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?
I never appreciated the songs/poems until I listed to the audio versions - it was quite eye opening to me
I agree, that Tolkien just begs to be read aloud. I read The Hobbit to my son which was a wonderful experience for both of us. We listened to the recent narration by Andy Serkis of LOTR as a family while on road trips with lots of driving. We are nearly finished!
Reading the 5th novel in the avatar-verse The Reckoning of Roku by Randy Ribay. 1/3 in, so far so good! I really enjoyed the Kyoshi and Yangchen's novels, hope this one is also good.
I am currently reading The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett and really enjoying it so far. It’s an interesting fantasy world with a lot of botanical-based powers/magic, though the plot is mostly a mystery. It’s nice to finally have the ability to read a longer novel again. The last month has been unexpectedly busy with some life curveballs, and I haven’t been able to manage more than my son’s read-aloud book and short stories, outside of the audiobooks I listen to on my commute (and even those have been novellas or middle grade books).
DivaDiane wrote: "I agree, that Tolkien just begs to be read aloud. I read The Hobbit to my son which was a wonderful experience for both of us. ..."I read Jim Hines' Goblin Hero to my wife years ago. She still reminds me of it from time to time. The rise of audiobooks has brought that to a lot of people, and the more I think about it the happier it makes me.
I still read to my husband and my son.
My older children used to read to my younger children. Harry Potter mainly. Kind of fun. I finished third Game of Thrones book. Least favorite of the three. It was good but didn't seem to really go anywhere. I think I need to decide if I like this kind of fantasy book. I don't know what the proper term is for it, if there is one. It immerses you in a fantasy world (I think of it as a swords and sorcery world but I know that isn't exactly right). It has a lot of interesting detail but a slow moving plot. I have read several highly regarded books like this. Maybe I can just enjoy being in the worlds and not worry much about it ever really finishing or going anywhere. I don't know. Next is Tombs of Atuan. Finally got it from the library. May read The Obelisk Gate next. Borrowed it from my daughter.
Bobby wrote: "My older children used to read to my younger children. Harry Potter mainly. Kind of fun. I finished third Game of Thrones book. Least favorite of the three. It was good but didn't seem to really go..."I've read the A Song of Ice and Fire series or what's available right now. I liked it as a whole but some books were better than others.
But I'd like to recommend Raymond E. Feist or David Eddings both what I consider really good High Fantasy authors.
Charlton wrote: "But I'd like to recommend Raymond E. Feist or David Eddings ..."Thanks!
Bobby wrote: "Charlton wrote: "But I'd like to recommend Raymond E. Feist or David Eddings ..."Thanks!"
Second these two authors. Very good world-building.
oh, I finished Julian May's many colored land a week ago. an interesting thought experiment, what if you can only time travel to the distant past, and you can't come back? you couldn't take anything that might affect time, but other than that, you could do whatever you want. distant past was after the dinosaurs went extinct but humans were still smallish monkeys, maybe 60 million years ago. and you can't communicate back. it starts in the future, humans exploring the galaxy, has encountered aliens, but no creatures ever invented time travel save for this one guy. would you go? not knowing what's on the other side? zap in and die? zap in be enslaved by earlier people who came before? or in the book, something else!! no spoilers!! I didn't realize it's the first book of a series. it didn't end on a cliffhanger, but it felt there's an additional story... thumbs up!!also just read Becky chambers Long Way to a Small Angry Planet. a mostly fun romp around the galaxy on a smaller ship that creates 'highways' via tunneling through spacetime. a story about the captain and crew mostly told through the eyes of a new crewmate. it's book one, I'm gonna get the other books, I am enjoying the series!!
now I'm reading Patricia McKillips riddle-master series, starting with the riddle-master of Hed.
i have decided to revisit some of the older authors that i haven't read for over 15 years eg Feist, Laurell Hamilton, Orson Scott, Anne McCaffrey, Wyndhamany other suggestions
i have all of these books, but haven't looked at them in years
Kateb wrote: "i have decided to revisit some of the older authors that i haven't read for over 15 years eg Feist, Laurell Hamilton, Orson Scott, Anne McCaffrey, Wyndhamany other suggestions
i have all of thes..."
Robert Silverberg, Glen Cook and Gene Wolfe?
If we're going for older how about Keith Laumer, Joe Haldeman, and (even older) Alfred Bester?
