SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion
SciFi and Fantasy Book Challenge
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2022 TBR Cleanup Challenge
19. Nein - Doctor Fischer of Geneva or The Bomb Party. Title character’s name is vaguely Germanic, and plot summary suggests a refusal to knuckle under is involved.✔️Shortish, somewhat untypical Greene book, like a sort of fable about power and money, with some beautiful storytelling.
9. 9 or 22 * - Icehenge. Apparently set on Pluto, then considered the 9th planet.✔️
Excellent literary sf novel.
2/20. Two good books to start off with.
11. Seasonal - Island on Fire: The Extraordinary Story of a Forgotten Volcano That Changed the World. Historical volcanic eruption that messed with weather and seasons. ✔️I bought this hardcover on impulse a few years ago, partly because it’s physically attractive and nicely designed, to my eye. It’s also a good accessible popular science book that discusses volcanoes in general and their effects on the climate and the weather, as well as the specifics of the 1783 eruption in Laki, Iceland, in the context of Iceland’s volcano-rich environment and history.
3/20
finished1. Book with nine lives
has a Scottish wildcat and kittens
Three down:✔5. One for the clubhouse - Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane
--It takes place in a hospital for the criminally insane. Kind of like a clubhouse, right?
Very compelling head game of a book. I can't say much more so as not to spoil anything, but this one will keep you thinking the whole time. And afterward. And go audio for this one: Tom Stechschulte is outstanding.
✔15. Fluffy! - Cujo by Stephen King
--I was told this is about a small fluffy dog
Classic early King, with characters that are a little (or a lot) messed up. It has a nice steady tension and pervasive undercurrent of lurking horror. Very good.
✔16. "Humans are doing the best they can" - And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini
--Very much a story about humans doing the best they can
An excellent story of intertwined lives, in space and time, that digs deep into our humanity.
I've finished three as well: ✔︎ 8. Cover with distinct art style: Tidesong (All about the art)
✔︎ 14. A little slice of heaven: Frequently Asked Questions about the Universe (So many questions from looking up)
✔︎ 15. Fluffy!: Eye of Babylon (Deceptively fluffy dog is one of the primary characters)
Tidesong was graphically very compelling. The story didn't work as well for me. It's for a younger audience than the one in Mooncakes (same artist) and a bit heavy handed in places.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Universe falls into the "breezy science writing" category - perhaps a bit too much so for me. It was fine but not as compelling to me as their first book.
Anna's description of Masha de Toit's work as "light comfort scifi" reminded me that I'd gotten The Babylon Eye for my spouse's canine fiction collection and then neglected to read it myself. I loved the world building in this book. It took me a while to get into the story itself but once I did it delivered on that description in an enjoyable way.
The original list of challenge choices lasted three days into the new year. So... about like last year.
Progress: 3/20
Edwin wrote: ""Humans are doing the best they can" - And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini..."I loved this book as well, Ed! Glad you enjoyed it!
Raucous wrote: "Anna's description of Masha de Toit's work as "light comfort scifi" reminded me that I'd gotten The Babylon Eye for my spouse's canine fiction collection and then neglected to read it myself. I loved the world building in this book. It took me a while to get into the story itself but once I did it delivered on that description in an enjoyable way."I also enjoyed the cool world of the Eye! It's like a space station with all the different aliens, except it's not :D I can see all the settings vividly in my mind, I could navigate the Eye or draw a map if necessary :) The second book (The Real) shifts focus to the real world, so there's less coolness (also cat lovers beware), but then the third one (The Strange) kicks things up a notch and introduces even more weird stuff. The series gets less light and comforting, but it still has that easy flow, making it a quick read. Her standalone scifi We Broke the Moon was very light and comfy, I don't remember it having any super heavy topics. It was a bit more towards YA than Babylon Eye, but I had fun reading it. I hope she writes more scifi!
finished another one:8. Cover with distinct art style
very different - almost a throwback style
bunch of good short stories
and finished another one:6. Of its time
from the blurb: The Gulliver's Travels of the nuclear age, the Alice in Wonderland of the arms race, this mordantly funny and visionary tale of the apocalypse was a Nebula finalist
it reads like a wannabe Vonnegut. Entertaining, but not something I would have chosen to read. Definitely of the Reagan era.
