Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

Beyond Reality discussion

note: This topic has been closed to new comments.
70 views
General SF&F discussion > What are you reading in February 2014?

Comments Showing 1-50 of 54 (54 new)    post a comment »
« previous 1

message 1: by Nick (new)

Nick (doily) | 1001 comments Please tell us what you are reading, or plan to read, in February of 2014.


message 2: by Shel, Moderator (new)

Shel (shel99) | 3043 comments Mod
I've been reading Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead (and I agree with more of it than I thought I would), and have Cold Steel lined up for after I finish, to complete the Spiritwalker trilogy.


message 3: by Jim (new)

Jim Mcclanahan (clovis-man) | 485 comments Currently reading Blue Remembered Earth and The Good Stuff, a compilation of both old and new space operas edited by the amazingly active and discerning Gardner Dozois. The latter is a real gem and the Reynolds is as absorbing as I usually expect from him.


message 4: by Lindsey (new)

Lindsey | 414 comments Currently reading the anniversary edition of Heir to the Empire, which has some great behind the scenes info about writing for the Star Wars universe. Then it's likely on to Cold Steel or The Ambassador's Mission. I'm also doing a re-read of the first Harry Potter for my book club. If I get ambitious, I'll probably throw in a re-read of The Way of Kings before #2 is published next month.


message 5: by Bill (last edited Feb 02, 2014 08:37AM) (new)

Bill (kernos) | 334 comments I just finished The Minotaur Trilogy by Thomas Burnett Swann. What a Gem of a fantasy or from my point of view a Mythic Fantasy. Swann brings to life the ancient gods and demigods, Minoan and Greek and leaves one wondering if these are as much history as myth. His prose is lyrical and melodic, his characters unforgettable. I highly recommend Swann's works.

All that glitters is not new.


message 6: by Kathi, Moderator & Book Lover (new)

Kathi | 4226 comments Mod
I'm in Captain's Fury with The Wandering Fire up next, as I continue to alternate between the Codex Alera series and the Fionavar Tapestry.


message 7: by Helen (new)

Helen Finished the excellent Captain's Fury, I'm on Wandering Fire. However, unlike Kathi, I'll also be reading The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms.


message 8: by Tara (new)

Tara (tarabookreads) I just finished reading Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore and can't seem to decide which one to start next Green Rider , Miserere: An Autumn Tale or The Thief


message 9: by Lulu (new)

Lulu (robotwitch) | 65 comments The next two weeks for me in sff:

Farthing by Jo Walton Annihilation (Southern Reach Trilogy, #1) by Jeff VanderMeer The Swan Gondola by Timothy Schaffert Saga, Volume 1 by Brian K. Vaughan Saga, Volume 2 by Brian K. Vaughan What Makes This Book So Great by Jo Walton

as well as finishing off my audiobook for Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. I'm already halfway through What Makes This Book So Great? so it shouldn't take too much longer. And I am finally getting around to Saga before the 3rd Volume comes out.


message 10: by Andreas (new)

Andreas Just started The Last Unicorn which reads exactly like the movie.
Finished Fionavar 1 which was so great that I read the sequel in advance.

Next two books will be Grass and The Ghost Brigades


message 11: by Bob (new)

Bob (bobwill) | 40 comments Reading Last Arguement of Kings, 3rd book of The First Law trilogy by Joe Abercrombie. Really enjoyed the first two books. Unfortunately, I read The Heroes first (which I also enjoyed), then realized it was part of the First Law universe and decided to check out the trilogy. Not sure what to read next.


message 12: by Bill (new)

Bill (kernos) | 334 comments I just started The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell


message 13: by Andreas (last edited Feb 03, 2014 09:17AM) (new)

Andreas Bob wrote: "Reading Last Arguement of Kings, 3rd book of The First Law trilogy by Joe Abercrombie. Really enjoyed the first two books. Unfortunately, I read The Heroes first (which I also enjoyed), then real..."

If you liked it then carry on with the standalone Best Served Cold or Red Country!


message 14: by Shel, Moderator (new)

Shel (shel99) | 3043 comments Mod
Kernos, I LOVED The Sparrow! I really didn't like the sequel Children of God very much, though.


message 15: by Kathi, Moderator & Book Lover (new)

Kathi | 4226 comments Mod
Kernos wrote: "I just started The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell"

This is one of the books that has really stayed with me. I'll be interested in your reaction to it.


message 16: by Mike (new)

Mike (mikespencer) | 48 comments I'm listening to The Summer Tree and I just started reading The Sailor on the Seas of Fate.


message 17: by Jenny (new)

Jenny (jennyc89) | 127 comments From last month I'm finishing up The Glass Castle. I started reading Shift Omnibus Edition (Silo, #2) on my Kindle and I'm listening to Prince Caspian on audio. I have a lot of books I want to read this month because I received a bunch of books for Christmas and my birthday that I finally want to get to.


message 18: by Tyler (new)

Tyler | 45 comments I'm currently reading Independent Study and I plan on getting to Cress, Burn, A Darkling Sea, and The Martian.


