devin_c
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Just bought and read Hear the Wind Sing/Pinball. I'm in love with his writing, about to read Norwegian Wood.
Jazzfanz Bookclub
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Just bought and read Hear the Wind Sing/Pinball. I'm in love with his writing, about to read Norwegian Wood.
I can't decide if Jordan is terrible at character development or if he simply has way too many. Some of the characters are somewhat likable (Mordeth, Matrim, Thom Merrilin, and even Nynaeve). Many of the rest are pretty bleh.
To me, the worst thing about the novels is that everything feels safe. There was one surprise death so far, and I'm still waiting for her to come back with an explanation about how she REALLY didn't die. The forsaken are all talk, and are just not very threatening. I am hoping Rand turns to the shadow, but I don't have high hopes of that happening.
Duck Rodgers
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Right on. I think I've read 7 of his books now, and only didn't like 2(1Q84 and After Dark).
Miggs
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Anyone read Anne Rice? I just finished:
I liked it enough that I might pick up her famous series The Vampire Chronicles (Interview with the Vampire; Queen of the Damned).
Looked up to see who posted this. Was expecting Kinkkk.
Oof.
That doesn't bother me nearly as much as a) how boring it is for 800 pages building up to a mediocre climax, and b) how incredibly predictable it is. I don't think this is a spoiler -- I think anyone who read up to the point you did knew where that character went and that it will some day return. I haven't read that far yet but I'm sure it will happen eventually. The other main parts are all so damn obviously predictable (i.e. Tom Marilyn).
Fishon pretty much said this in a simpler manner months ago.
The only interesting portion of the book to me is trying to guess where all the factions will line up, and hoping Jordan throws some serious monkey wrenches in causing utter chaos, tyranny, subversion, in every kingdom. But then again, he's definitely being Jordan predictable in building that exact scenario so I'm sure it will disappoint.
fishonjazz
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I've said it before and I will say it again
I hate those books.
I hate that the main characters are so predictable. But most of all I hate how when the story is told from the female characters pov they are always saying men are all ____. And same goes for when it's told from the male pov. Women are always ____.
They just constantly speak about the opposite sex in stereotypes.
Also, the good guys are good guys and the bad guys are bad guys. There is no ambiguity with the characters. (Not sure that I used ambiguity right btw)
I agree about the world building and mythology being well done though
fishonjazz
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leftyjace
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Wheel of Time....
There are some wrinkles in the last book that make things not quite so black and white.
The last book is worth it. It makes the whole thing worth it.
And if you don't think Jordan/Sanderson will consider harming or killing main characters - just wait.
There are some wrinkles in the last book that make things not quite so black and white.
The last book is worth it. It makes the whole thing worth it.
And if you don't think Jordan/Sanderson will consider harming or killing main characters - just wait.
fishonjazz
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Hmmm maybe I should have stuck with it.
I read 6 or 7 of them
A lot of stories that play it safe kill off a couple of major characters at the end for heightened drama. We are talking about a 14 book series, with 13 books that hide little surprise (I assume, not quite there yet). Well, there are surprises. But those are only surprising due to their absurdity. For example, the rebel Aes Sedai's choice for Amyrlin Seat. I didn't see that coming, but only for its laughable stupidity.
But like I said, I'm so deep into it, I might as well finish it. So I'll wait before issuing a final verdict.
gregbroncs
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I liked the series well enough. But out of all the books by Sanderson I have read these were by far the worst. Most of his other writing is more entertaining to me. It's funny because without him finishing this series I may have never known who he was.
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Interesting bit My brother in law worked with Sanderson's sister and got me 3 signed books and one of them is a limited edition leather bound book. That was pretty cool.
So my girlfriend gave me The Alchemist in spanish for Christmas. I am just getting around to reading it. It would be the first book I've read in spanish. Anyway has anyone else read the book and if so what are your thoughts.
I've also been thinking about starting a Longform thread because of a PM I had with one of the users on the board. Anyway, do any of you folks like reading longform material? There is soooo much good stuff out there.
I've also been thinking about starting a Longform thread because of a PM I had with one of the users on the board. Anyway, do any of you folks like reading longform material? There is soooo much good stuff out there.
I read it something like 10 years ago, and I thought it was a bunch of sappy ********. But lots of people love it, so what do I know.
Yeah, that's what she said, that she thought I might think it's cheesy. That being said, I think you can draw from anything regardless of cheese level, so, I guess, we'll see.
What a delightful thread - whoever started it is a genius.
I've just spent the last hour reading through it and adding "to reads" to my Goodreads list. This thread is a little Stephen King heavy.
I read the first 7 books of the Wheel of Time series a couple of decades ago (that's all there was) and I've never finished the series. Since I remember only some of it, I need to start over. The conversations here have inspired me to do that.
I read it, but it wasn't really my cup of tea. Way over-rated, in my opinion. Still, it is good to read since it is in the Top 10 best-selling books of all time and is bound to come up in conversation.
The last few books I've read are:
"Living the Secular Life" by Phil Zuckerman. Very useful information as I've become a non-religious person.
"A Death in the Family" by James Agee. I read this one because it is on my too-long list of classics and I had an OCD moment making me pick one from near the top of the list. Too depressing. I felt like I had had a death in my family by the end.
"The Sea of Monsters" by Rick Riordan. Second book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. Kids book that I really enjoyed. Will continue the series.
I'm currently reading "Honolulu" by Alan Brennert and "His Excellency: George Washington" by Joseph Ellis. I have a list of 10 categories that I rotate through when picking books, and these fit my historical novel and biography groups.
I've just spent the last hour reading through it and adding "to reads" to my Goodreads list. This thread is a little Stephen King heavy.
I read the first 7 books of the Wheel of Time series a couple of decades ago (that's all there was) and I've never finished the series. Since I remember only some of it, I need to start over. The conversations here have inspired me to do that.
I read it, but it wasn't really my cup of tea. Way over-rated, in my opinion. Still, it is good to read since it is in the Top 10 best-selling books of all time and is bound to come up in conversation.
The last few books I've read are:
"Living the Secular Life" by Phil Zuckerman. Very useful information as I've become a non-religious person.
"A Death in the Family" by James Agee. I read this one because it is on my too-long list of classics and I had an OCD moment making me pick one from near the top of the list. Too depressing. I felt like I had had a death in my family by the end.
"The Sea of Monsters" by Rick Riordan. Second book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. Kids book that I really enjoyed. Will continue the series.
I'm currently reading "Honolulu" by Alan Brennert and "His Excellency: George Washington" by Joseph Ellis. I have a list of 10 categories that I rotate through when picking books, and these fit my historical novel and biography groups.
Currently reading Broken Angels by Richard Morgan. I loved the first book, Altered Carbon, but this one just isn't grabbing me.
Read Altered Carbon and enjoyed it. Decided not to read on as I don't have the stomach for all that violence.
Duck Rodgers
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