SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

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What Else Are You Reading? > What Else Are You Reading in 2023?

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message 751: by Kylie (new)

Kylie M | 3 comments @DivaDiane - I was originally looking for the Southern Reach Trilogy/Annihilation but found Borne instead, and it definitely made me want to go read the rest of his novels!


message 752: by Rick (new)

Rick | 260 comments Kylie wrote: "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 ..."

If you liked that, try his Ambergris trilogy (that link is a one volume collection of all 3 books)


message 753: by Stephen (new)

Stephen Burridge | 507 comments There’s also a closely related novella, The Strange Bird: A Borne Story.


message 754: by Meredith (last edited May 21, 2023 09:58AM) (new)

Meredith | 1775 comments Catching up on a few recent-ish reads.

The Light Brigade, by Kam Hurley. I enjoyed (mostly) following the bendy-time travel aspect of the story and Hurley's social commentary was woven into the story well. As military sci fi it was also violent and gory, so be warned.

The Ballad of Perilous Graves, by Alex Jennings. I enjoyed the audio production of this a lot, but there was a lot going on and at times it would have been nice to flip back and reread parts. Great characters and a very imaginative story.

The Moon and the Sun, Vonda McIntyre. Set in the court of Louis XIV, the Sun King, this was more historical fiction and lighter on the fantasy elements than I was expecting, but McIntyre really brought the details of court life for a woman of the era without much financial means.

VenCo, Cherie Dimaline. I enjoyed the relationships among the women and the road trip. The story focussed on a woman coming into her knowledge as a witch, and I wish we'd seen more of the magical-witchy world.

The Terraformers, Annalee Newitz. This was a lot of fun to read. I really enjoy the inventive way Newitz pulls together various elements and projects them into the future.


message 755: by Brett (new)

Brett Bosley | 329 comments The Mountain In the Sea, Ray Nayler; A Fever In the Heartland: The Ku Klux Klan's Plot To Take Over America and the Woman Who Stopped Them, Timothy Egan. FWIW there are like seven others in progress on the "eventually" pile.

I thought I'd read most of the Greek classic retellings, but there are at least six I hadn't been aware of until recently.


message 756: by Michelle (new)

Michelle (michellehartline) | 3168 comments I'm reading Gobbelino London and a Menace of Mermaids. I love this series!


message 757: by Billy (new)

Billy Rodriguez Just finished King of Thorns. Going to read Kill the Farm Boy for a palate cleanser, before reading Emperor of Thorns. Farm Boy also ticks a box for r/Fantasy Bingo.


message 758: by Marc (new)

Marc Towersap (marct22) | 340 comments whew! just finished Joan Vinge's 3rd book in her Tiamet aka Snow Queen cycle series, a monster of a book, 'the Summer Queen'. monster in that it was 950 pages! I thoroughly enjoyed it, but in her series, strongly recommend you read in order! there are references to the previous books as you go along.

Now, on her her concluding book in the series, Tangled Up in Blue. Had to get the ebook version of it, but anyhoo, starting!


message 759: by Bobby (new)

Bobby Durrett | 233 comments Was thinking of reading one of the physical books that I have on my bookshelf but I looked into next month's books for this group and got Neom from Libby on my Kindle. Only have it for 14 days so I'm thinking of reading it now. I put the other book for next month on hold at both libraries but both have long hold lists so I may hit my bookshelf after Neom. The 14 day limit from Libby makes it hard to check out a book and not start it right away otherwise someone else may put it on hold and then I cannot finish the book! My city library lets you keep physical books for 21 days and the extra week seems to help. Plus I have physical possession of the book and it does not automatically disappear when it is due so I could turn it in a couple days late if I need to finish it. It is a good problem to have but I'm juggling the book club books and others a bit.


message 760: by Brett (new)

Brett Bosley | 329 comments Amanda Montell's Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism. Not so much a book about cults as about persuasive, manipulative language. Good so far.


message 761: by Michelle (new)

Michelle (michellehartline) | 3168 comments I finished Gobbelino London and a Menace of Mermaids, and it was a lot of fun, as expected. I'm now about to read #2 in the Planetside series, Spaceside.


message 762: by Cheryl (new)

Cheryl (cherylllr) Is there a discussion thread or buddy read for The Prey of Gods? I'm about ready to read it, and would just as soon read it with others.


message 763: by Meredith (new)

Meredith | 1775 comments Cheryl wrote: "Is there a discussion thread or buddy read for The Prey of Gods? I'm about ready to read it, and would just as soon read it with others."

