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 2023?
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Sarah
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May 13, 2023 05:12AM
I’ve been wanting to read the second one - how did it compare to the first in your opinion?
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I'm reading Planetside, and after a slow-ish start things started really becoming absorbing around 25%. It's like a mystery/scifi/military scifi. The MC is an older Colonel. I really like his character.
Back aboard the Murderbot train with Network Effect. This one is twice the length of the previous four.
Brett wrote: "Back aboard the Murderbot train with Network Effect. This one is twice the length of the previous four."And twice the reading pleasure Brett:)
I finished reading the Paper Girls graphic novel series, which I enjoyed quite a bit. I think you have to go in to it just accepting the time travel parts, though. I loved the characters and the artwork.I'm currently reading Stalking Darkness by Lynn Flewelling, which is the second book in a series. I'm enjoying it (and I'm almost done), but it is considerably darker than the first book.
I also finished listening to the Rivers of London series main novels on audiobook, which I enjoyed very, very much - especially Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, the narrator. I will miss having him read to me during my commute and chores around the house - plus the stories were a fun mix of fantasy and police detective story. I'm now looking for a new, engaging audiobook, and catching up on my neglected short story podcasts in the meantime.
I'm reading Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. First in a new dragon-based series. A gripping storyline has kept me reading so far, but overall it has a bit too much of a YA feel for me. (I'm not normally a big YA fan.) Also, there are lots of deaths of incidental/minor characters. Hmmm. I'm still reading, though.....
For my birthday back in February, my in-laws gave me a collection of "volume 1's" of six different manga series. So cool. (I am also worried about bookshelf space, in case I like all of them.) The first one I picked up is A Sign of Affection, Vol. 1. It seems to be cute and adorable :)
Sarah wrote: "I’ve been wanting to read the second one - how did it compare to the first in your opinion?" It is much more centered on the human side. It spans centuries, but because of hibernation some of the same characters from the first are in it. Especially the Chinese police officer, one of the most interesting characters from the first book. It is filled with even more fascinating concepts than the first. And it has the best space battle I've ever read. The writer is a genius. I'm going to read the 3rd book very soon.
An interesting mix of short stories about one of Russia's most prominent legendary figures. Some of them are quite dark and a few are disturbing, but not one was something that I would consider unworthy of at least a look, and that with the fact that I don't usually read stories written in such a style. The only thing I found lacking is that not one of the stories had Baba Yaga referred to as Little Mother. Into the Forest: Tales of the Baba Yaga
I finished Planetside and I enjoyed the heck out of it. The first quarter was on the slow side and then it really got going. Good characters & plot. It was a sci-fi, mystery & type of police procedural all wrapped up in a nice neat package. I plan to read the entire trilogy.Now I'm about to begin Esrahaddon 🙌. I received the ebook the other day because of the kickstarter but I wanted to finish Planetside first. I'm so excited to finally read it!!
I finished Ascension, by Nicholas Binge. I think this is the first time being a scientist has actually impeded my enjoyment of a science fiction book (the author needed better science beta readers). The characterization of the protagonist was inconsistent (view spoiler). I don't think it works as sci fi, but it's a passable alpine survival thriller/cosmic horror mashup--it does have some good suspense scenes here and there, so if you (are a nonscientist who) likes thrillers you might find something to enjoy in it, although I did find the climax a bit silly. It kind of felt like a retread of Annihilation, only VanderMeer did it better.
Picked up
The Remarkable Retirement of Edna Fisher by E.M. Anderson based on comments in a different thread. I enjoyed the read. It is quick and easy. This is a fantasy that flips the Chosen One trope by having 83-year-old Edna in that role - and poking fun along the way at the fact that the teenager doesn't have it. I liked the principal characters; they are a well-drawn motley crew that come together. This is basically a light-hearted story. It does have some dark themes - abuse and its consequences in particular - but is written with the emotions at arms-length. There are some minuses. There are a few too many scenes where character action seems designed to move the plot a particular way rather than the action makes sense for the character. The prose also had its moments, especially with repeating adjectives. Overall, fun to read. I would recommend it particular to those who enjoy seeing a venerable trope turned upside down and those who enjoy found families.
Colin wrote: "Picked up The Remarkable Retirement of Edna Fisher by E.M. Anderson based on comments in a different thread. I enjoyed t..."This looks right up my alley, Colin - thanks for the recommendation! I love found families and unexpected heroes.
Ran across (in the kindle app) a mention of a Zelazny I'd never heard of, Kalifriki. This is two novella length stories and it's... out there. Fun, brilliantly written and as imaginative as you would expect from Zelazny.
I'm reading "The myth of normal" by Gabor Maté. I love it.
Reading Victoria Goddard's novellas Petty Treason and Portrait of a Wide Seas Islander to get to her massive At The Feet of The Sun. It's nice and refreshing to read outside Kip's POV, I must say.
