Chris’s Comments (group member since Feb 25, 2011)

Chris’s comments from the Beyond Reality group.

Preliminary polls are up for our August BOTMs, and will be open through Tuesday May 26. We have some wonderful choices. Let's vote!

Science Fiction: Preliminary SF Poll

Fantasy: Preliminary Fantasy Poll

Chris, Moderator
Beyond Reality

What a fantastic list of nominees!

Just for awareness, The Shadow of the Torturer was last read in May of 2013. Also, Dreamsnake is not available in ebook format. Both are still eligible according to our rules.

Shel wrote: "I'll again nominate A Brightness Long Ago by Guy Gavriel Kay for fantasy. For SF, how about Jaran by Kate Elliott, which has been languish..."

Shel, Jaran is classed as Fantasy by more readers than classed it SciFi. Would you like to nominate another SF, or nominate this one instead of Brightness?

Nominations for August 2020

Hi everyone,
It's time to open nominations for our August 2020 Books of the Month. What do you want to read by the pool under the hot sun?

Each group member may make 1 science fiction and/or 1 fantasy nomination in this thread. If you would like to make a nomination, please reply to this post with the title and author of the book(s) you would like to put forward for the group’s consideration. A couple of suggestions to keep in mind:

1. Telling us a little about the book and why you think it would be a good group read can help get other members interested in reading (and voting for) your nomination. If possible, please use a link to the book and author in your nomination post. Click on “add book/author" for an easy way to do that.

2. To see if your nomination has already been read by the group, you can check:

a. the group's bookshelf for Previous Books of the Month

and/or

b. these threads:
Master list of Previous Books of the Month 2018 - Present
Master list of Previous Books of the Month (Apr-Dec 2017)
Master list of Previous Books of the Month 2012 - 2017
Master list of Previous Books of the Month 2006 - 2011

Books the group has read in the past 2 years are not eligible for current consideration. Being chosen as a past BotM prior to that time is not an automatic disqualification, but be aware that it may hinder your nomination’s chances at the polls.

General guidelines:
• Feel free to re-nominate a book that didn’t win in the polls in previous months!
• For questions regarding specifics such as book formats, books in series, self-nomination and various rules for nominations, please see the group FAQ.
• Seconding isn't necessary in this group.
• Friendly discussion & debate is strongly encouraged, but let's please keep things civil.

Poll schedule:
• Nominations will remain open through Thursday May 21.
• The first (preliminary) round of polls will open Friday May 22 and will run through Tuesday May 26.
• The final run-off polls go up Wednesday May 27 and will be open through Sunday May 31.

Thanks!
Chris, Moderator

NOMINATIONS SO FAR:
SCIENCE FICTION:
Vagabonds
Cloud Atlas
Noumenon
The January Dancer
QualityLand
Dreamsnake

FANTASY:
The Song of Achilles
The Book of M
The Way of Thorn and Thunder
The Fellowship of the Ring
A Brightness Long Ago
The City We Became
Jaran
The Shadow of the Torturer

So glad to hear I've got company! I was concerned that I just haven't been able to concentrate on anything for very long, but apparently I'm not alone. I've picked up a number of books on my shelves, but I can only stay interested in the lighter ones that don't require too much mental investment. The Invisible Library and Old Man's War series have been do-able.

I will say, though, that it's getting easier to get back into reading now. And puzzles. Lots of puzzles.

A quick but very fun read, reminding me in tone of the Chronicles of St. Marys series by Jodi Taylor. A bit madcap, a fun bit of worldbuilding, and who doesn't like an intrepid librarian?

I read this when it first came out, but have now gone on to read the next few books in the series. My main complaint with the series is that there is clearly an overall story arc, but it is dribbled out in such TINY increments that I don't necessarily feel compelled to continue much further.

A murder mystery in space! I love genre-blends like this. As a former computer programmer, I suppose I admire that so many things can be resolved via coding/hacking, although this is definitely off the "handwavy" spectrum, as Anthony mentions. I liked the way the author gradually introduced the backgrounds of the various characters, thereby also introducing us to cloning and the various responses to it.

I am pondering if I would like to have or to be a clone, in this situation. Basically life extension with a healthy and younger new body. A chance to continue learning, exploring new things, embark on multiple careers and hobbies. But balanced against a personal cost in relationships, perhaps. And one might perceive life (one's own and others) as less precious.

One day left to vote, and the polls are close. Make sure your voice is included!


Science Fiction: Final SF Poll

Fantasy: Final Fantasy Poll

Chris, Moderator
Beyond Reality

Final polls are up, and will be open through Thursday April 30. We have some wonderful choices. Let's vote!

Science Fiction: Final SF Poll

Fantasy: Final Fantasy Poll

Chris, Moderator
Beyond Reality

Preliminary (first round) polls are up, and will be open through Sunday April 26. We have some wonderful choices. Let's vote!

