SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion
SciFi and Fantasy Book Challenge
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SciFi and Fantasy Book Club Challenge 2015
Finished my first book for this challenge, which was The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett. I thought it was an OK read, as I didn't really care some of the humorous parts of the book and I also found Twoflowers (is that his name in English as I read a translation?) a bit annoying in the end, that's why I only gave it three stars. But still a good start for this year's challenge, as I tend to be a bit critical over the books I read and three stars is an OK rating from me. Also I found this book a bit more amusing and enjoyable than Little Gods (my first Pratchett book read) which was so slow and slightly boring in my opinion.
Michael wrote: "Flash Beagle wrote: "Number 3, The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells. Before reading it I wondered if it might seem dated but it wasn't. As with other Wells novels I'v..."For movies, TV, I saw the Spielberg version and I've also watched part of an old version on TV. As far as aliens, it's easier with current technology to do them, but also harder to make them scary (I think they peaked with Sigourney Weaver's Alien) and the old old aliens are kind of silly, look more like my dog's chew toys, but that was the best they could do at the time. The impact from the book comes from the narrator's intensity and the growing awareness that nothing on earth has prepared anyone for this, and with each mostly-ineffectual counter move, how in over our heads we really are.
I also think the setting maximizes the impact. The Spielberg movie was in the US but the book is set in the London countryside and horrors are visited on London, the Thames, and the devastation of many iconic places.
Several times the narrator mentions that humans do as much to animals (in one example I was reminded of Watership Down) or aboriginal people, but in essence the dominant race has now become the prey animal. Also Wells's voice I find really effective; often brooding and even when he is with someone his inner thoughts set him apart.
I'm really glad for the challenge because I've been meaning to read it for a long time and finally did!
I finished my second book for this challenge, which was The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman. I must admit that I didn't like it that much and gave it only 2 stars. Next I thought I might read either Good Omens (more Pratchett & Gaiman) or Ready Player One or maybe even Mort (even more Pratchett).
I love Good Omens :) It's such a clever and fun book.
I'm going to have to delve into the back catalogue - we keep choosing books I've already read!
No. 4, I, Robot by my ever-favorite authorIsaac Asimov. The 3 laws of robotics, they seem basic but Asimov shows both the intricacy of interpretation and the constant need for applying them. I'll definitely read more robot books.
Lucky Number 13! Storm Front (***) I can see a lot of potential in the Dresden universe, which is good because it was a borderline book for me otherwise. I think I will tackle the next two books in the series before continuing with the BookClub challenge.
Hiyall --This my first posting for this group, though not at all the first for GR. :-)
I usually read something like 100-200 books per year, but probably not as many this year. I've already created two sff challenges for myself, though. First: at least two books by female sff writers per month (at least 24 total). Second: at least one award-winning sff book per month (Hugo, Nebula, WFA, Mythopoeic, Arthur C. Clarke, Locus, BSFA).
I'll post my completed and projected books here later. Stay Tuned.
Contrarius wrote: "I'll post my completed and projected books here later. Stay Tuned."Please remember this thread only pertains to books that qualify for our group challenge.
@Sandi - I would definitely suggest continuing on with dresden. The first book is by far the weakest and the series continually gets better and better!
Great to know. I will start the second book tonight!
Kim wrote: "Contrarius wrote: "I'll post my completed and projected books here later. Stay Tuned."Please remember this thread only pertains to books that qualify for our group challenge."
My apologies. The first post in this thread says:
"Back once again. The new challenge is up so you can start joining it. Discuss here how many books you have as a goal, the books you choose and your progress throughout next year.
For 2015 I have it rather easy. My goal is 22 books for now, depends on whether I've read the book choices or not, like I've already read both of the January books."
That sounded like a very general sff challenge to me. Is that not the case? If not, could you please explain the rules of the challenge more clearly than that?
I'm sure someone can explain it a lot better than I can, but this thread is for the group specific challenge of reading books off the group bookshelf. The person who's saying they'll read 22 is explaining that they'll be reading the 2 per month that the group reads minus any books they've already read.
Sarah wrote: "I'm sure someone can explain it a lot better than I can, but this thread is for the group specific challenge of reading books off the group bookshelf. The person who's saying they'll read 22 is exp..."Ahhh, thanks. Too bad that there are so few books on the group bookshelf, but I see that some are on the list of books I'm intending to read this year anyway. I'll check and see how many overlap.