Dj wrote: "An interesting mix of short stories about one of Russia's most prominent legendary figures..."I love retellings and I love folklore; adding this one to my TBR list! Russian folklore has a special place in my heart - I lived in Moscow for 5 years in the late '90s! Baba Yaga stories are some of my favorites.
Sarah wrote: "Dj wrote: "An interesting mix of short stories about one of Russia's most prominent legendary figures..."I love retellings and I love folklore; adding this one to my TBR list! Russian folklore ha..."
Sara, have you read CJ Cherryh's Russian trilogy? It's very good, and you might like it. The first is Rusalka.
Tamara wrote: "I just looked at these, and they sound good! But my library doesn't have them..."Tamara, maybe they can get them for you via Inter-Library Loan! I have prevailed upon my amazing local librarians many-a-time to track down a hard-to-find book for me. I think they love to do it! If you totally run out of luck, I would be happy to mail you my copy of Flesh and Spirit, if you're comfortable with that. Just send me a message. I love passing along books. I'm afraid I don't have a copy of Breath and Bone, as I read an e-book of that one via Libby.
Norm's ✧ Bookshelf wrote: "I'm currently about halfway into "How High We Go in the Dark". This is the rawest book I have ever read..."Norm, did you manage to finish How High We Go in the Dark? I read it (listened to the audiobook) much earlier in the year so my memory is foggy, but I do recall it being quite heavy, as you describe, and strange. Bittersweet family relationships, climate disasters, an intelligent, talking pig... Would love to hear your additional thoughts if you finished it! Might trigger some memories for me.
Brett wrote: "Starting Song of Achilles..."I loved Song of Achilles! Such a beautiful, queer retelling. I thought Circe - same author - was even better. How was the Medusa retelling?
Chris wrote: "The Priory of the Orange Tree screaming at me from my bookshelf..."Oh my gosh, The Priory of the Orange Tree is one of my favorites! I got so swept up in the interwoven tales of the characters, the slow burn love story (that didn't overwhelm the novel), and the way the bigger story and big baddies unfolded... I recently bought the prequel, set several centuries before - both work as stand-alone's - and the cover art is just as exquisite. Looking forward to losing myself in that world again.
Arrgh! I didn’t realize that my loan from Libby of The Book Thief was running out and I didn’t even attempt to renew it. It may not have even worked, but now I definitely have to wait a couple weeks before I can finish! I’m at 71% and really enjoying it. So, I finally took up The Witch’s Heart again, this time in audio, but I also have access to the ebook and will probably alternate, just to finish it quickly.
I’m spread a bit thin with 4 or 5 books on the go simultaneously, though. I find if I get engrossed in a book I’ll go monogamous, but I generally have 1 print and 1 audio in progress all the time.
Michelle wrote: "...have you read CJ Cherryh's Russian trilogy?"Oooh, Michelle, I haven't! Moments like this make me so grateful I joined this group. I'm getting introduced to so many titles I've never even heard of, that sound right up my alley! Adding this to my list... Thank you!
Sarah wrote: "Michelle wrote: "...have you read CJ Cherryh's Russian trilogy?"Oooh, Michelle, I haven't! Moments like this make me so grateful I joined this group. I'm getting introduced to so many titles I've..."
You're welcome, and I hope that you enjoy it :)
DivaDiane wrote: "I find if I get engrossed in a book I’ll go monogamous, but I generally have 1 print and 1 audio in progress all the time."I'm the same way, Diane! Book monogamy is hard, but the really good ones do "force" my commitment... ;) Currently listening to Immortality: A Love Story and reading Leviathan Wakes.
Oh, Sarah, that duology sounds really interesting! I guess you liked the first one enough to continue. But what did you really think?
Kaia wrote: "I finished reading the Paper Girls graphic novel series, which I enjoyed quite a bit..."I just finished the Saga graphic novel series (waiting for my Hoopla borrows to open up again so I can check out the latest issue, #63). Paper Girls often pops up as a "recommended for you." I love darker graphic novels for adult audiences (Monstress, Bitch Planet, and Fables are some my faves) - they are such an awesome, visual break from novels. Maybe I'll have to give Paper Girls a try...
DivaDiane wrote: "Oh, Sarah, that duology sounds really interesting! I guess you liked the first one enough to continue. But what did you really think?"I really like the protagonist, Hazel: she is whip-smart and fiercely bucks against the patriarchal traditions of [pre-?] Victorian England. Based on my reading of the second book so far, I found the first to be a little darker and more magical. The duology definitely has a YA feel, which I normally don't like, but it's not overwhelming in either book. It's a fun easy read, on the lighter side of gothic, with intriguing side characters, humor, some welcome sapphic hints, and a little historical fiction thrown in. I tend toward heavier, more "epic" feeling stories, but this has been a nice change of pace in between darker, more intense reads. Also, the author, Dana Schwartz, has a gothic, history podcast I enjoy: "Noble Blood."
