UK Book Club discussion
Genre Challenge 2011-12
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Introducing the genre challenge
I'm currently finishing off a couple of other books, but I think I'll probably read Fahrenheit 451 by
in the dystopian category
Kurt Vonnegut wrote some decent dystopian and sci-fi novels if anyone is stuck for something to read.Bill wrote: "I'm currently finishing off a couple of other books, but I think I'll probably read Fahrenheit 451 by
in the dystopian category"I didn't like that. It's so pretentiously written,it's actually distracting. I was never able to get into it.I didn't care for the Truffaut adaptation either.
Boy that month flew by, it seems this genre challenge is set for me I was already reading April's topic and I love Sci Fi. For anyone venturing in for the first time Isaac Asimov is the classic choice, not too hard going - I Robot is perhaps familiar to most? Phil K Dick's Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep is BladeRunner to the movie going audience. A more modern take I would suggest a look at Cory Doctorow http://craphound.com/?p=147 Down And Out in the Magic Kingdom would be a good one.
As for me I have no idea what I'll be choosing this month. It will have to go alongside my dipping in and out of this years Wisden... maybe Philip K Dick's A Scanner Darkly but I'll wait until after the holiday weekend to decide
Em wrote: "Just been browsing Amazon - has anyone read Iain M Banks? I've read a couple of his non sci-fi ones - The Crow Road and Complicity (without the M) and they were both excellent but I'm not familiar ..."Hi Em.
They are a bit different from his "Regular Fiction" stuff. The Wasp Factory and Espedair Street I enjoyed, but I digress.
He has a series of books The Culture Series which you might want to avoid if you are dipping in and out so I would recommend either The Algebraist http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12... or Feersum Endjinn http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12...
Sometimes I find when I read something labelled as 'dysotopian' my brain hurts from the theory that usually attaches itself to sci-fi novels. I decided to go easy on my head this time and am going to read Matched by Braithwaite. I let you all if my plan works. lol
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by Fay Weldon - v.cheap on Amazon at the mo and then
by Philip K Dick as sci fi
Asheleigh wrote: "Kurt Vonnegut wrote some decent dystopian and sci-fi novels if anyone is stuck for something to read.Bill wrote: "I'm currently finishing off a couple of other books, but I thi..."
I've read it many years ago and recall enjoying it; I guess I'll find out if my tastes have changed, Asheleigh. I also enjoyed the movie. Nice that different folks have different tastes.
Bill wrote: "I've read it many years ago and recall enjoying it; I guess I'll find out if my tastes have changed, Asheleigh. I also enjoyed the movie. Nice that different folks have different tastes."Ahh ok.I assumed you hadn't read it.But if you have so already know you'll enjoy it then it's all good.I'm in the minority for disliking it anyway.
Em, Consider Phlebas by Iain Banks has been prasied on my sci-fi group and by my dad recently. Lots of dystopian in the YA section.
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Ok Em, before you spend any cash.... I really enjoyed Ian Banks' non-scifi books (particularly The Wasp Factory and The Crow Road ), BUT I read Use of Weapons - which is one of his sci-fi novels about 'the culture' - and it really did not agree with me (to put it mildly). You may feel differently, but get one out of the library first, to check if you like them!!!!
I'm still trying to finish my biography for April - work has been very full-on over the last few weeks, plus I'm trying to find an apartment - our lease runs out at the end of June :(
Thanks for the tips everyone, I just reserved Consider Phlebas from the library - it's the first of the Culture series so don't need to worry if I don't end up persuing them all but can proceed if I wish!Good luck with the apartment hunting Liz, no renewal of the lease then? Whilst your work getting crazy, we've had a flurry of banks hols - I'm totally chilled out at the moment! Won't last long though...
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Our wonderful apartment block is being knocked down in July :( It was built in the 80's and is considered 'old' by Singapore standards.
Rents here are very high and we're on a tight budget, but I'm sure we'll find somewhere decent, eventually.... Just needs to have good transport links, be near a good school, not too far from work etc etc etc....
And to think we used to have a little house of our own in the UK *sigh*.
I was able to track down some hot cross buns for Easter, but it really doesn't feel like Spring here!
As for Dystopia - Anything by J.G. Ballard will do. I have Oryx and Crake (Margaret Attwood) for my A-Z challenge. Could kill two birds with that one. Also reading John Twelve Hawks - The Golden City that may also count. So... Count me IN!!!!
I'm much more in this month than last! Can't remember the last time I read non-fiction.
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We should all go on a goodreads trip and stay with Liz, lol
Em wrote: "Thanks for the tips everyone, I just reserved Consider Phlebas from the library - it's the first of the Culture series so don't need to worry if I don't end up persuing them all but ca..."You have just reserved one of the most exciting books I have ever read....
