SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion
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What Else Are You Reading?
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What Else Are You Reading in 2018?
Saar wrote: "I'm currently reading The Passage by Justin Cronin. It makes me think of a mix between 'The Strain', 'The Walking Dead' and '28 Days Later'."My takeaway was that it was a better-written version of The Stand with vampires instead of the devil and two of everything.
But so grim I had no desire to read more of them. Plus the dog is killed gratuitously.
Just finished a Ramsey Campbell short story collection, Dark Feasts: The World of Ramsey Campbell and reviewed it - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2358402880.
I’m currently listening to Snow Crash. It was a bit difficult to get into but it has picked up the pace. My only issue now is keeping the characters straight since there are so many that come in and out of the storyline. I’m also reading Guilty Pleasures, one of those moments of curiosity as to why it’s such a popular series. So far it’s ok. The choppy writing style tends to irritate me but the overall premise is interesting. I’ll probably try the second book to see if there’s been an improvement with style.
And, while not reading them yet, I just picked up the entire Father Brown mystery series for $0.49 on kindle. Cute tv show, hopefully the books are as engaging.
Picked up Jade City at the library in the optimistic hope my eyes have recovered enough to read black ink on white paper. Thus far I’ve been relying on ebooks with the colors reversed.So far I’ve finished all of the Lazarus comics (excellent), Injustice 2 Vol. 1 (excellent), and the first Wicked + Divine collection (good).
In regular books I’ve read
Word by Word: The Secret Life of Dictionaries (5 stars),
Children of Blood and Bone (2 stars),
From a Certain Point of View (2 stars),
Every Heart a Doorway (3 stars, barely) and
When the English Fall (2 stars).
Trike wrote: "My takeaway was that [The Passage] was a better-written version of The Stand with vampires instead of the devil and two of everything."See now, I would have said it the exact other way around -- that The Passage was a pale imitation of The Stand :)
Michele wrote: "Trike wrote: "My takeaway was that [The Passage] was a better-written version of The Stand with vampires instead of the devil and two of everything."See now, I would have said it the exact other way around -- that The Passage was a pale imitation of The Stand :) "
The Stand just has so many clunky parts and dull walking, walking, walking scenes, not to mention the continuity errors. The Passage doesn’t have any of that.
Last night I finished Etiquette & Espionage, the first book in Gail Carriger's "Finishing School" series. Quite fun and breezy, much like her "Parasol Protectorate" series. I have the second one on my iPhone, so I think I'll read it next, and get to the other two in that series later.
During my field trip, I blazed through Jorundyr's Path and The Blood Debt. While I had lots of fun and was immersed easily, it also reminded me why I don't like books that are narrated like that - retold by someone some time after with much time passing between the first ~95% of the story and the delayed finale, so to say.
Phrynne wrote: "I’m with you on this one Trike:)"I’ve always liked you, Phrynne.
I'm currently reading:The Pox Party by M.T. Anderson, well rereading in this case
and The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo.
I finished White Houses by Amy Bloom this morning. 3 stars.
Voices of Dragons by Carrie Vaughn 3 stars.
Speak No Evil by Uzodinma Iweala 4 stars.
People Like Us by Dana Mele 2 stars.
Indian Killer by Sherman Alexie 4 stars.
Dear Martin by Nic Stone 5 stars.
I’ currently reading the last book of the Shadow Campaign: The Infernal Battalion. I’ve been looking forward to reading this series for a long time now and it definitively delivered.My reviews:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Robert wrote: "Last night I finished Etiquette & Espionage, the first book in Gail Carriger's "Finishing School" series. Quite fun and breezy, much like her "Parasol Protectorate" series. I have t..."If you ever have an opportunity to listen to this series I highly recommend you do so! Brilliant narration brought the characters to life.
Trike wrote: "The Stand just has so many clunky parts and dull walking, walking, walking scenes, not to mention the continuity errors. "Ooh I love spotting that kind of stuff. Is there a list somewhere??
The Glass Magician
So I finished this one at a speedier rate than I normally read books and have already picked up the third in the series. I really am enjoying this books.
Michele wrote: "Trike wrote: "The Stand just has so many clunky parts and dull walking, walking, walking scenes, not to mention the continuity errors. "Ooh I love spotting that kind of stuff. Is there a list somewhere??"
