You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion
Challenges: Monthly
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Don't Forget Your Towel - May 2013 REPORTING Thread
It's a book about banning! :)
I finished my book.
. Here is my review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...I feel that this book did not live up to what this challenge was intended for. Yes, I read a book, but I seriously do not think it was science fiction. I might give this author another try sometime, but I am waiting to see what others who are reading him think 1st.
I might look at the genre again, but I have other books languishing on my list that I want to get to more than I want to explore any farther at this time.
Second post. I finished reading an alternate history book Dominion
by C.J. Sansom 4 stars.I expected that I would enjoy reading it as Sansom is one of my favourite authors. And I wasn't disappointed.
To be honest this book strongly reminded me of Sansom's Winter in Madrid but I don't mind as I really liked that too.
I like very much historical fiction and I'm sure I'll look for alternate history books now too.
Second post. I have just finished reading my Cyberpunk selection Neuromancer by William Gibson. I have given it 4 stars and I really enjoyed it although I didn't always know what was going on. At the beginning, I spent a lot of time looking words up on the internet (and also reading the book wiki for insight) but as the book progressed I got in to it more and could enjoy the storyline. I will definitely be reading the other two books in the trilogy.
@Rusalka. It was not my first scifi con, far from it... I used to go each year up to about 5 years ago... It was great being able to introduce my daughter to the con world :0)
I have finished The Plot Against America by Philip Roth a few days ago but wanted to let it rest on my minds some time before talking about it...The book is alternate history and tells about an America where Lindbergh became president of the US instead of Roosevelt in 1940. The new America is shown through the eyes of young Philip Roth, a 7 year-old Jew living in Newark. Philip is the witness of how his parents, brother ans neighbors deal with the changes brought to their lives by the the new regime put in place by a nazy-sympatisant and antisemite president who has signed a no-aggression pact with Hitler.
I reall appreciated the book; well written and well thought, it shows how people can forget easily about the pains and danger to others when their own security is at stake. US citizens voted in mass for the candidate who promessed them that they would not participate to the war in Europe, regardless of what the Europeans, especially the Jews were going through... But it also showed that the elastic can be stretched up to a point before it breaks. And that even peace can sometimes have a too high price!
I gave it 4 stars (could have been a 5,but there were some moments that let me down some), and would recommend the book without any hesitation.
Nice work Cherie, Anna and Sarah. I'm glad you all enjoyed your books!And don't worry Cherie. I knew there would be a couple of cross overs into fantasy by accident. It's what happens when we "judge books by covers" etc. You picked up something you wouldn't usually read and gave it a go.
That's the main thing I want you guys to get out of the challenge (this does not mean you all get to go read other genres. Cherie was an accident *wags finger menacingly*)
Mariecg wrote: "@Rusalka. It was not my first scifi con, far from it... I used to go each year up to about 5 years ago... It was great being able to introduce my daughter to the con world :0)"Oop I apologise! I misread your comment. Did she and you enjoy it then?
Mariecg wrote: "I have finished The Plot Against America by Philip Roth a few days ago but wanted to let it rest on my minds some time before talking about it...The book is alternate history and tells about an A..."
I tend to let my books settle a bit too. Unless I am incensed and then I need to purge as quickly as possible!
This one caught my eye last year (hadn't even heard of Roth before then). SO very glad you enjoyed it.
I read the Serenity series earlier for a SciFiWestern entry. The three books were graphic novels and although enjoyable, not much of a challenge. So I've read Consider Her Ways as well, for Social SciFi.
Almeta's Review of Consider Her Ways
I chose To Say Nothing of the Dog Finished it today. Here's my review http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...It didn't make a convert out of me! But it was a horizon broadening experience!
Ann wrote: "I chose To Say Nothing of the Dog Finished it today. Here's my review http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...It didn't make a convert out of me! But it was a horizon broadening experience!"
I read it years ago but I remember smiling a lot while reading it.
Yeah, Esther there were some amusing parts in it! I have to say, though, that for me it was more slapstick and pratfall - not really funny. I really like the premise of time travel (loved The Time Traveler's Wife) but this one didn't sit that well. Might have been a timing issue!
