Reading the Chunksters discussion
Buddy Reads
>
Buddy Read Requests
I just bought my copy. It will be here next week. I also had the same problem with a long line to get the book at the library.
I just bought for $8 for my Kindle. Can't wait. I haven't been in a book club in forever. My brain has been turning to mush.
I've been eagerly checking my mailbox the past couple of days for the copy I ordered. Even though I'm still in the middle of reading 3 other books so it's not like I would start reading it right away anyway!
Only three? OMG. I need your skills. I'm such a book philanderer. I made myself promise to finish every book I started before I can join a buddy read. I have like 14 books going, its chaos. I had to make a priorities list. *blush* I still ordered every book that we've discussed for buddyreads though. I guess I'm just insatiable.
Becky wrote: "Only three? OMG. I need your skills. I'm such a book philanderer. I made myself promise to finish every book I started before I can join a buddy read. I have like 14 books going, its chaos. I had t..."FOURTEEN??!! I would not be able to keep track. Normally I read one book at a time and only move on to the next once it's complete. Three books for me is different, since I'm new to all these reading groups and each book is read at a slower pace. I do tend to buy more books than I can keep up with. I have my own To-Read library at home. :)
Fourteen is typical for me as well. I get book ADD I guess, lol.
My copy was waiting for me on Friday when I returned from work!!Fourteen books at one time is insane. :)
Linda, we are all in it together ))))))
I still have to get my copy, library is out, last time i went to the bookstore, they were out--hope i get one soon.:)
Clearly I am an anomaly here - reading only 3 at a time. ha ha. :)
i can read several books at once, my max was 14-15, but my average is 6-7. It depends on the book, if its really engaging, like the game of thrones series, i try to read that book until i finish.
Are we ready for the fun? Do we need a schedule - nothing serious, just a book compass basically?
The book is nicely divided into 4 major parts, roughly 150+ pages each, so it would be easy to reference those for discussion. Although I've started reading already and have found myself wanting to comment or ask questions before the end of Part I, so we could reference the smaller chapters within if needed.
Linda wrote: "The book is nicely divided into 4 major parts, roughly 150+ pages each, so it would be easy to reference those for discussion. Although I've started reading already and have found myself wanting t..."i like that idea, discussing the parts. It would make for a more flex schedule.
I think dividing it up in four parts is a great idea. I we going to start discussing on March 1st or wait a week and then discuss?? Buddy reads are new to me in this group.
I will open one general thread as I did for The Goldfinch in a day or two. Please mark your spoilers and clearly indicate what section you are commenting on because there will be one thread for this novel. I am not being mean, but buddy reads are discussed in one thread:-) Usually we wait for the participants to post their thoughts about the section before we post about the next one, but if you hide spoilers, using a spoiler hyperlink with the extension, you are fine.
This buddy read folder contains The Goldfinch thread. I think it is logical to have a similar format for this discussion.
Fantastic. Thank you for the explanation and clarifying my questions,Zulfiya. I appreciate it.
This will be my first buddy read as well. I'm looking forward to it!
Are we going to start reading on March 1st?
Guys, I will create a thread for our next buddy read tomorrow, March 01 in the afternoon CET.
I would be up for the Luminaries!Hmm, looks like my library has it in eBook format. Awesome!
Over in the Classic Chunkster Nomination thread, Zulfiya wrote:"Now what I actually want to read is a fantasy or even hard-core sci-fi series. I am just tossing this ideas into the cauldron of discussion, hoping that there will be enough members who want to read the whole series. I know the group read Book 1 of the Game of Thrones, but then four more were published and still two more to come, but there are plenty of complete series there that can be read by sci-fi fans or by fantasy fans that are complete and very, very chunky.
Just an idea, guys! "
I like this idea! I'm personally more into Sci-Fi than Fantasy, although I could probably be persuaded :)
At the moment, I've just started Gene Wolfe's Shadow and Claw, which is the first half of a series of 5 books called The Book of the New Sun. This Series is itself only the first part of the Solar Cycle, which totals 12 books. Whew!
It would definitely make a great group read. It's sci-fi, but reads like fantasy. I'm only 20% into the first book (although I have already read the Book of the Long Sun, which is the series that comes after New Sun...it's really good though and I would love to read it again).
