What are you reading right now? For 2025

[Fiona]

I just read UESI by Karl Drinkwater, brand new novella out. It was ... surprising! Not really like the other books apart from Ruabon (which had AI droid chats). And yet, it pulled me in and kept making me think and wonder what the AIs were really up to! This is clever stuff and worth rereading once you have your thoughts in order. (The photobomb rabbit makes sense in terms of the plot but I can't explain as it might be a spoiler.) Anyone else read it?

[Fiona]

Audrey wrote: "Chasing Solace. I got the first couple books in the series a while ago. I read the first one, so now I am giving this one a go. So far, this one makes more sense than the first one ..."

It's not often I find people reading that series, but I really enjoyed it. I suppose in book 2 you alerady know Opal's goal at the start (hidden until the end of book 1) which makes it more approachable.

[John]

I expect to finish Feersum Endjinn in the next day or two, and then plan to continue with re-reading the Space Team series - now on to book 4, Song of the Space Siren.

[Caitlin]

Currently reading Ninefox Gambit by Yoon Ha Lee. MilSF with a fascinating setting where the interstellar empire rules by imposing a specific calendar system on its holdings which enables the use of exotic technologies.

It’s one of those books where the technology is so different that it might be as well be magic. Yet it feels like the author has planned out how it all works so it doesn’t feel arbitrary.

[John]

Caitlin wrote: "Currently reading Ninefox Gambit by Yoon Ha Lee. MilSF with a fascinating setting where the interstellar empire rules by imposing a specific calendar system on its holdings which enables the use of..."

I'd forgotten about this one Caitlin. I bought it back in 2019 and awarded it only one star - and it's rare for me to be that mean to any book. Maybe I should go back and re-read it.

[Bryan]

I finished Hyperion by Dan Simmons a few days ago, and I'm almost into part two of The Fall of Hyperion. The storytelling and language are phenomenal, the world-building is fascinating, and the concept of three AIs within one AI core, all having differing goals, is fascinating. My wife got me the whole series as an early Valentine's Day gift! I highly recommend the series and look forward to reading the remaining books and ordering more by Dan Simmons.

[Caitlin]

@Bryan, I *loved* the Hyperion series! I got Fall of Hyperion for Christmas and remember inhaling it over about 3 days during Christmas break. :)

[Caitlin]

@John, I like it so far but I can see how a reader might bounce off it. There’s a fair bit of cognitive heavy lifting required to make sense of the world, especially in the beginning. I’ll try and report back my thoughts when I’ve finished.

[John]

Caitlin wrote: "@John, I like it so far but I can see how a reader might bounce off it. There’s a fair bit of cognitive heavy lifting required to make sense of the world, especially in the beginning. I’ll try and ..."

Thanks Caitlin - I'll watch out for that.

[John]

I'm 25% of the way through Song of the Space Siren - the Space Team books are very fast and easy reads, but they are fun.

[John]

I've also started reading a dystopian SF novella - The Scarlet Plague by Jack London. 

[John]

I've finished Song of the Space Siren by Barry J. Hutchison. I'm delighted that I enjoyed it just as much the second time around, and looking forward to re-reading the rest of the series.

[Trike]

Listening to Space Team 2 The Wrath of Vajazzle, which has been humorous. The full cast performance is excellent. It’s very much in the vein of Guardians of the Galaxy.

[Audrey]

I started Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson. It was suggested as a group read book for next month, looked interesting, but really long, so I dove in. I'm only about 50 pages in, but like it so far.

[John]

Audrey wrote: "I started Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson. It was suggested as a group read book for next month, looked interesting, but really long, so I dove in. I'm only about 50 pag..."

That's encouraging Audrey. I might take the chance on it's being selected, and start it early also.

[John]

We've now got a competition for the March Reader nomination, which is excellent! So I think I'll hold off on starting Red Mars for the moment.

[Teresa, Plan B is in Effect]

Or if on the 22nd we still have no Limited Pick, I can just use moderator discretionary powers and pick both.

