The Volcano Lair discussion

I am currently reading Endogen. I have to say, I'm enjoying the concept quite a bit.

The 500 by Matthew Quirk. So far it seems very "The Firm/John Grisham". Whether that's a good or bad thing, not sure yet but I'm about halfway through it.

The 500? I dug the firm... I'll have to check that out!

I'm reading Miracles On the Water by Tom Nagorski. It's the true story of surviving the sinking of a British ocean liner by a U-boot in 1940; many of the passengers were kids being sent to Canada by their parents to escape the Blitz. There's nothing special about the writing style but I think Nagorski did a good job maintaining suspense for a nonfiction book.

When I said "The Firm", I of course meant the book, not that godawful series NBC tried to do a couple of months ago.

The Face by Dean Koontz. I am loving this book. It flows almost like poetry and is so detailed I feel as if I'm right there in the middle of every scene. The villain is terribly fascinating and completely horrible. I don't want the book to end but I can't wait to see what happens.

I am currently reading the Harvest of Rubies. It is actually quite good so far. I didnt expect to enjoy it this much. I am quite invested in the characters. It had a bit of a slow start but then picks up.
Harvest of Rubies

I am reading "Case Histories" and struggling to finish. I have thrown it down at least 10 times, then force myself to try again, just in case the author somehow cleans it up. I always try to finish a book. This was the most exhausting book I have ever read. I have two chapters left and I don't see the author saving herself, sadly.

Critiquing a wip called Kisses From Yesterday. Excellent, excellent.

Before that, My Killbot Buddy by Rusty Carl. A super duper read also.

Belinda by Anne Rampling aka Anne Rice. It's interesting so far.

The Passage, by Justin Cronin. I've past the point in the book where everyone says the whole story sort of goes off a cliff, and I'm still hanging on.

Since we are all writers here, I presume, I'd really like to spend my time reading great books that will make me a better writer.

The first one that comes to mind for me is William Gibson's Neuromancer. It sort of introduced me to a new writing style, very tight and neat. I think it influenced me as a writer.

Any thoughts on great books that can improve one's writing? (Maybe JM will want to turn this into a new discussion thread?)

I'm settling into Ender's Game again, second to my favorites Armor, and Starship Troopers, which was absolutely ruined by the screenplay adaptation.

Mark wrote: "I'm settling into Ender's Game again, second to my favorites Armor, and Starship Troopers, which was absolutely ruined by the screenplay adaptation."

I really want to read Ender's Game but my library doesn't have it :(
Right now I'm reading . It was a book recommended to me by a friend and I just now got my hands on a copy.

I fear i am not on par with most of you... I am currently reading Ricochet Addicted 1.5 by Becca Ritchie and Krista Ritchie. Its weird to type my own first name when it's not me. Anyways, I love stories with characters that are often twisted or have had some past that was traumatic.

I am reading Ender's Game for the first time (should have read it by now, I know...) So far it is as brilliant as everyone says it is. Really trying to pay attention to how Scott Card crafts characters. I'm also reading his book , Characters and viewpoints which is really great as well.

I am re-reading H P Lovecraft, who was a fantastic writer in his own way. It comes after spending a huge amount of time writing my novel and I am in the midst of a short story writing frenzy so needed something 'comfortable' I think which was very different from anything I would write.

Labyrinths, by Jorge Luís Bórges. Mind-blowing stuff. Recommended.

Am working on finishing Plum Island by Nelson DeMille. It's the first John Corey novel.

I'm reading Dead Chaos by Ryan and April Brookshire

Dead Chaos

Not to shabby, I love me a little zombie every now and then!

I'm reading the last book in the Anita Blake series... I love the books, but they have begun to wear on me.

Nina wrote: "I'm reading the last book in the Anita Blake series... I love the books, but they have begun to wear on me."


I stopped reading those after Bullet, it was NOT enough story for me. :-(

Rhea and Rory wrote: "I am reading Ender's Game for the first time (should have read it by now, I know...) So far it is as brilliant as everyone says it is. Really trying to pay attention to how Scott Card crafts charac..."

