Just about to start children of the storm
So what are you reading? Part VI
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The Brilliant Book of Doctor Who 2012 by Clayton Hickman.
The Ruins by Scott Smith. The book that the movie was based on. I didn't even know it existed until the other day. Seemed perfect for a little Haloween reading.
My recent readings continue with "A Time to ..." series. I read "A Time to Love" and "A Time to Hate" by Greenberger and "A Time to Kill" by Mack. I interspersed these with a necessary read of Heinlein's "Waldo and Magic, Inc." For non-fiction I read "About Philosophy" (7th ed.) by Wolff and "The Great Code: The Bible and Literature" by Northrop Frye. I may read his other book "Fearful Symmetry" (another one) by Frye which is a study of Blake's poetry (or Blake as a poet). For science history a good current book that I am reading is "The Information" by James Gleick (2011) which covers the history of information theory focusing on theorists and real people. Was there a Star Trek novel where a Vulcan describes evil as synonymous with entropy? Currently starting "A Time to Heal" by Mack.
Well, in Spock's World, the quotations from Surak refer to avoiding actions and emotions that would speed up the heat death of the universe, i.e. accelerate the increase of entropy.
Yeah, I was thinking that was a very Duane-ish sounding concept.
Currently finishing up Cast no Shadow.
Also, although I'm way behind on writing my reviews, I'm determined to catch up! I've just posted a review of Star Trek: Vanguard: Open Secrets. Link in my sig!
Also, although I'm way behind on writing my reviews, I'm determined to catch up! I've just posted a review of Star Trek: Vanguard: Open Secrets. Link in my sig!
Finished recently : Black Ice (Connely), Mercury Falls (Kroese) - reviews below
Reading : Articles of the Federation
Black Ice
So this was my first introduction into the Harry Bosch series and overall, the second book in the series. While guilty of a couple cliche's and contrived plot points, the writing itself was strong enough to overcome these shortcomings and in the end, the story ends up being a pretty enjoyable detective procedural/mystery. Harry himself is a fairly enjoyable character who at times was refreshingly different for a cop, but also falls victim to some of the cliche's of the genre with his chain smoking, lone wolf ways.
Of course, this sense of Harry vs. the world type of story-telling allows you to empathize and relate to what Harry goes through quite nicely, but has the slightly adverse effect of making pretty much every other character not very well fleshed out and somewhat one-dimensional. Even Harry's primary love interest who's a central character in the story itself is little more than a pretty, albeit, grieving face who - of course (and IMO, far too quickly) - seeks comfort in Harry's arms.
That being said, the mystery and how it unfolds was very satisfactory and kept you guessing very nicely until the very end, and after it was all said and done, there are a few mysteries that you don't ever quite get the answers too. The action was sporadic, but very well done when it existed. I particularly enjoyed the description of the bull-fight and the action down in Mexico. At times the writing was very strong and really drew me into the story and at other times was merely serviceable, but it never lapsed into poor or shoddy writing.
Overall, I ended up enjoying the story and pacing well enough to definitely continue in the Harry Bosch series once I get the urge to read another crime novel again.
Mercury Falls
Mercury Falls is about as close as it gets to a perfect book for me. As someone who grew up with traditional religion and spent many hours in philosophy classes throughout college learning to question and re-evaluate that religion, finally finding a "faith" that was my own, the book was bound to be fascinating to me from the start as the author eschews much of the what is considered traditional "Christianity" in this story and presents some interesting perspectives for one to consider. By itself, that would generally yield some interesting material, however, throw in a Douglas Adams/Terry Pratchett sensibility into the narrative add some very clever, intelligent writing with some great twists and turns throughout, and you have just about perfection. Finally, beyond all of that, we're already given to enjoy, the book is genuinely, bitingly funny. I sincerely can't remember the last time I laughed aloud reading a book as I did this one.
While the book is primarily a satire at it's core, it often asks thought provoking questions or uses discussions between characters to prompt the reader to reflect on some very interesting thoughts that may cause them to reconsider beliefs they may have held for quite some time without too much examination. Other times, he's a bit more subtle and uses some seemingly random activity happening off to the left of the main narrative to make his point, usually very effectively.
