SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

It's going to be quite the culture shock to go from The Briar King back to Middlemarch! I intend also to read Possession, by A.S. Byatt, and to begin Les Miserables.

I'm currently approaching the halfway point of Ravenshade A Tale of Alterra, The World that Is by C. S. Marks. Just in case you haven't heard of this series yet, Ravenshade is the third and final book of the the Elfhunter A Tale Of Alterra, The World That Is trilogy. Elfhunter is the story of two Elvish hunter-scouts name Gaelen and Nelywn who are charged with the dangerous task of stopping the evil creature named Gorgon Elfhunter whose sole purpose in life is to destroy the Elves. All I can say is that if you have not read this series you are missing out on one of the best fantasy stories out there.

I will finish up Multireal tonight, wishing that book 3 of the trilogy was written.

And then a treat! I finally found an affordable hardcover copy of When Worlds Collide / After Worlds Collide, this an omnibus edition of these 2 classics.

After that, I am not sure. I need to reorganize my physical to be read bookshelves to see what I have. I'm in the mood for something long and complex.

I'm currently reading Offspringby Steven Harper and since I never got around to reading the Elfhunter A Tale Of Alterra, The World That Is series last month I will add it to my list. Finally, I will be reading the final book in the Jousters series, Aerie I am set up to get auto delivery of The Lost Symbol when it comes out next week and for my birthday (9/9/9) I think I will start The Law of Nines

sigh--so many books--so little time!
:>

I finished Tea With the Black Dragon on Monday (http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...) and Close Her Eyes on Tuesday (http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...). I started The Dark Is Rising and The Winds of Marble Arch yesterday. This morning I started and half-finished before breakfast Smith of Wootton Major.

I'm playing it by ear this month as far as a reading plan. Decided to knock off quite a few short novels this week and next. I'll tackle something longer after the Labor Day weekend.

http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/...

http://www.timetoast.com/timelines/21431

I'm currently reading The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane and Witches Abroad. I'm also technically in the middle of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and Bleak House, but I haven't touched them in awhile, so we'll see.

Re-read for me: I'll be starting Stephen King's Cell when I'm done watching the pilot episode of Stargate Atlantis for the umpteenth time.

I am finishing up the Amber Spyglass currently and then The Shadow Year by Jeffrey Ford and World War Z. After that, who knows. I have yet to read Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell so I think that is coming up afterward.

Old Man's War and The Ghost Brigades. Not completely satisfying but pretty good.

Per usual- too many good books and not enough time to read :-)

Just finished The Gunslinger
Currently reading:
The Big Sleep (AUDIO)
Two Front War, The
Sabriel
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies The Big Sleep

I've got these planned for Sept:
The Book of Lost Things
Nine Princes in Amber

and of course - Zodiac and The Briar King

Most of these are groups reads but its nice variety of SciFi / Fantasy / Mystery. If only I could just leave work now and go home and read ;-)

I don't see my books on that list. What happened? ;)

Kernos wrote: "I will finish up Multireal tonight, wishing that book 3 of the trilogy was written."

I'm looking forward to Geosynchron as well. Multireal wasn't quite what I was hoping for as a sequel to Infoquake but I'm still hopeful for the last book.

I spent most of the week reading Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan. It is a good book, but very much not the kind of book I'm into.

I'm looking at starting Peter S. Beagle's short story collection We Never Talk About My Brother next.

Finishing up The White Rose.

Probably read either Sunshine or Swordmage next.

I shall read, among others, I, Robot and Asimov's Mysteries.

@Jon: The Dark is Rising? Great, will be looking forward for your rating (and review, if any) then.

I recently finished Matter by Iain M. Banks which was outstanding. I wish that I had found his books earlier.
Now I am reading Shadow & Claw by Gene Wolfe. Great so far.

After that... not sure. Thinking about reading Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison. We will see.

Reading Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman, then what ever reasonable sci fi/fantasy book turns up cheap or second hand..

Finally finished Persuasion by Austen. *Hated* it. Now I'm reading Dog Days by John Levitt.

Julia wrote: "Finally finished Persuasion by Austen. *Hated* it. Now I'm reading Dog Days by John Levitt."

Check out a movie called The Lake House, with Sandra Bullock. The book Persuasion is a bit of a plot point in the story.

I just finished Patient Zero. Enjoyed it (gotta love zombie terrorists). I may pick up the sequel to Niven and Pournelle's Inferno, but I'll wait until it crosses my used book pile.

--
Chris O'Kennon
The Mos Eisley Bookstore
http://www.moseisleybooks.com

A few days ago finished the Tawny Man trilogy by Robin Hobb. I wish she never wrote it and I never read it. Big disappointment.
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Started Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson. I must get to know a writer who is going to finish series that brought Fantasy to me.

Dog Days was a delight- a new urban fantasy series -- not paranormal romance-- set in San Francisco about a Practitioner/ jazz musician and his ifrit/ dog farmiliar. Looking forward to the other books in the series!

Then read Tea Time for the Traditionally Built by Alexander McCall Smith a fun mystery, set in Botswana.

Now reading Impossible by Nancy Werlin.

I'm reading Elantris by Brandon Sanderson. I was disappointed by two books in a row before that, but this one has broken the spell, it's a good read. It's the first book I read from this author, thanks to Jon for recommending him.
After that, The Briar King.

