Random Monday: What Are You Reading?

[naomi_jay]

I fancied a break from urban fantasy so I picked up a traditional fantasy called Lord of the Changing Winds, which I was really excited about because it's all about gryphons, and I'm still hung up on gryphons from my Mercedes Lackey days.

Unfortunately I couldn't get past chapter two. The prose was far too flowery for my tastes, and everyone had unpronouncable names, which meant I just mentally called everyone Hank to save time. After I got halfway through chapter two and realised I'd read two entire pages without having a clue what was going on, I gave up. One for the charity shop.

So then I picked up my phone (and its Kindle App) and tried Jenny Pox.

It...I don't know what's going on with this girl's arms, but it really bothers me. Anyway, it seems okay. A little meandering to start, but I like the concept. The obvious love interest looks like he's going to be dull as hell, but I could be wrong. And because I like to mix up ebooks and paperbacks, I also started White Jazz this morning.

This has really gripped me, although it takes a few pages for the narrative style to make sense. I can't help hearing Rorschach's voice as I read. It's that kind of stilted, stream of consciousness speaking. Probably good reading whilst I'm working on an Ethan book. And secretly I would love to write this kind of gritty, nasty noir stuff, but I just don't think I could.

Anyway, that's me. Anyone else reading anything good at the moment?

Comments

[out-totheblack.livejournal.com]

LOL, I get too distracted when I read, so I'm trying to not read anything new this month.

But! I have 3 things waiting for me when Nov. is over. One of yours, one of bondo_ba's, and something from intothenyght.

My latest favorite thing I've read was the Sharing Knight series by Lois Bujold. Before that the Elder Race series, that I told you about...they have griffons...

[naomi-jay.livejournal.com]

Oh, what of mine? *nosy*

I still need to check out the Elder Races books! I've asked for book tokens for Christmas, but my brothers are saying that's boring and refusing to get me them.

[faeriegirl.livejournal.com]

I'm currently reading The Norse Myths, but that Jenny Pox book sounds pretty good!

[out-totheblack.livejournal.com]

It is the first of your werewolf books.

[naomi-jay.livejournal.com]

Eep! I hope you like it :)

[naomi-jay.livejournal.com]

I love Norse mythology! Grew up reading tales of the Norse gods and heroes.

[out-totheblack.livejournal.com]

I've read your excerpt and really liked that, so I think I will :)

[brit-columbia.livejournal.com]

I'm reading The Last of The Wine by Mary Renault. I tackled it for the first time an eon ago when I was thirteen. I didn't understand what was going on much of the time thanks to my age and lack of life experience, not to mention Ms. Renault's subtlety, but I recall being fascinated by the way she made ancient Greece come alive. Now that I'm older, I'm much less confused by the confusing parts!

[naomi-jay.livejournal.com]

I had the same experience with Angela Carter's Nights at the Circus. Was way too young the first time I read it, but when I re-read it a couple of years ago, it was so worth it.

[faeriegirl.livejournal.com]

Got a favorite myth or deity? I was introduced to myth through Homer's Iliad and Odyssey in junior high, buuuut Odin's been in my life for awhile and Freyja's demanding I quit ignoring Her, so I thought it best to familiarize myself with Their tales and stories :P

[alex-beecroft.livejournal.com]

I'm reading "The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters" http://www.amazon.co.uk/Glass-Books-Dream-Eaters/dp/0670916471
which is long winded but fun so far. Lots of steam-punk-esque derring-do.

[intothenyght.livejournal.com]

Reading "Halfway to the Grave" by Jeaniene Frost. It's campy but hilarious, and I'm starting to like the hero Bones more and more. ;)

[marumae.livejournal.com]

I'm sad Lord of the Changing Winds was boring, I love Griffons too, :\. Dang it. James Ellory has a really weirdly gripping style doesn't he? It's hard to shake thinking like that in terms of writing too once you're really into it. I loved his "Black Dahlia" book even though he took a lot of liberties with the real case, it's perhaps a good thing? Because it's a real tragedy.

[marumae.livejournal.com]

Ooh, ,I'm also reading A Mystery, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie which is an interesting book to say the least. The Unconventional Heroine, makes me enjoy it I think where as usually I like the idea of mysteries, but not always the execution, see what I mean?. Also reading The Mysterious Benedict Society interesting, a change from my usual fantastical Young Adult novels but still :).

[naomi-jay.livejournal.com]

Loki was always my favourite god, and the Volsung saga is my favourite myth.

[naomi-jay.livejournal.com]

I think I tried to read that a few years ago, but the sheer size of the book made it impossible!

[naomi-jay.livejournal.com]

Bones is great :) I'm behind on the series now, but I loved book three especially.

[naomi-jay.livejournal.com]

If you want to try Lord of the Changing Winds, I don't mind sending you my copy, since I'd just be giving it to charity anyway! PM me your address if you'd like it.

Black Dahlia is amazing - I loved reading up about the actual case afterwards and seeing how he'd interpreted and changed it. It's quite fascinating

[marumae.livejournal.com]

I would LOVE the book, thanks my love! :D.

[intothenyght.livejournal.com]

Sweet, I have much to look forward to then!

[naomi-jay.livejournal.com]

You're welcome! I posted it today, so hopefully it will be with you in the near future :)