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?
in my experience, I've found that when communities leave one set up (Goodreads) and start up on another, they eventually seem to peter out and die with only a few stalwarts clinging on.
Bezos and Amazon have the cash to spare to make this app better. I think they underestimate the value a proper Goodreads app/website could be. If the users are happy, where will they go to buy their new favourite books? Amazon. :)
Colin wrote: "Finished The Half Life of Valery K by Natasha Pulley. Valery is a radiation biologist, imprisoned in the gulag, who is taken from his pr..."Natasha Pulley has recently become a favourite author she writes historical fiction, whether fantasy or not, so well. Her writing really brings the characters to life.
And I loved Albert the octopus
I finished Clash of Empires, and it was very good. Then I started All My Sins Remembered by Joe Haldeman last night.
Another rough month, so therefore another month with only a couple short, light books to show for it.The Cat Who Knew Shakespeare: a snowy small-town mystery featuring a middle-aged bachelor and his cute (and in one case, preternaturally intelligent) Siamese cats. (review)
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (audio): much like Pride and Prejudice, this is a story I've experienced again and again, in multiple formats, over the years. Robin's comments below my review were appreciated. :) (review)
Currently reading: Cold Magic (reread), Oliver Twist (close to done, but I won't finish it today), Dracula (with Daily Dracula), Ready Player One
Upcoming group reads: Ninefox Gambit (I think?), The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman
Allison wrote: "Please, if you can, end your Prime memberships and cite Goodreads as the reason why!"I love Prime Video too much. Though I agree with you about the Goodreads app. Though I use it more than I used to. It's easier to update my reading status there.
Beth wrote: "Another rough month, so therefore another month with only a couple short, light books to show for it.The Cat Who Knew Shakespeare: a snowy small-town mystery featuring a middle-aged ..."
Hopefully things will smooth out soon! Our new kitten has been dominating all of my time, and our dog Loki has been ill at the same time. My reading is going at the speed of slug right now.
Thanks, Michelle. I figure the deeper parts of our brains know what's good for us better than the shallower parts do, so I don't sweat the slumps as much as I used to. I can already feel the road getting easier again.Your new kitty is a darling. I was happy to see in the animal photos thread that she (yes?) made it through the most tentative parts of her recovery. I hope Loki has a quick recovery, too.
Treated myself to a paper book at the bookstore. The Martian.
Bobby wrote: "Treated myself to a paper book at the bookstore. The Martian."Oooh good choice! Enjoy!
Finished VenCo and needed something like it, so now onto When Women Were Dragons. Listening on audio, and enjoying it.
Magic Strikes by Ilona AndrewsGoing through my re-read of the Kate Daniels series and #3 is where the series begins to gain momentum. It's a great jumping off point for new readers.
My Review -- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I have finished the Riddle-Master trilogy. I'm in love with Patricia A. McKillip's writing, so dream-like and magical. The last book, Harpist in the Wind does not quite live up to the promise on the first two. It felt messy, some characters did not get enough screen time, and I thought that the ending was anticlimatic (I saw it coming, too).My review is here ;)
Right now I am making my way through the August 2023 issue of Clarkesworld - there are some good stories, but nothing amazing so far ;)
Ozsaur wrote: "Finished VenCo and needed something like it, so now onto When Women Were Dragons. Listening on audio, and enjoying it."Great pairing! Enjoy!
Magic Bleeds by Ilona AndrewsEven with a re-read, this is still one of my personal favorites in the series. It's probably also the latest point in the series in which a new reader could jump into the Kate Daniels world.
my review -- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Oh my god finally finished 8th book in Wheel of time! Lol
Tyler wrote: "Oh my god finally finished 8th book in Wheel of time! Lol"Yay, lol!
I’m currently listening to Wrong Place Wrong Time, which is really interesting and not really what I expected it to be. I ALMOST passed on it despite good reviews when I saw time travel/ time slip was involved but so far I’m glad I didn’t. It’s intriguing!
Becky wrote: "I’m currently listening to Wrong Place Wrong Time, which is really interesting and not really what I expected it to be. I ALMOST passed on it despite good reviews when I saw time tr..."That sounds really good, Becky! I’m adding it to my TBR. I actually love this kind of time travel in a story.
I’m currently reading Catfishing on CatNet by Naomi Kritzer (about halfway through). I’m really loving it, but it is becoming very stressful to read for personal reasons. I know a lot of other group members have read this - can someone please reply in spoiler tags and just let me know if things turn out okay in the end? I’m not sure I can continue reading without knowing. I don’t need details - knowing one way or the other will be enough.
About to DNF The Immortality Thief which is... not good. Simplistic writing, annoying protagonist, meaningless action. Likely diving into Cloud Cuckoo Land
Mod
Allison wrote: "Kaia: [spoilers removed] Feel free to message me or Anna for specifics, should you want them!"Thank you, Allison! I really appreciate it.
Just finished All the Dead Shall Weep by Charlaine Harris. The genre is a bit mixed up - fantasy, western, alternate history - great fun!https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
@Becky I understand completely, from the description it sounds like it could be very good, or very bad.
@Leonie I am listening to Forth Wing on Audible and I agree, it’s good but 3 stars so far max.
Bobby wrote: "Treated myself to a paper book at the bookstore. The Martian."They still make those?
Tyler wrote: "@Leonie I am listening to Forth Wing on Audible and I agree, it’s good but 3 stars so far max."I ended up finishing it on Kindle, because of the lengthy explicit sequences.
