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Firlefanz
Lady of the Land
Registered: 05-2003
Location: Germany
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What are you reading now?
I thought I might start this, as I had to take out my current reading from my signature, in order to accommodate my brand new board banner.
So, what are you reading right now? And do you like it?
--- - Firlefanz
Writing: "Kiera und der Gauklerjunge" - novel
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4/1/2007, 8:21 am
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Firlefanz
Lady of the Land
Registered: 05-2003
Location: Germany
Posts: 6984
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Re: What are you reading now?
The Swarm by Frank Schätzing
I'm not that far into it, but strange things are happening in the seas.
- Scientists find rather impossible deep-sea worms with a suicidal tendency to burrow into methane gas ice.
- Whales suddenly attack ships.
- Orcas kill people.
This is a translation from the German original, but it reads very well. Schätzing has a tendency to really make me like his characters ... and then he kills them. That's a little annoying.
--- - Firlefanz
Writing: "Kiera und der Gauklerjunge" - novel
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4/1/2007, 8:24 am
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Loud G
Grand Master
Registered: 01-2005
Location: Maryland, USA
Posts: 492
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Re: What are you reading now?
I am rereading the Wheel of Time for the 3rd or 4th time.
Yes, I'm enjoying it, I love the series.
All style critiques aside, I think the Wheel of Time houses the BEST fantasy Universe. The writing may be dense, but the sheer scale of the world and the richness and variety of its peoples is astounding.
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4/2/2007, 6:18 pm
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David Meadows
Squire
Registered: 09-2003
Posts: 693
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Re: What are you reading now?
The Power of Warlock, a collected editon of Marvel's old Warlock comics from around 1971/72, by Roy Thomas and others.
It's definitely a product of its time -- a time when comic books were aimed at a younger audience than today and every character had to speak in either long-winded purple prose or snappy 70s' street slang. So there's a lot of faults to pick if you're doing a writing critique... but the plot comes as quite a surprise and makes it worth overlooking the book's faults. It's not quite what I remember, and I have no idea how much of it I really appreciated when I was seven years old 
Warlock is a super-powered alien sent to Earth by the all-powerful High Evolutionary to save people from one of the High Evolutionary's early creations who rebelled and turned to evil... after performing many miraculous feats and gathering a band of loyal followers, the American people turn against him, one of his followers betrays him (right after dinner), he is executed (the bad guy washes his hands of the whole affair), comes back to life three days later, and returns to the stars
The parallels are not subtle at all. I'm surprised a mainstream comic book could get away with something like that back then.
I hope they release volume 2 soon... that will have Jim Starlin's stories with Warlock examining the nature of good and evil, free will and predestination, and other things typical to a superhero comic book aimed at young boys
---
It's bigger on the inside!
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4/3/2007, 8:40 am
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hadaad
NaNo Winner
Registered: 08-2005
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 334
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Re: What are you reading now?
I finished The Life of Pi just last week. What an amazing book. I'm on to Idoru by William Gibson. It's pretty good, too.
What I liked about The Life of Pi is how he knew he was telling an improbable, probably impossible tale but that fact doesn't get ignored. It actually helps flesh out the ending.
Idoru is strange. It's cyberpunk, without there being much punk. I find myself captivated by the visions of the future that Gibson presents. It seems a little bleak when I read about the way things are in the novel but what makes it work is how the people just accept the way things are around them.
I'm usually a fantasy or mystery reader, so it's nice to be able to step outside my comfort-zone and find something I can enjoy.
After Idoru, I'll probably move on to either Black Sun Rising, the first of the Coldfire trilogy, or Midnight Tides, a part of the Malazan Book of the Fallen, one of my favourite series by Steven Erikson. Or I might go the comfort-food route and just finish my latest Wheel of Time re-read.
---
Reading: Don Quixote - Miguel de Cervantes
Writing: Resurrection edits
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4/5/2007, 7:23 pm
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QS2
Shepherd
Registered: 03-2006
Posts: 2138
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Re: What are you reading now?
I just finished an SF book from Alistair Reynolds called Century Rain. It being of the non fantasy bent I shall refrain from commenting on it further here. 
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4/24/2007, 1:06 am
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David Meadows
Squire
Registered: 09-2003
Posts: 693
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Re: What are you reading now?