Colin wrote: "If we're going for older how about Keith Laumer, Joe Haldeman, and (even older) Alfred Bester?"I'd forgotten Keith Laumer! I used to read his books decades ago.
I just finished the fifth book in the Decline and Fall of the Galactic Empire series by Andrew Moriarty: Imperial Privateer, which is the last one available right now. I hope he writes #6 quickly! This series is so funny and fun. It's been perfect to read these because this has truly been a hideous summer for me. I've read other books but nothing perked me up like this series. Great characters, plot and witty dialogue.
Older books - CJ Cherryh could be in that list. A few Hugo winners as well
Marc wrote: "oh, I finished Julian May's many colored land a week ago. an interesting thought experiment, what if you can only time travel to the distant past, and you can't come back? you couldn't take anythin..."Ah, I love Becky Chambers' books so much! I am glad you enjoyed.
The Riddle-Master series is magical. I read it last summer :) Looking forward to your thoughts!
I liked Riddle-Master, too. I've read it several times. Now I'm reading Rescue Cats: Portraits and Stories and 😭.
Rachel wrote: "Older books - CJ Cherryh could be in that list. A few Hugo winners as well"got all of those books, wow i spent the afternoon going through my book shelves of old authors. i figure i have a few hundred , looks like my reading is organised for a few months
Marc wrote: "oh, I finished Julian May's many colored land a week ago. an interesting thought experiment, what if you can only time travel to the distant past, and you can't come back? you couldn't take anythin..."Becky Chambers and especially Patricia McKillip's books are really great.
Unfortunately I haven't read Julian May's Many Coloured Land yet. But the time when 'the dinosaurs were extinct but humans were still smallish monkeys' has always seemed very interesting to me. And there are aliens too! I'll probably start reading that book soon.
I hope it's written in good language, and the descriptions of the Eocene (because I know it's the Eocene) landscapes are quite vivid. For some reason, writers don't love this period as much as the age of the dinosaurs. And yet it is very interesting!
Thank you for mentioning this book!
Michelle wrote: "I just finished the fifth book in the Decline and Fall of the Galactic Empire series by Andrew Moriarty: Imperial Privateer, which is the last one available right..."Oooo, I have the 1st of this series on my TBR, and hope to get to soon.
Since I completed the GR yearly reading challenge, I started this group's Zodiac challenge this past weekend and picked out books for every year. So far for that challenge I've finished Ancillary Mercy by Ann Leckie, In Ascension by Martin MacInnes, The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula K. Le Guin and Authority by Jeff VanderMeer.
All were solid 4 star reads for me except Authority which was such a disappointment and I only finished it, thanks to a fit of insomnia, for the Zodiac challenge after looking around at other books published those years. My review is here.
Today I'm starting these from my TBR list (which really needs to be whittled down a bit):
Riot Baby by Tochi Onyebuchi, The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell and To the Warm Horizon by Jin-Young Choi.
Read through the last of Podkayne of Mars by Robert A. Heinlein this morning.My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This 1995 Baen edition is better than the original! It includes both endings as well as the 25 winning essays in the contest to pick between the ending 'as originally published' and 'as Heinlein originally wrote it.' In addition there is some commentary from Heinlein's letters and notes from Jim Baen.
My review here
Working through my TBR challenge list, started Feet of Clay by Terry Pratchett.
Economondos wrote: "Read through the last of Podkayne of Mars by Robert A. Heinlein this morning.My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This 1995 Baen edition is better than the original! It includes both endings as well as the 25 ..."
that sounds interesting
Economondos wrote: "Read through the last of Podkayne of Mars by Robert A. Heinlein this morning.My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This 1995 Baen edition is better than the original! It includes both endings as well as the 25 ..."
I have a 1993 Baen printing that includes both endings but not the essays. The cover announces it as the first publication with Heinlein's original ending. It has a page at the end announcing a vote to "pick the ending" and also one for the essay contest. To me, the original ending is better, way more powerful, and sad. I can guess why a publisher in the 1950's did not want it and you have made me curious how the vote in 1994 (30 years ago) turned out.
Colin wrote: "you have made me curious how the vote in 1994 (30 years ago) turned out...."Apparently it was 2 to 1 in favor of Heinlein's original ending. Still, that is a fair amount of support for the ending as published.
