RETIRED THREAD: Vagabond Treehouse Book Club Showing 1,551-1,600 of 2,932

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Here's the review with the comment at the bottom...

For all I know, it could be a fake account... it's weird, but seems accurate...

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

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I finally read Agent to the Stars, one of the few Scalzi books I hadn't read yet... I was honestly kinda disappointed by the book, despite enjoying it...

For all that it's a book about a movie agent trying to introduce humanity to aliens that love American cinema but look more like horror movie aliens than humanoid friendly aliens (really more like Jello/Flubber)... that really felt more like a book-end to the book than the actual plot... the plot was more slice of life movie agent plotting, with occasional mind-meldy alien bits that moved the regular plot along...

Apparently this was Scalzi's first book, released the same year as the first Old Man's War...

I'm kinda scrabbling for Scalzi books I HAVEN'T read at this point... there's a new Dispatcher, Audible Original release... and The Kaiju Preservation Society is insta-TBR for 2022... that and a sprinkling of short stories/novellas are all I'm missing, I think...

[Soo]

I just finished #1-3 of Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman. #4 comes out July 1st. Good mix of action, snarky & ridiculous humor and a mix of weird. Pacing is a bit uneven but there are enough fun twists to keep me engaged. The books are on KU and I got the audio with the Audible sync.

Carl is the main character and he ends up diving head first into the "alien invasion turned the world into a wacko dungeon system" in sleeping clothes and his ex's pink crocs. That's the start of the story. lol

The author definitely stole a bunch of ideas from various popular LitRPG stories, but managed to spin his own take on it all. I totally think he stole aspects of System Apocalypse, Cradle and other series. Not in a way that makes me dislike the story but maybe nodes to them?

[Soo]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Here's the review with the comment at the bottom...

For all I know, it could be a fake account... it's weird, but seems accurate...

You decide: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show......"


Kind of weird that he would make an alt account. Could be him. Going off my review of Queen's Road, I thought it wasn't the same series as Brotherhood but fit in the same world. Either way, I'm down for more stories set in either QR or Brotherhood. =D

Not as interested in Golgotha because I wasn't as engaged by that storyline. I know we BR'd the first book at least.

lol

Also, I am such a dork! I was refreshing the last page and wondering where everyone went. Turns out there's a next page. LOL

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Feelin' a bit slumpy... tried a bunch of different books lately, and quickly paused because not in the mood or not being sucked in...

I'm thinking of re-reading DIRE, since it's been on my mind alot lately, since I mentioned it a few weeks ago...

Golgotha never really grabbed me, either... mostly since I hate Graphics Audio so much... if I ever give it a go, again, I'll probably have to eRead it...

[Soo]

I ran into a bunch of "meh" stories and that's why I ended up doing a lot of re-reads. Tried to keep the series interesting by re-reading ones I really enjoyed. Usually because someone here mention it, like Joe Ledger. =D

There's a new Joe Ledger book coming out so I feel like it's a fun way to get ready for it. I have 2-4 books left to read. lol

Plus, it's nice to keep things interesting by doing different stuff. I did download the first Dire book! I'll let you know what I think once I get around to it. Currently listening to latest Audible sale batch books. lol

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

DIRE was the first Seiple book I read that played with kayfabe…

It’s really a pretty crazy series… the first book is a pretty “simple” book about a hero/villain with amnesia after a Y2K apocalypse scenario… books 2-6 start throwing crazy plot elements in the way of her plans to save the world… time travelers trying to save the future from DIRE, a short jaunt to WWI, all the way up to ending up in Dante’s Inferno style Hell…

[Soo]

OOO sounds interesting!

Latest snippets from last nights (7/2-7/3) astrophotography. NE of Milkyway over the visitor center:



Rising Moon around 1:50AM


Due to the place & other light factors (random cars, general light pollution, etc), my attempts to get a selfie with the broader span of the Milkway turned me into a spirit. LOL

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Threadbare Vol. 2 is just as funny as Vol. 1... between the Recant Dungeon, and Soulah (the scout's shaman wife, if I spelled that wrong) calling Threadbare a Bone Diddler, because he's a measly level 2 Necromancer :D

I KNEW dungeon core hijinks figured into the plot at some point, guess it was book 2-3, not book 1, tho...

