SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion
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What Else Are You Reading?
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What Else Are You Reading in 2021?
I should finish Shimmering State, or more likely start it from the beginning, because there are so many POVs I probably wouldn't remember them all! Or maybe not if you didn't like it, Gabi, but I'll keep it on my TBR for now :)I started Door Into Ocean sometime in early 2020 and I just couldn't finish it. I still have it on my Storytel shelf, and I do remember what's happened, but it's been so long that I'm not sure if I even want to finish it?
It's ridiculous how many unfinished things I have on Storytel now, I always used to finish everything! It's the 2020s! (Cage of Souls is also still unfinished.)
Anna wrote: "I should finish Shimmering State, or more likely start it from the beginning, because there are so many POVs I probably wouldn't remember them all! Or maybe not if you didn't like it, Gabi, but I'l..."If you like hearing about problems of young people who try to make their names in the artist's scene this is certainly a good read. I just was expecting a more prominent emphasis on the SF part of the plot, not on the social one, so I got bored.
I find with storytel it is easier to dnf, since we didn't pay for that specific book. (I hate to have to dnf something I paid for). Most times a try to at least finish it as 'flow by', while doing other stuff (atm I'm listening to such a book. I have to finish it to count it for some challenges, but I couldn't say that I'm actually getting much of the going ons - it talks in the background ^^')
Gabi, I used to do that, but I just don't have the concentration anymore, or right now. I do kind of want to finish Door and Cage, because I'm a fair bit into both, so it'd be a complete waste not to finish! I do "dnf" things I don't like in the first half hour or so, but I don't even consider those started, so I can't technically dnf them.
the daily deal on audible build itself as a dark sexy new series... obviously I'm not the target demographic. so I won't be recently reading this!
I'm planning on finishing The Three-Body Problem this weekend and it's a work of genius :O The philosophy alone in this is mind-blowing. I even love all the physics talk, and I failed that subject badly at school XD It's making me want to study various fields like string theory, so that alone makes it a work of genius to me - anything that makes me want to study physics must be a masterpiece!I'm in the last 100 pages now and the sequels are top of my to-buy list now. Cixin Liu is a new author for me, but I'll be reading everything he's ever written and will ever write. (that might be big talk though - I seem to remember he's written a LOT of books)
This one is going onto my Forever Shelf. I've never read anything quite like it and I'm in love with it.
@Sarina: I totally love your reaction to Three-Body Problem. Thank you for sharing, it made me smile. I loved the book as well.
Gabi wrote: "@Sarina: I totally love your reaction to Three-Body Problem. Thank you for sharing, it made me smile. I loved the book as well."That's so lovely to hear! I'm happy that I made you smile on a Friday afternoon :) Have you read any more books by him?
Don wrote: "the daily deal on audible build itself as a dark sexy new series... obviously I'm not the target demographic. so I won't be recently reading this!"Don, we all know how you love a good bodice-ripper. Stop fibbing.
Charmed Life and The Lives of Christopher Chant by Diana Wynne Jones. Both really lovely, infused with magic, and perfect stories for when the going has gotten a bit too rough. (***)A Crown of Swords by Robert Jordan. It's not that it was horrible. It wasn't. Just that it started to feel super repetitive. I don't mind slow in a fantasy novel and am much more likely to complain about the opposite. But when each scene starts to feel like a replay of previous scenes, that gets a bit hard for me. I want to see where the series goes before the TV show comes out, but might, ummmm, well, *lowers voice and talks into hands*, read online summaries of the next few and pick up the books again with Knife of Dreams. (** 1/2)
The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers might just be one of the very best novels I've ever read. It's over 800 pages, and it felt too short by half. I wanted to live with its characters all year long. I listened to the audiobook, which is gorgeously narrated. And now I'm planning to sight read it when the paperback comes out. It's not SFF, but prophetic dreams and ghosts are present and prominent, and I don't think we're meant to take them as anything but very, very real. (*****)
The River by Peter Heller was great. My home community, including the house I grew up in and the school I attended, burnt down in the Dixie Fire this summer, and I'm still reeling from all the feelings around that, so the stunning descriptions of a forest fire in this were pretty hard to take. But then the gorgeous and super precise descriptions of the natural world counterbalanced the destruction and left me wanting to head asap to the woods. (****)
I just started Here Be Dragons, Bewilderment, and The Hermaphrodite (this last a reread) and am really enjoying all three so far.
