books again
Mar. 9th, 2016 03:31 pmI used to remember the books I read much better. These days it seems like I read a book and a year later I can't recall much about it at all.
Turns out the solution is to *reread*. After a first reading I retain scattered images and impressions, and if I'm lucky a general sense of the plot. A second reading cements it in my brain much more solidly.
Hence, this past couple of weeks.
What are you currently reading?
The Serpent Sea, by Martha Wells. Book 2 of the Books of the Raksura, which I first read, mm, about three years ago. This is exactly the thing I'm talking about: all I remembered was "the Raksura go to a city built on the back of a sea creature, for Reasons". It has some quite interesting plot and metaplot development before they even start leaving for the city!
What did you just finish reading?
The Cloud Roads, Raksura 1. These are, still, excellent fantasy books for people who are honestly getting a little tired of the sameyness of fantasy. They genuinely feel like a whole different world instead of culture-X-with-magic. The Fell make for a slightly too-pat antagonist but every other relation between and among cultures is handled well enough that I forgive that easily.
Before that, a reread of WJW's This Is Not A Game. Feels a little slighter than when I first read it, but still an enjoyable romp. "...you want to write Dagmar fanfic?"
Before *that*, reread of Doyle/Macdonald's Price of the Stars and first-read of the first two sequels. Excellent fluffy space opera that's a little deeper than one might think. Hopefully volumes 4 and 5 will turn up soon so I can read those and the already-acquired #6.
What do you think you'll read next?
The Siren Depths and then probably a first read of the two Tales of the Raksura collections. These are going fast enough that I doubt I'll be able to jump straight into the next book (released 5 April); I don't know what I'll pick up instead.
Turns out the solution is to *reread*. After a first reading I retain scattered images and impressions, and if I'm lucky a general sense of the plot. A second reading cements it in my brain much more solidly.
Hence, this past couple of weeks.
What are you currently reading?
The Serpent Sea, by Martha Wells. Book 2 of the Books of the Raksura, which I first read, mm, about three years ago. This is exactly the thing I'm talking about: all I remembered was "the Raksura go to a city built on the back of a sea creature, for Reasons". It has some quite interesting plot and metaplot development before they even start leaving for the city!
What did you just finish reading?
The Cloud Roads, Raksura 1. These are, still, excellent fantasy books for people who are honestly getting a little tired of the sameyness of fantasy. They genuinely feel like a whole different world instead of culture-X-with-magic. The Fell make for a slightly too-pat antagonist but every other relation between and among cultures is handled well enough that I forgive that easily.
Before that, a reread of WJW's This Is Not A Game. Feels a little slighter than when I first read it, but still an enjoyable romp. "...you want to write Dagmar fanfic?"
Before *that*, reread of Doyle/Macdonald's Price of the Stars and first-read of the first two sequels. Excellent fluffy space opera that's a little deeper than one might think. Hopefully volumes 4 and 5 will turn up soon so I can read those and the already-acquired #6.
What do you think you'll read next?
The Siren Depths and then probably a first read of the two Tales of the Raksura collections. These are going fast enough that I doubt I'll be able to jump straight into the next book (released 5 April); I don't know what I'll pick up instead.