Post #2: I have finished The War of the Worlds and give it 4 stars. It definitely took me out of my comfort zone, but I liked it much better than I thought I would. Wells's language creates a world that is chilling and terrifying. Knowing that this book about alien invasion was written in 1898, makes it even more fantastic. As the narrator and other people in Great Britain try to escape from the Martians and battle them, I wondered how, or if, the humans were going to manage to evade the superior aliens. The way the Martians were defeated was very clever. A true classic!I am open to reading other books in this subgenre.
I also read The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Robert Louis Stevenson this month. (horror) I like this book because it more of a mystery. I was fascinated by the way that Dr. Jekyll is enveloped by the evil Mr. Hyde, who is the antithesis of Jekyll's normal character.
Second post: I just finished Soulless and I very much liked it. It was a light but very enjoyable read and I love the humorous writing of the author. I like "steampunk" a lot - now that I finally know waht it actually is (thanks wikipedia :-)) and I will definitely read more of this genre.
I'm not a big Sci-Fi fan, but I have managed to read and enjoy some of the more popular books in this genre:
Ender's Game (Dystopian)
Fahrenheit 451 (Dystopian)
A Wrinkle in Time (Time Travel)For this challenge, I finished:
The Literary Conference by César Aira (Horror)
How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff (Apocalyptic)
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson (Horror)So, what's up for June?
Thing Two wrote: "So, what's up for June?"LOL! It's coming. I'm playing with a few ideas to make it... challenging!
I finished Phoenix Risingduring the weekend and what a fun ride it was! I had never read any steampunk, but it's not my last book in that sub-genre I can tell you.Eliza Braun and Wellington Books, esquire are agents of the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences, but really different kinds of agents: Braun is an active field agent and Books is an archivist. But they unite to solve the mystery of why dead bodies, missing skin, blood or even bones, are found around London.
Phoenix Rising is an adventure set in Victorian London and were Eliza carries more weapons than a soldier and Wellington surprises his partner with his inventions.
I gave it 4*
Having a hard time here. I've tried to get into The Windup Girl (blech) and Revelation Space (got lost in space before I got 10 pages in). But I haven't thrown in the towel yet. I'm giving one last try to Foundation (space opera). If I can't make it with Asimov, I.....wait that isn't going to come out right.
Talking of Steampunk, I went to a music festival at the weekend and apparently Steampunk has also flowed over in to music styles too and not just science fiction books. Strange how you never hear of something and then all of a sudden it's everywhere! There were some people dressed up all Steampunk which was great!Wish I'd taken a picture now as I'd have posted it.
So May is the huge reporting time for me at work (600pp due at the end of next week) so please excuse my lack of response for the past week on this thread. I'm so so glad that so many of you enjoyed your read (or reads in some cases!). I'm hoping Roz manages to make it with Asimov ;P
Steampunk seems to be popping up everywhere at the moment. Can you remember the name of the band Sarah? I'd be interested to YouTube them.
Sarah - I never heard about a steampunk movement in music, but that must be interesting. I will have to check on it :)
Rusalka and Marie Claude - The Steampunk band were called "the men that will not be blamed for nothing". They are from the UK and apparently they have two albums!
I did not officially join this thread but I did note down several titles that when I get some time I will look into. I wanted to let you good folks know that our local Juno winner (from my small town but originally from Cuba) has made a song/video that is steampunk.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwy4c_...
All made in our wee town. Hope you enjoy
Just started Boneshaker yesterday, so far, it's pretty good!! Which is vital because I'm not a speed reader and I only have 9 days left to read it!!
Roz wrote: "Having a hard time here. I've tried to get into The Windup Girl (blech) and Revelation Space (got lost in space before I got 10 pages in). But I haven't thrown in the towel yet. I'm giving one last..."ROFL!!!
My post is gone and I can't remember what book I chose and now it's almost too late! I checked the interloan service for my library and the book isn't listed as in transit. Arrrrgh! Am I losing my mind? Ok, don't answer that.
Duh! My post was in the other thread AND I ordered it as an eBook. I will have to read that one next! Geesh, this old age stuff is for the birds!
Our kitty woke us up at 4am wanting to play. My brain is still asleep!
I'm gonna try a second book. I found
on my shelf so I figure I'll give it a go. I'm not sure what sub-genre if any this fits into but maybe I'll enjoy it better than
Debra wrote: "Our kitty woke us up at 4am wanting to play. My brain is still asleep!"I've waken at 4:00 a.m. the last two mornings. This morning I read from my pick, Starship Troopers which is dry enough to put anyone back to sleep. I think I managed a few pages before sleep claimed me.
