SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion
SciFi and Fantasy Book Challenge
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2019 TBR Cleanup Challenge
:D CBRetriever, that's really hilarious!My initials are crap. Tried to replace my choice but that's like out of the frying pan and into the fire.
Gabi wrote: "... My initials are crap. Tried to replace my choice but that's like out of the frying pan and into the fire."Change your name? Too far? Use a nickname? The name from a "character you're most like" quiz?
I'm going to have to change one of my books too in an effort to finish. I finally understand that "intimidating" and "not of interest" aren't the same thing. Epic fantasy seems to falling into that second category for me this year.
Raucous wrote: "Gabi wrote: "... Change your name? Too far? Use a nickname? The name from a "character yo..."
LOL! I LOVE the idea, Raucous!
Update on my progress after finishing few reads, and changing couple. Only two and half to go.11. Buddy read - Luck in the Shadows
14. Last in a series - Ship of Destiny
15. One Hit Wonder - Fair Play
Whilst looking through my Read Books to possibly fill some of the still unread slots, I also discovered a setback from the habit of not always adding books which are already on my Shelf/Library on other platforms to the GR TBR list: those books won't technically count eligible for the TBR challenge. So, in preparation for this challenge to shorten the TBR list next year, I'll probably have to lengthen it first, by adding all those wayward books to the list *hah*
They don’t have to be on your Goodreads TBR shelf to be on your general TBR! I have several books/series that I’m planning on reading but haven’t added to GR for whatever reason.
Anna wrote: "They don’t have to be on your Goodreads TBR shelf to be on your general TBR! I have several books/series that I’m planning on reading but haven’t added to GR for whatever reason."*wheee* Splendid news! \o/
Hehehe I just joined and I think I am a little late for this challenge but already warming up for next year!Just happy to be part of this and contribute as much as I can!
Mod
I finished number 19 way back in August and I only have one left, should be the easiest one, the graphic novel but I have not felt like picking it up yet.
It was looking very much like I wouldn't get to my 20 this year but having read the previous posts about amending one's list to include other books read during the year, I have also 'bent' the rules. I'm actually on to my 40th title of the year but I just went off on too many tangents. I have swapped out David Brin's Sundiver for Dan Abnett's Hereticus for the ugly cover, and Mervyn Peake's Titus Groan for HG Wells' The War of the Worlds for inspired other art forms. So that leaves me with Dune (which I'm into now), Perdido Street Station and I am Number Four. Hopefully I'll get through them by the end of the year.
1. Oldest book – Dune – Frank Herbert.
7. Your initials are in the title – Perdido Street Station – China Mieville.
12. Book with a luck symbol – I Am Number Four – Pittacus Lore.
Mod
Looks like you've had an exciting and diverse reading year, Petar!
Petar wrote: "It was looking very much like I wouldn't get to my 20 this year but having read the previous posts about amending one's list to include other books read during the year, I have also 'bent' the rule..."I think I would take the I Am Number Four, out since it at least has the virtue of being short.
Dj wrote: "I think I would take the I Am Number Four, out since it at least has the virtue of being short. "Yeah, that'll be the plan DJ. It may be my saving grace.
Halfway through the year I was down to 3 left. And now.... still same three left. Guess I’m not going to do those 3 this year
Mod
Guess I’m not going to do those 3 this year"
Trade 'em out!
Ok, since all the cool kids are doing it, I've decided to swap out some of my planned books for books that fit that I have, in fact, already read this year. And looky there! I'm close to finishing and I think I could actually read the ones that defy swapping.✅ Oldest book- Player Piano, Vonnegut (oldest SF from 1952 - added bonus: oldest paperback from 1979 bought used who knows when. )
Work of Art - haven't found one yet.
