SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

I finished reading Phantoms of Ruthaer by Jason McDonald as a beta-reader, Tortilla Flat by John Steinbeck, and The Last Emperox by John Scalzi right after it was released on April 14, 2020. I am reading City of Bones by Martha Wells. I plan to read Network Effect by Martha Wells when it is released on May 5, 2020.

I just finished "A little Hatred" done in the Joe Abercrombie fashion. It introduced some interesting characters that we expect great and ungreat things from. Scored a likely suggestion from from my feed "Captain Corelli's Mandolin". Something to keep us from devouring the forthcoming "MURDERBOT NOVEL" whole when it drops
on Tuesday.

Anna wrote: "It's going to be an amazing week! A Murderbot novella series reread, new Murderbot novel, and then Catfishing on CatNet! After that I'll finally get to read The Vela, I scored a free copy last night. I'm so excited I might have to run around in circles!"

I'd completely forgotten that the last Raksura audiobook was released in April, so that means I also finally get to start The Cloud Roads! And Defy or Defend is out today, and the audiobook is narrated by the lovely Emma Newman, which makes it a higher priority than it would otherwise be. I'm drowning in a sea of great and comforting things! ^_^

Lately I've been finishing up trilogies and working on series waiting for the RNG book selections to come out for the month of May. I read The Last Emperox which was great if a little bittersweet because of the way it ended. Also I finished the Fionavar Tapestry Trilogy when I read The Darkest Road. I felt it had a fitting conclusion so that was satisfying.
I've already read two books in May which included Damsel to the Rescue, a sort of gender bent hero quest, and The Bear and the Nightingale which I enjoyed so much I read it in one sitting.

Anna wrote: "I'd completely forgotten that the last Raksura audiobook was released in April, so that means I also finally get to start The Cloud Roads! ..."

What, what, what!? I didn't know that. Then I can finish the series. Yippiiiieh!

I have been reading a whole bunch of cookbooks. Maybe because getting out to go shopping is such a pain. For some reason, I seemed to be fixated on Curry and one point and I am not sure why. I like Curry well enough but have never actually tried to make it on my own.

Think I will set the Cookbooks aside for a time to focus on Some real reading and my TBR challenge.

Yesterday I finished The Cruel Prince and I gotta say, it didn't even come close to living up to the hype for me. It was dark and gritty but for all the wrong reasons and in all the wrong places. Now I'm torn about whether to continue the series or not.

Full review here for those interested:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Now I'm off to dabble in a little horror/thriller for a bit to suit the current gloomy weather.

I just finished another 5-star read, the Hugo- and Nebula-winning The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi. It’s absolutely one of the most original, powerful novels I’ve read. It’s also pretty bleak, so bear that in mind if such things don’t sound appealing. But if you’re looking for a convincingly drawn world, vivid and absorbing writing, and a bracingly inventive critique of capitalism and political maneuvering, I can’t recommend this highly enough.

My review of Shorefall by Robert Jackson Bennett

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

I finished the Hyperion series, The Rise of Endymion, (well done) and will start a palate cleanser, Android General 1 . C. Cockel is always up to fun and games with the antics of her "far-fetched" characters.

Still reading The Outsider by Stephen King. Really enjoying it but I have been travelling this weekend and haven’t been able to read much. I have come to the beach to get my clothes and things after being stranded in the Outback for the last 8 weeks with not very much at all. They’ve eased restrictions so I decided to take the chance while I could. This also means I can pick up some more books including The Golem and the Djinni and American Gods which are on our reread list. Or read list for me. Also picked up my Name of the Wind, and heaps of others. And my colouring books. And my LEGO. And some more hand sewing. And my book trolley to put it all in. Hubby doesn’t know about that. He’s on a Zoom meeting thing and I packed the car while he wasn’t looking. I should be set for the next 6 months now.

I actually did really well packing the car. There’s even room left for two largish dogs. That’s another reason I haven’t read as much as I’d want. We have our daughters dog for the weekend and he’s such hard work. Very intense. Never stops. And taking them for a walk is hard work. Takes every spoon I have for the day. 25kgs each of pure exuberance. Some days I wonder how I’m not on my butt (or face) all the time.

Hmmmm I wonder what other books I can fit in......

