SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

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What Else Are You Reading? > What Else Are You Reading in 2019?

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message 1951: by Allison, Fairy Mod-mother (new)

Allison Hurd | 14221 comments Mod
Haha it happens! One time I yelled at someone in another group for not being on topic because the thread name was so close to ours...

I made a rule then, coffee first!


message 1952: by Trike (new)

Trike John wrote: "Just picked up Astounding: John W. Campbell, Isaac Asimov, Robert A. Heinlein, L. Ron Hubbard, and the Golden Age of Science Fiction by Alec Nevala-Lee. It is a biography of John Campbell and his journey into forging science fiction into what we love today.

And I also finally got "


Anyone see what happened to John? He was here and then poof.


message 1953: by Anthony (new)

Anthony (albinokid) | 1478 comments @John does this book detail any of the terribly racist and misogynist stuff Campbell said and did?


message 1954: by Jacqueline (new)

Jacqueline | 2428 comments My guess would be no.


message 1955: by Mareike (new)

Mareike | 1457 comments I started A Closed and Common Orbit last night andxafter the furst two chapters, I wish I could do nothing but read today.


message 1956: by Jack (new)

Jack Edmunson | 1 comments Central Control of The World have said you must go into the Deeps Aug 28 to be protected by The Envelope from the Higgs Boson storm Ask your partner will they a. go to alcoholic oblivion b. have sex with someone new c. follow the herd of humankind #gamechanger #somethingtotellyou
Something to Tell You


message 1957: by Trike (new)

Trike Jack wrote: "Central Control of The World have said you must go into the Deeps Aug 28 to be protected by The Envelope from the Higgs Boson storm Ask your partner will they a. go to alcoholic oblivion b. have se..."

Don’t drink and post, kids.


colleen the convivial curmudgeon (blackrose13) | 2717 comments I've started Strange the Dreamer. I know it's early for the BR, but I'd hoped to have it done by Thursday... which is not going to happen.

I've just started Part 2, and am dealing with that jarring point-of-view shift which came with it. Does anyone else ever have that problem, where a book is all from one PoV and then suddenly, like 94 pages in, we shift gears?

I know that they're going to merge together, but for the first few pages I always feel like I just randomly picked up a different book...


message 1959: by Allison, Fairy Mod-mother (new)

Allison Hurd | 14221 comments Mod
Ha! It does sometimes feel that way to me. The further into the book it takes to establish that we're switching povs, the harder it is to accept for me.


message 1960: by Beth (new)

Beth (rosewoodpip) | 2005 comments Allison wrote: "I've seen advice telling audiobook narrators to read slow intentionally, because the producers know that they will be sped up by most listeners."

This makes my brain hurt. Why not just read it at an ordinary pace and let the listener judge for themselves? (not a dig on you, Allison, but whoever wrote this advice)

I'm a solid 1x gal, speeding up to 1.05 or 1.10 if the narration is excessively slow. Much faster than that and there's an uncanny valley effect that makes me unable to appreciate the story or narrator.


message 1961: by Pam (new)

Pam Baddeley Read Mark Lawrence's Prince of Thorns and reviewed it - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2943516699.


message 1962: by Dj (new)

Dj | 2364 comments CBRetriever wrote: "Even having Kindle books doesn't prevent the dog problem. I regularly post on the Amazon Device help forum and I've seen at least two "the dog ate my Kindle" cases."

I hope it was something of a larger dog. I would hate to think how much work something like a Pomeranian would have to go through to eat a Kindle


message 1963: by Jordan (new)

Jordan (justiceofkalr) | 403 comments Finished Sisters of the Vast Black and This Is How You Lose the Time War, which both blew my mind with how awesome they were. I've read so may novellas that have been amazing lately.

I think I'm somewhere around the halfway mark on The Way of Kings and still enjoying it.