1. Book with nine lives — Ninefox Gambit2. ✔ Don’t be suspicious — Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
3. Dressed to the nines — Bring up the Bodies
4. Head in the Clouds — Funny Boy
5. One for the clubhouse — Pawn of Prophecy
6. Of its time — In Cold Blood
7. “Revolution is in the individual spirit” — The Incendiaries
8. Cover with distinctive art style — Sharks in the Time of Saviors
9. 9 or 22 — Cherokee America (last name Verble starts with the 22nd letter of the alphabet)
10. Why not both? — Too Like the Lightning & Seven Surrenders
11. Seasonal — A Thousand Acres
12. I need a nap! — Uprooted
13. Thorns and roses — The Poisonwood Bible
14. A little slice of heaven — Tales of Earthsea
15. Fluffy! — The Portable Veblen
16. “Humans are doing the best they can” — Station Eleven
17. “Such conduct is the prerogative of the truly wise” — Fool’s Errand
18. 240-270 pages — Luster
19. ✔ Nein — Nothing to See Here
20. ??? — Silver in the Wood
Anthony wrote: "1. Book with nine lives — Ninefox Gambit2. ✔ Don’t be suspicious — Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
3. Dressed to the nines — Bring up the Bodies
4. Head in the Clouds — Funny Boy
5. One for the clubh..."
Fool’s Errand!!! Whenever someone brings up this series I get this feeling of….nostalgia? Like missing old friends.
finished another one:17. "Such conduct is the prerogative of the truly wise"
according to the blurb the main character is a wise Chinese cop
this was pretty interesting and I'm debating about reading the rest of this series. However, for some reason I thought this book was Sci Fi and not Fantasy.
so I've completed: 1, 4, 6, 8, 15 and 17
17. "Such conduct is the prerogative of the truly wise" - Farewell Victoria. The only T. H. White on my TBR shelf.✔️Episodic novel, originally published in 1933, that follows the life of an ordinary lower class Englishman from boyhood in the 1850s into the 20th century. Some very good writing, also what struck me as rhetorical blather here and there. Mildly interesting meditations on history. Not a brilliant book but I certainly don’t regret reading it. 3 stars.
(An earlier version of this comment was more negative. After reflection I’ve changed it.)
4/20.
Two more down for me.3/20
4. Head in the clouds -Battle Angel Alita 3 (Paperback) (Battle Angel Alita - Yukito Kishiro - Gaining entry to the floating city of Zalem is a big part of this series.
I've not read the manga before (nor have I seen the recent live action movie) but the 90s anime is a bit of a favourite of mine. This (like a lot of manga) is pretty bonkers, but it's a fun read.
9. 9 or 22 - Leviathan Falls - James S.A. Corey. Ninth and final book of the Expanse series.
I guess one of the concerns about such an epic series is that the climax will be, well, anti-climactic. I was pretty satisfied with this ending. This has become one of my favourite series' and will no doubt be re-visited in the future.
Petar wrote: "Two more down for me.3/20
4. Head in the clouds - Battle Angel Alita Deluxe Edition, Vol. 3 - Yukito Kishiro - Gaining entry to the floating city of Zalem is a big part of this s..."
Glad to hear the Expanse series has a decent ending. I am getting pretty close to that myself
Mod
Great selections and progress, friends!
finished:2. Don't be suspicious
should have been suspicious - very, very suspicious. The main character is very naive
so I've completed: 1,2, 4, 6, 8, 15 and 17
1. Book with 9 lives - Pet semetary2. Don't be suspicious - the Alice network
3. Dressed to the 9s - great Gatsby
4. Head in the clouds - gravity's rainbow
5. One for the clubhouse - it
6. Of its time - Oryx and drake
7. Revolution - revolution betrayed by Trotsky
8. Distinctive art style - spicy detective
9.
