What I’m reading these days…

Posted by Frank Cote on March 17, 2011
Posted in: news and views.

I’m on an ebook high these days.  I don’t have a lot of time to read, but my iPhone is always with me and I use it every second I get.

I’ve very recently discovered the Kindle app and perused the store and this is what I’m reading:

1) The List by J.A. Konrath

2) Playing for Keeps by Mur Laferty

3) Elements of Fiction Writing – Characters and Viewpoint by Orson Scott Card

4) On Writing by Stephen King

5) Characters, Emotion and viewpoint by Nancy Kress

On deck for the next batch:

1) Origin by J.A. Konrath

2) Saving Rachel by John Locke

3) Old Man’s War by John Scalzi (re-read)

I’m just finishing up The List and I’ve quite enjoyed it.  I intend to post up a review soon.  I’ve always been very curious about Playing for Keeps and I couldn’t resist reading a little when I got it and so far I am very pleased.

I can’t wait to read Orson Scott Card’s advice.  I’m a big fan of Ender’s Game (who isn’t?) and his advice books on writing have always come highly recommended.  I am very disappointed that the rest of the Elements of Fiction Writing Series is not available on Kindle it seems (none of my searches found them).

On Writing is a classic and is a hard copy, not a Kindle product.  I wanted to plow through it to keep my inspiration up.  Say what you will about Stephen King, he’s a successful and prolific author whose success I admire quite a bit.

The Nancy Kress book is also highly recommended and is one of those books, you know the kind, that I’ve bought years ago and never read.  Every few months I spot it and I remind myself that I really want to read it and I promptly forget about it.  This time, I picked it up and kept it with me these last few days and I’ve managed to get into it.  It’s good so far.  I’m learning a lot.

As for the rest, well, I enjoyed J.A. Konrath’s The List so much, why not try Origin?

John Locke was featured in this article and it made me quite curious.  I have to say I do enjoy the cheaper prices and if I can get quality writing for about the price of a coffee?  I’m in!   I find that pricing an ebook at a higher price than a paperback ridiculous (and I know, there are tons of reasons given by editors and publishers for this…but I’m not convinced) and I will take a chance on a 99 cent book while 15 dollars will give me MUCH pause.

As for Old Man’s War, well, do I really have to say?  I mean it’s a great read!  It was voted best SF Novel of the Decade by readers at Tor.com.  I have a signed copy of the book loitering at home for safekeeping  (It belongs to a friend.   A friend that I am very jealous and fond of, but very very jealous!) whispering my name (I have my own copy and I shall read it!)

Quite a stack!  I’m glad most of those are ebooks or else I’d wreck my back hauling them around!   I grew up having a gym bag full of books with me everywhere I’d go, I do not miss those days.

I miss the books though.