Jacqueline wrote: "... We have our daughters dog for the weekend and he’s such hard work. Very intense. Never stops. And taking them for a walk is hard work. Takes every spoon I have for the day. 25kgs each of pure exuberance. Some days I wonder how I’m not on my butt (or face) all the time. ..."

I've never heard the phrase "Takes every spoon I have for the day." I get the meaning from the context but I'm wondering now where it came from and if it's regional.

We have just one dog like that (but bigger). I'm the only one who walks him now because my wife was on her butt/face all the time. It's particularly bad when he sees a (whispers) "Squirrel!"

I'm working through all of those Murderbot novellas. I won't get through them in time to start the novel with the group but look forward to reading the discussion later.

I'm currently reading Blood Stained Heir

This is an epic adventure, right up my alley :)

Greek Religion by Walter Burkert

The spoon theory is pretty much international for people suffering from chronic illness/pain/fatigue Raucous.

https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/happi...

I will soon be reading Aurora Burning by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman and The Girl and the Stars by Mark Lawrence because they were in my local bookshop this afternoon when I snuck into the shopping centre for “essential” shopping. The essentials also included A Gentleman in Moscow and a new pair of fluffy slippers.

Unfortunately Network Effect wasn’t there so no Murderbot this week unless I order it online.

"A Gentleman in Moscow" is lovely, Jacqueline.

I listened to it to about a third of the way through ages ago and really liked it Gabi but I lost my place (it was on a thumb drive in the car and it didn’t go back to where it finished for some reason). I’ve wanted the book for ages but it wasn’t available in our discount variety store I like shopping at for half price books because it’s publisher doesn’t sell its books there. Better Reading in Australia has a Top 100 which is available in our discount variety store and this year A Gentleman in Moscow is on the list so it’s publisher makes it available for them to sell. Looking forwards to finishing it.

Krystal wrote: "Yesterday I finished The Cruel Prince and I gotta say, it didn't even come close to living up to the hype for me. It was dark and gritty but for all the wrong reasons and in all the..."

Thank you for the warning, Krystal! I have been trying to decide if I am going to read this book for quite some time, and what you said is just what I feared - that it would be one of those urban fantasy books. Now I can ignore it in peace.

I snuck in a reread of Gods, Monsters, and the Lucky Peach, because I read all four Murderbot novellas yesterday (I was planning on reading two today) and I didn't want to start anything new before Murderbot5 tomorrow. I still love it so much! I know lots of people were frustrated by this when we buddy read it, but I just love the world and the protagonist is one of my favorite characters ever!

I will be gushing about something every day this week, so block me now if that annoys you :P

Anna wrote: "I snuck in a reread of Gods, Monsters, and the Lucky Peach, because I read all four Murderbot novellas yesterday (I was planning on reading two today) and I didn't want to start any..."

I liked that story, too.

For some reason, I started the 4th book of the Parasol Protectorate, although I didn't want to because I want to start Network Effect tomorrow. But I had finished the 3rd book on saturday and ... well.

Parasol should be quick! :)

Turn Coat by Jim Butcher

Dresden Files #11, OK to read as stand-alone altho some details may be confusing. Harry Dresden is the only wizard in Chicago with an ad in the Yellow Pages. In this story an old enemy comes to Harry for help and in the process Harry's brother (who is a vampire) gets kidnapped. Sci-fi fantasy mystery, can be fun if you're in the mood. I liked it OK but if the book had been half as long it would have been fine with me. 3 stars.

Finished 2061: Odyssey Three in a day. Fun read, kinda light, I was expecting something more. 3 stars.

Ines wrote: "Krystal wrote: "Yesterday I finished The Cruel Prince and I gotta say, it didn't even come close to living up to the hype for me. It was dark and gritty but for all the wrong reason..."

Haha happy to help!

@Jacqueline, thanks for sharing about the spoon theory! That's really interesting!

Just finished Spin by Robert Charles Wilson. I loved the premise of the story but was disappointed by the execution. Original and fascinating story ruined by cliched and boring characters. My review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I just finished Aurora Burning and loved it. It is YA but it is smart and funny and there is NO love triangle. It finishes with the biggest cliff hanger I have ever read.