Here you go Cheryl
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...


message 764: by Sarah (last edited May 24, 2023 12:02PM) (new)

Sarah | 49 comments Brett wrote: "Amanda Montell's Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism. Not so much a book about cults as about persuasive, manipulative language. Good so far."

I love nerding out on language! If you're looking for another interesting and accessible linguistics book, I recently listened to and recommend Because Internet: Understanding the New Rules of Language by Gretchen McCulloch. Since reading it, Cultish pops up as one of those "readers also enjoyed..."


message 765: by Woman Reading (new)

Woman Reading  (is away exploring) | 75 comments Finished the first Grishaverse trilogy -- Ruin and Rising (The Shadow and Bone Trilogy, #3) by Leigh Bardugo Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

I can see why Netflix has a televised adaptation. The books are good but I can see where Netflix might heighten the tension or character arcs.

My Review -- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


message 766: by Sarah (new)

Sarah | 49 comments Cheryl wrote: "Is there a discussion thread or buddy read for The Prey of Gods? I'm about ready to read it, and would just as soon read it with others."

This looks really interesting, Cheryl! I see the book as being compared to the work of Nnedi Okorafor, whom I love. When are you starting? I can get a copy from my library and would like to join your buddy read! I'll hop over to that thread...


message 767: by Marc (new)

Marc Towersap (marct22) | 340 comments Well, finished Joan Vinge's Tangled Up In Blue, her last book in her Tiamat series. And that book is set in the same time as book 1, the Snow Queen. While you could read it first, as some of the characters in Snow Queen are in this book, you could read it after Snow Queen as well. Ultimately, her entire Tiamat series is around the protagonist BZ Gundhalinu, he is the one constant in them all.

A nice short entertaining book!

Now, reading a book I saw mentioned in People magazine (scifi? wah??), Lily Brooks-Dalton's The Light Pirate


message 768: by Sarah (last edited May 25, 2023 10:57AM) (new)

Sarah | 49 comments Currently making my way through Leviathan Wakes. My days have been long lately so I've had a harder time sitting down with it in the evenings, but I am enjoying it so far - just a little tough to get into it when I only read a few pages at a time. I need to prioritize my evening reading!

Also reading Radical Candor for personal development - an approach to management that emphasizes "caring deeply and challenging directly." Lots of silicon valley name-dropping, but I'm finding it really accessible and helpful.

Recently finished Immortality: A Love Story, and while I enjoyed it, I liked the prequel, Anatomy, far more.

Also just finished Amanda Gorman's book of poetry, Call Us What We Carry, and loved it. My review is here.

Graphic novels featured heavily for me in May as well: Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons #2, Saga, and After the Rain by Nnedi Okorafor.


message 769: by Woman Reading (new)

Woman Reading  (is away exploring) | 75 comments Magic Tides (Kate Daniels Wilmington Years, #1; Kate Daniels, #10.5) by Ilona Andrews Magic Tides by Ilona Andrews

I had no idea that the authors had planned a follow-up series for Kate Daniels, and I was really happy to see this. It delivered all of the humor and action that have distinguished the Kate Daniels series. And a sequel - Magic Claims - will be released this summer.


My Review -- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


message 770: by Bobby (last edited May 25, 2023 01:01PM) (new)

Bobby Durrett | 233 comments Sarah wrote: "Currently making my way through Leviathan Wakes..."

I really enjoyed that book series and the TV show, I hope that you like the first book!


message 772: by Georgann (new)

Georgann Just put our June BOTM Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt on hold from our library system (over 100 libraries). I'm #302!


message 773: by Becky (new)

Becky (beckyofthe19and9) | 1894 comments Sarah wrote: "Currently making my way through Leviathan Wakes. My days have been long lately so I've had a harder time sitting down with it in the evenings, but I am enjoying it so far - just a little tough to get into it when I only read a few pages at a time. I need to prioritize my evening reading!"

I don't know if you're into audio, but the audiobooks for that series, read by Jefferson Mays, are SO GOOD. I flew through books 4-9 last summer (and honestly, I'm kinda itching for a re-read soon!).


message 774: by Michelle (new)

Michelle (michellehartline) | 3168 comments Georgann wrote: "Just put our June BOTM Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt on hold from our library system (over 100 libraries). I'm #302!"

