Valentine's Day

This is my first Valentine's Day being a married man.  I have a great wife who loves me as much as I love her.  We usually spent our Valentine's Day by getting each other something small like flowers or candy or by going out to eat.  But this year she surprised me by getting me three books for my Kindle!  I was so happy because I had been wanting to get these books, but could think of no god reason to spend the money when I have so many other books that need read.

The first book she got me was 'Before They Are Hanged' which is the second book in the First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie.  I started this series over a year ago and loved it.  I couldn't finish it because I didn't own the next two books.  I need to start this one soon before I forget what happened in the first book.

Another book I got is 'The Lies of Locke Lamora' by Scott Lynch.  I have heard a lot of hype about this book and am interested in this seven book series that has yet to be finished.  I will definitely start this one soon.

Last book I got is called 'The Black Prism' by Brent Weeks.  Brent Weeks is an author I have heard a lot about. I own his Night Angel Trilogy, but have yet to read it.  I am very excited to read this new author.

Reading Update: 23% of 'The Fires of Heaven'

Wheel of Time Re-read and Current book plan

So it has been a while since I have posted on this blog.  But I don't want to let this blog die, so here I am over  three months later, giving an update on my reading life.
First off, the spring semester has started so I am back on a school schedule and am limited with the amount of time I can devote to reading.  But, I try my best to fit in reading everyday (ironically, I do most of my reading during the week, and do the least on the weekends).  I always think that I will slack on my reading during school, but I just can't let my books go unread!
I have recently realized that I have started several series and I need to finish them.  I have a hard time reading a series all the way through, as I get bored reading the same author for several books.  And resulting, I put too much time between the books of a series, resulting in me forgetting what has happened in previous books.  Several series I have started include, 'The Dragon Lance Chronicles', 'The Farseer Trilogy',  'The Sword of Truth', and 'The First Law Trilogy'.  Between re-reading the WoT, my goal is to wrap up these series before I forget about them completely.

I am currently reading Book 5 of the 'Wheel of Time' series, 'The Fires of Heaven'.  This book is a little shorter than Book 4, but it is still quite hefty.  I think it is the 3rd or 4th largest of the whole series.  A lot of story lines get some big development and Rand learns he is not alone in his own mind.  The ending of this book is beast and I can't wait to get to it.  I have to finish this book by the end of February to still be on track with my WoT re-read (one book a month until October).

Reading Update: 10% of 'The Fires of Heaven'

First 6 Chapters of 'The Alloy of Law' for free.

Fans of Brandon Sanderson rejoice!  As one of the leading fantasy authors of the day, Sanderson releases the first sequel to his popular Mistborn Trilogy.  'The Alloy of Law' due out on Nov. 8 of this year, takes place hundred of years after the events of the original trilogy but still incorporates the same magic system of that trilogy.  Here is the blurb from Amazon:

Three hundred years after the events of the Mistborn trilogy, Scadrial is now on the verge of modernity, with railroads, electric lighting, and the first steel-framed skyscrapers racing for the clouds.

Yet even as science and technology are reaching new heights, the old magics of Allomancy and Feruchemy continue to play a role in this reborn world. Out in the frontier lands known as the Roughs, they are crucial tools for the brave men and women attempting to establish order and justice. 

One such is Waxillium Ladrian, a rare Twinborn, who can Push on metals with his Allomancy and use Feruchemy to become lighter or heavier at will. After twenty years in the Roughs, Wax has been forced by family tragedy to return to the metropolis of Elendel. Now he must reluctantly put away his guns and assume the duties and dignity incumbent upon the head of a noble house. Or so he thinks, until he learns that the mansions and elegant tree-lined streets of the city can be even more dangerous than the dusty plains of the Roughs.

The prologue and first six chapters of 'The Alloy of Law' are available for download on Kindle here.  This is sure to hold you over until the entire books release in a little less than two weeks.


Reading Update: 41% of 'The Eye of the World'

'Wizard's First Rule' for $2.99!

I had to let you know that the first book of the hugely popular 'Sword of Truth' series by Terry Goodkind is on sale for $2.99 on Amazon.  I love this series and especially this book; that is why I think that everybody should know about it.  It is only available for that price on the ebook edition for the Kindle, but if you have one and are interested in the fantasy genre you have to check it out.  Find it here.

