SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

Allison wrote: "I associate Oregon with Seanan McGuire, because I think she lives there?"

Seattle I think. Neal Stephenson lives here.

he does? I love his books except for the Baroque Cycle - I could not get into those

Allison wrote: "Kim wrote: "Dj wrote: "The 'Dies the Fire' series is set...mostly in the Oregon area in and around Portland"

So is The Postman. Apparently central Oregon is prime post-apocalypse rea..."

So, I am not sure who Seanan McGuire is, but I know that we do have some famous and not so famous authors around her. Ursula K. LeGuin is one of the biggest in the Sci-Fi genre. Also, Terry Brooks may or may not live here in the State, but he does show up for a Book Event out at Cannon Beach with fair regularity. Last but maybe not Least. Bruce Campbell, who wrote a new book called Hail to the Chin is supposed to live near some small town in the Willamette Valley, which is his family spread.

Kim wrote: "Allison wrote: "I associate Oregon with Seanan McGuire, because I think she lives there?"

Seattle I think. Neal Stephenson lives here."

That would explain to much coffee. LOL.

Kim wrote: "Apparently central Oregon is prime post-apocalypse real estate."

I grew up there: lots and lots of sun, high desert. It's amazing. If anyone has bookstore owning fantasies, Bend is in dire need of a good independent bookstore.

CBRetriever wrote: "Allison wrote: "Tom wrote: "Allison wrote: " I feel like I should read a book set in Colorado or Amsterdam to celebrate! ;-) .."

My curiosity has been peaked. Why Colorado?"

It was a drug referen..."

Here in Alaska as well.

Travis wrote: "Kim wrote: "Apparently central Oregon is prime post-apocalypse real estate."

I grew up there: lots and lots of sun, high desert. It's amazing. If anyone has bookstore owning fantasies, Bend is in ..."

I was just in Bend last month. It is a fine little city. I enjoyed it. I did find 2 used bookstores downtown. The one was small, there was a cafe downstairs. And the other was crammed into a small space. But I enjoyed them both.

Allison wrote: "It was a drug reference"

I got the joke! :)

420 books reviewed, that is indeed worthy of celebration, in any manner you so choose.

Pennsylvania officially has medical marijuana as of a couple of days ago, I do believe. CBD products are fully legal. Never thought I'd see the day!

And I'm reading Enough: True Measures of Money, Business, and Life by John C. Bogle.

I decided to knock off a few of the shorter books in my Humble Bundles and finished:

Across a Billion Years by Robert Silverberg - this one was pretty good. Using TP to link the universe was interesting.
and
Letters from Atlantis also by Robert Silverberg - I didn't enjoy this one as much.
and
Down and Out in Purgatory by Tim Powers - I didn't enjoy this one very much. Tad Williams Bobby Dollar series dealing with the afterlife are far more interesting
and
Unexpected Stories by Octavia Butler - The first story in this series left me wanting more of the story.
and
Working for Bigfoot by Jim Butcher - very entertaining. I think I need to read more by this author.
and
One Hundred Ablutions by Jacqueline Carey - very different and it could be the basis of a series

Note: all of these were very, very short comprising maybe 1.5 regular books in number of pages, so they went really fast. I have some more lined up to follow

Ok just started reading Assasins Apprentice By Robin Hobb

https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_...

After finishing up the last book in the trilogy Elemental Cascade by David Staniforth

https://smile.amazon.com/Elemental-Ca...

I finished The Trials of Morrigan Crow, a MG overhyped book that has been compared to Harry Potter and I foolishly fell in the "rights has been bought to make a movie" for the 3rd time this year. I suppose the humor is a personal taste but I find more disappointing the rhythm, the lack of real tension, and the let-down that were the trials. I am not sure why I am one the few ones that didn't seem to find them thrilling since we all read Harry Potter, right?

The second trial by example made me wonder a lot since it was obvious before it is more reliant on something completely unrelated to the participants themselves, but on privileges and the author didn't dispel my doubts by making mostly the MC an observer in this trial.

I suppose the problem is the MC doesn't have much initiative, she follows people, she observes people, she mostly stays at a place and obeys, she is reliant on people. She waits for the trials and waits for his tutor to help her for the trials.