Just realized that I didn't do a review for my Nine Lives Challenge: Gideon the Ninth
Let's start off by saying I have a soft sport for Necromancers. This might be why I stuck with this book long enough for the storytelling to catch hold. The Worldbuilding it almost entirely in the background which often makes it a bit difficult to understand the motivations behind character actions. Still, the main character is a very lovable oddball that seems bent on making the nominal in charge character have a miserable day. Still hoping for more on the Worldbuilding side but I will be reading the second book in this series.
So far I've read 4 books for this challenge.2. Don't be suspicious - Blood Rites, Harry Dresden is always suspicious.
7. "Revolution is in the individual spirit" - A Song for a New Day, the quote seems hope-punky, like the book. (the quote really did suit the book)
10. Why not both? - Tooth and Claw (there was plenty of both)
15. Fluffy!- The Persian Always Meows Twice (mystery with a cat groomer and featuring a Persian cat)
Ooh, I just bought the Tooth and Claw audio! I've had the ebook for some years, but haven't read it.
I'm glad I finally read it. Sort of a typical Victorian novel plot, but with dragons, so much more fun.
I've had a bit of slow start with many of my challenges. January was a low volume month and I only just finished my first selection for this challenge:✅3. Dressed to the nines - Supervillainous!: Confessions of a Costumed Evil-doer
It was ok, and short, but I didn't have much time for eye-reading while in the US recently.
I am in the middle of Preludes & Nocturnes and have lots of buddy reads planned to help me prioritize my TBRs. I might actually finish this challenge this year despite my slow start.
So maybe not the best opening for a book that is supposed to be the Don't Be Suspicious read, but it is perfect for the book in question. These are the people you’re going to meet in the pages of this book. A word of advice before you start: Don’t trust any of them.
Harris, Joanne M.. The Gospel of Loki . Gallery / Saga Press. Kindle Edition.
5 more down. Now at 8/229. 9 or 22
Ordinary Grace
–-Anything greater than 4 is a good rating on GR, right? Well this is 4.22 as I write this.
A very enjoyable and heart-string pulling coming of age story.
13. Thorns and roses
Prince of Thorns
Rosewater
--A two-fer. And both first books in a series. What am I thinking?!? This is truly a thorny but perhaps also a rosy proposition.
Prince of Thorns: Grimdark bordering on its darkest. Not for everyone I would say, but well written, and compelling enough to keep me going with book two.
Rosewater: It was certainly very creative but just too weird for my taste. I won’t be continuing the series.
14. A little slice of heaven
To The Bright Edge of the World
--Set in Alaska, a little slice of heaven
Outstanding on so many levels. I really, really like this author.
18. 240-270 pages
The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration Into the Wonder of Consciousness
--261. Pages that is.
This is a fascinating and eye-opening look at these amazing creatures. Unfortunately, the book drags at times and I not infrequently found myself skipping ahead.
I'm going to put my placeholder here1. Book with nine lives
The Flight of the Silvers by Daniel Price
There were originally supposed to be 9 Silvers as part of the group but something happened to a couple of them....
2. Don’t be suspicious
The End of October by Lawrence Wright
There is suspicion throughout the book as to who created the virus
3. Dressed to the nines
4. Head in the Clouds (planning Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell)
5. One for the clubhouse (planning on Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo)
6. Of its time (planning either Here And Now And Then by Mike Chen, Children Of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky, or Island In The Sea Of Time by SM Stirling)
7. “Revolution is in the individual spirit”
8. Cover with distinctive art style (planning on Love Lies & Hocus Pocus: Legends by Lydia Sherrer)
9. 9 or 22
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
Gideon is part of the Ninth House
10. Why not both?
11. Seasonal
12. I need a nap!
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Sleep is a common theme throughout the book and a common element between human and Eridian life forms
13. Thorns and roses (planning Alphabet of Thorn by Patricia McKillip)
14. A little slice of heaven (planning on The Actual Star by Monica Byrne if I can get through it)
15. Fluffy! (planning on Fuzzy Nation by John Scalzi)
16. “Humans are doing the best they can” (planning on The Humans by Matt Haig)
17. “Such conduct is the prerogative of the truly wise”
18. 240-270 pages (planning The Intuitionist by Colson Whitehead)
19. Nein (planning To Say Nothing Of The Dog by Connie Willis)
20. ???
