Action/Adventure Aficionados discussion

I'll have to add Doha 12. Darn list of books to read keeps getting longer. I guess I'll have to quit my job to read, oh but then I won't have any money to buy any of the books to read.

Just finished Monster Hunter Nemesis by Larry Correia.

I thought it was great, lots of action and a whole lot of the blowing thy enemy to tiny bits-eth in it. Franks makes a dark, dark hero and I think Correia actually managed to push his writing skill a bit and cover some more compless messages in the themes.

Oh, yeah... there's a lot of monster butt kickin' in there too!

I pre ordered nemesis but feel a need to reread the first 4 books first now that I own it.

Travis of NNY wrote: "I pre ordered nemesis but feel a need to reread the first 4 books first now that I own it."

I agree, you'll want the background and they are all a lot of fun to read!

For me I feel like I missed out with book 3. I rated it rather low yet most people greatly enjoyed it. I feel like going through them again. I'll find a lot of little things I overlooked the first time around

Travis of NNY wrote: "For me I feel like I missed out with book 3. I rated it rather low yet most people greatly enjoyed it. I feel like going through them again. I'll find a lot of little things I overlooked the firs..."

Probably... and... it's still got the best opening chapter I've read in a book in a long time!

Best opening lines too.

"One otherwise normal Tuesday evening I had the chance to live the Aemrican dream. I was able to throw my incompeent jackass of a boss from a fourteen story window."

Right up there with, "They were the best of times and the worst of times..." (um.. .isn't that from a tale of two beasties?)

"They were the best of times and the worst of times..."

Actually I think The Joker said that to Batman.

Mike (the Paladin) wrote: " "They were the best of times and the worst of times..."

Actually I think The Joker said that to Batman."

The Jack Palance Joker, the Jack Nicholson Joker or the Heath Ledger Joker? (wasn't that..."Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?")

Mike, did you know that there is a Monster Hunter International Employee's Handbook and Roleplaying Game?

Actually I was thinking of "The Joker" from the comic books... But then I could have been wrong, it might have been Scarlett O'Hara or Huck Finn.

No I hadn't seen it, thanks.

Does anyone here read steampunk? I've been trying to get a handle on what it's all about since I haven't read anything from that genre and the only person I know who says she's read some can't exactly remember the titles or author just that it was a good trilogy and that she's pretty sure the author is British. Any ideas? Maybe there's a steampunk group on Goodreads. Off to check. Thanks for allowing the intrusion and any help.

I've read a couple of steampunk books. The Burning Sky by Joseph Robert Lewis wasn't too bad.

Generally I find that steam punk has a rough edge to it by nature. Think "The Wild, Wild West" staring Robert Conrad. (That old show from the 60s and 70s).
Add Zeplins and stuff and arm everyone.

Thanks. Got it, I think so will put The Burning Sky on my to read list and see what I think. Not really sure if steampunk will be my thing but got to try a sampling at least.

J. wrote: "I'll have to add Doha 12..."

I hope you'll like it.

Thanks, Seeley, for the plug.

J. wrote: "Does anyone here read steampunk? I've been trying to get a handle on what it's all about since I haven't read anything from that genre and the only person I know who says she's read some can't exa..."

The Difference Engine

Infernal Devices

Boneshaker

Perdido Street Station

Whispers from the Pirate's Ghost wrote: "Just finished Monster Hunter Nemesis by Larry Correia.

I thought it was great, lots of action and a whole lot of the blowing thy enemy to tiny bits-eth in it. Franks makes a dark, dark hero and I..."

Whispers from the Pirate's Ghost wrote: "Travis of NNY wrote: "For me I feel like I missed out with book 3. I rated it rather low yet most people greatly enjoyed it. I feel like going through them again. I'll find a lot of little things..."

If you are into monsters, Larry Correia is the way to go. He usually writes books, but you might find the following discoursr interesting. Let me say now that I'm a liberal on most subjects, but on this one not so much.

http://monsterhunternation.com/2012/1...

Right up there with, "They were the best of times and the worst of times..." (um.. .isn't that from a tale of two beasties?)

I'm with The Ghost of the Curmudgon. It's a classic. Ditto 'Dance with the devil'.

I'm enjoying a non-action-adventure series. The Matthew Corbett series by Robert McCammon. I just got through what is probably the best introduction of a new character in a second book of the series ever. Berryl Grigsby. I laughed!

This is a rather serious, sometimes stuffy Historical Mystery series set in 1700s in the colonies (First in South Carolina, second in New York). I think McCammon was dabbling in some heavy anti-depressants when he wrote this but what ever he's taking, that introductoin was wonderful!

This following the sea captain gone mad accusing her of cursing the voyage from London by pushing a pastor overboard.

