Michelle Posted January 8, 2014 Author Share Posted January 8, 2014 Moving onwards, I now have The Shock of the Fall by Nathan Filer to read. It has just won 'best first novel' in the Costa awards, which would normally make me avoid it, but something about it caught my attention. I checked amazon vine (the review program) and a copy was available, so that has arrived today. I've also got a Stop Smoking book - not that I smoke myself, but I do Smoking Cessation as part of my job, and this is apparently a very good book which backs up what we tell patients, so you never know, I might learn something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 Sorry I'm jumping back a little bit but - Tithe is a terrible book! I forced my way through it once and couldn't believe how bad it was. However, the second book in that series, which is set in the same world but follows a whole other character and story, was far more enjoyable (Valiant). It's still not Class A writing, so you might not like it, but I enjoyed the characters and stories significantly more than in Tithe. I read it occasionally as a standalone book now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted January 11, 2014 Author Share Posted January 11, 2014 Thanks for the tip Noll, have you read anything else of hers? I've liked everything else I've read. I've already finished The Shock of the Fall, and I thought it was really good. It's written by someone experiencing schizophrenia, and his background etc is slowly unravelled. Not everyone is going to like the style, but I found myself pulled straight in, and I think it'll stick with me for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 I actually haven't really read much else by her because I was so unimpressed by the Modern Faerie Tales series - however I just looked up some 'Best Of YA in 2013' lists, and on the one I chose to go with there is a Holly Black title called The Coldest Girl In Coldtown - so I'm going to give that a try! Apparently she's also working on a forthcoming series with Cassandra Clare (The Magisterium Series), so that'll be interesting! I like the sound of The Shock Of The Fall too, I might add that to my shiny new TBR pile! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted January 11, 2014 Author Share Posted January 11, 2014 Yep, I enjoyed Coldest Girl, probably her best so far that I've read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted January 12, 2014 Author Share Posted January 12, 2014 As we had no internet, and I'd had a rough week, I decided to treat myself to some more reading, and I've finished The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. I'm a bit mixed about how I feel, it wasn't as creepy as I expected, although it did build up well at the beginning, but I disliked all the characters, and got a bit confused at some points. I also thought something completely different was going on at the end, so was a bit disappointed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weave Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 (edited) 'The stuff of nightmares' sounds great, looking forward to your review. I am so looking forward to 'Hollow City by Ransom Riggs ~ happy reading Michelle Edited January 13, 2014 by Weave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted January 15, 2014 Author Share Posted January 15, 2014 After a bit of chopping and changing with my audio books, I settled on Earth Abides by George R Stewart. It sounds interesting, has good reviews, plus a nice calm narrator, which is useful when I listen at night to wind down. Book-wise, I'm about half way through Unrest by Michelle Harrison, which I'm quite impressed with - I hope that continues. I also received Starship Troopers from Amazon today, and couldn't resist a quick read in the bath. I think it should be good, but my edition has really small writing, so I won't be able to read too much at once! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julie Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Michelle Just to jump in here and say I agree with you about the Haunting on Hill House book. I never understood what all the hype was about . I ,too, found it kinda pointless and really not very impressive , but that's just my opinion . Hope you find some other books you like more ! I saw that the Hollow City book was out. waiting to hear how some of you guys like it before buying it . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobblybear Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 After a bit of chopping and changing with my audio books, I settled on Earth Abides by George R Stewart. It sounds interesting, has good reviews, plus a nice calm narrator, which is useful when I listen at night to wind down. I have this on my wishlist, and I'm hoping it will come out for Kindle soon. I also received Starship Troopers from Amazon today, and couldn't resist a quick read in the bath. I think it should be good, but my edition has really small writing, so I won't be able to read too much at once! I read Starship Troopers last year, and found it different to what I expected. If I recall correctly, it got a bit philosophical toward the end (or maybe it was political, I can't remember! ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted January 16, 2014 Author Share Posted January 16, 2014 Julie, it's always a bit strange when you don't get on with a book with is well liked, so it's nice to know I'm not the only one. I also didn't see what the fuss as about with Rebecca as well. bobblybear, do you prefer your kindle then? I thought pretty much everything was available, so I was wrong there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julie Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Yep, Michelle We all tend to like different things, and some books just don't float my boat . I'm usually pretty vocal about it even if it's a popular book with everyone else . I tend not to follow the crowd with my reading , and also I think I have odd reading tastes for a lady. There are lots of books that ladies would like that I don't . I think a lot of books I enjoy would be more popular with men . I DID like Rebecca ,but I'm sure there's lots of people who wouldn't enjoy it at all . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobblybear Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 bobblybear, do you prefer your kindle then? I thought pretty much everything was available, so I was wrong there! I most definitely prefer my Kindle. It just makes reading so much easier and convenient. I will still read tree books, mainly because I have so many on my shelf that are unread, but I prefer to read ebooks now. On Amazon, you can request a book to be published on Kindle, but I don't know how effective it is. I suppose if they have hundreds or thousands of requests they will do a Kindle version. It seems like all new releases have a Kindle version, but many older books don't. Guess I just have to be patient, but if I really want to read something then I'll read it - ebook or treebook. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted January 19, 2014 Author Share Posted January 19, 2014 Unrest by Michelle Harrison was pretty good, about a 17 year old who experiences sleep paralysis and out-of-body experiences whilst asleep. Aspects of it seem typical YA, but at the same time, there were some quite creepy and chilling moments. I'm also about half way through Starship Troopers, which is proving to be a good read so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 (edited) Oooh Michelle, Unrest sounds awesome! I read the Amazon synopsis, and I'm not sure about the character triangle thing with Sebastian and Ophelia, but at least I'm aware of that going into it - as a sufferer of occasional sleep paralysis, the idea of reading a book featuring shadowy figures lurking around during said paralysis is terrifying to me, so I absolutely have to give this a go! Edited January 19, 2014 by Nollaig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted January 19, 2014 Author Share Posted January 19, 2014 I remember you talking about before Noll, and the author says she came up with the idea after talking to a friend who also experiences them. It's not much of a triangle at all, and that aspect is right towards the end, and there's plenty of creepiness in it for YA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 Oh okay, I've gone back and spoiler tagged that bit in my previous post so - it probably shouldn't be in the Amazon synopsis if its near the end! Silly Amazon. Anyway I'll let you know what I think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted January 19, 2014 Author Share Posted January 19, 2014 I think the synopsis was written to appeal to the YA audience, and it almost put me off. In fact, I've had the book for a while, but I'm glad I gave it a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted January 21, 2014 Author Share Posted January 21, 2014 I'm surprised how much I liked Starship Troopers. I got a bit lost when he was talking about the different ranks, and chains of command, and there were a few political/philosophical ideas, but at the basic level it was a story about attacking bugs! I'm carrying on with the SF theme, and am trying Earth Unaware by Orson Scott Card. It was part of a 6 got £10 deal in The Works, so I don't mind too much if I don't get into it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 I'm surprised how much I liked Starship Troopers. I got a bit lost when he was talking about the different ranks, and chains of command, and there were a few political/philosophical ideas, but at the basic level it was a story about attacking bugs! Ooh, good to know, I must get this myself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted January 31, 2014 Author Share Posted January 31, 2014 I don't really like admitting this, because I don't like supporting the author, but I really loved Earth Unaware by Orson Scott Card, and I'm now starting the 2nd one, Earth Afire. They're set before Ender's Game, are an easy read, and have some good characters in. I'm also rather impressed with the fact that I read 7 books in January! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 That's a lot of books ! I'm glad you hear you're enjoying the books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted February 8, 2014 Author Share Posted February 8, 2014 Last year I managed to cut down on the books I accepted for reviewing, but this year I'm trying to not do any (unless something amazing comes my way of course!) - it means I'm able to pick up exactly what I want to, which is something I need. I've just started Replay - seeing it mentioned so often on here, how could I not?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 Last year I managed to cut down on the books I accepted for reviewing, but this year I'm trying to not do any (unless something amazing comes my way of course!) - it means I'm able to pick up exactly what I want to, which is something I need. I've just started Replay - seeing it mentioned so often on here, how could I not?! LOL, of course! I hope you enjoy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted February 9, 2014 Share Posted February 9, 2014 I hope you like Replay ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.