SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion
What Else Are You Reading?
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What Else Are You Reading in 2025?
I rarely DNF a book but, even past the midway point, I think that's where This Will Be Fun by E.B. Asher (a pseudonym for three individuals) is going to end up. I bought it because of the premise: a tight-knit band of four triumphs over evil, saves the land, becoming legendary heroes and, in doing so, ruin their lives. The story takes place ten years later, when the surviving ones can't stand each other but are forced to get back together. However, there is no epic fantasy here. This is romantasy, not very well done, and not much else. The device of transporting our social media and streaming (and Uber!) into a medieval setting via magic started off amusing, but the amusement waned as I read along. This wasn't fun for me.
Witch's CanyonThe second novel for Supernatural follows the Winchesters as they leave the hustle and bustle of New York behind and head to a remote location in Arizona. This novel directly follows the events of 'Supernatural: Nevermore,' but aside from a brief mention of a character from the previous novel in the introductory chapter, the two books are not otherwise linked.
Without giving away the plot, Sam and Dean get a-up a string of gruesome murders that happen every forty years in a small Arizona town, so the Winchester brothers decide to check it out. They show up just in time for first murder, and as the bodies start piling up, Sam and Dean have to figure out who's behind it and how to put a stop to it.
A great novel. It was an easy read with a well-paced plot. My one criticism would be that after all the build-up, the ending felt rushed and somewhat abrupt. The characterization of Sam and Dean was mostly true to their portrayal in the series. One of the strengths of the book was the dialogue, especially between them, which was convincing enough that it was easy to imagine the actors' voices speaking the lines. Additionally, there were a few brief flashbacks to the brothers' childhood that provided some background. Supporting characters, even those who were soon to become victims, were well-described and more than just ciphers.
In terms of TV tie-in novels, I would classify this as one of the superior examples.
Early this morning, finished up Fool Moon by Jim ButcherMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Adding werewolves (4 types) fits into the world of the Dresden Files neatly. And the fact a that fifth type Harry didn't know about is revealed is a nice touch - characters don't have to get every detail right. Another recommended book in a recommended series. Go have some fun with a noir detective story set just into the new millennium.
My review here
And into the third book of the Dresden Files, Grave Peril.
Finished The Forever War which was good. On to another Christmas/birthday present, Rendezvous with Rama. My city library has me as first in line for All Systems Red so I will pick that up when it comes in.
I just finished Lily Brooks-Dalton's Good Morning, Midnight. Very dark book on a post-apocalyptic earth. I did enjoy it, a short 250 page book. Many questions! But that's ok. I guess I gotta re-watch that netflix movie (I'm sure I saw the movie during the pandemic, I remember thinking 'meh', I'll have to see if that opinion changed!).Now, I found Katherine Addison's Goblin Emperor, so starting that book now!
I just finished Box Office Poison: Hollywood's Story in a Century of Flops, it was very informative and also quite funny.
After all the recent chat about C. J. Cherryh, I've finally decided to pick up her Downbelow Station. I've also started Ellis Weiner's National Lampoon's Doon, just because it's winter and I could do with some cheering up.
Reading A Turn of Light by Julie E.Czerneda. I've read her sci-fi books before and they were quite good. Recently a friend of mine mentioned A Turn of Light to me in conversation and I decided to read the trilogy as well
Got done reading Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones. Absolutely loved it. Made me laugh and feel all warm inside.
I always start the year intending to post in this thread and then mostly don't. But, here's to a new year trying again!At the end of last year, I listened to the audiobook of The Monsters We Defy which was really excellent. A really well done historical fantasy story, set in the Black community of Washington DC in the 1920s.
I also recently read Bannerless. This is post-apocalyptic, but it is several decades since everything went down and people are settled into the new way of living. It is also a mystery and we follow along with the investigators. The story is slow paced but I found the world Vaughn created super interesting, plus the mystery is really well integrated into the world.
pablo wrote: "Got done reading Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones. Absolutely loved it. Made me laugh and feel all warm inside."That book's a lot of fun!
Just before lunch, finished reading Grave Peril by Jim Butcher.My rating: 4 of 5 stars
On this reread decided that the characters, both main and side, are one of the things I enjoy most about this series. They may be exaggerated a bit (as expected in Urban Fantasy), but they have strengths and flaws and have to deal with real life.
My review here
Moving directly into the fourth book of this series, Grave Peril. Also reading 'Toons for Our Times: A Bloom County Book of Heavy Meadow Rump 'n Roll because why not.
Read A Day in September: The Battle of Antietam and the World It Left Behind by Stephen Budiansky. Using the Battle of Antietam as a focal point, this excellently written book provides an overview of the early part of the Civil War with chapters not only on the battle but covering logistics, medicine, army structure, and the culture of the time. For a reader who has never really delved into the American Civil War, this is an excellent overview. However, for those who have read extensively on the topic, the book is too thin. It is not a detailed military history, and it gives chapters on topics where (multiple) books have been written.
