SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion
What Else Are You Reading?
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What are you reading in January 2011?
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Snail in Danger (Sid)
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Jan 11, 2011 03:55AM
Ala - I bounced off Strange and Norrell too. You're not alone. :)
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This has been my month for reading this genre. Am currently reading an ARC titled Nightshade City by Hilary Wagner, a first novel written for older (not YA) children. Plan to read another ARC titled Dragon's Keep by Janet Lee Carey next. In the meantime I am finishing The Fox Woman by Kij Johnson, an enchanting experience. I really should reread it so I catch more of the details about the Japanese culture. It's very very good.
Bill wrote: "Ala wrote: "I always feel like perhaps I'm missing something. People tend to really enjoy certain books that I found to be only mildly entertaining, if that.For instance, I didn't really get into..."
Bill, very very nice post, and excellent points made! I particularly appreciated your clear explanation of what makes these books work well for you, and for unveiling the puzzle created by these authors, but in different ways than straightforward action. Your notation that the clues can be very subtle and placed in areas that may seem of no importance - bingo.
So many times, impatience may cause a reader to 'skim' what does not seem important, or what appears not to match their expectation, and books like these don't handle well under the pressure to 'see what happens next' when the 'what happens' is not the predictable formula or the blatant presentation.
Doesn't mean every reader has to like this sort of book, but it does demystify where the readers who do love these works find their fascination.
I might add the theory, that sometimes, when a book like this 'misses' expectations, a reader gets the more impatient, and instead of slowing down to find the dropped stitch, they rush on, and so get more dissociated. It's VERY hard to reconnect once that dissociation happens, or to retread ground that didn't grab the first time, even though sometimes the journey could be worth it.
Sometimes the gap between what the entertainment presents is just to wide to cross, and in other cases, timing is everything.
Have you ever read the very interesting articles on how the brain processes data at different stages of life? Two readers at different stages are literally basing their decisions on totally different data sets. I found that fascinating.
Sorry if this was a diversion...Back to Your Regular topic...I am reading Poorly Made in China: An Insider's Account of the Tactics Behind China's Production Game, for nonfiction, and finding it very interesting, and will be picking up Patricia McKillip's The Bards of Bone Plain as the next fiction read.
Janny: When it comes to topics I start, I don't mind a diversion every now and then. Keeps things interesting ;)
Bill: Thank you very much for your in-depth analysis. To be honest, at the time I read those two books I was also reading some rather straightforward stuff. Such as The Night Angel Trilogy, The Name of the Wind and Mistborn: The Final Empire. All of which are vastly different in terms of feel from Shadow & Claw or Strange & Norrell.
So, as I said, I may just not have been in the right headspace at the time of reading to appreciate the little things.
It happens to me when reading, sometimes. If I've just finished a rather long series and try to pick up a different book, my thoughts will still be in the mindset of that series and it may be a bit hard for me to get into the new book.
I guess I'll just have to give them another go at some point in the future, just to see if there was something I missed or if they just aren't to my tastes.
Bill: Thank you very much for your in-depth analysis. To be honest, at the time I read those two books I was also reading some rather straightforward stuff. Such as The Night Angel Trilogy, The Name of the Wind and Mistborn: The Final Empire. All of which are vastly different in terms of feel from Shadow & Claw or Strange & Norrell.
So, as I said, I may just not have been in the right headspace at the time of reading to appreciate the little things.
It happens to me when reading, sometimes. If I've just finished a rather long series and try to pick up a different book, my thoughts will still be in the mindset of that series and it may be a bit hard for me to get into the new book.
I guess I'll just have to give them another go at some point in the future, just to see if there was something I missed or if they just aren't to my tastes.
