Comments on: Unfinished: Stacks of Shame http://www.thesecretlair.com/main/2010/03/02/unfinished-stacks-of-shame/ By Mad Geniuses, For Mad Geniuses Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:08:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Chris http://www.thesecretlair.com/main/2010/03/02/unfinished-stacks-of-shame/comment-page-1/#comment-3528 Chris Fri, 02 Jul 2010 01:51:49 +0000 http://www.thesecretlair.com/main/?p=1237#comment-3528 Like you, I have a tendancy to read stuff, then sometimes not finish it like I should. So, I had to restart Wheel of Time after making it half-way through book 5 about 7 years ago. Of course, since everyone says that #12 is a stellar return to the series, I figured I would give it a go once again. I never did finish the Merlin Trilogy by Stewart, although I did make it half-way through The Hollow Hills (Book 2). I feel guilty about not finishing it, because it really is a great trilogy +1. I also read part of the first book in Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy, but couldn't get past the first 200 pages of his anti-religion, anti-Catholic, anti-church, anti-everything overpowering, overburdensome pseudo-drivel. So I gave up. Another collection of tripe that I thought would be good but turned out to be utter drivel was the Inheratence series. Eragon was okay, but Eldest was a near snoozer from page 10. So it went to the "bin of never to be read again." Like you, I have a tendancy to read stuff, then sometimes not finish it like I should. So, I had to restart Wheel of Time after making it half-way through book 5 about 7 years ago. Of course, since everyone says that #12 is a stellar return to the series, I figured I would give it a go once again.

I never did finish the Merlin Trilogy by Stewart, although I did make it half-way through The Hollow Hills (Book 2). I feel guilty about not finishing it, because it really is a great trilogy +1.

I also read part of the first book in Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy, but couldn’t get past the first 200 pages of his anti-religion, anti-Catholic, anti-church, anti-everything overpowering, overburdensome pseudo-drivel. So I gave up.

Another collection of tripe that I thought would be good but turned out to be utter drivel was the Inheratence series. Eragon was okay, but Eldest was a near snoozer from page 10. So it went to the “bin of never to be read again.”

]]> By: Greg http://www.thesecretlair.com/main/2010/03/02/unfinished-stacks-of-shame/comment-page-1/#comment-3186 Greg Wed, 12 May 2010 16:59:12 +0000 http://www.thesecretlair.com/main/?p=1237#comment-3186 Wow. Lots to say here, as I've come to this topic late. Where to start? I never finished The Odyssey. I skipped a large section in the middle of The Two Towers as well. That was a rough read. And although the premise for The Hive by Chris Berman sounded great, I stopped after the second or third chapter - the writing was just BAD. He used the word "continence" when he meant "countenance", and he repeatedly uses "cast" when he means "caste". Inclusion of an Orion drive interested me in the novel, but poor writing drove me away. Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom Not Doctorow's best, but I really liked the story. It's the first story of his I ever read, and probably the only story I've ever printed out from an online source in order to read. Cryptonomicon I'm in the same boat. It seemed interesting, but I just couldn't do it. Put it aside about 1/3 of the way in. A Clash of Kings The first two books in this series were amazingly gripping. The third wasn't as good, but I couldn't have put down one of the first two books for anything. I'd recommend giving it another go. Mission: Earth I read the first book in the series and hated it, so I never attempted to continue. Funny, because L.Ron Hubbard's novel "Battlefield Earth" was excellent, despite the horrible movie version. And in regards to the books that @Nycteris mentions... Wild Cards I absolutely loved the first book, and the second was good as well, although I'd like to have seen more from The Horde. I tried the third and decided that the series had declined, so that's where I stopped. Dresden Files This is one series that has me entranced. They're a bit pulp, but they're easy reads and very very funny. I've got 3 books to go before I'm caught up, but I'm loving them. The Sword of Truth I read something like 8 or 10 books in this series - I can't remember. The first book was great, but they go downhill after that. Wheel of Time The first 6 books or so in this series are stellar. Then they trail off. Book 7 and 8 are slow. Book 9 is much better. Book 10 is VERY slow. But the recently-released book 12, ghost written by Brandon Sanderson, is AMAZING. The series is back again, and I look forward to its conclusion. Shannara I've got to admit, I've read every Shannara book there is. Just finished one last week. I don't like them as much as I did when I was 13, reading Terry Brooks and Piers Anthony all the time, but for some reason I still read them. Inheritance I've read them all. Not my favorite series, but I enjoy them. Wow. Lots to say here, as I’ve come to this topic late. Where to start? I never finished The Odyssey. I skipped a large section in the middle of The Two Towers as well. That was a rough read. And although the premise for The Hive by Chris Berman sounded great, I stopped after the second or third chapter – the writing was just BAD. He used the word “continence” when he meant “countenance”, and he repeatedly uses “cast” when he means “caste”. Inclusion of an Orion drive interested me in the novel, but poor writing drove me away.

Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom
Not Doctorow’s best, but I really liked the story. It’s the first story of his I ever read, and probably the only story I’ve ever printed out from an online source in order to read.

Cryptonomicon
I’m in the same boat. It seemed interesting, but I just couldn’t do it. Put it aside about 1/3 of the way in.

A Clash of Kings
The first two books in this series were amazingly gripping. The third wasn’t as good, but I couldn’t have put down one of the first two books for anything. I’d recommend giving it another go.

Mission: Earth
I read the first book in the series and hated it, so I never attempted to continue. Funny, because L.Ron Hubbard’s novel “Battlefield Earth” was excellent, despite the horrible movie version.

And in regards to the books that @Nycteris mentions…

Wild Cards
I absolutely loved the first book, and the second was good as well, although I’d like to have seen more from The Horde. I tried the third and decided that the series had declined, so that’s where I stopped.

Dresden Files
This is one series that has me entranced. They’re a bit pulp, but they’re easy reads and very very funny. I’ve got 3 books to go before I’m caught up, but I’m loving them.

The Sword of Truth
I read something like 8 or 10 books in this series – I can’t remember. The first book was great, but they go downhill after that.

Wheel of Time
The first 6 books or so in this series are stellar. Then they trail off. Book 7 and 8 are slow. Book 9 is much better. Book 10 is VERY slow. But the recently-released book 12, ghost written by Brandon Sanderson, is AMAZING. The series is back again, and I look forward to its conclusion.

Shannara
I’ve got to admit, I’ve read every Shannara book there is. Just finished one last week. I don’t like them as much as I did when I was 13, reading Terry Brooks and Piers Anthony all the time, but for some reason I still read them.

Inheritance
I’ve read them all. Not my favorite series, but I enjoy them.

]]> By: Kris Johnson http://www.thesecretlair.com/main/2010/03/02/unfinished-stacks-of-shame/comment-page-1/#comment-2659 Kris Johnson Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:30:50 +0000 http://www.thesecretlair.com/main/?p=1237#comment-2659 <a href="http://www.thesecretlair.com/main/2010/03/02/unfinished-stacks-of-shame/comment-page-1/#comment-2650" rel="nofollow">@blob</a> — I don't think I even own a copy of <cite>The Salmon of Doubt</cite>. I think in my mind The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series just ends after <cite>Life, the Universe and Everything</cite>. @blob — I don’t think I even own a copy of The Salmon of Doubt. I think in my mind The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series just ends after Life, the Universe and Everything.

]]> By: blob http://www.thesecretlair.com/main/2010/03/02/unfinished-stacks-of-shame/comment-page-1/#comment-2650 blob Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:33:30 +0000 http://www.thesecretlair.com/main/?p=1237#comment-2650 The one I can think of is <i>The Salmon of Doubt</i>. And that's because I can't quite bear to bring myself into a world with no Douglas Adams left to read. The one I can think of is The Salmon of Doubt.

And that’s because I can’t quite bear to bring myself into a world with no Douglas Adams left to read.