[John]

Teresa wrote: "Or if on the 22nd we still have no Limited Pick, I can just use moderator discretionary powers and pick both."

Excellent suggestion, Teresa.

[Aeryn]

Hi everyone! I'm currently reading Out of the Dark by David Weber and I really like the idea. I'm about 120 pages.

[Chandler]

Hello! I am reading the Aftermath trilogy (Star Wars) by Chuck Wendig. Currently on the final book, Empire's End.

[Teresa, Plan B is in Effect]

I’m currently rereading Agent of Change by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller. This is or Reader Pick for March.

[John]

I've just started our Limited Pick for March - Renegade by Joel Shepherd. I'm enjoying it so far; it feels like a reasonably quick read so I'm hoping I'll be able to finish it early in March.

[Audrey]

I am still reading Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson. About 45% in at this point. It has turned into a slow read with lots of descriptions of Martian landscapes, various kinds of construction, politics, and analyses of various human motivations.

[Biana]

Audrey wrote: "I am still reading Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson. ."

I did it in audio form. I actually fell asleep twice. OOOPS

[Audrey]

Biana wrote: "Audrey wrote: "I am still reading Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson. ."

I did it in audio form. I actually fell asleep twice. OOOPS"

I can understand why you fell asleep. I have been skipping over the most wordy of the dialog, some of which lists variables and provides charts in support of some arcane discussion that doesn't even seem to matter to the plot. At this point, I mostly just want to find out why the murder in Part 1 happened. I suspect everyone just went insane. LOL

[Betsy]

Audrey wrote: "I am still reading Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson. About 45% in at this point. It has turned into a slow read with lots of descriptions of Martian landscapes, various kinds of construction, polit..."

That's the big reason why I didn't finish it. I found it very tedious. Mired in too much unnecessary detail.

[John]

Sounds like it would be best NOT to nominate this one for April! Although I will go ahead and read it anyway.

It's interesting that SF has a number of "sub-genres", which are quite different, and each of which have different - and loyal - fans; the same applies to the sub-genres - like space opera - as this group illustrates. It must make it difficult for the moderators, so my congratulations and thanks to you for keeping the group running and active. I pick up new recommendations on an almost-daily basis!

[Teresa, Plan B is in Effect]

It helps that our group’s definition of Space Opera is really loose. There’s just a couple of required features. Is there at least one scene set on a spaceship or space station? Or at bare minimum is it set on a planet that was reached via spaceship, that is a technological society?

[Caitlin]

I’m also reading Agent of Change for the March Book of the Month!

[Paul]

I'm reading Red Rising at the moment but originally was kinda pie off this by some of the mixed reviews but to be fair I am loving it!

[John]

Paul wrote: "I'm reading Red Rising at the moment but originally was kinda pie off this by some of the mixed reviews but to be fair I am loving it!"

I bought Red Rising a few years ago Paul, probably when Amazon had it on a special offer, but I've just never got round to reading it. So I'll be interested to hear your rating for it.

[Paul]

Just finished it, loved it, 4stars. 4stars only because it's so unoriginal in many ways otherwise 5 stars, but really enjoyed the ride and the setting is good. When I say unoriginal there is a fair bit borrowed from ancient roman, Greece society deliberately of course nothing to hide here. And the plot will be familiar.

I enjoyed it anyways and have bought the 2nd and 3rd books

[Audrey]

I finally finished Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson. It took me over 2 weeks to plow through this behemoth.

The writing is lovely, but there is no way to read and comprehend what is written on the 600 or so pages at more than a snail's pace. Here is a sample: "Overhead was an enormous dome of gleaming white ice. They stood under it as if under a giant overturned bowl. The dome was several kilometers in diameter, and at least a kilometer high, maybe more; it rose swiftly from the perimeters, and then bowled gently across the center. The light was diffuse but fairly strong, as if on a cloudy day, and it seemed to come from the white dome itself, which gleamed. The ground under the dome was gently rolling reddish sand, grassy in the hollows, with frequent stands of tall bamboo and gnarled pine. There were some small hillocks to the right, and clustered in these hills was a little village, one- and two-story houses painted white and blue, interspersed with large trees which had bamboo rooms and staircases set in their thick branches."

