Since ScriboErgoSum is semi-MIA I will take the ball and start the 2016 thread. Previous threads: 2014-2015 What are you reading? 2013 What are you reading? 2012 What are you reading? 2011 What are you reading? 2010 What are you reading? 2009 What are you reading? Looking to pick up the Wolfhound Century books by Peter Higgins. I've read the first book but he's written a couple of sequels since.
Normally not a huge reader, but I struggled to put this one down. Really great book. Red Notice by Bill Browder
<IMG SRC="https://concretepark.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/1144.jpg" HEIGHT="480" WIDTH="480" BORDER="0"> Rocket River
Just finished Clare Dewitt and the City of the Dead Amusing detective novel. The title character is a follower of a (fictional) French detective who is more Jean Paul Sartre than Hercule Poirot. She spends more time in the novel smoking sherm with New Orleans street thugs than doing any actual detecting. She uses the I Ching to get clues (though the resultant hexagrams don't show up in any I Ching I've ever seen). There is a sequel that I'm reading (Clare Dewitt and the Bohemian Highway) where she's graduated to a pretty significant cocaine habit and a double dose of self-loathing.
The Scramble for Africa White Man's Conquest of the Dark Continent From 1876 to 1912. Thomas Pakenham and, Hey Rube for the 3-4th time..aha...pure Hunter.
Re-reading Way of Kings, and starting up Saga on comic books. For the sole purpose of reading and basic media, it's amazing how much use I'm still getting out of my 5+ year old nook color.
Thanks, Xerobull. I always try to check Scribo's book threads, but like you said, he seems to be MIA. Here's one I really enjoyed. It's an alternative history novel. Alternative history, for those not familiar with the term in literature, is essentially a "what if" novel, a sub-genre of science fiction, if you will. In this case, what if Great Britain lost WWII? I've read a few of these scenarios, and this one is the best yet. Gritty, thrilling, and as one reviewer said, it would have made a terrific Hitchcock film. It has nothing to do with any films from the past with that title, in case anyone is wondering. As an aside, I was amused that Book People, on 6th and Lamar in Austin (voted the best independent book store in the country in the past and deserves the title), had it in historical fiction. Schumacher has written a sequel, so apparently it's a series. I'll be buying it in a few days. I do what I can to support independent book stores, the ones that are left. The Darkest Hour: A Novel, by Tony Schumacher. Spoiler
I've been on a westerns kick. I just finished the novel True Grit. It was fantastic I'm now reading Louis L'amour's Over on the Dry Side. It isn't bad. You pretty much know what your going to get with L'amour's westerns and it fills a niche. It's better than a great deal of the Western novels out there.
Rereading "A Fire Upon the Deep" Vernor Vinge Thinking about "The 3 Body Problem" next, or the new Stephenson "Seveneves"
Just finished reading this Pretty nice read. Sentimental, without being maudlin. The plot and the writing seemed to get better as the story progressed. If you liked Tuesdays with Morrie or The Five People You Meet in Heaven (written by the same author), you'll like this.
excellent book. i did enjoy the first half more than the last half. still worth finishing. i think i may try to pick up red notice book "j sizzle" mentioned. thanks
Trust Me I'm Lying- Ryan Holiday Great book on how companies and bloggers manipulate the media and each other. This guy used to work for American Apparel marketing and he talks about how he would manufacture controversy just to gain notoriety and sell more product. He also goes into the economics of blogging. That was the first half of the book.
I highly recommend The Three Body Problem! The language isn't great but the plot and pace is top notch. Follow that up with the second part of the trilogy: The Dark Forest And the third part's english translation will be released later this year (very excited for it) Currently, I'm still working my way through with about an essay every two nights: And I also started this one but there's a slow hump that I need to force myself to get through:
