What are you reading?

[truehobbit]

I have to say, to be fair, that to me the sequence where the young Arthur lives as a wild goose is utterly beautiful.

Yes, that was very nice - I find that the anachronisms, even if they are meant to be funny, are often just annoying, but every now and then, there's a phrase, a description that's truly beautiful.

The chapters about the wild geese put me in mind of a book I've meant to read for a long time, but haven't yet - I almost started it once, but it's a lot longer and with a lot more convoluted narrative style than I'd expected, so that put me off.
Has anyone here read Selma Lagerlöf's "Nils Holgersson's Journey with the Wild Geese"?

[Primula Baggins]

So while I was on vacation, I discovered a fantasy series that I think I'm going to like a lot. It's completely unlike Tolkien (which helps, for me).

It's the "Temeraire" series, by Naomi Novik, which opens with His Majesty's Dragon. It's set at the time of the Napoleonic wars, and is about them—except with dragons. Dragons are real, they've been known throughout history, everyone takes them for granted, and they are used in war. It sounds completely preposterous, which is why I hadn't tried them while I was busy. But the author makes it work, for me: the ways dragons (and their crews of human riders) are used in battle, the different breeds and nationalities, their varying levels of intelligence (they talk), their training and care and feeding, and the way their riders fit (or don't quite fit) into the society of Regency England—it's all examined and used.

The first book is the story of Captain Will Lawrence, R.N., and what happens when circumstances force him to become the partner of a newly hatched dragon. He hasn't been brought up as an aviator and is shocked by some of the aspects of that society-within-a-society, as he tries to give up his former social and professional ambitions and adapt himself to a new life.

I enjoyed this book completely for two reasons. First, I love it when an author takes a wild idea and examines it thoroughly, wringing every interesting detail out of it and following all the implications through to their logical ends. And second, Novik knows how to write to the period. She's not Patrick O'Brian—she's American, in fact—but there were very, very few places that "bumped" for me because of language. Her bio says she's a lifelong fan of both O'Brian and Austen, and she must also have a good ear. I'm sure an English person would find more little mistakes than I did, but I was seriously impressed.

And it's a good story, well told, with interesting characters. I really recommend it.

[yovargas]

I'm reading the nonfiction book Guns, Germs, and Steel. Amongst other things, it makes an argument for how the lack of domesticable animals on the non-Eurasian continents impacted the development of those people. In that context, it's cool to think: what if the Incas had a few dragon riders around when those dastardly Spaniards showed up on their fancypants horseys.

[Crucifer]

I'm reading Hyperion, by... someone whose name I forget.

I read Candide by Voltaire, which is hilarious and excellent.

I gave up on the pilgrims progress. It got repetetive.

I read some book called Survivors that religious fundamentalists were handing out on the streets of Waterford. Basically, the world is about to end, and anyone who isn't one of them will go to hell, The leader of the UN is the antichrist, and world peace is a bad thing.

[Frelga]

Has anyone here read Selma Lagerlöf's "Nils Holgersson's Journey with the Wild Geese"?

I was about to raise my hand, jumping in excitement, when I realized that no, I didn't. I did see a gorgeous Russian animated movie based on that book. Hard to say how close it is to the real story.

I'm still on my Pratchett bend. Last book - "Wee Free Men," which I loved for the most part. It got a bit metaphysical toward the end. That's where I got my current title, BTW. It's dog Latin (or toad Latin, rather) for "Would you like a face full of head?" - a typical Nac Mac Feegle threat.

[Alatar]

Children of Húrin

Enjoying it.

[baby tuckoo]

I gave up on the Pilgrims Progress. It got repetetive.

And I had to read the whole darned thing for a class!!!


As stated before, it's better to parody than to peruse.

[WampusCat]

I'm reading "The Children of Men" by P.D. James.

Before that: a charming new book you've never heard of called "The Hidden Worlds." Before that: "Locked Rooms" by Laurie King. All excellent.

"Guns, Germs and Steel" is already on my eventual-list, yov. And I think I'll add "His Majesty's Dragon" to that ever-expanding list as well.

[Primula Baggins]

Crucifer, is that Hyperion by Dan Simmons?

Be ready—it's only half a story. Ends in midair. Many people really liked it and its "sequel," but I was too peeved to bother to buy another book.

[truehobbit]

Has anyone here read Selma Lagerlöf's "Nils Holgersson's Journey with the Wild Geese"?

I was about to raise my hand, jumping in excitement, when I realized that no, I didn't. I did see a gorgeous Russian animated movie based on that book. Hard to say how close it is to the real story.

That must have been a great movie if it gave you the impression you'd read a book.

There used to be an animated TV series here, but I doubt that was close to the book.

I'm still on my Pratchett bend. Last book - "Wee Free Men," which I loved for the most part. It got a bit metaphysical toward the end. That's where I got my current title, BTW. It's dog Latin (or toad Latin, rather) for "Would you like a face full of head?" - a typical Nac Mac Feegle threat.