Travis, I've been wanting to read Here Be Dragons myself for a while now; I just haven't gotten around to it yet!
Travis wrote: "A Crown of Swords by Robert Jordan. It's not that it was horrible. It wasn't. Just that it started to feel super repetitive. I don't mind slow in a fantasy novel and am much more likely to complain about the opposite. But when each scene starts to feel like a replay of previous scenes, that gets a bit hard for me."It's been a long while but I definitely remember getting the same vibe from this series... and right around the same place in the series too, book 6-7 or so.
I've heard the series picks up later and is worth working through, especially the ending when Sanderson picked up the series to finish Jordan's work. I probably would need one of those cheaty online refreshers myself though to remember what was going on, because I don't think I could go through the entire first six books a second time.
Michelle wrote: "Travis, I've been wanting to read Here Be Dragons myself for a while now; I just haven't gotten around to it yet!"I'll let you know how it goes. Two chapters in, and it's been a treat. So far, I think I can tell why it gets shelved as historical fiction much more frequently than fantasy.
Chris wrote: "I've heard the series picks up later and is worth working through, especially the ending when Sanderson picked up the series to finish Jordan's work. I probably would need one of those cheaty online refreshers myself though to remember what was going on, because I don't think I could go through the entire first six books a second time."I've heard the same, which is why I'm going to be such a cheat and read the summaries for volumes 8 - 10 and then start reading the full books again for 11 (the last written by Jordan, which is supposed to pick up a bit) and then 12 - 14, which Sanderson wrote.
Sarina, if you want another great Cixin Liu book, I recommend looking at Ball Lightning. It used some very creative concepts without going over the line into the land of confusion.
I started another series that I received as part of a Humble Bundle:Jack Campbell's Pillars of Reality. I received:
The Dragons of Dorcastle
The Hidden Masters of Marandur
The Assassins of Altis
I'll have to wait and see if I want to purchase Books 4-6, but so far Book 1 is entertaining
Sarina wrote: "That's so lovely to hear! I'm happy that I made you smile on a Friday afternoon :) Have you read any more books by him?..."I've read all three of the Remembrance of Earth's Past books. First and last were my favourites, it dragged a bit for me at the beginning of book 2. But all through wonderful (meta)physical ideas.
Doing a reread of "Tigana" by Guy Gavriel Kay. This is high on my list of GOAT's, Kay's writing is so good it is humbling. I know his writing is not for everyone but I do love it.
Sarina wrote: "I'm planning on finishing The Three-Body Problem this weekend and it's a work of genius :O The philosophy alone in this is mind-blowing. I even love all the physics talk, and I fail..."it was an amazing book, although I was bummed, I didn't realize it was book 1 of a trilogy. i was like, I'm getting close to the end, you gotta pull of magic to wrap it up! aw, it's like if Empire Strikes back was the first movie! I gotta go buy the other two, I gotta find out how it ends!
I thought I've commented on this before but can't seem to find it! I am currently reading a lady's guide to petticoats and piracy, after just finishing up the gentleman's guide to vice and virtue. I must admit that these books are not what I typically like to read. Doesn't make them a bad read but they aren't the easiest to get through without my eyes dropping closed. I am a tad but more than half way through, so I am just going to finish it butnit will be a much appreciated end to a story. From there I am picking up Hollow City, the second book to Miss peregrine's home for peculiar children, which I am excited about? Followed by Disney's Hocus-pocus the sequel. Both of which are perfect for spooky month. Happy readings to everyone!
Brandon wrote: "Sarina, if you want another great Cixin Liu book, I recommend looking at Ball Lightning. It used some very creative concepts without going over the line into the land of confusion."I'm intrigued! I'll add it to my Amazon wishlist now - that way, I won't forget :D Thank you!!
Gabi wrote: "Sarina wrote: "That's so lovely to hear! I'm happy that I made you smile on a Friday afternoon :) Have you read any more books by him?..."I've read all three of the Remembrance of Earth's Past bo..."
