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?
Michele wrote: "OK, now you must reveal what book this was. Elephants and telepathic aliens and the Seelie court??"The Best of All Possible Worlds
Anna wrote: "I decided it's the perfect time for an Earthsea reread."And I changed my mind once again. I was about to start, and as I was trying to decide which edition to mark as currently reading, I remembered that The Books of Earthsea: The Complete Illustrated Edition is coming out in October. I'm going to wait for that.
So now I'm lost again. Why is it so hard to decide what to read?!
I’ve been wanting to start the Earthsea books. The illustrated one sounds like something I would like. I have two books on the go beside me (Illuminae and Beartown) and I keep reading other things. Mostly short stories. Read the Minority Report and then Blood (from the Neil Gaiman book Stories but it’s not by Neil). Then I started on Study in Emerald. Well I found it last night, set it up on my iPad, said I was reading it and then put Black Panther on. I really enjoyed it (BP) but it didn’t leave me raving like it seemed to with most people. Some bits even bored me. The bit where the bad guy (Michael B Jordan was it) burned the things amused me since he’s playing the guy who burns the books in Fahrenheit 451.
Anna how was The Best of All Possible Worlds? Aside from containing every fantasy element I’ve ever heard of? I had it on my list for book bingo but now I’m wondering how much I would really enjoy it.
Sarah wrote: "Anna how was The Best of All Possible Worlds? Aside from containing every fantasy element I’ve ever heard of? I had it on my list for book bingo but now I’m wondering how much I would really enjoy it."I really don't know how to answer that! I liked some aspects, but mostly the experience was just strange. It felt like too many things put together in a jumble. But I seem to be disliking everything right now, so it could just be me. It was a fast read, and I had fun describing some of it to people.
I just read the first chapter of three different books, and everything annoys me. It's one of those moods I guess. I'm taking the hint and doing something else, maybe I can find a show to binge on HBO.
I hate that mood Anna. It usually extends to TV shows as well for me. I’ve changed over to a few short stories to tide me over until I’m in the mood to finish the books I’m in the middle of.
I finished Way Station yesterday and loved it, it was really charming.I'm currently reading The Windup Girl, its enjoyable. I typically avoid cli-fi because I have a serious case of Environment-Related Despair, but so far so good.
Anna wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Anna how was The Best of All Possible Worlds? Aside from containing every fantasy element I’ve ever heard of? I had it on my list for book bingo but now I’m wondering how much I would..."Yeah- that's what I was thinking when you described it the first time. I was thinking- now there's a book that doesn't know what it wants to be. But you're also saying it's quick so maybe I'll give it a try anyway. Hope you get out of that book slump soon!
Sarah, I'd say it's worth reading if the blurb sounds interesting to you, and you don't mind the weirdness :)
Jen wrote: "I finished Way Station yesterday and loved it, it was really charming.I'm currently reading The Windup Girl, its enjoyable. I typically avoid cli-fi because I have a ..."
Try a few more from the same author eg Goblin reservation
Michele wrote: "MadProfessah wrote: "There’s a movie of the Prydain books by Lloyd Alexander? From when??"The Black Cauldron (1985). Really really bad, IMO.
A couple of years ago there were rumblings that Disne..."
In my not so humble opinion, the Black Cauldron was one of the worst Disney Animated movies (exclusive of straight to Video sequels) ever made. It had some interesting concepts, but ultimately it was uneven and under thought out.
Of course finding a lone stick on a perfectly manicured lawn didn't help anything.
I remembering really liking the Black Cauldron as a kid, but I haven't seen it recently.**
Finished The Belles. Meh. Giving it 2 stars. I feel like it had the potential to explore cultural obsessions with beauty, but while it would make forays into "accepting your natural template", it never quite made it into actually having a point. I didn't like any of the characters, and don't really care what ends up happening, so I probably won't be continuing the series - and it's definitely set up to be continued, because while it doesn't end in a cliffhanger, it's certainly doesn't resolve anything, either.
Moved on to Magic Below Stairs which is light and easy, and I should finish fairly quickly. Charming so far, but I'm hoping more happens soon.
I’ve started Codex of Light. So far, it’s a great fantasy read. The main character, Dallet, behaves like the sheltered poor monk he is. He doesn’t immediately display heroism and fighting ability, like many books I’ve read do with the protagonist.