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Doesn't sound like Liz has room
Well she is apartment hunting, obviously the pleasure of seeing us will encourage her to look for a big place!
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Well I always did fancy going to see the Singapore Grand Prix
Mark wrote: "Having thought about it for 4 days I am plumping for Fahrenheit 451 this month. Enjoy everyone"That's my plan at the moment to Mark. As soon as I finish one of the two I'm currently reading, I'll take on this month's genre challenge. Enjoy it..
I've started Containment, 49p on kindle. I'm only about 4% in and it has just started to interest me. Initially I struggled with the Americanisms - gotton, off of, could of have; they seem to have settled down or I'm no longer noticing.
Hello, you're a chatty lot! So into the fray...My first Genre Challenge and I find it's something I would not normally read! I had nothing on the shelves of 'what I call' my library - groaning as they are. However, having tunnelled amongst boxes of 'books yet to be introduced to shelves' in my garage, I came up with some 'inherited' sci-fi.
Firstly, what is I believe is a classic Asimov "Foundation" and Arthur C Clarke's "The Sentinel" (a 'special 2001 A Space Odyssey edition' it having inspired that film - or so it says).
More daunted by the Asimov & as it seems a bit 'dystopian' I have started with that. Wish me luck...
I'm reading a clockwork orange, not my usual book in any way, very disturbing....to say I am enjoying it wouldn't be quite right but I am compelled to keep reading. It's only my second month on the genre challenge but I'm really enjoying it! Thanks all for the inspiration! :-)
Vicky wrote: "I'm reading a clockwork orange, not my usual book in any way, very disturbing....to say I am enjoying it wouldn't be quite right but I am compelled to keep reading. It's only my second month on the..."Hi Vicky. My first GC. Likewise, sci-fi not something I would not normally choose. Like you, am compelled to read, but jury out as to whether I am enjoying it yet! Good luck with yours...read something cheerful next!
I love sci-fi although I tend to watch it rather than read it. Have read quite a few dystopian though. Much better than biographies.
Streyino wrote: "Vicky wrote: "I'm reading a clockwork orange, not my usual book in any way, very disturbing....to say I am enjoying it wouldn't be quite right but I am compelled to keep reading. It's only my secon..."Yes! I think I might vote for Comedy/humour next month!!! Good luck with your book too!!
Helen wrote: "I love sci-fi although I tend to watch it rather than read it. Have read quite a few dystopian though. Much better than biographies."I have to say, I love biographies...not the celebrity kind, more the overcoming adversity and showing amazing human spirit kind but there are a lot of Dystopian books that I have been meaning to read so I am glad that this months challenge covers that...otherwise I'd probably still be reading biographies!!!
Vicky wrote: "Helen wrote: "I love sci-fi although I tend to watch it rather than read it. Have read quite a few dystopian though. Much better than biographies."I have to say, I love biographies...not the cele..."
Ah biographies! Have always loved what's loosely termed 'travel' biographies, especially where there is a personal challenge, or historic event involved. Throw a nautical element in and I'm won over!!
I admit the term 'dystopian' is new to me, but essentially infers a certain amount of unhappiness...but am open to being enlightened! Otherwise I'm quite happy being inspired & hopefully educated by a good biography instead...ooh! Each to their own.
Half way through Asimov...counting the pages to the end which isn't a good sign!!
I'm a third into mine and so far very sci-fi but not distopian, I feel like we're still at the setting the plot up stage. Getting easily distracted from it.
Streyino wrote: "Hello, you're a chatty lot! So into the fray...My first Genre Challenge and I find it's something I would not normally read! I had nothing on the shelves of 'what I call' my library - groaning ..."
Foundation is an interesting book, stay with it it gets bigger and bigger.
Finished Containment. The author spent alot of time explaining, not enough dialogue, plot was okay although I guessed the ending.
Andy wrote: "Streyino wrote: "Hello, you're a chatty lot! So into the fray...My first Genre Challenge and I find it's something I would not normally read! I had nothing on the shelves of 'what I call' my li..."
I have finished "Foundation" and Andy was quite correct.
After what seemed a lot of disjointed preamble for a 'short' book, by way of several 'threaded' stories it took shape & engaged me by the end. But only just - yet to be fair, this is the first of a trilogy, which in total would today constitute one single volume by the likes of Iain Banks! So fair play!
I have a 'Rutherfurd' extravaganza (eeek!), taxi-ing up the TBR runway, which seems to be of a similar formula perhaps, so a good primer for the style too?!
For me foundation contained a bit too much dialogue, in proportion to background scene setting & description. I could also call it naive & simplistic. However, as with a lot of 'earlier' sci-fi, I guess you need to read it with an awareness it was written at a time (1951) when manned space flight, remote planetary exploration & so on, were only very aspirational.
