Karsa Orlong

OT, but . . . R.I.P. Neil Armstrong

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raql_Hh_NmU&feature=related

Well, if we're talking TBR lists . . . 519. And I bet that doesn't even include the books from the library. That's all I'm sayin' No, it's not a re-read, it's the new one

Tee hee . . . dear Lord . . . Don't worry, I won't give another 10 this . . . week

Well you seem normal in my parallel weirdo universe, too, so don't knock it Nineteen???! I know! I had to think about that but then I couldn't really give it less. That's two in a week. Bah humbug! Want me to second your nomination?

Book #57: The Island of Doctor Moreau by H.G. Wells It seems wrong to say 'blurb' about a Wells book. So ... A Taste of Things to Come: When Edward Prendick is rescued after the shipwreck of the Lady Vain, he finds himself aboard a vessel carrying a menagerie of wild animals and their keeper, Montgomery. Nursed back to health by Montgomery, Prendick is put ashore with the man and his beasts on an unknown island, and soon Prendick discovers that the island holds a dark and terrible secret . . . Thoughts: This was Wells' second book, following The Time Machine. It was first published in 1896, and it's not hard - from this distance - to see what an effect it might've had. In some ways, I suppose, it's just as relevant today as it was then. I'm guessing everyone knows the story, so I won't go into detail, but it seems to me that he wasn't just talking about the dangers of scientific experimentation, but also about the thin line between man and animals, and about race and religion, too (for a start, Moreau is effectively playing God . . . ). He does all this in a story that clocks in at 180-odd pages (in the version I have), where hardly a word is wasted and the tale is stripped to its bare bones. Once the island's secrets are revealed, the book still has shocks in store, and a wonderfully underplayed and thought-provoking ending: There's nothing at all extraneous in his telling of this tale, it moves swiftly from shipwreck to rescue to island and onwards without pausing for breath. It almost begs you to read it in one go. It's quite chilling, tense, and brilliantly, almost breathlessly, written (although you obviously have to take on board the time at which it was written and, therefore, some of the language used). Plus, it's pretty miraculous and a little humbling to think that this was his second book, and was swiftly followed by The Invisible Man (1897) and The War of the Worlds (1898). Talk about inspired. I think I said similar about The Time Machine but I'll say it again - they don't write 'em like this anymore. 10/10

Oi! I like SE and GGK the way they are, thanks. And I do read normal books - it's the rest of you that are weird Pfft, I bet you've emptied the shelves by now

Oh I'm pretty slow compared to some of the members hereabouts Welcome, btw

That'll work

Book #56: Deep Sky by Patrick Lee Blurb: The anomaly called the Breach is the government's most carefully guarded secret. But there is another secret even less known... and far more terrifying. In the aftermath of a brutal attack on the White House, a cryptic message is discovered, left behind by the perpetrator: "See Scalar." Now Travis Chase of the covert agency Tangent—caretakers of the Breach and all its grim wonders—along with Paige Campbell and Bethany Stewart, has only twenty-four hours to unearth a decades-old mystery once spoken of in terrified whispers by the long since silenced. But their breakneck race cross-country—and back through time and malleable memory—is calling the total destructive might of a shadow government down upon them. For Travis Chase has a dark destiny he cannot be allowed to fulfill. Thoughts: As this is the final volume in Lee's 'Breach' trilogy, I can't say too much about this book without the likelihood of spoiling the previous two. Suffice to say that, after an attack on the White House, Chase and Tangent suddenly find themselves in grave danger because the perpetrators believe they have information crucial to the future - and which might contain the answers to the mystery of the Breach. The first two books set up a phenomenal pace and Deep Sky follows it through brilliantly. It is well-plotted, exciting, has a small but well-developed cast of characters, and is extremely easy to read fast. Yet there are times where it stops you dead in your tracks, twists that call into question everything you've just read in fairly jaw-dropping style. Lee ratchets up the tension brilliantly as the characters race against time, and calls on riddles from the first two books that pay-off beautifully. It works as a thriller, the science fiction element works really well, and it has a surprisingly thought-provoking and downbeat ending which answers nearly (nearly!) all my questions and yet leaves me wanting to know more. In fact, if it had answered one final question for me I might've given it another mark, but there's always the possibility that Lee held this back for another story, somewhere down the line. As sf trilogies go, this is possibly the most consistent, from start to finish, that I have yet read, and Deep Sky is a thrilling way to bring down the curtain. Recommended. 8/10

Noooo, if they were the same person that would be one less author for me to read And how many books have you got from the library again? That's the first time anyone's said that to me

I was a fan - I'm becoming less so. It's pretty much the same as what you had to say about J K Rowling. I find it increasingly irritating that he is garnering so much attention off the back of the tv series, whilst other far better, more inventive and exciting writers in the genre continue to be overlooked. He's competent without being anything special, and it's coming up on 20 years since he started the first book and there's still no end in sight. When he puts his mind to it, as in the third book, his writing and pacing can be very good, but the two books since then have been bloated, boring and directionless. This is, of course, just my tuppence worth

At least you made it to the end of the first book - almost. If you don't like it in this gear, though, you probably shouldn't go any further (IMO!) My opinion of George RR Martin continues to drop like a stone

I would love to have bookshelves like that Particularly impressed by the strategic positioning of AC/DC's 'The Razor's Edge'

*cough* Steven Erikson *cough* Actually, Lady Envy is a brilliant character when she turns up in the main Malazan series Don't worry! Well, I can. My TBR is sneaking back up towards 80 again. Need to get it down to 70 soon. Plus I'm having a slow month. The combination of the Olympics and Forge of Darkness slowed me right down. I'm on only my fourth book of the month Oi A ten should indicate perfection, shouldn't it? Can't go giving them out willy-nilly, can I?

Yeah, there's something very tactile about them. They feel almost like parchment, something old with a lot of history contained within. I liked that the cover of The Heroes (and Best Served Cold, by the looks of it) serve as maps, even though there are maps inside The Heroes. I really don't like the smaller versions of First Law that they released at a later date. Anyway, I ordered the boxed set of the First Law books. It'll just sit on the shelf, for a while at least. When I think about the time I took finding my original editions of those books in the best condition I could, and then ended up taking them to the charity shop to clear some shelf space . . . I read mixed views on it, too, which is why I hadn't bought it until now. I'll go into it thinking it can't possibly be as good as The Heroes. Maybe it'll surprise me Talking of surprises, I had a nice one waiting for me when I got home last night: my signed, slipcased hardback edition of Steven Erikson's new novella, The Wurms of Blearmouth, has arrived. I have copy 219 out of 300

That's a lot of driving Have a great time, Kylie

Ah, I've found out why I couldn't check out now . . .

Thanks Kay Glad you both enjoyed Mockingbird. I'd offer to send you The Heroes, too, but it's a definite keeper (for me, at least)! I can see myself reading it again and again The book that came after the First Law trilogy is Best Served Cold. I know this because I might have bought it at lunchtime

I loved that book Probably helps if you like westerns in the first place (which I do) Current 180 pages into Deep Sky, the final book in Patrick Lee's 'Breach' trilogy. It's gloriously silly and very exciting

Still not letting me checkout Shall order from Amazon instead . . .