message 19: by Alessio (new)

Alessio (pufforrohk) I'm halfway with Some Kind Of Fairy Tale (loving it) while reading We See a Different Frontier: A Postcolonial Speculative Fiction Anthology. The plan is to then move to Ancillary Justice and Osama.


message 20: by Sumant (last edited Feb 06, 2014 01:53AM) (new)

Sumant I am currently reading Dust of dreams by Steven Erikson and Eye of the world by Robert Jordan.


message 21: by Daniel (last edited Feb 06, 2014 09:39AM) (new)

Daniel (dward526) Here is my Feb List
Byzantium by Stephen R. Lawhead Rome The Emperor's Spy (Rome, #1) by M.C. Scott The Republic of Thieves (Gentleman Bastard, #3) by Scott Lynch Railsea by China Miéville and Paladin of Souls (Chalion, #2) by Lois McMaster Bujold

I also think I will get through the following audiobooks
The Collectors (Camel Club, #2) by David Baldacci and Victory of Eagles (Temeraire, #5) by Naomi Novik


message 22: by Pickle (new)

Pickle | 203 comments Im 41 pages into the very highly rated The Left Hand of Darkness and im usure if i will stick with it. Nothing has happened and what has been revealed could of been done in 1 page.


message 23: by Sandra (new)

Sandra  (sleo) | 1141 comments Pickle wrote: "Im 41 pages into the very highly rated The Left Hand of Darkness and im usure if i will stick with it. Nothing has happened and what has been revealed could of been done in 1 page."

I never finished that one. Just didn't hold my interest.


message 24: by Shel, Moderator (new)

Shel (shel99) | 3043 comments Mod
I love that book, but it's definitely a very slow start.

I'm about 3/4 of the way through Cold Steel and am impressed by the way that Elliot has woven together all the various threads of the story into an epic big picture that's beginning to take shape.


message 25: by Ken (new)

Ken (ogi8745) | 1404 comments Kernos wrote: "I just started The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell"

Oooo Great book. Sequel not so much but this one was is a favorite


message 26: by Ken (new)

Ken (ogi8745) | 1404 comments Sumant wrote: "I am currently reading Dust of dreams by Steven Erikson and Eye of the world by Robert Jordan."
I really like the Erikson books. So far I have only read the first three. I have the next seven loaded up in my ereader and plan to start number four in April.


message 27: by Ken (new)

Ken (ogi8745) | 1404 comments Finished Marvel Comics. It was ok, I did not realize how crappy it was behind the scenes. You get the impression though the book was written on behalf of the creatives though.

Started in on Of Truth and Beasts
About a quarter of the way through and I am not feeling the love. Not sure if its just the characters or the writing. Next Winter will start the next Trilogy with the original cast and will see if it makes a difference
(I tend to read Hardcovers in the Winter and paperbacks in the summer. I travel by bicycle in the non snow months and its lighter and roomier to read lighter books)


message 28: by Lulu (last edited Feb 09, 2014 05:54PM) (new)

Lulu (robotwitch) | 65 comments I finished Farthing on Friday, and it was excellent. I loved the two perspectives, and trying to piece everything together. Perhaps Agatha Christie meet Harry Turtledove in this? I'm impressed with Walton, will have to bump her others up my reading list.

I finished Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer this morning. Short, quick read, with an interesting premise. It struck me as kind of similar to James Smythe's Anomaly Quartet, simply for the strangeness and organisations being dishonest about expeditions, though obviously this one doesn't take place in space, but in the strange 'Area X'. Interested to see how the rest of the trilogy (all released this year!) pans out.

And I finally got around to both Saga, Volume 1 and Saga, Volume 2 which definitely lived up to expectations!

Started the audio of The Ocean at the End of the Lane on Friday, begrudgingly - I really don't like Gaiman, but have caved to peer pressure to give him another go. I hate his narration already. Starting The Swan Gondola tomorrow.


message 29: by Chris (new)

Chris Dietzel (chrisdietzel) I'm currently reading Timeline and am very disappointed. Sphere and Jurassic Park are two of my all-time favorite scifi books. If you told me the same author would write a story about time travel and it would be a let down, I wouldn't have believed you.


message 30: by Ken (new)

Ken (ogi8745) | 1404 comments Chris wrote: "I'm currently reading Timeline and am very disappointed. Sphere and Jurassic Park are two of my all-time favorite scifi books. If you told me the same author w..."

Yeah, I enjoyed Jurassic Park but after reading Lost World I realized he was in it for the movie contracts. It read like a movie. I haven't read him since


message 31: by Sumant (new)

Sumant I really like the Erikson books. So far I have only read the first three. I have the next seven loaded up in my ereader and plan to start number four in April

Ya erikson is good but it is better to read a erikson book in a group read was my experience because his books are like he resolves mystery of one book in next book or a book after that too many threads to remember.Also I think Dead house gates and Memories of ice are best books in the series so far.


message 32: by Shel, Moderator (new)

Shel (shel99) | 3043 comments Mod
Timeline was entertaining, but it definitely was not Crichton's best.

