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 really liked Alphabet of Thorn, too. And I loved The Forgotten Beasts of Eld and The Book of Atrix Wolfe.I'm trying out a comedic fantasy, after reading a depressing short story, by an author I've never read before: Wizard's Brew.
Sad agreement about Illuminations. Kingfisher usually always sidesteps any silly tropes but this one time she keeps right on with the “problem could have been solved by telling adults sooner” to the point where I was legitimately angry! lol
Rachel wrote: "Sad agreement about Illuminations. Kingfisher usually always sidesteps any silly tropes but this one time she keeps right on with the “problem could have been solved by telling adults sooner” to th..."Rachel, this is exactly my problem with it. 😂
Anna wrote: "A good chunk of the Penric books are included in Audible Plus.Periodic reminder that we have a thread for all things Penric :)
Series: Penric and Desdemona by Lois McMaster Bujold ("Penric's Demon""
Ooh, thanks, Anna! I didn’t even think to look to see if they were in Audible Plus.
Have finally started Babel by R.F. Kuang.It's been sitting on my Kindle for ages but I avoided it for some reason. So far so good! It's a complex and interesting tale and I can't pick where the plot is going which is highly pleasurable.
I finally finished Unruly: The Ridiculous History of England's Kings and Queens by David Mitchell. It's quite information dense so not a light read, despite its humorous tone. Interesting content, and Mitchell has an interesting take on history. It's perhaps a little like Horrible Histories (kids' TV show) but for adults. Does (needlessly IMO) use the f- and c- words, which I didn't like. But overall, 4 stars.Next I'm starting Troika by Al Reynolds.
I enjoyed this novella from Seanan McGuire, part of her Wayward Children seriesMy review of Where the Drowned Girls Go
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien tjis morning.My rating: 5 of 5 stars
There isn't much to add to the many other reviews. It's The Hobbit. Perhaps the classic fantasy novel. Bilbo fully justifies my wife's rating of 'Best Hobbit' based on his "Hobbit's Holiday" and more things that happen in later books.
This is a read-every-few-years book. May have been my fifth reread. There is so much here that I still found things forgotten. The adventures are non-stop and the world-building is top-notch.
View all my reviews
And started Those Who Hunt the Night by Barbara Hambly early this AM. Caught my attention right away, because even a vampire needs help sometimes.
Barbara Hambly is a very good author!
Started Tigress of Forli, by Elizabeth Lev, and Caterina Sforza (yes, from Assassin's Creed II). Frankenstein is waiting in the wings for me to finish Good Omens.
Michelle wrote: "Barbara Hambly is a very good author!"I really enjoyed her book Renfield: Slave of Dracula.
Michelle wrote: "Barbara Hambly is a very good author!"I like some of her other series set in Darwath - it's more regular this world people transported to a magical world type of books
I’m reading and very much enjoying Wodehouse: A Life, one of the books I committed to for the TBR challenge. Some of the Goodreads reviewers seem disappointed that the biography isn’t as delightful as Wodehouse’s own work. Well, of course not. It is however intelligent, well researched, and readable.
Stephen wrote: "I’m reading and very much enjoying Wodehouse: A Life, one of the books I committed to for the TBR challenge. Some of the Goodreads reviewers seem disappointed that the biography isn’t..."Wodehouse didn't have a life like Wooster, it was somewhat depressing in places.
Brett wrote: "Started Tigress of Forli, by Elizabeth Lev, and Caterina Sforza (yes, from Assassin's Creed II). Frankenstein is waiting in the wings for me to finish Good Omens."Hope you enjoy this. I read Tigress of Forli over a decade ago and it has stayed in my mind. It is a superb biography of Caterina Riario Sforza de Medici, one of those rare individuals whose real life was more incredible than any work of fiction.
Markus wrote: "Just started "The Witcher" series from Sapkovskiy Andzhey"I understand the short stories are really good.
Colin wrote: "I read Tigress of Forli over a decade ago and it has stayed in my mind. It is a superb biography of Caterina Riario Sforza de Medici, one of those rare individuals whose real life was more incredible than any work of fiction."This looks interesting. I might have a look at it. I love a good biography.
None of Science fiction. I always had a bittersweet relation with Sci-fi but lately, I am enjoying sci-fi movies and I want to do some books like Dune.Any recommendations?
Morgan wrote: "I’ve been reading a lot of T. Kingfisher’s books, and she’s quickly becoming one of my favorite authors."Join the club! :D
The Ursula Vernon/T. Kingfisher Reading and Admiration Society
I just finished the City of Last Chances by Adrian Tchaikovsky, and am starting The Other Valley by Scott Alexander Howard.
King of Scars Leigh Bardugo returns to the Grishaverse with a duology on the multi-talented, silver-tongued Nikolai Lantsov. I really liked Nikolai who had been introduced in Siege and Storm and provided much needed humor. Because of my curiosity about his future, I skipped past the Six of Crows duology which is set between Alina Starkov's trilogy and Nikolai's novels.
My Review -- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
ᶠᵘˢᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ʳʰʸᵗʰᵐ wrote: "None of Science fiction. I always had a bittersweet relation with Sci-fi but lately, I am enjoying sci-fi movies and I want to do some books like Dune.Any recommendations?"
Try Firewalkers its short, noncommittal, well-written, has a few interesting ideas, and is something adventurous. I've recently read it and really liked it. I'm not that big on sci-fi myself ;)
This one is a delight. Can't believe I have not read it before!!!My review of Howl’s Moving Castle
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Phrynne wrote: "This one is a delight. Can't believe I have not read it before!!!My review of Howl’s Moving Castle
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
I loved that book, too! And I also read it very, very late in life so you're not alone :)
Phrynne wrote: "This one is a delight. Can't believe I have not read it before!!!My review of Howl’s Moving Castle
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
I really enjoyed the whole series. Was very impressed with the way it was done.
