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 101: by Anna (new)

Anna (vegfic) | 10434 comments We have a thread for the Expanse TV series here and the book series here!


message 102: by Marc (new)

Marc Towersap (marct22) | 340 comments just finished Mira Grant's first book of her newsfeed series Feed, great book, nice new take on zombies. looking forward to continuing that series! I am pausing on that to finish off Verner vinge's zones of thought series, the sequel to fire upon the deep, namely "thr children of the sky".


message 103: by Phrynne (new)

Phrynne I just finished The World We Make the final book in Jemisin's Great Cities duology. Initially this was intended to be a trilogy but her fictional NY politics have been overtaken by real events and she felt obliged to opt out. Still an excellent read.

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


message 104: by Brett (new)

Brett Bosley | 329 comments Starting in on The Dark Forest while Three-Body is still fresh in my mind.


message 105: by Kirsten (new)

Kirsten  (kmcripn) I've been listening to The Good House by Tananarive Due The Good House and reading The Jewish Annotated New Testament by Amy-Jill Levine The Jewish Annotated New Testament


message 106: by Beth (new)

Beth (rosewoodpip) | 2005 comments I haven't posted in this thread yet? Hi!

Since I've just started eye-reading a longish book, and am partway through two longish books in audio, I don't think I'll finish anything else in January, so here's what we've got so far this year:

The Mister: this is a standalone novel by the author of the (in)famous 50 Shades of Grey. I first learned about it by going through the "372 Pages We'll Never Get Back" podcast's list of books. Plot, characters, romance and/or erotica: none of it was good. It was fun to laugh at it along with Conor and Mike, so I had a good time regardless. (review)

Cast in Silence: the fifth book of Michelle Sagara's "Chronicles of Elantra" series. If these books were better-crafted, I'd be falling all over them. As is, they squeak into 3 stars by a very narrow margin. (review)

Currently reading: The Shadowed Sun


message 107: by Michelle (last edited Jan 24, 2023 11:56AM) (new)

Michelle (michellehartline) | 3168 comments Beth wrote: "I haven't posted in this thread yet? Hi!

Since I've just started eye-reading a longish book, and am partway through two longish books in audio, I don't think I'll finish anything else in January, ..."


Beth, I'm really going to miss your updates on The Mister 😂


message 108: by Kirsten (new)

Kirsten  (kmcripn) Beth wrote: "I haven't posted in this thread yet? Hi!

Since I've just started eye-reading a longish book, and am partway through two longish books in audio, I don't think I'll finish anything else in January, ..."


Wow! Rifftraxing books sounds great!!


message 109: by Beth (new)

Beth (rosewoodpip) | 2005 comments Michelle wrote: "Beth, I'm really going to miss your updates on The Mister 😂"

Glad you enjoyed them, Michelle. :D I'll be taking on Ready Player One with "372 Pages" at some point, likely in a few months. (pretty sure I've mentioned this in response to one of your comments.)

Kirsten wrote: "Wow! Rifftraxing books sounds great!!"

They even have skits in their podcast. :) I recommend it if you have the time--The Mister was six episodes I think, of about two hours each.


message 110: by Michelle (new)

Michelle (michellehartline) | 3168 comments Beth wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Beth, I'm really going to miss your updates on The Mister 😂"

Glad you enjoyed them, Michelle. :D I'll be taking on Ready Player One with "372 Pages" at some point, ..."


You could always read Fifty Shades of Grey next!


message 111: by Beth (new)

Beth (rosewoodpip) | 2005 comments Michelle wrote: "You could always read Fifty Shades of Grey next!"

I'm not feeling anxious to explore the EL James-verse any further, for some reason. 🤔


message 112: by Bobby (new)

Bobby Durrett | 233 comments Regalado wrote: "I just started Leviathan Wakes. First from these authors. I haven’t seen the series on Prime. Can anyone comment on the adaptation?"

I watched the series on Prime first and then read the books. I think the books filled in some details that were left out of the videos, but I enjoyed the cast on the videos. I think it would be interesting for you to read the books first then watch the show if you want to. There are other threads on this as one of the mods said.


message 113: by Emily (new)

Emily Brett wrote: "Just started Legends and Lattes. Having trouble getting into A Discovery of Witches."

