My Reading List

The place for cool things to happen, blah, blah. blah. Whatever. Insert subtitle here.

Here are some of the books my brother and I are reading. Take a look an feel free to provide your own feedback in the comments.

The Player of Games

Review:

This book was my introduction to Culture novels, by Iain Banks. For those unfamiliar with the series, I’d describe it as a heavy sociological and medium-hard science fiction novel, based in the utopian “Culture” civilization.

As far as “Culture” goes, I did not feel lost, even though this is the second book in the series. There were no references that I wasn’t able to understand, and it gave a very good feel for what the Culture was and what it represented. I had been told that order doesn’t matter in the series, and from this one data point, I am inclined to agree.

The book itself is a more adult-oriented and darker version of Ender’s Game, insomuch as it is a blurring between the lines of game and reality. It’s not as fun as Ender’s Game, but it’s certainly as good.

The quality of writing is excellent...Banks’ writing voice is mature and intelligent. His descriptions of highly abstract concepts are well done, allowing the reader to be interested in the progress of games that are beyond comprehension.

I wasn’t really shocked by any of the novel’s twists, but neither did I plod along waiting for the book to reveal what I already knew.

Overall, well worth the time and money I spent on it.

Ender's Game (Ender, Book 1)

Review:

Fun and fast read with a great twist.  Great Trilogy. (last 1/3 of book 3 questionable)

The Book of the Dead

Review:

Excellent lasted book in the “Agent Pendergast” story.  Good so far....

Roger Zelazny's Chaos and Amber

Review:

This is the first book in a new, third series in the Chronicles of Amber. For those unfamiliar with the series, it is a high fantasy epic series by Roger Zelazny that is a defining work in the genre. People new to the series should start with “Nine Princes in Amber.”

For those familiar with the series, there may be tredipdation caused by the fact that it is a prequel series, has an embarassingly bad dusk-jacket writeup, and the fact that Zelazny had nothing to do with the series. Visions of bad fanfic kept me away until it was recommended as acceptable by a friend, who even loaned me the first three books in the series.

Having now read it, I can say that it was very much done by a professional writer with a good understanding of the Amberverse, but without a fanboy attachment to it. Details and characters feel consistant, without the feeling of inevitability that often accompanies prequel novels.

The first book is a worthy effort, and was sufficiently good to have me reaching for the second.

Eragon (Inheritance, Book 1)

Review:

This was one of the best books I’ve read this year.  Fun, easy, great characters.

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell: A Novel

Reason : Why Liberals Will Win the Battle for America (Vintage)

Review:

Excellent Book.  I highly recommend it.

The Last Templar

Review:

Like this one a lot.  Ended up spilling coffee on the library book I had checked out, and had to buy them a new one on half.com.  At least I enjoyed the story, now that I own a coffee stained hardback version.

The Teeth of the Tiger

Prospero's Children

Review:

This has been a really fun read.  The imagery that Jan Siegal creates as she weaves the reader through her magical land is just mesmerizing.  Well worth the time.

It does tend to drag towards the second half a bit though.