What else are you reading - January 2023

[Rob, Roberator]

Happy new year! What is first on your reading agenda?

[terpkristin]

I'm blazing through another cozy mystery. Then the book of the month (which name I cannot remember) and the Sanderson "secret" book #1. I haven't decided which format I'm doing for each book, I have kindle and audio for both.

And I have Seveneves to get back to. I stopped when there was a data dump on ephemerides, because it was too close to work.

[Stephen]

I am going to try to finish the many unfinished series that I read the first book, liked it and never got around to the rest of the series, First up is Son of a Liche by the very funny J. Zachary Pike.

[Chris K.]

I'm rereading Ninth House because it's been more than three years since I read it and the sequel comes out this month.

Then onto this month's pick.

[Rick]

Finished a re-read of Count Zero and interestingly it holds up better than Neuromancer I think, in part because it's less detailed about the world. The latter had Case selling ROM etc - things that seem anachronistic now (though not really when it came out). This doesn't really have anything like that, though it's set only 7 or 8 years post Neuromancer.

[Ibrahim]

Currently reading the murderbot diaries: All systems red, my god is it good, this is my second or third SciFi book and I was scared I won't like something that's not fantasy but I love it.

[Trike]

Ibrahim wrote: "Currently reading the murderbot diaries: All systems red, my god is it good, this is my second or third SciFi book and I was scared I won't like something that's not fantasy but I love it."

The Murderbot books are all great, I highly recommend them.

There are also plenty of sci-fi books that will scratch the same itch as fantasy.

[Ibrahim]

Trike wrote: "Ibrahim wrote: "Currently reading the murderbot diaries: All systems red, my god is it good, this is my second or third SciFi book and I was scared I won't like something that's not fantasy but I l..."

I kinda believe that yeah, Any SciFi recommendations like murder bot (preferably with AI-centered plots or characters )

[John (Nevets)]

Ibrahim wrote: "Trike wrote: "Ibrahim wrote: "Currently reading the murderbot diaries: All systems red, my god is it good, this is my second or third SciFi book and I was scared I won't like something that's not f..."

Have you tried the “Bobaverse” books yet? We Are Legion (We Are Bob) Totally different scenario, but I think you may appreciate the tone. If it was the relationship and character building you liked in Murderbot, Becky Chambers may be an author you oils like as well. The group read The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet a while back. I’m intentionally picking modern authors that have a somewhat similar style to start with, but if you want a broader selection I’m sure the group can help with that as well.

[Ibrahim]

John (Nevets) wrote: "Ibrahim wrote: "Trike wrote: "Ibrahim wrote: "Currently reading the murderbot diaries: All systems red, my god is it good, this is my second or third SciFi book and I was scared I won't like someth..."

actually, we are bob is next on my TBR list. I am not a big fan of intergalactic spaceship battles and weird corporate schemes but I loved the Internal monologue, the characters, and the whole plot line of an AI weirded out by humans.
I might try a few different things since all I knew about SciFi was that I hated Star Wars and Star Trek (sorry everyone, please don't hunt me down and force me to listen to why I should love them).

[John (Nevets)]

Hmm. Bob has a few things in it that may not be your favorite, but it has a bunch of stuff I think you probably will like. I also think the quality of the work itself may overcome things you are not thrilled with. But let us know if it is not your thing (it happens), and others might chime in with things that will be more your style.

And I still think the Becky Chambers books will be something that could be right up your ally.

[Ruth]

Ibrahim wrote: "Trike wrote: "Ibrahim wrote: "Currently reading the murderbot diaries: All systems red, my god is it good, this is my second or third SciFi book and I was scared I won't like something that's not f..."

The Imperial Radch series by Ann Leckie features an AI main character (series begins with Ancillary Justice) It’s a wide-ranging space opera story but it’s not much like Star Wars/Trek.