Economondos wrote: "Colin wrote: "you have made me curious how the vote in 1994 (30 years ago) turned out...."Apparently it was 2 to 1 in favor of Heinlein's original ending. Still, that is a fair amount of support ..."
I wonder what would happen if there was a vote today. Although, it might come out the same way. (view spoiler)
I've read a piece by Heinlein about why he (view spoiler) in the original ending and he saw her deciding between (view spoiler)
My classics group is reading Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.. I feel up to reading the graphic novel, not reading the novel which might depress me. So readingSlaughterhouse-Five, or the Children's Crusade: A Graphic Novel Adaptation byRyan North.
Continuing with my mini study of Jules Verne, I am also reading A Floating City. Fair to good technological talk--not anywhere as good as Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.That is great. If I were much younger, I would reread--that good.
Cynda wrote: "My classics group is reading Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.. I feel up to reading the graphic novel, not reading the novel which might depress me. So reading[..."Don't go by the name. The book is balanced by a lot of whimsy and humour
Stephen that was sort of but not definitely my plan to read the graphic novel first and then if I am not too sickened then I can read the novel. I am about 25% into the graphic novel and am still good, so I may read the novel as Vonnegut wrote it :)
Cynda wrote: "Stephen that was sort of but not definitely my plan to read the graphic novel first and then if I am not too sickened then I can read the novel. I am about 25% into the graphic novel and am still g..."Also, there are other great Vonnegut books you could read if you found this too intense. He was a genius, a humanist and a deeply gentle person. His writing is profoundly anti-war and anti-violence, but this work was personal, drawing on his experiences in WW2.
Yes Stephen. I think next year I will do a Vonnegut study. My life-long friend and I read a few Vonnegut when we were young and more adventurous in our reading. Good idea.
Kateb wrote: "try John Wyndham books"Yes! Yes! Yes! My dad loved them and so do I. My favorite is The Kraken Wakes
I liked the day of the triffids, read that earlier this year! thumbs up!Just finished Patricia McKillips' the riddle-master of Hed. took me a while to like the protagonist, Morgon, I kept thinking, come on! Stop trying to go home and quit, it's not going to work out, bad things will keep happening.
I did think the book was too short, only 190 pages, and ended kinda like Star Wars Empire Strikes Back, cliffhanger (carbonite, well, if you haven't seen ESB, I won't spoil, but if you did watch it, you know what I mean).
Anyhoo, on to book 2, Heir of Sea and Fire.
I'm listening to Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky (my first Audio book). It's self-narrated and he does a terrific job. Report from half way - absolutely loving it. In my view the best think he's written (or is it spoken?)
Love Day of the Triffids. Read it in the 70s for school and have reread it a few times. It’s the main reason I refuse to look at meteor showers 😂
Silvana wrote: "Starting Sinophagia: A Celebration of Chinese Horror 2024 excited!"Ooh! I do love a good anthology of horror!
my horror books start in October! I have Joe Hill's Strange weather and a few Stephen Graham Jones books all queued up! that Sinophagia sounds interesting, adding to my to-buy/to-read!
Marc wrote: "I liked the day of the triffids, read that earlier this year! thumbs up!Just finished Patricia McKillips' the riddle-master of Hed. took me a while to like the protagonist, Morgon, I kept thinkin..."
You may also like her books The Changeling Sea, Winter Rose, Ombria in the Shadow, Alphabet of Thorn and In the Forests of Serre.
The Changeling Sea is a very sad yet poetic book. It's the story of two brothers who are like yin and yang. One of them, though raised in a royal palace, truly belongs to the sea, to darkness and night. The other brother, who is bewitched and lives in the depths of the sea, is drawn to the sun, light and day because he belongs to them. At the same time, these different brothers are similar because they are the sons of the same father and love the same girl.
As for Alphabet of Thorn and Ombria in Shadow, these books have very interesting and bizarre plots. Winter Rose and In the Forests of Serre are just poetry written in prose, like the other Patricia McKillip books.
Silvana wrote: "Starting Sinophagia: A Celebration of Chinese Horror 2024 excited!"Sounds very interesting!
I just bought Fever House by Keith Rosson (my first horror in ages, I'm not really a big fan of the genre). I've heard it's amazing.
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Yep. 19 + 16+ 18 = 53 hours. Good thing I have a lot of DIY to work on in the shop this summer and fall.