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?
Don wrote: "When I read a Michener, I skip the research in the beginning on a first read. Sometimes I go back for it sometimes I don't."Chesapeake was the last one I found completely interesting, but it was a special case. I was conceived and born within 10 miles of the fictional main town. Plus I recognized a lot of my ancestors in the characters: plantation owners, abolitionists, Quakers, and my half-blind bigoted grandmother being armed with a firearm to protect herself after the courthouse bombing in Cambridge, MD. I had a bit more insight into my family after reading it.
I loved Chesapeake, The part where Rosalind tracked and hanged Blackbeard was a favorite.
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Finished Vengeful. What a fun, quick read. Look forward to release of the 3rd book in the series. Now on to The Poppy War. I have another 5 from library queued up as well...
lol YouKneeK! I don't know when/if I'll get to Ducks, but if I do have something to say, I will.I used to love baths as a kid, but at some point as a teenager I realized it was no longer amazing. I do sometimes miss it when it's winter and I'm so cold that nothing seems to help. But even then I know that it would only help for a little bit.
Raucous wrote: "That sounds like the perfect summer beach read. Oh. Wait...But the first one is currently a free download so why not? Thanks."
Absolutely, I was reading the first seven books of the series on my beach vacations, just could not put it down. The jokes in the book can be someone's taste or not, I usually don't turn my sensitivity radar on when I'm reading a humorous book like Artemis, for example, but some people get offended by nonsense jokes.
Anna wrote: "Remember our January theme? Norse mythology? We were doing research for that, and I found something I *really* wanted to use, but unfortunately it wasn't published yet. Now it is. I kind of want to..."I want to read some Norse Mythology soon after I finish my sci-fi Read-a-thons, First I want to read Norse Mythology but later I'll check out other books too.
In my vacations I tried to read Ringworld too but I DNFed it, the dialogue was too cliche and outdated for my personal taste. I also started The Sirens of Titan but so far I don't like any of the characters, even if the story seems interesting, so I will probably soldier on and try to read this for the Read-a-thon prompt of "read a book published before you were born." So, my final question is, which sci-fi books published before the 70s would you recommend?
Leticia, you should start a thread in the Recommendations folder! I'm sure other people would want to see what recs you get. If you're trying to find something for SpaceOperaSept, remember to specify space opera! :D
OK, I'll start a thread. I think that for this prompt it doesn't has to be specifically space opera.
YouKneeK wrote: "I’ve tried to sit in a bath and experience this “relaxation” people talk about, either with or without a book, and all I experience is impatience as I wonder whether I’ve "relaxed" long enough"My master bathroom layout is the same as yours, YouKneek. I shower for clean, I soak for relax with a candle lighted and perched on a corner of the Jacuzzi tub. When the tub water starts getting cool, you've relaxed enough. LOL!
Mostly in the winter months do I relazzzzzz in the tub. Relazzzz is a combination of relax and lazy.
The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove
by Christopher MooreThe odd-ball inhabitants of a small California town are visited by a prehistoric sea creature called Steve. Things don't go as well as you might think. Clearly written by a talented author in the midst of a nitrous oxide jag. Very funny, a bit too cute.
Finished listening to Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey today. I thought I wasn’t as far through as I was and was left without something to listen to an hour and a bit into a 6 hour journey. When I got to stop an hour later I found Salem’s Lot on my thumb drive but the sound isn’t great on some of my audiobooks and there was too much road noise so I got annoyed trying to hear it after about half an hour even on the loudest setting and turned it off. Didn’t get very far. Unfortunately. I have the book at home but I just felt like listening to Stephen King today and it was all I had. I’ll have to put it onto my iPod and listen to it with headphones. I did look at both my library apps and neither of them had any Stephen King at all in audiobook or ebook format. What sort of library doesn’t have Stephen King FGS?
Oh well...probably better I had no distractions anyway. Had to drive through a massive dust storm. Very windy (nearly got blown off the road a couple of times) and very hard to see. I decided that I’m sick of not seeing Hubby so I decided that I was running away and heading to the Outback. I’m here now. Can’t stay for too long but I get a few days here before I have to head back to his Father.
