Thanks for all of the well wishes, I’ve been laid low by the flu and so responses to queries and things are going to be a little delayed.
In the meantime, every now and then I like to get a snapshot of what people are reading to get a sense of the pulse of the book world.
So. What are you reading at the moment?
motsjustes says
In Search of Lost Time, Vol. III: The Guermantes Way; Tin House: Fantastic Women; On Becoming a Writer. -ae
Gwen says
Fiction: The Dark Glory War by Michael Stackpole
Non-fiction: Relativity by Albert Einstein
Not that I particularly hope to understand everything in Relativity, but I'd like to get a better grasp of the concepts.
mkcbunny says
OK, 450+ posts has to be a record (apart from contest-related submissions). That's crazy!
Nathan, hope you feel better. Something is going around the city and East Bay; everyone I know has been sick.
As for books I am reading … Still audio-booking Edgar Sawtelle. It's taking a long, long time.
In-hand, I have The Strain by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan. Getting ready to start it this weekend.
Ellen says
Unsticky, by Sarra Manning.
Juliette says
Just finished Voyage to Venus (audio book on a 10 hour return trip to visit my sister in the Snowy Mountains). It's the second book in C.S. Lewis' science fiction series – which I didn't know existed until 6 months ago! Loved it.
Last night I finished Wedding in December by Anita Shreve, which is the only novel of hers I didn't enjoy.
Today I read Missiles over Cuba by Tom White on my way to and from Sydney on the train. I was absolutely captivated by this man's first hand account of life in a Cuban prison in the mid-seventies. Very easy to read. Very worthwhile.
Now what shall I read tomorrow……?
carolinestarr says
Just finished The Forest of Hands and Teeth and am currently in the middle of Father Melancholy's Daughter.
Maya / מיה says
So… Lauren Conrad just inked a three-book YA series deal. Oy. Nathan, be honest– are you sick or are you bunkered down somewhere negotiating just how many millions get paid to LC when??
Jason Branch says
Reading The Three Musketeers for the first time.
Deatri says
Hold Love Strong by Matthew Aaron Goodman
Saundra Mitchell says
The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan and The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams.
Lily Cate says
An Instance of the Fingerpost
by Iain Pears
Chandler says
The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge by Carlos Castandeda for the third time.
Dawn says
Nathan, I hope you are feeling better soon.
Sara says
The Shadow Speaker, by Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu. YA fantasy set in West Africa, 2070. Yeah, way cool.
Anonymous says
Five Sisters: The Langhornes of Virginia, The Complete Works of Elizabeth of the Trinity: Letters from Carmel & The Betrothed (Manzoni).
Mira says
No post today? Ah, poor Nathan. You really must be feeling terrible. That so sucks.
I hate being sick. Whenever I'm really sick, I always feel like I'm never going to get better and be healthy again. Fortunately, there always comes a time when you start feeling like yourself again.
I'd bring you chicken soup, but there's that whole potential restraining order issue. So instead, I'm going to send wonderful blue and green healing waves through the internet. Rest and feel better. Rest and better. Feel better.
Mindi Scott says
THE MORGUE AND ME by John C. Ford.
Serenissima says
Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon
edentyler says
The Graveyard Book / Neil Gaiman
and
The Princess Bride… / William Goldman
oh, and I'm finishing up Fragile Eternity / Melissa Marr
L.J. Boldyrev says
I just finished Johnny Gruesome, by Gregory Lamberson and I think I am going to read Lament, by Maggie Stiefvater.
Anonymous says
The Shack by William P. Young freaking amazing loving it!
Jessica says
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton for the millionth time! She's the best author!
Tony Z says
Florida Roadkill
by Tim Dorsey
Sailor on the Sea of Fate
by Michael Moorcock
Question for Mr. Bransford
My Novel is a 40,000 word YA Fantasy with pencil drawings for each chapter. Rewrites could take me another month at the most to complete.
Should I send you a query, or would you be unwilling to wait, regardless of your interest in the project?
The major plot is complete but I need to rewrite many scenes.
Is any of this unfeasible?