[Deborah]

I've just started Legends & Lattes

[Scott]

Knee deep in The Gathering Storm! (And loving it)

[Calvey]

Deborah wrote: "I've just started Legends & Lattes"

Loved the book. Hope you enjoy it!

[Misti]

Finally finished listening to Elric of Melniboné yesterday. I started listening to The Tower of the Swallow this morning.

[Iain]

Just finished Rosewater which I really enjoyed. Took a long while for the plot to solidify but the world building and characterisation are top notch. Not the first book I have found with the USD being taken out of the picture. The narration is excellent as well.

Reading our pick and listening to Ten Steps to Nanette which has the best narration of any audio book I have ever listened to.

[John (Taloni)]

^ Not sure exactly what "USD" is in this context, but if it's the US government, have you read Alastair Reynolds' "Poseidon's Children" trilogy? Afro-futuristic, not a single mention of the US. China comes in but no significant mention of any Western country.

[[deleted user]]

I finished off White Noise a few days ago and caught up with the new movie adaptation last night which was excellent.

Currently reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire to my daughter and The Fellowship of the Ring to my son.

Beyond that my goal for the start of 2023 is to kill the pile that's built up on my bedside table which at the moment includes Lost Connections, Kindred, Heat 2, The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet and a bunch more.

[Ibrahim]

Currently reading the The Black Prism , hands down one of the most complicated magic systems out there and i loveeeee it

[Colin]

Having just re-assessed my TBR list and made all kind of plans for the year (which will probably be discarded by about February!) my first Laser read for the year is going to be be Feersum Endjinn continuing my gradual re-read of all things Iain M Banks.

I remember that the text for this one was … ‘quirky’, relying on some phonetic gymnastics to read certain chapters. That’s about the only detail I can remember about the book though!

[John (Taloni)]

Probably going to lem Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser. I'm reading a trilogy which includes the "first three" books. This was supposed to be a palate cleanser after Elric but I am finding the same morally grey, unsympathetic characters.

Perhaps this is a danger of starting with later work, or as I have come to call it, the "Magician's Nephew" issue after some collections of Narnia started there. The first two major stories are later prequels introducing the characters. Much like with Elric I suppose.

Modest spoilers...
(view spoiler)[For this series we start first with Fafhrd, running out on a pregnant girlfriend / would be wife, in favor of a mercurial showgirl. He wanted to experience civilization instead of the freezing North. Sounds fine, maybe you could have thought of that BEFORE you knocked someone up. Fafhrd is a bit of a Marty Stu, with abilities far in excess of zzzzz......

Next story is Mouse, delving into black magic in a story replete with death and torture. Er, actually, I think Elric was *more* uplifting.

Then it's on to a story of the two meeting up and going on a killing spree. And a visit to an excruciatingly thoroughly described Thieves Guild Headquarters. (hide spoiler)]

I intended to read all three and put some of my library hold items on hiatus to leave time. Have now taken those suspensions off. First book in gets rotated to the front. I'll finish out the first book of the trilogy but am not motivated for more.

[John (Taloni)]

Aaand the winner is 'The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches!" First off library hold. Niven's Red Tide and Anderson's Captain Flandry will have to wait.

BTW one more thing on Fafhrd etc. I can see how it was integral to the development of D&D, with its faux-Europe setting incorporating something like 2,000 years of history among various locations. The flowery almost-Shakespearean language. It just didn't click for me.

[Joseph]

I read K.B. Wagers' Beyond the Empire (third in her Indranan War trilogy) in the space of about 48 hours and started Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose, which I expect will take quite a bit longer.

[Geoff]

After finishing Elric of Melniboné, I decided to move on to The Fortress of the Pearl. The Elric books are pretty entertaining, and also very short! I'm not sure that I'm committing to the whole series, though.

[Pumpkinstew]

For Christmas I was given a copy of Gareth Marenghi's TerrorTome and tickets to the book tour in February.
And also some shortbread. In case of scotch mist.
I don't normally get on with audio books but this one is narrated by Garth Marenghi and I might have to make an exception / cash in that free audible credit I keep being emailed about.