I don’t usually listen to podcasts. Just not a thing for me for some reason. I’ve only just started listening to audiobooks. If I could find what I want on the library apps then I’d be fine because the audio quality is good but a lot of the ones I download off the net don’t have as good audio quality. I did have some others on the thumb drive too but they had the same crap quality. Or not so much crap quality (it’s clear enough when I’m stopped or going slow but as soon as there’s a lot of road noise I can’t hear it properly and it’s probably my ears as much as the audiobook) but I have to have it on full to hear it and for some of them that’s not loud enough. I must say I hate listening to the radio in the car too because the road noise makes it hard for me to make out what they’re saying and it gives me a headache. My husband loves listening to the radio in the car and whinges at me because I can only put up with it for so long.
Jacqueline, I recently read Salem's Lot and found it to be one of Stephen Kings best, the book wound me up tight.John, Thanks for the tip, will give Clarkedworld a listen.
Gardens of the Moon: Mere yards before the finish line, I tripped, and rolled down a hill, and hit my head on a rock. There were some good parts before then! (review)Next: Jade War and finishing up Northanger Abbey, Lady Susan, The Watsons, Sanditon. Just Sanditon to go on that one. Loving it!
We don’t have Overdrive. One library has BorrowBox and the other has axis360 and both of them are pretty limited. I live between 4 houses so I might see if I can join in the other two places too. It’s a pain though. I read Salem’s Lot in the early 80s. My boyfriend at the time was into Stephen King and had all of his books. I read them all up until about 1982/83. Can’t remember much about any of them though so it will be like reading them all again. I haven’t read any since until the blurb for Sleeping Beauties started an obsession where I had to have it which then started me reading again.
John, just listened to my first installment of "Clarksworld" i.e. "Dave's Head" it was great, Thank You.
raises a Toast to them "Sleeping Beauties" what get us started reading again !
I hadn’t read anything new (other than the books the kids read so I could see what they were reading just in case they wanted to talk about them and Harry Potter of course) for more than 25 years. I’m enjoying being back but geez I’ve missed some great books over the years. I’m never going to catch up lol
I started reading To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers yesterday and am really enjoying it so far. Can't wait to get back to it later today.
Finished my second read (listen) of Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson within a year. Originally I thought this audiobook with its 55 hours to be my audiobook for the whole of September … well … didn't quite work out. I loved it even more than the first time and could not stop myself listening to it. At least this way my office room finally got tidied up and all the shelves and drawers got sorted.
Just finished Silverlock yesterday. It was very entertaining and those who love characters from literature, folklore and fairy tales will love it. There's even a companion book A Silverlock Companion to help you identify the characters who show up in it. I only recognized about 50% of them. Loved it
Light hearted and slightly silly steampunk - but very entertaining.My review of Heartless by Gail Carriger
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Games by Ted Kosmatka was a great change of pace. I haven't read a SF medical-thriller like this in a long time. Gene editing for Olympic pit fights with a lot of money & prestige hanging in the balance. I gave it a 4 star review here:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Doctor Who - The Wheel of Ice on audiobook. It’s a recent original novel about the second doctor. The audiobook is narrated by David Troughton, son of Patrick Troughton, who played the second doctor, so it sounds like the second doctor from the show when he’s speaking.
@CBRetriever, Silverlock sounds like it’s right up my alley but I’m definitely going to need the companion book to make the most of it!
or maybe just use google? I enjoyed it even though I didn't know who all the characters were
Jim wrote: "The Games by Ted Kosmatka was a great change of pace. I haven't read a SF medical-thriller like this in a long time. Gene editing for Olympic pit fights with a lot ..."Wow, we *really* had different takes on this book. I could not have hated this more if I were genetically engineered to be a nuclear-powered dumb-book hating monster.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I just read Tiger vs. Nightmare, which is a really lovely graphic story for younger readers (I’d say 5-8). My 10 year old even loved it. Tiger has made friends with a monster meant to scare her. Instead they plays games and at night Monster scares the Nightmares away. Until they can’t with one particularly tenacious one.
Started Liu Cixin's The Three Body Problem yesterday. It gets kind of confusing at times because of excessive scientific terms and historical references, but it's really intriguing so far. I really need to explore Asian fantasy and sci-fi more.
Lakhsesis wrote: "Started Liu Cixin's The Three Body Problem yesterday. It gets kind of confusing at times because of excessive scientific terms and historical references, but it's really intriguing so far. I really..."The Three-Body Problem is like Ancillary Justice in that the first 80% of the book is set-up for the ending. At the time it feels like you’re spinning wheels, but then you realize why all that stuff was necessary.
@Lakhsesis I loved The Three Body Problem exactly because of all the science, I find quantum mechanics deeply fascinating XD I did google the historical events, though, to be able to follow along. I’ve read two of the books, still need the third one.
