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?
Tom wrote: "Started reading as entertainment pretty late in life, so I have a huge TBR that I can't keep up with that I am late for the party. LOLSince the start of the year I have completed The Hero of Ages..."
I think Dune is a no-brainer for a scifi fan. It is just so different, strange, and though-provoking. It has quite a lot of political intrigue also.
I've heard fabulous things about Abercrombie and Hobb, who are both high on my TBR list.
I made several attempts to get through Game of Thrones but never made it past about page 70.
Tom wrote: " feel I really need to check the series off my list ..."Don't do that unless you want to. If a series doesn't grab you in book 1 don't listen to the "oh but by book 4 it gets good" stuff. If you like the first couple of books but it starts to get dull, stop.
Same for individual books, I give them 50-100pages and if I'm not feeling it, I DNF them. Sometimes it's the book, sometimes I know it's just a mismatch between my mood and the book.
It's up to you but I'd say read widely vs committing to a series so you can sample various authors, with the exception being a series that you find you love.
Hey Tim that’s a great list. Have you read Robin Hobb’s first trilogy in the same universe as Ship of Magic? If not that’s where you should start (not with the LiveShips), with Assassin’s Apprentice.
Just finished Yellowface by R.F. Kuang, and now I'm starting the Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton.
DivaDiane wrote: "Hey Tim that’s a great list. Have you read Robin Hobb’s first trilogy in the same universe as Ship of Magic? If not that’s where you should start (not with the LiveShips), with Assassin’s Apprentice."Oh ok, I will have to do that.
I've finished The Fifth Season and I'm a bout to finish My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry.
Colin wrote: "Finished Good Morning, Midnight by Lily Brooks-Dalton. I was surprised at how much this book engaged me and how good it was. It is the story of two small groups of people: 78 year-o..."it's on my tbr list, I read her latest book, light pirate, I found her a great author! I'll have to buy and read sooner now!!
About to finish my history book, Matt Waters Ancient Persia (Achaemenid empire) (a hair over 20 pages left), so next on deck, Elizabeth Ann Scarborough's Healers War
Marc wrote: "About to finish my history book, Matt Waters Ancient Persia (Achaemenid empire)..."We've been watching history shows and listening to podcasts on ancient Mesopotamian history the past couple years, how is Water's work as a reference?
This morning finished Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft ShelleyMy rating: 2 of 5 stars
Glad that so many people got a lot out of this book. Frankly, the movies have more horror and more comprehensible characters. Most of the second star in my rating is for the impact this book had on later authors and creators. For enjoyment I will stick with Mel Brooks' version.
My review here
Economondos wrote: "Marc wrote: "About to finish my history book, Matt Waters Ancient Persia (Achaemenid empire)..."We've been watching history shows and listening to podcasts on ancient Mesopotamian history the pas..."
I thought he did a fine job! It's a tough subject, in that a lot of the sources embellished, borrowed, and maybe made up stuff, and occasionally, sources conflicted with each other, and there's very little source from the Persian side of things. So much was lost/destroyed and maybe never recorded... He pointed these out, talked about what Herodotus said vs someone else said. Now, it's not a super-deep dive (it was like a 219 page book neglecting appendices), and he had a lot of ground to cover (pre-Cyrus to Alexander the great's conquest that ended the Achaemenid's empire. And I now grasp their kings now (some were sons of so-and-so, some claimed to be a son/descendent but weren't). It's a good book, with good maps (I earlier read Geoffrey Parker's The Persians, which I also liked, but it needed more maps, like, where was Pars at? where was this at and that at. A few maps were in that book, but not enough, I like to know some big event happened here, where is here?? I wish I could go visit a lot of those ancient cities, would love to see the tombs of Cyrus the great and Darius I, Ninevah (now Mosul Iraq), Ecbatana (Hamadan Iran), Babylon, Ur, etc. Sucks they are in Iran/Iraq. i'm guessing I won't be crossing those locations off my bucketlist...
Started Tusks of Extinction, Ray Nayler. It's a shorty. DNF on QAnon, Chaos, and the Cross (nothing wrong with it, I just wasn't the intended readership).Kinda indecisive on the next nonfiction - either Mikki Kendall's Hood Feminism or one of two biographies (Manfred von Richthofen or Sir Francis Drake). I went a little crazy at the library and have like 15 books out ATM.
Careful Oberon Khan is back on the case. Crime isn't supposed to be amusing, it is after all acts of violence against others. To be fair there are plenty of dark moments in the book, but with Oberon narrating it can't help but be a little on the odd side. In all fairness what could be normal about a Druid investigating a murder with the help of two Wolfhounds and a Pug? With Oberon's devotion to food, many of the things he relates to are food-related, with some odd phrasing to go with it. Also, he has a wonderfully skewed sense of time. So he will say things like we waited, for an hour, a week. I don't know. This is a spin-off of the Iron Druid series but with a greater sense of humor and less of a sense of immediate threat.
The Squirrel on the Train
I have read all the Iron Druid series, so it is time to add Squirrel on the Train to my read list.