I am also having a hard time getting into A Discovery of Witches. I have tried a few different times to read it and it is so stiff at first. I think I might give the audiobook a try and see if that helps me get into the story a bit more.


message 114: by Hank (new)

Hank (hankenstein) | 1230 comments I am currently reading The Candy House
without reading A Visit from the Goon Squad first which is probably a mistake but I am not loving it so maybe not.


message 116: by Jenny (new)

Jenny (jenpants) | 2 comments picked up World War Moo from the library yesterday but apparently its not the first book? I'll have to hunt down the other one when I'm done.


message 117: by Ozsaur (new)

Ozsaur | 106 comments Having a blast with Dungeon Crawler Carl. Almost done, and I'm already looking forward to the next book.


message 118: by cass ♡ (new)

cass ♡ | 19 comments I'm rereading a book called Paradise Island by my 2 favorite YouTubers, Sam and Colby :D


message 119: by Jan (new)

Jan (jan130) | 413 comments I've started Grand Days by Frank Moorhouse. Set between WWI and WWII, amidst the League of Nations. Liking it so far.


message 120: by Mel (new)

Mel | 509 comments I finished reading Children of Time and reveled in all its sci-fi glory. It had so many different iconic elements - spaceships, contact, AI - but combined into something epic. There’s a progression to the story that you can feel coming, but it doesn’t make the journey any less suspenseful. And I’m a sucker for all those stories that span long passages of time.

Looking forward to the sequel, and Children of Memory coming out in just a few days!


message 121: by Ann-Marie (last edited Jan 27, 2023 06:50AM) (new)

Ann-Marie | 40 comments I'll be re-reading The Tarot Sequence in February in anticipation of the first in the spin-off series The Eidolon release at the end of the month. This is a favorite series of mine and will be the 4th or 5th read through and I am very much looking forward to the newest installment and seeing the world from a different perspective.


message 122: by Rick (new)

Rick | 260 comments Finished The Long Game by K.J. Parker. If you like Parker's stuff, this is a fun novella but it's part of a series that starts with Prosper's Demon which I'd read before this. Both are novellas so they're perfect when you want a complete story but can't face a 500+ page tome at the moment.


message 123: by Jason (new)

Jason Koivu | 32 comments Just finished Terry Pratchett's The Shepherd's Crown and am quite sad, it being the final book in the series and last book he finished before passing too soon.


message 124: by Meredith (new)

Meredith | 1775 comments I'm reading The Fuller Memorandum in the always fun Laundry Files series. It's been several years since I read the previous one and I don't know why I waited.

I also just started Crosstalk by Connie Willis. This book really hit the ground running. Usually, Willis builds up momentum over the book, so if this is going to build up even more it's going to be a lot of fun.


message 125: by Kirsten (new)

Kirsten  (kmcripn) Beth wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Beth, I'm really going to miss your updates on The Mister 😂"

Glad you enjoyed them, Michelle. :D I'll be taking on Ready Player One with "372 Pages" at some point, ..."


I definitely am! I love MST3K and I love Rifftrax too. MST was a family event for us.


message 126: by Gary (new)

Gary Gillen | 192 comments I finished reading The Lost Metal by Brandon Sanderson. It is the seventh book of the Mistborn series and the last book of Mistborn Era 2 featuring Wax and Wayne. It is intimately tied to the Cosmere series, and it will be interesting to connect all the dots between the different series. I am reading Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson. It is the first of four books released in 2023 from the Kickstarter campaign of 2022 called the four secret novels. The novel is also from the Cosmere series. I plan to read The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by Patricia A. McKillip next.


message 127: by Kaia (new)

Kaia | 660 comments I've been in a bit of a novel reading slump the last few weeks, so I've been trying to catch up on my huge backlog of Uncanny magazines. The most recent issue (Uncanny Magazine Issue 50: January/February 2023) is really excellent. I actually read it cover to cover, which is unusual for me - normally I skip or skim at least one or two things. I also finally finished Uncanny Magazine Issue 48: September/October 2022. This one was a little more uneven, but I especially liked the stories “Girl, Cat, Wolf, Moon” by Rati Mehrotra and “The Portal Keeper” by Lavie Tidhar.


message 128: by Ozsaur (new)

Ozsaur | 106 comments The Iron Gate and I'm already immersed in it. This series has a unique magic/supernatural system, and the main characters are morally gray.


message 129: by Rick (new)

Rick | 260 comments Ozsaur wrote: "The Iron Gate and I'm already immersed in it. This series has a unique magic/supernatural system, and the main characters are morally gray."