Science Fiction: Preliminary SF Poll

Fantasy: Preliminary Fantasy Poll

Chris, Moderator
Beyond Reality

I'll throw in a couple of titles:

For Fantasy, Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir. This has been nominated for both the Nebula and Hugo awards.

For Science Fiction, Here and Now and Then by Mike Chen. It looks like a beach read, perfect for July!

Megan wrote: "For Science Fiction, I nominate The Heaven Makers - I believe the group has already read Dune, but the recent coverage of the new movie made me think about the author's other books.

I..."

Note from the mods: The Heaven Makers is not available in ebook form. It does appear to be readily available in the second hand market, however, so it meets our criteria as a nominee.

Random wrote: "Got my hands on the new The Last Emperox today.

Been looking forward to it since I finished the previous book in the series. Hoping this can help get me back on track."

I just finished. I absolutely loved the other two books in the series. But I'm torn on this one, can't decide if the ending is brilliant or a copout. Would be interested in hearing your impression!

If you've ever wanted to attend Worldcon (the convention that awards the Hugo) but couldn't afford the travel, this may be your year. The convention was originally planned for New Zealand, but is moving for the first time to a virtual online platform. You must buy an attending membership to participate. Membership also includes the ability to vote for the Hugo award winners, and includes downloadable files of all or portions of the nominees to help you make up your mind. More information is available at the link below. Prices for the multiple day event are in New Zealand dollars; 300 NZ$ is about 180 USD.

More info here: https://conzealand.nz/blog/2020/04/15...

Nominations for July 2020

Hi everyone,
It's time to open nominations for our July 2020 Books of the Month. What do you want to read by the pool under the hot sun?

Each group member may make 1 science fiction and/or 1 fantasy nomination in this thread. If you would like to make a nomination, please reply to this post with the title and author of the book(s) you would like to put forward for the group’s consideration. A couple of suggestions to keep in mind:

1. Telling us a little about the book and why you think it would be a good group read can help get other members interested in reading (and voting for) your nomination. If possible, please use a link to the book and author in your nomination post. Click on “add book/author" for an easy way to do that.

2. To see if your nomination has already been read by the group, you can check:

a. the group's bookshelf for Previous Books of the Month

and/or

b. these threads:
Master list of Previous Books of the Month 2018 - Present
Master list of Previous Books of the Month (Apr-Dec 2017)
Master list of Previous Books of the Month 2012 - 2017
Master list of Previous Books of the Month 2006 - 2011

Books the group has read in the past 2 years are not eligible for current consideration. Being chosen as a past BotM prior to that time is not an automatic disqualification, but be aware that it may hinder your nomination’s chances at the polls.

General guidelines:
• Feel free to re-nominate a book that didn’t win in the polls in previous months!
• For questions regarding specifics such as book formats, books in series, self-nomination and various rules for nominations, please see the group FAQ.
• Seconding isn't necessary in this group.
• Friendly discussion & debate is strongly encouraged, but let's please keep things civil.

Poll schedule:
• Nominations will remain open through Tuesday April 21.
• The first (preliminary) round of polls will open Wednesday April 22 and will run through Sunday April 26.
• The final run-off polls go up Monday April 27 and will be open through Thursday April 30.

Thanks!
Chris, Moderator

NOMINATIONS SO FAR:
SCIENCE FICTION:
The Heaven Makers
Terminal Alliance
Here and Now and Then
Time Travelers Never Die
The Pride of Chanur

FANTASY:
The Tiger at Midnight
The Song of Achilles
Black Leopard, Red Wolf
The Fellowship of the Ring
Gideon the Ninth
A Brightness Long Ago
Jurgen

I enjoyed this. I'm not much of a fan of military sci fi, but the military details didn't overwhelm the story.

I like Scalzi's storytelling style. His snarky humor and turn of phrase make me smile. The characters were interesting, and the central idea of starting a new life AFTER retirement is appealing; you get to keep all your personality and accumulated knowledge, but in a shiny (green!) new body.

But, like most of Scalzi's stories, the situation is more complicated. Why is it so important to expand human settlements and kill every alien we meet? Have we tried diplomacy and co-existence? Why is Earth kept so isolated? What secrets is the fleet keeping?

I'll stay tuned to find out!

I believe that Gods of Jade and Shadow is on sale for $2.99 today on Amazon and Apple books. It's a 2019 Hugo nominee.

I just started Old Man's War. It's a re-read for me, too, but it's also the only book in the series that I've read. I am relieved to find that its straightforward narrative style is just perfect for my hard-to-concentrate-right-now brain.

Just a note: the 2020 Hugo nominations were announced today. You can find a full list of nominees here: https://www.sffworld.com/2020/04/news...

Just a note: this is the first volume of the Wormwood trilogy, which has been nominated for a Hugo 2020 Best Series!