently Reading Thread v. A Clash of Kings
« Reply #1964 on: June 02, 2018, 06:17:59 AM »
The Rational Male by Rollo Tomassi



Its great

Offline SchecterShredder

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Re: The Currently Reading Thread v. A Clash of Kings
« Reply #1965 on: June 02, 2018, 01:09:33 PM »
Skin Game by Jim Butcher

Offline masterthes

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Re: The Currently Reading Thread v. A Clash of Kings
« Reply #1966 on: June 02, 2018, 10:20:27 PM »
Satan: His Psychotherapy and Cure by the Unfortunate Dr. Kassler, J.S.P.S. by Jeremy Leven

Offline masterthes

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Re: The Currently Reading Thread v. A Clash of Kings
« Reply #1967 on: June 04, 2018, 03:58:25 PM »
Well, that was a DNF. Almost made it halfway though

There I Go Again by William Daniels. I watched the film version of 1776 for the first time this past weekend, and I just had to read this

Offline Cool Chris

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Re: The Currently Reading Thread v. A Clash of Kings
« Reply #1968 on: June 04, 2018, 05:39:56 PM »
Well, that was a DNF. Almost made it halfway though

The book, or the title?
"Nostalgia is just the ability to forget the things that sucked" - Nelson DeMille, 'Up Country'

Offline v_clortho

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Re: The Currently Reading Thread v. A Clash of Kings
« Reply #1969 on: June 04, 2018, 08:21:50 PM »
Grey sister by Mark Lawrence.
Also still reading oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson

Online Podaar

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Re: The Currently Reading Thread v. A Clash of Kings
« Reply #1970 on: June 05, 2018, 06:26:54 AM »
Grey sister by Mark Lawrence.

My favorite book, so far, this year. I've read it twice.
"Religion poisons everything” — Christopher Hitchens

Offline Evermind

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Re: The Currently Reading Thread v. A Clash of Kings
« Reply #1971 on: June 05, 2018, 08:41:05 AM »
Grey sister by Mark Lawrence.

My favorite book, so far, this year. I've read it twice.

Can't find a copy of either this one or the first book anywhere in the local stores. I probably should order these from abroad.

Done with Song of Susannah, this book was a lot of meh. The ending actually fell so flat for me. I kept waiting for at least one plot line to be resolved (or at least for, you know, a big action scene in the end) and it just ended where it ended. Slightly better than the first book but nowhere close to books 2-5.

Starting The Dark Tower now, let's see how King wrapped the series up.
This first band is Soen very cool swingy jazz fusion kinda stuff.

Offline ChuckSteak

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Re: The Currently Reading Thread v. A Clash of Kings
« Reply #1972 on: June 05, 2018, 12:27:49 PM »
Just finished reading today The Conspiracy Against The Human Race by Thomas Ligotti and The Music Of Erich Zann by H.P. Lovecraft.

Both awesome.  :metal

Offline masterthes

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Re: The Currently Reading Thread v. A Clash of Kings
« Reply #1973 on: June 06, 2018, 10:44:13 AM »
Well, that was a DNF. Almost made it halfway though

The book, or the title?
The book

Now reading The Ultimate History of Video Games by Steven L. Kent

Offline ChuckSteak

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Re: The Currently Reading Thread v. A Clash of Kings
« Reply #1974 on: June 06, 2018, 11:23:11 AM »
Finished H.P. Lovecraft's The Temple and started The Collected Poems of Emily Dickinson.

Offline masterthes

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Re: The Currently Reading Thread v. A Clash of Kings
« Reply #1975 on: June 10, 2018, 09:52:06 AM »
The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King

Offline ozzy554

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Re: The Currently Reading Thread v. A Clash of Kings
« Reply #1976 on: June 10, 2018, 02:14:21 PM »
Grey sister by Mark Lawrence.

My favorite book, so far, this year. I've read it twice.

Can't find a copy of either this one or the first book anywhere in the local stores. I probably should order these from abroad.

Done with Song of Susannah, this book was a lot of meh. The ending actually fell so flat for me. I kept waiting for at least one plot line to be resolved (or at least for, you know, a big action scene in the end) and it just ended where it ended. Slightly better than the first book but nowhere close to books 2-5.

Starting The Dark Tower now, let's see how King wrapped the series up.

Its a flawed but entertaining ending to the series.  I have my issues with it but overall i enjoyed it.
Do you read Sutter Cane?

Online TAC

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Re: The Currently Reading Thread v. A Clash of Kings
« Reply #1977 on: June 10, 2018, 02:19:41 PM »
Grey sister by Mark Lawrence.

My favorite book, so far, this year. I've read it twice.