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

Ended up finishing Dreamer's Pool after restarting it since I set it aside last year and it was okay. I mean the mystery isn't really that hard to solve but I enjoyed watching the relationship build between the two mains.
Now I'm working on Red Seas Under Red Skies which I had also put on hold for some unknown reason last year. Slowly I'm working my way through things I put aside for reasons I don't remember.

A Gentleman in Moscow, was one of my favorite reads of last year.
I felt like a guest in that hotel.

Murderbot just landed on my Kindle!

You are having a good couple of days. Aurora Burning and Murderbot.

No Murderbot on my Audible yet :(

Thanks for the spoon theory link Jacqueline. That makes perfect sense now and I'm a bit surprised that I'd never heard of it. I... Need to get out more. Well, virtually speaking. The outside stimuli/crowds example that she mentioned is the one applies to me.

I'm reading Seven Cleopatra Hill by Justin Holley as a group read for another group and so far loving it! It's horror but so far we're talking ritutals, sacrifices, ghosts and dark things with teeth that want to kill everyone. Plus it's all set in a remote location during a horrible snow storm which is perfectly appropriate for the miserable winter weather we're starting to get here.

Raucous wrote: "Thanks for the spoon theory link Jacqueline. That makes perfect sense now and I'm a bit surprised that I'd never heard of it. I... Need to get out more. Well, virtually speaking. The outside stimul..."

I have chronic pain and the aftermath of a lung clot. No matter how much I try I just can't bounce back from it. My lungs just don't want to work the same anymore. A lot of the time I'm proud of myself that I even made it out of bed. A lot of people think I'm lazy but I call it "energy saving". It was hard enough with neverending back and neck pain but on an overseas trip to London I broke both ankles in 2 separate incidents and tore my tendon. I didn't get them seen too and continued to walk on them dosed up with painkillers and now I can hardly walk some days. Apparently I need surgery on both of them. Who has time for that? Thankfully I live in a country with a national health scheme and can afford it. Maybe after Hubby retires. Weak ankles run in our family. I've given them to my boys. My middle son had an ankle reconstruction earlier this year and is having another one when the army can spare him. He's 28. The oldest probably should have had one ages ago too.

Still reading The Outsider by the way. I'll get into it again later this morning once I've hobbled around the house getting it into some semblance of normality. While reading I can gather myself before I have to go to the supermarket. I'm better than I thought I would be today but my back is really bad after being stuck in the car for nearly 6 hours yesterday. Unfortunately I couldn't listen to my audiobook in the car since I'm 30% of the way through and Hubby was in the car and hasn't heard the first bit. I have A Darker Shade of Magic by VE Schwab on in the car.

I just read a new memoir of Walter Koenig who was Chekov on ST:TOS. It's Beaming Up and Getting Off: Life Before and Beyond Star Trek. The man who was cast in the series to rope in younger viewers is now an octogenarian. I think I like him better now.

Continuing my six-week, thus-far failed effort to read anything past its first 50 pages, next comes a start on Gideon the Ninth. Setting seems more "cool" than "carefully thought out," and the writing is an odd mix of high-flown and crass. We'll see if I can live with that for another 300 pages.

Five stars to the latest Murderbot. It's just like the previous books but longer:)
My review of Network Effect by Martha Wells

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

Very excited to get back to Murderbot. I got drafted into a panel at my local scifi society so I promised to consume all of the Hugo fiction nominees (sigh.) So my reading time is all spoken for until that's over.

I did manage to finish Little, Big before embarking on this, and it was charming. Slow, windy (in both senses of the word), and whimsical.

The Haunting of Tram Car 015 was I thought stronger than his previous novella. Lots of fun, not too deep but a great setting with refreshing characters.

Now reading The Light Brigade and...ugh. I can tell this is going to be work. Lots of infodump worldbuilding, grimdark torture scenes and so on. If you like grimdark military sf though this might be good?

And The City in the Middle of the Night which I'm finding much more compelling despite its YA opening.

I finished Android General 1. Another fun adventure with innovative characters. Four stars if your humor is active. The author promises two more books to complete the series. Android General was book seven.

Onto Killing Jesus: A History. My oldest son sent me more than a few of these O' Reilly works. Historical fiction was one of my 'favs' before I got burned out, so we shall see.

