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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 2019?
YouKneeK wrote: "Your library may be doing you a favor. That was my least favorite of all the Discworld novels. :) I was disappointed, because I enjoyed the other two Moist Von Lipwig books and Going Postal was among my favorites."I've read it before, when it first came out, and I agree it's not the best, but I need it to finish my reread-a-thon.
I've bought it, now, so I'll be starting it when I finish The Heart Forger.
colleen the convivial curmudgeon wrote: "I've read it before, when it first came out, and I agree it's not the best, but I need it to finish my reread-a-thon."Ah, ok. Maybe it won’t be as painful on a re-read since you know what you’re getting into. My biggest complaint about Raising Steam was (view spoiler).
Has anyone read A Discovery of Witches? Considering adding it, but curious if anyone here's been through it yet.
Today I finished Rise of Empire so I'm moving on to Heir of Novron. I'm also listening to A Fistful of Frost because I listened to the first two and I might as well finish the set despite the first two not being amazing.
Matthew wrote: "Has anyone read A Discovery of Witches? Considering adding it, but curious if anyone here's been through it yet."I did, found it very meh. Started out solid but then dumped all the good fantasy elements for a fairly traditional romance, as I recall. But many folks have liked it, so YMMV.
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...are you all set now? Blink twice if you need us to save you from yourself. But, like, spell it out, because I can't see your eyelids.
I'd heard Discovery of Witches was cute but romance-y. Some people love the romance-y aspect though so it could be great! I haven't read it, but my dad suggested I try it, and we both like solidly constructed stories, so, whatever that's worth.
I have finished listening to the Memoirs of Lady Trent, by Marie Brennan. I quite liked the series overall and I think that it maintained overall quality the whole way through. I do enjoy the big reveal of the final book, which had been hinted at throughout the series. I have to say that my favorite book was the second, as the Green Hell of Mulene was quite well described, with interesting native culture.
I am very impressed with the Michael J Sullivan Riyria books so I strongly recommend HEIR OF NOVRON.
Ah I so enjoyed Lady Trents memoirs - they really are special- I also enjoyed how well the last book tied back to things from the beginning 😁
Allison wrote: "I'd heard Discovery of Witches was cute but romance-y. Some people love the romance-y aspect though so it could be great! I haven't read it, but my dad suggested I try it, and we both like solidly constructed stories, so, whatever that's worth. ."Michele wrote: "I did, found it very meh. Started out solid but then dumped all the good fantasy elements for a fairly traditional romance, as I recall. But many folks have liked it, so YMMV"
Hrm. Ok then... If I want to read a romance, I'll look specifically for a romance novel. I'm not a big reader of them... but wonder if my wife would like it. *sends her the link*
Thanks!
Matthew wrote: "Has anyone read A Discovery of Witches? Considering adding it, but curious if anyone here's been through it yet."While I thoroughly enjoyed the majority of it, you'll find those that didn't. Give it a shot and add your opinion to the mix!
I've started 2 audiobooks recently, one for the drive to work and the other for the drive home. Dead Over Heels gets me to work without too many brain cells needing to be engaged and The Aeronaut's Windlass has the pacing to get me back home. And they're both so very different that I'm not having an issue keeping the stories separated.My bedtime read is The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. Not far enough into the story to have an opinion yet but want to keep reading to see how the premise unfolds.
Last but not least, A Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe...ALMOST DONE! This one is taking me too long to read even though it's not a bad book. Just doesn't make me want to drop everything to keep reading it.
Matthew wrote: "Has anyone read A Discovery of Witches? Considering adding it, but curious if anyone here's been through it yet."Matthew, although romance isn't one of my favorite genres, I read and very much enjoyed the series. Each book ends in a cliff-hanger so you'll end up getting the next book.
The trilogy isn't perfect - it drags here and there, the author has an irritating habit of over-describing items or events, and it can get predictable. However, the characters are multidimensional and likable to a degree. The author is a history professor, so she really "knows her stuff." In my opinion, the first book is the best. I recommend the trilogy!
I just started Early Riser, my first Jasper Fforde book, and if this is typical of his work it’s also my last. The “humour” is tedious and broad, feeling forced. Names like “Sister Placentia” and “Sister Fallopia” just come across as trying too hard.Fortunately I also listened to the Vorkosigan book Brothers in Arms, which I absolutely loved. Just a great, fun adventure.
I finished Only Begotten Daughter which I really didn't like. It seems like someone trying too hard to be a combination of Vonnegut, Hunter Thompson and Tom RobbinsI also finished Hard Landing which I found quite interesting. It's an alien (5 to be precise) marooned on Earth story
Dragging myself through the third Expanse book Abaddon's Gate. I definitely have to take a break after this one, cause I fear I don't do the series justice. After some fresh air I'll certainly be more invested. But I have the feeling that the actual plot from the first three books easily would have fit into one.
