Vagabond Treehouse (2023) [Beware of Chicken 3 - December 4th] Showing 1,701-1,750 of 5,829

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I still haven't read 2... vague plans to BR it with Niki, but got busy...

[Narilka]

Julian wrote: "@Narilka there isn't any switch like I mentioned in cradle. Regarding cradle I meant that since such a switch is so uncommon I never once feared for Lindon"

Ahh, makes total sense now :)

[Nirkatze]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Soo wrote: "Question for those who have read Naomi Novik.

Does she have a habit of ending books on a cliffhanger?"

Depends on the book?... the fairytale retelling books were standalones... I thi..."

That's what I remember too, mostly--though it's been a while since I read Temeraire so I can't say if the books ended with Cliffhangers--also, when I read it, most of the books were out already.

Scholomance--#2 is a very big cliffhanger--in one sense, but in another sense, you can logic it. I devoured that book in a day. Looking forward to this fall. Any interest in BR-ing #3?

@Soo--I also want to see more of El's mom! Definitely wonder about that backstory--and cliffhanger of book 1 backstory.

[Nirkatze]

Soo wrote: "TTNM #4: It's a wacko start right? That seems to be the author's MO. Take a crazy situation and spin redemption. I like Nathaniel's mom. She's great."

I found it really interesting how the first third of the book or so is told from the mom's POV, and it's only when Nathaniel grows up that we really get his perspective. Very different from the others.

And I finally met Veronica! Was wondering who she was going to be, from y'all's comments a week ago.

I like how the author explores a lot of different aspects of life, and doesn't shy away from the ugly, while still making a fairly wholesome feel-good story.

Up to Chapter 25 now. I also like Nathaniel's point when talks to his mom about his future ambitions--she's all like "you are capable of so much more" and he's all like "I'm happy, what do you mean by 'more'?" *sigh*--reminds me of every conversation with my mother ever growing up. As long as you find something fulfilling with your life, you don't have to be rich or famous yo.

[Nirkatze]

Timelord Iain wrote: "I still haven't read 2... vague plans to BR it with Niki, but got busy..."

If y'all hold off until fall, I plan on rereading Scholomance 1 & 2 before 3 comes out. :)

[Choko]

TTNM#4... I thought it was really cool how comfortable Nathaniel was within his own skin... I said it before, I wish I could chill like him...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Nirkatze wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "I still haven't read 2... vague plans to BR it with Niki, but got busy..."

If y'all hold off until fall, I plan on rereading Scholomance 1 & 2 before 3 comes out. :)"

I might just do it then... it's been forever since I read book 1...

[Nirkatze]

Choko wrote: "TTNM#4... I thought it was really cool how comfortable Nathaniel was within his own skin... I said it before, I wish I could chill like him..."

Yeah, super chill. Great listener. Accepts everything as it is. Essence of Zen--working on music & hiking in his free time.

[Nirkatze]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Nirkatze wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "I still haven't read 2... vague plans to BR it with Niki, but got busy..."

If y'all hold off until fall, I plan on rereading Scholomance 1 & 2 before 3 comes..."

The Golden Enclaves is set for release on Sept 27. Interested in setting up a series BR thread for that?

[Choko]

I am interested:)

[Nirkatze]

I can put in for a thread request. How much of a time difference do we need, do y'all think? I devoured each book in a day--I can't imagine waiting a full month. But maybe a week between each? Or just a--"This thread is for the whole series, dates TBD"?

[Brian]

I am interested

[Julian]

So I'm like 85% done with Skyward right now. I have a couple theories on what will happen:

(view spoiler)[Spensa is going to get grounded somehow. Currently m-bot is turned off but I get the feeling that Spensa's defect will play a part towards enabling m-bot again. I really want to learn more about this defect which according to gran-gran it isn't a defect but allows her to attain FTL space travel. There has to be something more though because Spensa's father turned on the DDF somehow.

And what are these eyes???? (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Julian wrote: "So I'm like 85% done with Skyward right now. I have a couple theories on what will happen:"

Oooh nice thoughts Julian! I'm tempted to pull a Brandon and just say RAFO!, but of course you already are. :)

[Nirkatze]

Brian wrote: "I am interested"

Excellent!

