SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

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What Else Are You Reading? > What Else Are You Reading in 2021?

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message 502: by DivaDiane (new)

DivaDiane SM | 3676 comments Oh, that’s sad. I read the Phantom Tollbooth wit/to my son last year. I loved it all over again. And so did he. It’s a rare book that I actually own from my childhood. We didn’t buy many books when I was a kid. I was a constant feature of a library, any library.


message 503: by Mary (new)

Mary Catelli | 1009 comments Ah the wonders of The Phantom Tollbooth


message 504: by Dj (new)

Dj | 2364 comments So I finally got around to writing up my review of: The War Department: Strategic Planning for Coalition Warfare, 1943-1944

The Last and the best of the Combined Strategy books in the Green Wall series. It covers the period of growing American power and confidence in pushing the agenda that they desire. It also covers a period of change in the US way of dealing with not only their primary Ally but each other and the various theaters in which they were operating. It is interesting to see the way China is reduced in importance, how the Americans both want to take a tougher stand with Russia and shy away from it, as well as their desire to keep the Pacific a largely American Theater of Operations so that they can have the full running of it and not have to go through the Combined Cheifs to get things done.

The last is interesting, due to the fact that it seems to be another offshoot of the disagreements that had preceded the Cross Channel attack that the Americans had argued for from the onset. It isn't brought out in quite so many words, but considering how much space is taken up over the US Army Staff and the Chief's of Staff learning to match British methods of pushing their agenda and the fact that the US felt ill-used in following the British lead into the Meditrerain it seems a likely reason for the US to want to say Primary in the Pacific. There was also a bit of the Glory seeking involved as well, especially on the part of the Navy and Army Air Force.

The end of the book concludes with the fact that the conduct of the war had moved out of the Strategic and into the realm of the political. An area that the US Military was little prepared to enter without guidance and that was lacking at the time. FDR was starting to succumb to his illness and fatigue and wasn't a firm hand at guiding policy.


message 505: by Dj (new)

Dj | 2364 comments Here is my review for: Seven Days In January: With the 6th SS Mountain Division in Operation Nordwind Seven Days In January With the 6th SS Mountain Division in Operation Nordwind by Wolf T. Zoepf

Hands down this is the best first-person accounting of their time in the war I have ever read. Although in a sense it isn't a fully first-person account. It opens up with the authors getting captured during Operation Nordwind and then moves back to the Division's time in Norway and Northern Russia. When it gets to the actual Nordwind operations it comes into its own as a narrative. Each of the Seven Days is covered in pretty much the same way. There is the first-person account of the actions of the Division, What the US forces they are opposed to are doing, and then an overall view of what is taking place on that section of the front.

This book removed all of the things that I generally dislike about first-person accounts. There is no mystery where we are, what the overall situation, as well as the fact that he never makes the point that if left to their own devices this unit could have won the battle single-handed. In fact, on that last point, it is pretty much just the opposite. An amazing book an example of how things could be done to help the reader follow along and the maps are excellent.


message 506: by Anna (last edited Mar 14, 2021 04:03PM) (new)

Anna (vegfic) | 10434 comments Eww, you didn't even get to the worst parts! XD

(Well, depends on how you look at it, there are plenty of "worst" parts to choose from.)


message 507: by Jack (new)

Jack Randall | 9 comments Just finished The Wandering Earth: Classic Science Fiction Collection a really good collection of Sci Fi stories, broad range of topics.


message 508: by Anna (new)

Anna (vegfic) | 10434 comments Kate, I hope you have something good lined up next! ^_^


message 509: by Carrie (new)

Carrie  (icanhasbooks) | 98 comments On audio: Weather by Jenny Offill
and physical Malice by John Gwynne


Kimberly A. TenEyck | 8 comments Kate, thank you for the warning. I will avoid this book like the plague.


message 512: by Matthew Parker (new)

Matthew Parker | 1 comments Im a whole lot of new to goodreads. Here to meet new people and new books. So if anyone has any good sci fi and fantasy suggestions, im ready. Thanks. Names Matt btw ;)


Kimberly A. TenEyck | 8 comments Matthew Parker, what type of sci-fi do you like?


message 514: by Michelle (new)

Michelle (michellehartline) | 3168 comments I took Sonny's recommendation from another thread for Empire of Silence, and I'm enjoying it so far.


Kimberly A. TenEyck | 8 comments Matthew Parker wrote: "Im a whole lot of new to goodreads. Here to meet new people and new books. So if anyone has any good sci fi and fantasy suggestions, im ready. Thanks. Names Matt btw ;)"

Hello! Have you tried any of John Scalzi’s books? I loved the Old Man’s War series. Another absolute favorite of mine is Joshua Dalzelle. His books are a lot of fun.


message 516: by Allison, Fairy Mod-mother (new)

Allison Hurd | 14221 comments Mod
Hey Matt! Reading around here or the BR threads are great for general ideas--I'm also quite partial to our bookshelf ;-) If you'd like to start a thread in the Recommendations folder, you can specify exactly the sorts of things you like and get a tailored list curated for you by the group!


message 517: by millarval (new)

millarval Am I the only one reading Six of Crows (Six of Crows, #1) by Leigh Bardugo ?