swapped ✅ Novella or Short stories - The Call of the Wild, Jack London • I Sing the Body Electric
Title is a question - What Am I Doing Here? Bruce Chatwin - not SF - in progress
Ugly cover - Alpha Yes, Terra No! / The Ballad of Beta-2, Delaney
✅✅Has inspired other art forms - Call of the Wild, London; Bridge to Terabithia, Katherine Patterson
✅ Your initials are in the title - Downbelow Station, Cherryh
swapped ✅ A book recommended - Keiner hält Don Carlo auf, Oliver Scherz
✅A book that intimidates you - Red Mars, Robinson;
Reminds you of a song - Time Enough for Love, Heinlein
✅ Buddy read - Dark Matter Blake Crouch
Book with a luck symbol - The Joy Luck Club, Tan (not - SF)
The 6th book - Cloven Hooves0] , Meghan Lindholm (6th Genre novel on my Want to Read shelf that I already own)
✅Last in a series - World's End, Vinge (turns out it's not apparently the last, but I read it last)
swapped ✅ One Hit wonder - Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage, Alfred Lansing
swapped ✅ Hidden Gem - The Gatehouse Mystery (Trixie Belden), Julie Campbell
Someplace you want to go - (Mexico) Mayan December, Cooper
✅Get on the Band Wagon - The Power, Alderman
Words in title in alphabetical order - A Fistful of Sky, Hoffman
Graphic or illustrated novel - Watchmen, Moore - in progress
Actually, I'm skeptical that I'll be able to read 8 more on my list this year, what with all the other group and buddy reads I have on my plate at the moment. But 2 are already in progress, so I'll get close. And I'm pretty amazed that I even got this close!
Mod
Petar wrote: "Dj wrote: "I think I would take the I Am Number Four, out since it at least has the virtue of being short. "Yeah, that'll be the plan DJ. It may be my saving grace."
LOL. I read the book after watching the movie. I enjoyed both, I have even finished the series for the first set. They are a bit light but fun. Best of luck
So here is my break down on what I have finished and what I have left and my thoughts on finishing them.Finished
1. Oldest Book: Miracle at Midway
For those that are interested in WWII Pacific, this is a must-read. There is a real reason why it is a classic.
2. Work of Art: Heart of Darkness
An amazing thought-provoking book. Set well in its original time frame and in Vietnam as Apocolypse Now
3. Novella or Short Stories: Beginnings
Another of the Never ending (seemingly) books in the Honorverse which means it has some rough edges on some of the stories and some really enjoyable ones. Overall this was a fun read.
4. The title is a Question: You Said What?: Lies and Propaganda Throughout History
A fun read that wasn't quite what I was expecting from the title.
5: Ugly Cover: Triplanetary
A book that left me feeling deeply underwhelmed. It was badly dated.
7. Your Initials in the Title: Dark, Witch & Creamy
A very enjoyable light trip into the Cozy Mystery land
10. A book that reminds you of a song: Cat's Cradle
It would seem that I am one of those individuals that doesn't care much for Vonnegut.
16. Hidden Gem: The Cult of Unicorns
Not your everyday Priest of the Church of England nor your normal Unicorns, a fun read.
17. Someplace you want to go: Company Commander: The Classic Infantry Memoir of World War II
A great first-person account of WWII, not much of a travel guide.
18. Get on the Bandwagon: Old Man's War
Okay I am sold. Fun book and Scalzi has piqued my interest twice in a row. I will have to be reading more.
19. Words in Alphabetical order: Ensign Flandry
A dated but fun romp in the realm of military Sci-Fi.
The following books I haven't finished and I will tell you my thoughts on the odds of doing that by the end of the year. Also about whether I might finish them at all.
6. Has inspired other Art Forms:
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass
Interesting, but for some reason, I seem to have issues with this book holding my attention. I most likely won't finish this one this year, but it will be in the background on the slow burner reading material. I will end up finishing it one of these years. LOL
8. A book Recommending to you: Custer Died for Your Sins: An Indian Manifesto
I am finding this book somewhat disappointing. The subject matter is interesting enough, but the author tends to group Indians into a single group which is a thing that is pointed to as to why Whites are wrong in how they treat the Tribes. I will read a bit more to figure out if I am going to finish this book at all or toss it on the heap of never to be finished.
9. A book that intimidates you: Crime and Punishment
So I might have bit off more than I can chew with this one. I am five chapters in and I am still not entirely sure what the cut and thrust of the book is. I will keep at it but odds are I won't finish this one this year.
