April 2023: Catch-up month!

[Kalin]

I didn't realize it but March 2023 marks the fifth anniversary since this group started. In that time, between books-of-the-month and group challenges, we've made it through over 150 Hugo/Nebula winners and nominees.

But not everyone's been around since that first year (myself included) or had time to read 2-3 books per month alongside the group. So we reserve April as a "catch-up month" when you can pick something the group has already read -- and which is therefore no longer eligible to be nominated -- and use this time to enjoy it without missing out on another book-of-the-month.

Use this thread to:
a) let the group know what you plan to read this month
b) organize buddy reads if there a few want to read the same book

You can also revive threads from the original month, which is very welcome! Every single one is archived here in our group discussions, and you can easily link to most of the older ones from this document: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1W...#

[Kalin]

Well I'll start!

My first goal for the month will be The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold. I'll probably start in the next few days.

I'm expecting a super busy month work-wise, but if I have time my second goal will be Embassytown by China Miéville.

Both of these get recommended often but I missed them the first time they came around in this group.

[Oleksandr, a.k.a. Acorn]

I plan to join re-read of The Curse of Chalion. Overall, I've read all monthly reads with the group, except for the earliest one - Darwin's Radio, because I've read it before

[Antti]

Excellent choices! I'll try to read Powers by Ursula LeGuin, if I have the time (I seem to have read extremely slowly/little these past couple of months).

[Stephen]

I’ve read The Curse of Chalion more than once, also its sequel Paladin of Souls which I liked even more. Among my favourite Bujold books.

[Allan]

I just got back from a vacation in New Orleans, and unfortunately did very little reading. I'd been hoping to finish the books I've started, Downbelow Station & 4 audio books that came off hold almost simultaneously, but that didn't work out. So that's my starting point. Zoe's Tale is in the queue, along with After the Coup, and so is The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, which I read last year but don't remember very well. Just need a reminder before I dive into the other two. I also have The Drowned World, The Quiet Pools & The First Science Fiction Megapack: 25 Modern and Classic Science Fiction Tales at various stages & would like to finish those too.

I'd love to re-read Chalion & Embassytown, but I just don't think I can squeeze them in. Both are in the top books that I've read with or as a result of this group. I've managed to read all but five of the group's monthly books, but again, they'll to tough to fit in since March ended in delays. Since we've hit the five year mark, I need to update my stats on what we've read. I'll try to do that in the next week and post it.