Science Fiction Aficionados discussion

I just picked Orphans of Chaos by John C. Wright.

Traci wrote: "Hull Zero Three. Not a deep read but quick and fun. My first Greg Bear and even though this book seems different than his usual I'll be reading another sooner than later."
My fave Greg Bear books: Blood Music, The Forge of God and Eon. I'd recommend you try one of those next.

I'm reading a YA, The Hunger Games. It's an enjoyable read and I'm almost done with it. Pretty quick read. I like YA's because you can see the elements broken down pretty clearly and simplistically. But this book is a fun, imaginative read. Not as great as the Harry Potter series, but very enjoyable. I also love the fact that it has a strong female lead.

I am currently reading The Unincorporated Woman by Dani and Eytan Kollin. It's the third book in their series and I can highly recommend all 3 books.

Recently I downloaded a bunch of free Kindle books, and ?

That was a PNR, but I found it entertaining and the price was right (free).

I haven't read PNR in a long time, and I'm a moderator. I'm a very bad moderator who has been absent. Luckily, there are two of us.

Pia wrote: "I hadn't seen that Along one, but it looks promising--thanks! It's not free anymore, but it's close to free at $0.99."

It's the "Pre-quill" to The Demon Hunters

It's short, tastefully campi and fun. Not the greatest, but I have a hard time thinking that people who read UF and PNR's could read this and not enjoy it. I don't see it on top of a lot of "Best Ever" lists. It's good fun read.

Aloha wrote: "I haven't read PNR in a long time, and I'm a moderator. I'm a very bad moderator who has been absent. Luckily, there are two of us."

Al, you know I'm always glad to find out I've helped in some way!

You are the best co-moderator a girl can have, Hugh!

Aloha wrote: "You are the best co-moderator a girl can have, Hugh!"

Al, vous me faites rougir, sous de tels éloges. Ou est-ce moi, toujours affaibli sous le sourire d'une belle dame?

Je suis seulement dit la vérité, Hugh. ;o)

Aloha wrote: "Je suis seulement dit la vérité, Hugh. ;o)"

Moi aussi, Al.

(8-{D>

@JP, I will definitely be trying one of those books in the near future.

But first I'm going old school tonight and starting
The Maker of Universes.

Pia wrote: "I hadn't seen that Along one, but it looks promising--thanks! It's not free anymore, but it's close to free at $0.99."

What I do on Kindle is,

1) go to kindle eBooks in the "Kindle Department"

2) Select a genre (usually fiction)

3) change the order of appearance (the listing) to go from "low to high" (upper right quadrant of the page)

4) Slect 4 star and up only. (left side, just under the list of genre's)

what that does is it gives me all the 3+, 4 and 5 star books in order of the cheapest first.

That brings all the Free Books to the top so I don't have to hunt for them and eliminates those books that can't hold a good star-rating.

Then I look for the books with more than 35 reviews (the more reviews the better). Generally that's worked for me.

You'll also find out that most of what we consider "The classics" always come to the top using that system.

but I ramble on.. sorry.

Pia wrote: "Oh--I don't think you rambled. You've made your book searching into your own personal science, which is very appropriate for a science-fiction group :).

I've done some of what you've outlined; I ..."

I do that also, though I occasionally find my self in the weeds and have to start over. I've also had some luck with the "lists" that all sorts of Amazon Kindle customers have left lying around the Kindle department. Some of them are specificaly, lists of fives star free books.

I wish I could filter out the order with a "most reviewers on top" and that would take my manual "look for the numbers" thing a three or four FAB action.

Thank you for understanding the tech-no-rant.

Just finished reading 'Ender's Game' and 'Speaker For The Dead'. Am about to move on to 'Neuromancer'.

Pia wrote: "I just finished , which I think is a good read. Sci-fi/mystery combos are also my favorite.

Recently I downloaded a bunch of free Kindle books, and [bookcover:Brigh..."

Oh, I like a good 'twofer', the whole sci-fi/mystery thing appeals!

I'm just to the all-hell-breaks-loose part of Game of Thrones, then when that's done, got a stack of military sci-fi/media tie-ins to dive into... Wing Commander, Battletech, Halo... They're like pulp romances for men.

Traci wrote: "Hull Zero Three. Not a deep read but quick and fun. My first Greg Bear and even though this book seems different than his usual I'll be reading another sooner than later."

Definitely keep going with Bear, recommend Slant and Darwin's Radio.

Hugh (The other Hugh) wrote: "I'm a Jimmy Degriz (The Stainless Steel Rat) fan. I'm putting that on my TBR! (The Technicolor Time Machine I mean)"

Harrison has a deep pool of work. i think you might enjoy the Hammer trilogy, that has some seriously cool Norse mythology.

I actually read this a week ago but it was so amazing I have to give it a plug. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Pax wrote: "Traci wrote: "Hull Zero Three. Not a deep read but quick and fun. My first Greg Bear and even though this book seems different than his usual I'll be reading another sooner than late..."

