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 2024?
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DivaDiane
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May 25, 2024 11:48PM
I’ve read a different biography of Pepys (pronounced Peeps for some odd reason), by Claire Tomalin, which was very good. He was just a regular guy, sort of, but journaled EVERYTHING. It’s because of him that we know a lot of things about the period, that otherwise would’ve been lost.
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I finished The Ghost Bride by Yangtze Choo, which I liked but not as much as her more recent The Fox Wife. The setting was my favorite part.I’m also still working my way through the Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold for my audiobook reads, now up to Brothers in Arms. I especially liked Borders of Infinity. Bujold is really a master novella writer. Each of the three novellas in this book was excellent but also very different from each other.
And I started Her Smoke Rose Up Forever by James Tiptree, Jr, last night - wow! I’m impressed with the stories I have read so far, though they have been on the dark side. I’ve never read anything by her before, and I’m looking forward to the rest of the collection.
Like Kaia, I am reading through the Vorkosigan series. Finished up Memory by Lois McMaster Bujold this morning.My rating: 5 of 5 stars
My favorite books take place on the main character's home world of Barrayar. This is one of the best. There are some phenomenal scenes in this book. Trying not to spoil anything, but watching Miles come the Vor lord with intent is amazing. And seeing Ivan bring Miles back from depression. And. And. And. Never mind, you just gotta read this one for yourself.
My review here
Economondos wrote: "Like Kaia, I am reading through the Vorkosigan series. Finished up Memory by Lois McMaster Bujold this morning.My rating: 5 of 5 stars
My favorite books take place on the main character's home wor..."
Economondos, your reviews keep tempting me to read even faster because they are a peek at the good books that await me further on in the series. I can only do so many hours of audiobook a day, though. 😂
Kaia, you amaze me. You are reading more than one book at a time. I can't do that. And you are a professor. I will keep writing the reviews in order to tempt you, but don't worry about going faster. Just enjoy the books. One computer game (Planet Crafter) and one book is all I can manage. All the rest of my energy goes into fixing up our house.
I am currently on summer break, so I have more time for reading these days - and I tend to get sucked in if I find a good series. I do usually have one audiobook and one eye read going simultaneously, though I get through them much more slowly - especially the audiobooks - when school is in session. I listen to the audiobook during my commute and household chores, and the eye read is for reading before I go to sleep, mostly. Good luck with your house - that can definitely take up a lot of time!
@DivaDiane, I at first wanted to read the diary, but in some editions it's 11 volumes (and yes, he recorded *everything*, no matter how inappropriate.
I'm currently reading Rage by Jonathan Maberry. It's a series that focuses on a character named Joe Ledger and his team of, I guess you can say people who get the off the chart jobs. They are all either ex military or cop and active military. I haven't read in some time due to being busy with work and family things. Per the norm though, when I pick up a book I don't put it down. I'll make sure to write a review about the book when I'm done.
Prophecy of a Vampire!If you like Acotar, You'll love Prophecy of a Vampire. So exciting to read and so unique. I don't think I've ever read a fantasy book like this.
Prophecy of a Vampire
Tania Gold
Finished Gene Wolf's Citadel of the Autarch, which I guess I didn't get. first 3 books of the series was basically linear, about Severian. then we get to the 4th book, somewhat linear, a little confusing, then near the end, uh, what? not spoiling, just made huge leaps, and the end a bit anticlimatic. I kept thinking, how are you going to wrap this up, running out of pages to read, and at the end, that's it? Maybe it'll make sense with the 5th book. Still on order, haven't got it yet. And maybe I'll like it more after it marinates in my brain and re-read it again at a later date.So, reading P Daeli Clark's A Master of Djinn!
Marc wrote: "Finished Gene Wolf's Citadel of the Autarch, which I guess I didn't get. first 3 books of the series was basically linear, about Severian. then we get to the 4th book, somewhat linear, a little con..."That would be P. Djèlí Clark.
Marc wrote: "Finished Gene Wolf's Citadel of the Autarch, which I guess I didn't get. first 3 books of the series was basically linear, about Severian. then we get to the 4th book, somewhat linear, a little con..."Loved a Master of Djinn and looking forward to The Dead Cat Tail Assassins
Ah, yeah, it's what I get for reading the cover sideways!! you are correct!
On the non-fiction side, read Emperor of Rome: Ruling the Ancient Roman World by Mary Beard. This is a superb presentation of what it was like to be or interact with the emperor of Rome, what the emperor's work was like (and how it was done), and what their "off-time" was like. Covers the period from Augustus to Alexander Severus. Rome was a strange place and a very different culture. In many ways, more fantastical than much of what we read as fantasy. A strong recommendation for those interested in history (or fantasy).
