The Secret Cabal discussion

Hello fellow Cabalists! I'm Andrew aka "pieforteeth" on BGG.

What's the last book you read or are reading currently?

I just read "The Dream-Quest of Vellitt Boe." I didn't know anything about it other than it sounded interesting and was nominated for the Hugo and Nebula awards for best novella. It was a retelling/commentary of an HP Lovecraft story from a woman's point of view. A student unexpectedly left the Woman's College which had the potential for literal world-shattering repercussions. The Prof Villett Boe heads out to track her down, and dreamy/creepy/bizarre/surreal/life-reflecting adventure ensues. I enjoyed it, and it's the kind of thing I wish I could convince my wife to read so I could get her perspective on the main character's journey.

Currently reading Old Man's War. I know there are more books in the series, and while I'm excited to find out how this one will wrap up, I'm not rushing to read the sequels. Love the scene with the drill instructor.

I've read Old Man's War. It was good, but like you I was in no rush to read the rest. Currently re-reading Clancy. I am just about to finish Debt of Honor. These books are fantastic.

I read Debt of Honor in high school. It took about 3 weeks in summer. I miss the days when I read that fast!

I read Old Man's War early last year. I thought it was pretty good but not rushing to read the sequels, and I enjoyed the first half of the book a lot more than the second half. I was on a bit of a Scalzi kick at the time, also read Redshirts, Lock In and The Collapsing Empire. The Consuming Fire is on my bedside table to read sometime soon and I've got Head On on Audible once I finish up with Red Seas Under Red Skies.

I just recently finished The Three Body Problem by Cixin Liu and I started straight on with The Dark Forest. Also just finished The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal. I'll get to the rest of that series later in the year.

Along with Red Skies and Dark Forest I'm also reading Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Foundation by Isaac Asimov and The Stars Now Unclaimed by Drew Williams.

This week's book is Fire & Blood by George R.R. Martin, it is pretty much a history book, it is okay so far. Good enough to keep reading, but not so great that I can't put it down.

Hello Cabalists!

I just completed The Lies of Locke Lamora. Very well written Fantasy set in a fully realized urban setting with honorable thieves as the focus. Likable characters and a few good plot twists that I didn't see coming.

Too many other books on the end table to list here. Parenting, works, and gaming don't allow a ton of time to read. I'm also fondly remembering hours of my teen and college years plowing through book after book. It seems like another life - which I guess it was, in a way.

I just finished Wizardborn, Book 3 in the Runelords series by David Farland. Awesome fantasy series where traits can be passed from one person to another through Endowments. Think of it as King Arthur vs the Tyranids/Zerg/Xenomorph.

Now I'm hoping a quick read through The Prince. Everyone always remembers "better to be feared than loved, but then watched a YouTube video on it, and it's a lot more complex than that, so decided to actually read it.

Hey now Cabalists!
I'm 2/3 of the way through Brandon Sanderson's "Oathbringer" (Stormlight Archives Book 3).
I burned through 1 and 2 of this series just before, but I became a new dad halfway through reading this book, so I've had less time to read for pleasure.
I'm still trying to nab a bit of time to read a chapter or two here and there when I can.
I'm a bit late to the party with Sanderson - I read his Mistborn series last year as well, and I've been really digging his 'show don't tell' worldbuilding, in Mistborn as well as in Stormlight.
"The Way of Kings" and "Words of Radiance" really struck a chord - I had a hard time putting them down and was always really eager to pick them up and read more whenever I got the chance.

"The Three Body Problem" and its two follow-ups I read last year. These reminded me of older style sci-fi stories with high concepts and exposition vs action.

I'm also reading Fire and Blood. Very dense info on every Targaryen ever imagined. Slow going, but interesting. So much detail.
I'm also reading the first Dragonlance novel, the founders influenced me to go back to it- I read it as a kid and I remember loving it but of course now it maybe isn't as riveting.
I also recently read a Warcraft movie tie-in, about Durotan. I don't even play Warcraft! Usually I read meatier stuff but whatever. I'm not a snob.