Re-read book 1 of Mary Renault's two book series based on the myth of Theseus - The King Must Die: A Novel - and reviewed it - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2423816387.
I finished Jade City last night. I had a tough time with it at first, since I am not a fan of gang/mafia stories, but somewhere past the halfway point you couldn't tear me away from it. So good. Usually my book hangovers are because of emotional stuff; this one is because of how well crafted it is. I felt like I was living in this world and experiencing all the characters' operatic struggles.Review here.
Just finishing up The Fifth Season for my monthly book club, and I am also almost done with The Lies of Locke Lamora (yes I know I should have read this ages ago) I have to say, two great books if you are looking for something new to read
Mod
Oo! That's a great pairing right there! Are you planning to read the second books in each series soon??
Beth wrote: "I finished Jade City last night. I had a tough time with it at first, since I am not a fan of gang/mafia stories, but somewhere past the halfway point you couldn't tear me away from..."Beth, I really want to read Jade City. My library didn't have it, but I just checked again after reading your review, and it's available! I put a hold on the e-book, and hopefully I'll have time to read it when it clears. I read Zeroboxer by the same author in a day, so I wouldn't be surprised if I get sucked in.
Read book 2 of Mary Renault's Theseus series - The Bull from the Sea - and reviewed it - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2431484129.
Anna wrote: I decided it's the perfect time for an Earthsea reread...I remembered that The Books of Earthsea: The Complete Illustrated Edition is coming out in October."For the LeGuin fans out there, there's a wonderful Kickstarter project (ends in five days) to publish a collection of her poetry, her last project shortly before she died: Ursula K. Le Guin: A Poet's Legacy. Please take a look (and spread the word!)
I just finished Medusa Uploaded. It was released in May, and I was immediately sold on the premise of a revenge plot on a generation starship. It did not disappoint.I was really surprised when the author liked my review. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Started The Severed Streets last night, but I found myself having a hard time focusing. Not sure if it's just because I was tired, or because it's the first "adult" book I've read in awhile. LOLI do appreciate that there's been a lot of reminders about the events from the first book because, frankly, I've forgotten a lot of the details since then.
Jamesboggie wrote: "I just finished Medusa Uploaded. It was released in May, and I was immediately sold on the premise of a revenge plot on a generation starship. It did not disappoint.I was really s..."
Yes! That was such a fun book!
Sounds interesting but I’m often wary of books that have less than 1000 ratings....(of course all great books have to start somewhere...)
MadProfessah wrote: "Sounds interesting but I’m often wary of books that have less than 1000 ratings....(of course all great books have to start somewhere...)"I wouldn't buy many newly published books if I used the 1000 ratings criteria. Even Amazon's 100 books to read in your lifetime has 16 books with less than 1000 ratings including Invisible Man. And I would have missed a lot of books I totally enjoyed like Skin Folk and The Heroes
Read book 1 of Tanith Lee's Secret Books of Paradys - The Book of the Damned and reviewed it - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2432456016.
Mod
I'm surprised that you've read multiple of her works but didn't like Book of Paradys, Pam! Did you like the others better?
CBRetriever wrote: "MadProfessah wrote: "Sounds interesting but I’m often wary of books that have less than 1000 ratings....(of course all great books have to start somewhere...)"I wouldn't buy many newly published ..."
Ummm, The Invisible Man has 136,000 ratings
I've been reading through all of Neil Gaiman's stories. I'm about halfway through the Sandman series now.
Hank wrote: "Ummm, The Invisible Man has 136,000 ratings"on amazon.com, the version here has only 722 reviews/ratings
https://www.amazon.com/Invisible-Vint...
that was what I was citing
MadProfessah wrote: "Sounds interesting but I’m often wary of books that have less than 1000 ratings....(of course all great books have to start somewhere...)"I actually am intrigued by books with very few ratings. Of course, I also won't rush out and buy them without seeing a sample, because self-published unedited crap. But there are some gems out there.
The most extreme example is perhaps Magnificent Dishonor, which has only one rating -- mine :) Full disclosure: it is self-published unedited crap, but it was oddball enough that I stuck with it.
