Monday 15 February 2010

What Should I Read Next?

I’ve managed to read enough books recently to free up some reading time for one of those ‘more weighty tomes’ that lurk at the bottom of the reading pile and defy all my attempts to fit them onto the train when I go to work. Funnily enough, it’s the ‘doorstopper’ books that I enjoy reading the most but these days I never have the time to read them… :o(

So, which one should I read? I thought I’d enlist the help of you guys in picking my next read, as I can’t actually decide. What do you reckon out of the choices below…?



‘Dust of Dreams’ – Steven Erikson

As much as I love the Malazan books, they are the kind of read where I need to take a week off work (take the phone of the hook etc) in order to really get the most out of them. I keep saying that I’ll read the latest one before the next one comes out but… it never happens. I’m not even going to mention ‘Return of the Crimson Guard’…
Should this week be the week where I finally go for it?

Or…



‘Tome of the Undergates’ – Sam Sykes

If Gollancz are to be believed, this is the debut you should all be looking out for this year. The blurb does look pretty tasty so it made the shortlist. Also (being such a huge book) removing ‘Tome’ from the bookshelf made room for four smaller books, making more room on the floor and appeasing my wife!
Should it be the book I tackle next though…?

Or…



‘Farlander’ – Col Buchanan

If Tor UK is to be believed, this is the debut you should all be looking out for this year. There’s a hooded man on the front cover but try not to hold that against him, he’s probably got a cold head or something ;o)
Airships and assassins, what’s not to like? This book isn’t as big as the other two but it’s one that I’ve been looking forward to so it made the list as well!

So, do I go for a book that I’ve been meaning to read for ages or do I get on with one of the books that people are promising good things for in 2010? Leave a comment and let me know. The book with the most votes by the end of the day will be the book that I start reading on the way to work tomorrow…

27 comments:

SciFiGuy said...

You've already unconsciously selected your choice with the phrase "weighty tomes". The obvious choice is the Sam Sykes book.

Brooke Reviews said...

Going to agree with Doug on this one :)

Anonymous said...

Yes. I believe 'Tome' is a good one.

Antonis M. said...

I'm also very interested to read your review of Sykes' Tome so my vote goes to that one along with the others before me.

Bryce L. said...

I was gonna say Tome as well cause I've grown to liking Sam in the last few weeks. And even though I'm the worst as succumbing to peer pressure, I'm going for Farlander. I hear it's good.

Rich said...

I vote Farlander. Everyone is gonna love Dust, so since all others are voting Sykes, I thought I'd vote for this.

Droidprogrammer said...

Darn, I was going for Farlander, I have been looking for its release date in Canada.

Jeff said...

Either Tome or Farlander. I have Dust of Dreams already and will be reading it for sure. I'd love to know more about either of the other two books.

Craig said...

Pure curiosity means my vote is for Sykes' book as well.

Gav (NextRead.co.uk) said...

Farlander ;) as loads as reviews of Tome are likely!

Peta said...

I vote for Tome of the Undergates too!

ediFanoB said...

I vote for Farlander.
I think there is enough hype around Tome :)

Kat Hooper said...

Graeme, go with the one that comes out first. That's Tome in the UK, right?

Esther said...

February is a short month so go for the short book - Farlander

Benjamin said...

I vote for Farlander, though I'd go for Tomes as well.

Mark said...

I vote for 'Farlander,' only because there will be loads of reviews for 'Tomes.'

Reuben said...

I'm already reading Dust (which a hundred pages in is still building up to the first major scene, but it's awesome so far, something about the way he puts words together), and I've heard a lot of good press about Tome but nothing about Farlander, so read that one!

Unknown said...

I vote 'Tomes' simply because the blurb doesn't really do it for me but there seems to be a lot of buzz around it. Curious to read what you think.

The Fantasizer said...

An my vote goes to


"Farlander"

Merely cause of a better cover than the other two though. No matter the hoode man the cover's good.

Graeme Flory said...

I may have totally got the numbers wrong (it was a late night last night...) but I've tallied the results and... I started reading 'Farlander' this morning. I'll let you know how it goes ;o)

Craig said...

Actually it was a tie. 9 votes for Tome and 9 votes for Farlander with 1 vote for both.

Graeme Flory said...

Numbers and I have never got on all that well... :o(

I've counted again and make it ten votes for 'Farlander', seven for 'Tome', one guy voted for both and Kat said go for the one that's published first (which is 'Farlander'). If I finish 'Farlander' this week (likely) then I'll make an early start on 'Tome' ;o)

Craig said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Craig said...

Sorry Graeme my bad. I accidently counted Seak's and Kat's vote for Tome, which in my defence they both mention.

Marduk said...

Graeme, it sounds like everyone voting is being quite selfish - wanting you to read a book for them. I will do you a favour and tell you to read Dust of Dreams because it kicks all kinds of ass and you just have to. I read it last year and you need to read it. Now. Get to it. Now.

and shame on you re RotCG!

Unknown said...

Ha! I guess we were kind of selfish...

Sam Sykes said...

Curse you, Flory, and your inane adherence to the concept of Democracy! You'll not hear the last of this!

No, no, I kid. In all seriousness, Farlander *is* published first and I've also been reading it and found it quite fun.

I have no doubts that you'll like Tome, though, so, as the alligator to your wounded, sickly wildebeest, I wait patiently.