Monday, November 24, 2014

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - 24.11.2014



I decided to start doing Monday reading posts, in which I'll show my current reads and add occasional chit-chat on topics that my current reads trigger. (Did I tell you I tend to ramble? I tend to ramble. I'm a ramblerer.)


 
Nothing to Envy, Barbara Demick (2009) - this seems to be one of the better written non-fiction pieces on North Korea. I'm on page 74 and totally sucked in. Demick is a journalist who describes lives of regular North Korean people who later escaped the country. Through that she also introduces the highlights of the history of North Korea.
 
Deadhouse Gates, Steven Erikson (2000) - this is the second book in The Malazan Book of the Fallen series. I was craving for a big fat fantasy book for colder evenings and decided to continue with these. I actually started The Way of Kings as well, but it's on hold right now. Sadly it seems that Sanderson is not an author for me. His books seem to be too calculated, and lacking something specific that I personally look for in fantasy, the writing feels too clinical. I don't know how to explain it. For example, I don't think Robin Hobb's books are the pinnacle of fantasy lit, but they contain heaps of that Special Something that works well for me. Hell, even though I didn't like Rothfuss's The Name of the Wind, his writing does more for me than Sanderson's, there is a lot of life and spark in his characters. I gave The Final Empire four stars right after reading, but I will lower it to three because it hasn't really stuck with me, and I don't feel the urge to pick up the sequel. Ok, rant over. Here's to hoping I won't become an outcast in book blogging world now :)


The Cider House Rules, John Irving (1985) - talking of adjusting ratings, I think I will have to pump my rating to A Prayer for Owen Meany from four to five - this book has definitely stuck with me. This being my second Irving novel, I found that his writing is very unique and recognisable, there is a lot of quirk and whimsy added to the story, and he makes excellent, detailed character studies.
 
Kindred, Octavia E. Butler (1979) - I am not sure what I expected this book to be - or if I expected anything at all - but it's definitely something else, and kind of a rough read. Rough in its story, not readability. I'm almost done, so hopefully will finish this one very soon.

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It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Book Journey, check out the blog to see other fantastic Monday reads.

14 comments:

  1. What a awesome thing to find to start my Monday morning. :)
    I have to agree with you about The Final Empire. I read it and also book 2 but I have no desire to ever pick up book 3. I don't even know why.
    I am currently reading Hexed by Kevin Hearne (this is such a fun series) and The Six-Gun Tarot. :)
    I am also going to start Endymion this week. It seems so big so I plan on reading it slowly all month.

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    1. Hi Lisa! Yea I think I won't continue with Sanderson. Will read Steelheart as it's on my Kindle, but that will be that. "I don't even know why" is a pretty good description - it's not bad, it's not good, it's just ... meh. I'll start Endymion probably on Monday, very exciting! Great to see that The Six-Gun Tarot was a good read, I should get to that one too :)

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  2. I found Kindred to be such a powerful read, and it's one that's stuck with me. I'm glad the power of the book is getting to you, too.
    And I own Nothing to Envy, looking forward to getting to it (although I don't know when!).

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    1. I really liked Kindred and looking forward to reading more Butler. Nothing to Envy was a powerful read as well, I finished it just this morning, and am already looking for my next non-fiction book on North Korea.

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  3. Ah Kindred, I should re-read it. It's been YEARS since my first read.

    Steven Erikson is one of those fantasy authors that I see all over the place but haven't tried yet. Like Sanderson, actually. I really need to step up by fantasy reading.

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    1. I always get more into fantasy in colder months. Both authors are well worth checking out, though they are SO different. :)

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  4. *whispers* I don't particularly like Sanderson either so your won't have to be outcast all by yourself.

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    1. That feels kind of encouraging :)) Thanks Stephanie.

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  5. The Cider House Rules and Kindred look very good.

    Glad you enjoyed them. They sound intense but worth reading.

    ENJOY this week.

    Elizabeth
    Silver's Reviews
    My It's Monday, What Are You Reading

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    1. Kindred was a great read, and The Cider House Rules is very captivating.

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  6. The movie adaptation of the Cider House Rules is good too if you haven't seen it.

    Have a great week,
    Shelleyrae @ Book'd Out

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    1. I've seen the movie long time ago, but can't remember much, so I think re-watch is definitely in order.

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  7. What a coincidence! I've started reading A Way of Kings recently and then put t down after 100 or so pages to switch to another book. I'll still finish it I think, but it's not holding my attention as well as I've expected...

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    1. Welllll no surprise there, then ;) I also think I'll finish it at some point, but it won't be my favourite book or something.

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Leave a comment if you feel like it - it warms my little bookish heart. :)