"I...I only dropped the soap."

Then the captain rips his clothes off in maddness and runs away screaimg.

"She only dropped the soap!"

There's a lot more to it, but with that set up. Berryl has a good start for some major fun in this series. I hope the town survives her!

I'm reading a non-fiction piece that is blowing me away.



Talk about Action/Adventure, this is the real thing. The invasion of Iraq and the second battle for Fallujah told from an army sergeant's POV. Nothing held back, including some questionable in-the-moment decisions he's not sure he regrets but probably should; spiritual growth and denial; likes and dislikes of soldiers and officers alike (and why). Gritty, profane, funny, sickening, scary, ...everything you could imagine. You feel like you're there.

It's probably the deepest book I've read in ages. The author's writing careens from his redneck, poorly educated roots to surprisingly erudite viewpoints. His philosophical dives into war and morality are nothing short of amazing. And, for US citizens like me, who've never served and wouldn't know how, it brings the reality of our national political direction into sharp focus.

I think every high school citizenship class (or social studies, or US History, whatever they call it this year) should have to read this book. Future generations might be more intentional about when and why we go to war.

Peace, Seeley

I enjoyed that as well Seeley. In that same vein I can recommend No True Glory: A Frontline Account of the Battle for Fallujah, Generation Kill, Thunder Run: The Armored Strike to Capture Baghdad and War. Junger also made a film entitled Restrepo that I enjoyed.

Just started Blood Meridian, or the Evening Redness in the West

Hi Seeley, thanks for the tip. Not for me but my one son loves reading true war stories and I'm always looking for ones to buy as a gift. Can't ever seem to find anything else to buy him and this looks like one he'd really enjoy. Ctgt, and I'm going to keep a note on the ones you mentioned too. Never can get enough possibles in case he's already read some on them.
Have a great weekend.

Ctgt wrote: "I enjoyed that as well Seeley. In that same vein I can recommend No True Glory: A Frontline Account of the Battle for Fallujah, Generation Kill, [book:Thunder Run: The A..."

Thanks, I'll read those. I enjoyed Restrepo as well. Have you seen Hornet's Nest? Another great documentary.

Peace, Seeley

When I was in school Seeley (back in the dark ages) we had US History and Civics...where you learned how the Constitution worked. How laws were made and enforced was covered...funny, now the president seems to think he can pick and choose what laws to enforce??? Oh well, maybe even though he was supposed to be a professor of Constitutional Law at some point, he never took Civics???

Anyway, the only way most young people will read House to House: An Epic Memoir of War is if they stumble over it or a parent turns them on to it (or other responsible adult or friend).

Seeley wrote: "Have you seen Hornet's Nest? Another great documentary."

I have not Seeley but I'll check it out. Thanks.

Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "When I was in school Seeley (back in the dark ages) we had US History and Civics...where you learned how the Constitution worked. How laws were made and enforced was covered...funny, now the presid..."

Before you get too political, remember that nearly every president, from Abraham Lincoln, to FDR, to Ronald Reagan has been overruled by the Supreme Court for picking and choosing laws to enforce. Seems to be the prerogative of the office ;)

Peace, Seeley

Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "...funny, now the president seems to think he can pick and choose what laws to enforce???"

Guess you missed the history class...presidents have been doing that since we've had presidents, including the ones we call the Founding Fathers.

Just finished Sandstorm by James Rollins and now reading Area 7 by Matthew Reilly. Next book is Scarecrow by Matthew Reilly.

No....refusing to enforce the law is not a common occurrence. However as I see minds are made up I'll not continue the discussion.

Enjoy the Kool-Aid.

Madison wrote: "Just finished Sandstorm by James Rollins and now reading Area 7 by Matthew Reilly. Next book is Scarecrow by Matthew Reilly."

Wow, you are reading some fab books there. Totally love Matthew Reilly's Scarecrow series!

Just ain interesting Article from the New York Times.

James Rollins Recieves a $15 Million Dollar Multi-Book Deal

He's going to write 4 more Sigma Force Novels on this deal.

Madison wrote: "Just finished Sandstorm by James Rollins and now reading Area 7 by Matthew Reilly. Next book is Scarecrow by Matthew Reilly."

I liked Sandstorm.

Hi everyone! :) I know it's been a while since I've posted. I'll try and catch up with what I have been reading. What I've finished since last we spoke...

Dead Beat 5 stars
Watcher of the Dark 4 stars
Written in My Own Heart's Blood 5 stars
Cherry Bomb 4 stars
Monster Hunter Nemesis 5 stars
Bloodsucking Fiends 3 stars
Extinction Machine 5 stars

I just started Lonesome Dove

I really am going to try and be around more.

