What are you reading right now? Part 3

[Teresa, Plan B is in Effect]

Finished Space Specter. The final book is Space Baby but that came out too recently for me to reread it. Then I read a new fantasy book that was readable but didn’t wow me.

Now I’m rereading Whammo Ranch by Jerry Boyd, which is the second book of the series that starts with Bob's Saucer Repair. I decided to skip the first book in this reread so I could better judge whether the second works as a standalone. Verdict: marginal. Good book but it would be rather confusing if you haven’t read the first one.

[Teresa, Plan B is in Effect]

Finished rereading Whammo Ranch, now rereading #3 of the series: Shady Oaks.

I’m not finding anything new holding my attention right now, however there are three space opera books due out later this month that look interesting.
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers. Some of her books I like and even reread, others not so much.
Rising From the Ashes by Judith Moffitt. This is the third book of a series and I really liked the first two.
BAD ACTORS: Adventures in the Liaden Universe® Number 33 by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller. This is a chapbook containing three short stories. I don’t think I’ve read any of them before, although they did appear in anthologies already.

[Gregory]

Just finished Andy Weir's Project Hail Mary. Project Hail Mary It was a perfect book for the lighter beach reading with interesting themes, science based problem solving with satisfying resolutions. Fun and entertaining.

This is in contrast to my other current read, The Saints of Salvation by Peter F. Hamilton. The Saints of Salvation His stories are utterly fantastic, with dense and complex content that requires deep concentration and persistence (at least for me). This is the final book of a trilogy - don't start with this one. Yet again, the long journey is worth the effort.

[Teresa, Plan B is in Effect]

Still not finding any new books to tempt me that are out already. Continuing my binge reread of the series that starts with Bob's Saucer Repair by Jerry Boyd. I’m currently on Secret Squirrels which is #9. There are 16 books in the series so far, and odds are good another will drop soon. He seems to crank them out every 6-8 weeks. Humorous fluff, but Bob is a likable hillbilly and there are aliens, flying saucers, space pirates, machine characters (both robot and spaceship AI), and a huge number of pop culture references.

[C. John]

Teresa wrote: "Still not finding any new books to tempt me that are out already. Continuing my binge reread of the series that starts with Bob's Saucer Repair by Jerry Boyd. I’m ..."

I presume that by new book you mean recently published. For me a new book is any book I haven't read before. Thus I always have a plethora of new books to read.

[C. John]

Not really space opera, though there are spaceships/rocket ships in at least some of the stories but I recently read this odd little item
. Here is my review

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

[Teresa, Plan B is in Effect]

New as in well I haven’t read it before. Trouble is that I’m really picky these days, particularly during the pandemic. That and I’ve been reading SF&F voraciously since the late 60s, although much of that time my book buying budget was little to nothing so I just read everything in whatever local library was nearby.

[C. John]

The library branch near us (at the time) was moving. They ended up weeding out a lot of books so I picked up quite a bit from the discard rack. Mind you it was mostly mysteries, but still that means a lot of books to read. Should get more reading done as I have finally gotten my email under control.

[Leonie]

I just finished Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, which I really enjoyed.

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

[Lizzie]

Read the first three books of the Lt. Reilly series by Matthew Duncan. I am not even sure how I ended up picking it out on Kindle Unlimited, but I liked the characters well enough from the first book to follow through and read books 2 and 3.

Like Teresa, I have been reading Sci-fi for so long and lately am having problems finding something to keep my attention.

[C. John]

I was reading a book by Poul Anderson, but damned if I know where I put it.