I want to read that book so badly!!!

Currently reading

Danell, you should read Scott Card's work immediately! So brilliant! What do you think of Casual Vacancy? I was so disappointed... Also just started reading the Alice in Zombieland sequal Through the Zombie Glass. Pretty good so far.

I've just started Kate Mosse's Sepulchre the second book in the Languedoc series. So far it's great, however it is a labour of love due to the heavy description and detailed stories. Unfortunately a lot of the history and geographical remarks are lost on me due to being unaware of and unknowing of the actual events and places but the writing is fantastical, it makes you want to see the sights and go to the town and cities she describes. Kate Mosse has a knack of making the history and present come to life and connect in an amazing way so that you feel connected and within the story.

Amy - I understand what you mean, but I have found this last book she has gotten back into the steps and less of the sex on every page. But although I think there is to much sex and not enough story I have a hard time leaving a series unless I finish it.

Nina

I've been picking up and putting down Christopher Hitchens' collection of essays (Arguably) for quite some time now. It's quite fantastic, but it just takes me so long to get through, due to Mr. Hitchens' much better command of the language than mine (causing me to need a dictionary as a companion as well).

Danelle wrote: "Currently reading "

I was slightly disappointed in The Casual Vacancy. I mean it was a good book but I felt it could've been better. Now I'm reading and I'm rereading

I'm currently reading a review copy of The Glade by Harmony, who is a Goodreads author.

Sorry you didn't care for Casual Vacancy. I really didn't either! I only gave it one star. I finished Through the Zombie Glass and it was good. I'm still reading Enders Game and loving it! I'm trying to finish it before the movie comes out! What are you reading now? It didn't come through on my feed.

Rhea and Rory wrote: "Sorry you didn't care for Casual Vacancy. I really didn't either! I only gave it one star. I finished Through the Zombie Glass and it was good. I'm still reading Enders Game and loving it! I'm tryi..."

I'm reading currently by Neil Gaiman so far I love it

Now reading Midwinterblood as me and one of my kiddies are going to meet Marcus and Julian Sedgwick at the end of the month

About to dive into New Orleans Mourning by Julie Smith (Skip Langdon #1). Looking forward to this!

and :)

I'm currently reading:



this book was published after a successful Kickstarter campaign. It was a pleasure to have it finally in my email as e-book. The project and the story are an inspiration.

I'm currently reading:



Almost done. It's a fun/quick read, and I would probably give it 4 or 5 stars, but the characters and plot seem a bit shallow. Can anyone suggest an off-the-radar thriller for my next read that's deep and satisfying? Something that might inspire me in my own writing?

Jacob Whaler

Just finished Revolver so now moving on to Blood Red, Snow White, then Im going to have to go and look for some more of his books or Julian Sedgwick

Am trying a horror story called Blood Seance.

Blood Seance didn't work out so I'm now trying a mystery - Dead and not so Buried by James L. Conway.

Daniel wrote: "Blood Seance didn't work out so I'm now trying a mystery - Dead and not so Buried by James L. Conway."
why didn't it work out?

I wanted to try something different but it just didn't hold my attention. Not slamming horror in general but this book wasn't my thing.

Yeah I can understand that

Currently reading The Cleaner (John Milton # 2) by Mark Dawson. I like his work so I'm very hopeful for this book.

I Reading "Cien años de soledad" de Gabriel García Márquez.

Finished The Cleaner. Was very pleased. Posted glowing review accordingly. Now starting Fearless Finn' s Murderous Adventure by Mike Coony

Just starting Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five and I have to say it's very different than I expected.

Finished Fearless Finn and loved it. Now starting Abraham by Clark Decant.

Just finished The Blood That Bonds by Christopher Buecheler next is ...... I have no idea

Abraham was a disaster. Very disappointing. My review will cover that. Moved on to The Horse At The Gates by D. C. Alden.