What Books Are You Reading?

[srfrgrl]

Have you ever been in Barnes & Noble and have had a difficult time picking out a great summer read or something light and easy for lunch time. Well here is your chance to help your fellow board member and tell them what you are currently reading. You just may inspire someone to pick a book they might have never heard of. So here we go:

Angels & Demons-By Dan Brown

Offical Description:

World-renowned Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is summoned to a Swiss research facility to analyze a crytic symbol seared into the chest of a murdered physicist. What he discovers is unimaginable: a deadly vendetta against the Catholic Church by a centuries-old underground organization-the Illuminati. Deseperate to save the Vatican from a powerful time bomb, Langdon joines forces in Rome with the beautiful and mysterious Vittoria Vetra. Together they embark on a frantic hunt through sealed crypts, dangerous catacombs, deserted cathedrals, and the most secretive vault on earth.. the long forgotten Illuminati lair.

My Take-The book is an extrememly quick read with short chapters. Its definately a page turner that keeps you quenched for more with each chapter. If you read The DaVinci Code you will love Angels & Demons.

[Talon Karrde]

I just completed the novel adaptation of the miniseries Into the West by Max McCoy. I'll be reviewing the novel soon and will post the review link here.

Now, I have begun reading Maya Angelou: Poems, a 209-page compilation of poetry written by Maya Angelou.

[Justine]

I (as usual) am currently reading 2 books.

One, is a collection of horror stories called Death Sentences by up-and-coming horror writer Matthew Warner, and the other is "Sex and the City", which is the book that spawned the hit T.V. show.

Both are quite good so far. Matthew Warners is not available yet, seeing as it has not yet been released. Review copies are wonderful things

[Talon Karrde]

I've just begun reading The Silver Bullet by Brad Aiken, sequel to The Starscape Project (www.g-pop.net/starscape.htm).

It's the year 2497 and former Earth inhabitants, The Teconians, are readying themselves for a major attack against their mother planet. Earth's only defense is a new energy generator in the shape of an obelisk. Unfortunately, the obelisk is somehow sent back in time...all the way back to the nineteenth century. In all of the Federation, there is only one man who has the guts and the skills to bring the obelisk back in time to defend Earth. That man is Captain Danny Stryker. He's able, but is he willing?

[Talon Karrde]

Well, finished another book - now I'm reading Star Wars: The New Jedi Order: The Final Prophecy by Greg Keyes. The Jedi have found the living planet Zonama Sekot. The planet has agreed to assist them in their fight against the Yuuzhan Vong. This strikes fear in the heart of the Supreme Overlord, although he takes great pains to hide it. One of his most trusted shapers, Nen Yim, is curious as to the Supreme Overlord's attempts to keep the planet's existence a secret from his people. Hearing that The Shamed Ones, a decrepit and down-trodden caste of the Yuuzhan Vong, have some sort of knowledge of Zonama Sekot, Nen Yim seeks them out, hoping to learn more about the planet and why it strikes such fear in the heart of the Supreme Overlord. Meanwhile, General Wedge Antilles must find a way to retake the Bilbringi system - a system that, if won, will bring the Galactic Alliance that much closer to retaking Coruscant. However, it's close proximity to the Yuuzhan Vong capital is certain to give Antilles a run for his money. Especially when he becomes cut off from the rest of the campaign!

This is a fairly fast read. Unlike, the last series I read - The Force Heretic - Greg Keyes truly knows how to write these characters and The Unifying Force is proving to be an entertaining novel. Shane Dix and Sean Williams should really stick to their own sci-fi series and leave Star Wars alone.

[Justine]

I am now reading a collection of short stories called 3 AM by Dallas Woodburn. The girl really knows how to write the kind of humor people encounter in their every day lives. So far, I'm liking it.

[SoBeLoVer]

I just finished reading Angels and Demons myself a few weeks ago... Good book...Maybe even better than The Da Vinci Code, but I guess that is always up for debate!

Right now I am reading Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk (the guy who wrote Fight Club). I JUST started it so I really can't say if it is a good book or not, but I have read and loved every one one of his books so I can't imagine it will be bad!

[shadowwalker]

"Changing Planes" by Ursula K. Le Guin

Synopsis
ARMCHAIR TRAVEL FOR THE MIND: It was Sita Dulip who discovered, whilst stuck in an airport, unable to get anywhere, how to change planes - literally. With a kind of a twist and a slipping bend, easier to do than describe, she could go anywhere - be anywhere - because she was already between planes ... and on the way back from her sister's wedding, she missed her plane in Chicago and found herself in Choom. The author, armed with this knowledge and Rornan's invaluable Handy Planetary Guide - although not the Encyclopedia Planeria, as that runs to forty-four volumes - has spent many happy years exploring places as diverse as Islac and the Veksian plane. CHANGING PLANES is an intriguing, enticing mixture of GULLIVER'S TRAVELS and THE HITCH HIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY; a cross between Douglas Adams and Alain de Botton: a mix of satire, cynicism and humour by one of the world's best writers.