reply | flag *
Finished7. "Revolution is in the individual spirit"
sounds like a revolution is coming
and it was - the ending has shades of hippies and computer geeks but I liked it
so I've completed: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 15 and 17
Finished:20. ???
want to get this one out of the way too and I interpreted the ??? as an open choice.
this actually was a total mix of noir Marlowe type gumshoe and Sci Fi. It was a very quick read and not too bad (a bit sexist though)
so I've completed: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 15, 17 and 20
I'm working on
18. 240-270 pages
Juniper Wiles by Charles de Lint
249 pages
and am already 60% through it. This one is much better than the book I just finished. I love de Lint's books. This will put me at 50% on this challenge.
and I finished18. 240-270 pages
249 pages
it was very good, but then I love most of Charles de Lint's books
so I've completed: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 15, 17, 18 and 20
This thread looks great!! Very fun and clever prompts. Great job to everybody finishing their books!! I am pretty disorganized right now, so I might need a minute if I want to join this challenge. But I really, really enjoyed reading this discussion thread! : )
I've finished another three books for this challenge:✔︎ 1. Book with nine lives: Chaos on CatNet (More cat pictures)
✔︎ 11. Seasonal: Tides: The Science and Spirit of the Ocean (They're complicated - and seasonal)
✔︎ 12. I need a nap!: Preludes & Nocturnes ("Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream...")
Tides was the most compelling of these for me. I live on the shore of a bay with significant tides and I still learned a lot from this book.
Progress: 6/20
Since I last did an update here, I've read 3 more off this list! I'm actually surprised, because I'd completely forgotten they were on this list, because I had Buddy Reads organized or they were on other challenges as well. Memory=Sieve. They are:✅5. One for the clubhouse - Sea of Rust or other Club group read. I listened to this, finished yesterday, and loved it. It's nothing mind-blowing or anything, but a good solid Western with robots, but not shallow.
✅12. I need a nap! - Preludes & Nocturnes in progress! This was fantastic! Thanks to Mareike and Raucous and the others for the Buddy Read.
✅14. A little slice of heaven - Angel Catbird, Vol. 1 Definitely NOT a slice of heaven! What was Atwood thinking?!? After Preludes & Nocturnes this was just juvenile, even for juvenile comics. If never-ending puns are your thing, by all means read it.
So now I've read a book for prompts Nos. 3, 5, 12 and 14.
I have buddy reads lined up for Nos. 6, 10, 15 and 17 coming up in April and May and I have no. 16 in progress and no. 20 up very soon for another (self-inflicted) challenge.
Have a look at my list here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
If you'd like to join me reading any of them, we can set up a buddy read for later this year.
This looks like a fun challenge!1. Book with nine lives - Bunnicula
This book has a cat
2. Don't be suspicious - Bunnicula
This book features a rabbit who is very much not suspicious at all!
3. Dressed to the nines - Bunnicula
Always dapper!
4. Head in the clouds - Bunnicula
Sometimes I dream too much?
5. One for the clubhouse - Howliday Inn
It's not a comfortable clubhouse, but there is some good company!
6. Of its time - Bunnicula
Every time, all the time!
7. "Revolution is in the individual spirit" - Bunnicula
Vegetable revolution!
8. Cover with distinct art style - Bunnicula
Very beautiful cover!
9. 9 or 22 - Bunnicula
I have read it 9*22 times!
10. Why not both? - The Bunnicula Collection
Or all three!
11. Seasonal - Bunnicula
In the top 2 of Halloween books!
12. I need a nap! - Nighty-Nightmare
Didn't sleep very well :(
13. Thorns and roses - Bunnicula
Fangs and carrot rosettes!
14. A little slice of heaven - Bunnicula
^_^
15. Fluffy! - Bunnicula
Very fluffy!
16. "Humans are doing the best they can" - Return to Howliday Inn
They aren't very good humans, but they're trying?
17. "Such conduct is the prerogative of the truly wise" - Bunnicula Meets Edgar Allan Crow
Crows are smart, just like Pete who won the school contest!
