Recent reading and listening

[luzula]

The Warrior's Apprentice, by Lois McMaster Bujold (audiobook)

Miles has yet to win my heart. I want Cordelia back instead! I dunno, I found the adventures that Miles has in this book kind of improbable and irresponsible? And yeah, I get that he's trying to prove himself, but hmm. Although I do like that he and Elena didn't get together--I dislike plots where two characters grow up almost as siblings and then end up together romantically. Will listen to the next one to see if Miles grows on me.

Her Smoke Rose Up Forever, by James Tiptree Jr. (short story collection)

I feel like these were almost all about sex and death and the connection between them. Not in a sexualized way, but in a sort of biological way? Well worth reading. My favorite was Your Faces, O My Sisters, Your Faces Filled Of Light, because it absolutely broke my heart. It engaged my feelings in a way most of the other stories didn't--they felt more like idea stories to me (not that this is a bad thing).

I've also tried to listen to Virginia Woolf's To the Lighthouse but gave up on it. I know it's not the kind of book that's supposed to have much of a plot, but I just didn't care enough about the characters to listen to their stream-of-consciousness thoughts. Ah well.

Comments

[amoama]

Hahahahaha I just had to go check my goodreads review of The Warrior's Apprentice because your comments sounded so familiar! I quote:

Also Miles couldn't quite have my sympathies when he went off on a whim pretty much and ended up getting loads of people killed including one of my favourite characters. I'm definitely in the *missing Cordelia* stage as well but I do like Miles and there were some great moments so I'm still excited to keep reading.

And I agree on the Elena front! I loved some of the other characters like Bel and Tung though too. I'm up to Brothers in Arms now and Miles has definitely continued to grow on me although that irresponsible side hasn't quite disappeared. It's the improbable aspect that's more problematic I think!

[cantarina]

Miles' adventures never really get less improbable, but they do grow on you. You also never stop missing Cordelia; she had a semi-prominent role in a book further down the line and it made me *ache* to have her back, even for only a part of the book and not as a POV character. I like Miles, but he's definitely a child of Barrayar as much as he is his mother's.

[jesse_the_k]

+2 re Cordelia.

I read Shards of Honor in a really wonderful audio edition. The narrators were my local radio announcers, so a cozy family feeling. The female narrator, Carol Cowan, has the most delicious voice ever, and I thought it particularly appropriate to Cordelia.

from the thorough Dendarii Nexus
http://www.dendarii.com/
The earlier Vorkosigan series books (Falling Free to Borders of Infinity) were recorded in unabridged format by The Readers Chair. Each story was narrated by Michael Hanson & Carol Cowan and was released as audio tape and MP3 CD. Unfortunately The Readers Chair is now out of business and these are now not generally available.

Here's an MP3 slice which begins with Carol's fabulous voice:
http://www.dendarii.co.uk/MP3/loisb-shards.mp3

[mysticalchild_isis]

I never stop missing Cordelia, but I quickly became very attached to Miles as well. The novella Mountains of Mourning was a bit part of that.

[luzula]

Ha, that does sound similar! *g* I'm glad to hear that Miles grows on you, I'll keep reading and see what I think.

[luzula]

I'll look forward to that book where she has a more important role, then! And in the meantime, I'll just look for Cordelia fic, I guess... : )

[cahn]

...yeah. I still miss Cordelia. But Miles does grow on you! It was pretty late for me -- Mirror Dance, I think -- when I realized how much I really did like him and his books, and Memory where I realized I'd completely lost it. (Memory is The Best One, btw.)

ALSO TIPTREE! I absolutely love Tiptree and try to foist her on everyone :)

Vorkosigan series

[desireearmfeldt]

Miles does grow up over the course of the series, and also the books evolve what sort of books they are -- both in the sense that the author gets to be a more experienced author, and in the sense that the focus shifts from madcap space opera to somewhat more serious issues & more Barryar-specfic stuff. Although there is also the weird thing where some of the later books or parts of books try to go back to the style of the earlier ones...

Re: Vorkosigan series

[luzula]

Okay, it's good to know that Miles grows up, and I'll be looking forward to the more serious books! Not that I can't enjoy fun space opera, but it didn't quite grab me in this book.