There are only so many hours in a day and no shortage of interesting titles that made it past one or more gatekeepers. Thank you, alpha and beta readers, but I'm glad I'm not you!
Jade Darcy and the Affair of HonorJade Darcy and the Zen Pirates
both have less than 100 ratings on Goodreads and were quite entertaining (sci fi, not fantasy)
Allison wrote: "Pam wrote: "Read book 1 of Tanith Lee's Secret Books of Paradys - The Book of the Damned and reviewed it - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...."I'm surprised that you'..."
I read a lot of Lee years ago before joining GReads. Since I've done so, I've read or re-read a few and haven't yet judged any above a 3 star rating. I think my tastes have changed a bit in the intervening years and maybe I find them too full of cruelty and sadomasochism now when before I was more swept away by the lusciousness of the prose?
Read book 2 of Tanith Lee's 'The Secret Books of Paradys' - The Book of the Beast- and reviewed it - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2432456637.
Yesterday evening I finished The Custodian of Marvels by Rod Duncan, the third book is his "Fall of the Gas-Lit Empire" trilogy. This was a quite enjoyable book, and gave me more insight into the world, which I'd have to say is more alternate-history than steampunk. It began as a mystery about a book, then turned to revenge, then to a heist. Overall I quite liked this series. The author is writing more books in this universe. I'd like to know his next series ends before investing in it. That means I'll move on to another book next. Not quite decided which just yet...
I'm reading Authority - I wasn't overly impressed by the first book but I still want to know what happens. I'm hooked by the mystery. I am always hooked by a PKD-like uncertainty of what is real.I watched the movie Annihilation after I read the first book, I'm guessing the movie is an amalgamation of the whole trilogy. I still want to know how the books wrap it all up.
Jen wrote: "I'm reading Authority - I wasn't overly impressed by the first book but I still want to know what happens. I'm hooked by the mystery. I am always hooked by a PKD-like uncertainty of..."That's funny- I didn't get that feeling at all.... but now I'm wondering if you're right. At which point I'll be incredibly disappointed because that ending was lame!
Sarah wrote: "That's funny- I didn't get that feeling at all.... but now I'm wondering if you're right. At which point I'll be incredibly disappointed because that ending was lame! "Ha, that's funny, my boyfriend was FREAKED OUT after the movie, he thought it was really scary. I thought the cinematography was beautiful.
Just a guess, I haven't looked into it at all, I could be wrong. Its really hard to tell what is happening from the books.
Jen wrote: "Sarah wrote: "That's funny- I didn't get that feeling at all.... but now I'm wondering if you're right. At which point I'll be incredibly disappointed because that ending was lame! "Ha, that's fu..."
I enjoyed most of the movie actually! Didn't even mind the changes from the book. I just preferred the books slightly more ambiguous ending.
Don’t worry the book ending isn’t all holly-wooded up. 😁
just finished "The Cloud Road" by Martha Wells, it was OK. what I really wanted was more "Murderbot".
Don wrote: "just finished "The Cloud Road" by Martha Wells, it was OK. what I really wanted was more "Murderbot"."Drat! The Cloud Roads has been in my TBR list for a while for exactly the same reason. I guess we'll just have to wait for Rogue Protocol and Exit Strategy.
I was talking about Goodreads ratings (obviously). And yes it is hard for a newly published book to reach the 1000-rating threshold (at least quickly) but it has worked pretty well as a proxy for me to avoid wasting time reading crap.
This seems to be a good moment to check in my 2018 reading goals, as it is both close to the midpoint of the year and I have just finished a major reading project (the complete and collected Sherlock Holmes). Thus Far in 2018, I have read:
1 Creative Nonfiction
2 Graphic Novesl
2 Novellas
3 Story Anthologies
24 Novels.
Of those books,
2 were books I had previously read
13 were Audiobooks (or I switched between audio and textual versions using amazon's whispersync).
3 were longer than 1000 pages
25 were written by men
7 were written by women
2 were written by non caucasian authors (one asian, one person of color).
Clearly, I have some diversity issues in my choices. However, I do have some options for diverse authors in the back half of the year that have now gained priority.
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SciFi and Fantasy Book Club
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OK, now you must reveal what book this was. Elephants and telepathic aliens and the Seelie court??