[Julian]

@Nirkatze ok one of my guesses seems to be correct. Spensa ended up (view spoiler)[losing her ship and they used it as an excuse to flunk her out of her flight school. Now she has no hope of flying unless m-bot comes back. M-bot's pilot is most likely dead, but could it be that Spensa is a relative of this pilot and can use that to become the new official owner of m-bot?? (hide spoiler)]

[Soo]

Scholomance - I'll join the BR. =)

I'd rather wait until the release of #3 before going into it. That ending on Deadly Education was a nice hook, but also a short cliffhanger. I would have been annoyed if #2 wasn't already out.


TTNM - I really like how the culmination of Nathaniel's experiences lead his way of thinking and living. It's nice. Though, not quite aware enough or ___ for a person that has a greater understanding of self and others.

[Nirkatze]

Julian wrote: "@Nirkatze ok one of my guesses seems to be correct. Spensa ended up [spoilers removed]"

Whoo whoo! I love it when I guess right! And I still count it as right even when I have competing theories and one of them turns out right. :) Poor M-Bot and all of his mental quirks. If I had any mushrooms I'd let him study them.

[Nirkatze]

Soo wrote: "Scholomance - I'll join the BR. =)

I'd rather wait until the release of #3 before going into it. That ending on Deadly Education was a nice hook, but also a short cliffhanger. I would have been a..."

I think that's enough people that I'll put in a request for the series thread for Sept, say 30? I'll drop a line in the main buddy invite thread once the discussion page is made.

re: TTNM--I've been enjoying Nathaniel's perspective. I was worried from the back-of-book blurb that he'd be one of those full-of-themselves cult messiahs, but he's quite the opposite. I also appreciate the self-realization of his powers--it would be impossible to help everyone. So he helps who he can, and doesn't waste time feeling guilty about those he doesn't. No matter what kind of life he led, he'd have to make triage decisions, and everyone is someone's loved one. He may as well live a life that brings him happiness too.

[Tonari no Emily]

Oh yeah, both Scholomance end on cliffhangers.. super frustrating when you can't jump into the next book!

[Tonari no Emily]

Timelord Iain wrote: "RachelG. wrote: "Spelunking - Final thoughts..."

I liked the first Sarah book, for the most part, but didn't particularly like how alien world the cliffhanger and 2nd book went...

And the Antimon..."

I rather liked both of the Sarah books, probably because it was very different from Verity and Antimony. Those characters were pretty similar to eachother with all the sass.. haha

Def agree about the Aeslin mice though. That concept is just great. Hilarious and heartbreaking.

[Nirkatze]

Emily wrote: "Oh yeah, both Scholomance end on cliffhangers.. super frustrating when you can't jump into the next book!"

All the ongoing BRs here have been helping keep my mind off it. :) No time to pine when I'm overloading my book plate.

[Julian]

Ended up staying up wayyy too late but finished Skyward just now. All I can say is wow! This may be my new favorite Brandon Sanderson series (moreso than stormlight archives even).

Thoughts on the last ~15%:

(view spoiler)[It's ironic how all the defiant people were actually cowards in the end. Only a handful of pilots were truly brave when things mattered.

M-bot saved the day! I never would have guessed Cobb to be contacted by m-bot when Spensa gave him the radio. This was a genuine surprise in that I never would have expected Cobb to save the day in the way that he did.

I want to know more about the defect! When Spensa somehow activated the cytonic hyperdrive that was awesome, I loved it!

Also it felt good to see Spensa finally making everyone from the DDF respect her for once.

Whom would have guessed that the Krell are just jail keepers and humans are basically being kept grounded?!? (hide spoiler)]

Overall I can't wait to start book 2! I'll probably start it after I finish Malice sometime this week. That should also give Choko a bit of time to catch up with book 1 in the meantime

[Soo]

Woo! I have the happy & ironic problem of too many library books to pile on top of the recent Audible buys and all the planned BRs. =D

Via the other library I was able to add to Overdrive, I now have audiobooks for The Last Graduate and A Terrible Fall of Angels.

