Beyond Reality discussion
General - Group Business
>
Nominations for and discussion about our next SERIES DISCUSSION!
date
newest »
newest »
I could help lead the Darkover discussion. And could probably pitch in with a topic or two on the Taltos discussion in the unlikely event that it was needed. :) (Good call on nominating that one. I was thinking of doing so but then my Internet died. I advise against letting squirrels nibble on things on telephone poles near your house. Sadly, this is almost totally beyond your control.) However, I can't really help with the Chanur series, which my name is currently listed for.1. Firestar
2. Michael Flynn
3. Science fiction
4. Four (Firestar, Rogue Star, Lodestar, Falling Stars)
5. This is an intricate and intriguing future history series. It harks back to the spirit of a certain period of SF, in that it features people doing adventurous and dangerous things to try to get the human race back into space. It starts as the story of why an industrialist is willing to stake her personal and family fortunes on what seems like a quixotic venture to some, but branches out from there. For those who have enjoyed the same author's The January Dancer and its sequel, those books are (if Wikipedia can be believed) set in the same continuity, thousands of years in the future.
6. Yes, I will be willing to lead the discussion, should this series somehow defeat its worthy competitors. :)
I previously had decided not to nominate a series, as there are several listed I'd like to read, but I've changed my mind. I thought of one I'd love to discuss with the group, so I might as well throw it into the ring.1. Xenogenesis (aka Lilith's Brood)
2. Octavia E. Butler
3. science fiction
4. 3, beginning with Dawn (which are also collected in the omnibus Lilith's Brood)
5. I haven't read beyond a sampler of the first book, so I'll post the Goodreads summary for the omnibus: "Lilith Iyapo is in the Andes, mourning the death of her family, when war destroys Earth. Centuries later, she is resurrected -- by miraculously powerful unearthly beings, the Oankali. Driven by an irresistible need to heal others, the Oankali are rescuing our dying planet by merging genetically with mankind. But Lilith and all humanity must now share the world with uncanny, unimaginably alien creatures: their own children. This is their story..."
The first book is Lilith's story; the second is the story of one of her children, Akin - the first "construct", who is part man/part alien; the third centers on another of Lilith's children, Jodahs, who is an "ooloi" - a third-gender form of the Oankali
Butler's series is known for its very alien aliens. She was one of the grande dames of speculative fiction, who pushed boundaries and shattered stereotypes, and I am chagrined to say I've never read her.
5. Yes, but I wouldn't mind help if it were to win, especially from someone who's already read the series.
It's getting quite exciting! We gearing up to a vote?
Mod
1. Pip and Flinx Adventure Series2. Alan Dean Foster
3. Science Fiction
4. 15 books 4122 pages in HC editions, avg. 275 pgs per book
5. This series was written over 38 years from 1972 to 2009 detailing the life of Flinx as he grew from a wild kid to responsible adult and a sentient pet (who was he pet is arguable) flying "snake" who explore strange new worlds, alien races and try to save the galaxy from an invading terror. Key word: Humanx Commonwealth
This series would be great for discussion as it shows the development of a wonderful author over 38 years, the growth of the protagonist over that period and the changes occurring in the genre all within a compelling universe of worlds and sentients and joined by common themes. A favorite re-readable series of mine, rating all books 4-5.
6. Will you be able to lead the discussion? Probably not.
I could help led the Darkover discussion.
Candiss, I read Lilith's Brood in the last couple of months, so I should be able to give you a hand if that one wins.
Wow, so many great nominations! I might be able to help with the Brust discussion, too :) My suggestions:
Memory, Sorrow and Thorn by Tad Williams
-Rich fantasy with flavors of Tolkien, Arthurian legend, mythology, etc... I've been wanting to read these again!
Empire Trilogy By Feist and Wurts
Takes place in the same world as the Riftwar Saga. I read the first book ages ago, then never got around to the rest, and this would be a good reason to do so!
I don't think the group is going to do the Empire Trilogy since it being done right now by the Fantasy Book Club Series, so go and check out their discussion there.
Mod
Kernos' nomination is not officially accepted (yet) because it doesn't have anyone who can lead the discussion. Richelle's nominations aren't either because only one nomination per member is allowed, and she didn't provide all the info or let us know if she can help lead the discussion. Otherwise, I think I got all of them, but again, please check and let me know if I missed any.