I think there are close to 200 on there.
Contrarius wrote: "Ahhh, thanks. Too bad that there are so few books on the group bookshelf, but I see that some are on the list of books I'm intending to read this year anyway. I'll check and see how many overlap."
There are currently 181 books on the bookshelf. My goal for this year started at 22 because I've already read every book this group has.
If you want to discuss the general GR yearly challenge there is a thread for it here - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
I have edited the original post with a link to the group challenge page.
I finished Mistborn: The Final Empire yesterday, which means I'm 5/12 books done! Mistborn was pretty good, a bit overhyped but overall I enjoyed it. 4 stars!
Sarah wrote: "I think there are close to 200 on there."Yup. And with thousands upon thousands of sff books available, that's only a teeeny tiny sample of what's out there.
Contrarius wrote: "Sarah wrote: "I think there are close to 200 on there."Yup. And with thousands upon thousands of sff books available, that's only a teeeny tiny sample of what's out there."
It does, however, give a good representation of "must-reads" in the genre, which is nice for someone like me that mostly read the same authors and want to challenge myself into reading other popular authors of the genre.
You can always keep a small number for the group challenge to encourage you to join in the group reads and then do another separate challenge with a higher goal for non-group reads :)
That's very true Alice. Reading from this bookshelf has been a lot of fun for me and it's helped me find new authors which is quite nice. I've also found some absolutely brilliant books.And don't worry Contrarius, were not saying that's all you're allowed to read this year. I have multiple challenges going on on all different sites. The bookshelf books just happen to be what we're discussing on this thread.
I'm running a bit behind on my bookshelf challenge. I'm supposed to read 60 this year because I want to get to 100 total read. I think I've read 5 or 6. I'm figuring that a couple of months will come along where I devour only these books and I'll catch up. They're great books :) All ready and waiting for me.
Contrarius wrote: "Yup. And with thousands upon thousands of sff books available, that's only a teeeny tiny sample of what's out there."It sounds like you A) don't understand what this challenge is about and B) don't understand what our bookshelf is for. The bookshelf isn't for all the sci-fi and fantasy books in existence, it's for books voted and read as the monthly read of this group.
Kim wrote: "I have edited the original post with a link to the group challenge page."Thanks, Kim. It does seem like that will be clearer to new group members.
Hey Michael, just a thought here, how about putting the group read calendar (with links to discussion) as a separate thread under the main group challenge topic. Calendar only, with links, no discussion, locked so only you can add. More work, just what I'm sure you don't need!
Flash Beagle wrote: "Hey Michael, just a thought here, how about putting the group read calendar (with links to discussion) as a separate thread under the main group challenge topic. Calendar only, with links, no discu..."Hey, Flash Beagle, interesting idea. I'm putting my reply over here.
Michael wrote: "Flash Beagle wrote: "Hey Michael, just a thought here, how about putting the group read calendar (with links to discussion) as a separate thread under the main group challenge topic. Calendar only,..."Hi! I was thinking just as a quick reference point, but everything is working great as is. It could, possibly for new members, give them a quick look at some upcoming, in essence sort of side read discussions that may not be that easy to find in the other thread. But totally fine, didn't mean to upset the equation! :)
Flash Beagle wrote: "Michael wrote: "Flash Beagle wrote: "Hey Michael, just a thought here, how about putting the group read calendar (with links to discussion) as a separate thread under the main group challenge topic..."No problem - I don't know what people are thinking until they tell me! Comments in the other thread have been warming me to the idea. And it would help new members, particularly if the calendar linked back to the coordinating thread.
I try to keep discussions about the side reads over on the coordinating books thread so we don't clutter up this thread where people are talking about their own personal progress, etc.
I'm enjoying book 5, Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke. I loved Rendezvous with Rama, a group read from last year, and thought it would be fun to read more Clark. Also modified my original list to include The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett.
I have just finished reading 18. Childhood's End (*****) after having last encountered it a quarter century ago. It is still as compelling and disturbing as it was then. The end of the book still takes my emotions and stomps them flat and wrings them out (view spoiler).Other books that I have completed for the challenge are
14. Gun, With Occasional Music (***)
15. The Martian Chronicles (*****)
16. Blade Runner (*****)
17. Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch (****)
I can't believe how much reading I have been able to accomplish lately; I have no idea how long this luck will last. I think that I am going to delve into my library and pull out a handful of Terry Pratchett now that the initial shock and sadness has ebbed along with Rendezvous with Rama and other A C Clarke. It's been a long time since I had read these books and I find that I really enjoy reacquainting myself with them.