The Voided Man by Anthony Dean. This is the first in a new series. I was lucky to get an advanced copy and I read it in a single sitting! Great story…a little sci-fi and a little fantasy expertly blended. The characters are very cool. I love seeing strong female characters and the equality among characters is natural and not forced. Dialogue…if you’ve ever tried to write dialogue then you will appreciate the skill exercised here…it’s excellent. Some super cool science and future visions to daydream about too. A fun read that is also a very well written story. Can’t wait for the next book in this series!
I am reading We by Yevgeny Zamyatin. This is more a conceptual novel than a plot-driven novel. While not enlightening (so far) it is a thought-provoking meditation between that simply serves and that which pleases or charms.
I liked We, but it's been many years since i read it! like 20?
Got a couple I'm starting, since I'm indecisive and stuff's coming due back to the library. (Pepys was very interesting). So...G. J. Meyer's, The Tudors
Lyndal Roper's, Martin Luther: Renegade and Prophet
Sinclair Lewis's, It Can't Happen Here, a Depression era novel of a fascist takeover of the US.
Robert O. Paxton's, The Anatomy of Fascism, which is so far outstanding.
Anyone else reading The Saint of Bright Doors and struggling with it?
Stephen wrote: "Anyone else reading The Saint of Bright Doors and struggling with it?"Stephen, I read The Saint of Bright Doors earlier this year. I found the beginning really intriguing, but I got bogged down in the middle and end. I pushed through, but it felt like work for me. I know other people loved it, though.
Yeah, my feeling too. It's intriguing, but then I keep putting off reading more!
Stephen wrote: "Yeah, my feeling too. It's intriguing, but then I keep putting off reading more!"When I get to the point where I'm forcing myself to continue reading, I DNF the darned thing. Or some I have set aside to try again at a later time.
But then the DNF police will be after me
Stephen wrote: "But then the DNF police will be after me"Lol- We won't tell! Wear a wig and dark glasses to disguise yourself!
I have a ‘come-back-to’ shelf so that I am not actually DNFing a book. So it doesn’t count and the book cops don’t find me
Rachel wrote: "I have a ‘come-back-to’ shelf so that I am not actually DNFing a book. So it doesn’t count and the book cops don’t find me"Very clever - better hope they don't figure out your cunning ruse.
DivaDiane wrote: "Marc, I really enjoyed Slow River. Couldn’t tell you what it’s about though. Nicola Griffith is kind of an auto read author for me."Diane and Marc, your comments gave me encouragement to finally read Slow River and it did not disappoint. I was worried it would be too dark or grim, but it was not (though, yes, there were tough parts). I found it really well written and appreciated the structure of the book as well. I find Griffith to be a very skilled writer and will pick up more of her work in the future.
My most recent reads :)Navola - it was too long, the narrative was not structured well, the characters were too flat; too much gore and obsession with sex.
My review is here ;)
Rose/House - a creepy mixture of genres that I enjoyed very much.
My review is here ;)
Mammoths at the Gates - a lovely, humane, magical story of coming home. I loved it :)
My review is here ;)
Right now I am reading Slippery Creatures. So far, it's excellent fluff.
Michelle wrote: "Stephen wrote: "Yeah, my feeling too. It's intriguing, but then I keep putting off reading more!"When I get to the point where I'm forcing myself to continue reading, I DNF the darned thing. Or s..."
I read one chapter a week out of books like that until I've completed them. I moving onward through Ninefox Gambit in that manner though I have to agree it's gotten a little bit easier.
Hank wrote: "Book cops are the worst!"Especially the DNF squad
This is a good conversation - how much do you need to be not enjoying a book before you file it in the bin?Is there a page No?
There's no rule, Stephen- it's subjective. Most of the time I toss it around the 100 pages mark but I've given up on some books either sooner or later than that. Just do what makes you comfortable. DNF police notwithstanding!To keep the Topic Police at bay, I'm about 3/4 of the way through Song of the Mysteries. Holy moly, it's a good one. I'm sorry that this is the official ending to the series!
I try to give an author 100 pages to catch my interest. But that is a rough guide. Gave one book 250 pages before DNF, another only got 75 before I was disgusted with inconsistent character traits.
