SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

The one in the shop is fine, just needs the battery replaced and the problem is that Apple is taking its sweet time sending it. That could be because the MBP battery is integrated and this basically means only the display will be saved, and possibly the bottom casing.

I used to have a 17” MBP and now I have a 15” which is teensy tiny, so I’m tempted to get a new 16”, but I won’t, because I’m not made of money and the MBP15 still has Apple Care.

But maybe this is the time to get a gaming desktop, as my old gaming system is an ancient super dead MBP with XP installed 😂

I’m sorry everyone, I’ve been pretty good and enjoying just reading and being wireless but it’s starting to get to me 😅 I’ll shut up soon, the people at the shop will probably swim to Ireland or wherever the part is shipped from to stop me calling them daily!

Is anyone interested in doing a BR of Inda by Sherwood Smith with me?

I'm planning to start reading it on June 20 (because that's my birthday). I haven't read it in about 10 years so I'm looking forward to reading it again.

It's epic fantasy, often praised for the amazing female characters and diverse sexualities. I personally remember loving how much depth I felt in the characters and cultures.

It might not be for you if these things would bother you: head hopping (can't remember how frequent it is, but it does happen), a slow start, huge character cast, and confusing names.

@Stephanie I might be interested in Inda. I picked up a used copy last year after seeing a bunch of positive comments about it. That date or so should work too.

Anyone interested in reading "American Gods" before "Anansi Boys" reread (September 15'th)?

We could read it just before "Anansi Boys", starting September 6'th maybe?

I'll give 'American Gods' another try as a lead in to 'Anansi Boys'

Are you ok with the date?

No problem with the date Aga.

Ok! Anyone else would like to join us?

Should I add AmerGods with a Sept 6th start date? I think we have three people interested, and maybe more will jump onboard later.

edit: I added it, it's on the list, I can change it if necessary :)

Thank you Anna!

So, is anyone going to be reading Perhaps the Stars now that the release is actually here (in three weeks)? :) It's been on the BR list since early 2018, and I'm kind of looking forward to dropping it :D We've gotten series BRs since then, so it shouldn't even be on the list anymore, but I didn't want to take it off until it was released. So, do I just take it off, or do I update the Terra Ignota series to show that there will be a BR?

WHAT THE HELL?! Amazon now says pub date is in October?!

I am so done with this book :S

I'm going to reread the series at some point, but doubt I'll get to Perhaps the Stars this year.

I doubt it, too, because it won't be published <_<

Would anyone like to join Caillen, Mike and I in a buddy read of David Mogo Godhunter? It nearly won the Amazin' Eights challenge for September on the third nomination, so we thought a buddy read is in order anyway.

We'll start on 22 September 2021, but if you've already read it, go ahead and post your thoughts, just please use spoiler tags. Here's the thread:

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

Suggestion for October-December reread schedule, option A:


October 15th:
Artemis (305 pgs)
China Mountain Zhang (313 pgs)

November 15th:
Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency (306 pgs)
The Last Wish (384 pgs)

December 15th:
Dune (604 pgs)
Kindred (264 pgs)

Everyone happy with this, or should we switch something around?

I'm probably only reading China Mtn Zhang, so this or any re-arrangement are fine with me.

Ooh I could definitely get in on Dirk Gently and Last Wish.

Definitely wanted to read both this year anyway. I never did read Dirk Gently but I watched the first season of the TV show recently and it put the book back on my radar.

Joon, would you prefer them in different months if those are the only two you're reading?

Anna wrote: "Joon, would you prefer them in different months if those are the only two you're reading?"

Nah they're both short and there's at least a 50% chance I'll bail on one of them anyway.

:D

Looks good :)

I like the reading order. China Mountain Zhang in October means we'll be able to make Melanie happy in her request for VBC to talk about a Fantasy book for a change. Wouldn't be surprised if even Andy Weir wants to pretend Artemis doesn't exist.

