What Else Are You Reading in 2023? Showing 1,301-1,350 of 1,880

[Woman Reading]

Magic Binds by Ilona Andrews


This re-read of the series is holding up really well.

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

[Eric]

I finished The Road to Roswell. A bizarre, zany, madcap romp spoofing every alien abduction conspiracy there ever was. Four stars with a tidbit of romance tossed in.

[Stephen]

Ooh this sounds fun

[Rick]

Two things going. Scalzi's just released Starter Villain and Kevin Ansbro's In the Shadow of Time

[Esther]

Rick wrote: "Two things going. Scalzi's just released Starter Villain and Kevin Ansbro's In the Shadow of Time"

I really enjoyed Starter Villain - very funny, but I prefer his longer novels set in space.

[Rick]

Esther wrote: "
I really enjoyed Starter Villain - very funny, but I..."

It is funny in that Scalzi, snarky way. It's a lot like he talks which is amusing but can also wear a bit if you've read his blog or tweets much. I'm about halfway through and for the story he's telling I think this length will work. But I'm with you - his Interdependency and OMW books are great.

[Esther]

Rick wrote: "Esther wrote: "
I really enjoyed Starter Villain - very funny, but I..."

It is funny in that Scalzi, snarky way. It's a lot like he talks which is amusing but can also wear a bit if you've read h..."

Did you read Lock In ? I wish he had continued that series. And of course Redshirts is fantastic.

[Rick]

Esther wrote: "Did you read Lock In ? I wish he had continued that series. And of course Redshirts is fantastic.
..."

I like the Lock In novels a lot. Redshirts... felt like Trek fanfic to me. I'm in the minority on that I know, but the "Star Trek goes back in time to Earth" is straight up Trek and the World As Fiction bit was done by Heinlein decades ago, so it just didn't work for me.

[Esther]

Rick wrote: "felt like Trek fanfic to me..."

That wouldn't be a problem for me.

[Becky]

Rick wrote: "Redshirts... felt like Trek fanfic to me."

I didn't enjoy Redshirts either, Rick. In fact I DNF'd it. A lot of that was due to the dialogue, so... it sounds like I probably just wouldn't like Scalzi much.

[Rick]

Becky wrote: "Rick wrote: "Redshirts... felt like Trek fanfic to me."

I didn't enjoy Redshirts either, Rick. In fact I DNF'd it. A lot of that was due to the dialogue, so... it sounds like I probably just would..."

Much of his fiction has a humorous edge to it that leans into a quick, rather snarky tone. Like all humor it works for some, not for others. If you want to try his stuff, the Lock In novels and the original Old Man's War would be what I'd try. A big plus for me is that his writing is, for me, very easy to read and just flows, so it's good stuff when I feel like reading but not working at it.

But his stuff definitely doesn't work for some folks and there's nothing wrong with that - not all popular writers work for all readers.

[Stephen]

I'm just happy that at least someone is writing witty and fast paced SciFi. I'm so sick of Dystopian - if I want more of that all I have to do is turn on the news!

[Michelle]

It’ll pass. Kind of like vampires, werewolves and zombies. Maybe the next fad will be utopian!

[Woman Reading]

Magic Triumphs by Ilona Andrews

The "finale" of a great series ends on an expected high note. My review for the entire series -- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Michelle]

I'm reading the new Rachel Neumeier science fiction book, Captive. I think this series (Invictus) will actually be a duology. I'm about a third of the way in and it's a good one so far.

[Brett]

Starting The Drowned Cities, Paolo Bacigalupi. I enjoyed Ship Breaker, thought the universe (post-post-apocalyptic) was interesting enough to continue the series.

[Jan]

Michelle wrote: "I'm reading the new Rachel Neumeier science fiction book, Captive. I think this series (Invictus) will actually be a duology. I'm about a third of the way in and it's a good one so..."

Thanks Michelle. I might try Captive. I enjoyed Tuyo after a rec on this thread, although I haven't (yet) read any more in that series.

[Michelle]

I'm glad you liked it, Jan!

[Nate]

Becky wrote: "Rick wrote: "Redshirts... felt like Trek fanfic to me."

I didn't enjoy Redshirts either, Rick. In fact I DNF'd it. A lot of that was due to the dialogue, so... it sounds like I probably just would..."