Gabi wrote: "Dragging myself through the third Expanse book Abaddon's Gate. I definitely have to take a break after this one, cause I fear I don't do the series justice."That's been my reaction to it as well. Given that I usually like space opera it's another one of those books that I should like but I bought it when it first came out (a lot of Expanse books ago) and I'm still not many pages into it. Being more tightly written would be a start.
Read a collection of short stories by Ramsey Campbell, Cold Print, and reviewed it - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2809430168.
I'm feeling in a bit of a reading slump again - the most recent couple of group/buddy reads I finished were a bit meh (Semiosis - review - and Time Was - review), and I've dnf'ed a few other books I've attempted. To try to turn my slump around, I'm re-reading two of my favorite books - Ninefox Gambit and The Dispossessed. These also have two of my favorite opening scenes, and so far I have not been disappointed in either, which is a relief.
Interesting you should say that you need to take a break from The Expanse after ABADDON’S GATE because the authors have said that they really see the series as a trilogy of trilogies. So maybe you should try reading them in batches of three.
Catching up on reviews for the last few weeks. Luckily two of the books I did were rereads and I already had the reviews done!It also helps (I guess?) that I'm in a reading slump, so my "reading" output is mostly limited to audio books right now. I just don't seem motivated to ever pick back up The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August
First off I finished off Marc Lawrence's excellent Book of the Ancestor with Holy Sister. I enjoyed it, but not quite as much as Red Sister. - ★★★★☆ - (My Review)
I then finished up my reread of Theft of Swords. I was happy to see it held up for me. I was worried after pushing so hard for it to win the S&L March Madness I wouldn't like it as much as I remember. The later books are better, but I still enjoyed this one. - ★★★★☆ - (My Review)
I then took a quick fantasy break to continue the Bosch series after catching a deal on the second book: The Black Ice. I didn't think this one was nearly as good as the first, but liked it enough that I'll probably continue if I can get a cheap copy or (ideally) borrow the audio from the library. - ★★★☆☆ - (My Review)
Then because I enjoyed my read of Theft of Swords I went right on to do a reread of Rise of Empire. It was interesting to pick up on some foreshadowing I missed the first time reading it. - ★★★★☆ - (My Review)
MadProfessah wrote: "Interesting you should say that you need to take a break from The Expanse after ABADDON’S GATE because the authors have said that they really see the series as a trilogy of trilogies. So maybe you ..."That's good to know! Then I'm choosing exactly the right point!
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It also helps (I guess?) that I'm in a reading slump, so my "reading"..."
I'm just starting Theft of Swords! I've heard great things, I hope it'll make for a good jaunt into epic fantasy land again.
Allison wrote: "I'm just starting Theft of Swords! I've heard great things, I hope it'll make for a good jaunt into epic fantasy land again."Are you doing it in audio? The narrator is great..
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Are you doing it in audio? The narrator is great.."
No, I have the book book for this one. I have the audio for the first book in the next series. Chronicles, I think?
Ah ok. I always recommend the audio to everyone. Yeah Chronicle is the prequel series set 12 years before Theft of Swords
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I'll look for it, then! I think I didn't see it at my library though, but if I like the story I'll keep that in mind for book two :D
Allison wrote: "Rob wrote: "Ah ok. I always recommend the audio to everyone. Yeah Chronicle is the prequel series set 12 years before Theft of Swords"I'll look for it, then! I think I didn't see it at my library..."
I greatly enjoyed the audio as well. It gave Royce and Hadrian quite the feel of Klein and Branaugh from The Road to El Dorado, or Oldman and Roth from Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead. Not quite Hope and Crosby, but still...
If you like Riyria, I definitely recommend the graphic novel Skullkickers: Treasure Trove, Volume 1.
Read the final volume in the Midori Snyder trilogy - Beldan's Fire - and reviewed it: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2809469878.
Also re-read the first volume in the Isaac Asimov Foundation trilogy - Foundation - and reviewed it: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2810631818.
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So was The Invisible Man, but not in the manner intended, I don't think. Glad I read it, glad I'm moving along.
I really loved Spinning Silver and am glad I gave Novik another chance!
Now reading Theft of Swords rather tentatively because I've been warned it's a bit tropey and listening to Arrows of the Queen which so far sounds like the narrator thought that the most natural way to read this book would be if she impersonated a robot.
Since my last post, I’ve finished:1. The Long Earth by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter. I thought this had a cool premise, where humans have learned how to “step” through to countless parallel earths, all of which appear to be pristine planets without humans. The execution, on the other hand, often bored me. The story has all sorts of side trails that eventually tie back to the main story. I enjoyed the side trails more than the main story. This is the first book in a five-book series, but I decided not to continue with it. My full review.