What's it about?
would have thought the same thing but seeing the OP was TAC i immediately thought Maiden or DT related
Winger Theater Forums........or WTF.  ;D
TAC got a higher score than me in the electronic round? Honestly, can I just drop out now? :lol

Online Podaar

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Re: The Currently Reading Thread v. A Clash of Kings
« Reply #1978 on: June 11, 2018, 07:41:17 AM »
Grey sister by Mark Lawrence.

My favorite book, so far, this year. I've read it twice.

What's it about?

Get ready to say, "WTF?", Tim.  :lol

The continuing story (see Red Sister) of a young nun as she learns to come to grips with her growing martial and magical powers. Along the way, she is betrayed, imprisoned, tortured, escapes and kicks a tremendous amount of ass (she's a cold blooded killer). She also becomes a pivotal character (pawn?) in a political power-play for control of their dying world.

There are some interesting subtexts running through the story about trust, love and loyalty.
"Religion poisons everything” — Christopher Hitchens

Online TAC

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Re: The Currently Reading Thread v. A Clash of Kings
« Reply #1979 on: June 11, 2018, 01:10:10 PM »
Oh boy..

Ok, I'm good. :lol
would have thought the same thing but seeing the OP was TAC i immediately thought Maiden or DT related
Winger Theater Forums........or WTF.  ;D
TAC got a higher score than me in the electronic round? Honestly, can I just drop out now? :lol

Online Podaar

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Re: The Currently Reading Thread v. A Clash of Kings
« Reply #1980 on: June 11, 2018, 03:56:34 PM »
 :lol

Never, ever, serve up Chocolate, raspberry, almond swirl to those who only like vanilla. Let that be a lesson to all of you.

[edit]

BTW, rumor has it that Mark Lawrence was challenged by his agent (or publisher) to write a book based on this painting.

"Religion poisons everything” — Christopher Hitchens

Offline SchecterShredder

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Re: The Currently Reading Thread v. A Clash of Kings
« Reply #1981 on: June 11, 2018, 08:33:30 PM »
^^^^That's kinda creepy^^^^

Winter Prey by John Sandford. Got tired of waiting for it to show up organically in my local book shoppe, so i caved ordered it online.

Offline SchecterShredder

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Re: The Currently Reading Thread v. A Clash of Kings
« Reply #1982 on: June 11, 2018, 08:40:49 PM »

Winter Prey by John Sandford.

So i decided to read for author's introduction before diving in. Here's a summation: fantasy novels are incoherent shit; this is a really great book that will stand the test of time.

Sounds like a fun guy...

Offline Lonk

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Re: The Currently Reading Thread v. A Clash of Kings
« Reply #1983 on: June 13, 2018, 12:22:25 AM »
I’m currently on a trip to Europe and for my flights and downtime I bought a book called “Guitar Zero” by Gary Marcus. Most of the complaints about this book is people that were expecting a “how to play guitar” book but so far the book is interesting.
Vmadera has evolved into Lonk

Online Podaar

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Re: The Currently Reading Thread v. A Clash of Kings
« Reply #1984 on: June 13, 2018, 06:27:20 AM »

Winter Prey by John Sandford.

So i decided to read for author's introduction before diving in. Here's a summation: fantasy novels are incoherent shit; this is a really great book that will stand the test of time.

Sounds like a fun guy...

As to the bolded: he kinda has a point about the first bit; and he's not wrong about the second.  :)

Of all the Prey books Sandford has written, Winter Prey holds up the best.
"Religion poisons everything” — Christopher Hitchens

Offline masterthes

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Re: The Currently Reading Thread v. A Clash of Kings
« Reply #1985 on: June 13, 2018, 08:47:06 AM »
Going back to the world of musicals (don't judge me lol) with Showstoppers!: The Surprising Backstage Stories of Broadway's Most Remarkable Songs by Gerald Nachman

Offline masterthes

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Re: The Currently Reading Thread v. A Clash of Kings
« Reply #1986 on: June 16, 2018, 11:47:28 AM »
Angels in America by Tony Kushner

Offline masterthes

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Re: The Currently Reading Thread v. A Clash of Kings
« Reply #1987 on: June 16, 2018, 05:16:08 PM »
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. Time for a story. I first read this almost twenty three years ago, but I never shelved it on Goodreads, because I never really read the whole thing. I skipped all the historical stuff not concerned with the Jean Valjean odyssey. It wasn't until a few months after finishing (it took me almost two months to finish, by the way) that I missed the whole point of the book, and I vowed that one day, I would read every last page. Today is finally that day.

Offline WDADU

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Re: The Currently Reading Thread v. A Clash of Kings
« Reply #1988 on: June 19, 2018, 07:04:43 PM »
The Outsider, by Stephen King.
Brave
Murder
Day

Offline Evermind

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Re: The Currently Reading Thread v. A Clash of Kings
« Reply #1989 on: June 21, 2018, 11:29:51 AM »
Finished The Dark Tower series by Stephen King. Spoilers ahead.