I finished Cold Steel and really enjoyed the way she wrapped up the trilogy. Thanks for turning me on to Kate Elliot, Beyond Reality! :)

On to some Regency romance with Georgette Heyer's The Masqueraders.


message 33: by Kelly (new)

Kelly (sisimka) @ Chris - I liked the idea of Timeline, but I agree it's not a good example of Crichton's books.

@Lulu - Isnt' Saga great?

@Pickle - I think The Left Hand of Darkness is my favourite Le Guin book. Years after reading it, I still have a vivid memory of so many scenes.

@Tyler - I look forward to seeing what you think of A Darkling Sea and The Martian. I enjoyed both.


message 34: by Pickle (new)

Pickle | 203 comments Sandra wrote: "Pickle wrote: "Im 41 pages into the very highly rated The Left Hand of Darkness and im usure if i will stick with it. Nothing has happened and what has been revealed could of been done..."

i gave up on it too, very slow.

Im now starting Snow Crash after being given a loan, very odd start.


message 35: by Chris (new)

Chris Dietzel (chrisdietzel) It sounds like there is a pretty clear consensus about Timeline. I should have looked through here for user comments that I trust before starting it. : /

I still can't believe the same writer who made supersmart gorillas, an underwater sphere, and the recreation of dinosaurs all seem so amazing couldn't write a good time travel story.


message 36: by Kelly (new)

Kelly (sisimka) Chris wrote: "It sounds like there is a pretty clear consensus about Timeline. I should have looked through here for user comments that I trust before starting it. : /

I still can't believe the sam..."


They can't all be winners. I think he had a neat idea, but failed to execute it well.


message 37: by Helen (new)

Helen Pickle wrote: "Sandra wrote: "Pickle wrote: "Im 41 pages into the very highly rated The Left Hand of Darkness and im usure if i will stick with it. Nothing has happened and what has been revealed co..."

I read the sample of Snow Crash and couldn't get into it, you'll have to tell me if it improves.


message 38: by Bob (new)

Bob (bobwill) | 40 comments Add me to the "I couldn't get into the Left Hand of Darkness" group. It was long enough ago that I don't remember exactly waht the problem was, but I don't think I got too far.


message 39: by Kathi, Moderator & Book Lover (new)

Kathi | 4226 comments Mod
Helen wrote: "I read the sample of Snow Crash and couldn't get into it..."

It took me a bit to get into it but I ended up enjoying it. Very different kind of book than what I usually read.


message 40: by Shel, Moderator (new)

Shel (shel99) | 3043 comments Mod
Having a stressful week, so going back to some old friends and re-reading the Hyperion Cantos.


message 41: by Helen (new)

Helen Kathi wrote: "Helen wrote: "I read the sample of Snow Crash and couldn't get into it..."

It took me a bit to get into it but I ended up enjoying it. Very different kind of book than what I usually read."


I don't think I completed the sample, 5%. Can't remember what I didn't like now.


message 42: by Ken (new)

Ken (ogi8745) | 1404 comments Finished the final book in the Wynn trilogy, Of Truth and Beasts and it was a chore to get through. My biggest problem with it was I didn't like anyone in the books.

Read an article about Game Theory and some guy on Jeopardy so pulled out The Art of Strategy: A Game Theorist's Guide to Success in Business and Life
I tried to read this a couple of years ago but couldn't get through it. Going to try it again as I have the time now to put into it


message 43: by Chris (new)

Chris Dietzel (chrisdietzel) I'm starting The Silent War. It'll be the first Ben Bova book I've read, so I'm excited to see what it's like.


message 44: by Ken (new)

Ken (ogi8745) | 1404 comments I like Ben Bova. I havent read much but what I read was pretty good


message 45: by Bev (new)

Bev (greenginger) | 20 comments Ken wrote: "I like Ben Bova. I havent read much but what I read was pretty good"

I love Ben Bova books.


message 46: by Jenny (new)

Jenny (jennyc89) | 127 comments Today I read The Walking Dead, Book Five and I can't wait to dig into the next installment. I'm also reading Vampire Academy which I'm enjoying a lot.


message 47: by Ken (last edited Feb 21, 2014 06:54PM) (new)

Ken (ogi8745) | 1404 comments Well I gave up on The Art of Strategy. Just wasn't feeling the love.
Decided to give an old school thriller some love.
Presently reading Red Phoenix


message 48: by Mekki (new)

Mekki | 18 comments I'm reading the old school fantasy novel, Three Hearts and Three Lions by Poul Anderson.


message 49: by Andreas (new)

Andreas Just readingPaladin of Souls.
Tomorrow, I hope for Words of Radiance


message 50: by Shel, Moderator (new)

Shel (shel99) | 3043 comments Mod
In the past week I've read Etiquette & Espionage (SO MUCH FUN!) and Horns (very good, but VERY disturbing - just what you'd expect from Stephen King's kid). Now I'm reading through a friend's manuscript to give him some feedback.


« previous 1
back to top
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.