[Ally]

Hello,
During the past 4 month I've read :
Fugitive Telemetry (Murderbot Diaries #6) It's still a pleasure to follow Murderbot's stories.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir was interesting but the main character was exactly the same as the Martian. A geek teenager in a man's body. It's like the author can't write about anything else.
The Secret of Life by Paul McAuley with an interesting trip to Mars.
Trader's Leap in the Liaden Universe . Still a pleasure.
Persephone Station by Stina Leich was a good story.
Grass by Terry S. Tepper had a fantasy feel but strange aliens ! I will not read the other books, too much religion.
Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom by Cory Doctorow is not Space opera but cyberpunk.
Thanks to Theresa, I read Dorsai! by Gordon R. Dickson . I liked it but not necessary the world building so I will not read the other stories.
Ancestral night by Elizabeth Bear was boring. I didn't like the main character.
I've got hooked by The Jessica Keller Chronicles Blaze Ward. Good military SF (you know with a real plot and not just testosterone). Strong female character.
And I've just finished Starfish by Peter Watts . Not space opera. Strange but interesting. I will not read the rest of the series.

[Ally]

I forgot :
The excellent Broken Earth series (Hugo award winners) by N.K. Jemisin
It feels fantasy to me. The world building is great and it's well written.
A Dave Huchinson's novella Acadie . Good.
Thirteen by Richard K. Morgan . This author excels at cyberpunk.
The Algebraist . Finally a Ian Banks book that I appreciated.
Recruit by Jonathan P. Brazee . Free on Amazon. Very conventional military SF

Plus some fantasy and urban fantasy.

[Suman]

I just finished Shards of Earth. It was good.

[Leticia]

Shards of Earth is in my TBR.

I read The Vela and The Chimera Code and liked both books a lot.

[Teresa, Plan B is in Effect]

I’m now on #11 of the series I have been binge rereading, but I’ll be switching after I finish it. I tried part of the free preview of Becky Chambers’ new book and gave up. Sabrina Chase just dropped a new fantasy and I’ll be reading that next. Title is Sky Tribe but it isn’t showing up on Goodreads yet.

[Nic]

Teresa wrote: "I’m now on #11 of the series I have been binge rereading, but I’ll be switching after I finish it. I tried part of the free preview of Becky Chambers’ new book and gave up. Sabrina Chase just dropp..."

Oh no. This has me worried. The prior books by Chambers were so good. I know this is a new series. Maybe it gets stronger later in the book.

[Teresa, Plan B is in Effect]

It is entirely possible that it is just me. I couldn’t get into her previous one either. I need characters that I care about and that free preview hadn’t given me any characters at all when I got bored enough to give up on it.

[Nic]

That makes sense. The books are more of a slow burn and the development of the story over the books arc more important than grabbing the reader up front.

[Teresa, Plan B is in Effect]

Sky Tribe by Sabrina Chase was pretty good. Fantasy, third in a series but works as a standalone.

I started reading Axis Crossing by S. H. Jucha which is the first of a new series but it’s more dystopian than I usually enjoy so don’t know if I’ll manage to finish it. Space opera.

Just out and I know I’ll enjoy: the latest book in the series that starts with Bob’s Saucer Repair. Home is Where the Heat is by Jerry Boyd. This is number 18 and this series doesn’t work very well as standalone books although there’s enough background info provided that it is possible and definitely enough for readers who read the previous book enough months ago to have forgotten details. Humorous space opera with hillbillies, aliens, and playing Frisbee.

[Audrey]

I just started Doorways in the Sand. I've had it in my pile for a long time and it finally bubbled to the top.

[Nycowboy04]

It's been a long time coming, but taking another crack at Dune. Last time I just couldn't keep with it. But hopefully having it in print, kindle, and audible will keep me going, no matter where/when I am.

[Teresa, Plan B is in Effect]

Home is Where the Heat is was great. After that I reread some fantasy books. I was looking forward to Rising From the Ashes by Judith Moffitt coming out later this week but apparently that is being postponed.

Now I’m rereading Carpe Diem by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, which is currently in print as about half of The Agent Gambit. It is space opera adjacent. There are a very few bits involving spaceships; almost all of the book takes place on a planet where the technology is rather backward: trains and radios are cutting edge. It is however in the midst of a story arc in the Liaden Universe that is definitely space opera, our heroes just got themselves stranded for a while.

[MadProfessah]

I’m about 3/4 through PROJECT HAIL MARY!

