SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion
What Else Are You Reading?
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What Else Are You Reading in 2025?
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Jabotikaba
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Jul 28, 2025 09:30AM
Range of Ghosts by Elizabeth Bear
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The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig. Anyone else read it yet? This is the 3rd book I've read by this author. She is amazing!
I could possibly have reported four completions this month, but I got lazy while I was on vacation last week. :) Princess in the Spotlight by Meg Cabot (audio): I could have stopped listening to this series after the first book and not missed much, but Anne Hathaway's narration was fun enough to carry me through this otherwise inessential sequel. (very short review)
The Sorcerer's Concubine by Lidiya Foxglove: I finally managed to get through a romantasy! Good for me. The balance between world-building and smut was pretty good, and it felt more thoughtfully put together than a lot of romantasies I've tried. There were aspects of the heroine that made the sexy times somewhat off-putting, though. (review)
Heroine? Saint? No, I'm an All-Works Maid (And Proud of It)! (Light Novel) Vol. 1: this seems to have been a good month for slight, easy reading. This is an isekai (Japanese portal fantasy) where our heroine's destiny was to save the world. Being ignorant of that, she decides to become a super-powered maid instead. Silliness ensues. ( review)
Started The Eye of the World. I don't know why I didn't start it earlier. It's great! I think I am on chapter 3. Easy to read.
Ed Park got a 2023 Pulitzer Prize for fiction nomination on the strength of Same Bed Different Dreams
. I didn't love it *that* much, but it's a really involving read:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I'm reading Range of Ghosts by Elizabeth Bear.
Arboreality by Rebecca Campbell.When I entered the world of the novel, I am stressed and fearful. Change is always scary! And this is how I envision the world changing--limited technology and remembered old ways, and accepting change. Yet within a few days' after reading, I find this novel encouraging. After a long hard effort, there may be hope.
Wind and Truth by Brandon Sanderson.Felt a bit let down. The ending definitely was not bad and will make me interested in the second half of the Stormlight Archive, but I felt very frustrated for how long this story dragged on for.
Cynda wrote: "Arboreality by Rebecca Campbell.."
Curious. I recently read this as part of my read-through of past winners and the current shortlist for the Ursula K Le Guin prize, and then saw a new video by Literature Science Alliance that mentioned it, and then here is someone else from this group who read it (I know Kaia has read it previously). Well, maybe it'll get more attention (despite it being a little hard to get a hold of).
(I also read Arboreality earlier this year if you're keeping track :D )
I'm going to read The Oxenbridge King. It was inspired by the discovery of King Richard III of England's remains under a carpark not too long ago. It involves some curious characters, according to the blurb. I'm not sure quite what I'll find, but it sounds intriguing. I also have Buried Deep and Other Stories, a collection of short stories from Naomi Novik, with a lovely cover. It's nice just to look at on the shelf, but I look forward to reading it even more. I'm hoping it'll have all the hallmarks of her best things, and not be like the last novel in Scholomance.
I am reading a song of Ice and Fire.
On Earth as It Is on Television
by Emily Jane is a fun debut SF comedy, sorta like a
played for laffs:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Ryan wrote: "It's here. IT'S HERE! HEDESA IS HERE!"It dropped into my kindle at midnight :) I need to finish another before I can start it!
Michelle wrote: "Ryan wrote: "It's here. IT'S HERE! HEDESA IS HERE!"It dropped into my kindle at midnight :) I need to finish another before I can start it!"
I downloaded it to my Kindle this morning. Will start it shortly.
Tackling The Penguin History of New Zealand, because I said I would. It ought to be interesting. Raptor Red was outstanding.
Mod
That was exactly how I felt when I read it too!
It is a book club pick too: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
A few days ago, finished A Slight Detour by Christopher Stasheff.My rating: 4 of 5 stars
What can a shipload of actors do on a fundamentalist planet where plays are banned? Their currency is no good and the local men want to fight the actors and take advantage of the actresses. In this third book Stasheff gives a completely believable way out for the passengers and crew of the Cotton Blossom.
