SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion
note: This topic has been closed to new comments.
What Else Are You Reading?
>
What Else Are You Reading in 2021?
I'm probably forgetting something, but here are group/buddy read threads for some of the things mentioned in this thread in the past couple of days:Murderbot buddy read (including discussion of Murderbot's gender or lack thereof)
All things T. Kingfisher and thread with Clockwork Boys
Foundation >> First impressions | Final thoughts & Old threads
Melissa wrote: "Foundation: in which over centuries generations of men prophesize, pontificate, and play politics across the galaxy! But when a woman finally appears, she's told to stop her wagging tongue before i..."Ha! Thanks for the comic, Melissa!
I definitely like pre-New Age science fiction ("1950s"), but I always make sure to heterodyne the gender-flux de-integration controls to avoid paradigm transliterate countermorgification during the reading.
Or anything to remind me to enjoy the timeless themes and discard obsolete preconceptions.
Gabi wrote: "Leticia wrote: "I think I have thick skin then because Asimov never annoyed me in the 'sexist' direction and I started sci-fi by reading all his books. Robert A. Heinlein however, is an author I co..."I must say that in the 80s I could never have imagined how different the world/society would be today. And these books were written 30 years before.
Mike wrote: "Ha! Thanks for the comic, Melissa!I definitely like pre-New Age science fiction ("1950s"), but I always make sure to heterodyne the gender-flux de-integration controls to avoid paradigm transliterate countermorgification during the reading."
Hahahaha! 😂😂😂
To be sure, I think my gender-flux positrons must have been malfunctioning. Forgot to reverse the polarity or something.
Beth wrote: "Vacation brain decided it wanted to read yet more light novels, and who would want to turn down vacation brain? This time, it's the first three volumes of So I'm a Spider, So What? The basic setup ..."Your Spider series is a show on Crunchy Roll right now. I have to admit I don't care much for seeing spiders, but it is kind of hard to be all that intimidated by these. Especially when the one starts to dance. I have only watched the trailer for it so I can't say how good it is.
Melissa wrote: "Mike wrote: "Ha! Thanks for the comic, Melissa!I definitely like pre-New Age science fiction ("1950s"), but I always make sure to heterodyne the gender-flux de-integration controls to avoid parad..."
Just don't cross the streams!
(Is that even a joke people get anymore?)
Gabi wrote: "Leticia wrote: "I think I have thick skin then because Asimov never annoyed me in the 'sexist' direction and I started sci-fi by reading all his books. Robert A. Heinlein however, is an author I co..."If I remember correctly, Asimov honed his skills in the Astounding era, which was formulaic and ran toward the science-adventure plot, and then he just kept on in that vein because it sold. So he's generally dry.
I finished Defender of Rome. Just as well-written as the first, but the MC was home from Britannia, and his hometown had become quite the vile cesspit, let me tell you! But Nero was emperor, so that should explain a bit of the deterioration. I will continue the series, but I need a palate cleanser before I do. I decided to re-read one of my favorites, The Crown Conspiracy.
Mike wrote: "Gabi wrote: "Leticia wrote: "I think I have thick skin then because Asimov never annoyed me in the 'sexist' direction and I started sci-fi by reading all his books. Robert A. Heinlein however, is a..."I also think he got a little lazy and tried to connect his series together, the Robot/Foundation series. I had a friend that pretty much went apoplectic when that was brought up.
I've been ready a string of less than satisfying SF books for some of the challenges lately:Schismatrix Plus by Bruce Sterling
and
Vacuum Flowers by Michael Swanwick
and
Reanimators by Pete Rawlik
I'm hoping the The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson breaks this trend... But at least I did get some books off my TBR list and read a few Fantasy books I liked:
Guy of Gisburne: The Omnibus by Toby Venables
and
Ivory Apples by Lisa Goldstein
and in Mysteries I read Tombland by C.J. Sansom which was quite satisfying
well, I guess I'm wrong about The Traitor Baru Cormorant being SF, it seems it's Fantasy so I'll have to wait until I find another SF book to read
Finished Marauder. High tech, action, adventure. The Oregon is a sophisticated war ship disguised as a tramp freighter. The crew, special ops personnel. An interesting mix of male and female characters. Always some evil, do-no-good folks to outsmart and outbattle. Cussler's tales are a popcorn with butter read.Mr. Cussler passed away last year at the age of 89. Whether his co-authors will continue the books under the estate name remains to be seen.
Onto Pirates:
Black Flags, Blue Waters: The Epic History of America's Most Notorious Pirates.
I just finished Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, which I really enjoyed. My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Leonie wrote: "I just finished Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, which I really enjoyed. My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show......"
It's been on my list for a while! I started it, but I found it not very engaging in the beginning, so I put it away and decided to come back to it later.
Mike wrote: "Gabi wrote: "Leticia wrote: "I think I have thick skin then because Asimov never annoyed me in the 'sexist' direction and I started sci-fi by reading all his books. Robert A. Heinlein however, is a..."I consider Arthur C. Clarke much dryer than Asimov even if I also like his books. Asimov has no embellishments in his prose, you get the plot with direct simple writing style and I must confess that until today that's my favorite kind of science fiction. If I want beautiful writing I'll read Gabriel García Márquez.
Thomas, I’ve been reading a lot of Star Trek novels recently too! If you like the newer iterations like DS9 and Picard Una McCormack’s books are great.
This is a nonfiction but I could see fans of sci-fi enjoying this book as well.
The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration Into the Wonder of Consciousness by Sy MontgomeryOverall a delightful book - my review www.Goodreads.com/review/show/4103707314
Michelle Hartline, I don't think the Trolls will come for you here (in the club) when you do not like Brandon Sanderson BUT they will take the time to express a difference of opinion and in numbers. Thank Goodness for dissenting opinions and different internal translations. I've seen some Goodreads review threads get mean, which I find hilarious. At least they're not fighting about politics or religion.
You're right, Don! No one has condemned me in our club for my lack of Brandon Sanderson fandom!
Only read a few of Sanderson's works, and didn't like them much.
@Mary Catelli, we must be two peas in a pod :)
I am continuing with my Royce & Hadrian kick, because they are so much fun! I have already read them twice before, but I am enjoying them just as much as the first time. I'm knee-deep into The Rose and the Thorn. These two characters are a terrific pair.
Michelle wrote: "@Mary Catelli, we must be two peas in a pod :)"I didn't like the Brandon Sanderson Stormlight series, Elantris was OK, and he managed to finish the Wheel of Time series, but otherwise I'm not a fan.
On the other hand I love Patricks Rothfuss and George R.R. Martin's books
and back on topic I finished The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden and enjoyed it, but I'm not inspired to get the other books in the series.
The only Sanderson I've read was Skyward and I loved it.
Michelle wrote: "I am continuing with my Royce & Hadrian kick, because they are so much fun! I have already read them twice before, but I am enjoying them just as much as the first time. I'm knee-deep into [book:Th..."I am enjoying the Crown Conspiracy at the moment. Not exactly what I would have thought of from the title, but great fun to read.
CBRetriever wrote: "Michelle wrote: "@Mary Catelli, we must be two peas in a pod :)"I didn't like the Brandon Sanderson Stormlight series, Elantris was OK, and he managed to finish the Wheel of Time s..."
For Sanderson, I enjoyed his Mistborn series and loved Alcatraz vs the Evil Librarians. But as with any author, it is something of an acquired taste.
MODES!!! please inform Ms. Hartline that Only Two Peas to a Pod in this forum !!!!Three peas to a pod, indeed!.
Just Finished "Once Upon a time in Hollywood" by Quinton Tarantino and I really liked it, faults and all.Tarantino can turn a phrase with the best and this novel is loaded. Does the story seem to ramble, at times it does. BUT there is some very deep water here'bouts.
At times I wondered why the author went down some of the roads he did; sometimes he answered my wonder, other times no. When I found out a second novel would be coming, it makes a lot of sense.
Yes I will buy it, probably on preorder.
I listened to it on audio, it was narrated by Jennifer Jason Leigh who was excellent.