I read my first Scalzi book just recently, The Kaiju Preservation Society , and judging by the descriptions of his other titles on this thread I think his snarky attitude must carry through all his works, which I very much enjoy, but it sounds like his books may not be for you.
I must say though, if you ever do feel like giving him another go I do recommend KPS, only one of the main cast is particularly over the top snarky haha

[Becky]

I don’t mind snark and sarcasm, but I want it to have a purpose. In my review of Redshirts (which is now a decade old, sheesh!) I mentioned that the dialogue seemed circular and meaningless, that nobody says what they meant, but expected everyone else to know and to just go with things without explanation. It just didn’t work for me.
If his books are just generally like that, I will keep not reading them. lol

[CBRetriever]

I'm one who didn't like Redshirts (started out good, but then got bogged down) and Old Man's War. I tried, but neither one made me feel like reading more by the author.

I finished Timothy Zahn's Dragonback series which was OK. Seemed like it was aimed at YA readers

[Esther]

Rick wrote: " If you want to try his stuff, the Lock In novels and the original Old Man's War would be what I'd try. A big plus for me is that his writing is, for me, very easy to read and just flows, so it's good stuff when I feel like reading but not working at it.."

I agree on both points. I read his books when I want some fun.

[Phrynne]

If you are looking for some scary stuff for next month try The Pram by Joe Hill It is part of a collection of short stories by some well known horror authors

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

[Kaia]

I’m currently reading Saint Death's Daughter by CSE Cooney, which is a nominee for the World Fantasy Award this year. I wasn’t sure about it at first, but I’m about 10% in now and the story is picking up. The main character is a young necromancer who is somewhat awkwardly coming into her power and dealing with a controlling older sister who is an assassin. For some reason, Goodreads has it listed as YA, but it is not a YA book; it’s not written for a teen audience, despite having a main character in her late teens. The publisher and my library system have it categorized as adult fiction. Anyway, I’m excited to see where it goes - the world is interesting, and the characters are well drawn.

[Beth]

Michelle wrote: "It’ll pass. Kind of like vampires, werewolves and zombies. Maybe the next fad will be utopian!"

I'm seeing a lot more "cozy" than "dystopian" these days. It's definitely its own fad, that must in part have come as a response to the pandemic and its accompanying isolation.

[Stephen]

I found Old Man's War a bit tough for the first third, then I really enjoyed it. Same with Columbus Day. Anyone else read the Craig Alanson series'?

[Michelle]

Stephen wrote: "I found Old Man's War a bit tough for the first third, then I really enjoyed it. Same with Columbus Day. Anyone else read the Craig Alanson series'?"

I read the first one of Alanson's series.

[Nate]

Becky wrote: "I don’t mind snark and sarcasm, but I want it to have a purpose. In my review of Redshirts (which is now a decade old, sheesh!) I mentioned that the dialogue seemed circular and meaningless, that n..."

Ah I see, I don't know that I noticed that issue in KPS then, perhaps it was there and I overlooked it. My only real issue with it was certain parts felt over-explained and others a little under-explained.

[Kaladin]

I read Columbus Day too. Didn't hold my attention the way Honor Harrington did.

[Norm's ✧ Bookshelf]

Brett wrote: "Starting The Drowned Cities, Paolo Bacigalupi. I enjoyed Ship Breaker, thought the universe (post-post-apocalyptic) was interesting enough to continue the series."

I also enjoyed Ship Breaker. I am currently waiting to see if The Drowned Cities goes on sale since my local library doesn't have it.

I am interested to know how you like The Drowned Cities after you finish it.

[N.]

I'm half way through The Challenger and enjoying it. The first person POV is innovative and provided deep character development. An interesting story with some mystery and good world building.

[Stephen]

Anyone read Ascension? It's next in my TBR

[Michelle]

Who is the author, Stephen?

[Brett]

@Norm's ✧ Bookshelf - will do. It's good so far. More grim than Ship Breaker.

Just started Ritchie Boy Secrets, about the US Army psychological warfare school in MD during WW2.

[Stephen]

Michelle wrote: "Who is the author, Stephen?"

Hi Michelle, the author's name is Nicholas Binge. I heard it's the new "big" SciFi for this year - or so the publishers want us to thing. Great premise: an island appears in the middle of the pacific, a mountain towering up out of the sea. People are sent to explore, and as they climb the laws of time and space appear to change.