Love the Twenty Palaces series. The Iron Gate was quite good. There's a 5th book in the series out as well.

If you've not, try his The Great Way series. One of the best, tightest epic fantasy trilogies I've read.


message 130: by Ozsaur (new)

Ozsaur | 106 comments Rick, the 5th book is on my radar, I'll be picking it up soon. :-)

I got about halfway through The Way Into Chaos and it was just a little too grim for me. I'm glad you enjoyed the trilogy.

Still a big fan of Harry Connolly.


message 131: by Raucous (new)

Raucous | 888 comments Kaia wrote: "... I also finally finished Uncanny Magazine Issue 48: September/October 2022. This one was a little more uneven, but I especially liked the stories “Girl, Cat, Wolf, Moon” by Rati Mehrotra and “The Portal Keeper” by Lavie Tidhar.."

I really liked "The Portal Keeper" as well.

I'm not very far into issue 50 of Uncanny Magazine yet. It sounds like I've got a lot to look forward to there. Thanks.


message 132: by Christopher (new)

Christopher | 981 comments Working my way through Spirits Abroad, trying to get through one story per day.

Also started War for the Oaks by Emma Bull which is a group read from the past. I've heard it was groundbreaking for its time in the genre of Urban Fantasy. Written in 1987, all the chapters are song titles, but I only know some of them. Will likely have to stream the song pre-chapter to get the correct vibe (although I wasn't able to find a free version of chapter 1 -- chapter 2 is "Who Can it Be Now" which I do recognize)

Also reading a science (but not fiction) book, A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth: 4.6 Billion Years in 12 Pithy Chapters by Henry Gee.


message 133: by Mel (last edited Jan 29, 2023 09:23AM) (new)

Mel | 509 comments I went and snuck some romantasy in while waiting for my hold to come in for Children of Ruin.

Prince and Pawn was the fun new release I’ve been anticipating, and it was worth NOT waiting for and picking up on Release Day. A total tropey indulgence - so glad there are 3 more books in the series forthcoming. I also just read a couple short stories by Megan Derr, Runescribe and Talismaker, and had a little too much fun writing cheeky reviews for them. :P


message 134: by Kirsten (new)

Kirsten  (kmcripn) I've been reading It Starts with Us (It Ends with Us, #2) by Colleen Hoover It Starts with Us and I just started listening to The Atrocity Archives (Laundry Files, #1) by Charles Stross The Atrocity Archives


message 135: by Christine (last edited Jan 29, 2023 09:29AM) (new)

Christine O I’m currently reading:

The Mysterious Island, Jules Verne
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

The Human, the Orchid and the Octopus: Exploring and Conserving Our Natural World, Jacques Cousteau
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared, Jonas Jonasson
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

The first book is good so far, but as with all of Verne’s books, one needs to look past a few things while reading. For one, he always includes the racist trope of the “faithful slave.” But even though his books tend to be long and do drag a bit, I’m alway drawn in by the adventure and Verne’s impressive scientific knowledge.

The second book has me hooked at well. So far Cousteau is discussing what him and his crew have learned throughout many explorations. Good takeaway: don’t get too comfortable around wildlife, as you may not alway anticipate certain dangers.

I am only around 10% into the third book. So far it’s cute and whimsical. I can’t wait to find out what the centenarian will do next.


message 136: by Michelle (new)

Michelle (michellehartline) | 3168 comments When I was young I used to love watching Jacques Cousteau. This was back in the dark ages before the internet!


message 137: by Christine (new)

Christine O Michelle wrote: "When I was young I used to love watching Jacques Cousteau. This was back in the dark ages before the internet!"

Me too! I’m excited to finally read one of his books. It was a toss up between this one and The Silent World.


message 138: by Kirsten (new)

Kirsten  (kmcripn) Christine wrote: "I’m currently reading:

The Mysterious Island, Jules Verne
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

The Human, the Orchid and the Octopus: Exploring and Conserving Our Natur..."