I finished two excellent books today, both very different in tone, but sharing a wonderfully subtle approach to depicting a somewhat unreliable first-person-narrator’s voice:

Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James, which appears to be somewhat divisive, but which I loved for all of the reasons that it’s divisive: its excess, its brutality, its dark humor, and its vivid prose. I can’t say I would recommend it to everyone, but I loved it.

The other is a classic I’d never read till now, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. I think I had sort of anticipated a dry and shallow Rich White People story, and it was so much more complex and tragic than I would have imagined. I see why it’s considered to be one of the most important novels of the 20th century.

Anthony wrote: "....The other is a classic I’d never read till now, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. I think I had sort of anticipated a dry and shallow Rich White People story, and it was so much more complex and tragic than I would have imagined. I see why it’s considered to be one of the most important novels of the 20th century...."

I'm so tempted to throw you a recommendation based on this, but I sorta kinda did already *he* So great how well this worked for you!

I finished The City & the City this week which is my favorite book by China Miéville that I've read to date. I'm not usually a fan of procedurals, but the cleverness of this novel won me over. I rated it 5 stars (the other Mieville I've read previously were Perdido Street Station -2 stars for being maybe a bit too weird and Embassytown - 4 stars, I thought it was very intelligent, but I didn't connect with it as much as this one).

It’s always so interesting to see how differently things work for different people. Perdido is my favorite of those three, followed by City, and then Embassytown.

Mieville is definitely a divisive writer. I was mostly baffled by Kraken, while I loved Perdido Street. Embassytown was.. interesting, I guess, but didn’t make a whole lot of logical sense language wise. I must admit I’m curious about this author and will read more by him simply because he’s a bit incomprehensible. I’m waiting for an audiobooks of City and the City so I can finally get on to that.

I read Perdido over 10 years ago whereas I've read the other two in the last few years. I'm curious to now re-read Perdido (although I won't because of a massive TBR) to see if my tastes have changed such that I'd enjoy it more now. In the talk between Neil Gaiman and NK Jemisin that I listened to last weekend they talked about re-reading and how each time you read a work you're a different person and you get something different from it.

It's been a bit since I last posted to this thread...

I read Blood Song by Anthony Ryan and really enjoyed the first half or so. After that, I couldn't get into the military conflicts that ensued, in part because the stakes never seemed quite clear.

Conjure Women by Afia Atakora was lovely magical realism set in the years leading up to and just after the U.S. Civil War.

I also loved Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh, especially for its descriptions of being surrounded by forest.

As far as non-SFF stuff, I loved Shiner, They Can't Kill Us Until They Kill Us, Swimming in the Dark, Fire in the Belly: The Life and Times of David Wojnarowicz, The Years, and East of Eden -- all told incredible stories with beautiful writing.

I’m on a roll lately: back-to-back-to-back 5-star reads:

Black Leopard, Red Wolf was wild, intense, graphic, sexy, very violent, and completely gripped me from start to finish. I understand that it has its detractors; it’s excessive, but Marlon James’ brilliant writing and biting wit and no small amount of heart just worked for me.

The Great Gatsby was so wonderfully surprising, and about so much more than fancy white people and their problems, which is what I’d feared it would be about. It packs a tremendous amount into its tight, poetic, evocative 172 pages. I can see why it’s considered one of the great novels of the 20th century.

Cyteen is my second experience reading the incredible work of C.J. Cherryh, who seems to have faded, inexplicably, from the conversations about who the elite SFF writers are. She belongs rather firmly in the upper echelons, based on this and Downbelow Station. Having said that, I can also understand why some folks bounce off of her work; it’s dense and cerebral and obtuse at times. But it’s so thoroughly imagined, and complex, and peopled with wonderfully imagined characters. I’m crossing my fingers that Forty Thousand in Gehenna holds on to the lead in this month’s poll.

Cyteen is on my TBR list too, I'm just waiting for my reading slump to get a bit better to try it.

Last weeks I was reading the second, third and fourth Murderbot Novellas and now I got a physical copy of Network Effect, let's see if it will arrive before June.
I really liked the Novellas, they are very light reads even with the important themes being discussed,

My review of If It Bleeds by Stephen King

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