Is the Lonesome Dove the western that was a mini-series years ago or something else?

Not sure on the mini series but Lonesome Dove is the greatest western ever written and one of the best books of all time in my opinion

Yes, "Lonesome Dove" was a mini series with Tommy Lee Jones, Robert Duvall, & Danny Glover. Very good. The book was just as good. McMurty grew up on a cattle ranch & hated the work, but he knew it well. It showed in his writing.

If you like his westerns, Donald Hamilton is another excellent western writer, although his are short. His books are tough to find now, though. He wrote The Big Country which is supposed to be an excellent movie. Judging by the cast (Gregory Peck, Charlton Heston, Burl Ives) I'm sure it is. I've read the movie tie-in book & the short story it was based on. Both very good.

The movie The Big Country is one of my all time favorites. It is good, haven't read the book. I'll see if I can find it. Thanks.

I haven't read any of the books mentioned. I thought Lonesome Dove mini series was about the best Western ever and I think bought the DVD set (who knows where that is now and maybe it was VHS). I always intended to read the book as usually I find the book is better and wondered if that was possible in this case. Eileen, thanks for bringing it up as I'm going to add it back to my list of books to read. Let us know what you think when you finish it.

Just went looking for the book at add to my "to read" list and find that this belongs to a 4-book set and it looks like it is number 3. Anyone read the whole set? Should I start at number 1? Or okay to just read "Lonesome Dove"? Open to suggestions.

Your good to start with Lone some Dove. I think it was the first o e written anyway then maybe was made #3 after the series was done I don't know.

I watched the mini series years ago. I can't remember any of it and I've heard just great things about the book that I thought it was about time I read it.

I'm not sure I'll read the whole series. The first Lonesome Dove in the series is over 800 pages I think. Only a few chapter's in I'll let you know what I think as I get farther in. This is my first western.

Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "The movie The Big Country is one of my all time favorites. It is good, haven't read the book. I'll see if I can find it. Thanks."

I'm going to have to look that up.

Everything I checked on goodreads has lonesome dove listed as #1 so I'm not sure where you found it #3

Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "The movie The Big Country is one of my all time favorites. It is good, haven't read the book. I'll see if I can find it. Thanks."

I just paid $15 for an old paperback (It originally sold for 35¢.) that started losing pages as I read it. I'm not normally that extravagant, but this was the last book I needed to have all of Hamilton's & I never saw it any cheaper. I've been looking for a while & finally just got it.

The short story it was based on "Ambush at Blanco Canyon" was published in 4 parts in The Saturday Evening Post. It's pretty hard to find.

I found it on ABE for like $24. Can't go that high on it. Eileen, the movie's on DVD I don't know about NetFlix and "stuff". My daughter stumbled over it and bought it for me. She knew it was one of my favorites.

Eileen wrote: "I watched the mini series years ago. I can't remember any of it and I've heard just great things about the book that I thought it was about time I read it.

I'm not sure I'll read the whole series...."

Wikipedia has a good article on it. If you just read the top 2 sections, there aren't any spoilers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lonesome...

It says Travis is right about the publishing order. I've only read it & none of the sequels. It was good, but huge & an emotional roller coaster. Not sure I was up to reading more, even if I'd had them available.

Janey wrote: "Madison wrote: "Just finished Sandstorm by James Rollins and now reading Area 7 by Matthew Reilly. Next book is Scarecrow by Matthew Reilly."

Wow, you are reading some fab books there. Totally lo..."
***
I concur as well on ALL 3 of those thrillers!

by Simon Kernick (reading this Entitle book via my HTC-One). 35% into this "Die Hard" in a fancy hotel thriller.

by Peter Liney. A Lord of the Flies for senior citizens. Almost done! E-pub digital library book.

Finally, on my Kindle PW: by Leslie Charteris. Almost finished with the first of 3 novellas that make up this book. Written in the early 1930's, the Saint is one cool tough character.

Got it. Looking at the wikipedia entry, Lonesome Dove was published first but is third chronologically in the series. The set I looked at must have had them listed in chronological order. For now I'm just putting it on the list to read. Now to go buy a copy.

I just finished Fast and definitely give it 5 stars. I've read his other books and they're all great. This one is non-stop action from beginning to end! If you like Matthew Reilly, you'll like this!

Couldn't find the Big Country for less than $30. Maybe a copy buried in gramps attic who knows. He swapped his books at the used bookstore every couple weeks but if one was particularly good or Louis Lamour they went upstairs. I'll keep it in mind if I go digging.

As for now I'm reading The Five which I should have known mc cammon wouldn't write a typical band story. Its a band being stalked by a sniper. Pretty good