CMZ is science fiction too! (just sayin')

Anna wrote: "Joon, would you prefer them in different months if those are the only two you're reading?"

I would prefer to have the split up if no one else objects. I *hope* to read them both. Definitely will read Dirk's but I own Last Wish as a DTB, so the timing may matter.

I will certainly be in for Artemis, circumstances allowing. Possibly some of the others.

Mel, are you reading any of the other ones?

I'm out to read https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... because my fried told me that it has fae and it's totally awesome. Well, I'm sceptical but why not.

Also does anyone do any reads with anything involving dragons?

I vote last wish not in December

I already read Artemis and Dune. I'm on the fence and CMZ and Kindred. They both seem kind of dark, so we'll see what my mood is when they get closer.

You missed it, Melanie, despite my intentions, we're now the SciFi (...and Fantasy?) Book Club

Hmm, option B?


October 15th:
Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency (306 pgs)
China Mountain Zhang (313 pgs)

November 15th:
Artemis (305 pgs)
The Last Wish (384 pgs)

December 15th:
Dune (604 pgs)
Kindred (264 pgs)

Yikes, option B's November :| I apologize in advance XD

Dang! I'm only intending on reading CMZ and Dirk. Would prefer if they weren't in October now that I know neither is considered Fantasy.

What's the likelihood of VBC happening in the last week of December? 604 pages of Dune might be a bit much for the holiday season with relaxed covid rules.

Never mind. I'll just hope that the as yet to be selected Fantasy BOTMs for the remainder of the year are good (and complete series).

You don't need to stress about it. Just pick a HAPPY scifi every third month or so and I'll deal.

Navigator wrote: "I'm out to read https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... because my fried told me that it has fae and it's totally awesome. Well, I'm sceptical but why not.

Also does anyone do any rea..."

Yeah I was a bit the same with Darkfever but I really enjoyed it. Definitely fae in there. I read 1-5 in pretty quick succession.

I have all 6 of those but don't know if I'll get around to reading any of them. I'm still in my massive reading slump. Not in a buying slump though lol

This looks good to me.

I've read China Mountain Zhang & Dune and both/either would make good VBC discussions at some point (also the Dune film will be out by then so could include a compare/contrast). IIRC I gave them both 5 stars?

I DNF'ed Artemis & Kindred so will likely skip those unless convinced I need to revisit.

I own the Last Wish & DGHDA so this should (maybe) motivate me to finally take them off TBR.

I read Dirk Gently years and years ago.

Ryan, did you want Dirk and Zhang in different months, or was it just the fantasy thing? Last Wish is the only fantasy book out of these six, so I can't really spread it out to cover all months :)

Since we're doing free themes and runner-ups for the rest of the year, the likelyhood of rereads getting picked over BOTMs for VBC is small, I think?

Nah, I'm good. I can read them both in the same month.

I think of Kindred as Fantasy, but I guess even scientifically unexplained time travel classifies it as scifi for most.

Yeah sorry, I'm talking about which BOTM these books were picked for, not what they actually are :D

Option B locked in!

Thanks for managing all this Anna. You are awesome.

It's just moving blocks around to make them fit! Book tetris :D

I am going to jump on the Anna is my favorite and also, separately, the savior of my sanity train.

I've had to take a bit of a mental health step back, and I could NOT be luckier that the Olympics ended around the time I lost my momentum...or, said otherwise, Anna has been a lifesaver while I had to handle real life, and I'm immensely grateful she fit me in around all the sportsing.

You pick up my slack when I'm in a curling bubble! (And when I don't have spoons to do mod polls.)

You know the more you argue the more we're going to compliment you Anna. You are smart, witty, organized (which absolutely is a superpower), and though you get frustrated by bad website design, you are always kind to us. You are a book enabler and an all-around swell fox.

*Accept the nice words.*

Thank you! I don't know what's happening, but I'll take the compliments!

Foxes rarely understand what humans are doing. Their curse is to be universally admired, but not understand why the loud pitched squealing is happening.