I just finished The Martian Way, and Other Stories by Asimov. I really enjoy older sci-fi, there’s just something intriguing about stories written long before the pace of tech changes went completely nuts. (BGG handle Doppelbock)

Just finished The Sirens of Titan

Tony wrote: "Just finished The Sirens of Titan"
I think this is one of the few Vonneguts I haven't read, so I snagged it from the library.

Last book read was book 6 in the Expanse series. Very enjoyable sci-fi.

I’m going to start rereading “Lord Foul’s Bane” soon. I read this series when I was in high school, and nostalgically have loved it. However I recommended it to a friend recently and he didn’t care for it at all ( there are few redeeming qualities about the protagonist and he does some very wrong things)..... in high school I overlooked the moral failings of the main character, in favor of the great fantasy setting. I curious to revisit it.
Has anyone else read the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant The Unbeliever? If so thoughts?

I have been considering doing the same thing, as I read the books in high school also. Although I believe I only got through the first three. This is a sign - it's time to pick them up again!

I appreciated the anti-hero of Thomas Covenant at the time. It will be interesting to see how I feel about it today.

Todd wrote: "Hello Cabalists!

I just completed The Lies of Locke Lamora. Very well written Fantasy set in a fully realized urban setting with honorable thieves as the focus. Likable characters and a few good p..."

YES!!!!! Loved these books. Read all three!!!! GREAT FUN!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Just finished Planet of Exile, book 2 in the Hainish Cycle, by Ursula K. Le Guin. Excellent must read Sci-fi Opera. Its part of a multi book series, that is written in a style that is graceful, compelling, rich and free of contemporary stain. I have spent too many years not reading this story, (just happened that way...) but i must recommend this series ever so highly.
I can't really compare it to anything else, but it reads somewhat like Stephen R Donaldson, who in my opinion, with the Covenant saga, has told the greatest tale ever written. (...ahem, aside from Tolkien of course.) I also see shades of Arthur C. Clarke here, who succeeded tremendously with his Rama series. (also with Gentry Lee.) Not as deep or complicated and soaring as Dune, by Frank Herbert, but just as Operatic. ( I defy any true Sci aficionado not to love DUNE...)

No spoilers here, just delve in and enjoy. The books are available in series or in compendium. Most notable and Prize winning are The Left Hand of Darkness and The Dispossessed.

I will press on to read them all. And hope you, dear readers do likewise, for you will not be disappointed.

(ps...great forum. Hail fellow cabalist, and thanks Tony... we are all wiser together.)

Baker wrote: "Last book read was book 6 in the Expanse series. Very enjoyable sci-fi.

I’m going to start rereading “Lord Foul’s Bane” soon. I read this series when I was in high school, and nostalgically have ..."

read it! Read the Second Chronicles! Read The Last Chronicles!
Superlative!!!!

I'm actually almost done with the first book in the Expanse series, mostly due to the praise I've heard from the Secret Cabal. I had a bunch of Audible credits saved up so I got the whole series. Physically reading, I have been trying to get through The color of magic in the discworld series.

I just finished Magicians Land in the Lev Grossman Magicians trilogy. Really enjoyed that series. Narnia meets Harry Potter and given a slightly R rated edge. I’m going to have to check out the Syfy adaptation on Netflix.

Currently starting The Vagrant by Peter Newman.

I just re-read The Passage by Justin Cronin. I had read this book when it was first published and when I heard about the TV series I read it again. I had not read any of the rest of this trilogy so now I am currently reading The Twelve and I have City of Mirrors waiting on my bookshelf.

I just finished Post Captain on Audible. I got into the series after realizing that the Russel Crowe movie Master and Commander was based off of an amazing book series. The naval battles and authentic descriptions of sailing are a welcome escape from my library. Up next for me Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman.

Last Wish by Andrjez Sapkowski and Hawkeye (my life as a weapon) (if we count graphic novels?) chemion on bgg.

