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?
Brett wrote: "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..."Delays don't bother me. For one thing, I am usually pretty slow about my reading which means I usually don't announce what I am reading all that much. Don't want to set some false expectation of my reading speed. When you finish I will read your thoughts in what you post.
Economondos wrote: "Finished up a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7... with the Dead by Barbara Hambly last night.My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Liked this one. It continues th..."
Left Hand is one of my top five Sci-Fi Books. Which can come as a major surprise to people I know IRL. Guess looking like an apathetic Santa doesn't lend itself to that sort of book.
I hope you enjoy it.
I am finishing up Paradise Lost by John Milton. In June at my classics group, we will read Paradise Regained. Still reading down some door stoppers and some bucket list books.
Just got a copy of Ursula Le Guin's Carrier Bag Theory of Fiction. I hadn't expected it to be more like a pamphlet than a book, readable in a sitting, so I'll wedge it into my current Women's History Month stack.
CR - Eluthienn: A Tale Of The Fromryr, by Sam MiddletonFantastic story with a completely new take on the epic fantasy genre – sort of blends dystopian SF with epic fantasy in this very unique underground setting. Loving one of the main characters, Lyander – a former knight turned exorcist who has to deal with a lot of moral decisions, which makes for a very engaging read.
I have been having fun with several of Victoria Goddard's series "The Lay of the Hearth-Fire." At the Feet of the Sun
and Stargazy Pie, Bee Sting Cake. The latter detective fantasies set in the same Nine Worlds as "The Lay." Seven books in this "Greenwing & Dart" series. Four stars and up for all of them.
Over the weekend, I finished A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge, and I saw online this morning that he passed away on Friday, which was sad news. I loved A Fire Upon the Deep - it had amazing world-building and some truly alien peoples. I found it satisfying in a similar way to A Memory Called Empire and Ninefox Gambit in that it throws you into things which are slowly revealed and there are a lot of parts that all come together eventually (and it's set across a vast spread of the galaxy).
Kaia wrote: "Over the weekend, I finished A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge, and I saw online this morning that he passed away on Friday, which was sad news. I loved A Fire Upon the Deep - it ha..."I just purchased A Fire Upon the Deep and have requested A Memory Called Empire from the library. I'm looking forward to diving into both of these since I've heard such great things about them.
Was looking for a "crime book" for a prompt, and came across The Imaginary Corpse: "A [stuffed] dinosaur detective in the land of unwanted ideas battles trauma, anxiety, and the first serial killer of imaginary friends."Absolutely thrilled with the premise!
So far it's a bit more hard-hitting than I expected for a book based on a world of imaginary friends. Definitely expected something a bit more "cozy" - but, still, I'm enjoying it so far. (Only about 18% in.)
March wrap-up is a little early because I just finished a book and don't think I'll finish another before the end of the month:Beware of Chicken v. 1 (audio) by Casualfarmer: a "reincarnated in fantasyland" story. Here our main character is transported to a xianxia world of cultivation sects, and decides to ditch his sect to pursue a different kind of "cultivation." If the title didn't give it away, this book has a humorous vibe. Cute and endearing. (review)
Heartless (audio) by Gail Carriger: the second-last volume of the "Parasol Protectorate" series. A fun romp in a Victorian era with vampires, werewolves, secret societies, and airships. (review)
Kaileb's Dream by Kaileb Varney: I read this in tandem with a podcast whose focus is on quirky, not-very-good books. Entertaining, but almost certainly not for the reasons the author intended. (review)
The Trials by Linda Nagata: I read the first book in The Red trilogy years ago, when it became the first self-pub book to receive a Nebula award nomination. Unfortunately, this second book didn't make anywhere near as strong an impression, but I was interested enough to finish it, at least. (review)
Also: 17 manga, probably a few more before the end of the month. A booktuber I'm following is participating in a "30 in 30" manga challenge next month, and I might try it, too. :)
Next up: This Alien Shore, a SFFBC pick from a few years ago.
Beth wrote: "March wrap-up is a little early because I just finished a book and don't think I'll finish another before the end of the month:Beware of Chicken v. 1 (audio) by Casualfarmer: a "r..."
Oooh, a “30 in 30” manga challenge sounds fun! It might be the perfect time for me to start reading the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Vol. 1 series. I’m also hoping to listen to Beware the Chicken sometime this year if I catch up the Dungeon Crawler Carl series
It doesn't all have to be the same manga series. You can mix things up as much as you want!This video is where I heard about it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFLnq...
Beth wrote: "It doesn't all have to be the same manga series. You can mix things up as much as you want!This video is where I heard about it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFLnq..."
Nice! There’s definitely a lot on my shelf that need to be read and I saw even more at the library today I’d like to try. Maybe a reread of a Toriko arc too. So many good ones.