2. Nimona by Noelle Stevenson. This was my second ever attempt at reading a graphic novel, and I think it would have been a great choice for my first attempt. It has a simple but entertaining story, and simple artwork that didn’t overwhelm my not-very-visual self. At first the story came off as a bit too cutsie and young and I wasn’t sure I was going to like it, but it really grew on me as I kept reading. I was sorry it wasn’t a bit longer with some of the back story fleshed out more. My full review.
Next up, I plan to start Night Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko.
Allison wrote: "listening to Arrows of the Queen which so far sounds like the narrator thought that the most natural way to read this book would be if she impersonated a robot."Haha, maybe you could have saved money and listened to a text-to-speech conversion instead. :)
Yay, Nimona was what got me back into graphic novels a couple of years ago! A great one to start with!I read The Prince and the Dressmaker today, it was so cute! I smiled, I cried, I smiled again.
Anna wrote: "I read The Prince and the Dressmaker today, it was so cute! I smiled, I cried, I smiled again."That was my exact experience too.
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Haha, maybe you co..."
haha! It's gotten better. Her human tones were just a little stiff out of the robot box, but now they're almost natural. And she's doing accents which throws me off the scent. I'm not very difficult to distract!
YouKneeK wrote: "2. Nimona by Noelle Stevenson. This was my second ever attempt at reading a graphic novel, and I think it would have been a great choice for my first attempt. It has a simple but entertaining story, and simple artwork that didn’t overwhelm my not-very-visual self. At first the story came off as a bit too cutsie and young and I wasn’t sure I was going to like it, but it really grew on me as I kept reading. I was sorry it wasn’t a bit longer with some of the back story fleshed out more."I thought Nimona was awesome. To anyone who liked that I would highly recommend I Kill Giants and Through the Woods. They aren’t the same but are equally great.
My review of A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World by C.A. Fletcher:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Just finished Dark Matter by Blake Crouch. Rounded it up to 5 ⭐️(4.5/5 ⭐️). Really enjoyed it. Obviously. Gets you thinking about all the decisions you make and the events that change your life. What next? I have a couple of bookcases of possibilities. Nanna nap time now though methinks. My head hurts.
I'm almost halfway through The Priory of the Orange Tree and I'm totally enthralled. The size is a bit intimidating but the writing is so captivating that it's no labor to read. I've decided that after I've finished this one I need to revisit Samantha Shannon Bone Season books as its been such a long time since I read them.
Rob wrote: "I just don't seem motivated to ever pick back up The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August..."Honestly, I would save yourself some angst about this one and DNF it now. In my opinion, it does not improve, it's just more of the same.
Faith wrote: "My review of A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World by C.A. Fletcher"I just bought this yesterday! Had never heard of it but saw it on the table and was immediately intrigued.
Re-read book 2 of Asimov's Foundation trilogy, Foundation and Empire and reviewed it - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2810634045.
The Jennifer Morgue
by Charles StrossThis is Laundry Files #2. Bob Howard is still a worker drone in a very strange English bureaucracy dealing with demons, aliens, and other things that go bump in the night. In this volume he is rather channeling James Bond. Very original with all sorts of made-up stuff but I liked the first one much better.
Allison wrote: "listening to Arrows of the Queen which so far sounds like the narrator thought that the most natural way to read this book would be if she impersonated a robot."I have good memories of that series and just hate the idea of it being ruined by a terrible narrator. :(
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I have good memori..."
It's gotten better! She does good voices, she just has bad breath modulation now. I think she just wasn't warmed up for the first several pages. But now we're swimming along quite well! It's so sweet! I'm enjoying it.
Finally finished A Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe. It wasn't bad but I was easily distracted by other titles.Started listening to The Aeronaut's Windlass and have really started to enjoy it now that the introductions have been taken care of.
I'm trying to decide if The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle is something I want to continue with. It's not grabbing me but the concept is intriguing.
I've started in on Death's End as my audible daily listening.. this should keep me for a couple weeks, as it's a long one. I've also just received Octavia Gone by Jack McDevitt, and started it. I'm very excited, because I really love his Alex Benedict series (seriously, it's great stuff) and this is the latest book in it.
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SciFi and Fantasy Book Club
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For some reason I’ve never felt much enthusiasm about reading this series, even though I haven’t seen it discussed much and didn’t really know what it was about. Over the last couple years, I kept scheduling it then swapping it out. I finally buckled down and told myself this year it would stay in the schedule! So it's encouraging to read that your friend loved it.
colleen the convivial curmudgeon wrote: "I was going to start Raising Steam yesterday, but it seems to be the one Discworld book we didn't have in our library."
Your library may be doing you a favor. That was my least favorite of all the Discworld novels. :) I was disappointed, because I enjoyed the other two Moist Von Lipwig books and Going Postal was among my favorites.