What are you currently reading?

[brlesh]

Screams from the Dark, a very large (nearly 500 pages) anthology of monster stories edited by Ellen Datlow.

Only 4 stories in at this point, so the jury is still out on this one, though I really did like the opening piece by Ian Rogers.

B

[sholloman81]

Just finished Jonathan Janz's "Blood Country", a sequel to "The Raven". Really enjoyed the heck out of this one like I do most of Janz's books. The characterization was top-notch. The worldbuilding in this series is also really fun. Lots of cool and in some cases very unexpected monsters for the group to run across and in some cases battle. Author also isn't afraid to kill his darlings in this one. Looking forward to the next book in this series!

Think I will be reading Leigh Bardugo's "Hell Bent" next. Really enjoyed her "Ninth House" book a few years ago and this one is a sequel to that.

[Sock Monkey]

Just finished Jeff Vandermeer's "Hummingbird Salamander". Hurts me to write this because I'm such a huge Vandermeer fan, but IMO this was one of the worst books that I have read in ages. The first half of the book is very bewildering and off-putting. The second half is slightly better, if only because you can finally grasp the edges of an actual story. Love Vandermeer's dedication to nature and conservation, but this one was a slog and felt like one long screed to nature and his philosophy of conservation. Sure wish I hadn't picked-up the signed LE. Hopefully his next book is a return to form because I do generally love his writing!

Think I will be starting Jonathan Janz's "Blood Country" next!

I was worried about this with HUMMINGBIRD. The bad reviews have killed my desire to read the book. Now to decide between letting the limited sit on the shelf and maybe come around to reading it at some point in the distant future or just dump it in the secondary market and move on.

To be honest, I kinda feel like the limited edition was overpriced for what was delivered. This should’ve been a $60-70 book in my opinion, not $125.

[brlesh]

About half way through The Bone Weaver’s Orchard by Sarah Read.

Not being invested in either the story line or the characters is making this short novel a slow read to this point.

B

DNF’d The Bone Weaver’s Orchard at the half way point. Very disappointing, especially after all the glowing reviews I read about it.

Started A Sliver of Darkness, the first short story collection from CJ Tudor.

I’m a big fan of Tudor’s work, and 125 pages in and enjoying it a lot.

B

[sholloman81]

Just finished Jeff Vandermeer's "Hummingbird Salamander". Hurts me to write this because I'm such a huge Vandermeer fan, but IMO this was one of the worst books that I have read in ages. The first half of the book is very bewildering and off-putting. The second half is slightly better, if only because you can finally grasp the edges of an actual story. Love Vandermeer's dedication to nature and conservation, but this one was a slog and felt like one long screed to nature and his philosophy of conservation. Sure wish I hadn't picked-up the signed LE. Hopefully his next book is a return to form because I do generally love his writing!

Think I will be starting Jonathan Janz's "Blood Country" next!