2016 Group Bookshelf Reading Calendar/Planning

[Sarah]

Silvana, after reading Hyperion I decided that I don't want to read Fall of Hyperion. Hyperion is good but not good enough that I want to listen to an additional 22 hours. Sorry!

[Monica]

FWIW I listened to Hyperion and The Fall of Hyperion last year. I loved both books but they are very different in style. The two are essentially one book so I would highly recommend that you read both within a few months of each other. The Fall of Hyperion requires the extensive background stories provided in Hyperion. I confess that I did listen to another book in between the two, but don't be dismayed by the length. It's a very worthwhile book and effort. Both are among my favorite books ever written.

[Silvana]

No problem, Sarah! I was not too impressed with Hyperion either, actually... I will discuss with my local SF group and join the spoiler thread after I finish.

[Michael]

Monica wrote: "FWIW I listened to Hyperion and The Fall of Hyperion last year. I loved both books but they are very different in style. The two are essentially one book so I would highly..."

I agree, Monica, they were both amazing and two parts of a whole, though I remember liking the first book more, maybe it was the novelty of the themes. Of course, if someone didn't like Hyperion much, the Fall wouldn't change that I don't think...

[Sarah]

This month we have Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch and Oryx and Crake up. I'm excited about both and hoping to reread Good Omens and I'm definitely reading Oryx and Crake. Here are the link:

Good Omens:
"Good Omens" First Impressions
"Good Omens" Final Thoughts *Spoilers*
"Good Omens" - British Irony
"Good Omens" - Favorite Scene

Oryx and Crake:
”Oryx and Crake” First Impressions *No Spoilers*
”Oryx and Crake” Finished Reading *Spoilers*

[Sarah]

So, I've completely forgotten to comment on this month's reads and I will get to it! In the meantime, here are next month's:

Spin:
"Spin" - First Impressions *No Spoilers*
"Spin" - Final Thoughts *Spoilers*

Cat's Cradle:
"Cat's Cradle" - First Impressions *No Spoilers*
"Cat's Cradle" - Final Thoughts *Spoilers*

[Sarah]

I've been listening to Spin and I find the time shifts confusing. Unfortunately I can't find my paperback so I can't use that to clarify.

[Melanie, the neutral party]

Sarah Anne wrote: "I've been listening to Spin and I find the time shifts confusing. Unfortunately I can't find my paperback so I can't use that to clarify."

It was a bit confusing but just in the beginning. The shifts seem to level out after the opening.

[Kim]

Just finished Spin (print version) and I was ok with the shifts. They seemed to go back and forth in a logical order while reading (but physically starting new chapters helps as opposed to listening, I assume).

I really enjoyed this book. The concepts were incredibly fascinating, I actually liked, or at least understood, most of the characters and I appreciated the author's writing style. Some of his phrases stuck with me, like "Words like anchors, tethering boats of memory that would otherwise be settled by the storm." But I can also see how some readers, as mentioned in a few reviews, might have gotten bored. The pace is a bit slow and repetitive in parts.

[Sarah]

Kim wrote: "Just finished Spin (print version) and I was ok with the shifts. They seemed to go back and forth in a logical order while reading (but physically starting new chapters helps as opposed to listenin..."

A few of us will be discussing this later this month. Here are the threads we'll be using. Feel free to join us :)

"Spin" - First Impressions *No Spoilers*
"Spin" - Final Thoughts *Spoilers*

[Edwin]

Sarah Anne wrote: "A few of us will be discussing this later this month. Here are the threads we'll be using. Feel free to join us :)"

OK, the comments are started.....this is a good one for discussion me thinks.

[Sarah]

I'm going to be reading The Anubis Gates next week if anyone wants to join me.

[Hank]

Sarah Anne wrote: "I'm going to be reading The Anubis Gates next week if anyone wants to join me."

I am in!

[Sarah]

Yay! I'll post the links.

[Sarah]

There are 15 threads! Sheesh. I couldn't resist the "just desserts" one.

"The Anubis Gates" Still Reading *No Spoilers*
"The Anubis Gates" Do characters get their just desserts? *Spoilers*
What were your final thoughts on Anubis Gates *Spoilers*

[Valerie]

Downloading it to my phone now to be ready. :)

[Sarah]

Cool :) This will be fun.

[Hank]

Valerie, there are some mild spoilerish things in the *No Spoilers* thread if you are still like me and don't want to know anything. Our newest mod has a much firmer grip on the no spoiler section than the mods did 8 years ago :)

[Sarah]

Uh, yeah... That ones kind of a mess. I created a new one for us. Thanks Hank.

"The Anubis Gates" First Impressions *The truly spoiler free thread*

[Valerie]

Thanks for the heads up, Hank. I am finishing up Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch today, then I shall dive in.

[Maggie]

I thought The Speed of Dark had made the list, but apparently I was mixed up~! I plan to read it in September if anyone else still wants to jump in......

[Valerie]

Maggie, I could be enticed into joining you. :)

[Sarah]

Oh, I just downloaded the audio so I would be happy to join :)

[Michael]

I'm in if i can read it before To Say Nothing Of The Dog.