[Michelle]

Stephen wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Who is the author, Stephen?"

Hi Michelle, the author's name is Nicholas Binge. I heard it's the new "big" SciFi for this year - or so the publishers want us to thing. Great premis..."

Oh, that one! I have heard things about it but I haven't read it.

[Rick]

Stephen wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Who is the author, Stephen?"

Hi Michelle, the author's name is Nicholas Binge. I heard it's the new "big" SciFi for this year - or so the publishers want us to thing. Great premis..."

Confusingly, there's also The Mountain in the Sea which is getting serious hype too.

[Michelle]

That is confusing!

[CBRetriever]

Michelle wrote: "That is confusing!"

it's like when two Wyatt Earp movies were released in the same year. Ditto, if I remember rightly for two versions of Dangerous Liasons

[Alexandra]

I'm about 60% through The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. It's not very impressive, unfortunately. The writing is good and I like the romance, but it is not enough to carry the story. It is also a bad sign when the characters suffer and the reader just signs and says "oh, get a life..." Will it get better?

[Sarah]

I felt the same way while reading Invisible Life. I ended up skimming just to see if it got better. Sorry to say that I found the ending to be even more of a let down.

[Oleksandr]

Rick wrote: "Confusingly, there's also The Mountain in the Sea which is getting serious hype too."

In this case I'd say the hype is justified, a great debut

[Alexandra]

Sarah wrote: "I felt the same way while reading Invisible Life. I ended up skimming just to see if it got better. Sorry to say that I found the ending to be even more of a let down."

I finished it now, and no, it didn't get much better... ;)

[Rick]

I never did read Invisible Life since it bothered me that it came out so soon (relatively speaking) after Claire North's excellent The Sudden Appearance of Hope and I have a hard time believing Schwab wasn't aware of that book, "Hope" btw, is excellent.

[Alexandra]

Rick wrote: "I never did read Invisible Life since it bothered me that it came out so soon (relatively speaking) after Claire North's excellent The Sudden Appearance of Hope and I have a hard ti..."

I haven't heard of Claire North's book! Thanks a lot, I'd love to check it out :)

[Michelle]

Sarah wrote: "I felt the same way while reading Invisible Life. I ended up skimming just to see if it got better. Sorry to say that I found the ending to be even more of a let down."

Thanks for the tip!

[Jessica]

Stephen wrote: "Anyone read Ascension? It's next in my TBR"---Yes, but unfortunately it was one of my lowest rated books this year. I think it's the first science fiction book where I felt that being a scientist actually diminished my enjoyment of the book--the science was so bad and the protagonist doesn't really collect any data or think about science even though he is supposed to be working out a scientific puzzle--it was distracting and I couldn't suspend my disbelief. I also thought the characterization of the protagonist wasn't consistent, and found the ending a bit silly. I thought the writing flowed well and the pacing was fine, though, so if you are not a scientist, it might work for you as an alpine survival thriller/cosmic horror story. A couple of other sci fi/fantasy/horror books to try that feature scientists exploring unknown phenomena include Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer and Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant. I didn't find the scientific aspects as distracting in those books--the things that didn't make sense scientifically were clearly part of the unexplained phenomena so I was willing to suspend my disbelief, and the scientists did things like collect data and study physical samples and think about/discuss what they found and how they related to the phenomena, which is what I'd expect. Ascension just didn't work for me, but your mileage may vary.

[Stephen]

Jessica wrote: "Stephen wrote: "Anyone read Ascension? It's next in my TBR"---Yes, but unfortunately it was one of my lowest rated books this year. I think it's the first science fiction book where I felt that bei..."

I have a library copy I haven’t started yet. Sorry to see the negative review, but I’ll give it a go soon.

I agree with Oleksandr that The Mountain in the Sea is very good.

[Stephen]

Ascension is a better title me thinks

[Cait]

I am finally about to start The Hero of Ages
I finished reading the second book in the trilogy only last night, and though I was tired I desperately wanted to get started on the final book. I'm excited to read on, but I also don't want it to end. So glad I picked up reading Sanderson finally, I feel like I've been missing out. After I finish Hero Of Ages I will read his Mistborn: Secret History work. After I am done with Mistborn I'm unsure which book on my TBR list to read next! I have so many choices..