What Are You Reading, Part 2

[Briar King Elantrian]

I liked Bobby Dollar 1 a lot. It's no Dresden yet it's fun

[Dunkum Lord Prelan]

Is it all of them? I can think of a few, but I don't know about all, or even most. But if so, it could be an artifact of Western-centric thinking, I think. Not necessarily conscious. The West is largely ignorant of the East, so we kind of start associating the strange with it. 

This was my reaction too.  I can only think of 2 examples of this (LoTR and the Belgariad/Mallorean books mentioned in the OP) offhand, so I'm not sure I'd say it is quite a pattern, but it could be.  if so, I would assume it is probably what you suggest.  just a sort of an unconcious ignorance thing

[Pestis the Spider Misting]

 

Is it all of them? I can think of a few, but I don't know about all, or even most. But if so, it could be an artifact of Western-centric thinking, I think. Not necessarily conscious. The West is largely ignorant of the East, so we kind of start associating the strange with it. 

 

This was my reaction too.  I can only think of 2 examples of this (LoTR and the Belgariad/Mallorean books mentioned in the OP) offhand, so I'm not sure I'd say it is quite a pattern, but it could be.  if so, I would assume it is probably what you suggest.  just a sort of an unconcious ignorance thing

I do agree it's a subconcious thinking that probably is the result of some kind og ignorance. But I wanted to add that this subconcious thinking is the result of hundreds and hundreds of years of geographical, historical and political factors affecting the way of thinking of the West. I could list hundreds and hundreds of examples. So I think this way of thinking is simply sometimes too difficult to avoid and it just finds it way into novels because of that.

[Dunkum Lord Prelan]

I do agree it's a subconcious thinking that probably is the result of some kind og ignorance. But I wanted to add that this subconcious thinking is the result of hundreds and hundreds of years of geographical, historical and political factors affecting the way of thinking of the West. I could list hundreds and hundreds of examples. So I think this way of thinking is simply sometimes too difficult to avoid and it just finds it way into novels because of that.

oh, agreed.  geographically, for people in Europe, there was a lot less land to the west than the east.  the result being that the east was harder to get to and more mysterious for centuries.  and even when they could access it, the cultures that had arisen there were, in some ways, very different from their own,  all of this sort of feeds into the current western mindset in Europe and the Americas.

[Trizee Obligator]

I haven't posted on this site for ages, but I suddenly felt in the mood to get back into it...

 

I most recently started reading Naomi Novik's Temeraire series. I thought His Majesty's Dragon was a pleasant read, and am now reading the second book- Throne of Jade.

[Left Tarachin Superstar]

Well, put Bobby Dollar down after the first page. Those who enjoyed the Dresden files would probably really enjoy it, assuming you're cool with language.

Speaking of Dresden, I finally picked up the second and third books. I'm enjoying Fool Moon, a lot more comfortable with it than I was with the first book.

[Orlion Blight Voidbringer]

Desafíos a la libertad por Mario Vargas Llosa.

It's pretty much articles he wrote for a newspaper when he was writing as a political analyst for it.

[Left Tarachin Superstar]

Read a book by Mercedes lackey, Foundation. It was good.

Got SoS on audio, so I'm getting that re read in.

Started Dantes Inferno for school, it's good.

Either going to read a Clarke or Lackey next.

[Patar Artifabrian]

A friend is letting me borrow his copy of The Black Prism by Brent Weeks, and it's pretty alright so far. It's kinda confusing, although I suppose that's to be expected when you enter a new fantasy world. Not sure how I feel about Kip right now, be seems pretty cowardly, although since he is the protagonist I'm sure he will get over that. But the magic system seems pretty interesting, and I really like Gavin.  

[WayneSpren Kandra]

I am currently reading Mockingjay. I (mostly) hate the series, but my sister is making me do it.

Edited November 2, 2015 by WayneSpren

[Dunkum Lord Prelan]

working my way through Malazan Book of the Fallen.  ~2/3 of the way through book 2 right now.  this may take some time.

started on book 4 the other day.  Liking the series a lot so far, but these books are dense.  it takes forever to read them

[Briar King Elantrian]

A friend is letting me borrow his copy of The Black Prism by Brent Weeks, and it's pretty alright so far. It's kinda confusing, although I suppose that's to be expected when you enter a new fantasy world. Not sure how I feel about Kip right now, be seems pretty cowardly, although since he is the protagonist I'm sure he will get over that. But the magic system seems pretty interesting, and I really like Gavin.

Kip will get loads better. That series is great fun so enjoy. Magic is difficult to understand at 1st but it will become cool, clear, & unique as you progress

[Pestis the Spider Misting]

started on book 4 the other day.  Liking the series a lot so far, but these books are dense.  it takes forever to read them

But it's sooo worth it. When I read them i took me ages as well, even though I'm a fast reader. But Malazan is briliant. 

[StormingTexan Dawnsinger]

Took me a long time but I'm done with The Shadow Rising. I was going to take a break after this from WoT but the ending changed my mind so I will probably jump right in to The Fires of Heaven.

[Briar King Elantrian]

But it's sooo worth it. When I read them i took me ages as well, even though I'm a fast reader. But Malazan is briliant.

Have you joined us at Malazanempire.com yet? It's my main Board so if you want to talk Malazan(or anything else) join up.

[Left Tarachin Superstar]

Just got Jingo from the library. It's the last of the Nightwatch books I haven't read I think, although I take such a haphazard approach to reading Pratchett that I might've missed another.

Going to move on to either Solar Express by Modesitt or Thr Outstretched Shadow by Lackey and Mallory.

[sanderfuss Bridgeman]

enjoying the fires of heaven at present. The first of the WoT series were i haven't wanted to put the book down

[Jit Crew Leader]

Starting Malice by John Gwynne. I hope it's good as I don't have anything else on my bookshelf that I haven't read.

Edited November 7, 2015 by Jit

[Orlion Blight Voidbringer]

Reading Free Fall by William Golding.

On a somewhat related note, it's interesting how "difficult" it is to find a Golding book that isn't Lord of the Flies.

[Left Tarachin Superstar]

Just got Jingo from the library. It's the last of the Nightwatch books I haven't read I think, although I take such a haphazard approach to reading Pratchett that I might've missed another.

Going to move on to either Solar Express by Modesitt or Thr Outstretched Shadow by Lackey and Mallory.

 

Ummm, why did my post get downvoted?

[Briar King Elantrian]

enjoying the fires of heaven at present. The first of the WoT series were i haven't wanted to put the book down

Wow you mean you wanted to put down 2&4? You might be in trouble with upcoming ones since that's 2 of the best in series lol

[maxal Dawnshard]

Ummm, why did my post get downvoted?

 

Must be a mistake. I fixed it.

[sanderfuss Bridgeman]

Wow you mean you wanted to put down 2&4? You might be in trouble with upcoming ones since that's 2 of the best in series lol

Because of how epic this series is. I'm putting down and picking up the eye of the world. Starting again.

[StormingTexan Dawnsinger]

I'm reading The Fires of Heaven too and so far I think it's my favorite but honestly I've liked them all so far. I'm seeing how RJ influenced Rothfuss and Sanderson the more I get in to the series (although I think the grasshopper has surpassed the master in at least Brandon's case). Little upset that from what I've heard in heading on to the low of the series after this one.

[Briar King Elantrian]

Yep majority of people feel it takes a dive bomb from 7-10. I really really enjoyed 7 because of 2 specific chars that just made it fun to read to me. Bk 10....so terrible gl with it bk 8... My 2nd least fav but that due to something missing with the story which I won't say what it is.