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General SF&F discussion > What else are you reading in April 2010?

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message 1: by Stefan, Group Founder + Moderator (Retired) (new)

Stefan (sraets) | 1671 comments Mod
Please let us know what you're reading this month!


message 2: by Jon (last edited Apr 01, 2010 10:20AM) (new)

Jon (jonmoss) Three left over from last month (darn that need to work all day!) and two more for book club reads:

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

If I can find a copy of Gardens of the Moon (Malazan Book of the Fallen, #1) by Steven Erikson at B&N tomorrow over lunch, then I'll add it to my current-month shelf.

I'm currently reading The Warded Man by Peter V. Brett and enjoying the world building.


message 3: by Brian (new)

Brian Just started The Shadow of Ararat.


message 4: by Phoenixfalls (last edited Apr 01, 2010 11:54AM) (new)

Phoenixfalls | 187 comments Currently reading:
Little, Big (Trade Paperback) by John Crowley Not Less Than Gods (The Company) by Kage Baker

Plan to read:
Carnival by Elizabeth Bear The Risen Empire (Succession, #1) by Scott Westerfeld Six Moon Dance by Sheri S. Tepper The Speed of Dark by Elizabeth Moon Dark Hand of Magic by Barbara Hambly Lud-in-the-Mist by Hope Mirrlees Fudoki by Kij Johnson In the Hall of the Dragon King (The Dragon King, Book 1) by Stephen R. Lawhead Poisoned Chocolates Case by Anthony Berkeley The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas

Alas, I have a couple carry-overs from last month; I didn't quite hit my goal, and fell behind by one SF book, one Fantasy book, and one classic in my various challenges. :( Ah well, try and do better this time!

And if I do finish all those, then I hope to have time to read:
In the Cities of Coin and Spice (The Orphan's Tales, #2) by Catherynne M. Valente Gods and Pawns (The Company) by Kage Baker


message 6: by Sandi (new)

Sandi (sandikal) | 338 comments I'm currently reading The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood. I love her science fiction even if she thinks she doesn't write science fiction.

I'm also reading Last Argument of Kings by Joe Abercrombie.

I just started listening to Roots by Alex Haley. Although I remember when the mini-series came out, I never watched it. I've also never read the book. I'm only a few chapters in, but it's really, really good so far. The audio is narrated by Avery Brooks, Captain Sisko on "Deep Space Nine". He's got an awesome narrative voice. It reminds me a lot of James Earl Jones.


message 7: by Kerry (new)

Kerry (rocalisa) | 487 comments I'm happily rereading my way through A Civil Campaign.


message 8: by Jon (new)

Jon (jonmoss) Oh, Sandi, you just reminded me that I'm listening to The Silmarillion while walking my dogs each evening. And, I'm 'pre-reading' One Month to Live: Thirty Days to a No-Regrets Life before leading a small group study a week after Easter. And, for yet another small group, I need to read The Anatomy of Peace: Resolving the Heart of Conflict before the 24th. Hmmm ... less sleep, more reading is in my future.


message 9: by Jim (last edited Apr 01, 2010 09:53PM) (new)

Jim Shannon (envaneo) | 37 comments I'm about 108 pages in Book 2 of Karen Traviss's Crossing the Line Then after that, Book 3The World Before


message 11: by Ron (new)

Ron (ronbacardi) | 302 comments I just started Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke. I think it was a BOTM here (or more precisely at the Yahoo group) two or three years ago. Early days yet, but so far it's intriguing, and Clarke's prose is very pleasant. Gaiman's introduction is quirky but interesting.


message 12: by Marty (new)

Marty (martyjm) | 310 comments I'm reading The Devil's Eye by McDevitt and a memoir called Closing Time by Joe Queenan. I used to only read one book at a time and now I seem to enjoy going all different directions at once....


message 13: by Ken (new)

Ken (ogi8745) | 1398 comments Just started Elric: The Stealer of Souls.
Needed something different to read.


message 14: by Shel, Moderator (new)

Shel (shel99) | 3037 comments Mod
I just finished Bone Crossed, which was good fun. I'm trying to decide whether to continue with Briggs and pick up Hunting Ground next, or go on to something different.


message 15: by Jo (last edited Apr 04, 2010 02:37PM) (new)