I'm not too far into the book, for some odd reason my brain just won't stick to any of the books i've been trying to read (I got JLA: Superman and a few others with bookmarks but i just can't follow them) anyway but what i have read so far is awesome. Ursula spins a thread of diffrent worlds each unique and diffrent than the last that was visited, you almost wish that you were there sharing the same adventure.

[jpmessiah]

I am reading a Padwolf Book, called Murphy's Lore that focuses on supernatural beings like Loki interacting with humans. It is pretty funny and actually really cool. I don't want to talk much about it, because I plan on posting a review of it soon.

I am also reading a book called WrestleCrap, which really makes fun of all the bad ideas wrestling companies have come up with from Doink the Clown to the overkill of the NWO. I am also reviewing that.

I am also reading a book about the Death of WCW that I just got into and will be reviewing on the site.

[Talon Karrde]

Wow! I'm really breezing through the books, eh?

I'm now reading Magic's Promise, Book 2 of The Last Herald Mage series by Mercedes Lackey.

Vanyel Ashkevron is now a 28-year-old man and a full Herald-Mage. He is so powerful that all those who hear about him either fear him or are in awe of him. Unfortunately, it is that very power which makes him invaluable to the kingdom of Valdemar. Vanyel has been through many trials and has lost many a friend to the outbreak of war on the Karsite borders. Having just returned from this very war, all Vanyel is looking for is some time to rest and restore. Although he loathes visiting his parents, Vanyel believes that this will be the only way to get some rest before the King sends him on another mission. But his return to his homeland is anything but restful. Unrest is brewing along his homeland's borders and it is feared that mage-work is at its root. Vanyel must investigate and bring the evil-doer to task before more devastation can be unleashed on his people.

I loved the first novel of this series, but I think this one is going to be a favorite. While the last novel was very dark, this novel has a sense of humor. Light moments are interspersed throughout the novel giving the reader some respite from the dark and brooding character Vanyel can often be. The story is intriguing - I've just started this novel and I've already read over 100 pages!

[Talon Karrde]

Been reading the last part of the Last Herald Mage Series by Mercedes Lackey - Magic's Price.

Vanyel has discovered a way to keep Valdemar safe by linking all of the Heralds together through magic. He is one of the last Herald Mages and being that the Herald Mage is a rare commodity in Valdemar, protection of its borders must expand from Herald Mages only to all of the Heralds in the kingdom. The king's health is failing and the throne is on the line. As if this wasn't enough, Vanyel is faced with the possible invasion of Valdemar by a dark master's army.

I'm about a fifth of the way through this book and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. I like the character of Vanyel, though I'm fairly certain...if I remember a thing or two from Mercedes Lackey's other tales, that Vanyel's ending is not exactly a happy one.

[Talon Karrde]

Time once again to move on to a new book. I think I'll be splitting my time between two books for now though.

I just started reading The American Indian Wars by John Tebbel and Keith Jennison. Before the Americas were explored and settled by the "white man", the region now known as the United States was populated by over one million Native Americans - six hundred different societies scattered over this entire country. Over four centuries, these proud peoples saw their numbers decimated, their traditions and culture destroyed. This book chronicles the interactions between the Native Americans and the "white man" dating all the way back to the 1500s. It tells of their struggles to cope with the new invaders of their land, their resolve to drive them out, the injustices heaped upon their peoples, and their ultimate defeat.

I also was just able to purchase the DC Comics Encyclopedia. This is just about the coolest compilation of comic book characters I've ever seen. The book gives you basic facts and small biographies about approximately 1000 superheroes, villains, sidekicks, vehicles, etc over 70 years of DC comic book history. The illustrations are great and the book is very informative. It's toted one of the best information guides for DC Comics. Can't wait to delve into it!

[Justine]

LOL-my media text,, my history text...

Nah, but seriously, besides assorted text books, I am reading A Tree Grows In Brooklyn by Betty Smith for my history class. This is the story of a poor young girl growing up in America's industrial age. It's a touching portrait and a classic. I love Francie, the main character, because she is brilliant and resourceful and quite young for the way she thinks. I have definitely had worse subjects for a book report. I'm actually enjoying this one quite a bit!

[Talon Karrde]

Just began reading Star Wars: The New Jedi Order: The Unifying Force by James Luceno. It's the final book of The New Jedi Order series and I can't wait to see how the series ends.

[Vilandra]

I'm reading There and Back Again by Sean Astin - his book about the filming of the Lord of the Rings. It's pretty good, but it's taking me a long time to read for some reason. It's sort of...a lot more about Sean personally than I thought it would be. But good tidbits in it.