[Narilka]

That's a cool spirit effect :D

[Brian]

Nice pics!!!

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Ryan Reynolds seems to be making a Gamelit movie version of The Truman Show... saw a trailer before Fast 9...

Taika Waititi is the game developer/CEO guy in the movie...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2m-0...

[Brian]

Sale is tempting as hell!!! I am almost done with Paternus Trilogy. Great narrator and author sure did his research on every single Myth , religion, or supernatural being EVER. They are all in the story it seems. Almost seems too much sometimes with the number of characters and myths but entertaining.

[Narilka]

Oh yeah lol Paternus just gets more and more crazy as it goes :) Lots of fun.

[Soo]

Iain, looks like fun.

Brian, is there a new sale?

I just spent a day reading a Korean rom-com webtoon called True Beauty. They made a drama out of it. I like the comic but will probably enjoy the show more.

Read all of TB and now reading Let’s Play. Ya'll may like it!
Here's link: https://m.webtoons.com/en/romance/let...
This one makes me want to play games and I'm laughing a lot.

[Soo]

I got to the end of Season 1 of Let's Play & it's great! I really like the characters, good tech know how, nice mix of game/etc slang and good plot. Though, the chapters seems short due to style & framing.

[Brian]

2 for 1 sale on Audible. Haven’t gone through any yet, just saw email.

[Soo]

I got Phule's Company to try and Broken Eye #3 to re-read. =)

[Brian]

I picked up Phule’s company as well so let me know when you wanna read it for a BR.

[Soo]

I'm ready when you are! =D

I'm currently reading web comics. I haven't done that in ages. It's interesting to see the change in comic paneling to go with blog style scrolling.

I thought True Beauty was good. That author has a way of pulling together scenes with very little words and a few scenes.

Then I read Let's Play and that is WAY better planned out in the blog scroll style & uses gifs/layers/etc to accent. Plot is stronger, etc. In the style of manga that is. Not for what I would want in a written story.

True Beauty is more of a classic Asian rom-com that dives into different levels of friendship, internal (we all do it) whining and figuring out life.

Let's Play has the same bones of rom-com, but the author took time to make fun twists for all of the characters and tries to implement some of the current social culture topics into the story without making it a "lecture statement". There were more Q&A posts made in LP and it was interesting to note how long it took the author + assistants to make a chapter. These are no where near as long or in depth as a regular comic page, but seemed to take a lot of time. This author is better about having a clear "scene" in mind per chapter. Though, it's a bit flip-floppy on what's going on when.

Both are nice examples of using short phrases/sentences to make solid delivery in story.

Currently trying another popular one called the Re-married Empress. Not a total fan of the artstyle. Artist detailing is awesome but the characters kind of look the same. lol
For me, the story dragged until the Western Prince showed up. Much more interesting because he's a shapeshifter. =D That turns into a fluffy bird. lol

[Brian]

Soo wrote: "I'm ready when you are! =D

I'm currently reading web comics. I haven't done that in ages. It's interesting to see the change in comic paneling to go with blog style scrolling.

I thought True Beau..."

I can start Phule's Saturday if you able (have a plane ride). But I am good anytime if you want to start

[Soo]

Saturday sounds good! =D

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I picked up Year Zero and Phule's Company... nothing else really grabbed my eye, that wasn't way too deep into a series to pick up... altho I saw plenty of good stuff on there for people that haven't already read them... also picked up Phule's Company as a half-credit, partly because you guys did...

I'm in the market for something similar to Vorkosigan Saga, but the internet basically says nothing exists quite like Bujold's stuff... so I'm probably going to do a re-read at some point...