13. The 6th book: The Path to Victory: The Mediterranean Theater in World War II
Hmm, this one seems to have dropped by the wayside. I will have to get back to it sometime, but for now, it is on a back burner and won't get done this year.
14. Last in a Series: The Guns at Last Light: The War in Western Europe, 1944-1945
I have moved this one up on my reading rotation, I am going to try and put this one to bed this year.
15. One hit wonder: Panzer Commander: The Memoirs of Colonel Hans von Luck
I have moved this one up on the reading rotation as well and it is fairly likely that I will finish this one this year.
So there we are. That's how I stand for the year, so I fell pretty good about it all. Did a fair job cleaning out the TBR and haven't really added to many more than came with the challenge. So I consider it a win.
How the challenge is going for me so far:2019 TBR CLEANUP
13/20
1. Oldest book
✔️2. Work of art
A graphic novel is a work of art and in this case this is really artistic.
✔️3. Novella or short story collection
✔️4. Title is a question
5. Ugly cover (and please share it!)
Big Letters on a grey background, yay!
✔️6. Has inspired other art forms
A novel that inspired a movie.
7. Your initials are in the title L and T
8. A book recommended to you
9. A book that intimidates you -
This is long
✔️10. Reminds you of a song
This Graphic Novel is so psychedelic it reminds me of "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds".
✔️11. Buddy read (do not need to participate)
12. Book with a luck symbol
✔️13. The 6th book (in the series)
This is a fun, full of jokes, series.
✔️14. Last in a series (for now)
✔️ 15. One Hit Wonder
✔️16. Hidden Gem (I hope at least)
Nope, not really a hidden gem.
✔️17. Someplace you want to go
✔️18. Get On the Bandwagon
19. Words in Title in Alphabetical Order
✔️20. Graphic or illustrated novel
Mod
5. Ugly cover (and please share it!) A Dirty Job
7. Your initials are in the title - The Sudden Appearance of Hope
9. A book that intimidates you - The Library at Mount Char
15. One Hit Wonder - Palimpsest
16. Hidden Gem - Beyond the Starline
In progress:
1. Oldest book - The Republic of Thieves - really excited to read this one, not only because it's fun and the 4th book is finally coming out, but also because it means I won't have to look at it on my list any more!! There's room for new books to haunt me for the better part of a decade!
Finished:
2. Work of art - For colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf
3. Novella or short story collection - All Systems Red
4. Title is a question So You Want to Talk About Race
6. Has inspired other art forms - Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
8. A book recommended to you - Assassin's Apprentice
10. Reminds you of a song - The Broken Crown (reminds me of this song by Mumford & Sons- NSFW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXzDu...) Counting this one even though I didn't finish it, as it is off my TBR now.
11. Buddy read (do not need to participate) - Gardens of the Moon
12. Book with a luck symbol - The Red Threads of Fortune
13. The 6th book - Midnight's Children
14. Last in a series - Alpha & Omega
17. Someplace you want to go - Witches Abroad
18. Get On the Bandwagon - Becoming
19. Words in Title in Alphabetical Order - Moon Over Soho
20. Graphic or illustrated novel - Welcome to Lovecraft
Finished since my last update:✔︎ 4. Title is a question: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? 1 (Usually when I finish a book that's been the source material for a movie I think "The book was better." This time I'm going with "different.")
✔︎ 9. A book that intimidates you: How To: Absurd Scientific Advice for Common Real-World Problems (Explaining physics clearly in real world contexts is hard. So is drawing - at least for me. This author makes them both look easy. I find that a bit intimidating. (Substitution for WoT. It just didn't appeal to me this year.))
✔︎ 10. Reminds you of a song: Making Money (A Google search on "song making money" gave me over half a billion hits. Ginger Rogers singing "We're in the Money" and Pink Floyd's "Money" are memorable examples. #SpeakHisName)
✔︎ 20. Graphic or illustrated novel: The Prince and the Dressmaker (After too much grimdark I was feeling the need for something charming and uplifting. This so qualified. I wish that I looked this good in a gown.)