The Son Avenger by Sigrid Undset, the fourth and final book in her cycle set in 1200-1300s Norway.

Finally reading the Hobbit!

I'm currently reading two books:
1) Hitler Strikes North: The Nazi Invasion of Norway & Denmark, April 9, 1940, and
2) The Other Battle (about the WW2 night bombing / night fighting campaign).
Also, I go to Origins to spend most of my time in the War College seminars. Yeah, that's how I roll.

Currently on to Hell's Angels by Hunter S. Thompson. Almost done. I've read Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas as well.

Any other Thompson books people here would recommend?

Tony wrote: "Currently on to Hell's Angels by Hunter S. Thompson. Almost done. I've read Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas as well.

Any other Thompson books people here would recommend?"

Rum Diaries is good and I hear Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail is a must read.

F&L IS a must read. Gonzo at his uproarious best.

Anyone read THE PLAYER OF GAMES by Ian M Banks? I feel it’s a must read for any in the gaming hobby... at least for those who enjoy good, heady sci-fi.

Hey, Cabalists!

Pretty cool that someone started this group. I'm currently reading HOUSE OF LEAVES by Mark Z. Danielewski, PARADISE SKY by Joe Lansdale and a biography on Faith No More called SMALL VICTORIES.

I'm on Book 5 of the Runelords series by David Farland.

Just finished Dune. One of the longer books I've done lately. But I got addicted to it quick. Was even listening during my lunch break.

Gonna stick with sci-fi and go on to Rendezvous with Rama.

Working on a couple of recommendations from Dan Hughes from Sporadically Board, the Wooster and Jeeves series by PG Wodehouse (it’s free on Amazon), and “why we sleep”. Very scary reading if you work nights.

Hunger, Knut Hamsun, the disturbing effects of being a starving artist

Finally reading a new book! On vacation in Maui and the condo has a lending library. Found one of the Dresden Files books there; Changes. I think I’ve only read the first two before this, so it’s quite a jump to #12. It’s about how I remember the others. A good lazy vacation read.

I'm in the midst of Red Rising. It's like a mix of Game of Thrones, Hunger Games, and Ender's Game. One of the most emotionally engaging books that I've read in a long time.

I just started reading Gary Sinise's new book, Grateful American.

Jack wrote: "I'm in the midst of Red Rising. It's like a mix of Game of Thrones, Hunger Games, and Ender's Game. One of the most emotionally engaging books that I've read in a long time."

I enjoyed the series, the next book is on my library hold list for when it releases.

Just finished The Dying Earth by Jack Vance. Now starting The Innovator's Dilemma.

Really wish goodreads supported tagging books in comments.

Tony when you say tagging do you mean like when I say I just started reading The Apocalypse Codex by Charles Stross? If so then click the “add book/author” link just above the comment text box. That opens a search dialog and you can add a text link like the book title I just did or a cover image like this:


I really love The Laundry series, it is sort of Lovecraftian but the protagonist is a computational demonologist and all the bad supernatural stuff happens due to mathematics & technology.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms - really enjoyed it.

Just finished a second read-through of Dune - last read it probably 20 years ago. Easier read now that I've read other complex books like Seveneves by Neal Stephenson. Looking forward to the Dune boardgame reprint!!

Just started Stephenson's new book, Fall, or Dodge in Hell. He is so good. Enjoying it immensely so far.

Tony I know you are a Stephenson fan. I highly recommend his books - start with Snow Crash or Anathem.

Tony wrote: "Just finished The Dying Earth by Jack Vance. Now starting The Innovator's Dilemma.

Really wish goodreads supported tagging books in comments."

I enjoyed the Dying Earth stories. They weren't as mind blowing as I expected them to be, based on all the references to Jack Vance I have seen everywhere, but still enjoyable.

You can only tag from the Goodreads desktop site, not the mobile site.

I'd love to read Dune, but that's along with every other series on my radar right now!