[Maggie]

Yay! I am looking forward to it

[Sarah]

I'll post the threads when I post the ones on the 15th.

[Chris]

I suggest a group reading of the first of whatever fantasy series is chosen for next month — probably The Final Empire (Mistborn #1).

[Sarah]

I think that's a good idea. I could also post the links to the book when we open the first impression threads to book 2.

[Silvana]

Chris wrote: "I suggest a group reading of the first of whatever fantasy series is chosen for next month — probably The Final Empire (Mistborn #1)."

I will join this. Read the sample and it is quite intriguing.

[Katy]

I love the idea!

[Sarah]

Awesome :) We could get a decent size group. The Final Empire is a great book and there's a lot to discuss. I read it with my in person group and we had a good discussion.

[Sarah]

It's time for the August threads to go up! This came around faster than I expected this time.

Little, Big
"Little, Big" First Impressions *No Spoilers*
"Little, Big" Final Thoughts *Spoilers*

Assassin's Apprentice
"Assassin's Apprentice" First Impressions *No Spoilers*
"Assassin's Apprentice" Conclusions *Plenty o Spoilers*

There's been a spontaneous desire to read The Speed of Dark in September, which is totally Maggie's fault. I'm posting the threads now even though the read isn't until September. Everyone feel free to join us!

The Speed of Dark
"The Speed of Dark" First Impressions *No Spoilers*
"The Speed of Dark" What is normal? *Spoilers*
"The Speed of Dark" Finished the Book *Spoilers*

I've relinked all of the books to the threads but let me know if they get snipped again.

[YouKneeK]

I’m excited that more people will be reading Assassin’s Apprentice soon. I’ve posted this a million times in a million places, but it’s one of my favorite series. I like reading what other people think about it, even when they hate it… which I expect Sarah may since it’s epic fantasy through and through. :)

[Sarah]

I'm actually worried about that :) I might as well bite the bullet and listen to Hobb while I have moral support.

[Valerie]

I am giving serious consideration to a re-read (well, revisit on audio this time) to Assassin's Apprentice. I really enjoyed it the first go-round, but never got around to any of the other books.

[Maggie]

Coming of age fantasies are normally something I dont care for, but Farseer really grew on me and I ended up reading ALL of them....

[Silvana]

That book made me cry twice so yeah I might join the reread since I am a masochist that way.

[Sarah]

I'm actually doing the audio, too. I'm curious to see what it is that people love so much about this book.

[Jen]

Aw man you guys are killin' me! ;)

Just downloaded Assassin's Apprentice (yay Kindle deals) but no idea how I'll fit it in with this month's reads. I'll do my best, may join the discussions late. I'm drowning in good books over here.

(Yes, its a good problem to have.)

[Sarah]

It goes until Sept 15th (and usually a bit later) if that helps.

[Maarit]

I think I may have to skip Assassin's Apprentice for now, unfortunately. I'm a bit busy with my new job, which wasn't actually planned for, just had a chance to jump in and I took it. Also, my reading has been stuck for quite a while now, mostly because of the work and some other things that have happened in my life that I'd rather not talk about at this time. But if I happen to find time and energy and also get my reading mood back, I may participate in the discussion.

[Emma]

Valerie wrote: "I am giving serious consideration to a re-read (well, revisit on audio this time) to Assassin's Apprentice. I really enjoyed it the first go-round, but never got around to any of the o..."
I've read all of Robin Hobb with the exception of the most recent one. She is one of my favourite authors. I'd gladly do a re read of Assassins Apprentice if I hadn't just re read that whole trilogy in the last couple of months

[Michelle]

I'm just now reading Robin Hobb's work. I read the Magic Ship books, and just finished Assassin's Apprentice and Royal Assassin. How did I miss her all these years? I'll never know. But I do know I have a lot of goodness ahead of me!

[Sarah]

For everyone who is wondering, Edwin and I are planning on continuing this in 2017. We're going to do it a bit different by taking votes via a google doc. Tracking the voting on here is difficult and this group gets bigger and bigger every year. We'll have the alphabetical checklist available on Nov 15 for voting. When we post that I'll let you guys know the rest of the details.

[Valerie]

Hurrah!

[Monica]

Awesome!!!

[Sarah]

You guys totally made me laugh :)

[Valerie]

I love this. I find myself reading some of these books with the group even if they weren't originally on my list.

It just occurred to me that I need to start making plans for which books I will propose for next year's list. :D

[Sarah]

I do, too. It also keeps me on track for completing the challenge. There are so many books on the list that I often don't even know about them until they start doing well. Little, Big is one of those.

[Chris]

Thanks, Sarah and Edwin! Looking forward to it already!

I wonder whether there is some easy way to get more participation. One thing I noticed was that some people were active and ambitious during the voting, but they did not participate in the discussions of the books they voted for. This problem seems to be a bigger issue as the year goes on; the first few months were much more active.

Perhaps there could be some way of gathering people for a reading that is closer in time between planning and reading. I don't want to put more burden on people, both organizers and voters, but maybe there is a tech-mediated way to do it without substantially more effort.