It’s hard to believe I managed to accidentally take off almost all of August. It’s even harder to believe I’ve had this blog for four years now. Time does go by quickly anymore.
So, I thought I’d do a quick re-cap of what I’ve been reading this summer, and for the most part, not talking about. What do I see in my future? Plans for some regular blogging…
I finally, finally gave in and read A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin. It took me forever to finish (my copy is 1100 pages) but I didn’t mind at all because it was all the characters I like, unlike the fourth book which was all characters I could do without. Although, I was left wondering who he’d have left to talk about since he kills almost everyone in this book and there are two more books left in this series. I’ll guess I’ll have to wait and see.
The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon was another good book. I’m torn about all the comparisons she’s getting to The Hunger Games and the Harry Potter series though. This is the first book in a seven book series and the setting is a bit Panem like but this is the first book and I think we need to give her time to sort it out. I did a review for The Book Reporter if you’re curious.
I have this huge stack of books staring me down (in a good way!) and I decided to finally give in. I was also in a read all the fantasy mode and went with Sabriel by Garth Nix. A good choice it was. Can I tell you how happy I am to find out this is a trilogy!? The dead, necromancers, old kingdoms, dark magic, free magic. Yes, please.
Kindred by Octavia Butler has been on my list forever. Elizabeth at Dark Cargo was nice enough to send this one to me. Actually, she sent me a ton of awesome books! Sabriel was also in that stack. She’s been keeping me in fantasy and science fiction lately. Time travel with an historical fiction take — it’s amazing. I think I might read it again because I know I missed so many details because I was rushing through to make sure a character lived.
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman. I could go on and on about the wonderfulness of this book. There are so many great reviews out that I don’t think my telling you to go and read it will matter much. If you love Gaiman, you’ll love this. What everyone has been saying about this one is true.
Right now, I’m reading Broken Harbor by Tana French. It’s her fourth book and I’m still impressed, even a mere 50 pages in.
I think I’ll do another wrap-up in the next few days because as it turns out, I read several more books I do want to talk about.
Tell me what you’ve been reading. Anything good?
Just Book Reading 
Just finished HHhH, a book I expected to hate but ended up really loving. Try that! Glad to hear you liked the Shannon book–I worried that all the JK Rowling comparisons would make it hard for me to enjoy it, and now perhaps I can pick it up.
It’s better to ignore the comparisons. I see why people are going there but I wish they’d leave it be. Saying an author is the next JK Rowling because she plans a 7 book fantasy series is ridiculous. It’s not Panem but, yes, it has dystopian elements that can’t be ignored for a Hunger Games reference.
It’s a relatively solid debut (I thought) but there are a few characters underdeveloped but with a series I don’t worry about that as much. I’m wiling to give her time to develop the series. I liked the world though and for me that’s a big thing in my fantasy reading. I’m planning to read the next one, see how it all plays out.
Sabriel and the following Nix books are awesome. I haven’t read those in a long time, and would really like to again! I’m reading through Martin’s series too, and wonder if it will get easier to follow along the further into the books I get, as more characters get killed off and there’s less people to think about! But of course he could always introduce more and shove them to the forefront…
I’m glad to hear the next two books in the series are worth a look. I really enjoyed Sabriel! Thanks.
No worries with Martin. He introduced several new characters in the 5th book, and since he whacked several more, I’m guessing these new ones are going to float to the top. A few he hadn’t mentioned in a while have re-surfaced too. For as annoyed as I get with his willingness to kill a character, it’s hard when you (and I do!) get attached. Either way, I’m in way too deep to back away now… 🙂
I really enjoyed Bone Season as well and also like you didn’t fully understand the comparisons.
I loved the Gaiman book. It just really appealed to me and I enjoyed it very much. I couldn’t help wondering whether it was semi autobiographical? I also read another review where the reader wasn’t keen on the end and thought it was a bit of a cop out. I must admit I didn’t feel like that but I was interested in what she said and wondered if others felt the same.
Lynn 😀
I see why they want to make the comparisons, I wish they wouldn’t though and let her grow into being a writer before making her like everyone else.
The Gaiman book was awesome! I didn’t think the end was a cop out at all. It was a person telling a story and the story ended. That’s what I love about his stories. I like the thought that it could be autobiographical and it even sort of makes sense in the context of the story. And now it makes me like it even more. 🙂
I’m sure I read something to that effect – but I frankly could also have dreamt it and now think I read it!! It sort of makes sense though if you think of the story, unpopular book geeky boy, makes friends with a girl from the farm. Both have fanciful ideas. The farm has two homely women who are always baking and cooking and are very down to earth (which practically makes them witches by the way). His father has an affair with the nanny which is why the boy thinks she’s evil! Did I just go too far…lol
Lynn 😀
Ha! I totally buy into that theory. 🙂
I totally enjoyed it. Waiting for the next updates:-)