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[TD1]

13/52
Name of the Wind-Patrick Rothfuss.

Had to reread it

Let's talk some more about how I don't understand why everyone loves these books quite so much. I think they're pretty good (better than the baseline of quality in fantasy novels) and I think Rothuss' skill in characterisation improves greatly by the second novel (the adventuring party in the woods were expertly drawn; but I still confuse his two university friends); but they're self-indulgently long (compare with how much someone like Gene Wolfe or Ursula K Le Guin can pack into half as many pages). Actually, what makes it feel a bit too long for me is the single-protagonist focus. I'm fine with lengthy series when the worlds continues to expand through different characters perspectives (like in A Song of Ice & Fire, or the Painted Man books).

What made you decide to reread the novel rather than read something new?


Talking of long novels... I've been reading Worm recently. It's the Game of Thrones of Superhero fiction. It's really long but, over-lengthy fight scenes aside, it manages to maintain persistent momentum. The stakes always increase, but in a way that flows naturally from the setting. Everything is set up so that it develops organically, with twists that are well seeded in advance. But better than all that, every character is distinct and richly drawn and has a distinguishable personality and set of goals. It's 3 times the length of War & Peace and I'm mostly reading it on my phone, but I'm confident of finishing it this month.

Wil and Sim? How could you confuse them? One is a gruff Cealdish  boy, the other a gushy Aturan. As for why I read it again... well, think of when Kvothe gets to play again on the way to Imre. Think of his first performance at the Eolian. There is something poignant about both scenes. But, if you don't get it you don't get it.

[Arx]

I think length and information concentration is very much a matter of taste. I don't mind reading a whole bunch of waffling in a book - in fact, I find it can be interesting just to read the style of the author. On the other hand, many people detest the waffles.

[Vector]

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[TD1]

15/52

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight- anonymous
The Odyssey- Homer

[Silthuri]

Spoiler: 7/52 (click to show/hide)

Resident Evil Volume II: Caliban Cove - S.D. Perry - 7/10 - It wasn't quite as good as the first book in the series. The writing style kinda reminds me of Dean Koontz's Frankenstein though, which is probably why I'm so fond of this series.

Raised by Wolves - Jennifer Lynn Barnes - 10/10 - Even better than I remember. I couldn't set it down.

Marked - P.C Cast and Kristin Cast - 8/10 - Nearly as good as I remember. Sometimes the way the main character talks/thinks gets to me, but it's good nonetheless.

MeruPuri Volumes 1-4 - Matsuri Hino - 10/10 - My favorite manga series.

[Dutchling]

Spoiler: 1/52 (click to show/hide)

• The Origin of Species - Charles Darwin

Off to a late start, but whatever

[Arx]

It's On the Origin of Species. You would lose marks for that in an exam, Dutchling.

[Dutchling]

It's On the Origin of Species. You would lose marks for that in an exam, Dutchling.

Spoiler: not my copy :P (click to show/hide)

denied

[Arx]

Wordsworth Classics would lose marks then. It was published as On the Origin of Species, dammit!

[TD1]

I've been meaning to read Darwin. Any good?

[Dutchling]

It's not bad.

Not terribly exciting either though. Talks a lot about pigeons.

[Sirus]

Spoiler: 4/52 (dear god I fell behind ._. ) (click to show/hide)

Agincourt by Bernard Cornwell
A historical fiction novel covering the titular battle of 1415 and events immediately preceding it, told from the perspective of a pseudo-fictional English archer named Nicholas Hook. Contains fairly graphic depictions of medieval combat and what happens when a city is invaded and sacked. Also has some highly memorable characters and can be humorous at times.

[Emma]

Spoiler: 19/52 (click to show/hide)

• Game of Throne
• A Clash of Kings
• A Storm of Swords (Parts 1 and 2)
• A Feast For Crows
• A Dance with Dragons (Parts 1 and 2)
• Knife of Dreams
• The Gathering Storm
• Towers of Midnight
• A Memory of Light
• The Bridge
• Whisper of the Leaves
• Obernwyten
• Pawn of Prophecy
• Redemption of Althalus
• The Dwarves
• That Sugar Book
• Fellowship of The Ring
• The Two Towers
• Return of the King

I might as well do this. I'd say the worst book on my list would have to be The Bridge by Jane Higgins which I read for school.

[Vector]

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[notquitethere]

Oh I wanted to say, Vector, I've started reading the bell hooks book you recommended. Only a few chapters in so far but I wanted to say I really found useful the discussion of cathexis versus love, and how a relationship can be caring without necessarily being loving.