Cheryl L wrote: "I just purchased A Fire Upon the Deep and have requested A Memory Called Empire from the library. I'm looking forward to diving into both of these since I've heard such great things about them.I hope you like them both, Cheryl L! If you do like A Memory Called Empire, then I definitely recommend reading the sequel. It's just as good if not better.
Cheryl L wrote: "I just purchased A Fire Upon the Deep and have requested A Memory Called Empire from the library. I'm looking forward to diving into both of these since I've heard such great things about them."A Memory Called Empire is excellent.
@Kaia, thanks for the rec for the sequel. I read various reviews, some a bit lukewarm, and have put it off as a consequence. You have encouraged me to try it.
Kaia wrote: "If you do like A Memory Called Empire, then I definitely recommend reading the sequel. It's just as good if not better."I had noted on a scifi BookTubers discord how much I enjoyed Ancillary Justice, and he recommended A Memory Called Empire. I really need to see if I can squeeze it in in April.
I lived A Memory Called Empire! And the next one too.
Finished reading The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin this morning. My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Three stars is a composite rating. Four stars for the themes, timeless observations on the human condition, and tackling gender, politics, and nationalism all at once. Two stars for the story and enjoyment. Honestly, this sent me back to high school & college where we were assigned books with important themes in order to have guided discussions.
All in all, this is a book I am glad to have read, but do not intend to reread. Much more discussion in my review.
My review here
I have just started reading Small Gods, and I was immediately captivated by it. Especially with the line:"The sheer concentratedness of History, sleeting past soundlessly out into the world, can be overwhelming. Time is a drug. Too much of it kills you."
Economondos wrote: "Finished reading The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin this morning. My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Three stars is a composite rating. Four stars for the themes, timeless observations on the hum..."
Economondos, I have been debating whether to re-read this one because I read it initially so long ago. Your review helped refresh my memory and reminded me of my feelings when I read it the first time, so I think I’ll read something new rather than revisit this one. I am glad to have read it once, though.
@Dj - Sophie Scholl and the White Rose was good. Lot of focus on the philosophical and religious impetus behind the movement. I wish it had been longer. Their leaflets are in the appendices.
Ivan Darryl wrote: "I have just started reading Small Gods, and I was immediately captivated by it. ..."Small Gods is a great book.
I just ordered 3 books from the Hugo nominations:Translation State - Anne Leckie
Some Desperate Glory - Emily Tesh
The Saint of Bright Doors - Vajra Chandrasekara
I reckon that will keep me going for a little while! I'm going to Worldcon in Glasgow so am looking upon this as some very pleasant homework ...
As I wind down Frankenstein, I'm starting Diane Purkiss's The English Civil War (it's a brick).
And just for fun, C. Willett Cunnington's A History of Underclothes.
Ivan Darryl wrote: "I have just started reading Small Gods, and I was immediately captivated by it. Especially with the line:"The sheer concentratedness of History, sleeting past soundlessly out into the world, can ..."
That was the first Disc World book and I really enjoyed it. Glad to hear you are you are enjoying it.
Brett wrote: "@Dj - Sophie Scholl and the White Rose was good. Lot of focus on the philosophical and religious impetus behind the movement. I wish it had been longer. Their leaflets are in the appendices."Nice I will have to move this into my TBR list.
Economondos wrote: "Ivan Darryl wrote: "I have just started reading Small Gods, and I was immediately captivated by it. ..."Small Gods is a great book."
I agree, and it's a standalone novel!
Dj wrote: "Ivan Darryl wrote: "I have just started reading Small Gods, and I was immediately captivated by it. Especially with the line:"The sheer concentratedness of History, sleeting past soundlessly out ..."
Glad to hear that, Dj! Wow, you must have been properly introduced to the series with a novel of this caliber.
Instead of sleeping, finished up Dragonsbane by Barbara Hambly this morning.My rating: 4 of 5 stars
How do you kill a dragon? Very carefully.
This one was recommended to me here (thanx Michelle), and I am glad it was!
Another wonderful read from Hambly - exactly what I expected going in. This goes on my To Reread Shelf.
My review here
Since the right book arrived this time, tonight I start Dickson's Necromancer.
Economondos wrote: "Instead of sleeping, finished up Dragonsbane by Barbara Hambly this morning.My rating: 4 of 5 stars
How do you kill a dragon? Very carefully.This one was recommended to me here (thanx Michelle), a..."
You're welcome!
Ivan Darryl wrote: "Dj wrote: "Ivan Darryl wrote: "I have just started reading Small Gods, and I was immediately captivated by it. Especially with the line:"The sheer concentratedness of History, sleeting past sound..."
Well, it sure got me through the first book, which I feel is a little weak, thought the movie was better, but now I am hoping to find Susan. but I am reading them in order so it might take a bit. At the moment I working through Pyramids
Economondos wrote: "Instead of sleeping, finished up Dragonsbane by Barbara Hambly this morning.My rating: 4 of 5 stars
How do you kill a dragon? Very carefully.This one was recommended to me here (thanx Michelle), a..."