Thank you for your Blog, Mr. Bransford!
Maya / מיה says
Tony Z, based on reading Nathan's blog, I'm 100% certain that he would want to wait until the book is fully polished and complete. He won't be able to judge an unedited work.
Tony Z says
Thank you, Maya!
is 40,000 words enough if the agent is pleased with the content?
Are pencil drawings acceptable?
It would be a shame not to include them. The partial is polished and edited but I just need time to rewrite some scenes and add more humorous moments.
I rewrote a scene from the Phantom Menace to test my creative skills, take a look!
https://preview.tinyurl.com/m86ewo
Tricia says
The Handmaid's Tale. Finally got round to it…
magstermash says
When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris
Mira says
Tony, look at the sidebar. Nathan answers alot of questions about queries. Make sure you're fully educated before you send a query out. Once an agent says 'no', that's it. Don't rush the process.
My opinion, leave the drawings out for now. Sell the text first, don't worry about the drawings.
Good luck!
Stephen Tremp says
Cemetary Dance by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
Donna says
Pelham One Two Three. An excellent novel Nathan. I was surprised that the movie and book came out at the same time. That must have taken a lot of work on your part
Chuck H. says
I just took another look at the original post and, Nathan, you must really be out of it. How can you get a pulse from a snapshot?
Jinx says
I am currently reading book 6 "Lover Enshrined" of JR Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Something interesting that I didn't think I'd ever pick up, but they're really good. =)
Stephanie says
ARC copy of "The Unit" by Ninni Holmqvist. Fantastic.
Kourtnie McKenzie says
Graceling by Kristin Cashore
John says
So, like, Nate dude, are you still alive or what?
Kenny Celican says
Earth by Brin.
The Bookaholic says
Chimamanda Adichie's new book 'The Thing Around Your Neck'
PurpleClover says
I've been super busy and just now had time to glance at the latest by Nathan while on my blackberry. To my dismay, he hasn't posted. Now I'm concerned. Not even a prescheduled post of Friday links. Nathan, when you feel up to it please let us know you're still breathing…on your own.
Uptown Small Town says
Reading and enjoying:
1. Your blog
2. Emily the Strange, The Lost Days
CherM says
Push by Sapphire.
T. Anne says
The Mark of the Lion, trilogy by Francine Rivers. Wonderful and amazing. I'm completely riveted.
Razor Rob says
Strain
When all Hell Breaks Loose
Latin-English Dictionary
Readng the OED
The New Yorker's uncompelling summer fiction
Anonymous says
As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner (not enjoying it)
Sharon aka Sapphire says
Annomous,
If you can't get into the book after 50 pages, find a new book.
Has any one read Forecast of Evil, by Laura Bradford? Good winter setting for a twisting mystery.
Rebecca V. O'Neal says
Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates
Montiagne's Essays
Max Jamison by Wilfrid Sheed
Anonymous says
The Long Walk by Stephen King.
Cpre says
Night by Elie Wiesel.
Three cups of Tea – Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
Danny -The champion of the world -Roald Dahl
Maya / מיה says
Am I the only one who heard the news about LC's book deal and (after groaning) wondered what Nathan thinks of the whole thing?? (And actually, the book deal is kind of brilliant. Especially because the books are actually written– er, "collaborated on"– by a bestselling YA author. It's a really bizarre fake-reality meets fake-fiction world…) Maybe Nathan is actually in mourning over the fact that he won't get to mentor LC on her path to literary greatness… or maybe, as I said before, he's actually hidden in a secret bunker nailing out the details on Lauren Conrad's next million dollar books. 🙂
Seriously, I hope Nathan's ok and that he gets well soon. I'm looking forward to a post too!
Word verification: "blessess" Blessess to you, Nathan!
Carl says
The Sand Pebbles by Richard McKenna
So far its been an amazing story. It's one of those books that I don't know why I hadn't read it already.
Cloudscudding says
Just finished Miracle Myx, an interesting story about a person with extra abilities that might appeal to those who like Odd Thomas. Trying to work my way into Anathem.