Well-written with lots of historical theater trivia and some interesting twists. The characters are clearly defined and quite different from each other. New characters are introduced in a believable way with clear motivations. A good wrap-up to the series. 4/5
View all my reviews
And this morning, ran to the end of Penric's Labors by Lois McMaster Bujold and found myself wanting more.My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Three novellas, Masquerade in Lodi, The Orphans of Raspay, and The Physicians of Vilnoc in one volume. Together they make a really good novel-length read. Bujold continues to give us wonderful stories of Penric and Desdemona - sorcerer and demon. In these Penric could easily be classed as a saint by common definition in our world, even if barred from that appellation in his own.
The stories are all quite different in plot, secondary characters, and settings - but alike in Penric giving of himself (and Desdemona) until it hurts. The adventures, struggles, triumphs, and occasional humor make for a great read. 4.5/5
View all my reviews
Finishing up Witches Abroad during my next time in the shop (audio) and starting Cobra Slave by Timothy Zahn.
Rejected by Jaymin Eve, An Old Beginning by Mark Tufo, The extinction cycle by Nicholas Sansbury smith, Assistant to the Villain, and lean mean thirteen.
Mod
I didn't hate it. That level of depth and development isn't something we see much of often. But it will definitely make me hesitant to recommend the book to others as you basically have to enjoy being in Tano's head and to be exploring this unique world to appreciate the tale.
Hedesa is a story for the die hard fans. Whereas book 9, Rihasi, is the kind of standalone story in the Tuyo world that I think works great as an introduction to the series if someone doesn't feel like starting with book 1.
Lemme know your thoughts Michelle and Eric!
Ryan wrote: "Hedesa is...was... well... It's not the best book in the series. The authors note says that chapter 3 through to chapter 15 could have been reduced to a sentence but she felt it was important that ..."Oh no! Well, crap Ryan 😂 I had wondered when I saw your three star rating. I haven't gotten to it yet because I wanted to finish one book in particular first. I guess we'll see what Eric thinks soon.
Melanie, my mind is well and truly boggled! I don't even know what to say about Vita Nostra. Thank you for the link to the discussion. Can't wait to see what others think.
Michelle wrote: "I guess we'll see what Eric thinks soon."I'm about a quarter of the way into "Hedesa" dealing with the spoiled brat Lau. I've no real opinion of the book yet.
Mod
(But it's the kind of book you should only read if you love the series)
Vita Nostra on the other hand is a masterpiece. It's in my Top 18 SFF books of all time.
I am reading The Lord of the Rings and The Last Unicorn. Starting The First Law with The Blade Itself, and The Wheel of Time with The Eye of the World and Green Bone with Jade City. I have made a lot of cuts to books I want to read and series I began but shall not have the time for. The only way to find its way around my barriers and inhibitions is The Fifth Season from The Broken Earth.
Currently reading
and an GR won copy of
. Taking a break from
Peony wrote: "I am reading The Lord of the Rings and The Last Unicorn. Starting The First Law with The Blade Itself, and The Wheel of Time with [book:The Eye of the World|228..."A good choice!
I am currently working my way through the "A Thousand Li" series by Tao Wong for the second time. The final book just came out and I wanted to review the series before reading it. . This series is a more traditional cultivation series that follows the protagonist from his common origins to great heights. If you enjoy cultivation fantasy, this is a great series. The First Step
Just finished Cobra Slave by Timothy ZahnMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
One of the (many) nice things about Zahn is that he can write a multiple POV book and you always know which character is central.
My review here
Changing pace again and rereading The Diamond Throne by David Eddings.
On audio, just finished Witches Abroad by Terry PratchettMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I think I like Celie Imrie as narrator for the witches' subseries over Nigel Planer, but it's a close call. Another wonderful Discworld book. 4.5/5
My review here
Since shop time is increasing with more DIY projects I am finishing audiobooks baster. Next up in the audio reread of the witches subseries is Lords and Ladies.
And the Rest is History
by Jodi TaylorChronicles of St. Mary's #8. In which Max and the historians go back to record and review the battle of Hastings and the sack of Constantinople by the Crusaders. I like this series very much but this book is by far the darkest. Stolen children? No! 2 stars.
