SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

DivaDiane wrote: "I have enjoyed Nathan Lowell’s stories in the past and am planning on finishing the series that starts with Quarter Share (can’t remember what the series js called). Did you like the Wizard’s Butler?"

I think I listened to the podcast of Quatershare but it got lost on one of my hard drives.

I have 3 books on the go currently ...easy enough as we are in lockdown and having the time as the cold winter is upon us here as well... Highland Tales by Rory Byrne's is what I am reading in addition to The Book Of Not Knowing by Peter Ralston.

You can listen to a lot of those legacy fiction podcasts on scribl.com for free. It used to be podiobooks. Playing for Keeps (Mur Lafferty), 7th Son (Tee Morris), Space Casey (Christiane Ellis), Tales from the Archives (Phillipa Ballantine), The Crown Conspiracy (Michael J Sullivan), Murder at Avedon Hill (PG Holyfield), Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom (Cory Doctorow) and more. The interface kind of sucks, but you can at least see what’s there and download from Apple Podcasts if you want.

DivaDiane wrote: "You can listen to a lot of those legacy fiction podcasts on scribl.com for free. It used to be podiobooks. Playing for Keeps (Mur Lafferty), 7th Son (Tee Morris), Space Casey (Christiane Ellis), Ta..."

Yep I 'read' all of those.
I had podiobooks going non-stop when I worked from home. bookkeeping and audiobooks are a good match.
Now I have to write a lot of emails so listening to books is less feasible.

I'm working on two books at the moment. The Ministry Of The Future in hardcover and Fate of the Fallen in a combination of kindle/audiobook. I sought out Ministry because I thought New York 2140 was very well done and this looked to be in a similar vein. Enjoying Fate so far as well, feels like a callback to traditional fantasy stories, at least to start, and impressed by the voice acting.

Got some books gifted to me for the holidays, including a book 3 of a series I haven't read any other installments of. Wondering if I should read/get the first two? It's Woken Furies by Richard K. Morgan. I'm pretty sure book 1 is on our bookshelf.

This week I managed to finish The Terror which I liked much more than I thought I would. Now my friends are twisting my arm to watch the show which they loved. I also finished The Master and Margarita. I still don't quite know what to think about it only that I enjoyed reading it.

After putting it off for a fair bit of time i have decided to read Ubik. I say avoided because i have read do androids by pillip k dick and didn't really enjoy it too much. Just wondering what others thought of Ubik?

Anna, I'm glad you liked Phoenix! I did too (though not as much as Ninefox) and I thought it was interesting to read about a protagonist who is not super into the whole rebellion thing.

I finished a reread of Tamora Pierce's Protector of the Small quartet. Love some winter comfort reads :)

I just started Foundation for the last book of my read all the books challenge.

stefano, check out our group discussions for Ubik:
First impressions | Final thoughts

Just finished reading Prince of Thorns and figured since it was a Mark Lawrence book it'd be grimdark but oof the first chapter nearly had me bailing. But once I got past the grimdarkness I ended up enjoying it a bit.

Reading 'Fairyland' by Paul McAuley.

Interesting science fiction, thriller, dystopia; with the feel of traditional fantasy set askew. Dark and thoughtful.

About halfway through.

Nearing year's end and mentally having let go of challenges I read two beautiful novels, just because I wanted to.

Eifelheim by Michael Flynn is a first contact story set in medieval Black Forest (where I grew up - place wise, not time wise that is - ... it was soooo great to read about those places). We follow a village pastor who tries to come to terms with the concept of aliens and demons and has to fight against the fear of the other.
This story is framed by a contemporary plotline where a historian tries to figure out why the village of Eifelheim (the one where the pastor lived) was never repopulated, while his partner, a theoretical physicist, is searching for a new way of space travel.

The New Moon's Arms by Nalo Hopkinson is a story about a middle aged women who has to come to terms with profound changes in her life, menopause and her own prejudices (CW: homophobia) while the rural mysticism of her island invade her life. Written in the wonderful authentic down-to-earth style of this fav author.

I fight myself daily because I want to start New Moon but it’s on my 2021 TBRC list! Just a few more days :)

Anna wrote: "I fight myself daily because I want to start New Moon but it’s on my 2021 TBRC list! Just a few more days :)"

Technically... pretty sure, as long as you finish it on 2021 it should count in the system ;)

Yeah but I rarely take more than one day to finish a book :D

I suspected as much ^^'

On top of the ongoing things I'm eye-reading, I needed an audiobook, so I started The Palace Job, thinking it'd just be a fun thing to listen to that is different from anything else I'm reading.