A person with delicate sensibilities might ought to pass on this book.
Haha Don, I think there are quite a few peas in that pod 😄
Don wrote: "MODES!!! please inform Ms. Hartline that Only Two Peas to a Pod in this forum !!!!Three peas to a pod, indeed!."
Pea plants usually produce 5 or 6 peas in each pod.
I have just finished Silver in the Wood and have started Outlander. The former wasn't for me, but I'm loving the latter so far!
Nikki wrote: "I have just finished Silver in the Wood and have started Outlander. The former wasn't for me, but I'm loving the latter so far!"If you love Outlander you have whole heap of good stuff ahead of you!
Phrynne wrote: "Nikki wrote: "I have just finished Silver in the Wood and have started Outlander. The former wasn't for me, but I'm loving the latter so far!"If you love Outlander yo..."
Oh yes I've heard there's many sequels! I'm only one chapter in, but it's been wonderful so far.
My Mother always said if you were stuck on what to buy a woman as a present buy them Cross Stitch (the name in Australia of Outlander before they changed it). I’ve read the first 4 then had to wait for 5 and then didn’t get around to reading it. I do have it though.
LOL, Jacqueline: I read the first one ages ago, cause a friend recommended it to me. Been there, done that. Absolutely not for this woman.
@Eva: I have to read some R.J. Barker as well. Great to hear it worked for you. I've seen him in an online discussion with Adrian Tchaikovsky and he seems to be a wonderfully crazy person.
Yes, I also discovered him from an interview he gave in which he was just adorable and eccentric in a way I really like. I hope you'll enjoy his books, as well. :-) (The assassin series starts with a coming-of-age story / murder mystery in the first book though, before a time jump to adulthood in the second. I remember you saying you're utterly fed up with coming-of-age tales, so perhaps The Bone Ships would be a better entry point for you.)
Dj wrote: "Michelle wrote: "I am continuing with my Royce & Hadrian kick, because they are so much fun! I have already read them twice before, but I am enjoying them just as much as the first time. I'm knee-d..."This series is supremely entertaining!
Don wrote: "MODES!!! please inform Ms. Hartline that Only Two Peas to a Pod in this forum !!!!Three peas to a pod, indeed!."
What do you have against peas, hmm?
Anna wrote: "Haha Don, I think there are quite a few peas in that pod 😄"We're gonna need a bigger pod.
CBRetriever wrote: "Don wrote: "MODES!!! please inform Ms. Hartline that Only Two Peas to a Pod in this forum !!!!Three peas to a pod, indeed!."
Pea plants usually produce 5 or 6 peas in each pod."
We are all on a pea pod tangent! Any minute now Anna will put her foot down :)
I’m flat on my face in bed, trying to stay awake a couple more hours so I can shower and sleep. It’s so hot I don’t really have the energy to move my foot! Don’t go nuts though (peanuts are legumes so it’s relevant), I’ll get up if I absolute have to 😄
Anna wrote: "I’m flat on my face in bed, trying to stay awake a couple more hours so I can shower and sleep. It’s so hot I don’t really have the energy to move my foot! Don’t go nuts though (peanuts are legumes..."LOL!
well...you shifted the goal posts. rhetorically speaking there is only ever been two peas in a pod now you have changed the rules, what is the upper limit to how many peas can be in a pod?
Mod
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
SciFi and Fantasy Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
The Shadow Rising (other topics)Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones (other topics)
Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams (other topics)
Leviathan Falls (other topics)
The Jekyl Island Club (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Brent Monahan (other topics)Stephen King (other topics)
James S.A. Corey (other topics)
Robin Hobb (other topics)
Susan Palwick (other topics)
More...
I have not so much problems with the sexist nature. I find it rather more funny that men with such an imaginative grasp on future technology have such a short, unimaginative view on any possible social development. No, my main problem with the Foundation books is that they are dry like dust and read more like an academic essay than a work of literary entertainment. I was bored by his simple prose.
There are contemporary authors of his (to just mention Sturgeon once more, or Alfred Bester), who were much more proficient in writing and thus bringing their ideas across to me.