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?
message 1551:
by
Anna
(new)
Sep 10, 2021 04:58AM
It was about Western philosophers and the comparison to The Little Prince is probably apt. I really dislike Little Prince, so I should've taken that into account. It was a very simple story in a bad (for me) way, not the elegant Japanese simple way I'm drawn to. I had to leave it unrated, because I can't bring myself to rate a Japanese cat book two stars :( I'd say read reviews, from people more able to express their book feelings than I am, before spending money on this!
reply
|
flag
Matrix by Lauren Groff. A transporting and unputdownable historical novel about a 12th century queer giantess of a nun. *****Cantoras by Carolina De Robertis. Another queer historical novel, this one set primarily during the 1970s - 80s dictatorship in Uruguay. I found it in a list of queer books largely about or set in rural settings, and the descriptions of nature are magical. It's also one of the best books about chosen family I've ever read. *****
Inda by Sherwood Smith. A coming of age fantasy novel which did its worldbuilding by throwing the reader into the deep end, which I loved. But the plot was a bit too diffuse for me. Anyone know if the sequel has more of a through line? ***
What do you mean by through line, Travis? I've read the sequels, but I'm not certain how to answer you!
Michelle wrote: "What do you mean by through line, Travis? I've read the sequels, but I'm not certain how to answer you!"Sorry! I mean more of a plot line and central plot tension than the first one.
Oh, I see! Well, without being too spoilery, there is an outside enemy, which causes Inda's country to go to war. I think the first book was to establish the martial aspect of this land, while the latter books deal with its relation to the other countries, specifically the enemy. I hope that helps!
I just finished Caligula yesterday, which although extremely well-written was also disturbing. I don't plan to read any more books featuring that psychopath. Now I'm reading Hall of Bones, a Scandinavian-esque fantasy, and I'm enjoying it so far. One of my favorite authors (Janny Wurts) had written a favorable review of it, so I figured that I'd give it a try.
Gabi wrote: "Thomas wrote: "I've just treated myself to Skyward by my favourite author Brandon Sanderson. I loved every second of it and Brandon has proven to me he is just as tal..."Yay Doomslug!
I'm reading Broken Bonds. It's awful but I want to finish it, so that I could write a long and whiny review.
john conroe's demon accordis anyone else annoyed by the changes to their kindle? i dont like the new settings
Yes, Kateb!! I'm on the new Kindle fire 10+, and it seems as if they are changing things every two seconds! They must be trying to rival Microsoft.
Kateb wrote: "john conroe's demon accordis anyone else annoyed by the changes to their kindle? i dont like the new settings"
most everyone is - try this forum for complaints
https://www.amazonforum.com/s/
and how to navigate the new system (from the UK help forum)
https://uk.amazonforum.com/s/question...
Kateb wrote: "john conroe's demon accordis anyone else annoyed by the changes to their kindle? i dont like the new settings"
No. I like the new layout much better on my kindle oasis. I'm finding it easier to navigate. Fewer clicks to turn wireless on/off, and I now don't have to wade through screens of book promotions to get to my own dowloaded books. It has a cleaner look as well. I'm a fan.
CBRetriever wrote: "Kateb wrote: "john conroe's demon accordis anyone else annoyed by the changes to their kindle? i dont like the new settings"
most everyone is - try this forum for complaints
https://www.amazonf..."
i no have trouble using the new settings
Kateb wrote: "i no have trouble using the new settings"a lot of other people are though which is why I posted a link to that thread. A lot of them can't find the back button when reading a book.
and I'm used to it myself
and I'm now reading Snot-Nosed Aliens: Stories from Pulphouse Fiction Magazine for the short story challenge. I've liked/enjoyed all the stories so far
sorry i was so short i had a person arrive and had to post.i find the new settings just too complex. Since i retired i spend a lot of time teaching other people how to use computers, tablets, mobile phones and kindels.
it is a hobby.
the kindel has been a woderful invention to many oldies who cant get to a library, i can take their kindle and put stuff on it for them, they can buy books they want etc
the new settings are much too complex for them
i feel we should have been given the choice
Yesterday I finished Mistborn: The Wax and Wayne Series:. To be honest, after reading Sanderson´s Mistborn trilogy I expected a bit more. It´s not that I disliked Wax&Wayne, it was fun to read, there was just something missing, this "extra" thing that makes a book remarkable.
The library came up with a copy of The Witness for the Dead for me, so I thought I’d reread The Goblin Emperor first. It’s an absorbing and enjoyable read, as I know a great many people agree.
Kateb wrote: "sorry i was so short i had a person arrive and had to post.i find the new settings just too complex. Since i retired i spend a lot of time teaching other people how to use computers, tablets, mob..."
You might want to join the discussions on the Kindle Help forum (linked above) and express your dislike of the new format. You don't have to join, just use your Amazon credentials to log in.
back on topic, I finished Snot-Nosed Aliens: Stories from Pulphouse Fiction Magazine and thoroughly enjoyed all the stories in this collection
I finished Hall of Bones, and I enjoyed the heck out of it! I'm about to start the sequel, Sundered Souls.
Rereading "Dune" truly an ageless classic. Is it the greatest Scifi novel of all time, I'm not sure and my moods change BUT me all the lisp's agree, it's very near the top.
Agree with you. Dune is fabulous. I read it in the late sixties, not that long after it came out, and it made a huge impression. I did not think there was any science fiction book at that time that was close to it.
I'm gradually working my way through some SF from the big popular lists (currently Ender's Game), and Dune is one that I'll get to pretty soon.