I'm also picking my way through From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back. I enjoyed the A New Hope edition, on balance, but it's a rough start for ESB - I've been given a wampa's and a tauntaun's perspective on things.

Edit: I've just noticed that Goodreads has listed it as Gareth Marenghi's TerrorTome. Which is probably unintentional but still perfect.

[Trike]

Finished Hammered, now reading Hammered, with Hammered on deck. Really.

[Mark]

Trike wrote: "Finished Hammered, now reading Hammered, with Hammered on deck. Really."

Then Hammered?

[John (Taloni)]

Trike's wish, NY Eve: "I wanna get hammered!"

Genie, misinterpreting: "Got it!"

[Trike]

You guys are a hoot, that’s what you are.

[Pumpkinstew]

Construction fiction. Not as big a niche genre as I expected...Screwed, Screwed, Screw, Screwed

Look, a whole series of novels on house building!
Nailed, Screwed, Drilled, Hardwood, Stud

Although it only seems to cover the timber frame.
Maybe Groundworks, Sparks, Piped, Plastered and Boilers are in planning stages.

[John (Taloni)]

Finished The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches. This was definitely the palate cleanser I was looking for after Elric. A "Cozy Fantasy" with all the expected ingredients: Found family, magic, finding your place in the world, romance, and "small" rather than dramatic world shaking action. Oh, the romance was delivered with the subtlety of Thor swinging Mjolnir and saying "Have at thee!" but why not.

Perhaps the best part was the climax of the book's action, (view spoiler)[the tiniest of moments where the MC held the hand of her parent stand-in and said "please." (hide spoiler)]

Not really much room left for a sequel, but I'd read more in this world. (view spoiler)[There's the big curse to undo anyway, the one that causes witches to become orphans. (hide spoiler)]

[Trike]

Pumpkinstew wrote: "Construction fiction. Not as big a niche genre as I expected...Screwed, Screwed, Screw, Screwed

Look, a whole series of novels on ho..."

What, no Hammered by the Hammerhead? Tsk.

[Jonathan]

Reading Pandora's Star

[John (Taloni)]

Trike wrote: "What, no Hammered by the Hammerhead? Tsk."

Sounds like the latest Chuck Tingle story!

[Mark]

Count me among the folks who got a kick out of Legends & Lattes

[Rick]

John (Taloni) wrote: "Oh, the romance was delivered with the subtlety of Thor swinging Mjolnir and saying "Have at thee!" but why not.

Perhaps the best part was the climax..."

EXCUSE ME?? :)

[Geoff]

I finished The Fortress of the Pearl. It was fine, but that's probably enough Elric for now. Nostalgia indulged.
I'm reading Legends & Lattes now. Another quick, comfort read, but in a different way.

[Rick]

Finished The Spare Man. It was... fine. Too long, a bit too convoluted and there were a few points that didn't make sense e.g. (view spoiler)[ Tesla is the head of an immensely powerful corporation. But she's stymied by a ship head of security? Her lawyer talked a lot but was incompetent if she didn't get the CEO of the ship company (not the owner, that's... later) and get security head out of the way. And, ultimately, Tesla playing amateur detective once her husband was cleared was kind of annoying. (hide spoiler)]. The pronoun thing was slightly annoying initially (it feels like a very 2020s issue being imposed on a future time period) but it eased.

I think this would be been much better as a novella or simply a shorter novel. 3 stars.

[Ruth]

Rick wrote: "Finished The Spare Man. It was... fine. Too long, a bit too convoluted and there were a few points that didn't make sense e.g. [spoilers removed]. The pronoun thing was slightly ann..."

Yeah, I found the pronoun thing (and the mask thing) a bit jarring too, I guess the way the book was marketed (“The Thin Man in space!) plus prior reading of The Calculating Stars led me to expect a more retro feel. I was able to suspend my disbelief for the murder mystery though, and I enjoyed the lawyer.

