What are you reading in general?

[Menolly]

About to start Book 3 of Stephen R. Lawhead's Arthur, which is also the third novel in his Pendragon Cycle. The SRL FAQ recommends skipping around in a few books before returning to the end of Arthur, so I am reading it that way.

Then next comes Avalon, which is, and yet isn't, the current last part of the cycle.

[Encryptic]

Authors, Duchess? I know several of the Roman mystery series. And if the Japanese one is by I.J. Parker, I recommend it sight unseen.

The book set in ancient Rome is called A Murder on the Appian Way and is written by Steven Saylor. The two books set in Shogunate Japan anre called The Pillow Book of Lady Wisteria and Black Lotus and are written by Laura Joh Rowland.

I read "A Murder on the Appian Way" a while back and thought it was pretty good, but it's been a while, so take that for what you will. Saylor's written several other books featuring the main character from "Murder", but I haven't read any of the others, so I can't speak to the quality of those.

[Encryptic]

"Pillars of the Earth" By Ken Follet.

Doesn't seem to promissing....

No No No. It's a great book, if you like that sort of epic style, covering generations etc. Read it quite a few times. Most enjoyable for historical fiction.

--A

Blargh....

I read it years ago and loved it, then I picked it up again a couple of years ago. Upon a second reading years later, I can't figure out why I liked it. Admittedly, Follett's research appears to have been extensive, but the quality of the writing and dialogue sucked. If the fact that the reviewer from "Cosmopolitan", of all magazines, liked it, that must say something.

[onewyteduck]

Devil In The White City - Erik Larson

Non-fiction, combining the visualization and realization of the Chicago World's Fair and a serial killer on the loose at the time.......weird combination huh? So far, it's been really good!

[Dragonlily]

THE FROST FAIR by Edward Marston. A mystery begins with the fair they had on the frozen Thames, the winter it was so cold the river froze solid.

[Avatar]

Blargh....

I read it years ago and loved it, then I picked it up again a couple of years ago. Upon a second reading years later, I can't figure out why I liked it. Admittedly, Follett's research appears to have been extensive, but the quality of the writing and dialogue sucked. If the fact that the reviewer from "Cosmopolitan", of all magazines, liked it, that must say something.

Well, it's been a few years, but I still think it was good. It's that whole epic thing that appeals to me, you know?

--A

[Prebe]

I actually shed a tear last night, when I read about Tom leaving his newborn infant on the fresh grave of his wife. Call me a girlie

[Cheval]

Just started The Gunslinger (The Dark Tower 1)
I nearly fell out of my seat when Stephen King mentions The Chronicles of Thomas Covenent in the forward section. (Along with Tolkien and Terry Brooks)

I've read only The Drawing of the Three and for my birthday last week, my wife bought me The Gunslinger and The Waste Lands.
Now I can start on the series in order instead of just sampling a slice of the pie.

[Encryptic]

Blargh....

I read it years ago and loved it, then I picked it up again a couple of years ago. Upon a second reading years later, I can't figure out why I liked it. Admittedly, Follett's research appears to have been extensive, but the quality of the writing and dialogue sucked. If the fact that the reviewer from "Cosmopolitan", of all magazines, liked it, that must say something.

Well, it's been a few years, but I still think it was good. It's that whole epic thing that appeals to me, you know?

--A

Heh, it's cool.

Diff'rent strokes for diff'rent folks.

[Menolly]

Just picked up the four Circle of Magic and the four The Circle Opens novls by Tamora Pierce for a reread before my tuen comes up on the waiting list the The Will of the Empress. Turns out the library syste here as two copies, both checked out, and I'm number three on the waiting list. The eight previous novels should help pass the time.

[Avatar]

Diff'rent strokes for diff'rent folks.

Very true.

Anyway, reading P.J O'Rourke's Age and Guile Beat Youth, Innocence and a Bad Haircut.

Long time since I read it last, and picked up a copy the other day. Pretty funny usually.

--A

[Dragonlily]

THE VAGABOND CLOWN, another in the Elizabethan Theater mystery series by Edward Marston. I enjoy the interactions among the troupe -- a big family with all its feuds and loyalties.

[Alynna Lis Eachann]

Just finished Volume 1 of Ruroni Kenshin... if you can call perusing graphic novels or manga reading. In the middle of another, Lament of the Lamb. I am getting sucked into manga for lack of access to anime... *sigh* Can't wait to take the summer off from school, when I can pick up some books of substance (as opposed to, say, a Star Trek novel ).

[sgt.null]

the wife and I are in a book club at our library. i picked the book this month. The Scarlet Letter. Nathaniel Hawthorne. ashamed to say this New Englander has never read it. shame.

[Dragonlily]

Started THE MALEVOLENT COMEDY, an Elizabethan Theater mystery by Edward Marston, last night before I fell asleep. Wish I had the time to continue it today, but can't yet.

[sgt.null]

just found out, we will be in Austin during the book club meeting.

[Encryptic]

Read "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro over the weekend. Very good, but sad.

[Prebe]

Is that the one filmed with Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson Encryptic?

Saw the movie. Fantastic.

[Encryptic]

Is that the one filmed with Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson Encryptic?

Saw the movie. Fantastic.

I haven't seen the movie yet (unfortunately), but I believe you're correct.

/pauses to check IMDB

Yup, you're right.

Now I'm working on "The Dream of Scipio" by Iain Pears. I recently read "An Instance of the Fingerpost" by him (which was fantastic).

[Dragonlily]

I have DREAM OF SCIPIO and haven't read it yet. Would you give your impressions?