What are you currently reading?

[RonClinton]

Travel By Bullet fell flat for me. In part I think I was just done with the premise, really liked book one, thought book two was ok but I did not need more. I will say I am really excited about Starter Villian!

I agree — very much a trilogy (thus far) of diminishing returns.

[Martin]

I skipped the two last Suntup Hannibal volumes for precisely those reviews and the consistent issues that they cited...after reading those and -- if true in their context -- agreeing with their take, I've skipped the two latter books ever since, and the Suntup offerings, while enticing (especially since I had the first two), didn't change my mind. I have some regrets, more so now after reading your trusted take, but too late now.

Currently reading Scalzi's new and third DISPATCHER novella, TRAVEL BY BULLET. It's okay, though much more mystery-procedural than the first two (and not the better for it). TRAVEL BY BULLET reminds me a bit of the LOCK IN and HEAD ON duo, which I didn't care for...he takes an interesting plot device / concept and wraps it in a prosaic whodunnit guise. It's still generally entertaining and I'll finish it, but I could've passed on it and been perfectly satisfied with just reading the earlier two DISPATCHER novellas.

Travel By Bullet fell flat for me. In part I think I was just done with the premise, really liked book one, thought book two was ok but I did not need more. I will say I am really excited about Starter Villian!

[Martin]

Just finished reading the Suntup AGE of Thomas Harris' "Hannibal", a first time read for me. I'm glad that I finally got around to reading this one. It was much better than I was expecting. Had seen a lot a reviews trashing the book, especially the ending, but I had no problem with it. I personally think that those people were just hoping for the more traditional ending with the big showdown. I like that you can debate Clarice's fate either way, is she truly happy or just heavily conditioned. Overall, I would give this a solid B+. It doesn't reach the levels of the two previous Lecter books, few do; however, it's still a very good read.

Am reading the Suntup AGE of Thomas Harris' "Hannibal Rising" next, another first time read. I have heard nothing but horrendous things about this book; so, my expectations are extremely low; however, the completist in me wants to see Lecter's tale through until the end and to judge the book for myself. Luckily, it looks to be about half the size of Hannibal.

I thoroughly enjoyed Hannibal. Hannibal Rising was just ok for me.

[RonClinton]

Just finished reading the Suntup AGE of Thomas Harris' "Hannibal", a first time read for me. I'm glad that I finally got around to reading this one. It was much better than I was expecting. Had seen a lot a reviews trashing the book, especially the ending, but I had no problem with it. I personally think that those people were just hoping for the more traditional ending with the big showdown. I like that you can debate Clarice's fate either way, is she truly happy or just heavily conditioned. Overall, I would give this a solid B+. It doesn't reach the levels of the two previous Lecter books, few do; however, it's still a very good read.

Am reading the Suntup AGE of Thomas Harris' "Hannibal Rising" next, another first time read. I have heard nothing but horrendous things about this book; so, my expectations are extremely low; however, the completist in me wants to see Lecter's tale through until the end and to judge the book for myself. Luckily, it looks to be about half the size of Hannibal.

I skipped the two last Suntup Hannibal volumes for precisely those reviews and the consistent issues that they cited...after reading those and -- if true in their context -- agreeing with their take, I've skipped the two latter books ever since, and the Suntup offerings, while enticing (especially since I had the first two), didn't change my mind. I have some regrets, more so now after reading your trusted take, but too late now.

Currently reading Scalzi's new and third DISPATCHER novella, TRAVEL BY BULLET. It's okay, though much more mystery-procedural than the first two (and not the better for it). TRAVEL BY BULLET reminds me a bit of the LOCK IN and HEAD ON duo, which I didn't care for...he takes an interesting plot device / concept and wraps it in a prosaic whodunnit guise. It's still generally entertaining and I'll finish it, but I could've passed on it and been perfectly satisfied with just reading the earlier two DISPATCHER novellas.

[sholloman81]

Just finished reading the Suntup AGE of Thomas Harris' "Hannibal", a first time read for me. I'm glad that I finally got around to reading this one. It was much better than I was expecting. Had seen a lot a reviews trashing the book, especially the ending, but I had no problem with it. I personally think that those people were just hoping for the more traditional ending with the big showdown. I like that you can debate Clarice's fate either way, is she truly happy or just heavily conditioned. Overall, I would give this a solid B+. It doesn't reach the levels of the two previous Lecter books, few do; however, it's still a very good read.

Am reading the Suntup AGE of Thomas Harris' "Hannibal Rising" next, another first time read. I have heard nothing but horrendous things about this book; so, my expectations are extremely low; however, the completist in me wants to see Lecter's tale through until the end and to judge the book for myself. Luckily, it looks to be about half the size of Hannibal.

[RonClinton]

Those Across the River was definitely a slow burn of a book, but still one that I quite enjoyed.

While slow moving, it definitely built a sense of unease and had a genuine creepy feel to it.

Kind of surprised that TATR doesn’t get mentioned more in discussions of werewolf novels.

My biggest complaint with the story was with the ending.

Buehlman puts three times the action in the last 80 pages compared to the first 250 pages.

It just made the ending feel rushed, almost to the extent that I was reading a different story (or one written by a different author).

The ending turned what would have been a great read for me into a just a good read.

B

I would agree with that. I ended up enjoying it a bit more than I predicted I would at the halfway mark, though just marginally for the reasons you mention. It was an interesting story that needed a general restructure of its narrative pacing to make it more consistent rather than the structured segmentation it had.

[brlesh]

I thought they both had the same kind of feel though. I know you're not a big fantasy fan Ron, But I thought Buehlman's Black Tongued Thief as great. He is writing a sequel/pre-sequel.

My favorite Buehlman to this point is Between Two Fires, which had the feel of McCammon’s Swan Song set in the dark ages.

B

[brlesh]

Finally getting around to reading Christopher Buehlman's THOSE ACROSS THE RIVER via a used tpb I found a while back, see if that rather enticing S/L HC from Midworld Press is something I need or not.

Short answer: No.

Longer answer: It's a good read -- though takes a slow-burn, character-building approach so that things only start happening around halfway through, which kind of tried my patience -- but is not one that I need a $100 limited of. Reminds me somewhat of his other one I read, THE SUICIDE MOTOR CLUB. That one actually started off great, with a vivid, exciting scene...and then, like this one, slowed down and built character to the point where it felt the story took a bit of a backseat to the construct of those populating it -- though THOSE ACROSS THE RIVER takes it to an even greater degree. Buehlman is clearly a talented writer with much to offer, but his style appears to generally not be to my current taste, based on my two reads. I enjoy a slow-burn as much as the next reader who came of novel-reading age in the '80s, but a balance between character and plot, of narrative forward-motion, is key for me these days, and THOSE ACROSS THE RIVER definitely tilted the scales.

Those Across the River was definitely a slow burn of a book, but still one that I quite enjoyed.

While slow moving, it definitely built a sense of unease and had a genuine creepy feel to it.

Kind of surprised that TATR doesn’t get mentioned more in discussions of werewolf novels.

My biggest complaint with the story was with the ending.

Buehlman puts three times the action in the last 80 pages compared to the first 250 pages.

It just made the ending feel rushed, almost to the extent that I was reading a different story (or one written by a different author).

The ending turned what would have been a great read for me into a just a good read.

B

[TacomaDiver]

About halfway through my first re-read of Hugh Howey's Shift. Shift is the first sequel to Wool.

I read this (and the third book, Dust) years ago, and I have such a vague recollection of what happened.

Decided on this re-read because we've been watching AppleTV's adaptation of Wool (they call it Silo) and we've been enjoying it immensely. I think I posted some of my observations on another thread so I won't repeat myself.

Right before Shift, I read the first collection of Bendis's Daredevil and damn that was good stuff.

[mhatchett]

I thought they both had the same kind of feel though. I know you're not a big fantasy fan Ron, But I thought Buehlman's Black Tongued Thief as great. He is writing a sequel/pre-sequel.

[RonClinton]

Suicide Motor Club and Rovers, I enjoyed both of them!

ROVERS was actually by Richard Lange, not Buehlman, and I agree, that one I enjoyed. Not overly original (ala Steinbeck's OF MICE AND MEN, King's BLAZE, etc.), but very well done.

[mhatchett]

Suicide Motor Club and Rovers, I enjoyed both of them!

[RonClinton]

Finally getting around to reading Christopher Buehlman's THOSE ACROSS THE RIVER via a used tpb I found a while back, see if that rather enticing S/L HC from Midworld Press is something I need or not.

Short answer: No.

Longer answer: It's a good read -- though takes a slow-burn, character-building approach so that things only start happening around halfway through, which kind of tried my patience -- but is not one that I need a $100 limited of. Reminds me somewhat of his other one I read, THE SUICIDE MOTOR CLUB. That one actually started off great, with a vivid, exciting scene...and then, like this one, slowed down and built character to the point where it felt the story took a bit of a backseat to the construct of those populating it -- though THOSE ACROSS THE RIVER takes it to an even greater degree. Buehlman is clearly a talented writer with much to offer, but his style appears to generally not be to my current taste, based on my two reads. I enjoy a slow-burn as much as the next reader who came of novel-reading age in the '80s, but a balance between character and plot, of narrative forward-motion, is key for me these days, and THOSE ACROSS THE RIVER definitely tilted the scales.

[sholloman81]

Just finished reading the Suntup AGE of William Peter Blatty's "Legion", a first time read for me (also never seen the movie). While it shows its' age in places, I really enjoyed this one. Loved the philosophy of the book and the Kinderman character in general. Had never heard of the Angel theory the book posits. The book also had some really gruesome scenes. Also loved the way that the author tied the book to the Exorcist without going overboard. I'm very glad that I finally got around to giving this "Exorcist" sequel a read. It definitely stands on its own. Overall, I would give it a solid B- grade.

Am now reading the Suntup AGE of Thomas Harris' "Hannibal", another first time read for me. Have read the preceding Lecter books, just not this one or its sequel, which I also have on deck!

[brlesh]

Took a break from On the Hierophant Road by James Chambers (half way through & so-so at this point).

Started Schindler’s List by Thomas Keneally. Half way through at this point.

It’s an incredible historical account (both positive & negative).

As a reading experience, it’s rather bland.

One step above reading a text book, though the story has picked up about 1/3 of the way through.

B