I don't regret taking the time to finish the book, but I won't be looking for the next one in the series.

[John]

Audrey wrote: "I finally finished Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson. It took me over 2 weeks to plow through this behemoth.

The writing is lovely, but there is no way to read and compr..."

Its certainly a hefty read, Audrey - I'm hoping to start it sometime next week; how many stars would you award it?

[Audrey]

John wrote: "Audrey wrote: "I finally finished Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson. It took me over 2 weeks to plow through this behemoth.

The writing is lovely, but there is no way to..."

I haven't rated it yet because I am having trouble deciding on stars. It was extremely wordy, but the words were well written. The bits of plot-related material mostly were buried within the descriptive wordiness. There was a strong environmental and political message (for conservation and a commentary on the dangers of mega-corporations having too much power - rather than about any particular political parties). The book was full of human ingenuity as well as hubris, creativity plus death and destruction. I can see why it won the Nebula and was nominated for other major awards. But I don't want to read it again or read the other books within the series. Maybe 3-1/2 to 4 stars.

[John]

Thanks Audrey, that's helpful; I'll go ahead and read Red Mars, but won't order the others in the series until I have!

[Teresa, Plan B is in Effect]

I finished rereading Agent of Change by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller. Lots of action, a good helping of culture misunderstandings, and banter too.

[Teresa, Plan B is in Effect]

I started reading An Endless Sea of Stars by Jamie Lynn Miller, but sheeesh the author clearly doesn’t know the difference between the Milky Way and our solar system. I’ll put up with a lot from an indie author, but not that.

[Audrey]

After I finished my reread of Agent of Change by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, I dove right into Conflict of Honors by the same authors.

[Teresa, Plan B is in Effect]

Conflict of Honors is a good one!

[John]

I know that a number of the members of the group are familiar with Baen Books, so I'm looking for some pointers - I'd like to try one of the books by Eric Flint - but not anything that's alternate history. Any suggestions or recommendations?

[Teresa, Plan B is in Effect]

The series that starts with Boundary by Eric Flint is good space opera. I think we discussed all of those books already, and I know we did the first one. That series is well worth reading, IMO.

If you liked The Witches of Karres by James H. Schmitz, Eric Flint helped write three sequels: The Wizard of Karres, The Sorceress of Karres, The Shaman of Karres. (In that order)

Edit: due out in June, looks very good: Fenrir

[John]

Teresa wrote: "The series that starts with Boundary by Eric Flint is good space opera. I think we discussed all of those books already, and I know we did the first one. That series is w..."

Thanks Teresa, I'm going to start with Boundary and have downloaded a copy - which I plan to read in April. But I'll also watch out for the new book in June.

[Teresa, Plan B is in Effect]

I encourage you to post any comments on Boundary to the 2022 discussion thread
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[John]

Teresa wrote: "I encourage you to post any comments on Boundary to the 2022 discussion thread
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/..."

Thanks Teresa - I'll do that.

[John]

I've just finished re-reading Excession, which was excellent. While I'm trying to decide which will be the next Culture series book I re-read, I'm reading The Guns of Nana Joan by Barry J. Hutchison, which is number 5 in the Space Team series if I remember correctly. These books are always a fast read, so I'll be finished in plenty of time for starting whatever our chosen reads are for April.

[Aeryn]

Hi everyone! I’m starting We Have Always Been Here by Lena Nguyen and hoping it counts for space opera. I think it’s a space thriller/horror? Not entirely certain but my library had it and I thought why not 😄

[Teresa, Plan B is in Effect]

It’s about the crew of a spaceship, so it counts.

[Aeryn]

Teresa wrote: "It’s about the crew of a spaceship, so it counts."

Great! Thank you

[John]

Halfway through The Guns of Nana Joan and two of my favourite characters have appeared - Detective Dan Deadman and Nana Joan.