Fantasy & Science Fiction magazine -- May issue.
Not one I usually read but I'm researching places to submit a story
So far I have mixed feelings about the lead story by Ian R Mcleod. It's got a very nice theme and premise but I'm finding it a bit... overwritten. His slow, thoughtful style might be good in a novel but makes me a bit impatient in a short story.
The magazine's thick paper stock makes me feel that I'm getting less pages for my money than the (similar format) Analog and Asimov's magazines give me.
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4/24/2007, 2:24 pm
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Firlefanz
Lady of the Land
Registered: 05-2003
Location: Germany
Posts: 6984
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Re: What are you reading now?
Interesting, David.
I've been thinking about submitting a story to F&SF, but it's hard to get a copy here. And I'm not about to order copy after copy through the web with their insane shipping cost.
Btw, nice review.
--- - Firlefanz
Writing: "Kiera und der Gauklerjunge" - novel
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4/24/2007, 3:19 pm
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hadaad
NaNo Winner
Registered: 08-2005
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 334
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Re: What are you reading now?
I just finished The Grand Design by John Marco. It's the second of a trilogy but having read what the third book is about, I'm perfectly happy just leaving it alone.
Now I'm either going to read Midnight Tides by Steven Erikson or Farewell My Lovely by Raymond Chandler.
---
Reading: Don Quixote - Miguel de Cervantes
Writing: Resurrection edits
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4/24/2007, 7:48 pm
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Reythia
Knight of Honor
Registered: 11-2005
Posts: 1883
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Re: What are you reading now?
Currently reading "The Turtle and the Stars: Observations of an Earthbound Astronomer" by Arthur Upgren.
Yeah, I know, I'm a geek. But I really like reading about the history (and possible future) of science. I'm only a few chapters into this one and it's a bit more technical than I'd prefer. He doesn't pull out math equations every two pages or anything, but there are several other history of science books I'd recommend first, just because of it. They'd be easier to get through.
Still this one seems interesting. It's a bit different from a lot of similar books I've read recently, since most of those were truly about the history of science -- as in, more than 100 years ago. This one touches on that, of course (any book about astronomy has to go back thousands of years, since it's such an old science), but it's also very much a book on modern astronomical thought. Very interesting.
---
-- YAR!
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4/25/2007, 9:14 pm
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tryingtowrite
Knight
Registered: 03-2007
Posts: 1356
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Re: What are you reading now?
I read Matthew Reilly's Contest yesterday. 418 pages in two hours. I liked the way he discribed the aliens, dangerous without being too freaky. At least not for me. 
---
I'd procrastinate now, but it would be easier tomorrow.
A fantasy tongue twister: Sputtering silver sliver Sphinxes spit splinters.
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4/29/2007, 5:55 pm
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Firlefanz
Lady of the Land
Registered: 05-2003
Location: Germany
Posts: 6984
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Re: What are you reading now?
Yesterday, I finished "Licht und Lanze", by Kai Mayer. That's a German YA book, part 2 of a trilogy.
Like any second volume, it's a transitional piece. It's quite noticable how the characters are put into place for a grand finale - and that's a little disappointing.
Even so, I enjoyed the world full of mystical creatures. There's also a tragic love story, something I didn't quite expect in YA. I know I can write similar stuff, so it was good market research, too.
--- - Firlefanz
Writing: "Kiera und der Gauklerjunge" - novel
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4/29/2007, 6:35 pm
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hadaad
NaNo Winner
Registered: 08-2005
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 334
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Re: What are you reading now?
I'm reading Stephen King's Everything's Eventual.
I'm not huge into Horror but I do like King.
Since last posting I finished Raymond E. Feist's Exile's Return.
Farewell, My Lovely will be after/alongside the King book.
---
Reading: Don Quixote - Miguel de Cervantes
Writing: Resurrection edits
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5/1/2007, 7:27 pm
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ThoraoftheNord
Initiate
Registered: 11-2005
Location: WI
Posts: 24
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Re: What are you reading now?
Well, this is a dangerous question...
For me:
Italo Calvino "The Baron in the Trees," a tale about a boy who decides he's going to live in the trees and never come down, and does.  Italo Calvino is an excellent author, post-modernist style, leaning to magic realism and/or mainstream literary fiction.