I only have a couple hours left on my audio for The Luminous Dead. So far it's been a great listen and one I have trouble turning off when my drive is finished. I'm really curious to see where the story is going in the end.


message 1964: by Karen (new)

Karen (librarykatz) | 262 comments I reread/listened to Every Heart a Doorway in order to read Down Among the Sticks and Bones. I've already checked out Beneath the Sugar Sky and In an Absent Dream to complete as much of the Wayward Children series as possible. This is one of those series that straddles YA and Adult.

I'm about 1/2 way through Firefly: Big Damn Hero. It's not bad...it's just not delivering the same fun punch you would have watching the show.

Poor Flavia de Luce, pushed aside for the above mentioned Seanan McGuire books but I will continue on with The Golden Tresses of the Dead once I get the Wayward Children series read.


message 1965: by Allison, Fairy Mod-mother (new)

Allison Hurd | 14221 comments Mod
I'll likely finish Warchild tonight and just started The Red Threads of Fortune which I'm loving so far! It's been awhile since I read Black Tides but the intro to this one reminded me of the broad strokes while revealing some really cool stuff without doing a full Star Wars-style recap.

Then I'll move on to the next Becky Chambers book for the buddy read!


message 1966: by Anthony (new)

Anthony (albinokid) | 1478 comments Yay to joining us on Becky Chambers! It’s real good (that’s a nod to how one of the characters speaks) so far in the early going.

I liked Red Threads even more than Black Tides, myself. Curious to hear your thoughts!

As for me, between reading novels I read a few more stories in Her Smoke Rose Up Forever by James Tiptree Jr. and man did Tiptree know how to write. Always inventive, often scary, and peppered with moments of quiet beauty or dark humor or both, this collection is essential reading.


message 1967: by Eric (new)

Eric | 463 comments I finished "the bloated epic" (author's words) Memory, Sorrow & Thorn (3 Book Series) by Tad Williams Memory, Sorrow & Thorn. Book three was a bit of a slog. Onto William's encore, The Witchwood Crown (The Last King of Osten Ard, #1) by Tad Williams The Witchwood Crown.


message 1968: by Monica (new)

Monica Emtman (mrb0881aolcom) | 14 comments What are some good fantasy or sci-fi book that I should look into? Kind of went on a reading hiatus for a few years because life got hectic and now trying to get back into it.


message 1969: by CBRetriever (new)

CBRetriever | 6113 comments Monica wrote: "What are some good fantasy or sci-fi book that I should look into? Kind of went on a reading hiatus for a few years because life got hectic and now trying to get back into it."

if you start a thread in Recommendations and Lost Books, you'll get plenty of recommendations


message 1970: by Emma (new)

Emma (keeperofthearchives) colleen the convivial curmudgeon wrote: "I've started Strange the Dreamer. I know it's early for the BR, but I'd hoped to have it done by Thursday... which is not going to happen.

I've just started Part 2, and am dealing ..."


I had a real issue with it in that book, not sure I ever got over it either. I loved the first POV but the second... meh.


message 1971: by Christopher (new)

Christopher | 981 comments Started Warchild, but was too disturbed by the opening chapters and had to put it down for now.


message 1972: by Allison, Fairy Mod-mother (last edited Aug 21, 2019 11:29AM) (new)

Allison Hurd | 14221 comments Mod
There will be content warnings for both books next month! They'll be posted as soon as the threads open, and I am always available if anyone needs more specifics.

Monica, CBRetriever is right, if you want personalized recommendations, go start a thread and say what you like so we can make informed suggestions! Otherwise, I think the group bookshelf is a great place for inspiration!


message 1973: by CBRetriever (new)

CBRetriever | 6113 comments Christopher wrote: "Started Warchild, but was too disturbed by the opening chapters and had to put it down for now."

which one?

