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?

I’d give it a go though. I’m glad I did.



Dear Fahrenheit 451 was 3 stars for me--some of it I liked, some of it I didn't, but I knew it was going to be a completely different sort of book.

He sure does! My favourite book by him is, hands down, Grandmother, and not just because it was the first one I read. I have now read all of his books, but my ratings have ranged from 3 to 5. In order (some tied) from best to least liked:
My Grandmother Asked me to Tell You She's Sorry a full 5 stars but the review didn't make it from Shelfari
Beartown rounded up to 5 stars
Us Against You (tied with A Man Called Ove) a strong 4 stars
Britt-Marie was Here (barely 4 stars--rounded up)
Deal of a Lifetime 3 stars but I liked it a wee bit better than
And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer which was barely 3 stars
Gary wrote: "Wow sounds really different compared to the deadpan Ove! Backman sure sounds like a versatile writer. Beartown is definitely on my radar just for the ice hockey connection alone."
Yes, he's versatile, but what is universal is his insight into people and his characters.




Now I'm in three minds about what to read next. It's between The Last Wish which I wanted to read for ages, Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch which sits here as paper edition and cries for a re-read, or Tigana, which was highly recommended here in the thread.

What sort of mood/experience do you want to have next?

I, too, read Good Omens quite some time ago - and when I wanted to rate some of my books for the setup here on GR, I realised that I have to re-read it, cause I embarrassingly can't remember much.
A Tigana Buddy Read would be wonderful, but I'm not sure that's possible, since the book is on the group shelf, which means, that there already exists a thread for it, doesn't it?
I'm open to everything at the moment. I still feel like a child in a sandpit, happily playing in every direction and wanting to read so many books. I have to make up for the time I've lost not-reading.
BTW: I discovered that The Witcher novel is only 0,99 € and rather short, so I went for this for a palate cleanser.
Gabi wrote: "Anthony wrote: "@Gabi it’s been years since I read Good Omens, but it was laugh-out-loud hilarious at times. Super fun. I’m very interested I. Reading Tigana but I don’t have space to read it yet b..."
Tigana can totally be resurrected for a buddy read! What we usually do is keep first impressions up and then I clear some space so we can do spoiler tags as people go in the "full discussion" thread without accidentally spoiling things (as long as you go from the newest comments first, of course!)
Last Wish was fun, Gabi, I hope you enjoy! Which language are you reading it in? I'm very curious how the English translation compares with other tellings.
Tigana can totally be resurrected for a buddy read! What we usually do is keep first impressions up and then I clear some space so we can do spoiler tags as people go in the "full discussion" thread without accidentally spoiling things (as long as you go from the newest comments first, of course!)
Last Wish was fun, Gabi, I hope you enjoy! Which language are you reading it in? I'm very curious how the English translation compares with other tellings.

Thank you for the information about the Tigana BR. Then I will acquaint myself with how to set up a BR.
Good Omens is on my far too long "really really want to read"-list.
Currently working my way through the Expanse series. Just started book #5.
I'm also really eager to start reading the trilogy by Yoon Ha Lee starting with Ninefox Gambit. I bought them all a couple of weeks ago.
Currently working my way through the Expanse series. Just started book #5.
I'm also really eager to start reading the trilogy by Yoon Ha Lee starting with Ninefox Gambit. I bought them all a couple of weeks ago.

Currently working my way through the Expanse series. Just started book #5.
I'm also really eager to start reading the trilogy by ..."
How do you like The Expanse series? I've been considering reading the novels, since I couldn't get into the TV show so far.

Yes! Here are all the threads you'll need:
Ninefox - no spoilers
Ninefox - spoilers
Raven Stratagem and Revenant Gun (spoilers for Ninefox)
Gabi wrote: "How do you like The Expanse series? I've been considering reading the novels, since I couldn't get into the TV show so far."
I watched the first two seasons first, and really loved the show. I actually watched them seasons twice. I then started reading the books while waiting for season 3.
I think the show made a better job at giving the characters depth, while the books obviously have a more elaborate plot. I found the characters in the first book a bit flat and uninteresting in comparison, but this does pick up in the later books. Of course, having seen the show first, the characters in my mind become a blend of the book and on-screen characters so YMMV.
I also found the political scheming more interesting in the show's first two seasons compared to the books. I was hoping to find it even more intriguing in the books, but was disappointed. Avasarala is a much more interesting character in the show, partially also because I like Shohreh Aghdashloo who portrays her, but still.
I enjoy sci-fi plots involving fracturing of the human species, which is a big part of The Expanse universe. It is also why I loved Alastair Reynolds' Revelation Space universe so much.
I watched the first two seasons first, and really loved the show. I actually watched them seasons twice. I then started reading the books while waiting for season 3.
I think the show made a better job at giving the characters depth, while the books obviously have a more elaborate plot. I found the characters in the first book a bit flat and uninteresting in comparison, but this does pick up in the later books. Of course, having seen the show first, the characters in my mind become a blend of the book and on-screen characters so YMMV.
I also found the political scheming more interesting in the show's first two seasons compared to the books. I was hoping to find it even more intriguing in the books, but was disappointed. Avasarala is a much more interesting character in the show, partially also because I like Shohreh Aghdashloo who portrays her, but still.
I enjoy sci-fi plots involving fracturing of the human species, which is a big part of The Expanse universe. It is also why I loved Alastair Reynolds' Revelation Space universe so much.