Not sure if I will re-read Scholomance when we do the BR later this year, but I'll be a part of the chats. =D

I think we should aim to read The Golden Enclaves #3 in October. Release date (should be) 9/27. We usually give a 1 week after release date for people to get the book. *crossed fingers* Maybe one of the libraries will have it. Wee~

So, maybe October 4th-ish for #3?

[Soo]

TTVM #6: Looking forward to the Veronica story! Hopefully, we'll get more on the watchers/dimensional travel/machine.

Starting the audiobook. =)

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I’m good with something like September 4th, September 18th-20th and October 4th…

People that want to cram them together could do the first book on the 18th, 2nd on the 23rd, and 3rd on release day and still get competition points… there’s a 1 week early or 2 weeks late rule, and it only pertains to starting the book, not finishing…

[Choko]

Julian, re: Skyward#1... I am only up to Ch 14...(view spoiler)[ I love the sayings of Death and Devastation Spin spouts constantly:))) I think those are my favorite so far.

I feel it is very unfair that she has been named a coward just because of what they think her father had done... That pissed me off. However much I love her enthusiasm for flying and fighting, she needs to chill a bit and accept that hers is not the only opinion that counts. She is as righteous as a teenager could get:)
Love her smart friend and am glad he is going to be doing something that fits his abilities better.
Hated that they are not letting Spin to stay on campus - another totally unfair standard, and I hope she will be able to feed herself adequately now that she has decided to stay in the cave with the newly discovered old plane. I am sure she will find a way to get that going:)
Love her grandma!!! She is my favorite character so far:))) (hide spoiler)]
Enjoying it so far:)

[Choko]

Iain, I am good with that schedule for Scholomanser...

Soo, when do you plan on reading Terrible Fall of Angels? I'll join you...

[Choko]

Skyward#1... I am not a war ship! I am here to categorize local life forms.... You are a warship!... Then why do you have guns?? ... For shooting large and dangerous beasts who are threatening my fungus specimens...

Haha! I love M-Bot!

[Nirkatze]

Julian wrote: "Ended up staying up wayyy too late but finished Skyward just now. All I can say is wow! This may be my new favorite Brandon Sanderson series (moreso than stormlight archives even).

Thoughts on the..."

Yes! I loved that twisty ending! All the good feels (view spoiler)[especially for Spensa getting the respect she deserves. (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Choko wrote: "Skyward#1... I am not a war ship! I am here to categorize local life forms.... You are a warship!... Then why do you have guns?? ... For shooting large and dangerous beasts who are threatening my f..."

LOL best quotes!

[Nirkatze]

Choko wrote: "Iain, I am good with that schedule for Scholomanser...

Soo, when do you plan on reading Terrible Fall of Angels? I'll join you..."

Didn't see these posts before I put in the request--put in a request for the whole series starting from Sept 30, but later dates TBD.

[Soo]

Choko wrote: "Iain, I am good with that schedule for Scholomanser...

Soo, when do you plan on reading Terrible Fall of Angels? I'll join you..."

I was planning on reading it within a few days. When do want to read it? =D

Not too many people want to admit they're still Hamilton fans still. She's a good writer. Though, she let's real life get into the stories a bit more than I like.

[Nirkatze]

Soo wrote: "TTVM #6: Looking forward to the Veronica story! Hopefully, we'll get more on the watchers/dimensional travel/machine.

Starting the audiobook. =)"

Started TTVM this morning! About 1/3 in so far.

Through Chapter 17 (view spoiler)[For something called "the emancipation of" it does feel like she's doing everything over again mostly. I was yelling at her not to marry Chris again. (hide spoiler)]

So, if you had the choice to do your life over again--would you marry a person who made you unhappy in order to make sure your children were born, or would you try a different path and reach for your own happiness?

I don't have kids, and don't plan to, so I obviously would choose my own happiness. Also, I keep thinking about the movie About Time--where any small change means it's not the same kids after all.

Also, with the premise of the books--how "souls are immortal and cannot be harmed"--(view spoiler)[Veronica doesn't have to give birth to the children--their souls are out there somewhere, and will be fine. Not that she knows that. (hide spoiler)]

I keep wanting Veronica to (view spoiler)[take charge more in her life. But the slow burn is a good tension getter. Hopefully it'll make the payoff more powerful. (hide spoiler)]

So far, this is ranking above 1, 3, 4 for me, up with #2.