That's what I figured, but I thought I must have it wrong, as it doesn't make sense!
(It's not dog-Latin, it's quite proper Latin, it just doesn't make a lot of sense. )

Last week, I finished 'Thud', which was good but a bit lengthy at times.
I've been trying to find more by Pratchett that sounds as promising as my favourites, but I think I'm already through with the best ones. There don't seem to be any 'witches'-books left, and they are my favourites.
There was an excerpt from the new "Wintersmith" (? title?) book in my copy of 'Thud', and that was just so badly written...

Crucifer, is that Hyperion by Dan Simmons?

The only Hyperion I know is by Keats.

(Well, not quite true - there's also a Hyperion by Hölderlin, but I haven't read that, so I don't actually know it. )

[Voronwë the Faithful]

Children of Húrin

Enjoying it.

I hope you'll post your impressions when your done, Al.

[Impenitent]

Borderliners, by Peter Hoeg - I'm re-reading it, and I think I may re-read Miss Smilla's feeling for snow, also. I enjoyed both of them when I read them about 10 years ago. They are sombre, give me a feeling of displacement but I really liked the author's ability to quietly get inside his characters while still maintaining a psychological distance. I felt I was observing, rather than inhabiting their skin.

I'm also in the middle of The Hidden Worlds.

And I'm reading The Optimistic Child - but that is not so much for pleasure as a work in hand as I try to encourage my kids into a more optimistic mindset. It's also been very insightful for me, as I get a grip on my own thought processes.

I also have "Guns, Germs and Steel" at my bedside. I think I've read up to Chapter 2 twice through. I'll have to start again when I pick it up again as I've lost the thread of it and it's very dense subject matter.

And several Trollopes await...

[elfshadow]

I'm reading Harry Potter again!


Two weeks from midnight.

[Primula Baggins]

Son #2 is going to stay up all night reading before leaving for two weeks of Scout camp in the morning. He will hand off to Son #1, who was supposed to be first this time but who has no such time constraint. Then Daughter #1 gets it. Then me.

Historically it's only taken all three of them about thirty hours to read the whole thing, so my fun will not be all that much delayed. It's the spoilers I'm worried about.

There's also the new movie next week to look forward to. Reviews say it's dark, which makes me happy. I think kindness to fictional characters is a sad, sad waste.

[Frelga]

Has anyone here read Selma Lagerlöf's "Nils Holgersson's Journey with the Wild Geese"?

I was about to raise my hand, jumping in excitement, when I realized that no, I didn't. I did see a gorgeous Russian animated movie based on that book. Hard to say how close it is to the real story.

That must have been a great movie if it gave you the impression you'd read a book.

It was quite good, as I remember. It must have been ages since I last saw it.

I was just so excited to find someone else familiar with Scandinavian children's books.

[narya]

Frelga,
My daughter has every book ever written by Pratchett. Let me know if you are having trouble finding a particular book.

Hobby,
I have PM'd my daughter's email address to you. She'll be happy to tell you which Pratchett books are the best. Do you remember her from the London moot several years ago?

Yov and Imp and Wampus,
Guns, Germs and Steel is a great book! Makes you see civilization in an entirely different way. I found it best to keep it on the back of the "throne" and read a page or two a day. Takes a while to digest. The sequel, Collapse, is an even slower read, and not as good, but it does have some gems in it.

I just finished a great book by a hot new author. Now what was her name? Sounded hobbity .... hm. Consumed it in 48 hours. Rare book that will do that for me.

Now I'm reading Ellen Kushner's Privilege of the Sword. A light but well-crafted read, with some rather eclectic, um, romping.

I think kindness to fictional characters is a sad, sad waste.

I've noticed.

[Frelga]

Frelga,
My daughter has every book ever written by Pratchett. Let me know if you are having trouble finding a particular book.

Thank you, narya, that's very generous. I haven't exhausted the bookstore possibilities yet, but I will certainly remember your offer. Give my best to Aiwe.

I found it best to keep it on the back of the "throne" and read a page or two a day. Takes a while to digest.

That's a very good way to deal with dense literature.

[baby tuckoo]

And several Trollopes await...

And has it ever been otherwise?

And I love Guns and Germs.

[Alatar]

Children of Húrin

Enjoying it.

I hope you'll post your impressions when your done, Al.

I've already commented on TOB. I'll repost here if you like.

[truehobbit]

I was just so excited to find someone else familiar with Scandinavian children's books.

I think they tend to be pretty popular here, but I've not yet been able to figure out if Nils Holgersson is really meant to be for children. As I said, when I first looked at it, it didn't seem very readable. But that might be because of its age.

Hobby,
I have PM'd my daughter's email address to you. She'll be happy to tell you which Pratchett books are the best. Do you remember her from the London moot several years ago?

Thanks, narya, that's very thoughtful of you!
Of course I remember Aiwe! Awesome girl. Haven't seen her on messageboards for ages, though - does she still post?

Re Peter Hoeg, years ago I read his "The Plan for Abolishing Darkness" (or whatever else the English title was ) - it was nice, but I remember there was something wrong with it - just don't recall what. Narrative style, I think.

And, yep, I'm also pleased that Hidden Worlds got here before the new Harry Potter, because I don't want to wait with that one any further.