Sandi wrote: "I have just finished reading 18. Childhood's End (*****) after having last encountered it a quarter century ago. It is still as compelling and disturbing as it was then. The end of th..."I'm totally engrossed in Childhood's End. First there was the weight of oppression, then the rapport, then the alien (I can't even imagine what that would cause today). Just started Part II. It's very different from Rama, but both are the most believable first contact scenarios I've read.
I may continue to modify my list to include Dune; it along with The Martian Chronicles and Ender's Game are what hooked me into SF.
Flash Beagle wrote: "I may continue to modify my list to include Dune..."EVERY list should include Dune.
Edwin wrote: "Flash Beagle wrote: "I may continue to modify my list to include Dune..."EVERY list should include Dune."
Done! It's added! I'll buy nice anniversary edition (been waiting for an excuse). Pride of place next to The Lord of the Rings.
Edwin wrote: "Flash Beagle wrote: "I may continue to modify my list to include Dune..."EVERY list should include Dune."
Sarah wrote: "I still haven't managed to read Dune."
Dune is on Sarah's "I Haven't Read These Books" list.
Trike wrote: "Edwin wrote: "Flash Beagle wrote: "I may continue to modify my list to include Dune..."EVERY list should include Dune."
"I Haven't Read These Books"..."
That's a great idea. I'm a copycat, I just set up a shelf like that. My TBR is overloaded and I've been wanting to prioritize but wasn't sure how... but that "I," really puts it out there, stake in the ground. Thanks for sharing!
Sarah wrote: "I still haven't managed to read Dune."Oh, Sarah...we must fix this.
Oh yes, Dune is amazing and I haven't read it in so many years. So many of the power struggle, political scifi fantasy series out there right now really owe a nod more to Dune than LOTR. As for childhood's End, it always gets to me.
I have a cousin who practically disowned me when he found out. Fortunately we weren't that close in the first place. ;) It actually is in my 2015 to reads.Flash Beagle is right, that's a great idea for a list, despite Trike's more than slightly sarcastic comment.
Let me know when, Sarah. I'd consider a buddy read. I love that book.
I'll try to remember that. I think it would have to be June or later. What about you? I can't believe I'm scheduling for June right now!
Sarah wrote: "I have a cousin who practically disowned me when he found out. Fortunately we weren't that close in the first place. ;) It actually is in my 2015 to reads.Flash Beagle is right, that's a great id..."
What! I'll never trust him again! lol It is good idea though, maybe I'll pay attention to it more!
June's a rough month for me, though it might be a good idea to get into a comfort read. Hmm...Or later works...
I have too much in April and May is questionable but a maybe. I just have one long book to read that month, so that might be okay. I would rather not do it the month we're reading 1Q84 (Sept). Later it's good. We could also stretch it out over a couple of months if we wanted.
Has anyone had this happen? I tried to update the total number of books I wanted to read for the challenge, but when I increased the total, my already read books reset to 1. Anyone know how to fix this?
Sarah wrote: "I have too much in April and May is questionable but a maybe. I just have one long book to read that month, so that might be okay. I would rather not do it the month we're reading 1Q84 (Sept). Late..."Maybe late June or July then...I'm flexible, since I've read it a few times.
Okay, I put it on my list for starting in late June. Sounds fun :) I've been curious about it for forever. Let me know if we need to alter the schedule.
I feel like starting it now. lolBut I can wait..Lots of stuff piling up.
I have to finish Ready Player One first :) Actually, I seem to be very behind on everything this month.
SciFi and Fantasy Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
Armada (other topics)The Three-Body Problem (other topics)
Ready Player One (other topics)
The Lathe of Heaven (other topics)
The Dispossessed: An Ambiguous Utopia (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Emily St. John Mandel (other topics)Sarah Wiley (other topics)
Jane Green (other topics)
John Scalzi (other topics)
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Thanks for the analysis! I keep thinking about reading this one. I've seen the movies/heard part of the radio play, but should probably experience the original at some point...