I’m reading all of Neil Gaiman’s Sandman comics. I’m not a big comic reader (call my inability to interpret pictures a type of dyslexia) but his are very text based so I find it easier than other comics. This universe is completely genius, mixing every myth, fairytale and religion into one bif coexistence. But I’m an idiot and forgot book five on the plane over to Canada. Luckily they’re not exactly chronological so I can go on with the next books. I hope I can find that exact edition used in Mile High Comics here in Denver.
Oh! The abundant formulations and suppositions of The Three-Body Problem were a riot! Fascinating indeed, and reassuringly authoritative with the specialist subjects. Brilliant!
Dawn wrote: "...Luckily they’re not exactly chronological so I can go on with the next books. I hope I can find that exact edition used in Mile High Comics here in Denver...."I was going to suggest you try to find the replacement while there across the pond, to save on shipping/customs at least (as I imagine some specific old editions of Sandman might get pretty pricey). If anyone has it, it ought to be Mile High Comics. They have (quaintly old school) online listings too, if you're not able to find it on the spot.
Krystal wrote: "This will be my first book of hers, as Daughter of the Forest has been sitting, neglected, on my shelf for a while! I'm hoping this one will entice me to read it."Here's another, rather belated, recommendation for Daughter of the Forest! Another one I enjoyed was Heart's Blood, which has a haunted, slow-burn feel to it, perfect for autumn.
As for my own reading, I finished Northanger Abbey, Lady Susan, the Watsons, and Sanditon, which means there's just Persuasion to go before I've read all of Austen's novels. This collection of shorter work only reinforced my opinion of her writing. This thread isn't the place to ramble about how much I love it, so I'll just leave it at that. :) (review)
Next: Jade War in in book form, and The Restaurant at the End of the Universe in audio.
@Jempuu Yes I’ve been to Mile High Comics three years ago when we were here, it’s HUGE and has a ton of back issues. I’ve looked at their online catalog but since I don’t know the publication year of the specific edition pf my friend’s comic I’m not sure I found the right one. I’m going by memory of the cover. I think they had it, though.
Jemppu wrote: "Oh! The abundant formulations and suppositions of The Three-Body Problem were a riot! Fascinating indeed, and reassuringly authoritative with the specialist subjects. Brilliant!"That sounds like just my thing. Thanks for that recommendation.
I'm currently reading How To: Absurd Scientific Advice for Common Real-World Problems which, while nominally nonfiction, is certainly a highly imaginative application of science and engineering to the world around us.
Jemppu wrote: "If anyone has it, it ought to be Mile High Comics. They have (quaintly old school) online listings too, if you're not able to find it on the spot."I think you mean eye-searingly old school. ;) I haven't ever been to Mile High, but back in the '80s they (or another very large operation of that type) had print catalogs that put stars into the eyes of a young teen whose only access to comics was a rack full of well-thumbed current issues in the local bookstore.
It’ *very* old, literally just a big warehouse in an industrial area. They have a few new things but mostly it’s for collector’s stuff and back issues. It’s big but very dusty. They didn’t have the exact issue of Sandman I needed, but bought the 30th Anniversary edition cos I was gonna get it all anyway later and now I can actually finish the comic *g*
Beth wrote: "Jemppu wrote: "...I haven't ever been to Mile High, but back in the '80s they (or another very large operation of that type) had print catalogs that put stars into the eyes of a young teen whose only access to comics was a rack full of well-thumbed current issues in the local bookstore...."Oh, yes. They go way back to the turn of silver/bronze age of comics and their ads in them quite retro delights themselves (something of a brand itself for them, those old-school listings, so I do not wonder why they'd still keep to it ;D). I used to order a lot from them during my brief stint with American comics... and then sold all of it off eventually :P
Just finished The Poppy War, which I absolutely loved. Got The Wolf in the Whale from the library last week so starting it with hopes of participating in the group discussion.
Finished recently:The Way of Kings - All the yes. I loved the slow set-up and world building and then all the shit that went down in the very last part of the book that made it all pay off. I am so in love with these characters and this world. I've got the next book to read but I'm trying to put it off until I finish some of my library books. I keep sneaking little bits of it though. I have no willpower.
Heroine Complex - There is so much fun to love about this book. It's got a great collection of characters that form a cute found family plus a kung fu movie vibe that doesn't take itself too seriously. I mean, cupcake demons. What more could you ask for?
