I didn't really get much read in October. I finished Cetaganda which I really enjoyed and Foundation by Isaac Asimov which was not bad. It was the first time I had read it. I'm also currently reading To Ride Hell's Chasm which I'm thoroughly enjoying, Old Man's War by John Scalzi which so far is a quick enjoyable read and Frankenstein which was my Halloween book. I'm at about the half way point on all three. And I just started an audio version of Here, There Be Dragons by James A. Owen which so far seems pretty good.

Janny wrote: "Ron wrote: "I'm about halfway through "Whiskey and Water"..."
Well, Ron, you're guilty of pushing me to put Blood and Iron toward the top of my TBR stack.

I would be very happy to take the rap for that, Janny.

Stefan wrote: "I'm about to go start reading her All the Windwracked Stars. I have a review for the sequel (or prequel?) By the Mountain Bound due. It looks very interesting - I'm ..."

I read "All the Windwracked Stars" recently. I think it kind of falls into the New Weird category. It's mostly fantasy, but parts seem kind of science-fictiony. It really helps if you have a basic understanding of Norse mythology. It was probably one of the most difficult novels I've read this year. I found myself having to go back and read early parts because the section I was in wasn't making any sense because I hadn't understood something that happened earlier.

Have you noticed that Norse mythology is becoming a popular fantasy theme lately?

I'm about to go start reading her All the Windwracked Stars. I have a review for the sequel (or prequel?) By the Mountain Bound due. It looks very interesting - I'm not even sure what genre it is based on the cover blurbs.

Ron wrote: "I'm about halfway through "Whiskey and Water" the second of Elizabeth Bear's 'novels of the Promethean Age' and I have to say Bear impresses me more and more. The pace in this is not quite the whir..."

Well, Ron, you're guilty of pushing me to put Blood and Iron toward the top of my TBR stack.

I'm about halfway through "Whiskey and Water" the second of Elizabeth Bear's 'novels of the Promethean Age' and I have to say Bear impresses me more and more. The pace in this is not quite the whirlwind of the first book, but that actually comes as some relief, and the action is still by no means slow. Recommended.

Just finished Frostfell by Mark Sehestedt, generic Forgotten Realms action/adventure novel.

I just finished Sasha by Joel Shepherd, which was much much better than expected (based on the cover art). My review should be popping up at FanLit and on GoodReads soon. Next up is Noonshade by James Barclay.

ACK! I am so frustrated... I still haven't started Cetaganda and now I have Brokedown Palace to read, too... BUT I only have 3 more magazines to go and then I can start books again!

Stefan wrote: "I did enjoy it, although I had a lot of trouble with the first 50 pages and almost launched the book across the room a few times, but that's partly because the book uses so many unique words and te..."

I had to do the same thing. The beginning went very slowly. I, on the other hand, did not mind a bit. I had just finished a string of light and fast reads, it was time for something of this style.

Certainly would suggest to people to take their time; it pays off. I was quite satisfied as I closed the book for the last time.

Ron and Stefan, thanks for your takes. I will give this a try at some point. Nice to know it's not horror. I am no fan of books written for the sole purpose of inspiring fear.

I've had Anathem for a bit now and been rather afraid to tackle it. Having only read Snow Crash, I think I need to ease into some other Stephenson first. But Snow Crash is one of my all-time favorite reads so I will eventually get around to all of his. I'm very intrigued.

I'm nearly finished with The Golden City and Blindsight, which I am enjoying more than the former.

I just bought The Year of the Flood, The Atrocity Archives, Elric of Melniboné, and Remnant Population, all of which I am eagerly looking forward to.

I did enjoy it, although I had a lot of trouble with the first 50 pages and almost launched the book across the room a few times, but that's partly because the book uses so many unique words and terms, and I'm entirely unable to read a word I don't know without looking it up, so once I discovered the 20 page glossary in the back, I compulsively had to turn back and forth to look up words all the time. It took me a good 3 hours to read those first 50 pages. After that, I got settled in and ended up really enjoying the novel. I also thought that it had a very solid and exciting ending (not Stephenson's strong point, usually).
It's a unique book, very challenging and at times a bit confusing. I initially gave it 3 stars, then went back later and added a star because I found myself thinking about the novel for months after finishing it. It's definitely a book I plan to re-read at some point.

Janny wrote: Ron, this is a book I want to read at some point - can you clue me ahead? Is it unremittingly dark or horrific?

Janny, I don't think that "Anathem" is dark at all, but very funny: think "Snow Crash" meets Plato. It takes some time to get moving, but after the characters are introduced and the setting is laid, it becomes a Ripping Yarn and a solid demonstration of the real-world importance of philosophy, all at the same time. The word-play alone makes it worth the price. There is a moment of horrific violence, but it is along the lines of a natural disaster and an opportunity for heroism too. Completely engrossing, well-written, way original, it's got a beat, you can dance to it, I'd give it five stars.
Stefan, help me out here: you liked it too, if I recall correctly?