Mod
Not changing my vote, but I could volunteer to co-lead discussion with Phoenixfalls if Baker's Company series ends up on top.
I am changing my vote and to the Harrington as well. Strongly want to see the scifi/fantasy alteration for weries read. I originally voted for the Jenny Casey because I think it would be good to do shorter series as well but that is obviously not the wish of the group.
Mod
Mod
- The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. This series is usually categorized as urban fantasy. It currently has 12 novels, with a 13th novel due out on July 26th. Book one is Storm Front. The first 9 books in the series are available as affordable omnibus editions via the Science Fiction Book Club. More info can be found here. Maggie nominated this series and volunteered to lead the discussion, and Kevin offered to help.
- The Honor Harrington series by David Weber. This series is usually categorized as military science fiction. It currently has 12 novels, with a 13th novel due out in 2012. Book 1 is On Basilisk Station. All novels in the series are legally available as free e-books thanks to publisher Baen. More info can be found here. Chris nominated this series and volunteered to lead the discussion. In addition, I think I'll be able to help with this series, as it's one I've been wanting to read for a while.
Both series seem to consist of fairly short books (around 300 pages on average), so I propose going back to reading one book per month, starting on the 15th of the month.
The run-off poll will run for one week, ending next Sunday. If no one objects, I propose starting our discussion of the first book in the series on August 15th, which will leave us about a month to find and read that book.
Please feel free to post ideas and suggestions here.
The poll can be found here!
Go vote!
Mod
Stefan wrote: "It looks like Honor carried the day! Our third Beyond Reality Series Discussion will focus on the Honor Harrington series by David Weber. I'll set up a folder with an introductory p..."Woot! Looking forward to it. I downloaded all the ebooks to my Nook Color last week.
OK< I'll go over to Baen and get the HH books to read along with the group. I know I've read some of this series, but not sure which ones.
I've been trying to download for my kindle but I keep getting the message - what programme do you want to use to open this unknown file - or something like that! Any one else having trouble?
Helen wrote: "I've been trying to download for my kindle but I keep getting the message - what programme do you want to use to open this unknown file - or something like that! Any one else having trouble?"Helen - I can't be certain this is what's happening in your particular situation, but many times when I've encountered or read about someone else having this issue, it's because Kindle doesn't read/display formats that aren't Kindle compatible, (of course) and Kindle takes .azw (official Amazon file format), .mobi (older format that was bought by Amazon and can therefore be loaded onto a Kindle), and .pdf (although PDFs display tiny on Kindle and have to be zoomed in to various parts to read them, unless you have the big Kindle DX.)
I believe the Honor ebooks are in Epub format, which is not directly compatible with Kindle. (I can't recall exactly, as I downloaded them a long time ago and don't have the original files anymore.) (Edit: Please see last edited-in paragraph regarding file types in the Baen Honor zips.)
There is a free ebook management program called Calibre (http://calibre-ebook.com/) that allows you to convert any ebook you own or got freely/legally from/into any format you like. You can't convert those Honor Epub files into Amazon's proprietary .azw format, but you CAN convert those Epubs into .mobi format easily with Calibre. Then you simply hook up your Kindle to your computer and drop/drag or copy the .mobi files onto the device.
(Calibre is really handy, but it has a lot of features that aren't necessarily intuitive. If you go this route, feel free to PM me, and I'll try to walk you through converting, if you find you need help.) :)
--> Edit to add: Come to think of it, I think there were a variety of file types in those Honor zips. If .mobi is one of them, use those. They should work on Kindle very nicely.
I've DL'd the first book onto my Sony and am rfeady to start reading when the group starts
Candiss/Helen, the zips do include the .mobi files as well as other formats.
Stefan wrote: "It looks like Honor carried the day! Our third Beyond Reality Series Discussion will focus on the Honor Harrington series by David Weber. I'll set up a folder with an introductory p..."Great. I have all of the books, read the 1st 3 or 4. I've been reading these when I'm in a total muddle about what to read next.
Thanks for the help Candiss and Chris, I'm downloaded and ready to go!
Mod
Kathi wrote: "Thanks, I just download the first book onto my iPad2--first ebook I've ever downloaded!"Welcome to the dark side, Kathi! (I kid. I love old-fashioned books for so many reasons, but I also love the compact convenience and lessened forest destruction afforded by ebooks...so I read and love both and try to balance the two with plenty of supporting my local library, as well.)