I must read the rest of the series too:)
Anna wrote: "Morgan wrote: "I’ve been reading a lot of T. Kingfisher’s books, and she’s quickly becoming one of my favorite authors."Join the club! :D
The Ursula Vernon/T. Kingfisher Reading and Admiration ..."
The only book I've read by T. Kingfisher was The Raven and the Reindeer which I reviewed on Goodreads in short form at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show.... This Goodreads version of my review contains a link to my blog with my complete review. I do that because people on Goodreads tend to prefer shorter reviews.
Rule of Wolves is the "final" book in Nikolai Lantsov's journey as King of Ravka.
Leigh Bardugo had left her ending with enough room to suggest a sequel. Does she have any plans to return to the Grishaverse?
My review -
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I finished Winter's Orbit a couple days ago, 5 solid stars. Now i'm reading Fathomfolk and my next-up is The Blade Itself. Excited!
Finished Those Who Hunt the Night by Barbara Hambly about 6 this morning. My rating: 5 of 5 starsEnjoyed Hambly's fantasy series, and tried this one without any prior info. Here is how the reaction went:
Vampires in London? OK.
They need help from a non-vampire? OK.
From a philologist? Interesting.
For that reason? Good.
Wait, what is happening to them? Intriguing.
And he will be motivated how? Eek!
And that is Chapter 1.
My review here
Going straight to the sequel, Traveling with the Dead.
Economondos wrote: "Finished Those Who Hunt the Night by Barbara Hambly about 6 this morning. My rating: 5 of 5 starsEnjoyed Hambly's fantasy series, and tried this one without any prior info. Here is how the reactio..."
Her Dragonsbane is fantastic, but I would advise you to treat it as a stand-alone. The sequels were terrible! But I've read Dragonsbane many times.
Dragonsbane is seventh from the left on my To Read shelf. I will be guided by you on the sequels, our book ratings seem pretty similar. Besides, I am going to have to cut somewhere; running out of space.Really enjoy her Darwath and Windrose series, have all of those.
Tigress of Forli was outstanding.Beginning Frankenstein, as well as Sophie Scholl and the White Rose (Dumbach and Newborn), and The Life of Elizabeth I (Alison Weir). I haven't decided which of the latter two is more engaging (probably White Rose).
My latest read was The Bone Harp, and it was magical. If you want a slow, beautiful book to curl up with, this is probably it :)My review is here ;)
I've decided I should get stuck into the Hugo short list for novels seeing as I've decided to take the plunge and go to Worldcon. Do they have a shortlist yet though?
Stephen wrote: "I've decided I should get stuck into the Hugo short list for novels seeing as I've decided to take the plunge and go to Worldcon. Do they have a shortlist yet though?"Not yet. Watch https://glasgow2024.org for announcements. Basically... later this spring.
Rick wrote: "Stephen wrote: "I've decided I should get stuck into the Hugo short list for novels seeing as I've decided to take the plunge and go to Worldcon. Do they have a shortlist yet though?"Not yet. Wat..."
Thanks
I finished two good books this weekend: Alphabet of Thorn by Patricia McKillip, which had a very clever weaving of stories into a whole, and Good Morning, Midnight by Lily Brooks-Dalton, which was an contemplative, beautiful, and bittersweet exploration of the two main characters’ lives at the end of the world. I’m scratching my head over who thought it would make a good movie, though. (I haven’t seen it, but the strength of the book is in the inner thoughts of the characters, their reflection, and the beauty of place, which doesn’t usually translate well to film.)
Brett wrote: "Tigress of Forli was outstanding.Beginning Frankenstein, as well as Sophie Scholl and the White Rose (Dumbach and Newborn), and The Life of Elizabeth I (Alison Weir). I haven't decided which of t..."
I would be interested in what you think about the Sophie Scholl book. Thx
I finished Snowglobe by Soyoung Park tonight and very much enjoyed the ride. Some of the plot felt a bit rushed and out there yet it was a fun time. I’m still upset with the realization the sequel is out next year. I started The Mimicking of Known Successes by Malka Ann Older with no real clue what it’s about. I’ve only read the first chapter but the world seems incredibly interesting so far. I hope it goes more into depth on way things are the way they are.
@Dj - will do, though Elizabeth I ended up catching my interest (plus it's the library's so time is a factor). Fair warning: I still owe someone here word about America For Americans (history of US xenophobia) after nearly a year.
I completed The Will of the Many
. The first of more to come. Government built on a pyramid scheme. We follow a student of dubious background through an academy for the elite. Four stars.
Tonight I start Trollsbane which is a pre-quel to The Skald and Burden to Bear. They are fantasy viking based on a Bard, but they were so good and full of humour.
Brett wrote: "@Dj - will do, though Elizabeth I ended up catching my interest (plus it's the library's so time is a factor). Fair warning: I still owe someone here word about America For Americans (history of US..."That actually sounds like a good read. The America for Americans. It seems to be quite a popular theme recently, at least more vocally than I recall previously.
My delayed finishing isn't a criticism of the book - it's an indictment of my pinball attention span. It's quite good. I'd add my opinion on the recently vocalized theme but I don't want to descend the thread into politics.
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Periodic reminder that we have a thread for all things Penric :)
Series: Penric and Desdemona by Lois McMaster Bujold ("Penric's Demon""
That’s good to know! Thank you! My library only has to first two and I put in a request for the rest but I’ll definitely check the audible plus section now.