*Edited to add that the narrator of the audiobooks is fantastic, which - as an audiobook listener, you know - can make *all* the difference.
Alice wrote: "Oh hi! I'm so glad to have found a wuxia fan here :) ..."Hi, Alice and Whitney! Have either of you read The Art of Prophecy by Wesley Chu? Apparently, it's "an Asian epic fantasy inspired by wuxia." I've had it on my TBR list forever (I mean, that cover art *heart-eye emoji*) - would love to hear folks' impressions.
Sarah wrote: "Kaia wrote: "I finished reading the Paper Girls graphic novel series, which I enjoyed quite a bit..."I just finished the Saga graphic novel series (waiting for my Hoopla borrows t..."
Sarah, I had the same thing happen with Saga when I was reading Paper Girls - I may have to check it out now. :-)
Kaia wrote: "I had the same thing happen with Saga when I was reading Paper Girls - I may have to check it out now."YESSSSS! If you do, I'd love to hear what you think of it.
I've been slow to discover Leigh Bardugo's Grishaverse but I'm glad I finally got around to it.
Shadow and Bone #1My Review -- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Charlton wrote: "Just started Fairy Tale by Stephen King"I started it ages ago but as I read on, it became somewhat tedious for me. I stopped at 89%, and I just don't feel like picking it up to finish it :( Hope you enjoy it more than I did.
American Scoundrel (Gen. Dan Sickles), Thomas Keneally. I don't read a lot of biographies, but this guy's life was...wild.
I read Foundryside, the first book in Robert Jackson Bennet's Founder's Trilogy. I really liked his Divine Cities trilogy, starting with City of Stairs - as in the third book wrung me out like a bar rag and I can't listen to a certain song that inspired the ending without my heart breaking a little bit each time. I'm enjoying the Founder's series alright so far - lots of heist action. The first book is focused on the younger protagonist though, so I'm hoping the subsequent books expand on the older characters, to get more of that weary gristly aching that I was hoping for.
Brett wrote: "American Scoundrel (Gen. Dan Sickles), Thomas Keneally. I don't read a lot of biographies, but this guy's life was...wild."Thanks for mentioning this book, Brett. I like Keneally's writing but am not familiar with this one. Luckily my library has it, so I'm going to try it. Sickles' life certainly sounds wild indeed!
This could be the plot of a best-selling, epic, fantasy: the bright, young daughter of a low-level functionary becomes a favorite at court; she is given an education, trained to ride and to fight; she marries a prince; on his death from illness she becomes a respected ruler; left no alternative, she raises, trains and leads an army against an army of occupation and its local allies; finally, faced with hopeless odds, she dies on the battlefield while leading her troops. Except . . . this is not a fantasy, it is history.
Rani Laxmibai: Warrior-Queen of Jhansi by Pratibha Ranade is the all too thin chronicle of Laxmibai, the Rani of Jhansi. Laxmibai (I've seen the name spelled Lakshmibai elsewhere) did lead her troops against the British - and led from the front - in the revolt of 1857-58. She remains a heroic symbol of independence, although is almost unknown in the West. This book is a translation from Marathi, and I think there are translation issues in how it reads. It is also written in the style of a general overview, and I wish the author had included more detail. That said, the author is careful to include conflicting records of situations in which the truth is not known. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an introduction to the Rani of Jhansi or to those who would like to compare current heroines of SFF with a real one.
Sarah wrote: "DivaDiane wrote: "I find if I get engrossed in a book I’ll go monogamous, but I generally have 1 print and 1 audio in progress all the time."..."
I enjoyed Anatomy: A Love Story and have Immortality sitting on my shelf. I liked it as historical fiction with some paranormal elements. I also enjoyed the MC.
I've just reread To Say Nothing of the Dog for my book club, and what a delightful, funny, entertaining book it was! I think I had more fun reading it for the second time :)My review is here ;)
I just finished Borne by Jeff Vandermeer and it blew me away. Sci-fi can be kinda hit or miss for me and this one was definitely a ‘hit.’ I’m probably going to poke around at the rest of his stuff next, I just started his Wonderbook, which is a non-fiction on writing.
I really enjoyed Annihilation by Vandermeer. It was so deliciously trippy.
I've recently finished Ithaca by Claire North. As can be guessed from the title, it is a retelling of ancient Greek mythos, chiefly Odyssey from POV of Penelope, but touching other stories in the process. There are quite a few such retellings were published in recent years, like Circe, Stone Blind: Medusa's Story, Ariadne to name a few, which chiefly look at women in Greek mythology, who are in classics were shadowed by men. One of more interesting approaches of the novel for me was that the story is partially narrated by Hera, who is a hard choice to make in good light and I think this book manages it..
My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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SciFi and Fantasy Book Club
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