SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

Lately, I've read very little sf/f, as defined by anybody.

I just finished listening to Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison. I found an old paperback copy on my bookshelves and I'll reread the end of it. I'm glad I read it, but it's not fun.

I also finished Forever, or a Long, Long Time by Caela Carter a MG/ YA/ adult book about adopted siblings finding out where they came from.

And I finished Green Lantern: Rebirth by Geoff Johns. I knew nothing about Green Lantern going in, well, I guess I saw the movie fifteen or so years ago. It was okay, but I don't feel the need to seek out more about Green Lantern.

I read Bannerless by Carrie Vaughn, which is set 100 years past the Fall, and mostly things run well, so it's hardly apocalyptic and not dystopian. The main character is an investigator, which I like as a way to view a society: whether it's Miles Vorkosigan, Daneel Olivaw, or Harry Dresden.

Starting Age of Swords today.

Hey, is there someone here who's read The Warded Man? I have a question before I read it and would really appreciate someone who could either help me with an answer or direct me some place I can find one.

(view spoiler)[Can someone please tell me if rape plays a part of this story, and if so how visible it is within the story? (hide spoiler)]

Thanks very much!

Veronica wrote: "Starting Age of Swords today."

Me too! Mr. Sullivan is doing a Q&A for my book group that's reading it.

Ooooh! Did you buy it new?

Allison wrote: "Hey, is there someone here who's read The Warded Man? I have a question before I read it and would really appreciate someone who could either help me with an answer or direct me some..."

Yes. (view spoiler)[I'm remembering that a character is raped by two men, one of whom i believe is referred to as a "giant." I also remember there was something ridiculous afterwards, something involving riding a horse - right after being gang raped. I can't remember how on screen this is but it does stand out to me. (hide spoiler)]

Much appreciated, Sarah Anne!

Rob wrote: "Veronica wrote: "Starting Age of Swords today."

Me too! Mr. Sullivan is doing a Q&A for my book group that's reading it."

Those are always fun.

Michele wrote: "Yesssssss... First time, or no?"

Third time. I quit the series after #1. Read it again and finished the whole series. I appreciate it more now that I have read the whole series.

Allison wrote: "Hey, is there someone here who's read The Warded Man? I have a question before I read it and would really appreciate someone who could either help me with an answer or direct me some..."

Besides what Sarah Anne said, there's also the bit:
(view spoiler)[where the character tries to "get over" the gang rape by trying to have "good" sex with someone else. In the sequels, the character pretty much instantly becomes a sex goddess and bewitches a man with her skills. It's an interesting series, but obviously has some notable flaws. (hide spoiler)]

Benjamin wrote: "Besides what Sarah Anne said, there's also the bit:"

Helpful information, thanks for taking the time, Benjamin!

Thanks people who responded here or messaged me, I feel I have enough to make an informed decision now. You all rock :-)

Julia wrote: "Lately, I've read very little sf/f, as defined by anybody.

I just finished listening to Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison. I found an old paperback copy on my bookshelves and I'll reread the end of it. I'm glad I read it, but it's not fun."

That was such an amazing book. But yes, very disturbing and challenging. I can see why you would want to spend more time on the ending. I thought it was helpful to reread the beginning after I finished it, too.

Sarah Anne wrote: "Could we get back on topic, please? What is everyone reading?"

I am reading Trike's posts ;)

Also getting a head start on The Stars My Destination and catching up on All the Birds in the Sky. Not all that excited about either

Hank wrote: "Sarah Anne wrote: "Could we get back on topic, please? What is everyone reading?"

I am reading Trike's posts ;)..."

Smart ass.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. I'd assume that I read this at some point in school... but if I did I don't have even a vague recollection of doing so.

j r wards brother hood series. Started reading it to check it was alright for a granddaughter. other than some sex scenes ( a bit on the boring side as it is so repetitious) the story line isn't bad

just finished Lisanne Norman series

Sarah Anne wrote: "Hank wrote: "Sarah Anne wrote: "Could we get back on topic, please? What is everyone reading?"

I am reading Trike's posts ;)..."

Smart ass."

I think the rest of him is, too.

Currently listening to The World Walker. It's been on my tablet for a while. It's not what I thought it would be. A cool mix of magic and aliens.

