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?
Kaia wrote: "Mai wrote: "Finished Legends & Lattes. Author Travis Baldree delivers a light-hearted story that brought me smiles. An overwhelming desire to consume coffee and pastries accompanied my reading. Coi..."And don't forget Satchel, the bookish skeleton! He's my favourite character in this book series so far.
Yes, Satchel is great. I want to reread it in part because of him!By the way, Baldree narrated both audiobooks of the series and does a splendid job at it. If you loved the books, the audiobooks might be a good investment for you down the line, especially if you see them on sale.
As for my current reading, today I'm starting Real Americans by Rachel Khong for another GR group and Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist.
Kaia wrote: "Mai wrote: "Finished Legends & Lattes. Author Travis Baldree delivers a light-hearted story that brought me smiles. An overwhelming desire to consume coffee and pastries accompanied my reading. Coi..."I accidentally read that one first and enjoyed it.
Carrie Vaughn presents a neat murder mystery in Bannerless. I like the emphasis on caring for your community. And telling the truth. And not being greedy. I would prefer slicker writing and more sparkle.
Just finished What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher and loved it. Quick fun retelling of The Fall of the House of Usher (Poe), which I read last year.
Just posted a review of Service Model, by Adrian Tchaikovsky here:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
CJ wrote: "Yes, Satchel is great. I want to reread it in part because of him!By the way, Baldree narrated both audiobooks of the series and does a splendid job at it. If you loved the books, the audiobooks ..."
As far as I know, the author himself reads the text. Actually, audiobooks aren't really my cup of tea. But maybe in this case I will take the time to listen to these books.
In any case, it's really nice to meet another Satchel fan.
as part of my horror october book read, just finished Joe Hill's Strange Weather, 4 stories somewhat weather related. I enjoyed all 4 stories!now, on to Stephen Graham Jones' My Heart is a Chainsaw. book one of a trilogy... I met him and got my book signed too!
Can’t Spell Treason without Tea by Rebecca Thorne failed to interest me. The author needs a whole lot more practice but, hey, at least she’s writing.
I've just started listening to A Game of Thrones while dipping into the series on TV for the first time. I'd resisted reading it because I have a significant fear that the author will pass away before finishing the series (given the lack of final books so far.)But...I'm doing a buddy watch. So I figured I'd better read too.
Aliens: Vasquez wasn't quite what I expected. Mostly it follows that character's family legacy. Some strange world-building decisions by V. Carlos - and TBH it took too long to finally get to the action. I didn't hate it.Beginning Lawrence In Arabia, nonfiction about the curious characters involved in the guerrilla war against the Turks, and the eventual royal screwing that fate delivered to the Arabs.
Mai wrote: "The Rage of Dragons Could. Not. Put. It. Down."and I couldn't get into it, but I've promised to do a read somewhere, so I will do it
An Argumentation of Historians
by Jodi TaylorChronicles of St. Mary's #9. Series probably best if read in approximate order. The books are a series of English time travel adventures with a good deal of humor. Obviously in a long series some books are better than others. This could be the best (other than #1). Historical information as well as trivia, humor, suspense, and a bang-up plot. Highly recommended, 5 stars.
Mai wrote: "The Rage of Dragons Could. Not. Put. It. Down."I absolutely love this series! Can't wait for the author to finish the third book!
Finished The Seventh Veil of Salome by Sylvia Moreno-Garcia. When I picked it up, I wasn't sure if it would be historical fantasy (like her Silver Nitrate) or pure historical fiction (like her Velvet Was the Night). In fact, I would call this historical romance, three romances actually, (view spoiler). The plot revolves around a Hollywood production of The Seventh Veil of Salome in the fifties and the stories of a number of characters caught up in the events around the film. A story of the real Salome is interspersed with the main tale. There are no chapters. The running text is divided into sections, each headlined by the POV character for that section, a device that worked pretty well. For me, the plot was too languid and limited in scope, but that may be because I don't normally go for romance books. If you like historical romance or stories about Hollywood (with plenty of real tidbits) this may be for you.
Orikamane wrote: "The Master and Margarita only 8 chapters yet, but I can smell a 5 stars and a new fav :)"Nice to hear :)
I finished The Mercy of Gods. It was a book club pick, and I liked it with some reservations. The setting and the plot were very well done, but the characters did not feel "real".My review is here ;)
I am also done with Clarkesworld Magazine, Issue 212, May 2024. There were many stories I liked!
