Bibliophile Thread

[Robot B9]

Halfway through The Fix by David Baldacci. Good stuff.

Strong read. A bit slower pacing than I'm used to with detective/thriller stories, but still good. That was the third in the Decker series; I picked up the first two Decker books and am into the first, Memory Man, now. Enjoyable.

[shafnutz05]

finished the second book which I thought was a little less enticing than the first. However, I'm about 1/3 through the 3rd book and I'm really liking the change of scenery. A very good sign that Cronin can write. I feel like I'm reading a completely different story in a different genre. I can see how this will tie together to the first two books, but I almost wish the Fanning prequel would continue as it's own story.

Nice. The third book, I thought, was great.

[dodint]

Bird Box. Not sure what to say. The writing and scene setting far surpassed the holes in the plot mechanism. Interested to see what he does in the future with some maturity. This one felt like an undeveloped King novel. I liked it but it wasn't complete, to me.

[Gaucho]

New books by Don Winslow and Michael Connelly for you crime fictions fans.

[shafnutz05]

I think I've never read Michael Connolly because he's so popular, as stupid as that sounds. I think I would enjoy his books.

[eddy]

Bird Box. Not sure what to say. The writing and scene setting far surpassed the holes in the plot mechanism. Interested to see what he does in the future with some maturity. This one felt like an undeveloped King novel. I liked it but it wasn't complete, to me.

I liked it too, I wanted more from it, but thought the atmosphere was terrific.

[eddy]

Great writing / ok story vs ok writing / great story. Obviously you want the best of both worlds, but what do you guys go for? Maybe examples would help too. The name of the wind would qualify as ok writing and great story (world building) for me and I love that book. What do you got?

[Robot B9]

Great writing / ok story vs ok writing / great story. Obviously you want the best of both worlds, but what do you guys go for? Maybe examples would help too. The name of the wind would qualify as ok writing and great story (world building) for me and I love that book. What do you got?

Interesting construct. I guess given that choice, story is more important for me, as I think I've tended to be more disappointed when a story doesn't hang together as strongly as I think it should (especially if I don't like an ending).

Maybe an example for me is Dean Koontz. I read all of his early stuff largely due to the appealing stories. I liked his writing style, too, no doubt, but the stories really hooked me. After a while, though, i found that the themes and his literary devices were getting repetitive, so i stopped keeping up with newer material. I've been trying to make progress in Odd Thomas, but just can't seem to keep interested.

[columbia]

This might be the best book ever; got mine in the mail today.

[eddy]

That sounds terrific, where did you find a copy?

[columbia]

Through Amazon. Here is the website:
https://scarfolk.blogspot.com/

One has to be a fan of very dark satire to enjoy it. Luckily, I do.

[Gaucho]

[Silentom]

[Gaucho]

If you like Carl Hiaasen, you would probably like Joe Ide, too.

[DigitalGypsy66]

I'm about halfway through Jason Lutes' first collection of the Berlin comics. It's been a 20 year series set in Berlin during the Weimar Republic, and it should wrap up or the third collection should publish early next year.

And yes, it is fascinating look at Germany between the two wars. Have you heard of this @Gaucho?

[Gaucho]

No, but it sounds good.

[columbia]

I'm about halfway through Jason Lutes' first collection of the Berlin comics. It's been a 20 year series set in Berlin during the Weimar Republic, and it should wrap up or the third collection should publish early next year.

And yes, it is fascinating look at Germany between the two wars. Have you heard of this

bookmarked

[columbia]

Anyone read this?
Spielberg is adapting it.

[dodint]

Yes. I liked it a lot. Someone here just recently said they re-read it and it's rubbish the second time around.

I've heard Armada was actually bad and never bothered to read it.

[eddy]

easy fun read, not particular good writing, but the story kept me interested.

[DigitalGypsy66]

Yes, it was very good..lots of 80s pop culture references as well. Armada was garbage, however.

[shafnutz05]

Yes. I liked it a lot. Someone here just recently said they re-read it and it's rubbish the second time around.

I've heard Armada was actually bad and never bothered to read it.

I liked the book the first time, but I think that's largely because it was so new and crammed with so much nostalgia. My brother-in-law dropped off Armada about a year ago....hasn't moved

[columbia]

shad's like some literary hipster.
"I was into that, before you ever heard of it".

[shafnutz05]

shad's like some literary hipster.
"I was into that, before you ever heard of it".

lol, I have probably read about a dozen of eddy's recommendations in here. Our literary tastes usually overlap quite a bit.

[eddy]

I'm with Shaf on this one. Nostalgia definitely plays a big part in keeping the story going. I'd still recommend it as it's a fun read that moves fast. This book sorta goes back with what I posted earlier, would you rather read a book that has a good story, but is bad writing, or something with excellent writing, but the story slogs. This book goes in the first category.

I've been on a John Scalzi kick reading The Collapsing Empire, The Dispatcher and just finished Lock In. I enjoyed them all very much and he's becoming one of my favorite authors to read.

picked up Ararat by Christopher Golden and Slade House by David Mitchell. Anyone read those?