Kathi wrote: "Thanks, I just download the first book onto my iPad2--first ebook I've ever downloaded!"Oohh an iPad2, I'm seething with jealousy. My old iPad1 is now loaded with the entire series, ready to wheeze along with me, both of us being now rather old and slow (not to mention a little overweight).
Mod
Our netbook died and we decided to indulge. I've never had an eReader of any kind, so this will be an adventure. After downloading the first book, I went ahead and loaded them all. I'm set for this series discussion!
Kathi wrote: "Thanks, I just download the first book onto my iPad2--first ebook I've ever downloaded!"What a fantastic offer from Baen Publishing, incredibly enlightened. Normally I wouldn't look twice at a David Weber book (what a snob eh!) but now really looking forward to trying these out (what a cheapskate eh!).
Baen free books is how I first started reading the Honor Harrington series. I liked the first book so much, I went out & bought the next 7 or 8. One freebie worked out very well for Weber & Baen.
It is a great site-they have the first one or two of a lot of different series...even the "Oh no John Rongo No" book, Ghost...lol
I don't know what it is, but for some reason, any books published by Baen just turn me off.
Kevin,Do you not enjoy the Miles Vorkosigan series? It's Baen. I think it's one of the best series I've ever read!
Laurel wrote: "Kevin,Do you not enjoy the Miles Vorkosigan series? It's Baen. I think it's one of the best series I've ever read!"
I've been wanting to try those as well.
Mod
I have the first couple loaded on my Nook, so it's just a matter of time.
In a way I feel like the Vorkosigan series is not typical of what Baen publishes. When I was a pre-teen/young teenager, seeing the Baen dragon or spaceship on the spine meant it was a book I had to try. But at this point, I think the Vorkosigan books are the only ones they publish that I particularly care about reading.
Laurel wrote: "Kevin,Do you not enjoy the Miles Vorkosigan series? It's Baen. I think it's one of the best series I've ever read!"
I have never heard of them, I will check them out!
I just checked out the Miles Vorkosigan series, I don't like the author's work. I have actually heard of seen the series.
I guess am just not a big fan of the kinds of books that Baen publishes.
Don't think they publish in UK, I'd never heard of them.
I honestly can't recommend them enough!The first two centre around Miles parents - Barrayar and Shards of Honour
The first book with Miles, whom the series centers around, is The Warrior's Apprentice
Give them a try!
On the whole, I'm not a huge fan of Baen's types of books either, but ironically they now publish three of my all time favourite authors, ones that I automatically buy in hardcover. So I just love that with Baen I can buy the hardcovers for my collection but still get the ebooks immediately at a reasonable price and DRM free. I guess it works for Baen as I buy the books twice at publication time quite happily.For the record, those authors would be Lois McMaster Bujold, Catherine Asaro (although sadly Baen doesn't have her backlist; she's relatively new with them) and Sharon Lee and Steve Miller.
Kerry wrote: "For the record, those authors would be Lois McMaster Bujold, Catherine Asaro (although sadly Baen doesn't have her backlist; she's relatively new with them) a ..."Looks like she's got a new book in the Skolian Empire series coming out soon. I believe I saw an ARC copy is available. There is so much about that series I normally would dislike, but somehow she manages to put it all together in such a way that I tend to read them in one or two sittings. :)
I would love to see Baen offer that entire series in ebook format.
I would love to see Baen offer that entire series in ebook format.So would I, but sadly Tor hold the rights for the earlier ones, not Baen.
I have really got to check out the Vorkosigan series someday. Bojold is an excellent character builder.
Mod
Beyond Reality
Books mentioned in this topic
Shards of Honour (other topics)The Warrior's Apprentice (other topics)
Barrayar (other topics)
On Basilisk Station (other topics)
Storm Front (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Lois McMaster Bujold (other topics)Catherine Asaro (other topics)
Sharon Lee (other topics)
Steve Miller (other topics)
David Weber (other topics)
More...
2. Marion Zimmer Bradley
3. SciFi (but one could argue fantasy as well)
4. 20+
5. It's been a few years since I've read this series, but I always enjoyed these books; you really can read them in any order (they were written out of order). The books are set in a distant future where people of Scottish descent colonized a planet (DArkover) and were cut off from the rest of humanity for a long while. They developed various psychic abilities depending on family groups. Fans have been encouraged to write short stories set in this universe).
6. I would be willing to help lead a discussion (which means I would have to reread the books as it's been a long time