SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

I read Eragon awhile back and it was okay -- my main issue was that the plot too closely mirrored that of Star Wars.

Trying to get back to my current reads - Gods of Jade and Shadow (bedtime reading) and The Dispossessed (coffee day reading). But I’m not yet over Vanished Birds. SAAAAD.

Now just aimlessly wandering this group listing TBR’s and downloading samples while I wait for my copy of The Doors of Eden. That space between 4-5 star reads is a barren dessert.

lol Grace! So true. Things that transform your mind and things that are just excellent are so far removed. But the way you said that made me chuckle (and I really needed a chuckle so thanks!)

One of my GR friends called that a "book hangover" in one of her reviews, and it was so perfect I've used it ever since. :)

Mushrooms? Mushrooms are love especially when sauteed with butter and garlic. And to those who don't like cooked mushrooms, fresh ones in salad are totally different with a completely different taste and texture.

It's kinda like I love salted peanuts, but I detest peanut butter.

CBR, your post is either way metaphorical, or it's in the wrong thread...

Allison wrote: "lol Grace! So true. Things that transform your mind and things that are just excellent are so far removed. But the way you said that made me chuckle (and I really needed a chuckle so thanks!)"

I'll show myself out to the What are are you watching thread. lolol. XD

Beth wrote: "CBR, your post is either way metaphorical, or it's in the wrong thread..."

I think it's in reference to the mushrooms on the naughty list discussion upthread :)

Lol, my mistake. Was just reading the last couple of posts and ???, was this supposed to be in the "what are you cooking" thread...

Anna wrote: "Beth wrote: "CBR, your post is either way metaphorical, or it's in the wrong thread..."

I think it's in reference to the mushrooms on the naughty list discussion upthread :)"

yes, I was replying to message 2303

CBRetriever wrote: "Mushrooms? Mushrooms are love especially when sauteed with butter and garlic. And to those who don't like cooked mushrooms, fresh ones in salad are totally different with a completely different tas..."

I am coming over to your house for burgers, Sauteed Mushroom Swiss Burgers. HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM, nummy

there's a place less than a mile from my house that has them plus truffle fries (yummy)

back on topic, I finished Walkaway which was pretty good and made me think about a lot of things. I'm not sure the scenario in the book would actually work (sounds like what the hippies envisioned in the 60-70s)

I love cooked mushrooms but hate them in salads. Can’t eat them uncooked for love nor money. Had them fried in butter and garlic last week. I also love mushrooms in my gravy.

love Tree Mushrooms

A Halo of Mushrooms


I have no idea what this book is about but figured I should make it look like I wanted to be on-topic. LOL

I’ll hop on the fried sautéed mushroom gravy train.

Just finished The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennet and loved it. Not usually my kind of story but the characters were so interesting it didn’t matter.

My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero's Vol. 1 and My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero's Vol. 2 by Matsuri Akai

Dj wrote: "A Halo of Mushrooms


I have no idea what this book is about but figured I should make it look like I wanted to be on-topic. LOL"

Since I found it I went ahead and started it, still not sure what it is about, yep that is right, didn't read the blurb, or whatever it is called. LOL

It starts out with a black cat so can't be all bad

If Nicolas Sparks offers you mushroom, don't eat them.

Don wrote: "If Nicolas Sparks offers you mushroom, don't eat them."

I will keep that in mind, but I haven't read any of his work so I am not sure how inside that might be.

Sorry DJ and Nicolas Sparks. IT IS Nicholas Evans's mushrooms you'll want to avoid.

Don wrote: "Sorry DJ and Nicolas Sparks. IT IS Nicholas Evans's mushrooms you'll want to avoid."

ugh - the The Horse Whisperer guy? Avoid.

I'm realizing that I'm reading more series than usual this year.

Don wrote: "Sorry DJ and Nicolas Sparks. IT IS Nicholas Evans's mushrooms you'll want to avoid."

Ah I see, that makes more sense after reading the Wiki article on the individual. Still haven't read any of his books.

Reading Strange Horizons May 2020 edition. No link because Goodreads manual input currently does not work *sigh*

Also starting Wintersmith via audio.

Christopher wrote: "I'm realizing that I'm reading more series than usual this year."

I'm the opposite. Around 80% of my SFF reads are standalones. I guess I am becoming more scared of commitments.

For me it's that I want a surefire hit rather than taking a risk

I finished reading by

Christopher I’m confused by your response- are you saying you have better luck with series than with stand-alones?

Just curious. I’ve haven’t had good luck with series this year either.

