Flights of Fantasy discussion

As you do...

Just finished Anno Dracula and loved it so I've jumped right into the sequel Anno Dracula: The Bloody Red Baron. Really great "what if the good guys had lost" books and I'm really enjoying trying to spot all the literary references that the author has thrown in.

I love Anno Dracula. Unfortunately never quite got the same love from the others, though I think I liked three better than two.

I finished Lion Heart on the 1st, carried over from last year. It's I my guilty pleasures shelf, but i enjoyed it much more than Hood.

Also read Fortunately, the Milk, which was cute and quirky and i loved Riddell's illustrations for it.

Starting The Brothers Cabal today. Only read a few pages, but have already laughed a few times. Love the 'singular wit' of these books.

I'm re-reading It for my NJ book club, and then next I plan on re-reading Harry Potter.

I'm currently doing my yearly inventory of books so that I can start with an accurate count of what I own and then I can make goals. I got rid of some books at the end of the year, and picked up some new ones, and throughout the year I ditched some, so I want to make sure that I know what I'm working with.

I'm reading Stations of the Tide, my first book of the year, and of my FoF Bookshelf Challenge. I originally wanted to have it finished tonight as work, school, etc. starts again tomorrow, but I had forgotten, at the time, that I would be out all day today with my twins. So, I may get a little reading done tonight but I definitely will not finish the book.

Once that is complete, I have a few things waiting on deck, and my schedule will determine what actually gets read.

My hubby (Jose) suggested that I read Leviathan Wakes next. He thinks I will really enjoy it (plus it too will help with my challenge).

Other considerations include: Parable of the Sower, which I received as a gift from GR during the summit, or one of 4 ARC's:
The Arrangement,
A Poet of the Invisible World: A Novel,
Girl in the Moonlight,
and The After Party.
I think 2 have already been published, and the other two are scheduled to be released sometime in the first half of this year. Should I choose one of those four, it will be my first ARC. I rarely have the opportunity to read early editions, for one, and two, I tend to prefer a finished product anyway, so this will be interesting.

Leviathan Wakes was pretty good, although I think it's a series which steadily improves (at least up to book 4 which is as far as I've got at the moment). I'd definitely recommend it as a good series to get into though.

I'm thinking of picking up The Builders, it looks like a really interesting mix of Redwall and gritty fantasy and I am looking for something to get me back into reading fantasy. Has anyone given it a try?

I've heard great things about The Builders, but I haven't had a chance to try it yet.

I'm slowly working through The House of Shattered Wings, which I'm enjoying but my obsession with The Walking Dead (comics) has kinda trumped my reading the last week or so.

I did try to audio Use of Weapons, but I'm putting it on hold until I can switch to ebook. I like it, but the audio is hard to stay focused on.

Oh, and Nyssa, I've ordered the entire Expanse series in paperback with gift cards and it should ship to me this week. I love the first one and I'll be continuing soon.

Currently reading Antigonus the One-Eyed: Greatest of the Successors (history). Got Erebus (sci-fi) downloaded and ready to read after that.

I don't read much sci-fi, more of a history/fantasy chap, but enjoyed Endeavour, the book preceding Erebus.

Antigonus Monopthalmus was one of the Successors/Diadochi left behind when Alexander died. It's not the most commonly known about period of history, but it's fascinating.

All three of the books in the Wayward Pines trilogy. Starting the last one, The Last Town, today. :-)

Chris wrote: "Oh, and Nyssa, I've ordered the entire Expanse series in paperback with gift cards and it should ship to me this week. I love the first one and I'll be continuing soon. "

I still havn't really had the opportunity to start this, proper, as yet. I've read the prologue, twice, and first chapter (I think).
I'm trying to find some wiggle room in my schedule to dedicate to non-work or school related reading - an hour a night at the very least.

Wish me luck, please!

The Water Knife, a very good near future CliFi. My review.

I'm still working on The Walking Dead, and only have a few more of the graphic novels to catch up.

I also read The Devil You Know and got about a third of the way through the sequel, Vicious Circle. I'm working on an audio book that's well written but not really grabbing me: The Nightingale.

But nearly a week ago I hit a wall and haven't read a page since.

Andreas wrote: "The Water Knife, a very good near future CliFi. My review."

"Climate Fiction" is new, to me anyway.

I started reading The Windup Girl late last year, but couldn't get into it - it was a mood thing. I'm hoping your graphic violence warnings about The Water Knife do not extend to The Windup Girl as well.

Chris wrote: "Oh, and Nyssa, I've ordered the entire Expanse series in paperback with gift cards and it should ship to me this week. I love the first one and I'll be continuing soon. "

Nyssa wrote: "I still havn't really had the opportunity to start this, proper, as yet. I've read the prologue, twice, and first chapter (I think).
I'm trying to find some wiggle room in my schedule to dedicate to non-work or school related reading - an hour a night at the very least.

Wish me luck, please!"

I was finally able to get into Leviathan Wakes about 2 or 3 days ago, and all I have to say is.. Whoa!

I'm now in the middle of chapter nine, after being a terrible student by allowing my reading to force me into cramming mode for my science test tomorrow (I know, I know).