Colin wrote: "Read A Day in September: The Battle of Antietam and the World It Left Behind by Stephen Budiansky. Using the Battle of Antietam as a focal point, this excellently written book prov..."Any time I look at a new historical topic, I want to start with this sort of overview. Giving the general feel and just enough detail is really hard and I appreciate authors and lecturers who can find that balance.
Finished God of the Woods and once there were wolves. Currently reading Lonesome Dove and The Exorcist.
Reading Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor and, not going to lie, it's a disappointment so far. I was really looking forward to it (even preordered it) and it feels like Okorafor just wanted to write a contemporary fic novel about family but needed to dress it up because she's known as a spec fic author. And the disability rep in it is...not the worst but also has me, a disabled person, questioning her motivation for that rep. Also rereading the classic Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison, for the first time in maybe 30 year and I had forgotten what a tragicomic fever dream it is, throwing imagery, metaphors and allusions at you like a machine gun. It's a great book, but dang, it'll drink up all your mental energy.
Also rereading The Stars, My Destination for Team Sci Fi and after that I will commenrce my reread of Homeland. And reading A Master of Djinn for the Read All the Books Dozens challenge.
CJ wrote: "And the disability rep in it is...not the worst but also has me, a disabled person, questioning her motivation for that rep."I would hazard a guess at her own disability being the motivation?
I'm listening to the audiobook of ERB's, 'Barsoom' series. I've read it several times, it's an easy listen while commuting.
Anna wrote: "CJ wrote: "And the disability rep in it is...not the worst but also has me, a disabled person, questioning her motivation for that rep."I would hazard a guess at her own disability being the moti..."
So far (I'm 1/3 into the book) it feels like what we disabled people call toxic persistence (the expectation of a disabled person to be strong and endure hardship, even when it's harmful--The Fourth Wing, also written by a disabled person, is notorious for this trope among disabled readers, for example) so if she's drawing on her own disability, it's disappointing if this continues to be the case for the rest of the novel. I have followed her on social media for some time and she's never talked about her disability nor does she talk about disability publicly so I cannot gauge where she's coming from but I'm not getting the feeling she has listened to many other disabled perspectives. It's also weird how many readers who have loved this so far have nothing to say about the disability rep, like it's something that didn't really make much an impression. Also not great.
I haven't started Death of the Author yet, so no comment on that, but if you're interested in her story, I'd recommend Broken Places & Outer Spaces.edit: With a warning that what you're describing sounds familiar, and you're likely not going to enjoy the book, but you'll know where she's coming from.
Finished my reread of Summer Knight by Jim Butcher this morning.My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Dresden Files really hit their stride in this book. Good characters and excellent setting. Rcommending this series, but it is one that benefits from being read in order.
My review here
Began Death Masks within minutes of finishing Summer Knight.
Beginning Power To the People: the World of the Black Panthers, Shames and Seale. Its mostly a pictorial, so I don't expect it to take long.
Bonjour mes amies!The year 2025 has proven to be a year of books already. I'm currently finishing Ursula K. Le Guin's
and thinking about changing pace to this Becky Chambers novel
.Since I just discovered Martha Well's Murderbot Diaries, I'll be eagerly interspersing books from the series in between other reads. I've only just last week read
. Can't wait to continue the saga.
Almost finished with the audio book of The Tainted Cup and I love it. I'm so glad the next book in the series will be out soon.
Finished Mechanize My Hands to War by Erin K. Wagner and A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark today, both 5 star reads for me. Started Red Team Blues by Cory Doctorow and Return from the Stars by Stanislaw Lem tonight, and now reading Translation State by Ann Leckie before going to bed. Tempted to stay up and finish it--I'm been really enjoying it.Also reading Lublin by Manya Wilkinson, which was longlisted for the Republic of Consciousness prize, a prize for indie fic. I joined booktuber Eyes on Indie's discord where she's doing a read through of the longlisted books. Even though I don't have access to all the longlisted books, I'll be reading a few of them. After this one I'll be reading To & Fro by Leah Hager Cohen.
I recently bought a new Xbox and have been on big Halo kick. Because of this I also started re-reading through the Halo books.
I'm currently reading 'The House in the Cerulean Sea' by TJ Klune,
starting 'The Fifth Season' by N K Jemisin
and a old timey naval adventure, 'Upon the Malabar Coast' by Philip K Allan.
I read the first of that Phillip K. Allan series (The Captain's Nephew) and liked it, but somehow I was distracted from continuing the series. Thanks for reminding me!