Jo Wake | 35 comments I am reading the second book in Glenda Larke's Watergiver trilogy called Stormlord Rising, I had to send for it from Australia. The first book, The Last Stormlord was absolutely magnificent and has received rave reviews so far, it is only recently available in the UK and US. It is an exciting story about an arid world where water is gold and stormlords are kings. I like Glenda's books very much anyway but in this series she has outdone herself. Stormlord Rising (Watergivers, #2) by Glenda Larke The Last Stormlord (Watergivers Trilogy, Book 1) by Glenda Larke


message 16: by Kerry (new)

Kerry (rocalisa) | 487 comments Jo wrote: "I am reading the second book in Glenda Larke's Watergiver trilogy called Stormlord Rising, I had to send for it from Australia. The first book, The Last Stormlord was absolutely magnificent and has..."

I have the first one in the TBR so I'm delighted to see such a positive reaction to it. I may have to bump it up.


message 17: by Jon (last edited Apr 04, 2010 03:04PM) (new)

Jon (jonmoss) Finished The Warded Man (my review) today. I couldn't put it down. Now moving on to another book club reading selection for this month: Gardens of the Moon

I'm probably going to regret starting yet another epic fantasy seemingly unending series ... or not. :)


message 18: by Jo (new)

Jo Wake | 35 comments I find Glenda's books are very under appreciated and yet they are excellent and original in their concepts.


message 19: by Bookbrow (last edited Apr 05, 2010 07:38AM) (new)

Bookbrow | 93 comments I finally finished The Iron Dragon's Daughter, an odd strange book that sagged in the middle but ended strong. On to On Basilisk Station, I Am Legend and A Canticle for Leibowitz, I have read a bit of Leibowitz before, this time I want to finish the book. A busy month ahead thus I hold the number at three books.


message 20: by Jo (new)

Jo Wake | 35 comments I love all the Honor Harrington books and hope you will too. I am referring to On Basilisk Station. I own all of them as ebooks.

By the way, I have just finished Stormlord Rising and am going to be tearing my hair out until Glenda Larke finishes the third book.


message 21: by Laurel (new)

Laurel Here's a word of warning for the Honor Harrington series - its like a drug! Once you read one, you can't help but pick up all the others in the series. You won't be able to read anything else...


message 22: by Bookbrow (last edited Apr 07, 2010 01:05PM) (new)

Bookbrow | 93 comments Laurel wrote: "Here's a word of warning for the Honor Harrington series - its like a drug! Once you read one, you can't help but pick up all the others in the series. You won't be able to read anything else..."

Yes, the first book starts oh so incrementally, one little move at a time, then story start expanding and the plot gets richer... the clever fact that it is a bit of a page turner helps the cause.

Thanks for the warning although it is now too late for me. Egads I just checked out Weber's wiki page and there are 11 and counting Harrington novels, great.


message 23: by Kevis (last edited Apr 07, 2010 01:02PM) (new)

Kevis Hendrickson (kevishendrickson) Currently reading Destiny's Warriors by R.M Putnam and enjoying it very much. Anyone who loves to read epic fantasy with strong romantic elements will enjoy this one.


message 24: by Jo (new)

Jo Wake | 35 comments Right now I am reading Dragon Keeper by Robin Hobb. A new trilogy but still based on the Rain Wild River and Bingtown stories.The Dragon Keeper as well as listening to Catching Fire by Suzanne CollinsCatching Fire (I listen when I use my treadmill). I am enjoying both very much.


message 25: by Christine (new)

Christine | 636 comments I'm about halfway through Gilfeatherand am also reading The Wreckeron my Sony eReader


message 26: by Anomander (new)

Anomander | 38 comments Finished The Desert Spear very good sequel to The Warded Man but some nitpicks would be the cliffhanger ending and the use of the trope.


message 27: by Stefan, Group Founder + Moderator (Retired) (new)

Stefan (sraets) | 1671 comments Mod
I just finished Crossover: A Cassandra Kresnov Novel by Joel Shepherd. Decided to check it out after being very impressed with his fantasy series, and definitely wasn't disappointed. My review will be popping up over at soon (we review SF too, as long as it's by someone who also published fantasy).