This certainly may not "comfortable" reading for those who consider themselves a traditional mainstream "American" Christians as the satire certainly does not paint a picture of an orderly and morally unambiguous Heaven and Hell, God and Lucifer and a black and white, literal Bible. (Though it certainly doesn't go so far as to be what I consider heretical). However, if you're not too caught up in a strict, King James version of God, Jesus, et al, then you'll probably be just great with the book. Overall, I can't recommend this book highly enough, it's got something for everyone whether your a fan of satire, religion, philosophy, humor or just a well told story.....this story's got it all and more. This was my first book by Kroese and it certainly won't be my last.
Reading : Articles of the Federation
Black Ice
So this was my first introduction into the Harry Bosch series and overall, the second book in the series. While guilty of a couple cliche's and contrived plot points, the writing itself was strong enough to overcome these shortcomings and in the end, the story ends up being a pretty enjoyable detective procedural/mystery. Harry himself is a fairly enjoyable character who at times was refreshingly different for a cop, but also falls victim to some of the cliche's of the genre with his chain smoking, lone wolf ways.
Of course, this sense of Harry vs. the world type of story-telling allows you to empathize and relate to what Harry goes through quite nicely, but has the slightly adverse effect of making pretty much every other character not very well fleshed out and somewhat one-dimensional. Even Harry's primary love interest who's a central character in the story itself is little more than a pretty, albeit, grieving face who - of course (and IMO, far too quickly) - seeks comfort in Harry's arms.
That being said, the mystery and how it unfolds was very satisfactory and kept you guessing very nicely until the very end, and after it was all said and done, there are a few mysteries that you don't ever quite get the answers too. The action was sporadic, but very well done when it existed. I particularly enjoyed the description of the bull-fight and the action down in Mexico. At times the writing was very strong and really drew me into the story and at other times was merely serviceable, but it never lapsed into poor or shoddy writing.
Overall, I ended up enjoying the story and pacing well enough to definitely continue in the Harry Bosch series once I get the urge to read another crime novel again.
Mercury Falls
Mercury Falls is about as close as it gets to a perfect book for me. As someone who grew up with traditional religion and spent many hours in philosophy classes throughout college learning to question and re-evaluate that religion, finally finding a "faith" that was my own, the book was bound to be fascinating to me from the start as the author eschews much of the what is considered traditional "Christianity" in this story and presents some interesting perspectives for one to consider. By itself, that would generally yield some interesting material, however, throw in a Douglas Adams/Terry Pratchett sensibility into the narrative add some very clever, intelligent writing with some great twists and turns throughout, and you have just about perfection. Finally, beyond all of that, we're already given to enjoy, the book is genuinely, bitingly funny. I sincerely can't remember the last time I laughed aloud reading a book as I did this one.
While the book is primarily a satire at it's core, it often asks thought provoking questions or uses discussions between characters to prompt the reader to reflect on some very interesting thoughts that may cause them to reconsider beliefs they may have held for quite some time without too much examination. Other times, he's a bit more subtle and uses some seemingly random activity happening off to the left of the main narrative to make his point, usually very effectively.
This certainly may not "comfortable" reading for those who consider themselves a traditional mainstream "American" Christians as the satire certainly does not paint a picture of an orderly and morally unambiguous Heaven and Hell, God and Lucifer and a black and white, literal Bible. (Though it certainly doesn't go so far as to be what I consider heretical). However, if you're not too caught up in a strict, King James version of God, Jesus, et al, then you'll probably be just great with the book. Overall, I can't recommend this book highly enough, it's got something for everyone whether your a fan of satire, religion, philosophy, humor or just a well told story.....this story's got it all and more. This was my first book by Kroese and it certainly won't be my last.
I'm halfway through 'Children Of The Storm'. Lovin' every page of it!
I finished Stargate: Atlantis - Nightfall by James Swallow the other day. It was alright, not as good as any of his Trek work, but not the worst novel I've ever read. Of the Stargate novels I've read, 7 in all, it's probably one of the better ones. It started out pretty slow, but it eventually got pretty interesting.
I'm now reading Star Trek: SCE - The Riddled Post by Aaron Rosenberg.
I'm now reading Star Trek: SCE - The Riddled Post by Aaron Rosenberg.
I've started reading The Buried Age. That court martial scene was probably the most intense thing I've read all year. 
Just finished Cast No Shadow (review link is in my signature!), and now onto A Choice of Catastrophes. I haven't been reading much Trek fiction lately, so I'm doing my best to catch up!
I'm reading Turning Point by Melissa Lucknicky Garrett and Fool Moon by Jim Butcher
What Judgments Come, or Cast no Shadow.
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