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General SF&F discussion > What are you reading in February 2015?

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message 1: by Candiss (new)

Candiss (tantara) | 1207 comments Please tell us what you are reading, or plan to read, in February.


message 2: by Christine (new)

Christine | 636 comments I abandoned The Secret Place; too many words and minutiae. Now I'm about to read The Three-Body Problem


message 3: by Shel, Moderator (new)

Shel (shel99) | 3049 comments Mod
I'm about a third of the way through Kraken.


message 4: by Kathi, Moderator & Book Lover (new)

Kathi | 4231 comments Mod
No surprise, I'm reading Gardens of the Moon.


message 6: by Alissa (new)

Alissa | 171 comments I'm reading Grand Conspiracy by Janny Wurts, with the following book, Peril's Gate, already close at hand. Brilliant epic fantasy.


message 7: by Random (new)

Random (rand0m1s) | 1199 comments I'm just starting Gardens of the Moon today.
In audio, I'm listening to The Dead Path.


message 8: by Chris (new)

Chris Dietzel (chrisdietzel) I just started The Last Policeman and have high hopes for it.


message 9: by Sumant (new)

Sumant Here is my review of dune


message 10: by Helen (new)

Helen I'm reading Firefight. Books that I'm reading soon are: The Return of Sherlock Holmes, Gardens of the Moon and The Martian.


message 11: by Tani (new)

Tani | 132 comments I finished Mars Crossing by Geoffrey A. Landis this morning. It was OK, but nothing too special. Mediocre in all ways is my assessment. I'm really not sure why it was nominated for a Nebula, but it kind of makes me afraid to read the other books from that year.

I am starting The Bear Went Over the Mountain by William Kotzwinkle to take its place, which was a nominee for the 1997 World Fantasy Award.


message 12: by Justine (last edited Feb 06, 2015 01:49PM) (new)

Justine (justine_ao) | 631 comments Helen wrote: "I'm reading Firefight.

I'd be interested to hear what you think of Firefight when you are done, Helen. I just finished it myself. I won't say what I thought (because I don't like it when people do that to me when I haven't finished reading something myself)…except that I didn't rate it where I thought I would? :)



message 13: by Justine (new)

Justine (justine_ao) | 631 comments I'm reading The Three-Body Problem right now. Next I'm thinking of starting Range of Ghosts and then probably The Dragon's Path. Also I would like to read A Darker Shade of Magic which comes out at the end of February.


message 14: by Tani (new)

Tani | 132 comments I finished Mars Evacuees by Sophia McDougall yesterday, which I really loved. It was the best kind of young adult: engaging and exciting, and I was highly impressed by it.

I am now officially starting Gardens of the Moon, which I am very excited about!


message 15: by Justine (new)

Justine (justine_ao) | 631 comments And after all that, that's what I started reading too. :)


message 16: by Helen (new)

Helen Justine wrote: "Helen wrote: "I'm reading Firefight.

I'd be interested to hear what you think of Firefight when you are done, Helen. I just finished it myself. I won't say what I ..."


I gave it a four but it's more of a 3.5. There were an odd collection of characters, some seemed rounded while others were almost caricatures. I'm curious to where it will go next.


message 17: by Nick (new)

Nick (doily) | 1001 comments I finished Ilium, a chunkster by Dan Simmons, and am looking forward to its (longer) sequel, Olympos. Probably not as good as Simmons' Hyperion series, but then, few things are.


message 18: by Kathi, Moderator & Book Lover (new)

Kathi | 4231 comments Mod
Nick wrote: "Probably not as good as Simmons' Hyperion series, but then, few things are. "

Agreed!!


message 19: by Ken (last edited Feb 10, 2015 11:39AM) (new)

Ken (ogi8745) | 1406 comments I liked Ilium, it was Olympus that let me down
If I remember correctly


message 20: by Bill (last edited Feb 10, 2015 01:18PM) (new)

Bill (kernos) | 334 comments I'm reading the 2nd Cassandra Kresnov novel Breakthrough by Joel Shepherd

I recently finished:

The Final Solution by Michael Chabon—a mystery about a missing parrot investigated by a doddering old "Sherlock Holmes"-like character. Wonderful! as is Chabon generally.

{book:House of Glass|21446092] by James Maertens book 1 of a YA+, Celtoid, Harry Potter like fantasy with a literary bent.

Crossover the 1st book in the href="/series/51705-cassandra-kresnov">Cassandra Kresnov series by Joel Shepherd. The series is a far future political/military epic Sci-Fi. The action never lets up. It's pure fun.

The Merro Tree by Katie Waitman one of the best alien-oriented Sci-Fi's I've read. It's on my favorites shelf.