Catherynne M. Valente "Yume No Hon: The Book of Dreams," this one contains gorgeous imagery. It's like poetry in motion. The plot is lacking ever so slightly, though. Essentially, it's about a woman who, after her village is burned down when she was a child, lives in isolation on a mountain. She's so isolated that she looses sense of strict self, and the book is a weaving of "dreams" and "living dreams."
Tim Severin "Odinn's Child," a historical fiction about Thorgils Leifsson, the settlement of Greenland and exploration of the Vikings, as well as the invasion of "The White Christ" into the land of the Old Gods. I'm not a fan of historical fiction of any kind, but I actually really enjoy this book. It's the first of a trilogy, too.
For college:
Anthony Trollope "The Way We Live Now" (I don't know if I should count this, because I'm supposed to be done with it on Monday, and I'm only on page 35. Good life choice, I know. )
Lorrie Moore "Birds of America," a collection of short stores I'm starting to go through for my creative writing class. We actually read too much in that class, I think. Anyway.
Don't let that long list fool you, I'm actually a slow reader, and a very picky one at that. 
---
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5/12/2007, 3:26 pm
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Firlefanz
Lady of the Land
Registered: 05-2003
Location: Germany
Posts: 6984
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Re: What are you reading now?
Sounds very interesting, Thora.
If you can find it, check out Tim Severin's Crusader. It's partly history book, and partly the story of how he rode a horse from France to Jerusalem. I'm sure you'll love it.
--- - Firlefanz
Writing: "Kiera und der Gauklerjunge" - novel
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5/12/2007, 3:47 pm
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ThoraoftheNord
Initiate
Registered: 11-2005
Location: WI
Posts: 24
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Re: What are you reading now?
Hmm...will do!
*goes off to find it on amazon to add to her "read" list...*
---
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5/12/2007, 3:50 pm
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QS2
Shepherd
Registered: 03-2006
Posts: 2138
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Re: What are you reading now?
Slowly working through book eleven of the wheel of time series by Robert Jordan. Wouldn't be as far as this is not that some of the characters I like more showed up a bit more. After this just have to wait till the last book comes out and I'll be done with this gigantic storyline.
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5/22/2007, 2:04 am
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hadaad
NaNo Winner
Registered: 08-2005
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 334
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Re: What are you reading now?
Still working on Everything's Eventual by Stephen King and I'm also working on Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin. I've read the series through once already but the last time I read this book was back in '97 so I figure I could read it again. I finished Farewell, my Lovely and released it in San Francisco, a-la Book Crossing. Except I didn't do it right. So I just left it on a newspaper dispenser without a number. Oops.
---
Reading: Don Quixote - Miguel de Cervantes
Writing: Resurrection edits
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5/22/2007, 7:46 pm
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Firlefanz
Lady of the Land
Registered: 05-2003
Location: Germany
Posts: 6984
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Re: What are you reading now?
Right now I'm reading "Mach dein Ding!", a book on starting one's own business.
Unfortunately, it has exercises.
--- - Firlefanz
Writing: "Kiera und der Gauklerjunge" - novel
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5/22/2007, 8:33 pm
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hadaad
NaNo Winner
Registered: 08-2005
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 334
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Re: What are you reading now?
A book on starting your own business with exercises?
"Okay, now, for this exercise, go down to City Hall and get a Business License. When you're done that, you'll be done this exercise."
"Okay, for this next exercise, go down to the wharf and rent some warehouse space. Don't forget to take your gun because you never know who you'll run into on the docks."
Okay, so maybe not...
---
Reading: Don Quixote - Miguel de Cervantes
Writing: Resurrection edits
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5/23/2007, 3:39 pm
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Firlefanz
Lady of the Land
Registered: 05-2003
Location: Germany
Posts: 6984
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Re: What are you reading now?
Heh.
No, it's more like "Think about your target audience and write down where they live, work, come for fun and for spending money. "
--- - Firlefanz
Writing: "Kiera und der Gauklerjunge" - novel
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5/23/2007, 3:58 pm
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thepinksuicidallemming
Master
Registered: 12-2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 172
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Re: What are you reading now?
I've started reading Shogun. The beauty of which is I don't need to explain the basic story to people.
Oh, and yes, I am enjoying it.
---
Sentio aliquos togatos contra me conspirare.