Because I loved The Brotherhood of the Wheel, I went looking for more by Belcher. Started the Golgotha series: The Six-Gun Tarot. It has a really great base on American history and spooky Western frontier town. Story is a mix of different genres and I'm enjoying it. It's not as well written as BotW but it has very engaging characters and a haunting, dirty setting.

For those who like illustrations and animations, go look at the Kindle version of Off to Be the Wizard. The illustrations are animated! Which makes the kid in me happy. It's on Kindle Unlimited as a Read & Listen. The MC annoys the crap out of me so I aim to speed read the ebook. That way I can look at the cool pix while sticking my tongue out at the MC who is currently a brat.

I was also reading Trike's posts. Hahahaha
Smartasses unit? =P

I just finished Carol Berg’s Dust and Light and Ash and Silver. An often-overlooked duology that I found both enjoyable and challenging to work through.

Now on to something lighter (hopefully): The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet

So, I loved Too Like the Lightning. It was probably one of the most original things I've ever read. Certainly among the most bizarre.

A Wrinkle in Time was just how I remembered, which was both satisfying and aggravating. I don't know how someone who writes such amazing characters and plots can be so flat on endings.

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? I think was just a bit too "deep" for me maybe? I understood what was happening, I just didn't care much, and that feels like a strange response to a book so concerned with empathy.

The Metamorphosis was mostly enjoyable because the narrator I listened to I thought had perfect inflection for the story, and I had some great conversations about it after. It was itself a strange story. I am now ascribing more meaning to the term "kafka-esque."

Now reading Kill the Dead which is a backwards sort of palate cleanser. It's fun and easy to read, even if he curses about as badly as I do and gets stomped on worse than Dresden! It's like going back to Diablo after trying to figure out Portal. Okay, enough thinking. Let's smash stuff!

Up next I've got Hounded and The Saga of the Volsungs. I hope to finish quickly so that I can start Seven Surrenders because I cannot stop thinking about TLTL!

In July I read The Obelisk Gate (★★★★★), Underground Airlines (★★★★), Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep (★★★★★), Apex (★★★★), and We Are Legion (We Are Bob) (★★★).

Still listening to The Blinding Knife. Gavin Guile is such a fantastic character!
Reading The Touchstone Trilogy which is good but seems to go on forever.

My two cents: if every author followed the rules to be perfectly categorized into sci-fi or fantasy or any other genre it would be boring and no fun to read. the best part of fiction is mixing things together.

Anywho, my reading has been really slow I managed to read Iced and Siege and Storm this month. If I can get two books read per month I'm doing great.

Allison wrote: "So, I loved Too Like the Lightning. It was probably one of the most original things I've ever read. Certainly among the most bizarre.

A Wrinkle in Time was just how I remembered, whic..."

AWT is one of my favorite books every.

Wow I gave UNDERGROUND AIRLINES 5 stars...

MadProfessah wrote: "Wow I gave UNDERGROUND AIRLINES 5 stars..."

I agree. I thought Underground Airlines was powerful.

I also gave Underground Airlines 5 stars. I loved that book.

I read The Book of the Unnamed Midwife ( have yet to write my book report) but I keep thinking about it.

I am now reading Lord Foul's Bane. My 20 year old self loved this series. Thus far my 47 year old self has other thoughts...

Jennifer wrote: "I am now reading Lord Foul's Bane. My 20 year old self loved this series. Thus far my 47 year old self has other thoughts... "

As the saying goes, a book is different each time we read it, not because the book has changed but because we have.

Jennifer wrote: "I am now reading Lord Foul's Bane. My 20 year old self loved this series. Thus far my 47 year old self has other thoughts... "

Ha! This happened to me with Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah. My 22 year old self thought it was amazing and brilliant!!! My well beyond 40 year old self thought it was self important drivel passing as enlightenment. Oh, my how I have grown time has flown... ;-)

Just watched "Passengers" Really liked it, an excellent Scifi movie. I was hoping it was based on a book but it was a screen play. If anyone else has seen it and knows any books of that ilk let me know.

In July, I gave up on Too Like the Lightning although I have tentative plans to pick it up again - now that I have an idea of what its about and where its going - if the mood strikes me.

I read Every Heart a Doorway, which was an endearing novella to complement the massive tomes I've been working through...