Next up the be The Complete Lyonesse by Jack Vance. I've read Poul Anderson's King of Ys series. A comparison will be fun.


message 21: by Random (new)

Random (rand0m1s) | 1199 comments Finished The Dead Path, which I rather liked.
Started Some Kind of Fairy Tale which is failing at holding my attention.

Once I finish or give up on it, I'm going to do a reread of Blindsight to prep me for Echopraxia.

Still working on Gardens of the Moon. I'm not far yet, but I'm enjoying what I have read so far.


message 22: by Shel, Moderator (new)

Shel (shel99) | 3049 comments Mod
Ken wrote: "I liked Ilium, it was Olympus that let me down
If I remember correctly"


I am with you. Had a hard time getting through Olympus. Neither one was as masterful as the Hyperion series. I do have Flashback on my shelf waiting to be read when I feel like I have the attention span for it!

I'm picking away at short stories while I figure out what to read next.


message 23: by Ken (new)

Ken (ogi8745) | 1406 comments Finished The Peripheral. Very good book. Gibson is back in fine form

Reading Red Planet Blues


message 24: by Christine (new)

Christine | 636 comments I finished The Three-Body Problem (which I don't recommend due to the excessively detailed hard science; the story line is intriguing) and have now started A Darkling Sea


message 25: by Bill (new)

Bill (kernos) | 334 comments Christine wrote: "I finished The Three-Body Problem (which I don't recommend due to the excessively detailed hard science; the story line is intriguing) and have now started [book:A Darkling Sea|1793..."

How does the Hard Science interfere with your enjoyment? I like har sci-fi as well as space opera.


message 26: by Christine (new)

Christine | 636 comments I have no problem with hard science, but about half of the book was taken up with explanations of hard science stuff. To me, it interfered with the story and was unpleasant to "slog" through. Still, I like the basic plot and would read the two sequels if I weren't sure they will also be filled with too many pages of hard science. I fee like this book was written for Neil DeGrasse Tyson...


message 27: by Tani (new)

Tani | 132 comments Yesterday, I finished The Eyes of God by John Marco, which OK but not great. It felt kind of like a soap opera, where the characters constantly change their personality in order to create drama in the plot.

I also finished listening to A Dance of Blades by David Dalglish, which I felt was much better than the first book in the series. I connected more with the characters, and really got into the story.

To replace these, I started reading Red Rising by Pierce Brown and an out of genre book, The Spymaster's Lady by Joanna Bourne.


message 28: by Justine (new)

Justine (justine_ao) | 631 comments I loved Red Rising…I thought it was a great debut book. The follow up, Golden Son is even better, in my opinion, and really shows Brown's growth as a writer.


message 29: by Christine (new)

Christine | 636 comments I'm waiting for Golden Son from the library; in the meantime, once I finish A Darkling Sea, I have The Slow Regard of Silent Things, The Bone Clocks and Landline at home


message 30: by Lindsey (new)

Lindsey | 414 comments I've only finished one book so far this month, The Rosie Project, which was a light read for a book club but had some representation problems.

In the middle of The Advanced Genius Theory: Are They Out of Their Minds or Ahead of Their Time? (which is total bunk so far) and Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography (another book club read which is fun, if a bit confusing). Once I'm done with those, it's Kate Elliott's newest, The Very Best of Kate Elliott. And then hopefully back to Deverry.


message 31: by Tani (new)

Tani | 132 comments Justine wrote: "I loved Red Rising…I thought it was a great debut book. The follow up, Golden Son is even better, in my opinion, and really shows Brown's growth as a writer."

I've heard a lot of great things about both books, so I'm definitely excited to start reading the series. I'm reading it at work, so I really gotten anywhere with it yet, but the first few pages did a great job of pulling me in, so I anticipate it being very entertaining for me.


message 32: by Helen (new)

Helen Gardens of the Moon is getting more understandable and exciting, I may have to stay up late!


message 33: by Ken (new)

Ken (ogi8745) | 1406 comments Finished Sawyers Red Planet Blues
I didnt like they style he was writing in. Detective Noir, I didn't much care for the main character.
The writing was, per usual for Sawyer, very good.

Reading a book about Islam
No God But God: The Origins, Evolution and Future of Islam


message 34: by Shel, Moderator (new)

Shel (shel99) | 3049 comments Mod
I finished Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption, which was wonderful - needed something light and completely different afterwards so I'm now reading Curtsies & Conspiracies and have Waistcoats & Weaponry lined up for when I finish. I still have to make it to the library to pick up my copy of Gardens of the Moon, which is waiting patiently for me :)


message 35: by Justine (new)

Justine (justine_ao) | 631 comments My ereader unfortunately died rather unexpectedly. However, I was able to dig my paper copy of Gardens of the Moon out of one of my bookshelves without too much difficulty, so at least I'll be able to finish what I was in the middle of reading. Without my ereader though, I'll be rethinking what to read next...


message 36: by Kathi, Moderator & Book Lover (last edited Feb 19, 2015 09:08AM) (new)

Kathi | 4231 comments Mod
I'm close to finishing Gardens of the Moon and hope to squeeze in The Drawing of the Dark before continuing the Malazan series with Deadhouse Gates.

