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?
Trike wrote: "Don’t listen to him, he’s mad, maaaad I tell you! Raise your expectations!..."I generally find it more helpful to lower one's expectation regardless, if the works are ought to be good or not. Too high a start and it's more likely you'll have to come down from the hype to meet the reality. Give the work the chance to surprise you.
Just finished Circe superbly narrated by Perdita Weeks. Perfect 'tie-in' to next month's group pick The Song of Achilles (which I also greatly enjoyed).
I stuck with the complete The Sword of Shannara Trilogy expecting it to get better. It didn't, so I gave up on the author.In other news, I'm still going through Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series and I'm currently reading The Pillars of Creation and am ready to slap one character upside of the head for general stupidity (I thought one of the main characters in Faith of the Fallen was hopelessly deluded, but the one in book 7 makes her appear a genius)
@Arianna I agree with @Kaa and would recommend starting with Aliette’s short fiction, which is amazing. I’ve read the House of Shattered wings too and also found it a little hard to get into. But otherwise a really interesting, original story. I intrigued by her most recent novel, the title of which is escaping me ATM but is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast with two female characters one of which is a dragon.
I read:American Gods, which was a wonderful 'drug-induced' journey through crazy ideas;
Heart-Shaped Box, which was a disappointment for me;
The Black Tides of Heaven, which I would have loved to love more than I did;
and a lot of short stories (my first and true love)
Some of the Best From Tor.com: 2016 Edition, to have a look at contemporary short story writers, yet this collection was a bit underwhelming where innovative thinking was concerned;
Stories of Your Life and Others, which was superb, and
The Complete Stories of Theodore Sturgeon, Volume 1: The Ultimate Egoist, the first volume out of 13 of the complete short story works of Theodore Sturgeon, which gave an interesting look at his writing before he found his style and place in the SF world.
Kaa wrote: "@Diane: In the Vanishers’ Palace! I've been looking forward to reading it too."Thanks, Kaa and Diane! I appreciate the info.
@Gabi - LOL to 'drug-induced' journey I love that book. I need to listen to the full cast audio.
Heart-Shaped Box - The story was very engaging from the get go but veered into an odd direction towards the end that left me scratching my head and dissatisfied with the whole.
The Haunting of Hill House - My expectations doomed me. Hah! I was surprised by how close the movie was to the book. I've seen the movie and recently watched the tv show on Netflix. I enjoyed the tv show a lot! It's pretty great. I thought it would be a good idea to watch the show first and then read the book. I usually find that the book is better than the show/movie. In this case, I find the book lacking and the show was much more engaging on several layers. The book had clear visuals and mood set at the start. Otherwise, the mental dialogue was overdone in parts and there wasn't enough tension in the story for me to label it as a horror or psychological thriller.
Hell Is Empty - While reading the book, I had several "meh" thoughts and commentary running in the background. I finish the book and felt ambushed by how complete the story was from start to finish. I loved the Native American stories. There's a scene that sticks out in my mind as the key to the story, and it's cool how true it is for the whole book. On the surface, this is just another tale about Sheriff Walt Longmire chasing down a bad guy. The core plot evolves around the spiritual jaunts that keep Walt just one step ahead of death. The more I think about the story, the more I like the book but I don't think it would be one that would appeal to everyone. I'm a sucker for a good abstract story. =)
Responding to his daughters letter wrote "I see that you see, like I see." Johnny Cash.
Is reading "The Space Ship next door". Enjoying this read. A well written trip in Annie Collins head.
I finished an ARC of a book that’s actually out already: The Seclusion, by Jacqui Castle. It’s an almost YA, but not quite, debut dystopian novel. I really enjoyed it. You can read my review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I finished listening to Sufficiently Advanced Magic and really enjoyed it - ★★★★½ - (My Review)I also read Ms. Marvel, Vol. 8: Mecca which was enjoyable as well - ★★★½☆ - (My Review)
Thomas, you're in for a treat. Don't miss "Red Country". Another goodie from Joe Abercrombie.
Just finished the "Spaceship next Door" and loved it.
I read Heart-Shaped Box for a buddy read and was mostly underwhelmed, although I did appreciate aspects of it. Now doing a buddy read of The Cloud Roads and am enjoying it in the early going.
Soo wrote: "@Gabi - LOL to 'drug-induced' journey I love that book. I need to listen to the full cast audio.
Heart-Shaped Box - The story was very engaging from the get go but veered into an ..."
I’ll take “Books That Start With H” for 400, Alex.
=D Trike, good catch! I didn't realize I only posted about the books that started with H. =)
Bookburners S2, Ep8 was excellent. I've become a fan of Brian Slattery and the way he can write up bizarre twists with clarity & appropriate ick-factor.
The Skill of Our Hands is the second book in the Incrementalist series and it did not meet any of my expectations for story progress. Upside, the narration was great. Story format and audio production changed a bit. Kowal did all of the female characters and Porter performed all of males. It made the messy story more interesting. If another book comes out for this series, I'm getting it from the library.
Finished The Last of the Mohicans yesterday (phew, what a slog...) and started Tooth and Claw, which is a fun change of pace so far.
I finished In Morningstar's Shadow: Dominion of the Fallen Stories today, as well as finally completing La Prisonniere. I was reading the latter with a friend - not something I would typically pick out myself, but it was interesting to learn a bit more about Moroccan history.I'm trying to read more nonfiction, now that I don't have assigned reading for school. Since I finished two nonfiction books this weekend, the next I'm starting is The Tragedy of Liberation: A History of the Chinese Revolution 1945-1957, which is another recommended by R.F. Kuang for those interested in the Chinese history that inspired the Poppy War.