It was all new & exciting science & 'Space-related' non-fiction I have of the period is only slightly less fictional (from what we know now), which actualy makes Foundation quite pioneering & almost apocryphal in parts. So hats off Mr Asimov!
That said, it didn't turn me on to sci-fi - but I have Arthur C Clarke waiting in the wings next, so we'll see...
Sorry for rambling, I seem to have written my book review by default instead of a short post!!! Ho hum!
Streyino wrote: "Andy wrote: "Streyino wrote: "Hello, you're a chatty lot! So into the fray...My first Genre Challenge and I find it's something I would not normally read! I had nothing on the shelves of 'what ..."
Lets see what Arthur C Clarke manages to do for you then.... I have just finished A Clockwork Orange which I have to say I thought was brilliant. To say I enjoyed it wouldn't quite fit the bill but I found it a fascinating read and really struggled to put it down towards the end. Very thought provoking and it has definately turned me on to dystopian fiction. I'll have to raid the library for science fiction but I have The Handmaid's Tale and Lord of the Flies sitting on my bookshelf so it may be one of those next....
Abi wrote: "Ok, so having looked at the list of Dystopian books on here, and spoken to a friend who seems to read a lot of this type of book, I have decided that this month I am going to read [book:The Handmai..."How's it going? I think that may well be my next read...
Vicky wrote: "Streyino wrote: "Andy wrote: "Streyino wrote: "Hello, you're a chatty lot! So into the fray...My first Genre Challenge and I find it's something I would not normally read! I had nothing on the sh..."
Glad the 'Orange' was a hit...might add it to my TBR now on your response to it! Only a few pages into Arthur C...preferring the style so far. Did Lord of The Flies at school & was left a bit disturbed...by the book, not generally (though some might disagree...)!! Read Golding's The Spire more recently & enjoyed it, as an alternative - but guess it's not on your bookshelf!
Streyino wrote: "Andy wrote: "Streyino wrote: "Hello, you're a chatty lot! So into the fray...My first Genre Challenge and I find it's something I would not normally read! I had nothing on the shelves of 'what ..."
I would recommend the rest of the trilogy, as with the first book it gets better and better (also bigger and bigger) and the background becomes a big part of the story (you will find simplistic it is not).
Andy wrote: "Streyino wrote: "Andy wrote: "Streyino wrote: "Hello, you're a chatty lot! So into the fray...My first Genre Challenge and I find it's something I would not normally read! I had nothing on the ..."
I can imagine! Things were just 'hotting up' so I have made a mental note to read the other's before too long - I'm sure they're in the boxes in the garage if Foundation was, along with other gem's.
Clarke's 'Sentinel' going well. Hadn't realised it was a series of short stories! But serendipitous in covering a period of his writing in 4 decades - interesting to see how it develops over time (including the seed for '2001' of course).
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for Dystopia - vey disappointing
Ian wrote: "Eventually read for Dystopia - vey disappointing"Shame. Certainly sounded an interesting concept, if a bit 'risky' if not well delivered.
Is there anybody out there?!Finished Arthur C Clarke's The Sentinel as part of the challenge and was pleasantly suprised. Sci-fi is not my thing, but as a 'taster' this was good. I like Clarke's style of writing, helped by the fact he drew each story on without tangling it up in techno-guff & pointless dialogue. "A Meeting With Medusa" was my most favourite, but "The Sentinel" itself ranks up there, as the seed for one of the most seminal films of all time (IMHO)!!
Interestingly Clarke states: "Fantasy is something that couldn't happen in the real world (though often you wish it would). Science Fiction is something that really could happen (though often you'd be sorry if it did)."
For my part I still prefer books involving "Things that have actually happened (and I'm glad someone wrote a book about it)" - so will bathe in the known world of delights of historical biography/fiction & travel/exploration (a Rutherfurd or "The Lost City of Z" are neck & neck at the mo') for a bit.
However, but due to Clarke's style I now might even drift over to sci-fi section of Oxfam once in a while...
I have just finished The Handmaid's Tale as part of this months challenge, and I am unsure what I thought of it. It was well written, and gripping in parts, especially towards the end. but I think even before I started it I had a bit of a 'mental block' towards this genre which meant I couldn't really get into it.
Lynne - The Book Squirrel wrote: "I've finished Brave New World by Aldous Huxley"Excellent read... What did you think? I like to see what people thought of the books they read in the challenge.
Finished Feed, really gripped me. Not what I expected.
Helen wrote: "Finished Feed, really gripped me. Not what I expected."Good or bad? :-)
UK Book Club
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Personally, I loved this book but that said it's very much my kind of thing! I hope you like it.