The Eye of the World - This one was a reread for me, although my first time with the audio, which was fantastic. I'm kind of surprised by some of the parts that I'd forgotten and other parts that I'd put way out of order in the series. There are some really bad things about this series (why hello there terrible male/female dynamics) but it will always be one of my favorite series despite its flaws. I just love the world so much. I actually played a MUD for a while based on this world.
The Last Astronaut - Argh. I wanted to like this book but it just floundered all over the place deciding what to be. At some points it seems like it's going for squicky horror with the hand trees and such, at some points it seems like it's trying to be more psychological suspense with the darkness and people's personality changes, and it also seems like it just wants to be an exploration of an alien artifact. Which meant none of the aspects really got to shine.
Currently reading:
The Calculating Stars - I kept putting this off and I should not have. Someone should have sat on me until I read this. This is so so so good and the narration is just beyond amazing. Thank goodness there's more when I finish this one.
The Book Charmer - I... am not decided whether I'll actually finish this one or not. Got suckered in by a main character who has books talk to her but so far it's a little too Hallmark channel for me. It's just too cutesy/quirky for my tastes.
The Testaments - Holy crap, yes! I've only listened to maybe an hour of this but so far I am in love. So much yes!
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Then I thought I'd dip my toe back into the SFF waters with a graphic novel, which don't seem to hit the same mental barriers as full text novels sometimes do. I chose Locke & Key for my TBR challenge, so I went with that. I'm so pleased I did. I'm really very much enjoying the series. I'm already on volume 4 of 6 and hope to finish before I pick up my next library book.
I was expecting more classic Lovecraftian horror--like, you know, Elder Gods and eldritch cults and Brothers of the Yellow Sign and all that but so far it seems to be focusing on the "dread and madness" part of Lovecraftian horror, and even then, it's being quite delicate. So it's been a fun surprise!
CBRetriever wrote: "Just finished Silverlock yesterday. It was very entertaining and those who love characters from literature, folklore and fairy tales will love it."I haven't read this one, but it's one of my brother's favorite books. It's one of the small handful of "fantasies that aren't LotR" from that time period that were well-known among fantasy fans for decades after it was published.
Just started KNIFE by Jo Nesbø, latest in the long running Harry Hole series set in Norway.
Just bought the new Stephen King book, The Institute. Hopefully I’ll get to start it tonight.
After having finished Oathbringer which again thrilled me to no end (can we please get the fourth book like ... now?) I thought I have a try on other fantasy series. Yet it seems I'm still no big fan of those kind of narrations in general.The Name of the Wind I started to re-read (re-listen), but having reached the magic school part I lost interest.
The Black Prism had me rather underwhelmed. Due to the ratings I was expecting more of that.
Now I started Magician: Apprentice which is old fashioned cute which makes me smile a lot but prevents me from taking it serious.
Apart from Fantasy I was luckier. For my non-US-non-GB challenge I read The World of the End by Israeli author Ofir Touche Gafla, a weird, depressing but cleverly done narration about 'life' after death. I was intrigued and am a bit disappointed that I couldn't find translations of other works of him.
And currently I'm reading The Testaments which already has completely pulled me in. Depressingly fantastic!
Speaking of depressing (or better the lack thereof): I found The Prince and the Dressmaker on my kindle. Since I rarely read graphic novels I must have gotten it at a sale I guess, I can't remember. However, this was such a cute drawn and written story about being yourself no matter what. Totally delightful and uplifting.
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SciFi and Fantasy Book Club
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I hope you’ll post somewhere what you think of that one when you’re done… nobody in our group ever talks about it, aside of course from the original group discussion. :) I read it a couple years ago, so I don’t remember enough to have an intelligent conversation about it, but I remember my general impressions and I'm always curious to read what people think of the lesser-known books on our shelf.
Anna wrote: "Yeah, I think I need to start studying German and looking for a new place to live, with a tub. I don't think I can read this anywhere except in the bath."
I’ve lived in my current home for about 8 years. The master bathroom has a large tub separate from the shower. I’ve used it 3 times. (The tub, not the shower. I’ve used the shower about 365 * 8 times.) If I could ship it to you, I would. :)
I do not understand this concept of baths when showers are so much more efficient and you have that constantly-hot water pounding down on you versus still water that’s getting progressively colder the longer you sit in it. I’ve tried to sit in a bath and experience this “relaxation” people talk about, either with or without a book, and all I experience is impatience as I wonder whether I’ve "relaxed" long enough to justify getting out of the bath already so I can relax somewhere that’s actually relaxing. ;)