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5/24/2007, 3:14 am
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ThoraoftheNord
Initiate
Registered: 11-2005
Location: WI
Posts: 24
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Re: What are you reading now?
quote:
hadaad wrote:
I'm also working on Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin. I've read the series through once already but the last time I read this book was back in '97 so I figure I could read it again.
Gods, I LOVE that series! Martin is such an excellent writer. I've met him, too, and he's got a great personality, always had something funny to say, and wasn't full of himself at all. I can't wait until the last book comes out.
---
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5/27/2007, 5:57 pm
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Wayward Watcher
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Registered: 12-2006
Posts: 21
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Re: What are you reading now?
me ive just read 'Last Chancers' by Gav thorpe a good book and well written.
Its a fantastic sc-fi book Gav seems to make some realistic characters and a clear narrative, i was hooked from begining to end, just couldnt go to sleep untill i read at least half the book.
not a fantasy book though....but the last fantasy book i read was Fell cargo by Dan abnett.
man does he write a good book or what, this one had pirates zombies and curses in it plus lots of terror and black comedy.
Last edited by Wayward Watcher, 6/6/2007, 11:35 am
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6/6/2007, 11:32 am
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hadaad
NaNo Winner
Registered: 08-2005
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 334
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Re: What are you reading now?
Last week, I finished Stephen King's Everything's Eventual: 14 Dark Tales.
I found a number of them gripping, some of them okay and only one or two just dumb. Like, dumb as in, if it weren't Stephen King, there's no way they would have been published, dumb.
Now, along with A Game of Thrones, I'm going to start The Black Mountain by Rex Stout. It's a Nero Wolfe novel. He's one of my favourite private detectives.
---
Reading: Don Quixote - Miguel de Cervantes
Writing: Resurrection edits
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6/18/2007, 6:55 pm
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Firlefanz
Lady of the Land
Registered: 05-2003
Location: Germany
Posts: 6984
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Re: What are you reading now?
Oh! I know a few Nero Wolfe stories! In fact, I learned some of my English from Rex Stout.
Glad you enjoy them!
I'm reading EFT stuff right now, and some Feng Shui books.
--- - Firlefanz
Writing: "Kiera und der Gauklerjunge" - novel
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6/19/2007, 6:29 am
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Blitzen
Squire
Registered: 12-2004
Location: falkirk
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Re: What are you reading now?
I just finished Martin Miller's excellent Lonely Werewolf Girl. It's the best werewolf book I've ever read.
I'm becoming a bit of a MM fan - I'm going to buy his Good Fairies of New York next.
Martin Miller also writes as Martin Scott, the Thraxx fantasy detective novels which are good but not brilliant.
--- My Amazon Author Page
[url=]http://dun-scaith.blogspot.com/[My Blog[/url] |
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6/19/2007, 11:23 pm
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Firlefanz
Lady of the Land
Registered: 05-2003
Location: Germany
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Re: What are you reading now?
I'm reading EFT books, and studying my class books. Not very dramatic stuff, but still interesting.
"The Promise of Energy Psychology", by David Feinstein, Donna Eden and Gary Craig, for example.
Last edited by Firlefanz, 6/20/2007, 6:42 am
--- - Firlefanz
Writing: "Kiera und der Gauklerjunge" - novel
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6/20/2007, 6:41 am
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Loud G
Grand Master
Registered: 01-2005
Location: Maryland, USA
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Re: What are you reading now?
I'm reading "The Hero with a Thousand Faces" by Joseph Campbell. It is an interesting book. I can't say I agree with the psychology 100% of the time, but his explaination of the specific parts of the mythological cycle are very good. I think this will help me in my novel, to craft a story that is not only fun to read but contains deeper symbolism.
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6/20/2007, 12:56 pm
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hadaad
NaNo Winner
Registered: 08-2005
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 334
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Re: What are you reading now?
Well, I finished off A Game of Thrones. Sadly, it ends the same way it did the first time.
Now I'm reading Midnight Tides by Steven Erikson. Both of these books are fantasy, both of these books are fantastic but they're completely different. I'm leaning toward Erikson more than Martin. I don't know why. He definitely expects his readers to pick up more than any other author I've read.
---
Reading: Don Quixote - Miguel de Cervantes
Writing: Resurrection edits
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6/27/2007, 3:10 pm
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