Right now I'm a few chapters into Deadhouse Gates by Steven Erikson, for the tor.com re-read I'm working on. It's probably insane, but I'm actually re-reading Gardens of the Moon for the second time this month, at the same time as re-reading (for the first time) Deadhouse Gates. Sort of feels like a total immersion Malazan course...


message 28: by Shel, Moderator (new)

Shel (shel99) | 3037 comments Mod
I just finished reading a book my mother-in-law got me for my birthday, Cutting for Stone, which I loved. Now back to fantasy, I'm reading The Name of the Wind, and really excited about it. So many authors I love have raved about it, so have a lot of my friends, and I'm only 3 chapters in but really liking the style.

There's nothing like diving into a great big book that you KNOW is going to blow you away :)


message 29: by Nick (last edited Apr 09, 2010 07:21AM) (new)

Nick (doily) | 1001 comments Now that I've finished The Knife of Never Letting Go my sci-fi for the rest of the month will include Meat Puppet Cabaret by Steve Beard, just to try to find out what "bizarro" scifi entails, and I'm finally going to get around to Three Days to Never: A Novel by Tim Powers -- I think.


message 30: by Christine (new)

Christine | 636 comments Shel wrote: "I just finished reading a book my mother-in-law got me for my birthday, Cutting for Stone, which I loved. Now back to fantasy, I'm reading The Name of the Wind, and re..."

Shel, you're going to love this book; the hardest part is waiting for the next volume...


message 31: by Laurel (new)

Laurel Bookbrow,

I'm now on number 9... I'm quite sure I'll have 10 and 11 done before the 12th comes out in July ;)


message 32: by Kerry (new)

Kerry (rocalisa) | 487 comments I'm reading Jack McDevitt's Seeker. The books in the series tend to be fairly cerebral SF mysteries, where the protagonists are trying to solve a puzzle my working it out from historical clues. Rather fun and always a change of pace.


message 33: by Bookbrow (new)

Bookbrow | 93 comments Laurel wrote: "Bookbrow,

I'm now on number 9... I'm quite sure I'll have 10 and 11 done before the 12th comes out in July ;)"


I can see why you are on #9, the 1st book builds and builds, a most addictive read. I do enjoy a good series, this one reminds me of the Vorkosigan saga , of some of Hamilton's epics.


message 34: by Shel, Moderator (new)

Shel (shel99) | 3037 comments Mod
Christine wrote: "Shel, you're going to love this book; the hardest part is waiting for the next volume... "

I know, I'm loving it already and also totally kicking myself for getting caught up in yet another unfinished epic fantasy series. As if Martin wasn't bad enough! :) I hope Rothfuss writes a little faster than GRRM does! Do you know how many books are projected in the series?


message 35: by Sandra (new)

Sandra  (sleo) | 1141 comments Well, so far I've read The Bone Doll's Twin, Hidden Warrior, The Oracle's Queen, Miles, Mutants and Microbes, which finishes the Vorkosigan Saga. She has a new Miles book coming out in November! Also have read Deeper than the Dead for a little relief from fantasy (ha), and am now on #3 of the Sirantha Jax series by Ann Aguirre because a friend is pounding me with peer pressure! Just kidding. Am enjoying them muchly, although sometimes I want to shake Sirantha!


message 36: by Sandra (new)

Sandra  (sleo) | 1141 comments Oh, I also started a Gene Wolfe book and gave up in disgust. I know he's practically a god in scifi-land, but I hated the book. There was no character I could relate to, it was misogynistic, violent, and disgusting. Just IMO, of course. :) With apologies to Gene Wolfe fans out there.


message 37: by Janny (new)

Janny (jannywurts) | 1006 comments Under the gun with a heavy schedule, so I'm reading 'lite' in the cracks - Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon, and City of Jade: A Novel of Mithgar by Dennis L. McKiernan. Either of these titles can be picked up and put down, the pacing is simple and pleasant.


message 38: by Ken (last edited Apr 11, 2010 01:34PM) (new)

Ken (ogi8745) | 1398 comments Which Wolfe Sandra?
He is a very dense writer who tends to use very unusual words.
I read his Long Sun series a while back and didnt get that misogynistic vibe.


message 39: by Sandra (last edited Apr 11, 2010 02:00PM) (new)

Sandra  (sleo) | 1141 comments It's actually the second in a series which I didn't know when I bought it -- I got it in a sale at Audible.com. The title is Claw of the Conciliator, and I listened for about three hours, then read the reviews on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ and also the reviews of #1. I don't mind density or unusual words, and I understand symbolism quite well, but I just couldn't relate to the main character who was an apprentice executioner. I didn't like the society or the world at all. I say misogynistic because he executed a woman and it described in detail how he branded her cheeks, broke her legs, and then beheaded her. Immediately afterward he laughed aloud and felt like dancing.