Excellent, I'm really looking forward to them <3
Marc wrote: "Sarina wrote: "I'm planning on finishing The Three-Body Problem this weekend and it's a work of genius :O The philosophy alone in this is mind-blowing. I even love all the physics t..."You were bummed to realise there's more of this awesomeness? :O When I saw how many books he's published, I was over the moon! :D
The Long Way to a Small, Angry PlanetSo I have bit and decided to read another of the top selling Amazon ebooks, THE LONG WAY TO A SMALL ANGRY PLANET by Becky Chambers. I have just got started and love it already. There is a heroine to follow with a great character and lots of humor with a ship full of different alien shapes. Yes, this is pure Space Opera. Looking forward to my nighttime read.
I've been reading Gobbelino London & a Scourge of Pleasantries based on a recommendation in this thread (thanks Carro!) and it is de-lightful! Definitely recommend if you like cats and general magical weirdness.
I just finished The Hurricane Code and really enjoyed it. Appreciate the earlier comments on the Three Body Problem series, definitely plan to start that soon.
I’ve been listening to A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers when I go long distances by myself in the car. I read it a couple of years ago and loved it and am really enjoying listening to it in the car. Love her work. Makes me feel good.
I'll add a vote in favor of Becky Chambers as the top "feel-good" author. She is one of only two authors whose new books I will automatically buy when they come out. Perhaps we could call her style "light-bright" as a contrast to the grimdark stuff.
Mod
i can see I'd better move Becky Chambers up my tbr. Who doesn't like feelgood?
Colin wrote: "Perhaps we could call her style "light-bright" as a contrast to the grimdark stuff."The terms "noblebright" and "hopepunk" have been going around as antonyms for "grimdark".
I finished the first one in this series that I received as part of a Humble Bundle:Jack Campbell's Pillars of Reality. I received:
The Dragons of Dorcastle
The Hidden Masters of Marandur
The Assassins of Altis
I'll have to wait and see if I want to purchase Books 4-6, but Book 1 was entertaining up to a certain point and then it became "mushy" with romance but still a bit entertaining. My enthusiasm is waning
M. wrote: "The Long Way to a Small, Angry PlanetSo I have bit and decided to read another of the top selling Amazon ebooks, THE LONG WAY TO A SMALL ANGRY PLANET by Becky Chambers. I have just..."
I have really enjoyed this whole series. It is amazing how well the stories blend.
Mod
CBRetriever wrote: "I finished the first one in this series that I received as part of a Humble Bundle:Jack Campbell's Pillars of Reality. I received:
The Dragons of Dorcastle
[book:T..."
I enjoyed the whole series.
I think it's the conversations that bother me, Book 2 started off better though
Finished A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers. Pretty much swallowed it as it's rather short; I would guess 40,000 to 50,000 words. Very much a feel-good book that still manages to explore ideas of identity, purpose, and society with characters (one a robot) who are - wait for it - nice to each other. Coming off Harrow The Ninth, I had a sense of character whiplash!With regard to this sub-genre being labeled "hopepunk" or "noblebright", the term "punk" feels too pejorative while "noblebright" suggests someone who rode with King Arthur. By whatever label, though, if you would like to sit down with a cup of tea and feel better about the world, this is a good choice.
My older daughter has told me she wants her copy of The Dragon Republic back, so I better finish that one next.
Colin wrote: "With regard to this sub-genre being labeled "hopepunk" or "noblebright", the term "punk" feels too pejorative while "noblebright" suggests someone who rode with King Arthur."Yes, I didn't say I liked the terms, just that they've been established. I particularly don't care for the "-punk" suffix being extended so far beyond cyberpunk that it's added to things that don't, in fact, contain any punk elements.
I've just finished The Three-Body Problem and now I'm tired XD This was such a fantastic book, and even though it was very heavy on the physics (which I failed at school) and had more than a few info-dumps from time skips, it's now on my Forever Shelf. It'll be a hard book to review, but I'll attempt it tomorrow.My next read will be Canellian Eye : Prophecy, but first, I need a breather! I'll buy the sequels to The Three-Body Problem, too, but it'll need to wait a bit.