That I don’t know. But a couple friends and I reread it at the same time when the expanded version came out and we all kept sticking on dumb mistakes.
A sad moment when the ninth and last book in, what was up to then a good series, is a let down.My review of Scourged by Kevin Hearne
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Dj wrote: "The Glass MagicianSo I finished this one at a speedier rate than I normally read books and have already picked up the third in the series. ..."
I just found out recently a companion/spin-off book is coming out soon: The Plastic Magician.
colleen the convivial curmudgeon wrote: "Dj wrote: "The Glass MagicianSo I finished this one at a speedier rate than I normally read books and have already picked up the third in t..."
Yeah, I noticed that in the list when I was getting the Master Magician. Might have hold off getting that one until next month. LOL.
"The Stand" I think I read somewhere that Stephen King had a very hard time finishing that books, writers block etc. and it shows, that said it's still one of my favorites that just happens to end.... And the hand of God came down and ended this dang book.
Recently read a few shorter ones that I was really surprised with:Killing Gravity
Void Black Shadow
The Lamb Will Slaughter the Lion
Currently reading The Burning Dark by Adam Christopher. It's pretty good actually. He's a decent writer. I didn't care for Empire State, as I don't think it was fully realised, but he does a good job.Far better than Lowng Journey/Angry Planet which was childish.
Don wrote: "And the hand of God came down and ended this dang book."A literal deus ex machina :)
I finally started Remnant Population and I'm enjoying the heck out of it. Reminds me a little of Ursula Vernon / T. Kingfisher with all the gardening going on. I just got to the part where things are starting to happen, not that I mind nothing happening. I've been enjoying the peaceful calm with Ofelia, it suits my mood.This is one of many books I've been meaning to read for so long, and have tried to prioritize this year. I'm so happy I finally started it.
The Necromancer - the secrets of the immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael ScottThe Clean 20 by Ian K. Smith, M.D.
City of Heavenly Fire by Classandra Clare
Clockwork Princess by Classandra Clare
The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman
Just finished Space Opera which was excellent Eurovision fanfic. Totally OTT. Next up I'm embarking on the Wheel of Time.
Anna wrote: "I finally started Remnant Population and I'm enjoying the heck out of it. Reminds me a little of Ursula Vernon / T. Kingfisher with all the gardening go..."Oh, I wish you, or I, or someone would’ve suggested a buddy read for that because it’s what I voted for and really wanted to read. I think I’ve got too much going on right now or else I would join you. I’ll be excited to hear what you think of it, I hope it’s really good!
HeyT wrote: "Just finished Space Opera which was excellent Eurovision fanfic. Totally OTT. Next up I'm embarking on the Wheel of Time."I’m excited to read this! We have a buddy read scheduled for next month, you should’ve waited!
I finished
God of Vengeance and started the second in the series,
Winter's Fire. The series is reminiscent of a shoot 'em up, blow 'em up action adventure, except there was no gun powder in 785 AD Norway. Swords, spears, axes and other implements of iron.
Ashley wrote: "Oh, I wish you, or I, or someone would’ve suggested a buddy read for that"I almost did, but I feel so anxious about everything already on my plate, I didn't want to add to it. And I made the decision to start it two minutes before I started. I wasn't feeling like reading anything, and suddenly it just spoke to me.
Anna wrote: "Ashley wrote: "Oh, I wish you, or I, or someone would’ve suggested a buddy read for that"I almost did, but I feel so anxious about everything already on my plate, I didn't want to add to it. And ..."
I like your way of selecting books though - letting them speak to you instead of scheduling them.
I used to only read what I felt like reading, but I've been doing some scheduling since last year, too. Both ways have their upsides, and I'm still not sure what's a good balance for me. I love planning, but often having something scheduled turns it into something I have to do instead of want to do, and then I don't feel like it anymore.
Anna wrote: "I used to only read what I felt like reading, but I've been doing some scheduling since last year, too. Both ways have their upsides, and I'm still not sure what's a good balance for me. I love pla..."Ha, I understand that feeling.