Warchild by Karin Lowachee
Warchild by Esther M. Friesner
Warchild by Richard Bowes
Warchild by Rob Liefeld
Warchild by David Daley
Warchild by Theodora Sarah Abigail
Warchild by Jesse Russell

or
War Child: A Child Soldier's Story by Emmanuel Jal
War Child by Bruce Cerew


colleen the convivial curmudgeon (blackrose13) | 2717 comments Emma wrote: "I had a real issue with it in that book, not sure I ever got over it either. I loved the first POV but the second... meh. "


I'm definitely not into the second POV as much as the first, but I'm hoping it grows on me.

I'm mostly worried it's going to turn into a (view spoiler)


message 1975: by Kirsten (new)

Kirsten  (kmcripn) Just started reading The Crimson Deathbringer by Sean Robins


message 1976: by Christopher (last edited Aug 22, 2019 06:48AM) (new)

Christopher | 981 comments Sorry CB, I meant next month's read, Warchild by Karin Lowachee.

Allison, my main question re: content warnings for that book would be is the worst of it at the start or do those themes continue throughout?


message 1977: by Faith (new)

Faith | 386 comments The Perfect Wife by J.P. Delaney unexpectedly turned out to be speculative fiction. My review:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


message 1978: by Allison, Fairy Mod-mother (new)

Allison Hurd | 14221 comments Mod
Christopher wrote: "Sorry CB, I meant next month's read, Warchild by Karin Lowachee.

Allison, my main question re: content warnings for that book would be is the worst of it at the star..."


I will advise as soon as I finish it!


message 1979: by CBRetriever (new)

CBRetriever | 6113 comments Christopher wrote: "Sorry CB, I meant next month's read, Warchild by Karin Lowachee.

Allison, my main question re: content warnings for that book would be is the worst of it at the star..."


thanks, I was curious that's all. Maybe it's like that Spielberg movie about WWII, all the really bad stuff is at the start?


message 1982: by Gabi (new)

Gabi | 3441 comments Phrynne wrote: "I recently read and really enjoyed The Expert System's Brother by Adrian Tchaikovsky The Expert System's Brother by Adrian Tchaikovsky

https://www.goodreads.com/rev..."


Yes, I liked this one a lot, too.


message 1983: by Jordan (new)

Jordan (justiceofkalr) | 403 comments Finished The Luminous Dead. I loved it, I just wish the ending was a little bit... tighter? I don't know what I wanted from it, but somehow I was left feeling just a little unsatisfied. I don't know, maybe like Gyre I just wanted to go back to the cave.

Started on Salvation Day, which is just fun sci-fi horror. I like the fact that the Zahra is clearly part of a cult and just doesn't realize it. I recently read another book where a virus (view spoiler) so I am getting major deja vu feelings from this.

Just started on the audio for The Eye of the World, which is a reread for me. I read them maybe 15 years ago and was pretty obsessed with the series at the time. But I only got to somewhere around book 8, I think, so I'm finally giving them a reread and finishing the series. Hopefully I'll enjoy them as much as I remember.


message 1984: by Karen (new)

Karen (gaspodethew0nderd0g) | 1 comments My first post here and looking forward to joining the reading groups! .At the minute I'm reading Reaper Man by Terry Pratchett. It's one of the few Discworld novels I haven't read yet and I have a nice Unseen Library edition, so it's been a pleasurable read!

Any other Discworld fans in here?


message 1985: by Gabi (new)

Gabi | 3441 comments @Karen: here! Currently I'm on a Discworld Read-a-thon with my boys. I've read nearly all of the books in original (shying away from the last ones for fear of illness-induced mediocrity ^^') and now re-reading them in German translation (which is pretty good)


message 1986: by Jordan (new)

Jordan (justiceofkalr) | 403 comments Karen wrote: "My first post here and looking forward to joining the reading groups! .At the minute I'm reading Reaper Man by Terry Pratchett. It's one of the few Discworld novels I haven't read yet ..."