It's so unmemorable so far that I keep forgetting the name of the main characters and what they're trying to do XD

But it's also sort of amusing to me to see how long I can follow what's happening without remembering how we got here. Right now I think I'm at 20%

Well that's disappointing to hear Allison because I've previously heard good things about it and was planning to make it my audiobook during an upcoming gaming grindfest lol

I am so struggling with Rhythm of War. As a total fan of the series I can't understand why I am not engaging with the book at all. I started it back in November, realised there was a problem when I didn't want to stay up all night reading it, put it away for a few weeks and tried again and....nothing. I am about half way now and still hoping for a miracle.

HeyT, I think you will like it better! It is fun, it's just not new and I'm hungering for new things right now. I don't often get moods, but right now I want spice and comfort reads bore me

Phrynne wrote: "I am so struggling with Rhythm of War. As a total fan of the series I can't understand why I am not engaging with the book at all. I started it back in November, realised there was ..."

You weren't alone, Phrynne...feel free to check out the BR thread for it!

I just finished The Etched City by K. J. Bishop. I wasn't expecting to like it anywhere near as much as I did - a superb book, if a very w/Weird one!

Phrynne wrote: "I am so struggling with Rhythm of War. As a total fan of the series I can't understand why I am not engaging with the book at all. I started it back in November, realised there was ..."

Struggle away. Most of us did. The flashbacks were a killer. The thread Allison mentioned.

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

Phrynne wrote: "I am so struggling with Rhythm of War. As a total fan of the series I can't understand why I am not engaging with the book at all. I started it back in November, realised there was ..."

I had a similar issue, though some of that has been 2020 for me I think. Not sure when it started clicking for me but I'm really into it now.

I had trouble with the last book in the series - I thought the first in the series was good and then they went downhill. I'm still working my way through Great North Road by Peter F. Hamilton. I love mysteries but have a hard time wrapping my heat around why this had to be 948 pages and I'm only 44% through it.

CBRetriever wrote: "I'm still working my way through Great North Road ..."

Ohh I have that one waiting on my shelf - I hope it picks up for you soon! For both our sakes haha

it's not slow, it's just detailed. I'm used to mysteries that are much shorter.

I have just started listening to Piranesi.
After a sample I was eager to read it and decided I would deal with the concentration issues I have with audio books.
It is read by Chiwetel Ejiofor whose voice is delicious though that still doesn’t completely stop my mind wandering.
So far it is intriguing but after the 1,000 pages of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell I am wondering how she will wrap this one up in less than 300.

I'm just cruising around listening and reading random stuff that takes my fancy... and trying to clear out the books I started this year but didn't finish due to being radically adhd.

I read Carl Hiaasen's latest, Squeeze Me. Hilarious.

I am curently powering through A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab, on audio. It's.. uneven, but definitely has some stuff going for it. I'll probably finish it up tomorrow (well really today, but I haven't gone to bed yet).

I absolutely devoured A Deadly Education, by Naomi Novik. It's basically hogwarts + gideon the ninth (without being daring regarding sexual preference inclusivity).

I may get a jump on the club read after this one finishes.

After reading about so many having issues with "Rhythm of War" I decided to re-read it as my end of the year audiobook ;D. Cause I loved it.

The Dark Archive by Genevieve Cogman

I made it to the end of Rhythm of War and liked quite a few things about it after a difficult start.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Eric wrote: "I finished The Color of Magic. My first Discworld book and my last. If not for the chest/luggage with legs I would have given it one star instead o..."

A late reply! I'm not a fan of Terry Pratchett's Discworld style, either - the covers generally put me off, for starters, and slapstick/crude/silly/obvious humour isn't my thing. I did like Reaper Man, though. His Death character is really interesting - honourable, intelligent, and likeable. The book, at least what I remember, comments perfectly on mammoth shopping centres (US 'malls'), in a very funny way. And is poignant and insightful regarding mortality, joy, and death. I found it more insightful and meaningful than the other Discworld books, and actually quite different. Still the silly humour, but it's not overbearing because of the content. It's part of the Death Trilogy: Mort / Reaper Man / Soul Music series (there are several within the Discworld 'universe', and they each have a different flavour), and while I haven't read the others in that series, it might be a good one to try, for the sake of the on-point social commentary and poignant insight.