Ashley wrote:"I’m excited to read this! We have a buddy read scheduled for next month, you should’ve waited!"I couldn't wait because my gaming guild is super into Eurovision and was pumped up about this. I'll definitely join in the thread for the buddy read when it happens though! So many feels.
HeyT wrote: "Ashley wrote:"I’m excited to read this! We have a buddy read scheduled for next month, you should’ve waited!"I couldn't wait because my gaming guild is super into Eurovision and was pumped up abo..."
Sounds good!
Since my last post, I’ve read:1. Among Others by Jo Walton, one of this month’s group reads. This was a bit different from what I normally gravitate to these days, but I liked it a lot and found it difficult to put down. My review.
2. Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny, the other group read for this month. Coincidentally(?), this author is referred to quite a bit in Among Others. This seems to be a much-loved book, but I didn’t care for it. It’s been a while since I’ve felt this disconnected from a story or its characters. My review.
3. The Last Policeman by Ben H. Winters. I liked this, and it held my attention reasonably well, but I wasn’t quite interested enough to continue the trilogy. My review.
I’m now getting ready to start Kindred by Octavia E. Butler.
Bobby wrote: "Saar wrote: "I'm currently reading The Passage by Justin Cronin. It makes me think of a mix between 'The Strain', 'The Walking Dead' and '28 Days Later'."I tried with The Passage, ..."
I know what you mean, Bobby. I'm reading the Dutch translation and this one has 1000 pages. I'm on part 6 and it feels like I've allready a book or 2 and now the story is shifting and this are happening. This could easily been brought back to a less bigger book or 2 books instead of one.
Finally reading
. I really have enjoyed this series, but will be glad when it's over. The back and forth with Todd and Viola is driving me nuts
Mod
Before May.
Even at my best, I could not defeat so many.
Allison wrote: "Starting to panic. Still need to start Lord of Light, Shadow Man, Eye of the World, and Wylding Hall.Before May.
Even at my best, I could not defeat so many."
Sounds quite tricky, but you really can't pass on Eye of the World!
We need a support group for people who are drowning in buddy/group reads. The buddy read thread was a great idea, but I think it may work a bit too well.
Mod
I know, Anna! I'm trying to remind myself that FOMO doesn't exist in a website with static threads. There will be a Wylding Hall buddy read forever, for it will always be there!
...I still wanna read it now, tho.
And totally, Sabrina. It's by far the longest and most ambitious of the lot but I'm not going to put it down. It's like one of those logic puzzles....Shadow Man and Wylding Hall can't be on the coast together because they'll eat each other. Shadow Man and Lord of Light can't be on the same coast together, because they get into intolerable debates on semantics. Eye of the World MUST STAY ON THE BOAT AT ALL TIMES. What order do these books get read in?
Read The Year's Best Horror Stories: Series XIII edited by Karl Edward Wagner and reviewed it - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2358910497.
Also read Rider at the Gate by C J Cherryh and reviewed it - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2228498910.
Anna wrote: "We need a support group for people who are drowning in buddy/group reads. The buddy read thread was a great idea, but I think it may work a bit too well."I often sign up for a "buddy read" of a book I've already read, just so I can talk about it again. Is that cheating?
I would like to sign up for the support group for people drowning in buddy/group reads. I'm working on one book (Years of RIce and Salt) and just started another (Three Body Problem) last night. I have 2 more books coming in the mail later this week for buddy/group reads that have already started (Among Others and Shadow Man). So, I'm a little worried about over-committment, but at least I have a couple days to make headway on the two I have going. THEN, I get an email this morning that the books are arriving TODAY! Yeeps! I had a small panic attack. So, now those are in my physical pile, plus there's another buddy read starting later this month (Wylding Hall), AND two more starting in May (Unkindness of Ghosts and Underground Railroad), and I'm trying to avoid committing to yet another May buddy read. I need a whole lot of book over-committment therapy, is what I am saying.
This one is funny! (the book not the review)My review of Soulless by Gail Carriger
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mod
buddy readers, I hear your lament. I propose our new support group select a book on boundaries and prioritizing and discuss it. I'm a little busy, how's June look for you?
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SciFi and Fantasy Book Club
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I felt the same way. I did go on and read the second one, just to give the series a fair shake, but it was about the same. I liked Flavia but...yeah, just meh.