Ruby wrote: "Also at the library I gotSong for the Basilisk, which was very good as usual for McKillip, and In The Forests of Serre, which I haven't read yet."Would love to hear what you think of In the Forests of Serre when you get to it; it's the only McKillip that totally missed me at the end. I want to reread it, just to see where (and why) on earth it lost me, because normally she can do no wrong, y'know? And it's about a firebird!!! :D
Bill wrote: "Ala wrote: "I always feel like perhaps I'm missing something. People tend to really enjoy certain books that I found to be only mildly entertaining, if that.For instance, I didn't really get into..."
Wow Bill, are you a lit professor. I never thought about reading in such a manner as you just described...but I totally get it! I have been reading for pleasure for so long that it has become like breathing. Thanks for putting into words something that I could never verbalize but knew existed. I have been enlightened!
Bill wrote: "Janny wrote: "Have you ever read the very interesting articles on how the brain processes data at different stages of life? Two readers at different stages are literally basing their decisions on t..."In Riddle-Master, she was just starting out; her later work is an astonishment. Allegorical, and often profound. I've read and loved them all - particularly Od Magic.
Have just finished Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World by Haruki Murakami, which was most excellent, and am currently into Excavating Kakfa by James Hawes, so far so good. Also dropping into Travelling Towards Epsilon a collection of French Short SciFi. Very entertaining.
@Bill - I love the juxtiposition of Strange and Norrell with Dickens. I'm a big Dickens fan, and was reminded of him constantly when I read Strange and Norrell. I liked it a lot, which was a great surprise, because I read quickly and tend to skim - but I read every single word of that cinderblock. Even the footnotes! I had to return it to the library mid-read and get back on the waiting list so I could finish it - I've never done that.Speaking of - I scored copies of "The Year's Best Science Fiction" for 2000, 2001, 2003, and 2004 at the library book sale this past weekend, so I am wallowing in short fiction. The Lions of Al-Rassan will have to wait.
Phoenixfalls wrote: "Ruby wrote: "Also at the library I gotSong for the Basilisk, which was very good as usual for McKillip, and In The Forests of Serre, which I haven't read yet."Would love to hear what you think of..."
I will be back and will tell ya! :) I have found some of her books more fascinating than others. Od Magic and The Book of Atrix Wolfe are probably my least favorite. My top favorites of hers are the least typical - the trilogy, Solstice Wood that is an urban fantasy, and the two science fiction, Moon-Flash and The Moon and the Face. After that, probably Alphabet of Thorn would be my favorite of her usual books. The new one, The Bards of Bone Plain, was really very good, I thought, although more than a tad similar to Song for the Basilisk.
Kevin wrote: "Not much of a Robin Hobb fan, she is good, not great..I am getting really curious, Kevin, who DO you like?
Marleen wrote: "Kevin wrote: "Not much of a Robin Hobb fan, she is good, not great..I am getting really curious, Kevin, who DO you like?"
Just to name a few, I like Jim Butcher, George R.R. Martin, Robert Jordan, R.A. Salvatore, Brandon Sanderson, Raymond E. Feist.
Bill wrote: "I have a question. Where are Gene Wolfe, Neil Gaiman, and the rest? If you can come on this forum and talk to us, why can't they as well? Are they too good for us? Where is your side kick, Raymond Feist? Where is Stephen King, has he sold too many books to talk to us?"I realize this was probably at least a little tongue in cheek, but it seems a bit harsh. From what I can tell, many writers limit their social interaction Internet time, because a certain amount is beneficial, but it does take away from actual writing time. Goodreads is relatively new, and many writers probably already have their own blogs where they can interact with fans, or communities where they're already established. I don't actively follow Gaiman, but he's big enough that I know he has a website with a blog and a Twitter account. And I happened to come across Feist posting here the other day.
In other news, I started reading The Journal of Dora Damage the other day. It's good but intense, and I am finding it to be easier to handle in small doses. So I'm "cutting" it with a re-read of Unshapely Things.
psramsey wrote: "@Bill - I love the juxtiposition of Strange and Norrell with Dickens. I'm a big Dickens fan, and was reminded of him constantly when I read Strange and Norrell. I liked it a lot, which was a grea..."Interesting - I've never liked Dickens, but I'm a big Strange and Norrell fan. Perhaps I'll have to give Dickens another go around at some point.