Mm Kay


message 518: by MadProfessah (new)

MadProfessah (madprofesssah) | 775 comments Six of Crows I’d definitely on my TBR.

@Matt Have you read any of the SF classics?

DUNE by Frank Herbert
FOUNDATION by Isaac Asimov

Or modern classics

LEVIATHAN WAKES by James SA Corey
THE NEUTRONIUM ALCHEMIST by Peter Hamilton
KINDRED by Octavia Butler...


message 519: by CBRetriever (new)

CBRetriever | 6105 comments Kindred was published in 1979
and
Dune in 1965

so I don't think Kindred would be considered a modern classic like Leviathan Wakes which was published in 2011.

back on topic, I'm reading A Long December and not really loving this collection of short stories. Too much horror. I'm loving Parable of the Sower though.


message 520: by Phrynne (new)

Phrynne millarval wrote: "Am I the only one reading Six of Crows (Six of Crows, #1) by Leigh Bardugo ?

Mm Kay"


Terrific book Millarval - Crooked Kingdom was great too.


message 521: by Woman Reading (new)

Woman Reading  (is away exploring) | 75 comments The Story of More How We Got to Climate Change and Where to Go from Here by Hope Jahren The Story of More: How We Got to Climate Change and Where to Go from Here by Hope Jahren. This is an excellent primer about climate change - science-based and yet very accessible.

My review - www.Goodreads.com/review/show/3888495136


message 523: by Anake (new)

Anake (alanadil) | 7 comments Ordered a bunch of books that I'm excited about that will arrive in a couple of weeks:

Spellbreaker by Charlie N. Holmberg
Deeplight by Frances Hardinge
And a trilogy by James Islington

I have preordered Rule of wolves by Leigh Bardugo and its top of my list to read once it arrives. Can't wait!


message 524: by Dj (new)

Dj | 2364 comments Anake wrote: "Ordered a bunch of books that I'm excited about that will arrive in a couple of weeks:

Spellbreaker by Charlie N. Holmberg
Deeplight by Frances Hardinge
And a trilogy by James Islington

I have p..."


I read Spellbreaker, I really enjoyed it. Hope you do as well.


message 526: by Dj (new)

Dj | 2364 comments Mary wrote: "The Sky on Fire: The First Battle of Britain, 1917-1918 by Raymond H. Fredette"

Nice, is that a novel or a history? And how are you liking it?


message 527: by Beth (last edited Mar 18, 2021 08:38PM) (new)

Beth (rosewoodpip) | 2005 comments Finished Northanger Abbey in audio during a lull at work today. Fun book, so-so narration. (review)

Not sure what to listen to next. I just picked up Best Served Cold. Or maybe YA SF Aurora Rising? Another try at The Best of All Possible Worlds, which was the victim of post-isolated-holiday-season blues, I think?


message 528: by Jemppu (last edited Mar 20, 2021 08:01AM) (new)

Jemppu | 1735 comments Been re-reading the ElfQuest series for the past week. Inspiring with its driving force of compassion. Characters which captivated one's imagination in youth (and have stayed with onward), have retained their prestige very well.


message 529: by Beth (new)

Beth (rosewoodpip) | 2005 comments Finished The House in the Cerulean Sea just in time for the online discussion tomorrow. Going to hold off on saying much about it until that's done, aside from that it was a nice "found family" story. Easy, quick reading.


message 531: by Don (new)

Don Dunham Just Finished
A couple Scalzi's
The Ghost Brigades and
The Last Colony
They were both quite good. I've chosen The Last Colony as an excellent end to Old Man's War series.

Currently reading "Suttree" by Cormac McCarthy, I wouldn't recommend it but I will finish it. An examination of poverty and dissipation Knoxville, 1950.

Found some very solid
Space Opera, "Quarter Share" by Nathan Lowell, on a panning expedition.


message 532: by Don (new)

Don Dunham The Book "Suttree" reminds me of the Show "Deadwood"... wading through muck up to your knees in a frontier town while talking in Shakespeare.


message 534: by SFFBC, Ancillary Mod (new)

SFFBC | 840 comments Mod
Periodic reminder: Please tell us a little bit about the book(s) to give us something to grab onto for further discussion!


message 535: by Woman Reading (new)

Woman Reading  (is away exploring) | 75 comments Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (George Smiley, #5) by John le Carré Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le Carré just may be the quintessential espionage novel.

My review - www.Goodreads.com/review/show/3894114260


message 536: by Stephen (new)

Stephen Burridge | 507 comments Today I happened to notice, tucked among other things in a jammed magazine rack, what looked like a science fiction magazine. And indeed it was, the April/May 2011 issue of Asimov’s. I must have bought it and then forgot about it for 10 years. So far I have read entertaining short stories by Nick Mamatas and Rudy Rucker. A nice little find.


message 537: by Phrynne (new)

Phrynne Basically Adrian Tchaikovsky can do no wrong and he has written another terrific read with One Day All This Will Be Yours. Short, smart and very entertaining.