Sorry, but that just isn't a main character that I care to read about.


message 40: by Kathi, Moderator & Book Lover (new)

Kathi | 4217 comments Mod
Sandra, I'm actually glad to read your comments about the Gene Wolfe book you disliked, since I so strongly agree. I read the series that book was part of and I hated the whole thing, never picked up another Gene Wolfe book and don't plan to.

Janny, I see you are reading the new Mithgar book. This relates to our discussion about series... I read that whole series and NOW he goes and writes another story of Mithgar! I know most of them are stand-alones, but still...


message 41: by Sandra (new)

Sandra  (sleo) | 1141 comments Well, Kathi, thanks for agreeing with me! I can't believe you read the whole series! I suffered through 8 hours and went on to something else. Ick.


message 42: by Marty (new)

Marty (martyjm) | 310 comments Sandra,thanks for the warning.

I won't read John Ringo anymore because although I somewhat enjoyed the Posleen stuff and definitely enjoyed the stuff he wrote with Weber once he started the Paladin of Shadows stuff I not only didn't want to read that I didn't want to give him even a red cent in royalties.

Although there are authors that I find somewhat sexist that nevertheless have sometimes written books I enjoyed...I usually buy books based on the cover, blurbs and the author but these writers I look at really carefully before purchasing.


message 43: by Sandra (new)

Sandra  (sleo) | 1141 comments I'm not familiar with John Ringo, but I do try to avoid reading people I strongly don't agree with, like Orson Scott Card... But usually I don't find out about them until too late. I tried Gene Wolfe because he's some kind of science fiction or fantasy god, but I definitely didn't like.


message 44: by Marty (new)

Marty (martyjm) | 310 comments Sandra wrote: "I'm not familiar with John Ringo, but I do try to avoid reading people I strongly don't agree with, like Orson Scott Card... But usually I don't find out about them until too late. I tried Gene Wo..."

Orson Scott Card is one of the ones I look at really carefully before deciding!


message 45: by Kathi, Moderator & Book Lover (new)

Kathi | 4217 comments Mod
I have really liked some of Card's stories and others, less so.

With Wolfe, it was less about the ideas and more that I couldn't follow the story, didn't like the characters, and didn't like the writing style. I stuck it out for the series because he was so highly recommended and I kept thinking either it'll get better or I'm just missing something, so maybe I'll get it in the next book. Never happened for me.


message 46: by Janny (new)

Janny (jannywurts) | 1006 comments A curiosity: are there any women here who enjoyed Gene Wolf? It dawns on me - that the people who rave that his works are monumentally classic may be mostly male - just wondering.

I knew Virginia Kidd (his agent) when she was alive - she thought the world of his style, but was she an exception? Food for thought.


message 47: by Jon (new)

Jon (jonmoss) I may have read The Shadow of the Torturer in my early 20s, but I don't remember it. I own both volumes of Book of the New Sun and will read it someday. So, I'm not much help with your survey question. I'll definitely watch out for it while/when I read it and let you know.


message 48: by Jeffrey (new)

Jeffrey | 51 comments I read it a while ago as well and I have to say that while having a torturer as the hero was a novel concept by later books it had worn off and I was not as impressed


message 49: by Sandra (new)

Sandra  (sleo) | 1141 comments Janny, I wondered the same thing. When I read the reviews of his books here on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ, I saw that all the rave ones were by meles.


message 50: by Lynn (new)

Lynn Abbey | 1 comments I dutifully bought and read all four books of the New Sun series when they came out in the 80s. I wanted them to be the best things since sliced bread--because so many people I respected said they were. But, honestly, all I remember about them is that I didn't like them and that I'd never read another Gene Wolfe book.

At the time, I had the sense, though, that I was reading SF/Fantasy answer to Eco's The Name of the Rose."


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