Other suggestions:
- The Dune series (I've only read the first one)
- Octavia Butler's Lilith's Brood: Dawn / Adulthood Rites / Imago Trilogy
- Anathem (okay, this is only one book...but it's close to a thousand pages!)
- King's Dark Tower books
I'd be up for trying any of these books out, although I have a slight preference for Anathem.
I've read Anathem and it is simply amazing, on so many levels. I would heartily recommend it to anyone considering reading it.
Has anybody read
The Name of the Wind? I have not read the second one, but plan to this year because the third one is to come out next year. It is categorized as fantasy. just a suggestion.I have read 2 of the Stephen King's dark tower books and would love to read more of them.
I have not; I was going to, but I missed the read with one of my groups because I was doing other numerous reads. It might be a good one as a part of our sci-fi/fantasy series read. Besides, book 3 will be published this year.
Kristina wrote: "Has anybody read The Name of the Wind? I have not read the second one, but plan to this year because the third one is to come out next year. It..."I'm on the holds list at my library :). It was a book of the month selection in my sci fi group last month --- but I'm still on the holds list ;-)
MK wrote: "Kristina wrote: "Has anybody read The Name of the Wind? I have not read the second one, but plan to this year because the third one is to come ..."I would not mind rereading the first one.
Good! any other readers? I mostly like Sci-fi, but I have recently discovered fantasy, so I am all for it, but it would be nice to read the whole series.
Maybe that is a series we could start next year? I don't know much about sci fiction series, but I am curious enough to participate.
I mean we can start now and read it slowly - they books are very chunky and finish by the time the third is published or we can read some series proposed by John. Some of them are borderline sci-fi/fantasy like Dune.
I can't start right exactly now :(I'm 6th in line at my library. There's only one copy ...
hmm..OK, I found a few other series I have on my TBR list, in addition to the 5 I suggested above :)Sci-Fi:
- Linda Nagata's Nanotech Succession series
- Iain Banks' Culture series
- Connie Willis' Oxford Time Travel series
Fantasy:
- The Shining / Doctor Sleep
- N.K. Jemisin's Dreamblood series
- Charles De Lint's Newford series
I would also HIGHLY recommend The Gormenghast series, although I would have to jump in on the 4th book, as that's the only one I haven't read :)
I guess overall, I'm not that into Fantasy, but I try to be open to anything. I did read about half of The Name of the Wind; it just wasn't grabbing me. But I would try again.
If you're looking for good long series in Fantasy, I would look at Robin Hobb. She has one set which is made up of 4 series and are excellent, but very long. The other option is her Soldier Son Trilogy, which has some very interesting social and cultural commentary.I am a big Fantasy reader and hers are the only long series where I've read all her books (often more than once).
For NK Jemisin, I would recommend the Inheritance trilogy over the Dreamblood series. Both are good, but I still think Inheritance is better.
I would also be keen on the suggestion of the Culture series.
I've already read "Name of the Wind," so I'll pass on a re-reading. Rothfuss is a wonderful storyteller. Reading it was so effortless, a joy, really. If people like it, we could follow it with "Wise Man's Fear." If we read slowly, we should be done just in time for the release of the third volume in the series. See, now we know what we will be doing for the next year. Such is fantasy.But I would like to recommend Sanderson's "Way of Kings," first in a new series. I've heard wonderful things about it, and more wonderful things about its sequel "Words of Radiance."
Also willing to try Jemsin, Scott Lynch, and Steve Erickson.
I'm really into fantasy right now -- great writers experimenting with the genre. Some of the best storytelling and character building, in my opinion. Reading "Lies of Locke Lamora" now, and just finished Riyria Revelations which, was great fun. Will be moving on to Gardens of the Moon (Malazan Book of the Fallen) and "Night Angel" later.
Here are some suggestions from me. I'll be adding the first book in the series: Fantasy
The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie
Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb
Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
The Warded Man by Peter V. Brett
Magician: Apprentice by Raymond E. Feist
The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks
Wizard's First Rule by Terry Goodkind
The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks
Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson
I would personally love to read Malazan series by Steven Erikson, Joe Abercrombie's First Law cycle, or the Dark Tower stuff by Stephen King.
Sci-fi
Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey
Pandora's Star by Peter F. Hamilton
Revelation Space by Alastair Reynolds
Consider Phlebas by Iain M. Banks
The Dreaming Void by Peter F. Hamilton
The Reality Dysfunction by Peter F. Hamilton
Just some of the chunky fantasy/sci-fi I've been meaning to try. I didn't care much for The Name of the Wind, because the main character got on my nerves, but I would probably join in for the reading of its sequel.
