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[Lane Adamson]

The Hunger Games--I can see why it generated a buzz, though I wouldn't beat a path to the bookstore for it myself (my Dad loaned me his copy).

But OMG, it's written in that abombinable first-person present tense that's become so bloody fashionable and that serves absolutely no useful storytelling purpose (except to irritate the life out of cranky old curmudgeons like yours truly).

I may skip the sequels just on that account.

[Charles Phipps]

The Hunger Games--I can see why it generated a buzz, though I wouldn't beat a path to the bookstore for it myself (my Dad loaned me his copy).

But OMG, it's written in that abombinable first-person present tense that's become so bloody fashionable and that serves absolutely no useful storytelling purpose (except to irritate the life out of cranky old curmudgeons like yours truly).

I may skip the sequels just on that account.

Yeah, First Person isn't for everybody.

A note, though, a big part of the Hunger Games appeal is the fact Katniss is an Unreliable Narrator and blind to what most people would notice in her place.

[Lane Adamson]

...First Person isn't for everybody.

It's not the first person that grates on me, it's the completely unnecessary present-tense affectation.  I hate it; it makes me queasy.  Katniss isn't telling us the story "live, as it happens."  She's telling us something she's already experienced.

Narrating the story in present-tense doesn't make the experience seem more real, or immediate, or cinematic; it makes it seem like a cheesy video-game walk-through.  Only writing it in second person present could be worse.

... a big part of the Hunger Games appeal is the fact Katniss is an Unreliable Narrator and blind to what most people would notice in her place.

That, I got.  I kept thinking, "Girl, do you not see how that boy love you?  You big dummy."

[Thom Brannan]

Apocalyptic organ Grinder by W.T. Rose. Now I'm reading Cry Havoc, same author.

his stuff is goood. near the top of my TBR list is 7 Habits.

[Saladyn]

7 habits was the first book I've read. Grinder is for free, Cry Havoc was won during Infect the Web facebook event. True, all of them are great. At the same time sad and very grim. He writes about stuff that... Well, it's not for all readers. You need to have the stomach to get through few parts. Cry Havoc reminds me of the movie Signal.

[zombiemutts]

New Zed Order.

  Great, isn't it? Sequel comes out late this year I think.

[Saladyn]

Can't wait. I need answers for three major questions.

[Rakie]

i'm reading crap at the moment.  Not sure why, maybe the sunny weather's making me feel like i should be on holiday, but i'm reading a lot of rubbish.  It's reached the stage where i really need to read something good or my brain's going to turn to ice cream. 

[zombiemutts]

i'm reading crap at the moment.  Not sure why, maybe the sunny weather's making me feel like i should be on holiday, but i'm reading a lot of rubbish.  It's reached the stage where i really need to read something good or my brain's going to turn to ice cream.  

I hate that. It's amazing how much of a void not having a good book leaves me.

Here's something random...

Aztec by Gary Jennings. One of my top five books so maybe that will break your slump.

[Rakie]

oooh, i'll look that one out, thanks!

[Thom Brannan]

i'm reading crap at the moment.

does this mean the current PEN sub? EEK!!!

[Rakie]

ha, no, of course not!  Sorry, didn't mean to imply that at all!!    I was reading some true-life confessional novel of the sort you find in doctor's waiting rooms...

[zombiemutts]

Horns by Joe Hill

Goodness the fellow can ramble and bog down a large section of a book.

[Thom Brannan]

Mainak Dhar - Vimana

it was alright. a very interesting idea, but the execution was... sub-par? the 15,000 year-old characters read like normal people, and none of it felt right. the sci-fi bits were also interesting, but flawed. i kind of wish this guy had sat on the idea for a couple of more books, then wrote it when he was better. ah, well.

[sgambino]

I'm re-reading MorningStar Strain so I can buy ZA Recht's new book. It's been so long ago I needed a refresher.