Ron wrote: "I finally finished "Anathem" by Neal Stephenson. What a great book! A thousand dense pages taking on everything from Plato to interstellar travel, funny, moving, gripping, sly. Slow at first, acc..."

Ron, this is a book I want to read at some point - can you clue me ahead? Is it unremittingly dark or horrific?

I finally finished "Anathem" by Neal Stephenson. What a great book! A thousand dense pages taking on everything from Plato to interstellar travel, funny, moving, gripping, sly. Slow at first, accelerating logarithmically to a great ending (not always Stephenson's long suit). Highly worthwhile.

Janny wrote: "Zettel's work has long been a favorite of mine..."

Glad you pointed me in Zettel's direction. I shall definitely read more.

Nick wrote: "Finsihed by Sarah Zettel. Great story. Not extremely hard-edged, though tragic. I kept thinking there were references between the three leading female ..."

Zettel's work has long been a favorite of mine. Her characters are always well drawn, and the lovely astonishment of her plot twist is signature.

Finsihed by Sarah Zettel. Great story. Not extremely hard-edged, though tragic. I kept thinking there were references between the three leading female characters and the Lear-Kent-Fool relationship of King Lear. It wasn't overt, but it was there. The intriguing thing about starting this book is the idea that on a futuristic shapeship there exists an official position called a "Fool." Everyone thinks the "Fool" is a psychological negotiator who keeps harmony on board ship -- but what the "Fool" actually is? -- Wow! Even without that element this would've been a fine sci-fi story about a lurking Artificial Intelligence that threatens to destroy not only this one spaceship, but a whole network of ships and stations, and about the nature of what this "sinister" AI desires. The "battles" between the AI and the 3 main female characters (including the Fool) are fascinating in unexpected ways.

I finished reading Dawnthief by James Barclay, which was an entertaining but pretty shallow fantasy. I still plan to read the sequel, at some point.

Then I tore through Conjure Wife by Fritz Leiber, an excellent horror novel (and very different from his Lankhmar books!)

Next up is Sasha by Joel Shepherd, which has a review due at FanLit soon. Looks intriguing, although the cover art is a real turn-off.

Sisimka wrote: "The new Niffenegger book sounds interesting, but I've read some very lackluster reviews. It's disappointing when an author publishes a book you love, then fails to keep your interest with subseque..."

The Guardian UK had a fairy tale series. They comissoned Niffenegger and two other writers to do modern fairy tales.

Here's the link http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2007/nov...

I dropped Caesar, not that it was bad, it was very dry. In the last week I made it through 100 pages and its been mostly politics of the day.
Started reading The Gypsy Morph
I have been reading the latest Shannara series. Its slowly getting better. Hopefully the last book will be better

Jim wrote: ""Exorcisms & Ecstasies" is great, but sad. Lots of wonderful peeks into Wagner's life, as well as some great stories. It's a shame the book is so hard to get & expensive. I got lucky & found my ..."

I was going to read some more of his books, but cannot find any through my library's multi-state ordering system other than the ones I listed previously. I am bummed big-time.

So glad you put that link up. I just sent an email. Also going to bookmark for future possible purchases.

"Exorcisms & Ecstasies" is great, but sad. Lots of wonderful peeks into Wagner's life, as well as some great stories. It's a shame the book is so hard to get & expensive. I got lucky & found my copy at a remainder store. I got it new for about $5. Now I see it for around $200.

Everyone should write to NESFA Press & ask them to do set of books on Wagner. The one's I'm reading for Zelazny are fantastic. I wrote to them about it & they said they'd think about it.
http://nesfa.org/press/

Check out some of the collections they've done. The books are well worth every penny. Very well done judging by the Zelazny Collection, so far.

I am on a Karl Edward Wagner kick right now. Read Bloodstone, Dark Crusade, and almost done with Darkness Weaves. Next up is Exorcisms and Ecstasies.

The Company series was, for a long time, lost between publishers. I have the original editions - first Avon, then one book with Harcour, then a short story collection with Golden Gryphon, and then finally Tor picked it up and reissued all the older, out of print books. While Kage was between publishers, most of the new material came out as short stories here and there, and some of those were later combined as the later volumes of the series. So that's why some of those books feel a bit disjointed (although I think she did a good job keeping the general narrative arc moving).

I'm reading Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson. I just finished The Way of Shadows and Shadow's Edge by Brent Weeks and I am ordering the third one. Loved them!

Sandi, I agree Children of the Company would have been better as short stories.

Stefan wrote: "I remember that one --- it's the one that gives the perspective of the "other side", right? Labienus etc? I remember not liking it as much either. Still a brilliant series, I think."

That's the one. I realized when I looked at the copyright information that it's a bunch of short stories pieced together into a novel. It reminds me of one of those sitcom flash-back episodes. I'm at the San Francisco earthquake section that's narrated by Victor. That and the part with Lewis and the Irish monks are the best segments. I think I might have liked it better if it was just a short story collection.

Just finished the Twilight War trilogy starting with Shadowbred by Paul S. Kemp, a decent light fantasy Forgotten realms series.