[Teresa, Plan B is in Effect]

Finished Carpe Diem by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller. There were more scenes on spaceships than I had remembered but yes the main storyline was on the planet where Val Con and Miri were stranded. Excellent as usual but not a book that I reread regularly. Have to wait until I forget details or it isn’t as much fun.

As usual Miri’s short mention of Klamath left me wanting the full story, so I’ll be rereading “Misfits” next which is in A Liaden Universe® Constellation: Volume 2. Then I’ll be looking for another short story they did telling what happened to Ichliad Brunner after Klamath. I don’t recall the name of that one but it should be easy to search for his name.

Update: it’s not two stories with Ichliad Brunner. Misfits contains both Klamath and what happened to Ichliad after it.

[Suman]

Recently read The Stars Are Legion. It was iconic.

[Teresa, Plan B is in Effect]

“Misfits” was good, lots of action, and a nice conclusion. I also reread “Prodigal Son” from the same collection which tells what happened to Hakan and Kem after the end of Carpe Diem.

Now to find something else interesting to (re)read.

[C. John]

Teresa wrote: "“Misfits” was good, lots of action, and a nice conclusion. I also reread “Prodigal Son” from the same collection which tells what happened to Hakan and Kem after the end of Carpe Diem.

Now to find..."

That is never a problem for me. I have too much too read methinks at time. My only problem is that a lot of stuff I want to read is in the storage unit. Hopefully next week we can get over there and start to sort it out.

[Daniel]

I'm re-reading the David Birkenhead Saga. It's honestly better now than the first time thru.

[Teresa, Plan B is in Effect]

Daniel wrote: "I'm re-reading the David Birkenhead Saga. It's honestly better now than the first time thru."
The one that starts with Ship's Boy by Phil Geusz? I agree. I liked it better the second and third time I read through. It’s not a series I reread every two years - have to be in the right mood for putting up with the ... um... I guess you would call it racial prejudice.

[Daniel]

Yeah, I think it will be at least 5 years before I read it again, if I ever do. Not many books I read more than twice.

[Teresa, Plan B is in Effect]

Currently reading Rising From the Ashes by Judith Moffitt which was published sometime in the past few days. It’s the conclusion to a trilogy and I really liked the first two. I had preordered it, then Amazon said the release date was changed, then Amazon said my order was cancelled and the book didn’t even show in their system any more. Today I checked the list of books on Amazon by that author and not only was it listed but it was already out. Confusing..... no wonder a lot of authors don’t even try to do preorders for their books.

[Dibs]

Just starting The Stars are Legion - have high hopes!

[Teresa, Plan B is in Effect]

Rising From the Ashes by Judith Moffitt was worth reading but not really a novel. The author refers to it as a book length epilogue and I agree. I think every significant character from books 1 and 2 got at least one follow up, and overall we got a look at the progress of cleanup after the war ended, even to twenty years later.

I read some fantasy after that, and now I’m rereading Mirabile by Janet Kagan which is one of my short list of books that I can enjoy rereading every year. Dealing with weird critters and ecology on a planet colonized several generations ago, with characters that I care about too.

[Betsy]

Deserter, second in the Kris Longknife series. I have mixed feelings about this series. Kris makes me angry. She's a pampered, obscenely wealthy, entitled princess, who insists on staying in the military but refuses to abide by the rules. So she gets into trouble often of her own making. It makes me angry. On the other hand, the action is exciting and the solutions clever. I just don't know whether I will continue with the series.

[Suman]

I read Velocity Weapon and Chaos Vector from the Protectorate series. They are really good in every aspect. I'm looking to read the third book next.

[MadProfessah]

The third book in The Protectorate is fantastic!! The whole series is great.

[Dibs]

Also reading Velocity Weapon atm! Thoroughly enjoying it so far

[Teresa, Plan B is in Effect]

As expected, I thoroughly enjoyed rereading Mirabile by Janet Kagan.

Now I’m reading BAD ACTORS: Adventures in the Liaden Universe® Number 33 by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller. This is a chapbook with three short stories in it, just out today. I’d read the first one before in an anthology. It’s the story of the Rosa Ring that Miri rewrote as a ballad in Carpe Diem. The second story is new to me and odds are good the third as well.