Now 33% into Ninefox Gambit by Yoon Ha Lee. Also nearing the end of Blindsight by Peter Watts.

I second that.

Dragonsinger is just as good. Maybe better :) Menolly's story arc is probably my favorite of the Pern books; she and Masterharper Robinton are my favorite characters.

CBRetriever wrote: "Finally finished
The Complete Wheel of Time
seemed to take forever, but it was good"
o.O
"Finished?" like...put it down for now? Or like there's no more left to read????
The Complete Wheel of Time
seemed to take forever, but it was good"
o.O
"Finished?" like...put it down for now? Or like there's no more left to read????

I started back in March or April"
Time to start upon the wheel again.
CBRetriever wrote: "finished, finished - read it all
I started back in March or April"
CONGRATULATIONS!! That's quite a feat. I often feel that "achievements" like in videogames should be given IRL. I'd give them for things like finishing WoT. Gold star!
I started back in March or April"
CONGRATULATIONS!! That's quite a feat. I often feel that "achievements" like in videogames should be given IRL. I'd give them for things like finishing WoT. Gold star!
Trike wrote: "CBRetriever wrote: "finished, finished - read it all
I started back in March or April"
Time to start upon the wheel again."
Whoa, whoa, no need to threaten anyone ;-)
I started back in March or April"
Time to start upon the wheel again."
Whoa, whoa, no need to threaten anyone ;-)

::: taps iPad :::
Is this thing on?"
yes on, I just don't think I can face another turn again

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I don't seem to do well reading scifi classics anymore, and tend to do better with more contemporary ones.

It's such a long series though, I doubt I'll reread it again anytime soon if ever again.

Halfway through Revenant Gun and unusually in love with it, considering I essentially started it right after finishing Raven Stratagem. I don't usually have the patience to mainline series, but this one's got me pretty good. Totally worth the confusion so far to watch this all unravel.
Just started Graceling in audiobook, which has a surprise full cast! Unfortunately, it's sounding like one of those "notliketheothergirls" (™) types of YA that I just cannot abide. ALL GIRLS ARE LIKE THE OTHER GIRLS. Just maybe not a particular group of girls. Only 3 chapters in, and I don't have another audiobook right now, so I'll see if I can get past the facade to the story. I remain skeptical.
The Changeling is waiting for me at the library!
ETA: Oh...oh, no. Also Trail of Lightning. I'm screwed. They're both 2 week lends. *clears sleep from her schedule again*
Just started Graceling in audiobook, which has a surprise full cast! Unfortunately, it's sounding like one of those "notliketheothergirls" (™) types of YA that I just cannot abide. ALL GIRLS ARE LIKE THE OTHER GIRLS. Just maybe not a particular group of girls. Only 3 chapters in, and I don't have another audiobook right now, so I'll see if I can get past the facade to the story. I remain skeptical.
The Changeling is waiting for me at the library!
ETA: Oh...oh, no. Also Trail of Lightning. I'm screwed. They're both 2 week lends. *clears sleep from her schedule again*

Who needs sleep?
https://youtu.be/MEvE4XNhgq4
Trike wrote: "Allison wrote: "I'm screwed. They're both 2 week lends. *clears sleep from her schedule again* "
Who needs sleep?
https://youtu.be/MEvE4XNhgq4"
Not bare naked ladies!
Caps. Caps are...important here.
Who needs sleep?
https://youtu.be/MEvE4XNhgq4"
Not bare naked ladies!
Caps. Caps are...important here.

Those books do tend to appeal to their intended audience, though :). My girls liked this series when they read it, and I think I liked it but didn't love it. I gave it 4 stars here, though, but read it prior--if I read it with one of my daughters that could well have influenced me because it was fun to be co-reading books with them back then. There are a few twists in this, but if you hate this kind of book, then you hate this kind of book.

Next I’ll jump back to Pern for a quick diversion, and what will undoubtedly be a refreshingly straightforward story in Dragonsinger, before diving into next month’s group reads.
Karin wrote: "Allison wrote: "Just started Graceling in audiobook, which has a surprise full cast! Unfortunately, it's sounding like one of those "notliketheothergirls" (™) types of YA that I just cannot abide. ..."
It came highly recommended! I could see it being very well received, even by me at a different part of my life. Definitely not a criticism of those who like it. I have a bunch of pet peeves that make me curmudgeonly and a growing realization that this is a character flaw that will just take way too much effort to correct at this point =P
It came highly recommended! I could see it being very well received, even by me at a different part of my life. Definitely not a criticism of those who like it. I have a bunch of pet peeves that make me curmudgeonly and a growing realization that this is a character flaw that will just take way too much effort to correct at this point =P
Jacqueline wrote: "Wow! Just finished Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. Loved it."
I really must read something by her. People keep praising her work!
Hope you keep enjoying Menolly, Anthony! She's a favorite :)
I just picked up my copy of The Changeling, hoping to start it Thursday!
I really must read something by her. People keep praising her work!
Hope you keep enjoying Menolly, Anthony! She's a favorite :)
I just picked up my copy of The Changeling, hoping to start it Thursday!

Now I'm reading Dolores Claiborne.


Aren't all girls not like the other girls? It is one of the things that keeps us guys on our toes.
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I loved A Man Called Ove from Backman, but Grandmother seemed to be in an entirely different vein of writing, so I never picked it up. SHould I have?