Economondos wrote: "I have read all the Iron Druid series, so it is time to add Squirrel on the Train to my read list."That is the second of the 'Meaty Mystery' books. There are only two at this time.
Dj wrote: "Economondos wrote: "I have read all the Iron Druid series, so it is time to add Squirrel on the Train to my read list."That is the second of the 'Meaty Mystery' books. There are only two at this ..."
have you tried The Seven Kennings series? The Iron Druid figures in the finale of the series
CBRetriever wrote: "Dj wrote: "Economondos wrote: "I have read all the Iron Druid series, so it is time to add Squirrel on the Train to my read list."That is the second of the 'Meaty Mystery' books. There are only t..."
I have not, but I will give it a look, Thanks.
This is a book that will divide people without a doubt. I for one found it interesting but would have to do some more research on my own before deciding on its full ranking. Like many of the people I know, I 'know' the bible, but I have never really read it. In that regard, it is sort of like Robin Hood. A story that almost everyone knows but almost no one has read. All in all the book seems intent on the supposition that the Bible was written by Men, not a Divine source. Which in my view seems to be something that doesn't need to be put into a book independent of the source, but I may be a little outside the loop in that regard. No matter, this is not a book for everyone and I have no suggestions on if it should be read or not. I believe that it would be an individual choice in that regard.
All That's Wrong with the Bible: Contradictions, Absurdities, and More
I finished an awesome non-fiction book last night: Otherworldly Antarctica: Ice, Rock, and Wind at the Polar Extreme and it was fantastic! The photos in this book were absolutely magnificent.
Finished Penric and the Shaman by Lois McMaster BujoldMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
LMB shows again her ability to develop all the supporting characters as real people in just a few sentences. Good adventure tale with a couple nice twists. Recommend this one and it goes on the shelf for rereading in the future.
My review here
Read this one in the Subterranean Press Deluxe Hardback edition. These are pricey (got this one used), but the quality is excellent. Thick, cream paper. Perfect margins and a really clear print of a very readable font. Chapters always start on a right side page. I will buy these editions over other choices any time the prices are close.
Read a short, 39 page novelette, A Heart Between Teeth by Kerstin Hall, set in her Mkalis Cycle. Beautiful and brutal as are the other books. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Should I read The Well of Ascension by Brando Sando?During The Final Empire, I didn't get invested in Vin. All my attention and adoration was on Kelsier... If you have read it, you know where this is going.
ANWAY, I am hesitant to continue with a protagonist I don't care much about.
Does Vin get more interesting? Is it worth it?
But anyway, just finished The Reckoners, and loved it!
If you enjoy dark superheroes and interesting powers, go for it.
Though, unfortunately, Calamity didn't really have that much of a Sanderlanche.
4 out of 5 stars for the whole trilogy.
Michelle wrote: "I finished an awesome non-fiction book last night: Otherworldly Antarctica: Ice, Rock, and Wind at the Polar Extreme and it was fantastic! The photos in this book were absolutely m..."ooh sounds very interesting! I'll have to add to my to-buy pile!
Marc wrote: "Michelle wrote: "I finished an awesome non-fiction book last night: Otherworldly Antarctica: Ice, Rock, and Wind at the Polar Extreme and it was fantastic! The photos in this book ..."Do you have NetGalley, Marc? It's available on there right now!
Hi all, just finished The Art of Prophecy by Wesley Chu. Then immediately bought the sequel on kindle. So that tells you something!
I finished reading Fall of Hyperion in December, then a book from the Enchanted Realms series of books. Now I'm reading the Diomedia by an author I know.
I got a little antsy and started Hood Feminism as well, and I'm finding it quite good.Add me to the Otherworldly Antarctica bandwagon.
Brett wrote: "I got a little antsy and started Hood Feminism as well, and I'm finding it quite good.Add me to the Otherworldly Antarctica bandwagon."
Oh good, Brett!
Michelle wrote: "Marc wrote: "Michelle wrote: "I finished an awesome non-fiction book last night: Otherworldly Antarctica: Ice, Rock, and Wind at the Polar Extreme and it was fantastic! The photos ..."I was unaware of net galley!
Just finished Elizabeth Ann Scarborough's Healer's War. Really enjoyed it. was wondering how 'a fantasy set in the vietnam war' was going to read. No, no demons, knights, etc. A nurse a few months in Vietnam, working with patients who are either wounded GI's, and then villagers once the GI's are treated. She encounters a strange older Vietnamese patient, which, well, you'd have to read the book! No spoilers here!Anyhoo, now really focusing on a non-fiction book, the Campaigns of Alexander (the great), edited by James Romm. kinda earlier started it, but got swept up by healing war...
Marc wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Marc wrote: "Michelle wrote: "I finished an awesome non-fiction book last night: Otherworldly Antarctica: Ice, Rock, and Wind at the Polar Extreme and it was fanta..."Oh- you might want to sign up, then :)
I just finished Indirogenium by Julia Rousal.
She is a first time author and I thought her book was really amazing!