I completed
Hedesa book ten in the "Tuyo" series.In my opinion, the author puts way too much emphasis on being "respectful" with the Ugaro and wastes a lot of words in this endeavor. Neumeier also wastes many sentences on Tano's past. If you've read these books you already know this history.
So based on these bothersome points of mine, I give this story three stars. However, Neumeier spent a large amount of time developing a language for the people of the Starlight Lands, the Tarashana. She also developed their heritage. All good to know. For that large work, I give this book four stars.
Eric wrote: "I completed Hedesa book ten in the "Tuyo" series.In my opinion, the author puts way too much emphasis on being "respectful" with the Ugaro and wastes..."
I haven't heard of this series before, but the cover art for that book is positively enchanting.
Peony wrote: "I haven't heard of this series before, but the cover art for that book is positively enchanting."
Tuyo is an amazing series. Currently ten books have been published with more to come. Highly recommended.
General Updates- LOTR Book 1 The Fellowship of the Ring- 52% It's picking up into lore and plot and when this story decides to be cool, it succeeds. It hasn't tried enough for me, though.
- Wheel of Time Book 1 The Eye of the World- 23% The pacing is really good. I Know it's a 'big book' and all, but wow, so much has happened. It's like 2x the pace of LOTR, and far more worldbuilding. The scenes were very cleverly chosen, it's gaining my trust. Dismayed already at how many times I'm going to hear characters huff out "men" in this series at random intrapersonal conflicts.
-Memory Sorrow and Thorn Book 1 The Dragonbone Chair- 8% It's growing on me. The main character is a lazy, ditzy, dreamy little guy and it's a bit charming. Does he have ADHD by chance? The forgetting important things and veering off into unintentionally all-encompassing side quests, unable to listen to a story (even one he's interested in and put a lot of effort into getting to hear) without multi-tasking. It would be interesting if that was intended.
Mod
Peony wrote: "General Updates- Dismayed already at how many times I'm going to hear characters huff out "men" in this series at random intrapersonal conflicts.
..."
lots of braid tugging too
Economondos wrote: "On audio, just finished Witches Abroad by Terry PratchettMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I think I like Celie Imrie as narrator for the witches' subseries over Nigel Planer, but it's a close call. Another..."
That's awesome! Terry Pratchett is always a good choice.
Daniel Kraus's latest, Great-War fantasy Angel Down
, is hands down one of my favorite reads of 2025:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Melanie wrote: "Toggling between grand epics. I admire your dedication. I tackle those books one at a time and pair them with something ridiculous and/or easy."Admittedly it's less dedication, more short attention span. Admirable will be the task of actually finishing these. I will do my best, but it keeps growing...
---
CBRetriever wrote:
lots of braid tugging too"
Oddly, that hasn’t gotten on my nerves. I’ll get back to you as I progress through the books, though.
This year I seem to have developed a habit of finally reading books I’ve always meant to, but somehow never got around to. My current quest? A Song of Ice and Fire, book two: A Clash of Kings.I tore through the first book and am now happily embracing the second. Oddly enough, I never really connected with the TV series (don’t call the Night’s Watch on me just yet), but the books? Pure gold. The politics, the twists, the characters — it’s like discovering a whole new realm I didn’t know I’d been missing.
I am finally reading The Odyssey. I know all of Odysseus's adventures well from other media (various retellings, children's versions, movies, etc), but I've never actually read the original. So far, so good - I feel like this translation (by Emily Wilson) is very readable. I read the Robert Fagles' translation of The Iliad many years ago.I'm also listening to Neal Stephenson's Seveneves. It's 31 hours long! I'm about 40% of the way through. It's a bit slow-paced and very detailed, but I'm enjoying it.
And I recently finished We Speak Through the Mountain by Premee Mohamed. It was interesting to see what happened to the main character from The Annual Migration of Clouds, but I liked the first book better overall.
Took a science non-fiction break with Sing Like Fish: How Sound Rules Life Under Water by Amorina Kingdon. This is a presentation of how marine mammals, fish, and other oceanic inhabitants react to sound and, for some species, use sound to communicate. It also goes into the impact of human-generated sound (ships, sonar, drilling) on the inhabitants of the seas. Fascinating stuff.
@Walter What makes the books so different?
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