[Soo]

Read it on Saturday with us, Iain! =)

I am TOTALLY down to re-read Miles part of the Vorkosigan Saga! I like the whole series but Miles is my fav. There are other books in the series that I loved, but the books on Miles are the ones I re-read as a kid.

Yeah, there are TONS of military/space opera SF but not as many are like the first Dune or Vorkosigan.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I'll join for Phule's Company, and probably be ready for Vorkosigan in a couple days... doing a chronological re-read, so I gotta start with the Quaddie book and the first 2 parent books... then 90% of the rest of the series is Miles...

[Brian]

I might try that Vorksogian series with ya. At least the first one. As it’s free on Audible.

[Brian]

So let me know when you wanna start.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Falling Free or Shards of Honour?… I’m 75% thru Falling Free, which is first chronologically, 4th publication… Shards of Honour is 1st published 2nd chronologically…

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Probably gonna do the 2nd one soon too…

[Brian]

I have Shards of Honour. Do I need to start with the other one? What do you recommend?

[Soo]

Brian, you should start with Warrior's Apprentice. The first book is not as strong. In fact, if you guys are going to read the books, I really recommend reading in publication order vs chronological order. Her writing/etc does change over time, but it doesn't affect the story elements for the world/characters.

[Soo]

Plus, a lot of the books should be available in libraries. =)

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I read all 16 books in publication order the first time and liked it that way… Falling Free is skippable… Quaddies don’t show up in other stories more than once or twice, and not until late in the series around book 10…

Reading Shards of Honor and Vor Game I think is the followup, give a good idea of the political situation and events that led to Miles’s medical problems…

I think Warrior’s Apprentice is book 2 in publication order Soo?…

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Looks like 12 of the books and some of the short stories are available on Audible Plus… what’s missing is available with Hoopla credits if you have access to that feom your Libraries…

[Soo]

Yup. It's #2. Hm. I think the other books that were more fun because the world was well established by the time I got to the books that are in chronological order.

I actually read the first 3 Miles books first (re-read those as a kid a lot), stuck with publication order mostly cause this was before GR/tracking my books, and skipped for Miles/his family books. A few years ago, I went to find all the ones I haven't read and read them to fill in the gaps. I liked them all, but some books are stronger than others.

I have Warrior's Apprentice ready to roll. =D

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I think the Miles books were re-released in chronological omnibuses over the years, too...Miles Errant, Young Miles, Miles, Mystery, and Mayhem, Miles in Love...

I'm probably gonna read Shards of Honour today... I'd settled on using the series to try to jumpstart my reading again, before interest spiked... I've been starting and pausing a ton of books recently, that I haven't been in the mood for, or aren't holding my interest...

[Soo]

Read at whatever pace makes you happy! =)

I'm currently on my 5th webcomic. lol
Switching between re-reads and new books for audio.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Soo wrote: "Read at whatever pace makes you happy! =)

I'm currently on my 5th webcomic. lol
Switching between re-reads and new books for audio."

We can read Warrior Apprentice at the same time... not sure how much else will line up, if I'm doing chrono and you're doing pub... Brian still hasn't chimed in, but even if it doesn't line up, we'll be around to reminisce...

I kinda want to recommend the series more, now that I know 85% of the audio is free for Audible subscribers...

[Soo]

Ooh, this is great! I didn't realize that most of the books are on Audible+. All of the books are at my library but some are booked & I'd have to waitlist. I went ahead & bought Warrior's Apprentice because I love the story. This will be the first time I listen to it vs reading it. I've read the book at least 5 times when I was in school. During the days when you didn't know exactly when the next book of the series will be coming out and you just waited.

Give me a head's up when you're going to start Warrior's Apprentice and I'll dive in then.

I'm in the middle of the Expanse re-read too. It reminds me of what I enjoy about the series and what I don't like. The last few books of the series left a sour taste because the focus shifted to what I consider to be the weaker elements for the authors.