It's about a group of scientist who invent/discover a new element. At first it seems like an utopia, because the element can be used as a fuel, that is not only environmentally friendly but also cheap to produce, leading to an improvement of the environment. However, all discoveries come with a dark side, and no one could've prepared the scientists (or me) how dark that side can actually be.
The book deals with so many important topics, I recommend everyone to read it!
She is a first time author and I thought her book was really amazing!
It's about a group of scientist who invent/discover a new element. At first it seems like an utopia, because the element can be used as a fuel, that is not only environmentally friendly but also cheap to produce, leading to an improvement of the environment. However, all discoveries come with a dark side, and no one could've prepared the scientists (or me) how dark that side can actually be.
The book deals with so many important topics, I recommend everyone to read it!
Mia wrote: "I just finished Indirogenium by Julia Rousal.She is a first time author and I thought her book was really amazing!
It's about a group of scientist who invent/discover a new elemen..."
Great premise
I couldn't get hold of Thistlefoot at the library yet, so I borrowed The Anomaly by Herve Le Tellier. Someone in the group recommended it and I'm enjoying it so far.
Glenn T wrote: "I couldn't get hold of Thistlefoot at the library yet, so I borrowed The Anomaly by Herve Le Tellier. Someone in the group recommended it and I'm enjoying it so far."I really enjoyed that one
The Anomaly by Hervé Le Tellier
and may have been the one recommending it.
CBRetriever wrote: "Glenn T wrote: "I couldn't get hold of Thistlefoot at the library yet, so I borrowed The Anomaly by Herve Le Tellier. Someone in the group recommended it and I'm enjoying it so far."I really enjo..."
Well in that case - thank you very much! I'm about 1/4 of the way through. I'll come to you for more recommendations in the future ;)
I just finished #7 in the terrific Admiral series by Sean Danker, Highest Hopes, and I feel conflicted. On the one hand, it was terrific and a lot of mysterious things throughout the series were addressed. On the other hand, something big happened that makes me want to spit!! I'm going to read #8 and I'm hoping that not everything was as it appeared, or else you all will hear the sound of my kindle hitting the opposite wall!
Completed
At the Feet of the Sun a solid four star read. The "lore" of the islands is what captivated me. The underlying tale of a relationship was secondary. Bubbling around the lore and relationship are the emotions of friends, family and magic.
Michelle wrote: "I just finished #7 in the terrific Admiral series by Sean Danker just arrived this week. You recommended it a while back. At least there are 5 sequels to read without damage to the wall!
Enjoyed Tusks of Extinction. Wished it was longer, it dealt with some weighty issues.Starting Lathe of Heaven.
Just finished Order of the Centurion by Jason Anspach this morning.My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This duo of authors recommended by a friend who was in Special Forces. I can see why he likes this universe and their works. Can definitely recommend if you like military sci-fi.
My review here
Brett wrote: "Starting Lathe of Heaven."Hope you enjoy that as much a I did. We are going to watch the PBS 2-parter some evening soon.
I'm reading Lord of a Shattered Land by Howard Andrew Jones this month, and I'm really impressed.Jones is channeling a lot of Robert E. Howard's sword and sorcery, especially Conan, with his character Hanuvar. That's a high bar to clear for me, because I love those old stories. Jones succeeds though! Hanuvar is not as indomitable as Conan in a fight but he's more interesting. Loosely based on General Hannibal of Carthage.
The book's length is more like epic fantasy than S&S, but the way Jones has written it does harken back to the old short stories. Each chapter is a complete story for Hanuvar, and yet they all keep him moving toward his singular overall goal: To set his people free.
And while Jones keeps the personal stakes, high action, and horror elements of old school S&S, he does not keep the needless sexism and racism. Female characters in particular are not treated like objects to be saved. They are capable in their own right, and often critical to Hanuvar's own successes.
I'm in for the rest of the series.
Economondos wrote: "Michelle wrote: "I just finished #7 in the terrific Admiral series by Sean Danker just arrived this week. You recommended it a while back. At least there are 5 sequels to read wit..."Oh good! Hopefully you'll enjoy it, too!
Just finished Role Playing by Cath Yardley and if you are a middle aged nerd like me, especially one who loves online gaming, this is the romance for you. Actual adult characters and no idiot misunderstandings to drive the plot!Am now reading A Fate Inked In Blood by Danielle L Jensen and it's great fun. Scandinavian Chosen One hijinks with a very slow burn romance and a heroine who takes no crap but isn't annoyingly sassy.
Two books I just finished and recommend, Remarkably Bright Creatures, probably not a shock to this group that it’s a great story. The other is The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida about a queer Sri Lankan war photographer set in the 1980’s who is navigating the afterlife. It won the 2022 Booker prize for a good reason, great book, gave it a 5/5. Just started Crook Manifesto which I’m sure won’t disappoint.
Happy reading!
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SciFi and Fantasy Book Club
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Give it a try. The writing is terrific by itself. The author pulls you inside these people to the extent that I felt I ached for the way they were broken.
As a side note, they made a movie out of it (Netflix, I think), which I did not like at all. It put me off from reading the book for a long time, which I now regret. So I recommend the book and say stay away from the movie!