@Ariana: The stories from In Morningstar's Shadow were short and I thought provided a useful introduction to the world of Dominion of the Fallen, especially House Silverspires. They definitely should be read after Of Books, and Earth, and Courtship.
Read a Witch World novel by Andre Norton, Year of the Unicorn and reviewed it - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1716690839.
She’s one of the writers I haven’t yet read and who, it seems to me, belongs on our group bookshelf, given her monumentally influential career...
Just finished The Cloud Roads, and it feels a bit like falling in love. It is not perfect, so no 5 stars, but it is such a feel good book.And now I can't decide what to read next. I have piled up several books over the last weeks that I ALL want to read IMMEDIATELY. So I can't decide where to start. I guess I'll be reading short stories until I make up my mind (or the next group read/ BR is up and the decision is made for me)
I agree @Anthony, I should probably read someAndre Norton one of these days. Seems like a gaping hole in my reading history.
Halfblood Chronicles is one of my fav childhood series by Norton & Lackey. I need to figure out if I read SF by Norton.
@Gabi I have four books I want to read RIGHT THIS MINUTE and knowing whatever I read first will make me behind on everything else is almost physically painful 😅 But I’m going for Cloud Roads, your enthusiasm rubbed off on me, and I’ve liked the other Martha Wells stories I’ve read.
Gabi wrote: "Stories of Your Life and Others, which was superb..."Yes! Chiang is simply a stunning author. He writes seldom, but he knocks it out of the park every damn time. Here's a bonus one for you: The Great Silence
Anthony wrote: "I read Heart-Shaped Box for a buddy read and was mostly underwhelmed, although I did appreciate aspects of it..."I found it utterly predictable, especially (view spoiler). Ugh.
Since last posting, I've read:Island of the Mad (newest Holmes/Russell novel)
A Night in the Lonesome October (Lovecraft homage with cameos by Frankenstein, Rasputin, Owain Glyndwr, Dracula. etc -- and narrated by the dog)
Dark Tales (Shirley Jackson - classic creeps!)
How to Be Lost (serendipitously discovered under the bed in a guest room where I was staying - quite good)
Every Heart a Doorway (good but thin; I wanted more)
Stephen King's Mr. Mercedes trilogy
Dawn wrote: "Just finished The Fifth Season and really struggling with what to think... I've rarely read a book with so little joy..."What an interesting description. That's how I felt about Paolo Bacigalupi's The Windup Girl. Pretty unrelentingly grim.
Michele wrote: "Gabi wrote: "Stories of Your Life and Others, which was superb..."Yes! Chiang is simply a stunning author. He writes seldom, but he knocks it out of the park every damn time. Here's a bonus one f..."
Thank you so much for the link, Michele, that story was exactly along my line!
Aw, I need to catch up on Ransom Riggs. Good series. Deep Silence and Fury came out today! I started the latest Joe Ledger. =)
Finished
The Mad Ship and will start book three of this "Liveship" trilogy,
Ship of Destiny.I think I will need a break from Hobb after this second trilogy before continuing on with the series.
I finished Trail of Lightning and the Hugo and Nebula short story winner also by Rebecca Roanhorse, Welcome to Your Authentic Indian Experience, free here https://www.apex-magazine.com/welcome...
I finished listening to Wool, by Hugh Howie. I really enjoyed it. Fascinating world he created there and room for lots more stories. I’ve already put them on my wishlist on Audible for future credits.
Michele wrote: "Since last posting, I've read:Island of the Mad (newest Holmes/Russell novel)
A Night in the Lonesome October (Lovecraft homage with cameos by Frankenstein, Rasputin,..."
A Night in the Lonesome October. the book has amazing artwork and if you can find the version in audio read by the author you are in for such a treat. He does the main character so well.
I made an attempt at a classic Where Angels Fear to Tread. I gave it 3 stars. Just wasn't impressed.Slowly getting through Ink and Bone but since it's a book I own, I tend to not prioritize it. Library books first since there's a due date.
Since I can't find my hard copy of A Discovery of Witches I've had to check out a kindle edition which means my personal books go to the back burner. (See above)
Karen wrote: "Slowly getting through Ink and Bone but since it's a book I own, I tend to not prioritize it. Library books first since there's a due date."I do this, too. Probably why I shouldn’t buy books.
M.L. wrote: "I finished Trail of Lightning and the Hugo and Nebula short story winner also by Rebecca Roanhorse, Welcome to Your Authentic Indian Experience, fr..."I still have to read Roanhorse's novel, but I really enjoyed that short story/novella. It's also possible to listen to it here: LeVar Burton Reads (episode 25).
I started the Ashton Place series (The Mysterious Howling), expecting a MG series to listen to every now and then when I need a break from serious adult books. I've now
Dj wrote: "Michele wrote: "A Night in the Lonesome October. the book has amazing artwork "Oh yes, I loved the illustrations! Gahan Wilson is amazing and really captures the various characters.
Gabi wrote: "Thank you so much for the link, Michele, that story was exactly along my line! "Glad you liked it. I cry every time I read it, it's just so well done.
Just started Alexis Morgan Paladin series, mmmm up to the 2nd book not sure if I love or not. but interested enough to finish the books I have been give.just finished re reading all of the Laurell Hamilton ANita Blake series. it was interesting to note that with reading them one after the other how many things were expanded from one book to the next.
I’m reading the newest Stephen King novella Elevation that was released this week. Slow build but it’s keeping me interested.
Michele wrote: "Gabi wrote: "Thank you so much for the link, Michele, that story was exactly along my line! "Glad you liked it. I cry every time I read it, it's just so well done."
It is absolutely and depressingly true.
Just finished Elevation. It’s rather nice. Heartwarming even.
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SciFi and Fantasy Book Club
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Don’t listen to him, he’s mad, maaaad I tell you! Raise your expectations! The books are all great!