D&J Catch up Challenge

[Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥]

I don’t use bookmarks. I just wrote down page 4 since that’s where I’m at 😊

[Matías]

Well, having my second son has really made it very difficult for me to read at a good pace. Actually, it's been a disaster, so it's mostly been comic and videogames for me. But I want to dust off my Kindle and catch up on my reading.

First thing I'll read is Iron Gold, by Pierce Brown, since as most people in this group I absolutely loved the Red Rising saga.

From there, I really don't know where to go. I'm checking past BotM in this group and Circe sounds really interesting, but I'm opened to suggestions. How good is Skyward by Brandon Sanderson or the latest books by Mark Lawrence (I've only read The Broken Empire trilogy)?

Thanks guys!

[Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥]

Matías wrote: "Well, having my second son has really made it very difficult for me to read at a good pace. Actually, it's been a disaster, so it's mostly been comic and videogames for me. But I want to dust off m..."

Omg!! I hope you love Iron Gold!! I personally loved Skyward. I have only read Jorg’s books so far but I hear the others are good!! 😊

[Amy]

Matías wrote: "Well, having my second son has really made it very difficult for me to read at a good pace. Actually, it's been a disaster, so it's mostly been comic and videogames for me. But I want to dust off m..."

I've only read 2 of Mark Lawrence's books. Red Sister was ok, but I much preferred the Prince of Fools (Jorg) and will definitely be reading the sequel. I think it’s set in the same world and time as the Broken Empire too, so I highly recommend it.

I loved Skyward too. Good read.

[Rinn, (Retired mod) Captain of the SSV Normandy]

Matías wrote: "Well, having my second son has really made it very difficult for me to read at a good pace. Actually, it's been a disaster, so it's mostly been comic and videogames for me. But I want to dust off m..."

I LOVED Red Sister. Still need to read Grey Sister though, and I believe the newest one is out or out soon?

[Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥]

Omg!! How could I forget Red Sister!!!!!!!!!!! I love Nona! So yes, those too 😃

[Lynne]

As it happens, I have some of the books for all 3 series by Mark Lawrence (all thorn, 2 red queen, 1 sister) and I decided to start one of these series and cross off a catch-up book off my list.

I started the Red Queen series (because that's the first one i came across) and it turns out D&J haven't nominated this one for a monthly read! While it's coming off my to read list, isn't counted towards this catch-up, so if you're looking to reduce maybe start with one of the other series.

In terms the Red Queen books, I think that its really hard to write a protagonist that isn't a 'likeable' character that the reader wants to keep going with and finish the book for. I think the Mark has done a good job of walking this line.

PS Holy sister comes out 4th April in the UK

[Matías]

Thanks for the feedback! It seems Red Sister is more loved than the Red Queen trilogy. Now, Red Sister is not in the same universe as Broken Empire and Red Queen, or is it?

If it's not, then I guess I'll read Red Sister after Iron Gold.

Has the group as a whole read any of these books in the last months?

And thanks again for the feedback!

[Chris]

Rinn wrote: "Matías wrote: "Well, having my second son has really made it very difficult for me to read at a good pace. Actually, it's been a disaster, so it's mostly been comic and videogames for me. But I wan..."

Grey Sister is just as awesome as Red Sister. Next book is out soon.

[Fannie]

I just finished Divergent. My oldest son asked me to read it with him so he could discuss it with someone. I was more than happy to obliged.

Not exactly my cup of tea but I am very glad to have a partner in reading books.

[Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥]

Fannie wrote: "I just finished Divergent. My oldest son asked me to read it with him so he could discuss it with someone. I was more than happy to obliged.

Not exactly my cup of tea but I am very..."

That is so sweet! I really love that! 😊💕🌸

[Sandy]

Fannie wrote: "I just finished Divergent. My oldest son asked me to read it with him so he could discuss it with someone. I was more than happy to obliged.

Not exactly my cup of tea but I am very..."

totally agree - it is great to have a reading partner and it is also wonderful that your son asked you - how old is he?

[Fannie]

Sandy wrote: "Fannie wrote: "I just finished Divergent. My oldest son asked me to read it with him so he could discuss it with someone. I was more than happy to obliged.