Dune and Ender's Game are both terrific and I do intend to reread both at some point. The screen versions of both were pretty rubbish though. (not sure if there's a newer version of Dune I maybe haven't seen, tho?) High concept sci-fi (and fantasy) can be so difficult to bring to the screen successfully. But yeah, The Joy of Erudition, I like your approach of reading books from the big popular SF lists. There are good reasons the books are enduringly popular, I guess.
there's a brand new version of Dune due out soonhttps://www.dunemovie.com/
it will be released in theaters and on HBO Max on October 21, 2021 in the US
Jan wrote: "The screen versions of both were pretty rubbish though. (not sure if there's a newer version of Dune I maybe haven't seen, tho?)"The newest screen version of Dune is set to release next month, I believe.
Edit: Beaten by CBRetriever
Finished Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb. I'd started to read Liveship Traders ages ago and I was a bit surprised to see how much of a different vibe this book turned out to be. I think it was maybe a better idea to start Hobb here rather than with Liveship. Will definitely continue this series.Also, not fantasy, but I've been picking through Humble Pi: When Math Goes Wrong in the Real World by Matt Parker. I picked it up at the library as a curiosity not expecting to be super enthused, but the anecdotes vary from intriguing to hilarious and the writing is really well done. Disclaimer though, I am a math teacher by trade lol.
Chris wrote: "Finished Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb. I'd started to read Liveship Traders ages ago and I was a bit surprised to see how much of a different vibe this book turne..."If you like math in your fiction, have you tried Zombies & Calculus by Adams? It shows, among other things, how to outrun a zombie with differential equations and a predator-prey model for living in a zombie world. In fairness, it's more of a math book with a thin zombie story wrapped around it, but it is fun. I will try the Humble Pi.
Quick edit: I am not Colin Adams. First name is coincidence, different person.
The Joy of Erudition wrote: "The newest screen version of Dune is set to release next month, I believe."Thanks The Joy and CB. I will go in with an open mind.
Chris wrote: "I've been picking through Humble Pi: When Math Goes Wrong in the Real World by Matt Parker. I picked it up at the library as a curiosity not expecting to be super enthused, but the anecdotes vary from intriguing to hilarious and the writing is really well done. Disclaimer though, I am a math teacher by trade lol. "I'm not a math teacher, but I like the look of this one. I will try the kindle sample and see. Thanks Chris.
The title story, “Buffalo Gals, Won’t You Come Out Tonight”, is a genre classic, I think, and some of the other pieces are also very strong. Others are slighter. The book as a whole gets 5 stars from me.
Stephen wrote: "The title story, “Buffalo Gals, Won’t You Come Out Tonight”, is a genre classic, I think, and some of the other pieces are also very stro..."
I read this a few years ago, and I thought one of the highlights of that collection was "The Crown of Laurel" (about the nymph Daphne from Greek myth). I also liked "Direction of the Road" (the story from the perspective of a tree).
Dune was never going to be done well in a 1 movie format. This newest version is done in multiple parts so they have a chance of getting it right but it's tough because while some aspects of the story are vivid and clear, there are major aspects like the "weirding way" that are left largely to the readers imagination.
it's supposed to be in two parts - I always thought three parts would be best
Started reading Green Rider.Legit don't know why. I knew I wanted to read something fantasy, and maybe this was just the first thing that caught my eye.
But it's interesting enough, moves at a decent clip, and momentum is what I need right now after a pitifully lazy summer during which I read nothing.
Mod
Mod
I guess I'm in a mood, because I just tried reading four different books, and I gave up all four. So I'm re-reading Nyphron Rising for the third time. At least I know I like this one!
I want to read the book called Dune.
A while ago I finished reading a book by the author Gilles Legardinier, it has been a pleasant experience. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
I've been listening to Piranesi by Susanna Clarke. Overall I've really enjoyed it. It's a combination of a slowly unfolding mystery and an exploration of identity. The start dragged a bit for me but once I got past that I found myself completely absorbed in the story. The main character is so, so compelling.The book was awarded the 2021 Women's Prize for Fiction last week. There are details at this long and so badly presented URL: https://www.theguardian.com/books/202.... The author talks about both what prompted her to write something like Piranesi (“a very odd book indeed”) and about what happened to her plans to write a sequel to Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell.
Finally finished A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers the other night. Typical Chambers...made me fee all warm and fuzzy. Loved it. Can’t wait for the next one. Started Shards of Earth by Adrian Tchaikovsky. Really enjoying it so far.
First books I’ve read in months. Been making so many masks it’s not funny. What with that, selling and moving my stuff out of my childhood home (even though I haven’t lived in it properly for 32 years and have lived everywhere else in that time), and getting 80% of my stomach taken out it’s been a busy few months. Moved again this week as well. Hubby is working 1300km from home and has been for a month or so. I moved to him this week. We’ve still got our farm and beach house. We’re only here for 6-12 months and we’ll go back to the farm once he’s finished his current job. Another small town in the middle of nowhere. With the worst supermarket ever.
Is Becky Chambers the Ultimate Hope for Science Fiction?No.
readingSassinak by Anne McCaffrey and so far, so good
and
The Bible Repairman and Other Stories by Tim Powers = OK
and
The Skull Throne by Peter V. Brett - I'm hoping to finish this series by the end of the year and as it's being read on my outside the house/travel/doctor's office Kindle the prognosis = maybe
Does Becky Chambers make me feel good?Yes
The Rhesus Chart
by Charles StrossThe Laundry Files #5, OK to read as a stand-alone but you'll enjoy and understand better if read after #1. In this entry Bob encounters vampires. But unfortunately everybody knows vampires don't exist. This is a fantastic series about everyman Bob Howard who works for a large English gov't org. that deals with the things that go bump in the night. This is a good one, highly recommended, 4 stars.
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...