I love Jules Verne!


message 139: by Christine (new)

Christine O Kirsten wrote: "Christine wrote: "I’m currently reading:

The Mysterious Island, Jules Verne
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

The Human, the Orchid and the Octopus: Exploring and Co..."


This is the third book of his that I will have read, with 20,000 Leagues being one of my all time favorite books. I’m hooked!


message 140: by Christine (new)

Christine O Michelle wrote: "When I was young I used to love watching Jacques Cousteau. This was back in the dark ages before the internet!"

I should clarify, I was born in the early 80’s so I missed his original TV show, sadly. But I remember seeing him on PBS and in documentaries. I’ve always been fascinated by ocean exploration.


message 141: by Dj (new)

Dj | 2364 comments Christopher wrote: "Working my way through Spirits Abroad, trying to get through one story per day.

Also started War for the Oaks by Emma Bull which is a group read from t..."


Men at Work, now there is a blast from the past.


message 142: by Leanne (new)

Leanne Pullman | 1 comments I want to finish the Culture Series by Iain M. Banks. the first book isn't too exciting but I read a later one (surface detail) which blew me away. can't wait to read some later ones. I also want to finish "the flowers of evil" by Charles Baudelaire, and "the book of disquiet" by Fernando pessoa


message 143: by Allison, Fairy Mod-mother (new)

Allison Hurd | 14221 comments Mod
This is a great set of ambititons, Leanne, let us know how it goes!


message 144: by Rick (new)

Rick | 260 comments leanne - read the Culture series in rough order. they don't build on each other in a linear fashion but the last scene in Surface Detail will hit differently once you read Use Of Weapons.


message 145: by Mike (new)

Mike Sherer 'City at the End of Time' by Greg Bear


message 146: by Michelle (new)

Michelle (michellehartline) | 3168 comments Back to the Lost Fleet series, this time with Boundless. I love this series!


message 147: by Sam (new)

Sam | 37 comments After reading Counter-Clock World by PKD, I was left wondering: can we really set time in reverse? And, if possible, can we summon the dead to rise? Or is this writer simply probing our minds? I was also terrified at the end when the assassin appeared and killed himself and Sebastian's wife. The end leaves me thinking if Sebastian will be able to summon his wife, or if Sebastian knows more than he thinks. It was also shocking to see the Anarch appear in front of Sebastian while the Anarch was still in the library. Kind of a haunting, mysterious work of SF, but still a very good read overall.


message 148: by CBRetriever (new)

CBRetriever | 6105 comments I'm reading (finished with one) two books on the same subject

Food in History by Reay Tannahill. This one is hardbound and I'd forgotten how heavy those books are. My hands shake when I try to hold it up (I'm not a spring chicken)
and
Consider the Fork: A History of How We Cook and Eat by Bee Wilson. This is the one I've finished and it's a lighter, more entertaining read of the first book but also covers development of modern Kitchen appliances and tools. I had no idea that the can opener wasn't invented until 50 years after tin cans became widely used in the military and some home.

also continuing to struggle through The Monster Baru Cormorant. I bought it when it was cheap and I was still enjoying the first part of The Traitor Baru Cormorant which I eventually didn't like overall.

I'm 75% through Ash: A Secret History which contains the 4 paperback books. It's pretty good and led me to purchase more Mary Gentle books.

and to add to my tome list, I'm still reading The First Binding by R.R. Virdi for the Know Thy Shelves challenge. In the beginning it was, and still is a bit, derivative of The Name of the Wind tossed with a bit of The Lies of Locke Lamora. It's quite readable and I might by further books in the series.


message 149: by Mel (last edited Jan 31, 2023 07:21PM) (new)

Mel | 509 comments I finished the novella Sisters of the Vast Black, which I had been looking forward to. It took a minute to get going, but improved in the second half to finish solid. I saw in the notes afterward that the idea started as a short story, and wonder if it might not have functioned better as one. This one was pitched as "cozy" to me, but I admit mostly just felt slow to start, trying to establish the ensemble cast of character personalities. It was good, but I think I had built up my expectations for something more, or just different than what I got.


message 150: by Phrynne (new)

Phrynne I seem to be one of very few people who did not really enjoy the latest Stephen King Fairy Tale. It was so drawn out and the magic world lacked any feeling of magic at all!
My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


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