Update: finished. I had read that third story before, although it didn’t leave the vivid memories that the first one did. I gave the chapbook 3 stars.

[Teresa, Plan B is in Effect]

Reread a fantasy trilogy. Now I’m rereading Roo the Day by Jerry Boyd which is #13 in the series that starts with Bob's Saucer Repair, because when I was binge rereading the series last time I stopped after #12.

I do have one free preview that looks interesting, just out today. Saving Proxima by Travis S. Taylor. That’s not a familiar author.

[Teresa, Plan B is in Effect]

Saving Proxima isn’t space opera. It’s hard SF. The free preview was interesting but didn’t hook me $10 worth. Methinks this goes on my list of books to get from the public library eventually. The waiting list on Project Hail Mary is down to five months.

So now I’m rereading Deadbot by Jerry Boyd, which immediately follows Roo the Day.

[Sue]

I just finished reading The Cargo: A Half Human Novella by John Hundley.

See my review:

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

[Duncan (Backawayfromthedonkey)]

At the moment I'm on a bit of a short story kick. I'm re-reading Isaac Asimov's The Winds of Change and other Stories, it's probably been 30 years since I originally read it so like a new book.

Non- Space Opera Sci-fi I'm finally reading Jurassic Park

I like to have two or 3 books on the go.

[Audrey]

I am currently reading The Short Victorious War by David Weber. Somehow, I stumbled upon Weber's Honor Harrington series only recently. In reading my way through this series, I am coming to realize how derivative certain other space opera writers' works, including writing style, are.

[Teresa, Plan B is in Effect]

I finished rereading of the entire series that starts with Bob's Saucer Repair. Surprised myself because I expected to reach a point where I’d realize it’s been to soon since my first reading, and stop. #19 should drop in a few weeks.

Since that I’ve been rereading fantasy.

[Ally]

Hello !
I read a lot lately :
2 series by Jonathan P. Brazee (the 1st book of each series is free on Amazon). The United Federation Marine Corps and The United Federation Marine Corps: Lysander Twins . It's pure military SF but in the Marine Corps which changes from all those space battles. I don't know why but I got hooked ! There is a book of short stories to close the series

The Janitors of the Post-Apocalypse were ok.

The Wrong Stars by Tim Pratt didn't catch my interest

Dead Space was an ok murder in a mining station story

Skyward #1 and #2 is YA but interesting. The third is coming out soon.

Genesis Earth was ok, YA too.

Future Visions: Original Science Fiction Inspired by Microsoft are short stories (free on Amazon)

I read Lindsay Buroker's Star Kingdom #1 , #2 and #3 but couldn't go farther. It's slow pace and I didn't connect with the characters. The humor wasn't that funny either.

I DNF Lt. Reilly 2321 the story was too unbelievable.

Extinction Code is ok, I'm reading the second one . It is not tremendous either.

On a Fantasy note I read To Summon the Familiar: Familiars of the Phoenix Empire . I so wanted to read the next one but there is none !

[Judith]

Trike wrote: "Listening to The Galaxy, and the Ground Within, Chambers’ final book in the Wayfarers universe. All aliens, no humans, Space Opera Adjacent as a random group are stranded at a tradi..."
I also really enjoyed this one. It was more intimate in setting, but in the end, I think it was my favorite of hers.

[Sue]

I just finished reading Darkness Hovering by Helen G. Huntley.

See my review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[M.]

I am reading LIBERTY Two Democracies (Revolution Book One) and what a surprise. The author Alasdair Shaw has taken the imagination of sentience to a new level and let a warship's AI come alive to become friends with its enemy. One enemy female Commander survives and they grow a friendship that almost sounds like a Space Opera. But that is only the start of the story and even though I'm not done, I so recommend this story.

[Teresa, Plan B is in Effect]

Wreckers by Jerry Boyd dropped today and I’ve started reading it. This is #19 in the Bob’s Saucer Repair series. Tomorrow a fantasy that I preordered will be out, so I’ll read that next.