Sense and Sensibility: I've read this novel (in audio) two times: once in in 2018, and again this year. This one doesn't stand up to multiple readings the way P&P does, since I didn't gain new insights that I can think of, aside from that it was more evident to me that this is an earlier Austen novel, nowhere near as spritely or insightful as her later books. (review)I doubt I'll finish another book by the end of the month, so I'll probably just read some graphic novels until the SFFBC reads start in October. I'm a little nervous about reading Black Sun after a trial run with its first few pages, but I'll at least make my way into the post-setup part of the book before deciding what to do, there.
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Then I started The Blacktongue Thief and I'm having a lot of fun! It's the tropey angsty bad guy with a chip on his shoulder and a heart of gold thing, but it is so far doing so without, like, being an absolute asshole in real human ways? So I'm having fun with a sword and sorcery book for the first time in a LONG time.
I also started The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making and I think I'm about to be ensorcelled. I just love dark whimsy.
The Joy of Erudition wrote: "Colin wrote: "With regard to this sub-genre being labeled "hopepunk" or "noblebright", the term "punk" feels too pejorative while "noblebright" suggests someone who rode with King Arthur."Yes, I ..."
It's amazing the semantic drift of "punk."
Allison, isn't The Blacktongue Thief hysterical?!
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Allison wrote: "Then I started The Blacktongue Thief and I'm having a lot of fun! It's the tropey angsty bad guy with a chip on his shoulder and a heart of gold thing, but it is so far doing so without, like, being an absolute asshole in real human ways? So I'm having fun with a sword and sorcery book for the first time in a LONG time.."This just came in at the library for me, so your comments are particularly exciting.
Colin wrote: "Finished "Harrow The Ninth". I am not entirely sure what I think. It may take a while to digest. Complex and multi-layered, that's for sure, with plenty of open issues for resolution in the next bo..."Perhaps more so than Gideon, I might have to go back and reread Harrow before Nona comes out, because there's a lot of it that I didn't get the first time around.
There's a thread for the series here if you're interested in reading or talking about it some more.
CBRetriever wrote: "I loved Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly - I first read it when I was working in the Food industry and so much of it was correct. To this day, both because o..."
I listened to this one as one of my first audiobooks, and I loved it, too. It was a fun--and sometimes appalling--peek behind the curtain for somebody who does not have either the talents or temperament for that kind of life!
The Joy of Erudition wrote: "Colin wrote: "With regard to this sub-genre being labeled "hopepunk" or "noblebright", the term "punk" feels too pejorative while "noblebright" suggests someone who rode with King Arthur."Yes, I ..."
Hi, I didn't mean to imply that you liked the terms and if my post came across that way, please accept my apology.
Colin
Beth wrote: "Colin wrote: "Finished "Harrow The Ninth". I am not entirely sure what I think. It may take a while to digest. Complex and multi-layered, that's for sure, with plenty of open issues for resolution ..."Thank you, Beth. The thread is interesting. I'm new posting here, so is it okay to post to a thread that looks a bit dormant?
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SciFi and Fantasy Book Club
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fantasy elements: Metropolitan by Walter Jon Williams. An interesting mix of dystopian steam punk with a magical energy source, plasm, which in essence can do anything from healing to fueling or getting people on a higher plane of existence. The protagonist discovers by chance an unknown source of plasma and she decides to exploits it to help a charismatic leader figure, not exactly knowing what kind of rebellion he is up to.
Great worldbuilding and good plot ideas.
contemporary with sci fi elements: The Shimmering State by Meredith Westgate has a similar concept like Mem that I read earlier in September. Memories are stored in pills initially to help Alzheimer and trauma patients. The pill is quickly misused as party drug. The story follows two young people who are in a sanatorium for drug misuse and their stories are told in time jumps between now and before. In essence a good idea, but for me there was too much contemporary, too much emphasis on the ups and downs of LA art community to keep me interested.
queer A Door Into Ocean by Joan Slonczewski. An interesting story about two different societies (one our usual trade faring community where strength and power are the gods - the other a community living in harmony with the environment, not hunting predators to not endanger the eco-system), one starting to invading the other. Much food for thought with several different insights into people's motives and believe systems. It is an older one but it doesn't feel dated to me. (and I still have no idea why it ended up in my tbr in the first place ...)