My review is here ;)
Currently reading: The Dead Cat Tail Assassins. The world is fascinating, the ideas are cool, but the execution is so-so. It's a pity, I loved the Djinn books. It might get better towards the end, you never know.
I recently read The Word for World is Forest by Le Guin, and it reminded me of why I loved reading Le Guin when I was younger. Her prose is so deliberate and purposeful, and she presents her ideas with such clarity. Today I'm taking a break from my BotMs and TBRs and rereading "Repent, Harlequin! Said the TickTockman" by Harlan Ellison, from the anthology of his short stories, Greatest Hits, that was released earlier this year. I might need to reread "I have No Mouth..." after this, which is also in this anthology.
After that I might read some Harry Harrison, or H. Beam Piper, or CL Moore, or maybe I'll go back to my GR currently reading list if my ADHD will let me. We'll see.
Alexandra wrote: "Currently reading: The Dead Cat Tail Assassins. The world is fascinating, the ideas are cool, but the execution is so-so. It's a pity, I loved the Djinn books. It might get better towards the end, you never know."In a way, I'm glad to hear you say this, Alexandra. I started reading this one and ended up returning it to the library to borrow another time. I've loved the author's other books, so I thought it was just me. I'm interested to hear if it gets better toward the end. I hope so - I'd still like to get back to it!
Kaia wrote: "In a way, I'm glad to hear you say this, Alexandra. I started reading this one and ended up returning it to the library to borrow another time. I've loved the author's other books, so I thought it was just me. I'm interested to hear if it gets better toward the end. I hope so - I'd still like to get back to it! "I am also kind of glad to hear that you returned it to the library ;))) But I am keeping my fingers crossed, maybe it will get better!
The God of the Woods is very well written. It keeps you on your toes but has so many characters to remember. Also reading The Mercy of the Gods. I can see how people say the characters are hard to visualize but if you have worked in research these are pretty standard characters. lol. Also reading The Seventh Veil of Salome. It brought a new light to minority Hollywood actors during the 50s. Civil rights movement was fought on so many areas. Highly recommend.
Just finished Foundation / Foundation and Empire / Second Foundation by Isaac AsimovMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book may be the reason that I became first a statistician and then spent so much time learning to model human behavior (in a very specialized field). Knowing what I do about the subject I hope that in a mere 16,000 years we might somehow approach sociological modeling of major events. I like this edition because it has a nice intro and a chronology of Asimov's life. Those are good bonuses.
My review here
And now I can take up Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? and join the discussion.
Alexandra wrote: "I finished The Mercy of Gods. It was a book club pick, and I liked it with some reservations. The setting and the plot were very well done, but the characters did not feel "real"...."
Excellent review, Alexandra. I get your reservations about the characters. (view spoiler). You might want to read Corey's Livesuit, a 75 (or 90) page novella in the series. It adds another perspective to the ongoing war.
Nicci wrote: "Alexandra wrote: "I finished The Mercy of Gods. It was a book club pick, and I liked it with some reservations. The setting and the plot were very well done, but the characters did..."Thank you :) I appreciate the heads-up on the novella! I didn't know about it.
I finished The Dead Cat Tail Assassins. Unfortunately, it continued to be a 3 star read. It tried to do too much. The world and the ideas are really interesting, but the execution was so-so.My review is here ;)
Starting Joseph Delaney's, The Spook's Beastiary, just for fun.
Finished Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune this arvo. Loved it. Started A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas tonight. Don’t know why I picked it up. Just did.
Wondering how many people will get punched in the face..??
I started The Vegetarian by Han Kang last night because she just won the Nobel and the Jon Fosse book I've had on my TBR list since last year's Nobel is giving me the stink eye. I don't know if this was a good idea to start this, since I'm trying to wrap up my spooky season reading by the end of this month (help, I'm lost in an ever-shifting labyrinth of horror titles and can't get out), but it's short, at least. Unlike House of Leaves. Why did I put a library hold on House of Leaves...I am also starting The Demolished Man by Alfred Bester today as part of my ongoing, endless "Read All the Classic SF Things" project (and it is a project--I have a google doc). It's a Bester work I have never read before, but have seen readers younger than myself praise it, so I'm excited by that, especially since I've been reading so much horror/horror-adjacent and I'm not really a horror geek, so I am in a big mood to read SF right now.