Not exactly my cup of te..."

He will be eleven in May. He LOVED The Hunger Games so I tried to find similar books.

[Al]

I started reading the Hunger Games as part of a college course. I likely never would have read it otherwise, but I like it so far. I much prefer paper Katniss to celluloid Katniss.

[Audrey, Queen of the Potato People]

Hunger Games fans tend to like Divergent, though I think Hunger Games is done better.

I really need to pick some books to get officially started on this challenge.

[Rinn, (Retired mod) Captain of the SSV Normandy]

I found The Hunger Games to feel a lot more 'alive' than Divergent, which was just a bit of a mess. :(

[Audrey, Queen of the Potato People]

I’m going to start with this set; I own a lot of them:

Oathbringer ✓
Nyxia
The Black Lung Captain
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
The Shadow of What Was Lost
Furies of Calderon
We Are Bob
Traitor’s Blade
The Eye of the World
Gardens of the Moon
The Forever War ✓
Lock In ✓
Station Eleven ✓
The Last Unicorn
Promise of Blood ✓

[Wayland, Ernest Scribbler]

I can't resist a book list dammit.

I need 34 35 36 38 dammit

Oathbringer Brandon Sanderson
Skyward Brandon Sanderson
Spinning Silver Naomi Novik
The Witching Hour Anne Rice
Rivers of London Ben Aaronovitch
Bloody Rose Nicholas Eames (2)
Poppy War RF Kuang
Blackwing Ed McDonald
The Shape of Water Guilliermo del Toro
Altered Carbon Richard Morgan
The Bear and The Nightengale Katherine Arden
Dragon’s Path Daniel Abraham
Kings of the Wild Nichlas Eames (1)
We Are Legion Dennis Taylor
Blood of Elves Andzej Sapkowski
Retribution Falls Chris Wooding
Crown of Midnight Sarah Maas (2)
The Dispossessed Ursula K Guin
Magicians Guild Trudi Canavan
The Stars My Destination Alfred Bester
Parasite Mira Grant
Stardust Neil Gaiman
Stardoc SL Viehl
Crystal Shard RA Salvatore
Redrobe Jon Courtanay Grimwood
Ill-Made Mute Cecilia Dart-Thorton
War of the Flowers Tad Williams
Nightside The Long Sun Gene Wolf
Throne of Glass Sarah Maas (1)
Pandora’s Star Peter F Hamilton
Fall of Hyperion Dan Simmons
Words of Radiance Brandon Sanderson
Shadow and Claw Gene Wolf
Station Eleven Emily St. John Mandel
Brave New World Aldous Huxley
Jack Glass Adam Roberts
One Word Kill Mark Lawrence
The Poppy War
Dragon Republic
Children of Blood and Bone
Left Hand of Darkness

[Audrey, Queen of the Potato People]

I’ve started Station Eleven since the city is doing a big “United We Read” thing with it.

[Sandy]

I just finished that - an interesting book.

[Vinca]

I've finally found a bit of time to go through the bookshelves and put together my own list. There are a lot I've not read, but I'm not going to include later books in series I've not yet started and there are a few that I'm just not that interested in reading. I think I'll start with the following, mostly comprised of books I already own:

Circe
A Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe
The Court of Broken Knives
Bloody Rose
Record of a Spaceborn Few
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
A Wizard of Earthsea
A Conjuring of Light
Artemis
The Dragon's Path
Snow Crash
Uprooted
The Fifth Season
Stardust
1Q84
The Eye of the World - own paperback (halfway through this one)
Wool
Red Mars (I think I've started this twice but never finished it)
The Golem and the Jinni
Titus Groan
City of Stairs
The Last Unicorn
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
The Blade Itself
Old Man's War
The Final Empire
Prince of Thorns
Senlin Ascends
Age of Assassins
All Systems Red

[Rinn, (Retired mod) Captain of the SSV Normandy]

Hmm I need to get back on this! Lately I've been trying to branch out and read... contemporary *gasp*! But I'm missing my SFF fix.

[Olive]

I was overwhelmed by the long list of books that dates back to 2013, so I decided to just focus on 2019 catch up. Also, I can only read books that are available from the library.