In fact--if you could do your life over again, what do you think you would do differently? I'd definitely make more conscious choices in college, and maybe study science. Probably a guy or two I'd ask out instead of hiding in corners. Travel more.

[Soo]

TTVM: Done! I love that these books are nice & short.

This one was packed with a lot of stuff! Like the 1st book, I enjoyed the way details, slang & small notes about setting were used to establish the time periods. Attitudes, perspectives, events, etc were inserted as nice flourishes and not lectures, etc.

It was a great exploration of paths not taken. The ending was a bit crammed though.

Detriment of trying to keep complex stories under 300 pages.

Death: (view spoiler)[The light attitude towards death be expected for the series, but I'm still not on board with how casually it's presented or done within the story frame work. (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

Haha! Nirkatze, if I could do it over again I would do exactly as you, study more science and give up all the art I did this time around... I would also stick with the sports I did, but do them the right way, not totally destroying my joints by the time I hit 30... And I would cherish more the time I have with the loved ones who went way too soon...

[Choko]

Soo, how does Thursday sound to you?

[Soo]

TTVM: Oh! This is also the first time that I felt like the author did not want to wrap up the story. I'll be interested to see if any of you feel the same way about it.

Veronica & kids: I felt that she did what she die because of the mountain of regrets that she had piled up from her previous life. We can call that life #1 since that's the first one she remembers.

The author did a great job of tweaking situations just enough for Veronica to realize & remember her past and get a good look beyond it to what is possible. I like all the stuff that panned out with core family.

This life can be what this life is, but I would want a different kind of direction and obstacle course of challenges in the next life. Like, not caring as much that I'm smart & can do things faster than most people. I did a lot of juggling to make those I care about more at east/etc. Thing is, discomfort teaches a lot more than being comfortable. Everyone should feel it and grow. =P

I'd also do more things for myself and not put it off until so & so is older or I'm older, etc. Even if you get to repeat your life, each life has it's own flow that is unique to it. So, more time to appreciate & do all the things vs having unnecessary wait phases.

If I could, I'd set it up so that I have enough money to live life as I wish (not on the super extravagant side), but being able to travel, take classes, be a part of causes that I want to help out in and being open to what life can give in a different manner. Giving is a good way to receive. There's a calming wholeness to it that feels right.

[Soo]

Choko wrote: "Soo, how does Thursday sound to you?"

Works for me. =)

I'll put it on my BR tracker. I'm hoping for a good story about not so kind angels. lol

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

When's your Audible membership renew?... since that was what we were waiting for to consider doing Fall of Babel again?...

Mine renewed on the 1st, since I initially switched to Platinum as a birthday thing several years ago...

(I turned 35 last week, on the 3rd, btw :D )

[Soo]

How did I not remember that your bday is on March 1st? =D

My bday is the 9th. We're March babies! =D

I thought my Audible renewal was the 1st but it's not for a few weeks. My 3 elibraries do not have the book and are not getting it anytime soon. Frank said he already started it, but he hasn't posted any thoughts about it.

We were supposed to start on 3/1 for the Fall of Babel #4. When do you want to start it? I'll have to throw a credit at it or decide to renew my membership a little sooner.

[Soo]

The Broken Room - Started & it's got a great intro! I even slowed down the narration to 2.25x. =D


Legendary Moonlight Sculptor Game: I've been playing it more since I joined a guild in the game. Getting close to Lv170~ Woo~

But the graphics/etc is hard on my smartphone & I had to keep an eye out for overheating. These phones were not made to vent heat well at all. Dug out my smartphone cooler. It's basically a little fan that does a great job of cooling down electronics. Technically, it should work without being plugged in, but it's stronger if plugged in vs on the battery charge. I got it to use on hot days when I hike and take photos. It is useful for that. Though cumbersome to carry phone with fan and take shots. LoL

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Soo wrote: "How did I not remember that your bday is on March 1st? =D

My bday is the 9th. We're March babies! =D

I thought my Audible renewal was the 1st but it's not for a few weeks. My 3 elibraries do not..."