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


message 538: by Janelle (new)

Janelle | 18 comments Just finished Providence by Max Barry and it was a 5* read for me.

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


message 539: by Marc (last edited Mar 24, 2021 06:15AM) (new)

Marc (authorguy) | 348 comments I decided to get back into reading Wen Spencer's wonderful Elfhome series. I read Tinker and Wolf Who Rules a long time ago, in paper, and recently, as in yesterday, plowed, as in 2 books in 3 days, through Elfhome and Wood Sprites. I hope there is another book to finish the epic, but all I see is a short-story collection set in that world.


message 540: by Stephanie (new)

Stephanie (stefaniajoy) | 272 comments I hit a minor reading slump but am hopefully out of it now :)

Just finished A Spark of White Fire, which was science fantasy-ish based on Hindu mythology that I quite enjoyed.

Then I read Paladin's Strength and am still loving the setting and characters and humor. I am now putting all T. Kingfisher books on my TBR.

Next up is maybe The Angel of the Crows? Hoping to start tonight if I can finish up the other things I need to do!


message 541: by Michelle (new)

Michelle (michellehartline) | 3168 comments Marc wrote: "I decided to get back into reading Wen Spencer's wonderful Elfhome series. I read Tinker and Wolf Who Rules a long time ago, in paper, and recently, as in ..."

I had enjoyed her Ukiah Oregon series, but couldn't get into this one. I may have to give it another shot.


message 542: by Gabi (new)

Gabi | 3441 comments Phrynne wrote: "Basically Adrian Tchaikovsky can do no wrong and he has written another terrific read with One Day All This Will Be Yours. Short, smart and very entertaining.

My r..."


Yup! This one is top notch!


message 543: by JCM (last edited Mar 24, 2021 09:46AM) (new)

JCM SEDNA | 26 comments Just read Start with Why by Simon Sinek,

Throughout this book companies, successful CEO's and those in leadership positions are analyzed. Author Simon Sinek writes, "With a little discipline, any leader or organization can inspire others, both inside and outside their organization, to help advance their ideas and their vision. We can all learn to lead." Although I do agree with this perspective, I must say that a true leader establishes their "intention" first and foremost, meaning inspiration + passion + purpose + intention are all elements I believe are required in order to be an effective and positive leader. Good read with really important points and observations.
JCM SEDNA


message 544: by CBRetriever (new)

CBRetriever | 6105 comments I just finished Trader by Charles de Lint and totally loved it. It's the old waking up in another person's body but with an urban fantasy vibe and a search to find yourself. Multiple points of view and characters from some of de lint's other books add to the pleasurable read.


message 545: by DivaDiane (new)

DivaDiane SM | 3676 comments I loved Trader too. My favorite de Lint novel.


message 546: by Don (new)

Don Dunham Just finished "Suttree" by Cormac McCarthy. It's definitely a book that leaves a mark. Very easy to misunderstand, easy to view the Author as "Flexing" until you get that It's a metaphor for Purgatory.
Some of the writing in there is beautiful, some of it heartbreaking. I wouldn't recommend the book because of the racism (1950's Knoxville TN.) and adult situations. But I rate it very high because of the sheer power of the writer, thank God it over.


message 547: by Stephen (new)

Stephen Burridge | 507 comments Don wrote: "Just finished "Suttree" by Cormac McCarthy. It's definitely a book that leaves a mark. Very easy to misunderstand, easy to view the Author as "Flexing" until you get that It's a metaphor for Purgat..."

I read “Suttree” many years ago and it certainly did leave a mark with me, in that I retain a strong sense of the “feel” of the main character and his world even though I don’t recall much in the way of actual details.


message 548: by Don (new)

Don Dunham Stephen Burridge, when I finally got that he was in Purgatory it hit me like a hammer.


message 549: by Woman Reading (new)

Woman Reading  (is away exploring) | 75 comments I read Wild Sign (Alpha & Omega, #6) by Patricia Briggs Wild Sign by Patricia Briggs - sixth in the Alpha & Omega series and just published. It was the best of this bunch and could be read as a standalone.

Www.Goodreads.com/review/show/3900252184

I then re-read the preceding novel because I wondered whether I had missed something. Burn Bright (Alpha & Omega, #5; Mercy Thompson World - Complete, #15) by Patricia Briggs Burn Bright #5.

My review - www.goodreads.com/review/show/3589642084


message 550: by Catnap (new)

Catnap  (catnapz) I am playing catch up with my TBR for this month, I need to do a lot of reading this weekend.

I have started Peace Talks, I plan to try to also read Much Ado About Magic and possibly a third book tomorrow. Then pick three more and try for those on Sunday.


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