Random’s Comments (group member since Apr 30, 2009)

Random’s comments from the Beyond Reality group.

I must be one of the few people who didn't mind the new words associated with this book. It was odd for a little bit, but by the time Apert was over I had completely adjusted.

I personally thought it worked well for its purpose. Instead of automatically assuming a function or purpose from a name, I had to put it together based upon the description of how people use it. In a way it was like seeing through the eyes of someone from the Mathic world who wouldn't have much experience with devices commonly used in the world extramuros.


Hirondelle - I suspect the Jules Verne/starving joke is a reference to his book Journey to the Center of the Earth

Downside to having listened to the audio book is that I have missed the various appendices available. I'll have to see if I can find them online somewhere.

I've considered it, but just can't get the motivation. It doesn't help that while I love Sci-Fi, I rather dislike Space Opera.

My husband threatens divorce every time I say that. :)

I first read Anathem early last year. It was my introduction to Neal Stephenson and I really liked it.
Its one of the three books I've rated 5 stars (though I'd drop it to 4.5 it that were possible).

I just finished rereading it a few days ago. Looking forward to the discussion.

Stefan wrote: "and I know at least a few people who unfortunately gave up on Banks after reading it. "

I was one. I just haven't been able to motivate myself to giving him another chance.

For myself it was just a book version of an action movie. Lots of explosions, etc and not much else. Its like covering styrofoam with salt and butter and calling it popcorn. *blech*

Here's the direct link to the ARC copy of CryoBurn
http://www.webscription.net//p-1289-c...

Alan wrote: "Anything else you'd like to share about your reading habits?
I am easily distracted and it annoys me. Any tips on how to stop this would be great :)."

The only solution I've found for this is to stay away from computers, the Internet, cell phones, television, and small children.

I know, not an exactly helpful solution. :D

I'm not sure how it starts (its been a number of years for me now) but it is 1 credit per month.
The Platinum is 2 credits a month but I don't buy quite enough to make the upgrade worthwhile.

Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "Any of the Dresden books are good. Not only are they just plain good books but James Marsters does an outstanding job of reading."

I've listened to the first four so far, and he does an excellent job at the reading.

I'd also recommend Terry Pratchett's Discworld series. Stephen Briggs is the voice of Discworld in my mind. He's just that good at it.

Another excellent selection is Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan series read by Grover Gardener.

I loved Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman read by Lenny Henry. Another excellent reader. He adds a lot of life and personality to the reading.

I also recommend any of Neil's books read by himself (Coraline, M is for Magic, Fragile Things, etc). Neil is a great reader and the combination works really well.

Diane Duane's Young Wizard series read by Christina Moore.

David Eddings Belgariad and Malloreon series read by Cameron Beierle.

While I gave up on Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series around book 10, I really liked the readers (Kate Reading and Michael Kramer). They're the same readers for Sanderson's Way of Kings which I am looking forward to.

Sanderson's Mistborn series was done by Michael Kramer who I adore with a passion. :D

Something you might also consider is Graphic Audio (http://www.graphicaudio.net/). They are performed rather than read and they stay authentic to the text of the books. The production values are quite impressive and they have some excellent voice actors.

I've been a gold subscriber with Audible since 2005 and it has been well worth the cost. I'm quite addicted to audio books. :D

Oh goody, I get to be the first.

Neil Gaiman has a few of his stories available on his website.
http://www.neilgaiman.com/p/Cool_Stuf...

I'd recommend I Cthulhu and A Study in Emerald

In my opinion, Neil excels when it comes to short stories and I found the two listed above to be excellent.

I recently put Evolution on hold so I can have the time I need to reread Anathem.

I also just received an ARC copy of Dreadnought I'd won through FirstReads, which I should be able to get to at some point in the near future.

orannia wrote: "For fantasy - no laughing - I'd like to nominate The Name of the Wind (Patrick Rothfuss), although if it's a recent read then I completely understand everyone not wanting to read it :) I just figure as the second book will be out in March...although come to think of it perhaps this book would be a better suggestion for January or February? Thoughts? "

Looks like it was read by the group in August of 2008. I personally wouldn't be against a reread, but would tend to prefer February for it. :)

May as well toss Dragon's Egg by Robert L. Forward out again for Science Fiction.

I'm going to skip fantasy. I am so sick of fantasy at the moment. Sick of "we call it science fiction because it happens in the future" SF as well. :)

(Ok, I admit it has not been a good Monday to be at work) :D

EDIT --
OK, bad day aside, I have been reminded of a fantasy book I've been meaning to try for over a year now.
Blood of Elves - by Andrzej Sapkowski

First published in Poland, the series is supposed to be extremely popular.

Recently picked up Evolution by Stephen Baxter. I'm only 4 chapters in, but so far its been quite fascinating.

Love the idea.

Wish I could volunteer to help but my free time has been pretty nil this year and my organizational skills are pretty much non existent. :D

Stefan wrote: "(Which reminds me - I've been toying with the idea of organizing a regular short story discussion, similar to our Book of the Month discussions but with short stories that are available for free on the web...) "

That would be an awesome idea. I'm a big short story fan and it would be nice to have something to discus even when life is too hectic for the monthly books and discussions.

Oh, I should add add Urban Fantasy to the list of stuff they carry. If there's a young woman dressed in leather or scanty outfit, often with a tattoo, then they'll usually carry it.

That's not entirely accurate. (This has been a peeve of mine for some time now.)
I wandered in not long ago just to do some browsing.

They have the entire Dragonlance series.
Five copies of The Mists of Avalon (but none of the later books).
The entire run of Shannara series.
Triplanetary had a couple of copies in the New releases section.
I have yet to see them carry a copy of The Name of the Wind.
Harry Potter has been dedicated two entire shelves.
They seem to always have Tad William's MST series but I've never seen any of his other later series in there.

Over half of the books on the shelves of the SF/F section where there when I was browsing the shelves 25 years ago.

I can't guarantee other sections, but I've had similar issues finding newish books in the Psychology and Photography sections as well.

And its not just this one particular store. All of the stores in my area (not counting the used book stores), are like this. The exact hits and misses they might have vary, but they are all heavy on old books and really sparse on stuff published within the last decade (unless its a Vampire romance or Harry Potter).

To add to it, its not just book stores that are having issues. All brick and mortar stores are being hurt by online sales. People are more likely to buy online. Its less hassle, often less expensive, and generally more convenient.

Give myself for example, why should I be drawn to a book store which over half of the time doesn't have the book or books I want? They have 15 billion kinds of vampire romances, but they only had one copy of Janny's Curse of the Mistwraith (and it was the only one of the series there). In my experience, I was lucky to find it without having to order it online.

What the heck, I'll try this one again.

Dragon's Egg by Robert L. Forward for Science Fiction.

I'm in the mood for some hard SF.

I forgot to add...

Many authors get their start publishing short stories in magazines such as these.

Some authors will also publish short stories which are concepts for later larger works years before those larger works see the light of day.