#302! Hopefully you'll be able to read it before the decade's over :)


message 775: by Sarah (new)

Sarah | 49 comments Michelle wrote: "Georgann wrote: "Just put our June BOTM Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt on hold from our library system (over 100 libraries). I'm #302!"

#Hopefully you'll be able to read it before the decade's over :)"


Oh man, Georgann! I hope you get a jump-the-line copy! This book is so lovely. And the audiobook narrator for Marcellus is amazing: Michael Urie.


message 776: by Sarah (new)

Sarah | 49 comments Bobby wrote: "I really enjoyed that book series and the TV show, I hope that you like the first book!"

I am really enjoying it now - have been able to carve out some time and really make progress. Things are heating up! And now that Holden and Miller are together, things are really interesting - I love how their characters play off each other. And Naomi is a total badass. My mom is a huge fan of this book series and book show as well! So glad I've finally gotten into it.


message 777: by Becky (new)

Becky (beckyofthe19and9) | 1894 comments It's one of my favorites, Sarah! Just consistently good, despite having such an expansive (ba dum bum!) cast and set of storylines.


message 778: by Sarah (new)

Sarah | 49 comments Becky wrote: "I don't know if you're into audio, but the audiobooks for that series, read by Jefferson Mays, are SO GOOD."

I love audiobooks! I actually sampled the audiobook for this the other day, thinking I might make more progress. Sometimes I'll do that - both listen and read to the same book. :) Good to know the audiobooks are good - might approach the rest of the series that way! Really enjoying Leviathan Wakes now that I've been able to devote some to it and the action is really picking up while the mystery deepens...


message 779: by Sarah (new)

Sarah | 49 comments Becky wrote: "It's one of my favorites, Sarah! Just consistently good, despite having such an expansive (ba dum bum!) cast and set of storylines."

Nicely done ;) got a chuckle out of me!


message 780: by Becky (new)

Becky (beckyofthe19and9) | 1894 comments I'm actually kind of jealous that you're reading it for the first time. Now I want to read them again even more! I listened to most of the latter half of the series while walking last summer, and I would find myself walking for miles just to keep listening. So good.

OK, I think that after I finish these Grady Hendrix books I have on deck in preparation for a signing I'm going to, that's my plan. Full series re-read. Woo!! :D


message 781: by Bobby (new)

Bobby Durrett | 233 comments Georgann wrote: "Just put our June BOTM Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt on hold from our library system (over 100 libraries). I'm #302!"

I'm #22 on 9 copies at my smaller city library and 146th on 43 copies in Libby for my larger county library.


message 782: by Kirsi (new)

Kirsi | 138 comments Oh I loved Remarkably Bright Creatures! Happy reading!


message 783: by Colin (new)

Colin (colinalexander) | 366 comments Re-read (well, it's been about 50 years) Rite of Passage by Alexei Panshin Rite of Passage by Alexei Panshin. This is a terrific book. In a universe where Earth destroyed itself in war, there are colony planets and Ships (essentially hollowed out asteroids) that travel among them. The story follows Mia from age 12 to 14. She is growing up on a Ship and, at 14, in order to become an adult, she will face Trial, which is being put down on a planet by herself where she must manage to survive for 30 days (not all do). Mia is a wonderful MC and she tells the story. She is confident to cocksure on familiar ground but nervous to scared when forced to try new things and meet new people. The book is also focused on ethics, social contracts, and philosophy. (view spoiler) Note that the book is from 1968. If Earth is destroyed in wars, they will probably not arise from over-population. There are no cell phones, data downloads, surveillance cameras or facial recognition. I was in high school at that time and, to me, Mia is a very realistic 12 to 14 year old, but I wonder if folks from more recent generations feel the same way. Highly recommend to anyone who likes classic SF, coming of age, or philosophy in their stories. There is more than an echo of Heinlein's Tunnel in the Sky as well.


message 784: by CBRetriever (new)

CBRetriever | 6105 comments Colin wrote: "Re-read (well, it's been about 50 years) Rite of Passage by Alexei PanshinRite of Passage by Alexei Panshin. This is a terrific book. In a universe where Earth destroyed itself in wa..."

I enjoyed that book too. I'd also recommend Emergence by David R. Palmer as it also deals with an 11 year old girl facing a semi-empty Earth. Looks like the Kindle version has been pulled from amazon.com though. Barnes & Noble lists it but I couldn't find it anywhere else


message 785: by Kaia (new)

Kaia | 660 comments I lucked out and my turn came up for Remarkably Bright Creatures at my library. It's still very popular, though, so I can only keep it for two weeks. Given how fast I'm reading it after one day, I don't think that will be a problem. Looking forward to the discussion next month.