Love Discworld! I've been (slowly) making my way through them. Small Gods is the last one I finished.


message 1987: by Don (new)

Don Dunham Anybody notice Women Author's winning all the awards ?


message 1988: by Carolyn (new)

Carolyn Chambers | 131 comments Just finished Vicious by V. E. Schwab. Such a fun book! While I wait for Vengeful to arrive for pickup at library, I’m going to jump into Rosewater.


message 1989: by Carolyn (new)

Carolyn Chambers | 131 comments @karen, I’m a huge Discworld fan. I’m about 8 books in I think so still have many to read! Loved Good Omens, the book he co-wrote with Neil Gaiman (another fave author) and am looking forward to watching that series.


message 1990: by Jordan (new)

Jordan (justiceofkalr) | 403 comments Finished Salvation Day. Pretty much just a fun book. Not a lot to set it apart, but it's a solid read if you're looking for some enjoyable SF Horror.

Starting on Heroine Complex. Any book that starts out with demonic killer cupcakes has my immediate attention.


message 1991: by Carolyn (new)

Carolyn Chambers | 131 comments @jordan, I’ve been wanting to read some Sarah Kuhn for awhile so look forward to hearing what you think of Heroine Complex.


message 1992: by Allison, Fairy Mod-mother (new)

Allison Hurd | 14221 comments Mod
Karen, welcome! You're in great company here!

Don, there are only (roughly) 3 options for genders of people who win, so we're likely to see some "trends" in the metaphorical coin flip.

Oo Carolyn, can't wait to hear what you think of Rosewater!! I really enjoyed it.

I'm also interested in hearing more about Heroine Complex!!


message 1993: by Beth (new)

Beth (rosewoodpip) | 2005 comments Jordan wrote: "Love Discworld! I've been (slowly) making my way through them. Small Gods is the last one I finished."

I am, too... and even more slowly. Pyramids is my next one.


message 1994: by Monica (new)

Monica Emtman (mrb0881aolcom) | 14 comments Right now I'm reading books from new authors to help them get reviews and get their books out for others to see, especially if they're good stories. I'm just about to read King of Ash and Bone..has an intriguing book blurb and cover, so we'll see how it goes.

Also, I just got some pretty good recommendations from people on a post I recently created about fantasy and sci-fi books to read. So I have downloaded a couple of those starting off with Black Prism, then moving on to the other suggestions.


message 1995: by Don (new)

Don Dunham Allison, in this metaphorical coin flip The Ladies kicked some serious soccer balls... GoodOnYa Ladies !


message 1996: by Allison, Fairy Mod-mother (new)

Allison Hurd | 14221 comments Mod
Christopher wrote: "Sorry CB, I meant next month's read, Warchild by Karin Lowachee.

Allison, my main question re: content warnings for that book would be is the worst of it at the star..."


Hi Christopher, those themes continue throughout.


message 1997: by Anthony (last edited Aug 24, 2019 06:10AM) (new)

Anthony (albinokid) | 1478 comments I’ve been on a reading high, having finished two books that moved me in very different ways, and for different reasons, but which were both wonderful: A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers was deeper, more mature, and richer than its very enjoyable predecessor The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet; and Her Smoke Rose Up Forever collects many of the incredibly evocative, cathartic, hallucinatory, vital stories of the inestimably gifted Alice B. Sheldon that she wrote under the pseudonym James Tiptree Jr..


message 1998: by Allison, Fairy Mod-mother (new)

Allison Hurd | 14221 comments Mod
Can't wait to start the Becky Chambers book and read what you all have been talking about!!

I think you've read other Tiptree/Sheldon stories/books? Do you have a recommendation for where to start that isn't super graphically about feminine horror?


message 1999: by Anthony (new)

Anthony (albinokid) | 1478 comments Hmmmm it’s deeply enmeshed in the fabric of so many of her stories...but I can’t say that “Love Is the Plan the Plan Is Death” is really about feminine horror. Although it is about creatures that may or may not be spiders...


message 2000: by Allison, Fairy Mod-mother (new)

Allison Hurd | 14221 comments Mod
Jeebs. She's really going to make me work for this, isn't she?


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