SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

Picked up Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman from the library . I started out as #40 in line to get it so excited to have it about 4 months earlier than I expected.
Also got Ancillary Sword and Cress

The Curse of Chalion, on the recommendation of my beta reader! Taking time from doing the actual final edit of my novel to read this, my first adventure into Lois McMaster Bujold. Fascinating. Absolutely brilliant writing.

Charles wrote: "The Curse of Chalion, on the recommendation of my beta reader! Taking time from doing the actual final edit of my novel to read this, my first adventure into Lois McMaster Bujold. Fasc..."

One of my favorite books, by one of my favorite writers.

My review of Children of the New World: Stories by Alexander Weinstein

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished Lucifer's Hammer. Re-read Stephen King's Danse Macabre, always a pleasure.

Also, stumbled on Wolf Hollow -- a lovely and striking story about a young girl in rural 1940s Pennsylvania.

Since my last post, I’ve read:

1. The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick. I liked it ok, but I wasn’t thrilled by it. This was the second thing I’ve read by him, the first being Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?. I enjoyed that book more than this one. My review.

2. A Hat Full of Sky by Terry Pratchett, the 2nd book in the Tiffany Aching subseries of Discworld. I enjoyed this quite a bit, maybe more than the 1st one. My review.

3. Going Postal by Terry Pratchett, the 1st book in the Moist von Lipwig subseries of Discworld. I enjoyed this one quite a bit also, and it has the distinction of being the first Discworld book (as far as I can remember) that kept me up past my bedtime, although admittedly not very far past it. My review.

I’m currently about a third of the way through The Princess Bride by William Goldman. This is my first time reading it and I’m not sure if I ever saw the movie. If I did, I was very young. I went into it not knowing the story at all, except for a few very vague impressions I had either from watching the movie or just from being exposed to references to it. While reading, I’ve recognized a few lines here and there. I’m enjoying it; it’s quite funny.

YouKneeK wrote: "I’m currently about a third of the way through The Princess Bride by William Goldman. "

Have fun storming the castle!

Rob wrote: "YouKneeK wrote: "I’m currently about a third of the way through The Princess Bride by William Goldman. "

Have fun storming the castle!"

I hope you continue to like it, YouKneeK! And Rob gets an internet high five.

I keep meaning to read Cary Elwes' As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride. I saw him speak about his book and the film and the whole she-bang, from book to film to actor insights are all just so delightful.

Read a crime story by Anne Perry set in Victorian times; good setting evocation but ultimately the lack of conviction in the plot derails it - Resurrection Row- review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1840405217

Rob wrote: "Have fun storming the castle!"

*chortle*

YouKneeK wrote: "I’m currently about a third of the way through The Princess Bride by William Goldman...While reading, I’ve recognized a few lines here and there. I’m enjoying it; it’s quite funny. "

Terrific book -- and yes, when you're done, do see the movie! It's one of the best adaptations of a book ever done, I think. So funny, and perfectly cast :)

Finished Wolf Hollow. Oh, my. Just lovely.

Re-read Stephen King's homage to the horror genre, Danse Macabre. I'm thinking of creating a GR shelf for his horror recommendations and working my way through them.

Now, reading The Summer Before the War and Vampire in Love, and also the short but intriguing Sacrificial Nights for a group read over on Literary Darkness.

"YouKneeK wrote: "I’m currently about a third of the way through The Princess Bride by William Goldman. "

Oh that's a great one! I first read it on a long train ride with some friends, and we spent hours taking turns reading aloud, so I have a special attachment to it. Hopefully you enjoy the rest! And I agree with Michele, you should check out the movie, too!


I finished The Left Hand of Darkness. I had some problems with it but overall I liked it.

Now I'm putting the rest of my reads on pause because The Well of Ascension is finally ready! I've been waiting 7 months!

Thanks Rob, Allison, Michelle, and Stephanie. Stephanie, that sounds like a really fun reading experience!

I finished reading The Princess Bride yesterday, and I enjoyed it. I particularly loved the extra layers added by the framing story and the introductions. Here’s my review of the book.

I decided to watch the movie last night. I enjoyed the movie also although, not too surprisingly, I think I prefer the book. The main “princess bride” part of the story is very similar in content, but the tone is extremely different. The book treats that part more as a satire whereas, in the movie, it’s a simpler, feel-good story. I thought the book was more complex, cynical, and ambiguous. They’re both good in their own way.

Stephanie wrote: " I first read it on a long train ride with some friends, and we spent hours taking turns reading aloud"

What a great way to experience this book!

YouKneeK wrote: "I thought the book was more complex, cynical, and ambiguous. They’re both good in their own way."

Yes, well said.

So I realized I never wrote up a review for The Eyre Affair. Oops. I thought it was decent, but not as good as I hoped. ★★★☆☆ - (My Review)

More recently I finished The Invisible Library, which had a bit of a similar vibe. I probably liked it about the same. - ★★★☆☆ - (My Review)

Finally I listened to The Warrior's Apprentice which I enjoyed quite a bit. - ★★★★☆ - (My Review)

I am dead certain, nearly, that Goldman wrote The Princess Bride as a satire _after_ the movie.

Mike wrote: "I am dead certain, nearly, that Goldman wrote The Princess Bride as a satire _after_ the movie."

Oh no -- it was written long before the movie. The book was written in 1973 and the movie came out in 1987.

I think I'm gonna finally start THE BLACK MIRROR by Brent Weeks. I've been saving it for months even though I bought it on release day.

MadProfessah wrote: "I think I'm gonna finally start THE BLACK MIRROR by Brent Weeks. I've been saving it for months even though I bought it on release day."

Man, if I had a nickel for every time I did that.... well, I could keep doing it forever.