No, seriously, there are spoilers ahead.


You've been warned.



I have to admit, I laughed out loud at the ending. The fact that, in my edition, the ending was followed with the first chapter of the first book (as a part of promotional cycle for the re-release of all the editions) didn't help at all. I felt like it was some kind of trolling by the author (especially before the ending was prefaced by a chapter that basically read "hey, you got your happy ending, but if you keep reading, it'll change into a not happy ending, so maybe stop reading now".

I don't know the whole story behind the books, but I've gathered that after his near-death accident King hurried to finish the series, and that didn't help its quality at all. I would say the books 2-4, where King took his time to find the inspiration to write these, they're incredible. Book 5? Still pretty much great with a few flaws, I guess he got a lot of ideas between the fourth book and this one, and some of them are pretty great.

However, after that? Book 6 felt like King on autopilot and pretty much had nothing interesting at all for me. Book 7 had some great ideas (I loved the whole storyarc with Ted Brautigan and Roland's ka-tet opposing Algul Siento and getting Breakers free). And then it had some not-so-great ideas. The whole Mordred character was ridiculous and out of place for me (and he was basically useless except being used as a plot-device to get rid of some characters - I still can't get over how Walter/RF got died in basically his first actual scene after Wizard and Glass). The thing with Patrick Danville felt contrived as hell. I don't know, I guess I don't except the characters that play a huge role in the plot to be introduced in the last book of a septalogy. They mostly fell flat for me. And I can't say the last book was bad, I think it was just rushed and not very polished.

Still, I've enjoyed this ride. I'm pretty sure I will reread at least Wizard and Glass after some time, this book was incredible. My overall rankings would be:

4 >>> 2 > 5 = 3 > 7 >>> 1 > 6

I was pretty tired of New York scenes after 6 though, so on reread I think 2 will go down and 3 will perhaps go up.



Now onto Half a King by Joe Abercrombie. I'm 50 pages in and already enjoying it more than his First Law Trilogy.
This first band is Soen very cool swingy jazz fusion kinda stuff.

Offline Kwyjibo

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Re: The Currently Reading Thread v. A Clash of Kings
« Reply #1990 on: June 21, 2018, 12:22:50 PM »
I really enjoyed book seven of the dark tower series but you're right, that Patrick character came out of the blue. And I'm convinced that all those years King didn't know how to end the series. The ending he then came up with is lazy and uninspired imo.
Must've been Kwyji sending all the wrong songs.   ;D

Offline Evermind

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Re: The Currently Reading Thread v. A Clash of Kings
« Reply #1991 on: June 21, 2018, 12:31:22 PM »
Don't get me wrong, I liked the 7th book, but some of the stuff in it was eye-rolling at best.

I kinda wish he ended it with Roland approaching the Tower, shouting - singing even, as he promised to do at the end of The Drawing of the Three - out the names of his dead friends in a field of wild roses. Not clarifying what happened to Susannah and all. Not going into what happened in the Tower. That would've been a powerful picture, a centiuries-old guy, weathered beyond belief, standing in the field of roses he struggled to reach for his whole life and history, finally at the end of his quest, alone. I mean, that's what happened in the book, but hey, who knows what happens next? Who knows what's inside, in the room with that window with murals of the spheres and the Black Thirteen, The Eye of Todash? Susannah went away to whatever her fate is, Roland reached the end of his quest. You know, sometimes you can just do the good old 'open-to-interpretation' ending. I felt like that would've fit the series.

Upd: edited to make my point clearer.
« Last Edit: June 21, 2018, 12:38:40 PM by Evermind »
This first band is Soen very cool swingy jazz fusion kinda stuff.

Offline masterthes

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Re: The Currently Reading Thread v. A Clash of Kings
« Reply #1992 on: June 25, 2018, 05:53:49 AM »
Taking a break from Les Mis and reading the new Robin Williams biography by Dave Itzkoff

Offline Grappler

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Re: The Currently Reading Thread v. A Clash of Kings
« Reply #1993 on: June 25, 2018, 07:15:50 AM »
Read a few thrillers, now I'm onto A Dance with Dragons, which will catch me up completely with the Game of Thrones books. 

Offline ozzy554

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Re: The Currently Reading Thread v. A Clash of Kings
« Reply #1994 on: June 25, 2018, 10:38:06 AM »
Taking a fantasy break after finishing Royal Assassin by Robin hobb.

I read The Burglar In the Closet by Lawrence block, Criminal vol. 2 Lawless by Ed Brubaker and I just started Carrie by Stephen king.

Do you read Sutter Cane?