Bill wrote: "Janny wrote: "In Riddle-Master, she was just starting out; her later work is an astonishment. Allegorical, and often profound. I've read and loved them all - particularly Od Magic..."Thanks for t..."
Bill - Truly, in direct answer to your question - I can only speak for myself concerning my participation, here. It's pretty simple: I LOVE TO READ. Any genre, though Fantasy and SF are my dearest love. Since I read very widely in the field, it's fun to share that enjoyment with like minded folks. Just like most, I'm constantly searching for the excitement of finding new titles and authors with the vision and talent to transport me.
You requested a steer on where to start, if you wanted to try my work. (Here's the quick take, respectfully not to detract from the ongoing discussion, here) based on your profile, you show an evident love of nuance and literature, and a profound curiosity about life, humanity, and spirituality as indicated by your favorite authors list.
The work that touches on all those depths would be the Wars of Light and Shadow, starting with The Curse of the Mistwraith - a text sample is on my profile page. (but be warned, this is a long, intense work with a careful build/reliant on detail, you cannot skim/it unfolds slowly and quite as you mentioned, the little details become paramount. Things at the outset are not as they appear, and the nuance deepens and unfolds over volumes)
If you are coming from Feist and the Empire series - and want a shorter spin with a sample of the signature style and development, the standalone To Ride Hell's Chasm has a plot that spans only five and a half days. It begins as a mystery, runs into court intrigue, and slam bang ends with hard action adventure. The reviewers who were enamored of the Empire works seemed to like this one - sample text and even, three chapters in Mp3 audio can be downloaded from my website, also listed on my profile page.
If you have any questions, or wish a more complete answer, feel free to message me.
I keep meaning to get around to Wars of Light and Shadow, but I always end up reading something else.
I am still deeply embroiled in the Empire series having just started Number three but I will tell you Bill, whether you go for the stand- alone To Ride Hell's Chasm or Wars of Light and Shadow series, you will be happy. Hell's Chasm is next on my list and even though I want to finish the Empire series first, I have cheated and checked it out. Janny Wurts is turning into one of my all-time favorite authors. (Shameless plug not truly intended Janny but deserved).On the topic: I am rotten about planning my reading lists. I generally get into a phase/series and follow it. I do want to thank the members here, the books talked about in this thread alone is causing me to expand my TBR shelf exponentially!
The Book of the New Sun is one of those books I find both brilliant and tiring. The meta-narrative of the book forces you to take nothing for granted. But once I figured out one of the big "tricks" I mostly lost my sympathy and interest.
I had to shelve The Drawing of the Three for related reasons. Many parts of it are brilliant but King's pretensions and ham-fisted treatment of mental illness turned me off.
I'm currently loving Lonely Werewolf Girl.
I had to shelve The Drawing of the Three for related reasons. Many parts of it are brilliant but King's pretensions and ham-fisted treatment of mental illness turned me off.
I'm currently loving Lonely Werewolf Girl.
Book of the New Sun is not one I enjoyed per se as in reading for entertainment. I did like it and I could certainly appreciate what Gene Wolfe was doing with it.This morning I finished The Hammer by K.J. Parker. It won't be my favorite Parker book, but it's fairly good.
Started The Okapi Promise before Christmas but got sidetracked. Hope to get back into it. Starting to build up a list for 2011.
I just started Larry Correia's [Book: Monster Hunter Vendetta]. I have to admit, I got a kick out of the first one (in the same way I get a kick out of B horror flicks), so I'm looking forward to the sequel. Particularly since I've heard the enigmatic Agent Franks plays a larger role in this one.
Kirk wrote: I'm currently loving Lonely Werewolf Girl. Hey Kirk, I loved [Book: Lonely Werewolf Girl], too. I haven't started reading the sequel yet, but I'm looking forward to it.