And I also read not long ago Fly by Night that is also the first book of an author and a MG fantasy one about Mosca a girl with more intiative in the first chapter than Morrigan in the whole book.

I am reading The Fall of Dragons. The last book of a pentalogy. I forgot many details, some quite important, so I am often like "I have no clue who this POV is" and even "how could I forget the MC got this injury?".

I've been reading a lot in the past week:
Blackout and All Clear by Connie Willis
Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
Fire and Hemlock by Diana Wynne Jones

I had some complaints about Blackout/All Clear but in the end it pretty much ripped me apart. It's the first I've read by Willis but certainly won't be the last.
I loved Crooked Kingdom too but I did not realize it was the last book so that threw me off a bit.
DJW is always good but the ending was a bit confusing.

Stephanie wrote: "I've been reading a lot in the past week:
Blackout and All Clear by Connie Willis .."

My only problem with these two books was that they were intended to be one book but it was decided to split it in two at the last minute , which was inexpertly done. If you read them, they really need to be read one after the other. If you want to read more by Connie Willis, my favorite is Doomsday Book. To Say Nothing of the Dog is also good. It's a bit more whimsical.

After Blackout and All Clear, the Connie Willis you may want to read next is The Winds of Marble Arch and Other Stories, some/ many are also short stories set in World War II. Doomsday Book is also about Oxford time travelers, but it's one of the saddest books I've ever read. To Say Nothing of the Dog is one of the funner, it's funny too, books I've read.

I just read The Handmaid's Tale in a single day, something I never do any more. It really is as good as its reputation.

Just started Underground Airlines, thanks to some recommendations. Finished the title story of Fire Watch; the good thing about short story collections is they're easier to process bit by bit. And slowly progressing through London Falling.

Trike wrote: "I just read The Handmaid's Tale in a single day, something I never do any more. It really is as good as its reputation."

Freaked me the F out. Handmaid's Tale was to me what I think Fifth Season was for you. But absolutely stunning prose. And the levels to it all! I read it with a book club and we dissected it for weeks.

Finished The Color of Magic and The Way of Kings. Now reading Words of Radiance and trying to decide if I should start another audiobook, or perhaps get an audio version of WoR so that it won't take me another week to finish.

Color of Magic was...fine. It was fun, but not as funny as Equal Rites, IMO. Way of Kings was once again superlative.

Ugh, I feel so stupid. After whining about Mount Char yesterday, I went on to read The Island of Dr. Moreau. I didn't know anything about the book, I just thought it's Wells, so something old-timey-scifi-y. Nope, nightmare inducing animal torture, really not my thing, thanks. There's even a quote by China Miéville on the cover of the edition I had: "An utterly terrifying book", but I guess that wasn't enough to clue me in.

I have Frankenstein on my TBR next, and I still need to read Broken Monsters this month. I want to cry. At least I'm not clueless enough not to know what Frankenstein is about, and I'm aware Lauren Beukes isn't known for fluffiness. Fortunately I also have a very fluffy YA lined up, I'll save it for after all the nasty business.

The reason why all of these are on my TBR this month is because I'm reading a book (or piece of short fiction) for each letter of the alphabet, and I was trying to get through some unread scifi classics and books from the group bookshelf at the same time. I went for shorter standalones and didn't pay too much attention to what the books are actually about, and if I even really want to read them.

But this tactic did result in me finally reading Childhood's End and I loved it!

Anna wrote: "Ugh, I feel so stupid. After whining about Mount Char yesterday, I went on to read The Island of Dr. Moreau. I didn't know anything about the book, I just thought it'..."

LOL! Anna, I've done this so many times. Most recently, I downloaded Tuesdays with Morrie for a relatively short train ride on my way to a social event. I knew it was about a teacher.

I didn't know it was the teacher dying of ALS. I needed a bit of a make up touch up pre-social event.

Glad you're pushing yourself and finding new things to love, though I'm sorry to hear you've got such a heavy month!

I was originally going to read The Invisible Man for the letter I, but switched at the final moment because I noticed the other Wells on the group bookshelf. But maybe the invisible man goes around stabbing babies or something, so possibly I dodged an invisible bullet.