Let me just add that Gardens of the Moon has not been as bleak as I feared--there are lots of great moments, some humor, catchy dialogue, and fascinating characters. The plot developments are intriguing and sometimes confusing, with gods, magic, soldiers, budding romance. I'm hooked.


message 37: by Random (new)

Random (rand0m1s) | 1199 comments Just finishing my reread of Blindsight. Its been one that I've not been able to stop thinking about since we read it as a group years ago. It improves on the reread and I suspect I'd get more out of it if I did another one as well.

I should be able to start Echopraxia at some point today.

I've been on the move for weeks now so haven't made as much progress on Gardens of the Moon as I had hoped. Planning on setting aside some time this weekend for just reading to see if I can get caught up. I have enjoyed what I have read so far.

Benefit of audiobooks. With 3 hours commuting a day, I get plenty of time to listen. Not so much for reading print. :(


message 38: by Maggie (last edited Feb 19, 2015 09:26AM) (new)

Maggie K | 298 comments I had so many books on my slate this month, I was very relieved that I didn't need to reread Gardens, because since I have read it 3 times, I think I am good! I am going to join in either at Memories of Ice (my fave Erikson) or Midnight Tides (which Ive only read once-lol)

Meanwhile, I am still trying to finish A Deepness in the Sky-which I love but have in small print) and Kraken, which I should finish tonight


message 39: by Bill (new)


message 40: by Helen (new)

Helen Loved Gardens of the Moon and The Martian. Couldn't put that down. Quite glad I joined the library. Still need to read my Sherlock book then Murder on the Orient Express or Waylander.


message 41: by Philip (new)

Philip Athans (philathans) | 79 comments Candiss wrote: "Please tell us what you are reading, or plan to read, in February."

My random SF/F grab-bag ( ) pick this month was:
The War Against the Rull
...so far, lovin' it--good Old School space opera.
And I'm continuing to slowly work through Robert Silverberg's Majipoor series with the short but sweet (and pretty weird):
The Mountains of Majipoor


message 42: by Jonathan (new)

Jonathan Bergeron (scifi_jon) | 4 comments God of the Dead by M.C. Norris. Really good book. Started it yesterday and by the time I went to sleep Kindle showed me having 67% done with the book. It reminds me a little of Dean Koontz. Fucked up reality with a science fiction edge. I recommend it.


message 43: by Christine (new)

Christine | 636 comments I finished A Darkling Sea which I highly reommend and last night started The Slow Regard of Silent Things which I quit reading this morning saying WTF to myself. The next book on my shelf is non Fantasy/SciFi Landline


message 44: by Tani (new)

Tani | 132 comments I inhaled Red Rising by Pierce Brown yesterday, which I loved. Now it's back to Gardens of the Moon before I can allow myself to read Golden Son.


message 45: by Shel, Moderator (last edited Feb 22, 2015 05:09PM) (new)

Shel (shel99) | 3049 comments Mod
Going to start Gardens of the Moon tonight - am also intermittently listening to Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers on audiobook, macabre but fascinating. I just love Mary Roach!


message 46: by Tani (new)

Tani | 132 comments I finished The Bear Went Over the Mountain by William Kotzwinkle yesterday, which was my current award nominee/winner. I did not like it. It's a satire, which I am not generally a fan of. Satires depress me, to be honest. So that was a disappointment.

To replace that book, I have started Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson.


message 47: by Kathi, Moderator & Book Lover (new)

Kathi | 4231 comments Mod
I finished Drawing of the Dark and hope to start Deadhouse Gates soon. We are leaving on a road trip tomorrow and I typically don't read a lot on those kinds of vacations. But we'll see if I can squeeze in a chapter or two here and there.


message 48: by Helen (new)

Helen I know I'm off genre but I loved Murder on the Orient Express. Next is either The Return of Sherlock Holmes or Waylander.


message 49: by Bill (new)

Bill (kernos) | 334 comments I finished Suldrun's Garden book 1 of the Lyonsees series by Jack Vance—very good mythic fantasy.

I'm about a third of the way thru Killswitch book 3 of the Cassandra Kresnov Sci-Fi series—purely escapist fun.


message 50: by Christine (new)

Christine | 636 comments I finished Landline a couple days ago and really can't recommend it; I gave it 2 stars (the second becuse I finished it). I have no books on my shelf, my husband is reading The Bone Clocks on my eReader so I have to wait until he is done. I dropped by the library today and picked up Warbreaker which I'll start tonight


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