[Rick]

Ruth wrote: ".I was able to suspend my disbelief for the murder mystery though, and I enjoyed the lawyer..."

I liked Fantine (the lawyer) but she ultimately was ineffective. Great insults, but nothing she did actually helped Tesla in the moment and she's put forward as this high powered attorney for the head of the company that owns the comm satellites in space.

Also, as I type that, "Tesla" as a name is also very 2020.

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls]

I finished this small collection of the two fantasy short stories that inspired the Nutcracker ballet which has become a Christmas classic:


Nutcracker and Mouse King and The Tale of the Nutcracker by E.T.A. Hoffmann and Alexandre Dumas
Rating: 3 stars
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[John (Taloni)]

Stainless Steel Rat for President filled a nice hole in my TBR list. Following the success of the first three, Harrison wrote nine (NINE!) more. There is a dropoff in quality from modest (this one) to signficant by the end (so I have read.)

Anyhoo, this one was funny enough. The Rat's wife and twin sons come in for supporting roles. It's the Rat running for President in a planet much like the banana republics of mid last century. Much violence comes in for mockery in a way that feels off. Many stereotypes along the way, altho in a self-mocking fashion. Decent fill in read. I would read them all but only 8 or so are available in ebook and my eyes can't handle paperback fonts any more.

[Chris K.]

My copy of Hell Bent came in at the library so I've started that.

I'm also listening to A Restless Truth.

[DAWN]

I’m reading the monsters we defy/Penelope, restless, truth/marske , and driving the deep/Palmer. The monsters we defy is set in African-American Washington DC and I think the 20s. It’s a fantasy with some really interesting dark qualities and I’m really enjoying the historical setting and the characters, who deal with marginalization from white people and other African-Americans. Restless truth is Romance and fantasy in Edwardian England, very fun. Driving the deep is about everyone’s favorite deep space repo man, and his lovely friends with special new addition of a New York City cop.

[Iain]

Rick wrote: "Ruth wrote: ".I was able to suspend my disbelief for the murder mystery though, and I enjoyed the lawyer..."

I liked Fantine (the lawyer) but she ultimately was ineffective. Great insults, but not..."

I think you are mis8 g the point of being stuck on a space ship where the captain controls everything. The only reason Tesla had as much scope for action was because she was rich. Anyone else would have been Locked in a cabin for the duration. The lawyer not being able to accomplish mulch was not surprising.

[Phil On The Hill]

I am off to a good start in January. Always a good month to hunker down and get a few books read.
Pushing to finish the last Morse crime novels by Colin Dexter. Two down and two to go.
Reread Leiber's Swords and Deviltry. Just loved it.
David Green's Empire of Ruin books were easy reads, quite enjoyable.
Finally a novella by Stewart Hotston - The Entropy of Loss. Good SF with an all woman cast.
Happy reading to all. This monthly thread is always fun. Stay safe.

[Rick]

Iain wrote: "I think you are mis8 g the point of being stuck on a space ship where the captain controls everything. s..."

Sure, the captain has immense latitude on a ship. And it can be made clear to them that this is their last trip by the company. Also, the captain was a cipher. We saw them once and then never again.

And Tesla isn't just rich, she's immensely powerful given that her company literally owns the comsats between earth, mars and luna. My issue with Fantine was that she threatened and threatened but was completely ineffective, despite being characterized as some fearsome force.

Though I'd have stuffed her in her cabin too - she's just some rich person and while her husband is a detective, he's also a suspect. (this happens so early on that it's not really a spoiler, folks).

[Ruth]

Finished Wild and Wicked Things, now starting Notes from the Burning Age by Claire North which is a great story thus far, if occasionally uncomfortable reading.

[Mark]

Just finished Blitz by Daniel O'Malley, the third book in The Checquy Files, and very different from the earlier books in the series. There are two tales told in Blitz, one set early in WW2 London and the other set a few months after the second book, with all new characters. Very entertaining.