Connie Willis DOOMSDAY BOOK *wrecked* me. If you liked Blackout/All-Clear i strongly recommend it!!

MadProfessah wrote: "Connie Willis DOOMSDAY BOOK *wrecked* me. If you liked Blackout/All-Clear i strongly recommend it!!"

Indeed, of all the books I read this year it was probably my favorite. I have this group to thank for that :)

This is a fun piece of fantasy aimed at younger readers but still good!
My review of by Beyond the Deepwoods by Paul Stewart

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

I have begun The Fifth Season

After I wrap up Six of Crows, starting Magnificent Desolation: The Long Journey Home from the Moon.

Jennifer wrote: "I have begun The Fifth Season"

I hope you enjoy it!

I made a boo-boo. I was so wrapped up in my re-read that I forgot to cancel some holds I have out right now. So, I have half of Words of Radiance, Edgedancer, Oathbringer, Who Fears Death, War for the Oaks and American Gods all cued up, and three of those books have to go back to a library in a couple weeks, which makes it feel like "it's now or never" even though intellectually I know that libraries don't ban you from checking books out twice.

So...I think I'm gonna see if I can recreate the folk tale of John Henry, except instead of laying railroad, I will be devouring books, and hopefully instead of succeeding and then dying, I will instead not die.

I'm currently on my annual re-read of Stephen R. Donaldson's Mordant's Need. I think I need to replace the books. They're yellowed and cracked and I don't care. I just love them so much!

Currently reading and !!!

Anna wrote: "At least I'm not clueless enough not to know what Frankenstein is about"

And I was oh so wrong. I've been deceived, Frankenstein isn't about a growling monster wobbling around with bolts in his head!

Anna wrote: "Anna wrote: "At least I'm not clueless enough not to know what Frankenstein is about"

And I was oh so wrong. I've been deceived, Frankenstein isn't about a growling monster wobbling a..."

LOL, well there you go. I found the book both interesting and lacking. But it does have the virtue of being first.

I finished The Gone World by Tom Sweterlitsch. My review:

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

My review of The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman

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

I have begun THE CORE by Peter V Brett, the 5th and final book in the Demon Cycle.

Silvia wrote: "Currently reading and !!!"

Silvia wrote: "Currently reading and [bookcover:The Queen of the Tearling|2348278

Well now looks like I've added a couple of more books to my TBR. Do me a favor and let me know how the Queen of Tearling is you would with as few spoilers. LOL Thanks

Anna wrote: "Anna wrote: "At least I'm not clueless enough not to know what Frankenstein is about"

And I was oh so wrong. I've been deceived, Frankenstein isn't about a growling monster wobbling a..."
More of a philosophical and moral tale if I remember rightly?

Read The Grey Horse by R A McAvoy and reviewed it - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1649453442.

Also read The Changeover by Margaret Mahy and reviewed it - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2186487449.

Pam wrote: "More of a philosophical and moral tale if I remember rightly?"

Yes. Proves once again that you can't expect to know the book by the movie(s).

MadProfessah wrote: "I have begun THE CORE by Peter V Brett, the 5th and final book in the Demon Cycle."

Oh the series is finished? That's very good to know!

Anna wrote: "Anna wrote: "At least I'm not clueless enough not to know what Frankenstein is about"

And I was oh so wrong. I've been deceived, Frankenstein isn't about a growling monster wobbling a..."

Ah, but if you'd known a bit about the author: Mary Shelley's father was the political philosopher William Godwin, and her mother was the philosopher and feminist Mary Wollstonecraft. And she was married to the poet She also edited and promoted the works of her husband, the Romantic poet and philosopher Percy Bysshe Shelley.

Nothing in that pedigree to create a horror writer plus the story was originally told to a group of upper class British intellectuals including Lord Byron and Jon Polidori (something he's the founder of the "modern vampire story") and, of course, her husband.

I knew the story of how it was written and that it's not pure horror, but I wasn't expecting it to be so much more than that. This is why reading is so great, you get to experience new things every time. I've recently read several classic scifi books which I've seen the movie adaptation of, like Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? and Solaris, and it's interesting to do it this way instead of going to see a movie when you've already read the book. I've always loved Blade Runner, but the book was so different that it was almost a completely different story, and I loved it for what it is.