18. 240-270 pages
I don't think a book like this exists?!
19. Nein - Bunnicula Strikes Again!
Oh no, Bunnicula is ill!
20. ??? - Bunnicula
When in doubt, Bunnicula!
Mod
OK, Allison, I finally pieced together the prompt for #17 and had to change my choice in your honor. https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Super random, but, we love you, Allison!!!
6. Of its time - An Age. I think of this as a very ‘60s book. It blew me away when I read it a few years after its initial publication.✔️Yes, I think this is definitely “of its time” (published 1967.) It’s also an interesting time travel novel, ending in a big reveal about the nature of time. A good science fiction novel. I must read more Aldiss.
My first read for this challenge in about 6 weeks. Gets me to 6/20.
3 more. Now at 11.2. Don't be suspicious - My Cousin Rachel
--A murder mystery. The plot premise: Ambrose marries Rachel, then suddenly dies. No, don't be suspicious.
Very atmospheric and tense. Better than Rebecca.
6. Of its time - The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America
--A serial killer at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, this was certainly a story of its time.
An excellent, well crafted story of a World’s Exposition that almost wasn’t and the serial killer that stalked it.
7. "Revolution is in the individual spirit" - One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich
--This one seems pretty self explanatory.
One day, that’s it. Pretty amazing novella and just from this, one can easily see why Solzhenitsyn won a Nobel Prize.
Mod
Finished (I had a long wait for Mr CBR while he took a class) two selections10. Why not both?
these very-human aliens discover that neither world is truly their own.
turns out both was not an option and some of the aliens chose to remain on Earth
16. "Humans are doing the best they can"
humans and aliens and a space station
actually a series of truck stops on a roadway between planets.
so I've completed: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8 10, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 20 for a total of 12 out of 20
The secret City sounds right up my alley. Loved Carmen Dog by Ermshwiller!
DivaDiane wrote: "The secret City sounds right up my alley. Loved Carmen Dog by Ermshwiller!"it was pretty good and quite a fast read
Found it on Scribd! Hopefully I’ll remember to pick it up!
been whittling around on this one and finally finished it14. A little slice of heaven
The People have formed their own slice of heaven on earth
the slice of heaven was found after a lot of hardship
so I've completed: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 20 for a total of 13 out of 20
edit to change 12 to 13
finished another one:5. One for the clubhouse
Therapy group dealing with their monsters where everyone is a "club" that sticks up for the other members
I didn't really like this one
so I've completed: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 20 for a total of 14 out of 20
It is catch-up time again. Here is my review for: A Christmas Carol
In general, what I remember of most Dickens I have ever read is Damn that was Depressing. Of course, I do understand that he was a Man/Writer of his times, but what ugly times they were. A fact that is compounded by how long and drawn out much of his work is. Much like Miellvle in that regard. I am pretty sure he got paid by the word.
A Christmas Carol is very different. It is short and to the point, while to begin with the subject matter is not endearing it ultimately has a happy ending, and reading this book it is easy to see why it remains such a popular work and the basis for many Movie Adaptations. (my favorite is still the Muppets but Micheal Caine as Scrouge is amazing).
I am very glad that I spent the effort to read the source of such joy.
Okay, here is another one. This one is for: The Gospel of Loki
So this book starts with a great premise. What would the Norse Myths look like from Loki's point of view? But as the book goes on, the problem becomes that Loki in this incarnation is a whiny sot that blames everything on anyone else. About halfway through the book, I found myself thing, far too often, oh just grow up and take some responsibility, would you? I don't need the main character to be likable but I would like them to avoid being detestable. A sad conclusion to a great start.
Finished9. 9 or 22 *
It has a Nine in the subtitle
so I've completed: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 20 for a total of 15 out of 20
now on to:
12. I need a nap!
Far from the Light of Heaven by Tade Thompson
not everyone woke up from their nap
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15. Fluffy!
The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by Patricia A. McKilliphas to have some sort of fluffy beast in it
and it had two: a lion and a panther (some sort of big black cat). I kinda liked this one, but I wasn't happy with the "calling" of her beasts