New Joe Ledger book comes out soon! I'm re-reading Ledger & Rogue International for that. =D Wee~~~

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Started Phule’s Company… narrator reads fast… slowed it down 10%… Early on I was on the fence about the book, and still find the dialogue a bit stilted at times, but overall enjoying the book around 40%, and want to read the rest of the books…

Reminds me of why I liked Honor Harrington a bit, and why I was sad when that series got annoyingly infodumpy and remindy and overly technical… only read 5-6 Harrington books… there were dozens to look forward to in the megaverse of connected series…

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Just found the whole series on Hoopla audio search, so I don’t need to buy 5 other books… and my credits are wide open with Vorkoaigan free on Audible+

[Narilka]

Wait, most of the Bujold books are on Audible+?? Well there goes my planned reading schedule lol I'd been wanting to try her scifi for a while and just hadn't gotten around to picking up a copy. No excuses now!

Still slowly working on Joe Ledger 6. I admit I prefer the books with the supernatural element over plain old terrorism. Or at least it's been that way so far. I had been tentatively planning to start Threadbare 2 after I finished Joe but now you all have tempted me with Bujold. Best book friends ever :D

[Brian]

I’m starting Phule’s Company today for a long flight. I’m down to start the Vorkosogian series too but still confused as to which book to start with. They seem short so if I’m behind you guys I’ll try to catch up.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I reread Threadbare 2 a week or 2 ago .. still need to reread Threadbare 3…

Read first 2 vorkosigan books in chrono order already… next is barrayar, then Warrior Apprentice, the one Soo wants to start with… 4th in chrono and 2nd in pub order… my 2nd book Shards if Honor was 1st Pub, and Falling Free was 1st chrono and like 7th/9th pub… Barrayar is 3rd chrono and 6th-7th pub…

Phule’s Company has been getting better and better by the page, even if the characters are a bit cliche… book is 30 years old, and I love seeing the scenarios play out… the buikding comraderie reminds me of Theirs Not to Reason Why, a military scifi series with a layer of precognition…

[Soo]

Joe Ledger - Even the ones that seem like it's just terrorism has a touch of something else. I'm in #10 now and almost caught up for the latest book coming out.

Psst, read Warrior's Apprentice first! =D
You'll end up loving the characters & setting. We can gallop around with Miles and you can always go back to read the others. Totally doable that way.

[Brian]

I’m over half way done with Phule’s Co. I like the characters but seems like the whole book so far is a big set up for future books. Not a lot of plot

[Soo]

Plot is how Phule is figuring out his company & how to make them work as a team. lol =)

I like it. Good mix of misfit vibe and lots of stuff is stacked against them.

[Soo]

Iain, did you find Phule's Company on Hoopla? My library doesn't have the books at all.

I'm debating if I want to buy the ebooks & get the discount for audios or wait until they go on sale. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm. I'm almost done with the first book.

It's a good setup for a series. I like the different take on how he's interacting with his subordinates and soldiers. The training course was funny!

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Soo wrote: "Plot is how Phule is figuring out his company & how to make them work as a team. lol =)

I like it. Good mix of misfit vibe and lots of stuff is stacked against them."

Yea... the book is very much about building group cohesion... the "climax" is the competition to get the job of color guard for the mayor/governor... with the aliens mentioned in the blurb thrown in for like a chapter after...

Future books seem to be about dealing with hurdles thrown at Phule by grumpy generals...

I really enjoyed the book, tho, and am ready to continue the series as soon as anyone is interested... will continue alone if not...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Soo wrote: "Iain, did you find Phule's Company on Hoopla? My library doesn't have the books at all.

I'm debating if I want to buy the ebooks & get the discount for audios or wait until they go on sale. Hmmmm..."

Most of my book availability talk is thru Hoopla... it's the main library-based eTool I use... I can also access Overdrive and RBdigital, I think, but have never downloaded the apps...

There are 6 Phule books from 1990-2006... I want to read them all, and kinda curious about author's other stuff, too... the book cover mentions a Myth series he's known for...

Curious if Audible will put future books on sale... was a pretty random book to include in previous sale, but glad they did... could have gotten it on Hoopla (should have checked), but didn't know it existed before the sale...