Well...it's been a while since I was talking about what I was reading...I just finished Simon Stalenhag's Electric State and what else can I say except that I loved it so much. Its outstanding artwork and original plot make it an amazing experience to behold. It's becoming a film scheduled for release on Netflix this coming springtime, and I can't wait to see it. I also have plans to read Stalenhag's others.Also am still reading SF classics of the late 19th and 20th centuries. Skylark and First Lensman are very well-written and I also have been keeping up with reading the writings of Verne.
Im currently reading Before The Coffee Gets Cold Before the Coffee Gets Coldand thinking of picking up The Midnight Library afterwards
Sam wrote: "Well...it's been a while since I was talking about what I was reading...I just finished Simon Stalenhag's Electric State and what else can I say except that I loved it so much. Its outstanding artw..."Hope you are enjoying Lensman and Skylark. It is great to read foundational books and see where other authors got some of their inspiration.
Had a sleepless night, partly because Death Masks by Jim Butcher is an engrossing tale.My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Adding a new class of villain in the Denarians, Butcher continues to mimic the complexity of the real world in his Dresden Files universe.
My review here
Immediately started Blood Rites, the sixth book of the Dresden Files. Still listening to The Return of the King when driving or working in the shop..
I am following three series which are Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling; just finished #4, "The Goblet of Fire, John Gwynne's "The Faithful and the Fallen series; I am currently in #1, "Malice" and also in #3, "Brisingr" of Chrisopher Paolini's "Inheritance" series.
Finally finished Katherine Addison's Goblin Emperor. A great book, but what slowed me down was trying to finish watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV Series). which I also finished! Now on to Becky Chambers' 2nd book, A Closed and Common Orbit. I already read the first book (long way to a small angry planet)!
Just finished Remarkably Bright Creatures. I don't often read literary fiction, but I enjoyed this book a lot! It's written from several perspectives, and I liked Marcellus and Tova the most. It's a heartwarming tale, which I felt was fitting to start the year off with.Going to start Shadow and Bone now. It's been on my tbr for a couple of years, so I'm glad to finally get to cross it off.
I'm just doing a re-read of 'Amber Sea' by Lance W Marker. It's a technophobic space opera, but cult-based instead of steampunk.
bigfattybeeg wrote: "Starting the year with some PKD. Ubik to kick things off"I want to start reading PKD this year as well! I recently read Childhood's End by Clarke and I thought it hold up very well to be a novel from the 50s
Marc wrote: "Finally finished Katherine Addison's Goblin Emperor. A great book, but what slowed me down was trying to finish watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV Series). which I also finished! Now on to Bec..."
Marc, the other books by Addison set in the world of Goblin Emperor are also really good if you're looking for more in the future. The Witness for the Dead is the first one.
Went back to non-fiction and read Henry V: The Astonishing Triumph of England's Greatest Warrior King by Dan Jones, an extremely well-written biography of a complex man. Henry was a bibliophile and avid reader; he was also a demanding and workaholic king with a micromanager's approach to governance, finance, and logistics ("flee idleness" was inscribed on his grave). He was a harpist, who was also a cold, calculating commander, personally fearless in battle. The book is written in present tense, which brings an immediacy to the history, and makes the story feel as fantastical as many fantasies. Highly recommended.
I'm going to continue on with the Wheel of Time series in 2025. I read the first one at the end of last year, and I'm making myself read the second one soon, before I change my mind, lol.
Read the last of Blood Rites by Jim Butcher this morning.My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Another strong entry in the Dresden Files. A series I recommend, but one that needs to be read in either publication or internal chronological order. It would not be as satisfying if one skipped around in it.
My review here
Continuing my Dresden Files marathon with Dead Beat. Since this is a reread, I know this is one of my favorites and that polka will never die!
Economondos wrote: "Since this is a reread, I know this is one of my favorites and that polka will never die!"Indeed it will not :)
My friend finished The Wheel of Time. I had quit after 4.5 books but she convinced me to try again starting V11, Knife of Dreams. Here goes. . .
I completed Wind and Truth
. A fun marathon read. Four stars. More at: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
The Ophiuchi Hotline
by John VarleyMany years in he future the Earth has been conquered, many people are actually clones and body modifications are universal. Very complex plot and characters that come and go and then alter themselves all make for a very confusing story and then the book just ends without any resolution. 2 stars.
I’m reading Onyx Storm right now. After this, I plan to read the full hunger games series and continue on with the red rising series. So far I’ve only read book one of that one.I also have a few Stephen King books to dip into, though not fantasy or sci-fi
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The movie adaptation was really bad IMHO. It put me off from reading the book for a long time because I saw the movie first. The book is excellent with a focus on its characters and their reaction to this . . . situation. I hope you enjoy it.