I'm adding the Hammer Trilogy to my BMR (and checking them in Amazon/Kindle!) thanks. I really enjoyed the stainless steel rat and Bill the Galactic Hero.

I've just started The Algebraist, by Iain M Banks. I've had it on my shelf for a while, and thought it was about time I gave it a go.

Just started the brand new David Weber--"How firm a Foundation"

I'm finishing up Weber's On Basilisk Station today. I really like it. A little heavy on the tech and politics but the characters make up for it imo.

Plan on going farther in that series Traci?

The answer is a big yes. :)

Traci wrote: "I'm finishing up Weber's On Basilisk Station today. I really like it. A little heavy on the tech and politics but the characters make up for it imo."

I just read it recently, too, and I totally agree! Started the second book last week, but haven't had much time to read it.

I finished The Hunger Games. It was an enjoyable YA read. A bit too simplistic for my taste as YAs usually are, but imaginative and enjoyable. Simplistic meaning I can see where it came from and where it's going.

The Harry Potter series is still the best. The Potter series did not feel simplistic. The storyline is highly original, told in a whimsical, complex way without a complication of words, and I can't break it down easily.

I'm starting Shades of Grey. I am absolutely loving this book. If it follows the same pacing to the end, it will go on my favorites shelf. It's basically a satire on government bureaucracy and group hierarchy expressed in an explosion of colors. As an artist, I love it! As a lover of smart and original books, I love it! It reminds me of Alice in Wonderland in its hidden commentary on the structure of society illustrated within the book's zany world.

I just started Peter Hamilton's Pandora's Star. I'm really enjoying it so far!

Still working my way through "Grimspace." I'm enjoying it. Got some style critique points to take away, but the story's sound.

Started The Honor of the Queen but this one seems a little different than the first so far. Too early to tell if I'll like it as much.

Traci, I'm reading HH2 as well. I agree, it does feel different, and yet the same. Although I didn't get the chance to read it at all this weekend and I'm only on page 82, I am enjoying it a lot. Let me know what you think when you get a feel for it! :)

Yesterday, I finished The Great and Secret Show. I enjoyed it but I thought some parts of the story were a little slow and drawn out.

Now I'm reading The Godwulf Manuscript.

Jason wrote: "Traci, I'm reading HH2 as well. I agree, it does feel different, and yet the same. Although I didn't get the chance to read it at all this weekend and I'm only on page 82, I am enjoying it a lot. L..."

On chapter 14. I'm reading this book very slowly for me, paused to read another book, and have given up on it twice. I've decided to stick with it though. My problem with it is despite the issues in the first book I came back because I enjoyed Honor Harrington but (view spoiler)[she leaves in this one even before it can get going. My hope is it picks up after she comes back. A few chapters to go, I sneaked a peek. (hide spoiler)] I am interested in the Graysons and what happens. I think I just need to focus and make myself read.

@Aloha
Shades of Grey made me an instant fan of Jasper Fforde. It's one of the most original books I've ever read. Then that got me started on his Thursday Next books.

I'm reading Dust & Decay right now, which is feeling like it has a bit of a younger voice even then it's predecessor Rot and Ruin. I'm not sure why that is, but I'm still enjoying the fun of it.

I finished The Godwulf Manuscript. It was enjoyable. I also realized that these books were what the TV series Spenser for Hire was based on. I will definitely read more of them.

Now I'm going to start Hammerhead Ranch Motel since it became available from the library yesterday.

Traci wrote: "Jason wrote: "Traci, I'm reading HH2 as well. I agree, it does feel different, and yet the same. Although I didn't get the chance to read it at all this weekend and I'm only on page 82, I am enjoyi..."

I can see what you mean. I can't say that I liked Honor leaving, either, but I think she had to for some certain plot shifts and twists that are taking place where I'm at right now. It should be interesting how Honor deals with what happened when she returns.

I must be close to where you are. I'm also reading it slowly as I'm reading multiple books at the same time.

He really is a terrific writer. Makes me laugh, too. I love that kind of humor.

J.P. wrote: "@Aloha
Shades of Grey made me an instant fan of Jasper Fforde. It's one of the most original books I've ever read. Then that got me started on his Thursday Next books."

I have his complete Thursday Next collection. I'm still in the middle of sampling various authors. Hopefully, I'll get to the point where I can go through an aurhor's entire work.

I just finished Grimspace. I liked it. Still parsing it out in my head. I'll post a review soon. I fear the review may be more complicated than the story.

LOL. Okay, but when you start putting personal war stories in, I'm going to stop reading.

Who me?

I started Rendezvous With Rama last night, and so far it seems excellent!

I can't wait to start that one, Maggie. I'm really enjoying Grey myself. We have 2 excellent reads for October.

I read Grey recently--it's a very interesting book!

Maggie wrote: "I started Rendezvous With Rama last night, and so far it seems excellent!"
Indeed you have chosen wisely! An all-time fave of mine and one of his best along with Childhood's End.

I agree. Rendezvous is an excellent book!

I am Currently reading my own book Amderesta The Third Republic which is the first book in an ongoing sci-fi series set in the fictional Amderesta Galaxy.