Forrest’s Comments (group member since Dec 19, 2024)

Forrest’s comments from the Beyond Reality group.

I agree: too many good options here. I’m happy to read any of these.

This book just arrived!

I’m only a few pages in but it does feel like a story I’ll really enjoy.

aPriL does feral sometimes wrote: "The Paper Menagerie made me sad. But it is a good story."

I was talking about this today! I cried no less than three times while reading The Paper Menagerie.

For those not reading the entire book, the pdf is available and the story is only 18 pages... I had to pass it along to friends.

I'll nominate the Gaea Trilogy by John Varley.

It begins with humankind's exploration of a massive satellite orbiting Saturn. Her name is Gaea. Her awesome interior is mind-boggling—because it is a mind. A mind that calls out to explorers, transforming all who enter.

Titan
Wizard
Demon

Written in the late 70s and early 80s, it is set in 2025!

Justine wrote: "I think that’s a fantasy series, isn’t it?"

I think you're right. I saw that the first book had a science fiction tag on Goodreads, but it doesn't appear that the next three are tagged as science fiction.

How about Ken Liu's The Dandelion Dynasty Boxset?

The Grace of Kings
The Wall of Storms
The Veiled Throne
Speaking Bones

I'm a confident bunny, eh? lol

Kathi wrote: "Your Beyond Reality moderators have been discussing the changes that Goodreads has made to the website in general and to Groups in particular, especially the elimination of getting notifications by..."

1. I check in multiple times daily and am recruiting friends and family to read more and share recommendations on Goodreads. I plan to stay engaged.

2. I've adjusted my settings to receive more notifications.

3. I’m new to using Goodreads' discussion features. I’ve recently learned how to post and add books and authors, and I plan to participate regularly once I fully get the hang of it.

4. I’ve read the selected fantasy books and have posted on discussions recently. I'm also looking to delve more into sci-fi this year.

5. I use Discord for gaming and am open to cross-posting threads or listening to discussions there, as it could attract more participants.

6. While I’m new to Goodreads, I see some limitations. On that note, Discord does create a good sense of community. I know that some booktubers use Discord, so I'm now curious.

Earth Day is at the end of April so I found two books in my TBR that focused on Earth and natural resources for future generations:

Science Fiction
Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky Goodreads Rating: 4.30
Following in the footsteps of their ancestors, they discover the greatest treasure of the past age—a world terraformed and prepared for human life. But all is not right in this new Eden.

Fantasy
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin Goodreads rating: 4.30
Without sunlight, clean water, or arable land, and with limited stockpiles of supplies, there will be war all across the Stillness: a battle royale of nations not for power or territory, but simply for the basic resources necessary to get through the long dark night.

Among the first seven stories, "Good Hunting" stood out the most. Its vibrant blend of speculative fiction captivated my imagination, especially with its seamless shift from enchanting fairytale elements to the intricate mechanics of steampunk. Each page transported me to the rich landscapes of China and Hong Kong, making me yearn to revisit those places. I can vividly envision encountering the main characters while traversing the lush trails of Victoria Peak and exploring the bustling streets of other delightful corners in China.

"The Bookmaking Habits of Other Species" felt like the perfect opening. It was a true page-turner for me.

As my next short story is "The Paper Menagerie", I look forward to immersing myself in that and the second half of this collection!

Just a heads-up: my hardcover copy of The Tainted Cup took 3 weeks to arrive. When I went back to the order details, they acknowledge that delivery takes 2-4 weeks when coming from this supplier.

My January Reading List (so far):

Giovanni's Room
Piranesi
The Paper Menagerie
The Tainted Cup (Shadow of the Leviathan, #1)
This Is How You Lose the Time War
Flowers for Algernon
The Song of Achilles
Demon Copperhead

Howdy! I just ordered The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories on Kindle, will start once I finish Piranesi in the next day or two.

I’m surprised that many readers didn’t enjoy this book as much as the first one. I love Klune’s writing and came to this series after finishing the Green Creek saga, expecting a happy ending.

I'm particularly surprised by the criticism that the book is too preachy, especially since it's dedicated to the trans community and is set in a fantasy orphanage where Arthur strives to create a loving environment for children—something he never experienced himself. Zoe has also long anticipated this, as she creates a safe space for their found families. This book provides more insight into her background, which I believe will be illuminating in book three.

The reminder that the fight for the trans community continues is crucial, and there is hope found in community.

I look forward to more wit from Talia, deeper insights into Arthur and Lucy's lives, and further exploration of Zoe's and Phee's majesty!