Andrea wrote: "Here are some suggestions from me. I'll be adding the first book in the series: Fantasy
The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
The Blade Itself by [auth..."
I haven't heard of any of these, but All of them by their description sounds interesting. I am looking forward to whatever book.
John's list sounds good too. I heard some good things on Connie Willis and Iain Banks.
I am not one to decide anything. I am leaving it to the experts. I definitely want to do the buddy read regardless of what is decided.
Guys, all your suggestions are wonderful, and I am literally torn apart. Kristina, I think your voices are more important than ours. Sincerely, they are.
Andrea, I have heard about new series by Sanderson, and the reviews are excellent, but so far he has published only two out of ten he plans to publish.
As for Hamilton, I read some of his books, and they are real hard-core sci-fi, but very enjoyable, and they are ... chunky:-)
The Malazan Book of the Fallen really sounds as an intriguing series. My husband is listening to the series, and his opinion is it is tricky, challenging, Joycean style in the structure of the narrative, and quite intriguing, but it does take some time to get into a series (He is on book 3 now), but it definitely does pique my interest.
I. Banks is the author we recently lost when he was at the top of his talent, and I DO RESPECT his mainstream novels like The Wasp Factory and The Crow Road; I also have heard good things about his Culture series, I would not mind reading the series even if individual novels are not 'bricks'
The other one is mentioned by John, the Dune series. I read the first two novels, and I think they grow on you. Their beautiful weirdness, their reflection on the USA politics of the sixties and seventies, the psychedelic aura, the borderline sci-fi/fantasy content makes this series quite appealing; besides, it has that cult status among the sci-fi readers.
I have read the Dark Tower and really enjoyed it. It is his Magnum Opus with very interesting characters.
So I hope I have narrowed down some of the suggestions because they were mentioned twice at least.
Depending on what is picked, I may be interested in joining in. I have previously read several of the titles mentioned.Loved, would read again: The Assassin's Apprentice, The Name of the Wind, Connie Willis's books, Dune.
Liked, might join in discussion at times but won't reread right now: Wizard's First Rule, Magician: Apprentice.
Disliked: Dark Tower Series
On my TBR: Gardens of the Moon, The Way of Kings, Mistborn: The Final Empire, The Warded Man, The Blade Itself, N.K. Jemisin's Dreamblood series.
Others I have not read, but I would be open to reading most of them.
Gardens of the Moon has been mentioned by three or four people. So far, this one is definitely a TBR series for some of us. Let's see if gains any support. I have been eyeing it, too, and my husband is listening to it. My personal experience tells me that fantasy is best read in a conventional way.
I can easily follow even challenging literary fiction as an audiobook, but when it comes to fantasy and sci-fi, a tree book always, ALWAYS works better for me.
"Blood Song" by Anthony Ryanis probably the surprise fantasy book of last year. Originally self-published, it became so popular that Ace (Orbit?) picked it up. I would like to read it again, since its sequel "The Tower Lord" comes out in July. The pacing is near pitch perfect for most of the book. Just a very well told story with richly drawn characters, including two or three very strong female characters.
There are many, many wonderful suggestions, guys. How are we going to choose which series we are going to read? Do we want to vote? Shall I choose because it was my idea or shall we agree by expressing the opinion here in this thread what we want to read? Please respond, and please stay committed if your series is chosen.
I'm in for Iain Banks, Alastair Reynolds or Terry Brooks. If Terry Goodkind were chosen, I'd be happy to join in from the second book ("Stone of Tears") and if it's Feist, I can commit to re-reading "Magician" though I wouldn't want to re-read the rest of his series.
Maybe a poll would be a good idea. I don't know what series would be best. Zulfiya I trust your judgement on what to do.
Reading the Chunksters
Books mentioned in this topic
David Copperfield (other topics)A Suitable Boy (other topics)
Demon Copperhead (other topics)
Demon Copperhead (other topics)
A La Recherche Du Temps Perdu: Tome Ii: a L'ombre Des Jeunes Filles En Fleur (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Barbara Kingsolver (other topics)Barbara Kingsolver (other topics)
Marcel Proust (other topics)
George Eliot (other topics)
George Eliot (other topics)
More...
me too, soon i hope.