Just finished Crossroads of Twilight in Jordan's Wheel of Time series. Think that just leaves 5 to go . . .
Economondos wrote: "Just finished Crossroads of Twilight in Jordan's Wheel of Time series. Think that just leaves 5 to go . . ."Good for you! The last three are really, really good.
I got it because it was in the Fantasy section. Had no idea it was romance lol
I just finished The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and thought it was great. Really comical and easy to get into.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the GalaxyExcellent book. For those that prefer audio, the original radio play is really well done!
Magic Slays by Ilona AndrewsIt was better than I had remembered.
My Review -- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
DivaDiane wrote: "I actually have Curse if the Mistwraith at home in paperback, I’m not sure what’s preventing me from reading it, other than it’s a brick and an eye-read. 🤪"The other thing that might be stopping you is that it's the first of an 11-book series, all of which are complex and deep. It's a commitment! But perhaps nicer for you, starting when the last book is about to be published.
I am halfway through Foundryside. It's very exciting, very entertaining, very fast-paced. I like the magic system! It's an easy read, if you are in the mood for such things :) My previous book was not easy at all, so I am definitely in the mood.
Alexandra wrote: "I am halfway through Foundryside. It's very exciting, very entertaining, very fast-paced. I like the magic system! It's an easy read, if you are in the mood for such things :) My pr..."The blurb sounds interesting and added it to my must-read list! Magical technology which makes things sentient seems intriguing to me. :)
I just finished Darkdawn of the Nevernight Chronicle and therefore all 3 books.
I liked it, it's nicely dark and bloody with dark humour but the romance could have been better if it was made a bit more believable.
Overall I have read better stories which captured me emotionally more but it was good.
Now begins the search for what to read next. I'm not sure what I feel like yet. 🤔 Maybe something more epic fantastic or some more spicy fantasy romance. 😄 Maybe mysterious Sci-Fi. So much choice!
Just finished The City We Became by NK Jemison. Took me a little while to get into it, as it is pretty much New York centric. Not really a spoiler, the title says it all, certain citizens in the 5 boroughs of New York 'awaken' and become part of New York City, and face a threat to the city overall. Not being a New Yorker, only been there twice, it took a little while to get into the book, but once I got it, it went quite fast and was quite entertaining!Now, gonna take a break from sci-fi/fantasy and read 'the Trial of the Century' by Gregg Jarrett, a book about the scopes monkey trial! Then debating on either reading the sequel to three body problem or Dune.
Raucous wrote: "Dj wrote: "Okay I do enjoy the occasional Cozy Mystery, but generally not those with animals involved. This one though caught my attention mostly because it is a Corgi..."What surprises me is tha..."
Oh good for a random pick I did well then. Thx
Brett wrote: "@Dj - it's a longshot but perhaps a military history of Mao Zedong's guerrilla campaign might have something of Asian logistics, even if outside looking in. That's a significant gap in the record, ..."I think I will skip that. I am reading Stillwell, Americas China Experience and that is head ache enough for names I can't pronounce and places I am not exactly sure where they are.
Other than that it is a pretty good read.
Colin wrote: "Ripped through 
[book:The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors: The Extraordin..."I love the 'We are sucking them into 30mm range'
It must be somewhat of a gut check to be on a Jeep Carrier (basically and merchant ship with a flat deck) and find out that the ships coming your way are enemy Battleships
Great Book
I'm at my +100500 attempt to read Pride and Prejudice. And also I started to read Erin Watt's Paper Princess. My friend told me that it's delightful dark romance. I'm skeptical by far.
And then there is The Priory of the Orange Tree Name sure is interesting. Want to try.
Let's see which one I will managed to finish.
Alexandra wrote: "I am halfway through Foundryside. It's very exciting, very entertaining, very fast-paced. "I planned to try it when is was just published, but other things intervened...
Colin wrote: "Read 
Silver Nitrate by Sylvia Moreno-Garcia. This is magical realism and historical fantasy set in Mexico of the 1990's. It offers a detailed view..."well now that seems interesting
Bobby wrote: "Treated myself to a paper book at the bookstore. The Martian."Every time I hear that book mentioned now days, and I really enjoyed reading it, I can't help think of Degrasse Tyson's reason for liking the film, and the phrase is in the book as well, the fact that Science is used as a verb.
Tyler wrote: "Oh my god finally finished 8th book in Wheel of time! Lol"I tried to finish the series, before I realized it was still being written. What a slog.
Finished The Water Outlaws by SL Huang. This is a re-gendered re-telling of the Water Margin, a famous work in Chinese literature. At a broad level, the book is the story of the conflict between the Song Empire and the Liangshan bandits told through the lives of several characters. The characters are vividly drawn (both the good and the evil) with often conflicting internal motivations. (view spoiler) The setting of the corrupt empire around the turn of the 12th century is nicely depicted. The book flows smoothly, each chapter pulled me into the next. I thought it was a terrific story. If you enjoy wuxia, historical fantasy, or lgbtq fantasy, I would put this in the must read category. I've put the cover image at the end
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SciFi and Fantasy Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
Hogfather (other topics)Night Watch (other topics)
Small Gods (other topics)
Hogfather (other topics)
The Last Continent (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
T. Kingfisher (other topics)Robin Hobb (other topics)
Robert Jordan (other topics)
Lois McMaster Bujold (other topics)
Martha Wells (other topics)
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I really like TheStoryGraph, but I have a hard time migrating there completely or doing both. But if we discontinued activities here and went somewhere else completely, I would totally go with you all.