UnHappenings by Edward Aubry is currently on Audible Plus and it was a fun time travel story. Narrator was great at making the story personable. Good intro, decent mystery and plenty of questions will be raised by the story. I thought the ending was not as strong as the beginning but I liked it overall.

Book 1 of a series is just as much of a risk as a standalone. However, when the risk pays off, you can read the later books of the series with a good chance of liking those too.

Finished Alif the Unseen in good time for our virtual book club! I have some thoughts, but will hold off on saying anything substantial until after the discussion. I'm looking forward to hearing what others have to say about it.

Next: Artificial Condition, The Last Wish (inspired by Dawn's lovely, heartfelt reviews of this series!), then Harrow the Ninth as a BR early next month.

I am going to read my first Star Wars novel. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

finished Dogs of War by Adrian Tchaikovsky which was excellent. Loved the Good Boy / Bad Boy confusion of the main character.

Really enjoying A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking. The gingerbread man is the best!

Currently reading The Rosewater Redemption. Hoping for a great ending.

Jennifer wrote: "I am going to read my first Star Wars novel. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story."

My fave SW movie! Looking forward to know what you think about the novelization.

Silvana wrote: "Currently reading The Rosewater Redemption. Hoping for a great ending.

Jennifer wrote: "I am going to read my first Star Wars novel. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story."
..."

Its my favorite SW movie as well!! So far, I am really enjoying it.

Currently reading "The Demon's Apprentice" a.k.a. "Harry Dresden, The High School Years".

Anna, I just finished a crime mystery & a slice of life book. I think you would enjoy both of them.

The Last Child by John Hart - A little uneven in flow but I really enjoyed the character driven plot. Don't go into it for the mystery. Though that was good. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and how they dealt with events vs getting the clues together for the case.

The Library of Lost and Found by Phaedra Patrick & narrated by Imogen Church. I actively did not like the intro to this book. It was uncomfortable and that was the author's intention. At least, that's what I imagine was the author's intention. It ended up being a cool, slice of life story with creative short stories woven into the main plot.

Thanks Soo! The latter is actually already on my TBR, because of Church, but sadly the edition on Storytel is narrated by someone else :( Otherwise I would’ve already listened to it. But I was planning on trying it anyway.

Phrynne wrote: "Really enjoying A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking. The gingerbread man is the best!"

Well, the title is intriguing. Might have to give it a look.

Cheryl wrote: "Esther wrote: "The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson. The writing style, the character portrayal, the world bui..."

It has only just been published

Gabi wrote: "I am reading "To Sleep in a Sea of Stars" by Christopher Paolini at the moment. I didn't know the author, went only for the book because of the beautiful title. Meanwhile I was told that he wrote t..."

I decided not to chance it because of Eragon. It wasn't terrible but I did give away the second book in the series unread.
You may have changed my mind, hopefully the author has matured.

I enjoyed the whole Eragon series and I bought To Sleep in a Sea of Stars yesterday. It is a very hefty book. It looks challenging!

I'm listening to To Sleep in a Sea of Stars. Sounded intriguing and Jennifer Hale narrating sealed the deal for me. It's massive and I'm only a couple chapters in, but so far I'm enjoying it. I never read Eragon, so I can't comment on how it compares to that.

Soulless by Gail Carriger

Victorian England (1837-1901) and vampires and werewolves are real. The book starts the adventures of Alexia Tarabotti, a respectable young lady pulled into unexpected adventures. Very cute story, sort of a sci-fi cozy. I liked it a lot, 4 stars.

Jordan wrote: "I'm listening to To Sleep in a Sea of Stars. Sounded intriguing and Jennifer Hale narrating sealed the deal for me. It's massive and I'm only a couple chapters in, but so far I'm en..."

I hope you're enjoying it. Jennifer Hale did a terrific job with the audiobook imho. There is a cute interview between her and Paolini at the end of it which I enjoyed listening to.

Jordan wrote: "I'm listening to To Sleep in a Sea of Stars. Sounded intriguing and Jennifer Hale narrating sealed the deal for me. It's massive and I'm only a couple chapters in, but so far I'm en..."

I didn't realize that Commander Shepard narrates it. I'll have to see if my library has the audio version. I've been a fan of Jennifer Hale from her video game voices for a long time, and I didn't know she narrated books too.

@Bobby, it was her first one to narrate.

Well my library does have it in audio, but the hold time estimate is 7 weeks. Oh well, I've got plenty to read in the meantime.

Anyone interested in reading A Night in the Lonesome October by Roger Zelazny should join us in the 2020 daily read thread! We'll be reading one chapter per day, and I promise it's a lot of fun :) It's also on the group shelf, so counts towards the RATB challenge.