Open Thread for Readers for February 2018
Misc / Need A Rec!book-pimp / Open Thread / Promotion9 Comments
Got a book you want to talk about? Frustrated with a book or series? In love with a new one? Found a buried treasure? An issue that keeps popping up in the books you are reading? Just want to chat about stuff in general?
I’ve had a good time with The Hobbit. I’ve found the tone of voice through this edition’s writing nice, since it came across as a storyteller telling a story. I’ve had a good time and I’d like to reread it with an audiobook edition.
I’m reading and enjoying every word of S.L. Viehl’s BLADE DANCER. Space opera that feels very timely because of our current xenophobic immigration policies (or lack of any cogent or responsible policy).
Also reading HEART ON FIRE, the third in Amanda Bouchet’s Kingmaker Chronicles. I went into this series with few expectations because *everyone* was singing its praises, and now so am I.
Finally, Susan Cheever’s DRINKING IN AMERICA: OUR SECRET HISTORY was eye-opening, fascinating and explained much; the facts behind the stories we think we know, who was drinking what, for how long and the consequences. Highly recommend.
I raved about this book over on Smart Bitches, but it just loved A. Zavarelli’s TAP LEFT. On the surface, it’s about a woman who approaches her 30th birthday determined to get her life out of its rut and joins an online dating app called TAP LEFT, all the while trying to finally resolve a complicated quasi-relationship she has with a long-dead boyfriend’s brother. But beneath the surface, the book is about some much more: addiction, co-dependency, enabling, toxic & dysfunctional relationships, how hard it is to achieve & maintain sobriety. Just a great book. But don’t give up in the beginning—the brother starts out just awful, but he does redeem himself. If you like angsty and somewhat melancholy, add TAP LEFT to your tbr list.
Recently I purchased Ben Aaronovitch’s novella in the Peter Grant / Rivers of London UF series, The Furthest Station, which I had somehow missed when it came out. As usual, I enjoyed Aaronovitch’s writing, Peter’s witty narration, the diverse cast, strong female characters, and in this case, one really charming baby river. But I have to rant about the copyediting errors. Oy, the copyediting errors! Such as these:
“We got some from funny looks from our fellow passengers”
“[…] me and me and Abigail”
“‘[…] waited for them to all parked up”
“He yawned, looked around the grey dawn, and give a resigned sigh”
“[…] he turned himself into dog”
“Chess insisted on talking my hand”
“At first I ought it was a reflection”
“Abigail had dug out of the archives and George Buckland and his grandson Walter”
“in a separate niches”
@Janine:
I’ve enjoyed the series, but haven’t read that one; it just feels … rapacious? … to charge as much for a novella as a full-length book.
@Marianne McA: Wow. I just noticed the hardcover price. $15.10 for a 144-page novella; that’s unbelievable! However, in digital it’s only $2 and that’s what I paid for it. Had I paid the hardcover price, for that kind of copyediting, I’d be reallly upset.
@Marianne McA: Do you ever listen to audiobooks? It seems to be more affordable on Audible, too.
Kobna Holdbrook-Smith is the narrator for the Peter Grant series and is so fantastic. Simply fantastic. Can’t recommend highly enough.
Pardon me while I squeeee! Pamela Clare has a new I-team novel. It is Joaquin’s story. The title is Deadly Intent.