Just now I finished another Malazan Book of the Fallen, House of Chains (#4). Just... wow. The scope of this series is staggering. Another incredible story.

I'm planning to take this week to read some stuff that's been shuffled to the side in the wake of this gigantic series. Maybe Ready Player One next.

My most recent listens:

Towers of Midnight - ★★★★☆ - (My Review)

Run Program - ★★★½☆ - (My Review)

Trike wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "I am now reading Lord Foul's Bane. My 20 year old self loved this series. Thus far my 47 year old self has other thoughts... "

As the saying goes, a book is differen..."

Oh yes. I am certainly more hard and cynical and have little patience. I envisioned Lord Foul as some kind of evil comic book character this time around.

at 60 plus I gave away all my lord foul books, at the 3rd reading I just couldn't get interested. I don't know if it is age, or the fact that the ideas once read are no longer new . BUt gone made a nice space on my shelves for something else

Don wrote: "Just watched "Passengers" Really liked it, an excellent Scifi movie. I was hoping it was based on a book but it was a screen play. If anyone else has seen it and knows any books of that ilk let me ..."

I can't hink of any exactly like that, but the short story anthology Going Interstellar has some stories in a similar vein.

There are more recommendations in the "Generation Ships" thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

My review of The Touchstone Trilogy by Andrea K. Höst

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

I finished Age of Swords but this series still hasn't really sucked me in and I didn't like this one as much as the first. I don't feel like a lot really happened in this one. I know it's a lighter fantasy book but I need some more emotional meat in my books. I gave it 3/5 stars.

I've now started The Drawing of the Three.

Just finished Dark Matter and loved it. Read it in two sittings only cause a friend came over :-D

Right now I am going back to Into the Forest since I got plenty of time to sit on my balcony with a cold beer and a heavy book and 4 cats and a dog around my feet.

MadProfessah wrote: "Wow I gave UNDERGROUND AIRLINES 5 stars..."

Thanks MadProfessah, Shomeret and Sarah Anne! I think you just nudged this into my next audio. As soon as I finish The Undoing Project: A Friendship That Changed Our Minds which is an alternately fascinating and dry story about how the human mind makes decisions.

In July I readBlack Powder War, A Man Called Ove, The Fifth Season, The Obelisk Gate, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities and The Casual Vacancy

Just started Borne by Jeff VanderMeer

Hank wrote: "MadProfessah wrote: "Wow I gave UNDERGROUND AIRLINES 5 stars..."

Thanks MadProfessah, Shomeret and Sarah Anne! I think you just nudged this into my next audio. ..."

Oh, and you're doing audio, too! I loved it.

I feel like such a follower. I just put a hold on Underground Airlines.

Valerie wrote: "I feel like such a follower. I just put a hold on Underground Airlines."

I thought was okay. I liked the story but didn't buy into the alternate history.

Kateb wrote: "at 60 plus I gave away all my lord foul books, at the 3rd reading I just couldn't get interested. I don't know if it is age, or the fact that the ideas once read are no longer new . BUt gone made a..."

I am thinking the same. Not sure if I really want to re read them. I will finish Lord Foulz Bane and see how I feel. It might be better having fond memories.

Valerie wrote: "I feel like such a follower. I just put a hold on Underground Airlines."

:)

My review of The Blinding Knife by Brent Weeks

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

Currently reading for group reads:
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? AKA Blade Runner by Philip K. Dick
The Gunslinger by Stephen King
The Speed of Dark by Elizabeth Moon
Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames

And looking to start these when I get a minute:
The Rook by Daniel O'Malley
Ringworld by Larry Niven

Still plugging (slowly) away at:
A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin
Rama II by Arthur C. Clarke

I finished The Essex Serpent on my morning commute. I didn't bring another book because I have my tablet so I will be continuing Holding on e-book.

Where did you get AGE OF SWORDS? I'm planning on reading the series but I doubt I'll buy the books because I'm not as invested in the story as the original Riyria books (all of which are near 5-star reads for me).

I just finished reading the two Bobiverse (WE ARE BOB, WE ARE MANY) books and was pleasantly surprised that they are clear, well-done 4-star reads (which I bought on kindle--I'll buy the 3rd when it comes out next Tuesday).