Around the Year in 52 Books discussion
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Annihilation
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Annihilation, by Jeff VanderMeer
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Tu tu tu tu tu tuuuuuu (yeah, I know, I'm very good at writing X-Files theme, ahem).I've this one on my list. I wanted to read it last year, but it was too expensive and then I wasn't so much interested in. But it's a short one, I'll try to read it in 2016 or 2017 as the series is complete.
Yeah, it's a fun read...I think you'll enjoy it. The next one in the series is a bit longer. But it also served as a good respite from 11/22/63, my next doorstop (although I picked up a few more TBR shorties on my trip to the library today). From Annihilation to procrastination! Speaking of The X-Files -- did you catch the first two new releases on TV this week? So good :))
Nop, I'll probably watch it when the full season will be finished!Short books are nice before or after a Stephen King!
Has anyone read the two proceeding books? I have them, but haven't cracked them open yet. My mind is still trying to bounce back after Annihilation.
The last few times I've visited my library, book #3 has been on the shelf, winking at me. I've had no sighting of book 2, though. But if see it, I will definitely pick it up. I intend to read both by the end of the year, and will order them, if need be. I loved the first one. By the way, have either of you read Gold Fame Citrus? It's a pretty good dystopian story, although the writing is so-so. I'm reading it for Week 48 of the challenge.
It took me a long time to find the second one. Last month when I was walking through the Anchorage airport I randomly saw it as I was passing a local version of Hudson News. I wasn't even looking for it, just saw it. I made an abrupt beeline for the shop. The only other place I've seen it is a second hand sight for nearly double the new price from a store. I haven't read Gold Fame Citrus, but it looks really interesting and I'm going to be working it into my challenge.
Incidentally, I have an entertaining way of selecting my books for the challenge. I cut up slips of paper numbered 1-52 and threw them in an envelope. Then I pick 'em at random as I go. It's fun, and the pressure's off in making my selection. I look forward to "pulling the rabbit out of the hat", so to speak.
It's a nice idea Stacey :)
At my age, I have to make my own fun sometimes. Lol
It's my pick for #6 (A book being released as a movie in 2017). It's in my dystopia TBR since ages and it's short so I'm looking forward to read it :)
Think you'll like it, Zaz. Authority (book #2) is on my 52-week challenge list for this year (Week 21). Hope it's as good or better.
I'm reading this one for like Zaz for Week 6 of the 2017 challenge. I'm a couple pages in and already find myself reading very slowly which is sort of disappointing since I equated a slim ready with an easy read.
Meh. I liked the concept and was definitely kept on the hook the whole time but I really felt kinda led on the whole time. There was no revelation following the build-up. I feel compelled to read the subsequent books but I'm a little resentful about it. But still... I gotta know what's going on in Area X!
I'm at 54%. So far, the 1st person point of view is boring (not good when it's more or less a journal) and there are too many descriptions. Probably a case of telling over showing. The area is interesting but I'm not curious about it, which seems to be the purpose of the book. I hope the next half is better!
What a disappointment with this one. It started nicely but then it was just a lifeless report of the events. I like journals when they are full of life, with emotions and humor, not like this one stating blankly what happened. The rest of the cast wasn't at all developed and I'd difficulties to understand the reasons and motivations for half of what they did.It wasn't difficult to read, it was short and some stuff was interesting, so I gave a 3 stars, but I don't think I'll continue the series. No idea why this one was on my dystopia TBR, it's scifi-fantasy, not society driven.
I thought it was really interesting, in a creepy way! I checked out book #2 Authority but didn't have a chance to read it. Maybe later this year.
I heard Authority was the best of the three but I don't know if I'm going to keep reading this series. I felt a little hurt by how little I liked this one when in theory it sounds right up my alley. I feel a little betrayed lol.
He's releasing a new book this year, maybe I'll give it a go to see if it's the series or the way he writes that is a problem with me. I think he has good ideas and stories that are different, so maybe it's just this book that doesn't work?
Zaz wrote: "He's releasing a new book this year, maybe I'll give it a go to see if it's the series or the way he writes that is a problem with me. I think he has good ideas and stories that are different, so m..."Sorry you didn't enjoy this one. Maybe it was the tropical setting that I enjoyed the most, from what I remember. I also kind of liked the clinical way it was told and how removed the scientist came off as, plus the mystery surrounding what was in that cave thing-y. I have Authority on my TBR for Week 21 (continuation), but I've heard it's the big stinker of the three, so I'm kinda wary of taking it on. His new one, Borne, also on my TBR, sounds promising, though.
I read this for Week 39 - Epistolary FictionI really enjoyed this story. I noticed that some of the previous posts that this would be a good book before or after a Stephen King book (because it's short and Mr. King's books are usually not very short). I found this funny because this book made it onto my TBR after I joined a challenge where Stephen King recommends it! Small world..
I am looking forward to continuing with this series and see if she finds her husband and what happens to her going forward.
I read this novel for AY2018, #38, a science or science fiction novel. I came to it through the hype of the Netflix film. The adaptation simply isn't comparable to the novel, and really should be treated as a different entity entirely.
I loved the choice of narration, and the consistency of keeping names from us, which added to the ecohorror nature of the alien encounter. My biggest sf parallels were The Thing, Roadside Picnic, and Solaris, as the sense of otherness is left very unexplained (they give clearer answers in the film, which I hope isn't pulling from the rest of the trilogy, which I am excited about). I can also see influences from Vandermeer's study and writing in Weird Fiction, which is quite well done here.
I'm reading this for the 2019 ATY challenge for prompt 1. A book that won an award in a genre that you enjoy. I used the Shirley Jackson award. I'm about 62% into the book and I'm finding it a little creepy fun quick book. I find it interesting that there aren't any names for the characters. Depending on how it ends I'll probably continue with the series.
I ended up liking this well enough to continue the series. I watched the movie also. The movie wasn't all that good but it was shot so that it was pretty at least. The second book has a rabbit on it so I might change around my plan and use the second book for the Chinese Zodiac prompt.
Around the Year in 52 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
Authority (other topics)Gold Fame Citrus (other topics)
If you like sci-fi and the unexplainable, this one's for you.
Very interesting, weird and creepy first novel, narrated by a very interesting, weird and creepy narrator. She is a somewhat anti-social member of a four-person expedition into a strange ecosphere "beyond the borders", called Area X. This is the twelfth such exploration of this area funded by a government we know very little about. Much happens in the few days she is here -- unexplainable and extremely strange. By the end, there are still questions left unanswered and it's clear that the author wants you to follow the narrator's bizarre journey even further.
This first novel of the trilogy is very X-Files-ish/Body Snatcheresque; in fact, I could hear strains of the X-Files' haunting, whistling music theme while reading this book. Looking forward to reading the other two in the series soon. I hope the truth is out there.