I’ve really been enjoying reading my friend Jamie’s posts for “What Are You Reading Wednesday” so I’ve decided to hop on the train and Do the Thing! (Find Jamie here; she’s awesome: https://jrosewordsmith.wordpress.com/)
What Are You Reading Wednesday – the nitty-gritty*Share the book/s you are reading with their author, maybe even the cover… and then answer these questions for at least one of them.Why did you decide to pick up this book – cover or content? Who is your favorite character so far, and why? Will you finish this one? Finish the sentence: This book reminds me of… (other books, movies, TV shows…) What type of read is this one? (slow but interesting, cannot put it down,…)
* I took this directly from Marissa’ blog! Find all three hosts of What Are You Reading Wednesday –>
Now for the actual post…
I am currently reading Dune by Frank Herbert and listening to the audiobook of Lockwood & Co.: The Whispering Skull by Jonathan Stroud.
Why did you decide to pick this book up – cover or content?
I’m reading Dune as part of a buddy read with a bunch of people over on bookstagram (#readdune). I’ve read it before, it’s actually one of the rare books on my all-time favorites shelf, but I haven’t read through the whole thing in years. It’s also the first book of my Joint Hugo-Nebula winners challenge, so yay!
The Whispering Skull is book 2 in the Lockwood & Co. series. I meant to read it months ago, but ended up returning it to the library in one of my many way too ambitious TBR months last year. I borrowed the audiobook because I try to always have an audiobook on my phone now for when I’m on the subway or working on my bullet journal or whatever.
The short answer for both is – content.
Who is your favorite character so far and why?
If you don’t know, brief summaries!
Dune is a science fiction novel following the teenage son of Duke Atreides as he moves with his family from their home planet to the spice planet, Arrakis. The Atreides are locked in a sort of blood feud with House Harkonnen who have just been forced to give up Arrakis by the emperor. That’s honestly a terrible summary and does nothing to touch on the religious and philosophical topics in this magnificent novel. My favorite characters remain the amazingly fleshed out side characters who serve House Atreides (Gurney Halleck, Thufir Hawat, Duncan Idaho) and the Fremen (and Dr. Kynes, the imperial planetologist!). The Atreides and Harkkonens are also great characters, just not as beloved by me.
The Whispering Skull is the second in the series so I don’t want to spoil anything… Suffice to say, my favorite character is the narrator, Lucy, in all of her psychic ghost-communicating sarcastic curious greatness.
Will you finish this one?
I plan to finish both of these! I might even finish The Whispering Skull tomorrow. Dune I am taking my time with and actually abiding by the weekly reading marks for the group read so I don’t get ahead when it comes time to discuss every Saturday. We’re due to finish it at the end of the month.
This book reminds me of…
It’s really the other way around, but Dune reminds me of the A Song of Ice and Fire series. I was struck this read through by how much Eddard Stark reminds me of Duke Leto Atreides.
The Whispering Skull reminds me of Supernatural (the tv show) a bit in terms of the small group of characters hunting down ghosts while trying to solve a larger mystery. It’s not exactly a new concept, but Stroud’s writing and worldbuilding makes it so dang enjoyable.
What type of read is this one?
Dune is a beloved reread. I am taking my time with it, and mostly happy to be taking my time. There is SO MUCH in every sentence of this book. I often find myself rereading lines or paragraphs trying to wring all the meaning out of them. It’s wonderful.
The Whispering Skull is a fun audiobook. I like the narrator. The pacing a little slow… but I am expecting big things from the finale so I’m just fine with that.
Well that was fun! Maybe expect me to do this more often…?