Yesterday I finished Vicious Grace by M.L.N. Hanover, the third book in the Black Sun's Daughter series. A little light on plot, it had a decent bit of character development and it didn't end the way I had expected.
The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Claire and the last book of Vampire Academy series by Richelle Meade :)
Just finished Hull Zero Three by Greg Bear and I'm halfway through How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe: A Novel by Charles Yu.
I'm reading a Feast for Crows by GRRM
Stephen wrote: "I'm reading a Feast for Crows by GRRM"Did you do what I did, and put it off as long as possible in the hopes that the next book would be out by the time you finished? :-)
I hope it comes out before I contract Alzheimer's.
I hope it comes out before Chris contracts Alzheimer's too.
Seeing as how Martin was recently in the hospital, I hope it comes out PERIOD.
Oh, I don't take that as an insult, Rusty. As far as GRRM is concerned, I'm concerned that my children will be in nursing homes before he releases a book in the series.
Chris wrote: "Yeah. Before I lose my marbles..."It's much too late for that. ;)
I'm currently reading Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy. Fun and amusing little story thus far.
Just finished Abhorsen by Garth Nix. Yeh, I know it's a YA book but it's a darned good series. My grand daughter and her mother both read the series and kept urging me to read it, too. You know? They were right. It's a series to put on your reading list. The characters are fun, believable and courageous. The creatures are great, too. I found myself chuckling at the antics of the irritable talking cat, Mogget, and the Disreputable Dog. The storyline is creative and keeps moving so the pages fly past. Do take time to read Sabriel, Lirael and Abhorsen. I think you may like the series.
Chris wrote: "I hope it comes out before I contract Alzheimer's."...or he does.
Currently reading Woken Furies, after finishing the other two books Altered Carbon and Broken Angels. Had to break up the set by reading classics such as Lord Jim, though. awfully relentless depressing, sad and it will give you PTSD just reading. Altered was about depravity regarding sex, Broken was about depravity around politics, and Woken is about depravity around religion. none of it is untrue about human nature, which is why it is SO relentlessly downbeat and awful. but i'm enjoying them SO much. there must be something wrong with me. i wonder if my sleeve is malfunctioning....
Have finished Poison Study, it was pretty good. I liked it and I'm going to buy the second in the series.Have started on the third in the Dark Tower series The Waste Lands, it's very good so far. I love King's writing, he has drawn me in inside his insane world again.
That book messed me up for a while.
I kept finding myself thinking/speaking in that fashion, and repeating that damn mantra in my head at the oddest of times...
I do not aim with my hand...
I kept finding myself thinking/speaking in that fashion, and repeating that damn mantra in my head at the oddest of times...
I do not aim with my hand...
Ala wrote: "That book messed me up for a while.I kept finding myself thinking/speaking in that fashion, and repeating that damn mantra in my head at the oddest of times...
I do not aim with my hand..."
At least you haven't forgotten the face of your father. ;)
I'm afraid I'm going the same way. I find myself thinking of The Dark Tower at odd times and I can't wait to read more of this stuff. If I hadn't other things to do, I would read all day.
Kevin wrote: "Just starting A Darkness at Sethanon."That's the fourth Riftwar book, isn't it? A good one.
Chris wrote: "Kevin wrote: "Just starting A Darkness at Sethanon."That's the fourth Riftwar book, isn't it? A good one."
So far the book is pretty good, better than Silverthorn, which I did not care, thought what was going to happen, and most of all less readable.
It's been a few years, but I liked Silverthorn. I have a new copy of Darkness but haven't gotten to it yet.
Just finished Air. Yeah...don't bother with it, folks.
Starting in on Night Watch tomorrow and hopefully The Sirens of Titan shortly after that.
Starting in on Night Watch tomorrow and hopefully The Sirens of Titan shortly after that.
Starting a second book of a trilogy: Troy: Shield of Thunder by David Gemmell. Can't wait, the first one was great.
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