Thanks for the offer, Gaeta... but no thanks. One dry, arid, snoozer is enough for me just now. I'm itching to move on to something more my style. There's a new shelf for you - snoozer.
I find your shelves highly amusing.
I posted in the original thread that I was going to try Human Instincts thinking it would be biopunk because part of the premise works with DNA. I really think the story qualified as soft sci-fi and dystopian more than biopunk, but it was a interesting take on how to save humanity; specifically the loss of that spark of genius that keeps us (supposedly) moving forward with technologies, science, medicine, etc.
I finished my selection for this challenge, Starship Troopers. I was so excited to start the book because I really enjoyed the movie. But, it turned into a snoozefest and I had a difficult time finishing it.My Review
I started
which seems to fit a couple of the sci-fi genres.
Grrrrr I ordered a copy of Foundation by Asimov but it hasn't arrived yet and the end of the month is quite close. I tried to download a copy from my library but I'm on a waiting list. Who know this would be so popular? I should have known. So I found another one that is definitely out of my comfort zone. I've downloaded
. Vampires and werewolves? Not my usual fare, but I'll give it a try. I'll just have to read Asimov another day.Consider this Post 1 for my choice of book. The subgenre is Steampunk.
I read a fair amount of Dystopia, Utopia, Apocalyptic and Cyberpunk. Out of the genres that are left, I've decided to go for Steampunk and have just finished Leviathan
I just finished
I really enjoyed it. Here's my review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... I actually found one I liked!
5 days left boys and girls! If you don't finish, post anyways and let us know what you think and if there is a reason it's taking you a while. If you have picked up and then abandoned a read, post as well.
The challenge is to get you reading new things, so as long as you do that, you meet the requirements for a badge.
Dammit... badges... forgot about that.
Interesting. I wonder how that is shown in the book.
Ann wrote: "I just finished I really enjoyed it. Here's my review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... I actually found one I liked!"I enjoyed this one, too. Read it a long time ago. Glad you found one you liked.
Thanks! I did read his Andromeda Strain back in the '70s and saw the movie! I should have thought of him sooner. This is why I try to do as many of these challenges as I can - they really expand my experience of reading and make it more enjoyable.
Since I posted on the planning thread, I'll combine my posts here.I have been a big science fiction reader through the years, although I am behind these days. I'll read just about any subgenre except alternate history or time travel. Although I've made exceptions to those as well, Connie Willis being the main one.
For this challenge I chose to read Cassafire by Alex J. Cavanaugh. It is a classic science fiction story, with a military hero interacting with another human species in outer space.
I received this book through First Reads about a year and a half ago and used this challenge to read it. It was a quick and easy read, with a tight story and few surprises. Overall I enjoyed it.
Yesterday I also read Insignia which was YA with cyberpunk aspects. It was a lot of fun and I'd recommend it to anyone who likes coming of age stories (although he is only 14) with talented and anti-authoritarian leads.
Currently reading The Age of Miracles - Didn't realise it was sci-fi until I started reading what genre would this come under? I am still reading the one I was supposed to for the challenge - Max but not sure if I will finish it.
Sharon75uk wrote: "Currently reading The Age of Miracles - Didn't realise it was sci-fi until I started reading what genre would this come under? I am still reading the one I was supposed to for the challenge - Max ..."I would say it's apocalyptic. Both in it's genre and it's grasp on science.
But I will withhold my ire of the book while you are reading it Sharon. I'll happily rant and rave later if you wish :)
Post #2 for book #2 Perdido Street Station. Steampunk.Well, this was a strange one. Someone used squicky to describe it and I agree. I did not hate it but i did not care for it very much either. But i do plan to read more steampunk nevertheless.
You'll love this one...!! A book club & more
Books mentioned in this topic
Midnight Robber (other topics)Midnight Robber (other topics)
The Iron Duke (other topics)
Foundation (other topics)
Soulless (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Jules Verne (other topics)Connie Willis (other topics)
Alex J. Cavanaugh (other topics)
Robert Louis Stevenson (other topics)
Meg Rosoff (other topics)
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I am done with Cinder. Cute. Pretty much up to my expectation if you put Cinderella, YA novel and cyberpunk together. So, while it will never make any of my "Best of" list, but it was a fun listen.
I just got Perdido Street Station. It is next on my list.