Also read Dragon Keeper by Robin Hobb (start of a trilogy?). Not much happens considering the length of the book.

I remember that one --- it's the one that gives the perspective of the "other side", right? Labienus etc? I remember not liking it as much either. Still a brilliant series, I think.

I'm really struggling with The Children of the Company. It's nowhere near as entertaining as the other 5 novels I've read in the series.

I finished my re-read of Cetaganda, which was just as much fun as the first time around. Now I'm about 100 pages into Dawnthief by James Barclay, which is so far decent but nothing special.

Jim wrote: "Thanks, Jon!"

You're very welcome. :)

I got Imager The First Book of the Imager Portfolio today! I'm a fan of L.E. Modesitt Jr. & have all his books, I think. I'd fallen behind this year.

Thanks, Jon!

I just started Gods in Darkness The Complete Novels of Kane by Karl Edward Wagner.

I finished reading Warhost of Vastmark by Janny Wurts last night. For anyone who is enjoying our current fantasy BotM, really, check out this series - the first book is The Curse of the Mistwraith. The writing style is similar to TRHC, but the scale is much, much bigger. Three books in, this is quickly becoming one of my favorite epic fantasies.

I started out on my re-read of Cetaganda for the series discussion, and am also about to start on Dawnthief by James Barclay, because I have a review of book 2 in that series due soon.

I am hoping to start this month's Miles book soon--my pile of periodicals is down to less than 6 and they are all "fall" issues, so I'm pretty well caught up.

I've heard much the same, Sisimka, but am a bit stubborn, so will faithfully try the book. I'm going in hoping for the best, but aware that its extremely hard to find lightning in a bottle twice!

I just finished Oracle's Legacy Children Of Sun today, and was blown away. I received it for review, and it had a pretty plain cover, and after the first chapter I was ready to give up, except that I had agreed to review it.

So I pressed on, and it was so good. Besides editing errors (spelling and such) that were a little distracting, the story was awesome. I loved it!

The new Niffenegger book sounds interesting, but I've read some very lackluster reviews. It's disappointing when an author publishes a book you love, then fails to keep your interest with subsequent novels.

Laurel wrote: "I will happily attempt to read all of the following, but most likely only get through a few - wish me luck!"

You have some great choices there. I also hope to read Brokedown Palace and the next book in the MIles series (Cetaganda?). Have not heard anything about the Neffenegger book, but I liked The Time Traveler's Wife, so I'll be interested in what you think of this one.

I had to give up a lot of reading time in September to go back to University part time, alas, I had to drop the course. The professor was so completely inept, one of our major "drawing" assignments was to cut basic shapes out of construction paper and glue it into a book. For the money I was spending, I'll take classes at the local art gallery for 1/10th the price! There, rant is done! Having said that, my boyfriend says I seem much happier, like a weight has been lifted. So, off to seek a new dream...

I will happily attempt to read all of the following, but most likely only get through a few - wish me luck!



I've missed books...

I've been taking a break from Sci-fi/Fantasy this month (except for the one or two things I needed to read for review). I was having trouble throwing myself into the epic proportions of To Ride Hell's Chasm. I'm going to be late for this month's book discussions!

Finally finished James Tiptree, Jr. The Double Life of Alice B. Sheldon by Julie Phillips -- it's so dense with information about this fascinating sci-fi author that you have to read it slowly. A childhood going on safari with game-hunting parents, an early marriage to an F. Scott Fitzgerald wannabe, a career of sorts with the CIA, and finally in her forties she begins writing science fiction stories. A major part of Julie Phillips's take on Tiptree is that he/she could not decide on a definition for him/herself -- Alli always had trouble with identity. Phillips investigates the major stories, at the time labelled "feminist," with this in mind, as well as showing how the stories relate to the major thems of her earlier life. This is a great biography of a wonderful and important sci-fi writer.

I've got a trifecta going. I'm reading The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie, The Children of the Company by Kage Baker, and The Hero of Ages.

Reading some history, Caesar Life of a Colossus. I watched Rome, the HBO series a couple of years ago and have been itching to learn more behind the story

I finished Imager yesterday and Those Who Hunt the Night today.

I'm still plodding through Willis' The Winds of Marble Arch and picking up the pace with To Ride Hell's Chasm by Janny Wurts.

Still quite a few October group reads ahead, but I'll focus on finishing those two before starting another one.

I just read Air by Geoff Ryman. I'm not sure what to think about it yet... It was a long slow read for me, but not bad. It just is a slowly unwinding story in an unusual setting (a small village somewhere in Asia/Russia) and has very little sci-fi in it. Just one major sci-fi element, actually and then the story unfolds from there. It was... different.
I'm on to read Charline Harris (Stackhouse) for a while I think for some quick light reading (and to get them out of my TBR pile!!)

Kathi wrote: "I really liked the Czerneda book you have lined up, and am avidly looking for more by her."

That's good to know. I'm looking forward to it--sci fi is pretty new to me still.