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 have a Man Called Ove but haven’t read it yet so I don’t know how different it is. I have read Deal of a Lifetime though and I’m in the middle of Beartown at the moment and they’re different to Grandmother but Backman just has this way of making his characters come to life no matter what the story is about. The interactions of all the characters in this one is good and they are well written. The Grandmother was a force of nature lol As I said some people seem to get bogged down reading the books when they come to the fairy tales that are everywhere through the book. Weird words and that. Others are fine with it. That’s where the audiobook came into its own I think. I loved listening to the fairy tales. I’d give it a go though. I’m glad I did.
Oh and it also tells the story of Britt-Marie from Britt-Marie was Here before Britt-Marie was Here is set. So it gives you good background for that one if you wanted to read it. I haven’t read it yet either but it’s nice knowing Britt-Marie a bit better before I do read it.
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.
Jacqueline wrote: "Most people absolutely love The Sun and Her Flowers but I can’t stand it. Same with Dear Fahrenheit 451 (the letters one not the Bradbury one). I hated it with a passion but a lot of people love it..."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.
Jacqueline wrote: "I have a Man Called Ove but haven’t read it yet so I don’t know how different it is. I have read Deal of a Lifetime though and I’m in the middle of Beartown at the moment and they’re different to G..."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.
whenever "a man called Ova" is mentioned, I am compelled to recommend "Trustee from the Toolroom" by Neville Shute.
Finished Fireflood and Other Stories, a collection of short stories by Vonda McIntyre and reviewed it - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2461827056.
Finished Blue World by Robert R McCammon and reviewed it - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2464274800.
Finished the Tamir Triad by Flewelling Lynn. I very much enjoyed the dark, grim atmosphere of the first book, but was a bit disappointed with the third, when the story became quite standard medieval fantasy.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.
@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 but if you’re interested in mustering up a buddy read for it down the line I’d be all in. I don’t know anything about the other book. What sort of mood/experience do you want to have next?
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 but if you’re int..."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.
Mod
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.
@Allison: I went for the English version … and only now that you asked realised that I could have gone for the German one as well, since the original is Polish. Didn't think about it. (and it wasn't such a bad choice, cause I just learned that the German version is 7 € more). So far it is really fun - I didn't know that the game was following the book so strictly. 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.
Veronica wrote: "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 ..."
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.
Veronica wrote: "I'm also really eager to start reading the trilogy by Yoon Ha Lee starting with Ninefox Gambit."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.
I'm reading Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo. I love Wonder Woman, but was hesitant about reading this book. I was worried about Bardugo's portrayal. I'm still not sure about this book.
Finished Endymion (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️) - my favorite so far of the first three books in the series. Now 33% into Ninefox Gambit by Yoon Ha Lee. Also nearing the end of Blindsight by Peter Watts.
Dawn wrote: “ what a joyous little space rump that was!"Space rump! I love it XD
Aleksandra wrote: "I’ve read first two, but if I had to choose it would be Tigana definitely :)"I second that.
Anthony wrote: "I just finished Dragonsong and found it to be lovely and sweet...a touching story about a richly-drawn young woman. I look forward to following her tale."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.
Started The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender. It's interesting so far. Kind of a YA Little, Big, with better pacing.
Mod
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????
finished, finished - read it allI started back in March or April
CBRetriever wrote: "finished, finished - read it allI started back in March or April"
Time to start upon the wheel again.
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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!
That was a wheel of time joke about the cyclical nature of life.::: taps iPad :::
Is this thing on?
Mod
I started back in March or April"
Time to start upon the wheel again."
Whoa, whoa, no need to threaten anyone ;-)
Trike wrote: "That was a wheel of time joke about the cyclical nature of life.::: taps iPad :::
Is this thing on?"
yes on, I just don't think I can face another turn again
I finished We and was disappointed. I had really wanted to like it, but think I read it at the wrong time of my life. I've left a link to my review.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.
I waited like 3+ years after finishing A Memory of Light before I reread the series (in audio that time, as a buddy read with some friends). It's such a long series though, I doubt I'll reread it again anytime soon if ever again.
Read Christa Wolf's Cassandra: A Novel and Four Essays and reviewed it - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2427107009.
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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*
Allison wrote: "I'm screwed. They're both 2 week lends. *clears sleep from her schedule again* "Who needs sleep?
https://youtu.be/MEvE4XNhgq4
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Who needs sleep?
https://youtu.be/MEvE4XNhgq4"
Not bare naked ladies!
Caps. Caps are...important here.
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. ALL GIRLS ARE LIKE THE OTHER GIRLS.."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.
Wow! Just finished Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. Loved it.
Just finished The Watchmaker of Filigree Street and enjoyed it, although I did find the writing to be a bit too subtle and elusive at times. But there were surprising colors in the narrative, via emotional beats and plot twists, that made it worthwhile. An intriguing debut novel by Natasha Pulley.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.
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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
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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 recently finished The Outsider and A Head Full of Ghosts. I liked them both.Now I'm reading Dolores Claiborne.
I read The Ends of the World: Volcanic Apocalypses, Lethal Oceans, and Our Quest to Understand Earth's Past Mass Extinctions and found it really fascinating. I was hoping to get a wider-angle view on our treatment of our home planet, and also hoping to counter-balance some of my ecological dread that is fueled in part by a love of post-apocalyptic sci fi. It certainly fulfilled those expectations.
Allison wrote: "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 ..."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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SciFi and Fantasy Book Club
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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?