The Second book after Dorsai, how could I not read this? Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Finished the last of my Women's History Month pile (Frankenstein) with a few hours to spare.Beginning Russia Without Putin - about looking beyond the neo-tsar as the be-all, end-all of the country and its workings. It's from 2018, so somewhat out of date, but I'm hoping it will help breathe some new life into a project I've let get moldy.
Dj wrote: "Ivan Darryl wrote: "Dj wrote: "Ivan Darryl wrote: "I have just started reading Small Gods, and I was immediately captivated by it. Especially with the line:"The sheer concentratedness of History,..."
I agree with you! The first book was a little scattered in plot and kind of rushed in going through its adventures. But I also find it fascinating how he started from The Color of Magic to some truly rewarding books in the series. I love that you are taking it chronologically through its releases!
General update for March. Speed-read the mindbending Banzeiro òkòtó: Uma viagem à Amazônia Centro do Mundo and interviewed the Italian translators. I'm still trying to write a coherent review.
A couple of excellent graphic novels set in the forests: The Forest and Through the Woods.
Currently finishing the mindbending (literally, as in psychedelic) and hilarious Tu sueño imperios han sido.
Up next are Piranesi, the Le Guin marathon, then a coule of Delany, but it'll be June by then.
Just started R.J Barker's Wounded Kingdom trilogy. I'm almost done with the first book, and it's fantastic. Anyone else read this series?
Finished Necromancer by Gordon R. Dickson just before dawn.My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Very much in keeping with the rest of the Childe Cycle. Dickson packs a lot of background into this book. Especially liked the twists near the end, and seeing the proponents/progenitors/ancestors of the major factions of the Dorsai universe all gathered in one room.
View all my reviews
For a complete change of pace, starting The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie.
I’ve been reading the Torrent witches series by Tess Lake (?). Read 1 and 2 on the plane to the US and started 3 while I was trying to get tired enough to sleep when we got here. Going on a 15 day cruise so I should be able to get through some more. They’re the only books I’ve finished this year so far. I’m on track to 52 books started and not finished though.
Jacqueline wrote: "I’ve been reading the Torrent witches series by Tess Lake (?). Read 1 and 2 on the plane to the US and started 3 while I was trying to get tired enough to sleep when we got here. Going on a 15 day ..."What part of the US are you visiting this time, Jacqueline?
Beginning The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi. I was enjoying Good Omens until it started being about a bunch of children for what felt like forever. Maybe I'll return to it eventually.
I love good Omens! sorry you didn't enjoy it
I just finished two books:Brave New World, a book club book. It was a reread for me - an interesting and a thought-provoking one. I didn't love it, though. Some aspects of the book haven't aged well.
My review is here ;)
The Seven Brides-to-Be of Generalissimo Vlad. This is a fun, snarky sci-fi novella with nods to Lois McMaster Bujold and other cool literary allusions. It's lovely.
My review is here ;)
Started Anna Karenina and will be starting The Final Empire soon.
Adding Anna Beer's, Patriot Or Traitor (bio of Sir Walter Ralegh) to my Reads-In-Progress pile.
I'm currently reading Return to Duty, a military scifi. The MC is a double amputee, and that's a rare protagonist. I found the author's note to be very cool! He worked with Veterans Affairs, the DoD and veteran amputees in the military hospital in San Antonio in real life. Along with a team of researchers, they developed the latest prosthetic. While he was involved in this project, he thought that the prosthetic was like something found in science fiction. Thus, the idea for this book was born.
I like it so far at about a quarter of the way in, although the guy can't write good dialogue to save his life. But overall, good story.
Almost finished Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros . I adore the dragons but when it comes to the main character and the romance I find it a bit lacking personally. I wish there was more focus on some of the side characters. Once I wrap it up, hopefully tomorrow if I can make the time, I’ll start The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi . I’m a huge fan of Kaiju movies so I’m incredibly excited about this one.
Halfway through Translation State by Ann Leckie (Hugo award shortlist nominee). What a great, and unique work. If the other nominated works are as good as this I'm going to have a hard time choosing in Glasgow!
Kim wrote: "Almost finished Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros . I adore the dragons but when it comes to the main character and the romance I find it a bit lacking personally. I wi..."I enjoyed this read. I hope you enjoy it as well.
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SciFi and Fantasy Book Club
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last night.
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Liked this one. It continues the adventures here in a world where Sherlock Holmes meets Murder on the Orient Express - with vampires. The character of Lydia is developed a lot further, which is nice. The imagery is good on this travel/adventure (not a spoiler, it's the title).
View all my reviews
Starting The Left Hand of Darkness for the upcoming discussion.