I also just finished On Fragile Waves by E. Lily Yu. The writing is beautiful; the story, about a refugee family from Afghanistan, is quite sad. Some very light fantasy elements.


message 786: by Marc (new)

Marc Towersap (marct22) | 340 comments Finished Lily Brooks-Dalton's The Light Pirate. She is a great writer, pulled me in, pretty much just devoured the book! It's set in the near future, a soon-to-be-a-mother married to a electrical lineman along with his two sons who do not like her. They are getting ready for a hurricane to hit. The story follows this Florida family as climate change has at last unleashed it's fury, waters rising, hurricanes growing in frequency/strength as society starts to break down. A great book!!!

now, on to the next CJ Cherryh book in her merchanter universe, Rimrunners. getting close to finishing that universe...


message 787: by Kirsten (new)

Kirsten  (kmcripn) Georgann wrote: "Just put our June BOTM Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt on hold from our library system (over 100 libraries). I'm #302!"

An absolutely incredible read. I also highly recommend the audiobook for this one. Really well done.


message 788: by Eric (last edited May 27, 2023 07:23AM) (new)

Eric | 463 comments I completed The Game of Kings (The Lymond Chronicles, #1) by Dorothy Dunnett The Game of Kings. A solid three star historical fiction about the forever feud between Scotland and England, circa 16-17th centuries. Four and five star moments and some philosophical meandering by Dunnett. Dunnett is unique and well worth the read, if you've never read her. I started years ago with the Niccolò Rising series.


message 789: by DivaDiane (new)

DivaDiane SM | 3676 comments Georgann wrote: "Just put our June BOTM Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt on hold from our library system (over 100 libraries). I'm #302!"

Yeah, I'm 19th in line with about 12 weeks wait. Better than Georgann, but still not soon enough for the June group read. I may just go ahead and get the audiobook from Audible if it doesn't come into the library sooner.


message 790: by Storm (new)

Storm | 3 comments Just finished up The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle, #1) by Maggie Stiefvater , a bit hard to get into but not bad, and I'm just starting a Non-fiction, The Lost Dinosaurs of Egypt by William Nothdurft , cause Dinosaurs :3


message 791: by Brett (new)

Brett Bosley | 329 comments On Juneteenth, Annette Gordon-Reed. It's pretty much what it sounds like, essays on the holiday (and the peculiar institution) in Texas. Wanted to get in in before the anniversary, because I'm about to dive into a stack of WW2.


message 792: by L (new)

L | 9 comments Just started reading History of What Comes Next by Silvain Neuvel.
Pretty cool!
I'd suggest you make sure to read it in order though, else it won't make sense.
Cheers


message 793: by Phrynne (new)

Phrynne Woman Reading wrote: "
I had no idea that the authors had planned a follow-up series for Kate Daniels, and I was really happy ..."


Thanks for this - I had no idea the book was out either. Bought it, read it, loved it!!!

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


message 794: by CBRetriever (new)

CBRetriever | 6105 comments Liam wrote: "Just started reading History of What Comes Next by Silvain Neuvel.
Pretty cool!
I'd suggest you make sure to read it in order though, else it won't make sense.
Cheers"


I have two of that series in my TBR pile


message 795: by Michelle (new)

Michelle (michellehartline) | 3168 comments I'm reading the third book in the Planetside series Colonyside. About halfway through and really enjoying it.


message 796: by Brett (new)

Brett Bosley | 329 comments Giving Steamfunk a try. It's a short story anthology. Some are quite good so far, others seem like they were written by junior high schoolers. Definitely could have used a proofread.


message 797: by Oleksandr (new)

Oleksandr Zholud | 927 comments Thomas wrote: "Just finished The War of the Dwarves by Markus Heitz. "

I planned to read the first volume wit another group, but it hasn't won a poll... Maybe will get it anyway


message 798: by Georgann (new)

Georgann Well blow me over with a feather! I somehow hopped to the front of the line and my book came in yesterday!! I'll dive into it soon, b/c I'm sure I won't be able to renew it. If it's as good as you all say, I won't have any trouble once I get started! (Thanks, Sarah, for the good wishes came true!)


message 800: by Phrynne (new)

Phrynne Faith wrote: "My review of Titanium Noir by Nick Harkaway

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


Oh yes! I enjoyed that one, probably even more than you did:)


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