2019
Oathbringer
Circe
1984
Childhood's End
Foundryside
Dark Matter

Not available:
A Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe
Senlin Ascends

[Rinn, (Retired mod) Captain of the SSV Normandy]

Yes, you can start the challenge from whenever you want! I can imagine if you've only just joined then it's very overwhelming. But hopefully it provides some guidance if you're looking for great SFF titles :D

[Sandy]

I like the fact that it makes for some very good reading and then there is a discussion thread to confirm how you thought about the book.

[Fannie]

I just finished Circe for that challenge. I love mythology and that book was pretty good. She has a way to make it more accessible.

[Wayland, Ernest Scribbler]

Fannie wrote: "I just finished Circe for that challenge. I love mythology and that book was pretty good. She has a way to make it more accessible."

Really enjoyed Circe. I thought it was a great spin on the legend.

[Melanie]

Hello, I'm Mel. I was hoping to read this month's books with you, but May has been eaten by dragons, and I am not likely to get to any of them, sadly.

So this challenge is a complete blessing!

My list is:

Ninefox Gambit by Yoon Ha Lee
The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

[Fannie]

And one more since I finished Wool Omnibus yesterday.

I loved it and will continue with the serie.

And now for a change, I am reading the BOTM at the right moment.

[Kaitlin]

I've finished The Lions of Al-Rassan, Red Mars, and The Rook recently, so now I can actually say I'm making progress on this challenge haha. 6 down, only 58 to go.

[Fannie]

And now I am done with Vicious and I liked it very much. I heard the the next book in that serie is not as great, but I will probably give it a try in the future.

I am now reading Ready Player One

[Wayland, Ernest Scribbler]

I absolutely loved Ready Player One.

[Rinn, (Retired mod) Captain of the SSV Normandy]

One of my favourites!

[Vinca]

I just finished A Conjuring of Light and thoroughly enjoyed it. I bought it the week the book was released in the UK and am very glad I've finally managed to finish the series.

[Rinn, (Retired mod) Captain of the SSV Normandy]

Working on Red Seas under Red Skies now! Trying to actually finish, or at least catch up to, series.

[Sandy]

I am currently listening to The Golem and the Jinni

An interesting listen...

[Wayland, Ernest Scribbler]

Sandy wrote: "I am currently listening to The Golem and the Jinni

An interesting listen..."

I really liked that one.

[Sandy]

Yeah it is very unique to have these two cultures come together. I still can't figure out the man that sees everyone as decaying but the jinni. Hope I didn't miss that explanation.

[Fannie]

And I'm done with Ready Player One. I loved it and gave it 5 stars. There was a lot of differences with the movie.

Now I am taking a break from the challenge to re(re-re-re) read a favorite: The Two Towers

[Wayland, Ernest Scribbler]

I loved Ready Player One. Great book.

[Wayland, Ernest Scribbler]

Welp, looks like I have to add One Word Kill to the list. No one local has it and it's too new to get ILL. *sigh*

[Audrey, Queen of the Potato People]

Shucks. Can you request/suggest the library purchase it? I did that for Kings of the Wyld, and they actually did it.

[Wayland, Ernest Scribbler]

I can. Im sure they'll get.... sometime before the heat death of the universe

[Fannie]

And I'm done with The Golem and the Jinni.

I liked it a lot and it was a total surprise.

[Vinca]

I finishedBloody Rose and Circe in the last couple of weeks. Both were excellent!

[Vinca]

Just finished Uprooted too. On a bit of a roll! Another very good book. I should really go and hunt down all the discussion threads...

[Cupcakes & Machetes, Hybrid Creature]

I'm hoping to catch up on more of these once winter hits. But I'm such a mood reader, we'll see what happens lol.

[Rinn, (Retired mod) Captain of the SSV Normandy]

I'm currently working my way through the Expanse series, and then I think I'll pick this up again. I still have a lot of unread BotMs on my bookshelves!

[Gareth]

I'm actually doing a buddy read of the Expanse series with another group. We are on the third one at the moment.

[Rinn, (Retired mod) Captain of the SSV Normandy]

I'm currently on book 5 - really enjoying them :)