Cheryl’s Comments (group member since Nov 29, 2022)

Cheryl’s comments from the Beyond Reality group.

Well, that's all helpful to know, thank you! I'm glad that someone is actually supporting the authors directly! :)

Chris wrote: "Jo Walton's award-winning novel Among Others references many SFF genre books. Here's a list of the mentions: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1......"

Interesting list. I've not yet read Walton's book. I don't understand how almost 200 books can get mentioned in a novel without turning it into a bibliography. But anyway.

My question actually is: does Walton or do her characters actually endorse all these titles? Or are some, I dunno, scorned or dissed or whatever?

Thank goodness the influence of some of the older stuff is waning.

I think the Wayfarers books by Becky Chambers are proving influential now. I hope that continues as I think they're worthy of being analysed and reread.

Ok, I've been wondering my whole life why people don't use their library. Thank you for enlightening me about one reason, Kathi.

Yeah, I've not much to add.

Except, I'd say that quality does count a bit more. I wouldn't teach more than a short story or maybe homework about the sexist or stupid ones.

I'm 60. With the kids mostly grown etc., I would've expected that I could read 'harder' books nowadays, and immerse myself for longer periods. This has not been the case. I have no idea why... the hypotheses that come to mind don't fit my situation.

I'm happy for you and glad that you let us know!

(It doesn't look like we do 'seconds' in this group, but if we did, I'd give one to Children of Memory. :)

Yes! Thank you!

I nominate The Bees for fantasy. I've read it as ebook, listened to it, and now I finally have it in my favorite format, paper, so I'm looking for an excuse to experience it for a third time. I guess it's fantasy, because honeybees don't really have quite the civilization that the characters in the story do... but all the science context seems to match what I've read lately about real life bees, too.

For SF, I have Stars Uncharted sitting on my bookshelf begging me to read it. Some say fans of Becky Chambers would like it, and I'm a big fan of her brand of 'hope punk' space opera so I'm looking forward to it.

Upon reread, still a four star book for me. If you like this SF-adjacent philosophical story, I also recommend Do You Realize? by Kevin A. Kuhn.

Lindsey, yes, I'm laughing with you. I participate in challenges in other groups that I use to try to read through the books I already own or have been wanting to read for more than a year... but *shiny*! New book displays at the library, GR friends' recommendations, fresh stock in Little Free Libraries, oh goodness.

Thank you. (I was concerned we were reading a chapter a day or something like some groups do.)

Btw, I'm a big fan of Haig. Not everything he writes is amazing, but all is at least worth considering. And it's of very diverse genres and styles, but with common themes.

I read it over four years ago and want to again. I like what I said in my review though:

"Once I got past wishing it were SF, I forgave it for not making sense, and read it as a fable. Once I got into the flow of the voice and the style, I forgave it for being earnest and obvious. I love how it's both wise and silly, heartbreaking and escapist.

I love the quotes from different notable humans, including especially Emily Dickinson:
"The soul should always stand ajar, ready to welcome the ecstatic experience."

"There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness."
Friedrich Nietzsche

Even the introductory personal note and the acknowledgements are interesting."

I set a goal and always exceed it. I only do it because I'm curious if I can ever read less, and it seems that I just can't. I need a life.

To whet our appetites while waiting, here's a note from my review that I had made before reading it:

Haig says this was written as an allegory: it's SF, but it's really about the "alienation of depression and how you get over that and how you can end up loving the world again."

I dnf readily. I have a dnf shelf. I do not give them a date read, nor do I rate them. But I do review them, spelling out exactly why I stopped reading.

I do try to get to 50 pp but that can vary for so many reasons. Some books on my dnf shelf are ones that I nearly read, some I gave up on right away.

I get really exasperated at ppl who read less than 50 pp, dnf, and rate it 1 star. Seldom can one know by then it's going to be awful!

I am thankful for folks who explain books don't work for them. Then I can get help deciding whether or not to push through past the 50 page mark.

Ok, assuming that 1/23 means January, when we're reading it, I'm sorta in. I have enjoyed it already but would like a reread if I can get it in time.

Hope to finish Commitment Hour within a day or so, then get ready to start the author's The Expendable Series all over again. I get more out of them each time, somehow.

But first get caught up on other piles. Including Hiddensee: A Tale of the Once and Future Nutcracker for group!