Just picked up 'Game of Thrones', the new series and the recommendations in this thread have convinced me to give it a go, it's got sex and blood in it, so I'm sure I'll enjoy it.

I've also started toilet reading again, I've got a stack of GTO manga in my bathroom cupboard and they help past the time, especially when the load is phenomenal. GTO is great, I still stick to the notion that novel readers would love reading manga as well, it's just that the access to manga is harder and it's probably the main reason why people don't get into it as much.

I've hit a bit of a reading wall lately, which has only caused my backlog to grow, but I'm starting back up tonight. I still need to finish 'The Black Prism' by Brent Weeks, the beginning is such a downer, I loved the guys previous work, but I'm just not feeling his new series.

I'm still recommending that people give 'The Name of the Wind' a go, I've been thinking about re-reading the sequel, but I might have to put my backlog in front of it.

Not currently reading anything, I'm such a book snob and find it hard to find ones I like.

Just finished a Doctor Who book that my GF bought me, was pretty decent actually.

Finished reading the Sarantine Mosaic. Dude, Guy Gavriel Kay is awesome. Almost as good as Martin or Erikson, I'd say.

Just finished Dragon Keeper and Dragon Haven by Robin Hobb. Quite good fantasy fare. Generally find her writing style quite entertaining.

Now starting on The Crippled God on my new Kindle. Can't believe the Malazan series is now at an end!

I recently picked up 2 books at a Japanese book store in the city. One is a book that teaches you kanji through manga style comic strips.

The other is a book of poems called A Hundred Verses from Old Japan which is a translation of the hyaku-nin-isshiu (100 poems by 100 poets).

I met Robin Hobb once, she's a nice lady, all female fantasy authors are nice old ladies apparently. Not a fan of her work though, the only series I liked from her was The Farseer Trilogy and I wouldn't even rank that among my many favourites. People love her though.

That Malazan series is a long one, I've always heard good things, but I find it hard to jump into a series so late into it's life, is it worth reading through the whole thing? 

finished the last book in the Wess'har Wars last night.   these books were depressing...im glad i am finished them now.   when i work through more of this pile of books i will probably pick up her Gears of War novels though. 

That's cool. I generally like the way she formulates a story but without getting caught up with too much random spiel. I've met George R.R Martin at a book signing. He seems like a pretty nice guy. I get the feeling a lot of the fantasy authors are generally pretty decent people. Must be something to do with the genre, lol.

As for the Malazan series, it is a long one! I would personally say it's worth it, but it is a difficult series to read. It's very much a love it or hate it series. It's pretty different and shoves you in at the deep end with a large array of concepts (concerning magic, gods, life after death, different races etc.) and expects you to catch up.

He doesn't describe events in the traditional sense either and often goes into philosophical writings from different characters points of view rather than describing a scene in huge detail. The series also has a massive cast of characters and some of them suffer because of it, but the events that befall them are highly memorable and you'll quickly pick out your faves. The best things about the series though is the set pieces and the way he builds up these massive events. The entire second half of Book 2 is simply incredible. I will warn you though, that Book 1 (Gardens of the Moon) isn't the best and is a difficult intro to the series, but it rapidly improves.

Dead thread is dying :(

Just bought a book and several comics last weekend.

Firstly I bought Foundation and Empire by Asimov. Which is the sequel to the novel Foundation. Can't wait to read this.

I also purchased the graphic novel Batman Year One by Frank Miller, which I've been wanting to read for ages. I also bought Action Comics #900 and since it was free comic book day I got a free Thor/Captain America comic and a free Inspector Gadget comic. All three of which I've already read.

The short story in Action Comics #900 where Superman renounces his American citizenship after his show of solidarity with the Iranians protesting non-violently against their tyrranical government becomes an international incident (where his actions are thought to be that of americas) was  really very touching.