So...what have you been reading? Part II

As of this week, I've continued my pursuit of finishing the Ender saga.  I read Ender's Game a couple years ago (after a friend recommended it to me) and more recently decided to read the others.  I read Speaker for the Dead  and Xenocide within weeks of each other around the start of the new year, but decided to take a break before taking on Children of the Mind. 

It's interesting to me how different (as I see them) Ender's Game and the three other books in the quartet really are.  Ender's game seemed like more of a juvenile read (this of course strictly refers to the intended audience, not the writing itself) while the rest of the series seems to be far more philosophical and written for a more adult audience.  Speaker was simply amazing.  I enjoyed Xenocide and the dual plot, but don't feel like I can truly appreciate it until I finish Children. 

Beyond the Ender saga, I have several other reads to take on.  A co-worker, who has also edited my own book, also recommended The Sparrow and The Golden Compass series.  I'm looking forward to reading The Sparrow after I finish Children of the Mind but am also interested in reading Stranger in a Strange Land  and Starship Troopers by Heinlein. 

I can't help but find it funny that all the novels I am currently interested in are science fiction.  Of course, one might consider my own work juvenile science fiction, but my science, at least in Stanley, does not go any further than what is necessary to explain simple plot points.  The first sequel dives much deeper into current theoretical physics (as well as some of my own theories.)

Sidebar:  I also recently finished The City of Ember, the first book in the Ember series.  This book took me a while to get through.  I found the narrative style intriguing.  That is, I understood the purpose behind how simplistic it was, and almost the style alone is what kept me interested in the novel.  The plot seemed to linger, and I feel that the only way I can accept its pace is by finishing the series in order to see how it develops.  That series, I feel, will have to wait a while.

So...what have you been reading?

First Novel Updates, Second Novel Hiccups

Well, as of today it would appear that I will have the remainder of my edits back this coming week.  That means that the book will be ready to publish as soon as I have a chance to review those edits and make any corrections I feel are necessary (which I predict won't take me too long.)  Therefore, I can comfortably say that Stanley Finnigan will be published to the Kindle Store sometime in the month of March, 2012!

As for the sequel, things have moved much slower in February than they did in January.  This was due to a combination of things, really.  I was hoping to get a lot done during my work break, but had family visiting for 10 days and then, inconveniently, jury duty.  The sequel is, as written, in chapter 6 and is approximately around 80 pages.  Again, everything is planned, it's just a matter of "getting there."  That is the other factor.  I've reached a pivotal point in the plot, and considering how much attention I give to the current chapter, how much description, how much I develop the plot as I see necessary is very important.  I foresee the next chapters going much more smoothly.

I'm excited to be publishing soon, continuing work on the first sequel, and submitting the first book to agencies again this month!