few updates lately

I know I haven't written a lot on my blog lately, been busy or tired, but hoping to improve my blogging in the future.

Have been reading quite a lot though, nothing beats lying in the sofa with a good book after a hard day's work. Have finished two books since my last post; Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson and Sharpe's Tiger by bernard Cornwell.

Gardens of the Moon (The Malazan Book of the Fallen, Vol. 1), is the first book in a series of so far eight books (the author claims the series will, in the end contain ten books. I personally greatly enjoyed the book. The characters are great, the plot is good and complicated and the book introduces quite a new and fresh magic system. I can't wait to read the rest of the books, and recommend this book to other readers of fantasy.

Sharpe's Tiger (Richard Sharpe's Adventure Series #1), is the first book in Bernard Cornwells series of historical fiction about the british soldier Richard Sharpe. Sharpe is a soldier in the English army fighting in India in 1799. He is, after problems with a sergeant, sentenced to quite a flogging, but is instead sent on an undercover mission into the muslims' troops stronghold. Cornwell is an excellent writer of historical fiction. His books are educational and interesting, with memorable characters and a good plot. He writes in a way that is very easy to read, and it is hard to put down the book. This one I also greatly recommend.

Currently I am reading 1984 by George Orwell. Started yesterday and not too far into the book yet. So far I like it, it brings up a lot of issues about politics, privacy and, in my mind, is a big attack on socialism and communism. More to come of this book later.

Hmm, very tired today, have been a lot of work lately and can't wait to hit the sack. So will not write much today, in fact this is it. Until next time

cya

Dublin and preacher

Have finished Edward Rutherfurd's book Dublin, telling the history of Dublin up until the 16th century. The story is continued in a sequel, which I unfotunelately don't have at the moment. The book was very good, following a few families through the ages, thereby telling the story of Dublin. Rutherford writes in a very interesting way, putting the characters in tight spots, which they often get out of in interesting and unexpected ways, if they get out at all. Definelately, like the rest of his books, a recommended read.

I have also bought and read Preacher Vol. 7: Salvation, the seventh of nine books in Garth Ennis' Preacher series of comics. I absolutely love this series, the plot is great, every page is filled with action, the characters are interesting and stands out, and the story is filled with references to religion, the bible, westerns, history and movies. In Volume 7, the protagonist jesse is at a loss about what to do, just having been shocked by a lot of things. He don't know whether to continue his quest of finding God and make him resume his responsibility. Eventually he ends up in the small town of Salvation, Texas where he meets the sister of his childhood friend. Suddenly, he becomes sheriff of the town and starts a little war against the meat-baron Odin Quincannon. He also takes, later in the story, takes to buttons of peyote in an attempt to figure out what has really happened to him lately. The story is great, violent, sometimes macabre, with many interesting twists and turns. With Ennis' writing, you never really know where the story is going, as surprises keeps popping up. Salvation, a small town, holds many surprises, including the Clan and Jesse's long lost mother. With Salvation, the Preacher Saga continues strong, and this volume was quite a relief after, in my opinion, a little drop in quality in volume six. Have to find the money somehow, to buy the last two issues so I can see where the story ends.

I have also started reading Gardens of the Moon (The Malazan Book of the Fallen, Vol. 1), by Steven Erikson. I received this book for Christmas by a friend but has never gotten around to reading it until now. About halfway through at the moment, and so far the book is very good. It is a fantasy book, with a grand scope, several interesting characters, a magic system unlike anything I have seen so far, and a very interesting plot. More will come about this book when it is finished, hopefully during the weekend.

Well, that's it for now I guess. I'm heading back to the couch to read some more. Until next time

cya

Christmas Presents

The tradition in Norway is to open presents on christmas eve, and now all the gifts are opened. I had already gotten a digital camara from my family, so I wasn't expecting too many presents. i did get some books though, so I have a lot to read in the near future. From my parents I received Renegade's Magic, the third book in Robin Hobb's Soldier Son trilogy. As I have read the other two books and liked them, I can't wait to open this book. From a friend I received Gardens of the Moon, by Steven Erikson. From my brother I received an omnibus containing five of Wilbur Smith's books. I have never read anything by Steven Erikson, and only one book by Wilbur Smith, so I'm looking forward to discovering new authors. Reviews will follow as soon as I read the books.

I have also been reading a lot in Baudolino, and so far I love the book. I love Eco's way of writing, and his knowledge of the historical periods he writes from. If you are interested in historical fiction, you should definelately check out Umberto Eco. More on this book will come when I'm finished (hopefully tonight or tomorrow).

Well, Christmas eve is almost over in Norway, I have loved having a day off work. Tomorrow it's back to work. My next day off is the 28th, other than that I will be working every day until at least the 2nd of january. Until next time

cya