Reading Update: 25% of 'The Eye of the World'

Mockingjay (The Entire Hunger Games Trilogy)

So, it seems that I have not only finished 'Mockingjay' by Suzanne Collins, but consequently, have finished the last book in the Hunger Games Trilogy.  I must say that this trilogy was ultimately one that I could not put down.  I usually never read a series all the way through by going book to book to book.  I usually space it out by reading different books in between over the course of 6 months or a year, depending on how long the series is.  But with the this series, I read them practically back to back to back, and boy did I love them.  (Thanks for the recommendation Sheila!)

Based in a futuristic North America, now called Panem, a girl named Katniss struggles through hardship after hardship in which none she can excape.  The worst of these being two death match-like 'games', from which the series gets its name, in which children compete and kill each other until the last man standing is crowned the victor.  Katniss is also witness to the death of many of her friends whose deaths she blames on herself.  Through it all, she is also faced with the decision that will affect the rest of her life; who does she love?  Her best friend, Gale or her protector, Peeta?

'Mockingjay' is the heart-wrenching, yet satisfying end to it all.  The world is changed, and Katniss begins a new life.  She thinks of all the kind acts that have ever been done for her as the book draws to a close, and you, as the reader, are pleased that she has finally found comfort.

I would recommend this to anyone who loves young adult fantasy such as Harry Potter or Percy Jackson.  The book is aimed for a younger audience, but don't let that fool you into thinking that everything is happy and rainbows the whole time.  Go out and get a copy of 'The Hunger Games' and after you finish, I am sure that you will be purchasing the other two as well.  I borrowed all three of them on Ebook Fling, but I will definitely buy them to own in time.

P.S. There is a movie called "The Hunger Games" based on the book, set for release in March 2012.  It stars Jennifer Lawrence, who you might recognize as the younger looking Mistique from "X-men: First Class"  Should be a good one; check out the teaser trailer.

Reading Update: 20% of 'The Eye of the World'

The Wheel of Time Re-read

So, as any fantasy buff knows, The Wheel of Time (tWoT) is one of the greatest epic fantasy series ever written.  Personally, it is my favorite group of books that I have ever read and would recommend this series to anybody, especially those who have read and liked The Sword of Truth or A Song of Ice and Fire.  After tWoT's author, Robert Jordan, passed away in 2007 and the series was picked up by author Brandon Sanderson, it saw lots of popularity as its last three books were taking shape.  As the new year approaches, so does the 14th and final volume of tWot series.

In honor of this event, Orbit Books, a publishing company in the UK, is promoting a re-read of the entire series before the final book comes out in Nov. 2012.  (As a side-note, the date of the 14th book's release is speculative, but I have been told from Brandon Sanderson's assistant that is the latest the book will be released.)  As a huge fan, I feel like I should be involved in this and read a book a month until the last one is released.  I have already read the series twice, but I feel like I need to be a part of this, since tWoT has been such a big part of my life.

I will make this a goal, but because I plan to read so many other books, I will not get too into it.  I am going to read the first couple books and then see where I am on the timeline.  If you would like to read with me, check out the link below that explains when to read each book.
Turn The Wheel Of Time

Buy the first book, The Eye of the World here:
Paperback
Kindle
Nook
Sony Reader

Reading Update: 13% of 'Mockingjay'

Second try... (And hopefully first success)

I have been meaning to start a real blog that I actually keep up with for a while.  But between school, work, reading, and other responsibilities, I always seem to push it aside and tell myself I will do it later (we all know this feeling too well I'm sure).  Of course it never gets done later and the blog that I always envisioned sits as an idea in my head instead of something that could really be great.

My vision consists of a blog that will catalogue the journey I have been on solidly for the past two years, to consume as many fantasy novels as I can, hopefully before I die (or my senses fail me).  In those two years, I have read over 20,000 pages worth of what, in my opinion, are some of the best stories that could be told.  I have read multiple books from some well known authors such as Brandon Sanderson, Peter V. Brett, Terry Goodkind, and G.R.R.M.  I love every second that I read, and I can never seem to get enough.  Because this time is so valuable to me, I realize that there are others that could enjoy what I have as much as I have.  As it turns out, this blog just isn't for me and my records, it is anybody out there that wants to read a good book and partially share the experience with me.  You will see me post quotes and blurbs from the books I am currently reading (try reading one with me sometime).  I will also be very informant of new releases in the genre; books that I always get really excited about.  General information (links to author's websites or blogs, etc...) will also be available on the site when I get more time to organize it the way I like.  I am going to try to blog everyday or at least every other day.


So, I finally here I sit, alone in my apartment, and I step away from my Zoology homework, the dirty dishes, and, regrettably,  'Mockingjay', to make my second attempt at a place where I can store and share the books that I love.



Reading Update: 3% of 'Mockingjay'