Anyway, Frankenstein's book monster is so much better than the movie monster, more interesting and terrifying in a different way, which to me is more effective, since I find the standard "scary" horror boring.

Anna wrote: "Anyway, Frankenstein's book monster is so much better than the movie monster, more interesting and terrifying in a different way, which to me is more effective, since I find the standard "scary" horror boring. "

There was a very faithful TV movie adaptation done sometime in the early '80s I think, which I recall being really good, particularly when contrasted with the typical monster movie Frankenstein. It might be worth finding.

ETA - I originally said the 1970s but changed it. Turns out there's a miniseries from 1973 called "Frankenstein: The True Story" and a TV MoW from 1984 (with Carrie Fisher as Elizabeth). I was conflating the two. Both are available for free on YouTube.

1973 - https://youtu.be/9yx2GTpW-iU
1984 - https://youtu.be/bKqVjBkXaEw

I really liked Arcadia by Pears so Alison suggested I try some of his other books. I'm currently reading Stone's Fall, and I'm really enjoying it. Pears is an outstanding wordsmith and story teller. Thanks Allison!

Thanks Trike, I'll definitely check out at least the Carrie Fisher one, that sounds too great to miss!

Norton wrote: "I really liked Arcadia by Pears so Alison suggested I try some of his other books. I'm currently reading Stone's Fall, and I'm really enjoying it. Pears is an outstanding wordsmith and story teller..."

^^ Glad you've found something that resonates with you!

I’m currently reading:

Six of Crows - really enjoying and trying to find time to finish so I can keep up with the group.

Life After Life - one of my library’s book club reads for this month and it just happened to be one of the first books I added to my TBR when I first joined GR. I think it had just came out around that time because it was getting a lot of hype. I’m not disliking it so far, but I’m not really sure how I feel about it yet. I was intrigued by the end of the first “chapter,” although I’m far past that now... Have any of you read this, and did you enjoy it?

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - reread # who knows. It’s been awhile since I read the series and I wanted to reread it before reading the Cursed Child. I know, I’m behind. But, reading Harry Potter will never get old so I don’t mind dragging it out.

A Game of Thrones - a partial reread as I read only half the book when I first bought it a few years ago. (I’m so lame!) Same with Harry Potter - although half of this book is all I’ve ever read of R. R. Martin’s, I LOVE IT SO MUCH that I’m okay with taking my time with the series and therefore always having one of his books in my currently reading pile (and in my head).

Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There - I’m enjoying this much more than the first Alice book. I’ve always loved the Disney movie, and tried reading Alice's Adventures in Wonderland with my kids a couple years ago but they weren’t ready to sit through chapter books yet. I decided to read them myself first and I’m still not sure my kids are ready for it because it’s really just a book of nonsense (imagine the questions!), but I’m finding it especially entertaining.

I’ve been trying to get through several shorter audiobooks while I’m waiting for a couple holds on longer ones. I think next one up will be The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. And I’ll be starting Six Wakes tomorrow when I pick it up from the library. Next month I plan to read The Stars Are Legion, and Cloud Atlas with the reread group.

I’m so excited to set big reading goals for myself for next year and to get to participate in the group reads & rereads all year long!

Ashley wrote: "I’m currently reading:

Six of Crows - really enjoying and trying to find time to finish so I can keep up with the group.

Life After Life - one of my library’s bo..."

So on the Looking Glass book, let me know if the Doormouse, says feed your head.

Are people really reading more books at once? One time, I was reading two series with swapping between books and I had weird dreams where it mixed up a lot, so I quit that and only read one book at a time, and trying to not mix series if possible...

Tomas wrote: "Are people really reading more books at once? One time, I was reading two series with swapping between books and I had weird dreams where it mixed up a lot, so I quit that and only read one book at..."

I'm currently reading three, Jumper, Just My Type: A Book About Fonts and The Night Circus. Depends on which... reading room I'm nearest and/or my mood.

I'm often doing 2 books at once: one in audio and one in text. I don't have any issue with that.

For a few years I was doing three at a time (one book during the week and another on weekends plus audio). I made that work, but it's not something I want to do again.