I'm gradually working through Barbara Hambly's novellas - set later on in the worlds she created in her various series. So far all good. (Must review soon.) They very much have the feel of the series themselves and the stories work well - have a bit of meat to the problems. Some have some good unexpected twists - I particularly liked one of the Winterlands ones where a dragon contacts John Aversin, the Dragonsbane, due to the dragon's contract with a princess...... (Princess)
Just started a Sunwolf and Starhawk one that is a take on the sleeping beauty myth.
(Incidentally, got them on Smashwords even though I am in the UK - the credit card charge on the foreign transaction was 3% so not terrible - and of course that gives access to all sorts of different formats. BTW - that is the F-EX charge on my credit card - other credit cards may have different charges.)

I think for the word count they are a little pricey, but on the other hand, I am really enjoying them and it is nice to come back to characters I like later on in their lives.

I finished The Furthest Station by Ben Aaronovitch. My review:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Actually I ended up starting SATURN
RUN by Ctein and John Sandford. Looking foreword to some SF after a long break into mystery.

Glasshouse by Charles Stross - a great read!

50% into Sunshine by Robin McKinley. This book would be great if it defies common vampire tropes and plotlines. So far I only have problems with lengthy internal monologues.

Dangerous Visions by Harlan Ellison -- Fantastic!

My review of Bound by Benedict Jacka

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Silvana wrote: "50% into Sunshine by Robin McKinley. This book would be great if it defies common vampire tropes and plotlines. So far I only have problems with lengthy internal monologues."

I enjoyed that book quite a bit! I do think it came together more in the back half as I recall.

Back to Shadow & Claw (again, not an easy read) and a Hugo nominee The Art of Space Travel

Allison wrote: "Silvana wrote: "50% into Sunshine by Robin McKinley. This book would be great if it defies common vampire tropes and plotlines. So far I only have problems with lengthy internal monologues."

I enj..."

I mostly enjoyed the first and fourth/last parts. Gave it four stars. Not your average vampire stuff with sexy studs and all :)

Here is my review of The Waste Lands

Since my last post, I’ve finished the next two books on my Discworld reading list:

1. Thud!, the 7th book in the Watch subseries. I enjoyed this; I just don’t think it will be one of the more memorable books when I’m looking back later. My review.

2. Wintersmith, the 3rd book in the Tiffany Aching subseries. I enjoyed this one also. My review.

I’m currently about a third of the way through The City & the City by China Miéville.

YouKneeK, I finally got a copy of Pratchett's last book, published posthumously: The Shepherd's Crown, last in the Tiffany Aching sequence. Can't wait!!

Michele wrote: "YouKneeK, I finally got a copy of Pratchett's last book, published posthumously: The Shepherd's Crown, last in the Tiffany Aching sequence. Can't wait!!"

I hope you enjoy it! I have that one at the end of my list, and the end is rapidly approaching.

just finished "For we are many" newest installment in the Bobbiverse. loved it as a guilty pleasure. 2nd step in the series.

YouKneeK wrote: "Michele wrote: "YouKneeK, I finally got a copy of Pratchett's last book, published posthumously: The Shepherd's Crown, last in the Tiffany Aching sequence. Can't wait!!"

I hope you..."

I really enjoyed it - twice. Particularly love the goat. :D

Carro wrote: "I really enjoyed it - twice. Particularly love the goat. :D "

Ha! Good to know, I shall watch out for the goat :)

"My own brother, Aberforth, was prosecuted for practising inappropriate charms on a goat..." -- Albus Dumbledore

I finished Memory and Dream and The Goblin Emperor and liked them both quite a bit.

Memory and Dream was beautifully crafted, full of darkness and whimsy. It was also full of topics often found objectionable, so fair warning. My review.

The only word I have for Goblin Emperor is that it was charming. It was just a sweet look into a really cool world and after the heavy topics of Memory and Dream, I found it quite refreshing. My review.

I am anticipating Good Morning, Midnight and Dead Witch Walking to come in from the library and will be reading those next, barring more strange library mishaps.

I finished listening to Thrawn, and really enjoyed it. Now I need to find some people to discuss the implications of the book. ★★★★☆ - (My Review)

I started Rotherweird which I received from Net Galley. It is really good so far.

My review of Alice by Christina Henry

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I'm currently halfway though The Whitefire Crossing by Courtney Schafer and really enjoying this one :)

Michele wrote:
Ha! Good to know, I shall watch out for the goat :)

"My own brother, Aberforth, was prosecuted for practising inappropropriate charms on a goat..." -- Albus Dumbledore

."

I missed that in Harry Potter. My mind is kind of spinning on the spot - definitely tiptoe away from that one. :D

I just finished reading The Last Unicorn, which I absolutely loved! I would highly recommend it. :-)

I have just begun listening to The Dead Zone audiobook narrated by James Franco.

I would absolutely recommend this book (Just finished last night) to anyone with a desire to read quality fantasy written by a talented author.

My 5 star review of by L.J. Hayward is here.

The Wizard of Zao. Actually, I'm re-reading it. I forgot how much fun it is. The author has his tongue pressed firmly in his cheek.

Just finished The Summer Before the War. Next up: The Great God Pan, a classic :)

Since my last post, I finished The Black Prism (I wasn't sure what to expect, but I liked it a lot), The Well of Ascension (started off a bit shaky but I was on board by the end), and Love Is the Drug (YA flu pandemic -
wasn't what I expected from the blurb, but I still enjoyed it quite a bit.)
I'm rereading Jaran right now, and I might need to stop saying what I'm planning to read next because it keeps changing...but right now I think it will be The Grace of Kings.

The Tropic of Serpents by Marie Brennan is what I've currently got going along with Doctor Who The Encyclopedia by Gary Russell.

Just started A Closed and Common Orbit and enjoying it so far