I try to not have DNF books, but one that was on my DNF for decades was Frank Herbert's Dune. I mentioned this in other posts, but in college, I tried to read it, and yeah, got to page 100 or so and realized I didn't remember a dang thing, just staring at words, not getting the story. i made 3 attempts to read it, failing each time. put it down, tried again a year later, nope! Finally when Denis Villeneuve's Dune came out in 2021, watched the movie, and thought (about 30 years later), try it again. Ah! Now I get it!! Greatly enjoyed the book. Just took 30 years to finish! Another book, which I did actually finish, but I don't think I quite got it, is Gene Wolfe's Citadel of the Autarch. It got squirrely at the end, I'm like, uh, what? People rave about the series, and I thought, it was good (at least the first 3 books), was it great? um, for me, it was good... other than the last book, mostly good til the ending
Right under the wire, I've finished a fourth book in May. Better than usual!Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery (audio): warm-hearted and moving story about an orphan who finds family and friendship in a beautifully-depicted corner of Canada. The best book I've read so far this year. It's a classic for a reason! (review)
Money for Nothing: The Scientists, Fraudsters, and Corrupt Politicians Who Reinvented Money, Panicked a Nation, and Made the World Rich by Thomas Levenson: just try not to think of the Dire Straits song when you see that title. :D This non-fiction book about the South Sea Bubble in the early 1700s shows that history, and capitalism, moves in circles sometimes. (review)
Witch World by Andre Norton: a reread after a few decades' break. I appreciated it more this time than I did when a teenager, though I also saw more problems than I did back then. (review)
Bridge to Bat City by Ernest Cline: did you know that Cline wrote a children's book? Well, now you do. This doesn't seem to have made much of a splash. It was cute, but too simplistic. I've read MGs with much more impact than this. (placeholder review)
Marc wrote: "I try to not have DNF books, but one that was on my DNF for decades was Frank Herbert's Dune. I mentioned this in other posts, but in college, I tried to read it, and yeah, got to page 100 or so an..."We're all so different aren't we! I'd read Dune 3 times before I finished High School!
Rachel wrote: "I have a ‘come-back-to’ shelf so that I am not actually DNFing a book. So it doesn’t count and the book cops don’t find me"I call mine "good-intentions" :D
Beth wrote: "Rachel wrote: "I have a ‘come-back-to’ shelf so that I am not actually DNFing a book. So it doesn’t count and the book cops don’t find me"I call mine "good-intentions" :D"
Mine is now the bin - I've decided to get ruthless with clutter!
Mine is "paused". I really like Beth's "good intentions", though!
Finished Komarr by Lois McMaster Bujold earlier this week. Life got in the way of posting a review sooner.My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A mystery set in the Vorkosigan universe. An excellent novel with interesting characters, good pacing, and a nifty setting (living under the domes of a planet with active terraforming). The best parts to me are the vivid scenes with great character interaction. Never read about a shopping trip that was so interesting. Nor a hospital room conversation that was so absorbing. You need to read some of the earlier books to get the most out of this one, and I recommend the whole series .
My review here
Started A Civil Campaign right after and am having trouble putting it down.
Artificial Condition
by Martha WellsMurderbot Diaries #2. Absolutely hilarious short novella (158 pages) about a self-aware security robot/android (secbot) with a bad attitude told in the first person from it's perspective. It's a follow-up to the first book in the series. Probably better to read in order but not vital. I loved this book, 5 stars.
Araych wrote: "Artificial Conditionby Martha WellsMurderbot Diaries #2. Absolutely hilarious short novella (158 pages) about a self-aware security robot/android (secbot)..."
100% concur. They're shooting a TV series of book 1 right now
I'm rereading the LOTR trilogy along with one of my other groups. It's like visiting old friends :)
I haven't read it since I was 18. Should do that again!
Araych wrote: "Artificial Conditionby Martha Wells."
That might be my favorite of the series. I'm rereading the whole series again (third time) right now in between all the other books I'm reading. I was diagnosed with cancer in January and desperately needed something to occupy me that wouldn't be too heavy. I tried Pratchett (I know he's widely loved but um, not for me), and then read the first 6 Drizzt novels by RA Salvatore, then I read the Murderbot series and it was exactly what I needed. I bought the 1st book years ago, read it, and for some reason it didn't click with me. But this time around it did, and the 2nd book REALLY clicked with me.
Even though the 2nd book is probably my fav (because it introduces my fav secondary character in the series), I think the series overall gets better in the later books--Wells really does an amazing job at developing the Murderbot character, we get to know the reoccurring characters like Mensah better, and Wells is a really good storyteller. The full-length novel blew me away with how good it is.
And I love that Wells is a Stargate fan--I immediately thought of Stargate with the "Worldhoppers" show Murderbot watches. I want to read the Stargate tie-in novels she wrote.
I finally finished Les Miserables. Was a bear to read but interesting to see back story to the musical and his views on helping the poor and improving justice.I thought I would try something short after that and read the short stories at the end of Hainish Novels & Stories, Vol. 1: Rocannon’s World / Planet of Exile / City of Illusions / The Left Hand of Darkness / The Dispossessed / Stories
I plan to ask for Vol. 2 for a present if I dont buy it first.
Next I plan on reading Project Hail Mary one of the two space science fiction books my oldest daughter got me as a present. Evidently she watched book tubers who recommended them.
I'm totally off what I thought I would read this year but it doesn't matter.
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