Just finished Fever House by Keith Rosson (and am busy with the sequel on kindle). Totally brilliant, my review here:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mod
PS: I didn't consult with Allison before posting this. I just really like her books.
Reading four scifi stories in different formats but the most enjoyable is The Jinnbot of Shantiport by Samit Basu so I might finish it first.
Silvana wrote: "Reading four scifi stories in different formats but the most enjoyable is The Jinnbot of Shantiport by Samit Basu so I might finish it first."Jinnbot is on my Next Up shelf as it's a BotM for another GR group, and I'm quite eager to get to it. I just need to get through a few other books first that are either due back to the library or leaving my subscription services soon.
Two such books are the 2nd and 3rd books of Lee's Machineries of Empire series. I started the second, Raven Stratagem last night and I think I like it more than the first book, maybe because I'm starting with some understanding of the series' universe.
Another book I'm in the middle of is Gladstone's Full Fathom Five, and I like it much more than Three Parts Dead but also am wondering why it needed to be as long as it is. I'm not sure I like this series that much. It's an interesting world, very creative and unique, but I don't like the "economy" in the world, I don't like all the bureaucratic/litigious vibes, it feels suffocating and kind of takes some of the potential appeal of it for me.
And I picked up House of Leaves from the library today. I was worried I'd take a cursory look at it in person and immediately nope it, but actually it appears more accessible for a disabled reader like myself than I expected. It's 700 pages and a print copy, so it will be slow read for me.
I'm listening to Escher Man, by the brilliant Australian writer T.R. Napper. Will definitely be reviewing soon.
Diving into Richard Bachman's (posthumous) The Regulators, because I got it from Goodwill like 3 years ago and it's the right time of year. Spook's Bestiary was fun. Quick. Kind of along the lines of Zombie Survival Guide. I may investigate the larger series.
I haven't seen a post from the group in ages, and now I know why...so please indulge me as I make a:GROUP ANNOUNCEMENT.
If you have noticed that you are not receiving notifications of posts on your group threads, that is a new design by Goodreads. It applies to all of your groups, and all of your reviews. To get these notifications again, or to be sure you still get them, check the "notify me when people comment" box under *every* review you want to follow and on all the group threads you want to follow. Otherwise you won't be sure of being notified of comments.
Brett wrote: "Diving into Richard Bachman's (posthumous) The Regulators, because I got it from Goodwill like 3 years ago and it's the right time of year. Spook's Bestiary was fun. Quick. Kind of along the line..."
Huh? Richard Bachman is a pseudonym for Stephen King who is very much alive.
I’m reading through all of the Murderbot books right now and I am having a great time.I also just finished Piranesi (on the fantasy/speculative fiction front) but I found it to be highly overrated.
Read another Samuel R Delany book, The Einstein Intersection, and unfortunately I do not partake in the kinds of mind-altering substances Delany clearly was on when he wrote this book, so I can't say I enjoyed it that much. Imagine your stoned-out dorm mate from college trying to talk to you about Greek myths and going off on a long tangent about riding dragons and you'll get the vibe. It's called a novel but it's barely 120 or so pages, probably under 100 if you took out all the many quotes from other writers that Delany thought this needed. Justin wrote: "I’m reading through all of the Murderbot books right now and I am having a great time.
I also just finished Piranesi (on the fantasy/speculative fiction front) but I found it to be highly overrated."
I'm always happy to see someone else getting into Murderbot. I have a copy of Piranesi that I want to read--I've seen people have pretty disparate reactions to it.
currently readingSomeplace to Be Flying by Charles de Lint = excellent
and
Riddle-Master by Patricia A. McKillip which contains all three books in the series = quite good
and
Jade War by Fonda Lee = good and better than the first book in the series
and
a few others
Read through Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. DickMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
This is one of the few times I can say that the movie was better than the book. Maybe I just need more Rutger Hauer in my sci-fi.
My review here
This week I am going to try and finish Raymond Feist's Magician: Apprentice Volume 1.
Yeah Chessie’s right. Richard Bachman is Stephen King. Last time I looked he was definitely alive. Not long released another book. Anyhoo…..
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SciFi and Fantasy Book Club
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Rivers of London #7. Big changes in the series. A series of murders in the wine country of Germany and Tobias Winter, apprentice wizard, is assigned the case. No Peter Grant or any of the previous characters but the the short book is written in the same style and the same magic rules still apply. And Tobias is rather similar to Peter. Different but sort of the same. I really liked it, 4 stars.