March 3rd, close... and yea... my family is mostly born around now... February 19th sister, February 28th mom, March 2nd brother, March 3rd me... all that's left is June 12th sister and November 14th stepdad... I think my biological dad is another March baby, but I don't really know/remember... my nephews are summer babies...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Soo wrote: "How did I not remember that your bday is on March 1st? =D

My bday is the 9th. We're March babies! =D

I thought my Audible renewal was the 1st but it's not for a few weeks. My 3 elibraries do not..."

I've got a slew of tomes to read... Winter Solstice, Wisdom of Crowds, and Fall of Babel... I can wait another week on Babel... the longer we wait, the easier it is for me to put it off longer... it's a series that's frustrated me a bunch, when reading... just want to see how it ends... the reviews don't seem to greatest... lots of disappointment...

[Soo]

Honestly, I just want to read it to finish the series. I think the author has writing talent, but isn't so great with developing a complex weave for the kind of story he aimed for in Babel. The concepts are amazing, but the execution is blah.

I'd be ok to put off Babel until April. The new releases are making the BR's packed. I vote for easy going scheduling and enjoying our BRs. Even if it's to have a bitch fest about the book. LoL

I feel like Frank read the story without us. So, I feel a bit bad, but not too bad about pushing the BR back.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Soo wrote: "Honestly, I just want to read it to finish the series. I think the author has writing talent, but isn't so great with developing a complex weave for the kind of story he aimed for in Babel. The con..."

Yea... we talked Frank into BR, then delayed (or I mentioned the BR to him, since I read 1-3 with him in 2019ish)...

One of the reasons I didn't want to delay too long / abandon plans...

The first book / first couple chapters were such a unique setup, and I was engaged... there's a real Kafka-esque flavor to it at... MC has no idea what's going on, and gets sucked along... by the end of the first book and the 2nd book, the MC has been sucked into the world of Babel... 3rd book falters when it starts struggling to juggle all the POVs and opts for large chunks that ignore certain characters... and I hear the 4th book is even worse in that regard, finally getting back to a character that I think disappeared at the end of the 2nd book?...

Also, so much has happened, that I'm not sure how likely it is for the MC and his new/old bride to live happily ever after in the end... I mean, a year or 2 has passed since their honeymoon to Babel started... so much has transpired... they sounded made for each other at the start... teacher and student/aid they may be... but they're hardly the same people anymore... her kidnapped and "remarried"... him a sky pirate...

Anyway, I feel similar... I want to see how it all ends...

[Choko]

Skyward #1... Ch. 32-33 (view spoiler)[ I hate that whole thing about being a coward if you eject in order to save herself... Hurl, She would have, if that whole culture didn't make everything even close to retreat, even strategic one, into a cowardly sign... I just hate that...
M-BOT is fabulous! I am halfway in love with it already:) And Jerkface is starting to show some human sparks here and there. Him going with Spin to have a funeral was really great... (hide spoiler)]

[Soo]

Babel: That relationship was the best setup for failure I've read in a book. LoL

You don't know each other well and rely on superficial and mostly wrong understanding of the person... yeah. DOOOOOMED!

Broken Room: This is a standalone right? It's gotten very Threshold-y.

[Nirkatze]

Choko wrote: "Haha! Nirkatze, if I could do it over again I would do exactly as you, study more science and give up all the art I did this time around... I would also stick with the sports I did, but do them the..."

Ditto! I was thinking I'd have to pick up a sport in high school, and probably take choir instead of an instrument. And spending more time with loved ones gone too soon, for sure.

[Nirkatze]

Soo wrote: "The author did a great job of tweaking situations just enough for Veronica to realize & remember her past and get a good look beyond it to what is possible."

TTVM: I like how you described it as "tweaking"--I think with exceptions of Michael's 80+ resets to kill his father, she's done the most, and longest, reset lives so far.

So far she's tried children, marriage, money... in Chapter 46 and she's on life #4, I think.

Nice note on ensuring financial security too--I'd definitely put in my max on IRAs as soon as I could.