]]> By: Kris Johnson http://www.thesecretlair.com/main/2010/03/02/unfinished-stacks-of-shame/comment-page-1/#comment-2649 Kris Johnson Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:47:43 +0000 http://www.thesecretlair.com/main/?p=1237#comment-2649 <a href="http://www.thesecretlair.com/main/2010/03/02/unfinished-stacks-of-shame/comment-page-1/#comment-2647" rel="nofollow">@Nycteris</a> — Let's see, series I haven't finished: <ul> <li><strong>A Song of Ice and Fire.</strong> I've finished one book. In my defense, the author hasn't finished the series, either. (Ba-dum-ching!) Seriously, though, I'm not a GRRM detractor. Take as long as you need, George.</li> <li><strong>Wild Cards.</strong> I finished the first series, but haven't read any of the more recent installments. In my defense, the second book of the second "cycle" (<cite>Marked Cards</cite>, book fourteen overall.) is apparently somewhat rare—or at the very least pricy; it runs $18-35 on Amazon—and I don't have it.</li> <li><strong>The Dresden Files.</strong> I'm stalled on Book 2, <cite>Fool Moon</cite>.</li> <li><strong>The Sword of Truth.</strong> Loved the first book, <cite>Wizard's First Rule</cite>, but never quite got into the second. I've heard that the series kind of takes a nosedive in later books.</li> <li><strong>Mission: Earth.</strong> Yup. Talked about this one already, too.</li> <li>Possibly Mike Stackpole's <strong>X-Wing: Rogue Squadron</strong> series. Not sure if I actually made it through the first book of that one.</li> <li><strong>Wheel of Time.</strong> I've started the first book a couple of times, I think.</li> <li><strong>Shannara.</strong> Didn't make it through the first book.</li> <li><strong>Inheritance.</strong> After reading <cite>Eragon</cite>, I had no desire to continue.</li> </ul> @Nycteris — Let’s see, series I haven’t finished:

  • A Song of Ice and Fire. I’ve finished one book. In my defense, the author hasn’t finished the series, either. (Ba-dum-ching!) Seriously, though, I’m not a GRRM detractor. Take as long as you need, George.
  • Wild Cards. I finished the first series, but haven’t read any of the more recent installments. In my defense, the second book of the second “cycle” (Marked Cards, book fourteen overall.) is apparently somewhat rare—or at the very least pricy; it runs $18-35 on Amazon—and I don’t have it.
  • The Dresden Files. I’m stalled on Book 2, Fool Moon.
  • The Sword of Truth. Loved the first book, Wizard’s First Rule, but never quite got into the second. I’ve heard that the series kind of takes a nosedive in later books.
  • Mission: Earth. Yup. Talked about this one already, too.
  • Possibly Mike Stackpole’s X-Wing: Rogue Squadron series. Not sure if I actually made it through the first book of that one.
  • Wheel of Time. I’ve started the first book a couple of times, I think.
  • Shannara. Didn’t make it through the first book.
  • Inheritance. After reading Eragon, I had no desire to continue.
]]> By: Nycteris http://www.thesecretlair.com/main/2010/03/02/unfinished-stacks-of-shame/comment-page-1/#comment-2647 Nycteris Tue, 02 Mar 2010 19:35:10 +0000 http://www.thesecretlair.com/main/?p=1237#comment-2647 Alas, <i>Boneshaker</i> is a library book. I suprised myself by finishing <i>Perdido Street Station</i> though it was not entirely my cup of tea. And I greatly enjoyed </i>Jonathan Strange</i> and started writing a story inspired by it, that I ought to finish and post. If we extend this to "unfinished series" I read the first book of these series, but did not finish the rest: <i>Wheel of Time</i>, <i>Spiderwick Chronicles</i>(I bought those, I ought to finish), <i>Sword of Truth</i>(got to book 3 and quit), <i>The Saga of Recluce</i>, <i>The Riftwar Saga</i>(I think I got 5 into that one, maybe 6)... Alas, Boneshaker is a library book. I suprised myself by finishing Perdido Street Station though it was not entirely my cup of tea. And I greatly enjoyed Jonathan Strange and started writing a story inspired by it, that I ought to finish and post.