That takes me to (checks fingers) 20/20. Done! Yeah!
The TBR year in review: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Mod
Mod
7. Your initials are in the title - The Sudden Appearance of Hope
15. One Hit Wonder - Palimpsest
16. Hidden Gem - probably gonna change.
In progress:
9. A book that intimidates you - The Library at Mount Char
Finished:
1. Oldest book - The Republic of Thieves
2. Work of art - For colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf
3. Novella or short story collection - All Systems Red
4. Title is a question So You Want to Talk About Race
5. Ugly cover (and please share it!) A Dirty Job - DNF but look how heinous this cover is
6. Has inspired other art forms - Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
8. A book recommended to you - Assassin's Apprentice
10. Reminds you of a song - The Broken Crown (reminds me of this song by Mumford & Sons- NSFW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXzDu...) Counting this one even though I didn't finish it, as it is off my TBR now.
11. Buddy read (do not need to participate) - Gardens of the Moon
12. Book with a luck symbol - The Red Threads of Fortune
13. The 6th book - Midnight's Children
14. Last in a series - Alpha & Omega
17. Someplace you want to go - Witches Abroad
18. Get On the Bandwagon - Becoming
19. Words in Title in Alphabetical Order - Moon Over Soho
20. Graphic or illustrated novel - Welcome to Lovecraft
finally fit the last piece in the puzzle (message 267)✔︎ 10. Reminds you of a song - Martin Eden - (Tom Waits - "Shiver Me Timbers")
thanks for the great challenge Allison & Anna
looking forward to 2020 edition
Allison wrote: "...5. Ugly cover (and please share it!) A Dirty Job - DNF but look how heinous this cover is..."If we ever have an "author's books with the overall ugliest covers" contest Moore's books are getting my vote. I haven't seen any others that even comes close. The style is distinctive and perhaps that's why the publisher has gone that way, but...
Mod
Also you should totally recommend "hideous cover" as a theme idea haha
I just had to check out Moore's profile and have a look at some of the covers.And, well, there is certainly a distinctive style. It's not a good style, but a style nonetheless.
I’d take Moore’s covers over most 80s/90s SFF covers.
Mod
There's certainly been some bad ones. I defy anyone to find one as bad as this though.
Mod
Finally! Been there, done that!I exchanged Mary Shelley for Voltaire (which was a group read for another group) for "oldest book", and saw with an immense amount of relief that "Gods of Jade and Shadow" has my initials in the title (this one was the hardest part of the challenge - please no initials next year or I have to rename myself)
So now I'm done and can join the group of 'no more challenges this year'! Feels good!
Lol, Gabi! I had trouble with my initials too. They are DSM and I could not find a book I own with them in that order. So I fudged and dropped my husband’s name and read Downbelow Station in fulfillment. I second that motion: please no initials for a prompt.
Allison wrote: "YWIOC;-)"
Ha ha! Yes, Without Initials Only Celebration!
Mod
heyy!! Yes! See, that wasn't so hard. I guess we can go back to initials!
I kid! No initials on next year's list :)
I failed this challenge so hard this year. And my time traveller challenge. And the Read all the books challenge. =(
Allison, HA! just do it, I will use my boy's initials. Much more possibilities (since his first name starts with 'A')
Sarah wrote: "I failed this challenge so hard this year. And my time traveller challenge. And the Read all the books challenge. =("Pretend you never meant to do them, no failure! :)
Mod
But then crossing things OFF the list is also a fun hobby.
It is hard being both contrary and organized.
Allison wrote: "Yeah, let's be honest, the fun part is making lists. Reading is a separate enjoyment--I actually don't love reading from lists? It's like who do you think you are, list, my boss? Sure, I made you, ..."Haha! I agree. A lot of the fun for me is just making the list. I did read a little less than a normal year for me- but I was still reading. I guess that's really what matters.
I love the crossing off the most. It gives such a deeply satisfying feeling.
I'm in complete agreement, Allison! I'll sign every word you just said.
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That's hilarious! :D"
In my defense it was one of the Andre Norton two books in one books and I have over 50 books by her