Nyssa wrote: "I'm hoping your graphic violence warnings about The Water Knife do not extend to The Windup Girl as well. "

Not to the extent in the Water Knife. But sexual humiliation and brutality is there as well.

Andreas wrote: "Nyssa wrote: "I'm hoping your graphic violence warnings about The Water Knife do not extend to The Windup Girl as well. "

Not to the extent in the Water Knife. But sexual humiliation and brutality..."

Oof! Thanks for letting me know.

Chris wrote: "I'm still working on The Walking Dead, and only have a few more of the graphic novels to catch up.

I also read The Devil You Know and got about a third of the way through the sequel,..."

Sounds like overload. Maybe you need a temporary hobby switch - watch a few episodes of your favorite shows, or play a couple of games....

Whatever you decide...good luck!

Thanks, Nyssa! I did watch Avengers: Age of Ultron finally and enjoyed it.

Glad you're liking LW!

Gwendy wrote: "What's LW??"

Leviathan Wakes

I'm currently 8.5 chapters in and am fighting really hard not to go back and continue reading!

But .... I'm a chapter and a half behind where I'm supposed to be in my Life Science class, AND I have my first test tomorrow. I'm so screwed!

Rosalinde wrote: "Uh oh. I guess if you have the [spoilers removed] you can get a doctor's excuse!"

How did you know they used zombies as an example in my text book!?! lol
They are used to explain the basis of science fiction vs pseudoscience or just plain bad science. They're also used to explain the definition of life and living organisms.

For instance, to be considered living an organism must be able to move, grow, metabolize substances, reproduce through the passing of genetic material to offspring, respond to external stimuli, and maintain homeostasis. The text then goes on to explain where zombies fall short in most of these categories. It was interesting to read.

But now I'm in the chemistry section of the chapter and my brain just doesn't want to cooperate. It's been about 23 years since I last took a class in chemistry. And while, according to my transcripts, I passed it with a "B", that knowledge has long since evaporated from my memory.

Gwendy wrote: "Thank you Nyssa. Thank you for answering me without being cheeky about it.

Rosa ;)

And yes, I just added LW."

lo! After all of that, I hope you enjoy.

Rosalinde wrote: "Gwendy ;)

Nyssa - wow! I would so take that class! Sounds awesome."

It is interesting, I've just been enjoying my math class more. Both of my classes are online, except for this test in Science and all of the tests in Math.

It's completely my fault. My original plan was to read/review two to three sections a night, which would have had me finishing up with the last 2 sections tonight...but it didn't happen.
I spent all of my time either working in math, or preparing for my classes at work (I'm a long term substitute teacher - and have been there all year).

So instead of the 2 sections, I have 7 sections to read/review today and I'm having trouble staying on task. It also doesn't help that I have an eye exam coming up in 4 hours.

Rosalinde wrote: "It probably doesn't help that you're on GR telling us about it ;)

Sounds like a busy and (hopefully) rewarding schedule!"

Yeah, yeah, yeah... You are a smartass! LOL

But yes, it is rewarding.. I just need to learn how to be a student again.

Gwendy wrote: "Nyssa, I wish you would teach at my school! That would be so cool! LOL"

Thanks! Despite any grumblings you may hear, I love what I do! :)

Hello all, it's been awhile!

Currently reading The Country of Ice Cream Star. It took me awhile to get used to the language (the author basically invented a language for the characters, and it's like that the whole way through). I am enjoying it so far.

I've also been reading a bunch of graphic novels.

Hello fellow readers.

Happy New Year (not the most active member, but I do read your posts even so).

Currently reading Trudi Canavan -Angel of Storms
I enjoyed the first book in this series, but have not gotten into this one yet. Well, only on p.67 :P

My next read (maybe not for January) will be: M.R.Carey - The Girl with All the Gifts - I also saw it mentioned in one of this groups earlier reads. Hopefully it will be good.

Sadly I am waiting for Oathbringer Guess I will just have to wait a little..

So have a nice Monday all you guys!:)

PS: if you have a another good fantasy series to recommend me I am all ears:)

I'm currently reading Cinder, but since I started it early I have no where to talk about it... *whine*

(view spoiler)[I get the whole "retelling of Cinderella" thing, and I'm down with that, but when she finds an old car in the junk yard and one of her friends says it looks like an old, squashed pumpkin? *eyeroll* (hide spoiler)]

I hate that kind of lameness, Colleen.

Becky wrote: "I hate that kind of lameness, Colleen."

Yes. It just smacks of trying too hard. Or being too twee. One or the other. Or both.

BTW - what you reading spoilers for? :P

colleen the fabulous fabulaphile wrote: "BTW - what you reading spoilers for? :P"

Because I have no interest in reading that book... LOL

Becky wrote: "colleen the fabulous fabulaphile wrote: "BTW - what you reading spoilers for? :P"

Because I have no interest in reading that book... LOL"


Fair enough. Probably a wise decision. Don't think it'd be your cuppa.

Me either. Mt mom liked them though.

Am reading The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch. 17% in and enjoying the heck out of it!

I started reading The Other Half of the Sky - its an anthology of sci-fi stories with a slight feminist slant. I say "slight" because the only requirements were to make the MC a woman and for her to be characterized as a normal character (not just someone's sweetheart).

Only one story in but I was surprised by how much I liked it.