If we extend this to “unfinished series” I read the first book of these series, but did not finish the rest: Wheel of Time, Spiderwick Chronicles(I bought those, I ought to finish), Sword of Truth(got to book 3 and quit), The Saga of Recluce, The Riftwar Saga(I think I got 5 into that one, maybe 6)…

]]> By: The Secretary of Artistic Propaganda http://www.thesecretlair.com/main/2010/03/02/unfinished-stacks-of-shame/comment-page-1/#comment-2646 The Secretary of Artistic Propaganda Tue, 02 Mar 2010 19:00:26 +0000 http://www.thesecretlair.com/main/?p=1237#comment-2646 Oh! <i>Little Brother<i> is also one I never finished. Although it's more from forgetfulness rather than not liking the story. I'm definitely planning on finishing that one. I can't remember when I stopped reading it other than it was quite some time ago. Oh! Little Brother is also one I never finished. Although it’s more from forgetfulness rather than not liking the story. I’m definitely planning on finishing that one. I can’t remember when I stopped reading it other than it was quite some time ago.

]]> By: Kris Johnson http://www.thesecretlair.com/main/2010/03/02/unfinished-stacks-of-shame/comment-page-1/#comment-2645 Kris Johnson Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:31:08 +0000 http://www.thesecretlair.com/main/?p=1237#comment-2645 <a href="http://www.thesecretlair.com/main/2010/03/02/unfinished-stacks-of-shame/comment-page-1/#comment-2636" rel="nofollow">@Gaston</a> — Probably the only thing that's kept me from grabbing <cite>A Clash of Kings</cite> on Audible.com is that it costs two credits and I already own two copies of the book (a large-format ARC and the mass-market paperback). Not that it's entirely unheard of for me to own three copies/edition of a particular novel (see <cite>Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell</cite>). That said, I really didn't have any trouble making it through <cite>A Game of Thrones</cite>. I enjoy the way Martin writes; it's just a huge story with a lot of characters and I wanted to take a little break to read something with a slightly smaller scope. @Gaston — Probably the only thing that’s kept me from grabbing A Clash of Kings on Audible.com is that it costs two credits and I already own two copies of the book (a large-format ARC and the mass-market paperback). Not that it’s entirely unheard of for me to own three copies/edition of a particular novel (see Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell). That said, I really didn’t have any trouble making it through A Game of Thrones. I enjoy the way Martin writes; it’s just a huge story with a lot of characters and I wanted to take a little break to read something with a slightly smaller scope.

]]> By: Kris Johnson http://www.thesecretlair.com/main/2010/03/02/unfinished-stacks-of-shame/comment-page-1/#comment-2644 Kris Johnson Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:27:31 +0000 http://www.thesecretlair.com/main/?p=1237#comment-2644 <a href="http://www.thesecretlair.com/main/2010/03/02/unfinished-stacks-of-shame/comment-page-1/#comment-2637" rel="nofollow">@Nycteris</a> — I'd love to borrow <cite>Boneshaker</cite> if you really do plan on setting it aside (or after you finish it, if that's the path you ultimately take); I don't know that I'll care about the characters more than you do, but I'm willing to try. I've never tried to read another Doctorow novel, though I've heard good things about both <cite>Little Brother</cite> and <cite>Makers</cite>. I don't dislike <cite>Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom</cite>, I'm just not sure I <em>like</em> it, either. @Nycteris — I’d love to borrow Boneshaker if you really do plan on setting it aside (or after you finish it, if that’s the path you ultimately take); I don’t know that I’ll care about the characters more than you do, but I’m willing to try.

I’ve never tried to read another Doctorow novel, though I’ve heard good things about both Little Brother and Makers. I don’t dislike Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom, I’m just not sure I like it, either.

]]> By: Kris Johnson http://www.thesecretlair.com/main/2010/03/02/unfinished-stacks-of-shame/comment-page-1/#comment-2643 Kris Johnson Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:22:53 +0000 http://www.thesecretlair.com/main/?p=1237#comment-2643 <a href="http://www.thesecretlair.com/main/2010/03/02/unfinished-stacks-of-shame/comment-page-1/#comment-2638" rel="nofollow">@JJ</a> — Technically, the first Elric novel ought to be in my stacks of shame, as I've only made it a few pages into that one. Also: Umberto Eco's <cite>The Name of the Rose</cite>. @JJ — Technically, the first Elric novel ought to be in my stacks of shame, as I’ve only made it a few pages into that one. Also: Umberto Eco’s The Name of the Rose.

]]>