I'm about to start the third book in Stephen Lawhead's Eirlandia trilogy, In the Kingdom of All Tomorrows. The series has been a nice read; not too dense or deep, but satisfying - in the mould of his earlier Celtic-set series, which I liked a lot better than his more recent things. Semi-young-adultish. He always researches extensively, which gives an exciting mix of real history and fantasy elements skillfully woven in. Or mostly fantasy and fiction, with a basis in historical fact....

-- fantasy on the cusp of s.f., set in the 1970s, anyone who enjoyed the British tv show The Avengers might find this appealing. Takes place in Newman's Anno Dracula universe.

I finished two good books this week: Oath of the Outcast and The Luck Child. I was so pleased to find two new ones in a row which I enjoyed! The only problem with the first book was that there wasn't a resolution at the end, and I have to wait until February for the next book.

Thank You Tamara, the Eirlandia series looks like a contender!

Harrow the Ninth: a major case of "second book blues" with this one. A fast-paced last third didn't make up for the slog that led up to it. I'm not mad, just disappointed. (review)

Bones of the Past by Drew Hayes

Sabriel by Garth Nix!

about a 3rd of the way thru so far and really enjoying it

Just finished Artificial Condition. I know I'm in the rear cars of this train but I'm enjoying Murderbot! Perfect last read book of the year!

It’s never too late to love Murderbot! <3

Don wrote: "Thank You Tamara, the Eirlandia series looks like a contender!"

It is good! I've begun reading this one, and am reminded of the beautiful, lyrical language he writes it in - very reminiscent of contemporary Irish speakers - the way they phrase things - and with a wonderful sense of ancient Celtic things. He weaves in the historical details seamlessly in his tellings. There's also a story told in the first few chapters, and you feel like you've been listening to an ancient bard tell the tale, with its wonder and particular style.
It's also reminded me of the excellent representation of real, deep friendship the series gives, the very insightful treatment of human nature (which is one of the things I really like about the author) and a clear sense of right and wrong, light and dark. You really feel the honour and the difficulty of choices, character, and life... in a beautiful setting, but also like any time. (Have I said enough? ; ) )

Anna wrote: "It’s never too late to love Murderbot! <3"

LoL, I just started the first one and am enjoying it so far.

I just finished The House in the Cerulean Sea. It was fun with a message. Several messages actually. I enjoyed it:)
My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

@Ishan - Yes, I adore Sabriel! I hope you do too. :)

@Monica - Murderbot and ART is a perfect note to finish on!
@DJ - Like Anna said, never too late to hop on that train.

@Phrynne - Nice review. That one is at the top of my TBR, but I keep getting distracted and sidetracked!

@Tamara - You're really selling Eirlandia to us. I do love Celtic-inspired fantasy. I see that his books are listed as "Christian" though. Did you consider them at all preachy? And is that the series of his you'd recommend starting with?

Myself, not SFF, but I finished Murder on the Orient Express. Engaging to read and puzzle through, but then broke me at the end. >_<

I finishsed The Gurkha and the Lord of Tuesday

I enjoyed the book immensely but still haven't really figured out how to do a review without putting spoiler alerts every second sentence. So all I can really say is give it a read and see what you think about it yourself.

I ended 2020 by staying in bed all day and reading the newest book by one of my favorite authors, Emmi Itäranta. The book is only out in Finnish so far (Kuunpäivän kirjeet), but I expect an English translation will be available at some point. It wasn't as atmospheric as Memory of Water, but such an interesting mix of space, biology, mystery, and something else that surprised me, so I won't name it :) If I had to put a genre label on it, I'd say clifi mystery with other speculative elements. An excellent way to spend a day! ^_^

Now I've hauled my ass out of bed, I have an hour left of 2020 to do all my stats and post them, and then I'll never think of 2020 again!

We have on foot embarking on the new year...our future and the other foot still in 2020 at this point in time... very soon we can close the door and walk towards newness and hope ... Glad you manage to rise from your bed Anna!!

JCM wrote: "Glad you manage to rise from your bed Anna!"

I'm disappointed myself, I'd planned to stay there until 2021 :D

(I stay in bed all day maybe twice a year, and I really should do it twice a week! Maybe that's my "resolution" for 2021? Stay in bed all year?)