Cecile wrote: "I'm reading Elantris by Brandon Sanderson. I was disappointed by two books in a row before that, but this one has broken the spell, it's a good read. It's the first book..."

Elantris is generally considered his weakest book, so if you like that you should love his other work.

Greyweather wrote: "Elantris is generally considered his weakest book, so if you like that you should love his other work."

I certainly hope so, I already bought the three books of his Mistborn series.

I didn't know that it was considered his weakest book. I did like it and I've been meaning to start the Mistborn series, but haven't yet. I'll have to look into it again.

I'm reading mostly urban fantasy right now. Finished "Prey" by Rachel Vincent the other day, and am in the middle of "A Touch of Hex" by Jes Battis and "Hunting Ground" by Patricia Briggs. I have Erin Hunter's first 'Warriors' series on deck and just started "Rampant" by Diana Peterfreund and "Atlantis Rising" by Alyssa Day. I tend to read at least 3 or 4 books at a time :)

I do have "The Briar King", which I'll start as soon as I finish one of the others, and I have to finish "The Strain" by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan. I seem to have misplaced my copy....

I just finished The Briar King and read The Light Fantastic last weekend. I've got no clue what's next.

Peregrine, I'm also reading Middlemarch and having the hardest time. I'm so tired all the time from this pregnancy I can't read more then a chapter or two without nodding off. The book isn't boring, but the writing style is definitely soothing. It may end up sitting quietly on my Kindle until I get my brain back.

Lara Amber

I've just picked up Treason's Shore Book Four of Inda and All the Windwracked Stars, so it's likely to be one of those two.

I just finished the Song of the Lioness YA series by Tamora Pierce.
Now I'm reading The Traveler by John Twelve Hawks, which is the first of a trilogy. I have the other two sitting on my shelves (the newest just came out this month), so my plan is to read through them all back to back.
It's slow going so far, though, not anything specific in the story except that I really am not liking the characters very much...

Just finished Tara K. Harper;s Wolfwalker. Quite good.

I am reading Let the Right One in by John Ajvide Lindqvist

I just finished Jaran and will be returning to Heroes Die at lunch. I'm also interspersing my novel reading with a Connie Willis anthology The Winds of Marble Arch.

I just finished Ellen Hopkins Identical.Identical

I've a plethora of great books from the library, PBS and SFBC. I'm not sure what comes next!

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I'm reading Traitor's Gate by Kate Elliot. Also reading The Prodigal Mage by Karen Miller, which I'm not loving, but going to see in through.

How is Traitor's Gate? I saw at the library yesterday and was going to pick it up, but ended up with a really quick read instead.

You need to have read the first two books -- it's the third in a very intricate series, and so far it follows right on the heels of the first two, which I've quite enjoyed. I don't love it the way I loved the Crown of Stars series -- the characters aren't quite as appealing, but it's still entertaining.

I have read Dune, Earth and Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom. I am looking for either a good quick fantasy book with some humor in it, or a good fantasy series. Seems I have read mainly Sci-fi lately and I think I need a change of pace.

Nathan wrote: "I have read Dune, Earth and Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom. I am looking for either a good quick fantasy book with some humor in it ..."

If you're looking for a suggestion, might I recommend either The Princess Bride, The Anvil of the World, or Goblin Quest?

I'll be starting Joe Hill's 20th Century Ghosts.

Susanna wrote: "I'll be starting Joe Hill's 20th Century Ghosts."

I loved that book.

I just finished Pattern Recognition and I'm thinking about reading something by Asimov but am unsure where to start with him. Suggestions?

I, Robot!

I finished The Physick Book... and Witches Abroad. I'm now reading Interview With the Vampire and Lords and Ladies.

Sandi wrote: "Susanna wrote: "I'll be starting Joe Hill's 20th Century Ghosts."

I loved that book."

Short stories aren't really my thing but I like exceptions that prove the rule :)

Paul wrote: "I just finished Pattern Recognition and I'm thinking about reading something by Asimov but am unsure where to start with him. Suggestions?"

Foundation

I read Douglas Niles "Breach in the Watershed". Seems like a scenario right out of Dungeons and Dragons, that I used to play in High School. It was ok, I liked it. Now I just have to get my hands on the second book.

I am now reading "Young Miles" by Lois McMaster Bujold. It's an omnibus about her hero Miles Vorkosigan that I picked up at a Library book sale. I'm a few chapters into "Warriors Apprentice" and I already love Miles. I might have to get the whole series now.

I am reading Pretty Monsters by Kelly Link.

Tayla36 wrote: "I read Douglas Niles "Breach in the Watershed". Seems like a scenario right out of Dungeons and Dragons, that I used to play in High School. It was ok, I liked it. Now I just have to get my hand..."

The Vorkosigan series is a good one and one that I think is worth it.
I'll have to check out Douglas Niles. It could be good.

Steven wrote:The Vorkosigan series is a good one and one that I think is worth it.
I'll have to check out Douglas Niles. It could be good.


I listed all the Vorkosigan novels on my Bookmooch wishlist.

The Niles book was ok. It wasn't fantastic. I picked it up for a buck at a discount store, so I was satisfied with my purchase.
It was your classic good vs evil, with an evil god and and evil prince and his brother, the good prince. And the good mythical creatures and the evil mythical creatures (that Niles has made up his own names for instead of just calling them elves and dwarves and orcs)

I am currently about halfway into The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. This is one of those books where you wonder if it can really be as good as everyone says. The answer, so far, is a resounding YES!